Two-year-old star Benvenuto Cellini, the Penn Derby card, Japanese Arc hopes and Hong Kong jockey news – all this and more in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
O’Brien colt is early favourite for Epsom Derby 2026
Ireland: Benvenuto Cellini is the early favourite for next year’s Derby after storming to victory in G2 company at Leopardstown on Saturday [Sept 13].
The son of Frankel is generally available on the 8-1 mark with European bookmakers for the Epsom Classic after scoring by five lengths under Christophe Soumillon in the KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes. His trainer Aidan O’Brien has won the world’s premier Classic a record 11 times, including with the most recent three winners Auguste Rodin (2023), City Of Troy (2024) and Lambourn (2025).
“He won his maiden lovely and looks like he’s going to be a lovely middle-distance horse,” said the trainer. “He could go again this year, the Futurity at Doncaster or one of the French races, and start next year in a Derby trial.” More here
Baeza heads Penn Derby card at Parx
USA: The spotlight falls on Parx Racing in Philadelphia on Saturday [Sept 20] with two million-dollar G1 races. Top three-year-old form is well represented in the track’s signature event, the Pennsylvania Derby, where 2-1 morning-line favorite is Baeza, third behind Sovereignty and Journalism in both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes.
Rivals are headed by Preakness runner-up Gosger, last seen finishing second in the Haskell, where Penn Derby opponent Goal Oriented was third.
On the same card, Godolphin’s star filly Good Cheer is out to regain the winning thread in the $1m Cotillion, where a strong field also features runaway Saratoga winner Scottish Lassie and La Cara, who beat her in the G1 Acorn. More here
Croix Du Nord adds weight to Japanese Arc challenge
France: Japan’s latest bid to win the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe received a further boost when leading contender Croix De Nord made a winning European debut in France last weekend.
The Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) winner is as short as 8-1 for the Paris showpiece on October 5 after holding off fast-finishing Daryz in the G2 Prix du Prince d’Orange on Sunday’s card at Longchamp. “He was in good condition for the race but certainly not at 100 per cent and so having a race under his belt should bring him on a lot,” said trainer Takasho Saito.
Croix De Nord is the third Japanese-trained horse to win his French prep race in recent weeks following Prix Foy winner Byzantine Dream and Alohi Alii, who scored at Deauville last month. More here
However, Shin Emperor has been ruled out after a disappointing effort in the Irish Champion Stakes. The four-year-old, who was found to have bled, has a breathing issue and will now target the Japan Cup. More here
Soumillon hit with eight days in suspensions
France: There was a sting in the tail for Christophe Soumillon after a notable weekend of Irish success when the ten-time French champion was handed a total of eight days in suspensions for riding infringements.
With Ryan Moore sidelined for the remainder of the season, Soumillon was called up for several high-profile rides for Aidan O’Brien and duly obliged on both Delacroix in the Irish Champion Stakes – the nation’s most prestigious race – and two-year-olds Benvenuto Cellini and Diamond Necklace, both of whom now take high rank in Classic betting for 2026.
Rankings update: ‘Delacroix is an incredible horse’ – Aidan O’Brien
However, Soumillon was suspended for two days (Sept 22-23) for interference on leaving the stalls on Delacroix – and he was also banned for six days (Sept 25-30) for using his whip one above the permitted level of six strikes in a race at Doncaster. As a result, he misses the Cambridgeshire meeting at Newmarket, where O’Brien habitually runs a classy team of juveniles. More here
• Australia: Damian Lane banned for 15 meeting over whip use More here
Hong Kong jockey shake-up – but no Magic Man comeback
Hong Kong: Plenty of big jockey news in Hong Kong this week – but the suggestion of a shock return for Joao ‘Magic Man’ Moreira has been nixed.
Headlines were made when leading trainer Caspar Fownes outlined plans to bring the four-time champion back to Hong Kong for a two-month stint as his stable jockey – only for the Hong Kong Jockey Club to dismiss the possibility on Thursday [Sept 18].
On the other hand, Hollie Doyle and rising Irish star Dylan Browne McMonagle feature among four jockeys granted temporary riding licences for a winter stint in Hong Kong. Former world #1 James McDonald and Maxime Guyon are also set to ride in the territory. More here
• Hong Kong: Happy Valley four-timer for Caspar Fownes More here
Woodbine win sets Notable Speech up for BC Mile
Canada: All roads lead to Del Mar for the Breeders’ Cup Mile for last year’s 2,000 Guineas winner Notable Speech after the Godolphin colt landed an odds-on success in the G1 Woodbine Mile on Saturday [Sept 13].
The son of Dubawi recorded a comfortable victory by a length and three-quarters under William Buick in the Can$1m event – following in the footsteps of Godolphin pair Modern Games (2022) and Master Of The Seas (2023), who both followed Woodbine victories by scoring at the Breeders’ Cup, where Notable Speech was third in 2024.
The four-year-old was winning for the first time since last year’s Sussex Stakes. “He produced what we hoped he would do, and it was a brave ride by William up the inside,” said trainer Charlie Appleby. “Hopefully that will put him spot on for a return trip to Del Mar for another crack at the Breeders’ Cup Mile.” More here
Elsewhere in racing …
USA: Seven Breeders’ Cup Challenge races at Santa Anita Autumn Meet More here
USA: Del Mar – Cary Grant Stakes renamed to honor The Chosen Vron More here
Australia: Melbourne Cup weights revealed More here
Australia: Lady Shenandoah joins Everest field More here
New Zealand: NZTR confirms major changes to key G1 races More here
France: IFHA conference to examine betting markets and the customer experience More here
GB: Henry Cecil Open Weekend in Newmarket [Sept 20-21] More here
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