STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH
KRZYSZTOF ZIEMIAŃSKI
I HAVE HORSES TO
RACE IN POLAND AND ABROAD!
AUTHOR: KRZYSZTOF ROMANIUK PHOTOS: SŁUŻEWIEC RACECOURSE
In the 2020 season Krzysztof Ziemiański nearly until the end fought with Michał Borkowski for a place on the podium in the championship. Ultimately the trainer from Służewiec got third place with a legacy of 35 victories and 38 second places. In the Thoroughbred competition, his horses played main roles along with the proteges of Adam Wyrzyk. Candidates for the Horse of the Year title were the winner St.Leger and second in the Great Warsaw Race Night Tornado, as well as the final winner Timemaster - winner of four races of cat. A (Rulera, Westminster Freundschaftpreis, Mosznej and Criterium). This year the Niespodzianka stable seems to be even stronger!
The five older horses start high – Five of my horses start the season from either categories or group I level – highlights Krzysztof Ziemiański. – Those are of course Timemaster and Night Tornado, but also Xawery (late season entry), Petit and Fabulous Las Vegas returning after an injury. I will try to plan their starts so that they won’t need to compete with each other more than two at once, however it cannot be ruled out that from time to time such a confrontation might take place. Fabulous Las Vegas, The Horse of the Year 2018, suffered from health problems after a race in France at the end of the 2019 season. Hard season, difficult race and a long journey took its toll on him. In the spring of last year we hoped that we would still be able to prepare him for the end of the season, but eventually we gave him more time to recover and he has been working regularly since January. I think that he should go back to the high-
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est level as this is a very good horse. In his case, we do not consider further trips to foreign tracks, because he is already old, and it was visible that the last attempt did not help him, although he achieved a really good result in terms of sport – 5. place in the Listed race, with a slight loss to the third place. He is classified now in group I and I may choose an easier group race for him to start with, so that he can calmly get into racing after such a long break. Timemaster and Night Tornado are both in A category, so there is no alternative for them. This year’s competition should start with the race for the Golejewka Stakes, which should be treated primarily as an opportunity to enter the racing rhythm. I entered them for the races held during Turf Gala in Bratislava at the beginning of June, respectively to: Cena Scottish Rifla (SVK Listed, 1800 m) and Velka Cena Slovenska (SVK Gd-3, 2400 m). More than financial considerations, the willingness to test yourself in international sport rivalry is decisive here. Later in the season we will think about other foreign targets, depending on their results, form and the pandemic situation in Europe. Petit who feels good on long distances will undoubtedly also be able to be included in the competition at the highest level, as was the case last year. We have not made the final decision yet in which race to start this year’s starts. Xavery will be entered for the season on an additional date – such a decision was made by his owner. He is a gifted sprinter who will fairly easily find gear in the spring. Most likely, we will see him again in the competition for the Jaroszówka Stakes and/or Haracza Stakes.
