Ireland

An outbreak of the neurological form of equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV1) has been reported in Valencia, Spain, the Irish Equine Centre (IEC) announced via a statement on Twitter Monday. The virus was discovered at an FEI competition, and the FEI Veterinary Department is collaborating with the Spanish authorities. Additional veterinarians have been brought in to assist with the 160 horses quarantined on site. The IEC statement read in part, "Currently 84 horses are showing clinical signs, 11 are being treated in external clinics and four have died. Horses that left...

Going Global (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) made an impressive U.S. debut for trainer Phil D'Amato by taking Sunday's GIII Sweet Life S. at Santa Anita. Formerly trained by Mick Halford in Ireland, the 3-year-old filly was purchased privately this winter in a deal structured by BBA Ireland's Michael Donohoe and Niall Dalton. Gary King caught up with Donohoe on Monday morning to chat about the win. GK: What attracted you to Going Global? MD: Her first run at Limerick really caught my eye and Niall's [Dalton]. We liked her action and...

'TDN Rising Star' Congratulation (American Pharoah), previously raced in Europe as Monarch of Egypt, will become his sire's first runner in Hong Kong when he steps out in Sunday's Class 1 Chinese New Year Cup H. over 1400 metres at Sha Tin Racecourse. Bred in Kentucky by Ran Jan Racing Inc. and trained by Aidan O'Brien for Peter Brant, Michael Tabor, Sue Magnier and Derrick Smith, the $750,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase won on Naas debut in April 2019 to become American Pharoah's first winner before finishing runner-up to Siskin...

Group 1-winning jockey Colm O'Donoghue won his trial on Monday, the Racing Post reported. O'Donoghue was acquitted on two counts of physical assault on his ex-partner Jill Macken in 2018. Carrick-on-Suir district court heard the case, where Judge Finn ruled O'Donoghue was innocent of the charges. The incidents were alleged to have occurred in O'Donoghue's home in County Tipperary in October of 2018 and at the Pillo hotel in November of that year prior to the couple's break up. Macken did not report the incidents to the authorities until February...

The Irish Government's Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine has released updated advice for horse movement through Great Britain beginning on New Year's Day, Horse Racing Ireland announced on Thursday. The new guidelines are intended for those transporting horses and the Trader Notice, which outlines procedures for export certification to Britain from Jan. 1, as well as information on movements to and from France and Northern Ireland, may be accessed here. The new guidelines are summarized as follows for each equine exporter from Ireland to Great Britain: Register with DAFM....

Champion and MG1SW Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}-Halfway to Heaven {Ire}, by Pivotal {GB}) has been retired, Coolmore announced via Twitter on Tuesday. She will join the Coolmore broodmare band, but a 2021 stallion has not been decided upon. In her latest start, the 5-year-old finished third in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup on Dec. 13 for trainer Aidan O'Brien. "Brilliant seven-time Group 1 winner Magical (Galileo) has been retired and will join the broodmare band at Coolmore Stud," the tweet read. "Mating Plans [are] yet to be decided." Bred...

KILDARE, Ireland--Different day, different trade. As expected, business at Goffs on Saturday proved a good bit more lively as pin-hookers and end users alike did battle for some quality foals. Although last year's corresponding top price of €135,000 was exceeded by a €155,000 Sea The Stars (Ire) filly foal, other sale indicators suggest the market continues to struggle in the face of uncontrollable circumstances. The clearance rate of 79%, while considerably improved from Friday was still a little shy of last year's 86%. Similarly, the aggregate of €4,855,900, average of...

Ginto (Fr) (Walk in the Park {Ire}) (lot 5) set a new record for a horse sold at Fairyhouse when bringing €470,000 to top the Tattersalls Cheltenham November (Ireland) Sale on Friday. Snapped up by Noel and Valerie Moran's Bective Stud, the winning 4-year-old gelding will remain with Gordon Elliott. Consigned by Cullentra House Stables, he won a maiden at Tattersalls by 12 lengths on Oct. 25. Another 4-year-old gelding, Gringo d'Aubrelle (Fr) (Saddler Maker {Ire}) (lot 16), made €270,000 also from Bective Stud. Consigned by Monbeg Stables, the bay...

MGSW and Classic-placed Shaman (Ire) (Shamardal-Only Green {Ire} by Green Desert) will stand at Yeomanstown Stud in 2021. The Wertheimer et Frere homebred's fee will be announced at a later date. "He is a great looking son of the mighty Shamardal from one of the best pedigree's around, add to that his impressive race record Shaman is a huge addition to us and should prove popular to breeders from both Ireland and abroad," said Yeomanstown's David O'Callaghan. "We are delighted to have Wertheimer Et Frère retain a share in Shaman...

Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}-Prudenzia {Ire}, by Dansili {GB}), a winner of the 2019 G1 Mackinnon S., has been retired from racing and will join Coolmore Stud's broodmare band in Ireland next year, Coolmore Australia tweeted on Thursday morning. The 5-year-old was due to defend her title in the Mackinnon S., but was withdrawn with a foot abscess prior to the race. "Following a foot abscess as she was preparing for a second tilt at the Mackinnon S., Magic Wand has been retired and will join our broodmare band in...

The remaining 2020 Tattersalls Ireland sales have been postponed to December after the Irish government moved the country to Level 5 COVID-19 restrictions on Monday evening. The November National Hunt Sale will be held on Dec. 12-14. The November Flat Foal & Breeding Stock Sale, including a yearling section, is now set for Dec. 16, and the Tattersalls Cheltenham December Sale will be conducted on Dec. 17. The three sales were originally slated for Nov. 9-13. "In these uncertain times we must plan as best as we can for further...

2020 G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}-Starlet's Sister {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) has been retired and will take up stallion duties at Coolmore Stud in Ireland, owner Peter Brant announced on Tuesday. A colourbearer for Brant's White Birch Farm initially with Coolmore buying a 50% interest earlier this year, the 2019 French highweight's fee will be announced later. "A world champion at three and now an Arc winner at four, I have decided to retire Sottsass after what he has achieved," said Brant. "He...