Acute pneumonia claims top Coolmore stallion, surgery for Kentucky Derby-winning rider, Rebel’s Romance set for Big A – all this and more features in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Death of top sire Wootton Bassett
Australia: The bloodstock world has been rocked by shock news on Tuesday [Sept 23] of the death of leading stallion Wootton Bassett. He was 17.
The Coolmore stallion died while on shuttle duty in Australia, “having suffered from choke and subsequently developing an acute pneumonia which deteriorated rapidly,” according to a statement.
Having stood for a career-high €300,000 this year at Coolmore, Wootton Bassett was a real rags-to-riches story. A champion juvenile for trainer Richard Fahey, his stud fee dropped to just €4,000 at one stage before he sired a string of G1 winners, among them Almanzor, King Of Steel and Whirl.
He stands at #6 on the overall sires’ list according to Thoroughbred Racing Commentary’s Global Rankings. More here
Brian Hernandez suffers multiple injuries in fall
USA: Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Brian Hernandez (right) is recovering in hospital after surgery following a horrific fall on Sunday [Sept 21] at Churchill Downs which left him in intensive care.
Hernandez, 39, has ridden more than 2,700 winners and made history in 2024 when he became the eighth jockey to complete the Kentucky Oaks/Derby double with Thorpedo Anna and Mystik Dan, who is set to run in Saturday’s Lukas Classic.
He was thrown from his mount Sgt. Garcia when the horse suffered a fatal injury during in the third race on the card. He suffered multiple injuries, including several broken ribs, a punctured lung and a lacerated liver with a bleed.
On Tuesday, Hernandez posted a message from his hospital bed, saying: “I had a successful surgery today to stabilize my ribs. I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers!” More here
• USA: McPeek riding plans for Thorpedo Anna and Mystik Dan More here
Dettori gets call-up for Rebel’s Romance
USA: Frankie Dettori is reunited with Godolphin again on Saturday [Sept 27] when he partners dual Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Rebel’s Romance in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic as the ‘Belmont at the Big A’ switches up a gear.
The eight-time G1 winner is joined by Charlie Appleby-trained stablemate El Cordobes (John Velazquez) in the $500,000 highlight of a stacked 12-race card at Aqueduct.
“Obviously, El Cordobes is slightly younger, but both he and Rebel’s Romance come in off the back of nice successes in their last runs.” said Appleby. “Hopefully that gives us a little confidence that one of them will be picking up the prize.”
Rivals include defending champ, the three-time G1 winner Far Bridge. More here
• USA: BC Dirt Mile winner Full Serrano heads Goodwood Stakes at Santa Anita More here
Six-month whip ban for Paco Lopez
USA: The Horseacing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) announced this week that it has suspended leading rider Paco Lopez (right, Coady Media photo) for six months with immediate effect. The ban is related to his use of the whip.
According to a HISA press release, Lopez was found to have “violated the terms of his conditional reinstatement” after an incident at Parx on December 4 last year, when he was adjudged to hit a two-year-old across the face.
HISA added that Lopez had committed ten further violations of rules relating to riding crops since being reinstated in January. Lopez’s attorney indicated an appeal was likely. More here
Murder hunt as jockey is gunned down in Jamaica
Jamaica: Police have launched a murder hunt after veteran jockey Oneil Mullings was gunned down outside his home in Jamaican capital Kingston on Sunday [Sept 21].
Mullings, 49, is a well-known figure in the Jamaican racing community, having ridden more than 400 winners at the island’s only racetrack Caymanas Park.
According to reports, Mullings was pronounced dead after being rushed to hospital, having been shot in the head. “His dedication and skill in the saddle made him a respected figure among his peers and in Jamaica’s racing community,” said a statement from the racetrack owners. More here
Melbourne Cup: Knight’s Choice defence under threat with mystery illness
Australia: The Melbourne Cup defence of Knight’s Choice is ‘hanging by a thread’ after last year’s shock 90-1 winner was among 15 horses placed in quarantine at the Macedon Lodge base of co-trainers John Symons & Sheila Laxon.
A mystery illness has swept the training centre, with Knight’s Choice among those to present with a high temperature and nasal discharge. “We’re only hanging in by a thread, at the moment, I imagine,” said Symons. “That’s being realistic and it's really disappointing … it depends on what the tests come back.” More here
Elsewhere in racing …
USA: Keeneland September Sale concludes with record gross of $531.5m More here
USA: ‘Mattress Mack’ leaves racing over integrity issues More here
USA: Breeders’ Cup undercard features more than $1.5m in purses More here
Australia: Ka Ying Rising ‘in great order’ for Everest More here
GB: Racing Resilient – an environmental strategy for British racing More here
Saudi Arabia: Jockey Club unveils 2025-26 season More here
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