Irad Ortiz, Ryan Moore and Lane’s End Farm feature in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Seven in a row for Irad Ortiz at Gulfstream
USA: Irad Ortiz became the first jockey to ride seven consecutive winners at Gulfstream Park as the reigning Eclipse Award winner dominated the nine-race card at the track's Feb 3 fixture.
The four-time US champion jockey is one of five to ride seven winners in a day at the Florida venue, joining Jerry Bailey, Tyler Gaffalione, Luis Saez and Paco Lopez. “It's my first time winning seven races in one day,” he said. “Every day doesn't work like today. It's hard, but today was one of those days.”
Ortiz, 30, partnered three more winners the following day, including two G3 contests, which helped him rise to #2 in the TRC Global Rankings, overtaking William Buick. Australian-based James McDonald remains world #1.
Turkish racecourses help earthquake relief effort
Turkey: Horse racing in Turkey has been cancelled until further notice following the devastating earthquake that has killed more than 11,000 people in the region. Four Turkish racecourses – Adana, Diyarbakır, Elazığ and Şanliurfa – are being used as shelters to provide temporary accommodation and food.
Adana racecourse is about 100 miles from the epicentre of the first earthquake near the city of Gaziantep. The tracks are also serving as collection points for donations to the stricken regions in Turkey and Syria. More here
Ryan Moore to ride Jun Light Bolt in Saudi Cup
Saudi Arabia: Ryan Moore will ride Champions Cup (former Japan Cup Dirt) winner Jun Light Bolt in the $20m Saudi Cup as plans for Japan’s six challengers in the world's richest race are finalised.
Joao Moreira will partner three-time G1 winner Cafe Pharoah, while Christophe Lemaire will take the mount on Geoglyph and Mickael Barzalona will be on Vin De Garde. Fillies’ Triple Crown winner Daring Tact, due to contest the Neom Turf Cup, has been ruled out with an injury.
US targets as Lane’s End buy stake in Missed The Cut
GB: Lane’s End Farm has bought a stake in Royal Ascot winner Missed The Cut ahead of a summer campaign in the US this year.
The progressive four-year-old son of Quality Road, winner of four of his six races, will contest the G3 Neom Turf Cup on Saudi Cup night under Oisin Murphy.
“The plan is for the horse to end up at Lane's End stud if he fulfils the potential that we think he might have,” said trainer George Boughey. “There’s a race like the Whitney in the middle of the summer and I’d be amazed if we don’t see him in Saratoga but before then possibly Dubai and races like the Prince of Wales’s Stakes have to come into consideration.”
No Dubai Turf for Golden Sixty
Hong Kong: Golden Sixty will not run in Dubai next month and is more likely to be aimed at the Yasuda Kinen in Japan on June 4 after he has completed his Hong Kong campaign, according to owner Stanley Chan speaking to Asian Racing Report’s Chinese language section.
Luis Saez and Brazil’s Jeane Alves added to IJC field
Saudi Arabia: Luis Saez, who was aboard Maximum Security in the inaugural Saudi Cup, will return to Riyadh to compete in the International Jockeys’ Challenge on the eve of the world’s richest race. The Panamanian will be joined by Jeane Alves, who became the first woman to ride a G1 winner in her native country when she landed the Grande Premio Jockey Club Brasileiro in 2015.
France Galop limit whip strikes to four
France: France Galop has become the latest jurisdiction to impose new limits on jockey’s whip use after announcing riders will be allowed four strikes from May 1, a reduction from five previously. There will also be harsher penalties for those exceeding the number of strike by three or more which will come into force after a three-month bedding-in period.
Elsewhere in racing …
GB: Three-time champion Oisin Murphy cleared to return from 14-month ban More here
USA: HISA recommends no action over Hot Rod Charlie shoe inquiry More here
Australia: Adam Hyeronimus return from betting ban delayed by injury More here
Ireland: Joseph O’Brien sending four horses to Sydney Autumn Carnival More here
Australia: Cox Plate staying put in 2023 More here
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