Trip To Paris Wins Chester Cup For Dunlop

{SCPinterestShare href=https://www.virtualformguide.com/racing-news/international/64299-trip-to-paris-wins-chester-cup-for-dunlop.html layout=standard image= desc=Red Cadeaux could have a travelling companion on his next trip to Australia with the Melbourne Cup a long-range plan... size=small}

Red Cadeaux could have a travelling companion on his next trip to Australia with the Melbourne Cup a long-range plan for stablemate Trip To Paris.

The Ed Dunlop-trained stayer has staked his claim with victory in the Chester Cup (3600m).

"He's been a revelation," Dunlop said.

"I've always wanted to win this race. It's very hard to do it, so it's a great day.

"We might supplement him for the (Ascot) Gold Cup.

"He's got to rise in the weights to get into the Melbourne Cup this year.

"Maybe we'll take two (Trip To Paris and Red Cadeaux) to halve the expense."

RaceBets have posted Trip To Paris at 20-1 for the Melbourne Cup in which Red Cadeaux has run second three times.

Wins at Lingfield and Ripon convinced Dunlop to give Trip To Paris his chance at Chester in one of the most keenly contested handicaps of the Flat season.

Trip To Paris (10-1) answered every call under Graham Lee and emerged from the pack late to win by three-quarters of a length over Quick Jack.

American Pharoah Wins Kentucky Derby

{SCPinterestShare href=https://www.virtualformguide.com/racing-news/international/64268-american-pharoah-wins-kentucky-derby.html layout=standard image= desc=American Pharoah has been put to the test and come out on top in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.Sent... size=small}

American Pharoah has been put to the test and come out on top in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

Sent off the 5-2 favourite in front of a record crowd of 170,513 on Saturday (Sunday AEST), the brown colt rallied in the straight to beat Firing Line by a length to deliver trainer Bob Baffert his fourth Derby win.

"It's a fantasy moment for us," Baffert, who also saddled third placed Dortmund, said.

"We were ready to rumble."

Dortmund set a leisurely pace with Firing Line tracking him closely in second. American Pharoah sat comfortably in third until the home turn.

That trio made it a three-horse race in the straight, with none of the closers able to make up ground. American Pharoah angled outside and fought off a persistent Firing Line as Dortmund tired along the rail.

Victor Espinoza won his second consecutive Derby a year after being aboard California Chrome, and third overall.

"He's been a special horse since I first rode him," Espinoza said. "I feel like the luckiest Mexican on Earth."

Owner Ahmed Zayat accepted the gold winner's trophy - his first after a trio of second-place finishes.

American Pharoah missed his first big test last year when he was scratched from the Breeders' Cup with an injury.

He returned with two easy wins this year against lesser competition. Dortmund and several other Derby contenders had beaten much tougher fields, raising questions about whether American Pharoah could mix it up in a 20-horse field.

Jumps Riding Legend AP McCoy To Retire

{SCPinterestShare href=https://www.virtualformguide.com/racing-news/international/63708-jumps-riding-legend-ap-mccoy-to-retire.html layout=standard image= desc=Legendary jumps jockey Tony McCoy, who has ridden over 4000 winners during a record-breaking career, has announced he will retire... size=small}

Legendary jumps jockey Tony McCoy, who has ridden over 4000 winners during a record-breaking career, has announced he will retire at the end of the season.

The 40-year-old Northern Irishman, 19-times Britain's champion jumps jockey, made the announcement minutes after Mr Mole gave him his 200th win of the season at Newbury.

"It's going to be the last time I ride 200 winners," McCoy told Channel 4 Racing.

"I am going to be retiring at the end of the season."

McCoy became the first jockey to win the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in 2010, the year he finally won the Grand National on Don't Push It for owner J P McManus.

He has won 19 consecutive jockey titles and wants to add one more to his collection before bowing out.

"I want to go out at the top," McCoy said.

"I want to go out as champion jockey and it will be my 20th year if I can win the jockeys' championship.

"I want to go out while I still enjoy riding and am still relatively at the top."

Trainer Martin Pipe, who was McCoy's boss for seven years from 1997, said his like would never be seen again.

"He's been an absolute legend for horse racing and will never be surpassed again in anybody's lifetime," Pipe said.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls, who has seen a fair few of his best horses beaten by inspired rides by McCoy, said he would be much missed.

"He's been such a legend but you can't go on for ever," said Nicholls.

"He's riding as well as he ever has so that's probably the right time to go out."

McCoy's wife, Chanelle, said he made the decision two weeks ago.

"Some days he's at peace with it, some days he's a little bit sad," she said.

"Hopefully he'll be 20 years champion jockey this year and will go out on a high."

Espinoza Thrilled With American Pharoah

{SCPinterestShare href=https://www.virtualformguide.com/racing-news/international/64251-espinoza-thrilled-with-american-pharoah.html layout=standard image= desc=Victor Espinoza believes Kentucky Derby favourite American Pharoah is untapped as the jockey bids for back-to-back wins in the famous... size=small}

Victor Espinoza believes Kentucky Derby favourite American Pharoah is untapped as the jockey bids for back-to-back wins in the famous race.

Espinoza, who guided California Chrome to victory a year ago, said barrier 18 was not a problem for the Bob Baffert-trained colt in the $US2 million ($A2.53 million) race on Saturday (Sunday AEST) at Churchill Downs.

Last year's champion US two-year-old, American Pharoah is at 5-2 to give Espinoza another victory in the Derby (2000m) which he also won in 2002 on War Emblem.

"I have had all the confidence in him since the first time I rode him at Del Mar," Espinoza said.

"The way he won that day, I just said 'Wow, he's an amazing horse.'"

Recent results have underscored American Pharoah's status as the horse to beat, with a victory in the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park in March followed by an impressive eight length win in the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn in early April.

Ominously for his Kentucky Derby rivals, Espinoza believes American Pharoah's full potential may yet to be realised.

"I really don't know how good he is," Espinoza said.

"I ride him, but the way he does things so easy, I really don't know how good he is. He's an amazing horse. But so far, I never ride him really hard."

The biggest challenge to American Pharoah's chances could come from another Baffert-trained horse, the 3-1 shot Dortmund to be ridden by Martin Garcia.

The unbeaten Kaleem Shah-owned Dortmund arrives in Kentucky following a 4-1/2 length win in the Santa Anita Derby in California in April.

"It takes a horse with a certain demeanour, and speed and class to be undefeated, 6-for-6 so far," Shah said.

"I don't want to get ahead of myself, but I'm very hopeful that he will do well for himself."

The 8-1 third pick is Carpe Diem, one of three horses in the Derby trained by Todd Pletcher and to be ridden by John Velazquez.

Legendary jockey Gary Stevens will be the oldest to mount up when he rides 12-1 chance Firing Line.

The 52-year-old, a three-time Kentucky Derby winner, is impressed with what he has seen from Firing Line so far.

"If you want to picture a racehorse, that is what one is suppose to look like," Stevens said.

"He's got great stamina, he's got great speed, and he's got a great mind."

The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the Triple Crown which is completed by the Preakness at Pimlico on May 16 and the Belmont Stakes on June 6.

Only 11 horses have landed all three races with Affirmed the last to do so in 1978.

California Chrome won the first two legs last year.

Buick And Doyle To Ride In Sydney

{SCPinterestShare href=https://www.virtualformguide.com/racing-news/international/63671-buick-and-doyle-to-ride-in-sydney.html layout=standard image= desc=Leading British jockeys William Buick and James Doyle will ride for Godolphin during the Sydney autumn carnival.The two were contracted... size=small}

Leading British jockeys William Buick and James Doyle will ride for Godolphin during the Sydney autumn carnival.

The two were contracted late last year by Sheikh Mohammed's operation.

John Ferguson, Sheikh Mohammed's bloodstock advisor, is keen to see both Buick and Doyle continue to advertise their talents on the world stage.

"When we signed William and James we did so in the belief that they are both international and world-class riders," Ferguson said.

"You only need to look at what William has done riding in Japan and what James is doing at Meydan right now to see that their considerable talents are not confined to British racecourses.

"We have a very strong team of horses in Australia, as well as in America, and when you have world-class jockeys it makes sense for them to ride for you in the world-class races.

"I know all the trainers we have in Australia and the United States have been impressed with William and James. John O'Shea, who trains for Godolphin in Australia, was at Meydan on Thursday to see James ride a treble.

"We shouldn't forget we also have James McDonald riding for us in Australia, who is seriously talented."

Both Buick and Doyle look set to divide their time between Dubai and Australia before and after Dubai World Cup night at the end of March.

"Timing-wise things fit quite well. The Golden Slipper meeting at Rosehill is the weekend before the Dubai World Cup and then some of the big meetings at Randwick immediately follow the World Cup," Ferguson said.

No Fairytale Ending For Tony McCoy

{SCPinterestShare href=https://www.virtualformguide.com/racing-news/international/64156-no-fairytale-ending-for-tony-mccoy.html layout=standard image= desc=Box Office has failed to deliver a fairytale ending for Tony McCoy with the 20-time champion jumps jockey having to... size=small}

Box Office has failed to deliver a fairytale ending for Tony McCoy with the 20-time champion jumps jockey having to settle for third in his farewell ride at Sandown.

The capacity crowd cheered McCoy from the moment he entered the paddock to mount the 5-2 favourite, applauding him past the stands on the way to the start of the race.

Despite travelling well three flights from home, the Jonjo O'Neill-trained runner found little under pressure and had to settle for a place behind Brother Tedd, ridden by Richard Johnson, 15 times runner-up to McCoy in the jockeys' title.

"It's amazing. I've been so lucky all my life. I'll never forget this day," McCoy said.

McCoy was mobbed by fervent racegoers on his return to the enclosure in front of the sell-out crowd of 18,300.

O'Neill is under no illusions about the hole McCoy will leave in his stable.

"He's the greatest man in the game. He's good to work with, a true professional," he said.

"What I can say does not justify how great he is.

"We will not see the like of him again."

Johnson paid an emotional tribute to his long-time rival and friend.

"It's a sad day. He's been one of my best friends for a long time," he said.

"It's great to ride a winner but it's an amazing day for him, he's the one we should look at.

"Twenty years of good memories and we will still be friends for a long time."

The 40-year-old's departure marks the end of his long domination of the National Hunt sphere, which yielded 31 Cheltenham Festival winners as well as two Gold Cups and one famous Grand National success.

McCoy bows out having dominated the jockeys' title for two decades, with the now-decommissioned trophy awarded for one final time before his ride in the AP McCoy Celebration Chase in which he finished third on Mr Mole.

A total of 4357 career winners have been banked since he first struck gold with Legal Steps at Thurles in March 1992, with Capard King giving him a final triumph at Ayr on April 17.

He has set many records during that time, most notably posting 289 winners in the 2001/02 season, surpassing Sir Gordon Richards' long-standing record of 269 victories in the process.

"I've been very lucky and very blessed to have the life I've had," McCoy said.

"What I'd say to the young lads in the weighing room is to enjoy every minute of it.

"I'm a little embarrassed by everything's that's gone on and I feel very privileged."

McCoy has yet to announce what he will do next, but admits his next challenge will be the transition to life outside of the weighing room.

"The biggest regret is that I don't have any qualifications," he said.

"Training is not an option and I don't do comebacks.

"I have been in racing so long it will take a little while to get out of that regime and start to eat like a normal person."

Hurricane Flies At Leopardstown

{SCPinterestShare href=https://www.virtualformguide.com/racing-news/international/63470-hurricane-flies-at-leopardstown.html layout=standard image= desc=Hurricane Fly has maintained his unbeaten record at Leopardstown to down Jezki in the Ryanair Hurdle and extend his world... size=small}

Hurricane Fly has maintained his unbeaten record at Leopardstown to down Jezki in the Ryanair Hurdle and extend his world record of Grade One wins to 21.

Many felt Willie Mullins' incredible hurdler was destined for an honourable retirement after he was left trailing in Jezki's wake at Cheltenham and Punchestown last spring, but he has returned this term seemingly with a point to prove.

After turning the tables on the Champion Hurdle winner in last month's Morgiana Hurdle, Hurricane Fly was the 5-6 favourite to score his ninth Leopardstown win.

He and Jezki jumped the final flight together but it was Hurricane Fly who dug deepest to to claim victory by half a length.

"I think he's the best anyone has ever trained over jumps. I'll never have another horse like him. He's unique," Mullins said.

"There is a fantastic atmosphere here and it was a fantastic race just to watch.

"When he got over the last he put his ears back and no horse I've ever seen can battle like him."

Although stablemate Faugheen is the early favourite for Champion Hurdle in March, Mullins rates Hurricane Fly on top.

"To me, he's our top Champion Hurdle horse - he has the ratings," he said.

"Faugheen looks the one coming up, but he's (Hurricane Fly) doing it.

"Faugheen is seven from seven but he has a long way to go."

Mullins said Hurricane Fly was likely to bid for a remarkable fifth victory in the Irish Champion Hurdle back at Leopardstown on January 25.

The score now stands at four-two in favour of Hurricane Fly in the battles with Jezki.

Ascot Not Newmarket For Ward Pair

{SCPinterestShare href=https://www.virtualformguide.com/racing-news/international/64128-ascot-not-newmarket-for-ward-pair.html layout=standard image= desc=American trainer Wesley Ward will aim Hootenanny and Sunset Glow at Royal Ascot after scratching the pair from the 2000... size=small}

American trainer Wesley Ward will aim Hootenanny and Sunset Glow at Royal Ascot after scratching the pair from the 2000 and 1000 Guineas respectively.

Both horses could now take their chance in the Commonwealth Cup, the new Group One sprint at the big June meeting.

Hootenanny was an impressive winner of the Windsor Castle Stakes last summer while Sunset Glow was second to subsequent Group One winner Cursory Glance in the Albany Stakes.

The two were in action recently with Hootenanny an easy winner over five and a half furlongs (1100m) at Keeneland on Saturday while Sunset Glow was third in a Grade Three over a mile (1600m) on the same course a week earlier.

"It's just the races at Newmarket are a bit too close to their last run. I like to give my horses some time between starts," Ward said.

"If Sunset Glow had won her race, then the Guineas would have been something we'd look at but unfortunately she got beat.

"For Hootenanny I've been looking at 30 days from race to race or train him straight for the Commonwealth Cup, the new Group One.

"I think he's going to want to go further, but the way he ran at Ascot last year and on Saturday he's going to be a demon going shorter.

"He loves the course so we're trying to go on the same lines.

"I've got Sunset Glow nominated as well for the Commonwealth. The owner is very keen to get to Ascot."

Jamie Spencer Reverses Retirement Plans

{SCPinterestShare href=https://www.virtualformguide.com/racing-news/international/63379-jamie-spencer-reverses-retirement-plans.html layout=standard image= desc=Jamie Spencer has abandoned plans to retire and will continue as a freelance rider.In August, the 34-year-old announced his intention... size=small}

Jamie Spencer has abandoned plans to retire and will continue as a freelance rider.

In August, the 34-year-old announced his intention to retire by the end of the year, and it had been expected his final ride had come aboard Trade Storm who finished seventh in Sunday's Hong Kong Mile.

Twice crowned champion jockey in Britain, Spencer was told last year his retained contract with influential owners Qatar Racing would not be renewed in 2015 and he was set to take up a management role within Sheikh Fahad Al Thani's racing operation.

However, he said in a statement he had changed his mind.

"Sheikh Fahad and Qatar Racing offered me a wonderful opportunity to become part of their management team but, after much reflection, I have decided that at this stage in my life I am not going to accept it," Spencer said.

"I have discussed at length with Sheikh Fahad my decision to carry on riding and he fully understands and supports me.

"I will be riding primarily as a freelance, but obviously I have certain existing links and relationships with trainers that I will be utilising.

"At the time of their offer, I thought I was ready to retire from race riding and take up a position with Qatar Racing. Sheikh Fahad understands completely why I no longer feel I can accept the offer and that is what is most important to me, I am less concerned about what others may think or say."

One of the highlights for Spencer this season has been his association with the Jamie Osborne-trained Toast Of New York.

The pair teamed up to win UAE Derby at Meydan in March and came within a nose of beating Bayern for a fairytale win in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita last month.

The horse is due to run at Meydan next March, where he will contest the world's richest race, the Dubai World Cup.

"If it means that he is going to be available to ride our good horse, that's obviously great news and I'm delighted," Osborne said.

McCoy Wins First Hennessy Gold Cup

{SCPinterestShare href=https://www.virtualformguide.com/racing-news/international/63714-mccoy-wins-first-hennessy-gold-cup.html layout=standard image= desc=Champion jumps jockey Tony McCoy has begun the countdown to his retirement with his first victory in the Hennessy Gold... size=small}

Champion jumps jockey Tony McCoy has begun the countdown to his retirement with his first victory in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

Just a day after he announced he would retire at the end of the season, McCoy steered Carlingford Lough to a memorable win for his boss JP McManus in the Irish equivalent of the Cheltenham feature.

"JP's family are here and my family are here. It's brilliant. It's what's meant to be," McCoy said.

"It's amazing the people here at Leopardstown today. I have to be careful I don't get too emotional, it's not good for the image."

"I might just get to steer him around on Gold Cup day at Cheltenham, which is probably the most important day of the whole jumping year and, on today's performance, he's got a live chance."

Reflecting on his decision to retire, McCoy, who was afforded a hero's welcome on his return to the winner's enclosure, said the time was right.

"I've been lucky enough to win 19 jockeys' championships and if I could win 20, it would be a great number," he said.

McCoy said he intends to get Cheltenham and Aintree behind him and decide then whether to go out on a winner or ride until the last day of the season at Sandown on April 25.

Atzeni Keen On Farraaj In Hong Kong

{SCPinterestShare href=https://www.virtualformguide.com/racing-news/international/63307-atzeni-keen-on-farraaj-in-hong-kong.html layout=standard image= desc=Andrea Atzeni believes a wide draw cost Farraaj victory in Australia and is hoping for better luck in Hong Kong.The... size=small}

Andrea Atzeni believes a wide draw cost Farraaj victory in Australia and is hoping for better luck in Hong Kong.

The Italian jockey believes the British raider would have gone closer than third in the Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington at his most recent start had he not had to start from the outside.

"He was probably a bit unlucky not to win the race at Flemington - he was drawn 14 of 14 and was kept three wide all the way," Atzeni said.

"The horse is very well, he's quick out of the gate and if he gets a good draw, which is very important here, he'll run a big race.

"With a better draw he might have won in Australia and the Cup is looking like a very open race this year.

"I know there might not be a lot of pace in the race but if we get a good draw and just get in behind the pace then I think we'll be fine."

Atzeni was speaking after he partnered Farraaj in a solid work-out at Sha Tin on Tuesday morning.

He was happy with the way the Roger Varian-trained five-year-old stretched out over a mile and a quarter (2000m) in his first serious exercise since he landed in Hong Kong a week ago.

Australian Derby winner Criterion, fifth in the Mackinnon won by Happy Trails, arrived in Hong Kong in the early hours of Tuesday morning accompanied by sprinter Buffering.