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BloodHorse.com Articles by Mark Popham

Blame is Top U.S. Horse in World Rankings

Blame is Top U.S. Horse in World Rankings

Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) winner Blame has been judged the best horse to race in North America during 2010 by the compilers of the World Thoroughbred Rankings, unveiled in London, England, on Tuesday, Jan. 11.

 Tuesday, January 11, 2011
English Runners Ready to Go in BC

English Runners Ready to Go in BC

Delegator, who is due to represent Godolphin in the TVG Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) on Saturday, Nov. 6, at Churchill Downs, has had a quarter crack this week.

 Thursday, November 04, 2010
Turf Course Still Concern for Europeans

Turf Course Still Concern for Europeans

The turf course at Churchill Downs was the center of attention for some European trainers and jockeys of horses entered in the Breeders' Cup World Championships.

 Thursday, November 04, 2010
Back to Reality for Europeans at Churchill

Back to Reality for Europeans at Churchill

After the tremendous success of European horses in the last two Breeders'Cup World Championships at Santa Anita in California, it is back to the stark reality of racing in America at Churchill Downs in 2010.

 Wednesday, November 03, 2010
Jockey Fallon Struck by Owner Following Race

Jockey Fallon Struck by Owner Following Race

Kieren Fallon, the six-time champion jockey of Britain, was struck in the face by an owner of another horse following a seven-furlong race on Polytrack at Lingfield Park, England, on Saturday, March 20.

 Monday, March 22, 2010

Queally, Moore Win British Riding Awards

Jockey Tom Queally won the award for "Flat Ride of the Year" at the annual Lesters in Britain Feb. 28 for his performance on Midday in the Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (gr. IT) at Santa Anita.

 Sunday, February 28, 2010

Strike Threatened by Irish Racing Officials

A battle over imposed cuts to wages and expenses by the Turf Club in Ireland means that race day officials are planning to strike on Sunday, Feb. 28.

 Monday, February 15, 2010
WTR Results Changed; Zenyatta Still Gets Nod

WTR Results Changed; Zenyatta Still Gets Nod

Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra, instead of being joint fourth and fifth, respectively, in the final global standings for 2009, should be third and fourth.

 Tuesday, January 12, 2010
It's Zenyatta Over Rachel in World Rankings

It's Zenyatta Over Rachel in World Rankings

Zenyatta has received another boost, with the 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) winner rated one pound ahead of Rachel Alexandra in the World Thoroughbred Rankings.

 Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Britain's 'Racing for Change' Effort Unveiled

The long-awaited first initiatives from the Britain's much-debated Racing For Change program that were announced Jan. 5 are small steps toward making racing more understandable and fun, according to organizers.

 Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Europeans Look to Build on 2008 Success

Europeans Look to Build on 2008 Success

The Breeders' Cup World Championships success last year of five European-trained horses at Santa Anita Park really made everybody sit up and take notice. There were a record 31 European-trained raiders in 2008 and the number is set to be matched or even surpassed this year.

 Monday, October 26, 2009
Sea the Stars Retired

Sea the Stars Retired

Sea The Stars, who secured his place among racing's all-time greats when he powered his way to a thrilling two-length victory over Youmzain in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I) Oct. 4, has been retired to stud.

 Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Lemaire is New Stable Jockey for Aga Khan

The Aga Khan, one of Europe's major owner/breeders, has signed up Christophe Lemaire as his new retained rider in France for 2010, replacing Christophe Soumillon.

 Monday, August 31, 2009

British Bookmaking Firms in Offshore Moves

British horseracing's finances will take a knock following the news that the UK's two biggest bookmaking firms are to move their Internet betting operations offshore.

 Monday, August 10, 2009

Ward's Dream Week Ends in Narrow Defeat

Ken and Sarah Ramsey's Cannonball nearly provided the perfect end to a dream week for American trainer Wesley Ward on the final day of the five-day Royal Ascot meeting June 20, when missing out by a neck in the Golden Jubilee Stakes (Eng-I).

 Saturday, June 20, 2009

Ward Does it Again at Royal Ascot

Just 24 hours earlier, trainer Wesley Ward had warned that Jealous Again was much better than his historic Windsor Castle Stakes winner Strike The Tiger and on June 17 the 2-year-old Trippi filly proved these were not empty words when bolting from the gate to go clear of her rivals in the five-furlong Queen Mary Stakes (Eng-II) at Royal Ascot before kicking on again for an easy five-length victory.

 Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Strike the Tiger Makes History at Royal Ascot

History was made in the June 16 Windsor Castle Stakes (Eng-Listed) over five furlongs on good to firm turf on the first day of Royal Ascot, when 33-1 Strike The Tiger became the first ever American-trained horse to win at the meeting when holding on by a neck to beat Fratellino.

 Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Great European Trainer Vincent O'Brien Dies

Great European Trainer Vincent O'Brien Dies

Vincent O'Brien, widely acknowledged as the greatest European trainer ever, died June 1 at the age of 92 at his home in Straffan, Co. Kildare, Ireland

 Monday, June 01, 2009

Groups Attempt to Re-Brand British Racing

Several stakeholding groups have found plenty of room for improvement in how to market horseracing to the British public.

 Monday, May 11, 2009

Hungarian Sensation Headed to Group I Races

The horse they call the "Hungarian Seabiscuit" will put his unbeaten record on the line in top group I sprints in Europe this summer.

 Monday, April 27, 2009
Well Armed Top-Weighted Dirt Horse

Well Armed Top-Weighted Dirt Horse

Well Armed, winner of the world's richest race, the US$6-million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I), on March 28, has his official rating put up 5 pounds, from 119 to 124, making the best dirt horse currently racing.

 Thursday, April 09, 2009
O'Brien Readies Stable for Classics

O'Brien Readies Stable for Classics

Turf Flat racing resumed in Ireland at the Curragh on Sunday, March 22, but probably more significant was Aidan O'Brien's decision to work 48 horses on the course after racing.

 Monday, March 23, 2009

Euro Sale Companies Offer Bonus Scheme

Vendors and sales companies involved in the seven breeze-up sales for 2-year-olds in Britain, Ireland and France over the next three months have got together and announced a £500,000 bonus scheme to tempt buyers.

 Monday, March 02, 2009

Horse Loses, But Charity Wins Anyway

A British charity - the Royal British Legion which helps ex-armed forces personnel - would have benefited by £2,755,923 if a steeplechaser called Big Fella Thanks had won the valuable Racing Post Chase at Kempton Park, England, on Saturday, Feb. 21.

 Monday, February 23, 2009
Giant Thoroughbred to Tower Over Britain

Giant Thoroughbred to Tower Over Britain

A giant sculpture of a white Thoroughbred, 164 feet tall, will dominate one of the main entrances to Britain in three year's time after Mark Wallinger's design for an artwork at Ebbsfleet in Kent was announced the winner of a competition.

 Monday, February 16, 2009

Great Leighs Racecourse Loses License

Britain's newest racecourse Great Leighs, which opened in April of 2008 , had its licence withdrawn by the British Horseracing Authority on Jan. 16 and later that day went into administration, the equivalent of a receivership.

 Monday, January 19, 2009
Curlin, New Approach Share Top Rankings

Curlin, New Approach Share Top Rankings

Curlin, the all-time earner among North American Thoroughbreds, gained another accolade on Tuesday, Jan. 13 when he was officially named the joint best horse of 2008 in the World Thoroughbred Rankings.

 Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Jockey Turner Seeks Higher Profile

Hayley Turner, who became the first female jockey to ride 100 winners in a year in Britain on Dec. 30, wants to ride better quality horses in higher-profile races during 2009.

 Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Tattersalls' December Gross Down 51%

Tattersalls' December sale ended quietly in England with a breeding stock session in which a 3-year-old colt, sold as a jumping prospect, topped trade at 65,000 guineas. The other figures for Dec. 4 were 139 horses sold, a gross of 656,650 guineas, an average price of 4,724 guineas, and a median price of 2,800 guineas. During the four-day breeding stock portion of the December auction, the 610 horses that sold grossed 33,355,150 guineas and averaged 54,681 guineas. The median was 12,500 guineas.

 Thursday, December 04, 2008

Lady Marian Leads Way at Tattersalls

Sheikh Mohammed topped trade at the Tattersalls December breeding stock sale for a third consecutive day, paying 1.8 million guineas for Lady Marian (by Nayef), winner of this year's Prix de l'Opera (Fr-I), Dec. 3 in England.

 Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Ferguson Again Prominent at Tattersalls

Sheikh Mohammed's bloodstock manager, John Ferguson, bought the most expensive horse at the Tattersalls December breeding stock sale for the second day in a row. He spent 1.7 million guineas for French listed winner Princesse Dansante (by King's Best) Dec. 2 in England.

 Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Saoirse Abu Tops Tattersalls Opener

Trainer Jim Bolger's dual group I-winning Saoirse Abu was the star of the opening session of the Tattersalls December breeding stock auction in England, selling for 1.95 million guineas (about $3.1 million) to Sheikh Mohammed's bloodstock manager, John Ferguson. The 3-year-old daughter of Mr. Greeley scored in the Independent Waterford Wedgwood Phoenix (Ire-I) and Moyglare Stud (Ire-I) Stakes in 2007.

 Monday, December 01, 2008
Prices Fall for Tattersalls Foals

Prices Fall for Tattersalls Foals

Tattersalls' five-day December foal ended in England Nov. 29 with figures sharply down from 2007's results. The 14,549,100-guinea gross fell 49% while the 25,888-guinea average price declined 29%. The 8,750-guinea median price dropped 56%. Sixty percent of the weanlings offered found new homes.

 Saturday, November 29, 2008

Monsun Filly Tops at Tattersalls

A Monsun filly out of group I Prix Vermeille winner Sweet Stream topped the trading Nov. 28 at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale when selling for 440,000 guineas to agent John Ferguson.

 Friday, November 28, 2008

Tattersalls Foal Sale Numbers Decline

There were three six-figure lots as trade stepped up a gear at the Nov. 27 third foal session of the Tattersalls December Sale in Newmarket. The day's top price of 180,000 guineas was paid by pinhooker Timmy Hyde of Camas Park Stud in Co Tipperary Ireland for a Galileo colt.

 Thursday, November 27, 2008
Buyers Selective at Tattersalls

Buyers Selective at Tattersalls

Trade was selective at Tattersalls' one-day December yearling sale in England Nov. 24, with a clearance rate of 55% for the 103 lots that changed hands.

 Monday, November 24, 2008

Byron Colt Tops Goffs' Second Day

Trade stepped up a gear on day two of the Goffs November foal sale in Ireland. The average price was down only 10% from the corresponding session a year ago.

 Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Zarkava Named Cartier Horse of the Year

Zarkava Named Cartier Horse of the Year

The five European Breeders' Cup winners missed out on trophies at the Cartier Racing Awards, Europe's equivalent of the Eclipse Awards, which were presented in London Nov. 17.

 Monday, November 17, 2008

Modigliani Colt Leads Way at Goffs

There was a clearance rate of just 25% on the opening day of Goffs' November foal sale at Kill, Ireland when 48 of the 193 lots offered were listed as sold. The gross for Nov. 17 was 300,800 euros, and the average price was 6,267 euros.

 Monday, November 17, 2008
George Washington Weanling in Goffs Sale

George Washington Weanling in Goffs Sale

Goffs' seven-day November Sale gets under way at Kill, Co. Kildare, Ireland Nov. 16. There are 1,281 lots catalogued for the foal section running from Nov. 16 to Nov. 20, with trade likely to be highly selective from wary pinhookers before the better offerings appear later in the week.

 Sunday, November 16, 2008

Tattersalls Book 4 Suffers Setbacks

A poor renewal of Book 4 of the Tattersalls October yearling sale in England generated a gross of only 130,300 guineas, down 73% from last year for the 50 horses sold. The average price of 2,606 guineas dropped 50%, and the 1,450-guinea median fell 43%. Only 45% of the lots offered were listed as sold.

 Friday, October 31, 2008

Tattersalls Sale Ends With Downturns

Tattersalls' largest ever horses in training sale finished Oct. 30 in England with downturns even though international trade was strong.

 Thursday, October 30, 2008

Top Lock Tops Tattersalls Autumn Session

A lively trade at Tattersalls' Autumn Horses In Training Sale continued in Newmarket Oct. 29 when Great Voltigeur Stakes (Eng-II) runner-up Top Lock (GB) (Nayef) sold for 410,000 guineas to Saudi agent Saad Al Kahtani.

 Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Sugar Ray Sells for European Record

The European public auction record for a colt or gelding in training was eclipsed Oct. 29 when 4-year-old Sugar Ray sold for 600,000 guineas at the Tattersalls October horses in training sale at Newmarket, England.

 Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Arqana October Yearling Sale is Soft

The Arquana October Yearling sale had strong support from French buyers but still experienced across-the-board declines for key statistics.

 Monday, October 27, 2008

Muhannak Primed for Marathon Challenge

There are two British-trained challengers in the Breeders' Cup Marathon, a new race this year over 1 1/2 miles on the main track at Santa Anita Oct. 25.

 Thursday, October 23, 2008

BC Seeks Sponsor for Shipping Costs

Breeders' Cup, in a bold move to make the event even more international, has been actively seeking a sponsor to underwrite all shipping costs for overseas-trained horses, and maybe also pay for their trainers, owners, jockeys and grooms to fly to America, as well.

 Thursday, October 23, 2008
Pro-Ride Surface Attracts Europeans

Pro-Ride Surface Attracts Europeans

European trainers discussed the strengths of their Breeders' Cup contenders, the largest number from overseas since 1994. Several said they would not have made the trip if the main track had a dirt instead of a synthetic surface.

 Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Numbers Off at Doncaster Training Sale

Dual listed stakes winner Alfie Flits headed Doncaster's October horses in training sale Oct. 22 when selling for £95,000 ($162,133) to trainer Jennie Candlish as a dual-purpose prospect.

 Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Tatts Book 3 Suffers Big Declines

Book 3 of Tattersalls' October yearling sale finished in England Oct. 17 with a 10,389-guinea average price, down 33% from last year, and a 7,000-guinea median price, which represented a 36% decline. The 271 horses that sold (from 414 offered) grossed 2,815,300 guineas.

 Friday, October 17, 2008
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