The handicapper has been cool in their assessment of Epsom Derby hero Christmas Day. He has been handed an official rating of 118 from his strong-staying success. Later on Tuesday, a Charles Byrnes horse was banned under the non-triers rule.
Here is today’s racing news round-up for Wednesday.
Epsom Derby winner among lowest rated of the decade
Epsom Derby hero Christmas Day has been handed the joint-lowest rating among winners of the race in the past decade. The son of Camelot has been rated at 118 by the British handicappers after his authoritative performance. That puts him on a par with Anthony Van Dyck, the 2019 winner. Every other Derby winner since 2017 has been rated at least 120 after their successes. Christmas Day could yet prove that an erroneously low mark, though. He is likely to contest the Irish Derby next in an attempt to back up his victory. (Racing Post)
Charles Byrnes horse given 60-day ban as conditional jockey also penalised
The Charles Byrnes-trained Glin Road Boy has been banned form racing for 60 days. The five-year-old was debuting for Byrnes at Sligo on Tuesday. Racing on a mark of 89, he was a big market drifter from 12/1 to 22/1. However, he finished strongly into second under 7lb conditional Tom Kelly. The ride caught the attention of the stewards, who deemed Kelly’s ride to be insufficient. The horse has been barred from running for 60 days, while Kelly picked up a 14-day suspension. (Racing Post)
Karl Burke set to take team of 20 to Royal Ascot
One of the trainers to watch at Royal Ascot is Karl Burke. He is set to take 20 horses to the meeting from his North Yorkshire base. Among those is a traditionally strong juvenile squad. Last year’s two-year-old crop at Burke’s yard featured Venetian Sun, who won the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot 2025. She is now set to return to the scene of that triumph. The filly is all set for the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup after an impressive victory last time out. (Mirror)
Sussex Stakes attracts 32 entries
The Group 1 Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood received initial entries on Tuesday. 32 horses have been entered for the race, won in extraordinary circumstances by 150/1 outsider Qirat in 2025. Ralph Beckett’s charge was given an entry, but the headline is that both 2000 Guineas heroes, Bow Echo (English) and Gstaad (Irish), could be targeted at the race. Before that, the pair are set for a showdown in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. (Sporting Life)
King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes the aim for Calandagan & Japanese raider
After being reported no worse for wear for his Epsom disappointment, Calandagan will target a repeat success in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot later this summer. One of his challengers is set to come from Japan in the shape of Masquerade Ball. The Takehisa Tezuka-trained four-year-old was beaten a head by Calandagan in the Group 1 Japan Cup back in November. However, on neutral territory, the King George now looks a race to savour. (Sporting Life)