Punchestown

• A Hard Look In The Mirror
• 30th, Aug

On Saturday next we are going to have what is usually one of the world’s top flat races on our doorstep at Leopardstown, a perfect opportunity for Irish racing to puff its chest out and invite the outside world for a peep at why we think the game is kinda cool. Instead of which the [...]

• Who’d Want To Go To Kentucky?
• 23rd, Aug

Those groans of relief from punters who backed Rip Van Winkle to win last week’s Juddmonte International must have been replaced by rather different groans when it was revealed the Breeders Cup Classic could be the colt’s end-of-season target. We’re hardly talking recidivism here but there seems to be a rare compulsion at Coolmore/Ballydoyle to keep [...]

• Tether Those Women!
• 16th, Aug

It’s safe to presume that a hard-nosed business sense rather than any theoretical concern with sexual politics has informed the Curragh’s decision to offer free admission to the “ladyeez” on Moyglare Stud Stakes day but it will still be fascinating to see what impact the move has on the attendance. To be fair the Curragh has [...]

Injured Jockeys

• F Lawlor - Stood down for a heavy concussion and facial injuries following a heavy fall at Down Royal Fri, 28th May
• J M Allen - Fractured his wrist and dislocated his shoulder following a heavy fall at Wexford Fri, 2nd Jul
• D G Hogan - Dislocated his shoulder following a heavy fall at Kilbeggan Fri, 16th Jul
• J R Barry - Fractured his pelvis in a horrific fall at Killarney Thu, 19th Aug
• A P Cawley - Dislocated his shoulder following a heavy fall at Killarney Thu, 19th Aug
• S Foley - Fractured ankle and collarbone in a fall at Bellewstown Wed, 25th Aug
• W J Supple - Fractured collarbone in a schooling incident Thu, 26th Aug
• K M Donoghue - Pulled ligaments in a fall at Down Royal Fri, 27th Aug