Wandering Eyes

Even if Stradivarius wasn't at his best and victory in the Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup at York was rather more scrambled than might have been expected for a 4-11 favorite, a win is a win—and this win meant a £1 million bonus. View the full article

The field for the $200,000 Pat O'Brien Stakes (G2) Aug. 25 at Del Mar won't be as full as it appears in the entries, but the quality should be there to challenge Hronis Racing's undefeated Catalina Cruiser View the full article

Black-type races come thick and fast on Saturday, but it is the Sky Bet Ebor which is the main focus as the enhanced £500,000 storied handicap closes out the action at York. Born in 1843, Europe’s most valuable handicap, which next year gets even richer, has taken on a new dimension due to the ongoing obsession with the Melbourne Cup and the renewed emphasis on the staying division which was in evidence at this track only on Friday. The combination of owner Tony Bloom and trainer Willie Mullins has struck fear into the bookmaking fraternity and they are running scared of the partnership’s potentially well-handicapped Stratum (GB) (Dansili {GB}), who crept in at the bottom of the weights on Thursday. Successful in Newbury’s valuable JLT Cup over an extended two miles July 21, he faces a clutch of black-type performers such as the G3 Rose of Lancaster S. winner Teodoro (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) and G3 John Porter S. scorer Muntahaa (Ire) (Dansili {GB}) in a race that has drastically changed in nature over the years. “He looks to have a fantastic chance,” Patrick Mullins said. “You have to have luck in running, but we’re more than happy with him and we’re really looking forward to the race.” As far as the European Pattern is concerned, there are eight group races on Saturday with the G2 Ladbrokes Celebration Mile at Goodwood the most important in terms of status but not necessarily in reality, with the usual suspects lining up headed by the July 14 G2 Summer Mile winner Beat the Bank (GB) (Paco Boy {Ire}). He was fifth in the G1 Sussex S. at Goodwood at the start of the month and the runner-up in that contest Expert Eye (GB) (Acclamation {GB}) is sent to York instead by Sir Michael Stoute. Back over the seven-furlong trip over which he has delivered his two most impressive performances when winning the 2017 G2 Vintage S. at Goodwood and Royal Ascot’s G3 Jersey S. June 20, Khalid Abdullah’s homebred will be a short price to take the G3 Sky Bet City of York S. despite the presence of the 2017 GI Shadwell Turf Mile hero and July 31 G2 Lennox S. runner-up Suedois (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) and the June 30 G3 Chipchase S. scorer Above the Rest (Ire) (Excellent Art {GB}). “There was an uncertain forecast at Goodwood, they weren’t sure how much rain they were going to get, so we felt he was more sure of better ground at York,” explained Teddy Grimthorpe. “He must have fast ground, we think, so he runs here instead. He ran very well at Goodwood, I thought. A faster pace would have suited him there, but he stayed on and proved that he’s on his way back. I think he’s probably as effective over a mile as seven furlongs and we’ll be looking at races like the [G1] Prix du Moulin [at ParisLongchamp Sept. 9] and the [G1] Prix de la Foret [at ParisLongchamp Oct. 7] if all goes well.” Also at Goodwood, the G3 Ladbrokes Prestige S. sees George Strawbridge’s July 26 Listed Star S. winner Look Around (GB) (Kingman {GB}) pit her wits against some potentially smart fillies in the race won last year by the subsequent 1000 Guineas heroine Billesdon Brook (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}). Trainer Andrew Balding said, “Look Around was good at Sandown and she is a filly that we like a lot. She is still sort of learning, but hopefully she will run well.” William Haggas saddles The Queen’s Magnetic Charm (GB) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), a Godolphin-bred half-sister to Usherette (Ire) (Shamardal) who beat the subsequent winner Winter Light (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}) by 3 1/4 lengths over six furlongs at Newbury Aug. 7. Haggas said, “I liked her when she won at Newbury, she won well there. I think she wants further, so this might prove a good trip for her. She’s got a bit to find with a few of them, but it was nice to see the second win, albeit at Brighton, recently.” View the full article

Goodwood’s evening meeting conjured up a new TDN Rising Star as Michael Pescod’s Floating Artist (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) showed the kind of potential to give Richard Hannon something to dream about during the winter months. Highly-regarded by his trainer, the bay raced in mid-division early with Rossa Ryan animated in the saddle. Taking time to organise in the straight, the 10-1 shot was given a slap with the whip inside the final furlong and responded with a strong surge to overwhelm Fox Premier (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and hit the line with 1 1/4 lengths to spare as fellow newcomer Aussie Nugget (Ire) (Dansili {GB}) finished a further length back in third. “He was always going to be a back-end two-year-old and I didn’t think he knew enough to win first time out,” Hannon said. “This looked quite a nice race and he looks smart. He did one gallop when Mr Pescod came to see him and he went past the gallop and nearly ended up in my kitchen! He took off again past the line here. We’ll take our time, as he’s not the most mature horse mentally but ultimately we think he’s a good horse and he will go to those good races. We are trying to get more of these later types and although I’d like to think we have more like him I’m not sure we do.” FLOATING ARTIST (GB) (c, 2, Nathaniel {Ire}–Miss Kenton {Ire}, by Pivotal {GB}) Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $8,622. *1ST-TIME STARTER. O-Mr Michael Pescod; B-Canning Bloodstock Ltd (GB); T-Richard Hannon. Sales history: 14,000gns Wlg ’16 TATFOA; 80,000gns Ylg ’17 TAOCT. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. View the full article

Florida industry groups have lined up to oppose a plan by Churchill Downs Inc. to end Thoroughbred racing at its Calder property, a move that could cost horsemen around $10 million a year in purses generated by slot machines at Calder Casino. View the full article

After her clear victory in the Honorable Miss Stakes (G2) July 25, Finley'sluckycharm will try to add to her Saratoga Race Course success Aug. 25 when she faces an expected eight other fillies and mares in the Ketel One Ballerina Stakes (G1). View the full article

3rd-Newmarket, £8,000, Cond, 8-24, 2yo, c/g, 7fT, 1:25.21, g/f. SANGARIUS (FR), c, 2, by Kingman (GB) 1st Dam: Trojan Queen, by Empire Maker 2nd Dam: Banks Hill (GB), by Danehill 3rd Dam: Hasili (Ire), by Kahyasi (Ire) Something’s afoot if a Sir Michael Stoute-trained newcomer bears the full weight of the ring and, despite the slender margin of victory, Sangarius lived up that collateral billing and justified 11-8 favouritism with aplomb. The homebred bay was well away from the outside gate and occupied a midfield berth through the initial fractions. Exhibiting a flicker of greenness when angled into open runway approaching the quarter-mile marker, he quickened impressively to tackle Bangkok (Ire) (Australia {GB}) passing the eighth pole and kept on powerfully for one flick of James Doyle’s persuader up the hill to deny that rival a neck in ultimately cozy fashion, becoming the ninth winner for his freshman sire (by Invincible Spirit {Ire}). Sangarius is the fifth foal and second scorer produced by a winning half-sister to G1 Prix Jean Romanet heroine and GI Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf runner-up Romantica (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) and the dual stakes-winning G2 Prix Niel second Ideal World (Kingmambo). He is kin to G3 Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial third Emergent (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and a yearling colt by Frankel (GB). His second dam, MG1SW European and US champion Banks Hill (GB) (Danehill), is a daughter of storied blue hen Hasili (Ire) (Kahyasi {Ire}) and thus a full-sister to MG1SW champions Cacique (Ire), Intercontinental (GB) and Champs Elysees (GB) (Danehill), and a half-sister to GI Beverly D. S. and GI Matriarch S. victress Heat Haze (GB) (Green Desert) and G2 Prix du Muguet-winning sire Dansili (GB) (Danehill). Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $6,632. 1ST-TIME STARTER. O-Khalid Abdullah; B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd (GB); T-Sir Michael Stoute. Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. View the full article

The latest big prize Abel Tasman is looking to add to her collection comes Aug. 25 when the 2017 champion 3-year-old filly takes on rival Elate and four other challengers in the $700,000 Personal Ensign Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course. View the full article

Sympathy extended from across the bloodstock community to agent Mags O’Toole, following the death of her father, will be all the more meaningful simply on account of its faith in pedigrees. For she could have had no more cherished sire than Mick O’Toole, whose horsemanship was rivalled only by his ability to lift the spirits of his countless friends on the Irish Turf. These will be as united in their gratitude for the joviality and animation he brought to their lives as in their grief for his loss on Thursday, after a period of declining health, at 86. O’Toole, who started out as a trainer of greyhounds, saddled the winners of many big races under both codes; but was scarcely less gratified by successful gambles landed by lesser animals at a lower level. Ideally, of course, he would try to dovetail those twin satisfactions–as when putting £500 on Davy Lad at 50-1 to win the 1977 Cheltenham Gold Cup, the pinnacle of his eight winners at the National Hunt Festival. His best Flat horse was Dickens Hill, who won the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas two years later, while he also saddled two Royal Ascot winners. From modest beginnings, training in the Phoenix Park in Dublin, “Micko” moved to Maddenstown on The Curragh. He made his first headlines in such notoriously competitive handicaps as the 1969 Irish Cesarewitch and the 1970 Irish Cambridgeshire. Dickens Hill, bought for 34,000 gns as a yearling at the Houghton Sale, won the Anglesey S. at two before finishing second in the National S. and the Grand Criterium at Longchamp. His four-length Classic success prompted a crack at the Derby, but he finished second to Troy both at Epsom and in the Irish equivalent. He shook off his Curragh defeat to win the Eclipse only a week later. Over jumps O’Toole forged a formidable partnership with another hugely admired figure in the late Dessie Hughes. Though he never retrieved the heights they shared in the 1970s, O’Toole brought things full circle in the next decade by again winning races like the Irish Cesarewitch and Cambridgeshire– notably landing the latter in 1989 with Smoggy Spray, ridden by the teenage Richard Hughes, Dessie’s son. But he wound down his training operation thereafter, saddling his last winner in 1996. With his wife Una, Micko raised two children who will seek no finer credit than to do justice to his memory: Mags, whose inherited acuity serves her so well at the sales, and jockeys’ agent Ciaran. View the full article

An executive from The Stronach Group said the organization is moving closer to breaking ground on a new stabling area on the north side of Santa Anita Park during a California Horse Racing Board meeting Aug. 23 at Del Mar. View the full article

1st-Saratoga, Msw, 2yo, 6f, post time: 11:35 p.m. GI Travers S. day baby races have a tendency to feature future stars, and GREYES CREEK (Pioneerof the Nile) appears cut out to be a good one on paper. Out of debut graduate and stakes winner American Lady (Stormy Atlantic), the grey was a $350,000 KEENOV ’15 in utero purchase who brought $850,000 from Larry Best’s OXO Equine after he covered a quarter mile in a fluid but still fastest :21 1/5 at OBS March. He was the second-most expensive horse at that auction. His dam is a half to MGSW The Pamplemousse (Kafwain). Baker and Mack’s Strong Union (Union Rags) was a $650,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling. He is a grandson of SW Arianna’s Passion (Unbridled’s Song), making his dam a full to MSW/MGSP Distorted Passion (Distorted Humor), who in turn produced MGSW/GISP Mrs McDougal (Medaglia d’Oro). TJCIS PPs View the full article

Fourth last year and fourth again on Friday, Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) had to give way to a relative minnow in pedigree terms from the more-than-able Bryan Smart stable as the veteran Alpha Delphini (GB) (Captain Gerrard {Ire}) edged Mabs Cross (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) by the kind of margin that took the judge several minutes to identify. Always up with the furious pace under Graham Lee, the 7-year-old forged ahead inside the final furlong as Shadwell’s 4-5 favourite backed out of it as he had in 2017 and it was filly Mabs Cross (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) who emerged as the danger to the fellow Northern-trained journeyman sprinter. She headed him near the line, but the 40-1 shot whose half-brother Tangerine Trees (GB) (Mind Games {GB}) captured the G1 Prix de l’Abbaye for the Bryan Smart stable had his nostril down on the line first and that was the real margin which was officially given as a nose. Blue Point (Ire) (Shamardal) was 2 1/4 lengths back in third as he mastered Battaash late on as he had at the Royal meeting. “I used to come here as a kid with my mum and dad and to have any winner here is great, but to win a group one is the pinnacle of my career,” Smart said. “I bought him and put the partnership together which includes the breeder and he’s been a slow-burner who has got faster and faster. He’s also by the sire I trained, so he has a lot about him for me and he’s a superstar who we love to bits. Graham [Lee] made a brave call to take the cheekpieces off, he kept saying he didn’t want them today as he felt he wasn’t able to see horses coming past. He wasn’t going to let anything past today.” ALPHA DELPHINI (GB), g, 7, Captain Gerrard (Ire)–Easy to Imagine, by Cozzene. (20,000gns Ylg ’12 TAOCT). O-The Alpha Delphini Partnership; B-Mrs B A Matthews (GB); T-Bryan Smart; J-Graham Lee. £198,485. Lifetime Record: 26-8-6-3, £366,666. *1/2 to Tangerine Trees (GB) (Mind Games {GB}), Hwt. Older Horse-Fr at 5-7f, G1SW-Fr & GSW-Eng, $482,864. View the full article

The Breeders' Cup, in conjunction with the Breeders' Cup Festival and the Kentucky Derby Museum, announced Aug. 24 that D. Wayne Lukas will be honored with the Breeders' Cup Sports and Racing Excellence Award Oct. 31 at the Kentucky Derby Museum. View the full article

Kevin Ryan is turning into Mr Gimcrack and Ahmad Abdulla Al Shaikh’s Emaraaty Ana (GB) (Shamardal) became the local trainer’s fourth winner of York’s prestigious group 2 of that name sponsored by Al Basti Equiworld on Friday. Sent off well-supported at 5-1 with the meeting’s top rider Frankie Dettori coming in for the ride after Jamie Spencer called in sick, the bay who was third in Newbury’s Listed Rose Bowl S. July 20 was up on the front end from the outset. Asserting from two out, he saw off the threat of ‘TDN Rising Star’ Legends of War (Scat Daddy) to prevail by a half length, with the 9-4 favourite Shine So Bright (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) 3/4 of a length back in third. “Kevin [Ryan] said he probably wants seven and to make plenty of use of him, so I was there to be shot at and he showed gtreat courage and hit the line really well,” Dettori said after his third flying dismount in the last 24 hours. “He’s still on the weak side and can only get better. He’s got a racing brain and he was never going to let one pass. I told Kevin to try not to over-race him this year as he needs to get strength but that will come in time.” Ryan added, “He’s always been very smart and I was a little bit disappointed at Newbury but the ground was a bit loose there. He’s still quite a raw horse and he’ll make a nice three-year-old. He’s in the [G1] Middle Park [at Newmarket Sept. 29] and I think he’ll get another furlong, so we’ll see.” EMARAATY ANA (GB), c, 2, Shamardal–Spirit of Dubai (Ire), by Cape Cross (Ire). O-Ahmad Abdulla Al Shaikh; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd (GB); T-Kevin Ryan; J-Lanfranco Dettori. £127,598. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-1, £135,129. View the full article

Sky Bet Ebor Handicap The final day of the Ebor Festival is set to be another exciting day of top-class racing action. The £500,000 Sky Bet Ebor is Britain’s richest handicap and is staged over a mile and five furlongs and welcomes a full field of twenty runners. Stratum is a name of interest among punters. As the ante-post favourite, the son of Dansili will have to overcome an unfavourable draw from stall four. Trained by Willie Mullins, Stratum has topped the market for the historic handicap after a comfortable performance to win the JLT Cup (handicap) at Newbury last month. Connections of the five-year-old will be eager to see his form continue to improve enough for him to return to the winners’ circle again. Champion jumps trainer Mullins has another strong contender in the race with well-fancied Whiskey Sour. The five-year-old is set to be ridden by William Buick and connections will be hopeful he can improve from his last outing at Galway where perhaps the soft ground conditions got the better of him. Last year’s winner Ian Jardine-trained Nakeeta is set to be steered by Callum Rodriquez and the son of Sixties Icon will be aiming to become only the second horse to win the race on consecutive occasions after Flint Jack won back-to-back renewals in 1922 and 1923. On his last outing, the seven-year-old finished fifth to favourite Stratum. Roger Charlton’s Blakeney Point is another strong contender and the five-year-old will be partnered with Jamie Spencer. The son of Sir Percy has shaped with promise recently including when he finished a staying-on fourth is a very competitive Group 3 Glorious Stakes at Goodwood earlier this month. Others to keep an eye on include: Weekender and Crowned Eagle. Selection: Blakeney Point Above The Rest and Clifford Lee wins from Steady Pace at Newmarket last seasonSky Bet City Of York Stakes The Group 3 Sky Bet City Of York Stakes is run over seven furlongs and is open to horses three years and older, where this year hosts a field of nine runners. One of Sir Michael Stoute’s stable stars Expert Eye is the favourite and the son of Acclamation will be all out to win the seven furlongs contest. The three-year-old colt ran on strongly to finish second in the Group 1 Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood earlier this month. That run comes off the back of the colt winning a seven-furlong trip at Ascot last June and although this will be his first time running at the York track, connections will be confident in his ability. David O’Meara-trained Suedois is another strong contender and will be ridden by Daniel Tudhope. The seven-year-old ran a game race on his last outing to finish second in the Group 2 Qatar Lennox Stakes at Goodwood and connections hope he will be on top form for this Group 3 contest. Above The Rest is another worthwhile contender as the David Barron-trained seven-year-old recent impressive form has witnessed great improvement on his last two starts winning the Group 3 Chipchase Stakes at Newmarket at the end of June and the JCB handicap at York previous to this. A tough contender and will be one to keep a close eye on. Selection: Above The Rest Threading and James Doyle wins The Sky Bet Lowther Stakes at York last seasonSymphony Group Strensall Stakes The Group 3 Symphony Group Strensall Stakes is the first race on the card of the last day of the Ebor Festival. It hosts a field of nine runners who are all set on competing to win the one mile and one-furlong contest. David O’Meara’s stable star Lord Glitters is the favourite and the strong traveller has gone from being a smart handicapper to a strong Group horse this year. The son of Whipper will be ridden by Daniel Tudhope and connections will be optimistic of a win here. Tudhope partnered the five-year-old to finish third at Goodwood last month in the very competitive Group 1 Qatar Sussex Stakes. Mustashry is another who has a strong possibility of winning and is expected to put on a strong performance. The five-year-old won this race at York last year and partners with Jim Crowley yet again. The geldings last outing may have been the first of the season but one he took in his stride to win a one mile and two furlongs Listed race at Sandown. Trainer Sir Michael Stoute will be hopeful he will make it back to back wins in the race. Trainer Mark Johnston has made racing history this week at York as he recorded his 4,194 winners in Britain, making him the most prolific trainer in Britain after Poet Society’s impressive win on Thursday. The Middleham based trainer runs Threading who will be steered by Silvestre De Sousa. The three-year-old filly was below form on her last two runs but prior to this ran an excellent race at Ascot to finish second to superstar Alpha Centauri in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes and it is possible she can return to this strong form here. Selection: Threading Melrose Handicap The Melrose Handicap takes place over one mile and six furlongs and hosts a field of sixteen runners. Hughie Morrison-trained Corgi will certainly be one to watch in the betting market as the colt may have only had seven starts to date but has never finished lower than the fourth position. The son of So You Think will be a strong contender and one not to be overlooked. Sir Michael Stoute is represented by Mekong in the handicap and is another strong runner. The son of Frankel is set to be ridden by Daniel Tudhope. A colt who is constantly improving, it is hoped he will continue his good form as on his last trip to the track he ran gamely to win at Chelmsford at the start of the month. Silvestre De Sousa takes the ride on Mark Johnston-trained Making Miracles. The son of Pivotal may just make all the running as on his last outing at Goodwood he ran a strong race to finish third, just behind Corgi and connections will be hoping for an improvement following that run. Selection: Corgi Beat The Bank (Ryan Moore) winning the Bonhams Thoroughbred stakes Goodwood last seasonGroup 2 Celebration Mile Stakes Goodwood Racecourse welcomes the Group 2 Celebration Mile Stakes to its track this weekend. With eight runners set to go to post, this one-mile contest is set to be an excellent showcase of some top mile performers. Oisin Murphy’s mount Beat The Bank is the favourite and will be the horse all eyes will be focused on in this one-mile contest. Andrew Balding-trained son of Paco Boy is set to make an impression as his current form would suggest. The four-year-old won the Group 2 Summer Mile Stakes at Ascot last June. The gelding stayed on strongly to win cosily at the Ascot track and connections are hopeful he will return repeat this at Goodwood. On his last outing, the gelding finished fifth in a tough Group 1 Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood but he is a top-class horse and should put on a stellar performance in this Group 2 race. Roger Varian-trained Altyn Orda is another big player and the three-year-old filly will be partnered by David Egan. The daughter of Kyllachy finished second to superstar Alpha Centauri in the strong Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket last month. This performance was her last outing and connections will be hoping she can continue to improve and win this Group 2. Ed Walker’s stable star Stormy Antarctic runs in the one-mile contest and will be ridden by Liam Keniry. The five-year-old has had a series of good runs this season and has notched up two wins on the continent this season. His last outing witnessed the gelding finished second in the Group 1 Grosser Dallmayr Preis – Bayerisches Zuchtrennen at Munich last month. He may struggle slightly but is still one not to be forgotten about. Others to keep an eye on include David Simcock-trained Arod and Clive Cox’s stable star Zonderland. Selection: Beat The Bank The post Ebor Festival Day Four Preview: Stratum Set To Storm Home In The £500,000 Ebor Handicap appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

Few believed the inaugural £1million bonus put up by Weatherbys Hamilton would be landed, but Bjorn Nielsen’s Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) had the ideal blend to make it happen and he finished the job off with guts and determination on Friday as he conquered the last leg in York’s G2 Lonsdale Cup sponsored by the bonus suppliers. Without the zip he showed in the May 18 G2 Yorkshire Cup, but with all the gameness he displayed when following up in the G1 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot June 21 and July 31 G1 Goodwood Cup, the 4-11 favourite sat sixth early and looked in trouble for a spell midstraight, but stuck to his guns to overhaul Count Octave (GB) (Frankel {GB}) approaching the furlong pole en route to a 1 1/2-length success. “He didn’t feel as good as he did at Ascot–he was a bit lethargic and it was only his class that got him through today,” Frankie Dettori said. “He was a little bit below-par, but once he’s got a target he’ll go and pick anything up. When he eyeballed Count Octave, I knew he’d win but he was laboured today. He has had four very hard races.” Nielsen summed up the pulling off of the bonus. “Impossible,” he said. “Brilliant trainer, brilliant jockey. To get him to peak like that four times is incredible.” 1–STRADIVARIUS (IRE), 132, c, 4, by Sea the Stars (Ire) 1st Dam: Private Life (Fr) (MSP-Fr), by Bering (GB) 2nd Dam: Poughkeepsie (Ire), by Sadler’s Wells 3rd Dam: Pawneese (Ire), by Carvin II (330,000gns RNA Ylg ’15 TATOCT). O/B-Bjorn Nielsen (IRE); T-John Gosden; J-Lanfranco Dettori. £127,598. Lifetime Record: MG1SW-Eng, 13-8-1-2, £1,313,347. *1/2 to Persian Storm (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}), Hwt. 3yo-Ger at 9.5-11f & MGSW-Ger, $121,198; Rembrandt Van Rijn (Ire) (Peintre Celebre), GSP-Eng, $167,081; and Magical Eve (Ger) (Oratorio {Ire}), SP-SAf. View the full article

SATURDAY marks the final day of York’s fabulous Ebor festival and there is the small matter of the Ebor handicap itself to look forward to – this year worth a record £500,000 in total prize-money. Among those chasing the pot is trainer Tom Dascombe, who saddles recent runaway Group 3 winner Teodoro in the famous 1m6f prize. We spoke to Dascombe about his chances of success and also got the lowdown on some of his other stable stars. We have reached the final day of the Ebor festival. How difficult is it to win races there? It’s tough to win there for sure – but it’s tough to win anywhere realistically. It’s a big meeting right in the middle of the summer and it’s just a case of trying to keep your good horses on the road and get them in the races that suit them best. It’s somewhere we all want to be and where we all want to be winning if we can. Teodoro runs for you in the Ebor. How are things with him going into the big race? He’s grand. He’s 9lb well-in on the handicap in this race as he runs off a mark of 105 but his official rating has gone up to 114. We don’t have any concern about the trip and we’re looking forward to running him. TEODORO and Richard Kingscotte win The Rose of Lancaster Group 3 at Haydock Park 11/8/18Teodoro was an impressive winner last time. Was it always the plan to come here or did it become an option after that victory? This was always the plan. We threw him in the race at Haydock as he has to have fast ground, which it was at Haydock. We went for that because if it did end up being too soft at York we’d have had a horse who we couldn’t go to York with and couldn’t really go anywhere else with. Fortunately we managed to win the race and it’s a real boost coming into this race. You have a number of high-profile owners, including former international footballer Michael Owen and Betfair co-founder Andrew Black. Does that add any extra pressure at all? It helps generate interest in the yard and obviously we want to do well for them, and all our other owners as well. Laurence Bellman and Caroline Ingram, who own Teodoro, have had horses with me ever since the first day I started training. It would be terrific if he could win for them. Proschema represents you in the Melrose Stakes at York. How do you rate his prospects? He’s a beautiful horse and he’s be a good stallion in Declaration Of War; I think he’s going to do really well as a sire. He has a definite preference for a bit of cut in the ground, which is probably isn’t going to get, but he is capable on quicker ground. This will be his last run until the autumn when we will see if we can nick a nice handicap with him. I’m not saying he doesn’t have a chance on Saturday – he ran really well at Goodwood – but the slower ground in the autumn will suit him more. PROSCHEMA with R Kingscote wins from left ARGENTELLO 2nd and right BLAZING SADDLES 3rd at Doncaster 24-3-18.The owners of Proschema also have useful juvenile Great Scot. What is the plan for him? We bought him back for his breeders at the sales for £2,500 and he’s been excellent in his three runs this season. He was desperately unlucky in a Listed race at Deauville last time as it didn’t quite pan out for him and he was beaten two short heads. It shows what he’s capable of though and hopefully he can gain some compensation next time. I’m not sure where that will be yet. Arthur Kitt has been your leading two-year-old this season. Where will we see him next? He runs next Saturday in the Solario Stakes at Sandown, all being well. Afterwards, depending on how we get on, we’ll make a plan with him in consultation with his owner Andrew Black. Arthur Kitt – Richard Kingscote wins from Nate The Great – Daniel Tudhope in The Chesham StakesHis latest run was when winning the Chesham at Royal Ascot. How good do you think he could be? The form of the Chesham has worked out really well. I think immediately after the race everyone thought it was a poor race, but now in August people are thinking it’s a bit better race than they did at the time. We certainly think he’s a very talented horse. What are the plans for Kachy after he bypassed the Nunthorpe Stakes on Friday? He has disappointed us a bit this season. We can’t beat Battaash so we don’t see the point in keeping taking him on. So what we’ll do is give him a break now and bring him back for another campaign on the all-weather building up to the sprint final on All-Weather Champions Day on Good Friday next year. And, finally, you and stable jockey Richard Kingscote have been a partnership for a long time. Why do you think you work so well together? He does his job and I do mine! He a very straightforward, honest man and doesn’t blame the horses if he’s made a mistake. He makes it easy for everyone involved. The post Tom Dascombe On His Ebor Chances And Plans For His Stable Stars appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

THE spring carnival is just around the corner and there’s a trio of Group Three races on the card at Rosehill with the San Domenico Stakes, Ming Dynasty and Premier’s Cup. View the full article

MOONEE Valley plays host to Saturday racing with a nine-event card highlighted by the Listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m) and the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m). View the full article

Chad Schofield will compete against Joao Moreira in the World All-Star Jockeys series in Japan this weekend, but longer-term he is hoping to help fill the void left by the Magic Man’s departure from Hong Kong. Schofield finished fifth in the jockeys’ championship last season with 38 winners, but with three-time champion Moreira moving to Japan and Nash Rawiller disqualified, two of the riders above him are gone and opportunities have opened up. The 24-year-old, who got engaged to... View the full article

An executive from The Stronach Group said the organization is moving closer to breaking ground on a new stabling area on the north side of Santa Anita Park during a California Horse Racing Board meeting Aug. 23 at Del Mar. View the full article

With an off-the-cuff remark during the California Horse Racing Board meeting Aug. 23 at Del Mar, board chairman Chuck Winner indicated the death of grade 2 winner Bobby Abu Dhabi July 22 was likely not due to a cardiac event. View the full article

With an off-the-cuff remark during at the California Horse Racing Board meeting Aug. 23 at Del Mar, board chairman Chuck Winner indicated the death of grade 2 winner Bobby Abu Dhabi July 22 was likely not due to a cardiac event. View the full article

Early scratchings August 24 View the full article

Former jockey Pumpa conducts workshop with local boys View the full article