Europe

Following the publication of the entries on Tuesday, ante-post favourite Pierre Bonnard (Camelot) is among 88 colts in contention for the Betfred Derby, which takes place at Epsom Downs on Saturday, June 6 and offers record prize-money of £2 million in 2026. Pierre Bonnard, who was last seen winning October's G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud, features in a bumper list of 24 entries for Aidan O'Brien, the most successful trainer in the history of the Classic with 11 wins. The Ballydoyle contingent also includes the first three from last year's G1...

It's a tough old life. As we speak, David Redvers has just returned from a weekend in St Moritz for the White Turf meeting, one of the true spectacles of the horseracing world. Between racing on ice and dancing on tables, the Tweenhills maestro has been enjoying a rather good week for graduates from his farm on rather more conventional surfaces, from the turf at Caulfield to the Chantilly all-weather and dirt of Meydan. "We had the most incredible week last week in that we had Buckaroo, who came second...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Tuesday's Observations features an expensive recruit from last year's Tattersalls Craven Breeze-up Sale. 5.12 Newcastle, Novice, 3yo/up, 8f 5y (AWT) DOMENICO CONTARINI (IRE) (St Mark's Basilica {Fr}) makes his keenly-anticipated debut for Amo Racing 10 months on from causing a stir at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-up Sale. A 750,000gns...

Kieran Kourdache was named the 2026 Employee of the Year at the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, sponsored by Godolphin, which were held at Ascot Racecourse on Monday. The event, now in its 22nd year, was hosted by ITV Racing's Ed Chamberlin and featured special guest appearances from dual champion Flat jockey William Buick and Harry Skelton, who was crowned champion jump jockey in 2020/21. Together Buick and Skelton presented the top prize to Kourdache, who also received a total of £15,000 in prize-money - £10,000 for being named Employee of...

Plenty - maybe too much - has been said already on the subject of Constitution Hill and whether or not he will run in the Champion Hurdle in a fortnight's time. While we all have our opinions, it is most important now to respect the decision either way of the horse's owner Michael Buckley and trainer Nicky Henderson. What has become patently clear from their interviews on Friday and over the weekend is how much they feel the weight of responsibility when it comes to doing what is right for...

Constitution Hill (Blue Bresil) has been awarded a Timeform rating of 106P following his impressive victory in Friday's SBK Road To Cheltenham Novice Stakes at Southwell. Trained by Nicky Henderson, the nine-year-old was making a belated debut on the Flat at the Nottinghamshire track, but the outstanding ability he'd previously shown over hurdles was there for all to see as he powered clear in the final furlong to win by nine and a half lengths. To put the rating into context, the leading stayer Trawlerman (Golden Horn) has a Timeform...

Owner Michael Buckley is dreaming big regarding Flat targets for Constitution Hill (Blue Bresil), after the nine-year-old trotted up an imperious winner at Southwell on Friday. Although Buckley and trainer Nicky Henderson have yet to make a decision on the gelding's Champion Hurdle participation, several big Flat targets are being discussed at the moment. The two-mile G1 Melbourne Cup is under consideration. Buckley told Nick Luck on Racing TV's Luck On Sunday programme, "I did say to Nicky 'can we agree on one thing, whatever we decide about Cheltenham, let's...

Another dreary February day, another G1 February Stakes victory for Costa Nova (Lord Kanaloa). One of the rare Japanese Group 1 dirt races, the 1600-metre contest has now been won  twice in consecutive years by three horses, with Copano Rickey (Gold Allure) saluting in 2014/2015 and Café Pharoah (American Pharoah) equaling that feat in 2021/2022. The race is a "Win and You're In" for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic in the autumn. The 12-5 chance raced in midfield as Sixpence (Kizuna) cut out the running. Trapped three wide with five...

The countdown to the start of the Flat season proper stepped up a gear last week, thanks in no small part to a certain nine-year-old gelding by Blue Bresil and his explosive exploits at Southwell. Stiffer tasks lie ahead for Constitution Hill in the coming months, likewise the list of largely untested three-year-olds compiled below. From a 40/1 contender for the 1,000 Guineas to a pair of 83-rated handicap prospects, here are 10 under-the-radar names who will hopefully prove profitable to follow during the British turf season. Accredit (GB) Dubawi (Ire)...

The weight of history laid heavy on the strapping shoulders of Hong Kong Horse of the Year Ka Ying Rising at Sha Tin on Sunday. Tied with Hong Kong wunderkind Silent Witness (El Moxie) on 17 consecutive wins for a Hong Kong-trained horse, the son of Shamexpress proved worthy of the task and demolished the G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup to make the record his own. He shredded the course record for 1400 metres in the process, crossing the line in 1:19.36. Thanks to his heroics, the five-year-old gelding snapped...

Sunday, Tokyo, Japan, post time: 15:40, FEBRUARY STAKES-G1, ¥290,980,000, 4yo/up, 1600m Field: Omega Guiness (Jpn) (Logotype {Jpn}), Happy Man (Jpn) (Danon Legend), Brian Sense (Jpn) (Hokko Tarumae {Jpn}), Perriere (Jpn) (Henny Hughes), Sixpence (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Ramjet (Jpn) (Majestic Warrior), Long Run (Jpn) (Victoire Pisa {Jpn}), Sakura Toujours (Jpn) (Neo Universe {Jpn}), W Heart Bond (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Lord Couronne (Jpn) (Leontes {Jpn}), Sunrise Hawk (Jpn) (Leontes {Jpn}), Costa Nova (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), Natural Rise (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Wilson Tesoro (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}), Peptide Nile (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}),...

Ebony Flyer, a triple Grade 1 winner from six to eight furlongs when racing in South Africa for Team Valor International (TVI) and Gaynor Rupert, has died from complications after foaling a Bradsell filly on February 4. The daughter of Jet Master was euthanised on Saturday at Rossdales Equine Hospital in Newmarket. Bred in the Western Cape by W. J. Engelbrecht Jr., Ebony Flyer and her dam were purchased privately in a deal struck by TVI CEO Barry Irwin after her three-year-old half-sister Captain's Lover (Captain Al) emerged as a...