Orb has splashed through the mud to win the Kentucky Derby, giving veteran Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey his first victory in the three-year-old classic. When the field turned for home on the cool, overcast Saturday (Sunday AEST) afternoon at Churchill Downs, Normandy Invasion grabbed the lead while Orb… Read More »
Unbeaten Dawn Approach made it seven wins from seven starts on Saturday as he won the English 2000 Guineas to give the embattled Godolphin Operation a welcome piece of good news. Trained by Irishman Jim Bolger the 11/8 favourite – whose sire New Approach finished second in the same race… Read More »
Rosie Napravnik isn’t worried about history. She is, however, working on her chemistry – with a horse named Mylute in the Kentucky Derby. Two years after achieving the best finish by a female jockey in the Derby, she will try to become the first woman to win it. Napravnik’s pursuit… Read More »
Long shot Black Onyx was a late scratching for the Kentucky Derby because of a chip in his left ankle, leaving 19 horses to vie for the roses. The scratching occurred on Friday after wagering for the race had opened, so Black Onyx’s No.1 post position will be left empty… Read More »
No horse has captured the American triple crown since Affirmed in 1978, but 20 hopefuls led by favourites Orb, Verrazano and Goldencents run for the dream in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby. The 139th edition of the famed 1 1/4-mile (2000m) race at Churchill Downs will be a $US2 million launch of… Read More »
Joseph O’Brien believes Cristoforo Colombo can cut the length deficit on Dawn Approach when they renew rivalry in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday. Ireland’s champion jockey is convinced the colt was beaten by the draw when third behind the Jim Bolger-trained ante-post favourite and Olympic Glory in the… Read More »
Rasmeyaa is set to take her chance in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on Sunday despite reservations that the race may come just a shade too soon. Following a pleasing workout on Tuesday the Dermot Weld-trained filly was given the go-ahead to bid for Classic glory. “Like everybody they’ve had… Read More »
Camelot and Parish Hall are set for a early-season clash in the Mooresbridge Stakes at the Curragh on Monday. Trained by Aidan O’Brien, Camelot enjoyed a superb Classic campaign, winning the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, both the English and Irish Derbys and only narrowly missed out on Triple Crown glory… Read More »
Orb is the early 7-2 favourite for the Kentucky Derby, with undefeated Verrazano the second choice in a full field of 20 horses. The Shug McGaughey-trained Orb will start from barrier 16, a gate that has produced four winners, most recently Animal Kingdom two years ago. McGaughey is in racing’s… Read More »
The British Horseracing Authority has explained its decision to ban Godolphin trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni for eight years, saying he is guilty of a “widespread systematic misuse of illegal substances”. The 37-year-old was suspended last Thursday after he admitted administering banned anabolic steroids to 15 horses at the Gulf outfit’s… Read More »
Long-time favourite Dawn Approach tops 14 colts confirmed for Saturday’s 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. The Jim Bolger-trained colt has dominated the betting for the mile Classic after ending his 2012 campaign unbeaten in six starts, culminating in an impressive victory over stablemate Leitir Mor in the Dewhurst Stakes. Victory for… Read More »
Gerard Butler’s Newmarket yard is currently at the centre of a British Horseracing Authority investigation, it has been confirmed. Butler told the Independent that, in what he described as an “unpardonable misjudgment”, four of his horses had been treated with Sungate, a joint treatment which contains a banned substance, on… Read More »
A second English trainer has admitted to using banned anabolic steroids on horses in his care. Gerard Butler’s admission comes just days after his Newmarket neighbour, Godolphin trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni, was banned for eight years for injecting horses with anabolic steroids. Butler told the Independent he had made an… Read More »
World traveller Red Cadeaux has finished third in the Group One Tenno Sho at Kyoto. The 3200m race was won by Fenomeno who had 1-1/4 lengths on Tosen Ra with Red Cadeaux another two lengths third. Trained in England by Ed Dunlop, Red Cadeaux finished a close second to Dunaden… Read More »
British racing’s ruling body has no plans to formally interview Dubai ruler and owner of the sport’s largest stable, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum. Racing has been rocked by the doping scandal surrounding one of Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin Operation trainers Mahmood al-Zarooni, who received an eight-year ban on Thursday after… Read More »
Godolphin will be hoping Sajjhaa can provide a little light relief after trying week with victory in Sunday’s Piguet QEII Cup at Sha Tin in Hong Kong. Sheikh Mohammed’s outfit have endured a dark few days with Mahmood Al Zarooni’s British Horseracing Authority hearing grabbing all the headlines, but Sajjhaa… Read More »
Disgraced trainer Mahmood al-Zarooni was accused by his Godolphin manager on Friday of ignoring repeated warnings from the stable before embarking on a “reckless” program of doping that “betrayed the trust” of British horse racing. Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said al-Zarooni, who was disqualified from racing on Thursday for… Read More »
Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford spoke of “a terrible day for British racing” after trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni was disqualified for eight years after admitting administering anabolic steroids to horses in his care. Al Zarooni said he had made a “catastrophic error” in using the banned drugs on a number… Read More »
Mirsaale may well have booked his place in the field for the world’s most famous Flat race after landing the English Derby Trial at Epsom. The Trial offers wildcard entry into the Derby itself for any winning colt, not that it matters to Mirsaale, who had already been entered in… Read More »
British racing’s governing body on Thursday banned trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni for eight years for his role in a doping scandal that has rocked the sport. Al Zarooni, 37, was given the punishment after a disciplinary hearing, at the BHA headquarters in London, revealed 11 of the horses he trained… Read More »
