THE Irish National Professional Bookmakers Association are sponsoring free admission for racegoers at Navan on Saturday, March 21st. Billed as the track’s National Hunt Finale Raceday, the card features the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Handicap Chase Final and an Irish EBF-sponsored novice hurdle.

The day’s racing will conclude with a novelty challenge race involving national indoor 800m champion Kevin McGrath taking on a racehorse ridden by Keith Donoghue. The match is sponsored by RYSE Chocolate. There will also be music after racing.

Racegoers must register online in advance for free tickets.

Web: navanracecourse.ie

LOUIS Romanet, one of the most influential figures in international racing and breeding over the past 50 years, died this week, aged 78. He was the head of France Galop from 1995 to 2007. He served as president of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities from its inception in 1994 until 2021.

Suzanne Eade, CEO of Horse Racing Ireland, said: “Racing never had a greater champion than Louis Romanet. The global competition that we enjoy today can be traced back to the foundations laid by Louis. He was also a thorough gentleman.”

In Swoop classic hope COOLMORE National Hunt stallion In Swoop has a classic contender from his first crop of three-year-olds. Last Saturday at Fontainebleau in France, the German-trained colt Salitos won a maiden over 11 furlongs by two and a half lengths and connections are aiming him at the German Derby.

By Adlerflug, sire of Goliath, Torquator Tasso and Alenquer, In Swoop was trained by Francis Graffard to win the German Derby in 2020, defeating 2021 Arc winner Torquator Tasso.

In Swoop was second to Sottsass in the 2020 Arc. In Swoop stands at The Beeches Stud and his fee is €3,000.

RATHBARRY Stud’s new stallion Unquestionable has had his first mares scanned in foal. They include Teodora De Vega, a half-sister to multiple blacktype performers, and Kyllarney, a half-sister to Group 2 winner Move Swiftly and already the dam of Group 3 runner-up Inishfallen.

By Wootton Bassett, Unquestionable won the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf for Aidan O’Brien, having previoulsy finished second to Rosallion in the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagadere. His stud fee is €10,000.

BREEDERS Tina Dargan and Sandra Fox have won free nominations to two Ballyhane Stud stallions through an initiative designed to reward the breeders supporting the Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes. The breeders of all entries for this year’s Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes had their names entered in a raffle for the nominations, which was conducted by Horse Racing Ireland. Tina Dargan won a nomination to new stallion Magnum Force and Sandra Fox receives a nomination to Sakheer.

THE cover price of The Irish Field rises by 2% today to €5. The sterling price has increased by a similar percentage. This is the first increase in 12 months and is attributable to increased production costs and inflation. This modest price increase will allow The Irish Field to continue to invest in high quality coverage of the racing, bloodstock and sport horse sectors.