HIPPOMUNDO’S March rankings were, like Michael O’Leary’s decision to pull out of racehorse ownership, an eye-opener. The Seamus Drea-bred Van Gough, an 11-year-old Wivollet Vanbeek gelding, was the top-earning event horse with just over €5,000 prize money, earned on the American spring circuit with Jacob Fletcher.

Compare that figure to €351,495 won in the same three months by Toveks Mary Lou, the leading show jumping earner then and now, as the Montendro mare has since increased her earnings by €132,000.