BIG Gossey was greeted by rapturous applause after gaining his 10th Curragh win in the Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Dash Stakes, which brought the nine-year-old’s earnings to €669,610 for the Allegro Syndicate – not bad for a €21,000 buyback as a foal.

I would argue that the most important figure in the wonderful grey’s life is 2,555. That’s how many days, give or take, that Gary O’Brien, who is part of Big Gossey’s syndicate of owners, as well as a key part of Charles O’Brien’s team, has worked, without a holiday, because the fan favourite refuses to take a day off himself.