European racing’s gala night, a temporary transfer for the Preakness and a star-studded card in Hong Kong – all this and more feature in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Cartier Awards: Calandagan is European Horse of the Year
GB: Calandagan was named European Horse of the Year at the Cartier Awards ceremony for 2025 on Wednesday night [Nov 19] in the plush surroundings of the Dorchester Hotel in London.
Set to run next weekend in the Japan Cup, the Francis Graffard-trained four-year-old has won three G1s this year, notably on his two most recent starts at Ascot in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Qipco Champion Stakes. He is the fourth horse bred by the late Aga Khan’s operation to get the gong since the awards started in 1991, following Daylami (1999) Dalakhani (2003) and Zarkava (2008). (Daylami’s major exploits came after he had joined Godolphin.)
The awards to three-year-olds went to Delacroix and Minnie Hauk (male and female respectively), while Gstaad and Precise scored in the two-year-old category. Trawlerman (stayer) and Asfoora (sprinter) were also honoured, while veteran racing broadcaster and journalist Brough Scott was this year’s recipient of the Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit.
“I feel incredibly lucky and grateful to racing, but one of the nicest things is the passport it gives you to everybody,” said Scott, 82. “That passport has taken me everywhere.” More here
Laurel date confirmed for 2026 Preakness
USA: The Preakness Stakes highlights 120 days of action at Laurel, which will host the second leg of the Triple Crown for the first time in 2026 while its traditional home Pimlico undergoes a $400m facelift. The 151st running of the Preakness Stakes will take place on May 16. More here
Overnight purses have been boosted at Santa Anita’s 48-day Classic meet starting on Dec 26, where maiden special weights will carry prize-money of $70,000. Six stakes will feature on the opening-day card, among them three G1 events: the Malibu, La Brea and American Oaks. More here
USA: Fair Grounds – six Louisiana-bred stakes headline opening weekend More here
World #1 Ka Ying Rising headlines Sha Tin trials card
Hong Kong: Ka Ying Rising is the main attraction on a star-studded card at Sha Tin on Sunday [Nov 23] – and trainer David Hayes issued a warning for his rivals in the BOCHK Jockey Club Sprint, one of three major G2 preps ahead of the Longines HKIR on December 14.
“I think he has improved since the Everest,” said Hayes. “He hasn’t missed a bit, he’s trialled brilliantly and his final piece of fast work this week was really good. I think the trip to Australia hasn’t worried – if anything, it’s helped him.”
Ka Ying Rising, world #1 according to Thoroughbred Racing Commentary’s Global Rankings, concedes five pounds to nine rivals as the superstar sprinter shares Sunday’s stage with with fellow champions Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble at the Bank of China (Hong Kong) Race Day. The latter pair clash in the BOCHK Jockey Club Cup. More here
Globe-trotting Docklands reunited with Mark Zahra in Japan
Japan: Royal Ascot winner Docklands will be reunited with Mark Zahra when he competes in his fifth racing jurisdiction when he bids for G1 success in the Mile Championship on Sunday [Nov 23] at Kyoto racecourse.
The five-year-old was trainer Harry Eustace’s first top-level winner in the Queen Anne Stakes at the royal meeting under the Australian jockey. Connections stand to collect over £1.4m (including bonuses) for victory – but Docklans will be an outsider against a fearsome Japanese defence headed by dual G1 winners Jantar Mantar and Ascoli PIceno plus last year’s winner Soul Rush.
“Docklands has obviously been a star for us all the way through but he’s taken his form to a new level this year,” said Eustace, speaking to Great British Racing International (GBRI).
“The Mile Championship in Japan came on the radar relatively soon after Royal Ascot. The Japanese Thoroughbred industry speaks for itself and to have a horse get invited to race against them is great and we’re really excited.” More here
• Japan: Major overhaul to bonus system for JRA international races More here
Apprentice Rogerson in induced coma after fall
New Zealand: Bailey Rogerson, the granddaughter of Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Graeme Rogerson, is in hospital in an induced coma after a horror fall at the Rotorua Racing Club’s Arawa Park racecourse on Sunday [Nov 16].
The 24-year-old apprentice had partnered Brnished to win earlier on the card. She was taken to Waikato Hospital’s intensive care unit with a fractured skull and possible brain bleed after her mount Mandelo came down after clipping heels with another horse In A Pickle.
The latter’s rider Corentin Berge has been handed a four-week suspension after allowing his horse to move out and interfere with his rival. More here
Elsewhere in racing …
USA: Griffin Johnson wins Big Sport of Turfdom award More here
USA: Dylan Davis suffers multiple injuries in Aqueduct spill More here
USA: Pegasus World Cup joins Breeders’ Cup Challenge More here
USA: Pin Oak Stud owner Bernhard dies after short illness aged 71 More here
France: Portuguese trainer arrested on suspicion of doping More here
Dubai: Heart Of Honor back in Carnival action on Friday More here
Jamaica: Caymanas Park to resume after Hurricane Melissa More here
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