Breeders’ Cup venues picked

KEENELAND has been selected to host the 2026 Breeders’ Cup. The Lexington oval is currently undertaking a transformative $100 million capital construction project.

Belmont Park in New York is also undergoing a major redevelopment, estimated to cost $455 million, and will re-open in 2026 before hosting the Breeders’ Cup in 2027.

Windsor Castle Stakes change

THE distance of the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot will increase from five furlongs to six furlongs in 2026. The British Horseracing Authority’s Flat Pattern Committee said that the race will be restricted to two-year-olds whose sire won a race over seven furlongs or more as two-year-olds, or at least a mile at three-years-old and upwards.

The changes are being made as part of a wider initiative to strengthen the middle-distance and staying horse divisions.

Death of Gowran Park director John Kilroy

JOHN Kilroy, a former director of Gowran Park Racecourse and a racehorse owner, died on Sunday. His funeral Mass took place in Bennettsbridge on Wednesday.

Barne Estate court case continues in High Court

THE High Court case involving Coolmore Stud and the 750-acre Barne Estate in Clonmel is expected to run for another two weeks. Coolmore claims it struck a deal to buy the property from the Thomson-Moore family for €15 million, and is taking legal action to try and prevent the Barne Estate owners selling the property to Maurice Regan of Newtown Anner Stud for a reported €22 million. Regan is not a party to the court case.