Frankie Dettori, Verry Elleegant, Golden Pal and Mickaelle Michel feature in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Frankie Dettori to ride Verry Elleegant at Deauville
France: Frankie Dettori has agreed to ride Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant when the mare makes her European debut at Deauville later this month.
Now trained in Chantilly by Francis Graffard, Australia’s reigning Horse of the Year is being prepared for the G1 Prix Jean Romanet on August 21.
“We have the king (Dettori) and queen (Verry Elleegant) combining – there is a real ‘romantic’ aspect to it,’’ part-owner Brae Sokolski told Racenet. “Frankie is getting towards the end of his career as our mare is, too.’’
Japanese jockey Taiki Yanagida dies of injuries
New Zealand: Tributes have been paid to Japanese jockey Taiki Yanagida, who died in hospital in Waikato on Tuesday [Aug 9], six days after suffering serious head and spinal injuries in a race fall at Cambridge.
“The outpouring of emotion demonstrates just how many lives Taiki touched during his time in New Zealand,” said NZ Racing CEO Bruce Sharrock. “That beaming smile will be an enduring memory when we remember him."
Nicknamed 'Tiger', the 28-year-old had been riding in New Zealand for five seasons, making the transition to the senior riding ranks this year. He finished the season with 42 wins to take his career tally of 162.
Toskana Belle set for international campaign after eventful German Oaks day
Germany: The Australian owners of Toskana Belle are looking to the US for their next adventure with the filly after she won the G1 Preis der Diana (German Oaks) on Sunday [Aug 7] under visiting jockey Kerrin McEvoy.
The daughter of Shamalgan secured a third win in the race in ten years for the Melbourne Cup-winning team of Australian Bloodstock partners Jamie Lovett and Luke Murrell and trainer Andreas Wohler.
Later in the day the Dusseldorff stewards handed out a 14-meeting ban to jockey Mirko Sanna after a reported fight between him and champion jockey Bauyrzhan Murzabayev.
Golden Pal set for dirt ahead of Breeders’ Cup defence
USA: Golden Pal could be given a run on dirt at Keeneland next time out after bouncing back from his Royal Ascot flop with victory in the G3 Troy at Saratoga last Friday [Aug 5]. On his previous start, the four-year-old colt had finished last when favorite for the King’s Stand Stakes.
Trainer Wesley Ward said he would consider the G2 Phoenix, the oldest stakes race in North America, for Golden Pal ahead of his defende of his title in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.
Mickaelle Michel rides first stakes winner
USA: Former French champion apprentice Mickaelle Michel has gained her most significant success since relocating to the US with her first stakes victory. Riding at Ellis Park in Kentucky, Michel steered the Brian Lynch-trained Gray’s Fable to a neck triumph in the $100,000 Henderson Turf Mile on Monday [Aug 8].
Spendthrift Farm acquires breeding rights to Cyberknife
USA: Spendthrift Farm has secured the breeding rights to Haskell winner Cyberknife. The son of Gun Runner, who is being pointed at the Travers Stakes. will stand alongside TRC Global Rankings #1 dirt sire Into Mischief at the end of his racing career.
Elsewhere in racing …
Australia: Former G1-winning trainer arrested after double stabbing More here
USA: Kent Desormeaux suspended for 60 days More here
Japan: Williams, Pacault, Graham & Egan picked for World All-Star Jockeys Series More here
Australia: Jockey Michael Walker out of coma More here
UAE: Ali Al Bedwawi joins trainers’ roster More here
Macau: Gary Moore returning to Macau after eight years training in Australia More here
Ireland: Curragh Cup winner Camorra joins Aussie exodus More here
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