Horse of the Year’s 2025 debut, US entries in Newmarket Classics, a George Woolf Award for Kendrick Carnouche and the end of a Sydney dynasty – all this and more in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Thorpedo Anna back at Oaklawn
USA: Thorpedo Anna, the reigning US Horse of the Year, breaks from the rail against six rivals on Saturday [March 8] as she makes her four-year-old debut in the Azeri Stakes at Oaklawn Park.
The $400,000 contest is the main prep for the G1 Apple Blossom at the same venue on April 12. Last seen recording a straightforward victory in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, Thorpedo Anna is a 2-5 chance on the morning line.
“She’s doing great,” said trainer Kenny McPeek, speaking to the Blood Horse. “She’s the Energizer bunny She loves what she does every day, so it makes our job easy.” More here
Romantic Warrior possible for Saudi Cup return
Saudi Arabia: Trainer Danny Shum has left the door open for Romantic Warrior to make a repeat visit to Saudi Arabia for next year’s Saudi Cup.
The world #1 racehorse, set to reappear in the Dubai Turf on April 5 at Meydan, was narrowly defeated by Japan’s Forever Young in an epic contest in Riyadh last month.
Connections had previous suggested that would be his only career start on dirt – but Shum is now singing a different tune. Next year Romantic Warrior will be eight years old,” said the Hong Kong-based trainer. “It will be more difficult, but I am not saying no. I am open to the possibility.” More here
• Oisin Murphy back in Riyadh More here
US horses entered for Newmarket Classics
GB: A pair of US-trained horses appeared among the initial list of entries for the first Classics of the British season at Newmarket. The Mark Casse-trained Mi Bago, who recently won a Listed race at Gulfstream Park by 4¾ lengths, features among 57 colts nominated for the 2000 Guineas on May 3, while Tigerish could represent Californian-based Phil d’Amato in the 1000 Guineas 24 hours later.
“I think Mi Bago is an exceptional horse and his win the other day was super impressive,” Casse said, speaking to the Racing Post. “I don't know for sure whether he'll go for the Guineas and it's a discussion I'll have to have with his owner. We don't make these entries very often, which I think tells its own story.” More here
George Woolf Award goes to Kendrick Carmouche
USA: Kendrick Carmouche 
(right) has won the George Woolf Award for 2025. Presented annually by Santa Anita since 1950, the award is determined by a vote of jockeys to honor riders whose careers and character earn esteem for the individual and the sport.
Louisiana-born Carmouche, 41, began riding at 16 and has a career total of more than 3,970 winners. “I’m just honored – very honored,” said Carmouche. “25 years of living as a professional jockey and living as a son to a jockey, this award means that the pavement that I have put down in the industry has been shown to a lot of people and they’ve seen me grow over the years.
“4,000 wins for a Creole guy from Louisiana, in the most modern age of racing that is pretty tough,” he added. “If you would have told me I would have 4,000 wins when I first started I would be tickled pink.” More here
Licence revoked: Anthony Cummings drops appeal
Australia: Following a shock decision by Racing NSW to rescind Anthony Cummings’s licence, the trainer has withdrawn his appeal – in effect bringing down the curtain on the celebrated racing dynasty’s tenure at their famous Leilani Lodge Stables at Randwick in Sydney.
Amid allegations last month that he owed $2 million ($1.25m/£986,000), the 69-year-old son of legendary ‘Cups King’ Bart, was handed an eviction notice by the ATC (Australian Turf Club), after which he began an appeal against Racing NSW’s decision to revoke his licence.
However, Cummings withdrew his appeal on Tuesday [March 4], ending five decades of ties with Leilani Lodge. His sons, Godolphin trainer James and Edward, have their stables elsewhere. More here
King’s Cup provides Bahrain highlight
Bahrain: The two-day King’s Cup Festival concludes on Friday [March 7] with the feature event, the $200,000 King’s Cup – the most prestigious race in the kingdom’s domestic calendar newly upgraded to G3 status.
Taking high rank in a cosmopolitan field for the 2,400 (1m4f) contest is lightly raced Military Academy, who represents the John & Thady Gosden training partnership. “We have been thinking of this race since he won a Listed race at Kempton in November,” said Thady Gosden.
Godolphin are represented by King Of Conquest, three times a runner-up at Meydan, while Simon & Ed Crisford will be saddling Intricacy, who re-opposes both Zagato and Phantom Flight, the pair who finished in front of him in the His Highness Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup two weeks ago. Sovereign Spirit tops the local contenders. More here
• All races can be watched on the Bahrain Turf Club’s website via the live stream and the Al Methaq Mile and The King’s Cup races will be shown in the UK and Ireland on Racing TV.
Elsewhere in racing …
USA: Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike moves to NY More here
Japan: Toshio Uchida (right), the jockey known as ‘Mr. Pink’ announces retirement More here
Japan: Death of Dubai World Cup winner Roses In May, aged 25 More here
Japan: Almond Eye delivers colt foal by Equinox More here
New Zealand: Super Saturday connects racing across the Tasman More here
Australia: Flemington memorial service for Michael Moroney More here
France: Flo Hermans teams up with Arc-winning trainer Nicolas Clement More here
GB: Queen Camila named royal patron of British Racing School More here
GB: BHA launches podcast More here
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