The Arc draw dominated Thursday, with Aidan O'Brien's three-pronged raid reshuffled after Diamond Necklace drew the outside gate and defending champion Daryz landed stall five. Closer to home, riders are talking up their books for Epsom Handicap day while Flemington keeps an eye on the weather ahead of Turnbull Stakes day. Abroad, a record-breaking yearling topper in California and the retirement of America's marathon king round out the day.
Marathon specialist Next retired after comeback abandoned
Multiple graded stakes winner Next, an eight-year-old gelding by Not This Time, has been officially retired after a planned comeback was shelved. Trainer Doug Cowans noticed inflammation in a knee after a breeze on 5 August and, with owner Michael Foster, opted against pressing on to the Birdstone Stakes or the Greenwood Cup. Next won nine of his 10 starts at 1 3/8 miles or further by a combined 116 1/4 lengths, set track records at Delaware Park and Churchill Downs, and retires with a record of 13-0-1 from 24 starts and earnings of $1,336,361. He is now at Bridle Run Farm in Ohio, where he will be prepared for a show horse career.
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Moore takes Benvenuto Cellini as Diamond Necklace draws 16
Ryan Moore will ride Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini in Sunday's Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe after stablemate Diamond Necklace was drawn in stall 16 of 16, with Christophe Soumillon taking the ride on the filly, who drifted to 12-1 from 7. Benvenuto Cellini drew stall one and shortened to a general 14-1, while last year's runner-up Minnie Hauk comes from stall ten with William Buick aboard. Defending winner Daryz drew stall five and remains favourite at 7-4, with jockey Mickael Barzalona saying he was "pretty confident". All 16 entries stood their ground, with Kalpana in six, Maltese Cross 11, Thundering On three and Varandir four.
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Arabian Lion colt sets California sale record at $525,000
A colt by Spendthrift Farm's first-crop sire Arabian Lion topped the Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearlings Sale on 30 September at a sale-record $525,000, eclipsing the previous mark of $350,000 set in 2021. Michael McCarthy signed for Hip 202 on behalf of Marc Gunderson's MWG Enterprises, which was leading buyer with two purchases totalling $625,000. Consignor Barton Thoroughbreds sold 30 head for $1,964,500 to top all vendors. The sale grossed $4,896,200 for 139 sold, up six per cent on last year, with the average up 9.1 per cent to $35,224.
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McDonald nominates best ride for Epsom day
James McDonald has an elite book of rides at Royal Randwick on Epsom Handicap day and, in his weekly Racenet column, singles out one as standing above the rest. He describes it as "hands down, my best ride on Saturday".
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Zac Lloyd relishes Sydney battle with James McDonald
Jockey Zac Lloyd has spoken to Racenet about taking on James McDonald in the Sydney riding ranks. "I don't deep down think I can beat him, but I am willing to go for it," Lloyd said, with the report framing him as determined to challenge the established order.
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Flemington safe to race but Turnbull day weather watch
Flemington currently remains safe to race on Turnbull Stakes day, but heavy overnight rain and the prospect of more on Saturday have prompted the Victoria Racing Club and Racing Victoria to prepare a contingency plan.
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