Albany stakes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - When he found out he was going to need a new jockey, John Shirreffs didn't blink. He knew who was going to ride Baeza (McKinzie) in Saturday's $500,000 GII Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. And the jockey isn't all that new, not to Baeza. Baeza will be reunited with California-based Hector Berrios when he steps on the track to take on GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont Stakes winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief) and three others in the 1 1/8-mile traditional prep for the Aug....

ASCOT, UK -- It was a day when so many of those engaged at Royal Ascot were thinking also of a great man gone away in Ireland. Kevin Prendergast would undoubtedly have revelled in the splendid results for some of his fellow Irish trainers on Ascot Heath as they in turn paid tribute to him. And there was even a winner for his old friend Awtaad, the last of the trainer's Classic winners, whose son Ethical Diamond triumphed in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes after another, Ascending, had won Tuesday's...

Staton Flurry has not let a disastrous first foray into purchasing a Royal Ascot runner stand in his way of ticking off what he describes as 'a bucket list experience' with the leading American-based owner having worked out a deal for Albany Stakes contender Oh Cecelia (Starspangledbanner) on the eve of the meeting.  Flurry may have left it late to guarantee his participation as an owner at this year's meeting but it's nothing compared to last year. After securing the Jack Davison-trained Take Me To Church at the Goffs London...

Fairy Godmother (Ire), who has been off the track since winning the G3 Albany Stakes for Aidan O'Brien and the Coolmore partners last June, has been retired from racing following a training setback. The news was first reported by the Irish Field. With entries in the 1,000 Guineas in Britain and Ireland, she had been as short as 6/1 for the Newmarket Classic on May 4. Bred by Paul and Marie McCartan's Ballyphilip Stud, the daughter of Night Of Thunder (Ire) fetched 425,000gns when sold to MV Magnier at Book...

In running out an impressive winner of the G2 San Clemente S. at Del Mar last weekend, Anisette (GB) (Awtaad {Ire}) capped a memorable few months for bloodstock agent Mark McStay, who helped source the filly privately on behalf of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners.  McStay had already been provided with one of his biggest kicks in racing this summer when Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio), who he purchased on behalf of a host of American owners, landed the G3 Albany S. at Royal Ascot.  Porta Fortuna could well be aimed at the...

Ever since Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio)'s win in the G3 Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Fillies Sprint S. at Naas last month, bloodstock agent Mark McStay had been pestering Taylor Made's Mark Taylor to make his plans to come to Royal Ascot. But the Taylor family is more known for probity and hard work than they are flights of fancy, and Taylor demurred, citing preparations for upcoming sales in America. But when Porta Fortuna launched a determined bid and got up for the win in Friday's G3 Albany S. at Ascot...

Royal Ascot is calling for American owner Leonard Green and his son Jonathan after Do It With Style (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}), named after the family's first Grade I winner from over 30 years ago, marked herself down as a top-notch prospect on debut for Donnacha O'Brien at the Curragh on Monday. This is becoming a familiar success story for the Green family in Ireland who, frustrated with competing with the big guns in the sales ring back home in the States, decided to come up with a plan to...

Americanrevolution added another impressive tally to his resume with a dominant score in the Albany. Riding the rail in fifth through a :23.49 opening quarter, the chestnut maintained that position as Bobby Bo put up a :47.33 half-mile. Taking closer order on the backstretch run, Americanrevolution ranged up to confront the leader turning for home and the pair battled to the wire with Americanrevolution drawing clear late to win. Bobby Bo held second and it was a long way back to third-place horse. "I thought we would be a little...

It is not only the most hygienic Royal Ascot ever staged that features on Friday, with Chantilly and Gowran Park also holding meetings with notable races. The Berkshire venue, of course, is at the forefront, with the G1 Commonwealth Cup the main focus as 'TDN Rising Star' Pierre Lapin (Ire) (Cappella Sansevero {GB}) defends his unbeaten tally for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum and Roger Varian. If the truth were told, nobody knows the true extent of his abilities but his smooth success in Newbury's G2 Mill Reef S. in...