Course specialist iss3 pages

NOVEMBER 2016

TITLE FEATURE

Found leads home a sensational Arc clean sweep for Aidan O’Brien BREEDERS’ CUP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS PREVIEW

RANDOX HEALTH: PROUD TO SPONSOR THE GRAND NATIONAL

THE BHA DISCUSSES THE HORSE COMES FIRST INITIATIVE

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November 2016

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EDITOR’S WELCOME WELCOME EDITOR'S

Welcome to to the November 2016 Welcome very first issue of issue of Course Specialist magazine.

Course Specialist Magazine.

W O

ith the clocks going back and darkness descending sooner, racing beginswww.course-specialist.co.uk and finishes earlier in the afternoon now. in November ur website was launched means (contrary to some opinions), that 2013 withThat the also express purpose of sharing mypeople’s enthusiasm for horse is gradually is drawing to a close, with several who weekshas of racingthe andflat from the bottom of my heart I thank everyone informative two year oldthe maidens, supported site. the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy and plenty of other Pattern taking welland after mid-October.

Weexcellent have gone fromraces strength to place strength with ever-more news to report, it action aofficially to a close with real fireworks on Saturday, wasThe timeturf to produce monthlydraws publication.

November 5th and the at Doncaster. that evening This month we Betfred take November a look atHandicap the highlights of But August, with also sees a feast of action from the Breeders’tremendous Cup at SantaWelcome Anita, anTo event Course Postponed’s thrilling victory at another Yorkshire Specialist is delighted to feature this month, including interviews with Clive Brittain Ebor Festival an undoubted highlight. andWe Lucaalso Cumani European conquering Pebbbles Barathea. colt New speak on with Jim Bolger on thestars career of hisand outstanding The National over Champion the past few weeksIndeed, has seen steady trickle Approach, winnerHunt of theSeason 2008 Irish Stakes. thisa feature forms of returning stars and NovemberIrish is traditionally month when turns intoata part of our focus on Longines ChampionstheWeekend whichthat takes place torrent, with week week of on bigSeptember races and familiar, class horses.

Leopardstown and after the Curragh 10th andtop 11th.

Cheltenham’s Open meeting isSt quickly theDoncaster, Betfair Chase at Haydock We preview the Ladbrokes Legerfollowed Festivalbyat running from Park and then comes re-vamped Meeting, highlighted by the September 7th to 10th,Newbury’s including an interviewBet365 with Mark Tompkins on his popular 60th running of Bob’s the Hennessy St Leger winner Return. Gold Cup. We take a look at the new Newbury programme andalso the sees history this great handicapOpen chase.Weekend and part of this September theof32Red Newmarket Racing work hard ato first improve equine welfare we are year’s eventcontinues will offertothe public opportunity to visitstandards the newand National delighted Centre to highlight the work of the Horseracing Authority Heritage for Horse Racing andBritish Sporting Art, which opens itsthrough doors its at “The Horse Comes initiative in this Palace House.

WeFirst” recently caught up issue. with National Horseracing Museum Over theand coming months, racing fansofficer are going become familiar withpreview. the name marketing audience development AmitoCosgrave for a sneak Randox asof theAugust’s company ramps up its branding forming ties with WithHealth, a review racing news from aroundbythe globe, astronger bloodstock and Britishnews racing.

We are delighted catchto upSeptember’s with Dr Peteraction, FitzGerald, CEO, to gain sales section and a look to ahead we hope that you more insight enjoy readinginto our the firstwork issue!of his company and why Randox Health has decided to sponsor the Grand National and other big races.

With reviews of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe meeting and Dubai Future Yours sincerely, Champions Festival, a review of the action from Newmarket during 2016 and our regular news round-ups of the British, Irish, French and international racing scenes – not to mention a super busy period for bloodstock and sales news, we hope that you enjoy our November issue of Course Specialist.

With best wishes,

Andrew Pelis Editor and Publisher

Andrew Pelis Editor and Publisher • September • November course-specialist.co.uk 20162016 course-specialist.co.uk

TITLE FEATURE

EDITOR & PUBLISHER Andrew Pelis PHOTOGRAPHERS Steven Cargill Jimmy Clark Pat Healy www.healyracing.ie Mark Cranham www.cranhamphoto.com ScoopDyga www.scoopdyga.com A.J. Byles Ed Byrne @Scandiracing

PRODUCTION Follow Creative www.followcreative.com Tim Colman, Kasey Moore Posterity IT ON THE COVER: Found storms to victory in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe © A.J. Byles WE'RE SOCIAL  /course-specialist  @Coursespecial

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained within this magazine, no legal responsibility will be accepted by the publishers for loss arising from use of information published. No part of the publication may be reproduced or stored in a retrievable system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written consent of the publisher.

Copyright 2016 © Andrew Pelis

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FEATURE FOUND WINS A SENSATIONAL ARC

Found heads home An astounding Arc result for Aidan O’Brien

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November 2016

FOUND WINS A SENSATIONAL ARC FEATURE

F

ound proved the Queen of Chantilly with an imperious display in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, in which Aidan O’Brien confounded the record books by remarkably saddling the first three runners home.

The filly, who beat Golden Horn in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf, had turned into somewhat of a bridesmaid this season, coming into this race off the back of five straight second place finishes.

But there was much more to come here and a masterful tactical ride by Ryan Moore was the highlight of an incredible finish, with only the two other Ballydoyle contenders Highland Reel and Order Of St George showing any shred of a threat.

The apparent Aga Khan second string Vedevani took the field along at a strong pace and still led turning for home, where Order Of St George sat poised and the leading British hope Postponed was also well positioned to deliver his challenge.

Meanwhile, Ryan Moore and Found were threading a path through, just behind the leaders and showed the best turn of foot, with Postponed unable to go with the filly.

As the long-time leader faded, Found quickly put distance between herself and her rivals and it was Highland Reel, who had sweated profusely beforehand, who emerged as the chief pursuer, with Order Of St George staying on well in third, as the British, French and Japanese challenge melted away.

Found was never seriously under threat though and came home 1 ¾ lengths clear of Highland Reel, to make it five wins for fillies in the last six renewals of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. For good measure, Order Of St George finished 1 ½ lengths behind Highland Reel to give Aidan O’Brien an unprecedented clean sweep in this most famous of races.

Siljan’s Saga ran on brilliantly to claim fourth spot, with Postponed a little one-paced in fifth and One Foot In Heaven sixth. Derby winner Harzand never threatened to take a hand in ninth position, while the big Japanese hope Makahiki was eased down in 14th.

Aidan O’Brien’s mastery of the thoroughbred touched upon levels of genius at Chantilly on Sunday as Found led home a Ballydoyle clean sweep in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Never one to extol his own virtues, even the quiet man from County Tipperary admitted that this achievement deep within the valley of the Nonette was probably his finest moment as a trainer.

Perhaps, though, this was one of the finest moments in his Flat racing career.

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November 2016

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FEATURE FOUND WINS A SENSATIONAL ARC

© @Scandiracing

In a week in which the sport recalled that famous day when Frankie Dettori secured seven winners from as many rides at Ascot 20 years ago, Chantilly joyously played host to another feat that may never be repeated.

The moment was not lost on Dettori, either, who planted a kiss on the lips of winning jockey Ryan Moore after the Italian had steered the O’Brien-trained Order Of St George into third place.

Whether Moore would have appreciated such bonhomie is open to debate, but his affection for Found has been unwavering ever since she was a youngster.

“When Ryan rode her as two-year-old he said she could win an Arc - he was obviously right,” said O’Brien.

Despite having defeated previous Arc winner Golden Horn in America last October, and being unfortunate not to be much closer than ninth in this race 12 months ago, Found had unsettled many ante-post punters by the fact she had finished second on her last five outings.

But O’Brien, not for the first time, knew best.

The perception of her wide draw being troublesome soon subsided as Moore was nicely pitched in eighth place as Vedevani, a pacemaker for dual Derby winner Harzand, led the charge towards the grands ecuries around six furlongs from home.

But it was within the final 250 yards that things began to get serious for Found, who shot clear with ease.

Highland Reel gave chase with honourable vigour under

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Seamie Heffernan, but he was never going to catch his stablemate, who was a length and three-quarters clear at the line. Order Of St George was another length and a half away, with huge outsider Siljan’s Saga fourth.

O’Brien, claiming a second Arc triumph after Dylan Thomas struck in 2007, said of Found: “She’s only run over a mile and a half four times before and she was unlucky in the Arc last year. We’ve had our eye on this for a long time.”

O’Brien added: “It’s a privilege to be here and be part of it. How can you see anything higher (in his career) than this?

I couldn’t dream this would happen. You know how difficult the Arc is.

“And what makes it amazing is that they (the first three home) are all by Galileo.”

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November 2016

FOUND WINS A SENSATIONAL ARC FEATURE Part-owner Michael Tabor added: “I can’t believe it.

First, second and third in the Arc, it’s unbelievable. It’s just incredible. Words can’t describe it. It’s just amazing.”

Newmarket trainer Roger Varian was less amazed by Postponed, the 15-8 favourite who could only finish fifth.

He said: “It’s a feeling of disappointment as we went in hoping we would win, but the main thing is we still have a horse to go to war with and we can take him home and see how he comes out of it.”

For his part, Harzand was unable to get in a serious blow in ninth, while Japan’s wait for a first Arc continues as Makahiki was never a factor.

Typically, the Coolmore camp were reluctant to map out an immediate gameplan for Found, although Tabor said an autumnal trip to America for the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita will be under discussion.

But as Moore, in his own round-about way, was keen to point out, this was an occasion that should be savoured without the need for future stargazing.

He said: “To saddle the first three in an Arc, and to get Dist.

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three horses there in top shape and beat the best around, is quite incredible.

“She was in her best shape today and things worked out, back to a mile and a half and a nice, evenly-run race.

“She showed what she is capable of - at her best she is a very hard filly to beat.”

Horse

Age

Weight

Trainer

Jockey

Found (IRE)

4

9-2

A P O’Brien

Ryan Moore

2

1¾

Highland Reel (IRE)

4

9-5

A P O’Brien

Seamie Heffernan

3

1½

Order Of St George (IRE)

4

9-5

A P O’Brien

Frankie Dettori

4

¾

Siljan’s Saga (FR)

6

9-2

J-P Gauvin

Pierre-Charles Boudot

5

2½

Postponed (IRE)

5

9-5

Roger Varian

Andrea Atzeni

6

nse

One Foot In Heaven (IRE)

4

9-5

A De Royer-Dupre

Cristian Demuro

7

snk

New Bay

4

9.5

A Fabre

Vincent Cheminaud

8

1½

Savoir Vivre (IRE)

3

8-11

Jean-Pierre Carvalho

Frederik Tylicki

9

1¾

Harzand (IRE)

3

8-11

D K Weld

Pat Smullen

10

2

Vedevani (FR)

3

8-11

A De Royer-Dupre

Alexis Badel

11

7

Talismanic

3

8-11

A Fabre

Mickael Barzalona

12

1

Left Hand

3

8-8

C Laffon-Parias

Maxime Guyon

13

¾

Silverwave (FR)

4

9-5

P Bary

Christophe Soumillon

14

3

Makahiki (JPN)

3

8-11

Yasuo Tomomichi

Christophe-Patrice Lemaire

15

1¼

Migwar (IRE)

4

9-5

F Head

Olivier Peslier

16

1¼

The Grey Gatsby (IRE)

5

9-5

Kevin Ryan

James Doyle

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REVIEW QATAR PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE

QATAR PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE MEETING REVIEW

T

he two-day Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe meeting had a new home for 2016, as Chantilly played host to a spectacular weekend of brilliant racing.

The fantastic setting was matched by some brilliant racing stories, with Aidan O’Brien training the first three home in the big race, a quite astonishing and unprecedented feat.

© @Scandiracing

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November 2016

QATAR PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE REVIEW

SATURDAY

DOHA DREAM ON TOP FOR FABRE

© A.J. Byles

GROUP 1 GLORY FOR QUEST FOR MORE IN THE PRIX DU CADRAN George Baker delivered Quest For More with a perfectlytimed run to claim Group One glory in the Prix du Cadran at Chantilly.

Having recently adopted front-running tactics to win the Lonsdale Cup at York when beaten a nose in the Doncaster Cup, Quest For More was dropped out last by Baker this time but finished with a real flourish.

The favourite Vazirabad looked to have timed it right when he went clear of Hughie Morrison’s Nearly Caught in the closing stages, but the Roger Charlton-trained Quest For More powered home on the stands side to edge it on the line.

Andre Fabre’s Doha Dream just held the persistent challenge of Moonshiner to win the Prix Chaudenay at Chantilly.

The first race of Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend, which has switched venues while regular home Longchamp is redeveloped, provided a stirring finish at the end of a mile and seven furlongs.

Hughie Morrison’s Marmelo, the only British runner in the race, attempted to make all and was only headed entering the final furlong.

At the time it looked as though Gregory Benoist had everything covered on favourite Doha Dream, but Moonshiner rallied gamely against the rail and a photo finish was needed to separate the pair.

Fabre’s Shamardal colt got the verdict and provided owners Al Shaqab with the perfect start to a big weekend.

POTEMKIN STRIKES FOR GERMANY IN THE PRIX DOLLAR

© A.J. Byles

THE JULIET ROSE BLOOMS The Juliet Rose ran out an impressive all-the-way winner of the Prix de Royallieu at Chantilly.

Still in contention to run in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe itself until the second forfeit stage this week, the filly confirmed the promise of her good run in the Prix Vermeille when third to Left Hand.

Stephane Pasquier was allowed an easy lead but Pat Smullen never let her out of his sights on Dermot Weld’s Almela.

When Smullen asked his mount to close the gap, though, she could never quite get on terms and in the final furlong the result was never in doubt.

Nicolas Clement’s filly gradually pulled further clear and she ran out a comfortable winner. course-specialist.co.uk

Potemkin provided Germany with a winner on Arc weekend as he claimed the Prix Dollar at Chantilly.

Trained by Andreas Wohler, who is no stranger to winning some of Europe’s biggest races, Potemkin was something of a surprise victor.

Alain de Royer-Dupre’s Zarak was a short price to return to winning ways after chasing home Almanzor earlier in the season, but he was given a lot to do by Christophe Soumillon and he failed to pick up as well as expected.

William Haggas’ Yorker was up there throughout and stuck to his task gamely while Hesham was another in with a chance.

However, once a gap appeared, Potemkin quickened impressively for Eduardo Pedroza to win going away.

Hesham was second, with Zarak only third.

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REVIEW QATAR PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE

© A.J. Byles

TAAREEF POWERS TO PRIX DANIEL WILDENSTEIN GLORY Taareef, who had promised so much in the spring, came good in a big way as he stormed to victory in the Group 2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein.

The Jean-Claude Rouget trained colt had not been beaten far by his stablemate Almanzor in the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano last time out, and he streaked clear inside the final furlong of this mile event.

Jim Bolger’s Moonlight Magic had every chance but was no match for the impressive winner, who was ridden by Ioritz Mendizabal, with outsider Hello My Love in second.

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SUNDAY On Sunday the stage was set for a history-making afternoon of racing, taking place against a stunning back drop and in front of a truly cosmopolitan crowd for all regions of the planet.

EXCITING WUHEIDA EXUDES GROUP 1 CLASS IN THE PRIX MARCEL BOUSSAC Wuheida helped to clear the somewhat muddy waters among the juvenile fillies this year, with a terrific performance to the land the Group 1 Total Prix Marcel Boussac, on just her second racecourse start.

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QATAR PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE REVIEW

The Charlie Appleby-trained filly lined up in the Group One contest on the back of a debut success at Newmarket in early August and with jockey William Buick aiming for a happier trip to Chantilly than he had experienced when suspended here in the summer..

John Gosden’s Dabyah, also a winner on her Newmarket introduction before an impressive display at Newbury, took the field along for much of the one-mile journey under Frankie Dettori, but Wuheida tracked her every move.

Dabyah briefly looked to have cut loose when kicking a couple of lengths clear in the straight, but Wuheida stuck to her task and got up to score decisively.

Aidan O’Brien’s Promise To Be True came home well to narrowly beat Dabyah to the runner-up spot.

Wuheida is beautifully-bred, by Dubawi, out of that fine race filly Hibaayeb. She looks sure to figure in the QIPCO 1,000 Guineas next year as a prominent player.

NATIONAL DEFENSE IMPRESSES AND DELIVERS ANOTHER GROUP 1 FOR CRIQUETTE HEAD-MAAREK After a very tough 2016, Criquette Head-Maarek still emerged from the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe meeting with group 1 spoils and plenty to look forward to, as National Defense put up an impressive display of front-running in the Group 1 Qatar Jean-Luc Lagardere (Grand Criterium) at Chantilly.

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The son of Invincible Spirit had bolted up on his Deauville debut in August, but after being beaten into third place in a Group Three over this course and distance last month, he appeared to face a challenge as he stepped up to the highest level.

However, Pierre-Charles Boudot sent his mount straight into a lead he never looked like relinquishing in the straight, finding another gear to leave his rivals trailing in his wake.

The sole British representative, Sylvester Kirk’s Salouen, ran an excellent race to fill the runner-up spot.

Aidan O’Brien’s Whitecliffsofdover was third, but his stable companion Utah was well beaten.

SPEEDY BOARDING AND TYLICKI CLAIM PRIX DE L’OPERA GLORY

Speedy Boarding has sound claims to be the most improved filly of the season and it has been a true breakthrough one for her jockey Frederik Tylicki, as the pair made it back to back Group 1 victories in the Longines Prix de l’Opera at Chantilly.

Winner of the Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville on her previous appearance, the James Fanshawe trained Speedy Boarding was still expected to face a tough assignment, primarily from another British trained runner in So Mi Dar. The latter, so impressive when winning the Musidora Stakes in the spring, missed much of the summer through injury but had made a successful comeback at Yarmouth last month, to stretch her unbeaten record to four.

Jemayel took the field along early, but was soon passed

by Jim Bolger’s Pleascach, making her first appearance since finishing fourth in the Irish Champion Stakes over a year ago.

She remained in the lead rounding the home turn, but was soon pressed by Speedy Boarding and the pair engaged in a pulsating duel.

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November 2016

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REVIEW QATAR PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE All the while Frankie Dettori had to sit and suffer on the rail as he waited for the gap to come aboard So Mi Dar and when it did, his mount took a stride or two to fully engage top gear.

It was too late as the front pair were clear and as they flashed by the post, it was Speedy Boarding who had her nose in front.

Pleascach ran a fantastic race after a 386-day absence, with supporters of So Mi Dar perhaps wondering what might have been.

A glorious retirement now appears on the cards for the winner, with Fans hawe saying: “She’ll probably go to stud now.”

The trainer added: “It was a brilliant race and there didn’t deserve to be a loser. She’s so tough and has been a wonderful filly for the yard.

“She raised her game again after the Romanet and really battled.”

Bolger said of the Godolphin-owned Pleascach: “She has run extremely well and might not be finished for the season.

Let’s see what Sheikh Mohammed wants to do because I go in the same direction as he does.”

Just as he had that day, the Ron Harris-trained Just Glamorous attempted to make all the running, while Take Cover missed the break and was always playing catch up from that point.

Just Glamorous was a spent force heading inside the last of five furlongs as dual Nunthorpe heroine Mecca’s Angel and King’s Stand winner Profitable moved to the front.

That pair briefly looked like fighting out the finish, but the Elite Racing Club-owned Marsha came from further back to beat both in the hands of Luke Morris with a blistering run and surged clear..

Washington DC finished powerfully to beat Mecca’s Angel to the runner-up spot, with Profitable weakening out of contention.

LIMATO ELECTRIFYING IN THE PRIX DE LA FORET

MARSHA ON TOP IN THE PRIX DE L’ABBAYE FOR SIR MARK PRESCOTT A good day for British and Irish trained horses got even better as Marsha won the Group 1 Qatar Prix de l’Abbaye for Newmarket trainer Sir Mark Prescott.

Twice a winner at Listed level earlier in the year, the three-year-old filly was last seen finishing second to the reopposing Just Glamorous in a Group Three over this course and distance three weeks ago.

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Limato made up for a contentiously unlucky run last year by brilliantly blitzing his rivals for a dominant victory in the concluding Group 1 Qatar Prix de la Foret on Arc day at Chantilly.

The writing was on the wall for his rivals fairly early in the home straight as Limato stormed clear in the hands of Harry Bentley to claim an easy victory.

Henry Candy’s stable star has run over a variety of distances this season, but fast ground has always proved the key to unlocking his brilliant best.

After finishing fourth at a mile in the Lockinge at Newbury, the four-year-old dropped to six furlongs to run out a brilliant winner of Newmarket’s July Cup before finding Mecca’s Angel too strong over the minimum distance in the Nunthorpe at York.

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November 2016

QATAR PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE REVIEW With drying ground and a fast time in the Arc recorded

by Found, Limato appeared to have his favoured ground conditions and duly showed off his devastating turn of foot to secure an emphatic victory.

Front-running 40-1 shot Karar boxed on to finish second, with David O’Meara’s Suedois running his usual sold race in third.

Bentley said: “He’s got an incredible turn of foot, but he does settle in his races, too. He really is a class act.”

Candy said: “The race worked out really, really well. The horse was really relaxed and Harry was able to take a pull. It was lovely to see the way he quickened up like that.”

Assessing plans, Candy added: “It (Breeders’ Cup) is a definite possibility. We’ll have to discuss it, but I’d rather run him in the Mile than the Sprint.”

Winning owner Paul Jacobs cautioned: “I’m not sure about the Mile, we’ll have to see. The Mile is a lot more valuable, but it’s a lot more competitive.”

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November 2016

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REVIEW DUBAI FUTURE CHAMPIONS FESTIVAL

DUBAI FUTURE CHAMPIONS FESTIVAL REVIEW

O

n October 7th and 8th Newmarket staged the highlight of its Golden Season, the Dubai Future Champions Festival, featuring two days of culture, education and high class racing on the Rowley Mile.

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FRIDAY

Proceedings got underway on the Friday, when the Group 1 Dubai Fillies’ Mile was the highlight and provided another memorable moment in a remarkable autumn for trainer Aidan O’Brien.

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DUBAI FUTURE CHAMPIONS FESTIVAL REVIEW

RHODODENDRON BLOOMS AS O’BRIEN INDIAN SUMMER CONTINUES IN THE FILLIES’ MILE

Rhododendron put a disappointing reversal last time out firmly behind her at Nemarket today, as she romped to an authoritative victory in the Dubai Fillies’ Mile, further enhancing a remarkable seven days for Aidan O’Brien in Group 1 races.

Just under two weeks ago the Ballydoyle maestro saddled the first two home in the Cheveley Park Stakes as Brave Anna defeated Roly Poly. Last weekend Alice Springs won another Group 1 at Newmarket in the Sun Chariot Stakes, before Found led home an unprecedented O’Brien one-two-three in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly on Sunday.

On this occasion it was another one-two with Rhododendron re-asserting her superiority over stable mate Hydrangea.

This was the trainer’s 20th Group 1 victory of the season and O’Brien needs five more top-level winners to break Bobby Frankel’s long-standing record of 25 Group 1 winners in a season.

After Ryan Moore had brought home the daughter of Galileo to a two and a quarter-length success, O’Brien said: “She is a very good filly and has really progressed. I’m delighted, really.

“We were a little bit confused with her Moyglare run (at the Curragh when third to Intricately, trained by his son, Joseph). We thought she was a little bit better than the other course-specialist.co.uk

filly and it just goes to show that the Moyglare was a very good race.

“We thought she would like to go up to a mile today and Ryan was very happy with her.

“They both like nice ground. It is nice ground today. The top is shifting, so it is proper, real good ground. They wouldn’t have minded, as they are two good-moving Galileo fillies. The ground certainly wouldn’t be a disadvantage.

“We always thought the other filly (Rhododendron) was a little bit above the other at home, but they are two very highclass fillies.

“The other filly (Hydrangea) was very tough in the Moyglare (when a short-head second) and very tough in the race before that. You couldn’t be sure with them, but they are two very good-looking fillies out of two very good mares.

“We knew they were progressing. It was just a case of what rate they would progress at. When you step up to a mile, you are always very hopeful.

“I’m not sure whether she will go to America (for the Breeders’ Cup). It might be it for the year, but the lads will talk about that and see what they want to do themselves. Both fillies are in a good place and are very healthy and happy at the moment, so I think it is an option if the lads want to do it.”

O’Brien added: “She is out of Halfway To Heaven and she got a mile and a quarter well, and she is by Galileo, so I think she has an option.

“Looking at her today, she’d have no problem starting off in a Guineas anyway. She was relaxed.

“She seemed to travel very well and I don’t think she was stopping at the line.”

Local trainer James Tate said before the Dubai Fillies’ Mile that Urban Fox wasn’t far behind her rivals on form lines and so it proved as she belied her starting price of 40-1 to finish third, eight and a quarter lengths behind winner Rhododendron.

Tate said: “I am absolutely delighted – she cost 10,000 guineas from Book 3 and she’s now won three £10,000 bonuses this year and been placed in a Group 3, Group 2 and Group 1. We’ll be going back to Book 3 next week and you’ll see me and Saeed Manana [owner] on the rail for hours on end rain or shine!

“She probably won’t run again this season – there’s the Listed Montrose Fillies’ Stakes back here but that’s her eighth run of the season and we’ll have to see.

“I hope she’ll improve next season – she’s out of Nashwan and is a tall, leggy and light filly who certainly doesn’t look a two-year-old type.”

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November 2016

15

REVIEW DUBAI FUTURE CHAMPIONS FESTIVAL

CHALLENGE STAKES LANDED WITH SOME ACLAIM

Aclaim completed a hat-trick in fine style, taking the sevenfurlong Dubai 100 Challenge Stakes under Frankie Dettori.

The Martyn Meade-trained son of Acclamation, who had previously won a mile Ascot handicap before scoring in a seven-furlong Listed contest at Newbury last month, has done nothing but improve this term.

His length success from Lumiere was his first in Patternrace success and the in-form trainer could not have been more pleased with his Group 2 success.

Meade said: “I’m glad the ground has a bit of water on it as it has taken the sting out of it a bit. He was then able to let himself down on the ground and finish his race off. It was very exciting.

“He has improved all year, although he had to improve a fair bit to do this, but he has never been in better form at home, so I was confident he would be able to give a good account of himself.

“The team were very nervous. This is a completely new, very high level as far as we are concerned. We are just so thrilled and it was such a wonderful ride by Frankie.

“The horse has just progressed and progressed. He hasn’t let us down at all. It is unlikely he will run again this season, but we will just have to see.”

Mark Johnston, trainer of Lumiere, was delighted with his charge who came home just a length behind winner Aclaim in the Dubai 100 Challenge Stakes.

He said: “That was a great run and I just wish they had all raced on the far side as a number of horses tried to go with her on that side and she’s beaten them all off one by one.

“James Doyle said that she lost a stride a wee bit down the hill and if she hadn’t she might have pinched a couple of lengths. But she’s pretty much back to form.

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“She’s bred to be a miler and looks like one and James said that seven furlongs is perfect and can’t understand why a mile wouldn’t be.

“We’ll think about going to America now. This year has been very, very disappointing and I went into the Guineas as confident as I’ve been in the last ten years. I couldn’t see her out of the three in that race and it was the most disappointing day of the year.

“We’ve had our ups and downs with her – we came here and she showed what she could do and then we went to France and didn’t. It’s impossible to tell at home. Next year will be down to John Ferguson and Sheikh Mohammed.”

Charles Hills, trainer of third-placed Jallota, a further half a length away, added: “He’s been a superstar and has ran the same race again and only been beaten just over a length.

“He’s had a long, long year and I’ll give him a nice break now. I’m looking forward to next year and seven furlongs is ideal for him.”

MRS DANVERS DREAM RUN CONTINUES IN THE CORNWALLIS STAKES

David again slayed the Giant as Mrs Danvers again demonstrated that her diminutive status was no barrier to speed with a resounding victory in the Group 3 Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project Cornwallis Stakes.

In winning, this tough little grey filly completed a fivetimer in a new course record for the five-furlong track under Richard Kingscote.

Trained in Upper Lambourn by Jonathan Portman, the Hellvelyn filly blitzed her eight rivals, recording time of 58.69 seconds and beating Clem Fandango by a length and a half.

Battaash was a further half-length back in third.

The unbeaten Mrs Danvers had been under the weather after her Listed victory at Newbury in August and Portman revealed it was a race against time to get her fit.

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DUBAI FUTURE CHAMPIONS FESTIVAL REVIEW He revealed: “She was sick enough not to be in full training. She has a temperature and the snots, God knows what. It was the right time to have it, really.

“It meant she could come into this race fresh. It was just a bit of a rush to get her fit. My worry was that I did not have enough time to get her right.

“We just made it, just by the skin of her teeth. Maybe she would have win half-wrong anyway, but you don’t run them half-wrong.

“She is so professional, she really is. She knows when to work and knows when to rest. When she does a bit of work at home, she does a fantastic bit of work and we are all sort of cooing on the way home, while she is wondering what all the fuss is about.

“She will go straight to her box and has a kip. She’s a good kipper. She is the most incredible filly. If all horses were like this, it would be easy.

“She is just so professional and her mental constitution is to die for.”

POET’S VANITY ENTERS CLASSIC CALCULATIONS WITH OH SO SHARP STAKES VICTORY

Andrew Balding had a good start to the Dubai Future Festival as Poet’s Vanity took the step up in class from maiden to Group 3 in her stride with success in the Visionsport.com Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket.

With high hopes for South Seas in tomorrow’s Dewhurst Stakes, Balding demonstrated that he has legitimate Classic challengers for both Guineas races next spring, as Poet’s Vanity ran out an impressive winner of this contest. course-specialist.co.uk

Afterwards Balding confirmed to Course Specialist that he sees this daughter of Poet’s Voice as more of a Guineas type than an Oaks filly.

Poet’s Vanity stamped herself as a filly of Classic potential when battling to a length victory from Glitter Girl in the Group 3 visionsport.com Oh So Sharp Stakes in the hands of Oisin Murphy.

The Andrew Balding-trained daughter of Poet’s Voice had stepped up on her debut run by sauntering to a 10-length win at Salisbury last time, and she improved again, lengthening well and looking as though she would get further than this sevenfurlong trip after a protracted battle with the runner-up.

The staying-on Unforgettable Filly was a further length down in third.

Balding can now dream of the QIPCO 1000 Guineas and he revealed that he would have no issue with Poet’s Vanity her back to the Rowley Mile for the mile Fillies’ Classic in May without the need for a prep in a trial.

He said: “She has a lot of physical scope and I would like to think that she could improve next year.

“She was very impressive at Salisbury but you don’t know what she beat. She looked as though she deserved to be at this level, so it is encouraging.

“She has always been a delight to deal with. She has not turned a hair and she toughed it out well because that is the first time she has been asked to race like that, and I think she was doing her best work at the end.

“Possibly she will go for the Fred Darling, but it depends how she winters. I wouldn’t mind coming straight here to be honest.

“I hate the thought of having to be under pressure to run in a trail. She would only (go for a trial) if she needed to.

“I haven’t got any better among the fillies. I had to work her with a colt last week because she was demoralising our other fillies.

“We have a situation with lots of nice two-year-olds going into next season. Hopefully they will all bring each other on.

It is nice to see the horses still running well at this time of year. That is encouraging.”

William Haggas’s Glitter Girl was fourth in the Shadwell Rockfel Stakes here a couple of weeks’ ago and she proved that run was no fluke with a fine second, lengths adrift, to Poet’s Vanity in today’s visionsport.com Oh So Sharp Stakes.

The local trainer said: “She’s very game and genuine and ran a game race. That was marvellous – excellent.

“Unfortunately her mother Glitterball died quite recently but this filly has just done so well.”

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REVIEW DUBAI FUTURE CHAMPIONS FESTIVAL

SATURDAY VICTORY IN EUROPE’S JUVENILE CHAMPIONSHIP RACE FOR CHURCHILL Churchill confirmed his status as the leading two year old colt in Europe with a decisive win in this afternoon’s Group 1 Dubai Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket.

The son of Galileo crowned a supreme season with a solid performance extricating himself from a difficult position before extending clear of his rivals for a smooth win. His win further embellished an extraordinary few weeks for his trainer Aidan O’Brien, who for the second day running, saddled the first two home in a Newmarket Group 1.

Churchill’s stable mate Lancaster Bomber, raced against the stands rail and cut out a good pace which had several runners being scrubbed along fully two furlongs from home.

Meanwhile, Blue Point travelled well to the outside, as did Churchill, albeit behind a number of horses.

However, Ryan Moore switched Churchill and given daylight, he powered into the lead, negotiating The Dip with perfect poise and lengthening to beat Lancaster Bomber, who kept on commendably, by 1 ¼ lengths. Blue Point travelled well but appeared to plateau in the seventh furlong, finishing third, just ahead of Thunder Snow.

Churchill was winning for the fifth consecutive time, all at Pattern level, with two Group 1 successes on the trot.

Ryan Moore briefly got trapped in a pocket as Lancaster Bomber set the pace, but as Winston Churchill once said, ‘Difficulties mastered are opportunities won’, and the son of Galileo showed enough class to extricate himself and win going away.

It was a fifth victory in the seven-furlong contest for the trainer and the third for the jockey.

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November 2016

DUBAI FUTURE CHAMPIONS FESTIVAL REVIEW After landing the Ballydoyle yard’s 20th Group 1 success of the season, O’Brien said: “I really couldn’t be happier. It wasn’t a fast-run race. It was just a nice sensible pace. He doesn’t do a lot when he gets there, never will. But you’d be very happy.

“It got a little bit tight but the experience would have done him good. We couldn’t be happier.

“He has a massive engine in there.

“He settled in there and quickened down into The Dip, and would have learned a lot today. It got a little bit messy after the 2f (pole) and Ryan guided him through lovely and produced him lovely. So I’m over the moon, really.

“He has tons up his sleeve. He is a big, physically veryimposing horse. He is probably the most imposing two-yearold we’ve ever trained. He is massive, he is big, powerful and has a great mind. He relaxes and sleeps. He just does the minimum and is a great traveller, so the qualities are all there in abundance.

“He is very special, this fella. He has done everything from day one. Everyone that has anything to do with him gets that special feeling from him.

“That’s very special when that happens.”

Churchill solidified his credentials for the QIPCO 2000 Guineas and at this point, opposition appears to be melting away. However, the Guineas is fully seven months away and there will be plenty of twists and turns before we all assemble once again on the Rowley Mile next May. Whether Churchill has the stamina for the mile and a half Derby trip is open to question and O’Brien admits he does not yet know the answer.

He added: “We always view them as a miler, but that is not to say he won’t get further. He started over six but that doesn’t say he won’t get further.

“He always went like a real miler, but he is so relaxed and so laid-back, and so clear – he came back and wasn’t even blowing. He is very economical as a galloper, he saves everything and his mind is very strong, so who knows (whether he will get the Derby trip)?

“I don’t think you can rule out the Derby. His mind will allow him to get most trips as long as the speed doesn’t stretch out too far. He has an awful lot of natural pace, but he is very relaxed doing that and he is by Galileo.

“Donnacha rides him every day and you would need to wear a parachute when you ride him because he is relaxed, but

by God when he leaves the ground, he doesn’t come down for a while. He is something really exceptional.

“It is very possible he and Caravaggio will both go in course-specialist.co.uk

the Guineas. It is very possible, although we would probably want to give Caravaggio a run, possibly over seven furlongs, beforehand to see where we are with him.”

Winning owner, Michael Tabor, is also uncertain whether or not Churchill will develop into a Derby horse.

He said: “He is by Galileo but if you look on the dam’s side, out of Meow, she got pipped in the Queen Mary. He will get a mile obviously but a mile and a half ? It is difficult to say.

You won’t know until we find out on the day.

“Obviously the dam being fast, quick Queen Mary filly, it would make you think. If we knew, it wouldn’t be a game!

“It has been a great season. Listen, we must be doing something right. As my late mother would say, ‘the proof of the pudding is in the eating’.”

Blue Point has been remarkably consistent all season and finished in the first three for the sixth time in six starts, coming home third, a length and three-quarters behind the winner, in the Group 1 Dubai Dewhurst Stakes.

© AJ Byles

Blue Point’s trainer Charlie Appleby said: “I’m delighted with the run and he lost nothing in defeat. He’s answered the question now and it will be the Commonwealth Cup next year.

“That’s what we’ll do and he’ll probably have one or two outings beforehand, the Sandy Lane Stakes probably and then on to the Commonwealth Cup. “William [Buick, jockey] said he learnt a lot today and settled and picked up nicely before the last 100 yards when the petrol ran out. It was a good performance and he’ll be a nice horse for next year.”

Saeed bin Suroor saddled fourth-placed Thunder Snow, also for Godolphin, and the local trainer said: “The horse ran well and is in good form. He’s done well and I’m happy with him.

“He’s been second in two Group 2 races and now ran well in fourth in a Group 1. There is no plan and we’ll see what the options are – I don’t know if he’ll run again this year and we’ll see in a few days. A mile is good for him with no problems.”

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REVIEW DUBAI FUTURE CHAMPIONS

SWEET SELECTION LANDS THE CESAREWITCH WITH DE SOUSA

Sweet Selection emerged victorious from a dramatic Betfred Cesarewitch Handicap under Silvestre De Sousa this afternoon.

She appeared well handicapped beforehand, having been due to go up 17lb in the handicap after today.

And the Hughie Morrison-trained four-year-old made the most of her mark under champion jockey Silvestre De Sousa, staying on strongly to fend off 32 rivals and land the valuable prize by three lengths from First Mohican.

Sea Of Heaven was a length and a quarter back in third, with The Cashel Man fourth.

It was not a race without incident, as Seismos unshipped Marc Monaghan early on, giving the young pilot a nastylooking fall.

Winning owner Paul Brocklehurst said: “I think the loose horse probably helped her get to the front but our instructions were to keep her handy and he did that all the way through.

“She just keeps staying and is as tough as teak. She has such a gorgeous attitude as well. A bit lazy at times, but she is really tough and keeps galloping away. We will keep her in training next year as a five-year-old and see where we can get to, see if we can have some fun.

“I am delighted for the stable and all the work goes in.

They are lovely people and Hughie has done a fantastic job.

Hughie chose this horse and he is such a good judge.”

Morrison interjected: “I’m a shocking judge! I spent the whole of last year thinking she was a mile and a half filly. This time last year she was rated 65 and had only won one race.

“I said, ‘right, we are going to step her up in trip’. She is just incredibly tough. Silvestre said he was beaten five furlongs out.

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“She is just extraordinarily tough. When race-reading it, Star Rider was going better, but when they quickened, she nipped up the inside and just kept going and went clear. You think that she is going to get caught, but she didn’t.

“The great thing about her is that she is so relaxed and takes nothing out of herself. She does very little work at home.

“We put her over two miles and she hasn’t looked back.

At York, she probably wasn’t 100 per cent and at Doncaster (Doncaster Cup) she was probably a bit out of her comfort zone and may not have been 100 per cent that day, but when she is good, she is very good.

“It is obscured that these big handicaps don’t get some recognition for Black Type. A race like this, you need an incredibly sound, tough, healthy horse, which you don’t necessarily need winning over five furlongs with a two-yearold in May. “We will give her a holiday now. She spent last winter down with my bother at Fonthill Stud and she’ll probably do the same.

“Probably we will put her in the Ascot Gold Cup but I wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t the Queen Alexandra we went for.”

There was a really sad postscript to this race as Leah Freya and The Minch were both pulled up in the home straight, with the former having sustained fatal injuries. The Minch was reported to have suffered a bad injury to a tendon, but returned to his trainer Jim Goldie’s yard.

BEST SOLUTION HAS THE ANSWERS IN THE AUTUMN STAKES Best Solution has had a busy few weeks but proved best of all as he won the Group 3 Dubai 100 Autumn Stakes at Newmarket today.

The son of Kodiac had run in Turkey in early September, before finishing fourth to Larchmont Lad in the Group 3 Tattersalls Stakes at Newmarket in late September.

He was giving trainer Saeed Bin Suroora second victory in this race, as he stayed on stoutly in the hands of William Carson, scoring by two lengths.

Zainhom briefly made a bid for glory, but the Godolphin runner always looked to have his measure and so it proved.

The Anvil was a further two lengths back in third.

The trainer’s maiden victory in this race came nine years ago with Ibn Khaldun, who went on to land the Racing Post Trophy.

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DUBAI FUTURE CHAMPIONS REVIEW

CORONET LEADS HOME A GOSDEN ONETWO IN THE ZETLAND STAKES

However, the trainer feels that that Group 1 event at Doncaster may come a little too soon.

Bin Suroor explained: “Last time (in the Tattersalls Stakes) here, he was a little unlucky but this time he worked really well before the race. It was a tough race but the horse is improving.

“I talked to the jockey just in case, as we didn’t want to suffer any traffic problems in the race. I said to sit him second in order to give him a clear run.”

He added: “He is not in the Racing Post Trophy and it is too close to this race with two weeks between them. We will have a look, though.

“I want to see how he comes out of the race tomorrow. But if not, we will maybe take him back to Dubai for the Classic races – a trial and the Guineas. We will then see if he is good enough to run in the UAE Derby.”

Zainhom belied his double figure odds to finish runnerup in the Dubai 100 Autumn Stakes, two lengths adrift of the hugely impressive winner Best Solution.

Angus Gold, racing manager to Zainhom’s owner Hamdan Al Maktoum, said: “I’m very pleased and surprised and he ran a lovely race.

“He tends to be a little bit keen and where he was drawn, we had to get cover but he settled beautifully and came through them well.

“He got a bit unbalanced in the dip as he’s a big, heavy horse. He was babyish when he ran at York and has done that the right way, finishing off well and it was very encouraging.

“That’s it for the season and I think a mile is his sort of trip but we’ll take it one step at a time. That was a big progression as he’s a horse who is mentally immature and I’m surprised.”

The Anvil finished two lengths behind Zainhom.

Champion Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien said: “He ran very well and I’m very happy with that run. He’ll stay much further and we’ll probably leave him alone this year.

“He’ll start again next year as he has enough experience now.” course-specialist.co.uk

John Gosden saddled the first two home in the Godolphin Flying Start Zetland Stakes, as the Frankie Dettori-ridden Coronet touched off stablemate Cunco in a high-class renewal of the Listed 1m2f event.

Permian was half a length back in third and the trio drew well clear of the remainder.

Gosden is now likely to plot a Classic path for the daughter of Dubawi, whose time of 2:02.89 was a new track record for juveniles over the 10-furlong trip.

He said: “The Musidora (at York) will be the obvious place to go, but she is an Oaks filly.

“She has a little filling out and growing to do. Even Cunco, who was the first winner by Frankel, has grown. He was the first foal born in January and they grow a lot as babies, but he has run a great race.

“They went a good clip. A mile and quarter has been right up his ally today and he will probably stay over further.

“It is the only chance you have to run a classy two-yearold over a trip. He has run great – the first three have all run great. The winner is still unfurnished and the runner-up is a tough cookie.

“It is quite nice to have a proper race for two-year-olds at the end of the year but you don’t want to run them too late, so it is good that it is at this meeting – it fits well at this meeting.”

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© Ed Byrne

ALICE SPRINGS TO VICTORY IN THE SUN CHARIOT STAKES Alice Springs gained a third Group One success of the season when seeing off the determined challenge of Always Smile in the Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket.

Having blitzed a good field in the Matron Stakes on Irish Champions Weekend, Aidan O’Brien’s filly was not as impressive on this occasion, but got the job done.

Arabian Queen tried to make all, but Always Smile and then Alice Springs swooped past. It initially looked as if Ryan Moore was going to run out an easy winner on the market leader, but Saeed bin Suroor’s four-year-old made her pull out all the stops.

Three-quarters of a length separated them at the line, with Ervedya staying on strongly but too late in the day to claim third.

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RIVET IN COMMAND IN THE RACING POST TROPHY Rivet gave the Dewhurst Stakes form a mighty boost with a commanding performance to win the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster.

The William Haggas trained colt, successful on Town Moor last month in the Group 2 Champagne Stakes, made a triumphant return with a comfortable 1 ¾ lengths defeat of the much-vaunted Yucatan, providing his jockey Andrea Atzeni with a remarkable fourth successive victory in the race.

Rivet was soon into his stride and helping to set the pace along with Contrapposto, while Sir Dancealot missed the break.

With three furlongs gone, Rivet had moved to the front from The Anvil, racing on the stands rail, with Contrapposto and Finn McCool next.

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UK RACING NEWS Yucatan was under severe pressure from Ryan Moore with three furlongs to race, while Rivet continued to dictate.

With 1 ½ furlongs to race, Yucatan kicked into gear and threw down his challenge, but Rivet responded well for Atzeni and found more to draw away for an impressive success, with Salouen staying on for third, just ahead of Raheen House.

Atzeni said: “We changed tactics and I just let him stride on and enjoy it.

“It would have taken a good one to get by him.

“He’s very genuine and he stays well. He’s a lovely, big, scopey horse.

“Fair play to the team for running him as he was a little disappointing in the Dewhurst.

“He’ll definitely go on (next season).”

AL SHAQAB RACING ANNOUNCES THE RETIREMENT OF SHALAA Shalaa, Champion Two Year Old Colt of 2015, has been retired from racing it has been revealed.

Al Shaqab Racing announced in a Tweet that the son of Invincible Spirit will stand at the Haras de Bouquetot in 2017, with his fee yet to be announced.

Trained by John Gosden, Shalaa finished last of eight on his debut in a Newbury conditions race in May of last year, but then embarked upon a glorious run of six successive victories.

His success in the Group 2 July Stakes, when he beat Steady Pace by a length, was the first real sign of an emerging talent. He backed that up with an authoritative 2 ¾ lengths defeat of Tasleet in the Group 2 Richmond Stakes at Goodwood. course-specialist.co.uk

In late August of last year he headed to France and comfortably landed the Group 1 Prix Morny by 1 ¾ lengths from Gutaifan, overcoming very soft ground.

That confirmed Shalaa’s status as a leading juvenile and was his fourth win on the trot. Further success came in more workmanlike fashion in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket in late September, where he beat Buratino by ½ a length.

Shalaa’s 2016 campaign was keenly anticipated, with a sprint campaign appearing likely. However, injury meant that he was not seen out until early October, when he made a glorious return to beat Mehronissa by a neck in a Group 3 contest. He disappointed in his final start however and time has now been called on his career.

MIDDLE PARK STAKES WINNER THE LAST LION RETIRED TO STUD Just a day after it was announced that 2015 Middle Park Stakes winner Shalaa had been retired from racing, Darley announced that The Last Lion, successful in the same Group 1 race at Newmarket in September, is to retire to Kildangan Stud for 2017.

In a press statement, Darley announced: The Last Lion, the season’s toughest top juvenile who recorded a stunning victory in the G1 Middle Park Stakes, has been purchased by Godolphin and will take up stud duties at Kildangan Stud, Ireland in 2017. A fee will be announced at a later date.

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NEWS UK RACING

An ultra-tough and competitive performer, the son of Choisir improved from race to race in every one of his ten starts this season, never once finishing out of the first three. His victory in the G1 Middle Park Stakes was one of the juvenile performances of the season with The Last Lion making all to defeat a high-class field including the G2 winners Blue Point (Shamardal), Mehmas and Medicine Jack, as well as Stakes winners Intelligence Cross, Mokarris and Peace Envoy.

Trained by Mark Johnston, The Last Lion made a winning debut in the Brocklesby Stakes in the opening week of the turf Flat season. He made a smooth transition to Pattern company when finishing a close second in the G2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot, beaten only half a length. Those in arrears included five Stakes winners. The Last Lion resumed winning ways with a facile victory in the Listed Dragon Stakes at Sandown.

After placed efforts behind the record-breaking Yalta (Exceed And Excel) in the G3 Molecomb Stakes and Blue Point (Shamardal) in the G2 Gimcrack Stakes, The Last Lion stormed to victory in the G3 Sirenia Stakes over six furlongs at Kempton in early September.

Thriving on his demanding campaign, he returned to action just six days later at Doncaster, dropping back to five furlongs to run the Royal Ascot winner Ardad to half-a-length in the G2 Flying Childers.

His final start of the season saw him at his very best, winning his G1 on good-to-firm ground with an impressive front-running effort, holding off Blue Point with Mehmas fully three lengths away.

After the race, The Last Lion was officially rated the best two-year-old colt in Europe level with

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Caravaggio and Churchill on Official Ratings. He is also rated higher than Dark Angel, the last Middle Park winner to retire at the end of his juvenile season and now a much-prized stallion.

Sam Bullard, Director of Darley stallions, said: “The Last Lion is a good-looking horse who was an extremely tough and precocious performer. He put up a truly outstanding performance to win the G1 Middle Park Stakes from a top field. To get out early and progress all season long as he did shows a real love of the game, and if he transmits that and his durability to his stock, he will be a valuable addition to the stallion ranks.”

MOVE UP DENIES ARAB SPRING IN THE CUMBERLAND LODGE The Group Three Gigaset Cumberland Lodge Stakes at Ascot produced a thrilling finish, with the William Buick-ridden Move Up getting the better of Jamie Spencer and Arab Spring after a titanic duel.

King’s Fete had taken the nine-strong field along at a steady clip, with Move Up on his withers throughout the first mile. Turning for home, little had changed, with Arab Spring still to find his stride in third.

Yet the complexion altered with two furlongs to race, as King’s Fete started to tire and Arab Spring made his move on the outer, with Frankie Dettori on the John Gosden-trained Western Hymn taking closer order.

It appeared as though Arab Spring would get the better of his rival after nosing in front inside the final furlong, but Buick’s mount kept finding more and he stuck his nose out where it mattered, with Move Up getting the verdict by a neck.

King’s Fete held on for third in a photo, a length and a quarter further back.

Move Up won a Turkish Group Two over the same trip last month, and Buick feels there is more to come from the Godolphin runner.

He said: “He is a nice, progressive horse, who liked this soft ground. He has stepped up markedly on what he has achieved before and I think he will only improve. He’s clearly going the right way.”

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UK RACING NEWS

DURETTO AND PLEASELETMEWIN SPRING GROUP 3 SURPRISES AT NEWBURY

The son of Power came home seventh in the G3 Autumn Stakes at Newmarket earlier this month and raced prominently throughout the seven-furlong contest before quickening clear inside the final furlong to beat Kings Gift by two and a quarter lengths.

MULHOLLAND STABLE SHINES AT CHELTENHAM

© Image suppiled by Newbury Racecourse

Outsiders claimed both of the feature races on Worthington’s Armed Forces Day, on Saturday, October 22, with Duretto and Pleaseletmewin scoring at big prices on Newbury’s final Flat fixture of the year.

Duretto sprung a shock for Kingsclere handler Andrew Balding and jockey Graham Lee in the 12-furlong Worthington’s OCSL Stakes (2.20pm) to register a first success at G3 level.

The four-year-old, who had run consistently well throughout this season without winning for owner/ breeder Lord Blyth, stayed on strongly to take the lead from Mountain Bell in the closing stages to score by half a length, with Kings Fete a further three-quarters of a length back in third.

Balding commented: “Duretto loves to get his toe in, while he also benefited from having a strong gallop to aim. We decided to leave the hood off today because he is growing up mentally. He has settled well and it might have just given him a bit more at the finish.

“The Blyths have been fantastic owners, who have supported us every year, so I am thrilled for them.”

Trainer Ralph Beckett, responsible for Mountain Bell, and jockey Fran Berry teamed up to record a double in the first two races headed by Pleaseletmewin, who bounced back to form with an impressive display in the G3 Worthington’s Alzheimers Society Stakes (1.45pm). course-specialist.co.uk

Fox Norton looked like a horse jumping into the big time when he made a mockery of his rating to come home unchallenged in the Randox Health Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.

Having shown some of his best form at Prestbury Park, including when third in the Arkle Trophy at the Festival in March, Fox Norton looked happy and assured throughout his first venture into a handicap.

In front at the top of the hill, Noel Fehily was just doing the steering over the last three fences as Fox Norton powered on to score by 11 lengths from Sizing Platinum.

Trainer Neil Mulholland said: “We felt there was big improvement in him through the summer and I’ve been very happy with him in all departments, especially in his work.

“I’d say that could be it for handicaps and we can look at the Shloer Chase back here.”

Mulholland and Fehily made it a double when Shantou Village won the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Novices’ Chase.

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NEWS UK RACING A mistake at the fence at the top of the hill temporarily checked the favourite’s momentum but in spite of getting into a minor bumping match with Brother Tedd coming down the hill, he was soon back in control.

Mulholland said: “He was struck into in the Albert Bartlett at the Festival but we have always known fences would bring out the best in him.

“Apart from that one blip, I was pleased with his jumping and in the end he’s done it really well.

“Noel was delighted and so am I - it’s been a good day.”

THIRD INTENTION OVERCOMES BLUNDER TO IMPRESS IN THE OLD ROAN CHASE Third Intention, so often placed in Graded chases, gained the biggest victory of his chasing career as he landed the Grade 2 188Bet Monet’s Garden Old Roan Handicap Chase at Aintree.

A mouth-watering field of seven classy chasers lined-up for this contest.

Smad Place and Royal Regatta jumped off at the head of affairs, with the latter going on at the second fence, with Three Musketeers and Vibrato Valtat next.

Third Intention blundered at the third and dropped to the back of the pack.

Entering the home straight on the first circuit, Royal Regatta led Smad Place and Vibrato Valtat, with Three Musketeers, Sire De Grugy and God’s Own next and Third Intention at the back.

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The order was relatively unchanged passing the winning post with a circuit to race, although Smad Place momentarily moved in front. However, racing down the back Royal Regatta moved back to the lead, as Sire De Grugy made an error.

Royal Regatta extended his advantage with Three Musketeers moving second, and Smad Place taking a breather.

However, racing to the fourth last, the cross fence, Royal Regatta’s lead was reduced as the sextet in behind bunched up and a thrilling finish was in prospect as they all turned for home.

Royal Regatta belted the third from home and Vibrato Valtat, on the inside, went on.

Heading to the last, Vibrato Valtat went clear but idled, as Third Intention closed and then swept through into the lead. A good jump at the last sealed victory for Third Intention and Aidan Coleman, with God’s Own doing his best work late on, to close to within a couple of lengths.

Smad Place perhaps found this track too sharp, but stayed on promisingly in third, with Vibrato Valtat showing plenty of verve in fourth.

The Colin Tizzard trained 9 year old Third Intention, was making the most of joint bottom weight and looks set for a good season.

THISTLECRACK JUMPS SUPREMELY AND COASTS TO CHASE DEBUT SUCCESS AT CHEPSTOW Thistlecrack put in a perfect round of jumping as he eased to a comfortable and impressive victory in the Aspen Waite Complete Business Growth Service Novices’ Chase at Chepstow this afternoon.

Beforehand, all eyes were on the outstanding World Hurdle winner Thistlecrack, talked of as a possible Cheltenham Gold Cup contender, but making his chasing debut here.

The Colin Tizzard trained 8 year old faced four rivals, all of whom appeared to fall a long way short of the standards set by Thistlecrack.

The centre of attention set off in front from the tape and jumped the first well, chased by Saddlers Encore and Aqalim.

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Thistlecrack took his rivals into the home straight on the first circuit with a lead of a couple of lengths from Saddlers Encore and Aqalim, with Coole Charmer pecking on landing at the first in the straight.

The leader continued to bowl along and jumped well, racing with his head in his chest, as the field passed the winning post with a circuit to run.

Racing down the back straight, Thistlecrack continued to jump well, although his advantage never increased. Indeed, at the last down the back, Saddlers Encore moved closer, although he was less fluent.

Turning out of the back, Thistlecrack effortlessly increased the tempo, with his rivals suddenly five lengths behind as he turned into the home straight, with Saddlers Encore and Coole Chamer in behind.

At the fourth from home, Thistlecrack stood off his ditch and jumped spectacularly.

However, he had not shaken off Aqalim although Saddlers Encore had weakened two out.

At the final fence, Thistlecrack was about a length in from of Aqalim, who attempted to make a race of things. A fine leap at the last and Tom Scudamore was able to let out a little rein and Thistlecrack comfortably pulled away from Aqalim on the flat for a facile victory by about four lengths. course-specialist.co.uk

BOTTI PLOTS A RETURN ROUTE TO THE ALL-WEATHER CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR GRENDISAR Grendisar is likely to follow a similar path to last season as he aims to retain his Winter Derby and Easter Classic titles.

Marco Botti’s six-year-old won his final three starts of the winter season and had been in the frame to reappear at Dundalk on Friday.

However, a dirty scope put paid to those plans and Botti will now keep him back for the Churchill Stakes at Lingfield on November 12.

© Image suppiled by Lingfield Park Racecourse

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NEWS UK RACING “We plan to run him in the Churchill Stakes at Lingfield, a Listed race over 10 furlongs,” said Botti.

“To be honest, with him the races pick themselves and it will be a very similar programme to last season.

“He’s rated so high now he has to run in Listed races and there are only so many on the all-weather over his trip.

“He loves Lingfield, saves his best for there, so we’re lucky there are a few races there to run him in.”

COLIN TIZZARD WELCOMES POTTS HORSES TO VENN FARM

at Newmarket last season, she was then second behind Erveyda in the French equivalent.

That was the closest she came in seven Group One races.

“We were pleased with her run. We just wanted to give her another chance in a Group One and sign her off,” Meade’s son and assistant, Freddie, told At The Races.

“I think we’ve come to a decision that’s the end of her racing career.

“She bounces back well out of her races. She did that after France and we thought we’d give her one more go and she didn’t disappoint.

“She ran a great race and when you finish in front of Group One horses it’s not too bad.”

Colin Tizzard’s career has received a significant boost after the addition of 15 horses from leading owners Alan and Ann Potts.

The trainer of popular chaser Cue Card and last season’s star staying hurdler Thistlecrack, Tizzard is the beneficiary of Colm Murphy’s shock decision to retire, with the Potts’ moving all the horses based with the multiple Grade One-winning trainer from Ireland to Dorset.

Among the new arrivals are Sizing Granite, winner of the Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree last year, Bally Longford and Viconte Du Noyer.

Tizzard said: “We got the call on Friday and it’s lovely.

“Twelve of them are here now and there’s another three arriving next week.

“I think we’ve got 85 horses now, which is great.”

IRISH ROOKIE RETIRED FROM RACING Irish Rookie is to be retired to the paddocks following her fifth place behind Alice Springs in the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket.

The four-year-old filly, trained by Martyn Meade, was highly tried after winning both her starts as a juvenile, including a Listed race, but never got her head in front again.

Sixth to Legatissimo in the Qipco 1,000 Guineas

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J P MCMANUS, BIG BUCK’S & QUEVEGA INDUCTED INTO CHELTENHAM HALL OF FAME Cheltenham Racecourse has announced three new inductees to the Hall Of Fame ahead of the new season at the Home of Jump Racing - J P McManus, Big Buck’s & Quevega.

J P MCMANUS J P McManus is the most successful owner of alltime at The Festival, with his tally currently standing at 48 winners.

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UK RACING NEWS Mister Donovan set the ball rolling for Limerickborn Irishman when landing what is now the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle in 1982. He enjoyed four wins at The Festival in 2016, including Invanovich Gorbatov in the JCB Triumph Hurdle.

His 48 successes at The Festival are headed by three-time Champion Hurdle winner Istabraq, who scooped the championship event in 1998, 1999 and 2000. McManus is the winning-most owner of alltime in the Champion Hurdle with five victories.

After Istabraq’s treble, he went on to win the highlight of Champion Day with both Binocular (2010) and Jezki (2014).

Synchronised gave McManus a long-awaited success in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2012, while the owner has enjoyed victories in the World Hurdle three times courtesy of Barracouda (2002 & 2003) and More Of That (2014).

A famed gambler, renowned for his tilts in the ring at Cheltenham, McManus is truly a part of the folklore of The Festival.

BIG BUCK’S Big Buck’s created history in 2012 when becoming the first horse to win the World Hurdle four times.

Trained by Paul Nicholls in Somerset for owners the Stewart Family, Big Buck’s won the World Hurdle in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 and was a firm favourite with the racing public.

In addition to his four World Hurdles, he was also triumphant at the Home of Jump Racing in the Cleeve Hurdle (2009 & 2012) and a handicap hurdle on New Year’s Day, 2009.

In all, he won 10 races at Grade One level and broke Sir Ken’s longstanding record for consecutive wins over Jumps, when recording 17 victories between January, 2009 and April, 2012.

QUEVEGA Quevega is the only horse to have won the same race at The Festival six consecutive times, landing the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle (for the David Nicholson Trophy) in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

The previous record was five consecutive victories, set by Golden Miller in the Cheltenham Gold Cup during the 1930s. course-specialist.co.uk

Trained in Ireland by Willie Mullins for owner the Hammer & Trowel Syndicate, Quevega was partnered by Ruby Walsh for each of her half-dozen victories at The Festival.

She was successful on 16 of her 24 starts. She was also victorious four times in the World Series Hurdle at Punchestown.

EL BANDIT HELD UP FOR PERSIAN WAR VICTORY El Bandit continued an excellent afternoon for trainer Paul Nicholls as he completed his fourtimer in the Grade 2 Totepool Persian War Novices’ Hurdle at Chepstow.

Nine lined up for a race that always throws up smart horses.

Valadom the grey led early on from Bagad Bihou who jumped more fluently. At the second flight No Comment unseated Barry Geraghty, as Valadom, known for his cross-country exploits, led from the former useful flat performer Mirsaale, who had run in the 2013 Derby.

Those two disputed the lead passing the winning post with a circuit to race, with Three Ways in close order.

Racing down the back, the loose horse led with Coo Star Sivola taking it up from Bagad Bihou, Mirsaale and Valadom, all racing close together, with Canton Prince on their coat tails.

The field bunched as they began the sweeping turn for home, with Coo Star Sivola narrowly in front of the unbeaten Mirsaale and then Bagad Bihou and Three Ways. Bitch Hill was pulled up and Valadom began to struggle.

Mirsaale came to join Coo Star Sivola three out, while on the inside Canton Prince challenged and El Bandit started to stay on.

Racing to the last, El Bandit landed narrowly in front of Coo Star Sivola, with Mirsaale unable to go on. The Paul Nicholls trained five year old had the superior momentum on the flat to see off his rivals and held off Coo Star Sivola, with Mirsalle back in third and a gap back to Three Ways, well back in fourth.

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TREBLE FOR SAM TWISTONDAVIES AS HEREFORD REOPENS Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies was the man to follow at Hereford’s grand reopening as the jockey secured an impressive treble on the card.

With the much-missed course staging National Hunt racing for the first time since December 2012, those who had followed Twiston-Davies blindly were in clover.

The jockey’s biggest success came in the feature bet365.com Silver Salver Handicap Chase as Belmount kept up the gallop to win by two and a quarter lengths for Twiston-Davies’ father, Nigel.

The winning trainer said: “It’s superb to be back at the old stomping ground and it is great to win a race here.

“I trained my first two winners here as a trainer and rode them, though they were not my first as a jockey.

“It’s lovely to be back and well done to ARC (Hereford’s owners, Arena Racing Company) for putting it back on.”

The Twiston-Davies family then combined to take the bet365 Handicap Chase with Little Pop. “He’s a funny horse,” said the jockey.

“I’ve never called him anything nice in the past, but he’s found his level now.”

Sam Twiston-Davies set the ball rolling when Coillte Lass ground out victory in the bet365.com Mares’ ‘National Hunt’ Maiden Hurdle.

Trainer Paul Nicholls said: “It’s brilliant to be back here. We had lots of winners here before and it is nice to have one straight away.

“I thought she would go well but she wants further and slower ground but it is a nice starting point.”

Rather Be got punters off to a flying start when he obliged in the opening race, the bet365/British Stallion Studs EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle.

Trainer Nicky Henderson said: “It’s great to be back and well done to everyone involved.

“It’s always been a fair track. To come here and see a crowd like this shows what can be achieved.”

Henderson is already toying with the idea of stepping hurdling debutant Rather Be, who competed in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham last season, up in distance.

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The Seven Barrows handler added: “He jumped really well and should get two and a half miles.”

Emerging Force began his fencing career with a smooth success in the bet365 Beginners’ Chase.

Harry Whittington’s six-year-old impressed the further he went and gradually put the opposition to the sword.

Whittington said: “I’d be surprised if he didn’t end up a 10lb better chaser than hurdler.

“That would put him in the mix for the RSA maybe or the National Hunt (Chase).”

Dai Burchell’s Furiously Fast was very willing and very able in the bet365 Handicap Hurdle , while Some Kinda Lama won the concluding bet365 Maiden Hurdle for Charlie Mann and Noel Fehily.

HUGO PALMER INDICATES GALILEO GOLD WILL STAY IN TRAINING Galileo Gold will race on next season, trainer Hugo Palmer has announced.

This season’s 2,000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes hero will continue to grace the track as a fouryear-old after connections opted against retirement.

Palmer said: “After they (owners) spoke yesterday, they have decided to keep Galileo Gold in training which is very exciting for us.”

He added: “Champions like Galileo Gold are so rare and hard to find. When you find one, you want to hang on to them.

“Hopefully we can regain his early season form next year.”

Runner-up in both the Irish 2,000 Guineas and the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, the Al

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UK RACING NEWS Shaqab Racing-owned son of Paco Boy raced far too keenly on his penultimate outing at Deauville, when eighth in the Prix Jacques le Marois.

WILSON RENWICK CALLS TIME ON HIS RIDING CAREER Wilson Renwick has announced his retirement from race riding, although he is now hoping to carve out a new career riding bikes.

Renwick has been sidelined since suffering multiple injuries in a fall at Market Rasen in May 2015, with the rider forced to call time on his involvement with racing due to nerve damage sustained in that incident.

He told BBC Sport: “As well as the concussion, I broke a vertebra in my neck, my collarbone, my jawbone and a couple of ribs, and they’ve all healed.”

He added: “But nerve damage in my left arm means some of the muscle has wasted away and I’ve lost power in it, which won’t come back, so that’s it.”

While Renwick’s days in the racing saddle are over, he is trying to ply his trade in a saddle of another kind as he is now attached to the Italy-based Parentini cycling team and is classified as ‘elite’ level.

Year, Gemma Hogg, Ollie McPhail from Racing to School and Hazel Peplinski, Chief Executive of Perth Racecourse.

The four new judges will be taking time from their busy schedules to help judge this year’s nominations.

MECCA’S ANGEL RETIREMENT CONFIRMED Michael Dods has confirmed his star sprinter Mecca’s Angel has been retired.

Winner of York’s Nunthorpe Stakes for the last two years, the five-year-old mare was unable to end her racing career on a high.

Mecca’s Angel ran third to Marsha in the Prix de l’Abbaye just over two weeks ago.

“She’s come home fine and she’ll be retired now,” said Dods.

The Darlington handler paid tribute to the horse, owned by David Metcalfe, that helped put him on the racing map.

JUDGES ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2017 GODOLPHIN STUD AND STABLE STAFF AWARDS The twelve judges that make up the panel form an integral part of the prestigious Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards. They bring a wide range of expertise, skill sets and are geographically spread to ensure a fair and robust assessment of all nominations.

The Awards, sponsored by Godolphin and run by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) in association with the Racing Post, recognise and reward the outstanding dedication and skills of the stud and stable staff who are at the heart of British racing.

This year we are delighted to welcome Julian Dollar, from Newsells Park Stud to the judging panel together with last year’s Employee of the course-specialist.co.uk

“You dream of having horses like her. She’s won two Group Ones, other Group and Listed races,” he said.

“She’s campaigned in all the top sprints. She now deserves to go out to stud.

“She’s been a delight. She’s given us a lot of fun and taken us to all the big meetings.”

The daughter of Dark Angel won 10 of her 20 starts, including six at Group and Listed level amassing nearly £680,000 in total prize money in the process.

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TWILIGHT SON RETIRES TO CHEVELEY PARK STUD Twilight Son has been retired to stand at Cheveley Park Stud in 2017.

Trained by Henry Candy, the four-year-old won the Haydock Sprint Cup last season and the Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot this June.

His last two runs, in the July Cup and on Champions Day, came on unsuitable ground.

Cheveley Park bought into Twilight Son before he won the Haydock showpiece last year.

“He was a very good horse on his day,” said Candy.

“He was by Kyllachy, who I trained, and I would very much love to train some of his offspring.

“I used to think he was a better horse when the race perhaps didn’t go his way and he had to get out of trouble.”

AL FEROF RETIRED FOLLOWING LEG INJURY Al Ferof, the hugely popular and talented grey has been retired.

The 11 year old, son of Dom Alco was owned

by John Hales and moved to the Ditcheat yard of Paul Nicholls, winning a Newbury Bumper before running 8 lengths second to Cue Card in the 2010 Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival.

The smashing prospect made his mark as a novice hurdler the following season, but was also

remembered for being involved in an horrific prerace incident when two horses were electrocuted in the Newbury paddock.

Thankfully Al Ferof survived and just a month later landed surely one of the greatest ever novice hurdles races at Cheltenham, when he beat Spirit Son, Sprinter Sacre and Cue Card in the 2011 Stan James Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

A solid 2011/12 novice chase campaign saw him win the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown Park, but he was no match for the rising force in steeple chasing, Sprinter Sacre, making a bad mistake in the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham and never able to get back on terms with his old rival.

Freshened up and a year stronger, Al Ferof made a triumphant return to Cheltenham in November 2012, winning the Paddy Power Gold Cup by 3 lengths from Walk On off top weight.

Injury hampered his subsequent career although he won back to back runnings of the Amlin 1965 Chase at Ascot and ran third in the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

Al Ferof ’s final victory came in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon last December, by which time he had moved to trainer Dan Skelton’s yard. He later ran third yet again in the King George, but was no match for Vautour, when running fourth in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

In all, Al Ferof won 11 of his 28 starts, amassing over £510,000 in win and place prize money.

FORMER JOCKEY MARK BIRCH PASSES AWAY Very sad news to report the passing of Mark Birch, one of the leading riders in the North during the Seventies and Eighties, he was 67.

His apprenticeship was served with Geoffrey Booke, after which, he forged a strong alliance with Peter Easterby at Great Habton, near Malton in Yorkshire.

He rode his first winner on Bollin Charlotte at Chester on July 26, 1968. It was on this course that he rode the great Sea Pigeon to successive victories in the Chester Cup, 1977 and 1978.

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UK RACING NEWS Whilst not aboard Sea Pigeon in that famous Ebor of 1979, Birch gained his compensation two years later with riding Protection Racket in the valuable York handicap for trainer Jeremy Hindley.

Other big race wins that came his way included: Dawn Johnny (Northumberland Plate, 1981), Hard Fought ( John of Gaunt Stakes, 1980) and Bronze Hill (Lincoln, 1973). He also rode Sonnen Gold, the 1979 champion Northern two-year-old, to six consecutive victories.

Numerically, 1979 was his best year, with 77 winners in the book.

© Image by Julian Portch Photography supplied by Henfold Racing

GRAND NATIONAL HERO ROUGHT QUEST PASSES AWAY AT 30 Rough Quest, the 1996 Grand National winner, has passed away at the grand age of 30.

Trained for much of his career by Terry Casey, the son of Crash Course developed into a useful novice chaser in 1991/92, but it was his Cheltenham Festival victory in the Ritz Club National Hunt Handicap Chase of 1995, followed by his success at the Punchestown Festival the following month, that signalled he was a rising force. course-specialist.co.uk

The following season saw further progression with a fine second in the 1995 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup to Couldn’t Be Better, in testing conditions.

In February 1996, he won the Racing Post Chase, before putting in a terrific effort in the following month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, finishing 4 lengths second to Imperial Call.

Rough Quest’s tough constitution was underlined at the end of March 1996, when he was given a patient ride by Mick FitzGerald and delivered perfectly on the run-in to land the Grand National by 1 ¼ lengths from Encore Un Peu. However, there was drama, as he had to survive a Stewards’ Enquiry before the result was confirmed.

The following December he ran on well to finish 12 lengths second to One Man, benefitting from the last fence fall of Mr Mulligan, in the King George VI Chase.

Injury kept Rough Quest off the track for nearly a year and whilst he performed with great credit, he was always highly handicapped and found victory elusive, running his best races when third to See More Business in the 1997 King George and in the Pillar Properties Chase at Cheltenham in January 1998.

In a statement, David Arbuthnot’s stable, Henfold Racing, who looked after Rough Quest in his retirement, said: “It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Rough Quest yesterday at the grand old age of 30. He was the longest living Grand National winner and provided Andrew Wates and his family with their best racing moment by winning the race in 1996.

“Having had a very healthy and happy retirement at Henfold, he recently developed an infection which he was not recovering from and in the best interests of the horse we did not want him to suffer.

“It is a testament to his constitution that before this problem he had hardly ever needed to see a vet during his retirement.

“He was still receiving birthday cards, regular fan mail and visits from Mick Fitzgerald and others who fondly remember his day of glory and he always enjoyed the carrots and polos that were given to him by his visitors.”

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CHELTENHAM’S NATIONAL HUNT CHASE TO BE RUN IN HONOUR OF J T MCNAMARA

THE NATIONAL HERITAGE CENTRE FOR HORSERACING & SPORTING ART IS COMPLETE

Cheltenham Racecourse has announced that the National Hunt Chase will be run in honour of the late J T McNamara.

The four-mile contest for novice chasers, ridden by amateurs, takes place on the first day of The Festival, Tuesday, March 14, 2017, Champion Day. J T McNamara died at the age of 41 on July 26 this year and is survived by his wife Caroline and their three children.

McNamara partnered more than 700 winners under Rules and in point-to-points during his long career and was especially at home at Cheltenham and The Festival.

His total winning tally at the Home of Jump Racing came to 16, four of which were at The Festival in March.

He enjoyed many of his big-race successes in the colours of top owner J P McManus, including riding Rith Dubh to victory in the 2002 National Hunt Chase and partnering Spot Thedifference in the 2005 Cross Country Chase.

McNamara also wore the McManus silks on Drombeag when they were successful in the 2007 Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham. His fourth victory at The Festival came on Teaforthree in the 2012 National Hunt Chase.

His career as a leading amateur rider ended following a fall while riding Galaxy Rock in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase for amateurs in 2013, which left him paralysed.

Caroline McNamara commented: “We are humbled and overwhelmed by the continued support we receive from everyone.

“John Thomas was never one for the limelight during his career, but I am sure that he would want his life remembered for his achievements and success, especially those 16 wins at Cheltenham.

“The race being run in his name at The Festival is a huge honour in his memory.”

On 24th October the National Heritage Centre at Palace House opened in its entirety to the public. The last phase to have been completed was the National Horseracing Museum which is now situated in the Trainer’s House and King’s Yard Galleries.

The new and improved Museum presents 12 galleries that showcase the internationally significant collection that has grown up over the last 30 years.

The collection, which comprises objects, paintings, trophies and silks is interpreted using the latest interactive and audio-visual technologies that will show everybody, no matter what their knowledge in horse racing, a fascinating and at times intriguing journey through the history of the sport.

The Museum begins in a gallery named ‘Under Starters Orders’ where the story of how the sport originated is told. On display here will be one of the oldest racing trophies in the country, the Carlisle racing bells. These date back to the 1560s and 1590s and have been loaned to the NHRM from Tullie House Museum in Carlisle. This gallery also explains the role Newmarket has played in the development of racing from the 17thcentury displayed via an exciting and fact filled audio-visual presentation.

The Royal Connections display concentrates on the 400 year old association of Royals and racing from James I to Her Majesty the Queen.

Here, you can explore the facts and stories through a computer interactive that highlights each monarch’s racing connection, and objects on loan from the Royal Collection.

Other galleries display equine and human heroes and legends of the sport, with artefacts on show associated with legendary figures such as Francis Buckle and Fred Archer right the way through to objects donated by A P McCoy and Frankie Dettori.

One of the most exciting new features in the National Horseracing Museum is a gallery named ‘The Maktoum Gallery of the Thoroughbred’ which looks at the science of the sport. On display will be a life size projection of a racehorse galloping and jumping as it would in a race with the focus being

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UK RACING NEWS on the anatomy of the racehorse. Here you will be shown how the muscles, skeleton and organs work to make the thoroughbred the elite athlete that it is today. This will be joined by the skeleton of Hyperion.

An emphasis is also on the genetics and DNA of the thoroughbred, with an interactive display allowing you to create your ‘perfect racehorse’.

The final gallery in the Trainer’s House is a cinematic experience that allows you to get up close to past and present racing personalities as they talk through their racing achievements and experiences.

In here you will find Claire Balding, Dame Judi Dench, Bob Champion and Lester Piggott, just to name a few!

In the King’s Yard the focus shifts to behind the scenes of the sport. Each stable presents a separate gallery, beginning with the skeleton believed to be Pot8os, the son of the great Eclipse who was discovered at Hare Park in the roots of an overturned tree after a storm. He has been carefully pieced back together by a team at Cambridge University over the past year. The Weatherbys Gallery concentrates on the registration process, here you can name a horse on one of the computer generated interactives and chose your racing colours. Another new and exciting element to the Museum is the Roberts Veterinary Collection which shows some of the equipment that pioneering vet Professor Edwin James Roberts used when he performed the lifesaving operation on Derby winner Mill Reef.

The Museum would not be complete without the famous racehorse simulator which will be installed and ready for use from 1st November.

The new National Horseracing Museum will allow visitors to enjoy the incredible collection in a fascinating new environment. It has been the result of many years of hard work from the Curatorial team who have ensured some of the most treasured artefacts from racings past have been preserved and restored for the public to enjoy.

© NHRM

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© www.healyracing.ie

JET SETTING IN CRUISE CONTROL IN THE CONCORDE STAKES Jet Setting bounced back to form when easily outclassing the opposition in the Coolmore Stud House Of Champions Concorde Stakes at Tipperary.

Enjoying the testing conditions, Jet Setting pulled well clear of her rivals to register her first success since she took Minding’s scalp in the Irish 1,000 Guineas.

Shane Foley had the Adrian Keatley-trained filly up with the pace, set by Creggs Pipes, right from the start before upping the tempo just before the field turned for home.

Jet Setting asserted in a matter of strides and quickly had the opposition toiling in her wake.

Winning for the first time since being sold to China Horse Club International Ltd for £1.3million in June, the daughter of Fast Company was eased down in the last few strides but still had six and a half lengths to spare.

Joailliere stayed on well from the rear to claim second place, with Sruthan a further length and a quarter back in third.

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BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR MULLINS AND WALSH WITH GRADED HAT-TRICK AT TIPPERARY A certain owner might have recently removed 60 horses from his County Carlow stables, but that hardly appeared to have affected the momentum Willie Mullins is gathering, as he and Ruby Walsh landed a hat-trick of Graded races at Tipperary.

The Grade 2 Istabraq Hurdle had looked a competitive enough affair beforehand, with the talented English grey raider Hargam in the line-up.

But it was the Mullins trained dual purpose horse Ivan Grozny, who ran out a decisive 4 ¾ lengths winner from Bentelimar.

Sent straight to the front by Walsh, he never saw another rival, and he was pushed out on the run-in to see off Bentelimar by four and three parts of a length.

In truth, this was a very straight forward success, with Walsh heading into the lead from the tape and never seeing another rival.

The jockey said afterwards: “He just ran away with me and kept going! He was a bit fresher today and hasn’t ran in a while.

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IRISH RACING NEWS “The ground gets softer and it gets harder as you’re trying to go slower but he jumped super and had enough in the tank to keep going.”

The giant Penhill continued his progress over hurdles with victory in the Grade 3 Joe Mac Novice Hurdle.

The former smart Flat horse when with Luca Cumani, was far from fluent early doors and raced towards the rear.

He progressed into second after three out, and cruised to the front approaching the straight. He was a few lengths clear when awkward at the last, keeping on well on the run-in to score by four and a half lengths.

Balzac Turgot ran well to finish second, while Timiyan was fifty-nine lengths back in third. Very sadly, the talented Bel Sas suffered a fatal fall.

Walsh stated: said afterwards: “He is a fair horse but doesn’t jump the Easyfix hurdles quite as well as he does the timber hurdles. He was quite deliberate over the first two but got better as he went on.

“It’s as soft as he (Mullins) has ran him on but the same as Listowel, he’s gone and won on it so you can’t really stop can you.

“Other than Killarney (when he burst a blood vessel) he has done everything right. He never did it before or since and we’ve no idea why he did it.

“He keeps improving though and I imagine he’ll keep going until he tells us otherwise.”

The hat-trick for Mullins and Walsh came up when Westerner Lady ran out a facile 15 lengths winner of the Grade 3 Like A Butterfly Novice Chase.

Heading inside the final two furlongs, Brendan Brackan was still clear, with Black Hawk War under pressure to close and Tipstaff making a little ground.

However, Brendan Brackan and Gary Carroll kept up the gallop well and saw it out in fine style for a superb win. Black Hawk War lost his unbeaten record in second, with Tipstaff third.

The Ger Lyons trained 7 year old Brendan Brackan was winning this race for the second time and winning for the third time in five starts at Cork.

IDENTITY THIEF IMPRESSES ON CHASING BOW

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BRENDAN BRACKAN FURTHER EMBELLISHES HIS FINE CORK RECORD Brendan Brackan made all the running and was not for catching as he streaked clear for an uncontested victory in the Listed Corkracecourse.ie Navigation Stakes at Cork.

Seven horses went to post for this contest over a mile and 100 yards.

Brendan Brackan took the field along and soon opened up a lead of five lengths, chased by Black hawk War. course-specialist.co.uk

Grade One-winning hurdler Identity Thief made a foot-perfect start to life over fences in the Download The BETDAQ App Beginners Chase at Punchestown.

Henry de Bromhead’s big hope won the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle last season and went on to finish sixth in the Champion Hurdle behind Annie Power.

For the large majority, the race only concerned the long odds-on favourite and O Ceallaigh, with Identity Thief ’s jockey David Mullins comfortable to ask for a long one when he saw a stride.

Identity Thief coasted home to win by 14 lengths and looks a natural over the bigger obstacles.

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NEWS IRISH RACING

CHAMPION JUVENILE AIR FORCE BLUE RETIRED Almost one year on from his crowning glory in the Dewhurst Stakes, last year’s Champion Two Year Old Colt Air Force Blue has been retired from racing, after a less than scintillating 2016 campaign.

The son of War Front was an outstanding two year old in 2015, losing only once in five starts as a twoyear-old, when second to Buratino in the Coventry Stakes, a defeat he later avenged. His victories included three at the highest level in the Phoenix Stakes, National Stakes and Dewhurst Stakes.

Trainer Aidan O’Brien spoke highly of Air Force Blue, particularly after his Dewhurst Stakes success: “He is something that we haven’t had before.

“I’d say there’s no doubt he’s the best two-yearold we’ve had. The size of him, the scope, the way he travels, and when you let him go he delivers.”

However, after a winter of much anticipation, this spring proved hugely anti-climatic with poor runs in the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas and the Irish equivalent, in which he never threatened to take a hand in either finish.

He was then given the chance to return to form over shorter trips but finished 12th in the July Cup and last of seven in the Phoenix Sprint Stakes, both over six furlongs.

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Air Force Blue will stand at Coolmore America’s Ashford Stud, whose manager Dermot Ryan said: “With the exception of Frankel, who has made such a brilliant start to his stud career, Air Force Blue is Timeform’s highest-rated juvenile in nearly 20 years.

In fact, he’s the highest-rated juvenile ever from the Danzig line.

DUAL DERBY WINNER HARZAND IS RETIRED Dual Derby winner Harzand has been retired and will stand at the Aga Khan’s Gilltown Stud in 2017.

Trained by Dermot Weld, the Sea The Stars colt overcame a late scare to win the Investec Derby at Epsom in June.

Having spread a plate in transit, he needed constant treatment in the run up to the race and showed great courage to hold off US Army Ranger.

It was then a rush to prepare him for the Irish Derby but he once again displayed a willing attitude to fend off Aidan O’Brien’s Idaho.

His season ended with defeats in the Irish •

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IRISH RACING NEWS

Champion Stakes, in which he suffered another injury, and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, in which he finished ninth.

Weld told At The Races: “He’s been a wonderful horse to train.

“I’ve enjoyed training him. He’s won two Derbys for us. He’s a beautifully-made colt, very sound.

“It’s been a team effort. It hasn’t been the easiest - when he spread the plate before Epsom it was nerve-racking - but it was his guts and courage that won the day.

“He then went on antibiotics as he picked up an infection after Epsom, but he came back stronger than ever to win the Irish Derby.

“He had a long year, a hard year. People forget he won his maiden by 16 lengths in March and then the Ballysax in April.”

“He has done everybody proud and it’s been an honour to train him.”

Harzand won four of his seven races and was ridden in all of them by Pat Smullen.

DON COSSACK SET TO RETURN TO TRAINING AT GORDON ELLIOTT’S NEXT MONTH Don Cossack is set to go back into training next month in the hope he has made a full recovery from injury.

However, should Gordon Elliott not be entirely happy with how the nine-year-old takes to being back in work, he will not hesitate in retiring him.

At the moment, Elliott reports the recuperation to be going swimmingly with Don Cossack undergoing regular road work.

The horse, owned by Gigginstown House Stud, course-specialist.co.uk

was last seen winning the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup in March. He subsequently suffered a tendon injury when being prepared for the Bibby Financial Services Ireland Punchestown Gold Cup in April.

“He’s going into his sixth week on the roads having roadwork and the scans have been very good.

I saw him last Sunday week and the legs felt good,” the County Meath trainer told At The Races.

“When a horse gets a ligament injury it’s day by day, but it seems to be going good and we’ll have back here at Cullentra in the next two or three weeks and it’s all systems go.

“We’re under no illusions. If he’s not 120 per cent right at this stage, we’ll retire him.

“He’s been a wonderful horse, so we’ll do the best thing for the horse.”

WILLIE MULLINS CONFIRMS GIGGINSTOWN SPLIT Willie Mullins has confirmed he has “parted company” with owner Gigginstown House Stud.

The champion trainer believes the owner opted to remove their horses from the yard after he decided to put up his fees this season.

Mullins told At The Races: “We’re parting company - it’s basically over fees, I imagine. I put up my fees for the first time in 10 years and Gigginstown chose not to pay them.

“That’s it, we’re just parting company.

“I’m not willing to try to maintain the standards I have (without putting the fees up), so that’s the way it is.”

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NEWS IRISH RACING

ANNIE POWER LIKELY TO RETURN IN NEXT MONTH’S MORGIANA HURDLE November’s Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown appears the most likely comeback target for Annie Power.

The Willie Mullins-trained eight-year-old became the first mare in 22 years to claim Champion Hurdle glory at Cheltenham in March and was even more dominant when following up at Aintree.

With last year’s Champion Hurdle hero Faugheen set to return to action this season, having been unable to defend his crown at Prestbury Park due to injury, Mullins will need to split his aces and he could make his return in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

“Annie Power is in good order and all is well with her,” the trainer told the At The Races website.

“She’ll be going down the Champion Hurdle route and we have the Morgiana Hurdle pencilled in as a possibility for her return.

“Faugheen is in good shape and his starting point will be either the Morgiana or the Hatton’s Grace. He won’t have any problem with two-and-ahalf miles in the Hatton’s Grace if we point him in that direction.

“He’ll be one that we play by ear as the season progresses.”

STAN JAMES UNVEILED AS NEW SPONSOR OF THE IRISH GOLD CUP AT LEOPARDSTOWN

© www.healyracing.ie

Stan James has been announced as the new sponsor of the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

This year’s renewal on Sunday, February 12, will be the 31st running of the race and in that time it has been won by some of the greats of steeplechasing.

Willie Mullins’ Florida Pearl won the race four times, while Beef Or Salmon and Jodami won three apiece. Along with Jodami (1993), Imperial Call won the contest in the same year as the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The John Kiely-trained Carlingford Lough, owned

by JP McManus, was won the last two renewals.

Pat Keogh, CEO of Leopardstown, said: “Over the past three decades the race has provided some fantastic racing memories for racegoers.

“Our combined aim is to ensure the Stan James Irish Gold Cup continues to showcase the competitiveness and the quality of racing in Ireland.

“As the only race day in Ireland with four Grade Ones on a single day, we will continue to make it one of the best day’s racing in Europe.”

LAWS OF SPIN POWERS TO IRISH CESAREWITCH VICTORY FOR WILLIE MULLINS Willie Mullins collected another valuable stayers flat race at the Curragh as Laws Of Spin and Chris Hayes came with a perfectly-timed run to land the Tote Irish Cesarewitch.

© Image suppiled by Goffs

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IRISH RACING NEWS Slunovrat and Jennies Jewel took the field along and for the first half of the race were clear of Rashaan and Eshtiaal, while Papa’s Way was pulled up early on.

Slunovrat and Jennies Jewel continued to lead approaching the straight, although their advantage was greatly reduced, with Rashaan and Swamp Fox among a swathe of challengers, queuing up.

Jennie’s Jewel, under strong pressure, led in but Swamp Fox cruised into the lead on the outside, chased by Rashaan and Laws Of Spin on the wide outside.

However, whilst Swamp Fox appeared to be in pole position temporarily, Laws Of Spin was unleashed and went on at the furlong pole, possession the best turn of foot to comfortably hold off the late burst from Cradle Mountain, with Swamp Fox third, Artful Artist fourth and the game Jennies Jewel in fifth place.

TIGER ROLL BACK TO FORM IN THE MUNSTER NATIONAL Tiger Roll showed a terrific aptitude for fences as he comfortably landed this afternoon’s JT McNamara Ladbrokes Munster National at Limerick.

Fifteen lined up for this three mile contest, with an abundance of familiar names.

Kylecrue and Rogue Angel landed over the first ahead of Stellar Notion.

Settling down, Rogue Angel took up the running from Stellar Notion and Kylecrue, with the front trio a couple of lengths ahead of Wrath Of Titans and Rightville Boy. Entering the home straight with a circuit race, the order remained relatively unchanged, with Rogue Angel still leading from Stellar Notion and Kylecrue, while Folsom Blue was tailing off and getting reminders as the field passed the stands.

With six left to jump, Kylecrue went on from Rogue Angel with the front two about four lengths ahead of Tiger Roll who was staying on.

Four from home and Rogue Angel had fought his way back to the front but quickly tired. Kylecrue rounded the home turn with Tiger Roll upsides and course-specialist.co.uk

travelling powerfully. The latter stormed into the lead from his under pressure rival, with a gap back to Stellar Notion and Rightville Boy. Tiger Roll took the second last clear and one more good jump under Donagh Meyler sealed an emphatic victory, clear of Stellar Notion, with the gallant Kylecrue third and then Rightville Boy. The Gordon Elliott trained Tiger Roll, a six year old now, was landing his biggest prize since winning the 2014 Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.

THREE STARS IMPRESSES IN THE BUCK HOUSE AT PUNCHESTOWN Having shown plenty of promise, the 6 year old Three Stars is starting to realise his potential now and confirmed that with an authoritative victory in the Grade 3 Buck House Novice Chase at Punchestow.

A field of six went to post for what is often an informative contest over 2 ¼ miles.

Having negotiated the first four fences, it was Gwencily Berbas who led from Lieutenant Colonel and Three Stars, with Baily Cloud in fourth and then Ball D’Arc and Colla Pier the mare.

Racing down the back straight, the order remained the same as the field took the sixth last, where Lieutenant Colonel was far from fluent and lost ground.

Up front, Gwencily Berbas continued to travel sweetly for Denis O’Regan, with Three Stars taking closer order and then Baily Cloud and Lieutenant Colonel, while Ball D’Arc moved closer.

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NEWS IRISH RACING Three out and Lieutenant Colonel pulled up, while Gwencily Berbas held a narrow advantage from Three Stars and Baily Cloud.

Three Stars touched down in front at the second last and opened up a two length lead at the final fence, running on well under Ruby Walsh to beat Ball D’’Arc and Colla Pier, with Gwencily Berbas fourth, having made an error at the last.

SADLER’S RISK HAS THE ANSWERS IN IRISH DAILY STAR CHASE VICTORY It paid to be up with the pace and Sadler’s Risk and Lord Scoundrel never saw another horse as they dominated proceedings, with the former running out a convincing winner of the Grade 3 Irish Daily Star Chase at Punchestown.

Six horses lined up for a race won the last two years by Don Cossack.

Sadler’s Risk and Lord Scoundrel jumped off with a clear lead from Smashing, but the former was far from fluent at the first fence, leaving Lord Scoundrel in front.

The front pair stretched their lead to about 8 lengths over Smashing at the third, with the grey a similar

margin clear of Clarcam, Dromnea and Federici.

At the fourth fence, the first two jumped well, but it was Smashing’s turn to part the birch.

The order up front remained the same as the sextet jumped down the home straight with a full circuit to race, with Lord Scoundrel content to make the running from Sadler’s Risk, with Smashing heading the remainder.

The field raced down the back straight with Sadler’s Risk taking closer order, but Lord Scoundrel still travelled well within himself as the front pair took the sixth last.

At the final ditch Lord Scoundrel still led from Sadler’s Risk, with a gap back to Smashing, Dromnea and Clarcam, as Federici started to lose touch.

The front two jumped the next almost on level terms and headed to the home turn with Sadler’s Risk on the inside, edging into a narrow lead, with this pair clear.

The two touched down together at the second last but it was Sadler’s Risk and David Mullins who found more on the flat and took the last in front, finding plenty on the flat to draw six lengths clear of Lord Scoundrel, with Federici staying on well for third, ahead of Dromnea.

The 8 year old Sadler’s Risk was bringing up a Grade 3 double for trainer Henry de Bromhead following the earlier victory of Three Stars.

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IRISH RACING NEWS

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MAKING LIGHT SHINES BRIGHTLY AGAINST THE COLT IN THE KILLAVULLAN STAKES Making Light was always well positioned and had enough class to beat the colts in the Group 3 Killavullan Stakes at Leopardstown today.

Seven two year olds went to post for this seven furlong contest.

Pipes Of Peace took the field along from stable mate Taj Mahal and this pair were soon a couple of lengths clear of the filly Making Light, with Spanish Tenor and Born To Be next.

Racing into the home straight, Pipes Of Peace continued to lead Taj Mahal, who made his move with 1 ½ furlongs to race but was covered by Making Light.

As the pace increased, Making Light moved to the lead under Pat Smullen and forged on for a smooth victory.

Spirit Of Valour came through fast and late on the inside rail to claim second place ahead of Tal Mahal.

Making Light was delivering a juvenile double for Dermot Weld, after the earlier impressive success on debut of the colt Titus.

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IRISH TRAINER FRANCIS FLOOD PASSES AWAY Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer Francis Flood has died at the age of 86, his son, Francis jnr, announced.

He died peacefully at his home at Grangecon, in County Wicklow, on Tuesday morning.

His son told Press Association Sport: “He was a great man to me, a great man to the family and a great man to racing.”

He went on: “He passed away peacefully at 4am this morning.

“He loved racing all the way through to the end.

From riding to training, he was always up for it and absolutely loved the game.

“I haven’t switched the training licence or anything like that just yet, but I plan to keep the yard going.

“He will be sadly missed by us all.”

He is survived by his wife Teresa, sons Tom, Francis jnr and Kevin and daughters Brid and Mary.

As well as taking the blue riband of jump racing with Glencaraig Lady in 1972, Flood also won the Arkle Trophy Chase at the Cheltenham Festival with Bobsline in 1984.

He twice won the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse with Garoupe in 1970 and Ebony Jane in 1993.

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NEWS IRISH RACING the other. We kept thinking we’d get him back, but we didn’t.

“This year, we started off with him and we’re back where we were with him last year, but he’s started to feel it (the tendon) again.

“I took the bull by the horns the other day and we fired it. We should have done that last year instead of thinking I was going to get him back.

“He’s going to miss the whole season, which is a pity, but that’s the way it goes.”

IRISH NATIONAL STUD REPORTS THE DEATH OF CHASING GREAT MOSCOW FLYER © www.healyracing.ie

ROAD TO RICHES UNDERGOES SPINAL SURGERY Noel Meade hopes to have Road To Riches back in action at Christmas after the Grade One-winning chaser underwent surgery on a spinal issue.

The Gigginstown House Stud-owned nineyear-old finished second on his seasonal bow at Gowran last weekend and was in contention for the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal - a race he won in 2014.

But Meade said: “Road To Riches has been operated on for ‘kissing spine’. He will miss the north (Down Royal) and hopefully we’ll have him back for Christmas.”

Meade was been dealt a further blow with the news smart chaser Apache Stronghold will miss the whole season after having a tendon fired.

A top-class novice chaser in the 2014-15 season, he won the Flogas Novice Chase at Leopardstown and was second in three other Grade Ones over fences, including in the JLT at Cheltenham.

A tendon injury kept him off the track for the whole of last season and the same problem will see him sidelined for the upcoming campaign, too.

“Apache had a little problem with a suspensory last year,” said Meade.

“We kept minding it and doing this, that and

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Moscow Flyer, the outstanding two mile chasing of the early part of this century, has passed away at the age of 22.

In a statement, the Irish National Stud said: It is with great sadness that the Irish National Stud must announce the passing of the legendary Moscow Flyer at the great age of 22.

Owned by Brian Kearney and trained by Jessica Harrington, Moscow Flyer proved a high class Hurdler in his early career. However the switch to chasing and his partnership with Barry Geraghty saw Moscow Flyer cement his place amongst the greatest of greats.

A four length victory in the 2002 Arkle highlighted Moscow’s ability, and 12 months later he returned to Cheltenham to win the Queen Mother Champion Chase by an impressive 7 lengths.

Moscow Flyer continued to dominate the division for a further two years, winning all completed starts.

In 2006, Moscow Flyer was retired from racing, boasting a race record to be envied by all including two Queen Mother Champion Chases and two Tingle Creek victories. In 2007, whilst in retirement, Moscow Flyer, added another victory to his 26 wins under rules when Kate Harrington rode the legendary chaser to a comfortable victory in the Punchestown Festival Charity Flat Race. This saw Moscow welcomed by a rousing reception to his rightful place in the winners’ enclosure for one last time.

In 2012, Moscow Flyer was relocated to The Irish •

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IRISH RACING NEWS National Stud where he joined our ‘Living Legends’ team alongside greats such as Kicking King, Beef Or Salmon and Hardy Eustace. He has enjoyed a happy retirement and has been able to meet his legions of adoring fans who have come from far and wide to see the great chaser. Moscow Flyer was also the Irish Horse Welfare Trust Equine Ambassador and made public appearances for the equine welfare charity promoting the work they do.

Moscow Flyer will be forever immortalised through his fearless jumping, those historic battles against titans of the sport Azertyuiop, Flagship Uberalles & Well Chief. He epitomised National Hunt racing at its finest with the highs and lows, the thrills and spills and the gladiatorial nature of our great sport.

Moscow Flyer will be sorely missed by all at The Irish National Stud. Our thoughts go out to all connections and to his adoring fans.

HORSE RACING IRELAND ANNOUNCES NEW RACEHORSE OWNERSHIP DEPARTMENT A new Racehorse Ownership Department has been created within Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), dedicated to the recruitment and retention of racehorse owners in Ireland. The new department will divide its focus between owner relations and owner recruitment.

Aidan McGarry has been appointed as Owner Relations Manager, moving from his role as Racehorse Ownership Manager within Irish Thoroughbred Marketing (ITM). The ownership department will retain its close links to ITM, even though operations will transfer to its parent company HRI, under the remit of Director of Racing, Jason Morris. Aidan will liaise with current owners, both domestic and international, helping to ensure that the ownership experience in Ireland is of a consistently high standard. A significant focus will be on working with racecourses to continue improving their facilities and raceday offerings for owners.

An Owner Recruitment Manager will be employed in the coming weeks, whose role will course-specialist.co.uk

focus on attracting new owners. In particular, the development and promotion of joint ownerships and syndicates will be a priority with various campaigns targeting new owners as well as those lapsed in recent years. Full details of this role can be found on http://www.hri.ie/work-with-hri/jobs/. Completing the new Department will be Caroline Townend who will join the team as the Ownership Administrator.

Jason Morris, HRI’s Director of Racing, commented: “Attracting and retaining owners is a major priority for HRI, and it remains one of our biggest challenges. We are making progress which is reflected in the increasing ownership figures this year, but we need to build on this. We’re very conscious of the need to improve the experience for existing owners as well as attracting new people to racehorse ownership, which is why we will have one manager dedicated to owner relations and another targeting recruitment.”

COSMOPOLITAN MARKET SEES IRISH BLOODSTOCK FIGURES RISE A busy two weeks at the Irish yearling sales saw a cosmopolitan group of buyers gather around sales rings at Tattersalls Ireland and Goffs, where positive returns saw the total bloodstock figures for the year so far grow to €104,155,100. This figure includes the Wildenstein Dispersal at Goffs and is part of a 6% increase in bloodstock sales from this time last year.

The Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale ran from the 20th of September, with their two day sale producing a turnover exceeding €10million, the second-highest aggregate in the sale’s history. A stand out season that saw €33,000 graduate Galileo Gold win the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas brought buyers from far and wide, boosting the British contingent in particular. Topping the buyers list was bloodstock agent Ed Sackville, whose clients present at the County Meath complex included Michael Owen, while fellow British agents Gill Richardson and Amanda Skiffington made their way into the top ten. Another two days of selling followed in the form of their Part II sale, bringing final exports to 103 horses sold to Italy, with significant numbers also bought by French, Czech and Polish buyers.

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NEWS IRISH RACING The positive trend continued at the Goffs Orby Sale the following week, where a €1.4million colt bought by Godolphin’s John Ferguson topped a turnover totalling €39,925,000. Ferguson’s spending saw him top the buyers’ table, followed by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum’s Shadwell Estate Company, while South Africa’s Form Bloodstock sat third after spending over €2 million on 11 horses. A new buyer to enter the list was Justin Zayat, whose family owned American Triple Crown hero American Pharoah, and bought four horses on his first visit to Goffs, aided by agents David Ingordo and Justin Casse.

Other notable international buyers were Hong Kong owner Little Kwok Hing Hung, who spent over half a million on two horses, and Japanese buyer Koji Maeda, who spent €600,000 on a daughter of topclass racemare Alexander Goldrun (IRE).

An increasing foal crop saw statistics fall at the succeeding Goffs Sportsmans’ Sale Part I and II, but the market was boosted by the presence of Chinese investor Zhang Yuesheng, who purchased 61 horses over the two days, in addition to five lots purchased at the Orby, aided by bloodstock agent Michael Donohoe of BBA Ireland.

Commenting on the recent sales figures, Irish Thoroughbred Marketing CEO Charles O’Neill said, “With an extra two days of sales this year, which had an effect on the overall clearance rate, it was very welcome to see so many overseas buyers in Ireland. It was great to see so many new faces from North America, while welcoming back all our clients from the UK. It was also particularly pleasing to see a significant draft sold at public auction going to China for the first time.”

HORSE RACING IRELAND ANNOUNCES NEW RACEHORSE OWNERSHIP DEPARTMENT A new Racehorse Ownership Department has been created within Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), dedicated to the recruitment and retention of racehorse owners in Ireland. The new department will divide its focus between owner relations and owner recruitment.

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Aidan McGarry has been appointed as Owner Relations Manager, moving from his role as Racehorse Ownership Manager within Irish Thoroughbred Marketing (ITM). The ownership department will retain its close links to ITM, even though operations will transfer to its parent company HRI, under the remit of Director of Racing, Jason Morris. Aidan will liaise with current owners, both domestic and international, helping to ensure that the ownership experience in Ireland is of a consistently high standard. A significant focus will be on working with racecourses to continue improving their facilities and raceday offerings for owners.

An Owner Recruitment Manager will be employed in the coming weeks, whose role will focus on attracting new owners. In particular, the development and promotion of joint ownerships and syndicates will be a priority with various campaigns targeting new owners as well as those lapsed in recent years. Full details of this role can be found on http://www.hri.ie/work-with-hri/jobs/. Completing the new Department will be Caroline Townend who will join the team as the Ownership Administrator.

The new Racehorse Ownership Department will aim to continue the progress made in 2016: Jan-Oct ‘16 Jan–Oct ‘15 Variance New Owners

552

512

+7.8%

Active Owners

3,359

3,319

+1.2%

Horses in Training 7,912

7,912

+4.7%

Entries

44,603

43,393

+2.8%

Runners

21,834

21,082

+3.6%

5,862

+4.3%

Individual Runners 6,112

Jason Morris, HRI’s Director of Racing, commented: “Attracting and retaining owners is a major priority for HRI, and it remains one of our biggest challenges.

We are making progress which is reflected in the increasing ownership figures this year, but we need to build on this. We’re very conscious of the need to improve the experience for existing owners as well as attracting new people to racehorse ownership, which is why we will have one manager dedicated to owner relations and another targeting recruitment.”

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IRISH RACING NEWS

BAR ONE RACING INCREASES SUPPORT FOR HATTON’S GRACE HURDLE DAY AT FAIRYHOUSE Fairyhouse Racecourse and Bar One Racing today announced increased sponsorship for Hatton’s Grace Hurdle Day at the Fairyhouse Winter Festival on Sunday, December 4th. In addition to their continued support of the Grade 1 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle and the Grade 1 Drinmore Novice Chase, Bar One Racing are increasing the value of the Grade 1 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle from €85,000 to €100,000. They will also sponsor the new Grade A Bar One Racing Handicap Hurdle which will have a prize fund of €100,000 and support the Grade B Porterstown Handicap Chase of €50,000.

The Grade 1 Bar One Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle has become the early season highlight for

© Image supplied by Fairyhouse Racecourse

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the championship hurdlers and past winners include a remarkable array of talent including Danoli, Dorans Pride, Istabraq, Limestone Lad, Solerina, Brave Inca, Hurricane Fly and Jezki.

The Grade 1 Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase has been won by some very by high-class horses over the years including Sound Man and Dorans Pride. In more recent times, Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud has dominated, winning with No More Heroes, Don Cossack and Valseur Lido. Jessies Dream gave Gordon Elliott his first Grade 1 success as a trainer in the race in 2010.

The Grade 1 Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle traditionally attracts the cream of the early season novice hurdlers. It has a strong tradition with winners including Istabraq, Moscow Flyer, Hardy Eustace, Jezki and Nichols Canyon.

The Bar One Racing Handicap Hurdle over two miles was formerly run as the New Stand Hurdle on the Saturday of the Fairyhouse Winter Festival. A Grade A handicap hurdle for the first time this year, the value of the race has increased from €50,000 to €100,000.

The Bar One Racing Porterstown Handicap Chase is the only race at Fairyhouse, other than the Irish Grand National, that is run over three miles and five furlongs. This year’s renewal has been upgraded to Grade B status and will have a prize fund of €50,000, an increase of €20,000 on last year.

Peter Roe, General Manager of Fairyhouse Racecourse, said, “The Bar One Racing Winter Festival promises to be the most informative jumps meeting this side of Christmas. I am delighted with the significant increase in support from Barney O’Hare and Bar One Racing in helping to boost the prize fund for the Sunday meeting to over €460,000 with three quality Grade 1 races, a €100,000 Grade A handicap Hurdle, the €50,000 Grade B Porterstown Chase and the Grade 3 Juvenile Hurdle. Barney has generously stepped in to sponsor six of the seven races on the day. It’s not to be missed.”

Barney O’Hare, Bar One Racing, added, “Bar One Racing is delighted to increase its support of the Hatton’s Grace Day at Fairyhouse. We are delighted to work with Fairyhouse in developing what is undoubtedly the best day’s racing in Ireland in the first half of the jumps season”.

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First class award winning horse racing photography since 1977 www.healyracing.ie Contact Pat Healy on +353 (0)86 877 6855 or email pat@healyracing.ie

NEWS FRENCH RACING

© A.J. Byles

CLASSY VAZIRABAD MAKES IT BACK TO BACK WINS IN THE PRIX ROYAL-OAK Vazirabad exerted his class in the home straight to win his second Group 1 Prix Royal-Oak at Saint-Cloud.

Fifteen horses lined-up for this race, contested over just under two miles.

It was Montaly who went on through the early stages, with Mille Et Mille and Justice Belle well up with the pace, as the field passed the winning post for the first time.

Heading away Justice Belle went on from Mille Et Mille, Penglai Pavilion and Sky Hunter, with Montaly still close up, while last year’s winner Vazirabad was two thirds of the way down the pack.

Turning back into the straight, Mille Et Mille went on from the pushed along Justice Belle, while Montaly fought on.

However, Endless Time and Vazirabad came through towards the stands side, with last year’s winner easily the best and moving three lengths clear before easing down under Christophe Soumillon for a brilliant victory.

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Endless Time ran a crack to come home second, ahead of the Arc fourth Siljan’s Saga and Mille Et Mille.

The Alain de Royer-Dupre trained Vazirabad, a four year old, continues to excel in staying races and was making up for his defeat by Quest For More in the Group 1 Prix Du Cadran three weeks ago.

SANS EQUIVOQUE KEEPS FRENCH GROUP 2 PRIZE AT HOME Sans Equivoque showed a likeable attitude, racing without company in the latter stages, to win the Group 2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffite.

With British horses Delectation and Moonlit Show non-runners, a field of seven went to post for this contest run over just under six furlongs.

Nations Alexander broke well but it was Koropick who went on from Stop The Wages and Fas. Settling down, Stop The Wages led from Koropick and Nations Alexander, with King Of Spades and Fas next, as the field went past half way.

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FRENCH RACING NEWS Stop The Wages soon came under pressure and it was Nations Alexander and Boos who went on towards the inside, with Sans Equivoque on the outside, racing on her own.

The British filly was the first to wilt and Sans Equivoque and Thierry Jarnet got up narrowly from Boos in a French one-two, with Nations Alexander third.

Sans Equivoque, a daughter of Stormy River, was completing a hat-trick of victories and races in the same Sun Bloodstock Sarl silks worn by recent Group 1 winner First Defense.

ONE FOOT IN HEAVEN BACK TO FORM AT CHANTILLY One Foot In Heaven had the class to get up in a strangely tactical affair for the Group 2 Prix du Conseil de Paris at Chantilly this afternoon.

Six horses lined up for this 1 ½ mile contest, including recent Arc runner One Foot In Heaven

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and the British raider Berkshire, who gave plenty of trouble before going into the stalls.

Casino and Sacrifice My Soul went on through the early stages, but settling down, Berkshire and Olivier Peslier moved into a clear lead and lead had a 15 length advantage over Sacrifice my Soul.

Berkshire went further clear racing down the back and perhaps held a 20 length lead racing past the Chateaux.

He turned for home with a 15 length lead, with Sacrifice My Soul and Tiberian closing.

However, Berkshire folded quickly in the home straight and Tiberian went on, with One Foot In Heaven making ground.

Racing well inside the final furlong, One Foot In Heaven gradually overhauled Tiberian and went into a narrow lead at the line, under Christophe Soumillon. Now We Can came home a distant third and Sacrifice My Soul stayed on for fourth.

The Alain De Royer-Dupre trained four year old, had beaten Tiberian by ½ a length in the spring and had later won the Group 2 Grand Prix de Chantilly.

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LISTED SUCCESS FOR STOUTE’S ROSTOVA AT CHANTILLY Rostova regained the winning thread with a smooth victory in the Listed Prix Casimir Delamarre at Chantilly.

Havre De Paix took the field along from Toinette and the grey Classe Vendome.

Turning into the straight, this trio still led from Magnolea, who travelled well, while Vincent Cheminaud began to work on Rostova on the wide outside.

Havre De Paix was still there with just over a furlong to run, but Magnolea and Rostova both quickened, with the latter showing the stronger acceleration and going on for a slightly snug victory.

Magnolea ran into second, with That Which Is Not third closing for third, ahead of Havre De Paix in fourth.

The Sir Michael Stoute trained Rostova had looked progressive in the height of summer, with handicap victories at Newmarket and Goodwood, before finishing fifth to So Mi Dar in the Listed John Musker Stakes at Great Yarmouth last month.

MELESINA BRINGS GROUP 3 VICTORY FOR RICHARD FAHEY IN FRANCE Melesina continued her improvement with a smooth victory in the Group 3 Prix des Reservoirs at Deauville.

A field of eight juvenile fillies lined up for this one mile contest on good ground.

Melesina was quick away but Turf Laurel, who had given trouble at the stalls, soon moved to the front down the outside.

Settling down, it was Turf Laurel who led from Barlongueta and Melesina, with Assanilka next.

Turning for home, Turf Laurel was still in front by a length from Barlonguetta.

Melesina found most down the home straight and responded well for Thierry Jarnet, taking it up inside the final furlong to pass the durable Turf Laurel and win cosily. Turf Laurel proved most tenacious and stayed on well for second, clear of Onthemoonagain.

Melesina, a Richard Fahey trained daughter of Dark Angel, took time to find her way this year and did not win until her sixth start, but appears to be on the upgrade.

LOVING THINGS CONTINUES CUMANI RUN OF FORM IN FRANCE Loving Things came with a strong final furlong flourish to land the Group 3 Prix de Flore at Saint-Cloud.

Nine fillies and mares lined up for this 1 ¼ mile contest, with three Newmarket fillies in the field.

Switching played up at the stalls but as the field were sent on their way, it was Spice Trail who asserted along with Restiana to the outside, with Loving Things and Furia Cruzada next.

Spice Trail and Vincent Cheminaud continued to dictate the pace from Restiana and this pair turned for home in front, with the latter taking a narrow advantage.

Into the straight, Spice Trail faded quickly as

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FRENCH RACING NEWS

Restiana attempted to kick. However, she failed to see off her rivals and Loving Things came through strongly under Christophe Soumillon to pull a couple of lengths clear of Furia Cruzada and Switching.

Loving Things, a four year old daughter of Pivotal, was gaining her biggest success to date and continuing trained Luca Cumani’s fine recent run of form.

SIGNS OF BLESSING AND ONE FOOT IN HEAVEN TARGET DECEMBER’S LONGINES HKIR Signs Of Blessing and One Foot In Heaven have proven themselves this season as two of France’s smartest racehorses and both are being pointed towards the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races, the end-of-year Group 1 showcase at Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday, 11 December. course-specialist.co.uk

French interests have enjoyed a long affinity with Hong Kong racing, going back to the days of thrice champion jockey Marcel Samarcq in the preprofessional 1950s. In the current international era, Gerald Mosse has a record eight HKIR wins under his belt, while compatriot Olivier Peslier has seven; and the red, white and blue Tricolour has flown in victory at the LONGINES HKIR more times than any other overseas flag, 14 times, to be exact, thanks to equine stars such as Pride, Jim And Tonic, Doctor Dino, Flintshire and Vision D’Etat.

Francois Rohaut is yet to join that triumphant rollcall of French heroes. Indeed, the Sauvignon handler, a Classic-winning horseman with eight Group 1 wins on his resume, is without a starter in Hong Kong, so far. Signs Of Blessing could be his first.

Rohaut said: “Signs Of Blessing will be aimed at the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint. If the horse is OK at the beginning of December, he will definitely go to Hong Kong.”

The speedy five-year-old gelding has notched three wins from six starts in 2016, the highlight being a make-all success in the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest (1300m) at Deauville in August.

That followed a close third to Twilight Son in the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1200m) at Royal Ascot in June.

Alain de Royer-Dupre, a doyen of the French racing scene and a frequent visitor to Sha Tin in December, saddled Pride to win the 2006 Group 1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m) and Daryakana the 2009 Group 1 Hong Kong Vase (2400m).

This time he is looking to the brilliant Pride to provide him with a LONGINES HKIR contender, in the form of the progressive four-year-old colt, One Foot In Heaven.

“It is very much the plan for One Foot In Heaven to go for the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase,” Royer-Dupre said of the Fastnet Rock colt, sixth to Found in the Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) before scoring in a notable Hong Kong lead-up race on 16 October.

That latest success came in the Group 2 Prix du Conseil de Paris (2400m), a race won by Ange Gabriel (2002) and Vallee Enchantee (2003) en route to Vase glory. Last year, Ming Dynasty won the contest prior to finishing fourth in the Vase.

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© Steven Cargill

ANOTHER SOLID CHROME DISPLAY AT SANTA ANITA California Chrome warmed up for the Breeders’ Cup Classic with another imperious display to take the Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita.

The superstar 5 year old took the field along at a good pace, pressed at every step by his old rival Dortmund.

However, the unrelenting pace proved too hot and Dortmund was in trouble long before the top of the stretch, with California Chrome seemingly effortless as he extended his advantage to five lengths.

At the wire, California Chrome was 2 ½ lengths clear as he was not given a hard time at all.

Winning trainer Art Sherman commented: “He took Dortmund’s game plan away from him. He tried and ran a hell of a race, but you’re looking at maybe the best horse in the world right now. I can’t say enough about him. I’m just blessed to be able to train him.”

Meanwhile in the Zenyatta Stakes, Beholder suffered defeat at the hands of Stellar Wind, who was ridden, like California Chrome, by Victor Espinoza.

Last year’s champion three-year-old filly stalked

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front-running Beholder before joining issue on the far turn and the pair became embroiled in a fine duel in the home stretch, with Stellar Wind prevailing by a neck.

“I worked harder in the last race than I did today,” said Espinoza. “Stellar Wind is an incredible mare and she will continue to be good.”

Ex-European horses dominated the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at a rainy Belmont Park, with former Prix Niel winner Ectot slamming Flintshire by five lengths in unsuitable soft ground for the latter.

The Al Shaqab-owned Ectot, now trained by Todd Pletcher, made all the running here and stretched his lead to an unassailable five lengths at the line.

“He’s trained exceptionally well for us since he came in,” commented winning trainer Todd Pletcher. “He went off form in his last few starts in Europe but came to us in great condition. His races leading up to this were sneaky good and he seemed to be improving. We made some minor adjustments with equipment and shoes and figured it out as we went along.”

“We knew the risk going into the race running on soft ground - he has a poor record on it,” stated Flintshire’s trainer Chad Brown.

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INTERNATIONAL RACING NEWS

HARTNELL BLITZES RIVALS IN THE TURNBULL STAKES Former Mark Johnston inmate Turnbill slammed his rivals with contemptuous ease to win the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.

“I think he’ll be pretty competitive wherever he goes,” trainer John O’Shea commented after Hartnell had stormed to a three-and-a-quarter length victory to record O’Shea’s first group 1 win in Melbourne as Godolphin Australia’s head trainer.

“The 55 kilograms he’s got in the Caulfield Cup looks pretty inviting and the Caulfield Cup favourite ( Jameka, who ran second) was left in his wake there,” O’Shea said.

“But the three weeks into the Cox Plate also looks good for him and it could set him up to run in the Melbourne Cup.” Godolphin’s six-year-old Authorized gelding settled fifth, before joining the leaders on the home turn under a tight hold from James McDonald.

Tepin broke well but Celestine went on with Photo Call also prominent heading into the first bend.

Photo Call quickly pulled three lengths clear and extended that advantage entering the back stretch, with Celestine second and then Now Or Never and Tepin, while Nemoralia was further back.

Turning into the home stretch, Photo Call was clear by perhaps ten lengths and began to eat into the lead, however, Photo Call was gone beyond recall and Kent Desormeaux timed his fractions to perfection, leaving Tepin unable to sufficiently breach the gap, as the Todd Pletcher trained 5 year old sauntered home maybe three lengths clear for a shock victory.

Celestine came third, ahead of Nemoralia.

PHOTO CALL UPSETS TEPIN IN THE FIRST LADY Tepin’s eight race winning run came abruptly to an end as Photo Call was given too much advantage and came home clear in the Grade 1 First Lady Stakes at Keeneland.

All eyes were on the undisputed mile champion of the world, Tepin, ahead of this fillies-only contest, on firm ground.

© Keeneland Photo

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MONGOLIAN SATURDAY MAKES A WINNING RETURN TO KEENELAND Last year’s Breeders’ Cup hero Mongolian Saturday has travelled around the world in the intervening twelve months but returned to Keeneland victories in the Grade 3 Woodford.

Enebish Ganbat (winning trainer of Mongolian Saturday) commented: “He loves Keeneland. Lexington is his home town. This summer, we were in England and a doctor found (he had) a big ulcer. It took two months (for the horse to fully recover) but it seems everything is all right. We’re going to take him to the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita.”

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL RACING Carlos Montalvo (winning rider) added: “Oh my god, what a wonderful trip. When he drew that hole, the 12 hole, he (trainer Ganbat) was very happy. He said, ‘Don’t mess it up. The horse knows what to do, just don’t mess it up.’

On whether Mongolian Saturday was tiring near the finish “No, not at all. He was coming off that layoff, and (Ganbat) had him ready. He trained him just enough to win this one, and you know what the goal is.”

Shaun Bridgmohan (rider of runner-up Hogy) “He ran good. He’s a late runner and had to get his feet under him but once he did he came rolling.

I thought he gave me a nice kick down at the end.

I thought I was going to get there at one point. He was finishing really, really well. The wire just came up too soon.”

Ricardo Santana Jr. (rider of dead-heat thirdplace finisher Front Pocket Money) “He tried hard. He was in a perfect spot, no excuse, just not the winner. It was a tough race for him, but he tried pretty hard.”

Paco Lopez (rider of dead-heat third-place finisher Galton) “(My horse) ran his last race from (the back of the field). Today he showed me a little speed and when I came up in the middle of the group he came running pretty good. The winner is a tough horse, a Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup winner, but my horse came running great.”

Over at Belmont Park the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup went to Hoppertunity.

Just five went to post for this 10 furlong contest and Protonico went on early doors from Mubtaahij and Effinex.

Racing down the back, Protonico held a narrow advantage with Effinex moving up on the outside, with the other three close up.

Racing towards the top of the stretch, Effinex joined Protonico, with Mubtaahij and Hoppertunity next.

Into the home stretch and Protonico on the inside fought on, with Effinex under pressure and Hoppertunity coming to join the battle.

It was Hoppertunity and John Velasquez who got up on the outside to beat Effinex in the final 50 yards, with Protonico fading on the rail in third.

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© Keeneland Photo

MISS TEMPLE CITY BAGS THE SHADWELL TURF MILE Miss Temple City came back to form to land the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes at Keeneland.

Eleven went to post for this valuable contest, with Mondialiste once again representing European hopes.

At the break it was Pleuven who broke best with Miss Temple City moving up at the first bend, with Grand Arch next.

Racing down the back, Pleuven led Miss Temple City and Grand Arch, with What A View next and then Tourist moving closer.

Turning for home, Pleuven continued to lead but Miss Temple City moved on from Ironicus who came from miles back to close powerfully but not in time, with Tourist a one-paced third, ahead of Mondialiste.

Miss Temple City and Edgar Prado held on to give Graham Motion another Grade 1 winner.

Winning trainer Graham Motion commented: “She’s the best filly I’ve ever trained. She’s spectacular.

My frustration was over the summer when it seemed we got a little lost with her. She had some tough trips. I’m glad the crew talked me into running her here today. I think I would have chosen to go the other way (and run her in the Grade 1 First Lady two races earlier). But this was the right thing to do; we took a shot. She’s a very special filly. I think she’s been on form all summer. It’s just been frustrating that she hasn’t been able to show it on the race track.”

“I’ve studied her races over and over. Seems like the real key is just getting her to relax. There wasn’t much speed in the race and she was very comfortable most of the race. I saw that horse (fast-closing Ironicus) coming and I was glad the wire was there,” added winning rider Edgar Prado.

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INTERNATIONAL RACING NEWS “He stumbled a little bit at the break but after that I had a very good trip. I saved ground on the backside and let him breathe a little bit. The pace was kind of slow. I asked him at the quarter pole and he came running. He’s a very nice horse,” Danny Tudhope said of Mondialiste.

CLASSIC EMPIRE STORMS HOME IN THE FUTURITY STAKES Classic Empire gave Mark Casse and Julien Leparoux compensation for the defeat of Tepin, with a clear cut victory in the Grade 1 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity Stakes at Keeneland.

Wild Shot broke well but it was Blame Will who joined him at the first bend.

Racing down the back, Wild Shot regained the lead from Blame Will and Honor THye Father and then Classic Empire.

Racing to the top of the stretch, Classic Empire

made his move to the outside and swept into the lead, with just Wild Shot and No Nosing hanging on.

However, Classic Empire and Julien Leparoux powered on in the straight and went clear for a most impressive victory with Lookin At Lee staying on from the back for second, ahead of the game Wild Shot.

Norman Casse (assistant to his father, Mark Casse, winning trainer of Classic Empire) said afterwards: “This is a very, very talented horse. The day after the Hopeful (G1) (when he wheeled at the start and lost his rider), we got right to work on him. We put blinkers on him; we breezed him out of the gate several times. It paid dividends today. We’ll more forward from here. You’ve got to think this horse has plenty of room to improve.”

Julien Leparoux (winning rider) added: “Today he broke sharp and was all business. He ran a big race. I was a bit surprised to be where I was, but he did it easy and he was happy where he was.

He got a little bit tired at the end, but he hasn’t been running for a while, so we expected that.”

© Keeneland Photo

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© Keeneland Photo

EASY FOR IM A CHATTERBOX IN THE SPINSTER STAKES I’m A Chatterbox bagged the Grade 1 Juddmonte Spinster Stakes at Keeneland with the minimum of fuss.

Five fillies and mares went to post for this nine furlong contest, a win and you are in contest for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff in just under a month’s time.

At the break it was Paid Up Subscriber who led but I’m A Chatterbox came to match strides on the first bend, with Miss Pink Diva dropping quickly to a distant last.

Racing down the back stretch Paid Up Subscriber led by ¾ of a length from I’m A Chatterbox, with Engaginglee and Genre.

Heading to the top of the stretch, I’m A Chatterbox eased into the lead with the front two clear of the rest.

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In the home straight I’m A Chatterbox and Florent Geroux streaked clear for a very easy victory by perhaps six lengths.

Paid Up Subscriber held on for second with Genre coming home third.

FOUR VICTORIES FOR FALTEJSEK IN THE PARDUBICKA Jan Faltejsek, forever linked in the UK to that grand chaser and hurdle Knockara Beau, landed his fourth Velka Pardubicka with a relatively straight forward success aboard Charme Look.

The well-fancied Rabbit Well refused to race from the start, while the formidable Taxis fence claimed Reaper and Nikas.

However, after those early fireworks, there were perhaps fewer incidents than usual and most of the runners remained in contention with less than a mile to race.

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INTERNATIONAL RACING NEWS Faltejsek had Charme Look well placed and turning for home only Ange Guardian threw down a challenge, as Templar weakened.

But Charme Look had plenty of stamina and comfortably saw off his rivals, with the jumping out of the way. The nine year old recorded a 10 lengths victory from Ange Guardian, with Zarif back in third, as eleven of the 15 starters completed the course.

Faltejsek previously won the race between 2012 and 2014 aboard the remarkable Orphee Des Blins.

JAMEKA IMPRESSES IN THE CAULFIELD CUP British challenger Scottish ran a fantastic race to fill the runner-up spot as Jameka claimed a hugely impressive victory in the BMW Caulfield Cup. The Charlie Appleby-trained Scottish, making his first appearance since winning the Strensall Stakes at York in August, was among the leading contenders for the prestigious Group One contest in the hands of Kerrin McEvoy and travelled well in behind the pace as fellow Godolphin runner Tally was rushed to the front from the start.

The lead changed hands a couple of times racing down the back straight, with Real Love briefly taking over before McEvoy decided to give Scottish his head and the four-year-old soon swept a couple of lengths clear.

The move was covered by Colm O’Donoghue aboard Sir Isaac Newton, bidding to give Aidan O’Brien his first ever Caulfield Cup, and the pair rounded the home turn as one at the head of affairs.

However, Ciaron Maher’s Jameka was looming up ominously on their outside and shot clear inside the final furlong to win decisively under a jubilant Nicholas Hall.

Scottish performed admirably to finish a clear second, with Exospheric, formally known as Exosphere when running in Britain for Sir Michael Stoute earlier this year, a fast-finishing third.

Sir Isaac Newton faded out of contention late in the day, but was not disgraced. course-specialist.co.uk

AMERICAN GRAND NATIONAL GLORY FOR RUBY WALSH Ruby Walsh enjoyed more Grand National glory as he struck in the American version at Far Hills racecourse in New Jersey aboard Rawnaq on Saturday night.

Walsh already has the full set of English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh Nationals to his name in a glittering career, and has even won the Australian equivalent.

He broke further new ground partnering the smart Rawnaq over two and a half miles, a horse he had in front of him when Cyril Murphy’s nine-yearold beat the Willie Mullins-trained pair of Shaneshill and Nichols Canyon in the Grade One Calvin Houghland Iroquois Hurdle in Nashville in May. Nicky Henderson’s Days Of Heaven and the Charlie Longsdon-trained Sharp Rise disputed matters with Rawnaq from flag-fall, before the latter began to assert going to the ninth in the $350,000 showpiece, the richest race over jumps in North America.

It was left to Scorpiancer to throw down a serious challenge, but Rawnaq and Walsh were always doing enough to hold on. Sharp Rise stuck on gallantly to take third under Brian Hughes.

Formerly trained in Ireland by first Robbie Hennessy and then Matthew Smith, Rawnaq won six races for the latter, including the Grade Two Flyingbolt Novice Chase at Navan.

He was also placed over hurdles and fences at Cheltenham before being sold to race on the other side of the Atlantic.

Rawnaq has proved a shrewd acquisition by Irish-born Murphy and his principal owner Irvin Naylor, and the victory at Nashville made him eligible for a $500,000 bonus if he can complete the Brown Advisory Iroquois Cheltenham Challenge by going on to win the Ryanair World Hurdle at Prestbury Park in March.

Walsh said: “It went really well, unfortunately his usual jockey Jack Doyle suffered some bad injuries a few weeks ago and that’s why I’m here.

“I was the lucky guy who got to ride him today.

He’d run over fences in Ireland and I was confident in his ability to jump, and jump racing is about being able to jump. Thank you to Mr Naylor for bringing me over and it’s great to be here.

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© Keeneland Photo

TIME AND MOTION PREVAILS IN THRILLING FINISH TO THE QUEEN ELIZABETH II CHALLENGE CUP The Phillips Racing Partnership of John Phillips’ Time and Motion collared Hawksmoor (IRE) in deep stretch and held off a furious late bid from Harmonize by a head to win the 33rd running of the $500,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Presented by Lane’s End (G1) for 3-year-old fillies before a Saturday afternoon crowd of 29,319. The attendance marked the second-largest crowd during a Keeneland Fall Meet and came 80 years to the date

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after Keeneland opened its inaugural season of racing.

Trained by James Toner and ridden by John Velazquez, Time and Motion covered the 1 1/8 miles on a firm turf course in 1:50.24.

Time and Motion represents the sixth victory in the QE II for Phillips family members dating to 1993.

For Toner, it was his third victory in the race with triumphs in 1993 with Tribulation for James Phillips and Arthur Seelbinder and in 1996 with Memories of Silver for John and Joan Phillips.

The three victories tie him with John Veitch, who saddled Phillips family member winners Graceful Darby (1987), Love You by Heart (1988) and Plenty of Grace (1990).

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INTERNATIONAL RACING NEWS For Velazquez, the win extended his record for victories in the race to four. His other wins came with Perfect Arc (1995), Alwajeeha (2008) and Crown Queen (2014).

Favored Catch a Glimpse took the lead out of the gate and led the field of eight through fractions of :22.99, :47.46 and 1:12.41 with Hawksmoor racing a half-length back to her outside.

On the far turn, Hawksmoor went after Catch a Glimpse and took command at the head of the lane as Time and Motion swung three wide for a clear shot at the leaders.

Time and Motion drew even with Hawksmoor inside the sixteenth pole and slowly inched away from her. Meanwhile, Harmonize had rallied from last widest of all and just failed to catch Time and Motion while edging Hawksmoor by a nose for second.

The victory was worth $300,000 and increased Time and Motion’s earnings to $923,150 with a record of 9-5-1-1 with all races on the turf. Time and Motion is a Kentucky-bred daughter of Tapit out of the Kris S. mare Ellie’s Moment.

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VENTURA STORM LANDS GROUP 1 PREMIO JOCKEY CLUB Ventura Storm gave his Middleham Park owners syndicate another sensation day as he landed the Group 1 Premio Jockey Club in San Siro.

The St Leger second had to surive a tense stewards’ inquiry to give owners Middleham Park Racing a first Group One success of the season and third in all.

Just touched off in the Ladbrokes St Leger on his previous start, the Richard Hannon-trained colt held local hope Full Drago by a neck under Cristian Demuro, as the pair pulled clear of Andrew Balding’s Elbereth in third.

Sir Michael Stoute’s Arab Spring was fourth and the Marco Botti-trained Dylan Mouth last of the seven runners.

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CALGARY CAT POUNCES LATE FOR NEARCTIC VICTORY Calgary Cat won a thrilling race for the Grade 2 Nearctic Stakes at Woodbine, in a contest dominated

by Canada’s very best sprinters.

Eight horses went to post for this six furlong turf dash, with Mick Channon’s Divine representing Europe, and also the former Criquette HeadMaarek colt Full Mast.

From the break it was a level break with Expected Ruler going on into a clear lead from Stacked Deck and Divine and then came Conquest Enforcer, as the field reached the home turn.

Stacked Deck came to join Expected Ruler, with Divine plugging on in behind.

Stacked Deck hit the front from Conquest Enforcer while Calgary Cat came with a late run on the wide outside in a thrilling finish.

Conquest Enforcer got his head in front inside the final furlong, but Stacked Deck and Rafael Hernandez fought back gamely, while Calgary Cat surged late on and the trio flashed past the post in a whirl, with Full Mast in fourth.

It was evident that Conquest Enforcer had finished third best, but there was a delay to the official announcement, with Calgary Cat and Luis Contreras getting up in the final strides from Stacked Deck, in a fabulous race.

This was a true triumph for Canadian racing, as Calgary Cat, the 2014 Sprinting Champion in Canada, was beating last year’s leading exponent.

AL’S GAL TAKES THE E. P. TAYLOR STAKES Al’s Gal showed plenty of guts and tenacity to land the Grade 1 E.P. Taylor Stakes Presented by HPIBet at Woodbine.

A good field of 12 fillies and mares lined up for this prestigious 1 ¼ mile contest.

From the gates Suffused was away fast, whole Nezwaah, drawn wide, veered right across to the inside rail.

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Settling down though, it was Parvaneh who led from Al’s Gal and Best In The World, with Suffused also prominent.

Parvaneh continued to lead with Al’s Gal right on her shoulder and then Tuttipaesi on the outside closing as the field turned for home.

The front three raced almost in a line, with Al’s Gal hitting the front from Suffused and Barzani.

Inside the final furlong Al’s Gal and Suffused settled down to fight out the finish and in a close run race, the latter, under Florent Geroux, got the verdict, with Banzari third and then came Guapaza.

The European challenge floundered, with Swiss Range, Nezwaah Aim To Please and Best In The World all out of the money.

ERUPT LANDS THE CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL STAKES FOR FRANCE Erupt came back to his best form to maintain the European stranglehold on the Grade 1 Pattison Canadian International Stakes at Woodbine.

Nine horses went to post for this prestigious race, with strong European representation, headed

by Her Majesty The Queen’s Dartmouth, bidding to give Sir Michael Stoute a third consecutive win in this race, while Idaho was bidding for compensation after his unlucky stumble in the St Leger.

Protectionist, the 2014 Melbourne Cup winner, was aiming for another big international prize, while Erupt was bidding to add this race to his Grand Prix de Paris success last year.

At the break it was World Approval who went into the early lead with Dartmouth and Erupt also well away and tracking these came The Pizza Man. Settling down, World Approval led Dartmouth and The Pizza Man, with Erupt and Wake Forest and Danish Dynaformer.

Racing down the back, the pace was not testing and World Approval continued to set modest fractions from Dartmouth and The Pizza Man. Racing to the top of the stretch the grey World Approval still led but Ryan Moore moved Dartmouth to his shoulder, while Erupt and The •

November 2016

INTERNATIONAL RACING NEWS Pizza Man matched strides and were followed by Wake Forest.

Dartmouth momentarily hit the front but Erupt and Stephane Pasquier swept through and into a length lead, keeping up the gallop well.

Dartmouth had no answer and kept on at the one pace to finish second, with Wake Forest third and then came The Pizza Man. The Francis-Henri Graffard trained 4 year old, was winning for the first time since his Longchamp Group 1 victory in July of last year, at which point he had looked a potential superstar.

His success gave Europe a seventh straight win in the Canadian International.

QEWY BRINGS JOY FOR APPLEBY IN GEELONG CUP Qewy marked himself as a potential Melbourne Cup challenger as he claimed Group Three victory in the Geelong Cup for Charlie Appleby.

The 12-furlong handicap at Geelong racecourse has been a happy hunting ground for European raiders in recent times with Melbourne Cup winners Dunaden, Americain and Media Puzzle all winning the event in the past 15 years.

Qewy, who finished second in the Ascot Stakes at the Royal meeting and was last seen in Britain at Goodwood in July, showed he has the requisite staying power for the two-mile Group One as he came out best in a thrilling three-way finish.

Qewy, who was partnered by Kerrin McEvoy, just got the better of ex-Andre Fabre runner Grey Lion by a long head, with another Appleby runner, Oceanographer, a further three-quarters of a length away in third.

WINX SENSATIONAL IN SECOND COX PLATE WIN The brilliant mare Winx confirmed her place among the greats of Australian racing with a devastating victory in the Grade 1 William Hill Cox Plate at Moonee Valley. course-specialist.co.uk

Ten horses lined up for this 1 ¼ mile contest, including the outstanding 2015 winner Winx, improved former Mark Johnston inmate Hartnell and the Andre Fabre trained Vadamos.

At the break it was Yankee Rose on the inside who got away best but Black Heart Bart went on from Hartnell and Awesome Rock, as the field headed away from the stands.

Vadamos and Mark Zahra were not content however and went into a five length lead from Black Heart Bart and Hartnell, with Winx closing.

Vadamos was soon a spent force however and Hartnell and WInx joined issue ahead of the home turn.

The filly, racing wide, went clear on the home turn and bounded emphatically clear by six lengths from Hartnell, Yankee Rose and Vadamos.

In a tactical race, Hugh Bowman remained calm throughout on the five year old daughter of Street Cry and the result was a stunning second win in the Plate.

PRINCE OF PENZANCE TO MISS MELBOURNE CUP DEFENCE Prince Of Penzance will not defend his Melbourne Cup title after suffering an injury at Caulfield on Saturday.

The seven-year-old could finish only fourth in the Group Two Herbert Power Stakes at the Victoria track and was found to be lame after the race.

Trainer Darren Weir was initially unsure as to the extent of the injury, but the Racing Victoria stewards later confirmed Prince Of Penzance will require surgery on a leg injury.

The RV Stewards tweeted: “Prince of Penzance - suffered injury to off fore, requires surgery. Out for the spring.”

Prince Of Penzance was famously ridden to victory in last year’s Melbourne Cup by Michelle Payne, who became the first female rider to win the race.

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FEATURE BET365 FESTIVAL

BIG RACE FOCUS THE BET365 FESTIVAL AT NEWBURY FEATURING THE 60TH HENNESSY GOLD CUP

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November 2016

BET365 FESTIVAL FEATURE

O

ne of the big highlights of the entire jumps season takes place at Newbury Racecourse in late November, with the latest renewal of the Hennessy Gold Cup Chase, a contest with a rich history for producing future Gold Cup and Grand National winners.

This year the meeting has changed its format and is a two-day affair, starting with a mouth-watering card on Friday, November 25th.

Newbury’s most significant meeting of the year, kicks off with a thrilling seven-race card of jump racing.

The card features a number of races providing clues for the season’s big races and winners on the card last year included the hugely impressive prospects Kasakh Noir and Buveur D’Air. The highlights on the card are a brace of Grade 2 contests: Fullers London Pride Novices’ Steeple Chase (Registered as The Berkshire) and the bet365 Long Distance Hurdle Race which has moved from the Saturday card and was won last year by the leading staying hurdler Thistlecrack and was a regular race in the past for the brilliant Big Buck’s.

FRIDAY 25TH NOVEMBER 12.30

THE BET365 ‘NATIONAL HUNT’ MAIDEN HURDLE RACE (Class 3)

2 m 1/2 f

1.05

THE BET365.COM NOVICES’ LIMITED HANDICAP CHASE (0-140) (For the Fulke Walwyn Trophy) (Class 3)

2 m 1/2 f

1.35

THE FULLERS LONDON PRIDE NOVICES’ STEEPLE CHASE (Registered as The Berkshire) (Class 1) (Grade 2)

2m4f

2.10

THE BET365 LONG DISTANCE HURDLE RACE (Class 1) (Grade 2)

2.45

THE BET365 HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (Open) (Class 2)

2m4f

3.20

THE PERTEMPS NETWORK HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (0-145) (Class 2)

3m

3.50

THE BET365 NOVICES’ HURDLE RACE (Class 3)

2m 4 1/2f

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November 2016

3m

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BET365 FESTIVAL PREVIEW

The action intensifies on the Saturday with the latest renewal of the Hennessy Gold Cup over 3 ¼ miles, one of the truly great handicap chases of the year and a race with a rich history.

The £200,00 Hennessy Gold Cup is one of racing’s biggest tests for horse and jockey, won by many of racing’s best loved stars including: Mandarin, Arkle, Diamond Edge, Bregawn, Burrough Hill Lad, Suny Bay, Teeton Mill and Denman.

2015 saw the popular grey Smad Place win in impressive

fashion for Alan King.

This year’s race is the 60th renewal.

There is a high quality support card including the Grade 2 bet365 Novices’ Steeple Chase (Registered as the Worcester), the Listed Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Race, the Listed bet365 Intermediate Hurdle (Registered as The Gerry Fielden Hurdle) and the fiercely competitive Sir Peter O’Sullevan Memorial Handicap Steeple Chase.

SATURDAY 26TH NOVEMBER

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12.20

THE THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ ASSOCIATION MARES’ NOVICES’ HURDLE RACE (Listed Race) (Class 1)

2 m 1/2 f

12.55

THE BET365 NOVICES’ STEEPLE CHASE (Registered as the Worcester) (Class 1) (Grade 2)

2m 7 1/2f

1.30

THE SIR PETER O’SULLEVAN MEMORIAL HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (0-140) (Class 3)

2m 6 1/2 f

2.05

THE BET365 HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (0-150) (Class 2)

2m 4 1/2 f

2.40

THE BET365 INTERMEDIATE HURDLE (Registered as The Gerry Fielden Hurdle) (Class 1) (Listed)

2 m 1/2 f

3.10

THE HENNESSY GOLD CUP STEEPLE CHASE (Class 1) (Grade 3)

3m2f

3.45

THE BET365 HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (For The Jim Joel Trophy) (0-150) (Class 2)

2 m 1/2 f

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November 2016

N E W B U RY R AC E C O U R S E P R E S E N T S

THE

FESTIVAL FEATURING THE

6 0 th

OL D G Y S H ENN E S

CU P

25 & 26 NOVEMBER

WHERE LEGENDS ARE MADE

BOOK NOW 01635 40015 newburyracecourse.co.uk

HENNESSY GOLD CUP BIG RACE HISTORY © Steven Cargill

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November 2016

BIG RACE HISTORY HENNESSY GOLD CUP

BIG RACE HISTORY Hennessy Gold Cup

T

he history of the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury, perfectly illustrates how a race gains reputation and significance as a prestige event.

From the outset, this handicap chase, run just over three and a quarter miles in distance, has produced winners and placed horses with illustrious names and glittering careers.

Inaugurated in 1957, the first winner was no lesser horse than Mandarin, ridden by John Lawrence, best known as the late, great Lord John Oaksey. Four years later the great horse would win the race for a second time, this time ridden by Willie Robinson.

Mandarin’s trainer Fulke Walwyn, would then win one of the most famous renewals in 1963, when the huge Gold Cup winner Mill House, seemingly comprehensively defeated the young Irish upstart Arkle. However, out in the country, the mists had concealed Arkle’s serious slip on landing. Arkle would of course comprehensively reverse form with Mill House and naturally the Hennessy featured on his roll of great performances, with back to back wins in 1964 and 1965, before a staggering effort to give lumps of weight to Stalbridge Colonist just failed.

The Seventies in many ways belonged to Red Rum, who course-specialist.co.uk

was placed in the Hennessy en-route to Aintree glory. Hi old sparring partner Spanish Steps had already got his name on the roll of honour winning the 1969 Hennessy, before his many glorious Aintree efforts.

My personal favourite renewal was in 1980, when an exciting young Irish chaser called Bright Highway, trained by wheel-chair bound Michael O’Brien and owned by American George Strawbridge, bid to follow-up his recent Mackeson Gold Cup triumph.

A pulsating race saw Bright Highway and Gerry Newman just out-battle Silent Valley and a young Peter Scudamore, with Welsh National winner Peter Scot in third.

Fulke Walwyn’s Tarbank had been in contention before falling three fences out but the following year, his popular and tough as teak chaser, Diamond Edge, added a Hennessy to his two Whitbread Gold Cup victories – it was his trainer’s seventh winner of the race.

This was a glorious era with Gold Cup winner Bregawn outstaying Captain John, the exciting Brown Chamberlin winning before finishing second in the Gold Cup and then Gold Cup winner Burrough Hill Lad winner under the burden of 12 stone.

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HENNESSY GOLD CUP BIG RACE HISTORY

© www.healyracing.ie

A year later Jimmy FitzGerald’s Galway Blaze proved a handicap good thing and then a certain Paul Nicholls won back-to-back renewals aboard Broadheath and Playschool.

In 1988, the irresistible combination of Martin Pipe and Peter Scudamore added their names to the roll of honour as Strands Of Gold won the Hennessy, while a year later it was the turn of David Elsworth with the white faced Ghofar.

Oliver Sherwood’s Arctic Call was successful in 1990, while the Pipe name was back in the winners enclosure again in 1991 thanks to Chatam.

A year later Newbury saw a vintage renewal as Sibton Abbey beat two future Gold Cup winners in the shape of Jocami and The Fellow, in a race that also contained Grand National winner Party Politics.

In 1993 Cogent beater a smaller than usual, but classy field, including Jenny Pitman’s two stable starts Garrison Savannah and Royal Athlete.

1994 confirmed the arrival of an outstanding chaser who would capture the hearts of many, as One Man served notice of his prodigious talent.

Soft ground a year later favoured Couldnt Be Better, who beat two future Grand National winners in Rough Quest and Earth Summit, while in 1996, the Hennessy went to Coombe Hill.

Racing got to enjoy the dulcet tones of the great Sir Peter O’Sullevan one final time in the 1997 Hennessy Gold Cup, as the Voice Of Racing called home the popular grey Suny Bay. Another outstanding grey would follow-up in 1998, as the hugely progressive Teeton Mill turned the race into a procession, before adding the King George VI Chase a month later.

The final race of the 20th Century went to Mark Pitman’s Ever Blessed, while King’s Road won the race in 2000.

There was a desperately close finish in 2001, with What’s Up Boys beating Behrajan by a neck, with future Grand

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National winner Bindaree further back.

A huge field of 25 lined up for the 2002 renewal of the Hennessy Gold Cup and it was the Irish trained Be My Royal who finished first past the post. However, a prohibited substance was found in his system and he was unfortunately disqualified, with Gingembre ,a previous runner-up in the race, awarded the Hennessy.

In 2003, Paul Nicholls, twice a winning jockey in the race, claimed Hennessy spoils as a trainer, with the exciting novice chaser Strong Flow, with future Grand National winner Hedgehunter among the finishers.

No horse had pulled off the Mackeson-Hennessy Gold Cup double since Bright Highway in 1980. However, Martin Pipe’s 6 year old Celestial Gold managed to accomplish that feat in 2004.

Nicky Henderson’s RSA Chase winner Trabolgan lumped 11 stone 12 pounds to victory in the 2005 Hennessy Gold Cup and looked destined for stardom, but injury sadly kept him off the course for over three years.

A year later the burgeoning talent of Evan Williams was supremely illustrated as his exciting young chaser State Of Play, given a patient ride by Paul Moloney, landed the Hennessy. This extraordinary horse did not stand much racing but managed to place in three success Grand Nationals, often not running between renewals.

But it was 2007 when a prodigious talent – a second season

chaser who had won the RSA Chase, turned the clock back to an era of big, old fashioned chasers who could win Gold Cups and carry the burden of weight in the big handicaps.

Denman was a giant of a horse in character and physicality.

Nicknamed the tank by his larger than life part-owner Harry Findlay, the horse defied 11 stone 12 pounds to demolish a high class field and stamp his authority on the entire season.

By season’s end the horse had added a Lexus Chase and defeated his dual Gold Cup winning next door neighbour Kauto Star, to take chasing’s Blue Riband.

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BIG RACE HISTORY HENNESSY GOLD CUP The following season Denman was under a cloud following health issues and his stable mate Big Bucks took up the Hennessy mantle. He was still in contention before blundering and unseating his rider at the last as Madison Du Berlais took the honours. Of course the Hennessy was therefore instrumental for setting Big Bucks on a separate path to greatness over hurdles.

In 2009 Denman was back. His second Hennessy under 11 stone 12 pounds after all his tribulations, nearly took the roof off the grandstand and had many a hardened race goer close to tears.

Carruthers’ victory for Lord Oaksey proved another emotional affair, while the 2012 winner Bob’s Worth, would also go on to Gold Cup glory, confirming the Hennessy Gold Cup’s enduring appeal for any lover of high class jumps racing.

2013 saw a thrilling finish with the Nicky Henderson trained Triolo D’Alene getting the better of Rocky Creek, to set the Lambourn trainer up for a hat-trick of wins at his local track in 2014. As always there was real strength in depth to the latest renewal, as we said goodbye to a former Cheltenham Gold Cup hero in Imperial Commander, while

© Steven Cargill

the next champion also ran in the race: Lord Windermere.

Further proof of the Hennessy Gold Cup’s standing.

That was once again reaffirmed in 2014, as the progressive Many Clouds beat Houblon Des Obeaux, en route to victory in the 2015 Crabbie’s Grand National. His success gave trained Oliver Sherwood a second victory in the Hennessy, his first coming 24 years earlier with Arctic Call.

A year on and the popular grey Smad Place jumped and galloped his rivals into the ground with a most impressive display.

The Alan King trained 8 year old romped to a 12 lengths success from Theatre Guide and the gallant First Lieutenant and later won the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham.

HENNESSY GOLD CUP PAST WINNERS 1957 Mandarin 1958 Taxidermist 1959 Kerstin 1960 Knucklecracker 1961 Mandarin 1962 Springbok 1963 Mill House 1964 Arkle 1965 Arkle 1966 Stalbridge Colonist 1967 Rondetto 1968 Man of the West 1969 Spanish Steps 1970 Border Mask 1971 Bighorn 1972 Charlie Potheen 1973 Red Candle 1974 Royal Marshall II 1975 April Seventh 1976 Zeta’s Son

1977 Bachelor’s Hall 1978 Approaching 1979 Fighting Fit 1980 Bright Highway 1981 Diamond Edge 1982 Bregawn 1983 Brown Chamberlin 1984 Burrough Hill Lad 1985 Galway Blaze 1986 Broadheath 1987 Playschool 1988 Strands of Gold 1989 Ghofar 1990 Arctic Call 1991 Chatam 1992 Sibton Abbey 1993 Cogent 1994 One Man 1995 Couldn’t Be Better 1996 Coome Hill course-specialist.co.uk

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1997 Suny Bay 1998 Teeton Mill 1999 Ever Blessed 2000 King’s Road 2001 What’s Up Boys 2002 Gingembre [1] 2003 Strong Flow 2004 Celestial Gold 2005 Trabolgan 2006 State of Play 2007 Denman 2008 Madison du Berlais 2009 Denman 2010 Diamond Harry 2011 Carruthers 2012 Bobs Worth 2013 Triolo D’Alene 2014 Many Clouds 2015 Smad Place

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FEATURE BREEDERS’ CUP

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November 2016

BREEDERS’ CUP FEATURE

Mike Smith & Zenyatta © Breeders’ Cup Ltd

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FEATURE BREEDERS’ CUP

T

© Breeders’ Cup Ltd

he eyes of the racing world will once again converge on Santa Anita on November 4th and 5th, as the Californian track hosts the 33rd Breeders’ Cup. This two-day feast of racing pits the best thoroughbreds in North America with the best in the world and each renewal writes a new chapter in racing folklore.

There are a few ways for a horse to qualify for a Breeders’ Cup race. The first is by winning a Breeders’ Cup Challenge race, which you can learn more about here. The second is based on a points system, where horses are ranked based on their performance in major races during the year. Points are awarded based on the following scale: Race Quality Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3

Win Place Show 10 6 4 6 4 2 4 2 1

The third way to gain entry is via a panel of experts. For each race there are a maximum of 14 horses selected for each Breeders’ Cup Championship race. Seven who come from the Challenge Races and points system and seven who have been

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selected by the experts. This ensures the very highest quality of competition on the day.

The Breeders’ Cup is the richest two days in sports, with $28 million paid out in purses and awards over the entire weekend. Winnings are paid out to owners, stallion nominators, and foal nominators. Owners share their winnings with their trainer and jockey on their own terms.

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Hootenanny – BC Juvenile Turf •

November 2016

© Breeders’ Cup Ltd

BREEDERS’ CUP FEATURE

© Breeders’ Cup Ltd

Beholder - Distaff

FRIDAY The action gets underway on Friday with four Breeders’ Cup races: First up comes one of the races Europe traditionally targets, the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf over a mile.

The million dollar Las Vegas Dirt Mile is next and followed by another traditional European stronghold, the $1 million Juvenile Fillies’ Turf over a mile.

The action on Day One concludes with the big race of the evening, the $2 million LONGINES Distaff over nine furlongs.

Past winners include: Zenyatta, Royal Delta (twice), Beholder, Untapable and Stopchargingmaria. © Breeders’ Cup Ltd

Untapable - Distaff

Friday Card 2:25 PM PDT

JUVENILE TURF $1,000,000

1 Mile

3:05 PM PDT

LAS VEGAS DIRT MILE $1,000,000

1 Mile

3:50 PM PDT

JUVENILE FILLIES TURF $1,000,000

1 Mile

4:35 PM PDT

LONGINES DISTAFF $2,000,000

1 1/8 Miles

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FEATURE BREEDERS’ CUP

SATURDAY Saturday arrives with a sense of keen anticipation for a full and exciting and defining afternoon and evening of high class racing.

There are nine races in total, culminating in the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic.

The $2 million 14 Hands Winery Juvenile Fillies gets the action underway on the dirt, over 1 mile and 1/16th.

Next up comes the $2 million 1 ¼ mile Filly & Mare Turf, in which the Europeans have a strong record.

The Filly & Mare Sprint over 7 furlongs is next and has a purse of $1 million.

Then comes the $1 million Turf Sprint over 6 ½ furlongs.

The afternoon then starts to ramp up with the $2 million Sentient Jet Juvenile over one mile and 1/16th, won in 2015 by subsequent Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist.

Then comes the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile; can Tepin

© Breeders’ Cup Ltd

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BREEDERS’ CUP FEATURE

© Breeders’ Cup Ltd

repeat her victory of 2015 against a swathe of international challengers?

The fast and furious $1.5 million Twin Spires Sprint over 6 furlongs is next.

Then we have the race Europe traditionally does best in, the $4 million LONGINES Turf over 1 ½ miles, where last year’s winner Found could return to take on the likes of exEuropeans Ectot and Flintshire.

The evening ends with the high-octane drama of the $6

million Breeders’ Cup Classic over 1 ¼ miles. In 2015 we were treated to a regal performance by one of the all-time greats, as Triple Crown winner American Pharoah stormed to a brilliant and uncontested victory.

Can another Kentucky Derby hero California Chrome claim this year’s title?

Saturday Card 12:05 PM PDT

14 HANDS WINERY JUVENILE FILLIES $2,000,000

1 1/16 Miles

12:43 PM PDT

FILLY & MARE TURF $2,000,000

1 1/4 Miles

1:21 PM PDT

FILLY & MARE SPRINT $1,000,000

7 Furlongs

2:05 PM PDT

TURF SPRINT $1,000,000

6.5 Furlongs

2:43 PM PDT

SENTIENT JET JUVENILE $2,000,000

1 1/16 miles

3:22 PM PDT

MILE $2,000,000

1 mile

4:01 PM PDT

TWINSPIRES SPRINT $1,500,000

6 Furlongs

4:40 PM PDT

LONGINES TURF $4,000,000

1 1/2 miles

5:35 PM PDT

BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC $6,000,000

1 1/4 miles

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BREEDERS’ CUP BIG RACE HISTORY

© Breeders’ Cup Ltd

BIG RACE HISTORY The Breeders Cup

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BIG RACE HISTORY BREEDERS’ CUP

H

ollywood Park, California, welcomed the inaugural gathering of the world’s finest thoroughbreds back in October 1984. The meeting commenced after several spectacular years at the North American yearling sales, which had seen stud farms enjoy extraordinary returns.

The event was an instant hit – multi-million dollar prize money in the early 1980s was pretty much unheard of and gave European trainers and owners extra incentive to cross the Pond.

Many of those US-bred colts and fillies and mares that had disappeared to Europe after the sales for big bucks, returned to North America for the first meeting, which quickly defined the Breeders’ Cup Mile, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Breeders’ Cup Sprint, Breeders’ Cup Turf and Breeders’ Cup Classic as formidable and legitimate championship races.

We take a look at the history of these fantastic races. Of course the meeting has evolved as more categories of champion have been created – and since 2006 the Breeders’ Cup meeting has been a two-day event. Here we features the history of the Breeders’ Cup Mile, the Breeders’ Cup Turf and the Breeders’ Cup Classic – but remember some of the other memorable races to have taken place have featured European winners in the juvenile events – including the extraordinary Arazi and Johannesburg, Sheikh Albadou in the Sprint and the unlucky Dayjur who jumped a shadow with victory in sight in 1990.

As the Breeders’ Cup meeting has evolved, it could be argued that some of the races have been diluted – and Europe has fared well in the juvenile turf races and the Breeders’ Cup Fillies & Mares Turf.

BREEDERS’ CUP MILE From the UK, perhaps the highest profile challenger at that first meeting was the brilliant miler Lear Fan, third to El Gran Senor in the memorable 1984 2000 Guineas and winner of the Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville. However it was the ex-British trained filly Royal Heroine – oddly enough trained by a California-based Englishman in John Gosden (now ensconced back in the UK), who under Fernando Torro, captured Breeders’ Cup glory that first year.

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BREEDERS’ CUP BIG RACE HISTORY

© Breeders’ Cup Ltd

The following year, a strong European representation included champion older miler and Sussex Stakes winner Rousillon, champion sprinter Never So Bold, and the brilliant Shadeed. All three went to Acqueduct for the Breeders’ Cup Mile, with what appeared to be exceptional credentials. However, as happened often in those early years, the afternoon’s racing would prove a bitter disappointment for the European raiders.

Rousillon missed the break, while Shadeed went wide around the first sharp bend, as Al Mamoon – another exEuropean, set a scintillating early lead. At the final turn, Al Mamoon continued to lead but the bold grey Cozzene, passed Shadeed and closed in on the leader, powerfully taking up the running to win convincingly. Shadeed was eventually promoted to third place while the rest of teh Europeans were out of the money.

Further British disappointment came in ensuing years – but did not preclude European glory, as hitherto French sprint sensation Last Tycoon won the mile in 1986 – and was followed up by the brilliant Miesque, who beat Warning in 1988 to secure back to back victories. It seemed hard to believe that the Freddie head-ridden filly could ever be surpassed in the race such was her superiority in winning twice.

For pure drama however, the 1990 Mile takes some beating. Lester Piggott, the ageing superstar jockey, returned to the saddle just days earlier, after a five year retirement which had included time in a prison cell, linked up once again with his old training partner Dr Vincent O’Brien.

The last minute lunge of Royal Academy, galvanised by the grandfather as if he had never been away from racing, proved decisive in winning.

After Lure had won the race twice, Frankie Dettori recorded a memorable victory on Luca Cumani’s magnificent miler Barathea in 1994 and then the Irish superstar filly

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Ridgewood Pearl capped a marvellous career with a win for John Oxx and the young Johnny Murtagh.

The extraordinary Michael Dickinson, who had been such a training phenomenon in his native UK as a National Hunt trainer, won the 2006 Breeders’ Cup Mile with Da Hoss – who promptly got injured. After two years of virtual inactivity, Da Hoss came back for the 1998 Breeders’ Cup Mile which he promptly won, reducing legendary commentator Tom Durkin to exclaim: “Oh, my, this is the greatest comeback since Lazarus. He’s had one race in two years.”

The 2002 renewal saw another real European champion lose little in defeat as Rock of Gibraltar just failed to catch French horse Dome Driver in a desperate finish, having been badly hampered when his stable mate Landseer had tragically suffered a fatal fall earlier in the race. Dome Driver himself found French compatriot Six Perfections too good the following year but in 2008 it was another French filly who stole the show – and would dominate for some time afterwards.

© Breeders’ Cup Ltd

In France, the summer of 2008 was dominated by one horse: the unbeaten filly Zarkava. As Zarkava gracefully galloped her way through the major French distaff contests, behind her on more than one occasion, was a filly who would prove a match for any other horse over a mile: Goldikova.

As Zarkava was retired to stud after claiming victory in the Arc de Triomphe, Goldikova headed Stateside for her first taste of Breeders’ Cup glory. Perhaps most of the US media interest surrounded the fact that she was trained by Freddie Head, who once upon a time had ridden the brilliant filly Miesque to dual victories in the race.

Questions comparing the relative merits of the two fillies were inevitable after Goldikova’s first success – and they reached fever pitch after she had followed up in 2009 at Santa Anita.

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November 2016

BIG RACE HISTORY BREEDERS’ CUP In 2015 the prize stayed very much Stateside, as the improving four year old filly Tepin, a recent Grade 1 winner at Keeneland, powered to a 2 ¼ lengths victory from the European challenger Mondialiste.

BREEDERS’ CUP MILE WINNERS 2015 Tepin 2014 Karakontie 2013 Wise Dan 2012 Wise Dan 2011 Court Vision 2010 Goldikova 2009 Goldikova 2008 Goldikova 2007 Kip Deville 2006 Miesque’s Approval 2005 Artie Schiller 2004 Singletary 2003 Six Perfections 2002 Domedriver 2001 Val Royal 2000 War Chant 1999 Silic 1998 Da Hoss 1997 Spinning World 1996 Da Hoss 1995 Ridgewood Pearl 1994 Barathea 1993 Lure 1992 Lure 1991 Opening Verse 1990 Royal Academy 1989 Steinlen 1988 Miesque 1987 Miesque 1986 Last Tycoon 1985 Cozzene 1984 Royal Heroine

© Breeders’ Cup Ltd

A further successful European campaign followed in 2010 and all roads headed to Churchill Downs as the five year old mare bid to become the first horse to win the same Breeders’ Cup race three times. History did indeed invite Goldikova through the door as she readily disposed of US champion Gio Ponti to better Miesque’s own impressive record of two decades earlier.

Sadly her attempt at an almost inconceivable fourth success fell short in 2011, as outsider Court Vision captured the race.

However 2012 saw another potential multiple champion as the US colt Wise Dan was imperious – and he impressively repeated the feat in 2013 beating Za Approval.

Sadly injury prevented Wise Dan from attempting to emulate Goldikova’s magnificent hat-trick of wins in 2014 and in the event, the race once again went to a French trained horse.

The English star Toronado cut out the early running before sitting second behind the trail-blazing Obviously. The pair took the field into the home straight, where Obviously attempted to kick as Toronado drifted wide.

Between horses, the French 2,000 Guineas winner Karakontie, got the perfect split, storming into the lead in the final furlong and repelling the late surge of his compatriot Anodin.

Of the 32 renewals, there have been 13 European-trained winners ( John Gosden and Michael Dickinson were USbased when winning). French-trained horses have won the race on 9 occasions.

© Breeders’ Cup Ltd

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BREEDERS’ CUP BIG RACE HISTORY

© Breeders’ Cup Ltd

BREEDERS’ CUP TURF The Breeders’ Cup Turf had a familiar feel to it with several European horses including Morcon, Alphabatim, Trezieme and the Australian-trained Strawberry Road involved.

However most interest centred around the fantastic filly All Along, who the previous year had won the Arc de Triomphe and numerous big races around North America. In the event, Strawberry Road gradually quickened the pace from the front and All Along made her move as they entered the final turn, with the Aga Khan’s Lashkari, poised in behind. Into the straight and All Along resolutely galloped on but in the final furlong, legendary French jockey Yves Saint Martin, galvanised Lashkari into the lead as the winning post loomed large. It was the first European success at the Breeders’ Cup, achieved by French trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre.

The following year, saw the brilliant Pebbles achieve success for Clive Brittain. For a full report of this race, please visit our Memory Lane section. In 1986 perhaps the most prodigious British talent ever to appear in a Breeders’ Cup race made his bid at Santa Anita. The horse was Dancing Brave, but at the end of a long season, in sweltering conditions and on a tight track, Pat Eddery and the Arc winner could manage only fourth behind Manilla.

In the mid to late 1990s, European horses came to the fore with memorable victories for Sir Michael Stoute’s Pilsudski and then in 1999 a win for Godolphin’s near-white Daylami, capped a fabulous year for Frankie Dettori.

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The following year saw Stoute victorious again as Kalanisi beat the mighty Royal Anthem and Montjeu in a great renewal.

In 2001 it was the turn of Godolphin’s Fantastic Light and then High Chaparral, a dual Derby winner, crowned a superb 2002 with victory in the Turf. The following year he retained his title in a dramatic dead-heat with Johar, with European champion Falbrav just behind in third.

Conduit won back to back renewals in 2008 and 2009, making Sir Michael Stoute the most successful trainer in the race’s history, with four victories. However, that record was matched in 2013 by Aidan O’Brien as his Magician finished fast to deny The Fugue in a thrilling finish.

Magician failed to return in 2014 and O’Brien relied on the Irish Oaks winning filly Chicquita, who formed part of a strong European challenge for this contest, with Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe runner-up Flintshire, expected to enjoy conditions, the smart stayer Brown Panther and the exciting Telescope.

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BIG RACE HISTORY BREEDERS’ CUP Imagining and Starspangled Heat set the pace with Arlington Million winner Hardest Core, as the field headed down the back straight. Hardest Core went on, while Ryan Moore and Telescope stalked the American trio.

Hardest Core led into the home stretch but veered off the rails, giving Telescope the perfect gap to race into. Meanwhile, down the outside, Imagining was toughing it out and from further back, Flintshire started to close.

Telescope edged to the lead but inch by inch Flintshire overhauled him. However, the last challenge came widest of all from the prolific Grade 1 winner Main Sequence, who swooped through to win his fourth consecutive Grade 1 contest since joining Englishman Graham Motion in America.

In 2015 the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland was privileged to host two outstanding three year old colts in American Pharoah and the brilliant English Derby hero Golden Horn.

The John Gosden colt had not only won at Epsom, but had added the Coral Eclipse Stakes, Irish Champion Stakes and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in a glorious summer and looked set to end his career with triumph in America.

However, persistent rainfall cast doubts about his participation and conditions undoubtedly counted against him.

The outsider Shining Copper quickly opened up a wide lead, moving maybe 20 lengths clear of another long shot in Cage Fighter.

However, Frankie Dettori moved Golden Horn closer, with Found, twice beaten by Golden Horn, also taking closer order.

The long-time leader quickly dropped back and at the top of the stretch, Golden Horn took it up under a strong ride from Dettori, with his old rival Found, moving well under Ryan Moore.

The Irish Champion Stakes first and second settled down for a terrific scrap up the home stretch and this time it was Found who prevailed by half a length, with Big Blue Kitten on their coat tails in third.

Found would go on to prove herself an outstanding filly with victory in the 2016 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

BREEDERS’ CUP TURF WINNERS 2015 Found 2014 Main Sequence 2013 Magician 2012 Little Mike 2011 St Nicholas Abbey 2010 Dangerous Midge 2009 Conduit 2008 Conduit 2007 English Channel 2006 Red Rocks 2005 Shirocco 2004 Better Talk Now 2003 High Chaparral (DH)

Johar (DH) 2002 High Chaparral 2001 Fantastic Light 2000 Kalanisi 1999 Daylami 1998 Buck’s Boy 1997 Chief Bearhart 1996 Pilsudski 1995 Northern Spur 1994 Tikkanen 1993 Kotashaan 1992 Fraise 1991 Miss Alleged 1990 In the Wings 1989 Prized 1988 Great Communicator 1987 Theatrical 1986 Manila 1985 Pebbles 1984 Lashkari

Of the 32 renewals, there have been 19 European-trained winners.

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BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC The race billed as the world’s richest, was first run in November 1984 at Hollywood Park. The race has often attracted European runners, despite the fact it has been run on dirt (with the exception of 2008 and 2009 when the race was run on a synthetic surface at Santa Anita).

The first running set the scene splendidly for one of the world’s most famous events, as Wild Again won a tremendous tussle that had lasted all the way down the home straight, to deny Slew o’ Gold and Gate Dancer.

The race often attracts the finest US three year olds and older horses, with many Triple Crown race winners contesting the mile and a quarter contest. Such was the case in a dramatic and memorable 1987 renewal, when the previous year’s Kentucky Derby winner, the often under-rated Ferdinand, took on the 1987 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Alysheba, in a colossal race. The two did not let anyone down as they settled down to fight out an enthralling battle, with the older Ferdinand, under legendary jockey Willie Shoemaker, prevailing at the wire.

Alysheba got his Classic win the following year and was followed in 1989 by Sunday Silence, who had won the same two legs of the Triple Crown and got the better of one of his many encounters with Easy Goer in another memorable clash for the Classic at Gulfstream Park.

In 1993, Europe finally got a taste of Breeders’ Cup Classic success, in the unlikely shape of Arcangues. The Frenchtrained colt had competed to a reasonable standard in Europe but was far removed from being a European champion when he went to Santa Anita. Indeed, his odds underlined the general expectations as he raced on dirt for the first time, leaving the gates at the generous odds of 133/1.

His late run under Jerry Bailey, saw him catch American colt Bertrando, to record the longest priced victory in any Breeders’ Cup race.

In 1995 Cigar stamped himself an outstanding colt with 10 wins out of 10 – his victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Belmont Park, was a dominant one and his 12th consecutive win in all. Again the Classic had thrown up a true champion.

European horses continued to try to defy the surface and invariably failed in the Classic – however the 2000 and 2001 renewals threw up a brave champion and two exciting races – memorable for the European challenge.

In 2000, the Aidan O’Brien horse Giant’s Causeway, had strung together a sequence of five successive Group One wins, all gained in tenacious style, earning him the moniker ‘The

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Iron Horse’. The son of Storm Cat however appeared to have a daunting task to defeat Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus and Lemon Drop Kid in a vintage renewal, but it was the three year old colt Tiznow who settled down to fight out the finish.

Throughout a pulsating final furlong at Churchill Downs, the two horses were inseparable, but as the two flashed past the post together it was Tiznow, in bright pink silks, who had inched in front when it mattered.

Twelve months later, Tiznow was at Belmont Park to defend his title. This time the main challenge looked to come from Europe in the shape of the exciting European champion Galileo and the impressive, runaway Arc winner Sakhee.

Sadly Galileo failed to handle the surface but Sakhee and Frankie Dettori came wide to challenge Tiznow in what developed into almost a carbon copy of the year before.

Tiznow remains the only dual winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Europe finally recorded a second victory when the John Gosden (now based in his native UK) trained Raven’s Pass, beat fellow European Henrythenavigator on the synthetic surface at Santa Anita in 2008. The move to synthetics had been controversial and the European horses seemed to perform much better as the surface was more akin to one on which they exercised in training.

A year later, the imperious and charismatic Zenyatta, pawed the ground before destroying her rivals with blistering pace, but the following year was controversially beaten, as Mike Smith tried in vain to breach the advantage Blame had established, as Smith bided his time way off the pace.

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BIG RACE HISTORY BREEDERS’ CUP In 2013 the Classic had a thrilling finish in which Mucho Macho Man got the better of the three-way battle, just denying Will Take Charge and Declaration Of War. The 2014 Breeders’ Cup Classic looked on paper to be a battle between the leading three year olds in America and in many ways, so it proved.

The hugely popular California Chrome, winner of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, was going head to head with the exciting and prolific Shared Belief, while Tonalist and Bayern were also highly regarded.

Bayern got off to a fast start and quickly tacked across to the inside rail, with the English challenger Toast Of New York, largely unconsidered by many, taking second spot, with California Chrome, out wider, in third place, while Shared Belied was in traffic problems and Moreno trapped behind horses.

Racing all the way down the back straight, the order remained the same up front, with Bayern and Martin Garcia setting the fractions from Toast Of New York and California Chrome, while Cigar Street sat fourth to the inside, just ahead of Moreno.

As the field headed to the final turn, the front three started to draw clear of their rivals, with all three unyielding in determination.

Bayern reached the home stretch in front and still travelling best of all, as Toast Of New York continued to fight on, while California Chrome was now under a strong drive.

The battle of the three year olds had truly manifested, but not with the script many had expected. With a furlong to run, Bayern still held the advantage on the inside, but both Toast Of New York and California Chrome had rallied and it was anyone’s race.

With all three horses giving their all, it was Bayern who kept his head just in front of the closing Toast Of New York, flashing past the post a nose in front of the gallant English challenger, with California Chrome just a neck away in third.

It was another memorable renewal of this great race, but as the song goes, the best was yet to come, with a memorable race in 2015.

American Pharoah had already stamped his hoof prints firmly on American racing history, becoming the first winner of the American Triple Crown since 1978.

Subsequent victory in the Haskell Invitational was followed by a shock defeat in the Travers Stakes by Keen Ice, at Saratoga, in late August. Bob Baffert did not run his superstar again until the Breeders’ Cup, when he was bidding to become the first horse to win the American “Grand Slam”. course-specialist.co.uk

The result was never in doubt, as this outstanding champion meeting older horses for the first time, simply annihilated his rivals, easing past the winning post a 6 ½ lengths winner from Effinex to end his career on an emotion-packed evening, in brilliant style.

BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC WINNERS 2015 BCC American Pharoah 2014 BCC Bayern 2013 BCC Mucho Macho Man 2012 BCC Fort Larned 2011 BCC Drosselmeyer 2010 BCC Blame 2009 BCC Zenyatta 2008 BCC Raven’s Pass 2007 BCC Curlin 2006 Invasor (ARG) 2005 Saint Liam 2004 Ghostzapper 2003 Pleasantly Perfect 2002 Volponi 2001 Tiznow 2000 Tiznow 1999 Cat Thief 1998 Awesome Again 1997 Skip Away 1996 Alphabet Soup 1995 Cigar 1994 Concern 1993 Arcangues 1992 A.P. Indy 1991 Black Tie Affair 1990 Unbridled 1989 Sunday Silence 1988 Alysheba 1987 Ferdinand 1986 Skywalker 1985 Proud Truth 1984 Wild Again

Of 32 renewals, there have to date been only 2 European trained winners of the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The surface and sharp turns undoubtedly play to the advantage of North American-trained horses.

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Memory Lane PEBBLES STRIKES A FIRST BRITISH BLOW IN THE BREEDERS’ CUP

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She had the ability to canter when the others were galloping and then she would quicken up and the race was over in a matter of strides – CLIVE BRITTAIN

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n 1985 the Breeders’ Cup was still very much a new meeting, looking to establish itself on the global stage.

Whilst Lashkari had struck an early blow for Europe in the inaugural meeting the year before, the race needed a super star from Britain to really catch the imagination of a global audience.

An impressive European team assembled at Aqueduct, headed by the prodigious Shadeed, who had won the English 2,000 Guineas and had recently won the Queen Elizabeth IInd Stakes at Ascot in brilliant fashion.

Teleprompter was a familiar name to the American racing public; Bill Watt’s popular gelding had won the Arlington Million earlier in the summer.

But the European that had most endeared herself to the American fans before the meeting was Pebbles. The story that had developed around the barns was one of love, with that admirable gelding Come On The Blues, the object of Pebbles’ desire.

Clive Brittain’s brilliant chestnut filly had all the attributes and character to be described as the perfect equine diva! The daughter of Sharpen Up had been brilliantly precocious at two, in the familiar blue and white colours of Captain Mark Lemos - but had presented Clive with a real challenge to settle her, as he recalls: “She showed lots of talent at two and it was a question of controlling the temperament. I hadn’t trained many Sharpen Up’s but had trained the dam and knew quite a bit about the family. All had strong characters and it was always about getting them to settle.”

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found the perfect formula to great Pebbles to settle over the following winter: “The whole Come On The Blues relationship developed over the winter; she was very much a filly that wanted to get everything done quickly and we had quite a bit of a problem to get her to settle. She would get very frustrated in the string and we found that by separating her from the herd she was a lot happier.

“She liked to walk and Come On The Blues was a great walker so they became companions.”

The change on routine worked magnificently in the Spring of 1984, as Pebbles won first the Nell Gwynn Stakes and then the General Accident 1,000 Guineas in fantastic style.

Looking back, Clive is convinced she would have followed up in the Oaks too: “Throughout her career I always felt there was a doubt that she would get a trip – I felt that way about seven furlongs and then had the same doubts about her getting a mile and later in her career a mile and a quarter.

“She had the ability to canter when the others were galloping and then she would quicken up and the race was over in a matter of strides. Every time she dispelled those stamina doubts so I am sure she would have won the Oaks.”

Instead the filly, now racing in the silks of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed, ran at Royal Ascot, where she contested a fantastic renewal of the Coronation Stakes, narrowly losing out to Katies.

However, the filly was then absent for the remainder of the summer and it was only when the trainer was fully happy with her, that Pebbles resumed her racing career.

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“After Royal Ascot, she just was not responding to training as I felt she should have been. We put her in the equine pool to help get her ready and she raced in the Champion Stakes at Newmarket in October.”

Once again the filly would defy any lingering doubts about her ability to see out a trip – this time she was stepping up to ten furlongs for the first time. On a stormy afternoon at Headquarters, Pebbles quickened well coming out of the

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Pat and I were convinced she would stay though and she was drawn fourteen and there was no way we were going to go around the outside, so we planned to drop in on the inside and track them – CLIVE BRITTAIN

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Dip, but was just unable to pass the French colt Palace Music.

“Afterwards,I said that we would bring her back to Newmarket the following year and win the race,” Clive remembers.

By October 1985, Pebbles had already re-written history, becoming the first female to win the Eclipse Stakes, when she beat the subsequent Arc winner Rainbow Quest.

However, just as circumstances had contrived to keep her off the track the previous year, a similar pattern followed in 1985, with the filly needing special attention to nurture the very best for the Autumn.

“She was a difficult filly to train and she could suffer from sore sesamoids if she endured too much training. She spent long spells swimming and walked many, many miles,” says Clive. “The key was to get her to exercise without realising she was doing so.

“She would swim twice daily but she would play in the pool for ten minutes before she swam, splashing water around.”

The unorthodox approach clearly helped to get the filly to peak fitness ahead of her second attempt at the Champion Stakes, but there was still the not inconsiderable matter of her frame of mind to contend with.

“About ten days before the Champion Stakes we set up a gallop to give Pat (Eddery) a chance to ride her. In those days we had zero rated horses and I worked her with a horse that had won a race but only on a disqualification, having been beaten six lengths!

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MEMORY LANE BREEDERS’ CUP “That same day Sir Henry was exercising his Champion Stakes hope (Derby winner Slip Anchor) with some Group winners – and I was exercising my filly with something rather less illustrious!

“Pebbles was not extended in the gallop and importantly came back relaxed, having got into a rhythm. Both Pat and I were happy with her performance.”

The work had indeed put the filly cherry ripe and Clive and Pat were right to be pleased with Pebbles. In the Champion Stakes, the filly did not just win an epic renewal, she annihilated a field containing fellow Classic winners Commanche Run, Helen Street and Slip Anchor, not to mention her old rival Palace Music.

“We did expect her to win in that style and we knew that if we wanted to run Pebbles in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, we had a great chance, but would have to pay a large sum of money to get her in the race.

“I knew I had to train her for the race and travelling over she was absolutely fine. Come On The Blues travelled over with her and the two of them stood together like they were in their stalls at home. The journey was a piece of cake really and Jock Brown also – CLIVE travelled with her and knew the filly inside out.

“Once they were settled in at Aqueduct, she would just canter in behind Come On The Blues and walk around the barns, so the American racing public didn’t get to see very much of her.

“But the American media still gave her a lot of coverage because she was the favourite for the race. The latched on to the boyfriend angle of Come On The Blues and the story really appealed to them and Pebbles became well known to them and touched their hearts.”

As the race neared, once again those doubts of stamina manifested, as Pebbles was set to tackle a mile and a half for the first time.

“Pat and I were convinced she would stay though and she was drawn fourteen and there was no way we were going to

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go around the outside, so we planned to drop in on the inside and track them.”

As Teleprompter set off in his familiar front running style, Pat took Pebbles to the inside rail where she settled nicely, albeit several lengths off the lead and behind a wall of horses.

As the horses raced down the back straight and towards the final turn, the commentator excitedly proclaimed that the filly was making ground but needed racing room. Then, as the field swung into the home straight, all of Clive’s and Pat’s prayers were answered as the most divine gap opened up on the rails.

Teleprompter and Greinton faded and in an instant, Pebbles had responded to Pat’s urgings, producing that brilliant burst of speed to take the lead. However, the filly was in unchartered territory, having never raced more than ten furlongs before.

Having shot a couple of lengths clear of the field the worry was that the tank might empty and sure enough, a challenger emerged from the pack to chase down the leader.

It was no less than Steve Cauthen, who had partnered Pebbles in the Eclipse Stakes – and was now bearing down BRITTAIN on the chestnut filly, aboard the Australian challenger Strawberry Road.

But Pebbles held on, to become the UK’s first Breeders’ Cup winner and “England’s Super Filly” as she flashed past the brilliantly illuminated winning line.

Was Clive worried when Pebbles hit the front so early in the home straight?

“I was a little worried we’d hit the front too soon but it was the way the race worked out. The thing is that with a jockey like Pat Eddery or Ryan Moore, you never have to worry, because they never worry during a race.”

Pebbles’ globe-trotting performance made history and whilst the years are advancing, the memories of this filly at Newmarket and Aqueduct have never remotely faded, which is testament to both horse and trainer.

I was a little worried we’d hit the front too soon but it was the way the race worked out. The thing is that with a jockey like Pat Eddery or Ryan Moore, you never have to worry, because they never worry during a race

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Memory Lane LUCA CUMANI REMEMBERS BARATHEA

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Mentally he was a very mature horse but physically he did very well over the winter – too well perhaps, and he needed the run badly in the Craven Stakes – LUCA CUMANI

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uca Cumani had already made his mark in North American racing before the advent of the Breeders’ Cup in 1984. A year earlier Cumani’s Guineas runner-up Tolomeo had crossed the Atlantic to conquer an international field in the Arlington Budweiser Million.

Further success had followed in 1988 with Infamy and Sudden Love in the Canadian International Stakes and E.P. Taylor Stakes respectively.

But it was in 1994, that Cumani first tasted Breeders’ Cup success with a colt of rare vintage: Barathea.

The success of Barathea at Churchill Downs came at a time when Breeders’ Cup races were proving elusive for British-based trainers and it proved the seal on a very classy racecourse career.

Barathea was bred by Cumani’s long-time friend Gerald Leigh – and he was blue-blooded in the truest sense, being by the outstanding Sadler’s Wells, out of Leigh’s talented mare Brocade.

“He came to me as a yearling and was a very beautiful horse, but you never know what you have got until they race,” Cumani recalls.

“We gradually stepped him up into fast work from around August time and he made a winning debut at Newmarket in early October. He was a lovely big horse and I was keen not to rush him.”

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stage, the trainer felt he had a Classic prospect on his hands.

“We knew in those two Newmarket races that he was going to be a Classic candidate and as with all of our horses, we started to increase his work rate from February,” Cumani remembers.

The first target would be the Craven Stakes at Newmarket in April, often seen as the perfect trial for the 2,000 Guineas.

“Mentally he was a very mature horse but physically he did very well over the winter – too well perhaps, and he needed the run badly in the Craven Stakes.”

It was an enthralling race to watch, but the unbeaten record of Barathea was lost as he finished fourth to Emperor Jones; albeit only beaten by ¾ of a length in a blanket finish.

“It was disappointing,” says Cumani, “but it was only meant to be a preparation race and what really mattered was the Guineas.”

The 1993 2,000 Guineas was run to a dramatic backdrop, as thunder roared and lightning fizzed around the Rowley Mile.

A field of 14 went to post and Cumani remembers just how the race played out: “There were no excuses on the day. I remember coming to the Bushes thinking that we were in with a good chance; but then I spotted Zafonic and how well he was travelling and thought that the writing was on the wall!”

So it proved, as Zafonic and Pat Eddery scythed through the field, for a hugely impressive, power-packed finish, beating Barathea by 3 ½ lengths, with a further 3 lengths back to the third, Bin Ajwaad.

Whilst Barathea had been beaten on the day, his effort was a top class one, with hindsight against an outstanding colt.

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BREEDERS’ CUP MEMORY LANE Having come out of the Guineas well, Barathea was set to travel for the first time for his next start.

“The decision to run in the Irish 2,000 Guineas was a very easy one to make. I always saw him as a miler and he was trying to win a Classic,” Cumani says.

At the Curragh, Cumani fielded not only Barathea, but his inferior stable companion Fitzcarraldo. With two furlongs to race, Fitzcarraldo was still very much to the fore, but Barathea gradually started to pull back the leaders, hitting the front just before the furlong pole, but not accelerating away.

Down the outside Fatherland and Lester Piggott hit top gear but Barathea and Michael Roberts had first-run and held off the late challenge by a head.

It might have been workmanlike rather than spectacular, but Barathea had done it and was a Classic winner. Cumani felt there were plenty of reasons for the manner of the victory: “I think it had to do with the pace of the race which was not very strong; while the ground was possibly a little on the soft side for him. He preferred a faster surface.”

Whilst Cumani felt a mile was Barathea’s optimum trip, the colt was given his chance in the Epsom Derby in June, running a creditable race to finish fifth to Commander In Chief. The Newmarket trainer felt that his charge had better grounds for staying in the 10 furlong Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park in July, but he finished 5 lengths fifth to the leading middle distance colt that year, Opera House.

Barathea then dropped back to a mile and ran well to finish 1 ¾ lengths fourth to the top class French colt Kingmambo in the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp, but found the ground against him when 1 ½ lengths second to another French colt, Bigstone, in the Queen Elizabeth IInd Stakes at Ascot in late September.

After a busy campaign, Barathea was to travel Stateside for the prestigious Breeders’ Cup Mile, which had to that point eluded British-trained horses.

“As a three year old he had not had much time for a break and he ran nearly every month of that season,” Cumani recalls. “He had a wide draw at Santa Anita and wasn’t a fast starter in his races.

“Gary Stevens sent him from the gates for a better position and he met the first bend too fast and went far too wide.”

Given the long season he had endured and his lack of experience on American circuits, in the circumstances Barathea’s 4 ½ lengths fifth to Lure was not a bad effort at all – and he included Bigstone among those who finished behind him.

Afterwards it was soon announced that Barathea would be back in action in 1994 as a Classic-winning four year old.

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“It was always on the cards (that he would stay in training) as he was a progressive horse. The best was yet to come,” states Cumani.

Back in the early 1990s the Mile Division was not overloaded with Group 1 contests and with the Lockinge Stakes holding Group 2 status, Cumani elected to patiently wait for the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, for Barathea’s seasonal debut.

It was a ploy that worked perfectly as Barathea beat his

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The Breeders’ Cup is one of the major races of the year alongside the Derby, King George VI & Queen Elizabeth and the Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe, so at the time it was the pinnacle – LUCA CUMANI

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old rival Emperor Jones by a neck in a thrilling contest.

The following month it was decided that Barathea would take the unconventional drop to six furlongs for the July Cup, in a bid to emulate another of Sheikh Mohamed’s former colts Soviet Star.

“He showed the speed of a good horse, but he was not a natural sprinter,” Cumani remembers, as Barathea ran 1 ¼ lengths fourth to Owington.

A much better run followed in the Sussex Stakes as Barathea duelled with the Sir Henry Cecil colt Distant View, running ½ a length second in a vintage field that also contained Grand Lodge, Sayyedati , Mister Baileys and Bigstone.

After a disappointing run in the Prix du Jacques Le Marois behind East Of The Moon, Barathea returned to Ascot for the 1994 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and one of the upsets of the season.

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MEMORY LANE BREEDERS’ CUP “The pacemaker Maroof was 10 lengths in front of the field and we just never caught him,” Cumani recalls. Once again, the rain-softened ground played its part in Barathea’s downfall, but the next stop was Churchill Downs.

“The Churchill Downs track was similar to Santa Anita, seven furlongs round. Our preparation went much better as a replica of the exact bend was built here in Newmarket for the first time and we were able to give him a couple of spins,” he says.

Frankie Dettori was set to replace Mick Kinane on Barathea and he worked on him in Newmarket and sat on him once in his preparations Stateside.

This time around Barathea was an improved colt with a better preparation – and a better draw, with Cumani drawing up a tactical masterpiece for his young jockey.

“He had a good inside draw and it was a question of settling well behind the leaders. He got away better and was good enough to be in the second group of horses, just behind the leaders. With the practice, at Churchill Downs he cornered as if he was on rails.”

Dominant Prospect and Unfinished Symph took the field around the first bend with Dettori and Barathea holding the inside berth in fourth place and cornering beautifully.

Racing down the back straight, Dettori moved off the rail and sat patiently behind the two leaders and moved up as Dominant Prospect turned into the home straight.

Inside the final furlong Dettori asked Barathea for his effort and the colt responded well to quicken past Unfinished Symph and quickly draw a couple of lengths clear.

From further back Johann Quatz finished fast to gain second place, but he was fully three lengths behind Barathea and Frankie Dettori, who raised his right arm to the heavens and punched the air repeatedly in celebration.

It was the perfect end to a career that had yielded five victories, including a Classic and a Breeders’ Cup success, and over £833,000 in prize money.

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Barathea certainly was my best miler, although when it comes to comparing against the likes of Falbrav and my Derby winners Kahyasi and High Rise, it is much harder to compare as they performed over difference distance – LUCA CUMANI

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For Luca Cumani, it was the crowning moment in a super career for his four year old: “The Breeders’ Cup is one of the major races of the year alongside the Derby, King George VI & Queen Elizabeth and the Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe, so at the time it was the pinnacle.”

Down the years Luca Cumani has trained some great milers, including the likes of: Bairn, Half A Year, Markofdistinction, Second Set, Starcraft, Then Again and Tolomeo, so it comes as rich praise indeed, that he rates Barathea as the leader of this group.

“Barathea certainly was my best miler, although when it comes to comparing against the likes of Falbrav and my Derby winners Kahyasi and High Rise, it is much harder to compare as they performed over difference distances.

“I trained quite a few of his progeny but I never had a really good one. As a stallion he was not a huge success but he was not a disappointment either and his fillies often did well at stud. Generally speaking he produced nice big horses,” Cumani concludes.

To learn more about Luca Cumani’s career and for the latest news from Bedford House Stables, please visit www.lucacumani.com.

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FEATURE THE HORSE COMES FIRST

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The Horse Comes First at the BHA

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dvances in equine science, greater education of individuals both within and outside of racing and a greater awareness of equine welfare are helping to raise standards to unprecedented levels within horse racing.

At the forefront of this drive is the British Horse Racing Authority initiative ‘The Horse Comes First’, which over the past three years has helped to change opinions but also reduce incidents of injury on the racetrack.

Course Specialist was privileged to recently catch up with Robin Mounsey, Head of Communications at the BHA, to find out more about this fantastic concept and how it has been put successfully into practice.

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THE HORSE COMES FIRST FEATURE WHO IS INVOLVED IN THE HORSE COMES FIRST AND HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE EMPLOYED? The Horse Comes First campaign does not have any direct employees, but is instead supported by the entire Racing industry. The project board consists of the BHA, Racecourse Association (RCA), Racehorse Owners Association (ROA), Professional Jockey’s Association (PJA), National Trainers Federation (NTF), The Jockey Club and Arena Racing Company (ARC). We have also received valuable support from the PR agency PLMR who have been responsible for much of the campaign’s activity.

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WHEN AND HOW DID THE HORSE COMES FIRST INITIATIVE COME TO FRUITION, WHOSE IDEA WAS IT AND WHAT WAS THE EQUINE CARE ENVIRONMENT LIKE BEFOREHAND? The Horse Comes First campaign was originally proposed by the BHA back in 2013, but it was officially launched in December of that year, not just as a BHA campaign but with the support of the entire racing industry.

British Racing has a track record to be proud of, being among the world’s best regulated animal activities, and recognised as a world leader on horse welfare. However, the sport was often coming under attack in this area, an where it should be at its strongest, and we found that the sport was not as well-prepared as it should be to defend itself.

As such the purpose of the Horse Comes First campaign was to make the sport better prepared and better able to insulate itself against these attacks and to communicate better the exceptionally high standards of welfare that exist within the sport. It’s purpose is to communicate to the racing public and industry important facts such as that the fatality rate in British Racing has reduced by 1/3 in the last 20 years, down to just 0.2%, that the sport employs around 6,500 people whose job it is to care for the 14,000 horses in training, and that the sport has invested over £32m into equine science and veterinary research since the year 2000, which benefits the entire breed of horses in Britain. course-specialist.co.uk

WHAT ARE THE DAY TO DAY ACTIVITIES THAT THE HORSE COMES FIRST IS INVOLVED IN? ARE YOU INVOLVED IN REGULATORY ACTIVITY? The campaign is not a regulatory campaign, but a promotional one. The idea is to get the message out to our sport and its participants about the high welfare standards that exist. In doing so we become better prepared to defend ourselves, and we also make advocates of our own participants.

The vast majority of the activity is online, either via the campaign’s twitter account @horsecomesfirst or the websitehttp://www.thehorsecomesfirst.com/ where we will flag up stories that showcase the high standards of care within the sport. We also have a presence on most British racecourses in the form of racecard adverts, posters and a beautiful video which you can finds on that website. However, we will also run higher profile set piece campaigns such as the Horse Comes First racedays.

WAS THERE A MODEL FOR AN ORGANISATION OF THIS TYPE OR HAVE YOU CREATED A MODEL FROM SCRATCH? The campaign itself was created from scratch, but by individuals who have experience of running complex and large scale promotional campaigns. Horseracing is a unique sport with specific challenges and the campaign was tailored to meet those challenges.

WHAT ROLE DOES PARTNERSHIP PLAY IN THE HORSE COMES FIRST AND WHO ARE YOU PARTNERED WITH (AND IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU WORK TOGETHER)?

Our partnerships with the sport’s major stakeholders is the key to the Horse Comes First’s existence. We are supported by the major bodies within the sport, by means of financial backing or, for example, by the support that racecourses provide to us in racecards and on CCTV. •

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FEATURE THE HORSE COMES FIRST

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HOW HAS THE ROLE/ACTIVITY OF THE HORSE COMES FIRST EVOLVED OVER TIME? WHAT DOES THE NEXT TWELVE MONTHS HOLD IN STORE FOR THE HORSE COMES FIRST IN TERMS OF INVESTMENT AND ACTIVITIES? We’ve learned what campaigns have worked well and which haven’t and tailored our activity to suit. However, we are now considering the scope of the campaign and whether now is the time to increase the level of activity, and whether we should be more ambitious in our scope – for now we have just been focusing on our own parish, but we must now consider whether we can broaden that out and get our

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strong welfare message out to the general public. Obviously that needs more time and resource, but we are considering our options on this front.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN CONTRIBUTORY FACTORS THAT GIVE CAUSE FOR CONCERN WITHIN THE RACING INDUSTRY AND BEYOND? Other than, say, an outbreak of equine disease which could shut the sport down overnight, we class the perception of equine welfare as one of the sport’s main risks, which is why constantly improving welfare standards is the BHA’s number one strategic objective. Britain is a national of horse lovers •

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THE HORSE COMES FIRST FEATURE We will be especially keen to carry this out if we take the step to extend the scope of the campaign out to reach the wider, non-racing public.

One measure that we do put in place is to ascertain industry awareness of the campaign, which is good, and to see how often we see the Horse Comes First’s messaging permeating industry communications on the topic. It is pleasing how often we see, for example, racecourses quoting from the campaign messaging when they are challenged on welfare standards. This is a measure of the success of the scheme.

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and should the British public ever lose faith in the sport’s welfare standards then the sport would be at risk. We all know that those welfare standards are second to none and that thoroughbreds are, probably, the best cared for 2% of horses in the country – however, that counts for very little if the public aren’t aware of this. This is why the campaign is so important.

WHAT HAVE BEEN THE MOST SUCCESSFUL INITIATIVES TO DATE UNDER THE HORSE COMES FIRST BANNER? Our recent Horse Comes First raceday, the third annual event, was the biggest and best so far. It was based primarily at Newbury but also supported by Great Yarmouth, Southwell and Chelmsford City. Activities on-course included a “painted horse” which shows the fascinating anatomy of a racehorse and a parade of former racehorses who have now been rehomed and retrained to other careers by the sport’s charity Retraining of Racehorses.

We also partner with welfare organisations The RSPCA, World Horse Welfare, the British Horse Society and Retraining of Racehorses under the banner of The Horse Comes First in a stall at the Grand National meeting, where all these organisations can talk about the high welfare standards that exist within the sport. This stall is always a huge success.

ARE THERE ANY STATISTICS TO UNDERLINE THE IMPACT THAT THE HORSE COMES FIRST HAS MADE ON RACING? It is something that is hard to quantify, but we are keen to do more evaluation in the future, which can be carried out by polling of the public and their views on welfare within racing. course-specialist.co.uk

IN TERMS OF OVERALL RATINGS FOR RACING EQUINE HEALTHCARE WHERE DOES BRITISH RACING RANK GLOBALLY (OF THERE ARE STATISTICS)?

It is very hard to rank nations on their levels of equine care, but we are aware that British Racing is viewed in many places as trail blazers and leaders when it comes to caring for our animals. The standard expected of our participants, the extent of investment we put into the care of our horses and developments such as our leading on tightening our whip rules has shown that British Racing certainly does put the horse first.

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FEATURE RANDOX HEALTH

GETTING TO KNOW RANDOX HEALTH NEW SPONSORS OF THE GRAND NATIONAL

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RANDOX HEALTH FEATURE

ext April, a new name will be sponsoring the Grand National, as Randox Health increases its branding and aligns its support to the world’s greatest steeplechase.

The Randox brand has been in existence for well over 30 years and racing fans will already recognise the name from its sponsorship of two major races at Cheltenham’s Showcase Meeting in October, as well as the recent announcement of 20-times Champion Jockey AP McCoy, linking up with the company as an official ambassador.

Course Specialist was privileged to recently catch up with Dr Peter FitzGerald, Founder and Managing Director at Randox Health, to find out more about the company, its history, its services and of course its interest in horse racing.

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FEATURE RANDOX HEALTH SO WHO ARE RANDOX AND WHAT DO THEY DO? We’re the new sponsors for the world’s greatest race, of course! But our main job is improving healthcare through innovative blood-science diagnostics.

It sounds complicated, but it actually takes place every day behind the scenes of GP surgeries and hospitals. Around 70% of all medical decisions are based on laboratory results, and so, not surprisingly, we believe that earlier, accurate and accessible diagnostics are the key to improving global health and saving lives. We also believe in the power of preventive health – by using a comprehensive portfolio of Randox tests to understand your current health, you will know what you need to do to secure your future health.

WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF THE COMPANY? While conducting research at Queen’s University Belfast, I committed much of my spare time looking for a niche in the biomedical product market. I subsequently established Randox in 1982 in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, to address the need for accurate and readily available diagnostic tests to improve patient diagnosis. At that time, doctors only conducted a handful of tests per patient, but now, more than 30 years later, Randox has developed and improved hundreds of tests, with hundreds more in development.

HOW HAS THE COMPANY EVOLVED AND GROWN SINCE IT LAUNCHED AND WHAT PRODUCTS AND SERVICES DOES IT PROVIDE TODAY? We are very proud of our global penetration – today, approximately 5% of the world’s population receives medical diagnoses using products from Randox. That equates to about 370 million people.

We also supply 10% of the world’s cholesterol tests, so if you’ve ever had your cholesterol checked, then there’s a 1 in 10 chance that it was performed using a Randox product! The Randox ethos of improving healthcare, which drove me to start the company in the 1980s, continues today – up to 16% of our turnover is reinvested in research and development to enable our scientists to work on pioneering research in a range of common

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illnesses such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease. We have also spent more than £220 million developing our patented Randox Biochip. This state-of-the-art biochip technology has revolutionised the diagnostics industry because it allows multiple tests to be carried out from a single, undivided patient sample on a single testing platform. Innovations such as this have seen the company grow from a small team of two scientists, to 1400 employees of 44 nationalities, including 400 research scientists and engineers.

WHO AND WHERE ARE YOUR CUSTOMERS? Randox’s focus has traditionally been on healthcare providers, so we have placed our products and services in hospitals, clinics, research and molecular laboratories, food testing, forensic toxicology, life sciences and veterinary laboratories. With the establishment of our consumer brand, Randox Health, we are now offering our innovative tests directly to the consumer in our Randox Health clinics, currently located in London and Belfast.

We have ambitious plans to roll out a number of new clinics across the United Kingdom and internationally, including Liverpool, Manchester, Edinburgh, Dublin, Los Angeles and Dubai, over the coming months and years.

WHERE ARE YOU HEADQUARTERED AND WHAT IS YOUR GEOGRAPHICAL REACH? Our headquarters are in Crumlin, in County Antrim, Northern Ireland – close to Belfast International Airport. However, we are a global company and currently have offices and distribution outlets in 145 countries, with manufacturing and R&D capabilities in 4 jurisdictions across 3 continents. Over the next few years we will be relocating our headquarters to the Randox Science Park in Antrim; a £161 million project which will accelerate the development of new products into a wide range of clinical needs, including various cancers, stroke, heart disease and neurodegenerative disorders. This state of the art biotechnology hub, the development of which is well underway, will create a further 540 positions at Randox and will house a Randox Health Transformative Healthcare Centre.

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RANDOX HEALTH FEATURE WHAT ARE THE BIG ISSUES WITHIN THE HEALTH SECTOR? Our key observation across the globe is that within healthcare the pressure on resources means there is a focus on the “management of sickness,” rather than preventive care. We know that a focus on early diagnosis and preventive care will improve patient outcomes and reduce the burden on healthcare systems. Making that paradigm shift is a major challenge. That’s why Randox Health was established – to allow the consumer direct access to our innovative technologies.

WHAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE AT RANDOX HEALTH? The Randox Health philosophy is that preventive healthcare and early diagnosis are the key to improving quality of life and saving lives. Instead of waiting to address well established symptoms, it

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is important to take a preventive approach to your wellbeing, and to focus on maintaining good health.

From one single patient sample, our scientists can analyse over 350 different indicators of your body’s wellbeing and provide you with a comprehensive understanding of your body – to spot illnesses early, take preventive action, and know what to do to secure your future health.

DOES RANDOX HEALTH HAVE A HISTORY OF SPORTS SPONSORSHIP PRIOR TO THE GRAND NATIONAL? We are a Northern Irish-based company where equestrian sports are part of the local community and sports scene. We have a history of being involved in equestrian events, hosting the Randox Point-toPoint event for our local community every year, and for many years we have hosted an International Polo Tournament in Scotland. This year for the first time

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FEATURE RANDOX HEALTH we also hosted a Polo Tournament in Bushmills, on the Causeway Coast of Northern Ireland. We see the move from grass-roots horse racing, to the Randox Health Grand National, the world’s greatest race, as representative of our impressive ambition. We also have wider sporting interests and now sponsor the Royal Ulster Yacht Club, Olympic Sailor Matt McGovern, and Professional Boxer Marc McCullough.

WHAT IS YOUR LINK TO HORSE RACING? I come from a rural area of Northern Ireland, where equestrian events are part of the local sports scene, and my family have always owned horses.

Our connections within the equestrian scene have enabled Randox to host the Point-to-Point and Polo events, and I myself am a keen Polo player.

DOES RANDOX HEALTH PROVIDE ANY SERVICES TO THE RACING INDUSTRY? Yes! Randox has various links to the racing industry.

Our extensive range of Randox Reagents are renowned for their quality in the measurement of biomarkers (naturally occurring molecules or genes within the body which reflect particular characteristics of your health and wellbeing).

A number of these tests have been optimised specifically for Equine Health, and are used by veterinary laboratories to improve their equine diagnostics. Our Randox Food Diagnostics division also ensures the safety of horse feed by screening the food for harmful mycotoxins, and Randox Testing Services screens for the improper use of drugs to protect the safety of animals and ensure races are won on the animals’ and the jockeys’ natural abilities.

partnership of the Randox Health Grand National, as well as a wider Official Partnership with The Jockey Club. Randox Health is raising awareness of healthcare and this sponsorship offers us a major platform to promote preventive healthcare and encourage people to take control of their health and wellbeing. Sponsoring the Randox Health Grand National, with its viewing figures of 600 million people globally gives us the opportunity to speak directly to a massive worldwide audience.

WHAT MARKETING ACTIVITIES IS RANDOX HEALTH UNDERTAKING IN THE BUILD-UP TO THE GRAND NATIONAL? In addition to our Brand Activation at Aintree and all other Jockey Club racecourses, our marketing activity will be focusing on the roll-out of our new UK and international clinics. The promotion of these clinics will be optimised by our partnership with our new Randox Health Brand Ambassador, Sir AP McCoy.

HOW DID THE GRAND NATIONAL SPONSORSHIP COME TO FRUITION? HOW LONG IS THIS FOR AND WHAT WILL IT ENTAIL? The world’s most famous race was looking for an equally progressive partner, and they found it in Randox Health. Randox is all about people’s health and wellbeing, and the Randox Health Grand National truly is the people’s race – what a perfect fit. The Jockey Club and Randox Health have agreed an initial five-year agreement for the headline

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HOW EXCITED IS RANDOX HEALTH TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH SUCH A PRESTIGIOUS AND HISTORICAL SPORTING EVENT? We are incredibly proud that our company is taking to the world’s stage as we partner the world’s greatest race. We are excited that this partnership will promote a positive lifestyle whilst bringing enjoyment to millions of people.

Our health is our most valuable commodity – by staying healthy we can enjoy life to the full and enjoy days out with family and friends to events such as the Randox Health Grand National.

WILL RANDOX STAFF BE ATTENDING GRAND NATIONAL DAY AT AINTREE OR CELEBRATING IN SOME OTHER WAY? A number of members of the Randox team who have been involved in the Randox Health Grand National sponsorship will of course be attending Aintree in April – to see the fruits of their labour! Additionally, we will use the event course-specialist.co.uk

as an opportunity for corporate hospitality so will be inviting a number of key customers, and their Randox Sales Representatives, to experience a day and an atmosphere like no other at the world’s greatest race. We will also be engaging with our staff across our many different sites in the UK and throughout the globe to enable them to celebrate with us as we take to the world’s stage on Saturday 8th April 2017.

HOW CAN PEOPLE FIND OUT MORE ABOUT RANDOX HEALTH’S RANGE OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES? You can find out more about Randox Health by visiting the website www.randoxhealth.com, or by following our social media pages.

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REVIEW NEWMARKET RACECOURSE 2016

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NEWMARKET RACECOURSE 2016 REVIEW

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t the Dubai Future Champions Festival, Newmarket Racecourse brought to a conclusion its celebrations commemorating the 350th anniversary of racing in the Suffolk town.

Course Specialist has been privileged to witness many magical memories being created during 2016 and our huge thanks go to the Newmarket Racecourses team, from Amy Starkey, Michael Prosser and Olivier Hills, to the brilliant team of friendly racecourse staff, who always make a visit so welcoming.

Back in February, Course Specialist was privileged to attend the prestigious and inspiring Jockey Club Rooms, as the We Are 350 initiative was unveiled, outlining a wide variety of activities that were set to take place throughout racing at the two racecourses, during 2016.

In April, the season got underway under cloudy, rainy skies, with the Craven Meeting fantastically restored to three days. Nathra put down an early marker for the 1,000 Guineas with victory in a rainy Nell Gwyn Stakes, while Ibn Malik and Mahsoob were big early season winners for Shadwell in the European Free Handicap and Earl Of Sefton Stakes.

The big race of the week was the Craven Stakes, which got proceedings off to a bang, as a tremendous clap of thunder, surely loud enough to compete with Krakatoa’s eruption, was met with a lightning strike to the grandstand.

Consequently, racegoers watched Stormy Antarctic win the Craven in eerie silence, with the public address system and giant screens rendered powerless.

Among the other stars to make their mark at this rich meeting and later in the season were: Air Pilot, Gifted Master, Magical Memory, Muntahaa, Swiss Range, Thikriyaat, Ventura Storm and Wings Of Desire.

Racegoers were also treated to a number of high profile stars exercising before racing, including: Buratino, Galileo Gold, Jack Hobbs, Massaat and Lumiere, who all galloped in public, ahead of the Guineas meeting. course-specialist.co.uk

Just over two weeks later, Newmarket staged the QIPCO Guineas Festival, where the We Are 350 celebrations got underway.

The weekend included a fly past by a Spitfire from the nearby Duxford Imperial War Museum, signifying the fact that Newmarket was able to continue racing during the two World Wars, while a replica Spitfire was located on the Hyperion Lawn, with racegoers having the opportunity to sit inside the cockpit of this historic aircraft.

Newmarket Racecourse also opened its official 350 Time Capsule, a ceremony accompanied by a speciallycommissioned poem, which will be read by Henry Birtles.

The celebrations included family-orientated activities, including a bouncy castle and giant inflatable slide, plus facepainting in the family enclosure.

But the activities also had an element of education and interaction, with the opportunity for families to get up close and personal to areal racehorse as QIPCO British Champions Series will have the “Meet the Racehorse” stable.

In addition, the Gallop Through History exhibition, accompanying the official launch of 350 years of making history, was be unveiled at the QIPCO Guineas Festival.

The first Classic of the 2016 season fittingly went to a local trainer as Hugo Palmer’s Galileo Gold, under a fine ride from Frankie Dettori, beat Massaat and Ribchester in the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas.

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REVIEW NEWMARKET RACECOURSE 2016 Profitable underlined his sprinting credentials for the year with victory in the Palace House Stakes, while Hawkbill signalled his emerging talent, which later saw him win at Royal Ascot before landing the Group 1 Coral Eclipse Stakes.

In the Jockey Club Stakes, Sir Michael Stoute’s Exosphere beat a high-class field of older horses that included Simple Verse and Jack Hobbs.

On the Sunday, the action focussed on the fillies, as Minding brilliantly won the QIPCO 1,000 Guineas, leading home a remarkable 1-2-3 for her trainer Aidan O’Brien, with Ballydoyle second and Alice Springs third.

Andre Fabre struck an early season blow for France as the talented filly Unsherette beat a good field of fillies and mares in the Dahlia Stakes, including Arabian Queen. Swiss Range confirmed the promise of her Craven Meeting win by following up in the Pretty Polly Stakes.

A couple of weeks later, Newmarket staged a family fun day on the Rowley Mile, with pony rides and a variety of activities for children and adults.

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Thikriyaat was perhaps the big star on show as he added another Newmarket victory to his unbeaten record. He would later go on to finish second in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, before winning a valuable Group 3 contest at Goodwood.

As summer began to bloom, the action switched to the July Course in late June – although the weather on that day was more akin to April, as memories of that thunder storm at the Craven Stakes were evoked.

Torrential rain turned the ground to an unseasonal heavy, but that was not enough to stop the likes of Breton Rock and Nations Alexander.

Remarkably, just a few days later, a quality-packed Moet & Chandon July Festival, three days of fantastic racing and social interaction, began on good summer ground.

The meeting began with further significant homage paid to the 350th anniversary.

The Newmarket Town Plate was staged before the first race and went the way of HH Sheikh Fahad Al Thani of Qatar on Almagest, who was on hand afterwards to unveil a statue of King Charles II, the founding father of horse racing in Newmarket and in particular the Town Plate.

On the racetrack, the first race of the meeting was the Bahrain Trophy, a St Leger Trial, which went the way of Housesofparliament, who beat Platitude. But it was Harbour Law who would go on to Classic glory, creating history in the process.

Dancing Star underlined her sprinting credentials and would later win the Stewards’ Cup, while Mehmas was a classy winner of the July Stakes and Big Orange won his second Princess Of Wales’s Stakes.

Day Two saw Roly Poly underline her merits as a leading two year old filly, while her trainer Aidan O’Brien saddled a double, courtesy of the improving Alice Springs, who put up a superb performance to win the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes.

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NEWMARKET RACECOURSE 2016 REVIEW September saw racing return to the Rowley Mile, but was also a significant time for the town, as the ever-popular 32Red Newmarket Open Weekend took place, bringing greater volumes of visitors to the town than before.

For the first time, the new National Heritage Centre for Horse Racing and Sporting Art opened its doors to the public for taster tours, where the likes of African Story, Our Vic, Papineau, Prince Bishop and Walk On were on hand to meet a doting audience.

Among the other attractions were racing celebrity show jumping, a food and drink festival, the opportunity to visit the gallops, Tattersalls (also celebrating its 250th anniversary this year), the National Stud and Animal Health Hospital.

The final day of the Festival was of course centred around the Group 1 Darley July Cup. Henry Candy saddled two in the race and his talented four year old Limato stormed to a brilliant victory, relishing good fast ground. He would later add the Group 1 Prix de la Foret.

Boynton and War Decree fought out the finish to the Group 2 Superlative Stakes, marking themselves down as two year old colts of note, while the Marco Botti trained Golden Steps won the Bunbury Cup. A month later we were back at the July Course for Sweet Solera Stakes Day and another card brimful of high class racing. This was also Royal British Legion Day at Newmarket.

Sir Mark Prescott’s three year old colt St Michel was an impressive winner and would go on to further success as the season progressed, while Frankel’s son Majoris looked an exciting prospect.

But it was the two year old fillies who had the main focus, as Wuheida made an exciting winning debut in the maiden, beating another smart filly in Spatial, who would later win another Newmarket maiden. Wuheida would go on to land the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac at Chantilly on Arc Day. The big race was the Group 3 Sweet Solera Stakes, which saw Nations Alexander win her second pattern race of the year at the July Course.

As summer progressed, Newmarket Nights enjoyed packed-out crowds to see performers like Little Mix, Kaiser Chiefs, Tears For Fears, Jess Lynne and Will Young entertain, while plenty of useful, well-bred two year olds contested some interesting Friday night maidens.

Frankie Dettori achieved a landmark 3,000th winner on the July Course aboard Predilection in August. At the final meeting of the year on the summer track, Brian Meehan’s Windfast proved fastest. course-specialist.co.uk

Discover Newmarket laid on some fabulous behind the scenes tours of the racecourse, while an ensemble of Newmarket trainers bravely took their hand at the microphone to call home the winners on a fine afternoon of racing.

On the Sunday of course, the public came in their thousands to visits many of Newmarket’s historic training yards, with trainers hailing the event an unmitigated success once again.

The following week, and the racing stepped up a level as Newmarket’s Golden Season kicked into full effect with the three-day Cambridgeshire Meeting.

The action began on the Thursday, with an exciting Frankel colt called Eminent making his mark in a maiden. Richard Hannon’s Larchmont Lad won the big race on the day, the Tattersalls Stakes, leaving connections dreaming of a return to the Rowley Mile next May for the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas.

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REVIEW NEWMARKET RACECOURSE 2016 There was further success for Aidan O’Brien – and a portent for the form of the Ballydoyle maestro’s horses, when Cougar Mountain ran out a convincing winner of the Group 2 Joel Stakes.

Cambridgeshire Day was then upon us, with a raft of top class two year old races and the annual cavalry charge up the Rowley Mile for the first leg of the Autumn Double.

The Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes was won by the impressive Best of Days, who beat the staying on The Anvil, to give Godolphin an exciting prospect for 2017.

Many people had turned up for a sight of the exciting and hitherto unbeaten American filly Lady Aurelia, who had been galloping regularly on the Rowley Mile course, ahead of the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes.

Up against her were the first and second from the Lowther Stakes, the Frankel filly Queen Kindly and Roly Poly who had won on the July Course earlier in the summer.

But it was the Royal Ascot winner Brave Anna, who caused a shock, beating Roly Poly in an Aidan O’Brien onetwo, as Lady Aurelia’s run came to an end.

The juvenile colts then took centre stage in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes, where the redoubtable The Last Lion gave Mark Johnston another big race victory. This admirable horse had won the Brocklesby Stakes back at the start of the turf season and had never missed a beat all year, with a string of brave performances. He beat off the challenge of the much-vaunted Godolphin colt Blue Point, to give his rider, Joe Fanning, a first Group 1 victory, on his 46th birthday!

Then came the Cambridgeshire and a massive field of handicappers, hurtling down the Rowley Mile. Spark Plug hurtled fasted of all on the stands side, to give Brian Meehan another big Newmarket moment in 2016.

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The action continued thick and fast and a week later, racing reconvened at Newmarket for the Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes. Alice Springs, who had won the Falmouth Stakes in July, added the Group 1 Matron Stakes at Leopardstown over Irish Champions Weekend.

© Ed Byrne

She added a third Group 1 for the year with a battling victory over Always Smile, having started out in the spring by running third to her illustrious stable mate Minding, in the QIPCO 1,000 Guineas.

The Aidan O’Brien Indian Summer continued the next day when he saddled the first three home in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly, capping a magnificent weekend.

His form remained rampant just four days later, when Rhododendron beat her stable mate Hydrangea in the Group 1 Dubai Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket, becoming a leading candidate for next year’s QIPCO 1,000 Guineas.

The diminutive grey filly Mrs Danvers made it five wins from as many starts as she stormed to victory for Jonathan Portman, in the Group 3 Cornwallis Stakes, while Andrew Balding was left dreaming of potential Classic glory as Poet’s Vanity ran out a convincing winner of the Group 3 Oh So Sharp Stakes.

Another popular filly at Newmarket, Lumiere, again ran well, but was just touched off by Aclaim in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes.

The Dubai Future Champions Festival signalled the end of the year’s activities commemorating the 350 years of racing at Newmarket.

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NEWMARKET RACECOURSE 2016 REVIEW Students from Newmarket Academy travelled to the Rowley Mile Racecourse to create a giant “350” at the worldfamous racing headquarters and kick off the start of the meeting. This symbol has been the emblem of the year, as 2016 marks the 350th anniversary of the Home of Horseracing.

The 700 pupils were on hand to fill in the giant numbers for an impressive photograph which will be displayed in the newly opened Newmarket attraction, the National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and Sporting Art later this year.

This photograph was also a thank you to the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, for his generous contribution to both the racing industry and the local community including initiatives such as the Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project.

The Dubai Future Champions Festival marked the official closing ceremony for this celebration with racegoers treated to high quality racing on course as well as great entertainment on course including a pyrotechnic air display and the closing of the 350 time capsule.

The Saturday of racing was met with keen anticipation, with the Cesarewitch and a host of exciting two year old races, culminating in the Group 1 Dubai Dewhurst Stakes, Europe’s championship race for two year old colts.

Goldolphin’s Best Solution proved a gutsy winner of the Group 3 Autumn Stakes, while the unbeaten filly Coronet led home a John Gosden one-two in the Listed Zetland Stakes, beating Cunco and establishing herself as an Oaks candidate for next year.

The Cesarewitch was won by Silvestre De Sousa and Sweet Selection, but once again, the Group 1 spoils went to Aidan O’Brien.

The Dewhurst Stakes is often considered the supreme test for juvenile colts of the highest echelon – and despite appearing boxed in at a crucial moment, Ryan Moore and the exciting Churchill found room – and the colt took off course-specialist.co.uk

to record an impressive victory, crowning himself the year’s Champion Two Year Old Colt.

Once again, O’Brien had a second string to his bow in

this race and Lancaster Bomber, the early pace-setter, stayed on in eye-catching fashion to make it another one-two for the Irish trainer.

Proceedings ended with the improving filly Muffri-Ha winning the Group 3 Darley Stakes for Newmarket handler William Haggas. That race proved to be her swan song as she is set for the paddocks.

And that seems an appropriate note on which to conclude our review of Newmarket’s 2016 year, as the theme has very much been one of reflection on 350 years of creating history, but also one of legacy.

Newmarket works closely with local schools to provide education for hopefully the next generation of racing fans.

Indeed, Dubai Future Champions Education Week brought many school children to the Rowley Mile.

Discover Newmarket (www.discovernewmarket.co.uk) brings thousands of tourists to Newmarket, providing otherwise unattainable privileged access to the gallops, trainers’ yards, the Jockey Club Rooms, the racecourse, the National Stud, Dalham Hall Stud, Frankel tours and many other activities.

But perhaps the most significant element to 2016 has been the opening of the new National Heritage Centre for Horse Racing and Sporting Art – the new home of the National Horse Racing Museum, at Palace House Palace Street, just off the High Street.

This remarkable building will continue to bring Newmarket’s racing heritage to life – and features an important ingredient, the chance to meet and interact with live racehorses.

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WORLD’S HIGHEST PRICED YEARLING IN 2016 ON OPENING DAY OF TATTERSALLS OCTOBER BOOK 1

have not got tired at all. I have not sold for 10 years when we sold ourselves - it has taken me that long to pluck up the courage to sell again!”

THREE TOP A MILLION ON SECOND DAY OF TATTERSALLS OCTOBER BOOK 1 SALE

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A colt by Dubawi topped a strong opening day of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale and became the highest priced yearling in the world this year when selling for 2.6 million guineas. A total of 136 lots sold for a total of 31,240,000 guineas at an average of 229,706 guineas and a median of 145,000 guineas.

A total of 17 lots sold for 500,000 guineas or more.

The highlight of a stellar start to Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale was the DUBAWI colt out of Group 2 Coronation Stakes winner FALLEN FOR YOU who became the highest priced yearling sold in the world this year.

Catalogued as Lot 39, the well-related colt attracted a wide range of international interest that included Australian-based Sun International’s David O’Callaghan, Qatar Bloodstock’s David Redvers, South African owner Markus Jooste and local trainer Roger Varian but it was John Ferguson who won the day with a final bid of 2.6 million guineas.

Norris Bloodstock consigned the sale-topper on behalf of Philippa Cooper’s Normandie Stud and an understandably delighted Cooper enthused: “I can’t thank Liam and Jenny Norris enough. I am full of gratitude to my stud groom Paul Smith and all my staff at Normandie – all I have done is plan the matings!

“The horses have been so well behaved here and

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The second day of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale continued at the same frenetic pace as the opening day, with three lots selling for 1 million guineas or more. The trio were by DUBAWI, GALILEO and FRANKEL, arguably the three most in demand stallions in the world at the moment. Trade on the second day saw a total of 164 lots sell for 26,342,000 guineas at an average of 201,084 guineas and a median of 120,000 guineas.

The top lot on the second day was another son of DUBAWI with John Ferguson signing for the Watership Down Stud offering at 2,100,000 guineas.

The son of the BEAT HOLLOW mare NATURE SPIRITS was bred by the Niarchos family and hails from one of their best families that includes Group 1 winners HERNANDO and JOHANN QUATZ. Ferguson secured the colt after a head-to-head battle with Roger Varian who trains DUBAWI’s best son POSTPONED and was also underbidder on last night’s session-topping DUBAWI. “A number of mares board at Watership Down for the family,” reported stud manager Simon Marsh, “and this horse was born and raised at our farm in Ireland, Kiltinan Castle Stud.

“He has been a delight all the way through and never a day’s problem from a foal through to a yearling. There, of course, was some debate as to whether to keep him and race him, but I think this result has vindicated the decision to sell.”

Few broodmares have been as rewarding to a stud farm as the DANEHILL mare SHASTYE has to her owners Newsells Park Stud. The Listedplaced daughter of the Champion Italian mare SAGANECA is the dam of the Group 2 Middleton Stakes winner and Oaks runner-up SECRET GESTURE as well as to progressive Group 3 winner SIR ISAAC NEWTON who sold at this •

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BLOODSTOCK & SALES NEWS sale back in 2013 for 3,600,000 guineas. So it was no surprise to see the GALILEO own-sister to that pair in great demand with MV Magnier and Sheikh Fahad, owners of SIR ISAAC NEWTON and SECRET GESTURE respectively, going head-tohead with the Qatar Racing principle successful at 1,350,000 guineas.

“She is very similar to Secret Gesture, a bit bigger and a bit stronger,” reported Qatar Racing’s racing manager David Redvers. “Secret Gesture is going to the sales later this autumn in-foal to War Front, so it is great to be able to keep the family.

“She will be broken in with us and then probably follow the same route as her sister.”

When asked of this year’s buying policy Redvers said: “We are selective with our purchases this year. We are buying colts where we think we are thin on the ground in the colts’ division, and buying fillies such as this whom we can’t leave behind. We are trying to build the smartest broodmare band in the country.”

The third of the three lots to top 1 million guineas for the day was the FRANKEL colt out of the dual Group 1 winning PIVOTAL mare PEERESS. The colt was bred and consigned by Cheveley Park Stud, who sold Group 1 Dewhurst

Stakes hopeful SEVEN HEAVENS at this sale last year for 620,000 guineas. He was knocked down to MV Magnier who was stood alongside Mayfair Speculators’ Markus Jooste, for 1,300,000 guineas.

“He is a lovely horse and out of a good racemare,” said Magnier. “Cheveley Park is a great producer and its record speaks for itself. We have got to know the Joostes very well now and they are straight-forward and very decent people, it is a pleasure to work with them.”

“Our policy is to sell all the colts and retain fillies, and though I would have loved to have kept him, we have to stay true to our policy,” smiled stud manager Chris Richardson. “He is bred on the same Frankel/ Pivotal cross as Dewhurst hopeful Seven Heavens, also bred by Cheveley Park.

“It is a compliment to the stud that this horse was bought by MV Magnier, and shows that our breeding policy is working and is truly international. He is a beautiful horse, very powerful and much like his sire, and he is out of a great racemare. She is by Pivotal who is becoming a phenomenal broodmare sire.”

The sale represented the highest price Cheveley Park Stud have achieved at auction when selling a yearling, beating the 620,000 guineas SEVEN HEAVENS yielded last year.

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NEWS BLOODSTOCK & SALES Newmarket-based trainer Roger Varian has been an active participant throughout the two days of the sale and despite being underbidder on the top two lots has still secured eleven yearlings for 4,220,000 guineas. The highest priced of these was the DUBAWI colt out of the RAINBOW QUEST mare SO SILK that he secured for 850,000 guineas.

The colt is a half-brother to the Group 2 Park Hill Stakes winner SILK SARI and a grandson of the Champion Irish 3YO Filly GOSSAMER who hails from the Gerald Leigh family that also includes Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner BARATHEA. “It is fair to say that we’ve given Dubawi some support this week!” joked Varian after successfully outbidding (this time) John Ferguson for this colt.

“This is a lovely horse out of a Rainbow Quest mare and has been bought for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid. We have bought a number for him this week, but not everything we have purchased is for him.

“It has been tough, but we are happy with what we have bought.”

FOUR MORE SEVEN FIGURE YEARLINGS AS TATTERSALLS OCTOBER BOOK 1 CONCLUDES The three-day Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1 concluded with a further four lots breaking the million guineas mark including a joint sale-topping 2.6m guineas sale for a DUBAWI colt. The final session saw a total of 119 lots sold for 30,456,000 guineas at an average of 255,933 guineas and a median of 140,000 guineas, taking the three day total to 386 lots sold for 88,038,000 guineas, a turnover record for any European auction, breaking the record set at this sale last year. The sale average was 228,078 guineas and the sale median 130,000 guineas.

The DUBAWI colt out of the Group 1 Prix de l’Opera winner ZEE ZEE TOP became the jointhighest priced yearling in the World this year when knocked down to Shadwell Estates’ Angus Gold for 2,600,000 guineas. The colt hails form one of the great Meon Valley Stud families and is a brother to the dual Group 1 winning IZZI TOP whose first foal DREAMFIELD won so impressively at

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Nottingham the day before that he is just 20-1 for next year’s 2,000 Guineas.

Angus Gold, who secured the filly at the expense of Roger Varian said: “I went to the farm three weeks ago and loved this horse when I saw him there - he has a great outlook. Since being here he has never missed a beat and showed himself really well.

“He has lots of presence, plenty of scope - he won’t be an early sort, but I was impressed with him when he came to the sale ring, he really pulled himself together.

“The family just goes from strength to strength.

Sheikh Hamdan was keen to get a good Dubawi and let’s hope this horse can run!”

One of the highlights of the catalogue was the own-sister to the multiple Group 1 winning filly ALICE SPRINGS who was consigned by ‘Flash’ Conroy’s Glenvale Stud. Bidding on the chesnut filly

by GALILEO out of the DANEHILL DANCER mare ALEAGUEOFTHEIROWN began with a flourish when owner/breeder Paul Makin opened with a bid of 1 million guineas. Alastair Donald was one of those who took the price along after that, as it quickly rose to 1.5 million guineas before Makin again took control of things, raising the stakes to 2 million. MV Magnier was the only bidder willing to raise the stakes, securing the filly for 2.1 million guineas. She was the fourth horse to sell for 2 million guineas or more this week.

The third of the three lots to top 1 million guineas for the day was the FRANKEL colt out of the dual Group 1 winning PIVOTAL mare PEERESS. The colt was bred and consigned by Cheveley Park Stud, who sold Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes hopeful SEVEN HEAVENS at this sale last year for 620,000 guineas. He was knocked down to MV Magnier who was stood alongside Mayfair Speculators’ FRANKEL was one of the best horses to grace the Turf, winning 10 Group 1 races in his unbeaten career and his eagerly anticipated first runners have not disappointed with four Group/ Listed winners already as well as a slew of impressive maiden winners. His progeny at Tattersalls this week have naturally been in great demand but none more so than the colt out of the 1,000 Guineas winner ATTRACTION from the Duke of Roxburghe’s Floors Stud who was knocked down to Shadwell •

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Estates’ Angus Gold for 1,600,000 guineas.

The other FRANKEL to realise 1 million guineas or more on the final day was the half brother to ZOFFANY, the horse who got closer to the superhorse than any other in a Group 1, when finishing ¾ length second in the St James’s Palace Stakes. Consigned by Denis Brosnan’s Croom House Stud, the son of the MACHIAVELLIAN mare TYRANNY was secured by MV Magnier for 1,100,000 guineas after he saw off Angus Gold and Roger Varian.

At the conclusion of Book 1 of the 2016 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented; “As recently as 2010 the turnover at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale was below 50 million guineas and the average price was just over 100,000 guineas. Last year the sale turnover broke through 80 million guineas for the first time and that record has been bettered again in 2016, while the average price has exceeded 220,000 guineas for the third consecutive year. In addition, we have sold a record nine yearlings for 1 million guineas or more this week, including the two sale-topping DUBAWI colts whose 2.6 million guineas price tags make them the highest priced auction yearlings in the world this year.

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October Yearling Sale has produced the world’s highest priced auction yearling which reflects the extraordinary quality of the yearlings the consignors consistently bring to the sale. Book 1 attracts the cream of British and Irish yearlings as well as some outstanding individuals from French, German and Italian breeders, and the depth to the catalogue is the key to attracting so many of the world’s leading owners to the sale. As well as the quality of the yearlings in Book 1, we should also acknowledge the part played by the unprecedented strength amongst the stallions currently standing in Britain and Ireland, most notably DUBAWI, FRANKEL and GALILEO who have shared this week’s nine seven-figure yearlings between them.

“Stallions of such global stature are a massive draw and we have welcomed buyers this week from throughout the world including America, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan and South Africa as well as a hugely influential number of individual buyers from throughout the Gulf region. Another positive has been the response to the £25,000 Tattersalls October Book 1 Bonus scheme which we introduced last year and which has already caught the imagination of owners and trainers in both Britain and Ireland.

To date there have been 33 £25,000 Book 1 Bonus winners this year and almost all the recipients have reinvested this week.

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NEWS BLOODSTOCK & SALES “While we can reflect on the positives to come from the past three days, it would be wrong to overlook the polarisation in the marketplace as the foal crops grow. Demand for the very best yearlings has been as strong, if not stronger, than ever, and that is reflected in the record number of seven figure yearlings and record turnover. The clearance rate, however, has not matched last year’s levels and increasing selectivity is becoming a feature of the bloodstock market which presents both breeders and sales companies with challenges. Nevertheless, we now turn our attention to Books 2, 3 and 4 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale starting on Monday and as ever we have quality catalogues which look set to appeal to a wide crosssection of buyers.”

The sole offering in Book 2 by last week’s saletopping sire DUBAWI understandably attracted plenty of attention and became the highest priced yearling on the third and final day when selling to John Ferguson for 300,000 guineas.

Consigned by Denis Brosnan’s Croom House Stud, the son of the SADLER’S WELLS mare BRAZILIAN SAMBA is a half-brother to the Group 2 Jockey Club Cup winner ENDOWING and from the Group 1 winning family of DOLPHIN STREET, INSIGHT and SAFFRON WALDEN. Brosnan commented: “He is a May foal, so we took the decision to put him into Book 2 with the chance that he might stand out. We bought the dam Brazilian Samba here in 2006 - it is a Lady O’Reilly family.”

Godolphin’s Jono Mills said: “The colt is the last Dubawi in the sale, he is from a very good farm and Dubawi’s record speaks for itself.”

200,000 GUINEAS KODIAC COLT SETS RECORD PRICE AT TATTERSALLS OCTOBER BOOK 3

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RECORDS BROKEN AT TATTERSALLS BOOK 2 OCTOBER YEARLING SALE The final day of trade at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale finished strongly with the three-day sale recording a record average of 65,545 guineas and record-equaling median of 50,000 guineas. Topping proceedings on the final day at 300,000 guineas was a son of DUBAWI, one of 22 lots to sell for 200,000 guineas or more during the sale, whilst a remarkable 117 sold at or above 100,000 guineas over the three days. Turnover on the final day was 12,952,000 guineas at an average of 66,421 guineas, a median of 50,000 guineas with a clearance rate of 85%.

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A cosmopolitan mix of buyers helped to get the opening day of Book 3 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale off to a buoyant start with 20 lots being sold for 50,000 guineas or more and the record price for the sale being broken by some margin when a colt

by KODIAC sold for 200,000 guineas. A total of 196 lots were sold for 4,447,000 guineas at an average of 22,689 guineas and a median of 17,000 guineas.

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BLOODSTOCK & SALES NEWS KODIAC’s progeny continued to be popular on the first day of Book 3, topping proceedings as he had in Book 2 and smashing the previous record price for the sale with a colt that realised 200,000 guineas when selling to Charlie Gordon-Watson.

The eye-catching colt is a son of the unraced TEOFILO mare ALLEGHENY CREEK, a halfsister to Listed winner and Irish 2000 Guineas-third HE’S A DECOY as well as Group 1 performer DANETIME. Consignors Ballyhimikin Stud celebrated an impressive pinhooking success having bought the son of Tally-Ho Stud’s resident sire as a foal for 25,000 euros.

TATTERSALLS OCTOBER YEARLING SALE CONCLUDES WITH RECORD TURNOVER The Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, comprising Books 1 – 4, concluded with record turnover for the fifth year in a row as a fortnight of selling came to a close. The second day of Book 3 of the October Yearling Sale saw 130 lots realise 1,397,300 guineas and a ZEBEDEE filly and LETHAL FORCE colt topping proceedings at 38,000 guineas apiece.

Turnover for the two day Book 3 Sale saw a total of 326 sell for 5,844,300 guineas at an average of 17,927 guineas and a median of 13,000 guineas. Books 1-3 saw a total of 1,306 lots sell for 132,705,800 guineas, with the average and median up 19% and 30% respectively to 101,612 guineas and 52,000 guineas.

Trainer Paul D’Arcy bought the ZEBEDEE filly out of the ELUSIVE CITY mare GEORDIE IRIS from JK Thoroughbreds for 38,000 guineas, the equal top price for the day.

“I have this filly’s half-sister who I think is ok, and I like Zebedee as a sire - I train Spring Loaded,” said D’Arcy. “This is a nice race filly and we’ll take her home, break her in. She is for a partnership - I have half of her sold and am looking to sell the other shares!”

SPRING LOADED has won eight races and £68,166 for D’Arcy and is rated 95. He won four on the bounce in the early spring and then finished course-specialist.co.uk

seventh in this year’s Wokingham Stakes.

That price was matched shortly after when Highfield Farm’s Emma Armstrong secured the LETHAL FORCE colt out of the IFFRAAJ mare IF SO for 38,000 guineas from Usk Valley Stud. IF SO is a half-sister to the Group 1-placed sprinter THE TIN MAN and won four races herself and was rated 92.

“David [Armstrong] picked him out - I can’t take any credit,” said Armstrong. “We like sticking to the speed pedigrees. He will come home to us; we have not yet got plans regarding a trainer but I am sure it will be someone based in the north!”

SINCIL BANK AND IMPERIAL AVIATOR TOP STRONG TRADE AT TATTERSALLS AUTUMN HIT SALE

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The Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale made a strong start with a wide representation of international buyers all contributing to an opening day which saw increases in all the key indicators.

Twelve lots made 100,000 guineas or more and two lots shared top billing at 270,000 guineas. A total of 247 lots were sold for 6,424,800 guineas, at an average of 26,011 guineas and a median of 13,500 guineas. The clearance rate was 91%.

The joint top lot on the opening day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale was the two-year-old colt SINCIL BANK who was secured by SackvilleDonald’s Alastair Donald for 270,000 guineas after fending off competition from Stuart Bowman as well as eventual underbidder Stephen Hillen.

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NEWS BLOODSTOCK & SALES Following disqualification from his initial maiden win in August, the son of Kentucky-based sire HAT TRICK went on to win next time out at Newcastle by three and a half lengths and was most recently third in a conditions race at Newmarket.

The David Simcock’s trained two-year-old was sold with a ‘Timeform’ rating of 93p and will continue his career in Hong Kong.

Much later in the evening, the second lot to make 270,000 guineas was three-year-old colt IMPERIAL AVIATOR who attracted a wide number of potential purchasers that included Guy Mulcaster, John Kilbride, John McCormack, and Roger Charlton but it was Johnny McKeever sitting with Gai Waterhouse’s co-trainer Adrian Bott who came out on top.

Trained by Roger Charlton, the consistent son of PACO BOY has been placed in six of his nine runs and has a ‘Timeform’ rating of 108.

CLOUDBERRY SALE HITS 310 000 GUINEAS AT TATTERSALLS AUTUMN HIT SALE The Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale continued in robust fashion on the second day with nine lots realising 100,000 guineas or more and a packed Park Paddocks crowd pushing the average and median significantly higher. A total of 233 lots were sold for 7,390,900 guineas at an average of 31,721 guineas and a median of 19,000 guineas.

The turnover rose 33% on last year’s corresponding session whilst the average and median both rose 41%. The clearance rate was an outstanding 89%.

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Roger Charlton’s Beckhampton Stables was responsible for the top price for the second day in a row when CLOUDBERRY was knocked down to Qatari trainer Jassim Ghazali for 310,000 guineas.

The son of PIVOTAL was knocked down to saleregular Ghazali, who was stood alongside Will Douglass of Charlie Gordon-Watson Bloodstock.

Charlton had purchased CLOUDBERRY from his former owners for just 15,000 guineas at the Tattersalls July Sale after his maiden victory, but a further three victories culminating in a handicap win at Newbury on Friday saw his appeal increase significantly.

FINAL VENTURE looks a sprinter for the future having won four races this year which has seen his official rating rise from 69 to 104 for trainer Alan Swinbank. He is set to remain in North Yorkshire after trainer Paul Midgley bought the horse for owner Andrew Taylor for 260,000 guineas.

The third of the three lots to realise 200,000 guineas or more on the second day of the Autumn Horses in Training Sale was the David O’Meara trained TREASURY NOTES who was knocked down to Anthony Stroud for 200,000 guineas. The son of LOPE DE VEGA was another who saw his official rating soar since he last went through an auction ring, having been purchased by his current owner for 30,000 guineas at this sale last year when rated 77. He was sold with an official rating of 100.

HARLEM TOPS THIRD DAY OF TATTERSALLS HIT AUTUMN SALE AT 520000 GUINEAS Phenomenal trade continued on the third day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale where the international buying bench once again contributed to significant increases in all the key indicators. The top two lots realised the highest prices at this sale for six years whilst a total of 20 lots topped six figures. The Juddmonte draft was, as ever, amongst the highlights with a total of 32 horses selling for 2,257,500 guineas including the 520,000 guineas sale-topper HARLEM. Overall on Day 3, 286 lots sold for 9,653,300 guineas at an average of •

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33,753 guineas and a median of 17,000 guineas. The clearance rate for the day was a remarkable 95%.

Topping proceedings at 520,000 guineas, HARLEM became the highest priced lot sold at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale since 2010. Offered as part of the Juddmonte draft, the son of CHAMPS ELYSEES was knocked down to Alastair Donald of SackvilleDonald who was standing with Australian-based agent Louis Le Metayer of Astute Bloodstock.

Under the guidance of French trainer Andre Fabre, the four-year-old colt won the Listed Prix Frederic de Lagrange and was placed three times in Group race company.

With a ‘Timeform’ rating of 118, Harlem heads to Australia as Donald explained: “He is for a Hong Kong-based client, who is determined to win the Sydney Cup. It is worth A$2 million and is part of the ATC Championships series. I bought Spillway for the client and he won the Australia Cup. That horse was trained by David Hayes and he will train this horse too.”

Le Metayer of Astute Bloodstock added: “He is a beautiful horse, is lightly raced. He has good form lines which tie in with the Geelong Cup runner-up (Grey Lion), which is very strong.”

The underbidder on HARLEM was Tom Malone.

The cosmopolitan theme continued when the second highest priced lot of the day PLEASELETMEWIN was bought by Qataribased trainer Gassim Ghazali for 450,000 guineas. Bids were exchanged between a wide range of potential purchasers that included agents Charlie Gordon-Watson and Alex Elliot as well as Pennsylvania trainer Leslie Young. Elliot had course-specialist.co.uk

purchased the bay gelding as a yearling for just 36,000 pounds but had to settle for second best on this occasion.

The two-year-old son of POWER was consigned by trainer Ralph Beckett’s Kimpton Down Stables from where he was campaigned to victory in three from seven starts which included an impressive win in the Group 3 Horris Hill Stakes at Newbury last time out.

PLEASELETMEWIN was sold with a ‘Timeform’ rating of 106 and an entry for the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita next weekend.

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TATTERSALLS AUTUMN HORSES IN TRAINING SALE CONCLUDES WITH RECORD TURNOVER Demand on the final day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale continued unabated with 92% of the lots offered selling for 1,668,100 guineas.

Turnover for the sale hit new heights, setting a record of 25,137,100 guineas, up 24% on last year’s sale whilst the average and median both rose 35% to 26,488 guineas and 13,500 guineas respectively, the latter also a new record.

The top lot on the final day was the Andrew Balding-trained, Qatar Racing owned two-year-old HIGH COMMANDER who was purchased by Qatari-trainer Gassim Ghazali for 57,000 guineas.

The son of TEOFILO has been third on his two racecourse appearances and was consigned to the sale by agent Jamie Railton.

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NEWS BLOODSTOCK & SALES “He has some good form and a nice profile,” said Will Douglass for Ghazali, “and comes from a fantastic breeder. Footstepsinthesand is very popular in Qatar - he gets lots of winners – and this horse’s dam is a half-sister to him. We also like buying from Andrew Balding.”

Leading trainer Ghazali has purchased nine lots in total this week for a total of 1,055,000 guineas with yesterday’s 450,000 guineas purchase PLEASELETMEWIN the highlight.

At the conclusion of the 2016 Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented; “In a year when the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale has produced a Classic winner purchased for 12,000 guineas, it is perhaps not surprising to see such frenetic demand at this unique sale. JET SETTING winning this year’s Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas only seven months after being bought here is yet another in a long list of outstanding success stories to come from the Autumn Horses in Training Sale, and I have no doubt that there will be plenty more to come from this year’s sale.

“The turnover and median at this week’s sale have both risen to record levels and the average has leapt by around 35%. Even more impressive has been the clearance rate of more than 90%, yet again demonstrating the enduring international appeal of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale.

Every year we reflect on the extraordinary diversity of buyers, both domestic and overseas, who attend the Autumn Horses in Training, but the sheer number of people here this week has been almost overwhelming.

The beauty of this sale is that it caters for every possible requirement, both Flat and National Hunt, and the sales paddocks have been a hive of international activity throughout the four days.

“Competition at the top of the market has been particularly fierce with the number of lots making 200,000 guineas or more rising from five last year to twelve this week, but it has been the sustained demand at every level of the market which has been the real feature. Buyers from more than 30 different countries have all contributed to the success of the sale, with those from the Gulf region making a massive contribution, American, Australian and

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Hong Kong interests all playing their part, and prolific activity from throughout Europe with Greek and Spanish buyers very much to the fore.

A huge proportion of the horses sold this week will go abroad, but the renewed vigour from the British and Irish National Hunt fraternity has also been particularly welcome and another major factor in making the 2016 renewal of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale so vibrant.”

The next sale at Tattersalls is the December Sale comprising the December Yearling Sale on November 21, the December Foal Sale from November 23 – 26 and the December Mare Sale from November 28 to December 1. Catalogues for all three sales are online now at www.tattersalls.com.

GALILEO FILLY TOPS STRONG OPENING DAY AT GOFFS ORBY SALE A huge number of buyers from around the world were in action at Goffs as the Orby Sale opened with a strong set of results that saw increases in average, turnover and median compared with the first day last year. The clearance rate was 84%.

Ballylinch Stud’s beautiful Galileo filly (Lot 74 - pictured), an own-sister to Group 1 Fillies Mile winner Together Forever and half-sister to Group 1 Prix Jean Prat winner Lord Shanakill, took top

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BLOODSTOCK & SALES NEWS billing when selling to MV Magnier for €900,000.

A Frankel brother to Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner and European Champion 2 and 3 year old Bago as well as dual Group 1 winner Maxios from Camas Park Stud (Lot 168) was another stand out lot on Day 1, selling for €750,000 to BBA Ireland – the leading purchasers at the end of the first day.

The €750,000 mark was matched by an Invincible Spirit brother to multiple Group winner Cable Bay from the Irish National Stud (Lot 240). The colt was purchased by Shadwell Estate Company who also secured an own brother to Harbour Watch (Lot 71) from Riversfield Stud for €600,000. Meanwhile another son of Invincible Spirit from the Irish National Stud (Lot 123), a brother to Promising who finished a close second in the Group 3 Prestige Stakes last month, sold for €500,000 to John Ferguson.

Offered: 222 Sold: 187 (84%) Aggregate: €20,547,000 (+5%) Average: €109,877 (+8%) Median: €70,000 (+8%)

VIBRANT ORBY SALE TOPPED BY €1.4 MILLION DUBAWI COLT FROM WILDENSTEIN STABLES LTD DISPERSAL John Ferguson’s purchase of the Dubawi colt out of Group 1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches winner Beauty Parlour from the Wildenstein Stables Ltd Dispersal (Lot 472) for €1.4 million topped a vibrant renewal of the Goffs Orby Sale that saw increases in turnover, average and median and a clearance rate of 84% across the two days.

An early highlight of trading was the New Approach sister to Group 1 performers Cuis Ghaire and Scintillula from Jim Bolger’s Redmondstown Stud (Lot 250) purchased by Peter & Ross Doyle Bloodstock for €675,000. Mountarmstrong Stud’s Shamardal filly out of the five time Group 1 winning champion race mare Alexander Goldrun (Lot 358) was another stand-out, selling to Japanese owner Koji Maeda for €600,000. First time visitor to course-specialist.co.uk

Goffs Justin Zayat meanwhile purchased four at the Orby headed by a son of Declaration Of War out of a Listed winning daughter of Irish 1000 Guineas winner Nightime (Lot 272) from The Castlebridge Consignment for €475,000.

At the conclusion the Orby Sale, Goffs Chief Executive Henry Beeby commented: “Twelve months ago we were reflecting on a remarkable Orby Sale with no less than four yearlings realising over €1 million. That we have made proper advances in both average and median this year with a single millionaire is testament to the depth of the trade over the two days which is also highlighted by a very good 84% clearance rate.

“The most notable aspect of Orby 16 has been the depth of the buying bench with our regular supporters from Ireland, Britain, across Europe and further afield finding strong, top of the market competition from a number of new investors from USA, the Far East and Australia following concerted and proactive marketing campaigns by our international agents and the team at Irish Thoroughbred Marketing. As we worked to attract them we did so safe in the knowledge that the catalogue had advanced again as vendors continue to send us a greater share of their best and those that did so reaped the reward of a truly international sale. As ever we are indebted to each and every one for entrusting us with their yearlings and will only redouble our efforts on their behalf with every sale to repay their faith in the Goffs service.

“Of course today had an added dimension with the first part of the Wildenstein Stables Ltd Dispersal and we would like to again record our thanks to David Wildenstein for choosing Goffs.

We do not underestimate the significance of our appointment and are delighted to have generated so much interest in the iconic pedigrees that came under the Goffs hammer today headed, of course, by the sales top price of €1.4 million and then some very lively bidding for the older horses that finished the day. We look forward to Part 2 in November with a truly mouthwatering collection of broodmares, fillies and foals; rarely is such a superior selection of thoroughbreds offered for sale at public auction and the Goffs Team is incredibly proud to do so in our 150th Year”.

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DANDY MAN FILLY TOPS GOFFS SPORTSMAN’S SALE PART 1

to two Stakes winners in Accepted and Asidious Alexander was purchased by Salcey Forest Stud.

BBA Ireland once again dominated the leading buyer ranks today with the purchase of a further 19 yearlings, headed by a Mount Nelson filly from the family of Almanzor (Lot 831) from Clonmult Stables for €31,000 as well as a daughter of Red Jazz (Lot 888) from Rockview Stables for €30,000.

MILLION EURO FILLIES HELP SET RECORD FIGURES AT ARQANA ARC SALE

© Image supplied byGoffs Ltd

The first session of the two day Sportsman’s Sale was topped by a Dandy Man filly from Catherinestown Stud Farm (Lot 722 - pictured) that was purchased

by Joe Foley for €90,000. The filly is a granddaughter of Group 1 performer Rosinka. Zoffany sired the next two highest priced yearlings of Part 1, with Wardstown Stud’s colt (Lot 527) going the way of Bahen Bloodstock and Hanshen Thom for €80,000, while Peter & Ross Doyle Bloodstock secured a smart filly from Church View Stables (Lot 571) for €70,000.

Among the many other yearlings in demand today were a son of Foxwedge from The Castlebridge Consignment (Lot 801) that was knocked down to Bobby O’Ryan and Keith Dalgleish at €65,000, while Dandy Man’s popularity continued with Lot 819 from Ballyhane going to Aidan O’Ryan and Gordon Elliott for €65,000. BBA Ireland, one of the leading purchasers at this week’s Orby Sale, made a major impact again today securing a total of 49 yearlings which included a €40,000 Dawn Approach filly from the family of Frankel (Lot 604), consigned by Miltown Park Stud.

The first edition of the Arc Sale to take place in Chantilly, in the historical environment of the Pharis Yard, registered record figures with the 29 horses to change hands grossing €8,474,000, a 9% increase on the 2015 total, and the average price hiking 20% to reach €292,207. The buoyant evening was notably marked by a pair of seven-figure sales courtesy of the Group-winning fillies TOULIFAUT (lot 25) and SPAIN BURG (lot 8).

The former, a late addition to the catalogue via the Wild Card system, attracted interest from all around

€62,000 BEAT HOLLOW COLT TOPS GOFFS SPORTSMAN’S PART 2 Top spot at the Sportsman’s Sale Part 2, the concluding day of yearling sales at Goffs this week, went to a son of Beat Hollow from Rossenarra Stud (Lot 979) that sold for €62,000. The half-brother

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BLOODSTOCK & SALES NEWS the sales ring and it took a bid of €1.9 million, a record at the Arc Sale, to seal the deal for the Jean-Claude Rouget offering and outbid a determined Francois Dupuis. The daughter of Frankel has won her three starts to date with impressive ease and is one of the most fancied declared runner’s in Sunday’s Gr.1 Prix Marcel Boussac. Emmanuel de Seroux of Narvick International emerged as the winning bidder and was swamped by well-wishers and representatives of the international press, to whom he expressed: “I have bought her for Katsumi Yoshida’s Northern Farm.

She has everything you could ask for as a breeder: an ubeaten record as a juvenile and a pedigree page to die for. I am not sure what her immediate future is, this is something I need to discuss with Mr. Yoshida, but she should run tomorrow.”

Roberto Cocheteux’ SPAIN BURG, who provided her trainer Xavier Thomas-Demeaulte with a first winner in the UK when blowing her rivals away in the Gr.2 Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket, was one of the highlights of the catalogue and duly attracted some spirited interest with Jamie Lloyd ultimately prevailing at €1.5 million. The agent was standing alongside Dean Reeves, who was making his first ever foray in the European market. “It is the first time I have bought in Europe and I am delighted to have secured this gorgeous filly, said Reeves. She won her Group race with determination and obviously has some residual value too. We will aim her at the Breeders’ Cup.” At the end of this historical renewal, ARQANA President Eric Hoyeau commented: “I wish to thank everyone who has contributed to these outstanding results. We were entrusted by owners and trainers with a rare bunch of horses and I am thrilled that they have been fairly rewarded. I also with to extend my thanks to the buyers who have expressed their renewed support to the Arc Sale, which produces Group 1 horses year on year all over the world, as well as to those who made the trip to France for the very first time. Finally, nothing could have been achieved without the enthusiastic support of Robert Collet and his staff, nor the professionalism of the entire ARQANA team. Together, they took up the challenge of offering optimum working conditions and a warm welcome to all clients in a unique, unusual venue.” course-specialist.co.uk

KEENELAND CATALOGUES 4,762 HORSES FOR NOVEMBER BREEDING STOCK SALE Keeneland has cataloged 4,762 horses for its worldrenowned 2016 November Breeding Stock Sale, to be held Nov. 8-20. In 2015, the November Sale sold the world’s highest-priced Thoroughbred at public auction for the year and registered a North American record price for a weanling for the second consecutive year.

November Sale catalogs are available on Keeneland.com. Print catalogs will be mailed the week of Oct. 17.

The 2016 November Sale will include the dispersals of Ernie Semersky and Dory Newell’s Conquest Stables, for which Lane’s End will serve as agent; Marc Ferrell’s VinMar Farm (St. George Sales, agent); and Jim Eigel’s Rosemont Farm (Trackside Farm, agent).

“Keeneland’s November Breeding Stock Sale is the largest sale of its kind in the world and is remarkable because of the unparalleled diversity and depth in its offerings,” Keeneland Vice President of Racing and Sales Bob Elliston said. “Breeders from around the world will be here to obtain broodmares and broodmare prospects to add to or establish their programs, while others from an equally wide range of locations will set their sights on the sale’s weanlings and horses of racing age.”

Last year, the November Sale featured the $6 million sale of champion Take Charge Brandi, who was the most expensive Thoroughbred sold at public auction anywhere around the world. A North American record price for a weanling was set at the sale for the second year in a row when a filly by War Front out of Grade 1 winner Take Charge Lady (Take Charge Brandi’s second dam) sold for $3.1 million.

Records tumble on Day 1 of the Arqana October Yearling Sale (IMAGE Lot 148 Lawman in Drop Box – Copyright Suzanna Lupa, supplied by Arqana) The previous record aggregate of €8.5 million for Part I of the October Yearling Sale was eclipsed by a long way on the first session of the 2016 renewal with the 170 horses on offer grossing €12,055,000, a 41% gain from the previous edition. The average •

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NEWS BLOODSTOCK & SALES price hiked 15% to €70,912 while the median progressed 11% to €50,000. The clearance rate was a whopping 82%, 6 points clear of last year’s figure.

On a day of frantic trade, 41 yearlings sold for six figures, almost double the 2015 total of 23 and 8 broke the €200,000 barrier against 5 the previous year.

Hong Kong Jockey Club take advantage of first trip to October Yearling Sale A pair of colts by proven sires shared top billing at €260,000. First in the ring was a pitch dark colt

by Lawman (lot 148) out of the German Listed winner Sworn Sold, for which the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Mark Richards signed the docket.

Bred by Sven and Carina Hanson’s Fair Salinia and offered by Coulonces Consignment, he hails from a rock-solid German family featuring Classic victress Salomina, Serienholde and Champion two-year-old Sworn Pro. Earlier in the sale, Richards went to €250,000 to buy a half-brother to Athasi Stakes victrix Gossamer Seed (lot 59). From the coveted draft of Haras de Saint-Pair, the roan colt is by Shamardal, whose progeny has proved to adapt extremely well to Hong Kong.

The joint-top lot of the day was secured by Nicolas de Watrigant on behalf of Al Shaqab Racing.

Lot 148 is a Dansili half-brother to the multiple Group 1 victrix Zagora, who notably landed the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf in the colours of Martin Schwartz. The dark brown colt from Haras des Capucines attracted interest from all around the ring but Watrigant, who was bidding alongside Jean-Claude Rouget, was not to be denied.

Al Shaqab Racing bought a total of six yearlings via Watrigant for a cumulated €1,050,000. His shopping list also included a daughter of Iffraaj, the first foal out of the Listed Prix Finlande victrix Fairly Fair (lot 20), who was one of the highlights of a very strong draft from Haras de Saint-Pair, Andreas Putsch’s operation having chosen this sale as his exclusive objective. Watrigant had the last word at €250,000 and commented: “She is a gorgeous filly who really stood out. We had to pay a significant sum for her, but we didn’t want to miss out. We like to buy first foals out of black type mares.”

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THREE EXCITING NEW STALLIONS ADDED TO THE DARLEY CLUB FOR 2017

Buratino (Exceed And Excel), the G2 Coventry Stakes victor who was such a precocious, tough juvenile, will stand at Kildangan Stud, Ireland for €5,000 CLUB terms.Toormore (Arakan), Champion two-year-old and a six-time Group winner, will stand at Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket for £5,000 CLUB terms. Bow Creek(Shamardal), a multiple G2-winning miler, will stand at Haras du Logis, France for €4,000 CLUB terms. Nominations to all three stallions will also be available on Darley’s standard October 1st SLF terms.

The terms of the CLUB remain the same: pay up front for one nomination to any of the three new CLUB stallions and you can breed to him in his second and third seasons for free. If you use him in all three seasons, you will receive a loyalty bonus of a free lifetime breeding right to that stallion.

Last year saw the launch of the Darley CLUB with Outstrip, Hunter’s Light, French Navy and Fulbright. All four stallions were in demand with breeders, with Outstrip and Hunter’s Light proving particularly popular.

Sam Bullard, Director of Darley Stallions, commented: “We were delighted with the success of the Darley CLUB on its launch last year. The initiative of offering breeders the opportunity to secure a lasting stake in the future of an exciting young stallion was very well received, and we are looking forward to welcoming back all those breeders who bought into our CLUB16 stallions and now receive their free nomination.

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BLOODSTOCK & SALES NEWS “The new stallions in CLUB17 are offered on the same fantastic terms. All three stallions were high-class, tough and consistent on the racecourse and offer breeders the combination of performance, pedigree and class that we strive to offer on Darley’s competitive roster worldwide.”

For full information on the Darley CLUB stallions, please contact the Nominations team on +44 (0)1638 730070 in Britain, +353 (0)45 527600 in Ireland or +33 (0)2 33 36 21 20 in France.

DAUGHTER OF QUEVEGA HEADS YEARLING SECTION AT TATTERSALLS IRELAND NOVEMBER NATIONAL HUNT SALE The first produce out of the wonderful race mare QUEVEGA heads a stellar line-up for the yearling section of the November National Hunt Sale on Sunday 6 November. In all, 169 Lots are catalogued (Lot 37 - 206) and the category offers a diverse selection of black-type pedigrees boasting class.

The November National Hunt Sale takes place from Sunday 6 November - Friday 11 November and starts at 10am each day.

EBF Breeders’ Fillies Series to continue in 2017 The new £625,000 EBF Breeders’ Fillies Series, which drew to a successful close with a £200,000 four-race finale at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile Racecourse last Saturday, has been given the green light to take place in the same format again next season, starting in early May 2017.

© Image supplied byTattersalls Ltd

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The British European Breeders Fund (BEBF) has agreed to renew sponsorship of the Series, investing over £300,000 into its 20 races that were specifically designed to give valuable opportunities to those fillies that fall just below black type level, encouraging their owners and owner-breeders to keep them in training rather than sell them for export or retire them.

It has been well received by the training fraternity, with an average field size of nine runners throughout the entire Series and 43 runners contesting the four big money final day contests.

Kerry Murphy, CEO of the European Breeders’ Fund, said: “We are extremely happy with the success of the EBF Breeders’ Fillies Series in 2016. All 20 races have seen competitive fields and owners and trainers have been very supportive of the initiative as have the racecourses that helped stage the Series.”

“We hope that, by announcing our intention to continue the Series in 2017, owners can now plan to retain fillies they might otherwise have thought about selling or retiring, in the knowledge that there will be valuable opportunities on offer for them throughout next year.”

LAST SHARE IN WOOTTON BASSETT PURCHASED

BY HESMONDS STUD ON ARQANAONLINE.COM The final share available in champion second season sire Wootton Bassett was bought for €120,000 by Hesmonds Stud on Arqanaonline.com.

As had been the case with the sale of four shares in Siyouni offered on the online platform last season, the opportunity to invest in a young, upcoming stallion wasn’t lost on breeders. 17 registered for the sale, both from France and abroad, and bidding was active until the Extra Time.

Formerly owned by the Goulandris family, Hesmonds Stud was purchased by Kazakh ownerbreeder Nurlan Bizakov in 2010 and is currently home to around 25 broodmares of a high standard.

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© Etreham

Image supplied by Arqana

the Aga Khan Studs’ Siyouni to be offered on Arqanaonline.com for €355,000.

Stud manager Tony Fry commented: “We are very pleased to have bought into this exciting stallion.

Even before we found out about the online sale, we had a mare down to him, a maiden by Sea The Stars out of a Storm Cat mare. Now we’ll just have to look for a second one! We purchased a share in Siyouni via Arqana Online, which we thought offered tremendous value. This is also a very fair price considering that Wootton Bassett will stand for at least €20,000 next year and the share includes two nominations. We are always looking to be involved with this sort of horses. I would like to thank Nicolas de Chambure at Etreham and ARQANA for this opportunity.”

Wootton Bassett stood his first season at Haras d’Etreham in 2012 at a fee of €6,000 and had only by 17 foals on the ground but they included two Group horses. ALMANZOR, the breath-taking winner of the Irish Champion Stakes Gr.1 and Prix du Jockey Club Gr.1 is now rated 127 which makes him quite simply the best European-trained horse of any age and on any distance. The filly DO RE MI FA SOL is rated 104 on the back of her fast-finishing 3rd place in the Prix de Malleret Gr.2.

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MAKFI TO STAND IN JAPAN 2,000 Guineas winner Makfi has been sold and is set to stand in Japan.

The nine year old – who is also a Classic winning sire, has been sold by Qatar Bloodstock to the Japan Bloodhorse Breeders’ Association.

Having won the Guineas and Prix Jacques Le Marois – in which he beat Goldikova in 2010, the son of Dubawi was bought to stand under the Qatar Bloodstock banner at Tweenhills Farm and Stud in Gloucestershire, where he spent four seasons before being sent to Haras de Bonneval in Normandy in 2015 and this year in an arrangement with the Aga Khan Studs.

Makfi’s first crop included Poule d’Essai des Poulains and Prix de la Foret hero Make Believe and Group 3 scorer Maimara, while on Wednesday his two-year-old son Mate Story scored in the Group 3 Thomas Bryon at Saint-Cloud.

Makfi will travel to Japan after completing the current southern hemisphere covering season in New Zealand, which will be his last.

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TERRITORIES TO RETIRE TO DALHAM HALL STUD FOR 2017 Territories, winner of the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat and second to Gleneagles in the 2,000 Guineas, will take up stud duties at Dalham Hall Stud in 2017.

A limited number of lifetime breeding rights will be sold in the son of Invincible Spirit, who is from the immediate family of Darley success-stories Shamardal and Street Cry. Territories, who was trained by Andre Fabre, recorded the biggest win of his career when taking the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat over a mile at Chantilly as a three-year-old, pouncing late to defeat Group 1 performer Dutch Connection, the pair going six lengths clear of the field which included Kodi Bear.

That victory followed his second place to Gleneagles in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket.

He had been equally high-class as a juvenile, winning over six furlongs at Chantilly in July and coming off worst in the scrimmaging late on in the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagadere which saw Gleneagles disqualified and Territories promoted to second.

He also won the Group 3 Prix de Fontainebleau at Longchamp over a mile and was second to stablemate Esoterique in the Group 1 Prix Jacques le Marois. Fellow new Darley stallions Belardo and Toormore were behind that day, as were Karakontie and Lightning Spear.

Territories is one of the best by noted speed influence Invincible Spirit, rated level with his Champion juvenile Shalaa and above his Group 1 sire sons Lawman and I Am Invincible. Like proven stallions Dark Angel, Zoffany and his close relation Shamardal, he is out of a Machiavellian mare, and he is also from the immediate family of Champion sire Street Cry. Sam Bullard, Director of Darley stallions, said: “Territories proved himself to be a miler right out of the top drawer with that impressive victory in the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat, as well as finishing best of all to take second in the 2,000 Guineas. His juvenile form, too, was very high class.”

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DERRINSTOWN STUD ANNOUNCES THE PASSING OF MARJU AGED 28 Derrinstown Stud has reported the death by natural causes of one of their stalwarts, Marju, at the age of 28.

A three-parts brother to the great Salsabil, Marju entered 2,000 Guineas calculations with an impressive win on debut in the Moorestyle Convivial Maiden Stakes at York in August 1990, but became a very sick horse and almost died that year.

The son of Last Tycoon, out of Flame Of Tara was nursed back to health by trainer John Dunlop and he made a winning comeback in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket, in April 1991. However, he knocked himself on leaving the stalls in the 2,000 Guineas and was well beaten behind Mystiko.

He then put up a tremendous performance in the Epsom Derby, finishing 5 lengths second to Generous and well clear of the rest of the field.

Just a few days later, Marju recorded the biggest win of his career when landing the Group 1 St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot from the subsequent Sussex Stakes winner, Second Set. Injury affected Marju in two subsequent starts in the Coral Eclipse Stakes and Champion Stakes.

Marju was retired to Derrinstown at the end of his three-year-old season. He proved an instant success at his new career, siring the Group Prix Vermeille and Yorkshire Oaks winner My Emma, and the Group 1 Prix de Diane winner Sil Sila from his first crop.

Further successes at the highest level followed with the likes of Soviet Song, Bethrah, Lightening Pearl and Marbye in Europe; Viva Pataca and Indigenous in Hong Kong; Chinchon in the USA and Marju Snip in Australia. In all, he was responsible for 12 Group 1 winners of 21 Group 1 races during his 19 years at stud, and his consistency in producing top quality runners made him a popular choice with breeders and buyers alike.

Marju may have gone, but his influence as a broodmare sire is still being felt on the racecourses of Europe today, epitomised by the recent Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye winner, Marsha.

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NOVEMBER WHAT’S ON

November sees the dying throws of the turf flat season in Britain and Ireland, as the jumps season bursts into action with weekend after weekend of top class races, as the winter kings return.

T

he month kicks off with Exeter staging its popular and always informative Haldon Gold Cup on November 1st, a race won by many of chasing’s greats. Can Vibrato Valtat defend his crown?

On Thursday 3rd, Newbury stages its first jumps meeting of the season, the Bet365 Festival Preview, a brand new meeting.

The following day, Santa Anita plays host to the 33rd Breeders’ Cup Meeting with four high-class races on the opening evening. Meanwhile, Down Royal hosts the first of its two-day Festival of Northern Irish Racing.

On Saturday 5th, the UK bids farewell to the turf flat season as Doncaster stages the November Handicap. That same evening, the high-octane drama of the main evening of the Breeders’ Cup takes place, with a galaxy of global superstars chasing multi-million dollar purses in the California sun.

That same day Wincanton hosts its hugely popular Badger Ales Chase Day, with the feature handicap chase often providing pointers for the Hennessy Gold Cup. There is a cracking support card. At Down Royal, the big race of the day is the Grade 1 JNWine.com Champion Chase, in course-specialist.co.uk

which the Paul Nicholls trained Silviniaco Conti could make his seasonal return.

On Sunday 6th, Sandown Park gets its season underway with a card that featured Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Coneygree in 2015.

On Friday 11th November, Cheltenham welcomes the opening day of its major three-day Open Meeting Festival with Countryside Day. money is raised for the Countryside Alliance and Injured Jockeys Fund. There will be pre racing activities in the paddock to raise awareness of these important organisations and well as a silent auction of racegoers to support. On the track, the highlight is the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase, a race often dominated by Irish trainer Enda Bolger. This fabulous card also features a Grade 2 novice hurdle, informative novice chase and amateur riders handicap chase.

The following day, Cheltenham Stages BetVictor Gold Cup Day, the first major race of the jumps season and always keenly contested. This is a seven-race card packed with quality, including a Grade 2 Triumph Hurdle trial, a Grade 3 stayers’ handicap chase and a Listed bumper contest.

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WHAT’S ON NOVEMBER Over at Naas, the highlight is the Fishery Lane Hurdle, which could see the return to action of the exciting filly Apple’s Jade.

The Open Sunday perhaps provided the highlight of the entire meeting last year as Sprinter Sacre came roaring back to his best form to land the Grade 2 Shloer Chase, en-route to reclaiming his Champion Two Mile Crown.

But the Shloer Chase is just one of three Grade 2 contests, along with a novice hurdle won last year by Altior and a good novice chase, while the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle is always a competitive affair and was won last year by the improving Old Guard. Meanwhile, Navan stages a fine card with the Grade 2 Fortria Chase the highlight.

Over at Haydock Park, the highlight on the Saturday card is 13th running of the Betfair Chase, the first leg of the Jockey Club’s £1 million Chase Triple Crown, in which Cue Card

© Image supplied by The Jockey Club

won the first two legs last season.

In Ireland, Punchestown stages the first of its two-day Winter Festival. The Sunday features a host of big races, with the Grade 1 Morgiana the undoubted highlight, a contest which saw Faugheen lose his unbeaten record to Nichols Canyon a year ago.

Thursday, November 17th, sees Clonmel stage the Grade 2 Clonmel Oil Chase, a race which can have bearing on future Grade 1 contests throughout the winter.

Friday 18th and Saturday 19th, Ascot and Hayock Park stage two-day meetings of some significance. The Saturday cards in particular, always feature a stack of top class horses.

At Ascot, the highlight is the 1965 Chase, won last year by Vautour, while the valuable Coral Hurdle is often a pointer to Champion Hurdle aspirations.

© Steven Cargill

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© www.healyracing.ie

On Friday, November 25th, Newbury stages the first of its re-vamped two-day Bet365 Winter Festival, with the Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle, won in the past by Big Buck’s – and last year by Thistlecrack, the highlight.

The day after is the big one at Newbury, the 60th renewal of the Hennessy Gold Cup and a race sure to evoke emotions. The same day, Newcastle features its biggest jumps day of the year, with the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle, a major Champion Hurdle trial, the highlight. The Rehearsal Handicap Chase as always will provide a strong supporting role, with plenty of other informative races on the day.

On Sunday 27th November, Navan stages one of the great handicap chases on the Irish calendar with the Troytown Chase.

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NOVEMBER WHAT’S ON

NOVEMBER 2016 FIXTURE LIST 1st

Exeter

Kempton Park (AWT) Redcar

2nd

Wolverhampton (AWT) Chepstow

Musselburgh

Kempton Park (AWT) 3rd

Nottingham

Musselburgh

Market Rasen Newbury Thurles

4th

Chelmsford City (AWT) Fontwell Park Hexham

Newcastle (AWT) Warwick

Down Royal 5th

Dundalk (E) Doncaster Kelso

Aintree

Wincanton

Chelmsford City (AWT) 6th

Down Royal

Sandown Park Ffos Las Cork

7th

8th

Naas

Carlisle

Kempton Park

Newcastle (AWT) Huntingdon

Lingfield Park

Newcastle (AWT) Fairyhouse 9th

Sedgefield Ayr

Bangor-On-Dee Exeter

Kempton Park (AWT) © Steven Cargill

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10th

Dundalk (E) Ludlow

20th

Southwell (AWT) Taunton

11th

Chelmsford City (AWT) Cheltenham

21st

Lingfield Park (AWT) Wolverhampton (AWT)

22nd

Dundalk (E) Cheltenham

Lingfield Park (AWT)

23rd

Wetherby

Wolverhampton (AWT)

14th

15th

16th

Naas

Cheltenham

24th

Fontwell Park Navan

Newcastle (AWT) Plumpton

25th

Fakenham

Lingfield Park (AWT)

Chelmsford City (AWT) Lingfield Park Sedgefield Wexford

Fontwell Park

Kempton Park (AWT) Wolverhampton (AWT) Musselburgh Taunton

Thurles

Doncaster Newbury

Newcastle (AWT)

Southwell

Wolverhampton (AWT)

Chepstow Hexham

26th

Dundalk (E)

Bangor-On-Dee Doncaster Newbury

Fairyhouse

Newcastle

Market Rasen

Wolverhampton (AWT)

Newcastle (AWT)

27th

Chelmsford City (AWT) Clonmel Ascot

28th

Haydock Park

Newcastle (AWT) Ffos Las

29th

Dundalk (E) Ascot

Haydock Park

30th

Huntingdon

Lingfield Park (AWT)

Gowran Park Carlisle

Leicester Navan

Ludlow

Newcastle (AWT) Plumpton

Lingfield Park

Newcastle (AWT) Southwell

Catterick Bridge

Kempton Park (AWT) Lingfield Park (AWT)

Wolverhampton (AWT)

132

Ludlow

Chelmsford City (AWT)

Wincanton

19th

Kempton Park

Towcester

Leicester

Warwick

18th

Punchestown

Wetherby

Kempton Park (AWT)

17th

Uttoxeter

Southwell (AWT)

Uttoxeter

13th

Exeter Cork

Newcastle

12th

Punchestown

Ffos Las

course-specialist.co.uk

•

November 2016

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