There are a record number of overseas entries for the 41st Breeders’ Cup – but one leading sprinter will be absent at Del Mar. All this and more in our weekly digest
Breeders’ Cup: record number of international entries
USA: A total of 212 horses have been pre-entered for the 41st Breeders’ Cup meeting at Del Mar on November 1-2 – a figure boosted by the biggest-ever international contingent of 80.
Among them is a record party of 19 from Japan – headed by their Classic trio of Forever Young, Ushba Tesoro and Derma Sotogake – as the nation seeks to add to its BC tally following the historic double at the same venue three years ago.
The previous biggest overseas contingent was 60, but this year the European consignment alone numbers 56 entrants, led by an 18-strong team from Aidan O’Brien, who saddles Classic favorite City Of Troy. More here
US-based Frankie Dettori will be reunited with John & Thady Gosden-trained Emily Upjohn at the Breeders’ Cup, where the mare is set to run in either the Turf or the Filly & Mare Turf. Dettori, who won four times on her before relocating to the States, replaces Kieran Shoemark. More here
The Chosen Vron out of Breeders’ Cup
USA: One big-name absentee from the 41st Breeders’ Cup will be hugely popular sprinter The Chosen Vron, who has been placed on the vet’s list under “unsoundness”.
Speaking to the Blood Horse, trainer Eric Kruljac contested the findings. “I’ve had this horse since he was born, and he’s 100% sound,” he said. “He had some issues way back as a new three-year-old. We did a little surgery, cleaned up a stifle. We’ve had nothing but a dead-sound horse ever since. He’s never taken a bad step. He's the soundest horse I’ve ever trained.” More here
On the other hand, fan favorite Next is on course for the Breeders’ Cup, with connections leaning towards the Classic over the Turf for the marathon specialist. More here
Via Sistina on course for Cox Plate after trackwork incident
Australia: Leading fancy Via Sistina looks set to take her chance in the Cox Plate on Saturday [Oct 26] – despite a dramatic incident during a public workour in which she unseated her jockey James McDonald.
Initial reports suggested the four-time G1 winner was a major doubt for Australia’s most prestigious weight-for-age race – where she is second favourite behind Japanese-trained Prognosis – after she ran loose for two and a half laps of Moonee Valley during the Breakfast with the Best morning.
However, a quiet workout under trainer Chris Waller’s Sydney-based track rider Chris Harwood suggested things are back on track. “I’ll be honest with you, I reckon it might’ve even brought her on, livened her up a little bit,” said Harwood. “It would be an injustice not to run her.” More here
Onesmoothoperator, trained in Yorkshire by Brian Ellison, has gatecrashed the upper reaches of betting for the Melbourne Cup after earning a guaranteed place in the Nov 5 contest with an emphatic victory on Wednesday [Oct 23] under Craig Williams in the G3 Geelong Cup. More here
Fourth jockeys’ title for Oisin Murphy
GB: Oisin Murphy was crowned Britain’s champion jockey for the fourth time at Ascot on Saturday [Oct 19], regaining the title he had won in 2019-21. The 29-year-old ended the championship campaign on 163 winners – more than 50 clear of his closest challenger Rossa Ryan.
Murphy finished second to William Buick in 2023, having been unable to defend his title in 2022 owing to a 14-month suspension. “This is something I really tried to achieve this year,” he said. More here
Sean Dylan Bowen led the way among apprentices with 44 victories during the parameters of the jockeys’ championship season [May 4 – Oct 19].
World #1Aidan O’Brien has wrapped up his seventh trainers’ title in the UK. Although their season runs on a calendar-year basis, with a lead in excess of £3m, O’Brien cannot be surpassed.
King Of Steel retired to stud
GB: King Of Steel, the horse who provided Frankie Dettori with a fairytale winner on his farewell ride in Britain, has been retired to stand at Tally-Ho Stud in Ireland. A stud fee for the 2025 breeding season will be announced in due course.
Carrying the colours of owner Kia Joorabchian’s Amo Racing and trained by Roger Varian, the son of Wootton Bassett was runner-up in Auguste Rodin’s Derby at Epsom before his finest hour winning the Champion Stakes under Dettori at Ascot in October last year.
“It was one of the most memorable moments of my racing career,” Dettori said. “King Of Steel excelled and gave me the perfect Ascot finale. I have no doubt he'll become a stallion to be reckoned with, and I'm deeply grateful to him for helping me close my Ascot career in such an incredible way.” More here
Three-time G1 winner Nashwa, whose wins included the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) in 2022. has also been retired to the paddocks, while Prix de la Foret winner Ramatuelle headlines the latest group of supplemental entries to Fasig-Tipton’s star-studded November Sale. The three-year-old runs next in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. More here
NZ racing shocked by sudden death of jockey Johnathan Parkes, aged 35
New Zealand: The racing community is in mourning following the sudden death of leading jockey Johnathan Parkes over the weekend.
Whaganui native Parkes, 35, rode more than 1,000 winners, including 12 at G1 level and 62 stakes races altogether. He rode his first G1 winner on Ransomed in the 2013 Spring Classic, and other major successes included the 2021 Karaka Millions with On The Bubbles and the 2022 NZ Derby on Asterix.
However, Parkes had not ridden since September 7 and news of his passing overnight on Friday [Oct 18] was confirmed in a statement by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing. More here
Elsewhere in racing …
USA: Jockey Club reelases 2024 live foal statistics More here
France: Owner John Stewart has big plans for Japan Cup-bound Goliath More here
Australia: Jamie Kah named Melbourne Cup ambassador More here
Hong Kong: World’s elite among 191 nominated for HKIR on Dec 8 More here
Dubai: James Orman to ride for Michael Costa More here
UAE: Trainer banned for six years over ‘unacceptable treatment’ of horses in his care More here
Jamaica: Chaotic scenes as angry punters protest DQ on showpiece card More here
• View all previous editions of Seven Days In Racing
View the latest TRC Global Rankings for horses / jockeys / trainers / sires