That was 2013, so it was

On Beechy Park lawns a new season Dawns,

Pressure is for tyres and balls.

A colt in his pomp, a real Guineas romp.

That was 2013, so it was.

Top rider with four, Royal champ once more,

Looks like the man can still ride.

A true Group One pass, rare-Diamond class,

But jockey or trainer? You decide.

Simenon in flight, the Gold Cup in sight,

But for once the Royal script has been read.

Lucky as heck that he fails by a neck.

It might have been off with his head.

Powers go higher, Lynam on fire,

Speed burns during summer’s long days.

An Abbaye horse box as Tumu rocs,

Sun shines as Collina makes Hayes.

A title at stake, more records to break,

A Derby and Leger to win.

A Breeders’ Cup heat is still some feat.

Looks like a Magician within.

How do you land over hurdles on sand?

All-weather mysteries unravelled.

King and Keane rock, new kids on the block,

An All-Star has filly, will travel.

It starts on a high as the Champagne corks fly

And a mare goes five for five.

A Championship won, then lost, then won.

The first since ’75.

Benefficient downhill, the rider sits still,

At ease on the greatest stage.

He just needs to steer as Our Conor comes clear,

And two youngsters both come of age.

At 13-all it’s a tough one to call,

But the scene is perfectly set

For Alderwood and AP (who else could it be?)

To strike one – back of the net!

Sports star of the year, his 19^th is near,

Four thousand was rarely in doubt.

Sky high in desire, a man still inspired,

Don’t rule five thousand out.

Stairs to find and mountains to climb,

Japan is way out of reach.

But Willie still finds a grand jump for mankind

As another frontier is breached.

Limerick is key for Jonjo and JT

A be-there day and night.

Racing donates as necessity dictates,

And out of the dark comes light.

Aurora’s sublime, gets younger with time,

Jumps like a younger buck.

One expletive blasts the National class.

Leona’s Encore is, well, probably not going to happen.

Willie goes clear in a record year,

Six million as the gavel falls.

Joseph kicks to 126.

That was 2013, so it was.