An array of stars in Dubai, a Japanese Kentucky Derby contender, Saratoga news and a massive Beyer feature in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Auguste Rodin heads stellar cast for Dubai World Cup card
Dubai: Expect a major world ranking’s shake-up this weekend when no fewer than five of the current Top 13 according to Thoroughbred Racing Commentary’s Global Rankings are in action on the Dubai World Cup card at Meydan.
Dual Derby winner #6 Auguste Rodin reappears for the first time since his Breeders’ Cup Turf success in the Sheema Classic, where he faces Japanese fillies’ Triple Crown heroine #10 Liberty Island.
World #9 Ushba Tesoro defends his title in the $12m main event against a field of rivals featuring his Saudi conqueror #12 Senor Buscador, while 2022 Japanese Derby winner #13 Do Deuce bids to thwart Lord North’s four-timer attempt in the Dubai Turf.
A total of 33 G1 winners are involved across the eight Thoroughbred races at Meydan, which it is claimed will be broadcast to 150 countires. More here
T O Password earns Kentucky Derby slot in Japan
Japan: The Japanese challenge for the Kentucky Derby is shaping up with news that T O Password will represent the nation at Churchill Downs on May 4.
Unbeaten in two starts, Daisuke Takayanagi-trained T O Password has accepted the invitation after winning the Fukuryu Stakes at Nakayama on Saturday [March 23] to lead the ‘Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby’ list. More here
Saudi Derby winner Forever Young, hot favorite for the UAE Derby at Meydan on Saturday [March 30], is expected to be Japan’s number one contender for Kentucky.
In other Kentucky news, Catching Freedom jumped to the top of the US points leaderboard with victory in the Louisiana Derby on Saturday [March 23] for trainer Brad Cox, while last year’s champion two-year-old Fierceness heads the G1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park on Saturday. Muth and Timberlake clash in the Arkansas Derby.
Highfield Princess loses battle for life
GB: Star sprinter Highfield Princess, a hugely popular four-time G1 winner, died last weekend as a result of the hind-leg fracture sustained in her stall the previous week.
Trainers John & Sean Quinn and owner John Fairley described the injury as “inoperable” in a statement issued on Sunday [March 24]. They added: “Although over the past week she fought with the same extraordinary spirit she showed on the racecourse, last night she lost her battle for life.” More here
North Light, who won the Epsom Derby in 2004 for trainer Sir Michael Stoute, was euthanised on March 20 owing to complications after a bout of laminitis. The son of Danehill was 23. More here
Louisiana sprinter Ova Charged hits Beyer heights
USA: The highest Beyer speed figure (BSF) since Flightine’s victory in the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Classic was recorded last weekend – and it came from a highly unlikely source in the shape of unheralded sprint mare Ova Charged in a minor stakes restricted to Louisiana-breds.
The six-year-old recorded her fourth stakes contest this winter on Sunday’s closing day card [March 24] at Fair Grounds in New Orleans, where she shot out of the gate before a 12½-length triumph in the six-furlong Page Cortez Stakes on turf.
Ridden by Jose Guerrero, Brittlyn Stables’ Ova Charged stopped the clock in 1m01.90s – achieving a massive BSF of 113 in the process. Flightline’s 126 in the BC Classic was the second-highest BSF for 31 years. More here
Ova Charged represents trainer Shane Wilson, who ran away with the trainers’ title at the 2023-24 meet with 50 winners. More here
Saratoga stakes schedule announced
USA: Saratoga’s annual summer meet will feature 40 days’ racing with 19 G1 events among a total of 71 stakes worth $20.75m.
The meet will run from Thursday, July 11, through Monday, September 2. The 155th edition of the $1.25m Travers Stakes is the highlight of a card featuring five G1s on August 24. More here
Tenth G1 success for world #3 Imperatriz
Australia: Sprint sensation Imperatriz (Mark Walker/Opie Bosson) landed a remarkable tenth G1 win on Saturday [March 23] with a businesslike odds-on success in the William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley.
Although Te Akau Racing’s formidable mare never looked in any danger of defeat, she scored by only a head over 70-1 longshot Johnny Rocker – which explains why she accrued only a 15pt boost on Thoroughbred Racing Commentary’s Global Rankings, where she stays at #3. More here
There are more major G1s this weekend in Australia, where world Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni – world #5 and #16 respectively – meet again in the Australian Cup at Flemington. More here
Elsewhere in racing …
Japan: Jockey Yudai Tsukamoto, 25, dies in hospital after horror fall More here
Hong Kong: Ex-O’Brien-trained Massive Sovereign (Broadhurst) wins HK Derby More here
USA: Three horses die in Kentucky van accident More here
USA: Pletcher suspension upheld for Capensis positive More here
USA: Jockey Ben Curtis to stay in America More here
USA: Major sales companies align on medication policies More here
USA: 2,000th career win for Umberto Rispoli More here
Australia: Overseas plans for Asfoora still live More here
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