The original remark appeared in the Herald Sun newspaper last Tuesday.
The Irish ambassador to Australia, Noel White, had written to the newspaper to complain about the Melbourne Cup round-up, in which Matt Stewart wrote: “It’s worth AUS$6M and they swarm from everywhere, from rich countries such as Japan to countries offering up not much more than potatoes, like Ireland, to win it.”
White wrote in response: “This bizarre remark is at odds with Ireland’s role as a leading player in the global bloodstock industry.
“Beyond that, and more importantly, it is deeply offensive to Irish people and to Australians of Irish descent. Mr Stewart should know better.”
In an email to the Irish Echo, Stewart explained: “I am extremely surprised by the reaction.
“The ‘potatoes’ reference was an obviously flawed attempt to explain that while Japan’s racing economy is strong, Ireland’s has been devastated by tough economic times.
“The point I was trying to make was that rich or relatively poor racing countries (poor as in stake money not culture) were all chasing the $6 million on offer.”
Hmph. Doesn’t seem like much of an apology to us. He’s still on our list of enemies.
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