Robert Kieckhefer, United Press International (UPI) Journalist Profile

Articles

Big names take titles at Royal Ascot as Breeders' Cup fills slots

5 days ago | sports.yahoo.com | Robert Kieckhefer

June 23 (UPI) -- Another Royal Ascot meeting is in the books, with the big names landing the championship titles and four Breeders' Cup spots awarded through the "Win and You're In" Challenge program. Two more Breeders' Cup spots were dished out Sunday in South America, as top-level North American racing took a bit of a breather. AdvertisementThe weekend ended with a sad note about one of the sport's all-time great trainers.
Trainers O'Brien, Gosden dominate early days of Royal Ascot

1 week ago | upi.com | Robert Kieckhefer

June 29 (UPI) -- Trainers Aidan O'Brien and John and Thady Gosden certainly enjoyed the first three days of the Royal Ascot meeting, as O'Brien saddled three star-bound 2-year-olds and the Gosdens sent out the winners of the three biggest races. The Godolphin team also landed a few blows as the fashion-filled week passed its midpoint, handing out Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" tickets along the way. Here's a look, including a few other stops around the globe.
Royal Ascot looms after a weekend of big races from France to Japan

1 week ago | myrtlebeachonline.com | Robert Kieckhefer

June 16 (UPI) -- The Royal Ascot started taking firm shape this weekend even as the winners were cooling out from Sunday's "Win and You're In" qualifiers for the Breeders' Cup Turf, the W.S. Cox Plate and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Back in the States, some potentially late-blooming 3-year-olds took steps forward at Monmouth Park and Delaware Park. And Motorious started off his 7-year-old season with another convincing win. Oh boy! Royal Ascot.
Royal Ascot looms after a weekend of big races from France to Japan

1 week ago | upi.com | Robert Kieckhefer

June 16 (UPI) -- The Royal Ascot started taking firm shape this weekend even as the winners were cooling out from Sunday's "Win and You're In" qualifiers for the Breeders' Cup Turf, the W.S. Cox Plate and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Back in the States, some potentially late-blooming 3-year-olds took steps forward at Monmouth Park and Delaware Park. And Motorious started off his 7-year-old season with another convincing win. Oh boy! Royal Ascot.
England's Royal Ascot, Japan lead big weekend of horse racing

2 weeks ago | upi.com | Robert Kieckhefer

June 13 (UPI) -- A big week of international racing promises to have some serious impact down the road in North America as Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" spots are up for grabs Sunday in Japan and throughout the coming week at Royal Ascot. Delaware Park and Monmouth Park take the limelight in domestic racing. But let's start with the global perspective. Around the world, around the clockEnglandThe carriages roll next Tuesday at Ascot, presumably with their Royal Highnesses in the lead.
Coolmore, trainer Aiden O'Brien enjoyed Derby weekend at Epsom

2 weeks ago | upi.com | Robert Kieckhefer

June 9 (UPI) -- While American fans and punters were focused on a stakes-filled weekend at Saratoga, much of the rest of the world had eyes on Epsom Downs in England this past weekend, where the Irish Coolmore "lads" and trainer Aidan O'Brien carried all before them. Jantar Mantar grabbed the mantle of leading Japanese miler with a smooth victory in Sunday's Grade 1 Yasuda Kinen at Tokyo Racecourse, earning a spot in the Breeders' Cup Mile into the bargain.
Triple Crown is done, but battle for 3-year-old honors will rage on

2 weeks ago | upi.com | Robert Kieckhefer

June 9 (UPI) -- The score stands Sovereignty 2, Journalism 0 at about halftime in this year's 3-year-old wars, but the game is far from over, with some of the year's biggest races slated for the remainder of the season. Sovereignty's definitive victory over runner-up Journalism in Saturday's Belmont Stakes at Saratoga, an almost duplicate of the Kentucky Derby finish, certainly gives his connections bragging rights -- for now.
Sovereignty beats Journalism in Belmont Stakes

2 weeks ago | sports.yahoo.com | Robert Kieckhefer

June 7 (UPI) -- Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty ran right by Preakness Stakes winner Journalism at mid-stretch and charged on to a definitive victory in Saturday's $2 million, Grade I Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course in New York. Sovereignty and Journalism finished first and second, repectively, in the Derby. While Journalism went on to win the Preakness Stakes, middle jewel of the Triple Crown, two weeks later, trainer Bill Mott rested Sovereignty for the Belmont.
Sovereignty beats Journalism in Belmont Stakes

2 weeks ago | upi.com | Robert Kieckhefer

June 7 (UPI) -- Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty ran right by Preakness Stakes winner Journalism at mid-stretch and ran on to a definitive victory in Saturday's $2 million, Grade I Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. Sovereignty and Journalism finished first and second, respectively, in the Derby. While Journalism went on to win the Preakness Stakes, middle jewel of the Triple Crown, two weeks later, trainer Bill Mott rested Sovereignty for the Belmont Stakes. The five-week respite paid off.
Derby winner Mystik Dan finally wins again

3 weeks ago | upi.com | Robert Kieckhefer

June 2 (UPI) -- The 2024 Kentucky Derby winner finally returned to the winner's circle in a high point of weekend horse racing, while next weekend's finale of this year's Triple Crown series shaped up as a showdown between the Derby and Preakness winners. On the international scene, Croix du Nord won the Japanese Derby and Camille Pissarro captured the French Derby, so it's a weekend to tip the derby to the year's best 3-year-olds.