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:

Genes Reunited

 

Recharge victory pays compliment to See The Stars.

Towards the end of last season Epsom Derby entrant See The Stars had recharge back in fourth place in a Group 2 contest, so the one length win by the Kevin Prendergast trained Recharge in today's Leopardstown 2,000 Guineas Trial pays a huge compliment to See The Stars.

Today's victory also proves Recharge is now a serious Guineas contender, as he had Dewhurst winner Intense Focus well beaten from over a furlong out in this afternoon's race, and it will be interesting to see whether connections go for the British or Irish Guineas in several weeks time.

Bolger gets quick compensation.

Jim Bolger might have been disappointed in only obtaining the runner-up position with Intense Focus in the 2,000 Guineas Trial this afternoon, but he obtained quick compensation, when Maoineach started to live up to her early promise, with a comfortable win over Breeders Cup Turf runner-up Heart Shaped in the Leopardstown 1,000 Guineas Trial.

All systems go for Al Eile.

Trainer John Queally has confirmed three time Aintree Hurdle winner Al Eile will be present in the line-up for next Saturday's Grade One Hurdle, and he will be fit enough to do himself justice as he tries to match the recently departed Morley Street's record of four Aintree Hurdle victories.

Speaking yesterday, Queally said, "He has come on from his win on the level at Dundalk, and providing he has no setbacks during the week, he will be there to win the race".

O'Connor still stable.

Colm Murphy's stable jockey Matt O'Connor is still in the intensive care unit at Cork University Hospital following his fall at Thurles last Thursday, and in their latest statement, the hospital have re-iterated, O'Connor remains stable, but the extent of his head injury is not fully diagnosed at present.

Russell should be ready for War.

The injury to Davy Russell's thumb, which the leading Irish national hunt jockey incurred at yesterday's Navan meeting, is not thought to be too serious, and Russell will certainly be fit for his ride aboard War of Attrition in next Saturday's Aintree Grand National.

Godolphin acquire two of yesterday's winners.

Although Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin operation had two winners of there own at yesterday's Dubai World Cup meeting- Regal Ransom in the UAE Derby and Two Step Salsa in the Dubai Godolphin Mile - but straight after the conclusion of yesterday's meeting, Sheikh Mohammed purchased Eastern Anthem, the winner of the Sheema Classic, and Gladiatorus, the front running victor in the Dubai Duty Free.

It would seem the 'boys in blue' are determined to purchase sufficient quality horses to challenge the Coolmore domination of Group One racing in Britain and Ireland, and these two purchases are part of that objective.

Quality Road new Kentucky Derby favourite.

After obliterating his opposition while winning yesterday's Florida Derby in a new Gulfstream Park course record, Quality Road also replaced yesterday's distant runner-up Dunkirk, at the head of the betting for this year's Kentucky Derby.

The Jimmy Jerken's trained three year old is now assured of a run at Churchill Downs, while the Coolmore owned Dunkirk will have an anxious wait to see if he has earned enough money to qualify for the final twenty entrants in this year's 'Race for the Roses'.

Prime Defender will head to York.

Charlie Hills, assistant trainer to his father Barry, expressed the stables delight with Prime Defender's return to winning ways in yesterday's Cammidge Trophy at Doncaster.

"We managed to iron out the niggling problems which stopped him from winning last season, and he went into yesterday's race fitter than when he finished fourth in the same race last year.

I think he has the ability to win a major Group prize this season, but we don't intend to give him too much racing this year, so he will probably not be seen again until the Dante meeting at York".

Expresso could star in pattern race.

Jocky Jimmy Fortune admitted he had to commit Expresso Star too soon in yesterday's Lincoln Handicap.

"The runners on our side were not setting a fast enough pace, so I had to commit him two and a half furlongs from home, but as I knew he would stay, I was confident he would see the trip out.

He needed yesterday's race, but it showd us he is progressive, and with good to soft ground, I am sure he can land a Group prize before much longer".

The Cheka has become a bit of a monster.

Trainer Eve Johnson-Houghton has confirmed The Cheka, who was second in last year's Solario Stakes, has grown and filled out over the winter months, and based on the work he is showing on the training gallops, the handler believes he could be a major contender for honours this season.

It is understood The Cheka will have his first outing of the season in the Greenham Stakes, and if he comes through with flying colours, he will then go straight to the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket in May.

Bookies in fear of My Will Grand National victory.
Bookies fear a Grand National plunge on hot favourite My Will, as punters called Will, William, Bill and Billy lead the way to the bookies for the biggest day of the betting year next weekend.
The world's biggest horse race takes place on Saturday and Ladbrokes predict the current eight to one red hot favourite will attract enormous attention from once-a-year punters.
Ladbrokes have over 16,500 registered customers called Will or William, and the popular name came in the top ten of names for baby boys according to the most recent government data.
And over one and a half million more Brits are expected to call in at the bookies this week to have a flutter on My Will.
The stats have combined to set alarm bells ringing at Ladbrokes Head Office where the horse is forecast to go off as one of the most popular selections in recent Grand National history.
Ladbrokes Spokesperson David Williams said: " If My Will lands the National gamble next Saturday, every member of the public with a Will in their family, office, factory or pub will collect from us, so to be honest, we would prefer My Will to be well beaten, even  if it makes us Billy no-mates.
A win for My Will could end up costing us a fortune. Mind you, we're not quite writing our wills just yet, but if we get the wrong result, we could easily end up down the Job Centre a week on Monday".
In a novel move, Ladbrokes have sent £100 of betting vouchers to Kate Middleton ahead of the Grand National - and fully expect Prince William's girlfriend to back the horse for Aintree glory.
"We know she loves a flutter and the prospect of grabbing £800 courtesy of My Will will surely be irresistible. Thousands of our staff are on red alert to look out for Kate in our shops this week" said Williams, “and if Kate takes up the offer, we will be sure to inform the public”.

 

 

Celebrate your winnings, or commiserate with others with fine wines & champagne’s:

Sunday Times Wine Club

------------------------------------------

Archives:

 

February News Stories

January News Stories

December News Stories

November News Stories

October News Stories

September News Stories

August News Stories

News Stories prior to July 2008

 

Return to text based index page

Return to main index page