Up The Yard will return

Sir,

On behalf of all the team at Punchestown we would like to thank all sponsors, supporters and participants of the inaugural Up The Yard Stable & Stud Staff day held at Punchestown last Saturday.

The Up The Yard Challenge Race itself was a very special occasion, with each rider receiving great levels of support. The quality of horsemanship – and horsewomanship – was a testament to the level of skill in training establishments throughout the country.

Credit is due to all those who took part in games and activities throughout the day. As first runnings go, the initiative was very well received. With a few tweaks and improvements we plan to run the event once again in 2018.

Yours etc.,

SHONA DREAPER

Marketing & Communications Manager

Punchestown Racecourse

Well done from ISSA

Sir,

Last Saturday saw the first running of the Up The Yard Stable & Stud Staff day in Punchestown. It was a huge success and the Irish Stable Staff Association would to thank the management and staff at Punchestown for their kind thoughts. Thanks also go to the sponsors, trainers, owners, valets, Turf Club staff, medical staff and jockeys who helped make the challenge race a success.

The riders themselves deserve our congratulations and well done especially to winning rider Louise Magee. Thanks so much to everybody.

Yours etc.,

BERNARD CALDWELL

Chairman,

Irish Stable Staff Association

Thurles decision was unjust

Sir,

I am a regular racegoer, not a racehorse trainer, and I would like to comment on the action taken by the stewards at Thurles on Thursday, November 9th.

It concerns the beginners chase and the penalties imposed on the connections of Omega Springs following a running and riding inquiry.

Did the stewards, before making their decision, refer to the past performances of Omega Springs in recent months? This evidence indicates to me the racecourse was not being used as a training ground.

The horse’s form confirms that his running style has always been to be restrained at the rear of the field before improving past beaten horses in the closing stages. His Thurles performance was no different from his usual running style.

This week the Appeals Panel overturned the penalties imposed on the trainer and owner, but they confirmed the five-day ban on rider Danny Mullins. To my mind it was an unjust decision.

Yours etc.,

MICHAEL CHAMBERS,

Belmont,

Pennywell Road,

Limerick.

Don’t tax my winnings

Sir,

At the recent Equine Summit, guest speaker Jim Bolger was reported by The Irish Field as saying that out of the each €10 won by punters €1 should be paid in betting tax.

Like Mr Bolger, I am a long time punting on horses and I would certainly object to paying such an exorbitant tax.

Maybe he made the suggestion tongue-in-cheek. Yours etc.,

DECLAN O’CONNELL,

Newbridge,

Co. Kildare.

Dooley family say thanks

Sir,

Thank you to everyone who supported the family of the late Ken Dooley following Ken’s fatal accident last month.

Ken’s close family and friends attended his funeral last week in the UK. Many more could not be there on the day.

We cannot thank everyone individually but we would like to especially thank trainer Amanda Perrett and her entire staff and team.

We were touched by the support and kindness we received from so many of Ken’s friends from around the world.

Ken was a gentleman who dedicated his life to horses and animals. Please remember him in your prayers. He will be hugely missed by us all, especially his sisters Margaret and Rosaleen and his brother Leslie.

Yours etc.,

SANDRA HANRAHAN

(Ken’s niece)

Letters to the Editor should be addressed to The Editor, The Irish Field, Irish Farm Centre, Bluebell, Dublin 12. Name, address and telephone number must be included for verification. Letters are published at the Editor’s discretion and the Editor reserves the right to edit letters within reason.