Gm, Equinauts

The cards are stacked today. Chester hosted its Oaks and Derby trials earlier this week, and now it’s Lingfield’s turn. Haydock stages its traditional dual-code card (NH and Flat), while Ascot will showcase a few rockets whose Royal Ascot dreams are either about to be made — or blown apart.

Let’s dive in.

HEADLINE ROUNDUP

 🍆LACK OF LUST

BC champ STARLUST is set to return to training with Ralph Beckett after connections decided to shelve his stallion career in Australia following just one season at stud.

The Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner reportedly got only around 70 mares in foal, but concerns over his fertility and the likelihood of reduced support in a second covering season led owner-breeders Jim and Fitri Hay to send the 5yo back into work.

Despite the move, connections have stressed that a future stallion career has NOT been ruled out, particularly if his first crop in Australia performs well on the track.

The son of ZOUSTAR retired after a strong 2024 campaign which included victory in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint and placed efforts at the highest level here in the UK. According to connections he has returned to training as though he “never left the yard” and is currently being aimed at the Temple Stakes at Haydock later this month.

Entries at Royal Ascot, including the King Charles III Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, also remain on the table.

⚽ FRANKIE OUT OF RETIREMENT AGAIN

Frankie Dettori is putting his boots on again!

Nah, he’s not coming out of retirement… again. He’s been named in the World XI squad for this year’s Soccer Aid.

The 55-year-old, who stepped away from racing earlier this year after success in Brazil, will swap silks for football boots when the charity match takes place at London Stadium on May 31.

Dettori will line up alongside sporting stars including Usain Bolt and former international footballers Jordi Alba and Leonardo Bonucci as the World XI attempt to defend last year’s title against an England side featuring names such as Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe and Jill Scott.

The annual event raises money for UNICEF UK and has generated more than £121 million for children’s causes since its launch.

Dettori follows in the footsteps of fellow racing legend Tony ‘the champ’ McCoy, who appeared in Soccer Aid shortly after retiring from the saddle in 2015. Since ending his riding career, Dettori has remained involved in racing through his ambassadorial role with Amo Racing.

💷100K PLACEPOT!

The Tote are guaranteeing a £100k Placepot at Ascot today, but it’s their Scoop6 pool that’s getting really interesting…

There’s at least £88k in today’s pot to play for, but the winners will then qualify for next week’s final, where they’ll get a shot at a bonus pool worth a minimum of £140k.

You HAVE to enter this today. Head to their app, find the Scopp6 and get picking!

Sign up here: Tote | Offers

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