Taghrooda’s defeat by Tapestry in the Yorkshire Oaks must surely have been a bitter pill to swallow for both Paul Hanagan, who was at the receiving end of a gritty contest at York on Thursday, and John Gosden, whose runners have appeared almost invincible all season.

But I suppose in a way there’s the rub — time and a better horse, on the day, sometimes catches up with you.

And then I suppose, there’s the Ryan Moore factor.

If Richard Hughes delivered the ride of the season when he threaded his way through heavy traffic to win the Nunthorpe Stakes, and delivered a stunning third sprint success of the season for the indomitable Sole Power, then Moore’s ride aboard Tapesty was both brilliant as it was brutal.

Moore is arguably one of the best jockeys in the business today and he showed why when perhaps out-thinking and out-riding Hanagan in a man-to-man and horse-vs-horse challenge to match the best skirmishes in recent months.

Horses are horses and you can only get them to do that much under pressure, so its all down to the jockeys to try to make the difference. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not in any way suggesting that Moore is a better rider than Hanagan, as much as I would never say that Djokovic is better than Federer or Mayweather is better than Pacquiao. In sport, we all know that you win some, you lose some.

And that’s what really happened in the Oaks.

Hanagan rode out of his skin and so did Moore, and there was perhaps very little to chose between the two great riders and their mounts approaching the long finish line at York, but Moore seemed to uncork just that little extra aboard Tapesty which tilted the scales in their favour and brought down Taghrooda’s colours and an unbeaten record.

Even Gosden, who has accumulated 17 Group wins this season including eight at the highest level, acknowledged that Tapesty was the better horse on the day.

As always Gosden, ever the true sportsman, was philosophical in defeat and lauded Taghrooda’s fortitude in a tight and punishing finish.

“I thought she ran a great race. There was a nice pace, she was produced beautifully and ridden beautifully. I just thought the other filly outstayed her, simple as that. You could see coming to the furlong pole what was going to happen.

“No excuses at all, it was a great race and the other filly is obviously one of those that’s suddenly come to herself. She’s been in great form at home and there’s no change of plans.”

British bookmakers were quick to react to Taghrooda’s defeat, even it was only by half a length, and eased her odds for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Gosden was unimpressed and said he still plans to send his star filly to the French showpiece in October.

Talking about France, the city of Normandy must be buzzing with excitement as it prepares to host the exciting FEI World Equestrian Games from Sunday. Organised every four years in the middle of the Olympic cycle, the games are the largest equestrian event in the world and bring together some of the best horses and riders in the world.

As many as eight world championships in the Olympic disciplines of Jumping, Eventing and Dressage, the Paralympic discipline of Para-Equestrian Dressage as well as Endurance, Vaulting, Reining and Driving will be held during the two week extravaganza which will be an asbolute banquet for horse enthusiasts.

Additionally, the games iwill host two demonstration sports, Polo and Horse-ball.

According to press information over 500,000 spectators are expected to descend on Normandy which boasts some superb venues.

This year’s games are also set to break some record with 76 nations represented and nearly 1,000 horses and athletes in action.

And that’s not all, France is set to stage more prestigious events in the future including Euro 2016, the World Handball Championships in 2017 and the Ryder Cup in 2018.

Wow, now that’s what you call a mouth-watering sporting calendar.