A is for Altior, the 19-race winning streak came to end. A also for Al Boum Photo – Willie Mullins’s Gold Cup loses came to an end. A also for Anthony Van Dyck – a seventh Derby with A for Aidan. A was also for Andre – Fabre the French master plotted Enable’s downfall and has some tip-top three-year-old ammunition for 2020. Apple’s Jade, Andrew Gemmill, Anapurna, Advertise and Andrew Slattery deserve a mention too.

B is for Battaash – the fastest sprinter. And Blue Point - the better sprinter? B is for Bricks And Mortar – the best in the US? B is also for Bryony – not the best jockey but the best for racing? B is for the Irish Grand National winner Burrows Saint, another box ticked for Willie Mullins. B is also for Brian Hughes – another Northern Ireland-born champion jumps jockey in Britain? B also are Buveur d’Air and Benie Des Dieux, mishaps at Cheltenham but Grade 1 winners. And Billy Lee - a Group 1 win on Romanised

C is for the Curragh, a lot done, a lot more to do. C is also for the top-rated chaser Cyrname – also a bit more to do. C is for another potential star of 2020 – Chacun Pour Soi.

D is for Donnacha – champion jockey again as he hangs up his boots. D is also for Davy Russell – jumping’s most popular jockey? D is for Defi Du Seuil – putting together some quality performances. D is for Deirdre – Japanese smiles in Goodwood. D is also for Drugs – still an issue for horses and riders. D was also for Darragh O’Keeffe - a new name to note.

E is for Enable – once again the Queen of the flat. E was for Espoir D’Allen – one great day in the Champion Hurdle but sadly lost. E was also for Equine Flu – thankfully under control after an outbreak shut down racing in Britain in the early months. E was also for the unbeaten Envoi Allen – the future star?

F is for Frankie – who else? Notched his 250th Group 1 win on Champions’ Day in Ascot and 18 for the season. F is for Frodon – one of the most enjoyable wins of the year in Cheltenham. F is also for Fran Berry - a welcome addition to RacingTV. F is for FOBTs – much in the news in the UK after restrictions on the minimum bet. F was also for Ferdy Murphy, well loved trainer who passed away.

G is for Ger Lyons – a first home Group 1 for Glenburnie. G was for Gordon Elliott – no match for Willie but still at the top of his game with the Grand National and a Galway Plate on his win list. G is for Gigginstown House – still with us but cutting back. G is also for Geological – the Dundalk star. G is for Gallyhill – the most expensive point-to-pointer of the year £450,000– sold at Cheltenham in December. G is for Galileo – nothing more to say.

H is for Hermosa – dual classic winner. Honeysuckle has a big year head of her. And Hollie Doyle was the girl wonder on the flat.

I is for Iridessa – triple Group 1s from the Curragh to Santa Anita. Also for Interconnected – the most expensive jumper through a sales ring at £620,000 (but we won’t see him for a while)

J is for Japan – first the horse and then the country’s horses had a fabulous year around the world. J was for Johnny G – Gosden the master in Britain with a series of Group 1 winners to envy. J was also for Joseph (O’Brien) winners from Cheltenham to Santa Anita and over a 100 at home. J is for Jessica - Group 1 class. J was for Jody Townend – sheer delight in Galway.

K is for Klassical Dream – Ruby’s last Cheltenham winner. Also for his last winner – Kemboy in Punchestown. K is for Khadijah Mellah – making headlines in Britain for winning the Magnolia Cup at Goodwood, the first person in the UK to ride in a race while wearing a hijab. K is also for Kingman – few young sires make the impression he has.

L is for Lys Gracieux – Japanese-trained Cox Plate winner, and runaway winner of the Arima Kinen on Sunday (Enable beware). L is for Laurina – the best is yet to come. L was for Logician – unbeaten St Leger winner and another to look forward to. L was for Lady Kaya, a heartbreaking loss for a small stable. L is for Lostintranslation – a new chasing star?

M is for Magical – nine runs, April to October and three Group 1s. Followed by Magic Wand – 12 runs from Gulfstream in January to Sha Tin in December – always trying and a deserved big win in the Grade 1 Mackinnon in Flemington. M is for Moyglare, another classic winner with Search For A Song. M is also for Maximum Security – another unbeaten Kentucky Derby winner – oh no he’s not! M was for My Whirlwind – £400,000 the most expensive jumping mare through a sales ring.

N is for the National Hunt Chase – cause much controversy in March. N is for No Nay Never – a fee of €175,000 for the rising nine-year-old.

O is for Oisin – Murphy took the British flat jockeys’ title, Orr shared the apprentices’ title in Ireland. O is for One Cool Poet – from ‘rogue’ to a contender for special moment of the year with his three Galway wins and Irish Champions Weekend success.

P is for Paul Townend – Gold Cup and the champion jockey. P is for Pinatubo – the pocket rocket outstanding two-year-old. P is for Pat – Smullen an example to all. P was also for Paisley Park – the supreme staying hurdler. P is for Padraig Beggy – dual Derby winner.

Q is for Quizical – won the most emotional races of the year in the Champions Race at the Curragh. Q is for Quadrilateral – Group 1-winning filly and Guineas favourite.

R is for Ruby, legenary rider bowed out at the top. R is for Rachael also at the top of her game and none better among the leading riders, two Cheltenham wins were due reward. R is also for Robbie Power - better than ever! R was for Roaring Lion, a desperately sad loss to the breeding ranks.

S is for Stradivarius – the supreme stayer. S was also for Star Catcher – three Group 1s for the Sea The Stars filly. S is for Sovereign – an Irish Derby winner greeted by shock. S was for Shamardal – what a season the Kildangan sire had on the track.

S for Santa Anita – its future threatened by deaths on the track. S for Saudi Cup, the new venture – will big prizes attrach top horses? And Stan Cosgrove – farewell to one of the most popular men in Irish racing. S for Samco – less talk more action this year?

T is for Tiger Roll – the most popular horse in training? T is for Ten Sovereigns – impressive in the July Cup and sure to be in demand at stud. T was for Too Darn Hot – top two-year-old who crashed, and then burned off his rivals for two Group 1 wins. Tony Martin won a sixth Galway Hurdle.

U is for the one and only Un De Sceaux – 12 years young next week and fresh as ever.

V is for Vow And Declare (“..has won it for Australia!). V was also for Vanessa Maye, the leading female rider on the flat in Ireland.

W is for Waldgeist, spoiled the party in ParisLongchamp, W is also for Willie, for the whip and welfare (the good, the bad and the ugly). W is for Wayne Lordan – a fabulous year of Group 1 success. W was also for Wicklow Brave – one of the saddest moments.

X-rays and scans more needed to catch any early inuries?

Y – is for

Yuften – the Dundalk star.

Z - Zoustar – first European foals this year for the exciting sire.