Is the Dewhurst Pinatubo’s to lose?
Godolphin’s exciting juvenile Pinatubo puts his unbeaten record on the line today when he faces eight rivals in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket.
Since bursting onto the scene in May, the two-year-old has wowed racegoers with his performances and none more so than when he took the Group 1 Vincent O’Brien National Stakes at the Curragh by an incredible nine lengths.
If Charlie Appleby’s charge wins the seven-furlong contest today, he will cement himself as the leading two-year-old of 2019 and remain a strong favourite for the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas in May.
The opposition includes Aidan O’Brien’s exciting Tattersalls Stakes winner Wichita and the Clive Cox-trained Positive, who took the Solario Stakes in gutsy fashion in August.
Newmarket’s programme also features the Group 3 Zetland Stakes (1m2f), the Group 3 Autumn Stakes (1m), the Listed Boadicea Stakes (6f) and the Cesarewitch Stakes (2m2f).
There are a number of other meetings in Britain today with York and Wolverhampton (aw) also racing on the Flat. Jumps cards come from Hexham and Chepstow, and Ireland hosts National Hunt action from Fairyhouse and Limerick.
Over at Keeneland in America this evening, the William Haggas-trained Magnetic Charm, owned by The Queen, will face eight rivals in the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes.
Canada also races this evening with British interest coming in both the Grade 1 E.P. Taylor Stakes and the Grade 1 Canadian International Stakes. The Simon Crisford-trained Imperial Charm and the Joseph O’Brien-trained Red Tea will contest the E.P. Taylor Stakes.
Last year’s Canadian International winner Desert Encounter will bid to become the first horse to win back-to-back editions of the race since Joshua Tree won in 2012 and 2013, having also scored in 2010.
Maxios joins Coolmore’s National Hunt roster
Coolmore has welcomed another new addition to its National Hunt roster after purchasing five-time Group 1 winner Maxios to stand at Castlehyde Stud in 2020.
The 11-year-old son of Monsun has spent six seasons at Gestut Fahrhof in Germany and sired German Oaks winner Diamanta and the Listed-winning Realeza. Maxios has also supplied three hurdle winners in France.
Maxios
Castlehyde’s Cathal Murphy said: “We have been watching Maxios for some time and are delighted to have secured him. He’s a fine big horse by leading National Hunt influence Monsun, he comes from a fantastic Niarchos family and he was a champion miler.
“He’s already sire of a Group 1 winner and we have no doubt that he’ll prove extremely popular.”
Maxios joins Order Of St George at Castlehyde Stud and his fee will be announced at a later date. Earlier this month Coolmore announced they had purchased Crystal Ocean to stand at The Beeches Stud.
New fixture at Wolverhampton
The BHA has announced that a new fixture will take place on the evening of October 18 at Wolverhampton following the abandonment of Haydock’s meeting scheduled for the same day.
This fixture will be a seven-race card, made up of similar races to the ones lost at Haydock. Entries for the races will close at noon today with declarations at the 48-hour stage as normal.
