THERE can be few figures better known in the bloodstock world than Edmond Mahony, chairman of Tattersalls. This iconic firm is the world’s oldest and most prestigious of bloodstock auctioneers. On the rostrum, be it in Newmarket or Fairyhouse, he poses a quiet but commanding figure as the heated bidding may run into the millions, but many may not realise that he is, above all, a dyed-in-the-wool foxhunter.

Tattersalls is all about pedigrees and Edmond’s page abounds with blacktype under both headings, hunting and auctioneering. But let’s start with the important one, hunting.