Tag: English Horse Racing

Five-time Group 1 champion Palace Pier is one of the favorites for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, offering a Breeders' Cup Mile berth to its winner. (Image: British Champions Series)

But Wait … There’s More Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series Races in the UK

- 3 min read

The Breeders’ Cup added two final Challenge Series races on Tuesday, giving “Win and You’re In” berths to the winners of Saturday’s Champion Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at England’s Ascot Racecourse. Those two races are part of British Champions Day, one of the richest days in British racing, […]

Trainer Aidan O'Brien's star colt St Mark's Basilica is 6-for-9 in his career. He's out indefinitely with an infected hind leg. (Image: Healy Racing)

Two of Star Trainer Aidan O’Brien’s Prize Pupils are Out After Injuries

- 2 min read

Two of standout Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien’s star runners, Santa Barbara and St Mark’s Basilica, are both out indefinitely after suffering injuries. Santa Barbara, who won the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks and Grade 1 Beverly D at Arlington Park, won’t head to the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf as […]

Love won last year's Epsom Oaks by nine lengths. The daughter of the late Galileo and winner of seven of 11 is the 5/2 favorite for Saturday's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot. (Image: Megan Ridgwell)

Top Talent Brings Equine Palace Intrigue to King George Stakes

- 3 min read

The storylines in Saturday’s Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes are almost as loaded with intrigue as the field is loaded with talent. And this field for the 1 ½-mile turf trek at Ascot is loaded with talent. But each high-profile contestant comes with his – […]

With a Grand National title and Cheltenham Festival top jockey award, Rachael Blackmore has already celebrated plenty in 2021. She could add to that haul with a title in the Ascot Stakes Tuesday at Royal Ascot. (Image: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)

Rachael Blackmore Seeks to Conquer Royal Ascot

- 3 min read

Not content with owning Cheltenham and the Grand National, standout jockey Rachael Blackmore will now tackle Royal Ascot on Tuesday’s first day of the five-day meet. Blackmore takes the reins of Cape Gentlemen for the Listed Ascot Stakes, the finale of Royal Ascot’s seven-race opening day. Headlining the day are […]

The quality of racing at Ascot remained strong as ever. But the storied track faces economic challenges in 2021. (Image: Eclipse Sportswire)

Ascot CEO Sees Social Distancing, Close Financial Troubles for Track

- 3 min read

The chief executive of Ascot, Britain’s most popular racetrack, said he expects more financial pain from the global COVID-19 pandemic, and that he doesn’t expect a return to normalcy until 2022. Guy Henderson, Ascot’s CEO, said he anticipates a “significant pre-tax loss in 2021” as one-time pandemic insurance payments cease, […]

With Frankie Dettori in the irons, English King brings all the advantages of royalty into Saturday's Epsom Derby. All, save a favorable starting stall. (Image: Megan Ridgwell)

Epsom Derby Favorite English King Seeks to Make, Overcome History

- 3 min read

This will test every ounce of Frankie Dettori’s considerable and well-chronicled riding skill. His mission is to win Saturday’s Epsom Derby aboard favored English King from Stall (Gate) No. 1. In English racing, that’s on the outside rail. At Epsom, it’s the Stall of Death. That stall hasn’t sent out […]