Sat, 04/05/2025 - 12:24

Admire Daytona prevails in U.A.E. Derby photo finish to earn Kentucky Derby berth

Dubai Racing Club
Admire Dayton (1) prevailed to take Saturday's U.A.E. Derby and earn a spot in the Kentucky Derby.

Admire Daytona earned a trip to the $5 million Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 3 with an upset win in Saturday’s Grade 2 United Arab Emirates Derby at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai.

Admire Daytona was not nominated to the American Triple Crown earlier this year, but trainer Yukihiro Kato told Meydan publicity that the colt would be sent to Kentucky.

Admire Daytona can be nominated for $6,000 on Monday.

Sat, 04/05/2025 - 10:40

Dubai: Raging Torrent, Dettori dominate Godolphin Mile

Dubai Racing Club
Racing beyond seven furlongs for the first time, Raging Torrent had no problem with the added distance, taking Saturday's Godolphin Mile at Meydan.

Doug O’Neill has raced more than any American trainer in Dubai, even, for a couple seasons, sending a string of runners to run at Meydan during the winter. O’Neill knows what it takes to win on the Dubai World Cup card, and after pointing Raging Torrent for months to the Godolphin Mile, O’Neill hit a bullseye on Saturday. Going straight to the lead under Frankie Dettori, Raging Torrent swatted away his pace rival, American expat Mufasa, and never came close to facing a homestretch challenge, winning the Group 2, $1 million Godolphin Mile by 3 1/2 lengths.

Fri, 04/04/2025 - 11:45

Hong Kong Selections for Sunday, April 6, 2025

Hong Kong Jockey Club
Turf racing at Sha Tin.

Paul Lally: 
R1: 1-4-11-8 
R2: 1-2-5-9 
R3: 5-2-9-6 
R4: 3-1-5-4 
R5: 2-11-7-1 
R6: 3-1-8-4 
R7: 5-3-1-2 
R8: 5-7-9-11 
R9: 3-1-12-2 
R10: 9-2-8-13 
Best Bet: R3 N5 Dazzling Fit 
Longshot: R9 N3 Superb Boy 
Play: R5 QQP 2-7-11 

Thu, 04/03/2025 - 13:06

Despite recent form, I Am Maximus favored to win second straight Grand National

A poor recent race record aside, I Am Maximus will be favored to win Saturday’s famous Grand National steeplechase at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, for the second consecutive year.

In 2024, I Am Maximus was a co-favorite at 7-1, winning the grueling race at about 4 1/4 miles over 30 fences by 7 1/2 lengths.

In preparation for this year’s race, I Am Maximus was always going to have a light campaign directed by his famous trainer, Willie Mullins, the leading jumps trainer in Ireland.

Thu, 04/03/2025 - 12:06

Luke Middlebrook's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Sunday, April 6, 2025

Hong Kong Jockey Club
Sunday's Sha Tin program features 10 races.

Sha Tin Selections
(Sunday, April 06, 2025)

Tue, 04/01/2025 - 11:11

Hong Kong Selections for Wednesday, Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Selections for Wednesday's racing program from Happy Valley.
Wednesday's Happy Valley program features nine races.

Paul Lally:

R1 5-4-1-3

R2 3-7-9-8

R3 8-5-9-2

R4 8-6-2-4

R5 8-6-2-10

R6 7-1-12-8

R7 5-4-9-1

R8 4-7-5-1

R9 8-7-11-3

 

Best Bet R8 N4 Definitive

Value Play R9 N8 Find My Love

Play R4 QQP 2-6-8

 

Tom Wood:

R1:       2-1-3-10

R2:       9-5-1-2

R3:       8-9-10-2

R4:       2-10-6-4

R5:       6-2-5-10

Tue, 04/01/2025 - 10:54

Andrea Atzeni aims to extend hot streak at Happy Valley

The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Crystal Powerful wins at Happy Valley under Andrea Atzeni.

By Declan Schuster

Andrea Atzeni has rocketed into third place in the 2024/25 Hong Kong jockeys’ championship and the Italian ace is aiming to continue a prosperous stretch of form when he takes seven rides at Happy Valley tomorrow night (Wednesday, 2 April).

The 34-year-old rode 10 winners through March from 51 pairings to lift his score to 36 behind only Zac Purton (87 wins) and Hugh Bowman (51). Brenton Avdulla (34) and Luke Ferraris (33) are the only other riders to surpass the 30-win mark this season.

Mon, 03/31/2025 - 10:47

Ka Ying Rising makes it 11 in a row with flawless G2 Sprint Cup display

The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Ka Ying Rising charges clear for Zac Purton and David Hayes.

by Leo Schlink

Delivering a chilling reminder of his extraordinary talent, Ka Ying Rising posted his 11th consecutive victory with a blistering display in the HK$5.35 million G2 Sprint Cup (1200m) to crown Zac Purton’s return to race riding at Sha Tin on Sunday (30 March).

The world’s highest-rated sprinter, Ka Ying Rising (128lb) demolished his opposition with familiar nonchalance to score by three lengths from Helios Express (123lb) and Lucky With You (123lb) in 1m 08.18s after being eased down by Purton with 100m to go.

Mon, 03/31/2025 - 10:38

Luke Middlebrook's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Hong Kong Jockey Club
Wednesday's Happy Valley program features nine races.

Happy Valley Selections
(Wednesday, April 02, 2025)

Sun, 03/30/2025 - 15:11

Japan: Satono Reve gives Moreira boost in Takamatsonomiya Kinen

Satono Reve gave international jockey Joao Moreira his second important stakes win in Japan in as many days with a predictable victory in Sunday’s Grade 1 Takamatsonomiya Kinen for sprinters at Chukyo Racecourse.