THE word ‘legend’ is used more frequently than ever these days. And too often the candidate is not always fully deserving of it. That comes for both humans and equines.

But two men made the news this week whose deeds both merit the title. One sadly has passed on, the other still hale and hearty, and enjoying the fruits of his labour as much as ever.

Jim Bolger landed two Guineas this spring with two horses that he bred himself, and had produced from a few generations of his own breeding and judgement.

Barney Curley was from a different sphere, but those who paid tribute to his life and passing this week, spoke with the same reverence.

A dinner with the two on either side of the table would be fascinating. If they had different profiles or life mantras, you felt there might still be a common thread there.

In a nicely measured interview tribute on Sky Sports this week, a line from Tom Queally stuck in the mind. Curley’s advice on riding and keeping information to yourself being: “Always keep half a length for yourself.” It might have fitted into a Bolger bible too.

For whether it was through ownership, breeding, racing, or betting, it was putting your own cash and judgement on the line, and only you to take the consequences of any failure.