Big weekend of international racing ahead with Irish Champions Weekend, the St Leger, Arc trials card and Woodbine Mile – plus more in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Legendary trainer Sir Michael Stoute set to retire
GB: Sir Michael Stoute, one of the greatest trainers in the history of British racing, is to bring the curtain down on his legendary 52-year career.
Stoute, 78, is a ten-time champion trainer in Britain, where he has won the Derby six times, led by the brilliant Shergar under long-time sparring partner Walter Swinburn in 1981. His other winners of the Epsom Classic were Shahrastani (1986), Kris Kin (2003), North Light (2004), Workforce (2010) and Desert Crown (2022).
Stoute has landed 16 British Classics altogether (and 13 more in Ireland) among a multitude of G1 successes at home, while he has long been a formidable presence on the global stage, where his CV includes victories in the world’s biggest races such as the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Japan Cup and Dubai World Cup – plus eight wins from a limited number of runners at the Breeders’ Cup. Chief among his renowned globe-trotters were multiple G1 scorers Singspiel and Pilsudski.
“I have decided to retire from training at the end of this season,” said the Newmarket trainer. “I would like to thank all my owners and staff for the support they have given me over the years. It has been a great and enjoyable journey.” More here
Racing mourns Chuck Simon, who has died aged 57
USA: Former trainer Charles ‘Chuck’ Simon (right), a well-known and popular racing personality via his social media presence, died on Sunday [Sept 8] at a hospital in Saratoga after recently being diagnosed with cancer. He was 57.
Having been an assistant to the likes of D Wayne Lukas, Nick Zito and Allen Jerkens, Simon went on to train 359 winners on his own account before finding a voice as an outspoken commentator on racing issues on social media and in podcasts.
“What he understood best were the societal and financial forces facing racing,” said his friend, the radio broadcaster Steve Byk, speaking to the Daily Racing Form. “He was prescient in so many things we are just now trying to figure out.” More here
Japanese star Shin Emperor primed for Irish Champion Stakes
Ireland: Japanese visitor Shin Emperor adds colour to this weekend’s Irish Champions Festival when he contests the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes on Saturday [Sept 14] at Leopardstown.
Heavy favourite for Ireland’s most prestigious race is William Haggas-trained Economics, who finally gets a chance in G1 company against the Aidan O’Brien army led by Auguste Rodin and Los Angeles.
Shin Emperor, a three-year-old representing renowned international trainer Yoshito Yahagi, was third in the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) on his most recent start. His primary European target is the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on October 6. More here
Damian Lane has been booked to ride Japanese contender Prognosis in the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley in Melbourne on October 26. Lane partnered Japan’s Lys Gracieux to win Australia’s premier weight-for-age contest five years ago. More here
Breeders’ Cup ruled out for Carson’s Run
USA: Fan favorite Carson’s Run, winner of the G1 Saratoga Derby last month, is not being considered for the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar but could still appear at the surfside track later in the year.
“Carson’s Run will most likely make his next start in the G3 Jockey Club Derby at Aqueduct [Oct 5] or in the G1 Hollywood Derby at Del Mar [Nov 30],” said Jeff Lowe, a spokesman for the colt’s majority owner West Point Thoroughbreds.
Carson’s Run, trained by Christophe Clement and runner-up on his most recent start in the G3 Nashville Derby at Kentucky Downs, was named in honor of Carson Jost, who was born with the rare genetic disorder Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome.
Carson – who shared this diagnosis with the late Cody Dorman, after whom Horse of the Year Cody’s Wish was named – is the son of Wade Jost, a former classmate of West Point Thoroughbreds’ founder Terry Finley at the United States Military Academy.
$5m Curlin colt tops Book 1 at vibrant Keeneland September Sale
USA: The second day of Keeneland’s September Yearling Sale was marked by the sale of a colt by Curlin for $5 million – the highest paid for a colt at the showpiece sale since 2006.
Mandy Pope’s Whisper Hill Farm purchased the headline-grabbing lot, out of the Bernadini mare Cavorting and a full-brother to multiple stakes winner Clairiere consigned by Indian Creek as agent for Stone Street-bred and -raised. The $5m price is the highest for a colt at the sale since Meydan City sold for $11.7m in 2006.
A total of 16 yearlings went through the ring for $1m or more on Tuesday [Sept 10] during the powerhouse final session of the two-day premier Book 1 catalog. “The energy in the building today was from another era – it was incredible,” said Keeneland vice president of sales Tony Lacy.
Keeneland also sold 14 million-dollar horses on Monday, while more seven-figure horses during Wednesday’s Book 2 session took the total to 34 for three days. Nine days remain. More here
Irish Oaks winner You Got To Me added to St Leger
GB: Irish Oaks heroine You Got To Me has been supplemented to the Betfred St Leger at Doncaster on Saturday [Sept 14] at a cost of £50,000.
“We’ve been first, second and third with fillies in the Leger,” explained trainer Ralph Beckett, who won the final Classic of the season with Simple Verse in 2015. “I don’t think stamina will be an issue – it will be a good fit for her,” added Beckett. Market leader is Aidan O’Brien-trained Illinois. More here
Top jockeys Oisin Murphy and William Buick, who have won the last five jockeys’ titles between them, will be absent from Doncaster on Saturday when they are both due to ride on a G1-laden card at Woodbine in Toronto.
Having won the featured Woodbine Mile for the last two years with Modern Games and Master Of The Seas, reigning champion jockey Buick and trainer Charlie Appleby will be bidding to complete a hat-trick in the $1m event with Naval Power. More here
Elsewhere in racing …
France: Arc favourite Look De Vega heads trials card at ParisLongchamp More here
South Korea: Crown Pride earns Breeders’ Cup spot in Korea Cup More here
USA: Dettori wins both stakes on closing day at Kentucky Downs More here
USA: Top honors for Godolphin at TOBA Awards More here
GB: Doncaster to honour the late Howard Wright More here
Germany: Deutsches Derby winner Palladium among entries for Arqana Arc Sale More here
New Zealand: Imperatriz named NZ Horse of the Year More here
Australia: Superstar clash in G1 Makybe Diva at Flemington More here
Australia: VRC adds Melbourne Cup day feature More here
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