Coursespecialist october 2016 2 spreads

OCTOBER 2016

TITLE FEATURE

Harbour Law triumphs for Epsom and the Mongans PREVIEW OF THE PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE MEETING AT CHANTILLY

DUBAI FUTURE CHAMPIONS WEEKEND AT NEWMARKET

RACING POST TROPHY FOCUS AT DONCASTER

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INSIDE

ALMANZOR STARS AT AN UNFORGETTABLE IRISH CHAMPIONS WEEKEND

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EDITOR’S WELCOME WELCOME EDITOR'S

Welcome Welcometotothe theOctober very first2016 issueissue of of Course SpecialistMagazine.

Magazine.

Course Specialist

F O

irstlyurI would like to thank everyone who has taken the time in andNovember trouble to website www.course-specialist.co.uk was launched read 2013 our launch issueexpress last month, to advertise andmy to provide feedback.

Life with the purpose of sharing enthusiasm for horse is allracing about and learning andmy I will listen to alleveryone comments with fromand the evolving bottom of heart I thank who hasa viewsupported to future improvement. the site.

September has from proved a sensational month, with Harbour Lawnews providing Epsom We have gone strength to strength and with ever-more to report, it –was and more specifically Laura Mongan, with a Classic moment of epic proportions time to produce a monthly publication. in aThis dramatic St Leger. month we take a look at the highlights of August, with Meanwhilethrilling over in Ireland, Almanzor quite brilliant as he from Postponed’s victory at anotherlooked tremendous Welcome To swept Yorkshire the back of theanfield to a convincing victory in the Irish Champion Stakes against a Ebor Festival undoubted highlight. vintage proven Group 1 winners.

We field also of speak with Jim Bolger on the career of his outstanding colt New Elsewhere, trainers have hailed Newmarket Open Weekend a resounding Approach, winner of the 2008 Irishthe Champion Stakes.

Indeed, this feature forms success, withfocus visitoronnumbers up. Irish Champions Weekend which takes place at part of our Longines This monthand we the look ahead to defining10th of champions Leopardstown Curragh on the September and 11th. at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe meeting, Dubai Future Champions Festival and Racing Post Trophy, We preview the Ladbrokes St Leger Festival at Doncaster, running from while October is 10th, also the hand-over point between the Tompkins flat and National Hunt, September 7th to including an interview with Mark on his popular with Wetherby’s Charlie Hall Chase traditionally the starting point for several St Leger winner Bob’s Return.

Gold Cup contenders the point return forand thepart 2015ofGold September also seesand theindeed, 32Redpossibly Newmarket OpenofWeekend this Cup Coneygree. year’swinner event will offer the public a first opportunity to visit the new National We speak withforJohn Hammond, whoSporting recalls the exploits his brilliant 1991 Heritage Centre Horse Racing and Art, whichofopens its doors at Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe herocaught Suave Dancer, William Jarvis remembers his Palace House.

We recently up withwhile National Horseracing Museum superb 1993and Dewhurst Stakes winner Grand and Kevin recollects marketing audience development officerLodge Ami Cosgrave forDarley a sneak preview.the stunning Racing Post Trophy of Celtic Swing.

With 1994 a review of August’s racingvictory news from around the globe, a bloodstock and are also delighted welcome Jonason fromaction, RacingweFX, whothat outlines salesWe news section and a tolook aheadTom to September’s hope you the challenges andfirst needissue! for careful financial management in the racing industry. enjoy reading our With reflections on September’s headlines from the UK, Ireland, France and further afield, plus the activity from a busy month in the bloodstock and sales arena, Yours sincerely, I hope that you enjoy reading the October issue of Course Specialist Magazine.

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 PRODUCTION Follow Creative www.followcreative.com Tim Colman, Kasey Moore Posterity IT ON THE COVER: Harbour Law and George Baker celebrate Ledger success Image supplied by Goffs WE'RE SOCIAL  /course-specialist  @Coursespecial

With best wishes,

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.

Andrew Pelis Editor and Publisher Andrew Pelis Editor and Publisher

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Copyright 2016 © Andrew Pelis

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FEATURE HARBOUR LAW

HARBOUR LAW FEATURE

H

© Steven Cargill

HARBOUR LAW BRINGS CLASSIC JOY TO MONGANS WITH ST LEGER SENSATION 4

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arbour Law won an extraordinary renewal of the Group 1 Ladbrokes St Leger Stakes at Doncaster, as the odds-on favourite Idaho stumbled and unshipped his rider.

Nine colts went to post for the final Classic of the 2016 season in the UK. Muntahaa was up with the leaders early on, along with Sword Fighter, the Queen’s Vase winner.

Muntahaa continued to take the field along from Sword Fighter, who was switched to his outside, with The Tartan Spartan third and then Ventura Storm and Housesofparliament, who was tracked by Idaho and Harbour Law, Harrison and Ormito.

Racing to the home turn, Muntahaa continued to set the tempo, with Sword Fighter close up as they straightened up.

However, there was huge drama as Idaho appeared to take a false step, stumbled and unseated Seamie Heffernan.

At the three furlong pole, Idaho’s stable mate Housesofparliament was given the office by Colm O’Donoghue and went on as Muntahaa folded, but the move was covered by Silvestre De Sousa and Ventura Storm, next to the rail.

The pair settled down to a terrific scrap over the last quarter of a mile, while all the time Harbour Law and George Baker closed, with the rest of the field becoming ever more remote.

Ventura Storm gradually wore down Housesofparliament but Harbour Law, who has bundles of stamina, came to collect them both under George Baker and at the line recorded a sensational victory.

Harbour Law, a son of Lawman, had run second in the two mile Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot, but showed a good turn of foot here to narrowly beat Ventura Storm, with Housesofparliament third.

The Laura Mongan trained winner was unraced at two, but won a Salisbury maiden in early May and a Sandown Park handicap later that month.

Idaho was thankfully reported to be fine along with his jockey later on.

An emotional Mongan said: “It was brilliant. He is a classy horse. I’m still shocked but that was good! He was good enough and I am just so glad we brought him here. He proved to everyone that he could do it. George knows the horse and did the right thing on him, so credit to him.

“It was a really professional performance from the horse.

We knew he was classy and we knew he was going to go somewhere in life and today he has. It’s amazing. He looked really well in the paddock.”

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FEATURE HARBOUR LAW

HARBOUR LAW FEATURE

© Steven Cargill

The trainer was also delighted to help put Epsom back on the map, which once such a fine training establishment, has experienced a spell in the doldrums in recent years.

She commented:.”It’s a bit surreal at the moment but it was absolutely brilliant. We have a great team at home and it proves that we can do it with the right ammunition and it proves that Epsom can do it. We do very well as a team with what we have got at home. It’s just great to have a horse like this and bring him here.”

Mongan also heaped praise on Baker who gave the colt a masterful ride. She remarked: “George knew exactly what to do at the right time and we knew coming into today that we could leave it to George as we had done everything we could at home.

“We’ve done it. He’s a great horse and I just hope we are lucky enough to hold onto him. All he has done all season is mature and grow up and he is just very exciting. It’s a great day.”

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Mongan suggested the horse will continue to improve into his four-year-old campaign adding: “I feel now that he will be an even better horse next year.

He’s exciting.”

Ian Mongan, Group One winning jockey and Laura’s husband, said: “We’ve had a lot of faith in this horse but did we think he would win the St Leger?

Maybe. He has come up against the best of the best.

From a little yard in Epsom, we are taking on the mighty power of Coolmore and all the other trainers.

“Henry Cecil sat me down three or four years ago and told me that good horses make good trainers and jockeys and that is exactly what happened today. He is a good horse. We were lucky that he came into our yard and all you have to do is feed them well and train them well and they’ve got engines and take you to special places. This horse has taken us to the St Leger - a Classic race. No woman trainer has ever won this race and Laura has done it today.

“Laura’s a fantastic trainer, a fantastic wife and a

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fantastic mother. We left our seven-year-old daughter Daisy at home today to come here and its her birthday and now we’ve justified it.

“To train a St Leger winner, I can’t quite believe it. I rode in the Derby and the 2,000 Guineas but never in the St Leger. This means so much to me and to Laura and the family and the yard. Epsom has struggled since the rise of Newmarket and Lambourn.

Hopefully, this will put it back on the map.

“I can’t get my head around the fact that this horse has won the St Leger. We came into today hoping he would run well and we thought we could only dream that he’d win but he has. He’s such a lovely horse.

“Of all the horses we have who are rated 50, 60, 70, 80, he is the easiest horse to train. This good horse has come to our yard and he has put us on the map. He’s very professional and he’s a class act.”

George Baker had been previously been denied two big prizes on Friday at Doncaster. He was beaten a nose on Quest For More in the 250th Doncaster Cup (by Sheikhzayedroad) and also by length and a quarter on Seamour in the Ladbrokes Mallard Handicap (by Wall Of Fire).

“I can’t believe that,” said the jockey.

“I am so happy for Laura and Ian (Mongan former jockey and Laura’s husband) because they have had so much belief in him.

“They have done everything right - they have given him plenty of time between his races and it has 110 per cent paid dividends for them.

“It’s an amazing feeling. It was a hard day yesterday and I find that you have to get over it, work out if you think you can make any improvement and get on with it.

“Today is just a sweet, sweet result.

“I worked him at Kempton about two weeks ago and he felt brilliant. I kind of felt that we all had Idaho to beat and, when they had that incident, it made it a very open race.”

He added, “I am just very pleased for Laura and Ian. They have a British Classic winner! They have worked really hard with him, have placed him really well and have also given him plenty of time between his races.”

Silvestre de Sousa, on second-placed Ventura Storm, said: “It was a good effort. He was just unlucky.”

Colm O’Donoghue, on third Housesofparliament,

said: “He ran a blinder. The pace was strong throughout.

He travelled very smooth but he may not have wanted that bit of rain to come - he is a very good mover. He ran a gallant race.”

Paul Hanagan, on Muntahaa (4th), said: “They didn’t really go quick enough for me so I had to make my own running. He was also a bit to keen. He made the running at Chester and is maybe still thinking about that.”

Donnacha O’Brien, on Sword Fighter (5th), said: “He went ok. He just lacks a little bit of class over a mile-and-six.”

Graham Lee, partner of Harrison (6th) said: “He ran well.”

Oisin Murphy, on Ormito (7th), said: “We went a nice clip. It rode like a decent renewal. It was just hard luck on Seamie Heffernan (who unseated from the favourite Idaho). I hit a false patch of ground as I came round the bend and was lucky not to come down.”

Phillip Makin, on The Tartan Spartan (8th), said: “It is only the third run of his life and he is perhaps still a bit weak. He ran as an outsider and he ran like an outsider. He is perhaps a little bit better than that.”

Ventura Storm, owned by a 12-strong syndicate of the Middleham Park Racing, is trained by Richard Hannon who said: “He has run a great race and he looked like he was going to win for most of the straight but got chinned.

“I am a little disappointed not to win but I could not be more pleased with the horse - he has run a super race and the owners are delighted.”

Kevin Buckley, Coolmore’s representative in Britain, talked about 4/6 favourite Idaho unseating Seamie Heffernan three furlongs from home and Housesofparliament’s third place.

He said: “I just hope Seamie is all right - I have not heard the latest but I believe he is up on his feet.

The horse might have taken a false step which is so disappointing. The main thing is that Seamie is OK he is meant to be flying over to Leopardstown.

“Housesofparliament ran well - I am not making excuses but the horses are taking the top off the ground and on his last two races at Newmarket and York he has shown that he does appreciate proper good to firm ground. That might have blunted him a little bit but fair play to Laura Mongan and her team - a great result and for George Baker too.”

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FEATURE HARBOUR LAW

HARBOUR LAW FEATURE

THE 2016 LADBROKES ST LEGER RESULT Group 1, £700,000 total prize fund. 3.45pm, Saturday, September 10, 1m 6f 132y. For three-year-olds only, entire colts (9st 1lb) and fillies (8st 12lb). Entries closed July 19, entries revealed July 20 (42 entries), scratchings deadline August 23 (25 remained), five-

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HARBOUR LAW (Jackie Cornwell) Laura Mongan 3-9-01 George Baker 22/1 VENTURA STORM (IRE) (Middleham Park Racing LXXII) Richard Hannon 3-9-01 Sivestre De Sousa 14/1 3 HOUSESOFPARLIAMENT (IRE) (Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor) Aidan O’Brien IRE ts3-9-01 Colm O’Donoghue 7/1 4 MUNTAHAA (IRE) (Hamdan Al Maktoum) John Gosden h3-9-01 Paul Hanagan 4/1 5 SWORD FIGHTER (IRE) (Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier) Aidan O’Brien IRE 3-9-01 Donnacha O’Brien 9/1 6 HARRISON (Tim Radford) Mick Channon 3-9-01 Graham Lee 40/1 7 ORMITO (GER) (Richard Morecombe & Lynda Ramsden) Andrew Balding cp1 3-9-01 Oisin Murphy 20/1 8 THE TARTAN SPARTAN (IRE) (Thistle Bloodstock Limited) Pat Shanahan IRE 3-9-01 Phillip Makin 66/1 9 (UNSEATED RIDER) IDAHO (IRE) (Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier) Aidan O’Brien IRE 3-9-01 Seamie Heffernan 4/6 FAV

Time: 3m 05.48s Distances: ¾, sh, 10, 8, 2, neck, 5 Tote Win £29.60 Places £4.20, £2.70, £2.00 Exacta £218.60 Breeder: Hascombe And Valiant Studs Breeding: b c Lawman (FR) - Abunai (Pivotal)

Laura Mongan consequently became the first woman to train a winner of the Ladbrokes St Leger.

Mongan is only the third UK-based woman trainer to win a Classic. Pam Sly saddled Speciosa in the 2006 1,000 Guineas while Helen Johnson Houghton trained the 1956 2,000 Guineas hero Gilles De Retz. Gilles De Retz ran in the name of Johnson Houghton’s assistant trainer Charles Jardine due to women being unable to hold a training licence at the time. French-based Criquette Head-Maarek has also won the 1,000 Guineas four times.

Harbour Law becomes the first Classic winner trained in Epsom since Right Tack in the 1969 2,000 Guineas (trained

by John Sutcliffe Jnr).

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day confirmation & £50,000 supplementary stage September 5 (15 confirmations), final declarations 10.00am, September 8 (9 declared runners). Penalty value 1st £396,970.00 2nd £150,500.00 3rd £75,320.00 4th £37,520.00 5th £18,830.00 6th £9,450.00

This was also a first Classic winner for jockey George Baker.

STEWARDS’ ENQUIRY The Stewards held an enquiry into the fall of Seamie Heffernan, the rider of IDAHO (IRE), approaching 3 furlongs out. They were unable to interview the rider as he was being assessed by the medical staff. Having viewed recordings of the incident the Stewards found that the fall was caused by IDAHO (IRE) stumbling when being switched right handed, causing the rider to be unseated. Being satisfied that no other horse or rider was involved, the Stewards took no further action.

Oisin Murphy, the rider of ORMITO (GER), unplaced, reported that the colt stumbled approximately 5 furlongs out.

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REVIEW IRISH CHAMPIONS WEEKEND

SATURDAY

© www.healyracing.ie

ALMANZOR EMERGES AS A TRUE CHAMPION IN A MEMORABLE IRISH CHAMPION STAKES Amid high expectation, it was the French three year old colt Almanzor, who emerged victorious after an epic renewal of the Group 1 Qipco Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

The Grey Gatsby was taken out leaving a field of twelve horses for an awesome renewal of this race, rightly taking pride of place as the jewel in the crown on Irish Champions Weekend.

At the off it was Success Days who went to the front from Highland Reel, New Bay and Ebediyin.

Success Days took the field along at a good clip from Ebediyin and Highland Reel who matched strides with New Bay and then came Moonlight Magic and Harzand.

As the field turned for home, Success Days still had the lead with Ebediyin under pressure and then came Highland Reel next to the rails. New Bay was making ground in behind, while Moonlight Magic was under pressure out wider – as was the dual Derby winner Harzand. Minding sat further back and behind a wall of horses, while Found and Almanzor were towards the back and Sir Isaac Newton brought up the rear.

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IRISH CHAMPIONS WEEKEND TITLE REVIEW NEWS Highland Reel swept into the lead early in the straight from New Bay, as Success Days faded, while in behind Moonlight Magic threatened to challenge under pressure and Hawkbill was well placed if good enough. Minding made stealthy progress up the inside rail, but her run was not entirely trouble free.

However, as Highland Reel and New Bay fought out what looked to be the finish, to their outside both Found and Almanzor came with withering runs, shooting clear of their rivals.

Found and Frankie Dettori had first run, but Christophe Soumillon and Almanzor were determined and the French colt stuck his neck out gamely to edge into the lead when it mattered most.

The pair had a fantastic scrap through the final furlong and it was the Prix du Jockey Club Stakes winner Almanzor who got up to beat the Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Found, who was second for the second year running.

Minding was in the ruck and came through for third, but had no answer to the turn of foot the front two possessed, while New Bay had every chance early in the straight and finished an honourable fourth. Just in behind these came My Dream Boat who ran a cracker, and had begun his run on the outside between the two principal characters.

Almanzor was adding further lustre to an amazing year for his trainer Jean-Claude Rouget and was underlining the fact that his French Classic success was no flash in the pan. This race was always earmarked as a major target for the son of Wootton Bassett.

This was also a big success for jockey Christophe Soumillon, who had endured disappointment aboard Cirrus Des Aigles in last year’s race.

The jockey said afterwards: “Listen, it was a great feeling when we passed the line because I knew today was going to be a tough race for all of us. It was a very highly-rated race with a lot of champions and we discussed with the trainer before the race to make sure that the horse was really relaxed to give his big turn of foot at the end of the race.

“We knew how good he was but when you go overseas for the first time with him you never know.

But today he was very relaxed and when I asked him to quicken he gave me a great turn of foot and he won really like a champion.

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“I think he showed us that he is the best three year old in Europe probably and you probably have to go to the Arc now. I hope in three weeks time he will be in the same shape. He is one of the best horses I have ridden and I think he has a good chance in that race.”

Trainer Jean-Claude Rouget commented: “Before the race it seems unbelievable because there were so many champions at the start. He had never challenged against these horses until today. It is fantastic!

“Every year you hear sometimes you have bad Derbies, even in Epsom, Ireland, everywhere. He looks to improve himself from race to race. In Deauville he was more impressive than in Chantilly and today he was more impressive than in Deauville.

So he is a great horse.

“I was delighted to see him behind because the pace was strong in the second part and I like to see the horse relax behind and I was very optimistic in the last turn.

“All depends on how the horse is in the next two weeks before we take the decision (about the Arc).

We have La Cressonniere who is a great filly and is unbeaten in seven races and will run in the Arc.” Reflecting on the race, Aidan O’Brien said of Found and Minding: “They ran very good races. I was delighted with both.

“It was an evenly-run race. Highland Reel sat handy and the fillies sat mid-division and Sir Isaac Newton was towards the back.

“It was a big field and in a competitive race like that you don’t always get a clear run.

“The plan always with Found was to go for the Arc after this and I imagine that will probably be the way with her.

“Minding got a few fairly tough bumps, but that’s the way it is in a big field like that and she ran very well.

“I imagine she might go again. She’s hardy and she’s well. She had a good break coming into this.”

Dual Derby winner Harzand was well-beaten in eighth place and his jockey Pat Smullen looked after Dermot Weld’s star colt in the closing stages.

“When I knew he wasn’t going to win today I looked after him,” he said. “Unfortunately he hadn’t got the pace early to get into the position we wanted to be in.

“At the furlong pole I accepted I wasn’t going to get anything today, so I had to think of the next day.

He hasn’t run a bad race and it’s probably the best race I’ve ever ridden in.

“He’ll bounce back and I think back at a mile and a half we’ll see the best of him.

“A furlong down when I realised I wasn’t going to achieve anything today I was thinking of the Arc.”

ALICE SPRINGS TROUNCES RIVALS IN THE MATRON STAKES Alice Springs came back to her impressive best as she romped home in the Group 1 Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes.

Creggs Pipes took the field along from Devonshire and Jet Setting, with Hawksmoor next and then the unbeaten Persuasive, Now Or Never and Qemah, just leading Alice Springs.

Turning for home, Creggs Pipes tried to kick and went a couple of lengths clear, but Jet Setting travelled powerfully and Persuasive showed a good turn of foot.

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Persuasive went to the front, but Alice Springs and Ryan Moore careered forward from last to first and stormed clear, leaving them for dead with a brilliant victory.

Persuasive, on her first attempt at Group 1 level, ran a super race and came to win her race in second, but had no answer to the acceleration shown by Alice Springs. Qemah did not have the best of routes and never seemed to travel at ease, but finished third, with Now Or Never fourth.

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REVIEW IRISH CHAMPIONS WEEKEND “The last day was a disaster,” stated winning trainer Aidan O’Brien. “It was shifty, patchy ground in Deauville and Ryan knew she wasn’t going to be involved and he just minded her then.

“She is a very good filly and has a lot of speed.

There is a chance that she could go for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot, and she looks made for the Breeders’ Cup on fast ground. Something like the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

“She is hardy, so she could do both, but it will depend on what the ground is like at Ascot; she likes a bit of good ground and she might get further some day, but she has a lot of speed.”

IRISH CHAMPIONS WEEKEND REVIEW The Kevin Prendergast trained Awtaad improved tremendously during the spring before tasting defeat at Royal Ascot and Goodwood. A break and drop in class worked the oracle as the three year old landed another valuable prize.

“He’s come back to himself. He had a bit of a dip after Ascot (St James’s Palace Stakes). The ground was bottomless at Ascot and he ran well, finished third to two very good horses,” said Prendergast.

“At Goodwood (Sussex Stakes) things just didn’t go right. The ground was probably a bit firm and he didn’t travel well - why I don’t know. He seems to be back to himself today.

“The plan now is to go to Ascot for the QEII. “I think he likes good ground. Most horses don’t like brick hard ground. On good ground, he’s himself.

“He’s a very good horse on his day. He’s run eight times and won five and been third twice.

“His blip was Goodwood and you’ll always give them one excuse.

“He’s keeping me going and gets me out of bed in the morning.

“We took the noseband off him because we put a tongue-tie on him. He was trying to hold his breath, which he did at Goodwood, and that’s probably why he choked up a bit.”

© www.healyracing.ie

AWTAAD RETURNS TO FORM WITH BOOMERANG STAKES VICTORY Awtaad appreciated the drop in class to run out the winner of the Group 2 Clipper Logistics Boomerang Stakes.

Gordon Lord Byron took the field along from Custom Cut to the inside, with Awtaad to the outside in third.

The leader took the field to the home turn with a narrow advantage from Custom Cut, with Awtaad poised in third and then Sruthan.

Straightening up and Custom Cut kicked next to the rails, with Awtaad quickening out wider.

The Irish Guineas winner sprinted into a length lead and kept up the gallop well under Chris Hayes, to beat Custom Cut and Hit It A Bomb, who travelled slightly awkwardly to claim third.

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ZHUKOVA SHOWS HER CLASS IN THE ENTERPRISE STAKES Zhukova won with a bit in hand as she beat the colts in the Group 3 KPMG Enterprise Stakes.

Just five went to post for this 1 ½ mile contest but they were not short of quality.

Tree Of Knowledge, one of three Aidan O’Brien runners in the field, took the quintet along at a good clip, quickly going five lengths clear of Zhukova.

Racing to the home turn, Tree Of Knowlege was the first to straighten up, but Zhukova and Pat Smullen showed a powerful turn of foot to move three lengths clear of Tree Of Knowledge, with US Army Ranger staying on but one-paced.

In the final half a furlong US Army Ranger did eat into Zhukova’s lead, but she had them beaten and passed the post about ¾ of a length clear of the

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very patient with her. She’s a big mare and she’s only showing the benefit of giving her that time now.

“She’s a good mare but I am a little bit surprised at how she did it, knowing that she will improve for the run. That’s scary.”

LANDFALL IMPRESSES AT LEOPARDSTOWN

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Derby runner-up, with a gap back to Bondi Beach, Tree Of Knowledge and Stellar Mass.

The Dermot Weld trained four year old filly remains unbeaten in 2016 and has now won four on the trot, having looked very smart when landing the Group 3 Blue Wind Stakes when last seen at Naas in May. She looks destined to tackle Group 1 races given her progression.

“It was a good performance. It was her first run in four months,” said Weld.

“The plan is to give her one more run this year.

“She put in two lovely performances in the Blue Wind and Alleged Stakes, beating Found and then Bocca Baciata.

“She enjoyed her summer break and has come back to be what I expected her to be - a Group One filly before the end of the year.

“It’s equally pleasing to have bred her with my late mother. She’s out of Nightime who gave my mother a great day when winning the (Irish) 1,000 Guineas.

“I’m more looking forward to next year and think she’ll be a serious mare then. The best is yet to come.”

Smullen said: “She’s a lovely mare, with a lovely big stride on her. I was quite happy to sit up, just behind the pacemaker, and she was always going to get to the line good. She showed a great turn of foot today, she quickened really well off the turn.

“She’s just an improving mare. We always though a lot of her but typical of the boss, he’s been

Landfall confirmed the huge promise of his maiden victory to upset the big guns and run out a comprehensive winner of the Listed Willis Towers Watson Champions Juvenile Stakes.

Douglas MacArthur went straight into the lead from Percy and Landfall.

The Aidan O’Brien runner, so impressive in a maiden at this track in late July, bowled along in front of Landfall and Percy, with Radio Silence and Firey Speech settled at the back.

Into the home straight, Landfall ranged up to challenge Douglas MacArthur and it was Landfall who edged into a narrow lead, with Firey Speech finishing well to the outside.

© www.healyracing.ie

But Landfall extended his lead to two lengths for a most impressive victory with Firey Speech claiming second place from the bitterly disappointing Douglas MacArthur.

The Ken Condon trained Landfall, had made a pleasing impression when beating Exemplar in a Curragh maiden in late August.

“He was maybe a big enough price. We did really like him and as I said at the time when he won at the Curragh I thought he was just about ready to start,” said Condon.

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REVIEW IRISH CHAMPIONS WEEKEND “He’s worked twice since then and you could see that he acts like the good ones and they improve from work to work and week to week.

“I’d say he’ll be put away now and we’ll aim him for some nice races next year.

“I’d say he’ll stay a mile and a quarter but he has that nice blend of speed and stamina. All the good ones have that.

“He’s a talented horse and one to look forward to. If he was still a colt he’d be going for the Group One in France on October 30, but because he’s a gelding that’s out.”

Earlier the opening race on Irish Champions Weekend at Leopardstown, the Ballylinch Stud EBF Fillies Maiden, went the way of the David Wachman trained Rain Goddess, who caused a shock at 50/1.

Holiday Girl and Key To My Heart disputed the early lead in a contest that usually throws up plenty of smart fillies and had 18 runners this year.

Turning for home, Holiday Girl increased her advantage but Key To My Heart rallied in the final furlong.

Holiday Girl fought back gamely and repelled her rival, however, Rain Goddess and Declan McDonogh flew down the outside late on.

Rain Goddess, a daughter of Galileo, had enough momentum to settle matters by around a length from Holiday Girl and Key To My Heart, with Aneen a close fourth.

Trainer David Wachman, who will retire at the end of the season, said: “She’s a nice filly. She’s straightforward and Declan gave her a great ride.

“She’ll be a nice filly for Aidan next year.”

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SUNDAY WICKLOW BRAVE GIVES WILLIE MULLINS A FIRST TASTE OF CLASSIC GLORY AT THE CURRAGH Wicklow Brave put up a game display to hold off the late challenge of Order Of St George and win the Group 1 Palmerstown House Estate Irish St. Leger at the Curragh.

Just four horses lined up for the final Classic of the Irish season, with the two three year olds Kellstorm and Unicorn both withdrawn.

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Wicklow Brave jumped off in front and set a decent pace from Silwana and Trip To Paris, with Order Of St George settled in last, sweating heavily, but covering all moves.

The order remained the same as the field approached the home turn, where Wicklow Brave continued to make the best of his way home.

Silwana soon faded and the last two Gold Cup winners gave chase.

With two furlongs to race, it developed into a cat and mouse game between Wicklow Brave and Order of St George, with Trip To Paris dropping away tamely.

Entering the final furlong, Wicklow Brave still had the advantage by about three lengths, with Ryan Moore working hard to bring Order Of St George into a winning position.

Gradually Order Of St George closed the deficit, but he did not have the same turn of foot demonstrated at Ascot, and nothing happened in a hurry.

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Perhaps the strong winds on the Curragh made progress harder work than usual, whatever the cause, Wicklow Brave responded to Frankie Dettori’s urgings and reached the line still ¾ of a length to the good, for a major upset.

Wicklow Brave was giving Willie Mullins a first Classic victory, having landed his biggest previous success when winning the 2015 Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. The seven year old son of Beat Hollow had developed into a classy flat performer subsequently, but was officially rated a stone below Order Of St George going into this race.

Mullins commented: “Ruby (Walsh) rode him in his last bit of work and he said there may not be anything to make the running. We have been holding him up all our lives and he often doesn’t produce what it looks like he will.

“Hopefully it will be the Melbourne Cup next.

That has been the plan all year as the pace and the ground will suit.”

CHURCHILL UNDERLINES HIS TRUE CREDENTIALS IN THE NATIONAL STAKES Churchill had been open to criticism after his latest workmanlike victory, but left no room for argument here, as he trounced his rivals in the Group 1 Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes at the Curragh.

Seven colts lined up for Ireland’s championship race for two year olds, over seven furlongs.

At the off it was Lancaster Bomber who emerged first, with Psychedelic Funk fast away too on the inside.

Settling down, Lancaster Bomber set off a couple of lengths clear of Lockheed and Churchill, with Fin McCool next and then Mehmas, Psychedelic Funk and Son Of Rest.

Racing to the two furlong pole, Lancaster Bomber was gathered by Lockheed, Churchill and Mehmas, with the latter to going on.

However, Churchill lengthened impressively to go away from Mehmas and to underline his credentials with a high class performance.

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Mehmas had no answer to his rival who won by perhaps four lengths, with Lockheed third.

The Aidan O’Brien trained Churchill, a son of Galileo, had seemed rather lazy in the Group 2 Futurity Stakes at the same venue last month, but put up a much more authoritative performance here under Ryan Moore, to stamp himself Champion Two Year Old. Moore said: “He’s a very exciting colt. He’s done nothing wrong his whole life and I’m sure there’ll be plenty more to come from him in the future. He has plenty of pace.

“Mehmas has won two Group Twos over six and when he came to me he found plenty.

“I think he has a big future.”

O’Brien added, “He settles well and he quickens well. He’s a very smart horse. He looked like a miler but Ryan said he’d have no trouble getting a mile and a quarter next year.

“Frankie’s horse was lying in on him and he’d every chance to give in. He keeps progressing with racing, and will have learned a lot today.”

INTRICATELY GIVES JOSEPH AND DONNACHA O BRIEN MAIDEN GROUP 1 VICTORIES IN THE MOYGLARE Intricately turned the formbook upside down as she landed the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh, which proved a landmark achievement for her trainer and jockey this afternoon Seven fillies lined up for Ireland’s premier juvenile contest for fillies, with Aidan O’Brien responsible for four of the field.

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Hydrangea broke well next to the rails from Intricately and Rhododendron.

Racing to the two furlong pole, the order remained the same, with the front two under pressure but nothing making much impression in behind.

Intricately went on in the final half a furlong, but Hydrangea fought back and the pair flashed past the post together in a close finish.

Rhododendron, who had beaten both at the same track recently, was a disappointing third, ahead of Rehana.

After a brief delay, Intricately was announced as the winner, giving Joseph O’Brien his maiden Group 1 victory as a trainer and his brother Donnacha a first victory at the highest level.

Intricately, a daughter of Fastnet Rock, was reversing form with several of these, having been beaten by the runner-up here and Rhododendron in August, and by Promise To Be True at Leopardstown in July.

The winning trainer said: “It’s unbelievable.

She’s very tough. She’s been running well all year and Donnacha (brother) gave her an unbelievable ride today.”

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He went on: “This means the world to me. It’s Donnacha’s first Group One and my mum bred her.

She’s very tough and Donnacha was very strong on her.

“She’s in the Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket, and we’ll see how she comes out of this. She doesn’t have to run again this season.

“I can’t believe she was 25-1 as she was only a length behind the second-favourite (Rhododendron) the last day.

“You probably get a bigger kick out of training winners than riding them, as a lot more work goes into it.”

SHAMREEN ON THE MARK IN THE BLANDFORD STAKES Shamreen made all the running and found more when needed, to repel the challenge of Best In The World and win the Group 2 Moyglare ‘Jewels’ Blandford Stakes at the Curragh.

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Five fillies went to post for what did not look the strongest of Group 2 races.

Shamreen broke well from Cirin Toinne and Best In The World through the early stages.

The order remained the same, with Shamreen and Pat Smullen taking the field along with a two length advantage over Cirin Toinne and Best In The World. With Santa Moncia and Planchart racing together at the back.

The quintet headed to the home turn, with Shamreed still in front of Cirin Toinne and Best In The World, although the second was being ridden along.

Shamreen reached the two furlong pole still in front but Ryan Moore started to work on Best In The World who came to join the long-time leader, but could not go past.

On the rails, Shamreen responded well to Smullen’s efforts and she found a little more as Best In The World’s challenge flattened out in the final half a furlong.

The front pair were clear of Santa Monica in third.

The Dermot Weld team suffered a disappointing reverse with the eclipse of Harzand in the Irish Champion Stakes, enjoyed a fine meeting, with Zhukova impressing at Leopardstown, before this triumph for Shamreen, a daughter of Dubawi.

ARDHOOMEY SPRINGS A FLYING FIVE SURPRISE Ardhoomey emerged late on, under a terrific ride from Colin Keane, to snatch the Group 2 Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh.

Take Cover broke well with Spirit Quartz and Gracious John also prominent early on.

At the two furlong pole, Take Cover was challenged by Spirit Quartz who travelled strongly and just about headed his rival at the furlong pole.

However, Washington DC burst through inside the final furlong and looked set for victory, but was challenged late on by Ardhoomey and Colin Keane.

Ardhoomey headed Washington DC late on with Iffranesia and Maarek finishing well late on for

the minor honours.

The Ger Lyons trained four year old Ardhoomey, had been in good form in the spring, when he recorded a hat-trick of victories. This was his first taste of Group success.

OREWA LANDS VALUABLE TATTERSALLS IRELAND SALES RACE AT THE CURRAGH Brian Ellison enjoyed success as his juvenile colt Orewa ploughed a lone furrow up the stands rail to win the valuable Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sales Stakes over six furlongs at the Curragh.

A giant field of 28 juveniles lined up for this valuable contest.

Madam Prancelot broke well with Letmestopyouthere and Little Nosegay towards the centre.

Sweet Zain and Jollydee ran well up with the pace, but Little Nosegay and Rory Cleary pulled five or six lengths clear at halfway.

Image supplied by Tattersalls Ireland

Racing to the two furlong pole however, Little Nosegay was joined by Diable D’or.

Diable D’Or went on but was soon swallowed up by a mass of horses and it was Orewa and Chris Hayes who emerged against the stands rails.

Inside the final furlong Orewa, racing on his own, pulled a couple of lengths clear, with Medicine Jack, racing to the far side, finishing late to claim second, ahead of Wick Powell down the centre of the track.

Orewa, a son of Helmet, had been something of a Beverley specialist, winning his first two starts there and adding a third victory on his most recent start in late April.

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UK RACING NEWS in a sequence which had included Group 2 success at Haydock Park in May, in the Sandy Lane Stakes.

Her run came to an end on faster ground in the July Cup at Newmarket, and she was kept ticking over with this race in mind thereafter.

Quiet Reflection, a daughter of Showcasing, was providing another huge day for the Ontoawinner Racing Syndicate.

Her success followed last month’s Group 1 victory for Mecca’s Angel in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York.

QUIET REFLECTION LAUGHS LOUDEST WITH 32RED SPRINT CUP GLORY Quiet Reflection confirmed the prowess of the fillies and mares in the sprint division this year as she ran out a decisive winner of the Group 1 32Red Sprint Cup at Haydock Park.

The persistent and heavy rain predictably saw conditions turn against the July Cup winner Limato and he was an absentee here, along with Sole Power and Divine.

That left a field of 14 runners and as the gates burst open, it was Only Mine who jumped off and led early on, as the field headed towards the stands side.

Kachy, Only Mine, Suedois and Dancing Star all raced prominently, with Jane’s Memory towards the centre of the track.

Kachy continued to led at the two furlong pole, where Suedois was under strong pressure and Quiet Reflection loomed large with a powerful run.

Quiet Reflection hit the front and quickly put daylight between herself and her rivals. Inside the final half a furlong, The Tin Man emerged from the pack to close a little bit, but he could never get on terms with the 3 year old filly and Dougie Costello.

At the line Quiet Reflection was clear of The Tin Man to record her second Group 1 victory of the year, having been successful in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot in June.

The Tin Man in turn was clear of Suedois and Mehronissa, with Mr Lupton staying on well.

The Karl Burke trained Quiet Reflection won her fifth race on the bounce at the Royal Meeting,

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BRAVE ANNA DELIVERS A FIRST CHEVELEY PARK STAKES FOR AIDAN O’BRIEN (IMAGE IN DROPBOX – COPYRIGHT A.J. BYLES) “Would you believe it – it is a hard race to win!” quipped Aidan O’Brien after Brave Anna gave the master trainer his first victory in the Group One Connolly’s Red Mills Cheveley Park Stakes.

In a titanic battle, Seamus Heffernan got the better of Ryan Moore who was aboard the winner’s stablemate, Roly Poly, in the six furlong event.

The American runner Lady Aurelia was soon into her stride and took the field along, extending her advantage and appearing to have her rivals in trouble three furlong from home.

But all of a sudden things got tougher as the Aidan O’Brien pair of Roly Poly – and to her outside Brave Anna, began to close.

The two swept past Lady Aurelia late and became embroiled in an exciting finish.

There was a short-head separating Brave Anna from Roly Poly at the line, the pair having lowered the colours of the American filly, who blazed a trail but was collared inside the final furlong.

Brave Anna had shown her qualities earlier in the year when landing the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, in which she beat Queen Kindly. However, she was off the track for a while afterwards and disappointed a little on her return at the Curragh.

O’Brien said: “She’s a good, hardy filly and we were afraid the seven furlongs was a bit too much for her the last day, but you’d say, looking at her today, she’d get the seven okay.

“She had a good break after Ascot and maybe she got a little bit tired in the Moyglare at the Curragh, but she came home very well.

“The two fillies came home very well. I don’t think any of them were wilting going to the line.”

race of the season, on soft ground way back in April.

Nine starts later, he was scoring at the top level, trumping Blue Point.

Mehmas was a further two and a quarter-lengths back in third.

The Last Lion did it the hard way, making the running and having to repel plenty of challengers as the field fanned out across the Rowley Mile.

Delighted Fanning said: “He is a good horse. He has been tough all year. His owner, John Brown, said if he finished fifth he would be delighted with him.

His work early on was brilliant in soft ground and he won on soft in the Brocklesby. I thought it might be against him today, but it didn’t seem to bother him.

“He is a very laid-back horse and very versatile, very tough.

“I am delighted. It is great. I’ve ridden about 27 Group Twos and Threes. I needed to get that Group One. It is great that it is on my Birthday – it took a long time!”

RIVET FIZZES IN CHAMPAGNE STAKES Rivet got the better of a protracted duel with Thunder Snow to land the Group 2 At The Races Champagne Stakes at Doncaster.

A field of six colts went to post for this seven furlong contest with a rich history.

As the stalls opened, it was Thunder Snow and Majeste who went on through the early stages, tracked by Rivet and Grey Britain.

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THE LAST LION BRINGS MIDDLE PARK PRIDE FOR FANNING (IMAGE IN DROPBOX

© A.J.Byles

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Joe Fanning gained the first Group One victory of his career on his 46th birthday as he powered the gallant The Last Lion to a three-quarters of a length success in the Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes.

Mark Johnston’s son of Choisir landed the Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster, the first juvenile

© Steven Cargill

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Majeste assumed the overall lead but was niggled along racing to the two furlong pole, where Thunder Snow went on from Rivet, racing wider.

This pair went clear of their rivals and fought out a terrific final furlong, with Rivet and Andrea Atzeni narrowly getting up from Thunder Snow, with a gap back to D’bai and Majeste.

BRETON ROCK GETS UP AT THE DEATH TO LAND THE PARK STAKES Andrea Atzeni conjured a driving finish out of Breton Rock to get up on the line in the Group 2 Saint Gobain Weber Park Stakes at Doncaster.

A field of eight went to post for this seven furlong contest.

Toormore, next to the stands rail, led from The Happy Prince and Kentuckyconnection, racing between horses, and it was the Irish horse that went on at the two furlong pole.

The Happy Prince took a couple of lengths out of the field and was chased by Buckstay.

However, the final furlong told on The Happy Prince, as Breton Rock and Adaay began to battle towards the centre of the track.

It was Breton Rock and Andrea Atzeni who got up in the shadow of the post to deny The Happy Prince, with Adaay a close third.

The David Simcock trained 6 year old Breton Rock was giving his trainer a second Group 2 in consecutive days, following the Doncaster Cup triumph of Sheikhzayedroad.

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ARAB SPRING IMPRESSES IN SEPTEMBER STAKES Arab Spring made his class tell as he showed a superior turn of foot to win the Group 3 Totescoop6 September Stakes at Kempton Park.

Robin Of Navan led through the early paces but was soon passed by Noble Gift who edged into the lead from Arab Spring, as the sextet passed the winning post with a circuit to race.

The pace remained far from testing, with Noble Gift leading from Arab Spring as the field left the back straight and headed towards the home turn.

Arab Spring went into the lead with two furlongs to run, but was challenged by Robin Of Navan to the inside.

However, Arab Spring, who had run in the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes last time out, responded quickly when Jim Crowley asked him for more, powering clear with a good turn of foot, to put matters to bed in a matter of strides.

At the line Arab Spring was well clear of Robin Of Navan, who battled back to claim second place from the returning Sky Hunter.

The 6 year old Arab Spring was giving his trainer Sir Michael Stoute a sixth win in the race. He has always been a good horse but had had his share of injuries. However, as he showed today, he still retains a good amount of ability.

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SIMPLE VERSE RETURNS TRIUMPHANT TO DONCASTER IN THE PARK HILL STAKES Simple Verse, out of sorts in the spring, came back to something like her best as she made a winning return to Doncaster, by overhauling long-time leader Pretty Perfect, in the dying strides of the Group 2 DFS Park Hill Stakes.

There was a fairly even break but Mill Springs, to the inside, was chased up into the early lead by Rab Havlin, with Pretty Perfect on her shoulder and then California and Forever Popular. © Steven Cargill

SHEIKHZAYEDROAD WINS A THRILLING 250TH DONCASTER CUP

© Image supplied by Goffs Ltd

The front pair set a strong pace from Forever Popular and California, with Tioga Pass and Moderah some distance behind the leaders.

Racing to the home turn the front two moved three lengths clear of Forever Popular, who in turn was three clear of Abingdon and California.

Into the straight and Pretty Perfect travelled strongly into the lead as Mill Springs faded and the Irish filly held a clear three length advantage over Simple Verse who stayed on but had plenty to do at the furlong pole.

Pretty Perfect started to tire inside the final furlong dramatically, as Simple Verse, last year’s St Leger winner, inch by inch clawed back the deficit.

Once again, that long Doncaster straight determined the outcome as Simple Verse agonisingly overhauled Pretty Perfect right on the line to add another valuable Doncaster prize to her resume.

The front pair pulled miles clear of California who stayed on at the one pace in third.

After 2 ¼ miles of racing, Sheikhzayedroad denied the gallant front-runner Quest For More by a matter of inches, to win the Group 2 250th Doncaster Cup. Eight went to post for this famous contest, with Quest For More, the recent Lonsdale Cup winner, taking the field along by a couple of lengths from Burmese.

Racing to the top of Rose Hill, Quest For More had increased his lead to maybe five lengths over Burmese, and into the home straight, he continued to travel well in front and at the three furlong pole, Burmese was under pressure, while Sheikhzayedroad moved well.

Racing to the furlong pole, Sheikhzayedroad and Martin Harley came to challenge Quest For More, while the three year old St Michel was staying on well from the back of the pack.

Quest For More dug in gamely next to the rails as Sheikhzayedroad drew alongside and the pair flashed past the post as one, with St Michel a hugely honourable couple of lengths back in third and clear of Burmese.

After a brief delay, the Judge called Sheikhzayedroad as the narrow winner of a memorable renewal of this great race.

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ARDAD BACK TO FORM IN THE FLYING CHILDERS STAKES Ardad returned to five furlongs and the winners enclosure with a power-packed finish to land the Group 2 Pepsi Max Flying Childers Stakes at Doncaster.

Yalta broke fast from the gate and took early command with Equimou, third in Wednesday’s Scarborough Stakes, also showing blistering early speed.

However, as the pace quickened, Yalta faded quickly and Equimou and Hit The Bid held the overall advantage with The Last Lion making ground, while towards the stands rails, Ardad and Frankie Dettori were moving forwards, having been covered up and towards the rear early on.

At the furlong pole, it was still just Equimou in front, with Legendary Lunch, also racing to the far side, throwing down a stern challenge.

On the stands side, Ardad and The Last Lion were also bang in contention and it was the former who had the best momentum to land the spoils.

Legendary Lunch and The Last Lion dead-heated for second place, with Afandem staying on well for fourth, just ahead of the fast-finishing Rainbow Mist and Equimou.

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LARCHMONT LAD ALL HEART IN TATTERSALLS STAKES VICTORY

Sean Levey always had him well-placed and he lengthened nicely to beat Whitecliffsofdover by three-quarters of a length, with Sir Dancealot a short-head further back in third.

Hannon said: “He’s a lovely horse and I’ve no doubt he is a Guineas horse. We have always thought that. The last day he just needed it a little bit, mentally and physically, because he had a fair while off after winning his maiden.

“We have always thought a fair bit of him. He just got a bit tired today and managed to keep going. This is quite a strong renewal of the race, because David Elsworth’s horse (Sir Dancealot) is a lovely horse and Escobar (unplaced beaten favourite) is a nice horse, who might just have underperformed today.

“This lad is straightforward but I absolutely think he’s a Guineas horse. I’d be happy to leave him now, because he is in the promised land and I will leave him there for the winter and see what happens.

He could well turn up in a Craven or Greenham, for sure. He will do, because he has won his Group Three now.

Richard Hannon is looking forward to the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas with Larchmont Lad, winner of the Group 3 Tattersalls Stakes on the opening day of Newmarket’s Cambridgeshire Festival.

The Footstepsinthesand colt had two previous runs coming into this seven-furlong contest and bounced back after having his colours lowered by Rodaini in a blanket finish in a Listed contest at Doncaster. However, he appeared unsettled in the pre-parade ring and made plenty of noise before calming down.

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COUGAR MOUNTAIN PEAKS IN THE JOEL STAKES Cougar Mountain may now have a crack at either the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita, following his three-and-a-quarter-length victory in the Group 2 Shadwell Joel Stakes.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained son of Fastnet Rock has been highly tried in his 18-race career, with the Group 3 Desmond Stakes at Leopardstown last season among his highlights.

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But he strode clear in good style under Ryan Moore, putting plenty of daylight between himself and the pace-setting Gifted Master to gain the biggest success of his career at Newmarket.

It was a marked step up on his last run when sixth of eight to Breton Rock in the seven furlong Group 2 Park Stakes at Doncaster.

Kevin Buckley, representing the O’Brien team, said: “We came here hopeful. We knew he’d come out of his race at Doncaster in good form and the key with him is this Good to Firm ground, which we have been in search of. I think, personally, he is probably better over this mile trip.

“He has always been knocking on the door and was second in the Desmond Stakes earlier this year after winning it last year, and has always been there or thereabouts. So we have to be happy with that.

SPAIN BURG LANDS THE ROCKFEL STAKES SPOILS FOR FRANCE There was a truly international winner of the Group 2 Shadwell Rockfel Stakes, as French-trained Spain Burg upset Fair Eva. Ridden by the popular Italian Frankie Dettori and owned by Spaniard Roberto Cocheteux Tierno, the Xavier Thomas-Demeaulle-trained filly, who had previously won a Listed juvenile six furlong contest at La teste de buch, powered home to record a one and a quarter-length success. Miss Infinity finished third.

The highly-regarded Fair Eva looked booked for victory with a furlong to race, but had no answer to Spain Burg’s acceleration as she became the first French-trained winner of the Rockfel Stakes, which was first run in 1981.

Thomas-Demeaulle said: “After she won at La teste I had no races for her in France. I had the choice of Goodwood – which was too close – and this race.

Jocelyn de Mowbray helped me to find the races and I chose this one – which was a good choice.

“England is very famous for racing so it is a pleasure to be here. We have been very well received

by Newmarket and it is a pleasure to be here.”

The daughter of Sageburg was having the fifth start of the season, having always shown ability at home.

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© A.J.Byles

The trainer added: “Since the beginning she has shown a lot of ability. She was the first two-year-old I ran this year and I don’t run many at two, but she showed me each morning that she has class and she wants to run.”

Spain Burg is the first French filly to win the Rockfel and is now on course for a return to the Rowley Mile next May for the QIPCO 1,000 Guineas.

Thomas-Demeaulle said: “Let’s speak with the owner, but I would like to come back for the QIPCO 1,000 Guineas.”

Dettori feels Spain Burg will handle the extra furlong of the mile Classic.

He said: “I was reading the form and she won a small Listed race in Toulouse. The only time she got beaten was when she was forced to make the running.

So I tried to get cover. We had a bit of a fight in the first two furlongs but I tried to ride her cool and she had a great turn of foot. I was not sure what she would be like against these, but she never looked like getting beat. But for sure, we will go for the Guineas. If they are the best around, we beat them fair and square.

Another furlong shouldn’t be a problem.”

BEST OF DAYS SHOWS HIS CREDENTIALS WITH ROYAL LODGE STAKES VICTORY Hugo Palmer can dream of the Derby after Best Of Days justified favouritism in game style to land the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes in the hands of James Doyle.

After staying on up the hill, he had a neck to spare over The Anvil in the one-mile Group 2 contest.

Palmer said: “The horse was gorgeous from

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the moment he arrived. He was home bred by his previous owner, who sold him to Godolphin. It is impossible to overplay the part that James [Doyle] has made here.

“Not that William [Buick] did anything wrong at York, but we all learned from that, in the respect that he flattered to deceive.

“I was terribly worried about the ground as he was a little jarred up at York. So I said to James that as he hit the rising ground, he would have to get him in top gear and then just believe he will stay, as he is by a King George winner in Azamour and out of a mare by High Chaparral who obviously stayed a mile-and-a-half as well. James did that absolutely to the letter.

ENERGIZED SPARK PLUG LANDS THE CAMBRIDGESHIRE By his own admission, Brian Meehan has endured a difficult season, but the victory of Spark Plugs in the Betfred Cambridgeshire brought a rare smile to the face of the Manton trainer.

Jimmy Fortune always had the five-year-old well placed and he stormed home down the stands’ side to gain the fourth victory of his career.

Spark Plugs had fallen in the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot last year, leaving Fortune sidelined for two months, and the Dylan Thomas gelding was recording his first success since before the tumble in the ultra-competitive 1m1f handicap.

Meehan said: “It has been a tough, tough, year and this old horse means a lot.

He has been around the yard for quite some time, and we knew he was up to this. It was his first time over this nine-furlong trip.

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“Tony Stafford (journalist) spotted him as a twoyear-old and advised the owner to buy him.

“Jimmy rides most of the horses for us and as done for years. We have had an association for years.

This old horse fell in the Hunt Cup last season and Jimmy was out for a long time.

“So it means a lot to everybody, the team at home, everybody. He’s a quirky horse. The owner, Lew Day is a great supporter.

“I guess he has always looked like a Cambridgeshire horse to everybody, really. He was unlucky when he fell in the Hunt Cup and he ran very well back in the Hunt Cup this year (when beaten five lengths). He always looked as though he was a horse who would have a big chance in a race like this.

NEWMARKET OPEN WEEKEND HAILED A MASSIVE SUCCESS Racing fans from all corners of the country flocked to Newmarket on Sunday to catch a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the industry as a number of yards from across the town opened their doors to the public.

While there may have only been 15 stables participating in this year’s event, it failed to stop thousands of visitors attending the second day of the 32Red Newmarket Open Weekend.

After having watched a number of horses, including the Sir Michael Stoute-trained pair of Midterm and Ulysses, canter on the gallops at Warren Hill on Saturday, the action 24 hours later presented a chance for visitors to rub shoulders with some familiar faces from the training ranks - along with meeting the equine stars of the sport.

As in previous years, the yard of James Fanshawe

was one of the major draws, with a steady flow of visitors cascading through the gates of Pegasus Stables to see the likes of Group One winner Speedy Boarding and talented sprinter The Tin Man. Fanshawe said: “We’ve had more people in than the last two years. We’ve had a good turn-out to the yard. Hopefully people have enjoyed coming around.

“The horses have been very relaxed and it’s great to show racing enthusiasts what goes on behind the scenes and also to say thank to the people of Newmarket as the whole place relies on give and take from everyone.

“It is great that people are interested, it’s all very well going to the races but it is great to show them how things are prepared and how the horses are trained, and just give them a general insight behind the scenes.”

CONEYGREE COULD RETURN IN THE BETFAIR CHASE AT HAYDOCK PARK Last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Coneygree could make his eagerly-awaited return to action in the Betfair Chase at Haydock after connections admitted they are “tempted” to pursue the Jockey Club Chase Triple Crown.

Any horse who can land the Betfair Chase in November, the 32Red King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day and the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup in March will pick up a £1million bonus.

Coneygree, who became the first novice in 41 years to win the blue riband in March 2015, raced just once last season when dismissing two rivals at Sandown in December.

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Despite his lengthy absence, Sara Bradstock, wife and assistant to trainer Mark, reports the nineyear-old to be in rude health ahead of his comeback.

“He is in very good form. He did his first piece of proper fast work on Saturday and he feels amazing really,” said Bradstock.

“I actually think he’s probably in better form than he was this time last year. The injury he had was one of those niggly things that got progressively worse and, in hindsight, I think it’s something he probably picked up when he won the Gold Cup. “He obviously came out and won at Sandown, but looking back, I don’t think he jumped as well as he can that day, so he was probably feeling something.

He obviously wasn’t lame or we wouldn’t have run.

“The weather is going to play a big part in where we start off as I don’t think we’d even think about running him on good ground, it would need to be on the slow side of good.

“We are tempted by the bonus, so it could be that we wait until the Betfair Chase at Haydock.

“If the ground came we might think about the Charlie Hall. We’ll probably enter him at Wetherby and see how it looks, but the worry would be it comes close enough to Haydock.

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TIZZARD HOPING FOR RAIN AHEAD OF THISTLECRACK’S INTENDED CHASE DEBUT AT CHEPSTOW Trainer Colin Tizzard is praying for rain to allow Thistlecrack to make his chasing debut at Chepstow next month.

Last season’s star staying hurdler is set to embark on a career over fences this term and is already being linked with a challenge for the Cheltenham Gold Cup next March.

Tizzard reports his eight-year-old in fine form ahead of his intended return in the two-mile-threefurlong totequadpot Novices’ Chase on October 8, a race the Dorset-based trainer won with Cue Card on his chasing bow five years ago.

Native River was third in the same contest last season before going on to win at Grade Two and Grade One level before the end of his campaign.

Tizzard said: “Thistlecrack is absolutely fine and he’s doing plenty of work.

“We just hope there’s plenty of rain in the next few weeks as we’d want good or good to soft ground

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to be going to Chepstow or Exeter or somewhere like that with him.

“We hope to get there (Chepstow) as it’s a nice place to start and it’s a race we’ve run Cue Card and Native River in before.

£1 MILLION UP FOR GRABS IN THE THE JOCKEY CLUB CHASE TRIPLE CROWN 2016/17 The finest staying chasers racing today will have the chance to net their connections £1 million overand-above Grade 1 prize money after Jockey Club Racecourses today announced the return for the 2016/17 Jumps season of the bonus associated with winning The Jockey Club Chase Triple Crown.

The UK’s leading racecourse group, which stages 85% of Grade 1 Jump racing in Britain and is governed by Royal Charter to reinvest all its profits back into the sport, is offering the bonus to the connections of any horse that wins its Chase Triple Crown, consisting of three elite Grade 1 races: the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park in November, the 32Red King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day and the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup on the final day of The Festival next March.

Jockey Club Racecourses offered the bonus initially as a one-off for the 2015/16 Jumps season in memory of the late Kauto Star - the only horse to have won the Chase Triple Crown since the inception of the Betfair Chase in 2005.

Cue Card’s tilt at that challenge helped to set the Jumps season alight, winning the first two contests before falling three fences from home when disputing the lead in a Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup won by Don Cossack.

It was decided to repeat the initiative for the 2016/17 Jumps season following consultation with a range of horsemen, the extra interest in Jump racing the bonus generated and a practical option to insure the bonus being available.

Should a horse achieve the remarkable feat, the bonus would be awarded to connections as follows: 65% to the winning owners, 15% to the trainer, 10% to stable staff at the winning yard,

and 10% to the jockey (split a third per race if different jockeys riding).

Paul Fisher, Group Managing Director of Jockey Club Racecourses, said: “We’d love a special horse to capture the public’s imagination and take their place in racing folklore by winning The Jockey Club Chase Triple Crown. It was fantastic to hear people label last season’s bonus contender, Cue Card, as ‘the People’s Horse’ and we look forward to the challenge of going one better being considered for the finest staying chasers racing today. It would be tremendous for our sport.”

On the financing of the bonus, Fisher added: “It was pretty well understood last year that we insured the bonus and it’s important to stress we have done the same again for a modest sum out of the marketing budgets we use to promote the three Grade 1 contests involved. Jockey Club Racecourses has already committed to contribute the largest sum in the history of our sport to prize money this year, £20.9 million. That is the affordable maximum thanks to us continuing to find ways to grow our business to support the sport. Whatever we make we put back into British Racing.”

Joe Tizzard, representing the stable that saddles previous Chase Triple Crown bonus contender, Cue Card, and the likes of Grade 1-winning staying hurdler, Thistlecrack, who is expected to race over fences this season, said: “This is brilliant news. Having got so close to winning the Chase Triple Crown bonus with Cue Card last season, that’s what he’ll be aiming at this time.”

Image supplied by The Jockey Club

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10-time Champion Jumps trainer, Paul Nicholls, who saddled Kauto Star to become the only winner of the three races that make up The Jockey Club’s Chase Triple Crown in the same season, said: “Kauto Star winning the Betfair Chase, King George and Cheltenham Gold Cup in the same season really cemented his legend among the public. You’ve got to be a special horse but he showed it could be done and it’s great for Jump Racing that The Jockey Club is putting up this bonus challenge.”

Willie Mullins, Ireland’s 11-time Champion Jumps trainer, said: “This is a serious prize that deserves serious consideration this season. Well done to Jockey Club Racecourses for putting it up for us to have a go at. It’s also something that hopefully will spark the public interest too.

Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand Nationalwinning trainer, Nigel Twiston-Davies, said: “Well done to Jockey Club Racecourses for bringing the bonus back for this season. It’s important for Jump Racing to have these big prizes to aim at and we saw all the interest Cue Card’s effort brought for the sport last year.”

The Jockey Club Chase Triple Crown: 19th November 2016 - 3 miles 24 yards, Grade 1 Betfair Chase, Haydock Park 26th December 2016 - 3 miles, Grade 1 32Red King George VI Chase 17th March 2017 - 3 miles 2 furlongs 70 yards, Grade 1 Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup

EAGLE TOP RETIRED Eagle Top, winner of the 2014 King Edward VII Stakes and runner-up to Postponed in the 2015 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, has been retired.

A stallion placing is now being sought for the chestnut 5 year old, owned by Lady Bamford.

Eagle Top amassed earnings of just under £500,000 in his 11 races, but seemed to save his best performances for Ascot, where he nearly made it

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back to back victories at the Royal Meeting last year, when narrowly defeated by Snow Sky. The son of Pivotal, out of the smart race filly Gull Wing, is a full-brother to this year’s Dante Stakes winner Wings Of Desire.

Trainer John Gosden said: “We’ve decided to retire Eagle Top and hopefully we can now find a nice stud job for him. He is a good-looking horse with a good mind on him and he was very much a top-of-the-ground performer.

Image supplied by Goffs Ltd

© jimmy Clark

“I thought his best performance was his win in the King Edward VII Stakes as the form of the race has worked out very well. As I remember, he had subsequent Grade 1 winner Adelaide well behind him in second that day.”

MADAM DANCELOT WALTZES TO SALISBURY SUCCESS Madam Dancelot got the early lead and was always in control as she made all to win the Group 3 Bathwick Tyres Dick Poole Fillies’ Stakes at Salisbury.

The feature race on the Salisbury card for two year old fillies had plenty to live up to after the earlier impressive maiden victories recorded by Poet’s Vanity and Argenterie.

Nine fillies lined up for this contest, with Elliptical fly-leaping from the stalls, as Madam Dancelot went into the lead from Grizzel and Dainty Dandy.

They were all under pressure in behind as Madam Dancelot and Tom Queally kept up the gallop gamely inside the final furlong and she was

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ridden out to score by a comfortable length and a half from Mystic Dawn who threatened briefly to close. Pellucid claimed third placed from Grizzel.

The Joseph Tuite trained Madam Dancelot, a daughter of Sir Prancelot, was one of the more experienced runners here. She had impressed on debut when beaten just ¾ of a length by the very smart Mehmas, in a Chester maiden in May. She was also paying a compliment to Fair Eva, who had beaten her by 8 lengths in the Group 3 Princess Margaret Juddmonte Stakes at Ascot in late July.

HATHAL DEFIES ABSENCE TO PROVE SUPERIOR AT HAYDOCK PARK Hathal showed his class to defy a long spell on the sidelines and get the better of a thrilling finish to land the Group 3 32Red Mile (Registered as The Superior Mile Stakes) at Haydock Park this afternoon.

In ground now officially described as soft, a field of 8 lined-up for this contest.

First Selection, the only three year old, broke well, but Convey and Custom Cut soon took command and set the pace by a couple of lengths to Hathal.

Turning into the home straight, Convey went on from Custom Cut and First Selection, with Hathal next and then Breton Rock, Mitchum Swagger, Tupi and Gabrial.

Convey swung into the straight and ploughed a lone furrow down the centre of the track, while Custom Cut stuck to the far rail.

Heading to the furlong pole, Custom Cut kept up the gallop but Hathal wore him down along with Mitchum Swagger and this pair duelled, with Convey rallying and hanging across to join them.

In a thrilling finish, Frankie Dettori and Hathal narrowly held on from Mitchum Swagger and Convey, with Custom Cut just behind in fourth.

The William Haggas trained 4 year old Hathal had always been a talented individual, but had been off the track for 351 days, since winning at Newbury last September.

32RED NEW PARTNER FOR KING GEORGE VI WINTER FESTIVAL 32Red is the new sponsor of Kempton Park’s prestigious King George VI Winter Festival and Lanzarote Hurdle Day fixtures, and has extended its support for Tolworth Hurdle Day at sistercourse Sandown Park, in a three-year partnership announced today by Jockey Club Racecourses.

A founding Authorised Betting Partner of British Racing, 32Red is already the sponsor of 45 fixtures at Kempton Park this year alone and began its association with Sandown Park’s 32Red Tolworth Hurdle back in 2011.

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The two-day 32Red King George VI Winter Festival will be staged at Kempton Park on 26th and 27th December 2016 and includes the Grade 1 Boxing Day showpiece, the 3 mile £200,000 32Red King George VI Chase, the Grade 1 32Red Kauto Star Novices’ Chase (in memory of Nigel Clark) and the Grade 2 32Red Desert Orchid Chase over 2 miles, worth £80,000.

Ed Ware, CEO of 32Red, said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park for the next three years. Only a cursory glance at the roll call of previous winners of the King George VI Chase makes you appreciate the truly historic status of the race, and to have 32Red’s name attached to it is very exciting.

“We are long established in horse racing sponsorship and are already the largest supporter of British Racing in numerical terms, but this sevenfigure sponsorship package adds more quality and profile to our portfolio.

“Our three-year sponsorship of today’s 32Red Sprint Cup, along with our recently renewed commitment to the £1m All Weather Championship Series, plus extending our support to the 32Red Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown Park, and adding the 32Red Lanzarote in too, means we are now not only leaders in terms of quantity but also quality.”

Visit: http://kempton.thejockeyclub.co.uk/ events-tickets/whats-on/winter-festival-26_12

HARRY ANGEL LANDS MILL REEF STAKES Harry Angel was on his best behaviour and proved much too good for his rivals, as he lost his maiden tag with victory in the Group 2 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury.

The son of Dark Angel was making his first appearance since finishing second at Ascot in May, having being withdrawn at the start on his next intended appearance when unruly at the stalls at Goodwood at the end of July.

Partnered by Adam Kirby, Harry Angel travelled keenly and took up the running entering the final furlong, seeing off another son of Dark

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be a possibility. I can’t wait to see him on fast ground.

“He is a great moving horse and should make a nice stallion one day. I thought he was going to come and win easily today but the ground was just against him.

“He is still a young horse and I don’t see why he can’t go and win one of the big Group One sprints.”

ALGOMETER REVELS IN THE CONDITIONS Image supplied by Newbury Racecourse

Angel, Perfect Angel, by two and a half lengths.

A delighted Clive Cox said: “It was a blip at Goodwood last time after he was a promising second first time out. He was bruised quite badly at Goodwood and it is great testament to the team at home, who have worked tirelessly, that we have been able to get him back.

“He is a horse that is just anxious to get on with it but is very talented. I am pleased that people have been able to see today what we have been able to see at home. It is great to have another Group race twoyear-old winner.”

COTAI GLORY IN THE SPRINT The five-furlong Group 3 Dubai International Airport World Trophy saw four-year-old Cotai Glory get the better of Alpha Delphini by a shorthead with Ridge Ranger a further two and a quarter lengths back in third.

Winning trainer Charlie Hills reported: “I so nearly took him out today because of the ground but with so many horses already out of the race, we were enticed to run.

“I had a chat with George Baker (jockey) after the first race and we decided to run. I think he won today despite the ground and stuck his head out.

“We will now be looking at going to the Prix de l’Abbaye with him and with his owners (Kangyu International Racing & P Ma) being from Hong Kong, the invitational races in December could also

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Algometer landed the 11-furlong £60,000 Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Legacy Cup at Newbury, in the famous colours of owner Kirsten Rausing.

The three-year-old grey son of Archipenko, making his first start since finishing seventh in the Investec Derby at Epsom Downs in June, stayed on resolutely to see off The Queen’s Dartmouth by threequarters of a length in the hands of Jim Crowley.

Winning trainer David Simcock said: “It was a good performance from Algometer today.

“He had three quick runs earlier in the year and didn’t run badly in the Derby when he stayed on.

“Jim said today he was doing his best work in the last furlong. This ground brings out the best in him.

“It takes him a bit of time to get into top gear but then he is hard to pass. He idled a bit in front but picked up again when Dartmouth came to challenge him.

“He is likely to have one more start this year. We will look for a race abroad at the top-level. It won’t be Chantilly.

“He is a horse that is only going to get better next year.”

BRANDO DELIVERS A COMMAND PERFORMANCE IN THE AYR GOLD CUP Proven class once again came to the fore as Brando gave Kevin Ryan his fourth victory in the William Hill Ayr Gold Cup when he went clear close home to land the six-furlong showpiece at the Western meeting.

The joint-top weight asserted in the final furlong under a strong drive from Tom Eaves to add his name to Ryan’s winning list of Advanced (2007), Our Jonathan (2011) and Captain Ramius (2012).

The well-fancied Nameitwhatyoulike helped set the pace on the favoured far side, with Hoof It and Sir Robert Cheval showing plenty of speed.

A furlong from home it was clear Nameitwhatyoulike could not keep up the gallop as Brando stormed to the front to collect this prestigious prize by a length and a quarter from Growl.

Hoof It was another three-quarters of a length away in third, with G Force fourth.

NEW WEBSITE LAUNCHED FOR THE 2017 GODOLPHIN STUD AND STABLE STAFF AWARDS The Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards, now in their 13th year, has launched a new website for the awards to provide more information for potential nominators. The awards have been going from strength to strength with the increased participation and support and will now benefit from a dedicated website.

The website includes a newly-integrated and improved online nomination form. This means that nominators will be given a login to enable them to save their nomination at any point and return to complete the online nomination form at a later stage. Other new features include videos of the previous winners, improved navigation and guidance on how to nominate your stud and stable staff for the awards.

The Awards, sponsored by Godolphin and run by the British Horseracing Authority in association with the Racing Post, offer more than £120,000 in prize money, with up to £40,000 available to a single yard or stud. The prizes will be presented in front of an invited audience on the evening of Monday 20 February 2017 at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel in Knightsbridge, London.

To view the new website and to nominate, visit www.studandstablestaffawards.co.uk.

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WRATH OF TITANS WINS THE KERRY NATIONAL

© www.healyracing.ie

CAPRI GETS THE JOB DONE IN THE BERESFORD STAKES Capri was made to work hard by his stablemates but finished on top in the Group 2 Juddmonte Beresford Stakes at the Curragh.

Just six went to post for this prestigious race, with Aidan O’Brien responsible for four of the field.

Escape Clause quickly went to the front from Latin Beat and Exemplar, with Capri tucked in behind these.

The Jessica Harrington runner continued to set the tempo from Exemplar in second, with a couple of lengths back to Capri and Yucatan and then Latin Beat.

Turning for home, Exemplar came to join Escape Clause and went on, with Capri closing to the stands side and Yucatan to the far side.

Inside the final furlong, Capri and Exemplar had a real battle and in the testing ground, it took Capri and Ryan Moore plenty of time to get on top. Exemplar tired late on and was passed by Yucatan, with Capri forging on for a victory of roughly one length.

Capri is a son of Galileo and was completing his hat-trick here, after winning a maiden and a Listed race in the space of a week previously.

He was giving Aidan O’Brien a 16th win in the Beresford Stakes overall and a sixth in a row.

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© www.healyracing.ie

EZIYRA LANDS DECISIVE VICTORY FOR DERMOT WELD Eziyra proved much the best as she landed the Group 3 C.L. and M.F. Weld Park Stakes at the Curragh, a race named in honour of the winning trainer Dermot Weld’s parents.

Elizabeth Browning took the field along and at the five furlong pole was well clear of Dawn Of A New Era towards the stands side and Wild Irish Rose to the far side.

With two furlongs to race, Elizabeth Browning was still in front, but racing on her own on the far side.

However, she was passed by those to the stands rail and it was Eziyra who came through in the final furlong to beat Grecian Light by about 1 ¼ lengths, with the pair clear of Legitimus in third.

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Wrath Of Titans landed an incident-packed Guinness Kerry National at Listowel.

A field of 18 went to post for this three mile race, on testing heavy ground.

Shesaportrait was left behind at the start, as Gas Line Boy headed to the first fence, with Ballycasey and Your Busy well up with the pace and followed

by Rightville Boy and Shadow Catcher and then Aranhill Chief.

At the third, Gas Line Boy had the lead from Ballycasey and Your Busy, with the field bunched in behind and Shesaportrait catching up at the end of the pack.

Racing away from the stands for the first time, the front three pulled a few lengths clear of Richtville Boy, while towards the back Killer Crow and Phil’s Magic fell.

Gas Line Boy continued to lead down the back on the final circuit, with Ballycasey second and Rightville Boy next, but Realt Mor took a crashing fall.

Turning for home Ballycasey had tired and at the second last, Gas Line Boy was under strong pressure and starting to weaken, as Rightville Boy led, with Lord Scoundrel the Galway Plate winner creeping ominously closer.

However, Rightville Boy touched down in front of Wrath Of Titans, but Lord Scoundrel over-

© www.healyracing.ie

pitched on landing and slithered to the ground when holding a big chance.

That effectively narrowed it down to two, and at the last, Rightville Boy landed in front, but Wrath Of Titans and Lisa O’Neill were closing and found an extra gear on the flat to run away to a five lengths victory over Rightville Boy, with Gas Line Boy an honourable third and Three Kingdoms fourth.

The seven year old Wrath Of Titans was giving trainer Gordon Elliott a first victory in the Listowel feature race.

DUCHESS ANDORRA EDGES A GOWRAN PARK THRILLER Duchess Andorra showed great fighting spirit to regain the lead in the shadow of the post and win the Group 3 Denny Cordell Lavarack & Lanwades Stud Fillies Stakes at Gowran Park.

A dozen fillies and mares lined up for this 9 furlong, 100 yards contest in wet conditions.

Al Jazzi broke well from the gates but to her inner it was Duchess Andorra who quickly moved to the lead, with Maudlin Magdalen also prominent.

Indeed, Maudlin Magdalen went on from a wide position, with Duchess Andorra to the inside and then How High The Moon, Ringside Humour and Cirin Toinne.

Turning into the home straight, Maudlin Magdalen led but under pressure and Duchess Andorra cornered well and opened up. The challenge came from out with as Intimation made ground on the stands side, while Laganore came through between horses.

In the final half a furlong, Laganore looked to get her head in front, but Duchess Andorra fought back tenaciously and the pair passed the post locked in battle, with Intimation third and Sea Swift next.

After a photograph finish, Duchess Andorra was called the winner under a fine, positive ride from Colin Keane.

The Johnny Murtagh trained 5 year old mare had not won since the spring of 2015, when she won at St Moritz on the snow, before recording victory in a Gowran Park handicap in April of that year.

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ALEXIOS KOMNENOS RULED OUT FOR REMAINDER OF SEASON

THE GURKHA RETIRED FROM RACING The Gurkha, one of the star three year olds of this year, has been retired, it has been announced.

The Aidan O’Brien trained son of Galileo was unraced at two, but made a big impression this year, winning the Group 1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French 2,000 Guineas) at Deauville, by 5 ½ lengths from First Selection, on just his third racecourse start, having only made his debut a month earlier.

He then headed to Royal Ascot for a mouthwatering clash with English Guineas winner Galileo Gold and the Irish winner Awtaad. However, tactics went awry and he found he had too much to do in the home straight, coming home 1 ¼ lengths second of 7 to Galileo Gold.

The Gurkha then headed to Sandown Park in early July – and a step up in trip to 1 ¼ miles in the Coral Eclipse Stakes. He became involved in a thrilling protracted fight up the home straight with Hawkbill, but the rain-softened ground and extra trip just counted against him and late on he faded to finish ½ a length second of 7 to the Godolphin colt.

The Gurkha made his final start in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood in late July, where he once again locked horns with old rivals Awtaad and Galileo Gold.

This time the outcome was different, as he came with a powerful run to beat the latter by a neck.

Sadly soon afterwards news came through that The Gurkha had undergone surgery at Fethard Equine Hospital. It was later revealed that he had suffered a displaced colon and his racing career was in doubt.

Now time has been called on an all-too brief career and The Gurkha is set to go to stud.

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Alexios Komnenos will not run again this season after suffering a setback that ruled him out of the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes at the Curragh on Irish Champions Weekend.

Connections had been looking forward to renewing rivalry with Churchill, who had beaten Tommy Stack’s promising two-year-old by a neck in the Group Three Tyros Stakes at Leopardstown in July.

As it was, Aidan O’Brien’s Churchill went on to further enhance his reputation by winning the Group One on Sunday in good style.

“He’s had a setback and is definitely out for the year,” said Stack’s son and assistant, Fozzy.

“It’s such a shame. We were going to go for the National Stakes.”

HUGELY POPULAR GREY THOUSAND STARS RETIRED One of jump racing’s great stalwarts has raced for the last time, with the news that Thousand Stars has been retired.

The hugely popular grey 12 year old was described as an “iron horse” after he was retired due to injury. The decision came following the discovery that he had suffered from a small stress fracture.

Thousand Stars, a son of Grey Risk, won 13 of his 80 outings and was placed on 23 other occasions, but also captured the hearts of jumps racing fans in Ireland, the UK and France alike, with a series of courageous displays.

He became a Cheltenham Festival winner back in 2010 when he landed the County Hurdle, and added back-to-back victories in the French Champion Hurdle at Auteuil in 2011 and 2012 under Ruby Walsh. His last victory came under Walsh in the Grade 1 Grand Prix d’Automne at the Paris track, when he beat Aubusson by a nose.

Walsh’s sister Katie, who was on board 17 times including the County Hurdle triumph, felt Thousand Stars played a huge part in her career

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development and recalled the festival success as one of the greatest days of her career.

She said: “He was just a favourite of everyone. I got to ride him in so many Grade 1s and the day I won the County Hurdle on him at Cheltenham was really special. It was like he had joined in halfway up the home straight and he won really well.

Willie Mullins also paid tribute to his charge, saying: “He was an iron horse. He was tough and sound.

He never showed off at home. You would never see him do a flashy piece of work but he saved everything for the track. He was a favourite of everyone in the yard and had his own style of running,”

INTRODUCTION OF WI-FI AT ALL IRISH RACECOURSES APPROVED BY BOARD OF HORSE RACING IRELAND The Board of Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) has approved a scheme for the provision of Wi-Fi across all 26 Irish racecourses. In partnership with the Association of Irish Racecourses (AIR), HRI will provide up to a maximum of €1 million in grant aid to racecourses for the project which will represent an estimated investment of €2 million over a number of years.

Phase one of the project will begin in 2017 with the installation of a dedicated fibre connection to all racecourses. The second phase will focus on providing a dedicated, high-speed Wi-Fi network.

The entire project is expected to be completed within 12-18 months.

As each racecourse will have its own specific requirements, a bespoke solution will be provided to each track. Surveys will be undertaken at all racecourses in consultation with managers, giving racecourses the opportunity to decide upon their optimum Wi-Fi coverage.

The project will be overseen by HRI’s Commercial and Broadcast Manager, Darren Lawlor and a technical consultant will be appointed to assist with the design and implementation phase. Details of the tender will be published in the coming weeks

in order to secure a supplier who is in a position to provide connectivity to all 26 racecourses.

SEA OF GRACE SEASON ENDS WITH DIRTY SCOPE Sea Of Grace has been put away for the season after a dirty scope ruled her out of the Moyglare Stud Stakes.

Trainer John Oxx took her out of the Group One over a mile at the Curragh following an unsatisfactory routine scope.

Oxx had hoped to give her a chance at the top level in her juvenile campaign after her success in the Group Three Flame Of Tara Stakes over the course and distance last month.

“We were hoping to run her in the Moyglare, even though it was coming up a bit quick, but she just wasn’t 100 per cent on the scope on Tuesday after work, so we decided not to leave her in the race,” said the Currabeg handler.

“She’s done enough for this year now. She’s had three races and she’s a big filly. We’re not in any hurry to get her out again until next year.”

DE BROMHEAD EYEING A NOVICE CHASING CAMPAIGN WITH IDENTITY THIEF Grade One-winning hurdler Identity Thief is under consideration for a chasing career this season.

Henry de Bromhead’s six-year-old held his form admirably since he claimed the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle last November and signed off in April with a second-placed finish in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle.

Connections are now keen to see how he gets on over fences.

De Bromhead said: “There are a couple of nice two-mile beginners’ chases in October, so we’ll see.

“There’s Punchestown mid-October and the end of October. He jumps well.”

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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

FRENCH RACING NEWS

VADAMOS ON TOP IN THE PRIX DU MOULIN

LEFT HAND QUICKENS WELL TO WIN THE PRIX VERMEILLE Left Hand gave the Prix de Diane form a strong boost as she showed the best kick near the finish to win the Group 1 Qatar Prix Vermeille at Chantilly.

A field of six fillies lined up for this prestigious contest.

At the break it was Left Hand who jumped into the early lead but soon conceded her advantage to Endless Time and The Juliet Rose, with Candarliya moving up into third.

Endless Time continued to set the pace from The Juliet Rose, with Candarliya and Left Hand on their heels and then Golden Valentine and Highlands Queen at the rear.

Heading past the Chateaux, it was still Endless Time in front of The Juliet Rose and the Godolphin filly took the turn for home with a length advantage, but with plenty of cards to be played.

Up front, Endless Time began to wind up the pace and The Juliet Rose was soon under pressure, while Left Hand made ground to the outside and Candarliya challenged on the rails.

However, Endless Time fought on resolutely and was only headed in the latter stages by Left Hand, who got up be about half a length from Endless Time and The Juliet Rose, with Highlands Queen a never nearer fourth.

The Carlos Laffon-Parias trained three year old Left Hand, had run second to La Cressonniere in the Group 1 Prix de Diane at this track in June.

Under Maxime Guyon here, she had the best turn of foot.

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Vadamos was given an enterprising ride by Vincent Cheminaud to land the Group 1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp with a degree of comfort at Chantilly this afternoon.

The final mile Group 1 of the year in France took place with a field of six contesting this prestigious race.

Zarak took the field along from Vadamos ad this pair went a couple of lengths clear of Spectre.

Turning for home, the field moved off the rail and Cheminaud kicked Vadamos on, assuming command from Zarak and moving into what proved an unassailable lead.

The five year old impressively shot a few lengths clear under and his rivals were all in trouble a furlong out.

Late one Spectre came through for a closing second but in reality Vadamos already had the race in the bag and the German filly was comfortably held by about 1 ½ lengths, with Zelzal a bitter disappointment, failing to pick up in third, just ahead of Zarak.

The Andre Fabre trained Vadamos, a son of Monsun, was backing up his recent fine run in the Group 1 Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville, when only Ribchester had beaten him home.

SILVERWAVE A FACILE WINNER OF THE PRIX FOY Silverwave confirmed his superiority over three rivals with a straight forward victory in the Group 2 Prix Foy at Chantilly.

The last of the three traditional trials for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe attracted just four older horses this year, racing over 1 ½ miles.

Elliptique and Ito disputed the early lead but the pace was pedestrian through the early stages.

Settling down, the German runner Ito went on from Silverwave, Elliptique (who pulled hard) and One Foot In Heaven.

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October 2016

Ito began the turn for home with a lead of two lengths over Silverwave, with Elliptique third and then One Foot In Heaven.

With two furlongs to race, Ito tried to quicken away but failed to shake off Silverwave, who went on under Maxime Guyon and went a length clear of Ito, with Elliptique third and One Foot In Heaven a remote fourth.

The Pascal Bary trained four year old Silverwave, is a son of Silver Frost and had recorded a maiden Group 1 success last time out when winning the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. This relatively facile performance will have fine-tuned him after a break, for a tilt at the big race over the same course and distance in three weeks.

JAPANESE DERBY WINNER MAKAHIKI UNEXTENDED IN PRIX NIEL WIN Makahiki, having his first start since late May, was not hard ridden win narrowly win the Group 2 Qatar Prix Niel from another returning horse in Midterm, at Chantilly.

A disappointing field of just five three year old colts lined up for a race that is traditionally a strong trial for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, with much of the attention beforehand, centred around the participation of the Japanese Derby winner Makahiki.

Doha Dream jumped straight into the lead from Midterm to the inside, with Makahiki to the outside in third and then Darabad and Carzoff.

Midterm was moved to the fore after about a furlong, taking a lead of a couple of lengths under Vincent Cheminaud.

Racing along the far side, Midterm continued to bowl along in front of Doha Dream and Makahiki, with Darabad fourth and Carzoff still at the tail of the field.

Midterm turned for home with his ears pricked and Doha Dream closing a little, while Makahihi was niggled along with two furlongs to race.

Doha Dream came to challenge Midterm who was asked for his effort and responded well. Meanwhile, Makahiki ranged alongside and the three had a good battle through the last half a furlong.

Makahiki and Christophe Lemaire got up on the line by a narrow margin, without being asked too big a question by his jockey.

Midterm ran a terrific race on his return from injury, going down by perhaps ¼ of a length, with Doha Dream also bang in the picture in third.

The Yasuo Tomomichi trained Makahiki, a son of Deep Impact, looks set to represent Japan in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, a race they have obsessed about but still never won.

Earlier on the card Just Glamorous landed the Group 3 Qatar Prix du Petit Couvert over five furlongs.

Just Glamorous and Demilla were away well and it was the former who blazed a trail from Goldream and Marsha.

However, Just Glamorous held a clear lead inside the final furlong and never looked threatened, coasting to an easy, uncontested victory under Ted Durcan.

Marsha came home second, with last year’s Prix de l’Abbaye winner Goldream third in a clean sweep for British trained horses.

The Ron Harris trained three year old Just Glamorous, a son of Arcano, had been plying his trade in handicaps prior to this first pattern success.

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NEWS FRENCH RACING

FRENCH RACING NEWS

VAZIRABAD BACK TO FORM IN THE PRIX GLADIATEUR Vazirabad came back to form as he stepped back up in trip to win the Group 3 Qatar Prix Gladiateur at Chantilly.

Nahual took the field along from Waltzertakt and Kicky Blue, while Vazirabad and the badlybehaved Mille Et Mille were the back two.

The order remained relatively unchanged, as Nahual took the field along from Waltertakt and Settler’s Son and Kicky Blue.

Turning for home, Waltertakt went on from Nahual as the pace quickened. Nahual fought back gamely, but Vazirabad came with his run down the outside.

It looked as though Vazirabad would storm clear, but Nahual was most persistent and gamely fought back against the rails.

However, proven class told and the Alain De Royer-Dupre trained four year old did enough to win by perhaps half a length, with probably plenty in hand. The front two went well clear of Settler’s Son who claimed third ahead of Kicky Blue.

Vazirabad had looked France’s leading stayer, winning seven consecutive contests, before his run was ended by defeat in the 1 ½ mile Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in July, when he was a well-beaten seventh behind the Prix Foy winner Silverwave.

He looks likely to stick to longer trips now, with the Group 1 Prix du Cadran, for which this race is a trial, a likely target.

KONTRASTAT ACCELERATION SEWS UP THE PRIX LA ROCHETTE Kontrastat looked a smart performer as he showed a strong burst of speed to win the Group 3 Prix la Rochette, often a signpost to Group 1 competition Baileys Showgirl jumped well but it was Mate Story who went on from Baileys Showgirl to the outer and then the grey Body Sculpt.

Turning for home, Mate Story led by about a

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length from Baileys Showgirl and Incampo.

Mate Story kept up the gallop at the two furlong pole and continued to repel Baileys Showgirl who could make no impression.

However, down the outside Kontrastat and Theo Bachelot, who had looked trapped on the rails heading to the furlong pole, came with a storming run to claim Mate Story by about ¾ of a length.

Mate Story ran well for much of the race in second, and then came Baileys Showgirl who just held off Body Sculpt for third place.

Kontrastat, a son of My Risk, was giving trainer Stefan Wattel a big victory and holds an entry in the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Chantilly, on Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe day.

AKIHIRO AND TOULIFAUT IMPRESS IN CHANTILLY GROUP 3 CONTESTS Toulifaut stamped herself a smart filly as she gave her rivals first run and a beating in the Group 3 Prix d’Aumale at Chantilly.

Just six fillies lined up for this one mile contest, but four of the runners had unbeaten records to defend.

At the furlong pole, Invincible Queen still led but was quickly swamped with Liberale and Normandel going on, while Toulifaut was switched out to the wide outside by Ioritz Mendizabal and began to close. At the same time, Asidious Alexander was had nowhere to go on the inside rail.

Toulifaut came through to take up the running in the final half a furlong and won a shade cleverly by about ¾ of a length from Normandel and Asidious Alexander, who finished strongly when finally finding daylight.

Earlier on the card, the Andre Fabre trained Akihiro stamped himself a smart colt as he won the Group 3 Prix des Chenes with plenty in hand.

High Alpha went clear in the home straight but Maxime Guyon and the son of Deep Impact had everything covered and cruised up powerfully to win by a length, with a further two lengths back to National Defense in third.

Akihiro was making it two wins from as many starts and looks a name to remember.

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JALLOTA GIVES CHARLIE HILLS VICTORY IN THE PRIX DU PIN Jallota delivered an English victory as he burst through to convincingly win the Group 3 Prix du Pin at Chantilly.

Come Alive, Black Max and Territories all missed the break badly and conceded many lengths at the start, as Noozhoh Canarias went on from Coulsty and Karar, while Jallota was away well but reined back by Christophe Soumillon.

Into the home straight and Noozhoh Canarias still led from Coulsty and Blue Soave to the outside, with Jallota next, while Karar came under pressure to the inside.

As the long-time leader dropped away, Coulsty was ideally positioned to take advantage, but could not go forward as he came under a strong ride.

A gap opened up and Jallota went on at the furlong pole and drew a couple of lengths clear.

Attendu stayed on well and moved into second place, but far too late, as Jallota landed the spoils.

Karar finished third, just ahead of Coulsty.

“I think she will not run any more this year as she has had a strong season.

“We will certainly keep her for next year and make her Group One filly again.”

USHERETTE UNLIKELY TO RUN AGAIN THIS YEAR BUT SET TO RACE ON IN 2017 Andre Fabre has warned Royal Ascot winner Usherette is unlikely to be seen out again this season.

The dual Group Two-winning four-year-old has not been seen since finishing a well-held sixth in the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket’s July Festival.

Although the daughter of Shamardal, winner of this year’s Duke of Cambridge Stakes, holds an entry in next month’s Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket, the master French handler is unlikely to send her over for it.

He said: “Usherette is fine, but she will probably not run again this season.

“She stays in training for next year, though.”

QEMAH SET TO RETURN IN 2017 AFTER MATRON STAKES DEFEAT Dual Group One winner Qemah is unlikely to run again this season after being beaten into third place in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown.

Victorious in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot before landing the Prix Rothschild at Deauville, the Jean-Claude Rouget-trained threeyear-old had to make do with minor honours in Ireland behind Alice Springs, a filly she had beaten in her two previous starts.

Rouget feels Qemah’s tardy start was costly at Leopardstown and he is confident she can make her mark at the highest level once more in 2017.

“It was a bad start and she was never relaxed in the first part of the race,” said the trainer.

“She did well to get third place. If she had been ridden in behind Alice Springs, it could have been a match between the two. course-specialist.co.uk

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL RACING NEWS

INTERNATIONAL RACING NEWS NEWS

PROMISING RUN ON TOP IN THE ISTANBUL TROPHY

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TEPIN LANDS THE WOODBINE MILE Tepin returned from a break to win her eighth straight race although she was far less dominant than in other races in her sequence, as she landed the Grade 1 Ricoh Woodbine Mile Stakes at Woodbine.

Eight horses went to post for this contest, including three European horses, taking on the might of superstar mare Tepin.

Tepin jumped fasted but it was Glenville Gardens who asserted fro mFrom Mast and Arod, with Tepin fourth and then Tower Of Texas and Mutakayyef.

At halfway, Glenville Gardens still took the field along from FulL Mast, with Tepin and Arod racing together.

At the top of the stretch, Full Mast went on with Tepin under pressure and Mutakayyef staying on.

However, Tepin responded well to Julien Leparoux’s efforts, which were perhaps more pronounced than many had expected beforehand.

The Mark Casse trained mare lengthened and drew a couple of lengths clear.

However, she seemed to idle close to the line and Tower Of Texas closed down on Tepin in the late stages and the winning distance was perhaps no more than ¾ of a length, with Mutakayyef on their heels in third and then Full Mast.

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BLOND ME SWOOPS LATE TO WIN THE TOPKAPI TROPHY Blond Me came from the back of the field with a dramatic late run to win the Group 2 International Topkapi Trophy in Veliefendi.

Six horses lined up for this major highlight on the Turkish racing calendar and at halfway, Kreacher held a 1 ½ lengths lead from Silent Attack and Impulsive, with Blond Me fourth and then Dayim Benim and Diplomat.

Into the home straight and Kreacher still led, but Silent Attack looked poised to challenge and Mickael Barzalona duly obliged over a furlong out.

However, there was a dramatic finish with the Godolphin horse veering violently to his left and costing himself ground.

To the inside Dayim Benim was gifted the lead from Impulsive, as Silent Attack was straightened up and tried to regain the lead.

However, between horses, Blond Me and Oisin Murphy surged through to claim the spoils right on the line.

Silent Attack just got up for second, ahead of Dayim Benim, in a desperately close finish.

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There was a second success on the evening for British trained runners, as Promising Run won the Group 3 Istanbul Trophy at Veliefendi in Turkey.

Five fillies went to post for this valuable race with Hard Baby on the outside, rushed into the early lead from the British trained Promising Run and Tatvan Incisi and Willpower.

Hard Baby kicked approaching the home turn but the move wasn’t decisive, with Tatvan Incisi on the inside taking up the running from Promising Run. Inside the final furlong though, the action switched to the outside, with Promising Run and Mickel Barzalona hitting the front but under strong pressure from Willpower racing wider still.

The pair settled down for a thrilling battle in the final furlong, where Willpower appeared to hang across Promising Run, forcing her across the track and to the inside rail.

However, the Saeed bin Suroor filly stuck gamely to her task and with the inside rail to help, she fought on to beat Willpower, with Tatvan Incisi third.

Promising Run, a daughter of Hard Spun, had won the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket last autumn, but was winning for the first time this year, following a campaign which saw her

chasing shadows against Polar River in Meydan in the winter, before disappointing efforts in the Musidora Stakes behind So Mi Dar and the Group 1 Coronation Stakes behind Qemah.

Her victory was further evidence that the bin Suroor stable is getting back to form.

TURKISH DELIGHT FOR VETERAN BELGIAN BILL There was a huge pay day for popular veteran Belgian Bill, who led home a British one-two in the local Group 2 France Galop – FRBC Anatolia Trophy at Veliefendi in Turkey.

A field of just five went to post for this 1 ¼ mile contest on the Polytrack and as the field left the stalls, the other British raider Basem, stumbled, losing several lengths at the start.

The pace was relatively pedestrian and was cut out by local horse Cemcem, but as the field entered the home straight, Belgian Bill looked a big threat, while Basem made up ground down the outside.

It was Fergus Sweeney and the George Baker trained 8 year old who gained first run however, and Belgian Bill had plenty in hand over Basem at the line, to add to previous valuable victories in the Royal Hunt Cup, Betfred Mile and in Meydan.

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL RACING NEWS

INTERNATIONAL RACING NEWS NEWS

WANETA KEEPS THE INTERNATIONAL TRAKYA TROPHY AT HOME

SHAMAN GHOST SHOWS PLENTY OF SPIRIT TO WIN THE WOODWARD STAKES

The only local runner Waneta, proved most game as she saw off four British raiders to win the Local Group 3 International Trakya Trophy at Veliefendi.

The second renewal of this six furlong contest brought together four British trained horses up against one local filly who was unbeaten in four starts.

Waneta, the Turkish filly, was fastest away and led from Mailshot, with Top Score third and then Masham Star and Best Solution.

She kept up the gallop but was hard driven and joined by Top Score in the final furlong.

However, the pair bumped as they duelled and Top Score was unable to quite get past the longtime leader, who gamely held on narrowly under Halis Karatas for a famous local win which was only confirmed after she had survived an objection.

The daughter of Mountain Cat is out of a mare by that fabulous globe-trotter, Running Stag.

Shaman Ghost provided an upset as he got the best of a four-way finish to the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga.

Beforehand much of the interest surrounded whether or not Frosted could replicate his stunning performance in the Whitney Stakes a month earlier.

Nine older horses lined up for this nine furlong contest and from the off it was Catholic Cowboy who broke fastest but Bradester and Breaking Lucky took the first turn in front, as Frosted missed the break.

Racing down the back, Bradester continued to lead but the pace was not strong. Samraat moved into second, ahead of Breaking Lucky, Shaman Ghost, Catholic Cowboy and Frosted, who was ahead of Mubtaahij. On the home turn, Bradester still led with Breaking Lucky coming to challenge and then Shaman Ghost, with Frosted improving but racing very wide.

At the furlong pole, Frosted moved into contention and looked set to draw clear; but all of a sudden, apparent confidence from Joel Rosario became desperation as the horse failed to kick on.

Next to the rails, Mubtaahij headed his rivals while Shaman Ghost and Breaking Lucky closed and Frosted appeared one paced to their outside.

All four came desperately close together and at the line it was Shaman Ghost who stuck his neck out for Javier Castellano, to gain the day. Mubtaahij was a close second, with Frosted on their heels in third and Breaking Lucky also in the picture in fourth place.

IQUITO SUCCESSFUL IN GROSSER PREIS VON BADEN

MOVE UP LANDS THE BOSPHORUS CUP IN TURKEY Move Up came with a well-timed run to win another valuable prize for Godolphin as he landed the Group 2 International Bosphorus Cup at Veliefendi, Turkey.

Seven horses lined up for this valuable 12 furlong contest, including three from the UK. There was a pretty level break from the gates and it was Fly By Me who went on from Steel Of Madrid and Move Up through the first furlong,

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while Elbereth pulled hard in behind.

Turning for home, Fly By Me was still in front and only Steel Of Madrid initially made inroads, but the long-time leader fought him off.

On the inside Blaze To Win challenged, but it was Mickael Barzalona and Move Up, racing down the outside, who came with a powerful surge in the final 100 yards, getting up to win comfortably from Fly By Me, with Elbereth claiming third place.

Move Up was giving trainer Saeed bin Suroor a second big victory at the meeting after Promising Run’s success on the Saturday.

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Iquitos proved much too good for his rivals as he ran out a clear cut winner of the Group 1 144th Longines – Grooser Preis von Baden at Baden-Baden.

The Ian Ferguson ridden 4 year old son of Adlerflug had been at the back of the field but came through to beat last year’s runner-up Nightflower by 2 ¾ lengths.

The 3 year old filly Pagella came home third.

Wasir took the field along in a rain shower, with Marco Botti’s Dylan Mouth raking a prominent position, as the field raced at intervals.

Entering the final turn, Wasir was still at the head of affairs but the writing looked on the wall for him and the early pace-setters, as Nightflower moved into a threatening position and travelled well.

However, Scottish-born Ferguson, began to get a tune out of the Hans-Jürgen Gröschel trained Iquito who came with a strong finish to deliver maiden Group 1 victories for the trainer and jockey.

DAUGHTERS OF TAPIT SHARE GRADE 1 SPOILS IN THE SPINAWAY There was a dramatic outcome to the finish of the Grade 1 Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga, as two daughters of Tapit: Sweet Loretta and Pretty City Dancer, became locked in a bumping match before dead-heating.

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL RACING NEWS Seven juvenile fillies lined up for this seven furlong contest, with three unbeaten records on the line.

At the break it was Runway Doll who led from You Know Too and Cherry Lodge.

The front three raced virtually in a line with Runway Doll the narrow leader from Cherry Lodge as You Know Too quickly dropped back.

At the top of the stretch, Cherry Lodge just about went on from Runway Doll with Sweet Loretta to the outside.

Sweet Loretta went on with a furlong to race but showed signs of greenness, wandering off a true line, with Pretty City Dancer closing down the centre of the track. In the final half a furlong, the two daughters of Tapit became embroiled in a thrilling finish, with Pretty City Dancer and Irad Ortiz Junior making ground late on.

At the line it came down to the bob of heads and was desperately close, with Cherry Lodge way back in third. There was further drama as a Stewards’ Enquiry was also announced, before the photo finish had been determined and the pair appeared to bump close to the line.

A dead-heat was called while the parties anxiously awaited the outcome of the Enquiry.

The head-on images showed that initially Sweet Loretta and Javier Castellano had drifted right, causing Pretty City Dancer to swerve, but closer to the line the pair bumped one another a couple of times.

The replay suggested that this was a case of six of one and half a dozen of the other and after a delay, the result stood, gifting both fillies a deserved share of the prize.

THE PIZZA MAN BACK TO FORM IN THE NORTHERN DANCER The Pizza Man delivered a first victory in 2016 as he won the Grade 1 Northern Dancer Turf Stakes Sponsored by HPIBet, at Woodbine..

Heading down the back, World Approval led by 1 ½ lengths from The Pizza Man and Button Down, with Danish Dynaformer next, but the pace was far from testing.

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INTERNATIONAL RACING NEWS NEWS World Approval continued to lead under Julien Leparoux, with The Pizza Man and Button Down edging closer and then Danish Dynaformer and Wake Forest.

Turning for home, World Approval still led with Danish Dynaformer challenging and Majeed coming late down the outside.

On the inside, the grey World Approval still led, but Wake Forest came to challenge and between the two, The Pizza Man rallied.

In a thrilling contest it was that grand veteran The Pizza Man, winner of the Arlington Million last year, who found that little extra in the final 16th, to head Wake Forest and World Approval, with Majeed fourth.

CONNECT A GAME WINNER IN THE PENNSYLVANIA DERBY Connect came back to form and showed good appetite for a fight as he fought back to beat Gun Runner in the Grade 2 Pennsylvania Derby at Parx.

A field of 12 lined-up for this nine furlong contest, featuring Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist and Preakness hero Exaggerator.

At the break Nyquist and Gun Runner were away well but it was Awesome Slew who led on the inside, on the first turn.

Awesome Slew continued to set a good pace from Cupid, with Nyquist sat third and then Gun Runner.

Racing to the far turn, Awesome Slew still led as Nyquist began his move, but was ridden to close.

Into the straight, Nyquist came through with Connected on the inside, but Gun Runner swept through on the outside.

Connect fought back gamely to the inside though and the Char Brown runner, under a fine Javier Castellano ride, got up to win by ½ a length from Gun Runner, with the pair clear of Wild About Deb as Nyquist faded and Exaggerator failed to take a significant hand in the finish.

Connect had won three straight before finishing 22 lengths behind Arrogate in the Travers Stakes.

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© Brreders’ Cup Ltd

SONGBIRD UNTOUCHABLE IN ANOTHER BRILLIANT VICTORY AT PARX Songbird swept to another imperious victory with utter ease in the Grade 1 Cotillion Stakes at Parx.

Just the six went to post for this one mile, 110 yard contest, with plenty of attention on the unbeaten Songbird, aiming for an eleventh victory here.

Songbird was quickly into her stride but on the inside, Carina Mia moved to the lead at the first turn from the superstar filly, with Disco Rose third and Cathryn Sophia to the outside.

Racing down the back, carina Mia continued to lead Songbird by about ¾ of a length, with Disco

Rose right on their tails and Cathryn Sophia also close-up.

At the far turn, Mike Smith asked Songbird for more and she came up to join Carina Mia, with Cathryn Sophia in behind.

Into the straight and Songbird swept majestically into the lead and Carina Mia had no answer, as the outstanding three year old cantered to another awesome victory, passing the post perhaps an easy six lengths clear of Grade 1 winner Carina Mia. The Jerry Hollendorfer trained daughter of Medaglia D’Oro could not have been more impressive and continues to push for America’s Horse Of The Year Honours, with a Breeders’ Cup bid now looming large.

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FEATURE PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE

PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE FEATURE

PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE 48

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he eyes of the racing world fix firmly on Chantilly on October 1st and more so on October 2nd, as the track, set to the north of Paris, hosts the 2017 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe meeting.

With Longchamp Racecourse closed for redevelopment, up to 60,000 spectators will descend upon Chantilly, for a two-day extravaganza of horse racing and over 9.14 million euros in prize money on this lavish occasion.

Across the weekend, there are 15 races in all, with no fewer than 9 Group 1 contests.

The highlight on the Saturday is the Group 1 Prix du Cadran, contested over 2 miles, 4 ½ furlongs, worth over €300,000, a race sure to attract Europe’s leading stayers.

The second Group 1 race on the card is the €150,000 Qatar Total Arabian Trophy des Juments, for purebred Arabian fillies aged four, and takes place over 1 ¼ miles.

The Saturday of the Arc meeting as always hosts the

Group 2 Qatar Prix Dollar, over 1 ¼ miles, a race that the now-retired great Cirrus Des Aigles made his signature over the years.

This high-class afternoon of racing also includes the Group 1 Qatar Prix Chaudenay, the Group 2 Qatar Prix de Royallieu and the Group 2 Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein.

The action ramps up significantly on Sunday, when the latest page of history will be written for the €5,000,000 Group 1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Europe’s finest middle distance horses will be joined by stars from around the world for the latest edition of one of the world’s great races.

At the time of writing, leading contenders include Postponed, Order Of St George, La Cressonniere, Harzand, Found, New Bay and the Japanese contender Makahiki.

But this is a rich card, full of Group 1 treasures from start to finish.

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FEATURE PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE

PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE FEATURE

RACE PROGRAMME SATURDAY 1ST OCTOBER 2016

The opening race is the Group 1 €350,000 Qatar Prix JeanLuc Lagardere (Grand Criterium) over a mile, a race which often helps to define the leading two year old in Europe and is a spawning ground for future stars. Among its illustrious list of past winners are: My Swallow, Blushing Groom, Irish River, Hector Protector, Arazi, Rock Of Gibraltar, Olympic Glory and Karakontie.

Next up comes the Group 1 €300,000 Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac over a mile for the juvenile fillies. This is another race that makes future champions, with names like: Allez France, Triptych, Midway Lady, Miesque, Salsabil, Shadayid, Culture Vulture, Six Perfections, Divine Proportions, Finsceal Beo, Zarkava and Found all featuring on a magnificent roll call.

The €400,000 Group 1 Prix de l’Opera Longines is next up, for fillies and mares of three years and upwards. This is a contest that has developed momentum over the years and last year went to the Irish Oaks winner Covert Love.

The €1,000,000 Group 1 Qatar Arabian World Cup takes place after the big race, and this 1 ¼ mile contest for pure Arabian-breds will be keenly contested.

Next up come the sprinters as Europe’s fastest do battle in the €350,000 Qatar Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp over five furlongs. Once again, this is a race with a rich history, with British-trained runners dominating over all. Among the past winners are names like: Moorestyle, Marwell, Sharpo, Habibti, Committed (twice), Double Schwartz, Dayjur, Lochsong (twice), Agnes World and Goldream last year.

As the darkness starts to descend, the final race on the

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card is the €300,000 Group 1 Qatar Prix de la Foret over seven furlongs, a race which often has some bearing on the Breeders’ Cup Turf Mile. Past winners of this great contest include: Lyphard, Sanedtki (twice), Moorestyle (twice), Ma Biche, Soviet Star, Salse, Bigstone, Paco Boy, Goldikova, Dream Ahead, Moonlight Cloud, Olympic Glory and Make Believe.

This year, for the first time ever, the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe will be held on Chantilly’s legendary racecourse.

From the stands, one can admire the backdrop of the stunning Grandes Écuries and the Princes de Condé’s château as the horses thunder around the course.

The Arc Terraces: A premium covered area that gives you front-row seats for the year’s greatest sporting event.

Located right at the edge of the course, beside the final furlongs, this area has its own private bar and boasts unhindered views of the finishing post. Have a flutter at the betting windows and follow all of the action around the course on the giant screens. Throughout the weekend, a DJ will also be at the decks to provide a musical soundtrack to the exploits on the turf !

Also located at the edge of the course, on the racecourse’s central lawn, the Arc Village is a private area that boasts 5,000m² of outside space and 4,500m² of covered areas. With catering options, betting windows, race simulators, giant screens and a soundtrack created live by a DJ, Chantilly has pulled out all the stops to ensure that your racing experience is as fun and as memorable as possible!

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2.00 pm

QATAR PRIX CHAUDENAY Group II - 3 yo - €200,000

Distance: 1 mile 7 fur.

Round course

2.35 pm

QATAR GRAND HANDICAP DES MILLERS Handicap - 4 yo and over - €70,000

Distance: 1 mile Fibresand course

3.15 pm

QATAR PRIX DE ROYALLIEU Group II - 3 yo and over - €250,000

Distance: 1 ½ miles Jockey club course

3.50 pm

QATAR PRIX DOLLAR Groupe II - 3 yo and more - €200,000

Distance: 1 mile 2 fur.

Jockey Club course

4.25 pm

QATAR PRIX DU CADRAN Groupe I - 4 yo and over - €300,000

Distance: 2 miles 4½ fur.

Round course

5.10 pm

QATAR PRIX DANIEL WILDENSTEIN Groupe II - 3 yo and over - €200 000

Distance: 1 mile Jockey Club course

5.45 pm

QATAR TOTAL ARABIAN TROPHY DES JUMENTS (4 YO fillies) Groupe I PA - Purebred Arabs – 4 yo Females - €150,000

Distance: 1 mile 2 fur.

Jockey Club course

6.20 pm

QATAR GRAND HANDICAP DES JUMENTS Handicap - 3 yo and over - Females - €70,000

Distance: 1 mile ½ fur.

Fibresand course

SUNDAY 2ND OCTOBER 2016 2.10 pm

QATAR PRIX JEAN-LUC LAGARDÈRE (GRAND CRITÉRIUM) SPONSORED BY AL HAZM Group I – Males and Females - 2 yo - €350,000

Distance: 1 mile Jockey Club course

2.45 pm

TOTAL PRIX MARCEL BOUSSAC - CRITERIUM DES POULICHES Group I - Females - 2 yo - €300,000

Distance: 1 mile Jockey Club course

3.20 pm

PRIX DE L’OPÉRA LONGINES Group I - 3 yo and over - Females - €400,000

Distance: 1 mile 2 fur.

Jockey Club course

4.05 pm

QATAR PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE Group I - 3 yo and over - €5,000,000

Distance: 1 ½ miles Jockey Club course

4.50 pm

QATAR ARABIAN WORLD CUP Group I PA - 4 yo and over - €1,000,000

Distance: 1 mile 2 fur.

Jockey Club course

5.35 pm

QATAR PRIX DE L’ABBAYE DE LONGCHAMP Group I - 2 yo and over - €350,000

Distance: 5 furlongs Sprint

6.10 pm

QATAR PRIX DE LA FORÊT Group I - 3 yo and over - €300,000

Distance: 7 furlongs New Course

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PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE MEMORY LANE

MEMORY LANE PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE

© www.cranhamphoto.com

Memory Lane JOHN HAMMOND RECALLS SUAVE DANCER 52

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PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE MEMORY LANE

MEMORY LANE PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE

“

I had only been training for around 4 years at the time and was perhaps a little blasé about it all. Looking back I was slightly spoiled and had a really good bunch of horses.

– JOHN HAMMOND

T

he 1991 Flat Season in Europe threw up some great horses and memorable clashes. Hector Protector proved an outstanding miler, following up on his hugely successful juvenile career.

Shadayid and Kooyonga became embroiled in some terrific clashes. Sheikh Albadou broke unchartered territory in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint and Arazi amazed the world with his staggering victory on the very same day at Churchill Downs.

But for many, those cherished months came alive, thanks mainly to a duel built around sheer equine excellence and a slice of most glorious revenge.

On that fateful first Sunday in October 1991, Suave Dancer reached levels of brilliance that few horses can ever attain, with a blistering turn of foot that carried him to resounding victory in the world’s premier middle distance contest, the Prix De l’Arc de Triomphe.

In winning, Suave Dancer exacted revenge as a bi-benefit, having been defeated by England’s darling colt Generous, who decisively had the measure of the French colt when the pair had clashed at the Curragh in a memorable Irish Derby in June.

With the Prix De l’Arc de Triomphe once again just around the corner, Course-specialist is privileged to speak

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with John Hammond, the man who guided Suave Dancer to the remarkable high and lows points of a campaign he looks fondly back on.

With hindsight, Suave Dancer, a son of Green Dancer, was an absolute steal when he passed through the Keeneland Sales Ring and was purchased by Henri Chalhoub, for the princely sum of $45,000.

“At that point he went to Keith Asmussen (jockey Cash Asmussen’s father) for pre-training in Texas,” recalls Hammond. “He was one of 4 horses that all came over from America in March of their 2 year old season.

“He was a late maturing colt and therefore was not drilled in America, he had just done long, steady work and it takes time for American horses to adapt when they come here,” he continues.

Suave Dancer made his racecourse debut over a mile in soft ground at Saint-Cloud, in the gloom of November 1990.

Far from fully wound-up, the colt was a fast finishing 3rd beaten 2 ¼ lengths.

“He had not shown much at home at two but he had worked nicely and we always thought he was a nice horse. He probably would have won that debut race in another half a furlong,” Hammond says.

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In the spring of 1991 the Hammond stable was hugely excited about the prospect of what it considered to be its main Classic hope, as Hammond remembers: “We thought that we had something special but it wasn’t Suave Dancer! We had another colt called Reason To Trick who had won a Group 3 (the Prix de Chenes) very easily at two, but he dropped dead from an aneurysm on the way to the start of the Prix Djebel.

“Not long after that sad incident Suave Dancer had made his seasonal return in a maiden at Longchamp (over 10 furlongs) and had won by 8 lengths.”

At that point Suave Dancer by circumstance became a major focal point, although at the time Hammond remembers having a fantastic team of horses, which also included the hugely talented Group 1 winning sprinter and miler Polar Falcon.

“I had only been training for around 4 years at the time and was perhaps a little blasé about it all. Looking back I was slightly spoiled and had a really good bunch of horses.

There was one morning when I remember going into the yard and there were four horses in a row in their boxes and they all looked up. Three of them were Group 1 winners and the – JOHN other was a Group 2 winner!”

But only Suave Dancer made a truly global impact on the racecourse, blessed with power and incredible acceleration when called upon by his regular work rider and jockey Cash Asmussen.

“He was a pretty straight forward horse although he was quite keen in the mornings (although not a lunatic). His front legs always had to be minded but he settled well in his races.

“Like all horses with good acceleration you have to slightly bury them in races and then deliver that late kick.”

Having impressively followed-up his maiden success with a 4 length defeat of Beau Sultan in the Group 2 Prix Greffulhe, Suave Dancer lined up in the Group 1 Prix Lupin at Longchamp, where that late kick proved ineffective in perhaps the most informative of domestic trial races for the

“

Prix du Jockey Club.

“Before the Lupin, I remember that he had coughed between races and in that race, he was at the back of the field on quick ground and Cudas just took off from the straight and we were unable to catch him.”

Suave Dancer eventually succumbed to defeat by ¾ of a length to Cudas but Hammond was far from despondent, knowing that the horse had had issues in his preparation and that race circumstances on the day had counted again him.

When the pair met again in the 12 furlong Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly, the result was resounding, with Suave Dancer, having proved “pretty generous in his canters” beforehand, producing a pulverizing kick to draw 4 lengths clear of future Arc winner Subotica, with Cudas a further 1 ½ lengths back in third. That was one record set straight, but a far more significant matter would need settling before season’s end.

In the week that Suave Dancer wowed the French crowd at Chantilly with his blistering acceleration, Paul Cole’s chestnut colt Generous galloped his rivals into the Epsom turf with a supreme display to win the Derby.

Both Derby winners HAMMOND had looked imperious in victory and now there was tremendous clamour to decide which was best.

However, as Generous romped to victory, having dictated affairs for most of the contest, there was an unsatisfactory air and a feeling of inconclusive proof that the Curragh crowd had seen the best of Suave Dancer.

With Cash Asmussen ruled out, Walter Swinburn picked up the ride on the Prix du Jockey Club winner. Once again the tactics were to ride the colt patiently and then deliver that punishing explosive finish late on.

However, on the Curragh, things did not go to plan, with the expected pacemakers merely setting a pedestrian pace.

That did not suit Generous and Alan Munro took up the running from an early stage, dictating the pace and stretching

I think that I gave Walter the wrong orders. We always felt that it was a two-horse race and we should in hindsight, have set out just behind Generous and marked him.

There was a slow pace and Generous went on and we were too far back. It was my fault.

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PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE MEMORY LANE out down the long straight. Suave Dancer was caught too far out of his ground and could not make up the deficit, eventually going down by 3 lengths and for all the world it looked as though Generous truly was the outstanding middle distance 3 year old in Europe.

But Hammond feels that the way the race was run, was to the detriment of Suave Dancer, giving the orders he had issued to Swinburn: “I think that I gave Walter the wrong orders. We always felt that it was a two-horse race and we should in hindsight, have set out just behind Generous and marked him. There was a slow pace and Generous went on and we were too far back.

It was my fault.”

Of course Generous then went on to further enhance his reputation with a visually stunning performance to win the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes by 7 lengths from the previous year’s Prix du Jockey Club winner Sanglamore.

Meanwhile, Suave Dancer had something of a break.

John Hammond was gradually bringing Suave Dancer along for a crack at the Prix De l’Arc de Triomphe and the decision was taken to target the Irish Champion – JOHN Stakes at Leopardstown, as a preparatory race.

“I can’t remember why we ran there but certainly the Irish Champion Stakes has more standing for future breeding than the Prix Niel (the traditional route for French trained 3 year old colts heading to the Arc).

“He did an amazing bit of work before that race and I was more confident of victory at Leopardstown than for any of his other races. Before then he had suffered from a knee problem he picked up at Deauville in August but once he had recovered he was quickly fit again.

“He was a horse with a high level of fitness as he was always generous in his canters and of course he then showed us that one piece of work where he went incredibly well. He had worked with another really good horse I trained at the time for Monsieur Chalhoub, called Dear Doctor (himself a winner

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MEMORY LANE PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE

of the Arlington Million). On that occasion Suave Dancer left him by 5 lengths, so we were confident going to Ireland.”

In the race itself, Generous’s stable mate Zoman, racing in the same dark green Salman silks, led Suave Dancer into the home straight. With around 1 ½ furlongs to race Suave Dancer, reunited with Cash Asmussen, swept imperiously into the lead and clear of Stagecraft and the Eclipse Stakes winner Environment Friend, who raced erratically wide and eventually finished 4 lengths second. However Suave Dancer had been eased down close to the line and his superiority was unquestionable.

All roads now led back to Longchamp and a rematch with Generous, although this in fairness was a vintage Arc field, far deeper in quality than a two-horse affair. Along with the 1991 Epsom Derby winner, Quest For Fame, the 1990 Derby hero was also in the line-up.

So too was the multiple Group 1 winning filly In The Groove, the last two St Leger winners Snurge and Toulon, the highly-rated Pistolet Bleu, the runaway Oaks winner Jet Ski Lady and the crack American horse El Senor.

“There were roughly 3 weeks between the Irish Champion Stakes and the Arc. His important work was on a Thursday ten days before the race. It was in heavy fog and he HAMMOND appeared to not really work at all which left us somewhat in limbo. It was a complete non event. Hammond says.

“He then did a shorter piece of work over four furlongs on his own just 4 days before the race where he really showed some zip so we felt we were back on track.

With such strength in depth in the Arc field and the likelihood of pacemakers, Hammond and Asmussen decided that the best plan of action was to sit patiently once again – despite those tactics having backfired before.

“I was pretty sure there would be lots of pace in the race and was also sure that Alan Munro (who rode Generous to all those victories) didn’t know Longchamp very well. Given that Generous was drawn out wide, we felt that he may well use up juice early on for position. So I felt that we should stick to the same tactics as Ireland.

The finishing kick is natural, it has to be there, but it is easy to take the edge off it. If a horse is too fit that can take the edge off the acceleration and you try not to see it too many times in the mornings.

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“Generous had endured a pretty hard year and we took the view to drop Suave Dancer out and be confident. I told Cash beforehand that I would stand by him if it all went wrong.

“Afterwards Cash said that I had given him the best piece of advice and that he went out to ride filled with confidence!”

Turning for home, Pistolet Bleu had secured the inside berth and led narrowly from the two English Derby winners, with Shamshir and In The Groove tracking these and Suave Dancer swinging wide with Toulon.

With 2 furlongs to race, Pistolet Bleu was plugging on doggedly from Quest For Fame, with the unconsidered Magic Night all of a sudden bursting through towards the inside with a dangerous challenge. At this stage, Asmussen and Suave Dancer were perhaps 6 horses wide and maybe 6 lengths off the leader but still travelling strongly. The same could not be said of Generous, who was finding nothing a fading out of contention.

Then with about a furlong and a half to run, Cash Asmussen asked Suave Dancer to quicken and the colt surged forwards as if jet propelled. The image of this horse sprinting as his rivals floundered under pressure, was exhilarating to witness and in a matter of strides, Suave Dancer had shot into the lead and put distance between himself and his rivals.

By the furlong pole, Suave Dancer’s momentum had put the issue beyond doubt, although he noticeably hung across to the far rail. In behind, Magic Night bravely ran on to finish 2 lengths second, with Pistolet Bleu running third and Toulon fourth in a French clean sweep.

It was a magnificent victory by Suave Dancer and one that left no room for debate any more. He had comprehensively avenged both horses that had beaten him during his 3 year old career. Hammond and Asmussen had been fully vindicated with their tactics this time and the blinding speed Suave Dancer had shown against a top class field, underlined what a talent he truly was.

“Turning for home I was pretty confident,” Hammond recollects; “as he turned into the straight and then the way that he moved up without effort, I felt then that he was going to win.

“Beforehand we had just been concentrating on getting the horse to the race in one piece but the Arc is the one of all the big races around the world that I wanted to win. I remember that we went to Monsieur Chalhoub’s flat in Paris and had a lovely dinner that evening to celebrate.

“For a young trainer, the victory did come at the right time and was very good news. It did raise my profile and help to attract new owners,” he adds.

In those final strides Suave Dancer had drifted across to the rail and Hammond felt that he did that on more than one occasion over a mile and a half.

“I feel he was better over a mile and a quarter and he did sometimes hang when he raced over further. As a 4 year old, before he picked up his injury, we were even considering dropping him down to a mile at some stage.”

John Hammond’s career went from strength to strength after Suave Dancer had sadly been retired prematurely, due to injury, after running third in the Prix Ganay of 1992.

In 1999, the Englishman based in France, had another hot prospect on his hands in the shape of the magnificent Montjeu. In time Montjeu would go on to win the Prix du Jockey Club, Irish Derby, Prix De l’Arc de Triomphe and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes in a tremendous career.

Montjeu would simply pulverise his rivals with a brute force acceleration that evoked memories of Suave Dancer, a much more elegant colt by comparison. The common denominator with both was that finishing kick, something Hammond was always keen to preserve for the racecourse: “To compare the two horses, I would simply say that one was better at a mile and a quarter and the other at a mile and a half.

“The finishing kick is natural, it has to be there, but it is easy to take the edge off it. If a horse is too fit that can take the edge off the acceleration and you try not to see it too many times in the mornings. Even so, you have to be quite brave and trust that the horse is fit enough to do itself justice, without pushing too hard.”

As we speak, John Hammond says that Monsieur Chalhoub’s son George is about to buy some more yearlings in the hope of maybe one day finding another Suave Dancer.

“It was a wonderful time and Henri Chalhoub was a charming man, a top guy to train for, with a big heart. Sadly he died at the end of last year but having not seen him for a while we had had lunch together at the Arc only a couple of weeks before and relived some wonderful memories. I am glad that we had the chance to do so” Hammond reflects After the horse’s retirement, Monsieur Chalhoub had commissioned a near-life size statue of Suave Dancer, which can be seen behind the grandstand if you ever visit Longchamp Racecourse.

John Hammond still continues to train successfully in France; for more information on his Chantilly stables, please visit: www.johnhammondchantilly.com

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PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE BIG RACE HISTORY

BIG RACE HISTORY PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE

BIG RACE HISTORY Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

T

here are championship races and there are championship races. Some are manufactured and establish significance on account of monetary value; but others are steeped in history

and prestige.

The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp falls into the latter category and simply has always been essential in defining Europe’s champion middle distance horse. There is complete universal acceptance that the race’s history and roll of champions brooks no argument. One can feel the excitement and the weight of history as the field walks around the parade ring before the race. It is the ultimate test of nerve, stamina, speed and ability each October, with a cast of superstars that have failed in that final dramatic furlong or strode on to glory and turf history immortality.

Other races around the world have been introduced since the Arc first graced racing, but the race maintains its fascination and grip as the premier contest. Beware of pale imitations.

Naturally the Arc is a Group 1 contest, taking place over a mile and a half at Longchamp on the first Sunday each October. The race has earned its right to be considered the most prestigious race in the world and from 2014 it will become the richest on turf, following an increase in prize money which will top €5 million.

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Appropriately, in 2003 a promotional poster for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, describes the event as “Ce n’est pas une course, c’est un monument” – “It’s not a race, it’s a monument”.

The Société d’Encouragement, a former governing body of French racing, had initially restricted its races to thoroughbreds born and bred in France. In 1863, it launched the Grand Prix de Paris, an event designed to bring together the best three-year-olds from any country. Thirty years later it introduced the Prix du Conseil Municipal, an international race for the leading horses of different age groups. It was run over 2,400 metres in October, with weights determined by a horse’s previous performances.

The creation of a third such race was proposed at a committee meeting on 24 January 1920. The new event would complement the Grand Prix de Paris and serve as a showcase for French thoroughbred breeding. It would have similar characteristics to the Prix du Conseil Municipal, but each horse would compete on equal terms, unpenalised for previous victories.

Coming in the wake of World War I, it was decided that the race would be named after the Arc de Triomphe, a famous monument which had been the scene of a victory parade by the Allies in 1919. The chosen title had been previously assigned to a minor event at Longchamp but this was to be a race run on a much grander scale.

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PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE BIG RACE HISTORY

The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe was first run on Sunday 3 October 1920. The inaugural running was won by Comrade, a British trained 3 year old colt whose connections picked up 150,000 francs. Comrade set an important trend in motion as the first of many colts to win the Grand Prix De Paris and follow-up in the Arc, where he beat the 6 year old King’s Cross by a length.

A year later came the first superstar to win the Arc as Ksar completed the Prix Du Jockey Club-Arc double. He became the first horse to win the Arc twice when successful again in 1922.

In 1925 there was controversy as Cadum finished first past the post but was demoted to second place in favour of Priori whom he was deemed to have hampered. This was the first of 3 disqualifications in the race’s history.

In 1930 Motrico won the Arc de Triomphe and after a less than stellar stud career, found himself back on the racecourse. Remarkably trainer Maurice d’Okhuysen was able to get Motrico back to peak condition to successfully win his second Arc in 1932. A couple of years later another of the great French horses won the Arc as part of a glorious career.

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BIG RACE HISTORY PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE

Brantôme was an outstanding juvenile who won the Prix Robert Papin, Grand Critérium and the Prix Morny. As a 3 year old he landed the French 2000 Guineas, the Prix Lupin and the Prix Royal-Oak, before going on to glory in the Arc. In 1935, the event secured state funding by the means of a lottery, which awarded prizes according to the race result and the drawing of lots. The system was first used in 1936, and it continued until 1938.

This era saw another dual winner in the form of Corrida, who won back-to-back Arcs in 1936 and 1937, the first of 6 Arc victories for the race’s most successful owner, Marcel Boussac, who also won with: Djebel (1942), Ardan (1944), Caracalla (1946) and Coronation (1949).

Eclair au Chocolat won the 1938 renewal before the outbreak of World War II halted the race until 1941. That year the Arc resumed with victory for Le Pacha, who brilliantly clean swept the big three races open to 3 year old colts that year: the Prix du Jockey Club, the Grand Prix de Paris and the Arc, becoming one of only two horses in history to complete this trio of big race wins.

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As a jockey, Charles Semblat had won 3 Arcs, thanks to Mon Talisman (1927), Pearl Cap (1931) and Motrico in 1932.

Having taken out a trainer’s licence, Semblat went one better, winning the first of 4 Arc de Triomphes in this sphere through the brilliant Djebel in 1942. The grandson of the mighty Ksar was a champion 2 year old who won the Gimcrack Stakes and Middle Park Stakes in England and returned there to claim the 2,000 Guineas in 1940. As a 5 year old he won the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud before landing the ultimate glory in the Arc de Triomphe.

As the War intensified, the 1943 and 1944 Arcs took place at Le Tremblay, with Verso II and Ardan successful, before racing resumed at Longchamp the following year. Caracalla and Migolli were notable winners immediately after the cessation of war and in 1949 Government funding of the Arc resumed. Offering an attractive jackpot of 50 million francs, this enabled a rapid increase of the prizes for both the “Arc” and its supporting races.

That 1949 renewal saw Charles Semblat win the last of his 4 Arcs as a trainer as the brilliant filly Coronation was successful. She had dead-heated in the French 1,000 Guineas before travelling to England and finishing second in the Oaks.

With the prize money for the 1949 renewal boosted from 5.2 million francs to nearly 29 million francs, the race was keenly contested by 28 runners from around the globe, in front of a reported 150,000 spectators. Coronation ran out an impressive 4 length winner of a race now firmly established in the public’s conscience.

The 1950’s began with the dual Arc winner Tantieme, who gave jockey Jacques Doyasbère the last of his jointrecord 4 winners in the race: Djebel (1942), Ardan (1944), and Tantieme (1950 and, 1951).

His record is currently shared with Freddy Head – Bon Mot (1966), San San (1972), Ivanjica (1976) and Three Troikas (1979); Yves Saint-Martin: Sassafras (1970), Allez France (1974), Akiyda (1982) and Sagace (1984); Pat Eddery: Detroit (1980), Rainbow Quest (1985), Dancing Brave (1986) and Trempolino and Olivier Peslier: Helissio (1996), Peintre Celebre (1997), Sagamix (1998) and Solemia (2012).

Five years after Tantieme, came a horse with a reasonable claim to be the greatest of them all; the British bred, Italian trained Ribot. Unbeaten in 16 races, Ribot was bred by Italy’s leading Thoroughbred breeder, Federico Tesio and trained by Ugo Penco.

Having raced exclusively in Italy, Ribot’s first trip abroad came in the 1955 Arc de Triomphe, which he won under Enrico Camici by an uncontested 3 lengths from Beau Prince.

Further victories followed in Italy and the following summer, Ribot was sent to Ascot for the relatively new race for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. His fourteenth race demonstrated just what a brilliant horse Ribot was as he put to the sword High Veldt and Todrai by an easy 5 lengths.

After an easy 8 length swan song in Italy, Ribot headed back to Longchamp for the 1956 Arc, facing a stronger line-up than the previous year, which included: He faced a stronger field than in 1955, with the field including Talgo (Irish Derby), Tanerko, Fisherman, Career Boy, Master Boing (Washington, D.C. International) and Oroso. It made no difference to the brilliant 4 year old who hit the front as the field turned for home and shot 6 lengths clear for one final memorable victory.

Oroso returned the following year and won the 1957 Arc de Triomphe, underlining the strength of Ribot’s form.

In 1958 Dr Vincent O’Brien claimed the first of his 3 victories in the race as the previous year’s Irish Derby and St Leger hero Ballymoss, crowned a memorable 4 year old season.

He won the Coronation Cup, Eclipse Stakes and King George in the high summer and at Longchamp sauntered to a 2 length victory over Fric, in the capable hands of Scobie Breasley.

The decade ended with sensation as the 1959 Arc de Triomphe finished in a dead-heat between Midnight Sun and Saint Crespin, only for the former to be thrown out, charged with hampering his rival.

The new decade began with a familiar theme as an Italian colt Molvedo, a son of Ribot from his first crop, landed the Arc de Triomphe in fine style. But the next super star – and a horse worthy to be mentioned in the same breath as Ribot, was about to emerge.

The 1965 Flat season was dominated by news about Seabird, a chestnut colt with a small white blaze down his face. The very smart 2 year old who was defeated just the once in the Grand Criterium, quickly emerged as a major Classic contender after winning the Prix Greffulhe on his seasonal debut. A 6 length victory in the Prix Lupin underlined his credentials and at Epsom, Sea Bird was coolness personified, ambling up to the leader Meadow Court before pressing on to an easy 2 length victory. Meadow Court would go on to win the Irish Derby and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, underlining the merit of Sea Bird’s performance.

After Epsom Sea Bird was rested until the Arc – and what a field he faced! The 1965 Arc de Triomphe proved a truly international contest with Meadow Court back for revenge, Preakness Stakes winner Tom Rolfe travelling over from America, French Derby winner Reliance, Prix de Diane winner Blabla and Russian Derby winner Anilin.

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PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE BIG RACE HISTORY Sea Bird’s performance was quite extraordinary and remains one of the iconic images in the history of the Arc de Triomphe. Hitting the front in the home straight, the colt began to drift erratically to his left and towards the stands. Despite this dramatic sight – and the many lengths this must have cost Sea Bird, his jockey Pat Glennon patted him down the neck in the last 100 yards and he still won the race by a facile 6 lengths from Reliance. The field were absolutely strung out like washing and the third horse home was Diatome, some 5 lengths behind Reliance. Diatome went on to win the Washington D.C. International next time out, underlining the strength of the form!

In 1968, the magnificent colt Sir Ivor was defeated in the race by Vaguely Noble but a year later, there was an Irish winner as the stayer Levmoss outpointed Park Top in a thrilling finish.

If Sir Ivor’s defeat had been something of a surprise to many, there was a seismic shock in 1970. One horse above all others had dominated the Flat season, Dr Vincent O’Brien’s magnificent specimen Nijinsky. The son of Northern Dancer went to Longchamp unbeaten in 11 races and had become the first colt for 35 years to complete the English Triple Crown. In addition, Nijinsky had won the Irish Derby and had oozed class as he ran all over his older rivals (who included the previous year’s Derby winner Blakeney) in the King George at Ascot.

After Ascot Nijinsky had contracted ring worm and whilst Dr O’Brien got him to Doncaster for the St Leger, his 1 length victory over Meadowville was nowhere near as devastating as his earlier performances and came at a price.

Nijinsky was well back as the field entered the home straight and Lester Piggott, wary of the perils that lurked by trying for a run on the inside, took Nijinsky wide in the home straight, reaching the front pair of Miss Dan and Sassafras just inside the final furlong. Nijinsky came to win his race and maybe got his head in front for a few strides, before seeming to veer away from his rider’s whip. That gave Sassafras renewed impetus and the Prix du Jockey Club winner sensationally got back up on the line to end Nijinsky’s reign.

The following year saw another strong Epsom Derby winner bidding to go one place better than Nijinsky and Sir Ivor had managed. Mill Reef had been a brilliant juvenile and had been unbeaten since his comprehensive defeat by the brilliant Brigadier Gerard in the 2,000 Guineas in May. Since then Mill Reef had easily won the Derby, defeated Caro by 4 lengths in the Eclipse Stakes and then turned the King George into an absolute procession, beating Derby Italiano winner Ortis by 6 lengths. After a break Mill Reef returned at Longchamp and

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was at his imperious best, galloping 3 lengths clear of Pistol Packer to cap an exceptional 3 year old season.

A couple of years later Rheingold gained his biggest success in a career which had seen him finish a narrow second to Roberto in the previous year’s Derby. In the 1973 Arc de Triomphe, Barry Hills’s colt saw off the brilliant French filly Allez France, who had won the French 1,000 Guineas, Prix De Diane and Prix Vermeille.

Allez France remained in training in the familiar dark blue silks of Daniel Wildenstein and went unbeaten in 1974, winning the Prix Ganay, Prix D’Ispahan and Prix Foy, before winning the Arc. Allez France was back at Longchamp in 1975 for another sensational Arc, which included that other outstanding French mare of the era Dahlia. However it was an unconsidered German trained colt who stole the show. Star Appeal had been trained by John Oxx in his early career but had made his way to Germany, where under the tutelage of his third trainer Theo Grieper, he developed into a Group 1 colt, winning the 1975 Eclipse Stakes. His victory in the Arc de Triomphe was a shock as he returned odds of 118/1 under jockey Greville Starkey.

In 1977 Her Majesty The Queen enjoyed tremendous racing success during her Silver Jubilee year, thanks largely to the exploits of the marvellous filly Dunfermline. The Major Dick Hern trained filly won the Oaks at Epsom and then should great reserves of stamina to add the St Leger.

Her Doncaster win had come largely at the expense of a Dr O’Brien colt called Alleged, who was tasting defeat for the first and only time in his career on his sixth start.

Alleged was then sent to Paris for the Arc De Triomphe and put in a brilliant performance to make virtually all of the running, defeating Balmerino by 1 ½ lengths. The following year he remained in training and after a light campaign, was prepared for a second crack at the Arc. Once again Alleged proved peerless at Longchamp, defeating the fillies Dancing Maid and Trillion to become the fourth – and to date last horse to win 2 Arc de Triomphes.

The decade ended with the arrival of a new major force in French racing – and the bitter defeat of an Epsom Derby hero. Troy had breezed through the 1979 Flat season with majestic victories in the English and Irish Derbies, before beating the crack French Colt Gay Mecene in the King George and narrowly getting up to defeat Sexton Blake in the shorter Benson and Hedges Gold Cup at York. For English racing fans, gathered en masse at Longchamp, defeat for Troy was inconceivable. However not for the first time, the Arc script was torn up.

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Criquette Head-Maarek was very much a pioneering force in French racing and was starting to make a real name for herself as the daughter of Alec Head and the sister of Freddie Head assembled a team of quality equines from her Chantilly training base. Her pride and joy was the outstanding filly Three Troikas, who had won the French 1,000 Guineas and been narrowly defeated in the Prix De Diane. She made full amends with victory in the Prix Vermeille but her defeat of Troy - in the hands of brother Freddy Head, catapulted Criquette Head (as she was then) to international prominence, where she has remained ever since. To this day she remains the only female trainer to have trained the winner of the race.

Troy’s defeat was a bitter blow for trainer Major Hern and jockey Willie Carson and further heart break was to follow the next year. Ela Mana Mou had been one of Troy’s main English rivals during that 1979 season, whilst trained by Guy Harwood. The colt was purchased by Lord Weinstock ahead of the 1980 Flat season and the bonny 4 year old went on a winning spree, landing the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, the Eclipse Stakes and the King George. He was considered a sure thing by many English fans, just as Troy had the previous year. Sadly the similarities did not end there either and as the field galloped down the home straight, Ela Mana Mou looked to have every chance. However late on he was passed by Three Troikas who in turn was swamped by the fast-finishing Detroit down the outside. Detroit swept into the lead and held on from the late finishing Argument with Three Troikas and Ela Mana Mou not beaten far. It was a magnificent victory for Pat Eddery in the Robert Sangster silks which Alleged had sported two years earlier.

The stayer Gold River proved a surprise winner of the 1981 Arc de Triomphe, a race stacked with outstanding horses including Bikala, April Run, Ardross, Blue Wind, King’s Lake and Beldale Flutter. A year later Ardross was back at Longchamp, having landed his second Gold Cup at Ascot and dominated the stayer’s division in England. The chief threat appeared to come from Assert, the brilliant winner of the Prix du Jockey Club and Irish Derby, while Bikala and April Run were fancied by many to go close again. A fast tempo set the race up perfectly for late finishers it seemed but as the field hit the home straight, Yves Saint-Martin moved Akiyda into the lead, having sat patiently behind the early pace-setters. The filly had to dig deep and clung on as Ardross agonisingly closed with every stride, finding the winning post arrived just too soon for victory. Awaasif and April Run finished close behind Sir Henry Cecil’s gallant stayer but the victory had defied him as Akiyda took the plaudits.

By 1983 English trained runners had endured a succession of narrow defeats. It appeared that the logical way to break to hoodoo was to send a formidable task force of top class runners and that is exactly what happened as the Oaks and St Leger winner Sun Princess (once again representing Major Hern and Willie Carson) was joined by crack 4 year old Diamond Shoal, King George winner Time Charter and the Great Voltigeur Stakes winner Seymour Hicks. From Ireland came the magnificent race mare Stanerra, who was joined by Dr O’Brien’s top class 3 year old colt Salmon Leap.

Racing into the home straight, Carson took up the running on the stamina-filled Sun Princess and it looked for much of the stretch as though she was going to do it. However, getting the perfect run up the rails was All Along, a relatively unconsidered filly, whom Lester Piggott had passed over the ride on. Instead it was 21 year old Walter Swinburn who pushed the filly through into the lead late on to once again agonisingly deny an English winner. Luth Enchantee finished third, just ahead of Time Charter, as for the fifth year running the race went to a female – and in fact all four places did in 1983.

All Along went on to prove that her Paris success was just the starting point of a glorious autumn which saw her ship out to North America and win the Rothmans International at Woodbine, the Turf Classic at Aqueduct and the Washington D.C. International Stakes at Laurel. In all she won four major international races in the space of just 41 days, making her the first horse to win the three prestigious North American races in a row, netting a million-dollar bonus for her owners and Horse of the Year honours in both France and the United States.

All Along was back to defend her Arc crown in 1984 in the famous Wildenstein colours in another field stuffed full of high quality horses. From England, Sun Princess and Time Charter were back again, along with the top class 3 year old colt Rainbow Quest, who had placed fourth in the English 2,000 Guineas, a close third to Darshaan and Sadlers Wells (both in the field) in the Prix du Jockey Club and second to El Gran Senor in the Irish Derby. On his most recent run, Rainbow Quest had slaughtered his rivals in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York.

Ireland was represented by Sadlers Wells who had won the Irish 2,000 Guineas, Eclipse Stakes and Irish Champion Stakes, while Princess Pati had won the Irish Oaks.

However the British and Irish runners never got a blow in as another Wildenstein horse, the lightly raced 4 year old colt Sagace, came through in the latter stages to outpoint the brilliant Prix De Diane winner Northern Trick, with exAustralian colt Strawberry Road back in third.

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PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE BIG RACE HISTORY It began to look as if British trained winners of the Arc were an endangered species, with none produced since Rheingold’s 1973 success. Sagace was strongly expected to win his second Arc de Triomphe in 1985 but Rainbow Quest was back in France, having exuded class in the Coronation Cup before two fine efforts when second to Pebbles in the Eclipse Stakes and third to Petoski and Oh So Sharp in the King George. Also in the line-up was Shernazar, Sir Michael Stoute’s full brother to Shergar, who was unbeaten in 1985 and had most recently defeated Slip Anchor in the September Stakes at Kempton Park.

As the field turned for home though, the race seemed to lie between Sagace and Rainbow Quest and the two horses settled down for a terrific scrap up the Longchamp straight, with Sagace just holding the English trained colt at the line.

It seemed we had another back-to-back winner but a look at the replay caused consternation and Pat Eddery objected to winning jockey Eric Legrix. The horses had bumped on more than one occasion early in the straight and the French Stewards deemed the incidents to be the fault of Sagace who was sensationally demoted in favour of Jeremy Tree’s colt.

Rainbow Quest had won the Arc in the silks of Prince Khalid Abdullah and England’s barren run was over!

It did not take long for England, Eddery or the Prince to have a second success. The 1986 Arc remains indelibly imprinted on the minds of anyone who saw the race live on the track or on television. It was surely one of the races of the entire decade and burns brightly in the memory today.

Dancing Brave was already considered a superstar racehorse in England but needed to repeat the feat that Rainbow Quest had achieved, but so few British horses before him in the previous quarter of a century. Guy Harwood’s son of Lyphard had won the Craven Stakes before showing impressive raw power and speed to win the 2,000 Guineas in the manner of a really exciting colt. At Epsom he had become unbalanced racing down Tattenham Hill and with too much ground to make up, failed narrowly, after delivering an exhilarating run down the home straight which agonisingly brought him to the leader Shahrastani a few strides too late. As that colt blitzed his rivals in the Irish Derby, Dancing Brave headed to Sandown Park and again displayed a brilliant turn of foot to dispose of Triptych and Bedtime. Next up came the big rematch with Shahrastani in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot. Also in the line-up was the Hardwick Stakes winner Dihistan, the previous year’s winner Petoski, Triptyh was there again, along with Supreme Leader – and the exciting older colt Shadari.

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However, ridden by Pat Eddery for the first time, any doubts as to who was the best middle distance colt in Britain, were quickly dispelled – along with any stamina concerns, as Dancing Brave went on around a furlong from home and maintained his gallop as Shadari challenged. Shahrastani was well beaten in fourth as Triptych took third place – and there was the proof that Dancing Brave had been unlucky to lose at Epsom. After a break Dancing Brave reappeared at Goodwood in September and oozed class as he eased to a facile 10 length victory over inferior rival in his Arc warm-up.

At Longchamp however, Dancing Brave would be facing one of the strongest Arc line-ups ever assembled. Shahrastani, Shadari, Dihistan and Triptych were all in there. From Germany came the prolific German Derby and Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud winner Acatenango, while the Japanese colt Syrius Symboli was also in the field. France relied on two top class fillies in Mersey and Darara. Also in the field however, was the one 3 year old colt who threatened to overshadow Dancing Brave, Criquette Head-Maarek’s brilliant, flashy chestnut Bering. The colt had been absolutely brilliant in winning the Prix du Jockey Club and after a break, had returned as good as ever in the Prix Niel, extending his unbeaten run for the season to four.

Dihistan took the field along from Baby Turk and Nemain in the early stages, with Dancing Brave towards the rear of the field. Acatenango came to join the leaders as the field passed the trees down the back straight but was still headed by Baby Turk, dictating the pace.

Baby Turk and Nemain led the German colt, Dihistan and Shadari into the home straight, but Triptych, Shahrastani and wider still Bering were beginning their runs in what looked a wide open Arc. As Shadari came to join Nemain and Baby Turk, the field were spread across the track in a fleeting spectacular sight, with Acatenango next to the rails, Darara and Shahrastani almost all in a line with the leaders and Bering closing down the wide outside with every stride.

Shadari went on with around a furlong to race but his lead was short-lived as Bering’s run swept him majestically into the lead and on his way to Arc glory. Yet even as Bering was sprinting into the lead, it quickly became apparent that he too was a target for Dancing Brave, under a remarkably cool ride from Pat Eddery – and now with yards to run, delivered with surgical precision to unleash that tremendous raw power that devoured all rivals.

In a dramatic finale, Bering edged into the lead with Triptych finishing fast on the inside, Shahrastani, Shadari

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and Darara also in the mix. But Dancing Brave’s momentum was simply irresistible and as Bering faltered late on, Dancing Brave raced through in breathtaking fashion and imperiously then drew away from Bering!

It was an absolutely stunning performance by one of the great colts of the 20th Century. Sadly Bering suffered a fracture in that final dramatic half a furlong and had to be retired, enjoying a long and successful stud career. Dancing Brave could not quite end on a high point as he struggled to come to terms with the heat, track and rigours of a long season in Santa Anita. But there have been few Arc de Triomphes to compare with 1986.

The 1987 Arc de Triomphe as always brought together Europe’s finest horses, with the Epsom Derby and St Leger hero Reference Point strongly expected to end his career in glory in an unusually small field. Up against him was his Eclipse Stakes foe Mtoto, a colt with a murderous turn of foot, but slight stamina doubts. Reference Point’s stable companion Orban also took the test, as did the Prix du Jockey Club winner Natroun and Italian super star colt Tony Bin. The magnificent Triptych once again took her place in the line-up and Trempolino, a serial placed horse in the Group 1 races, looked an interesting and improving 3 year old colt who had landed the Prix Niel.

As per usual, Sir Henry Cecil’s colt Reference Point went into the lead early on and attempted to dictate matters under Steve Cauthen. The pair led the field into the home straight, tracked by Natroun, with Orban and Triptych handily placed, while Trempolino and Tony Bin brought up the rear. In all of his races Reference Point had always stretched and found plenty more when asked to by Steve Cauthen, but inside the final 2 furlongs at Longchamp, he began to paddle under pressure as Sharaniya and Orban came through to dispute the lead, while out wider still came Mtoto.

Then all of a sudden Pat Eddery and Trempolino burst through between horses and surged into the lead with great gusto, putting the race to bed with a single manoeuvre. Tony Bin gave chase but the bird had flown, while several lengths back in third came that gallant mare Triptych, just ahead of Mtoto. Reference Point finished down the field but it later transpired that he had suffered from an abscess on his foot.

However Pat Eddery could not be denied a brilliantly timed ride which had resulted in a third consecutive Arc victory.

Mtoto, Tony Bin and Triptych stayed in training in 1988 and each would have their day in the sun. By the time that the Arc de Triomphe came around, Mtoto had established himself as the horse of the season in Britain, wining a second

Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, beating among others Triptych to win a second Eclipse Stakes before memorably defeating Unfuwain in a terrific King George at Ascot, with Tony Bin a well beaten third.

At Longchamp, Mtoto was strongly expected to go three places better than in 1987, but faced a formidable field of 23 rivals, including the Epsom Derby and Oaks winners Kahyasi and Diminuendo, Unfuwain, Irish St Leger winner Dark Lomond, Prix du Jockey Club winner Hours After and of course old rivals Tony Bin and Triptych.

As the massive field charged past the woods, Mtoto and Tony Bin were settled towards the rear of the field, biding their time. As the field turned for home, the English challenger Emmson went into the lead from Boyatino, with Diminuendo and Unfuwain close enough if good enough. With a furlong to race Boyatino went on but Unfuwain started to close and wider still, Tony Bin absolutely flew down the home straight under John Reid, furiously followed by Michael Roberts on Mtoto.

The two older horses had weaved very different paths from the back of the field and whilst the Italian horse had got a clear run early in the straight, Mtoto’s challenge had been checked on more than one occasion, allowing his rival first run. That proved vital as Tony Bin stormed past Boyatino into the lead, only to be mercilessly cut down by the storming late finishing kick of Mtoto. But the line came too soon for Mtoto and his glorious career ended in a bitter and narrow defeat as the crowd hailed the first Italian winner for three decades.

The older horses held sway again in 1989 as Carroll House, winner of the Phoenix Champion Stakes on his previous run, put in the performance of his life. In a rough race, Michael Kinane held a prominent position, just behind the leaders and out of trouble, as the field turned for home, passing St Andrews and sprinting on to defeat Behera and give Michael Jarvis a famous victory in the Arc. He became the third British winner in the last 5 renewals, after such a long drought.

Sir Henry Cecil in many people’s eyes never came closer to training an Arc winner than when Ardross had been agonisingly touched off by Akiyda in 1982. But that is not strictly true, for he did train an Arc winner. Saumarez, a son of Rainbow Quest, was owned by NHL superstar Wayne Gretzky and Los Angeles Kings ice hockey team owner Bruce McNall. After a low key time of things in the spring of 1990, the colt was moved to France and the yard of Nicolas Clement. After winning the Grand Prix de Paris he became a serious Arc contender when following-up in the Prix du Prince d’Orange.

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PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE BIG RACE HISTORY The strongly fancied English filly Salsabil led a strong British challenge for the race. She had won the Prix Marcel Boussac at the track the previous year before winning the English 1,000 Guineas and Oaks and then beating the colts in the Irish Derby. Salsabil had then added the Prix Vermeille at Longchamp, beating Miss Alleged by a neck.

But Salsabil was just one of a number of horses with strong claims, St Leger winner Snurge was in there, along with French Derby second Epervier Bleu, Champion Stakes winner Legal Case, King George and Great Voltigeur Stakes winner Belmez, the Irish 1,000 Guineas and Juddmonte International winner In The Groove and the powerful French 4 year old In The Wings.

Once again there was plenty of scrimmaging in the Arc as the field began to head towards the home turn, with Saumarez and Gerald Mosse handily placed in third place, just ahead of Belmez. As the pace makers gave way, Mosse kicked on Saumarez and went clear, with Snurge bursting through the middle of the pack to give chase, while out wider In The Wings began to make ground too. However Saumarez had plenty in hand and held on from the late finishing Epervier Bleu, who just denied Snurge for second place, with future Breeders’ Cup Turf winner In The Wings in fourth place.

The 1991 renewal proved a vintage Arc de Triomphe stacked full of Group 1 winners and the ultimate case of revenge. The summer had been dominated by the English and French Derby winners Generous and Suave Dancer, who had comprehensively won their respective Classics. There had been great excitement at the prospect of the pair going head to head in the Irish Derby at the Curragh, but Generous was a horse at the zenith of his powers and comprehensively defeated his French rival. Paul Cole’s gorgeous chestnut colt then routed the best older horses around with a stunning display in the King George and at the height of summer looked peerless.

Suave Dancer had returned to his stable in John Hammond’s French yard and was not seen out until September, when he was back to his brilliant best to easily defeat Environment Friend and Stagecraft in the Irish Champion Stakes.

Even so, the hoardes of British racing fans would not hear of defeat for Generous as they made their annual pilgrimage to Longchamp. The British raiding party that year was particularly strong, also featuring the 1990 Derby winner Quest For Fame, the brilliant 4 year old filly In The Groove and the 1990 St Leger winner Snurge. Ireland was represented by the runaway winner of the Epsom Oaks in Jet Ski Lady, while the latest St Leger winner Toulon, represented the top

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French trainer Andre Fabre. The French 3 year old colts were strongly represented too, with Suave Dancer joined by Prix Niel runner up Pistolet Bleu, who had returned from injury in September to finish second to Subotica.

As the field turned for home, the two Epsom Derby winners Generous and Quest For Fame were prominent, while against the rails Pistolet Bleu stormed through into the lead. Out wider Suave Dancer and Toulon lost ground on the bend but began their challenges. As Pistolet Bleu made the best of his way home, Generous disappointingly faded and the challenge came from Magic Night and Quest For Fame. Then suddenly and remorselessly, Suave Dancer began to show the acceleration that had carried him to a devastating victory in Prix du Jockey Club 4 months earlier. He stormed past his rivals in a completely different gear, making Pistolet Bleu and Magic Night look as though they were standing still. As Suave Dancer coasted to the line having done the hard work, Magic Night outstayed Pistolet Bleu for second place in another memorable Arc. Injury had denied Subotica a crack at the Arc in 1991 but he returned the following spring to defeat old rival Pistolet Bleu and Suave Dancer in the Prix Ganay. Sadly Suave Dancer picked up an ankle injury and was retired shortly afterwards, while Subotica embarked upon a respectable if far from spectacular 4 year old career that failed to yield another victory. Andre Fabre’s white faced colt duly made the Longchamp line-up for the 1992 Arc and with a surging late run denied the hitherto unbeaten triple Classic winning filly User Friendly, in a field that also contained Irish Derby and King George winner St Jovite, Epsom Derby and Irish Champion Stakes hero Dr Devious, Magic Night, top older horse Saddlers Hall and future Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Arcangues.

Subotica’s success was a second win in the race for Fabre, who would go on to become the most successful trainer in the history of the Prix De l’Arc de Triomphe thanks to: Trempolino (1987), Subotica (1992), Carnegie (1994), Peintre Celebre (1997), Sagamix (1998), Hurricane Run (2005) and Rail Link (2006).

Sometimes racing pundits get things wrong, spectacularly wrong! Such was the case in the 1993 Arc de Triomphe, which was won by an unconsidered 4 year old filly who would have as big an impact on Flat racing as any brood mare of the last quarter of a century.

Urban Sea went to Longchamp having won her last two starts but having been beaten often enough in Group 1 grade to suggest she would struggle – particularly against a stellar

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line-up which included User Friendly, Prix du Jockey Club hero Hernando, Derby Italiano winner White Muzzle, the Eclipse and King George winner Opera House, St Leger winner Bob’s Return, Oaks winner Intrepidity, the top class 3 year old colt Armiger and the Juddmonte International Stakes winner Ezzoud.

In a thrilling race, Bob’s Return and Armiger – the first and second in the St Leger, raced prominently behind the two pacemakers, with the former going into the lead early in the home straight. Out wider, Talloires, under a young Olivier Peslier, was bidding to give Andre Fabre another Arc win in the Trempolino silks but swerved violently twice, causing interference.

Against the inside rail, Urban Sea and Eric Saint-Martin slipped into a narrow lead from Opera House and White Muzzle, as Bob’s Return’s exertions at Doncaster caught up with him. White Muzzle lunged for the line in the dying strides but Urban Sea held on for a narrow victory, with White Muzzle second and Opera House third, ahead of Intrepidity.

Urban Sea was greeted as a shock winner of the Arc but proved an outstanding brood mare, producing the

outstanding champions Galileo and Sea The Stars – and becoming one of only two brood mares in history to throw two Epsom Derby winners.

Before embarking on her stud career, Urban Sea returned to the race in 1994 but injury curtailed her racing career.

The Arc that season had another large field, with the likes of Ezzoud, White Muzzle, Hernando and Intrepidity back in the line-up and joined by the King George winner King’s Theatre and Prix du Jockey Club winner Celtic Arms. The English colt Broadway Flyer took the field along at a good clip and at one stage held a lead of several lengths. King’s Theatre raced prominently with Intrepidity and Ezzoud close up. As they swung for home Broadway Flyer still led but the field were packed and queuing up behind. Inside the 2 furlong marker Broadway Flyer finally yielded and as King’s Theatre went on, a gap opened up for Carnegie and the white faced colt seized the initiative, chased hard by Hernando who inched closer and closer. In a driving finish Carnegie just held on from Hernando and Apple Tree with Ezzoud right on their heels in a thrilling finish.

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PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE BIG RACE HISTORY Carnegie was back to defend his crown in 1995 but was up against the talented Oaks and Irish Derby winner of 1994 Balanchine, plus some exciting 3 year olds including the unbeaten Swain, the Irish Oaks winner Pure Grain and the unbeaten Derby and King George winner Lammtarra. The latter was something of a fairy story, having won his only start at two before his trainer Alex Scott was tragically murdered in the autumn of 1994. The colt was sent to Dubai for the winter and became gravely ill, almost dying in the spring.

But Lammtarra survived and went back into training with Godolphin’s new trainer Saeed bin Suroor. On his first race for 10 months and just the second race of his life, Lammtarra came from an almost impossible position to sprout wings and win going away from Tamure in the Derby at Epsom. It was a sensational and emotional win for connections. The hardy colt then needed all the guts and will to win that he could muster to defeat Pentire in a gruelling race for the King George, with the Derby winner prevailing narrowly and showing new qualities. Also in that field had been Carnegie who was comprehensively beaten.

Luso went off in front and opened up a sizeable lead from Lammtarra and that was the order for much of the race. As the field approached the final turn, Frankie Dettori and Lammtarra loomed alongside Luso and went into the lead under intense pressure, with runners waiting to make a challenge. However once again, Lammtarra showed the courage of a lion, fighting on in front to repel Swain. The final desperate challenge came down the outside from the 4 year old Freedom Cry who at one stage just about appeared to get his head in front – but the bonny chestnut Lammtarra found more once again to go on as the field passed the post.

In a short, whirlwind career, Lammtarra retired to stud the unbeaten winner of all four races.

The undoubted star of the 1996 Flat season over middle distances in France was Helissio, a colt who had not run at two but had quickly established himself as top class building up a sequence of 3 unbeaten runs prior to the Prix du Jockey Club. He ran uncharacteristically poorly in the French Derby however, finishing only fifth to Ragmar. But Helissio’s bubble was far from fully burst and he went on to prove that run all wrong as he landed first the Group 1 Grand Prix de SaintCloud by a length from Swain and then the Prix Niel, in which he established himself once and for all as the leading 3 year old. Opposition in the Arc de Triomphe however was a different matter, as a top class field assembled, that included Swain, Tamure, Irish St Leger winner Oscar Schindler, the fast-improving Pilsudski, the King George winner Pentire,

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the Derby winner Shaamit, runaway Irish Derby winner Zagreb and St Leger winner Classic Cliche.

As the gates opened Helissio and Olivier Peslier were fast away and quickly went into the lead from Pilsudski, Shaamit and Zagreb in the early stages. The order remained relatively unchanged but having entered the home straight, Helissio kicked impressively putting a few lengths between himself and Pilsudski. Further back there was tragedy as the top class 3 year old colt Polaris Flight broke a leg. Up front Helissio had gone clear and won the race in brilliant style by 5 lengths from Pilsudski who just held off the late finish of Oscar Schindler.

Unusually the first three horses from 1996 were back in the line-up for 1997 in a marvellous renewal. However they faced a mighty foe in Peintre Celebre, a colt who had spring to prominence when winning the French Derby trial the Prix Greffulhe by 2 lengths from Astarabad, before impressively landing the Prix du Jockey Club by 2 lengths from Oscar and then adding the Grand Prix de Paris by 2 lengths from Ithaki.

Hopes were high that Peintre Celebre could become only the second horse (after Le Pacha in 1941) to add Arc triumph to the big two 3 year old Group 1s; however the colt then suffered a shock reversal when only ¼ of a length second to Rajoute in the Prix Niel.

In the Arc de Triomphe, not only did Peintre Celebre face the previous year’s first three home, but also Swain, who had gone from strength to strength and had won a brilliant King George that year, in which he beat Pilsudski and Helissio.

Also in the line-up was the smart filly My Emma and the smart Godolphin colt Predappio.

Busy Flight lead early on but was followed almost immediately by Helissio, whom Olivier Peslier had deserted in favour of Peintre Celebre. It did not take Helissio too long to assume the lead and turning for home he was well-placed to repeat his victory, although pressed to the outside by Predappio.

Further back Peintre Celebre was making ground from midfield but still had a wall of horses in front of him. Helissio made the best of his way home but with a furlong and a half to race, was challenged by Swain, as Peintre Celebre finally got racing room and began a charge, along with Pilsudski to his outside. Helissio battled on gamely next to the rails but Peintre Celebre had simply too much speed and pressed on into the lead, having left Pilsudski in his slip stream. In the final half a furlong the Daniel Wildenstein owned colt was simply brilliant as he sprinted away, leaving Pilsudski to inch into second place ahead of the fast-finishing Borgia in third, with Oscar Schindler, Predappio and Helissio all close up. Peintre Celebre in winning emulated Le Pacha after a 56 year wait but

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also shattered the course record by 3.4 seconds.

There was a relatively new cast for the 1998 Arc de Triomphe, which took place in soft ground. In a close finish, Sagamix maintained his unbeaten record as he narrowly defeated the English filly Leggera, with German horse Tiger Hill a close third. The ground conditions it was felt had favoured the winner, who never won another race but defeated horses of the calibre of French and Irish Derby winner Dream Well and his English counterpart High Rise.

The following year brooked no excuses for any of the runners as another mighty Arc winner was crowned. Montjeu was a magnificent brute of a specimen to look at, all muscle and head strong charisma. Trained like Suave Dancer by John Hammond, the colt had beaten the brilliant miler Sendawar early in the season before suffering a shock defeat to Gracioso in the Prix Lupin. However the son of Sadler’s Wells quickly showed that run to be all wrong as he dismissed he rivals with contemptuous ease in the Prix du Jockey Club, beating Nowhere To Exit by 4 lengths. At the Curragh Montjeu took on the Epsom Derby second and third Daliapour and Beat All but the result was even more impressive as he sauntered to a 5 length victory hard held.

Having won the Prix Niel narrowly when not fully woundup, Montjeu headed back to Longchamp for the Arc with credible opposition. The big threat appeared to come from the Japanese runner El Condor Pasa, who had beaten the German trained Arc placed runners Tiger Hill and Borgia in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and Prix Foy. Both were back for the Arc along with Leggera and the improving colt Fantastic Light. The line-up also contained the magnificent grey horse Daylami, who under the Godolphin banner had gone from strength to strength, winning the Eclipse Stakes, Man O’ War Stakes and in the present season had landed the King George easily and then hammered his rivals in the Irish Champion Stakes. However Daylami loved to hear his hooves rattle and in heavy ground, was only given the goahead to run at the twelfth hour, but performed dismally.

El Condor Pasa jumped straight into the lead as the gates opened and quickly burned off Gengis Khan, the intended pace maker for Montjeu. The mighty dual Derby winner meanwhile, bided his time in mid-division along the inside rails, occasionally swishing his tail. El Condor Pasa continued to carry on serenely in front by a couple of lengths and as the field swung for home he was ahead of Tiger Hill and Greek Dance, with Montjeu now positioned in fourth place.

Into the home straight El Condor Pasa lengthened and strode away from his rivals, with Montjeu temporarily trapped

in a pocked, giving the Japanese runner first run. Mick Kinane had to bring Montjeu around runners to get a run and with 2 furlongs to race the chase was on – although he had 4 lengths to make up on his rival. Inside the final furlong a compelling battle ensued as Montjeu began to eat into El Condor Pasa’s lead, the pair a very long way clear of the rest of the field.

Whilst the Japanese runner battled on gamely, the inevitable happened in the final 150 yards and Montjeu got on top and eventually passed the post ½ a length clear in a memorable race.

Montjeu proved himself a quite brilliant horse as a 4 year old also, winning the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup, Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and then the King George with sheer contempt for his rivals. There was great hope that the French superstar might meet Godolphin’s wonder horse Dubai Millennium, the brilliant winner of the Dubai World Cup and Prince Of Wales’s Stakes – but sadly Dubai Millennium broke a leg and had to be retired for what turned out to be a tragically short career at stud.

John Hammond meanwhile prepared Montjeu for the Arc with a run in the Prix Foy and a comfortable 1 ½ length victory over Crillon. He returned to Paris with high expectations of becoming the first horse since Alleged to win two Arcs.

However he did not seem the same horse as he faced another dual Derby winner in Sinndar. John Oxx’s son of Grand Lodge won both races as a juvenile and then finished a head second to Grand Finale in the Ballysax Stakes on his first start of 2000. It would prove the first and only defeat of his career, as he won the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial and then defeated Sakhee and Beat Hollow in a very good renewal of the Derby at Epsom.

He then recorded a facile 9 length hammering of inferior rivals in the Irish Derby and after a break, handed out an 8 length spanking to his Prix Niel rivals.

From the stalls, Sinndar, under Johnny Murtagh, took a handy position just behind his pace maker Raypour, as Montjeu settled three wide towards the rear third of the small field. As the field approached the final turn, Sinndar went into the lead and was challenged down the home straight by Volvoreta. However in the later stages Sinndar pulled clear of that rival and was easily able to repel the fast and late finish of Egyptband to record a famous victory. Montjeu simply did not seem to possess the finishing kick and ran on to finish a one-paced fourth.

Whilst Sinndar retired to stud there was much debate about just how good he was at the end of a magnificent 2000 season which had delivered Montjeu, Dubai Millennium, Sinndar and Giant’s Causeway. The events of 2001 went some way to confirming Sinndar as an outstanding Derby and Arc winner.

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Sakhee had run well to finish a length second to Sinndar at Epsom but had been injured when finishing fourth to Giant’s Causeway and Kalanisi in the 2000 Coral Eclipse Stakes. Over a year later Sakhee returned with a win in a small Newbury race but then put in a devastating performance to destroy a top class field by 7 lengths in the Juddmonte International Stakes.

The next stop was Longchamp and the 2001 Arc de Triomphe, in which Sakhee faced the 2,000 Guineas winner and Derby second Golan, St Leger winner Milan, Prix de Diane winner Aquarelliste and Egyptband.

But Sakhee was in the form of his life and travelled strongly throughout, taking up the running with 3 furlongs to race and impressively drawing away from the toiling Golan early in the home straight. Eventually Aquarelliste came through for second place but that counted for little as Sakhee drew further and further clear, eventually winning by 6 lengths in stunning style. Sakhee then headed to the Breeders’ Cup Classic on dirt and in a fantastic fight, finished a nose second to Tiznow.

Whilst Sakhee was making big waves for Godolphin during 2001, another Saeed bin Suroor inmate Marienbard, was steadily improving and had won the Yorkshire Cup that May. The following May Marienbard was plying his trade in middle distance races and had won the Jockey Club Cup but still seemed quite a way short of Group 1 class against the elite. During the summer of 2002 Marienbard did land a couple of Group 1 races in Germany but these were not considered anywhere near Arc standard in strength.

Among those expected to play a leading role in the 2002 Prix De l’Arc de Triomphe were Aquarelliste, who had run so well the previous year. Aidan O’Brien fielded his English and Irish Derby winner High Chaparral as well as Black Sam Bellamy, a full brother to Galileo. Sulamani had won the Prix du Jockey Club and had followed up with victory in the Prix

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Niel, while Manhattan Cafe was another top class challenger from Japan and Islington was an improving 3 year old filly who had easily won back-to-back Group 1s in the Nassau Stakes and Yorkshire Oaks.

Black Sam Bellamy took the field along from Islington and High Chaparral and that remained the order as the field entered the final straight. Black Sam Bellamy continued to battle on but gradually faded and Islington hit the front from High Chaparral who was struggling to improve. In behind Sulamani began his run with Aquarelliste and few people would have noticed Marienbard gradually closing on the leaders but behind a wall of horses. However at the furlong pole, as the race up front became desperate, a large gap opened for Marienbard, who made ground on Islington, the fighting High Chaparal and Sulamani. Once Marienbard struck the front he went away from Islington and it was left to Sulamani to give chase in vain, with High Chaparral finishing third. The victory was by far and away a personal best for Marienbard and gave Frankie Dettori back-to-back wins in the race.

The autumn of 2002 had seen the arrival of a new potential superstar on the French racing scene as the grey Aga Khan colt Dalakhani won all 3 starts, culminating in the Group 1 Criterium International. The following spring Dalakhani extended his unbeaten record to 5 races before adding the Prix du Jockey Club by 2 lengths from Super Celebre. He then travelled to the Curragh for the Irish Derby and ran a somewhat flat race to finish ½ a length second to the very smart Alamshar. That reversal was a big shock although Alamshar went on to win the King George afterwards. In September Dalakhani returned with a 1 ½ length success over Doyen in the Prix Niel and headed to the Arc a warm order.

Doyen was back in opposition for the Arc de Triomphe along with other leading 3 year olds including the Epsom Derby winner Kris Kin, while the older runners included High Chaparral and Black Sam Bellamy, the three-time Irish St Leger hero Vinnie Roe, St Leger winner Bollin Eric and the dual winner of the Geoffrey Freer Stakes Mubtaker.

After the pacemakers had given way, Black Sam Bellamy headed the Arc field from Mubtaker and High Chaparral and that was the order as the runners turned for home, with Mubtaker going on into the straight. He was followed by Black Sam Bellamy and Bollin Eric, while High Chaparral held the inside rail and the leaders were tracked by Vinnie Roe in a wide open contest.

Mubtaker led into the straight but all of a sudden, with jockeys’ whips flailing, Dalakhani ranged up smoothly under a quiet ride from Christophe Soumillon. With 2 furlongs to

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race Mubtaker pulled clear of his earlier rivals but Soumillon began to pump and Dalakhani followed him through, the pair drawing right away from High Chaparral who had moved into third but could not go on. With a furlong to race, Mubtaker bravely stuck to his guns but Dalakhani moved into the lead and smoothly held on to crown a glorious career.

Clues to the winner of the following year’s Arc were once again produced by a leading juvenile in 2003, one who would emulate Dalakhani by winning the Criterium International although this time by an impressive 6 lengths. In the spring of 2004 Bago returned with success in the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat and extended his record to six from six when beating Cacique by ½ a length in the Grand Prix de Paris. However the lustre disappeared when Bago disappointed when only third to Sulamani in the Juddmonte International Stakes and was then only a length third to Valixir in the Prix Niel.

Despite these setbacks, Bago lined-up in the Arc against a brilliant field that included: Epsom Derby winner North Light, Epsom and Irish Oaks winner Ouija Board, Coronation Cup winner Warrsan, Valixir, Prix du Jockey Club winner Blue Canari, Irish Derby winner Grey Swallow and future French star mare Pride.

North Light led the field from the Japanese runner Tap Dance City and that pair turned for home with a slight gap to Mamool. At that stage Bago was seemingly floundering towards the inside, behind a wall of horses. However, as the Japanese runner faded at the 2 furlong pole, North Light bravely battled on with a greatly reduced lead and was under pressure from Cherry Mix, as the field came back to Bago.

Cherry Mix made a bold bid for glory with just over a furlong to run but Bago emerged from the pack to give chase and impressively quickened to catch and pass the leader late on for a famous win. Cherry Mix held on for second, just ahead of Ouija Board, who endured a troubled passage but flew home for third place.

The first and second returned to Longchamp a year later, while Ouija Board went on to prove herself an outstanding race mare with success in the Breeders’ Cup and multiple Group 1 victories.

In 2005 there was another vintage line-up for an Arc run on good to soft ground. The admirable Mubtaker was back again, as were Warrsan and Pride. Another interesting older horse was the high class stayer and winner of the Gold Cup (run at York in 2005): Westerner, while the ex-German horse Shirocco (now trained by Andre Fabre) had solid form.

Among a vintage crop of 3 year olds was the Epsom Derby winner Motivator, while Scorpion had won the St Leger and

Shawanda had recorded stunning victories in the Prix de Diane, Irish Oaks and Prix Vermeille. However it was the Prix du Jockey Club runner-up, Hurricane Run who attracted greatest interest. A son of Montjeu, Hurricane Run seemed to have inherited plenty of his sire’s traits and after finishing second to Shamardal at Chantilly, had defeated Scorpion in the Irish Derby before recording an impressive 3 length victory in the Prix Niel.

The pace makers went on and were closely followed by the stamina-laden Westerner, with Shawanda also prominent early on, while the previous year’s winner Bago and Hurricane Run settled towards the back of the field.

As the field entered the home straight the pace makers finally gave way and a sprint ensued, with Cherry Mix the first to commit for home with Shawanda to his inner and Motivator towards the inside rail. Shawanda went on with 1 ½ furlongs to race and was pursued by Motivator and Westerner, while Hurricane Run began to respond towards the inside.

At the furlong pole Westerner, Shawanda and Motivator were virtually in a line, while Hurricane Run and Kieren Fallon switched to the inside and gained a charmed passage through next to the rails, sprinting past the other three horses and into an unassailable lead. Westerner stayed on best of the rest for second ahead of Bago who flew home late and was followed through by Shirocco, who would frank the form by winning the Breeders’ Cup Turf a few weeks later.

Like his sire before him, Hurricane Run proved a top class 4 year old the following year, winning the Tattersalls Gold Cup and King George, but succumbing to defeat behind the improving Pride in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. However Hurricane Run was also beaten ¼ of a length by Shirocco in the Prix Foy and he lined-up for the Arc with mixed feelings about his credentials in a field of only 8 runners which guaranteed quality over quantity. In 2006 Longchamp was invaded en masse by a huge influx of Japanese racing fans who had travelled half way around the world to cheer on their own superstar horse Deep Impact, a colt who had won the Japanese Derby and St Leger and was a prolific Grade 1 winner in his homeland. He was backed off the boards by the Japanese visitors and started an odds-on favourite for the Arc, despite having not raced for over 4 months.

Shirocco and Pride had both beaten Hurricane Run this season and had their chances, while the 3 year olds were represented by St Leger winner Sixties Icon and the Grand Prix de Paris winner Rail Link, an improving Andre Fabre colt who had beaten Youmzain by ½ a length in the Prix Niel.

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PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE BIG RACE HISTORY As the gates opened to a tremendous roar from the crowd, Hurricane Run, Rail Link and Deep Impact were the early leaders, before the outsider Irish Wells went on from the Japanese runner. Turning for home Irish Wells still led narrowly from Shirocco who was a close second and poised to take over. In behind these came Deep Impact travelling well on the outside, while Hurricane Run was under pressure in fourth and angling out for a run. Tracking Deep Impact through came Rail Link, while Sixties Icon and Pride were at the back of the field.

With a furlong and a half to race, Deep Impact went into the lead but was immediately challenged by the held up Rail Link, the pair settling down to a terrific duel. And it was the 3 year old colt, under Stephane Pasquier, who had the greater reserves of stamina and perhaps fitness – and he forged on, as Pride stormed home from the back of the field.

At the line Rail Link defeated the filly by a fast-diminishing neck, with Deep Impact ½ a length further back and clear of Hurricane Run. Sadly Deep Impact later failed a dope test and was disqualified to add insult to injury for the Japanese racing fans who were beginning to wonder if they would ever win an Arc de Triomphe.

One colt who missed the 2006 Arc was the progressive Danehill colt Dylan Thomas. Aidan O’Brien’s 3 year old had run a smashing race to finish ¼ of a length third to Sir Percy in a driving finish to the Epsom Derby and had then

BIG RACE HISTORY PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE

easily defeated his rivals in the Irish Derby. After running a disappointing race at York, Dylan Thomas showed tremendous battling qualities to fight back when headed and defeat the magnificent Ouija Board at Leopardstown. However he then travelled to America and flopped in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, rather than heading to Longchamp.

With a large frame there was every chance that Dylan Thomas would blossom as a 4 year old and so it proved as he won the Prix Ganay. However defeat by his old rival Notnowcato in the Tattersalls Gold Cup was disappointing and he was comprehensively beaten by Manduro at Ascot and it appeared that Manduro – another ex-German horse now with Andre Fabre, was the superstar of the year. Whilst Dylan Thomas went on to beat Youmzain by 4 lengths in the King George, he was subsequently beaten again in the Juddmonte International Stakes, by the 2007 Derby winner Authorized, himself a serious Arc contender. Meanwhile Manduro had dropped down to a mile and brilliantly defeated the best milers around in the Jacques Le Marois, before completing his Arc preparation with a facile 2 ½ length defeat of the smart filly Mandesha in the Prix Foy. However in the final days before the Arc, there was a sensation as Manduro was ruled out of the contest with a career ending injury. Dylan Thomas went to Longchamp strongly supported, but with plenty of competition from old rivals Authorized and Youmzain. Grand Prix de Paris winner

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Zambesi Sun was there and looked an improver like Rail Link before him, but had been comprehensively outpointed by the runaway Irish Derby winner Soldier Of Fortune in the Prix Niel – and that Aidan O’Brien colt also lined up along with Dylan Thomas.

As the pacemakers took the field along early, Authorized raced wide and was in last place. The two Ballydoyle pacemakers Song Of Hiawatha and Yellowstone continued to lead as the field started turning for home, with Soldier Of Fortune best placed of the main contenders in fourth place. Into the home straight it was Soldier Of Fortune who went on, chased by Zambesi Sun and the improving Dylan Thomas, as Authorized flattered to deceive and dropped away disappointingly.

Dylan Thomas and Kieren Fallon powered on into the lead approaching the furlong marker and his stable mate Soldier Of Fortune could give no more. It was left to Youmzain, a virtually unconsidered outsider, to give chase to the giant 4 year old and he made huge inroads into Dylan Thomas’s lead, going down by just a head in similar fashion to Mtoto’s defeat back in 1988. Dylan Thomas had veered right in the latter stages, hampering other horses and had to survive a lengthy stewards’ enquiry before the result was confirmed.

Every few years an exceptional light comes along in the world of horse racing and captures everybody’s heart and imagination. In 2008 and 2009 the European racing scene was dominated by two outstanding horses who illuminated our sport and defined the term champion.

The first of these was the charismatic, quirky but devastatingly brilliant filly Zarkava. Owned by the Aga Khan and trained by Alain de Royer Dupre, the daughter of Zamindar out of the Aga Khan’s own filly Zarkasha, was unbeaten in both juvenile starts, winning the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac in the second of these. In the spring of 2008 she showed brilliance with victories in the Group 3 Prix de la Grotte and then the French 1,000 Guineas, where she easily disposed of future miling great Goldikova by 2 lengths.

Success followed with another exquisite performance in the Prix de Diane, taking Zarkava’s unbeaten record to five.

After a mid-summer break, the champion filly returned to Longchamp and disposed of the English filly Da Re Mi by 2 lengths in the Prix Vermeille, with the Arc now firmly in her sites.

That first Sunday in October brought together a strong field of rivals for the wonder filly. Youmzain and Soldier Of Fortune were back along with Zambesi Sun, while Duke Of Marmalade had proved an outstanding 4 year old, landing the Prix Ganay, Tattersalls Gold Cup, Prince Of Wales’s Stakes,

King George and Juddmonte International, in which he beat the Derby winner New Approach.

There was drama from the outset, as Zarkava swerved violently right as the gates opened, crashing into the rails and almost losing Christophe Soumillon, but conceding ground to sit last of the 16 runners. Meanwhile, Red Rock Canyon, the Ballydoyle pace maker took the field along at a good clip and shot many lengths clear by halfway.

Turning for home Red Rock Canyon still led but he went very wide, leaving Schiaparelli in front of It’s Gino, with Soldier Of Fortune poised to pounce. In behind these Zarkava was tracking Soldier Of Fortune, while Youmzain began to weave a pathway through on the inside.

With a furlong and a half to race, the rank outsider It’s Gino hit the front and a sensational shock looked on the cards. Soldier Of Fortune battled on and Youmzain was still getting closer, albeit short of room.

Then it happened. Zarkava was moved out to deliver her challenge and swoosh, in the flash of an eye she had imperiously stormed into the lead and pulled away from the battling Soldier Of Fortune and Youmzain. Youmzain had pulled around those two horses, losing ground, but finished with a rattle to claim second place for the second year running, with Soldier Of Fortune winning the race for third place. But Zarkava returned and retired an unbeaten champion.

It seemed that the 2009 Arc would have a mighty hard act to follow after the mighty Zarkava’s exploits, but racing fans were in for another real treat. John Oxx had enjoyed a fine time of things since the days of Sinndar, thanks largely to the exploits of Alamshar and Azamour. However in 2009, he produced a colt that would surpass all of his previous champions.

Sea The Stars was a son of Cape Cross and that marvellous 1993 Arc heroine Urban Sea, who was famed almost as much for throwing Galileo. He was given a relatively easy time of things as a two year old, recording his most significant win in the Beresford Stakes of 2008.

The colt returned in the 2,000 Guineas with his trainer hopeful of a big run but conscious that the horse might need the race and would probably improve for a longer trip. However, in the final furlong he put in a performance that would become his trademark over the coming months, making smooth progress to the front and just doing enough to defeat Delegator. At Epsom Aidan O’Brien took on Sea The Stars with his unbeaten colt Fame And Glory and Rip Van Winkle, but the result was still the same as Sea The Stars got on top in the final furlong for a comfortable victory from subsequent Irish Derby winner Fame And Glory.

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PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE BIG RACE HISTORY With rain softened ground at the Curragh, Sea The Stars missed his rematch with the O’Brien colt and instead headed to Sandown park for a brilliant renewal of the Coral Eclipse Stakes. Rip Van Winkle put up a terrific scrap and Sea The Stars had to dig deep for victory but always had enough in hand at the line, the pair drawing clear of dual Breeders’ Cup, St Leger and subsequent King George winner Conduit. The dual Champion Stakes winner Twice Over was further back. The following month Sea The Stars despatched three more O’Brien horses as he quickened effortlessly past Mastercraftsman in the Juddmonte International, a race which added thousands more spectators to the York attendance.

In September Sea The Stars was back on home soil and brilliantly defeated Fame And Glory and Mastercraftsman again, making it five Group 1 victories in five months.

So to Longchamp – and what would prove the final stop for Sea The Stars. Fame And Glory was back for another clash with his old rival, while Cavalryman had won his last 3 races, including the Grand Prix de Paris and Prix Niel.

Youmzain was back again, along with Conduit, the former Prix du Jockey Club winner Vision D’Etat and the brilliant fillies Stacelita and Da Re Mi. The pacemaker Set Sail went straight into the lead with Sea The Stars also quickly away but unusually taking a little while to settle for Mick Kinane. The other Ballydoyle pacemaker Grand Ducal then sprinted up into the lead as the race settled down. Set Sail and Grand Ducal continued to lead, going several lengths clear of the main field, which was headed by Stacelita, with Da Re Mi and Cavalryman next.

The two leaders were still many lengths clear turning for home but had cut their own throats and came back to the field dramatically with 2 furlongs to race, with Stacelita taking over. At that point Sea The Stars looked to be in a spot of trouble, trapped against the rails, several lengths off the pace and surrounded by horses.

Stacelita kicked for home and was chased through by Cavalryman but in a flash Sea The Stars had extricated himself from his position and had room to make his move. By the furlong pole Sea The Stars had accelerated between Stacelita and Cavalryman and into the lead, pulling clear, with nothing threatening to get back on terms with him. It was a majestic performance and the perfect bookend to a magnificent career.

Amazingly Youmzain sprinted down the outside to claim second place for the third year running and great testament should be given to Mick Channon’s remarkable horse for his soundness and resolution over such a long period of time. Cavalryman snatched third place with Conduit a fast

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finishing fourth in another memorable renewal.

Throughout its history, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe has provided mixed results for Epsom Derby winners. In 2010, the most recent Epsom hero Workforce went to Longchamp with a tarnished reputation to repair. The colt had been lightly raced as a juvenile and appeared in need of the run when beaten fair and square by Cape Blanco in the Dante Stakes at York in May. No beaten horse from that race had ever triumphed at Epsom but Workforce seemingly improved enormously between York and Derby Day and was given the go ahead to run by Sir Michael Stoute. What followed was a sublime performance as Workforce smashed the track record in winning the Derby by 7 lengths from At First Sight, conjuring memories of Shergar, whom Sir Michael had also trained. Workforce next appeared at Ascot in the King George but seemed slightly ill at ease beforehand and was simply blown away by an extraordinary run by stable mate Harbinger, who won the race by a staggering 11 lengths from Cape Blanco, with Workforce running under a cloud and finishing only fifth of the 6 runners.

Harbinger was immediately hailed as a superstar and all the rage for the Arc – but 2 months can be a very long time in racing and the media darling sadly sustained a career ending injury. So it was Workforce who turned up at Longchamp, against 17 rivals in very soft ground.

The Japanese were represented by two horses thought to have big chances; Victoire Pisa had won the Japanese 2,000 Guineas and finished third in the Japanese Derby earlier in the year and had run reasonably well to finish fourth to Bekhabad in the Prix Niel after more than 3 months off the track. In time he would go on to win the Dubai World Cup. Nakayama Festa however was considered the main challenger from Japan and had run a close second to Duncan in the Prix Foy the month before the Arc, with plenty of improvement expected.

Lope De Vega had won the French 2,000 Guineas and the Prix du Jockey Club, although he had struggled when dropped down in distance thereafter. Bekhabad had finished fourth at Chantilly but had since won close duels with Planteur in the Grand Prix de Paris and Prix Niel and both colts reappeared in the Arc. Cape Blanco, who had two victories over Workforce was there for Aidan O’Brien. The top class filly Sarafina also represented the 3 year old generation and had been a brilliant winner of the Prix de Diane, although she had been defeated

by Midday in the Group 1 Prix Vermeille on Arc Trials Day. Of the older horses, Duncan was there trying to followup his Prix Foy victory, while Cavalryman bid to go two

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places better than in 2009. Fame And Glory had also stayed in training and had landed the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup and Coronation Cup, as well as the Royal Whip most recently. And of course, Youmzain was back, having finished second in the last three renewals of the Arc. The pace maker Pouvoir Absolu was driven hard into the early lead from Planteur, with Duncan also prominent.

As the field started turning right handed, Pouvoir Absolu still led from the Ballydoyle pace setter Midas Touch, with Planteur and Duncan next, followed by Fame And Glory and Bekhabad, with Lope De Vega making ground. Towards the rear of the field and trapped against the rails behind a wall of horses was Workforce, who appeared to have little hope of an escape route.

Turning into the home straight the French Derby hero Lope De Vega moved into the lead from Planteur as the pace makers dropped away, with Cape Blanco’s white face challenging down the outside. As Lope De Vega’s pace gave way, Planteur went back to the front, with Fame And Glory close-up and tracking the leader. Down the outside Nakayama Festa was starting to get into top gear and with quarter of a mile to run, Workforce had also suddenly appeared, with jockey Ryan Moore having moved the horse off the rails and four wide but now with daylight.

With a furlong and a half to race, Nakayama Festa went to the front with Workforce surging through and the English 3 year old showed slightly stronger acceleration to move to

the front. The English Derby winner continued to hold the Japanese horse who kept up a sustained challenge throughout the final furlong but was unable to pass Workforce. From a mile back, Sarafina finished like a train down the outside but had been given far too much to do, while the Aga Khan, who owned Sarafina, also had the fourth placed horse in Bekhabad.

Workforce was kept in training in 2011 and after winning the Brigadier Gerard Stakes on his return, was narrowly beaten

by So You Think in the Coral Eclipse Stakes, before finishing a well beaten second to Nathanial in the King George. With that Workforce returned to the scene of his Arc glory.

If Workforce’s 4 year old career had fallen slightly below expectations, Sarafina appeared as good as ever, winning the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and Prix Foy and going into the Arc as favourite. Nakayama Festa was also back having finished a close fourth (of four) to Sarafina in the Prix Foy. However that had been his first race since the previous November’s Japan Cup and he was sure to improve. Hiruno D’Amour was another Japanese contender and had finished a short neck second to Sarafina in that Prix Foy. The giant horse So You Think represented Aidan O’Brien, having won the Eclipse Stakes and then beaten Snow Fairy by ½ a length in the Irish Champion Stakes. O’Brien also fielded his one-time Classic hope St Nicholas Abbey, who had won the Coronation Cup at Epsom before finishing third in the King George and third in the Prix Foy. Snow Fairy was in the field too; the English and Irish Oaks winner the previous year had also won in Japan and Hong Kong.

The Prix du Jockey Club winner Reliable Man was in the field and he had beaten the Grand Prix de Paris winner Meandre, another runner, in the Prix Niel most recently. The French 3 year old filly Galikova, winner of the Prix Vermeille, took her place and the Epsom Derby runner-up and Irish Derby winner Treasure Beach was in the field, so too was the St Leger winner Masked Marvel.

From Germany came the Italian Oaks and double Group 1 winning filly Danedream, who was largely unconsidered but underlined the improvement in German contenders.

On good ground this stellar line-up set off with Treasure Beach heading the field by about 3 lengths from the Aga Khan’s pacemaker Shareta, with Testosterone a couple of lengths further back with St Nicholas Abbey.

As the field turned for home, St Nicholas Abbey moved up between the two pacemakers and into the lead from Treasure Beach and Shareta, with many of those in behind struggling to make an impression. One horse who did close however was Danedream, who moved into fourth place.

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As Treasure Beach dropped away, St Nicholas Abbey grabbed the far rail but had not yet seen off the attention of Shareta, who was running the race of her life. However Danedream, who had conserved energy early on, was now on the heels of the leading pair and swept into the lead just before the furlong pole, sprinting away from Shareta, as St Nicholas Abbey could give no more. Further back Snow Fairy finished well with So You Think but the German filly was long since gone and recorded an easy 5 length victory in a new course record.

The incredible run of Shareta earned her second place ahead of Snow Fairy, with So You Think just beating his stable mate St Nicholas Abbey for fourth place. It was a stunning victory for Danedream, trained by Peter Schiergen and brilliantly ridden by Andrasch Starke.

To some sceptics the victory of Danedream had been a fluke but they were comprehensively silenced in 2012 as the filly narrowly defeated Nathaniel and St Nicholas Abbey in the King George at Ascot, before winning the Group 1 Grosser Preis Von Baden. It appeared she had an outstanding opportunity to equal Alleged’s achievement but then disaster struck in the final week before the Arc, as swamp fever led Cologne, where Danedream was based, to be quarantined.

Danedream was banned from travelling and had to miss her big chance. Nathaniel was also ruled out on account of a high temperature, while Snow Fairy had also been taken out of the race due to injury.

With persistent rain, the going on Arc de Triomphe day 2012 was heavy but a top class field assembled nonetheless.

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BIG RACE HISTORY PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE

Shareta, Meandre and St Nicholas Abbey were all back again, while Aidan O’ Brien also ran his exciting 3 year old Camelot, who had won the 2,000 Guineas, Derby and Irish Derby and had narrowly failed to win the English Triple Crown when failing to catch Encke in the St Leger. Sir Michael Stoute’s progressive colt Sea Moon had looked exciting when winning the Great Voltigeur Stakes the previous year and had been an impressive winner of the Hardwicke Stakes in 2012, before disappointing in the King George. Great Heavens had won the Irish Oaks and represented the connections of Nathaniel.

But the real superstar of this Arc was the Japanese 4 year old Orfevre, who had won the Japanese Triple Crown in 2011 and had beaten Meandre by a length in the Prix Foy. Orfevre, like Deep Impact before him, attracted massive Japanese support on the racecourse.

Ernest Hemmingway went straight into the lead as the stalls opened and was tracked along the inside by stable mate Camelot, while Mikhail Glinka was prominent and Robin Hood, another Ballydoyle horse, was driven up to join the leaders, while Solemia tracked the leaders next to the rails. At the back of the field, Orfevre was patiently ridden.

Ernest Hemmingway pulled clear of his rivals and approached the final turn with a healthy lead but was under the whip. Solemia headed the main pack along with Mikhail Glinka, with Masterstroke and Great Heavens also in contention.

Ernest Hemmingway was quickly swallowed up and the outsider Solemia took the lead, with a bunch of maybe 6 horses queuing up in behind her. Among these was Orfevre,

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who had made smooth progress from the back of the field, all the way down the home straight, whilst racing wide.

With 1 ½ furlongs to race, the chestnut colt cruised up to the leader and shot clear, going away from Solemia and Masterstroke, who were both under extreme pressure. At the furlong pole, Orfevre had gone a couple of lengths clear and was still going away, despite drifting across the course and over to the far rail. But all of a sudden, with ½ a furlong to race, Solemia found her second wind and began to catch the Japanese horse. In a desperate finish Olivier Peslier and Solemia got back up as Orfevre tied-up in the final few yards, for a dramatic victory. It had looked as though Orfevre couldn’t lose and yet the Japanese hoodoo had once again reared its head in astonishing circumstances. Did the colt lose momentum by hitting the rail as he drifted? Did he simply run out of stamina? The post mortem continued for weeks but nobody could deny that Solemia had run the race of her life and had been given a wonderfully positive ride, in conditions that she revelled in. Some 7 lengths back in third finished Masterstroke, with rank outsider Haya Landa in fourth.

The first two horses were back in opposition a few weeks later in the Japan Cup on vastly different firm ground.

Solemia ran disappointingly down the field, while Orfevre suffered further heartache by finishing a nose second to the brilliant Gentildonna. However Orfevre remained in training in 2013 and naturally connections were keen to set the record straight at Longchamp.

After winning a Grade 2 race in Japan in March, Orfevre sustained an injury which kept him off the track until the Prix Foy which he brilliantly won by 3 lengths from Very Nice Name. All was on track for Orfevre’s second attempt at the Arc. However Orfevre would face a formidable challenge from a filly called Treve, who won the Prix Vermeille on the same day that the Japanese horse was winning the Prix Foy. Treve was trained by France’s First Lady of Racing, Criquette Head-Maarek. The filly was lightly raced, having won both her starts before blowing her rivals away with devastating speed in the Prix de Diane in June. Having been bought by Sheikh Joaan, the filly next ran in the Prix Vermeille under new jockey Frankie Dettori. In soft ground she had to make up lots of ground in the home straight before catching Wild Coco with another impressive turn of foot. However before the Arc, Dettori suffered a fall in England and injured his ankle, meaning that Treve would be reunited with her former pilot Thierry Jarnet. However there were genuine concerns for Treve ahead of the race as she was drawn wide, often a huge disadvantage in the Arc.

Haya Landa and Meandre were back in the line-up again, while there were some top class horses from England and Ireland. Sadly these did not include St Nicholas Abbey, who had fractured a leg, whilst the German horse Novellist, had been superb when winning the King George at Ascot but was a late scratching.

Al Kazeem was there however and had shown marked improvement during 2013, winning the Tattersalls Gold Cup, Prince Of Wales’s Stakes and Eclipse Stakes during the summer, before running well in defeat in the Juddmonte International and again when a close second in the Irish Champion Stakes to The Fugue.

The Epsom Derby winner Ruler Of The World had since disappointed in the Irish Derby, but had run a promising race when a short head second to the latest Japanese Derby winner Kizuna in the Prix Niel, in a race which also included the Andre Fabre pair of Ocovango and Intello. The latter hrose had been unlucky when a close third in the French 2,000 Guineas and had then won the Prix du Jockey Club by a brilliant 2 lengths before dropping back down to a mile. He had finished a close third in the Prix Jacques Le Marois, probably the strongest mile race run in Europe during 2013, finishing 1 ¾ lengths behind Moonlight Cloud. More recent was Intello’s ¾ length defeat of Morandi (whom he had also beaten in the French Derby) in the 10 furlong, soft ground Prix du Prince d’Orange in September and despite mixed opinions on his ability to stay the Arc trip, the colt was strongly fancied by many people to give Fabre an eighth success in the race. The ace trainer had a further string to his bow in the shape of Flintshire, the Grand Prix de Paris winner who had been inconvenienced in the Prix Niel by soft ground. That was a concern once again ahead of the Arc. Leading Light, the impressive St Leger winner who had been beaten just once in his life, came over from Aidan O’Brien’s stable and added to the lustre of this magnificent race.

As the field were despatched, Joshua Tree headed the runners from the outside, with Pengai Pavillion (another Fabre runner) in second palce and Ocovango third. Towards the back of the field and racing wide, Treve was already fighting for her head and the signs did not look good for her chances, while Orfevre was nicely settled in the middle of the pack, much closer than 12 months earlier.

As the field headed into the home straight Joshua Tree still led but the action was hotting up – and Treve had made smooth and effortless progress to join the leaders from the wide outside, as the runners entered the final stretch.

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PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE BIG RACE HISTORY

Joshua Tree was still the leader as the runners straightened up, with Ocovango poised and Treve positively cruising in third place. Behind these came Intello, with Orfevre under pressure but making ground.

At the 2 furlong pole the filly went into the lead, as Joshua Tree faded – and she quickened really impressively away, taking 4 lengths out of the field in half a furlong.

In behind Orfevre came out of the pack and gave chase, while Intello now showed his guts and stamina were beyond question. But they were playing for places only as Treve swept gloriously clear of her field with devastating effect, winning the Arc by 5 lengths from Japan’s answer to Youmzain. In third came Intello, with Kizuna running on with great credit for fourth place.

So it was that 34 years on from Three Troika’s marvellous defeat of Troy, Criquette Head-Maarek had found another superstar filly who ruled at Longchamp.

Yet the excitement of Treve remaining in training during 2014, proved anti-climactic for much of the year as a result of defeats and injury. Indeed, she headed back to Longchamp to defend her crown, under a cloud, after a disappointing run in the Prix Vermeille three weeks earlier.

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WINNERS PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE

Despite being written off by many, Criquette HeadMaarek remained confident in her fillies’ ability and not for the first time confounded the doubters. In a fabulous renewal, Treve was drawn towards the inside and took up the running in the final two furlongs, bursting clear of her field and never looking in any danger, as she became the first back-to-back winner since Alleged in 1978, beating Flintshire by 2 lengths.

In 2015 Treve was bidding for an unprecedented third victory in Europe’s premier middle distance contest. However, it was the brilliant three year old colt Golden Horn, who landed the spoils, continuing the strong recent trend towards winners from the Classic generation.

Ridden boldly from a wide draw by Frankie Dettori, the John Gosden trained colt swung into the home straight and bravely held off Flintshire and Treve for a famous victory to add to his earlier successes in the Investec Derby and Coral Eclipse Stakes.

It was an end of era race as Longchamp’s famous old grandstands were demolished a few weeks later, to make way for a modern development, which should be ready in 2017.

The 2016 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe will consequently take place at Chantilly, where another chapter of history will be written.

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YEAR

WINNER

AGE

1952

Nuccio

4

1984

Sagace

4

1920

Comrade

3

1953

La Sorellina

3

1985

Rainbow Quest

4

1921

Ksar

3

1954

Sica Boy

3

1986

Dancing Brave

3

1922

Ksar

4

1955

Ribot

3

1987

Trempolino

3

1923

Parth

3

1956

Ribot

4

1988

Tony Bin

5

1924

Massine

4

1957

Oroso

4

1989

Carroll House

4

1925

Priori [a]

3

1958

Ballymoss

4

1990

Saumarez

3

1926

Biribi

3

1959

Saint Crespin

3

1991

Suave Dancer

3

1927

Mon Talisman

3

1960

Puissant Chef

3

1992

Subotica

4

1928

Kantar

3

1961

Molvedo

3

1993

Urban Sea

4

1929

Ortello

3

1962

Soltikoff

3

1994

Carnegie

3

1930

Motrico

5

1963

Exbury

4

1995

Lammtarra

3

1931

Pearl Cap

3

1964

Prince Royal

3

1996

Helissio

3

1932

Motrico

7

1965

Sea Bird

3

1997

Peintre Celebre

3

1933

Crapom

3

1966

Bon Mot

3

1998

Sagamix

3

1934

Brantome

3

1967

Topyo

3

1999

Montjeu

3

1935

Samos

3

1968

Vaguely Noble

3

2000

Sinndar

3

1936

Corrida

4

1969

Levmoss

4

2001

Sakhee

4

1937

Corrida

5

1970

Sassafras

3

2002

Marienbard

5

1938

Eclair au Chocolat

3

1971

Mill Reef

3

2003

Dalakhani

3

1972

San San

3

2004

Bago

3

No race 1939–40 1941

Le Pacha

3

1973

Rheingold

4

2005

Hurricane Run

3

1942

Djebel

5

1974

Allez France

4

2006

Rail Link

3

1943

Verso II

3

1975

Star Appeal

5

2007

Dylan Thomas

4

1944

Ardan

3

1976

Ivanjica

4

2008

Zarkava

3

1945

Nikellora

3

1977

Alleged

3

2009

Sea the Stars

3

1946

Caracalla

4

1978

Alleged

4

2010

Workforce

3

1947

Le Paillon

5

1979

Three Troikas

3

2011

Danedream

3

1948

Migoli

4

1980

Detroit

3

2012

Solemia

4

1949

Coronation

3

1981

Gold River

4

2013

Treve

3

1950

Tantieme

3

1982

Akiyda

3

2014

Treve

4

1951

Tantieme

4

1983

All Along

4

2015

Golden Horn

3

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79

FEATURE RACING FX

RACING FX FEATURE

RACING FX PROUDLY SERVING THE RACING AND EQUINE INDUSTRIES

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FEATURE RACING FX

RACING FX FEATURE

The Equine Network allows customers to connect to other users and industry services. You can also send and receive funds quickly and securely in all major currencies with no cost and no hassle to any other Racing FX account holder.

It is FREE to open an account with Racing FX, with no setup fees or account management.

WHEN DID RACING FX START AND WHAT WAS ITS ORIGINS?

and making the most of our services, many have realised the benefit of our services for personal use and other aspects of their lives.

Our products are online and easy to use. We provide services such as Payroll, Book Keeping, and Debit Cards.

This is a great office assistance and we are experiencing a positive uptake with this particularly with small businesses in the industry.

Racing FX started as a sub-brand of Currency Wire Limited, which was formed in August 2010 but following its growth and success within the equine industry, was formed into a company in July 2014.

Image supplied by Racing FX

Don Cossak, Gold Cup

Running a busy racing yard is hard enough at the best of time, but of course for trainers, it is a business and has necessary admin procedures that take up time and money.

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echnology is increasingly playing an important role in the day to day running of a racing operation and in recent years, the arrival of RacingFX has provided a range of financial services, designed to take the pain out of admin.

Course Specialist recently caught up with Tom Jonason, formerly assistant trainer to Paul Nicholls, who has joined the Racing FX team this year as Head of Business Development, for an overview of some of the challenges yards face – and how Racing FX is able to make the office side of work run a little more smoothly.

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WHAT SERVICES AND PRODUCTS DOES RACING FX PROVIDE? We provide a range of financial services that are tailored to the racing and equine industries. Whilst our products and services are constantly expanding we currently offer eight core services which are accessed through our principal product, the Racing FX Multi-Currency Cash Manager. Through this we offer; Multi-Currency Debit Cards, Invoice Management, Payroll, Accounting, Insurance Services, Mortgage and Loan Services and the Equine Network.

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WHERE ARE YOU HEADQUARTERED, AND WHAT IS YOUR GEOGRAPHICAL REACH FOR CUSTOMERS? Our headquarters are in London with a further satellite office in Leicestershire and an office soon to open in Ireland before the end of 2016 and France in 2017. We have a presence at all major racing and bloodstock related events and bloodstock sales but as our core product is technology and financial services, London seems an ideal location to be based with satellites near the main event areas.

Our customer base and service outreach is very much international. Our customers regularly conduct business and buy horses as far away as Australia and USA. Although the majority of our clients are based in the UK and Ireland our outreach is global.

WHO ARE YOUR CUSTOMERS? Our customers usually come to us through the racing and equine industries. Be it Trainer, Owner, Horse Transporter, Agent, Breeder or Sales Company, they are often attracted by the ease of international dealings at first. Once onboard

© Sarah Farnsworth Photography www.sarahfarnsworth.co.uk

WHAT NEED IS THERE FOR RACING FX’S SERVICE RANGE WITHIN RACING? The Racing FX service range provides a one stop shop for your finances. The additional services such as Debit Cards and Accounts Management work with the Cash Manager accounts to provide the whole package for your business. As with all sports industries, horseracing people are passionate about their sport and the industry that surrounds it. No one gets into racing because they love admin! Therefore, it’s fair to assume that our target audience are likely to lie awake at night dreaming of winning the gold cup but having nightmares about financial administration. Racing FX provides a range of services that work together, they are easy to use and take the hassle out of the administrative side of your business.

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FEATURE RACING FX

RACING FX FEATURE

Image supplied by Racing FX

Racing FX provides online accounts, unlike our competitors we don’t charge any account opening fees, set up or management fees. In addition, our currency conversion comes at a fraction of the price that you will pay when making international transactions with a bank. Each country that hosts racing is increasing its international outreach every year.

Racehorse Owners and Trainers are regularly attracted to races and sales overseas including foreign visitors to the UK. As this global outreach continues the demand for multicurrency assistance is growing, our intention is for Racing FX to be the ‘go to’ place for that service. For example, Racing FX multi-currency debit cards which work at our rates and avoid big international charges are perfect for the international racing businessman. On top of this, British racing has substantial overlap with France and Ireland. Needless to say we provide customers with many exchange rates and conversions every day.

HOW STRICTLY REGULATED ARE THE SERVICES YOU PROVIDE AND WHAT ACCREDITATION DOES RACING FX HAVE? Racing FX is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and registered with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) as a Money Services Business. These are the highest levels of regulation in the UK and the EU for the services we provide. The online Cash Manager has the latest security and

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system protection built in.

Client security and account security is of paramount importance to Racing FX, as such our security systems follow the strictest safeguarding rules in the UK. The Cash Manager platform uses the latest technology meaning our clients access their funds through the latest security methods. In addition to this, our Invoice Management service and Equine Network are designed not only for convenience but for safety as well.

In providing an internal network of users that can connect to each other through electronic invoicing and internal payments, Racing FX houses the most secure way of sending and receiving money in the business.

HOW DOES RACING FX WORK WITH CLIENTS? Our services are predominantly online. This is the will of the modern world and is the best and safest way to offer a 24 hour, fast and cost efficient service. If any of our clients would like to speak to someone, we have a knowledgeable and enthusiastic team that understand the racing and equine industries and who are experts in our industry.

We like to keep our customers up to date with daily industry talking points through our website and regular emails.

As our existing product services evolve and we introduce new services we find it very important to ask our clients if they are happy and answer any questions. The majority of Racing FX account holders prefer to make the most of the online service.

However, it’s important to note that most accounts are opened as a result of a one to one consultation or recommendations from other customers and a strong client relationship.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY IN WHAT RACING FX DOES? Racing FX strives to provide a secure and simple to use service that is totally mobile and can be accessed 24 hours a

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October 2016

day, 7 days a week. Upon opening a Racing FX account our customers have access to an online multi-currency account.

With this they can hold balances in six different currencies, make and receive payments locally and internationally as well as convert currency with the benefit of our exclusive exchange rates.

In providing an Equine Network, Racing FX customers can connect to each other online as part of a secure and easy to use system as well as being incredibly cost efficient. Our management team have very strong client relationships but all of our services involve some form of technology. The key to a happy customer is providing simple and effective products that work.

At Racing FX we are always looking to develop new systems, products and services that will help the racing and equine industries.

Image supplied by Racing FX

HAVE YOU LAUNCHED ANY NEW PRODUCTS/ SERVICES DURING 2016? IF SO, WHAT AND HOW SUCCESSFUL HAVE THESE BEEN? The multi-currency Cash Manager was new in 2016. With very little marketing, the Cash Manager has been incredibly well received. Every customer has switched from the previous system and many new customers have joined.

The Cash Manager is a no fee product. You can receive payments and hold balances in six different currencies, pay out in over thirty different currencies and our exchange rates consistently beat banks and other providers of foreign exchange.

The Cash Manager was launched in May 2016 as a multicurrency account service allowing clients to receive and pay money in multiple currencies from a single online account.

As well as providing very competitive exchange rates for both immediate currency conversions and locking in rates for the future, the platform provides a fast way of making local and international payments with free regular payments making it very attractive to anybody needing to make regular small payments to suppliers.

The Cash Manager is ideally suited for making payments to other Racing FX users as it allows clients to make a payment from their own account to another users account at no cost and can be done immediately 24 hours a day 7 days a week removing all transfer charges and the need to work within banking hours only, providing a totally secure private network and removing any risk of financial fraud or risk of money being stolen.

The cash manager is in the process of being enhanced to offer home delivery of cash for overseas travel, the addition of multi-currency debit cards with the advantage of using funds from your account with Racing FX thus removing the high international charges and conversion fees regularly applied by the card providers overseas at the moment.

Other features on the platform include book-keeping services and client invoicing and will soon include yard manager and syndication manager services for managing bills and dispersion of sale proceeds or winnings to beneficiaries within the system.

With the Cash Manager in place as the hub for Racing FX account holders, our family of services have been pulled together to offer the complete package for our clients. If the uptake continues as it has this year then the future is looking bright.

IS THE WORK SEASONAL, I.E. IS THERE A PARTICULARLY BUSY TIME OF YEAR (SUCH AS YEAR-END FOR STUD FARMS OR THE END OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR)?

No the work isn’t seasonal, administration for any business never stops. In this industry, the down time for a particular company is the busy time for another. Having said that, we experience a high volume of activity during and after bloodstock sales in particular.

WHAT DOES 2017 HOLD IN STORE FOR RACING FX? 2017 will be a very big year for Racing FX with big plans for our multi-currency debit cards, expansion of our accounting, insurance, mortgage and asset finance services and launch of our RFX Giving initiative. This generates revenue from online vendors when our clients buy from their store and will donate from this to worthy charities within the equine industry.

We are also in the process of creating partnerships with key organisations in the sport. Through these we aim to help people in the industry save time and money with our services.

Watch this space!

For more information, please visit www.racingfx.co.uk

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FEATURE DUBAI FUTURE CHAMPIONS FESTIVAL

DUBAI FUTURE CHAMPIONS FESTIVAL FEATURE

FUTURE CHAMPIONS FESTIVAL 86

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FEATURE DUBAI FUTURE CHAMPIONS FESTIVAL

DUBAI FUTURE CHAMPIONS FESTIVAL FEATURE

FRIDAY LADIES DAY

On Friday October 7th and Saturday, October 8th, Newmarket stages the second Dubai Future Champions Festival on the Rowley Mile.

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T

his important meeting, formerly known as the Houghton meeting, brings definition to the 2016 crop of two year olds for both sexes, with the Group 1 Championship races the Dubai Fillies’ Mile for the fillies on the Friday and the Group 1 Dubai Dewhurst Stakes on the Saturday, often a pointed not only for the leading European Two Year Old of the season, but also next year’s major Classic contenders.

With £2.1 million in prize money across the two days, this important meeting is sure to attract the finest equine talent from around Europe once again.

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Autumn Ladies Day on the Friday has an eye on the fillies on a seven-race card, with £1,025,000 in prize money on offer and the Group 1 Dubai Fillies’ Mile the highlight.

Last year’s winner was none other than the outstanding super star of this year’s Classic crop, Minding, who went on to win the QIPCO 1,000 Guineas and the Investec Oaks earlier this year.

Minding joined a pantheon of greats, with Classic winners and Group 1 winners including: Quick As Lightning, Height of Fashion, Oh So Sharp, Untold, Diminuendo, Shamshir, Culture Vulture, Bosra Sham, Reams Of Verse, Gossamer, Soviet Song and Chriselliam all featuring in an impressive history.

This exciting card also features the Group 3 Visionsport. com Oh So Sharp Stakes over seven furlongs, for two year old fillies, remembering Sir Henry Cecil’s great filly of the mid-Eighties, the last horse to win the British Triple Crown.

The card opens with some of the fastest juveniles around, contesting the Group 3 Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project Cornwallis Stakes over five furlongs. Last year this race lived up to the billing by producing a future champion in the shape of the brilliant Quiet Reflection, twice a winner at the highest level this season.

The other big race on the card is the seven furlong Group 2 Dubai 100 Challenge Stakes, a prestigious race with a rich history, boasting former winners of the calibre of Kris, Moorestyle, Salieri, Salse, Distant Relative, Mystiko, Selkirk, Harayir and Charnwood Forest.

Friday also brings The Style Awards sponsored by The Spa at Bedford Lodge Hotel and encourages ladies to rock their best autumn look for the judges of the Best Dressed Lady competition. Sussex based designer Laylaleigh has partnered with Newmarket Racecourses as official milliner for the event

and will be on course with a number of her beautiful designs, one of which has been kindly donated to the Best Dressed Lady prize package as well as an amazing 5 star safari to Kenya courtesy of Smokesilver African Travel.

Not only is there world class racing and our fabulous Best Dressed Lady Competition but there’s also lots of entertainment including Après Racing, live music after racing, act TBC. Other entertainment for Autumn Ladies Day includes: • The Style Awards proudly sponsored by The Spa at Bedford Lodge Hotel - Best Dressed Ladies Competition • The Godolphin Jockey Challenge • Photo opportunities throughout the day Read more at http://newmarket.thejockeyclub.co.uk/ events-tickets/whats-on/dubai-future-champions-festivalfri#QUC1rTBZovK5WQ6b.99

SATURDAY FAMILY DAY On Saturday, the action hots up, with £1,050,000 of prize money to be contested.

The Dubai Future Champions Festival in 2016 will also mark the closing celebrations of Newmarket’s landmark year, celebrating 350 years of making history.

The undoubted highlight on this glittering seven-race card is the Group 1 Dubai Dewhurst Stakes over seven furlongs, a contest that on countless occasions in its long history, has produced Two Year Old Champions but also many Classic winners. This year the prize money has increased to £500,000 making this the most valuable two year old race for colts or fillies in Europe.

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FEATURE DUBAI FUTURE CHAMPIONS FESTIVAL

DUBAI FUTURE CHAMPIONS FESTIVAL FEATURE

of Dubai: with the EUROPA 2, the highlights of the Indian Ocean line up one after another. Get to know EUROPA 2, the highest rated cruise ship in the world according to Berlitz Cruise Guide 2016. With no more than 500 guests and your own suite with a veranda you can truly relax and enjoy the highest level of casual luxury. Our seven gourmet restaurants promise you a superior level of diverse culinary enjoyment.

There are no set mealtimes or fixed seating plans and equally appealing: no extra cost either. To benefit your personal well-

being, just visit our OCEAN SPA and choose from our purification programme with luxurious applications for body, skin and soul. Or take part in a uniquely diverse range of sports plus modern gym equipment and services.

The prize includes the cruise EUX1709 from Mauritius to Dubai from 30.4.2017 to 18.05.2017 for two guests in a Veranda/Ocean Suite, category 1 for the total value of GBP 15,900. Please note that flights or any other travel arrangements are not included. The prize cannot be payed in cash and does not includes any other benefits aside from the cruise. It is not transferable to any other person or cruise. All purchasers of Grandstand & Paddock or Premier Enclosure tickets for 7th or 8th October will be entered into our prize draw. The winner will be chosen at random and announced on Saturday 8th October. Winner will also be announced by email which will be sent to all guests who have purchased tickets online on 11th October.

See full competition terms at http://newmarket. thejockeyclub.co.uk/events-tickets/whats-on/dubai-futurechampions-festival-saturday#Kft6RAFlb7EvFBmW.99

FRIDAY 7TH OCTOBER

The Group 3 Dubai 100 Autumn Stakes over a mile for two year olds, often provides an insight into the following year’s middle distance Classic generation, with past winners including Nashwan, Presenting, Dr Fong, Daliapour, Nayef, Trading Leather and Kingston Hill.

This card also features the second leg of the “Autumn Double” with a massive field guaranteed for the 2 ¼ mile Betfred Cesarewitch Handicap, which starts in Cambridgeshire and finishes in Suffolk.

Saturday will host the Retraining of Racehorses Parade ahead of racing and the 350th Anniversary Closing Party

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including a pyrotechnic air display after. There will be free on-course entertainment for all the family to enjoy, including a bouncy castle, inflatable slide and face painters as well as music throughout the day from live bands and a fanfare team.

The Godolphin Jockey challenge will also make a return to the Rowley Mile for both days of Dubai Future Champions Festival, offering racegoers the opportunity to see what it takes to be a jockey; testing balance, strength, skill and core fitness on the Godolphin equicisers As well as the world class racing, there is a range of free on course entertainment for all the family to enjoy as well as the official racing after party, Après Racing, where all racegoers can party the night away as we close our 350 years of making history celebrations with live music with chart-topping DJ Jonas Blue.

All visitors to Dubai Future Champions Festival will be in with a chance to WIN a luxury cruise from Mauritius to Dubai!

All visitors to Dubai Future Champions Festival will be entered into a prize draw to WIN a luxury cruise from Mauritius to Dubai!

Enjoy the natural paradise of Madagascar and the Seychelles, the vibrant exoticism of India and the megacity

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1.35pm

The Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project Cornwallis Stakes

5F ,

2.05pm

The Visionsport.com Oh So Sharp Stakes

7F ,

2.40pm

The Dubai 100 Challenge Stakes

7F ,

3.10pm

The Dubai Fillies' Mile

8F ,

3.45pm

The Godolphin Flying Start Old Rowley Cup (Heritage Handicap)

12F ,

4.20pm

The Visionsport.com Maiden Fillies' Stakes

7F ,

4.55pm

The Dubai Business Interships Pride Stakes (formerly The Severals Stakes)

10F ,

SATURDAY 8TH OCTOBER 1.45pm

The Visionsport.com EBF Stallions Boadicea Fillies' Stakes

6F ,

2.20pm

The Dubai Business Internships Fillies' Nursery Handicap Stakes

7F ,

2.55pm

The Dubai 100 Autumn Stakes

8F ,

3.30pm

The Dubai Dewhurst Stakes

7F ,

4.10pm

The Betfred Cesarewitch (Handicap Heritage)

18F ,

4.45pm

The Godolphin Flying Start Zetland Stakes

10F ,

5.20pm

The Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards Darley Stakes

9F ,

Read more at http://newmarket.thejockeyclub.co.uk/events-tickets/whats-on/dubai-future-champions-festivalsaturday#Kft6RAFlb7EvFBmW.99 course-specialist.co.uk

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DUBAI FUTURE CHAMPIONS FESTIVAL MEMORY LANE

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Henry was still very good to me and I didn’t have anything at home to work with Grand Lodge, so he very kindly exercised a couple of horses with him on the Limekilns one day. Grand Lodge pulled four or five lengths clear and I don’t think Henry would have enjoyed his dinner too much that evening!

– WILLIAM JARVIS

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© www.cranhamphoto.com

Memory Lane WILLIAM JARVIS RECALLS GRAND LODGE

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he early Nineties was a period dominated by Arab owners, who little by little had taken over from the established traditional British owner/breeders.

However, it was not all one-way traffic and in 1993 and 1994, William Jarvis had the pleasure of training a colt of rare vintage for one of those old school owners, Lord Howard de Walden. The horse was Grand Lodge, a handsome chestnut colt who was Champion Two Year Old and would grace racecourses in three countries, before embarking on a successful stallion career.

In the build-up to this year’s Dewhurst Stakes, the centrepiece of Newmarket’s Future Champions’ Festival, Course-Specialist recently had the pleasure of speaking with William Jarvis, the Master of Phantom House Stables, who recalled the exploits of his most successful racehorse to date.

William Jarvis has been immersed in equine culture since his formative steps. The son of top class trainer Ryan Jarvis, soon gained a love of racing and honed his skills with some of the greatest trainers on both sides of the world.

“I was too young to be involved with Lomond, but one of my earliest recollections is watching him win the 1966 Ebor on the television. Then in 1968 my father won the Irish Guineas with Front Row. I remember Absalom a lot more clearly.

“I graduated to riding racehorses at home and rode a couple of races as an amateur rider. In 1977 I rode an absolute

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certainty to victory in a Redcar amateur riders’ race and we must have had around 21 pounds in hand!

“My father retired in 1979 and I went to Australia for a year, working for Tommy Smith in Sydney (the father of Gai Waterhouse). I also spent seven months working for George Hanlon in Melbourne; he was a hard man to work for but taught an excellent hard work ethic.”

William then returned to Newmarket and spent five glorious years working at Warren Place, learning his trade from Sir Henry Cecil, from 1980 through 1984.

It was a vintage era for the yard as Henry won two Champion Trainer titles, thanks to the exploits of horses like Light Cavalry, Kris, Le Moss, Ardross, Fairy Footsteps and Diesis.

Then in 1985, William decided it was time to set out as a trainer and he was soon the beneficiary of Henry’s generosity.

“Henry was very good to me and when I started training, he had a lot of horses and no room for some of them and asked some of his long-term owners likes Lord Howard de Walden, Jim Joel and Nicky Philips if they would consider sending me some horses to train.

“There was absolutely no pressure training for them, they all understood the game back to front and were marvellous people to deal with.”

It was through his relationship with Lord Howard de Walden – and his racing and stud manager Leslie Harrison that he came to welcome Grand Lodge to Phantom House Stables.

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Grand Lodge was a son of Chief ’s Crown, an American “We were expecting him to win first time out and he was Champion Juvenile, out of an unraced mare owned by Lord very professional and won very nicely,” William recalls.

Howard, called La Papagena.

A month or so later Grand Lodge headed north to York’s “When the yearlings were at Plantation Stud Lord prestigious Ebor Meeting, where he contested the alwaysHoward would invite his trainers to visit and look at them competitive Acomb Stakes over seven furlongs. and rate them. When Henry wanted one, he would put 11 out However, things did not go to plan and his exciting of 10 and the horse would end up at Warren Place! reputation in the public eye was somewhat tarnished as he “I got on very well with Leslie and I loved Grand Lodge trailed in third of the eight runners behind the very useful as a yearling and Lord Howard said I could have him.

Concordial.

“He arrived around October time as a yearling and was “The Acomb Stakes looked the right race to go for but broken in at home – he was gorgeous even then! he went down to post quite freely and got agitated at the “At that time I had a really good Travelling Head Lad stalls. He got beaten and we were gutted but after carrying called Bugsy Parry who was a married man, but one day came out tests, it transpired that his blood count was not what it in and declared “Guv’nor, I’ve should have been. fallen in love!”. I was naturally “We gave him time to get concerned as Bugsy was a over the blood disorder and he married man with a family, came back well. We knew he until he said it was the Chief ’s was good so his work on the Crown yearling! gallops was really designed just “Bugsy recognised his to keep him ticking over.” talent just on the lunge and Grand Lodge reappeared before he had even had a at the beginning of October at saddle on his back.

Newmarket’s Cambridgeshire “By Christmas time he had Meeting, where he contested developed into a good strong the Listed Somerville Tattersall two year old; he had a great Stakes over seven furlongs. demeanour, a lovely nature and However, this time he would although he would take time, have a new jockey, as William – WILLIAM JARVIS not forever.” explains: In the early Nineties, “Frankie had forged a good Lanfranco Dettori was still a partnership with David Loder coming force among jockeys and jumped ship to ride Fast and William was able to secure Eddy. I had wanted jockey his services to ride work on Grand Lodge. continuity but Pat Eddery was available and was impressed “Henry was still very good to me and I didn’t have with Grand Lodge.” anything at home to work with Grand Lodge, so he very Grand Lodge put up a hugely impressive performance kindly exercised a couple of horses with him on the Limekilns that day, storming out of the Dip to beat the highly-regarded one day. Grand Lodge pulled four or five lengths clear and I Colonel Collins by 3 ½ lengths. don’t think Henry would have enjoyed his dinner too much “We were relived after the Acomb Stakes run and Grand that evening!”

Lodge came out of the Newmarket race really well. He was Grand Lodge continued to blossom and William had high not entered for the Dewhurst and quite a lot of conversations hopes as the colt made his racecourse debut in the alwaystook place with Leslie and Lord Howard and the decision informative Granville Maiden Stakes over six furlongs at was taken to spend £12,500 to supplement for the race.

Ascot’s King George Meeting in late July 1993.

“He would have done maybe one nice piece of work to The result was never in doubt as Grand Lodge, under confirm he was in good order before that decision was taken.

Frankie Dettori, put up a sparkling performance on debut to “Grand Lodge had continued to thrive through the beat Majestic Eagle by six lengths. summer and did not grow a winter coat. On Dewhurst day he

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I thought he was a bit far back early on and after three furlongs I said to Leslie “He wins nothing does he?”

Then Pat got stuck into him and he always ran for the whip and responded.

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still had his summer coat and was healthy, strong and tough.”

Having won Europe’s top two year old race, connections had The Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes is usually Europe’s defining plenty of time to dream of future conquests during the winter. race in the quest to determine the Champion Two Year Old William remembers Lord Howard entering Grand Lodge Colt. The three previous winners had gone on to Classic glory: for the Derby at the second stage in March, although coming Generous, Dr Devious and Zafonic. It was essentially a race from the family of Habitat, the 2,000 Guineas was always of such importance that the winner was virtually guaranteed likely to be his main spring target. a place at stud.

“He wintered well but one problem we did have in the spring Among the runners in 1993 was the Coventry Stakes was that he liked to play with his rack chain at evening stables winner Stonehatch, the progressive Nicolotte, the Mill Reef and he managed to pull back and his jaw needed re-wiring.

Stakes winner Polish Laughter, the National Stakes winner Our vet Andrew Edgar did a fantastic job and thankfully it did Redoubtable and from France the Prix Robert Papin winner not happen at a critical time in his preparation. and twice Group 1 placed Psychobabble.

“We stepped up his work towards mid-March to strong A sedate early pace resulted in Stonehatch going to the canters and acquired a lead horse for him, although that head of affairs at an early stage proved to be useless! from Polish Laughter, while “His conditioning work Grand Lodge raced nearer last went pretty well and we were than first. happy with him going into Racing into the Dip, the Craven Stakes. Pat came Stonehatch still held the lead down to sit on him and said and Grand Lodge appeared that he was not quite there yet to be under pressure with and that we should treat the Pat Eddery hard at work and Craven Stakes as a trial.” finding little response from his Newmarket’s Craven partner.

Meeting in 1994 fell during Upfront Polish Laughter a particularly wet April and was throwing down a the ground proved one of a challenge to Stonehatch, while combination of factors that the French colt Psychobabble saw Grand Lodge not at his – WILLIAM JARVIS looked a big threat towards the best, finishing 4 ¼ lengths stands side. sixth of ten behind the Racing Then all of a sudden, Post Trophy winner King’s inside the final furlong, and Theatre. with the commentator having “He carried a penalty already said he looked beaten, Grand Lodge began to pick up, into the race (for his Dewhurst Stakes win) and the ground powering between Psychobabble and Nicolotte as he began to and lack of race conditioning all counted against him. Pat meet the rising ground. looked after him when he got tired and he had a good blow Momentum and the continued Eddery drive saw Grand afterwards but came back well.”

Lodge catch and pass Stonehatch in the final hundred yards The intervening days saw Grand Lodge in good heart at and comfortably hold on for a major victory. home, but William faced a jockey dilemma when Pat Eddery “I thought he was a bit far back early on and after three was claimed for a horse that would become a rival in the future. furlongs I said to Leslie “He wins nothing does he?”” recalls “Distant View was unraced but then he won a Kempton William. “Then Pat got stuck into him and he always ran for Park maiden and Henry (Cecil) decided he should take his the whip and responded. chance in the 2,000 Guineas. Because he was owned by “People poo-pooed the form but he earned the Top Two Prince Khalid Abdullah, Pat Eddery was claimed to ride Year Old accolade with a rating of 120 and it didn’t really Distance View. bother us. As Pat said at the time, he beat the best and could “Frankie was the obvious choice as he was available and it only beat what was there to race against.” seemed sensible as he knew the horse.”

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I was delighted with Grand Lodge’s run but you never like to get beaten a short head in a Classic. We would have dearly loved to have won it, especially at Newmarket which has been my home for 55 years.

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DUBAI FUTURE CHAMPIONS FESTIVAL MEMORY LANE The 1994 2,000 Guineas took place on a scorching hot Saturday afternoon at the end of April, with a huge field of 23 colts stretched across the vast expanses of Newmarket Heath. Often with such sized fields, the draw can be vital, but William was relatively unconcerned about tactics: “The draw was not a big concern, Grand Lodge was a straight forward horse and a strong galloper who didn’t pull and didn’t need cover.

“At that stage, we had won the Dewhurst and finished unplaced in the Craven Stakes and it was a case of go out and enjoy yourself, knowing how good Grand Lodge was and Frankie rode a great race.”

In the event, the race turned into a battle between Grand Lodge and the trail-blazing Mister Baileys on the far side, with the latter and Jason weaver prevailing by a short head in a course record time.

“With respect to Frankie and Jason, in 1997 Frankie would have out-ridden Jason, but they were pretty equal at that time and Frankie got stronger in a finish later on. Both jockeys rode terrific races.

“I was delighted with Grand Lodge’s run but you never like to get beaten a short head in a Classic. We would have dearly loved to have won it, especially at Newmarket which has been my home for 55 years.”

Even so, Grand Lodge had underlined he remained a leading force in his generation and had got his value as a stallion.

Next stop was a trip to the Curragh for the Irish 2,000 Guineas, but on the day, Grand Lodge met very different conditions.

“Ireland was a disaster,” William laments, “we flew the night before and I remember waking at 3am and it was lashing it down. He patently didn’t handle the ground and additionally, Turtle Island was virtually unbeatable on that ground.”

Turtle Island sauntered to a remarkable 15 lengths victory in the mile contest, with Grand Lodge coming home fourth.

Whilst Ireland did not work out, Grand Lodge underlined two of his finest traits, his ability to take a race well and his durability – and was all-set for Royal Ascot.

Whilst Mister Baileys was absent from the Group 1 St James’s Palace Stakes, Turtle Island lined up and was joined by the French 2,000 Guineas winner Green Tune, with the rapidly-improving Distant View also in the line-up.

This time Mick Kinane got the ride on Grand Lodge, with the good to firm ground much more to his liking.

“Mick was a little further back than I would have wanted, but came with a terrific run on the outside to beat Distant View by a head. Mick got a whip suspension, but every time

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he gave a flick of the whip Grand Lodge stuck his head out.

“The St James’s Palace Stakes gave me immense pleasure – that is exactly why we get up early every morning.

“I was staying in Lambourn for Royal Ascot week, but on the Sunday we had a wonderful barbecue in the garden at home and Lord and Lady De Walden flew down and all the stable staff joined in. We also brought along the steel band that used to play at the July Course in the summer,” William remembers.

Typically, and provided the horse has recovered well from his exertions, the winner of the St James’s Palace Stakes will take one of two courses; stepping up in trip for the ten furlong Coral Eclipse Stakes, or taking on the best of the older milers in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.

“Goodwood was always the plan and it was the first time we took on older horses,” says William. But it was a three year old who would prove his biggest obstacle: “I remember putting the saddle on and Distant View looked a different horse and I remember thinking crikey Henry has worked his magic on this horse.”

So it proved as Distant View got the better of a thrilling duel with the older Barathea, with Grand Lodge back in third place, with no excuses.

It was the last time Grand Lodge would compete over a mile, with plenty of big races over a mile and a quarter yet to come.

“We felt we had nothing to lose by stepping up. Looking back we probably should have taken in the QEII (which was won by the pace-setting Maroof ), but we were happy he would stay a mile and a quarter and his runs in the Juddmonte International (fourth to Ezzoud) and Irish Champion Stakes (1/2 a length third to Cezanne) were very respectable performances. He was just a tiny bit found wanting.

“By then the deal was done to sell him to Coolmore and Lord Howard and Leslie had informed me that he wouldn’t be staying in training as a four year old.

There was still time for one more roll of the dice in the UK, and Grand Lodge came gloriously close to a golden ending in the Champion Stakes At Newmarket in October.

“Pat rode him and it was the first time he had made the running. It looked to be a masterful ride until the final 50 yards when he was worn down by Dernier Empereur. It is the only time I have cried on a racecourse as we thought it was his last race.”

However, there was one more race to come in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Class on the unfamiliar Churchill Downs dirt track.

“We felt that he wouldn’t race as a four year old but that he had run as well in October at Newmarket as he had in April.

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MEMORY LANE DUBAI FUTURE CHAMPIONS FESTIVAL

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You can’t get too attached to horses but of course Grand Lodge was extremely special. We have a passage way in the yard and Grand Lodge was the first horse I went to every morning.

– WILLIAM JARVIS

“Supplementing him was an expensive thing to do but Mr Magnier very kindly offered to pay expenses, although Lord Howard said no and decided to pay.

“One and a quarter miles on the dirt did not suit him though and we should have probably run in the Mile race which Barathea won. However, he retired a happy, sound and fit horse.”

Grand Lodge returned to Phantom House Stables temporarily but the day arrived when he was set to board the lorry and head to Coolmore and his new vocation.

“You can’t get too attached to horses but of course Grand Lodge was extremely special,” William says. “We have a passage way in the yard and Grand Lodge was the first horse I went to every morning.

“He was a three year old colt who had no malice, but you wouldn’t put a child in his box and he would take a nip at you.

“It was a sad day when the Coolmore box arrived.”

Grand Lodge went on to sire the winners of over 600 races, with Sinndar making a huge mark in Europe in 2000 with victories in the Derby, Irish Derby, Prix Niel and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Other notable progeny included Raise A Grand, Grandera, Queen’s Logic, Grand Couturier, Indian Lodge and Shogun Lodge, although William sadly did not train any progeny of note.

“Mr Magnier was very good to us and offered to buy a chosen Grand Lodge for us at the sales. We set our sights on a yearling at the Book 2 Sale but on the day Mr Magnier wasn’t

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at the sales and he went for around 140,000 Guineas and we were the under bidders!”

Very sadly, as his star was ascending in the breeding ranks, in September 2003 Grand Lodge sustained a knee injury in a paddock incident in Australia. After three months of care the injury had not recovered and with heavy hearts the decision was taken to euthanize Grand Lodge.

Looking back, William still has many fond memories of Grand Lodge and whilst he has trained numerous horses of note, including Contract Law, Sharpitor, Weld and La Persiana (also out of La Papagena), none made the same impression or took him to the same heights as that bold chestnut.

“In 1989 I got noticed by bigger owners and had a stronger owner base, and whilst my first ever winner was for Sheikh Mohammed, I have never really had too much involvement with the Arab owners.

“Grand Lodge was a stand-out horse though. He was everything you would look for in a Champion Two Year Old and Group 1 winning three year old. He stood on good legs, had good limbs, a great temperament and courage. He just had that extra ten percent.

“With hindsight, nine furlongs was his best trip; he was closing on Mister Baileys and would have won the Guineas over nine furlongs and similarly was leading at nine furlongs in the Champion Stakes,” William concludes.

William continues to train at Phantom House Stables and has done so for over 30 years now.

Please visit www.williamjarvis.com for more information.

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DUBAI FUTURE CHAMPIONS FESTIVAL BIG RACE HISTORY

BIG RACE HISTORY DUBAI FUTURE CHAMPIONS FESTIVAL

BIG RACE HISTORY Dewhurst Stakes

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ow recognised as the race that most likely defines the champion two year old colt of Britain and Ireland each season, the Dewhurst Stakes is a race that also plays a significant role in establishing likely contenders for the following year’s 2,000 Guineas and Derby.

Raced over the straight 7 furlongs of Newmarket’s Rowley Mile, the Dewhurst Stakes has been one by many of the outstanding horses in the history of Flat Racing and is open to juvenile colts and fillies.

The event was founded by Thomas Gee and was established in 1875 and was originally titled the “Dewhurst Plate”. It is named after Gee’s Dewhurst Stud at Wadhurst.

The first four winners all went on to win one or more of the next year’s Classics.

The Dewhurst Stakes was added to the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series in 2011, at the same time forming part of the dual Group 1 competition on the newly formed Future Champions’ Day. The winner was given an automatic invitation to compete in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. It was removed from the series in 2012.

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The first winner of the Dewhurst was the Hungarian bred colt Kisber, who the following year won the Derby and Grand Prix de Paris. In 1876 Chamant landed the Middle Park Stakes-Dewhurst Stakes double and followed-up in the 1877 2,000 Guineas.

The third winner of the Dewhurst was the top class filly Pilgrimage, who in 1878 added the 1,000 Guineas and 2,000 Guineas and finished second in the Oaks.

Remarkably the Dewhurst Stakes produced its fourth Classic winner in as many races in 1878, when Wheel Of Fortune, unbeaten in 6 starts at two, added the 1,000 Guineas, Oaks, Prince Of Wales’s Stakes and Yorkshire Oaks.

The next big name winner of the Dewhurst was Dutch Oven in 1881. She played her part in a remarkable 1882 season, winning the St Leger as fillies achieved an unprecedented feat of winning all five English Classics.

Three years later, the 1884 Dewhurst Stakes was won by a colt of rare quality called Paradox. Once again the race proved a platform for a hugely successful 3 year old campaign which saw the horse win the 2,000 Guineas, Grand Prix de Paris, Sussex Stakes and Champion Stakes.

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DUBAI FUTURE CHAMPIONS FESTIVAL BIG RACE HISTORY However Paradox proved the hors d’ouevres to the following year’s champion juvenile, who would prove a champion on many levels. In fact to many, Ormonde was simply the horse of the 19th Century. As a 3 year old he won the Triple Crown and his career also included 2 wins in the Hardwicke Stakes and success in the Champion Stakes as he retired unbeaten.

Both Paradox and Ormonde were trained by the preeminent trainer of the era, the incomparable John Porter. In all Porter trained a record 8 winners of the Dewhurst Stakes: Paradox (1884), Ormonde (1885), Friar’s Balsam (1887), Orme (1891), Matchbox (1893), Vesuvian (1896), Hawfinch (1897) and Frontier (1898).

In 1887 there was a brilliantly precocious colt called Friar’s Balsam and he swept through the British juvenile pattern races, winning the New Stakes, July Stakes, Richmond Stakes, Middle Park Stakes and Dewhurst Stakes. After bursting an abscess in his mouth during the 2,000 Guineas, he later returned to beat Minting in the Champion Stakes of 1888.

Another brilliant colt appeared in the 1888 Middle Park Stakes, which was won in terrific style by Donovan. The colt had started off winning the Brocklesby Stakes at Lincoln and later won at the Royal meeting. After landing the Middle Park Stakes Donovan stepped up to 7 furlongs and became the latest horse to add the Dewhurst Stakes and by the season’s end, had won 11 of his 13 races. As a 3 year old, Donovan won the Derby and St Leger and was denied a Triple Crown by just a head in the 2,000 Guineas.

Orme also completed the Middle Park-Dewhurst double in 1891 and later became an outstanding stallion. The following year the great Isinglass won the Middle Park and he went on to win the English Triple Crown of 1893.

In 1895 St Frusquin won the Middle Park and Dewhurst Stakes and went on to win the 2,000 Guineas of 1896. The Dewhurst Stakes had made a significant mark in its relatively short life, as the world headed into the 20th Century.

The quality continued into the new era and in 1902 Rock Sand won the Dewhurst Stakes. The following year he became the tenth winner of the English Triple Crown and took part in that great Eclipse Stakes against Sceptre and Ard Patrick in 1903.

Bayardo became the latest dual winner of the Middle Park and Dewhurst Stakes in 1908 and the following year won the St Leger. A year later Lemberg won the Dewhurst by 5 lengths and as a 3 year old took the Derby, St James’s Palace Stakes, Eclipse Stakes, Jockey Club Stakes and Champion Stakes as part of a brilliant career.

In 1910 came the first of two dead-heats in the Dewhurst

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Stakes, as King William and Phryxus could not be separated by the judge.

The Dewhurst Stakes continued during the First World War but there was no race in 1920. The following decade did not produce any outstanding winners but did see the start of a great run of victories for trainer Frank Butters, who in time would match John Porter’s 8 victories in the race thanks to: Toboggan (1927), Mrs Rustom (1933), Hairan (1934), Bala Hissar (1935), Sultan Mahomed (1936), Umiddad (1942), Paper Weight (1944) and Migoli (1946).

The next really significant horse to win the race though was the diminutive Hyperion, a horse short in size but mighty in heart and on talent. Hyperion won the Dewhurst Stakes of 1932 and the following season landed the Chester Vase, Derby and St Leger before becoming the most successful British stallion of the 20th Century.

There was no Dewhurst Stakes in 1939 as the Second World War began but otherwise the race continued into the 1940s and in 1946, Migoli earned Frank Butters his eighth Dewhurst victory. Later in his career the colt would win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the first British trained winner since 1923 and there would not be another until Mill Reef in 1971.

In 1952 Pinza won the Dewhurst Stakes and became immortalised the following year as he was the horse who finally gave Sir Gordon Richards a winning mount in the Derby and also won the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes.

Another of the great jockeys came to prominence in the 1950s though and Lester Piggott rode the first of his record 10 Dewhurst Stakes in 1956, aboard the future 2,000 Guineas and Derby winner Crepello. Piggott’s Dewhurst winners were: Crepello (1956), Follow Suit (1962), Ribofilio (1968), Nijinsky (1969), Crowned Prince (1971), Cellini (1973), The Minstrel (1976), Try My Best (1977), Monteverdi (1979) and Diesis (1982).

The 1960s ended with a pair of Piggott winners in the Dewhurst Stakes, with both running in the distinctive green and yellow colours, with the red sash, of Charles Engelhard.

After Ribofilio had won the 1968 race for trainer Fulke Johnson Houghton, the decade ended with a real superstar.

In 1969 the Irish-trained, Canadian-bred colt Nijinsky began to made waves in Ireland, winning his first 4 races.

Trained by the legendary Dr Vincent O’Brien, the colt travelled over to Newmarket and sauntered to victory in the Dewhurst Stakes, confirming himself the best European 2 year old for the year. He took the racing world by storm in 1970, becoming the first English Triple Crown winner since

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BIG RACE HISTORY DUBAI FUTURE CHAMPIONS FESTIVAL

© Image reproduced with the kind permission of Ed Byrne

Bahram in 1935 – and to date the last colt to achieve this accomplishment. He also won the Irish Derby and King George at Ascot in an unbelievable year.

As Nijinsky was wowing the public in 1970, a small bay colt was making waves in the 2 year old division, Mill Reef had won the Coventry Stakes by 6 lengths and the Gimcrack by an astonishing 10 lengths, suffering his only defeat to My Swallow in the Prix Robert Papin, The colt confirmed himself top draw with an easy 4 length success in the Dewhurst Stakes. The following year he took part in perhaps the greatest of all 2,000 Guineas, narrowly defeating My Swallow but finding the legendary Brigadier Gerard 4 lengths too good against the stands rail. Mill Reef was never beaten again and romped to victories in the Derby, Eclipse Stakes, King George, Arc de Triomphe and the following year’s Prix Ganay and Coronation Cup before injury ended a brilliant career.

Another outstanding colt from the 1970s was Grundy, the chestnut horse trained by Peter Walwayn, who would go on to win the Derby and the “Race of the Century” when beating Bustino in that never to be forgotten 1975 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes. A year earlier he had really established himself with a brilliant 6 length demolition of the very smart Irish colt Steel Heart.

A year after Grundy, another top class colt won the

Dewhurst Stakes as Wollow stretched his unbeaten run to 4 for the up and coming trainer Sir Henry Cecil. Of course the following year Wollow proved a most brilliant horse, winning the 2,000 Guineas under Gianfranco Dettori (father of Frankie), Eclipse Stakes (on the disqualification of Trepan), Sussex Stakes and Benson and Hedges Gold Cup. This truly was a golden period for the Dewhurst Stakes and the mid-70s also saw an influx of expensively purchased American-bred colts to Ballydoyle, where master trainer Dr Vincent O’Brien shaped the careers of some of the finest sons of Northern Dancer, sire of Nijinsky.

After Wollow’s victory in the Dewhurst Stakes, O’Brien sent his flashy chestnut colt The Minstrel – a son of Northern Dancer, across the Irish Sea to win the 1976 renewal, finishing the season unbeaten in 3 races. Having been defeated in the following year’s Guineas, The Minstrel won the Derby, Irish Derby and King George, proving a tough and honest horse.

O’Brien, his chief owner Robert Sangster and jockey Lester Piggott had masterminded the career of The Minstrel and in 1977 they had the following year’s Champion 2 Year Old in the shape of another Northern Dancer colt Try My Best. Sadly Try My Best was injured when finishing last in the 1978 2,000 Guineas and never ran again but his dam Sex Appeal, would have further bearing on the Dewhurst.

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DUBAI FUTURE CHAMPIONS FESTIVAL BIG RACE HISTORY

In 1978 the flashy chestnut Tromos looked really exciting as he defeated More Light by 3 lengths but he flopped in the following year’s Craven Stakes and never ran in Britain again.

The 1979 Dewhurst then returned to familiar surrounds as the Sangster-O’Brien-Piggott trinity were successful with Monteverdi, who beat among other the follow year’s Derby winner Henbit. Monteverdi never quite hit the heights as a 3 year old.

With Pat Eddery replacing Lester Piggott at Ballydoyle (Piggott joining Sir Henry Cecil’s Newmarket yard), the Sangster-O’Brien axis continued to churn out Dewhurst Stakes winners and in 1980, the exciting Storm Bird made it 4 wins in 5 years, defeating future 2,000 Guineas winner To Agori Mou and the future top class stallion Miswaki.

Storm Bird was strongly fancied to take 1981 by storm but was attacked during the winter in his stable, allegedly by a former stable lad, having his mane and tail cut off. Niggling injuries and illness then disrupted his career but he went on to prove a success at stud as Shergar and To Agori Mou made their marks in 1981.

In freezing cold temperatures, the 1981 Dewhurst Stakes was won by the Henry Candy trained Wind And Wuthering, who went on to finish a close second to Zino in the following year’s 2,000 Guineas.

In 1982 there was a sensation that put the Dewhurst Stakes on the front pages of the national press for all the wrong reasons. Gorytus had been labelled a wonder horse after destroying his rivals, including the highly-rated Sir Henry Cecil colt Salieri, as he smashed the York track record in the Acomb Stakes on debut. The Major Dick Hern trained son of Nijinsky was equally impressive in winning the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster and scared away most of his opposition

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in the Dewhurst Stakes, facing just 3 rivals.

Chief among these was Sir Henry Cecil’s colt Diesis, who had won the Middle Park Stakes but was not thought capable of living with Gorytus. The son of Sharpen Up, racing in the apricot silks of Lord Howard de Walden, was a fully brother to the great miler Kris. He became the first (and last) horse to complete the Middle Park-Dewhurst Stakes double as Gorytus seemed to lose his action at halfway and dropped away from his rivals alarmingly and was virtually pulled up amid allegations of doping. The headlines rather robbed Diesis of his achievement and he went into the winter as a major Classic hope, although he sadly failed to reproduce his form in 1983.

In 1983 came one of the mighty match-ups in Dewhurst Stakes history. Once again the Sangster-O’Brien team combined with a Northern Dancer colt who was out of Sex Appeal. His name was El Gran Senor and he went to Newmarket unbeaten in 3 races. Up against him was the Champion French 2 year old Siberian Express and the ultra-consistent Bill O’Gorman colt Superlative, who had featured in many of the summer’s leading juvenile contests.

Also in the line-up was the unbeaten Blushing Groom colt Rainbow Quest, who had vanquished 29 runners in a maiden on Newmarket’s July Course before landing the competitive Haynes, Hanson and Clark Stakes at Newbury. In a thrilling race it was Rainbow Quest who threw down the gauntlet to El Gran Senor and the pair of unexposed horses pulled right away from their rivals, duelling through the final quarter of a mile. It was El Gran Senor who had the upper hand at the line but both colts had confirmed they were out of the top draw, beating horses with excellent form, by a very long way. The following year El Gran Senor went on to beat Sadler’s Wells in the Gladness Stakes before beating one of the great 2,000 Guineas fields, containing champion miler Chief Singer, Lear Fan and Rainbow Quest. El Gran Senor was narrowly defeated in the Epsom Derby but again beat Rainbow Quest in the Irish Derby before injury curtailed his career. Rainbow Quest proved a smart colt too, winning the Great Voltigeur Stakes at three and as a 4 year old winning the Coronation Cup and Arc de Triomphe on the disqualification of Sagace.

A Dewhurst of such quality was a hard act to follow but the 1984 renewal was not short on drama or excitement.

Once again Ballydoyle had a major candidate in the unbeaten Alleged colt Law Society, although Major Dick Hern once again had a big player in Local Suitor. Both colts were involved in a thrilling finish but there was a shock result in what turned out to be a desperately close three-way finish.

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BIG RACE HISTORY DUBAI FUTURE CHAMPIONS FESTIVAL The grey colt Kala Dancer, a recent maiden winner, put in the race of his life to narrowly deny Law Society by a head, with Local Suitor a further head away in third place. Only Law Society made his mark the following year, finishing second in the Derby to Slip Anchor before winning the Irish Derby.

The 1985 Dewhurst Stakes also produced a shock result. A strong field assembled, including the unbeaten Ballydoyle colt Woodman, the top class Nomination and Bakharoff and the exciting Coventry Stakes winner Sure Blade, while Jareer had been an expensive yearling, his sales price into the millions.

However the race provided jockey Michael Hills with his first Group 1 success as Huntingdale lost his maiden tag. The following season he went on to finish third to Dancing Brave in the 2,000 Guineas.

The 1986 Dewhurst Stakes took place on Newmarket’s July Course as the Rowley Mile course was having work carried out. It was a race that threw up a champion – but a hundred questions. Sir Michael Stoute’s colt Ajdal was yet another son of Northern Dancer and had made a good impression when winning races at Doncaster and Ascot. He stepped up markedly in class for the Dewhurst Stakes, where his rivals included the Middle Park Stakes winner Mister Majestic. Ajdal came through to win the race and went clear racing up the hill inside the final furlong. However all of a sudden his stride shortened and he won by a diminishing ¾ of a length from Shady Heights, provoking great debate over his ability to stay a mile. Sadly the following spring he did not fire fully and disappointed in the English and Irish 2,000 Guineas before also failing to stay in the Derby. Stoute dropped him down in trip for the July Cup and the horse went on to become Champion Sprinter of 1987, also winning the William Hill Sprint Championship and Vernons Sprint Cup. In October 1987, much of the south of England was hit by extraordinary gales that caused enormous structural damage, bringing downs thousands of trees. At Newmarket the damage included marquee tents and the course was not safe to host the Dewhurst Stakes which failed to take place.

A year on, Newmarket basked in autumn sunshine and a thrilling finish to the Dewhurst Stakes, as the beautifullybred Prince Of Dance (a son of Sadler’s Wells out of the Oaks winner Sun Princess – whom he resembled in appearance), dead-heated with Scenic (another son of first season sire Sadler’s Wells). Sadly neither colt went on to make a significant impression the following year. The decade ended with Ian Balding, trainer of Mill Reef, landing another Dewhurst Stakes with Dashing Blade, as the red hot favourite Royal Academy disappointed. However the latter went on to

win the July Cup and Breeders’ Cup Mile in 1990.

The 1990 Dewhurst Stakes produced another huge shock which 12 months later looked like the most obvious result!

Generous was a beautiful chestnut colt who had made his mark as an early season colt, finishing second in the Coventry Stakes but appearing fully exposed as he finished third in the Vintage Stakes and unplaced in the Prix Morny. He then won a small Sandown Park contest but was thought to be no match for horses of the calibre of Champagne Stakes winner Bog Trotter and the exciting runaway winner of the July Stakes and Gimcrack Stakes, Mujtahid. However it was the Paul Cole trained Generous who came out of the Dip best of all and ran on strongly to repel Bog Trotter at odds of 50/1.

In 1991 that seemed incredibly, well, generous, as the horse brilliantly won the Derby at Epsom defeated Suave Dancer in the Irish Derby and routed older horses in the King George.

The reputation of the Dewhurst continued on an upward trajectory the following year as Dr Devious, one of two exceptional juveniles in the care of first season trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam, (who won the Middle Park Stakes with Rodrigo de Triano) added the Dewhurst Stakes to his earlier Superlative Stakes and Vintage Stakes successes. In 1992 the colt ran unplaced in the Kentucky Derby before sensationally returning to England to win the Epsom Derby and Irish Champion Stakes.

Another exceptional colt demolished his rivals in a memorable 1992 Dewhurst Stakes. The outstanding French trainer Andre Fabre sent his unbeaten powerful colt Zafonic to Newmarket after 3 previous wins including an imperious 3 length destruction of Kingmambo in the Prix De La Salamandre. In a field containing the exciting Irish colt Fatherland, the cop class filly Sueboog and the smart Inchinor, Pat Eddery was content to sit in last place on Zafonic. In the later stages Eddery asked his mount to quicken and the horse made smooth, powerful progress, slicing through his rivals to demolish a top class field by 4 lengths, going away. After a surprise reversal behind Kingmambo on his comeback, Zafonic repeated his Dewhurst Stakes exploits with a devastating victory in the 1993 2,000 Guineas, one of the most memorable images of the entire decade.

The 1993 Dewhurst Stakes went to the progressive colt Grand Lodge, racing in the same silks as Diesis, a decade before. Having won the Tattersalls Stakes impressively a fortnight earlier, Grand Lodge showed a fine turn of foot to defeat the ill-fated Stonehatch in the Dewhurst and proved a top class 3 year old colt, winning the St James’s Palace Stakes and placing second in the 2,000 Guineas.

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DUBAI FUTURE CHAMPIONS FESTIVAL BIG RACE HISTORY Andre Fabre’s trips to England for the Dewhurst Stakes were sparing and always of merit. In 1994 he brought the unbeaten colt Pennekamp to Newmarket, having followed the Zafonic route via the Prix De La Salamandre. At Newmarket he was much more workmanlike than Zafonic, beating Green Perfume by a length. However like his predecessor, he duly landed the 2,000 Guineas the following season, in a dramatic photo finish from Celtic Swing. Sadly injury in the Derby ended his racing career.

The 1995 Dewhurst Stakes winner was Major Dick Hern’s Alhaarth, the outstanding juvenile colt of the year, who had already won the Vintage Stakes, Solario Stakes and Champagne Stakes. Sadly he was unable to dominate as a 3 year old. A year later In Command proved a surprise winner of a race containing future Irish 2,000 Guineas and Irish Derby winner Desert King and QEII winner Air Express.

In 1997 the Dewhurst Stakes moved from its traditional Friday berth to the Saturday of the Houghton Meeting, as one of the major highlights of what proved a hugely popular and successful afternoon’s racing for Champions’ Day. This day brought together the top races from the threeday Houghton Meeting; the Challenge Stakes, Champion Stakes, Cesarewitch, Rockfel Stakes and the Dewhurst and the meeting consistently delivered decent autumn ground, top class winners, good crowds, good betting turnover and fair results on a fair course.

The 1997 Dewhurst Stakes also introduced British race goers to a significant son of Zafonic. A fascinating renewal was turned into a procession as Xaar, racing in the same Prince Khalid Abdullah silks and also trained by Andre Fabre, stormed away from his rivals, with the same domination that Zafonic had displayed. Memories of the superstar miler of 1993 were immediately invoked but Xaar did not progress at 3, scraping home in the Craven Stakes and only finishing fourth in the 2,000 Guineas.

The 1998 Dewhurst Stakes was considered one of the great renewals on the morning of the race, but by early evening, pundits and punters were scratching their heads at the result. The highly touted Aidan O’Brien colt Stravinsky was expected to run well but up against him was Sir Henry Cecil’s exciting unbeaten colt Enrique, who had won the Tattersalls Stakes by 5 long lengths, while the unbeaten Lujain had won the Middle Park Stakes by 4 lengths. Barry Hills saddled Auction House, a colt who was on a four-timer and had won the Acomb Stakes and Champagne Stakes like Gorytus. Andre Fabre also sent over the unbeaten, once raced Indian Danehill for what promised to be a mouth watering

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clash. However all of these horses had to play second fiddle to Mujahid, a horse who had lost his unbeaten record when flopping in the Gimcrack Stakes on good to firm ground. At Newmarket he strode clear of Auction House and Stravinsky at massive odds. Mujahid and Enrique went on to place in the following season’s 2,000 Guineas, while Stravinsky was the Champion Sprinter after winning the July Cup and Nunthorpe Stakes.

The autumn of 1999 saw the Rowley Mile fixtures moved to the July Course as Newmarket’s new grandstand was being built. In the Dewhurst Stakes, Barry Hills’s unbeaten colt Distant Music proved far too good for his rivals, sealing his position as Champion 2 Year Old colt. Among those he beat was King’s Best who gained revenge by winning the 2,000 Guineas the following spring.

Mick Channon, one-time England football star, trained the 2000 winner of the Dewhurst Stakes as his exciting colt Tobougg, followed-up his recent Prix De La Salamandre victory with a convincing success over Noverre. Ridden by the Australian jockey Craig Williams, the colt ended the year one of the top rated horses of his generation although he did not progress the following year. Noverre certainly did and after finishing first past the post but disqualified in the French 2,000 Guineas, the flashy colt won the Sussex Stakes.

The Dewhurst fourth Mozart went on to emulate Stravinsky with success in the July Cup and Nunthorpe Stakes.

Aidan O’Brien at this stage of his highly successful career, had trained winners of 4 of the 5 English Classics, but had still not trained a Dewhurst Stakes winner. His luck finally changed in 2001 as the progressive Rock Of Gibraltar, famously running in the colours of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, narrowly outpointed stable mate Landseer, to add the Dewhurst to his earlier victories in the Gimcrack Stakes and Grand Criterium. The following year Landseer won the French Guineas, while Rock Of Gibraltar went on a winning spree, landing the English and Irish Guineas, St James’s Palace Stakes, Sussex Stakes and Prix du Moulin, before narrowly failing in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

The Dewhurst was still producing outstanding winners but another shock was on the cards in 2002, as Tout Seul, having his seventh run of the season and seemingly fully exposed, ran out a comfortable winner from Tomahawk in a surprisingly large field of 16 runners. Among the beaten horses was subsequent Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Indian Haven and St James’s Palace Stakes winner Zafeen. Tout Seul ran fourth in the following year’s 2,000 Guineas and third behind Indian Haven but never quite hit the same heights

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BIG RACE HISTORY DUBAI FUTURE CHAMPIONS FESTIVAL again for Eve Johnson Houghton.

There was an even bigger shock in 2003 though, as Milk It Mick, having his thirteenth run of a decent but hardly outstanding season defeated much higher rated rivals. Jamie Osborne’s colt had won the Tattersalls Stakes a couple of weeks earlier but that result had been a surprise and in the Dewhurst he faced recent Middle Park Stakes first past the post (although later disqualified) Three Valleys and the highly-rated Haafhd, who had already beaten Milk It Mick.

However under Darryl Holland, the son of Millkom defied his rating and got the better of Three Valleys in a narrow finish. His career did not take off afterwards, but Haafhad went on to land the 2,000 Guineas of 2004 and Bachelor Duke was successful in the Irish equivalent.

In 2004, the unbeaten Mark Johnston colt Shamardal, won a hugely informative Dewhurst Stakes by a convincing 2 ½ lengths from Aidan O’Brien’s Oratorio. Shamardal was adding the Dewhurst to his earlier Vintage Stakes victory and as a 3 year old won the French 2,000 Guineas, Prix du Jockey Club and St James’s Palace Stakes before injury curtailed what looked like being an outstanding career. Oratorio went on to defeat Motivator the Derby winner in the Eclipse Stakes and later won the Irish Champion Stakes. Also in that Dewhurst was Librettist, who was injury-hit at 3 but as a 4 year old in 2006 won the Prix Jacques Le Marois and Prix du Moulin.

That tried and tested route of the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood once again proved the key to the Dewhurst Stakes in 2005, as Sir Percy defeated another Ballydoyle colt Horatio Nelson. Sir Percy was an orphan foal after his top class mother Percy’s Lass had sadly died giving birth, but he proved a top class colt, finishing second to George Washington in the 2,000 Guineas before winning the Epsom Derby.

The Dewhurst often defines a champion juvenile colt and that alone earns a racehorse a career at stud. However few people could have foreseen the future of the first two horses in the 2006 Dewhurst Stakes as the main protagonists returned to unsaddle. Teofilo was trained by Jim Bolger and had swept through the top Irish juvenile races, landing the Tyros Stakes, Futurity Stakes and National Stakes in an unbeaten run of 4 victories. His great rival Holy Roman Emperor had won the Railway Stakes and Phoenix Stakes and the pair met in the National Stakes where Teofilo was well on top. However Holy Roman Emperor then travelled to France to land the Jean Luc Lagadere, underlining the strength of the form. In the Dewhurst Stakes, the pair faced 13 rivals but pulled clear of their rivals, settling down for a terrific scrap which the Bolger horse edged by a head. Hopes were high for both colts

going into 2007, with Teofilo even mentioned as a prospective Triple Crown contender. However Teofilo picked up an injury close to the 2,000 Guineas and never raced again, while Holy Roman Emperor was retired to stud without racing at 3 years, to replace the sub-fertile George Washington who returned to racing for a campaign that resulted in tragedy. Both Teofilo and Holy Roman Emperor had the potential to light up the 2007 Flat season but neither colt raced although they have enjoyed successful stallion careers to date.

Jim Bolder must have been disappointed not to get a clear run of luck with Teofilo but in 2007 he had a ready replacement as the chestnut colt New Approach went to Newmarket unbeaten in 4 starts, including the Futurity and National Stakes. In the Dewhurst Stakes he faced some formidable English horses including the highly-rated Raven’s Pass and Rio De La Plata (who had won the Jean Luc Lagardere after finishing second to New Approach in the National Stakes).

There was the unusual sight beforehand, as New Approach was ponied down to the start but he roared back home, defeating Fast Company and Raven’s Pass to seal his main billing among the juveniles. In 2008 New Approach was twice second to Henrythenavigator in the English and Irish 2,000 Guineas but then won the Derby and ended his career with victories in the Irish and English Champion Stakes.

Jim Bolger had won the last two renewals of the Dewhurst Stakes but appeared to have little chance of making it a hattrick in 2008, with his much-raced and fully exposed colt Intense Focus. The favourite in a field of 13 was the highly-

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DUBAI FUTURE CHAMPIONS FESTIVAL BIG RACE HISTORY touted Aidan O’Brien colt Rip Van Winkle, while Soul Power had proved a good horse for Richard Hannon, Ashram was highly rated for John Hills and Delegator looked a big danger.

However, in a sensational turnaround of previous form, Intense Focus got the better of Lord Shanakill and Finjaan in a finish of two noses and outsiders. The following season Delegator ran second to Sea The Stars in the 2,000 Guineas, while Rip Van Winkle ran second to the same horse in the Eclipse Stakes before winning the Sussex Stakes and QEII. As a 4 year old he also won the Juddmonte International Stakes.

In 2009 Bolger was therefore seeking a four-timer in the Dewhurst Stakes, with the exciting colt Chabal and the outsider Free Judgement. A field of 15 went to post and there was another shock – but it came from Aidan O’Brien this time. Beethoven went to the Dewhurst having won only once in 9 previous starts – a maiden on his sixth attempt.

He had been comprehensively outpointed on many occasions and frankly looked to have no chance. Visored and partnered

by Ryan Moore, the outsider got the better of another nailbiter, defeating his stable mate Fencing Mast by a neck, with Xtension beaten a nose in third, just a neck ahead of another O’Brien horse Steinbeck (later renamed Pure Champion when racing in the Far East) in fourth place. The winner did very little of note in Europe thereafter, eventually racing in Qatar. Xtension was sold to race in Hong Kong where he performed well, while Dick Turpin, unplaced in the Dewhurst, finished second to Makfi in the 2,000 Guineas.

The 2010 Dewhurst Stakes favoured quality over quantity and promised a real tear-up. From Ireland came Aidan O’Brien’s highly-rated Roderic O’Connor, while Dream Ahead had won the 6 furlong Middle Park Stakes by a phenomenal 9 lengths a couple of weeks earlier. Then there was Saamidd, the Godolphin colt who had been nicknamed “Pegasus”. However none of these horses had faced anything of the calibre of Frankel, a head strong juvenile from the resurgent Sir Henry yard, who had illuminated the racing scene with 3 victories, the last of which, a 10 length rout in the Royal Lodge Stakes. In the Dewhurst Stakes Frankel received a bump early in the race which lit him up but despite not settling, he pulled his way to the front for a straight forward 2 ¼ length defeat of Roderic O’Connor. That colt went on to win the following year’s Irish 2,000 Guineas, while Dream Ahead was crowned Champion Sprinter of 2011 with victories in the July Cup and Betfred Sprint Cup. As for Frankel, his 8 length demolition of his 2,000 Guineas rivals underlined an exceptional horse who went on to an undefeated 14 race career yielding a St James’s Palace Stakes, an unprecedented

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2 Sussex Stakes, a QEII, a Lockinge Stakes, Queen Anne, Juddmonte International and Ascot Champion Stakes. He has strong claims to be considered that greatest ever winner of the Dewhurst Stakes although fans of Nijinsky might of course feel differently.

In 2011 the Dewhurst Stakes produced yet another Jim Bolger winner as Parish Hall defied his previous form to beat future Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Power and the later St James’s Palace Stakes winner Most Improved.

Bolger incredibly held all the aces once again in 2012, with the first son of New Approach to make a mark. In fact, Dawn Approach had won the opening juvenile race of the 2012 Irish turf season and had progressed with each run, winning the Coventry Stakes and National Stakes in an unbeaten run of 5 victories heading to the Dewhurst. John Gosden’s lightlyraced colt Ashdan had a lofty reputation but Dawn Approach smoothly took up the running to lead home a Bolger one-two as Leitir Mor finished second. Dawn Approach added the 2,000 Guineas in 2013 before failing to settle in the Derby.

He then narrowly defeated Toronado in the St James’s Palace Stakes before that colt gained his revenge narrowly in the Sussex Stakes and thereafter Dawn Approach lost his form.

The 2013 Dewhurst Stakes attracted a small but select field and once again an Irish colt landed the prize. War Command had looked a potential world beater when streaking away from his rivals to win the Coventry Stakes by 6 lengths. After disappointing in the Phoenix Stakes he returned to winning ways with a facile success in the Futurity Stakes. In the Dewhurst he quickened well out of the Dip to get the better of Cable Bay, with the Godolphin colt Outstrip back in third.

The latter travelled to America and the following month won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, while War Command failed to make a serious impression during the 2014 season.

In 2014, the race went the way of one of Newmarket’s up and coming trainers and jockeys, as Belardo improved to beat Kodi Bear for Roger Varian and Andrea Atzeni.

A year later and the outstanding colt of the year, Air Force Blue, was crowned Champion Two Year Old Colt with an imperious display at Newmarket. The Aidan O’Brien trained son of War Front beat Massaat by 3 ¾ lengths with a performance that brooked no argument.

The Dewhurst Stakes in recent years has truly evolved into a benefit contest for Irish racehorses, with 7 of the last 9 winners trained by either Aidan O’Brien or Jim Bolger. Those winners have enjoyed mixed success as 3 year olds but the overall quality of winner underlines the relevance of the Dewhurst Stakes as a definer of juvenile and future champions.

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DEWHUST STAKES WINNERS DUBAI FUTURE CHAMPIONS FESTIVAL 1875 Kisber 1876 Chamant 1877 Pilgrimage 1878 Wheel of Fortune 1879 Grace Cup 1880 Bal Gal 1881 Dutch Oven 1882 Ladislas 1883 Queen Adelaide 1884 Paradox 1885 Ormonde 1886 Reve d’Or 1887 Friar’s Balsam 1888 Donovan 1889 Le Nord 1890 Corstorphine 1891 Orme 1892 Meddler 1893 Matchbox 1894 Raconteur 1895 St Frusquin 1896 Vesuvian 1897 Hawfinch 1898 Frontier 1899 Democrat 1900 Lord Bobs 1901 Game Chick 1902 Rock Sand 1903 Henry the First 1904 Rouge Croix 1905 Picton 1906 My Pet 1907 Rhodora 1908 Bayardo 1909 Lemberg 1910 King William / Phryxus 1911 White Star 1912 Louvois 1913 Kennymore 1914 Let Fly 1915 Atheling 1916 Telephus 1917 My Dear 1918 Knight of Blyth 1919 Prince Galahad 1920 No race 1921 Lembach

1922 Hurry Off 1923 Salmon-Trout 1924 Zionist 1925 Review Order 1926 Money Maker 1927 Toboggan 1928 Brienz 1929 Grace Dalrymple 1930 Sangre 1931 Firdaussi 1932 Hyperion 1933 Mrs Rustom 1934 Hairan 1935 Bala Hissar 1936 Sultan Mahomed 1937 Manorite 1938 Casanova 1939 No race 1940 Fettes 1941 Canyonero 1942 Umiddad 1943 Effervescence 1944 Paper Weight 1945 Hypericum 1946 Migoli 1947 Pride of India 1948 Royal Forest 1949 Emperor 1950 Turco II 1951 Marsyad 1952 Pinza 1953 Infatuation 1954 My Smokey 1955 Dacian 1956 Crepello 1957 Torbella 1958 Billum 1959 Ancient Lights 1960 Bounteous 1961 River Chanter 1962 Follow Suit 1963 King’s Lane 1964 Silly Season 1965 Pretendre 1966 Dart Board 1967 Hametus 1968 Ribofilio course-specialist.co.uk

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1969 Nijinsky 1970 Mill Reef 1971 Crowned Prince 1972 Lunchtime 1973 Cellini 1974 Grundy 1975 Wollow 1976 The Minstrel 1977 Try My Best 1978 Tromos 1979 Monteverdi 1980 Storm Bird 1981 Wind and Wuthering 1982 Diesis 1983 El Gran Senor 1984 Kala Dancer 1985 Huntingdale 1986 Ajdal 1987 No race 1988 Prince of Dance / Scenic 1989 Dashing Blade 1990 Generous 1991 Dr Devious 1992 Zafonic 1993 Grand Lodge 1994 Pennekamp 1995 Alhaarth 1996 In Command 1997 Xaar 1998 Mujahid 1999 Distant Music 2000 Tobougg 2001 Rock of Gibraltar 2002 Tout Seul 2003 Milk It Mick 2004 Shamardal 2005 Sir Percy 2006 Teofilo 2007 New Approach 2008 Intense Focus 2009 Beethoven 2010 Frankel 2011 Parish Hall 2012 Dawn Approach 2013 War Command 2014 Belardo 2015 Air Force Blue

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FEATURE RACING POST TROPHY

RACING POST TROPHY FEATURE

HISTORY OF THE RACING POST TROPHY

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RACING POST TROPHY FEATURE Five winners have subsequently achieved victory in the following year’s Derby. The first was Reference Point, but it wasn’t until 2001 when High Chaparral became the second horse to win the race and later go on to Epsom glory. Motivator (2004) and Authorized (2006) completed the double and the most recent was Camelot (2011), who returned to Doncaster and in 2012 and narrowly missed out on completing the Triple Crown, having landed the 2,00 Guineas and Derby beforehand.

However, the race has thrown up plenty of other outstanding horses; in 1980, the smart colt Beldale Flutter won, beating the brilliant dual-Derby winner Shergar.

Kings Theatre proved a top class three year in 1994, having won the Racing Post Trophy the year before, while Celtic Swing was a spectacular winner of the Racing Post and went on to finish second in the 2,000 Guineas, before winning the 1995 Prix du Jockey Club.

More recently, St Nicholas Abbey looked destined for stardom after his 2009 victory, and whilst his three year old career was disappointing, he proved a brilliant Group 1 international globetrotter.

In 2013 the race went to Kingston Hill, who the following year ran second in the Investec Derby, before returning to Doncaster to win the St Leger.

© Steven Cargill

RACING POST TROPHY PAST WINNERS

The Group 1 Racing Post Trophy is the final Group 1 contest of the year in British racing.

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ontested at Doncaster, the race used to be contested around the left-handed bends, but in recent years has been run on the straight mile.

The event was established in 1961, and it was originally called the Timeform Gold Cup. It was founded by Phil Bull, the creator of Timeform, and was backed by this organisation until 1964.

The Observer started to support the event in 1965. The present grading system was introduced in 1971, and the Observer Gold Cup was classed at Group 1 level.

The bookmaker William Hill took over the sponsorship in 1976, and from this point the event was known as the Futurity Stakes.

The race was given its current title in 1989, when the Racing Post became the sponsor. The Racing Post Trophy is now the last Group 1 event of the British flat racing season.

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YEAR HORSE 1961 Miralgo 1962 Noblesse 1963 Pushful 1964 Hardicanute 1965 Pretendre 1966 Ribocco 1967 Vaguely Noble 1968 The Elk 1969 Approval 1970 Linden Tree 1971 High Top 1972 Noble Decree 1973 Apalachee 1974 Green Dancer 1975 Take Your Place 1976 Sporting Yankee 1977 Dactylographer 1978 Sandy Creek 1979 Hello Gorgeous 1980 Beldale Flutter 1981 Count Pahlen 1982 Dunbeath 1983 Alphabatim 1984 Lanfranco 1985 Bakharoff 1986 Reference Point 1987 Emmson

TRAINER Harry Wragg Paddy Prendergast S. Meaney Paddy Prendergast Jack Jarvis F. Johnson Houghton Walter Wharton Jeremy Tree Henry Cecil Peter Walwyn Bernard van Cutsem Bernard van Cutsem Vincent O’Brien Alec Head Henry Cecil Peter Walwyn Peter Walwyn Con Collins Henry Cecil Michael Jarvis Bruce Hobbs Henry Cecil Guy Harwood Henry Cecil Guy Harwood Henry Cecil Dick Hern

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1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

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Al Hareb Be My Chief Peter Davies Seattle Rhyme Armiger King’s Theatre Celtic Swing Beauchamp King Medaaly Saratoga Springs Commander Collins Aristotle Dilshaan High Chaparral Brian Boru American Post Motivator Palace Episode Authorized Ibn Khaldun Crowded House St Nicholas Abbey Casamento Camelot Kingsbarns Kingston Hill Elm Park Marcel

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Neil Graham Henry Cecil Henry Cecil David Elsworth Henry Cecil Henry Cecil Lady Herries John Dunlop Saeed bin Suroor Aidan O’Brien Peter Chapple-Hyam Aidan O’Brien Sir Michael Stoute Aidan O’Brien Aidan O’Brien Criquette Head-Maarek Michael Bell Kevin Ryan Peter Chapple-Hyam Saeed bin Suroor Brian Meehan Aidan O’Brien Michael Halford Aidan O’Brien Aidan O’Brien Roger Varian Andrew Balding Peter Chapple-Hyam

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RACING POST TROPHY MEMORY LANE

MEMORY LANE RACING POST TROPHY

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He needed time really, it was well-documented that he did not have the greatest of conformation, but he had strengthened and developed at home before Ascot.

– KEVIN DARLEY

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aybe once or twice in a decade, a racehorse puts in a staggering performance that simply takes the breath away and immediately leads to comparisons with the

© www.cranhamphoto.com

Memory Lane KEVIN DARLEY RECALLS CELTIC SWING 112

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greats in history.

Certainly Arazi’s devastating victory in the 1991 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile set pulses racing on both sides of the Atlantic; and it was only three years later that British racing connoisseurs were once again reaching for the record books, following the exploits of the stunning Celtic Swing in the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy.

The visual impression that this handsome colt made on that day at Doncaster remains clear in the mind to this day and is still discussed in hushed tones of reverence.

Course-Specialist was privileged recently to speak at length with Kevin Darley about the career of a horse that came from a relatively humble background and took on the might of the Al Maktoums during two glorious seasons that ultimately lead to Classic disappointment and glory.

Celtic Swing’s, was a story of partnership, rejuvenation and careful preparation, helping to manage the career of a horse who gained a hugely popular following in his fleeting career that lasted less than twelve months on the racetrack.

Kevin Darley had been Champion Apprentice Jockey in 1978, but opportunities to ride in the biggest races had been hard to come by during the 1980s.

However, Kevin forged a hugely successful partnership with that grand old sprint handicapper Chaplins Club, who

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reeled off a remarkable nine victories in 1988. The David Chapman trained chestnut was owned by Peter Savill who helped to revitalise Kevin’s career.

“It was all down to Peter that my career kicked into gear.

Chaplins Club played an important role and at one point Peter had 54 horses in training with 18 different trainers and his confidence in me meant I got to ride for many other trainers like Sir Michael Stoute and Geoff Wragg, whom I would never otherwise have ridden for.”

Celtic Swing was born in February 1992 and was by the very classy racehorse Damister, who ran second to Shadeed in the Craven Stakes and third in Slip Anchor’s Derby, out of the Welsh Pageant mare Celtic Ring.

He made an immediate impression on Kevin Darley in the early months of 1994, when a stroke of luck brought the partnership together.

“I was riding for Peter Savill at the time and he didn’t have any early season two year olds and Lady Herries had a lovely little horse down in West Sussex called Opaline.

“I went down to test ride Opaline and while I was there, I saw this almost black horse who was by Damister and really caught my eye. I spoke to Lady Anne and he hadn’t got an owner at that time so I spoke to Peter who came over and liked him too.

“He was already broken in and the second time I went down I sat on him and even at that early stage, from day one, there was something about him; he had a certain presence about him,” he recalls.

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RACING POST TROPHY MEMORY LANE Opaline won at Sandown Park but very sadly contracted colic afterwards and died. In the meantime, Celtic Swing was still filling his frame and made a fantastic debut at Ayr in July of 1994, landing a maiden by four lengths, when his victims included the Jack Ramsden colt Chilly Billy, who would win the Gimcrack Stakes at York on his next run.

That run confirmed the impression Celtic Swing had given at home, that he was an immense talent. Even so, connections were in no rush to run again and he was not seen out again until October, when he headed to Ascot for the Hyperion Conditions Stakes on good to firm ground.

“He needed time really, it was well-documented that he did not have the greatest of conformation, but he had strengthened and developed at home before Ascot,” says Kevin.

Whilst his Ayr victory had perhaps gone relatively unnoticed by many, the manner of Celtic Swing’s victory at Ascot gave the public a real taste of what might be, as he annihilated no less a horse than Singspiel by 8 lengths, creating headlines for the first time.

“He had developed and grown and he demolished those two year olds at Ascot – KEVIN and that was when we knew he was special,” says Kevin.

His next stop was Doncaster a fortnight later and what would prove his big date with destiny in the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy.

“He did not do too much work at home between the two races,” Kevin remembers. “We always felt that he would be better with a bit of juice in the ground and he had always shown that on the gallops at home when there was a bit of ease. In hindsight, one of his greatest assets was how he could lengthen and quicken on easier ground and he always had a massive stride, probably the biggest on a horse I have sat on.”

Confidence was high going into the race, with owner Peter Savill keen to give the Town Moor public a proper exhibition.

“He was one of those horses that just filled you with confidence because of what he had done before and how he had developed and grown.

“Peter said before the Racing Post Trophy that we might

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MEMORY LANE RACING POST TROPHY have a future stallion on our hands and so don’t be afraid to push him out and demonstrate what he could fully do. Hence, that is why he was asked to stretch in the straight. He just lengthened and kept going,” Kevin recalls.

In the home straight, Celtic Swing went steadily further and further clear. At the two furlong marker he was perhaps four lengths ahead of Annus Mirabilis and that advantage had stretched to twelve lengths at the line.

Celtic Swing had very much advertised his stallion claims, but more immediately he had underlined his Classic credentials for 1995, earning one of the highest ratings for a juvenile in modern European racing history.

Anything seemed possible heading into that winter, but what was certain was that Celtic Swing was already a bona fide Group 1 horse. As a jockey, that put an extra pressure on Kevin: “It was not necessarily more physically demanding to be on a horse of the quality of Celtic Swing, it was more mentally demanding. You have got the confidence but it is in the Group 1 races where it gets much more tactical and the pressure is there to get everything right.

“Races are often won and DARLEY lost in the first few strides of a race and with Celtic Swing the idea was always to try to get a lead on him. But the pressure I have to say was lessened when I rode him and he was adaptable in races.

“It is hard to explain, but a very good horse will give you a different feel in their mannerisms and you instinctively know that there is an extra gear there if you need it.”

By the spring of 1995, Celtic Swing was back in work and carrying the hopes and dreams of his connections.

“We always felt that a mile and a half would be his optimum trip. He wintered well and did everything right,” Kevin says.

“He looked really forward and all of our expectations were fulfilled and we couldn’t wait to get him out on the racecourse.”

His return came over the shorter trip of seven furlongs in Newbury’s traditional 2,000 Guineas trial, the Group 3 Greenham Stakes.

On good ground, Celtic Swing quickened up impressively to beat Bahri by 1 ¼ lengths, with the promise of more to

He was one of those horses that just filled you with confidence because of what he had done before and how he had developed and grown.

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come. By the end of the year, the merit of that victory had been fully underlined as Bahri went on to land the Group 1 St James’s Palace Stakes and the QEII Stakes, where he famously beat Ridgewood Pearl.

The logical next step for Celtic Swing was the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, but warm weather in the build-up left connections with a dilemma.

“We were concerned about the fast ground at Newmarket and it was a very hot, sultry day there. We walked the course before racing and it walked good and we wanted to take our chance even though we had future plans with him. But there are only five Classics and whilst his conformation was not the best, we thought that provided there was no harm in the ground, we would take our chance in the Guineas.

“My concern was that he didn’t like walking downhill even at Lady Herries’ beautiful yard and gallops; it was strange, but he just did not like going downhill.

“Running into the Dip at Newmarket in the 2,000 Guineas, he wasn’t letting himself down and at that moment Pennekamp quickened. As we met the rising ground Celtic Swing began to lengthen and was clawing him – KEVIN (Pennekamp) back, but the damage was done.”

In that fleeting moment, the 2,000 Guineas was lost by the narrowest of margins, with Pennekamp’s unblemished record intact and Celtic Swing suffering a first career defeat.

However, Celtic Swing’s future lay over longer distances – and more immediately, he came out of Newmarket a little jarred up.

“After he had recovered from the Guineas the next target appeared likely to be the Derby at Epsom. However, we took him to Lingfield Park for a gallop, as that course had some resemblance to Epsom Downs – and he didn’t like it at all.

“You only get one chance with a horse like him and Peter had a lot of sleepless nights deliberating over whether or not to run him in the Derby. I did too. But we had to put the horse’s best interests first and I think that not running at Epsom was the right decision to make and the best one that Peter made.”

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Instead, Celtic Swing was set to cross the English Channel for a raid on the Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly, which in 1995 was contested over a mile and a half.

Back at Lady Herries’ yard, Maxine Cowdrey and Bob Mason had lots to do with Celtic Swing’s preparation.

“They were two people that had worked in racing all their lives and had him spot on for the race in France, after he had endured one or two niggling issues after the Guineas,” Kevin reflects.

The race went perfectly to plan and Celtic Swing showed stamina to be his forte as he beat Poliglote by half a length to give Kevin Darley a first major Classic victory in his career.

Very sadly, those niggling injuries and that slightly suspect conformation caught up with Celtic Swing in the Irish Derby the following month, as he sustained an injury that forced him into retirement. It was a very disappointing end to a fantastic career, which had seen David slay Goliath on plenty of occasions.

“The fact that his success was for “real people” made his career all the more special,” says Kevin. “Peter had come from a working class background and was a self-made millionaire, while Lady Anne and her DARLEY team did not have the horses or firepower that other yards could boast of.

“It was all credit to Lady Anne Herries, he wasn’t easy to train and it was just a tribute to her.

“The thing I remember most was his turn of foot and his stride; he covered so much ground.”

Celtic Swing went off to stud and perhaps his best progeny were the hugely popular Australian sprinter Takeover Target and the brilliant French miler Six Perfections.

He died in Italy in 2010 at the age of 18, while his trainer passed away in late 2014, aged 76. Even so, the memories of their endeavours, particularly in that stunning Racing Post Trophy, linger long and happily.

“I often think back to Celtic Swing and remember Peter calling me when both Lady Anne and the horse sadly died.

The yard was such a beautiful place and I just remember we had so much fun,” Kevin reflects.

It is hard to explain, but a very good horse will give you a different feel in their mannerisms and you instinctively know that there is an extra gear there if you need it.

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Image supplied by Tattersalls Ireland

FURTHER PROGRESSION AT THE TATTERSALLS IRELAND SEPTEMBER YEARLING SALE Part I of the Tattersalls Ireland September Sale concluded with the best-ever set of returns for the two-day sale with a record average, record median and the best aggregate of any year aside from 2006 when the sale was held over three days.

The average price of €24,963 and median of €19,000 were improvements of 4% and 6% on 2015, while the aggregate of €10,209,700 is only the second time in the sale’s history that the aggregate has topped €10,000,000.

At the conclusion of Part I of the September Yearling Sale on Wednesday afternoon, Managing Director Roger Casey said: “It has been heartening to witness the robust trade over the two days of Part I and there have been plenty of positives to acknowledge with improvements in the majority of key indicators and in particular a record average and median for the September Yearling Sale despite the increase in numbers catalogued. This year represents the highest turnover for this sale since 2006 and the sale has now had seven consecutive years of growth and understandably has grown in popularity from both a vendor and purchaser perspective. There was a good spread of international buyers with no less than eleven countries represented amongst the purchasers list along with the customary strong UK

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BLOODSTOCK & SALES NEWS presence. Special thanks as ever must go to our wide network of Tattersalls representatives and to the hard working team of Irish Thoroughbred Marketing who collectively continue to ardently market this sale to an increasing international audience.

“Purchasers all week have commented that the best yearlings have been hard to acquire however they have also alluded to the continuing progressive nature of the sale in terms of the standard of yearlings offered and of course the outstanding achievements of our graduates on the racetrack with four individual classic winners in 2016, with QIPCO 2,000 Guineas winner Galileo Gold being the highlight.

Looking ahead to Part II of the September Yearling Sale on Thursday and Friday we still have a good solid selection of commercial yearlings to offer over the next two days. All yearlings offered in Part II are also eligible for the €300,000 Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sales Stakes on Irish Champions Weekend 2017 and which continues to be a unique and important incentive for this week’s sales.”

Top lot honours on day 2 went to a first-season sire, Ballyhane Stud’s son of Redoute’s Choice Coventry Stakes(G2) runner-up Elzaam whose colt from John Davison’s Killarkin Stud sold for €95,000.

FILLY BY DANDY MAN TOPS OPENING DAY OF TATTERSALLS IRELAND SEPTEMBER YEARLING SALE PART II Although operating at a lower division than earlier in the week, demand on Day 1 of Part II of the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale was strong for the better lots.

Ross Doyle was the day’s biggest spender and the Irish agent bought the day’s top two lots, the most expensive being a Dandy Man filly (Lot 706) offered by Ballyhane Stud which cost him €46,000.

It was a successful couple of days for Ballyhane; the top two lots sold in the first session of Part II are by the farm’s stallions; its young sire Elzaam, provided the top lot on the Wednesday of Part I, while first-crop sire Red Jazz featured prominently throughout Part I of the sale.

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“This filly is fairly typical of a Dandy Man,” said Doyle. “She is a good physical, a strong sort and a good walker. She has good attitude and has been bought on spec for Richard Hannon. Dandy Man is a good solid sire and she has a decent pedigree.”

ROBUST UPPER AND MIDDLE MARKET FUELS SUCCESSFUL KEENELAND SEPTEMBER YEARLING SALE SALE Keeneland’s September Yearling Sale ended with solid results driven by a competitive market and active participation from the world’s deepest buying bench. The sale produced nine yearlings that commanded $1 million or more, led by a Scat Daddy colt sold for $3 million to be the highestpriced horse sold at public auction anywhere in the world this year.

During the 13-day auction, held Sept. 12-25, Keeneland sold 2,792 horses for $272,890,500, a dip of 3.06 percent compared to last year’s 12-day sale when 2,745 horses brought $281,496,100.

The cumulative average of $97,740 was down 4.69 percent from last year’s $102,549. The median decreased 20 percent from $50,000 to $40,000.

“This was a very good sale from start to finish,” Keeneland Vice President of Racing and Sales Bob Elliston said. “The results demonstrate the influence of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. In many respects, this is the world’s marketplace. Buyers know they can get good value here, that this is where you come to buy the most competitive horses available at any price and level of the market.”

The strength of Book 1, the opening three-day portion of the September Sale, created momentum that carried forward to positively impact the middle market and beyond. Cumulatively, the Book 1 average of $347,471 rose nearly 15 percent over 2015, while the median of $300,000 spiked 20 percent despite 117 fewer horses cataloged this year.

Nine yearlings sold for $1 million or more; six of those were by leading sires Tapit and War Front. A testament to the strength of the upper and middle markets is the fact that 84 yearlings sold in the range of $500,000 to $999,000 versus 58 last year.

Book 1 succeeded in raising the market for subsequent sessions. Gross sales exceeded comparable 2015 figures for six of the eight sessions comprising Books 2-5. Significant gains also were realized in average and median prices in Books 2-4.

“Buyers were here in the beginning (for Book 1), but they stayed longer than anticipated, well into the second week,” Elliston said. “The traffic in the barns was extraordinarily busy throughout the sale.”

Globally acknowledged as the bellwether sale in the Thoroughbred industry, the September Sale stands apart from other all other auctions owing to several factors: a critical mass of quality yearlings at all levels of the market; the largest and most diverse buying bench in the world and the proven success of its sales graduates at the highest levels of racing worldwide.

Image supplied by Keeneland Sales

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BLOODSTOCK & SALES NEWS “There were multiple bidders on many horses and it created excitement,” Keeneland Director of Auctioneers Ryan Mahan said. “That churn of bidders really fed the energy in the ring and around the grounds.”

Prominent foreign and U.S. buyers made their presence known at the top of the market with interests occasionally teaming to become the successful bidder.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who attended the sale and bought in the name of his Shadwell Estate Company Ltd., topped the buyers’ list by gross expenditures, paying $10,750,000 for 15 yearlings, led by two War Front colts for $1.9 million and $1.3 million each. Coolmore’s M.V. Magnier acquired five yearlings for a total of $5,525,000, including the $3 million Scat Daddy colt and a $1 million Medaglia d’Oro colt in his name, and

Image supplied by Keeneland Sales

To date in 2016, September Sale graduates have won 38 Grade/Group 1 stakes, accounting for all three Triple Crown classics; major 2-year-old stakes at Saratoga and Del Mar; group stakes in Europe, Dubai and Japan; and the Russian Derby.

That record of success coupled with Keeneland’s year-round recruitment strategy to engage buyers in the U.S. and in established and emerging racing markets around the world make Keeneland the gold standard among Thoroughbred auction companies.

“Keeneland spends 52 weeks a year recruiting buyers and promoting the Thoroughbred industry and our sales,” Keeneland Director of Sales Operations Geoffrey Russell said. “Sales team members personally travel across the U.S. and to the far reaches of the world, and we are supported by full-time representatives in Europe, Australasia and most recently China. It’s gratifying to see these efforts bear fruit.”

“The Keeneland Sales team works very hard the entire year to ensure a deep bench of buyers at every level for those who put their consignments here,” Elliston added.

Buyers from five continents were active in the September Sale, led by major North American owners, trainers and pinhookers and their counterparts from Europe, Central and South America, Australia and Asia.

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partnered with John and Leslie Malone’s Bridlewood Farm on a $2 million Tapit colt.

China was represented by two buyers: China Horse Club, who joined with prominent U.S.based Maverick Racing to purchase 11 yearlings for $4,170,000, and Yulong Investments, which bought yearlings through BBA (Ireland). The Fung family’s Aquis Farm of Australia, purchasing via Bluesky Bloodstock, made a successful first foray to the September Sale, buying five yearlings for a total of $1,185,000. Aquis also bought a Kitten’s Joy colt for $450,000 in partnership with Barbara Banke’s Stonestreet Stables.

Major North American buyers, several of whom stepped up their activity this year, were among September Sale leaders. J.J. Crupi, a Florida-based bloodstock agent who acts on behalf of a number of interests including such major owners as Vincent Viola’s St. Elias Stable and Mike Repole acquired 44 yearlings for a total of $9,700,000. Crupi began buying horses on opening day of the September Sale and continued into Book 5. Among his purchases was a $1.2 million colt by Tapit out of Grade 1 winner Hooh Why, the session topper on the sale’s second day. Fifteen of Crupi’s purchases were in the 10th session.

“I thought it was great sale. You got value,” Crupi said. (My participation early in the sale is) not saying you can’t buy a good horse from Book 4 or Book 5 because I have. You might not have as much

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pedigree as (horses offered in) Book 1, but horses make their own pedigrees.”

Other leading domestic buyers included Mike Ryan, who as agent paid $6,525,000 for 29 horses. Will Farish’s Lane’s End was both a leading consignor and buyer, selling 209 yearlings for $22,820,900, while buying 10 yearlings for $5,510,000. Among other notables were Ben Glass, as agent for Gary and Mary West, Ron Winchell of Winchell Thoroughbreds, Don Adam’s Courtlandt Farm, Mandy Pope’s Whisper Hills Farm, Rick Porter’s Fox Hill Farm, Ahmad Zayat’s Zayat Stables, Steven Young and Tom Haughey’s PTK. A who’s who of the world’s top trainers shopped at the September Sale for future stable stars: Racing Hall of Famers Steve Asmussen, Bob Baffert, D. Wayne Lukas and Bill Mott; Eclipse Award winners

Todd Pletcher and Dale Romans; Chad Brown, Mark Casse, Larry Jones, Jerry Hollendorder, Richard Mandella, Wesley Ward, Dallas Stewart, Mark Hennig and Gary Contessa; and noted European trainers Aidan O’Brien and John Gosden.

“When they’re coming for September, (buyers) know they can camp out here for two weeks and they’re going to find some horses,” said Neal Clarke of Bedouin Bloodstock, which sold 11 horses for an average of $136,000. “That’s very appealing to these buyers, and Keeneland is the destination.

“At the end of the day, we’re farmers bringing our crop to market,” Clarke added. “We’re fortunate enough to have this sales ground in our own backyards that brings buyers from all over the country and all over the world. You talk about a wonderful marketplace to come to as a breeder; Keeneland is it.”

“Keeneland really is the backbone of everything in the North American market,” said Andrew Cary, general manager and partner of Select Sales, which sold 117 yearlings for $7,026,400. “Most buyers know if they’re going to go to one sale, this is the sale to go to. There’s no doubt that by far it’s our most important sale. Keeneland does a great job of getting people here from all over the world.”

The $3 million sale-topping colt is a half-brother to multiple champion Beholder and Grade 1 winner and sire Into Mischief. He is highest-priced yearling sold at the September Sale since 2010. This is the

seventh consecutive year Keeneland has sold the top-priced yearling at public auction in North America.

Fred Mitchell, whose Clarkland Farm bred and consigned the colt, has been selling horses at Keeneland for more than 30 years.

“I’ve been in the business a long time, and that was always one of my goals: Consign the toppriced colt or filly in Book 1,” Mitchell said. “We accomplished that goal, and it was quite satisfying.”

For the 18th time since 1988, Taylor Made Sales Agency led all consignors, selling 282 horses for $32,899,300. Taylor Made’s consignment was highlighted by the sale of three seven-figure yearlings: two Tapit fillies sold to Mandy Pope for $1.4 million and $1.1 million and a $1 million Medaglia d’Oro colt bought by M.V. Magnier.

For the fifth consecutive year, leading North American sire Tapit was the September Sale’s top sire by gross. His 31 yearlings grossed $19,835,000 and averaged $639,839, the highest average for a sire represented by three or more yearlings since 2006, when 12 yearlings by Danzig averaged $1,465,833.

During the final session, 147 horses sold for $1,036,600, for an average of $7,052 and a median of $3,200. There was no comparable session in 2015. A colt from the first crop of Grade 1 winner Morning Line out of the stakes-winning Cape Canaveral mare Angel Trumpet brought $45,000 from Royal Flush Racing to be the day’s top price.

BRIGHT NEW DAWN JOINS VENETIA WILLIAMS AT GOFFS UK SEPTEMBER SALE The talented chaser Bright New Dawn was the sale topper at the Goffs UK September Sale, making £56,000 as part of the annual Gigginstown House Stud dispersal.

The Grade 2 Flyingbolt Novice Chase winner, was purchased by Matt Coleman, acting on behalf of Venetia Williams.

Adam Potts was another to benefit from the Gigginstown dispersal, after spending £44,000 to secure the second top lot, Cogryhill.

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NEWS BLOODSTOCK & SALES The six-year-old son of Presenting boasts a rating of 125 over fences and won three races under rules for trainer Gordon Elliott.

Imperial Prince, twice a winner over hurdles and consigned by Battlefield Stud on behalf of Matthew Wright, was purchased by Charlie Longsdon for £42,000 in a private transaction.

Bloodstock agent Tom Malone was active and purchased the three year old Vincent’s Forever on behalf of David Pipe. The son of Pour Moi was offered

by John Gosden’s Clarehaven Stables for £40,000.

Qatari trainer Hamad Al-Jaheni made his first trip to the September Sale and purchased two lots for a total of £72,000.

Goffs group chief executive Henry Beeby said: “Comparing today with last year’s two-day September Sale is probably not reasonable as we reintroduced the August Sale this year following requests from vendors and purchasers.

“Trade has followed recent trends with plenty of competition for the good ones from a diverse crowd of buyers from the likes of Qatar, Sweden, Greece, France, the US and of course, the UK and Ireland.”

SIAMSAIOCHT TOPS GOFFS CHAMPIONS SALE AT €300,000 (IMAGE IN DROP BOX Goffs Champions Sale, held in association with Brown Thomas, drew another huge crowd to the parade ring before racing commenced on Irish Champions Weekend at Leopardstown. The small but select catalogue of four high class prospects included the Jim Bolger trained Siamsaiocht

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Image supplied by Goffs Ltd

(pictured) who topped proceedings when selling to the China Horse Club for €300,000.

The three year old Teofilo filly is a winner and was runner up in a Listed race at Dundalk behind subsequent Group 1 Breeders Cup winner Hit It A Bomb. She is an own sister to the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes winner Parish Hall and will run for her new owners in the Northfields Handicap at the Curragh tomorrow.

Last week’s Group 3 Dick Poole Stakes winner Madam Dancealot, also a graduate of the Goffs London Sale, attracted plenty of interest and was ultimately knocked down to Lillington Bloodstock and David Meah Agent for €260,000 on behalf of a new American client.

INVESTEC PRIVATE BANKING TO SPONSOR TATTERSALLS OCTOBER YEARLING SALE BOOK 1 Tattersalls has announced that Investec Private Banking will be the official partner of Book 1 of the 2016 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale which takes place from Tuesday 4th to Thursday 6th October.

Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale is Europe’s premier yearling sale and has provided the world’s highest priced yearling for the last four

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years. The sale has also been the source of six Investec Derby winners this century including the 2012 and 2014 winners CAMELOT and AUSTRALIA. Jimmy George, Marketing Director of Tattersalls, commented: “Investec is a very prestigious brand in the sporting and racing world via their sponsorship of the Investec Derby Festival and we are delighted that Investec Private Banking has agreed to sponsor Book 1 of the October Yearling Sale. The sale compliments their Derby and Oaks sponsorship perfectly given it has provided the winner of the Derby on six occasions this millennia.”

Investec Private Banking has a passion for highlighting the extraordinary, which is reflected in its inaugural year as sponsor. Motivated by its entrepreneurial spirit, Investec is delighted to champion the trainers, owners and racehorses themselves.

Richard Benton, head of Private Bank Marketing comments “We recognise the power of partnerships and are delighted to support the Book 1 Yearling Sale at Tattersalls. We know that the destination is just the beginning and look forward to witnessing the success stories that will no doubt come out of this extraordinary sale, and one day I hope go on to take part in the Investec Derby Festival” Tattersalls Ireland now accepting nominations for the Cheltenham NH Breeze Up Sale The Tattersalls Ireland NH Breeze Up Sale will take place this year alongside racing at Cheltenham on Friday 9th December.

Last year’s sale has already seen successful graduates including Gibbes Bay, who was purchased

by Tom Malone for £90,000 from Brown Island Stables and impressed when winning his only start in a bumper for champion trainer Paul Nicholls.

Another graduate of last year’s sale to have caught the eye this season is Dos Picas a son of Jeremy who ran out the five length winner of a Roscommon bumper for Noel Meade. He was purchased by Mags O’Toole for £40,000 from Oaks Farm Stables.

The sale will be restricted to approximately 25 select horses who will breeze on the morning of the 9th December prior to racing. Nominations will close on Friday 23rd September and we look forward to working with Cheltenham racecourse to ensure we showcase these lots to potential purchasers.

Image supplied by Tattersalls Ireland

JAMIE CODD APPOINTED AS TATTERSALLS IRELAND HORSES IN TRAINING REPRESENTATIVE Tattersalls Ireland has announced the permanent appointment of current and two-time Irish Point to Point Champion Jamie Codd to the role of Tattersalls Ireland Horses in Training Representative effective from 1 September 2016.

Jamie’s career on the track and between the flags has seen him ride 790 Point to Point winners, win the Grade 1 Champion Bumper at Punchestown on Shaneshill and more recently land the Kim Muir on Cause of Causes and the Fox Hunters’ at Aintree on On The Fringe.

Jamie already had an association with the sales at Tattersalls Ireland having bid-spotted at Fairyhouse for the past three years and in the last year having also assisted with the sales at Cheltenham and Ascot.

Commenting on his appointment, Jamie Codd said; “I am delighted to be joining the team at Tattersalls Ireland on a permanent basis. Since Tattersalls Ireland took over the sales at Cheltenham and Ascot, I have had the opportunity to gain a real insight into the operation of these sales; these venues are exciting and I am looking forward to using my knowledge and contacts to develop the sales along with the Tattersalls Ireland team. It’s an exciting time for me.”

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BLOODSTOCK & SALES NEWS

MEHMAS TO STAND AT TALLY HO STUD IN 2017

Image supplied by Tattersalls Ireland

TATTERSALLS IRELAND APPOINTS NEW FRENCH REPRESENTATIVE NICKY BERTRAN DE BALANDA Tattersalls Ireland is pleased to announce the appointment of Nicky Bertran de Balanda as its representative in France. Aged 35, de Balanda enjoyed a successful career as a dual purpose trainer based in Maisons - Laffitte, training more than 300 winners including Group 1 winning jumper GEMIX, before deciding to pursue different interests earlier this month.

Commenting on the appointment, Tattersalls Ireland Managing Director Roger Casey said; “Nicky is a very well respected figure within French racing and breeding and has a lifetime of experience in both National Hunt and Flat racing in France. We are delighted to have someone with such an impressive background assisting us in raising the profile of Tattersalls Ireland in France. Demand for French National Hunt horses has never been greater and with our expanded portfolio of sales at Cheltenham and Ascot, in addition to our flagship sales at Fairyhouse, the appointment of Nicky could not come at a better time. In addition to representing

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Tattersalls Ireland Nicky will also have a role promoting Tattersalls alongside existing Tattersalls French representative Bertrand Le Metayer.”

BRITISH BREEDING INDUSTRY CELEBRATES FANTASTIC LADBROKE ST LEGER SUCCESS OF HARBOUR LAW The Group 1 Ladbrokes St Leger produced a superb result for the British thoroughbred breeding industry as Harbour Law landed a stunning lastgasp success in this £700,000 one mile and six and a half furlong showpiece.

The first British Classic winner to be housed at the historic training centre of Epsom in Surrey since 1969, Harbour Law is trained by Laura Mongan and was ridden by George Baker.

A son of Lawman, he was bred at Anthony Oppenheimer’s Hascombe and Valiant Studs near Newmarket in Suffolk - just like last year’s Investec Derby winner, Golden Horn, Purchased by owner Mrs Jackie Cornwell for £30,000 at the Goffs London Sale in June 2015,

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he had already competed with great credit at two of Britain’s most prestigious racing festivals, finishing runner-up in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot and a close fourth in the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket’s Moët & Chandon July Festival.

TOP FRENCH STALLION LINAMIX PASSES AWAY AGED 29 The hugely influential French stallion Linamix has passed away at the grand old age of 29, at the Aga Khan Studs in Normandy.

The son of Mendez was bred and raced by JeanLuc Lagardere, and trained for him by Francois Boutin, winning the Prix La Rochette, before adding the Prix de Fontainebleau and Poule d’Essai des Poulains the following season, when he ran second to In The Groove in the Champion Stakes at Newmarket.

Having retired from racing in 1991, he was retired to stand at Lagardere’s Haras du Val Henry in Normandy and produced eight stakes performers for his owner in his first crop, including Prix Jacques le Marois heroine Miss Satamixa.

Linamix went on to sire 14 Group/Grade 1 winners in total, including winners of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Sagamix), Poule d’Essai des Poulains (Slickly and Vahorimix), Prix Ganay (Fair Mix) and Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (Fragrant Mix).

One of Ireland’s most successful stud farms, TallyHo Stud, which is owned by Tony and Anne O’Callaghan, have purchased 50 per cent of the Al Shaqab Racing owned and Richard Hannontrained Mehmas.

The ultra-consistent son of Acclamation is likely to have his last race in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday, September 24th, and will then start his new career as a stallion in 2017.

Richard Hannon commented: “Mehmas has been a joy to train, has held his form all season and has been a model of consistency as you saw once again at The Curragh on Sunday. He also showed real grit and determination to win the Richmond at the Qatar Goodwood Festival and his racing characteristics should stand him in really good stead for his stallion career.”

Mehmas’ racing career speaks for itself, with four victories from his seven starts, including the Group 2 Richmond Stakes at Goodwood and the Group 2 July Stakes at Newmarket. He was also a fine second to Caravaggio in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and more recently in the Group 1 National Stakes at The Curragh.

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OCTOBER WHAT’S ON

WHAT’S ON RACING HIGHLIGHTS IN OCTOBER

October is a seminal moment in the racing calendar as we see champions crowned in all flat disciplines, whilst the jumps season is gathering momentum and with softer ground, a trickle of big names will likely begin to return to the fray.

T

he action gets underway with a terrific card at Newmarket on Saturday October 1st, with the Group 1 Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes the highlight on a card that also includes valuable Tattersalls sales races for juveniles.

Over in France, the action focuses on one of the big events of the entire calendar, as Chantilly hosts the two-day Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe meeting, with no fewer than nine Group 1 contests over the two days, culminating in the Arc. Meanwhile, Gowran Park plays host to the Grade 2 PwC Champion Chase, a contest with a rich history and won in recent years by Sizing Europe.

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The following weekend, the action returns back to Newmarket and the Dubai Future Champions Festival, with a glittering array of races headlined by the Group 1 Dubai Fillies’ Mile and the Group 1 Dubai Dewhurst Stakes, along with the Group 2 Challenge Stakes and the Betfred Cesarewitch Handicap. The same day, Chepstow stages a quality card of racing which includes the Future Stars Novices’ Chase, purported to be the race in which Thistlecrack makes his chasing bow. The Bob Champion Racing Legends’ Race takes place on the same card.

Punchestown gets its season underway on October 12th and 13th, with the Irish Daily Star Chase the big race of the meeting, won for the last two years by subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Don Cossack.

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WHAT’S ON OCTOBER

OCTOBER WHAT’S ON

OCTOBER 2016 FIXTURE LIST Date

Venue (FLAT IN CAPITALS Jump in Lower Case)

Session

Type

Header (2015 Equivalant)

1st

ASCOT

Afternoon

Standard

Festival Meeting, 2015

NEWMARKET

Afternoon

Standard

First October Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

First October Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

The totepool Two Year Old Trophy Day, 2015

Evening

Standard

First October (AWT) (Twilight and Evening) Meeting, 2015

Huntingdon

Afternoon

Standard

First October Meeting, 2015

Uttoxeter

Afternoon

Standard

First October Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

First October Meeting, 2015

PONTEFRACT

Afternoon

Standard

First October Meeting, 2015

WINDSOR

Afternoon

Standard

October Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

First October Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

First October Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

First October Meeting, 2015

Fontwell Park REDCAR

WOLVERHAMPTON (AWT) 2nd

Image supplied by Goffs Ltd

The following Sunday, October 16th, Kempton Park stages Jumps Sunday, as National Hunt action returns to the track with a meeting that has attracted The New One in recent seasons. In between those fixtures, Ascot stages a valuable flat meeting.

On Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd, Cheltenham stages its opening fixture of the season with its Showcase Meeting.

That Saturday is a busy afternoon, with Newbury hosting the Group 3 St Simon Stakes and Group 3 Horris Hill Stakes, while Doncaster stages the final Group 1 race of the British season, the Racing Post Trophy, in which Marcel caused a huge shock last year.

On Sunday, October 23rd, Aintree gets back into action with the highlight being the Old Roan Chase on Countryside Day. Meanwhile, Leopardstown hosts the Group 3 Killavullan Stakes for two year olds.

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On October 29th Wetherby stages one of its big races of the year, the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase, where 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Coneygree could make his long-awaited return. That same day Ascot features its Halloween Raceday and Fireworks Spectacular on the first day of its jumps season, with the £100,000 Sodexo Gold Cup Chase the highlight.

We also say farewell to Newmarket and Leopardstown for the 2016 flat season, with the latter staging the Irish November Handicap.

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3rd

4th

Gowran Park Kelso

Tipperary

Southwell

BRIGHTON

CATTERICK BRIDGE

KEMPTON PARK (AWT)

Twilight

LEICESTER 5th

Afternoon

Tipperary

NOTTINGHAM

Afternoon

Standard

First Autumn Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

First October Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

October Meeting, 2015

AYR

Afternoon

Standard

First October Meeting, 2015

Worcester

Afternoon

Standard

First October Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

First October Meeting, 2015

Ludlow

Navan

Exeter

Second October (AWT) (Twilight) Meeting, 2015

NEWCASTLE (AWT)

Twilight

Second October (AWT) (Twilight) Meeting, 2015

Newton Abbot

Afternoon

Cesarewitch Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

October Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

October Meeting, 2015

Chepstow

Afternoon

Standard

October Meeting, 2015

NEWCASTLE (AWT)

Afternoon

Standard

Second October Meeting, 2015

Twilight

Tramore

NEWMARKET

Dundalk (e) Hexham

NEWMARKET YORK

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October 2016

First October (AWT) (Twilight) Meeting, 2015

Twilight

YORK 8th

First October Meeting, 2015

Twilight

CHELMSFORD CITY (AWT) 7th

Standard

KEMPTON PARK (AWT)

Towcester 6th

First October (AWT) (Twilight) Meeting, 2015

Second October (AWT) (Twilight) Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

Cesarewitch Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

October Meeting, 2015

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WHAT’S ON OCTOBER

9th

OCTOBER WHAT’S ON

Fairyhouse Chepstow

GOODWOOD Curragh

10th 11th

11th

12th

Limerick

Standard

Second October Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

Second October Meeting, 2015

YARMOUTH Galway

Afternoon

BHA

First November Meeting, 2015

LEICESTER

Afternoon

Standard

Second October Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

Second October Meeting, 2015

Huntingdon

WOLVERHAMPTON (AWT) BATH

KEMPTON PARK (AWT)

Standard

Twilight

Punchestown

Second October Meeting, 2015 Second October (AWT) (Twilight) Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

Second October Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

First October Meeting, 2015

BRIGHTON

Afternoon

Standard

Second October Meeting, 2015

Uttoxeter

Afternoon

Standard

First October Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

Second October Meeting, 2015

Carlisle

Punchestown

Twilight Afternoon

Standard

First October Meeting, 2015

NEWCASTLE (AWT)

Afternoon

Standard

October Meeting, 2015

Twilight

Dundalk (e)

Fourth October (AWT) (Twilight and Evening) Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

Second October Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

First October Meeting, 2015

ASCOT

Afternoon

Market Rasen

Afternoon

Standard

Autumn Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

Second October Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

First October Meeting, 2015

Evening

Standard

Fourth October (AWT) (Twilight and Evening) Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

October Meeting, 2015

CATTERICK BRIDGE Stratford-On-Avon

WOLVERHAMPTON (AWT) Ffos Las Cork

Kempton Park

NEWCASTLE (AWT) Cork Naas

QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

Third October Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

October Meeting, 2015

Plumpton

Afternoon

Standard

October Meeting, 2015

WINDSOR

Afternoon

Standard

Second October Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

Third October Meeting, 2015

PONTEFRACT

20th

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October 2016

Afternoon

NEWCASTLE (AWT)

Afternoon

Standard

First October (AWT) Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

First October Meeting, 2015

Fontwell Park

Afternoon

Standard

Second October Meeting, 2015

KEMPTON PARK (AWT)

Twilight

Worcester

Afternoon

Standard

Fourth October Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

Third October Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

Second October Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

Second October Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

Third September Meeting, 2015

KEMPTON PARK (AWT)

Gowran Park Navan

NEWMARKET Carlisle

Ludlow

CHELMSFORD CITY (AWT) 21st

Thurles

25th

Fifth October (AWT) (Twilight) Meeting, 2015

NEWBURY

Afternoon

Standard

October Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

October Meeting, 2015

DONCASTER

Dundalk (e)

Twilight

Sixth October (AWT) (Twilight) Meeting, 2015

Cheltenham

Afternoon

Standard

The Showcase, 2015

Kelso

Afternoon

Standard

October Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

Second October Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

October Meeting, 2015

DONCASTER

Punchestown Aintree

Twilight

Sixth October (AWT) (Twilight) Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

The Old Roan Raceday

Afternoon

Standard

Second October Meeting, 2015

Ayr

Afternoon

Standard

Second October Meeting, 2015

REDCAR

Afternoon

Standard

Autumn Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

Third October Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

Second October Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

Third October Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

Third September Meeting, 2015

BHA

Second October Meeting, 2015

Wincanton

Leopardstown LEICESTER Bangor-On-Dee

CATTERICK BRIDGE NEWCASTLE (AWT)

Twilight

Fakenham

Afternoon

KEMPTON PARK (AWT)

Twilight

NOTTINGHAM

Fifth October (AWT) (Twilight) Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

Third October Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

BHA

Seventh October (AWT) Meeting, 2015

LINGFIELD PARK (AWT)

Afternoon

Standard

Second October (AWT) Meeting, 2015

Stratford-On-Avon

Afternoon

Standard

Second October Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

Second October Meeting, 2015

CHELMSFORD CITY (AWT) 27th

Twilight

The Showcase, 2015

Chepstow 26th

Fourth October (AWT) (Twilight) Meeting, 2015

Standard

CHELMSFORD CITY (AWT)

24th

Fourth October (AWT) (Twilight) Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

NEWBURY

23rd

Second October Meeting, 2015

Cheltenham

WOLVERHAMPTON (AWT) 22nd

Standard

Twilight

Newton Abbot

Fourth October (AWT) (Twilight) Meeting, 2015

Fakenham

HAYDOCK PARK

19th

Twilight Afternoon

Exeter

YARMOUTH 19th

MUSSELBURGH

Downpatrick

128

October Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Wincanton

17th

Standard

WINDSOR

Curragh

REDCAR

16th

Afternoon

BHA

CHELMSFORD CITY (AWT)

15th

October Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Wetherby

14th

Standard

SALISBURY

NOTTINGHAM

13th

Afternoon

18th

Dundalk (e) Sedgefield

CHELMSFORD CITY (AWT)

Twilight

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Seventh October (AWT) Meeting, 2015

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October 2016

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WHAT’S ON OCTOBER

28th

HAVE YOU SEEN OUR LATEST FABRIC DISPLAY RANGE?

Clonmel

NEWCASTLE (AWT)

Twilight

Uttoxeter

Afternoon

Standard

Final Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

Third October Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

Second October Meeting, 2015

Ascot

Afternoon

Standard

Third October Meeting, 2015

NEWMARKET

Afternoon

Standard

Third October Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

Final Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

Second October Meeting, 2015

NEWMARKET Wetherby

29th

Dundalk (e) Ayr

Wetherby

CHELMSFORD CITY (AWT) 30th

Wexford Carlisle

Twilight Afternoon

Standard

First November Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

First November Meeting, 2015

KEMPTON PARK (AWT)

Afternoon

Standard

Third November (AWT) Meeting, 2015

Southwell

Afternoon

Standard

First November Meeting, 2015

Afternoon

Standard

Second November Meeting, 2015

Huntingdon Galway

31st

Eighth October (AWT) (Twilight) Meeting, 2015

Leopardstown Plumpton Galway

Wexford

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October 2016

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