Racing (Horse) : General Horse Racing Thread

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Dawn dominates Derby contenders

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...=&sub=&day=Sat

Dawn Approach features among 24 colts left in the Investec Derby at Epsom after the latest forfeit stage.

Jim Bolger's unbeaten 2000 Guineas winner is as short as even-money favourite after the major Derby trials. Bolger has also left in Trading Leather, who was second in the Dante Stakes on Thursday, and Loch Garman, runner-up in the Derrinstown Derby Trial.

Bolger said at York on Thursday: "I am thrilled with my three top horses, Dawn Approach, Trading Leather and Loch Garman. We know the one that is better (Dawn Approach) - he is well. It is a toss-up between the other two. I think the only trials that matter were run in Coolcullen (on his stable's gallops). I'm ecstatic with them.

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Murtagh granted trainers' licence

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...icence&day=Sat

Johnny Murtagh has been granted a training licence by the Irish Turf Club.

Murtagh owns the Curragh stables where Tommy Carmody is based and has been working alongside the trainer while undergoing his preparation to take out a licence.

The team started out last year and sent out a number of big-race winners, including Irish St Leger winner Royal Diamond and English Leger fourth Ursa Major for owner Andrew Tinkler.

The Classic-winning rider now plans to take over the running of the operation, combining his training interests with his career in the saddle.

He told the Irish Times: "I finished the course and the Turf Club has granted me a licence to train.

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BHA: Dettori return delayed.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Sat

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Farhh out in Lockinge sizzler

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Sat

Farhh stepped out of the shadow of the mighty Frankel to claim the JLT Lockinge Stakes at Newbury in scintillating fashion.

Twice second to Sir Henry Cecil's superstar in Group One events last season, the Saeed bin Suroor-trained colt was gaining a deserved day in the spotlight and was always travelling powerfully in the hands of Silvestre de Sousa.

Asked to quicken over a furlong out as pacemaker Reply gave way, Farhh picked up impressively. Going further and further clear, De Sousa's mount was four lengths ahead of Sovereign Debt at the line, with Aljamaaheer in third.

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Dun deal at Newmarket.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Sun

Dundonnell returned to winning ways in the Coral King Charles II Stakes at Newmarket to leave connections with a Royal Ascot poser.

The Roger Charlton-trained colt made a rather tame seasonal bow when well beaten into third behind Toronado in the Craven Stakes last month.

Dropped back to seven furlongs, he had to overcome willing frontrunner Music Master but eventually ran out a convincing scorer by a length and three-quarters - despite having to concede 7lb to the field.

The 15-8 triumph was Dundonnell's first since landing the Group Three Acomb Stakes last August and opens up options for the Royal meeting.

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Dawn stamina doubts for O'Brien.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...;Brien&day=Sun

Joseph O'Brien believes it could be a "big ask" for Investec Derby favourite Dawn Approach to see out the mile-and-a-half trip at Epsom on June 1.

O'Brien, who won the Derby last year on Camelot and is set to ride Battle Of Marengo from his father Aidan's squad of possibles, spoke of his admiration for Jim Bolger's 2000 Guineas hero but questioned whether the Derby distance would suit.

Speaking on Channel 4 Racing, O'Brien said: "You can't fault him, he's tough and he tries. It's a big unknown stepping up to a mile and a half, he won over five last year and he won a Coventry.

"To get a mile and a half this year is a big ask."

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Fairy team hoping for Ascot return.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...=&sub=&day=Sun

Hopes continue to rise that Snow Fairy could make her reappearance in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The six-time Group One-winning mare looked as good as ever when winning the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown last September, but she was ruled out for the rest of the campaign after suffering a tendon injury, missing possible targets such as the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and Breeders' Cup.

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Telescope pleases in gallops spin

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Mon

Investec Derby candidate Telescope could have a racecourse gallop at Lingfield this week if he emerges unscathed from a workout in Newmarket on Sunday.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained colt missed his intended seasonal reappearance in the Dante Stakes at York last week after grazes on his legs became infected.

Telescope, who is owned by Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, was put through his paces on the Limekilns gallop in Newmarket, working in company with an older stablemate

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Leger hero Encke in positive test.


http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...=&sub=&day=Mon

Last year's Ladbrokes St Leger hero Encke is among seven further horses formerly in the care of Mahmood Al Zarooni to test positive for anabolic steroids, the British Horseracing Authority has said.

The BHA undertook an extensive testing programme at the yard of the trainer following his eight-year suspension after he admitted administering banned drugs to 15 horses in his care.

The BHA testing has now uncovered another seven horses, including the Doncaster winner, who have returned positive results for the steroid stanozolol. Testing at the other Godolphin yard of Saeed bin Suroor returned no positive results for banned substances, the BHA said.

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Opportunity Knox for Murtagh

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Tue

Johnny Murtagh is aiming for a dream start to his training career with Fort Knox in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh on Saturday.

The multiple Group One-winning jockey has been assisting Tommy Carmody for the past couple of seasons, with a string for prominent owner Andrew Tinkler at Murtagh's Curragh yard.

Murtagh has now taken over the reins, but Fort Knox no longer runs in Tinker's colours as, after an impressive win in a Guineas trial at Leopardstown, he was bought by Sheikh Mohammed and will run in the famous maroon and white silks at the weekend.

"It's a big weekend and we've got a few entries. Fort Knox has come out of his last race well and he's been doing everything nicely. Crucially he's had no hiccups since then. He's going nicely at home and I'm really looking forward to it," said Murtagh.

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Loch likely to take Classic chance.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Tue

Loch Garman and Trading Leather are among a team of four from Jim Bolger's stable left in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh on Saturday.

Trading Leather ran a cracker for second in last week's Dante, but it is Loch Garman, a Group One winner at two and runner-up in the Derrinstown on his return, who is Bolger's most likely representative.

"He has come out of the Leopardstown race (well) and the plan is to run him in Saturday's race," said Bolger

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Bin Suroor takes reins at Moulton

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Tue

Saeed bin Suroor will assume temporary control at Moulton Paddocks while Godolphin seek a new trainer.

Bin Suroor takes over from Mahmood Al Zarooni, who was suspended for eight years after admitting administering banned drugs to 15 horses in his care.

Subsequent BHA testing has now uncovered another seven horses, including St Leger hero Encke, who have returned positive results for the steroid stanozolol, but testing at Bin Suroor's Godolphin stables returned no positive results for banned substances, leaving him clear to take over at Moulton Paddocks

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Olympic ruled out of Curragh bid

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...=&sub=&day=Tue

Richard Hannon has ruled Olympic Glory out of Saturday's Etihad Airways Irish 2000 Guineas.

The Group One-winning juvenile returned to action this year with a win in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury but could never get involved in the French Guineas at Longchamp after being drawn wide.

The plan had been to run him at the Curragh this weekend but that has now been shelved as Hannon has decided the race will come too soon.

Hannon will still be represented by Havana Gold and Van Der Neer, who performed with credit in the French and English Guineas respectively.

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Judge leads 1000 Guineas charge.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...=&sub=&day=Tue

Just The Judge, narrowly denied by Sky Lantern in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, is among 18 remaining entries for the Etihad Airways-sponsored Irish version at the Curragh on Sunday.

Trained by Charlie Hills, the filly lost her unbeaten record at Newmarket and connections are keen to stick to a mile.

Big Break missed Newmarket on account of the fast ground, with trainer Dermot Weld hoping there is rain in the build-up to the Irish Classic.

Aidan O'Brien's Moth, who caught the eye when running on into third at Newmarket and has been strongly fancied for the Oaks at Epsom, is still in the shake-up for the Guineas. O'Brien's Snow Queen stayed on pleasingly into fifth and may also run, along with stablemates Just Pretending and Hanky Panky.

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Camelot headlines Tattersalls list

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Wed

Last year's dual Derby hero Camelot tops five Aidan O'Brien-trained possibles for Sunday's Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh.

The four-year-old, who also won the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket last season, was struck down by colic after his run in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe but reappeared this season with a straightforward win in the Mooresbridge Stakes.

Also in the mix for the Ballydoyle team is last year's Oaks winner Was, along with El Salvador, Windsor Palace and Ernest Hemingway.