Luke Coen joins Tattersalls Ireland

LUKE Coen from Fethard, Co Tipperary, has joined Tattersalls Ireland as a bloodstock representative.

An experienced and respected figure in the equine industry, Coen has excelled in both eventing and the thoroughbred industry. He has represented Ireland at both Junior and Young Rider level in the European Championships and has achieved significant success in his sport horse career. He has also gained invaluable bloodstock knowledge through his experience at several stud farms and as a successful pinhooker with his own Q-Cross Stables.

Curragh salutes Piggott and Manning

SUNDAY’S meeting at the Curragh will feature an exhibition of Lester Piggott memorabilia and the feature race, the Gladness Stakes, is sponsored by the Piggott family in memory of the legendary jockey who passed away last year. There will also be a presentation made on the day to multiple classic-winning jockey Kevin Manning who retired last season.

Another award for Blackmore

RACHAEL Blackmore has won The Irish Times Sportswoman of the Month Award for March, for her Cheltenham wins aboard Honeysuckle and Envoi Allen.

Dai Walters’ Doncaster dispersal

LEADING owner Dai Walters will sell 25 horses on the final day of next month’s Goffs UK Spring HIT/PTP Sale at Doncaster. All 25 horses will be consigned by The Hollies and offered without reserve. The partial dispersal will feature 19 horses-in-training.

Sad passing of industry

employee Con O’Reilly

LIFETIME racing industry employee and Kildare native Cornelius (Con) O’Reilly sadly passed away on March 23rd at the age of 64. Bonnie, as he was affectionately known to his friends, worked for Baroda Stud, Tattersalls, John Oxx, Dermot Weld, Con Collins and many more over the years.

He also spent time working for the equitation school in the army before having a stint in Newmarket. He came home to work in horse transport, regularly making trips around Ireland and back and forth to Newmarket, and finished up his career at Baroda, where he was popular figure. He is much missed by his brothers Vincent, John, Thomas, Patrick, Kevin and his sister Margaret

Barrier trial dates set

for three racecourses

THREE dates for the Irish EBF Barrier Trials have been granted approval over the coming months. The first date is Monday, May 29th at Naas using the inside course over six and seven furlongs.

Limerick will host the next session on Monday, July 3rd with the distances six-and-a-half and seven-and-a-half furlongs.

Dundalk will stage trials on Tuesday, September 5th over five, six and seven furlongs.

As in previous years, the trials will be restricted to unraced two-year-olds and three-year-olds, and every runner must be named and returned in training with a stalls certificate.

The Irish EBF Barrier Trials and their updated terms and conditions will be advertised on the RAS webpage well in advance of each date.