Our weekly digest of recent international racing news
GB: Adayar misses Epsom return after coughing – now for Royal Ascot
Derby winner Adayar has been re-routed to Royal Ascot after what is described as a “minor setback” by Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby.
The four-year-old, who had been due to make his seasonal debut in the Coronation Cup at the Epsom Derby meeting but will now return in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes. “He was coughing for a few days so I eased off him for a week,” Appleby said. Dubai Gold Cup runner-up Manobo will deputise in the Epsom contest.
Appleby intends to run Walk Of Stars and Nahanni in this year’s Cazoo-sponsored Derby, where Newmarket winner Nations Pride would have to be supplemented. Breeders’ Cup hero Modern Games is set to head to Chantilly for the French version, the Prix du Jockey Club, after a decisive victory in last weekend’s Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French 2,000 Guineas).
Last year’s European champion juvenile Native Trail, runner-up to stablemate Coroebus in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, is hot favourite for the Irish version at the Curragh on Saturday.
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Australia: ‘We’re not happy’ – Verry Ellegant owners split over Euro switch
The decision to switch Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant to be trained in France has split the mare’s ownership group. The part of the syndicate that owns a 20% stake, among them breeder Don Goodwin, are ready to sell out.
Co-owner Nick Bishara told Racing.com: “We’re not happy and we will be looking to sell out of the mare unfortunately.
“The Ellee syndicate was never in favour of going to Europe, basically on the back of what Chris (Waller) felt – that she’s probably got one more prep in her and to go halfway around the world might be a risk if she doesn’t come up.
“The 80% of the syndicate wanted to go but the 20% (Ellee) of the syndicate didn’t want to go.”
Bishara added: Don bred her and we originally had her. We wanted to put the horse first. Chris Waller is a Hall Of Fame trainer and we were happy to go with what he thought.”
USA: Ten-day suspension for Brad Cox after bute violation
US champion trainer Brad Cox is the latest high-profile figure to be suspended for a medication violation.
Dual Eclipse Award-winning trainer Cox has been handed a ten-day suspension (plus a nominal $500 fine) after Warrior’s Charge tested positive for an ‘overage’ of bute after last year’s G2 Stephen Foster Stakes, in which he was runner-up to Maxfield.
Although the commonly used anti-inflammatory is permitted for therapeutic reasons, state guidelines dictate it may not be used within 24 hours of racetime. Warrior’s Charge was DQ-ed from his second place in the $600,000 contest.
Meanwhile, six horses formerly trained by Californian-based Richard Baltas have been transferred to other barns. Baltas has been barred from Santa Anita amid an investigation following a fatal injury sustained by four-year-old filly Speedcuber on May 7.
• Read more at the Paulick Report website
GB: Steve Cauthen to join ITV’s Derby coverage
Steve Cauthen, still the only jockey to win both the Kentucky and Epsom Derbys, is returning to Britain to join the ITV Racing presenting team for next month’s Derby broadcast.
Cauthen, who landed the Triple Crown on Affirmed in 1978, rode ten Classic winners during his time in Britain. Five of them came at Epsom, where he won two Derbys and three editions of the Oaks.
He said: “Having won the Derby on both Slip Anchor and Reference Point, Epsom is a special place for me and to be presenting there for ITV on the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend will be extraordinary. I cannot wait to offer my insights into this Classic race – the goal for most people who breed and racehorses – and on a track that is as unusual as it is difficult.”
USA: One-eyed gelding Un Ojo out of Preakness
Popular one-eyed gelding Un Ojo, was ruled out of the Preakness Stakes when the foot bruise that scuppered his Kentucky Derby dreams flared up again.
“This morning his foot was a little warm again,” Louisiana-based trainer Ricky Courville said on Monday morning. “The vets went over him, and he’s not 100 percent. I’m dealing with the same thing. I guess the work kind of re-aggravated it.”
As a result the 75-1 longshot winner of the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park was not among entries for the second leg of the Triple Crown. A nine-runner field is headed by Kentucky Derby runner-up Epicenter and Oaks winner Secret Oath.
Elsewhere in racing …
GB: Brilliant Baaeed storms to world #1 spot with Newbury blockbuster More here
GB: Frankie Dettori to ride Piz Badile in Cazoo Derby More here
USA: ‘I have never been as strong as this!’ – Wesley Ward unveils Royal Ascot team More here
USA: Breeders’ Cup winner Pizza Bianca has Ascot prep at Pimlico. More here
Ireland: Massive €27,500 fine for trainer Kieran Cotter after cobalt positive More here
Japan: Sodashi owner pours cold water on overseas mission More here
Japan: Stars On Earth bids for second Classic in Yushun Himba (Oaks) More here
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