Racing International

Havre De Grace Eclipse Horse Of The Year?

2012-01-16T11:12:45Z

The Eclipse Award Committee has announced three outstanding candidates for each championship category except for the Horse of the Year.

The three top HOY nominees and the winner will be announced January 16 at the Wilshire Beverly Hills Hotel Award dinner.

The five-year-old mare, Havre De Grace, appears to be early favourite for HOY. She is also nominated for Older Female.

If she wins, females have been judged the best horses in the USA for three straight years.

Fortunately, she will race at five.

HDG has arrived at the Fair Grounds to begin her training for her first race in 2012, the New Orleans Ladies, on March 17.

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Black Caviar Is Back In Training For 2012 Assault

2012-01-16T11:08:03Z

There was great disappointment when Australia's great sprinter mare, Black Caviar AUS, did not compete in the Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot, Perth, as expected.

Her last race and 16th consecutive victory was the Group 1 Patinack Farm Classic at Flemington in November during the Melbourne Festival.

There is even greater concern after her trainer, Peter Moody, announced that she was back in training with three Melbourne races planned before she travels to Royal Ascot in June.

Since Sydney and Adelaide are clamoring for her, Moody may have to vary his season plans.

Black Caviar arrived at his Caufield stables December 26 after a break to prepare for the Group 2 Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley on January 27.

"She will probably have a jump-out before that race" said Moody.

For now, the last race he scheduled for Australia before travelling to England is the Futurity Stakes on February 25.

Good news for England is that her 2012 focus is Royal Ascot.

Her fans can support her on facebook, twitter and join her fan club on her excellent website: http://www.blackcaviar.net/au.

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The Factor Is Now A Factor

2012-01-16T11:02:36Z

Santa Anita opened its winter season on Boxing Day before the largest crowd since 1994 - 44,519.

Though some had given up on The Factor USA (War Front USA), his trainer Bob Baffert had not.

His colt gave him his first victory after 20 tries to win the Grade 1 $250,000 Malibu Stakes for three-year olds.

The Factor won the 7f race by a fast 3½ lengths over Rothko in 1.19.89s - just .19 off the track record set by Twirling Candy last year.

Baffert is so pleased with his charge that he is keen to enter him in Dubai's Sheema Classic.

Nice to see a good horse come right.

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Rapid Redux Sets The Records

2012-01-16T00:04:26Z

"The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Daily Racing Form, and the National Turf Writers And Broadcasters (NTWA announced Wednesday that Rapid Redux, a winner of 19 consecutive races in 2011, will be honored with the Special Eclipse Award."

"The Special Award honors extraordinary service, individual achievements in, or contributions to the sport of Thoroughbred racing." Daily Racing Form

The five-year-old gelding of Pleasantly Perfect USA, Rapid Redux USA, may only run in $5,000 starter-allowance races, but he has won 20 of them consecutively - 19 of which were in 2011.

His 20th was at Mountaineer Ractrack in Chester, WV, in January.

Rapid Redux has bested Zenyatta and Peppers Pride's 19 straight victories.

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Awesome Feather Is Back

2012-01-15T23:57:07Z

Last year's Champion 2yo filly and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies' winner, Awesome Feather, won the Grade 1 Gazelle at Aquaduct and the Le Slew Stakes on October 5.

Trainer Chad Brown decided to skip the BC Ladies' Classic as it would be too demanding given her long layoff after changing owners.

She will race next year at four.

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Master Minded Injured

2012-01-15T23:54:12Z

The exceptionally talented eight-year-old gelding of the Paul Nicholls-Clive Smith team, Master Minded FR (Nikos), was pulled up at the last fence in the King George VI Chase with a off-fore (right-front) tendon injury which may end his racing career.

It is an injury he suffered before when he struck into himself during a taxing race. He is being treated at the Newmarket hospital and is not in danger at this time.

©Posted December 26, 2011

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Kauto Star's Record 5th King George VI

2012-01-15T23:51:09Z

Who would dream when Kauto Star won his fourth King George VI in 2009 that he would return
in 2011 to break the British record with his fifth race victory?              ©Photo David Hastings

At ten, the French-bred gelding Kauto Star (Village Star FR) was a fading champion with four King George VIs and four Cheltenham Gold Cups under his girth.

It seemed time for Paul Nicholl's star to yield to the younger generation.  Nicky Henderson's Long Run FR (Cadoudal FR) defeated him in both his specialty races early in 2011.

Then came November 19 at Haydock when Kauto Star returned to stardom exhibiting jumping perfection in defeating Long Run by eight lengths on good-to-soft ground.

Despite Kauto Star's staggering achievement that day, punters sent Long Run off evens favourite in the second most important race of the chase season:  Kempton's Boxing Day Grade 1 King George VI Chase, 3 miles with 18 fences on good-to-soft Turf, with a purse of £102,991.40.

Only three horses drew the bettors: Long Run and Paul Nicholls duo of Kauto Star and Master Minded FR who were sent out at 3/1 and 11/2 respectively. The other four horses drew little support: Captain Chris, Golan Way, Nacarat and Somersby.

Outsiders Golan Way and Nacarat FR vied for the lead from the outset with Ruby Walsh keeping Kauto Star prominent throughout in second or third and closely shadowed by his nemesis Long Run.

Kauto Star seemed to have enough of the flubbers and took the lead.

He demonstrated why he has been at the top of the chasing game since five with his perfect jumping and characteristic front flutter.

Jockey Sam Waley-Cohen was left with no choice but to move Long Run up to second. Jumping is not the youngster's best suit; waiting, staying and speed are.

Consumate professional jockey Walsh judged his horse's advantages and dominated race tactics.

Amateur Waley-Cohen's Long Run made a few mistakes including the fateful heavy brushing the final fence.

It cut his speed when trying to catch up with a tiring Kauto Star who beat him by 1¼ lengths at the post. Captain Chris was 17 lengths behind in third.

Golan Way refused a jump and the brilliant Master Minded, who had never tried the extra distance, was injured before the last obstacle. Five finished.

The crowd went wild and every jumps' lover should salute Kauto Star and his human team for his incredible achievements.

No other chaser in history has broken the records he has with such style, ease and grace.

Winning a fifth Cheltenham Gold Cup next March would leave him historically untouchable.

Despite today's race, the younger Long Run is still favourite for the next Gold Cup.

Long Live Kauto Star! Hip, Hip, Hooray!

©Posted December 26, 2011

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Binocular Back To Form

2012-01-15T23:43:55Z

Nicky Henderson had better luck against trainer Paul Nicholls in the Grade 1 williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle, 2 miles, when his seven-year-old Binocular FR (Enrique) returned to form beating Nicholls' progressive Rock On Ruby by a neck.

Binocular has not won a race since February and was defeated by Overturn, in third by eight lengths, on November 26.

Britain's champion jockey, AP McCoy, talked of Binocular's physical problems before the race. Yet he was confident of the handsome gelding's chances.

He rode the horse with patience just niggling him along only asking for a real effort near the post up against a determined Ruby Walsh on Rock On Ruby.

The horse's class saw him through the ding-dong and Binocular seemed to gain his confidence back as he pulled away at the post.

He could be a major player at Cheltenham again.

©Posted December 26, 2011

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"Golden" Orfevre Victor Of Arima Kinen

2012-01-15T23:38:18Z

Over 115,000 shouted home Japan's "Golden Horse" Orfevre to victory in the Grade 1 Arima Kinen, 1m4½f (1-9/16m, 2500 meters) on Turf, at Nakayama on Christmas Day.

As Japan's first Triple Crown winner since Deep Impact JPN (Sunday Silence USA) in 2005, the spectacular three-year-old chestnut was sent out 6/5 favourite over 12 older horses - many of whom are multiple Grade winners.

Those Grade winners included the five-year-old mare Buena Vista JPN (Special Week JPN), winner of the 2011 Japan Cup, who was feted at her retirement after the race known as Japan's "Grand Prix" which is equivalent in national popularity to the Kentucky Derby, Grand National or Melbourne Cup.

The Arima Kinen purse is 416 million yen (£3.41 million or $4.9 million).

The three-year-old son of Stay Gold got a slow start in a slowly-run race and was second last for most of the first 10 furlongs when his jockey, Kenichi Ikezoe, pulled him five wide on the outside round the bend.

Orfevre dug that amazing toe in, gearing up slowly about two furlongs out, and ground down the opposition Eishin Flash by ¾ length and To The Glory third in a sprint finish.

Buena Vista finished eighth and this year's Dubai World Cup winner, Victoire Pisa, behind her.

Ikezoe said "the colt stretched really well. He's still a young horse - he was born later than the horses of the same age group (May 14, 2008) - but he is growing and getting better day by day."

Once unleashed, again and again, Orfevre has proven himself progressive if not invincible at longer distances.

He lost his first three career races (a 10th 7f in a Grade 3, second and third in Grade 2s) and won his last six on a trot - four Grade 1s and two Grade 2s.

His trainer, Yasutoshi Ikee, equalled Japan's trainer record with five Grade 1 successes (four of which are Orfevre's) in one season.

Ikee said, "We are aiming for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, but we are also examining the possibilities of racing him in Dubai in March".

The Dubai World Cup would probably be too short a trip for him now.

This is the horse who can finally bring the Arc cup home to Japan.

As one of the world's best racehorses, Deep Impact should have won it, but did not because of poor race tactics.

Whatever races precede the Arc, they will be carefully chosen to enhance Orfevre's chances to win it and his career-long jockey primed to snatch Japan's coveted prize.

England has Frankel, Australia Black Caviar and Japan has its "Golden" boy - the three greatest horses racing on the Flat today.

©Posted December 26, 2011

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Dunaden Swoops Hong Kong Vase

2012-01-15T23:32:40Z

France's winner of Australia's prize Melbourne Cup, Dunaden FR (Nicobar), swept all before him in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase (Group 1), 1m4f (12f, 1½m, 2400m) on Turf, at Sha Tin.

The five-year-old horse looked a goner when local favourite Thumbs Up charged to the front one-furlong out, but responded brilliantly to his jockey Craig Williams to defeat his rival by a firm ¾ length.

"When I asked him to set his sights on the bunny, his ears went back and he just took off. I love this horse. He tried to put me on the floor on Tuesday and I knew he was in great form." said Williams.

Ed Dunlop's Red Cadeaux, second in the Melbourne Cup, settled for a deadheat third with France's Silver Pond another ¾ length behind.

Dunaden was the ninth winner of the Vase for France and the 15th European-trained horse in the race's 17-year history.

His trainer Mikel Delzangles was incredulous. "If you had told me in May that we would win in Australia and Hong Kong, I would never have believed you."

Dunaden will rest and race again next year.

©Posted December 12, 2011

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California Memory's Hong Kong Cup

2012-01-15T23:29:05Z

France could claim some credit for the winner of the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup (Group 1), 1m2f (10f, 1¼m, 2000m) on Turf, for 3yo+ at Sha Tin.

The grey gelding, California Memory USA (Highest Honor FR), was bred and raced in France through 2009 until he switched to his Hong Kong owner in 2010. He had only one race in 2010.

In his seven 2011 races (six Group 1s and 2s), he was only out of the money once.

Sent out at 69/20 odds, he raced just off the slow front pace and rallied at the end to snatch victory from last year's second, local Irian GER, by a length and another ¼ length ahead of Germany's vaunted Zazou.

Credit to jockey Matt Chadwick, who has ridden the gelding in all his Hong Kong races, timed his moves to perfection.

The favourite was Ambitious Dragon NZ who was sent out at 11/10 odds after winning the Queen Elizabeth II Cup and Hong Kong Derby.

He only managed fourth, 1¼ lengths behind the winner, after walking out of the gate and racing catch up.

It would help if his trainer would decide on one jockey. Switching between Douglas Whyte and Maxime Guyon is not helping this fine horse's form.

France's "Fighting Cirrus", Cirrus Des Aigles, was 2 lengths behind in fifth.

As a gelding, Cirrus will race on in 2012 and try to repeat his victory in the Champions Stakes at Ascot according to his trainer Corine Barande-Barbe.

California Memory's trainer, Tony Cruz, was convinced "there's bigger things to come. He will be going for all the big local races, but I would also like to go to Singapore and Dubai."

©Posted December 12, 2011

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Vengeance of Buena Vista In Japan Cup

2012-01-15T23:22:09Z

After a mindless disqualification in the 2010 Japan Cup in favour of the colt Rose Kingdom, Buena Vista JPN (Special Week JPN) proved her determined superiority winning the Japan Cup, the world's third richest race (again), in 2011 by a neck over Tosen Jordan.

Her rival fell victim to Japan's five-year-old Horse of the Year 2010 in the final stage of the Grade 1 Japan Cup, 1m4f (12f, 1½m, 2400m) on Turf, for 3yo+.

Despite never quite regaining her victorious form since last December, she and jockey Yasunari Iwata showed that they had never lost their fight - battling the final 100 yards to prevail.

Jaguar Mail took third 1¾ lengths behind.

The first five places were taken by the home team.

In sixth was the brilliant winner of the Arc de Triomphe, three-year-old filly Danedream, who was drawn wide and left with too much to do in the final stages of the race. The filly's Arc was no fluke.

Rose Kingdom, beneficiary of Buena Vista's 2010 disqualification, was ninth and the Dubai Cup winner, Victoire Pisa, 13th of 16 runners.

Buena Vista's trainer Hiroyoshi Matsuda announced that she would compete in the Hong Kong Cup in December as her final career race.

She is owned by the Sunday Racing Club and will be covered by King Kamehameha JPN who stands at Shadei Farm.

The Japan Cup purse is worth 480 million yen (about £4 million) just behind the Dubai World Cup and Emirates Melbourne Cup in value.

©Posted November 27, 2011

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Snow Fairy's Japan Success In Spite Of...

2012-01-15T23:14:55Z

Not even an infected insect bite which left her temporarily lame or an outside draw in stall 18 or ten lengths behind a runaway leader Shimmei Fuji could deter Snow Fairy IRE (Intikhab USA) from seizing a back-to-back victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup (Grade 1), 1m3f (11f, 1-3/8m, 2200 metres), for 3yo+ fillies and mares on Turf at Kyoto November 13.

The QEII is Japan's major race for females and the task looked impossible for Ed Dunlop's four-year old filly who was sent out 17/10 favourite in the 177 million yen (£1.44 million) race.

But she had her favourite partner Ryan Moore with whom she has won five Group 1s.

From way out, she slipped between closers covering 10 lengths with incredible speed on her favourite fast ground and won by a neck over the unfortunate Aventura JPN (Jungle Pocket JPN) and another length in front of Apapane JPN (King Kamehameha JPN) who raced up with the pace throughout the race.

Dunlop admitted being worried about her racing, but said afterwards that "We had Ouija Board and now we have her. I can't tell you how much we appreciate having her. She will stay in training next year as long as she is OK. We are very lucky."

Her next race will be the Japan Cup November 27.

©Posted November 13, 2011

UPDATE: Unfortunately, Snow Fairy was injured in training for the Japan Cup and returned to England to recover for the 2012 international season.

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Black "Miss Invincible" Caviar's 15th Consecutive

2012-01-15T22:54:18Z

After winning the Group 2 A$300,000 Schweppes Stakes, 6f on Turf at Moonee Valley, racing pros assert that there are no worlds left to conquer for Australia's magnificent five-year-old mare, Black "Miss Invincible" Caviar, in Sprint.

It is just Demolish Derby every time she races and her condition has improved according to her trainer and jockey.

In their wisdom, the pros demand that trainer Peter Moody and her connections increase her distances to 7 or 8 furlongs to prove her versatility.

A mare who can win 15 of 15 career starts at 5 or 6 furlongs should have nothing more to prove.

She had equalled legendary Phar Lap's (NZ) record number of victories in her last race.

At 15 victories in succession, she has joined two other Australian racing legends - Carbine NZ and Bernborough.

As long as she remains well and continues racing, she will most probably set new records.

She will take on the 'tough' Hong Kong boys (mostly Australian or New Zealand sprinters) in December and their connections greet her arrival with mixed excitement and trepidation.

Europeans will take their best shots at her in June 2012 when she travels to Europe for Royal Ascot.

Then perhaps the dark beauty can retire to a polite rendezvous with a handsome stud and race with her little ones.

Till then, it makes no sense to second guess the success of the world's highest ranked female (130).

In winning her Schweppes Stakes, she just bowled along while her three rivals revved up their speed.

About two furlongs out, her jockey Luke Nolan finally moved a muscle easing her out to defeat Doubtful Jack by six lengths.

Nolan said "She was poised, ready to go - it was just a matter of when."

"I'm just the lucky bloke on top because she landed in our stable - it's a little bit overwhelming. It is Cox Plate Day and she could nearly be the the star of the show. It is a very humbling experience to be party of it."

Her next engagement is the Group 1 Patinack Farm Classic at Flemington on November 5.

Another of her victims, Dan Morton who trains Scenic Blast, felt his horse needed the run to confront her at Flemington.

"Obviously Black Caviar is there and she should be too good for anything."

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Drosselmeyer Scooped Breeders' Cup

2012-01-15T22:48:11Z

Could a horse named Game On Dude USA (Awesome Again USA), who led the feature Breeders' Cup Classic through its close, be unluckier than to be 'gamed' by another four-year old in the close of the Grade 1 race, 1m2f (10f, 1¼m, 2000m) on Dirt at Churchill Downs?

In a race that sunk all the 'hot' favourites, 148/10 Drosselmeyer USA (Distorted Humor USA) appeared from no where - from the center back and wide - to bore down on the unsuspecting rail-hugging leader who valiently fought off all challengers.

Chantal Sutherland, former partner of jockey Mike Smith, had the race wrapped up on Game On Dude after the Belmont Stakes winner, Ruler On Ice USA (Roman Ruler USA) lost his bid.

Sutherland would have been the first woman jockey to win a Breeders' Cup Classic except for the very same Mike Smith and his spectacular horse Drosselmeyer who outran her by 1½ lengths in a spectacular close.

Ruler On Ice was 1-length behind GOD in third and the only filly in the race, Havre De Grace USA (St Liam USA), fourth by another ½ length.

Flat Out USA who beat Drosselmeyer by 2¼ lengths October 1, was fifth and the Aidan O'Brien ace, So You Think NZ, who had trouble finding escape room from the rail was sixth.

Uncle Mo USA challenged Game On Dude early in the race and blew out to finish tenth. There was a bitter after-race controversy over his participation and failure. He has been retired.

Despite sympathy for Sutherland and her horse's connections, one could not begrudge Smith his brilliant win after witnessing his misery firsthand last year when he lost on the great Zenyatta to the three-year-old colt Blame.

This writer must confess an abiding affection for Drosselmeyer who, like Animal Kingdom, has been very unlucky and yet always seemed capable of better.

His canny trainer William Mott always believed in him and had him ready to scoop the big one - his only Grade 1 victory in his two-year career - after winning a Belmont Grade 2 at 10f. He has won three races out of 11.

Drosselmeyer will retire to stud in New York and will be one of the finalists for the Eclipse Horse of the Year Awards to be named in January 2012.

Another finalist for the Eclipse HOY will be Havre De Grace who will race again in 2012 after a rest in Florida.

For many who had other expectations, the result was just another of this year's Breeders' Cup races which did not go according to popular predictions.

Racing International did predict this could be a stayer's race and tipped Drosselmeyer as having a good chance with a long-run finish.

Drosselmeyer won handily and was the best horse in the race on the day. That is the fact.

It was no painful squeaker like last year.

©Posted November 6, 2011

Breeders' Cup Day

Most of the nine races on Breeders' Cup Day delivered surprises including the corker Breeders' Cup Classic (above) itself.

Many horses failed to perform as expected and did not handle Churchill Down's track despite ideal racing and weather conditions. The ground was drying out after rain earlier in the week and was running fast.

Whatever reasons given, many favourites did not perform as expected giving adaptable outsiders their chances to prove their mettle.

What better way to start the second day of a tricky Two-Day Marathon than with a marathon.

Breeders' Cup Marathon (Grade 2), 1m6f (14f, 1¾m, 2800m) for 3yo+ on Dirt

Trainer Robert E Reid Jr said his gutsy grey Afleet Again USA (Afleet Alex USA), sent out 42/1, could "race all day and today was his day".

He beat Birdrun USA (Birdstone USA) a second favourite, by 2¼ lengths with impressive Giant Oak USA (Giant's Causeway USA) in third by a head.

Europe's hopes for the talented 7/1 filly, Meeznah USA (Dynaformer USA), were shot when she started late and was pulled up.

A.U. Miner USA (Mineshaft USA), 7/2 favourite, was also pulled up and jockey Calvin Borel said he could not handle the track.

It was not immediately known if they were injured.

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (Grade 1), 1m for 2yo colts and geldings on Turf

Ireland's Aidan O'Brien can never be underestimated in international races despite his having a weak Breeders' Cup record compared to the number of his entries.

Nor can European or Canadian Turf horses be ignored.

O'Brien's record may explain why a Ballydoyle colt trained by Todd Pletcher, Finale USA (Scat Daddy USA), was sent out 4/1 favourite and O'Brien's Wrote IRE (High Chaparral IRE) only managed 11/1.

Once Britain's champion jockey Ryan Moore moved forward on Wrote, the race was over.

Ian Black's Excaper USA (Exchange Rate USA), at 33/1, was second 2¼ lengths behind Wrote and Farraaj IRE (Dubai Destination USA) who just lost second by a nose.

Black is from Canada, a country with a strong Turf tradition, and Farraaj is trained by Roger Varian in England's racing capital Newmarket.

The favourite, Finale, was seventh.

Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Sprint (Grade 1), 6f for 3yo+ on Dirt

A Dirt sprint is more the American speciality and this race did not disappoint with final battle between Bill Spawr's Amazombie USA (Northern Afleet USA), ridden by jockey Mike Smith, and Peter R Walder's Force Freeze USA (Forest Camp USA).

Smith dominated by a neck in his first victory of the day on the talented five-year old Amazombie who has won five of his 10 races and placed in three others. Four of his wins are Grade 1s at 6f, 7f and 8f.

Force Freeze has won five of his 18 starts at 6f.

The third was the favourite at 14/5, Jackson Bend USA (Hear No Evil USA), 2¼ lengths behind.

Surely Amazombie will be a favourite for an Eclipse nomination.

Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (Grade 2), 5f for 3yo+ on Turf

In spite of this being a Turf race, the only non-USA entries were Grand Adventure USA from trainer Mark Frostad of Canada and Hoof It NZ from British-born, US-based trainer Graham Motion.

Of the 14 runners, Regally Ready USA (More Than Ready USA) was sent out 23/10 favourite and proved he was worth the betting assessment.

He won easily in 56.48s by 1½ lengths over Country Day with Perfect Officer another ¾ length behind in third.

Steve Asmussen trained him and Cori Nakatani was his jockey.

The four-year-old chestnut gelding should win many more races and be a factor in the 2012 Eclipse Awards.

Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (Grade 1), 1m for 3yo+ on Dirt

There were many fluctuations in betting before this race filled with classy horses including the Preakness winner, Shackleford USA (Forestry USA), who could be counted on to set a fast pace when he got to the front.

Unfortunately, he was mugged in an extraordinary 4-length victory by Caleb's Posse USA (Posse USA) for trainer Donnie K Von Hemel and jockey Rajiv Maragh.

Shackleford was second and Tres Borrachos third another 1¾ lengths behind.

This is another Eclipse-qualifying result for Caleb's Posse.

Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Turf (Grade 1), 1m4f for 3yo+ on Turf

With Sir Henry Cecil's Midday, the winner in 2009 and second in 2010 present, expectations for a fiercely competitive race were high.

Sir Michael Stoute's three-year-old Sea Moon, denied an early workout when rain closed the course, was second favourite at 33/10.

The two Juddmonte breds would face the Aga Khan's filly Sarafina FR, sent off 5/2 favourite, and two of Aidan O'Brien's stable: St Nicholas Abbey IRE and Await The Dawn IRE.

The European breeders' battle of Juddmonte, Aga Khan and Coolmore (Ballydoyle) would be fought in America against US horses on Turf.

This was another quirky race that allowed a brilliant finish by Joseph O'Brien (18-year-old son of Aidan) on four-year-old St Nicholas Abbey IRE (Montjeu IRE) to win over unlucky Sea Moon (Beat Hollow) by 2¼ lengths.

America's best, Thomas Albertrani's Brilliant Speed USA (Dynaformer USA), took third by another length under John Velazquez. Dynaformer is known to produce very good Turf horses.

Sarafina was reluctant before the race and ran keenly. She never provided her brilliant closing speed and was lucky to grab fourth - three more lengths off the winner.

And Midday, another female who did not enjoy the track, was sixth.

The crowd greeted the youngest jockey to win a Breeders' Cup, Joey O'Brien, with tremendous warmth.

For those of us who have followed the pretty St Nick, it was a fitting conclusion that he proved how good he is on a world stage despite his multiple career setbacks. He will now retire.

Afterthought: Since the Rest of the World races on Turf, the US should consider training more horses on the surface so that it can be more competitive worldwide.

Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile (Grade 1), 1m½f for 2yo colts and geldings on Dirt

This and the next two races provided the biggest shocks of the Meet.

Union Rags USA (Dixie Union USA), 11/10 favourite for this race and next year's Kentucky Derby, disappointed many when he floundered hanging right on the center ground and, once nearing the redoubtable grey Hansen USA (Tapit USA), could not overtake him.

He lost by a head to the 71/10 underestimated youngster trained by Michael J Maker.

Hansen, named for his owner owner Dr Kendall Hansen, was the least experienced horse in the race with only two races from September 9 and 24 at Turfway Park to qualify.

He likes to lead by big margins, but had to settle for less when upped to Grade 1 class and easily fought off all challengers.

The Breeders' Cup Juvenile is his first Graded victory out of three.

The imposing Union Rags was a cinch for Eclipse Two-Year-Old Champion, but now the tough little Hansen must be considered for it and the Derby as well.

His connections were staggered; they thought they should give him a chance, but had no idea he was as good as he is.

Then again, he is by Tapit who is an increasingly successful sire.

Creative Cause, who was up with the pace throughout the race, was third by another length.

He displayed no flaws in his steadiness and has the ability to mature into a top colt at three.

TVG Breeders' Cup Mile (Grade 1), 1m for 3yo+ on Turf

This was the least pleasant race of the weekend when several jockeys pinned the 13/10 favourite, Goldikova IRE (Anaaba USA), on the fence to prevent her from winning her fourth consecutive Breeders' Cup Mile.

In the absence of Zenyatta, she was treated as the undisputed Queen of the Breeders' Cup by the crowd and Breeders' Cup officials.

Her exasperated jockey, Olivier Peslier, forced his way out of the trap thereby creating a mess and nearly bringing down Courageous Cat.

His mare Goldikova was battered and, once in daylight, ran down her opponents as usual only to be mugged from behind.

There was poetic justice in the resolution.

Two fast-closers from the rear ran her and the others down as they tried to extricate themselves from the melee.

Court Vision USA (Gulch USA), 65/1, beat 11/1 Turallure USA (Wando CAN) by a nose with Goldikova another length behind in third.

The mare had no time nor space to respond before the post.

There was poetic justice in the verdict.

Those who tried to stop Goldikova were out of the money and faced a stewards' enquiry along with Goldi's jockey.

Two deserving horses, who caused no trouble, exploited their advantages.

And they are 100% American horses who won on Turf.

Did the best horse win? I still think Goldi should have won and so do the French who are gutted for their heroine.

As an American who lives in Europe, I was disgusted with the conduct of several jockeys in this race. Stewards must be far stricter.

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Breeders' Cup Day 2011

2012-01-15T22:38:18Z

Breeders' Cup 'Americas' Day 1

The first six races of the Breeders' Cup weekend are held on the Friday card at Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY.

Four of the Friday races were on Dirt and two on Turf.

Ground conditions were muddy on Dirt and yielding on Turf until just before the BC races when the drying ground in warm, sunny weather was upgraded to good. The Dirt look muddy to me.

Only two European horses have won on Dirt in the 28-year history of the Breeders' Cup: Wilko and Johannesburg.

European horses usually dominate Turf races in the USA, but today's six winners were all American including Canada's impressive Perfect Shirl in the 1m3f Emirates Airline BC Filly & Mare Turf.

Europe sent 28 horses to compete in this year's 15 Breeders' Cup races. So far two of their Turf horses have placed: Nahrain and Misty For Me. Up was fourth in the BC Juvenile Fillies.

European race favourites on the Saturday card are Goldikova IRE and Sarafina FR on Turf and So You Think NZ on Dirt.

In advance, experts felt that only two European horses has a chance on Dirt: filly Shumoos USA in the inaugural 6f Juvenile Sprint and So You Think in the BC Classic.

Pachattack USA (Pulpit USA) has been training in the USA with British trainer Gerald Butler and she came in third in the BC Ladies' Classic on Dirt.

Shumoos, trading at 153/10, came through brilliantly in a last-to-second flying finish just 1 length off the 2/5 favourite colt Secret Circle USA (Eddington USA) in the inaugural Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint (Conditions), 6f for 2yo on Dirt.

Holding Bullets USA (Ghostzapper USA) was third another 4½ lengths behind the two leaders.

The near victory had a bittersweet result for the filly's trainer Brian Meehan. She will remain in the USA to race on Dirt with Ben Cecil.

Shumoos had not shown such good form on Turf and it appears that her Distorted Humor and Wile Cat breeding have given her a real Dirt edge.

Secret Circle, though drifting a bit so far out in front and perhaps tiring, proved himself an outstanding colt and an Eclipse contender.

Time was 1.10.52.

It is said that he might not have won the longer, two-turn 7f juvenile sprint despite his obvious ability.

Creating this shorter one-turn race has filled a real void and has opened more opportunities for talented youngsters.

Though Britain's star Elusive Kate was sent off 14/5 favourites in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (Grade 2), 1m for fillies on Turf, she had a difficult race and could only manage eighth behind three US horses and Ballydoyle's Up.

Stopshoppingmaria took hold of the lead and kept it for most of the race until her nemesis Stephanie's Kitten USA shut her down by ¾ lengths in 1.38.80.

It is her second defeat by SK.

John Velazquez usually rides for Todd Pletcher, but deserted his Stopshoppingmaria for Wayne Catalano's Stephanie's Kitten.  Wise move.

Sweet Cat USA took third 1¼ behind for Pletcher and the much criticised Up, Ballydoyle's little maiden, was fourth by a neck in another run from a way-behind last to place.

Former Viet Nam veteran William Kaplan produced Musical Kate USA (Concorde's Tune USA) as a surprise 202/10 winner of the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (Grade 1), 7f for 3yo+ on Dirt.

Like Elusive Kate in Race 8, favourite Turbulent Descent USA had a turbulent race, having been checked several times, and could only manage fifth.

Switch USA and Her Smile USA followed the winner by 1¼ and a head in 1.23.47.

Musical Kate's victory was a great boost for Florida-breds and Calder Racetrack where she is based.

It was her second Grade 1 victory and a first BC victory for her, her jockey Juan Leyva and trainer Kaplan.

This race is said to raise the broodmare value of whichever horse wins.

The Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (Grade 1), 1m½f for 2yo fillies on Dirt, was an exceptionally pleasing race.

The 21/10 winner My Miss Aurelia USA (Smart Strike USA) was always just at the ready to put the race to bed after a fast early lead by Awesome Belle and Say A Novema.

Steve Asmussen, Curlin's trainer, presented the filly with three wins to remain unbeaten by 3 lengths over Grace Hall USA (Empire Maker USA) in 1.46.00.

Weemissfrankie USA (Sunriver USA) was third another 6 lengths behind.

Speculation is that her exceptional performance will win MMA the Cliff Award.

The Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (Grade 1), 1m3f for 3yo+ fillies and mares, led to two upsets.

The first was a last minute scratching of Andre Fabre's Announce (Selkirk) after the hyped-up filly ran into the parked ambulance on the Dirt track.

What she and her jockey, Maxime Guyon, were doing there is a mystery unless they were blinded by the night lights.

Officials decided not to race her.

The second upset was Canada's Perfect Shirl USA (Perfect Soul USA) won the Turf race at 28/1 when Stacelita, who had originally trained in France and the other three European-trained horses were expected to win - namely, Announce, Nahrain and Misty For Me.

Stacelita FR (Monsun GER) was trapped with no hope of escape for most of the close.

Frankie Dettori did well to get his three-year-old filly Nahrain (Selkirk) out of cover by stops and starts to take second ¾ lengths behind the winner.

Misty For Me IRE (Galileo IRE), a very experienced Ballydoyle three-year old, lagged behind the pack for most the race, but Ryan Moore galvanised her to grab third in a photo nose behind Nahrain.

The time was 2.18.62.

Neither Up nor MFM were poor prospects for the fillies races. Given that they had poor, outside positions for their first times at Churchill, they did well.

Let's hope the lessons Moore has learned will benefit So You Think. He should be in the money in the Classic or there is no justice.

The Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (Grade 1), 1m1f for 3yo+ fillies and mares on Dirt is the most prestigious race of the Friday card and the nine participants were of the highest quality.

Since Zenyatta, this race has achieved iconic status as a stepping stone to the Breeders' Cup Classic. On Saturday, the lone filly Havre De Grace will take on the boys in the Classic.

Someday the winner Royal Delta USA (Empire Maker USA), who was beaten by HDG, may take the same path for her trainer William Mott who won his fourth Ladies' Classic.

The three-year-old 11/5 favourite demolished a fine field with Godolphin's It's Tricky USA (Mineshaft USA) second by 2½ lengths and British-trained Pachattack USA (Pulpit USA) third by 2¼ lengths.

Royal Delta kept up with the very fast pace until it was time to leave the others behind in a finely-timed move by jockey Jose Lezcano.

It was a great victory and we shall see more of this young, classy filly Royal Delta.

http://www.racingint.com

Les Reines de l'Arc de Triomphe

2012-01-15T22:30:59Z

It is always makes one feel good when Racing International 's unusal predictions come true in major races.

We predicted a one-two-three female victory in Europe's iconic Group 1 Qatar Arc de Triomphe, 1m4f (12f, 1½m, 2400m), at Longchamp on good-to-fast Turf.

In our preview analysis, we rated Danedream GER (Lomitas GER) as having the best chance to win along with Snow Fairy and Sarafina.

We got it right about Danedream and Snow Fairy who was third.

Sarafina, probably the best horse in the race, never fired until the very end - too late to make up lost ground.

Her formidable stablemate, Shareta, was the surprise female of the trio coming in second.

We predicted that Shareta, St Nicholas Abbey and Treasure Beach would pacemake for Sarafina and So You Think.

So You Think was the male to come closest to the three divas reaching fourth with St Nicholas Abbey in fifth by a shoulder.

The controversy of whether So You Think could outlast a real stayer like Snow Fairy was finally settled when she held him firmly at bay by a half length.

Meandre, Sarafina and Silver Pond took the next three places with the eight other race participants a minimum of four lengths behind.

The horses who did the best love good-to-fast ground.

After Shareta fought off Ballydoyle's St Nicholas Abbey and Treasure Beach, the way was paved for Germany's Danedream to emerge from her safe rail position speeding past the others in a record-breaking 1.24.29 bettering Peintre Celebre's 1997 record of 2.24.60.

Danedream's jockey Andrasch Starke rode a course-perfect race taking advantage of her enviable Stall 2 position to control the rail when Hiruni D'Amour from Stall 1 lost it.

Starke rode her off the pace in the middle avoiding the fractious, battling leaders and taking the shortest route round the course thereby conserving her energy for a stunning run for home.

Fortunately, fading horses kept racing and Starke found a gap at the perfect time to use his three-year-old filly's tremendous speed to outdistance the others leaving them in shock to scrap for placings.

It was Germany's second (our mistake in an earlier column said the first) victory in the Arc. The first was by Star Appeal in 1975.

Since her owner Gestut Burg Eberstein sold half interest in her to Japanese breeder Teruya Yoshida two days before the race, Japan has its first victory of the Arc - technically speaking that is.

She was bred by Gestut Brummerhof and trained by Germany's leading trainer Peter Schiergen who said she was the best horse he ever trained.

"When she was winning, I was in a dream. I am not sure that now is not a dream."

Her connections made a wise decision to supplement her for €100,000 and got a nice return in the £1,970,344.83 first prize.

Danedream won a 132 Timeform rating. A half share in her has been sold to Japanese breeder Teruya Yoshida before the race and she will retire to stud in 2013 in Japan.

©Posted October 2, 2011

Arc Day Races

Qatar Prix Du Cadran (Group 1), 2m4f for 4yo+ on Turf, £123,146.55

One of the most satisfactory results for many who follow the 23/10 favourite, Casbah Bliss FR (Kahyasi), was his 1¼ length victory over Tres Rock Danon and a short neck over Brigantin in the long-distance race.

The nine-year old prodigy of Francois Doumen was brilliantly ridden by veteran Gerald Mosse and is a particular favourite of the trainer and well-loved by the French.

Qatar Prix De L'Abbaye De Longchamp (Group 1), 5f for 2yo+ on Turf, £147,775.86

Seven-year-old Tangerine Trees (Mind Games) brought home a hard-fought prize for British trainer Bryan Smart and jockey Tom Eaves winning by a short neck and nose over Britain's Secret Asset and Sole Power in fast time 55.53s (fast by 1.27s).

Total Prix Marcel Boussac - Criterium Des Pouliches (Group 1), 1m for 2yo fillies on Turf, £147,775.86

Despite a near arrest for suspected spying when entering France, trainer John Gosden managed arrived in time for the race and to cheer home his wayward Elusive Kate USA (Elusive Quality USA).

Zantenda was sent out 4/5 favourite, but was no match for the British filly who could have lost the race after taking the lead and hanging so far left that she was almost off the course.

She won by 3 lengths, Fire Lily was second and Zantenda another 1¼ lengths behind in third.

Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Group 1), 7f for 2yo colts and fillies on Turf, £172,405.17

Luck changed for Frankie Dettori when he was reuinited with the exciting Dabirsim FR (Hat Trick JPN). He was 1/2 favourite.

They hugged the rail quietly and it looked as if Dettori might not get the gap in time, but his timing was perfect and the colt won by a comfortable ¾ length over Sofast and a short head over Salure.

Dabirsim is one of the most talented youngsters racing in Europe today and is not for sale despite many offers, according to young trainer Christophe Ferland.

The colt is now a five-for-five winner at two and favourite for the QIPCO 2000 Guineas.

Qatar Prix De La Foret (Group 1) 7f for 3yo+ on Turf, £147.775.86

It was not easy for the Darley July Cup and Haydock Sprint winner Dream Ahead USA (Diktat) to beat older performers like Goldikova (1/2 favourite) and Surfrider, but the three-year old did in thrilling form by a head and 6 lengths.

Young William Buick rode both Elusive Kate and Dream Ahead. David Simcock trained the colt.

Qatar Prix De L'Opera (Group 1), 1m2f for 3yo+ fillies and mares on Turf, £172,405.17

Juddmonte's four-year-old Announce (Selkirk USA) was sent off 2/1 favourite in one of the most controversial races of the day thanks to her jockey Maxime Guyon.

Frankie Dettori rode the promising three-year-old Nahrain (Selkirk USA) of young British trainer Roger Varian for Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum.

Compared to Announce with nine races, the inexperienced three-for-three Nahrain was rated no beter than 9/2 and underestimated by many except Announce's jockey.

Dettori wisely kept his filly up with the pace along the rail. When Announce made her run for the lead, Guyon slowed up his filly to trap Nahrain.

Dettori desperately searched for a gap, found a small one and found his little filly slammed by the imposing Announce.

He escaped to win by a nose with Banimpire third 1½ lengths out in 2m2.74s (fast by 1.16s).

Guyon had the nerve to complain to the stewards that Dettori interfered with him. His claim was dismissed.

He managed to cost his own filly her best chance and certainly cut into Nahrain's run. One of them would have done better than a nose without the bad tactics.

Nahrain and Announce will meet again at the Breeders' Cup.

©Posted October 2, 2011

Arc Saturday: Not Frankie's Or Favourites' Day

For The Man in demand, none of Frankie Dettori's races panned out to plan on the Saturday of the Qatar Arc de Triomphe Weekend at Longchamp.

Nor could anyone agree on the ground. Some said 'soft', Dettori said 'good' and I saw dusty divots flying which means dry and loose.

The favourite horses were unlucky as well in three of the four Group 2 races for thoroughbreds.

The best and most satisfactory race of the day was actually the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Juments (Group 1 PA), 1m2f (10f, 1¼m, 2000m), for females on the Flat Turf.

The talented four-year-old Kiss De Ghazel (Dormane FR) was at a disadvantage by the slow pace led by the eventual second, Djanet Monlau (Dormane FR), but powered away to win by 1½ lengths in 2.19.69s.

She is trained by Jean-Francois Bernard and ridden by Jean-Baptiste Eyquem for her Saudi Arabian owner, Haif bin Mohammed Al Ghatani, who was present.

This is her second major Group 1 PA of the year. She won the coveted President of the UAE Cup (UK Arabian Derby) at Ascot this Summer.

Her next effort may be the Breeders' Challenge at Toulouse.

Since Arabian horses start their racing careers a year later than thoroughbreds, Kiss De Ghazel is equivalent to just a three-year old thoroughbred and could race as long as the great mare Al Dahma.

Kiss De Ghazel is a formidable filly with the most beautiful name.

Qatar Prix Chaudenay, Group 2, 1m7f (15f, 1-7/8m, 3000m) for 3yo

This is the one Group 2 race of the day in which the favourite prevailed.  Shankardeh IRE (Azamour IRE), who started racing at three winning or placing each time, was sent off 18/5 favourite.

Jockey Christophe-Patrice Lemaine (Sarafina's partner) managed to defeat 10/1 Miss Lago IRE (Encosta Del Lago AUS) by a head and the second favourite, Pacifique IRE (Montjeu IRE), by another length in the five-runner race.

Pacifique's trainer, Alain De Royer Dupre (Sarafina and Reliable Man's trainer), felt she was undone by the fast ground.

Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein, Group 2, 1m (8f, 1600m), for 3yo+

This is the first of three races where Frankie Dettori's tactics either backfired or he was unlucky or he was on horses who just were not good enough.

His Rio Del La Plata USA (Rahy USA) made for home a bit too early at 150m and was headed by Rajsaman FR (Linamix FR) for his first loss out of three battles with Rajsaman.

Rio De La Plata has raced six times this year as a six-year old and has lost every race. He has always placed, but it may be time for the lovable chestnut to join his brothers, Noverre and Fantastic Light, in retirement.

Best Dating IRE (King's Best USA), four-year-old gelding, was third by another length and was snapped up in the Arqana Sales by Anthony Stroud to race in the Dubai Carnival.

Qatar Prix de Royallieu, Group 2, 1m2.5f (12.5f, 1m3/8, 2500m), for females of 3yo+

Frankie Dettori's second mount, Modeyra (Shamardal IRE), started her career with double wins and seems to have lost her way in her fourth year.

The imposing filly was sent off by Dettori to lead at a very slow pace putting the field to sleep.

Unfortunately, it was a distance to short for her and three of two others, but played to the strength of a fast, late closer like Sea Of Heartbreak IRE (Rock Of Gibraltar IRE) who beat Modeyra into third with Miss Crissy IRE (Verglas IRE) taking second by a half length and a shoulder respectively.

Sea Of Heartbreak, who won her first Group race, will race in the Fillies' race at Woodbine and may be in the December Sales.

Qatar Prix Dollar, Group 2, 1m1-3/4, (9.75f, 1-3/8m, 1950m), for 3yo+

For the French, this race should have been won by 'Fighting Cirrus' Des Aigles FR (Even Top IRE), but Byword (Peintre Celebre USA) shouldered him on the line.

After nine hard races in 2011, it may have been a bit too much to expect of Cirrus who has won or placed in all these races.

Byword, a Group 1 winner at Ascot last year, finally got back to form.

Frankie Dettori's French Navy (Shamardal USA) made a good try from the rear, but lost his 2011 winning ways ending in ninth. He did NOT like the ground.

Let's hope there are no hard luck stories Sunday on Arc de Triomphe Day.

©Posted October 1, 2011

Dettori Bullish On Snow Fairy

Lanfranco 'Frankie' Dettori could not be more bullish on his four-year-old filly, Snow Fairy IRE (Intikhab USA), whom he will ride in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, 1m4f (1½m, 12f, 2400m) at Longchamp Sunday.

Dettori's views must be respected as he has won three Arcs on Lammtarra (1995), Sakhee (2001) and Marienbard (2002).

"Longchamp is a very flat course and the race itself will be very slick, suiting a horse that is light on its feet and able to go through the gears. On that score, it is tailor made for Snow Fairy."

He compared her progress against the favourite of many, So You Think NZ (High Chaparral IRE), when she closed the nine-length gap in Sandown's Coral-Eclipse to a half length in last month's Red Mills Irish Champion Stakes. Both races are 1m2f (1¼m, 10f, 2000m).

He dismissed the highly-vaunted So You Think with "The Irish Champion suits a grinder rather than a horse with a turn of foot. I really think a fast-run mile and a half on a quick, flat track will see Snow Fairy in her best light - So You Think will have to be every bit as good over the extra two furlongs to stay ahead of her."

Fortunately, Snow Fairy's owner Christina Patino trusted her trainer, Ed Dunlop, when he leapt at the chance for his filly in the Arc (when the ground changed).

If Dettori is right, SYT's owners may regret not listening to their trainer and save him for the more appropriate
QIPCO British Champions Day.

©Posted October 1, 2011

Workforce A Likely

Longchamp's Course Clerk will water the course Saturday night to assure good and fair ground for all the Sunday races.

This is very good news for connections of last year's winner, Workforce (King's Best USA), who finds fast ground jarring.

Since Workforce has recovered from a serious injury on good ground in Ascot's King George, trainer Sir Michael Stoute is extra protective of his wonderful colt and will decide his participation after he walks the course Saturday.

He will be reunited with his jockey Ryan Moore, who has recovered from a broken collar bone, in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Moore warned punters "not to forget Workforce" as he has been training exceptionally well.

If they are both recovered and the horse has trained on, he merits better than 7-8/1 odds.

What a pity should he not run!

©Posted October 1, 2011

Arc Favourites After Stall Assignments

Sarafina 3-4/1
So You Think 4-5/1
Galikova 13/2-7/1
Workforce 7-8/1
Meandre 10-12/1
Reliable Man 10-12/1
Snow Fairy 10-12/1
Masked Marvel 12-14/1
Hiruno D'Amour 14/1
Danedream 16-20/1

©Posted September 30, 2011

Ground And Stalls Limit Arc Runners

Two weeks ago it appeared that the dowager Qatar Arc de Triomphe would be run on good-to-soft ground in typical cooler Autumn weather.

A full complement of 28 horses were expected to run eliciting the usual fears of lessor horses with uneven talents endangering and hampering better horses.

Today, we have an unseasonal heat wave with no rain in sight.  Longchamps is forced to water the racecourse up till Thursday for safety sake and the ground is expected to be fast.

The race is run on a right-handed course at a distance of 1m4f (1½m, 12f, 2400m) on Turf.

The horses run straight to a long, gentle curve until the straight when they spread to sprint.

Of the 16 horses declared, including three supplemented at €100,000 each because of fast ground, two more of the 13 others horses may drop out because of it.

Reliable Man (Dalakhani IRE), authoritative three-year-old winner of the Qatar Prix Niel, may be pulled Sunday morning at final declaration time.

His trainer, Alain de Royer Dupre, is concerned that the French clay-based soil will pack too solidly for his colt's safety.

He pointed out that French turf is not as deeply rooted as English turf; it is frequently filled in and replaced creating pitting.

That issue also could deter trainer Sir Michael Stoute from allowing last year's Arc winner Workforce (King's Best USA) to race.

Workforce appears to have recovered from the serious back injury incurred in the King George where Rewilding died.

The winner of that race, Nathaniel IRE (Galileo IRE), has been pulled from the race in favour of the supplemented St Leger winner Masked Marvel (Montage IRE) due to ground by their trainer John Gosden.

The second problem for the 16 participants is the draw with the two favourites, Sarafina FR (Refuse To Bend IRE) and So You Think NZ (High Chaparral IRE), getting the unhelpful wide 13 and 14 stalls.

Only two horses in the last eight years have won from those outside stalls.

Hence, both are drifting in the betting.

Plum Stall 1 went to improving Hiruno D'Amour JPN (Manhattan Cafe JPN) who has a jockey in Shinji Fujita who knows how to race on the French course.

Stall 2 went to supplemented filly Danedream GER (Monson GER).

Should either win, it would be a first for their countries. The filly, who loves fast ground, has a new half-share owner in Japan's prominent breeder Teruya Yoshida.

Of the favourite French horses, Galikova FR (Gallileo IRE) has lucked out with Stall 4 and Reliable Man, who may not run, has Stall 7. Meandre FR (Slickly Fr) is in Stall 10.

Britain's Masked Marvel and Workforce have Stalls 5 and 8 respectively. Workforce won last year from 8. Snow Fairy IRE (Intikhab USA) is in 11.

Ireland's Ballydoyle has its pacemaker, St Nicholas Abbey IRE (Montjeu IRE), in the good position of Stall 6, Treasure Beach (Galileo IRE) in 12 and star So You Think in 14.

It is an interesting mix of 16 with two five-year olds, So You Think and Nakayama Festa JPN (Stay Gold JPN), who was second in the Arc last year.

Four are four-years old: Hiruno D'Amour, Sarafina, Silver Pond FR (Act One FR) and Workforce.

The remaining six are exceptionally talented three-year olds: Danedream, Galikova, Masked Marvel, Meandre, Testosterone IRE (Dansili) and Treasure Beach.

Six are improving females: Danedream, Galikova, Sarafina, Shareta, Snow Fairy and Testosterone.

Snow Fairy has the most winning international experience of the females and was supplemented because of fast ground. Whether she can overcome Stall 11 is a question. Then again she has Frankie Dettori as her jockey which gives her a great chance.

Both she and Sarafina like to race from the back, but she proved how good she is when closing down So You Think to a half length in the Irish Champions Stakes coming from off the pace.

Sarafina could be cursed with her similar style of racing to Zenyatta's with a late close and Blame's victory in the Breeders' Cup Classic proves the vulnerability of that style.

Most the the remaining horses like to race off the pace.

Only St Nicholas Abbey looks like a pacemaker unless Nakayama Festa's jockey repeats an early burnout as he did in the Prix Vermeille.

Foreign jockeys under the extreme pressure of an Arc sometimes race counter intuitively with it ending badly for them.

Positioning and tactics are key to winning with smooth quick action to exploit gaps between tiring horses.

This race will be fast and no horse can win it without speed at the right time and stamina.

That puts So You Think's chances into question on the basis of stamina, distance, his ability to handle fast ground and the disadvantage of the wide stall.

On the other hand, Masked Marvel broke the speed record at Doncaster in winning the 1m5f St Leger on fast ground.

Jockey William Buick, though young, is seasoned at Longchamp and in Group 1s and is in Stall 5.

From the perspective of position, speed and stamina, the advantages should go to Danedream, Galikova, Masked Marvel, Meandre, Snow Fairy and Hiruno D'Amour if he can handle fast ground.

It will take all of jockey Christophe-Patrice Lemaire's skill to position his Sarafina to win. It can be done if they are lucky.

He will probably have to wait and wait to bring her wide in the way Dalakhani won his Arc.

That way she is not in a position to be stopped as she was last year.

Sarafina is still the best horse in the race and still merits favouritism.

Snow Fairy has the experience, Galikova has the ability with favourable stall and Olivier Peslier, but Masked Marvel is the wild card.

Update: Speedy and progressive filly Testosterone IRE (Dansili) landed prime Stall 3, the frontrunning stablemate of Sarafina, Shareta IRE (Sinndar IRE), Stall 9, Silver Pond FR (Act One) and Nakayama Festa JPN (Stay Gold JPN), who was second in the Arc last year, drew the farthest Stalls - 15 and 16 respectively.

Not a plodder in the bunch.

©Posted September 30, 2011

Dettori In Demand

Despite Godolphin's not having too many entries in the Arc weekend, their retained jockey Lanfranco 'Frankie' Dettori has been co-opted for three choice Group 1 rides.

The first is on the outstanding unbeaten 2yo colt, Dabirsim whom he partnered for the first time in the Prix Morny, who is favourite for the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.

After Dettori's successful pairing with Snow Fairy in the Irish Champion Stakes when she came within a half length of So You Think, Dettori was offered the ride on her in the Arc - and probably in any other race he can manage.

There have been major changes with Worthadd's Italian connections and Dettori has inherited the ride from his friend Mirco Demuro in the Qatar Prix de la Foret, 1m, against the great French mare Goldikova.

Shadwell Stud has tried to purchase the Dubawi colt without success. One hopes the changes allow them another chance.

He deserves to have a major stud promoting him.

Dettori has three good Godolphin candidates on Saturday in Group 2s: improved French Navy in the Qatar Prix Dollar, everyone's favourite Rio De La Plata in the Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein and the filly Modeyra in the Qatar Prix de Royallieu.

He will also partner filly Nahrain in Sunday's Group 1 Qatar Prix de l'Opera, 1m2f (10f, 2000m), for owner Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum and trainer Roger Varian.

Everyone wants Frankie.

©Posted September 30, 2011

It's How It Is

The big question of will So You Think NZ (High Chaparral IRE) or won't SYT race in the Qatar Arc de Triomphe distance of 1m4f (1½m, 12f, 2400m) on October 2 at Longchamp is settled in the affirmative.

He will race at an untried distance on fast, dry ground despite his trainer, Aidan O'Brien, preferring he try a mile or 1¼ at the Qipco British Champions Day October 15.

O'Brien appears to have suspicions that his horse may not have the stamina for an Arc and could win a good Group 1 at a shorter distance.

Who listens to trainers? O'Brien trains them and his Ballydoyle/ Coolmore bosses make the decisions.

They think the Arc is a more prestigious event for his stud value than the other races at Ascot.

The Down-Under contingent who bred and trained him has not been too happy with the way their wonder horse has been campaigned since he left their shores and they are fretting that the Arc may not be the right race for him.

Additionally, the horse has another problem in being drawn wide in Stall 14.

At least he will have sympathetic jockey, Seamie Heffernan, who rides out on him every day.

Such is So You Think's reputation that he remains second favourite to Sarafina and he is the first choice of British and Irish bettors.

©Posted September 30, 2011

Blue Bunting's Darley Yorkshire Oaks

2012-01-15T22:19:34Z

Godolphin's beautiful and tough Blue Bunting USA (Dynaformer USA) followed up on her QIPCO 1000 Guineas and Darley Irish Oaks victories by snatching the £310,000 Group 1 Darley Yorkshire Oaks (British Champions' Series), 1m4f for 3yo fillies, during York's Ebor Festival.

Sent off 11/4 favourite, she bided her time in the rear while her pacesetter Ruhm ran a fine gallop.

Aiden O'Brien's Wonder Of Wonders went for home three furlongs out only to fade to third 3¾ behind the second Vita Nova who was ¾ lenghs behind the smooth-travelling Blue Bunting under Frankie Dettori.

Mahmood Al Zarooni plans to run her against the boys in the St Leger and she is quoted at 10/1 odds.

Snow Fairy did not run.

http://www.racingint.com

Rewilding - R.I.P.

2012-01-15T22:14:28Z

Rewilding's last victory (over So You Think) in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot merited a flying dismount
from his jockey Frankie Dettori. Photo ©David Hastings

Nathaniel's King George VI By Default

2012-01-15T22:10:55Z

Nathaniel, the winner of Ascot's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II, surrounded by press
and loving connections. Photo ©David Hastings

The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Group 1), 1m4f (12f, 1½m, 2400m) for three-year olds plus at Ascot is one of England's most prestigious mid-distance races and this year's race seemed to have one of the most balanced field of five competitors.

No one could have anticipated the tragic outcome for three competitors.

Last year's winner of the Arc de Triomphe, Workforce (King's Best USA), went off 6/5 favourite over Goldolphin's Rewilding (Tiger Hill IRE), Ballydoyle's St Nicholas Abbey IRE (Montjeu IRE) and John Gosden's Nathaniel IRE (Galileo IRE).

Debussy IRE (Diesis), a fine horse in his own right at 7f or a mile, was pacemaker for Rewilding.

Joseph O'Brien on St Nicholas Abbey stayed close to Debussy then Nathaniel and Workforce followed by late-challenger Rewilding.

Frankie Dettori pulled Rewilding out to pass Workforce possibly bumping him in the process (the latter's trainer, Sir Michael Stoute, believed they collided).

Suddenly the four-year old winner of the Prince of Wales's Stakes jinked, stumbled and forcefully smashed Dettori to the ground as he piteously limped to a stop.

Dettori was down till the end of the race and taken to hospital. Nothing could be done for the grievously injured Rewilding except merciful euthanasia.

Nathaniel's trainer John Gosden, who has had long association with Godolphin, comforted and held Rewilding's head as he was assessed and put down.

Ahmed Ajtebi on Dubussy looked back for his mates and let his horse fade to last.

Nathaniel, who had never competed in a Classic and had only won a Maiden, took to the front along the right-hand rail to be challenged by Workforce who passed St Nicholas Abbey.

Suddenly another nightmare: Workforce swerved violently left across almost the entire width of the course to be finally subdued by jockey Ryan Moore. The lost ground left him 2¾ lengths behind the winner at the post.

There was no doubt in this observer's mind that the horse was injured and in pain.

St Nicholas Abbey was third by another 1¼ lengths in a slow race of 2m 35.07s on good-to-soft ground.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien lamented that St Nicholas Abbey lost his chance because the race was so slow.

The pace was set by Debussy, but William Buick had to keep his usually-keen Nathaniel, the only three-year old in the race, under tight control.

Luckily they missed all the misery behind him.

Godolphin's Simon Crisford said Rewilding was "a particular favourite of everyone at home".

Sheikh Mohammed's son, the Crown Prince of Dubai, rushed down to the saddling area before the race to fuss over his favourite who looked magnificent. He even fetched him for saddling.

He was devastated as were many of us.

We all were in shock and worried for Dettori and Workforce.

What looked to be a great contest and Arc trial ended bleakly.

Fortunately, two young talents (Buick and Nathaniel) made a successful claim for the coveted King George trophy presented by Prince Harry to owner Lady Rothschild and Gosden was everyone's hero.

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