Hong Kong’s Champion galloper, Fairy King Prawn (Danehill-Twiglet) bred by TBNSW member, Mrs C Remond, was operated on at the Hong Kong Jockey’s Club’s equine hospital recently. The surgery was performed by Dr Robert Lewis from the United States with the assistance of HKJC veterinary surgeons. The procedure involved removing a fractured portion of the splint bone and an injection into the strained suspensory ligament. The recovery period is expected to take many months. Fairy King Prawn will be required to pass an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again.

Australian jockey Craig Williams is having great success in Dubai. From 21 rides, Williams has recorded 5 wins and two placings. Williams has also recorded winners at his initial rides at five different tracks namely, Jebel Ali, Ghanfoot, Shaarjah, Abu Dhabi and Nad Al Sheba.

The British Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association recently announced the award winners for 2001. The award winners are:

Leading British-based Stallion (flat prize money won)

• Winner: Machiavellian

Leading British-based Stallion (most individual winners on the Flat)

• Winner: Cadeaux Genereux

Leading British-based Breeder (Flat)

• Winner: Gainsborough Stud Management

Leading British-based First Season Sire (Flat)

• Winner: Royal Applause

Leading Broodmare

• Winner: Rafha

TBA Flat Breeder

• Winner: Gerald W Leigh

Jockey Justin Sheehan has been suspended by NSWTRB stewards until Sunday, 24 February 2002 on a charge of improper riding. The penalty relates to an incident at Randwick on 1 January 2002 when Sheehan partnered Expect A Star which finished 7th to Time Off in the Little Bay Handicap. 

Sheehan was found guilty under AR137(a) in that at around the 1800m, for some distance, he endeavoured to force Tyrrell (Chris Munce) wider on the track by extending his left arm outwards and making contact with the body of that jockey. Sheehan immediately lodged an appeal.

In the Australian and New Zealand classifications for December which were released on 7 January 2002, Falvelon has regained his position as leading sprinter following his victory in the recent Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin. He is rated on 57.5kg for four-year-olds and over up to 1400m. The leading three-year-old distance horse (2200m plus) was the New Zealand Derby winner, Leica Guv.