Alex Greaves, the winningest female jockey in British racing history, has announced her surprise retirement from the saddle at the age of 36. The first woman to ride a Group 1 winner in England when she partnered Ya Malak to a dead-heat victory with Coastal Bluff in the 1997 Nunthorpe Stakes at York, Greaves was also the first woman to ride in the Epsom Derby and the 1000 Guineas.

Helios Quercus made a successful return to the races at Saint-Cloud on Monday, winning the listed one-mile Prix Omnium II by two lengths over Salut Thomas.

The 6-5 favorite, Helios Quercus covered the mile under Alex Roussel on heavy ground in 1:49.20. His trainer, Cyriaque Diard, will run him next in the 1 5/16-mile, Group 2 Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud on May 16 as a prep for the June 5 Prix du Jockey-Club (French Derby) over the same distance at Chantilly.

Admire Max came with a late run under Yutaka Take to take the world's second-richest sprint race, the Grade 1, $1.74 million Takamatsunomiya Kinen, at Chukyo Racecourse in Japan on Sunday.

A 6-year-old son of Sunday Silence trained by Mitsuru Hashida, Admire Max (10-1 as fourth choice) broke widest of all in the 18-strong field but still swept to a 2 1/2-length victory over Keeneland Swan. He covered the six furlongs on firm ground in 1:08.40. The 9-10 favorite, Precious Cafe, was a neck farther back in third.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Owner Ken Ramsey literally spilled blood over Roses in May's victory in Saturday's $6 million Dubai World Cup at Nad Al Sheba.

While Ramsey was walking Roses in May into a crowded winner's circle, the horse swung his head and struck Ramsey on his left temple. Perhaps it was Roses in May's version of an equine high five. In any case, it left Ramsey with a cut on his brow, which earned the attention of first aid.

For Ramsey, who has had a tumultuous few months, it was a small price to pay for winning the world's richest race.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Roses in May took the fight to the world in Saturday's $6 million Dubai World Cup at Nad Al Sheba racecourse and proved that his stamina and speed were enough to win the planet's richest race.

Always near the front under Eclipse Award-winning jockey John Velazquez, Roses in May took the lead with six furlongs remaining, kicked clear of his 11 rivals at the head of the three-furlong stretch, and scored by three lengths.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Trainer George Weaver thought his eyes were playing tricks on him during the $2 million Golden Shaheen at Nad Al Sheba on Saturday night.

As he alternatively watched the race unfold over a straightaway six furlongs, Weaver thought he saw his horse, Saratoga County, in front when he watched the race on television, only to have his doubts when he glanced with the naked eye up the stretch.

As the field reached the final furlong, Weaver's hopes were realized: Saratoga County was winning the world's richest sprint.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Blues and Royals, considered to be a second-string 3-year-old for Godolphin Racing, is on his way to the Kentucky Derby on May 7 after a shockingly easy 12-length win in Saturday's $2 million UAE Derby at Nad Al Sheba.

Making his first start of the year, first start on dirt, and stakes debut, Blues and Royals turned in a brilliant performance, kicking away from a solid field.

Straight wagers offered in win-place format. Winning horse pays to win and to place; 2nd finisher pays to place; 3rd finisher pays to place. No show wagering.

2nd RACE NAD AL SHEBA - GODOLPHIN MILE (Group 2)
1st 4-Grand Emporium (Saf) $5.20 $2.60 -
2nd 10-Qais - $3.80 -
3rd 11-Tsigane - $2.60 -
4th 2-Burnt Ember

Sunday's Grade 1, $1.74 million Takamatsunomiya Kinen at Chukyo, Japan, has attracted the maximum number of 18 runners, among them the first five finishers from the Grade 3 Hankyu Hai run on Feb. 27.

Keeneland Swan defeated Calstone Light O, Win Kluger, Admire Max, and Silver Zetto that day at Hanshin. With only 1 1/2 lengths separating the entire group, any of those five is eligible to score in Sunday's six-furlong race.

Equally qualified are Precious Cafe and Gallant Arrow, the first two from the six-furlong Grade 3 Silk Road Stakes at Kyoto on Feb. 6.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Last year the Maktoum family's Godolphin Racing had only nine starts in the United States and won but two races. But they were good ones. Godolphin won the Grade 1 Beverly D. at Arlington Park with Crimson Palace and the Grade 1 Canadian International at Woodbine with Sulamani.