Tuesday, June 6, 2000

BEST PRICES FOR CHESTER TOMORROW

LATEST VODAFONE DERBY NEWS

20 REMAIN IN VODAFONE DERBY

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, who celebrates her 100th birthday in August, has kindly agreed to present the Vodafone Derby trophy to the winning connections in the Royal Box after the £1 million race.

HONEYZ ADDED TO BILL

Before racing, the saddle to be carried by Kieren Fallon on the Vodafone Derby favourite King's Best will be parachuted into the racecourse by the Red Devils.

GOOD GROUND

"There are suggestions that on Tuesday lunchtime and possibly Friday we may have some rain, although not anything very heavy.

"We will wait to see what happens on Tuesday and get an up-to-date outlook for the weekend before taking any decisions about watering. The aim is to produce the current good ground at the weekend and it shouldn't inconvenience anybody."

OWNER, TRAINER AND JOCKEY VODAFONE DERBY RECORDS OF THE 20 FIVE-DAY ENTRIES
(1965-1999)

Trainer - Aidan O'Brien IRE: 1998 Second Empire (8th), Saratoga Springs (10th), King Of Kings (15th); 1999 Saffron Walden (7th).

Jockey - Michael Kinane: 1983 Carlingford Castle (2nd); 1986 Flash Of Steel (6th); 1990 River God (16th); 1992 Twist And Turn (5th); 1993 COMMANDER IN CHIEF (WON); 1994 King's Theatre (2nd); 1995 Humbel (8th); 1996 Storm Trooper (15th); 1997 Entrepreneur (4th); 1998 Second Empire (8th); 1999 Saffron Walden (7th).

BARATHEA GUEST

Owner - John Guest: No previous runners
Trainer - George Margarson: No previous runners
Jockey - Philip Robinson: 1983 Guns Of Navarone (5th); 1985 Supreme Leader (4th); 1986 Sirk (7th); 1993 Bob's Return (6th); 1994 The Flying Phantom (20th); 1996 Even Top (13th)

BEAT HOLLOW

Owner - Khalid Abdulla: 1984 Alphabatim (5th), Cataldi (16th); 1985 Damister (3rd); 1986 Dancing Brave (2nd); 1987 Bellotto (3rd); 1990 QUEST FOR FAME (WON), Digression (11th), Aromatic (17th); 1991 Toulon (9th), Arokat (12th); 1992 Rainbow Corner (11th); 1993 COMMANDER IN CHIEF (WON), Tenby (10th); 1994 Sunshack (19th); 1996 Dushyantor (2nd).

Trainer - Henry Cecil: 1970 Approval (7th); 1973 Relay Race (6th); 1974 Arthurian (12th); 1976 Wollow (5th); 1977 Royal Plume (20th); 1979 Lyphards Wish (5th); 1980 Hello Gorgeous (6th); 1984 Claude Monet (13th); 1985 SLIP ANCHOR (WON), Lanfranco (5th); 1986 Mashkour (3rd), Faraway Dancer (4th); 1987 REFERENCE POINT (WON), Legal Bid (14th); 1990 Razeen (14th), River God (16th); 1991 Hokusai (7th); 1992 Twist And Turn (5th); 1993 COMMANDER IN CHIEF (WON), Tenby (10th); 1994 King's Theatre (2nd); 1996 Dushyantor (2nd), Storm Trooper (15th); 1998 Sadian (7th); 1999 OATH (WON).

Jockey - Richard Quinn: 1985 Reach (6th); 1986 Nomrood (11th); 1987 Ibn Bey (13th); 1990 Zoman (7th); 1992 Alflora (6th); 1993 Redenham (7th); 1994 Waiting (17th); 1995 Riyadian (7th); 1996 St Mawes (17th); 1998 Courteous (12th); 1999 Lucido (15th).

BEST OF THE BESTS
Owner - Godolphin: 1995 Vettori (6th - owned jointly with Maktoum Al Maktoum); 1997 Bold Demand (9th); 1998 City Honours (2nd), Cape Verdi (9th); 1999 Dubai Millennium (9th), Adair (13th).

Trainer - Saeed bin Suroor: 1995 LAMMTARRA (WON), Vettori (6th); 1997 Bold Demand (9th); 1998 City Honours (2nd), Cape Verdi (9th); 1999 Dubai Millennium (9th), Adair (13th).

Jockey - Chris McCarron: 1986 Bold Arrangement (14th)

BROCHE

Owner - Godolphin: See Best Of The Bests
Trainer - Saeed bin Suroor: See Best Of The Bests

CIRO

Owner - Michael Tabor, Sue Magnier and Richard Santulli: See Kingsclere for Michael Tabor, Aristotle for Sue Magnier. Richard Santulli has had no previous runners.

Trainer - Aidan O'Brien IRE: See Aristotle

CRACOW

Owner - Nick Browne: No previous runners
Trainer - John Hills: 1994 Broadway Flyer (21st)
Jockey - Michael Hills: 1985 Royal Harmony (9th); 1988 Glacial Storm (2nd); 1990 Missionary Ridge (10th); 1992 Ninja Dancer (17th); 1994 Broadway Flyer (21st); 1996 SHAAMIT (WON); 1997 Musalsal (8th); 1998 Gulland (11th); 1999 Through The Rye (16th)


GOING GLOBAL

Owner - Dwayne Woods: No previous runners
Trainer - Sean Woods: No previous runners
Jockey - John Reid: 1979 Niniski (9th); 1980 Majestic Star (24th); 1981 Sass (11th); 1983 Appeal To Me (17th); 1987 Sir Harry Lewis (4th); 1988 Kefaah (5th); 1989 Classic Fame (7th); 1992 DR DEVIOUS (WON); 1993 Planetary Aspect (12th); 1994 Colonel Collins (3rd); 1995 Spectrum (13th); 1996 Jack Jennings (7th); 1997 Romanov (3rd), 1998 City Honours (2nd).

HATAAB

Owner - Hamdan Al Maktoum: See Sakhee
Trainer- Ed Dunlop: 1999 Zaajer (12th)
Jockey - Willie Supple: 1996 Tasdid (12th)

HATHA ANNA
Owner - Godolphin: See Best Of The Bests
Trainer - Saeed bin Suroor: See Best Of The Bests

INCHLONAIG

Owner - Godolphin: See Best Of The Bests
Trainer - Saeed bin Suroor: See Best Of The Bests
Jockey - Pat Eddery: 1972 Pentland Firth (3rd); 1973 Freefoot (3rd); 1974 Charlie Bubbles (13th); 1975 GRUNDY (WON); 1976 Oats (3rd); 1977 Night Before (PU); 1978 Formidable (9th); 1979 New Berry (17th); 1980 Pelerin (4th); 1981 Riberetto (8th); 1982 GOLDEN FLEECE (WON); 1983 Salmon Leap (4th); 1984 El Gran Senor (2nd); 1985 Law Society (2nd); 1986 Wise Councillor (17th); 1987 Bellotto (3rd); 1988 Red Glow (4th); 1989 Mill Pond (5th); 1990 QUEST FOR FAME (WON); 1991 Toulon (9th); 1992 Rainbow Corner (11th); 1993 Tenby (10th); 1994 Sunshack (19th); 1996 Dushyantor (2nd); 1997 Silver Patriarch (2nd); 1998 King Of Kings (15th); 1999 Salford Express (14th).

KING'S BEST
Owner - Saeed Suhail: 1999 Beat All (3rd)
Trainer - Sir Michael Stoute: 1978 Hill's Yankee (19th); 1979 Hardgreen (6th); 1980 Running Mill (21st); 1981 SHERGAR (WON); 1983 Shearwalk (3rd); 1984 My Volga Boatman (14th); 1985 Shadeed (13th); 1986 SHAHRASTANI (WON), Jareer (12th); 1987 Ajdal (9th), Ascot Knight (11th); 1988 Doyoun (3rd); 1989 Warrshan (11th); 1991 Mujaazif (13th); 1992 Alnasr Alwasheek (7th); 1993 Shareek (15th); 1994 Golden Ball (7th), Just Happy (8th), Jabaroot (16th), Foyer (UR); 1996 Double Leaf (10th); 1997 Entrepreneur (4th); 1998 Greek Dance (5th); 1999 Beat All (3rd).

Jockey - Kieren Fallon: 1994 Party Season (15th); 1997 Symonds Inn (7th); 1998 Sadian (7th); 1999 OATH (WON).

KINGSCLERE

Owner - Michael Tabor: (all jointly with Sue Magnier): 1997 Entrepreneur (4th); 1998 Second Empire (8th), Saratoga Springs (10th), King Of Kings (15th); 1999 Saffron Walden (7th).

Trainer - Ian Balding: 1965 Silly Season (13th); 1971 MILL REEF (WON); 1972 Mezzanine (21st); 1973 Draw The Line (15th); 1978 English Harbour (18th); 1981 Robellino (14th); 1982 Glint Of Gold (2nd); 1984 Elegant Air (12th); 1994 Weigh Anchor (13th); 1997 Papua (13th); 1998 Border Arrow (3rd).

Jockey - Olivier Peslier: 1996 Glory Of Dancer (4th); 1997 Cloudings (10th); 1998 HIGH-RISE (WON); 1999 Val Royal (11th).

MEDIA PUZZLE

Owner - Moyglare Stud Farms Ltd: No previous runners
Trainer - Dermot Weld IRE: 1975 No Alimony (15th); 1985 Theatrical (7th); 1986 Flash Of Steel (6th); 1995 Humbel (8th)
Jockey - Pat Smullen: No previous rides

SAKHEE

Owner - Hamdan Al Maktoum: 1984 At Talaq (4th); 1987 Alwasmi (18th); 1988 Unfuwain (7th), Al Mufti (10th), Maksud (13th), Al Muhalhal (14th); 1989 NASHWAN (WON); 1990 Elmaamul (3rd); 1991 Marju (2nd); 1992 Muhtarram (4th); 1994 ERHAAB (WON); 1995 Fahal (4th), Munwar (9th), Daffaq (14th); 1996 Alhaarth (5th), Tasdid (12th), 1997 Fahris (6th); 1998 Mutamam (13th), Haami (14th); 1999 Zaajer (12th)
Trainer - John Dunlop: 1968 Mount Athos (3rd); 1972 Scottish Rifle (6th); 1976 Norfolk Air (12th); 1978 SHIRLEY HEIGHTS (WON); 1980 Prince Spruce (15th); 1982 Jalmood (14th); 1983 Wassl (14th); 1987 Love The Groom (12th); 1991 Marju (2nd); 1994 ERHAAB (WON), Khamaseen (5th); 1996 St Mawes (17th); 1997 Silver Patriarch (2nd); 1998 Haami (14th); 1999 Lucido (15th).

Jockey - Richard Hills: 1984 At Talaq (4th); 1987 Alwasmi (18th); 1988 Al Mufti (10th); 1989 Flockton's Own (9th); 1992 Lobilio (15th); 1995 Fahal (4th), 1997 Fahris (6th); 1998 Haami (14th); 1999 Zaajer (12th).

SHAKESPEARE

Owner - Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor and Lord Lloyd-Webber: See Kingsclere for Michael Tabor, Aristotle for Sue Magnier. Lord Lloyd-Webber has had no previous runners.

Trainer - Aidan O'Brien IRE: See Aristotle

SINNDAR

Owner - H H Aga Khan: 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).

Trainer - John Oxx IRE: No previous runners
Jockey - Johnny Murtagh: 1996 Double Leaf (10th); 1998 Sunshine Street (4th); 1999 All The Way (5th).

ST EXPEDIT

Owner - John Pearce: No Previous runners
Trainer - Geoff Wragg: 1983 TEENOSO (WON); 1987 Most Welcome (2nd); 1988 Red Glow (4th); 1998 Gulland (11th).

Jockey - Richard Hughes: No previous rides

WELLBEING

Owner - Exors of late Lord Howard de Walden: No previous runners (Lord Howard de Walden's record: 1985 SLIP ANCHOR (WON))
Trainer - Henry Cecil: See Beat Hollow
Jockey - Willie Ryan: 1986 Faraway Dancer (4th); 1987 Romantic Prince (19th); 1994 Foyer (UR), 1997 BENNY THE DIP (WON); 1998 Saratoga Springs (10th); 1999 Housemaster (4th)

ZYZ

Owner - Bill Gredley: 1980 Braughing (17th); 1981 Golden Brigadier (15th); 1991 Environment Friend (11th); 1992 Paradise Navy (14th); 1999 Through The Rye (16th)
Trainer - Barry Hills: 1971 Meaden (9th); 1972 Rheingold (2nd), Our Mirage (4th); 1973 Natsun (11th), Proverb (17th); 1974 Regular Guy (10th); 1975 Royal Manacle (7th); 1976 Danestic (9th); 1978 Sexton Blake (15th), Hawaiian Sound (2nd); 1979 Tap On Wood (12th), Two Of Diamonds (14th), Cracaval (8th); 1980 Saint Jonathon (13th); 1981 King Of Hush (16th); 1982 Father Rooney (13th); 1983 The Noble Player (11th); 1985 Royal Harmony (9th); 1987 Water Boatman (16th), Sir Harry Lewis (4th); 1988 Glacial Storm (2nd); 1990 Missionary Ridge (10th), Blue Stag (2nd); 1991 Arokat (12th); 1993 Blues Traveller (3rd); 1996 Busy Flight (18th), Prince Of My Heart (19th); 1997 The Fly (5th), Musalsal (8th); 1998 The Glow-Worm (6th); 1999 Through The Rye (16th).

Jockey - Jimmy Fortune: 1999 Brancaster (10th)

GOING GLOBAL (IRE) FACTFILE

His three year-old reappearance was in the Galphay Classified Stakes at Ripon on April 5 where he duly obliged at odds of 10/11. A step up in class next time saw him finish third behind Sakhee and Pawn Broker in the Group 3 Thresher Classic Trial at Sandown on April 29. Going Global put himself in line for an attempt at the Vodafone Derby when a fine second behind Saddler's Quest in the Lingfield Derby Trial on May 13, beaten just a neck.

Race Record: Starts: 5; 1st: 2; 2nd: 1; 3rd: 2; Win & Place Prize Money: £30,758

Dwayne Woods
Dwayne Woods, 37, comes from a family steeped in racing. His father, Barney, a former champion apprentice in Ireland, went on to ride in India where he was champion jockey on a number of occasions, while his grandfather, Major Eric Fownes, trained with great success in India having also been a useful rider. Dwayne's brother Sean, a former jump jockey, trains in Newmarket, while another brother Wendyll rides on the Flat, principally in Hong Kong.

Dwayne Woods' own career in the saddle was curtailed by a riding accident in which he broke his back and led to him being confined to a wheelchair. He is now a bloodstock agent and with his father helps with the running of the family stud, Woodsway, at Tuddenham, a few miles outside Newmarket, where Sean Woods' yearlings are also broken.

Vodafone Derby Record: No previous runners

Sean Woods
Born in India on July 2, 1965, Sean Woods has been training from the historic La Grange Stables in the centre of Newmarket since June, 1992. Previously he rode as a National Hunt jockey, as an amateur for a year and as a professional for seven years. He comes from a family with a strong racing background, with both his grandfather and father having been successful jockeys, and his brother Wendyll a leading Flat rider in Hong Kong. His wife Lucie, who works for Tattersalls, is the daughter of former trainer Tony Hide and sister of jump jockey Philip Hide.

Woods' biggest success to date came via Mistle Cat in the 1996 Group 1 Premio Vittori de Caplia at San Siro. The 1996 season was his best to date with 48 victories and he has his biggest-ever team of 61 listed in training this year.

Vodafone Derby Record: No previous runners

John Reid
Born August 6, 1955, in Northern Ireland, John Reid was apprenticed to Leslie Crawford in his homeland for a year before joining Verly Berwicke in England in the early 1970s for five years. Rode his first winner on Eyre at Goodwood in May, 1973. A second five-year attachment, with Fulke Johnson Houghton, included winning the 1978 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes on Ile de Bourbon.

Subsequently attached to the late Brian Swift and Charlie Nelson, as well as freelancing for a year, before being handed the plum job of first jockey to the great Vincent O'Brien from 1988 to 1990. He rode as first jockey to Peter Chapple-Hyam for much of the 1990s, an association which brought him a Vodafone Derby triumph on Dr Devious in 1992. He missed the premier classic because of a broken leg last year but this season became first rider to Sheikh Maktoum Al Maktoum and the other owners whose horses are managed under the Gainsborough Stud banner.

Vodafone Derby record: 1979 Niniski (9th); 1980 Majestic Star (24th); 1981 Sass (11th); 1983 Appeal To Me (17th); 1987 Sir Harry Lewis (4th); 1988 Kefaah (5th); 1989 Classic Fame (7th); 1992 DR DEVIOUS (WON); 1993 Planetary Aspect (12th); 1994 Colonel Collins (3rd); 1995 Spectrum (13th); 1996 Jack Jennings (7th); 1997 Romanov (3rd), 1998 City Honours (2nd).

ST EXPEDIT FACTFILE

On his seasonal reappearance, St Expedit finished second behind Gargalhada Final in a nine-furlong maiden at Leicester on April 6. He then appeared in a maiden on April 18 over a mile and a quarter at Newmarket where he finished seventh behind Bien Entendu, after taking a good grip.The fitting of a different bit at Pontefract on May 3 enabled St Expedit to settle better and he duly registered his first success in a mile and a quarter maiden. He was stepped up in class for his next run when he tackled the Listed Compass UK Leisure Predominate Stakes at Goodwood on May 23. He ran a fine race that day and was settled in the early stages before being brought to challenge around two furlongs from home and ran on well but was just held by Roscius, being beaten a short head. After that encouraging run, it was decided he should take his chance at Epsom, where he attempts to maintain his trainer's impressive Derby record.
Race Record: Starts: 5; 1st: 1; 2nd: 2; 3rd: 1; Win & Place Prize Money: £15,800

John Pearce
Born in 1918, John Pearce, who was educated at Charterhouse and served as a major in the Royal Artillery in World War II, was for many years a director of the Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation and spent much of his time in the Far East, though he has had horses in training in this country for around 40 years, at one stage with Geoffrey Brooke, at whose Knocktoran Stud in Ireland he used to keep his broodmares. He later had horses with Doug Smith, who had been Geoffrey Brooke's stable jockey and more recently Geoff Wragg and Michael Bell have trained for him. This season he has nine horses, five three-year-olds and three two-year-olds, with Wragg.

The best race he has won is the Gold Cup at Ascot which he took in 1994 with Arcadian Heights, who was also placed in the Goodwood and Doncaster Cups. He had another Royal Ascot winner when Bali Dancer won the Britannia Handicap and has won the Horris Hill Stakes with Welsh Harmony, the Fred Darling with Miss Paris and the Lupe with Miss Beaulieu. Most of the fillies he has bred and raced have been called Miss .... with a place name suffix. He currently has a team of half a dozen broodmares which he keeps at the Mount Coote Stud in Ireland and the Lanwades Stud at Newmarket.

Vodafone Derby Record (since 1965): No previous runners

Geoff Wragg
Born in Newmarket on January 9, 1930, Geoff Wragg had originally wanted to be a vet but instead became assistant to his father Harry in 1953. It proved to be a long apprenticeship - Geoff Wragg only took over the Abington Place yard at the start of the 1983 season, when his father was 80. Harry Wragg, nicknamed ‘The Head Waiter' for his ability to hold a horse up for a late run, was one of the great 20th-century jockeys and trainers. He rode three Derby winners (1928 Felsted, 1930 Blenheim, 1942 Watling Street) and saddled one as a trainer (1961 Psidium).

Geoff Wragg continued where his father left off, winning the world's most famous Flat race with Teenoso in his first season with a licence.

Wragg, who has a team of 44 listed in training for 2000, boasts a formidable big-race haul including the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes (1984 Teenoso, 1996 Pentire), Irish 1,000 Guineas (1992 Marling), Sussex Stakes (1992 Marling, 1996 First Island), Ascot Gold Cup (1994 Arcadian Heights) and July Cup (1994 Owington).

Vodafone Derby Record: 1983 TEENOSO (WON); 1987 Most Welcome (2nd); 1988 Red Glow (4th); 1998 Gulland (11th).

Richard Hughes
Richard Hughes was born in Ireland on January 11, 1973 and served his apprenticeship with his father Dessie, who trains in Co Kildare but is best known as a top-class National Hunt rider who won both the Champion Hurdle and Cheltenham Gold Cup. He had his first ride at Naas on March 19, 1988 when finished tenth of 15 and had his first success on Viking Melody at Roscommon that August. He came over to Britain in 1994 and within a year he had become stable jockey to Mick Channon, although he now rides mainly for Richard Hannon. The 5ft 9in Hughes has, like his father, also ridden winners over jumps but concentrates mainly on the Flat. His biggest successes include the 1996 Italian Derby on Bahamian Knight, the 1996 Group 1 Premio Vittorio di Capua on Mistle Cat, the 1995 King's Stand Stakes on Piccolo, and last year's Duke Of York Stakes on Sampower Star and Yorkshire Cup on Churlish Charm. He has to ride in the Vodafone Derby after Tchaikovsky, who had booked to partner last season, was withdrawn in the week before the 1999 race.

Vodafone Derby Record: No previous rides

INCHLONAIG FACTFILE

Race Record: Starts: 2; 1st: 1; 2nd: 0; 3rd: 0; Win & Place Prize Money: £182,094.

Godolphin
Godolphin is the racing entity of Sheikh Mohammed and other members of the Maktoum family, and its aim is to prepare horses in Dubai during the winter to gain the advantage when challenging for major races worldwide. The experiment began on a small scale in the winter of 1992, with horses enjoying the benefits of the warm climate before arriving in Britain for the 1993 season. The Godolphin operation was properly established in 1994, with Hilal Ibrahim as trainer, when Balanchine won the Vodafone Oaks and Irish Derby. The following year Saeed bin Suroor was appointed as the official trainer. When flown over from Dubai, the horses are stabled at Moulton Paddocks in Newmarket, and, from 1999, Godolphin's two-year-olds have been housed at the former Evry racecourse in France under the care of David Loder, who has about 60 juveniles each season. This year, Godolphin has set up an additional training centre at Santa Anita racecourse in the United States, where Eoin Harty supervises a select band of 32 American-bred two-year-olds. Godolphin' colours have been carried to victory in every British classic bar the Vodafone Derby, although Saeed bin Suroor did train Lammtarra to win the premier classic for Saeed Maktoum Al Maktoum in 1995. The British Godolphin classic successes so far have been Sagitta 2000 Guineas (1996 Mark Of Esteem, 1999 Island Sands), Sagitta 1000 Guineas (1998 Cape Verdi), Vodafone Oaks (1994 Balanchine, 1995 Moonshell) and St Leger (1995 Classic Cliche, 1998 Nedawi, 1999 Mutafaweq). Bachir has flown the flag this season, winning both the French and Irish versions of the 2,000 Guineas. Daylami led an historic 1-2-3 in the 1998 Coral-Eclipse Stakes, the first time that the same owner and trainer has had the first three in a British Group One, and the Godolphin ambitions, other than landing the Vodafone Derby, include taking the American Triple Crown series, winning the Japan Cup, Melbourne Cup and capturing the Emirates World Racing Series Championship which was achieved in 1999, the inaugural year, by Daylami. Godolphin's Vodafone Derby Record: 1995 Vettori (6th - owned jointly with Maktoum Al Maktoum); 1997 Bold Demand (9th); 1998 City Honours (2nd), Cape Verdi (9th); 1999 Dubai Millennium (9th), Adair (13th).

Saeed bin Suroor
Born October 10, 1967, a former policeman, Saeed bin Suroor, Godolphin's nominated trainer, finished second to John Dunlop in the trainers' championship in 1995 before going one better to pip his great rival, Henry Cecil, in 1996. A cloud hanging over the Godolphin operation in the early part of the 1997 season hampered the trainer's chance of a second championship and he ended the season in fifth place, but he was back on top in 1998 and again last season. Coupled with his phenomenal achievements with Godolphin, bin Suroor trained the redoubtable Lammtarra for Sheikh Mohammed's nephew, Saeed Maktoum Al Maktoum, to win the 1995 Vodafone Derby, Ascot's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. That the horse raced only four times in his career and yet was trained by bin Suroor to succeed in those three pre-eminent Group One events is an achievement which cannot be overstated. Bin Suroor is helped with the training by Tom Albertrani, formerly assistant to Cigar's trainer Bill Mott in America, with Simon Crisford acting as racing manager. Cape Verdi's Sagitta 1,000 Guineas win completed the full set of British classics for bin Suroor in 1998. His domestic classic winners are Sagitta 1,000 Guineas (1998 Cape Verdi), Sagitta 2,000 Guineas (1996 Mark Of Esteem, 1999 Island Sands), Vodafone Derby (1995 Lammtarra), Vodafone Oaks (1995 Moonshell), St Leger (1995 Classic Cliche, 1998 Nedawi, 1999 Mutafaweq). Godolphin has enjoyed numerous other big-race wins worldwide. Saeed bin Suroor's Vodafone Derby Record: 1995 LAMMTARRA (WON), Vettori (6th); 1997 Bold Demand (9th); 1998 City Honours (2nd), Cape Verdi (9th); 1999 Dubai Millennium (9th), Adair (13th).

Pat Eddery

Easily the most successful jockey currently riding, Pat Eddery was born in Newbridge, Co Galway on March 18, 1952, served his apprenticeship with "Frenchie" Nicholson between 1967 and 1972 and rode his first winner when Alvaro obliged at Epsom on April 29, 1969. He was champion apprentice in 1971 and became first jockey to Peter Walwyn at Lambourn in 1972 and rode 100 winners for the first time the following season. Polygamy's victory in the 1974 Oaks brought the Irishman his first classic success and, at the age of 22, he became the youngest champion jockey for 50 years. Ten more jockeys' titles have followed, equalling Lester Piggott's record of 11, including the 1996 championship. He was also Irish champion jockey in 1982. After leaving Peter Walwyn in 1980, he was retained by Robert Sangster from 1981 to 1986 anf Prince Khalid Abdulla from 1987 to 1994. He is now freelance. Eddery has ridden over 4,000 winners, and landed virtually every major race in Europe. His record of three wins in the Vodafone Derby is the best of any current jockey and he has finished runner-up in the Epsom classic four times, including on two of his last four rides, in 1997 losing out by a short head on Silver Patriarch. Vodafone Derby record: 1972 Pentland Firth (3rd)`; 1973 Freefoot (3rd); 1974 Charlie Bubbles (13th); 1975 GRUNDY (WON); 1976 Oats (3rd); 1977 Night Before (PU); 1978 Formidable (9th); 1979 New Berry (17th); 1980 Pelerin (4th); 1981 Riberetto (8th); 1982 GOLDEN FLEECE (WON); 1983 Salmon Leap (4th); 1984 El Gran Senor (2nd); 1985 Law Society (2nd); 1986 Wise Councillor (17th); 1987 Bellotto (3rd); 1988 Red Glow (4th); 1989 Mill Pond (5th); 1990 QUEST FOR FAME (WON); 1991 Toulon (9th); 1992 Rainbow Corner (11th); 1993 Tenby (10th); 1994 Sunshack (19th); 1996 Dushyantor (2nd); 1997 Silver Patriarch (2nd); 1998 King Of Kings (15th); 1999 Salford Express (14th).

THE VODAFONE DERBY

5 Irish-trained.

THE VODAFONE OAKS

Form Horse Owner Trainer Probable Jockey
0-(1)(1)(1)(4) BLUEBELL WOOD (IRE)The Iona Stud Giles Bravery
11-18 CHIANG MAI (IRE) Chryss O'Reilly Aidan O'Brien IRE
71- 3 CLIPPER Dick Hollingsworth Barry Hills
32-22 CLOG DANCE Khalid Abdulla Barry Hills
311- 1 CORINIUM (IRE) Derek & Jean Clee Henry Cecil Willie Ryan
515210-50 CROESO CARIAD Usk Valley Stud Michael Bell
1317-4 DIGNIFY (IRE) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
617-32 DOLLAR BIRD (IRE) Sir Thomas Pilkington John Dunlop Gary Carter
-13 DREAM QUEST Hesmonds Stud John Dunlop
542121-31 GOLD ROUND (IRE) Wertheimer et Frere Criquette Head FR
1-1 KALYPSO KATIE (IRE) Michael Tabor Jeremy Noseda
3014-12 LADY UPSTAGE (IRE) Elizabeth Roberts Barry Hills
2-1 LOVE DIVINE Lordship Stud Henry Cecil Richard Quinn-1 MELIKAH (IRE) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor Chris McCarron
02514-04 MILETRIAN (IRE) Miletrian Plc Mick Channon Michael Roberts
1-13 PETRUSHKA (IRE) Highclere Thoroughbred Racing Sir Michael Stoute Kieren Fallon
61-63 PREMIER PRIZE Jeff Smith David Elsworth
1555-41 SOLAIA (USA) Prince Faisal Salman Paul Cole Jimmy Fortune
61-47 SO PRECIOUS (IRE) Joy and Valentine Feerick Nick Littmoden
4111- TEGGIANO (IRE) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
013-41 WHITEFOOT Gary Tanaka Gerard Butler Olivier Peslier

21 Entries remain after the five-day confirmation stage
1 Irish-trained
1 French-trained

THE VODAFONE CORONATION CUP

Form Horse Age Owner Trainer/Probable Jockey
/1333/3-62 BORDER ARROW 5 Bob Michaelson & Wafic Said Ian Balding/
Jimmy Fortune


1/12220-1 DALIAPOUR (IRE) 4 HH Aga Khan Sir Michael Stoute/
Kieren Fallon


23110-1 FANTASTIC LIGHT (USA) 4 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor/
Chris McCarron


1/11541-3 MUTAFAWEQ (USA) 4 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor/



111/44-0 SAGAMIX (FR) 5 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor/
Olivier Peslier

5 entries remain after the five-day confirmation stage.

ARISTOTLE ON COURSE FOR £1 MILLION BONUS

The Sadler's Wells colt, owned by Sue Magnier and generally 5/1 third-favourite for Saturday's race, is on course for the bonus having won the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster last October. Any horse winning that race, the Vodafone Derby and then the Rothmans Royals St Leger back at Doncaster on Saturday, September 9, will receive the £1 million bonus, which was launched in July.

The last horse to pull off this prestigious treble was the Henry Cecil-trained Reference Point, who won at Doncaster as a two-year-old in 1986, before going on to capture the classic double the following year.

The bonus is organised by Doncaster Racecourse through insurance underwriters.

Tim Betteridge, General Manager at Doncaster Racecourse, said today: "We shall all be cheering Aristotle on Saturday and look forward to welcoming him back to Doncaster for the Rothmans Royals St Leger on September 9 when we hope that we will be able to present his connections with a cheque for £1 million as the first winner of this magnificent bonus."

PLENTY GOING ON TO ENJOY AT SALISBURY IN JUNE

The showcase race of the June 13 afternoon is the £10,000-added TOTE JACKPOT HANDICAP STAKES (4pm), run over six furlongs. Last year this competitive contest was won by top jockey Frankie Dettori on board the Peter Cundell-trained Agent Mulder. Dettori, injured in a recent plane crash, will not be riding but other top jockeys will be in action.

The other feature race on the card is the £12,000-added E.B.F. MARGADALE CLASSIFIED 85' STAKES (3pm), for three-year-olds rated 0-85 over one mile and two furlongs.

Pink Cristal, trained by Wantage-based Henry Candy, won the 1999 equivalent of the £5,000-added LAVERSTOCK MAIDEN STAKES (3.30pm) over seven furlongs. The Dilum filly went on to win the Listed Valiant Stakes at Ascot in August, before competing in a Group Two contest at Longchamp in October.

The opening event of the afternoon, the EDDIE REAVEY MAIDEN AUCTION FILLIES' STAKES (2pm), over six furlongs, is held in memory of the late trainer. Last year this race split into two divisions, with the successful horse in the second division being the John Dunlop-trained Goodwood Blizzard. She was later placed in two Group Three contests, at Goodwood and San Siro.

Bollinger Champagne again returns to the Wiltshire track as a sponsor, and supports a qualifier in the popular series for male amateur riders, the BOLLINGER CHAMPAGNE CHALLENGE SERIES GENTLEMEN'S HANDICAP (4.30pm), over one mile and four furlongs. The final is run on October 7 at Ascot.

The card is completed by the SHERBORNE CLAIMING STAKES (2.30pm) and the LEVY BOARD HANDICAP (5pm), both run over seven furlongs.

Ian Renton, Clerk of the Course and General Manager at Salisbury Racecourse, said: "The month of June is a busy time at Salisbury Racecourse, with four days of racing.
"Racegoers can enjoy a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, along with excellent catering, on Tuesday, June 13, Sunday, June 18, and Wednesday and Thursday, June 28 & 29."
Admission costs £15 into the Members' Enclosure, £10 into Tattersalls and £5 for the Course Enclosure. There is FREE admission for accompanied children aged under 16 into all enclosures and FREE Car Parking.

GUEST EXCITES MARGARSON

In other Vodafone Derby news, Kevin Darley has been booked to ride Hatha Anna for Godolphin. Darley had been left without a ride following the withdrawal of Saddler's Quest.

Dermot Weld has confirmed that Media Puzzle misses the race while a decision concerning Hataab will be made tomorrow.

Australian champion Damian Oliver may have his first ride in a British classic aboard Shakespeare for Aiden O'Brien.

£25,000 TO BE WON IN FUTURISTIC SWEEPSTAKE

Visitors, by pressing the ClickSix button, will only have to leave their E-mail address and will then on Friday receive a list of six horses and their finishing order in the Vodafone Derby. The person whose list matches the exact finishing positions in Saturday's race will scoop the £25,000 prize.

Bill Griffin, Marketing Manager of Channel 4 Television commented: "We are delighted to have created this promotion, in association with United Racecourses and Vodafone. It incorporates both the traditions of a Derby Sweepstake and the use of modern technology, which is the hallmark of our racing coverage."

NEWMARKET ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF SUMMER SEASON

The "Newmarket Nights", which run from approximately 6pm to 9pm begin on June 23 when Hadley Norman Keeble are the attraction after racing. The other dates and attractions are as follows:
July 21 - Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra
July 28 - Brand New Heavies
August 4 - The Bootleg Beatles
August 11 - Belinda Carlisle
August 18 - Bjorn Again

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

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