AN abundance of top-class racing awaits us this weekend, and none more important than the latest staging of the Derby at Epsom. The significance of the race result can never be overstated, bringing with it worldwide acclaim and enormous potential in terms of breeding.

Unfortunately the build up to the event has been overshadowed by the unseemly carry-on regarding the participation of the very moderate Diore Lia, and I fear she will get undue attention today during the broadcast of the race. This is regrettable, as the coverage of jockey Gina Mangan has been all week. No one emerges from this with any great credit.

For what it is worth, on balance I feel that the right decision was made to disallow Gina from taking part. The balance was tilted in that direction by the calls from fellow riders that this was the best course of action. I do feel that the British Horseracing Authority handled the matter badly, doing a Theresa May-style U-turn midweek.

Racing needs all the help it can get in terms of promotion to a wider audience. The argument that any publicity is better than none does not stack up here, and this is the wrong type of focus on the sport. Claims of elitism are being laid at the sport, and to outsiders this is a legitimate accusation.

Safety of horses and riders is paramount. The right decision has been made, but the handling of it has been a disaster.

FINGERS CROSSED

The possibility of a Japanese challenger for the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes in September was increased this week with news that Japan’s Horse of the Year, Kitasan Black, was nominated for the race. Should he travel, and all of Pat Keogh’s hard work pays off, it would be a major coup for Leopardstown and Irish racing in general, and would shorten the odds on the race being ranked the best in the world. What a coup that would be!

NO EXCUSE

As I left the Curragh on Sunday evening a beleaguered car park attendant volunteered that he had never before suffered levels of abuse as he had done over the two days of racing at the weekend.

In conditions that were dreadful to be outside in, and trying to get customers familiar with different parking arrangements, these men and women had a difficult task. Any shortcomings in the workings of the system are not their fault and abuse of them is unacceptable.