Yasutoshi Ikee has vowed to return and win Europe’s most prestigious race, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, after suffering a heartbreaking defeat in this year’s renewal at Longchamp on Sunday. The 37-year-old Japanese trainer, whose trainer father Yasuo was also left disappointed in the 2006 Arc when Deep Impact… Read More »
French outsider Solemia got up on the line to edge out Japanese raider Orfevre and win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday. Orfevre, Japan’s 2011 horse of the year, looked certain to claim his country’s first victory in Europe’s most prestigious race when he swept through… Read More »
Nathaniel could join Cirrus Des Aigles in ensuring Frankel does not have things all his own way in the Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 20. The John Gosden-trained Nathaniel had been well-fancied for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe but was forced to miss a trip to Paris after… Read More »
Group One winner Sizzling is on target for Saturday’s Blue Sapphire at Caulfield following an impressive win in a Flemington jump-out. Trainer Kelso Wood was glowing in his praise for Sizzling after he won an 800m jump-out on the steeple grass at Flemington last Friday morning. “He gave the leader… Read More »
Cirrus Des Aigles looks increasingly likely to provide the most serious opposition for Frankel at Ascot after a consummate victory in the Prix Dollar at Longchamp. Corinne Barande-Barbe’s six-year-old is perhaps the most popular horse in France, as a humbly-bred gelding competing against – and usually beating – the famous… Read More »
Shez Sinsational returned to form to take the Group One Spring Classic (2040m) at Hastings on Saturday. Shez Sinsational settled near the rear of the field for Opie Bosson, circled the field with 700m to run and out-finished Giuseppina and He’s Remarkable in the final stages. The Ekraar mare won… Read More »
Aidan O’Brien’s Irish 2000 Guineas winner Power has been retired to stand at Coolmore Stud. After a prolific juvenile season which saw him win the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and the National Stakes at the Curragh, he was strongly fancied for the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. He beat just… Read More »
Camelot can break Japanese hearts and see off the challenge of their favourite Orfevre in Europe’s most prestigious race the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday. Orfevre – Japan’s 2011 horse of the year – is the 13th challenger sent by the Japanese in the past 33… Read More »
John Gosden will still have a hand in Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with Nathaniel’s little sister Great Heavens a late entry for the race at Longchamp. Not sighted since her brilliant display to win the Irish Oaks in July, the Lady Rothschild-owned filly was expected to line up… Read More »
Australian based English jockey Andrew Heffernan is among nine people charged by the British Horse Racing Authority (BHA) with race fixing offences. Among the other eight unlicensed individuals are three footballers – Michael Chopra of Ipswich Town, Nottingham Forest’s James Coppinger and former England Under-21 international Mark Wilson. The allegations… Read More »
Three footballers are among a group who have been charged by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) following an investigation into suspicious betting activity. Ipswich’s Michael Chopra, Nottingham Forest loanee James Coppinger, ex-Manchester United player Mark Wilson and six others are accused of “serious breaches of the rules of racing”. Jockey… Read More »
Frankel has captured the imagination of the racing industry all over the world. It’s hard not to be swept up in Frankel fever – the four year old is unbeaten, having recorded some of the most breathtaking wins imaginable. His 2000 Guineas annihilation and his Queen Anne Stakes romp at Royal… Read More »
A horse in Cornwall has tested positive for Equine Infectious Anaemia, commonly known as “swamp fever”, the same condition that has closed down Cologne racecourse in Germany. Last year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Danedream is housed at Cologne, along with over 300 other horses and all of them… Read More »
Italian riding great Frankie Dettori has received a surprise call-up to ride Irish champion Camelot in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Sunday. The 41-year-old, who is retained by Godolphin and won the last of his three Arcs in 2002 on Marienbard, got the rare ride on an Aidan… Read More »
Orfevre’s chances of making racing history on Sunday by giving Japan its first win in Europe’s most prestigious race, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, and fulfilling a nation’s dream have grown immeasurably. Japan’s 2011 horse of the year Orfevre became clear favourite for Sunday’s showpiece after two of his… Read More »
Owner Clive Smith believes a decision on the future of Kauto Star is likely to be made within the next couple of weeks. The five-time King George winner and dual Cheltenham Gold Cup hero was pulled up with over a circuit to run in the blue riband at Prestbury Park… Read More »
Danedream’s bid for back-to-back wins in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe appears over after Cologne racecourse where she is stabled was placed into quarantine on Monday afternoon. The German track has been shut down for three months after a horse tested positive for an equine infection of the blood…. Read More »
Trainer Peter Schiergen has nominated Camelot and Orfevre as the main dangers to German filly Danedream completing back-to-back wins in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday. The size of the task confronting the four-year-old German star is that none of the great champions who have returned… Read More »
Irishman Colm O’Donoghue will forgo rides in Japan to partner Jakkalberry in the Caulfield Cup ahead of his Melbourne Cup bid. The Marco Botti-trained English horse, who will race under the Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock (ATB) banner, was among a contingent of European raiders who arrived in Australia on Saturday. Darren… Read More »
Frankel warmed up for what is likely to be the final race of his career with a work-out at Newmarket before racing on Saturday. Sir Henry Cecil’s superstar, officially the best racehorse in the world, is due to end his glittering career in the Champion Stakes at Ascot on October… Read More »
