Death of jumps stallion Milan

MILAN, the champion National Hunt sire of 2019/’20 died at Grange Stud in Co Cork on Wednesday. He was 24.

“Milan was a very good-natured horse and will be sadly missed by everyone here,” said Catherine Magnier. “He was a wonderful servant providing top-class horses, year in, year out.”

Bred by Luca and Sara Cumani at their Fittocks Stud, the son of Sadler’s Wells was a 650,000gns yearling and was trained by Aidan O’Brien. Carrying Michael Tabor’s colours, he was a five-length winner of the 2001 St Leger.

His finest performers over the smaller obstacles included Champion Hurdle winner Jezki and Kempton’s Christmas Hurdle winner Darlan while his leading chasers included Santini, Monalee and Grand National winner One For Arthur. His daughter Marie’s Rock won the Grade 1 Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March and made it back-to-back Grade 1 wins in the Mares’ Champion Hurdle at Punchestown the following month.

Perfect start for Berkshire

BERKSHIRE, who stood at Kedrah House Stud until his premature passing earlier this year, has only had two runners to-date and both have won in recent weeks. In France, his three-year-old son Virtus has won twice on the flat and, at home, the Ciaran Murphy-trained two-year-old filly La Tulipe Noire won a maiden at Dundalk.

Breeder of the Month win

THE latest round of the Connolly’s Red Mills The Irish Field Breeder of the Month competition has been won by Trevor Stewart. He bred Victoria Road, winner of the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.