Andrew Nicoll

For the second week running, Mickael Barzalona and the famous colours of the Aga Khan stole the headlines as Rayif landed the Group 1 Prix Jacques le Marois. The complexion of the race changed dramatically last Tuesday following the shock announcement that unbeaten star Bow Echo had been retired and would therefore miss the Deauville showpiece. While the news came as a huge disappointment to racing fans across the globe, who had hoped to see more of the hugely talented colt, his absence...

The Haskell Stakes was supposed to answer one question facing American racing: beyond Golden Tempo, who is the best three-year-old in the country? Instead, Monmouth Park produced one of the biggest upsets of the season, leaving the division looking more open than ever ahead of the Breeders' Cup. Few gave Baby Vino much chance beforehand, but the colt proved that familiarity with Monmouth Park, combined with a perfectly judged ride, could bridge the gap to the established stars. Having...

Coming into the race on the back of an eye-catching victory in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, Thesecretadversary looked one of the few proven seven-furlong specialists in the field. Despite the step up in class from his Group Three success, the colt had little trouble handling the rise in quality, dictating matters from the outset under a confident Christophe Soumillon ride. The son of St Mark's Basilica gave trainer Fozzy Stack a deserved first European Group One success. Behind the...