Equiano joins Irish National Stud

THE dual Royal Ascot Group 1 winner Equiano will repatriate to the Irish National Stud for 2021, to continue his stud career. Equiano has sired 30 stakes performers to date, including the triple Group 1 winner The Tin Man and the Group 1 Breeder’s Cup Sprint and multiple graded stakes winner Belvoir Bay. A fee will be announced shortly.

Rathasker Stud publishes fees

RATHASKER Stud has reduced the fees for the majority of its stallions next year. Bungleinthejungle goes from €12,000 to €8,000 and Clodovil’s fee has been cut from €8,000 to €5,000. Also on €5,000 is Gregorian (from €6,000) while Coulsty stays on €4,000. Maurice Burns said: “This year has been a difficult one for many breeders and in acknowledgment of this we have taken the step to reduce or maintain all our stud fees for 2021.”

Amateur rider given six-year ban

AMATEUR rider Luke McGuinness has been given a long ban after failing a drugs test. McGuinness received a two-year ban for a similar offence in 2018 but was allowed back after six months having satisfied the authorities with his attitude and test results.

However, he tested positive again for a metabolite of cocaine at Tyrella point-to-point in January. This week the Referrals Committee not only reactivated the suspended 18 months of his original ban, they also imposed a six-year penalty for the latest offence. The stewards did offer McGuinness a chance to apply for his licence again at the end of 2021, should he comply with strict terms and conditions in the interim.

Ross McLeigh, another amateur rider, tested positive for cocaine at Leopardstown in March and was given a four-year ban this week. His case will be considered again in a year’s time should he wish to reapply for a licence.

Amateur rider Conor Murphy has been allowed to resume race-riding by the Referrals Committee after serving 18 months of a five-year drugs ban. The Committee was satisfied that Murphy had continually tested negative when randomly tested over an extended period of time.

No further deaths at Santa Anita

BOSSES of American racecourse Santa Anita have welcomed the completion of its autumn meet without a fatality in either racing or training, following the much-publicised deaths of 37 horses at the Californian track last season. CEO Aidan Butler said: “It’s down to everyone, the owners, trainers, riders, the veterinary team led by Dr Dionne Benson - no-one was a fan of what she was doing but it’s started to work - and the track guys who have proved dirt isn’t awful. And I’m so glad.”

Arqana considers lockdown options

FRENCH sales company Arqana is considering its options following the increased Covid-19 restrictions imposed by the French government this week. Arqana CEO Eric Hoyeau said: “We received confirmation that the upcoming sales will have to follow a different organisation from the one in place at the recent October Yearling Sale. We will be in a position to make a decision early next week following further discussion.”