Racing: Coolmore lose Shergar case

VINCENT O'BRIEN and the Coolmore Stud have failed in their High Court attempt to recover their investment in Shergar, who was abducted from a Co Kildare stud in 1983.

They alleged negligence against the British Bloodstock Agency (Ireland) and leading Lloyds brokers Hughes-Gibb on the grounds that they had failed to insure the stallion for theft as well as mortality. Although Shergar is widely believed to have been killed by his abductors, his body has never been found and thus no proof of his death exists which will satisfy insurers.

Coolmore's John Magnier, speaking at the Punchestown Festival, did not rule out appealing to the House Of Lords.

Punchestown's card today has lured Richard Dunwoody away from his pursuit of Adrian Maguire in the jockeys' championship. He rides Martin Pipe's All For Luck against Mudahim, Beachy Head and Merry Gale, in the pounds 60,000 Heineken Cup. Brendan Sheridan partners Fortune And Fame in the pounds 40,000 Downshire Hurdle.

Graham McCourt has been banned for four days for using his whip with unreasonable frequency at Towcester on 19 April.

Barney Curley has won an appeal against a fine for a breach of the non-triers' rule with Me Fein at Ascot last month.