Japanese-trained Admire Daytona heads to Churchill Downs, Dubai World Cup controversy, Dettori lined up for Epsom Derby return, Mullins makes Aintree history – all this and more in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
UAE Derby one-two head late Triple Crown nominees
USA: UAE Derby principals Admire Daytona and Heart Of Honor headed the list of five three-year-olds made eligible for the Triple Crown for $6,000 at the late entry stage on Monday [April 7].
Also nominated were Keeneland stakes winner Colloquial, plus Arkansas Derby fifth Brereton’s Baytown and Laurel allowance winner Just A Fair Shake.
Connections of Japanese-trained Admire Daytona immediately signalled their intention to run in the Kentucky Derby after touching off Heart Of Honor in the $1m UAE Derby at Meydan on Saturday [April 5]. His compatriot Luxor Cafe, who topped the ‘Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby’ list, is expected to arrive at Churchill Downs on April 23. More here
• Burnham Square books Kentucky Derby place in rescheduled Blue Grass Stakes More here
Thorpedo Anna odds-on at Oaklawn Park
USA: Reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna will start a heavy odds-on favorite when she returns to G1 company against six rivals in the Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park on Saturday [April 12].
The Ken McPeek-trained four-year-old is rated a 2-5 chance on the morning line as she breaks from gate six in a seven-runner field for the $1.25m feature.
Chief rival is Free Like A Girl, who was 3½ lengths behind Thorpedo Anna on her seasonal debut in the G2 Azeri at the same venue a month ago. More here
• Horses evacuated as Oaklawn floods More here
Yahagi controversy after Forever Young Dubai defeat
Japan: Forever Young’s eclipse in last weekend’s Dubai World Cup has resulted in a degree of acrimony involving his globetrotting trainer Yoshito Yahagi.
Sent off an odds-on favorite for the $12 feature, the Saudi Cup winner could finish only a labored third behind shock winner Hit Show. Speaking to the Idol Horse website, Yahagi said: “It’s a pity, we got treated like an away team, but that sounds like an excuse so I didn’t want to say this, but we were treated really badly.
“Because of that the horse was acting up and that was a disadvantage for him. I think we should have overcome that and we have no excuse for losing.”
Yahagi was forced to clarify on the social media site X. “I am very sorry to hear that my comments immediately after the race have caused inconvenience to Dubai Racing Club, which is not involved in this matter,” he said.
“This was caused by a careless remark on my part, and I feel very responsible for it, but it all comes down to the fact that I do not want a repeat of this from next year onwards.” More here
Dettori set for US-trained Maximum Promise in Epsom Derby
USA: Frankie Dettori has reportedly been lined up for surprise ride in the Betfred Derby at Epsom with news that trainer Ken McPeek has booked him for potential US runner Maximum Promise.
The world’s most famous jockey, who has won the senior Classic on Authorized (2007) and Golden Horn (2015), hasn’t ridden in England since his retirement – subsequently reversed – was announced in 2023.
Having filed for bankruptcy in the UK, Dettori is currently based in the USA, where last month he partnered Maximum Promise to finish third in the G3 Jeff Ruby Steaks, the main Turfway Park prep for the Kentucky Derby.
“Frankie saw this horse in January and I told him this is what we’re doing, this is where we’re heading with him,” said McPeek, speaking to the Racing Post. “He knows his way round Epsom, he’s got the map.” More here
Grand National history for Willie Mullins
GB: Legendary jumps trainer Willie Mullins made history on Saturday [April 7] when he saddled Nick Rockett to lead home a 1-2-3 for the Irish trainer in the world’s most famous steeplechase, the Grand National at Aintree.
No trainer has ever dominated the race (or indeed the sport) in such a fashion – and 68-year-old Mullins wasn’t done there, as he also saddled the fifth and seventh horses home. All this from only six runners in the £1m contest; his other horse was brought down.
Moreover, the 33-1 winner was ridden by Mullins’s son Patrick, the sport’s leading amateur rider, as he outfinished the previous year’s winner I Am Maximus by 2½ lengths. More here
Patrick Mullins was subsequently banned for eight days for using his whip eight times after the final fence – one more than the permitted level.
There was also a tragic post script when Celebre D’Allen died back at his stables on Tuesday [April 8] after collapsing in the closing stages. His rider Michael Nolan was hit with a ten-day ban for allegedly continuing to ride a beaten horse. More here
Hayley Turner retires to start family
GB: Pioneering British female jockey Hayley Turner has quit the saddle to start a family.
The 42-year-old made her debut in 2000 and went on to become the winningmost woman rider in British racing. Her last ride, a winning one at Southwell on April 2, was her 1,022th success and three days later announced she was retiring.
“I am very excited to also announce that I am having a baby in October, which I have been planning for the last two years," she said. “I am looking forward to my next life chapter but will be focusing on the baby in the short term.”
Joint-champion apprentice in 2005, Turner was the first woman to ride 100 winners in a calendar year in Britain and the first to win a G1 race outright (Dream Ahead in 2011 July Cup), one of three successes obtained at the highest level. More here
Prize-money for Coral-Eclipse increased to £1m mark
GB: The Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park on July 25 is set to become one of the few British races worth £1m ($1.29m).
First run in 1886, the mile-and-a-quarter contest traditionally represents the first time the Classic generation meets their elders over middle-distances and was won in 2024 by Derby winner City Of Troy. The 2025 running marks the 50th of a longstanding sponsorship by bookmakers coral, and this year’s renewal will be the richest race ever run at Sandown.
In addition, there will be wildcard entries for the winners of the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) and Prix de Diane (French Oaks), both run at Chantilly in June. More here
Hayes team to take over Moroney’s Flemington stables
Australia: The Flemington operation of the late Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Mike Moroney (right) based at Chiquita Lodge will be taken over by brothers Ben, Will and JD Hayes.
In a letter to owners Moroney’s partner Karen Glindermann said the decision "best reflects what Mike would have wanted". She wrote: ”In what I feel is in the best interests of our owners, our horses and our staff, I have asked Lindsay Park to take over our Flemington operation going forward.”
Horses will continue to race under the name of Moroney’s co-trainer Glen Thompson until the transition is complete.
New Zealander Moroney died peacefully in his sleep in Melbourne in February after a battle with cancer. He was 66. More here
• Australia: Declan Maher braches out on his own on Gold Coast More here
Elsewhere in racing …
USA: 4,000th career win for Kendrick Carmouche More here
USA: Ferocious succumbs to laminitis More here
USA: Veteran New York trainer John Toscano dies at 80 More here
Australia: Via Sistina heads Queen Elizabeth Stakes on The Championships Day 2 More here
Hong Kong: Hong Kong: Ka Ying Rising, Mr Brightside, Goliath headline FWD Champions Day {April 27] More here
GB: Cosmic Year presses Guineas claims at Kempton More here
New Zealand: Dundeel inducted into NZ Hall of Fame More here
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