Monitor Closely to Templemore
THE Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes winner Monitor Closely is moving this week from France, where he has made a good start to his stallion career, to Longford House Stud in Templemore, Co Tipperary.
When landing his biggest race success he beat a trio of Group 1 winners in Jukebox Jury, Mastery and Harbinger, and he was classic-placed when third in the St Leger.
A son of Oasis Dream, he is a half-brother to Mount Nelson, a successful Group/Grade 1 sire on the flat and under National Hunt rules.
Among the first winners for Monitor Closely is the Gordon Elliott-trained Éclair De Beaufeu, unbeaten in France, winner over hurdles this season in the Gigginstown House Stud colours at Limerick and Fairyhouse and a close fourth in the Ladbrokes Hurdle at Leopardstown’s Dublin Racing Festival.
Foal Levy bonus BREEDERS are set to benefit from Kildangan Stud’s decision to revise downwards the Foal Levy band for seven of its stallions.
The most significant revision concerns Dawn Approach whose foals can now be registered for €200, down from €450 when the original levy rates were published in January. Belardo, Epaulette, Raven’s Pass and Slade Power have also had their levy lowered, while to register a foal for ‘Darley Club’ horses French Navy and Fulbright will only cost €35, down from €100.
A spokesperson for the Foal Levy Committee said the changes were “correcting a clerical error” and added that “21 breeders who have already paid on the incorrect band will receive refunds of their overpayment in due course.”
A Kildangan Stud representative commented: “We revised the bands for a number of stallions and there will be a saving for clients. It’s not unprecedented for rates to be changed and they are always subject to appeal.”
IFA clarifies foal notification stance
THE Irish Farmers’ Association deputy president Richard Kennedy, in a statement issued to The Irish Field, said he “put it on the record that IFA supports the principle of the 30-day foal notification, the purpose of which is equine welfare, transparency and traceability. The IFA encouraged breeders to comply with the scheme. However, he clarified that there is no penalty for non-compliance.”
Clonmel initiative
THERE is €500 in free bets to be won by racegoers heading to Clonmel next Thursday. The initiative is the brainchild of bookmakers Brian and Gerry McDonnell, and is being supported by others in the ring who want to see turnover increase.
Bookie Jim Desmond reported: “Punters will be invited to write their names and phone numbers on any losing betting slips and place them in a drum which will be located in the centre of the ring. Two tickets will be drawn out after the ‘winner all right’ signal following the second race, and after the following four races.”
Unlike many other ‘free bet’ offers, the winners will have their €50 stake added to any subsequent winnings.
Catalogue change
FOLLOWING a review by the European sub-committee of the International Cataloguing Standards Committee (ICSC), which includes representatives of Tattersalls, Goffs, Arqana, BBAG and Osarus, the following changes to European cataloguing rules are to be implemented.
Agreement for these changes has been reached after full consultation with the Society of International Thoroughbred Auctioneers (SITA) who have approved the changes.
From January 1st all fourth position finishes will no longer count as placed. The change will not be retrospective so fourth place finishes prior to January 1st 2020 will continue to be described as placed in catalogues.
From the start of this year, certain graded AQPS flat races have been admitted to Part IV of the International Cataloguing Standards and performances and can therefore be allocated restricted jumps blacktype.