Pastorale - the dam of Iffraaj - turns 30

Turning 30 is always a cause for celebration but particularly if your name is Pastorale.

The daughter of Nureyev out of Park Appeal is a half-sister to the champion Cape Cross, but is perhaps better known as the dam of another Darley stalwart, Iffraaj.

Now residing in Ballymany Stud, she lives an easy life along with her companions of Godolphin's retired broodmare band in Ireland. She is the oldest of her compatriots which includes her own daughter Jathaabeh, the pair of 27-year-olds Grecian Slipper and Her Ladyship, and Porto Roca, who is the dam of Dubai World Cup winner Monterosso.

The retired broodmare band numbers 17 in total and they will see out their days at the picturesque Ballymany Stud on the Curragh.

Stud director Jimmy Hyland commented: "Huge credit must go to the staff at Ballymany Stud, the daily care that they give the retired mares is second to none and, despite her age, Pastorale's great condition and health is a testimony to their love and respect for the horses in their care."

The connection between Pastorale and Godolphin is a long way from quietening down as Ribchester, the best horse by her own son Iffraaj, has only recently retired to Kildangan Stud. A four-time Group 1 winner in the royal blue silks, Ribchester is fully booked this season and so it could be that Pastorale's legacy is far from over.

Over 50 wildcard entries complete the Tattersalls Ireland Ascot March Sale

The Tattersalls Ireland Ascot March Sale to be staged at 10.30am next Wednesday, March 28 has been enhanced by the addition of over 50 wildcard entries. The sale will also comprise of a select session which includes 14 winning and placed point-to-pointers.

Further entries may be selected over the weekend.

A strong catalogue has been assembled which includes a quality draft from Godolphin and dispersals from Melbourne 10 Racing and Michael Buckley, both owners of Lambourn trainer Jamie Osborne.

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Aeroplane off the mark at stud with Flight To Nowhere

Aeroplane, a classy handicapper and six-time winner over 7f on the Flat, supplied his first winner at stud when the aptly named Flight To Nowhere won a 2m Class 5 handicap hurdle at Chepstow on Thursday.

Trained by Richard Price and ridden by Liam Heard, Flight To Nowhere asserted his lead after two out to win going away by four lengths from the Kayf Tara pair Under The Woods and Kayf Charmer.

Aeroplane, who had 39 career starts from two to nine, earned a career-high Racing Post Rating of 110 for winning a valuable conditions stakes at Southwell at three, and following his racing career, he was retired to Eisenfarn Stud on behalf of owners the Morse family.

The 15-year-old son of Danehill Dancer has supplied one other runner to date in Britain - Louie, a six-year-old gelding also in the care of Price.

Bred by Vici And Richard Morse, Flight To Nowhere is out of the winning Exit To Nowhere mare River Beauty.

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Aeroplane winning a Newmarket maiden on his second start as a juvenileCredit: Edward Whitaker

Trio of mares tested in foal to Derby hero Wings Of Eagles

Wings Of Eagles, Haras de Montaigu's new recruit who swooped late to win last year's Derby, has had his first three mares tested in foal.

They are Konigskrone, a Shirocco mare belonging to Stall EOS,
Berestella, an Aussie Rules mare owned by Haras de Bourgeauville, and See You Me, a daughter of Siyouni belonging to Jean Pierre Dubois.

The four-year-old son of Pour Moi is also set to cover two Group 1-producing mares in Spring Morning, the dam of Criterium International scorer French Fifteen, and Shamyira, the dam of Grand Prix de Paris scorer Shakeel.

Also set for a rendezvous with Wings Of Eagles are Ecume Du Jour, sister of Recital, Corre Caminos and Racinger; I'm Right, the dam
of Listed winner Fauguernon, who is now in training with Noel Meade; and Altana, the granddam of Hardwicke Stakes scorer Dartmouth.

Wings Of Eagles: swooped late to win last year's DerbyCredit: Olivier Houdart

Sire of jumps influence Voix Du Nord dies aged 26

Valanour, the dual Group 1 winner and sire of influential jumps sire Voix Du Nord, has died due to the infirmities of old age. He was 26.

The son of Lomond stood the latter part of his career at Haras de la Folie, having previously stud at the French National Studs.

The Aga Khan Studs homebred was trained by Alain de Royer-Dupre to win the Grand Prix de Paris at three and the Prix Ganay at four, both times ridden by Gerald Mosse.

A half-sister to the 1997 French Oaks scorer Vereva and out of the Listed-winning Mill Reef mare Vearia, Valanour went on supply dual Group 1 winner Voix Du Nord at stud, the sire of Defi Du Seuil, Taquin Du Seuil and Vroum Vroum Mag, all of whom won Grade 1s at the Cheltenham Festival.

Valanour was also responsible for the high-class US handicapper Bayamo, twice placed in Grade 1 company.

Valanour (green) lands a second Group 1 in the Prix Ganay as a four-year-oldCredit: Phil Smith

Valanour's top ten performers on Racing Post Ratings

Horse, damsire, best RPR

Voix Du NordTop Ville 117
ValentinoCrystal Glitters 116
BayamoLittle Current 116
ChironTop Ville 112
VasywaitThe Wonder 111
Champion's DayMachiavellian 109
LuriyyaRainbow Quest 104
TogetherLinamix 104
ValdouraBe My Guest 104
LoonoraHighest Honor 102