Royal Ascot and U.S. bettors: Five key factors driving interest
The premier British festival, slated for June 16-20, 2026, has taken on even greater importance for U.S. racing fans in recent years.
Royal Ascot
Kellie Reilly
Kellie Reilly is a journalist and turf writer specializing in international horse racing.
Manhattan International Scouting Report: Bright Picture
Analysis and selected race replays of French shipper Bright Picture in the Manhattan (G1) at Saratoga
Horse
New York Stakes International Scouting Report: Cankoura
Analysis and selected race replays for French shipper Cankoura in the New York (G1) at Saratoga.
Horse
2026 Epsom Derby: Five things to know
The main storylines going into Saturday’s Derby (G1) at Epsom in some respects echo those surrounding the Oaks (G1).
International
2026 Epsom Oaks: Five things to know
Aidan O’Brien is favored to extend his record haul to 12 in Friday’s renewal, but son Joseph sends out a rapid improver, and the British home team has strength in depth.
International
Just a Game International Scouting Report: Mandanaba
Analysis and race replays for French shipper Mandanaba in the Just a Game (G1) at Saratoga.
Horse
2026 Preakness: Top 10 storylines
Saturday’s 151st running of the Preakness (G1) may be lacking the Kentucky Derby (G1) winner, but the middle jewel of the Triple Crown is not lacking in historic angles.
Preakness Stakes
Curlin ranks among historic sires in Triple Crown
By sweeping the Triple Crown races with different offspring, Curlin achieved a rare feat.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby International Scouting Report: Danon Bourbon
Danon Bourbon earned his Kentucky Derby (G1) ticket via the Japan Road, where he captured the final leg in race-record time to remain perfect.
Kentucky Derby
Top 12 storylines for 2026 Kentucky Derby
As America’s iconic race, the Kentucky Derby (G1) invariably gives rise to compelling, intriguing, and occasionally sentimental storylines.
Kentucky Derby
Dosage Index, birthdates for 2026 Kentucky Derby contenders
I’ve never been a fan of Dosage, in its modern incarnation applied to the Derby, and conscience obliges me to go on my annual rant about the calculation.
Triple Crown
Churchill Downs International Scouting Report: T O Elvis
Before stablemate Wonder Dean competes in the Kentucky Derby (G1), budding sprint star T O Elvis will take the stage in the Churchill Downs (G1).
International
Kentucky Derby International Scouting Report: Six Speed
Dubai-based Six Speed was purchased privately by an American ownership group before he jumped on the Euro/Mideast Road, and he repaid their investment.
Kentucky Derby
The 10 best Kentucky Derby winners of all time
The greatest Kentucky Derby winners didn’t just run the race of their lives as three-year-olds on the first Saturday in May. They built resumes, often as older horses, that stand the test of time.
Triple Crown
Kentucky Derby International Scouting Report: Wonder Dean
The fifth straight Japanese-trained winner of the UAE Derby (G2), and sixth overall, Wonder Dean will try to score an historic breakthrough in the Kentucky Derby (G1).
Kentucky Derby
2026 Dubai World Cup storylines: Forever Young on verge of earnings record
Thirty years after Hall of Famer Cigar made the inaugural Dubai World Cup an instant classic, the biggest storyline of the 2026 renewal is the fact that it’s happening at all.
International
Japan's ascent in international horse racing: World rankings tell the tale
Japan has dispatched a series of outstanding Thoroughbred ambassadors on the world stage in recent years, becoming a force in international racing festivals.
Triple Crown
2026 Saudi Cup Day: Top 10 storylines
The world’s richest race features the world’s top-rated dirt horse, as global dirt supremo Forever Young is on a quest to become the first two-time winner of the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1).
International
Horses to follow in 2026: Nanda Dea
In an alternate universe, the 2025 Marie G. Krantz Memorial at Fair Grounds would have kicked off a productive campaign for Argentine champion Nanda Dea.
Horse
Horses to follow in 2026: Fully Subscribed
If not for an injury that sidelined her for the bulk of 2025, Fully Subscribed probably would have been involved in the marquee races for three-year-old fillies.
Horse
Horses to follow in 2026: Plutarch
Plutarch's pedigree, surface versatility, and unusual trajectory for a Bob Baffert juvenile make him a fascinating character.
Horse
Horses to follow in 2026: The Padre
The Padre has every right to keep developing into an elite older turf horse for trainer Phil D’Amato.
Horse
Year in review: Reilly’s 10 favorite races of 2025
This personal retrospective is more about the races that endure in my memory, for reasons of circumstance or sentiment. That makes the exercise less predictable.
International
Remembering Gentildonna: The ultimate clutch player
Next Sunday’s 70th running of the Arima Kinen (G1), Japan’s “All-Star” event at the end of the year, will have a special poignancy.
International
2025 Hong Kong Cup: Trends, storylines, and Romantic Warrior
Romantic Warrior became the world’s all-time richest racehorse when scoring a three-peat in last year’s Hong Kong Cup (G1).
Hong Kong
2025 Hong Kong Mile: Trends and storylines
Voyage Bubble is overshadowed by Romantic Warrior and Ka Ying Rising, but the defending Hong Kong Mile (G1) champion has compiled a historic resume of his own.
Hong Kong
2025 Hong Kong Sprint: Trends, storylines, and Ka Ying Rising
The world’s best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising, has gone from strength to strength since notching his first Group 1 in the 2024 Hong Kong Sprint (G1).
Hong Kong
2025 Hong Kong Vase: Trends and storylines
All four conquerors of last year’s Hong Kong International Races are back to defend their titles at Sha Tin, beginning with Giavellotto in the Hong Kong Vase (G1).
Hong Kong
International spotlight: 2025 Japan Cup
Analyzing the top contenders and longshots of interest for the Tokyo feature set for 1:40 a.m. ET.
International
Japan: History on the line in Mile Championship
The Japan Autumn International series rolls on into Saturday night’s Mile Championship (G1) at Kyoto (post time 1:40 a.m. ET), where #15 Jantar Mantar (6-5) seeks to make history.
International