Shea Shea goes close in a UK GR1 again

Shea Shea was unable to get to longshot Jwala in the Nunthorpe on Friday, passing the post half a length back in second place in the five furlong sprint at York. The rivalry with Sole Power continued as Shea Shea just edged him out by the bob of a head, as Sole Power appeared to have caught him before the line.

In 2008, National Colour (SAf) also finished second in the Nuthorpe. She is a daughter a National Assembly while Shea Shea is a son of National Emblem, by National Assembly.

Shea Shea looks likely to be headed for the Abbaye next in France before having a break.

The Apache wins, and loses, the Arlington Million!

In a dramatic finish, The Apache beat Real Solution by a nose in the Arlington Million only to have the race taken away from him in the boardroom. He drifted quite sharply close to the finish line and, considering the narrow margin of victory, the stipes gave the race to Real Solution. The third horse, Side Glance, finished a further two lengths backs.

South Africa will have to wait a bit longer for that first open company US Gr1 victory by a SAf-bred horse. The two Gr1 victories recorded to date, by Gypsy's Warning and Crimson Palace, have been in fillies races. Gypsy's Warning, like The Apache, is by the Storm Cat stallion Mogok.

Soft Falling Rain in the Gr2 Hungerford Stakes

Soft Falling Rain returned to the track today, five months since his win in the Gr2 Godolphin Mile, and ran a solid second in the Gr2 Hungerford Stakes.

The defeat unfortunately ends his unbeaten record but, like The Apache, he appeared to need the run and will likely improve when he makes his next start.

Flax wins Gr2 in Singapore

On 28 July, Flax won the Gr2 Chairman's Trophy in Singapore.

This Maine Chance Farms bred son of Silvano, out of the Elliodor mare Bejewelled Spring, had previously placed 3rd in Singapore Gr1 and Gr2 races and also won the Gr1 Raffles Cup.

The Chairman's Trophy was previously won in 2010 by Thundering Jet, a son of Jet Master.