Friday, May 23, 2003

SOYUZ FAVOURITE WITH THE SPONSORS FOR 2003 TOTE CREDIT CLUB SILVER BOWL

A colt who should appreciate the mile is the Michael Jarvis-trained Soyuz who looked to find six furlongs too sharp when third on his seasonal debut at Ripon last month and won on soft ground last year.
The Tote make him the 7/2 favourite while going 4/1 about Jazz Messenger whose trainer Gerard Butler landed the Tote Credit Silver Bowl 12 months ago with Common World. The lightly-raced Jazz Messenger is another who should appreciate the step up to a mile.
Next in the market at 9/2 is Zabaglione, who has the assistance of champion jockey Kieren Fallon, and is also moving up in trip after running fourth in a seven-furlong classified stakes at Newmarket on May 4 for trainer Roger Charlton.

Clive Cox's team of horses have been in flying form so far this season and the trainer will be represented in the Tote Credit Silver Bowl by Lago d'Orta, an 11/2 chance.

The Bahare colt has won two out of his three starts during the current campaign, most recently over an extended seven furlongs at Chester, where he had Weavers Pride (7/1) back in third.

At the top of the handicap are horses who have competed with credit in Pattern company. Jay Gee's Choice (12/1) was far from disgraced when ninth in the Sagitta 2000 Guineas on his penultimate start (he was only beaten six lengths) while the Mark Johnston-trained Helm Bank (14/1), winner of the Listed Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2002, came ninth in the Group Two Dante Stakes at York earlier this month.

Johnston won the Tote Credit Club Silver Bowl three years ago with Atlantic Rhapsody.

The Richard Hannon-trained Tizzy May (28/1) also competed in the Sagitta 2000 Guineas, finishing 18th of the 20 runners, and was last of four in a classified stakes at Thirsk earlier this month, five lengths adrift of the winner Excellento.

The Jim Goldie-trained Lucayan Dancer (14/1) is coming back in trip, having run over an extended ten furlongs on his last two outings. The first of these runs was a decent effort at this course last month, when finishing the half-length runner-up to Miss Opulence in a classified stakes.
The Bryan McMahon-trained Band (28/1), although still a maiden, has run well behind some good performers.

Tim Easterby's Go Tech (16/1) has had the benefit of three runs so far this season.

Docklands Maximus (18/1), trained by Nick Littmoden, won a nursery at Warwick last season and came the five-length sixth to Self Evident in a handicap at Newmarket on his seasonal bow earlier this month.

THE TOTE CREDIT CLUB SILVER BOWL SINCE 1986

The Tote first sponsored the Tote Credit Club Silver Bowl at Haydock in 1986, when this prestigious mile handicap went to the Sheikh Mohammed-owned Al Bashaama, trained by Luca Cumani.

Two of that owner's brothers, Hamdan Al Maktoum and Maktoum Al Maktoum, later won the race - the former with Takaddum in 1991 and Sheikh Maktoum with Winter Romance in 1996.

Winter Romance was the first of Newmarket-based Ed Dunlop's two winners. Three years later he struck again with Date, who stayed on gamely after being sent on over two furlongs out to deny Riverblue by a length.

Winter Romance and Date were both sired by Cadeaux Genereux and the former was probably well-in off 9st as he went on to win the Group 3 Scottish Classic at Ayr.

Jack Berry and William Jarvis are the two other trainers to have captured this race more than once since 1986. The former, who has now retired after handing over the reins to son Alan, was successful with Cashtal Dazzler in 1990 and French Connection in 1998.

Cashtal Dazzler carried a mere 7st 7lb while French Connection won the Tote Silver Bowl off a similar mark (7st 9lb) on the back of a maiden win at Hamilton and Paul Fessey's 3lb claim could have made all the difference when getting the better of Lucayan Indian by half a length.
Jarvis first was successful in 1992 with Sharpitor, who was a half-length third to Efharisto in the Britannia Handicap on his next start and later in the campaign won the Scottish Classic.

The Newmarket handler followed up five years later with Alezal, who was sent off the heavily-backed favourite and rewarded his supporters with a comfortable victory.
Last year's Tote Silver Bowl went to the Gerard Butler-trained Common World, another winning favourite who benefited champion jockey Kieren Fallon's skill to get the better of Macaw by a short-head in a thrilling finish. He subsequently finished the neck runner-up to Century City in a Group 2 event at the Curragh.

Sir Michael Stoute struck with the HH Aga Khan-owned Safawan in 1989. The quality of the Tote Credit Silver Bowl is emphasised by Safawan's victory in the Group 2 Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes the following season - a contest which has now acquired Group 1 status.

Stoute's former assistant James Fanshawe, obviously learnt well from his boss as he took the Tote Silver Bowl two years ago with Ecclesiastical, another winner who went on to run well in the Britannia Handicap, going down by a length and three-quarters to Analyser at Ascot.

Ecclesiastical, running under the name Olympic Express, has proved a revelation in Hong Kong, winning three Group 1 contests trainer Ivan Allan, including the Hong Kong Derby at Sha Tin last year.

THE TOTE CREDIT CLUB SILVER BOWL
1m, Haydock, Saturday, May 24, 2003

Year Winner Ag/Wgt Owner Trainer Jockey SP Ran
2002 COMMON WORLD 3-8-13 Sheikh Khaled Duaij Al Sabah Gerard Butler Kieren Fallon 7/4 F 12
2001 ECCLESIASTICAL 3-8-08 Cheveley Park Stud James Fanshawe Oscar Urbina 11/2 18
2000 ATLANTIC RHAPSODY 3-8-03 Atlantic Racing Ltd Mark Johnston Joe Fanning 11/1 16
1999 DATE 3-8-13 Abdulla Buhaleeba Ed Dunlop Willie Ryan 12/1 17
1998 FRENCH CONNECTION 3-7-09 Joe Singh Jack Berry Paul Fessey (3) 12/1 10
1997 ALEZAL 3-9-00 Howard Spooner William Jarvis Seb Sanders 5/2 F 6
1996 WINTER ROMANCE 3-9-00 Maktoum Al Maktoum Ed Dunlop Paul Eddery 9/4 F 10
1995 SONIC BOY 3-9-07 Anthony Pye-Jeary Fulke Johnson Houghton Jimmy Quinn 9/1 9
1994 DANCE TURN 3-9-00 George Ward Robert Armstrong Russell Price 25/1 12
1993 MOORISH 3-8-02 Adrian Fitzpatrick Paul Cole Tom McLaughlin (7) 11/1 13
1992 SHARPITOR 3-9-00 Henry Lopes William Jarvis John Reid 13/2 11
1991 TAKADDUM 3-9-03 Hamdan Al Maktoum Peter Walwyn Geoff Baxter 5/1 13
1990 CASHTAL DAZZLER 3-7-07 G H Atkinson Jack Berry L Charnock 14/1 8
1989 SAFAWAN 3-8-11 H H Aga Khan Sir Michael Stoute Pat Eddery 11/2 13
1988 JAMARJ 3-9-07 Ian Armitage Peter Easterby Mark Birch 6/1 15
1987 MOHAMED ABDU 3-7-08 N Shainan S Norton John Lowe 9/4 8
1986 AL BASHAAMA 3-7-10 Sheikh Mohammed Luca Cumani P Hamblett 8/1 13

VODAFONE DERBY MEETING JUST TWO WEEKS AWAY

The £1.2 million Vodafone Derby, Europe's richest race which is run on Saturday, June 7, still has 31 horses engaged after the last forfeit stage on Wednesday (compared to 25 at the same stage last year). Featuring prominently among the contenders for the premier classic is Irish colt Refuse To Bend who is unbeaten in four starts to date, including on his latest appearance in the Sagitta 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. Other leading Vodafone Derby hopes include Alamshar, who represents the team (owner HH Aga Khan, trainer John Oxx and jockey Johnny Murtagh) successful with Sinndar three years ago while Aidan O'Brien, bidding to become the first trainer to win three consecutive Vodafone Derby, still has seven colts to choose from including Brian Boru.

All of the leading fillies remain engaged in the Vodafone Oaks, which has 21 entries after yesterday's forfeit stage. Godolphin still has four fillies, including the highly-promising Hi Dubai, while O'Brien can choose from Yesterday and L'Ancresse.

Meanwhile, the £300,000 Vodafone Coronation Cup, being run for the 100th time this year, currently has 24 of Europe's leading middle distance performers after Tuesday's forfeit stage. Hawk Wing, the breathtaking 11-length winner of the Group One Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes on his seasonal reappearance is among them as is St Leger winner Bollin Eric, star filly Islington and last season's Juddmonte International hero Nayef.

There is an added incentive at Epsom Downs this year in the shape of the British Horseracing Board's Summer Triple Crown. Any horse that can win either of the three Group One races at the Vodafone Derby meeting or the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot and goes on to triumph in the Coral Eurobet Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park and Ascot's King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes will receive a bonus of £1 million. If then successful in the Juddmonte International at York's August Meeting, the bonus will rise to a massive £5 million.

This media information pack contains the latest entries ands analysis for the Vodafone Derby, Vodafone Oaks and Vodafone Coronation Cup along with factfiles for two Vodafone Derby contenders - Franklins Gardens and Shield.

GOING CURRENTLY GOOD
Andrew Cooper, Epsom's Director of Racing, describes the ground as currently being GOOD at Epsom Downs.

"If you raced at Epsom Downs today you would call it good ground," he said yesterday.

"A week ago we would have been good to soft, but it has dried out. Even though the weather has been a little unsettled, there has not been much rain in quantity terms over the past few days.

"We are looking at a further unsettled period until the start of next week and then there is some drier and warmer weather forecast after that.

"The course has not had to be watered since the Spring Meeting - nature has done the job for us. The course is in excellent condition with a good covering of grass."

VODAFONE DERBY & OAKS HOPES WORK AT EPSOM RACECOURSE
On Wednesday, May 28, Vodafone Derby hopes Shield (Gerard Butler) and Let Me Try Again (Terry Mills) as well as Vodafone Oaks contnders Casual Look (Andrew Balding) and Inchberry (Gerard Butler) will be working at Epsom Downs racecourse between 7.30am and 9.00am. All members of the media are welcome to attend this event and breakfast will be available from 7.30am. For further information please contact Johnno Spence on 07860 583307.

For further information, please contact Managing Director Stephen Wallis at Epsom Downs Racecourse on 01372 726311 or Juliet Soley/Johnno Spence at the GEM Group on 01483 202050.

ALL THE MAIN CONTENDERS AMONG 31 ACCEPTORS FOR THE VODAFONE DERBY

All the main contenders remain on course for the 2003 Vodafone Derby after the latest forfeit stage on May 21. In total, there are 31 horses still engaged in the 1.2 million contest , compared to 25 at this stage last year.

Heading the acceptors is the Sagitta 2000 Guineas winner Refuse To Bend, trained in Ireland by Dermot Weld. The unbeaten Sadler's Wells colt will be bidding to become the first colt since Nashwan in 1989 to win both Classics and only the third since the great Nijinsky in 1970. Refuse To Bend could be joined on June 7 by his stable companion Multazem, an impressive winner of a maiden race at the Curragh on his only start last month.

Aidan O'Brien is bidding to make history this year by becoming the first man to ever train three consecutive winners of the world's most famous race, following on from the victories of Galileo (2001) and High Chaparral (2002). The master of Ballydoyle still has seven entries to choose from - Alberto Giacometti, Balestrini, Brian Boru, Handel, Hold That Tiger, Solskjaer and The Great Gatsby.

The strong hand for the Irish this year is further strengthened by the presence of the John Oxx-trained Alamshar. The Key Of Luck gelding has followed the same path as the last three Vodafone Derby winners, having won the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown on his latest appearance.

Godolphin still has a quartet of entries engaged at this stage. They include Lateen Sails, who landed the Listed Michael Seely Memorial Glasgow Stakes at York on his latest appearance along with Songlark and Graikos, who both ran well when fourth and fifth respectively in the Tote Dante Stakes at York last time out. The Godolphin quartet is completed by New South Wales.

Dalakhani is the one remaining entry from France. The unbeaten half-brother to Daylami has won all of his five starts to date, most recently in the Group One Prix Lupin at Longchamp on May 11.

Magistretti won the Tote Dante Stakes at York last time out and he looks to head the home challenge, along with the Mark Tompkins-trained Franklins Gardens. Franklins Gardens already has experience of the unique demands of the Vodafone Derby Course, having won the Weatherbys Blue Ribband Trial Stakes at Epsom Downs on April 23 before going on to victory in the Bet Attheraces On 0800 083 83 83 Derby Trial Stakes at Lingfield on May 10, when he had Let Me Try Again in second. Let Me Try Again is trained in Epsom by Terry Mills and will be bidding to become the first Epsom-trained winner of the Vodafone Derby since April The Fifth in 1932 (Straight Deal won the wartime Derby at Newmarket in 1943).

Shield won the Group Three Bonusprint.com Classic Trial at Sandown Park on April 25 with Strength N Honour back in third. Gerard Butler's colt will be attempting to follow in the footsteps of Shahrastani, Shergar, Henbit and Troy, who all won at Sandown before going on to score at Epsom Downs.

Barry Hills has trained the runner-up of the Vodafone Derby on four occasions and this year the Lambourn trainer has a trio of entries to choose from with Dunhill Star, Gala Sunday and Private Charter. Veteran Newmarket trainer, who sent out Terimon to finish second at 500/1 in 1989, also has two entries remaining in the shape of Lundy's Lane and Titruel.

The remaining entries include the John Gosden-trained Summerland, recent Newbury handicap winner Prince Nureyev and Unigold, who finished runner up in the Listed Letheby & Christopher Predominate Stakes at Goodwood last time out. Completing the field are John Dunlop's maiden Alabanov, Abunawwas trained in Ireland by Kevin Prendergast and the outsider Skellings Rock, from the small yard of Brendan Duke.

Stephen Wallis, Managing Director at Epsom Downs racecourse, commented: "I am delighted to see that we still have all the main contenders England, Ireland and France still engaged in the Vodafone Derby and we look forward to welcoming more entries at the supplementary entry stage on June 2 for what looks set to be a truly vintage renewal."
The Vodafone Derby's next confirmation stage is at the five-day stage on June 2 when there is one last chance to add a horse to the field with the 90,0000 supplementary entry stage.

The Vodafone Derby, Oaks and Coronation Cup form the first leg of the British Horseracing Board's exciting new Triple Crown and Grand Slam Series.THE 2003 VODAFONE DERBY

Class A, Group One, Showcase Race, Epsom Downs, Total Prize Fund 1,200,000 Saturday, June 7, 2003, one mile, four furlongs and about ten yards. Weights: colts 9st; fillies 8st 9lb, closed December 5, 2001 (537 entries), first forfeit stage March 4, 2003 (143 entries remained), 9,000 second entry stage April 9, 2003 (8 entries added), second forfeit stage May 21, 2003, (31 remain) 90,000 supplementary entry stage, June 2, 2003, five-day confirmation stage noon, June 2, 2003, final declaration stage 10am June 5, 2003. (Form figures from Weatherbys correct up to Wednesday, May 21, 2003 and may not include some overseas form).

Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
15-24 ABUNAWWAS (IRE) 3 Hamdan Al Maktoum Kevin Prendergast IRE
11-21 ALAMSHAR (IRE) 3 H H Aga Khan John Oxx IRE
0332-3 ALBANOV (IRE) 3 Michael Watt John Dunlop
11-33 ALBERTO GIACOMETTI (IRE) 3 Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
30-14 BALESTRINI (IRE) 3 Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
121-3 BRIAN BORU 3 Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
111-11 DALAKHANI (IRE) 3 HH Aga Khan Alain de Royer Dupre FR
(1)- 123 DUNHILL STAR (IRE) 3 Mohamed Obaida Barry Hills
21-11 FRANKLINS GARDENS 3 Maggie Barwell Mark Tompkins
22-12 GALA SUNDAY (USA) 3 Khalid Abdulla Barry Hills
11310-5 GRAIKOS 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
41 HANDEL (IRE) 3 Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
1101(3)-0 HOLD THAT TIGER (USA) 3 Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
1-01 LATEEN SAILS 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
050-(2)(1)12 LET ME TRY AGAIN (IRE) 3 Terry Mills Terry Mills
32-(1)(1)(0)20 LUNDY'S LANE (IRE) 3 Saeed Manana Clive Brittain
1225-11 MAGISTRETTI (USA) 3 Michael Tabor Neville Callaghan
1 MULTAZEM (USA) 3 Hamdan Al Maktoum Dermot Weld IRE
11-6 NEW SOUTH WALES 3 Godolphin Saaed bin Suroor
4130-61 PRINCE NUREYEV (IRE) 3 H Gooding Rod Millman
2-(1)3 PRIVATE CHARTER 3 Robert Sangster Barry Hills
11-11 REFUSE TO BEND (IRE) 3 Moyglare Stud Farms Ltd Dermot Weld IRE
3(1)-1 SHIELD 3 Hesmonds Stud Gerard Butler
44- SKELLIGS ROCK (IRE) 3 P J Moriarty Brendan Duke
SOLSKJAER (IRE) 3 Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
115-(2)04 SONGLARK 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
24-(1)13 STRENGTH 'N HONOUR 3 Annie Cyzer Charles Cyzer
103012-62 SUMMERLAND (IRE) 3 Robert Sangster John Gosden
21644-2 THE GREAT GATSBY (IRE) 3 Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
42-3444 TITUREL 3 Brian Voak Clive Brittain
426-12 UNIGOLD (USA) 3 Abdulla BuHaleeba Ed Dunlop

31 entries remain after May 21 fofeit stage
11 Irish-trained
1 French-trained

FRANKLINS GARDENS (GB) FACTFILE
b c Halling (USA) -Woodbeck (Terimon)
Form: 21-11
Owner: Maggie Barwell
Trainer: Mark Tompkins
Breeder: Worksop Manor Stud

Franklins Gardens
Named after the home ground of Northampton Rugby Club, Franklins Gardens was sold privately to Mark Tompkins at the 2001 Tattersalls October Yearling Sales, after taking the fancy of his wife, Angie. Bred by the Nottinghamshire-based Worksop Manor Stud, the son of Halling is a half-brother to Polar Ben, twice a winner over seven furlongs for James Fanshawe last season. His dam Woodbeck is from the same family as Madam Gay, who won the French Oaks and finished second in the Vodafone Oaks at Epsom in 1981. Madam Gay was also bred by the Worksop Manor Stud. Franklins Gardens made his debut at Yarmouth on September 3, 2002, shaping with promise as he went down by a length and three quarters to Adekshan in a seven-furlong maiden. That promise was duly fulfilled on his next outing when he ran out the half-length winner of a seven-furlong maiden at Ayr's Western Meeting on September 20. Franklins Gardens was then put away for the season and was next seen out on a racecourse in the Weatherbys Blue Riband Trial Stakes at Epsom Downs on April 23. Starting at 15/2, Franklins Gardens proved he handled the demands of the Surrey course as he battled on gamely to defy the 5/6 favourite Gala Sunday by a short-head. Franklins Gardens completed his preparation for the world's most famous race by lining up in the Group Three Bet Attheraces On 0800 083 83 83 Derby Trial at Lingfield Park on May 10, when he showed he had continued to progress by putting up a battling performance to defeat Let Me Try Again by half a length.

Race Record: Runs: 4 1st: 3; 2nd: 1; 3rd: 0 Win & Place Prize Money: 57,430

Maggie Barwell
Maggie Barwell is the wife of Keith Barwell, owner of Northampton Rugby Club and it is after the home ground of the club that Franklins Gardens is named. Keith Barwell is chairman of Barwell Corporation Limited and has interests in land, farming, property development, local newspapers and financial services. Barwell made his fortune (estimated at 60 million in the 2003 Sunday Times Rich List) from establishing a chain of free newspapers in the Northampton area, which he sold for 20 million in 1988. In 1995 he purchased a controlling share in Northampton Rugby Club for 1 million and has since put over 5 million into the club, with his efforts rewarded when "Saints" won the Heineken Cup in 2000. Keith and Maggie are affectionately known as "Uncle Keith" and "Auntie Maggie" by the Northampton fans. Maggie Barwell has also owned a horse called It's Our Secret, also trained by Mark Tompkins and a five-time winner in minor company.
Vodafone Derby Record: No previous runners

Mark Tompkins
Mark Harding Tompkins was born in Houghton on the Hill, Leicestershire, on April 7 1951, although he grew up in the Sheffield area. Tompkins began training in 1979 at Flint Cottage Stables in Newmarket, having previously spent time as assistant trainer to Willie Musson, Ryan Jarvis and Walter Wharton. His career took a while to take off and he enjoyed his first major success when Private Audition caused a 50/1 shock in the 1987 Cesarewitch at Newmarket. Tompkins added another major handicap victory to his name when Halkopous took the 1991 John Smith's Cup at York. However, by far and away the best horse trained by him to date was Bob's Return. The son of Bob Back won the Lingfield Derby Trial, Great Voltigeur Stakes and St Leger in 1993, as well as finishing sixth in the Vodafone Derby that season. Three years later Tompkins almost added a second Classic to his name when Even Top went down by a short head to Mark Of Esteem in the 1996 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. In addition to his Flat horses, Tompkins also has the odd National Hunt horse in training. Over jumps his biggest victories have come with Halkopous, winner of the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, Bula Hurdle at Cheltenham and West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby.

Vodafone Derby Record: 1993 Bob's Return (6th), 1994 The Flying Phantom (20th), 1996 Even Top (13th)

SHIELD (GB) FACTFILE
b c Barathea (IRE) -Shesadelight (Shirley Heights)
Form: 31-1
Owner: Hesmonds Stud
Trainer: Gerard Butler
Breeder: Hesmonds Stud Ltd

Shield
Home-bred by Hesmonds Stud, Shield is the sixth foal out of Shesadelight, a full-sister to the US Grade One-winning mare Infamy. Shield is therefore a half-brother to Juan Manuel, an 11-time winner in Italy and also Sail The Wind, a winner of five races in Ireland. Shield did not reach the racecourse until October 29, when he shaped with promise in finishing third in a mile maiden race at Nottingham. He was not seen out again until December 3, when he proved suited by a step up to 10 furlongs when running away with a maiden on Lingfield's Polytrack by seven lengths from Alumni News. For his seasonal reappearance, Shield was thrown in at a much higher level when he contested the Group Three bonusprint.com Classic Trial at Sandown on April 25. He came through that test with flying colours, staying on tenaciously to defeat Inch Again by half a length and put himself firmly in the Vodafone Derby picture.

Race Record: Runs: 3 1st: 2; 2nd: 0; 3rd: 1 Win & Place Prize Money: 39,705

Hesmonds Stud
Born June 1, 1929, Peter Goulandris, from a famous Greek shipping family, owns Hesmonds Stud, which he bought in 1971 and is situated between East Hoathly and Halland in East Sussex. Goulandris, who shuns publicity, is based in London where he controls the Capeside Steamship Shipping Company Ltd which also has offices in Athens and New York. He has seen his blue and green colours carried to Group One victory by Formidable in the 1977 Middle Park Stakes and also won that season's Group Two Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury. He has owned many other high-class performers since. Goulandris, who is chairman of the Hellenic Foundation, inherited his love of racing from his late father George, whose racing successes include the 1962 Vodafone Oaks and Prix Vermeille with Monade, the grandam of the dual Ascot Gold Cup winner Sadeem. The best colt bred by Hesmonds Stud is arguably Terimon, winner of the 1991 Juddmonte International Stakes and runner up to Nashwan in the 1989 Vodafone Derby at odds of 500/1.

Vodafone Derby Record since 1965 (as Peter Goulandris): 1969 Shoemaker (2nd), 1978 Formidable (9th)

Gerard Butler
Gerard Butler was born on April 24, 1966 and hails from Co Kildare in Ireland where his family owned the Pier House Stud on the Curragh. He first became professionally involved in racing as a stable lad at Chantilly in 1988 and he then had a spell with top trainer (the late) Colin Hayes in Australia before returning to his native Ireland to work at Coolmore Stud. The next move was to the United States where he was attached to D Wayne Lukas' team for three and a half years, working his way up to becoming assistant trainer before his return to Europe coincided with John Dunlop needing a new assistant. He was at Castle Stables until the end of 1997 when he took up the role of training at Erik Penser's Churn Farm Stables in Oxfordshire and had his first success when Beauchamp King won at Ayr in May, 1998. Compton Admiral flew the flag for him in 1999 with victories in the Craven Stakes and Coral Eurobet Eclipse Stakes at Sandown while last season Butler enjoyed success with Elusive City in the Group One Prix Morny at Deauville, although the colt was stripped of his victory in the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood for failing a dope test. He has a team of 86 listed in training for 2003.

Vodafone Derby Record: 1999 Compton Admiral (8th)

21 REMAIN IN VODAFONE OAKS
The leading contenders for the 2003 Vodafone Oaks remain in the June 6 classic after the final forfeit stage on May 22.

Godolphin looks to have a particularly strong hand in the 375,000 race over 12 furlongs and the Maktoum family's operation will be aiming for a fourth Oaks success following on from Balanchine (1994), Moonshell (1995) and Kazzia (2002).
This year the main Godolphin hope is Hi Dubai, who was second in the Group One Prix Saint-Alary at Longchamp on Sunday and earlier this season won the Listed R L Davison Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket. She could be joined by stable companions Mezzo Soprano, runner-up in Wednesday's Listed Caffreys Lupe Stakes at Goodwood, Gonfilia and Lady Catherine, second in the Italian Oaks on Sunday.
Aidan O'Brien has two Vodafone Oaks victories to his name - Shahtoush (1998) and Imagine (2001) - and the Irish handler has a couple of entries still engaged. His main hope is Yesterday, a full-sister to last year's runner-up Quarter Moon, who is currently disputing favouritism with Hi Dubai. Yesterday was a Listed winner last season and ran a good trial for Epsom when eighth in the Sagitta 1000 Guineas at Newmarket last time out. O'Brien's other hope is L'Ancresse, runner-up in the Irish 1000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown before finishing 15th in the Sagitta 1000 Guineas.

There is one further Irish filly going forward, Snippets, who came third in the Listed Cheshire Oaks last time. She is trained by Jim Bolger, who sent out Jet Ski Lady to a shock 50/1 Vodafone Oaks victory in 1991.

Several other of these fillies met in the Sagitta 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 4. In that mile classic, Hanami ran a fine Vodafone Oaks trial for trainer James Toller by finishing well to take fifth while Casual Look was sixth, also staying on. Other Newmarket runs still engaged in the Vodafone Oaks are Summitville (seventh), Yesterday (eighth), Gonfilia (12th), Mezzo Soprano (14th) and L'Ancresse (15th).

Sir Michael Stoute has enjoyed Vodafone Oaks success with Fair Salinia (1978) and Unite (1987) and the Newmarket trainer looks keen to add to his tally again this year with three fillies still engaged. They are the Cheshire Oaks second Halawanda, the Listed Swettenham Stud Fillies' Trial Stakes runner-up Waldmark and Spanish Sun, winner of her only start to date at Kempton Park last season.
The Vodafone Oaks is one of few races to have eluded owner Robert Sangster and he could be represented this year by Ocean Silk, who impressed when taking the Listed Caffreys Lupe Stakes at Goodwood on Wednesday. Her trainer John Gosden could also be represented by High Praise, victorious in the Group Three Prix des Reservois at Deauville last season.

Heading the remaining entries is Geminiani. Unbeaten on her two starts last season, including in Listed company at Goodwood, where Inchberry was second, she put up a pleasing seasonal debut when second in the Group Three Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York on May 13.
Ed Dunlop's Moonsprite won on her seasonal reappearance in a Beverley maiden on Tuesday while the potential field is completed by the outsiders Heart N Minds, Magnificent Bell and Thingmebob.

Stephen Wallis, Managing Director at Epsom Downs Racecourse, commented: "The Vodafone Oaks is the richest race of its kind in Europe. It is a classic race in its own right and has the added attraction this year of being part of the new BHB Summer Triple Crown."
The Vodafone Oaks' next confirmation stage is at the five-day stage on May 31 when there is also a 20,000 supplementary entry stage at which Hammiya is set to be added to the field.

The Vodafone Derby, Vodafone Oaks and Vodafone Coronation Cup form part of the first leg of the British Horseracing Board's exciting new Summer Triple Crown and Grand Slam Series which offers a bonus of 5 million.

THE 2003 VODAFONE OAKS

Group One, Class A, Showcase Race, Epsom Downs, Friday, June 6, 2003, one mile four furlongs about ten yards, total prize fund 375,000, for three-year-old fillies only. Weights: 9st. Entries closed Wednesday, March 5, 2003 (84 entries). Forfeit stage Thursday, May 22, 2003 (21 remain), 20,000 supplementary entry stage May 31, 2003. Five-day confirmation stage May 31, 2003. 48-hour declaraton stage 10.00am Wednesday, June 4, 2003. (Form figures from Weatherbys correct up to Wednesday, May 21, 2003 and may not include some overseas form).

Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
34122-6 CASUAL LOOK (USA) 3 William Farish III Andrew Balding
11-2 GEMINIANI (IRE) 3 Bunny & Nick Roberts Barry Hills
11-(2)0 GONFILIA (GER) 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
2-12 HALAWANDA (IRE) 3 H H Aga Khan Sir Michael Stoute
01-5 HANAMI 3 G B Partnership James Toller
(0)543 HEARTS 'N MINDS 3 Annie Cyzer Charles Cyzer
2-12 HI DUBAI 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
131- HIGH PRAISE (USA) 3 Khalid Abdulla John Gosden
42D2-2 INCHBERRY 3 Woodcote Stud Ltd Gerard Butler
15-20 L'ANCRESSE (IRE) 3 Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
11-(6)2 LADY CATHERINE 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
MAGNIFICENT BELL (IRE) 3 East Wind Racing Ltd Mikael Magnusson
1-(1)02 MEZZO SOPRANO (USA) 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
33-1 MOONSPRITE 3 Maktoum Al Maktoum Ed Dunlop
2-11 OCEAN SILK (USA) 3 Robert Sangster John Gosden
3113-43 SNIPPETS (IRE) 3 Mrs Johny Weld Jim Bolger IRE
1- SPANISH SUN (USA) 3 Khalid Abdulla Sir Michael Stoute
1210-00 SUMMITVILLE 3 Mountain High Partnership James Given
2-14 THINGMEBOB 3 Angie Tompkins Mark Tompkins
1-2 WALDMARK (GER) 3 Newsells Park Stud Sir Michael Stoute
012631-0 YESTERDAY (IRE) 3 Sue Magnier & Roisin Henry Aidan O'Brien IRE

21 entries remain after May 22 forfeit stage
3 Irish-trained

HAWK WING HEADS 24 ACCEPTORS FOR 2003 VODAFONE CORONATION CUP
A total of 24 horses remain in the exciting 2003 renewal of the 300,000 Vodafone Coronation Cup after the latest forfeit stage on May 20.

Heading the acceptors is the Aidan O'Brien-trained Hawk Wing. Last year's Vodafone Derby runner-up made a brilliant seasonal reappearance when running away with Group One Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes over a mile at Newbury on Saturday by 11 lengths. O'Brien also has Black Sam Bellamy, the brother to the 2001 Vodafone Derby hero Galileo and a Group One winner in Italy last season, engaged, along with Ice Dancer.

Godolphin is well represented in the 2003 Vodafone Coronation Cup with five horses. The Godolphin quintet is headed by Mamool, who has won both his starts this season, most recently taking the Group Two Emirates Airline Yorkshire Cup at York on May 15. The others are Highdown - winner of the Group Two Prix Guillaume d'Ornano at Deauville last season, Highest - the 2002 St Leger second, Narrative - victorious in the Group Two Premio Carlo d'Alessio at Capannelle, Italy, last season, and Fight Your Corner - the 2002 Vodafone Derby fifth.

The Vodafone Coronation Cup was won last season by Boreal, trained in Germany by Peter Schiergen. This year there could be more German representation with Next Desert, who was last seen out when victorious in the Group One BMW Deutsches Derby at Hamburg on July 7.
The international flavour to the 2003 Vodafone Coronation Cup is further enhanced by the presence of Polish Summer. The six-year-old made an encouraging seasonal reappearance when fourth in the Group Dubai Sheema Classic at Nad Al Sheba and is trained in France by Andre Fabre, who has sent out the winner of the Vodafone Coronation Cup on five occasions.

Heading the British-trained entries is Sir Michael Stoute's star filly Islington. She was a dual Group One winner last season, landing the Vodafone Nassau Stakes at Goodwood and Aston Upthorpe Yorkshire Oaks at York. She was last seen out when third in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Arlington, Chicago, in October.

Marcus Tregoning has two remaining entries including Nayef, triumphant in the 2002 Group One Juddmonte International at York and third to Moon Ballad in the Group One Dubai World Cup on his seasonal reappearance. Tregoning's other entry is Ekraar, fourth in the 2001 Vodafone Coronation Cup.

Other trainers with multiple entries include Mark Johnston who has Bandari, Yavana's Pace and Zindabad engaged while David Elsworth could be represented by Pawn Broker and Indian Creek, winner of the Group Three Bet attheraces 0800 083 83 83 Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown Park last time out. Newmarket-based Sir Mark Prescott has both Foreign Affairs and the unexposed filly Albanova.

Completing the 24 are last year's St Leger hero Bollin Eric, Imperial Dancer, Ulundi and the much-improved Warrsan, successful in the Group Three Dubai Irish Village Stakes at Newbury and the Group Two Sagitta Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket already this season.

Stephen Wallis, Managing Director at Epsom Downs racecourse, commented: "The 2003 Vodafone Coronation Cup is all set to be a great race and Friday, June 6, at Epsom Downs is the place to be, with the Vodafone Oaks also being run on the same card."
The Vodafone Coronation Cup's next confirmation stage is at the five-day stage on May 31 when there is also a 20,000 supplementary entry stage.

The Vodafone Derby, Oaks and Coronation Cup form the first leg of the British Horseracing Board's exciting new Triple Crown and Grand Slam Series.

THE 2003 VODAFONE CORONATION CUP

Class A, Group One, 300,000 Total Prize Fund, Epsom Downs, Friday, June 6, 2003. For four-year-olds & upwards. One mile, four furlongs and about ten yards. Weights: colts & geldings 9st; fillies 8st 11lb. Entries closed April 9, entries revealed April 10 (42 entries), forfeit stage May 20 (24 entries remain), 20,000 supplementary entry stage May 31, five-day-confirmation stage May 31, final declaration stage 10.00am, June 4. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys & are correct up to and including Wednesday, May 21, 2003.

Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
1/115- ALBANOVA 4 Kirsten Rausing Sir Mark Prescott
1/10113-4 BANDARI (IRE) 4 Hamdan Al Maktoum Mark Johnston
25501-10 BLACK SAM BELLAMY (IRE) 4 Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
322331-43 BOLLIN ERIC 4 Sir Neil Westbrook Tim Easterby
2/5234-3 EKRAAR (USA) 6 Hamdan Al Maktoum Marcus Tregoning
11/015-52 FIGHT YOUR CORNER 4 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
0/12646-4 FOREIGN AFFAIRS 5 C Walker, J Carroll & Kirsten Rausing Sir Mark Prescott
22122(0)-1 HAWK WING (USA) 4 Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
42411-6 HIGHDOWN (IRE) 4 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
2122-103 HIGHEST (IRE) 4 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
0051/01- ICE DANCER (IRE) 5 Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
4004-40535 IMPERIAL DANCER 5 Imperial Racing Mick Channon
25460-(4)1 INDIAN CREEK 5 Seymour Cohn David Elsworth
101153- ISLINGTON (IRE) 4 Exors of the late Lord Weinstock Sir Michael Stoute
4/4154-11 MAMOOL (IRE) 4 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
01205-4 NARRATIVE (IRE) 5 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
13421-(3) NAYEF (USA) 5 Hamdan Al Maktoum Marcus Tregoning
11/1211- NEXT DESERT (IRE) 4 Gestut Wittekindshof Andreas Schutz GER
3/65-(3)(0)104 PAWN BROKER 6 Raymond Tooth David Elsworth
214D5-4 POLISH SUMMER 6 Khalid Abdulla Andre Fabre FR
(6)11/140- ULUNDI 8 D Heath Paul Webber
152422-112 WARRSAN (IRE) 5 Saeed Manana Clive Brittain
321533- YAVANA'S PACE (IRE) 11 Joan Keaney Mark Johnston
13135-04 ZINDABAD (FR) 7 Abdulla BuHaleeba Mark Johnston

24 entries remain
3 Irish-trained
1 French-trained
1 German-trained

CAN CURRAGH LEG BRING 'LUCK OF THE IRISH' TO SCOOP6 PLAYERS?

Three legs from Kempton and two from Doncaster combine with one from the Curragh to complete the line up for the big Saturday bet tomorrow with a rollover of £115,885 starting off the Win find and £70,102-unable to be won tomorrow-sitting in the Bonus Prize fund.

"It's not the first time we've included an Irish leg in the Scoop6 and obviously it will help set the Eurovision tone for the day," said Tote spokesman Jeremy Scott.

"For the first few months of this year it was looking like punters had got the Scoop6 completely worked out, with the bet being won week after week.

However now we've got a couple of weeks worth of rollover momentum built into the bet, all of a sudden the Scoop6 becomes a different prospect altogether with life-changing sums of money up for grabs tomorrow."

"With the 'luck of the Irish' on their side, A single winner of the Win fund tomorrow going on to land the Bonus Prize fund the following week would be looking at a total Scoop6 haul in the region of £300,000!"

Saturday's Scoop6 legs are:

leg 1 - 1.20 Doncaster
leg 2 - 2.30 Kempton
leg 3 - 3.05 Kempton
leg 4 - 3.30 Doncaster
leg 5 - 3.40 Kempton
leg 6 - 3.45 Curragh

BETFAIR TO SPONSOR ONE-FURLONG NEWMARKET CLASSIC

The race will be run in aid of charity on the historic Rowley Mile racecourse at Newmarket. The funds raised will be split between Racing Welfare and Newmarket Round Table, who are fund-raising on behalf of a homeless project in Newmarket.

The Betfair 3,000 Guineas is being organised by Newmarket Round Table with help from Newmarket Racecourse. The race will be run at 5.15pm, just under an hour before the first race of Newmarket's evening card and will be shown live on the dedicated racing channel, attheraces and the local Anglia Television. The main sponsor is Betfair, the company revolutionising betting.

Paul Catling, Chairman of Newmarket Round Table, said: "We hope the event will create plenty of publicity, not to mention lots of fun. Naturally, we are hoping to raise a lot more than just the entry fee money and, in this context, we are particularly grateful for the support of Betfair."

Mark Davies, Director of Communications at Betfair, said: "In 2002 Betfair was the fourth largest sponsor of UK horse racing in terms of the number of races; now in 2003 we are the proud sponsors of a Newmarket classic. Our horse is a relative newcomer to the game but he knows his racing and has been going well in the last few months!"

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

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