Wednesday, June 4, 2003

LATEST TOTE ANTE-POST PRICES

VODAFONE'S SPORTING STARS TIPS FOR THE VODAFONE DERBY 2003

FROM THE VODAFONE SPONSORED MANCHESTER UNITED TEAM

SIR ALEX FERGUSON - I'm putting my money on Brian Boru. His jockey Mick Kinane has ridden many of my winners in the past, also his trainer Aidan O'Brien also trained Rock of Gilbraltar.

RIO FERINAND - My money's on Brian Boru, I think his trainer Aidan O'Brien could make it three Vodafone Derby winners in a row!

FROM THE VODAFONE SPONSORED FERRARI FORMULA 1 TEAM

ROSS BRAWN - Alamshar is my choice. As well as the impressive Derby records of his Trainer (John Oxx), his Owner (the Aga Khan) and his Jockey (Johnny Murtagh), he is reckoned to be a really laid back horse who will not be put off by the big occasion (a principal we try to follow at Ferrari..!!)

FROM THE VODAFONE SPONSORED ENGLAND CRICKET TEAM

MICHAEL VAUGHAN - my top tip is Refuse To Bend because he is the favourite and seems to be a class act. I also like the name because as a batsman you often feel the pressure but you must never buckle when the going gets tough especially when you're up against the Aussies in their backyard!

JAMES ANDERSON - When I go racing, which is a couple of times a year with my mates, I'd usually go for a favourite and an outsider. I don't know much about the form, so tend to go for the name or if I recognise a trainer/jockey !

My top tip would be Alamshar because I have backed him as a winner before! The horse is also owned by the Aga Khan, who seems to have been racing winners for many years, so I am sure it has a good chance this time out at the Vodafone Derby

My outsider would be Shield as the horse is stepping up a class to race here. This is pretty similar to me as just over a year ago I was playing club cricket in Burnley!

MATTHEW HOGGARD - I'd plump for Alberto Giacometti. The only reason is because of the name. Over the road from Headingley is a café called Ugly Muggs and the owner serves a mean fry up, his name is Albert but his wife is Italian so all the boys call him Alberto for a laugh!

IRISH THOROUGHBRED NEWS

Owned and bred by HH The Aga Khan in Ireland, the son of Darshaan raced clear over a furlong from home and had little difficulty in beating the smart Pentire Celebre with Coroner third.

Now the winner of six races, Dalakhani is a possible runner in the EUR1,300,000 Budweiser Irish Derby at the Curragh on June 29 and connections have the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in October as their end of season target.

PREVIEW OF TATTERSALLS (IRELAND) N.H. DERBY SALE 2003

The Tattersalls (Ireland) Derby Sale begins on the 26th and 27th June at 9.30a.m. Once again the catalogue is very strong with many future stars contained within its pages. Last season was particularly strong for graduates of the Derby sale. These included Queen Mother Champion Chase winner; Moscow Flyer, Monty's Pass (Aintree Grand National), Ad Hoc winner of the Attheraces Gold Cup (formely Whitbread Gold Cup), Native Upmanship a two-time winner of the Martell Melling Chase, More than a Stroll (James Nicholson Champion Chase), Be My Royal (winner of the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup), Rhinestone Cowboy (Axminster Kingwell Hurdle), Native Emperor (Tote Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle), Lord Transcend (Grade 2 Premier Stayers Hurdle) and Kopek (Gerrard Wealth Novices Hurdle).

Tattersalls (Ireland) graduates have in fact won 6 of the last 7 Cheltenham Gold Cups', with Tattersalls (Ireland) graduates Best Mate,Truckers Tavern and Harbour Pilot filling the first three places in this year's Gold Cup.

The Derby Sale 2003 sees over 520 lots catalogued and there is a plethora of quality on offer.

Some of the well related lots catalogued include a 4 year old gelding by Shernazar out of an own sister to Ebony Jane, a 3 year old gelding by Norwich ½ brother to King on the Run, a 4 year old gelding by Old Vic ½ brother to Kingsmark. Others include; a 3 year old gelding by Saddlers Hall ½ brother to Native Jack, a 4 year old gelding by Flemensfirth ½ brother to impressive bumper winner Davenport Democrat and Patrick Peril from Limerick's 4 year old gelding by Warcraft ½ brother to the ex-Henrietta Knight trained Maximise, a 4 year old gelding by Moonax ½ brother to Cable Beach and Sparkling Gold, a 4 year old gelding by Presenting ½ brother to The Extra Man coming up from Simon McDermott in Kildare. Also catalogued are ½ brother's to Ballygowan Beauty by the popular Accordion and a ½ brother to Ger Lyons charge Big and Bold by Prince Rooney. Champion Hurdle winner Flakey Dove is represented by her 3 year old gelding by Environment Friend. On the evening of the first day is a full brother to Florida Pearl who is coming up under Ballincurrig House Stud as agent.

All three and four year old fillies purchased at the sale, sired by an EBF stallion, are eligible for the Bewleys Hotel and EBF National Hunt Fillies Scheme. This scheme consists of the EUR100,000 Bewleys Hotel and EBF N.H. Fillies Championship Bumper at the Punchestown Festival 2004, in addition to the Bewleys Hotel and ITBA Fillies Bonus Bumper at Punchestown in November/December 2004.

Irish Thoroughbred Marketing will continue its programme of Flight Reimbursements Scheme for purchasers at the sale. Catalogues are now available and online on www.tattersalls.ie

MR DINOS RETURNS WITH A WIN

The remarkably consistent Mr Dinos, last season's French St Leger winner, made a winning return to action in the Group 2 Bonusprint Henry 11 Stakes at Sandown.

Bred by Mocklerstown House Stud, the four-year-old son of Desert King only needed to be pushed out to win by two-and-a-half lengths from Pole Star under his 5lb Group 1 penalty.

Mr Dinos has now run 10 times, winning on five occasions and reaching the frame on another four. His next outing is expected to come in the Ascot Gold Cup.

EX-WELD COLT WINS FOR GODOLPHIN

Sights On Gold, a three-time winner for Dermot Weld, gained his first success in the famous blue colours of Godolphin when winning the Group 3 betfair.com Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown.

A son of Irish National Stud stallion Indian Ridge, Sights On Gold held on to account for the smart Parasol (Halling) by half-a-length and now heads for Royal Ascot where he is well entered up.

Sights On Gold was bred by the Moyglare Stud Farm and sold privately to Godolphin late last year.

IRISH-BRED RUSSIAN WINS AGAIN

Russian Valour, a speedy son of Coolmore sire Fasliyev, made much of the running as he won the Listed betfair.com National Stakes at Sandown.

Already successful over the minimum trip this season, Russian Valour was running for the fourth time and comfortably saw off four previous winner and two promising maidens as he won by a length-and-a-half.

The Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot is next on the agenda for this Mark Johnston-trained winner.

MISS HONORINE GAINS GOWRAN COMPENSATION

The John Oxx-trained Miss Honorine, an unlucky loser in a similar race at Cork last month, ran out the narrow winner of the EUR70,000 Listed European Breeders Fund Victor McCalmont Memorial Stakes.

Starting favourite, Miss Honorine came from the back of the field to pip Moonbi Ridge (Definite Article) to record her third Listed success and her fourth in all.

NAAS LISTED WIN FOR TRAINER GUEST

Newmarket trainer Rae Guest recorded his first winner in Ireland when Miss Anabaa won the EUR50,000 Listed Naas Sprint Stakes at Naas on Bank Holiday Monday.

The race attracted a second cross-channel raider in the shape of the Mick Quinn-trained Dragon Flyer and both horses proved too strong for the home brigade.

Miss Anabaa prevailed by a length under Johnny Murtagh to win the EUR32,500 first prize with connections of the game runner-up collecting EUR9,500.

ROYAL ASCOT ON THE CARDS FOR MISS CHILDREY

Curragh trainer Frank Ennis gained one of the biggest wins of his career when the speedy Miss Childrey made all the running to win the EUR70,000 Listed Swordlestown Stud Sprint Stakes at Naas.

One of five previous winners in the nine-runner field, miss Childrey bounced away smartly and held off all challengers to record her second win in three starts.

The Listed Albany Stakes over six furlongs at Royal Ascot is a likely
target.

O'BRIEN DECLARES FIVE FOR EPSOM DERBY

Handel, the Leopardstown maiden winner, was a surprise fifth acceptor for trainer Aidan O'Brien for next Saturday's Vodafone Derby at Epsom.

O'Brien also declared new ante-post favourite Brian Boru, Alberto Giacometti, Balestrini and The Great Gatsby for the race and his team of five is by far the biggest entry from any one trainer.

Alamshar carries the hopes of trainer John Oxx and Refuse To Bend is a confirmed runner according to Dermot Weld.

BALLYDOYLE RUNNERS COLLECT AT NEWMARKET


Aidan O'Brien ran two runners in the European Breeders Fund Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday and both finished in the frame.

Old Deuteronomy, ridden by Jamie Spencer, travelled well throughout the contest and raced clear inside the final furlong to win by five lengths with The Mighty Tiger, the mount of Michael Kinane finishing third.

The winner is believed to be a possible for the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, a race in which Aidan O'Brien is likely to be well represented.

AUSTRALIAN RECOGNITION FOR RAY ROONEY

Mr. Ray Rooney, Senior Steward of the Turf Club, has been appointed an Honorary Member of the Australian Jockey Club. He is the first member of the Turf Club to be honoured in this way.

Mr. Rooney has been a member of The Turf Club since 1986 and was appointed Senior Steward in December 2000. A member of the Galway Race Committee since 1975, Mr Rooney has been involved in racing as an owner and a sponsor since 1960.

He was elected as a Steward of The Turf Club in 1998 becoming Deputy Senior Steward in 1999. Prior to that he served on the Turf Club Appeals and Referrals Committee.

Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Rooney said that he was honoured that both the Turf Club and Irish Racing had been recognised in this way by the Australian Jockey Club.

Established in 1842 the Australian Jockey Club runs the famous Randwick Racecourse, home of the Australian Derby.

FIRST WINNER FOR RATHBARRY'S DUSHYANTOR

Rathbarry Stud sire Dushyantor had his first winner from his first crop when Amourallis landed the Ratoath EBF Maiden at Fairyhouse last week.

Stepping up to six furlongs for the first time, Amourallis won in good style and looks progressive. Dushyantor is by Sadler's Wells and is a half-brother to champion miler and leading sire Warning and to dual Derby winner Commander In Chief.

BARGAIN FAIRYHOUSE PURCHASE TAKES ITALIAN LISTED EVENT

Bargain Tattersalls Ireland purchase, Miss Vegas was the winner of the Premio Perrone, listed, in Rome. Purchased by BBS Italia for only EUR8500, her next objective looks to be the Group 3 Premio Primi Passi in Milan.

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

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