Zac Purton, Winx and Sir Henry Cecil feature in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Seven out of ten for Zac Purton at Sha Tin
Hong Kong: Champion jockey Zac Purton continued a prolific start to the campaign by riding a personal best seven wins on the ten- race card at Sha Tin on October 9.
The Australian posted two fourths and a fifth on his other mounts as Englishman Harry Bentley mopped up those races by riding a treble. “I had a couple there that let me down a little bit, but you can’t be too picky – it’s been a good day,” said Purton, who has ridden six winners on a card four times. “Seven wins is good."
Purton's arch-rival Joao Moreira, who is sidelined with a hip issue, holds Hong Kong’s all-time record for the most wins at a single meeting with eight victories from 11 races at Sha Tin in 2017. Moreira, who could be out for three months, has been allowed to return to Brazil to continue his recovery.
Hall of Fame recognition for Sir Henry Cecil and Willie Carson
GB: The late Sir Henry Cecil, who trained the great Frankel, and former jockey Willie Carson are to be inducted into the QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame at a special ceremony at Ascot on Saturday [Oct15].
Cecil will be the second trainer to receive the recognition after Vincent O’Brien while 79-year-old Carson, who was champion jockey five times, will share the honour with Lester Piggott, Pat Eddery and Frankie Dettori.
Winx delivers first foal
Australia: Legendary racemare Winx has delivered her first foal, a filly by Pierro, at a stud in the Hunter Valley – in front of her owners and trainer Chris Waller.
The 11-year-old, whose record four Cox Plate victories were among 25 G1 wins, lost a foal by I Am Invincible in 2020 when it was stillborn. Waller said on Twitter: “Today is a special day that Winx deserves and by my judgment I sensed a very proud Mum.”
Alpinista to visit Deep Impact son Study Of Man in 2024
GB: Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Alpinista is to be bred to Study Of Man, the only son of Japanese superstar Deep Impact at stud in Britain, in 2024.
Kirsten Rausing, the owner and breeder of the six-time G1 winner, has confirmed the mare will retire at the end of the year but has not ruled out her having one more race with the Japan Cup high on the list of targets.
The 2021 Arc winner Torquator Tasso, third behind Alpinista at ParisLongchamp, will stand for a fee of €20,000 at his owner’s Auenquelle Stud.
Mike Keogh, trainer of champion Langfuhr, retires
Canada: Mike Keogh, who was inducted into Canada’s hall of fame this year, has announced his retirement after a near 30-year career in which he trained champion sprinter Langfuhr, winner of three G1 races in the US, including the Vosburgh and Metropolitan Handicap (Met Mile).
Keogh, 65, was raised in Epsom, England, where he began his career as a jockey before emigrating to Canada, becoming private trainer to the late Gustav Schickedanz, the owner of Langfuhr and his best son the millionaire Wando, the last horse to win Canada’s Triple Crown.
Keogh, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2019, told the BloodHorse he no longer had the energy to continue training while undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
Jamie Richards trains first winner in Hong Kong
Hong Kong: Former New Zealand champion trainer Jamie Richards registered his first winner since moving to Hong Kong at Happy Valley [Oct 12] with Handsome Rebel a horse he used to train in his homeland.
Bahrain International Trophy draws 43 entries from nine different countries
Bahrain: Recent G3 Darley Stakes winner Alflaila heads a list of 43 entries for the £600,000 Bahrain International Trophy on November 18. There are nominations from nine different countries headed by Britain (16), with Ireland (6), France (5), UAE (7), Bahrain (3), Germany (3), Norway (1), Turkey (1), and Sweden (1).
Elsewhere in racing …
New Zealand: South African jockeys Kennedy and Zackey fill New Zealand rider shortage More here
USA: Death of Breeders’ Cup winner Albertus Maximus, aged 18 More here
USA: Death of owner of Will Take Charge and Take Charge Brandi, aged 82 More here
Hong Kong: Hong Kong opens doors to first overseas owners More here
Japan: Jockey Seina Imamura is police chief for a day More here
UAE: Uruguayan jockey Jose Da Silva to make Dubai debut More here
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