Racing; Spending spree for Cooolmore

JOHN MAGNIER and Michael Tabor, the leading owners responsible for such as Montjeu and Stravinsky this Flat season, strengthened their breeding operation by splashing out a total of $8.6m (pounds 5.3m) for three broodmares in Kentucky on Sunday night.

The men behind the Coolmore Stud in Co Tipperary secured each of the three top lots at a dispersal sale at Keeneland. Their most expensive buy was Retrospective, already the dam of the partnership's Breeders' Cup Juvenile fourth, Mull Of Kintyre, for $2.9m (pounds 1.8m).

They also picked up the nine-time Grade One winner Sky Beauty and Warm Mood - in-foal to Danzig - for $2.85m (pounds 1.75m) each.

n There was an encouraging bulletin yesterday about Beverley Kendall, who remains in the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, after a horrific fall at Doncaster on Saturday when riding Jack Berry's final runner before retirement, Best Of All. Berry's wife, Jo, said: "Beverley revived a little last night and she recognised her boyfriend, Graham, but then they put her on medication to keep her settled. She is moving her limbs, so that is encouraging, and hopefully she will keep on improving now."