Five Irish head to Saudi

FIVE Irish-trained horses are included in the “likely fields” for the Saudi Cup raceday on Saturday, February 26th. Sonnyboyliston (Johnny Murtagh), Princess Zoe (Tony Mullins) and Baron Samedi (Joseph O’Brien) are expected to run in the Rea Sea Turf Handicap (1m 7f).

The Michael Browne-trained Logo Hunter (due to run last night in Dundalk) is an intended starter in the six-furlong Dirt Sprint, and Thunder Moon (Joseph O’Brien) is due to line up for the Turf Sprint over an extended six furlongs.

Alkumait team sponsoring races

THE team behind new stallion Alkumait is sponsoring two races at the Curragh this season. Standing at Ger O’Neill’s Castlefield Stud in Co Kilkenny, Alkumait is by Showcasing and won the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes as a two-year-old.

The first two-year-old race of the season, on March 26th, will carry Alkumait’s name and the winning breeder will receive a free nomination to the horse. There is also a €100,000 bonus to be shared by the breeder, trainer and owner of the first blacktype race winner by Alkumait.

BetVictor supporting Navan Racecourse

NAVAN Racecourse has secured BetVictor as title sponsor for Boyne Hurdle day next Sunday, February 20th. There will be over €140,000 in prize money on offer and the feature races are the Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle, the Grade 2 Ten Up Novice Chase and the Listed Apple’s Jade Mares’ Novice Hurdle.