Richard Hughes

Richard Hughes is eyeing a breakthrough Classic as a trainer this season--but admitted that high-class prospects Queen Of Zafeen (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}) and Star Music (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}) would likely bid for big-race glory in Germany or France rather than take on the big guns domestically.  Both fillies will test their Classic credentials next month with Hughes stating that he has built up his strongest team yet. Queen Of Zafeen and Star Music are owned by Jaber Abdullah and, while they hold entries in the Qipco 1,000 Guineas, the Weathercock...

There is a new name over the door at Copper Beech Stables, one of the finest training establishments in Ireland, with trainer Cormac Farrell confirming that he has taken over the yard from Michael Halford. It was last February when Halford, who had sent out almost 500 winners from Copper Beech Stables in 16 full seasons, including Group 1 scorer Casamento (Ire), announced that he had taken the decision to combine forces with Tracey Collins under the banner of Conyngham Lodge.  Farrell, a respected trainer in his own right but...

Oisin Murphy continued his red-hot streak of success around the world with a first trip to Mumbai yielding a victory in the  Indian 1000 Guineas aboard heavy favourite Jendayi (Ind) (Gleneagles {Ire}). The same connections scored a race prior in the R J Kolah Trophy with Chamonix (Ind) (Dunaden {Fr}), landing Murphy and Jendayi's conditioner Pesi Shroff the double. The jockey follows a similar path Richard Hughes enjoyed in riding a Classic winner for the decorated local trainer, who lays claim to the remarkable achievement of winning both the Indian...

The first major yearling sale of the autumn in Britain or Ireland, the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale provided entertainment from the beginning to the end, but most importantly, boasted impressive figures. Brian Sheerin was in attendance and discusses the major talking points from the sale. Figures on the up The team at Goffs UK could hardly have wished for a better start to the Premier Yearling Sale. The day one figures were off the charts. Of the 218 lots offered on Tuesday, 199 were sold, representing a clearance rate...

With another 60 yearlings standing out in the field at home in Westmeath, it was important for the team at Tally-Ho to begin the domestic sales season with a bang, and that's exactly what they did in sending out the top lot at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale--the Blandford Bloodstock-bought lot 278, a filly by Night Of Thunder (Ire).  Mark McStay went to £230,000 to secure a colt by the stallion [170] on Tuesday but it was Tally-Ho's first foal out of the five-time winner and listed-placed Thiswaycadeaux (Ire)...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Today's Observations features a half to Group 1 Akeed Mofeed. 16.00 Chelmsford City, Nov, £10,000, 2yo, 10f (AWT) Jaber Abdullah's BENY NAHAR ROAD (IRE) (Nathaniel {Ire}), a Richard Hughes trainee, is a half-brother to G1 Hong Kong Cup hero and G1 Irish Derby fourth Akeed Mofeed (GB) (Dubawi {Ire})....

NEWMARKET, UK--For an auction largely trading in very modest material, the March Sale could hardly have found a more resonant register at Tattersalls on Wednesday. For one thing, the fact that it was staged at all was a tribute to the improvisation and resilience demanded of the bloodstock industry, no less than any other walk of life, over the past year. And two of its three principal dividends, albeit infinitesimal on the scale of the investment they represented, caused those involved to reflect afresh on the recent loss of two...