Some personal news...
After six years as part of the team, today was my last day with the
@RacingPost
.
Extremely grateful to a super crew, but a special thanks to
@R_Forristal
&
@DavidJenningsRP
for their support down the years.
Looking forward to the next challenge ahead ☘️
Don't like giving any oxygen to this nonsense, but here's a reminder of what this year's Cheltenham Festival G1s would have looked like without any Irish-trained runners.
"British racing can’t hide from this. We have a problem and we have got to do something about it."
Dr Richard Newland: Jumps racing in Britain is in crisis 👇
Stars on show this morning
@WillieMullinsNH
’s Cheltenham Festival press day.
Allaho (1), Echoes In Rain (10), El Fabiolo (13), It’s For Me (15), Lossiemouth (19), Blood Destiny (9) and Monkfish (8).
A real shame to report that hugely talented rider Shane Crosse has called time on his career due to weight issues.
Very grateful to Shane for his openness in speaking about the decision. A top rider at just 21 and, by all accounts, an even nicer guy ⬇️
Seriously blown away to have won 2018 Sports Writer of the Year at the National Student Media Awards last night!
Huge thanks to all at the
@RacingPost
and
@JournalismAtUL
for their support.
Great evening at the Aviva Stadium!
🔴⚪️Very sad to report that popular chaser The Big Dog has died at the age of 10.
A fantastic servant for owners Damien & Colin Kelly, who really adored him and had many memorable days with the Peter Fahey team.
Nice words from
@PeterRacing
here ⬇️
American Mike leads
@gelliott_racing
’s Cheltenham brigade this morning at Cullentra. Andy Dufresne (2), Buddy Rich (3) and Chemical Energy (4) following.
💬An update from Aidan O'Brien on Auguste Rodin from this morning's European 2yo Classification press call... Possible we could see him at Meydan:
"He might start in Dubai and then he could go to the Curragh for the Tattersalls Gold Cup. After that, he could go to Royal Ascot
Delighted to report that the legendary Limestone Lad is still loving life at the age of 25. Caught up with Michael Bowe earlier this week to chat about the old favourite, 15 years on from his Morgiana Hurdle hat-trick.
🏆 It’s difficult to imagine many National Hunt jockeys have amassed a more impressive single-season CV than the one Paul Townend is building now.
18 Grade 1s already in 2023/‘24, with a host of big-race rides
@punchestownrace
still to come.
Latest
@TheIrishField
column on his
🚨 Latest news on Princess Zoe
Tony Mullins reveals she could make her hurdling debut at Punchestown next Monday - provided she pleases connections in two key schooling sessions this week.
Full story online now
@TheIrishField
-
Colin Keane's last 14 meetings in Ireland:
21 winners
6 doubles
2 trebles
25% of races won
@IrishChampsWknd
24% strike rate
Wrote today's
@RacingPost
column (€) on how his sizzling September is setting up an Irish jockeys' title thriller w/Shane Foley:
⭐️ Willie Mullins has confirmed that brilliant two-mile chaser Chacun Pour Soi has been retired.
He bows out after a superb Punchestown Festival battle with Energumene.
No doubt he'll have a great time in his next chapter with Katie Walsh.
@TheIrishField
Thanks to all who took the time on a very difficult day to pay tribute to one of the greats in today’s
@RacingPost
.
Heartfelt words from the great and the good, including a superb piece from
@R_Forristal
.
Racing’s Iron Man from Rhode always made you proud to be an Offalyman.
Record crowd of 40,984
@punchestownrace
today to see Honeysuckle make it 16-0 over hurdles.
The great mare has beaten 57 Listed/Graded winners in her career so far, including 23 Grade 1 winners who have collectively won 56 G1s. Hats off to all involved 🍯
⭐️ No shortage of poignancy
@Fairyhouse
with Mighty Potter’s half-sister, Brighterdaysahead, bolting up in the
@tatts_ireland
George Mernagh Memorial Sales Bumper.
A very bright prospect for the
@gelliott_racing
team and Gigginstown.
First time on The Big Interview duty for
@TheIrishField
this week and really enjoyed visiting Kilbrew Stables to meet Andrew Lynch.
Rode no fewer than 20 G1 winners and now making waves with wife Riona in bloodstock circles.
Online now & in paper tomorrow➡️
Gavin Cromwell (
@gavincromwell1
) readying his squad for the Bar One Fairyhouse Winter Festival. A yard in fine form after a big weekend at Navan and Cheltenham ☘️
Dermot Weld has revealed that the brilliant Tarnawa has been retired at the age of five. Decision taken after the world class mare's run at the
@BreedersCup
. Full details on shortly..
Spoke to Paul Hennessy this week about news of a well-earned retirement to the breeding sheds for his favourite mare Heaven Help Us.
One of the stories of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival when winning the Coral Cup under
@CondonRichie
.
Willie Mullins says, at this stage, his preferred target for DRF winner Gaelic Warrior is the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle. Supreme remains an option but Ballymore could suit best.
Willie Mullins: “Galopin Des Champs could go in either the Turners or Brown Advisory, I want to talk to Paul [Townend]. I’d be happy enough I think with the Turners. I think he has the ability to do that.”
Good to see
@BreedersCup
Mile winner Order Of Australia back from what was thought to be a career-threatening injury last season. Building up for another campaign
@Ballydoyle
.
The one and only Beef Or Salmon!
Brilliant to catch up with the old legend on a blustery morning at
@IrishNatStud
.
Today's visit along with words from with Messrs Hourigan, Carberry, Murphy and McNamara to come in this Sunday's
@RacingPost
.
🎙️ Been some lovely feedback to this chat with the one and only Seamie Heffernan for the latest Leading The Field podcast.
He gave some great insights into his remarkable career, as well as sharing his opinions on various wider topics in racing.
📍 Full interview can be found
Allaho (No.1) leads the Willie Mullins string out to the gallops this morning. Full list of cloth numbers for those on the lot below ⬇️
@WillieMullinsNH
@TheIrishField
🚨 Some potentially big news for Sunday's Tattersalls Gold Cup
@curraghrace
.
Connections tell me it is "a very strong possibility" that French star Vadeni will be supplemented for a Curragh rematch with Luxembourg this weekend.
Story here
@TheIrishField
➡️
Delighted to have been nominated for 'Sports Writer of the Year' at the 2018 National Student Media Awards for my work with the
@RacingPost
.
Should be good night at the Aviva Stadium representing
@JournalismAtUL
!
Enjoyed picking the brains of Tom Mullins for The Big Interview in this week's
@TheIrishField
.
Interesting insight on consistently finding value at the sales, challenges faced by trainers outside the top tier and Fascile Mode's Dublin Racing Festival bid✈️
✈️ Really pleasing from Marine Nationale on chasing debut.
Barry Connell confirms a return to
@LeopardstownRC
is next for the Irish Arkle at Dublin Racing Festival.
Supreme Novices' Hurdle contender Thedevilscoachman will miss Cheltenham Festival, according to Noel Meade. Had a minor hold up following last win, fine again now and Fairyhouse on the agenda.
Full story:
🏆 With 4 G1 winners in just over 12 months, it’s been a super spell in the career of JJ Slevin - and he was an excellent chat for the latest Big Interview
@TheIrishField
.
From all things Fastorslow and Banbridge, to studying old documentaries of John Francome and why many Irish
Spoke to Aidan O'Brien in depth about his string for the first of the 2021
@RacingPost
Flat stable tour series. Awesome team of horses.
Pick up a paper tomorrow for four-page pullout or RP members read here -
Super shot of Battleground by
@patrickmccannrp
.
📍 28% strike rate in Ireland
📍 60% strike rate in GB
📍 66% of runners this season have won at least once
📍 12 Graded winners (including 3 G1s and a Thyestes)
📍 2nd in owners' table (highest prize money haul yet)
Looked into a stellar season for Robcour in this week's
Gavin Cromwell to roll the dice and supplement Gabynako for the Arkle this morning (previously entered for Brown Advisory/Turners).
My Mate Mozzie not a certain runner next week, but if he does go to Cheltenham Festival it will be for County Hurdle -
🚨 Unfortunate news for supporters of Ferny Hollow.
Spoke to Willie Mullins at Navan and the G1 winner has picked up a new injury and will miss the remainder of the spring festivals. Out for six to eight weeks. French option, or potentially even Galway, mentioned.
Some "good news" yesterday for Flooring Porter's chances of making it to Stayers' Hurdle, Gavin Cromwell tells
@LydiaHislop
at Leopardstown. Latest scan results seemingly positive.
"We're back riding. He's done a lot of swimming so hasn't lost too much fitness. Fingers crossed."
📰 A real pleasure to speak with Anthony Bromley (
@agentbloodstock
) for this week's Big Interview in
@TheIrishField
.
One of the brightest judges around, he was very generous in offering insights into his sales process - and a thorough gentleman to boot.
Wouldn’t you just love a horse like Geological in your life?
@denglish_racing
’s 800gns purchase wins for the eighth time under Stephen Mooney, who records his first winner,
@LimerickRaces
.
Fair play to
@McConnellRacing
and Barry Connell, who nominated today’s opening two winners (7-2 and 9-2) at Leopardstown in the
@RacingPost
’s ‘Best Christmas Chance’ piece 👏
Congrats to
@ctkjockey
and Shane Foley on a terrific jockeys' championship battle that has now officially come to a close. Hopefully both can end their season on a high note at the
@BreedersCup
this weekend.
@RacingPost
reflections here -
End of an era
@sevenbarrows
as dual Champion Hurdle winner Buveur D'Air has been retired at the age of 11, Frank Berry has told
@RacingPost
.
Full piece to follow online shortly.
Great to get the chance to stand in for
@R_Forristal
this week to write my first full column in the
@RacingPost
.
Have focused on how more can be done when it comes to stewards asking questions of beaten runners.
RP members can read here -
A huge field of 18 declared for the Grade 1
@IrishEBF_
Honeysuckle Mares' Novice Hurdle at
@Fairyhouse
on Sunday.
Personally can't recall a bigger field for a NH Grade 1 in Ireland this century, but stand to be corrected on that!
Unraced juvenile Alabama - half-brother to Sioux Nation by No Nay Never - got good mentions at a Ballydoyle press day earlier this week.
Despite some social media reports his name has not subsequently been changed, says
@Mark_Boylan1
!
#TheFridayClub
@TheIrishField
@ToteRacing
BoyleSports Irish Grand National now the aim for Longhouse Poet, according to Martin Brassil, whose decision to withdraw him from the National Hunt Chase was ground-related ("he's a soft-to-heavy ground horse"). Full update on day-one fields to follow on
Could we be witnessing a potential vintage crop of apprentices in Ireland?
Today's
@RacingPost
column on a memorable season for young Irish riders and how some of the country's top trainers are making use of their talents.
RP members can read here (€):
Spoke to Gordon Elliott this week on latest Cheltenham and Dublin Racing Festival plans for
▪️ Mighty Potter
▪️ American Mike
▪️ Gerri Colombe
▪️ Irish Point
▪️ Maxxum
Full story available online now, and in Saturday's
@TheIrishField
.
➡️
Update on Cheltenham running plans for Gavin Cromwell team: Darver Star 50-50 to run at festival, Letsbeclearaboutit swerving Champion Bumper and Flooring Porter on course for the Stayers’ Hurdle.
Full story (including mention of handicap runners) here:
This night last week it was all kicking off in Limerick after their Croker magic.
Good to chat to big racing fan - and now All Ireland winner - Shane Dowling for
@RacingPost
about his interest in the sport and celebrating with a pal from the weighing room.
Spoke to Gordon Elliott on Tiger Roll, said it's possible the great horse's better days are behind him.
"We'll get him home and see how he is. If he never does another thing he owes us nothing."
Piece on the Cheltenham and Aintree legend
@RacingPost
-
The flat season goes up another notch in Ireland this weekend
@curraghrace
and
@LeopardstownRC
🇮🇪
For the latest
@TheIrishField
column, spent some time analysing how the top yards fare with 2yos on debut, and trainers to note for second-run improvement ⬇️