England

Wide-margin winners trended on a rain-softened opening to Chester's May Festival and, with testing conditions set for day two at the Roodeye, it will be as you were turning to Thursday's Listed Boodles Dee S., another G1 Derby trial, and the Tote-sponsored G3 Ormonde S. for the older stayers. Godolphin's 'TDN Rising Star' Local Dynasty (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) will relish the muddy track, according to Charlie Appleby, and returns off a soft-ground breakthrough score in October's Listed Silver Tankard at Pontefract when last seen. "He has done well over the...

14.45 Newcastle, Novice, £8,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 10f 42y (AWT) SAHARA MIST (GB) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) is the fifth foal out of Godolphin's G1 Fillies' Mile and GI Yellow Ribbon S. winner Hibaayeb (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}), who provided the operation with the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf and G1 Prix Marcel Boussac heroine Wuheida (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Charlie Appleby also saddles last month's Wolverhampton fourth Joyful Act (GB) (Frankel {GB}), a homebred daughter of the G1 1000 Guineas, G1 Irish Oaks and G1 Yorkshire Oaks heroine Blue Bunting (Dynaformer).

12.50 Lingfield, Mdn, £6,800, 2yo, 10f (AWT) Qatar Racing's hitherto unraced 450,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 graduate SHADOW OF WAR (GB) (Roaring Lion), one of two representing John and Thady Gosden here, is a half-brother to G1 Gold Cup and G1 Prix Royal-Oak hero Subjectivist (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) and the dual Group 1-placed Sir Ron Priestley (GB) (Australia {GB}). He is opposed by a baker's dozen which includes stablemate A Gift Of Love (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who is a daughter of Listed Galtres S. victrix Our Obsession (Ire) (Shamardal) and...

2.18 Newbury, Cond, £18,000, 2yo, f, 7fT CRYSTALLIUM (GB) (Expert Eye {GB}) was entered in both the G2 May Hill S. and Listed Flying Scotsman S. at Doncaster's St Leger meeting only to be denied a run with testing conditions and an abandoned fixture conspiring against her. The Tom Clover-trained granddaughter of the G1 Fillies' Mile heroine Crystal Music (Nureyev), gets a three-pound penalty for her impressive success on debut over this trip at Chelmsford last month but faces a clutch of potentially smart types in this Dubai Duty Free...

It may be the least lauded of all the British festivals, but Doncaster's St Leger meeting is arguably the most varied with its cherished feature race still held in the highest regard by its many ardent fans. While Town Moor hosted day one of the festival on Wednesday, the relatively low-key action served mainly as a prologue or appetizer to the major upcoming events. Perhaps this week's jewels are the 2-year-old races, which lean more towards next year's Classics than those at Ascot, Newmarket, Goodwood and York and one of...

Breeders' Cup has entered into multi-year agreements with ITV, Sky Sports Racing and Racing TV to continue their live broadcast coverage of the Breeders' Cup World Championships in the U.K. and Ireland. "The Breeders' Cup World Championships is a premier international event and we're delighted that fans in the U.K. and Ireland will once again be able to watch the most talented horses, jockeys and trainers in the world compete during our two days of championship racing," said Breeders' Cup President and CEO Drew Fleming. "ITV, Sky Sports Racing and...

Jack Sisterson, who has trained privately for Calumet Farm since 2018, is going public. Calumet will remain as a client and will keep a number of horses with Sisterson, but significantly fewer than he has typically had. Sisterson said he is making the move in the hopes that expanding and taking on other owners will lead to more opportunities. "This is something we have been discussing for a few months," he said. "I give all the credit to Calumet. If it weren't for them I wouldn't be where I am...

Wesley Ward worked five of his Royal Ascot contenders over the Keeneland turf Friday led by GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner Golden Pal (Uncle Mo). He covered five panels in a bullet 1:02.80 (1/8) (video). Winner of the GII Shakertown S. last out Apr. 9, the bay is being pointed at the G1 King's Stand S. at the Royal meeting June 14. "I thought he had an unbelievable breeze today," Ward said. "The turf was soggy, and I love to breeze on a deep, soft turf. They come in...

Connections of leading G1 Cazoo Derby hope Piz Badile (Ire) (Ulysses) have been provided with a massive boost ahead of Epsom after legendary rider Frankie Dettori committed to ride the Donnacha O'Brien-trained colt in the Classic on June 4. Dettori made his Derby breakthrough in 2007 aboard Authorized (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) for Peter Chapple-Hyam as well as partnering John Gosden's Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) to victory in the race back in 2015 and he will bid to win the iconic race for a third time aboard the impressive...

4.30 Wolverhampton, Novice, £7,000, 2yo, 9f 104y (AWT) WILD CRUSADE (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is the sixth foal to be produced by Godolphin's prized broodmare Rumh (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}), introduced a month after his year-older full-brother Yibir (GB) enjoyed the limelight when winning the GI Breeders' Cup Turf. Also a full-sibling to the triple group 1 heroine Wild Illusion (GB), the April-foaled bay is pitched by Charlie Appleby into action alongside a Cheveley Park Stud notable in the John and Thady Gosden-trained Homeric (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}), an unraced half-brother to the...

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed that lockdown restrictions will ease on July 19, paving the way for racecourses in England to receive their full complement of spectators. The UK Government will no longer require social distancing and wearing face coverings, but the public is still advised to utilise them in crowded spaces. Some COVID-19 safety protocols will remain in place at racecourses, with Ascot slated to host the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth QIPCO S. on July 24. The Prime Minister said in a Downing Street...

A limited number of spectators will be allowed on certain English racecourses as of Dec. 2, the British Horseracing Authority announced. Spectators are permitted in some areas of England, according to the latest guidelines revealed by the UK government. Owners are able to attend fixtures across all three tiers, while regular spectators are allowed only in Tiers 1 and 2. Spectators and owners are both permitted in the Amber Zone (formerly the Owner Zone) at racecourses, but there will be specific areas reserved for owners only. Pre-registration is essential for...