The US Federal Reserve is expected to hold interest rates steady at its meeting this week as it pauses to parse more economic data but may hint it is on track for an increase in June.

US employment growth accelerated in February and the jobless rate fell to a more than six-and-a-half-year low of 5.5%, signs that could encourage the Federal Reserve to consider hiking interest rates in June.

US employers kept up a solid pace of hiring in May, returning employment to its pre-recession level and offering confirmation the economy has snapped back from a winter slump.

New Approach’s stud fee has more than doubled for 2013 after a hugely successful first season for his progeny on the track.

Multiple Group One winner Refuse To Bend will retire to stand at Darley’s Kildangan Stud in Ireland at the end of the season.