Godolphin buys Frankel winner
Godolphin has purchased recent Sandown winner Atty Persse and the Frankel colt will remain with trainer Roger Charlton after being bought by Sheikh Mohammed’s organisation. Chief executive John Ferguson told the Telegraph: “He will remain with Roger Charlton and it is Godolphin’s first horse with him. Sheikh Mohammed saw him win at Sandown and was impressed.”
Cacique retired
Dual Grade 1 winner Cacique, a brother to Dansili and Champs Elysees, has been retired from stud duties due to continuing fertility problems. The son of Danehill raced for Juddmonte Farms and stood at Banstead Manor Stud in England. His first crop of just 29 foals included three Group/Grade 1 winners: Dominant, Slumber and Mutual Trust. His second crop numbered just four foals and included Group 2 winner Canticum.
Scorpion to Shade Oak
Scorpion will stand at Shade Oak Stud in Shropshire next season. Winner of three Group 1 races when trained by Aidan O’Brien, the Montjeu horse stood under the Coolmore banner at Castle Hyde Stud. He is the sire of Grade 1-winning novice hurdler Don’t Touch It and Scorpiancer, winner of the Grade 1 Lonesome Glory Steeplechase at Belmont Park this week.
Scorpiancer won a point-to-point for Eugene O’Sullivan before being sold for £200,000 at the 2014 Brightwells Cheltenham Sale. in March 2014. He won once from six starts for trainer Rebecca Curtis before being sold to race in the USA.
Funk injury
The Ger Lyons-trained Psychedelic Funk misses today’s Group 1 Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket due to injury. The trainer reported on Wednesday: “He just got injured this morning and pulled up lame. He’s gone to Fethard to the hospital. They are hopefully putting a pin in his hind pastern, so fingers crossed.” Lyons will be represented in today’s race by Medicine Jack.
Breeder award
Mike O’Brien and Andrew Thompson are the winners of the Connolly’s Red Mills The Irish Field Breeder of the Month award for August. They bred Ribchester, winner of the Group 1 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville.
Autumn Sale has NH section
The Goffs UK Autumn Sale on October 31st will include a section for early season point-to-pointers and bumper winners. Race entries for the 2017 £50,000 Goffs UK Spring Sale Bumper at Newbury close next Tuesday, September 27th. Scheduled for March 25th, the race is open to all four, five and six-year-olds purchased at the 2014, 2015 and 2016 Spring Store Sale.
Directory deadline
The Irish Field Directory 2017 is nearing completion. Those who have not yet returned their details for publication should do so immediately or contact Margaret O’Connor on 01-4051178. Thank you to all who have returned completed forms. The winner of the draw for a day out at Tipperary Races next weekend is Joseph O’Donoghue of Clashmore Stud, Hospital, Co Limerick.
Plus 10 payments
Almost €40,000 in additional prize money was paid out to owners and breeders at Naas on Wednesday thanks to the Plus 10 Bonus Scheme. Three of seven Plus 10 €12,500 bonuses were won by promising juveniles, with the hefty bonus more than doubling prize money in each instance. Ger Lyons snagged two bonuses in auction races with Noivado and stablemate Doctor Geoff, with both horses taking home more than €23,000.
The Tommy Stack-trained Olympic Legend trebled his prize money and collected €18,650 for winning the nursery. Owners and trainers are being encouraged by Plus 10 to buy qualified yearlings at Goffs next week.