Four notable international races take place this weekend, one of which features Billy Loughnane joining forces with Godolphin in Germany.
News Article: British Horses Shine in International Races
This weekend, British-trained horses are making their mark in some of the world's most prestigious races. On Saturday, the Sword Dancer Stakes, a £600,000 Grade 1 race at Saratoga, will see the participation of two horses from Charlie Appleby's stable: Nations Pride and El Cordobes.
Nations Pride, a horse with a strong record including a Saratoga Derby win, is expected to be competitive in the Sword Dancer race. El Cordobes, a horse with a strong pedigree and recent form, has shown good potential at the 1 ½-mile distance, having won the Group 2 Kingdom of Bahrain Princess of Wales’s Stakes in England.
Last year's Commonwealth Cup winner, Inisherin, and the 2023 Sprint Cup scorer, Regional, are set to represent Britain in the Maurice de Gheest. Meanwhile, Cairo, trained by Alice Haynes, will carry the British flag in the £800,000 Arlington Million, where he faces stiff opposition from last year's Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan and Pegasus World Cup Turf runner-up Integration.
The Sword Dancer Stakes will also see a clash between El Rezeen and Far Bridge. El Rezeen, owned by Shadwell, has a new rider for the first time since July 2023, while Far Bridge, previously trained by Christophe Clement who passed away in May, would be a poignant winner given his history. However, they will have to reverse recent form, as El Rezeen finished behind Far Bridge last year.
In the Maurice de Gheest, there is British interest from the past decade. Muhaarar, Brando, Advertise, Space Blues, and Highfield Princess have all won the Maurice de Gheest. This year, Lazzat, the top sprinter in the race, will be aiming to defend his title after winning the race last year and making a successful debut for his new owners at Royal Ascot in June.
Meanwhile, Godolphin globetrotter Rebel's Romance bids for an eighth Group 1 win in the Grosser Preis von Berlin. Rebel's Romance, who scored his first top-level success in this race three years ago, has a new rider for the first time since July 2023. Straight, ridden by Jack Mitchell, is considered the main danger in the race.
The only Group 1 race in Ireland or Britain this weekend is the Phoenix Stakes. Andre Fabre runs Junko in the race at Deauville on Sunday.
For those interested in the 2023 Sword Dancer Stakes results and analysis specifically for the named horses (Nations Pride, El Cordobes, El Rezeen, Far Bridge, Cairo, Mystik Dan, Integration), official Saratoga Race Course records or racing databases like Equibase or NYRA archives would be the best sources to consult. The latest relevant information available centers on 2025 race context and contenders.
William Buick will be riding at Saratoga on Saturday night and Deauville on Sunday, making him a key figure in these international races.
In the international racing circuit, Nations Pride and El Cordobes, both from Charlie Appleby's stable, will compete in the 2023 Sword Dancer Stakes, a prestigious race in Saratoga. Meanwhile, Cairo, trained by Alice Haynes, will represent Britain in the Arlington Million, facing strong opponents like last year's Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan and Pegasus World Cup Turf runner-up Integration.
