Injured Jockeys Fund president Sir Anthony McCoy and vice-president Jack Berry have issued a joint-statement underlining the organisation’s support for Graham Lee, however long his recuperation takes.
McCoy shared the weighing room with Lee during the 47-year-old’s first part of his career, during which he was a Grand National-winning jump jockey.
Lee then turned his attentions the Flat, where he won an Ascot Gold Cup on Trip To Paris and the Nunthorpe on Alpha Delphini.
It emerged on Sunday that the injuries Lee suffered in a fall at Newcastle on Friday were very serious, with an MRI scan showing an unstable cervical fracture which was causing damage to his spinal cord.
The statement read: “Like everyone in racing, we at the Injured Jockeys Fund are all devastated with the news of the injuries Graham Lee sustained from his horrific fall at Newcastle on Friday.
“All our thoughts are with Graham, his wife Becky, and their family.
“As bad as Graham’s injuries are, please do rest assured that our team at the IJF will look after his needs to assist him in his recovery and predicament for as long as it takes.
“Whatever help he and his family needs, we will be there to provide it.”
Julie Harrington, the chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority, also sent her best wishes.
She said: “We are shocked to hear the distressing news regarding the injuries suffered by Graham Lee. Our thoughts are with his family and friends and the whole sport is praying for one of its finest ambassadors.
“We are doing everything we can to support Graham and his family, and we ask that everyone respect the privacy of his family at this time.”
Wednesday’s meeting at Bangor has become the latest victim of Storm Debi, with officials left with no option but to call off the course’s most high-profile fixture of the season due to a waterlogged track.
The Wrexham circuit was due to stage a seven-race card featuring the Listed Yorton’s “Postponed” Mares’ Novices’ Chase and a handful of competitive handicaps.
But with Storm Debi bringing significant rainfall, there is now standing water on parts of the course and, with no prospect of sufficient improvement, the meeting has been abandoned.
Carlisle’s Monday fixture and a quality card at Fairyhouse on Tuesday also fell to the wet and wild weather that is sweeping across Britain and Ireland.
Fairyhouse was set to play host to the chasing debut of the top-class Gaelic Warrior, but torrential rain overnight has left the course unraceable.
Uttoxeter, which has been unable to host any racing since October 8, is hoping to stage an all-hurdle card on Saturday after an inspection of its chase track concluded that the two races over fences would be unable to take place.
The news that Auguste Rodin will remain in training as a four-year-old has prompted much excitement, but he will need to buck a worrying trend to justify that brave decision.
Aidan O’Brien’s charge is set to become the sixth straight Derby winner from Epsom to race on the following season – and things have not exactly worked out well for the previous five.
Here, the PA news agency takes a look at how those Classic victors fared:
DESERT CROWN
Sir Michael Stoute’s charge was a classy scorer at Epsom last year but failed to reappear that season due to injury setbacks. He made a promising return to action the following May when going down by just half a length to Hukum in the Brigadier Gerard at Sandown but then struggled to stay sound again and was sadly put down after fracturing a fetlock on the gallops.
ADAYAR
Godolphin’s son of Frankel stayed on strongly to romp home by four and a half lengths in the 2021 blue riband event at 16-1 and followed up with victory in the King George at Ascot becoming the first since Galileo to do the double. However, he could only land a low-key Doncaster conditions race at four before finishing second in the Champion Stakes. At five, Adayar won the Group Three Gordon Richards Stakes at Newmarket but was then third in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot and was beaten at 1-3 in Group Two company at Newmarket on his final start before retirement.
SERPENTINE
Aidan O’Brien’s Galileo colt sprang a 25-1 surprise in the 2020 Derby and his subsequent exploits have certainly suggested that was a flash in the pan. After finishing well beaten in three starts at four, he was gelded and sent to Australia, where he has failed to win in 12 outings. Although placed three times in Group-class company, Serpentine has been tailed off in both of his attempts at Melbourne Cup glory.
ANTHONY VAN DYCK
Another Ballydoyle charge who showed plenty of spirit to prevail at Epsom in 2019 but that proved to be his sole Group One success. His four-year-old campaign began brightly enough with second place behind Ghaiyyath in the Coronation Cup but he was a disappointing favourite in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot. The son of Galileo did do well to edge out Stradivarius in the Group Two Prix Foy at Longchamp and only went down by a head in the 18-runner Caulfield Cup in Australia, but he was then fatally injured during the 2020 Melbourne Cup.
MASAR
Charlie Appleby’s Godolphin colt stayed on strongly to land the 2018 Derby at 16-1 but injury problems then kept him off the track for 385 days. When he returned to action at four, the son of New Approach was a moderate fifth in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot and then finished last of six at Group Two level at Newmarket before being sent to stud.
Trainer Richard Hobson is confident he has his stable star Fugitif “spot-on” for Saturday’s Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
The eight-year-old may have only managed a solitary victory in testing conditions at Chepstow last season, but he did also finish second three times at Prestbury Park, including when chasing home Seddon at the Festival in March.
Fugitif will make his reappearance 22lb higher in the weights than when filling the runner-up spot at this meeting 12 months ago, but Hobson believes he is better than ever and did not feel it necessary to give him a prep run ahead of his latest bid for big-race glory.
He said: “Fugitif is in good shape. He’ll have his final bit of work tomorrow (Tuesday), he’ll have a pop (over fences) on Thursday and as long as that all goes smoothly we’re all set for Saturday.
“We decided we’d go straight there. I was thinking he was going to get there too soon fitness-wise, but actually he’ll just be spot-on.
“He ran lovely over two miles first time out last season and wouldn’t have been as fit as he is this time round, but he’s gone up a few pounds since then.”
On the prospect of potentially encountering testing conditions this weekend, Hobson added: “The wetter the better for him – you saw him at Chepstow last year. I think it’s just going to be nice, soft ground and that will be fine.
“He’s a strong horse and not far off 18 hands. He’s a weight carrier, he’s improved through the summer and he’s got a beautiful weight (11st 5lb) – I could nearly ride him myself!”
Fugitif is one of 17 horses in contention for the Paddy Power Gold Cup following Monday’s confirmation stage, with ante-post favourite Stage Star and top-weight The Real Whacker also still in the mix.
Stage Star won twice at Cheltenham last term, including the Turners Novices’ Chase at the Festival, and he is well fancied to provide champion trainer Paul Nicholls with a third victory in this weekend’s feature handicap following the previous triumphs of Al Ferof (2012) and Caid Du Berlais (2014).
The Real Whacker is also a Festival hero, having edged out Gerri Colombe in a thrilling Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase in March, taking his course record to three from three over fences for Patrick Neville.
The seven-year-old will, though, have to concede upwards of 7lb to each of his rivals on Saturday under the welter burden of 12 stone.
Dan Skelton will have high hopes for Unexpected Party, who unlike many of his major rivals does have the benefit of a recent run, having made an impressive return at Chepstow last month.
Laura Morgan’s pair of Notlongtillmay and Whistleinthedark, the Sam Thomas-trained Angels Breath and Authorized Art from the Willie Mullins yard have also stood their ground.
Aidan O’Brien is excited by the prospect of training Auguste Rodin as a four-year-old after he confirmed the dual Derby and Breeders’ Cup winner is to stay in training.
Following his exploits at Santa Anita in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, many expected the Deep Impact colt would head off to stud, given how valuable he would be as a son of the great Japanese stallion.
However, the Coolmore triumvirate of John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, along with partner Georg Von Opel’s Westerberg operation, have given O’Brien the go-ahead to think about next year with him and the Ballydoyle handler is understandably delighted.
“It’s a big decision and we’re obviously absolutely delighted,” said O’Brien to the PA news agency.
“The decision has been made to keep him in training and we’re just delighted.
“He covers a lot of bases; he’s a multiple Group One winner over 10 furlongs and a mile and a half, so he’s versatile, so it’s just going to be great to have him again.
“Obviously, the first thing is for him to have a little rest, he had a long season, then we’ll see about where he will start off.”
When asked if a Breeders’ Cup Classic bid would be his ultimate aim next season, O’Brien said: “Obviously, all the races will be open to him and we’ll just see how he gets on.”
Auguste Rodin’s season began in disappointing circumstances, finishing tailed off in the 2000 Guineas, but O’Brien worked his magic to get him back in top form for the Derby at Epsom, beating King Of Steel.
He was then more workmanlike in the Irish Derby at the Curragh before again disappointing at Ascot in the King George, only for him to bounce back once again in the Irish Champion Stakes over 10 furlongs.
Ryan Moore then earned plenty of plaudits for the ride which he gave Auguste Rodin at the Breeders’ Cup, saving every yard on the inside rail before quickening clear.
Nyeem Young will lead a West Indies Men’s Academy squad for the upcoming home series against Ireland Academy. The two teams will play three List A matches (50 overs) and two four-day first-class matches from 17 November to 5 December at the Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG) and the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium (SVRS) in Antigua.
The West Indies squad is mainly comprised of the players in the West Indies Academy programme, who have just played in the CG United Super50 Cup as well as the Headley-Weekes Tri-Series earlier this year.
The CWI Selection Panel has included four new players - teenagers – Jordan Johnson, a left-handed middle-order batter and fast bowler Isai Thorne as well as Junior Sinclair, a right-handed spin bowling all-rounder and Kadeem Alleyne, a batting all-rounder.
Johnson was the stand-out player in the West Indies Rising Stars Men’s Under 19s tour to Sri Lanka in September when he made three centuries. Sinclair was impressive in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and was a member of the Guyana Amazon Warriors which won their first CPL title on home soil in September.
Alleyne, who will play the white ball series, was impressive batting at the top of the order for Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) in the CG United Super50 Cup. Thorne, who will play the red ball fixtures, bowled with pace and penetration on the Rising Stars Under 19 tour to Sri Lanka.
“The Ireland Series has great significance to the CWI High Performance Pathway as it will be the first bilateral Series since the Academy programme was introduced in July 2022,” Graeme West, CWI’s High Performance Manager explained.
“Playing both 50-over and red-ball four-day series will provide the Academy squad with further opportunities to progress their skills following promising showings in the Headley-Weekes Series and more recently in the CG United Super50 Cup.”
West revealed that the players are eagerly anticipating the contest against the Irish team.
“The Academy squad really embraced the challenge that the CG United Super50 Cup provided, and it was encouraging to see the conversion of winning positions as this was a focus area coming out of 2022. We will look to see the learning over the past three weeks come through during the 50 over series against Ireland,” he said.
“The two four-day games will allow the players to gain more experience and reinforce the gameplan that worked so successfully during the Headley-Weekes Tri-Series. With Kirk McKenzie and Kevlon Anderson graduating to their respective franchises, the Series will provide Jordan Johnson with the platform to build on his exceptional performances for the West Indies Rising Stars Under-19 side in Sri Lanka.”
FULL SQUAD: Nyeem Young (captain), Ackeem Auguste, Joshua Bishop, Teddy Bishop, Carlon Bowen-Tuckett, McKenny Clarke, Jordan Johnson, Leonardo Julien, Johann Layne, Matthew Nandu, Ashmead Nedd, Kelvin Pitman, Junior Sinclair, Kevin Wickham, Kadeem Alleyne (white ball matches only), Isai and Thorne (red ball matches only).
MATCH SCHEDULE
17 November: 1st 50-Over match at SVRS
19 November: 2nd 50-Over match at CCG
21 November: 3rd 50-Over match at SVRS
25-28 November: 1st four-day match at CCG
2-5 December: 2nd four-day match at CCG
Harry Bentley has been handed a two-month suspension and fined HK$300,000 by the Hong Kong Jockey Club after pleading guilty to improper conduct.
In a two-day stewards’ inquiry conducted last week, Bentley admitted to breaching rule 155 under the rules of racing in Hong Kong, which relates to misconduct, improper conduct or inappropriate behaviour.
The HKJC found that the 31-year-old did engage in improper conduct due to “inappropriate communications in respect to information about horses he had ridden in trackwork, barrier trials or races with persons who were not the registered owners or nominators of such horses, using a private mobile telephone provided by such persons”.
The governing body also ruled that Bentley agreed to accept a payment from a person who was not the nominator of a horse in relation to a race he had ridden in, as well as providing false or misleading statements at an interview conducted on October 31.
In determining the penalty, the stewards took into consideration Bentley’s guilty plea and the nature and circumstances of the breach, including that the evidence established that he did not receive any payment.
The stewards also recognised Bentley’s personal and professional circumstances at the time of the offence and his unblemished record in relation to similar offences.
The rider’s suspension commences on November 3 and will expire on January 3.
Envoi Allen is poised for an outing at Leopardstown over Christmas following his narrow defeat at Down Royal on Saturday.
Although not fluent at the last it looked like the three-times Cheltenham Festival winner was going to defend his Ladbrokes Champion Chase title as he held an advantage over Gordon Elliott pair of Gerri Colombe and Conflated.
However, Jack Kennedy conjured up an extra effort aboard Gerri Colombe to hunt down Envoi Allen in the dying strides and inflict an agonising defeat on Henry de Bromhead’s nine-year-old.
The Cheveley Park Stud-owned gelding could continue campaigning at three miles for the time being with a run in the Savills Chase over the Christmas period a possibility, although a repeat of his Ryanair Chase heroics appears the aim for Cheltenham in the spring.
“I thought he ran a cracker and Rachael (Blackmore) gave him an amazing ride and but for putting down at the last we may have held on,” said De Bromhead.
“It was a much improved run from Gowran and great to see him back like that. I was as happy as you could be without winning.
“He may go for the Savills and ultimately it’s the Ryanair I think.”
Meanwhile, De Bromhead’s 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Minella Indo could be set for a new challenge having been well held in fourth at Down Royal, with Cross Country and Grand National options entering the equation.
He added: “We might lower our sights with him now but I’ll need to speak with the Maloneys (owners) before firming up plans.
“We are thinking about going down the Cross Country and Grand National route with him.”
The chasing debut of the exciting Gaelic Warrior has been put on temporary hold with the meeting at Fairyhouse on Tuesday called off due to waterlogging.
Willie Mullins had chosen the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase CLG Beginners Chase as the starting point for Gaelic Warrior’s new discipline but torrential rain overnight has left the course unraceable.
Brendan Sheridan, clerk of the course at Fairyhouse said: “Following 20mm of rain overnight, which was more rain than was originally forecast for Fairyhouse, the track is now unfit for racing and the fixture scheduled for tomorrow has been cancelled.
“We needed the rainfall to come up short of what was forecast but unfortunately we got slightly more and the track will not be raceable in time for tomorrow due to that volume of rain on ground that was already soft, heavy in places.
“We will liaise with Horse Racing Ireland about the possibility of rescheduling the fixture.”
The meeting at Carlisle on Monday was also abandoned as Storm Debi begins to take its toll on sporting fixtures.
Uttoxeter, which has been unable to stage any racing since October 8, is hoping to stage an all-hurdle card on Saturday after an inspection of its chase track concluded that the two races over fences would be unable to take place.
An inspection will be held at 2pm on Monday to assess the situation at Bangor ahead of Wednesday’s meeting with areas of standing water on the track.
Desert Orchid, one of the most successful steeplechasers of all time, died at the age of 27 on this day in 2006.
The dashing grey achieved greatness within the National Hunt arena and was much-loved by racing enthusiasts for his iron will and extreme adaptability.
Affectionately known as ‘Dessie’, he won 34 races in total, including the 1989 Cheltenham Gold Cup and seven at his beloved Kempton Park, where four victories in the King George VI Steeple Chase underlined his immense talent.
Following his retirement in 1991, he remained popular with fans, making public appearances at charity events.
In a statement, his former trainer David Elsworth said: “Desert Orchid died peacefully in his stable at 6.05 this morning. There was no stress, he departed from this world with dignity and no fuss.
“He did his dying in the same individual way that he did his living. It was time to go.
“Dessie had not been well for the past week and was losing his co-ordination. He was 27 years old and we had been involved with this wonderful horse for
a quarter of a century both in his racing days and retirement.”
Desert Orchid’s ashes were buried at his stomping ground of Kempton, where a statue was also erected.
Coach Heimir Halgrimsson has named a strong 24-man squad for the Reggae Boyz CONCACAFDi Nations League quarter-final match-up against Canada, the first leg of which is to be played on Friday, November 17 at the National Stadium in Kingston.
The squad features a potent attacking line-up that includes the in-form Leon Bailey and Demarai Gray, Michail Antonio, Shamar Nicholson, Romario Williams and Trivante Stewart.
The midfield contingent is comprised of Demario Phillips, Bobby De Cordova Reid, Daniel Johnson, Joel Latibeaudiere, Jon Russell and Karoy Anderson.
In-form defender Ethan Pinnock makes a return to the side joining Damien Lowe, Di Shon Bernard, Michael Hector, Dexter Lembikisa, Tayvon Gray, Greg Leigh, Amari’i Bell and Javain Brown.
The outstanding Andre Blake is the first-choice custodian with the capable Amal Knight and Jahmai Waite as his backups.
The second leg of the tie has been scheduled for the BMO Stadium on November 21.
Trinidad and Tobago's national football squad, led by coach Angus Eve, is set to face the United States in the CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final on Thursday at Q2 Stadium, Texas. The lone newcomer to the 23-man squad is goalkeeper Rushon Sandy, a former member of the country's Under-20 men's football teams.
T&T secured their spot in the quarterfinals as the runner-up in the League A Group A round-robin qualifiers, boasting three wins from four matches. They will play the first-leg quarterfinal away to the USA on November 16 and then host the Americans at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on November 20.
The historical matchup favors the USA with a 21-3-4 all-time advantage against Trinidad and Tobago. In their most recent encounter at the Concacaf Gold Cup, the US secured a 6-0 victory with notable performances from Jesus Ferreira, Cade Cowell, Gianluca Busio, and Brandon Vazquez.
A notable inclusion in the squad is 20-year-old goalkeeper Rushon Sandy, who, despite being uncapped, has earned recognition for his standout performances at Yavapai College in the USA. Sandy's recent accolades include Second-Team All-Conference honors in the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference.
Coach Eve has also welcomed back 25-year-old striker Levi Garcia, who missed the previous Concacaf Nations League group matches due to injury. Garcia, based in Greece with AEK Athens, led his club to a Greek League and Cup double last season. Despite a start-stop campaign due to injuries, Garcia is expected to bolster the Soca Warriors' attacking prowess.
Other returning players include Nathaniel James, Malcolm Shaw, Shannon Gomez, and Daniel Phillips. The squad sees some changes, with notable exclusions being Defence Force back-up goalkeeper Jabari St Hillaire, AC Port-of-Spain midfielders Tyrone Charles and Duane Muckette, Defence Force midfielder Kevon Goddard, and Finland-based defender Kareem Moses.
Goalkeepers:
Denzil Smith (Defence Force), Christopher Biggette (Denzil Smith), Rushon Sandy (Yavapai College/USA),
Defenders:
Aubrey David (CS Cartagines/Costa Rica), Jesse Williams (Central Valley Fuego/USA), Shannon Gomez (San Antonio FC/USA), Justin Garcia (Defence Force), Ross Russell Jr (La Horquetta Rangers), Alvin Jones (Tiger Tanks Club Sando), Andre Raymond (Vilar de Perdizes/Portugal)
Midfielders:
Michael Poon-Angeron (AC Port-of-Spain), Daniel Phillips (St Johnstone FC/Scotland), Neveal Hackshaw (Oakland Roots/USA), Noah Powder (North Colorado Hailstorm/USA), Andre Rampersad (HFC Wanderers/Canada), Kristiam Lee-Him (IFK Eskilstuna/Sweden), Kaile Auvray (Mount Pleasant/Jamaica)
Forwards:
Reon Moore (Defence Force), Malcolm Shaw (Atletico Ottawa/Canada), Real Gill (Tiger Tanks Club Sando), Levi Garcia (AEK Athens/Greece), Natahniel James (Mount Pleasant/Jamaica), Ryan Telfer (Miami FC/USA).
Graham Lee has been diagnosed with an unstable cervical fracture and remains in intensive care following a serious incident at Newcastle on Friday.
The 47-year-old was unseated from his mount Ben Macdui as the stalls opened and he was taken to Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.
Lee has damage to his spinal cord and other complications and at this stage his condition has been described as “very serious”.
A statement from the Injured Jockeys Fund said: “Jockey Graham Lee’s MRI scan has shown that he has suffered an unstable cervical fracture causing damage to the spinal cord, as well as damage to blood vessels in the mid-cervical region.
“He remains in ITU with respiratory support at the Royal Victoria Infirmary Hospital in Newcastle, but it has been possible to reduce his sedation.
“This is a very serious injury and at this early time, it is not possible to predict the extent of long term recovery.
“Graham’s family are very grateful for the many messages of support that they have had.”
Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls lost two of three matches on Saturday to finish fifth of the six teams in the 2023 Fast5 World Series Netball that was won by Australia who defeated New Zealand win a second consecutive title.
Jamaica defeated the champions in their opening match before getting the better of Malawi in another thrilling encounter on Friday night. However, they lost their third match of the day going down to South Africa.
Needing to win their matches on Saturday, Jamaica lost to England 33-27 before being clobbered 50-16 by New Zealand. The Sunshine Girls rounded out their matches by defeating Malawi 36-31. Romelda Aiken-George was the Player of the Match.
Australia, meanwhile, defeated England 37-16 before going on to beat New Zealand 35-23 to take the title.
Saturday's results means Jamaica ended the competition with four points, the same as South Africa. However, the Jamaicans placed fifth because of their loss to the South Africans on Friday.
Malawi finished sixth with zero points.
England finished third with six points.
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