Wed, 07/27/2016 - 12:20

The Gurkha wins Sussex Stakes, earns spot in Breeders' Cup Mile

The Gurkha turned the tables on Galileo Gold on Wednesday at Goodwood Racecourse, beating him by a neck in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes after Galileo Gold had defeated The Gurkha in the St. James’s Palace Stakes last month at Royal Ascot. 

Mon, 07/25/2016 - 15:06

In Sussex Stakes, 3-year-olds look best

A 3-year-old has beaten his older rivals in the Sussex Stakes in six of the last eight years, and the two older horses to win the race during that span, Frankel and Solow, were historically great milers. The horses ages 4 and up in Wednesday’s edition of the Group 1 mile at Goodwood in England have no such quality, which is why the Sussex is widely viewed as a showdown among a trio of 3-year-olds – Galileo Gold, The Gurkha, and Awtaad.

Sat, 07/23/2016 - 17:45

Ascot: Highland Reel earns berth in Breeders' Cup Turf

Highland Reel had won a major race in North America, the Grade 1 Secretariat, and in Asia, where he captured the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase, and on Saturday he took down one of the most prestigious prizes in Europe when leading all the way under Ryan Moore in the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

Highland Reel gave Aidan O’Brien his fourth King George win and earned an automatic fees-paid berth into the Breeders’ Cup Turf through the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Win and You’re In program, a berth he is likely to accept if all goes well through season’s end.

Fri, 07/22/2016 - 14:18

Prince of Lir set for French debut in Prix Robert Papin

The Royal Ascot winner Prince of Lir will have his French debut in Sunday’s $142,500 Prix Robert Papin for 2-year-old colts and fillies at Maisons-Laffitte Racecourse.

The Group 2 Prix Robert Papin at 5 1/2 furlongs drew a field of six that includes several accomplished runners.

Thu, 07/21/2016 - 14:56

Rematch for Dartmouth, Highland Reel in King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes

The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Saturday at Ascot was supposed to mark the next appearance by the mighty Postponed. But with Postponed laid low this week by an upper-respiratory infection, the 1 1/2-mile summer fixture could come down to Dartmouth and Highland Reel, a pair of 4-year-olds separated by a head last month when Dartmouth won the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Fri, 07/15/2016 - 14:27

Ultra set for 3-year-old debut in Prix Eugene Adam

Ultra, the undefeated winner of the Group 1 Prix Jean Luc-Lagardere for 2-year-olds last October, will have his 2016 debut in Sunday’s $143,780 Prix Eugene Adam for 3-year-olds at Maisons-Laffitte racecourse in Paris.

Owned by Godolphin Racing and trained by Andre Fabre, Ultra has won three races, including a maiden race last July and an allowance race last September. Mickael Barzalona has the mount on the colt, who is by Manduro.

Thu, 07/14/2016 - 16:31

Mont Ormel wins Grand Prix de Paris

Mont Ormel, a minor stakes winner in France last month, won his Group 1 debut in Thursday’s $665,400 Grand Prix de Paris at Saint-Cloud Racecourse in Paris.

A 17-1 shot, Mont Ormel won the race at 1 1/2 miles on turf for 3-year-old colts and fillies by 1 1/4 lengths over Red Verdon, a Kentucky-bred by Lemon Drop Kid.

Wed, 07/13/2016 - 16:41

Mekhtaal looks to atone in Grand Prix de Paris

The French colt Mekhtaal ran a clunker on the biggest day of his career last month, finishing eighth of 16 as the 9-2 second choice in the French Derby at Chantilly.

The Group 1 French Derby was the first time Mehktaal finished worse than second in four starts. There is a chance for redemption at the highest level in Thursday’s $665,400 Grand Prix de Paris at Saint-Cloud racecourse. The Group 1 race is run at 1 1/2 miles on turf for 3-year-old colts and fillies.

Sat, 07/09/2016 - 13:18

Limato gets first Group 1 win in July Cup

Limato won the first Group 1 race of his career in his fourth attempt, and beat the winners of three Group 1 sprints at Royal Ascot last month, in Saturday’s $645,450 July Cup at Newmarket Racecourse.

Limato was ridden by Harry Bentley and won the July Cup by two lengths despite veering to the right in the final strides of the six-furlong race. The July Cup was run on a straightaway course.

Sat, 07/09/2016 - 13:14

Nemoralia taking on males in Prix Jean Prat

The English filly Nemoralia has a decent chance to beat males in France in the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat for 3-year-olds over one mile at Chantilly on Sunday.

Nemoralia, trained by Jeremy Noseda, is one of nine entrants in the race and is essentially co-favored in ante-post wagering along with Zelzal. But where Zelzal’s baseline class still remains in question, Nemoralia seems well established as a Group 1 performer, at least in the age-restricted ranks.