Wednesday, April 21, 2004

VINTAGE RENEWAL OF totesport CHESTER CUP IN PROSPECT

Perrett has already won this famous handicap, run over two miles, two furlongs and 147 yards, in 2000 courtesy of Bangalore, who held on gamely by a short head from the fast-finishing Irish raider Ansar.

Kasthari (9st 12lb), who is the top weight, Rayshan (9st) and Flownaway (8st 8lb), the last two owned by Graham and Andrea Wylie, are three intriguing entries from trainer Howard Johnson, who is better known for his successes over jumps.
Kasthari was a length third behind Persian Punch in the Group Three Jockey Club Cup at Newmarket on his last start in October for former trainer Sir Michael Stoute and has subsequently won two novice hurdles for Johnson.

Rayshan was considered good enough to line up in the 2003 Irish St Leger by former handler John Oxx, albeit finishing last of six, and he scored over timber for Johnson this winter. Flownaway won three Flat handicaps last term for William Jarvis before also winning a novice hurdle for his new trainer earlier this month.

Savannah Bay, trained by Brian Meehan, is second in the weights on 9st 11lb and ran throughout last year in Group Two and Three company, doing best when third to Persian Punch in the Goodwood Cup
Alan Bailey does well in the totesport Chester Cup, having been successful with Old Hubert in 1988 and Silence In Court, who landed a huge gamble 10 years later and subsequently finished fourth behind Kayf Tara in that year's Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.
The trainer's two entries in 2004 include the lightly-raced Sharpcut (8st 8lb), previously trained by Henry Cecil and a three-time winner in 2002, and Golden Boot (6st 9lb), who did not get his head in front last season but was only beaten two lengths into fifth by Court Of Appeal in the Bryant Homes Handicap at Chester's May Meeting.
Shrewder trainers than Michael Jarvis are hard to find and his Anak Pekan (8st) looks just the right type to make an impact here. The four-year-old made all when justifying favouritism to win unchallenged by five lengths from Teresa in the Queen's Prize Handicap at Kempton earlier this month.

Despite the handicapper having raised Anak Pekan 10lb for that facile success, he never stopped improving last year and High Point (7st 8lb), who finished third at Kempton, Red Wine (8st 4lb) (7th), Ponderon (7st 13lb) (8th), Moon Emperor (7st 8lb) (9th), Bid For Fame (7st 8lb) (15th) and Snow's Ride (7st 3lb) (16th) might have trouble in turning the tables.

Paul Cole won the totesport Chester Cup in 1996 with Merit, who was given a brilliant ride by Jimmy Quinn. This season Cole has three possibles in Swing Wing (9st 8lb), Total Turtle (9st 3lb) and Archduke Ferdinand (8st 2lb).

Swing Wing was a Listed scorer in France last season, Total Turtle has not been seen on a racecourse since winning his last two starts in competitive handicaps at York and Doncaster in 2002, when each time accounting for Kasthari, while Archduke Ferdinand has been in the grip of the handicapper since winning the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle in 2001, but looks on a more manageable mark now.

Random Quest (8st 2lb), formerly with Cole and now trained by Bernard Llewellyn in Wales, made a promising seasonal debut when seventh of 18 at Newbury earlier this month.

Zibeline (8st 3lb) and Unleash (8st12lb) were first and second of 23 in a valuable handicap hurdle over two and a half miles at Aintree recently. Unleash, trained by Philip Hobbs, has the better record on the Flat, having won last year's Northumberland Plate at Newcastle. Hobbs also has Numitas (8st 1lb), winner of a Newbury novice hurdle, engaged.

Andrew Balding made a good start to his training career last year and his Distant Prospect (8st 4lb) would be having a third attempt at the totesport Chester Cup, having been seventh in 2001 and 11th in 2002 when trained by his father Ian.
Mana d'Argent (8st 3lb), the Ascot specialist trained by Mark Johnston in Yorkshire, ran well to be fifth in the 2001 Chester Cup, while Mick Channon's Misternando (8st 11lb) won 10 races last year and the four-year-old is a progressive performer
Any Sir Mark Prescott representative must also be respected and he could saddle Tempsford (7st 12lb). The four-year-old was placed in exemplary fashion by the Newmarket-based trainer to win five minor events.

This will be the ninth renewal of the Chester Cup that totesport has sponsored, having first supported the valuable and exciting handicap in 1996.

Andy Clifton, totesport's spokesman, commented:" The totesport Chester Cup is always a thrilling race, being well contested each year, and we are delighted with the quality of the entries for the 2004 running."

For more information, please contact: Richard Thomas, Chief Executive, or Ellie Wheeler, Marketing Manager, on 01244 304615 or Andy Clifton on 07770 221093.

BREAKDOWN OF ENTRIES AND TRAINERS' PAST SUCCESSES IN totesport CHESTER CUP

3 Entries
Jennie Candlish
Paul Cole (1996 Merit)
Howard Johnson

2 Entries
Alan Bailey (1988 Old Hubert; 1998 Silence In Court)
Mick Channon
Philip Hobbs
Kevin Ryan
Alan Swinbank

1 Entry
Michael Appleby
Andrew Balding
Declan Carroll
Don Eddy
Charles Egerton
Brian Ellison
George Enright
Chris Fairhurst
Michael Jarvis
John Jenkins (1989 Grey Salute)
Fulke Johnson Houghton
Mark Johnston
Bernard Llewellyn
Brian Meehan
Rod Millman
Willie Muir
Mick Mullineaux
Jeremy Noseda
Jamie Osborne
Amanda Perrett (2000 Bangalore)
Sir Mark Prescott
Nigel Tinkler (1993 Rodeo Star)

THE totesport CHESTER CUP

Class B, Heritage Handicap, £120,000 Total Prize Fund. 3.00pm, Chester, Wednesday, May 5, 2004. For four-year-olds and upwards, two miles, two furlongs and about 147 yards. Lowest weight 7st 12lb, highest weight not less than 9st 10lb. Penalties: after April 17, a winner 3lb. Note - any horse rated above 110 (or 114 if such a horse is four years old) shall initially be treated as having that rating and the highest weight allotted shall be 9st 10lb. Subsequently, the excess over 110 (or 114 if such a horse is four years old) in any rating shall be added to the weight allotted to that horse without limitation to the highest weight to be carried. Entries closed April 14, entries and weights revealed April 21 (41 entries), five-day confirmation stage April 30, final declaration stage 10.00am, May 3. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Monday, April 19, 2004 (may not include some overseas form).

Form Horse Age/Wgt Owner Trainer
220/303- KASTHARI (IRE) 5-9-12 Elliott Brothers Howard Johnson
5/26355- SAVANNAH BAY 5-9-11 Joe Allbritton Brian Meehan
3/31533- SWING WING 5-9-08 Sir Martyn Arbib Paul Cole
312011/- TOTAL TURTLE (IRE) 5-9-03 Bill Smith and Mick Dudley Paul Cole
521356- RAYSHAN (IRE) 4-9-00 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
05/1440- UNLEASH (USA) 5-8-12 Cheveley Park Stud Philip Hobbs
122611- MISTERNANDO 4-8-11 John Duggan Mick Channon
160303- COLLIER HILL 6-8-10 Ashley Young & R H Hall Alan Swinbank
420440- BIG MOMENT 6-8-10 R Doel,A Black,Dr J Howells & D Broad Amanda Perrett
105030- FLOWNAWAY 5-8-08 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson
01161/- SHARPCUT (IRE) 5-8-08 Alan Bailey Alan Bailey
4/00303- DISTANT PROSPECT (IRE) 7-8-04 The Rae Smiths and Pauline Gale Andrew Balding
3040-(5)0 RED WINE 5-8-04 Paul Dixon Jamie Osborne
230020- ZIBELINE (IRE) 7-8-03 Ashley Carr Brian Ellison
601433- MANA D'ARGENT (IRE) 7-8-03 Daniel Couper Mark Johnston
23250-0 RANDOM QUEST 6-8-02 Terry Warner Bernard Llewellyn
052400- ARCHDUKE FERDINAND (FR) 6-8-02 Catherine Corbett & Chris Wright Paul Cole
121020- SERGEANT CECIL 5-8-02 Terry Cooper Rod Millman
302010- NUMITAS (GER) 4-8-01 Cheveley Park Stud Philip Hobbs
55034-1 RAHWAAN (IRE) 5-8-01 Six Iron Partnership Chris Fairhurst
21222-1 ANAK PEKAN 4-8-00 HRH Sultan Ahmad Shah Michael Jarvis
03102-(0) GRALMANO (IRE) 9-7-13 Coleorton Moor Racing Kevin Ryan
30(1)31-0 PONDERON 4-7-13 Mrs P Robeson Fulke Johnson Houghton
3151(1)-(5) TEMPSFORD (USA) 4-7-12 Syndicate 2001 Sir Mark Prescott
21404-0 PROMOTER 4-7-12 Thurloe Thoroughbreds XII Jeremy Noseda
101564- ALMIZAN (IRE) 4-7-12 Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum Mick Channon
556233- KRISTENSEN 5-7-11 Equiname Ltd Don Eddy
500-(0)(6)0 MOON EMPEROR 7-7-08 R M Ellis John Jenkins
06(2)(1)-00 BID FOR FAME (USA) 7-7-08 Elite Racing Club Nigel Tinkler
30000/-(0) GRACILIS (IRE) 7-7-08 Michael Watt Alan Swinbank
(1)-(0)(0)(0)(2)3 HIGH POINT (IRE) 6-7-08 The Aedean Partnership Gerry Enright
(0)0/0/-611 BENBYAS 7-7-03 C H Stephenson & Partners Declan Carroll
50(1)(1)-00 SNOW'S RIDE 4-7-03 The Parkside Partnership William Muir
1465/-(6)1 MANIATIS 7-7-03 Racing For You Limited Jennie Candlish
62555////- SAILOR A'HOY 8-7-03 R Williamson Mick Mullineaux
3/04(1)03- VALANCE (IRE) 4-7-00 M Haynes, A & J Allison, J Weatherby Charles Egerton
30-(4)(0)12 LAWOOD (IRE) 4-6-13 Norah Kennedy Kevin Ryan
002343- GOLDEN BOOT 5-6-09 Peter Freeman Alan Bailey
660 CELTIC VISION (IRE) 8-6-02 P & P J Hughes Michael Appleby
64106//0/- COLUMBUS (IRE) 7-5-11 Racing For You Limited Jennie Candlish
(5)-(4)(0)(6)(2)(3) BERKELEY HEIGHTS 4-5-03 A J Cartlich Jennie Candlish

41 entries

totesport PRICES (AVAILABLE FROM 9.30AM TOMORROW)

Totesport Chester Cup

6/1 Anak Pekan, 8/1 Misternando, 10/1 Unleash, 12/1 Big Moment, Flownaway, Ponderon, 14/1 Rahwaan, Rayshan, 16/1 Gralmano, High Point, Kristernsen, Numitas, Tempsford, Total Turtle, Zibeline, 20/1 Almizan, Benbyas, Collier Hill, Distant Prospect, Kasthari, Promoter, Savannah Bay, Sharpcut, Swing Wing, Valance, 25/1 Archduke Ferdinand, Gracilis, Mana D'Argent, Random Quest, Red Wine, Sergeant Cecil, 50/1 Columbus, Lawood, Moon Emperor, 66/1 Golden Boot, Maniatis, Sailor A'Hoy, Snow's Ride, 100/1 Celtic Vision, 250/1 Berkley Heights

INCA AND SHAKESPEARE SET FOR PUNCHESTOWN CLASH

Brave Inca has not run since giving up-and-coming Co Kerry handler Colm Murphy his biggest success when landing the Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, and connections are favouring a tilt at the two-mile Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle rather than the half-mile longer EUR90,000 Grade 1 Menolly Homes Champion Novice Hurdle on Friday, April 30.

"Brave Inca definitely goes to Punchestown but we haven't completely decided which race he will run in," said Murphy. "We'll make a decision towards the end of this week after seeing what the weather's like but I'm definitely leaning towards the two-mile race on Tuesday rather than the two-and-a-half mile contest.

"We let him down after Cheltenham and there's not a bother on him. He's in great form now - I couldn't be happier with him - and if all went to plan Punchestown was always going to be his last race of the season.

"The reaction to Cheltenham has just been unbelievable, it really has been unreal, crazy to say the least. There's much less pressure now after Cheltenham but to win at Punchestown would be a real bonus."

But Lincolnshire handler Steve Gollings is not afraid to pitch Royal Shakespeare, winner of the Grade 2 Premier Convenience Store Novices' Hurdle at Aintree earlier this month, against Brave Inca.

The five-year-old, who is unbeaten in three runs over hurdles, also holds an entry in the Menolly Homes Champion Novice Hurdle, but Gollings is favouring Tuesday's Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle.

"The original plan with Royal Shakespeare after Aintree was to put the wraps back on him and put him away but we've decided that he's only a novice for this season so we are going to take our chance at Punchestown," said Gollings.

"Which race he contests depends on the prevailing ground conditions but as it has gone soft at this stage I'm now looking to go for the two-mile novice on Tuesday.

"Make no mistake about him, he's unbeaten and that was a fairish race he won at Aintree. I'd have to say we haven't seen the best of him by a long way yet. He's still a bit of a playboy and it's all a game to him but each time he's run he has improved and I would really expect him to get better again. When the penny drops he's a serious racehorse.

"He came out of Aintree 100 per cent without a mark on him and if anything he could be too fresh. We've got nothing to lose, if we're beaten then fair enough, but I believe he's well good enough, it's a valuable race and we've got to take our chance. I'd hope Robert Thornton would take the mount again but there won't be a shortage of jockeys wanting the ride."

The four-day Irish National Hunt Festival features record prize money of over EUR 1.7 million and takes place from Tuesday, April 27, to Friday, April 30.

LORD SAM HEADS FOR ELLIER DEVELOPMENTS NOVICE CHASE

Victor Dartnall's stable star won both his starts in bumpers and has only met defeat once when third to Hardy Eustace in last season's Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

But he was withdrawn from the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at Cheltenham in March at the 11th hour with a temperature and Dartnall is pleased the exciting eight-year-old is on the comeback trail.

"All being well he will head to Punchestown for the novice chase on Tuesday and I am hoping Jim Culloty will ride," said Dartnall.

"I'm just waiting for a final blood result, but his trachea wash was perfect, he seems well and is working well so I don't anticipate any problems.

"He missed Cheltenham because had an infection, ran a temperature and wasn't well for ten days and his blood went absolutely haywire but he seems very well now so fingers crossed for Punchestown."

After winning a Huntingdon novice chase by 19 lengths on his debut over fences in November, Lord Sam went on to beat subsequent Cheltenham winner Native Emperor in a Grade 2 novice chase at Lingfield in December before defeating Fork Lightning, winner of the William Hill National Hunt Handicap Chase at Cheltenham, a month later at Kempton.

The four-day Irish National Hunt Festival features record prize money of over EUR 1.7 million and takes place from Tuesday, April 27, to Friday, April 30.

ULTIMATEBET.COM GUINEAS FESTIVAL APPROACHES

These races, run over Newmarket's unforgiving straight mile, provide Europe's leading three-year-olds with a first opportunity to stake their claim to greatness.

It is on the hallowed turf of the Rowley Mile, where racing as we know it today has its roots some three and half centuries ago, that champions are crowned, that reputations are established or shattered, that breeding values worth millions of pounds are created or diminished.

This is where the legendary Nijinsky made his mark under the masterful guidance of Lester Piggott; this is where the mighty Brigadier Gerard defeated the brilliant Mill Reef; where The Queen's Highclere scored a famous royal victory; where Dancing Brave and Nashwan demolished their rivals; where Rock of Gibraltar landed the spoils for Sir Alex Ferguson and John Magnier, sowing the seeds of conflict that would later make headlines around the world.

Worth £300,000 each, these are the richest races of their kind in Europe, but it is not their value that is significant. It is their status. These are two races that really matter, that can bring fame and honour that only a handful of other races around the world can match and that can make a stallion or a broodmare for life. This is Flat racing at its purest, at its most exciting, at its best.

This year's races feature a host of potential superstars. In Saturday's Ultimatebet.com 2000 Guineas, Aidan O'Brien, seeking his third success in the race, will be unleashing the ante-post favourite, One Cool Cat; Dermot Weld, attempting to win it for the second year in succession, will run the unbeaten Grey Swallow; Frankie Dettori is likely to be on board the much vaunted Snow Ridge, who has been burning up the desert sand during his winter in Dubai; Haafd will be looking to build on his sensational victory over the same course and distance in last week's bet365 Craven Stakes and Salford City will be putting his unbeaten record on the line.

In the UltimateBet.com 1000 Guineas, Kieren Fallon will be looking to exorcise the ghosts that have haunted him this spring with victory on Red Bloom, a horse representing the same connections as last year's winner, Russian Rhythm; Attraction, who looked sensational in the early part of last summer before injury curtailed her season, will be aiming to cut down her rivals with her electric turn of foot; Majestic Desert, impressive in her Newbury trial, will be looking to give her trainer, Mick Channon, his first Classic victory; Frankie Dettori will be trying to steer the fast, but headstrong Carry On Katie to another Newmarket success; Necklace will seek to give Aidan O'Brien victory in one of the few big races to have eluded Ireland's champion trainer so far.

The 2004 UltimateBet.com Guineas Festival has been streamlined into two days, with the best 14 races from the old three-day format now running over two spectacular afternoons. UltimateBet, one of the top three online poker websites in the world, is sponsoring in horseracing for the first time in what is the biggest sponsorship deal in Newmarket's history.

Crowds of up to 20,000 people are expected each day for the biggest weekend of the year at the Home of Racing. Tickets can be purchased in advance or on the day. Full details are contained in this pack.

ADMISSION INFORMATION

*Day Members £35
*Grandstand & Paddock £20
Family Enclosure £7

*10% discount applies for booking online by Thursday 29th April at www.newmarketracecourses.co.uk

All accompanied children under 16 admitted FREE

Bookings and information line: 01638 675 500

Gates Open at 10.30am each day

Family Enclosure Children's Entertainments: Punch & Judy, Pirate Galleon bouncy castle, two mini-roundabouts, children's playground, professionally supervised crèche


THE ULTIMATEBET.COM 2000 GUINEAS

Class A, Group One, Showcase Race. Newmarket, Saturday, May 1, 2004. £300,000 For three-year-olds only, entire colts and fillies. Weights colts 9st; fillies 8st 11lb. Entries closed March 3 (84 entries), forfeit stage April 20 (27 entries remain), supplementary entry stage ( 25,000) April 26, five-day-confirmation stage April 26, final declaration stage 10.00am, April 29. (Form figures from Weatherbys correct up to April 19, 2004 and may not include some overseas form).

Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
110- ANTONIUS PIUS (USA) 3 Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
11- AZAMOUR (IRE) 3 H H Aga Khan John Oxx IRE
334- BACHELOR DUKE (USA) 3 Duke of Devonshire James Toller
145143-5 BARBAJUAN (IRE) 3 Team Havana Neville Callaghan
102- BAYEUX (USA) 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE
1341- BYRON 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE
31115-0 CARRIZO CREEK (IRE) 3 J S Threadwell Brian Meehan
310- DUKE OF VENICE (USA) 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE
12112-5 FANTASTIC VIEW (USA) 3 Malih L Al Basti Richard Hannon
013-(0)2 GLARAMARA 3 C M Martin Alan Bailey
122- GOLDEN SAHARA (IRE) 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE
1325- GRAND REWARD (USA) 3 Michael Tabor, Sue Magnier & Beverley Lewis Aidan O'Brien IRE
11-1 GREY SWALLOW (IRE) 3 Rochelle Quinn Dermot Weld IRE
1133-1 HAAFHD 3 Hamdan Al Maktoum Barry Hills
12-1 IQTE SAAB (USA) 3 Hamdan Al Maktoum John Dunlop
211-0 MAHMOOM 3 Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum Mick Channon
432511-(2)5 MILK IT MICK 3 Paul Dixon Jamie Osborne
110542-1 NEWTON (IRE) 3 Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
41111- ONE COOL CAT (USA) 3 Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
231111-3 PEAK TO CREEK 3 C Holt, C Fox & J Wright Jeremy Noseda
(3)(1)(1)(4) ROSENCRANS (USA) 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE
1-1 SALFORD CITY (IRE) 3 Michael Tabor David Elsworth
31140- SGT PEPPER (IRE) 3 A T Macdonald Richard Hannon
110- SNOW RIDGE (IRE) 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE
113D2-2 THREE VALLEYS (USA) 3 Khalid Abdulla Roger Charlton
6212(6)- TUMBLEBRUTUS (USA) 3 Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
341141-1 WHIPPER (USA) 3 Richard Strauss Robert Collet FR

27 entries remain after April 20 forfeit stage
7 Irish-trained
6 UAE-trained
1 French-trained

THE ULTIMATEBETCOM 1000 GUINEAS

Class A, Group One, Showcase Race Newmarket, Sunday, May 2, 2004 £300,000 For three-year-old fillies only Weights 9st Entries closed March 3 (74 entries), forfeit stage April 20 (27 entries remain), supplementary entry stage (£25,000) April 26, five-day-confirmation stage April 26, final declaration stage 10.00am, April 30 (Form figures from Weatherbys correct up to April 19, 2004 and may not include some overseas form).

Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
11111- ATTRACTION 3 Duke of Roxburghe Mark Johnston
11- CAIRNS (UAE) 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE
111- CARRY ON KATIE (USA) 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE
002- FLAME QUEEN 3 Nigel George Kirstin Boutflower
314-5 GREEN SWALLOW (FR) 3 Newsells Park Stud Phillipe Demercastel FR
4122-1 HATHRAH (IRE) 3 Hamdan Al Maktoum John Dunlop
6(1)-2 INCHENI (IRE) 3 Emily Oppenheimer Turner Geoff Wragg
1- JATH 3 Meddler Bloodstock Julian Poulton
121334-5 KELUCIA (IRE) 3 B Scanlon & F Brady Jim Goldie
115111- KINNAIRD (IRE) 3 Mrs R J Jacobs Patrick Haslam
1- KISSES FOR ME (IRE) 3 Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
12312-1 MAJESTIC DESERT 3 Jaber Abdullah Mick Channon
110- MAROOCHYDORE (IRE) 3 Mrs E Irwin David Wachman IRE
100011- MILLY WATERS 3 John E Oldknow Mark Brisbourne
13-3 NATALIYA 3 Kirsten Rausing John Dunlop
2110- NECKLACE 3 Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
212- NEPHETRITI WAY (IRE) 3 Alexandra J Chandris Patrick Chamings
3112- PEARL GREY 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE
01-6 PHANTOM WIND (USA) 3 Khalid Abdulla John Gosden
113- PUNCTILIOUS 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE
311- RED BLOOM 3 Cheveley Park Stud Sir Michael Stoute
01320- RED FEATHER (IRE) 3 Lady O'Reilly Edward Lynam IRE
11- SECRET CHARM (IRE) 3 Maktoum Al Maktoum Barry Hills
3121-4 SPOTLIGHT 3 Hesmonds Stud John Dunlop
(1)2- SUNDROP (JPN) 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE
221- ULFAH (USA) 3 Hamdan Al Maktoum Kevin Prendergast IRE
344031-(0)0 VALJARV (IRE) 3 V and J Properties Nick Littmoden

27 entries remain after April 20 forfeit stage
5 Irish-trained
5 UAE-trained
1 French-trained

THE ROWLEY MILE RACECOURSE - Facts and Figures

Newmarket is uniquely home to two separate and very distinct racecourses, the Rowley Mile, where racing takes place in the spring and autumn, and the July Course, where racing takes place over the summer months.

Rich in history, the Rowley Mile hosts the first two of the five British classics, the UltimateBet.com 2000 Guineas and the UltimateBet.com 1000 Guineas. (The other classics are the Vodafone Derby and Vodafone Oaks at Epsom in June and the St Leger at Doncaster in September).

The course is home to all but two of Newmarket's Group One races. As well as the two Guineas races, they include the Shadwell Stud Middle Park Stakes, the Sky Bet Cheveley Park Stakes, the Darley Dewhurst Stakes and the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes.

The Rowley Mile hosts the highest class individual raceday in the British racing calendar on Champions' Day in October, when there are no less than six Group races two Group 1s, two Group 2s and two Group 3s plus one of the season's most competitive handicaps in the totesport Cesarewitch.

The course takes its name from Charles II's hack, Old Rowley'. Charles also inherited the same nickname from his courtiers, albeit behind his back. The first race in Britain to be run under written rules, the Town Plate, was run here during his reign in 1664. He personally rode to victory in the race in 1671.

The track is two and a quarter miles long, with a right-handed bend after one mile. A unique feature of racing on the Rowley Mile is that every race of less than ten furlongs is run on a completely straight track.

Being straight and wide with undulations and an uphill finish, the straight mile on which the UltimateBet.com 2000 and 1000 Guineas take place provides an extremely demanding test for horse and rider. To win, a horse must show a combination of speed, stamina and resilience, while jockeyship and judgement of pace are crucial.

Facilities at the Rowley Mile have been dramatically improved in recent years, most notably with the construction of the Millennium Grandstand which offers state-of-the-art facilities in a very stylish environment.

With its spectacular views over the Cambridgeshire and Suffolk countryside, the Millennium Grandstand was opened by Her Majesty The Queen on 2000 Guineas Day in the year 2000. With a spectator capacity of 10,000 and a 400-seater, tiered restaurant, the new grandstand impressively meets the requirements of the 21st century racegoer.

NEWMARKET - Facts and Figures

Set in the Suffolk countryside in the East of England, not far from Cambridge, the town of Newmarket is known as the Home of Racing. Rich in history, the town has a legacy of almost four centuries of racing and the "Sport of Kings" has developed into a major industry, employing thousands of people in and around the town.

Racing's heritage in Newmarket can be traced back to the early 17th century and the reign of King James I. The first ever race was recorded on Newmarket Heath in 1622. According to historians, two courtiers from the court of James I raced their steeds in a bid to win a purse of £100 and racing at Newmarket had begun in earnest.

The sport flourished in the reign of King Charles II, with the first race ever run under written rules in Britain, the Newmarket Town Plate which is still run today, taking place in 1664.

The Jockey Club was established in Newmarket in the 18th century to run the sport in Britain and although its headquarters moved to London in the last century, the Jockey Club continues to own and manage many of the lands and racing facilities in the town.

Today the town boasts two distinct racecourses, the modern and impressive Rowley Mile and the picturesque July Course which between them will host 37 racedays in 2004, and the world's finest racing facilities. These include 40 miles of turf gallops and approximately 17 miles of artificial gallops on Newmarket Heath, the largest area of tended grassland in the world.

With approximately 2,500 racehorses in training at any one time, Newmarket is home to some of the biggest names in racing with over 70 licensed trainers, including Sir Michael Stoute, Saeed bin Suroor, Luca Cumani, Henry Cecil and Sir Mark Prescott.

Owners flock to Newmarket as a centre of excellence and leading ones include Her Majesty The Queen, His Royal Highness The Aga Khan, Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, Sheikh Maktoum Al Maktoum, Sheikh Mohammed and Prince Khalid Abdulla.

Newmarket is home to Tattersalls,one of the world's largest horse sales, and there are more than 60 stud farms in and around the town, breeding some of the finest racehorses in the world. These include the headquarters of Sheikh Mohammed's international breeding operation at Dalham Hall. Britain's National Stud is also located on the edge of the town.

Newmarket is also home to the National Horseracing Museum, the Animal Health Trust with its state-of-the-art equine facilities, and the British Racing School where the trainers, jockeys and stable lads of the future can learn their trade and develop their skills. It is also the base for many of Britain's top bloodstock agents and racing organisations, including the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, European Breeders' Fund, Horseracing Forensic Laboratory, Injured Jockeys' Fund, Stable Lads Welfare Trust and International Racing Bureau.

TRAINERS' UltimateBet.com GUINEAS RECORDS

Of the trainers with entries in the UltimateBet.com 2000 Guineas and UltimateBet.com 1000 Guineas, the following have won one or both races.

CLIVE BRITTAIN
2000: Mystiko (1991).

1000: Pebbles (1984), Sayyedati (1993).

HENRY CECIL
2000: Bolkonski (1975), Wollow (1976).

1000: One In A Million (1979), Fairy Footsteps (1981), Oh So Sharp (1985),
Bosra Sham (1996), Sleepytime (1997), Wince (1999).

JOHN DUNLOP
1000: Quick As Lightning (1980), Salsabil (1990), Shadayid (1991).

ANDRE FABRE FR
2000: Zafonic (1993), Pennekamp (1995).

CRIQUETTE HEAD-MAAREK FR
1000: Ma Biche (1983), Ravinella (1988), Hatoof (1992).

JOHN GOSDEN
1000: Lahan (2000).

RICHARD HANNON
2000: Mon Fils (1973), Don't Forget Me (1987), Tirol (1990).

BARRY HILLS
2000: Tap On Wood (1979).

1000: Enstone Spark (1978).

MICHAEL JARVIS
1000: Ameerat (2001).

MARK JOHNSTON
2000: Mister Baileys (1994).

AIDAN O'BRIEN IRE
2000: King Of Kings (1998), Rock Of Gibraltar (2002).

SAEED BIN SUROOR
2000: Mark Of Esteem (1996), Island Sands (1999).

1000: Cape Verdi (1998), Kazzia (2002).

SIR MICHAEL STOUTE
2000:Shadeed (1985), Doyoun (1988), Entrepreneur (1997), King's Best (2000), Golan (2001).

1000: Musical Bliss (1989), Russian Rhythm (2003).

DERMOT WELD IRE
2000: Refuse To Bend (2003)

JOCKEYS' UltimateBet.com
GUINEAS RECORDS

Of current jockeys, the following have won one or both classics, the UltimateBet.com 1000 Guineas and the UltimareBet.com 2000 Guineas.

FRANKIE DETTORI
2000: Mark Of Esteem (1996), Island Sands (1999).

1000: Cape Verdi (1998), Kazzia (2002).

KIEREN FALLON
2000: King's Best (2000), Golan (2001).

1000: Sleepytime (1997), Wince (1999), Russian Rhythm (2003).

RICHARD HILLS
1000: Harayir (1995), Lahan (2000).

THIERRY JARNET
2000: Pennekamp (1995).

MICK KINANE
2000: Tirol (1990), Entrepreneur (1997), King Of Kings (1998).

JOHNNY MURTAGH
2000: Rock Of Gibraltar (2002).

PHILIP ROBINSON
1000: Pebbles (1984), Ameerat (2001).

PAT SMULLEN
2000: Refuse To Bend (2003).

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

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