Death of Guineas winner
GODOLPHIN and Charlie Appleby have been dealt a blow after 2000 Guineas winner Ruling Court has died following complications due to laminitis. Appleby said: “He gave everyone a fantastic day at Newmarket in May and he will be sorely missed. I would like to thank all of the team, who did everything they could to save him.”
Melbourne hope sold
DUAL Group 1 winner Al Riffa has been sold to prominent Australian owners ahead of a crack at this year’s Melbourne Cup, though he is set to remain in training with two-time Cup-winning trainer Joseph O’Brien.
Like O’Brien’s other two winners of the world-famous handicap, Al Riffa was a ready winner of the Curragh Cup when last seen and is due to travel to Melbourne on the second shipment of horses in October, after a tilt at the Irish St Leger. Australian Bloodstock, the syndicate who owned Flemington heroes Protectionist (2014) and Gold Trip (2022), are the five-year-old’s new owners.
Alexander charged
PROMINENT owner Kenny Alexander, former head of the parent company of Ladbrokes, is among 11 people who have been charged as part of an investigation into the provision of gambling services in Turkey.
Alexander, 56, of Perth in Scotland, the former chief executive of the then GVC Holdings, now known as Entain, was charged this week with conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to bribe between 2011 and 2018, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said. The first hearing in the case will take place at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on October 6th. Alexander’s colours have become a familiar sight in recent years, most notably with the brilliant Honeysuckle.
Lordan lodges appeal
WAYNE Lordan is appealing against the 10-day whip-ban he picked up at Goodwood last weekend, having been ruled out of the Irish Champions Festival and Doncaster St Leger meeting due to the suspension. This year’s Derby-winning rider was deemed to have used his whip in the incorrect place when winning the Prestige Stakes on Precise, and also received a £1,250 fine.
Death of leading figures
BRITISH racing sadly lost some major figures in the past week, with news emerging that both Bruce Raymond and Geoff Lewis had died.
Raymond, widely regarded as the best British jockey to never ride a British classic winner - and latterly well known as racing manager to the likes of Saeed Suhail - died of cancer at the age of 82. Lewis rode over 1,800 winners in Britain, best known for capturing the Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe aboard the legendary Mill Reef, and later trained for 20 years. He was said to be unwell for some time and died at the age of 89.
Harrington ace sidelined
IRISH Champions Festival winner Green Impact, who beat Delacroix twice last season, has been ruled out for the rest of the year. Jessica Harrington revealed that Marc Chan’s home-bred picked up an injury when fourth in the Group 2 York Stakes last month.
Donlon departing
Leopardstown
NEXT month’s Irish Champions Festival is set to be Vicki Donlon’s final meeting in charge at Leopardstown, having operated as the track’s interim chief executive since April.
She is set to take up a new role with Diageo, having been involved with the Co Dublin track for over a decade through various guises with Horse Racing Ireland.
Tattersalls extend support
TATTERSALLS have announced an extension of their sponsorship at Newmarket in 2025 by supporting the £275,000 Middle Park Stakes, £275,000 Cheveley Park Stakes and £125,000 Royal Lodge Stakes.
Stumptown set to travel
GAVIN Cromwell isn’t afraid to travel his horses for suitable opportunities and he’s ready to tackle the famous Velka Pardubicka in Czechia with cross-country specialist Stumptown.
The 2025 Cheltenham Festival winner, who pulled up in the Grand National when last seen, will have the assistance of Keith Donoghue when heading to the unique test on Sunday 12th October.