THE unwarranted, disgraceful attack on the ability of Sheila Lavery by Australian Bloodstock’s Luke Murrell this week was one of the saddest happenings I have witnessed on social media, and supposedly was part of a sales pitch the agent was making for his new purchase.

Not for the first time Murrell has landed himself in hot water for his comments. A few years ago, he was fined A$5,000 for damaging the image of the sport in Australia, but sadly there seems to be no avenue to again reprimand him for his scurrilous language when referring to the much-admired Co Meath trainer.

A week earlier, it was revealed that Sheila Lavery was losing her current stable star, New Energy, following his sale to Murrell’s company. Twice successful in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup in the last decade, with Protectionist and Gold Trip, Murrell has enjoyed many good days racing. However, his outburst on a now deleted tweet has soured many in the business, and he may well find that our céad míle fáilte will be somewhat lukewarm when he next visits this country.

Yes, he did issue an apology, one carefully crafted and, apparently, well meant. However, he could have gone one step further and recorded his apology, just as he had done in the original case. For many who reacted to the tweet, Murrell have left a bitter taste.

Readers will not need reminding of the success Sheila Lavery has enjoyed since she started training, though many in racing may not be aware that she was previously a renowned event rider. Sheila brought a ton of experience into the training ranks when she decided, just a decade ago, to embark on a new career. Never armed with battalions of runners, she has placed her horses well, had a number of notable successes, poignantly with Lady Kaya, and can be proud of what she has achieved.

We all make mistakes, and some are more monumental than others. ‘Sticks and stones break one’s bones, but names will never hurt one’, appeared in The Christian Recorder, a publication of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, in 1862. Sheila Lavery will rise well above the hurt caused by Murrell, but I daresay the words were felt deeply.

It is a mark of the affection and respect that the racing, bloodstock and sport horse sectors in Ireland have for Sheila that we were all offended too. What better way for her to answer Murrell’s despicable comments than to promptly saddle Vidala, unplaced in six previous starts, to win at Leopardstown on Thursday night. Well done, Sheila.