Pat Smullen, Derby-winning rider and nine-time champion jockey in Ireland, has announced his retirement aged 41 after making an inspirational recovery from pancreatic cancer.

Sir Dragonet is among the leading contenders for the Derby at Epsom next month after giving trainer Aidan O'Brien a ninth Chester Vase victory.

 

The 13-2 shot, ridden by the trainer's son Donnacha, went clear of stablemate Norway (9-2) to win by eight lengths, with Dashing Willoughby in third.

Making Miracles won the Chester Cup by six lengths after jockey Franny Norton sent the 16-1 shot clear at the home turn in gruelling rain-softened ground.

 

Norton, riding for Mark Johnston, came from a wide draw to race by the inside rail and finished comfortably clear of Who Dares Wins and Whiskey Sour.

Shock news from Ireland this morning that Gigginstown are to wind down over the next few years

 

It sounds as though they're not going to buy any young horses from the Sales to feed into their operation and will gradually wind down as current horses retire and are not replaced

 

Jump racing's biggest and most successful owners …….. the famous maroon and white silks were seen in almost every top race.

 

Will have a serious impact on Irish racing with many top yards housing numbers of their horses, particularly Gordon Elliott

 

Last season 225 horses ran in the Gigginstown colours in Britain and Ireland

Nausha continued trainer Roger Varian's fine run of form by winning the Musidora Stakes at York.

 

The 14-1 shot, ridden by Andrea Atzeni, held off the challenges of Entitle and Frankellina, who dead heated for second in a thrilling finish.

Telecaster wins the Dante Stakes at York, lowering the colours of the once unbeaten Too Darn Hot.

Too Darn Hot not hot enough over 10 furlongs which puts him out of the Derby.

Prize money cuts are likely in horse racing after an unexpected shortfall of £17m in the levy which funds the sport.

 

The reduction has largely been blamed on bad results hitting bookmakers' profits.

 

Details were revealed at a meeting of the Horseracing Betting Levy Board, which had forecast a higher yield.

 

Racing's leaders say they have an urgent plan of action and will be looking to discuss the issue with government ministers.

Mustashry beat Laurens to give trainer Sir Michael Stoute an eighth career win in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.

 

The 9-1 chance, ridden by Jim Crowley, powered clear to win the Group One contest by two and a half lengths from 5-1 joint favourite Laurens.

Grand National-winning jockey Davy Russell has won the Grand Steeplechase de Paris at Auteuil aboard Carriacou.

 

Russell, who won the National on Tiger Roll last month for the second year running, is the first rider to seal the double since Fred Winter in 1962.

Bruce Millington's sensible take on ITV Racing

https://www.racingpost.com/sport/bruce-mill...-picture/384161

 

The Charlie Brooks column he refers to

 

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/racing/2019/06/...acks-substance/

Commonwealth Cup hopeful Lady Kaya has died after sustaining broken leg, this is why sometimes the sport can be hard for me to follow.

 

 

Silvestre De Sousa was suspended for 7 days and fined £1050 for using his whip above the permitted level inside the final 2 furlongs on Beat The Bank. This means he will probably miss the Eclipse Day.

Blue Point won the King's Stand Stakes for a second successive year on the opening day of Royal Ascot.

Frankie Dettori guided Stradivarius to a second successive Gold Cup victory at Royal Ascot as the in-form jockey won the first four races on Ladies' Day.

 

The John Gosden-trained even favourite pulled clear to see off runner-up Dee Ex Bee with Master Of Reality in third.

 

It was a seventh Gold Cup triumph for Dettori, who was labelled a "superstar" after his double success on Wednesday.

Hayley Turner became only the second female jockey to win at Royal Ascot - and the first in 32 years - as she took the Sandringham Stakes on Thanks Be.

 

But the stewards then gave her a nine-day ban for using her whip too much and fined £1,600.

 

 

Blue Point has been retired to stud following his Group 1 double at Royal Ascot, a pity but perhaps Battaash may now win his first Group 1 in England.

A planned Formula 1-style summer horse racing series involving teams has been delayed until 2020.

 

Eight racecourses in England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland had agreed to stage meetings with millions of pounds in prize money.

 

I really didn't it would go ahead this summer personally in my view.

Sea Of Class is fighting for her life after suffering a career-ending bout of colic.

 

The star filly, who pushed the mighty Enable close in last year's Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, is receiving intensive care after an operation on Wednesday.

 

Her trainer William Haggas told the Racing Post on Sunday morning: "It is with great regret that I have to announce that Sea Of Class underwent a colic operation on Wednesday, which will end her racing career.

Newmarket’s July festival, for many racegoers their favourite meeting of the year, explodes into life with last year’s Derby hero Masar the star name on the opening day.

 

It is a fixture which fits seamlessly between Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood and horses will often run at all three of those meetings.