Russian Emperor’s bid to retain a $2.5m crown in Qatar, a change of Saudi target for Luxembourg plus a snub for British racing ambitions feature in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Russian Emperor out to defend Qatar crown
Qatar: Hong Kong star Russian Emperor (Douglas Whyte/Alberto Sanna) defends his crown on Saturday [Feb 17] in the HH The Amir Trophy, $2.5m highlight of the three-day HH Amir Sword Festival beginning on Thursday at Al Rayyan in Doha.
The seven-year-old breaks from gate seven in an 11-strong international field also featuring the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Rebel’s Romance plus three from Japan, headed by HK Vase runner-up Zeffiro.
Israr represents the John & Thady Gosden training partnership, with Point Lonsdale from Ballydoyle and ex-French Simca Mille (already a winner in Qatar) others to watch. More here
Luxembourg stays on turf at Saudi Cup meeting
Saudi Arabia: A few changes this week to the list of likely fields recently published for next weekend’s Saudi Cup meeting in Riyadh on Feb 23-24.
Ireland’s multiple G1 winner Luxembourg has been ruled out of the $20m feature and will instead run in the $2m Neom Turf Cup on the same card.
“It’s his first run back after a little break and we just felt it was going to be too tough a race to pitch him into for his first time on dirt,” said trainer Aidan O’Brien.
“The competition is very strong, and he’s never run on the surface before, so we thought it was a bit too much to ask of him. The Neom Turf Cup looks ideal.”
Isolate, winner of the Godolphin Mile at last year’s Dubai World Cup meeting, draws into the main event. More here
US speedster Casa Creed, runner-up in the last two editions of the 1351 Turf Sprint, will not run in this year’s race after spiking a fever. More here
A Japanese contingent of 22 intended runners has reportedly arrived in Saudi Arabia. More here
NYRA announces all-weather surfaces committee
USA: The New York Racing Association (NYRA) has announced the formation of an All-Weather Surfaces Committee to evaluate the impact of various racing surfaces on equine injury rates.
In addition to the analysis of safety metrics from tracks utilizing all-weather racing surfaces, the committee is studying the feasibility of broader adoption of all-weather surfaces nationally.
The Committee is chaired by David O’Rourke, NYRA CEO and president David O'Rourke, who convened a group of leaders at the request of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA), as part of HISA’s strategic response to several clusters of equine fatalities in 2023. More here
Two-year suspension and $25,000 fine for Jonathan Wong
USA: Leading northern Californian-based trainer Jonathan Wong has been suspended for two years and fined $25,000 over a metformin positive.
Wong’s testimony in a recent hearing on the case was ruled as “untruthful” by arbitrator Nancy Holtz, who also ruled the trainer should pay costs of $8,000. Wong’s horse Heaven And Earth tested positive for the banned substance following victory at Horseshoe Indianapolis in June 2023. Wong, who has nearly 1,200 career wins, says he intends to appeal. More here
Trainer Dan Blacker also intends to appeal against a 90-day ban and $15,000 fine for 527 violations of the California Horse Racing Board involving pre-workout veterinary inspections. More here
British claims for new G1 races snubbed in Europe
The European Pattern Committee has released its changes for the 2024 calendar – in the process rejecting a much anticipated upgrade for two British races to G1 status.
While there are those who would argue that Europe has more than enough G1 races as it is, British officials were left frustrated as neither the seven-furlong City of York Stakes nor the Long Distance Cup on British Champions Day at Ascot were raised to the highest level.
A media release expressed disappointment, saying: “Britain’s desire for a domestic Group 1 race over seven furlongs has been a long-term, well-publicised ambition, so it is with great disappointment that the race has not been upgraded.”
In France, the Prix Saint-Alary at ParisLongchamp has been downgraded to G2 status. More here
Arc-winning trainer Laffon-Parias announces retirement
France: Carlos Laffon-Parias, who saddled upset winner Solemia to win the 2012 Arc, is to retire at the end of 2024 after a 30-year career. The Classic-winning trainer, 60, landed his most recent G1 win in October with Kelina in the Prix de la Foret.
Speaking to the Nick Luck Daily Podcast, he explained: “A lot of trainers finish their career because they haven’t got any more horses to train or financial problems so I don’t want to have those problems.
“We will go off to stop. We have a house already in the south of Spain. I’m going to sell my yard. It’s enough for me and my wife.”
Elsewhere in racing …
Australia: Jamie Kah announces engagement to fellow jockey Ben Melham More here
Australia: Sprint superstar Imperatriz faces seven in Lightning Stakes More here
Australia: Top NZ trainer Mark Walker plots Victorian move More here
Ireland: Maureen Mullins, ‘First Lady of Irish Racing’, dies at 94 More here
USA: 1,000th winner for jockey Forest Boyce More here
Japan: Yuga Kawada is ninth rider to reach 2,000 JRA winners More here
Japan: Wilson Tesoro heads February Stakes as BC Challenge hits Tokyo More here
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