Europe

Godolphin's G1 Jebel Hatta hero Opera Ballo (Ghaiyyath) was like greased lightning exiting the stalls in Friday's G2 Bet365 Mile and, having stolen a march on his five rivals, made all to defeat G1 Irish 2000 Guineas and G1 St James's Palace Stakes winner Field Of Gold (Kingman) by a mightily impressive three lengths in a stellar renewal of the Sandown feature. "William [Buick] and I were chatting away yesterday and there wasn't a pace angle declared, so we said let him do what his father did and jump and...

Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum's Roger Varian trainee Saddadd (Pinatubo), who hit the board in September's Listed Foundation Stakes at Goodwood when last seen, found the necessary gears to claim a career high in Friday's G3 bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown. "He's an absolute darling of a horse and has the most delightful attitude," claimed trainer Roger Varian. "He won here like a really good horse last September and I think he was just over the top in a very strong Listed at Goodwood. I liked the way he put...

Trainer Eve Johnson Houghton has ruled Zavateri (Without Parole) out of the 2,000 Guineas and the Irish equivalent after the Group 1-winning juvenile picked up "a minor setback" in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury on his return.  The Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes winner finished second behind Alparslan in that return effort, after which plans remained fluid with regards to whether Zavateri would pitch up at Newmarket or not.  However, Johnson Houghton confirmed on Friday that her stable star would be ruled out of the early-season Classics due to the...

Last year's G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero Daryz (Sea The Stars) is set to face five rivals in Sunday's G1 Prix Ganay World Pool by PMU at ParisLongchamp after declarations for the 10 1/2-furlong contest were confirmed Friday morning. The Aga Khan Studs homebred is in fine fettle ahead of his seasonal debut according to Francis Graffard, who has ambitious plans for the four-year-old further down the line. "He's in fantastic shape and looks amazing," the trainer reported earlier this week. "I started working him some time ago...

Racehorse owner John Fleming has died in a tragic accident at Dublin Airport, the Irish Times reported. Fleming died at the scene after being struck by a bus while on foot at Dublin Airport shortly after midnight on Thursday. In his 60s, Fleming owned an Irish accountancy firm which specialised in services within the racing industry. He also published the Irish Racing Yearbook. "Our deepest sympathies are with the loved ones of the deceased," a DAA spokesman said. Horse Racing Ireland's CEO Suzanne Eade said, "Like everyone connected to Irish...

The line-up of female amateur riders for the Markel Magnolia Cup has been revealed. This year's event will raise money for the Education Above All Foundation. Michael Owen's daughter, professional dressage rider and presenter Gemma Owen, will be among those competing in the annual charity race on the Sussex Downs and she will be joined by 11 others from a wide range of backgrounds. The race has raised more than £3.5 million since its launch in 2011 and the Duke of Richmond, chairman of the Goodwood estate, said, "We are...

Friday, Sandown, Britain, post time: 15:00, BET 365 MILE-G2, £165,000, 4yo/up, 8f 0y Field: Cicero's Gift (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}), Opera Ballo (Ire) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}), Zeus Olympios (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Dancing Gemini (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Field Of Gold (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), Never So Brave (Ire) (No Nay Never). TDN Analysis: Effectively a Group 1 contest in all but name, this renewal for the ages witnesses the return of last year's G1 Irish 2000 Guineas and G1 St James's Palace hero Field Of Gold, who faces off against a select band....

Building on the success of last year's inaugural event, the Coolmore Careers Fair returned to Fethard Town Park on Thursday, April 23. Hosted in association with Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School, the event highlights the diverse range of career opportunities available within the Coolmore Group, spanning bloodstock, farming, sustainability, trades, tourism and hospitality, as well as business paths such as accounting, marketing, operations and technology. This year's event attracted over 900 students from 15 post-primary schools across Tipperary. The day featured immersive demonstrations, from jockeys mentoring students on race-riding simulators...

Grade 2 chase winner Malaita (Malinas) topped the GoffsGo April Sale on Thursday. Sold as lot 23, she caught the eye of Thistletown Stud for £22,000. Consigned by Poplar Cottage Stables, the 10-year-old mare won five times, including the G2 Mares' Novices' Handicap Chase. Malaita is a half-sister to the multiple graded-placed jumper The Saint James (Saint Des Saints). Under the second dam are graded hurdlers Highway To Hell (No Risk At All) and Five O'Clock (Cokoriko). "We are very happy with the sale of Malaita," said David Minton, part...

Members of the racing community gathered with politicians at the National Horseracing Museum on Thursday for the launch of the Newmarket Thoroughbred Racing and Breeding Industry Forum's (NTRBIF) strategy aimed at maximising "the potential of Newmarket's global status as the home of horseracing". A document entitled 'The Case for Newmarket' includes a five-point plan focusing on issues relevant to the country town which has been a horseracing hub for more than 400 years and these days is home to more than 2,500 racehorses, 80 trainers, as well as a number...

By Renee Geelen/TTRAusNZ Magic Millions have revealed the highly-anticipated catalogue for this year's National Broodmare Sale, featuring 374 lots to be offered across two days on Tuesday, May 26 and Wednesday, May 27. Among the race filly highlights are Group 1 winners Captured By Love, Legarto, Quintessa and Vibrant Sun, while the likes of Startantes and Abbey Marie in foal to commercial sires add appeal on day 2. "We're excited by the depth we have within the catalogue," said Barry Bowditch, managing director of Magic Millions. "It's disappointing that there...

By Renee Geelen/TTRAusNZ Darley Australia have held the fees steady for their big guns in 2026, with Too Darn Hot again shuttling from Europe to headline the star-studded roster at A$275,000 (inc. GST). Across their two properties, Kelvinside in New South Wales and Northwood Park in Victoria, Darley Australia will stand 16 stallions. "This is an amazing line-up of stallions. It's hard to imagine a better roster," said Andy Makiv, managing director of Godolphin Australia. "Stallions that have won the right races, with the right pedigrees and producing the right...