thoroughbred racing

Andrew Thornton reports himself to be nearing full health after recovering from coronavirus. The Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning rider caught the virus in March, describing how he was "knocked sideways" by the illness. He said, "The last week I have been just about back to 100%. "Where it came from I don't know, but luckily Yvonne [wife] and Harry [son] have both managed to avoid catching it. I just tried to separate myself--I used a different bedroom and bathroom, I just stayed away from them. "I struggled to get up before...

With their own domestic racing programmes decimated by COVID-19, many Europeans naturally looked to Randwick's card in Sydney to get their weekend fix of high-class racing. There was further reason to focus on 'The Championships' with Newmarket-based William Haggas having a fancied runner in two of the Group 1 races, the G1 Schweppes Sydney Cup and the G1 Longines Queen Elizabeth S. Happily, his representative Addeybb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB} won the latter race, the meeting's showpiece feature. This triumph (which, of course, is likely to be the final British-trained overseas...

Coronavirus cases in Japan spiked on Sunday, leading to a state of emergency in some regions set to be declared by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the South China Morning Post reported on Monday. One-hundred forty-three new coronavirus cases in Tokyo were confirmed on Apr. 5, bringing the total in Japan to 4,563. The state of emergency, made possible by a recently amended law, empowers local authorities to instruct the public to stay at home and request the closure of schools and other facilities. Racing in Japan, which has continued...

Horse Racing Ireland Chairman Nicky Hartery admits the sport possibly faces its "greatest challenge" after the decision was taken to suspend racing until the middle of April. Ireland had been racing behind closed doors since Mar. 13 as countries around the world battle to stop the spread of coronavirus. However, on Tuesday the Irish Government announced it was cancelling all sports events, even those without spectators, until at least Apr. 19--leaving the HRI board to assess the implications at a meeting on Wednesday. Hartery said, "What is most important is...

All sporting events in Ireland have been suspended following an announcement from the Irish Government. Racing has been continuing to stage meetings behind closed doors since Mar. 13, as countries around the world try to limit the spread of the coronavirus. However, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced on Tuesday that all sporting events, even those without spectators, would be cancelled. Racing in Britain was suspended from last Wednesday, with no action anticipated before May 1 at the earliest. Racing had been due to take place at Dundalk on Wednesday. The Board...

Racing at Kempton could be assured for the foreseeable future after the Jockey Club announced it has submitted plans for a smaller-scale residential development on part of the racecourse estate. In Jan. 2017, the Jockey Club unveiled a shock proposal to close the Sunbury venue, with the land submitted for consideration following the local authority's 'Call for Sites' to address unmet local housing needs. The decision caused huge dismay in the racing world, with trainer Nicky Henderson fearing it would be "a nail in the National Hunt coffin" if the...

Royal Ascot is the focus of a new cinematic, Netflix-style brand campaign (click here to view) to promote the iconic racemeeting, held at Ascot Racecourse from June 16-20, 2020. Created by independent creative agency isobel, the campaign invites us all to 'Be Part of the Drama.' Ascot and isobel partnered with production company Chief and director Yoni Weisberg to develop the concept-two racegoers meet at one of the highlight events on the annual social calendar. Jockey Hayley Turner, who became the second female ever to ride a Royal Ascot winner,...

Tired of all the bad news? So were we. So, in our new series, we focus on the positive, asking people from non-horse racing families two questions: how they get hooked, and how they'll hook someone else on horse racing this year. KERI BRION, ASSISTANT TO JONATHAN SHEPPARD What was the experience that made you fall in love with horse racing? I grew up down the road from a horse racing training and breeding farm and I used to walk down the road and feed the mares and foals carrots....

In the coming months, Godolphin Flying Start trainees will provide insight into practices experienced and observations taken on their worldwide travels. First up is current second-year trainee and Australia native Anna Power, who discusses her country's practice of spelling. The Godolphin Flying Start programme is an unrivaled opportunity to learn about Thoroughbred racing and breeding across the world. The cultural differences of the industry in each country have been eye-opening and surprising. For example, prior to my time in America I had never foaled a mare indoors. "It's really all...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Thursday's Insights features an expensive KEESEP graduate. 3.00 Newcastle, Novice, £8,050, 3yo, 8f 5y (AWT) PITCHER'S POINT (Medaglia d'Oro) is a noteworthy newcomer from the John Gosden stable whose all-weather runners during the winter continue to fascinate. Owned by Godolphin, the February-foaled bay who fetched $800,000 at Keeneland September...

Finalists for the British Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards were revealed on Tuesday. Of the 203 original nominations, 10 in each of the six award categories were shortlisted in December. All of the finalists will be interviewed by the judges in London on Feb. 24, with the awards held later that day at The Underglobe on London's South Bank. The awards will be hosted by ITV's Ed Chamberlin. The three finalists in each category are as follows: David Nicholson Newcomer Charlotte Cotgrave - Mark Johnston Bradley Harris - Andrew...

The Frankie Dettori show, which diverted to Killarney midweek, moves on to The Curragh on Saturday with 'TDN Rising Star' Star Catcher (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) the key actress in the G1 Kerrygold Irish Oaks. Untried in Classic company unlike some of her contemporaries, Anthony Oppenheimer's homebred proved her quality with a defeat of the G1 Epsom Oaks third Fleeting (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) in a strong renewal of the G2 Ribblesdale S. at Royal Ascot June 20. Staying on powerfully at the end of her first try at a...