Today’s racing
Denford Stud homebred Agreed faces three rivals in the 1m4f novice stakes that opens Newcastle’s all-weather meeting this afternoon.
The three-year-old daughter of Gleneagles, who is a half-sister to the Listed-winning Private Secretary, was last seen at Lingfield last month when she was beaten into second by Vega’s Angel.
Her rivals today include the Mark Johnston-trained Dark Heart, Katie Scott’s Aleydali and the Lawrence Mullaney-trained Chenille.
Southwell also race on the all-weather today while there are jumps cards from Carlisle, Thurles (Ireland) and Wincanton.
Death of Gerry Dilger
Gerry Dilger, who operated Dromoland Farm in Kentucky, died in the early hours of Wednesday morning aged 61.
The County Clare native, who relocated to Kentucky in the 1970s, set up Dromoland Farm from which he bred the Kentucky Derby winners Nyquist and Always Dreaming.
In 2018, the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association awarded him with their annual Wild Geese Award, presented to someone from Ireland who excels outside of their native country while “flying the Irish flag with pride on a global stage”.
Mike Ryan, Dilger’s friend and business partner, told the BloodHorse: “It’s very hard to put into words. He was a lifetime buddy and we were partners for 45 years.
“We had a lot of success together. He was such an easy guy to work with. He took the good with the bad.
Joe Crowley dies aged 91
Joe Crowley, father of Annemarie O’Brien and Frances Crowley, died peacefully aged 91 at his home on Wednesday morning.
Crowley produced Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Bregawn, trained Hairy Molly to win the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival in 2006 and bred champion Flat miler Rock Of Gibraltar.
Broadcaster Kevin O’Ryan, who is married to Crowley’s daughter Angela, told the Racing Post: “Joe was a very wise and very successful yet unassuming man who was totally self-taught and self-made.
“He was a tough man in his own way right up until the end, and he created a legacy that will live long into the future. We’re all going to miss him.”