Maurice Burns

The air may be full of Cheltenham Festival chatter but, in Rathasker Stud at least, there is only one race on everyone's lips these days: the Derby.  It's not hard to understand why. Pierre Bonnard, the ante-post favourite for the Epsom Classic at odds of 6-1, was bred by Maurice Burns, who jokes that he would love to "level the score" with his brother Seamus, breeder of 2008 Derby hero New Approach. Rathasker Stud is home to the speed influence stallion Bungle Inthejungle along with Coulsty and more recently Aclaim,...

Rathasker Stud has confirmed the purchase of Classic-producing sire Aclaim. The sire of the 1,000 Guineas winner Cachet, Aclaim is a Group 1 winner himself, with that sole success at the highest level coming in the 2017 running of the Prix de la Foret. His fee for 2026 has been set at €6,500. Maurice Burns said, "We are delighted to announce that Rathasker Stud has purchased 100% of the stallion. Aclaim is a Group 1 winner and more importantly a Group 1 Classic sire.  He will be the perfect fit...

Nearly 20 pregnant broodmares escaped unharmed from what Gardai are treating as the second arson attack on Maurice Burns's Rathasker Stud in County Kildare within the past six months alone.  The potentially deadly fire broke out shortly after five o'clock last Friday evening with Burns sharing that the quick thinking of his neighbour, who spotted the blaze initially, followed by the help of his staff at Rathasker Stud is to thank for saving the lives of 18 mares and a teaser pony at the stud.  [caption id="attachment_457190" align="alignnone" width="1155"] The...

The 2024 Rathasker Stud roster and fees, anchored by Bungle Inthejungle (GB) at €7,500, were announced on Wednesday. The sire of six stakes horses in 2023, the 13-year-old has been represented by G3 Marble Hill S. winner and G1 Phoenix S. third Givemethebeatboys (Ire), as well as American listed winner Manhattan Jungle (Ire) among others. The son of Exceed And Excel (Aus) covered 64 mares this year. Coulsty (Ire) has been priced at €5,500. A total of 90 mares visited him this year. Grade I winner Shantisara (Ire) padded her...

She had achieved black-type success in France as a two-year-old last season and on Sunday Manhattan Jungle (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}) took her tally of listed wins to two when scoring comfortably at Santa Anita under Frankie Dettori but you won't find her breeder Patrick Headon getting carried away with himself back in Ireland.  The County Offaly operator joked on Monday, "It's vindication for a lot of luck and lack of management!" Of course, Headon was doing his best to deflect praise for his tried and trusted method of producing...