David Morgan joins Andrew Le Jeune on the Idol Horse News Desk direct from Del Mar with all the latest Breeders’ Cup news: Sovereignty’s health scare and what it means for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, top contenders, race strategies, and track conditions, and a look at the European hopes in the Turf. Plus, why four-year-olds could define this year’s championship.
After Maureen Haggas called Zac Purton’s ride on Lake Forest “the worst I’ve ever seen,” the Idol Horse News Desk asks a simple question: when does passion for racing turn into disrespect?
Host Jack Dawling and Michael Cox unpack the comments, explore the cultural gap between British and Hong Kong racing, and consider what modern professionalism looks like in a global sport.
It’s not about the ride - it’s about the line between fair critique and something more personal.
00:00:00 Intro: Maureen Haggas vs Zac Purton (setting the scene)
00:00:32 The outburst: “Worst ride I’ve ever seen”
00:02:14 When critique becomes personal — Michael Cox reacts
00:03:50 Old world vs new world: racing culture clash
00:04:45 Inside Hong Kong’s standards and scrutiny
00:06:35 Zac Purton’s professionalism and Everest buildup
00:08:20 The Lake Forest run: nothing wrong with the ride
00:09:50 1,900 Hong Kong wins — Purton’s milestone
00:10:35 The global melting pot of racing styles
00:12:45 Respect, awareness, and outdated language
00:14:52 James McDonald and the wider issue of respect
00:15:50 Final thoughts: where passion crosses the line
00:16:15 Outro: follow Idol Horse Newsdesk
A wild 24 hours before the $20 million Everest as social-media rumours sent betting markets into chaos over the world’s top-rated sprinter, Ka Ying Rising.
Our Australian racing correspondent Adam Pengilly joins the Idol Horse News Desk to unpack the hysteria, the Canterbury gallop that calmed nerves, and trainer David Hayes’ cool response.
Plus, we preview Adam’s upcoming feature tracing the remarkable Lindsay Park legacy across three generations of the Hayes family.
Hong Kong’s Horse of the Year and world’s top-rated sprinter Ka Ying Rising stepped out for a highly-anticipated 1000m trial at Randwick ahead of The Everest. Editor Michael Cox is joined by Australian racing correspondent Adam Pengilly to break down every stride - the performance, the pre- and post-trial behavior, Zac Purton’s concerns, and how Sydney conditions might shape race day.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club has stunned racing fans by rejecting Caspar Fownes’ bid to bring back four-time champion jockey Joao Moreira as his stable rider.
Host Michael Cox and Idol Horse Chief Journalist David Morgan break down the Club’s decision, Fownes’ pragmatic response, and why fans feel short-changed.
Also in this episode:
Sharp analysis, strong opinions, and the stories behind Hong Kong racing’s biggest headlines.
Michael Cox and David Morgan take you inside trainer Caspar Fownes' plan to bring Joao Moreira back to Hong Kong as his stable jockey, including the latest comment from the 'Magic Man' himself. Will Moreira make his Hong Kong return permanent? Will the Club approve the application? How is Moreira still riding three years after his dramatic 'Hong Kong retirement' in 2022? And how will Moreira's presence change the dynamic of Hong Kong horse racing?
Idol Horse's Michael Cox and Jack Dawling bring you the latest in Hong Kong racing news following Sunday's Season Opening meeting at Sha Tin, as incumbent champion Zac Purton sent an ominous warning to rivals with a career-best opening day five-timer. The team discuss Ka Ying Rising's spectacular return, Purton and the jockey roster dynamics that flow on from the presence of such a dominant champion, Jamie Richards' successful start and new-season mindset shift, and the impact of the HKJC's new whip rules.
Brought to you by Keeneland September Sale.
Brought to you by Keeneland September Sale, September 8.
Idol Horse's Jack Dawling, David Morgan and Andrew Hawkins talk through the big storylines ahead of the 2025/26 Hong Kong racing season.
The sprinting juggernaut Ka Ying Rising returns on day one for a final run ahead of the Everest, Zac Purton's relentless pursuit of championships and the 2000 wins on the horizon plus who is under the most pressure?
Jack Dawling, David Morgan and Andrew Hawkins review the week that was Royal Ascot for 2025, including Field Of Gold's claim to be the world's top three-year-old; the team also discusses Racing Victoria's easing of vet protocols and whether that will change plans for Hong Kong sprinter Ka Ying Rising's Australian campaign.
Jack Dawling on the HKJC review into the vet protocols around Liberty Island’s death on Champions Day, and what now for Sydney racing after the Australian Turf Club (ATC) votes no on Rosehill? Adam Pengilly joins the News Desk to discuss the fallout.
David Morgan joins Andrew Le Jeune to discuss Godolphin's big weekend, Jack Dawling on the background to the Hong Kong Jockey Club's whip rule review and Andrew Hawkins discusses his Hawk Eye View column on protected horse names.
Andrew Le Jeune is joined by Idol Horse journalists Andrew Hawkins and Jack Dawling to discuss news out of Champions Day.
Hong Kong racing takes centre stage this Sunday April 27 with Sha Tin's Champions Day. Idol Horse reporters Andrew Hawkins and Jack Dawling join Andrew Le Jeune to preview the G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize, G1 Champions Mile and G1 QE II Cup.
Andrew Le Jeune is joined by Idol Horse journalists Andrew Hawkins and Jack Dawling to discuss the latest Champions Day news.
The Idol Horse team review a dramatic Dubai World Cup night and look forward to Hong Kong's Champions Day on April 27.
Idol Horse journalists discuss the biggest news stories in world racing. This week Adam Pengilly joins host Andrew Le Jeune to discuss his story on the upcoming Australian Turf Club vote on Rosehill Racecourse. Also, Jack Dawling on Ka Ying Rising and his plans after another dominant win, and David Morgan and Andrew Hawkins preview this Saturday's big Dubai World Cup meeting.
Welcome to the first episode of the new Idol Horse Podcast, "News Desk", where each week host Andrew Le Jeune will chat with Idol Horse journalists about the biggest stories in world racing.
On this week's episode, Idol Horse journalists Michael Cox, Jack Dawling and Andrew Hawkins dissect Cap Ferrat's shock Hong Kong Derby win, evaluate the future prospects of Hong Kong's 4YO crop, turn an eye to the '26 Derby, and assess the growing prominence of PPGs in the Hong Kong bloodstock and ownership landscape. Plus, the latest on Broadsiding and Via Sistina.