World racing expert David Morgan from Idol Horse provides his weekly wrap of racing around the globe with a special focus on Hong Kong Jockey Club simulcast events.
Champions Day no duel says Marquand as Economics makes return
Tom Marquand is not buying into the idea that Saturday’s G1 Champion Stakes at Ascot is a straight two-horse race between Godolphin’s Ombudsman and Coolmore’s Delacroix.
The season’s standout pair in the division have between them won the three biggest all-age 2000m races in Britain and Ireland so far this year, with the score one-one in match-ups before Delacroix took the G1 Irish Champion Stakes in Ombudsman’s absence.
Marquand understands the two-horse framing of the contest because “they’re the ones up and running, they’re the top horses in the division this year,” but at the same time he feels that the “press” has made it into “a duel race that probably isn’t a duel race.”
He said the media has locked onto the clash between Britain’s top stable of John and Thady Gosden and Ireland’s champion trainer Aiden O’Brien, as well as the ongoing rivalry between Godolphin and Coolmore.
“I don’t think it’s as straightforward as a two-horse race,” Marquand said. “There are very talented horses in there that if one of the big two has a momentary chink in their armor, those horses are good enough to exploit that, which makes it a good race.
“I wish it wasn’t,” he laughed, “but it’s a top-class Champion Stakes and that’s what you want, really.”
The media billing overlooks the French raider Calandagan, second in last year’s Champion Stakes and dropping back from 2400m after winning the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. Only the great Brigadier Gerard in 1972 has completed that double in the same season.
Then there is Marquand’s mount, Economics. The William Haggas-trained colt looked a potential superstar when he won his third race in a row last term in the Irish Champion.
But he hasn’t raced since he was sixth on “very, very soft ground” as favorite for last year’s Champion Stakes, won by another that shouldn’t be dismissed this time around — Anmaat.
Economics galloped with two companions, including Dubai Honour, on Newmarket’s Rowley Mile racecourse two Saturdays back under Ted Durcan. Marquand has since got the leg up for a regular gallop.
“I rode him last Thursday and he felt great,” Marquand said. “It was a routine piece of work because he’d been on a racecourse the Saturday before. He’s building back up, so it was sort of one of those where if he feels great, he’s moving great, and he feels good in his mind, that’s all that gallop was to check, not to go searching.
“He feels fantastic so it’s just something to look forward to, having him back out again. It’s a tough race to reintroduce him, but he deserves his spot in there in terms of what he’s achieved already and I’m just looking forward to having him back in a race.”
Marquand knows that a full year without a race is far from ideal but said the entire team at Haggas’s Somerville Lodge Stables is happy with the white-faced colt.
“Everybody is happy with where he is,” he said. “If there was one person doubting, he wouldn’t be going. A tough assignment? Yes, absolutely. Would we prefer to have a prep run? Yes, absolutely. But, at the same time, it’s a great race on a beautiful track, he’s a Group 1 horse.
“He’s a very talented horse and hopefully he retains all of that ability,” he added. “That’s always the worry when they’re coming back off such a long time. From what he felt at home he felt like he has.”
Ethereum a hot commodity
South America’s biggest race, the Gran Premio Latinoamericano, is the main focus at Gavea in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday, and Brazilian hopes rest with Ethereum and Joao Moreira’s mount Obataye.
The moveable contest is being held at Gavea for the fourth time and will bring together 16 contenders: four from Brazil, two from Argentina, three from Chile, six from Peru and one from Uruguay competing over 2000m.
Trainer Cosme Morgado Neto’s star filly Ethereum was brilliant winning the G1 Grande Premio Diana at Gavea in March and was beaten only a neck when third in the G1 Grande Premio Brasil in June, but connections don’t want rain.
“She’s probably the best filly we ever trained, especially my dad,” said Morgado’s son and assistant trainer Pedro Morgado. “She ran a big race in the biggest race in Brazil; now she is going to run in the biggest race in South America. She ran a very good third first time against the boys, that was her first time at 2400 meters but for me, her best is 2000 meters.”
Morgado considers Ethereum’s biggest threats to be the Argentinean Vundu and “the best older horse in Brazil,” the 2024 Grande Premio Brasil hero Obataye.
Ethereum, bred by her owner Carlos Dos Santos, will break from gate seven, which Morgado sees as “a good draw” on a track that has a dogleg after 50 meters.
“We have to pay attention at the first turn after the break, but I think she’s an easy filly to ride.
“But if it rains, for her that’s not good because she prefers firm turf. The first time that she got beat, the ground was terrible,” Morgado said. “But we have a lot of faith in her and I think she can run a very good race.”
This week in horse racing history
Nijinsky’s Triple Crown-winning season ended with a shock result in the Champion Stakes at Newmarket, on October 17, 1970. After the Vincent O’Brien-trained colt’s narrow defeat in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, he was turned over at odds of 4/11 a couple of weeks later when the 100/7 shot Lorenzaccio took up the running a quarter-mile from home and kept on galloping. A below-par Nijinsky, his neck lathered in sweat, was unable to get to him and lost by three quarters of a length.
Arlington Park in Chicago opened on October 13, 1927 and would become world famous as the home of the Arlington Million. The track was shut down in September 2021.
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Redzel, ridden by Kerrin McEvoy and running in the James Harron slot, won the first running of The Everest at Randwick on October 14, 2017, defeating the favorite Vega Magic by three quarters of a length.
Racing pic of the week
Award-winning Australian sports photographer Vince Caligiuri is king of the sunrise shot from morning trackwork. He did it again when he caught this silhouette of Japanese Cups contender Golden Snap during “golden hour” at Caulfield.
Golden Snap at Caufield this week ahead of Caulfield Cup (Vince Caligiuri)
Global Blackbook
A name we’ll be hearing plenty of ahead of the 2026 Triple Tiara is Exceed, a full-sister to the world champion Equinox, who made a winning debut in the 2000m Newcomer at Tokyo on Sunday. Sent off a hot favorite at $1.70, the daughter of Kitasan Black and Chateau Blanche looked every inch a star in the making, cruising home by a length and a half under Christophe Lemaire in 2:00.2.
Trained by Tetsuya Kimura – who also prepared Equinox through his glittering career – Exceed showed both composure and raw power. She settled midfield before lengthening effortlessly through the final furlong, clocking 33.4 seconds for her closing 600m.
“She’s well-built for a filly and shows sharp acceleration,” said stable representative Kimiya, who also handled Equinox through his development. “Her gestures and sensitivity remind me of her brother when he was young.”
Still green and a touch on the light side, Exceed looks the type to keep improving with time. The stable is in no rush, hinting she’ll be given a break before targeting the 2026 spring features. She’s still learning, but if the bloodline and early signs are any guide, Japan’s next turf queen may already be among us.
World Racing Calendar
18/10/2025 – The Everest Race Day (Australia)
The Everest (equal 29th), King Charles III Stakes (equal 59th)
Ka Ying Rising drew barrier seven for Saturday’s AU$20 million G1 The Everest (1200m) at Randwick, a gate trainer David Hayes called “perfect” for Zac Purton’s mount as the world’s top-rated sprinter chases history.
The supporting G1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) shapes as a high-class mile featuring Fangirl as early favorite ahead of Mr Brightside, Pride of Jenni, and the William Haggas-trained Lake Forest, last year’s Golden Eagle winner.
18/10/2025 – Caulfield Cup Day (Australia)
G1 Caulfield Cup
The Caulfield Cup’s relatively short run to a tight first turn makes barrier draws crucial and Thursday’s allocation has thrown up plenty of tactical puzzles. Favorite Half Yours came up with barrier two – a dream position that should allow Jamie Melham to stalk the speed without risk, perfectly suited to his grinding style over 2400 meters.
Middle Earth (3) and Meydaan (5) also came up trumps, both expected to settle in ideal stalking spots, while Royal Supremacy (6) again looks poised for a soft run behind the leaders. Out wide, things get trickier: Vauban (13) will need all of Blake Shinn’s nous to slot in early, and Valiant King (16) faces a difficult task from the car park. Last year’s Metrop winner Land Legend (15) may have to roll forward to offset the draw.
It is by no means a vintage edition of one of Australia’s great handicaps, but multiple international raiders do add some intrigue. Tactics from the jump will shape the race – the first 400 meters at Caulfield often decide who gets their chance to stay the trip and this year’s draw ensures no shortage of early drama.
18/10/2025 – British Champions Day (Britain)
Champion Stakes (equal 16th), Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (equal 29th)
Fans are treated to a Group 1 feast on Saturday as Ascot hosts five top-level contests on what is forecast to be a rare Champions Day held on good ground. That contest could feature an exciting rematch between stud-bound Irish Champion Stakes and Eclipse Stakes winner Delacroix and his Juddmonte International Stakes conqueror Ombudsman, while French raider Calandagan is likely to return to 10 furlongs too.
In the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, Field Of Gold will lead the three-year-old charge against older horses, including the in-form filly Fallen Angel whose connections are hoping for damp conditions, the frustrating Rosallion, Ascot specialist Docklands, and the progressive Never So Brave.
18/10/2025 – Gran Premio Latinoamericano Day (Brazil)
G1 Gran Premio Latinoamericano
South America’s championship race, the G1 Gran Premio Latinoamericano, returns to Brazil and to Gavea for the first time since 2016. The 16 runners have already been confirmed and will feature two Argentineans, three Chileans, six Peruvians and a Uruguayan to tackle four Brazilians. Joao Moreira will continue his association with Sao Paulo hero Obataye but faces Brazil’s star filly Ethereum.
25/10/2025 – Cox Plate Day (Australia)
G1 Cox Plate
A bittersweet day as Moonee Valley, which has hosted racing around its tight circuit since 1883, stages its final meeting in its current configuration. As soon as its most famous race, the G1 Cox Plate, is held for the 104th year, the track will close and the course reconfigured with the grandstand moved to the current 800m mark.
The milestone Cox Plate will be headlined by Via Sistina, who is aiming to become the 14th horse to win the race on multiple occasions, and she faces last weekend’s G1 Turnbull Stakes winner Sir Delius. There is some doubt surrounding Treasurethe Moment after her shock defeat in last weekend’s G1 Might and Power Stakes.
26/10/2025 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) – Japan
The final leg of Japan’s Triple Crown for three-year-olds, following the Satsuki Sho and Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby). Tokyo Yushun winner Croix du Nord will miss the race after his Arc campaign, and Satsuki Sho hero Museum Mile is also absent. Contenders include Eri King and Shohei, who ran one-two in the G2 Kobe Shimbun Hai. Energico, who bravely finished second as the only three-year-old in the G3 Niigata Kinen, will also take part.
Victoria Derby Day – November 1 – Australia
The opening day of Melbourne Cup Week combines tradition and talent. The raceday is named after the 2500m staying test for three-year-olds but the ‘support card’ contains incredible depth. The G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes – run up Flemington’s ‘straight six’ – is one of Australia’s premier ‘stallion making’ races. The G1 Empire Rose rounds out the three Group 1 features on the day.
Breeders’ Cup Day – November 2 – USA
(IFHA-rated: Breeders’ Cup Classic – equal 5th worldwide, 2000m Dirt; Breeders’ Cup Turf – 15th; Breeders’ Cup Mile – 36th)
At Del Mar for the second consecutive year, the second day of America’s championship meeting brings together the world’s best on both dirt and turf. The G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic anchors the card among 14 races offering more than US $30 million in purses. International contenders from Japan and Europe take on the home powerhouses.
Tenno Sho (Autumn) – November 2 – Japan
(IFHA-ranked 25th, 2000m Turf G1 – Tokyo Racecourse)
The Tenno Sho (Autumn) stands as Japan’s premier 2000m test for older horses. The race often features top horses returning from summer campaigns or the Takarazuka Kinen. The race serves as both a domestic middle-distance championship decider and a key lead-up to the Japan Cup. Meisho Tabaru, who claimed his first G1 victory in the Takarazuka Kinen, will be challenged by two three-year-olds, Satsuki Sho winner Museum Mile and Tokyo Yushun runner-up Masquerade Ball.
This story first appeared on Idol Horse as "World Racing Weekly: Marquand Questions ‘Two-Horse’ Champion Stakes."
