It’s been a productive and exciting few weeks for the flat racing scene. We’ve seen shock announcements, surprising wins, and future predictions. Not everybody has had the time to catch up on the races, however. For those who’ve had things to do and missed the action, we’ve got a roundup of the latest horse racing events from across the globe. Let’s begin with the Irish Derby.
Westover had a new rider, and Rob Hornby missed out. Hornby was all set to ride Westover in the Irish Derby, but that fell apart when Colin Keane replaced him. Having ridden Westover for Juddmonte Farms in each of his five races this year and taking third in the Derby at Epsom, one might have imagined he’d be ready-made to take the Frankel colt to success in the Dubai Duty-Free Irish Derby. It wasn’t to be, however. Speaking afterwards, Hornby had no animosity towards his replacement or the owners, with them insisting that Keane has more experience of The Curragh and so was preferable to Hornby on the Ralph Beckett-trained horse.
That generosity of spirit was paid back in spades ehen Hornby rode a valuable double at Newmarket's July meeting with Alcohol Free in the Darley July Cup and Prosperous Voyage in the Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes, both Group I contests.
Following last month’s shock at Royal Ascot, when Holloway Boy managed to win on his debut, there was another surprising result this weekend. Changeofmind broke the 12-year course record at Chester with a thundering performance. The Declan-Carroll trained horse was 12/1 defeating Sioux Nation by three-quarters of a length to win. Since 2010, the time for the minimum distance has been 59.85 seconds. Following the triumph, his owners have stated they will have a look over the following week whether there are plans for him to enter additional races of a similar calibre.
Frankie Dettori found himself cast aside briefly but appears now back in the fold. The Gosdens unceremoniously dropped the world-famous Italian jockey after a Royal Ascot to forget. However, not to be undone, Frankie confirmed he intends to ride until the end of 2023 (at least), and he proved he still has what it takes by winning at Newmarket with Ralph Beckett’s Lezoo.
The globe-trotting super-jockey has since travelled to Hamburg where he came off worst in a 3 way photo for the Deutscher Derby, beaten a head, and at Belmont this past weekend, where the seconditis continued with a 1/3/4l second in the Belmont Oaks on With The Moonlight for the Appleby stable, and a 3/4l second in the Belmont Derby Invitational, both Group 1 races.
Sandwiched in between was a winner of the listed Henry Cecil Stakes on Mighty Ulysses to recement his place in the Gosden stable.
There were surprises in Newcastle a fortnight ago, too. Carrying a top weight of 10st 8ib, few thought that Trueshan would have much of a chance in the Northumberland Plate under such a welter-weight. After all, the Alan-King-trained horse has missed a number of engagements waiting for his ground, including the Ascot Gold Cup. Nonetheless, Trueshan was able to make good on his preparation for the Goodwood Cup, winning the handicap under rider Hollie Doyle. She was also in fine form, breaking glass ceilings left, right and centre, having taken the Group 1 European Classic the weekend prior. It is seven from eight for this dynamic duo.
The Barbury maestro is having another excellent season on the flat. His 22 winners to date have amassed over £400,000 in prize money - small wonder he is sharing his expertise across both codes.
Finally, over to Japan, where Titleholder has been staking a claim for entry into the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. The four-year-old colt triumphed in the Takarazuka Kinen and routed his opposition to take the win and set a new 2.09.7 course record over the one-mile, three-furlong track in Hansin. This is his third win on the bounce and extends his unbeaten record at Hanshin. At present, Titleholder is being given a 16:1 chance of making the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, but he’ll need another win or so to cement his entry. Bookending a potential appearance in France in October, Titleholder is up for the Irish Champion Stakes in September and the Breeders’ Cup in November.
Last year's winner Torquator Tasso has indicated he is no back number either, with a Group II winner in Hamburg a week ago.
It’s been a productive and exciting few weeks for the flat racing scene. We’ve seen shock announcements, surprising wins, and future predictions. Not everybody has had the time to catch up on the races, however. For those who’ve had things to do and missed the action, we’ve got a roundup of the latest horse racing events from across the globe. Let’s begin with the Irish Derby.
Westover had a new rider, and Rob Hornby missed out. Hornby was all set to ride Westover in the Irish Derby, but that fell apart when Colin Keane replaced him. Having ridden Westover for Juddmonte Farms in each of his five races this year and taking third in the Derby at Epsom, one might have imagined he’d be ready-made to take the Frankel colt to success in the Dubai Duty-Free Irish Derby. It wasn’t to be, however. Speaking afterwards, Hornby had no animosity towards his replacement or the owners, with them insisting that Keane has more experience of The Curragh and so was preferable to Hornby on the Ralph Beckett-trained horse.
That generosity of spirit was paid back in spades ehen Hornby rode a valuable double at Newmarket's July meeting with Alcohol Free in the Darley July Cup and Prosperous Voyage in the Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes, both Group I contests.
Following last month’s shock at Royal Ascot, when Holloway Boy managed to win on his debut, there was another surprising result this weekend. Changeofmind broke the 12-year course record at Chester with a thundering performance. The Declan-Carroll trained horse was 12/1 defeating Sioux Nation by three-quarters of a length to win. Since 2010, the time for the minimum distance has been 59.85 seconds. Following the triumph, his owners have stated they will have a look over the following week whether there are plans for him to enter additional races of a similar calibre.
Frankie Dettori found himself cast aside briefly but appears now back in the fold. The Gosdens unceremoniously dropped the world-famous Italian jockey after a Royal Ascot to forget. However, not to be undone, Frankie confirmed he intends to ride until the end of 2023 (at least), and he proved he still has what it takes by winning at Newmarket with Ralph Beckett’s Lezoo.
The globe-trotting super-jockey has since travelled to Hamburg where he came off worst in a 3 way photo for the Deutscher Derby, beaten a head, and at Belmont this past weekend, where the seconditis continued with a 1/3/4l second in the Belmont Oaks on With The Moonlight for the Appleby stable, and a 3/4l second in the Belmont Derby Invitational, both Group 1 races.
Sandwiched in between was a winner of the listed Henry Cecil Stakes on Mighty Ulysses to recement his place in the Gosden stable.
There were surprises in Newcastle a fortnight ago, too. Carrying a top weight of 10st 8ib, few thought that Trueshan would have much of a chance in the Northumberland Plate under such a welter-weight. After all, the Alan-King-trained horse has missed a number of engagements waiting for his ground, including the Ascot Gold Cup. Nonetheless, Trueshan was able to make good on his preparation for the Goodwood Cup, winning the handicap under rider Hollie Doyle. She was also in fine form, breaking glass ceilings left, right and centre, having taken the Group 1 European Classic the weekend prior. It is seven from eight for this dynamic duo.
The Barbury maestro is having another excellent season on the flat. His 22 winners to date have amassed over £400,000 in prize money - small wonder he is sharing his expertise across both codes.
Finally, over to Japan, where Titleholder has been staking a claim for entry into the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. The four-year-old colt triumphed in the Takarazuka Kinen and routed his opposition to take the win and set a new 2.09.7 course record over the one-mile, three-furlong track in Hansin. This is his third win on the bounce and extends his unbeaten record at Hanshin. At present, Titleholder is being given a 16:1 chance of making the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, but he’ll need another win or so to cement his entry. Bookending a potential appearance in France in October, Titleholder is up for the Irish Champion Stakes in September and the Breeders’ Cup in November.
Last year's winner Torquator Tasso has indicated he is no back number either, with a Group II winner in Hamburg a week ago.
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