THE Anjaal gelding Amathus got off the mark on the second time of asking in the six-furlong median auction maiden for three- to five-year-olds at Windsor on Wednesday evening.

Trained by north of Ireland-born Sylvester Kirk, the Tom Marquand-ridden three-year-old, who was returned at 80/1, readily scored by half a length from the 5/4 favourite Vitare who was having his fourth start.

Amathus was bred at the family’s Kingsfield Stud in Downpatrick by Pat Turley senior and is the last of just four recorded foals, all of whom were colts, out of the Oratorio mare Effige.

The bay was sold at Tattersalls Ireland’s Flat Foal and Breeding Stock Sale in 2017 to Weylands Stud for just €2,500.

Speaking to Pat, who is joint-master of the East Down Hunt, he confirmed that, while the Northern Region of Eventing Ireland will be running two one-day events at Tyrella in September (12th and 19th), there won’t any autumn point- to-points at the Corbett family’s seaside venue.

“We got to run our two meetings at the start of the year so those hunts who had to cancel their spring fixtures, because of the lockdown, will be looked after first when it comes to scheduling the autumn dates,” said Turley.

The Acclamation gelding Seaforth once again showed his liking for Wolverhampton when winning the seven-furlong handicap there on Sunday afternoon for trainer Adrian Wintle.

This was a fourth success at the track for the Max Ervine-bred eight-year-old who is one of three winners out of the Daylami mare Hendrina.

On the jockey front, Paddy Mathers had a winner at Ripon last Saturday (Forbidden Beauty for trainer Richard Fahey) and another on Monday at Ayr (Glasses Up for Mike Smith).

Also on the mark twice in the past week was Patsy Cosgrave who returned to the number one spot at Windsor on Monday evening with the Ed de Giles-trained Bombero and at Kempton roughly 24 hours later he was successful on the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Dubai Quality.

AT time of writing, Downpatrick and Down Royal were awaiting word that racing can resume in Northern Ireland but, catering for a different audience in these strange times, Down Royal has already organised a two-day Car Park Party for the racecourse on Friday and Saturday, August 7th and 8th.

In conjunction with the Coalition Agency, the event is being advertised as “the ultimate drive-in entertainment experience … Bringing together world-renowned brands in comedy, karaoke and theatre … Something for all of the family and friends to enjoy”. The party is also visiting Newbury and Chelmsford City racecourses.

“We’re delighted to be partnering with Coalition Agency to bring Car Park Party, the UK’s only live touring event and first socially distanced entertainment experience, to Northern Ireland,” said Emma Meehan, chief executive of Down Royal “This ultimate drive-in experience is exactly what is needed to bring some much-needed entertainment into our lives following over two months of strict lockdown. With stringent social distancing and safety policies in place, and everything from music, comedy, karaoke and theatre, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.”