Walsh wins AIRO election

CAREN Walsh has been formally put forward by the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners to take a seat on the board of Horse Racing Ireland. Ms Walsh won an election of AIRO members also contested by chairman Brian Polly.

Walsh was originally the sole candidate for the election but, following a legal action taken by the current owners’ representative on the HRI board, James Gough, her nomination was rejected by the Minister for Agriculture, who insisted that at least two candidates contested the vote.

Gough had sought re-election but was unable to secure sufficient support from other council members to get his name on the ballot paper.

Brian Polly said: “I congratulate Caren on winning the vote and I am confident she will do a great job representing the interests of all racehorse owners, big and small.”

Ms Walsh is a successful owner herself, with horses in training in Ireland and England, both in her own name and in partnerships and syndicates.

Jack’s back

JACK Kennedy hopes to resume race-riding within the next week. The leading jump jockey broke his collarbone in a fall at Down Royal on June 21st.

He told The Irish Field: “I rode out for the first time on Thursday and should be racing in another week. It’s been a frustrating time. I missed plenty of winners.”

Mark Walsh and Barry Geraghty are both still recovering from leg fractures suffered at the spring festivals. Mark Enright joined the injured list at Galway last Friday night, fracturing a vertebra at Galway.

Champion retired

LAST year’s champion two-year-old Too Darn Hot will stand at Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket next season. He was retired from racing this week due to injury.

Trained by John Gosden for Andrew and Madeline Lloyd-Webber, the Dubawi colt won the Prix Jean Prat and Sussex Stakes on his two most recent starts. But connections revealed on Monday he had since undergone successful surgery at Newmarket Equine Hospital.

Simon Marsh, racing and bloodstock manager for the Lloyd Webbers, said: “Too Darn Hot has undergone emergency surgery to his right-hind cannon after X-rays revealed a hairline fracture. I am glad to say that he has come safely through surgery.

“The injury is not life threatening and he should make a full recovery. His future now lies at Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket where he will recuperate and stand at stud for the 2020 season.”