What a terrible situation it has been to watch the devastation unfold in Los Angeles and how the wildfires have affected every corner of society.
Some fires have broken out near the Santa Anita Racetrack, one of the most picturesque places in the world, and Frankie Dettori, who moved to California to start a new life last year, has seen the situation unfold up close.
Dettori has been inundated with messages on social media, with fans asking about his well-being, and took to social media on Saturday night to post a video to allay concerns. The Italian and his wife, Catherine, have been lucky not to be affected but the impact on the area has been enormous.
There was no racing at Santa Anita last weekend – “with good reason,” Dettori said – and the course, which has hosted the Breeders Cup 11 times, is being used as a charity drop-off point, while an electric company is using one of the parking lots to work on the electrical reconnection of the area.
Although training continues at the track (there are many stables there and each morning is a sight to behold as racing fans gather at the famous Clocker's Corner to watch the gallops) and the air quality is good at the moment, the appetite for any type of entertainment is absent.
“There is devastation everywhere,” Dettori said. 'My heart goes out to everyone. Fingers crossed we'll get through this. Let's hope these fires stop soon.”
Jockey Frankie Dettori, who moved to California to start a new life last year, has seen the impact of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, even though he himself was thankfully unaffected.
Fires swept through the Pacific Palisades neighborhood (pictured) of Los Angeles last week.
The aftermath of the destructive wildfires, which have caused thousands of people to lose their homes
Indiana Dream nearing intriguing comeback
Regular readers of Mail Sport's racing coverage may remember that before Christmas 2023, we suggested that the name of the horse called Indiana Dream was worth keeping an eye on.
Owned by JP McManus, he won his first three races for Willie Mullins, the last of which was a novice chase in December.
Indiana Dream barely had to get out of second gear to win that contest by 13 lengths and there were rumors that the gelding had comparable talent to Fact to File, another McManus horse trained by Mullins, who absconded with the Advisory Chase of the Browns at Cheltenham. last March.
Injuries meant Indiana Dream has not raced since that day in Navan 14 months ago, but he switched stables to join Jonjo and AJ O'Neil, with whom McManus has had a long-standing relationship, and is ready to make his stable debut at Windsor on Sunday.
This is not to say that Indiana Dream is expected to win, but he will be the most intriguing runner in the Fleur de Lys Chase, one of the highlights of the Berkshire Million meeting, and an absence from the track should not compromise his chances.
After making his first start at Fontainebleau, Indiana Dream had 313 days off before winning his first hurdle race at Fairyhouse; another break of 342 days was no obstacle to him being helpful at Navan, so why should 407 days stop him at Windsor?
The big challenge for the O'Neil team is to keep him in shape. It's as delicate as glass and that means no big plans will be formulated after Sunday.
All everyone wants to see at the McManus camp is Indiana to give them a reason to dream.
JP McManus-owned Indiana Dram (above) to make stable debut at Windsor
The gelding won his first three races for Willie Mullins (above) before suffering injuries.
The city of Troy settles in Coolmore
The two-year European rankings are always presented in January to determine which junior finished as the best from the previous season.
Shadow of Light, who won the rare double of the Middle Park and Dewhurst Stakes last fall, is likely to emerge victorious, but 12 months ago, there was never any doubt that the prize would go to the city of Troy.
What would flat racing do to have another horse of City of Troy's quality ready to latch on? Although there were two high-profile defeats in 2024, it has been a long time since an animal sparked such debate and generated such interest as when it was running. It was absolutely top notch.
A new life awaits him at Coolmore Stud in Tipperary and Racing Confidential has learned that the first colt since Sea the Stars in 2009 to complete the hat-trick of the Epsom Derby, Coral Eclipse Stakes and Juddmonte International has adapted to his new surroundings with ease.
Coolmore is an equine palace and City of Troy's stud career will begin next month and he is expected to be busy in the covering sheds. Don't be surprised if your offspring come to the fore in the rankings in the coming years.
Don't rule out Salvator Mundi
Eight weeks until Cheltenham and debates begin over the merits of which ante-post favorites should be chosen and which ones to keep. For unknown reasons, Constitution Hill has an army of people who want to take it down, but not far away is Salvator Mundi.
Wearing the yellow and black silks of Joe and Marie Donnelly, he won the Grade Two Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle on Sunday and his price for the Supreme Novices Hurdle, the event that tests those four raucous days off, was immediately slashed. .
As? Many asked. Salvator Mundi did everything wrong in the race. He refused to settle for jockey Paul Townend and stuck his rider's arms out, crashed into obstacles and looked as green as grass, with plenty to learn. If he runs like that at Cheltenham, Cleeve Hill will beat him.
Racing Confidential has learned that City of Troy has easily adapted to its new environment
Paul Townend and Salvator Mundi won the grade two Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle on Sunday
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But… since he is trained by Willie Mullins, there must always be a 'but'. There were no long faces at Closutton on Sunday night and it is worth remembering Salvator Mundi's first victory over yard hurdles, at Tipperary last May.
Salvator Mundi was expected to win (he was sent off at prohibitive odds of 1 to 12) and it is true that the form of those behind is not worth it; Only one of the 12 who finished behind him has managed to win another race.
What was amazing about that effort was the fact that Salvator Mundi beat his field by over 250 yards. That day he crossed the last obstacle before his pursuers had reached the penultimate section and only a horse with great skill could maintain that type of gallop.
If the Mullins yard thinks it will be ripe by March 11, take that as a guide. In the past they won the Moscow Flyer with Vautour and Douvan. Both stars remained in the Supreme Court. Salvator Mundi could do the same.