Fergal O'Brien | Horse Racing Free Tips

Racing Authorities Initiate Full Review into Keagan Kirkby Death

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and Point-to-Point Authority (PPA) have launched a full review of the death of Keagan Kirkby Sunday. A member of the Paul Nicholls team in Ditcheat, the 25-year-old was riding at a meeting at Charing in Kent when his horse ran through the wing of a fence in the final race of the day.

“The necessary steps in response to this tragic incident commenced immediately after the race on Sunday and have continued [Monday],” stated a joint-statement from the BHA and PPA. “The BHA are visiting the site and will work with the PPA, the racecourse and attending medical teams to ensure that the incident is fully reviewed. All of the relevant bodies will also assist the police and/or Environmental Health Officer with any enquiries they wish to make.”

The statement continued, “The medical facilities and teams at Charing racecourse on Sunday were fully compliant with the required standards and included two racecourse doctors and three fully equipped ambulances with paramedic crews.”

“The medical team attended Mr. Kirkby within 30 seconds of his fall. Further support was provided by 999 road and air ambulances. Despite the immediate medical attention, the injuries were of such an extent that it was not possible to save Mr. Kirkby's life. It is important that, with any incident such as this, we do all that we can to understand what caused it, and whether there is anything we can learn from it.”

“There is a risk attached to racing which can never be entirely removed, but we are committed to ensure that we assess every incident and use any findings to help continually improve our safety record.”

“Our thoughts remain with Keagan Kirkby's family and his many friends and colleagues from within the racing industry and beyond. The Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF) are coordinating support for the Kirkby family, his places of work and any staff member or participant at the event.”

Tributes Pour In..

“Tragically sad news. My thoughts are with Keagan's family, friends and everyone at Ditcheat.”–-Sir Anthony McCoy

“Every now and then, things happen that make you regain perspective. A very sad day for racing. Love to those who lost a friend.”-Trainer Fergal O'Brien

“A terrible tragedy. Keagan loved his job and was an integral part of Team Ditcheat.”--Nicholls' stable jockey Harry Cobden

“A heartbreaking day, Keagan was as kind and enthusiastic a guy you could meet. We started at Paul's on the same day four and a half years ago and became great friends. I am and always will be proud to be your friend and will miss you greatly.”–Assistant trainer Charlie Davies

“Heartbroken is an understatement, to have you as a best friend has been the biggest privilege life has given to me. Such a kind soul and an absolute gentleman and to know that I won't be able to give you a hug and catch up with you anymore tears me up.”–Ditcheat team member Scott Sainsbury

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Progeny Of Teofilo Popular At Tattersalls Online

A pair of sons by Teofilo (Ire) filled the top two places during Thursday's Tattersalls Online September Sale.

Topping the sale was the 3-year-old colt Teorie (Ire) (lot 24) who was knocked down for 45,000gns to Fergal O'Brien Racing and his stable jockey Paddy Brennan. Already a winner from five starts, the colt is a full-brother to the winning Theodulus (Ire) and is from the extended family of G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud winner Gear Up (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}). He was consigned by Jim Bolger's Glebe House Stables.

“We bought a lovely horse last year from Mr. Bolger called Dancila by the same sire and this horse had a good profile, I loved his win at Leopardstown,” said O'Brien. “We have an owner who wants a juvenile hurdler so we thought we'd give it a go. He'll go back to Paddy Brennan's, and we'll probably have him castrated, then we'll start jumping him to go for juvenile hurdles.”

Scott Lowther paid 30,000gns for the 3-year-old gelding That's Jet (Ire), who was offered by O'Sullivan Bloodstock. Lot 25 has placed once over hurdles, and his dam, Floating Along (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), is a half-sister to G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest winner King's Apostle (Ire) (King's Best) and G2 Lartigue Hurdle scorer Politicise (Ire) (Camelot {GB}).

“My trainer Daragh Bourke had watched a few of his races in Ireland and he'd come recommended from a couple of guys over there too. I'll look for a juvenile hurdle for him–we'll maybe aim him for Wetherby in October although he looks very well handicapped on the Flat as well I must admit.”

The progeny of Blue Point (Ire) have been in demand in the sales ring with his 35 first-crop winners anchored by four stakes winner, among them Big Evs (Ire), who will race in the G2 Carlsberg Danish Pilsner Flying Childers S. on Friday. Lot 8, the filly Raknah (Ire), was bought by BBA Ireland for 25,000gns from Andrew Balding's Park House Stables. She has placed once in three runs, and is out of a full-sister to G3 Ballyroan S. hero Stellar Mass (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}).

The second Blue Point to sell was 15,000gns buy Desert Master (GB) (lot 35), who has hit the board five times in eight runs to date. From James Tate's Jamesfield Stables, the bay is out of the listed-placed Iffraaj (GB) mare Al Fareej (Ire) and caught the eye of Northgate Lodge Stud.

De Bruyne (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) (lot 34) was snapped up for 25,000gns to Gassim Ghazali from Ed Walker Racing. The gelding sports a win on the all-weather and is a grandson of Listed Sandy Lane S. winner Danehill Destiny (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), who was also third twice at Group 3 level.

From a catalogue of 91, 81 horses were offered with 47 sold (58%) for a gross of 377,700gns. The average was 8,036gns and the median was 4,000gns.

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Racing Together Hosts Record Day

A record 75-plus employee teams from across racing volunteered in their local communities, volunteering 700 hours for over 40 charities, making it a record year for the May 25 Racing Together Community Day.

A wide range of racing organisations signed up for the fifth Racing Together Community Day, engaging with the communities in which they operate in a number of ways. One specific growth area was among the training yards–11 volunteered this year. The team at Kubler Racing delivered homemade cakes to the elderly in Lambourn while staff at Susan Corbett's volunteered at their local care home; Fergal O'Brien's colleagues supported Cotswold Riding for the Disabled.

Many participants focused on food poverty, with big food bank collections taking place in racing hubs. The Racing Centre in Newmarket organized drop off points, supported by Michelle Fernandes, Lycett's Insurance, Dylan Cunha Racing, Simon Pearce Racing and Gay Kelleway. Racing Welfare staff volunteered at regional food banks, including Lambourn Junction, supported by Ed Walker Racing and the Injured Jockeys Fund. This year, 27 British racecourses (including the Racecourse Association) supported the initiative through litter picks, local community-tidying schemes, and helping the needs of local causes and collecting items for riding schools. First-time supporters of the day included the Tote Group, Weatherbys, Goffs, Kingsclere training yard and a range of other charities and studs.

John Blake, Chief Executive of Racing Together, said: “It's no surprise that food banks have been a focus for many given the current crisis and racing's efforts will have a direct and immediate benefit to families needing help nationwide.

“Community Day is now well established within the calendar but is only a snapshot of the work that racing people do year-round on a voluntary basis, of which the industry should be very proud.

“We would like to thank the many teams who played a part in the day and the Horserace Betting Levy Board for supporting our work.”

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Oak Grove Leads The Way At Tattersalls Cheltenham

One of eight six-figure lots on the day, Oak Grove (Ire) (Soldier Of Fortune {Ire}) (lot 13) took pride of place when selling for £250,000 to Fergal O'Brien Racing during the Tattersalls Cheltenham April Sale on Thursday evening.

O'Brien was buying the relative of Grade 1 winner Voler La Vedette (Ire) (King's Theatre {Ire}) for Chris and Deborah Giles, who already have a half-share in another O'Brien runner, Crambo (GB) (Saddler Maker {Ire}).

“We have no plans as yet,” reported O'Brien of the Rob James Racing-consigned 4-year-old who captured an Oldcastle point-to-point earlier this month. “He needs bit of time and from here will probably go to Jason Maguire's for some R and R through the summer.

“Sally [Randell] and I watched his video and thought he won a very competitive point-to-point–he was the one we came for and we loved him when we saw him.

“We are very grateful for the opportunity to come and buy a horse such as this. He is the most expensive horse we have bought in the ring–usually we buy four for this sort of money!”

The gelding Grand Albert (Ire) (Jet Away {GB}) (lot 27) and the mare Florencethemachine (Ire) (Malinas {Ger}) shared the next most expensive tag at £120,000 apiece. The former was consigned by Virginia Considine and caught the eye of Anthony Bromley of Highflyer Bloodstock. Tom Malone secured the latter from Treehouse Stables. The pair have each won a point-to-point, with the 5-year-old mare taking a Monksgrange affair on debut at the end of March.

The one-day sale concluded with 49 sold of 59 offered (83%) for a gross of £2,969,000. The average was £60,592 (-10%) and the median was £50,000 (-7%).

Matt Prior, Head of Sales at Tattersalls, said, “The Tattersalls Cheltenham April Sale has enjoyed a fabulous spring season on the racecourse through the exploits of Apple Way (Fr) (Diamond Green {Fr}), purchased for just £35,000 at the Cheltenham April Sale last year, winner of last week's G1 Sefton Novices' Hurdle for trainer Lucinda Russell.

“This year has also seen Tattersalls Cheltenham graduates Envoi Allen (Fr) (Muhtathir {GB}), Gerri Colombe (Fr) (Saddler Maker {Ire}), Shishkin (Ire) (Sholokhov {Ire}), Stay Away Fay (Ire) (Shantou), Tahmuras (Fr) (Falco), and Inthepocket (GB) (Blue Bresil {Fr}) all add new Grade 1 wins to their resumes, proving that the Tattersalls Cheltenham sales really are the prime source of top level NH horses in training and point-to-pointers.

“Today's broad buying bench reflected the strong demand for the 'Tattersalls Cheltenham horse' with 49 lots sold at a healthy 83% clearance rate, eight fetching £100,000 and over, a top price of £250,000 and a turnover just shy of £3 million.”

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