Byrnes awaits appeal verdict
THE appeal lodged by trainer Charles Byrnes against his six-month suspension and €1,000 fine was heard on Tuesday evening.
Byrnes was punished by the Referrals Committee for facilitating the doping of his runner Viking Hoard at Tramore in October 2018. The trainer claims he was not involved in either the administration of a strong sedative to his horse or in the placing of substantial bets placed on the horse to lose. He did admit, however, to leaving the horse unattended in the racecourse stableyard for a period before the race.
The Appeals Committee was chaired by Justice Nial Fennelly and also included Justice Leonie Reynolds and former Senior Steward of the INHSC, John Powell. The hearing lasted two hours and it is not known when the Appeals Committee will publish its verdict, though it is likely to be next week.
Betway sponsors at the Curragh Guineas meet
ONLINE bookmaker Betway has committed to a deal as betting partner of the Tattersalls Irish Guineas Festival at the Curragh for the first time.
The deal includes six sponsored races over the two-day festival which takes place on the weekend of May 22nd and 23rd.
The Curragh has also confirmed that Paddy Power “will still be very much involved” at the Curragh and will sponsor a number of races “similar to last year”.
Meetings rescheduled
TO avoid two meetings clashing on the same day, Horse Racing Ireland has announced two altered race dates in March. The Gowran Park meeting, originally scheduled for Saturday March 13th, will now be held on Friday March 12th. The Wexford meeting, originally scheduled for Wednesday March 17th, will now be held on Wednesday March 10th.
Irish Emerald Stud signs Curragh deal
IRISH Emerald Stud has agreed to sponsor a race at the Curragh. The Royal Lytham at Irish Emerald Stud Maiden will run on March 21st, the first day of the 2021 Irish flat racing season, with the sponsorship assisting in the launch campaign for the stallion career of Royal Lytham.
The former Aidan O’Brien-trained son of Gleneagles won the Group 2 July Stakes at Newmarket before finishing a very close third behind Siskin and Monarch Of Egypt in the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes.
Irish Emerald Stud will also present a free nomination to Royal Lytham to the breeder of the winning horse.
New sponsor for the Leinster National at Naas
BAR One Racing is the new title sponsor of the Leinster National at Naas in a five-year partnership. As well as sponsoring the feature Baroneracing.com Leinster National Handicap Chase of €80,000 on March 14th, the independent bookmakers will also sponsor the six supporting races on the card, including two Grade 3 races.
Barney O’Hare, company director of Bar One Racing, said: “We are excited to announce our sponsorship of the Bar One Racing Leinster National and with two Grade 3s on the programme, the meeting will attract a strong supporting card. It’s the final Irish meeting before Cheltenham and racing fans will be keen to get their expenses.”
Early entries for the Baroneracing.com Leinster National will be released on March 1st.
No changes to European blacktype races
THE European Pattern Committee (EPC) has agreed to a moratorium on any upgrading or downgrading of pattern or listed races for 2021, due to the complications caused by Covid-19. The annual race ratings for 2020 will not be used to compile three-year average ratings for any pattern or listed race in the usual way. Last year, 2020, will be treated as a ‘gap-year’ in the EPC’s processes utilised in the assessment of each race’s overall performance.
Arqana sale update
A SHARE in the stallion Masked Marvel and a horse-in-training have been added to the catalogue for the Arqana February Mixed Sale, which takes place this Monday and Tuesday, February 15th and 16th.
All 375 horses catalogued will be on site in Deauville, as will Arqana’s Irish representative Nicola Kent. Access to the sale grounds will only be for those involved in the sale and the access form must be filled in on arqana.com. There will also be a facility to bid online or by telephone.
Punchestown on TG4
TG4 will broadcast a Valentine’s Day special with live coverage from Punchestown tomorrow, Sunday.
Beginning at 2.45pm, five races will be shown live with the first race broadcast at 3pm. The day’s feature is the sixth race at 4.30pm, the Punchestown Grand National Trial Handicap Chase. Presenters Seán Bán Breathnach and Mánus Ó Conghaile will be joined by reporter Daragh Ó Conchúir providing background news and views.
There will also be a chance to see the first two races on the card replayed in full during the afternoon’s broadcast.
New INS directors
CLODAGH Kavanagh of Godolphin Flying Start has been appointed a director of the Irish National Stud. Also added to the board is Finola O’Mahony of Tourism Ireland. Stepping down are Jessica Harrington and Sean Brady. The appointments were made by the Minister for Agriculture “following a competitive selection process run by the Public Appointments Service.”