Horse racing

The hottest trainer in Britain just now, Ralph Beckett, has a chance to make his mark on Champions Day at Ascot and has his fingers crossed that the excellent form of his stable near Andover can continue until the weekend. Beckett will be represented in the Fillies & Mares Stakes by Antonia De Vega, whose odds crashed from 25-1 to 10-1 as the latest entries were made on Monday for the Qipco-sponsored event. His horses have been running well in recent weeks but even so he was stunned to win four races from five runners on Newmarket’s valuable Saturday card, while his only runner at York also won a good prize that day. This Saturday’s race amounts to a significant step up in class for Antonia De Vega but Beckett knows what is required, having won the race with Simple Verse four years ago. “It was terrific,” he said of his experience at Newmarket. “The problem I had all day was that the one I fancied most was Feliciana De Vega in the last and of course … [Read more...] about Talking Horses: Beckett hits form and trains sights on a damp Ascot

Frankie Dettori is “absolutely buzzing” following the surprise announcement that Enable is to race on next year at the age of six, a reaction that will be widely shared among racing fans. The veteran mare, whose winning run came to an end in Paris last week, had already been ruled out of Champions Day this weekend and followers of the sport had begun to reconcile themselves to the likelihood that she had run her last race and would now be packed off to her owner’s stud in Newmarket. Instead, a statement on behalf of Khalid Abdullah said she would be kept in training with John Gosden. “Enable has come out of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in good form and will not race again this year,” said the owner’s racing manager, Lord Grimthorpe. “Her programme will be determined entirely on her wellbeing, so no racing plans will be announced at this stage. The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe remains an important target.” Rain-softened ground … [Read more...] about Frankie Dettori ‘buzzing’ that Enable will race on with 2020 Arc in mind

There was a fair measure of relief mixed in with the elation after Pinatubo kept his unbeaten record by winning the Dewhurst Stakes, despite Newmarket’s soft ground posing a new question for Godolphin’s star juvenile. He will now spend the winter as hot favourite for the 2,000 Guineas back at the same track in May, a race for which some bookmakers already have him odds-on. “People asked if we were taking a risk, running him again,” acknowledged his trainer, Charlie Appleby, after watching his charge achieve a two-length success that was comfortable rather than impressive. Pinatubo’s reputation could hardly improve after his awe-inspiring nine-length success in Ireland’s National Stakes last month and no one would have been in the least surprised if connections decided to call a halt for the year at that point.a dogfight seemed likely as Arizona battled on dourly, refusing to concede the lead after Pinatubo cruised alongside. William Buick had to be … [Read more...] about Relief and elation as Pinatubo stays unbeaten with Dewhurst win

Scott McLaughlin's nail-biting Bathurst 1000 win could be in danger as race bosses investigate whether his teammate's 'disgraceful' actions set him up for an illegal victory. It is believed stewards will take a second look at Supercars driver Fabian Coulthard's decision to slow down dramatically and hold up the field behind his Ford teammate McLaughlin, who went on to claim his maiden Great Race on Sunday.   Officials hit Coulthard with a drive-through penalty during the race for breach of safety car procedures but are expected to have a second look at the incident to see if it influenced the outcome of the 161-lap race.      The Bathurst 1000 winning team has been charged by race officials for allegedly breaching team orders and race regulations by slowing the field illegally (pictured) Supercars series leader Scott McLaughlin has claimed a maiden Bathurst 1000 title at Mount Panorama by less than a second after the dramatic finish A then … [Read more...] about Scott McLaughlin’s nail-biting maiden Bathurst 1000 win could be in danger as race bosses investigate whether his teammate’s ‘disgraceful’ move set up win illegally

Bathurst 1000 winner Scott McLaughlin has hit back at critics who accused his team of employing 'disgraceful' tactics to secure a victory at Mount Panorama.  McLaughlin faces his maiden title being stripped after officials charged his Ford team with breaching team orders regulations. Stewards will take a second look at teammate Fabian Coulthard's controversial decision to slow down dramatically and hold up the field during a safety car period.  The move left McLaughlin and rival driver Jamie Whincup 13 seconds ahead of the rest of the field with crucial pit stops still needed. The Bathurst 1000 winning team has been charged by race officials for allegedly breaching team orders and race regulations by slowing the field illegally (pictured) Supercars series leader Scott McLaughlin has claimed a maiden Bathurst 1000 title at Mount Panorama by less than a second after the dramatic finish McLaughlin went on to claim his maiden Great Race victory on Sunday by less than half a … [Read more...] about ‘It’s not my style, I don’t race like that’: Bathurst 1000 winner hits back at criticism of ‘disgraceful’ tactics – as teammate who held up race says he’s been made a ‘scapegoat’