Tag: Europe

In The Hot Seat: Kate Harrington

Saturday's edition of this column features Kate Harrington, assistant trainer to her mother, Jessica Harrington.

 

Proudest moment of 2023?
Of the team at Commonstown throughout the year. They all worked so hard in 2023 to finish third in the trainers' championship. We had more winners in 2023 than we did in 2022 and we all know the winners helped Mum beat cancer.

 

What is your biggest ambition for the new year?
Helping Jessica Harrington to train as may winners as possible in 2024.

 

Give us one horse to follow and why?
Givemethebeatboys (Ire). We definitely haven't seen his full potential on the racetrack yet.

 

And a young person in the industry to keep an eye on…
Keithen Kennedy. He is a 7lb claimer who rode three winners for us at the end of last season from very few rides. He could be going places.

 

Who do you think will be champion first-season sire this year?
Even though we haven't got one in the yard yet, I love Pinatubo (Ire). I loved his stock at all the sales. He was a champion two-year-old himself and I think he has bred his precociousness into his stock.

 

And the best value stallion in Europe?
It has to be Calyx (GB). He's operating at an impressive strike-rate with his first runners and had three Group-winning juveniles last year. He looks good value to me.

 

What's the one horse you wish you'd bought in 2023?
If we had an open cheque book the, the Frankel (GB) filly out of Millisle (Ire). Out of a Group 1-winning two-year-old and by a champion, she was a beautiful filly and from a family we know very well at Commonstown. I can't see why she won't be a superstar.

 

Biggest regret?
Have no regrets. Whatever happens, happens, and tomorrow is a new day.

 

Biggest influence on your career?
Aidan O'Brien. I spent three years working at Ballydoyle and that experience left a lasting impression on me.

 

If you could sit down for dinner with three people (dead or alive) who would they be and why?
Johnny Harrington. There are too many questions I never got to ask him when he was alive and he was always one for a good story. Kevin Prendergast would have to be there as well. He's just an absolute legend. Then the third guest would be Amy Marnane as you'd be guaranteed not to have silence at any point in the evening!

The post In The Hot Seat: Kate Harrington appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Globetrotter Falbrav Dies At 26 In Japan

Group 1-winning globetrotter Falbrav (Ire) (Fairy King-Gift Of The Night, by Slewpy) died at Shadai Stallion Station in Japan on Friday, Netkeiba reported on Saturday. The eight-time Group 1 winner, who was pensioned in 2015, was 26.

“Falbrav passed away at the age of 26 in Shadai Stallion Station, Japan,” the Japanese news site posted on X. “Rest in peace.”

Eisuke Tokutake, manager of Shadai Stallion Station, told Sanspo.com, “He had a little colic and was a little sick since the end of last year.”

Bred by Azienda Agricola Francesca and raced by Scuderia Rencati originally, the bay won one of four starts at two in Italy for trainer Luciano d'Auria. At three, he ran second in the G1 Derby Italiano, however it was at four and five that he truly shone. The G1 Premio Presidente della Repubblica and G1 Gran Premio di Milano went his way in consecutive starts in the late spring of 2002, and his first start outside of Italy was a third in that September's G2 Prix Foy. His final appearance at four was a nose victory over Sarafan (Lear Fan) in the G1 Japan Cup.

Transferred to Luca Cumani, he started his 5-year-old season with a third in the G1 Prix Ganay in the spring and won the G1 Prix d'Ispahan in May, with new co-owner Teruya Yoshida signed on. Successful in the G1 Eclipse S. in England in July, he added the G1 International S. two starts later in August and would never be out of the money in four more appearances that season.

Second to High Chaparral (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) in the G1 Irish Champion S. in September of 2003, Falbrav cut back to a mile and landed the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. later that month. At the Breeders' Cup, held that year in California, he was only a head behind GI Turf deadheaters High Chaparral and Johar (Gone West) at the end of October. His career swansong was a two-length victory in the G1 Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin that December. His record stands at eight Group/Grade 1 wins in five different countries with a mark of 26-13-5-5 and $5,825,517 in earnings.

Falbrav spent the majority of his career at Shadai Stallion Station in Japan, although he did stand at Cheveley Park Stud in England at one point and also shuttled to Australia. A total of 18 of his 819 foals were stakes winners, with 12 making the grade at Pattern level. His best progeny included Fravashi (Aus), I'm Yours (Jpn), Fanunalter (GB), A Shin Virgo (Jpn), and Brava Fortune (Aus), who won Group 2 races in Australia, Japan, the UK, Japan, and Australia, respectively.

As a broodmare sire, Falbrav is responsible for 18 stakes winners overall and 11 group winners, with Group 1 winners Kenedna (Aus), a dual Group 1 winner in Australia, and Harp Star (Jpn) and Stelvio (Jpn) flying the flag for his daughters.

Out of the Slewpy mare Gift Of The Night, who ran second in the Listed Prix Herod, Falbrav was a half-brother to the stakes-placed Fattsota (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), and three of his half-sisters are black-type producers.

 

The post Globetrotter Falbrav Dies At 26 In Japan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Affordability Check Debate Will Take Place In Late February

After the required 100,000-signature mark was reached on a petition to review the proposed implementation of affordability checks, a debate on the subject will be held on Feb. 26, the British government's Petitions Committee announced. The petition was originally launched by Jockey Club chief executive Nevin Truesdale.

British Horseracing Authority (BHA) chief executive Julie Harrington said in a statement, “We are pleased that the important issue of affordability checks will now be subjected to proper levels of parliamentary scrutiny.

“The fact that our survey reached the required 100,000 signatures threshold in just 27 days is powerful testament to the strength of feeling shared by bettors over the proposed checks. This has today been recognised by the Petitions Committee.

“No other form of leisure activity is subjected to the kinds of restrictions being proposed by the Government and so it is right that MPs have the chance to forensically debate this issue.

“The BHA and other racing stakeholders will work with MPs on both sides of the House to ensure that the views of British racing and those who bet on the sport are properly represented within the debate.

“While we support the need to protect individuals from the risk of gambling-related harm it remains the case that millions of people enjoy betting on horseracing without suffering any ill effects.

“The BHA will therefore continue to push for changes to the Gambling Commission's proposals on affordability checks to protect the sport's financial future and limit the impact on racing bettors.”

The post Affordability Check Debate Will Take Place In Late February appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Gypsy Gold Among Late Supplements To Arqana January Online Sale

The Siyouni (Fr) filly Gypsy Gold (Fr), who was rated 91 at her highest, is one of several late additions to the Arqana January Online Sale. Bidding will open at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25 and last until 5 p.m. that evening.

Consigned as lot 6, the 4-year-old is offered out-of-training and is a daughter of the Classic-placed mare Glorious Sight (Ire) (Singspiel {Ire}). A two-time winner, Gypsy Gold is a half-sister to Group 2 winner Glycon (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) and a full-sister to the multiple stakes-placed Glaer (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}).

Other lots include a breeding right to young sire Victor Ludorum (GB) (lot 9) and a half-share in Group 1 winner Wooded (Ire). There are also several lots on off from Haras des Coudraies, as they are downsizing. For the full catalogue, please visit the Arqana Online website.

The post Gypsy Gold Among Late Supplements To Arqana January Online Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights