LAST weekend was a good one for horse racing with the two classics races producing the most popular newsworthy winners.

The contrast in the aftermath of the two victories, albeit that the American Triple Crown was 37 years in the waiting, was huge. American went wild, American Pharoah was everywhere.

The delight was evident from the pictures of the stands erupting at Belmont, (it was a pity At The Races didn’t show more of the aftermath) to Yankee Stadium where they showed the race on their big screen.

There are videos of the race, videos of racing professionals (TVG) watching the race, videos of Larry Collmus calling the race, slots for horse and rider on prime TV shows, yes, the American love their heroes.

This side of the water things were quieter. After the Investec Derby, The Sunday Times did not move the Derby winner, even with flying Frankie photos available, to the front of its sports section.

In a pretty quiet sporting weekend they instead went for a photo of Barcelona players celebrating a Champions League victory. You wonder whether even a racing Triple Crown win would be enough to become front page news.

Going back to the horses, Golden Horn looks the real deal. Off a fast pace he stayed the mile and a half with ease, clocking a time that ranked among the best in the race and warranted the best timefigure of the season from Timeform. He is worthy of excitement.

In the US, the path now taken by Bob Baffert will be interesting, for he now has charge of America’s horse. Allowing the horse a meet and greet session has its own risks.

He has beaten all the top three-year-olds and presumably will have a break before his next run with the Haskell at the end of July a possible target. He has an advantage in that he is also a much fresher horse than the like of California Chrome last year who had seven runs from late December to the Belmont.

Tougher times lie ahead especially from older horses who may have had the summer off including Shared Belief if he recovers for an autumn campaign. There’s also the likelihood of him having to deal with faster early pace, dictated to him rather than in control himself, and being softened up for a late runner like Honor Code.

Baffert may choose to go the Frankel route and pick the most winnable races until the grand finale in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. It was also the route taken by Zenyatta in her championship seasons, only taking on top opposition on one occasion.

A match of the English and Kentucky Derby winner at the Breeders Cup would be the ultimate aim.

With two colts already rated as above average by time experts, and more international competition beginning at Ascot next week, it’s looking like an enthralling season ahead.