News of a four-year jail term for disgraced trainer Jason Servis plus a setback ruling Derby winner Desert Crown out of the King George feature among the items in our weekly update
Four-year prison term for Jason Servis in doping conspiracy
USA: Jason Servis has been handed a maximum four-year prison sentence for his part in the widespread doping conspiracy that engulfed US racing in 2020.
Servis, 66, broke down in tears when the sentence was handed down in court on Wednesday [July 26]. He had pleaded guilty in connection with his role in the distribution of adulterated and misbranded performance-enhancing drugs intended for horses he trained – including 2020 Saudi Cup winner Maximum Security.
“No words can express how remorseful and sorry I am for the decisions I've made and the hurt I've caused my wife and others,” said Servis as he addressed the court.
Alongside fellow trainer Jorge Navarro, sentenced to five years in 2021, Servis is the highest-profile name to be charged as a result of the federal crackdown on horse doping announced in March 2020. He is the 21st individual to receive jail time. More here
Desert Crown misses stellar King George with leg infection
GB: Desert Crown has suffered yet another setback with a leg infection ruling ruling last year’s Epsom Derby winner out of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at Ascot on Saturday [July 29].
Connections are now eyeing the Juddmonte International at York [Aug 23] for what will be the only the four-year-old’s second appearance since his Classic success in June 2020.
Even in his absence, the King George looks set to provide the race of the season in Britain featuring a rematch between this year’s Derby one-two Auguste Rodin and King Of Steel. Also lining up in a star-studded 11-runner field for the £1.25m event are Desert Crown’s Sandown conqueror Hukum, last year’s winner Pyledriver and star filly Emily Upjohn. More here
Travers-bound Arcangelo has ‘definitely come forward’
USA: Belmont Stakes winner Arcangelo continues to please trainer Jena Antonucci in his prep work aheads of the Travers Stakes at Saratoga on August 26.
Arcangelo worked five-eighths in 1:01.23 on Wednesday [July 26] under big-race jockey Javier Castellano. “He was great,” said Antonucci. “It was a beautiful work – Javier was very pleased. He definitely hasn't regressed at all; he's definitely come forward.” More here
Belmont runner-up Forte bids to regain the winning thread in the G2 Jim Dandy at Saratoga on Saturday [July 29], when a five-runner field also features three Brad Cox trainees headed by G1 winner Angel Of Empire. More here
Glorious Goodwood: Blue Rose Cen ready for Nashwa clash
France: Trainer Christopher Head says he is relishing the challenge of taking superstar filly Blue Rose Cen to Goodwood next week for her clash with Nashwa in the Qatar Nassau Stakes.
The dual French Classic winner will be having her first run overseas in the £650,000 contest on Thursday [Aug 3]. “She is a filly that has done everything we’ve asked of her,” said Head, 36.
“She had a brilliant two-year-old career and since then she has been brilliant and resilient in her work and in her races. It is a challenge to make a two-year-old become a nice three-year-old but she has improved from each run this year and has really come on physically after the Prix de Diane.” More here
Andrea Atzeni set for Hong Kong move
Hong Kong: Leading rider Andrea Atzeni is to leave Britain after being granted a licence by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
“I am going to be riding here for another month and will be here until the York Ebor meeting and will fly out the following day to get ready for the start of the season on September 10,” said the Classic-wining jockey, speaking to the Daily Mirror.
“It’s an opportunity that came along at the right time,” added Atzeni. “England isn’t getting any easier. I’m 32 now and I’m going to move and try my luck in Hong Kong.” More here
In other Hong Kong news, longserving trainer Tony Millard has retired, relinquishing his licence ahead of the 2023-24 season. The South African trained 709 winners in HK. More here
Will Hayes is latest addition to training dynasty
Australia: Will Hayes is to join his twin brother JD and their older brother Ben at the helm of the family’s famous Lindsay Park training operation. The 28-year-old will form part of a training triumvirate from the start of the 2023-24 season on Tuesday [Aug 1].
After working on an AFL career with Western Bulldogs and Carlton, Will Hayes becomes the eighth licensed trainer – and the seventh member of his family – to operate under the Lindsay Park banner. More here
Meanwhile, Katherine Coleman will step up from her assistant’s role to join Black Caviar’s trainer Peter Moody in a fully fledged training partnership for the new season. More here
Elsewhere in racing …
New Zealand: Mark Walker is first trainer to break 200-win barrier More here
Australia: Chris Waller ‘starts from scratch' with Nature Strip in final spring bid More here
Australia: Blueblooded Strawberry Hill dispersal announced More here
USA: Abel Cedillo slams track staff after being found to have broken neck More here
USA: Breeders’ Cup $400 early-foal nominations deadline August 1 More here
Japan: Short-term NAR licence for globetrotting Ryan Curatolo More here
Japan: Flight booked for Arc hope Through Seven Seas More here
Hong Kong: Prize-money extended to sixth place for 2023-24 More here
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