Record-breaking achievements in New Zealand and the US plus Pegasus World Cup nominations feature in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Warren Kennedy bags record seven winners on New Year’s Day
New Zealand: Warren Kennedy set a new record in his adopted home when he rode seven winners on the ten race card at Pukekohe on Monday [Jan 1].
Kennedy, a two-time champion in his native South Africa until he relocated in October 2022, beat the previous best single day record of six in New Zealand held by Lance O’Sullivan, who was the co-trainer of three of Kennedy’s winning rides.
Former South African champ Warren Kennedy loving life in New Zealand
Kennedy, who was booked on nine horses, partnered four of the first five winners of the day, which included two G2 successes. He completed a hat-trick in the races six, seven and eight, including the first G1 race of 2024, the Railway Stakes aboard Waitak.
Irad Ortiz sets another earnings record
USA: Irad Ortiz set a new single-season earnings record to end 2023 having won $39,192,585 in prize-money, nearly $2m more than in 2022, according to Equibase.
Ortiz also finished top of the rankings by victories, riding 366 winners, his best score yet from a campaign in which he rode three Breeders’ Cup winners including the Classic on White Abarrio.
Brad Cox led the trainer standings for the third year in a row with earnings of nearly $31m from 266 victories while Godolphin earned a record $17,421,871 to capture the owners’ crown.
Master Of The Seas heads Pegasus Turf invitees
USA: Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Master Of The Seas heads the invitees for the $1m Pegasus World Cup Turf, to be run on January 27 at Gulfstream Park..
Trained by Charlie Appleby, Master Of The Seas got up on the line to complete a Godolphin one-two at Santa Anita, beating the Saeed Bin Suroor-trained Mawj. Also invited from Europe is the Aidan O’Brien-trained filly Warm Heart, who finished to Inspiral in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf.
Bob Baffert-trained Preakness winner National Treasure heads the invitees for the $3m Pegasus World Cup, the feature race on a card featuring seven graded stakes. More here
Golden Sixty on four weeks’ restricted training
Hong Kong: Golden Sixty will be confined to four weeks of light exercise and undergo further assessment before he returns to full training as a result of the minor leg injury he has suffered since recording his tenth G1 victory in the Hong Kong Mile last month.
An update on the world #2 in the TRC Global Rankings from the Hong Kong Jockey Club said: “The Department of Veterinary Regulation, Welfare & Biosecurity Policy have advised the Stewards that specialist advice received in respect to a minor injury to the left fore leg of Goldten Sixty has confirmed that Golden Sixty is to be confined to slow work for a period of approximately 4 weeks and undergo repeat diagnostic imaging before returning to fast work.
“Golden Sixty will be required to pass an official veterinary examination before being entered to race.”
Dubai Carnival: Real World targets second Zabeel Mile
UAE: Real World will step down to his preferred distance to bid for a second success in the G2 Zabeel Mile, which he captured in 2022 at Meydan on Friday [Jan 5].
Trainer Saeed bin Suroor told godolphin.com: “Real World won this contest a couple of years ago and ran two excellent races over a mile in Europe the same season. He has been running over further since but should appreciate the drop back in trip. It looks as though he has improved for his run in the Al Rashidiya.”
Among his opponents is the Jamie Osborne-trained Sean, a seven-year-old G3 winner in Italy who has been purchased by Barratt Racing. More here
Defunded bought out of Baffert stable to contest Saudi Cup
Saudi Arabia: Hollywood Gold Cup winner Defunded has been privately purchased by Dr Muhaideb Abdullah Almuhaideb's HDB Racing Stable and shipped to Saudi Arabia to be trained for the $20m Saudi Cup. Formerly trained by Bob Baffert, the six-year-old also won the G1 Awesome Again at Santa Anita in 2022. More here
Elsewhere in racing …
South Africa: Two Breeders' Cup 'Win and You're In' races at Kenilworth More here
Australa: Blue Diamond Stakes among new additions to World Pool roster More here
USA: Brittany Russell first female to top Maryland trainer standings More here
USA: Aqueduct winner could target Riyadh Dirt Sprint More here
USA: Mandella considering Dubai World Cup night options for stakes winners More here
Bahrain: Baker hails Lucander after latest leg of Bahrain Turf Series More here
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