Wednesday, May 7, 2003
LATEST WILLIAM HILL ANTE-POST PRICES
IT'S A SNIP FOR THE OAKS
After a good third in today's Cheshire Oaks, Snippets is cut in to 25-1 from 40-1 for the Epsom Classic with William Hill. Sir Michael Stoute's Halawanda, backed down to 14-1 after good support yesterday and today prior to the race, started favourite but was not that impressive and is pushed back out to 20-1.
THE UK CLASSICS
VODAFONE DERBY: 7-2 Alamshar, Refuse To Bend, 6-1 Brian Boru, 16-1 New South Wales, 20-1 Alberto Giacometti, Hold That Tiger, 25-1 Chevalier, Grainkos, Powerscourt, Saturn, 33-1 Almushahar, Bourbonnais, Big Bad Bob, Battle Chant, Hi Dubai, Ikhtyar, Lateen Sails, Muqbil, Parhellon, Shield, Songlark, Tomahawk, 40-1 BAR (Others Upon Request)
VODAFONE OAKS: 5-1 Hi Dubai, 8-1 Yesterday, 10-1 Hanami, 12-1 Echoes In Eternity, 14-1 Soviet Song, 16-1 Mezzo Soprano, 20-1 Casual Look, Halawanda (from 14-1), 25-1 Elasouna, Geminiani, Gonfilia, Hold To Ransom, L'Ancresse, Mananiyya, Snippets (from 40-1), 33-1 Approach, High Praise, Huja, Summitville, Waldmark. (Others Upon Application)
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2004
CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP 2004: 6-4 Best Mate, 8-1 Beef Or Salmon, 12-1 First Gold, 14-1 Keen Leader, 16-1 Baracouda, Hussard Collonges, Truckers Tavern, 20-1 It Takes Time, Jair Du Cochet, One Knight. (Others Upon Request)
CHAMPION HURDLE 2004: 5-1 Rooster Booster, 7-1 Back in Front, 8-1 Rhinestone Cowboy, 20-1 Intersky Falcon, Davenport Milenium, Westender, 25-1 Like-A-Butterfly, Landing Light, Spectroscope, Well Chief, 33-1 Flame Creek, In Contrast, Liberman, Spirit Leader, Sporazene, Thisthatandtother. (Others Upon Request)
QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE 2004: 3-1 Moscow Flyer, 4-1 Azertyuiop, 8-1 Le Roi Miguel, 10-1 Flagship Uberalles, 12-1 Seebald, Tiutchev, 14-1 Cenkos, Kadarann, 20-1 Adamant Approach, Farmer Jack, Impek, Isio. (Others Upon Request)
SKY BET INCREASE THEIR SPONSORSHIP AT NEWBURY
Leading bookmaker Sky Bet have handed Newbury Racecourse a huge fillip after agreeing to increase their association with the course by sponsoring two more major race days in May and September.
Following a successful foray into race sponsorship at Newbury back in March, Sky Bet have decided to support two prestigious televised races at the Group One Juddmonte Lockinge Meeting on May 17, as well as backing the "Autumn Cup" in September.
On May 17 the 1m 5f skybet.com Stakes at 2.25pm and The skybetvegas.com Handicap Stakes over 1m 4f at 3.35pm will both be shown live on Channel 4.
Sky Bet have also decided to patron the Autumn Cup in September, which was won last year by John Gosden's Windermere and ridden by Frankie Dettori.
Sky Bet Media Relations Manager Dale Tempest said, "Sky Bet are delighted to have added to our race sponsorship portfolio "The Autumn Cup" along with two high profile Channel 4 televised Races on Saturday 17th May 2003.
"The ( 0-90 ) 1m 4f skybetvegas.com Handicap on Lockinge day last year saw one of the biggest gambles of the year landed when Barathea Blazer got up close home under Michael Kinane. It was one of our worst single results of the 2002 Flat season so with our sponsorship we are hoping for a bit better luck this time around."
Newbury Racecourse's Managing Director, Mark Kershaw added, "We are delighted that Sky Bet have increased their sponsorship interests at Newbury. They are supporting some very exciting races, all televised by attheraces Channel 4."
Sky Bet, a wholly owned company of BSkyB is one of the country's leading betting and gaming companies and industry leaders in the development of interactive TV betting.
To access Sky Bet just press red on your Sky Digital remote when watching a Sky Channel, alternatively you can visit www.skybet.com or call Freephone 08000 722 421 for Sky Bet Debit betting.
DEATH OF LORD MCGOWAN
It is with great regret that the Jockey Club reports the death of Lord McGowan, a Steward of the Jockey Club and Chairman of the Licensing Committee.
Lord McGowan died on Tuesday night after a short period of serious illness.
Christopher Spence, Senior Steward of the Jockey Club, said: "Duncan, who has been a great friend for many years, will be much missed by all his friends and colleagues, who include many members and employees of the Jockey Club. He was an exceptionally kind and charming man, greatly liked by all who came to know him.
"Duncan was a dedicated and valued member of the Club who gave a huge amount of his time to racing and cared deeply about the sport. He made a significant contribution to the work of the Jockey Club in a wide variety of roles, most recently with the Licensing Committee and as a Regulatory Steward. He also enjoyed a distinguished career in the City. Our thoughts and sympathies are with Duncan's wife and children at this very difficult time."
TERRY NEILL IS ELECTED TO VICE-PRESIDENT OF ROA
Terry Neill, who joined the ROA Council three years ago, will become the association's Vice-President from this July. He will replace the current Vice-President Chris Deuters who will move into the President's position after the ROA AGM on June 24th when Jim Furlong steps down.
Terry Neill has owned Flat and jump horses for 15 years and now has horses in training with Martin Pipe, Michael Bell and Sylvester Kirk. His best known horses are Gloria Victis, Dark Stranger and Red Prairie.
Terry said: "I have enjoyed the time I have spent on the Council to date and look forward to understanding more about racing politics and finance in the years to come. Racing is going through a time of significant change and I would like to think the experience I have gained in building up a successful company will help me to make a real contribution in dealing with the many issues that now face this complex industry."
The ROA Vice-President does not automatically take a seat on the BHB Board.
Sir Eric Parker will remain on the BHB Board for the time being, while, as the new President, Chris Deuters will move onto the BHB to take the place of Jim Furlong.
DOMINICA HEADS 59 KING'S STAND ENTRIES
Last year's King's Stand Stakes first and second, Dominica (M. P. Tregoning) and Continent (D. Nichols), head 59 entries for this year's renewal on Tuesday 17th June. Also entered are 2002 fourth placed The Trader (M. Blanchard) and the rapidly improving Olivia Grace (sixth).
Choisir (Paul Perry, Australia) and Firebolt (I. W. Allan, Hong Kong) have been entered in the King's Stand Stakes in addition to their engagement in the Golden Jubilee Stakes.
Mighty Beau (Randy Morse), a stablemate of Golden Jubilee Stakes entry Morluc, could represent the USA. Both contested the Grade 3 Aegon Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs last Friday, with Morluc finishing a head second to Fiscally Speaking, just over a length ahead of Mighty Beau in fourth.
Among the possible three-year-olds on show could be last year's Windsor Castle and Richmond Stakes (on disqualification of fellow entry Elusive City) winner Revenue (M. L. W. Bell), owned by the Royal Ascot Racing Club. He could be joined by last year's Coventry Stakes winner Statue Of Liberty (A. P. O'Brien) and Ego (G. Wragg), who looked not to stay seven furlongs in the Nell Gwyn Stakes at the Craven Meeting but had the form to make into a top class sprinter last year.
Zindabad used the Hardwicke Stakes as a springboard to an excellent third in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes last year and the Mark Johnston-trained globetrotter heads 58 entries for this year's mile-and-a-half highlight on Saturday 21st June.
Also among the entries are John Dunlop's stalwart Millenary, third in last year's Hardwicke, Bollin Eric (also a Gold Cup possible), winner of the St Leger at Doncaster last Autumn, and Ulundi, winner of last year's Wolferton Stakes and arguably unlucky not to follow up in the Arlington Million in Chicago.
Morshdi, winner of the Group One Grosser Preis Von Baden in Germany last year and now trained by Jebel Ali-based Allan Smith in the United Arab Emirates, and three entries from France (Craig's Falcon, Polish Summer and Morosov), add further international potential to the race.
As ever, bumper entries have been received for the King Edward VII Stakes (20/6/03) and Ribblesdale Stakes (19/6/03), attracting 92 and 97 respectively.
"The Group Two races at Royal Ascot have once again attracted strong entries numerically and in terms of quality," said Nick Cheyne, Clerk of the Course at Ascot.
"The Hardwicke Stakes achieved the joint second highest three year average rating of any Group Two race in Britain in the International Classifications between 2000 and 2002, sharing with the Dante at York. The highest rated race was the Queen Anne, which has now been promoted."
IRISH THOROUGHBRED NEWS
REFUSE TO BEND IMPRESSIVE WINNER OF THE 2,000 GUINEAS
The Moyglare Stud owned Refuse To Bend was the winner of the Newmarket 2000 Guineas on Saturday. A half brother to last seasons Melbourne Cup winner Media Puzzle, this son of Sadler's Wells took the first classic of the season in authorative fashion and in doing so became favorite for the Epsom Derby.
Having his second outing of the season, the Dermot Weld trained colt was well backed and always travelled comfortably on the outside of the leaders.
Pat Smullen asked him to take the lead approaching the final furlong and he stayed on well up the hill to record a famous victory.
FLAGSHIP UBERALLES TAKES GRADE 1 CHASE
Flagship Uberalles was the winner of the Grade 1 BMW Chase at Punchestown last week. Now this winner of seven Grade 1 National Hunt races, he is the second champion out of his dam, who also bred Viking Flagship.
Moscow Flyer had started odds-on favorite, but came to grief at the second last fence when still traveling comfortably under Barry Geraghty.
GROUP 2 WIN FOR PROGRESSIVE WARRSAN
Warrsan has progressed to take his first Group race victories this season, and followed up his recent Group 3 success with a victory in the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket. By Caerleon and a half brother to Needle Gun and Luso, Warrsan has the profile of an improving horse. This race was won last year by subsequent 'Arc' winner Marienbard.
QUAZAR RETURNS TO PUNCHESTOWN FOR ANOTHER GRADE 1 SUCCESS
The Jonjo O'Neill trained Quazar returned to Punchestown, where he had taken the Grade 1 4yo Hurdle last season, to take another Grade 1 in the Emo Oil Champion Hurdle. Ridden by Tony Dobbin he was settled near the rear of the field before closing up approaching the last and collaring Cheltenham Supreme Novice Hurdle winner Back In Front after the final hurdle.
MISS EMMA TAKES NAAS FEATURE SPRINT EVENT
Bred by Derek Iceton and a daughter of his resident sire Key Of Luck, Miss Emma was the convincing winner of the Listed Woodland Stakes at Naas. A progressive 2yo last season when finishing second in the Birdcatcher Nursery, this was her first run of the season.
It is rare for a 3yo filly to be victorious in all aged company at this stage of the season, and she looks set to go on to better things. Miss Emma was purchased by her trainer, Michael Halford for IrA318,000gns at the GoffsChallenge Sale.
GRADE 1 NOVICE WIN FOR NOBODY TOLD ME
Sold at the Goffs November Foal Sale for Ir9,000gns and at the Goffs Irish National Yearling Sale for Ir12,000gns, Nobody Told Me earned her biggest win yet when taking the Grade 1 Menolly Homes Champion Novices Hurdle at Punchestown.
Trained by Willie Mullins and a daughter of Kings Theatre, this mare is owned by the Amber Syndicate who collected over EUR55,000 for this victory.
FORMER TOM TAAFFE TRAINED TREBIZOND, TAKES USA GRADE 1 HURDLE
Trebizond was the winner of the Grade 1 Hard Scuffle Stakes Hurdle at Churchill Downs on Friday last. Formerly trained by Tom Taaffe to win at Listowel and Tipperary this son of Sadler's Wells was an easy winner fortrainer Kathy Neilson.
HOLY ORDERS TAKES SECOND BIG PRIZE IN A WEEK
The Willie Mullins trained Holy Orders was the winner of the Grade 1 Ballymore Properties Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown. Winner of the Listed Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan 5 days earlier, this son of Unblest challenged strongly the Aintree winner Sacundai after the last and took the victory by half a length.
Sold at the Tattersalls (Ireland) September Yearling Sale for IrA311,000gns to the BBA he has proved quite a money spinner for his connections.
BACK IN FRONT CONFIRMS CHAMPION NOVICE STATUS
Back in Front was appearing on an Irish racecourse for the first time since his impressive victory at the Cheltenham festival. He tracked the leader Fota Island approaching the second last hurdle and took control to win with the minimum of fuss approaching the last.
Back in Front was asked to race again three days later in the Emo Oils Champion Hurdle but the exertions of the season seemed to have taken the edge off him and he was run out of it late by the more experienced Quazar.
He still however looks an exciting prospect for next season.
PLEASURE PLACE MAKES IT THREE FROM THREE THIS SEASON
Pleasure Place successfully saw off the competition from Sopran Foldan (IRE) and Valroy (IRE) to win the Listed Premio Certosa at San Siro. This was her third success of the season.
IRISH THOROUGHBRED NEWS
ABBA RETURN TO WATERLOO
Abba Inferno, the immensely popular tribute band will be returning to Waterloo Meadows, Huntingdon Racecourse on Saturday evening, 10th May, to play live after the evening's racing.
This will be the first of two evening fixtures to be held in May and being a 'Hunter Chase Event' gives amateur jockeys and their mounts the opportunity to experience life from the professional side of the fence. Racecourse Manager Tina Dawson, who herself has held an amateur licence, said 'speaking from experience I know that a great deal of time and effort will have been spent to produce both horse and rider in peak condition, a great evening's racing is in prospect'.
The first of six races commences at 5.50 p.m. and the last race goes off at 8.20 p.m. Abba Inferno will play live in front of the paddock area until approximately 10 p.m. Racegoers are advised to leave early as roadwork's are scheduled on the A1 North and South of Huntingdon and may lead to delays. For those wishing to avoid the roads, the free shuttle bus between Huntingdon Station and the Racecourse will be in operation before and after racing.
Admission to watch the band is included in the entry admission of 16 to the member's enclosure and 12 to the paddock enclosure. Anyone wishing just to see the band can gain entry after 7.20 p.m. for just £5.00. As always at Huntingdon, children under 16 are admitted free.
ATTHERACES GAINS COVERAGE OF FRENCH RACING
attheraces have signed a partnership agreement with the PMU allowing the channel to broadcast Sunday racing from France from this weekend and to offer co-mingled pools betting through the interactive satellite channel and on the phone.
The PMU is the major pari mutuel betting company for horse racing in Europe with an annual turnover of 6.4 billion Euros. It offers pools betting 365 days a year on French Racing in its sales outlets, via the phone and through its interactive racing channel Equidia.
At the beginning of the year, the PMU signed a deal with attheraces allowing the Equidia channel to broadcast the top English racing and to offer pari-mutuel betting in all of their sales outlets. From May 11th, there is now a reciprocal agreement allowing attheraces viewers to watch and to bet on all of the top French racing on Sundays.
Tom Earl, Sponsorship and Communications manager at attheraces said: "We are delighted to increase our coverage of the top international racing. It fits extremely well into our schedule that the top races in France are run on a Sunday and it is a very valuable addition to our broadcast and betting inventory."
HILLS AND SPENCER THE EARLY LEADERS IN YORKSHIRE
Lambourn trainer Barry Hills, who saddled Pablo to win the Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster in March is the early leader in the race for the Waterford Trophy awarded to the top trainer on the Yorkshire racecourses during the 2003 Flat season; an award sponsored for the second year by Sky Bet, who also once again support the Waterford Crystal Trophy competition for the top rider in Yorkshire on the Flat.
Hills, who took this award in 1996 (with 35 winners), has so far recorded ten successes on the Yorkshire tracks this season followed by Middleham-based Mark Johnston on the eight-winner mark. Johnston has won this competition three times in the past, including 1995, when the awards were first made. Tim Easterby was the overall winner last year with a record 52 winners.
Having ridden eight winners this term in Yorkshire, Jamie Spencer is two clear of Darryll Holland, with Kevin Darley in third place on the five-winners mark. Darley is the six times winner of the jockeys' category, although it was Fergal Lynch with 47 winners who took the prize last year.
The specially-commissioned Waterford Crystal trophies are on display at most Yorkshire meetings during the Flat season which concludes at Doncaster in November. They will be presented to the leading trainer and jockey at the 'Go Racing in Yorkshire' Annual Lunch in December - an event also sponsored by Sky Bet.
For old articles (from 1st March 2000) go to the Newslink
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