Horse Racing archive

Ifrika has not done a lot wrong in her three starts to date and has a good opportunity to get off the mark in the 32Red-com/British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes at Lingfield.

Clive Brittain’s juvenile was spotted making late progress when fourth on her racecourse introduction on the Lingfield turf in June and hindsight tells us that was a fair effort, with the winner Double Point ending up with a three-figure rating and the runner-up, Cockney Bob, going on to win no less than five races.

Ifrika performed even better when fourth again in a typically warm Newmarket maiden three months later, with the subsequent victory of the second home Baarez again giving the form a solid look.

The youngster’s latest effort when third of five in a conditions race here was another decent effort and given that was her first appearance in a couple of months, she should strip fitter and there is scope for further progress.

Credit must go to all involved for saving the Compare Bookmakers At bookmakers.co.uk Handicap, a race which was due to be staged last week until heavy fog forced the meeting to be abandoned.

Twelve quality sprinters are due to go to post, with Hoof It capable of defying top-weight. Mick Easterby’s six-year-old looked destined for the top of the sprinting division following a fantastic 2011 campaign, during which he carried a big weight to a brilliant victory in the Stewards’ Cup at Glorious Goodwood before being beaten a neck into third in the Sprint Cup at Haydock.

The following year proved to be a complete disaster, with Hoof It making just two appearances in a season ruined by injury.

It seemed his racing days could be coming to an end as he finished held in races at York, Goodwood and Ripon on his first three starts this year, but he dramatically turned the corner when third in the Sprint Cup again and he has regained his consistency since.


Horse Racing: Ifrika will keep doing it right - The Star

Sprinter Sacre will now make his seasonal reappearance in the williamhill-com Desert Orchid Chase before lining up for the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot in January.

“Sprinter will go to Kempton, we’ve had a lot of people asking so we thought it best to let everybody know,” said trainer Nicky Henderson.

“The antibiotics he took cleared up the little problem he had before the Tingle Creek in no time at all.

“He worked very well on Saturday and again this morning and we scoped him yesterday and it was clean.

“As he missed his first target we were keen to give him a run and it still gives us three weeks until the Victor Chandler.”

Officials at Kempton have confirmed that the race will not be moved from its December 27 slot to be added to the Boxing Day programme.

So unless Channel 4 bosses can be persuaded to add a further racing broadcast to their Christmas schedule – an unlikely development according to insiders – Sprinter Sacre’s return is set to be broadcast exclusively on Racing UK and in betting shops on Turf TV.




Racecourse managing director Phil White said it was really great news that Sprinter Sacre looks set to take his chance at the meeting.

"Traditionally we get a crowd of around 8,000 to racing on the 27th which is about half the number for Boxing Day, but it’s very much been our ambition to try and build the quality of the second day of the meeting and Sprinter Sacre’s participation is a real boost,” he said.

“We did discuss the possibility of moving the race with the broadcasters and the sponsors, but we’d already sold out the restaurant and all of our hospitality and we felt that it wouldn’t be fair on those racegoers to move the feature race of the day.”

Ruby Walsh is looking forward to riding Champagne Fever, who will going for a fifth Grade One win in the Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown on Boxing Day.

“He’s a good jumper and he’s an athletic horse who likes to bowl along and get on with his business,” said Walsh.

“I think he has the pace to win at two miles but I wouldn’t be worried about him getting four if he had to.”



Horse Racing: Sprinter Sacre is back | Racing | Sport | Daily Star. Simply The Best 7 Days A Week

The Jockey Club, which runs 15 race courses in Britain, said it would provide almost half of the total thanks to growth in its business operations.

The contribution from British bookmakers has fallen since 2009 after more of them moved their online sports betting offshore and beyond the reach of an industry levy.

Bookmakers and the industry have been locked in a long debate about how to reform funding to ensure there are enough races that are attractive to gamblers, while also providing a decent return for those who work or invest in the sport.

"Prize money is the lifeblood of British racing, providing a return for racehorse owners and supporting trainers, jockeys and stable staff," said Simon Bazalgette, Jockey Club chief executive.

"It is an important measure of the health of our sport," he added in a statement.

The Jockey Club is the largest racecourse group in Britain and reinvests all of its profits back into racing.



Horse Racing - Record prize money to be awarded in 2014 - Yahoo Eurosport UK

Threats by the Manitoba Horse Racing Commission to yank the licence of Assiniboia Downs for simulcast horse-race betting are on hold.

The commission had threatened Tuesday to suspend the licence Jan. 1 if the Manitoba Jockey Club didn’t come clean on a joint venture with Peguis First Nation.

But Thursday the commission announced the board had reached a temporary deal with the jockey club.

"Manitoba Horse Racing Commission is pleased to advise that with the decision of its board this evening a temporary accommodation has been reached with the Manitoba Jockey Club that will see simulcast betting continue for the time being. MHRC and MJC have agreed to let the issue of our request to review the joint venture agreement be determined by the courts. A hearing will proceed on February 25th, 2014," said commission chairman Tom Goodman.

The commission has agreed to issue a temporary race licence, which will expire on Feb. 28.

"Construction of the proposed development at Assiniboia Downs will not commence until the matter has been resolved," the commission’s statement said.

"MHRC is proud to have been able to structure a means to begin addressing our serious concerns, while allowing simulcast wagering to continue for the benefit of the racing industry in Manitoba," Goodman continued.

"MHRC takes no position on the merits of the proposed joint development at the ASD site," the commission said regarding a joint venture between the jockey club and Peguis First Nation to erect two hotels and convention and retail space at the Downs.

The two equal partners have formed a company, FN Developments Inc., to carry out the development.



Horse racing commission strikes deal with jockey club - Winnipeg Free Press

After 75 years of racing, Hollywood Park Racetrack will permanently close its doors on Sunday.

“It’s a day I hoped I’d never see, but unfortunately it happening,” said Bob Mazurski, Hollywood Park Director of Publicity.

Eleven races were scheduled for Sunday’s last day of racing at the park, which is located in Inglewood.

The race track opened in 1938 under the chairmanship of Jack L. Warner — of the Warner Brothers film corporation, according to the Hollywood Park website.

In 1939, Seabiscuit won the inaugural running of the Hollywood Gold Cup, the track’s signature race.

Racing was suspended from 1942-44 due to World War II. It was temporarily closed again in 1949 after a fire tore through the grandstand and clubhouse, according to the site.

The 238 acre property was purchased from Churchill Downs in 2005 for $260 million.

Retail shops, townhouses, parks and even a hotel were expected to be built on the land as part of the Hollywood Park Tomorrow redevelopment project.

The existing casino will remain in its current place and undergo extensive renovation, according to the Hollywood Park Tomorrow website.

KTLA’s Kacey Montoya contributed to this report.

Read more: Hollywood Park to Close After 75 Years of Horse Racing | KTLA 5

Punters have been waiting a long time for a life-changing bet type but the TAB will finally deliver when it launches the Triple Trio in four weeks with a guaranteed $1 million pot.

The Wellington Racing Club's January 18 and 25 premier days will mark the start of the hugely popular Hong Kong bet, and spell the death knell of the Saturday Pick6.

The bet, which challenges punters to select the first three horses home in any order in three consecutive races, can jackpot to massive amounts, a HK$48 million pot being won in gambling-mad Hong Kong last year.

And, while the pools won't grow as high here, TAB officials are still hoping to see collects in the millions, with only one roughie needed to torpedo most tickets.

Only 21 Pick6 pools have reached $1 million since the six-race jackpot began in 1989 but TAB racing manager Michael Dore is hoping the Triple Trio will prove popular enough that $1 million pots can be guaranteed every Saturday.

"We have a pool of money set aside so we can guarantee the initial ones, on Telegraph Handicap day and Wellington Cup day, and hopefully they'll keep rolling with partial jackpots," Dore said.

While Pick6 punters have not been able to win concession dividends for years, 15 per cent of the Triple Trio pot each week will be paid out to those who correctly pick the first three home in the first two legs.

Punters will be able to take full units or percentage bets down to as little as 5 per cent, Dore believing ma-and-pa punters will relish a chance to win big with little outlay.

For example, boxing five runners in each leg for a 5 per cent unit would cost only $50, a reasonable spend with $50,000 in the offing.

By taking one or two bankers in a leg, the cost can also be trimmed, and Dore believes this will be a popular tactic, with statistics showing 60 per cent of favourites run in the money at the gallops.

The TAB will provide calculation charts so punters won't be bamboozled by the cost of their combinations.

But for those who prefer to take a lucky dip, as in Lotto, and let the computer do the work, TT easybets will be available.

Punters just have to tick a couple of boxes selecting $20, $16 and $8 options for full units to "win the lot" or choose 10 per cent units for values of $25, $10 and $5 where far more combinations can be covered.

The TT races will be the last three on the day's premier card, and pre-selling will start on Thursdays, with the TAB hoping to attract workers who are closer to TABs on Thursdays and Fridays. Dore said it was logical to can the Saturday Pick6 which had pools already being cannibalised by quaddies and struggling to get to high levels.

"Clearly punters feel a lot more confident tackling a quaddie rather then Pick6, especially with some pools having reached $50,000 to $100,000." Dore said.

"And we can't have the two pools (Pick6 and Triple Trio) fighting each other."

Dore said the success of the Triple Trio would rest with the dream of winning a million dollars.

It didn't matter much what the bet type was, it was the $1 million drawcard that would attract novice punters.

In Hong Kong huge betting syndicates chase the Triple Trio pots every week, and some of the celebrated payouts include HK$47,872 for a basic $10 unit in 2012 and HK$36 million in 2005.

In 2001, a massive HK$118 million dividend at Happy Valley went unclaimed when the ticket-holder did not claim the pot within 60 days.

Dore said it had been hoped Kiwi punters would be able to bet into Hong Kong's huge win, place and quinella pools through commingling this month but legal "ping pong" continued between Tabcorp and Hong Kong.

Further down the track, in 18 months to two years, the goal was to bet into Hong Kong's Triple Trio pools.

A succession of TAB chiefs over the past three decades have promised a new long-odds bets type, but apart from a brief flirtation with the "superfecta" in 1994, which evolved into the now defunct SixPack, they have failed to deliver.

In 1995 an opportunity to run with a Lotto-style game called Race-O, backed and promoted by champion trainer Dave O'Sullivan, leading breeder Sir Patrick Hogan and owner Berri Schroeder, met continual brick walls and was eventually vetoed for good in 1998.


Horse Racing | Triple Trio guarantees $1m jackpot | Stuff.co.nz

Trainer Justin Evans has high hopes for Rebranded, which is the newest addition to his barn. Make that real big hopes.

After Sunday's win in the 51st running of the Riley Allison Futurity for two-year thoroughbreds at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino, Evans can now move forward with his plan to see if Rebranded is a Kentucky Derby hopeful.

Rebranded took control in the home stretch to beat Lawly's Goal by two lengths in a time of 1:38.73.

"Rebranded is a strong horse and a horse who is still learning and growing," Evans said. "He's a bit green still but he did a good job today and jockey Ry Eikleberry did a good job of being patient on the horse."

Rebranded was fifth early on but as the race began to take shape, he began to move into contention. Then in the final stretch, he showed a strong final kick to earn his first career win in five starts. Rebranded had also finished second and third at racetracks on the East Coast.

"The race set up well for Rebranded," Eikleberry said. "We wanted to rate the horses and take our time. There were some good horses in the field and it was a nice win for this horse. He's going to get better as he gets older and more confident. Justin did a good job of preparing him for this race and I'm eager to see what he can do as he gets older."

Rebranded, who is a son of Tiznow, earned $62,880 for owner Tony Pennington and was the 6-5 favorite at post time. He returned $4.60 to win, $2.80 to place and $2.20 to show.

Evans' other horse in the field, Alsono, finished a strong third just behind Lawly's Goal. Alsono got to the lead early on and was right in the race until the final 200 yards. Evans said he is pointing both Rebranded and Alsono to the Feb. 22 Mine That Bird Derby which is another prep for the Sunland Derby in March. The Sunland Derby is a prep for the Kentucky Derby in May.

"Alsono ran a really good race as well," Evans said. "He showed he could route in this race and we're excited about both of them moving forward. We'll get back to work and get ready for some of the big races as three-year-olds."

Evans has had a strong start to the Sunland meet so far. He has won three stakes races and overall for the year, he has won 185 races, which places him in the top 10 nationally among trainers for races won.

"I'm fortunate to have a great team around me and lots of great horses," Evans said. "We're hopeful for another strong year in 2014."

Racing resumes at 12:15 on Thursday.

Felix Chávez may be reached at 546-6167.











Horse racing: Rebranded wins Riley Allison Futurity with late effort - El Paso Times

Colin Tizzard's ace, the second-best jumps horse in training according to Timeform, heads a high-quality field for the three mile Grade One on Boxing Day.

And the Betfair Chase winner is rated 9lbs clear of his eight rivals.

Unbeaten chasing superstar Sprinter Sacre, who is due to make his long-awaited reappearance at Kempton twenty-four hours later, is the only horse that Timeform currently rate above Cue Card.

Timeform Jumps Handicapper Phil Turner commented: "Cue Card is a top-notch performer - both in terms of form and consistency.

"Admittedly, he had a rare off-day when flopping in last year's King George, but there were excuses then and he's since proven himself at the trip.

"All things being equal, I'd fully expect him to confirm Betfair Chase placings with those who reoppose him on Boxing Day."

Dynaste, Silviniaco Conti and dual King George winner Long Run were the next three home in the Betfair Chase and join Cue Card at Kempton in a strong field which also includes Irish raider Mount Benbulben, three-times course winner Menorah and the recent Peterborough Chase one-two Riverside Theatre and Champion Court.

The main danger, however, could prove to be Al Ferof, who defeated both Sprinter Sacre and Cue Card when winning the 2011 Supreme Novices' Hurdle but has been beaten by Cue Card on their two other meetings.

Turner added: "Al Ferof is the unknown quantity in the field. His comeback win at Ascot was little more than a schooling session, but he's long promised to make into a top-class staying chaser and could well find further improvement for the step up in trip on Boxing Day."

Quality rather than quantity is very much the order of the day on Kempton's Boxing Day card, with the Grade One Christmas Hurdle attracting just six runners, but notably they include the two highest-rated British-based two-mile hurdlers, The New One and My Tent Or Yours.

Turner said: "In truth, the Christmas Hurdle is effectively a two-horse race but it is still a mouth-watering clash. The New One just heads the way on Timeform ratings at present, but there is only 2lb between them and it certainly wouldn't be a surprise if My Tent Or Yours could find the necessary improvement to bridge that gap."

King George VI Chase (all ratings weight-adjusted)

191 CUE CARD

182 SILVINIACO CONTI

182 DYNASTE

181? LONG RUN

180p AL FEROF

180x MENORAH

173 CHAMPION COURT

173 RIVERSIDE THEATRE

172x MOUNT BENBULBEN

Christmas Hurdle

183p THE NEW ONE

181p MY TENT OR YOURS

165 GRUMETI

162 SAMETEGAL

154 DUKE OF NAVAN

- CHAPEL HOUSE


Timeform: Cue Card by far the best | Sporting Life - Horse Racing News | Live Racing Results, Racecards, Live Betting Shows

JP McManus's Fahamore was banned for 42 days, rider Niall Madden suspended for seven days and trainer Edward Harty fined €1,000 when stewards found the pair in breach of Rule 212 after the 2m4f beginners' chase at Down Royal on Thursday, in which Fahamore stayed on for fourth, beaten 19 and a half lengths by Leish Oscar.

The Turf Club report of the race stated: "Edward Harty said that he instructed the rider to give his mount a chance early on as he had not run since May and not to knock him about as he had encountered training problems with his stifles. He added that his charge made a slight mistake at the fourth-last fence and lost his chance which he failed to regain.

"Niall Madden confirmed the trainer's instructions and added that he was in contention racing to the fourth-last fence but, having corrected him on the approach to it, he lost ground and with the front runners quickening at that point his own mount was flat-footed and he just pushed him along from that point without hitting him.

"He added that his mount took a blow at the fourth last fence but galloped on in the closing stages without being able to pass the third placed horse. He felt that he rode to his strongest ability and within his riding instructions."


Down Royal Fahamore banned for 42 days | Horse Racing News | Racing Post

TAUNTON Racecourse is all set to host its biggest meeting of the season tomorrow (Monday) when the first of the seven races on the card is due to go to post at 12.40pm.

Topping the bill in a card carrying a total of £56,000 in prizes is The Seasons Greetings From Totepool Novices’ Hurdle Race at 2.40pm, a Class 1 race for fillies and mares only, with a massive £20,000 up for grabs.

Top trainers Paul Nicholls, David Pipe, Colin Tizzard, Venetia Williams and Philip Hobbs all have runners while jockeys Richard Johnson, Daryl Jacob, Nick Schofield and Andrew Thornton are all booked to ride.

A total of 79 runners have been declared, including Miss Tinks, who will be running in the colours of the Taunton Racecourse Owners Club in the penultimate event of the day.

The gates will open at 10.30am and with their biggest crowd of the season expected the advice from Taunton Racecourse is to leave in plenty of time.

Racegoers are reminded that a courtesy bus service departs from Taunton Racecourse an hour before the first race, picking up at the bus station near the town centre soon after and returning from the course 30 minutes after the last event.

Taunton host the first of their three meetings next month on Monday, January 6, when anyone buying a grandstand ticket in advance on-line receives a second free.



HORSE RACING: Bumper crowd expected at Taunton tomorrow (From Somerset County Gazette)

In a plush, wood-panelled viewing box at the Mahalaxmi racecourse on Sunday, horse breeders Cyrus Poonawalla and his brother Zavaray, were rooting for Cyrus's horse, Elite Model. In the adjacent grandstand, over 1,000 Zoroastrians, from around the world, cheered as Cyrus's horse bagged first place.

"The idea of a Zoroastrian Million (race) came to my mind as soon as I decided to be the principal sponsor of the 10th World Zoroastrian Congress (WZC)," said Cyrus Poonawalla, chairman of the Serum Institute of India. "Most of these conferences have monotonous sessions and I was sure that all the delegates would consider this a welcome break."

Sunday was the first time ever that the Mumbai Racecourse dedicated a race day to a single community. The delegates—dressed in spiffy suits and summer dresses— could bet on races like "The 10th WZC Trophy", which was won by Nigella, and "The Zoroastrian Multi-Million" won by Safe Bet.

"It was superb fun," said 22-year-old Hosherdar Polad, a delegate at the WZC, whose great-grandfather owned horses. "I think it is very important because horse racing is part of 'bawa' history," added Polad.

In fact, the 130-year-old Mahalaxmi racecourse would not even exist if Parsi industrialist Cusrow N Wadia had not travelled by ship to Australia in the 1800s to study Melbourne's world-famous racecourse and then advanced an interest-free loan to replicate it in Mumbai.

Many Parsis have also been involved in breeding horses. The first stud farm in India, set up around 1939, was Parsi-owned, said Farrokh Wadia, president of the National Horse Breeding Society of India (NHBSI) and the owner of the Yerawada Stud Farm. Currently, the two biggest trainers are also Parsi—Bezan Chenoy and Pesi Shroff, who is also a former jockey. Women have also contributed to the sport, added Wadia, citing trainers like Nina Lalwani.

Racing also owes its current existence to a few Parsis. Just after independence, Morarji Desai decided to ban the sport and gave the industry six years to wrap up. At that time Wadia's father, Faly, who was the vice-president of NHBSI spearheaded a movement to save the sport, which eventually succeeded.

"When the British brought horse racing to India, Parsis were leading entrepreneurs like Jamsetjee Tata," said Cyrus Poonawalla, "and therefore they took a fancy to horse racing." However, he added, today the interest in racing amongst the community has receded because Parsis have migrated to other countries and they can no longer afford the luxury of betting and owning horses. "It is a sport for kings and Parsis instead of becoming kings, as they once were, are now becoming executives," he added.



Parsis and horse racing have a historic connection - The Times of India

PIPING ROCK, winner of the Horris Hill Stakes, was put down on Monday after suffering from a severe colic, with owner Godolphin describing it as "a terrible loss". Godolphin had recently purchased Piping Rock from previous owner/breeder Bob McCreery and he was set to be the only horse trained for the owner by Richard Hannon jnr in his first season next year.

Unbeaten in three starts, Hannon jnr had considered Piping Rock to be a Classic candidate and the son of Dubawi was as short as 20-1 for the Qipco 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 3.

Hannon jnr said: "The vets did everything possible for Piping Rock but very sadly there was nothing they could do to save him.

"Piping Rock hardly came off the bridle when winning all three of his races and showed in the Horris Hill Stakes that he was a genuine 2,000 Guineas contender so it is very sad to lose such a good horse."

Simon Crisford, the Godolphin racing manager, added: "We had great hopes for Piping Rock and our thoughts are with the staff at Richard Hannon's yard. He is a terrible loss."


Unbeaten Piping Rock put down after colic | Horse Racing News | Racing Post

O’Leary, whose horses run under the Gigginstown House Stud banner, is one of the most powerful owners in Ireland with more than 200 horses in training.

The colourful O’Leary, who has twice been the leading owner in Ireland, said: “Davy has been our No 1 for seven years and I think it’s now time for a change.”

Cooper, 21, enjoyed notable success for O’Leary when partnering First Lieutenant to win last season’s Betfred Bowl at Aintree.
At a storm-lashed Cheltenham yesterday, where standing water ruled out the jumping of four fences on each circuit, Annie Power stole the show after making it nine wins from nine outings when taking the Dornan Hurdle.

Successful rider Ruby Walsh, never one to hype a performance, could not hide his delight.


“She’s very, very good,” said Walsh.

“And she is still improving. It was some performance in those conditions but look at the great horses – Frankel, Kauto Star, Denman and Hurricane Fly – they showed they could handle any conditions.”

Ladbrokes made the Willie Mullins-trained mare 8-1 for the Champion Hurdle and the same price for the World Hurdle. But Walsh was keeping his cards close to his chest as to which Cheltenham Festival race she runs in.

“That’s for Willie Mullins to decide,” he added.

Nicky Henderson had some encouraging news regarding Sprinter Scare, who was found to have a heart problem after pulling up at Kempton last week, after Oscar Whisky beat his old sparring partner Taquin Du Seuil in the Dipper Chase.

“All is going good so far with Sprinter Sacre,” said Henderson. “On Friday Celia Marr (an equine cardiologist) will come down to see him canter with a heart monitor. But we are still a long way from daylight.”

Henderson said of Oscar Whisky: “We’ll put him in the Arkle but two-and- a-half miles was his premium distance over hurdles so the Jewson is probably the way we’ll go.”

Mendip Express also booked his Cheltenham Festival ticket after making it nine wins on the bounce in the Foundation Handicap Chase. with the option of the four-mile National Hunt Chase or the RSA Chase.



Horse racing: Bryan Cooper set for life of Ryan | Racing | Sport | Daily Star. Simply The Best 7 Days A Week

AP McCoy will be 40 in May but shows no sign of slowing down, and the big question about the 18-time champion jump jockey in 2014 is how much closer to 5,000 career winners he'll travel.

Certainly the famous day at Towcester when he and Mountain Tunes - a name to keep handy for sporting pub quizzes, I've found - reached 4,000 has already been left well behind.

As for up-and-coming stars, the profile of Irish jockey Bryan Cooper, 21, will start to climb if, as expected, he is appointed first-choice jockey by aviation boss Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown Stud.
Qatar investment

The ever-growing investment in British racing by the ruling family of Qatar, the Al Thanis, is certainly not stopping, and will be increasing in 2014.

Sheikh Joaan Al Thani, a cousin of the higher-profile Sheikh Fahad, is gaining a reputation as a big spender, and included in his burgeoning empire is a filly for whom he paid a record 5m guineas (£5.25m) as a yearling at Tattersalls Sale, Newmarket in October.

Frankie Dettori, due back in the saddle after injury forced him to miss the winning Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe ride on the Sheikh's filly Treve - who races on, with a Longchamp repeat her target - is the owner's number one jockey.

Kingston Hill

Kingston Hill ended his unbeaten two-year-old career with an impressive Group One success in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster, and is the horse to follow into Flat racing's Classic races.

It's likely the colt, owned by Paul Smith, son of Coolmore partner Derrick, will first be aimed by trainer Roger Varian - for whom 2014 will be only his fourth season - at the mile-long 2000 Guineas in May.

However, it could be that the longer challenge of the Epsom Derby in June will be ideal for Kingston Hill. Wherever he goes, there will be plenty of Coolmore opposition, and therefore father-son rivalry.
Rising star

Four winners, including in the feature race, on Scottish racing's Ayr Gold Cup day in September 2013 for jockey Oisin Murphy signalled the arrival onto the big stage of a special new talent.

Similar form on such a competitive day would have been striking had it come from champions Richard Hughes or Ryan Moore, but here was an 18-year-old apprentice doing the business.

Another graduate of the renowned Irish pony racing circuit and nephew of three-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winning rider Jim Culloty, Murphy's name is set to become a lot more familiar this year.
Skelton's progress

With a mentor like Paul Nicholls, it was highly likely that the former champion trainer's one-time right-hand man Dan Skelton would hit the ground running when setting up on his own.

And that's exactly what has happened. The 28-year-old, son of Olympic gold medal-winning showjumper Nick, now has a string of around 40 horses based near Alcester, Warwickshire.

Willow's Saviour, ridden by jockey brother Harry, provided the biggest win to date before Christmas, and there are sure to be plenty more where that came from. The horse is being aimed at the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury in February.

Perfect Power
Running up a long sequence of wins is quite a feat, whatever the level, and Annie Power, a mare trained in Ireland by Willie Mullins, looks destined for the top after making it nine from nine at Cheltenham on New Year's Day.

Ruby Walsh rode the six-year-old, who ticked pretty much every box as she swept aside the useful Zarkandar (again) as well as atrocious weather and ground conditions.

It is unclear which of the Champion, World or OLBG Mares Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival she will be aimed at, but it's probably worth remembering that the Mullins team already has Champion Hurdler Hurricane Fly and OLBG winner Quevega defending their titles.
Robust dope testing

More horses will be dope tested than ever before in the months ahead as the British Horseracing Authority battles to put behind it the two embarrassing drugs scandals that hit the sport in 2013.

In response to the unearthing of outlawed anabolic steroid use in Newmarket, at Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin stable and by trainer Gerard Butler, the BHA announced a new "robust strategy".

The number of post-race tests (in 2012, 7,182 out of 90,174 runners were tested) is to rise by 20%, while spot checks at stables (600-700 in 2012, although more in 2013) will double. Investment into hair sampling research is also to be stepped up.
The Grand National

A successful assault on the Grand National in April by Monbeg Dude would be one of the great stories of the year - and it looks a realistic proposition.

This is the horse, trained by Michael Scudamore, that was bought by rugby star Mike Tindall, husband of the Queen's grand-daughter Zara Phillips, during a boozy dinner at sales-ring in Cheltenham.

Co-owned by Tindall with rugby players James Simpson-Daniel and Nicky Robinson, Monbeg Dude, winner of last season's Welsh Grand National, has undergone intensive training with Phillips to improve his jumping, and now seems better than ever.



BBC Sport - Cornelius Lysaght's horse racing predictions for 2014

OLIVER SHERWOOD is looking forward to going novice chasing next season with Puffin Billy, who is recovering well from a life-threatening surgery on his small intestine just before Christmas but will not run again this term.

The six-year-old, who was unbeaten in his first four races and finished a good fifth to Champagne Fever in last season's Supreme Novices' Hurdle, had been declared to run at Haydock on December 21 when he was struck down with colic overnight.

Sherwood said: "He's being led out twice daily and seems to be doing well, but there's no point in rushing him back for one race in the spring, when the ground can change so quickly, and so we've decided to write off this season and then come back to go novice chasing with him in the autumn.

"They opened up his belly and, in layman's terms, literally had to undo a knot in his small intestine, but my vet Paul Ferguson is over the moon with him and with the job the surgeon Jessica Kidd did at the Valley Equine Hospital, which is just down the road from me. There is always a worry it will return one day, but the prognosis is good."


Puffin Billy to miss the rest of the season | Horse Racing News | Racing Post

PLUMPTON has passed an inspection on Sunday morning and racing, featuring the At The Races Sussex National, goes ahead on heavy going.

An inspection had been called by officials after significant rain in the past week had left the course at risk if more rain had arrived on Saturday night.

However, a dry night at Plumpton allowed racing to go ahead although clerk of the course Mark Cornford admitted that the track was "right on the edge" and could handle no more rain.

"We are forecast a nice, dry, sunny morning but then there is a front coming which is expected later in the afternoon, if that hits us earlier then we could be in trouble - it's a risk," Cornford said.

"We are raceable and it is going to be testing, heavy, wet ground - there's no getting away from that but people knew that."

He continued: "They will be racing as wide as possible on the hurdles course and there is some fresh ground on the inside of the chase course. We've been able to keep off that until Christmas and without it we would not be racing.

"The bottom bend is going to be deep but it is a winter sport and it is great to be racing."

The first fence in the home straight, which would have been the first race in the Sussex National, will be omitted for all chases.



Plumpton passes morning inspection after dry night | Horse Racing News | Racing Post

Trainer Mick Channon has paid tribute to a “great character and a great friend” after three-time champion jockey Terry Biddlecombe passed away at the age of 72.

Biddlecombe, who won the title in 1965, 1966 and shared the honours with Bob Davies in 1969, married former trainer Henrietta Knight in 1995.

Biddlecombe also won the Gold Cup in the saddle when he rode Woodland Venture to victory in 1967 and went close to winning the Grand National when Gay Trip was second in 1972.

Knight and Biddlecombe enjoyed fantastic success with the likes of Edredon Bleu, Lord Noelie and Impek but will forever be remembered for their association with Best Mate, who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup three times.

Best Mate’s exploits brought Knight and Biddlecombe very much into the public eye and they were seen as racing’s odd couple.

Former school teacher Knight and the ex-alcoholic Biddlecombe may not have appeared a match made in heaven but their enduring partnership was an unqualified success both on and off the track.

Biddlecombe suffered a stroke in October 2011 and having been battling with illness since, Knight quit the training ranks in May, 2012 to help look after her husband.

The horses in her care moved on to Mick Channon’s yard, where she still plays an active part in the training of the jumpers.

The news was confirmed on Knight’s Facebook page yesterday with a notification reading: “Sadly, Terry died peacefully after breakfast this morning with Henrietta by his side.”

Channon was with Knight throughout the morning and admits the news is difficult to take.

He said: “I have known Terry for a while now, not as long as some of the older jockeys, obviously, but he was a great man and in the time I’ve known him he became a great friend.

“Since the stroke it has been very difficult for everybody, but Hen has been absolutely amazing through it all.

“They were such a fantastic couple and Hen has been such a devoted carer and wife. They were totally dedicated to each other.

“Terry was a great character and a great friend and it’s just very sad.

“He will be sadly missed by everyone. I’m a bit choked up about it. I don’t know what else to say.”

Davies, now clerk of the course at Ludlow, looked backed fondly on his time spent with his former weighing room colleague and said: “We shared the title in 1968-69 and I think Terry was second to me the following season.

“When we shared the title, in the second half of the season I stayed with Terry most of the time, so we usually went racing together.

“The season went on into June that year because of Foot And Mouth disease and I remember it finished on a night at Uttoxeter.

“After the season finished we went on holiday together and had a great time.

“We had some great times together.”

As the owner of Best Mate, Champion Chase and King George hero Edredon Bleu and the talented Impek, Jim Lewis enjoyed a long-term friendship with Biddlecombe and Knight. Lewis said: “It is awful news and I want to pass on my love and sympathies to Henrietta, both from myself and Jennifer (wife).

“Terry was a major part of the success I had as an owner with Best Mate, Edredon Bleu and Impek. His input was vital to the victories we secured.

“People called them the odd couple, but in actual fact, there was nothing odd about them at all. They were simply madly in love with each other.

“It was an honour and a privilege to be with Terry for some of his greatest triumphs out of the saddle.”

The tributes on Twitter are unsurprisingly widespread, with 18-times champion jockey Tony McCoy saying on his feed: “Very sad news that former champion jockey and the legend that was Terry Biddlecombe has passed away. Thoughts with Hen and his family. RIP.”




Horse racing: Channon leads the tributes to former jockey Biddlecombe - Yorkshire Evening Post

The 2013 racing season is in the books, and it was an amazing year on the racetrack with plenty of memorable performances.

Will Take Charge got drubbed by 45 lengths in the Triple Crown races only to come back during the second half of the year to wrap up division honors with wins in the Grade 1 Travers and Clark and a game nose loss in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Game On Dude and Princess of Sylmar saw their Horse of the Year bids flame out during the Breeders’ Cup, and we witnessed an amazing three-way photo in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Like the Energizer Bunny, Wise Dan kept on ticking, winning all six of his grass starts on his way to likely claiming back-to-back Horse of the Year honors.

Let’s revisit horse racing’s most memorable performances of 2013.


Pictures: Horse Racing's Most Memorable Performances of 2013 | Bleacher Report

The four-year-old is a 33-1 shot with Ladbrokes and Hills for the JCB Triumph Hurdle, a race in which his owners have more than a passing interest.

For Lady Bamford and her daughter Alice have bought him with a unique mission in mind – to win the race Alice’s dad sponsors at the Cheltenham Festival.

Lady Carole had the pick of several local trainers, as the Bamford estate is in the North Cotswolds, but went with Jonjo O’Neill as he won the race in 2003 and isgreat mates with her own pals, the Magniers and Michael Tabor.

O’Neill had to go to 380,000gns to buy Goodwood Mirage at the Sales in October, such was his impressive Flat CV.

The four-year-old has had a charmed life to date, compared to the average racehorse.

Bought for 27,000gns as a yearling for the Goodwood Owners Racehorse Group, he spent his first season with John Dunlop on the Duke Of Norfolk’s estate at Arundel. When Dunlop retired ‘Mirage’ joined William Knight who trains on Lady Herries’ estate at Angmering Park.

In June Knight placed Goodwood Mirage to win for his owners at their local track, owned by the Earl of March.

And Goodwood Mirage finished 2013 coming fourth at Ascot, which is owned by the Queen.

He is now housed in one of the most luxurious yards of all, Jackdaws Castle.

Lady Bamford has owned and bred an Oaks winner, Sariska in 2009, so even a Festival victory can not match that.

But it will still be a great thrill if Goodwood Mirage wins the Triumph Hurdle.

A picture of the trophy presentation by her husband to her would surely make it on to one of their many mantelpieces.



Horse racing: Goodwood Mirage gets the green light | Racing | Sport | Daily Star. Simply The Best 7 Days A Week

It's time for the horseracing industry to spend some of its "magic millions" to stop thousands of thoroughbreds ending up as dog food, animal activists say.

Up to 50 protesters, including one dressed as a butcher and drenched in fake blood, will greet racegoers with "horsielicious" cans of dog food at the main entrance of the Gold Coast's Magic Millions Carnival on Saturday.

Brisbane shoppers got a taste of what's to come when six activists protested at King George Square on Thursday.

The Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) campaign director Elio Celotto says they want to draw attention to the dark side of the racing industry and build public pressure for a national retirement plan for ex-race horses.

Mr Celotto says the CPR understands from studies and its own research that about 15,000 race horses end up at the knackery every year.

This figure includes not only ex-race horses but also a surplus of foals bred for the industry, he says.

He also says a large number of young, discarded racehorses are exported for human consumption to countries such as Belgium and Japan.

"They breed them and try them out and if they're no good they get rid of them," Mr Celotto told AAP.

"Almost half of them don't get to race.

"It's an industry for the last 200 years that has pretty much done what it's wanted to and now it's time to make it accountable."

The CPR is urging the Australian Racing Board to back a plan for the industry to commit one per cent of its annual betting turnover, estimated to be $143 million, to saving racehorses from slaughter.

A spokesman for the board says stopping retired racehorses from ending up in a knackery is one of its priorities.

However, he disputed the CPR's figures, which he said were misleading.

He said the board has begun surveying trainers to establish how many ex-racehorses a year end up in cans and is expected to have figures in about six months.

"We are seriously looking at the retirement of racehorses and have set up committees in states such as Victoria to tackle this," he said.




Read more: The dark side of horse racing