There haven't been such joyous scenes in the parade ring since that day the Bailey brothers landed the Galway Plate and treated Ballybrit to a rambunctious rendition of The West's Awake. And while it's marvellous for the bloodstock industry that your Smurfit, Mulryan, Magnier and McManus types take such a keen interest in horseracing, it's difficult to get excited when they land another big victory to add to all the rest.
You don't find them buck-lepping about the ring in silly hats and kissing the horse, or planning the journey back home in terms of how many pubs they have to call to along the way.
Which is why the success of the Seven Heads Syndicate in the William Hill Galway Plate yesterday was such a popular result with the crowd. As their celebrations got under way on the course immediately, with plans to continue the party later that night in the city, it would be safe to assume that the jubilant owners will have to change their name this morning to the Seven Sore Heads syndicate.
Sir Frederick romped home to land the feature race of the festival, delivering his owners from the townland of Barryroe near Clonakilty their biggest ever prize. "Our name represents the seven headlands near Courtmacsharry," explained Billy Drake, resplendent in an orange shirt and leather Stetson.
JP McManus - his horse came third - came over to congratulate the jubilant Corkmen. A smiling Michael Smurfit looked on. This time last year, he was up to his eyes preparing for the Ryder Cup in the K Club. What's to do now? "Win the Galway Hurdle."
The syndicate members were presented with the Galway Plate by Minister for Sport Séamus Brennan, a busy man yesterday. Some might say he was cocking a snook at the Fianna Fáil "tint" by not paying it a visit, but it wasn't that. He wasn't avoiding it either because he said at the weekend that the tint should be folded as it wasn't worth all the negative comment it attracts. Nor was he hiding from Bertie, who thinks his Minister is talking a load of rubbish.
"Oh no," said Seamuseen, skulking in the vicinity of the RTÉ studio, "I have a couple of things to do, that's all." Things had never been better between himself and the Taoiseach. "I was talking to him a few minutes ago," said the Minister, looking a trifle pale.
Then the Galway-born Cabinet veteran began to back-pedal. "I've been going to that tint for years and years. It's very transparent and open - the media can photograph everyone going in and out," he insisted, bringing to mind visions of US-style "perp walks".
For his part, the Taoiseach was in much improved form. He had a good day at the bookies, making up for the money he lost on Tuesday night. He watched the big race from the stands with his daughter, Cecelia, and her boyfriend, David Keoghan, and singer Ronan Keating and his wife, Yvonne.
Bertie was in summer holiday mode - he's off to Parknasilla in Kerry today. He looked none the worse for the late-night sing-song he enjoyed with his family and friends on Tuesday night in the new Meryk Hotel, formerly the Great Southern. After dining at John Glynn's Clayton Hotel, the Taoiseach and his entourage headed back to base, where Ronan Keating and Sandy Kelly led the singing.
The hotel has Bass ale on tap for the VIP visitor. Hoteliers around the country appear to be under the impression that moderate-drinker Bertie imbibes his Bass by the bucket. It's a badge of honour among the innkeeping fraternity that they can keep him comfortably watered. He dined last night in the G Hotel, where Cecelia is staying.
The tint catered for 530 paying guests yesterday. PJ Mara arrived just in time for lunch, courtesy of a neighbour who gave him a lift in his helicopter. Last year, he travelled with Denis O'Brien, and the pair of them were ferried by golf buggy from their helicopter to the track.
Denis didn't go racing yesterday; his wife is about to give birth to their fourth child.
It is said that one of the main attractions of the FF tint is that guests have a chance to rub shoulders with government Ministers.
This is not the case. Willie O'Dea and Mary Coughlan were the only two stalwarts who togged out for team Bertie, while Chief Whip Tom Kitt and junior Minister Conor Lenihan made up the numbers.
Seamuseen, as we know, was elsewhere on the course, but not hiding.
The Taoiseach made a short speech before lunch, thanking everyone for turning up and helping to support Fianna Fáil. "You keep up the work and we'll keep up the economy," he said.
Among the tint regulars were builders Sean Mulryan and Bill Durkan, not to mention the ever-faithful Baileys, who always enjoy their day in Ballybrit. American ambassador Bill Foley savoured the unique festival atmosphere. He's going off shortly to climb the Matterhorn with his son.
RTÉ's Grainne Seoige stole a march on the Ladies Day contingent yesterday by wearing a stunning hat designed by Melie B in Limerick.
The place was awash with footballers and FAI bigwigs, in town for the friendly match between Sunderland and Galway United. No sign of manager Roy Keane, but Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn more than made up for his absence. You could know by the way Bertie looked at him that he'd love to have Niall standing some day on a Fianna Fáil ticket.
Finally, after the last race, Bertie escaped on his holiers, with an extra few bob in his pocket. From the bookies, mind, and not a surprise whip-round after his speech.