'Your focus is on that 12-15m strip of ground. When the weather isn’t playing ball, you’re micro-managing it'

Shane Ryder, the recently appointed clerk of the course at Galway racetrack looks ahed to the maiden festival in his new role.

Shane Ryder, the IHRB Clerk Of Course Pic: Healy Racing

“A successful week is when nobody is talking about me or the team when it’s all over. It’s a bit like being a referee. When a game is over everyone should be talking about the action on the pitch, not the referee.”

Shane Ryder, the recently appointed clerk of the course at Galway racetrack is speaking a few days before the maiden festival in his new role and not long after the All-Ireland football semi-final between Dublin and Kerry dominated by the equine equivalent of square balls, dodgy penalties and unawarded goals.