Keane appeals suspension

COLIN Keane has lodged an appeal against the seven-day ban he received at Gowran Park this week for failing to obtain the best possible position in a maiden. The appeal is likely to be heard next week. At Gowran, Keane finished third on the Johnny Murtagh-trained Sindagan, losing second place on the line. The suspension runs from May 8th to 16th (excluding May 13th-14th) which would rule the jockey out of the French Guineas at ParisLongchamp on May 11th. He will also miss the Prix Saint-Alary the previous day which could feature Juddmonte’s rising star Gilded Prize, a filly Keane has ridden to victory twice already this season for trainer Francis-Henri Graffard.

New partners at Anglesey Lodge

VETERINARY surgeons Simon Hennessy and Pat O’Sullivan have been promoted to partner status at Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital on the Curragh. Both will continue to serve their clients as normal but will also be involved in the management of the busy practice. From Limerick, Hennessy has been with Anglesey Lodge for six years and specialises in surgery and orthopaedics. O’Sullivan joined Anglesey Lodge three years ago and the Kerryman is best known for his stud farm work and wide interest in the equine dentistry.

Fifty Stars winner

FIFTY Stars, who stands at Michael Hickey’s Sunnyhill Stud in Kilcullen, Co Kildare, has sired his first winner from his first runner. Owned by breeder Gerard Ryan, the three-year-old filly Aquasine won a conditions race over 11 furlongs at Vannes in France. A Group 1 winner by Sea The Stars, Fifty Stars stands at a fee of €3,000. His first stores will be on offer at the upcoming sales.

Pretty Polly entries

A TOTAL of 55 fillies and mares have been entered for the Group 1 Paddy Power Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday, June 27th. They include Group 1 winners Fallen Angel, Diamond Necklace, Friendly Soul, Minnie Hauk, Precise, True Love, Cercene and Kalpana, who finished runner up last year. Christophe Ferland has entered his Group 1 Prix Vermeille winner Aventure while other notable entries include Survie, Qilin Queen, Fairy Glen, One Look, Estrange, Red Letter, See The Fire and Wemightakethelongway.

Wildcards added to Tattersalls Ireland Breeze-Up Sale

TATTERSALLS Ireland has added 15 wildcards to the catalogue for its breeze-up sale on Thursday and Friday, May 21st and 22nd. The top lot in 2025 was a Night Of Thunder colt who made €580,000. This year’s wildcards are headed by a daughter of the same sire. She is out of a sister to the Group 1 Prix Saint-Alary winner Queens Jewel, consigned by Cormac Farrell. Other additions include a Havana Grey filly from Willie Browne and a Bayside Boy filly from Grangecoor Farm. Leamore Horses have added a son of Mehmas and a Blackbeard filly.

Golf day for owners and trainers teams

CALLING racehorse owners and trainers. You are invited to enter a team for the annual Irish Racehorse Owners & Trainers Golf Classic at Mount Juliet in Co Kilkenny on Thursday, May 14th. Now in its fourth year, the event has raised over €28,000 for Treo Eile. To enter a team or to sponsor a tee-box, contact Regina on 045 878173 or Feidhlin on 087 2588770, or email: info@irishracehorseowners.com or office@irta.ie

Breeder of the Month award

MATTHEW Fogarty from Golden in Co Tipperary has won the Connolly’s Red Mills Breeder of the Month competition for March.

He bred Old Park Star, winner of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.