Newmarket

Defying the rain-softened ground and a trio from Ballydoyle, Khalid Abdullah's Siskin (First Defence) kept his unbeaten record intact as he prevailed from TDN Rising Star Monarch of Egypt (American Pharoah) in Friday's G1 Keeneland Phoenix S. at The Curragh. Held up in fourth early by Colin Keane, the 10-11 favourite cruised into a challenging position on the far side heading to two out where battle was joined with Monarch of Egypt who he had beaten in the course-and-distance G2 Railway S. Looking to be losing out in that tussle...

Champion and win machine Sistercharlie (Ire) (Myboycharlie {Ire}) looms large as she looks to defend her title in an expected seven-horse renewal of Saturday's GI Beverly D. S., the first of three Grade Is at Arlington. A winner of three of four to start her career in France, the bay earned a trip to America with a second at 12-1 in the G1 Prix de Diane Longines two summers ago. Since then, she's a neck and a head from being undefeated in seven U.S. starts, all except one coming at...

For many, the impending return of structured racing to Virginia at Colonial Downs in New Kent evokes stirring memories of a horse culture firmly embedded in the Commonwealth's history. On a personal level, I cannot help but harken back to my days as a track and field athlete at the College of William and Mary in the heart of Colonial Williamsburg, when I would routinely pair 18-mile training days with evening trips to a musty OTB down the road in Hampton to bet Penn National and Charles Town. I'd often...

Mirage Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}) has been sold to race in Australia, with new connections already eyeing outings in the G1 Caulfield and G1 Melbourne Cups. Trained by Sir Michael Stoute in Britain, Mirage Dancer won four of his 16 starts and was last seen when finishing 2 1/4 lengths second in the G3 Glorious S. at Goodwood last week. The 5-year-old will join the yard of training partners Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young after he jets out of Newmarket next month. Busuttin told www.racing.com, "He's been bought for Caulfield...

There is more than a hand's difference in height between Deirdre (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) and Love So Deep (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) but what the diminutive Love So Deep lacks in stature she makes up for in feistiness, while the regal Deirdre studies those around her with her calm, kind eye. By Monday morning the air of jubilation surrounding the two fillies had still not dissipated at Abington Place where each has been prepared this summer. The stable, once home to Harry Wragg and then his son Geoff and now...

William Buick is set to make his long-awaited return to the saddle with two rides at Newmarket on Friday evening. Buick, who was unshipped from Sir Busker (Ire) (Sir Prancealot {Ire}) on the way to post at Ascot on May 10, has been out of action since partnering the Charlie Appleby-trained 2-year-old newcomer Expressionist (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) to victory at the same track 24 hours later. He missed his intended mounts in France the next day after reportedly feeling unwell. The 31-year-old, retained by Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin operation,...

Last year's G2 Coventry S. winner Calyx (GB) (Kingman {GB}-Helleborine {GB}, by Observatory) has been bought by Coolmore Stud and retired from racing. The 3-year-old will stand at Coolmore with owner/breeder Juddmonte Farms retaining an interest in the horse and supporting him. Calyx was the first winner for his standout young sire last June when winning at Newmarket in a five-length 'TDN Rising Star' performance, and he backed up 10 days later with a one-length victory over Advertise (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) in Royal Ascot's Coventry. Sidelined for the remainder of...

Jockey James Doyle, set to partner Brazen Beau (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) in the July 11 G1 Darley July Cup, worked the dual Australian Group 1 winner on Newmarket's July course Tuesday and said he “wouldn't swap” his mount for any other in the prestigious contest. “He gave me the feel of exactly what he is: a top-class sprinter and a seriously fast horse; he felt great,” said Doyle. “We went six furlongs and he changed his legs in all the right places. He didn't do anything strenuous; I...