George Reviley, widower of pioneering trainer Mary Reviley, has died aged 87

George Reveley, widower of pioneering trainer Mary Reveley, has died aged 87.

He played a huge role in the success of his wife, who trained more than 2,000 winners in her career and became the first woman to win 100 races in a calendar year or 50 wins in an even season. She sent two Grade 1 winners over jumps and also won Cambridgeshire and Cesarevich (twice).

Details of the funeral have not yet been announced.

Thurles’ second meeting in a row has been cancelled

Thurles lost another meeting due to the lack of rain, with Thursday’s match canceled due to the track not being suitable for jumping.

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

Course manager Lorcan Wyer said on Tuesday: “Unfortunately, due to the unseasonably dry weather we’ve had this month, there hasn’t been enough rain and the course is not suitable for jumping.

“We have indeed had 10mm of rain since registration last Thursday, but during my routine inspection this morning the track was unfit for jumps racing. Due to insufficient rainfall before the race, we made the difficult decision to cancel the competition.

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

Martin Pipe’s popular stalker Cyfor Malta has died at the age of 31

Cyfor Malta, the popular chaser who won four in a row at Cheltenham and Aintree in the 1998-99 season, has died aged 31.

The Martin Pipe-trained gelding was the most famous French recruit for owner David Johnson in 1997 and finished second in the Scilly Isles Novice Chase at Sandown on his second start in Britain. That season he ran successfully in the Cathcart Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival.

His best win came in the Pillar Property Chase at Cheltenham in 1999 when he beat Go Ballistic and See More Business, who contested the Gold Cup two months later – Cyfor Malta missed the race through injury.

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

Pipe’s son David said: “He was an amazing horse and unfortunately we probably didn’t get to see him at his best because of his injuries, but you won’t find many more talented. He left special memories for all of us.”

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

In a tie-up between the Iroquois Steeplechase and the Jockey Club, the winner of next year’s US Grade 1 Hurdle will receive a free entry into the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle.

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

Winner Calvin Houghland Iroquois needs a rating of 130 plus to qualify for the Cheltenham Festival and the Jockey Club is also offering travel incentives to support entry.

Dwight Hall, Chairman of the Iroquois Steeplechase, said: “We could not be more grateful to our friends and partners at the Jockey Club for this generous and meaningful opportunity.

“The Cheltenham Festival is the pinnacle of showjumping and the instant decision following his historic third win in the Calvin Houghland Iroquois and our 2025 winner being invited to race at this legendary event highlights the caliber of horses competing. This partnership underscores the strength of the connection between our two prestigious events.”

The connections of Alphonse Le Grande gave the date for the appeal against Cesarevitch’s decision

Connections with Alphonse Le Grande will aim to overturn this month’s Cesarewitch after their runner was disqualified for a whip infringement.

Jockey Jamie Powell has been banned for 28 days and his mount demoted after the rider was found to have used his whip four times over the limit in the closing stages of the historic Newmarket Handicap.

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

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