Back Yourself!
Sign-up and start betting with Ladbrokes in 2 minutes!
Back A Winner with Neds!
Sign-up and start betting with Neds in 2 minutes!
Daily Racing Specials!
Sign-up and bet with Australia's best new bookmaker!
#1 Ranked New Bookie
Sign-up and bet with Australia's #1 ranked new bookmaker!
Best Of The Best Odds!
Bet With Palmerbet and get Paid Top Fluc or Top Tote!
Massive Odds on All Races!
Sign-up and start betting with PlayUp in 2 minutes!
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Search
 

Goldikova will bid to end her career on a high with a fourth Breeders’ Cup win after being beaten in her homeland farewell on Sunday.

The darling of French racing failed by the narrowest of margins to sign off her career at home in style when she was caught by Dream Ahead in the Prix de la Foret at Longchamp.

The Freddie Head-trained six-year-old mare was bidding for her 15th win at the highest level in what was her final race in France.

She is due to attempt an historic fourth Breeders’ Cup Mile success at Churchill Downs next month before being retired.

Goldikova won the Prix de la Floret (1400m) in 2010 and Olivier Peslier appeared to have done everything right once taking up the running a furlong (200m) out.

However, William Buick had still not asked for everything on the giant Dream Ahead and last year’s joint-champion two-year-old with Frankel won his third Group One of the season by a head.

Whether the David Simcock-trained Dream Ahead – winner of the July Cup and Haydock Sprint Cup in a tremendous season – races again having been sold to Ballylinch Stud in Ireland remains in the air.

Winning owner Khalifa Dasmal, who won the Derby with Shaamit in 1996, said he would have been happy with second place.

“To beat a horse like Goldikova is unbelievable and we’d have been happy to have finished second,” he said.

“He’s obviously a very good horse and he’s proved it over several distances and on different types of ground.

“I’ve sold part of him to Ballylinch Stud. I know it’s a shame to retire him, but what would he do next year apart from winning the same races that he’s already won.”

Stud owner John O’Connor said there was a possibility Dream Ahead could race at the Breeders’ Cup meeting or the Hong Kong International meeting in December before going to stud.

Head said he felt time was catching up with Goldikova.

“I think the mileage is starting to catch up with her maybe, we will have to see,” he said.
“It’s always disappointing to be beaten, especially with Goldikova. We may not have been fresh enough.

“She still has the Breeders’ Cup to look forward and after that, it will be time…”

It was a fantastic afternoon for young Buick who earlier claimed the Prix Marcel Broussac on the John Gosden-trained Elusive Kate.

It was also a big afternoon for Frankie Dettori who racked up his 500th Group win in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere on France’s best juvenile Dabirism.

“It’s unbelievable to ride 500 Group winners,” Dettori said.

“It’s an astonishing number so it’s a big, big moment for me, and I’ve been very lucky to ride some very good horses.”

PA AAP TURF

 
*Existing customers only. 2nd Racing bet. Excl SA & WA. T’s & C’s apply. Gamble responsibly.
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Featured News

FREE BETS – Claim $1000’s in Bonus Bets at the TOP Betting Sites

We take a look at the BIGGEST and BEST Free Daily Racing Offers and Betting Promotions from Australia’s leading online...

Golden Slipper Likely Field – 2024

The biggest two-year-old race of the year will jump this Saturday in arguably one of the best fields in recent...

Former trainer handed a five-year ban for pulling stewards pants down

Former trainer Todd Balfour has been handed a five-year disqualification by Racing SA stewards after a misconduct incident at the...

Melbourne Cup champion Verry Elleegant passes away

Verry Elleegant, one of the great mares in the history of Australian racing, has died while giving birth to her...

Watch 📺 Jockey banned from all racing premises over ride

Jockey Dylan Kitts has been penalised with a disciplinary officer exclusion directive due to non-compliance with an inquiry regarding his...

Group 1 winner returns positive swab

Racing Victoria stewards are investigating a positive swab from Group 1-winning mare Prowess, the racehorse trained by Roger James and...

Alligator Blood injured, career in doubt

Cult galloper Alligator Blood may have run his last race, with trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott confirming the star galloper had...

Nikita Beriman returns to the saddle

July 1, 2023 to January 26, 2024 … that period represents the just shy of seven months that Nikita Beriman...

Australia's Best Betting Sites

New Betting Sites Australia + Top List Bookmaker Apps $$$

Betting in Australia has never been more popular thanks to a large increase in new betting Agencies and Apps available...

Top 10 – Funniest Race Horse Names

Horse racing. Known as the ‘Sport Of Kings’, an industry worth billions, a very serious business…but to some, it’s a...

Best Horse Betting Sites in Australia

Best Horse Racing Betting Apps and Betting Sites – March 2024

We take a look at the best online betting apps to bet on horse racing in Australia for the month...

Golden Slipper

The Golden Slipper is one of the biggest and most prestigious horse races in Australia. Taking place each April at...

Australian Bookmaker Reviews – Online Bookie Ratings $$

Which bookmaker should you bet with? We Review each of the leading online Australian Bookmakers and rate them in order...

 
 
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au