Latest news with #thoroughbred
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
The Epsom Derby is a national event and should be given a stand-alone slot like the FA Cup final - not squashed into a crammed schedule, writes DOMINIC KING
Francis-Henri Graffard is one of the world's leading trainers, devoting his life to racing. But in a quiet moment yesterday, he was simply a starstruck fan. Standing on the finishing line, having just walked Epsom's rollercoaster course, he handed his phone to a passer-by and asked for the moment to be captured. This would be the equivalent of Virat Kohli walking into the Long Room at Lord's and requesting a photograph. 'It's the most famous winning post in the world!' Graffard explained to Mail Sport with a smile. 'I needed a good picture! My passion came from my grandfather. I was hooked. Then one day he gave me Federico Tesio's book about the Derby. That was it. It's the race.' It really is. It's the reason racing exists — breeders have been working for 245 years to hone the perfect animal for this test and the sound of the hooves of its greatest winners, from Nijinsky to Shergar to Galileo and Sea The Stars, still thunder through the ages. Tesio, an Italian breeder who lived from 1859 to 1954, said something so profound about the Derby that his quote adorns a wall in the Tipperary offices of Coolmore, the world-renowned bloodstock operation. 'The thoroughbred exists because its selection has depended, not on experts, technicians or zoologists, but on a piece of wood,' said Tesio. 'The winning post of the Epsom Derby.' This is a national event, sporting theatre that should be treated with reverence. Yet, today, when Chantilly-based Graffard's runner Midak and 2,000 Guineas winner Ruling Court line up with 17 others, the Derby is squashed into a crammed schedule like it is betting shop fodder. Between 3pm and 4pm, there are four other races around the country — two at Musselburgh, two at Worcester. It is an embarrassment for fixture planners and selfish racecourses that a National Hunt bumper, worth just £2,451 to the winner, will be staged 15 minutes after the Derby starts. There is a desire to make the Derby the event it once was, when thousands lined up on Tattenham Hill, and one way to do that would be to have the common sense to make Epsom the only card of the day. No all-weather action, no pointless summer jumping — get all eyes and interest where it matters. It is 30 years since the first seismic change was made to the Derby, shifting it from its once traditional place on a Wednesday to a Saturday, but the time has come to consider another: for one day in the summer, there should be only one card. Think about it. You remember FA Cup finals as they were stand-alone events, why can't this be the same? Watching Ryan Moore, the world's best jockey, possibly light up Epsom on favourite Delacroix will stay in your mind — you would forget the winner of the Worcester bumper before the day is out. Something must be done. Brian Finch, Epsom's impressive chairman, is determined to put sheen back on this fixture — and listening to the passion with which Graffard spoke underlined why the Derby still holds wonder. 'When I worked in England (for Sheik Mohammed's Darley Operation), I came here to walk around Epsom,' said Graffard. 'It was so impressive! A horse needs so many qualities to be competitive in this race. As a trainer, it is a privilege to be able to send a horse to contest it.' Midak, for the record, was supplemented to the Derby field at a cost of £75,000. He will carry the fabled green silks of the late Aga Khan, in whose memory this year's race will be run. 'My horse has everything to prove,' he said. 'He was late maturing, mentally and physically, but he comes here spot on. Let's see what happens.'
The Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
With questions over many I have every confidence in my massive 14-1 Epsom Derby NAP
THE Aga wins the Aga Derby. That's fairytale stuff, isn't it? I'm not so sure. I'm talking, of course, about Midak, one of the French raiders supplemented into Saturday's Group 1 Betfred Derby, the world's most famous Classic beamed to you live on ITV. 2 Derby Day should always be something special for anyone who loves the thoroughbred. For many it's the ultimate test of the Flat racehorse, and it has tested the best. Winners like Nijinsky, Mill Reef, Nashwan and Sea The Stars... as well as those in defeat like Dancing Brave and El Gran Senor. The twists and turns are one thing, the stamina test over a mile and a half of the Epsom Downs another. Will he stay? That will be the question many ask about the majority of today's runners. It's certainly a doubt for 2,000 Guineas hero Ruling Court, who was hardly mentioned after being chased home by fast-finishing Field of Gold at HQ. Could it just be Ruling Court was the best horse for William Buick and Charlie Appleby? Time will tell. Delacroix really should stay for the Derby King of Trainers, Aidan O'Brien. But Ballysax and Leopardstown Derby Trial victor Delacroix is by Dubawi. In itself that is no bad thing. But the super stallion has had nine runners to date in seven different editions of the Derby and none of them has finished in the first four. Dubawi himself ran in the 2005 Derby, eventually going down eight lengths to Motivator. That was six years after his sire, Dubai Millennium, met the only defeat of his career when sent off the favourite for the Derby. Pride of Arras has only raced twice but looked very useful when romping home from Damysus in a slowly run Dante at York which saw The Lion In Winter pull his chance away in the first two furlongs. Ralph Beckett's challenger, ridden by Hector Crouch, is bred to stay and could be the real deal for owner-breeder Mrs David Aykroyd. Her colours are also carried by Amiloc, who hacked up at Goodwood the other day but can't run here as he's been gelded. Lambourn is a similar type to Los Angeles who ran well behind stable companion City of Troy last year. Another O'Brien raider, Lambourn is proven over further having landed the Chester Vase but he was beaten by Delacroix in the Ballysax. The other I want to mention, before I get on to Midak, is Stanhope Gardens, who is another for Beckett and has always appeared to be a Derby type. Last season Stanhope Gardens was only beaten a neck by Delacroix in the Autumn Stakes at Newmarket. That puts him bang in the mix. The son of Ghaiyyath is bred to stay well and had effectively a racecourse gallop at Salisbury the other day when winning an event put on especially for him. But let's get back to my French fancy Midak. 2 He runs in the colours of Aga Khan Studs SCEA in a Derby run in memory of His Highness Aga Khan IV. That means he carries the green and red silks that have been worn at Epsom by legends like Shergar, Shahrastani, Kahyasi, Sinndar and Harzand. So, naturally, a Francis-Henri Graffard-trained Midak victory would be fairytale stuff under Mickaël Barzalona, who won this on Pour Moi in 2011. Midak is out of a mare by Sinndar and is already very useful. My hope is unbeaten in three races and his form suggests he's a solid, improving Group 2 horse, having scored well over an extended 1m2f at Saint-Cloud last time. He kept on well that day suggesting this trip would suit and of course he's bred for it. 'He's definitely a horse improving with his races and will definitely get the trip,' explained Nemone Routh, racing manager for the Aga Khan Studs. 'We're not sure on his form lines and how it stacks up, but all he can do is win and he's won every start. 'He's going to have to handle the track and he's a big horse with a big, long stride. Mickael Barzalona thinks he will handle the track because he's well balanced. 'We would be very happy to see him finish in the first three or even first five, but he is a bit of an unknown quantity and he does everything easily at home. It's a little bit of a shot in the dark, but we thought it was worth it.' It's the type of Derby to simply 'have a go'. And there would be no more poignant victory than one for Midak. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who:
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Newcastle best bets, inside mail for Saturday, June 7, 2025
Racenet and The Daily Telegraph form analyst Adam Sherry provides his best bets and race-by-race analysis for Newcastle on Saturday. The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. NEWCASTLE BEST BET Race 5 No. 2: QUEEN'S RHAPSODY Resumed with a smart win and hard to beat again. NEXT BEST Nice win on a heavy track two starts back. Back to provincial grade after a sixth in town. VALUE BET Race 8 No. 1: RUSH ATTACK Freshened after failing at Hawkesbury and has trialled well since. BEST EXOTIC Quinella Race 5: 2, 5 QUADDIE Race 5: 2, 5 Race 6: 1, 2, 7, 10 Race 7: 2, 3, 10 Race 8: 1, 2, 5, 8 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW Talented apprentice MOLLIE FITZGERALD has some nice rides and looks a good chance in the TAB Jockey Challenge. INSIDE MAIL – NEWCASTLE EXTRIO (9) is a two-year-old against the older horses. Sat three-wide to win her Warwick Farm trial from Confidentiality and Central Coast. Tracked speed before getting clear and closed stylish to win her May 29 Rosehill trial by over a length on a Heavy 9. COSMIC EAGLE (8) is another two-year-old filly on debut. Raced outside the leader before dashing away to win her Rosehill trial on the same day in slightly quicker time. MEDITERRA (10) also starts her career off a trial win, her one at Kembla on May 12. BOHEMIAN ART (1) was well backed on debut and raced outside the leader when a neck second behind Impressionism who kicked back to beat here on Apr 26. She bled from one nostril when fifth to Monte Veebee at Kembla second-up. Worth another chance. ZO FRILLING (9) followed three placings with a fourth to Faceoff last start. Will appreciate the extra trip. OAKFIELD EARTH (7) also debuted in that race won by Impressionism where she finished a three length sixth. Went to the tricky Quirindi track and finished a half-length fourth. Bet: Bohemian Art to win ARISTOCRAT (11) made steady ground from near last when fourth to Regulated Affair on debut then battled away on the heavy ground when sixth to Agarwood at Randwick. Winkers and tongue tie on and dropping back to provincial grade can help him break through. LORD VETTORI (3) has placed in four of his six start including second placing at his last two. Boxed on gamely behind Faceoff on a Heavy 9 at Goulburn last start. MATETE (4) has been just behind the placegetters in his four runs and won't be far away again. DIVO (2), the grandson of Makybe Diva, has won both trials this preparation. The margin wasn't great in his latest Wyong heat but it was on a Heavy 9. JUST RESPONSE (4) sat three-wide and cruised home to win on the Beaumont on May 7. Led all-the-way to beat Smashing Nova on a heavy track on the Beaumont last Monday. MAGIC FLAMES (7), the half-sister to city winner Magic Pharoah, has shown nice ability with placings in her two Randwick trials. QUEEN'S RHAPSODY (2) kicked off her second preparation with a stylish win from Missie Lee over 1100m at Hawkesbury and will appreciate stepping up to 1200m here and even further in time. Gets in well with a 3kg claim. TRUE AMOR (5) was scratched a couple of time before resuming with a length fourth to Secure at Warwick Farm on May 7. Will take benefit from the run and appreciate the drop back t provincial grade. NINGALOO REEF (1) returned with a big win at Hawkesbury. LOUNERSE (1) will appreciate a drop back in grade on her second last of 11 in the Midway at Randwick on May 24. Prior to that was a narrow winner over this track and distance. AUTUMN DREAM (2) debuted with an upset win over Hurry Miss in a Warwick Farm Super Maiden over 1300m before finishing just behind the placegetters in her next two over 1600m. CALYX ROSE (7) took improvement from her first two runs when she stepped up to 1375m to win at Cowra and followed with an all-the-way win over 1500m here on Feb 1. MISSILE SEEKER (2) missed the start by a couple of lengths before coming through the middle of the field to score by a length from Willie Oppa at Wyong on a Heavy 9. Boxed on for sixth to Piggyback at Warwick Farm last start. AIX EN PROVENCE (3) resumed with a close third to Miss Kim Kar at Canterbury first-up last campaign. Was a close second in a Midway three starts later. Trialling well. CARNEGIE HILL (10) has claims on his last start Hawkesbury win. RUSH ATTACK (1) was freshened after racing keenly and finishing down the track behind Enter The Dragon at Hawkesbury on Apr 9. Just pipped by Pocketing in a Randwick Midway and beaten a length onto seventh behind Inferencia in a Rosehill Midway. SCHOLL DEEP (8) was a three-quarter length third to Fiftyfivechevy on a Good 4 here then relished the heavy track when a smart winner over Better Explain here on May 3. Gets in well with the 3kg claim. OAKFIELD MAMSELLE (5) has a win and a second from three first-up runs. Is two from two over the mile.
Irish Times
17-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Nina Carberry questioned ‘concerning' EU tariffs on thoroughbred horses
Fine Gael MEP Nina Carberry raised concerns with the European Commission about its plan to hit imports of thoroughbred horses from the United States with trade tariffs, during a closed-door meeting. Ms Carberry, whose husband recently took over a thoroughbred breeding company the couple set up together, questioned commission officials about the EU executive body's proposal to threaten tariffs on the US thoroughbred industry. The commission, which is leading the EU's response in the transatlantic trade fight, has drawn up a range of US products it proposes putting tariffs on, in an effort to increase pressure on US president Donald Trump to roll back sweeping import taxes he has introduced on goods coming from Europe. The Government is concerned at the inclusion of US aircraft, medical devices, agricultural products and bourbon whiskey on the commission's proposed list of targets, which will be finalised in the coming weeks. READ MORE [ Rachael Blackmore cracked glass ceiling but presuming it's in smithereens for female jockeys is complacent Opens in new window ] Ms Carberry flagged concerns she had about proposed retaliatory tariffs on thoroughbred horses sold from the US to EU states, at a recent meeting between MEPs and commission officials. The former champion jockey queried the rationale for tariffs on thoroughbreds and bourbon with a high-ranking commission official, during a private briefing organised for MEPs and staff in the European Parliament on Tuesday. Until recently Ms Carberry ran a small thoroughbred breeding business with her husband, Ted Walsh Jnr. The company is mainly involved in the trade of horses between the UK and Ireland. Ms Carberry stepped back from her role in the business and resigned as a director after she took her seat in the European Parliament last July. Records show Ms Carberry owned the company, but a spokesman for the MEP said Mr Walsh had since taken over full ownership of the business. The name of the company, which the pair set up together in 2011, was changed from Nina Carberry Racing Ltd to Ncw Activities Ltd last August, Companies Registration Office filings show. [ WHO's treatment of Dr Mike Ryan proves to be a shocking case study Opens in new window ] Ms Carberry was chief executive of the company, according to an ethics declaration she submitted to the European Parliament following her election. A spokesman for Ms Carberry said the MEP's links to the racing industry were well known and there was no question of any conflict of interest in her questioning of the commission. In a statement, Ms Carberry said: 'I raised my concerns with the commission earlier this week regarding the inclusion of thoroughbred horses and bourbon on the EU's proposed US counter-tariff list.' The Fine Gael MEP said she had asked for clarity on the 'rationale' behind the inclusion of bourbon and thoroughbreds in the package of possible retaliatory tariffs. 'The commission responded positively to my concerns and confirmed they are seeking feedback on a number of items on the counter-tariff list as part of the ongoing four-week consultation phase,' she said. Ms Carberry said Ireland's thoroughbred industry had hugely benefited from free trade agreements with the US. 'Any threat to these flows is deeply concerning and something I strongly oppose,' she said. The Government is stepping up its own lobbying efforts to convince the commission to reconsider proposed tariffs on a number of sectors and products, such as aircraft and bourbon. The commission will present a revised package of US products in the frame for tariffs next month, taking into account some requests for changes from national governments. The import duties will only kick in should efforts to agree a deal with the Trump administration to end the trade dispute fail. A prominent figure in the horse racing industry and past winner of RTÉ's Dancing with the Stars television contest, Ms Carberry was elected in the Midlands North-West constituency. She was selected as one of two Fine Gael candidates on the ticket, alongside sitting MEP Maria Walsh, who was re-elected.
News.com.au
15-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Scone preview: Trainer Kris Lees has a strong hand with Tavi Time and Loch Eagle flying the stable flag in the Cup
Inaugural Big Dance winning trainer Kris Lees is hoping to fast track one, potentially, two of modern-day string into the 2025 edition via the Listed Scone Cup (1600m) in the nation's thoroughbred capital. The 2021 Scone Cup was Rustic Steel's ticket to the first Tuesday in November, the Ron and Judy Wanless galloper cashing in and earning the honour of distinction of inaugural Big Dance winner. Lees' Scone Cup duo, Tavi Time and Loch Eagle, are at different stages of their respective campaigns ahead of the feature, one of them race-fit, the other kept fresh for the occasion. Tavi Time, the New Zealand-bred son of Tavistock is third-up off a recent 'fading' fifth in the Hawkesbury Cup on a testing Heavy 8 surface. What a tight finish in the Summer Cup! Tavi Time gets the nose in front of Osipenko and wins it! ðŸ�† â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 26, 2024 'I was happy enough with the horse,' Lees said. 'We probably rode him out of his comfort zone for two reasons; how the track was playing and the alley (nine of 10) so we decided to push forward, sit outside the leader and taking on that hard-fit horse (Punch Lane). 'And to be fair to my horse, I think he likes it probably one or two grades firmer than what it presented so the run was okay under the circumstances. 'You would think, third run, he is ready to run to his best with two conditioning runs under his belt. 'It's a strong race but one I think he can figure in.' Loch Eagle, meanwhile, aims to maintain his compelling fresh record in what will be his first visit to Scone but his 11th run over the mile. In fact, his record at the 1600m stands up against any, or all, of his rivals. 'He's an Ingham winner and he has run in Doncasters and so forth,' Lees said. 'He is starting off straight at his trip but he's trialled up nicely. He always reacts well fresh over shorter course. 'The only other option was to run in the Luskin Star and I just thought 1300m would find him out, he'd be off the bit chasing throughout. Loch Eagle finishes strongly to win the Ingham for @Leesracing! ðŸ�‡ â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 9, 2023 'So at a mile, he gets a chance to travel deep into the race.' Lees is down to saddle-up as many as 14 of his Newcastle residents across the two day carnival. Few of them hold more intrigue and interest than the Irish-born, English-raced gelding Brave Call. Brave Call boasts broodmare sires the ilk of Camelot, Sadler's Wells, Ile de Bourbon and Vaguely Noble that together account for his 2011m Maiden win at Windsor in England. That said, his Newmarket mile placing stands him in good stead when Tommy Berry steers him around in the Kia Ora Class 1 Handicap (1600m). 'He's a nice horse,' Lees said. 'He'll be better for the run. 'He'll be strong late if he can come through them and have a bit of luck.' Lees can end day one of the Scone carnival on a high when the progressive Denman mare strives to build on her tidy resume of three wins and four placings from just 10 runs so far. 'I think she is genuinely city class over the winter,' Lees said. â– â– â– â– â– Canberra trainer Todd Smart is as confident about Cashbook 's prospects in the rich Inglis 2YO Challenge as he was ahead of his 2023 race winner, Love Shuck. That's despite Cashbook's Wagga debut last month where he was backed in from $3.20 to $2.35 yet only managed to beat two others to the line but with substantial excuses. 'He did have a pretty hard run, he was three and four-wide the trip, and he got cardiac arrhythmia out of that as well,' Smart revealed. 'So we decided just to give him an easy week and a couple of gallops into a trial. 'His trial was really good. He never left the bridle and he pulled up well and hasn't missed a beat since. Deekaygeebee takes the opener at @mtcwagga today! 🎉 @widdoracing â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 13, 2025 'I am probably more confident in the horse going into this run than I was at Wagga.' Cashbook is racing for the lion's share of a $200,000 purse in the Inglis 2YO Challenge which is restricted to those bought at the firm's annual HTBA Yearling Sale in 2024. Smart found Cashbook there among Widden Stud's draft, paying $28,000 to take him home to Canberra with a view to returning to the nation's horse capital. 'As soon as you buy a horse at that sale, we buy it thinking that this is the race,' he said. 'We get up (to the sale) most years and we bought Love Shuck and it won a few years ago and I think this horse is a really good chance. 'From the gate, he will just need to go back and find cover and they can finish off at Scone.' Cashbook could be one of the bargains of a lifetime for Smart but even a win in the Inglis 2YO Challenge won't see him overtake Love Shuck in that department. Already a winner of $278,150, Love Shuck was knocked down at the 2022 HTBA Yearling Sale for just $6,000. Straight Fire, contests the TAB Highway on Saturday.
