Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has admitted he is “not as keen as he was” to continue the amazing career of Kauto Star. The 12-year-old bounced back to his brilliant best last season to win a fourth Betfair Chase and a record-breaking fifth King George VI Chase. He then suffered a… Read More »
Sir Henry Cecil credits the “inspiration” of Frankel with helping him in his ongoing battle against illness. Cecil’s career hit a low point in 2005 when he saddled only 12 winners, but the victory of Light Shift in the 2007 Oaks signalled a return to the big time. The winners… Read More »
Sir Henry Cecil has admitted Frankel will be heading into the unknown in Saturday’s Qipco Champion Stakes if the ground turns heavy. Ascot has been hit by consistent rain in the build-up to Champions Day and following another five millimetres overnight, clerk of the course Chris Stickels has mentioned the… Read More »
The Ascot track is expected to be soft for Frankel’s farewell in the Champion Stakes despite a heavy amount of rain falling on the Berkshire track this week and more forecast. Ascot clerk of the course Chris Stickels reports the track to be taking the rainfall well but conceded the… Read More »
Henry Cecil may come from an aristocratic background and have been knighted for his services to racing but the legendary trainer remains to the race-going public simply “Our ‘Enry”. It is a testament to his enduring popularity that a sell-out crowd of 40,000 will be at Ascot on Saturday not… Read More »
Frankel will remain the top rated horse of all time whether he rounds off his career with his 14th win in 14 starts or loses in the Champion Stakes at Ascot on Saturday. Form bible Timeform rates Henry Cecil’s star a stone (6kg) better than Champion Stakes second favourite Cirrus… Read More »
Joshua Tree is unlikely to use his well-earned entry into the Breeders’ Cup after his second victory in the Canadian International on Sunday evening. The Group One at Woodbine forms part of the “Win And You’re In” series for the American jamboree next month, but trainer Marco Botti would rather… Read More »
Frankel will have to overcome his biggest test in the Champion Stakes at Ascot on Saturday if he is to retire unbeaten in 14 races, the racing manager for owner Prince Khalid Abdullah says. Teddy Grimthorpe was speaking after the latest forfeit stage left just seven rivals to oppose the… Read More »
Richard Hughes has become just the second jockey in Britain to ride seven winners on a program in a remarkable afternoon at Windsor. Hughes, who virtually sealed the champion jockey title with his efforts, emulated Frankie Dettori’s famous feat at Ascot in 1996 just a year after threatening to quit… Read More »
Trainer Marco Botti has won the Canadian International with Joshua Tree at Woodbine just days before he has his first Australian runner Jakkalberry in the Caulfield Cup. Frankie Dettori gave Joshua Tree a stunning ride from the front to land the Canadian International, leading home the James Fanshawe-trained Dandino for… Read More »
History was made at Newmarket on Saturday when Aaim To Prosper became the first horse to win the Cesarewitch twice. Not many punters fancied his chances as Brian Meehan’s eight-year-old was sent off at 66-1 to not only to become the first double winner but to also defy top weight…. Read More »
Jim Bolger was given formal approval by Sheikh Mohammed to prepare pre-post favourite Dawn Approach for next year’s 2000 Guineas after the colt stretched his unbeaten record to six in the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket. It had not been announced by Godolphin as to whether they would move the chestnut… Read More »
Star three-year-old Camelot is recovering well from colic surgery and is expected to return to racing next season. Coolmore’s 2000 Guineas and dual Derby winner was admitted to Fethard Veterinary Hospital on Thursday evening where he underwent the surgery. He is now at Coolmore Stud where he will recuperate before… Read More »
Kieren Fallon has admitted his days as a rider are numbered and that he may yet consider a new career as a trainer. The six-time champion jockey, who has had turbulent times over the years, is now 47 and although he he can count on rides from the likes of… Read More »
Dual Derby winner Camelot has undergone exploratory colic surgery, Coolmore have said. The colt, who just failed to become the first Triple Crown winner in more than 40 years at Doncaster last month, has been admitted to Fethard Veterinary Hospital in Ireland. Camelot ran in the Prix de l’Arc de… Read More »
Tom Queally put himself in the shoes of most of his weighing room colleagues on Wednesday morning by watching Frankel disappear into the distance in a racecourse gallop at Newmarket. Sir Henry Cecil’s colt, who is very likely to round off his incredible and so-far unbeaten career in the Champion… Read More »
The international challenge for the Cox Plate has hit a hurdle with the Luca Cumani-trained Afsare suffering a leg injury. Travelling foreman Charlie Henson informed Racing Victoria officals Afsare had swelling in his off foreleg for which he was receiving treatment. The horse had a strong canter on Tuesday at… Read More »
Richard Hannon’s Olympic Glory paid his new owner an immediate divided with a Group One victory in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Grand Criterium) at Longchamp. In four previous starts, the two-year-old’s sole defeat had come at the hands of ante-post 2000 Guineas favourite Dawn Approach in the Coventry Stakes at… Read More »
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 »
