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You are > Home > Racing: Arkle's owner dies
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Friday, September 12, 2003
Racing: Arkle's owner dies
The death took place in Scotland last week of eighty-eight-year-old Anne Duchess Of Westminster. A great supporter of the Dreaper training yard in County Dublin she was the proud owner of Arkle one of the greatest steeplechasers ever to grace a racetrack in the world. Arkle was named after a mountain near where the Duchess lived in Scotland. Throughout his career Arkle was ridden by the late Pat Taaffe. In latter years the County Cork born Duchess had horses in training with John Joe O’Neill.
LIMESTONE LAD INJURY
Limestone Lad could well be out of action until the early months of 2004.The now eleven year old picked up a tendon injury last April and the injury has been slow to heal. He also had a touch of heat in his leg which is always a concern with jumpers.
There is better news on his stable mate Solerina who is back in training and could make her seasonal reappearance in early October.
NECKLACE SHINES
When Necklace scored for Aidan O’Brien at the Curragh last week it was the third time that the Balydoyle handler had sent out the winner of this event following on from the wins of Sequorah in 2000 and Quarter Moon in 2001.
Murtagh Appeal Successful Johnny Murtagh who was fined Euro 2,000 for failing to fulfil two riding engagements at the Curragh had his appeal upheld by the stewards of the Turf Club last week.
JIMMY FORTUNE UPDATE
County Wexford born but UK based flat rider Jimmy Fortune who collapsed at The Curragh last week was flown back to England on a stretcher.
He was shifted to Salisbury hospital where he underwent a number of x rays and scans on his back which had been causing him problems over the past number of weeks.
OCTOBER RETURN BY MICK
Jump jockey Mick Fitzgerald who broke his ankle last June has targeted the month of October for his return to race riding.
MOBILE PHONE PROBLEMS
Matters are hotting up over the ban by the British Jockeys Association on jockeys using mobile phones within the vicinity of the weighroom. The riders are furious over the situation and a meeting is scheduled this week to try and resolve the impasse. Top flat rider Philip Robinson is spearheading the campaign on behalf of the jockeys association.
DARRYL UNHAPPY WITH WATERING
With the ground on the fast side last week the Leopardstown executive were left with no other choice but to water in advance of last Saturday’s Champion Stakes to ensure good ground on the day. Visiting rider Daryll Holland gave out about the watering policy as his mount required Falbrav required firm ground and he gave up a number of good rides in England to ride Falbrav at the Foxrock venue.
If your horse is good enough he or she should win on good ground unless he is a real mud lover. Seems to me that Darryl was looking for an excuse in case he was beaten and he certainly needed a good excuse after the poor ride he gave the Luca Cumani trained Falbrav.
To try and creep up the inside of three of the best jockeys in the world namely Frankie Dettori, Johnny Murtagh and Mick Kinane was absolutely crazy and Darryl can blame all he likes but he basically blew it big time last Saturday.
ALBERTO GIACOMETTI USA BOUND
Alberto Giacometti has left the Aidan O’Brien’s yard to join USA trainer Laura De Soroux.
Laura has already tasted success with ex Balydoyle horses having won races with the likes of Ballingarry.
CLONMEL UPDATE
Last Thursday’s eight race programme attracted a nice attendance to Clonmel racecourse. The meeting started just after four o clock to cater for those people attending the Iverk show at nearby Piltown. Tramore trainer Paul Roche sent out a handicap hurdle winner as Ruby Walsh gave 7/2 chance Silent Native an enterprising ride to make every yard of the running for a cosy win over the Eoin Griffin handled Golden Beacon.
Rathgormack trainer Pat Flynn is sending out some nice priced winners of late and his Hidden Cove under apprentice SF Cleary stayed on well to capture the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Claiming Race.
The Tony Mullins trained Theme Song was backed as if defeat was out of the question in a two mile maiden race on the flat and the son of Singspiel went to the front early on under Seamie Heffernan and coasting along up front Theme Song cruised to a clear cut victory over Spin In The Wind.
This was a highly impressive display by the winner but lets be honest all he beat on the day was a collection of low grade flat horses and handicap chasers. He is certainly going the right way however and we will keep a close eye on this geldings progress over the next couple of months.
Tramore form has really held up well in the past two weeks and Tramore bumper winner Galtee View captured the opening maiden hurdle for trainer Christy Roche beating Call Me Judy.
Snack Box who finished third in that Tramore race came good in the concluding bumper under a supremely confident ride from Peter Fahy.
Kilcash Native the well backed runner up might have well won this race but for ducking violently to his left on the run to the winning line.
The Tony Mullins trained Millicent Fairways who finished fourth will surely win a bumper in the not to distant future.
He was in the firing line throughout but his saddle appeared to slip during this race and his young rider was unable to ride him out in the closing stages.
The next meeting in Clonmel is on Thursday September 25th.
THIS WEEKS TV RACING
Wednesday Ch 4 1.30pm Racing From Doncaster
Thursday Ch 4 1.30pm Racing From Doncaster
Friday Ch 4 1.30pm Racing from Doncaster
Saturday Ch 4 1.30pm Racing From Doncaster, RTE racing from the Curragh.
OH SO CHEEKY
Horses competing in point to points will be permitted to wear cheek pieces but visors and blinkers remain on the banned list.
TRALEE SAFE FOR TIME BEING
Tralee racecourse is safe for the time being after the directors withdrew their motion to close the track.
Attendances will have to improve though if the track is to survive in the long term.
GRAND LODGE RECOVERS
The 12 year old Coolmore Stallion Grand Lodge is recovering in Australia after undergoing surgery to repair a smashed knee which he sustained after slipping when trotting to a paddock.
THE BROTHERS QUEALLY
While elder brother Tom was serving a three day suspension for a whip offence younger brother Declan from Cappagh kept the show on the road riding a winner at the Glenbeigh horse and Pony races in County Kerry.
JIDIYA SCORES
Dungarvan trainer John Kiely made the long journey to Roscommon worthwhile last Sunday as the Derek O Connor ridden Jidiya captured the concluding bumper.
LEGER SATURDAY
Next Saturday is Leger day both in Ireland and the UK.
Aidan O Brien has runners in both classics and following on from High Chaparrals great Champion Stakes victory last Sunday the County Tipperary trainer is expected to mount a strong challenge for both races.
HIGH CHAPARRAL
The aforementioned High Chaparral will next appear in the Arc at Longchamp and its then on to the Breeders Cup meeting in the USA.
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