Horse racing news Monday 18th September 2018

I had a very good weekend whichever way I look at it. Kew Gardens won the St Leger, a very tidy profit thank you very much, and the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials was great fun, as ever.

I was sad to read about the retirement of Saxon Warrior and that cracking filly Alpha Centauri. The Jessica Harrington trained filly claimed four Group One victories including her Classic triumph in the Irish 1,000 Guineas. She followed this up with wins in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket and the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville. She was a top-class filly and it's a shame we will not get to see her next year but hopefully, she'll have a long and happy retirement and I look forward to seeing her foals in due course.  

Today it has been announced that King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Poet’s Word will miss the remainder of the season due to an injury. Sir Micahael Stoute said in statement that owner Saeed Suhail “will soon be coming to England and will make a decision on his future." Unsurprisingly Roaring Lion has shortened at the head of the Qipco Champion Stakes market after the news was released.

Prix Foy winner Waldgeist, trained by Andre Fabre, was the most impressive of the Arc trials winners to my eye out in France but I am of course already on Enable at 5-1 for the big one. The English raiding party hold a strong hand with Sea Of Class and Cracksman second and third in the betting.