Racing week: Thumbs up for BBC Derby coverage

Kieren Fallon has been released on bail until early March following a day of questioning by detectives at Bishopsgate police station in London. The questioning formed part of the City’s of London force’s long-running investigation into alleged race-fixing.

Fallon, who has been champion jockey six times, was arrested last year on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud. The investigation, which is understood to have already cost over £1.5 million, is believed to centre on 93 races between 2002-2004. Fallon denies any wrongdoing and has not been charged.

Bago begins stud career

Bago, winner of last year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, will not only end his racing career in Japan, but also begin his breeding career there too.

The colt’s owners signed an agreement with the Japan Racing Association, confirming that Bago will stand in Japan at the end of his career. Meanwhile Bago, who has won five Group 1 races, is to continue his race programme with the Breeders’ Cup and the Japan Cup.

Cheltenham Gold Cup for sale

Jump racing’s hottest trophy, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, has been fruitlessly pursued by owners since 1955. Millions of pounds have been invested in the trophy but now it is for sale for as little as £10,000.

The trophy is currently featuring on the Ebay website and both Sotheby’s and Christie’s have both expressed an interest in auctioning the cup, should it fail to attract a sufficient bid before the auction ends at 10:30pm on Tuesday. Sotheby’s are keen to feature it at auction next month with a reserve of £25,000.

Good news for Mick Fitzgerald

Jockey Mick Fitzgerald is on the road to recovery and hopes to be back in action within two months. Fitzgerald broke a bone in his neck in a fall from Celtic Boy in the Summer Plate at Market Rasen on 16 July and until recently has had to wear a neck collar.

Bad news for Shawanda

Shawanda was found to be lame after finishing sixth in Sunday’s prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. The filly was favourite on the Pari-Mutuel but came off the rail soon after hitting the front, leaving a clear run for both Motivator and the eventual winner Hurricane Run. Shawanda was found to have a displacement in the pelvic area, which explained the lameness and why she failed to live up to expectations. If she makes a good recovery, her owner, the Aga Kahn will consider running her as a four-year old.

Yearling sells for record price

A son of Kingmambo recorded the highest price for a yearling at auction in Europe during 2005 when he was sold for 1,250,000 guineas on the third day of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Part 1.

The yearling’s pedigree stood out in catalogue, particularly after a timely update last week when his half-brother Aussie Rules won the Group 3 Somerville Tattersall Stakes at Newmarket.

The colt is also a half-brother to the listed winner Approach, as well as Sir Mark Prescott’s exciting three-year-old filly Intrigued, fourth in the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac last year.

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