Imperatriz, the Epsom Derby and Belmont Stakes feature in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Imperatriz sold for record A$6m
Australia: The record for the highest price paid for a filly or mare in the southern hemisphere was smashed when 10-time G1 winning sprinter Imperatriz was sold for A$6.6 million ($4.3m) at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on Tuesday [May 28].
The world’s best sprinter, who is ranked #4 in the TRC Global Rankings, was bought on behalf of Zhijun Zhao’s Yulong Investments. Vin Cox, representing the successful buyer, said: "These are rare commodities. A ten-time Group 1 winner, they're elite and they don't give Group 1 races away at any level, in any country, in any jurisdiction."
He added: “There are very few horses that win ten Group 1s so she's in the top half-dozen. Certainly top ten mares of all time. She’d have to be. The Zenyattas, the Sunlines, and things like that come to mind but she punches there with them.” More here
City Of Troy heads field of 16 for Epsom Derby
GB: The Aidan O’Brien-trained pair City Of Troy and Los Angeles head 16 runners who will go to post for the Betfred Derby at Epsom on Saturday [June 1].
O’Brien, who has already won Britain’s richest Flat race a record nine times, is under pressure to deliver a substantial turnaround in form with City Of Troy after he ran poorly in the 2,000 Guineas.
City Of Troy was rated head and shoulders above his contemporaries last year but now must emulate last year’s winner Auguste Rodin, who also flopped in the 2,000 Guineas, if he is to restore his lofty reputation.
Belmont Stakes: Gaffalione replaced by Prat on Sierra Leone
USA: Tyler Gaffalione, who was fined $2,500 for touching rival Forever Young with his hand as he drove the wayward Sierra Leone to finish second by a nose in a photo-finish to the Kentucky Derby, will not ride the colt in the Belmont Stakes [June 7].
He has paid the price for a ride at Churchill Downs, which trainer Chad Brown said had left him "a bit disappointed", and will be replaced by Flavien Prat.
“Going into the second half of the year, I just want to try something different,” Brown told DRF.com. “Tyler’s done a great job with the horse, he really came through when I needed him, especially in his two prep races. I thought his decisions were pretty good.
“But I was a bit disappointed because we sort of left our game plan of having the stick in his left hand, particularly during the second half of the race. You really can’t wait until the eighth pole to do that. I don’t believe the horse would have been coming in if he’d done what he’d done in the previous two races and had the stick in his left hand to give him one reminder.”
Sierra Leone is set to meet Preakness Stakes winner Seize The Day at Saratoga as well as Honor Marie, who suffered significant interference in the Kentucky Derby before finishing eighth. Florent Geroux take over the mount after Ben Curtis, who rode the horse in the Kentucky Derby, broke his collarbone in a starting gate accident. More here
Yahagi sets sights on Arc with Japanese Derby third
Japan: Globe-trotting trainer Yoshito Yahagi will take another shot at winning the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe after selecting Shin Emperor for the challenge.
Yahagi has conquered every other major jurisdiction but not yet Europe, where he sent Stay Foolish to finish 12th in the 2022 Arc. Shin Emperor, who is French bred, finished third in the Japanese Derby [Tohyo Yushun]] on his latest start [May 26] could take in the Irish Champion Stakes en route,
Yahagi said: "I will discuss it with the owner after this, but I think we should go for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomph. I think it will be a good challenge. (The jockey) will of course be Rusei (Sakai)."
Royal Palm winner confirmed for Royal Ascot
USA: Gabaldon, impressive debut winner of the $120,000 Royal Palm Juvenile at Gulfstream Park [May 11] will take on the expenses-paid trip to Royal Ascot [June 18-22} offered with the first prize.
The George Weaver-trained Crimson Advocate captured the Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies at Gulfstream before winning the G2 Queen Mary Stakes last year.
It will be a first visit for Gabaldon's Venezuelan-born trainer Jose D’Angelo, who has previously travelled horses to Dubai and Saudi Arabia. “I’m feeling so blessed and happy to go to all the places the horses have brought me," he said. "For a while my goal was to run there, now we have to win over there.”
Emisael Jaramillo, Venezuela’s all-time leading rider before establishing himself at Gulfstream Park, will ride Gabaldon at Royal Ascot. More here
Hollywood one-two for Baffert marred by fracture to winner
USA: Mr Fisk, who led a Hollywood Gold Cup one-two for trainer Bob Baffert at Santa Anita [May 26], is recovering from surgery after exiting the race with a condylar fracture on his right front foreleg.
Two screws were inserted into the leg of the colt who now faces four months on the sidelines before he can be assessed.
In an update on X, Baffert said: “Mr. Fisk came out of his surgery in great shape. He'll stay here in the barn for at least 30 days.”
Elsewhere in racing …
GB: Courage Mon Ami ruled out of Ascot Gold Cup defence More here
USA: Saudi Cup winner Senor Buscador may return in San Diego More here
USA: Jockey Scott Spieth reaches 5,000-winner mark More here
USA: Louisiana Racing Commission relaxes drug rules More here
USA: David Jacobson suspended for 30 days over TCO2 violation More here
GB: Charlie Appleby assembles strong team to Belmont Stakes Festival More here
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