THE loss of Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud to the ranks of owners in Ireland is immense, no doubt about it. We wish it was not going to happen, but the decision is made and, for now, there is no turning back.

At a personal level, O’Leary has made a decision that will impact positively on his and his family’s personal life, and the fact that he has placed them and their happiness first in his order of priorities is commendable. He has not ruled out the possibility of a return to ownership, but for now we have to get used to seeing less of his colours.