Richard Hannon’s extraordinary domination of the British juvenile division continued at Goodwood on Friday as Libranno led throughout to take the Group 2, $125,000 Richmond Stakes. Five Hannon-trained 2-year-olds have now won eight group races in England this season, six of them Group 2’s, plus a pair of Group 3’s.
Goldikova takes the next step on her road to the Breeders’ Cup Mile on Sunday when she seeks a three-peat in the $392,000 Prix Rothschild, a one-mile Group 1 for fillies and mares run over the Deauville straight course.
Japan is planning a concerted assault on many of the world’s best races this fall. The Japanese Racing Association confirmed on Thursday that the country’s best dirt horse, Espoir City, has his sights set on the Breeders’ Cup Classic, while Red Desire, the winner of Round 2 of the Maktoum Challenge against males in Dubai, is headed to the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf.
Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf winner Midday tries to get back on the winning track at Goodwood on Saturday, but her task in the Group 1, $310,000 Nassau Stakes is a tough one as she must contend with a pair of dangerous French raiders in Stacelita and Rosanara.
Japan is planning a concerted assault on many of the world’s best races this fall. The Japanese Racing Association confirmed on Thursday that the country’s best dirt horse, Espoir City, has his sights set on the Breeders’ Cup Classic, while Red Desire, the winner of Round 2 of the Maktoum Challenge against males in Dubai, is headed to the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf.
Canford Cliffs overcame a series of self-imposed difficulties at Goodwood on Wednesday to win the Group 1, $467,000 Sussex Stakes with a perfectly timed late run that caught Rip Van Winkle in the shadow of the line.
Starfish Bay will be the latest American-trained horse to test the depth of the British sprint division when she tackles males at Goodwood on Thursday in the five-furlong, $154,000 King George Stakes. Newly upgraded to Group 2 status this year, the race serves as a prep for the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York on Aug. 20.
Canford Cliffs goes in search of his third consecutive Group 1 mile triumph at Goodwood on Wednesday when he squares off against defending title-holder Rip Van Winkle in the $465,000 Sussex Stakes. The winner of the Irish 2000 Guineas and the St. James’s Palace Stakes, Canford Cliffs is Ladbrokes’ 4-6 favorite as he lines up for the fifth time this season.
Ace Spanish trainer Mauricio Delcher-Sanchez scored a memorable victory for his homeland at Maisons-Laffitte on Sunday as Irish Field landed the Group 2, $168,000, Prix Robert Papin for 2-year-olds
Ace Spanish trainer Mauricio Delcher-Sanchez scored a memorable victory for his homeland at Maisons-Laffitte on Sunday as Irish Field landed the Group 2, $168,000, Prix Robert Papin for 2-year-olds. An Irish-bred son of Dubawi, Irish Field rallied to lead under Christophe Soumillon at the three-sixteenths pole and stayed on to defeat Broox by a length and a half.
