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Racing Round-Up: 26th July 2024

3 minute read

Friday's racing round-up includes a change of jockey for Group 1 winning sprinter Live In The Dream...

LIVE IN THE DREAM (pink silks) winning the Nunthorpe Stakes at York in England. Picture: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

Trainer Andrew Balding achieved a landmark 2000th Flat victory in Britain on Friday, when Lady Flora took the Never Ordinary at bet365 Handicap at Chepstow. Balding, who took over Kingsclere from his father Ian in 2003, is best known for his three Classic victories – Casual Look in the 2003 Oaks, Kameko in the 2020 2000 Guineas and Chaldean in the same race, three years later.

Vandeek is set for a tilt at the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville, following his strong third in the July Cup against the older sprinters. It is not the first time the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained colt has headed to France, having taken the Group 1 Prix Morny at the same track as part of his unbeaten juvenile campaign.

Twelve remain in contention for next Thursday's Group 1 Nassau Stakes at Goodwood, including the exciting three-year-old Opera Singer. Aidan O'Brien's filly has yet to see the winner's enclosure this season, but she shaped with promise when second behind Porta Fortuna in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. John and Thady Gosden's Emily Upjohn has been supplemented for the race, with stablemate Inspiral also amongst the entries.

Jason Hart has been booked to ride Live In The Dream in next Friday's King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood. The five-year-old sprinter landed the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes last year for trainer Adam West and jockey Sean Kirrane, but connections have decided on a change of rider after three defeats this season.


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