TAKE a deep breath. Count to a large number of your choice. I did both this week, on a few occasions. Patience was occasionally in short supply.

Good news first. Though it still awaits an official stamp of approval, a warm welcome for the appointment of Suzanne Eade to succeed Brian Kavanagh as CEO of Horse Racing Ireland in September. She moves from the role of CFO within the semi-state body, having joined HRI in 2015. Prior to that she held a number of senior roles in major international firms.

Having chosen a new CEO from within its ranks, HRI can be assured of a smooth transition when Brian leaves. This is good news at a time when Irish racing is facing a number of challenges, and Suzanne Eade will not need a ‘honeymoon’ period to bring herself up to date. I wish her well as she takes over from a man who has a huge reputation among the leaders of the major racing nations.

Good name

Ireland’s reputation on that world stage is taking a serious battering, as I was made aware following a call with someone in Hong Kong. The allegations of drug cheating is being heard globally, calling into question our good name. Owners abroad are beginning to question the honesty of our racing, and our horses. This is serious reputational damage.

I would urge everyone to go and listen to the proceedings on Thursday when HRI and the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board went in front of an Oireachtas Joint Committee. Before you do so, remember those breathing exercises I mentioned.

The unequivocal defence of our industry, its procedures and protocols, and its adoption of the highest standards possible, should once and for all put to bed any question of systemic cheating among racing’s doubters.

The ‘performances’ of some of the politicians on the Joint Committee were astonishing, levelling unfounded, and anonymously fed, rumours and mistruths against the authorities. Each once was individually denied. Our sport deserves better than to be constantly fending off such allegations, mostly made by unnamed sources.

The week also started with another old chestnut, that of the failure of our national radio station to broadcast what was arguably the best quality race of the year so far, the Eclipse Stakes. I was told by a leading figure in racing that he waited in vain for the race, or any mention of its outcome, as he was travelling on Saturday afternoon. The race, and the Irish-trained winner, deserved better.