Racing’s marketing teams can sugar-coat it all they want, but, for many, the 2013 Flat season will not be remembered fondly. Slick narratives and ‘championship’ events are all well and good, but this year has seen the core integrity of the sport questioned like never before. In truth, it was… Read More »
Grand National winner Auroras Encore starts on the road back to Aintree in the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase at Wetherby on Boxing Day. Trainer Sue Smith fears the ground will be too soft for the 11-year-old, who became the first Yorkshire-based horse to win the world’s greatest steeplechase since 1960… Read More »
Fans waited in a long line to get into Hollywood Park for the last time. The track closed for good Sunday, ending 75 years of racing that featured such thoroughbred stars as Seabiscuit, Triple Crown winners Citation, Seattle Slew and Affirmed, and superstar mare Zenyatta. The first Breeders’ Cup in… Read More »
A doubling of testing-in-training samples taken is one of the measures announced by the British Horseracing Authority following the completion of a review of its Anti-doping and Medication Control Policy. The number of post-race testing samples is to increase by 20 per cent, while the BHA said an extended but… Read More »
Japanese champion Orfevre has ended his career with a brilliant eight length win in the Arima Kinen at Nakayama. Almost 117,000 people braved the cold to see the five-year-old in his final appearance. A six-time Group One winner and twice runner-up in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Orfevre swept… Read More »
The most popular jockey in Britain, Tony McCoy, thrilled his fans with his stellar achievements during a year in which racing experienced the low point with the death of Sir Henry Cecil. Here is a look at the year. HIGHS: Tony McCoy He endured a frustrating wait for his 4000th… Read More »
Leading English jockeys Frankie Dettori and Tony McCoy have given their backing to a diet plan designed to improve both physical and mental well-being. Liverpool’s John Moores University, along with a specialist medical team, has designed and implemented a scientific diet plan to suit the needs of riders whose fight… Read More »
After more than a quarter of a century in the saddle and 18 consecutive champion jumps jockey titles, Tony McCoy says his ability to cope with pain is getting easier and will probably drive him in his quest for 5000 winners. The 39-year-old McCoy was reminded once more of his… Read More »
Black Caviar’s little sister Belle Couture could make her long-awaited racetrack debut in the next week. Trainer Danny O’Brien said the filly was likely to be nominated for races this week with a decision still to be made whether the three-year-old has another jump-out on Friday or heads to the… Read More »
The season’s father and son theme has continued at Cheltenham as trainer Nigel and jockey Sam Twiston-Davies combined in both the headline events. Just over half an hour after Double Ross won, stable star The New One furthered his claims for the Festival in March in the International Hurdle. After… Read More »
This year has provided a Gold Cup victory for the Queen and now 2014 holds the tantalising prospect of a royal winner of sorts in the Grand National after Monbeg Dude’s encouraging return to form at Cheltenham. Zara Phillips is, of course, far more than simply Her Majesty’s granddaughter as… Read More »
A more upbeat bulletin on St Nicholas Abbey has been issued although the six-year-old is still in a battle for his life. Owners Coolmore said the multiple Group One winner was in great form despite a host of problems in his fight to recover from a fractured pastern suffered during… Read More »
The British Horse Racing Authority has joined a number of other sporting bodies at a government summit on corrupt betting practices. The BHA’s director of integrity, Adam Brickell, joined representatives from football, tennis, cricket and rugby in a meeting in London hosted by Maria Miller, Secretary of State for culture,… Read More »
Executives at Kempton have reacted with excitement at the possibility of a clash between Sprinter Sacre and Sire De Grugy. The second day of the Winter Festival on December 27 is far quieter than the first which features the King George, but the appearance of jumping superstar Sprinter Sacre in… Read More »
Hong Kong stayer Dominant has upset a field of global stars to win the Vase on International day at Sha Tin. Five of the recent Melbourne Cup runners, including the minor placegetters Red Cadeaux and Mount Athos, were in the world class line-up which also boasted English mare The Fugue… Read More »
Andrew Balding hopes for a strong pace at Sha Tin on Sunday ahead of Side Glance’s run in the Hong Kong Cup. The Group One Mackinnon Stakes winner during the Melbourne Cup carnival is a testament to the training skills of Balding, with few horses in Hong Kong this week… Read More »
Moonlight Cloud’s story has taken on a new dimension after owner George Strawbridge introduced the prospect of the Hong Kong Mile favourite remaining in training as a six-year-old. Trackside at Sha Tin to watch the Freddy Head-trained mare work on the all-weather training track ahead of Sunday’s race, Strawbridge hinted… Read More »
The Hong Kong Mile will be a defining race for French mare Moonlight Cloud who came closer than any other horse to inflicting defeat on Black Caviar. Moonlight Cloud got to within a head of the now-retired Black Caviar in last year’s Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot and has… Read More »
The Queen has been named Owner of the Year for 2013 by the Racehorse Owners Association. The accolade is in recognition of her first success in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and her unparalleled commitment and contribution to the sport of horse racing over more than 60 years. It… Read More »
Owner Stephen Arnold has been disqualified for three months after admitting to breaching the rules in relation to laying 10 of his horses, the British Horseracing Authority has said. Arnold, whose horses run under the moniker of Rakebackmypoker.com, was called before a disciplinary panel of the BHA charged with 10… Read More »
