16/09/2024. SAH Racing: “where the horse is the hero”

Economics holds off Auguste Rodin in Classic Irish Champion Stakes

Economics, the 7/4 favorite, secured a thrilling victory in the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, defeating reigning champion Auguste Rodin by a neck. Trained by William Haggas in England, Economics became the first British-trained horse to win the Group 1 race since 2018. Tom Marquand, who rode Economics to victory, claimed his second Group 1 win of the day, having earlier won the Coolmore America ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes aboard Porta Fortuna for trainer Donnacha O’Brien.

High Profile TCO2 positives not only a Joburg Problem

Once a Joburg problem turned out to be a country wide problem…South Africa’s hard line policy on TC02 positives has reaped positive results with the number of positives significantly down from the early days of testing when the punters and trainers were largely up in arms about the issue.

Stalwart Jockey Retires

Franny Norton, a stalwart of British horse racing, has officially retired after more than three decades in the sport. Known as the “King of Chester,” Norton enjoyed immense success at Chester Racecourse, claiming more wins there than any other jockey. He rode almost 2,000 winners in total, including notable victories in prestigious races like the Ebor and Chester Cup. Norton’s final rides took place at Chester’s last meeting of the season, where he brought his remarkable career to a close.

A few High Profile TCO2 positives but generally on the decline

South Africa’s hard line policy on TC02 positives has reaped positive results with the number of positives significantly down from the early days of testing when the punters and trainers were largely up in arms about the issue.

City Of Troy up to 2nd in World Rankings

The latest edition of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for 2024 sees City of Troy (USA), with a rating of 127, rise to the second-highest position and become the leading turf horse. This leap follows his remarkable victory in the Juddmonte International Stakes (G1), where he set a new track record and defeated Calandagan (IRE) by a length. His previous wins in the Coral-Eclipse (G1) and Betfred Derby (G1) solidified his top-tier rating, which increased from 123 to 127.

KYPRIOS ARC MAY BE ON RADAR

Kyprios, the son of Galileo, continued his remarkable comeback by defending his Irish St Leger crown at the Curragh. After a stellar 2022, where he won the Gold Cup, Goodwood Cup, Irish St Leger, and Prix du Cadran, his career was nearly cut short by a life-threatening injury in early 2023. Despite a challenging return later that year, where he was beaten in the Irish St Leger and at Champions Day at Ascot, Kyprios has regained his top form in 2024, reclaiming both the Gold Cup and Goodwood Cup.

ST LEGER 1-2 FOR BALLYDOYLE

The late Galileo’s influence was on full display at Doncaster on Saturday as Ballydoyle colts Jan Brueghel (3c Galileo – Devoted To You, by Danehill Dancer) and Illinois (Galileo) battled to a thrilling finish in the St Leger.