IF you were among the 4,000 fortunate souls to be racing each day of last weekend, and it was your first time to do so for some time, I hope you were as happy as I was.

While I had the ability to go racing during the period ‘behind closed doors’, it was, if I am honest, not all that enjoyable. That might seem strange to say, and I am forever grateful for being able to attend the sport. However, without racegoers and the camaraderie of fellow enthusiasts, a day at the races was, for the most part, a pretty soulless experience.

The gods were smiling on Irish racing when, at Leopardstown, the sun shone brightly on a card that promised much, and delivered even more. I have no doubt the same could be said for the following day’s programme at the Curragh, perhaps minus the sunshine. From the moment I stepped out of the car on Saturday, I was greeted with smiling, happy faces.

A feature of Irish Champions Weekend was the richness of the stories that emanated from both fixtures. Three of the best runners in the world provided an intriguing contest for the feature at Leopardstown, and posed as many questions as they answered. Otherwise, Ger Lyons and Jessica Harrington owned the day.

What a difference a day made, and eight trainers saddled a winner at the Curragh. Ger and Aidan O’Brien didn’t win again, but Jessica doubled her Group 1 count with Discoveries in the Moyglare Stud Stakes. Johnny Murtagh’s sensational handling of Sonnyboyliston for the Kildare Racing Club saw him win the Irish St Leger.

‘Fast’ Eddie Lynam’s skill with speedsters saw him claim the Flying Five, while it was good to see a quality overseas challenger land the National Stakes. Paddy Twomey’s training skills were seen at their very best with La Petite Coco, and her defeat of Love must have felt like training a Group 1 winner. Perhaps that is an inevitability with the hugely progressive filly. Michael O’Callaghan and a pair of unrelated O’Briens also tasted success on the day.

As the world returns to some semblance of normality, there is one certainty into the future. Irish Champions Weekend will grow in status and international appeal. The quality of the Group 1 races continues to grow, and the foresight of the team who came up with the idea of establishing this weekend in the international calendar will be richly, and deservedly, rewarded.

Their perspicacity should never be underestimated, or forgotten.