Controversial equine therapist John Warwick reported to have died

John Warwick, the equine therapist due to stand trial this year over the possession of unlicensed medicines, has died, according to reports.

Warwick had been charged with 40 offences following a raid on Ballintogher Stud at Monasterevin, County Kildare in November 2021 by officials from the Department for Food, Agriculture and Marine, and the IHRB.

Warwick was found to have anabolic steroids, sedatives and painkillers in his possession at the time of the raid, later stating they were destined for clients in Kuwait. 

Prior to the raid, the premises had been under surveillance which revealed a number of trainers and other racing figures entering the property with horses to be treated by Warwick, who specialised in non-invasive treatment of tendon injuries.

Warwick, who was in his late 70s, appeared at Portlaoise court in December last year, but the case was adjourned while he returned to his home in Scotland to receive treatment for cancer.

The Sunday Times reported the case against Warwick had been withdrawn following his death.

Cheltenham Festival-winning jockey Ron Hyett dies aged 73

The funeral of former jockey Ron Hyett, who has died at the age of 73, will be at 1.30pm on Wednesday May 28 at St John the Baptist Church, Suckley, Worcester WR6 5DE. Any donations should be sent to the Injured Jockeys Fund.

Hyett rode over jumps between 1968 and 1991, notably winning the Sun Alliance Novices' Hurdle and County Hurdle and finishing third on The Pilgarlic in the 1980 Grand National.

Derby to be run in honour of His Highness Aga Khan

The Betfred Derby will be run in honour of His Highness Aga Khan at Epsom next month, the Jockey Club has announced.

Shergar, Shahrastani, Kahyasi, Sinndar and Harzand provided the leading owner-breeder with five wins in the Derby, while he also won the Oaks last year with Ezeliya. 

The Aga Khan passed away at the age of 88 in February and his daughter, Princess Zahra, said her family were "incredibly grateful to Epsom and the Jockey Club" for the honour.

Princess Zahra said: "The Derby is an iconic event that he deeply loved and winning it for the first time with Shergar brought him immense pride and joy. It gave him the sense that the work his father and grandfather had accomplished with the breeding operation was being carried forward.

"He eventually matched the record of my great-grandfather when Harzand secured his fifth Derby victory – a wonderful achievement.”

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