G1 Matron Stakes

Saturday, Doncaster, post time: 15:40, THE BETFRED ST LEGER S.-G1, £700,000, 3yo, Open, 14f 115y Field: Carmers (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Furthur (Ire) (Waldgeist {GB}), Lambourn (Ire) (Australia {GB}), Rahiebb (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Scandinavia (Justify), Stay True (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Tarriance (GB) (Frankel {GB}). TDN Verdict: Judged on the evidence of the first day's racing here, staying power is going to be a must and Scandinavia certainly has that. From one of Coolmore's finest Classic families, he has surged to promise in the last two months and mastered last year's...

Justify does Triple Crowns, that we already know, but few would have expected he would be on the verge of another so early in his second career. Responsible for the winners of this season's 2,000 Guineas and last year's Derby, he has dead aim on the St Leger on Saturday courtesy of Scandinavia as he bids to complete a remarkable turf trinity to augment his own groundbreaking one on the dirt. Scandinavia didn't start his career in the manner of Ruling Court or City Of Troy, but then not many...

Friday, Doncaster, post time: 15:00, THE BETFRED HOWARD WRIGHT DONCASTER CUP-G2, £150,000, 3yo/up, 17f 197yT Field: Coltrane (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), Hipop De Loire (Fr) (American Post {GB}), Kyle Of Lochalsh (GB) (Highland Reel {Ire}), Sunway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}), Sweet William (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Tashkhan (Ire) (Born To Sea {Ire}), Oxford Comma (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}), Pendragon (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). TDN Verdict: Last year's winner Sweet William remains in good heart and is the obvious choice, but there is a chance that proper Group 1 horse Sunway could enjoy this...

 On Saturday at Leopardstown, they will run the Matron Stakes as part of Irish Champion Day, one of the roughly one dozen Group races that Coolmore sponsors all over the world annually. We sat down at the Keeneland September Sale and spoke with Coolmore's Director of Sales David O'Loughlin about why giving back through race sponsorships and breeding incentive funds is important to the farm. TDN: Explain the scope of Coolmore's involvement in sponsoring races around the world. DO: At the moment, we're sponsoring races all over the world and...

Ryusei Sakai is savouring a second tilt at the G1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday, with last year's third Shin Emperor (Siyouni) featuring among 12 horses standing their ground after Tuesday's confirmation stage. Japanese raider Shin Emperor, trained by Yoshito Yahagi, delighted connections in an early workout on Tuesday, with Sakai saying afterwards, "He worked this morning on the Curragh Racecourse with his partner horse and he felt very well, very comfortable. I was very happy with the gallop. He is a more mature and stronger horse...

Believing (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), placed twice at the highest level, is in good order ahead of a start in the G1 Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh on Sept. 15, according to Highclere Thoroughbred Racing's Harry Herbert. A winner of the G2 Sapphire Stakes over the minimum trip at the Curragh in July, the 4-year-old filly was third to Big Evs (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) in the G2 King George Stakes at Goodwood, before running fan favourite Bradsell (GB) (Tasleet {GB}) to three-quarters of a length in the G1 Nunthorpe...

Camelot (GB)'s Los Angeles (Ire) is likely to contest the G1 Irish Champion Stakes on Irish Champions Weekend alongside Aidan O'Brien stablemates August Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Luxemborg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), O'Brien revealed on Monday. The master of Ballydoyle also outlined plans for other runners from his stable for the mid-September meeting. Five-for-six in his young career, with a third in the G1 Derby followed by victories in the G1 Irish Derby and G2 Great Voltigeur Stakes in June and August, respectively, Los Angeles faces a tough ask...

Classic winner Fallen Angel (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), off the track since sustaining a setback that ruled her out of Royal Ascot, will aim for a start in the G1 Matron Stakes during Irish Champions Weekend at Leopardstown, according to trainer Karl Burke. Successful in the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas in the silks of Clipper Logistics when last seen, the filly has been pleasing Burke during her recovery. The G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes heroine was only eighth in the G1 1000 Guineas as the favourite in early May, before...