First female win in Saudi Arabia

HISTORY was made in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at just after 1.15pm GMT yesterday. Fourteen international riders lined up for the US$400,000 first leg of the International Jockeys Challenge. In an outcome that was the stuff of dreams, three-time New Zealand champion Lisa Allpress got her mount Matmon up on the line to deny Olivier Peslier, winner of more than 100 Group 1 races, in a stirring finish. This was the first time female jockeys have competed in the country.

Significantly too, the win came on board the sole runner in the race carrying the colours of King Abdullah. Matmon was only racing for the fourth time, having won a maiden in January 2019 and being a well-beaten 11th in a local Group 1 on his only other outing this year. He is a son of Kreem (Hurricane Run), a Group 3 winner in France when trained by Andre Fabre.

Allpress said of her memorable victory: “I came here with an open mind and no expectations. I am delighted.” The rider enjoyed her first success in 2009 and the following year rode her first Group 1 winner on We Can Say It Now in the Captain Cook Stakes. Her most recent success at the highest level was Sentimental Miss in the Al Basti Equiworld NZ Oaks last March. Last season she rode 133 winners and so far this season has ridden the winners of 65 races.

American rider Mike Smith won the overall challenge, capturing the second and third legs, but it was ladies to the fore in the fourth and final leg, the Swiss-born and German-based Sybille Vogt and Canadian legend Emma-Jayne keeping Frankie Dettori at bay to finish one-two.

Henderson reports Epatante ‘coughing’

NICKY Henderson will keep a close eye on Epatante over the weekend after revealing an untimely scare with the Champion Hurdle favourite. Henderson said: “In order to keep everybody in the picture, I regret to say Epatante has been coughing a few times over the last couple of days for no obvious reason that we can detect. Her blood tests are perfectly normal and she is feeling very well and fresh in herself. This does not prevent her continuing her routine work. We will monitor the situation over the weekend and will regularly update everybody with any news.

“Both my vets and I are more than hopeful that this will not interfere with her Champion Hurdle preparation. She is now on medication which will not affect her racing or training. We will blood test and scope her again on Monday, when I will be in a better position to clarify the situation, which obviously we all hope will be positive news.”

Champagne Classic out

CHAMPAGNE Classic has been ruled out of the Cheltenham Festival after picking up an injury. The Gordon Elliott-trained nine-year-old was one of the favourites for the National Hunt Chase. Champagne Classic won the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle at the 2017 Cheltenham Festival but has missed the last two festivals due to injury.