Legendary French jockey, a $1m rematch between Dornoch and Mindframe and a Japanese runner in the Juddmonte International feature in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Gerald Mosse retires from saddle to start training
France: After more than 40 years, Gerald Mosse has called time on a long and distinguished international riding career to become a trainer. He intends to start his second career on September 1.
Mosse, 57, rode his first winner in 1983 before becoming the Aga Khan’s first jockey in the 1990s and later establishing a reputation as a big-race specialist on the global stage.
He went on to record a host of G1 successes, including the Arc (Saumarez 1990) and Melbourne Cup (Americain 2010) – plus a host of French Classics and several victories in the International Races in Hong Kong, where he enjoyed a lucrative stint.
Mosse was out of luck on his final ride on Sunday [July 14] at Chantilly when he finished unplaced on Shannkiyr in a handicap. “Riding racehorses has been my passion and I hope the second part of my racing life will be even better,” he told the Racing Post. More here
Haskell: Dornoch draws rail for Mindframe rematch
USA: Highlight of this weekend’s US programme is the $1m Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park, which features a rematch between Belmont Stakes principals Dornoch and Mindframe, separated by a half-length six weeks ago.
“I think he’s training better now going into the Haskell than he was going into the Belmont,” said Dornoch’s trainer Danny Gargan, soeaking to Associated Press after the colt drew gate one under Luis Saez.
However, Mindframe shied away from his rider’s whip in the final leg of the Triple Crown and is morning-line favorite at 9-5 to reverse the placings. Last year’s champion juvenile Fierceness also features among eight entries but is likely to scratch in favour of the Jim Dandy at Saratoga a week later. More here
Champion filly Idiomatic bids to regain the winning thread in the G3 Molly Pitcher on the Haskell undercard, while Kentucky Oaks heroine Thorpedo Anna is the star attraction at Saratoga, where she is out to complete a G1 hat-trick in the Coaching Club American Oaks.
Del Mar’s popular summer meet also kicks off on Saturday with the G2 San Clemente providing the feature event on opening day. Racing every week from Thursday to Sunday, the annual meet ends on Sept 8. More here
Perry Ouzts becomes oldest jockey to ride a winner – aged 70
USA: Perry ‘Ironman’ Ouzts has become the oldest jockey ever to ride a Throughbred winner in North America when he scored at Belterra Park on July 10.
Three days after celebrating his 70th birthday, the veteran rider rode the 7,449th winner of a 51-year career when he scored on the Larry Smith-trained Opie’s Girl in the seventh at the Cincinnati venue. according to Equibase, Ouzts stands fifth on the all-time list for victories in North America.
“I’m giving the geriatrics some hope,” he said, speaking to the Paulick Report after eclipsing a mark achieved by the late Frank Amonte Sr., who was a day short of 70 when he rode his final winner in September 2005. More here
Juddmonte International: Durezza set to represent Japan
GB: Japan is set to field a rare top-level runner in the UK with news that Durezza, who won last year’s Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger), will contest the Juddmonte International at York on August 21.
Six-time Japanese champion jockey Christophe Lemaire will ride the four-year-old in the £1.25 million ($1.63m) contest. Owned by Carrot Club, Durezza will be a first European runner for trainer Tomohito Ozeki. More here
This year’s Juddmonte International is shaping up into the race of the summer with a rematch on the cards between Epsom Derby one-two City Of Troy and Ambiente Friendly – plus Dante Stakes winner Economics added to the mix. More here
World #1 Romantic Warrior named HK Horse of the Year
Hong Kong: World #1 Romantic Warrior was named Hong Kong’s Horse of the Year for 2023-24 at a special presentation held on Friday [July 12].
The Danny Shum-trained six-year-old, who has now topped Thoroughbred Racing Commentary’s Global Rankings for a 12-week spell, has won his last five starts – all of them coming in G1 company to establish a record for a HK-trained horse.
Romantic Warrior won the Cox Plate in Australia before claiming domestic G1 honours in the HK Cup, the HK Gold Cup and the QEII Cup and then ending his season with a fine performance to win the Yasuda Kinen in Tokyo. More here
A dramatic battle for the HK trainers’ title went the way of Francis Lui, who staged a magnificent comeback with four winners at the season’s finale at Sha Tin on Sunday [July 14]. He beat Pierre Ng by just one winner, 70-69. Zac Purton claimed his seventh HK jockeys’ title in style with a six-timer. More here
Death of Artax’s trainer Louis Albertrani aged 67
USA: Louis Albertrani, who trained champion sprinter Artax, died on Saturday [July 13] of an apparent heart attack. He was 67.
Winning the Breeders’ Cup Sprint in 1999 with Artax, who also won the Carter and Vosburgh the same year, provided the highlight of a 30-year training career that ended in 2021. He was the older brother of recently retired trainer Tom Albertrani. More here
Elsewhere in racing …
France: Majority interest sold in Arc favourite Look De Vega More here
USA: Eight-year suspension for Joseph Taylor, former leading Parx trainer More here
USA: Saratoga Derby to serve as Cox Plate qualifier More here
USA: Deal announced for sale of former Fairmount Park More here
Hong Kong: Female apprentice to break new ground More here
GB: Ascot announces 2023 financial results More here
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