Royal Ascot winner Missed The Cut, Ushba Tesoro and Nature Strip feature in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Missed The Cut to join Flightline trainer John Sadler
USA: Ambitions to race Royal Ascot winner Missed The Cut on dirt in 2023 will be fulfilled with Flightline trainer John Sadler at the helm after the four-year-old was transferred from Newmarket by his owners.
The son of Quality Road, whose connections include Lane’s End Farm, won four of his seven starts for George Boughey, among them the Golden Gates Stakes last year at Royal Ascot before beating subsequent Dubai World Cup runner-up Algiers at Lingfield on the all-weather in November.
Bill Farish of Lane’s End told Thoroughbred Daily News that Missed The Cut – a beaten favourite when disappointing in fourth on turf on the Saudi Cup undercard – was already in Sadler’s California barn and would be campaigned at G1 races if he handles dirt.
Ushba Tesoro to be aimed at Breeders’ Cup Classic
Japan: Dubai World Cup winner Ushba Tesoro will embark on another overseas trip at the end of the year to tackle the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on November 4.
A tilt at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe was another option being considered for the six-year-old, who came from last to first under Yuga Kawada to win the $12m race in March. However, Shigeru Takagi, his owners’ racing manager, has confirmed Ushba Tesoro will head to California after one run at home.
Nature Strip ‘still interested’ but set for a break
Australia: Nature Strip, who has suffered four defeats since returning from a victorious trip to Royal Ascot, has been given a break from training but will return for another season with connections putting off retirement thoughts.
On his latest start Nature Strip finished fourth behind I Wish I Win in the G1 T J Smith on April 1, a race he had won in the three previous years, and after considering further race options trainer Chirs Waller announced he would be given time off and be campaigned one race at a time next season.
“By spelling him now, we have time to give him a seven- to eight-week break and this will be the first time he has had one of these breaks for a very long time,” said Waller. “We want to see how he is when he returns and if he doesn’t come up like we think he should, then we will give consideration to retirement.”
He added: “We respect that people have different opinions and might not all agree with our decision but as far as the horse goes, he is sound, he is still showing us that he is interested.”
Kentucky Downs to stage richest US turf race outside Breeders’ Cup
USA: Kentucky Downs’s Mint Millions will be worth $2m this year, making it the richest turf race in the US not run at the Breeders’ Cup. The G3 contest will carry a basic purse of $1m with another $1m in enhancements for Kentucky-bred runners (up from $600,000 and $400,000 in 2022).
The one-mile event is the feature of the annual seven-day meet [Aug 31-Sept 13] at the idiosyncratic Kentucky venue.
Joel Rosario and Javier Castellano secure Kentucky Derby mounts
USA: Joel Rosario has been booked to ride the Steve Asmussen-trained Disarm in the Kentucky Derby, while Javier Castellano has picked up the mount on Raise Cain, who is trained by Ben Colebrook.
Anamoe stud fee announced
Australia: Anamoe will stand at stud for a fee of A$121,000 ($81,000) when he retires to Darley’s Hunter Valley Stud. The nine-time G1 winner, who was third in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes won by Dubai Honour this month, could have one more start at Royal Ascot before taking up stallion duties.
Elsewhere in racing …
UAE: Mimi Kakushi departs for Kentucky Oaks – Barzalona booked More here
GB: Frankie Dettori becomes Howden ambassador More here
USA: Florida trainer Ralph Ziadie dies aged 84 More here
Brazil: Jockey Marcelo Goncalves has spleen and part of pancreas removed after fall More here
GB: Mammas Girl is 7-1 for 1000 Guineas for Amo Racing after Nell Gwyn success More here
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