Sun, 09/30/2012 - 15:42

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf berth goes to Battle of Marengo at the Curragh

Battle of Marengo won his second consecutive stakes, and earned a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, with a victory in the Group 2 Beresford Stakes at the Curragh in Ireland on Sunday.

It was not immediately clear whether Battle of Marengo would be sent to Santa Anita for the BC Juvenile Turf on Nov. 3. Trainer Aidan O’Brien told the press after the race that the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster, England, on Oct. 27 was a consideration, but that Battle of Marengo could be finished for the year.

Sat, 09/29/2012 - 13:00

Steeler earns Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf berth in Royal Lodge

Steeler gamely won the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday by one length over Artigiano. Steeler, by Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Raven’s Pass, gained a fees-paid berth into the BC Juvenile Turf, the Royal Lodge being a Breeders’ Cup Challenge race, but trainer Mark Johnston said the Racing Post Trophy would be Steeler’s primary fall objective. Steeler, ridden by Kieren Fallon, has won three of his five starts.

Sat, 09/29/2012 - 12:42

Siyouma takes Sun Chariot after Elusive Kate stumbles

The 4-year-old filly Siyouma scored the biggest win of her career Saturday at Newmarket when she landed the Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes by three-quarters of a length over Elusive Kate.

Siyouma, a France-based Medicean filly owned by Robert Jeffcock and trained by Francois Doumen, had finished fifth and third in her first two tries at the Group 1 level. She continued a string of Sun Chariot success for French shippers, who have won the race four years running.

Sat, 09/29/2012 - 10:51

Snow Fairy will miss remainder of season with an injury

Snow Fairy, one of the favorites for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe next weekend, and an eagerly anticipated runner in the Breeders’ Cup, won’t race again in 2012 after suffering an undisclosed injury during a workout on Friday in England.

Fri, 09/28/2012 - 14:53

Ireland: Battle of Marengo goes for Breeders' Cup berth in Beresford Stakes at the Curragh

Battle of Marengo, who won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Trial at Leopardstown, can move closer to a potential trip to California for the Breeders’ Cup in November when he starts in Sunday’s Group 2 Beresford Stakes at the Curragh in Ireland.

Trained by Aidan O’Brien, Battle of Marengo is part of a field of five in the Beresford Stakes, which is run over a mile for 2-year-olds and worth approximately $117,600. The turf course at the Curragh is expected to be soft to heavy on Sunday.

Fri, 09/28/2012 - 14:47

England: Certify dominant in Fillies' Mile at Newmarket

The talented 2-year-old Certify ran her career mark to 4 for 4 when she dominated the Group 1 Fillies' Mile on Friday at Newmarket, looking like a horse for the 2013 English 1000 Guineas.

Certify, an Elusive Quality filly owned by Godolphin and trained by Mahmood Al Zarooni, beat Roz by 4 1/2 lengths despite appearing to lose focus when making the lead with a quarter-mile left in the one-mile race. She was ridden to victory by Mickael Barzalona and gave Godolphin three straight wins in the Fillies' Mile, the last two with horses trained by Al Zarooni.

Thu, 09/27/2012 - 16:26

Royal Lodge offers incentives for Derby and Breeders' Cup

The Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes is the best race on a big Saturday program at Newmarket in England, featuring high-class fillies like Elusive Kate and Beauty Parlour. Beauty Parlour’s name has come up as a potential Breeders’ Cup runner, but the Newmarket race with the strongest link to the American scene is actually the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes, for 2-year-old colts and geldings.

Wed, 09/26/2012 - 16:22

England: Certify risks unbeaten record in Fillies' Mile at Newmarket

The undefeated Certify should be heavily favored to win the Group 1 Fillies’ Mile for 2-year-old fillies on Friday at Newmarket in England.

The Fillies’ Mile is a Breeder’s Cup Challenge Win and You’re In race for the Juvenile Fillies Turf, but Certify seems doubtful to show up on this side of the Atlantic this fall. She’s owned by Godolphin, whose racing manager, Simon Crisford, said in an email on Wednesday that outside one potential runner in the BC Marathon, the Godolpin presence at this year’s Breeders’ Cup probably would be confined to North American-based horses.

Sun, 09/16/2012 - 18:59

Longchamp: Orfevre sets himself up as Arc favorite

The Japanese horse Orfevre punched his ticket to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, while the French horse Moonlight Cloud booked trainer Freddie Head passage back to the Breeders’ Cup Mile during the course of a major day’s racing Sunday at Longchamp.

Sat, 09/15/2012 - 14:56

The Curragh: Irish St. Leger three-horse photo goes to Royal Diamond

Royal Diamond, a 6-year-old who had failed to win a race of consequence in any of his previous 24 starts, came out on the right side of a three-horse photo finish in the Group 1 Irish St. Leger on Saturday at the Curragh.

Massiyn finished a head behind the winner with Brown Panther another nose back in third. Fourth-place Aiken also was in the frame, a neck farther back in fourth.