Irish take on Australians
RACHAEL Blackmore and Donagh Meyler head to Australia today [Saturday] for the annual jump jockey challenge. The Irish team also includes Australian-based jockeys Martin Kelly and Shane Jackson.
This is the 31st consecutive year that an Irish team has been invited to Australia to participate in the series. There have already been 41 such contests staged in the two countries, with Ireland taking the honours on 25 occasions, Australia winning 15 times and one draw. Sean Lynch is again the Irish team manager.
This year’s competition kicks off at Murray Bridge on Wednesday and concludes at Morphettville next Saturday.
Gowran clash for Henry’s heroes
GALWAY Plate winner Balko Des Flos is likely to be joined by stable companion Special Tiara in the PwC Chase at Gowran Park on September 30th. Trainer Henry de Bromhead told At The Races this week that both horses are in good form, as is Sub Lieutenant, who is being aimed at a three-mile chase at Punchestown in October. Irish Champion Hurdle winner Petit Mouchoir is likely to go chasing this season, the trainer added.
Stayers rematch at the Curragh
A REMATCH between Big Orange and Order Of St George is set to be one of the highlights of Irish Champions Weekend. Separated by just a short-head when first and second in the Gold Cup at Ascot in June, the two stayers are expected to clash again in the Comer Group International Irish St Leger at the Curragh in a fortnight’s time.
Order Of St George was an impressive winner of the St Leger trial at the Curragh last weekend, while Big Orange was a gallant second to the younger Stradivarius at Goodwood. Trainer Michael Bell told The Irish Field this week that the Curragh classic is the target for his stable star.
There was further good news for the Curragh yesterday when it emerged that Sir Michael Stoute’s hugely impressive juvenile Expert Eye may run in the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes.
Teddy Beckett, racing manager for owner Khalid Abdullah, said: “Expert Eye came out of Goodwood in fine form. As for where next, it is not set in stone but we are very much having a look at the National Stakes.”
Rescheduled races
ROSCOMMON will race on Monday evening having lost last Monday’s fixture to heavy rain. The entries are on page B17.
Dee joins team
CHARLIE Dee has joined Lillingston Bloodstock as assistant to Luke Lillingston. He is a graduate of the Irish National Stud course, where he was held in high regard by the then CEO John Osborne.
Dee also completed the BHA Graduate Development Programme, which included a placement with the Racehorse Owners’ Association. He has a BSc degree in equine science and thoroughbred management from Oxford Brookes.
“Charlie impressed me with his knowledge of racing and breeding, as well as showing notable ambition to become a successful bloodstock agent,” said Lillingston. “He came well recommended by old friends and associates Alastair Donald and Sam Hoskins, for whom he has worked. I’m looking forward to him the joining the agency and believe he’ll be a great asset to the Kern Lillingston Association in the future.”
Breeder of Month
PAUL and Marie McCartan have won the Connolly’s Red Mills The Irish Field Breeder of the Month prize for July. They bred July Cup winner Harry Angel.
Fatal injury for top jumper
NEON Wolf, last season’s Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle runner-up at the Cheltenham Festival, has suffered a fatal injury. The six-year-old could not be saved after a “freak accident in his stable,” trainer Harry Fry reported. The horse suffered a complete laceration of his right hind-limb deep digital flexor tendon.
Star jockeys make comeback
JACK Kennedy and Mark Walsh both returned from injury yesterday. Kennedy has been off since breaking his leg in mid-May. He was declared to ride two horses at Tramore last weekend but both were withdrawn. The jockey was was due finally to make his comeback at Killarney last evening. Mark Walsh fractured his cheekbone at Tipperary in early July. He was back in the saddle at Killbegan yesterday.