It is a particularly apt reference that applies most surely to Joseph O’Brien.

It is startling to think that he just turned 21 years of age earlier this month. Yet he has been champion jockey twice in Ireland, setting a new record for wins in 2013. He has annexed some 20 Group 1 races worldwide, in spite of having a licence just five years.

Yes, he does ride for the most powerful stable in Ireland, but he would not be allowed to do so if he did not possess such a natural talent. Bad jockeys do not make good horses. Good jockeys bring out the very best in talented horses. Read our feature on Joseph today as he prepares for Epsom this day week.

TATTERSALLS EVENT

Many fans of racing will switch their allegiance this weekend as our sport horse colleagues celebrate one of the most important weekends of the year. Some of the best riders in eventing are at Tattersalls Ireland this weekend, with some dramatic cross-country action promised for today and the final round of show jumping tomorrow. The Irish Field is proud to sponsor the CCI*** and we wish all the competitors well.

Meanwhile, down the road in Mullingar they stage a major show that runs until Monday and will also feature visitors to this shore among its line-up of competitors. It too comes with a strong recommendation to attend.

HYDROGEN BOMBS

You can imagine how the editors were sitting in wait for the result from Newmarket yesterday in case they could use this headline. The hugely expensive yearling purchase of 2012 was making his belated racecourse debut and all eyes were on him. Looks and pedigree counted for much when he sailed through the sales ring and realised 2,500,000gns, thus becoming the most expensive yearling sold at a public auction that year.

After all, it was there in the blood. A Galileo sibling to the Derby winner Authorized, he lined up with the potential to claw back some £5,000 of his purchase price in a 12-furlong maiden. He failed to make a meaningful impression. Pedigree matters though, even if it doesn’t guarantee success. The winner of this maiden was a Sea The Stars half-sister to international stars George Washington and Grandera. She is bred for stardom.