Top News Europe | Horse Racing Free Tips

Equilateral to Remain in Dubai

Trainer Charlie Hills was very pleased with the recent performance of G1SP Equilateral (GB) (Equiano {Fr}) in the Listed Dubai Dash last Thursday, and the 6-year-old gelding will remain in Dubai for another tilt at the G2 Meydan Sprint on Feb. 18. In 2020, Equilateral ran second in the Sprint.

“I was really delighted with him,” said Hills. “Frankie [Dettori] gave him a great ride and it looked like he was always going to win the race. It's nice to have won the race twice now and he was 5lb worse off than last year. He seems to have come out of the race in great order and we'll train him for the Group 2.”

Another of Hills's pupils, the evergreen stable star Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), is wintering well and currently enjoying a holiday. The MG1SW is likely to make his first start in the G1 King's Stand S. at Royal Ascot in June. Last term, the bay landed the King's Stand with Equilateral second.

“Battaash is still on his winter break,” he said. “He doesn't normally come in until the beginning of March. They all seem very happy with him. He's enjoying his hols at the moment.

“Last year he would probably have gone to Haydock [for the Temple S.] had that race been on. He's won first time out every year, so I think we'll just save him for Royal Ascot.”

Group 3 winner Tilsit (First Defence) is also being aimed at a Middle Eastern target, in his case the $20-million Saudi Cup on dirt and the Middle Distance Turf Cup both in Riyadh on Feb. 20.

“He's in those two races and we're looking at it,” he said. “Hopefully we'll run him. We'll see how he is in a couple of weeks.”

The post Equilateral to Remain in Dubai appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Trainer Paul D’Arcy to Retire on Jan. 27

Paul D'Arcy, who trained Indian Haven (GB) (Indian Ridge {Ire}) to win the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas in 2003, will saddle his final runner at Kempton on Wednesday. The soon-to-be 65-year-old will leg up John Egan on Knight of Kings (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) in the first race, a seven-furlong maiden over the all-weather. Egan was also aboard Indian Haven for his Classic score. A jockey prior to turning his hand to training, D'Arcy began training in 1993.

“I've no regrets, I turn 65 in February and always planned to step away then,” said D'Arcy. “The licence comes up for renewal on Feb. 1, so I don't see any point in renewing it for two weeks. We've been winding down for a while so we're down to five horses now. Those will now be going to John Butler, but I'll still be involved in a small way.”

Knight of Kings will be making his second start at Kempton after an eighth on debut at Wolverhampton on Dec. 27.

“There's no significance in me booking John for the last one, he rode that horse last time,” D'Arcy added. “Indian Haven was a very talented horse, he won the European Free Handicap and the Irish Guineas, but I still think he should have won the English Guineas.

“He was drawn on the fence at Newmarket when they decided to put the stalls against the rail. He just had nowhere to go. We never saw the best of him, he had a cecal dysfunction [form of colic] which was why he retired.

“We also had Edinburgh Knight (Ire) (Selkirk) who won the apprentice handicap on Champions Day, he was very talented, and of course there was Spring Loaded (Ire) (Zebedee {GB}) who was very good on his day. There's been lots of highlights.

“As we never had that many horses we got to know the horses personally, I can look back with pride. Whether we'll leave with a winner I don't know, It would be a dream if he did, but dreams don't tend to come true–I'm a realist. But racing is about dreams.”

The post Trainer Paul D’Arcy to Retire on Jan. 27 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Park Lane Stables Fundraiser Underway

A crowdfunding effort has been started for Park Lane Stables RDA (Riding for the Disabled), a riding school charity that provides therapy and riding lessons for people with and without disabilities in London. Run by Natalie O'Rourke, the Teddington-based riding school's landlord is not renewing their lease and selling the property. A total of £1 million is needed by Feb. 24 to enable Park Lane to purchase the property and secure their future in the community. The riding school has already raised over £183,000 toward their goal.

Park Lane first drew international notice with #tinyponyatyourwindow during the first London lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic. Stable volunteers cheered those self-isolating with their pony Annie's Whizz, who eventually would visit over 300 people in their homes, schools, hospitals and care homes. To donate, please go to www.crowdfunder.co.uk/save-our-stables.

The post Park Lane Stables Fundraiser Underway appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Benbatl to Resurface in Europe

Godolphin's Benbatl (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), a Group 1 winner in Australia, Germany and Dubai, will not compete in either the Dubai World Cup Carnival or the Saudi Cup. The 7-year-old entire will instead make his next appearance in Europe according to his trainer Saeed bin Suroor. The bay signed off last year with a third in the G2 Joel S. at Newmarket on Sept. 25.

“Benbatl will not run in Dubai or Saudi Arabia this year–we'll keep him for a European campaign and look to get him out in May,” said trainer Saeed bin Suroor. “He's still a good horse, but this year we are looking for better results from him. Last year didn't go his way–the ground never seemed right, [and] there is no point running him on soft.

“He's not going to stud just yet, anyway. We've got him for this year, then we'll keep options open. Everything over a mile, nine furlongs and a mile and a quarter is suitable for him, that's what we think.”

The post Benbatl to Resurface in Europe appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post