Latest Fierceness news, unwanted headlines for Frankie Dettori and a Kentucky Derby contender from Japan feature in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Fierceness out of Pegasus after ankle surgery
USA: Breeders’ Cup Classic runner-up Fierceness has undergone surgery on his hind ankle and will miss the Pegasus World Cup.
Since the surgery – on what trainer Todd Pletcher described as “a little thing” – will require 45 days’ recovery, Fierceness will not resume training until the spring, thereby also missing potential engagements in the Middle East.
“As we normally do after the Breeders’ Cup we sent the horse to Kentucky and gave him a complete physical,” Pletcher told the Daily Racing Form. “After consulting with several veterinarians, we decided to do an elective procedure on a hind ankle. We expect to have him in the barn by February.” More here
• Change of Pegasus prep plans for White Abarrio More here
Dettori’s name made public in tax dispute
GB: Frankie Dettori is no stranger to headlines – but this week racing’s most famous jockey has attracted some news he would rather have avoided when he lost a legal battle and forfeited anonymity in a tax case.
Dettori, who turns 54 on Sunday [Dec 15], is currently based in the US after shelving retirement plans. He has been involved in a dispute with HMRC (Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs) over what is described in legal papers as a “tax avoidance scheme”.
On Monday [Dec 9], legal restrictions were lifted following a challenge from HMRC and media, including the Press Association, argued he should be identified. In a statement, Dettori said he was “working closely” with HMRC to “unravel the mess”. He added that he had dismissed his former tax advisers, now dismissed. More here
Flavien Prat breaks stakes record with 80th win
USA: In landing the Remsen Stakes on Poster at Aqueduct on Saturday [Dec 7], jockey Flavien Prat established a new single-season record for stakes victories.
The Godolphin homebred took his two-year-old record to three-for-three for trainer Eoin Harty in the historic G2 event, where he edged out a late charge from Aviator Gui.
Poster thereby became Prat’s 80th stakes win of 2024, beating Irad Ortiz’s mark of 79 from two years ago. “It’s good – it’s off my back and it was something that was in the back of my mind for sure,” said Prat, who also equalled Jerry Bailey’s record graded-stakes mark of 55.
“You never know if that opportunity is going to come again, so it was something that I was definitely trying to achieve. I have great people supporting me all year round.” More here
Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby: filly stakes her claims
Japan: The filly Myriad Love jumped to the head of the ‘Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby’ standings when extending her unbeaten record to three with victory in the second leg at Kawasaki on Wednesday [Dec 11].
After establishing a decent lead in the Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun, Myriad Love held off late-running Happy Man by three-quarters of a length.
The race carries 20 qualifying points for Churchill Downs, and may also be used in the Kentucky Oaks. Myriad Love’s connections appear keen for a visit to the US – via the Saudi Derby, the route taken 12 months ago by subsequent Kentucky Derby third Forever Young after scoring at Kawasaki. More here
Cristian Demuro to ride for Bizakov’s Sumbe team in France
France: Cristian Demuro will ride as retained jockey for owner Nurlan Bizakov’s Sumbe operation in France from Jan 1.
The 31-year-old Italian, who rode a career-best 264 winners at home in 2012, has earned international acclaim since moving to France, where he is a dual winner of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Sottsass 2020, Ace Impact 2023). He has also won the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) on three occasions and has five G1 wins in Japan to his name.
Best known for the exploits of British-trained Charyn, Bizakov’s best horse in France is G1 winner Lazzat, who won his first sixt starts in 2024 for trainer Jerome Reynier. More here
Elsewhere in racing …
USA: Death of California veteran Eddie Truman, aged 77 More here
USA: Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan parades at Fair Grounds More here
USA: Keeneland catalogs 1,236 Horses to 2025 January Horses of All Ages Sale More here
Australia: Dual surgery for Black Caviar rider Luke Nolen More here
Dubai: Guineas winner Mendelssohn Bay tops Meydan card More here
Canada: Retirement of leading jockey Justin Stein More here
Hong Kong: Harry Bentley reaches 100 HK wins More here
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