Sean Flanagan injured

SEAN Flanagan is facing a spell on the sidelines after fracturing his jaw in a fall at Naas last Saturday. The rider was partnering Village Mystic for Noel Meade in a maiden hurdle when the pair fell at the third-last obstacle.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board’s senior medical officer Dr Jennifer Pugh reported: “He suffered an undisplaced fracture of his jaw and is expected to return race-riding in three to four weeks. Spinal x-rays were clear.”

Colin Kidd stops training

COLIN Kidd is the latest small trainer to relinquish his licence. Based in Bagenalstown, Kidd is best known for buying Rashaan for €8,500 and training him to win 13 races before selling him on to the USA last year.

“Only for Rashaan, I would have made this decision a few years ago,” said Kidd. “The main reason is viability. I couldn’t make any money from training. I am farming 100 acres and I am better off putting my time into that, but I wouldn’t rule out training at some point again in the future.”

Kidd began training in 2009 and reckons he saddled approximately 25 winners. “Five or six of those were in graded races. Rashaan gave us some great days and once he was sold I knew I wouldn’t be renewing my licence. You can’t compete with middle-of-the-road horses.”

Kidd is a nephew of Co Kilkenny trainer John Nicholson who recently announced his retirement from training.

Tiger Roll’s half-brother joins Clongiffen Stud

AUSTRIAN School, a half-brother to dual Grand National winner Tiger Roll, has been secured for covering duties by Robert Honner’s Clongiffen Stud in Enfield, Co Meath. He is by the Galileo horse Teofilo, European champion two-year-old and sire of 16 Group 1 winners and several smart jumpers. Purchased and trained by Mark Johnston, Austrian School raced 21 times and won five races over a variety of distances and ground conditions. He was unplaced on just three occasions. John Walsh Bloodstock brokered the deal

Barrier trials at Dundalk

DUNDALK Stadium will host a series of barrier trials for unraced three-year-olds on Tuesday, March 3rd, pending sufficient entries. Organised by Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, the trials will be over six and seven furlongs. Approximately 40 entries will be required to ensure that costs are covered and the trials go ahead. Trainers with entries will be notified if the trials are cancelled. Entries will be taken until noon on Tuesday week, February 25th.

Godolphin Guineas plan

UNBEATEN colt Military March will head straight to the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, trainer Saeed bin Suroor has confirmed. Fellow Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby has the current Guineas favourite Pinatubo.