Category: News

Horse Racing News

Horse racing news stories from around the UK and abroad. Learn more about what racehorses, trainers, races and racecourses have been up to since you last checked in.

Rachael Blackmore previews her day two rides at the Cheltenham Festival

Suzanne Ashton
Rachael Blackmore betfair image

Rachael Blackmore previews her day two rides at the Cheltenham Festival – with a big chance in the Cross Country Chase 2.10pm – Monty’s Star I am really looking forward to riding Monty’s Star in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase on Wednesday. He was good in winning his beginners’ chase on New Year’s Eve at Punchestown. His jumping was very good, and that will be a big asset here. He’s bred for it too, he’s a half-brother to Monalee, who finished second in this race in 2018. It’s a small…

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Frankie Dettori presented with giant retirement card

Suzanne Ashton
Frankie Dettori with giant farewell card

Legendary jockey Frankie Dettori was presented with a giant retirement card at Doncaster Racecourse following his final UK Classic race, the Betfred St Leger. Dettori, who rode 23 wins in UK Classic’s, finished second on 11/4 favourite Arrest in the Betfred St Leger before receiving his farewell card. Arrest would have cost the bookies a pretty penny if he’d won the St Leger as sponsors Betfred have worked out that the jockey has cost the bookmaking industry as a whole over £400 million in pay-outs across his previous 23 Classic…

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Willie Mullins Prepares for National Hunt Season

Suzanne Ashton
Willie Mullins prepares for national hunt. Image of a horse in race training

Despite the 2024 Cheltenham Festival still being some way off, preparations at the powerhouse yard of Willie Mullins are well underway ahead of the new National Hunt season.  The campaign doesn’t really come into the racing public consciousness until November with the Charlie Hall Steeplechase at Wetherby on the 4th, a race won last year by Cheltenham Gold Cup second Bravemansgame.  But the eyes are never far away from the Prestbury Park showpiece meeting next March, where tour de force Mullins is set to have another big say in proceedings. …

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Racing Fans Flock to Malton Open Day for Behind-the-Scenes Tours

Suzanne Ashton
Racing Welfare was the official charity for the Malton Open Day last weekend. Image of horse racing enthusiasts attending one of the stable yards in Newmarket

Over 1,000 racing fans attended ‘behind the scenes’ tours during the annual Malton Open Day on Sunday, September 10th 2023. The day saw 11 racehorse trainers open their yards to help raise funds for charity, Racing Welfare. Those trainers participating in the annual event included Richard Fahey, John Quinn and Tim Easterb. The star of the day was undoubtedly Julie Camacho’s dual Group 1-winner, Shaquille, who, despite performing unexpectedly below par at Haydock the day before, attracted a constant stream of visitors throughout the morning.  Speaking on the day, Julie…

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Queen Elizabeth II Exhibition Now Available Online

Suzanne Ashton
queen elizabeth II Royal Ascot images presented at Ascot Racecourse

Howden and Ascot racecourse has announced a Getty-curated online presentation using carefully selected images of Queen Elizabeth II as a way to mark the one-year anniversary of her death (Friday, September 8th 2023). Previously available to those who attended Royal Ascot in June this year, the now virtual exhibition completes a year-long commemoration dedicated to Queen Elizabeth II who demonstrated an enduring commitment to horse racing throughout her lifetime. The virtual exhibition will be available from September 8th to December 8th, 2023. This provides a chance for those who couldn’t view…

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A Competitive Arabian Field Head to Haydock on Saturday

Suzanne Ashton
Completing the field is the Delyth Thomas owned and trained Paramer Angel. Racing haydock news piece

The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) have announced a competitive field ahead of the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup Group 3PA to be run over a mile at Haydock Park on Saturday 9 September. Thaydah Athbah and Upstart Crow, who are both unbeaten this season, will put their spotless records on the line in the £20,000 race, both are trained in Newmarket by trainers with several ARO titles under their belts. Thaydah Athbah was the pick of three entries from current leading ARO owner, Athbah Racing and is trained by two-time ARO leading trainer and…

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QIPCO British Champions Day to host new horses-in-training sale

Suzanne Ashton
QIPCO British Champions Day. Image copyright Ascot Racecourse

QIPCO British Champions Day is set to host a new boutique horse-in-training sale on Saturday 21st October 2023, Ascot Racecourse, Goffs and British Champions Series Limited have announced. The Goffs QIPCO British Champions Day Sale at Ascot will offer approximately 12 elite horses in training, with the auction conducted from the Ascot winner’s podium. QIPCO British Champions Day is Britain’s richest race day with a prize fund of over £4 million. It is a thrilling finale to the Flat racing season that features four Group 1 races and is attended…

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Goodwood Called Off after Jockeys Raise Concern

Suzanne Ashton
Goodwood racetrack

Following concerns raised by Jockeys, and officials re-evaluating the going, Goodwood was called off on Saturday due to the complications ongoing rain was causing. With the cancellation at Goodwood, coming only three races short of conclusion on the final day, Ed Arkell, Goodwood’s Director of Racing and Clerk of the Course, told Racing TV: The jockeys expressed their concern after the Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes that there were some areas on the bends that they weren’t happy about. They were happy to race on the straight course for the Coral…

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Paddington produces faultless run at Goodwood

Suzanne Ashton
Paddington running at Goodwood 2023 on grass with other horses in race

Paddington (4/9F) continued his faultless season for Aidan O’Brien with another dominant display in the G1 Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood today. Having started the season in a handicap, Paddington has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting horses in training, with today’s success coming on the back of G1 victories in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, St James’s Palace Stakes and Coral-Eclipse.  Dropping back to a mile, Ryan Moore decided to make his own running on Paddington. Inspiral’s rider Frankie Dettori put it up to him early in…

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Al Ghadeer wins Qatar International Stakes at Goodwood

Suzanne Ashton
HH Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani with Al Ghadeer, Christophe Soumillon, Yvana Lacoste and Francois Rohaut after winning the Qatar International Stakes (Gr1PA) at Goodwood © Debbie Burt

Four-year-old european champion, Al Ghadeer continued his unbeaten run in Group 1PA races with a three and a quarter length win from First Classs, with Samlla a further half-length away in third at Goodwood today. The colt, trained like Samlla by Francois Rohaut, provided a second win in the event for Al Shaqab Racing who also won with the colt’s sire, Al Mourtajez in 2016. Partnered by Christophe Soumillon, he becomes the first of his age group to win the mile contest, which at £400,000 is the most valuable over that distance…

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