England

For the past two weeks, we have been telling you how some of racing's biggest names fell in love with the sport. Now it's our turn. Here are some of the stories behind the bylines you see every day in the TDN. Chris McGrath We all know how pedigrees can confound us. We spend more than we can afford on the best page we can, and end up trying to salvage something in a maiden claimer. And then the horse you put an immediate line through, when you first go...

George Bernard Shaw offered the pithy observation that, "England and America are two countries divided by a common language." The quote seems appropriate when viewed through the lens of a pilot program set up by the Organization of Racing Investigators (ORI). This week, ORI board members donned the famous finery--don't forget the millinery either--of the Royal Meeting at Ascot, but it wasn't all about one's garb. They were on hand to impart their own tradecraft to the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and their investigators, while in turn soaking up English...

13.30 Goodwood, Cond, £30,000, 3yo, 8fT DEVIL'S POINT (IRE) (New Bay {GB}) is dropped in class by trainer David Menuisier following a lacklustre return when a distant third in the G3 Prix Djebel last month. Entered in the G1 Commonwealth Cup, Clive Washbourn's G1 Futurity Trophy runner-up has only two to beat and should be able to get back on track. 13.50 Newmarket, Mdn, £40,000, 3yo, f, 10fT MAGIC DREAM (IRE) (Shamardal) bids to build on her highly encouraging debut second at Newbury last month in this maiden won 12...

Wide-margin winners trended on a rain-softened opening to Chester's May Festival and, with testing conditions set for day two at the Roodeye, it will be as you were turning to Thursday's Listed Boodles Dee S., another G1 Derby trial, and the Tote-sponsored G3 Ormonde S. for the older stayers. Godolphin's 'TDN Rising Star' Local Dynasty (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) will relish the muddy track, according to Charlie Appleby, and returns off a soft-ground breakthrough score in October's Listed Silver Tankard at Pontefract when last seen. "He has done well over the...

14.45 Newcastle, Novice, £8,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 10f 42y (AWT) SAHARA MIST (GB) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) is the fifth foal out of Godolphin's G1 Fillies' Mile and GI Yellow Ribbon S. winner Hibaayeb (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}), who provided the operation with the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf and G1 Prix Marcel Boussac heroine Wuheida (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Charlie Appleby also saddles last month's Wolverhampton fourth Joyful Act (GB) (Frankel {GB}), a homebred daughter of the G1 1000 Guineas, G1 Irish Oaks and G1 Yorkshire Oaks heroine Blue Bunting (Dynaformer).

12.50 Lingfield, Mdn, £6,800, 2yo, 10f (AWT) Qatar Racing's hitherto unraced 450,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 graduate SHADOW OF WAR (GB) (Roaring Lion), one of two representing John and Thady Gosden here, is a half-brother to G1 Gold Cup and G1 Prix Royal-Oak hero Subjectivist (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) and the dual Group 1-placed Sir Ron Priestley (GB) (Australia {GB}). He is opposed by a baker's dozen which includes stablemate A Gift Of Love (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who is a daughter of Listed Galtres S. victrix Our Obsession (Ire) (Shamardal) and...

2.18 Newbury, Cond, £18,000, 2yo, f, 7fT CRYSTALLIUM (GB) (Expert Eye {GB}) was entered in both the G2 May Hill S. and Listed Flying Scotsman S. at Doncaster's St Leger meeting only to be denied a run with testing conditions and an abandoned fixture conspiring against her. The Tom Clover-trained granddaughter of the G1 Fillies' Mile heroine Crystal Music (Nureyev), gets a three-pound penalty for her impressive success on debut over this trip at Chelmsford last month but faces a clutch of potentially smart types in this Dubai Duty Free...

It may be the least lauded of all the British festivals, but Doncaster's St Leger meeting is arguably the most varied with its cherished feature race still held in the highest regard by its many ardent fans. While Town Moor hosted day one of the festival on Wednesday, the relatively low-key action served mainly as a prologue or appetizer to the major upcoming events. Perhaps this week's jewels are the 2-year-old races, which lean more towards next year's Classics than those at Ascot, Newmarket, Goodwood and York and one of...

Breeders' Cup has entered into multi-year agreements with ITV, Sky Sports Racing and Racing TV to continue their live broadcast coverage of the Breeders' Cup World Championships in the U.K. and Ireland. "The Breeders' Cup World Championships is a premier international event and we're delighted that fans in the U.K. and Ireland will once again be able to watch the most talented horses, jockeys and trainers in the world compete during our two days of championship racing," said Breeders' Cup President and CEO Drew Fleming. "ITV, Sky Sports Racing and...

Jack Sisterson, who has trained privately for Calumet Farm since 2018, is going public. Calumet will remain as a client and will keep a number of horses with Sisterson, but significantly fewer than he has typically had. Sisterson said he is making the move in the hopes that expanding and taking on other owners will lead to more opportunities. "This is something we have been discussing for a few months," he said. "I give all the credit to Calumet. If it weren't for them I wouldn't be where I am...

Wesley Ward worked five of his Royal Ascot contenders over the Keeneland turf Friday led by GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner Golden Pal (Uncle Mo). He covered five panels in a bullet 1:02.80 (1/8) (video). Winner of the GII Shakertown S. last out Apr. 9, the bay is being pointed at the G1 King's Stand S. at the Royal meeting June 14. "I thought he had an unbelievable breeze today," Ward said. "The turf was soggy, and I love to breeze on a deep, soft turf. They come in...

Connections of leading G1 Cazoo Derby hope Piz Badile (Ire) (Ulysses) have been provided with a massive boost ahead of Epsom after legendary rider Frankie Dettori committed to ride the Donnacha O'Brien-trained colt in the Classic on June 4. Dettori made his Derby breakthrough in 2007 aboard Authorized (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) for Peter Chapple-Hyam as well as partnering John Gosden's Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) to victory in the race back in 2015 and he will bid to win the iconic race for a third time aboard the impressive...