Saturday, June 10, 2000

FOURTH RACE RESULT
3.50pm VODAFONE DERBY

Breeding: Grand Lodge (USA) - Sinntara (Ire) (Lashkari)
Totes: Win: £7.00 Places: 1st: £2.50; 2nd: £2.10; 3rd: £2.30 Exacta: £26.00

Winning trainer:-Name: Oxx, John Mortimer
Date of birth: 14/7/50 Previous occupation: Assistant to father, John Oxx Trains at: Currabeg, Ireland Business interest: farming Major wins include: Irish St Leger (1987 Eurobird & 1989 Petite Ile), Irish Oaks (1997 Ebadiyla), Molyglare Stud Stakes (1988 Flamenco Wave), Irish 1,000 Guineas (1995 Ridgewood Pearl), Gallinule Stakes (1993 Massyar & 1995 Shemaran), Pretty Polly Stakes (1993 Takarouna), National Stakes (1993 Manntari, 1999 Sinndar), Blandford Stakes (1987 Eurobird & 1993 Foresee), Prix Du Moulin (1995 Ridgewood Pearl), Breeder's Cup Mile (1995 Ridgewood Pearl), Meld Stakes (1990 Khalafiya, 1991 Sardaniya), Prix Royal-Oak (1997 Ebadiyla), English Derby (2000 Sinndar) Horses in training (1987-2000): 108:110:121:n/a:114 :112:119 :108: 111: 138:136:130: 134:153 First Royal Ascot win: Ridgewood Pearl (June 21, 1995 - Coronation Stakes) Royal Ascot wins: (2) Coronation Stakes (1995 Ridgewood Pearl), Gold Cup (1999 Enzeli).

Winning jockey:-Name: Murtagh, John Patrick Born: May 14, 1970 Big Race Wins include: Breeders' Cup Mile (1995 Ridgewood Pearl), Coronation Stakes (1995 Ridgewood Pearl), Prix du Moulin (1995 Ridgewood Pearl), Yorkshire Oaks (1996 Key Change), Beverley D Stakes (1996 Timarida), Irish Champion Stakes (1996 Timarida), Irish Oaks (1997 Ebadiyla, 1998 Winona), Ascot Gold Cup (1999 Enzeli); National Stakes (1993 Manntari, 1999 Sinndar), Moyglare Stud Stakes (1998 Edabiya), English Derby (2000 Sinndar) Other details: Champion Irish apprentice in 1989, champion jockey in Ireland 1995 and 1998, has also been champion in Dubai, first jockey to John Oxx

VODAFONE DERBY PRESS CONFERENCE

"All my winners had individuality and the aspect that is most gratifying is that I've bred all of them. To breed four wins is every owner's dream. My grandfather won the race five times but not with home-breds. I've had a little wish that's two generations old to win with home-breds

"Sinndar goes back to one of the Boussac families - to one of his mares, Touzari, who was the equivalent of Mumtaz Mahal in my father's time. The dam is by Lashkari, who I bred.

"I've just been incredibly fortunate with my breeding. I had three Derby wins and four (Prix du) Jockey Clubs in a relatively short space of time. They were all 12-furlong horses and I like to support my own stallions but I think there was too much intensity of mile-and-a-half horses so I have been looking for more speed.

"I used Grand Lodge because he is a beautiful horse with a wonderful pedigree and speed."

The owner is shortly to become a grandfather and asked whether that or this success was better, he said: "Being a grandfather - I'd better say that because my daughter is a witness!"

JOHN OXX

Despite having trained at the highest level for over 20 years, this was John Oxx's first Vodafone Derby winner. "You can't run any old horse in the Vodafone Derby - you need an uncomplicated sort," explained the Currabeg handler. "I've never had a colt who was good enough before, it's as simple as that. My good horses have all been fillies, we've had Group 2 horses and places in the Irish Derby but my clients are not the sort of people that want to come here for the day out and finish tenth.

"I thought Sinndar might be a candidate earlier in the year but he doesn't do sparkling gallops - you won't be seeing any headlines about his work in the Racing Post. He works with handicappers and horses he was working with earlier in the year have disappointed us because they're still maidens.

"He's a terrific customer with wonderful qualities and a great temperament. He has won on both heavy and fast ground and was a Group 1 winner as a two-year-old as well. He is the ideal Derby horse.

"They didn't rate him very highly after he won the National Stakes last year. But I think that two-year-old races mean very little - they're only indicators of future promise so you can't get carried away by two-year-old ratings.

"I was a little excited by his first run this year because his work doesn't show me anything. He was beaten a short-head but I came home and thought this could be it.

"This is a dream really. Most trainers work all their lives and never get near winning the Derby. My father was a successful trainer and I was never going to do anything else. When you are young you always think that you will win the Derby one day but you soon realise that it is not that easy.

"The obvious plan now would be the Irish Derby if he comes out of this well."

Asked if the St Leger would be on the agenda, Oxx added: "We'll take one race at a time. He also has entries in the Arc and Irish Champion Stakes."

JOHNNY MURTAGH
Johnny Murtagh, Sinndar's rider, said: "Everything worked out well - we had a beautiful run behind Sakhee and I thought it was a two-horse race. At the two-furlong marker I was confident that I would wear him down. He was really well-prepared for this.

"He's a really good horse with his heart in the right place. If a horse handles the track it's a big help and he handled the track.

"He's a very straightforward horse. Usually I have Mondays off but I came in last Monday to ride him in a canter and he gave me a good feel.

"I'm a little emotional. I just saw my wife (Orla) outside and she was in tears and so was I nearly. It means a lot to me to win for Mr Oxx and the Aga Khan. I have worked for Mr Oxx for a long time and I'm just pleased for everybody there. I know them all as friends, not as staff.

"Despite what he says Mr Oxx was quietly confident and I said that although it's a bit early this would be my 50th birthday present for him (the actual date is July 14th)."

Murtagh held the Queen Mother's hand for some time in the Royal Box, and asked why he replied: "I don't get to meet her very often! I was just pleased to meet her as she's a perfect lady who is big into her racing."

The jockey has struggled with his weight in the past and said: "It's tough but it's a lot easier riding good horses every day for this team. It's alright doing nine stone - I just went for a walk yesterday evening and a quick sweat for 15 minutes when I got here.

"When I was young I didn't know much about racing and only ever watched the Derby and Grand National. At the apprentices' school they always show you the Derby and it's a dream come true, I'm just over the moon."

Olivier Peslier, who was tailed off last of 15 in the Vodafone Derby, said: "He was hanging right all the way. He had a special bit fitted but that didn't make any difference."


VODAFONE DERBY PLACED QUOTES


2nd- SAKHEE

Trainer John Dunlop said: "He's run a marvellous race . It's heartbreaking in a way but it's happened before and no doubt will happen again. I thought we had won in the straight."

Jockey Richard Hills said: "He's ran a great race. He gave me a lovely ride and I was able to give him a breather. Everything went to plan - the horse gave me 110% - he gave me everything. He ran on."

3rd - BEAT HOLLOW

Trainer Henry Ceil said: "We were only beaten five lengths. He's inexperienced and I hope he will improve. I thought he had a great chance before the race but we were beaten fair and square."

Richard Quinn said: " He's run a very good race but the first and second did it nicely. My fellow stayed but will probably be better suited by the Curragh."


4th - BEST OF THE BESTS

Godolphin Racing manager Simon Crisford said: "He'll drop back in trip to a mile and a quarter. He did not get home. He's run a marvellous race."

Jockey Chris McCarron said: "This a stiffer test of a horse than the Kentucky Derby. I have ridden twice in the Derby now and there is no way a horse can win if he comes here less than perfect.

"I was going very comfortably on Best Of The Bests. I did not expect to be in front. I wanted to be handy and broke well but the others pulled back. He was going nicely in front but he intermittently accelerated and relaxed - it would have been better if he could have come with one smooth run.

"From the three to the two furlong-markers he showed a good turn of foot - he was still running on in the final two furlongs but not at the same pace. He's gets a mile and half but I would be in favour of dropping back a couple of furlongs in top-class company."


MORE JOCKEY REACTION TO THE VODAFONE DERBY


Kevin Darley, sixth on Hatha Anna, said: "He ran a very good race. He coasted on the outside into the straight and found something before his run petered out. He is a weak horse still, has a lot of improvement in him and will be better in six months."

Richard Hughes, seventh on St Expedit, said: "He ran well - they were just a bit quick for him."

Philip Robinson, eighth on Barathea Guest said: "He was never really going. He couldn't act on the track."

Jimmy Fortune, ninth on Zyz, said: "He ran well but probably did not stay."

SINNDAR (IRE)
THE 2000 VODAFONEDERBY WINNER

His return came on April 16 over ten furlongs in the Listed Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown on April 16 when Grand Finale, who was receiving 7lb, just prevailed by a head. Sinndar resumed winning ways at Leopardstown on May 14 when taking the Group 3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial by a head from fellow Epsom hopeful Bach, who received 7lb and has since been second in the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat.

Race Record: Starts: 5; 1st: 4, 2nd: 1; 3rd: 0; Win & Place Prize Money: 693,275


H H Aga Khan
Born in Geneva on December 13, 1936, the Harvard-educated Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims, is the son of Prince Aly Khan, whose racing interests he inherited after his father's death in a car accident in May, 1960. However, it was not until the 1970s that the Aga Khan resumed the family's rich racing traditions. His grandfather won the Derby five times with Blenheim (1930), Bahram (1935), Mahmoud (1936), My Love (1948) and Tulyar (1952). In 1973, he built a new stud in Normandy, the Haras de Bonneval, and in 1978 opened the magnificent Aiglemont complex near Chantilly, which includes a 100-box training centre, a chateau where the Aga resides, and an office building from where the owner's worldwide business interests - which include an airline, hotels and a resort in Sardinia - are conducted. The Aga Khan has an enterprising breeding policy and is never afraid to use stallions away from the mainstream. He races only home-breds but is always keen to acquire new bloodlines, as when paying 1.3 million in September, 1977, for 82 mares, yearlings and foals owned by Francois Dupre's widow, Anna, and 4.7 million the following year for more than 100 head of bloodstock owned by the late Marcel Boussac. Gilltown and Sallymount Studs in Ireland provide over 2,000 acres of pastures and he has a further 550 acres of paddocks in France, where his farms include the Haras de Saint-Crespin. He has seen his famous emerald green and red colours carried to victory in the Vodafone Derby three times, the most memorable being the record-breaking ten-length victory of the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Shergar in 1981. Shahrastani, also trained by Stoute, held off the fast-finishing challenge of Dancing Brave in 1986 while Kahyasi triumphed for Luca Cumani two year's later. The Aga Khan, whose full title is His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, boycotted British racing from December, 1990 until Royal Ascot in June, 1995, as a result of his filly Aliysa's disqualification from the 1989 Oaks. Aliysa tested positive to camphor in her post-race dope test and, after losing a long battle with the Jockey Club, the Aga Khan withdrew his horses from Britain. A positive test last season led the owner to withdraw 30 horses he had with Cumani in January, with Sir Michael Stoute the chief beneficiary. Vodafone Derby Record: 1977 Blushing Groom (3rd); 1981 SHERGAR (WON); 1986 SHAHRASTANI (WON); 1987 Sadjiyd (8th); 1988 KAHYASI (WON); 1988 Doyoun (3rd); 1989 Torjoun (8th); 1999 Daliapour (2nd), 2000 Sinndar (1st)

John Oxx IRE
Born July 14, 1950, John Oxx has built up an outstanding training record since saddling his first winner - Orchestra - at Phoenix Park on March 31, 1979, but Sinndar will be his first-ever runner in the Vodafone Derby.

In 1978 he had taken over the licence upon the retirement of his eight-time classic-winning father - also John - and is now the principal Irish trainer to the Aga Khan and Sheikh Mohammed while other major owners include Chryss O'Reilly and Lady Clague.
Oxx has a particularly good record with fillies, headed by the great Ridgewood Pearl, whose victories in 1995 included the Irish 1,000 Guineas, Coronation Stakes, Prix du Moulin and culminated in the Breeders' Cup Mile at Belmont Park. He has also enjoyed classic success in the Irish Oaks (1997 Ebadiyla and 1998 Winona) and Irish St Leger (1987 Eurobird and 1989 Petite Ile).

Oxx is also involved in racing politics as a former chairman of both the Irish National Stud and Association of Irish Racehorse Trainers and is a member of the Irish Horseracing Authority committee. He has a biggest ever team of 153 horses listed in training at his base at Currabeg in Co Kildare for 2000.

Vodafone Derby Record: 2000 Sinndar (1st)

Johnny Murtagh
Born May 14, 1970, Johnny Murtagh was apprenticed to John Oxx and became Irish champion apprentice in 1989. Weight problems forced him to relinquish his position as stable jockey to Oxx but Murtagh overcame those difficulties and in 1993 finished runner-up in the Irish jockeys' championship.

In 1995, he became Irish champion jockey for the first time and has since gained international prominence, riding in Dubai during the winter (where he has been champion rider), winning the 1995 Breeders' Cup Mile on Ridgewood Pearl and the following year's Beverley D Stakes on Timarida. Murtagh finished runner-up to Christy Roche in the Irish jockeys' championship in 1997, regained the title in 1998 with 87 victories, although he finished only fourth behind Mick Kinane last season.

Vodafone Derby Record: 1996 Double Leaf (10th); 1998 Sunshine Street (4th); 1999 All The Way (5th), 2000 Sinndar (1st).


WINNING QUOTES RACE FOUR
VODAFONE DERBY

JOHN OXX

"I think I shall have to retire. You can't do much better than win the Vodafone Derby with your first runner in the race.

"This horse has kept improving all the season and I was sure that the extra two furlongs here would be right for him.

"He is not a horse who tells you very much at home; you would not know from what he does there how much he had improved as he only works with handicappers.

"But he has been looking better and better all the season, and before he left to come over here a couple of days he ago he looked better than he had ever done.

"I knew that if he was going to win, he was going to win like that. He has a tremendous heart and he really wanted to win. He is a very determined horse and I was sure that the distance would bring out the best in him,

"One thing about this horse is that he is very, very genuine. The next race for him would seem obviously to be the Irish Derby - he knows that course, or at least most of it!"


AGA KHAN

"That was marvellous. It is very important to win races like the Derby when you have a breeding operation that is the size of mine.

"From the form he had shown over a mile and a quarter I was sure that the mile and a half would be ideal for him.

"I think that the Irish Derby is the right race for him to go for next, but I do not know at the moment if he will stay in training as a four-year-old; we shall just have to see what happens about that later in the year."


JOHN MURTAGH
"I have had my problems in recent years but it has been wonderful how the Aga Khan and Mr Oxx have stuck by me. I am lucky enough to work for two marvellous people and I am absolutely delighted.

"The Aga Khan told me that I should try to be in the first five from the start and the race worked out really well for me.

"I got a beautiful run through behind Richard (Hills on Sakhee) and I was able to follow him through. I was sure that I was going to win from two and a half furlongs out for he is so brave and battles so well; you can tell you are going to win from the will of the horse.

"I would just like to say hello to all my family back in Ireland and say how marvellous it is for me to be here."


VODAFONE DERBY
CECIL AND QUINN FINED



Henry Cecil was fined 3,200 and Richard Quinn 1,000 after Beat Hollow did not take his proper place in the pre-race parade.

Cecil's then stable jockey Kieren Fallon suffered a similar fate 12 months ago (fined 1,000) when Oath broke the parade on the trainer's instructions, and this time the fine was the maximum which racecourse stewards are allowed to impose.

Horses are meant to parade in racecard order, though permission can be sought and given for them to parade out of sequence.

No such request was made on behalf of Beat Hollow, who paraded last of all when he should have been third, and the stewards did not accept the explanations offered by the trainer and jockey at the subsequent inquiry.

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

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