Tue, 06/14/2005 - 00:00

Ouija Board returns in Prince of Wales's

Ouija Board makes her first start since winning the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Lone Star Park when she lines up for the Prince of Wales's Stakes on Wednesday, the highlight of the second day of the five-day Royal Ascot at York meeting.

Kieren Fallon is set to ride last year's disqualfied Arlington Million winner, Powerscourt, for Aidan O'Brien, so Jamie Spencer - the jockey aboard Powerscourt at Arlington - will take the mount on Ouija Board, whom he rode twice as a 2-year-old.

Sun, 06/12/2005 - 00:00

Divine Proportions devastating in French Oaks

Sunday was coronation day at Chantilly where Divine Proportions established herself as the best 3-year-old filly in the world with a devastating performance in the Group 1 Prix de Diane.

The undefeated daughter of Kingmambo maintained her perfect record in the $960,000 French Oaks with a runaway victory in which she inflicted a personal slap in the face to her main rival, the previously unbeaten Vadawina.

Sat, 06/11/2005 - 00:00

'Beau' starts Ascot quest

Mighty Beau begins his bid for a Royal Ascot sprint double in the Group 2 King's Stand Stakes over five furlongs at York on Tuesday. If all goes well there, then it is on to the Group 1 Golden Jubilee Stakes, over an extra furlong, on Saturday.

The Royal Ascot meeting is being run at York because Ascot is being renovated. Construction is expected to be finished by next year's Royal Ascot meeting.

Fri, 06/10/2005 - 00:00

Divine Proportions battles Vadawina

MirrorPix
Divine Proportions wins the Prix Marcel Boussac under Christophe Lemaire, one of her seven straight wins.

PARIS, France - Divine Proportions and Vadawina will square off in a mouthwatering renewal of the $960,000 Prix de Diane, or French Oaks, at Chantilly on Sunday.

Mon, 06/06/2005 - 00:00

Asakusa Den'en wins in Japan

Asakusa Den'en, upset winner of the Group 2 Keio Hai Spring Cup over seven furlongs at Tokyo Racecourse last month, followed up with a victory in the Group 1 Yasuda Kinen over an extra furlong there on Sunday.

Jockey Shinji Fujita had Asakusa Den'en in midpack until the straight, then pulled him out, and he quickened to catch Silent Witness 50 yards from home, with Sweep Toho in hot pursuit.

Sun, 06/05/2005 - 00:00

Shamardal takes Prix du Jockey-Club

Chantilly, France - Shamardal, whose career looked like it was in tatters after a dreadful performance in the UAE Derby in March, scored his second classic victory in a row on Sunday as he led throughout under a brilliant ride from Frankie Dettori to land the $1.8 million Prix du Jockey-Club at Chantilly.

Sat, 06/04/2005 - 00:00

Motivator cruises to Epsom Derby victory

EPSOM, England - Motivator needed little encouragement from jockey Johnny Murtagh on Saturday as he quickened clear to an overpowering five-length victory in the 226th running of the $2.25 million Epsom Derby.

Fri, 06/03/2005 - 00:00

Silent Witness faces nemesis

Silent Witness, who failed in the attempt to extend his unbeaten career record to 18 at Sha Tin three weeks ago, tries to resume his winning ways in the Group 1 Yasuda Kinen, over one mile at Tokyo Racecourse on Sunday. It will be his first race at any course other than Sha Tin.

The 6-year-old Silent Witness, who will be ridden by Felix Coetzee, faces the horse who beat him in the Champions Mile on May 14, Bullish Luck. Also in the field is Bowman's Crossing, who finished 5 1/2 lengths back in fourth in the Champions Mile.

Fri, 06/03/2005 - 00:00

France: Hurricane Run looks strong

Hurricane Run holds all the aces in Sunday's $1.8 million Prix du Jockey-Club at Chantilly.

A runaway five-length winner of the Group 2 Prix Hocquart on May 9, the Andre Fabre-trained Hurricane Run is adaptable enough to cut back to 1 5/16 miles, the shortened distance of this year's Prix du Jockey-Club.

Anyone seeking value, however, must consider Gharir. Trained by John Hammond, Gharir was a fast-closing third in the French 2000 Guineas, a race that was won by a revivified Shamardal.

Fri, 06/03/2005 - 00:00

Eswarah takes English Oaks

Eswarah, unraced until seven weeks ago when she won her maiden debut, but sent off as the 11-4 co-favorite, scored a sharp victory in the Group 1, $690,000 English Oaks at Epsom on Friday.

She rallied to win the 1 1/2-mile race from Something Exciting by 1 1/2 lengths in 2:39.00. The 1000 Guineas winner, Virginia Waters, was fourth as the co-choice.

Earlier on the card, Yeats posted a front-running 2 1/2-length victory in the Group 1, $450,000 Coronation Cup at 1 1/2 miles.