Ruby Walsh: Britain couldn't mirror what Ireland has done with Dublin Racing Festival

When it comes to what not to do, Horse Racing Ireland should take note of the Berkshire Winter Million.

With the Dublin Racing Festival, Ireland has proven that less is more. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

The Berkshire Winter Million, the UK’s reply to the Dublin Racing Festival. It had to come, as the eyes on the UK mainland spied Leopardstown’s venture and its lure for British racegoers. How could Ireland be taking control of the lull between Christmas and the spring festivals? How could they overpower Cheltenham’s trials day, Newbury’s Betfair Hurdle card and Sandown’s Scilly Isles day?

British racing couldn’t figure it out, so they invented the Winter Million weekend. It didn't take off with the geographical spread between Lingfield and Ascot too far to have the feel of one meeting and, hence, Arena Racing reconfigured the track at Windsor and reintroduced jump racing in the castle's shadows in the hope that a mini festival in the one area just outside London might ignite the imagination.