Grand National-winning trainer Gordon Elliott carted off with the first major jumps race at Ffos Las as Backstage romped to a 10-length success in the £50,000 freebets.co.uk Handicap Chase.

Steve Asmussen is hoping American Horse of the Year Curlin will gain recognition as the best animal on the planet after he tackles the Dubai World Cup on March 29.

Connections of Kip Deville are likely to pass up the chance of a £1m (€1.43m) bonus in Hong Kong in December.

Even before George Washington’s death at Monmouth Park on Saturday night there had been little cheer for the Irish or British raiders from a Breeders’ Cup card that produced 11 American winners out of 11.

The heavens were set to open over Monmouth Park last night, threatening to wash away the chances of Aidan O’Brien’s star Dylan Thomas in this evening’s US$3m Breeders’ Cup Turf at Monmouth Park.

Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense had to shrug off the persistent Grasshopper to win the Travers Stakes at Saratoga.

THIS year’s Breeders’ Cup has been expanded to a two-day, 11-race event in a bid to broaden its appeal, organisers have announced.

The Halifax moved to increase its presence on the UK high street today by unveiling plans to open 20 new branches next year.

Discount clothing retailer Ethel Austin mapped out plans today to open 200 new stores in the UK and create 2,500 jobs over the next five years.

Rocker Bruce Springsteen was today launching his new CD written in response to the September 11 terror attacks.