SAMCRO’S breeder Douglas Taylor was among those picking up an award at the Connolly’s Red Mills The Irish Field Breeder of the Year dinner this week (see pages A22-23).

A fascinating character with a wicked sense of humour, Douglas told us how the champion novice hurdler almost got a very different name.

“I offered him at the Land Rover Sale and Eddie O’Leary wanted to buy him but we couldn’t agree on the price. I took the horse home and I was so annoyed I put in two names on the registration form – Samcro and Aer Lingus!”

Luckily for Douglas, his first choice was accepted. We doubt the O’Learys would have paid £335,000 at Aintree a year later for a horse named Aer Lingus.