Star filly set to take on the boys at Saratoga, G1 wins for Kyprios and Notable Speech plus the Hall of Fame Class of 2024 feature in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Thorpedo Anna set for Travers showdown
USA: Star filly Thorpedo Anna will bypass the Alabama Stakes in favour of taking the plunge against her male counterparts in the Travers Stakes, Saratoga’s $1.25m ‘midsummer derby’ on August 24.
After completing a G1 hat-trick with an accomplished display in the Coaching Club American Oaks, Thorpedo Anna became America’s leading three-year-old of either sex according to TRC Global Rankings.
Speaking to Fox Sports, trainer Ken McPeek nominated the Travers route. “I’m a big believer that the sport needs stars,” he said. “It needs to be promoted, it needs to be lifted. She can do that, and we're lucky that she's there to do that.” More here
Last year’s champion juvenile Fierceness is likely to run in the Travers after winning last weekend’s designated trial, the G2 Jim Dandy. His stablemate Mindframe is sidelined with bone bruising. More here
G1 stars shine bright at Glorious Goodwood
GB: The annual five-day ‘Glorious Goodwood’ meeting kicked off on Tuesday [July 30] with a rousing performance from top stayer Kyprios to complete the Ascot Gold Cup/Goodwood Cup double for the second time, repeating his feat from 2022. The winner broke the course record. More here
With G1 events front-loaded at the Qatar-sponsored festival, Wednesday’s £1m Sussex Stakes went to 2,000 Guineas winner Notable Speech, who produced a sparkling turn of foot to beat Maljoom. More here
The Breeders’ Cup Mile was mentioned as a potential target for the winner – although much interest in the race was removed when Rosallion was ruled out with a respiratory infection. More here
Hall of Fame induction ceremony
USA: Triple Crown hero Justify, 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner and top jockey Joel Rosario will head the Class of 2024 at the annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion in Saratoga Springs on Friday [August 2].
Including those three – all of whom have made the cut in their first year of eligibility – a total of nine new Hall of Fame members will be inducted.
Jockey Abe Hawkins and horses Aristides and Lecomte have been selected by the Pre-1900 Historic Review Committee; and Harry F. Guggenheim, Clement L. Hirsch, and Joe Hirsch were chosen by the Pillars of the Turf Committee. More here
Shahryar set for Breeders’ Cup return
Japan: Shahryar, who finished third in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf, will return to the US for a crack at this year’s contest at Del Mar on Nov 2.
The six-year-old, who won the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) in 2021, is currently in training at Hakodate racecourse ahead if the G2 Sapporo Kinen, after which he will be shipped to the States. More here
Six-time G1 winner Auguste Rodin, who beat Shahryar at last year’s Breeders’ Cup, has the Japan Cup as his end-of-season target. He was a well-beaten favourite behind 25-1 longshot in a gruelling edition of the King George at Ascot on Saturday [July 27], where 2022 BC Turf winner Rebel’s Romance, was third. The Hong Kong Vase is his primary target. More here
New training partnership for Annabel Neasham
Australia: Leading trainer Annabel Neasham has formed a training partnership with her former racing manager Rob Archibald for the new racing season, which began on August 1.
Based at Warwick Farm in Sydney, British expat Neasham has trained 468 winners in four seasons with a licence – among them ten G1 wins, four of them via top-class Zaaki. “Forming a partnership with Rob was the next logical step for our business,” Neasham said.
“As we continue to grow and operate across multiple states, Rob's expertise will be crucial in maintaining a hands-on approach to training, as well as playing a fundamental role in managing our team of horses and staff.” More here
Elsewhere in racing …
USA: National Treasure tops field for $1m Whitney More here
USA: Saratoga signal pulled from Twin Spires amid dispute More here
USA: Kentucky Downs plans further purse hikes More here
Australia: Espiona sells for A$4.15m at Magic Millions More here
Australia: Aidan O’Brien assembling Melbourne team More here
New Zealand: Warren Kennedy achieves premiership goal More here
New Zealand: Horse of the Year finalists announced More here
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