Europe

Croix du Nord (Kitasan Black) claimed the fourth Group 1 success of his career when clinging on by the barest of margins to win Sunday's Tenno Sho (Spring) at Kyoto, justifying short odds but not without giving his supporters a huge scare as longshot Wurttemberg (Kitasan Black) rattled home to force a photo finish. Racing beyond 2,400 metres for the first time in his career, Croix du Nord raced enthusiastically for Yuichi Kitamura in the early stages of this 3,200-metre showpiece, before settling into his rhythm with only five ahead...

Sunday, Kyoto, Japan, post time: 15:40, TENNO SHO (SPRING)-G1, ¥570,000,000, 4yo/up, 3200mT Field: Vermicelles (Jpn) (Gold Ship {Jpn}), Sunrise Soleil (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Admire Terra (Jpn) (Rey De Oro {Jpn}), Aqua Vernal (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}), Keiai Sandera (Jpn) (Silver State {Jpn}), Echt (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}), Croix Du Nord (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}), Shin Emperor (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), Precious Day (Jpn) (New Year's Day), Meiner Campana (Jpn) (Gold Ship {Jpn}), Tagano Dude (Jpn) (Yamakatsu Ace {Jpn}), Redentor (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}), Mystery Way (Jpn) (Just A Way {Jpn}), Hohelied (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}),...

The International Thoroughbred Breeders' Federation (ITBF)'s biennial conference will be held in France from May 5-10. The French Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (Federation des Eleveurs du Galop) will welcome delegates from each of the 23 attending member countries, as well as member organisations EFTBA and OSAF. There will also be representatives from the IFHA, with whom the ITBF formalised its collaboration in 2023. During the ITBF General Meeting, expert speakers will present on relevant breeding and racing topics and the many challenges facing the Thoroughbred industry today. There will also be...

4.10 Newmarket, Novice, 2yo, f, 5fT CROWNBREAKER (IRE) (Minzaal {Ire}) is a significant debutante for Amo Racing and Kevin Philippart De Foy, being a half-sister to the July Cup hero Mill Stream (Gleneagles) and the Richmond winner and Prix Morny-placed Asymmetric (Showcasing). A  550,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 purchase, she meets Victorious Forever's fellow newcomer Efsixteen (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), a George Scott-trained 350,000gns Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up buy.   3.10 Salisbury, Novice, 3yo, 6f 213yT DREAM VEGA (IRE) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) is engaged a week after her intended...

Those who say Flat racing lacks atmosphere need to wake up and get to Newmarket. No winner at the Cheltenham Festival has been cheered in to the enclosure more vociferously by a sell-out crowd than the 2,000 Guineas hero Bow Echo and his fellow young bucks George Boughey and Billy Loughnane.  At the age of 20, Loughnane is perhaps not quite still Billy the Kid but he is now Billy the Classic winner. Boughey beat him to it, four years ago, and a similarly rousing reception was given to his...

Four wildcards have been added to Arqana's Grand Steeple Sale at Auteuil Racecourse after racing on Saturday, May 16. Debut hurdle winner Stecaster (Telecaster) (lot 10) is joined by 2850-metre winner and AQPS Nils Holgerson (Ivanhowe) (lot 9). Lot 8 is Don Dandy (Sea The Moon), a five-length winner over hurdles at Compiegne lasts out; and Azou (The Grey Gatsby) (lot 7) was runner-up in a hurdle race and from the family of Adagio (Wiener Walzer), winner of the G1 Finale Juvenile Hurdle. For the complete catalogue, please visit the...

The Tom Dascombe-trained debutant Crown Of Ivy (Naval Crown) belied his inexperience and surged clear of five rivals at the end of a six-furlong novices' heat at Doncaster on Saturday evening and, in so doing, became the first winner for his Kildangan Stud-based freshman sire. Racing on the front end throughout, the heavily-supported 9-4 favourite was shaken up when threatened with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining and found additional gears in the closing stages to easily overpower the  more experienced Rocket Boots (Too Darn Hot) by an impressive 2 1/2 lengths....

A wide-open G1 Betfred 2,000 Guineas on paper turned into a two-horse race approaching the final furlong and then a singular domination from Bow Echo (Night Of Thunder) as George Boughey's TDN Rising Star dismissed his only threat Gstaad (Starspangledbanner) with a mighty display on Newmarket's Rowley Mile. Delivering poignancy as well as class carrying the colours of the late Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, the 9-2 shot brushed aside the 3-1 joint-favourite Gstaad heading to the closing stages and powered to an emphatic 2 3/4-length victory in a fast 1:35.59. There...

Completing an early Saturday afternoon treble for the Andrew Balding stable, Juddmonte's Blue Bolt (Blue Point) made a winning start to a potentially fruitful campaign in Goodwood's Listed Conqueror Fillies' Stakes. Last seen finishing runner-up to the unstoppable Fallen Angel in Newmarket's Sun Chariot in October, the Listed Sandown Distaff winner had to fight for Colin Keane with the long-absent Kon Tiki (Night Of Thunder) in determined mood but managed to thrust in front close home for a 3/4-of-a-length success. The returning Poule d'Essai des Pouliches second Shes Perfect (Sioux...

A total of 357 lots have been catalogued for the Goffs Spring HIT/P2P Sale at Doncaster. The sale is set for Wednesday, May 20 for point-to-pointers and horses-in-training on Thursday, May 21 beginning at 10 a.m. each day. Classy hurdler turned promising Flat prospect Constitution Hill (Blue Bresil) is a graduate of the sale. Some of the highlights of the point-to-point session include debut winners Island Jetaway (Jet Away) (lot 3860 and Rockatansky (Maxios) (lot 394). Among the horses-in-training is Grade 3 winner and G1 Champion Novice Chase third Nowwhatdoyouthink...

Tattersalls Online raised £4,000 in aid of the DoItForBrodie Community Interest Company (C.I.C.) through the sale of Spirit Horse, the striking sculpture created by acclaimed sculptor Penny Hardy. Offered as part of a special charitable consignment, the sculpture attracted widespread attention, reflecting the strength of the support for the cause it represents. Following the sale, the purchaser commented, "The work of Brodie's mum is so admirable in what she has done and continues to do to raise funds for this cause. Horses bring a huge amount of joy to our...

Champion juvenile. Derby winner. Last out G1 Osaka Hai hero Croix Du Nord is hunting his fourth Group 1 in Sunday's Tenno Sho (Spring), and, if he pulls off victory in the 15-horse field, the son of Kitasan Black will have emulated his Classic-winning sire. A two-time winner of Japan's longest top-tier contest at 3200 metres in 2016/2017, Kitasan Black claimed seven victories at the highest table. Croix Du Nord tries the 3200-metre trip for the first time on Sunday and will partner with Yuichi Kitamura. If he pulls it...