The Breeders’ Cup gets under way at Keeneland tonight, though Aidan O’Brien’s Juvenile Turf team has already been hit by a non-runner and Dubai World Cup winner Magnitude has been retired after missing the Classic. Closer to home, the fields are set for Saturday’s Champion Chase at Down Royal and the Charlie Hall at Wetherby, while Newmarket stages the rearranged St Simon Stakes this afternoon.
Here is the racing news today, rounded up for Friday.
Breeders’ Cup opens with Future Stars Friday
Keeneland stages the first of its two Breeders’ Cup nights this evening, with five Grade 1s for juveniles on Future Stars Friday. The action starts with the Juvenile Turf Sprint at 6.55pm UK time and ends with the Juvenile Turf at 9.35pm, with all five races live on ITV4.
The European raiders have a big say on the grass. O’Brien’s Cheveley Park and Moyglare winner Sun Goddess is a short-priced favourite for the Juvenile Fillies Turf at 8.15pm, while George Boughey’s Libertango heads the market for the opener. History is on their side, too, as all 35 British and Irish Breeders’ Cup winners in the last ten years have come on turf.
Man’s Best Friend out as Magnitude is retired
O’Brien’s Juvenile Turf team is down to three after Richmond Stakes winner Man’s Best Friend was scratched, and there could yet be another absentee. Coventry Stakes winner Great Barrier Reef remains in the field for now, but he has been suffering from a stone bruise and was due to be reassessed this morning before connections make a final call.
The Classic has also lost one of its leading lights. Steve Asmussen’s Magnitude, winner of the Dubai World Cup in March, was scratched on veterinary advice after a scan revealed disruption in the suspensory fibres of his left foreleg, and he has now been retired to Coolmore’s Ashford Stud. “We’re nothing short of heartbroken because of how well we expected him to run,” said Asmussen.
Seven for Down Royal, six for the Charlie Hall
Seven go to post for Saturday’s BetVictor, Remembering Envoi Allen Champion Chase at Down Royal, where Ryanair winner Heart Wood heads the market as he steps up to three miles for Henry de Bromhead. Gordon Elliott has five wins in the race and fields Romeo Coolio, the three-time Grade 1-winning novice chaser, under Jack Kennedy.
Six have been declared for the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby, where Pic d’Orhy is favourite for his debut for Dan Skelton under Harry Skelton. Paul Nicholls, a five-time winner of the race, runs Hitman and Twinjets, and 2024 winner The Real Whacker and Ben Pauling’s Handstands also feature.
St Simon Stakes heads to Newmarket
The St Simon Stakes, lost when Newbury was waterlogged last week, has a new home at Newmarket this afternoon. Seven line up for the Group 3 over a mile-and-a-half at 2.20pm, with £75,000 in prize-money up for grabs on good to soft ground.
Charlie Appleby’s Aegean Prince is the one they all have to beat, while Karl Burke’s Al Qareem, runner-up in this race in 2023, and William Haggas’ nine-year-old Al Aasy bring plenty of experience. Andrew Balding saddles Royal Playwright and Old Harrovian.
Forthfactor makes a mockery of Stratford rivals
Forthfactor looks the latest exciting novice hurdler for Dan Skelton after an eye-catching hurdling debut at Stratford on Thursday. Last seen winning a Grade 2 bumper at Aintree’s Grand National meeting, the 1/8 favourite made all under Harry Skelton and was hard held to win by 24 lengths. He is now quoted at 25/1 for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.
Racing today
Newmarket — first race: 11:35 · last race: 16:05
Uttoxeter — first race: 12:35 · last race: 15:55
Down Royal — first race: 13:00 · last race: 16:20
Wetherby — first race: 13:20 · last race: 16:10
Newcastle — first race: 16:15 · last race: 20:20
Dundalk — first race: 17:30 · last race: 20:30
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