Gulfstream Park and Royal Ascot, Rich Strike and Joao Moreira feature in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Gulfstream Park launches ‘Road To Royal Ascot’ programme
USA: Gultstream Park has announced a new initiative through which the winners of two of its juvenile races will earn automatic entry into one of Royal Ascot’s six races for two-year-olds.
The ‘Road To Royal Ascot’ will comprise the Royal Palm Juvenile Stakes and Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies Stakes, both worth $100,000 and run at the Florida track on May 13. In addition the winners of both races will also be eligible for a $25,000 travel allowance to compete at the June 20-24 royal meeting.
Nick Smith, Ascot’s director of racing and public affairs, said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with 1/ST RACING on this initiative and building on the already solid foundations of success that American juveniles have at Royal Ascot. Hopefully the incentives will attract a quality field and we look forward to welcoming their connections at Ascot."
Rich Strike comeback delayed by ‘non-serious issue’
USA: Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike will miss his intended comeback on Saturday after suffering what trainer Eric Reed said was a “very non-serious issue” during training.
The four-year-old was due to make his 2023 debut in the Kentucky Cup Classic at Turfway Park before the setback, described as ‘nicking a quarter’ by the BloodHorse.
Rich Strike will now target an April 22 return at either Keeneland (G3 Ben Ali Stakes) or Oaklawn Park (G2 Oaklawn Handicap).
“He has a spot about the size of your fingernail that's a little raw that will take three or four days to toughen back up," said Reed, speaking to the BloodHorse on Wednesday [March 22]. “So we are going to back off and make sure he is 100 per cent. He was out on the track this morning and was fine.”
‘Magic Man’ Moreira to start six-week stint in Sydney
Australia: Brazilian superstar jockey Joao Moreira is to spend six weeks riding in Sydney, as he continues to tick off new experiences before he quits the saddle for good.
Moreira, who left Hong Kong where he was champion four times at the end of last year due to an ongoing hip issue, has secured a visa and licence from RacingNSW and will head to Australia after Saturday’s Dubai World Cup meeting [March 25]. It is understood that he will be supported by champion trainer Chris Waller during his stay.
Artorius heading back to Royal Ascot for final start
Nation: G1-winning sprinter Artorius, who competed in Europe last summer finishing third in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes and July Cup, is to head back to Royal Ascot in June.
On his first run of 2023 he won the G1 Canterbury Stakes [March 4] under Zac Purton, and his recent fourth place behind Anamoe in the George Ryder Stakes {March 18} was his last run in Australia.
The Anthony & Sam Freedman stable announced he would now be prepared for Royal Ascot after which he would retire to Newgate Stud.
Champion stallion Lonrho retired
Australia: Lonrho, a former Horse of the Year and multiple champion stallion, has been retired from stud duties by Darley.
The strikingly black horse, who was trained by John Hawkes for the Ingham family, won 26 of his 35 races, winning 11 times at G1 level before retiring in 2004.
Acquired by Darley after the purchase of the Ingham interests, he sired 95 individual stakes winners including Pierro, Kementari, Aristia, Denman and Impending and sired his 1,000th individual winner in March.
Ryan Munger joining Woodbine jockey roster
South Africa: Ryan Munger is to become the latest leading member of South Africa’s jockey colony to decide to continue his career in another jurisdiction. The 27-year-old Munger, a two-time champion of Zimbabwe who also rode in Singapore, will start the next chapter at Woodbine in Toronto, where the season begins on April 22.
Former Classic-winning jockey Ted Durcan joins MyRacehorse
GB: Ted Durcan, who rode the winners of more than 1,500 races including two Classics during his career in the saddle, has been appointed European bloodstock consultant to the micro-ownership group MyRacehorse.
Elsewhere in racing …
Canada: Richard 'Dick' Bonnycastle, Classic-winning owner, dies aged 88 More here
GB: Alastair Warwick appointed Ascot CEO More here
GB: Every race at York Ebor Meeting to be worth at least £100,000 [$120,000] More here
Australia: Tom Marquand returns to Sydney after injury More here
UAE: Antonio Fresu to join California jockey colony after Dubai World Cup More here
Hong Kong: Vincent Ho becomes only second homegrown jockey to ride 500 winners More here
Bahrain: Jamie Osborne and David O’Meara horses claim £50,000 Turf Series bonus More here
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