Norman’s Wisdom

THURLES racecourse, early December. The weak winter light is fading into an all-encompassing gloom and the chill is settling on the old rudimentary buildings as the crowd wends its way home after an action-packed day.

For Norman Williamson it certainly had been an action-packed day. Newly returned to ply his trade in Ireland on a full-time basis, Thurles represents a new reality for a man who has long been regarded as being one of the most stylish practitioners of his trade.

A fall while schooling a horse in the morning; a fall from Just In Debt at the second last in the three mile Chase and no winner from six rides. A new reality indeed.