Coolmore Stud gesture raises 72,000gns for Graham Lee

A NOMINATION to new stallion Paddington was sold for 72,000gns at Tattersalls this week to raise funds on behalf of injured jockey Graham Lee. The Grand National and Ascot Gold Cup-winning rider remains in hospital after suffering serious neck and spinal injuries in a fall at Newcastle last month.

The recently-retired son of Siyouni will stand his first season at Coolmore in 2024 with a stallion fee of €55,000. The winning bid was made by Lady Lloyd Webber of Watership Down Stud.

PTP season extended

TODAY’S North Down point-to-point at Kirkistown has been rescheduled for next Saturday, December 16th, as parts of the track are waterlogged. Original entries stand (see page 55).

Death of Neville Callaghan

FORMER trainer Neville Callaghan has died, aged 77, after a long illness. Originally from Fermoy, Co Cork, he was based in Newmarket and trained over 700 winners during a 37-year training career which ended in 2007. He trained Danehill Dancer to win the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes and Group 1 National Stakes, both at the Curragh, in 1995. Fairy Heights was another Group 1 winner for him.

Owner Michael Tabor was his greatest supporter. Danehill Dancer raced in the Tabor colours, as did Callaghan’s high-class hurdler Royal Derbi. His son Simon is a successful trainer in California.

Belmont Stakes moves

to Saratoga next year

THE Belmont Stakes - the final leg of the US Triple Crown - is to be relocated to Saratoga Racecourse next year because of a $455 million renovation at Belmont Park. The race distance has been reduced from a mile and a half to 10 furlongs but is expected to be run at the usual time in early June.

Get your free 2024 wallchart

INSIDE every copy of The Irish Field next Saturday will be a free wallchart for 2023. It lists all the Irish racing dates for next year, plus details of point-to-points, bloodstock sales, major races in Ireland, Britain and overseas, plus major equestrian sport events.

Dream on hold until new year

THE hurdling debut of A Dream To Share - a bumper winner at the Cheltenham and Punchestown festivals last season - has been put back until the new year after connections reported the five-year-old is only just back in work after a setback. Frank Berry, racing manager to owner J.P. McManus, said: “Hopefully everything will go well and we’ll see him out early in the new year.”

Ascot increases prize money

ALL Group 1 races at Royal Ascot next year will have a minimum prize fund of £650,000, up £50,000 on this year.