Europe

The initial entries for the 2018 G1 Investec Derby have been revealed, with 448 yearlings of this year signed on for a potential run at the blue riband, which will be worth at least £1.5-million. There are two further entry stages for the Classic, in April 2018 and at the supplementary stage on May 28, 2018. Andrew Cooper, head of racing and clerk of the course at Epsom Downs Racecourse, said, "we are thrilled to see such a strong and numerically high yearling entry for the 2018 Investec Derby. We...

2nd-LIN, £5,200, Mdn, 12-14, 2yo, f, 7f 1y (AWT), 1:25.64, stn. CERCLE D'OR (IRE) (f, 2, Acclamation {GB}--Fleche d'Or {GB}, by Dubai Destination), who went off as the 4-6 chalk coming back from a Nov. 2 debut fifth at Chelmsford and a second at Kempton last time Nov. 24, was sharply into stride and led from the outset off this third all-weather start. Dominating throughout, she came under pressure when threatened by Harbour Grey (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) on the home turn and kept on resolutely for continued urging in the...

5.10 Kempton, Mdn, £5,000, 2yo, 7f (AWT) DASCHAS (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), an Amanda Perrett trainee, is a Juddmonte homebred half to last term's G3 Prix La Rochette runner-up Lawmaking (GB) (Zamindar) out of a full-sister to 2006 G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and G1 Grand Prix de Paris victor Rail Link (GB) (Dansili {GB}), and goes postward off a debut third over this course and distance last month. His 11 rivals include Caracas (GB) (Cacique {Ire}), who is a half-brother to 2009 G1 Prix du Moulin-winning sire Aqlaam...

Champion jockey Jim Crowley, who has been sidelined since the late October four-horse Kempton spill that left Freddy Tylicki paralysed, returns to the saddle on Wednesday with seven rides at Kempton and Lingfield. "I'm really looking forward to getting back," Crowley told Sky Sports News. "I thought I'd have a nice, easy day coming back; I wasn't expecting so many rides, but I've got to start somewhere. I was laid up for a few weeks and I took a bit of a bashing. I started off riding my childrens' ponies...

To think that we once viewed them both as the very epitome of life--these twin carvers, in the 1981 Derby, of a glistening monument to the unfettered expression of youth, vigour and flair. Now the name of Walter Swinburn has joined that of Shergar in the tragic shadow cast behind a shining moment in time. Now he, too, has been taken from us prematurely, and the living sap they shared must begin to harden into a nostalgic sepia. Like a prehistoric fly trapped in amber, they remain a cause of...

First-time entrant Emma Berry, European Editor of the Thoroughbred Daily News, won the print media category of the Dubai International Arabian Races Journalists Competition for a story entitled 'Arabian World Series a Growing Force' that appeared in the July 28 TDN (click here). The Dubai International Arabian Races is a European showcase of Arabian racing staged each July at Newbury, and has inspired a series of international Arabian races run under the DIAR banner. The winners of each of the three categories receive a prize of £2,000, and Berry also...

The two highest-rated horses by Racing Post Ratings (RPR) by Shadwell's Nayef, a half-brother to Nashwan and Unfuwain by Gulch, appeared in his first crop, foaled in 2005: the 2008 G1 Prix de l'Opera winner Lady Marian (RPR 123) and the 2008 G1 Prix Jean Prat and G1 Prix Jacques le Marois winner, Tamayuz (RPR 125), who was trained by Freddy Head. The vast majority of runners by Nayef have been middle-distance horses and stayers, so Tamayuz (who is out of a Nureyev mare), arguably the top French 3-year-old miler...

Former jockey Walter Swinburn, who won three Epsom Derbies during a glittering career in the saddle, died aged 55 on Monday. Swinburn--who had been suffering from epilepsy-- passed away peacefully at his home in London. Swinburn is best remembered for partnering the subsequently kidnapped Shergar (GB) (Great Nephew {GB}) to win the Derby by 10 lengths in 1981 at age 19 for trainer Sir Michael Stoute. He other wins in the blue riband came aboard Shahrastani (Nijinsky) in 1986 and Lammtarra (Nijinsky) in 1995. Swinburn, who was nicknamed the Choirboy...

Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum's dual Derby placegetter Storm The Stars (Sea The Stars {Ire}) has returned to Europe after a stint in Australia and joined trainer Andreas Wohler in Germany. Winner of the Listed Cocked Hat S. as a 3-year-old last year for trainer William Haggas, Storm The Stars went on to finish third in the G1 Investec Derby and second in the G1 Irish Derby, and added the G2 Great Voltigeur S. later in the season. He spent 2016 with trainer Chris Waller Down Under, his best performances...

This is the third installment in an ongoing series where current trainees of Godolphin Flying Start sit down with graduates of the programme to discuss their career successes. In this third installment, first-year trainee Madison Scott catches up with Matthew Prior of the Tattersalls bloodstock team. Matthew Prior has been a part of the Tattersalls bloodstock sales team since completing Godolphin Flying Start in 2012. From a riding background, Matthew gained experience in the sales side of the industry before joining Godolphin Flying Start. Matthew's role at Tattersalls spans from...

Trainer Jim Best has been found guilty of instructing a rider to stop two horses last December at a rehearing of his case in London on Monday, and has been banned for six months. A British Horseracing Authority disciplinary panel ruled Best had instructed conditional jockey Paul John to stop Echo Brava (GB) (Proclamation {Ire}) and Missile Man (Ire) (Winged Love {Ire}) from running to their merits at Plumpton and Towcester, both instances resulting in unplaced finishes. Best, who denied all charges, was also found guilty of governing conduct prejudicial...

Ravi Win A Boost For Elzaam... Outstanding stallion Redoute's Choice (Aus) (Danehill) has a crucial year ahead of him in Europe in 2017 as his first crop of French-conceived sons and daughters face up to their 3-year-old campaigns. The imposing stallion proved very popular in 2013 at Haras de Bonneval in Normandy, covering a stellar book of 105 mares at a fee of €75,000. His popularity led to his return to the Aga Khan's stud in 2014. Expectations are understandably high for the resultant offspring, whose collective achievements as juveniles...