California Chrome, Richard Dutrow and Forte feature in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
California Chrome and Arrogate in running for Hall Of Fame
USA: California Chrome and Arrogate are among 16 finalists in the ballot to enter the National Museum of Racing's 2023 Hall of Fame. John Sadler, trainer of Horse of the Year Flightline, is also a finalist for the first time.
They feature among nine racehorses, six trainers and one jockey who have made the shortlist for the honors which will be announced on April 24 with the induction ceremony on August 4.
The other finalists are Blind Luck, Game On Dude, Havre de Grace, Kona Gold, Lady Eli, Rags to Riches, and Songbird; trainers Christophe Clement, Kiaran McLaughlin, Graham Motion, Doug O'Neill and John Shirreffs; and jockey Corey Nakatani.
Richard Dutrow granted licence after completing ten year ban
USA: Richard Dutrow, one of the most successful New York trainers of the early 2000s until he was banned for ten years in 2011, has been cleared to resume his career.
Dutrow, 63, trained 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Big Brown and Saint Liam, the 2005 Horse of the Year who won the Breeders’ Cup Classic, but had his licence revoked over his history of rule violations.
Though sentenced in October 2011 and fined $50,000, he did not start serving the penalty until January 2013 due to legal challenges but has now completed the term.
Robert Williams, executive director of the New York State Gaming Commission told a meeting [Feb 27]: “Mr Dutrow recently applied for a thoroughbred trainer’s licence, which was reviewed by the Bureau of Licensing, in consultation with the Division of Racing.
“Review found that Mr Dutrow satisfied the penalty imposed by the Racing & Wagering Board, and his record is bereft of transgressions during his period of revocation. Accordingly, the Bureau has determined to issue Mr Dutrow a valid licence to participate in New York horse racing.”
Forte starts on road to Kentucky Derby
USA: Breeders’ Cup Juvenile champion Forte will start a warm favorite for the G2 Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park on Saturday [Mar 4] when he makes his first start of 2023. The Todd Pletcher-trained colt faces nine rivals in the race which awards 50 qualification points, essentially assuring the winner a start at Churchill Downs.
Yoshito Yahagi sending Unicorn Lion to Sydney to take on Anamoe
Australia: Fresh from winning the £20m Saudi Cup with Panthalassa, pioneering Japanese trainer Yoshito Yahagi is preparing another international raid, this time in Australia, where Unicorn Lion is set to tackle the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick on April 8.
A dual G3 winner in Japan, Unicorn Lion would meet Cox Plate winner Anamoe in the A$5 million Queen Elizabeth at the Championships where he will be one of 20 international runners.
Rebel’s Romance comeback delayed after setback
UAE: Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Rebel’s Romance, who was due to make his comeback in the City Of Gold at Meydan on Super Saturday [Mar 4], will miss the race. Godolphin revealed the horse was found to have inflammation in his foreleg but was still aiming for the Dubai Sheema Classic on March 25.
Leading sire Havana Gold dies after pelvic injury
GB: Qatar Racing’s Havana Gold, the leading UK-based first season sire in 2017 and the leading UK-based sire of two-year-olds in 2021 has died aged 13 after suffering a fatal pelvic injury.
Elsewhere ...
USA: Bill Spawr closes barn after five decades More here
USA: Michael Dickinson receives Galbreath Award More here
GB: Fetlock injury brings premature end to Commissioning career More here
GB: Hollie Doyle targeting April 1 return from injury More here
Australia: Tommy Berry loses appeal against 11-month ban More here
Australia: Glyn Schofield announces retirement More here