THE Gigginstown House Stud operation, owners of Valseur Lido and Sub Lieutenant, have some big-race dates in mind following their exploits at Down Royal's recent Festival of Racing.
Both horses are trained by Henry de Bromhead, with Valseur Lido having arrived from Willie Mullins yard, while Sub Lieutenant was previously with Sandra Hughes.
On his first start for De Bromhead, Valseur Lido was pretty much flawless in the Grade One JNwine.com Champion Chase.
“Valseur Lido will be entered for the Lexus (Leopardstown) and the King George (Kempton) and we'll see nearer the time,” said the Co. Waterford trainer.
Sub Lieutenant has done nothing but impress in his two wins for De Bromhead, having landed the Grade Two Titanic Belfast Chase on his latest start at Down Royal.
Meanwhile, the online fund set up by racing presenter Matt Chapman to aid stricken jockey Freddie Tylicki has closed raising an amazing £275,000.
The German born rider has been left paralysed from the waist down after a crashing fall at Kempton. Further donations have also been promised which is thought will see the total increase to £330,000.
Jockey Wayne Lordan has been offered a fantastic opportunity with the news that he is moving to Ballydoyle in January. He will work full time for trainer Aidan O'Brien at the Tipperary stable.
Lordan, who was stable jockey for David Wachman and has been attached to Tommy Stack's operation, said: “I've been with the Stacks for about 16 years but this is a good opportunity for me. I'll keep my head down and give it a go.”
Elsewhere, Nina Carberry will be missing for the rest of the season as she announced that she is pregnant with her first baby.
The jockey who is daughter of Tommy Carberry and wife of Ted Walsh Jnr is one of the most successful female riders ever to grace the turf.
Finally, it was further success for Aidan O'Brien as the Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit went to the Tipperary handler who has enjoyed a truly stunning year.
Cartier racing consultant Harry Herbert said: 'I would like to extend my congratulations to the Coolmore team on the phenomenal achievement of gaining a record five awards at the 26th annual Cartier Racing Awards.
“Minding and Found are brilliant fillies, while Order of St George is a stayer out of the top drawer and Churchill's performances bode well for 2017.
“Aidan O'Brien's achievements, with Minding, Found, Order of St George and Churchill plus many others in 2016 and during the last 25 years, speak for themselves and this outstanding trainer richly deserves the Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit.”
