Equine vets

attending Curragh talk

THE first event in the Irish Equine Veterinary Association’s continued professional development series for 2025 took place recently at the Curragh Racecourse. Over 80 equine vets attended this event, entitled ‘Stud Medicine - Following the Evidence’.

Topics covered included late gestation, late-term mares and surgery, problems in late-term pregnant mares, colostrum management, EHV update, equine behaviour and antibiotic stewardship. The day also contained a series of question and answer sessions.

The series continues next Tuesday, February 18th at Glasson Lake House in Co Westmeath, with further sessions scheduled for the Irish National Stud on April 19th and Gowran Park on August 13th. Further information and registration is available on the irisheva.ie website.

The Antarctic first crop of foals are arriving

THE first foals by The Antarctic have started to arrive. The first one was born at Grace Skelton’s Alne Park Stud - a filly out of the Sepoy mare Ibiza, herself a daughter of Group 2 winner Hi Calypso, from the family of Treve. “She is a fine, strong and athletic foal,” reported Skelton. A Group 3-winning sprinter himself at two and three years, The Antarctic is an own-brother to triple champion sprinter Battaash and stands at Castlehyde Stud at a fee of €5,000.

Coolmore sponsors German Guineas

COOLMORE will continue its sponsorship of the Group 2 Coolmore City of Troy German 2000 Guineas, which will be run at Cologne on Sunday, May 18th. Entries close on February 25th.

Death of former BHA chairman, aged 53

JOE Saumarez Smith, the 53-year-old former chairman of the British Horseracing Authority, died this week. He had been diagnosed with cancer in June 2023, and stood down from his role with the BHA last month, due to his deteriorating health.

He died at home, surrounded by his wife Wanda and children, Oliver and Matilda.

Suzanne Eade, CEO of Horse Racing Ireland, said: “It was an honour to have worked with and known Joe.

“His enthusiasm for the sport was there for all to see and he will be remembered as someone who had a great desire to develop racing through international cooperation.

“On a more personal level, I found Joe to be most generous with his time, kind-spirited and the best of company. I want to offer my deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.”