Popular Pillar at Annshoon Stud

MICHAEL Shefflin of Annshoon Stud in Mullinavat, Co Kilkenny reports strong interest from breeders in new recruit Pillar Coral. A half-brother to Martaline and Coastal Path, the son of Zamindar is standing his first season at a fee of €2,500. Among the mares already in foal to him are the dam of Scottish Champion Hurdle winner Raya Star, a full-sister to Grade 1 winner Nacarat, a half-sister to graded race winners Royal Regatta and Three Musketeers, and a full-sister to recent Ascot winner Le Patriote. Shefflin also reported that fellow first season stallion Koropick (by Kodiac) has also had his first mares scanned in foal.

Decorated Knight mares in foal

DECORATED Knight has had his first four mares scanned in foal. The Irish National Stud stallion is by Galileo and from the immediate family of Giant’s Causeway and Gleneagles.

A winner of three Group 1 races, including the 2017 Irish Champion Stakes, Decorated Knight is standing at a fee of €15,000. His first batch of mares scanned in foal includes Katch Me Katie, dam of Group 2 winner Pale Mimosa, and Native Picture, a Kodiac half-sister to top-class sprinter Kingsgate Native.

Racing UK special offer

RACING UK is offering Irish racing fans a special discount on subscriptions to the premium television channel. The deal offers new subscribers the opportunity to receive Racing UK for just €15 per month (less than half the normal price) until the end of 2019. Racing UK covers the vast majority of the best British racecourses and next year it will also have all Irish racing exclusively.

Web: racinguk.com/irelandready

Top jockey loses mother

DAVY Russell’s mother Phyllis died peacefully last Saturday after a long illness. Her funeral Mass took place in Youghal, Co Cork on Tuesday. She is survived by her husband Jerry and their six children.

Alltech founder passes away

DR Pearse Lyons, founder of global biotech business Alltech, died this week in Kentucky. The 73-year-old had been in hospital since November following complications after a heart procedure. From Louth, Lyons was a major supporter of equestrian sport. His funeral Mass will be held in Lexington, Kentucky, on St Patrick’s Day, with a service in Ireland next month. More details are on page A40.

Mick Winters fined

Mick Winters was fined €1,000, ordered to pay €600 in costs, and lost a winner at a Referrals Committee hearing. His Granny Biddy tested positive for meloxicam, an anti-inflammatory, after she won at Cork on November 19th. The race has been awarded to Cliff House.