Jezki Wins Cheltenham's Champion Hurdle
Jezki took full advantage of a lackluster effort by defending winner Hurricane Fly and captured the Champion Hurdle Challenge at the Cheltenham Festival on March 11.
International
International Thoroughbred horse racing previews, recaps, video, sales and breeding
Darley Sire Lonhro Enters Australian Hall
Darley's Central Kentucky shuttler Lonhro was recognized as one of Australia's greatest racehorses with his induction into the nation's Racing Hall of Fame during ceremonies March 9 in Canberra.
Ramseys' Major Marvel Takes Barbados Gold Cup
Ken and Sarah Ramsey enjoyed a win in the Caribbean March 8 when veteran Major Marvel cruised to a clear victory in the $214,000 Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup at Savannah Garrison Racecourse.
Fiorente Proves Best in Australian Cup
Shamus Award tried for the seemingly impossible in the Aus$1million Australian Cup (Aus-I) March 8 at Flemington. He led nearly all the way, but then wilted late as Fiorente proved himself the nation's best horse.
Vercingetorix Co-Stars on Super Saturday
Vercingetorix stayed unbeaten in six career starts after joining pacesetting stablemate Anaerobio at the front in early stretch, then drawing away to capture the $300,000 Jebel Hatta (UAE-I) March 8 at Meydan.
Prince Bishop Makes Strong Meydan Statement
Prince Bishop burst between horses to lead in the stretch and drew clear to win the $400,000 Al Maktoum Challenge-Round 3 (UAE-I) March 8 at Meydan Racecourse.
Silent Achiever, Vespa Win in New Zealand
Former New Zealand champion Silent Achiever overhauled longtime pacesetter Historian and won the Lindauer New Zealand Stakes (NZ-I), one of two group I races on the March 8 card at Ellerslie.
Godolphin Pair Face Off in Maktoum Challenge
Seven races, including two group I events, are carded for the Dubai World Cup Carnival's $1.8 million Super Saturday pogram March 8 at Meydan Racecourse.
Florida Stallion Repent Sold to Trinidad
Florida stallion Repent has been sold to stand at Paradise Farms in Trinidad, Matt Lyons of Woodford Thoroughbreds confirmed March 5.
Who Shot Thebarman Impresses at Ellerslie
Who Shot Thebarman's future as a top-class stayer got considerably brighter March 5 when he powered to victory in the two-mile Auckland Cup (NZ-I) at Ellerslie.
Irish Trainer Cleared for Cheltenham
Irish trainer Philip Fenton will be all will be allowed to have runners at next week's high-profile Cheltenham festival despite being under investigation for possessing anabolic steroids.
166 Cataloged for Tattersalls Craven Sale
A number of United States-based sires are represented by offspring in the catalog for next month's Tattersalls Craven breeze-up sale.
Record Median at Inglis Yearling Sale
Median price reached record heights by the end of the three-day first session of the Inglis Melbourne premier yearling sale March 4.
Equiano Colt Stars on Day 2 at Inglis
A colt from Equiano's first Australian crop sold for $420,000 ($375,113 in United States funds), the highest price ever for a first-season sire in Victoria, on day two of the Inglis Melbourne premier yearling sale March 3.
Inglis Yearling Sale Off to Strong Start
Average price was up 11% on the first day of the Inglis Melbourne premier yearling sale March 2, with trading led by a Northern Meteor colt for $450,000 ($400,542 in United States funds).
Puccini Turns Sour Note into NZ Derby Win
Although racing strategy fell apart at the start, favorite Puccini still pulled off a convincing win for an injured jockey in the New Zealand Derby (NZ-I) March 1 at Ellerslie.
Cavalryman Sets Record in Nad Al Sheba Trophy
Godolphin's Cavalryman is primed for a repeat bid in the $1 million Dubai Gold Cup (UAE-II) after a stirring track record-setting victory in the Nad Al Sheba Trophy (UAE-III) March 1 at Meydan Racecourse.
Shamus Award Dominates Australian Guineas
Racing's list of one-hit wonders is long, but W. S. Cox Plate (Aus-I) upsetter Shamus Award emphatically removed himself from that roster when recording a second group I hit March 1 in the Australian Guineas (Aus-I).
Cavalryman Returns in Nad Al Sheba Trophy
Godolphin's 2013 Dubai Gold Cup (UAE-III) victor Cavalryman makes his first start of the year in the launching pad to this year's edition of $1 million race, the $200,000 Nad Al Sheba Trophy (UAE-III) March 1 at Meydan.
Dubday Stays Unbeaten in Qatar
Dubday is still undefeated in Qatar after taking the $550,000 H.H. the Emir's International Trophy Feb. 27 at Al Rayyan Racecourse in Doha.
Ihtimal Romps to 10-Length U.A.E. Oaks Win
Entering the $250,000 United Arab Emirates Oaks (UAE-III) Ihtimal appeared the unassailable standout at Meydan Racecourse Feb. 27, and as it turned out, she was.
Murtagh Retires From Riding Career
Johnny Murtagh, one of the world's top jockeys, is hanging up his tack to concentrate on training from his base in County Kildare, Ireland.
Ihtimal Goes for More Classic Glory at Meydan
Ihtimal will try to add a second classic win to her record Feb. 27 in the $250,000 United Arab Emirates Oaks Sponsored by Saeed and Mohammed Al Naboodah Group (gr. III) at Meydan Racecourse.
Mare Has Four Runners at Launceston Feb. 26
A mare bought from a classified newspaper ad will be represented by four runners on the Tasmania Turf Club's Launceston Cup day card, Feb. 26, including two in the main event.
Racing Begins at Qatar Festival in Doha
Three days of horse racing began Feb. 25 at Al Rayyan Racecourse in Doha, Qatar as part of H. H. the Emir's 23rd International Equestrian Sword Festival at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club.
Crisford Departs as Godolphin Racing Manager
Simon Crisford has left his position as racing manager for the Godolphin operation and assumed duties as Sheikh Mohammed's global racing adviser, according to The Racing Post.
Europe Creates Horseracing Alliance
Three European organizations have joined forces to promote breeding, buying and racing European Thoroughbreds.
Upsetter Copano Rickey Rocks February Stakes
Japan's first group I race of the year was won in fine style by Copano Rickey, who pulled off a massive upset with his half-length triumph over Hokko Tarumae in the February Stakes Feb. 23 at Tokyo Racecourse.
Nashville Back to Best in WFA Classic Repeat
After a half-dozen starts without a victory, Nashville hit his winning stride for a repeat in the WFA Classic (NZ-I) Feb. 22 at Otaki.
Earthquake Rocks in Blue Diamond Showdown
In a face-off between an unbeaten colt and filly, Darley's filly Earthquake scored powerfully in the Blue Diamond Stakes (Aus-I) Feb. 22, leaving the highly regarded colt Rubick in her wake.
Gabriel to Return to NYRA as Racing Secretary
Frank Gabriel Jr., currently the Dubai Racing Club's chief executive officer, will rejoin the New York Racing Association as the racing secretary for Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course.
'Horse Races Now' App to Carry Meydan Racing
Horse Races Now, a mobile application available on iTunes and Google Play, announced an agreement Feb. 20 with Am West Entertainment to showcase live and replay video from the Dubai World Cup Carnival.
L'Amour de Ma Vie All Heart in Balanchine
L'Amour de Ma Vie flashed an impressive acceleration off the turn to the win the $200,000 Balanchine (UAE-II) Feb. 20 at Meydan while anxious favorite Certify suffered her first defeat.
Smith to Co-Chair Racehorse Ranking Committee
International Federation of Horseracing Authorities chairman Louis Romanet has appointed Phil Smith, the British Horseracing Authority's head of handicapping, as co-chairman of the World's Best Racehorse Rankings Committee.
Ramseys' Major Marvel to Run in Barbados
The Barbados Turf Club said Ken and Sarah Ramsey's multiple stakes winner Major Marvel has been added to the list of nominees for the 33rd renewal of the Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup.
Certify, Flotilla Return for Balanchine
The top four finishers in last month's Cape Verdi (UAE-II), including Godolphin's unbeaten winner Certify, return for the $200,000 Balanchine (UAE-II) Feb. 20 at Meydan Racecourse.
War Chant Offspring Big Hit at Magic Millions
The first Western Australian crop of Kentucky-based sire War Chant made a splash on day one of the Magic Millions Perth yearling sale Feb. 18, with a filly sold for the day's highest price and three colts among the top 10.
Hastings Has Three-Year Live Racing Deal
A multi-party agreement has paved the way for a three-year funding model for Hastings Racecourse in British Columbia, Canada, officials said Feb. 17. The 2014 Thoroughbred meet is expected to begin in late April or early May.
Canadian Frontier to Stand in Saudi Arabia
Canadian Frontier, sire of grade I-winning fillies Hilda's Passion and No Such Word, has been sold to stand in Saudi Arabia.
Gentildonna Unplaced in Sheema Classic Prep
Gentildonna's tuneup for the $5 million Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-I) next month was foiled in the starting gate as the jittery star mare was sapped before the Kyoto Kinen (Jpn-II) began Feb. 16.
Snitzerland Provides Werrett Fourth Lightning
With legendary mare Black Caviar's wins in the past three past editions of the Lightning Stakes (Aus-I), co-owner Neil Werrett remained a familiar figure in the winner's enclosure at Flemington.
Ron the Greek Sails in First Saudi Start
Multiple grade I winner Ron the Greek, racing in Saudi Arabia under the name Wattani, continued his success with a powerful victory Feb. 15 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh.
Trading Leather's Dam Tops Goffs Sale
Night Visit, dam of 2013 Irish Derby (Ire-I) winner Trading Leather, sold to agent Hubie De Burgh for 975,000 ($1,333,819 in United States funds) to top Goffs February sale on closing day Feb. 13.
Expanded Duties for Woodbine's Steve Lym
Steve Lym, director of Thoroughbred racing and racing secretary at Woodbine, will have his role expanded to include operational responsibilities for the Woodbine backstretch.
Long John Powerful in U.A.E. Guineas Romp
Godolphin's Australian group I winner Long John handily dispatched 10 overmatched rivals at the top of the stretch and romped away to win the $250,000 United Arab Emirates Two Thousand Guineas (UAE-III) Feb. 13 at Meydan.
Internal Review Clears Sheikh Mohammed
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum has been cleared of any direct involvement in the Godolphin doping scandal by an internal inquiry.
Godolphin Pair Top U.A.E. Guineas Field
Race is among three group III events at Dubai Carnival's sixth meeting.
Costume, Viadana Win Group I Races at Te Rapa
Garry Chittick's homebred Costume denied group I winner Shuka's attempt at a last-to-first victory, digging in to narrowly prevail by a nose for her first stakes win in the Herbie Dyke (NZ-I) Feb. 8 at Te Rapa.
Moment Of Change Leads Way in C. F. Orr Win
Pacesetter Moment Of Change found more in the closing strides to repel a strong threat from Eurozone, winning the Sportingbet C. F. Orr Stakes (Aus-I) by a head Feb. 8 at Caulfield.
Fort Erie to Race in 2014, Horsemen Say
Fort Erie Race Track in Ontario, Canada, will offer a live meet this year, with details to be released at a later date.
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