Friday, March 1, 2005

162 ENTRIES KEEP DREAM ALIVE IN VODAFONE DERBY

Aidan O'Brien - successful in the 2001 Vodafone Derby with Galileo and High Chaparral 12 months later - has no less than 24 possible mounts for new stable jockey Kieren Fallon in this year's race, carrying a total prize fund of 1.25 million and run at Epsom Downs three months today on Saturday, June 4.

O'Brien's entries include Racing Post Trophy second Albert Hall, impressive Leopardstown maiden winner Grand Central, Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud second Yehudi and the unraced one million guinea acquisition Avalon.

Fallon has won the last two runnings of the Vodafone Derby with North Light in 2004 and Kris Kin the previous year, both for trainer Sir Michael Stoute, who has 17 entries for this year's race.

These include Rob Roy, an impressive Newmarket maiden winner on his only start in October, and the Queen's Flag Lieutenant, who finished second in a Leicester maiden on his only start.

Godolphin's royal blue silks have yet to be carried to victory in the Vodafone Derby and the Maktoum family's stable has a formidable 20-strong entry this year. These include ante-post favourite Dubawi, unbeaten in three starts including the National Stakes at the Curragh, Kentucky Derby possible Shamardal, also undefeated in three outings including the Darley Dewhurst Stakes, Champagne Stakes second Oude and the well-regarded Belenus, an impressive Newmarket maiden winner on his only start.

The Vodafone Derby is one of few major races still to elude Andre Fabre's powerful French stable and he has six entries this year including Hurricane Run, an impressive Longchamp maiden winner on his only start.

The current ante-post second favourite Motivator, trained by Michael Bell, could bid to give the 230-member Royal Ascot Racing Club a Vodafone Derby success and this media information pack includes latest news on the colt.

The ex-Aidan O'Brien-trained Stagelight has shone in Dubai for trainer Jeremy Noseda, most recently in the UAE 2,000 Guineas, while two other eye-catching former O'Brien horses are Karnak and Storm Breaker, now trained by legendary gambler Noel Furlong.

Stephen Wallis, Managing Director of Epsom Downs Racecourse, commented: "It's great to see that the Derby dream is still alive for so many horses. All the leading ante-post hopes were entered as yearlings and are still in. We will be scouring the formbooks and watching news reports in order to attract any late-developing sorts either at the second entry or the supplementary stage."

TWO SYNDICATES GOING FOR EPSOM GLORY

ROYAL ASCOT RACING CLUB - MOTIVATOR

Harry Herbert, who manages the Royal Ascot Racing Club horses, has 230 members excited at having the Vodafone Derby ante-post second favourite in the unbeaten Motivator who is trained by Michael Bell at Newmarket. The members include Simon Cowell, Lord Lloyd-Webber, Sir Clement Freud and Chris Wright.

Herbert said today: "Motivator looks magnificent which is thrilling - he really does look a bit special at the moment - he is glowing. He was a weak horse when he won the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster last year and is much stronger now.

"The Royal Ascot Racing Club continues despite Ascot being closed - there is no subscription this year - members will pay on each day if they want to use special facilities at Royal Ascot at York and at Epsom for the Vodafone Derby if all goes well.

"We are keeping everybody in touch with what is happening to Motivator and there is a visit to Michael Bell's yard to see the horse in early April.

"There is a buzz of anticipation and excitement in the build-up to the classics. Michael is happy with Motivator on all fronts and, when serious work starts in early April, if the colt shows enough speed, he will start off in 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

"Pedigree-wise, he has a lot of speed on his dam's side and this means he could do well at the Guineas trip though he is likely to be better over further which is why we are so exited about the Vodafone Derby."

Herbert also runs Highclere Thoroughbred Racing which had the 1999 Vodafone Derby fourth Housemaster who was trained by Bell.

FAVOURITES RACING - QUIZZENE

Quizzene, trained by Mark Johnston, won a 10-furlong Yarmouth maiden in November for syndicate Favourites Racing, in which the partners include BBC television presenter Rishi Persad and connections are dreaming of Epsom in three months' time.

Andy Clifton, managing director of Favourites Racing, said today: "Mark bought Quizzene at Keeneland and the horse has wintered very well - we've obviously left him in the Vodafone Derby on the basis that he's won his maiden which was by all accounts a half-decent race. I spoke to a couple of other trainers who had runners in that race and they think it could turn out to be a decent contest.

"We don't know what he is - he could be anything. He's had two runs and Mark likes him so it would be silly to take him out of the Derby now.

"I wouldn't necessarily say that he's likely to be a certain runner but at this stage of the season the view from Mark is that it is definitely worth leaving him in. We'll start him off in the early part of the season in handicaps and see how he goes.

"There are still a couple of shares available in him if anyone is interested and Rishi Persad owns one of the others! All the horses with Favourites Racing have 12 shareholders - we quite often retain two or three of them."

SIX OF THE BEST

ALBERT HALL
Danehill (USA) - Al Theraab (USA) (Roberto (USA))
Form: 212 Owner: Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Trainer: Aidan O'Brien IRE
Despite winning only one of his three starts as a two-year-old, Albert Hall is an exciting prospect. After going down by half a length on his debut in a Curragh maiden in September, he improved dramatically to win the Group Two Juddmonte Beresford Stakes at the same venue the following month, keeping on well to deny Merger by half a length. He was far from disgraced when two and a half lengths runner-up to Motivator in the Group One Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster on October 23.

DUBAWI (IRE)
Dubai Millennium - Zomaradah (Deploy)
Form: 111- Owner: Godolphin Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor UAE
From the only foal crop of Dubai Millennium, who was considered by Sheikh Mohammed to be the best racehorse to have raced for Godolphin, Dubawi is favourite for the Vodafone Derby having been unbeaten in three starts. A maiden win at Goodwood was followed by a step up in class in the Group Three Superlative Stakes at Newmarket in July, when he was half a length too powerful for Henrik. He was then impressive on his last start of the campaign, defeating Berenson by three lengths in the Group One National Stakes at the Curragh in September.

MOTIVATOR (IRE)
Montjeu (IRE) - Out West (USA) (Gone West (USA))
Form: 11- Owner: The Royal Ascot Racing Club Trainer: Michael Bell
Motivator is by French and Irish Derby winner Montjeu and remains unbeaten after two starts. He was soon clear when winning a Newmarket maiden by six lengths on his debut in August before stepping up to the highest level in the Group One Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster two months later, staying on strongly to justify favouritism by two and a half lengths from Albert Hall.

GRAND CENTRAL (IRE)
Sadler's Wells (USA) - Rebecca Sharp (Machiavellian (USA))
Form: 1- Owner: Sue Magnier Trainer: Aidan O'Brien IRE
By Sadler's Wells out of Group One Coronation Stakes winner Rebecca Sharp, the blue-blooded Grand Central won his only start in a Leopardstown maiden in October by four lengths from Conscript. He has been well-supported for the Vodafone Derby in recent weeks.

ROB ROY (USA)
Lear Fan (USA) - Camanoe (USA) (Gone West (USA))
Form: 1- Owner: Philip Newton Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute
No list would be complete without a Sir Michael Stoute-trained candidate, especially as he has won the last two runnings of the Vodafone Derby with Kris Kin and North Light. Owned by long-term patron Philip Newton, Rob Roy showed immense potential when winning his only start in a Newmarket maiden on October 1, running on well to reward market support by two and a half lengths from Fortunate Isle.

SHAMARDAL (USA)
Giant's Causeway (USA) - Helsinki (Machiavellian)
Form: 111- Owner: Godolphin Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor UAE
Trained by Mark Johnston last season, Shamardal has joined Godolphin after three unbeaten runs. He won an Ayr maiden by eight lengths in July and was then two and a half lengths too powerful for subsequent Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Wilko in the Group Two Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes at Goodwood later that month. He won by the same margin when making all to capture the Group One Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket in October.

THE 2005 VODAFONE DERBY

Class 1, Group One, Epsom Downs, Total Prize Fund 1,250,000, 4pm, Saturday, June 4, 2005, one mile, four furlongs and about 10 yards. Weights: colts 9st; fillies 8st 11lb, closed December 3, 2003 (647 entries), first forfeit stage March 1, 2005 (162 entries remain), £8,000 second entry stage April 6, 2005, second forfeit stage May 19, 2005, £75,000 supplementary entry stage May 30, 2005, five-day confirmation stage noon, May 30, 2005, final declaration stage 10am June 3, 2005. (Form figures from Weatherbys correct up to March 3, 2005, and may not include some overseas form).

Form Horse Owner Trainer
ADMIRAL'S CRUISE (USA) Joe L Allbritton Brian Meehan
212- ALBERT HALL Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
ALFAASIL Hamdan Al Maktoum Michael Jarvis
53- ALMANSHOOD (USA) Hamdan Al Maktoum John Gosden
61- ALMIGHTY (USA) Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
3- ALQAAHIR (USA) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE
42- ALRAFIDAIN (IRE) Hamdan Al Maktoum Mark Johnston
2- ARAGORN (IRE) Ballygallon Stud Ltd David Loder
0(2)(2)-(1)(1)(3) ASHARON Richard Pledger Clive Brittain
1- AUSTRALIAN Sheikh Mohammed John Gosden
AVALON Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
AWAKENING Maktoum Al Maktoum Carlos Laffon-Parias FR
BAHAR SHUMAAL (IRE) Saeed Manana Clive Brittain
BALANCE OF POWER Khalid Abdulla Roger Charlton
3- BAY HAWK Winterbeck Manor Stud Andrew Balding
BEHNASAN (IRE) H H Aga Khan Alain de Royer Dupre FR
1- BELENUS (IRE) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE
4- BLUE TRAIN (IRE) The Celle Syndicate Incorporated Sir Michael Stoute
BOLLIN MICHAEL Sir Neil Westbrook Tim Easterby
BONANZA (IRE) Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
21- BRAHMINY KITE (USA) Gainsborough Stud Mark Johnston
4(5)(1)- BURGUNDIAN (USA) H E Sheikh Rashid Bin Mohammed Mazin Al Kurdi UAE
CAHEERLOCH (IRE) Ballylinch Stud Dermot Weld IRE
21- CAPE GREKO Holistic Racing Ltd Andrew Balding
1- CENTAURUS Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE
(5)(2)(1)- CHOCOLATE CARAMEL (USA)Priscilla Graham Amanda Perrett
43- CLUELESS Bill Gredley William Haggas
6- COLWYN BAY (IRE) Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
3- CONSULAR John Good Michael Jarvis
20- COUNT KRISTO Mr and Mrs P Hargreaves Clive Cox
DARTH VADER Turf 2000 Limited Nick Littmoden
5- DARWAZ (IRE) H H Aga Khan John Oxx IRE
1- DESCARTES Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE
2- DESIDERATUM Sheikh Mohammed Andre Fabre FR
42- DOWN MEXICO WAY (IRE) Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
111- DUBAWI (IRE) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE
2- EARL'S COURT Sheikh Mohammed Andre Fabre FR
0- EBTIKAAR (IRE) Hamdan Al Maktoum John Dunlop
4- ECHO OF LIGHT Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE
EEEYORE C Willet-Wills Dyer Out of training
EHSAN (IRE) H H Aga Khan John Oxx IRE
31- ETIJAHAAT (IRE) Hamdan Al Maktoum Dermot Weld IRE
110- ETLAALA Hamdan Al Maktoum Barry Hills
3135- FALSTAFF (IRE) Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
5- FIRST ROW (IRE) Joe L Allbritton Brian Meehan
2- FLAG LIEUTENANT The Queen Sir Michael Stoute
0- FLAME BEARER (USA) Dr Vincent O'Brien Charles O'Brien IRE
11- FOOTSTEPSINTHESAND Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
2- FORTUNATE ISLE (USA) Maktoum Al Maktoum Barry Hills
FRACAS (IRE) Joseph Joyce David Wachman IRE
FRANCHISE Sheikh Mohammed Andre Fabre FR
2350- FRITH (IRE) Bill Gredley Barry Hills
GALA EVENING Khalid Abdulla Sir Michael Stoute
1- GHARIR (IRE) Hamdan Al Maktoum John Hammond FR
4- GIFTED MUSICIAN Nicholas Cooper John Dunlop
GLISTENING Khalid Abdulla Sir Michael Stoute
GLORY (IRE) Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
14- GRAND BAHAMA (IRE) Sheikh Mohammed Andre Fabre FR
1- GRAND CENTRAL (IRE) Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
1- GYPSY KING (IRE) Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
HADDAAF (USA) Hamdan Al Maktoum John Dunlop
5- HARD TOP (IRE) Ballymacoll Stud Sir Michael Stoute
HATTAN (IRE) Saeed Manana Clive Brittain
14613- HEARTHSTEAD WINGS Hearthstead Homes Ltd Mark Johnston
3- HELVETIO Dr Michael Smurfit Dermot Weld IRE
314- HILLS OF ARAN Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
HIPPODROME (IRE) Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
(2)(1)- HUMBLE OPINION Paul & Jenny Green Brian Meehan
1- HURRICANE RUN (IRE) Gestut Ammerland Andre Fabre FR
(1)- INCH LODGE Maktoum Al Maktoum Sir Michael Stoute
INDIGO CAT (USA) Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
00- JACK THE GIANT (IRE) Hanbury Syndicate Barry Hills
JUNGLE DRUMS (IRE) The Earl Cadogan John Dunlop
KALAMKAR (IRE) H H Aga Khan Sir Michael Stoute
6(2)(1)-(1)(4)(0) KANDIDATE Tony Richards Clive Brittain
KARNAK (IRE) Noel Furlong Noel Furlong IRE
0(2)(1)- KING'S MAJESTY (IRE) Saeed Suhail Sir Michael Stoute
0- KINGDOM OF DREAMS (IRE) Saeed Suhail Sir Michael Stoute
10216- KINGS QUAY John May Richard Hannon
43- KONG (IRE) Neil Jones John Dunlop
1123- LAYMAN (USA) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE
3(1)1- LINNGARI (IRE) H H Aga Khan Sir Michael Stoute
43- LOVE ANGEL (USA) Mick Doyle Mark Johnston
2- MACDUFF Neil Jones John Oxx IRE
2- MASTER OF THE RACE Saeed Suhail Sir Michael Stoute
MCCORMACK (IRE) R D Bickenson Micky Hammond
5154- MELROSE AVENUE (USA) Sheikh Mohammed Mark Johnston
2- MONTECARMELO (USA) Maktoum Al Maktoum Carlos Laffon-Parias FR
06- MONT SAINT MICHEL (IRE) John Pearce Geoff Wragg
MORDOR (FR) Niarchos Family Sir Michael Stoute
MOSAIC Sheikh Mohammed Andre Fabre FR
11- MOTIVATOR The Royal Ascot Racing Club Michael Bell
MOUNTAIN HIGH (IRE) Sue Magnier Sir Michael Stoute
3- MUJAZAF Jaber Abdullah Mick Channon
36- MURAABET Hamdan Al Maktoum John Dunlop
MY IMMORTAL Diane Snowden John Gosden
410- NIGHT HOUR (IRE) Greenbay Stables Ltd Marcus Tregoning
NOBEL PRIZE (IRE) The Sangster Family Aidan O'Brien IRE
23- NOBLE DUTY (USA) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE
012112- ORATORIO (IRE) Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
ORIENTALIST (USA) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE
123- OUDE (USA) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE
PALOMAR (USA) Khalid Abdulla Pascal Bary FR
0(3)(1)-(1)(1)(1) PARTY BOSS Michael Clarke Clive Brittain
PEARL KING (IRE) Sheikh Mohammed Michael Jarvis
0106- PERFECT CHOICE (IRE) Susan Roy Brian Meehan
12110- PERFECTPERFORMANCE (USA) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE
0- PERFORMING ART Bloomsbury Stud Peter Chapple-Hyam
PHOENIX HILL (IRE) Pat Garvey John Oxx IRE
PLAINTIFF Sheikh Mohammed Andre Fabre FR
31- PLEA BARGAIN Sheikh Mohammed John Gosden
PORTSMOUTH (USA) Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
1- PROCLAMATION (IRE) Abdullah Saeed BelHab Jeremy Noseda
1- PUBLIC FORUM Khalid Abdulla Sir Michael Stoute
QASSAS Hamdan Al Maktoum Kevin Prendergast IRE
QUIET ISLE (IRE) Maktoum Al Maktoum Andre Fabre FR
51- QUIZZENE (USA) Favourites Racing Mark Johnston
RAYDAN (IRE) H H Aga Khan John Oxx IRE
01- RED ADMIRAL (USA) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE
1- ROB ROY (USA) Philip Newton Sir Michael Stoute
(2)(1)0(1)- RUSSIAN CONSORT (IRE) Four Mile Racing Alan King
332- SALINJA (USA) Priscilla Graham Amanda Perrett
3- SANCHI (IRE) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE
SANOR (FR) Niarchos Family Pascal Bary FR
514- SANTA FE (IRE) The Celle Syndicate Incorporated Sir Michael Stoute
SCORPION (IRE) Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
52- SCRIPTWRITER (IRE) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE
SHALAPOUR (IRE) H H Aga Khan John Oxx IRE
111- SHAMARDAL (USA) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE
21- SHOWDANCE (USA) Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
600- SILVER COURT Derek C Holder Richard Price
(3)- SOLEMNITY (USA) H E Sheikh Rashid Bin Mohammed Mazin Al Kurdi UAE
(1) SOLWAY FIRTH Sheikh Mohammed Marcus Tregoning
16-(1)(1) STAGELIGHT (IRE) Fieldspring Racing Jeremy Noseda
STAMFORD Sarah Al Maktoum Sir Michael Stoute
0- STORM BREAKER (IRE) Noel Furlong Noel Furlong IRE
STORMY LOVE (IRE) Mick Doyle Mark Johnston
0- STREETS OF GOLD (IRE) Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
0- SUN AND SHOWERS (IRE) George Strawbridge John Gosden
120- SUN KISSED (JPN) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE
2115- SUNDAY SYMPHONY Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE
1- TARALAN (IRE) H H Aga Khan Alain de Royer Dupre FR
2- TARRAMAN (USA) Abdullah Saeed BelHab Mark Johnston
TAWAAZUN (USA) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE
01- TAWQEET (USA) Hamdan Al Maktoum John Dunlop
(0) THEBESTISYETTOCOME John Humphreys (Turf Accountants) Ltd Terry Mills
(4)(2)- THE GEEZER Jeff Smith David Elsworth
1- TIGER DANCE (USA) Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
TIMIAS (USA) Niarchos Family Pascal Bary FR
45160-(0) TONY JAMES (IRE) Tony Richards Clive Brittain
2- TOP GEAR Mrs P J Sheen David Elsworth
3- TRAGEDIAN (USA) Maktoum Al Maktoum John Gosden
23- TRUEHEART (USA) Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
3-(9) UHLAN Gainsborough Stud Erwan Charpy UAE
62- UNFURLED (IRE) Mrs M E Slade John Dunlop
6- WELL ESTABLISHED (IRE) Alan Spence Michael Jarvis
WELLSAID (FR) Wertheimer et Frere Carlos Laffon-Parias FR
101- WHERE WITH ALL (IRE) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE
WICKLOW (USA) Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
411- WINDSOR KNOT (IRE) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE
0513- WINGMAN (IRE) D M Kerr John Hills
112- YEHUDI (IRE) Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE

162 entries remain after March 1 forfeit stage
38 Irish trained
23 Dubaian-trained
17 French-trained
BREAKDOWN OF TRAINERS' ENTRIES WITH PAST SUCCESSES IN THE VODAFONE DERBY

24 entries
Aidan O'Brien IRE (2001 Galileo, 2002 High Chaparral)

20 entries
Saeed bin Suroor UAE (1995 Lammtarra)

17 entries
Sir Michael Stoute (1981 Shergar, 1986 Shahrastani, 2003 Kris Kin, 2004 North Light)

9 entries
John Dunlop (1978 Shirley Heights, 1994 Erhaab)

8 entries
Andre Fabre FR

7 entries
Clive Brittain
Mark Johnston

6 entries
John Gosden (1997 Benny The Dip)

5 entries
John Oxx IRE (2000 Sinndar)

4 entries
Barry Hills
Michael Jarvis
Brian Meehan

3 entries
Carlos Laffon-Parias FR
Pascal Bary FR
Dermot Weld IRE

2 entries
Mazin Al Kurdi UAE
Andrew Balding
Alain de Royer Dupre FR
David Elsworth
Noel Furlong IRE
John Hammond FR
Jeremy Noseda
Amanda Perrett
Marcus Tregoning

1 entry
Michael Bell
Mick Channon
Peter Chapple-Hyam (1992 Dr Devious)
Erwan Charpy UAE
Roger Charlton (1990 Quest For Fame)
Clive Cox
Tim Easterby
William Haggas (1996 Shaamit)
Richard Hannon
John Hills
Alan King
Nick Littmoden
David Loder
Terry Mills
Charles O'Brien IRE
Kevin Prendergast IRE
Richard Price
David Wachman IRE
Geoff Wragg (1983 Teenoso)

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