As if Ireland didn't have enough trouble with bankers, one of the most famous of them all appears to have fallen in love with the country. That figures.
The winner of the award for the best-goddam-name-ever for a banker goes to Rich Ricci, who stepped down as head of Barclay's investment banking arm in June. The man also owns a horse called Fatcatinthehat. You have to admire his gumption given the negativity surrounding his profession.
Ricci owns plenty of horses and is a big cheese in the world of racing.
Since 2005 he has had a partnership with trainer Willie Mullins. Last week he told Sporting Life website that he plans to spend even more time in Ireland.
“I love it here, I wouldn’t race anywhere else,” he said.
“I told Willie Mullins, I guess in 2005 when I bought a horse with him, that I’d buy more horses if there was a chance to be successful, and we’ve had great success. We had nine grade one winners globally last season – with seven in Ireland,” he is quoted as saying.
“I’ve very honoured to have such great support from all the people in Ireland for our horses, and I’ll continue to participate here for as long as I can. It’s wonderful. Great racing, great people, great prize-money and great craic.”