WHAT a pleasure it was to spend an hour and a half in the company of Valerie Cooper in her home in Rickardstown, just outside Newbridge, on Tuesday afternoon.

On Friday last, the 88-year-old received a standing ovation upon receiving the Racing Personality Award at the Irish Racehorse Owner Awards at Cashel Palace. Such awards usually feature very deserving winners but it’s hard to imagine a more deserving winner than Mrs Cooper, whose contribution to Irish racing can be described as ground-breaking, iconic and inspirational.