Colm O’Donoghue and trainer Aidan O’Brien have been asked to appear before the British Horse Racing Authority later this month. A spokesman has confirmed that the Irish duo will be asked questions about O’Donoghue’s ride of Red Rock Canyon and O’Brien’s instructions before the running of the Juddmonte International at Newmarket recently.

O’Donoghue and Red Rock Canyon set the pace. With over 400 metres left, O’Donoghue looked over his shoulder and saw that Duke of Marmalade, John Murtagh up, was right behind. Red Rock Canyon drifted to the right in the process of weakening and allowed (stablemate) the Duke to strike the front. The odds on Duke of Marmalade lasted over Phoenix Tower to justify the favouritism.

The O’Brien camp has, in the recent past, been accused of adopting ‘team tactics.’ Having a pacemaker to ensure a realistic pace is a legitimate tactic. A grey area is reached when a horse is used to do something to help a stablemate and in the process do something to the detriment of other contenders. On the face of it. Colm’s drifting to let the Duke get through does not appear to be an egregious use of team tactics.

The British Horse Racing Authority, in any case, has made it clear that no reversal in placings will result from the hearing. The procedure falls into the realm of ‘fact finding.’

In the Irish Derby this year, an Aidan O’Brien-trained colt took two others out of contention. The winner turned out to be another O’Brien runner. The offending O’Brien colt incurred the wrath of the judges and was disqualified. The result stood.

Richard Hughes will miss the English St Leger. Jockey Hughes was scheduled to ride Scintillo in England’s oldest Classic. Hughes won on Thursday at Lingfield with Old Romney and was cited for careless riding. He was suspended for 11 days. In England, there is what is called ‘totting up.’ Hughes had been guilty of offences that kept him away for 24 days in 12 months. The frequency of offences becomes a criterion. In simple terms, it is the ‘repeat offender’ concept. The Hughes ban starts on September 12.

Henrythenavigator will take his chances in Longchamp’s Prix du Moulin on Sunday. The going will be on the soft side. The multiple Group I winner has drawn 11 in the 11-horse field. The post is a serious handicap. Henrythenavigator will be opposed by Paco Boy, Darjina and Natagora. With the Arc in the first week of October, action in France is picking up.

War Pass, the Eclipse award-winning freshman champion in 2007, has been retired. By Cherokee Run out of Vue, a Mr Prospector mare, War Pass won five races from seven starts for earnings of $1,583,400.  He was a run-away winner in the Juvenile Breeders’ Cup mile last year. In his final race, War Pass was second to Tale of Ekati in Aqueduct’s Wood Memorial on April 5.  War Pass suffered a fractured sesamoid in his left front leg. War Pass will head to William Farish’s Lane’s End Farm near Versailles, Kentucky.
Rain in England and Ireland is playing havoc with horse racing. Catterick on Friday was cancelled. The Kilbeggan Friday program was abandoned.

Saturday’s Thirsk card has been given up. Haydock’s Betfred Sprint Cup on Saturday is in danger. In very serious jeopardy is Leopardstown’s Saturday card of eight races. There are two Group I events. Duke of Marmalade and New Approach cross swords in the Tattersalls Millions Champion Stakes. The other race is the Coolomore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes. The Leopardstown card is subject to a 7 A M Saturday inspection.  There was a lot of rain on Friday. The outlook has dimmed considerably.

There is a lot of money coming in for cancellation of the Leopardstown and Haydock cards. Yes, in England and Ireland, betting is done on whether a meeting will be held or not.

New Approach, third to Duke of Marmalade in the Juddmonte International, is getting a lot of support. If the races are held, it is believed that the going will favor the Epsom Derby hero.

Mick Channon, one of England’s better known trainers, is back at home after a hospital stay. Channon was in an auto accident in which, Tim Corby, a friend of Channon and a horse owner was killed. Trainer Channon suffered broken ribs, a broken arm, fractured jaw and a punctured lung. He is getting better.

Arlington Park on Saturday hosts ‘Ladies’ Day.’ The 1800-metre Pucker Up Stakes, a Grade II race worth $250,000, will share the spotlight with the Grade III $150,000 Arlington Washington Lassie, a 1600-metre contest for freshman girls.

Robert and Janice McNair made an announcement about selling their racing operation, the Stonerside Stable, early this week. On September 3, the last day at Del Mar’s summer campaign, Midshipman, carrying the McNair colors, won the Del Mar Futurity, a Grade I race. It was over 1400 metres on the synthetic surface. Tyler Baze rode Midshipman who returned $14.60.

The Midshipman win was not without irony. The Bob Baffert trainee gave him his eighth win in the Futurity. Midshipman beat Coronet of a Baron, a colt owned by the Darley group in a photo. The Darley group bought the McNair-owned Stonerside Stable four days ago.

Jockey Tyler Baze was thrilled. “Midshipman is very talented and can run all day. Something special and today, it worked all right.”

Curlin’s next start will be in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park on September 27. It is the 90th running of the race that carries a purse of $750,000 and is over 2000 metres. Curlin won the Jockey Club Cup last year.

Jess Jackson, majority owner of Curlin, said, “the JCGC was selected in order to continue his legacy as one of America’s greatest thoroughbreds.”

On September 7, the million-dollar Woodbine Mile will be run at the Toronto track. It is a ‘win and you’re in’ race. The winner gets a berth in the Breeders’ Cup. Kip Deville seeks to win his fourth consecutive race. In 2007, Kip Deville was beaten by Shakespeare in the Woodbine Mile.  Cornelio Velasquez rides Kip Deville.

Richard Dutrow Jr, trainer of Kip Deville, expressed confidence. “He’s (Kip Deville) been in a zone of his own. He’s incredible. He is doing great and right on schedule.”

Indian Blessing returns to action at Belmont Park on September 6. She takes on older girls in the $300,000 Ruffian Handicap, a Grade I race over 1700 metres. Indian Blessing, champion freshman filly in 2007, meets Tough Tiz’s Sis and Copper State, two four year-olds. Little Belle, a sophomore, is also in the field. John Velasquez will be aboard Indian Blessing.

Bob Baffert was cautiously optimistic. “It is 1 1/16 (1700) but it is one turn. I think she’s relaxing a little bit more. Now is the time to try it.”

On Saturday at Belmont Park, eight sophomore fillies go postward in the Grade I $250,000 Garden City Stakes. It is to be run over 1800 metres on the grass. Rain is in the forecast and the race may be moved to the main track. Ariege and Pure Clan, representing the IEAH Stables, run as an entry and are the morning line favourites.

Sources: Racing Post, Blood Horse and TV reports.