What does 2020 hold in store for racing?

PA Sport Reporters
January 1, 2020 2:18 pm

Pinatubo may prove the real deal – and Tiger Roll’s chance to emulate Red Rum.

What is in store for racing and some of the sport’s biggest personalities in 2020? We look forward to some possible highlights over the next 12 months:

Shooting star or horse for the ages?

Who would have thought the winner of a six-furlong Wolverhampton novice event back in May would end the campaign as the highest-rated juvenile in 25 years? Meteoric barely does justice to Pinatubo’s progression from that run to a dual Group One hero and hot favourite for both the 2000 Guineas and Derby. Rated 128 at the end of the season, Pinatubo’s mark puts him in a bracket with the likes of Arazi, Celtic Swing and Frankel among others. While the latter’s subsequent exploits are well documented, the first two failed to hit the same kind of heights at three, so the question is which path will Pinatubo follow?

Ready, willing and Enable?

Enable’s eclipse at the hands of Waldgeist in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe appeared to have marked an underwhelming end to an overwhelming career. However, owner Khalid Abdullah has sportingly opted to keep his superstar in the training ranks for 2020, with that elusive and groundbreaking third Arc firmly in her sights. Enable showed no signs of slowing down this year, despite her ParisLongchamp defeat – and with the best of this term’s Classic generation arguably hailing from the same John Gosden yard, it will be interesting to see if any new contenders can trouble the queen of the turf.

Will Tiger be ready to Roll?

At this point, for a couple of reasons, it remains far from certain whether Tiger Roll will bid to join Red Rum in the elite Grand National hat-trick club in April. A chipped joint has delayed his intended return, with February’s Boyne Hurdle pencilled in by Gordon Elliott, before another cross-country run at the Cheltenham Festival and then Aintree. A tried-and-trusted route led to a second National this year, but owner Michael O’Leary has made clear his concerns about asking Tiger Roll to shoulder a huge burden in the big event -so as well as a return to full fitness, the weights ‘reveal’ on February 11 could really prove the crucial date for all.

Like father, and brother?

Donnacha O’Brien surprised the racing world by announcing his retirement from the saddle in November, at least with its timing, but his addition to the training ranks in 2020 will have plenty wondering if he can make the same kind of impact as his father Aidan and brother Joseph. Aidan was Irish champion National Hunt trainer not long after taking out a licence and has since gone on to world domination in the Flat sphere, while Joseph won a Group One in his first season before adding a Melbourne Cup the following year. Donnacha has played down his planned “small team” so far, but mighty oaks from little acorns grow, and the 21-year-old certainly will not want for any advice.

Dettori dominance to continue?

There is absolutely no doubt 2019 was a stellar year for the evergreen Frankie Dettori, who recorded his best-ever tally of 19 Group One victories. Enable, Stradivarius, Star Catcher and Logician contributed to that total – while Dettori also enjoyed a remarkable Royal Ascot, with seven winners across the five days. The 49-year-old has made no mention of retirement, and the fact Enable stays in training is surely enough to keep him in the saddle for a further term. As well as Enable’s third Arc attempt, Dettori is also able to look forward to partnering super stayer Stradivarius and St Leger winner Logician, not to mention a host of potentially exciting three-year-olds.

Female jockeys to the fore?

Hollie Doyle outdid 2016 champion apprentice Josephine Gordon to set a new record for the most winners ever ridden by a female jockey in a calendar year – and she has stated her hope to claim Group-race success in 2020, having already ridden five Listed winners. Doyle and Gordon, who has two Group wins to her name, have taken up the mantle from trailblazer Hayley Turner – still going strong – while Bryony Frost and Rachael Blackmore are among the very best riders of either sex over jumps.

New whip rules?

For all the potential excitement in 2020 on the track, what happens in discussions off it could have a huge impact. The use of the whip continues to be near the top of the agenda, and the sport will await with interest a report and recommendations from the Horse Welfare Board that is set to be published early in the new year.