EVERY now and then a discussion takes place about what constitutes equine ‘greatness’ in horse racing. It is seldom enough to have put up just one performance of superlative merit – (think Hawk Wing in the Lockinge Stakes and Harbinger in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes) – and even two or three may be deemed insufficient (both the aforementioned had back-up efforts that were high-class).

‘Greatness’ is in the eye of the beholder, with repeatability, durability and versatility understandably tending to count for nearly as much as a high form rating or fast time with many.