HATS off to everyone behind the success of the inaugural Dublin Racing Festival. By general consensus, something that is rare nowadays, it was a triumph and everyone I spoke with had nothing but positives to say about it.

From a marketing perspective it was a case of ‘winner alright’, with awareness of the new Festival high, not only in Ireland but across the water and further afield. All that the racecourse could hope for was that the right horses turned up, and the weather stayed fine.

The degree to which owners and trainers embraced the new concept was marvellous, and the equine stars brought the crowds out. The momentum created by the first Festival will surely be built upon by the Leopardstown team and there is no doubt that the meeting will become a highlight of all National Hunt seasons in the future.

While the chat about Leopardstown was of a positive kind, the same could not be said of the then breaking news that the rights to broadcast live Irish racing pictures into homes will move to Racing UK from At The Races next year. Without detailed information, the general view was that this was a retrograde step.

When details of the deal emerged on Tuesday the public feeling remained generally unchanged – Irish racing would suffer as a consequence, while Irish racing fans are now going to have to pay to watch racing.

While some will view it differently, watching Irish racing is not currently free. You have to pay for a Sky package to do so, but given the added features such a deal brings, the majority consider it is free. The reality is that, to watch Irish racing currently, you have to pay.

I fully understand why some are worried about the new arrangement, and their consequent anger, frustration and fear. The fact is that the deal is done and we have to move forward. The focus should not be on what we have and had, but rather on what will be.

Racing UK would be foolish to alienate Irish racing fans, and not just on this island. With many of the best horses racing on the flat and over jumps competing here, there is a wider audience for Irish racing than just on our own doorsteps. Given the price that they will pay for the rights to our sport here, it would be reckless for Racing UK to damage the product.