Luxembourg, Baaeed, Nature Strip and Bob Baffert feature in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Luxembourg new Arc favourite as Baaeed ruled out
France: Irish Champion Stakes winner Luxembourg is the new favourite for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe after the race was ruled out for Baaeed who will have his final start in the Qipco Champion Stakes.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained three-year-old thrust himself into the Arc picture when beating Onesto, Vadeni and Mishriff at Leopardstown on Saturday [Sept 10]. The son of Camelot replaced Baaeed at the front of the betting after William Haggas announced the world #1 racehorse in the TRC Global Rankings would stick to a mile and a quarter to run at Ascot on British Champions Day (October 15).
Qatar Prix De l’Arc De Triomphe betting (Coral): 4 Luxembourg, 5 Alpinista, 8 Titleholder, Torquator Tasso, 9 Onesto, 14 Adayar, 16 La Parisienne, Westover, 20 bar.
Queen Consort Camilla set to take over Queen’s string
GB: Camilla, the Queen Consort, has been tipped to take over the string of racehorses owned by the late Queen Elizabeth, who had 80 broodmares and about 24 horses in training. Camilla has jointly raced horses in ownership with King Charles and is said to be ‘besotted’ with the sport.
Nature Strip returns to action
Australia: The world’s #1 sprinter Nature Sprint begins his programme towards the A$15 million Everest when he has his first start since winning the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.
The Chris Waller-trained seven-year-old has been declared for the G2 Bowerman Shorts at Randwick on Saturday [Sept 17] in which he meets arch-rival Eduardo, who beat Nature Strip in the same race 12 months ago.
Nature Strip will be ridden by James McDonald, who has announced he will partner the German challenger Loft in the Melbourne Cup. The jockey won the race last year on Verry Elleegant.
Baffert and D’Amato share Del Mar title
USA: Bob Baffert won his first Summer meet title at Del Mar since 2003 when Cave Rock’s victory in the G1 Del Mar Futurity on the final day brought him level with Phil D’Amato in the trainer standings. Baffert and D’Amato, clinching his third summer title, tied on 19 wins apiece while Juan Hernandez finished a clear winner of the jockeys’ crown with 49 successes.
Flightline to stand at Lane’s End at end of career
USA: Fightline, who took his career score to five wins from five with a 19½-length victory in the Pacific Classic. will stand at Lane’s End Farm in Versailles, Kentucky, in the ownership of a syndicate of breeders, at the end of his racing career.
Sadler to train Keeneland top lot
USA: Flightline's trainer John Sadler will be sent the session-topping Quality Road colt which sold for $2.5m, the highest amount paid for a Thoroughbred yearling in North America in 2022.
The half-brother to stakes winner Feeling Mischief and from the family of champion Wait a While out of G3-placed winner True Feelings was knocked down to Talla Racing, Woodford Racing and West Point LEB, agent, on the opening day of the Keeneland September Sale.
Hollie Doyle among international jockeys set to get JRA licence
Japan: Hollie Doyle is among a raft of international jockeys expected to receive short-term licences to ride on the JRA circuit later this year. Christophe Soumillon is set to return to Japan for the first time in three years at the end of October, to be followed by Doyle and husband Tom Marquand.
Elsewhere in racing ...
USA: Promoted Kentucky Derby winner Mandaloun retired More here
USA: Ex-harness trainer latest to be jailed in federal doping probe More here
Ireland: Death of breeder Evie Stockwell, mother of John Magnier, aged 97 More here
Ireland: Tarnawa sister new favourite for 1,000 Guineas More here
Ireland: Highfield Princess bound for Breeders’ Cup after G1 hat-trick More here
South Africa: Champion trainer Paul Peter says he quit for family and personal health reasons More here
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