Increased funds

for equine welfare

EQUINE welfare charities are among the 99 animal welfare organisations who will share over €5.8 million in funding from the Department of Agriculture next year. The overall level of funding for these charities is up 55% on last year.

The Irish Blue Cross, which provides a horse ambulance service at race meetings, will receive €480,000, up 45% on last year. The Donkey Sanctuary has been allocated €380,000 (up 65%) and the Irish Horse Welfare Trust has been awarded €136,900 (up 45%).

Among the other equine charities to receive awards are Hungry Horse Outside (up 47% to €140,250) and My Lovely Horse Animal Rescue (up 90% to €50,063).

Irish trainers selling in

Tattersalls Online Sale

IRISH trainers Barry Fitzgerald, Gordon Elliott, Denis Hogan and Ado McGuinness have horses for sale in next week’s Tattersalls Online Sale. Bidding opens at noon on Wednesday and closes from noon on Thursday.

Fitzgerald offers recent impressive debut two-year-old winner Whispering Royal. The son of Gustav Klimt is out of an own-sister to champion miler in Hong Kong Bullish Luck.

One of the highlights of the sale is young broodmare Sophie, a half-sister to this year’s 1000 Guineas winner Cachet. The daughter of Farhh is offered in foal to Aclaim, carrying a three-quarter sibling to the classic winner.

There are 74 lots in the sale, including a share in stallion Almanzor and breeding rights to Havana Grey, Cracksman, Profitable, Territories and Ribchester.

Web: tattersallsonline.com

Free admission

at Punchestown

PUNCHESTOWN Racecourse will offer free admission to its New Year’s Eve meeting, courtesy of Tote Ireland. The pool betting operator has signed a three-year deal with the track to sponsor the gate receipts. In addition to free entry on the day, patrons will have the opportunity to win prizes in the Spin The Wheel attraction in the Tote hall.

Gowran racehorse owner passes away peacefully

RACEHORSE owner Tom Lennon died peacefully on Sunday. Father of trainer Mag Mullins and grandfather to jockey Danny, he lived in Clashwilliam, Gowran, Co Kilkenny. No Light, winner of three races in 1992, was one of his best horses.

Free wallchart next week

NEXT Saturday’s edition of The Irish Field will include a free copy of The Irish Field Almanac 2023. The wallchart lists all Irish racing fixtures for next year, plus point-to-points, sales dates, major races in Britain and overseas, and important equestrian sport events.

ITBA veterinary lecture

THE Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association will host its Autumn/Winter Veterinary Seminar this Monday (December 12th) at 6.15pm in the ITBA offices in Kill. It can also be viewed online. Dr Emma Adam from the University of Kentucky will discuss rotavirus and Sharon O’Regan of Weatherbys will talk about the ePassport. Those wishing to attend should contact Hannah Marks on 045 877543 or emailing hmarks@itba.ie.

High-class hurdler for sale

JASON The Militant, rated 154 over hurdles and trained by Henry de Bromhead, will go under ThoroughBid’s online hammer in the Christmas Sale at 9am on Friday, December 16th.

Free webinar on RÁS system

THE Racing Academy and HRI’s equuip will host a webinar this Tuesday (December 13th) between 7pm and 8pm aimed at explaining how the RÁS online entry system works. The webinar is open to industry staff and is free to join. Just 90 places are available and those wishing to join should email enquiries@racingacademy.ie or telephone 045 522468.