Flightline, Golden Pal and Blackbeard feature in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Fractional interest in Flightline to go under the hammer
USA: A small stake in Flightline is to be put up for auction when a 2.5% share – one 40th share – in the #1 racehorse in the TRC Global Rankings will go under the hammer.
It will be offered by West Point Thoroughbreds, one of Flightline’s five owners, at the start of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale on November 7 after the unbeaten four-year-old has contested the $6m Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic on November 5.
It is expected to be the only opportunity to buy into Flightline before he retires to stud. If Flightline continues to race beyond the Breeders’ Cup, the purchaser of the fractional interest will also be a part of his racing ownership.
Golden Pal to stud after Breeders’ Cup
USA: Dual Breeders’ Cup winner Golden Pal is to retire to Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in Kentucky after he bids to complete a hat-trick of wins at the championships in the Turf Sprint. Trained by Wesley Ward, the son of Uncle Mo is undefeated in the US since his career debut at Gulfstream Park in April 2020; he won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf in 2020 and Turf Sprint in 2021.
Blackbeard retired through injury
Ireland: Blackbeard, one of Europe’s top two-year-olds in 2022 after wins in the G1 Prix Morny and Middle Park Stakes, has been ruled out of the Breeders’ Cup and retired to stud. The decision was taken after he was found to have a small chip in his right knee after routine exercise.
The news followed the announcement that Rock Of Gibraltar, one of O’Brien’s early superstars, had died on Sunday [Oct 23] of heart failure at the age of 21. He was crowned world champion miler in 2002, when he became the first horse in the northern hemisphere to win seven consecutive G1 races.
French star Marie Velon rides first G1 winner
France: France's leading female jockey Marie Velon broke new ground on Sunday [Oct 23] when she rode her first G1 winner on Jean-Pierre Gauvin-trained Iresine in the Prix Royal-Oak at ParisLongchamp. Velon, 23, has ridden 77 winners this year and is on track to beat her own record 2020 mark of 84 for the most wins by a woman in a calendar year in France.
In Japan, new riding sensation Seina Imamura broke Nanako Fujita’s record for the most wins by a female jockey when she rode her 44th winner of the year at Niigata on Sunday [Oct 23]. The 18-year-old apprentice took her score to 45 later on the card.
I'm A Gambler sold to US interests for 850,000gns
GB: Overseas buyers were paying big money for British racing stock with the Mark & Charlie Johnston-trained Listed winner I’m A Gambler fetching 850,000gns ($1.034m), the third highest price ever achieved at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale. Red Baron’s Barn & Rancho Temescal’s Tim Cohen was the successful bidder, with the three-year-old gelding set to continue his career in the US.
Deaths of former jockeys Harry White and Alan Simpson
Australia: One of Australia’s most celebrated jockeys Harry White, who won the Melborne Cup four times, has died at the age of 78.
In a 35-year career, White rode more than 2,000 winners and was crowned Melbourne’s champion jockey four times.
Tributes have also been paid to fellow Aussie jockey Alan Simpson, who has died aged 92. Johnson rode successfully in Ireland, where he won the 1971 Irish St Leger on Parnell, as well as in Singapore and at home.
Elsewhere in racing …
Australia: Caulfield Cup winner Durston fails Melbourne Cup vet check More here
GB: One-time Derby favourite High Definition bought to go jumping More here
Japan: 2016 Tokyo Yushun (Derby) winner Makahiki retired to stud More here
Ireland: Prix Royal-Oak winner Princess Zoe retired More here
GB: Senior jockey Neil Callan banned for 12 days after riding finish a circuit too soon More here
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