Latest news from the world’s richest race, an injury to runaway Fair Grounds winner Magnitude and major changes in the European schedule feature in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Saudi Cup favorite Forever Young draws outside post
Saudi Arabia: Saudi Cup favourite Forever Young, who placed third in both the Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic last year, was handed the outside gate at the draw ceremony at the King Abdulaziz racecourse.
Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior, the world’s #1 racehorse according to Thoroughbred Racing Commentary’s Global Rankings, drew gate three for his first start on dirt in the $20 million feature in Riyadh on Saturday [Feb 22].
Speaking after his wife Katelyn selected the number on the stage, the Romantic Warrior’s jockey James McDonald said: “We’re happy with it; we didn’t come here with any expectation of a particular draw. He seems to be going really well on the dirt, all the team are very happy with him and my horse has really good gate speed.”
Forever Young’s trainer Yoshito Yahagi won the race two years ago with Panthalassa from gate one. “I haven’t worried about the draw too much but I’d prefer an outside gate to inside,” he said.
Magnitude out of Kentucky Derby with ankle chip
USA: Magnitude, who stormed towards the top of the leaderboard on the Road to the Kentucky Derby with a dominant runaway victory in the G2 Risen Star at Fair Grounds on Saturday [Feb 15], is off the Triple Crown trail through injury.
After recording a 9¾-length victory in Louisiana under former British-based jockey Ben Curtis for trainer Steve Asmussen, the colt was diagnosed with a chip in his left ankle that requires surgery. Asmussen told the Daily Racing Form that Magnitude would be operated on by Kentucky veterinary surgeon Dr Larry Bramlage and there is no timetable for a return to the racecourse. More here
European Pattern: fifth G1 for British Champions Day but still no geldings in Arc
GB: British Champions Day at Ascot on October 18 will become the first raceday in the UK to host five G1 races after the Long Distance Cup received an upgrade from the European Pattern Committee.
In a raft of changes to the British programme, York’s City Of York Stakes has also earned top-level status and will be Britain’s first G1 race run over seven furlongs.
In France, the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier has been upgraded to G1 status, as has the Golden Fleece Stakes (run as the KPMG Champions Juvenile in 2024) for two-year-old at Leopardstown on Irish Champions Weekend. The latter event will be run over nine furlongs in future.
The G1 Prix du Moulin will be moved to Arc Trials day [Sept 7] with France Galop resisting a clamour to open the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe to geldings following the enforced absence of big-race winners of Goliath and Calandagan in the Paris showpiece in 2024.
Frankie Dettori moving east for rest of year in US
USA: Frankie Dettori is leaving California’s jockey colony to seek further opportunities on the eastern side of the US. Declining purses and field sizes have restricted big-race opportunities for the Italian riding legend, who moved full-time to the West Coast after 32 years in Britain at the end of 2023.
His agent Ron Anderson announced on X: “Frankie Dettori to come east to Florida starting Feb 28th. Then on to Keeneland. Looking forward to an East Coast stay for the rest of the year.” More here
Hundreds attend funeral of jockey Michael O’Sullivan
Ireland: Leading figures from jump racing joined hundreds of mourners on Wednesday [Feb 19] at the funeral of Cheltenham Festival-winning jockey Michael O’Sullivan, who died from injuries sustained in a race fall at Thurles on February 6, days before his 25th birthday.
O’Sullivan was a rising star of the weighing room who announced himself on the biggest stage by riding a double on the opening day of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival, which included victory on Marine Nationale in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. More here
Elsewhere in racing …
Saudi Arabia: Midnight Bisou owners receive 2020 Saudi Cup trophy after five-year wait More here
Hong Kong: Ka Ying Rising seeks first win at 1,400 metres (7f) in Centenary Sprint Cup More here
Australia: Yulong acquire Breeders’ Cup Mile winner More Than Looks More here
GB: Saudi royal ‘disqualified’ over £321,000 debt to trainer More here
GB: Death of Classic-winning trainer Fulke Johnson Houghton More here
Qatar: Pierre-Charles Boudot makes surprise return More here
Bahrain: Egan flying in for Amo Racing in pursuit of Bahrain Turf Series success More here
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