Conor brings up the treble

CONGRATULATIONS to Conor O’Neill, general manager of Punchestown, and Laura Bolger from Limerick, who have announced their engagement.

As well as being the newly appointed top man at Punchestown, Conor is also the new chair of the Association of Irish Racecourses. As he said: “It’s been a busy few months all right and I decided while my luck was in I would go for the treble.

“Laura is not from a horsey background which will probably be the saving of us! My priority is Punchestown 2019 and then we can go on from there.”

A wedding should be a doddle after that. Best of luck to both!

Dreaper dynasty

GOOD news from one of racing’s dynasties as Thomas Dreaper (assistant trainer to his father Jim) and his wife Claire have welcomed their first child, James Patrick Dreaper, into the world. Everyone is doing well and the whole family is pretty much besotted! A very big welcome to the next generation of the Dreaper family.

Jockeys biking for fundraising

FOUR jockeys are on their bikes and that is for 1,442km. Ed Bailey, Zac Baker, Hugh Nugent and Ed Henderson are cycling to all 26 Irish racecourses starting tomorrow, June 24th June and finishing on July 5thn raising money for the Injured Jockeys Fund and Mind (a mental health charity).

Ed Henderson has volunteered himself to down a pint of Guinness at every winning post in Ireland and keep cycling. They will be arriving at Puncheston next Tuesday morning, June 26th so head over to show your support.

uk.virginmoneygiving.com – cycling to all 26 Irish racecourses.

Golf classic at Killeen Castle

THE Drogheda Memorial Fund was set up for the permanent or temporary relief of trainers and riders who find themselves, due to circumstances beyond their control, in need of assistance.

The Turf Club are organising their annual fund-raising golf classic, this year at Killeen Castle, Dunsany, Co Meath on Monday, July 2nd (a non-racing day)

For more information or to book a team, please contact: Michael Grassick 087-2588770, Jimmy Lenehan 087-6973000, Willie McCreery 087-6783303, Mrs Valerie Cooper 086-8179709, Donal O’Shea 045-445600, donal.oshea@ihrb.ie, Marianne Waters 045-445600, marianne.waters@ihrb.ie.

Registration from 12.30pm, shot gun start at 1.30pm (soft spikes only), €800 per team of four (which includes dinner at 7pm) or sponsor a tee box for €150.