THE abiding memory of this week are photos of one man and a horse.

A host of photos on social media show one elegant thoroughbred racehorse, and there is no doubting that Many Clouds, remembered this weekend, in repose was one attractive subject.

And we saw many photos of the late trainer Richard Woollacott. Even if few here will have met him, again there was not a photo that did not show a smiling, apparently person enjoying life and at a time when he had a very good horse to look forward to.

No horse who lost his life on the track has left an impression or been feted as Many Clouds has. Perhaps it is too much, gallant winner though he was.

However, we often believe it is for horses like him, Go Native, Solwhit and Vautour – and the days they brought their connections – that we carry on and look forward.

Woollacott’s passing, at a time when he appeared to have so much to live for, reminds us to take nothing for granted, even outward appearances. Even through the good days, it can be tough.

Trials from the racecourses

WHO’D be a clerk of the course for winter jumping fixtures? Over the last five weeks Lorcan Wyer has had to contend with low sun and hurdle omissions at Leopardstown, horses getting lost in the fog before calling off Clonmel and a deluge of rain and inches of surface water at Thurles.

Hopefully all the weather gods have vented their fury by now and look kindly on Leopardstown next week.

Wind operations

BOITE at Taunton last Saturday became the first horse to win in Britain whose recent wind op was recorded on the racecard.

It will be interesting to see the data after a month and ask how much of a boon this has been to punters or if backing horses on their first run following a procedure has proved an expensive distraction. Eight were declared to run yesterday. What will punters choose to do if a horse has had a second wind op,? It’s hardly a recommendation.