Presenting Percy passes

PRESENTING Percy has died after battling infection for three months. Trained by Pat Kelly, the gelding won the Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle at the 2017 Cheltenham Festival and returned a year later to win the RSA Chase. He went on to win a second Galmoy Hurdle the following season.

After moving to Gordon Elliott last summer, Presenting Percy got back on the winning trail in a listed chase at Thurles – his 11th career victory. An eighth-placed finish in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas proved to be his final start.

Goresbridge Breeze-Up

THIS year’s Tattersalls Ireland Goresbridge Breeze-Up Sale will be staged in Newmarket rather than at Fairyhouse.

The news was broken on Monday, and Tattersalls said the decision was taken “owing to the prevailing Covid-related travel restrictions in Ireland.”

Newmarket Racecourse is currently operational as a vaccination centre and, to accommodate the breeze-up at the racecourse, the practice breeze and breeze will take place on Tuesday, June 1st and Wednesday, June 2nd, with the sale taking place on Thursday, June 3rd

Stable Staff Awards

NOMINATIONS for the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards close at 5pm next Monday (April 19th). Nominations can only be made via the awards website and Sandra Hughes is available to assist trainers, breeders, managers, owners and colleagues who wish to nominate their staff and team-mates.

The awards encompass 10 categories which carry prize money of over €85,000. This year, in addition to prize money for the winner, the two finalists and their employers, €100 will be allocated to the short-listed candidates in eight award categories.

The awards show will be broadcast free-to-air on Racing TV on Wednesday June 30th.

Web: studandstablestaffawards.ie

Irish Grand National winner passes away

FORMER jump jockey Ger Dowd has passed away. He rode Brown Lad to win the 1978 Irish Grand National and had a long association with the Dreaper yard. He was also a talented footballer and won an All-Ireland intermediate medal with his club, Dunshaughlin & Royal Gaels in 1977. More recently he rode in the ‘legends’ race at Bellewstown in 2011 which raised funds for the Arkle memorial statue in Ashbourne. He is survived by his wife Bernadette and five children.

Tribute to Gerry Kelly

CO Waterford trainer Tom Cummins has paid tribute to Gerry Kelly from Dungarvan, who died suddenly last week. Cummins said: “Gerry had a special gift with horses. He could calm novice travellers and also ‘divine’ problems in horses just by using his hands. He led up several winners for me, including Aughnacurraveel, who won seven races despite being an excitable horse. An electrician by trade, Gerry loved going racing and was always well dressed. I was shocked to hear he had died and he will be missed by his many friends in racing.”

The Irish Field supporting stable staff

THE Irish Field and Equuip [HRI’s careers department] will jointly sponsor the stable staff restaurant for all five days of the Punchestown Festival. Each day of the Festival, grooms will be offered a free hot meal and complimentary refreshments will be available throughout the day. The Irish Field will also sponsor the bumper on the opening evening at the Festival.

Bernard Caldwell, chairman of the Irish Stable Staff Association, said: “Fair play to The Irish Field and Equuip for this sponsorship. The Irish Field has always been a good supporter of stable staff and we are very appreciative of that.”

Lalor wins breeder prize

ANN Lalor has won the Connolly’s Red Mills The Irish Field Breeder of the Month competition for March. She bred Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Minella Indo.

PTP venues confirmed

TIPPERARY and Fairyhouse have been named as the respective venues for the point-to-point fixtures on Saturday and Sunday, April 24th and 25th. Tipperary staged a similar fixture last Sunday and Fairyhouse hosts a two-day meeting this weekend. It is still hoped that point-to-points will be allowed returned to their usual venues from early May.

Group 1 winners entered

GROUP 1 winners Glen Shiel and Dream Of Dreams are among the 25 entries for the Group 2 Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh on May 22nd.