Flooring Porter going chasing

THE dual Stayers’ Hurdle winner Flooring Porter is set to be an exciting recruit to novice chasing this season. Trainer Gavin Cromwell revealed this week that the triple Grade 1 winner is to make his debut over the larger obstacles next weekend at Cheltenham. Speaking on Racing TV on Thursday, Cromwell was looking forward to the eight-year-old moving on to larger obstacles saying: “He jumps really well, he loves it.”

Energumene likely out for the season

WILLIE Mullins has confirmed that dual Champion Chase hero Energumene is likely to be out for the season,

The nine-year-old, who has won 10 of his 12 appearances over fences, won his second Champion Chase title in imperious style earlier this year.

He followed that up by winning Punchestown’s version of the Champion Chase for the second year running and was expected to be one of the leading lights in the two-mile division once again.

However, Mullins told Sporting Life, “Unfortunately, Energumene has a hind leg injury and he will probably be out of action for the season.”

The news of Energumene’s absence saw Closutton stablemate and Arkle winner El Fabiolo now best priced at 5/4 favourite for the Champion Chase next March.

IHRB vacancy deadline extended

THE Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board has extended to Monday (October 23rd) the deadline for applications for the position of Communications Executive. The successful candidate will be mainly based in the IHRB offices on the Curragh but will have some racecourse duties too.

Web: ihrb.ie/vacancies/communications-executive

IEVA conference tickets on sale

TICKETS are now on sale for the Irish Equine Veterinary Association’s three-day conference in the Slieve Russel Hotel in Cavan from November 23rd-25th.

Web: irisheva.ie

Justify fee hits $200,000

FOLLOWING a hugely successful season with his second crop, the 2018 US Triple Crown winner Justify will stand for a fee of $200,000 (live foal) at Ashford Stud in Kentucky for 2024.

The nine-year-old’s fee represents a jump of 100% from this season.

Justify has had outstanding success in 2023 with leading two-year-olds in Britain and France courtesy of the Group 1 wins in the Dewhurst Stakes by City Of Troy and the Prix Marcel Boussac by Opera Singer.

He is also responsible for top French juvenile filly Ramatuelle, a Group 2 winner, and the Grade 1 Frizette Stakes winner in America, Just F Y I.

Add to that Grade 1 wins from his first crop for Aspen Grove and Arabian Lion and it’s been a phenomenal year for the son of Scat Daddy.

Hukum to Japan

THE 2023 King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Hukum, a son of Sea The Stars, has been retired to stand at Darley Japan for 2024 where he will remain in the ownership of Shadwell.

A full-brother to six-time Group 1 winner Baaeed, the dual Group 1 winner will join the roster in Hokkaido.

Trained by Owen Burrows, Hukum enjoyed a stellar career and twice winning at the highest level. Along with that memorable ‘King George’ triumph, where he got the better of subsequent ‘Arc’ runner-up Westover, Hukum landed the 2022 Coronation Cup at Epsom.

Hukum retires with 11 wins from 18 starts. He achieved a career-high official rating of 128 and a Timeform rating of 131.