WE can hardly be surprised that all has gone well for the return of Irish racing, and what a joy to see the Curragh on RTÉ screens last evening. This and coming weekends are an opportunity to win the hearts and minds of non-racing people.

I say we can hardly be surprised as racing had operated successfully behind closed doors before its shutdown, and the strengthened protocols mean that it is as watertight as it can be now. I will have my first opportunity to visit a racecourse in these circumstances this weekend, and will see at first-hand how they work.

On a weekly basis you will have read in this paper about the work being carried out to ensure racing returned, about the effort both Horse Racing Ireland and the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Body put in, and the cooperation they received from all stakeholders – racecourses, trainers, jockeys and many others. It is easy to criticise and comment when things go wrong, and deservedly so at times, but it is equally important to say well done when things go right.

The degree of cooperation between all the bodies has been laudatory, and the willingness of everyone to do so in the best interests of getting racing up and running must be applauded. Hopefully this period of collaboration will continue in the future, especially when we have had a taste of what could be if we had no sport. We now know what can be done when required.

There is a slower return to activity within the sport horse sector, though the specific infrastructure it has means that almost all major events in 2020 have been lost. It is only at grassroots level that we are seeing some action now, but hopefully show jumping centres will lead the way and spearhead a return to normal.

One equine sector that has been steadily making inroads in recent years has been that of harness racing, but it has found itself sidelined somewhat. It is scheduled to race behind closed doors from the end of the month, contrary to what has been the norm in every other country where the sport is held. Every nation that has both thoroughbred and harness racing saw both codes back at the same time – except Ireland.

European and worldwide recognition for harness racing in Ireland has been most welcome in the last few years, and this is an area which, though relatively small in numbers, has huge growth potential. It was good to see the fact that it was not treated on an equal basis with other equine and equestrian pursuits being raised by TDs in the past two weeks. Hopefully, it will not be overlooked again in the future.