Europe

Ian Balding has been remembered by his daughter Clare as "fearless, funny and charming" as those around the world of racing paid tribute to the former champion trainer, whose death, at the age of 87, was announced by his family on Friday. On her Instagram account, the BBC broadcaster said, "My Dad was one of a kind. Fearless, funny and charming, he was an all-round sportsman, a great trainer and a beautiful horseman. He loved his dogs, his horses, and his family - probably in that order.  "He shared with...

Ian Balding, who has died at the age of 87, made an indelible impression on the turf, not only as the trainer of some wonderful horses including Mill Reef, but also as mentor to many young people who subsequently graduated to success in the sport. Most notable is his son Andrew, who succeeded him at the helm of Kingsclere in 2002 and who has subsequently ensured that Kingsclere remains synonymous with both success and class. Ian Balding and his elder brother Toby were born in the USA where their father...

The nominees for the 2026 G1 Saudi Cup meeting feature 57 Group/Grade 1 winners from 22 different countries, among them GI Breeders' Cup Classic and 2025 Saudi Cup hero Forever Young (Real Steel). The two-day stand on February 13-14 will be worth $39.6 million in prize-money. Besides trainer Yoshito Yahagi's star in the main event are fellow Breeders' Cup Classic winner White Abarrio (Race Day), GI Preakness Stakes hero Journalism (Curlin), as well as GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile victor Nysos (Nyquist), and GII Clark Stakes winner Magnitude (Not This...

The promising young stallion King Of Change (Farhh) has left Ireland to stand at Tweenhills Stud for the forthcoming season in a move which stud owner David Redvers has described as "potentially game-changing for us". Runner-up to Magna Grecia in the 2,000 Guineas, King Of Change won three of his six lifetime starts, closing out his career by winning the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on QIPCO British Champions Day. His first two crops of racing age have collectively numbered 76 foals, 37 of which have run to date, including...

Karwin Farm will be sold, with the 2026 breeding season its last under Gregory and Ambre Vayre. The couple announced the news on Facebook. A statement from the Vayres read in part, "It is with a touch of nostalgia but without any regrets that we announce that 2026 will be the last breeding season at Karwin Farm. We have decided to prioritize our family, and a new adventure awaits us... "The stud farm will be for sale at the beginning of the year. We would like to thank Brice, who...

A trio of Italian-based stallions standing for Renew Italian Breeding have had their stud fees revealed on Friday. Inns Of Court, who is located at Allevamento Alessandro Antonini, will stand for €7,000. The group sire will be standing his second season in Italy. Both Far Above--new to Italy for 2026--and Italy third-year sire Kessaar will each command €6,000. The former will be based at Allevamento Massimo Farina, while the latter is established at Azienda Agricola Antezzate. Far Above, a group winner by Farhh, is the sire of G3 Premio Ribot...

Richard Kingscote has been granted a licence extension by the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), and will ride from February 18 through the end of the 2025/2026 season at Sha Tin on July 12. The Derby-winning jockey currently has four wins and 28 placings from 165 rides with earnings of approximately £1.2 million. Overall, the 39-year-old boasts eight Hong Kong wins, having accrued four during the 2024/25 Hong Kong season, as well. Another jockey granted a licence extension is Australian James Orman, who has 12 wins to his name. The...

Ian Balding, trainer of the great Mill Reef among of a host of top-class horses to have passed through his Kingsclere stable, has died at the age of 87. The news was announced in a social media post from Park House Stables, which read, "We are deeply sorry to share the sad news that Ian Balding has passed away. "A wonderful family man, a hugely successful racehorse trainer and a brilliant sportsman. "He will be greatly missed by all at Park House." Balding was champion trainer in 1971, the year...

We have turned the tables on our obituary and feature writer John Berry, who doubles as the master of Beverley House Stables and Newmarket's unofficial weather man. A terrible singer, he gave up the possibility of a life as a theologian to train racehorses. How did you become involved in racing in the first place? I was lucky enough to grow up on a farm in Scotland where we had horses and ponies, and with parents passionately involved in racing, with the Sporting Life on the table every day and...

It is three years since Deep Impact's long reign as Japan's champion sire ended, and six years since his death at the age of 17, but his influence on the country's stallion ranks is still profound.  As well as being sire of the champion Kizuna, he is also sire of champion freshman Contrail, who, like his father, was a Triple Crown winner. And, it will doubtless come as no surprise that Deep Impact is also the champion broodmare sire for the second time. Gone but very much not forgotten. The...

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This holiday edition is highlighted by the victory of No Pressure in Florida. Florida Clime The Answer For No Pressure Lindy Farms' No Pressure (No Nay Never) rolled to a three-quarter length victory stretching out over the Gulfstream turf for Philip Antonacci on Boxing Day (video). The homebred debuted during the Belmont at the Big A meet and ran second by a neck over six furlongs in September. Baroda Stud consigned No...

Friday, Meydan, Dubai, post time: 20:25, ZABEEL MILE SPONSORED BY PHI ADVERTISING-G2, AED850,000, 4yo/up & SH 3yo, 1600mT Field: Quddwah (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Holloway Boy (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}), Aomori City (Fr) (Oasis Dream {GB}), Keffaaf (GB) (Adlerflug {Ger}), Audience (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}), Chicago Critic (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Asad Zabeel (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Vafortino (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), Andrease Vesalius (Ire) (Caravaggio), Western Writer (Ire) (Shamardal). TDN Analysis: If Aomori City prevails in the Zabeel Mile, he would be the seventh winner for trainer Charlie Appleby. The gelding faces...