Arc field shapes up
Enable is one of 16 runners left in Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe after the first forfeit stage on Monday.
The dual Arc heroine is set to face some formidable rivals in her bid for an unprecedented hat-trick including Juddmonte International hero Japan, French Derby winner Sottsass and Ghaiyyath, who took the Grosser Preis von Baden by an incredible 14 lengths.
There is a supplementary entry stage on Wednesday when Sottsass’s trainer Jean-Claude Rouget is likely to add three-year-old colt Soft Light, placed in Group 2 company, to the line-up.
Return of Hong Kong superstar
Outstanding miler Beauty Generation makes his eagerly anticipated return at Sha Tin today in the Celebration Cup, a seven-furlong handicap with Group 3 status (9.10am UK time).
The seven-year-old gelding, partnered as usual by Hong Kong champion jockey Zac Purton, has won his last nine races, a sequence which includes five Group 1s, and has to give a stone and more to nine rivals.
Beauty Generation was thought to be under consideration for this year’s Queen Anne Stakes and could yet make the trip to Royal Ascot next year for owner Patrick Kwok Ho-chuen and trainer John Moore.
Today’s cards
The quality race of the day is at Cork where 14 runners line up for the Listed Navigation Stakes (1m½f). Up Helly Aa, trained for the Niarchos family by Willie McCreery, looks a progressive three-year-old and could be up to the task after his good second to Mohawk in the Group 3 Meld Stakes in July.
Britain’s meetings are equally split between the codes, with jumping at Sedgefield and Southwell and Flat action at Ayr and Kempton (aw).
Later start for Orby Sale
The start of the Goffs Orby Sale has been put back to 11am today after torrential rain made inspecting yearlings difficult for some buyers.
Following the two-day Orby Sale that concludes on Wednesday, the Sportsman’s Sale runs on Thursday and Friday, starting at the regular time of 10am.
Gemix ups sticks
French jumps stallion Gemix is moving to Haras du Lion in Le Lion d’Angers having spent his initial stud career at Haras de Victot.
A son of Carlotamix, Gemix scored four times on the Flat before going on to prove himself a top-class hurdler, winning back-to-back renewals of the Grade 1 Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil.
His oldest runners are now three and he joins the likes of Balko, Gentlewave and Storm The Stars on the Haras du Lion roster.
