Irish pony racing fixture in memory of Jack de Bromhead postponed over insurance

The pony racing fixture due to take place at Borris next month in memory of Jack de Bromhead has been postponed due to insurance complications.

With the blessing of Henry and Heather de Bromhead, the 2022 pony racing circuit was expected to come to a conclusion at Borris in County Carlow on October 2 but the meeting will take place next April instead.

Trainer Shark Hanlon, who was organising the fixture, said: "We had problems with the insurance on the land that it was going to take place on. It was going to cost too much so we said we'd take a pull and run instead next April. We're still running the auction and there are some incredible items up for grabs."

The items can be bid for online at ponyracing.ie, with all money raised going towards insurance costs of €40,000. Among the lots are a trip to Ditcheat for a morning with Paul Nicholls, which includes breakfast followed by racing later that day in a box at Wincanton.

A trip to Jackdaws Castle for a morning with Jonjo O'Neill, as well as stallion covers and nominations, are also among the lots. The auction will end on October 2.

Aldaary to miss Champions Day after setback

Classy four-year-old Aldaary, who was a general 5-1 second favourite for next month's Qipco Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Champions Day at Ascot, is out for the season after suffering a setback in training.

The son of Territories has won six of his ten starts, including the Balmoral Handicap on last year's Champions Day card, and returned in a similar vein of form when registering his first black type win in the Listed Spring Trophy at Haydock in May.

The Shadwell-owned gelding had his campaign thwarted by the heatwave afterwards as he must have cut in the ground. He was being prepared for a return to Ascot next month but suffered a leg injury.

Richard Hills, racing manager to Shadwell Estates, said: "Unfortunately Aldaary suffered a leg injury quite recently which required surgery and he currently has three or four screws in his leg. All being well he'll be back next year."

Hills also reported that another Haggas trainee, the smart Mohaafeth, has been retired after failing to fire this year. It is hoped a stud job can be found for the son of Frankel, who won the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot last year.

Alanna Whitehead funeral details

The funeral of well-known Newmarket racing figure Alanna Whitehead, who looked after 1,000 Guineas runner-up Kerrera in her days with Sir Michael Stoute in the 1980s, will take place at West Suffolk Crematorium at Bury St Edmunds on Monday at 2pm.

Whitehead, who was 70 when she passed away last week, had worked for George Boughey right up until three weeks before her death.

As well as Stoute and Boughey, Whitehead also worked for James Fanshawe and Hugo Palmer in a career that spanned 50 years in racing.

Family flowers only. Donations to Racing Welfare and St Nicholas Hospice.

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