Tags ‘British Horseracing Authority’

‘Different Mindset’: British Vets Question Volume Of Therapeutic Drugs Used In American Racing

This is the third and final piece in a three-part series on British medication use and regulation. Find Part 1 here and Part 2 here. In the course of his usual morning rounds to the training yards... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website... Read More...

‘No Desire To Run On Lasix’: British Trainers Rely On Minimalistic Medication Regimens

This is the second in a three-part series examining differences in medication policy and use in Great Britain versus the United States. See Part 1 here. When medication reform is discussed in the... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website ... Read More...

Across The Pond: How Does British Racing Regulate Drugs?

This is the first in a series of three articles comparing and contrasting medication use and regulation in Britain with those in the United States. We will examine the differences between the systems... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my webs... Read More...

British Buyers Take Advantage Of BHA-Approved Steroid Tests At Keeneland

This year's Keeneland September yearling auction was the second edition of the sale held with the auction house's new rule regarding steroid testing for horses shipping to Great Britain. The British... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my websi... Read More...

Jockeys, Exchange Wagering And The Risk of ‘Inside Information’

Earlier this winter I got a call from a South Florida owner asking about a jockey who had won the previous day's final race at Gulfstream Park at odds of 36-1. “His name was F. Lynch,” the owner... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] Read More...

All About Transparency: British Racing’s Management Of Press, Public, And Animal Welfare

When Godolphin trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni emerged from the offices of the British Horseracing Authority on High Holburn Street in London, he was greeted by an enormous mob of photographers and... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for... Read More...

BHA Steroids Policy Could Impact U.S. Thoroughbred Auctions

Tough, new regulations prohibiting the use of anabolic steroids, announced Thursday by the British Horseracing Authority, could impact commercial breeders in the United States or American trainers... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website... Read More...

Arod team take cautious approach

Connections of Monday's runaway Windsor winner Arod are keen to "let the dust settle" on his emphatic victory before committing to future targets. Third at Kempton on his only appearance as a juvenile, Peter Chapple-Hyam's Teofilo colt was backed as though defeat was out of the question upon his return to action. Although he pulled fiercely for much of the 10-furlong journey, Arod picked up strongly in the closing stages to seal a five-length victory under Jamie Spencer, earning him quotes of 33-1 for the Investec Derby at Epsom in June. Chapple-Hyam, who has trained two previous Derby winners in Dr Devious (1992) and Authorized (2007), was unsurprisingly keen to play down the hype on Monday. David Redvers, racing manager for the owners Qatar Racing, is similarly in no rush to get carried away at this stage. He said: "It was a smart performance. He got a bump early on in the race, which lit him up, so I think we'll be treating him with kid gloves to ensure he benefits from the experience, rather than gets lit up by it. "We'll let the dust settle, I'll have a chat with Peter and Sheikh Fahad and see where we go from here. No decisions have been made at this stage. "He could go quietly into a conditions race somewhere, or he could go for the Dante (York, May 15), we'll just have to wait and see." Redvers revealed some members of Chapple-Hyam's team feel the three-year-old compares favourably with unraced stable companion Hydrogen, who was the most expensive yearling bought anywhere in the world in 2012, costing Qatar Racing �2.5million. "It has long been the talk in Peter's yard that Arod is pretty smart," said Redvers. "I think half the yard were in the Arod camp and half the camp were in the Hydrogen camp, so it's nice at least one of them has come out and shown he's got it." Read More...

Dreaper duo on National service

Jim Dreaper wants cut in the ground for Los Amigos and Goonyella ahead of the Boylesports Irish Grand National Chase at Fairyhouse on Monday. Although the County Meath handler questioned whether the consistent Los Amigos can go the distance, Dreaper... Read More...

Scott learns Melodic lesson

Jeremy Scott will plan next season's campaign for Melodic Rendezvous around soft ground whether it be over hurdles or fences. While Melodic Rendezvous will be schooled over the bigger obstacles in the autumn with a view to going novice chasing, Scot... Read More...

Bobs Worth unlikely for Punchestown

Nicky Henderson has firmed up some of his options for Punchestown but Bobs Worth is highly unlikely to be among his team. The Seven Barrows handler expects to take about 10 of his string over for the Festival but it will be Long Run, a faller in the... Read More...

Minstrel a Punchestown possible

Evan Williams is considering a trip to the Punchestown Festival with Court Minstrel following his good effort in defeat at Ayr last weekend. With Champion Hurdle runner-up My Tent Or Yours in the field, Court Minstrel looked to have his work cut out... Read More...

Williams – Buy needs to Wise up

Evan Williams is keeping his fingers crossed the talented Buywise can brush up his jumping in the Wooden Spoon Charity Silver Trophy at Cheltenham on Wednesday. The seven-year-old has been well placed by his trainer to rack up a hat-trick of victori... Read More...

Obliterator ready to roar for Lyons

Ger Lyons is looking forward to seeing what Obliterator can do on the track when he starts his three-year-old campaign in the ebm-papst Feilden Stakes at Newmarket on Wednesday. The Oratorio colt, co-owned by Qatar Racing, has several lofty entries,... Read More...

Fly on track for more records

Hurricane Fly is on target to try for a sixth successive win at the Punchestown Festival. The remarkable 10-year-old, who boasts a record 19 Grade One victories, is on course for the Racing Post Champion Hurdle, which he has won for the last four se... Read More...

Joe considered for Cork encounter

Mossey Joe could make an appearance at Cork on Monday on his way to an intended run at the Punchestown Festival. The Enda Bolger-trained 11-year-old was all the rage for the Fox Hunters' Chase over the Grand National fences at Aintree earlier this m... Read More...

Night camp favour French Guineas

Night of Thunder, runner-up to Kingman in the Greenham Stakes, is likely to be aimed at the French 2000 Guineas, the Poule d'Essai des Poulains. Connections of the Richard Hannon-trained colt are leaning towards the Longchamp Classic rather than the... Read More...

Free and easy for ‘forward’ Medinah

Trainer Mark Usher is confident Miracle Of Medinah can make his presence felt in the CSP European Free Handicap at Newmarket on Wednesday. The son of Milk It Mick enjoyed a superb juvenile campaign in 2013, winning four times from eight starts and r... Read More...

Fahey braced for Sand storm

Sandiva aims to keep her Classic dreams alive as she make her seasonal reappearance in the Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket on Wednesday. Richard Fahey's filly won three times from five starts as a juvenile and also ran a super race in de... Read More...

Inch edges closer to Oaks bid

Peter Chapple-Hyam is keen to find out whether Inchila can develop into a realistic contender for the Investec Oaks following her impressive return to action at Newbury on Friday. Placed on both of her two starts as a juvenile, the daughter of Dylan... Read More...

Toormore the star turn in Craven

Toormore puts his Classic credentials on the line when he reappears in the Novae Bloodstock Insurance Craven Stakes at Newmarket on Thursday. Last season's champion two-year-old will have to do something extraordinary if he is to challenge Kingman at the head of the Qipco 2000 Guineas market following his sensational performance in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury on Saturday. Toormore earned his place as the number one juvenile colt after going through his two-year-old campaign unbeaten in three races, culminating with victory in the Group One National Stakes at the Curragh. Richard Hannon's charge is among six horses declared for the Craven over the Rowley Mile and has to carry a 3lb penalty, as does stablemate Anjaal, winner of the Group Two July Stakes at Newmarket. He was fourth to War Command in the Dewhurst Stakes on his only subsequent start. Be Ready is well thought of by Godolphin and the Saeed bin Suroor-trained colt looked a promising type when beating the Hannon-trained Barley Mow by three lengths in a Listed race at Doncaster in September. The Grey Gatsby was highly tried last term, finishing second in both the Acomb and Champagne Stakes before being unplaced in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster. Completing the sextet are Marco Botti's Patentar, who won his only start in good style at York, and the Luca Cumani-trained Postponed, runner-up to Oklahoma City in the �500,000 Tattersalls Millions 2YO Trophy at Newmarket. Read More...

Oliver wants more from Set To Go

Trainer Andrew Oliver is considering the next plan of attack for All Set To Go following his good run in defeat in the Ballysax Stakes at Navan on Saturday. The Verglas colt was among the outsiders for the Group Three contest having failed to make a... Read More...

Appleby backs Ring to fire

Wedding Ring goes in search of another lucrative prize in the �100,000 Tattersalls Millions 3-Y-O Sprint at Newmarket on Wednesday. Charlie Appleby's charge claimed the �100,000 Tattersalls Millions Fillies' Median Auction Stakes and the �300,000 Tattersalls Millions 2yo Fillies' Trophy as a juvenile and made a winning Dubai debut in the UAE 1000 Guineas Trial at Meydan in January. She was a highly respectable fourth behind fellow Godolphin-owned filly Ihtimal in the UAE 1000 Guineas itself and Appleby is looking forward to seeing her back in British action at Headquarters. He said: "Wedding Ring has been training well on her return from Dubai. We are pleased with her progress and confident that dropping back to six furlongs will suit, she should run a competitive race." Another prominent runner is Toofi, winner of the �100,000 Tattersalls Millions Median Auction Trophy in September. Trainer Roger Varian said: "He is training very well and, looking at the ratings, he must have a chance on Wednesday. He is in good condition and we will be expecting a bold run. He is a sharp horse and with the prize-money involved it looked like an obvious race to start the season with having qualified for it last year." Read More...

Double tops for Easterby

Tim Easterby narrowly missed out on the Scottish Grand National with Trustan Times but he saddled his first two winners of the new Flat season at Pontefract on Monday. Don't Tell Annie initiated the Easterby brace and looked a bright prospect for the future. Making her debut in the Racing UK Easter Holiday Maiden Fillies' Stakes, the daughter of Royal Applause was a well-backed 4-1 chance and came home two lengths clear of Brocklesby fifth Horsforth under David Allan. "She's always been a real pro at home but we've not asked her to do anything special as she wasn't fully wound up," said Easterby. "She's just worked very nicely at home, everything we wanted to see, we'd seen. We're in no rush. There's plenty of races for her but I like her a lot. She's got everything you want to see. She's a star." Stablemate Fast Shot also improved immeasurably from his seasonal return at Newcastle to win the �20,000 Riu Palace Meloneras Handicap under 7lb apprentice Rachel Richardson, beating Annunciation by half a length. So often the bridesmaid in the big handicaps, the 7-1 chance was not winning out of turn. "He's been an unlucky horse, he likes a bit of juice in the ground and everything was right," said Easterby. "Rachel is a good work rider who is progressing into a good race rider." Richardson said: "He maybe needed it (the run) at Newcastle and six furlongs is his best trip. This is my biggest winner, I'd never even ridden in a class two before." Alan McCabe's Ansaab (5-2 favourite) looks a shrewd purchase at �6,200 out of Kevin Prendergast's Irish yard after winning the The Full Ponte Package - New For 2014 Handicap. Having run well in the Spring Mile when sixth at Doncaster, he held off Stellar Express by a nose for Silvestre de Sousa. "He gets further as he'd been second in an Irish heavy-ground Lincoln," said McCabe. "We thought he'd be competitive off this mark over a stiff mile. He'll go further but has the class to win over a mile. "He'd had his problems and we took a punt, but it's paying off. He ran well in the Spring Mile so we'll see what the handicapper does. He's a Saturday horse, though." Read More...

Varian – Hill in peak form

Kingston Hill could be taken to Newmarket racecourse this week - though not for a prep run before the Qipco 2000 Guineas. Trainer Roger Varian is keen to reacclimatise the Racing Post Trophy winner with Headquarters before he contests the colts' Cla... Read More...

Hawk has eyes on Lingfield prize

Jim Goldie is keeping his fingers crossed Hawkeyethenoo gets the luck of the draw in the bookmakers.co.uk All-Weather Sprint Championships Conditions Stakes at Lingfield on Good Friday. The high-class sprinter is winless after seven starts on the al... Read More...

Art given Victoria target

Tim Easterby's Off Art is a possible for the Betfred Victoria Cup at Ascot next month. The four-year-old Dutch Art colt finished fifth on just his fifth ever run in the Lincoln at Doncaster when sent off the 7-1 joint-favourite. The Great Habton ha... Read More...

Doyle in awe of Kingman engine

Jockey James Doyle compared riding Qipco 2000 Guineas favourite Kingman to driving a Ferrari following his scintillating display in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury on Saturday. John Gosden's colt, who carries the Khalid Abdullah silks of the mighty F... Read More...

Taaffe ponders Argocat options

The bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown and the Bibby Financial Services Ireland Punchestown Gold Cup are the two options under consideration for Argocat following his excellent run in defeat at Aintree earlier this month. A narrow winner of the Red Mills Ch... Read More...

Meain machine set for Punchestown

Inis Meain will return over jumps at the Punchestown Festival following his impressive Flat victory at the Curragh on Sunday. The Denis Hogan-trained seven-year-old was looking to go one better than 12 months ago in the Listed Alleged Stakes and did... Read More...

Hopes still high for Hydrogen

Connections of Hydrogen, the most expensive yearling bought anywhere in the world in 2012, still have hopes that he could fulfil his potential. Qatar Racing paid �2.5million for the three-parts brother to Authorized but he has yet to see a racecourse. While he holds entries in the Investec Derby and Dubai Duty Free-sponsored Irish equivalent, trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam recently suggested he would not make it to Epsom and that Royal Ascot might be more realistic. David Redvers, racing manager for the owners, told At The Races: "At the moment he's back in work with Peter. He had a tough year last year, anything that could go wrong did. "First he picked up an injury on the gallops and then he kicked a wall and injured a hock. "Because he spent so much time in box-rest he then lost all his strength that he'd developed, so he's spent a lot of time this spring building that back up. "There's been a great deal of scrutiny over him and he might end up belatedly making his debut and reaching his full potential, we can only hope that's the case." Read More...

Ground key to Thakhira Classic aim

Ground conditions will dictate whether Al Thakhira runs in the English or French 1000 Guineas. Marco Botti's Rockfel winner went down with all guns blazing on Saturday when second to J Wonder in the Fred Darling at Newbury, beaten just a head. "I w... Read More...

Cyclone heading for Punchestown

Shark Hanlon is keeping his fingers crossed there is some ease in the ground at the Punchestown Festival later this month ahead of Hidden Cyclone's intended appearance in the Boylesports.com Champion Chase. The nine-year-old has run some fantastic r... Read More...

Competitive field for Nell Gwyn

Unbeaten fillies Euro Charline, Pelerin and Folk Melody feature among 15 runners declared for the Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket on Wednesday. Although none of the leading contenders for next month's Qipco 1000 Guineas line up in the Ro... Read More...

Botti in no rush with Hawill

Marco Botti felt a lack of experience prevented Lat Hawill finishing any closer to impressive Greenham winner Kingman at the weekend. The Invincible Spirit colt was beaten for third on the line on just his second ever start in the Newbury Classic tr... Read More...

Obliterator takes Newmarket trial

Ger Lyons will find out if he has a Classic contender on his hands when Obliterator runs in the ebm-papst Feilden Stakes at Newmarket on Wednesday. The Qatar Racing-owned colt was an impressive winner of a Curragh maiden on his only start as a juven... Read More...

Soumillon booked for Spanish raider

Christophe Soumillon has been booked to ride Noozhoh Canarias in the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 3. Enrique Leon's three-year-old will become the first Spanish-trained horse to run in a British Classic when he takes his chance on the Rowl... Read More...

Curragh workouts delight O’Brien

Unbeaten colt Geoffrey Chaucer could be prepared for a tilt at next month's French 2000 Guineas after starring in a team of over 40 horses worked by Aidan O'Brien after racing at the Curragh. The three-year-old son of Montjeu won a Leopardstown maid... Read More...

Sruthan away to winning start

The JLT Lockinge Stakes at Newbury is a potential next port of call for Sruthan after he made a winning return to action in the feature Big Bad Bob Gladness Stakes at the Curragh. Paul Deegan's gelding, wearing a hood for the first time, signed off ... Read More...

Inis all the way in Listed heat

Inis Meain made all the running as he went one better than 12 months ago in the Irish Field Alleged Stakes at the Curragh. The Denis Hogan-trained seven-year-old (8-1) was last seen winning a handicap hurdle at Navan in February and transferred that... Read More...

Derby entry Ectot shows class

Ectot came out best in a duel with Karakontie to enhance his Classic claims in the Prix de Fontainebleau at Longchamp. Winner of his final four starts as a juvenile having been beaten by Karakontie when the pair made their debuts at Compiegne in July, the Elie Lellouche-trained three-year-old was recently added to the Investec Derby field at a cost of �8,000. Racing immediately behind what looked a genuine pace set by stablemate Serans in the Group Three contest, the Gregory Benoist-ridden Ectot took over around two furlongs out and quickened up smartly, always holding the upper hand thereafter as he snugly held the chasing Karakontie. Coral cut Ectot to 16-1 from 25-1 for the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 3, but he appears more likely to stay at home for a tilt at the French equivalent, the Poule d'Essai des Poulains. Benoist said: "I couldn't wait to ride Ectot in a race (again). We didn't want to suffer a slowly run race and that is why we put in a leader. He delivered a beautiful final straight. He has a lot of speed and certainly seems to have grown up during the winter. I hope he can take me to new heights." Lesstalk In Paris gained her revenge on Indonesienne as she led all the way to take the Prix De La Grotte. Jean-Claude Rouget's filly, who was beaten three-quarters of a length by her rival when they occupied the first two places in the Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc day last season, was a reluctant early leader as none of the five jockeys looked keen to go on in this French 1000 Guineas trial. Christophe Soumillon set a sedate pace in the Group Three contest over a mile and it turned into a sprint through the final two furlongs, with Lesstalk In Paris not hard pressed to hold off Straight Thinking. Indonesienne made some progress and was closing in third, but never threatened the winner. The winning jockey said: "You never know how prep races turn out. She came quickly out of the stalls and I was struggling to hold on to her. We wanted her to learn how to breathe by keeping her in behind the other, but I didn't have a choice. "I hope she will be able to recover in time (for the French 1000 Guineas, the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches), because even if we didn't go too fast, it is still a big effort." Read More...

Burke keen on Rivellino claims

Karl Burke believes there is further improvement in Rivellino ahead of the bookmakers.co.uk All-Weather Sprint Championships Conditions Stakes at Lingfield on Good Friday. The four-year-old has registered two victories on the all-weather this winter and was last seen going down by a head to Tarooq in the Cleves Stakes in February. He is likely to be among the leading contenders for his �150,000 target and Burke is keen on his chances. He said: "We think we were slightly unlucky (last time). If you watch a re-run of the race, he really quickened halfway around the bend when Danny (Tudhope) asked him to and took off. I think he surprised Danny with his turn of foot, which pushed them a bit wide, and the winner came up the gap we left on the rail. "Possibly, if he had held on for another 20 yards and got around the bend, then the result might have been different. It was just a little bit unfortunate, but Tarooq is a very good horse. "We think Rivellino can improve a little bit on that run. He is maturing all the time and I am hoping he can transfer this winter's form through the summer as well. "If he puts in a run like either of his last two runs (the other was a win at Lingfield Park on February 8), then he is going to be in the shake-up on Good Friday. "He is progressive and a horse we have always thought a lot of, but he was immature and had a few niggly little training problems along the way. He has started to fulfil our expectations on the racetrack." Read More...

Ground key to Cubanita plans

Future targets for Cubanita will depend largely on ground conditions after the mare got her season off to the best possible start at Newbury on Saturday. The five-year-old lifted the John Porter Stakes at the Berkshire track to back up her success i... Read More...

Newmarket ground pleases Prosser

Officials have not ruled out further watering ahead of the Craven meeting at Newmarket on Wednesday and Thursday. Eight millimetres was applied to the track on Friday and another sprinkling could be added before the start of the two-day fixture to k... Read More...

Berkshire team mull options

Connections of Berkshire have been left to mull over the future after the colt disappointed in the Aon Greenham Stakes at Newbury on Saturday. The Classic hope, with entries in the Qipco 2000 Guineas and Investec Derby, ruined his chance by running ... Read More...

Millman relishing Carpenter future

Rod Millman is looking forward to the rest of the season with Master Carpenter after the colt exceeded expectations when grabbing third place in an exceptional renewal of the Aon Greenham Stakes at Newbury on Saturday. Master Carpenter was sent off ... Read More...

Back to sprinting for Astaire

Astaire is to concentrate on sprinting after failing to last out the seven furlongs of the Aon Greenham Stakes at Newbury on Saturday. Last year's Gimcrack and Middle Park Stakes hero faded into fifth place behind Kingman after setting the pace unde... Read More...

Deegan aims high with Sruthan

Paul Deegan is hoping for a big season from Sruthan as he returns to action in the Group Three Big Bad Bob Gladness Stakes at the Curragh. The Arakan gelding started last year in flying form with two victories, including in Listed company over cours... Read More...

Stack star set for Alleged return

Fozzy Stack is looking forward to getting Alive Alive Oh back in action in the Irish Field Alleged Stakes at the Curragh. The Duke Of Marmalade filly was a live Classic contender after sprinting away with a Listed race at Navan last May but was forc... Read More...

Rock rolls to Ballysax success

Fascinating Rock produced a stylish effort to take the PW McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes at Navan. Stirabout took them along in the renowned Derby trial before All Set To Go edged to the front at the three-furlong marker, although several of the big guns were within easy reach at that stage and one of the Ballydoyle runners, Carlo Bugatti, soon threw down a challenge. The Dermot Weld-trained Fascinating Rock (5-2) had been settled towards the rear but he moved very powerfully into the race in the hands of Pat Smullen and put matters to bed once assuming control in the final furlong, holding the running-on 7-4 favourite Answered by two and a half lengths. The winner was added to the Investec Derby field at a cost of �8,000 this week, and Kris Weld, son of the winning trainer, said: "He did it very well. It came up quite quickly after he won nicely at Leopardstown a couple of weeks ago, but it was the obvious race to come for and it's lovely to win it again. "He travelled very well and looked the way a winner a long way from home. There's no immediate plans for him, but he's had two quick runs so he'll have a break and we'll freshen him up. "He was entered in the Derby during the week but we'll take it one step at a time with him and he's a lovely horse for the future. He's a big powerful horse and you'd like to think there's more improvement in him as he fills into his frame. Better ground shouldn't be a problem." Dazzling (5-1) was an all-the-way winner of the day's other big race, the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Salsabil Stakes, in the hands of Joseph O'Brien. Winner of a maiden from her three starts last season, the Aidan O'Brien-trained daughter of Galileo found plenty for pressure to beat Cristal Fashion by a length and three-quarters, with the winner's stablemate Terrific running on in eyecatching fashion to be just a nose further back in third. O'Brien snr said: "I'm delighted. She's a lovely staying filly and she'll get further. She looks an Oaks filly and she'll have a run between now and then somewhere. She should get a mile and a half, I would imagine. That was her first run and she should come on from it. I was delighted with the third filly also." Palace made it a double for the O'Brien team with a splending performance in the 20 Family Ticket For May 18th Family Day Fillies Maiden, coming forward markedly from her debut fourth at Leopardstown at the beginning of this month. Gorteo set sail for home, but the 4-6 favourite reeled her in over a furlong out and ran on strongly to score by four and three-quarter lengths. O'Brien, who also bred the winner, said: "She's a nice filly and I'm delighted with her. We'll have to see whether she runs again now before the Irish Guineas. She's coming forward lovely. She's very smart and we always thought she was. "The Fastnet Rocks want really good ground. It's Australian breeding and they want fast ground. They have big engines. She was our best filly last year but she met with a setback and didn't get to run." Read More...