Mimi Kakushi, Yutaka Take and Stewart Elliott feature in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
UAE Oaks winner Mimi Kakushi to contest Kentucky Oaks
UAE: Mimi Kakushi, winner of the UAE 1000 Guineas and G3 UAE Oaks in February, is to head to the US to contest the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs [May 6].
Due to fly on April 19, she will be trainer Salem bin Ghadayer's first runner in the US. "Her programme is to Kentucky," he told Laura King. "If nothing happens in between we plan to take her to the Kentucky Oaks."
Last year's UAE Oaks winner Shahama finished sixth at Churchill Downs, second in the Mother Goose and won the Monmouth Oaks, after being transferred to Todd Pletcher following her Meydan victory for Fawzi Nass.
Yutaka Take becomes oldest JRA jockey to win G1 aged 54
Japan: Legendary jockey Yutaka Take added a new accomplishment to his many landmarks when he became the oldest Japan Racing Assocaition jockey to ride a G1 winner, at the age of 54 years and 19 days.
Take, who in 1988 aged 19 also became the youngest JRA jockey to win a G1, set the new benchmark when going wire-to-wire on Jack D’Or in the Osaka Hai, at Hanshin on Sunday [April 2], securing his 80th JRA G1 victory.
He surpassed the record held since 2002 held by former rider Yukio Okabe when he won the Tenno Sho Autumn aged 53 years, 11 months and 27 days. Take said: “I owe it to all the many great horses I was able to ride, and I will do my best to extend this record even further.”
Kentucky Derby winner Stewart Elliott rides 5,500th winner
USA: Veteran jockey Stewart Elliott, who partnered Smarty Jones to victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes in 2004, rode the 5,500th winner of his career at Sam Houston on Saturday [March 31].
The 58-year-old reached the milestone on Meant For Me in the five-furlong turf race as he stayed on course to clinch his third meet title at the Texas track where Steve Asmussen has first call on him. “I’ve been lucky that I have been able to keep my weight down and fortunate to have had few injuries throughout my career,” said Elliott. “Life is good.”
Death of Godolphin great Daylami
Ireland: Daylami, one of the greatest greys of the Flat who became one of Godolphin’s first superstars, has died at the Aga Khan’s Gilltown Stud at the age of 29.
Daylami’s seven G1 victories comprised the Poule d’Essai des Poulains, when trained by Alain De Royer Dupre in 1997, and then – after joining the stable of Saeed Bin Suroor – the Eclipse Stakes, Man o’War Stakes, Coronation Cup, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Irish Champion Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup Turf in 1999
At stud he sired the Irish Derby winner Grey Swallow and retired four years ago after serving mares in Ireland, France and South Africa.
Everest ambitions for top British filly Highland Princess
GB: John Quinn, trainer of rags-to-riches mare Highfield Princess, has revealed ambitions to run her in the A$15 million ($10m) Everest during her final season on the track.
The six-year-old won three G1 sprints in 35 days last year, including the Nunthorpe Stakes at York, where she could begin her campaign in May. Quinn told RacingTV: “I’d love to take her to Australia for the Everest. After the Everest there is two big sprints down there and, all being well, roll home via Hong Kong.”
HISA anti-doping program delayed by month after legal challenge
USA: The implementation of HISA’s anti-doping program, due to be enforced on April 1, has been paused after a federal judge in Texas accepted a challenge from the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association that the new rules required a 30 day notice period.
World Pool turnover up 70% to HK$1.27bn for first quarter
Hong Kong: World Pool turned over HK$1.27 billion [$161.8 million] across its five fixtures during the first quarter of 2023, a year-on-year increase of 70 percent. Globally commingled bets from over 20 countries saw an average of HK$254m (32.6m) bet on each of the five fixtures with the Dubai World Cup card attracting the highest turnover of HK$315.2m ($40.2m).
Elsewhere in racing …
USA: Rick Dutrow back at work Belmont after serving 10 year ban More here
USA: Vet suspended for 90 days and fined $30,000 after WinStar stallion death More here
GB: US-trained Mendelssohns March among 20 second entries for Epsom Derby More here
Australia: William Haggas reveals plans to open Sydney satellite stable with Andrew Balding More here
Australia: Damian Lane applies for visa for trip to Britain More here
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