Asymmetric (Ire)

It was announced on Wednesday that 1,574 of the world's best cricketers had registered their availability for the 2025 Indian Premier League, including a certain James Anderson, England's all-time leading wicket-taker who, in a surprise move, has put himself in contention to play in the competition for the first time in his long and illustrious career at the age of 42. In equine terms, imagine Dubawi (Ire), arguably the most influential British-based sire of his era, being volunteered to move on to another major racing jurisdiction because he's been deemed...

   Following the week's high-class activity, Sunday is more low-key as Deauville's August Festival wraps up with the historic G2 Grand Prix de Deauville where the Wertheimers' G3 Prix de Reux winner and G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud third Junko (GB) (Intello {Ger}) sets the standard. Third last year, Gerard Augustin-Normand and the Moussac Family's Fenelon (Fr) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) looks to have improved in the interim and comes to Normandy with confidence sky-high followings wins in Lyon Parilly's Listed Prix Bedel and Listed Grand Prix de Lyon. Classy old...

The man for all seasons stands at the top of the Sharpridge gallop and doesn't need the delirious commentary of the skylarks to tell him that spring is now right on the heels of winter. Alan King can see that straight in front of him. The first pair to emerge from the murk of the distant valley floor includes his latest steeplechasing star, Edwardstone (GB) (Kayf Tara {GB}), doing his first work since winning at the Cheltenham Festival--and with a gusto that suggests he can eke out one last novice...

Fresh from a landmark success in Tuesday's G1 Goodwood Cup, the Alan King stable was to the fore once more when Leora Judah's 2-year-old colt Asymmetric (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}) displayed an explosive turn of foot to bag Thursday's G2 Unibet Richmond S. at the Sussex track. The March-foaled bay had opened up with a pair of novice scores, over this six-furlong strip and at Newmarket in June, before relinquishing his perfect record when the wrong side of a head verdict in the latter venue's July 8 G2 July S. last...