Across the pond

[BaroqueAgain1]

Tarnawa ran a very good race, getting her nose in front of Hurricane Lane for 2nd. If she returns for the BC, she will be tough.

[Kurenai]

Once again... the German breeding program does everything right (for those who don't know: horses can only race with 0 drugs or they can't breed etc). Compared to such small crops... I'm sooo happy that Torquator Tasso won! His sire, Adlerflug, died this year.

[Starine]

Breeders' Cup Turf unlikely for Arc winner Torquator Tasso
https://www.drf.com/news/breeders-cup-t ... ator-tasso

[tachyon]

Torquator Tasso will not be seen again on the turf this year.
But he will remain in training next year!!!

https://www.equidia.fr/articles/actuali ... ator-tasso

[tachyon]

Tarnawa ran a very good race, getting her nose in front of Hurricane Lane for 2nd. If she returns for the BC, she will be tough.

''Amazing on-board footage on Tarnawa as she's denied by Torquator Tasso in the Arc!''

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmGcNkP624U

[Northport]

I have to imagine that the last thought in Soumillon’s mind when he crossed the finish line and looked to his left was “who the f*ck is that?!”

[HB1994]

I have to imagine that the last thought in Soumillon’s mind when he crossed the finish line and looked to his left was “who the f*ck is that?!”

That’s pretty much what I said to my husband: “who the eff is the #1?!”

[tachyon]

-- News release from International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) (Oct 5th)

https://www.ifhaonline.org/default.asp? ... story=1095

Saudi Arabia will be included in the ICS book as a Part II country.
The Saudi Cup is going to be the richest ''Group 1'' race in the world next year.
And some other races in the Saudi Cup Day are to be given ''Group 3'' status.

• Saudi Cup G1
• Neom Turf Cup G3
• Saudi Derby G3
• STC 1,351 Turf Sprint G3
• Riyadh Dirt Sprint G3
• Red Sea Turf G3

[HB1994]

Godolphin’s Native Trail (Oasis Dream) won the Dewhurst (G1) to remain undefeated. I hope he progresses more from 2 to 3 than Pinatubo did.

ETA:

[Starine]

Sisfahan, winner of the Group 1 German Derby in Hamburg in July, is being pointed to the Breeders’ Cup Turf on Nov. 6 at Del Mar, according to published reports.

Sisfahan, trained by Hank Grewe for Darius Racing, started twice against older horses in Group 1 races at 1 1/2 miles in Germany in September. The BC Turf is run at 1 1/2 miles, the same distance as the German Derby.

Sisfahan was second to eventual Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Torquator Tasso in the Grosser Preis von Baden at Baden-Baden on Sept. 4, and third behind 11-10 favorite Alpinista in the Preis Von Europe on Sept. 26 at Cologne.

https://www.drf.com/news/desormeaux-opt ... tretch-out

[BaroqueAgain1]

Her Majesty the Queen has been inducted into the British racing Hall of Fame.

'She loves the sport so much' - the Queen inducted into racing's Hall Of Fame
The Queen has become the first entry into the Qipco British Champions Series Hall of Fame within the special contributor category.
She has bred and owned the winner of every British Classic, apart from the Derby, and has been firmly involved in the sport for eight decades and always receives a warm reception at Royal Ascot.
Read more: https://www.racingpost.com/news/latest/ ... ame/515883

My question is: How is it possible that she wasn't inducted decades ago?

[Flanders]

Her Majesty the Queen has been inducted into the British racing Hall of Fame.

'She loves the sport so much' - the Queen inducted into racing's Hall Of Fame
The Queen has become the first entry into the Qipco British Champions Series Hall of Fame within the special contributor category.
She has bred and owned the winner of every British Classic, apart from the Derby, and has been firmly involved in the sport for eight decades and always receives a warm reception at Royal Ascot.
Read more: https://www.racingpost.com/news/latest/ ... ame/515883

My question is: How is it possible that she wasn't inducted decades ago?

Well.... the article really should have said, 2021 is the first year of their Hall of Fame.

https://horseracinghof.com/hall-of-famers/

[BaroqueAgain1]

We won't get to see the brilliant Poetic Flare in the QEII at Ascot this weekend. The 3yo has been retired and is shipping out to Japan to stand at Shadai.
https://www.racingpost.com/news/latest/ ... pan/515993

[Northport]

We won't get to see the brilliant Poetic Flare in the QEII at Ascot this weekend. The 3yo has been retired and is shipping out to Japan to stand at Shadai.
https://www.racingpost.com/news/latest/ ... pan/515993

Knew something was up when Bolger scratched him saying he didn’t want him to run any more races this year, even though “he’s fitter and doing better than any humans in the yard” or something along those lines. You usually don’t run a horse in a zillion G1s then scratch him from the championship race even though he’s allegedly fit as a fiddle.

Two years in a row now we’ve had Shadai buy top Irish 3 year old milers and retire them. Major bummer. I know Poetic Flare is a duel G1 winner but he wouldve been a blast to follow at 4.

[barbaro111]

We won't get to see the brilliant Poetic Flare in the QEII at Ascot this weekend. The 3yo has been retired and is shipping out to Japan to stand at Shadai.
https://www.racingpost.com/news/latest/ ... pan/515993

Knew something was up when Bolger scratched him saying he didn’t want him to run any more races this year, even though “he’s fitter and doing better than any humans in the yard” or something along those lines. You usually don’t run a horse in a zillion G1s then scratch him from the championship race even though he’s allegedly fit as a fiddle.

Two years in a row now we’ve had Shadai buy top Irish 3 year old milers and retire them. Major bummer. I know Poetic Flare is a duel G1 winner but he wouldve been a blast to follow at 4.

Reading the article as to why this lovely creature was sold to Japan is kind of depressing. He was not considered an attractive prospect in Europe-- very strange. I wish him well and love his name.

[Northport]

We won't get to see the brilliant Poetic Flare in the QEII at Ascot this weekend. The 3yo has been retired and is shipping out to Japan to stand at Shadai.
https://www.racingpost.com/news/latest/ ... pan/515993

Knew something was up when Bolger scratched him saying he didn’t want him to run any more races this year, even though “he’s fitter and doing better than any humans in the yard” or something along those lines. You usually don’t run a horse in a zillion G1s then scratch him from the championship race even though he’s allegedly fit as a fiddle.

Two years in a row now we’ve had Shadai buy top Irish 3 year old milers and retire them. Major bummer. I know Poetic Flare is a duel G1 winner but he wouldve been a blast to follow at 4.

Reading the article as to why this lovely creature was sold to Japan is kind of depressing. He was not considered an attractive prospect in Europe-- very strange. I wish him well and love his name.

Dawn Approach has been a bust as a sire, so I kind of get it. I respect that Shadai is almost always willing to put performance and outcross potential over fashionable pedigree…. But if Poetic Flare was a G1 winning Japanese 3 year old, it’d be assumed that he races on as an older horse… I know they need replacements for Deep Impact, King Kamehameha, Duramente, etc. But I wish they wouldve kept Poetic Flare in training.

[Northport]

I know it was in the In Memoriam section, but he was a well enough horse so…

Former Aidan O’Brien trainee and last year’s Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet broke down in a piece of work at Moonee Valley today and was euthanized.

From trainer Ciaron Meyer’s Facebook

We're heartbroken to announce that Sir Dragonet has broken down during a piece of work at Moonee Valley this morning and was euthanised on course.

In the year that the Dragon has been in our care, he has won our hearts with his exploits both on and off the track.

Our condolences go out to his owners, connections and all who cared for this wonderful horse.

It has left a hole in our hearts but we're forever thankful for our time with him and he will forever remain a Cox Plate Champion.

Rest easy Dragon

[HB1994]

British Champions results:

Stradivarius was third in the Long Distance Cup (G2), beaten again by Trueshan.

Creative Force won the Sprint (G1).

Lonshot Eshaada won the Fillies & Mares (G1). Snowfall was a well-beaten third. Definitely not the same filly she was this summer.

[HB1994]

Baeed wins the QEII (G1) narrowly over Palace Pier to remain undefeated.

[Northport]

Too bad Palace Pier couldn't win his last race... I'd expect we will also have Snowfall and Stradivarius' official retirement announcements this week.