Europe

Solow (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) has been ruled out of a title defence of the G1 Queen Anne S. at Royal Ascot. The 6-year-old gelding's participation had been in doubt as he recuperated from an injury that knocked him out of the G1 Dubai Turf in March, and Pierre-Yves Bureau, racing manager to owners the Wertheimer Brothers, told Paris Turf Tuesday the grey has gone to the owner's farm to recuperate. "Solow will recuperate at Haras de Saint-Leonard, further to the blow received during a previous gallop," he said. "He will...

A number of Ireland's leading trainers and racecourse managers participated in an event to launch the 2016 Irish flat season at The Curragh Tuesday morning. Trainers Dermot Weld, Kevin Prendergast and Willie McCreery spoke to the press as their horses worked on the gallops while Jim Bolger, Aidan O'Brien, Ger Lyons, Johnny Murtagh, Tracey Collins, Adrian Keatley and Johnny Feane later spoke of their plans for the season. The event also included a visit to trainer Michael O'Callaghan's Crotanstown Stud, where his stable stars include Sunday's Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas...

ALMANZOR PUNCHES JOCKEY CLUB TICKET IN THE GUICHE     Third in last month's G3 Prix de Fontainebleau going one mile at Chantilly, Almanzor (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) returned to the scene of that effort for Tuesday's G3 Prix de Guiche and easily prevailed in the nine-furlong test, punching his ticket to next month's G1 Prix du Jockey Club. Leading from the outset, the even-money favourite was in full command with all three rivals on the stretch entering the final quarter mile and he was pushed out in the closing stages...

By Emma Berry The G1 Investec Oaks on June 3 now seems to be the most likely target for Minding (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who already has one Classic under her belt following her dominant victory over stable-mates Ballydoyle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Alice Springs (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G1 QIPCO 1,000 Guineas. While plans for Aidan O'Brien's leading 3-year-olds are far from certain, what does seem clear, however, is that the three fillies are unlikely to meet again in the short term. At a press day at Ballydoyle on...

Selfridges, a high-class department store, has become a partner for the third edition of the Goffs London Sale, held at the Orangery at Kensington Palace on the eve of Royal Ascot June 13, Goffs announced Monday. Private investment company QIPCO will still be the title sponsor since the event was inaugurated in 2014. They are joined by Chateau Leoube as sponsors of the event, with the latter providing organic wines from the south of France. "Selfridges is genuinely a household name and is recognised for supreme quality and unparalleled service,"...

There was a time, before the advent of the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile, when being named champion 2-year-old virtually brought with it a ticket to GI Kentucky Derby success. Thanks to Riva Ridge, Secretariat, Foolish Pleasure, Seattle Slew, Affirmed and Spectacular Bid, the double was achieved six times in the space of eight years during the 1970s. Since then, of course, increased specialisation appears to have made it much more difficult for a future Kentucky Derby winner to dominate his generation at two. Perhaps that is starting to change. With...

After the success of Cloth of Stars (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) in Sunday's G2 Prix Greffulhe, Godolphin and Andre Fabre could be in line for more success at Chantilly on Tuesday as Floodlight (Medaglia d'Oro) takes in the G3 Prix de Guiche. Making all and comfortably on top at the end of Saint-Cloud's Prix Verso II over a mile Mar. 24, the homebred son of the dual grade 1 winner Flashing (A.P. Indy) meets only three opponents as he moves towards the G1 Prix du Jockey Club here June...

In 2001, Galileo (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) became the first of five Derby winners for Aidan O'Brien and, between them, the trainer and the Sadler's Wells colt who would become the world's leading sire have come to dominate the Epsom showpiece. This year, as so often in recent times, the G1 Investec Derby picture will sharpen significantly when it is clear which of the Ballydoyle horses are certain runners. At present, the name quoted at the top of the market--the G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas winner Minding (Ire) (Galileo {Ire})--is much more...

Godolphin could have a very strong hand in Saturday's G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S. following their recent acquisition of two possible runners Dutch Connection (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) and Home Of The Brave (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}). Both horses will remain with their current trainers Charlie Hills and Hugo Palmer, respectively, with Godolphin keen on strengthening their hand in the international top-level mile division. John Ferguson, Godolphin's racing manager and chief executive, said, "Both Dutch Connection and Home Of The Brave are excellent horses, who will give us more depth in...

To celebrate 250 years in business, Tattersalls have added another Group 1 event to their sponsorship portfolio. The Newmarket based auction house will add their name to this year's G1 Falmouth S. run at Newmarket's Moet & Chandon July Festival. Scheduled for July 8, the race was won last year by David O'Meara's Amazing Maria (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}). "Sponsoring the Group 1 Falmouth S. is the perfect fit for Tattersalls," said Edmond Mahony, chairman of Tattersalls. "Although the company started at Hyde Park Corner in London, we felt it was...

Eighteen horses remain in the G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S. at Newbury on Saturday, the majority of the field seeking their breakthrough victory at Group 1 level. At this early stage the betting market is headed by the Henry Candy trained Limato (Ire) (Tagula {Ire}), who will be tackling a mile for the first time and was last seen running second to Make Believe (Fr) (Makfi {GB}) in the G1 Prix de la Foret at Longchamp last October. Toormore (Ire) (Arakan), one of the four Group 1 winners in the...

Dermot Weld is still noncommittal about a G1 Investec Epsom Derby bid for his promising colt Harzand (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). The Aga Khan homebred is unbeaten in two starts this year and looked a smart prospect last time at Leopardstown when accounting for 'TDN Rising Star' Idaho (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G3 Ballysax S. Apr 10. The runner-up franked that form with a solid third-place effort behind Moonlight Magic (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) at Leopardstown on Sunday, but Weld has concerns over potential fast ground for Harzand....