Aidan O'Brien saddles Curragh runner for controversial owner Markus Jooste

The now infamous racing silks of under-fire owner Markus Jooste will make a rare outing on Saturday when the Aidan O'Brien-trained three-year-old Astronomer lines up in the concluding 1m2f maiden (5.40) at the Curragh.

The businessman, a dominant force in South African racing, has been engulfed in controversy since last December when he was forced to quit as chief executive of Steinhoff International over claims of accounting irregularities.

Following the scandal, Jooste resigned as a member of the National Horseracing Authority and, under orders from banks, was forced to sell the horses owned by his Mayfair Speculators racing company, plus other assets. That process is ongoing and Jooste's runners in South Africa are much reduced.

Douglas Macarthue carried the Markus Jooste silks in last year's DerbyCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

However, Jooste, an avid thoroughbred breeder, remains involved at the summit of racing by holding a stake in a number of Coolmore horses in partnership with John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith.

Through that association Jooste was one of the part-owners of this week's Chester Classic trial winners Rostropovich and Magic Wand, both of whom raced in Tabor's colours.

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The Jockey Club recently ended its commercial partnership with the Steinhoff-owned Poundland, which last year sponsored the Epsom Hill on Derby day.

Epsom general manager Simon Durrant said at the time: "Due to the widely reported issues concerning Steinhoff International we have mutually agreed that Poundland, one of its brands, will not be involved with the Hill at the Investec Derby festival."

Jooste had his silks carried into seventh by Douglas Macarthur in last year's Derby.

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