Nijinsky (Liam Ward up) extended his unbeaten run to nine when running out a very impressive winner of the 1970 Irish Derby. What was noticeably different about Nijinsky on this occasion was that he got very stirred up in the pre-lims and never settled at all.

Grundy (Pat Eddery) returns after capturing his third classic of the season with a 2 length defeat of King Pellinore in the 1975 Irish Derby. Upon retirement, Grundy had amassed career earnings of £326,421, a record for a horse trained in the British Isles.

The Minstrel (Lester) is pictured just prior to his length-and-a-half defeat of Lucky Sovereign in the 1977 Irish Derby. An objection by Frankie Durr on the runner-up for "taking my ground inside the final furlong" was overruled.

With Walter Swinburn suspended, Lester Piggott took over aboard Shergar in the 1981 Irish Derby...he probably never had an easier ride as the great horse defeated Cut Above by 4 lengths hard on the bridle. *Pictured with the Begum Aga Khan following his victory at the Curragh.

After his defeat by Golden Fleece in the Nijinsky Stakes, Assert went from strength to strength completing the 1982 French Derby/Irish Derby double, the latter in tremendous style by 8 lengths (Timeform had the winning distance as '10'). Sadly, the two colts never met again.

Shareef Dancer divided opinion like few horses have before or since. A brilliant winner of the 1983 Irish Derby, he never ran again. Jonathan Powell wrote in the Irish Field: 'If the horse won't lay it's reputation on the line, I have to suspect that his reputation is false'.

With Secreto an absentee (a half share in the Derby winner was in the process of being sold) and Darshaan a non-runner due to the firm ground, El Gran Senor faced 6 rivals in the 1984 Irish Derby. His supporters never had an anxious moment as he defeated Rainbow Quest by a length

After controversially ousting Dancing Brave at Epsom, Shahrastani proved his merit in no uncertain terms with an 8 length defeat of recent Royal Ascot scorer Bonhomie in the 1986 Irish Derby. Shahrastani thus became the ninth horse to complete the English/Irish Derby double.

In 1989 Old Vic won the Prix du Jockey Club by 7 lengths then followed up with another front running masterclass from Steve Cauthen in the Irish Derby (pictured). Cauthen, thus, became the only jockey in history to complete the Kentucky, English, French and Irish Derby quartet.

In 1990 Salsabil became the first filly in almost a century to beat the colts in the Irish Derby. It was a third classic win for the brilliant daughter of Sadler's Wells, following her victories in the 1000 Guineas and Oaks.

A relentless galloping style put Generous in a different league to his rivals during the summer of 1991. He completed the English and Irish Derby double with a crushing defeat of the much vaunted Suave Dancer at the Curragh. Few 12f champions would have matched Generous that day.

With a jaw-dropping performance, St Jovite defeated Derby hero Dr Devious by 12 lengths in the 1992 Irish Derby, eclipsing the stakes record by 3 full seconds. His trainer Jim Bolger said: "All he needed was to go right handed on top of the ground, and I'd say he was unbeatable".

Balanchine was arguably the top European 3-year-old of either sex in the summer of 1994. Following a clear-cut victory in the Oaks, Balanchine brushed aside Derby runner-up King's Theatre in the Irish Derby. She fell victim to severe colic shortly afterwards ending her season.

Montjeu completed the 1999 Prix du Jockey Club/Irish Derby double. A detached last of the ten runners at halfway, he scythed through the field at the Curragh with the minimum of fuss to defeat Epsom runner-up Daliapour by 5 lengths. The champion 3-year-old of Europe was crowned.

With the sponsors, Budweiser, putting up a million dollar 'Derby bonus', Epsom hero Sinndar took the field for the 2000 Irish Derby. Sent off the 11/10 favourite, he had to be driven along turning in, but kept up a relentless gallop to defeat Glyndebourne by 9 lengths.

Galileo's 2001 Irish Derby victory was a first for his jockey Mick Kinane at the eighteenth attempt. Sent off the 11/4 on favourite, the recent Epsom hero took the lead 2 furlongs out and drew clear, passing the post 4 lengths ahead of Derby Italiano winner Morshdi.

The expensive Manton experiment was initially a major disappointment and a drain on the finances of owner Robert Sangster. Sangster rode the setback and with Barry Hills expert handling the dream began to bear fruit. As resident trainer, Hills sent out over 400 winners.

Principally by backing horses as travelling head lad to John Oxley, Barry Hills amassed enough capital to purchase South Bank Stables in Lambourn. The first installment came when Frankincense won the 1968 Lincoln Handicap. *Barry Hills 1937-2025. Thank you for the memories.

Fear is crippling. Fear of the future can convince us that there is no way out. Fear is also a reminder that you still have something to lose... something worth holding onto.

Although sacrifice is often seen as a great strength, it can easily become dominant, stressful and destructive. Be kind to yourself and don't give in to feelings of guilt. Remember that you can't do it all, you can only do your best.