Kessaar to Tally-Ho

RECENT Group 2 winner Kessaar has been retired from racing and will stand alongside his own sire Kodiac at Tally-Ho Stud in Westmeath.

Trained by John Gosden, the colt was bred at Tally-Ho and sold for 100,000gns as a yearling. He ran seven times this year and his three wins included the Group 3 Sirenia Stakes on the all-weather at Kempton prior to his Group 2 Mill Reef success at Newbury. His final outing came when fourth in the Group 1 Criterium International in France.

Kessaar is out of the unraced Querulous, by Raven’s Pass. He will stand alongside Cotai Glory, Galileo Gold, Kodiac, Mehmas, Morpheus and Vadamos at Tally-Ho.

Fees for all stallions at Tony O’Callaghan’s stud have yet to be set.

Stablestaff AGM

THE Irish Stablestaff Association will host its annual general meeting on Tuesday, December 4th at 7pm in RACE, Kildare. ISA chairman Bernard Caldwell is appealing for staff to attend. Further information is available from the ISA office on 045 531911 or by emailing info@issa.ie

Expert Eye retired

LAST Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Expert Eye has been retired to stand at Juddmonte’s Banstead Manor Stud. A fee of £20,000 has been set for the son of Acclamation. He will stand alongside Bated Breath (£10,000), Frankel (175,000) and Oasis Dream (£30,000), all of whom stay on their 2018 fees. Kingman jumps from £55,000 to £75,000 on the back of a fine first crop on the track.

Casamento moves to Sunnyhill Stud

MICHAEL Hickey of Sunnyhill Stud in Kilcullen, Co Kildare, has secured the services of Group 1 winner Casamento for covering duties. By Shamardal, Casamento won the Racing Post Trophy for trainer Michael Halford. He stood at Kildangan Stud before moving to Dalham Hall and spent last year in Sweden. Sire of Group 2 winner Princess Yaiza, he has had a few recent winners over hurdles from very few runners.