Morning Line debut for Coolmore Ireland

8 October 2014

Saturday, October 11th – live from 8am on Channel 4

This Saturday (October 11th), Channel 4’s The Morning Line (8am) will broadcast live from Coolmore Ireland – the world's largest breeding operation of thoroughbred racehorses.

Off the back of a successful Longchamp weekend, where Coolmore stallions - High Chaparral and Galileo sired winning fillies High Jinx and Found – Channel 4 viewers will be treated to the inner workings of this most powerful stud. Other stallions on parade include the infamous Galileo, Pour Moi, Rock of Gibraltar, Yeats Dylan Thomas and Danehill Dancer.

This racing first will be presented by Nick Luck with Emma Spencer reporting from Newmarket ahead of the days’ feature action, the Betfred Cesarewitch (Heritage Handicap), from Newmarket alongside four-races from York.

The trump outside broadcast is a further development of The Morning Line’s inner circle strand which sees regular live broadcasts from racing stables (Jonjo O’Neill / Andrew Balding) to industry visits (Tattersalls) for the 25-year-strong dedicated horseracing breakfast show.

Jamie Aitchison, Channel 4’s Commissioning Editor for Sport, says: “Firstly, we must thank Coolmore for the enviable accessibility and opportunity that allows our viewers to get under the skin of the sport. We know how well it is received when we show the inner workings of a yard, stud or racing operation, and this Saturday’s Morning Line will be must-see-television.”

Sophie Veats, Morning Line producer, adds: “This Saturday will see a long time plan come to fruition. The entire team is excited about the Coolmore visit and we look forward to developing our regular live links.”

Ends

 

About Coolmore Ireland:

Coolmore Stud based in Fethard, Co Tipperary, is Europe’s dominant horseracing and breeding operation and is now a global leader, standing the top stallions in Europe, the USA and Australia. Horses of the calibre of Galileo, High Chaparral, Mastercraftsman, Giant’s Causeway and Fastnet Rock are among the most sought after stallions in the global bloodstock business.

Operating since the 1850’s the Magnier family has a long established tradition in the South of Ireland for standing top class National Hunt stallions (like 14-time Champion sire Deep Run) which continues to this day in Cork. Coolmore’s headquarters in Fethard was later developed from a 350 acre farm in the 1970’s by John Magnier in conjunction with his late father in law, the outstanding trainer Vincent O' Brien, and Robert Sangster with the objective of creating a world class stallion operation.

The world renowned training establishment at Ballydoyle, where Dr Vincent O’ Brien sent out numerous high class horses over a 40 year period, is also a major part of the Coolmore organisation. Irish Champion trainer Aidan O’Brien (no relation) is the resident trainer and Coolmore have made a major investment in this outstanding facility so that the great tradition of success that Dr O’Brien established may continue in the future.

Today, with Coolmore at its forefront, the Irish breeding industry has become the envy of the world. This is exemplified by the fact that between 1998 and 2014 thirteen out of the seventeen Epsom Derby winners were sired by Coolmore stallions (High Estate, Fairy King, Grand Lodge, Sadler's Wells (twice), Danehill, Montjeu (four) and Galileo (three)). Four of these winners, the sire sensation Galileo, dual Breeders’ Cup Turf winner High Chaparral, Camelot and Pour Moi have already retired to stud at Coolmore, the first three having been trained by Aidan O’Brien at Ballydoyle.

2014 will see Galileo notch up the 25th consecutive British & Irish sires’ championship for Coolmore stallions.