International Horse Racing

• Betfred wins £265m Tote auction

  Bookmakers Betfred won the auction to buy the Tote after the government backed a takeover deal worth around STG265 million ($A407.35 million).

   
• St Nicholas Abbey enjoys Epsom Coronation

  St Nicholas Abbey showed he remained a force to be reckoned with in top-level middle-distance contests with a gritty display in the Coronation Cup at Epsom.

   
• Kieran Fallon faces anxious wait

  Kieren Fallon will have to wait until race day to find out if he will be able to ride Recital in the Epsom Derby after a day of drama at the High Court.

   
• Dancing Rain lands Oaks honours

  After a week-long saga over their intended Derby rides, it was finally down to the action at Epsom as Johnny Murtagh’s supreme effort on Dancing Rain forced Kieren Fallon and Wonder Of Wonders to settle for second in the Oaks.

   
• Carlton House to give Queen the Derby

  Carlton House can give Queen Elizabeth II her first win in the Derby on Saturday but whether Kieren Fallon makes the Epsom line-up hinges on the verdict of a sensational eleventh hour court case.

   
• Temps Au Temps primed for Frankel face-off

  Frankel faces a potential Royal Ascot wildcard in the guise of Temps Au Temps.

   
• Tin chasing Classic double

  Connections of Tin Horse are exuding confidence ahead of the colt’s quest for a Classic double at Chantilly on Sunday.

   
• Doubts grow over Queen’s Derby hope

  The Queen’s hopes of becoming the first ruling English monarch to win the Epsom Derby since Edward VII in 1909 have receded further as her racing manager admitted there was a chance Carlton House might not run at Epsom on Saturday.

   
• Carlton House camp soothe Derby fears

  Connections of Carlton House remain “extremely hopeful” the Epsom Derby favourite will make Saturday’s race, despite suffering a late setback.

   
• Holberg pencilled in for Gold Cup

  Holberg is still being considered for the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot despite being beaten in his comeback run at Sandown last week.

   
• Royal hope heads Derby contenders

  The Queen’s Carlton House heads 17 hopefuls remaining in Saturday’s Epsom Derby following the confirmation stage.

   
• All systems go for Bunting’s Oaks bid

  Connections of Blue Bunting report the 1000 Guineas winner to be in top form ahead of the Oaks at Epsom on Friday.

   
• Ascot or France next for Botti ace

  Marco Botti is seriously considering giving Excelebration a second crack at Frankel following his colt’s fine win in the German 2000 Guineas.

   
• Aidan O’Brien to saddle up Derby quartet

  Aidan O’Brien is poised to have four runners in Saturday’s Derby at Epsom, with Irish 2,000 Guineas hero Roderic O’Connor set to wait for the French Derby the following day.

   
• Fame And Glory on target for Gold Cup

  Fame And Glory continued his march towards the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot with a workmanlike display at Leopardstown.

   
• Ouija Board’s first foal breaks through

  Ed Dunlop declared himself thrilled after seeing Ouija Board’s first foal Voodoo Prince record his first career victory at Haydock.

   
• Cup hope Mighty High may join Xtension in Melbourne

  Melbourne Cup hope Mighty High may join stablemate Xtension in Australia.

   
• Royal Ascot still prescribed for Overdose

  Hungarian superstar Overdose remains on course for Royal Ascot and a clash with Australian Star Witness despite his disappointing show in the Temple Stakes at Haydock last weekend.

   
• Animal Kingdom to run in Belmont Stakes

  Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom has been confirmed as a starter in the Belmont Stakes.

   
• Blue is the colour for Godolphin

  Godolphin’s 1000 Guineas winner Blue Bunting is favourite to complete a famous double in the English Oaks.