Today’s racing
Newbury’s meeting will see Sprinter Sacre’s brother Flinteur Sacre make his debut for trainer Nicky Henderson and owner JP McManus in the closing 2m½f bumper.
Sprinter Sacre, who went on to win nine Grade 1 races including the Champion Chase in 2013 and 2016, started his career for Henderson in a bumper, scoring at Ascot in 2010.
Flinteur Sacre will face 14 rivals, some of whom already have racing experience under their belts, such as the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Fantastikas.
Newbury will stage a precautionary inspection at 8am with heavy rain forecast.
Plumpton and Punchestown (Ireland) also race over jumps today while Southwell and Wolverhampton stage all-weather fixtures.
First foal from Roaring Lion’s sole crop born
The late Roaring Lion had his first foal born from his sole crop at Jeffrey and Phoebe Hobby’s Brightwalton Stud in Newbury.
Arriving last Saturday evening, the new arrival is a colt out of the six-year-old Azamour mare Counterweight, a sister to Group 2 winner Eleanora Duse, who was purchased by Brightwalton from the Ballymacoll Stud dispersal in 2017.
Brightwalton’s Stud Manager Sean Keane said: “He is a well-made, attractive colt with plenty of athleticism. He is full of energy and is a joy to be around. The Hobbys are delighted with him.”
Last week also saw the first foal born from the first Northern Hemisphere crop by Tweenhills and Widden Stud’s Australian sire, Zoustar.
Born at Peter Winkworth’s Merton Place Stud in Surrey, the filly is the first live foal out of the dual-winning Excelebration mare Coral Sea.
Winkworth said: “I’m a big fan of Zoustar and his first foal born in the UK is a cracker – well conformed, close coupled and perky. David Redvers actually bought her grandam Tropical Paradise for us as a yearling so it’s great it’s come full circle.”
Tattersalls February Sale catalogue released
Tuesday saw the publication of the upcoming Tattersalls February Sale catalogue, with 401 lots set to go under the hammer.
The two-day auction, which begins on January 30, will also feature the TBA Stallion Parade ahead of the concluding session on January 31.
To view the lots catalogued, head to www.tattersalls.com/sales/february-sale/4DCGI/Sale/FEB%2020/Main
