A star US three-year-old back in action, a setback for Crystal Black and a reprieve for racing in Sao Paulo feature in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Muth set for California Crown after comeback win
USA: Star three-year-old colt Muth will take the Santa Anita route to a probable Breeders’ Cup Classic tilt after returning to action following a five-month layoff with a solid stakes victory at Del Mar on Saturday [August 31].
Trainer Bob Baffert nominated the $1m California Crown (formerly Awesome Again) on September 28 for the son of Good Magic after he had won the Shared Belief Stakes by two lengths. “One step at a time, baby steps,” said Baffert, adding: “He’s always been a very smart horse.”
The Arkansas Derby winner had been on the sidelines since being scratched from the Preakness Stakes when he spiked a fever. At the time, he was favourite for the second leg of the Triple Crown. More here
Crystal Black ruled out of Melbourne Cup
Ireland: Leading Melbourne Cup contender Crystal Black, ante-post favourite for the A$8.56m ($5.75m/£4.38m) event with some European bookmakers, will not run in the race after a setback.
The six-year-old, who completed a five-timer last month with G3 victory at Leopardstown after scoring at Royal Ascot, will not be targeted for the Flemington showpiece owing to a viral infection.
“It’s only a minor setback, so we’ll put him away for the winter and see where we go next year,” said trainer Ger Keane, speaking to At The Races. More here
Crystal Black did not feature among 123 initial nominations for the Melbourne Cup revealed on Tuesday [Sept 3]. Leading fancies include Aussie market leader Circle Of Fire – one of 16 entries trained Ciaron Maher – and several names from Ireland, headed by the Willie Mullins pair Vauban and Absurde plus Ebor winner Magical Zoe. More here
Hollie Doyle reaches 1,000-winner milestone
GB: Hollie Doyle became only the second British female jockey to reach 1,000 winners when she scored on Leyhaimur at Goodwood on Tuesday [Sept 3].
“When I started my career, never did I imagine I'd ride this many winners,” said the jockey, speaking to Racing TV after partnering the David Simcock-trained juvenile to complete a double on the card. “Now all I can think about is the next thousand,” she added.
Doyle, 27, rode the most recent of nine G1 winners on Bradsell in last month’s Nunthorpe Stakes. She follows Hayley Turner, who reached 1,000 winners in November 2023 – also aboard a Simcock-trained horse. More here
Breeders’ Cup Challenge visits Korea
South Korea: The Breeders’ Cup Challenge breaks new ground this weekend with two races at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday [Sept 8] now part of the ‘Win and You’re In’ series.
The feature event, the G3 Korea Cup, offers a free starting place in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, while the G3 Korea Sprint is linked to the BC Sprint. Back home, two richly endowed races at Kentucky Downs on Saturday [Sept 7] also offer guaranteed spots at the Breeders’ Cup. More here
Reprieve for racing in Sao Paulo
Brazil: Racing is set to continue in Sao Paulo’s Cidade Jardim racetrack with news that the law threatening the sport’s future has been suspended.
According to CNN Brasil, the Sao Paulo Court of Justice (TJSP) complied to a request from the state public prosecutor’s office to suspend the law that prohibiting the use of animals in sporting activities.
Brazilian bombshell: racing in Sao Paulo under threat as bill prohibits betting on animals
The attorney general, Paulo Sérgio de Oliveira e Costa, declared that any such ban renders horse racing unfeasible – yet racing is a type of lottery and is permitted by the Brazilian state. As such, racing at the Jockey Club de Sao Paulo at the Hipodromo de Cidade Jardim (‘Garden City’) can continue – at least for the time being. More here
Golden Sixty retirement announcement imminent
Hong Kong: According to reports in Hong Kong, the retirement of former world #1 Golden Sixty will be confirmed next Friday [Sept 13] at a press conference. The ten-time G1 winner will then be honoured at a special farewell ceremony at Sha Tin on Celebration Cup day [Sep 22].
Golden Sixty is the world’s leading all-time prize-money earner after landing 26 of 31 starts. He was last seen coming fourth in the G1 Champions Mile in April. More here
Elsewhere in racing …
USA: Europeans chase more Kentucky Downs riches More here
USA: Hezgothelook Z completes Quarter Horse Triple Crown More here
USA: Pimlico closed until 2025 Preakness More here
USA: 20 stakes on Del Mar menu for Bing Crosby season More here
USA: Macho Uno euthanized at Adena Springs More here
Canada: Long-running Stronach litigation settled out of court More here
Ireland: White Birch out for season through injury More here
GB: Irish Guineas winner Fallen Angel sold to Wathnan Racing More here
New Zealand: Ellerslie nears return More here
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