THE OWNER of the world-famous Moyglare Stud in Co Kildare, Walter Haefner, has died aged 101.
Praised as a huge supporter of Irish thoroughbred breeding and racing, the Swiss businessman died 50 years after purchasing Moyglare near Maynooth from where he bred international stars such as the Belmont Stakes winner Go and Go and the Melbourne Cup hero Media Puzzle.
Last week his colours were carried to Royal Ascot success in the Ribblesdale Stakes by the Dermot Weld-trained Princess Highway.
Weld is in charge of Moyglare’s string of Irish racehorses and paid tribute to his long-standing owner yesterday. “He was a wonderful man to train for, highly intelligent and loved international competition. We won so many top races together but Go And Go’s Belmont (1990) stands out,” he said.
Go And Go remains the only European-trained winner of an American classic. He was ridden to victory in New York by Mick Kinane.
“I rode for him for 15 years and I never rode for a greater gentleman. He was hugely helpful and supportive to me as a young jockey,” said Kinane.
“That Belmont still stands out and Additional Risk’s win in Hong Kong was a big launch pad for me out there too.”
This year is the 50th anniversary of Haefner’s acquisition of Moyglare Stud and there will be considerable sentiment riding on the Moyglare-owned Speaking Of Which when he lines up in Saturday’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby.
Although the nine-length Gallinule Stakes winner has a mountain to climb against Camelot in the Derby, there could also be a timely Group One winner for Moyglare in Sunday’s €190,000 Barclays Bank Pretty Polly Stakes with Sapphire.
The recent wide-margin Cork winner is among 12 entries left in the 10-furlong event although half of them are from Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle yard and include the Epsom Oaks heroine Was.
Sapphire thrives on soft ground conditions and although the going at the Curragh yesterday was described as “yielding” some showers are forecast.
“We would like some rain for her, whereas Speaking Of Which would like it good to firm,” said Weld. “One of them should get their ground.”
In-form English trainer John Gosden was a Pretty Polly winner with Dar Re Mi two years ago and has left in the progressive Izzi Top while the 2009 Irish Derby hero Fame And Glory has been left in Sunday’s At The Races Curragh Cup.
There is Listed action at Naas this evening with an Oaks trial and the 10 furlong event can prove a deserved black type victory for the consistent Aaraas. The form of her last appearance at the track could hardly have been boosted further as she split Ribblesdale winner Princess Highway and Epsom Oaks heroine Was in the Blue Wind Stakes.
A literal reading of that result might be dangerous. However, it is still hard to ignore in a 10-runner field that also includes Betterbetterbetter who chased home Sapphire at Cork last time.
Nurpur, runner up to Harasiya, on her Leopardstown debut can make the most of a drop back in trip to six furlongs in the opener.
Meanwhile, the racing world paid its respects to Cheltenham Festival-winning rider Campbell Gillies who has died after an accident while on holiday in Corfu.
