The Diversity in Racing Steering Group’s (DiRSG) dedicated LGBT+ sub-group launched a new e-learning module to improve LGBT+ awareness and inclusion within British racing. The module has been included in the mandatory licensing courses at the British Racing School and National Horseracing College. The module, available for free via Racing2Learn, is accessible to anyone involved in the industry.
The LGBT+ dedicated sub-group was developed following research which indicated many individuals who identified as a sexual minority did not feel comfortable ‘coming out’ at work, despite largely positive attitudes towards sexual minority individuals throughout the sport. The group aims to influence social change and promote a diverse and fully inclusive industry.
Scheduled for later in the year, the LGBT+ network will offer a program designed for role models and allies to share their experiences and collaborate to support anyone in British racing who identifies as LGBT+.
Comprised of members from across the racing industry, the initiative will offer updates via @RacingWithPride on Twitter.
The catalogue for Arqana’s Summer Sale, which has drawn 252 2-year-olds, fillies and mares and horses in training on July 20, is online. The dual purposes sale was given a timely advertisement at Royal Ascot when Santiago (Ire) (Authorized {Ire}) won the G2 Queen’s Vase S., his dam having been purchased carrying him at the Summer Sale for €275,000 in 2016.
As per usual Wertheimer et Frere brings a coveted collection to Deauville, and its draft includes Humble (GB) (Cacique {Ire}) (lot 74), a 3-year-old filly from the family of Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa); and Igo (Fr) (Lawman {Fr}) (lot 32), a 3-year-old filly out of a half-sister to Group 1 winner Polydream (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}).
The catalogue includes a selection of horses in training rated 90-plus. The 2-year-olds catalogued include a Showcasing (GB) colt who descends from the Group 1-winning mare Pharaoh’s Delight (lot 6) and a Siyouni (Fr) colt (lot 22) with a handful of stakes winners under the second dam.
Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Today’s Observations features a half-brother to one of last week’s Royal Ascot Group 1 winners.
1.15 Haydock, Novice, £6,400, 2yo, 6fT
LINE OF DEPARTURE (IRE) (Mehmas {Ire}) debuts in first-time blinkers in the Shaikh Nasser Al Khalifa silks for the Roger Varian stable, having cost £260,000 at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale. The February-foaled half-brother to Friday’s G1 Commonwealth Cup hero Golden Horde (Ire) (Lethal Force {Ire}) encounters Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum’s similarly-unraced Darvel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), a Kevin Ryan-trained son of the G2 Queen Mary S. winner and G1 Cheveley Park S. runner-up Anthem Alexander (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) who cost 380,000gns at the Tattersalls October Book 1 Sale.
Making his first start since a seventh to Maximum Security (New Year’s Day) in the $20-million Saudi Cup Feb. 29, reigning champion Japanese dirt horse Chrysoberyl (Jpn) (Gold Allure {Jpn}) got the jump on defending race winner and even-money favourite Omega Perfume (Jpn) (Swept Overboard) to take out a Group 1-quality renewal of the Teio Sho (2000m) Wednesday evening at Ohi Racecourse.
Tracking the pacesetting Wide Pharaoh (Jpn) (Henny Hughes) from a three-wide perch in third, Chrysoberyl–last year’s G1 Champions Cup hero–was asked for a bit of run entering the second turn to hold his spot inside of Omega Perfume, who made a bold five-deep move in an attempt to improve his position. Chrysoberyl was popped the question in upper stretch by Yuga Kawada, pinched a break into the final furlong and held firm as Omega Perfume gave game chase. Chuwa Wizard (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), last year’s runner-up, closed late for third.
With the victory, the progeny of Chrysoprase have now earned close to US$13 million. Chrysoberyl’s older full-brother Chrysolite (Jpn) was a five-time stakes winner on the NAR circuit, including the 2013 Japan Dirt Derby, before romping home to win the inaugural Keeneland Korea Cup in 2016. He now stands stud in that country. Chyrsoprase is also responsible for G1 Takarazuka Kinen winner and champion Marialite (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and the 3-year-old colt Verdite (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), a debut winner over 2000m on turf last December. Chrysoprase’s most recent foal is a yearling colt by Horse of the Year Kitasan Black (Jpn).
TEIO SHO-Listed, ¥102,000,000 (£767,431/€846,599/US$954,292), Oi, 6-24, 4yo/up, 2000m, 2:05.30, my.
1–CHRYSOBERYL(JPN), 126, c, 4, Gold Allure (Jpn)–Chrysoprase (Jpn), by El Condor Pasa. O-Carrot Farm; B-Northern Farm; T-Hidetaka Otonashi; J-Yuga Kawada; ¥60,000,000. Lifetime Record: Ch. Dirt Horse & G1SW-Jpn, 8-7-0-0, $3,112,281. *Full to Chrysolite (Jpn), MSW & MGSP-Jpn, $4,085,284; half to Marialite (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), Ch. Older Mare & MG1SW-Jpn, $3,717,679; and Lia Fail (Jpn) (Zenno Rob Roy {Jpn}), GSW & G1SP-Jpn, $1,249,781.
2–Omega Perfume (Jpn), 126, h, 5, Swept Overboard–Omega Fragrance (Jpn), by Gold Allure (Jpn). (¥16,200,000 2yo ’17 CHI2YO). O-Reiko Hara; B-Shadai Farm; ¥21,000,000.
3–Chuwa Wizard (Jpn), 126, h, 5, King Kamehameha (Jpn)–Chuwa Blossom (Jpn), by Durandal (Jpn). O-Shinobu Nakanishi; B-Northern Farm; ¥12,000,000.
Margins: 2, 1 1/4, NK. Odds: 2.10, 1.00, 4.20.
WATCH: Chrysoberyl (8) returns from Saudi Arabia to win the Teio Sho
