Breeders’ Cup Classic winner has Saudi Cup target, Silvestre de Sousa barred from Japan, Pascal Bary retires, De Kock father-and-son training partnership – all this and more in our weekly round-up
Breeders’ Cup hero Sierra Leone stays in training
USA: Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Sierra Leone is to stay in training as a four-year-old with the Saudi Cup as a probable early-season target.
Coolmore America posted the news last week on X (formerly Twitter), saying: “After a remarkable three-year-old campaign, Sierra Leone arrived in Kentucky on Monday and is now enjoying some time off at Ashford Stud, where he will rest and recharge before returning to the track.”
Speaking to the Daily Racing Form, trainer Chad Brown suggested the world’s richest race in Riyadh was a likely option. “The Saudi Cup is definitely in play,” he said. More here
Japanese-trained Forever Young, third in America’s richest race, will also race on at four with both the Saudi Cup and Dubai World Cup on the agenda; he won Derbys in both jurisdictions in 2024. More here
Bahrain International Trophy: Nations Pride heads cosmopolitan field
Bahrain: Arlington Million winner Nations Pride heads a 12-strong field for the Bahrain International Trophy at the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club (REHC) in Sakhir on Friday [Nov 15].
William Buick partners the Godolphin representative, who is bidding to improve on a disappointing seventh place in last year’s event, won by the reopposing Spirit Dancer. Darley Stakes winner Lead Artist and York Stakes victor Alflaila is another leading hope in an international field for the $1m contest which also features Japanese G1 winner Killer Ability and last year’s third Point Lonsdale from Ballydoyle.
Bahrain’s most valuable race will be run under floodlights for the first time with 23 broadcasters covering the event across four continents. The stalls are scheduled to open at 7.35pm local time (4.35pm GMT/11.35am ET). More here
• Visit the Bahrain Turf Club website
Ryan Moore partners Charyn as De Sousa is denied licence in Japan
Japan: World #1 jockey Ryan Moore will take over on Europe’s leading miler Charyn when the Roger Varian-trained four-year-old brings the curtain down on his racing career in the G1 Mile Championship at Kyoto racecourse on Sunday [Nov 17].
Silvestre de Sousa, who has partnered Charyn to three G1 wins in Europe this term, is unable to maintain the association after being denied a licence by the Japan Racing Association as a result of the betting ban he received when he was riding in Hong Kong in 2023.
Speaking from Japan, Varian told Mirror Racing: “Although Silvestre has served his ban, I think the JRA take their own view on things which are not riding related. It’s a shame because Silvestre’s had a great year on the horse but that’s the situation. We were aware of it some time ago and booked Ryan.” More here
• Breeders’ Cup runner-up May Day Ready set to run in Hanshin Juvenile Fillies More here
Pascal Bary retires after 44-year training career
France: Pascal Bary, a six-time winner of the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby), has called time on his 44-year training career. The 71-year-old saddled his final runners on Tuesday [Nov 12] at his home venue Chantilly.
Bary is best known for his formidable record in France’s premier Classic, which he has won with Celtic Arms (1994), Ragmar (1996), Dream Well (1998), Sulamani (2002), Blue Canari (2004) and Study Of Man (2018).
He also saddled three Breeders’ Cup winners (Miss Alleged – Turf 1991, Domedriver – Mile 2002, Six Perfections – Mile, 2003) and won the Dubai World Cup with ex-Brazilian Gloria De Campeao on Tapeta at Meydan in 2010.
Dream Well also won the Irish Derby in 1998, while he landed his sole British Classic with Natagora in the 1,000 Guineas in 2008. Many of his major successes came with horses carrying the silks of the Niarchos family, with whom he had a lengthy association; they included dual French Classic heroine Divine Proportions, who won the first nine of ten career starts, including five G1s. More here
Moira to continue career in Australia
Canada: Breeders’ Cup winner Moira is set to continue her career in Australia following her recent $4.3 million purchase to Yulong Investments after she held European visitors at bay in the Filly & Mare Turf at Del Mar.
Yulong Stud’s general manager Vin Cox told Canadian Thoroughbred that while “we haven’t made any real plans with her just at this stage” that “likely short to medium term we will race her on, potentially in Australia.” More here
Also set to continue his career in Australia is the stayer Vauban, who has flopped in the two most recent Melbourne Cups for Willie Mullins. Vauban has been sold by owner Rich Ricci for around A$2m ($1.3m/£1.02m) to Australian Bloodstock in partnership with Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott. A third crack at the Melbourne Cup is the target. More here
Mathew de Kock goes home for father-and-son training partnership
South Africa: Mike de Kock’s son Mathew is to return home to South Africa to join forces with his globe-trotting father in a new training partnership.
According to the De Kock Racing website, the team will operate from both Randjesfontein in Johannesburg and Summerveld in Durban with the long-term objective of “reclaiming its position as a competitor on the international racing stage”.
Since 2020, Mathew de Kock has trained from Cranbourne in Australia in partnership with Robbie Griffiths. More here
Elsewhere in racing …
Hong Kong: Former world #1 Romantic Warrior returns at Sha Tin More here
USA: Resolute Racing to sponsor 54th Eclipse Awards More here
USA: The Chosen Vron set for ‘several months’ on sidelines More here
USA: Star filly Tamara back on Friday More here
France: Gerald Mosse off the mark as a trainer More here
GB: Lord Allen of Kensington appointed BHA chairman More here
GB: Champion jockey Harry Cobden named Cheltenham and Aintree ambassador More here
Australia: Pinecliff pair targeting Royal Ascot More here
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