Foley and Parkin in legal dispute

THE classic-winning owner Steve Parkin and his racing and bloodstock adviser Joe Foley have filed legal proceedings against each other in the High Court. The nature of the cases is not given in court filings but is believed to be related to a breakdown in negotiations following the ending of their 20-year business relationship in March.

Sexton wins appeal over whip ban

JUMP jockey Kevin Sexton won his appeal against a two-day suspension he received at Sligo on July 7th for using his whip with excessive frequency. Sexton argued that at least one of his strikes did not make contact and, having reviewed all available recordings of the race, the Appeals Body allowed the appeal.

Replacement date for Kilbeggan

KILBEGGAN has been granted an afternoon fixture on Wednesday, September 4th, to replace the meetings due to be held on April 25th and 26th which did not go ahead.

O’Callaghans win Breeder award

GAY and David O’Callaghan of Yeomanstown Stud have won the Connolly’s Red Mills Breeder of the Month award for June. They bred Khaadem, a son of Dark Angel who won the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot for a second time.

NH stallion Court Cave dies

BOARDSMILL Stud has reported the death of National Hunt stallion Court Cave, aged 23. Bred by Juddmonte, the stallion was by Sadler’s Wells out of the Dancing Brave mare, Wemyss Bight, who won the Irish Oaks. He was a full-brother to Beat Hollow but never raced himself. His best winners included City Island, Willoughby Court, Into Overdrive and Desertmore House.

Luke Comer’s son steps in

THE Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board has yet to receive an application from suspended trainer Luke Comer to install a new licence holder at his training yard in Kilternan, Co Dublin. Comer’s son and namesake has taken charge of two horses previously trained by his father, Aircraft Carrier and Seattle Creek, and they run in today’s Group 2 Curragh Cup which is sponsored by the Comer Group. Comer Jnr trains in Dunboyne under a restricted licence and is only allowed to train a maximum of four horses under both codes.

Rhodococcus equi warning

THE Irish Equine Centre (IEC) is urging breeders to be extra vigilant, following a marked increase in cases of Rhodococcus equi infections in recent weeks.

Reported cases are well in excess of the same period last year, though thankfully, none have tested positive for the antibiotic-resistant gene as of yet. The main symptom is pneumonia, accompanied by cough, fever and lethargy, with some cases also presenting with abdominal infection, joint infection and acute respiratory infection.

If a breeder suspects a case of Rhodococcus equi, they should contact their veterinary surgeon immediately. The IEC is seeking more samples from warmblood foals with diarrhoea for their study.

For further information, please contact Dr James Gibbons on 045-866266 or email jgibbons@irishequinecentre.ie.