Brighton opening fixture switched to Lingfield due to ongoing weighing room work

Brighton's opening fixture on April 16 has been transferred to the all-weather at Lingfield due to ongoing work on the weighing room.

Facilities are being upgraded to meet new regulations, and with some parts of the work delayed, it has been agreed the meeting can switch to another Arena Racing Company-owned course.

The same race programme will be scheduled at Lingfield with Brighton's first fixture now on April 26.

Jack Duern receives 21-day whip suspension after disciplinary hearing

Jack Duern has been handed a 21-day suspension, with seven of those deferred for two months, following a disciplinary hearing in London.

Duern was found to have used his whip above the permitted level within the final furlong when finishing second aboard Harbour Vision at Wolverhampton on March 19.

Stewards found the offence warranted a ban within the range of two to six days and as it was a fifth suspension in the space of six months, referred the case to the disciplinary panel.

Duern is banned from April 8 to April 22 but excluding April 10, while he must also spend a day at the British Racing School.

Hunscote Stud to retain apprentice Saffie Osborne for new Flat season

The Warwickshire-based Hunscote Stud has announced they will retain apprentice jockey Saffie Osborne for the 2022 Flat season.

The 20-year-old jockey rode 35 winners to finish second in the apprentice jockeys' championship behind Marco Ghiani last year, and Hunscote's 17 horses in training could boost her chances of claiming the title this year.

The stud was set up in 2012 and has since bred Group 3 winners Ville De Grace, Dan's Dream and Cairn Gorm.

Saffie Osborne The BetVictor EBF Maiden Stakes (GBB Race) (Div II)Newbury 13.8.21©mark cranhamphoto.comCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Steven Smith of Hunscote Stud said: "We are delighted to announce this relationship with Saffie. Her father helped buy me my first racehorse 30 years ago and I still have the mare's grand-foal on the farm as a broodmare.

"Hunscote Stud is ten years old this year and it is the right time for us to have a regular rider as part of the team. I have been a huge admirer of Saffie and our aim is to help her win the apprentice title this year, which would be very rewarding."

Dick Francis statue to be unveiled at Aintree next week

A life-size statue of champion jump jockey and author Dick Francis will be unveiled on the opening day of the Randox Grand National meeting next week.

The statue will stand outside the weighing room in commemoration to Francis, who died aged 89 in 2010 and rode eight times in the National, famously partnering Devon Loch in 1956 when he fell before the post, moments from victory.

Dick Francis and Devon Loch throw away Grand National glory in 1956

Dickon White, The Jockey Club's Regional Director for the North West, said: "Few people have done more for Aintree and the Grand National than Dick Francis. We're delighted that his statue will look out over the paddock and winner's enclosure as a permanent reminder of his contribution to horseracing and to Aintree."

The statue, which was created by William Newton, will be unveiled on April 7 by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal at 2pm.

Pilot eight-week traineeship set to launch

A government-backed traineeship aimed at encouraging young talent into horseracing will be launched thanks to a partnership between the not-for-profit organisation Take The Reins and The Strive Group.

The eight-week programme will be available for up to 15 people with a focus on young people living within the London area.

The pilot traineeship will include 70 hours of work experience within the industry, with opportunities available in both horse and non-horse related roles, and a residential stay at the British Racing School.

Deborah Hay, CEO of Take The Reins, said: "Hopefully it will offer some hope and opportunities to those, hardest hit by the pandemic who have felt isolated and forgotten while the country tries to recover from the financial impact of the last two years.

"We want to be able to show these young people that the thoroughbred industry has a huge number of career pathways for them – whether they want to work directly with horses or are happiest in a kitchen or a design studio."

Highland Hunter ruled out of Grand National with leg injury

Paul Nicholls will be without a runner in the Randox Grand National on April 9 after Highland Hunter was ruled out of the race with a leg injury. The Thomas Barr-owned nine-year-old was 28th on the entry list and a general 40-1 chance with bookmakers for the Aintree contest.

Second in this season's Welsh National, Highland Hunter was the Ditcheat trainer's only entry for a race Nicholls won with Neptune Collonges in 2012.

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