Silvestre De Sousa passed a significant landmark as a jockey on Thursday. He rode his 2,000th career winner aboard Neyva’s Angel at Yarmouth. There was drama at that meeting though, as a runner who reared in the stalls was deemed a runner, following on from the controversial Benvenuto Cellini ruling in the Epsom Derby.
Here is today’s racing news round-up heading into the weekend.
Yarmouth hosts De Sousa’s 2,000th winner but stalls drama elsewhere
45-year-old Silvestre De Sousa passed a landmark total as a jockey on Thursday. Riding at Yarmouth, he partnered Neyva’s Angel to victory in the 3.20pm. Said win was his 2,000th career success. De Sousa has been riding on and off in Great Britain for 20 years. His first ride in the country came in 2006 and he has ridden winners worth more than £30 million. De Sousa is also a former three-time champion jockey, as well as a two-time champion in the UAE. (Sporting Life)
However, there was drama later on the card in the 5.03pm. The James Owen trained Wrist Art reared in the stalls to an almost vertical position. Despite having a leg seemingly over the side at the time, stewards at the course deemed him a runner in the race. The ruling came just five days after Epsom Derby favourite Benvenuto Cellini was deemed a non runner for having a leg on the side of his stall in the Classic. Owen described the decision at Yarmouth as “totally unfair.” (Racing Post)
Benvenuto Cellini given surprise Royal Ascot assignment
Benvenuto Cellini himself could re-appear sooner than expected. The son of Frankel and Group 1 winner Newspaperofrecord crossed the line in tenth in the Derby. Even having been deemed a non-runner, it was a disappointing effort from the Chester Vase hero. He has evidently come out of the race well though, as the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes is a potential target for him at Royal Ascot next week. Aidan O’Brien cautioned fans on predicting his next target stating “it’s too early to tell yet”. (Racing Post)
Nine confirmed for Prince Of Wales’s Stakes
Meanwhile, nine horses have been confirmed for the Group 1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes. The 1m2f contest is the feature race on day two of Royal Ascot. The Wednesday race could play host to a sensational clash between defending champion Ombudsman and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Daryz. The pair met in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York last term. Ombudsman emerged victorious when Daryz failed to fire. However, the French horse has reached new heights since that day. Top level scorers Almaqam and Kalpana were also among the confirmations. (At The Races)
Run To Freedom dies at age of eight
Three-time Group 1 placed sprinter Run To Freedom has died after a training accident. The eight-year-old was still in full training and won the Group 3 Abernant Stakes on his only run this season. He caused a 28/1 shock in that contest and made a habit of outrunning his odds. He was second at 150/1 in the 2022 British Champions Sprint Stakes. Henry Candy’s charge also finished third in the July Cup at 40/1 last season. (Mirror)