King's Stand hero Goldream set for retirement at the British Racing School

Goldream, winner of the 2015 King's Stand Stakes, has been retired from racing and will enjoy a second career at the British Racing School in Newmarket, trainer Robert Cowell said on Tuesday.

The son of Oasis Dream, who also landed the Prix de l'Abbaye in the same season, was last seen finishing eighth on the all-weather at Newcastle last month and will now spend his time teaching the next generation of jockeys.

Cowell, who secured Goldream from Luca Cumani in April 2013, felt the time was right to retire his yard's stalwart, who had failed to win since his 2015 Longchamp victory.

"This year, whilst continuing to show plenty of sparkle at home, it has become clear that at the racetrack he is no longer able to perform in the same way," Cowell said on his website.

"Myself and the owners feel that this is the right time to draw stumps and give the horse his well-earned retirement from racing.

"We are thrilled to confirm he will move to The British Racing School in Newmarket, where another of our stars, Kingsgate Native, resides.

"This opportunity will help to encourage and enthuse the next generation in to our wonderful industry, as well as giving Goldream a role and keeping him active."

The nine-year-old won seven of his 53 starts, nearly £600,000 in prize-money, and was placed a further 18 times.

ITV Eclipse figures

ITV Racing’s viewing figures for Sandown’s Coral-Eclipse last Saturday averaged 462,000 with a peak of 657,000.

Broadcast on the main ITV channel and facing strong competition from the England versus Sweden game at the World Cup, the tennis at Wimbledon plus the hot weather, the average was down by just 4,000 compared to last year, but the peak was higher.

The average figure on Saturday was 20 per cent higher than the combined average Channel 4 achieved the previous four years.

On Saturday ITV Racing have Frankie Dettori as a guest on The Opening Show and will be live at three tracks – Newmarket, York and Ascot – in the morning and afternoon for Super Saturday.

Melbourne Cup trophy on tour

The Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy begins a promotional tour of Britain and Ireland on Tuesday, starting with a visit to renowned milliner Stephen Jones at his London studio.

The tour marks the 25th anniversary of the Dermot Weld-trained Vintage Crop's victory, which really opened up the race to international competition.

Victoria Racing Club chairman Amanda Elliott said: “It is only fitting that the Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy travels to Ireland to mark the 25th anniversary of the internationalisation of the Cup and acknowledge the enormous contribution of the global racing community to our great race.”

The tour itinerary can be viewed at: https://www.flemington.com.au/news/2018-06-04/lexus-melbourne-cup-tour-bound-for-ireland-england-and-beyond

Cawley loses non-trier appeal

Eddie Cawley, who trains in Batterstown, County Meath, lost his appeal on Monday against the penalties dished out to him at Punchestown last month under the non-trier rule when the race day stewards deemed his Fruits Of Glory had not run on his merits.

The trainer was fined €3,000 and Fruits Of Glory banned from racing for 60 days after the nine-year-old finished a staying-on fifth in a 2m5f beginners' chase and those original penalties were upheld by the appeals committee at the IHRB hearing.

The sanctions were imposed under rule 212A (ii), which covers less clear-cut incidents in which a rider has not been seen to make maximum effort.

Jockey Chris Timmons was banned for ten days and also picked up a two-day ban for not informing the officials before the inquiry that the horse had choked during the race. Timmons did not appeal.

Brighton and Marathonbet renew deal

Brighton and Marathonbet are continuing their partnership for the track's 2018 festival.

The three-day meeting, the highlight of Brighton’s racing calendar, from August 8 will have the online bookmaker as headline sponsor.

Marathonbet and Brighton will be engaging with racing fans in the run up to the festival with competitions and chances to win prizes and tickets on social media.

Death of former jockey Guy Hart

Former jockey Guy Hart, who won the Cambridgeshire on Esquire in 1945, died peacefully at the weekend at his cottage at Aldbourne, Wiltshire. He was 88.

Paying tribute to one of the great racecourse characters, Jimmy Lindley said: "He was a smashing fellow and used to ride out a lot for Robert Armstrong in his latter years.

"When he did hang up his boots he still went racing regularly and loved a punt, but he also dabbled in the antique business and was quite successful."

Funeral details will be made public in due course.