Tattersalls boost

Tattersalls Ireland has increased the prize money for its annual Super Auction Stakes. Now worth €250,000, the two-year-old race is restricted to horses sold at the previous year’s Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale. The race, run over an extended six furlongs, will be staged at the Curragh on Irish Champions Weekend.

North Kerry PTP off

The North Kerry Harriers point-to-point at Tralee Racecourse on Sunday, January 18th has been cancelled due to unfavourable ground conditions.

Aggression sold

Curragh trainer Michael O’Callaghan has sold his recent Dundalk winner Aggression to Qatar Racing. The Marju colt made a winning debut over five furlongs, scoring by a neck in an eight-runner field. He remains in training with O’Callaghan.

Trainers to pay costs

Trainers Stephen Mahon, Barry Murphy and John Fitzgerald have all been ordered to pay €700 towards Turf Club costs arising from stable inspections. All three trainers had their yards inspected last autumn and were advised of remedial actions which needed to be taken. In December the Licensing Committee heard from Turf Club officials that “all irregularities had been addressed with good improvements noted”.

Elusive sponsors

Owner and breeder Mrs Cristina Patino is to sponsor a race a day in the name of her Irish National Stud resident Elusive Pimpernel at Dundalk from now until the end of the winter series. In addition to the sponsorship, the winning breeder of each race will be entered in a draw for a Big Bad Bob nomination. The draw will take place on the podium after the Big Bad Bob Gladness Stakes at the Curragh on April 19th and can be used only by the named breeder in 2015 or 2016.

Chancol dies

Grade 2 winning novice chaser Chancol has died from injuries his sustained in a fall at Leopardstown on December 26th. The gelding had previously won a Grade 2 novice chase at Punchestown.

No dirt for de Kock

Trainer Mike de Kock says he does not intend to have runners in races on the new dirt track in Meydan this season. The South African believes the track is biased towards horses who race prominently and would only suit one of his Carnival team.