New photo-finish cameras at races

HORSE Racing Ireland has upgraded the equipment and technology used to determine the outcome of photo finishes at all 26 racecourses. The roll-out of 12 new cameras will begin at next week’s Punchestown Festival. Complementing these new cameras will be a number of large 4K ultra high-definition screens.

Punchestown

preview on TG4

TG4 will screen a 30-minute preview of the Punchestown Festival on Sunday at 11.40am. It is also available on the TG4 player and catch-up services. Denis Kirwan presents the preview, which features Willie Mullins, Barry Connell, Anthony McCann and Sean Flanagan.

Analysis is provided by Donn McClean and Cárthach Bán Breathnach.

Thompson wins Breeder of the Month prize

GEOFFREY Thompson of Morning Star Stud in Co Limerick has been voted the Connolly’s Red Mills The Irish Field Breeder of the Month for March.

He bred Cheltenham Festival Bumper winner Bambino Fever, a mare by Jukebox Jury from the family of Midnight Gift and Death Duty.

Ahead on the Flat for 2025 released

MARK Howard has published the latest edition of Ahead on the Flat, his annual horses to follow book. Irish readers are invited to purchase a copy (PDF only) via the mhpublications.co.uk website.

Racing fan passes away, aged 103

ONE of Irish racing’s oldest racing supporters passed away this week, aged 103. Ita McKeown from Tullyallen, Drogheda, Co Louth, was a lifelong reader of The Irish Field. On her 100th birthday she was thrilled to receive a card not from the President but from her racing hero, Jim Bolger, who has kept in touch with her since.