Tuesday, June 20, 2000

BEST PRICES FOR ROYAL ASCOT TOMORROW

Dubai Millennium has not looked back since he failed to stay the trip in the Vodafone Derby last year and ended 1999 with a display of total authority in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes here in September. This followed two top wins in France, particularly when he won the Group 1 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville.

But even those successes did not totally prepare us for his display in the Dubai World Cup in March when the colt made almost all the running and beat top American horse Behrens by six lengths. After that many good judges rated him the best horse in the world.

But Sendawar will prove a tough rival, as he showed with his comeback success in the Group 1 Prix d'Ispahan over an extended nine furlongs at Longchamp last month, when he trounced Indian Danehill by three lengths. Last year he won the St. James's Palace Stakes at the Royal meeting, as well as the Poule d'Essai and the Prix du Moulin.

Sir Michael Stoute is doubly represented, though jockey plans indicate that last year's Vodafone Derby third Beat All, who made a satisfactory reappearance when fourth behind Shiva at Sandown, is preferred to King Adam. The latter had a comfortable reappearance success against much lesser opposition at Doncaster earlier this month.

Border Arrow has had a hard time with injuries since he was third in the Sagitta 2,000 Guineas and the Vodafone Derby two years ago, but showed that he is not yet done with when third in the Vodafone Coronation Cup the week before last, and the German challenger Sumitas won in Listed company at Krefeld and Cologne last year and finished third (only to be disqualified) in Group 1 company at Rome last time.

Pegnitz is a non-runner.

THURSDAY'S GOLD CUP

The last three winners of the Gold Cup are set to do battle on Thursday, with last year's hero Enzeli being taken on by Kayf Tara, who was successful in 1998, and Celeric, who won the race three years ago.

This will be their second encounter in the race, as when Enzeli won 12 months ago he had Kayf Tara four lengths behind him in third and Celeric a further length and three-quarters adrift in fourth. Those two horses have different ground preferences, with Celeric at his best on faster conditions, which Kayf Tara does not relish.

Enzeli, who represents the same owner, trainer and jockey team of the Aga Khan, John Oxx and Johnny Murtagh as this year's Derby winner Sinndar, made a very pleasing reappearance over a trip well short of his best when short headed by Royal Rebel at Leopardstown in May.

Kayf Tara's seasonal debut saw him win the Yorkshire Cup with total authority with Celeric (reportedly unhappy on the slippery conditions) and Persian Punch well behind him.

Persian Punch has since shown himself in a totally different light when he made just about all the running in the Henry II Stakes at Sandown when Arctic Owl, who will be 3lb better on Thursday, was just over two lengths back in third.

But he is a Jekyll and Hyde sort of a horse and seems to keep the Hyde very much for the Gold Cup. He has run in the race three times and run badly on every occasion.

Arctic Owl, a late withdrawal from the race last year because of the fast ground, is weighted to turn round that Sandown form and, with Henry Cecil's horses having got over their malaise, last year's Queen's Vase winner Endorsement is making her first appearance of the season.

Michael Jarvis and Philip Robinson have been having a brilliant season, headed by Holding Court in the Prix du Jockey-Club, and their Life Is Life was an excellent second at Chester to the subsequent Coronation Cup winner Daliapour.

John Dunlop, who trains Celeric, has two other runners in the race in last season's Queen Alexandra Stakes winner San Sebastian, who was then trained in Ireland, as he was when he won the Ascot Stakes the previous season, and Orchestra Stall, who came back from a long lay-off to beat Persian Punch and Celeric in the Sagaro Stakes here in May.

DECLARED RUNNERS
FOR THE GOLD CUP

---

Form Horse Age/Wt Owner Trainer Jockey
12226-3 ARCTIC OWL 6-9-02 The Owl Society James Fanshawe Kieren Fallon
6133-30 CELERIC 8-9-02 Christopher Spence John Dunlop Pat Eddery
41/114-2 ENZELI (IRE) 5-9-02 H H Aga Khan John Oxx IRE Johnny Murtagh
12115- FAR CRY (IRE) 5-9-02 Mrs Nicky Chambers Martin Pipe Kevin Darley
13111-1 KAYF TARA 6-9-02 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor Michael Kinane
0121//-61 ORCHESTRA STALL8-9-02 Sir David Sieff John Dunlop Gerald Mosse
401-201 PERSIAN PUNCH (IRE)7-9-02 Jeff Smith David Elsworth John Reid
20321-5 RAINBOW HIGH 5-9-02bl Khalid Abdulla Barry Hills Michael Hills
5442-46 SAN SEBASTIAN 6-9-02v Mrs Michael Watt John Dunlop Damien Oliver
40-0564 ASHGAR (USA) 4-9-00 Abdul Aziz Bin Saud Clive Brittain -
22131-2 COMPTON ACE 4-9-00t Erik Penser Gerard Butler Richard Hughes
3116- ENDORSEMENT 4-8-11 Cliveden Stud Henry Cecil Richard Quinn
3102-32 LIFE IS LIFE (FR) 4-8-11 Raymond & Anita Michael Jarvis Philip Robinson
Anderson Green

13 declared runners

GIANT'S CAUSEWAY LANDS ST JAMES'S PALACE

The Storm Cat colt, second in the English and Irish 2000 Guineas, was ridden much closer to the pace today by Michael Kinane and held on gamely to hold off the challenge of the strong-finishing Valentino with Medicean back in third.

3.45pm ST JAMES'S PALACE STAKES

Class A, Group One, £250,000 guaranteed, 1m, for three-year-old entire colts. Penalty values: 1st: £156,600; 2nd: £59,400; 3rd: £29,700; 4th: £13,500; 5th: £6,750; 6th: £4,050

1 GIANT'S CAUSEWAY (Sue Magnier/Michael Tabor) Aidan O'Brien(IRE) 3-9-00 Michael Kinane [3] 7-2 F
2 VALENTINO (Anthony Oppenheimer) John Gosden t3-9-00 Gerald Mosse [11] 16-1
3 MEDICEAN (Cheveley Park Stud) Sir Michael Stoute 3-9-00 Kieren Fallon [10] 16-1
4 SHIBBOLETH (Khalid Abdulla) Henry Cecil t3-9-00 Richard Quinn [9]
5 SARAFAN (Mrs L Burnet - Osborne House II) Sir Mark Prescott 3-9-00 George Duffield [5]
6 BACHIR (Godolphin) Saeed Bin Suroor 3-9-00 Jerry Bailey [1]
7 INGLENOOK (Seymour Cohn) John Dunlop 3-9-00 Pat Eddery [2]
8 FANAAR (Saleh Al Homeizi) Jeremy Noseda 3-9-00 Jason Weaver [8]
9 COMPTON BOLTER (Erik Penser) Gerard Butler 3-9-00 Thierry Jarnet [4]
10 CHINA VISIT (Godolphin) Saeed Bin Suroor 3-9-00 John Velazquez [6]
11 CAPE TOWN (S A Six) Richard Hannon 3-9-00 Richard Hughes [7]

11 ran Distances: Hd, , , , Hd, 1 , 1 , , , Sh
Time: 1 minute 42.61 seconds Breeder: Orpendale and Michael Tabor
Breeding: Storm Cat - Mariah's Storm (Rahy) Totes: Win: £4.00 Places: £1.60; £2.70; £3.40 Exacta: £62.00

Winning trainer:-Name: Aidan O'Brien
Date of birth: 16/10/69 Previous occupation: Assistant trainer to Jim Bolger and Anne-Marie Crowley O'Brien Date of first licence: 1993 British Classic wins: (2) Sagitta 2,000 Guineas (1998 King Of Kings), Vodafone Oaks (1998 Shahtoush) Other major wins include: Irish 1,000 Guineas (1997 Classic Park), Irish 2,000 Guineas (1997 Desert King, 1999 Saffron Walden), Irish Derby (1997 Desert King), Coventry Stakes (1997 Harbour Master), Grand Criterium (1997 Second Empire), Racing Post Trophy (1997 Saratoga Springs, 1999 Aristotle), National Stakes (1996 Desert King; 1997 King Of Kings), Dante Stakes (1998 Saratoga Springs), Prix Morny (1998 Orpen), Heinz 57 Phoenix Stakes (1998 Lavery), July Cup (1999 Stravinsky), Nunthorpe Stakes (1999 Stravinsky), Phoenix Stakes (1999 Fasiliyev), St James's Palace Stakes (2000 Giant's Causeway) First Royal Ascot win: Harbour Master (June 17, 1997 - Coventry Stakes) Royal Ascot wins: (4) Coventry Stakes (1997 Harbour Master, 1999 Fasiliyev) Chesham Stakes (1999 Bach), St James's Palace Stakes (2000 Giant's Causeway) National Hunt Record: Champion trainer in Ireland every year since taking out a licence in the 1993/94 season. Has five Cheltenham Festival victories to his credit including three Champion Hurdle wins by Istabraq at the 1998, 1999 and 2000 Festival.

Winning jockey:-Name: Kinane, Michael Joseph.Born: County Tipperary, Ireland, 22/6/59.

Apprenticeship: With Liam Browne. First winner: Muscari (Leopardstown 19/3/75) Classic wins: (4) Vodafone Derby (1993 Commander In Chief); Sagitta 2000 Guineas (1990 Tirol, 1997 Entrepreneur, 1998 King Of Kings) Other major wins include: Melbourne Cup (1993 Vintage Crop), Irish Oaks (1989 Alydaress, 1996 Dance Design), Prix de l'Abbaye (1985 Committed), St James's Palace (1992 Brief Truce, 1994 Grand Lodge), Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (1989 Carroll House, 1999 Montjeu), Eclipse (1993 Opera House, 1997 Pilsudski), Irish St Leger (1993, 1994 Vintage Crop), King George VI and the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes (1990 Belmez, 1994 King's Theatre), Ascot Gold Cup (1996 Classic Cliche), Fillies' Mile (1996 Reams Of Verse); Cheveley Park Stakes (1995 Blue Duster); Dewhurst Stakes (1994 Grand Lodge); Coronation Stakes (1994 Kissing Cousin); July Cup (1999 Stravinsky); Nunthorpe (1999 Stravinsky); Derby Italiano (1992 In A Tiff, 1995 Luso); Hong Kong Invitational Bowl (1991 Additional Risk), Irish Champion Stakes (1997 Pilsudski), Dubai Champion Stakes (1997 Pilsudski), Racing Post Trophy (1997 Saratoga Springs), Japan Cup (1997 Pilsudski), Prix Morny (1998 Orpen, 1999 Fasliyev); Phoenix Stakes (1999 Fasliyev), Prix de la Salamandre (1999 Giant's Causeway), Grand Criterium (1997 Second Empire, 1999 Ciro), St James's Palace Stakes (2000 Giant's Causeway) Other details: Champion Irish apprentice 1978. Irish champion jockey ten times. Rode primarily for Dermot Weld until 1998, now stable jockey for Aidan O'Brien. Royal Ascot wins: (24) Major Royal Ascot wins: St James's Palace Stakes (1982 Dara Monarch, 1992 Brief Truce, 1994 Grand Lodge, 2000 Giant's Causeway), Gold Cup (1996 Classic Cliche)

THIRD RACE WINNING QUOTES
ST JAMES'S PALACE STAKES (GROUP 1)

CAUSEWAY MAKES AMENDS

Giant's Causeway, who has filled the runner-up spot in both the English and Irish 2,000 Guineas, came good when holding Valentino in a photo-finish for the St James's Palace Stakes.

Jockey Michael Kinane felt that the Storm Cat colt was unlucky not to already have a classic victory to his name. "I was hard on him at the Curragh," said the rider. "And tactically I got it wrong so I wanted to make amends today, Frankie (Dettori on Bachir) made the most of my error that day.

"In the English 2,000 my fellow had a very hard time. He was in the stalls for the best part of five minutes and never got a breather in the race so that I was always going to vulnerable to something like King's Best coming out of the pack.

"I wanted to make it more of a test today. He had never got on the bridle in the last two runs, he was never travelling well. I knew the steep hill would suit him today and he tries really hard and answers every call. Valentino came by me and headed me but fortunately I had enough time to respond.

"Although it's not really up to me, I would imagine the horse would have a break now and York in August would be a likely target. None of us can keep going forever and I should think he will be freshened up for an autumn campaign.

"King's Best is obviously exceptionally good but I would like to take him on again as things did not go right for me in the English 2,000.

"It is very good racing ground today. I walked a bit of the course earlier and was slightly worried but it rode much better than it walked."

Trainer Aidan O'Brien added: "He's a lovely horse who just does what he has to do. It has been very frustrating with him being beaten in the two Guineas. He's just starting to try now and the lads at home have done really well to keep him well and able to show his full potential."
MORE WINNING QUOTES
ST JAMES'S PALACE STAKES

HAPPY TABOR

Michael Tabor, the joint owner of Giant's Causeway with Sue Magnier, said: "It became quite a blur in the last few yards - I just thought he had held on but I wasn't 100% sure. But my wife turned around and said I think he has won so I was happy.

"It was always the plan to be more positive and Michael got a good run out of him. He's a very good horse - he just got beat on a couple of occasions but you cannot complain as he has won the St James's Palace and finished second in two classics - what more can you ask.

"We are very happy - we haven't discussed further ahead. I thought he was an each-way bet - I couldn't see him being out of the frame. He was a bet to nothing at 4-1.

"Montjeu will probably go to Paris for a prep race for the King George, but maybe we will take him to the Eclipse instead of the race in Paris. But he will definitely come here for the King George.

"At the Curragh we did not want to give him a hard race because it is a long seasonand the way Mick rode him was the plan. All things being well, he will go for the Japan Cup again at the end of the season."




RICHARD QUINN


Richard Quinn was found by the Ascot stewards to have used his whip with excessive force on the fourth Shibboleth. Because the offence took place in a Group 1 race, he is referred to Jockey Club headquarters in London for a hearing into the offence.

PLACE QUOTES RACE THREE
ST. JAMES'S PALACE STAKES

TODAY'S WINNERS AT ROYAL ASCOT

"He got left at the gate a bit and dropped out," said Stoute. "But he is a very effective miler and indicated today and last time at Windsor that he might be even more effective over a little further.

"We will look at races like the nine-furlong Group 2 at the Curragh (Budweiser International on July 2) and the Juddmonte International at York in August.

"It was a good performance at Windsor that has worked out well and he has improved since. Remember he has only had five runs so far."

Fallon added: "They went very quick and I couldn't go with them at all early on and I think mine needs further now. When I picked up two out I always thought I'd be there.

"They sprinted down the straight and left me at Windsor last time but he was doing his best work at the finish.

"The horse has had lots of niggly little problems and has done really well. I think he will go on to better things.

"The ground is beautiful out there and the rain is just what was needed."

The Aga Khan added: "Kieren rode an excellent race and he knows the horse well and Michael has also done a fantastic job."

Looking towards Sendawar in tomorrow's Prince of Wales's Stakes, the owner added: "I think he deserves to race against the best. If he gets beaten by a good horse tomorrow then that's just the name of the game."


PLACED QUOTES RACE ONE
QUEEN ANNE STAKES

NO EXCUSES

"Olivier (Peslier) had no excuses and no complaints about the ground," said Prince Khalid Abdulla's racing manager Teddy Beckett after Dansili had just lost out to Kalanisi. "He came to win his race but was just run out of it in the last few yards. He has run a great race.

"I think that a mile is his best trip - there does not seem anything to be gained by trying to go any further. There are no immediate plans but we shall certainly look at the Lanson Champagne Sussex Stakes."


Geoff Wragg "thought we had pulled it off" with Swallow Flight and was a bit disappointed that the horse had in fact just lost second place to Dansili. "But he has run a great race," he said of the horse.

John Ferguson, racing manager to Mollers Racing, paid tribute to the way in which Swallow Flight has improved in the last 12 months. "He has been brought along in typical Geoff fashion, gently and slowly, and he has never stopped improving. It is looking as if he could be a really good horse."


The stewards noted that Sugarfoot, the fifth, had interfered with Muhtathir, the sixth, around the one-furlong marker but, after viewing a video recording of the incident, they were satisfied that it did not involve a riding offence. They therefore took no further action.

Jockeys generally described the ground as good for the first race, with Olivier Peslier and Kieren Fallon saying just that. Michael Hills added that it was loose on top while John Reid thought it was on the soft side of good. Michael Roberts said it was good fast ground. The time of 1m 39.68s was fast, being just 0.04 of a second off the race best time set by Lahib in 1992 when the ground was described as good to firm.

3.05 King's Stand Stakes - Nuclear Debate 16/1

WINNING QUOTES RACE TWO
KING'S STAND STAKES

HAMMOND'S FIRST ROYAL MEETING SUCCESS

"It feels very exciting, I have been trying for a while and I have wondered if I was ever going to do it," said John Hammond after Nuclear Debate had blazed home in the top sprint of the meeting.

"I must admit that I was rather whingeing yesterday when I saw the draw (22 of 23)", and those sentiments were shared by Gerald Mosse who said: "It is never easy to go over to the far side in a race like that, but the pace seemed even whichever side of the course you were on and I was able to get my horse well covered up.

"At the two (marker) I asked him to do a bit for me and then suddenly he was in front. That was rather sooner than we had planned (he apologised to Hammond afterwards for hitting the front too soon), but then he was going so well that all I had to do was to keep him running.

"He has been giving me a very good feeling in his races this year and I was not really at all surprised by the way in which he won."

John Hammond added: "I am lucky enough to have four or five top-level sprinters in the yard, but it is not possible to get a line between them and this horse as Nuclear Debate always works on his own. He has been very consistent this season and last, but my problem with him is that some of the big sprints, like the Abbaye, are not open to geldings. I think that should be looked at.

"It has surprised me that he has won as easily as that, but he has been improving all the time."

Nuclear Debate is owned in partnership by Yorkshire farmer Bob Chester and his former trainer Lynda Ramsden, who has always had a majority share in the horse and now, having given up training two years ago, lives near Hammond in Chantilly.

"When I was training him he was a very big-framed horse, almost only a shell, and it was a question of whether he would be a four-year-old or a five-year-old," she related. "He has also been very immature mentally and the big occasion has really got to him, as when he went to Hong Kong, really boiled over and ran no sort of a race.

"But Gerald has got the secret to him. You really have to bury him, or put him in the cemetarie, as they say in France.

"He is still maturing mentally, and though he is a gelding and cannot run in the Abbaye, the July Cup and the Nunthorpe are the sort of races we would look at for him.

"I wish I was still the trainer when I see him do things like that, but then when I appreciate the staff problems that trainers have in France I am very relieved that I am no longer the trainer," added Mrs Ramsden, looking very bronzed after a break at the new family house in the South of France.

John Hammond also had news of last year's dual Derby and Arc hero Montjeu. "He is in very good shape and we shall run him in either the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud or the Eclipse, and then, all being well, in the King George here," he said.

KINGS STAND STAKES
SECOND RACE PLACE QUOTES
(GROUP 2)

JAPANESE RAIDER JUST
MISSES OUT

Agnes World, the first Japanese-trained horse to run at Royal Ascot, ran a gallant race to finish one and a half lengths second to Nuclear Debate in the King's Stand Stakes.

Teruya Yoshida, who owns half of the five-year-old, said: "I thought we could have won but that is the way it goes. He has had an absence of three months since he last ran in Japan and carried more weight than the others today.

"I think he also may not have handled the ground, it is very different from the surfaces that he has raced on in Japan.

"But he has run very well and we will come back here and try again another time. He will now go for the July Cup at Newmarket."


Bertolini, under American rider Jerry Bailey, finished a further three-quarters of a length back in third. His trainer Saeed bin Suroor said: "He has run a good race but I think that we should go for six furlongs now.

"The July Cup is a possibility if he comes back well after this race."

Jerry Bailey added: "The ground seems good, not that much different from when I walked it yesterday. Bertolini was very competitive - he did not see the others until late in the race."




3.45 St James's Palace Stakes - Giant's Causeway 7/2f

4.20 Coventry Stakes - CD Europe 8/1


WINNING QUOTES RACE FOUR
COVENTRY STAKES

CD EUROPE PROVES
DROWNE RIGHT


"I have always thought he was a nice horse, though up to a point I had my reservations about how good he was," said Mick Channon after CD Europe had worn down Bram Stoker in the final 100 yards.

"But in fairness to Steve Drowne, who rides him out a lot, he has always said that he was one of our best two-year-olds and it looks as if he was right. He hasn't always shown that much at home, so maybe Steve was keeping a bit up his sleeve!," the trainer joked.

"I looked as if Bram Stoker was going to be hard to catch a furlong and a half out, but it looked as if he did not quite get the trip," added Channon. "I am delighted for his owner, Graeme Love, who has been with me for a long time, and it is always a thrill to have a winner at this meeting.

Channon now trains in what used to be The Queen's yard at West Ilsley and he paid triubute to his staff, all of whom moved with him when he went there from Lambourn. "They have really worked their butts off," he said. "I work hard so they have to !"

"The facilities and the gallops there are magnificent, but it does not matter how good they are, you have got to have the ammunition in the shape of the horses. Luckily enough we have some good ones.

CD Europe was bought as a yearling in Ireland for IR18,000gns by agent Gill Richardson.

"I really liked him when I saw him, he was a proper athlete," she recalled, "and I think one reason why he did not make very much money was that when he went into the ring was that he was sweating so much that he was almost white all over. I was a bit worried about it, but Mick said that I should go on.

"We bought him and sold him almost as soon as we got him back home. Graeme Love has 80% of him and Mick has the other 20%."


FOURTH RACE PLACED QUOTES
COVENTRY STAKES (GROUP 3)

MORE TO COME FROM
MODIGLIANI

Trainer Aidan O'Brien was far from disheartened by the performance of the 7/2 favourite Modigliani in finishing 2 lengths third to CD Europe in the Coventry Stakes.

"He ran a good race," said O'Brien. "As I said before the race he'll improve on what he's done today because he has been off for three months. The horse was ready for a race but it was quite a tough task to go for the Coventry after the break.

"Michael (Kinane) was very happy with him but said that the pace was a little slow in the first half and then it was all over before he got going.

"This horse will get better and he could appear in the July Stakes at Newmarket although that's not definite."

Reflecting on Giant's Causeway's St James's Palace Stakes success, O'Brien added: "It had been frustrating (being beaten in two Guineas) because Michael (Kinane) always felt that he was on the best horse every time that he has ridden him.

"He loves a strong cruising pace and Michael gave him a super ride today. We haven't discussed it but I should think that he will have a break now."




4.55 Queen's Vase - Dalampour 3/1f


FIFTH RACE WINNING QUOTES
QUEEN'S VASE (GROUP 3)

DALAMPOUR IMPRESSES

After a slow early pace, Dalampour put up an impressive performance to take the Queen's Vase by four lengths and in the process complete a 25/1 double for trainer Sir Michael Stoute, jockey Kieren Fallon and owner the Aga Khan.

"He's a genuinely nice colt," said the winning owner. "He is another horse who will improve as he goes on. He has plenty of intrinsic speed as well as stamina.

"They didn't go very fast early on but it picked up to more or less a reasonable pace." Asked if this could be a future Gold Cup horse, the Aga said: "Let's see."

Fallon felt that the runners had gone so slowly early on that the race was in danger of becoming a farce.

"That was the messiest race I've ever ridden in," said the champion jockey. "There was no sense in going that slow because it doesn't do the horse that makes the pace any good and the runners behind are all pulling and fail to settle. It was like riding around the turns at Windsor with all the horses stacking up behind and it's dangerous.

"It turned into a sprint and anything left behind was in trouble. As we went into the home turn I thought that nothing would get to me.

"Dalampour is the type of horse who'll progress with every run. He had only had two runs before today - he was very green first time out at Newbury then won an easy maiden at Newmarket. He's a horse we could do a lot with in the future."

PLACED QUOTES RACE FIVE
QUEEN'S VASE

DUNLOP PLEASED

"As he has been running in ordinary handicaps on soft ground I was very pleased with that," said John Dunlop after Samsaam had finished a creditable third behind Dalampour. But the trainer was less committal when asked if this might have been the performance of a possible St Leger horse.

He added that the Derby runner-up Sakhee looks like running in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown next month, and Sheikh Hamdan's racing manager Angus Gold confirmed that the colt "will definitely not run in the Grand Prix de Paris this weekend. Nor will he run in the Irish Derby against Sinndar and Holding Court, so the Eclipse would seem to be an obvious target at this stage.

"I haven't seen him since the Derby - he hasn't done any work since then - but I am told that he is very well."



5.30 Duke of Edinburgh Stakes - Katiykha 10/1

WINNING QUOTES RACE SIX
DUKE OF EDINBURGH STAKES

FIRST ROYAL
MEETING TREBLE
FOR THE AGA

"I have had doubles at this meeting before, but I cannot remember having had a treble," said the Aga Khan after Katiykha had caught Gallery God in the final strides. "I think this must be my first treble here and as we are in the business of trying to breed the best horses it is very important to win races at meetings like this.

"The horse I was most focussed on when I came here this morning was Dalampour (jn the Queen's Vase). He looked very much on the upgrade and is also a half-brother to Daliapour and I was very hopeful that he would run well.

"Kalanisi (Queen Anne winner) is improving fast and this filly needed a race run at a spanking gallop and that is what she got,

"I am very much looking forward to Sendawar tomorrow (in the Prince of Wales's Stakes) and am sure that he will run a really big race against Dubai Millennium, as long as we do not get a downpour. If the ground tomorrow stays like it has been today I am sure that it will be fine for him.

"If we had a lot of rain, as was the case for the Jacques le Marois last year when it was very heavy, that could be a different story, but there should be no problem for Sendawar if the ground stays like this.

"When we pulled Sendawar out at Deauville last year because of the very heavy ground, Dubai Millennium won the race very well and it could be a race between two very, very good horses."

Looking back on the 285-1 treble today, the Aga Khan said that it "has been wonderful to win three races in the day, but I guess if you are in racing as an owner even winning a claimer can be exciting."

All three of the owner's three winners were with Luca Cumani last year, but now Kalanisi and Dalampour are with Sir Michael Stoute and Katiykha is with John Oxx. She thus represents the same team that won the Derby with Sinndar, as she was ridden by Oxx's stable jockey Johnny Murtagh.

There was a minor sting in the tail for Murtagh, as the stewards cautioned him for his use of the whip on the winner. They decided that he had used it with excessive frequency.

RECORD OPENING
DAY CROWD

Today's Ascot attendance of 50,609 was a first-day record, 10.1% up on last year's crowd of 45,977 and well ahead of the previous record, 49,088, seen in 1997.

Douglas Erskine-Crum, Ascot Racecourse's Chief Executive, commented: "This is our biggest-ever Opening Day crowd for Royal Ascot which, considering this morning's disappointing weather, could provide no greater endorsement of the Royal Meeting's unique and enduring appeal."


TOTE RECORD

Today's Tote on-course cash turnover of £1,497,976 was an increase of 3% on last year and a record for the first day of Royal Ascot.

The Tote Jackpot was not won and there is a rollover of £127,235 to Royal Ascot tomorrow.

The Tote's revised betting on the London Clubs Trophy for leading jockey at Royal Ascot is as follows:

4/9 Kieren Fallon

11/4 Michael Kinane

12/1 Gerald Mosse

20/1 Richard Quinn

25/1 Jerry Bailey

25/1 Richard Hills

33/1 Pat Eddery

MRS SHILLING EXHIBITION AT NATIONAL HORSERACING MUSEUM

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the hats, or who has any other information about Mrs Shilling, should contact the museum on 01638 667333.

PARASOLS ON SHOW AT ROYAL ASCOT

The parasols will be provided by top designers Zandra Rhodes and Betty Jackson. Television presenter Tania Bryer will front the campaign. Bryer commented: "This is a wonderful, delicate and stylish way to protect your skin from too much sun. It's extremely important to keep an eye on your sun exposure-skin cancer is the commonest form of cancer and it's preventable."

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

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