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Power of the horse conquers all Irish divides, except maybe class

Government support for the industry signifies horseracing's place in Irish society.
JOYOUS SCENES: Alex Ferguson celebrates with Alan Halsall, back, after watching his horse Monmiral win the Pertemps Network Final, ridden to victory by Harry Cobden. Pic: Joe Giddens, PA

JOYOUS SCENES: Alex Ferguson celebrates with Alan Halsall, back, after watching his horse Monmiral win the Pertemps Network Final, ridden to victory by Harry Cobden. Pic: Joe Giddens, PA

Fri, 15 Mar, 2024 - 07:54
Paul Rouse
Paul Rouse
Paul Rouse is an historian, author, broadcaster… and former Offaly football boss. He specialises in sport and Irish culture.

The great patriotic fervour around Cheltenham is mostly harmless fun.

It is unclear whether the horses are conscious of their great good fortune to be born Irish – how much do they know about the historical heroism of their people and how fortunate they are to belong to such a nation?

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