Almost 800 people took part in the fourth annual Jog For Jockeys charity fundraiser on Sunday, August 24th at the Curragh Racecourse raising €24,000 – the highest amount raised since the first fundraiser in 2010 and a cheque was presented to Ruby Walsh at Punchestown recently.

L-r: Chairman of the Irish Injured Jockeys Fund, Ruby Walsh, Charles O’Reilly, Turf Club steward and board member of Punchestown, Audrey O’Dwyer, Jog For Jockeys event organiser, Joe Osborne, Kildangan Stud and Andrew McNamara, secretary of Irish Injured Jockeys Fund.

KEVIN Blake, tipster extraordinaire, has not only made a career out of successfully punting, written a book revealing his secret methods It Can Be Done, served time up close and personal to horses as an assistant trainer and contributed weekly to The Irish Field, he has also had time to breed a few winners.

“I’ve been tipping away with a cheap mare or two for the last 10 years or so. I’ve bred a winner here and there but the first mare that has really clicked is Midnight Oasis.

“She is by Oasis Dream from the very good sprinting family of Owington and it was the fact that she was stone useless on the track that put her into my price range.

“At the time in 2008 mares were very expensive and unless you were spending a good few quid, something had to be lacking. I’ve always been willing to take a chance on a well-bred filly that didn’t show much on the track in the hope that even if her genetics didn’t help her succeed, her progeny might revert to type.

“She has had three colts for me thus far and her first two runners have both won. The three-year-old Mr Win has won two of his last three starts in England and is now rated 92, while her two-year-old George Bowen made a winning debut for Richard Fahey in June and is very well thought of.”

In September Kevin commented: “Backing winners is always a thrill but breeding winners brings a different level of enjoyment and hopefully the mare’s good start will continue. She has a colt foal by Elzaam at foot that I am very happy with and am looking forward to selling at Goffs in November.’’

Fast forward to Wednesday at Goffs Foal Sale and Lot 736 that same colt foal by Elzaam out of Midnight Oasis went for €82,000 for a fantastic success for Kevin.

“I knew I had a really nice foal and was very encouraged to see the Elzaam’s selling well earlier in the sale, but I’ve come out of the sales ring disappointed enough times to know to take nothing for granted. The result was way above and beyond my wildest hopes and I’m delighted he’s gone to such a good address with Tom and Ronan Whelan. I hope he makes a fortune for them next year.”

Galway on TV

A FOUR-part documentary series for TG4 entitled Seachtain na Rasaí providing a unique insight into the seven-day 2014 Galway Races, will be shown on the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. The first episode will air on Sunday, 30th November at 9.30pm and each episode will be repeated on the following Monday evening at 7.30pm.

The series offers a behind the scenes perspective of one of the world’s most successful racing festivals.