The imminent demise of racing Macau, Flightline’s first foals and the death of a renowned globetrotter feature in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Macau bombshell: racing set to end on April 1
Macau: Horse racing in Macau will cease at the beginning of April after the debt-ridden Macau Jockey Club (MJC) signed an agreement with the government to terminate their contract to operate at Taipa racecourse.
Described as the ‘birthplace of the sport in Asia’, Macau’s status as a casino haven means it is one of the world’s biggest gambling centres. Racing used to be a major tourist attraction and one of the most significant employers in the Chinese Special Administrative Region.
However, the sport has been operating at a loss for several years, a situation exacerbated by the COVID pandemic. At present, the MJC employs 570 staff and houses just over 200 horses – well below the peak equine population of 1,200 during racing’s golden era. More here
The news comes in the wake of news that racing will also stop in once-thriving Singapore after 180 years with the island’s racecourse Kranji shutting down in October 2024.
Asian racing supremo raises animal welfare concerns as Singapore prepares to shut up shop in 2024
Flightline’s first foals reported
USA: The first foals of world champion racehorse Flightline have arrived. According to West Point, Juju’s Map welcomed a filly on Jan 12 at Taylor Made in Kentucky, while a colt was delivered by Lady Scarlet at Thirty Year Farm in New York on Jan 13.
Flightline retired unbeaten to Lane’s End after a spectacular six-race career that culminated in a crushing victory in the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Classic, after which he was named US Horse of the Year. He stands for a fee of $150,000 in 2024. More here
Death of renowned globetrotter Falbrav
Japan: International superstar Falbrav, who won eight G1 races in five different countries, has died in Japan at the age of 26.
Trained initially by Luciano d’Auria in Italy before joining Luca Cumani in Britain, this famously tough individual – who won the Japan Cup under Frankie Dettori in 2002, had been pensioned from stud duties at Shadai in 2015.
Among a plethora of top-level successes, Falbrav won the Prix d’Ispahan Coral-Eclipse, Juddmonte International, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and Hong Kong Cup for Cumani during a formidable ten-race G1 campaign in 2003, when he was also narrowly beaten in a titanic battle for the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita. More here
Liberty Island headed to Dubai Sheema Classic
Japan: Star filly Liberty Island will bid to emulate her Japan Cup conqueror Equinox by winning the Dubai Sheema Classic on the World Cup card on Saturday March 30.
The four-year-old, who landed the fillies’ triple crown last year before cashing home the world #1 in Japan’s most prestigious race, will be ridden by Yuga Kawada in the $6m contest. More here
Joining the Japanese contingent at Meydan will be G1 winner Brede Weg, who is being lined up for the Dubai Turf.
Also on his travels again is Golden Eagle winner Obamburumai, who wlll return to Australia for the Doncaster Mile at the Championships in Sydney. More here
Dubai World Cup runner-up Algiers retired
GB: Dubai World Cup runner-up Algiers, scratched from the Breeders’ Cup with a foot issue, has been retired.
The five-year-old was being prepared for a second tilt at the Dubai Carnival, where he won two legs of the Maktoum Challenge in 2023. “Unfortunately, Algiers is not showing the same sparkle in his work and we have decided to retire him,” said Simon Crisford, who trained him in partnership with his son Ed. More here
Elsewhere in racing …
USA: Fierceness opens as top individual choice in Kentucky Derby future wager More here
USA: Saudi Crown preps for Saudi Cup at Fair Grounds More here
South Africa: King’s Plate hero Charles Dickens retired to Drakenstein Stud More here
Dubai: English Rose leads Godolphin trio in G2 Cape Verdi at Meydan More here
Bahrain: Brazen Bolt heads leader board in Bahrain Turf Series More here
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