British Horseracing Authority | 2 hours ago
Aidan O'Brien feels Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas favourite Magician will have no problem dropping back down to a mile for the Classic at the Curragh.
He won just one of his four outings as a juvenile but looked a different proposition when stormin...
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British Horseracing Authority
Camelot and Kazeem in Cup clash
British Horseracing Authority | 3 hours ago
Camelot and Al Kazeem are the headline acts among a field of just four declared for Sunday's Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained Camelot made a successful start to his four-year-old campaign when landing the Mooresbridge S...
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Ahern lodges appeal
British Horseracing Authority | 3 hours ago
Eddie Ahern has lodged an appeal against the decision of the British Horseracing Authority to suspend him from riding for 10 years.
Ahern was found guilty of conspiring to commit a corrupt or fraudulent practice along with former footballer Neil Cle...
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Judge leads Guineas field
British Horseracing Authority | 3 hours ago
Just The Judge heads a field of 16 declared for Sunday's Etihad Airways Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh.
The Charlie Hills-trained filly will attempt to go one better than in the Qipco 1000 Guineas at Newmarket where she was beaten half a length ...
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Banner bows out again
British Horseracing Authority | 4 hours ago
Starspangledbanner is set to stand at Rosemont Stud in Australia after being retired from racing.
The seven-year-old was a Group One performer Down Under before being purchased by the Coolmore team and switched to the care of Aidan O'Brien in 2010.
...
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Bonfire performance still a mystery
British Horseracing Authority | 4 hours ago
Connections of Bonfire remain baffled by the four-year-old's poor display in the Huxley Stakes at Chester.
A big run had been expected from the Andrew Balding-trained gelding in the Group Three contest on the Roodee on the back of a promising effort...
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Greatwood team seek Listed option
British Horseracing Authority | 4 hours ago
Greatwood could have his sights lowered in a bid to get his career back on track following a disappointing performance in the Dante Stakes.
Connections had hoped the Luca Cumani-trained colt would book his place in next week's Investec Derby with a ...
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Moohaajim set for Listed outing
British Horseracing Authority | 4 hours ago
Moohaajim is likely to drop to Listed level for his next start after disappointing in the 2000 Guineas.
Marco Botti's colt won the Mill Reef Stakes last term and finished a close second to Reckless Abandon in the Middle Park, but has failed to run u...
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Elik hits Goodwood heights
British Horseracing Authority | 20 hours ago
Elik gave the Sir Michael Stoute stable a timely boost ahead of next week's Investec Oaks when landing the Height Of Fashion Stakes at Goodwood.
Fourth behind another Classic possible in the Hughie Morrison-trained Banoffee in the Cheshire Oaks, the...
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Dettori hoping for Derby return
British Horseracing Authority | 20 hours ago
Frankie Dettori still hopes to be able to ride at next week's Investec Derby meeting after making some progress towards having his licence reinstated.
The 42-year-old jockey had planned to be back in action this week following his six-month ban hand...
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Sheikh orders steroids ban
British Horseracing Authority | 21 hours ago
Sheikh Mohammed has vowed his Godolphin operation will go from "strength to strength" after ordering a decree banning the use of anabolic steroids in Dubai.
The ruler of Dubai has moved to prohibit the use of the performance-enhancing drugs followin...
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Crowley confirmed for Gesture
British Horseracing Authority | 23 hours ago
Ralph Beckett has firmed up the riding arrangements for his Investec Oaks contenders, with Jim Crowley sticking with Secret Gesture and Richard Hughes coming in for the mount on Talent.
Secret Gesture is favourite for the fillies' Classic after trea...
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Bolger bullish about Dawn bid
British Horseracing Authority | 23 hours ago
Jim Bolger is convinced Dawn Approach will go to the Investec Derby an even better horse than he was when winning the Qipco 2000 Guineas.
The Coolcullen trainer has been delighted with his stable star since Newmarket and he knows what it takes to wi...
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Prohibit facing Ascot warm-up
British Horseracing Authority | 24 hours ago
Prohibit will attempt to book his Royal Ascot ticket in the Achilles Stakes at Haydock on June 7.
The eight-year-old has not run since York last July and has only one win to his name since his victory in the King's Stand at the Royal meeting in 2011...
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PJA offer Ahern support
British Horseracing Authority | 24 hours ago
Eddie Ahern will have the full support of the Professional Jockeys' Association as he launches his appeal against the 10-year ban handed out to him by the British Horseracing Authority.
Ahern's career was effectively ended after he was found guilty ...
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All roads lead to Chester
British Horseracing Authority | 1 day ago
Ralston Road takes an alternative route to possible Classic glory when he lines up at Chester on Saturday.
The Pat Shanahan-trained colt bids to book his place in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh on June 29 when he attempts to defy top...
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Aigles could swerve Royal Ascot
British Horseracing Authority | 1 day ago
Royal Ascot's Prince of Wales's Stakes may come just too soon for Cirrus Des Aigles, according to his trainer Corine Barande-Barbe.
The seven-year-old was the only horse to give Frankel a real race when he was beaten just a length and three-quarters...
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O’Brien quartet head for Guineas
British Horseracing Authority | 1 day ago
Aidan O'Brien has declared a team of four as he goes for a ninth triumph in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh on Saturday.
A field of 10 is set to line up for the colts' Classic, with the Ballydoyle trainer responsible for Magician,...
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Pearl Secret out of Temple
British Horseracing Authority | 1 day ago
Pearl Secret will not run in the Betfred Temple Stakes at Haydock on Saturday.
The David Barron-trained colt had been prominent in the ante-post betting for the Group Two on Merseyside but has scoped dirty.
Pearl Secret, who won four races during a...
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Banofee set for Oaks raid
British Horseracing Authority | 1 day ago
Hughie Morrison's unbeaten filly Banoffee will be supplemented for the Investec Oaks at Epsom on May 31.
The daughter of Hurricane Run was unraced as a juvenile but made a pleasing introduction at Newbury in April, winning a maiden which subsequent ...
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Dunaden enjoys Epsom spin
British Horseracing Authority | 1 day ago
Connections of Dunaden have given the 2011 Melbourne Cup winner experience of Epsom's unique undulations before his assault on the Investec Coronation Cup next weekend.
The seven-year-old returned Down Under last season to win the valuable Caulfield...
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‘Useful’ Epsom spin for Ocovango
British Horseracing Authority | 1 day ago
French Investec Derby hope Ocovango enjoyed a nice breeze at Epsom as part of the yearly 'Breakfast with the Stars' morning at the Surrey circuit.
Andre Fabre's unbeaten Prix Greffulhe winner engaged in some pleasing work over the Derby trip and dre...
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Stoute rules Telescope out of Derby
British Horseracing Authority | 1 day ago
Telescope has a sore left shin and "won't be running" in the Investec Derby at Epsom on June 1, said trainer Sir Michael Stoute.
The Galileo colt had a racecourse gallop at Lingfield on Wednesday, in which he was described as only "workmanlike" by t...
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Successful career in tatters
British Horseracing Authority | 2 days ago
Eddie Ahern's 10-year disqualification from racing could bring to an end a career which has seen him enjoy success at the highest level.
The County Tipperary-born jockey has been found guilty of conspiring to commit a corrupt or fraudulent practice ...
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Ten-year ban for rider Ahern
British Horseracing Authority | 2 days ago
Group One-winning jockey Eddie Ahern has been disqualified for a total of 10 years following the conclusion of a British Horseracing Authority corruption hearing.
Ahern, 35, was found guilty of conspiring to commit a corrupt or fraudulent practice i...
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Dettori licence remains at impasse
British Horseracing Authority | 2 days ago
Frankie Dettori's legal representative hopes the licensing committee of the British Horseracing Authority will reconvene in a bid to hasten the rider's return to action.
Solicitor Christopher Stewart-Moore has contacted the BHA with a view to the re...
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Ahern found guilty at hearing
British Horseracing Authority | 2 days ago
Eddie Ahern has been found guilty of three breaches of British Horseracing Authority rules following a disciplinary inquiry into alleged corruption.
The Group One-winning jockey was charged with conspiring to commit a corrupt or fraudulent practice in relation to the laying of five horses between September 2010 and February 2011.
He was also accused of intentionally failing to ensure Judgethemoment was ridden on its merits at Lingfield in January 2011, and of passing information for reward. Ahern has been found guilty of all charges.
Former West Bromwich Albion footballer Neil Clement faced charges relating to the five races Ahern rode in and also the laying of Hindu Kush, which he then owned, when that horse finished last of six at Kempton in February 2011.
Clement has been found guilty of conspiring to commit a corrupt or fraudulent practice, of placing a lay bet on a horse which he then owned, and of a failure to provide phone records. A hearing to determine the penalties for both Clement and Ahern will be held this afternoon.
The most serious breach against Ahern was his failure to ride Judgethemoment on its merits at Lingfield on January 21, 2011. The Jane Chapple-Hyam trained gelding finished last of seven runners in a two-mile handicap, having been well clear at the halfway stage.
Ahern's counsel, Jonathan Harvie QC, accepted his client had rode "an ill-judged race", but denied he had engaged in a deliberate attempt to destroy Judgethemoment's chances by going off too fast. Ahern's explanation for the ride was that he misjudged the pace and did not realise he was so far ahead.
A BHA disciplinary panel said it "could not accept that a jockey of Ahern's experience, especially on the all-weather at Lingfield, could have made an error of such an extent".
The BHA said Clement's wagers against Judgethemoment included a spread bet, in which he risked a maximum loss of �41,500 to win what was in the end �8,500.
Ahern is likely to launch an appeal once he learns of his fate, and Harvie said: "I think when you learn what the penalty is, it is a pity. I'm not in the position that you can go behind the judgement panel but I think (Ahern) will be appealing but I will have to speak to (solicitor) Christopher Stewart-Moore first."
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Hide awarded Cheltenham damages
British Horseracing Authority | 2 days ago
Former jockey Philip Hide has been awarded more than �50,000 compensation for injuries sustained in a fall at Cheltenham in 2006.
Hide, who is now a trainer, suffered a head injury and fractured pelvis in a fall from Hatch A Plan, and the Court of Appeal has upheld his claim against managers of the Cotswold track. Hide fell at the first hurdle and hit a post supporting a guard rail running around the perimeter of the chase course.
He had claimed damages and argued that the hurdle was too close to the perimeter fence - and the fence "too unyielding" or insufficiently padded. Hide suggested that regulations governing work equipment had been breached.
Course bosses had contested his claim and a judge had ruled against him following a trial at Oxford County Court in June 2012 - concluding that the hurdle and guard rail were "suitable equipment". But three appeal judges have now allowed an appeal by Hide following a hearing in London.
Lord Justice Davis, who heard Hide's appeal with Lord Justice Longmore and Lord Justice McFarlane, said jump racing was "dangerous" and Cheltenham Racecourse prided itself on its "attention to safety considerations".
The judge said the accident had occurred in a "most unusual way", when the horse skidded sharply after falling at the outer end of the hurdle. But he said what mattered was the "reasonable foreseeability of a collision between horse or rider with the railings' upright at this place".
Lord Justice Davis said the judge at the county court trial had been concerned about the "implications of a conclusion in favour of Mr Hide".
"He was concerned about 'the relentless logic of the personal injury lawyer', as he put it. Were jump races to be required to be made so undemanding that all horses could be expected to negotiate them without mishap? How were the requirements of the regulations to apply, for example, to Becher's Brook at Aintree," said Lord Justice Davis.
But Lord Justice Davis added: "Of course the hazards of jump and hurdle racing may lawfully remain: jumps and hurdles may properly and lawfully continue to pose challenges of varying difficulty.
"What was fundamentally at issue here was not the suitability of this hurdle, taken on its own, or the suitability of the railings' upright, taken on its own. It was a combination of matters: the location of this particular hurdle so close to this railings' upright (with its particular construction) that gave rise to the problem."
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Clutterbuck to appeal ban
British Horseracing Authority | 2 days ago
James Clutterbuck, son and assistant to Newmarket trainer Ken Clutterbuck, has lodged an appeal against a two-and-a-half-year ban from racing.
Clutterbuck was found guilty by the BHA of passing on inside information on March 9, 2011 when Stoneacre Gareth, trained by his father, finished fourth in a handicap. The BHA said Clutterbuck entered a guilty plea on a factual basis, which was accepted. James Clutterbuck's solicitor, Keith Lobo, of London-based St John Legal, said his client will contest the severity of the suspension.
A statement issued by Mr Lobo to Press Association Sport read: "Mr Clutterbuck was heard in advance by the BHA and separately from the other respondents having admitted to an innocent breach of the rules."
It went on: "There was no question of Mr Clutterbuck having received any financial reward or having acted dishonestly. Upon receipt of the admission and hearing submissions in mitigation, the BHA decision was to disqualify my client for 30 months without any fine being imposed.
"Although we will in due course be making an application for dispensation in any event to enable Mr Clutterbuck to renew work within the industry as soon as possible, following advice and in light of previous authorities he has decided to appeal the decision.
"In my view, keeping in mind that his breach was innocent, that his role was relatively innocuous, his exemplary record and the case authorities referred to, the 30-month period is extremely harsh. He stands a good chance of a reduction to that period on appeal. The appeal has been lodged and we are currently waiting for a hearing date."
Former footballer Neil Clement admitted to having used inside information for betting against Stoneacre Gareth and was found guilty of conspiring to commit a corrupt or fraudulent practice.
Former registered owner Michael Turl was charged with conspiring to commit a corrupt or fraudulent practice over Stoneacre Gareth's race and was earlier this month disqualified for two years and fined �10,000. In-running punters Martin Raymond and Paul Hill were accused of having received inside information as part of the Stoneacre Gareth case but have been cleared of all charges.
Raymond said: "I'm very pleased it is all over, I was surprised it got as far as charges in the first place. I'm delighted to have my name cleared. My solicitor Rory Mac Neice has been superb. It hasn't come as a great surprise but it's still a huge relief."
Hill said: "I don't know how it got to this stage, but I'm well pleased. There was only ever going to be one outcome. I knew in December we were going to be cleared - and that's exactly what happened."
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Sugar a Gallinule doubt
British Horseracing Authority | 2 days ago
Sugar Boy is not a certain starter in the Airlie Stud Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.
Trainer Patrick Prendergast is wary of running his Sandown Classic Trial winner on ground possibly not to his liking, with the Dubai Duty Free Irish Der...
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Chopin on Derby trail
British Horseracing Authority | 2 days ago
German challenger Chopin will be supplemented for the Investec Derby at Epsom on June 1.
Considered as the best three-year-old in his homeland, he was bought by Sheikh Fahad Al Thani after winning his last race by eight lengths and will be ridden by...
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Telescope drifts after gallop
British Horseracing Authority | 2 days ago
Telescope was eased in the betting for the Investec Derby at Epsom on June 1 after a "workmanlike" gallop before racing at Lingfield on Wednesday.
The Sir Michael Stoute-trained colt worked over seven furlongs with two stablemates to help compensate...
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No Derby date for Vendome
British Horseracing Authority | 2 days ago
Style Vendome, winner of the French 2000 Guineas at Longchamp, will not run in the French Derby on Sunday week.
Trainer Nicolas Clement feels the mile-and-a-quarter trip in the Chantilly Classic would stretch the colt's stamina to the limit.
Style ...
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Excuse emerges for Highway flop
British Horseracing Authority | 2 days ago
Princess Highway's disappointing reverse at Naas last Wednesday was blamed on her being in season.
Last year's Ribblesdale Stakes heroine was an odds-on shot to make a successful return in the Blue Wind Stakes, but she could finish only third behind...
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Maarek set to swerve Temple
British Horseracing Authority | 2 days ago
Maarek is likely to take his chance in the Weatherbys Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday, rather than make the trip to Haydock for the Betfred Temple Stakes on the same day.
The six-year-old made great strides last term, culminating in vic...
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Eclipse on Pastorius agenda
British Horseracing Authority | 2 days ago
German trainer Mario Hofer could attempt to win the Coral-Eclipse with Pastorius.
Last month's Prix Ganay scorer beat just one horse home in the Singapore Airlines International Cup at Kranji on Sunday, but returned from the race with cuts to his fr...
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Havana shoots for Guineas gold
British Horseracing Authority | 2 days ago
Jamie Spencer is likely to adopt different tactics on Havana Gold in Saturday's Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh.
Richard Hannon's colt ran a blinder in the French equivalent, hitting the front inside the final furlong before eventually...
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Doumen mulls Trip target
British Horseracing Authority | 2 days ago
Francois Doumen is leaning away from asking Top Trip to contest the Ascot Gold Cup.
The four-year-old was beaten by the narrowest of margins when Glen's Diamond nosed him out in the Yorkshire Cup last week.
While Doumen has no doubt that in time To...
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Mohican has Curragh option
British Horseracing Authority | 2 days ago
First Mohican could be heading to Ireland for his next run after his success at York last week.
The five-year-old was compared to Frankel in his early days on the Warren Hill gallops but injury has hindered his progress.
His only defeat to date cam...
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France Galop awaits Dettori contact
British Horseracing Authority | 2 days ago
French racing authority France Galop has said it is awaiting further contact from Frankie Dettori concerning a "medical" matter if the rider's application for a renewed licence is to be approved.
France Galop banned the Italian for six months after ...
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France Galop awaits Dettori contact
British Horseracing Authority | 3 days ago
French racing authority France Galop has said it is awaiting further contact from Frankie Dettori concerning a "medical" matter if the rider's application for a renewed licence is to be approved.
France Galop banned the Italian for six months after ...
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Nottingham winner sent to Coventry
British Horseracing Authority | 3 days ago
Windfast is likely to head for the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot after getting off the mark in good style at Nottingham.
The 1-4 shot, trained by Brian Meehan, stepped up on his debut run behind Green Door at Newmarket to land the British Stallion ...
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Mince set to skip Temple date
British Horseracing Authority | 3 days ago
Mince is an unlikely starter in the Betfred Temple Stakes at Haydock on Saturday.
Roger Charlton's filly ended last year on a high, winning her last four races, but could finish no closer than 10th on her return in the Duke of York Stakes last week ...
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Borderlescott on comeback trail
British Horseracing Authority | 3 days ago
Group One-winning sprinter Borderlescott could be set to come out of retirement at the age of 11.
Trainer Robin Bastiman will give the dual Nunthorpe winner a gallop on Wednesday morning and if he comes through that OK and a subsequent heart scan sh...
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Peerless Sacre a class apart
British Horseracing Authority | 3 days ago
Sprinter Sacre might have been below-par the last time he was seen in action at Punchestown but he was still able to finish by far and away the top chaser of the Anglo-Irish Jump Classifications.
While Nicky Henderson's exceptional gelding finished ...
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Welcome dilemma for Cliff camp
British Horseracing Authority | 3 days ago
Owner Henry Ponsonby admits Tiger Cliff's win at Newmarket on Saturday has left connections with a nice, but difficult, decision to make regarding the Ascot Stakes.
Ponsonby had earmarked the Nicky Henderson-trained Lieutenant Miller for the Royal A...
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Fly rules supreme
British Horseracing Authority | 3 days ago
Hurricane Fly has been rated the second-best hurdler in the 14-year history of the Anglo-Irish Jump Classification.
The star of Willie Mullins' phenomenal team, Hurricane Fly regained his Champion Hurdle crown and his rating of 175 is just 1lb short...
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Sacre tops jumps ratings
British Horseracing Authority | 3 days ago
Sprinter Sacre has achieved a rating of 188 as the top chaser from the Anglo-Irish Jump Classifications.
Nicky Henderson's outstanding seven-year-old is now just 2lb shy of the 190 reached by Kauto Star in the 2009-10 season, the highest rating in t...
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Songbird flying low for now
British Horseracing Authority | 3 days ago
Connections of Songbird are in no hurry to map out a plan following the filly's impressive racecourse bow at Salisbury last week.
The daughter of Danehill Dancer cost 330,000 guineas at Tattersalls in October 2010 but did not make her debut for owne...
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Camelot headlines Tattersalls list
British Horseracing Authority | 3 days ago
Last year's dual Derby hero Camelot tops five Aidan O'Brien-trained possibles for Sunday's Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh.
The four-year-old, who also won the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket last season, was struck down by colic after his run in the ...
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