Moreira Can't Gain on Purton in HK Jockey Race
Joao Moreira booted home three winners on the June 16 card at Sha Tin Racecourse but still could not gain ground on leading rider Zac Purton, who scored a hat trick of his own.
Bob Kieckhefer
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Purton Heads Moreira in Hong Kong Jockey Race
Zac Purton rode a pair of winners June 10 at Sha Tin, while Moreira finished out a two-meeting suspension. That edged Purton one win ahead of the three-time champ, 117 to 116, with nine days to go in the season.
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HKJC Awards Temporary Jockey Licenses to Fill Void
The Hong Kong Jockey Club, in its annual renewals, has granted temporary riding licenses to four jockeys, including South African phenom Callan Murray, as it seeks to fill voids left by several top riders, including the popular Joao Moreira.
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Illinois Tracks Fail Again in Quest for Gaming Revenue
The future of Fairmount Park hangs in the balance as the Illinois legislature adjourned its spring session without acting on a bill that would allow tracks to operate casinos.
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Mozu Ascot Upsets Yasuda Kinen
Mozu Ascot, a Kentucky-bred son of Frankel, shot through a seam between Aerolithe and favorite Suave Richard in deep stretch and rallied to an upset victory in the Yasuda Kinen (G1) June 3 at Tokyo Racecourse.
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Milers to Compete in Japan's Yasuda Kinen
Japan's top milers, plus a Hong Kong invader, mix things up June 3 in the Yasuda Kinen (G1) at Tokyo Racecourse, an event usually key to determining the top miler of the year.
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Pakistan Star Shines in Champions & Chater Cup
With his second straight group 1 win in the May 27 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup, Pakistan Star has gone from one of the most puzzling horses in Hong Kong history to a viable candidate for Horse of the Year.
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Wagnerian Wins Japanese Derby
Wagnerian (JPN) parlayed clear sailing and firm footing to a half-length victory in the 85th running of the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby, G1) May 27 at Tokyo Racecourse.
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Hong Kong-based Horses Go 1-2 in Kranji Mile
Southern Legend (AUS) romped home by three lengths in the Kranji Mile (G1), followed by fellow traveler Horse of Fortune (SAF).
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Chemical Charge Readies Another Shot in Hong Kong
Top-level marathons are rare in Hong Kong racing, making the May 27 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup at Sha Tin an attractive return engagement for Britain's Chemical Charge.
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Undefeated Danon Premium Returns in Tokyo Yushun
Undefeated in four starts, Danon Premium looms as the likely favorite for the May 27 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby, G1), the second leg of Japan's Triple Crown, despite missing the main preliminary with a minor injury.
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Singapore Moves Back Into Spotlight With Kranji Mile
The Singapore Turf Club edges back toward the international spotlight after a two-year hiatus as runners from Hong Kong and New Zealand contest the May 26 Kranji Mile against 10 locals.
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Almond Eye Takes Second Leg of Japan's Triple Tiara
Almond Eye swept to a convincing, two-length victory in the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks, G1) May 20 at Tokyo Racecourse as second-crop sires Lord Kanaloa and Orfevre were represented by two of the first three placings.
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Almond Eye, Lucky Lilac Meet Again in Japanese Oaks
Daughters from the first crops of sires Orfevre and Lord Kanaloa are among the favorites for the May 20 renewal of the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks, G1) at Tokyo Racecourse.
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Jour Polaire upsets Victoria Mile in Tokyo
Jour Polaire rallied to the lead in the final strides of the May 13 Victoria Mile (G1) at Toyko Racecourse and just held off the favorite, Lys Gracieux, by a nose at the wire.
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Soul Stirring Looks to Rebound in Victoria Mile
Japan's string of six straight weekly grade 1 races continues May 13 with the Victoria Mile for fillies and mares at Tokyo, featuring the winner of the 2017 Yushun Himba ( Japanese Oaks, G1), Soul Stirring (JPN).
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Keiai Nautique Upsets in Tokyo's NHK Mile
Keiai Nautique rallied from next to last with a furious stretch run to post a narrow upset May 6 in the NHK Mile Cup (G1) for 3-year-olds at Tokyo Racecourse.
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Tower of London Takes on NHK Mile Cup
Japan's top 3-year-old middle distance prospects will be on display in the NHK Mile Cup (G1) at Tokyo Racecourse May 6.
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Rainbow Line Takes Tenno Sho (Spring)
Rainbow Line (JPN) got through between horses in the final yards to win the Tenno Sho (Spring) (G1) April 29 at Kyoto Racecourse, narrowly defeating Cheval Grand (JPN) and Clincher (JPN).
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Pakistan Star, Buick Click for QE II Cup Win
They called him enigmatic, a problem horse, and a disappointment. But after Sunday's Audemars Piguet QE II Cup (G1) at Sha Tin Racecourse, they finally called Pakistan Star a group 1 winner.
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Another Tenno Sho (Spring) Try for Cheval Grand
Reigning Japan Cup (G1) winner Cheval Grand and an early prospect for this fall's Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1), Clincher, are among 17 nominated for the April 29 Tenno Sho (Spring) (G1) at Kyoto Racecourse.
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Japan vs. Hong Kong on Champions Day
The newly structured "Champions Day" at Sha Tin Racecourse April 29 shapes up largely as a defense by the talented home team against a team of raiders from Japan, and one from Dubai, in three group 1 races.
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Jockey Nash Rawiller Suspended for Wagering, Tipping
The Hong Kong Jockey Club stewards announced April 25 jockey Nash Rawiller has been suspended for 15 months for wagering on his mounts and tipping other bettors in violation of the rules.
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Godolphin Dominates Turf Races on World Cup Card
Even before Thunder Snow (IRE) dominated the Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1), the home team colors of Godolphin blue flashed home first in three of the four turf races on the program, including both of the $6 million events.
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Mendelssohn Provides All the Answers in UAE Derby
Trainer Aidan O'Brien said Mendelssohn had questions to answer coming into the UAE Derby Sponsored By Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group (G2) March 31 at Meydan.
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O'Brien Has Eye On Louisville With UAE Derby Trio
Should things go well for them in Dubai, trainer Aidan O'Brien's 3-year-olds are poised for an all-out assault on the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1).
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Japan Holds Strong Hand in Dubai Grass Races
Japan holds a strong hand in two of the three non-sprint grass races on the Dubai World Cup undercard and, in the third, the Aga Khan's Vazirabad (FR) will be running for a "three-peat."
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UAE Derby Has Big Implications for Louisville
The band certainly won't be playing "My Old Kentucky Home" when an international field of 3-year-olds takes the track March 31 at Meydan for the UAE Derby (G2), but connections of several starters also are thinking about a trip to Louisville.
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Winx's Connections Pass on Royal Ascot
Australia's star mare Winx, the winner of 24 straight races, including 17 at the group 1 level, will not travel to Royal Ascot this spring, trainer Chris Waller announced March 28.
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Fillies Dominate Golden Slipper
Estijaab (AUS) overcame the outside gate to lead home an all-filly top-three finish March 24 in the Longines Golden Slipper (G1) at Rosehill Gardens—billed as the world's richest race for 2-year-olds.
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Winx Extends Win Streak to 24 With George Ryder Score
Winx had to work for it, but the mighty mare snagged her 24th straight victory with a determined stretch run in The Agency George Ryder Stakes (G1) at Rosehill Gardens March 24.
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Aussie Youngsters Try on the Golden Slipper
A huge purse and a full, competitive field of 2-year-olds have Australian fans anxiously awaiting the March 24 renewal of the Longines Golden Slipper (G1) at Rosehill Gardens.
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Winx Aims for 24th Straight, Then Decision Awaits
Nothing could totally overshadow the March 24 renewal of the Golden Slipper (G1) at Rosehill Gardens in Sydney, but Winx showing up two races earlier on the same card does provide the cherry atop one of Australia's best race days.
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Ping Hai Star Rolls to Victory in Hong Kong Derby
Ping Hai Star (NZ) blazed an unusual trail to a rather dominating victory in the March 18 BMW Hong Kong Derby (G1).
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Hong Kong Locals Turn Out for Derby
Despite the proliferation of group 1 races at Sha Tin Racecourse, the BMW Hong Kong Derby is the high point of the season for locals and sometimes a pathway to the top levels for upwardly mobile horses.
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North America Turns Tables on Thunder Snow
North America, a 6-year-old son of Dubawi, was among the most impressive on Super Saturday at Meydan March 10, as the locally based horses sorted themselves out in preparation for the big night three weeks away.
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Mendelssohn Returns With Patton Stakes Victory
Mendelssohn, making his first start since winning the 2017 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) at Del Mar, led a 1-2-3 sweep for trainer Aidan O'Brien in the 32Red Patton Stakes at Dundalk March 9.
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Mendelssohn Leads O'Brien Trio in Derby Points Race
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) winner Mendelssohn tops a trio entered by trainer Aidan O'Brien for the Patton Stakes March 9 at Dundalk in Ireland, the penultimate race in the European Road to the Kentucky Derby.
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Color of Super Saturday Could be Godolphin Blue
Super Saturday at Meydan March 10 gives locally based horses a final shakedown for the big races on Dubai World Cup night three weeks later when many of the world's top horses will arrive.
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Talismanic, Cloth of Stars Finish 1-2 in Dubai Prep
Talismanic and Cloth of Stars kicked away from a quartet of outclassed rivals in the Darshaan Stakes at Chantilly March 6, with Talismanic winning by 1 1/4 lengths as both prepped for a trip to Dubai.
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Winx Drubs Rivals in Historic Chipping Norton Score
A new year, an even better Winx. Australia's super mare swept around the field into the straight in the March 3 TAB Chipping Norton Stakes (G1) at Randwick and easily strode out to her 23rd straight win—her 16th at the group 1 level.
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Rayya Upsets UAE Oaks; Rare Rhythm Wins Gold Cup Prep
The third time was the charm for Rayya, who rebounded from two straight losses to Winter Lightning (IRE) to land the UAE Oaks Sponsored by Al Nabooda Construction Group (G3) by an easy 3 3/4-lengths March 1 at Meydan.
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Second Euro Road to Derby Race Postponed Due to Weather
Bitter cold and snow from the capriciously named winter storm forced abandonment of all English racing March 1, including the Road to the Kentucky Derby conditions stakes at Kempton, a European Road to the Kentucky Derby points race.
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Winx Goes For 23 Straight in Chipping Norton
With her jockey back from suspension and the prospect of a foreign tour in her future, Australia's mighty mare Winx (AUS) seeks her 23rd straight win in the TAB Chipping Norton Stakes (G1) March 3 at Royal Randwick.
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Postponed Points Race Forces Change for Mendelssohn
A key step on the "European Road to the Kentucky Derby" has fallen victim to "The Beast From the East"—bitter cold and snow sweeping in from Russia to complicate life in the British Isles.
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Winter Lightning Headlines UAE Oaks
Winter Lightning (IRE) and Rayya renew their rivalry March 1 at Meydan in the UAE Oaks Sponsored by Al Naboodah Construction Group (G3).
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Time Warp Sets Course Record in Hong Kong Gold Cup
A pair of veteran Hong Kong campaigners doubled up on December group 1 victories Feb. 25, serving notice for would-be rivals eyeing late-season spoils over the Sha Tin turf.
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Sunlight Wins Silver Slipper in Tight Finish
Sunlight edged the favorite, Estijaab, in the Silver Slipper (G2) for 2-year-olds Feb. 24 at Rosehill Gardens, a potential sign of what is to come in next month's rich Golden Slipper (G1).
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Brave Smash Tops Stablemate in Futurity Stakes
Japanese-bred runners finished 1-2 in the Italktravel Futurity Stakes (G1) at Caulfield in Melbourne, one of a trio of top-level events on the day's program.
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Local Favorite Turns Back Global Field in Emir's Trophy
Local favorite The Blue Eye (GB) swept by pacesetting American invader Money Multiplier in the stretch of the H. H. the Emir's Trophy (G1) Feb. 24 at Al Rayyan Racecourse in Doha to win the event for the second time in three years.
