Two runners, two continents, a great day for everyone’s favourite horse racing club

With Riot and The Lir Jet both declared to run on Friday, your favourite horse racing club is moving swiftly on from the disappointment of last weekend. Mise En Scene missing out on her run in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas due to spiking a temperature on race day. Such is the life of any horse racing club. 

We could not have asked for a better remedy than the two races we have coming up on Friday. RacehorseClub will be superbly represented on two continents as both Riot and The Lir Jet have been declared to run in very valuable races. As promised RacehorseClub gets members to the heart of top class racing on its biggest days and at its grandest theatres.

The Lir Jet to enjoy Southern hospitality

It’s the Kentucky Derby this weekend in America at Churchill Downs. One of those huge American sporting events that transcends local appeal to have become globally famous. The Lir Jet lines up on Kentucky Oaks Day in the Twin Spires Turf Sprint (Group 2) worth $500,000 at 9.51pm UK time. If you can be there and have a share in The Lir Jet, make sure to get in touch (details below) to go into the ballot for an Owners Badge. If you can’t be there the race will be live on Sky Sports Racing, its recommended viewing and the atmosphere will be amazing. 

There are 13 runners declared with The Lir Jet getting a great draw in stall two which gives him every chance. Umberto Rispoli takes the ride. The race is over 5 and a half furlongs, the same trip as his previous start when behind Golden Pal at Keeneland last month, but the longer straight at Churchill Downs looks sure to suit him better on this occasion. The Lir Jet is taking on some familiar faces as the second, third, fourth and sixth from his previous run in the Shakertown are all set to race against each other on Friday. We are optimistic that the draw, his form in training, and the nature of the course at Churchill will all come together to give us a memorable day.  

The race, as you would expect for the grade, is hugely competitive. On paper it is missing a superstar sprinter such as Golden Pal who is now set for a trip to Royal Ascot next month. The betting, with a 4-1 favourite, indicates this is a race that is very tough to call. 

The Lir Jet’s trainer Brendan Walsh said;

“Everything’s good with The Lir Jet, he drew well in stall two which is a help. It’s a competitive field but he’s certainly not without a chance. He’s been training well on the track here in Churchill Downs. He did a nice piece of work last Tuesday and went a nice half mile. Everything’s gone smoothly since he ran at Keeneland, and he probably needed that race as he hadn’t run for a long time. He broke a little slow there so hopefully he’ll be quicker out of the blocks this time and should be very competitive and at least be in the mix come the finish. Umberto Rispoli takes the ride who is very much looking forward to the race”. 

Riot lines up at Cork in the Mallow Premier Handicap worth €80,000 at 7pm UK time

Members with a share in Riot who can get along to the course are invited to get in touch, details below, for the ballot. The race will be live on RacingTV.

There are 25 runners declared with Riot drawn in stall 25. Thankfully this race is on the straight course! Shane Kelly takes the ride. RacehorseClub members in Create Belief will remember him guiding her to a memorable victory at Leopardstown last season. It's a big field for this 7 furlong trip.

Riot ran a massively promising race on his seasonal reappearance at the Curragh last month finishing his race off best of all, never nearer than at the finish. Going into that race, his trainer Johnny Murtagh advised his members he would come on for the run so going into Friday he should have sharpened up nicely. 

After the run at the Curragh, his jockey Ben Coen suggested that a step up in trip might be required so as a result he is back up to 7 furlongs on Friday. We have enormous confidence in Johnny and his team and cannot wait to see Riot again. In this shape and over this distance we’re very hopeful Riot will be at the sharp end of this cavalry charge and in the mix for the line. Delivering another great day out for members of our unique horse racing club.  

Riot’s trainer Johnny Murtagh said;

"Riot runs in Cork on Friday. He's drawn in stall 25 of 25 right on the outside but hopefully he's on the right side of the track as the stands side is always a good place to be. He's in great form and we're stepping him up to 7 furlongs. I'm still not 100% sure what his best distance is, whether a stiff 6 or an easy 7 furlongs. Cork is an easy seven so we should find out a bit more on Friday. Shane Kelly rides him who is my second jockey. Shane rode Create Belief to Group 3 victory last year for RacehorseClub and has ridden Riot plenty of work. We'll drop him in and take our time, sneak along and we'll use that turn of foot that he has at the end. He's in great form, he's fit, he's ready to go and we're looking forward to seeing him run."

Johnny Murtagh: Creating Belief on ITV4 tonight

RacehorseClub trainer Johnny Murtagh features in the ITV documentary series Against The Odds. 

Directed and produced by ITV Racing's Tim Williams.

Johnny Murtagh: Creating Belief looks at his struggles in the saddle and how he has turned his life around since a startlingly low point in 2001 - just months after taking the racing world by storm with his stellar season with Sinndar. 

The programme named after our very own Royal Ascot winner, Create Belief, airs tonight at 9pm on ITV4 and then again on Tuesday May 10th at 11pm on ITV. 

James Ferguson update on Mise En Scene

After the disappointment of Mise En Scene having to be withdrawn from Sunday’s QIPCO 1000 due to spiking a temperature on the morning of the race, her trainer James Ferguson gave an update this morning.

"Sunday was extremely frustrating and unfortunate however although as tough a decision as it was, I firmly believe it was the correct decision for Mise En Scene. Thankfully her temperature has settled down and I'm hoping to have her ridden tomorrow. We'll know where she's at early next week as she'll have to do a piece of work if we want to be aiming at something like the Irish 1000 Guineas which is two weeks on Sunday."

Shares are still available in Mise En Scene, Riot and The Lir Jet.

Enter members owners day ballot

Members are invited to enter the owners ticket ballot for both Churchill Downs and Cork. To enter please email Laurie on info@racehorseclub.com. Winners of the ballot will be announced later today.