World’s leading racehorse, an early Kentucky Derby contender and the world’s top jockey feature in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
World #1 Equinox heads Japan Cup
Japan: Equinox (Tetsuya Kimura/Christophe Lemaire) will start hot favourite to confirm his status as world-leading status on Sunday [Nov 26] in the 43rd running of the Japan Cup at Tokyo racecourse, where the brilliant four-year-old bids to extend his G1 winning streak to six.
Equinox stands unchallenged at the top of Thoroughbred Racing Commentary’s exclusive Global Rankings, having claimed the #1 spot with his commanding success in the Dubai Sheema Classic in March.
Having led the world for 35 weeks, he is one of seven G1 winners in Sunday’s ¥1.085bn yen ($7.25m/£5.8m) event, where rivals are headed by fillies’ Triple Crown winner Liberty Island, three-time G1 winner Titleholder and Saudi Cup hero Panthalassa. Classic winners Do Deuce and Stars On Earth plus 2022 winner Vela Azul also feature alongside French-trained Iresine. More here
Nysos is 10-1 for Kentucky Derby
USA: Nysos is second favourite for next year’s Kentucky Derby with European bookmakers after his runaway success at Del Mar on Sunday [Nov 19].
The son of 2016 Kentucky winner Nyquist followed up an impressive debut win at Santa Anita with a 8¾-length victory under Flavien Prat in the $100,000 Bob Hope Stakes over seven furlongs. Although his trainer Bob Baffert will still be prohibited from accruing Kentucky Derby qualifying points in 2024, Nysos is now as short as 10-1 second favourite with bookmakers William Hill behind 6-1 market leader Fierceness. More here
Ryan Moore curtails Japan stint with back injury
Japan: Ryan Moore has revoked his short-term licence to ride in Japan and returned to Britain following a fall which cost him the winning ride on Namur in the G1 Mile Championship in Kyoto on Sunday [Nov 19].
The world #1 jockey gave up his rides after hurting his back and will now miss a reunion with Vela Azul, whom he rode to victory in last year’s Japan Cup, in this year’s renewal. His place will be taken by Hollie Doyle, who will have her first ride in the race.
Blockbuster card set to open Santa Anita schedule
USA: Santa Anita has released its stakes schedule for 2023-24, starting off with a blockbuster card on Tuesday, December 26, featuring six Graded stakes including three G1s.
All three G1s – the Malibu, La Brea and American Oaks – are worth $300,000, while the G2 contests (Mathis Mile, San Antonio and San Gabriel) carry purses of $200.000.
With 78 racing dates stretching through June 16, Santa Anita's Classic and Hollywood Meetings will offer a total of 90 stakes, 10 of them G1 events, highlighted by the Santa Anita Handicap on March 2 and the Santa Anita Derby on April 6. More here
Star-studded G1 cast for HK International Races
Hong Kong: The usual stellar cast featuring 16 G1 winners has been assembled for the Longines Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin on Sunday, December 10.
The four-race series, which carries prize-money of HK$118m ($18m/£12m), has attracted 25 overseas runners including representatives from the US, Japan, France, Ireland, Britain, France and Singapore.
Domestic superstar Golden Sixty will bid for his third success in the Hong Kong Mile against rivals headed by Japanese G1 winners Namur and Serifos, while Breeders’ Cup third Shahryar will be a leading fancy for the HK Vase, which is also set to feature US-trained Soldier Rising. Luxembourg will represent Aidan O’Brien in the HK Cup while four-time G1 winner Highfield Princess takes on the cream of the HK sprint crop. More here
Big Sport of Turfdom Award to Jena Antonucci
USA: The Turf Publicists of America (TPA) has announced that the Big Sport of Turfdom Award for 2023 will be presented to Arcangelo’s trainer Jena Antonucci. Presented annually since 1966, the award recognizes a person or group of people who enhances coverage of Thoroughbred racing through cooperation with media and racing publicists. More here
Elsewhere in racing …
USA: Laurel winter schedule includes 17 stakes worth $1.8m More here
USA: Champion sprinter Work All Week dies at Old Friends, aged 14 More here
Japan: Songline and Schnell Meister retired to stud More here
GB: 1,000th career winner for Hayley Turner More here
GB: Royal Ascot renames King’s Stand Stakes for King Charles III More here
Hong Kong: 12-time champion trainer John Size hits 1,500-win mark with Sha Tin four-timer More here
UAE: Familar Carnival names clash in Dubai Creek Mile at Meydan More here
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