Porta Fortuna and Bradsell among G1 stars targeting Breeders’ Cup from Europe, a new license for Runhappy trainer and a bold switch to dirt for former world #1 – all this and more in our weekly round-up
King George winner Goliath misses Cologne race
Germany: King George winner Goliath will miss his intended target in the G1 Preis von Europa at Cologne racecourse on Sunday [Sept 22] owing to a foot abscess.
Co-owner Baron Philip von Ullmann broke the news on Thursday morning. "It's nothing long-term, but safety comes first and we don't think it's right to let him run in Cologne if he's not at 100 per cent,” he told galopponline.de. “Animal welfare is always our top priority.”
The Japan Cup remains the main priority for the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained four-year-old, who as a gelding is barred from the Arc. More here
After winning Sunday’s Prix Niel, the new favourite for the ParisLongchamp showpiece on October 6 is GP de Paris winner Sosie. More here
Breeders’ Cup targets for G1 pair Porta Fortuna and Bradsell
Ireland: A major weekend of top-grade racing in Europe produced several likely Breeders’ Cup contenders. High on the list is American-owned star filly Porta Fortuna landed her fourth G1 success in the Matron Stakes at Leopadstown on Saturday [Sept 14].
Although this is a ‘Win and You’re In’ race for the BC Filly & Mare Turf at Del Mar, connections of the Donnacha O’Brien-trained three-year-old are favouring the BC Mile. She was beaten only a half-length in last year’s BC Juvenile Fillies Turf. More here
Top sprinter Bradsell will target the BC Turf Sprint after landing his third G1 success in the Flying Five at The Curragh on Sunday. “Bradsell has so much speed and so much class and is so tough,” said trainer Archie Watson. “He is a pleasure to have anything to do with and he is so good over five. The Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar should be right up his street.” More here
Watson-trained two-year-old Aesterius is headed to the BC Juvenile Turf Sprint after winning the G2 Flying Childers Stakes at Doncaster, where he beat old rival Big Mojo, also headed for Del Mar.
A UK-based contender for the BC Juvenile Turf is Qatar Racing’s New Century, who landed the Summer Stakes at Woodbine – a BC ‘Win and You’re In’ contest. More here
Seven-year-old Kinross rolled back the years for a popular success in the G2 Park Stakes. The BC Mile is a possibility.
• Thousands expected to attend crucial City Of Troy racecourse gallop. More here
Runhappy tainer Maria Borell granted California license
USA: According to a report in the Daily Racing Form, Breeders’ Cup-winning trainer Maria Borell has been issued with a new licence to train in California.
Borell gained nationwide fame when training BC Sprint winner Runhappy in 2015 – only to be fired by owner Jim ‘Mattress Mack’ McIngvale the day after the race in favour of the owner’s sister-in-law Laura Wohlers, who was also his racing manager.
Borell’s career was curtailed in a high-profile animal cruelty case when she was charged alongside her father Charles in Kentucky in 2016 with regard to 43 neglected horses allegedly in their care. Maria Borell always maintained her innocence and, while her father accepted a plea deal, the charges against her were dismissed last year, mainly on the grounds that she was based in Florida for the period under scrutiny. More here
Romantic Warrior handed Saudi Cup assignment
Hong Kong: Romantic Warrior’s connections are targeting an audacious programme for the former world #1 featuring a switch to dirt next year for the world’s richest race, the $20m Saudi Cup, and the Dubai World Cup.
Unseen since winning the prestigious Yasuda Kinen in Tokyo in June, the six-year-old coasted through a barrier trial at Sha Tin on Tuesday [Sept 17]. The eight-time G1 winner is set to return in the G2 Jockey Club Cup before attempting to complete an unprecedented hat-trick in the Hong Kong Cup.
After that, Romantic Warrior – who won last year’s Cox Plate in Australia – will be on his travels again. “The owner and myself, we’re very excited,” said trainer Danny Shum.
“I know it’s tough because he won’t come back for a while, but I will run him in the Saudi Cup and then in the Dubai World Cup. I am talking to the JRA (Japan Racing Association) already to see whether I can send him straight to Japan from Dubai. It’s very exciting and it will be a very long trip – it will take five to six months.” More here
• HK-trained pair Victor The Winner and Mugen are set to contest the G1 Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama on September 29.
Dual Derby hero Riff Rocket dies after surgery
Australia: Dual Derby winner Riff Rocket has been euthanised owing to complication following emergency surgery last week for colic.
Winner of both the Victoria and Australian (former AJC) Derbys as a three-year-old in 2023-24, the three-time G1 winner was among leading fancies for this year’s Melbourne Cup.
“Riff Rocket's career as a three-year-old was nothing short of remarkable,” said trainer Chris Waller in a statement. “We mourn the loss of not just a magnificent racehorse but also an extraordinary animal who made an indelible impact on Australian racing.” More here
Nine-time Japanese G1 winner Vermilion succumbs to colic
Japan: Former dirt star Vermilion, who won nine Japanese G1s during a fine career, has died of colic at the age of 22.
Among his victories were a G1-winning spree in 2007-08 when he won a series of Japan’s major races on dirt, among them the JBC Classic, Japan Cup Dirt, Tokyo Daishoten and February Stakes.
The son of Arc runner-up El Condor Pasa was retired in 2010 with career earnings in excess of $11m. He retired from stud duties in 2017 and spent the rest of his days at Northern Horse Park. More here
Elsewhere in racing …
USA: Last year’s winner White Abarrio to miss Breeders’ Cup Classic More here
USA: Dornoch and National Treasure to stud after Breeders’ Cup More here
USA: Ron Paolucci sentenced to 52 months for tax fraud and evasion More here
USA: Fred Heyman named Team Valor president More here
Australia: Melbourne Cup weights revealed More here
France: IFHA conference to examine racing integrity More here
GB: ‘King of Chester’ Francis Norton retires after 36-year career More here
Germany: Deutsches St Leger success for UK-trained Prydwen More here
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