High Court case set to wrap up
THE High Court case involving racing official Chris Gordon and the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association continued this week but progress was slow.
As Tuesday was a public holiday, the court resumed on Wednesday when legal argument was heard by Justice Barton in the absence of the jury. This continued on Thursday, when the judge praised the jury for their diligence during the now seven-week trial. “Bear with us, we’re nearly there,” he said.
When in court, the jury members observed social distancing guidelines by spreading themselves around the courtroom. Parties in the case sat in the public gallery and the jury requested that persons who had been to the Cheltenham Festival did not come to court.
On Friday the judge said he needed more time consider the submissions and applications he had received from both sides. The jury was told to return on Monday to hear the closing statements from counsel for both parties.
Death of retired Galway foreman
TOM Broderick, retired course foreman at Galway Races, passed away on Friday, aged 81. His son Gerry now holds that position at Ballybrit.
Galway Racecourse manager Michael Moloney said: “Tom was the course foreman until he retired in 2003 when his son Gerry took over the role. Tom returned to the racecourse after his retirement and worked for many more Summer Festivals. All told he worked at the racecourse for over 50 years.
“We are all proud to have known and worked with him. He will be sorely missed. Our sympathies go out to his wonderful wife, Maureen, at this difficult time, and to his daughter Marie and son Gerry, and their families. Tom was one of a kind.”
Funeral details were unavailable at time of going to press.
Sir Dragonet to run at Naas on Monday
AIDAN O’Brien hopes to run Sir Dragonet in the feature race at Naas on Monday, the opening day of the Irish turf flat season. Fourth in the St Leger at Doncaster when last seen, the four-year-old has been installed as the 6/4 favourite for the 10-furlong listed race.
The trainer told The Irish Field that it was business as usual in Ballydoyle, but with new biosecurity measures in place. “We’re doing everything we can to keep people healthy and well. Everyone is keeping their distance in the yard, on the gallops, in the canteen, everywhere. We’re sterilising everything and hand-washing all the time.”
Ballydoyle won’t be sending any post-race gallopers to Naas on Monday but the trainer has not ruled out an away day later in the week. He said: “We’ll have to see but it might be something interesting for people to watch on television.”
Strong entry for Tattersalls Gold Cup
TOP racemares Magical and Deirdre are among the 44 entries for the €400,000 Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh on Sunday, May 24th. Magical is set to stay in training for at least the first half of the season. She ended her campaign last year by winning both the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown and Champion Stakes at Ascot.
Sponsor
THE Group 2 Debutante Stakes will be sponsored by the Dubai-based multi-sector investment house ARM Holdings. The €130,000 seven-furlong contest for two-year-old fillies is on Saturday, August 22nd.