Death of Henderson star
NICKY Henderson paid tribute to the ill-fated Sir Gino this week when announcing his death at the age of six, having failed to recover from a serious infection.
The triple Grade 1 winner was healing well from a fractured pelvis suffered on Festival Trials Day at Cheltenham in January but had to be euthanised after an infection had spread too far.
“He was not only brilliant but one of the nicest kindest horses you could ever wish to see and this leaves an awful hole in Seven Barrows,” Henderson said.
Crowley eying Royal Ascot return after leg surgery
SHADWELL’S retained rider Jim Crowley has seen his return from injury delayed further after requiring another surgery to correct a tendon issue in his leg.
The 47-year-old sustained pelvic and multiple leg fractures in a most nasty fall at York in September and is now aiming to return at the end of May, in time to ride at Royal Ascot.
Strong panel assembled
for breeders’ webinar
BREEDERS can gain expert advice in the latest edition of the ITBA Ask The Expert Series next Wednesday (April 1st), with a webinar titled ‘Not just the physical: Understanding Pedigrees’ taking place at 7pm.
The panel will include Michelle Fogarty (Weatherbys), Tom Harris (Coolmore), and Martin Stevens (Racing Post), who will discuss understanding pedigrees and nicks, how to improve a pedigree, what to consider when covering your mare in relation to pedigree and stallion statistics.
Attendees are encouraged to submit a question relating to a pedigree of a mare or family they are breeding from while registering for the event via email for the panel to discuss.
The seminar is free to attend but registration by emailing hmarks@itba.ie is essential.
Veterinary student day
THE Irish Equine Veterinary Association (IEVA) will stage its popular veterinary student day at Osborne Hall, Irish National Stud on Friday, April 3rd.
A stellar programme of expert speakers have been brought together to cover a wide range of topics, including insight on the day from Sarah Ross, Sean Rooney, Bridget McGing, Carmel Welsh and Pat O’Sullivan
The day, restricted to veterinary students and nurses, includes lunch, courtesy of the Japanese Garden Café and an opportunity to avail of a tour of the Irish National Stud.
Visit www.irisheva.ie to register and find more information.
Barrier trials to return
TWO dates have been approved for Irish EBF Barrier Trials later this year. Naas will again host the first day on Monday, May 25th on the inside track over six and seven furlongs, while Leopardstown plays host to heats over the same distances on Wednesday, August 26th.
Each fixture - under the supervision of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board - will be restricted to unraced, named two-year-olds and three-year-olds with stalls certificates and in the care of licensed trainers.
New Goffs initiative
THIS year’s Goffs Premier Yearling Sale at Doncaster will see the launch of the Harry’s 750 Series, which will feature the new £250,000 Harry’s Quarter Million Bonus Series, held in conjunction with the sale’s £500,000 Harry’s Half Million by Goffs.
The new bonus series means eligible graduates of the Doncaster Premier Yearling Sale will race for a total of £750,000 in Harry’s 750 Series, starting next year. The bonus series will see selected two-year-old races carry a £25,000 bonus, which will be awarded to any eligible Premier Sale graduate who wins the race.
Guineas Sale listings live
CATALOGUES for the 2026 Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up and Horses in Training Sale can now be viewed online. The sale features 201 breeze up two-year-olds and will take place from April 29th to 30th, with the two-year-olds breezing at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile Racecourse on April 29th.
Mullins snaps up top lot
WILLIE Mullins secured the top lot in this week’s Arqana March Online Sale, Nippon Go. The debut bumper winner for trainer Xavier Blanchet at Lignières earlier this month is by Beaumec De Houelle, and was sold for €300,000 to the champion trainer, Pierre Boulard and Harold Kirk.
IRE Incentive goes to Italy
CONTINUED growth in the sales of Irish horses to Italy, now Ireland’s third biggest market, has prompted an extension of the IRE Incentive initiative to the region this year, aiming to reward Irish-bred winners of designated Italian races.
Irish Thoroughbred Marketing will sponsor approximately 10 races in Italy, each carrying an IRE Incentive bonus. Bonuses of €2,500 and €5,000 will be awarded if a designated race is won by an Irish-bred/IRE-qualified horse, and similarly may be redeemed on equivalent horses at any Irish-based auction.
Ballyburn out of action
EYE-CATCHING Stayers’ Hurdle second Ballyburn will miss the rest of this season, and the whole of next season, due to injury, The Sporting Life reported on Friday.
Baroda appointment
BARODA Stud Consigning has announced the appointment of Sarah Kelly as bloodstock and marketing executive ahead of the upcoming sales season. A Godolphin Flying Start graduate who holds a certificate in Thoroughbred Breeding Management from the Irish National Stud, she has previously spent time with Spendthrift Farm, Thoroughbred Breeders Australia and George Boughey Racing.