‘I don’t know if we’ll get another one like him’
STABLE star at the Denis Hogan yard, Sceptical suffered a fatal leg injury on the gallops on Tuesday. Bought from a Godolphin draft for £2,800 at the Goffs UK August Sale last year by James McAuley for the partnership of himself, brother Stephen and their uncle Jim Gough, Sceptical progressed from a maiden in Dundalk last October to glittering sprint performances this spring and summer.
Dominating the Listed Woodlands Stakes at Naas in June, he was just held a head and a neck in the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot and last time out was second to Oxted in the Group 1 July Cup at Newmarket.
McAuley spoke yesterday: “Unfortunately it’s the downside of racing. It’s outside the house, it could have been kids or family, puts things slightly into perspective.
“We were there. You wouldn’t want anyone to make that phone call. He was just going into his last piece of work and Joey (Sheridan) asked him to quicken up when it happened - awful for Joey.
“My uncle Jim Gough, who funds it all, was first over. It will give him some peace I hope.
“I didn’t think Sceptical was at his best when he went over to the UK for the Group 1s but he put in some performance at Naas.
“I don’t know why he made such an impression on people. He was bought so cheap this time last year and a lot has happened since then.
“I don’t know if we’ll ever get another one like him but the search goes on and we have sent another six down to Denis. Some people would feel like getting out of the game but we’re all in this together.”
Trainer Denis Hogan described Sceptical as the horse who transformed his career who had few soundness issues after a successful wind operation.
MADELEINE Tylicki had decided to relinquish her trainer’s licence after a short training career and concentrate on other opportunities that have come her way. She said: “It’s not a goodbye as I will be around, it’s a new chapter. I worked extremely hard over the years, doing everything, riding, mucking out, driving the truck but it was all about building up the quality which we have done.”
Andrew Kinirons takes over the licence of the yard at Ladytown, Newbridge and business continues. “Andrew has worked just as hard and I hope the horses go well for him. We have about 17 riding out, some beautiful two-year-olds and Mary Salome goes at Cork tomorrow (Saturday) and I wish him well.
Tylicki expressed gratitude for all her experiences in racing and to her supportive owners.