Masar to stand at Sunnyhill Stud

DERBY winner Masar will stand at Michael Hickey’s Sunnyhill Stud in Kilcullen, Co Kildare next year. The son of New Approach won the Derby in 2018 for Godolphin and retired to stud in 2020. His first crop are just three and dozens of them have won on the flat. In addition he has a highly promising young hurdler in France named Stencil who is owned by J.P. McManus and undefeated in two starts for Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm.

Aaron Fahey auction closing today

THE online auction raising funds for injured rider Aaron Fahey closes at 6pm today (Saturday). There are 35 items available and they include exclusive stable visits and racing packages. Coolmore has donated a nomination to any of its National Hunt stallions.

At 1pm on Sunday in Kildoon, Co Kildare, there is a truck and vintage car run fundraiser for Aaron Fahey.

Web: app.galabid.com/aaronfahey

Punchestown Grade 1 races boost

ENTRIES close on Wednesday (October 30th) for both the Grade 1 Unibet Morgiana Hurdle and Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown on November 23rd and 24th. The prize money for each race has been raised to €150,000 this year. Punchestown CEO Conor O’Neill said: “Last year was the first time both these Grade 1 races were run on the same weekend and it worked well. We want to elevate this ‘Premiere Weekend’ and so we have increased the prizefund by 20% and 50% respectively. As the fixture no longer clashes with Cheltenham’s November meeting we are hopeful of attracting more entries and more racegoers.”

Jack Kennedy to miss Down Royal

CHAMPION jockey Jack Kennedy looks set to miss out on what is typically a massive weekend for the Gordon Elliott stable at Down Royal in a week’s time, with his appeal against an eight-day whip ban proving unsuccessful this week.

According to the IHRB’s suspended rider listings, Kennedy’s breach of the whip rules at Galway on October 8th will see him miss both days of the Ladbrokes Festival of Racing at Down Royal, including the plum ride on Gerri Colombe in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Chase.

Idiomatic retired by Juddmonte

TOP American racemare Idiomatic was found to be lame on Friday morning and will miss next weekend’s Breeders’ Cup. She has been retired to stud by Juddmonte. By Curlin, Idiomatic won five Grade 1 races for trainer Brad Cox.