Ribchester rises in World Rankings

WHILE Arrogate [134] and Winx [132] remain the two top-rated racehorses in the world, the Irish-bred Ribchester [124] has taken over the third spot in the latest edition of the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings.

Ribchester earned his ranking with a dominating three and three-quarter-length victory in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury last month. It was his second start of the season, after finishing third in the Dubai Turf.

Trained by Richard Fahey, Ribchester is a shade of odds-on with some bookmakers to win the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot on Tuesday week.

Sitting just behind Ribchester in the new rankings is dual Guineas hero Churchill [123].

Appointment

PATRICK Kelly has been appointed as the new Head of Finance at the Irish Equine Centre. He succeeds Mark Sherry, who has retired.

Kelly previously worked as a finance director for US public companies listed on the stock exchanges in the technology and software sectors. He has had a huge interest in racing.

Spring sale

THE Group 3 winner Arab Spring will be the first lot to be sold as part of the Ballymacoll Stud Dispersal at Tattersalls when the son of Monsun appears in the ring for the July Sale at Newmarket, which runs from July 12th-14th.

The Monsun horse has won six races and is rated 112. Ballymacoll Stud is due to be auctioned in Dublin on Tuesday, June 27th. The stud’s remaining foals, yearlings, horses in training and broodmares will be sold this autumn.

Plus 10 yearlingdeadline nears

THE Plus 10 Yearling Registration deadline is nearing, with just one month left for yearlings to be registered for the bonus scheme.

Plus 10 has paid out €9.5 million in additional prize money since the first bonus was made available in 2015.

Breeders and pinhookers of yearlings who wish for their horse to remain in Plus 10 must pay the Yearling Registration fee of £200 by June 30th.