MORE than four decades ago, at an all-boys school, I was ribbed for advocating for women in a debate about feminism. I was reminded of this when I found myself falling into the trap of asking Emma Meehan, the new CEO of Down Royal, about how it felt to be one of the small coterie of female racecourse managers in Ireland.

In hindsight, what had gender got to do with it? Emma was appointed to the role based on her many professional qualities, none of which had anything to do with whether she is female.