Tag: ascot

Adayar Possible For QIPCO Champion S.

Godolphin's G1 Cazoo Derby and G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. winner Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) might be seen once more this season in the G1 QIPCO Champion S. at Ascot on Oct. 16. Fourth in the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe after leading into the home straight, the bay has been pleasing trainer Charlie Appleby since his run in Paris.

“He will be left in the Champion S. tomorrow, for the simple reason at the moment he has come out of the Arc well,” Appleby told Racing TV's Luck On Sunday. “Should connections ask me next week how the horse is, and I say 'jumping around' and they say 'where can we go?', I'd look a bit daft saying I'd taken him out of the Champion S. on the Monday.

“He will stay in tomorrow. We've an open book and should connections want to run him again and I can't at that time give a negative for not to run him, then the Champion S. will be looked at.”

Appleby also provided an update on G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas runner-up Master Of The Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who will run in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. The G3 Craven S. hero was last seen running third in the G2 Joel S. at Newmarket on Sept. 24. Godolphin stablemate and Group 3 winner Creative Force (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) will also be in action on QIPCO Champions Day, but in the G1 Champions Sprint.

“The way the weather forecast is potentially looking, Master Of The Seas will run in the QEII and Creative Force will head to the Champions Sprint. Two handy horses,” he said. “Creative Force is learning how to sprint now. We've seen what he can do over seven. He's been competitive at six and he's still learning. As we all know, dropping back into sprinting divisions at that level it takes a bit of getting the hang of, but he's getting there and he'll go into the weekend a big player.

“Master Of The Seas has definitely come on for that run in the Joel and we're looking forward to him.”

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Champion Jockey Oisin Murphy Taken Off Mounts After Failing Breath Test

Reigning champion British jockey Oisin Murphy was taken off his mounts Friday at Newmarket when he failed a breath test for alcohol, reports The Guardian.

He has been referred to the British Horseracing Authority's disciplinary panel, but a hearing will not be held until after the season concludes on Oct. 16 at Ascot.

Murphy, currently leading the jockey standings, already served a three-month suspension this year after testing positive for cocaine in July of 2020. It is the second breath test Murphy has failed; the first came in 2019 at Salisbury.

Read more at The Guardian.

The post Champion Jockey Oisin Murphy Taken Off Mounts After Failing Breath Test appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Ascot Racecourse Releases 2020 Business Summary

The 2020 financial results were announced by Ascot Racecourse on Wednesday. Total turnover was down by 77% due to COVID-19 restrictions with only two racedays being held with spectators and another 18 run behind closed doors. There were also five lost racedays due to the pandemic and one abandonment due to inclement weather. Pandemic insurance and support from the UK Government through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and business rates relief prevented a pre-tax loss of over £31 million. In addition, the staff were restructured to adjust to pandemic trading conditions. At the end of 2020, the gross debt for the racecourse stood at £59.4m compared to 2019's £57.4m. A standby loan facility of £20m until 2023 was arranged through the Government Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan (CLBILS) scheme, but was not drawn down.

Guy Henderson, Chief Executive Officer at Ascot Racecourse, said, “2020 was naturally a difficult year with trading conditions and results severely affected by the Covid-19 restrictions. The financial impact was mitigated by cushions such as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, Business Rates Relief and pandemic insurance for racing without crowds, but Ascot's financial position and ambitions have suffered a setback.

“Ascot had to reduce fixed costs at the end of 2020. Having to lose dedicated and loyal employees, who had contributed to Ascot's success over recent years, was hard for all concerned. I wish to pay tribute to and thank all our staff for their dedication and commitment in such difficult and uncertain times.

“We also wish to thank all our partners, suppliers, sponsors and various customers for their support.

“Without pandemic insurance this year and with strict limits on crowds at Royal Ascot for the second year, we currently forecast a significant pre-tax loss in 2021. That said, the business is on track to end the year without having to increase debt in 2021. This will provide a solid platform from which to bounce back from the pandemic in 2022 and 2023.

“Prize money and capital investment have inevitably been impacted as a result of the pandemic. We plan to build back on both fronts to pre-Covid levels as prudently and as quickly as practicable from next year. Attracting and rewarding the best quality racing and providing top class facilities are important business priorities.

“Royal Ascot in the Platinum Jubilee year will be a huge celebration and our focus is on delivering a unique event for everyone to enjoy across the globe.”

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Quick Suzy Goes For Prix Morny, BC Juvenile Turf Sprint Berth Sunday

Royal Ascot winner Quick Suzy (IRE) is set to take on 13 rivals in the 6-furlong Group 1 Darley Prix Morny at Deauville on Sunday. The Darley Prix Morny winner will receive an automatic berth into the $1 million Grade 2 Juvenile Turf Sprint through the international Breeders' Cup Challenge Series.

The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series is an international series of 84 stakes races whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, which will be held at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California, on Nov. 5-6.

Owned by the Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Quick Suzy blitzed her rivals in the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes at Ascot on June 16 and will be looking to emulate Campanelle (IRE) by completing the Queen Mary-Prix Morny double, which Lady Aurelia also achieved in 2016.

Quick Suzy is trained by Gavin Cromwell in Navan, Ireland. Cromwell commented, “Quick Suzy goes for the Prix Morny. She was entered in the Phoenix Stakes (G1) at the Curragh last week, but we gave her a break after Ascot and the race just came too soon after that break. Fillies have a very good record in the Prix Morny and, on top of that, Queen Mary winners have a great record in it too, so it looks the right race for her. It fits perfectly into her schedule too. Gary Carroll will ride and we're really looking forward to the race. She's in great form.”

The Richard Hannon-trained and Al Shaqab Racing-owned Armor (GB) won the Group 3 Markel Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood by 3 ¼ lengths and steps up to Group 1 company for the first time. The son of No Nay Never will be ridden by Patrick Dobbs.

The unbeaten Velocidad (GB) took out the Group 2 Airlie Stud Stakes at the Curragh on his second start. Trained by Joseph O'Brien, the 2-year-old son of Gleneagles (IRE) will be ridden by Ryan Moore for the first time.

Asymmetric (IRE) is another Group 2 winner in the field. The son of Showcasing (GB) built on his second-place finish in the Group 2 Tattersalls July Stakes at Newmarket to win the Group 2 Unibet Richmond Stakes in his latest start. Runner-up that day at Goodwood in the Unibet Richmond Stakes was Khunan (GB). The son of Twilight Son (GB) is one of two runners in the race for trainer Richard Fahey, who also saddles Group 2 Norfolk Stakes winner Perfect Power (IRE). Hollie Doyle and Christophe Soumillon are booked to ride, respectively.

The French challenge is headed by the Andre Fabre-trained Trident (FR). Impressive on debut, Trident was narrowly beaten in the Group 3 Darley Prix de Cabourg over course and distance. He will be partnered with Mickael Barzalona.

As a part of the benefits of the Challenge series, the Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for the winner of the Darley Prix Morny to start in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, which will be run at five furlongs over the Del Mar turf course. Breeders' Cup also will provide a travel allowance of $40,000 for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships. The Challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders' Cup program by the Championships' pre-entry deadline of Oct. 25 to receive the rewards.

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