Turf Club may probe valets’ payment dispute

RACING at Kilbeggan last Saturday night came close to being cancelled when the jockeys’ valets said they would not work unless they were given a special payment of €130, which they got from the racecourses for working Saturday evenings last year.

Kilbeggan refused to pay, however, and the situation was only resolved when one of the course’s sponsors came up with the money.

There was a new twist to the debacle last evening when Turf Club Chief Executive, Denis Egan, revealed that the Turf Club had received a complaint from the Association of Irish Racecourses regarding the valets behaviour at Kilbeggan.

The valets are licencees of the Turf Club.

Egan indicated the matter may now be referred to the Appeals and Referrals Committee for further investigation.

The leading Irish rider at this year’s Cheltenham Festival, Ruby Walsh, was among honoured with a Special Achievement Award at the National Hunt Awards in Adare, Co Limerick on Sunday night.

Other award winners:

Personality of the Year: Enda Bolger.

Distinguished Service Award: Val Lamb.

Stable Staff Award: Dessie Hughes.

Leading Jockey: Barry Geraghty.

Champion Owner: J.P. McManus.

Leading Trainer: Noel Meade.

Champion Trainer: Noel Meade.

Leading Lady Rider (joint): Miss Elizabeth Doyle and Miss Louisa Claire Williams.

Leading Amateur: Derek O'Connor.

Leading Trainer of Mares: Francis Flood.

Leading Claiming Rider: Robert Power.