Classic hotpot spikes a fever while world-famous announces imminent retirement (again), plus a new Epsom Derby favourite – all this and more in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Breeders’ Cup shock as Sovereignty is scratched with fever
USA: The Breeders’ Cup has been dealt a hammer blow with the news that Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty, the two-day event’s primary attraction as favorite for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, will not run.
The Godolphin three-year-old spiked a fever at Del Mar ahead of America’s richest race and was scratched on Wednesday [Oct 29] by trainer Bill Mott.
READ GRAHAM DENCH’S EUROPEAN ANALYSIS FOR BREEDERS’ CUP FRIDAY and SATURDAY
Sovereignty was treated with an anti-inflammatory – but it was to no avail when the fever returned. “If it didn’t go away, we were going to have a problem – and it didn’t go away,” said Mott. “That is what we said from the beginning; if he re-spiked, he would be out.”
In Sovereignty’s absence, last year’s Classic one-two Sierra Leone and Fierceness are vying for favoritism ahead of Japan’s Forever Young. More here
• USA: Locked retired to Gainesway and misses Breeders’ Cup More here
Frankie Dettori to retire – and this time it’s for real (probably!)
USA: Frankie Dettori has announced his imminent retirement – again. The 54-year-old is set to have his final mounts at the Breeders’ Cup this weekend before ending his career with a few rides in South America – “something I’ve always wanted to do,” he said – before taking up a new role as global brand ambassador for Kia Joorabchian’s powerful Amo Racing organisation.
Since rescinding his original retirement from riding in Britain in December 2022, Dettori has enjoyed a two-year stint in the US.
In a statement issued on Wednesday [Oct 29], he said: “It has been an honour to compete at the highest level of this sport for over four decades. I’m deeply grateful to my family, the owners, trainers, stable staff and, of course, the supporters who have made my career possible.
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout this incredible journey. Ciao, Frankie.” More here
• GB: David Egan’s Amo contract extended through 2028 More here
Pierre Bonnard is new Derby favourite
France: Pierre Bonnard is the new favourite for next year’s Betfred Derby at Epsom after an impressive G1 triumph on Sunday [Oct 26] in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud. The son of 2012 Epsom winner Camelot is a best-priced 8-1 for next year’s Classic after a comfortable two-length success in the mile-and-a-quarter event. More here
Pierre Bonnard replaced his Aidan O’Brien-trained stablemate Hawk Mountain at the head of ante-post betting, the latter having assumed pole position 24 hours earlier with victory in the William Hill Futurity at Doncaster. More here
O’Brien, who also landed a second G1 at Saint-Cloud with Puerto Rico, goes into the Breeders’ Cup with 25 top-level wins to his name in 2025 – just three short of his own world-record mark of 28. More here
Eighth UK trainers’ title for Aidan O’Brien
GB: The annual championships are fast being decided in Europe, where world #1 trainer Aidan O’Brien has secured an eighth trainers’ title in Britain.
Although the prize-money-based title is decided on a calendar-year basis, such is the 56-year-old’s lead that he cannot be overhauled and he picked up his trophy at Doncaster on Saturday [Oct 25], where he landed the G1 William Hill Futurity with Hawk Mountain.
“It’s a real honour and testament to the hard work of the whole team who makes this sport happen, from the owners, the staff at Ballydoyle stables, the breeders and of course, the horses themselves – it’s a real team effort and victory,” said O’Brien, who has won the Irish trainers’ title every year since 1999. More here
With 143 winners, Oisin Murphy is Britain’s champion jockey for the fifth time, while Joe Leavy is leading apprentice with 41 wins during the championship period. More here
In Ireland, Dylan Browne McMonagle lands his first title at the age of 22. He goes to the Breeders’ Cup with an unassailable lead over six-time champion Colin Keane. More here
Melbourne Cup: confidence high in Al Riffa
Australia: With 40 horses still in contention for the Melbourne Cup, jockey Mark Zahra is confident about the chances of leading fancy Al Riffa, who is bidding to give trainer Joseph O’Brien his third success in the race that stops a nation on Tuesday {Nov 4].
After saying Al Riffa had given him a “great impression” in a workout, dual Cup winner Zahra added: “The lads were saying this is probably the best horse Joseph has ever brought out here, given he's had a couple of winners that's a pretty good wrap.” More here
Buckaroo, narrowly beaten by his superstar mare stablemate Via Sistina in last weekend’s Cox Plate, has been given the green light for the Flemington two-miler. Craig Williams rides. More here
Ten-year ban for Charles Town rider over ‘electrical device’
USA: Marshall Mendez, who stands second in the jockey rankings at Charles Town, has been suspended for ten years for the possession of an electrical device,
Stewards at the West Virginia track banned the 30-year-old, ruling that he was in possession of the device during the October 11 meet – the West Virginia Breeders' Classic program featuring 10 stakes worth $1m. The Puerto Rican rode two winners on the card; he has ridden 71 winners at the current Charles Town meet. Mendez has 20 days to lodge an appeal. More here
Elsewhere in racing …
USA: Keeneland Fall Meet concludes with record $217m in wagering More here
GB: Ryan Moore’s son Toby rides winner at fifth attempt, aged 17 More here
GB: David Allan handed massive 42-day whip ban More here
Japan: Kikuka Sho (St Leger) hat-trick for Lemaire on Energico More here
Hong Kong: Tomodachi Kokoroe enters HK Sprint reckoning More here
New Zealand: Racing at Awapuni paused More here
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