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Changes to Apprentice Agreements to Start July 15

The previously announced changes to the apprentice and conditional jockey training agreements will now go into effect on July 15, 2020, the British Horseracing Authority confirmed on Monday. These changes, originally slated for Mar. 28, were temporarily postponed due to COVID-19. The initial decision for the new agreements to be brought in required approval by the BHA Board following considerable period of consultation and discussion between the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) and National Trainers Federation (NTF) where agreement did not prove possible. The BHA has invited the PJA and NTF to create a working group to discuss the subject at length as new tweaks are needed.

“This has always been a subject which has created strong feelings both from jockeys and trainers and their representatives,” said BHA Director of Integrity and Regulation Tim Naylor. “Our job has been to mediate to try and arrive at the best compromise possible, whereby there is not the potential for an uneven balance of power and also that trainer’s contribution to the early stages of an apprentice’s career is suitably recognised.

“We also felt that it was not appropriate to bring in the new agreements in the initial stages of resumption, particularly as there were restrictions on apprentices riding. We fully accept that both from the point of view of apprentices and trainers there is more discussion to be had on this topic, and as such have re-instated the cross-industry working group to ensure there is a suitable forum to work together on any further concerns that arise.”

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Cancer Trials Ireland Donates €100K for Genetic Sequencer

A €100,000 cheque from Cancer Trials Ireland was presented by nine-time champion jockey Pat Smullen to doctors at St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin for a next generation sequencing (NGS) machine, Horse Racing Ireland announced on Monday. The donation is a direct result of the money raised on Smullen’s behalf at last September’s Longines Irish Champions Weekend which included the Pat Smullen Champions Race for Cancer Trials Ireland at The Curragh.

“I’m delighted the generosity that people showed is having impacts like this, and I look forward to seeing more opportunities for people with pancreatic cancer open up very soon,” said Smullen.

Added Cancer Trials Ireland Clinical Lead Professor Ray McDermott, “The sequencing machine enables users to define the genetic sequence of pancreatic cancer patients in Ireland. The NGS machine will enhance the diagnosis and management of pancreatic cancer in the hospital, and it will also allow the team to participate in more pancreatic research and clinical trials for the benefit of pancreatic cancer patients.”

“Pat’s vision has made new pancreatic treatment on trials a reality,” said Cancer Trials Ireland CEO Eibhlin Mulroe. “Patients will benefit from the support he inspired–and continues to inspire. Once again, thank you Pat.”

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Thomas Leffray Joins Arqana

Thomas Leffray has joined the Arqana Bloodstock team, where he will focus on horses-in-training and the National Hunt sphere, the sales company announced on Monday. The Irish National Stud graduate, who earned a BTSA in ‘Production Animales’ in Laval, began at Haras de Montaigu, before joining Haras d’Ombreville. Leffray then worked at Dromoland Farm in the United States, Ballylinch Stud in Ireland, and a year in Australasia at Waikato Stud and Newgate Farm. He was most recently involved with the stallions at Coolmore in Ireland since the beginning of 2020.

“We are delighted to welcome Thomas to the Bloodstock team,” said Arqana Team Bloodstock Director Ludovic Cornuel. “His many past experiences in France and abroad, as well as his good knowledge of sales, will enable him to adapt quickly and strengthen our team. Thomas will work in collaboration with Dominique Boulard on assembling the horses in training catalogues and will also be involved in the visits of young horses, particularly those in the National Hunt sphere. Finally, Thomas’s addition to the team demonstrates Arqana’s commitment and its eternal quest to improve the quality of its service.”

“I’m passionate about breeding and sales, and I am delighted to join the Arqana team,” added Leffray. “My travels over the last few years and my training at the Irish National Stud have enabled me to participate in the biggest sales in the world and to deepen my knowledge of breeding. Joining the Arqana team is a logical next step for me and I am very happy that this opportunity has presented itself.”

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Kameko Could Head For Sussex

The next big aim for Kameko (Kitten’s Joy) remains the G1 Juddmonte International on Aug. 19, but the G1 2000 Guineas winner could take in the G1 Sussex S. en route on July 29, trainer Andrew Balding revealed the day after the colt finished fourth as the post time favourite in the G1 Investec Derby.

“Obviously it was slightly disappointing, because we had huge expectations, but that’s why it is such an important and special race–you only get one chance at it, and it is very difficult to win,” Balding said. “We’ve still got a Guineas winner who hopefully still has the rest of the season ahead of him and some really nice races–he certainly hasn’t lost his ability overnight, that’s for sure. The Juddmonte is top of the list, but whether we have a race before that we’ll just see how he is. The Sussex S. is a possibility if we felt we needed a run on our way to York in between.”

Balding also trained longshot runner-up Khalifa Sat (Ire) (Free Eagle {Ire}) and he said of Ahmad Al Shaikh’s colt, “The [G3] Gordon S. at Goodwood, having won there, is a possibility, the [G2] Great Voltigeur too–but they both had hard races yesterday, so it’s probably a little early to say when they’ll definitely run again.”

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