Arcangelo, James Doyle and Lord North feature in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Breeders’ Cup: Arcangelo heads cluster of late scratches
USA: The 40th Breeders’ Cup will go ahead this weekend [Nov 4-5] with a number of key stars missing – notably Classic favourite Arcangelo, who was scratched due to a foot problem on Tuesday [Oct 31] and immediately retired.
The Belmont and Travers Stakes winner had pulled off a left-hind shoe at the weekend and trainer Jena Antonucci said the issue was unlikely to be resolved by raceday as she took the decision to scratch him. “He’s tearing the barn down right now but I’m not comfortable and if I’m not comfortable it’s a no,” she explained.
The absence of Arcangelo, who will take up stallion duties at Lane’s End Farm in 2024, means that no US horse involved in the Triple Crown series will take part in the Classic after the trip was cancelled for Kentucky Derby winner Mage after he spiked a temperature.
However, the Breeders’ Cup has also been hit by tragedy as Haskell winner Geaux Rocket Ride suffered a displaced condylar fracture during training on Saturday [Oct 28]. Though undergoing surgery the following day, he had to be euthanized three days later, while Santa Anita Derby winner Practical Move collapsed and died on Monday [Oct 30] of an apparent cardiac event while training for the Dirt Mile.
Dubai World Cup runner-up Algiers will also miss the Dirt Mile after developing a foot issue. King's Stand Stakes winner Bradsell has been ruled out of the Turf Sprint.
James Doyle quits Godolphin to ride for Wathnan Racing
GB: James Doyle, part of a formidable axis with William Buick as a second jockey for Godolphin since 2015, has been appointed first jockey to the Emir of Qatar’s ambitious Wathnan Racing. Doyle has signed a contract to ride for the team, whose growing string includes the Ascot Gold Cup winner Courage Mon Ami, from January 2024.
The 35-year-old's successes for Charlie Appleby include the 2022 2,000 Guineas on Coroebus and victory in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf on Rebel’s Romance.
Lord North set fourth Dubai Turf mission
GB: Lord North, absent since posting his third victory in the G1 Dubai Turf in March, is to return next year with the goal of capturing the race for an extraordinary fourth time. The gelding turns eight in the new year but is still part of John and Thady Gosden’s plans for the 2024 Dubai World Cup meeting.
Despite Frankie Dettori’s relocation to California, John Gosden expects his former stable jockey to be in the saddle again at Meydan, where there were successful in 2021, 2022 and 2023. “I’m getting Lord North ready for him again,” said Gosden. “He has won three Dubai Turfs and we’ll see if we can get four.”
Stablemate Mostahdaf will have his final start in the Breeders' Cup Turf with Shadwell announcing he would stand at Beech House Stud in Newmarket next year. More here
Melbourne Cup: Zahra deserts Gold Trip to ride Without A Fight
Australia: Mark Zahra has deserted defending Melbourne Cup champion Gold Trip to ride Caulfield Cup winner Without A Fight at Flemington on Tuesday [Nov 7]. James McDonald will take over on Gold Trip.
Zahra made his decision after steering Gold Trip into fifth place in the Cox Plate on Saturday [Oct 28], won by McDonald aboard Hong Kong’s Romantic Warrior.
Do Deuce and Vela Azul head to Japan Cup
Japan: After finishing seventh behind Equinox in the Tenno Sho (Autumn) on Sunday [Oct 29], Do Deuce will head to a rematch with the world #1 in the Japan Cup.
Connections have blamed a stumble approaching the first bend for the disappointing showing by last year’s Japanese Derby winner, on whom Keita Tosaki was a late replacement for Yutaka Take, who was kicked by a horse earlier on the Tokyo card.
Vela Azul, ridden to victory in last year’s Japan Cup by Ryan Moore, will bid for back-to-back wins while the jockey has been confirmed for Geraldina who goes for her second win in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup on November 12.
Ben Curtis to spend winter at Fair Grounds
USA: After hitting a century of winners in a 2023 campaign in Britain that only started in April, Ben Curtis will forego Britain’s all-weather season, where he is a former champion jockey, to spend the winter riding at Fair Grounds in New Orleans. Former trainer turned jockeys’ agent Ron Faucheux, who led the standings at the winter meet for the past three years, will book his rides.
Elsewhere in racing …
GB: Garrard named official sponsor of Team British Racing More here
USA: Mike Repole launches National Thoroughbred Alliance More here
GB: July Cup winner Shaquille retired to Dullingham Park Stud More here
USA: Britain's Department for Business and Trade hosts first sport's economy trade mission event in Los Angeles More here
Japan: Westover sold to stand at Yushun Stalion Station in Japan More here
Japan: Adayar to join Hukum at Darley Japan More here
Ireland: Colin Keane secures fifth jockeys' championship More here
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