Jim Bolger’s Dawn Approach heads a field of 12 for the English Derby at Epsom. The impressive 2000 Guineas winner remains unbeaten in his seven-race career and will attempt to follow in the hoofprints of his sire, New Approach, who won the race in 2008. In an attempt to foil… Read More »
Frankie Dettori has been given a last minute reprieve enabling him to compete in Saturday’s Epsom Derby. Dettori, who won the Derby in 2007 on Authorized, had been given a six-month worldwide suspension at the end of last year for what was then described as “a serious infraction of the… Read More »
Trainer Mike de Kock has grand designs of running Shea Shea in the King’s Stand Stakes and the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. The star South African speedball claimed the Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan on Dubai World Cup night, a victory which elevated him to the forefront of… Read More »
Irish 2000 Guineas winner Magician is set to sidestep Saturday’s English Derby at Epsom, according to owners Coolmore Stud. Trainer Aidan O’Brien raised the possibility of the Galileo colt bidding for a quickfire Classic double when leaving his Curragh hero in the Derby field at Monday’s five-day stage. However, with… Read More »
Godolphin’s Dawn Approach and Farhh are the star names among 49 entries in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on July 31. The Jim Bolger-trained Dawn Approach is a red-hot favourite for the Derby this weekend but connections are keen to keep his options open regarding his optimum trip. Farhh, who… Read More »
Animal Kingdom’s team was more than satisfied with the horse’s rehearsal at Ascot in a serious work-out on the track ahead of next month’s Queen Anne Stakes. Managing owner John Messara of Arrowfield Stud joined American trainer Graham Motion to watch the gallop on the grass. Animal Kingdom won the… Read More »
The British Horseracing Authority will seek legal advice before considering whether to take any further action against Mahmood Al Zarooni after the disgraced trainer withdrew his appeal against an eight-year disqualification. Al Zarooni, 37, was found guilty of administering anabolic steroids to 15 horses in his care at a BHA… Read More »
Jockey Frankie Dettori still hopes to be able to ride at the Epsom Derby meeting this weekend following a further meeting with France Galop officials. The French authority banned the Italian for six months after he tested positive for cocaine at Longchamp last September and the rider had been due… Read More »
Sir Henry Cecil picked a low-key evening meeting at Lingfield for Frankel’s half-sister Joyeuse to make her debut but Royal Ascot could now be on her agenda after an eye-catching victory. The latest daughter of the superstar’s dam Kind has a speedier sire than Frankel in Oasis Dream and was… Read More »
Sheikh Fahad Al Thani’s Qatar Racing has bought a half-share in leading Oaks candidate Secret Gesture ahead of the Classic at Epsom on Friday. Sheikh Fahad, owner of 2011 Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden, and his brothers who are partners in Qatar Racing, celebrated a first European Classic when Just The… Read More »
Questions over the staying ability of favourite Dawn Approach in Saturday’s Derby at Epsom have opened the door to optimism from at least two rival camps. The Jim Bolger-trained Dawn Approach, a five-length winner of the 2000 Guineas, has a big question mark over his stamina on pedigree but the… Read More »
American jockey John Velazquez will make a special trip to England this week to team up with Animal Kingdom in a significant work-out as part of the Dubai World Cup winner’s preparation for Royal Ascot. Animal Kingdom is being housed at David Lanigan’s stable under the supervision of his American-based… Read More »
Al Kazeem has caused a major upset to defeat triple Classic winner Camelot in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh. The lightly-raced five-year-old is making up for lost time in tremendous fashion after being off for almost 12 months before returning in triumph at Sandown four weeks ago. Roger… Read More »
Just The Judge has given young trainer Charlie Hills his first Classic with success in the Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh. It was also a first Classic triumph for Qatar Racing, owners of 2011 Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden who returned to Australia to win last year’s Caulfield Cup. The… Read More »
Kingsgate Native has rolled back the years to make a brilliant return to winning form in the Temple Stakes at Haydock. On a long losing run since the same race three years ago when he was trained by Sir Michael Stoute, the dual Group One winning eight-year-old is now with… Read More »
Magician has given trainer Aidan O’Brien his ninth Irish 2000 Guineas with a devastating performance on the Curragh. The defection of Cristoforo Colombo elevated stablemate Magician (100-30) to the shortest-priced of O’Brien’s four runners on Saturday and he was partnered by the trainer’s son, Joseph, who claimed his third 2000… Read More »
Joseph O’Brien does not anticipate the small field posing any problems for Camelot in Sunday’s Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh. Only four go to post for the Group One event over 10 furlongs, a race O’Brien’s father Aidan has won six times in the last eight years, including the… Read More »
Jim Bolger is convinced Dawn Approach will go to the English Derby an even better horse than he was when winning the 2000 Guineas. The Coolcullen trainer has been delighted with the unbeaten colt since the Newmarket Classic and he knows what it takes to win the premier Classic having… Read More »
Eddie Ahern will have the full support of the Professional Jockeys’ Association as he launches his appeal against the 10-year ban handed out to him by the British Horseracing Authority. Ahern’s career was effectively ended after he was found guilty of conspiring to commit a corrupt or fraudulent practice along… Read More »
Telescope has a sore left shin and will not run in the Derby at Epsom on June 1, trainer Sir Michael Stoute has announced. The Galileo colt had a racecourse gallop at Lingfield on Wednesday in which he was described as only “workmanlike” by the Newmarket handler. He has since… Read More »
