Saturday’s Group 1 Coral-Eclipse received boosts on Wednesday with intended runners from Aidan O’Brien and Roger Varian. Hawk Mountain is set to join Constitution River in the race for Ballydoyle, with Saddadd also in line.
Here is today’s racing news round-up for Thursday.
Coral-Eclipse boosted by intended runners
Aidan O’Brien has confirmed he intends to run French Derby one-two Constitution River and Hawk Mountain in the Coral-Eclipse. Saturday’s feature race has attracted nine confirmations, with declarations on Thursday morning. The Ballydoyle pair are expected to be among them, with O’Brien saying on Wednesday that “it looks like they are both going to run”. Both are already Group 1 winners, and fought out an exciting finish in the Prix Du Jockey Club. (Racing TV)
Roger Varian is keen to take on the O’Brien ranks in the race too. He is set to saddle Saddadd in the Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum colours. The four-year-old is a year senior to the aforementioned Irish challengers. He claimed the Group 3 Gordon Richards Stakes earlier this season over course and distance, then finished third in his first top level contest in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh. Varian believes “his best days are ahead of him.” (Racing Post)
British & Irish contenders out to spoil Calandagan party at Saint-Cloud
Another Group 1 prize available in Europe this weekend is the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. The 1m4f contest takes place on Sunday, with Calandagan a likely participant for Francis-Henri Graffard. Formerly the world’s highest-rated racehorse, he flopped in the Coronation Cup at Epsom when the going was soft. However, back on home shores, he is a warm favourite despite many of those Epsom rivals remaining in contention. Bay City Roller and Jan Brueghel could contest the race for George Scott and O’Brien. (Sporting Life)
Dan Skelton odds-on to break Martin Pipe record
Having broken financial records when landing a first trainers’ title in 2025/26, Dan Skelton is seeking a new method of making history this jumps season. Martin Pipe’s tally of 243 winners during the 1999/2000 season is already looking under threat. Skelton outlined that ambition during Sandown’s jumps finale meeting in April. Paul Nicholls’ former assistant hit 51 winners by the end of June, surpassing his pre-season target of 50. (Racing Post)
Haydock to begin hosting racing in August
Haydock Park will begin hosting racing again in August. The Lancashire track have not held race meetings since a hole appeared in the home straight during the Sandy Lane Stakes card in May. The scheduled meeting on July 17-18th will be the final one not to take place. Currently, the next meeting on Haydock’s calendar is on Friday 7th August. Racing is expected to go ahead that day. (Sporting Life)