Ombudsman, Sovereignty and Hollie Doyle feature in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Ombudsman could head to Ireland after avenging Eclipse defeat
GB: Ombudsman, the world’s top rated horse by international handicap ratings, could head to Leopardstown for the Irish Champion Stakes after redeeming his reputation in the Juddmonte International at York [Aug 20].
The Godolphin-owned four-year-old, trained by John and Thady Gosden, avenged his neck defeat at the hands of Delacroix in the Coral-Eclipse with an emphatic showing against the Aidan O’Brien three-year-old.
Godolphin supplemented Birr Castle to act as pacemaker and for a moment he threatened to steal the race as he was nearly 30 lengths clear with half-a-mile to run before he was reeled in by Ombudsman, under William Buick.
“His only defeat this year was in the muddling Eclipse and he’s a proper horse," said trainer John Gosden. "The two obvious races for him are the Irish Champion and Ascot for Champions Day. It will be Sheikh Mohammed’s decision if he stays in training but he is a sportsman.
“William thinks he’ll stay a mile and a half but I think why change things? Were he to go for the Arc we’d need one of the rare occasions with a fast ground Arc - which do happen occasionally.” More here
Sovereignty and Thorpedo Anna star on five G1 Saratoga card
USA: Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Sovereignty and reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna are the standout stars on a Saratoga card [Aug 23] featuring five G1 races.
Sovereignty lines up against four opponents in the Travers Stakes on a three race winning streak, landing the G2 Jim Dandy on his latest start [July 26].
Trainer Bill Mott said: “I think he looks very much like he did going into the Belmont. I’m sure people figure there are probably easier places to run. Not everybody is fleeing. There’s always somebody that can run. It’s not a done deal.”
Thorpedo Anna returns from a 56 day absence in the Personal Ensign Stakes, making her first start at the track since she was beaten a head by Fierceness in last year’s Travers.
“She’s locked and loaded,” said trainer Kenny McPeek. “She’s ultra-consistent. She loves her work, she’s very happy in Saratoga, and has been for a long time. As always she’s a pleasure to be around. She’s doing great.” More here
Hollie Doyle loses Blue Diamond Stud job to Oisin Murphy
GB: Hollie Doyle has lost her job as first jockey to Imad Al Sagar’s Blue Diamond Stud, a role in which she teamed up with three-time G1-winner Nashwa.
Nashwa helped Doyle become the first female jockey to win a European Classic when they captured the Prix de Diane in 2022. Four-time champion jockey Oisin Murphy will take over the role when not required by Qatar Racing.
Doyle said: “It came as a bit of a shock, particularly at this stage of the season. I’ve been a part of Imad’s operation for five years, riding 38 winners including at the highest levels.” More here
Meanwhile Murphy will be part of Japan’s bid for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe after he was booked to ride Byzantine Dream in the Prix Foy next month ahead of a tilt at the Arc. The pair were successful in the Red Sea Turf on the Saudi Cup card in February.
British Racing to stage one day strike in tax protest
GB: The British Horseracing Authority has taken the unprecedented step of cancelling all race meetings scheduled on September 10 in protest at a government proposed tax rise on horserace betting.
Its ‘Axe the Racing Tax’ campaign is urging the Government not to go ahead with aTreasury proposal to bring existing online betting duties into one single rate, claiming it would have devastating consequences on the sport with a £330 million revenue hit to the industry in the first five years, and putting 2,752 jobs at risk in the first year alone. More here
Irad Ortiz named Venezia Award winner
USA: Irad Ortiz has been announced as the recipient of the 2025 Mike Venezia Memorial Award by the New York Racing Association.
The five-time winner of the Eclipse Award as the nation’s Outstanding Jockey, was chosen by a committee comprised of members of the Venezia family, representatives of The Jockeys’ Guild and retired Eclipse Award-winning jockey Richard Migliore.
“Joining the list of winners of the Venezia Memorial Award is a great honor and very humbling,” said Ortiz, Jr. “I look forward to thanking the Venezia family here at Saratoga, and sharing this with my family.”
The Mike Venezia Memorial Award is presented annually to a jockey who displays the exemplary sportsmanship and citizenship that personified Venezia, who died as the result of injuries suffered in a spill in 1988. Venezia, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., won more than 2,300 races during his 25-year career. More here
Mike Repole sends four horses to be trained in Italy
Italy: Top US racehorse owner Mike Repole is to have his first horses trained in Italy after linking up with trainer Endo Botti. The New York-born entrepreneur, the son of Italian immigrant parents, confirmed the news after buying a daughter of Dubawi at the Arqana August Sale [Aug 19]. More here
Amo Racing sets another sales record
France: Kia Joorabchian’s Amo Racing smashed the record at the Arqana August Sale with the €3 million purchase of a Night Of Thunder filly [Aug 18], a half-sister to Group 1 winners Chicquita and Magic Wand and a three-quarter sister to Group 3 winner Phlomene. “We’ve bought into one of the greatest families there is,” said Amo’s bloodstock agent Alex Elliott. “She doesn’t take any explaining.” More here
Elsewhere in racing …
USA: Death of Chilean Triple Crown winner Kay Army More here
New Zealand: Opie Bosson rides four winners after coming out of retirement More here
Australia: 2026 Cox Plate to be run at Flemington More here
Canada: She Feels Pretty secures Breeders’ Cup berth More here
France: Breeders’ Cup Mile for Diego Velazquez after Marois surprise More here
France: Japan’s Alohi Ali enters Arc picture with stunning win More here
USA: Death of bloodstock agent Michael Motion, father of Graham, aged 95 More here
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