Here we are in Derby week at Epsom again. Once upon a time, the race was on a Wednesday. A day of the week all to itself (I mitched school to watch Shergar!). Once upon a time, it was the great week of anticipation and fascination for fans of flat racing. And it had a bearing on the next generation of thoroughbreds. But things have changed in the 21st century.

“The thoroughbred exists because its selection has depended, not on experts, technicians or zoologists, but on a piece of wood: the winning post of the Epsom Derby.” Mr Federico Tesio once stated.