New date for Laytown Races

LAYTOWN Races, which was due to be held on Thursday September 2nd, has been rescheduled to Monday November 1st. Joe Collins, Laytown Races Chairman, said: “Laytown Races is in a unique position as we race under temporary facilities and our racetrack, on the beach, is open to the public. After consultation with all key stakeholders, there were still some concerns about how we could implement the government guidelines next month, especially on the beach. I would like to thank Horse Racing Ireland and the IHRB for their help rescheduling our meeting.”

USA winner for Snow Sky

SNOW Sky, who stands at Willie Murphy’s Ballycurragh Stud in Rathoe, Co Carlow, has had a winner over jumps in the USA. The four-year-old Glencorrib Sky, from the first crop of the classic-placed dual Group 2-winning stallion, won a $30,000 hurdle race at Colonial Downs. He was bred by Jim Hennelly in Shrule, Co Mayo, and finished second in a Ballindenisk point-to-point just over two months ago for Jimmy O’Rourke before being sold for £50,000 at the Tattersalls Cheltenham May Sale.

Willie Murphy commented: “Snow Sky has had seven runners to-date and all bar one have finished in the first five. The stallion has been busy since he retired to stud and has covered some good mares.”

Atomic Force to Hong Kong

ONE of this season’s very best two-year-olds, Atomic Force, has left Kevin Ryan’s yard in Yorkshire to continue his career in Hong Kong. Runner-up on his racecourse debut at Musselburgh in the spring, the son of Cotai Glory is unbeaten in three starts since – adding to a maiden success at Hamilton with victories in the Group 3 Prix du Bois and the Group 2 Prix Robert Papin at Chantilly. He was sold to Hong Kong-based owner Siu Pak Kwan prior to his latest triumph – and with opportunities in Europe limited due to Atomic Force being a gelding, the decision has been made to send him to the Far East immediately.

Quick Suzy aimed at Prix Morny

QUICK Suzy will head straight to the Prix Morny at Deauville on August 22nd after connections decided to swerve this weekend’s Keeneland Phoenix Stakes. The Gavin Cromwell-trained filly impressed with a length-and-a-quarter victory in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot, improving from a previous Curragh maiden win and a narrow second in Group 3 company at Naas.

The daughter of Profitable is owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners following a sale facilitated by bloodstock agent Joseph Burke, who said: “She gets an extra pound from the colts in Deauville – 4lb as opposed to 3lb at the Curragh – and fillies have a very good record in the Morny. Ultimately, her season revolves around the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Del Mar.”

Trainers sue Ken Ramsey for $1.5 million in fees

INTERNATIONAL owner-breeder Ken Ramsey is being sued in Kentucky by trainers Wesley Ward and Michael Maker for almost $1.5 million.

Ward claims he is owed over €900,000 in unpaid training fees, while Maker is seeking more than $500,000. Ramsey disputes the amounts owed. Aged 86, Ramsey is best known in racing as the owner-breeder of Kitten’s Joy, a Breeders’ Cup winner and leading sire.

Death of stallion man Paddy Meehan

PADDY Meehan, head stallion man at the National Stud in Newmarket, died recently, aged just 56. Originally from Co Meath, he grew up at Ballymacoll Stud where his father was stud groom. He moved to Newmarket in 1987, initially to work at Lanwades Stud.

He had a spell at Stetchworth Park Stud before joining the National Stud, where he spent many years. Last year he was a finalist in the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards.

His funeral Mass takes place at 10.30am on Monday, August 16th in Newmarket’s Catholic church. A GoFundMe page has been set up by a family friend to support burial costs.

Aintree moves Grand Sefton

AINTREE’S Grand Sefton Handicap Chase, one of five races staged over the Grand National fences each season, will now be contested in November.

The two-mile–five-furlong contest has been run as part of the track’s December meeting since its revival in 2003, starring alongside the longer Becher Chase which is also run over the National fences.