Energumene misses Arkle
ENERGUMENE will miss next Tuesday’s Arkle Chase at Cheltenham due to a late setback. Unbeaten in three starts over fences this season, including the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown, the Willie Mullins-trained gelding was challenging Shishkin for favouritism for Tuesday’s race. Willie Mullins tweeted at 10.30am yesterday: “Unfortunately, Energumene has met with a setback and won’t be running at the Cheltenham Festival next week. It is very disappointing for all connections.”
Thyme Hill was another high-profile withdrawal yesterday. The Philip Hobbs-trained gelding was close to favourite for the Stayers’ Hurdle but was reported to have suffered a muscle injury. He is expected to run in the Aintree Hurdle instead.
Also heading to Aintree is Jason The Militant. The recent Red Mills Trial Hurdle winner will miss next week’s Champion Hurdle as connections feel the drying ground at Cheltenham is not in his favour.
Brexit advice from Tatts
TATTERSALLS has produced a 31-page document for consignors and purchasers aimed at answering frequently asked questions about the new procedures for moving horses between Britain and the European Union. The document can be found by searching for ‘Tattersalls’ on The Irish Field website.
Jimmy George of Tattersalls said: “The guide seems to have been well-received but it should be stressed that it is based on a current understanding of the rules and this is an ever-changing situation. However, there are some key points of interest in there for Irish breeders and consignors. In particular, we can confirm that the ‘docket scheme’ will be in place, whereby Tattersalls essentially becomes the guarantor for any VAT liability.”
King Of Change off mark
DERRINSTOWN Stud’s new sire King Of Change has had his first mares tested in foal. They are seven-time winner Table Forty Six and dual winner Ramamara. Winner of the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot, King Of Change is a half-brother to multiple Group 2 winner Century Dream and his fee is €7,000.
Security officials wanted
THE Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board is advertising for security team officials to join a part-time panel. The role of the security team is to provide security at racecourse stableyards, jockeys’ rooms and the weighroom. The advertisement states: “Some knowledge or experience of carrying out investigations and an understanding of betting exchanges would be advantageous.” Further details are on page 95.
Limerick inspection
SUNDAY’S fixture at Limerick is subject to a 4pm inspection today [Saturday]. Parts of the hurdles track were waterlogged on Friday.
Breeder passes away
JOHN Peet of Aghern House Stud in Conna, Co Cork, passed away peacefully this week. He is survived by his wife Eva and three children.
Eyrefield Lodge sold
EYREFIELD Lodge Stud on the Curragh has been bought for €3.7 million, according to a report in The Irish Times. Guy O’Callaghan of Grangemore Stud is understood to have bought most of the 160-acre property, while the house and some of the land been bought by Hayley O’Connor and husband Fergal Feeney, who intend to continue breeding thoroughbreds under the Eyrefield Lodge name. The contents of Eyrefield Lodge were sold by Edmund and Sue Loder at auction through Sheppard’s this week.
Colin Tizzard to retire
COLIN Tizzard says he is ready to hand the licence at Venn Farm Stables to his son and assistant Joe, a development he expects to happen by the autumn. The 65-year-old trainer revealed on Thursday that, subject to his son passing his training modules, there will be a different name on the licence before the end of this year.
Ban for French trainer
THE French-based trainer Andrea Marcialis will be suspended until April 2025 after being found guilty of a number of serious rule violations by France Galop. The 35-year-old, who won a Group 1 race with Way To Paris last year, received bans totalling three years and nine months this week for a variety of offences, including medication infringments and running a ‘shadow’ stable. He is also facing criminal charges related to these offences.
Murphy return delayed
OISÍN Murphy’s return to action has been delayed until the rider completes the medical requirements set out by the British Horseracing Authority. The champion jockey was due to make his comeback with three rides at Lingfield yesterday following a three-month drugs suspension.
However, early on Friday morning, Murphy posted on Twitter that he would be unable to take up his mounts at Lingfield and further rides at Chelmsford on Saturday due to an “administrative error”.
The BHA later clarified the situation in a statement, saying Murphy had not yet completed the necessary testing to return to competitive action.