Sunday, October 24, 2004
SHAMARDAL AND LUCKY STORY JOIN GODOLPHIN
Five new horses have been added to the Godolphin team for next season.
Shamardal and Lucky Story, both formerly in the care of Mark Johnston, head the list of new arrivals. They will be joined by the two-year-olds Layman, Windsor Knot and Suez. All five will travel to Dubai in the next few weeks to be prepared for the 2005 season.
Shamardal, winner of the Group 1 Darley Dewhurst Stakes on his most recent start, is unbeaten in three runs. Lucky Story, winner of four of his five juvenile starts last year but without a victory in 2004, put up his best performance this season when beaten just half a length by Rakti in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.
Godolphin's racing manager Simon Crisford said: "We are very pleased to take charge of such talented horses. Mark Johnston has done a wonderful job with Shamardal and Lucky Story and we will be hoping to continue his excellent work.
Mark Johnston said: "We will be sad to say goodbye to the two horses, but I wish Godolphin the very best of luck with them. We always knew there was a chance they might be switched to Dubai and we are very grateful to have had the opportunity to train them until now."
Godolphin's three other new horses all raced in the colours of the stable's founder, HH General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, this year.
Layman won two of his four races for Andre Fabre, finishing a close third in the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere on his most recent start. Windsor Knot, trained up to now by John Gosden, has won two of his three starts, including the Group 3 Solario Stakes at Sandown.
The only filly among the five new arrivals is Suez, formerly in the care of Michael Jarvis. She has also won two of her three starts as a juvenile and was narrowly beaten in the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes last time.
McDYNAMO WINS SECOND STRAIGHT BREEDERS? CUP STEEPLECHASE
FAR HILLS, N.J. Defending champion McDynamo became just the second horse in history to win back-to-back runnings of the Breeders’ Cup Steeplechase when he scorched six rivals in the $175,000 Grade I stakes on Saturday.
Ridden by Craig Thornton and trained by Sanna Hendriks, the winner took over the lead on the final run down the backstretch and repulsed late challenges by Hirapour and Sur La Tete to win by 1 1/2 lengths.
McDynamo covered the 2 5/8 miles and 14 fences in 5m 6.8s while earning $96,250 in the richest jump race in the United States. Hirapour (Matt McCarron) was second with Sur La Tete (Chris Read) a half-length back in third.
Racing for the first time in 11 months, McDynamo did not win by the 15 lengths he did last year, but was just as impressive in the race, held for the 13th time.
“I thought if he was ever going to get beat, it would be today because of the lay-off and because of the field he was up against,” said Hendriks of the race which included seven Grade I winners. “I was confident because it was him and I knew he would do the best that he could, but I knew he was going to need the race. He was unbelievable.”
McDynamo tracked leaders Tres Touche and Flat Top throughout, but moved to the front at will midway down the backstretch. Sur La Tete moved first, and was quickly matched by Hirapour and both horses ranged up at the top of the stretch but were no match for the winner.
“He had to dig a little deep after the last fence, but he hadn’t run in so long that I think he’ll improve off that run,” said Thornton, who flew in from New Zealand for the ride. “My horse just jumped past them on the backside. He can hear the other horses and quickens on his own. I sensed Hirapour was fairly close (on the final turn), but I was holding my horse together and still had some horse. He’s got so much confidence in his ability. He’s a monster, and he knows it.”
McDynamo (a Keeneland Sales yearling purchase by Moran) won for the sixth consecutive time and ninth time in 11 career starts. He pushed his career jump bankroll to $562,679, fifth on the all-time list.
Champion steeplechaser previously, the 7-year-old son of Dynaformer put himself in position to win the title again and will go next in the $100,000 Colonial Cup (Gr. I) at Camden, S.C., on Nov. 21.
NOTES: English champion Morley Street won back-to-back Breeders’ Cups in 1990 and 1991. The other horse to win two was Highland Bud in 1989 and 1992 . . . The Breeders’ Cup again headlined the richest day in American steeplechasing with $500,000 in total purses and a sold-out crowd of 50,000 at the Moorland Farms race course.
In other Grade I action, Ann Stern’s Paradise’s Boss (Tom Foley) won the $100,000 Foxbrook novice hurdle stakes for trainer Jack Fisher . . . The Breeders’ Cup Steeplechase will be part of the Wire to Wire program on ESPN2 Thursday, Oct. 28 at 1 p.m. Eastern.
NEWBURY YOUNGSTER IN HOLIDAY SPIRIT AFTER WINNING TELETEXT RACING SERIES
Newbury-based apprentice Richard Killoran, 18, has triumphed in the prestigious Teletext Racing Hands and Heels Apprentice Series, scooping the overall series trophy in the last race of the contest at Doncaster yesterday.
Although Richard did not win the final race, his nine-point lead ensured he claimed victory in the 12-race contest. Richard, who rides for trainer Andrew Balding at Park House Stables in Kingsclere, Newbury, won the coveted series prize of a £2,000 Teletext holiday ahead of close rival Marc Halford.
Famed jockey, Kieren Fallon, presented Richard with his trophy and holiday voucher. The fiercely competed series, which saw over 50 apprentices take part, aims to teach apprentice jockeys how to ride with just hands and heels without resorting to the whip. Points are awarded for jockeys' riding skills, style and performance. Jockeys carry a whip, but may not use it except for safety and correction.
Richard said: “The series has been very competitive with some challenging races so it's a great feeling to know I've come out on top. After a damp day at Doncaster yesterday, it's good to know I have the holiday to look forward to!”
Chris Forwood, Teletext's racing editor, said: “Throughout the contest Richard has performed consistently well. He went into this last race as the favourite and he held his nerve to take home the series trophy. We hope he enjoys his holiday and we're sure his is a name we'll hear more of in future.”
Teletext Racing joined forces with the Jockey Club, the British Racing School and the Jockeys Association of Great Britain to sponsor their 12-race apprentice series designed to teach young jockeys the skills of race-riding. The series, which was first launched in 1999, started in Brighton in May and culminated in Nottingham yesterday.
As part of the sponsorship, Teletext Racing provided editorial and results coverage for the series within its racing services on C4 p550 and digital cable. With two million viewers every week on Channel 4 the apprentices have benefited from significant exposure at this early stage in their careers.
The Teletext Racing Hands And Heels Apprentice Series has already proved to be a successful launch pad for the careers of young jockeys. Other successful apprentices who tasted early success in the series include Nicky Mackay champion in 2002 and David Allen winner of the 2001 Series.
The first six races were for riders who have not ridden more than five winners and the second half dozen for jockeys who have not ridden more than 10 winners.
Each race is the last event on the day's race card to enable Robert Sidebottom, Senior Instructor at the British Racing School, to review the race with the apprentices in the stewards' room afterwards.
For old articles (from 1st March 2000) go to the Newslink
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