British Horseracing Authority | 3 days ago
Jockey Carol Bartley has had plenty of chances to win the prestigious Queen Mother's Cup at York and finally landed the prize on Jim Goldie's veteran Nanton.
Having first ridden in the race in 1997 when Channel 4 presenter Emma Spencer (nee Ramsden)...
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British Horseracing Authority
Soprano primed to hit right notes
British Horseracing Authority | 3 days ago
Paul Deegan believes star mare Midnight Soprano could take her game to another level this season ahead of her return to action in Sunday's Cork Racecourse Mallow Noblesse Stakes.
The six-year-old won five races, including two Listed prizes, during a...
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Saddler’s ready to rock – Oxx
British Horseracing Authority | 3 days ago
John Oxx believes Saddler's Rock is capable of running another big race in the Gold Cup if things go his way at Royal Ascot on Thursday.
The Currabeg trainer is hoping that the weather is kind in the build-up and that there is plenty of pace in the ...
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Big guns to clash in Coronation
British Horseracing Authority | 3 days ago
Sky Lantern and Just The Judge remain on course for a mouthwatering rematch at Royal Ascot as they feature among 19 confirmations for the Coronation Stakes.
Richard Hannon's Sky Lantern narrowly beat the Charlie Hills-trained Just The Judge when claiming the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket in early May, but the latter has since turned in an impressive triumph in the Irish equivalent.
The pair look set to once again lock horns in Friday's Group One feature, while Hannon could be double-handed with the talented Maureen.
Aidan O'Brien has three possible runners in Hanky Panky, Magical Dream and Snow Queen.
Eddie Lynam's Viztoria and the Dermot Weld-trained Big Break are other major contenders for the Irish raiding party.
Sir Michael Stoute's hugely impressive York scorer Pavlosk has been supplemented at a cost of �25,000.
Other possible runners include William Muir's Purr Along and French hopefuls Kenhope and Siyenica, but the Lady Cecil-trained Hot Snap has been taken out of the reckoning.
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Marengo set for battle royal
British Horseracing Authority | 3 days ago
Investec Derby fourth Battle Of Marengo features in a list of 15 confirmations for the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot on Friday.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt was thought to be Ballydoyle's first string at Epsom but was run out of a place in...
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Balding receives OBE
British Horseracing Authority | 4 days ago
Popular presenter Clare Balding has received an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours.
The former face of the BBC's racing coverage, Balding switched to become the lead presenter for Channel 4 Racing at the start of this year after the channel signed ...
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Walker hoping Guns will fire
British Horseracing Authority | 4 days ago
Trainer Ed Walker believes Sound Of Guns will be suited by the drop to five furlongs when she goes for a Listed success in the Scurry Stakes at Sandown.
The daughter of Acclamation has been beaten over six and seven furlongs in her two starts this c...
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Trip should suit Moore – Dunlop
British Horseracing Authority | 4 days ago
Harry Dunlop expects Sir Patrick Moore to be suited by the step back up to a mile in the Ian and Kate Hall Macmillan Ganton Stakes at York.
The three-year-old is seeking some consolation after he had to miss an intended run in the German 2000 Guinea...
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Guest shoots for Trophy glory
British Horseracing Authority | 4 days ago
Richard Fahey is hoping the rain arrives at York as Heaven's Guest aims to complete a hat-trick in the lucrative Macmillan Charity Sprint Trophy.
The Dark Angel colt opened his account for the year with a stylish display over six furlongs at Hamilton in mid-May and took another step up the ladder when following up in a valuable seven-furlong contest at Epsom a couple of weeks later.
He comes back to the shorter distance on the Knavesmire this weekend and his local trainer would prefer some ease in the ground for what promises to be a fiercely run affair.
Fahey said: "Heaven's Guest couldn't be in any better order, but a drop of rain would probably help him. I'm not saying he needs it soft as he's run well on all sorts of ground, but a bit of rain would just slow them down a bit. It's a sharp six furlongs at York and he's coming back from seven.
"I've walked the track and it's beautiful ground - as good as I've ever known at York - so we won't be making any excuses."
Heaven's Guest is one of three runners in the �100,000 contest for the Musley Bank handler, with course-and-distance winners Polski Max and Mary's Daughter lively outsiders.
"Polski Max is in good order and likes the track. A drop of rain wouldn't do him any harm, either. Mary's Daughter has won and run well at York before as well and she doesn't mind fast ground, so we'll see what happens."
Fellow Yorkshire trainer David Barron has a major contender in the shape of Cosmic Chatter, who ran a hugely encouraging race when a close third over five furlongs at York's Dante meeting. Barron also saddles outsider Ahern.
The trainer said: "Cosmic Chatter is in very good form at home and we're looking forward to running him again. He's got to get the six furlongs, but if you're going to get it anywhere you'll get it at York. If you don't stay six furlongs at York, you don't get it - it's as simple as that.
"Ahern is a good horse, but he's just lost his way a little bit. Hopefully we can get him back on target. He jumped out of the stalls like he was running in a three-mile chase at Ascot last time, so we're putting the blinkers on him in the hope that they'll wake him up a bit."
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Victory on a plate for Montaser
British Horseracing Authority | 4 days ago
Montaser cemented his status as a leading candidate for the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle following his reassuring victory at York.
Off the track for nearly 250 days, David Simcock's four-year-old reminded everyone of his staying qualities by ha...
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Magician run in the balance
British Horseracing Authority | 4 days ago
A final decision on Magician's participation in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot on Tuesday will be made on Sunday after the colt sustained minor bruising following a knock.
Impressive winner of the Irish 2000 Guineas, the Aidan O'Brien-t...
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Nagle covers Maarek options
British Horseracing Authority | 4 days ago
David Nagle's stable star Maarek could be in for a busy week, with Sunday's Midsummer Sprint at Cork a possible warm-up for a trip to Royal Ascot.
The proven mudlark won five times during an outstanding 2012 campaign, enjoying his finest hour when w...
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Probert return delayed
British Horseracing Authority | 4 days ago
David Probert faces a longer spell on the sidelines than he had thought following a fall at Chepstow after doctors discovered he has sustained two hairline fractures in his pelvis.
The jockey has been out of action since taking a tumble from Queen's...
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Secret set to make Ascot stand
British Horseracing Authority | 4 days ago
David Barron's star sprinter Pearl Secret remains on course to make his belated seasonal reappearance in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot on Tuesday.
Unbeaten in his first four career starts before finishing down the field in the Nunthorpe at ...
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Ribblesdale chance for Lark
British Horseracing Authority | 4 days ago
Investec Oaks third The Lark is among 15 confirmations for the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot on Thursday.
The Michael Bell-trained filly stuck on well to claim minor honours at Epsom and had two other possibles for the Group Two contest, Gertrud...
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Cleary on sidelines
British Horseracing Authority | 4 days ago
Jockey Rory Cleary is set for a brief spell on the sidelines following a nasty fall at Leopardstown on Thursday evening.
Cleary was partnering Patty Paige in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden when his mount appeared to clip heels, ...
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Dettori partners Cecil hope
British Horseracing Authority | 4 days ago
Frankie Dettori has his first ride for Lady Jane Cecil when he gets the leg up on Al Guwair in Saturday's Agelou Horse Racing & Prudence Production EBF Maiden Stakes at Sandown.
Sir Henry Cecil's widow had her first winners since being granted a...
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Vincentti primed for York mission
British Horseracing Authority | 4 days ago
Vincentti is gunning for revenge on his York conqueror Moviesta in the Macmillan Charity Sprint Trophy back on the Knavesmire.
Ron Harris's charge was beaten just a nose last month and the Monmouthshire handler believes he can improve on that effort as he steps up to six furlongs on Saturday.
"I would like to think he's going there with a great chance. He's in great form and I think six furlongs will suit him better than five. All his form is on soft ground because we never had chance to run him on quicker ground last year, but looking at him, I think he could be even better on it," said Harris.
Body And Soul enjoyed a fantastic juvenile campaign in 2012, picking up almost �300,000 in prize-money with wins in the Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury and the Two-Year-Old Trophy at Redcar backed up by a fine third in a sales race at York.
Regular jockey Duran Fentiman said: "Hopefully she'll run really well. We were happy with her first run back at Ripon. I think she just needed it a little bit and she's been good and well since. I think she's fairly versatile ground-wise. She's won on all sorts of ground and as long as it's not rock-hard, I'm sure we'll be fine.
"She did really well last year, but it's tougher for her this season as she doesn't get all the allowances. She has a lot of ability though and this is a good pot to win, so we'll see how we get on."
Rivellino's two wins to date have come on the all-weather at Kempton and Karl Burke, assistant trainer to his wife Elaine, is hoping for a change of luck as he aims to open his turf account.
Burke said: "He's in great form and his last piece of work suggested he was right back to his best. He hasn't had the run of the race for his two runs on turf this year, getting blocked in on both occasions. I don't think he really took to the contours of Newmarket last time either, so I'm looking forward to seeing him run."
Tom Dascombe's Barracuda Boy ran a good third over the minimum distance at Sandown last time and his trainer is confident of another good display.
He said: "He ran really well at Sandown and the form has taken a boost with Smoothtalkinrascal (runner-up) running well a few times since. I hope they don't get too much rain as our horse will only run if the ground is quick. He looks well enough drawn (stall 16), he's in good form and I hope he'll put up a bold show."
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Estimate in Royal Gold run
British Horseracing Authority | 4 days ago
The Queen's Estimate is one of 19 confirmations for the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot on Thursday.
The Sir Michael Stoute-trained filly is already a winner at the Royal meeting having struck in last summer's Queen's Vase, and she booked her place in the t...
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Mor success for Bolger and Manning
British Horseracing Authority | 4 days ago
Leitir Mor claimed Group Three glory in the Ballycorus Stakes at Leopardstown, five days before an intended trip to Royal Ascot.
Jim Bolger's versatile colt was winning for just the second time in his career, but his CV is littered with highly credi...
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Poignant success for Morpheus
British Horseracing Authority | 5 days ago
Morpheus gave Lady Jane Cecil an emotional first success since she took over the licence from her husband Sir Henry Cecil, who died on Tuesday, when landing an emphatic victory at Nottingham.
Following a long battle with stomach cancer, Cecil passed...
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Approach still on course for Palace
British Horseracing Authority | 5 days ago
Dawn Approach appears all set to take his chance in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot next week after pleasing trainer Jim Bolger in a piece of work on Thursday morning.
Last season's champion juvenile kept his unbeaten record intact with ...
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O’Brien seeking Sham improvement
British Horseracing Authority | 5 days ago
Australian sprint star Shamexpress is in his trainer Danny O'Brien's words 'going to have to keep on improving' if he is to give the antipodean raiders another triumph in the King's Stand Stakes.
O'Brien paraded his speedster in front of the media i...
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Plans changing for Kate
British Horseracing Authority | 5 days ago
Elusive Kate could now be set to swerve Animal Kingdom in Tuesday's Queen Anne Stakes and head for the Duke of Cambridgeshire Stakes a day later.
Not seen since finishing third behind Excelebration in last October's Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Cham...
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Queen’s Vase to honour Cecil
British Horseracing Authority | 5 days ago
Ascot racecourse has announced the Queen's Vase at next week's Royal meeting will be run in memory of Sir Henry Cecil, who died on Tuesday.
Cecil has won more races at the Royal meeting - 75 - than any other trainer and he won the Queen's Vase eight...
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Motion trusts Animal instincts
British Horseracing Authority | 5 days ago
Animal Kingdom will become the first Kentucky Derby winner to line up at Royal Ascot since the 1930s when he bids to justify odds-on favouritism in the Queen Anne Stakes on Tuesday.
A brilliant winner of the Dubai World Cup on his most recent compet...
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Tipperary target for Conor
British Horseracing Authority | 5 days ago
Our Conor will begin his new campaign in the Grade Two Grimes Hurdle at Tipperary on October 6.
The Dessie Hughes-trained four-year-old was one of the most impressive winners of the Triumph Hurdle for some considerable time but was ruled out of a se...
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Meain primed for big Wolferton run
British Horseracing Authority | 5 days ago
Owner Barry Connell is looking forward to heading to Royal Ascot for the first time with Inis Meain in the Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot next Friday.
Winner of a Listed race at Limerick last time out, the Denis Hogan-trained six-year-old has been ...
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Realta strikes for Channon
British Horseracing Authority | 5 days ago
Cruck Realta finished strongly in the hands of Martin Harley to secure a surprise victory in the Lord Weinstock Memorial Stakes at Newbury.
Only once out of the first three in nine previous appearances and a good second in Listed company over the co...
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Another Ascot Dance for Vaughan
British Horseracing Authority | 5 days ago
Ed Vaughan believes Dance And Dance could be coming back to form at just the right time ahead of his second attempt at the Royal Hunt Cup on Wednesday.
The seven-year-old was narrowly beaten into second when favourite for this fiercely competitive R...
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Flotilla to swerve Coronation
British Horseracing Authority | 5 days ago
French 1000 Guineas winner Flotilla will bid for more Classic glory in the French Oaks at Chantilly this weekend, rather than head for the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The Mikel Delzangles-trained three-year-old won the Breeders' Cup Filly And ...
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Chigun added to Cambridge contest
British Horseracing Authority | 5 days ago
Lady Cecil's Chigun has been supplemented for the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot on Wednesday.
The filly will always have the distinction of being Sir Henry Cecil's final Group winner as a trainer when she claimed the Abu Dhabi Stakes at th...
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Kazeem set for Camelot rematch
British Horseracing Authority | 5 days ago
Al Kazeem is among 11 confirmations for Wednesday's Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Roger Charlton's five-year-old handled the step up to Group One company with aplomb in the Tattersalls Gold Cup, in which he lowered the colours of triple C...
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Doumen stayer to make Ascot trip
British Horseracing Authority | 5 days ago
French trainer Francois Doumen has given Top Trip the green light to contest the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot next week.
The four-year-old had his first taste of racing overseas last month when he was beaten a nose by Glen's Diamond in the Yorkshire Cup....
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Kate on track for Queen Anne
British Horseracing Authority | 5 days ago
Animal Kingdom is set to face a formidable challenger in Tuesday's Queen Anne Stakes after John Gosden's mare Elusive Kate was confirmed a "very likely runner" in the Royal Ascot curtain-raiser.
Graham Motion's Kentucky Derby and Dubai World Cup her...
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Shea Shea in July Cup frame
British Horseracing Authority | 6 days ago
Mike de Kock has unveiled an audacious plan for King's Stand Stakes favourite Shea Shea to step up in trip for next month's July Cup.
The multiple South African champion trainer has been training the six-year-old uphill in an attempt to familiarise ...
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Simcock duo take aim at York prize
British Horseracing Authority | 6 days ago
David Simcock is slightly worried race fitness may catch out Montaser on his return to action in the Jigsaw Sponsorship Services Handicap at York on Friday.
The Rail Link gelding was a rapid improver when stepped up in trip last season and was well ...
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Chippendale on course for repeat
British Horseracing Authority | 6 days ago
Thomas Chippendale is on course to bid for back-to-back victories at Royal Ascot next week.
The four-year-old claimed the King Edward VII Stakes 12 months ago to give Sir Henry Cecil a remarkable 75th Royal Ascot success, which would prove to be his...
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Sir Henry Cecil funeral announced
British Horseracing Authority | 6 days ago
A private funeral for Sir Henry Cecil will be held in Newmarket on Monday week, it has been announced.
The legendary trainer died on Tuesday morning, aged 70, following a long battle with stomach cancer. While his funeral will be a family-only occas...
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Ballycorus trip suits Sruthan
British Horseracing Authority | 6 days ago
Paul Deegan is confident coming back in distance will bring out the best in Sruthan in the Ballycorus Stakes at Leopardstown on Thursday evening.
The three-year-old looked a smart recruit when making a winning debut at Dundalk in late March and conf...
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International look to King’s Stand
British Horseracing Authority | 6 days ago
South African runner Shea Shea is included in a cosmopolitan list of 21 horses left in Tuesday's King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Mike de Kock's charge landed the Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai on his latest start and is a fascinating international cont...
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O’Brien dominates King George entry
British Horseracing Authority | 6 days ago
Investec Derby hero Ruler Of The World, last year's Epsom victor Camelot and Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Magician feature among a stellar entry of 29 horses for the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot next month.
The trio, who are all ...
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Reve set for summer holiday
British Horseracing Authority | 6 days ago
Reve De Sivola could begin next season defending his Long Walk Hurdle crown after ending his latest campaign on a disappointing note.
The classy stayer will now have a long break after finishing 11th in the French Champion Hurdle behind Gemix at Aut...
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Kingdom confirmed for Queen Anne
British Horseracing Authority | 6 days ago
Hot favourite Animal Kingdom will face a maximum of 14 rivals in Tuesday's Queen Anne Stakes, the opening event of Royal Ascot.
Graham Motion's American raider has been all the rage for the mile heat following his impressive victory in the 10-furlon...
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Educate camp swoop for Spencer
British Horseracing Authority | 6 days ago
Connections of Educate are delighted to have secured the services of Jamie Spencer for next week's Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot.
The Ismail Mohammed-trained four-year-old has been beaten just once in his last five starts, when he was reportedly under the...
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Pink bids for poignant success
British Horseracing Authority | 6 days ago
Owner Trevor Stewart admits it will be an "emotional day" at Leopardstown when Tickled Pink runs in the Group Three Ballyogan Stakes.
The four-year-old won the Group Three Abernant Stakes at Newmarket on her penultimate start for Sir Henry Cecil, wh...
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Quintet represent Lady Cecil
British Horseracing Authority | 6 days ago
Five horses will run out of Warren Place Stables on Thursday following the death of the yard's legendary trainer Sir Henry Cecil.
Cecil passed away on Tuesday morning, aged 70, following a long battle with stomach cancer.
The British Horseracing Au...
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Approach set to appear at Ascot
British Horseracing Authority | 6 days ago
Dawn Approach has emerged as a surprise contender for Tuesday's St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Godolphin's 2000 Guineas hero was originally thought to be an unlikely runner after finishing last in the Derby at Epsom earlier this month. How...
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Along purring for Coronation
British Horseracing Authority | 6 days ago
Purr Along is on course to make her seasonal return in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot next Friday after pleasing trainer William Muir in a gallop on Wednesday morning.
The Mount Nelson filly made great strides last term, graduating from a Wolv...
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Harry considered for a new career
British Horseracing Authority | 6 days ago
Diamond Harry could be set for a career in cross-country races following an eventful debut in that sphere in France on Monday.
The 2010 Hennessy Gold Cup hero finished third in the Prix Andre Baboin - Grand Crosse de Lyon over three and a quarter mi...
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