Baaeed, Light Infantry, Taiki Shuttle and Yoshito Yahagi feature in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
'Everything is possible' for world #1 Baaeed after ‘wow’ moment at York
GB: TRC Global Rankings #1 Baaeed will have his final start in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe or Qipco Champion Stakes after extending his perfect record to ten with a brilliant performance in the Juddmonte International at York on his first start beyond a mile.
In the immediate aftermath of his 6½-length dismissal of 2021 winner Mishriff, both owner Sheikha Hissa and trainer William Haggas ruled out the Arc and declared the Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 15 would be Baaeed’s finale.
Yet 24 hours later that position had shifted, with Haggas telling the Racing Post: “Everything is possible at the moment, even the Arc. There are three options. It's either Champion Stakes only, the Irish Champion and then the Champion Stakes, or the Arc de Triomphe.
"If Sheikha Hissa wants him to have two races, the middle option would be the one. If Sheikha Hissa is happy to go the Champion only, then that would be the route. If she would like to go for the Arc, that would be the one and the rest would not be in the equation.”
Champion Stakes betting (Ladbrokes): 1-3 Baaeed, 5 Vadeni, 8 Bay Bridge, 10 Adayar, Mishriff, Nashwa, 12 bar.
Death of champion Taiki Shuttle at 28
Japan: Taiki Shuttle, the JRA Horse of the Year in 1998, has died peacefully of heart failure at his retirement home. He was 28.
The winner of 11 of his 13 races, he won five at G1 level including the Mile Championship twice and Yasuda Kinen and most memorably defeated the best milers in Europe when capturing the 1998 Prix Jacques Le Marois.
Light Infantry claims Golden Eagle favouritism after Marois second
France: Light Infantry has been promoted to the top of the market for the A$10 million ($6.9m) Golden Eagle after the three-year-old finished a neck second to Inspiral in the G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois in Deauville on Sunday [Aug 14].
Prominent Australian owner Ozzie Kheir put together a syndicate to buy into the David Simcock-trained colt before the race and plans to send him to Ciaron Maher & David Eustace ahead of the October 29 Sydney prize and aim him at Royal Ascot next year.
Sottsass brother knocked down to Yoshito Yahagi for €2.1m
France: Top Japanese trainer Yoshito Yahagi secured the top lot at the Arqana August Sale when he bid €2.1 million ($2.1m) for the full-brother of the 2020 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Sottsass.
Jockey Matthew Cameron stripped of licence after indecent assault conviction
New Zealand: Top Kiwi jockey Matthew Cameron has had his licence revoked for two years after he was convicted of the indecent assault of a man.
The 35-year-old, who has ridden over 1,400 winners including 17 at G1 level, was sentenced to 90 hours' community work and ordered to pay NZ$900 ($560)to his victim after pleading guilty to the offence which occurred after a drinking session in July.
Bahrain Turf Club announces 20% prize-money rise
Bahrain: The Bahrain Turf Club has raised prize-money for the G3 Bahrain International Trophy on November 18 to £600,000 ($720,000) for 2022 while each of the ten Bahrain Turf Series races will now be run for £60,000 ($72,000) per race during the October to March 2023 season.
Elsewhere in racing …
USA: Buck’s Boy trainer Noel Hickey dies aged 94 More here
Ireland: Bahrain Turf Club sponsor Irish Champion Stakes More here
USA: Tom Amoss records 4,000th winner More here
GB: Breeders’ Cup winner Yibir sidelined More here
GB: BHA announces customs breakthrough on horse movement More here
France: Pierre-Charles Boudot’s suspension extended More here
USA: Churchill Downs suspend trainer over welfare concerns More here
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