Latest news with #Group1
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Alan King chokes up over death of Trueshan as second horse breaks down at Goodwood
Tuscan Star, a three-time winner for trainer Andrew Balding, was pulled up sharply in the straight during the first race and left the course in an ambulance A second horse broke down at Goodwood on Wednesday, 24 hours after the tragic death of popular stayer Trueshan at the track. Day one of the Glorious Goodwood fixture was completed under a cloud after Trueshan broke a pastern while competing in the Group 1 Goodwood Cup, a race he won in 2021. His regular rider Hollie Doyle, in the saddle on Tuesday, partnered him to 10 of his 16 successes, including in the Goodwood Cup, two wins in the Prix du Cadran, two in the Long Distance Cup at Ascot and an extraordinary success in the Northumberland Plate in which the horse carried 10st 8lb to victory. According to James Given, the BHA's director of equine welfare, Trueshan sustained a 'broken left-hind pastern and left him in a situation that wasn't recoverable from.' Trueshan's trainer Alan King choked up as he talked about the impact of his stable star's death to ITV. 'The outpouring of messages has been unbelievable,' he said. 'I knew he was popular but we had well over 200 and am still getting them now. It means an awful lot and it's helped me and it's helped the staff. 'He's been a friend. He's been a very straightforward horse to train, incredibly sound. I don't think he's ever missed a day. All right, there was lots of times we didn't run him and that was solely because he didn't want fast ground.' He continued: 'What happened yesterday was a freak accident, nothing to do with the training or the ground. It was just one of those awful things that can happen. 'A lot of the viewers will remember old Viking Flagship, who was retired. He was my hack. We never ride out on a Monday morning because we school, and Monday afternoon we turn them out in the outdoor school just to let him chill. 'He got down, he rolled, he took off, had a canter round and he broke a hind leg. It happens, it's bloody awful but it does happen. 'Trueshan is coming back to Barbury and he will be buried next to Viking Flagship, Balder Succes and Katchit. That helps.' King said it had been a blessing that he had been able to reach Trueshan's side before the decision was made to have him euthanised. 'Mark White my travelling head lad was there within minutes,' said King, beginning to choke up. 'I just said please hang on till I get there to say goodbye. 'The vets were superb. I want to bring that across. It was peaceful, it was calm, they were professional. It means a lot.' On Wednesday during the first race Tuscan Star went wrong in the straight during the Kincsem Handicap and had to be pulled up. He was led onto a horse ambulance and taken for further assessment.
News.com.au
8 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Champion jockey James McDonald returns on final day of metro season to celebrate ninth Sydney jockeys' premiership
Sydney storms put a dampener on champion hoop James McDonald 's racing return on Wednesday – but nothing could stop the star rider celebrating a seventh consecutive Sydney jockeys' title. McDonald went without a win on his first day back riding in Sydney in more than a month at Warwick Farm but didn't need one to officially move within touching distance of George Moore's all-time Sydney premiership record. His latest title success, his 10th in total, has been a fait accompli for several months. McDonald finished the 2024/25 campaign with 83 city winners to sit comfortably clear of Jason Collett (74 winners) and Zac Lloyd (67 winners). Next season McDonald is the hot favourite to add a 10th premiership and equal Moore's long held record in Sydney racing. He can also equal Moore's amazing feat of eight straight Sydney titles, which was achieved on a historic run from 1961-62 to 1968-69. McDonald's latest haul is the least victories he's had in a premiership-winning season since winning his first in 2013-14 with 72 winners. • Angela Jones seals historic Brisbane jockeys' premiership But the coveted crown has come with a sensational winning strike rate in town of just over 25 per cent while juggling international commitments in Hong Kong and the Middle East as well as several interstate raids. His partnership with soon-to-be horse of the year Via Sistina helped propel him to a career best season of 21 Group 1 victories with a personal record of more than $59m in prizemoney earned for connections. McDonald can kick the new season off on a high note with seven rides at Saturday's Rosehill Gardens meeting. It will also see the metropolitan return of leading apprentice Braith Nock, who added his name to one of Sydney racing's most coveted honour rolls. Nock has spent the final two weeks of the campaign on the sidelines through suspension but did more than enough to celebrate his maiden apprentices' title with 40 winners for the campaign. Chris Waller (142 winners) continued his remarkable reign at the top of the tree of the Sydney training ranks which has now stretched for 15 seasons. Premiership winners will be celebrated at Saturday's Rosehill Gardens card, which coincides with the Australian Turf Club's Jockey Celebration Day. Australian Turf Club head of racing and wagering Nevesh Ramdhani paid tribute to the premiership winners. 'Sydney has world-class jockeys and trainers who help to make our racing the equal of any centre 52 weeks a year,'' Ramdhani said. 'It is fitting we celebrate the premiership winners whilst hosting a large number of retired jockeys who have created their own history and memories on Sydney tracks.' More rain throughout the remainder of the week has the industry of weather watch heading into the weekend.
New Paper
20 hours ago
- Business
- New Paper
Anticipation builds as Meydan gears up for landmark season
DUBAI - The stage is set for another thrilling season of world-class racing at the iconic Meydan racecourse, as Dubai Racing Club announced the dates for the 2025-26 Dubai Racing Carnival. Spanning 17 race meetings, the season kicks off on Nov 7, and reaches its spectacular conclusion on March 28, 2026, which will draw global attention with the 30th running of the Group 1 Dubai World Cup (2,000m). While the Dubai World Cup meeting and the Emirates Super Saturday meeting are held on Saturdays, the remaining 15 meetings at Meydan will be run on Fridays. Known as the world's single richest race day, the Dubai World Cup meeting will mark a historic milestone in 2026, celebrating three decades since its inaugural race in 1996. The premier sporting event in the United Arab Emirates came about as part of Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's vision to position Dubai as a global hub for elite racing. It was initially held at Nad Al Sheba racecourse, but moved to the sprawling Meydan racecourse from 2010. The Dubai World Cup meeting - run annually bar a cancellation in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic - has since gained international traction, attracting top-class horses, trainers and jockeys across the globe with its rich prize purse. On April 5, the Wathnan Racing-owned US runner Hit Show landed the 29th edition of the highlight dirt race worth US$12 million (S$15.4 million), after he beat Japanese raider and race favourite Forever Young into third. The 2025-26 Dubai Racing Carnival will still conclude with the Dubai World Cup meeting, where the Dubai World Cup takes centre stage. But, similar to the 2024-25 season, there will be three other feature race days that would anchor the new Dubai season. The Festive Friday meeting will kick off the holiday spirit on Dec 19, when fans and racing enthusiasts can look forward to the 1 million dirham (S$350,000) Group 2 Maktoum Mile (1,600m). Five weeks later on Jan 23, 2026, the Fashion Friday meeting will see the running of the 3.68 million dirham Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge (1,900m), which offers a coveted Bonus Scheme berth that gives the winner a guaranteed spot in the Dubai World Cup. Meanwhile, the Group 2 Al Maktoum Classic (1,900m) slated for the Emirates Super Saturday meeting - a cornerstone of the Dubai Racing Carnival - on Feb 28, 2026, is also a qualifying race that grants the winner automatic entry into the Dubai World Cup. "The Dubai World Cup is firmly established as one of the world's great sporting and social spectacles," said Sheikh Rashed bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, chairman of Dubai Racing Club. "As we prepare for its 30th edition in 2026 - a milestone to be truly celebrated - we look forward to welcoming the finest horses, jockeys and connections from around the world. "The 16 lead-up meetings of the Dubai Racing Carnival promise exceptional competition and international flair. "Thanks to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Carnival continues to elevate Dubai's position on the global racing stage." Added CEO and board member of Dubai Racing Club, Ali Al Ali: "We are extremely proud of the growth of both the Dubai World Cup and Dubai Racing Carnival over the past three decades. "Under the guidance of our leaders, we are working hard to ensure that we fulfil their visions and make the 30th Dubai World Cup a truly unforgettable experience for both horse racing professionals and fans." DUBAI RACING CLUB
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
'Devastated' Hollie Doyle and Alan King tributes to legendary Trueshan after fatal injury
The jockey and trainer enjoyed huge success together with the stalwart stayer who won 16 of his 35 races and earned more than £2 million in prize-money A 'devastated' Hollie Doyle paid an emotional tribute to legendary stayer Trueshan after he suffered a fatal injury during the Goodwood Cup on Tuesday. Doyle, 28, owed a huge debt to the Alan King trained star, riding him to ten of his 16 career successes, which included the 2021 edition of Goodwood's 2m Group 1 race. The pair were contesting the race for the fourth time when Trueshan suddenly broke down and was quickly pulled up on the opening day of the Glorious Goodwood meeting. It subsequently emerged he had suffered a fatal injury, news which cast a pall was cast over the racecourse when it was confirmed that Trueshan had been put down. James Given, the BHA's director of equine welfare, told ITV Racing: 'I want to express my sincere condolences to all the connections and anyone associated with the horse, no one is going to feel this more than them. He's been a stalwart, he's been a firm friend, he's been everything to them 'What has happened unfortunately is just an accident, mid-race, in a straight line going up a hill. His left-hind pastern broke and left him in a situation that wasn't recoverable from. 'Alan was able to get down there and assess him with the vet and they felt there was no option really but to put him down.' Doyle's wins on Trueshan included not only the Goodwood Cup, but two wins in the Prix du Cadran, two in the Long Distance Cup at Ascot and an extraordinary success in the Northumberland Plate in which the horse carried 10st 8lb to victory. She said: 'I'm just devastated. It couldn't be any worse. He was a special, special horse, I can't think of anything else to say. I am gutted. He's been amazing for me, a star, and those memories we have together are some of my very best." King told Mirror Racing: 'It's a hell of a shock. We have protected him all these years from fast ground for his front tendons and I was happy to run him today. "He sadly shattered a hind pastern. He just put his foot down slightly wrong and it was a freak injury - it's very rare. "We will miss him terribly. We have organised he will be cremated and come back to Barbury Castle with some of the old superstars like Katchit and Viking Flagship. "He won 16 from 35 races, over £2million in prize money and took us to some wonderful places. He's a kind horse and nice person. "The team at home will be devastated - I am sorry for everyone and the owners have been wonderful. "To say we don't care, you couldn't be further from the truth. I have had more than 100 messages and I am grateful to everybody.
RTÉ News
a day ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Progressive Scandinavia outduels Illinois in Goodwood Cup
Scandinavia got the better of stablemate Illinois in a thrilling finish to the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes, in a race overshadowed by a fatal injury to the veteran Trueshan. The Aidan O'Brien-trained stable companions dominated the betting, so while Scandinavia was discarded by Ryan Moore, Wayne Lordan's mount was still only a 4-1 shot following his victory in the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket. Illinois attempted to make all but Scandinavia drew upsides over a furlong out and the two had it between them, with the concession of 14lb ultimately proving too much for Moore's mount, who went down by three-quarters of a length. French Master stayed on for a never-nearer third. A new staying star. Scandinavia becomes the first three-year-old since the great Stradivarius to win the Group 1 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup, landing our £500,000 feature for @waynemlordan and Aidan O'Brien @Q_REC — Goodwood Racecourse (@Goodwood_Races) July 29, 2025 O'Brien immediately signalled the St Leger at Doncaster as the big aim for his winner. "Wayne gave him a lovely ride – in the race at Ascot (Queen's Vase) he was trapped six wide all the way and then at Newmarket Ryan said he felt like a very good horse," he said. "Illinois went out there in front and looked to have the race won, but then the other horse got him. "We went to the Gold Cup (with Illinois) without a preparation and I know we haven't seen the best of him. "Scandinavia is a typical Justify, he just won't lie down, he puts his head down and won't be beaten. "Lambourn didn't go to the King George as we had one eye on York for him. It's all out in the open and this horse is ready made for the Leger, which is where he will go." Alan King's hugely popular Trueshan, winner of the race in 2021, was pulled up sharply by Hollie Doyle at halfway, with news sadly emerging his injury had proved to be a fatal one. Eve Johnson Houghton's Zavateri gamely maintained his unbeaten record when defying a penalty in holding off Morris Dancer in the Coral Vintage Stakes. A surprise winner of the July Stakes at Newmarket, he was 8-1 for this Group Two affair, mainly due to the fact he was carrying 3lb more than such promising types as Humidity and Dorset. Charlie Bishop still had five in front of him with two furlongs to run, but when the gap came he shot through it and while immediately challenged by John and Thady Gosden's Morris Dancer, he stuck his neck out and had his head in the right place on the line. The Ed Walker-trained Do Or Do Not placed yet again in third. One of the stars of the season strikes again! Zavateri makes it three from three and strikes for more Group 2 glory in a thrilling renewal of the £175,000 @Coral Vintage Stakes for @johnsonhoughton — Goodwood Racecourse (@Goodwood_Races) July 29, 2025 "After Newmarket I didn't know where to go because when you have a 3lb penalty it's damn hard," said Johnson Houghton. "It was either come here or wait until Doncaster, but so glad we did. He had to win his race twice after cutting through them like a knife through butter. "I put him in the Mill Reef this morning, but that's out of the question now as we will head for the Dewhurst, with the Jean-Luc Lagardere as a back up. "He's never had to tough it out at home, but he did today. What a dude he is, just a lovely, lovely horse." Hollie Doyle was at her brilliant best to steer Witness Stand to HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes success and give Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole a marquee Group Two victory. There was early drama as Ralph Beckett's race regular and leading fancy Kinross was withdrawn at the start after receiving a kick, while Ed Walker's Royal Ascot winner Noble Champion was eased down and pulled up early into the piece. However, Doyle avoided any complications as she latched Witness Stand on to the small cluster to go forward from start, always in the slipstream of customary front-runner Quinault and defending champion Audience. It looked momentarily like Audience would recreate last year's heroics, but the 25-1 winner found plenty in reserve inside the final furlong to gallop home two-and-three-quarter-lengths clear of William Haggas' Lake Forest, the only runner to emerge from the chasing pack late on. A landmark winner for @UrloxheyStables! Witness Stand strikes in the £180,000 Group 2 @HKJC_Racing @WorldPool Lennox Stakes under @HollieDoyle1. Many congratulations to the Jamie Insole and Dr Richard Newland training partnership — Goodwood Racecourse (@Goodwood_Races) July 29, 2025 Insole said: "As a trainer you wait your whole life for a good horse and to win the Lennox is pretty incredible. "We bought him for a hundred grand and felt he'd gone under the radar as there were higher offers for him that came our way afterwards. I already had this race in mind for him. "It was his Chester run (second in a Listed race) that gave us the confidence to come here, and when I saw the rain this morning and the slower ground I knew it would be to his advantage."
