Godolphin great bows out

TRIBUTES have been paid to globetrotting giant Rebel’s Romance after connections called time on his glittering international career yesterday at the age of eight.

Hailed by connections as “Godolphin’s most successful horse ever”, the gelding’s career spanned seven seasons and he notched recorded 22 wins, nine of which came at Group 1/Grade 1 level, including the Dubai Sheema Classic, the Champions & Chater Cup and two editions of the Breeders’ Cup Turf.

His trainer Charlie Appleby said: “We always knew this day would come, but it’s nevertheless a very sad day for everyone at Moulton Paddocks and Godolphin as a whole. Rebel’s Romance has proved an outstanding horse for so many years and has taken us on a journey that we will never forget. After yet another brilliant win at Newmarket last week [in the Princess Of Wales’s Stakes], collectively we all discussed it and felt that now is the right time to call it a day.”

Susie sale talk is quashed

REPORTS from Australia earlier this week suggested that Coral-Eclipse runner-up A Boy Named Susie had been sold to Ciaron Maher Racing for a sum in the region of €3 million, but trainer Donnacha O’Brien has denied any such sale and says the horse remains in his care.

It was noted that one of the conditions of the sale was for the Ana O’Brien-owned three-year-old to be trained by her brother for the 2026 Cox Plate before Maher takes over. However, while acknowledging there had been considerable interest in the colt - and that discussions with various parties had taken place - no deal has been completed at this stage.

Death of multiple Grade 1 winner

BATTLEOVERDOYEN, a winner at the top flight in the Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle and Neville Hotels Novice Chase in 2019 for Gordon Elliott, has died at the age of 13.

He was purchased in October 2024 for owner Caroline Mackness, who shared online this week that the veteran had died following complications after a routine flu jab. It had been hoped he would compete in Retraining of Racehorses classes this summer, having reportedly enjoyed a winter of hunting.

Free entry for owners

HRI’S Ownership division has announced that all owners can attend this Sunday’s card at the Curragh, as well as Monday and Tuesday’s action at Ballinrobe, for free. Owners do not need to have a runner on any of the cards, they simply must present an active AIR card to gain free admission.

Dilger Award winners revealed

RECIPIENTS of the latest Kentucky Experience Awards have been announced by the board of the Gerry Dilger Equine Scholarship Foundation, with three young candidates selected for placement this month. Senan MacRedmond (Co Kildare) and Catherine Donworth (Co Limerick) will join Hunter Valley, while Sarah O’Connor (Co Tipperary) begins a year-long sojourn at Springhouse Farm.

South African breakthrough

THE South African racing and bloodstock industries were given a major boost this week with confirmation that the British government is permitting the direct import of live horses from South Africa to the country, following a positive assessment of South Africa’s disease control measures.

The announcement comes on the back of South Africa’s opening of imports from Dubai, New Zealand and Australia earlier this year, said to make “genuine two-way trade a reality for the South African equine industry”.