TOP RACEHORSE trainer Jim Bolger has forked out €5.35m for Beechy Park, a 224-acre estate in Co Carlow.

It's a few miles from Coolcullen where he has trained some outstanding flat horses. Earlier this year the trainer was summoned before the dreaded tribunal to explain the life and death of an unfortunate nag that was sold to Frank Dunlop for £64,000 back in 1992. The foal broke its neck and died after colliding with another horse a year afterwards. There is nothing on the record to show that Frank bought a replacement horse to run at Fairyhouse, close to his home.

Let's hope that Bolger also has better luck with his bloodstock at Beechy Park, which was in the same family for 100 years.