Thursday, November 15, 2007

NIARCHOS-GOUAZE THANKS FATHER AT CARTIER RACING AWARDS

Stavros Niarchos, who died in 1996, and his family have campaigned top-class performers for the past 50 years and have bred or owned the winners of 121 Group or Grade One races.

Many of those who have played a part in the success attended last night’s event including trainers Jonathan Pease, Pascal Bary and Henry Cecil, the family’s long-standing racing manager Alan Cooper, Tim Richardson, who has managed the family Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard for the past 28 years, and Callan Strouss, who oversees the family’s American breeding stock at Oak Tree Farm in Kentucky. Long-term Niarchos family employee Karen Bewick was also at the glittering event which was presented by Harry Herbert.

After collecting her award from Cartier UK managing director, Arnaud Bamberger, Niarchos-Gouaze said: "Thank you on behalf of my brothers and myself to Cartier and The Daily Telegraph for this award.

"Firstly, I’d like to thank the horses, without whom we wouldn’t have got this award. I’d also like to thank all of the farms who raised them, all the stable lads and girls, the trainers who trained them and the jockeys who got them past the finishing line - mostly!

"I’d like to thank Jamie (McCalmont) and Bill (Oppenheim) and our home team, most of whom have been there since the inception - Karen (Bewick), Alan (Cooper) and Tim (Richardson) and lastly, and most deservedly so, I’d like to thank our father Stavros."

A video tribute, narrated by Sir Peter O’Sullevan, was played including contributions from the family’s trainers, Stavros Niarchos’s original racing manager Sir Philip Payne-Gallwey, Kirsten Rausing, Will Farish and Coolmore supremo John Magnier, who described the Niarchos family’s strike rate as "the best in the business."

Magnier added: "I’d like to congratulate Maria and the Niarchos family on winning this award. Nobody deserves it better than they do. Over the years, I’ve always admired their organisation greatly for the simple reason that their strike rate has been the best in the business. Well done Maria, you’ve surrounded yourself with the best people in the sport."

Magnier himself part-owned the 2007 Cartier Horse Of The Year, Dylan Thomas, and the award was collected by Christy Grassick, general manager of Coolmore, where the four-year-old was bred and will retire as a stallion for 2008.

Dylan Thomas, who is likely to have one last run in the Japan Cup on November 25 in an attempt to take his Group One haul to five this year, triumphed as Cartier Horse Of The Year from an outstanding quartet, comprising Manduro, Ramonti, Authorized and Peeping Fawn.

Grassick said: "On behalf of Dylan Thomas’s owners, Michael and Doreen Tabor and Sue and John Magnier, I’d like to thank Cartier and The Daily Telegraph for this award. I’d also like to say a special thank you to the Racing Post and The Daily Telegraph readers and also the journalists’ panel who voted for this.

"I think we have to make a mention of the previous winners of this award with whom we’ve been lucky to be associated - Peintre Celebre, Hurricane Run and Giant’s Causeway. We’ve been very lucky that Dylan Thomas was bred and raised at Coolmore so we are proud of his achievements.

"We’re also proud of the team at Ballydoyle with Aidan and Anne-Marie (O’Brien) and also the team in our group - without those people we wouldn’t be here. They are sometimes forgotten but they need to be mentioned because their skill and dedication puts us all up here in the first place."

The Cartier Older Horse Award was also won by Dylan Thomas, with Magnier’s son J P collecting the trophy.

"It gives me great pleasure to accept this award on behalf of Michael and Doreen Tabor and my parents. I’d like to thank Cartier and also Aidan and all the team at Ballydoyle," said J P Magnier.

On a great night for the Coolmore team, the Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly Award went to the four-time Group One winner Peeping Fawn. J P Magnier’s brother M V collected this award from Arnaud Bamberger.

"On behalf of Dad and Michael and Doreen Tabor, I’d like to thank Cartier and The Daily Telegraph for giving us this amazing award for this great filly. We had a lot of fun with her this year, winning four Group Ones and please be to God she has another good season next year," said M V Magnier.

The Magniers also part-own Yeats, winner of the Cartier Stayer Award for a second consecutive year. Lucy Nagle, whose parents David and Diane jointly own and bred the horse also trained by Aidan O’Brien, collected the award.

"On behalf of my Mum and Dad and John and Sue (Magnier), I’d like to thank Cartier for this award. I’d also like to thank Aidan and the team at Ballydoyle for doing such a wonderful job with him - we really appreciate having such a brilliant horse," said Nagle.

Vodafone Derby winner Authorized gained the Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt Award and the trophy was collected by trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam and Tony Nerses, racing manager to owners Saleh Al Homaizi and Imad Al Sagar.

"I’d like to thank Tony for buying the horse, Saleh and Imad for letting me train him - I nearly messed it all up but we got it right - and all my staff. It was a fantastic day, it’s been a fantastic year and the party hasn’t finished yet," said Chapple-Hyam.

Nerses added: "I am so proud to receive this prestigious award on behalf of Saleh and Imad. I’d like to particularly thank Frankie Dettori and Peter Chapple-Hyam."

The unbeaten New Approach took the Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt Award and Una Manning, wife of the horse’s jockey Kevin and daughter of trainer Jim Bolger, was the one who went up to the stage.

"On behalf of my parents and Sheikh Mohammed (part owner), I’d like to thank Cartier for this award," said Manning.

Natagora won the Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly Award. Patrick Barbe, racing manager to owner Stefan Friborg, was presented with the award by Arnaud Bamberger.

"Thank you to Cartier for organising this ceremony. My thoughts go to three people on three continents," said Barbe. "Mr Friborg, who owns the filly and lives in Brazil, Teruya Yoshida, who shuttled the stallion (Divine Light) to Europe and without him we wouldn’t be here tonight and the third one is Pascal Bary, who I have known for 35 years and has done a tremendous job training this filly."

The Cartier Sprinter Award went to Red Clubs and Charlie Hills, whose father Barry trained the colt, collected this prize on behalf of owner Ronnie Arculli.

"Clubsy has been a fantastic horse to train over the years, he’s been mighty consistent and luckily very quick. We wish Tally-Ho Stud the best of luck with him for the future, I am sure he’ll be a good stallion," remarked Hills.

The eight horse awards were decided by a tried and tested combination of points achieved in Pattern races, the views of racing journalists on Cartier's Racing Panel, and votes from readers of Racing Post and The Daily Telegraph.

The Pattern races counted towards 40 per cent of the total, with the Cartier Racing Panel's deliberations also having a 40 per cent share and the votes of the newspaper readers making up the final 20 per cent.

The 2007 Cartier Racing Panel included chairman Brough Scott (The Sunday Telegraph), Marcus Armytage (The Daily Telegraph), Graham Dench (Racing Post), Chris McGrath (The Independent) and Julian Muscat (The Times).

The Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award Of Merit is presented to the person or persons who, in the opinion of the special 20-strong Cartier Jury, has/have done most for European racing and/or breeding either over their lifetime or within the past 12 months.

The list of past winners of the Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit is as follows; Peter Willett, Henry Cecil, David & Patricia Thompson, Lord Oaksey, Prince Khalid Abdullah, John Magnier, His Highness the Aga Khan, Peter Walwyn, the Head Family, Sir Peter O'Sullevan, Frankie Dettori, John Dunlop, the Marquess of Hartington, Francois Boutin, Lester Piggott and Henri Chalhoub.

The 2007 Cartier Jury was made up of Michael Bell, Charlie Brooks, Alan Byrne, the Earl of Derby, Mike Dillon, Ed Dunlop, Douglas Erskine-Crum, Rod Fabricius, Philip Freedman, Tom Goff, Lord Grimthorpe, Simon Marsh, Jim McGrath, Sir Peter O'Sullevan, Leo Powell, Ruth Quinn, Sam Sheppard, Brough Scott, Sir David Sieff and Howard Wright

The Cartier Racing Awards, European horseracing’s equivalent of the Oscars, are recognised as the most prestigious within European horseracing,

The Cartier Racing Awards were established in 1991 to honour excellence in the racehorse.

SANDERS AND SPENCER HONOURED

Seb Sanders and Jamie Spencer, who were jointly crowned champion Flat jockeys on Saturday after a thrilling battle for the British title, were both given a Cartier watch - a 21 Must Chronoscaph in steel and black rubber - by Arnaud Bamberger, the managing director of Cartier UK, to mark their feats.

"Saturday was something so special for racing and it was tremendous to be part of it," said Sanders. "We have the utmost respect for each other and I’m glad everyone was able to enjoy it - probably more than me and Jamie! Let’s have it on next year and show Ryan (Moore - the previous year’s champion jockey) what it is all about!"

Spencer added: "I’m glad it’s all over. It was a great season and I hope racing benefits from it all, that’s the main thing."

For more information, please contact Harry Herbert, Cartier's racing consultant (01488 669166), Florence Paul of Cartier (020 7408 5738), Sarah Carlsen of Cartier (020 7408 5740) or Mark Popham of Racenews (020 7704 0326)

Photographs of the event are available - please e-mail Mark Popham - racenews@racenewsonline.com

Please find yesterday’s release announcing the awards below.

CARTIER RACING AWARDS MEDIA RELEASE

DYLAN THOMAS IS CARTIER HORSE OF THE YEAR FOR 2007

The very talented Dylan Thomas was named Cartier Horse Of The Year at the 2007 Cartier Racing Awards, presented in the ballroom of the Four Seasons Hotel in London’s Mayfair on the evening of Wednesday, November 14

The four-year-old Danehill colt, trained by the champion of both Ireland and Britain, Aidan O’Brien, proved incredibly resilient this year, racing in Group One company every month from April to October and winning four of them, including Europe’s greatest middle distance race, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

His jockey that day, Kieren Fallon, called him the best horse he has ever ridden and Dylan Thomas’ exploits may not have finished, with the Japan Cup on November 25 a possibility.

In the Horse Of The Year category, Dylan Thomas came out ahead of an outstanding quartet, comprising Manduro, Ramonti, Authorized and Peeping Fawn, and he also takes the Cartier Older Horse Award by overcoming Manduro and Ramonti again, plus Yeats and Notnowcato.

The Ballydoyle team of trainer Aidan O’Brien and owners Sue & John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith had another tremendous year of success.

This is reflected by Peeping Fawn, the outstanding filly of her generation, taking the Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly Award from Darjina, Mrs Lindsay, Finsceal Beo and Light Shift, and Sue Magnier and Diane Nagle’s Yeats, successful in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot for the second year running, becoming a winner at the Cartier Racing Awards in successive years by gaining another Cartier Stayer title. The six-year-old came out ahead of Allegretto, Le Miracle, Geordieland and Macleya.

Another Irish trainer, Jim Bolger, last year achieved the memorable feat of capturing the Cartier Racing Awards for Two-Year-Old Colt and Two-Year-Old Filly with Teofilo and Finsceal Beo respectively. This year he again had the chance of winning both Cartier Awards.

His unbeaten dual Group One winner New Approach gained the accolade of Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt from Rio De La Plata, Kingsgate Native, Ibn Khaldun and Fast Company, while Saoirse Abu, along with Listen, Fleeting Spirit and Zarkava, just failed to hold off Natagora, trained in France by Pascal Bary and owned by Stefan Friborg, who is the 2007 Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly.

Vodafone Derby winner Authorized did his connections proud this year and the colt is named the Carter Three-Year-Old Colt of 2007 ahead of Cockney Rebel, Excellent Art, Literato and Soldier Of Fortune.

Red Clubs, winner of the Group One Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock Park, collects the Cartier Sprinter Award in a category where the other nominations were Marchand D’Or, Kingsgate Native, Benbaun, Soldier’s Tale and Sakhee’s Secret.

The eight horse awards were decided by a tried and tested combination of points achieved in Pattern races, the views of racing journalists on Cartier's Racing Panel, and votes from readers of Racing Post and The Daily Telegraph.

The Pattern races counted towards 40 per cent of the total, with the Cartier Racing Panel's deliberations also having a 40 per cent share and the votes of the newspaper readers making up the final 20 per cent.

The invited audience of nearly 300 at the Cartier Racing Awards consisted of leading owners, trainers, jockeys, breeders, media and racing personalities.

Seb Sanders and Jamie Spencer, joint winners of the thrilling British jockeys’ championship which ended in dramatic fashion on Saturday, were expected to attend.

The Cartier Racing Awards, European horseracing’s equivalent of the Oscars, are recognised as the most prestigious within European horseracing,

The Cartier Racing Awards were established in 1991 to honour excellence in the racehorse.

ORDER OF MERIT FOR THE NIARCHOS FAMILY

The Niarchos Family, leading owners and breeders, are the winners of the 2007 Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award Of Merit which is presented to the person or persons who, in the opinion of the special 20-strong Cartier Jury, has/have done most for European racing and/or breeding either over their lifetime or within the past 12 months.

Their involvement has spanned over 50 years and resulted in tremendous success in races around the world, having bred or owned the winners of 121 Group or Grade One contests.

The list of past winners of the Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit is as follows; Peter Willett, Henry Cecil, David & Patricia Thompson, Lord Oaksey, Prince Khalid Abdullah, John Magnier, His Highness the Aga Khan, Peter Walwyn, the Head Family, Sir Peter O'Sullevan, Frankie Dettori, John Dunlop, the Marquess of Hartington, Francois Boutin, Lester Piggott and Henri Chalhoub.

The 2007 Cartier Jury is made up of Michael Bell, Charlie Brooks, Alan Byrne, the Earl of Derby, Mike Dillon, Ed Dunlop, Douglas Erskine-Crum, Rod Fabricius, Philip Freedman, Tom Goff, Lord Grimthorpe, Simon Marsh, Jim McGrath, Sir Peter O'Sullevan, Leo Powell, Ruth Quinn, Sam Sheppard, Brough Scott, Sir David Sieff and Howard Wright

For more information, please contact Harry Herbert, Cartier's racing consultant (01488 669166), Florence Paul of Cartier (020 7408 5738), Sarah Carlsen of Cartier (020 7408 5740) or Mark Popham of Racenews (020 7704 0326)

Cartier Champion Older Horse
Cartier Horse Of The Year
DYLAN THOMAS (IRE)
4 b c Danehill (USA) - Lagrion (USA) (Diesis)
Form: -12212115 Owner: Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien IRE Breeder: Tower Bloodstock
Six-time Group One winner Dylan Thomas gains the 2007 Cartier Racing Awards for Horse Of The Year and Champion Older Horse.

The son of Danehill triumphed in the Budweiser Irish Derby at the Curragh as a three-year-old and defeated last year’s Cartier Horse Of The Year Ouija Board in the Baileys Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

Having won at Listed level in the Ascon Rohcon Alleged Stakes at the Curragh on his reappearance in April, Dylan Thomas then raced exclusively in Group One company. He travelled to France to contest the Prix Ganay at Longchamp two weeks later when he was the convincing two-length victor in race record time.

Dylan Thomas returned to the Curragh at the end of May to contest the Tattersalls Gold Cup. Doing his best work late on, he narrowly went down by a head to the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Notnowcato.

At Royal Ascot in June, Dylan Thomas lined up in the Group One Prince Of Wales’s Stakes. This time he finished four lengths in front of Notnowcato, with only French raider Manduro proving a length and a quarter too strong. He started a warm favourite for the Group One King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July. Running over a mile and a half for the first time since the Irish Derby, he put his rivals to the sword, coming home the impressive four-length victor.

Returning to 10 furlongs four weeks later, his next engagement was the Juddmonte International at York, a race in which he had finished fourth the previous year. Held up towards the rear of the field, Johnny Murtagh produced his mount with a powerful run in the final two furlongs, only to find Epsom Derby winner Authorized a length too strong, with Notnowcato three lengths back in third.

Dylan Thomas aimed for back-to-back victories in the Group One Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown in early September. Well-suited by the fast ground, he was the comprehensive one and a half length winner under Kieren Fallon, with Duke Of Marmalade and Red Rock Canyon giving trainer Aidan O’Brien an historic one-two-three in the 10-furlong race.
The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Lucien Barriere at Longchamp in October provided Dylan Thomas with the biggest success of his career. Settled towards the rear by Fallon, the four-year-old made smooth progress to take up the running with a furlong remaining.

He drifted right and appeared to briefly inconvenience stable companion Soldier Of Fortune and the Pascal Bary-trained Zambezi Sun. Having beaten Youmzain by a head, connections were forced to wait half an hour for the result of a stewards’ enquiry, before finally being declared the winner of Europe’s premier middle distance race.

Dylan Thomas contested the John Deere Breeders’ Cup Turf at Monmouth Park at the end of October. Unsuited by the soft ground after 36 hours of rain, he finished fifth behind the Todd Pletcher-trained English Channel.

He will stand for a fee of 50,000 euros at Coolmore Stud in Ireland in 2008, having won six Group One races and earned more than £3.3million in prize money during his glittering career and there could be one final run in the Japan Cup at Tokyo on November 25.

Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt
AUTHORIZED (IRE)
3 b c Montjeu (IRE) - Funzie (FR) (Saumarez)
Form: -11210 Owner: Saleh Al Homeizi & Imad Al Sagar
Trainer: Peter Chapple-Hyam Breeder: Marengo Investments, Knighton House Ltd and Michael Kinane
The first Vodafone Derby winner to win again since 2002, Authorized receives the accolade of Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt. An impressive winner of the Group One Racing Post Trophy as a two-year-old, Authorized began his Classic season with a decisive four-length victory in the Group Two totesport.com Dante Stakes at York on May 17. Frankie Dettori merely had to shake up his mount in the closing stages, with the son of Montjeu responding well and quickening clear with relative ease.

Having won a recognised Derby trial by a considerable margin, the pressure was on Peter Chapple-Hyam to produce his first Epsom Classic winner since Dr Devious in 1992. Sent off the 5/4 favourite, Authorized did not disappoint. Confidently ridden in the Group One contest by Dettori, he was produced to lead entering the final furlong and stormed clear under Frankie Dettori in the closing stages to be the convincing five-length victor.

Authorized next appeared at Sandown on July 17, bidding to become the first Epsom Derby winner since Nashwan to go on and score in the 10-furlong Group One Coral-Eclipse. The three-year-old acquitted himself well against the older generation, beating all bar Notnowcato, who raced on his own on the stands’ rail.

Peter Chapple-Hyam persevered with Authorized at 10 furlongs and his confidence was rewarded with another superb display at York in mid-August, this time in the Group One Juddmonte International Stakes.
Held up towards the rear of the seven runners, Authorized made good headway to lead inside the final furlong and ran on well to defeat the year-older Dylan Thomas by a length, with his Sandown conqueror Notnowcato three lengths further back.

With his reputation as a true middle-distance champion restored, Authorized made one final appearance in the Group One Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Lucien Barriere at Longchamp in October. Again held up towards the back, Authorized was unable to progress and finished 10th behind Dylan Thomas.

Authorized, bought by Darley to stand at Dalham Hall Stud, Newmarket, next year, has a fee of £25,000.

Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly
PEEPING FAWN (USA)
3 b f Danehill (USA) - Maryinsky (IRE) (Sadler’s Wells (USA))
Form: -3321321111 Owner: Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien IRE Breeder: Barnett Enterprises
The winner of four Group One contests this season, Peeping Fawn takes the Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly Award.

Unraced as a juvenile, Peeping Fawn started her three-year-old campaign with three placed efforts in maiden company in April. The daughter of Danehill opened her account in a mile event at Navan on May 16.

Impressed by her three and a half length triumph, trainer Aidan O’Brien ran Peeping Fawn in the Boylesports Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh 11 days later. Making the running in the Classic, she battled on gamely when headed, finishing third, just over two lengths behind Finsceal Beo.

Stepping up to a mile and a half, Peeping Fawn continued to race in Classic company, as she lined up in the Vodafone Oaks at Epsom Downs on June 1. Despite stumbling early on in the race, she ran on strongly, laying down a serious challenge to Light Shift in the closing stages and going on to finish half a length second to the Henry Cecil-trained filly.

Peeping Fawn returned to the Curragh at the end of June, taking on older fillies and mares for the first time in the 10-furlong Group One Audi Pretty Polly Stakes. Kieren Fallon sent her to the front inside the final furlong and she responded well, gaining an easy two-length victor from Speciosa.
She re-opposed Light Shift in the Group One Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh in the middle of July. Making her eighth start of the season, Aidan O’Brien’s filly excelled in the soft ground, beating her Epsom conqueror comprehensively by three and a half lengths.

Peeping Fawn returned to 10 furlongs in the Group One Blue Square Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood on August 4. Taking on older rivals for a second time, she took the lead with three furlongs left and drew clear to beat the 2006 Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly champion Mandesha by a length and a half.

The Group One Darley Yorkshire Oaks at York on August 22 was to be Peeping Fawn’s final start of the season and she duly recorded her biggest margin of victory, beating Allegretto by four lengths.

Given a break following a busy campaign, trainer Aidan O’Brien hopes that Peeping Fawn, whose half-brother Thewayyouare, won the Group I Criterium International at Saint-Cloud earlier this month, will remain in training next season.

Cartier Stayer Of The Year
YEATS (IRE)
6 b h Sadler’s Wells (USA) - Lyndonville (IRE) (Top Ville)
Form: -11113 Owner: Sue Magnier & Diane Nagle
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien IRE Breeder: Barronstown Stud & Orpendale
A dual Group One winner in 2007, Yeats wins the Cartier Stayer Of The Year Award for the second successive year.

A one-time Derby hope for trainer Aidan O’Brien, Yeats began his 2007 campaign over a mile and five furlongs with a facile five-length victory in the Listed Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan at the end of April.

He continued a month later in Listed company with another comprehensive win in the Seamus & Rosemary McGrath Memorial Saval Beg Stakes, run over a mile and six furlongs at Leopardstown, beating Mutakarrim by six lengths.

A winner of the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot the previous year, his campaign was centred around another tilt at the Group One contest in June. Facing 13 rivals, he again proved a different class to the rest of the field, taking the lead with two furlongs left, to emerge the authoritative one and three quarter length victor.
The six-year-old became the first horse to record back-to-back victories in the Gold Cup since Royal Rebel in 2002.

For his next race, Yeats dropped down in distance to contest the one mile and six furlong Group One Irish Field St Leger at the Curragh on September 15. Driven along in the home straight, he briefly looked in trouble, but his class shone through and he battled gamely to overhaul stablemate Scorpion by half a length.

On his final outing of 2007, he returned to two and a half miles in the Group One Prix du Cadran-Theatre Barriere de Toulouse at Longchamp on October 7. Unsuited by the slow pace throughout the contest, Yeats never travelled as well as the winner Le Miracle, finishing three lengths behind the German raider in third.

Trainer Aidan O’Brien hopes to keep Yeats in training for 2008 and the star stayer could bid to emulate Sagaro, who won the Gold Cup three times in the 1970s.

Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt
NEW APPROACH (IRE)
ch c Galileo (IRE) - Park Express (Ahonoora)
Form: -11111 Owner: Jackie Bolger & Sheikh Mohammed
Trainer: Jim Bolger IRE Breeder: Lodge Park Stud
Unbeaten in five starts, including twice in Group One company, New Approach, a 430 euros yearling out of campion Park Express, follows in the footsteps of stablemate Teofilo in becoming Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt of 2007.

New Approach made his racecourse debut in a seven-furlong maiden stakes at the Curragh in the middle of July, a race which Teofilo had won 12 months earlier. Always towards the front of affairs, the son of Galileo readily disposed of his 11 rivals, beating the Aidan O’Brien-trained Lucifer Sam by two lengths.

Continuing down the "Teofilo route", New Approach stepped up to Pattern company in the Group Three Tyros Stakes at Leopardstown two weeks later. Finding extra when challenged approaching the final quarter-mile, he rallied under pressure, running on well to beat Brazilian Star by two lengths.

Already installed as ante-post favourite for the 2008 Derby in some quarters, New Approach continued his education in the seven-furlong Group Two Galileo European Breeders Fund Futurity Stakes at the Curragh at the end of August. Facing Henrythenavigator, winner of the Group Two Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, Jim Bolger’s colt posted his most impressive performance yet, making all to beat Curtain Call by three lengths, with O’Brien’s juvenile a neck further back in third.

Stepping up to Group One level, New Approach faced another high-class field in the Bank Of Scotland (Ireland) National Stakes at the Curragh on September 16. Under a masterful ride from Kevin Manning, he made all the running, staying on well to beat Group TwoVintage Stakes winner Rio De La Plata by a length and three quarters, with the same distance back to Myboycharlie, a winner of the Group One Prix Morny on his previous appearance.

By now a short-priced favourite for next year’s Classics, New Approach lined up in the Group One Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket in October. Slowly away, he was made to work hard, taking the lead in the final furlong, before gamely holding off the late challenge of Fast Company by half a length.

Very much his own horse, New Approach, in who Sheikh Mohammed bought a half share during the summer, has stepped out of the shadow of Teofilo to become a genuine prospect for next season’s Classics and trainer Jim Bolger hopes to bring his champion two-year-old back to Newmarket in May to contest the Stan James 2000 Guineas.

Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly
NATAGORA (FR)
gr f Divine Light (JPN) - Reinamixa (FR) (Linamix (FR))
Form: -2111121 Owner: Stefan Friborg
Trainer: Pascal Bary FR Breeder: Bertrand Gouin & Georges Duca
A multiple Group winner, culminating with victory in the Group One skybet.com Cheveley Park Stakes, Natagora receives the accolade of Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly.

Second on her racecourse debut at Saint-Cloud on May 1, she lost her maiden tag on her next start, beating the Robert Collet-trained Fleurina over an extended five furlongs at Chantilly later the same month.

The daughter of Divine Light made the step up to Listed level on her next outing, facing nine rivals in the Prix La Fleche at Longchamp in June. She showed fantastic speed in the five-furlong event, going on readily to prevail by four lengths.

Natagora started a warm order in the Group Three Prix du Bois at Maisons-Laffitte on July 1 and again showed her class, beating Wilki by three quarters of a length. Her progression continued at the same Paris track three weeks later, with another pillar-to-post victory against the colts in the Group Two Prix Robert Papin, when she prevailed by three quarters of a length.

Defeat on her next start in the Group One Darley Prix Morny at Deauville in mid-August did little to damage her growing reputation. Stepping up to six furlongs for the first time, she again made most of the running and battled on well when headed by Myboycharlie, eventually finishing two lengths behind the Tommy Stack-trained colt.

Victory at the highest level came at Newmarket on October 5, when she faced 13 rivals in the Group One skybet.com Cheveley Park Stakes. Always in front, jockey Christophe Lemaire asked his mount to quicken approaching the final furlong and the filly responded, fending off the challenge of Fleeting Spirit in the closing stages to win by a neck and become the first French winner of the race since Pas De Reponse scored in 1996.

Having given trainer Pascal Bary his first Newmarket victory after 25 years of trying, Natagora could return to the Suffolk track to contest the Stan James 1000 Guineas in May, 2008.

Cartier Sprinter Of The Year
RED CLUBS (IRE)
4 br c Red Ransom (USA) - Two Clubs (First Trump)
Form: -2843410 Owner: Ronald Arculli
Trainer: Barry Hills Breeder: J Fike
Triumphant in the Group One Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock, Red Clubs receives the Cartier Award for Sprinter Of The Year.

As a three-year-old, Red Clubs enjoyed success in Group Two company, winning the John Guest Diadem Stakes at Ascot. He also took the Group Three Lane’s End Greenham Stakes over seven furlongs on his seasonal reappearance that year.

For his seasonal debut this year, he contested the Group Two Duke Of York Hearthstead Homes Stakes over six furlongs at York in the middle of May. The four-year-old led entering the final furlong, before being caught close home by Amadeus Wolf. Giving the winner 4lb, Red Clubs lost little in defeat.

Red Clubs finished lame on his next start in the five-furlong Group Two Betfair Temple Stakes at Sandown at the end of May.
He returned to form on good to soft ground at Royal Ascot the following month, finishing fourth, beaten just over a length behind Soldier’s Tale in the Group One Golden Jubilee Stakes.

Another excellent effort followed in the Group One Darley July Cup at Newmarket. Running on a far faster surface than he encountered at Ascot, Red Clubs made headway to lead briefly in the final furlong, before Sakhee’s Secret and Dutch Art swept past him in the shadow of the post.
After two performances over six furlongs, he returned to the minimum trip in the Group One Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York on August 23. Poorly drawn, the Red Ransom colt put in his best work in the closing stages to finish a creditable fourth behind Kingsgate Native, the first two-year-old to win the race for 15 years.

He finally gained the Group One success he so richly deserved in the six-furlong Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock on September 8. Despite fears over the ground, he swooped in the final furlong, running on well to beat Marchand d’Or by three quarters of a length.

On his final start of the year in Europe, Red Clubs ran over seven furlongs in the Group One Prix de la Foret Casino Barriere de Biarritz at Longchamp on October 6. Unsuited by the soft going, he was never in contention, finishing down the field.

Red Clubs could make a final appearance in the Cathay Pacific Group One Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin on December 9, before being retired to stand at Tally-Ho Stud in County Westmeath, Ireland, for the 2008 breeding season.

Cartier / Daily Telegraph Award Of Merit
The Niarchos Family
Victory for Light Shift in this year’s Vodafone Oaks at Epsom Downs continued an amazing run of top-level success spanning more than 50 years for the light and dark blue silks made famous by the late Stavros Niarchos and now continued with great enthusiasm by his daughter Maria Niarchos-Gouaze and her brothers Philip and Spyros.

Stavros Niarchos - who built up one of Greece’s largest shipping businesses - first owned horses in the 1950s, most notably Pipe Of Peace, who was trained by Sir Gordon Richards to win the 1956 Middle Park Stakes and come third to Crepello in the following year’s Derby.

His interest waned until the 1970s when he returned at a high-level, winning what is now the Racing Post Trophy in 1977 with Dactylographer.

Even greater excitement and heartache was to come via Nureyev, who at the time was the second most expensive yearling ever sold when making US$1.3 million at the 1978 Keeneland July Sale. He was trained by Francois Boutin to win the Prix Djebel in a canter before finishing first in the 1980 2000 Guineas at Newmarket only to lose the race in the stewards’ room.
Nureyev initially retired to stud at the Niarchos’ Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard where he was an instant success. In his Thoroughbred Stallions book, Tony Morris wrote: "A horse is not supposed to get seven Pattern winners among a first crop of only 23 foals. That is not just beyond the bounds of expectation; history says it does not happen. Nonetheless Nureyev achieved it."
Nureyev - who died in October, 2001 - subsequently moved to Walmac International in Kentucky and became one of the greatest stallions of his era, siring the likes of Theatrical, Sonic Lady, Zilzal, Soviet Star, Polar Falcon, Peintre Celebre, Fasliyev, Stravinsky, Reams Of Verse and a pair that carried the Niarchos silks at the highest level, Miesque and Spinning World.

Miesque was an amazing filly, winning 10 times in Group or Grade One company. She won both the English and French 1,000 Guineas and twice landed both the Breeders’ Cup Mile and Prix Jacques Le Marois. Spinning World won the Irish 2,000 Guineas, the Breeders’ Cup Mile and was also a dual winner of the Jacques Le Marois, which is sponsored by Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard where the Niarchos’ European mares are based.

Among Stavros Niarchos other top performers was Miesque’s son Kingmambo, winner of the French 2,000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes and currently one of the most successful stallions in the world, as well as the dual Group 1-winning juvenile Machiavellian, also a very good sire, who passed way in 2004. Hector Protector landed the French 2,000 Guineas and Prix Jacques Le Marois in 1991, while Hernando captured the 1993 Prix du Jockey-Club and Prix Lupin.

Stavros Niarchos was also involved in the Coolmore syndicates in the 1980s and his colours were carried to victory by the Vincent O’Brien-trained Law Society in the 1985 Irish Derby and previous year’s National Stakes, a race also won by Sadler’s Wells’ brother Tate Gallery the following season. Meanwhile, Dark Lomond was trained by O’Brien to win the 1988 Irish St Leger.

His other Group One winners include Melyno (1982 French 2,000 Guineas), L’Emigrant (1983 French 2,000 Guineas, Prix Lupin). Persepolis (1982 Prix Lupin), Seattle Song (1983 Prix de la Salamandre), Northern Trick (1984 French Oaks, 1984 Prix Vermeille), Mendez (1984 Prix du Moulin), Magic Of Life (1988 Coronation Stakes), Bassenthwaite (1984 Middle Park Stakes), Baillamont (1985 Prix Jean Prat, 1986 Prix Ganay, 1986 Prix d’Ipsahan), Common Grounds (1987 Prix de la Salamandre), Procida (1984 Prix de la Foret), Chimes Of Freedom (1989 Moyglare Stud Stakes, 1990 Coronation Stakes), East Of The Moon (1994 French 1,000 Guineas and French Oaks), Johann Quatz (1992 Prix Lupin), Shanghai (1992 French 2,000 Guineas), Exit To Nowhere (1992 Prix Jacques Le Marois), Coup De Genie (1993 Prix Morny and Prix de la Salamandre), Dolphin Street (1993 Prix de la Foret).

Stavros Niarchos died in April, 1996 at the age of 87 and his daughter Maria Niarchos-Gouaze inherited her father’s enthusiasm for racing.

With the horses racing under the ‘Niarchos Family’ banner, the successes continued to flow thanks to the likes of Spinning World - who landed the Irish 2,000 Guineas just a month after Stavros Niarchos’s death and went on to win the 1997 Breeders’ Cup Mile, a race in which Domedriver (2002) and Six Perfections (2003) were also successful.

Other flagbearers include Dream Well, who won the Irish and French Derbys in 1998, Bago, winner of the 2004 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, and 2002 French Derby hero Sulamani.

Rumplestiltskin, owned in partnership with Sue Magnier and Michael Tabor, won the 2005 Moyglare Stud Stakes and Prix Marcel Boussac. She became the fourth consecutive Niarchos-owned winner of the Marcel Boussac, following Six Perfections (2002), Denebola (2003) and Divine Proportions (2004), who went on to win the French 1,000 Guineas and French Oaks.

In the US, Aldebaran, Denon and Good Journey have been among their Grade One winners.

Stavros Niarchos’ racing interests were originally managed by Sir Philip Payne-Gallwey from 1979 until 1986, when they were taken over by his assistant Alan Cooper, whose father Tom bought four Derby winners as yearlings.

Their 80-strong broodmare band is split between Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard in Normandy and Oak Tree Farm in Kentucky. Fresnay-le-Buffard, which was formerly owned by Marcel Boussac, has been managed by Englishman Tim Richardson since 1979. Among the winners bred by the Niarchos’s Flaxman Holdings to race for other owners are the 2003 Derby winner Kris Kin and multiple Group 1 winner Whipper.

The Niarchos family have around 70 horses in training split between Britain, France and the United States and have so far owned or bred the winners of 121 Group or Grade One races.


Background Information - A full list of past winners at the Cartier Racing Awards

2006- CARTIER RACING AWARDSCartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Teofilo
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Finsceal Beo
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: George Washington
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Mandesha
Cartier Sprinter: Reverence
Cartier Stayer: Yeats
Cartier Older Horse: Ouija Board
Cartier Horse of the Year: Ouija Board owned by Lord Derby
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Peter Willett

2005 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: George Washington
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Rumplestiltskin
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Hurricane Run
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Divine Proportions
Cartier Sprinter: Avonbridge
Cartier Stayer: Westerner
Cartier Older Horse: Azamour
Cartier Horse of the Year: Hurricane Run owned by Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Henry Cecil

2004 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Shamardal
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Divine Proportions
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Bago
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Ouija Board
Cartier Sprinter: Somnus
Cartier Stayer: Westerner
Cartier Older Horse: Soviet Song
Cartier Horse of the Year: Ouija Board owned by Lord Derby
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: David & Patricia Thompson

2003 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: One Cool Cat
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Attraction
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Dalakhani
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Russian Rhythm
Cartier Sprinter: Oasis Dream
Cartier Stayer: Persian Punch
Cartier Older Horse: Falbrav
Cartier Horse of the Year: Dalakhani owned by HH The Aga Khan
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Lord Oaksey

2002 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Hold That Tiger
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Six Perfections
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Rock of Gibraltar
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Kazzia
Cartier Sprinter: Continent
Cartier Older Horse: Grandera
Cartier Stayer: Vinnie Roe
Cartier Horse of the Year: Rock of Gibraltar owned by Sir Alex Ferguson & Sue Magnier
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Prince Khalid Bin Abdullah
Cartier Special Award: Tony McCoy

2001 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Queen's Logic
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Johannesburg
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Banks Hill
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Galileo
Cartier Stayer: Persian Punch
Cartier Sprinter: Mozart
Cartier Older Horse: Fantastic Light
Cartier Horse of the Year: Fantastic Light owned by Godolphin
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: John Magnier

2000 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Superstar Leo
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Tobougg
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Petrushka
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Sinndar
Cartier Stayer: Kayf Tara
Cartier Sprinter: Nuclear Debate
Older Horse: Kalanisi
Cartier Horse of the Year: Giant’s Causeway owned by Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor
Cartier Millennium Award of Merit: HM the Queen
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: HH the Aga Khan

1999 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Torgau
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Fasliyev
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Ramruma
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Montjeu
Cartier Stayer: Kayf Tara
Cartier Sprinter: Stravinsky
Cartier Older Horse: Daylami
Cartier Horse of the Year: Daylami owned by Godolphin
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Peter Walwyn

1998 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Aljabr
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Bint Allayl
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Dream Well
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Cape Verdi
Cartier Sprinter: Tamarisk
Cartier Stayer: Kayf Tara
Cartier Older Horse: Swain
Cartier Horse of the Year: Dream Well owned by the Niarchos Family
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: the Head Family

1997 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Embassy
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Xaar
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Ryafan
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Peintre Celebre
Cartier Stayer: Celeric
Cartier Sprinter: Royal Applause
Cartier Older Horse: Pilsudski
Cartier Horse of the Year: Peintre Celebre owned by Daniel Wildenstein
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Sir Peter O'Sullevan

1996 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Pas De Reponse
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Bahamian Bounty
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Bosra Sham
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Helissio
Cartier Stayer: Nononito
Cartier Sprinter: Anabaa
Cartier Older Horse: Halling
Cartier Horse of the Year: Helissio owned by Enrique Sarasola
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Frankie Dettori

1995 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Blue Duster
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Alhaarth
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Ridgewood Pearl
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Lammtarra
Cartier Stayer: Double Trigger
Cartier Sprinter: Hever Golf Rose
Cartier Older Horse: Further Flight
Cartier Horse of the Year: Ridgewood Pearl owned by Mrs Sean Coughlan
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: John Dunlop

1994 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Gay Gallanta
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Celtic Swing
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Balanchine
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: King's Theatre
Cartier Stayer: Moonax
Cartier Sprinter: Lochsong
Cartier Older Horse: Barathea
Cartier Horse of the Year: Barathea owned by Sheikh Mohammed
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Marquess of Hartington

1993 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Lemon Souffle
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: First Trump
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Intrepidity
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Commander in Chief
Cartier Stayer: Vintage Crop
Cartier Sprinter: Lochsong
Cartier Older Horse: Opera House
Cartier Horse of the Year: Lochsong owned by Jeff Smith
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Francois Boutin

1992 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Lyric Fantasy
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Zafonic
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: User Friendly
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Rodrigo De Triano
Cartier Stayer: Drum Taps
Cartier Sprinter: Mr Brooks
Cartier Older Horse: Mr Brooks
Cartier Horse of the Year: User Friendly owned by Bill Gredley
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Lester Piggott

1991 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Culture Vulture
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Arazi
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Kooyonga
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Suave Dancer
Cartier Stayer: Turgeon
Cartier Sprinter: Sheikh Albadou
Cartier Older Horse: Terimon
Cartier Horse of the Year: Arazi owned by Allen Paulson & Sheikh Mohammed
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Henri Chalhoub

RIVER CITY HEADS CHANCE TRIO AT THE OPEN ON SUNDAY

Chance revealed today: “River City is a definite runner in the paddypower.com Handicap Chase and should run a nice race.”

The 10-year-old gelding, six and a half lengths third to Voy Por Ustedes in the Grade One Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase at The Festival in March, is set to renew rivalry with Alan King’s charge, from whom he is receiving 9lb.

River City has had two spins on the Flat this autumn, most recently at Lingfield on November 6, when he led for most of that mile and a half contest before being outpaced in the final furlong to finish sixth. Chance hopes that the run will have brought his charge nearer to peak fitness.

The Upper Lambourn handler continued: “It was a good run on the Flat at Lingfield. He led until about the last furlong of that race and would have come on considerably.

“He’s a horse with a back problem and as a result he can’t go up hills, so we have to train him on the level, which takes us twice as long to get him fit as it would a horse that didn’t have a back problem.

“We’re just getting there and he’s coming close, but whether he’s close enough to fitness on Sunday I’m not so sure - I’m happy with him.”

Chance’s team also includes Commander Kev, who is primed for the £20,000 Gideon Kasler Novices’ Hurdle (3.30pm) on Sunday, which has been won in the past two years by Massini’s Maguire (2006) and Black Jack Ketchum (2005), who both added the Grade Two Spa Novices’ Hurdle at The Festival the following March.

Commander Kev returned from a 614-day absence to finish third to Snap Tie in the Club 16-24 Maiden Hurdle over an extended two miles at Cheltenham on October 19.

Chance revealed: “Commander Kev will run in the Gideon Kasler Novices’ Hurdle. Unfortunately, he’s a 115 horse and because he’s had a few runs over hurdles he keeps getting eliminated from races.

“He ran a blinder last time after more than 600 days off and he wouldn’t have been suited by two miles - he wants further.

“One thing you can depend on at Cheltenham is safe ground and he’ll appreciate that, as he had a year off with a leg problem. If we were lucky enough to win, we’d go chasing with him after that. He’s crying out for a fence.”

Chance’s smart trio is completed by the lightly-raced seven-year-old Mendo, who bids for a hat-trick in the £25,000 Browne’s Gazette Intermediate Handicap Hurdle (1.45pm) over two miles and five furlongs, having won at Market Rasen and Ascot in March.

“Mendo will run in the Browne’s Gazette Intermediate Handicap Hurdle and he’s doing excellent. He might just need the run but he won his last two last year and it’s a 0-135 for second-season novices, so is a good place to start him out.

“The ground may not be ideal, as he would want it softer, but he takes his chance.”

The prestigious Paddy Power Gold Cup is the feature event of The Open, which runs from Friday, November 16, 2007, to Sunday, November 18.

Friday is Countryside Day, with a traditional country fair atmosphere plus a dressage display, hound parades and over 80 trade stands offering something for everyone.

A fantastic six-race card on Friday features the £35,000 BGC Cross Country Steeplechase (2.30pm), which has 15 declared runners headed by the amazing Enda Bolger-trained 14-year-old Spot Thedifference, who bids for a remarkable fourth success in the race and a seventh victory in total over the unique course.

He is set to face stablemate Freneys Well, along with the Paul Nicholls-trained pair of Royal Auclair, runner-up in the 2005 John Smith’s Grand National, and Le Duc.

The prestigious £35,000 Grade Two Anglo Irish Bank Private Banking Novices’ Hurdle (3.05pm) over an extended two miles has nine acceptors, including the exciting Jonjo O’Neill-trained Spectait, winner on the Flat of the totesport Mile Handicap at Glorious Goodwood in August, 2006, and impressive when victorious on his hurdles debut at Aintree on October 27.

Other declared runners include the Philip Hobbs-trained Snap Tie, winner of the Club 16-24 Maiden Hurdle over the course and distance on October 19, as well as recent Wincanton winner I’msingingtheblues from Paul Nicholls’ yard and the Irish raiders Kirbybroguelantern and Dark Bolero.

The Open kicks off with a competitive renewal of the £15,000 Royal Bank Of Canada Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (12.45pm) which has 24 declared runners.

LATEST GOING

Simon Claisse, Clerk Of The Course at Cheltenham, reported this morning: “The going is GOOD on the chase and hurdle courses with a Going Stick reading of 7.6 and the Cross Country course is GOOD TO FIRM at 9.7.

“Everything looks great for tomorrow and the weather is looking nice. It was minus five Celsius overnight, but the sun soon burned off any hint of frost and it’s raceable now. It’s not in the ground at all because there is so much grass coverage - it wouldn’t get anywhere near it. Frost is not of any concern.”

For old articles (from 1st March 2000) go to the Newslink Archive

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