February, 2024 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Breeders Row In Behind Minzaal On The Strength Of First Foals

Top industry judges David Cox, Derek Veitch Mark Dreeling and Paschal Kellaghan have put on record their support for Derrinstown Stud-based stallion Minzaal (Ire) off the back of the arrival of his first foals.

Minzaal's foals have come in for high praise from their breeders, including Rosetown Bloodstock's filly [pictured] out of the winning Exceed And Excel (Aus) mare, Loquace (Ire), a granddaughter of champion two-year-old, Pas De Reponse.

“I'm very happy with her,” reported David Cox of Baroda Stud, where the mare and foal are boarding. “She's a very strong first foal with great bone; correct and very sharp-looking. She's the spitting image of her sire.”

Mark Dreeling was full of praise for his colt out of Laciredeski (Ire), a multiple winning Toronado (Ire) half-sister to Flying Five S. runner-up Erosandpsyche (Ire) (Sepoy {Aus}) and Listed scorer Some Respect (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}).

Dreeling said, “He's an absolute belter of a foal. He really is something else. He's exactly what we hoped for; big, strong and compact, with great width and bone. He's very correct and a lot like his sire.”

Paschal Kellaghan and Brian Gravin have welcomed a filly out of highly-rated three-time winner Dilawara (Fr), a Dream Ahead half-sister to three winners and related to Capri (Ire) and Commissioning (GB) (Kingman {GB}).

“She's an absolutely stunning filly,” said Kellaghan. “Just pure class, with great strength and depth. This speedy-looking filly is one for the future.”

Ringfort Stud, where Minzaal was bred, welcomed a filly out of Shenoya (Fr) (Zoffany {Ire}), a winning and Listed-placed half-sister to classy filly Like A Charm (Fr) from the family of Group 1 winner Bay Bridge (GB).

The operation's Derek Veitch commented, “She's a big strong foal and a lovely bay colour. She's very correct, with great bone. She looks very much like her sire. We're absolutely thrilled with her.”

Minzaal, the top-rated produce of Mehmas, won the Group 2 Gimcrack S. at two before developing into the best sprinter of his generation, winning the Group 1 Sprint Cup at four. He covered 161 mares in his first season at stud, with 16% of his opening book stakes winners, the highest percentage of any first-season sire standing in Ireland last year.

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Robin Goodfellow’s racing tips: Best bets for Monday, February 5

Mail Sport's racing expert Robin Goodfellow delivers his tips for Monday's meetings at Carlisle, Southwell and Lingfield.

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Jockey, 25, dies after fall at horse race in Kent

Tributes are being paid to Keagan Kirkby, who was riding when his horse ran into the side of a jump.

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Keagan Kirkby Dies After Fall At Charing Point-To-Point in Kent

Trainer Paul Nicholls has led the tributes to Keagan Kirkby, the amateur rider who tragically died after a fall at Charing point-to-point on Sunday.

In a statement released by the Injured Jockeys Fund, the 14-time Champion National Hunt trainer, with whom Kirkby was based, described Kirkby as “one of our best, hardworking lads.”

Nicholls said, “Life is so hard sometimes, winners totally insignificant compared to what has happened today. Sadly, Keagan Kirkby, one of our best, hardworking lads lost his life today riding in a point-to-point. All at Team Ditcheat are mortified. Thoughts with all his friends and family.”

According to the IFJ, the incident occurred on the second circuit of the final race, when the rider's mount ran out through the wing of a fence. Despite immediate attention by the on-course medical team as well as additional support from a 999 Helicopter Emergency Services crew, Kirkby could not be saved.

Kirkby joined Nicholls's operation in 2019 and had been awarded employee of the month in December 2021. He was also shortlisted for the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards in the Rider/Groom category for 2024.

“We are devastated to hear the tragic news regarding the fatal injuries sustained by Keagan Kirkby. Our thoughts are with his family and friends, and everyone at the yard of Paul Nicholls. The entire Racing industry will be in mourning at the loss of someone so young and with such potential,” said British Horseracing Authority (BHA) Chief Executive Julie Harrington.

“The esteem in which he was held is clear from the fact that he was nominated for the Rider/Groom category of the 2024 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, and made it through to the final 10 in his category. The nomination spoke of Keagan's qualities as a thoughtful rider who develops a personal bond with his horses, understands their characters and adapts his riding accordingly, as well as his affable, helpful nature and popularity on the yard. We call on everyone to respect the privacy of Keagan's family and the Paul Nicholls yard.”

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