McNally decision awaited
A DECISION in the Referrals Committee case involving horses trained by Ronan McNally may not be reached or published for a number of weeks. Improved performances by horses trained by McNally were at the centre of a four-day hearing last week.
Evidence was also given by jockeys Darragh O’Keeffe, Mark Enright and Eoin O’Brien, along with point-to-point handler and former rider Ciaran Fennessy. The Referrals Committee was chaired by Mr Justice Brian McGovern and he was joined by Peter Allen and Nick Wachman.
Death of Rosemary Hall
THE death has taken place of Rosemary Hall in her 102nd year. Wife of the late Captain Michael Hall, a leading figure in the history of Goffs and the company’s manager for many years, Mrs Hall is survived by her daughters Rozanne and Veronica, and her son Robert. A private funeral service has taken place.
Rock Of Gibraltar dies at stud
ROCK Of Gibraltar, the first horse to win seven consecutive Group 1 in the northern hemisphere, has died of heart failure at the age of 23. The son of Danehill won the Grand Criterium and the Dewhurst Stakes as a juvenile in 2001. At three he completed the 2000 Guineas double at Newmarket and the Curragh, before adding the St James’s Palace Stakes, the Sussex Stakes and the Prix du Moulin. Luck was against him in the Breeders’ Cup Mile where he missed the break before finishing fast to take second place.
At stud he sired a total of 16 Group or Grade 1 winners including Coral-Eclipse victor Mount Nelson and Golden Jubilee and Haydock Sprint Cup hero Society Rock. He was also a notable broodmare sire, with two of his daughters producing two recent 2000 Guineas winner in Kameko and Poetic Flare.
Paddy Fleming, manager at Coolmore’s Castlehyde Stud, said: “He was healthy and looking great right up to the end. He was a fantastic racehorse and a very good sire who will be missed by all the staff here.”
New home for King Of Change
KING of Change has relocated from Derrinstown Stud to Starfield Stud in Co Westmeath for 2023. Trained by Richard Hannon for owner Ali Abdulla Saeed, King Of Change (by Farhh) finished second to Magna Grecia in the 2000 Guineas. His finest moment came at Ascot in 2019 when he won the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes over a mile. His first foals will be offered for sale this year.
Colic claims Gold Cup winner
WAR Of Attrition has died, aged 23. Winner of the 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup, the gelding was trained by Mouse Morris for Gigginstown House Stud. He spent his retirement at Gigginstown and succumbed to a bout of colic last weekend.
Death of Acclamation’s trainer
GERALD Cottrell, trainer of Acclamation, has died, aged 97. Based in Devon, he held a licence for over 50 years. Although he had success with jumpers, he primarily had flat horses and Acclamation was by far the best. By Royal Applause, Acclamation won three times as a two-year-old in 2001 but was never tried in a group race. He only ran twice at three, finishing third both times. He thrived as a four-year-old, winning the Group 2 Diadem Stakes at Ascot and finishing fourth in the Prix de l’Abbaye. He was acquired by Rathbarry Stud and became hugely successful. His best progeny includes Dark Angel, Mehmas, Equiano, Marsha, Expert Eye and Aclaim.