Brendan Walsh, the self-taught Shanagarry man who thrived racing the American way

Walsh is looking to add to an international CV with Extravagant Kid, who will have Frankie Dettori on board in tomorrow’s red-hot Group 1 July Cup at Newmarket

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - MARCH 27: Ryan Moore riding Extravagant Kid wins the Al Quoz Sprint during Dubai World Cup at the Meydan Racecourse on March 27, 2021 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

Not being immersed in horses from the moment the starting stalls of life open is clearly no impediment to a hugely successful career in racing.

Exhibit A, Brendan Walsh. A Grade 1- and Breeders’ Cup-winning trainer based in the American thoroughbred heartland of Kentucky, who has accumulated more than $22m in prizemoney since taking out a licence in 2011, the 48-year-old Shanagarry native is looking to add to an international CV that features the UAE Derby with the money-spinning Extravagant Kid, who will have Frankie Dettori on board in tomorrow’s red-hot Group 1 July Cup at Newmarket.