The team bring you all the leading racing news on Thursday.
Thurles racecourse to continue until March 2026
Racing will continue at Thurles racecourse until at least March 2026 following what was described as a 'positive meeting' between Horse Racing Ireland and owners the Molony family on Thursday.
The Molony family has been set to leave the racing industry, with the course set to close with immediate effect on August 1st. However, Ireland's sole privately-owned racecourse will now remain operation until March next year.
Thurles racecourse has been saved until at least March 2026 following a meeting between Horse Racing Ireland and owners the Molony family on Thursday.
A joint-statement from HRI and the Molony family read: "Following a positive meeting this afternoon between Horse Racing Ireland and the Molony family, Thurles Race Company will facilitate the continuation of horse racing at Thurles Racecourse until March 2026, with operational responsibility of the racecourse passing to Horse Racing Ireland.
"Today's agreement, made possible in conjunction with the Association of Irish Racecourses, the IHRB, and the support of the wider industry, will see Thurles Racecourse fulfil its 11 fixtures through to March 2026, resuming as scheduled on Thursday, October 9."
Kenny Alexander charged over gambling services in Turkey
Prominent owner Kenny Alexander, who was most well-known for his association with dual Champion Hurdle heroine Honeysuckle, has been named among 11 people who have been charged following an investigation into the running of gambling serviced in Turkey.
Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have revealed that Alexander, who was the former chief executive of GVC Holdings, which is now known as Entain, has been charged with conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to bribe between 2011 and 2018.
Publish heads seven Solario declarations
John and Thady Gosden's Publish will look to emulate Field Of Gold by landing the Group 3 Solario Stakes at Sandown on Saturday for owners Juddmonte. An impressive winner of a course and distance maiden last start, Publish is a general 11/10 chance to take the rise in grade in his stride.
His main rival looks likely to come in the shape of the Charlie Appleby-trained Pacific Avenue, who also steps up in class on the back of a narrow debut success in novice company at Newmarket. Stablemate Wild Desert was one of a few notable absentees, with impressive Newmarket scorer Zanthos also among those not declared.
Staya handed Flying Childers target
George Scott has revealed that his classy two-year-old Staya will drop back to five furlongs to contest the Flying Childers Stakes at Doncaster on September 12.
A winer in Listed company over the minimum distance at Sandown earlier in the season, Staya lost little in defeat when an eye-catching third behind Royal Fixation and American Queen in the Lowther Stakes at York last week.
Haggas to consider Sprint Cup for Sky Majesty
William Haggas has suggested that he could supplement his talented filly Sky Majesty for next week's Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock.
The three-year-old ran out a ready winner of the Group 3 Ballyogan Stakes at Naas for owners Tony Bloom and Ian McAleavy and could now step up to Group 1 level should if connections opt to pay the £20,000 supplementary fee.
