Tributes from across the racing for legendary trainer, who died on Saturday – plus lots more in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Racing pays tribute to D Wayne Lukas
USA: Tributes have been paid from across the racing world following the death of legendary trainer D Wayne Lukas on Saturday [June 28] at the age of 89.
D Wayne Lukas: farewell to a racing icon
Longtime friend and rival Bob Baffert led the way in the US. "Wayne was a game-changer, transforming horse racing for the better,” he said. “Behind his famous shades, he was a tremendous horseman, probably the greatest who ever lived. He was the epitome of excellence and I'll miss him every day for the rest of my life.”
Jerry Bailey added: “He was truly one of a kind, and his presence will be deeply missed throughout the racing world.” More here
World #1 trainer Aidan O’Brien, who last year equalled Lukas’s all-time record of 20 Breeders’ Cup wins, paid tribute from the other side of the Atlantic. “He was a very special man, an incredible ambassador for the sport,” he said.
“What he did for racing in America is incalculable with all his Breeders' Cup and Triple Crown wins. He was second to none as a trainer and he was an example to trainers all over the world with the way he did things with his people and his horses. He will be greatly missed.” More here
Japanese Derby hero Croix Du Nord to head Japan’s Arc assault
Japan: Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) winner Croix Du Nord is set to lead the nation’s assault on this year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on October 5 at Longchamp.
The Takashi Saito-trained colt will have a prep run under regular rider Yuichi Kitamura in the G3 Prix du Prince d’Orange at the same venue on September 14. He is expected to leave Japan at the end of August. More here
Byzantine Dream, who won the G2 Red Sea Handicap at the Saudi Cup card in February, will head to the Arc via the Prix Foy. More here
On the other hand, Tenno Sho (Spring) winner Redentor has sustained an injury and will not be visiting Europe this year. Sights have been realigned on the Japan Cup. More here
Arima Kinen heroine Regaleira will also stay at home; she’ll return to action in the Sapporo Kinen on August 17. More here
Belmont Derby headlines July 4th Racing Festival
USA: The $750,000 Belmont Derby Invitational on Friday headlines the three-day July 4th Racing Festival this weekend, when the four-day event is taking place at Saratoga as its traditional home undergoes a $455 million renovation project.
British-trained Luther (Charlie Fellowes/Kieran Shoemark) is in New York for Friday’s G1 feature, formerly known as the Jamaica Handicap. “The tight track at Saratoga will suit him and he has a proper turn of foot so I think the conditions could be in his favour,” said Fellowes, speaking to Great British Racing International.
Saratoga’s traditional 40-day summer stint opens on Thursday, July 10, and continue through Labor Day, September 1. More here
Ombudsman heads £1m Coral-Eclipse
GB: Ultra-impressive Royal Ascot winner Ombudsman leads a strong field of six for the Coral-Eclipse Stakes, run for the first time as a £1m contest at Sandown Park on Saturday [July 5]. Trained by John & Thady Gosden, the Godolphin four-year-old looked outstanding last time out in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at the royal meeting.
Ombudsman is a shade of odds-on for the historic G1 contest – despite a stellar group of rivals including Arc favourite Sosie, 2,000 Guineas winner Ruling Court and the Aidan O’Brien-trained pair of beaten Derby favourite Delacroix and French Derby hero Camille Pisarro.
Almaqam, who fended off Ombudsman on his seasonal debut, has been ruled out owing to likely fast ground. More here
Amo Racing appoints Kevin Philippart de Foy
GB: Amo Racing’s Kia Joorabchian has appointed trainer Kevin Phiippart de Foy to take over at the organisation’s Newmarket base, the extensively refurbished Freemason Lodge.
Joorabchian’s team bought Sir Michael Stoute’s former base in January, since when Brazilian Raphael Freire has handled the majority of Amo’s British runners. Freire steps aside and will return to his role as a private trainer for Amo in Lambourn.
Belgian-born Philippart de Foy, 33, a former assistant to Criquette Head, has saddled nearly 200 winners since taking out a licence in 2020. More here
Shock race-riding return for Opie Bosson
New Zealand: Barely six months after bringing down the curtain on a long career, multiple champion jockey Opie Bosson has surprised the racing community by announcing a comeback.
Bosson, 44, says his passion for the sport has been reignited by his six-month break. “It has been at the back of my mind for a little while now,” said the rider of more than 2,100 career winners. “I have still been riding track work, and there are a lot of nice horses coming through,” he added. “I decided about eight weeks ago that I wanted to come back, so I have been training hard.”
Bosson, who is one short of a century of G1 winners, is set to renew his association with the powerful Te Akau stable. More here
Elsewhere in racing …
USA: Flavien Prat reaches 2,000-win landmark on five-win day More here
GB: ‘Axe the racing tax’: BHA launches campaign More here
GB: Breeders’ Cup winner Starlust retired to stud in Australia More here
Hong Kong: Derby-winning jockey Richard Kingscote set for HK stint More here
South Africa: See It Again scratched from Durban July More here
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