Angel Bleu ruled out for the season with fetlock injury

Last year's dual Group 1 winner Angel Bleu will miss the remainder of this season after injuring a fetlock in last week's Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

Trained by Ralph Beckett for owner Marc Chan, Angel Bleu won the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and Criterium International having landed the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood.

The three-year-old was beaten four and a quarter lengths by Baaeed at in the Sussex Stakes, but Beckett said: "Unfortunately he sustained an injury to his fetlock, that needs surgery. This means that he is not going to run again in 2022."

Writing on his website, Beckett added: "However, the injury is pretty minor and he should be back for next year."

Pertemps Final qualification changes announced

Changes to the qualification criteria for the Pertemps Network Final at the Cheltenham Festival have been announced, with horses now required to finish in the first four – rather than the first six – in any scheduled qualifiers to be eligible to run in the series final.

The number of qualifiers remains unchanged at 20, taking place from November to February in Britain, Ireland and France.

Pertemps first supported the race in 2002 and has agreed to extend its sponsorship of the festival contest until 2025.

Jon Pullin, clerk of the course at Cheltenham, said: "Pertemps is one of our two most longstanding sponsors at the festival and this new agreement will see them reach almost a quarter of a century of sponsorship. Such long-term commitment is very much appreciated and has helped Pertemps become synonymous with one of the most competitive races over the four days.

"Following a review of the race and the qualifying conditions in conjunction with the Jump Pattern Committee, it was decided that horses must finish in the first four in one of the qualifying contests to be eligible to run.

"This should hopefully improve both the competitiveness and field sizes of the qualifying contests as if horses don’t achieve a first four finishing position, then they will have to try again in another qualifier."

Grandson of Grand National-winning trainer shows staying power in Mongol Derby

Chris Walker, an owner with Tom George and the grandson of three-time Grand National-winning trainer Neville Crump, has finished joint-third in the Mongol Derby, the world’s longest and toughest horserace.

Covid-19 meant a two-year hiatus for the 1,000km endurance test across Mongolia’s steppe, which is based on the ancient horse messenger system used by Genghis Khan.

While horses are changed roughly every 35km, at checkpoints strung throughout the country, riders endure being in the saddle for up to 200km a day.

They also have to face the challenge of riding around 28 different semi-wild horses, with varying temperaments and bucking abilities, all the time navigating difficult terrain, from giant sand dunes to freezing mountain passes.

A total of 46 riders from ten different nations contested the 12th edition of the Mongol Derby, with Briton Walker and Irishman Patrick Heffron doing themselves and their nations proud by coming in third, behind American Deirdre Griffith and South African Willemein Jooste, who crossed the line as joint-winners.

Death of Mike Foden at 86

Mike Foden, a director of Taunton racecourse for almost 30 years and chairman of the track until 2020, has died at the age of 86.

A proud Somerset man, Foden was a civil engineer by profession and director of several local companies associated with property. He was the driving force behind the building of Taunton's Paddock Stand, opened in 2004 for annual members, owners and trainers, and helped drive Taunton to maintain its status as an independent racecourse.

David Griffin, who succeeded Foden as chairman, said: “During Mike’s tenure he put Taunton racecourse on a sound financial footing alongside the building of a modern stables complex, the Paddock Stand and renovations of the unsaddling area and the parade ring.

"His undoubted expertise in the building industry was a great asset to this racecourse and we are grateful for his 27 years of service."

Foden is survived by daughter Emma, son Stephen and four grandchildren.

A thanksgiving service will take place at All Saints Church in his local village Trull in Somerset, on Wednesday, August 10, at 12.30. Family flowers only, but donations in his memory to charities including the Injured Jockeys Fund and Maggie’s Cancer Support can be made to E White & Son Ltd, 138-139 East Reach, Taunton, TA1 3HN.

In-foal Rose Of Kildare could have one final race

Mother-to-be Rose Of Kildare has had her racing retirement put on hold with connections eyeing one of two possible races for the mare before she bows out.

The five-year-old has been entered for the Group 3 Rose of Lancaster Stakes, over 1m2½f at Haydock on Saturday, and has Salisbury’s Listed Upavon Stakes on August 10 as an alternative.

Rose Of Kildare is in foal to 2020 2,000 Guineas winner Kameko and showed her wellbeing when going down by a length to Emotion in the Chalice Stakes, a 1m4f Listed race, at Newmarket on Saturday.

David Redvers, racing manager for owners Qatar Racing, said: “I have not discussed it yet with Mark and Charlie Johnston but there's a chance she'll have one race before retiring to the paddocks.

“The regulations are that mares are allowed to run up to 120 days after being covered and we still have a two-week window for her.”

Rose Of Kildare is the winner of three Group 3s, the last of which was over 1m2½f at York.

Redvers added: “We are keen to try her again over the shorter trip. She has already won Group races so she does not have anything to prove but it would be nice if she could go out with a win.”

Laura Pearson sidelined with 'stable fracture' after heavy Epsom fall

Laura Pearson will spend a period on the sidelines after a heavy fall at Epsom left her with a fractured C7 vertebra in her neck.

The jockey was unshipped from Lucky My Son after the saddle slipped on her mount, leaving her with a fracture that will require the use of a neck brace for several weeks.

On Twitter, agent Steve Croft said on Saturday: "It's a stable fracture that won't require an operation but she will be in a neck brace for a few weeks."

Pearson enjoyed a breakout season in 2021, riding 42 winners, and is on the 21-winner mark for the campaign with a 12 per cent strike-rate.

Death of North Yorkshire owner-breeder Billy Turner

Billy Turner, a successful owner and breeder who gave David O'Meara one of his biggest wins as a jockey, has died at the age of 87.

A farmer in Skelton-on-Ure in North Yorkshire and the brother of former trainer Jim Turner, he and his wife Jane had horses with Arthur Stephenson, John Quinn and Mick and Tim Easterby, among others.

His best horses included the prolific Palm Reader, who won 14 times under Chris Grant, and Rosie Redman, who took the valuable novice handicap chase at Ayr on Scottish Grand National day in 2004 when ridden by O'Meara.

His daughter Sarah said: "He loved his racing right to the end, it was his life. He was a member at Ripon, Thirsk and York, and he loved a little flutter."

The funeral will be at 3pm on Friday, August 12 at Newby Hall, near Ripon.

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