Casamento

Michael Halford, trainer of Group 1 winner Casamento (Ire), is to depart from the Irish training ranks prior to the start of the Flat turf season. Formerly a sole licence holder, he has been training in partnership with Tracey Collins for the last two years.  Halford, 62, who has been training for four decades and has saddled more than 1,000 winners, announced his impending retirement in a statement on Tuesday.  He said, "Over the last 40 years I've been lucky enough to train for some of the world's leading owners...

Blood, sweat and tears. That is what it took Michael Halford to turn Copper Beech Stables from a green field site into one of the most renowned racing yards in Ireland. One from which Group 1 and Royal Ascot winners were sent out and where the trainer managed the careers of over 100 steeds in his pomp.  Halford has trained more than 1,000 winners in his 41-year career, almost 500 of which were managed from Copper Beech during 16 full seasons there, but dwindling numbers during Covid and the separation...

Casamento (Ire) (Shamardal-Wedding Gift {Fr}, by Always Fair), winner of the G1 Racing Post Trophy and G2 Beresford S. in 2010 and a useful dual purpose sire, has died aged 12 at Sunnyhill Stud as a result of a hoof condition, Racing Post reports. Casamento was campaigned by Sheikh Mohammed with trainer Mick Halford at two, and stood five seasons between Kildangan and Dalham Hall Studs before a brief stint in Sweden and two years at Sunnyhill. He leaves behind 10 stakes winners, headed by the Australian Group 1 winner...