MY first memory of flat racing was that of Galileo and Fantastic Light’s match race in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown in 2001. A fabulous match-up that saw two global operations pit their best against each other. It came at a time when the battle of the blues was a competitive fight and an enthralling one. In the years after, through the offspring of the aforementioned Coolmore sire, Magnier and Co have dominated.

During the last decade, the Godolphin challenge has at times looked toothless. Coolmore took the Derby four years in a row from 2011 to 2014. In those four races, the royal blue colours were only carried four times, with True Story’s seventh place finish in 2014 the best mustered for Godolphin in the race that matters most in this part of the world.