Mage team resolves jockey conflict, Amr Zedan spends big at Fasig-Tipton plus plans for Algiers in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Saez replaces Castellano on Mage for Travers showdown with Arcangelo
USA: Luis Saez will take over from Javier Castellano on Kentucky Derby winner Mage when he meets Belmont Stakes winner Arcangelo for the first time in the Travers Stakes at Saratoga [Aug 26].
Connections moved quicker than Castellano had wanted to secure Saez, leaving the Venezuelan without a decision to make. He indicated he was leaning towards Arcangelo, who he partnered to victory in the final leg of the Triple Crown.
Mage’s co-owner Ramiro Restrepo told DRF.com: “We are under the understanding the Travers is going to be a pretty full field, most of the riders are starting to become committed to their mounts.
“Not wanting to be caught without a rider until the last minute, we decided to go with Luis who had ridden the horse before and who is a top-level rider in his own right.”
Castellano has a three-for-three record on Arcangelo.
Amr Zedan buys $4m Curlin yearling out of Beholder for Baffert
USA: A yearling colt by Curlin out of Horse of the Year Beholder sold for $4 million to Zedan Racing to top the Fasig Tipton Saratoga Sale [Aug 8].
Consigned on behalf of Spendthrift Farm, the colt was the first of Beholder’s foals to be offered at public auction, realising the third highest price ever at the sale.
He will go into training with Bob Baffert, who trained Medina Spirit and Country Grammer for Zedan.
Dubai World Cup runner-up Algiers to train for Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile
GB: Dubai World Cup runner-up Algiers will be targeted at the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, not the Classic.
The Simon and Ed Crisford-trained gelding has not run since he was beaten by Japan’s Ushba Tesoro at Meydan in March but is back in training ahead of a probable prep in the US where connections have identified the September 20 Ack Ack Stakes at Churchill Downs as a suitable warm-up.
Simon Crisford said: “We think a mile is a good trip for him. That last furlong in the Dubai World Cup was a furlong too far for him.”
Melbourne Cup favourite Vauban qualifies for race with G3 win
Ireland: Royal Ascot winner Vauban cemented his status as favourite for the Melbourne Cup by securing a G3 victory at Naas [Aug 7] which guaranteed his eligibility for the A$7.5 million [[$4.9m] race.
The winner of the 2022 Triumph Hurdle for Ireland’s champion jumps trainer Willie Mullins, he represents the stable's best chance at Flemington since Max Dynamite finished half a length second to 100-1 shot Prince Of Penzance, ridden by history-maker Michelle Payne, in 2015 and then third two years later.
Little Big Bear retired injured, Coolmore buy Hurricane Lane and Coolangatta
Ireland: Last year’s European champion two-year-old Little Big Bear has been retired after sustaining a condylar fracture on the right front fetlock.
The winner of four of his five starts last year, including the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot and G1 Phoenix Stakes by seven lengths, he finished second in the G1 Commonwealth Cup on his best run at three.
Coolmore also announced the acquisition of 2021 Irish Derby and St Leger winner Hurricane Lane from Godolphin to its roster of jumps stallions while the stud's Australian division has bought the G1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes-winning mare Coolangatta.
Rachel King and Marie Velon to debut at 2023 JRA World All Stars
Japan: Two female international riders will take part in the JRA’s World All Star Jockeys over the August 27-28 weekend for the first time after Australian-based Rachel King and France’s Marie Velon were named in the line-up.
Alexis Badel, Joao Moreira, Luke Morris and Umberto Rispoli will complete the overseas participants who will compete alongside seven riders based in Japan including Christophe Lemaire, Yuga Kawada and Yutaka Take at Sapporo.
Elsewhere in racing …
GB: Paddington heads entries for Qipco British Champions Day More here
France: France Galop introduces disqualification for worst whip breaches More here
Autralia: International entry for Cox Plate and Caulfield Cup More here
Australia: Ethan Brown makes winning return from serious injury More here
Australia: Jamie Kah steps up comeback preparation by working Zaaki More here
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