Revised whip regulations, anti-Grand National protests and Frankie Dettori’s ‘farewell tour’ dominated the racing year in 2023. We look back on the first half of another campaign filled with its fair share of thrills and a good measure of controversy…
January
New Year’s Day is a busy fixture in the racing calendar and at Cheltenham we saw The Real Whacker land the Dipper Novices’ Chase and assert his place in the division for Paddy Neville. In Ireland, Minella Indo returned to form to take the Savills New Year’s Day Chase. In the following days Jack Kennedy suffered a heavy fall that left him with a leg injury – an incident that inspired Davy Russell to make a U-turn on his retirement and return to the saddle for Gordon Elliot. A cold spell then saw the jumping calendar rather sparse for a few days as both the Clarence House at Ascot and Lingfield’s Winter Million were affected. The former meeting was rescheduled and held at Cheltenham, with Editeur Du Gite a surprise winner for Gary Moore. Ahoy Senor took the Cotswold Chase and around the same time there was a milestone in the career of Willie Mullins, who hit 4,000 career winners. The month closed with news of an unprecedented sanction for trainer Ronan McNally, who was banned for 12 years for various infringements relating to integrity.
February
New whips rules were enforced by the British Horseracing Authority with the disqualification of two horses, Lunar Discovery and Mavis Pike, earning riders Charlotte Jones and James Turner bans of 14 and 20 days respectively. A total of 20 suspensions were handed out in the first week of the regulations. Shishkin proved himself back to his brilliant best with a comprehensive victory in the Ascot Chase. Tom Scudamore announced his immediate retirement from the saddle, while Oisin Murphy made a winning comeback from his 14-month ban for alcohol and Covid breaches. Philip Hobbs trained his 3,000th winner via Zanza in Newbury’s Denman Chase. Panthalassa produced a remarkable front-running performance to strike gold for Japan in the $20million Saudi Cup. Mostahdaf turned the Neom Turf Cup into a procession in Riyadh. At Leopardstown, Galopin Des Champs ran away with the Irish Gold Cup and State Man strode to a decisive victory over Honeysuckle in the Irish Champion Hurdle. Lord North outclassed his rivals in the Winter Derby at Lingfield. Kemboy rolled back the years with a heartwarming victory in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse. Jim Lewis, owner of three-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Best Mate, died at the age of 88. The Jockey Club scrapped dress codes at its 15 racecourses to make racing more “accessible and inclusive”.
March
Willie Mullins was again the main man at the Cheltenham Festival, with Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs the headline act among his six strikes. He also landed Grade One wins with El Fabiolo (Arkle), Energumene (Champion Chase), Impaire Et Passe (Ballymore) and Lossiemouth (Triumph), all partnered by Paul Townend. However, Mullins had to settle for second best in the Champion Hurdle with State Man, as Nicky Henderson’s Constitution Hill secured a stunning success. JP McManus finished the week as the leading owner, with his highlight being the 33-1 Stayers’ Hurdle victory of Sire Du Berlais. Irish handlers prevailed 18-10 in the Prestbury Cup and there was no more popular raider than Honeysuckle, who brought the curtain down on her phenomenal career with an emotional win in the Mares’ Hurdle. Alan King’s Major Dundee was an impressive winner of the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter in the colours of the late Trevor Hemmings. Japanese ace Ushba Tesoro finished strongly to beat the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained Algiers in the Dubai World Cup. Equinox demolished his opposition in the Dubai Sheema Classic, while Lord North completed a Dubai Turf hat-trick under Frankie Dettori. Trainer John Spearing died at the age of 82 and Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning rider Bryan Cooper retired at just 30. Liam Burke rode a Limerick bumper winner at 66, having last tasted victory in the saddle in 1988.
April
Corach Rambler was a superb winner of the Randox Grand National for Lucinda Russell and Derek Fox. He jumped into the lead at the final fence, pulled away when passing the elbow and held off a closing Vanillier. Animal rights activists delayed the start of the Liverpool showpiece, with Merseyside Police arresting over 100 people. Constitution Hill and Shishkin gave Nicky Henderson a Grade One double on day one of the meeting. Kitty’s Light pulled off a spectacular double for Christian Williams, landing the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown just seven days after his Scottish Grand National success. Willie Mullins took top honours in nine of the 12 Grade One contests at the Punchestown Festival. Lossiemouth, Echoes In Rain, State Man, Impaire Et Passe, El Fabiolo, Klassical Dream, Gaelic Warrior, Energumene and Facile Vega all did the business at elite level – although Fastorslow upset Galopin Des Champs in the Punchestown Gold Cup. Mullins also prevailed in the Boylesports Irish Grand National when I Am Maximus lunged late to claim victory at Fairyhouse. Paul Nicholls was crowned champion jumps trainer for the 14th time, with Brian Hughes the top jockey. Chaldean unshipped Frankie Dettori when coming out of the stalls in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury, won by Isaac Shelby. Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy enjoyed an All-Weather Championships Finals Day treble at Newcastle with Berkshire Shadow, Desert Cop and Notre Belle Bete.
May
On the first day of the month, Aidan O’Brien’s Paddington landed the Listed Tetrarch Stakes, a first step up to stakes level for a colt we would here a lot more of. The Guineas meeting arrived at Newmarket, with Mawj claiming a popular 1000 Guineas success for Saeed bin Suroor and Chaldean providing Andrew Balding and Frankie Dettori with victory in the 2000 Guineas. At the same fixture it was Via Sistina who took the Dahlia Stakes and former Derby winner Adayar who returned to action to win the Gordon Richards Stakes. At Chester’s May meeting, Savethelastdance streaked home in the Cheshire Oaks by a stunning 22 lengths, while San Antonio took the Dee Stakes and Arrest the Chester Vase. York was the next port of call, where Azure Blue took the Duke of York Stakes, The Foxes landed the Dante and Giavellotto was the Yorkshire Cup winner. Modern Games landed the Lockinge despite Chindit, the second-placed horse, trying to bite him in the final strides of the race. Desert Crown returned from injury to tackle the Brigadier Gerard, where he was defeated by Owen Burrows’ Hukum after nearly a year off the track. The month reached an end with Paddington taking the Irish 2,000 Guineas and Tahiyra the fillies’ equivalent.
June
The Derby meeting at Epsom ran under the threat of more action from Animal Rising, but nothing could detract from Auguste Rodin’s fine success and the triumph of Frankie Dettori and Soul Sister in the Oaks. Across the Channel the French Derby went the way of Ace Impact for Jean-Claude Rouget – another horse we would come to hear more of later in the campaign. Grand National-winning trainer Oliver Sherwood announced his retirement to take up a role as assistant to Harry Derham. Focus then turned to Royal Ascot, with five days of top-class Flat action in Berkshire as the King made his first appearance since his coronation. On day one, Triple Time was a surprise winner of the Queen Anne, with River Tiber landing the Coventry and Bradsell returning to the track to win the King’s Stand before Paddington’s brilliant performance in the St James’s Palace Stakes. On the Wednesday Crimson Advocate scored for America in the Queen Mary Stakes, with Rogue Millenium a popular winner for Tom Clover in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes before Mostahdaf made light work of the Prince of Wales’s Stakes with a four-length win and Big Evs landed the Windsor Castle. On Thursday the Ascot Gold Cup went the way of Dettori and Courage Mon Ami, a fairytale win in what was expected to be his final year, and on Friday King Of Steel became a Royal Ascot winner for Amo Racing when prevailing in the King Edward VII Stakes. On the same day Shaquille overcame a slow start to land the Commonwealth Cup for Julie Camacho and Tahiyra continued to impress when taking the Coronation Stakes. The ever-popular Pyledriver won the Hardwicke Stakes on the final day of the meeting before Naval Crown was the winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.
Supreme Ventures Racing urges review of racing rule after Caymanas Park abandonments
Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL), operators of Caymanas Park, have called for a review of Rule 44 (iii) enforced by the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) following the cancellation of two races during the April 27 race meet at Caymanas Park.
In a press conference on Monday addressing the abandoned races, SVREL Executive Chairman Solomon Sharpe expressed frustration with the rule, highlighting its potential impact on the racing industry.
"This rule, unique to Jamaica, imposes a strict five-minute limit after the published post time for races at Caymanas Park," Sharpe stated. "It fails to account for various factors that can delay race starts and penalizes all stakeholders when races are abandoned, affecting punters, jockeys, grooms, trainers, owners, promoters, and the government."
Last year, Caymanas Park contributed over $260 million in combined taxes to the government's coffers. Sharpe urged the JRC to engage SVREL in discussions on Rule 44, emphasizing the need for constructive dialogue to address the rule's impact.
"We were not consulted during the initial discussions on this rule, and now, with two races abandoned in a single race day, our concerns have materialized," Sharpe explained. "SVREL is open to collaborating with the JRC to review and refine this amended rule."
Representatives from the Grooms Association, Jockeys Association, and the United Racehorse Trainers Association echoed SVREL's concerns and supported the call for a review of Rule 44.
Sharpe concluded by appealing to regulators, stakeholders, and the public to support the growth of the horseracing industry in Jamaica. "Horseracing has immense potential in Jamaica and can become a significant foreign exchange earner. Realizing this potential requires collaboration among all stakeholders."
SVREL has been operating Caymanas Park since March 2017 after the government divested the property. With investments exceeding J$4 billion in product enhancements and innovations like the Mouttet Mile, which boasts the largest purse in the English-speaking Caribbean, SVREL remains committed to advancing the horseracing experience in Jamaica.
Supreme Ventures Racing regrets abandonment of two races at Caymanas Park on Saturday
Supreme Ventures Racing & Entertainment Limited (SVREL) has expressed regret and disappointment following the abandonment of two races during the Saturday, April 27 race day at Caymanas Park in St Catherine, Jamaica.
The decision to abandon these races, SVREL said, was made in compliance with regulations set forth by the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC), leading to the refund of all related pools according to SVREL's Pari-mutuel rules.
According to the statement released by SVREL late Saturday, the abandonment of races number one and six, respectively, was declared by the stewards of the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) due to delays that exceeded the permitted time frame as stipulated by Rule 44(iii).
Specifically, in race number one, scheduled to commence at 12:00 pm, a saddling issue with horse number five and a mandatory veterinary check for horse number eight, which reared and fell after exiting the saddling barn, resulted in delays beyond the allowable limit.
Similarly, race number six, slated for 3:10 pm, was delayed due to a horse running loose, ultimately leading to its abandonment by the stewards of the JRC.
SVREL explained that the recent amendments to Rule 44(iii), which came into effect from April 1, 2024, mandate strict adherence to race start times with a maximum allowance of five minutes after the published post time. SVREL noted that Jamaica is unique in enforcing such a rule without prior consultation with the sole promoter of horseracing in Jamaica.
The enforcement of this rule has led to financial losses for industry stakeholders, including owners, trainers, jockeys, grooms, punters, and the promoter and as such the disruption caused by the abandonment of these races understandably resulted in unrest among stakeholder groups.
Despite the challenges faced, the race meet resumed with race number seven at approximately 4:00 pm, SVREL noted.
SVREL has now issued a sincere apology to valued customers and stakeholders for the inconvenience caused by the abandonment of races one and six by the JRC. SVREL also emphasized its readiness for open dialogue with the JRC and all impacted stakeholders to ensure the continued success and integrity of the horseracing industry.
As the sole promoter of horseracing in Jamaica, SVREL said it remains committed to addressing challenges collaboratively and upholding the highest standards of professionalism and service within the industry.
Light seeking to shine again at Sandown
Kitty’s Light is taking aim at his usual season finisher in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.
The gelding has been a star for trainer Christian Williams, winning big handicap events like the Eider Chase and the Scottish Grand National and going close in the Charlie Hall and the Coral Trophy.
He has particularly good record in the bet365 Gold Cup on the final day of the season, missing out only due to interference when second in 2021 and coming home third in 2022.
Last year he was completed the set of podium finishes when winning by two and a half lengths under usual jockey Jack Tudor.
The two are well acquainted and teamed up for Kitty’s Light’s Grand National bid at Aintree earlier in the month, where he ran a valiant race to finish fifth behind four Grade-One winning Irish chasers.
Williams was incredibly proud of his stable star and is now hoping the gelding can shine again in the Sandown contest he has found to be lucrative in the past.
“It was wonderful, we trained him to win the race and we thought he could, but you couldn’t be disappointed with what he did,” Williams said of the National performance.
“We were thrilled, the horse tried his best and we were very, very proud of horse and jockey.
“He’s come out of it very well, if the race was run today even then he’d be running, he’s in good form.
“He loves it at Sandown with the big fences, his jumping has come on now but even as a five-year-old he nearly won the race.
“He was third the year after that, it really seems to suit him.
“I think he likes going right-handed, he hangs a little bit right at home and he seems to really enjoy it there.
“We’re taking our chance anyway, he seems well and we’ll hope for the best.”
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