Over the past 24 hours, several notable events have occurred in the world of horse racing:
Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park
On July 18, 2026, the 59th running of the Haskell Stakes took place at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey. The race was won by Baby Vino, trained by Lindsay Schultz and ridden by Jorge Vargas Jr., who secured the $1 million purse and a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Napoleon Solo, the morning line favorite, finished second, followed by Iron Honor in third. (dknetwork.draftkings.com)
Diana Stakes at Saratoga
Also on July 18, 2026, the Grade 1 Diana Stakes was held at Saratoga Race Course. Trainer Chad Brown continued his dominance in the event, with Kathynmarissa edging out stablemate Segesta for the victory. The race was contested over 1 1/8 miles on turf, with fillies and mares aged four and up competing. (drf.com)
Monmouth Cup at Monmouth Park
In another race at Monmouth Park on July 18, 2026, Knightsbridge, trained by William Mott and ridden by Flavien Prat, made a strong impression in his first two-turn race. He dominated the Monmouth Cup, a 1 1/8-mile dirt race for open 3-year-olds and up, showcasing his versatility and potential for future stakes races. (drf.com)
International Dressage Teams Confirmed for Aachen 2026
As of July 16, 2026, all nations have submitted their nominated dressage entries for the FEI World Championships in Aachen, scheduled for August 11 to 16, 2026. Denmark, the reigning world champions, have confirmed their final squad, joining other nations like Sweden, Australia, Spain, and Portugal in finalizing their team line-ups. Germany enters as a strong favorite, given their status as European team gold medalists, while Great Britain hopes to secure its first world team title. (horseandhound.co.uk)
Welsh First Minister Addresses Future of Horse Racing
Following the Welsh parliament’s decision to ban greyhound racing, questions have arisen about the future of horse racing in Wales. During a First Minister’s Questions session on July 1, 2026, Reform UK Senedd member Cai Parry-Jones expressed concerns that horse racing, particularly jump racing, could be the next target. Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth deflected the query, noting that the greyhound racing vote had been a free vote and did not directly address horse racing. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) responded by emphasizing its engagement with the Welsh Government and its investment of over £63 million in equine welfare since 2000, highlighting political support for the high welfare standards in the sport. (horseandhound.co.uk)
Highlights:
- Welsh first minister swerves direct question on future of horse racing, Published on Thursday, July 16
- Aachen 2026: every dressage nominated entry confirmed, as reigning champions Denmark become the latest to name their definite team, Published on Thursday, July 16
