Irish success

at Compiegne

NORTH Co Dublin trainer Paddy Griffin won a cross-country chase at Compiegne yesterday with Roi Mage. Seventh in the Aintree Grand National on his most recent start, Roi Mage was ridden in Compiegne by James Reveley.

‘Bungle’ earns Rathasker fee rise

BUNGLE Inthejungle has had his covering fee for 2024 slightly increased from €6,500 to €7,500. The Rathasker Stud stallion has six stakes horses this season, headed by Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed Givemethebeatboys. He stands alongside Coulsty, whose fee rises from €4,500 to €5,500. He is the sire of Grade 1 winner Shantisara, who sold for $1.3 million this week. Also at Rathasker is Gregorian whose fee remains at €4,500.

Henrietta Knight to train again

HENRIETTA Knight, who saddled Best Mate to three straight Cheltenham Gold Cup triumphs, is poised for a return to the British training ranks in the new year. The 76-year-old Knight also trained Champion Chase hero Edredon Bleu, who similarly carried the colours of Best Mate’s owner Jim Lewis.

Knight, who was married to former champion jump jockey Terry Biddlecombe, retired in 2012 but has remained involved in the sport by running a pre-training business and also being an active figure at the sales. However, she will now recommence training under rules from her West Lockinge base, where she hopes to train around 25-30 horses.

She will be assisted by Grand National-winning jockey and former trainer Brendan Powell, an assistant to Joseph O’Brien and Rebecca Menzies in recent years.

Free Eagle to Anngrove Stud

FREE Eagle has relocated to Alastair Pim’s Anngrove Stud in Mountmellick, Co Laois. The Group 1 winner has already enjoyed notable success over hurdles with his progeny, including Coltor, Royal Eagle and Walnut Beach. He joins Famous Name, Marcel and Vendangeur at Anngrove.

Award for Moss Tucker breeder

DONAL Spring won the Connolly’s Breeder of the Month Award for September. He bred and part-owns Moss Tucker, winner of the Group 1 Flying Five at the Curragh.

Scott joins Naas Racecourse board

MARGARET Scott has been appointed to the board of Naas Racecourse. Margaret has worked on racedays at Naas in some capacity alongside her father, Michael Scott, himself a longstanding stalwart of horse racing in Kildare, since her teens. A qualified accountant, she trained with PricewaterhouseCoopers and has worked for a number of years now as part of the Finance department of Horse Racing Ireland.

New appointment at Equine Centre

DR Sarah Ross has joined the Irish Equine Centre as assistant pathologist. Sarah graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2008, whereupon she gained valuable equine veterinary experience in Ireland, Britain and Australia. She gained an Advanced Veterinary Practitioner Certificate in 2016 and an Internal Medicine Diploma from the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 2018. In addition to her active practice roles Sarah has worked as a stud vet and with the IHRB.