David Milnes
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Articles by David Milnes
Musical Times Overcomes Adversity to Win Fillies' Mile
Musical Times overcame some serious traffic issues to remain unbeaten and enhance her classic claims in the Fillies' Mile Stakes (G1) Oct. 9 at Newmarket Racecourse. Charlie Appleby's filly has had a similar juvenile campaign to the stable's Desert Flower , who won the 2024 Fillies' Mile after landing the May Hill Stakes (G2) at Doncaster Racecourse in her previous start. Ahead of a big juvenile clash between Godolphin and Ballydoyle juveniles in the Oct.
Rogue Passion, Musical Times Vie in Fillies' Mile
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Blue Bolt Continues Perfect Season With Sun Chariot Win
Blue Bolt delivered a first Sun Chariot Stakes (G1) Oct. 3 for Andrew Balding and Juddmonte in impressive fashion to propel the conditioner to the top of the trainers' table and take some pressure off the team before Kalpana 's bid for Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) glory Oct. 4.
Breeders' Cup Possible for Haffner With Royal Lodge Win
The Breeders' Cup, the Two Thousand Guineas Stakes (G1), and the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, G1) were all mentioned in the aftermath of Haffner 's authoritative, 1 1/4-length victory in the Sept. 26 Royal Lodge Stakes (G2) at Newmarket Racecourse. Punters were willing to forgive a below-par effort in the Vincent O'Brien National Stakes (G1), backing Haffner from a general into 7-4 favoritism, and he proved a class apart under Ryan Moore.
Sun Goddess Puts Rivals Away in Cheveley Park Victory
Sun Goddess did justice to what was billed as the juvenile race of the season when running out an apt winner of the Cheveley Park Stakes (G1) Sept. 26 on a sun-soaked Rowley Mile at Newmarket Racecourse. It was one-way traffic in the market beforehand, as Aidan O'Brien's candidate was punted into 5-6 (from 6-4 Saturday morning), to see off her two main rivals Senorita Bonita and Libertango and so it proved when she powered out of the dip to down the latter.
Former British Jockey Lowe Dies at 75 in Australia
Former "Cock O' The North" jockey John Lowe died in a hospital in Perth, Western Australia, Sept. 21 after suffering a stroke. He was 75. Lowe emigrated to Australia with his wife Gale two years ago after retiring from riding out at Roger Varian's Newmarket stable to be close to his daughter Verity and grandsons Isaac and Gabriel. The always active Lowe suffered a stroke while pursuing his favorite hobby of gardening at home Sept. 17 and died in a hospital four days later with Gale at his side.
High-Class Stayer Trawlerman Retired From Racing
Godolphin's staying flagbearer Trawlerman has been retired after exiting his runner-up finish in the July 28 Goodwood Cup (G2) with a leg injury. The curtain has finally come down on a glittering career which yielded 11 victories from 25 races, two of which were at group 1 level, including his memorable success over stablemate Sweet William in last year's Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.
Dettori in Hospital After Car Crash in Newmarket
A hospitalized Frankie Dettori said he is "very sore" after breaking ribs and his thumb in a car accident near Newmarket July 1. The accident happened at approximately 7 p.m. on Wednesday on the A1304, close to the village of Six Mile Bottom. According to a statement from his agent, the car Dettori was driving spun and flipped after being struck. Dettori and a second person remain in the hospital while they undergo further examination. Cambridgeshire Police said no arrests were made.
Trawlerman Debuts New Headgear Ahead of Ascot Gold Cup
Trawlerman is set to win his race against time to be ready for the Gold Cup (G1) at Royal Ascot and will be sporting some unusual headgear at the meeting to counter a problem with his eyes. John and Thady Gosden's 8-year-old won the staying feature by seven lengths last year and was last seen taking the Long Distance Cup at the same Berkshire track in October.
Top Rider Moore Schedule to Return Dec. 3 at Lingfield
Ryan Moore is back. Britain's dominant big-race rider has been off the track since suffering a stress fracture to his right femur in August, but he is due to return at Lingfield Dec. 3 having been declared for five rides on the eight-race card.
Yulong Investments' Gewan Downs Dewhurst Big Guns
The 150th running of the Dewhurst Stakes (G1) was also a landmark for rising force Yulong Investments, who put established superpowers Coolmore and Godolphin in the shade when made the most of a prominent position under James Doyle to give Andrew Balding a second win in four years in the juvenile fixture Oct. 11 at Newmarket Racecourse.
Ryan Moore's 17-Year-Old Son Set to Make Riding Debut
Toby Moore, son of legendary Ballydoyle top jockey Ryan Moore, is set to make his much-anticipated riding debut at Kempton Park Oct. 10 when he partners Valdorcia for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby in a 6-furlong fillies' novice. Last winter, the younger Moore followed his father into the professional ranks by joining Appleby's Moulton Paddocks as an apprentice jockey. He will get his first taste of action on the daughter of Oasis Dream , claiming what is likely to be a handy 7 pounds.
Fallen Angel Lands Third Straight G1 in Sun Chariot
blew her rivals away Oct. 4 on a windswept Rowley Mile in the Sun Chariot Stakes (G1) to complete a third straight group 1 win and set up a possible showdown with the colts in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1) Oct. 18 at Ascot Racecourse. Karl Burke's star was cut to 4-1 (from 6) by Paddy Power for a potential clash with and company after making all under James Doyle to account for the progressive and two-time group 1 winner .
Cinderella's Dream Primed for Sun Chariot
It is 22 years since Godolphin won the final non-juvenile group 1 of the season on the Rowley Mile, but they look in prime position to break that run with , who has proven her effectiveness at both Newmarket Racecourse tracks. Trainer Charlie Appleby and William Buick are also bidding to add the 1-mile Sun Chariot Stakes (G1) to their respective CVs with the 4-year-old, who could have a return trip to the Breeders' Cup on her radar after this.
Ombudsman Team Eyes Breeders' Cup, International Starts
A much-anticipated third showdown between and in next week's Irish Champion Stakes (G1) is off after connections of the Prince of Wales's (G1) and International (G1) stakes winner have decided to freshen him for a busy autumn campaign. Following Delacroix's first defeat of the John and Thady Gosden-trained 4-year-old in the Coral Eclipse Stakes (G1) at Sandown, Ombudsman settled the score when stretching three and a half lengths clear of that rival at York last month.
Impressive Debut Winner Distant Storm Steps Up in Acomb
The Aug. 23 Acomb Stakes (G3) often belies its group 3 status. In the past three runnings alone, we have seen two Two Thousand Guineas (G1) winners ( and ), plus a couple of July Cup (G1)-winning sprinters in and . The early market for this Acomb shares similarities with the previous one dominated by Ruling Court and , given we have another powerhouse clash between Charlie Appleby and Aidan O'Brien.
Dettori Booked to Ride Wimbledon Hawkeye at KY Downs
is set to become James Owen's first runner in the US this month after being invited to chase a lucrative pot of $3.5 million in the Nashville Derby (G3T) Aug. 30, and the trainer has moved fast to book last year's winning jockey Frankie Dettori for the ride. The classy 3-year-old, a nose second to in the Gordon Stakes (G3) at Goodwood last month, is to miss his engagement in the Great Voltigeur Stakes (G2) at York next week, for which he was 8-1 third favorite.
Buick Confirmed to Ride Field of Gold in Sussex Stakes
William Buick has been confirmed as the rider of in the July 30 Sussex Stakes (G1) at Goodwood and enjoyed a first feel of the classy Juddmonte-owned grey on the Newmarket gallops on Wednesday morning. The two-time champion jockey has headed a list of possible replacement riders for the suspended Colin Keane, Juddmonte's retained jockey, since Field of Gold's joint-trainer John Gosden revealed at Newmarket's July festival that Buick would "probably" take the mount.
No Half Measures Upsets July Cup at 66-1 Odds
on July 12 became the longest-priced winner of the July Cup Stakes (G1) since it was first run in 1876 and provided multiple group 1-winning jockey Richard Hughes his first top-level success as a trainer.
Notable Speech Cuts Back for July Cup
William Buick hopes 's high cruising speed will "give him every chance" when he drops to six furlongs for the first time in the July 12 July Cup Stakes (G1) at Newmarket Racecourse. A field of 15 sprinters will go to post for the group 1 on the Newmarket July course, with leading contenders and also among the final declarations. Godolphin's 2024 Two Thousand Guineas (G1) winner Notable Speech remains favorite for the race after connections supplemented him for £36,000 July 7.
Quality Road Son Cairo Eyes U.S. Campaign
Alice Haynes's stable star , who finished a career-best third at Royal Ascot in the Queen Anne Stakes (G1) June 17 at odds of 100-1, is set to spend the rest of the summer in the United States with some ambitious targets on his agenda. The 5-year-old son of Quality Road gave his Kuwaiti owner Refai Alghraiban a great thrill when beaten just 1 3/4 lengths behind in the opening race of the Royal meeting, when he had group 1 winners like Notable Speech , Carl Spackler , and Lead Artist in arrears.
Contentious Ribblesdale, Hampton Court at Ascot
has looked every inch a burgeoning star for trainer Paddy Twomey, and she disputes favoritism with Andrew Balding's Musidora Stakes (G3) runner-up in the 1 1/2-mile Ribblesdale Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot. They seem the right pair to focus on with Aidan O'Brien and John and Thady Gosden's six runners forming a weaker challenge than we have come to expect. is the choice of Ryan Moore among three from O'Brien, but the form of her Naas Oaks Trial win is modest.
American Lennilu Takes on Zelaina in Queen Mary
Karl Burke has been the man to follow in the Queen Mary Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot over the past three years. He saddled to win in 2022 and was successful last year, while he also had Beautiful Diamond (GB) finish third in between. Miss Lamai (IRE) took fourth 12 months ago to boot. Punters have latched on to his apparent first string this year and Zelaina is a threat to give the stable yet another success on June 18 following an impressive debut victory at Nottingham.
Wathnan Acquires Royal Ascot Hopeful Sandal's Song
, an intended starter in the June 19 Norfolk Stakes (G2), has become the latest pre-Royal Ascot purchase by Wathnan Racing. The colt, a 25-1 chance with William Hill for the five-furlong juvenile contest, made a striking winning debut May 10 in the Royal Palm Juvenile Stakes at Gulfstream Park -a "win and you're in" race for Royal Ascot. His trainer George Weaver brought over -also now in Wathnan's ownership-to win the Queen Mary Stakes in 2023.
Ward Will Not Saddle Any Runners at Royal Ascot in 2025
United States trainer Wesley Ward will not saddle any runners at Royal Ascot for the first time since 2012 after pulling plans at the last minute to send over a juvenile team headed by the unbeaten Outfielder . Ward has saddled 12 winners and 15 placed horses at the meeting, having burst onto the scene when Strike The Tiger won the Windsor Castle Stakes in 2009.
Economics to Miss Royal Ascot With Pulled Muscle
William Haggas has suffered a major blow to his Royal Ascot plans after was ruled out of the meeting after pulling a muscle. Last year's Irish Champion Stakes (G1) winner had long been pencilled in to make his seasonal return in the June 18 Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1). Economics won four of his five starts as a 3-year-old, including the Dante Stakes (G2) at York. He missed the Epsom Derby (G1) but went on to beat dual Derby winner Auguste Rodin in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.
Field of Gold, Ruling Court Headline Guineas Field
A field of 11 will line up in the first British classic of the season with leading contenders , , and among the runners for the Two Thousand Guineas (G1) at Newmarket Racecourse May 3. William Buick has elected to ride Ruling Court, the subject of a big gamble April 30, having also had the choice of Godolphin's 2024 Dewhurst Stakes (G1) winner .
Off Two Dubai Group 2 Wins, Choisya Targets Keeneland
Progressive mare is back in Newmarket after a lucrative winter spell at the Dubai Carnival where she was a flagbearer for the Simon and Ed Crisford team in winning twice at the group 2 level. The 5-year-old had only one black-type success to her name before she joined Gainsborough Stables' satellite operation at Meydan Racecourse prior to Christmas, but she has not stopped improving since, a sequence that has prompted connections to target her at a grade 1 at next month.
British Sprinter Rogue Lightning Set for U.S. Stakes
Classy sprinter Rogue Lightning is set for a first United States assignment in the wake of his overseas success in the Wathnan Racing colors in Qatar last month. The 5-year-old son of Kodiac was a breakthrough first winner for the Qatari operation in the international races at the Emir's Trophy meeting when landing the Dukhan Sprint, a local group 3, from fellow British runners Washington Heights and Quinault.
Track, Rail Damaged at Newmarket Weeks Ahead of Meet
Preparations for Newmarket's opening fixture of the flat season next month have been hampered after both the track and running rail were damaged last week. It is thought illegal hare coursers had gained access to the Rowley Mile and caused the damage. It is not the first time that the historic track and neighboring gallops have had issues with illegal hare coursers, and there was a similar incident on the racecourse itself in 2023.
Al Qudra Shines in Shortened Al Rayyan Mile
A change of venue from Al Rayyan Racecourse to Al Uqda, which is usually a training venue, was sanctioned after the abandonment of racing 24 hours earlier at Al Rayyan after just one race when two runners slipped and were brought down on the home turn. The Godolphin team, whose champion Rebel's Romance would conquer his second consecutive H H The Amir Trophy (G3) later in the card, had begun a productive afternoon Feb. 16 when made all to land the Al Rayyan Mile (G2) under William Buick.
Qatar's Top Feb. 15 Program Scrapped Due to Unsafe Turf
Qatar's flagship international meeting at Al Rayyan Racecourse was abandoned following just one race Feb. 15 after two runners, including the Luke Morris-partnered Brave Emperor , slipped and were brought down on the home turn. The incident, which led to jockey Szczepan Mazur being hospitalized, prompted Godolphin to pull out their three runners, including Rebel's Romance , who was the favorite for the featured Amir Trophy (G3).
Ancient Wisdom Eyes Preis von Bayern Trophy
Trainer Charlie Appleby has had the Nov. 10 Grosser Preis von Bayern (G1) in mind for some time for last year's Futurity Trophy Stakes (G1) winner, , who was last seen winning the Bahrain Trophy Stakes (G3) at Newmarket in July. Before that, the son of Dubawi had finished runner-up to subsequent Irish Champion Stakes (G1) winner in the Dante Stakes (G2) at York before failing to handle the undulations of Epsom when eighth in the Derby (G1).
Dettori to Reunite With Emily Upjohn in BC Turf
Frankie Dettori is to renew acquaintances with the John and Thady Gosden team as he has been booked to ride his old ally Emily Upjohn in the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) at Nov. 2 The United States-based rider partnered the 5-year-old to her two group 1 wins in Britain in the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (G1) at Ascot in 2022 and the Coronation Cup (G1) at Epsom last year and will take over from Kieran Shoemark, who has ridden her on all six starts this year.
Multiple Group 1 Winner Nashwa Retires
Top racemare has been retired to stud after a successful global career which yielded three group 1 wins and close to £1.7 million in prize money just a few days before her younger half brother Nebras bids to keep the family name in lights at Doncaster. A daughter of , Nashwa won five of her 18 career starts for John and Thady Gosden including a breakthrough first classic success for breeders Blue Diamond Stud when landing the Prix de Diane (G1) in 2022.
Emily Upjohn Fresh and Ready for Breeders' Cup
Recent French group 1 winner Friendly Soul is to miss the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T), for which she would have likely been among the favorites. The 3-year-old, last seen winning the Prix de l'Opera (G1) at Longchamp on the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) undercard Oct. 6, will not form part of the John and Thady Gosden team for California this year but could well do so in 2025.
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.
Tamfana Upsets Inspiral in Sun Chariot
spoiled the retirement party when making a triumphant return to the Rowley Mile exactly five months to the day since her unfortunate defeat in the One Thousand Guineas (G1). The younger brigade had held sway in two of the last three runnings of the Sun Chariot Stakes (G1) and Colin Keane took no prisoners on the well-backed 2-1 favorite from the start.
Inspiral Makes Career Bow in Sun Chariot
, who often blossoms in autumn, is being aimed at back-to-back wins in the Oct. 5 Sun Chariot Stakes (G1) on her final outing before she retires to the local paddocks of her owners Cheveley Park Stud. The last multiple winner of the race was the French filly Sahpresa (2009-11) and Inspiral, trained by John and Thady Gosden, looks primed for a winning lap of honor after a gallop on the Rowley Mile last week.
Lake Victoria Remains Perfect in Cheveley Park
'Unusual' has slipped seamlessly into the Aidan O'Brien lexicon this season. The trainer reached for the word again in the winner's enclosure at Newmarket on Sept. 28 after stretched her unbeaten record to four when winning her second group 1 in the Cheveley Park Stakes (G1) at Newmarket. We have already heard how unusual is, certainly those with an eye and an ear on Southwell last week heard the term uttered not only by O'Brien but by the more taciturn Ryan Moore after the horse's public gallop.
Three-Time Dubai Turf Winner Lord North Retired
Globetrotting star has been retired from racing at age 8 after a lucrative career that yielded more than £6.4 million in prize money and 10 wins, including four at group 1 level. John Gosden hailed Lord North as a horse who had "a lot of character", as the son of Dubawi ends his racing career best known for three consecutive victories in the Dubai Turf (G1T) on World Cup night at Meydan.
Eight-Time Breeders' Cup Winner Stoute to Retire
Six-time Epsom Derby (G1)-winning trainer Sir Michael Stoute has announced he will stop training at the end of the year, bringing to an end a glittering career spanning six decades.
Queen of The Pride Leads Strong Gosden Duo in Yorkshire
bids to become the first Lancashire Oaks (G2) winner to follow up in the white rose equivalent in the Aug. 22 Yorkshire Oaks (G1) since Catchascatchcan did the double for Sir Henry Cecil in 1998. Cecil is remembered by the famous gates at the owners' and trainers' entrance on the Knavesmire, and representatives of Qatar Racing may pass through those gates with optimism that Queen of The Pride can take her next step up the ladder.
Ruling Court, The Lion In Winter Clash in Acomb
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Ruling Court, The Lion In Winter Clash in Acomb
The €2.3 million purchase Ruling Court is out to give Charlie Appleby a first win in the Aug. 21 Acomb Stakes (G3), the opening juvenile contest of the Ebor festival at York, which has had a rule change this year. Previously, horses who had won a race before July 12 were excluded, which would not have applied to the Godolphin colt in any case, as he romped to a debut win at Sandown July 25.
Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Ends Support of Varian
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Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Ends Support of Varian
Derby-winning owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum has removed his horses from leading Newmarket trainer Roger Varian, abruptly ending an association that lasted nine years. Sheikh Obaid is the second major supporter of Varian's to remove his team of horses from Carlburg Stables this season, following Amo Racing supremo Kia Joorabchian's decision to send his horses elsewhere in May.
Mill Stream Seals Victory in July Cup
William Buick reached a landmark 100th win at the highest level in partnering to glory in the July Cup (G1) July 13 at Newmarket. The two-time champion jockey reached the milestone 15 years after his first win at the top table on in the E. P. Taylor Stakes (G1T) at in 2009. His successful conveyance here is certainly housed to be a group 1-winning sprinter as he currently resides in the box that was once used by the mighty at Jane Chapple-Hyam's Newmarket yard in 2012.
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