BHA Flat Pattern Committee welcomes Group 1 upgrades at Ascot and York
18 February 2025
Britain will stage two new Group 1 events in 2025, with both the City Of York Stakes (7f, 3yo+, York, August) and British Champions Long Distance Cup (2m, 3yo+, Ascot, October) being upgraded to the highest level. Both races will also see a significant increase in total prize money for this year.
Two permanent black type race transfers have also been approved by the FPC, with the Group 3 Criterion Stakes (7f, 3yo+, June) and Listed Fred Archer Stakes (12f, 3yo+, July) switching from Newmarket racecourse to York and Beverley respectively. The latter race will also be renamed as the Charlie Wood Stakes, Charlie Woods having been a contemporary of Fred Archer who finished second to him in the jockeys’ championship in seven consecutive years and was born in nearby Hull.
Fine and ban for father-son jockey-trainer team who ‘deliberately and recklessly’ broke rules
14 February 2025
Conor McNamara's ride on Mount Ferns in a 2m½f novice handicap chase at Clonmel in Ireland yesterday caught the eye of stewards.
The seven-year-old gelding appeared full of running turning in but ultimately finished sixth, beaten nine lengths by 7-1 winner Luminous Light.
McNamara, who was riding for dad Eric, was hauled in for questioning claiming he was told to settle mid-division and come late with a run.
But the stewards disagreed and handed out a huge fine and ban in their written reasons. The stewards' report read:
"Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that both rider and trainer were in breach of Rule 212A(i) by deliberately or recklessly causing or permitting a horse to run other than on its merits.
"As a consequence, they suspended C.P. McNamara for 40 racedays, ordered that he forfeit his riding fee and fined E. McNamara €6,000 (£5,000) in accordance with the guidelines and having taken their clean records into account.
"Furthermore, they suspended Mount Ferns from running for 90 days under the provisions of Rule 212C(D)."
Jockey Michael O’Sullivan, 24, dies after horror fall
16 February 2025
Members of the racing community have paid tribute to Michael O'Sullivan following his tragic death at the age of 24.
The jockey, widely regarded as one of the biggest talents in the Irish weighing room, succumbed to injuries sustained in a last-fence fall at Thurles on February 6 in the early hours of this morning.
During his career, O'Sullivan enjoyed three Grade One successes, including aboard Marine Nationale in the 2023 Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. He had successful associations with Barry Connell as well as the Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm combination, while also riding for Willie Mullins in his native Ireland.
On X, British champion jockey Harry Cobden posted: "Absolutely devastating news about Michael O'Sullivan. Sending my deepest condolences to his family and friends."
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