Racing week
Racing second only to football
British horse racing is the country’s second-best national sport, based on its impact on the economy. According to a study prepared by Deloitte & Touche for the BHB, British horseracing comes second only to football in terms of amount of capital investment since 2002.
Racing generated £298 million through racecourses, from racegoers, corporate customers and sponsors last year.
The racing industry in Britain beats very other activity, including football when it comes to employment – providing full-time jobs for more than 88,000 people.
Sir Percy on track for Cartier
Derby winner Sir Percy is en route to winning one of this year’s Cartier Awards. No horse has amassed more points than the colt who is now a full 12 points ahead of nearest contender George Washington in the three-year-old colt section.
Speciosa heads up the three-year-old filly section with Shirocco leading the older horse category.
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The points are earned through performances in group races. Winners are determined by these points combined with the verdict of a panel of prestigious racing journalists and the votes of Racing Post and Telegraph readers.
Speciosa aims for Ascot
Speciosa’s trainer Pam Sly has highlighted the Coronation Stakes as the next stop for the 1,000 Guineas winner.
The three-year-old filly has been having an easy time since the Oaks at Epsom last Friday, where she finished fourth – run out of third place close to home.
Shirocco takes a break
Shirocco will not go head to head with his stable mate Hurricane Run in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes– instead he will rest up in an attempt to maximise his Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe chances.
The decision, taken by Shirocco’s owner Baron Georg von Wullman leaves Hurricane Run close to going odds-on favourite for the George VI.
48-hour declaration demands
Jockeys are all in favour of the implementation of 48-house declarations, requesting compensation for any resulting non-runners and a return to 11-stroing teams of stall handlers at all racecourses.
John Blake, Jockeys’ Association chief executive is seeking agreement that a riding fee will still be paid to jockeys if their horse is withdrawn.
If the proposals are agreed, they could be introduced by 1 August but they must first approved by the Horsemen’s Group.
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