Zhukova provided pioneering trainer Dermot Weld with another notable victory overseas when justifying favouritism in the Man o'War Stakes at Belmont Park.

Mark Walsh is rapidly developing into one of the unsung heroes of Irish National Hunt racing.

Not all heroes wear capes.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained Sir John Lavery, a very promising third on his debut at the Curragh just a week ago, proved the star of yesterday’s Gowran Park action as he romped to an impressive seven lengths win in the one-mile Irish Stallion Farms 2-Y-0 Maiden.

On an overcast Kilkenny afternoon about this time last year a seemingly bog standard two-year old maiden race was run at Gowran Park. Of the sixteen starters, most were unexposed types and although they represented many of our high profile training operations it didn’t quite feel like one of those golden maidens that hid unrevealed secrets for a sparkling future. Looks can sometimes deceive.

Dermot Weld would rather the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe be staged at Longchamp than its temporary home of Chantilly ahead of Harzand's date with destiny on Sunday week.

After a mid-season lull trainer Willie McCreery has returned to form with a vengeance, and he recorded a 29-1 double on the opening day of the Killarney’s August festival, including taking the listed Vincent O’Brien Ruby Stakes with the game Erysimum.

Dermot Weld says Harzand "probably looks better than ever" as the dual Derby hero gears up for a return to the track next month.

It’s one of biggest racing weeks of the year in the racing world with terrific domestic action at Galway as well as a stellar meeting at Goodwood. Here’s five things to keep in mind over the next six days.

Dermot Weld reached a significant milestone in his long and illustrious career in Naas last night when a double, with Discipline in the listed Naas Oaks Trial and Sea Swift in the fillies maiden, saw him reach the 4,000 winner mark.

Pat Smullen has confirmed that it’s all systems go for Harzand to make his bid for a famous Derby double at The Curragh on Saturday.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Creed and several representatives of the Cork Flat Breeders were present for a high-class programme at Mallow racecourse yesterday afternoon, where the featured Munster Oaks went to the Aidan O’Brien-trained Pretty Perfect.

Foxtrot Charlie continued the rich vein of form being enjoyed by Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen when beating his elders in the listed Coral.ie Glencairn Stakes in Leopardstown last night.

Investec Derby hero Harzand could end up running in the Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster in the autumn.

The Dermot Weld-trained Harzand earned quotes ranging from 16/1 to 25/1 for the Investec Derby in Epsom following his workmanlike victory in the Group 3 P W McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes in Leopardstown yesterday.

“We’ll leave Kerry happy now,” said in-form trainer Willie McCreery, following the victory of Fact Or Folklore in the featured Guinness Premier Handicap on day four of the Listowel Festival.

I doubt that Dermot Weld engaged in anything even remotely approaching a Clive Brittain-like jig, but he must have at least allowed himself a wry smile!

Ballybrit has always been a special place for Dermot Weld and the master of Rosewell House struck with a spectacular 636/1 four-timer at the Galway track last evening

Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen combined to steal the show with a treble last night at Tipperary, headed by Tested’s second consecutive success in the Group 3 Coolmore Stud Fairy Bridge Stakes.

Coolmore made an encouraging start to her career, despite having to settle for third in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden at the Curragh.

Cougar Mountain benefited from a drop in class when winning the Invesco Pension Consultants Desmond Stakes at Leopardstown last night.

After a game and well-deserved success in last night’s feature, the Connacht Hotel Qualified Riders’ Handicap, the Jessica Harrington-trained Modem will bid to emulate Athy Spirit (1990) and Try A Brandy (1988) by adding Thursday’s Galway Hurdle to his spoils.