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

Diamond Necklace sparkles on debut for O’Brien

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Aidan O’Brien is harbouring Group One hopes for Diamond Necklace after a straightforward success over a better-fancied stablemate in the Grand Hotel Malahide Irish EBF Fillies Juvenile Race at the Curragh.

A St Mark’s Basilica half-sister to top-level scorers Chicquita and Magic Wand, Diamond Necklace was sent off a 9-1 shot under Wayne Lordan on her debut, with Ryan Moore opting to ride Minerva instead.

Moore’s mount raced prominently throughout and as Diamond Necklace really hit her stride in the closing stages, Minerva had no answer and had to settle for a length-and-a-half defeat.

O’Brien is anticipating plenty of progress from the winner and said: “She’s a lovely filly with a great pedigree.

“Her dad didn’t win a maiden for another three weeks so that’s St Mark’s Basilica for you. He went on to win the Dewhurst and how he improved from two to three was incredible.

“She could end up being one for the Fillies’ Mile with maybe a run or two in between. She’s going to be lovely next year.”

Paddy Power make Diamond Necklace a 25-1 chance for next year’s 1000 Guineas.

O’Brien and Moore had claimed the preceding Audi Naas Irish EBF Maiden in style as Mission Central (4-1) galloped home eight lengths clear of Chicago Pope.

The son of No Nay Never was out of the places on his initial outing in April but O’Brien felt a subsequent gelding operation had the desired effect.

He said: “We ran him in Dundalk the first day and he was a bit worse than green, so that’s why we took him home and gelded him.

“He’s been perfect since and we’ll go up to a Listed or Group race with him next time. He’s a very quick horse.”

Geryon sprang an 18-1 surprise for Ger Lyons in the opening Revamp Conservation And Restoration Irish EBF Maiden, although the trainer was not shocked to see Colin Keane’s mount prevail.

He said: “We have two colts that we like, this fella and Res Ipsa who ran at Leopardstown on Thursday. Res Ipsa fluffed his lines so I suppose it took away confidence and hence his starting price, but they are two similar horses.

“You would like to think there would be plenty of improvement as it was his first day away from Glenburnie and first day on turf.

“The best-looking horse I had by Lope de Vega was Endless Drama, who was second in the Guineas, and this is the second best one I’ve had by him. He’s a very good-looking colt.”

Dance To The Music strikes for Appleby and Loughnane

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Dance To The Music maintained her unbeaten record for Charlie Appleby with a narrow Group Three verdict in the Newsells Park Stud Sweet Solera Stakes at Newmarket.

The filly was a length winner under Billy Loughnane on the Rowley Mile back in May and the duo were reunited on the July course, being sent off an 11-4 chance upped to seven furlongs.

Loughnane sat behind pacesetter Venetian Lace but had enough up his sleeve in the dying strides to make sure Dance To The Music held off the late charge of Princess Petrol by a neck, with Venetian Lace half a length back in third.

Appleby knows the family well having trained the winner’s brother Space Blues to win three Group Ones, culminating with Breeders’ Cup Mile glory in 2021.

The Godolphin handler said: “That was very pleasing. She is a filly who is a full-sister to Space Blues and so your heart sometimes rules your head when you get involved with these pedigrees. She is so much more forward than Space Blues, who didn’t run until November at Nottingham.

“This filly came out in the spring and Billy rode her that day on the Rowley Mile. He said she was very weak and raw, which she was really. We have given her all the time to do what she needs to do at this stage of her career and the step up to seven – we felt it was the right time to do it.

“She has that turn of foot as well which Billy used today. When you have got a Charlie Johnston horse on the front end, you have got to respect that and sit close to its girth. Billy said I was never going to outstay one of theirs, so he used that acceleration he had underneath him, and I think that was probably the winning of the race.”

Appleby believes speed could be Dance To The Music’s forte, adding: “What we saw with Space Blues, as he got older and stronger he got quicker. I think this filly will do the same. Billy said she is still raw and weak and I think she is only going to improve with time under her girth.”

Paddy Power cut Dance To The Music to 14-1 for next year’s 1000 Guineas, but Coral left her unchanged at 20-1 for Classic glory.

Zanthos could take on the colts in the Solario Stakes after a cosy three-length victory in the Tattersalls £40,000 EBF “Newcomers” Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.

A €1million breeze-up buy in May, Zanthos was sent off the 4-5 favourite for trainers Simon and Ed Crisford and the result never really looked in doubt as Oisin Murphy’s mount eased away from Classic Cuvee with the minimum of fuss.

Paddy Power make Zanthos a 25-1 chance for next year’s 1000 Guineas and Simon Crisford hopes she will rank highly.

He told Racing TV: “She showed a nice turn of foot, lots of quality, she’s a very good-looking filly and her mind is very good as well now. I think she’s a filly that will take us to the top table, hopefully.

“We will talk to Shaikh Khalid (of owners KHK Racing) first but the Prestige will come too quick in two weeks’ time, don’t really want to step her up to a mile just yet for the May Hill so maybe we’ll look at something like the Solario Stakes against colts at Sandown. The timing of the race is perfect for her, three weeks today.”

Power Blue downs True Love in Phoenix shock

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True Love suffered a shock defeat as Power Blue turned around previous form to win the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh.

The Adrian Murray-trained Power Blue was beaten five and three-quarter lengths by Aidan O’Brien’s True Love in the Railway Stakes last time out and as a result she was sent off a 1-4 favourite in the absence of stablemate Gstaad, who was a non runner.

Power Blue was one of two runners for Amo Racing along with Do Bronxs and the pair were prominent from the off, with Ryan Moore sitting on their heels aboard True Love.

Do Bronxs dropped away quickly when the race began in earnest and it looked as though True Love was coming to win with a furlong to run but 10-1 shot Power Blue was incredibly game for jockey David Egan, digging deep to repel her challenge by a length and a half.

It was a further length and three-quarters back to Green Sense in third.

Power Blue reversed previous form with True Love
Power Blue reversed previous form with True Love (Damien Eagers/PA)

Egan said: “He wears his heart on his sleeve. We went hard all the way with that tailwind. I’m sure we went fast fractions, and we really ran them into the ground. It was a really tough performance.

“I was glad when I jumped out of the gates and the fancied one (True Love) was on my left. I always kept an eye on her. I could have stayed straight, but I just angled over so he would have something to fight against because he loves a battle. That was key.”

The winning connections were completing a quickfire double after Bucanero Fuerte landed the Group Three Phoenix Sprint Stakes and Egan added: “It’s fantastic, a mega day.

“It’s my first Group One for Amo, which is huge for myself and the team. So much hard work goes into it and Kia puts a lot into the game. He obviously had his critics but to give him a day like this is a proud day.

“I knew the second half of the season was going to be better than the first half for us, and the second year better than the first, and the third year better than the second. It’s all about giving it time.”

Murray said: “I’ve never had a better day in racing. The two horses looked amazing today.

“I said to Robson (Aguiar, assistant trainer) coming down here that he’s got bigger and stronger and is improving all year. He was entitled to take his chance and has never run a bad race.

“He had a brilliant run in Ascot and is improving all year.

“A furlong out I was starting to think the filly wasn’t getting to him. She was starting to come under pressure, and he was still in his comfort zone.”

Bucanero Fuerte fends them all off at the Curragh

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Bucanero Fuerte secured a game front-running success in the Group Three FBD Hotels And Resorts Phoenix Sprint Stakes at the Curragh.

The four-year-old won the Group One Phoenix Stakes at this fixture in 2023 and after a mixed run of luck last year, he was retired to stand at stud.

However, Bucanero Fuerte’s stallion career was unsuccessful and he returned to the care of Adrian Murray, winning at Naas in May before a setback derailed subsequent plans at Royal Ascot.

Back in top form for this contest, David Egan took the initiative early on and while Art Power tried to match him, Bucanero Fuerte (11-2) looked to have his measure with a furlong to run.

My Mate Alfie and Kind Of Blue both made their bids for glory in the final of six furlongs, but Bucanero Fuerte was just too strong, going on to win by a length and quarter.

Owner Kia Joorabchian, who runs his horses under the Amo Racing banner, said: “A lot of credit to Adrian (Murray) and Robson (Aguiar) for the training performance there and David gave him an unbelievable ride – just the way he likes to be ridden.

“He’s a tough horse who has given us a lot of joy and a lot of tough days as well with health scares. He had a colic issue at Ascot (this year).

“I’m glad to see him back happy on the track. We’re definitely not taking him out of Ireland now for a while!

“He could be aimed at the Flying Five as he loves the Curragh.”

Looking forward to the second half of the season, Joorabchian added: “We have much deeper pedigrees and I’m expecting a better second half and we’ll be in a very good place to lead into next year.”

Gstaad given Prix Morny option after missing Phoenix

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Gstaad could be rerouted to the Prix Morny at Deauville after bypassing Saturday’s Keeneland Phoenix Stakes.

Aidan O’Brien’s Coventry Stakes winner was due to clash with his fellow Royal Ascot-winning stablemate True Love in the Curragh Group One but the handler was not totally satisfied with Gstaad’s condition on Friday.

After overnight monitoring, O’Brien opted to declare Gstaad a non-runner and as long as the son of Starspangledbanner returns to form in the coming days, he could seek consolation in the French Group One on August 24.

O’Brien said: “He had no temperature and everything was right, but he didn’t eat up.

“Looking at that type of thing, he could have a temperature tomorrow and if he has a temperature tomorrow, every hour he has a temperature he needs a week off.

“If he doesn’t have a temperature and nothing is wrong in the next few days he’ll go to Deauville for the Morny.

“The original plan for the filly (True Love) was to go for the Morny. I don’t know why I left her in (the Phoenix Stakes) but there was something in my head and that’s what happened and how it is.

“Sometimes when you are looking at them every day it’s a feeling you get.”

Royal Dubai continues perfect start for Burrows

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Royal Dubai continued his perfect start for trainer Owen Burrows as he pounced late to claim the Betfred Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock.

Previously trained by Marco Botti, Royal Dubai switched to Burrows’ care after two unsuccessful British runs in April and June, but he struck gold in Listed company at Newbury on his yard debut last month.

Upped to Group Three level here, the 9-4 joint favourite was anchored towards the rear by Callum Rodriguez through the early stages but when the gaps came in the final furlong, Royal Dubai had the necessary speed to take advantage and pipped Military Order by a neck on the line, with Haunted Dream back in third.

Rodriguez told Racing TV: “It was a good performance. We were drawn on the inside, he’s a horse that enjoys a bit of cover and passing horses so we were never going to be in a rush.

“I was a little bit worried up the straight that we weren’t going to get the splits but he was all there for me when we did and he’s picked up well to the line.”

Suite Francaise benefited from a perfectly-judged front-running ride to win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Dick Hern Stakes.

Joe Fanning had the 15-2 shot smartly away and she never looked like being passed, claiming a two-length success over Never Let Go.

Winning trainer Charlie Johnston knows the family well with his father having trained the dam, Francophilia for owner Kirsten Rausing while Suite Francaise’s sister Francophone was a Listed victor for the trainer last term.

He was represented by his mother Deirdre, who said: “They’re all superstars and such lovely horses to have at home and look after. Joe said she was so quiet down at the start he was hoping she was all right as she was so well behaved.

“He said she was never going to get beat, she was out there in front, really enjoying it and when he kicked, off she went.

“It was fantastic. She’s done nothing wrong and black type is a big thing for Kirsten, we’ve got big black type but in Group company would be even better.”

Joe Fanning booked for Nunthorpe favourite Lady Iman

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Joe Fanning has been booked to ride Goodwood winner Lady Iman in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes at York later this month.

The two-year-old filly will have to be supplemented for the Group One sprint but after winning the Molecomb Stakes – Lady Iman’s fourth victory in five career starts – owners the O’Callaghan family indicated they would be keen to pitch their juvenile into the all-aged contest.

While trainer Ger Lyons admits he is not usually in favour of running two-year-olds against older horses, he feels Lady Iman has all the right qualities to take on the test, with the services of lightweight Fanning already secured for the Starman filly, who would carry just 8st 2lb on the Knavesmire.

Lyons said: “I’ve just booked Joe Fanning to ride her (in the Nunthorpe). Joe sat beside me in the weigh room.

“It’s what Roger (O’Callaghan) wants and if she goes and wins the Nunthorpe we’ll all be delighted.

“Personally, I don’t like seeing babies taking on older horses. If we ever have one to do it’s her as she has the temperament, but we have to get there yet.”

Lady Iman is the general 4-1 favourite for the five-furlong contest, with a supplementary entry costing £40,000.

Lazzat in prime form as he bids for Deauville repeat

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Lazzat is being backed by connections to relish his optimum conditions when he defends his Prix Maurice de Gheest crown at Deauville on Sunday.

The four-year-old gave new owners Wathnan Racing a day to remember when landing the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Royal Ascot and Jerome Reynier’s sprint king now tries to make it three from three on the Normandy coast.

“Jerome reports he has come out of Ascot in good form and is fresh and well ahead of Sunday,” said Richard Brown, racing adviser to Wathnan Racing.

“He obviously won this race last year and we would be looking forward to seeing him go and try to defend his crown.

“I think a straight track is important to him and he’s versatile between six and seven furlongs, so this is right in the middle. It looks like it’s going to be nice ground and probably on the quick side which will be perfect for him.

“He’s already won us a Group One, he’s is a very talented animal and is exactly the type of horse we are looking for in the operation.”

The home side have a strong squad assembled for the Group One event and along with Lazzat, Francis-Henri Graffard’s Woodshauna also heads into the event with standout claims having scooped the Prix Jean Prat on his most recent start.

“Francis says he is in top form for this weekend’s race in Deauville,” said John Stewart of owner Resolute Racing.

“It looks to be an exciting race with a deep field and should be a good challenge to see him run against older horses.”

It has not been unusual to see Graffard in the winner’s enclosure in his homeland this term and as well as Woodshauna he will saddle Commonwealth Cup third Rayevka.

Charlie Appleby’s 2000 Guineas third Shadow Of Light just missed out on the podium in the Prix Jean Prat when beaten half a length, while he finished fifth in the Commonwealth Cup on his penultimate start.

He is joined in the line-up by Moulton Paddocks stablemate Symbol Of Honour, with the Godolphin handler hopeful this six-and-a-half-furlong test could prove perfect for both.

Appleby told www.godolphin.com: “Shadow Of Light has run solid races all year without getting his head in front, and this should be a nice distance for him. We are hopeful that, if he can run up to his best two-year-old form, it will make him very competitive.

“Symbol Of Honour ran a very creditable race in the July Cup (eighth) and I feel that the six and a half furlongs here will be a good trip for him.”

Other British interest is provided by Kevin Ryan’s Inisherin, who will be partnered by Ryan Moore as he seeks compensation after being withdrawn at the start of the July Cup, and Ed Bethell’s ever-consistent flagbearer Regional.

Racing Bulletin for 09/08/2025

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Latest News and Features

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Today's Racing

Click on course names to view our course guides. Click on race times to access that racecard. Times highlighted in yellow are free races of the day.

Ascot

Good to Firm

 13:35 14:10 14:45 15:20 15:55 16:30
Curragh

Good

 13:45 14:15 14:50 15:25 16:00 16:35 17:05 17:40
Newmarket

Good to Firm

 13:55 14:32 15:07 15:40 16:17 16:50
Redcar

Good to Firm

 14:02 14:37 15:12 15:47 16:22 17:00
Haydock Park

Good

 14:25 15:00 15:35 16:10 16:45 17:20 17:55
Lingfield Park

Good to Firm

 17:12 17:47 18:20 18:52 19:22 19:52
Kilbeggan

Good

 17:27 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30
Ayr

Good

 17:35 18:12 18:42 19:12 19:42 20:12 20:42

Today's Feature of the Day is...

Trainer/Jockey Combo report

Good luck!


Thesecretadversary hits Listed target at Tipperary

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Thesecretadversary claimed the scalp of Brussels to open his account in taking fashion in the Coolmore Stud Churchill Stakes at Tipperary.

Second to Humidity in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot, Fozzy Stack’s youngster was surprisingly beaten at odds of 2-13 when fancied to get off the mark in an Ayr maiden last time out.

Unperturbed by that defeat, he returned to Listed level to take on the challenge of Aidan O’Brien’s impressive debut scorer and July Stakes fourth Brussels, who was sent off the 10-11 favourite in the hands of Wayne Lordan.

Brussels appeared on course for a return to the winner’s enclosure when Lordan sent his mount for home inside the final quarter-mile, but having travelled smoothly throughout in the hands of Seamie Heffernan, Thesecretadversary finished powerfully to register a length success at odds of 3-1.

Stack said “His run at Ayr was a mess-up and while maybe the winner isn’t too bad, they went no gallop and the ground was soft. He had run well in Ascot and backed that up today. He did it well.

“It might be worth taking our chance in those big races now and there’s a Grade One (Summer Stakes on September 13) race for him in Canada on the same weekend as the National Stakes, which might be an option.

“The horse’s family has been lucky for me and thanks to the Rupert and Magnier families (joint-owners) for sending them all to me. My association goes back to Scream Blue Murder and I have an older full sister to Thesecretadversary in training as well.”

Gstaad ruled out of Phoenix clash

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Impressive Royal Ascot winner Gstaad has been ruled out of this afternoon’s Group One Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh.

Aidan O’Brien had warned on Friday that the Coventry Stakes scorer had been “a little bit quiet” after his exercise in the morning but he had hoped it was nothing too serious.

Gstaad was due to clash with fellow Royal Ascot winner and stablemate True Love but news came through on Saturday morning that Gstaad was off his feed.

That means O’Brien now relies on True Love and Puerto Rico.

O’Brien’s son Joseph fields the main danger in Green Sense, winner of the Prix Robert Papin last time out and a late absentee from the Ballyhane Stakes on Monday.

He said: “We’re happy with her off the back of a good run.

“It looks a strong renewal of the race, obviously, if dad’s two turn up.

“We’re hoping for a good run from her, and it would be great if she could get Group One-placed.”

Power Blue has not dodged anyone all season finishing fifth in the Coventry and third in the Railway, so Adrian Murray’s colt faces a tall order in his bid to give the yard a second win in the race in three years.

Murray said: “This looks a tough race for Power Blue, but he’s been running well in all the big races and he’s danced all the dances.

“He’s in great form so we’ll let him take his chance. We’ll see if Aidan runs both his big guns, you never know.

“We won this with Bucanero Fuerte two years ago and he would have the edge at the same stage. Power Blue is a very nice horse, but Bucanero just always had that touch of class, he’s a Group One winner.”

Power Blue is owned by Amo Racing as is the final runner in the field, David Loughnane’s Do Bronxs.

Art Power ready to continue Curragh love affair

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Course specialist Art Power returns to the Curragh on Saturday for the FBD Hotels And Resorts Phoenix Sprint Stakes when he can finally get his season under way.

The unusually dry spring and summer has prevented Tim Easterby’s grey from running so far this season as he is at his best when he can get his toe in.

That is usually the case at the Curragh, where the eight-year-old has won four times from six outings.

“He likes it good or softer and we’ve been struggling to find any,” said Easterby.

“He hasn’t had an issue. We were going to get him ready in the spring but it was so dry there was no point and then we’ve found him a couple of races and he wasn’t able to run.

“He got balloted out of a handicap at York and the ground was too fast at Ascot. He could have run at Chester last week but we decided not to run him there and wait for the Curragh.

“He’s done a lot of work, he’s in good form and I don’t look to see how old he is. I never look at their age, I just go by what they are showing me. If he was a Champion Hurdle horse you’d be delighted he was eight.

“It sounds like the ground is good and we’re very happy with him.

“I know it looks like he’s better there than anywhere but I just think that’s down to the fact it is always nice ground there.”

Kind Of Blue (red hat) won at Ascot on Champions Day
Kind Of Blue (red hat) won at Ascot on Champions Day (Nigel French/PA)

Another strong challenger from Britain is the James Fanshawe-trained Kind Of Blue, winner of the Champions Sprint last season but on a retrieval mission.

Richard Brown of owners Wathnan Racing said: “We’re on the comeback trail but his work has been very good and James is very happy with him.

“We’ve had a couple of blips but hopefully we can get back on track on Saturday.

“I think the Curragh will be ideal for him and the stiff finish there will be right up his alley.”

Karl Burke’s Spycatcher and David O’Meara’s Nighteyes also make the journey.

Heading the home team is Adrian Murray’s Bucanero Fuerte, winner of the Group One Phoenix Stakes on the card two years ago.

“We’ll be going quite confident, he’s in great form, he’s fresh and well and should run a big race,” said Murray.

“He’s got a great record first time out, he’s won every year actually, so it will be no bad thing he’s only had one run.

“He did have a bit of a setback just before Ascot, so he had a bit of time off after that but it might not be the worst thing in the world given his record fresh.

“He’s won a Group One at the Curragh, he loves it there and he goes on any ground, he’s won on all sorts, the ground won’t be an issue, it will be lovely.

“I don’t look at it and think ‘I wish they weren’t running’, I’m looking at it thinking we should go well and be one of the favourites.”

Royal Dubai aiming to continue good start for Burrows at Haydock

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Owen Burrows is hopeful Royal Dubai can build on his winning start for the yard when he lines up for the Group Three Betfred Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock.

The five-year-old son of Seahenge joined Burrows from Marco Botti in June and quickly became popular with his new trainer, landing the Steventon Stakes at Newbury less than a month later.

After defeating Rashabar by a length in that Listed contest in Berkshire, Burrows is keen to continue that momentum as Royal Dubai targets a maiden Pattern success at Haydock on Saturday.

“He’s come out of Newbury very well and I’m very pleased with him so it looks a nice, logical next step,” he said.

“I think we only had him about a month or so before, so he settled in like an old pro and it was a very pleasing start.

“We’ve got to go up in grade and I feel it’s a very trappy, very tight race on Saturday, so let’s see what happens.

“We obviously stepped him up in trip, it looked to suit at Newbury so hopefully he can keep progressing.”

Haatem returns to 10 furlongs having dropped down to a mile last time out after winning the Wolferton Stakes for Richard Hannon.

“I think 10 furlongs is his best trip now and obviously he won the Wolferton Stakes well at Royal Ascot,”said Richard Brown, racing adviser for owners Wathnan Racing.

“I think going back up to that distance is going to put everything in his favour and hopefully he can run a big race.”

Charlie Appleby is doubly represented, through Military Order – who is a full-brother to Derby and King George hero Adayar – and First Conquest.

“Military Order ran a very creditable race at Royal Ascot (sixth in the Wolferton) and likes the combination of quick ground over a mile and a quarter,” the Moulton Paddocks handler told the Godolphin website.

“This will hopefully tell is whether he is a horse for something like the Bahrain International Trophy later in the year.

“First Conquest goes into this in great order and stepping back up to a mile and a quarter will hopefully suit. If he runs to the level of his Dubai form earlier in the year, he should be very competitive.”

Wathnan have another dart in the extended mile-and-a-quarter race with Hamad Al Jehani’s Haunted Dream, while Certain Lad runs for Jack Channon.

The green and pink silks of Juddmonte have market leader Detain, trained by John and Thady Gosden, and Harry Charlton’s Okeechobee to complete the eight-runner field.

International challenger Danon Decile enjoys gallops spin

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Japanese raider Danon Decile stepped up his Juddmonte International Stakes preparations with his first piece of work since arriving in Newmarket on Friday morning.

The Dubai Sheema Classic winner is a temporary resident at James Horton’s Beech Hurst Stables in the heartland of British racing ahead of his mouthwatering York clash with Eclipse one-two Delacroix and Ombudsman.

He had his first canter up the famous Warren Hill in the company of trainer Shogo Yasuda, who is pleased by how his charge has settled into his new surroundings and also has no concerns about reverting to a mile and a quarter after his Group One strike over further in Dubai.

Yasuda said: “We did travel very well, so we’re very satisfied.

Danon Decile making himself at home in Newmarket
Danon Decile making himself at home in Newmarket (York Racecourse)

“My training plan between the two weeks from here to York, the main thing is to take care of his mind – make him happy.

“I’m not concerned for the shorter distance. I believe he’s got a lot of experience from racing. I’m not worried about the drop in distance. He can adjust pace.”

Danon Decile is a five-time winner who will arrive at the Knavesmire in search of a hat-trick in the £1.25milllion feature of the Ebor Festival’s opening day after his Meydan win followed a valuable triumph in his homeland.

The four-year-old is as short as 4-1 with some bookmakers to scoop the prestigious Group One and he will be the second Japanese challenger in as many years to venture to Yorkshire after Durezza finished fifth in a race recognised as officially the best in the world 12 months ago.

Katie Davis looks to Frankie Dettori for Shergar Cup advice

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Katie Davis will look to Frankie Dettori for some sage advice as she prepares to make her Shergar Cup debut at Ascot.

The 33-year-old shot to international fame after featuring in the Netflix series ‘Race For The Crown’ and the multiple US stakes-winning rider is eager to capitalise on any advantage she can gain for her British debut.

Dettori, who famously went through a seven-race card at Ascot in 1996 and is now riding in the US, offered his help to Davis when the pair crossed paths at Saratoga and Davis will have him on speed dial.

She said: “My plan is to walk the track at least twice. It was nice to hear from Frankie Dettori because he’s riding in Saratoga and he’s like ‘Katie, when you get your entries out, you better call me’.

“I said ‘don’t you worry, I’ll call you’, obviously I’m not that stupid. I’m trying to win a race here!

“I breezed two for Wesley (Ward, trainer) on the grass with Frankie, and I was telling Wesley and Frankie and Wesley’s like ‘you’re gonna have a blast, you have to go’. I go ‘I wanted to pick your brain’ and he said ‘I’m not the right person to pick, you gotta pick Frankie’.

“I’ll probably What’s App him (Dettori), kind of send the photos, let him analyse it. It’ll be really nice. I’m really lucky to have him behind me too in this.”

Davis rides in five of the six races in the team competition, with the Andrew Balding-trained Miss Information – winner of the Kensington Palace Stakes at the Royal meeting – seemingly her best chance of victory.

She said: “I’m super excited. I’m not nervous at all, it feels right so I’m just looking for a great opportunity and a great experience, and just go from there.

“It looks tough, but I would like to win a race. It’s what I said the first year I went into Saratoga and I won seven – I’m not saying I’m going to win the whole thing, but I’d like to win one, think positive!”

Davis will compete as part of the Rest of the World team, joining captain Karis Teetan and Australian Hugh Bowman, who previously led the side to victory in 2007.

“I asked why Hugh isn’t the captain because he’s won one of them and we all started laughing,” said Davis. “I said ‘we’re all gonna have fun. let’s enjoy it, bring the best out of each other and kind of see where it goes’.

“There’s no pressure, it’s nice to have teams so you can kind of follow and talk when you’re out there and you’re next to each other going full speed.”

This year’s Shergar Cup has undergone a shake-up, with the Ladies team no longer featuring, leaving the Rest of the World to compete with squads from Great Britain and Ireland, Asia and Europe.

Female riders will still take leading roles though, with France’s Delphine Santiago in the Europe side, while Joanna Mason and Hollie Doyle will both fly the flag for Great Britain and Ireland.

Davis’ sister Jackie is also a jockey and after her sibling previously met Doyle, she is particularly keen to make a connection with Britain’s most successful female rider.

She added: “My sister Jackie has met her, I think she was overseas one year and she raced my sister, and she said ‘you’re gonna love her, she’s just like us’. I really wanted to meet her and obviously I’m going to, so I hope we hit it off.

“It’s always nice that there’s people in the industry that you can talk to and it’s tough being a women.”

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