MUCH of the conversation this week at Goffs centred on the news that John Osborne was no longer to be at the helm of the Irish National Stud. I have managed to remain fairly sanguine about Brexit, the election of Donald Trump, even the closure of Kempton Park, but this does make me want to join whatever club accommodates the indignant and offended.

Among my contemporaries in the thoroughbred industry it is hard to think of anybody held in higher regard than John Osborne. His many strengths include being informed rather than opinionated and an ability to put the bigger picture of the industry before the temptations of self-interest. In other words, he has the perfect credentials to serve the nation’s best interests.