Xander Brett insists the experience over the water needs to be seen to be believed

From Stansted Airport, it’s a tin can shuttle that flies you over to Ireland. An hour-long Ryanair taxi ride, laid on by Michael O’Leary, which today serves as an equine transfer, with bloodstock agents and consignors climbing aboard to make their return journey from Newmarket’s February Sale. Behind me, a small ginger-haired girl stands engrossed in the latest edition of Horse & Hound. In front of me, a tall, dark-haired woman books her mare in for a cover. My last experie...