George Reveley, widow of trailblazing coach Mary Reveley, has died aged 87.

She played a major role in the success of her husband, who trained more than 2,000 winners during her career and became the first woman to win 100 races in a calendar year or 50 races in the Flat season. He sent two Grade 1 winners over jumps and also won the Cambridgeshire and Cesarewitch (twice).

Funeral details have not yet been announced.

Second consecutive Thurles meeting canceled

Thurles lost another meeting due to lack of rain and Thursday’s fixture was canceled due to the track being unsuitable for jumping racing.

The course canceled its meeting two weeks ago and insufficient rainfall meant officials canceled this week’s seven-race card.

Course clerk Lorcan Wyer said on Tuesday: “Unfortunately with the unseasonably dry weather we have experienced this month there has not been enough rain and the track is not suitable for jumping racing.

“There has been 10mm of rain here since their entry last Thursday, but at the time of my routine inspection this morning the track was not suitable for jumping racing. “Due to insufficient rainfall between now and the race we have made the difficult decision to cancel the fixture.

“We will work with Horse Racing Ireland to find a suitable date to reschedule the meeting.”

Popular Martin pipe chaser Cyfor Malta dies aged 31

Popular hunter Cyfor Malta, who achieved four consecutive wins at Cheltenham and Aintree in the 1998-1999 season, passed away at the age of 31.

The Martin Pipe-trained horse was a high-profile novice from France for owner David Johnson in 1997, finishing second in the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown on his second British start. He had success in the Cathcart Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival that season.

His best win came in the Pillar Property Chase at Cheltenham in 1999, when he beat Go Ballistic and See More Business, who were struggling to reach the Gold Cup two months later; this was a race that Cyfor Malta missed due to injury.

He had another major handicap chase success when he started in the Thomas Pink Gold Cup Chase at Cheltenham in 2002.

Pipe’s son David said: “He was an incredible horse and unfortunately we didn’t get to see him at his best, probably due to his injuries, but you couldn’t find a more talented one. “It leaves very special memories for all of us.”

The Jockey Club will offer free entry to the Stayers’ Hurdle for US Grade 1 hurdle winners

The tie-up between the Iroquois Steeplechase and the Jockey Club will offer the winner of the Grade 1 US hurdle free entry to the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle the following year.

Snap Decision, a three-time winner of the Calvin Houghland Iroquois, including this year’s run in May, has been invited to take part in this season’s Stayers’ Hurdle.

The Calvin Houghland Iroquois winner will need a score of over 130 to qualify for the Cheltenham Festival event, with the Jockey Club also offering a travel incentive to support participation.

“We couldn’t be more grateful to our friends and partners at the Jockey Club for this generous and meaningful opportunity,” said Dwight Hall, president of Iroquois Steeplechase.

“The Cheltenham Festival is the pinnacle of jumping racing and to have Snap Decision following his historic third victory in the Calvin Houghland Iroquois and our 2025 winner being invited to race at this important event underlines the quality of the horses competing. “This partnership underlines the strength of the relationship between our two prestigious events.”

Alphonse Le Grande’s connections given deadline to appeal Cesarewitch decision

Links Alphonse Le Grande They will aim to overturn this month’s Cesarewitch result after their runners were disqualified for whip violations.

Jockey Jamie Powell was given a 28-day ban and his mount was demoted from first after the rider was found to have used his whip four times the permitted level in the closing stages of the historic handicap at Newmarket.

Victory was awarded to the Manxman following a meeting of the BHA review committee on 15 October, but Bet Small Win Big Union and Powell will appeal the decision before an independent disciplinary panel on 14 November.

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