Get the facts about your family tree from Genes Reunited, and dependant on your level of interest you can obtain either our Standard or Premier package. For full details, click the link below:
Grand National winner dies.
The former Nick Gaslee trained topical winner of the Grand National during the year of the British General Election in 1992 - Party Politics - has been put down at the ripe old age of 25 as a result of multiple infirmaties which were seriously degrading the quality of his life.
Noseda gives Murtagh the Captain's job.
Jeremy Noseda has secured the services of Johnnie Murtagh to ride his progressive Captain Brilliance in Saturdays Abu Dhabi International at Ascot. Already well fancied for the race, the appointment of Murtagh could see renewed support for the winner of two competitive races in the early part of the current flat season.
Murphy almost certain to miss Galway Festival.
Jockey Timmy Murphy has been informed by his medical advisors the dislocated shoulder he suffered when parting company with Highland River at Newton Abbot on Sunday will take at least three weeks to heal, and this means it will not recover in time for him to ride at this year's Galway Festival.
Prix Foy route for Vision D'Etat.
Many people overlook the fact the three year old Vision D'Etat was only a few lengths behind super filly Zarkava in last year's Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe, and this year his victories in the Prix Ganay and Prince of Wales's Stakes indicate he may well have improved as a four year old. Certainly, trainer Eric Libaud has no doubts his charge has an excellent chance of landing this year's 'Arc' on 03 October, and if planning is the key to success, Libaud is the master tactition who will find the right way to Arc victory in 2009.
In an interview today, Libaud laid out his plans for last season's French Derby winner,
"Vision D'Etat has shown his improvement in two pattern race wins this season, but the Prix Foy on 13 September has more often than not been a good guide to the principals in the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe, and we are concentrating our efforts on preparing him for success in that trial before hopefully going on to land the Arc in October".
Walk On Bye supplemented for Phoenix Stakes.
Tommy Stack's Group 3 Anglesey Stakes winner Walk On Bye has been supplemented by connections for this Sunday's Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh. The decision was taken after the filly put in a good piece of work this morning, and with two wins already behind her at the Curragh, Stack believes his filly has a good chance against the colts in this weekend's six furlong Group 1.
However, Aidan O'Brien is trying to win the race for the tenth time in the last twelve years, and as expected, he currently trains one third of the twelve runner field. Amongst the Ballydoyle entrants, Air Chief Marshall has a big reputation, but has yet to prove his 'hype'. On the other hand, Lillie Langtry did well at Royal Ascot, and Alfred Nobel is already a Group 2 winner at the Curragh, while Reggae Dancer is an unknown quantity - but any horse from Coolmore has to be considered as a potential winner of this particular race.
There is also the possibility Norfolk Stakes winner Radio Head could also line up at the Curragh, and this would probably make the Phoenix Stakes the most significant juvenile trial so far this season.
Fahey to give Firebet his Group 2 debut.
After winning three handicaps in a row, trainer Richard Fahey is intending to give his progressive three year old Firebet a Group 2 outing this weekend. As yet the Yorkshire based trainer is undecided between the Skybet York Stakes at the Knavesmire, or the Prix Eugene Adams at Maison Laffitte, but whatever the final option, the trainer does admit it is a fact finding mission,
"Firebet has come on extremely well this season, and we believe he has the capability to win a Group 2, but this weekend we will find out if at this stage in his career he is up to landing a big prize".
"
Cumani poses doubts over Cima King George run.
In an interview this morning, Luca Cumani advised the media, connections of Cima de Triomphe had not yet decided as to whether he will take his chance in Saturday's Betfair sponsered King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and with a final decision being delayed until the end of the week, anti post support for the Brigadier Gerard Stakes winner is likely to dry up over the intervening period.
Kite Wood pleases in work-out.
Having recently won the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket, Kite Wood looked very impressive in a six furlong gallop at racing headquarters this morning, and Saeed bin Suroor indicated he was pleasing Godolphin connections in his preparation work for the Doncaster St Leger. The trainer added,
"We will give him another outing before the St Leger, but all his work is being aimed at preparing him for the mile and three quarter trip of the Doncaster Classic".
Ascot watering despite forecast.
Although the current weather forecast is predicting rain for the next couple of days, officials at Ascot yesterday made the decision to water the areas of the two courses which were exhibiting firm patches. With their prestigious King George VI meeting just four days away, Ascot seem determined to provide good ground for the various races on this weekend's high profile card.
Burke is to appeal 'unfair penalty'.
Bark & Co, the solicitors acting on behalf of trainer Karl Burke have issued a statement on behalf of their client indicating the reasons why Burke is to appeal against the twelve month disqualification from racing issued yesterday by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) Disciplinary Panel. The statement reads:
"The BHA imposed on Karl Burke a twelve month disqualification for providing inside information and associating with a warned off person Miles Rogers.
Mr Rogers had been an owner of horses and a co-investor in land at Burkes yard, but the business relationship was on-going at the time Mr Rogers was warned off and continued for a short period thereafter. Mr Burke also had some other associations with Mr Rogers including the passing of an opinion on the running of six horses. Mr Burke received no payment from Mr Rogers for imparting his opinion on these six races. He spoke to Rogers about these races in order to prevent any difficulty in the replacement of Rogers as an investor at Spigot Lodge. He was misguided in associating with Mr Rogers in this way, and has admitted these failings.
Mr Burke does not dispute being liable for a penalty for these breaches, but the penalty imposed by the BHA is unfair and excessive. The penalty far exceeds that which might reasonably have been expected, particularly with regard to the penalties imposed on Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams.
Mr Burke has not had the benefit of conspiracy of circumstances, plea bargaining, or otherwise being dealt with by the BHA. It is clear he has not been treated by the BHA comparably with Mr Lynch or Mr Williams, or fairly when all matters of the proceedings are considered. Therefore, he intends to appeal this decision".
Lynch banned by American authorities.
If Fergal Lybnch thought his plea bargain with the BHA had prevented him from being banned from racing in America he was brought down to earth with a bump last night as the American racing authorities handed him a twelve month riding ban for his condut in Britain.
The meeting at Philadelphia Park found Lynch's conduct was not compatable with the rules of racing, and despite the fact his offence took place in Britain, the American racing authorities thought it would set the wrong precedent if he was allowed to ride at his most successful track in America without serving some form of ban - and the decided twelve months was the right punishment for his breaches of the British rules of racing.
Dunguib likely to suffer disqualification.
The 'A' sample taken from Dunguib following his victory in the Paddy Power sponsered Champion Bumper at Punchestown in April has proved positive for a banned non-stimulent substance, and as seems likely, the 'B' sample confirms the presence of the prescribed substance, then it is probable Philip Fenton's charge will lose the race he won by nine lengths.
In that eventuality, the second placed horse Sweeps Hill, trained by John Kiely, and ridden at Punchestown by J P Magnier, will be awarded the first prize for the 2009 running of the Punchestown Festival Champion Bumper.
Qatar move for Master of the Horse.
In an unusual step for the Coolmore operation, they have sold Master of the Horse into new owenrship in Qatar. The son of Saddlers Wells had followed up his second to Golden Sword in the Chester Vase with two good runs in the British and Irish Derbys, and his sale seems to be a bit of a mystery.
Pavershooz has options.
After landing the Giles Insurance Heritage Handicap at Ayr on Monday, connections of Pavershooz have indicated he could be aimed at the Portland Handicap at Doncaster's St Leger meeting, or the Ayr Gold Cup, or possibly both.
Celebrate your winnings, or commiserate with others with fine wines & champagne’s:
==================================
Archives:
2009.
2008.
News Stories prior to July 2008
Return to text based index page
