The return to action of the three-year-old American racehorse, Crystal Black’s defeat and a break from racing in Sao Paulo – here’s our weekly round-up of the latest international racing news

Muth Sets Up for California Crown After Comeback Victory

USA: The three-year-old Muth, a star racehorse, will return to racing at Santa Anita and is likely to compete in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. He returned to action after a five-month layoff on Saturday (Aug. 31) and scored a comfortable victory in a stakes race at Del Mar.

Trainer Bob Baffert nominated California Crown (formerly Awesome Again) for $1 million on Sept. 28 for the son of Good Magic after he won the Shared Belief Stakes by two lengths. “Little by little, little by little,” Baffert said, adding, “He’s always been a very smart horse.”

The Arkansas Derby winner has been on the sidelines since being pulled from the Preakness Stakes when he came down with a fever. At the time, he was the favorite to win the Triple Crown rematch. Read more here

Crystal Black out of Melbourne Cup

Ireland: Melbourne Cup favourite Crystal Black, the pre-match favourite for the A$8.56m ($5.75m/£4.38m) prize pool with some European bookmakers, will not run in the race following the defeat.

The six-year-old, who scored a five-run win in the G3 at Leopardstown last month after scoring at Royal Ascot, will not be considered for the Flemington race because of a viral infection.

“It’s just a minor injury so we’ll leave it over the winter and see what happens next year,” coach Ger Keane told At the racesMore here

Crystal Black was not among the 123 initial Melbourne Cup nominations revealed on Tuesday (September 3). Among the favourites is the Australian market leader Circle of Fire – one of 16 players trained by Ciaron Maher – and a few names from Ireland, led by the pair of Willie Mullins Wauban AND Absurd plus the winner of Ebor Magic ZoeMore here

Hollie Doyle reaches 1000 winners milestone

EN: Hollie Doyle became only the second British female jockey to reach 1,000 points-winning victories Leyhaimur at Goodwood on Tuesday (September 3).

“When I started my career, I never imagined that I would achieve so many victories,” the jockey said, speaking to Racing TV after partnering with the David Simcock-trained youngster to claim a double on the undercard. “I’m just thinking about the next thousand now,” she added.

Doyle, 27, rode the last of nine G1 winners on Bradsell in last month’s Nunthorpe Stakes. She follows Hayley Turner, who reached 1,000 winners in November 2023 – also on a Simcock-trained horse. Read more here

Breeders’ Cup Challenge visits Korea

South Korea: The Breeders’ Cup breaks new ground this weekend with two “Win ​​and Take Part” races taking place at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday (September 8).

The main event, the G3 Korea Cup, offers a free starting spot in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, while the G3 Korea Sprint is linked to the BC Sprint. At home, two feature races at Kentucky Downs on Saturday (Sept. 7) also offer guaranteed spots in the Breeders’ Cup. More here

Break in racing in Sao Paulo

Brazil: Racing at the Cidade Jardim racetrack in São Paulo is set to continue despite announcing the suspension of a law that threatens the future of the sport.

According to CNN BrazilThe Supreme Court of Sao Paulo (TJSP) has approved the request of the Attorney General’s Office to suspend the law prohibiting the use of animals in sports.

Brazilian sensation: Sao Paulo racing under threat as law bans betting on animals

Attorney General Paulo Sérgio de Oliveira e Costa has said that such a ban makes horse racing unenforceable – but racing is a form of lottery and is permitted by the Brazilian state. As such, racing at the Jockey Club de Sao Paulo in the Hipodromo de Cidade Jardim (“Garden City”) can continue – at least for now. Read more here

Golden Sixty retirement announcement coming soon

Hong Kong: According to reports from Hong Kong, the retirement of the former world number 1 Golden Sixty will be confirmed next Friday (September 13) at a press conference. The 10-time G1 winner will then be honoured at a special farewell ceremony in Sha Tin on the day of the Celebration Cup (September 22).

Golden Sixty is the world’s all-time prize money leader after landing 26 of 31 starts. He was last seen fourth in the G1 Champions Mile in April. Read more here

Elsewhere in racing…

USA: Europeans hunt for more riches at Kentucky Downs. More here

USA: Hezgothelook Z wins Quarter Horse triple crown More here

USA: Pimlico closed until 2025 Preakness More here

USA: 20 Things on Del Mar’s Menu for Bing Crosby’s Season More Here

USA: Macho Uno was put to sleep in Adena Springs. More here

Canada: Long-running Stronach dispute ended out of court More here

Ireland: White Birch out of season due to injury More here

EN: Irish Guineas winner Fallen Angel sold to Wathnan Racing More here

New Zealand: Ellerslie is getting closer to returning. More here

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