Tue, 03/17/2015 - 15:46

California Chrome leads U.S. group of 16 to Dubai

Shigeki Kikkawa
California Chrome is scheduled to depart California in mid-March for Dubai, where he will run in the $10 million Dubai World Cup.

They’re back.

After basically saying thanks but no thanks in 2014, when a mere three horses made the trip, U.S.-based horses will travel en masse for the March 28 Dubai World Cup card at Meydan Racecourse.

Prospective fields for the races provided Tuesday by Dubai Racing Club officials include 16 American horses who were to ship overseas Tuesday. The return of dirt racing this year at Meydan, which had employed an all-weather racing surface since its opening in 2010, spurred the increased participation.

Fri, 03/13/2015 - 14:14

Coneygree wins Cheltenham Gold Cup to remain unbeaten in chase races

CHELTENHAM, England – The 16-runner field was gathered at the start of Friday’s $825,000 Cheltenham Gold Cup when jockey Paddy Mullins revealed his race tactics to fellow rider Nico de Boinville.

“I’ll be going quick,” Mullins told de Boinville.

De Boinville’s response was fast.

“I’ll be going quick,” he said.

Thu, 03/12/2015 - 16:25

United Arab Emirates banned from endurance races

The international governing body of equestrian events has suspended the United Arab Emirates from participating in any endurance events for an indefinite period after concerns were raised about endurance races hosted by the country, the governing body, known as FEI, announced on Thursday.

Thu, 03/12/2015 - 12:20

Uxizandre, McCoy team up to win Ryanair Chase

CHELTENHAM, England - He needed 13 tries, but champion jockey A.P. McCoy scored his first winner of this week’s Cheltenham Festival when Uxizandre led throughout Thursday’s $470,250 Ryanair Chase at 2 1/2 miles at Cheltenham Racecourse.

McCoy, the 19-time champion steeplechase jockey who is retiring next month, was winless on the first two days on Tuesday and Wednesday of the four-day festival for hurdlers and chasers, and with his first two mounts on Thursday.

Wed, 03/11/2015 - 12:24

McCoy seeks third win in Cheltenham Gold Cup

CHELTENHAM, England – Perhaps it is fitting that jockey A P McCoy will ride his final Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday on a 9-year-old gelding named Carlingford Lough. Both started their careers in Ireland and are at the top of their games.

McCoy, 40, will retire at the end of the steeplechase season in late April, the date of his final ride yet to be confirmed. He is on course to win the British steeplechase jockey title for an unprecedented 20th consecutive year. He has won more than 4,300 races, an all-time record.

Tue, 03/10/2015 - 13:39

Faugheen stays unbeaten in Champion Hurdle

CHELTENHAM, England - Faugheen led a parade of winners for Irish trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Ruby Walsh at Cheltenham Racecourse on Tuesday, stretching his unbeaten record to nine races with a frontrunning win in the $600,000 Champion Hurdle.

Mullilns and Walsh combined to win three races on the seven-race card. Earlier in the day, they teamed to win the $180,000 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at 2 1/16 miles with 2-1 favorite Douvan, and the $225,000 Arkle Trophy for novice chasers at two miles with Un De Sceaux, the 4-6 favorite.

Mon, 03/09/2015 - 15:29

Three seek second Mother Champion Chase win

CHELTENHAM, England – Experience may be required to win Wednesday’s $532,000 Queen Mother Champion Chase at two miles over fences at Cheltenham Racecourse.

The field of three includes three former winners – Sizing Europe, the 13-year-old who won the race in 2011; and two 9-year-olds – Sprinter Sacre, the 2013 winner; and Sire de Grugy, who won last year.

There are 11 runners in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, the top race on the second of the four-day National Hunt festival, which continues through Friday.

Sun, 03/08/2015 - 09:36

Mullins loaded with contenders for National Hunt

The numbers are phenomenal.

In the four-day National Hunt festival for steeplechasers and hurdlers at Cheltenham Racecourse in the west of England from Tuesday through Friday, Irish trainer Willie Mullins may have as many as 50 runners in 27 races.

The Mullins team ranges from largely untested 4-year-olds in Friday’s two-mile Triumph Hurdle to the 11-year-old Hurricane Fly, who has won an astonishing 22 Grade 1 races from late 2008 through January this year.

Sat, 03/07/2015 - 14:38

African Story holds on to win Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3

Super Saturday was super at least for Godolphin and trainer Saeed bin Suroor, who swept the last three races on the program, including a win in the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 with African Story, their 2014 Dubai World Cup winner.

African Story now is set to line up in the March 28 World Cup, something that seemed far from certain after the 8-year-old finished second in Round 2 of the Maktoum Challenge, his first start since his surprise score nearly a year ago in the World Cup and his first try on dirt.

Fri, 03/06/2015 - 15:19

Toast of New York out of Dubai World Cup

Barbara D. Livingston
Toast of New York hasn't raced since finishing second in last year's Breeders' Cup Classic.

Friday, Toast of New York, the runner-up in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita last November, has been declared from the Dubai World Cup, trainer Jamie Osborne said.

“Toast of New York has picked up a soft tissue injury and unfortunately won’t be able to run,” Osborne told the Racing Post of England.

Toast of New York was favored over California Chrome with British bookmakers to win the Dubai World Cup. Toast of New York is based in England and was being trained up to the Dubai World Cup.