The weekly TRC industry digest - a round-up of the international racing news from the past week.
Charlie Appleby aims quartet at Saudi Cup card
Asia: Charlie Appleby, world #1 trainer according to TRC Global Rankings, is planning a four-strong assault on next weekend’s Saudi Cup card [Feb 26].
Although the Godolphin trainer will not be represented in the world’s richest race, he will run both Noble Truth and Sovereign Prince in the $1.5m Saudi Derby. “Sure, they have never raced on dirt before but judging by what we have seen in their gallops at home, they will have no problems handling it,” said Appleby.
“Noble Truth was sent to Dubai in November purposely to be aimed at the Saudi Derby, and if he brings his best two-year-old form to the race, he’ll be a very live contender. He’s adapted well since embarking on a more American-style training programme in Dubai since travelling over.”
Sovereign Prince is a supplementary entry after winning the Jumeirah Classic (Listed) at Meydan, over a mile on turf earlier this month. William Buick rides Noble Truth, while James Doyle will be aboard Sovereign Prince.
Appleby also expects to saddle Siskany in the G3 Longines Red Sea Handicap plus Naval Crown in the 1351 Turf Sprint, a race he won last year with Space Blues.
Sir Mark Todd's training licence suspended over video
Europe: Three-day event legend Sir Mark Todd has been suspended by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) after a controversial video emerged on social media showing the double Olympic champion-turned-racehorse trainer striking a horse with a tree branch.
"This interim suspension means that while investigations continue into the circumstances of this incident, Sir Mark will be unable to racehorses in Great Britain or internationally," said the BHA on Wednesday. "The trainer has admitted the individual involved in the video was him, has apologised for his actions and agreed to the imposition of an interim suspension."
The 65-year-old New Zealander took out a licence to train in 2019. In the footage, he appears to be undertaking a cross-country schooling session where one rider is struggling to get a horse into a water jump. Todd strikes the horse multiple times while attempting to coax it towards the obstacle.
"I wholeheartedly apologise to the horse and all involved for my actions in this video clip," said Todd, who has since stepped down as a patron of the World Horse Welfare charity.
Death of Hong Kong training legend Brian Kan aged 84
Asia: Brian Kan Ping-Chee, one of the most successful trainers in Hong Kong racing history, has passed away. He was 84.
A five-time champion, Kan trained a total of 844 winners in Hong Kong – a record at one time. His CV includes five HK Derby winners plus two Horse of the Year titles with Yuno When (1985-86) and Flying Dancer (1986-87). Kan also won the first edition of the Hong Kong Cup – formerly known as the HK Invitation Cup – with Flying Dancer in 1988 but his best horse was probably Industrialist, winner of the HK Gold Cup and Queen Elizabeth II Cup in 2000.
Kan also trained 267 winners during a stint in Macau before ending his career in 2012 and embarking on a chequered and controversial career in politics.
Leading French sire Le Havre retired from stud duties
Europe: One of France's leading sires Le Havre has been retired at the age of 16 at Sumbe's Haras de Montfort et Préaux in Normandy, where he had stood since 2010.
Farm manager Mathieu Alex confirmed that “due to health issues which occurred at the end of last year”, it was decided to pension the winner the 2009 winner of the Prix de Jockey Club.
Bred by the Sundstrom family, Le Havre was bought by his trainer Jean-Claude Rouget, on behalf of Gerard Augustin-Normand, for €100,000 at Arqana's August Sale. He had been hailed as “the most important horse of my life” by Augustin-Normand.
Following his Classic-winning career on the track, Le Havre began with a fee of €5,000, which rose to €60,000 in 2017 and 2018; he was due to stand for a fee of €40,000 this year. In all, he was the sire of 50 stakes winners.
First foal for champion racemare Midnight Bisou
North America: Former top racemare Midnight Bisou has delivered her first foal in the shape of “a healthy, dark bay colt” by dual US horse of the year Curlin.
The foal reportedly bears a strong resemblance to her dam, the richest North American distaffer of all time with earnings of $7,471,520 – mainly due to her second place behind Maximum Security in the inaugural Saudi Cup.
An Eclipse Award winner as America’s champion older female for 2019, Midnight Bisou won 13 of her 22 career starts, including five victories at G1 level. She never finished outside the first three.
Elsewhere in racing …
Europe: Oisin Murphy faces charges over COVID breach and failed breath tests next week. More here
North America: The Jockey Club of Canada has named Tall Oaks Farm owner Ivan Dalos as this year’s recipient of the EP Taylor Award of Merit for lifetime achievement. More here
Europe: Dual Grand National winner Tiger Roll is set to miss the race after Aintree weights revealed. More here