What’s been happening in the racing world

Sacked: the Aga Khan has terminated Christophe Soumillon's retainer after he was banned for 60 days for elbowing fellow jockey out of saddle. Photo: Dan Abraham / focusonracing.com

Christophe Soumillon, Doug O'Neill and Early Voting feature in our weekly digest of recent international racing news

Christophe Soumillon sacked by Aga Khan

France: Christophe Soumillon has been dumped as the Aga Khan’s retained rider in the wake of the controversial incident in which he knocked a fellow rider Rossa Ryan out of the saddle with his elbow during a race at Saint-Cloud [Sept 30].

The Belgian was given a 60-day suspension [Oct 14-Dec 12] by stewards but more costly will be the loss of his retainer with one of the world’s major owner-breeders, for whom he has worked for a total of 15 years, twice winning the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Dalakhani and Zarkava.

Soumillon won the G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein on Erevann for the Aga Khan and narrowly missed out on delivering his third Arc for the owner when Vadeni finished second behind Alpinista at ParisLongchamp, but two days later a statement from the Aga Khan Studs said their retainer would cease “with immediate effect”.

There are no plans to retain another jockey but the owner left open the possibility that Soumillon may still ride for him in the future. In the meantime the jockey is due to ride in the US at the weekend where he is set to partner former Breeders' Cup Mile winner Order Of Australia for Aidan O'Brien in the G1 Coolmore Turf Mile at Keeneland.

Doug O’Neill denies using toe grabs on Hot Rod Charlie

USA: Trainer Doug O’Neill said he would swear “on a stack of bibles” that Hot Rod Charlie did not race with illegal equipment after a photo emerged purporting to show the winner of the Lukas Classic with a toe grab on a front shoe.

Following an already controversial running of the G2 race at Churchill Downs, in which Hot Rod Charlie defeated Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike by a head, the runner-up’s jockey Sonny Leon was banned for 15 days for intentionally interfering and impeding rival rider Tyler Gaffalione.

The connections of Rich Strike indicated they would lodge a protest, to which O’Neill responded, “After seeing the photo, I don't blame Eric Reed for questioning Charlie's shoes. My only thought is that the photo is a weird reflection or is a result of it being altered.”

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission said it was investigating.

Titleholder to Arima Kinen then Dubai

Japan: Titleholder, Japan’s main hope to end the country’s long quest for a first Arc win, has returned home where he will be prepared for a tilt at the Arima Kinen [Dec 25]. Connections suggested he could also run at the Dubai World Cup meeting in 2023.

Titleholder attempted to make all the running at ParisLongchamp but tired in the ground to finish 11th while jockey Kazuo Yokoyama received a five day ban for not parading the colt before the race.

Records tumble on day two of Tattersalls yearling sale

GB: A yearling colt by Frankel out of Dubawi mare So Mi Dar, consigned by Watership Down Stud, fetched the highest price at auction in the world this year when realising 2,800,000 guineas ($3.3m) to the bid of Anthony Stroud on behalf of Godolphin. 

He was one of eight yearlings to sell for 1,000,000gns or more on a record-breaking second day of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1 in Newmarket where turnover reached 49,545,000 guineas, the highest for a one day session in Europe.

James McDonald reclaims top spot in TRC jockey rankings

Australia: James McDonald has reclaimed his position as #1 jockey in the TRC Global Rankings, spending just one week in second spot.

McDonald is due to partner Godolphin star Anamoe in the G1 Might And Power Stakes at Caulfield [Oct 8] where the opponents include Zaaki, who the Sydney rider ditched for the Melbourne Spring Carnival, and Alligator Blood.

Death of six-time champion Liam Ward

Ireland: Six-time champion jockey Liam Ward, who won the 1970 Irish Derby on Nijinsky when he was first jockey in Ireland to Vincent O’Brien, has died. He was 92.

Early Voting retired to stud

USA: Preakness Stakes winner Early Voting has been retired to Coolmore’s Ashford Stud for the 2023 season. The Klaravich Stables-owned son of Gun Runner won three of his six starts and $1.3 million in prize-money under trainer Chad Brown.

Elsewhere in racing …

USA: Baffert wins settlement over bourbon producer's labels which mocked trainer More here

GB: Ex-Godolphin CEO John Ferguson joins BHA board More here 

France: Verry Elleegant confirmed for Qipco British Champions Day More here

Japan: Cristian Demuro to stay on Shahryar in Tenno Sho More here

USA: NSW champion Ash Morgan relocates to California More here

GB: First winner for King Charles III More here

Ecuador: Life ban for jockey who pushed off rider in local Derby More here

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