Latest horse racing news from UK, Ireland, and around the world.

Ghostwriter to fly the flag for Philippart de Foy

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Kevin Philippart de Foy is keen to make new recruit Ghostwriter a “high-profile flagbearer” in his role as principal trainer to Amo Racing.

The Belgian handler replaced Raphael Freire in the Freemason Lodge hotseat for Kia Joorabchian’s operation and could have the ideal candidate to help make his mark after the Hardwicke Stakes third was transferred from Clive Cox to the training centre that is the former home of Sir Michael Stoute.

Last seen when rearing over and subsequently being withdrawn from the Princess of Wales’s Stakes at Newmarket, Philippart de Foy is eager to show patience with the high-class four-old and said: “Ghostwriter is a really exciting horse, Clive has done an excellent job with him and now we just need to carry on that work.

Trainer Kevin Philippart De Foy has plenty to look forward to
Trainer Kevin Philippart De Foy has plenty to look forward to (Mike Egerton/PA)

“There will be some exciting winter targets and he is a horse that is probably going to be travelling over the winter and into next year as well.

“The idea for him is to become that high-profile flagbearer for the yard. We’re just going to let him settle in and get used to surroundings and take our time with him.

“He’s a highly-talented horse and we want to do everything right by him and once he tells us he’s ready to run, we’ll get him to the races.”

As well as Ghostwriter, Philippart de Foy has also seen some other high-profile Amo names join him at Freemason Lodge, including Coronation Stakes fourth Cathedral and the unraced two-year-old Partying, who have both been switched from the care of Ralph Beckett.

Kia Joorabchian has installed Kevin Philippart de Foy as his trainer at Freemason Lodge
Kia Joorabchian has installed Kevin Philippart de Foy as his trainer at Freemason Lodge (Mike Egerton/PA)

Cathedral will have her first outing for her new trainer in Sandown’s Atalanta Stakes later this month.

“She’s a filly which will probably go to Sandown for the Atlanta at the end of the month, then we will take it from there,” said Philippart de Foy.

“She showed she is very good over a mile in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and then might not have stayed the extra furlong in France last time when the ground was a bit slow that day.

“We’ll bring her back to a mile on faster conditions and she has arrived in great shape.”

Partying, who is a Frankel filly out of Royal Ascot winner Aljazzi, was the most expensive yearling sold at the prestigious Tattersalls Book One sale last October and brought the hammer down at 4.4million guineas.

She is envisaged to begin her racing career later in the year, when Philippart de Foy hopes she will live up to her name and give connections cause for huge celebration.

“She’s a very exciting filly to be training,” he continued.

“She comes with a big price-tag, but she’s a great-moving filly and has a very good mind.

Partying was sold for 4.4million guineas at Tattersalls
Partying was sold for 4.4million guineas at Tattersalls (Tattersalls)

“We’re not asking too many questions at the moment, but it’s so far so good and she’s a really exciting filly going forward.

“We’ll look to get her on track towards the back end of the year and hopefully she can deliver and prove to be another exciting prospect for Amo.”

On his move across Newmarket to his new home, Philippart de Foy added: “I couldn’t be happier and you can’t complain when you are training out of Freemason Lodge.

“Training for Amo Racing is a real privilege and I’m delighted with how things have started. It’s been a smooth transition and hopefully it’s going to be an exciting couple of months coming up.

“When you start training these are the type of horses you are always targeting training and when I started five years ago I could only dream of training these types, so I’m obviously delighted but I have just got to deliver now.”

Walker lining up powerful squad for Ebor meeting

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Ed Walker is building up a strong team for the Ebor Festival at York later this month with two leading contenders for the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes in Celandine and Mgheera.

The Lambourn handler has a third entry in the Group One sprint in Balmoral Lady but she is only likely to take her chance if the ground is soft.

Celandine won the Lowther Stakes at the track last year while Mgheera had to settle for second in the Sapphire Stakes in Ireland last time out, having won her first two starts for Walker.

“I think it’s probably unlikely we’ll run all three. It will probably be Celandine and Mgheera – or Balmoral Lady. To be competitive at that level, I think Balmoral Lady needs softer ground,” said Walker.

Celandine won the Lowther Stakes last year
Celandine won the Lowther Stakes last year (Mike Egerton/PA)

“Celandine’s in great form. She’s definitely trained on. I’m adamant that she will be comfortable with the five furlongs. I feel she just about hangs on over six – like she did in the Lowther – and I’m really excited about seeing her in a strong five furlongs. She showed great speed in the Molecomb as a two-year-old. The owners are supportive, so I think we’re going to roll the dice in the Nunthorpe.

“Mgheera, it’s been the plan since the Temple Stakes. We thought we’d take in Ascot and that went terribly wrong (withdrawn at the start). Then we felt we needed a run in between the Temple Stakes and the Nunthorpe, so squeezed in Ireland. That was a big run in Ireland – very happy with her. I just think the very slick nature of York, flat track, hopefully fast ground is exactly what she wants.

“We’re really excited about her. Touch wood, she’s in good nick – she’s a definite runner as long as the ground stays good or faster and she’s been training really well.”

Qilin Queen bounced back to form to win a Group Two in France last time out and is a possible for the Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks.

“She went to France and put in a huge effort that day,” said Walker. “I’ve given her plenty of time to freshen up. She’s just starting to show a spring in her step. We’re not hellbent on the Yorkshire Oaks but if it’s fast ground and she’s bucking and squealing, then we’ll have a go.”

Ten Bob Tony is another with a Group One entry in the newly upgraded Sky Bet City of York Stakes but he is ground dependent.

“He needs good ground or softer. He’s a horse who goes very well fresh – his best races are off the back of a break. He’ll go where the ground’s right.” said Walker.

Royal Fixation will attempt to give Walker back-to-back wins in the Lowther
Royal Fixation will attempt to give Walker back-to-back wins in the Lowther (Joe Giddens/PA)

One who is a definite runner is the filly Royal Fixation, who beat all bar the classy Venetian Sun in the Duchess of Cambridge at Newmarket.

Walker said: “It’s been the plan since Newmarket. We’ve always thought she’s very good. We’ve just been patient with her and the Lowther seems the perfect fit for her. She’s training great. She’s very quick, very talented and I think York will really suit her. Hopefully we’ve got a live chance with her.”

Do Or Do Not has the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes on his radar.

Staya firmly on course for Lowther test

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George Scott is relishing unleashing his star juvenile Staya in the Sky Bet Lowther Stakes at York after going close at Ascot last time.

The Dragon Stakes scorer found only Hugo Palmer’s Fitzella too strong in her first try at six furlongs in the Princess Margaret Stakes, but her Newmarket handler is confident the youngster is “near the top of the class”, with the Knavesmire Group Two the obvious next step.

“We were very pleased with Staya. She ran another great race, took another step forward and is going to head to the Lowther – all roads lead to York,” said Scott.

“It’s a slightly easier six furlongs and hopefully we can get away cleaner from the gate this time and it will certainly be a race we are looking forward to with her.

“You feel like you would be overcomplicating things by going elsewhere and she’s near the top of the class in her division and let’s see how she gets on, it should be the prefect track for her.”

While Staya is fully on course for a trip to the Ebor Festival, Scott is keen to see rain on the forecast before deciding if Bay City Roller will return to Yorkshire to take up his engagement in the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes.

He was slowly away when contesting the York Stakes on his most recent outing, something which ultimately put paid to any chance of victory in a red-hot event.

However, Scott is unperturbed as he stresses ground conditions could ultimately determine the son of New Bay’s next move.

“If you look at the bare result you could be disappointed, but he got left six lengths in the gate and you can’t do that in any race,” continued Scott.

“He got himself tangled up and jumped out awkwardly and got detached, but at the end of the day he’s finished almost upsides the other three-year-olds.

“So obviously you would be disappointed with the finishing result, but I think the horse is certainly much better than that.

“If it was to rain at York he would run (in the Great Voltigeur) and he won’t run again until we get the right conditions. It was a bit of a blot on his scorecard, but nothing to worry about.”

Racing Bulletin for 07/08/2025

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Meade confirms appeal against Galway Hurdle verdict

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Noel Meade has confirmed he has lodged an appeal against the demotion of Helvic Dream from first place in last week’s Galway Hurdle.

Meade’s eight-year-old was first past the post, getting the better of the Gordon Elliott-trained Ndaawi by a head, only for the stewards to reverse the placings, ruling interference between the pair had affected the result.

Speaking at Sligo on Wednesday, Meade said: “We put an appeal in yesterday and it’s up on Tuesday, so we’ll see what happens.

“Despite what everyone seems to think, every video I look at seems to suggest that Jack (Kennedy, on Ndaawi) got every chance to win the race and didn’t go through with it as much as anything else.

“He was leaning on my lad as much as my lad was leaning on him.”

Arlington Million trip with Cairo has Haynes in dreamland

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Alice Haynes hopes Cairo can continue riding on the coattails of his brilliant third at Royal Ascot when challenging for the Arlington Million on Saturday.

The five-year-old son of American multiple Grade One winner Quality Road will be making a maiden trip Stateside for the historic mile-and-a-quarter contest, which is now held at Colonial Downs.

Cairo – who was behind only then-stablemate Paddington in the Irish 2,000 Guineas when trained by Aidan O’Brien – was best of the rest at 100-1 as Docklands narrowly defeated Rosallion in the Queen Anne Stakes at the Royal meeting.

Having already faced high-calibre fields this season, Cairo will add to that list by taking on 2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan in Virginia.

“Going into Royal Ascot, I did feel the horse was as well as we’ve ever had him,” Haynes told her yard sponsor, Coral.

“He was absolutely flying at home so I had high hopes he would run a big race, but even so, to finish third in a field of that quality did surprise me, in the best possible way obviously!

“I’d always thought that coming to America would suit him, and having discussed it with the owner, going into Ascot we very much had it in our minds.

“He still needed to run a big race at Ascot to make the trip viable, but of course he produced that big run.

“The team from Colonial Downs were at the track that day and chatting to them after the Queen Anne really did make up our mind to come here.”

Haynes has now set her sights on rewarding her stable star, who arrived in New York last week before an eight-hour journey to Virginia, with a couple of lucrative races in the United States before returning home.

“He’s an old pro now when it comes to travelling, so he’s taken it all in his stride and acclimatised well,” Haynes added.

“The temperature is cooler than it was here last week apparently so while it’s still warm, it’s more comfortable for him now.

“He had a couple of canters on the dirt when he first got here and his latest piece of work has been on the turf, under his big-race pilot Ben Curtis.

“Ben actually contacted us when he saw we were running the horse over here and I think he will be a really good fit for the horse.

“He’s obviously got plenty of experience riding European horses, but he’s been in America long enough now to have the local knowledge as well, which I think could be really important in a race like this.

“We’re under no illusions about the task we face though, and realistically, finishing in the first three would be a tremendous achievement.

“The plan after this weekend is to send him down to Keeneland to be based with Ed Vaughan and aim him at a richly-endowed race at Kentucky Downs.

“It is just so exciting to be involved in a big international race like this, it really is what we have worked so hard to achieve.”

Crystal aiming to sparkle with Ballyroan repeat

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Gerard Keane hopes a successful defence of the Tote Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown on Thursday can open further doors for Crystal Black.

The seven-year-old was unbeaten in all four starts last year, which saw the son of Teofilo triumph in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot before impressively landing this race by five lengths for his maiden Pattern win.

Crystal Black made a return to action in the Alleged Stakes in April, finishing seven lengths adrift of Galen in fourth to end his winning streak.

He subsequently underwent a wind procedure and Keane is looking forward to his stable star kick-starting his 2025 campaign, as he lines up a tilt at the final Irish Classic of season next month.

“He’s coming along, he had a little bit of a hobday,” Keane said.

“So he’s coming along well, we are happy with his work and as good as we can have him without a run. He’s probably 90 per cent so it’s a nice little race to start him back with. As long as he runs a nice race, we’ll be happy.

“He’s got an entry in the (Irish) Leger, so that is the plan if we think he is good enough to run in that, but that’s in a month’s time.

“That’s the plan – Ballyroan, the Leger – and then after that we will see what’s happening then.”

Six-time Irish champion jockey Colin Keane is aboard for his father in the Group Three contest over a mile and a half.

Sons And Lovers goes for Joseph O’Brien, the Noel Meade-trained Group-winning Layfayette also starts and Jessica Harrington has entered Sea The Boss.

Johnny Murtagh’s Siege Of Troy and This Songisforyou, trained by Emmet Mullins, complete the six-runner line-up.

Golden Eagle swoop in the pipeline for globetrotting Luther

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Charlie Fellowes’ star Luther is set to add another destination to his global-trotting Pattern quest with the Golden Eagle in Sydney.

The three-year-old Frankel colt celebrated victory, albeit through the stewards’ room, in the Grade Two National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes at Saratoga in America on Friday, which came just four weeks after taking place honours in the Belmont Derby at the same venue.

Now, the Bedford House handler is seeking to emulate the success of the William Haggas-trained Lake Forest at Rosehill in Australia, following a stint back at home and a potential run in the Group Two Park Stakes at Doncaster on St Leger day.

“He couldn’t have taken it any better,” Fellowes said on Wednesday. “He’s on his way home and will be back tonight. Really proud of him.

“He ran third in a Grade One over there and the form’s worked out really well. The first and second in the Belmont Derby were first and third in the Saratoga Derby, so that form looks strong and he beat some good European horses in the process.

“Then we went and won, slightly controversially, but I think anyone watching that race saw how messy it was and I think if we had a relatively smooth trip it would have been a really, really good race between us and probably the best turf three-year-old horse in America (Zulu Kingdom).

“He’s coming home, but at the moment, the potential plan is to head to the Golden Eagle down in Sydney. It’s a A$10million (£4.89m) race, seven and a half furlongs, he has so much speed, I’ve got no problem with the seven and a half with him.

“His part-owner lives in Singapore so that makes sense, so that’s very much our end-of-season target. He’s probably done enough now to get a slot in that race.

“Whether he has a run here before then as a little prep run, not quite sure yet. I put him in the Park Stakes at Doncaster, so that could be a goer.”

Shes Perfect is another leading light in the Fellowes yard.

However, the Sioux Nation filly – who unfortunately for her connections suffered contrasting fortunes in the stewards’ room when relegated from first place in the French 1,000 Guineas – will not be seen again until next year.

Fellowes said: “She’s absolutely good as gold, but she’s finished for the year.

“She’s sound, which is the most important thing, but X-rays we took last week showed a definite small weakness in her right-hind fetlock which just needs a little bit of time to heal and the vets were concerned that if we pressed on, something a bit more significant could happen.

“It sounds very positive, it just needs time and they are very positive that she’ll be back next season where hopefully she can bag the Group One that she so deserves.

“It was just too risky. She’s had a long season anyway, she would probably have only had two more races I’d have thought.

“We’ve not missed out on loads, I’m gutted that we are not running in a Foret because that race would have absolutely suited her, but maybe that will wait until next year.

“She’s a lovely big filly, she’s only going to improve with age so next year should be great for her.”

Merchant route could encompass York or France

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The Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes at York or a trip to France for the Prix Niel have been identified as the possible next step for the exciting Merchant.

Trained by William Haggas for the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing syndicate, all connected remain on cloud nine after the son of Teofilo followed up his Royal Ascot triumph in a wet and gloomy Gordon Stakes at Goodwood and he will attempt to carry on climbing the middle-distance ladder once recovering from his exertions on the Sussex Downs.

“We’re all so thrilled and everyone is absolutely delighted. It was the most extraordinary day’s racing and we were just relieved he managed to get his nostril in front,” said Highclere’s Harry Herbert.

“He’s having a well-deserved quiet week now and then William will decide, as he sees how the horse has come out of the race, whether we go to the Voltigeur (August 20) or a race like the Prix Niel (September 7) in France.”

The last four Gordon Stakes winners have gone on to contest the St Leger but connections of Merchant were coy on the idea of the Doncaster Classic in the immediate aftermath of his Goodwood triumph.

The colt’s name was a notable omission from the entries for the Town Moor showpiece earlier this week, with his team confirming their initial thought process of remaining at a maximum of a mile and a half for the time being.

Herbert explained: “We have been talking together for some time and sometimes these things are not quite explicable, other than your own gut feeling and that of the trainer as well, and going a mile and six at this time of his career didn’t appear to be in the best interest of the horse going forwards.

Jockey Tom Marquand celebrates after winning aboard Merchant
Jockey Tom Marquand celebrates after winning aboard Merchant (Andrew Matthews/PA)

“Rightly or wrongly we have made that decision and we’ll see how we get on when he steps up another grade next time.”

The St Leger may have been shelved, but Merchant’s Gordon Stakes triumph ignited dreams of a greater prize in the autumn, with the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe now firmly coming into sight.

Currently without an entry for Europe’s richest middle-distance prize, Merchant still has to convince all associated to stump up the €120,000 required to supplement, but a strong showing in his next outing could see the Highclere team embarking on a voyage to the French capital on October 5.

“When the entries closed for the Arc it would have been absolutely ridiculous as I think he was rated 82 at the time and it’s not something you can enter willy-nilly,” added Herbert.

Tom Marquand aboard Merchant shakes hands with Harry Herbert at Royal Ascot
Tom Marquand aboard Merchant shakes hands with Harry Herbert at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)

“But having said that, we think the Arc must not be dismissed and, as the fast-improving three-year-old he is, you never know. If it’s not right he won’t run, but if it is and he’s won a Voltigeur or a Prix Niel, then we would absolutely consider it.

“Every race now is exciting and when I looked at him, even in that appalling weather at Goodwood, as he was going round the parade ring before the Gordon, you could see a significant change since Ascot and I think there is significant progression to come.

“He’s in the most capable hands with William and his team and we will keep everything crossed. We’re looking forward to the next step wherever he goes and wherever William thinks is the best option having had that very hard race at Goodwood.”

‘Premier’ meetings tag dramatically reduced for next year

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Premier racedays will be cut by more than two-thirds in 2026, with the British Horseracing Authority conceding dilution of the original concept had lessened its anticipated impact.

The idea was initially introduced in 2024 as a two-year pilot, with 170 fixtures designated as ‘premier’ racedays which met certain criteria around prize-money and quality and were intended to showcase the very best of the calendar.

There were a total of 162 premier fixtures in 2025, but next year will see just 52, focused on the biggest festivals and top-level races, with the protected two-hour window that was employed during the trial period, which limited action at other tracks, ended in favour of gaps of at least 10 minutes around the major races on Saturday afternoons.

Richard Wayman, the BHA’s director of operations, said: “We wanted to make our best racing better and use that as our tool to grow interest in the sport, part of that was making the racing as good as we could so we invested in the racing and we have seen a real upside on that.

“Prize-money on premier racedays in 2024 was over £7million higher than it had been the previous year at those same fixtures, with another half a million this year so in terms of actually supporting the quality and competitiveness of racing, making the sport at those meetings better, I think the policy has delivered.

“Where clearly it has not done what we talked about two years ago was from a customer perspective, creating that brand around premier racedays that I think for a number of reasons didn’t work.

“I think one of the biggest reasons was that there were simply too many of them and it therefore diluted the message that these are genuinely elite fixtures – consumers just didn’t buy that. I think moving to the 52 from 162 is a step in the right direction.”

In a media briefing, Wayman confirmed there are no plans for a marketing campaign for premier racedays in 2026, describing it as “a bridge” between the trial and the 2027 fixture list, which will be informed by evidence from ongoing consumer research.

A total of 1,458 meetings are scheduled next year, with the BHA employing measures that aim to increase the number of horses based and being raced in Britain, as well as enhancing the quality of those runners, supported by an additional £4.4m in prize-money.

Funds for developmental races will be increased, imposing minimum values for novice or maiden races on the Flat, plus added incentives for staying races, while novice and beginners’ chases and maiden and novice hurdles will also have a baseline prize fund.

The July Cup, King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Sussex Stakes and Juddmonte International will all get at least a £200,000 boost in 2026 and a bonus series for point-to-point horses will be introduced, with hopes of strengthening supply of quality horses from that division to race under rules.

While the BHA continues its drive to improve competitiveness and reinforce Sunday racing, it has also made moves to try to mitigate the demands on those working in the industry, with a six-day pause (April 26-May 1) and a 19-day break (July 27-August 4) in jumps racing.

The Flat action will stop on November 8-15, with rider-restricted meetings November 16-18 and for five days in mid-winter (February 16-20). Other initiatives include a trial of 8pm finishes for all-weather meetings in the first nine weeks of the year.

Goodwood victor Fox Legacy set Strensall task

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Fox Legacy, one of the most impressive winners at Goodwood last week, has the Sky Bet Strensall Stakes at York on August 23 as his next target.

The former Sir Michael Stoute inmate has improved dramatically this season, rising from a rating of 90 to a lofty 116, and proved his liking for York when winning the John Smith’s Cup. He then won what looked a tight nine-furlong conditions race at Goodwood by five and a half lengths.

“As long as all is OK he will probably go to the Strensall,” said Alastair Donald, racing manager for owners King Power Racing.

“There are international options after that, places like Bahrain, and he has been put in the Champion Stakes as well.

“In the Hunt Cup he didn’t have a great draw and in hindsight Oisin (Murphy) said he didn’t go fast enough that day to bring his stamina into it, so I don’t think we’ll be going back to a mile again.

“I think 10 furlongs is his trip. He ran over a mile and a half for Sir Michael, he probably didn’t stay it but it wouldn’t be crazy to think that at some point in the future he’d try it again.

“The joy of him is that he goes on all ground which makes life a lot easier to plan.

“He was really impressive at Goodwood and had that race been 10 furlongs, who knows how far he might have won.”

Maranoa Charlie captains strong Bond squad at York

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Maranoa Charlie will spearhead Bond Thoroughbred’s quest for victory on home soil, with the local operation assembling a stellar squad for action at York’s Ebor Festival.

Although trained by Christopher Head in France, the Prix Jean Prat runner-up will have plenty of support when he represents the racing entity of the late Reg Bond which is now overseen by son Charlie, as he seeks Group One compensation in the newly-upgraded Sky Bet City of York Stakes.

“Christopher has said he is in great form and is looking forward to bringing him over for the Group One,” said Charlie Bond.

“This has been his aim ever since the Prix Jean Prat and we will just have to see what turns up, but his determination and how he battles against horses is tremendous and his main asset.”

Maranoa Charlie may be the main attraction for the Bond Thoroughbred team, but the owners – who hail from nearby Pocklington – received a boost on Monday when Paddy Twomey’s Bonus Time booked her ticket to the Knavesmire in winning at Naas.

Bond added: “She was identified by Paddy when she was in the Ascot sale and she’s got a lovely pedigree by Too Darn Hot. He had seen her racing in Ireland and she was good at Naas.

“She heads to York now for the seven-furlong handicap on the Thursday (British EBF Fillies’ Handicap).”

Bonus Time was a good winner at Naas
Bonus Time was a good winner at Naas (PA)

Twomey could also saddle once-raced two-year-old Bond in the British Stallion Studs EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes, while the likes of Pocklington, unbeaten three-year-old Big Leader and recent course scorer Air Force One are all trained locally by Geoff Oldroyd and pencilled on the York teamsheet.

“Hopefully the Reg Bond colours can land a winner at the local track and one of the best racecourses in the world,” continued Bond.

“We’re flying at the moment and having plenty of winners and Paddy is running at a 35 per cent strike-rate for us and Geoff Oldroyd is at 30 per cent which is pretty much amazing.

“We’ve quite a big team going to York. Pocklington will go for the six-furlong handicap on the Saturday (Sky Bet Constantine Handicap) and we expect him to have a big chance as he just had a big row of horses in front of him and had to try to switch out last time.

“Big Leader is unbeaten, he’s won three out of three and we’ve had some big offers come in for him. We’re not interested and he will head for the Sky Bet Mile Handicap on the Friday.

“Paddy is bringing Bond across for the Convivial, he was very green first time out round a bend in Ireland, but we’re hoping he can be very competitive.

“We will also run Air Force One who won over five furlongs last time, but is now trying to get five and a half furlongs on the Wednesday (Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Handicap). He’s all-out speed and I’m sure he will be near the front with half a furlong to go, it’s just if he lasts home.

“It’s great that we have this team for York. We missed Royal Ascot with some of ours, which was hard to do, but at the end of the day we knew we would have a team ready to go for York and hopefully we have some lively chances.”

Racing Bulletin for 06/08/2025

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Argentine Tango booked for Lowther Stakes bid

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Argentine Tango will stay closer to home for her next start with Tim Easterby planning a raid on the Sky Bet Lowther Stakes at York.

The Mattmu filly has kept on improving all season, winning a Listed race at Newmarket before finishing third to Venetian Sun in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes.

Last week at Goodwood she found only the Ger Lyons-trained Lady Iman too good in the Molecomb Stakes over five furlongs and will step back up to six at York for the Great Habton trainer.

“She’s come out of Goodwood really well. She’s tough, she must be because she’s had seven races now and keeps coming back for more,” said Easterby.

“You get racehorses every now and again who just want to gallop and she is one of them.

“She’ll go back up to six furlongs now, she definitely runs in the Lowther next and she won’t be without a chance.

“She’s been a bit of a star for us already this season.”

Star-studded cast in the making for British Champions Day

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Many of the best horses in Europe have been entered for Qipco Champions Day at Ascot on October 18.

This year the card has been extended to seven races with the addition of a two-year-old contest, while with the upgrade of the Long Distance Cup to Group One status there will be five top-level events for the first time and a record £4.35million in prize-money.

The feature Qipco Champion Stakes sees recent King George winner Calandagan, Delacroix, Ombudsman, Los Angeles and last year’s winner Anmaat among the 38 entries.

Calandagan was second 12 months ago and his trainer Francis-Henri Graffard has also entered 2024 King George winner Goliath and the unbeaten Daryz.

Calandagan has a good record at Ascot
Calandagan has a good record at Ascot (John Walton/PA)

Karl Burke’s Royal Champion was last seen impressing in the York Stakes, a win which has taken him up to a lofty rating of 120.

“He is now the highest-rated horse I’ve ever trained,” said Burke. “Hopefully he can live up to that, he wouldn’t want the ground too slow but if he remains in good form we’ll head to Ascot for the Champion Stakes.”

One name missing from the Champion Stakes is Field Of Gold, although he is one of the 38 in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

Queen Anne Stakes winner Docklands, Lockinge victor Lead Artist, Sussex Stakes winner Qirat and Sunday’s Prix Rothschild heroine Fallen Angel are all QEII possibles.

Fallen Angel’s trainer Burke has a trip to Ireland in mind for her next, but Ascot is firmly in his sights.

“Fallen Angel has come out of her latest race in perfect condition. There’s a good chance we head to Champions Day for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes,” he said.

“She’ll have a trip to the Matron (Leopardstown) first, then to Newmarket for the Sun Chariot and then we could take on the big guns if she continues in good form. We’d fancy our chances if the ground came up on the slow side.”

John and Thady Gosden’s Gold Cup hero Trawlerman is one of 29 in the British Champions Long Distance Cup for an increased pot of £500,000. Stablemates Courage Mon Ami, Sweet William and French Master also feature.

Recent Goodwood Cup one-two Scandinavia and Illinois as well as Jan Brueghel are all possibles for Aidan O’Brien who struck last year with Kyprios.

There are 53 in contention for the British Champions Sprint Stakes with Royal Ascot winner Lazzat topping the bill.

Lazzat was a Royal Ascot winner in June
Lazzat was a Royal Ascot winner in June (John Walton/PA)

He could be joined by fellow French-trained entries such as Beauvatier, Daylight, Topgear and Woodshauna.

Dockland’s trainer Harry Eustace has entered Commonwealth Cup winner Time For Sandals after her good effort over five furlongs at Goodwood last week.

“Time For Sandals won over six at Ascot, so it makes sense to give her an entry,” he said.

“How she runs next time out will determine if she goes, she’s had quite a long season, because we prepped her up like she might be a Guineas filly, so she’s not a definite just yet.

“However, if she wins her next start, it will be really hard not to go there. Having one horse going there is a proud moment, but having two would be extremely exciting.”

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