Kauto Star on track for Gold Cup glory
Kauto Star remains the red-hot favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival (13-16 March), ahead of War of Attrition and Exotic Dancer. A question mark hangs over Kauto Star’s occasional jumping mistakes in previous races, but his trainer Paul Nicholls has dismissed these concerns, saying that Kauto Star will have a number of schooling sessions in the run up to the race on 16 March.
Robert Winston will not appeal against ban
Robert Winston has said he has no plans to appeal against the Horseracing Regulatory Authority’s one-year suspension of his flat jockey’s licence. He is allowed to continue working in racing while the ban is in place, but is not allowed to ride in races. The Turf Club, which regulates racing in Ireland, has said that Winston will not be allowed to ride in races under its rules during his ban.
Award for Ouija Board’s work rider
Chris Hinson, the regular work rider of the great racing mare Ouija Board, was named 2007 Stable Employee of the Year at the third annual Stud and Stable Staff Awards in London earlier this week. Hinson won £10,000, while a further £10,000 is to be shared among his colleagues at Ed Dunlop’s Gainsborough Stables. Other winners included:
- David Nicholson Newcomer – Charlotte Ramage – Rider/Groom with David Barron
- Stud Staff – Stephen Lomas – Stallion Man at Sandley Stud.
- Rider/Groom – Joseph Crayton – Rider/Groom with Paul Cole.
- Senior Staff – Chris Hinson – Head Lad with Ed Dunlop.
- Special Merit/Hero – Sira Hornsby – Rider/Groom with Jeremy Noseda
Barbaro’s $3m legacy
The owners of Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, who lost his battle against injury earlier this month, have donated $3m (£1.53m) to the study of equine diseases. Roy and Gretchen Jackson made the donation to the University of Pennsylvania’s veterinary school, where Barbaro was treated for eight months after shattering his leg in a race.
