Tracey Collins cleared in Curragh jogger case

TRAINER Tracey Collins has been cleared of any responsibility for an accident involving one of her horses and a jogger on the Curragh gallops.

Newbridge man Gary Turner had sued the Curragh Racecourse and the trainer for damages following his collision with a racehorse on a Saturday morning in September 2014. Turner suffered a broken shoulder and was in “constant pain” afterwards. The case was heard by the High Court last October and the verdict was given yesterday.

In his judgement Justice David Keane said that Turner contributed to the accident himself by not looking around him and by wearing headphones which prevented him from hearing warnings being shouted at him.

Turner had argued that the Curragh should have erected signs to warn of the dangers but the judge noted that the jogger did not look left or right, and therefore would not have seen the sign anyway.

Costs will be awarded next week.

Early closing for €200k race

ENTRIES for the new €200,000 Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes close at noon next Wednesday, February 26th. More details of the race, which will be run at Naas in August, are on page 7.

Casamento passes

SUNNYHILL Stud stallion Casamento died this week, aged 12. A Group 1 and Group 2 winner at two years, the Shamardal horse initially retired to Kildangan Stud for three seasons before moving to Dalham Hall Stud for two more years. He sired 150 individual winners before beginning a National Hunt career last year at Sunnyhill in Kilcullen, Co Kildare, where he covered a bumper book of mares.

Waterford winner

THOMAS and Clodagh Hassett of Monksland Stables in Co Waterford have won the Connolly’s Red Mills/The Irish Field Breeder of the Month award for January. They bred South African Group 1 winner Queen Supreme.

Monday meeting doubt

NO problems are anticipated ahead of today’s Fairyhouse fixture but next Monday’s card at the track is in doubt. Monday’s replacement fixture is due to take place on the inside track which is currently unfit for racing. Track manager Peter Roe said: “We plan to inspect it again during Saturday’s meeting and we may be able to make a call on it at that time.”

Dundalk to stage Kentucky Derby ‘trial’

DUNDALK Stadium will stage the penultimate race in the ‘European Road to the Kentucky Derby’ next Friday night. The Woodford Reserve Patton Stakes (Listed) is one of seven races in the series which offers qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby.