What’s been happening: Paco Lopez whip controversy, new dates at Saratoga, 4.8m sale at Tattersalls and more … | Topics: Seven Days in Racing, Mickael Barzalona, Bauyrzhan Murzabayev, You Got To Me, Paco Lopez, NYRA, Amo Racing, Saratoga, Ben Cecil, Acclamation, Hong Kong Jockey Club, Tattersalls, New York Racing Association, Sceptre Sessions | Thoroughbred Racing Commentary

A major whip furore, NYRA dates for 2025, Amo Racing’s latest swoop at the sales and an HK triumph for Mickael Barzalona – all this and more our weekly digest of recent international racing news

Paco Lopez faces hefty ban after hitting horse in the face

USA: Leading rider Paco Lopez sparked a furore after being filmed striking a horse in the face with his whip – leading to an immediate suspension under the auspices of HISA (the national Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority).

Lopez, 39, won a race at Parx on Tuesday [Dec 3] on the two-year-old National Law, who bore out to the outside rail in the stretch. After the race, he was caught on camera hitting the horse in the upper neck region, causing outrage on social media, where Lopez – who has ridden more than 4,000 winners – faced calls for a lifetime ban.

HISA issued a provisional suspension on Wednesday [Dec 4] pending adjudication. “We take any abuse or behavior that undermines the trust placed in our sport by its participants and fans with the utmost seriousness,” said a HISA statement. More here

More days at Saratoga in 2025

USA: Extra days have been added to the Saratoga schedule for 2025 after NYRA (New York Racing Association) announced next year’s programme.

With Belmont Park still under construction, the Belmont Stakes Festival will again be hosted by Saratoga, with an additional Wednesday card added to the mix. There will also be a July 4th Racing Festival at Saratoga from July 3-6.

Officially, these added dates will be considered part of the ‘Belmont at the Big A’ spring-summer meet. Saratoga ‘proper’ kicks off on July 10 with 40 days of racing through to Sept 1. NYRA will stage a total of 200 days’ racing in 2025. More here

• NYRA announces Aqueduct winter stakes schedule More here

Irish Oaks winner You Got To Me sold for 4.8million guineas

GB: Irish Oaks winner You Got To Me was top of the shop as she lit up the sales ring when selling for 4.8m gns to Amo Racing this week at the high-profile Sceptre Sessions of the Tattersalls December Mares Sale.

“We are trying to do the right thing,” said Amo Racing’s Kia Joorabchian. “We have been trying to compete for many years and have probably burnt so much cash by trying to pick the next ‘one’. But why try to pick the next one when you have the one here?”

Total turnover on Day 2 of the sale on Tuesday [Dec 3] reached 55,168,500gns – a new record figure as the highest-grossing day in European auction history. At the same session, Resolute Bloodstock’s John Stewart went to 3.2m gns for Prix Marcel Boussac winner Vertical Blue, while Coolmore’s MV Magnier signed at 3m gns for leading sprint filly Believing. The latter is likely to stay in training next year at five with trainer George Boughey. More here

• Sister to Chaldean equals European record for a foal at 2.5m gns More here

Mickael Barzalona beats star-studded field in HK jockey comp

Hong Kong: With two winners, French jockey Mickael Barzalona won the four-race International Jockeys Championship with a dominant performance at Happy Valley on Wednesday [Dec 4].

An annual prelude to Sunday’s Longines-sponsored Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin, the series is considered the most prestigious such on the global calendar. With a total of 30 points, Barzalona was a long way clear of James McDonald and Hollie Doyle, who tied for second place with 12.

“It’s a hyper-competitive jockeys challenge and when you see the major names up there on the roll of honour, I’m delighted to have mine alongside,” said Barzalona, who will ride as first jockey to the Aga Khan Studs operation in France next year. More here

• Star sprinter Ka Ying Rising must overcome outside barrier in HK Sprint More here

• Last year’s Breeders’ Cup winner Nobals ruled out with fever More here

Death of trainer Ben Cecil, aged 56

USA: Ben Cecil, the G1-winning nephew of the great Sir Henry Cecil, died on Friday [Nov 29] after a long battle with cancer. He was 56.

Cecil (right) moved to Southern California to work as assistant to trainers Gary Jones and Rodney Rash before setting up on his own in 1996. In a near 30-year training career, he went onto train several G1 winners, headed by the 2002 champion turf female Golden Apples. Cecil sent out his final winner with the two-year-old Look Forward at Del Mar on Nov 8. More here

Leading Irish sire Acclamation dies at 25

Ireland: Acclamation, the sire of world #1 Romantic Warrior, has died at the age of 25 at Rathbarry Stud in Ireland – only a few weeks after being pensioned from stallion duties.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Acclamation this weekend,” said the stud in a social media post on Monday [Dec 2].

“He leaves behind a legacy as a true legend of the Irish stallion ranks. He will be deeply missed by all at Rathbarry Stud but never forgotten.”

A noted sire of sires, the G2-winning son of Royal Applause sired seven G1 winners – including Dark Angel, in pole position to become champion sire for 2024 in Britain and Ireland. More here

Four-time German champ Murzabayev injured in shocking incident

Qatar: Four-time German champion jockey Bauyrzhan Murzabayev sustained serious injuries in a fall at Doha last weekend.

In a horrendous incident in the opening maiden contest on the sand track on Saturday [Nov 30] at the QREC (Qatar Equestrian and Racing Club) base at Al Rayyan, the three-year-old Act In Line suffered a ruptiured aorta in the early stages, throwing Murzabayev to the floor. The 32-year-old Kazakh reportedly broke two vertebrae and four ribs, and also suffered a bruised lung. More here

• Four-time German champion Georg Bocskai on road to recovery after heart attack More here

Elsewhere in racing …

USA: Dale Romans voted Kentucky HBPA president More here

USA: 3,000th North American win for Julien Leparoux More here

Ireland: Dual Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs is HRI Horse of the Year More here

Japan: Dettori in Japan to ride May Day Ready in Hanshin Juvenile Fillies More here

Japan: Retirement of five-time NAR champion jockey Taito Mori More here

Japan: Dirt star Lemon Pop ends career with successful Champions Cup defence More here

GB: G1-winning trainer Adam West in shock move to France More here

New Zealand: Two out of two for Lisa Allpress on return More here

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