JAMES’S Delight returned to the county of his birth last Saturday to contest the €120,000 Group 2 Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh. This was the last time the race was run with Russell Ferris in charge at the sponsors, and he will leave later this summer when Sharon O’Regan ascends into the hot seat at the renowned firm. I wish them both well.

Sheila Grassick’s Newtown Stud is situated about 15 minutes from the Curragh Racecourse, and it was there that the Greenlands winner was bred. The gelded four-year-old is a son of the former Yeomanstown Stud stallion Invincible Army (Invincible Spirit), who is now in his first season in Normandy. His fee is €3,500, well down from his starting price of €10,000.