Horsey Talk

Sir Henry Cecil private funeral
on Monday June 24

A private funeral for Sir Henry Cecil will be held in Newmarket on Monday week.

The legendary trainer died on Tuesday morning, aged 70, following a long battle with stomach cancer. While his funeral will be a family-only occasion, a further celebration of Cecil's life is planned for a later date, although details are yet to be confirmed.

A statement on the stable's official website read: "Warren Place Stables confirms that the funeral of Sir Henry Cecil will take place on Monday, June 24 at St Agnes Church in Newmarket. This will be a private funeral for family members only. At a later date, there will be a service to celebrate Sir Henry's life. The details of this will be outlined after the funeral."

Cecil's wife, Lady Cecil, has been granted a temporary licence by the British Horseracing Authority and the first horses to run under her name will compete at Newbury, Nottingham, Yarmouth and Leopardstown on Thursday.

Heading to Yarmouth is the Sir Robert Ogden-owned Songbird, a hugely impressive winner on her belated racecourse debut at Salisbury last month.

Ogden's racing manager, Barry Simpson, said: "Sir Robert has had horses with Sir Henry for a good few years and we've enjoyed good success, with Thomas Chippendale being one of the better ones. I think the filly that runs at Yarmouth typifies Sir Henry's great understanding and patience with his horses.

"She was a very backward filly and Sir Henry didn't want to run her as a two-year-old or a three-year-old. I think a lot of trainers would have run her and she might never have won a race, but Sir Henry had a lot of faith in her, took his time and she won first time out as a four-year-old very well.

"Sir Henry has received many great accolades, and quite rightly so. He we will be very sadly missed, but he has put a wonderful marker down for other trainers to aspire to."

Lady Cecil runs Phaenomena and Rajaratna, both of whom carry the famous silks of the Niarchos family, at Newbury. Morpheus, a half-brother to Cecil's greatest ever horse, Frankel, runs at Nottingham, while Tickled Pink heads to Ireland for Leopardstown's Group Three Ballyogan Stakes.

Cecil enjoyed unprecedented success at Royal Ascot, saddling 75 winners during an illustrious career. Officials at the track are now considering how best to remember the trainer at next week's Royal meeting.

FEI TO SET UP INQUIRY
INTO ENDURANCE RIDING

FEI President HRH Princess Haya has asked Andrew Finding, a board member of the European Equestrian Federation, to chair a round table session that will look into areas of concern within the sport of Endurance.

The FEI has invited representatives from the Swiss and United Arab Emirates National Federations, and the European Equestrian Federation to attend the round table, which will be held at FEI Headquarters in Lausanne (SUI). The Chair of the FEI Endurance Committee Brian Sheahan will attend the session, along with FEI Secretary General Ingmar De Vos. A date for the round table will be fixed shortly.

“The objective of this round table session is to bring these parties together in order to have an open discussion about the situation, to create a better understanding of the specific problem areas within the sport and to receive eventual recommendations about potential further steps that can be undertaken,” Princess Haya said. “We are very happy that Andrew Finding, with all his years of experience in equestrian sport, has agreed to act as chair of this important session.”

Andrew Finding, who is also Secretary General of the British Equestrian Federation, commented: “I am honoured to support the FEI in working with our friends and colleagues to find a solution to the challenges that we are currently facing in Endurance sport.”

17 Hong Kong horses tested positive for banned drug

An outlet of the Hong Kong Jockey Club in Hong Kong. Seventeen horses from the stables of three Hong Kong trainers have tested positive for the banned drug zilpaterol, a substance used to produce muscle growth in livestock. (AFP PHOTO/Philippe Lopez)

Seventeen horses from the stables of three Hong Kong trainers have tested positive for the banned drug zilpaterol, a substance used to produce muscle growth in livestock.

Thirteen of the horses have been withdrawn from races following testing.

"Seventeen horses have been found to have the substance," Hong Kong Jockey Club spokeswoman Carmen Lok told AFP.

The discovery follows a series of doping scandals in Britain involving identities including Godolphin trainer Mahmood al-Zarooni who was handed an eight-year ban in April for using prohibited steroids on 11 horses.

Thugs shoot horse in the face with a 20-inch bolt arrow from a CROSSBOW

Bambi, a chestnut mare, was shot with a 20 inch bolt arrow in Barnsley

Experts say Bambi was lucky as the arrow went into the sinus four inches deep ......... read more

Trapped horses rescued from collapsed barn

As severe storms downed trees and cut power to thousands of Chicago-area homes, firefighters tunneled into a collapsed barn in south suburban Manteno to rescue a group of trapped horses.

Neighbors, family and friends lent a hand to dig through the rubble after powerful winds tore through the structure.

Covered in mud, the barn's owner said the group kept digging until nine of the 10 horses were rescued.

"You could hear them crying for help," Allanna Smith said, "just crying and crying for help, and it's such a heart-wrenching sound coming from an animal, especially when you're such an animal lover."

Smith said she heard the wind ripping down the barn as she rode out the storm in her home's basement. She was relieved her home wasn't damaged, but the sight of the barn and the sound of her trapped horses wounded her.

"I looked out that window, and I just screamed," Smith said. "I'm not a panicker, but I looked out the window and I just screamed. And I ran out the door and it was still pouring down rain and there were a couple ponies running around outside so my son started to help catch them."

At the peak of the outages, nearly 40,000 Chicago-area customers were knocked offline. Another 35,000 were without electricity in northwest Indiana, officials said.

Through the rest of the area, the National Weather Service reported at least one tornado on the ground, near Somonauk, during the evening rush hour. Large hailstones -- some half-dollar in size -- were reported in Aurora.

A trail of debris was seen scattered for hundreds of yards from the barn in Manteno. Much cleanup needs to be done, but Smith says she's relieved her horses made it through the wreckage. l

Horse sculptures smashed for being “sinful” under Sharia law

Ultra-conservative Saudi Arabia has smashed sculptures of horses erected on a roundabout in the southwest after the kingdom’s top cleric denounced them as sinful.

The municipality in the town of Abu Arish in Jazan province bordering Yemen demolished the statues, local online news website jazantoday.org reported.
The decision came after Grand Mufti Abdul Aziz Al Shaikh sent a letter to the governor of Jazan demanding that “the sculptures be removed because they are a great sin and are prohibited under sharia (Islamic law),” said another news website, sabq.org.

Statues of people and animals are prohibited under Islam as they represent a form of idolatry. However, the religion does allow artworks depicting plants and landscapes.

Derby disappointment heading for Ascot

Dawn Approach has emerged as a surprise contender for Tuesday's St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Godolphin's 2000 Guineas hero was originally thought to be an unlikely runner after finishing last in the Derby at Epsom earlier this month. However, trainer Jim Bolger reports his Classic winner on course for a return to a mile, subject to a gallop on Thursday.

He told www.godolphin.com: "He's been left in the St James's Palace Stakes and, subject to a satisfactory piece of work on Thursday, he is an intended runner."

Godolphin's racing manager Simon Crisford said: "Jim is very happy with how Dawn Approach has done since the Derby and he is keen to let him run at Royal Ascot if everything continues to go well with his preparation between now and the race on Tuesday.

"We had a discussion and decided to let him run if he pleases in his work on Thursday. Jim has been delighted with how relaxed Dawn Approach has been in his training."

Dawn Approach is one of 14 confirmations for the Group One contest, with Bolger also having left in Leitir Mor.

Hugely impressive Irish 2,000 Guineas scorer Magician is one of four contenders for Aidan O'Brien, the others being Gale Force Ten, George Vancouver and Mars.

Richard Hannon's Toronado will have a second crack at Dawn Approach, having finished only fourth when deemed his biggest danger in the 2000 Guineas. The entries are completed by Dont Bother Me, Dundonnell, Garswood, Glory Awaits, Jammy Guest and potential French raiders Mshawish and Mutin.

Racing Pub's Royal Ascot fashion
show boosts horse charity

Made in Chelsea's Jane Felstead, World Horse Welfare Head of Fundraising, John Blake and Binky from BAFTA award-winning television series, Made in Chelsea

The UK’s leading horse charity World Horse Welfare was the beneficiary of a glamorous evening of Royal Ascot fashion hosted by the well-known racing pub in Chelsea, The Sydney Arms.

Channel Four horseracing presenter Emma Spencer introduced the event, which included a short film about the charity’s work rescuing abused and neglected horses in the UK.

Star of hit show on E4, Made in Chelsea’s Binky Felstead joined the horse charity early on in the evening with her mother, Jane Felstead, who is new to the show.

Jane and Binky spoke about their love for horses and how Binky had always ridden as a child.

“Our family have grown up around horses,” says Jane.

"As soon as Binky heard that this event was to raise money for abused and neglected horses she dropped everything to get here. This is a cause that is very close to both of our hearts.”

The pair stayed for a meal at the Chelsea pub and chatted with some of the staff from World Horse Welfare before leaving with a strong appreciation of the charity’s work.

Joanna Edwards of specialist boutique chain La Belle Femme choreographed the show with a mix of professional and amateur models taking to the catwalk in show-stopping outfits.

Lizzie Hughes, wife of champion Flat jockey Richard Hughes, provided some wonderful head pieces for the evening while footwear designer Kaylie Simmone added to the look with a stunning selection of bespoke handmade heels.

James Ramsden of The Sydney Arms says:
“The show went down a storm with the crowd, and as a bar dedicated to horseracing we were delighted to support the great work of World Horse Welfare and help them raise vital funds. This organisation rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes more horses than any other horse charity in Britain.”

- See more here

Horse trader found guilty of 57 animal welfare charges after leaving 12 ponies in a barn with no food or water

A horse trader from South Wales, who is believed to own thousands of animals across the country, has been found guilty of widespread animal cruelty.

Following a trial at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court, Thomas Tony Price, 49, of Glan y Mor Lane, Cowbridge, was convicted of 57 animal welfare offences.

The charges related to 27 ponies, which were removed from five different locations across the Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend between February and March 2012.

Speaking after the trial, RSPCA inspector Christine McNeil said: “These horses turned out to be the most poorly and diseased horses I have come across.”

She added that she believed 12 ponies found in a barn without food or water had been “left there to die”.

The verdict came a month after his two sons admitted offences relating to the same group of animals.

Eldest son Thomas Hope Price, 26, of Rover Way in Cardiff, pleaded guilty on May 8 to 42 charges, including causing unnecessary suffering to 18 horses.

On the same day, a second son, Tony John Price, 18, also of Rover Way, admitted failing to meet the welfare needs of two ponies.

Thomas Price senior was the director of a business known as Glamorgan Horse Traders and Thomas Price was listed as secretary of the same business which deals in horses across the UK, Europe and America.

The family are believed to own around 2,500 horses, which are kept at various locations throughout Wales and England.

The defendant, who had no legal representation, claimed he had transferred the £2.5m business to his eldest son as a “gift” in January 2012 and therefore had no responsibility for the horses.

But the prosecution alleged the transfer was a “sham”, putting forward evidence which suggested he had continued to negotiate business deals and write cheques months after this date.

Thomas Price senior also alleged the RSPCA were trying to “snare” him and that vets had lied when giving evidence because they were being bribed by the organisation.

Summing up, district judge Bodfan Jenkins said: “The defendant has put it to me that he cannot read or write and that he is a simple man. I do not accept that he is a simple man at all. I find the view that he is a clever man, a man able in business and a man of considerable craft in his dealings.”

Delivering his verdict, the judge said: “The defendant is found guilty of every charge he faces.”

The case has been adjourned for a pre-sentence report and the three men will be sentenced at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on July 5. The judge has warned costs could reach tens of thousands of pounds.

Horse called Lucky Numbers
lands punter £113,969 win

A man from Hertfordshire is celebrating a double-winning weekend after landing a windfall of £113,969 courtesy of the Lotto and a horse called Lucky Numbers.

Robert Whichelow, 52, from Ware, placed a £10 bet on the horse running in the 14:45 at Chester and won £90.

Hours later his Lucky Dip Lotto ticket matched five numbers and the bonus ball to win £113,879.

Celebrating his father-in-law's 70th birthday, he said little did he know the weekend would be "so memorable".

Mr Whichelow's run of luck started on Saturday morning when he picked Lucky Numbers from the paper.

Thinking nothing of the name at the time he placed his bet and then helped his wife Caroline, 44, with planning for his father's party that night.

Mr Whichelow said he would invest £100,000 for his family's security but the rest would be spent on "having fun" which will include a Christmas trip to Lapland for the couple and their youngest daughter.