Bad weather forecast forces two-day postponement, Saudi Cup ruled out for former world #1, Kentucky Downs contest gets G1 status –all this and more in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Santa Anita opening day postponed until Sunday
USA: Owing to an adverse weather forecast of heavy rain over the Christmas period, the showpiece opening day of Santa Anita’s Classic meet has been postponed 48 hours until Sunday [Dec 28].
“With the amount of rain being forecast, it’s important to make this call as early as possible to give everyone advance notice,” said track general manager Nate Newby.
“Everyone looks forward to opening day as it’s traditionally one of our biggest days of the year, so it’s not a decision we make lightly.” More here
Sunday’s rescheduled card is a blockbuster featuring six stakes races including three G1 events in the shape of the Malibu, La Brea and American Oaks, while Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Nysos returns in the G2 Laffit Pincay Jr. Stakes. More here
Saudi Cup no-go for Romantic Warrior
Hong Kong: Former world #1 Romantic Warrior will not make a second bid to win the Saudi Cup after connections outlined a campaign geared towards the Hong Kong Triple Crown.
Already the world’s all-time leading prize-money earner, Romantic Warrior took his career total to HK$240m ($30.85m/£24.35m) with an unprecedented fourth victory in the Hong Kong Cup.
He was narrowly beaten by subsequent Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Forever Young in this year’s Saudi Cup giving rise to to suggestions of a rematch in Riyadh in February.
However, trainer Danny Shum has revealed the seven-year-old will stay at home for a Triple Crown consisting of the Stewards’ Cup [1,600 metres on Jan 25], Hong Kong Gold Cup [2,000m, March 1] and the Champions & Chater Cup [2,400m, May 24]. More here
Two races lose G1 status for 2026
USA: Two races have forfeited G1 status for the 2026 season following the latest raft of changes announced last Friday [Dec 19] by the American Graded stakes committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA).
The Frank E. Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita and the Franklin-Simpson Stakes at Kentucky Downs will be run next year as G2 contests. On the other hand, the Ladies Turf Sprint over 6½ furlongs at the latter venue is the only US stakes upgraded to the top level.
There will be a total of 410 Graded stakes in 2026 (down five from 2025), plus 210 Listed races. Ten races have been raised to G2 level, while a total of 13 Graded stakes have been diminished. More here
Sydney row latest: Supreme Court halts Racing NSW
Australia: The Supreme Court blocked Racing NSW’s attempt to place the Australian Turf Club (ATC) into administration. The decision came after two days of deliberation in Sydney, where a judge ruled there was no persuasive evidence that the club faced imminent insolvency.
The ATC – which manages Sydney’s major racetracks, including Randwick and Rosehill – had sought an injunction following Racing NSW’s decision to appoint Ernst and Young as administrator owing to allegedly serious financial issues. A full Supreme Court hearing is scheduled for February 18-19. More here
Heart Of Honor continues up ranks in Dubai
UAE: Heart Of Honor is set for a return to G1 company after a cosy victory at last week’s Dubai Carnival meeting at Meydan. Last year’s UAE Derby runner-up came from off the pace to overcome a high-quality field in the Entisar Stakes, a Listed race over 9½ furlongs.
The G1 Al Maktoum Challenge on January 23 beckons for the Jamie Osborne-trained three-year-old, who ran in both the Preakness and Belmont Stakes earlier this year. More here
On a high-profile card, Godolphin’s Opera Ballo won the G2 Al Rashidiya, an early prep for the Dubai Turf on World Cup night, while Imperial Emperor led home a 1-2-3 in the G2 Al Maktoum Mile. More here
Elsewhere in racing …
GB: ‘Boy wonder’ Billy Loughnane lands annual Flat title with 200-plus wins More here
GB: Ascot’s former royal representative Sir Johnny Weatherby dies aged 66 More here
USA: BC Juvenile runner-up Mr A.P. sidelined through injury More here
USA: NYRA announces 2026 schedule More here
USA: Maryland stalwart Vincent ‘Jimbo’ Bracciale, rider of 3,545 winners, dies aged 72 More here
Australia: Tragedy as apprentice Bronte Simpson killed in car crash More here
Brazil: Teenage jockey dies after horror fall at Gavea More here
Qatar: Aeon’s Aegis dominant in Qatar Derby More here
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