Keane to be crowned champion jockey at Naas

Record-breaking rider Colin Keane is set to be officially crowned Ireland's champion jockey for the third time at Naas on Sunday, while ace apprentice Dylan Browne McMonagle will we handed his first apprentice championship.

Colin Keane: will be crowned champion jockey for the third time in his career at Naas on SundayCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Aidan O'Brien will end the season as champion trainer for a remarkable 24th time, while Mrs Sue Magnier narrowly got the better of fellow Coolmore partners Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith to retain the champion owner title.

New HRI chief executive Suzanne Eade said: "I have always been struck by the commitment and dedication of those working in our industry and my heartfelt thanks goes to each and every one whose extra efforts ensured that that the impact of Covid-19 on the 2021 Flat season was kept to a minimum.

"Having owners back on the racecourse from early June was a huge boost to us all, as was the return of racegoers ahead of a thrilling two days at Leopardstown and the Curragh for Longines Irish Champions Weekend."

She added: "As we crown our champions this weekend, Colin Keane deserves special mention for breaking a number of records during the course of the season. He goes to Naas on Sunday with 139 winners to his name, a remarkable number."

Conditions at Cork, where racing also takes place on Sunday, are set to be less demanding than at Naas. The latest going update saw described the ground as yielding to soft, soft in places on the hurdle course and soft on the chase track.

Starter Hugh Barclay calls time on racing career with final day at Wetherby

A career launched by an advert in The Sporting Life four decades ago ended at Wetherby on Saturday when Hugh Barclay started his final race.

The Scot, 70, received a presentation from the course to mark his retirement after 41 years as a starter.

He started five Grand Nationals in his time and reflected: "It’s been some journey. I just don't know where the time’s gone."

Starting was an escape route from office work for Barclay, who was brought up on a farm but worked as a freight clerk for KLM airline in Aberdeen.

Hugh Barclay: retired after 41 years as a starter at Wetherby on SaturdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I rode as an amateur, steering jobs for Arthur Stephenson, my father James Barclay and I saw an advert in The Sporting Life for a starter," he recalled.

"And I thought that sounded interesting. Two interviews later I got the job and that was 41 years ago. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it but it’s time to go."

Relationships between jockeys and starters can be fraught, particularly in the desperate fight for a good position in the Grand National.

"Sometimes it’s tricky but I couldn’t have done this job for 41 years without these guys helping me," he said. "They keep me right.

"Doing the National was fantastic. It’s not an easy race to start, everyone is so keen to get a position, but all you can do is try to get a fair start."

Henrietta Knight Racing Club launched to raise money for Racing Welfare

A new racing club has been launched in Gold Cup-winning trainer Henrietta Knight's name to raise funds for Racing Welfare.

The Henrietta Knight Racing Club started in September with the legendary handler as patron and will donate a share to Racing Welfare, while also supporting it throughout the year.

There are 200 shares available at £575 each and an opportunity to win one via a raffle ticket through long-time partners Racehorse Lotto.

Club manager Shaun Christie said: "We're delighted to have Racing Welfare as our official charity partner. We are in awe of the work they do and what they achieve and look forward to working alongside them in the coming years."

Deadline for inquiry into Gambling Commission extended

The deadline for submissions to the inquiry into the role of the Gambling Commission has been extended by a month due to the volume of the evidence submitted.

The Parliamentary All Party Betting & Gaming Group (APBGG) has announced the deadline has been pushed back from October 31 to December 1.

The inquiry into the competence and effectiveness of the commission was initiated after the APBGG received significant criticisms of the regulator from members of the industry, with claims that operators are "too scared" to go public with their concerns.

The APBGG added that comments made about the Gambling Commission, some highly critical, in reports issued by the Public Accounts Committee, National Audit Office and House of Lords Select Committee in 2020 did not cover the full breadth of the allegations made against it.

Two days after the inquiry was launched, the commission was again criticised for its efficiency in a government report into the collapse of Football Index.

APBGG co-chair Scott Benton MP said: "We have been shocked by two things since we launched this investigation, the sheer scale and severity of evidence that has been submitted to us and the abject terror that the industry has of recriminations by the regulator.

"Much of our efforts so far have been to assure operators and their advisers of their anonymity. Without wishing to pre-judge the outcome of our investigation, it does appear that this regulator has not been acting like any normal regulator for quite some time."

Racing Foundation to fund stable staff survey

Trainers and stable staff will be asked to conduct a survey based around recruitment and retention of staff.

The survey, which will take place throughout November, is a follow-up to ones undertaken in 2016 and 2018 with the overall aim of the Racing Foundation to gather data to help to improve staff recruitment and retention.

Racing Foundation chief executive Rob Hezel said: "It's those who work in racing who enable our great sport to happen and therefore it is only right that people issues are central to the racing foundation's strategy and a key focus of our funding.

"Completing the survey allows racing's workforce to have their voices heard and it also enables us to better understand where investment is required to ensure the industry is a great place to work."

Rupert Arnold, chief executive of the National Trainers Federation, added: "This is a very important survey to assist our efforts to fulfil trainers’ staffing needs. Gathering data is essential to make sure we target the work effectively so we encourage all trainers to participate – it will be for the benefit of their business."

Southwell all-weather fixture moved to Lingfield

Southwell's all-weather fixture on November 26 has been switched to Lingfield. The change of venue allows for the ongoing work changing the Nottinghamshire track's surface to Tapeta from Fibresand to continue.

Order Of Australia suffers career-ending injury

Order Of Australia has been ruled out of defending his Breeders' Cup Mile Crown after suffering a career-ending injury, trainer Aidan O'Brien has revealed.

The four-year-old colt suffered a small fracture that required surgery and it is understood that he will now go to stud.

Order Of Australia's crowning glory came when he led home an O'Brien-trained 1-2-3 in the Breeders' Cup Mile at Keeneland last year.

Order Of Australia: third to Baaeed in the Queen AnneCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

As well making the frame in major Group 1s over a mile this season, Order Of Australia also advertised his pace when winning the Group 2 Minstrel Stakes over seven furlongs at the Curragh, and O'Brien labelled the colt as the "fastest son of Australia" as he heads off to stud.

O'Brien said: "Order Of Australia was just a little bit off yesterday and when we x-rayed we found a small fracture. We put a pin in it and he came through the operation very well."

He added: "He was the fastest son of Australia and proved that when winning the Breeders' Cup Mile. He also won a Group 2 over 7f at the Curragh.

"He's out of a very fast Danehill mare and is a half-brother to Iridessa and Santa Barbara."

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