HK purchases

RIVET and Irishcorrespondent have been sold to continue their racing careers in Hong Kong.

Winner of last year’s Racing Post Trophy, Rivet was trained by William Haggas and finished third in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains this year. After unplaced efforts in both the Prix du Jockey Club and the St James’s Palace Stakes, the son of Fastnet Rock has been bought privately by agent George Moore and will be trained in Hong Kong by his father, John.

Michael Halford has confirmed that his Irish 2000 Guineas third Irishcorrespondent has also been handed a one-way ticket to the Far East. “He was an obvious candidate for Hong Kong since the day he won his maiden at Leopardstown,” the trainer reported. “John McCormack negotiated the deal. He’s a lovely horse who should improve with age.”

Mass for J.T.

FRIENDS of the late John Thomas McNamara are invited to his first anniversary Mass on Sunday week, July 23rd at 11.30am in Manister Church, Croom, Co Limerick. The rider died a year ago, aged 41, having suffered from poor health ever since his paralysing fall at Cheltenham in 2013.

Foley ban cut

SHANE Foley has had a seven-day whip ban reduced to five days on appeal because of his “excellent record”.

Foley was punished following an incident at Fairyhouse where he appeared to strike his mount prior to being loaded into the stalls. Foley cannot ride on July 19th, 20th, 22nd, 23rd and 24th.

Hogan appeal

TRAINER Denis Hogan has lost his appeal against a 42-day ban imposed on his horse Meadow Cross following a running and riding inquiry at Down Royal last month. Hogan’s counsel argued that the horse’s suspension would cost him training fees and potential prize money “in circumstances where no culpability for a breach of rules is attaching to him.”

The Appeals Panel upheld the penalty and agreed that it was a hardship on the trainer but in the interests of the integrity of racing. Half of Hogan’s appeal deposit was returned to him.

Darley for Doherty

CAOIMHE Doherty has joined the team at Darley’s Kildangan Stud in nomination sales and marketing. The Galway woman graduated from the Godolphin Flying Start programme in 2016 and has previously worked at Paca Paca Farm in Japan and at the Racing Post.