Racing

Tartan Bearer destroys Cecil's Derby dream

Vexing creatures, horses. Vexing, bloody-minded, perverse even. Or do they merely absorb and amplify the foibles of their masters?

Inside Racing

Epsom bypass by Bolger hits Oaks standing

Thursday, 15 May 2008

Anyone would think the man was trying to tell us something. Jim Bolger is unlikely to admit as much, of course. No doubt he would just gaze back in mordant silence for a few seconds, before applying some scrupulously bland veneer to the hidden grain of his thinking. But however little he thinks of the British, or at least of their greatest races, they cannot be quite as obtuse as that. To most ears, he could not be more explicit with a megaphone.

Lush Lashes worth a flutter in Musidora

Wednesday, 14 May 2008

The winners of the trials already staged for the Juddmonte Oaks may have sown mere acorns; but whoever wins this one will already have the look of a fairly sturdy sapling. For the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes looks so much the strongest rehearsal that an emphatic winner would surely leave York this evening as hot favourite to follow up at Epsom on 6 June.

Godolphin buoyed by return to form with Rio

Tuesday, 13 May 2008

One swallow may not make a summer, but then nor does one squall make a monsoon. For Godolphin, the swallow was Rio De La Plata, whose performance at Longchamp on Sunday was much the best by any of the stable's three-year-olds since their return to Europe; the squall, unmistakably, had been a wretched display by Ibn Khaldun in the 2,000 Guineas.

Super stallion Sadler's Wells is retired from active stud duty

Tuesday, 13 May 2008

Sadler's Wells, whose genes have helped to define the modern thoroughbred, was yesterday retired from stud on account of waning fertility. Access to the venerable stallion has become an increasing privilege with age, and at 27 he has been in the evening of his career for some time. However, he has continued to produce top-class progeny and there could be no more fitting winner of the Derby next month, not least in terms of name, than Curtain Call.

Chantilly target for Weld's Casual Conquest

Monday, 12 May 2008

The build-up to the Derby has been waiting for a properly exciting performance in one of the trials. The only drawback is that when it finally came yesterday it was from a horse who is not entered at Epsom. Casual Conquest, racing for the first time this season and for the second time in his life, showed that turn of foot that makes the difference as he streaked clear of the odds-on favourite Washington Irving at Leopardstown.

Volta surges in Derby Trial

Sunday, 11 May 2008

Another piece of the Derby jigsaw, the one with Alessandro Volta on it, was turned face up on the table here yesterday. Where it fits in the final picture remains to be seen, but the performance of the son ofMontjeu emphasised the growing strength of trainer Aidan O'Brien's Epsom hand.

Chris McGrath: Bolger takes New Approach on misguided path as Henrythenavigator sets true course

Saturday, 10 May 2008

It is one thing for racehorses to scorn logic. Over time, in fact, they teach us to expect little else. But it is quite another for their masters to be infected with the same aversion.

Equestrianism: Phillips given Olympic opportunity

Saturday, 10 May 2008

Zara Phillips has the chance to add an Olympic gold medal to those she won at World and European Championships having been named for the team of five that contests the Olympic Three-Day Event in Hong Kong in August.

Point-to-Point: Green to narrow gap in title race on Just Here

Saturday, 10 May 2008

Oliver Greenall is assured of the men's championship as he is 14 winners clear (37 to 23) of James Tudor, but the ladies' title is developing into a close scrap between former holders Polly Gundry and Rachael Green.

Stoute's Doctor lifts Vase but bypasses Derby

Friday, 9 May 2008

Barry Hills reckons he has never previously worn a panama at this meeting, and those dressed less conservatively – which is to say, just about everybody else – ended up with flesh the same colour as the sandstone city walls. Thankfully the Roodeye's other perimeter, the glittering River Dee, yielded a delicious, soothing breeze. And, as such, the answer to yesterday's big question might almost be said to have been blowing in the wind.

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