Ace Impact, the Preakness Stakes and Modern Games feature in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Ace Impact consolidates position as Arc favourite
France: On his first start since the Prix du Jockey Club, Ace Impact took his unbeaten record to five by landing the G2 Prix Guillaume ‘D’Ornano in Deauville [Aug 15].
The colt, running in the colours of the Chehboub family who acquired a 50 per cent stake after the French Derby, came from last to first to defeat Al Riffa by three quarters of a length.
He is the 4-1 favourite for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe [Oct 1] for which he will prepare either by running in the Irish Champion Stakes [Sept 9] or without having another race, according to trainer Jean-Claude Rouget.
Rouget ran Vadeni in the Leopardstown G1 before the colt finished second behind Alpinista in the last year’s Arc. Vadeni, who was kept in training to mount another challenge, has now been retired to the Aga Khan’s Stud after two defeats this year.
Georges Rimaud, manager of the owner’s French studs, said: “After two busy seasons, he ran a great race to come second in the Arc in testing conditions on his first try at 12 furlongs, and it possibly took more out of him than we thought. We have therefore taken the decision to retire him now and focus on the next chapter ahead of him.”
1/ST Racing propose moving Preakness date
USA: The owner of Pimlico racecourse, home of the Preakness Stakes, is to explore the possibility of moving the date of the second leg of the US Triple Crown by one week.
The Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes schedule, with two weeks between the Derby and Preakness and three between the Preakness and Belmont, has been in place since 1969. The NYRA has said it has no plans to move the date of the Belmont.
1/ST Racing CEO Aidan Butler said, in a statement reported by DRF.com: “The schedule for the Triple Crown has been varied multiple times in the past, and a close look at making some changes is necessary for a number of reasons.
“For one, allowing additional time between the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes would give horses a greater opportunity to prepare and be ready between the Derby and the second leg of the Triple Crown.”
Dual Breeders’ Cup winner Modern Games retired
GB: Modern Games, a five-time G1 winner who captured two Breeders’ Cup races, has been retired to stud.
He won at the highest level at two, three and four, claiming the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf in 2021, the Poule d’Essai des Poulain, Woodbine Mile and Breeders’ Cup Mile in 2022, and the Lockinge Stakes this year.
Trainer Charlie Appleby said, “Modern Games was a brilliant horse to train and such a great advert for Godolphin. To win at two Breeders’ Cups, to be part of our trio of Guineas winners in 2022, and to land the Lockinge Stakes this season, shows his class, toughness and durability."
Death of Zenyatta owner Jerry Moss, aged 88
USA: Jerry Moss, a titan of the music industry, philanthropist and also a leading owner who raced a number of champions including the great Zenyatta, has died aged 88.
Moss co-founded, with Herb Alpert, the leading independent music label A&M Records which signed the likes of Supertramp, Peter Frampton, the Police, the Go-Go’s, Bryan Adams and Janet Jackson.
He won the Kentucky Derby in 2005 with Giocomo, named after a son of Police frontman Sting, but hit new heights with Zenyatta, who became the first filly or mare to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2009 in the midst of a 19-race unbeaten streak.
Her winning sequence came to end in agonising fashion when she finished second in 2010 Classic to Blame, a race since hailed as one of the greatest Breeders’ Cup races in history.
Dettori to stand in for Crowley on Mostahdaf at York
GB: Frankie Dettori is to ride Mostahdaf, the G1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes winner and #10 on the TRC Global Rankings in the G1 Juddmonte International at York [Aug 23] in place of the suspended Jim Crowley.
Crowley was banned for 20 days for breaching the whip rules when he rode Hukum to victory in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes last month and Shadewell’s number two rider Dane O’Neill is sidelined by injury.
Perry Ouzts, 69, rises to fifth on all-time winners’ list
USA: The 69-year-old jockey Perry 'Iron Man' Ouzts moved to fifth on the all-time winners list when he overtook David Gall by riding his 7,397th success at Belterra Park [Aug 15]. He is the winningmost active rider in the US.
Elsewhere in racing …
Australia: Kah cleared to return as ‘white powder’ inquiry scheduled for November More here
USA: Cody’s Wish to prep for Dirt Mile defence in Vosburgh More here
USA: Asmussen ordered to pay £205k for labor law violations More here
USA: Trevor Denman honored with Laffit Pincay Jr Award More here
Australia: Annabel Neasham to establish separate base in Victoria More here
Japan: Authority facing lengthy layoff after suffering ligament damage More here
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