Master of Hounds, the fifth-place Kentucky Derby finisher and a close second earlier this year in the UAE Derby, has been privately purchased from the Coolmore operation by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum of Dubai and turned over to trainer Mike de Kock.
Frankel, the 3-year-old Juddmonte Farms superstar who ran his unbeaten streak to eight with a five-length triumph in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on July 27, is the top horse in the world, according to the latest World Thoroughbred Rankings released this week by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.
Fillies provided upset wins in Group 1 races in France and Ireland on Sunday.
Dream Ahead makes his second cross-Channel journey to Deauville, where he will be favored in Sunday’s Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest over 6 1/2 furlongs.
Canford Cliffs, widely considered England’s best older miler this year, has been retired after sufstainingg a leg injury, trainer Richard Hannon announced on Thursday.
Goldikova won Sunday’s Group 1 Prix Rothschild for a record fourth consecutive year at Deauville, France, holding off Sahpresa by a short neck. The margin at the end of the one-mile race was somewhat deceptive, as Goldikova was being eased down by jockey Olivier Peslier in the final sixteenth.
Midday won the Group 1 Nassau Stakes for a record third time at Goodwood Racecourse in England on Saturday, giving trainer Sir Henry Cecil his eighth win in the race.
The brilliant turf miler Goldikova will be heavily favored to win her second Group 1 race of 2011, and the 14th such race of her career, in Sunday’s Prix Rothschild at Deauville, France
Midday can become the first filly or mare to win three runnings of the Group 1 Nassau Stakes at Goodwood Racecourse in England on Saturday, but a win would be a slight surprise.
Three-year-old superstar Frankel proved he has substance to match his reputation, decisively defeating top miler Canford Cliffs in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes on Wednesday at Goodwood in England.
