BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

UAE to Criminalize Steroid Use in Horses

Sheikh Mohammed said he has directed that a decree be issued making the import, sale, purchase, or use of anabolic steroids in horse sports a criminal offense under the UAE penal laws.

Seven More Al Zarooni Horses Test Positive

British racing authorities announced May 20 that seven more Godolphin Stable horses trained by Mahmood Al Zarooni have tested positive for steroids, including the winner of the world's oldest classic.

Godolphin's Farhh Overpowers Lockinge Rivals

Overshadowed last year, Godolphin's Farhh showed off his class in his 2013 debut with a dazzling breakout performance at the group I level May 18 in the JLT Lockinge Stakes (Eng-I) at Newbury.

Olympic Glory, Flotilla Set for Longchamp

French group I winner Olympic Glory and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. IT) victress Flotilla are the respective headliners May 12 at Longchamp in the first two classics of the French season.

Al Zarooni Appeals Eight-Year Ban

Former Godolphin trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni has appealed his eight-year worldwide ban for giving his racehorses anabolic steroids.

Dawn Approach Wins Guineas for Godolphin

Godolphin's Dawn Approach remained undefeated and provided morale support to the Maktoum family's racing operation with a brilliant win in the QIPCO Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-I), the first jewel of England's Triple Crown.

Unbeaten Dawn Approach Set for Guineas Test

Godolphin's undefeated European champion Dawn Approach will make his highly anticipated 2013 debut in the QIPCO Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-I), the first classic of the European season May 4 at Newmarket.

Steroid Use Called 'Deliberate Flouting'

The British Horseracing Authority, in a recap of a hearing into trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni's admitted use of anabolic steroids in some of his racehorses, called it a "deliberate flouting" of the rules of racing.

HKJC Official Urges Worldwide Steroid Ban

The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities should quickly consider a ban on the use of anabolic steroids for horses in training, Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said April 28.

Al Zarooni Used Steroid Regimen in Dubai

Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said Sheikh Mohammed was unaware that steroids were being given.

Al Zarooni Slapped With 8-Year Suspension

The 15 Godolphin horses that tested positive for anabolic steroids, which led to Mahmood Al Zarooni's disciplinary hearing, will be prohibited from racing for six months.

Godolphin Horses Test Positive for Steroids

Godolphin trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni has admitted to administering anabolic steroids to 11 horses at the Moulton Paddocks Stables who tested positive for the prohibited substances.

Defending Cup Champ Monterosso Scratched

Godolphin Racing's Monterosso, seeking to become the first two-time winner of the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I), was scratched out of the $10 million race at Meydan Racecourse on the day of the world's richest race.

Dubai World Cup: Godolphin Trainers

Saeed Bin Suroor and Mahmood Al Zarooni
, trainers for Godolphin, talk about their prospects for World Cup Day.

Watch Video

U.S. Ready to End Dubai World Cup Drought

If America is going to finally crack the Tapeta blockade that has prevented it from having a single horse finish in the money in the three Dubai World Cups run at Meydan, this will be the year.

He's Had Enough, Dice Flavor Try UAE Derby

American interests He's Had Enough and Dice Flavor take on top Godolphin contender Secret Number in the $2 million UAE Derby (UAE-II) March 30 at Meydan, three of 12 sophomores entered for the 1900-meter event.

Major Test Awaits Soft Falling Rain at Meydan

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum's unbeaten colt Soft Falling Rain will get the first major test of his career in the $1 million Godolphin Mile (UAE-II) March 20 at Meydan.

Gentildonna Towers in Dubai Sheema Classic

Japan's brilliant filly Gentildonna begins her international campaign March 30 in the $5 million Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-I) on the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) undercard at Meydan.

Dual English Classic Winner Kazzia Dies

Kazzia, the sole filly to win both the English One Thousand Guineas (Eng-I) and the English Oaks (Eng-I) since Salsabil in 1990, has died after foaling a Dubawi filly.

Game Sajjhaa Gets Up Late in Jebel Hatta

Godolphin's Sajjhaa gamely drove between horses in the stretch to deny South African champion The Apache a win in the $300,000 Jebel Hatta (UAE-I), the finale on the Super Saturday card March 9.

Hunter's Light Pounces in Maktoum Challenge

Hunter's Light delivered Godolphin's 200th win at the top level when he captured the $400,000 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Sponsored by Emirates Airline (UAE-I) on the Super Saturday card March 9 at Meydan.

Little Mike, Monterosso Meet at Meydan

U.S. turf standout Little Mike and 2012 Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) winner Monterosso headline the $400,000 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Sponsored by Emirates Airline (UAE-I) on the Super Saturday card March 9 at Medyan.

Igugu, Delpech Reunite for Jebel Hatta

South African star mare Igugu will be reunited with regular rider Anthony Delpech for the $300,000 Jebel Hatta (UAE-I) March 9 at Meydan as she returns to take on Godolphin's Sajjhaa, who defeated her two weeks ago.

Stayers Take Stage in Nad Al Sheba Trophy

The $200,000 Nad Al Sheba Trophy (UAE-III) attracted an intriguing 13-horse field, including globetrotting Jakkalberry, 2012 Irish St. Leger (Ire-I) victor Royal Diamond, and Saddler's Rock, who has shown impressive stamina.

Musir Seeks Comeback Win in Zabeel Mile

Musir continues on the comeback trail March 2 at Meydan in search of his first win in more than a year in the $250,000 Zabeel Mile Sponsored by Stud Estreal Energia (UAE-II).

Shuruq Streaks to U.A.E. Oaks Victory

Shuruq won by a convincing four lengths in the $250,000 United Arab Emirates Oaks Sponsored by Al Dana Wealth Management (UAE-III) Feb. 28 at Meydan while leading in a one-two-three finish for Godolphin.

Now Spun Game Meydan Classic Winner

Godolphin's Now Spun gamely charged between horses in the stretch and tallied a 1 1/4-length win in the $150,000 Meydan Classic Sponsored by Shahrazad Ladies Banking Feb. 28 at Meydan in season debut.

Pat Cummings' Dubai Picks: Feb. 28

Pat Cummings presents an analysis of racing Feb. 28 at the Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates. The card includes the $250,000 UAE Oaks (UAE-III).

Lovely Pass Seeks Second U.A.E. Classic Win

Lovely Pass, who led a quartet of Godolphin runners across the finish line in the United Arab Emirates One Thousand Guineas earlier this month at Medyan, returns in the $250,000 United Arab Emirates Oaks UAE-III) Feb. 28.

Sajjhaa Upsets Igugu in Record Balanchine Win

Godolphin's Sajjhaa spoiled the highly anticipated return of South African Horse of Year Igugu in the Balanchine (UAE-II) Feb. 21, rolling past the overwhelming favorite in the Meydan stretch and drawing off for the win.

De Kock Threesome Set for Al Fahidi Fort

While trainer Mike de Kock's lone representative in the Balanchine (UAE-II) on Feb. 21 at Meydan is South African star Igugu, he sends a three-prong attack for the $250,000 Al Fahidi Fort (UAE-II) two races later.

Igugu on Target for Return in Balanchine

The $200,000 Balanchine (UAE-II) Feb. 21 at Meydan attracted seven entrants, but the field is overshadowed by the presence of South African Horse of the Year Igugu, who returns from a long layoff.

Mental Foils Krypton Factor in Meydan Sprint

Australian group I winner Mental grabbed the lead late from Kavanagh and drew clear to a one-length victory in the $200,000 Al Shindagha Sprint Sponsored by Jaguar XJ (UAE-III) at Meydan Feb. 14.

Moonwalk in Paris Game Winner of Firebreak

Moonwalk in Paris gamely charged through a gap and up the rail for a convincing two-length win in the $200,000 Firebreak Stakes Presented by Range Rover (UAE-III) Feb. 14 at Meydan.

Unbeaten Soft Falling Rain Wins UAE Guineas

Favorite Soft Falling Rain easily dispatched pacesetter Deauville Prince in the stretch and drew off to a clear win in the $250,000 United Arab Emirates Two Thousands Guineas (UAE-III) Feb. 14 at Meydan.

Fortify Will Try to Stop the 'Rain' at Meydan

After a commanding victory last month at Meydan, undefeated champion Soft Falling Rain enters the $250,000 United Arab Emirates Two Thousand Guineas (UAE-III) Feb. 14 as the horse to beat.

Godolphin Racing's Champion Questing Retired

Godolphin Racing's Questing, the champion 3-year-old filly of 2012, has been retired and will be bred this year to Darley stallion Bernardini.

Hunter's Light Clear Maktoum Challenge Winner

Godolphin's Hunter's Light provided trainer Saeed bin Suroor a ninth win in the $250,000 Al Maktoum Challenge Round II Sponsored by TABLOID (UAE-II) Feb. 7 with a convincing 3 1/4-length victory at Meydan.

Lovely Pass Strong in Guineas Win at Meydan

Lovely Pass took over from the pacesetter in the stretch and held back a strong challenge from runner-up Shuruq to win the $250,000 United Arab Emirates One Thousand Guineas Sponsored by Gulf News Feb. 7 at Meydan.

Alpha Makes Dubai Debut in Maktoum Challenge

2012 Travers Stakes (gr. I) winner and former U.S. classics hopeful Alpha is set to make his Dubai debut Feb. 7 in the $250,000 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 (UAE-II) Sponsored by Tabloid.

Sharestan Aims to Step Up in Al Rashidiya

Godolphin's Sharestan was an impressive winner of the trial for the $200,000 Al Rashidiya Sponsored by Dubal (UAE-II) earlier this month and will try for a breakthrough group win in the main event Jan. 31 at Meydan.

Sajjhaa Cruises Clear in Cape Verdi

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor was expecting a huge effort from Sajjhaa in the $200,000 Cape Verdi Sponsored by Meydan Hotels (UAE-II) Jan. 24 at Meydan, and she delivered with a 3 3/4-length win for the Maktoum family's Godolphin.

Godolphin Aims Four at Cape Verdi

Godolphin, the newly minted Eclipse Award-winning owner of 2012 in the U.S., will send out a quartet of fillies in $200,000 Cape Verdi Sponsored by Meydan Hotels (UAE-II), the feature event Jan. 24 at Meydan.

Slideshow: The 42nd Eclipse Awards

View the festivities and winners of the 2012 Eclipse Awards.

view slideshow

Good, Good Night for Fink

Higher-energy Eclipse Award ceremony Jan. 19 honors longtime owner/breeder Morton Fink with three trophies. Godolphin/Darley also picks up three awards.

Questing Named Champion 3-Year-Old Filly

Questing's amazing brilliance during the summer did not escape the Eclipse voters, despite her seemingly late-season decline and the return to top form by last year's 2-year-old filly champ My Miss Aurelia.

Outstanding Breeder: Darley

Sheikh Mohammed's Eclipse Award as outstanding breeder was due to an overabundance of quality rather than quantity.

Godolphin Named Outstanding Owner

Godolphin, the private Thoroughbred racing stable of the Maktoum family, earned its second Eclipse Award as top owner in the past four years while winning seven grade I races and six other graded races in the United Stakes.

Soft Falling Rain Dominates Meydan Trial

Unbeaten South African champion Soft Falling Rain controlled the pace and scored a dominant 2 1/2-length victory in the $110,000 Duty Free Jumeirah Creekside United Arab Emirates Two Thousand Guineas Trial Jan. 17 at Meydan.

Out of Bounds Set for Maktoum Challenge

Former U.S. classics hopeful Out of Bounds is set to launch his long-awaited comeback for Godolphin in the $250,000 Longines Al Maktoum Challenge Round I (UAE-II) Jan. 10.