Tuesday's racing round-up includes the news of the retirement of a legendary trainer based in Newmarket and the latest entry stage for Saturday's showdown at Leopardstown…
Economics and Auguste Rodin remain on course to clash this weekend as both featured on the twelve-strong high-class entry list for Saturday's Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown. The former, trained by William Haggas, will be having his first outing in Group 1 company, while the latter, who is bidding to retain his crown twelve months on, arrives in search of a seventh top-level triumph. Paddy Power make Economics the 11/10 market leader as he attempts to remain undefeated after his reappearance success in the Group 2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano, while Auguste Rodin is bidding to bounce back from his disappointing effort in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes.
Sir Michael Stoute has announced that he will retire from training at the end of the season. Responsible for numerous equine champions, the now Newmarket-based handler was arguably most famously associated with the ill-fated 1981 Epsom Derby hero Shergar, who was mystically abducted from his Aga Khan's stud two years after his scintillating ten-length Derby success under Walter Swinburn. Stoute managed a remarkable 10 British Champion Trainer titles, six Epsom Derby's and 16 British Classic victories throughout his training career. Alongside a stellar list of achievements in Britain, Sir Michael Stoute plundered a number of top-level prizes across the globe, including victories in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Japan Cup, Dubai World Cup, Hong Kong Vase and the Breeders' Cup.
On the same day legendary trainer Sir Michael Stoute announced he would retire from training at the end of the season, Formal powered to success to make it two from two for connections. An impressive winner on her debut at Newbury, the beautifully-bred daughter of Dubawi, who is out of Sir Michael Stoute's Group 1 winner Veracious, was sent off an 8/13 chance to defy her 6lb penalty. The Cheveley Park-owned filly broke smartly and in rain-softened ground, she only needed to be pushed out under hands and heels riding by Stoute's long-time ally Ryan Moore to record a commanding two-and-a-half-length success.
Donnacha O'Brien's Porta Fortuna tops fourteen entries for the Coolmore America 'Justify' Matron Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday. The daughter of Caravaggio will be bidding to complete a Group 1 hat-trick following wins in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Falmouth at Newmarket. Standing in her way is the Karl Burke-trained Fallen Angel, who beat Porta Fortuna in the Moyglare Stud Stakes last year. Karl Burke's filly will be making her first start since winning the Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh in May and a first outing for new connections Wathnan Racing. Aidan O'Brien relies solely on Ylang Ylang.
Look De Vega stepped up his preparation for the Group 2 Qatar Prix Niel on Sunday with a gallop yesterday morning. The son of Lope De Vega, who will now carry the colours of Al Shaqab Racing, will have his first outing over the mile-and-a-half trip as he bids to enhance his claims for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in October. Paddy Power make the Carlos and Yann Lerner-trained colt their 11/4 favourite for the European showpiece.
Dermot Weld could look to the Melbourne Cup with the Moyglare Stud-owned Harbour Wind. The gelded Nathaniel four-year-old made a winning reappearance in Listed company at Limerick in June before finishing runner-up in the Group 3 Prix Gladiateur over one-mile seven and a half furlongs at Longchamp last weekend. Weld commented that he would look at a trip to Melbourne, with the prospect of better ground expected to suit.
