MICHAEL KINANE, the greatest flat jockey this country has ever produced, finally confirmed the rumours which had been rife in racing for a number of weeks when announcing his retirement yesterday.

Arc day at Longchamp began in chaotic fashion as a false start was called in the Prix de l'Abbaye despite most of the runners racing for more than three furlongs.

Zarkava turned in another spellbinding display under Christophe Soumillon to win the French 1000 Guineas at Longchamp.

Soldier Of Fortune can battle his way to success and provide Aidan O’Brien with a first-ever win in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday.

THREE-YEAR-OLDS dictate the betting for the totesport Ebor following the publication of the weights yesterday.

Coronation Stakes winner Indian Ink may not be seen in action again until the Prix de l’Opera at Longchamp in October.

HORSE Racing Ireland reported another bumper year for the sport yesterday, with continued growth in attendances, betting and prize money in 2006.

Alcazar will try to reverse Prix du Cadran form with Reefscape when the pair line up in the Group One Prix Royal-Oak at Longchamp on Sunday.

Reefscape produced a smart turn of foot to lift the Group One Prix du Cadran at Longchamp for trainer Andre Fabre.

Trainer Mark Wallace has revealed star sprinter Benbaun is set to take his chance in the Prix de l’Abbaye on Arc Day.

Connections of Motivator have reported the Vodafone Derby hero to be in sparkling form ahead of Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Patavellian will sidestep the totepool Diadem Stakes in favour of a tilt at the Prix de l’Abbaye – a race he won in 2003.

Kieren Fallon believes Hurricane Run will be a “different horse” in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe from the one that won his trial last Sunday.

Grey Swallow looks set to go off favourite for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp tomorrow as recent support for the Dermot Weld-trained colt continued today.

Six Perfections is to miss Sunday’s Group One Prix d’Astarte at Deauville so she can be saved for the Prix Jacques Le Marois on August 15, a race she won last year.

Highly-rated Classic hope Grey Swallow had his price for the 2000 Guineas and the Derby slashed yesterday after an impressive victory in the Killavullan Stakes at Leopardstown.