Friday’s racing round-up includes news of an injury to a former UK Champion Jockey…
Witness Stand made the transition back into Stakes company with a victory in the seven-furlong Listed Dubai Duty Free Cup at Newbury on Friday. Trained by Tom Clover, the three-year-old had placed in the Group 3 Horris Hill Stakes as a juvenile and landed a big handicap prize at Glorious Goodwood in early August. Connections were keen to return to Group company next, with the Challenge Stakes a possible option.
Billy Loughnane enjoyed a memorable day at Ayr, as he landed a treble aboard George Boughey's Beronia (Livescore Bet Fillies' Nursery Handicap), the Jim Goldie-trained Yaaser (Microtech Group Handicap) and Richard Hughes' Star Of Mehmas in the feature race, the Listed Harry Rosebery Stakes. The juvenile filly remains unbeaten in her last three starts and could have Group targets on her agenda.
Franny Norton is due to retire after his final book of rides on Saturday, choosing to bow out at his favoured course, Chester. The fifty-four-year-old has achieved nearly 2000 years during a long and fruitful career, enjoying strong links with the Johnston stable in Middleham – both with former trainer Mark, and his son Charlie, who is now the sole name on the license.
Frankie Dettori has suffered a dislocated shoulder during a starting stalls accident at Aqueduct on Thursday. The former UK-based jockey was due to retire at the end of the 2023 flat season, but reversed his decision and instead switched his attentions to America. In a statement on X, he said: "I appreciate all the messages. I'm doing OK! I dislocated my right shoulder – my team here in hospital have put it back together."
