Medical issues force the end of a legendary training career, while Churchill Downs hosts a thrilling clash between winners of the Breeders' Cup Classic, Kentucky Derby and Dubai World Cup – all this and more in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Serious illness ends legendary career of D Wayne Lukas
USA: The racing community was stunned on Sunday [June 22] when it came to light that the legendary training career of D Wayne Lukas is over for health reasons.
Lukas, 89, was rushed to hospital in Louisville and will not return to training, according to family members after battling a severe infection that has worsened his condition. Having declined aggressive treatment, Lukas will return home to spend his remaining time with his family; his string has been transferred to longtime assistant Bas Nicholl.
The news brings to an end a revolutionary Hall of Fame career in which Lukas redefined the art of training in the US. Equibase figures show that over six decades he saddled 4,967 wins in North America for more than $301 million in prize-money.
Four-time Eclipse Award winner Lukas has saddled the winners of 15 Triple Crown races (four Kentucky Derby wins, seven Preakness, four Belmont) and a record 20 races at the Breeders’ Cup. More here
“He’s been the face of racing for as long as I can remember,” said former Lukas assistant Todd Pletcher. “I don't think anyone has changed the game the way that he has.” More here
Mystik Dan and Sierra Leone rematch at Churchill Downs
USA: Churchill Downs is set for a high-profile rematch between last year’s Kentucky Derby principals Mystik Dan and Sierra Leone on Saturday [June 28] in the Stephen Foster Handicap.
Mystik Dan held off Sierra Leone by a nose in the Kentucky Derby, but the Derby runner-up went on to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar to claim an Eclipse Award as champion three-year-old.
He suffered a shock defeat on seasonal debut at Fair Grounds – while Mystik Dan regained the winning thread last time in a G3 event over Saturday’s course and distance. “He is a horse who certainly loves Churchill Downs,” said trainer Kenny McPeek.
Also set to feature in a seven-runner clash of the titans beneath the Twin Spires for the $1m event – which is part of the Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’ Challenge – is surprise Dubai World Cup hero Hit Show and Mindframe, a G1 winner on this year’s Derby card. More here
• Thorpedo Anna, reigning Horse of the Year, back at Churchill Downs More here
End of an era following death of Kevin Prendergast, aged 92
Ireland: Irish racing is in mourning as a famous racing dynasty came to an end with the death last Friday [June 20] of Kevin Prendergast at the age of 92.
Described as a “legend of his lifetime” by Dermot Weld, Kevin was the son of Paddy ‘Darkie’ Prendergast, the revered multiple champion Irish trainer who also secured the British trainers’ title three times in the early 60s.
His son’s career lasted over 60 years and was to encompass more than 2,000 winners, the first of which came in 1963 at the Phoenix Park in Dublin. An eight-time Classic winner at home in Ireland, Prendergast also saddled Nebbiolo to win the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket in 1977.
“Not only was he an outstanding trainer, but every single one of his horses was always turned out beautifully,” said fellow trainer Dermot Weld. “He was a wonderful horseman and will be sadly missed on the Curragh.” More here
Royal Ascot fallout: Carroll gets 14-day ban after G1 win
GB: There was a sting in the tail for jockey Gary Carroll after he partnered the first G1 winner of a long career on Cercene in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot last week.
Carroll, a dual Irish champion apprentice in 2009-10, partnered the 33-1 chance to a shock half-length victory over French-trained favourite Zarigana for veteran trainer Joseph Murphy.
However, the jockey was banned for a fortnight (July 4-17 inclusive) and fined £5,800 after being found to have used his whip twice above the permitted level of six strikes. Carroll will return to action in time to partner Cercene in the Irish Oaks on July 19.
Also banned for their use of the whip at Royal Ascot were David Probert, Silvestre de Sousa and Billy Lee, each suspended for eight days from July 4-11. More here
• Royal Ascot attendance up by 4.8% to 273,528 More here
Irish Derby: Ryan Moore takes over on Lambourn
Ireland: World #1 rider Ryan Moore will take over on Epsom hero Lambourn when he bids to provide Aidan O’Brien with an extraoridnary 17th victory in the Dubai Duty Free-sponsored Irish Derby at the Curragh on Sunday [June 29].
The son of Australia will start hot favourite to add to his Classic laurels in the €1.25 million contest as he faces a possible rematch with Lazy Griff and Tennessee Stud, second and third at Epsom, plus Dante Stakes winner Pride Of Arras.
With Moore riding the disappointing favourite Delacroix, Wayne Lordan came in for the Derby ride on Lambourn. Moore, who has won the last two Irish Derbys on Auguste Rodin and Los Angeles, has ridden Lambourn only once in six previous starts. More here
Jockey’s premature celebration almost costs him nation’s biggest race
Brazil: Leading Brazilian jockey Leandro Henrique came within inches of losing the nation’s premier race, the Grande Premio Brasil, when he indulged himself in a premature celebration at Gavea racecourse in Rio.
Henrique apologised after standing up in his irons well before the line aboard second favourite Sinsel, who had powered to the head of affairs with 600 metres to go. The rider saluted the crowd 50 metres from the line – unaware that Valparaiso was closing fast on his inside. “I didn’t see the horse on the inside,” he admitted, speaking to the Jockey Club Brasileiro.
To the eye (and the video), it looked as if Henrique’s antics had cost Sinsel the race – but a photo-finish revealed he had won by a nose. In the process. Sinsel earned a place in the Breeders’ Cup Turf as part of the ‘Win and You’re In’ Challenge. More here
Elsewhere in racing …
Japan: Forever Young set for Funabashi comeback before Breeders’ Cup More here
USA: Japanese-based Mirco Demuro set for three-month US visit More here
GB: Derby-winning trainer Paul Cole hands licence to son Oliver More here
Hong Kong: Three jockeys in hospital and horse fatally injured in horror incident More here
Australia: Sprint star Storm Boy retired to Coolmore Australia More here
France: IFHA council on anti-illegal betting and related crime expands membership More here
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