McDonald banned

JAMES McDonald has been released from his contract as Godolphin’s number one Australian-based jockey after he was banned 18 months for having breached betting regulations. McDonald pleaded guilty to having a bet of A$1,000 on Astern when the John O’Shea-trained colt made his debut at Randwick a year ago. The 24-year-old won $4,000. McDonald says he will appeal the severity of the sentence.

NZ jockey dies

NEW Zealand-based jockey Rebecca Black has died after suffering a fall last Sunday. The 40-year-old mother-of-three was riding at Gore Racecourse when both her mount and another fell on the flat. Two of her children witnessed the fatal accident.

Foinavon jockey dies aged 76

JOHN Buckingham, who steered 100/1 shot Foinavon to a sensational victory in the 1967 Grand National, has died at the age of 76. Foinavon was the only horse to escape the melee at the 23rd fence, which is now named after him.

Buckingham retired in 1971 and became a jockey’s valet. Among the jockeys he looked after was A.P. McCoy, to whom he gave a pair of boots on McCoy’s first day riding in England. Buckingham allegedly told McCoy: “You’ll have to go some to fill these, young man - they were owned by Peter Scudamore.”

Jean Moore passes

FOLLOWING a short illness with cancer, Jean O’Connor (née Moore), mother of point-to-point multiple champion Derek O’Connor, has passed away. From Galway, Jean Moore was an accomplished rider, registering over 25 winners between the flags from 1965-’70. Twice in March 1967 she rode three winners at Nenagh and Dromoland.

She continued to go racing up to recently, supporting her sons Derek and Paurick, a successful handler. She is also survived by her daughter Loretta. Her funeral Mass was in Shanaglish on Wednesday.

Pegasus runner

ARROGATE and California Chrome are due to have a rematch in the $12 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park on January 28th.