Racing mourns the

passing of Alice Grassick

THE racing and bloodstock community turned out in large numbers this week for the funeral Mass of Alice Grassick. Aged 90, she passed away peacefully on Sunday. She and her late husband Christy, a trainer, left a huge influence on the sport through their children and grandchildren.

Son Christy is manager of Coolmore Stud and Michael, a multiple Group 1 winning trainer, is CEO of the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association. Ronan runs his own horse transport company and the late Brian was a highly successful and respected bloodstock agent.

Among the many winners to run in Alice Grassick’s colours of blackwatch tartan with a white cap was Liverpool Hurdle winner Oisin Dubh.

Final store sale of 2022 in July at Tattersalls Ireland

TATTERSALLS Ireland has introduced a Part II to its July Store Sale to cater for all remaining store horses yet to be sold this year. This will be the final opportunity to sell store horses at Tattersalls Ireland in 2022. The July Store Sale will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, July 13th and 14th. Entries for Part II close on Friday week, June 10th.

Ballinrobe Races on TG4

NEXT Tuesday evening’s fixture at Ballinrobe will be covered live by TG4. The programme starts at 4.20pm. Ballinrobe also announced this week that all its races are sponsored this year.

Micky Fenton to start new training venture in Cork

MICKY Fenton, the classic-winning jockey, is set to start training in Mallow, Co Cork. The Limerick man enjoyed his finest moment in the saddle when riding Speciosa to win the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket in 2006.

He also won the Italian Oaks and French St Leger during a long career during which he was mainly associated with the Michael Bell yard. Fenton’s brother Barry is married to National Hunt trainer Emma Lavelle.

Novice riders battle it out

THE point-to-point season ends this weekend, with fixtures at Dromahane on Saturday and Tralee on Sunday. Most championships have already been decided but the INHSC Novice Riders Series is still up for grabs. Josh Berry leads Alex Harvey by a single point and there are two novice rider races this weekend.

All this season’s champions will be honoured at the PTP Awards in Dunboyne Castle on June 18th. Tickets can be purchased through the ihrb.ie website.

Limerick manager vacates post after five months

EMMA White has left her post as manager of Limerick Racecourse after just five months. She took the position in January, moving from Sedgefield Racecourse, which she managed for three years.

Trainer fined over positive test for banned substance

JOE Murray, a restricted trainer based near Navan, Co Meath, has been fined €1,000 and ordered to pay €3,000 in costs over a failed post-race test returned by one of his winners. His horse Rodney Bay tested positive for a prohibited level of arsenic following his win in a flat handicap at Limerick in April 2021.

The horse won by a head from the Noel Kelly-trained Ellaat, who had been backed from 50/1 into 5/2 favourite. In considering a penalty, the Referrals Committee, chaired by Justice Raymond Groarke, said it was “particularly concerned that no reasonable or satisfactory explanation has been forthcoming as to how the prohibited substance came to be in the horse’s system.”

Irish entries for Melbourne Cup winner now in France

VERRY Elleegant, winner of 11 Group 1 races including last year’s Melbourne Cup, has been entered for both the Irish Champion Stakes and Irish St Leger. The mare is one of seven French-trained entries for the Champion Stakes. The race has also attracted four Japanese entries and 20 from Britain.

Lambourn memorial service for Christopher Hanbury

A MEMORIAL service for the late Christopher Hanbury will be held on Friday, June 10th at 3.30pm in St Michael and All Angels Church, Lambourn. Those attending are asked to wear a splash of colour, and to email their intention to attend to hanbury@lovelockhouse.com

Passing of Bid Lenihan

BID Lenihan of Green Hills Stud in Kilmacthomas, Co Waterford, died peacefully earlier this month. She is survived by her husband Michael and their children Paul, Mark and Emor. Mrs Lenihan was predeceased by daughter Collette.