Shalaa setback

Dual Group 1 winner Shalaa will miss Royal Ascot after picking up a pelvic injury. One of the star juveniles last season, he won the Prix Morny and Middle Park Stakes for owners Al Shaqab and trainer John Gosden. He was being prepared for the Commonwealth Cup at the Royal meeting.

African horse sickness case

South Africa’s bloodstock industry is under pressure following an outbreak of African horse sickness in the Western Cape. The animal in question is an 18-month-old colt who showed symptoms of the disease on April 2nd and subsequently died. There are a further nine other horses on the premises who have been placed in quarantine because of health concerns. Movement restrictions will remain in place for at least 40 days. African horse sickness is a serious, often fatal disease affecting horses, mules, and donkeys. It is usually spread by biting insects and occurs mainly in Africa, the Middle East and the Mediterranean.

Minding left in Epsom Oaks

The 61 fillies left in the Epsom Oaks include 16 trained by Aidan O’Brien and they are headed by dual Group 1 winner Minding. She is the general 4/1 favourite for the June 3rd classic and also heads the market for the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket at about 2/1. O’Brien has won the Oaks five times.

Simon Cooper returns from HK

Weatherbys has appointed Simon Cooper as its operations director in its UK General Stud Book company. Cooper is currently the company secretary of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, the governing body of thoroughbred racing in New Zealand. He was previously with At The Races in London and, before that, the Hong Kong Jockey Club.