Europe

Chromosomal errors are a common cause of pregnancy loss in mares, researchers from the Royal Veterinary College (RVG), as part of a team from Cornell University, have discovered in a new study. In humans, chromosomal errors are a common cause of miscarriage, accounting for up to 82% of pregnancy loss. Due to the similarities between human and horse chromosomal structures and other pregnancy characteristics, this research supports the use of horses as a novel model organism to study miscarriage in women. The findings of this study mean it is possible...

Depending on the era one first became immersed in racing, there are certain sets of colours that have particular resonance. For many, the brown and white hoops, white cap, carried by the late Gerry Oldham's horses, many of them homebred by his Citadel Stud, will be favourites. Over the years they have been worn by jockeys aboard such special horses as the brilliant stayer Sagaro (Ire) - who has the rare honour of having a race named after him at Ascot - and 2,000 Guineas victor Zino (GB), trained like...

A total of 227 entries have been received for the five Group contests scheduled to take place on QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot, it was announced on Tuesday. This is the largest number since 2018 and includes a record 56-strong entry for the G1 QIPCO Champion Stakes, the feature race on the card slated for Saturday, October 19. The 56 horses entered for the Champion Stakes have won 37 Group 1 races between them, with Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) boasting the most decorated CV as a six-time...

Shadwell's Group 1 winner Anmaat (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}) is aiming to make his long-awaited return to the races in the G3 Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock on Aug. 10, according to trainer Owen Burrows. The 6-year-old gelding has been out of action with a foot issue since winning the G1 Prix d'Ispahan at ParisLongchamp in May of 2023. A multiple group winner, Anmaat was successful in the 2022 edition of the Rose of Lancaster. "All being well, he's going to run, we've had this in mind for him for...

Newly crowned Australian champion first-season sire Too Darn Hot (GB) may not be shuttling to Australia this year but he will still be covering a number of mares to southern hemisphere time in Newmarket. Those to be visiting the son of Dubawi (Ire) at Darley's Dalham Hall Stud include a sextet from Anthony Mithen and Ryan McEvoy's Rosemont Stud in Victoria. "We are actually sending more mares to him than we would've had he shuttled," said Mithen. Three of that group, who are all currently in foal to the Aga...

Third in the G2 Duchess of Cambridge Stakes and G3 Albany Stakes, Ballydoyle's Heavens Gate (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}--Itqaan, by Danzig) had a class edge in Monday's Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes at Naas and duly collected the valuable prize to return to winning ways. Sent straight to the forefront by Ryan Moore, the 4-6 favourite never looked likely to be caught and hit the line strong with 1 1/4 lengths to spare over Fiery Lucy (GB) (Without Parole {GB}). "She's a straightforward lovely filly who Ryan has always said could get...

At the risk of making anyone who knows me choke on their cornflakes upon reading this, I'm rather enjoying the big sprint races this year. The rivalry between Big Evs (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) and Asfoora (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}) now stands at honours even, though it was hard not to feel that Asfoora was a little hard done by when Live In The Dream (Ire) (Prince Of Lir {Ire}) edged left just at the moment the Australian was launching her challenge down the stands' side in the G2 King...

Multiple Classic winner Seamie Heffernan, Royal Ascot-winning teenager Billy Loughnane and French Group 1 scorer Marie Vélon are among the 12 jockeys today confirmed to ride in Saturday's Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup at Ascot. Nine countries will be represented across the four teams, while new ground is broken this year with an equal number of male and female jockeys for the first time in the history of the Shergar Cup. Vélon, the first French female jockey to win a French Group 1 race with her victory in the 2022...

The racing public will have the opportunity to decide which 'Turn of the Century' Flat horse should be inducted into the QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame. Voting is now open to select from Daylami (Ire), Dubai Millennium (GB), Giant's Causeway and Montjeu (Ire). Voting closes just before midnight on Monday, August 26. The globetrotting Daylami won seven Group 1 races during his illustrious career, including the Poule d'Essai des Poulains as a three-year-old when trained by Alain De Royer-Dupre for the Aga Khan. He was later purchased by Godolphin...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Monday's Observations features Heavens Gate (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}). 16.50 Naas, Cond, €300,000, 2yo, 5f 205yT HEAVENS GATE (IRE) (Churchill {Ire}) takes some time out from hardcore pattern-race battle to headline the cast for this Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes which is one of the most valuable median auction races in...

Shadwell star Alflaila (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) will target the G1 Juddmonte International Stakes later this month, racing manager Angus Gold confirmed on Sunday. The 5-year-old Owen Burrows trainee won his third race in four starts on the Knavesmire, his second G2 York Stakes last month. Gold said, "He's a real trooper and Owen said that so far, touch wood, he has come out of it well. "We're going to head on now to the International if all stays well before then and I see no reason to not go...

Over a decade on from Pathfork recording a memorable Group 1 triumph in the National Stakes at the Curragh, the American-based Bonnie and Tommy Hamilton of Silverton Hill Farm are dreaming of further big-race riches in Europe with Hotazhell (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}).  If it has been a while between drinks for the Hamiltons in Ireland, Hotazehll appears as though he was worth the wait. Like Pathfork, Hotazhell is trained by Jessica Harrington.  He announced himself as a pretty serious colt with genuine Classic aspirations when landing the G3...