US RACING – The domino falls –Jason Servis, Jorge Navarro suspended
NEW YORK, USA - Setting a precedent for other racing jurisdictions around the country, the New York State Gaming Commission has suspended licenses of trainers and veterinarians indicted Monday on doping charges by the federal government. Among those whose licenses are no longer valid include high-profile trainers Jason Servis and Jorge Navarro, who investigators allege […]
UK RACING: Gordon Elliott on a roll as Envoi Allen delivers Cheltenham joy for Ireland
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) - Gordon Elliott delivered at the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday as Ireland's banker for the meeting, Envoi Allen, came home to win the Ballymore Novices Hurdle -- one half of a double for the Irish trainer. Elliott's other winner, Aramax, took the Juvenile Hurdle -- one of four victorious horses on […]
UK RACING: Tiger Roll on for National history bid after courageous trial
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) - Tiger Roll ran an encouraging trial ahead of his tilt at winning an unprecedented third Grand National by finishing second in the Cross Country race at the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday. Tiger Roll had to give second best to the highly impressive French runner Easysland, who was given a brilliant […]
UK RACING: Henderson back on a high thanks to dazzling Epatante's champion display
LONDON, United Kingdom |(AFP) - Nicky Henderson began the Cheltenham Festival on a low note with his star Altior an absentee but the sexagenarian training legend was all smiles a few hours later collecting his eighth Champion Hurdle with the dazzling Epatante. The 69-year-old lost the battle to have Altior fit for a tilt at […]
US RACING: Report: No illegal meds in deaths of horses at Santa Anita
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A report released Tuesday by the California Horse Racing Board on a spate of horse deaths at Santa Anita found that no illegal medications were used on the animals and 39% percent of the 23 fatalities occurred on surfaces affected by wet weather. However, the report found no singular cause for […]
US RACING: Bob Baffert to train Maximum Security
The world's top dirt horse is headed to arguably its top dirt trainer in the wake of federal indictments handed down alleging Jason Servis administered performance-enhancing drugs to champion 3-year-old Maximum Security. In a statement released Tuesday, owners Gary and Mary West announced they're moving all their horses in Servis' care. Among the transfers will […]
UK RACING: Epatante dazzles to give birthday boy McManus ninth Champion Hurdle
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) - An impressive Epatante justified favouritism to give owner JP McManus a ninth Champion Hurdle on his 69th birthday on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday. The mare stormed clear after the last under Barry Geraghty to hit the bookmakers where it hurts and prevail at 2/1 to […]
UK RACING: Two-time defending champion Altior out of Champion Chase
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) - Two-time victor Altior has lost his tussle to be fit to defend his Queen Mother Champion Chase crown at the Cheltenham Festival, his trainer Nicky Henderson announced on Tuesday. Altior had been found to be lame on Sunday but Henderson had seen a marked improvement on Monday. However, the 69-year-old […]
UK RACING: Globe-trotting bet could be winner for racing
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) - The advent of a 'Global Bet' that would sweep across one end of the world to the other could be the spark needed to ignite wider interest in racing, according to UK Tote Group leader Alex Frost. Former City of London banking heavyweight Frost heads the group of 160 investors, […]
US RACING: More than 2 dozen horse racing professionals charged in drug scheme
NEY YORK, USA - More than two dozen people, including the trainer of champion Maximum Security, have been charged in what authorities described Monday as a widespread international scheme to drug horses to make them race faster. Trainer Jason Servis, whose stable includes the 3-year-old champion, was charged with administering performance-enhancing drugs to that horse […]