Six plead guilty to violent disorder following Goodwood brawl

Six men have pleaded guilty at Guildford Crown Court to violent disorder during a brawl at Goodwood in May. Four men did not enter a plea to the same charge, while one man pleaded not guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm.

The four who did not enter a plea were released on bail and will have another hearing on November 28, while the man who pleaded not guilty has had his case sent to trial.

The judge said the trial for any defendant who might enter a not guilty plea was likely to be held in May next year.

The six who pleaded guilty were released on bail and will be sentenced at the conclusion of all the cases.

Archie Watson wins appeal following Listed disqualification in France

The Archie Watson-trained Showout has been reinstated as the winner of the Prix Zeddaan following an appeal in France.

The juvenile was demoted to second after defeating French-trained Munitions by a nose in the Listed event after the stewards believed there was interference from Hollie Doyle's mount in running.

Watson said following the successful appeal: "Hollie and I went to France today and we are delighted by the decision. The France Galop were very fair and I'm glad the race has been re-awarded in our horse's favour.

"It means a lot to the owner-breeders and it means a lot to us to have a Listed winner, Hollie has worked very hard for us and I'm delighted she is rewarded too."

The victory is the son of Showcasing's first pattern success.

Chanelle McCoy launches new racing club with Irish National Stud

Chanelle McCoy has launched the Irish National Stud’s new racing club, INS Racing, with the support of Horse Racing Ireland, which will enable horseracing fans to come together and experience what it is like to be the ‘owner’ of a minimum of six racehorses, all for the annual cost of €399.

McCoy was joined at yesterday’s launch by trainer Michael O’Callaghan, who along with Willie McCreery will be training the club’s racehorses.

Membership will include free racecourse entry to every meeting that includes an Irish National Stud declared racehorse in Ireland, regular trainer updates via a bespoke INS Racing app, access to yard visits, parade ring access, educational workshops, special events and, as a bonus, a share of the club’s prize-money.

McCoy said: “As someone who has been lucky enough to experience the thrill of thoroughbred horseracing for years, it is great to see The Irish National Stud and Horse Racing Ireland make the possibility of racehorse ownership a reality for a wider audience.

Speaking about INS Racing, Cathal Beale, CEO of the Irish National Stud, said: “The Irish National Stud exists to create opportunities for every person to get closer to a racehorse. Whilst racing clubs have been around for some time now, we wanted to create an ownership experience that would make horseracing accessible to the sports fan at a great value-for-money cost.

Amber Byrne, Owner Development Manager for Horse Racing Ireland, also commented: “For some time now, Horse Racing Ireland has promoted joint ownership as a more affordable way to get involved in horse racing. INS Racing makes racehorse ownership attainable to a wider audience. Ireland leads the way when it comes to racehorse breeding and racing and we are very proud to support this initiative.”

To join INS Racing, visit , Irish National Stud on Facebook or @IrishNatStud on Twitter.

Tom Eaves aiming to return to action in January

Tom Eaves is hoping to return to race-riding early in the new year after making a good recovery from a broken leg sustained in a crashing fall at Newcastle in September.

The Group 1-winning jockey was unseated from the Kevin Ryan-trained Savannah Moon after clipping heels a furlong and a half from home in a 1m2f handicap.

After initially walking back unaided to the weighing room, Eaves was sent to hospital for an x-ray, which revealed a triple break.

Eaves, who won the Group 3 Arbernant Stakes on Brando at Newmarket in April, had ridden 31 winners this season at the time of his accident.

He said: "I've just come off the crutches and will have a brace off in another week and, all being well, hope to be back in action at the start of January."Eaves puts his speedy recovery down to the facilities at Jack Berry House in Malton, which is close to his home in North Yorkshire.

He added: "I've spent plenty of time at Jack Berry House, which is fantastic, and I wouldn't be where I am now without it.

"I've come on leaps and bounds in recent weeks during which time I've been in the hydrotherapy pool and have had lots of physio sessions. It's been frustrating but I just want to get back to riding winners."

Sky Bet extend Supreme sponsorship until 2023

Sky Bet have extended their sponsorship of the Supreme Novice Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival for a further five years.

The bookmakers, who first sponsored the Grade 1 curtain raising event, began their affiliation in 2013 and it has been extended until 2023.

Towcester fixture switched to Warwick

Towcester's fixture on November 29 has been moved to Warwick, the BHA announced on Monday. Entries and declaration deadlines will remain the same for the seven-race card.

In August it was announced that the course, which stages horse and greyhound racing, was in trouble and was to be placed in administration. Twenty-five potential buyers have shown an interest in the track and it is hoped a sale can be concluded in November.

Bishop cautioned following Royal Ascot breath test

Charlie Bishop has been given a caution by the BHA after he failed a breath test which prevented him from riding on the final day of Royal Ascot in June.

The jockey, who sprang a 33-1 shock in the Queen Anne Stakes on Accidental Agent, had been due to partner four horses on the final day of the meeting but his breath samples contained alcohol above the permitted threshold of 17 micrograms/100ml.

The BHA statement said: "When he provided two breath samples at Ascot on June 23, 2018, both samples had alcohol readings of 24 micrograms/100ml [at 13.56] and 21 micrograms/100ml [at 14.11].

"As the breath samples contained alcohol above the permitted threshold of 17 micrograms/100ml the stewards suspended him from riding for the day."

Musselburgh switches to all-hurdles card

Musselburgh's fixture on November 7 will be an all-hurdles card to allow for concentrated watering on the hurdles track due to the recent spell of dry weather.

Two new hurdle races will be added to replace a pair of chases which were initially scheduled. The 2m4f novice handicap chase has been moved to Kelso's November 10 fixture and the 2m handicap chase has been rearranged to take place at Ayr's November 14 meeting.

Nick Dartnall, race planning executive at the BHA said: "While it is disappointing to lose the two chases at Musselburgh next week, an all-hurdle card allows the course to focus efforts on producing the best racing surface possible."

"Moving the two chases to Kelso and Ayr respectively represents the best outcome under the circumstances for the relevant sections of the horse population, both in the local area and more widely."

Banfield to leave Doncaster post

Tim Banfield, executive director at Doncaster since November 2016, is leaving Arena Racing Company after next month's closing Flat turf meeting for family reasons.

His replacement as general manager will be Russell Smith, who has been standing in at Bath since August last year during executive director Jo Hall's maternity leave, having joined Arc in April 2016 in a similar role at Newcastle.

Banfield's predecessor Mark Spincer, who also worked at Newcastle and is now Arc's group operations director, will spend two days a week at Doncaster during Smith’s early period at the track.

Spincer said: "Russell has done well with the group but Doncaster is a big site and we believe he will benefit from some senior support in the first few months."

Spincer has also overseen managerial changes at Ffos Las, which Arc took over this year, and Sedgefield.

Simon Rowlands, previously catering manager at Chepstow, has been appointed general manager at Ffos Las, reporting to Arc’s south-west executive director Phil Bell.

Emma White, general manager of the promotions group Go Racing in Yorkshire since April 2015, has taken on a similar role at Sedgefield, replacing Jill Williamson, who left in the summer, and reporting to Arc’s north-east executive director David Williamson.

Long's remarkable turnaround

John Long, who had not had a runner on the Flat since July but saddled recent winners at 20-1 and 50-1 inside three days, has attributed the remarkable turnaround to some reshuffling in his yard.

Long struck with 20-1 shot Magicinthemaking at Chelmsford on Wednesday, before Choral Music followed suit at Kempton on Friday at an even bigger price.

Both were having their first run for the stable, which had no runners at all in August and September.

Veteran Chandrayaan, the only other horse to run for the trainer in the past week, was retired after finishing last at Kempton but will remain at the yard.

Long, who holds a dual-purpose licence and now trains in Brighton, had success with the likes of Lyrica's Lion and hurdler Norman The Red earlier this year, but both of those have moved yards.

He said: "It's just a case of a lot of our older horses going past their sell-by dates.

"We bought Magicinthemaking for £1,500 at the Ascot sale in June. She has ability, but I couldn't keep her sound from one day to the next; we found out she had some arthritis in her knees and then we discovered an old fetlock injury, which we treated."

"She was working well so we thought we'd drop her back to six furlongs. We were hoping for a good run at Chelmsford but I didn't think she'd win."

Long couldn't figure out why Choral Music went off at 50-1, as she had won four races for Jonathan Portman.

He added: "Jonathan did well with her. She's only a three-year-old so hopefully can progress."

Long nominated Libbretta, who finished sixth in a bumper at Huntingdon this month, as one to watch when she returns to the track.

Ingram in Devon move

Having enjoyed her best ever season, Rhiain Ingram has moved from Richard Spencer's yard to take up an apprentice role with Paul George.

The Devon trainer only took out his licence in August this year but, along with winners still in his mother Karen's name, was able to provide seven of Ingram's 13 successes so far this season.

"She's had her best year and has ridden half of my winners, so it's a bonus to have her as part of the team now," said George. "She was getting a lot of rides from me and it made sense.

"We'll set some targets and try to help her achieve them. I'd like to encourage others to use her too. The more winners she gets for me, the more people will notice how good she is.

"She's dedicated, works unbelievably hard and is very thoughtful with the horses."

George has bought 21 yearlings for his fledgling yard and has plans for further expansion, with young horses at the centre of his ambitions.

He added: "We probably have 20 or so ready to run in the winter. I'll be busy at the sales and hopefully we'll be up to 50 or 60 horses by Christmas."

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