McManus buys Oscars Brother

OSCARS Brother has been bought by J.P. McManus. One of just two horses to race for Cashel-based trainer Connor King this season, Oscars Brother carried the colours of the Mak King Racing Syndicate when he won the Grade 2 Florida Pearl Novice Chase at Punchestown on November 22nd. The seven-year-old Malinas gelding, who cost just €8,000 as a store, holds an entry in the Grade 1 Guinness 00 Faugheen Novice Chase at Limerick on December 28th.

New $1 million Abu Dhabi turf mile

THE Abu Dhabi Turf Club will stage the first running of the $1 million Abu Dhabi Gold Cup on Saturday, February 7th. To be run over the right-handed one-turn turf mile at the Abu Dhabi Turf Club Racecourse, the race will be the most valuable thoroughbred race ever to be held in Abu Dhabi with the winner set to receive $600,000. The race is free to enter, with entries closing on February 4th. Travel and stabling costs for overseas runners will be paid for by the Abu Dhabi Turf Club.

Zarak share makes €740,000

A SHARE in leading French sire Zarak sold for €740,000 in an Arqana online auction this week. The buyer was reportedly English but their identity was not disclosed. Hamish Macauley paid €160,000 for a breeding right to Mehmas and Elwick Stud gave €90,000 for a breeding right to Palace Pier.

Gentleman Joe sells for €20,000

GENTLEMAN Joe, winner of four races for trainer Henry de Bromhead, was sold for £20,000 at this week’s ThoroughBid online auction. The seven-year-old gelding was bought by Newmarket trainer Matt Crawley.

Topping the sale at £22,000 was Monark Wood, a three-year-old gelding who has had two starts in France, most recently finishing second over hurdles. A half-brother to this season’s Grade 2 novice hurdle winner Sticktotheplan, he joins Cotswolds trainer Max Comley.

Get the ‘Field’ on Christmas Eve

THE Irish Field’s bumper Christmas Eve edition will be in shops on Wednesday, December 24th. Running to 112 pages, it will include racecards and racing previews for Dec 26th-27th, entries for the entire Christmas/New Year period in Ireland, reviews of the racing year at home and abroad, 18 pages of equestrian sport highlights from 2025, Big Interview with Joseph O’Brien, favourite quotes and photos from 2025, Donn McClean’s Christmas Crossword and Amy Lynam’s bloodstock review of the year.