Injury forces Lynch to retire
JOCKEY Andrew Lynch has confirmed he will not be returning to race-riding due to injury. The 36-year-old has not ridden on the track since February 2019 when he injured his shoulder in a fall at Leopardstown.
He told the Racing Post yesterday that he still had problems lifting his arm and would not be able to renew his jockeys’ licence.
Undoubtedly the best horse Lynch rode during his career was Sizing Europe, on whom he won seven Grade 1 races including a Champion Chase and an Arkle Chase at Cheltenham.
Khan stays on
THE European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation (EMHF) has announced that it has retained the services of Paull Khan as its Secretary-General until December 31st, 2024.
EMHF chair Brian Kavanagh said: “Paul is a great source of knowledge on the racing and breeding industry and it is a pleasure to work with him.”
Sudden passing of horse transporter
THE funeral took place on Thursday of Joe McNulty who died suddenly two days earlier at Beaumont Hospital.
A lifelong resident of Ballyboughal in north Co Dublin, McNulty was well-known in the racehorse transport business working through the years for Michael Kauntze, Jim Dreaper, Eddie Lynam and Pat Martin.
During the breeding season, he transported mares for the late Alison Baker. Joe also raced his own horses and enjoyed multiple successes with the Dreaper-trained Lis Na Rann. That Lucky Mickmooch gelding was the regular ride of McNutly’s son Martin, a former amateur with the Dreaper yard, while the owner’s colours were also worn by his sons-in-law, Peter Casey and Gerry Rooney. Those colours, along with a copy of The Irish Field, were among the gifts carried to the altar during Joe’s funeral mass.
About five years ago, Joe gave up transporting horses to concentrate on his horsebox and trailer repair business and he was highly-regarded for his workmanship and reliability throughout north Co Dublin and further afield in both the thoroughbred and sport horse sectors. This dedication continued right to the end as, while in hospital, he organised with a client when a box should be left to the yard.
Joe is survived by his son Martin and daughters Caroline, Una and Sandra. He was predeceased by his wife Peggy and daughter Carmel.
Top French horse joins Willie Mullins
WILLIE Mullins has acquired a very exciting young hurdler from France from owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.
The four-year-old gelding James Du Berlais has won four of his nine starts and finished second in the other five. Trained by Robert Collet, the son of Muhtathir lost out by a short-head on his latest run, a Grade 1 at Auteuil over two and a half miles.
Simon Munir revealed the news on Twitter, saying: “Our exciting 4yo James Du Berlais en route to Willie Mullins after a very successful stint with trainer Robert Collet in France. We are looking forward to seeing what he can achieve this side of the channel.”
Video interview series continues
THE second episode of The Irish Field’s Thursday Talk series of video interviews features international dressage rider Judy Reynolds and her husband Patrick Heavey. Visit theirishfield.ie at 8pm next Thursday (December 10th) to hear the couple chat to The Irish Field’s Judith Faherty.
Co Armagh trainer Ronan McNally featured in the first episode this week and his interview with Ronan Groome can also be found on theirishfield.ie.