Appeals upheld

The connections of Shantou Ed won their appeal this week against penalties imposed over the running and riding of the Pat Fahy-trained horse at Fairyhouse on November 28th. The raceday stewards found that the horse, ridden by Alan Crowe for owner J.P. McManus, had not been “given a full opportunity to obtain its best possible placing”. However, connections sent the horse for veterinary examination after the race and tests revealed that “Shantou Ed had sustained a moderate degree of recent haemorrhage in the alveoli and the bronchi”. Having heard this new evidence the Appeals and Referrals Committee overturned the original findings.

In the same Fairyhouse race the Tony Martin-trained Bobbie’s Diamond also fell foul of the stewards who held that jockey Philip Enright had not made sufficient effort. The trainer was fined and the horse suspended. Those penalties were also lifted on appeal this week. Tony Martin confirmed to the Committee that a post-race endoscopic examination carried out at the racecourse on the day confirmed blood in the trachea. The trainer also told the Committee that the horse was inexperienced and had made jumping errors before tiring.

Keeneland keeps backing Phoenix

Keeneland has extended its sponsorship of the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh for another three years. President and CEO Bill Thomason said: “Keeneland greatly appreciates the longstanding participation of clients from Ireland in our sales and racing. We are especially delighted about the success of Keeneland September Yearling Sale graduate Air Force Blue, who won this year’s Keeneland Phoenix Stakes during his championship campaign. With the changes to come for the Curragh, we look forward to many exciting times ahead.”

So Beloved disqualified

This year’s Goodwood Betfred Mile winner So Beloved has been disqualified due to testing positive for traces of bute. Trainer David O’Meara, who was fined £1,000, said: “I’ve no idea how it got into his system. The BHA have conducted a thorough investigation and they still can’t find how it got into his system.”

Merger approved

Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority has given official clearance for Paddy Power and Betfair to merge. The latter company declared it “expects the merger to complete during the first quarter of 2016”. Shares in both firms rose slightly as a result of the decision as investors prepare to vote on the proposal at extraordinary general meetings on Monday. Ireland’s Competition and Consumer Protection Commission must also back the move.

Policy Maker moves to Kildare

Multiple Group 2 winner and successful sire Policy Maker will stand at Peter Maher’s Blackrath Stud in Co Kildare next year. The rising 16-year-old son of Sadler’s Wells is the sire of Grade 1 winning French hurdler Roll On Has as well as recent winners Art Mauresque and Velvet Maker.

Sagramor to stud

Royal Ascot winner Sagramor, a seven-year-old son of Pastoral Pursuits, will stand alongside Vinnie Roe and Brian Boru at Longford House Stud in Co Tipperary. His fee has been set at €1,000.