Latest Kentucky Derby news, City Of Troy and his trainer Aidan O’Brien feature in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Kentucky Derby: Pletcher ‘fine with it’ as Fierceness draws wide
USA: Longtime Kentucky Derby favorite Fierceness has drawn post 17 in a maximum 20-runner field for Saturday’s 150th anniversary edition of America’s greatest race at Churchill Downs.
“I’m fine with it,” said trainer Todd Pletcher, seeking his third Derby success. “We were hoping to draw outside somewhere and of the numbers that were left at that time (of the draw), it was one of the better ones. It gives enough time to get loaded and set up without having to hopefully stand in the gate too long.”
Fierceness was duly installed as 5-2 morning-line favorite ahead of Coolmore’s Sierra Leone, drawn two as he bids to become Chad Brown’s first Derby winner. Sierra Leone is already favorite with some European bookmakers and could easily supplant his rival by post-time. More here
Godolphin’s Encino has been ruled out by a soft-tissue strain, which means Epic Ride comes off the also-eligible list for trainer John Ennis with expat British rider Adam Beschizza in the saddle. More here
City Of Troy odds-on for 2000 Guineas
GB: The moment of truth arrives for City Of Troy as the European Classic season kicks off at Newmarket on Saturday [May 4] with the Qipco-sponsored 2000 Guineas.
The unbeaten Aidan O’Brien-trained son of US Triple Crown winner Justify faces ten rivals on the Rowley Mile, where he is sure to start long odds-on favourite under Ryan Moore.
Such is City Of Troy’s reputation that he has sparked dreams in the Coolmore team of sweeping Britain’s Triple Crown – a feat not achieved (and rarely attempted) since Nijinsky in 1970. There is also talk of running his on dirt in the Travers Stakes.
First, though, he must overcome a high-class field at Newmarket, where rivals are headed by impressive G1 winner Rosallion and Richard Hannon-trained stablemate Haatem, plus unbeaten types such as Notable Speech, Night Raider and Ghostwriter. More here
Aidan O’Brien joins British Hall of Fame
GB: Ahead of his annual assault this weekend on Newmarket’s Guineas meeting, modern-day training giant Aidan O’Brien has become the latest inductee to Britain’s nascent Hall of Fame.
Ballydoyle legend O’Brien, 54, has rewritten the record books since training his first winner with Wandering Thoughts in a minor handicap at Tralee in 1993. Alongside 50 Classic successes at home in Ireland, he is the most successful Classic trainer of all-time in Britain with 43 wins – including a record nine Derby wins. He is also leading trainer in the history of Royal Ascot.
O’Brien becomes the fourth trainer to join the Hall of Fame since its inception three years ago following Vincent O’Brien, Sir Michael Stoute, Sir Henry Cecil.
His induction will be recognised with a medal presentation before racing on Saturday, when he chases his 11th victory in the 2000 Guineas with hot favourite City Of Troy. More here
The Qipco British Champions Series Hall of Fame was launched in April 2021 to celebrate the greats of British Flat racing from 1970 onwards.
• Visit the Hall of Fame website
Veteran jockey Jon Court retires after 45 years
USA: Veteran jockey Jon Court will bring the curtain down on a 45-year riding career on the final day of the current meet on Sunday [April 5] at Oaklawn Park.
Florida-born Court, 63, took out a licence in 1979 and has ridden 4,263 winners in North America for prize-money earnings of $114m. His biggest success, however, came in Japan, when he partnered Fleetstreet Dancer to win the Japan Cup Dirt (now Champions Cup) in Tokyo in 2003.
In 2019 aged 58, Court became the oldest jockey ever to ride in the Kentucky Derby when he partnered Long Range Toddy, who was 16th at Churchill Downs. Leading horses with whom he has been associated include Leroidesanimaux and Will Take Charge. More here
Sales plan announced for sprint star Imperatriz
Australia: Ten-time G1 winner Imperatriz will be offered for sale later this month at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale which starts at May 28 on the Gold Coast.
The superstar sprint mare was retired last month after finishing fourth in the TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick. Trained by Mark Walker for the Te Akau team, the five-year-old currently stands at #3 on Thoroughbred Racing Commentary’s Global Rankings.
“There is no doubt Imperatriz will be the headline act on the Thoroughbred auction calendar internationally,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis. “She is the most globally recognised mare ever offered at public auction in the Southern Hemisphere.” More here
Hong Kong Cup prize boost to HK$40m ($5.12m)
Hong Kong: Prize-money has been boosted for three of Hong Kong’s premier international races for the 2024-25 season in the region.
The Longines Hong Kong Cup, the jurisdiction’s richest race, will be worth HK$40m ($5.12m/£4.08m) in December 2024 – an increase of HK$4m (or 11%). TheLongines-sponsored HK Mile receives a 12.5% boost to HK$36m, while the 2025 FWD Champions Mile is up 9.1% to HK$24m (from HK$22m). More here
Elsewhere in racing …
France: Top miler Big Rock moved from Christopher Head More here
Japan: Tenno Sho winner T O Royal set for Melbourne Cup More here
Argentina: Longshot Che Evasora lands Breeders’ Cup spot in GP Criadores More here
Ireland: HRI unveils five-year strategic plan for racing More here
USA: GoFundMe launched for injured exercise rider Molly Rollins More here
Australia: Arrowfield Stud announces 2024 stallion roster More here
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