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Articles by Catherine Macrae
Almeraq, Kind of Blue Headline Sprint Cup Stakes
Wathnan Racing will be represented at Haydock Park Racecourse in the Sprint Cup Stakes (G1), with Kind of Blue one of nine horses declared for the Sept. 5 headline group 1 contest. The James Fanshawe-trained 5-year-old was runner-up in the race last year and will bid to go one better under James Doyle, with last year's winner Big Mojo also set to return for Mick Appleby.
U.S. Owners Buy Into Unbeaten Juvenile Adonius
Rebecca Menzies is dreaming of Breeders' Cup glory as she plots the next step for Adonius after the exciting gelding was part-bought by United States-based owners. The unbeaten juvenile has not been seen since landing his third win in the non-black-type Lily Agnes Conditions Stakes at Chester Racecourse in May, and he has since been partly purchased by the Virginia-based Riverdee and West Paces.
Biancone Back to Royal Ascot With 'Little Rocket Ship'
US-based trainer Patrick Biancone will make his return to Europe in hopes of Royal Ascot glory with "rocket ship" juvenile Celtic Dispute in the Queen Mary Stakes (G2) Wednesday. Biancone, a dual Arc winner who started his training career in his native France before moving to Hong Kong and then the States, finished third in the group 2 contest 12 months ago with Lennilu and aims to improve on that effort with Celtic Dispute, a general 16-1 shot.
Bay City Roller Flattens Competition in Coronation Cup
The June 6 Coronation Cup Stakes (G1) was billed as a titanic clash between the powerhouses of Ballydoyle and The Aga Khan, but it was the emerging talent of trainer George Scott who upset the pecking order to land a first domestic group 1 success with Bay City Roller .
Court Decision Paves Way for Boudot to Return in France
Former French champion jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot has had charges relating to allegations of rape dismissed by a court, over five years after being banned from riding in his home country. Boudot was suspended in May 2021 by France Galop following his arrest on a charge of rape and was indicted the following month. His suspension was held in place for subsequent years at the request of the interior ministry on behalf of the police.
Ombudsman the One to Beat in Brigadier Gerard
There is always a touch of class about the Brigadier Gerard Stakes (G3), and the May 28 running is no different with a certified headliner in triple group 1 winner Ombudsman . The Godolphin-owned 5-year-old was still climbing the ranks when he showed up in this group 3 contest last year, but his potential was evident and he was sent off favorite before being denied by recent Gold Cup (G1) winner Almaqam .
Almaqam Starts Year Strong in Tattersalls Gold Cup
Almaqam announced himself as a potential disruptor to an already scintillating middle-distance division as he got his campaign off to a magnificent start with a decisive success in the Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1) May 24 under Kieran Shoemark, giving Ed Walker an unforgettable first winner in Ireland.
Startups to Pitch New Ideas to Improve British Racing
A total of 11 tech startups will pitch ideas to improve British racing to an audience of investors, industry figures, and venture capitalists next month in the first stage of the British Horseracing Authority's Future of Racing initiative. Launched in October, the project, created in partnership with betting giant Flutter Entertainment, aims to bring fresh ideas into the sport by encouraging entrepreneurs to propose concepts to engage new racing fans.
Two Saint Cloud Wins Push O'Brien to 25 G1s on Year
completed a group 1 double for Aidan O'Brien with a determined victory in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud (G1) under Christophe Soumillon Oct. 26. Sent off the 4-7 favorite, the lightly raced colt sat on the heels of leaders and A Taste Of Glory before edging into contention down the home straight. The Camelot colt took a moment to pick up, but he soon hit his stride and pulled clear of the field to provide Ballydoyle with their second group 1 win of the afternoon.
Rival Trainers Keen to Take on Ballydoyle in St Leger
During the last five years Paddy Twomey has sent out 133 winners from 462 runners on the flat in Ireland for an impressive strike rate of 29%. The trainer has yet to make the same sort of impact with his British raiders, having saddled only two winners from 22 runners in the same period, but one of those successes came in the Queen's Vase (G2) at Royal Ascot with talented stayer .
Scandinavia Runs Down Illinois in Goodwood Cup
A fatal injury to cast a shadow over what should have been a joyous Goodwood Cup (G1) July 29. Racing will mourn the staying star at Goodwood while recognizing the birth of another in Scandinavia . Trueshan's death resulted in an unmistakably subdued atmosphere in the winner's enclosure. Yet, it was unable to entirely eliminate the feeling that Aidan O'Brien could have something special on his hands with Scandinavia.
Carl Spackler to Race in Britain, Then Australia
Former top United States miler Carl Spackler is expected to race one more time in Britain as a prep for a start in the Cox Plate (G1) in Australia. The triple grade 1 winner was purchased last month by Yulong Investments with a long-term plan of contesting the Oct. 25 Cox Plate, a race the owners won last year with superstar mare Via Sistina .
Carl Spackler to Race Once More in Britain
Former top United States miler Carl Spackler is expected to race one more time in Britain before starting his new career in Australia. The triple grade 1 winner was bought last month by Yulong Investments with a long-term aim of contesting the Oct. 25 Cox Plate (G1), a race the owners won last year with superstar mare Via Sistina .
O'Brien Juvenile Charles Darwin Struts Speed in Norfolk
Trainer Aidan O'Brien's dominance of the Royal Ascot juvenile contests continued after stormed to victory in the June 19 Norfolk Stakes (G2). The colt was sent off odds-on and was briefly challenged by American and longshot Ameeq, but he exerted his class over the pair to pull clear under Ryan Moore by 2 1/4 lengths over a Godolphin's rallying juvenile . "He's a very, very fast horse," O'Brien said. "He's big and mature and has a very good mind, so he's very exciting.
Charles Darwin Looks to Defy the Odds in Norfolk
It seems counterintuitive that, with speed and precocity being so en vogue in the breeding industry, the juvenile races at Royal Ascot are harder than ever to call. The June 19 Norfolk Stakes (G2) embodies that. In its first nine years as a group 2, the winners returned 11-4, 2-1, 11-4, 10-1, 16-1, 6-1, 4-1, 4-1, and 8-1. In the last decade, most winners have returned double-figure odds and two of the last three have been 50-1 and 150-1.
Carl Spackler Sold, Heads to Ascot for Queen Anne
Three-time grade 1 winner is set to be an exciting addition to this year's Royal Ascot line-up after he was purchased by Yulong Investments and sent to be trained in Australia.
Carl Spackler Sold, Headed to Ascot for Queen Anne
Three-time grade 1 winner is set to be an exciting addition to this year's Royal Ascot line-up after he was purchased by Yulong Investments and sent to be trained in Australia.
Royal Ascot Possible for Skybird After Lightning Win
Leading representatives from Coolmore, Godolphin, and Yulong all fell to the wayside after 25-1 shot Skybird surged to a shock victory in the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (G1) Feb. 15. The Exosphere filly had raced over six and seven furlongs last year but thrived on the drop back in trip at Flemington Racecourse, shooting into action within the final furlong and sweeping past all nine of her rivals to win by a length.
King George the Summer Goal for Returning Isle Of Jura
Hardwicke Stakes (G2) hero and Bahrain Triple Crown winner Isle Of Jura is firmly on the road to recovery and will be aimed at a return to Royal Ascot in June. The 5-year-old son of New Approach was the flag bearer for trainer George Scott last year, winning all five of his starts, but was ruled for the year after his Hardwicke win due to injury.
UK Jockey Club Announces Freeze on Prize Money
The Jockey Club has announced a freeze on prize money for 2025 while warning that trading performance at its 15 tracks in Britain could lead to a review. The figure will be set at £58.1 million, £30.6m of which will come from executive contribution. While the figure is marginally down on this year's £58.6 million due to there being 15 fewer race days, this means the average prize money per fixture is improved from £175,000 to £182,000.
Tepin's Final Foal Delacroix Lands Autumn Stakes
Aidan O'Brien landed a first Autumn Stakes (G3) Oct. 12 when battled home in the one-mile contest under Ryan Moore to set up a possible tilt at the Oct. 25 Futurity Trophy Stakes (G1) at Doncaster. In the early stages of the six-runner contest Moore had the 15-8 favorite on the shoulder of early leader Wolf of Badenoch , who came over to the stands' rail in search of fresher ground.
Shadow of Light Completes Middle Park-Dewhurst Double
At the end of September, Charlie Appleby was convinced he had a smart sprinter on his hands. Two weeks later, it turns out he has instead unearthed a live Guineas contender after completed a group 1 double to land the Dewhurst Stakes (G1) Oct. 12 at Newmarket Racecourse.
Mqse De Sevigne Keeps 2024 Flawless in Jean Romanet Win
prevailed in a fierce battle to the line to continue her unbeaten season with a second success in the Prix Jean Romanet (G1). The 5-year-old mare secured her fourth win of the year but had to fight for every inch of the success under a determined ride from Alexis Pouchin. Racing in the rear, the winner was forced to first see off before the Joseph O'Brien-trained rallied to claw back the deficit to just a head. O'Brien filled out the places when pipped Blue Rose Cen at the line for third.
Kyprios Sets Course Record Despite Slip in Goodwood Cup
Those watching this year's Goodwood Cup (G1) July 30 were treated to an authoritative display by Ireland's superstar stayer. For , it was just another Tuesday. Group 1 triumphs have become the norm for Ballydoyle's resilient 6-year-old but there was nothing ordinary about his success on the opening day of Glorious Goodwood, where under sweltering temperatures he assured his spot at the top of the staying division by breaking the course record at the West Sussex track.
Bedtime Story Scores Breathtaking Chesham Win
It is a common occurrence for Aidan O'Brien to unearth classy juveniles at Royal Ascot but there was nothing ordinary about the dazzling performance of Bedtime Story in the June 22 Chesham Stakes. The 2-year-old daughter of was well touted coming into the listed race after winning her maiden earlier this month, yet nothing could prepare connections for her devastating turn of foot as she cruised home by 9 1/2 lengths.
Divisional Leaders Battle in Coronation Stakes
may have triumphed in the first classic of the season but Roger Varian admits she will need to improve again to beat the hot favorite in the June 21 Coronation Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot. The daughter of was a 28-1 surprise winner of the One Thousand Guineas (G1) at Newmarket last month when charging late to collar on just her third career start. "Elmalka seems in great form," said Varian.
Kyprios Reigns King in Gold Cup at Royal Ascot
became the third horse to win nonconsecutive editions of the Gold Cup (G1) when a game winner over the front-running June 20 at the Royal Ascot meeting. It was a record-extending ninth Gold Cup success for trainer Aidan O'Brien, with the son of Galileo emulating Anticipation and Kayf Tara by winning back his crown. William Buick set steady fractions on Godolphin's Trawlerman in the early stages with Kyprios, the mount of Ryan Moore, looming up on the outside to race in second with a circuit to go.
'More Big Pots Ahead' for Annaf After Saudi Victory
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'More Big Pots Ahead' for Annaf After Saudi Victory
A return trip to the Middle East is on the agenda for after he showed his love for sunnier climates with a lucrative success at the Saudi Cup (G1) meeting Feb. 24. The 5-year-old netted just shy of £945,000 with victory in the 1351 Turf Sprint (G2T) under a daring ride from Rossa Ryan, who sneaked through a narrow gap on the rail to score against a strong international field by three-quarters of a length.
Derma Sotogake Injures Eye, Possibly from Fight
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Derma Sotogake Injures Eye, Possibly from Fight
Connections of one of Japan's leading hopes for the Saudi Cup (G1) hope a mid-flight incident has done nothing to impact the chances of their runner ahead of a bid to land the world's most valuable race. Japan is seeking a second consecutive success in the $20 million contest following the victory of Panthalassa last year, and the country fields five runners including Derma Sotogake , who was third in the Saudi Derby (G3) at the meeting last year.
Sangster Hopeful for First Group 1 Win With Shuwari
Newmarket will pull out all the stops for what is scheduled to be Frankie Dettori's final weekend at the track but amid all the fanfare the Oct. 13 Fillies' Mile (G1) also marks a significant milestone for fledgling trainer Ollie Sangster, who saddles his first runner in group 1 company.
Continuous Throws Dominant Performance in St Leger
Frankie Dettori was denied victory in his final British Classic as Continuous powered clear to deliver Aidan O'Brien his seventh success in the St Leger (G1) Sept. 16 at Doncaster. The son of Heart's Cry followed up on his Voltigeur (G2) success at York with his first top-level victory under Ryan Moore, with Dettori finishing in second place despite making a bold bid for success on the well-backed favorite .
Good chance Sparks will fly to notch seventh win in a row. RACE IN FOCUS 7.15 York British EBF 40th Anniversary Lyric Fillies' Stakes 1m21/2f 3yo+ Listed RTV Card and Spotlight, page 68.
Byline: Analysis by Paul Kealy THERE can't be many more progressive horses in training than Dave Loughnane's Sparks Fly, who steps up to Listed class for the first time in search of a seven-timer. Such heights could not have been imagined when the daughter of Muhaarar made her turf debut in a handicap off a mark of just 59 at Windsor in April, but she won that easily and hasn't looked like being beaten in five further outings.
Surprise Australian Option for Superstar Paddington
Coral-Eclipse Stakes (G1) star Paddington could be aimed at a valuable target abroad after Coolmore's Tom Magnier said connections were tempted to head to Australia for the AU$5 million Cox Plate (G1). The triple group 1 winner was last seen fending off Emily Upjohn at Sandown and is poised to make his return at Goodwood in the Sussex Stakes (G1) Aug. 2, when he will bid for his seventh successive victory for Aidan O'Brien.
Dettori to Appeal Against Nine-Day Suspension
Frankie Dettori will seek to overturn a nine-day careless riding ban handed out at Royal Ascot that will rule him out of the ride on in the Coral-Eclipse (G1) at Sandown. Dettori, who enjoyed four winners last week, spearheaded by the success of in the Gold Cup (G1), was suspended after allowing the King and Queen's horse Saga to shift right-handed entering the first bend in the Wolferton Stakes and cause interference to several of his rivals. Saga went on to finish fifth behind the winner .
Bay Bridge, Adayar Top Royal Ascot Day Two Entries
Bay Bridge and , first and second in an epic Champion Stakes (G1) last season, are on course to meet again at Ascot after featuring among eight confirmations for the June 21 Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1).
Dettori links up with Onesto in bid to repel strong raiding party. TODAY'S ACTION 3.25 LONGCHAMP PRIX D'ISPAHAN.
Byline: Analysis by Scott Burton France correspondent REPORTING BY CATHERINE MACRAE WHEN you ride for as long as Frankie Dettori has, certain things can seem a long time in the past. The names Halling and Best Of The Bests feature on the honour roll of the Group 1 Prix d'Ispahan with Dettori's name next to them, but those victories were 27 and 21 years ago respectively.
Anmaat Battles to Group 1 Glory in Prix d'Ispahan
made a successful first step into group 1 company after he battled to victory in the Prix d'Ispahan at Longchamp May 29. The Owen Burrows-trained favorite powered past his five rivals under Jim Crowley to narrowly snatch victory in a tight finish from fellow British runner Light Infantry , who held on for second in a photo-finish with Facteur Cheval .
What was special about Whatawit's bumper win at Ffos Las on Saturday?
Whatawit equalled the record for the shortest-priced winner in Britain and Ireland when the Sir Mark Prescott-trained five-year-old justified a starting price of 1-100 at Ffos Las on Saturday evening. It is the first time in nearly 120 years that a winner has been returned so short. The last was top-class mare Sceptre's success in Newmarket's Limekiln Stakes in 1903, a year after a dazzling three-year-old season which saw her claim four British Classics.
Hukum Swoops Late to Deny Derby Hero Desert Crown
Owen Burrows was left struggling for words when stable star made a triumphant return from injury to deny Desert Crown in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes (G3). It was a first start in 356 days for the Shadwell-owned 6-year-old, who sustained a potentially career-ending hind-leg fracture during his victory in last year's Coronation Cup (G1) at Epsom, but he showed no ill effects to reel in last year's Derby (G1) hero and score by a half-length. "I'm a little bit speechless," Burrows said.
Platinum Jubilee Stakes Renamed for Late Queen
The Platinum Jubilee Stakes (G1) will be renamed as The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes for next month's Royal Ascot meeting in memory of the late monarch. The group 1 contest, which will be held on the final day of the meeting on June 24, will pay tribute to the Queen's longstanding passion for racing having been renamed three times this century in commemoration of her Golden, Diamond, and Platinum Jubilees.
Melbourne Cup Star Verry Elleegant Supplemented for Arc
Verry Elleegant will join the line-up for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) after connections announced Sept. 19 that they would supplement last year's Lexus Melbourne Cup (G1) winner for the race. Owners Jomara Bloodstock have said they will pay the £120,000 fee for the 11-time group 1 winner following her third-placed finish in the Qatar Prix Foy (G2) eight days ago. She is priced between 33-1 and 40-1 with bookmakers to land ParisLongchamp's showpiece contest, which takes place Oct. 2.
High winds, gales and storms
High winds, gales and storms Advice on what you can do The Met Office has updated their weather warnings for Edinburgh and the Lothians saying there is: an amber warning from around midnight through to 8am on Friday 9 January of very strong westerly winds, with gusts 60-70 mph quite widely and isolated gusts to 80 mph. Winds should quickly ease from the west during the morning. potential disruption to transport so please check latest forecasts before travelling.
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