High-class three-year-old sold abroad

JOHNNY Murtagh has been having the best season of his training career, but he will be without one of his highest-rated performers going forward after the sale of Zahrann to new connections in Australia was confirmed. This year’s Group 3 Royal Whip Stakes winner exited the Murtagh yard last week after what the trainer described as a “big offer”.

Sugrue has whip ban extended

AMATEUR rider Ross Sugrue is set for a spell on the sidelines after a two-day whip ban for excessive force at Listowel was extended out to 21 days. This followed an appeal being lodged by an IHRB Senior Racing Official that the original sanction was unduly lenient.

Dr Graham Adams, IHRB deputy head of veterinary operations, explained he was working in the capacity of veterinary officer on the day in which Sugrue rode Dorans Law to finish second at the Listowel Harvest Festival.

The officer’s colleague Dr Nicola O’Connor alerted him to the marks on the Philip Rothwell-trained runner, and both agreed the post-race marks were at the higher end of the scale.

Sugrue accepted that he made an error on the day, but felt that the suspension imposed on him was harsh due to his clean record in this regard. He acknowledged that his whip was not in the best condition, and immediately purchased a new one after Listowel.

New HRI deal with Irish drinks firm

BRITVIC Ireland has been announced as the official soft drinks partner to HRI Racecourses under a new five-year agreement.

The partnership includes Britvic product exclusivity across all hospitality and catering areas at Leopardstown, Fairyhouse, Navan, and Tipperary Racecourse. The Britvic product range includes Pepsi, 7Up, Club Orange, Ballygowan, premium mixer range London Essence, Mi Wadi and Robinsons fruit shoot.

The agreement will see Britvic redesigning the kids’ area at Leopardstown Racecourse and provide enhanced family day activations across the HRI racecourses. In addition, the Irish soft drinks business will also provide hydration products for the jockeys including water and energy drinks.