Let me begin this piece with the story about Rafael Bejarano. The 27 year-old Bejarano, a multiple champion in southern California, suffered several facial fractures in a spill at Del Mar on July 22, the opening day of the summer meeting at the seaside racecourse. Jockey Bejarano was aboard Mi Rey, an eight year-old. During the stretch run, Mi Rey stumbled and fell and Bejarano was clipped by a trailing horse. It has been reported that Bejarano also suffered an injury to his left shoulder. Bejarano was conscious and moving his arms and legs when he was taken to the hospital. Mi Rey was euthanized.

After spending three days in intensive care, jockey Bejarano has been moved to a private room at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla. Bejarano has undergone surgery and at this point, it is not known how long he will be on the sidelines. Bejarano was second behind Joel Rosario in the standings at the recent Hollywood Park meeting.

Jockey Dan Grant, champion in Mumbai, had news to cheer about. Grant won the Group III Meld Stakes on Thursday at Leopardstown. Grant was aboard She’s Our Mark who was getting an encore. A 12-1 chance, She’s Our Mark beat a good bunch that included Casual Conquest, a Dermot Weld trainee and the odds on favorite. Grant’s win prompted a comment from a fan. “Grant deserves more opportunities,” the fan said.

Jockey Ramon Dominguez has ridden 93 winners at the Belmont Park spring-summer meeting. A native of Venezuela, Dominguez, 32, is one of the top riders in New York. Jockey Dominguez won Friday’s fifth race with I’ve Got Speed and that put him ahead of the ’92 mark’ set by Angel Cordero, Jr, in 1982.

“It’s very exciting. It did not cross my mind coming to the meet. It is a reflection of the type of opportunities that have been given to me,” Dominguez said.

The last time a sophomore won the English St Leger and went on to win the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes as a four year-old was in 1959. The horse’s name was Alcide. Exactly 50 years later, Conduit, from Sir Michael Stoute’s yard, has emulated the feat. After winning the St Leger last September, Conduit made the trip to Santa Anita and won the Breeders’ Cup turf. After two losses in 2009, Conduit raised his game to come out on top in Ascot’s summer showpiece on Saturday. In the 2008 St Leger, Frankie Dettori rode Conduit as Ryan Moore, Stoute’s stable jockey, opted for Dr Fremantle. However, Moore was aboard Conduit in the Breeders’ Cup. Moore did not have the time at attend the post-race press conference because he was on his way to Paris to ride there on Sunday.

Rockhampton and Colm O’Donoghue set a generous gallop. Golden Sword, the best fancied among the Aidan O’Brien runners, followed. The Stoute trio of Ask, Tartan Bearer and Conduit were in mid division in the nine-horse field. Golden Sword struck first blood as Ask and Tartan Bearer came calling. A furlong out, Tartan Bearer, Mick Kinane up, had a slender lead. Meanwhile, Conduit, the 7-4 favorite and the banker for many a fan in multiple wagers, was ranging alongside. Conduit was travelling the best and Conduit moved to the right forcing Kinane to take up Tartan Bearer. Running on, Conduit spared a length and three quarters and a head behind Tartan Bearer in third was Ask, Olivier Peslier up. On good going, the time for the 2400-metre King George VI was 2 28.73 seconds.

Sir Michael Stoute did not hide his glee. “It is nice to watch. I am proud of them. They have all run great races. They are lovely, sound horses. We have been one-two in the Guineas and one-two in the Breeders’ Cup but this is a bit special.”

After a stewards’ inquiry, the result stood. Ryan Moore was banned for three days for careless riding. Jockey Moore’s share of the King George purse was approximately 42,000 pounds. A three-day ban is unlikely to make a dent on the quality of his life.

Ladbrokes put Conduit in the shortlist for the Arc at Longchamp in early October. The Ballymacoll torch bearer was made a 7-1 chance.

There was another high profile race in England on Saturday. It was the Group II Sky Bet York Stakes at York. Kirlees, a Godolphin runner and the even money favorite, won with a measure of comfort. Frankie Dettori rode. The time for the 2000-metre race was 2 10.27 on good going.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor spoke. “I am very pleased. He has improved. It’s best for him over a mile and a quarter and he could come back for the (Juddmonte) International. He is good enough to win a Group I.”

Jockey Dettori made a statement. “I was handy and decided to take the lead and kick on early. He is a class horse. He has had time to develop and now he’s really a nice horse. A Group I race is a possibility.”

Woodbine hosts the Grade II (turf) Nijinsky Stakes on Sunday. Champs Elysees heads the seven-horse group. A son of Danehill, Champs Elysees is 0 for 3 in 2009 but has been working well. Rahy’s Attorney takes his chances and comes off a strong win in the King Edward Handicap on June 27. Spice Route, off an impressive win in Keeneland’s Elkhorn Stakes, is in the Nijinsky lineup. Marchfield, victorious on Woodbine’s polytrack in the Dominion Day Handicap, switches to the grass. French Beret, Marlang and Catch The Luck complete the field.

Belmont Park hosts the Coaching Club American Oaks on Saturday. It is the final weekend at Belmont before action moves to Saratoga. At Del Mar, the feature on Saturday is the Eddie Read Handicap, a grass race over 1800 metres. Eddie Read is a Grade I race and carries a purse of $350,000. Monterey Jazz won the July 4 American Handicap start to finish and is the one to catch in the Eddie Read.

The advertising campaign for next week’s Haskell at Monmouth Park has begun. Rachel Alexandra is in the Haskell field. She will be opposed by Summer Bird, winner of the Belmont Stakes. Summer Bird’s owners are Dr (Mrs) Vilasini Devi Jayaraman and Dr K K Jayaraman. Please check the TV schedule in India to see if the Haskell is being carried. It is a race worth watching.

Cima de Triomphe and Glorea de Campo are likely to start in the Arlington Million. There are three Group I races on August 8. The Beverly D is for distaffers. The Secretariat Stakes is a turf race for three year-olds.