TRAINER Aidan O’Brien will be sporting the colours of his native county for a full day next month when he throws his support behind the annual GOAL Jersey Day, which takes place nationwide on Friday, October 3rd.
Thousands of children, office workers and sports fans wear their favourite sports jersey to school or work for the day and make a contribution towards GOAL’s aid charity work in the developing world.
The popular Wexfordman will be joined by his four children, all of whom will be wearing the jerseys of their favourite teams.
Eldest son Joseph will be wearing a Kilkenny jersey; Sarah will be in direct competition to her younger sister Ana by wearing a Leinster rugby top in opposition to her sibling’s Munster jersey, while Donnacha will boast the colours of his favourite team, Real Madrid.
Aidan commented: “We are delighted to support GOAL Jersey Day on Friday, October 3rd and to help raise awareness for this very worthy cause.’’
All proceeds from GOAL Jersey Day will go towards GOAL’s programmes for the poorest of the poor in the developing world. To sign up for GOAL Jersey Day, visit www.jerseyday.org. or telephone Alan Vard in GOAL on 01-2809 779.
A winner every time
CONGRATULATIONS to Beau Michael, his trainer Ado McGuinness and owners the Total Recall Racing Club as the Medicean 10-year-old retires from racing after his last run, his 100th, tomorrow at Dundalk.
“He never caused me any real problems over the years,’’ Ado told The Irish Field, “and is the soundest and quietest horse possible. My son, who was eight at the time, rode him up the Old Vic gallops without a moment’s concern. And now when he retires my daughter plans to show him in the Racehorse to Riding Horse classes.
“I picked him out of the catalogue at Doncaster Bloodstock Sales in 2007 and I had a couple of owners in mind for him. In the end it was by a flick of a coin that the Total Recall lads ended up owning him!’’
Beau Michael’s form reads 15 wins, 8 seconds and 11 thirds with prize money earned of over €250,000. Ado continued: “He has won at all the festivals, Galway, Punchestown and Leopardstown at Christmas and we had some marvellous times with him. He raced at about 20 different tracks and we even took him to Cheltenham. There’s nothing bothering him but he’s not as good as he was and we didn’t want him going round the circuit slipping down to lower grade racing.’’ Happy retirement to a beau horse.
Trainer and breeder Jim Bolger has been awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Science by University College Dublin in recognition of his extraordinary career.
Bolger has trained Group 1 winners in Europe and Asia including winners of classics, the Epsom and Irish Derbys, the Oaks, the 2000 and 1000 Guineas. Pretty much uniquely he breeds many of the horses he trains. Dawn Approach, foaled at his stud in Co Wexford, won the 2000 Guineas. Last year’s Irish Derby was won by his colt Trading Leather - bred by him, trained by him, owned by his wife Jackie and ridden by his son-in-law Kevin Manning, a victory which meant the most to Bolger.
Barry gets soaked
Barry Orr and his Betfair Ireland buddies were among the first in racing to embrace the ice bucket challenge and no doubt made a nice donation to MND. Barry might be in line for another soaking soon as he was on Today FM last weekend and was adamant that Donegal had no chance of beating Dublin.
Asked to explain himself, Barry was a bit rueful: ‘’My Google glasses nearly fell off when I saw Dublin losing to Donegal, especially after being so vocal about how the Dubs would dominate Donegal from start to finish. Needless to say, humble pie and porter were consumed in equal amounts on Sunday. My GAA predictions are worth less than a beaten docket but, having said that, 6/4 Tipperary to beat Kilkenny looks a knockout bet in the hurling.”
Great golf day
THE Johnny Harrington Memorial IHWT (Irish Horse Welfare Trust) Golf Classic takes place on Tuesday, September 9th at Rathsallagh Golf Club. The IHWT Golf Classic is one of their most important annual fundraisers and this year the IHWT is dedicating the event to the late Johnny Harrington to acknowledge his dedication and commitment to the IHWT over the years. The auction prizes are really exciting and include: a morning on the gallops at Ballydoyle followed by lunch and a tour of Coolmore Stud for four people; a day at the races behind the cameras with RTÉ; a morning on the gallops and champagne brunch with Jessica Harrington for four people.
Anyone who is interested in these items can place a bid by emailing the office at info@ihwt.ie. Please include your name, address and contact number.
College Corner returns: NUI Maynooth student Liam Elvidge is our new College Corner correspondent. Beginning later this month Liam will file a fortnightly column with news from third-level racing clubs and societies. Filling the shoes of Jack Cantillon will not be easy and so Liam would be delighted to receive any college news at l_elvidge@hotmail.co.uk or on 083 1469441.