Vadeni, Freddy Head, Jamie Kah and Churchill Downs feature in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Vadeni and Verry Elleegant join Arc cast
France: Vadeni, the Prix du Jockey Club and Eclipse Stakes winner, will step up in trip to take on the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on October 2 rather than contest the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot two weeks later. Connections said the decision was based on the likely drier ground conditions at ParisLongchamp.
The change of plan means Christophe Soumillon will be claimed for the Aga Khan's colt, having also been the preferred choice to ride Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant, whose owners have committed to supplementing the Australian mare.
On Saturday [Sept 18] the dam of Verry Elleegant, Opulence, died while being transferred to a veterinary clinic after suffering an internal bleed shortly after giving birth to a full-sister to the 11-time G1 winner in South Taranaki, New Zealand. She was 17.
Arc betting (Ladbrokes): 7-2 Luxembourg, 7 Alpinista, 8 Adayar, Torquator Tasso, 9 Titleholder, Vadeni, 10 Onesto, 14 Westover, 20 Do Deuce, La Parisienne, 25 bar
Freddy Head to retire at end of season
France: Freddy Head, a legendary figure in French racing as both jockey and trainer, has announced he will retire at the end of 2022.
The 75-year-old became the first person to win a Breeders’ Cup race as a jockey and trainer, as the rider of 1987 and 1988 Mile winner Miesque and as trainer of Goldikova, who won the same race three times from 2008 to 2010. He was champion jockey six times in France, winning four Arcs.
Jamie Kah takes over on Zaaki
Australia: Jamie Kah is to replace James McDonald on Zaaki during his spring campaign, which starts with the G1 Underwood Stakes at Sandown on Sunday [Sept 25].
Zaaki also holds entries in two other G1 races, the Epsom Handicap at Randwick and the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley, where he could meet Anamoe. McDonald had picked the latter Godolphin colt ahead of Zaaki in last weekend's George Main Stakes; in the event, Zaaki did not run because of soft ground. while Anamoe won the Randwick contest.
Churchill Downs buying Ellis Park for $79m
USA: Churchill Downs has agreed a $79 million cash deal to purchase Ellis Park, the 100-year-old track in Henderson, Kentucky. It brings its portfolio of tracks in the state to three with Turfway Park under the same ownership.
Cezanne euthanized due to fungal infection
USA: Cezanne, a graded stakes-winning son of Curlin who cost $3.65m as a yearling, has died having developed a fungal infection after he moved from Bob Baffert to Todd Pletcher earlier this year.
In news only confirmed this week, Pletcher told the Thoroughbred Daily News that the four-year-old colt was euthanized in June on veterinary advice. Cezanne last ran in April when he was still with Baffert,
Moreira stood down after brief comeback
Hong Kong: Just two meetings into his 2022-23 campaign, star jockey Joao Moreira has been stood down on medical grounds until further notice by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
The Brazilian, who missed the first three fixtures of the season having had surgery during the summer, has been ruled out with an ongoing hip injury issue. Another leading rider Karis Teetan is also out of action due to a thyroid condition.
Elsewhere in racing …
USA: Belmont winner Mo Donegal retired to stud More here
USA: Kentucky Derby qualifying points system adjusted More here
GB: G1-winning fillies Saffron Beach and Alcohol Free entered in Tattersalls sale More here
USA: Jockey Ry Eikleberry retires after winning last race of Canterbury meet More here
USA: Jockey agent Hanisch back at work after being shot More here
GB: Stradivarius out for the rest of the year More here
GB: Sean Levey calls for investigation after false positive More here
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