FIRST 2007 CARTIER RACING AWARDS POINTS - FINSCEAL BEO MAKES THE EARLY RUNNING
FINSCEAL BEO MAKES THE EARLY RUNNING
- COCKNEY REBEL AND AUTHORIZED STAKE CLAIMS
Finsceal Beo sets the early pace in the race for honours in the 2007 Cartier Racing Awards, European horseracing’s most prestigious accolades, which will be presented during a glittering ceremony in London, England, on November 14, 2007.
The Cartier Racing Awards, now in their 17th year, celebrate the champions of the Turf, plus one outstanding individual.
The coveted eight horse awards, horseracing’s equivalent of the Oscars, are determined by points earned in Pattern races combined with the opinions of a panel of racing journalists plus votes from readers of the Racing Post and The Daily Telegraph, a system which accurately rewards supreme achievement.
The Jim Bolger-trained Finsceal Beo took the 2006 Cartier Award for Two-Year-Old Filly and has already staked a strong claim for this year’s Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly Award, as well as the coveted Cartier Horse Of The Year Award, after completing the elusive English/Irish 1,000 Guineas double, only the second filly to do so following Attraction in 2004.
Finsceal Beo currently has 88 points, the highest total so far. The Mr Greeley filly captured the Stan James-sponsored Newmarket Classic in devastating style in early May before an audacious bid for a Classic treble just came unstuck on the softer than ideal Longchamp turf, as she was caught close home by Darjina in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French 1,000 Guineas).
Finsceal Beo’s subsequent Boylesports Irish 1,000 Guineas success gives her a lead of 40 points over Vodafone Oaks heroine Light Shift (48 points) in the three-year-old filly category.
The Niarchos Family-owned Light Shift gave Henry Cecil, winner of the Daily Telegraph Award Of Merit at the 2005 Cartier Racing Awards, a hugely popular eighth Vodafone Oaks success on June 1, while providing jockey Ted Durcan with a well-deserved first British Classic triumph.
Poule d’Essai des Pouliches winner Darjina, unbeaten in three outings, has 40 points, while her unbeaten compatriot Coquerelle, winner of the Group One Prix Saint-Alary, is on 32 points and Vodafone Oaks runner-up Peeping Fawn has 30.
Authorized threw his hat in the ring for the Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt Award with a devastating five-length victory in the Vodafone Derby on June 2, that ended jockey Frankie Dettori’s 15-year hoodoo in the Epsom Classic.
The Peter Chapple-Hyam-trained colt has 64 points. He is second at the moment in the three-year-old colt division behind dual 2,000 Guineas hero Cockney Rebel who has accrued 72 points but will have plenty of opportunities to close the gap
Geoff Huffer’s charge took the Stan James 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket in fine style under Olivier Peslier before adding the Boylesports Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh by a length from Creachadoir (36 points), who had also finished runner-up in the French equivalent behind Astronomer Royal (32 points).
Dettori took his second Derby in two days on June 3, when he executed a brilliant front-running display aboard the Jean-Marie Beguigne-trained Lawman (57 points) in the French version, the Prix du Jockey Club Mitsubishi Motors at Chantilly.
The older horse division looks particularly competitive this year with Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Red Rocks, 2006 Vodafone Derby hero Sir Percy, the brilliant two-time Cartier Award winner George Washington, prolific mare Red Evie and last season’s Irish Derby winner Dylan Thomas among a host of top-class performers remaining in training.
The last named, winner of the Group One Prix Ganay at Longchamp in April, leads what is already looking a tight chase for the Cartier Older Horse Award, with 44 points.
Aidan O’Brien’s charge is only four points ahead of the Andre Fabre-trained Manduro, who scored an easy success in the Group One Prix d’Ispahan at Longchamp on May 20.
The 2005 Ladbrokes St Leger winner Scorpion landed the Group One Vodafone Coronation Cup at Epsom on June 1, to take his tally to 36 points, while Red Evie’s Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes win takes her to 32 points and Notnowcato, narrow conqueror of Dylan Thomas in the Group One Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh on May 27, has 25 points.
The Rod Millman-trained Sergeant Cecil is one of the most popular horses in training and his success in the Group Two Emirates Airline Yorkshire Cup at York in May puts him on 17 points, one more than Allegretto who won the Group Two WBX.COM Henry II Stakes at Sandown on May 29, and the French-trained Lord Du Sud.
The sprinting division, which promises to be a fascinating spectacle this season, sees Group Two Prix du Gros-Chene Mitsubishi Motors first and second, Beauty Is Truth and Peace Offering, leading the way with 20 points apiece.
The Kevin Ryan-trained Amadeus Wolf, winner of the Group Two Duke Of York Hearthstead Homes Stakes is next best on 16 points, the equal of Group Two Betfair Temple Stakes heroine Sierra Vista.
Harry Herbert, Cartier’s racing consultant, commented today: "The very high standard of the Classics so far is encouraging for the rest of the season and it will be fascinating to see how Authorized, Darjina, Cockney Rebel, Finsceal Beo, Lawman and Light Shift progress.
"The Cartier Racing Awards reward excellence and, with so many good older horses waiting to test the mettle of the Classic crop, we can certainly expect more exceptional performances in the coming months."
Cartier Older Horse
Dylan Thomas 44
Manduro 40
Scorpion 36
Red Evie 32
Notnowcato 25
Cartier Sprinter
Beauty Is Truth 20
Peace Offering 20
Amadeus Wolf 16
Sierra Vista 16
Moss Vale 14
Cartier Stayer
Sergeant Cecil 17
Allegretto 16
Lord Du Sud 16
Ponte Tresa 10
FINSCEAL BEO AMONG 51-STRONG ENTRY FOR BGC SUSSEX STAKES
Dual Classic heroine Finsceal Beo tops a superb 51-strong entry for the £300,000 BGC Sussex Stakes, run over a mile on Wednesday, August 1, the second day of Glorious Goodwood 2007.
Jim Bolger’s charge, who followed success in the 1,000 Guineas over Newmarket’s Rowley Mile on May 6 with victory in the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh three weeks later - narrowly failing to land an incredible hat-trick when touched off in the French version in between - could face very stiff competition in the Group One contest, with a host of top international performers entered, not to mention last year’s champion two-year-old and stable companion, Teofilo.
Compatriot George Washington, brilliant winner of both the 2,000 Guineas and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in 2006, was initially retired to stud after his three-year-old season, but is now back in training at Ballydoyle.
His trainer, Aidan O’Brien, is looking for his third BGC Sussex Stakes victory after Giant’s Causeway (2000) and Rock Of Gibraltar (2002) and has 15 entries to choose from, including French 2,000 Guineas victor Astronomer Royal and Epsom Derby runner-up Eagle Mountain.
Prior to Giant Causeway’s success, the previous Irish-based scorer was the Vincent O’Brien-trained King’s Lake in 1981. The 22-strong Irish entry also includes Arch Swing, trained by John Oxx, who chased home Finsceal Beo in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket before disappointing behind the same rival in the Irish version next time.
The Classic generation could also be represented by Eoghan O’Neill’s Vital Equine and Dutch Art, trained by Peter Chapple-Hyam, who filled the minor placings behind Cockney Rebel in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 5, while Creachadoir, runner-up in both the French and Irish 2,000 Guineas, is another contender for the Jim Bolger stable.
Godolphin has taken the BGC Sussex Stakes twice with Aljabr (1999) and Noverre (2001) and the Maktoum family’s racing operation is well represented with eight entries, among them Caradak, who captured the Group Two totesport Celebration Mile at Goodwood last year, and ex-Italian Ramonti, who ran a blinder on his British debut when touched off by the Michael Bell-trained Red Evie in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on May 19.
The Criquette Head-Maarek-trained Passager ran his best race to date when a close third in the Lockinge Stakes and could bid for compensation, while the Head family has another entry - trained by ex-jockey Freddie - in the shape of Racinger, who took the Group Two Prix du Muguet at Saint-Cloud on May 1.
France last won the contest with Bigstone in 1993.
A fascinating entry is South African challenger Asiatic Boy, trained by Mike de Kock. The Argentine-bred four-year-old won all four starts on dirt at Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, earlier this year, culminating with a breathtaking nine and a half length triumph from Jack Junior in the Group Two UAE Derby on March 31.
Ed Dunlop lifted the BGC Sussex Stakes last year with the gallant Court Masterpiece and has entered the improving Munaddam, while James Fanshawe, who sent out the classy Soviet Song to land the prize in 2004, has entered progressive six-year-old Cesare, an emphatic winner in Listed company at Ascot last month.
Proclamation gave Jeremy Noseda a famous win when resisting the late charge of Soviet Song in 2005 and his three entries this year includes Rahiyah, who produced a cracking effort on her seasonal reappearance when third to Darjina and Finsceal Beo in the French 1,000 Guineas at Longchamp on May 13, and Sander Camillo who was a top two-year-old before disappointing so far this year.
Sir Michael Stoute’s three BGC Sussex Stakes triumphs came courtesy of Sonic Lady (1986), Zilzal (1989) and Among Men (1998). His four possible contenders this year are headed by Echelon, last seen edging home from Bahia Breeze in the Group Three Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom on June 1, with John Gosden’s Nannina back in third.
Jeremy, who took the Group Two Betfred Mile at Sandown in April, Home Affairs, not seen since an unlucky third in last year’s Diomed Stakes at Epsom, and talented front-running filly Wasseema are the Freemason Lodge handler’s other entries.
Dark Islander, trained by John Hills, has yet to score above handicap company in Britain, however he made an impressive debut in America when landing the Grade Two Oak Tree Derby at Santa Anita in October.
Rod Fabricius, Managing Director of Goodwood Racecourse, said: "The BGC Sussex Stakes is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the Flat season, and we are delighted with the quality of this year’s entry.
"It would be wonderful to see Finsceal Beo take on George Washington and company at Goodwood on August 1 and, with South African raider Asiatic Boy adding extra spice, it is sure to be a fantastic race."
Glorious Goodwood, staged at Britain’s most beautiful racecourse, takes place between Tuesday, July 31 and Saturday, August 4. Advance bookings can be made through www.goodwood.co.uk or by ringing 01243 755030.
BGC SUSSEX STAKES
Class 1, Group 1, £300,000 total prize fund, 1m, Wednesday, August 1, for three-year-olds and upwards. Weights: 3-y-o colts and geldings 9st; fillies 8st 11lb; 4-y-o and up colts and geldings 9st 7lb; fillies 9st 4lb. Entries announced June 6 (51), first forfeit stage July 10, confirmation stage and supplementary stage July 26, declarations 10am, July 30. Penalty value 1st: £170,340 2nd: £64,560 3rd: £32,310 4th: £16,110 5th: £8,070 6th: £4,050. Form supplied by Weatherbys and is correct up to and including the racing of Monday, June 4. All-weather form in brackets. May not include some overseas form.
Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
11-120 ARCH SWING (USA) 3 Pat Garvey John Oxx IRE
021-10 ARCHIPENKO (USA) 3 Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
12-(1)(1)(1)(1) ASIATIC BOY (ARG) 4 Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa & Club ISM
Mike de Kock SA
21-61 ASTRONOMER ROYAL (USA) 3 Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor
Aidan O'Brien IRE
0211-12 BLUE KSAR (FR) 4 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
20211-4 BYGONE DAYS 6 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
2/13113- CARADAK (IRE) 6 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
01(0)15-1 CESARE 6 Cheveley Park Stud James Fanshawe
113-(2)31 CHAMPERY (USA) 3 Sheikh Mohammed Mark Johnston
325 CHERRY HINTON 3 Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
123-230 CHINESE WHISPER (IRE) 3 Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith
Aidan O'Brien IRE
314122 CREACHADOIR (IRE) 3 Jackie Bolger Jim Bolger IRE
014110- DARK ISLANDER (IRE) 4 Donald Kerr John Hills
1130-33 DECADO (IRE) 4 C O'Flynn, D Sheehy, D O'Flynn Kevin Prendergast IRE
212-44 DUKE OF MARMALADE (IRE) 3 Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien
IRE
1111-23 DUTCH ART 3 Susan Roy And Cheveley Park Stud Peter Chapple-Hyam
2214-52 EAGLE MOUNTAIN 3 Derrrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor Aidan
O'Brien IRE
1125-11 ECHELON 5 Cheveley Park Stud Sir Michael Stoute
0/(1)6110- ECHO OF LIGHT 5 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
11331-4 EXCELLENT ART 3 Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, M Green
Aidan O'Brien IRE
611-121 FINSCEAL BEO (IRE) 3 Michael Ryan Jim Bolger IRE
23/023-6 FLASHY WINGS 4 Jaber Abdullah Mick Channon
5-165 FOLLOWMYFOOTSTEPS (USA) 3 Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier David Wachman
IRE
1/1231(6)- GEORGE WASHINGTON (IRE) 4 Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick
Smith Aidan O'Brien IRE
2040-43 HE'S A DECOY (IRE) 3 Joseph Joyce David Wachman IRE
3406/13- HOME AFFAIRS 5 Khalid Abdulla Sir Michael Stoute
22-113 HONOURED GUEST (IRE) 3 Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor
Aidan O'Brien IRE
3 JAPURA (USA) 3 Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derick Smith Aidan O'Brien IRE
1620-15 JEREMY (USA) 4 Elizabeth Moran Sir Michael Stoute
2240-30 MARCUS ANDRONICUS (USA) 4 Michael Tabor Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier
Aidan O'Brien IRE
211- MOUNT NELSON 3 Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien
IRE
01-1121 MUNADDAM (USA) 5 Hamdan Al Maktoum Ed Dunlop
12345-3 NANNINA 4 Cheveley Park Stud John Gosden
4060(1)-0 NAYYIR 9 Abdulla Al Khalifa Gerard Butler
2142-(0)6 NOTABILITY (IRE) 5 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
0354-45 OLYMPIAN ODYSSEY 4 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
21123/0- OPERA CAPE 4 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
121-333 PASSAGER (FR) 4 Gary Tanaka Criquette Head-Maarek FR
4342-11 RACINGER (FR) 4 P Goral Freddie Head FR
212-3 RAHIYAH (USA) 3 H.E.Sheikh Rashid Bin Mohammed Jeremy Noseda
02113-2 RAMONTI (FR) 5 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
11115-1 RED EVIE (IRE) 4 Terry Neill Michael Bell
411-20 SANDER CAMILLO (USA) 3 Sir Robert Ogden Jeremy Noseda
21/114/-3 SOLDIER'S TALE (USA) 6 Budget Stable Jeremy Noseda
5-2221 SOROLLA (IRE) 3 Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
11111- TEOFILO (IRE) 3 Jackie Bolger Jim Bolger IRE
140-60 TRINITY COLLEGE (USA) 3 Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith
Aidan O'Brien IRE
01113-4 WASSEEMA (USA) 4 Hamdan Al Maktoum Sir Michael Stoute
3-16 YAQEEN 3 Hamdan Al Maktoum Michael Jarvis
03-5020 YELLOWSTONE (IRE) 3 Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan
O'Brien IRE
51 Entries
22 Irish-trained
2 French-trained
1 South African-trained
EX BALLYDOYLE STAR GRAND CENTRAL TO STUD IN SOUTH AFRICA
The regally-bred Grand Central has been retired and will take up stallion duties at Summerhill Stud in South Africa.
By Sadler’s Wells out of the Group 1 Coronation Stakes winner Rebecca Sharp, Grand Central comes from an outstanding Hascombe Stud family and - such was his promise as a two-year-old - that he was one of the winter favourites for the 2005 Derby when trained by Aidan O’Brien.
A runaway four-length Leopardstown maiden winner as a two-year-old, he went on to be placed in the Grade 1 Secretariat Stakes in Chicago as well as both the Group 2 Derrinstown Derby Trial at Leopardstown and the Group 3 Leopardstown 2,000 Guineas Trial at the same course. He was subsequently purchased by the Hong Kong Breeders’ Club to join David Oughton in Hong Kong.
Major-General Guy Watkins, a former Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, organized the placement in South Africa and described Grand Central as “probably the best bred horse ever to race in Hong Kong.”
Greg Muir, stallion manager at Summerhill Stud, said: “We are excited to have Grand Central with us and standing a horse with his credentials was an opportunity we could not turn down.”
MADNESS SELL OUT NEWMARKET NIGHT DATE
Newmarket Racecourses announces today the first sell-out in the 2007 Newmarket Nights with Q103 line up. All tickets for Madness, who play the July Course on Friday, July 20, have now been sold.
Lisa Hancock, Managing Director of Newmarket Racecourses, said: "We are delighted to announce Madness as our first sell-out for 2007.
"Madness have been on our Newmarket Nights wish list for many years and we are very pleased that we can welcome them to the July Course for their debut performance to a sell-out crowd."
Tickets are still available for the remaining six Newmarket Nights.
On Friday, June 22, Newmarket Nights 2007 will open on the July Course following its £10 million redevelopment with Australian rock band INXS and their new lead singer JD Fortune.
The chart-topping girl group, the Sugababes, return for their second time on Friday, June 29. All Garden Enclosure tickets have sold out for this event but there are still tickets available for the Premier and Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure.
Successful duo, the Pet Shops Boys play on Friday, July 27, with a stage show described as 'an evening of electronic entertainment.'
Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra return for their 11th year at Newmarket Nights on Friday, August 3. This year Jools with be joined on stage by special guest Lulu.
Ronan Keating replaces the previously billed act, the Ordinary Boys, as he returns for his third consecutive year on Friday, August 10.
Scottish foursome, Wet Wet Wet, will close the Newmarket Nights for 2007 as they are set to perform on Friday, August 17. All Garden Enclosure tickets have sold out for this event but there are still tickets available for the Premier and Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure.
Tickets for Newmarket Nights are priced from £12 to £32 with a 5% discount available for tickets booked online at www.newmarketracecourses.co.uk. Tickets can also be booked by calling 08707 200 201.
Newmarket Nights offer an irresistible cocktail of adrenaline-filled racing action, a flutter on the horses, a glass of iced cold beer, champagne or Pimms followed by an open air concert on Newmarket's July Course.
For more information on Newmarket Nights visit www.newmarket-nights.co.uk or call the Newmarket Box Office on 01638 675 500.
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