On a remarkable weekend for Irish horses on the international front, centre stage belongs to Tom Hogan and stable star Gordon Lord Byron for a ground-breaking success in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes in Australia last Saturday.

Vintage Crop and Media Puzzle are deservedly part of Irish racing folklore with their Melbourne Cup triumphs, and this remarkable success by Gordon Lord Byron must rank alongside their achievements.

On his first start since December, the seasoned international campaigner was taking on a field containing some top sprinter-milers and produced a tremendous last furlong surge to carry the day by a head.

Since he was bought for a mere €2,000 as a foal in November 2008, Gordon Lord Byron has brought his connections on an incredible journey which has taken in Group 1 wins in three different countries and there could easily be another chapter or two to add to his remarkable story in the coming weeks.

Hogan’s charge will bid for another Group 1 triumph in Australia next weekend before heading to Hong Kong in May and then returning to Europe for the summer.

It is not overstating things to say that this was one of the great international triumphs for an Irish-based horse.

Dubai

On to Dubai where Curragh trainer Michael Halford sent out Certerach to spring a 33/1 surprise in the Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup on world cup night.

A campaign built around an Ascot Gold Cup bid is now on the cards for the six-year-old who has been in excellent form in Dubai. Throughout the winter at Meydan, Halford’s team have performed with distinction and it was fitting that the trainer was able to secure a big race win on the centerpiece evening of this year’s Dubai racing carnival. A strong Irish challenge took to the track for world cup night but Certerach was the only one to reach the frame, with several high-profile compatriots failing to produce their best. Among these was Breeders Cup winner Magician, although he did run a good deal better than his sixth place in the Sheema Classic would suggest.

France

Meanwhile in France, the exciting Un De Sceaux came through the biggest test of his career by landing the Grade 3 Prix Hypothese under Barry Geraghty. Throughout the season, the Willie Mullins inmate has produced a series of scintillating displays in small field condition events, but this promised to be a much more demanding assignment.

Once again, the six-year-old produced another trail-blazing effort and he was some 15 lengths clear of his opponents with two to jump.

The French Champion Hurdle winner Gemix did push him all the way late on, but Un De Sceaux held on gamely to score by a narrow margin.

He has long looked a top-class jumper in the making and this display reinforced that.

Leopardstown

On the domestic front, an interesting flat card at Leopardstown on Sunday saw Bracelet give Aidan O’Brien his first winner of the new season when defeating the well-regarded Balansiya in a 1000 Guineas Trial.

This daughter of Montjeu had been off the track for 290 days and is bred to be a high-class middle-distance runner, so this performance bodes well for her prospects in some of the upcoming fillies classics.

Dermot Weld’s excellent early season form continued as he sent out two winners and three seconds.

His double included a nice display from Fascinating Rock in a 10 furlong colts maiden and this Fastnet Rock colt could develop into a force at a much higher level over the coming months.