Bob Olinger

It might not be Royal Ascot, but even us die-hard Flat racing fans at TDN Europe are not immune to Cheltenham Festival fever, with four days of top-class sport lying in wait for those preparing to make the annual pilgrimage to Prestbury Park. This year, the action on the track looks as competitive and enthralling as it has been for some time, starting on Tuesday with the Supreme Novices' Hurdle where at least half of the 12-strong field can be given some sort of chance. In fact, the Supreme has...

Irishman Brian Acheson has acquired a minor stake in Ecurie des Monceaux. The news was confirmed by Monceaux's Henri Bozo to Jour De Galop on Wednesday evening. A prominent NH owner under the Robcour banner, Acheson has now handed Bozo more financial firepower to continue the French Flat nursery's consigning dominance at the upcoming Arqana August Yearling Sale. Monceaux has led the vendor table for each of the past 13 years. "I am delighted to have a new partner on board, a successful entrepreneur with dynamic ideas who will strengthen...

CHELTENHAM, UK--Depending on your preference, Thursday at Cheltenham is either Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle day or Ryanair Chase day but either way, on St Patrick's Day each of the Irish-sponsored co-feature races produced a repeat Irish winner. The one key difference 12 months on was that the owners of Flooring Porter (Ire) (Yeats {Ire}) and Allaho (Fr) (No Risk At All {Fr}) were allowed on course to celebrate in person. And celebrate they did. The huge black-and-white-bedecked entourage that accompanied the dual Stayers' Hurdle winner Flooring Porter made the most...

Henry de Bromhead's magical week continued at Cheltenham when Put The Kettle On (Ire) (Stowaway {Ire}) added victory in the G1 Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase to the success of Honeysuckle (GB) (Sulamani {Ire}) and Rachael Blackmore in Tuesday's G1 Champion Hurdle.  Both winners created a piece of National Hunt history, with Put The Kettle On becoming the first mare to win the Champion Chase, while Blackmore was the first woman to ride the winner of the Champion Hurdle. Notably, both mares had triumphed at the previous year's Festival, in...