DAVY Russell ranks as one of the best riders of his generation. Given the quality of jockeys that he competed with, this makes him among the best of all time.

His successes are listed elsewhere, a record for eternity and a measure in time of how good he was. Davy had his ups and downs, no shortage of injuries, but he always came back from each setback with a fierce determination to succeed.

At the heart of all of this was the fact that he loved what he did with a passion.

Were it not for the fact that risk and age become more and more a factor of life, I am sure Davy would still be riding this weekend, and into the future. He made a rational decision, and bowed out on his own terms, and on a winner. After he broke his neck and returned last year following an 11-month break, he said: “When I’m ready to go, I’m ready to go. I don’t want to go out afraid. I don’t want to go out being scared of riding horses.”

Edelle and their children will see more of Davy as he embarks on the next phase of his career, and I wish him well. From a personal perspective. I have the highest regard for Davy, and a comment he made to me in a written note after I recovered from serious illness says all I need to know about the man.

It should also be said that at a time when the idea of enhancing the National Hunt programme for fillies and mares, now a shining success, was being mooted and driven by William Flood and others, Davy was a vocal supporter. I wish I had a recording of a passionate speech he made from the floor at the ITBA Expo held at Leopardstown 10 years ago. His support was a pivotal moment for me.

Lebanon

This week I am writing from Beirut in Lebanon. My arrival coincided with the sad death of Private Seán Rooney. To his family and comrades I offer my deepest condolences.

I hope to attend racing at the Hippodrome du parc de Beyrouth, though sadly the last thoroughbred race took place a decade ago. Today the racecourse is a mirror for what is happening to this beautiful country. When I return I will write more about it.

The directeur général, Nabil Nasrallah, sends his best wishes to those in Ireland he knows. He has run racing for half a century, and while he has witnessed a once great sport decline, he ended our meeting on a positive note of hope for a revival in its fortunes.