The weekend action is a little lighter than usual as the racing world turns its attention towards Royal Ascot.
Saturday's British action is centred around York and Sandown. There is also racing from Chester and Leicester, while the jumps fans have meetings at Uttoxeter, Hexham, and Downpatrick.
Australia also has a major prize on Saturday, with the Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm worth almost £900,000 and likely to attract one of the strongest sprint fields of the Australian season.
Sunday's standout race is the Takarazuka Kinen at Hanshin in Japan. Worth more than £1.4 million, it is one of the country's most prestigious middle-distance contests and regularly attracts some of the best horses in training.
Back in Europe, attention turns to Chantilly for the Prix de Diane Longines, better known as the French Oaks. The race carries a purse of around £500,000 and this year sees Aidan O'Brien send a pair of challengers across the Channel in search of Classic success.
Ireland's feature race comes later in the afternoon at Cork, where the Munster Oaks headlines a competitive card that should attract plenty of attention from racing fans on both sides of the Irish Sea.
Big races this week
06:57 Eagle Farm, Saturday (SKY)
Ladbrokes Stradbroke Handicap (Group 1)
7f
14:42 Sandown, Saturday (ITV)
BetMGM Scurry Stakes (Listed Race)
5f
15:00 York, Saturday (ITV)
Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Grand Cup Stakes (Listed Race)
1m6f
07:40 Hanshin, Sunday (STREAM)
Takarazuka Kinen (Grade 1)
1m3f
15:05 Chantilly, Sunday (SKY)
Prix de Diane Longines (French Oaks) (Group 1)
1m2½f
16:48 Cork, Sunday (RTV)
Darley Munster Oaks Stakes (Group 3)
1m4f
14:30 Ascot, Tuesday (ITV)
Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1)
1m
16:20 Ascot, Tuesday (ITV)
St James's Palace Stakes (Group 1)
1m
16:20 Ascot, Wednesday (ITV)
Prince Of Wales's Stakes (Group 1)
1m2f
16:15 Ascot, Thursday (ITV)
Gold Cup (Group 1)
2m4f
*All races above are listed in UK time.
Race Notes
4:20pm St James's Palace Stakes - Royal Ascot
The St James's Palace Stakes is often one of the highlights of Royal Ascot. It brings together the leading three-year-old milers from across Europe and gives racing fans a chance to see how the major Guineas form stacks up.
This year's race could be a cracker.
The unbeaten Bow Echo heads the market after his impressive victory in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket. He travelled strongly that day before quickening clear of Gstaad, and many observers felt he looked a colt capable of winning at the highest level throughout the season.
Gstaad has already gained some revenge of his own by landing the Irish 2,000 Guineas since Newmarket. He didn't have to produce the same level of performance at the Curragh, but the victory confirmed him as one of the leading three-year-olds in training.
French Guineas winner Rayif is also expected to line up, setting up a fascinating clash between the winners of Europe's three major Guineas races. If all three take their chance, Ascot will finally provide the answer to the question of which colt currently sits at the top of the pecking order.
The dark horse in the field could be Talk Of New York. On form he has work to do, but he may have more progress left in him than some of his better-known rivals.
At this stage, everything points towards another showdown between Bow Echo and Gstaad.
Selection: Bow Echo (Win), Rayif (E/W)
Antepost Watch
Comanche Brave is one to note for the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on Saturday 20 June.
He put himself firmly into the sprinting picture with victory in the Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes, and the market has reacted quickly. His price has shortened from 40/1 into 12/1, which tells its own story.
The Jubilee is never an easy race to win, with high-class sprinters usually arriving from Britain, Ireland and further afield. Even so, Comanche Brave now looks a much more serious player than his early odds suggested, and he is clearly a horse the market has not missed.
Racing Syndicates
Pompey Ventures have added another interesting youngster to their team: a filly by Twilight Son out of Fellbeck, who will be trained by Ollie Sangster at Manton House.
She was bought at the Goffs Orby Book 2 Yearling Sale for €21,000 and is qualified for the Goffs €2 Million Series, which gives her a useful early target. She is also expected to be aimed at Band D restricted races, giving connections a sensible route as she develops.
On paper, there is plenty to like. Her dam has a good record of producing useful fillies, with 50% of her previous female offspring rated 8us0 or higher, while the wider family includes smart black type performers.
Pompey Ventures felt she was well bought at the price, but the real appeal came when they saw her in person. Their describe her as an eye-catching physical with real potential, noting her size and movement. Trainer Ollie Sangster was also keen during the bidding, which helped make her a must-have addition for Team PV.
Interest in learning more, click here.
Betting Offers
Betfred will be active again around the major racing action, with promo offers, extra places on selected races, and regular racing specials available throughout the week.
Away from racing, Betfred also has a full range of promotions planned around the FIFA World Cup.
18+ Please gamble responsibly. #ad Need help? contact GambleAware.org
Racing News
Here are a few racing updates that caught the eye this weusek.
Racing Legends - Bonnie Scotland
Bonnie Scotland was never remembered as a great racehorse.
He did not light up the track, win the biggest prizes, or become a name that casual racing fans still talk about today. Yet his real impact came later, through the bloodlines he left behind.
Soundness, balance, speed, and stamina seem to have travelled through his descendants in remarkable fashion. Of the 13 horses to win the American Triple Crown, 11 can trace a line back to Bonnie Scotland.
That is some legacy for a horse many people have never heard of.
Thanks for reading! Let’s catch up again next week.
Regards
The Newsletter Team
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