Trainers and breeders on alert after mare is stolen from County Meath field

Meath-based racehorse owner Kevin Purfield has urged local trainers and breeders to be on high alert after his premises was raided and his broodmare Sun Disc was stolen on Sunday night.

Along with Sun Disc, who is in foal to Dragon Pulse, the burglars also made their exit with a large quantity of tools but had a change of heart about the racemare on Monday, and returned her to the small-time breeder after people began to take notice of the story.

Purfield explained: "The only reason they returned the mare was because they had no use for her as they had no passport and sure it's all over the local media. A mare wouldn't be the easiest of things to hide either."

He added: "They broke in through an entrance in the field and obviously loaded up the mare. It happened late on Sunday night.”

"I'm happy to get her back, as she is in foal to Dragon Pulse, but I'm not holding my breath about getting my tools back."

Sun Disc, who won three races for the late Dessie Hughes, was returned unharmed according to the owner who was keen to remind anyone with information to get in touch with Trim Garda Station on 046-9431222 or the Garda confidential line 1800666111.

He concluded: “She’s absolutely fine. I’d just ask anyone who may have any information to get in touch with the Gardaí and encourage people in the industry to keep watch on each other and make sure the same thing doesn’t happen again.”