HRI roadshows

THE first in a series of open meetings on the future of Irish racing will be staged in Athenry, Co Galway next Wednesday evening.

Horse Racing Ireland is staging four roadshows around the country this month and they will feature contributions from CEO Brian Kavanagh and HRI senior management.

Wednesday’s forum will be held in the Raheen Woods Hotel in Athenry and on Thursday a similar event will be staged in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dundalk. The venue moves to Horse & Jockey Hotel in Co Tipperary on Wednesday, April 18th, before finishing on Thursday, April 19th in Lawlor’s Hotel, Naas. All four evenings start at 7pm.

Goffs initiative at Punchestown

GOFFS will sponsor the new owners and trainers lounge at the upcoming Punchestown Festival and next season. Located on the first floor of the new Hunt Stand, the Goffs Owners and Trainers Lounge will host around 250 guests each day of the Festival.

Killarney seeks new racing manager

MICHEAL Lucey has vacated the position of general manager at Killarney Racecourse. The Co Kerry track is now seeking a racing manager who will report to chairman Ger Coughlan, who is acting as interim manager during the appointment process.

O’Connell starts new chapter

JOCKEY Brian O’Connell has announced his retirement from riding because of ongoing injury problems. The 31-year-old rode over 250 winners as an amateur and a professional, including Grade 1 triumphs aboard Dunguib, Don Cossack and Last Instalment. “I’ve always loved the bloodstock side of things, and that’s something I’d like to get involved in. We’ve also a yard at home that I could develop with my wife, so that’s something to also think about. I won’t be leaving the industry.”

McGuinness ban

JOCKEY Luke McGuinness has been suspended for two years after failing a drug test. A urine sample taken from him at Navan in November was found to contain a metabolite of cocaine.

The Referrals Committee agreed to review the matter again in six months provided that McGuinness positively engages in a programme. McGuinness admitted taking the prohibited substance and deeply regretted the shame that this had brought on him, his family and the sport.

£1m handicaps

THE programme for older staying horses in Britain has been greatly boosted by the announcement of increased prize money for both the Skybet Ebor Handicap at York and the Cesarewitch at Newmarket. Both races will be worth £500,000 this year. The Ebor will rise to £1 million in 2019 with the Cesarewitch increasing to £750,000 before reaching £1 million in 2020.

Newmarket also announced increased prize money for the Guineas Festival in May and the Future Champions Festival in October.

Karpino death

THE six-year-old stallion Karpino has died at Glenview Stud after developing a serious illness during his first season at stud.