The Queen

William Haggas is charting a path back towards Royal Ascot with Desert Hero (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and nominated the G2 Hardwicke S. as the main objective for the King and Queen's colt before a possible tilt at races in Australia in the autumn. Winner of the King George V S. last term, Desert Hero went on to claim Group 3 honours in the Gordon S. at Goodwood before finishing third to Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) in the G1 St Leger. Haggas had suggested that an Australian campaign...

It was Mike Tyson who famously said, 'everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.' Racing is a sport where the metaphoric punches can be unrelenting.  Therefore, when New York-based trainer Tom Morley dreamed up the idea of purchasing a filly with the idea of returning home to England to try and win the G2 Queen Mary S. at Royal Ascot, he knew the plan was a daring one.  But credit to Cynane (Omaha Beach), bought for $250,000 through Oracle Bloodstock at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale,...

Coolmore's John Magnier was the recipient of the 2022 Peter O'Sullevan Award and was celebrated at the 25th edition of the Peter O'Sullevan Annual Award Lunch in London on Thursday. The 74-year-old received his award from JP McManus at Coolmore, as he was not present at the lunch. "I don't deserve it, but I'm happy to get it," Magnier told ITV Racing anchor Ed Chamberlin in an interview, which was played during the ceremony. "I'm blown away by it, really." Magnier spoke in favour of racing's various factions coming together...

A special addition to the Tattersalls December Sale will come under the hammer on Monday when a maquette of Her Late Majesty the Queen is auctioned for charity prior to the first of the two Sceptre Sessions. The maquette is a study for the life-size bronze close to the Rowley Mile Racecourse in Newmarket which depicts the Queen, who was the long-term patron of the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, with a mare and a foal. The bronze of the Queen is by Etienne Milner and the two horses by Charlie Langton....

One-time Derby favourite Reach For The Moon (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) will return to action at Saint-Cloud on Saturday. Connections of the John and Thady Gosden-trained colt opted to sidestep the Derby after he picked up a mid-season setback. Instead, Reach For The Moon was aimed at Royal Ascot, where he was beaten as a 2-5 favourite behind Claymore (Fr) (New Bay {GB}) in the Hampton Court S. Now owned by the King, he is back in action over a mile in Paris for the Group 3 Prix Perth,...

Thoroughbred Breeders' Association Chairman Julian Richmond-Watson led a tribute to Her Majesty, the late Queen Elizabeth II, prior to the start of the TBA's 105th Annual General Meeting at Sandown on Wednesday, Sept. 14. Richmond-Watson said of the long-time Patron of the TBA, "Her Majesty was the most ardent supporter of Thoroughbred breeding and racing, and we were most fortunate to have such a patron for such a long period of time. "Her knowledge and interest ensured the Royal Studs enjoyed considerable success throughout her lifetime, and this along with...

Racing will not go forward in the UK on Monday, Sept. 19, due to the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II, the British Horseracing Authority announced on Saturday. Everyone involved in British racing will then have the opportunity to mourn Her Late Majesty's passing. More information on the cancelled fixtures will be announced in the coming days. On Sunday, racing resumes in Britain, with the exception of Musselburgh, as The Queen is lying in state in Edinburgh.

Even as the British Turf grieves a revered sovereign and, in the same person, its most cherished and indispensable servant, I hope you'll forgive me for instead reflecting on the loss, only the day before, of someone she would have loved to be typical of all her subjects: a horseman, and true countryman, who divided his time between the international bloodstock circuit and an old rectory in rural Yorkshire.

The Epsom and Malton Open Days, scheduled for Sept. 11, have been cancelled due to the death of The Queen, Racing Welfare announced on Friday. "Some trainers no longer felt comfortable in opening their yards, while the revised racing fixture for Sunday has also meant that for others, it is no longer possible to open," Racing Welfare said in a statement. "While we know many will be disappointed, these are exceptional circumstances. Our thoughts remain with King Charles III and all members of the Royal Family at this time."

The St Leger meeting at Doncaster has been switched to Sunday, Sept. 11, with all racing on Saturday, Sept. 10, being cancelled as British racing remains in mourning following the death of Her Majesty, The Queen. As an ongoing mark of respect the BHA has determined that, alongside the cancellation of fixtures on Sept. 8-9, all racing will also be cancelled tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 10. Scheduled fixtures and racing events will return on Sunday, Sept. 11. An additional day of racing at Doncaster will also be scheduled for Sunday, Sept....

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. Saturday's Observations features a debutante for Her Majesty The Queen. 1.30 Newmarket, Mdn, £15,000, 2yo, f, 7fT BLUE MISSILE (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) debuts for The Queen during a period when the monarch has enjoyed two first-time-out juvenile winners, and is a particularly important runner as the second foal out...

The Queen's 2023 G1 Derby entry Desert Hero (GB) (Sea The Stars (Ire)--Desert Breeze {GB}, by Dubawi {Ire}) brushed aside early aggravation in Thursday's Tuffx Glass EBF Novice S. at Haydock and closed out the seven-furlong contest with panache to earn 'TDN Rising Stardom' for the relentless William Haggas stable. The 4-1 third choice engaged in light scrimmaging at the break and was detached from the leaders in seventh until easing closer in the straight. Shaken up when moving into contention approaching the quarter-mile marker, he quickened smartly to gain...