The Newmarket Thoroughbred Racing and Breeding Industry Forum (NTRBIF) has revealed plans to keep the industry afloat. Trainers within the town have released an 80-page document to combat government inactivity. In terms of upcoming racing, Il Etait Temps is on course for Punchestown after his Queen Mother Champion Chase success.
Here is today’s racing news round-up as we head into the weekend.
Case for Newmarket document revealed to help industry
Leading figures and trainers within horse racing have combined to release an 80-page plan for the future of the sport. The Newmarket Thoroughbred Racing and Breeding Industry Forum (NTRBIF) unveiled its Case for Newmarket on Thursday. The NTRBIF is made up of stakeholders from varying employments within horse racing. Within the document, a plan is outlined which will be actioned to keep the industry going to support livelihoods over the next 10-15 years. (BBC)
Punchestown Festival: Il Etait Temps on course for Champion Chase
Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Il Etait Temps is on course for the Punchestown equivalent according to connections. The grey sauntered to an easy victory at Cheltenham in an eventful edition of the Champion Chase. Now, the eight-year-old has his sights set on Punchestown. 12 months ago, he won the Grade 1 Celebration Chase at Sandown, ending Jonbon’s unbeaten record away from Cheltenham. His rivals in Ireland could include stablemate Majborough and Barry Connell’s Marine Nationale. (Racing Post)
Luke Littler joins ownership ranks at Manor House
Two-time world darts champion Luke Littler has joined the ownership ranks at Manor House. The stables are owned by Michael Owen, from which Hugo Palmer trains. Littler was a regular attendee across the four days of the Cheltenham Festival in March. Alongside fellow darts player Stephen Bunting, the pair have purchased a horse named Bunting Mental, who will be trained by Palmer from this year forward. The fee for the horse was reported to be £54,000 and he will debut this summer. (Daily Express)
FWD Champions Day sees next chapter for Ka Ying Rising
A record-extending 20th straight win could be on the cards for Ka Ying Rising at Sha Tin on Sunday. The world’s highest-rated sprinter will race on FWD Champions Day in Hong Kong. The Grade 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize is the race being targeted though regular jockey Zac Purton has tempered two expectations. He is unlikely to go all out to break the track record, while Royal Ascot remains low on the agenda. (Sporting Life)
Scottish Champion Hurdle winner Cracking Rhapsody dies
2025 Scottish Champion Hurdle victor Cracking Rhapsody passed away on Thursday. Ewan Whillans’ stable star was put down following complications after surgery. Cracking Rhapsody proved something of a Kelso specialist, twice winning the track’s Morebattle Hurdle just before the Cheltenham Festival. However, he also won on Scotland’s biggest race day in 2025. The seven-year-old’s last race saw him finish a gallant 50/1 fourth in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham. (Racing Post)