Papillon owner dies

BETTY Moran, the American owner of 2000 Grand National winner Papillon, has died. She was 89. Owner of Brushwood Stables in Philadeplhia, she owned 1985 Belmont Stakes winner Creme Fraiche and Grade 1 winners Kicken Kris and Mushka. She also owned Jeremy, a high-class miler who went to become a successful stallion. She bred and sold European champion filly Russian Rhythm and American star Hard Spun. She was well-known for her charity work.

Phyllis Woods passing

PHYLLIS Woods, wife of former jockey and trainer Paddy, has passed away after a short illness. Her funeral Mass took place on Thursday in Ratoath, Co Meath. She is survived by her husband and their eight children. Their son Franny was a leading jump jockey and is now part of the management team at Rathbarry Stud. His brother Eddie is a leading sales consignor based in Florida.

Dunne penalty varied

THE penalties imposed on trainer David Dunne following a positive drugs test by one of his winners have been varied. Last August the Dunne-trained Druim Samhraidh won a Ballinrobe bumper but tested positive for boldenone, an anabolic steroid. Dunne was fined €2,000 and ordered to pay €1,000 in costs by the Referrals Committee last November. This week Dunne asked the Appeals Body for some leniency on the fine due to his financial situation. The Appeals Body agreed to reduce the fine to €1,000 and award no costs, but they imposed a four-month suspension on the trainer, which commences on March 1st.

Expert Eye foals

THE first foals by Breeders’ Cup Mile winner and Banstead Manor Stud sire Expert Eye have arrived. Precious Gem, a daughter of Sadler’s Wells who won the Group 3 International Stakes at the Curragh, produced a bay colt by the stallion at Ballyogue Stud in Co Waterford. A day later Rickrack foaled a dark bay colt at the Irish National Stud. The mare is a winning half-sister to three blacktype performers, including listed winner and Group 1-placed Arasin.

Expert Eye covered a full book of 139 mares in 2019.