News that Auguste Rodin will bid to atone for his King George flop in the Irish Champion Stakes leads our weekly digest
Auguste Rodin set for Irish Champion; Mostahdaf ruled out
Ireland: Dual Derby winner Auguste Rodin is set to run in the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes, highlight of the Irish Champions Festival at Leopardstown on September 9 – when rivals will include his stablemate Luxembourg, who won the G1 feature 12 motnhs ago.
Aidan O’Brien said the Deep Impact colt’s work has been “brilliant” since he was virtually pulled up and crossed the line in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on July 29.
While nothing has emerged to explain why he began to labour so early in the race, O’Brien said Ryan Moore’s instinct to protect the horse from having a hard race on soft ground may have been “a blessing in disguise”.
Epsom Derby runner-up King Of Steel, who was third in the King George, has been made favourite with bookmakers in the absence of Mostahdaf, for whom the race will come too soon for the Juddmonte International winner. More here
Shadwell racing manager Angus Gold said he could head for the Breeders’ Cup Turf unless ground conditions are unexpectedly fast at Ascot on Qipco British Champions Day on October 21. G2 winner Alflaila will represent the Shadwell team in Ireland.
Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard dies aged 82
USA: Jonathan Sheppard, whose accomplishments extended from jump racing to the highest levels of Flat racing, died on Sunday [Aug 27] at his home in Florida.
When the British-born horseman retired from training in 2021 he was the National Steeplechase Association’s all-time leading trainer by wins with 1,242 victories and earnings of nearly $25m, the best of whom was four-time Eclipse Award winner Flatterer, who finished second in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Including Flat wins, Sheppard recorded 3,426 wins and was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 1990. His two Flat champions were Forever Together and Informed Decision, while he also trained Storm Cat who became one of North America’s most sought after stallions.
In 2021 the New York Racing Association named one of its G1 chases after Sheppard at Saratoga where he won at least one race for over 47 straight years up to 2015. More here
Junior Alvarado honored with Mike Venezia Award
USA: Junior Alvarado, best known as the regular partner of Breeders’ Cup winner Cody’s Wish, has won the coveted 2023 Mike Venezia Award, an honor given for extraordinary sportsmanship and citizenship.
The 37-year-old, who will attend a ceremony at Saratoga on Friday [Sept 2], said: “The Venezia Memorial Award is about representing the sport we love so much in the best way possible. I am thankful and proud to be chosen as this year’s winner and I look forward to celebrating with my family and thanking the Venezia family here at Saratoga Race Course.” More here
Nature Strip returns to action in Randwick G3
Australia: The immediate racing future of champion sprinter Nature Strip will be on the line when he returns to action in the G3 Concorde Stakes on Saturday [Sept 2] five months after the latest of four defeats. The nine-year-old will meet old foe Eduardo, who is ten, for the 13th time at Randwick in a race which will determine whether either remains competitive at the highest level.
Damian Lane to ride Japanese runner Breakup in Caulfield Cup
Australia: Damian Lane has been booked to ride the Japanese challenger Breakup in the Caulfield Cup. Kohei Matsuyama will reclaim the mount on the G2 winner, who finished 12th in the Takarazuka Kinen on his most recent start, in the Melbourne Cup.
Mass job cuts at Irish academy that produced Murtagh and Heffernan
Ireland: The Racing Academy and Centre of Education (RACE), whose graduates include Johnny Murtagh, Seamie Heffernan, Chris Hayes and Shane Foley has cut over two thirds of its staff with 21 job losses in an effort to secure its future. More here
Elsewhere in racing …
GB: 1,000 Guineas heroine Mawj handed Breeders’ Cup Mile target More here
Hungary: Dettori to ride at Autumn International meeting at Kincsem Park in Budapest More here
France: New whip rules come into force from Sept 1 More here
USA: Belmont Stakes winner Sarava dies at the age of 24 More here
France: Death of leading owner-breeder Lady O'Reilly More here
UAE: Dubai announce ‘win and you're in’-style World Cup night bonus scheme More here
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