IT’S that time of year. Black Friday is over, Cyber Monday has come and gone (do you have those in Ireland?) and Christmas looms. Time for our annual (OK, first annual) international Christmas list for our racing friends around the world.

For American racing, another American Pharoah. Yes, we are a greedy bunch. The first Triple Crown winner since 1978, American Pharoah lit up racetracks from Churchill Downs to Pimlico to Belmont Park to Keeneland in 2015, adding verve and faith to a sport that desperately needed it. He won with such panache, such force, that his races were over at the quarter pole, allowing rivals to become fans.

For James Graham, sunscreen and a visor. The Irish-born jockey moved his tack from the beleaguered Arlington Park meet in Illinois to the resort meet of Del Mar this summer, he won enough races, enough stakes, to stay. Rumour has it, he’s learning to surf.

For Paddy Young, a longer mantle. The Irish-born jump jockey won his fifth championship this year, three more and he’ll stand alone as the only American jump jockey to win eight titles.

For Decoy Daddy, a field full of grass. A loyal servant for leading American owner Irv Naylor, the Irish-bred turns 14 in a few weeks. Bred by Charles Persse, the son of Lord Appeal made his debut at Limerick in July, 2007 and has made at least three starts every season since. He went three-for-three in 2014, but 0-for-three in 2015. It might be time.

For Irish jump racing, competition. Willie Mullins dominates. While we’re at it, the same goes for Todd Pletcher in American flat racing, give him some competition.

For the Breeders’ Cup, less races. Too many options lead to parody. With that in mind, let’s give the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile to Dundalk. When Liam’s Map runs in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile and doesn’t take on American Pharoah in the Classic, there is a problem. Merry Christmas, here’s the Dirt Mile.

For American steeplechasing, homegrown talent. The Irish dominated the standings this year, accounting for the first nine spots in the board. American-born Connor Hankin, 19, rounded out the top 10.

For the Iroquois Steeplechase, a World Hurdle winner who likes a challenge. Win the World Hurdle and the Iroquois Steeplechase, in either order within 12 months, and earn a $500,000 bonus. You’ve heard of the World Hurdle…as for the Iroquois Steeplechase, it’s three miles on a fair and firm course in Nashville, Tennessee, on the second Saturday in May. Come on, try it.

If you’re wondering, Irish-breds Kesslin and Correggio won it in the past. Australia, New Zealand, France, America have been represented by winners as well.

MEDICATION

For American racing, an end to the medication controversy. Somewhat self-inflicted, the constant negativity about medication has sullied the sport. It’s not as bad as it seems, but then again, perception is reality, so maybe it is.

For Ryan Moore, a Kentucky Derby. He’s won everything else, why not the Derby?

For Dave Duggan, Brendan Walsh and Eddie Kenneally, the breakout horse. The Irish-born trainers are plying their trades here, but need the horse who changes it all.

For Jimmy Day, another Diplomat. The Irish-born trainer plundered the son of Kitten’s Joy for 11,000 guineas at Tattersalls in October, 2014. Bred in America, raced in Ireland and returned to America, Diplomat won the Carolina Cup, won again at Saratoga and was claimed for $40,000. The buy of the year earned a cool $135,000 for Day. The claim of the year earned a quick $33,000 for his new owners, Flying Elvis Farm.

For Charlie LoPresti, another Wise Dan. The two-time champion retired with a tendon injury in 2015. Turned out on his farm, Wise Dan will enjoy the good life.

In October, LoPresti looked over the paddock fence at his once-in-a-lifetime horse and said it best: “It’s time for him to do something else. He doesn’t owe anybody, anything.”

For John Servis, a Kentucky Oaks winner. The trainer of Smarty Jones hasn’t had any horses like the 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner and, yes, it’s only December, but look out for Cathryn Sophia, she won the Gin Talking stakes by 16 and a quarter lengths at Laurel Park.

RECONSILIATION

For Jim McIngvale and Maria Borell, reconciliation. Trainers usually worry about slow horses. Wait until they get a fast one. The unheralded Borell provided the story of the year when Runhappy flashed on the scene, winning the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

McIngvale snuffs trainers like candles on a birthday cake, he sacked Borell the day after the Breeders’ Cup. Racing manager, Laura Wohlers, took over. The story of the year became the farce of the year.

For Irishmen Ross Geraghty and Cyril Murphy, another season like 2015. The duo teamed up to win two Grade 1 stakes with Dawalan. As Geraghty said: “He’s only five, I was going to retire…now I have to keep going for another five years.”

For Edgar Prado, healing power. The Hall of Famer broke six ribs when his pick-up mount jumped the outside rail at Gulfstream Park in December.

The 48-year-old will miss the ride on Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Runhappy, who will be ridden by Gary Stevens in the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes on December 26th.

For the world, Donald Trump. Please, someone, somewhere, take the presidential candidate off our hands.

For all of us, lessons. We said goodbye to champion jockey Pat Eddery in 2015, may we learn lessons from his death. In America, we said goodbye to Hall of Fame trainer H. Allen Jerkens in 2015, may we learn lessons from his life.