Racing week: Japan takes Melbourne Cup

Japanese horse wins Melbourne Cup

The prestigious Melbourne Cup was won by a horse from Japan to the considerable surprise of the Australian racing public. Delta Blue, trained by Katsuhiko Sumii, demolished the field in the run to the finish, where the only horse close to him was his stable mate Pop Rock. Land ‘N Stars was the highest placed British runner in fifth, while the champion Irish stayer Yeats finished in seventh place after leading the field into the home stretch.

Fondmort on the mend

Fondmort is making good progress in his recovery from a fractured pelvis. The 10-year-old was injured while doing a routine work out at home prior to making his scheduled seasonal return to the track at Cheltenham. He is being treated a Lambourn’s Valley Equine Hospital where he remains on 24-hour checks, but is now eating solids. His trainer Nick Henderson is delighted with his progress.

Trainer found guilty of cruelty

Trainer and former Grand National-winning jockey Richard Guest has admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a horse by failing to provide reasonable care and supervision. The mare What’s A Filly had to be put down after developing a severe infection in her hind leg. Guest was given a two-year conditional discharge and had to pay £4,730 costs. His head lad Richard Dalton and head girl Louise Tidman were also charged in connection with the mare’s death. The Horseracing Regulatory Authority is also expected to fine Guest over the incident although it looks unlikely that he will lose his training licence.

Deep Impact

Deep Impact has been officially disqualified from the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe following a meeting of the French stewards on Wednesday. Deep Impact finished third in the race behind Rail Link and pride in the prestigious Longchamp race, but subsequently tested positive for a prohibited substance. The French racing authorities also fined Deep Impact’s trainer Yasuo Ikee €15,000.

Get ready for December Sales

Newmarket will be busy next week as the December Sales, which bring the British auction calendar to a close, get underway. During 10 days of trading at Tattersalls around £80million of horse flesh will change hands. As well as elite yearlings, the sale is packed with pregnant mare and maiden fillies, ready to produce the next crop of racing stars. For more information about the sale see this week’s H&H (16 November, ’06)

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