James Ferguson

NEWMARKET, UK--There's grey, cloud-stuffed sky hanging over Newmarket as the mild autumn is bustled along by an impatient winter. Exactly a week ago, it felt like spring was still in the air in Paris as a sun-dappled day saw second-season trainer James Ferguson announce his presence in the international stage with a first Group 1 winner. The diminutive El Bodegon (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) passed almost literally under the noses of observers on the paddock rails who mostly had eyes for his bigger, stronger rivals, but the little colt has the...

Qatar Racing's Mise En Scene (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) will make her next start in the GI Breeder' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar. Trained by James Ferguson, who won his first Group 1 race as a trainer with El Bodegon (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) in the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud on Saturday, the filly broke her maiden at Haydock on July 2 and captured the G3 Prestige S. at Goodwood in just her second start on Aug. 28. She was fourth in the G1 Fillies' Mile most recently on Oct....

Last orders are being called for the European Flat turf season. Cheltenham and Aintree have been knocking loudly on the door but there are still some important scores to settle on the level, and in Paris, where this correspondent was fortunate enough to be billeted this weekend, the major Group 1 action was conducted in a blaze of life-affirming autumnal glory that may almost sustain us until the spring. The four Group 1 races around the world on Saturday, in England, France and Australia, went to the offspring of Irish-based...

Already well-acquainted with France, with two prior visits culminating in a success in the nine-furlong G3 Prix de Conde at Chantilly Sept. 29, Nas Syndicate and Anne O'Callaghan's El Bodegon (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) made all to provide up-and-coming trainer James Ferguson with a first top-level win in Saturday's G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud. Dominating the mile-and-a-quarter contest under 2021's supersub jockey Ioritz Mendizabal, the 9-1 shot shook off the threat of Goldspur (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in early straight and hit the line with 1 1/2 lengths to spare over Ballydoyle's Stone...

A host of good fillies have won the G3 Prestige S. at Goodwood over the years, with the most recent Classic heroine to have emerged from the race being Billesdon Brook (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}), who paid a handsome compliment to her breeder Bob McCreery in the months after his death in December 2016. This year's winner Mise En Scene (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) will certainly have her second-season trainer James Ferguson dreaming of the first weekend of May next year at his local course of  Newmarket. And he has good...

Qatar Racing's unbeaten 2-year-old filly Mise En Scene (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) backed up a four-length debut score at Haydock last month with victory on black-type bow in Saturday's G3 Tote Prestige S. at Goodwood and provided trainer James Ferguson with a landmark score in the seven-furlong fillies' test. The 7-1 chance went forward from the break and claimed a prominent slot along the rail behind the leading duo after the initial exchanges. Angled outside for a clear passage passing the quarter-mile marker, she was shaken up approaching the final furlong...

A Flat filly by Territories (Ire) out of Newbury Super Sprint runner-up Satsuma (GB) (Compton Place {GB}) will be raffled off at £10 a ticket as the Racehorse Lotto Christmas Raffle. Of the money raised from ticket sales, 20% will go toward Racing Welfare. The half-sister to G3 Cornwallis S. winner Good Vibes (GB) (Due Diligence) will turn two in 2021, and will be ridden by Haley Turner and trained by James Ferguson. The winning entrant will be able to visit the horse on a regular basis at Ferguson's yard...