A MONTH ago The Jockey Club in Britain planted an oak tree on the gallops at Lambourn to honour Many Clouds. A photograph of the plaque which was unveiled is on this page and rightly credits four people who had a major part to play in the success of the gelding.

There is one glaring omission however. Where is the name of the breeder, Aidan Aherne? Without him there would be no Many Clouds and he is equally deserving of inclusion on the plaque as the quartet who are named. While sometimes the smallest of gestures can bring the greatest of joy, the seemingly smallest of omissions can cause the greatest offence.

Aidan Aherne is one of the many breeders who have been recipients of a Connolly’s Red Mills/The Irish Field Breeder of the Month Award over the years and he did so for the aforementioned Many Clouds. The son of Cloudings (Sadler’s Wells) and Bobbing Back (Bob Back) won a bumper, two hurdle races and nine chases in a career that sadly ended after he suffered a server pulmonary haemorrhage after his victory in the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham back in January.

In April 2015 the then eight-year-old beat Saint Are and Monbeg Dude to land the Crabbies’ Grand National at Aintree, a race that guarantees immortality for the winners and their connections. The world’s most famous steeplechase is beamed around the world and Many Clouds was one of the most popular horses to land the race. He looked well set for another strong challenge this year when tragedy struck.

Cloudings stands at James Hannon’s The Old Road Stud in Tallow and his biggest success came in the Group 1 Prix Lupin. Many Clouds is his outstanding runner and he is a half-brother to the two-time Grade 1 winning hurdler and Grade 1-placed chaser The Tullow Tank. That gelding is a son of Oscar (Sadler’s Wells). Many Clouds was sold as a foal for €6,000 at Tattersalls Ireland. Highflyer Bloodstock purchased him and he went on to win some £925,000 in prizemoney.

The Tullow Tank and Many Clouds are the outstanding members of their female family. His Bob Back (Roberto) dam Bobbing Back failed to reach the frame, while her full-sister Back On Line was a multiple winner over hurdles in addition to landing a bumper and a point-to-point. She was placed in a listed chase at Newbury.

Another full-sister is Ballys Baby and this unraced mare is responsible for two winners already, the best of the pair being Forge Meadow (Beneficial), winner of the valuable George Mernagh Memorial Bumper in 2016 and who followed up this year with victory in a Grade 2 hurdle at Naas.

Hopefully The Jockey Club will make contact with the engraver and amend the plaque.