Verbal absence

JIM Bolger has been forced to rule his 2000 Guineas candidate Verbal Dexterity out of the Newmarket classic due to a setback. Winner of the Group 1 Vincent O’Brien National Stakes at the Curragh in September, the Vocalised colt rounded off his juvenile campaign by finishing fourth behind Saxon Warrior in the Racing Post Trophy.

Former trainer dies

FORMER trainer and rider Andrew Younghusband has died unexpectedly while in England. From Ballymackey, Nenagh in Co Tipperary, he was an enthusiastic member of the Ormond Hunt. His funeral details have not yet been published.

New racing dates

LIMERICK staged a replacement National Hunt meeting yesterday following the earlier cancellation of the Kilbeggan fixture due to take place on that date. Kilbeggan has been granted a new fixture on Monday evening, April 30th. Tipperary also lost its Thursday meeting this week (flat) and will race instead on Monday evening, May 14th.

Festival preview

TG4 will screen a 30-minute preview of the Punchestown Festival on Sunday at 6.10pm (following Munster rugby highlights) with a second showing on Monday at 7.30pm.

Award winner

PADDY Behan, breeder of Champion Chase winner Altior, has won the Connolly’s Red Mills The Irish Field Breeder of the Month competition for April.

Moohaajim movers

THE Rathbarry Stud team is getting excited about its stallion Moohaajim, whose first runners are showing a lot of promise. Both his runners to-date have been placed and three of his progeny sold at this week’s Craven Breeze-Up Sale for 145,000gns, 65,000gns and 28,000gns respectively to agents Dwayne Woods, Stephen Hillen and Jamie Lloyd.

Lion stamps stock

THE Last Lion, who rounded off his racing career with victory in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes, is impressing breeders and the Kildangan Stud team with his first foals. Stud director Jimmy Hyland said: “He has made an impressive start to this season. His fertility figures have improved from last year and we always felt it would get better with maturity. We’re very impressed with his foals, he’s putting his stamp on them. They’re strong-bodied individuals with substance and quality.” Breeder Michael Gleeson said of his colt out of Aunt Julia: “A quality, strong foal! Good bone and limbs and very much in the stamp of the sire line. Delighted with him! We’ll certainly be using The Last Lion again this year.”

The Last Lion stands at a fee of €7,500.

Surgeon mourned

THE death took place on Tuesday of Joe Clarke of Dunderry Stud, Navan, following a short illness. A veterinary surgeon by profession, he went on to enjoy huge success as a breeder and sales consignor.