Latest Derby and Belmont developments plus a milestone occasion for women riders in Australia feature in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Epsom Derby no-go for Economics
GB: Impressive Dante Stakes winner Economics will not run in the Betfred Derby on Saturday, June 1 after trainer William Haggas ruled out a supplementary entry.
Taken out of the Epsom Classic before his six-length York romp, Economics would have been a leading Derby contender.
However, Haggas told the Nick Luck Daily Podcast that Economics will not run, preferring to keep him at a mile and a quarter this term. “The whole point of taking him out was I didn't think it was the right track and the right race for him at this stage of his career,” he explained. “We want to give him more time, he's a big lovely, scopey horse.” More here
In other Derby news, Godolphin’s Sandown Classic Trial winner Arabian Crown also misses the race after a setback, while luckless Callum Shepherd has been jocked off second favourite Ambiente Friendly in favour of veteran Robert Havlin. The 50-year-old landed the second G1 success of along career on Saturday with a shock victory on Audience in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury. More here
Preakness hero Seize The Grey set for Belmont Stakes
USA: All-the-way Preakness Stakes winner Seize The Grey has been given the go-ahead to run in the Belmont Stakes, the final leg of the Triple Crown, held this year at Saratoga on June 8 while its traditional home undergoes redevelopment.
“We’re going to go in the Belmont,” said legendary trainer D Wayne Lukas, speaking to the BloodHorse. “He’s great, recovered remarkably well.”
A decision has yet to be made if Seize The Grey’s rivals in the $2m event – run over a mile and a quarter this term – will include Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan, whom he beat into second at a muddy Pimlico on Saturday [May 18].
But even if there is no Triple Crown ‘rubber match’ at Saratoga, the Belmont looks set for a quality field including Kentucky Derby runner-up Sierra Leone and beaten favorite Fierceness. More here
Female jockeys sweep nine-race card at metro track for first time
Australia: A landmark moment for female jockeys was achieved on Saturday [May 18] when women rode all nine winners at Morphettville, the premier track in South Australia.
Kayla Crowther, Rochelle Milnes and Alana Livesey all rode doubles, while the other three races at the Adelaide venue were won by Maggie Collett, Caitlin Jones and Felicity Atkinson.
Australia has a large pool of female riding talent who have completed similar feats at provincial and country tracks but never before at one of the nation’s major metropolitan racecourses. More here
Melbourne Cup ‘golden ticket’ at Belmont
USA: The Belmont Gold Cup has become a ‘golden ticket’ race for the Lexus Melbourne Cup, offering the winner an automatic berth in Australia’s most celebrated race on November 5 at Flemington.
Staged on June 6 as part of this year’s Saratoga-based Belmont Stakes Festival, the Belmont Gold Cup is a G2 event run over a two-mile distance unusual in North American racing. The $250,000 contest joins the Ebor at York and six domestic races as Melbourne Cup qualifiers. More here
Rebel’s Romance primed for Hong Kong
Hong Kong: Godolphin’s globe-trotting star Rebel’s Romance bids to extend his dominion to the Far East on Sunday [May 26] when he bids to become the first overseas winner of the Champions & Chater Gold Cup, the final G1 event of the HK season.
Rain is forecast at Sha Tin ahead of the HK13m ($1.66m/£1.31m) event, where Rebel’s Romance will be ridden by William Buick. Winner of the Breeders’ Cup in 2022, the six-year-old has four G1 successes to his name altogether, including two in Germany and last time out in the Dubai Sheema Classic.
Opponents in Sunday’s race include defending champ Russian Emperor and HK Derby winner Massive Sovereign. More here
Royal Ascot: Oisin Murphy set to ride Aussie mare Asfoora
GB: Australian sprinter Asfoora, who begins a British campaign in the G2 Temple Stakes at Haydock on Saturday [May 25], is set to be ridden by Oisin Murphy at Royal Ascot.
Regular jockey Mitch Aitken will be aboard the mare at Haydock, but will give way to the three-time British champion Murphy when she lines up in the King Charles III Stakes (former King’s Stand) on June 18.
“Mitch has been booked for the first race. I think Oisin Murphy will probably ride her for the remainder of the preparation,” trainer Henry Dwyer told RadioTAB. “He’s one of the leading riders over here, he’s riding a lot of winners, doing a good job. I actually met him at the races the other day and just asked if he had a ride and he didn't, so here we are.” More here
Elsewhere in racing …
Japan: Labour union strike on eve of Japanese Derby card More here
USA: Irv Naylor becomes all-time leading steeplechase owner More here
Canada: IFHA to hold global summit on equine safety and technology More here
Ireland: Tony Martin licence suspended More here
Ireland: Death of prominent owner Tony O'Reilly, business titan and rugby legend More here
Australia: Melbourne Spring Carnival dates confirmed More here
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