Dermot Weld

An entry in the G1 Irish Oaks and G1 Pretty Polly S., His Highness The Aga Khan's Eldama (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) produced a winning performance that marked her out as a touch special in Leopardstown's opening Fillies Maiden for debutantes on Sunday. Always travelling notably strongly under Oisin Orr behind the leading duo, the 2-1 favourite struck the front with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining and readily asserted for a 1 3/4-length defeat of Bearberry (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), with Amiko Chow (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) a half length back in...

In this weirdest of times, the European turf flat season re-emerges in cautious defiance to the world's rampaging virus with the Kildare circuit of Naas the centre of all focus. As usual, the Irish season kicks off with a card featuring the G3 Lodge Park Stud Irish EBF Park Express S. for fillies and mares which might just be the only G1 1000 Guineas trial to be run for some time if the country follows the lead of some others and commits to lockdown. For now, we can enjoy the...

Somewhere along the way, the Sport of Kings became the racing industry. That was inevitable because that's the way of the modern world in which most people have to earn a living. However, for many it remains a sport in which the joy comes from taking part, with the wins being the icing on the cake and any financial return a bonus. Few have played the game with a truer Corinthian spirit or more successfully than Bertram and Diana Firestone, who have graced the upper echelons of the sport which...