The depth of racing talent this country produces can be gauged by the most successful Irish Group One jockey in the world right now being John Allen. Some of you might recall Allen as a former jump jockey who couldn't get arrested here. His career fortunes got so bad that seven years ago he moved to try his luck in Australia. On Saturday he beat the Irish Derby winner Latrobe in the $2 million Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington. The previous Saturday Allen landed the Victoria Derby. It's special stuff for a guy who looked to be on a one way ticket to obscurity back home.

It was great to see Apple’s Jade return to her best form when winning the Lismullen so well last Sunday. It was what we are used to seeing, her wanting her own way and taking control. She was really good, is definitely back to her old self and we were really happy with her.