Joe Foley Named New Irish EBF Chairman

Joe Foley of Ballyhane Stud has been named the new Chairman of the Irish European Breeders' Fund at the organisation's annual general meeting, while Tom Gaffney of Castlehyde Stud is the new Deputy Chairman. On the Board of the Irish EBF since 2002 as a governor, Foley was appointed to the Deputy Chairman role in 2017. He replaces outgoing Chairman John O'Connor of Ballylinch Stud. Gaffney has served on the Irish EBF for 21 years representing Coolmore Stud and also has a wealth of experience from his role as Chairman of Cork Racecourse.

Joe Foley, Chairman, Irish EBF said, “The Irish EBF board will be forever grateful to John O'Connor for his leadership, dedication, diligence and fairness over the last 10 years in his role as Irish EBF Chairman. He continually upheld the ethos of the Irish EBF and represented the board both at home and at a European level to the highest standards. He gave his time voluntarily to deal with EBF matters and always deliberated with both the small and large stallion owner in mind. He is passing on the leadership of the Irish EBF in very good health and we are delighted that he is staying on the board to help guide us into the future.”

Tom Gaffney, Deputy Chairman, Irish EBF added, “I see first-hand how racecourses benefit from Irish EBF race sponsorship which greatly enhance the race-day programme with added benefits for owners, trainers, jockeys and stable staff. I am looking forward to working with Joe on Irish EBF matters and continuing the great work carried out over the last number of years.”

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Frankel Colt Sets Tattersalls August Record

During a session which saw just 10 horses through the ring fail to change hands, the Ralph Beckett-trained and Juddmonte Farms-owned Fabilis (GB) (Frankel {GB}) fetched 350,000gns to establish a new record at the Tattersalls August Sale in Newmarket. The transaction easily eclipsed the previous top price of 220,000gns from last year's inaugural event.

An own brother to G3 Darley Club S. hero Monarchs Glen (GB) and produced by a half-sister to G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches winner Nebraska Tornado (Storm Cat), Fabilis, cataloged as lot 380, was a maiden winner at second asking at Chepstow last September and added a Nottingham handicap in his next appearance. He most recently took his Timeform rating to 104 with a 1 3/4-length victory going 12 furlongs at Newmarket Aug. 27.

Peter and Ross Doyle Bloodstock signed the winning ticket and indicated that the 3-year-old colt is off to the Middle East to continue his career.

“He is for Prince Faisal bin Khalid's Najd Stud, a very long established client,” said Doyle. “I bought for his family many years ago. He is a lovely horse, I didn't think he'd make that much, but lots of people liked him. He comes from a very good operation, it is always nice to buy a horse from Juddmonte. The horse passed all the vets very well. The immediate plan will be to go and race in Saudi Arabia and aim for the Crown Prince Cup. We have had some success in the race before.”

Underbidders included would-be suitors from Australia and others from the Gulf region.

Mark Johnston trainee Zabeel Champion (GB) (Poet's Voice {GB}), lot 411, achieved the session's second-highest price when Mags O'Toole, bidding on behalf of National Hunt bloodstock agent Tom Malone, paid 185,000gns for the 4-year-old colt. Previously campaigned by Jaber Abdullah, the bay hit a rich vein of form this spring, winning consecutive events at Ripon before adding a vaulable Newmaket handicap May 2. Also third in the Duke of Edinburgh S. (handicap) at the Royal Meeting June 18, Zabeel Champion was offered with a TF rating of 112.

“A real champion. He is a big scopey horse, just our type of horse a chaser in the making,” Malone messaged Tattersalls after landing in Germany. “He came highly recommended and the owners weren't going to release him too lightly. He ticks a lot of boxes, he showed a lovely pace over 1m2f to win at Ripon, stayed 1m4f on heavy ground at Royal Ascot. A beautiful pedigree, so fingers crossed he goes on and does our job as a novice over jumps. He goes to Ditcheat.”

While strict comparisons to last year's horses-of-racing-age sales are difficult, given the circumstances under which the 2020 renewal was held, the combined turnover of 18 million guineas for this year was well above last year's turnover of 14,371,000gns.

“Last year's inaugural Tattersalls August Sale, which was born out of COVID-related disruption to the racing calendar, was a huge success and the second renewal has returned figures which suggest that the fixture very much has a long-term future,” said Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony. “With the recent July Sale returning to its customary numbers, the August catalogue was significantly smaller than last year, but the vibrance and extraordinary level of international participation which are the hallmarks of sales of this nature at Tattersalls have been in evidence from start to finish. Buyers from throughout Europe, the Gulf region, Australia and the USA have added to the strong domestic participation and we have yet again hosted a sale which has achieved a clearance rate in excess of 90% and generated sustained demand in all sectors of the market.”

He added, “Equally pleasing has been the fact that the August Sale has seen a return almost to normality after more than a year of staging sales which have been hampered by COVID-related protocols. It has been a real pleasure to have welcomed so many people back to Park Paddocks as we turn our attention to the Tattersalls yearling sales season starting with the Somerville Yearling Sale next week.”

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Breeders’ Cup Possible For Sacred Bridge

Friday's G3 Round Tower S. heroine Sacred Bridge (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), who races in the colours of breeder Juddmonte, is a possible starter in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, as long as her European campaign concludes in satisfactory fashion, trainer Ger Lyons revealed to the Nick Luck Daily Podcast. The four-for-four bay's next target is the G1 Cheveley Park S. on Sept. 25.

Lyons, who saddled his 1,000th winner on Monday, told the Nick Luck Daily Podcast, “The little filly gave me a 'wow' feeling on Friday–it was her fourth win, but I didn't get a 'wow' off her until Friday. That was a 'wow' performance.

“She literally goes through the motions at home and does what she's done. Every time I've gone to the races I've kept thinking 'is she up to this?', and every time she's produced.

“I love training 2-year-olds, and it's for that reason–you don't know what you're uncovering. It's when they hit the ceiling you go on to the next one, but she's still on the rise.

“Subject to us talking to the [Abdullah] family and everybody being on the same page, that's [Cheveley Park] where you would go with her.”

Sacred Bridge saluted at Naas when unveiled on June 23 and captured Tipperary's Listed Coolmore Ten Sovereigns Tipperary S. just seven days later. A winner of the €300,000 Irish EBF Ballyhane S. on Aug. 2, she was 3 3/4 lengths ahead of her rivals in the Round Tower.

Lyons added, “There's a lot of options open with her, including a trip to the States at the end of the year. If she stays in this form why not, that would have to come into the conversation that we'll be having close to the time.”

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Charity Auction to Be Part of RoR Racing to Cricket Day

There will be seven lots, including a share in a racehorse and nominations to stallions Nathaniel (Ire) and Time Test (GB), on offer during the charity auction portion of the Racing to Cricket Day, Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) announced on Tuesday.

Other lots include two tickets on Centre Court at the 2022 Wimbledon Championships and accompanying hospitality; four seats for a production of “The Nutcracker” at the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden with dinner at the Balconies restaurant; the use of a fully catered private box for 14 people on the finishing line at Ascot Racecourse excluding Royal Ascot; a case of vintage 2013 Grand Vin de Lafite wine; and a quarter-share (25%) in a yearling filly by Twilight Son (GB) with all expenses paid for one year. The auction will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 5, but RoR is also accepting bids by email at auction@ror.org.uk up to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 4.

During the Racing to Cricket Day, eight racing teams will compete at Wormsley Cricket Ground, near High Wycombe on Sunday, Sept. 5 to win the 2021 RoR Racing to Cricket Trophy.

“We are delighted that the event is going ahead in 2021 and we hope for another memorable day at a special venue,” said RoR Chief Executive Di Arbuthnot. “We are so grateful for the generosity and support of donors, who have given us these wonderful auction lots.”

For more information, please visit www.ror.org.uk.

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