I HAVE a major problem with Irish Thoroughbred Marketing’s annual stallion trail.

I am too busy on a Friday to be able to attend, given that it is the day we go to press, and I don’t have enough time on the Saturday to visit all the farms I want to see. Today I will hopefully make it to four venues, and others will have to put up with some private calls at a later date.

The success of the stallion trail can be measured in so many ways, but surely the best is the number of farms who year on year open their doors and participate. From the biggest to some of the smallest, all can see the value of the exercise, and breeders’ feedback would say that they cannot get enough of it.

I have actually suggested previously that the event could be spread out to include a few extra weekdays, and perhaps this would be seriously considered by the organisers. The farms will, after all, accommodate breeders on any occasion they wish to call, and being ready for a three- or four-day trail would not involve a great deal more work than it does now.

New man

Super news that Paul Hensey is to take over from Paddy Walsh at the helm of the Association of Irish Racecourses, and I wish him well in the role. I have known Paul for many years, back to his days in Loughbrown Stud and maybe earlier. He brings a wealth of experience to the position, not least an insider’s knowledge of the working of a racecourse.

A key challenge, among many I am sure, will be to work with his 26 constituent members to attract more people through the gates of Irish racecourses. The existence of other forms of entertainment, and the ease of access to watching racing, should not detract from the need to get people up close to the action. It is only then that we can truly engage them with our sport, and encourage them to develop a lifetime love for it.

There is much to be done, and Paddy Walsh will be handing over responsibility for AIR’s future to a safe pair of hands.

Sad news

I was saddened to hear this week of the passing of Simon Walford. The Captain was a man of great integrity and loyalty, with a passion for National Hunt breeding and racing, a devotion to point-to-pointing, and to sheep farming.

He gave of himself to others, and he will be a huge loss to Angela and all his family. He will be sorely missed by many. Rest in peace.