Linda’s Lad joins Yorton

PROVEN jumps sire Linda’s Lad has joined Yorton Farm Stud in Wales, where he will stand alongside Gentlewave, Masterstroke, Scalo, Pether’s Moon and Norse Dancer. Stud director David Futter said: “We have always wanted to stand a son of Sadler’s Wells, and Linda’s Lad offers so many other positive aspects. He is a good-looking horse and was a Group 1 winner over 10 furlongs on soft ground as a two-year-old, before proving a high-class performer at three and four.

“Linda’s Lad is the sire of Cash Back and Tout Est Permis, both of whom run at Leopardstown this weekend. He is also the sire of Grade 1 winners Draconien (Willie Mullins) and L’Estran (Guy Cherel), and three good horses in training with Philip Hobbs – Jatiluwih, Ecu De La Noverie and Keep Moving.”

Royal appointment for Limerick man

FOLLOWING nine years as Her Majesty’s Representative at Ascot, Johnny Weatherby will stand down from the post after Royal Ascot this year, and he will be replaced by Sir Francis Brooke Bt.

A racecourse trustee since 2011 and chairman of Ascot Authority (Holdings) Ltd since 2018, Sir Francis was born in Dublin and lives on the family farm, Glenbevan, in Croom, Co Limerick.