Wednesday, April 28, 2004

PERSIAN PUNCH TRAGEDY AT ASCOT

The most popular Flat horse in training, whose durability and toughness were his trademarks, suffered a suspected heart attack in the final stages of the Bovis Homes Sagaro Stakes as he made his seasonal reappearance.

His death reduced many racegoers to tears and completely overshadowed the 18-length victory in the Group Three event of French raider Risk Seeker.

Having adopted his customary position at the head of affairs, Persian Punch weakened quickly when headed with half a mile to run and all but stopped to a walk inside the final two furlongs as Martin Dwyer eased him right down.

However, only 100 yards from the winning post, the gelding appeared to stagger, and he collapsed to the ground as Dwyer dismounted.

Trainer David Elsworth and owner Jeff Smith were immediately on the scene as vets fought to save Persian Punch's life.

But despite the collective will of everyone watching, both those stood around and those remaining in the granstands with their eyes glued to the temporary screens, nothing could be done.

Elsworth and Smith, accompanied by his wife Veronica, walked slowly back to the winner's enclosure wiping away tears.

A distraught Elsworth said: "He was the most wonderful horse to train. It's so very sad."
Svend Kold, Ascot's chief veterinary surgeon, explained: "He was beyond help by the time we reached him. I would think he had a major circulatory collapse which was possibly caused by the rupture of a major artery, probably a ruptured aorta.

"The way he staggered and went very pale so quickly suggests the rupture of a major blood vessel.

"We gave him adrenalin, steroids and pure oxygen, but he was beyond our help. The way he was losing his balance before he fell would suggest that he was already losing consciousness by then."
Kold said that the testing conditions may have played their part in the horse's death, but added: "It is not uncommon to see this kind of thing, but he was a fit and healthy horse and you cannot measure for it before a race.

"He was middle-aged by human standards but extremely fit, as he had showed so many times before today.

"As the owner said to me, he could have had another 10 years in a field, but nobody could have guessed that this sort of thing might happen."
In total, Persian Punch won 20 races and amassed a total of £1,008,785 in win and place prize money.

His brave front-running style earned him thousands of fans and he was voted Horse of the Year by Racing Post readers after a marvellous season in 2003.

He gained three memorable victories by a short head, culminating in what turned out be his final triumph in the Jockey Club Cup last October.

It was his third success in the Group Three contest at Newmarket.

As well as those three narrow wins last season, he galloped his rivals into the ground in the Group Two Doncaster Cup, scoring by seven lengths.

His other big-race successes included two Goodwood Cups (2001 and 2003) and the Henry II Stakes (1997, 1998 and 2000). He was unable to cap an illustrious career with a Group One win, but he did finish second in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot both in 2001 and last year. He was also third in two Melbourne Cups.

Understandably, connections were too upset to talk about the incident in its aftermath, but Frankie Dettori led the tributes from the weighing room.

"I was actually right behind and I saw the whole thing as it happened," he said. "I just froze.

"I am devastated, like everybody else. It is a disaster. I saw Martin in tears and I tried to cheer him up, but what can you say?
"He has been a great servant for the sport with his longevity and the fact that he never ran a bad race. He had that fire in him.

"He never knew when he was beat and people really respected that. It's a very sad day."
Some riders, including Kieren Fallon and Richard Quinn, took the opportunity to attack the Jockey Club guidelines which force riders to ride out their mounts to the line.

"It was an accident waiting to happen," said Fallon.

But trainer John Gosden said: "If he'd had the choice where to go then it would have been on the racecourse, like the old warrior he was."
And John Dunlop spoke of "a great battler who battled to the very end".

Several racegoers, some of whom had come especially to see their favourite horse, were clearly distraught.

Ascot's chief executive Douglas Erskine-Crum added: "It's hard to know what to say. It's just the saddest thing that could possibly have happened."
An announcement paying tribute to the horse was made at the track over the public address system as soon as his death had been confirmed.

"It was something pretty much unprecedented but a mark of the esteem in which Persian Punch was held by so many people," said the course's PR manager Nick Smith.

"We felt it appropriate to mark his achievements, as although he never won at Ascot, he was a regular visitor and we always knew that whenever he ran there would be people coming specifically to see him.

"Racegoers love to see a horse coming back for a battle year after year and that's exactly what they got with Persian Punch."
Julian Richmond-Watson, senior steward of the Jockey Club, hailed the achievements of Persian Punch during his distinguished racing career.

He said: "This a very sad conclusion to what has been a remarkable racing career from a remarkable horse. The fact that Persian Punch produced performances of outstanding merit season after season bears testiment to the care with which the horse was looked after.

"It also denotes a horse who thrived on being in training and able to race.

"He was a very special horse who captured the imagination of the racing public in a way that few Flat horses ever have. His renowned battling qualities thrilled the public time and again and his will to win helped him snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

"Our thoughts go out to Jeff Smith, David Elsworth and all those who looked after him."
Persian Punch featured on the British Horseracing Board's promotional literature for the film Seabiscuit last year, and marketing director Chris John added his own tribute.

He said: "A truly wonderful horse, Persian Punch personified the spirit and courage that makes racing great. Professionally, and personally, we'll all miss him terribly."
Goodwood managing director and clerk of the course Rod Fabricius was another to pay tribute.

"Persian Punch was one of the most popular horses of recent times and his two wins in the Goodwood Cup encompassed all that he was about - class and determination.

"His win last year was particularly memorable and not since Double Trigger's three wins in the same race have the crowd at Goodwood been so vocal in their appreciation of a supreme equine athlete."

BEEF OR SALMON COMES GOOD AT PUNCHESTOWN

Michael Hourigan's charge, who finished fourth to Best Mate in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup on his most recent start, has had a series of problems and the trainer paid credit to physiotherapist Liz Kent and eventer Sue Short for the success.

"He didn't jump in the first four races this season but still won two of them," said Hourigan. "But once we found the problem, Liz Kent, Sue Short and my daughter Kay did all the work. It's more a question of what didn't they do with him!
"Liz started working on him twice a week and then advised we bring in Sue to do dressage with him because that moves the whole body. They did some job with him
"I was hopeful that with a clear run he'd deliver the goods but I didn't think he'd do it so well. Timmy's very patient and given him a super ride there - he's a real professional.

"He certainly was not like he was today before Cheltenham, if he had been he would have finished a lot nearer for sure, I don't know if he'd have won but that's all history now.

"He'll get his holiday now and then next year I think we'd go down the same sort of road again, races like the Hennessy again."
The winner returned to a huge roar and an emotional Hourigan added: "Dorans Pride was wonderful but this one is better because he has more gears. I'm so fortunate to find another after Dorans Pride - you'd be lucky to find one in a lifetime - but I've found two.

"He had no problems at any stage today and it was over in two strides - he's that type of horse."
Jessica Harrington, who won Tuesday's feature BETDAQ.com Chase with Moscow Flyer, had her second success at the 2004 Festival when Willie The Shoe - a recent arrival at her local yard - took the opening Lemongrass Restaurants Handicap Hurdle.

The seven-year-old, owned by Tom Doran, had previously been with Michael Hourigan and Harrington said: "He's only been with me for about ten days and Michael has done all the work with him - I've just ticked him over. He'll campaign on through the summer on good ground."
Moscow Flyer returned home safe and sound after his win. "He's perfect and was out having a roll this morning," added Harrington.

Arch Stanton justified 2/1 favouritism in the Tattersalls (Ireland) Ltd Novice Hurdle when landing a smooth three and a half length success to put jockey Ruby Walsh and trainer Willie Mullins on the scoresheet for the week.

"It's good to get a winner on board," said Mullins. "He was a shade unlucky when second at Fairyhouse last time and I think he's finished jumping for the season, the ground is getting too quick for him now. But he might have one or two runs on the Flat."
Veteran trainer Paddy Mullins - who had his first Punchestown Festival winner more than 40 years ago - supplied 7lb-claiming rider Mark Watts with his first professional success when Hurry Bob held on to take the J F Dunne Insurances Handicap Hurdle.

"I thought three miles might be a bit far for him and I thought we were losing ground at the end," said Mullins.

Watts was delighted by the victory. "I thought he had a good chance but I had to pull out all the stops. I turned professional two years ago and it's great to get this first win - I've had a good few rides but just no luck."
Definate Spectacle "the gamble of the week" according to one bookmaker, justified 9/4 favouritism in the Kielys Of Donnybrook Hurdle when scoring by an easy six lengths and trainer Noel Meade believes there could be better to come from the former useful Flat performer.

"He was rated over 100 on the Flat and there's no doubt he could be useful," said Meade. "His coat hasn't come right and I think he needs a break now - I wasn't proud of how he looked but I was proud of how he ran today! They went very fast today but he was always travelling well, he has a lot of speed and could pick them up easily."
Local trainer David Broad had his biggest success to date and his first at Punchestown when Prince Of Pleasure landed the S M Morris Ltd Handicap Chase at 25/1. Danny Howard, successful in Saturday's Betfred Gold Cup at Sandown on Puntal, continued an excellent few days.

"The ground was a big factor and we quietly fancied him today," said Broad.

GEILL SLI LANDS GRADE 1 VICTORY

Noel Meade, successful earlier in the day with Definate Spectacle, completed a 38/1 double when Geill Sli held off the fast-finishing Blazing Liss to take the Grade 1 Paddy Power Champion INH Flat Race.

"When the horses were sick over Christmas, he and one other were the worst - I really thought they would die," said Meade. "I'd never seen a horse so sick and it's hard to believe he could be flying around here today. That's it for the season now."

The winner earned a 20/1 quote with Cashmans for next year's Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

There was a dramatic finish to the concluding Cox's Cash & Carry Champion Hunters Chase when the Edward O'Grady-trained General Montcalm unshipped rider Roger Quinlan at the last fence, leaving the race at the mercy of Just Cassandra, trained by Maureen Danagher.

The Tote turned over a course record of EUR1,026,141 today, the first time that the figure has passed one million euros in a day at Punchestown

Today's attendance on day two of the Irish National Hunt Festival at Punchestown was 18,759. The figure was down on last year when Wednesday was Ladies' Day, which this year takes place on Friday.

RHINESTONE TAKES ON IRIS'S GIFT

Rhinestone Cowboy - who had been entered in Friday's two-mile Emo Oil Champion Hurdle - will take on stablemate Iris's Gift in tomorrow's Grade 1 Ballymore Properties Champion Stayers Hurdle at 4.20pm.

Iris's Gift is aiming to become only the second horse to have won graded races at the Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown festivals in the same season. The great Istabraq, who scored at the three fixtures in 1999, is the only horse to have previously achieved the feat.

There are eight declared in tomorrow's three-mile event including last year's winner Holy Orders, race sponsor Sean Mulryan's Sunny Flight - a first Punchestown runner for French trainer Arnaud Chaille-Chaille, and the Nicky Henderson-trained Mon Villez, who will be sold at Doncaster sales next month by the Million In Mind Partnership.

The JCB Triumph Hurdle winner Made In Japan, who was beaten in Aintree's four-year-old hurdle by John Queally's Al Eile (an also-ran in the Cheltenham race) will bid to turn the tables in tomorrow's Grade 1 Colm McEvoy Auctioneers Champion 4YO Hurdle at 3.15pm.

There are 13 declarations for the two-mile event with Cherub (Jonjo O'Neill), My Will (Paul Nicholls) and Tarque (Venetia Williams) joining Made In Japan on a strong raiding party from Britain.

Tom Taaffe's Kicking King is among six entries for the Grade 1 Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase at 3.50pm.

Although Tuesday's Kildare Hunt Club Chase winner Andrewjames has not been declared by trainer Peter McCreery for the famous Quins Of Baltinglass Chase for the La Touche Cup at 2.40pm, the 19 confirmed for the 4m 2f event over Punchestown's unique banks course include Tuesday's runner-up, Takagi, and Buailtes And Fadas, who 12 months ago gave trainer Enda Bolger a sixth successive victory in the contest.

WRAGG BIDS FOR FOURTH SUCCESSIVE ORMONDE WIN WITH THE WHISTLING TEAL

He was lightly raced in 2003 and ran better than the placing suggests on his seasonal reappearance in the Group Three Dubai Irish Village Stakes at Newbury earlier this month, eight lengths adrift of Dubai Success when seventh of the 17 runners.

"The Whistling Teal ran a nice race at Newbury and I think the form is there - it was his first race of the year and he just ran a little bit rusty that's all. He has come out of the race fine - 100%," said the Newmarket-based trainer who has a great Chester May Meeting record.
Wragg has had six winners at the meeting in the last five years, the second highest total of any trainer, with only Barry Hills ahead on 10 winners in the same period.

The Group Three £65,000 MBNA Europe Bank Chester Vase was won by Wragg with Gulland in 1998. The Unfuwain colt just held on under a marvellous ride from Michael Hills to deny The Glow-Worm by a short-head.

This season Wragg, who has not had a runner in the classic trial since, intends saddling Graham Island on Thursday, May 6.

The three-year-old colt made a winning seasonal bow when stepped up in trip in a 11-furlong maiden at Newbury on April 16, pushed clear by Darryll Holland to justify favouritism by two lengths from Strike.

"Graham Island is earmarked for the MBNA Europe Bank Chester Vase at the moment," said Wragg. "I always thought that he'd be better suited by middle distances. If he ran well, it's possible that I would consider him for Royal Ascot."

The Wragg-trained Rockerlong was a well-backed favourite when prevailing by a neck from Gay Heroine in a tremendous finish to the 2001 running of the £50,000 Letheby & Christopher Cheshire Oaks over 11 furlongs, run this year on Wednesday, May 5.

"I also have a filly for the Letheby & Christopher Cheshire Oaks called Hidden Hope," continued the handler.

"She's run three times now and is working nicely. She ran well the other day at Windsor so we're hoping for the best."
The three-year-old filly stayed on at Windsor on April 19 to finish runner-up to Classical Dancer in an extended mile maiden.

Ed Gretton, Chester's clerk of the course, today reported the ground to be in lovely condition.
The going is currently good to firm and rain is expected this afternoon, with more later in the week and early next week.

Gretton said: "We are very pleased with the state of the course for the Chester May Meeting, the first racing of the year here. We had two millimetres of rain yesterday and it is unlikely that we will need to consider watering with the forecast being for more rain."

GOING NOW GOOD ON ROWLEY MILE

"With fields for both races likely to be in the high teens this year, putting the stalls in the centre of the 33 metre wide course seems to be the sensible option. The horses drawn lowest and highest will still be quite a long way from the rail, so there has to be a good chance that the fields won't split which in itself can be unsatisfactory. We have an even cover of grass right across the track. It's virgin ground everywhere and there should be no perceived advantage by taking any particular line.

"Our aim is to reduce the likelihood of any hard luck stories so that there are no excuses, leaving no doubt in anyone's mind that the best two horses on the day have won the season's first two classics."

SWALLOW IS EXPECTED TO BE THE FIRST TO ARRIVE

One of Ireland's big hopes for Saturday's UltimateBet.com 2000 Guineas, the Dermot Weld-trained GREY SWALLOW, is likely to be the first horse to arrive at the racecourse stables early tomorrow (Thursday) morning. He is due to travel over by ferry tonight.

TREGONING LOVES THE CHESTER MAY MEETING

The Lambourn-based trainer has sent out the last two winners of the Cheshire Oaks. Hammiya ran on well under Willie Supple to beat Halawanda in the 11-furlong Listed event in 2003 while, the previous term, Shadow Dancing also struck for the former Dick Hern assistant when proving too powerful for Bright And Clear.

Both fillies subsequently lined up in the Epsom classic, the Vodafone Oaks, with Shadow Dancing faring best when third to Godolphin's Kazzia.

"I like the Letheby & Christopher Cheshire Oaks and I do try and target it obviously," explained Tregoning.

"I do have a filly for it hopefully - an Unfuwain filly called Sahool who won her maiden at Nottingham last year [by three and a half lengths from Song Of Vala]. She's a big, strapping, very good-looking filly who is in very good form and looks a picture - a Shadow Dancing type.

"It is possible that she might run at Newmarket [on Sunday] but if not, she'll go to Chester for the Cheshire Oaks. I'm hoping that's what I'll be allowed to do but we'll have to see - it just depends on assessing what's running at Newmarket quite honestly."

Sahool's comfortable victory at Nottingham came over a mile on good to soft ground in November and the handler believes that the step up in trip will be ideal for Sahool.

"Being by Unfuwain [who won the Group Three MBNA Europe Bank Chester Vase in 1988] who was a proper mile and a half horse and there being enough stamina on the dam's side [Mathaayl by Shadeed], this suggests the trip will be absolutely perfect for Sahool. So hopefully, she'll take the beating," opined the trainer.

"I wouldn't worry too much if the going was fast - they always have a good cover there at Chester. She's going to meet it at some time during the summer in any case."

Tregoning is keen to have runners at the three-day Chester May Meeting, which commences on Wednesday, May 5, and concludes on Friday, May 7.

"I probably won't have runners in the other big races at Chester unfortunately, much that I would like to have, but I shall try and bring a team for at least a couple of the days.

"I enjoy the meeting and you also get very good ground at Chester. It's a great place and a great spectacle - I love Chester."

The trainer did mention another filly called Noora, whom he is targeting at the seven-furlong Stratstone Aston Martin Maiden Fillies' Stakes on Ladies' Day, Thursday, May 6.

He said: "Noora is quite a nice filly, who ran once last year. She's by Bahhare out of a mare called Esteraad who is by Cadeaux Genereux so she's got a lot of speed on both sides of the pedigree and would have enough pace for that seven-furlong race at Chester."

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