Notable absences in Classics on both sides of the Atlantic, a tragic end for a Japanese star in Hong Kong, and more Dubai World Cup recriminations – all this and more in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Kentucky Derby update: Tappan Street sidelined
NEWS UPDATE: Baeza draws into field as Rodriguez ruled out
USA: The major news ahead of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday [May 3] concerned Florida Derby winner Tappan Street, who was ruled out after suffering a condylar fracture in his right foreleg during a workout at Churchill Downs. The WinStar colt has reportedly undergone successful surgery and is expected to return in the second half of the season. More here
Kentucky Derby horse-by-horse guide: Journalism is the real deal – and that isn’t fake news
Tappan Street’s absence allowed Render Judgment into the main body of the 20-runner Derby field, which is headed by Santa Anita Derby winner Journalism, made 3-1 favorite on the morning line after drawing gate eight. More here
Godolphin’s unbeaten filly Good Cheer is 6-5 favorite for the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, when the undercard features a clash between Fierceness and Locked in the Alysheba, while Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna headlines the La Troienne. More here
2,000 Guineas: Twain absence leaves O’Brien relying on Expanded
GB: After ruling out leading fancy Twain following an unsatisfactory scope, world-leading trainer Aidan O’Brien will field just a single runner in the Betfred 2,000 Guineas, the first British Classic of the season on Saturday [May 3]. Dewhurst Stakes runner-up Expanded will do the honours for O’Brien, who has won the Newmarket Classic a record ten times.
A field of 11 is set to line up for the Guineas, headed by Craven Stakes winner Field Of Gold. Godolphin jockey William Buick has chosen gambled-on Ruling Court ahead of Dewhurst winner Shadow Of Light (Mickael Barzalona). More here
The fillies get their chance in the spotlight on Sunday with the Betfred 1,000 Guineas, in which Buick rides hot favourite Desert Flower. Breeders’ Cup winner Lake Victoria is expected to lead the O’Brien contingent.
Hall of Fame: Smarty Jones heads Class of 2025
USA: Smarty Jones has been elected to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025, which will be enshrined in a ceremony in Saratoga Springs on August 1.
A hugely popular winner of the first two legs of the Triple Crown in 2004 for trainer John Servis, Smarty Jones suffered the lone defeat in a nine-race career when he was beaten a length by Birdstone in the Belmont.
A total of seven new members have been elected. Kentucky-breds Decathlon and Hermis and trainer George H. Conway have been chosen by the 1900-1959 Historic Review Committee; and Edward L. Bowen, Arthur B. Hancock III, and Richard Ten Broeck have been elected by the Pillars of the Turf Committee. More here
• Canada: Ghostzapper leads Canadian Hall of Fame inductees More here
Liberty Island suffers fatal breakdown in Hong Kong
Hong Kong: Star Japanese racemare Liberty Island, who completed the fillies’ Triple Crown in Japan in 2023, suffered a fatal injury in the QEII Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday [April 27].
The five-year-old had to be humanely euthanised after breaking down in the straight, where her compatriots Tastiera and Prognosis dominated the finish of the FWD Champions Day highlight.
Her jockey Yuga Kawada, who partnered Liberty Island in all 12 of her races, was left in tears holding the mare’s head. “I’m sorry she had the worst ending,” he said in an emotional social media post . “I am so sorry I took Liberty away from you all.” More here
Yahagi wants answers in Forever Young Dubai row
Japan: The controversy surrounding this year’s Dubai World Cup ramped up a notch this week as Yoshito Yahagi, trainer of beaten favorite Forever Young, revealedthat he had lodged a formal letter of protest to the UAE racing authorities.
Globe-trotting Yahagi, a well-known figure on the international racing scene, has raised serious concerns over Forever Young’s pre-race treatment at Meydan.
He says the Japanese star was kept in a dark room for 40 minutes before the race awaiting the taking of a urine sample, which left Forever Young agitated. “I deeply regret that he ended up being the greatest victim of this incident,” said the trainer. More here
Royal Ascot entry for star hurdler Constitution Hill
GB: Star hurdler Constitution Hill has been handed a surprise entry on the Flat at Royal Ascot, where he could run in the Gold Cup, the G1 showpiece of the five-day stand in June.
Having fallen in notorious fashion on his last two starts, the eight-year-old is out to redeem his reputation in the Boodles Champion Hurdle at Punchestown in Ireland on Friday [May 2]. More here
Royal Ascot: Australia, Japan and US represented as G1 entries are unveiled
Gold Cup favourite Kyprios made a winning return to action last weekend at Navan. The former world #1 is set to run next in the Saval Beg Stakes at Leopardstown on May 16.
Elsewhere in racing …
USA: 2,000th win for Ricardo Santana Jr. More here
USA: Jimmy Jerkens to run NY string for Ken McPeek More here
GB: Derby-winning jockey Adam Kirby confirms retirement More here
Australia: James Cummings expresses interest in Leilani Lodge licence More here
Canada: Patches O’Houlihan crowned Canadian Horse of the Year More here
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