Thursday, June 11, 2009

GLOBAL SPRINT CHALLENGE RAIDERS HOPEFUL OF SUCCESS

The 10-year-old “people’s champion” has raced in both the five-furlong King’s Stand Stakes on the Tuesday and the six-furlong Golden Jubilee Stakes on the Saturday on his three previous trips to Royal Ascot.

He won the King’s Stand Stakes in 2006 - then a Group Two event but promoted to Group One last year - and has finished in the first four on his other five Royal Ascot starts.

Trainer and part-owner Joe Janiak told a Global Sprint Challenge press conference in Newmarket today, Thursday, June 11: “Takeover Target is a bit old but the Golden Jubilee Stakes is one race I would really like to win - he has run second, third and fourth.

“I think he was a bit unlucky last year and he has had a couple of nice placings in it. Last year he did a suspensory in the race when he was in a position to win. We have got him peaking and if he can reproduce his form from the T J Smith Stakes, which he won first up this year, then he has a real big chance.

“It is just mind-boggling to think that a horse of his age can win so well at the top level (as he did in the T J Smith at Randwick on April 18). I thought Takeover Target was a bit under done going into the T J Smith - we had a few problems and I would have been quite happy just to see him placed. He blew my mind out.

“He had shoeing problems coming into the Morphettville race next time and was 90 per cent fit. To win that race was a bonus.

“Takeover Target also had a few little problems in Singapore (where he came eighth in the KrisFlyer International Sprint at Kranji, Singapore, on May 17). The horse was isolated in quarantine on his own and was fretting plus there was the heat and he didn’t eat up all that good. When you travel, all those sort of things need to be in your favour - the horse was just not at his best.

“Sacred Kingdom looks the biggest danger after his win in Singapore. It was a brilliant time. He is a great horse but he has got to travel and everything has to go right for him. Then there is J J (The Jet Plane) whose win the other day was very convincing. They are the two in the race I respect.

“This is not definitely the last time Takeover Target will come to England. I said last year that I probably wouldn’t come back but the horse has been so competitive this year. While Takeover Target is competitive, we will continue running.

“I think he prefers being over here in England better than being in Australia. I will be back here next year for the film (about Takeover Target) anyway.

“His will to win keeps him going - he doesn’t like getting beat, even in his work. He has always been like that. He has an enormous heart and that will to win.

“He cost AUS$1,250 and all I wanted to do at the beginning was to get my money back and a bit of profit by picking up a little race. The rest has just been a dream (He has won over AUS$6 million - more than £2.5 million).

“I never anticipated going overseas - once we started travelling it has been fantastic and I have seen half the world because of him. He has made life easier in a lot of respects for me - my feed man now calls me mate because he is paid on time. When I ring the blacksmith up to get a horse shod in the yard, he comes within a week when it used to be a month! When you are training horses, it makes a lot of difference.”

Asked about the movie that is due to be made about Takeover Target, Janiak replied: “It is good to see the horse being recognized. It is a wonderful story. I cannot believe half the things that this horse has achieved.”

There are stories suggesting Russell Crowe will play the trainer role in the film. Janiak commented: “That would be great - I could teach him a little bit of acting!”

Hong Kong-based Sacred Kingdom has to be supplemented at a cost of £45,000 on Monday to the Golden Jubilee Stakes.

Scenic Blast, the new sprinting sensation from Australia, is half Takeover Target’s age at five and might try to win both legs of the Global Sprint Challenge staged at Royal Ascot next week.

The son of Scenic worked on the Al Bahathri gallop on the Newmarket training grounds this morning and pleased his trainer, the Perth-based Dan Morton.

Morton, who trains 30 horses in Western Australia, said: “There have been a lot of very good horses come out of Western Australia.

“The Eastern states, Melbourne and Sydney, stage the pinnacle of the racing so that is where we have to go. The flight time for the horses is nearly four hours.

“It is great - win, lose or draw - to come over here and see how things operate at a racing mecca.

“Scenic Blast is very effective over both five and six furlongs. The five at Ascot is probably a harder five than our five at home.

“To opt for the five-furlong race first up (the King’s Stand Stakes on Tuesday, June 16) gives him the softest option and at this stage it does look the easier of the two races.

“Choisir (winner of both the King’s Stand Stakes and the Golden Jubilee Stakes in 2003) was a trail-blazer for Australian sprinters. We have similar form to Choisir coming into Royal Ascot and Scenic Blast is in good nick and should be fairly competitive.

“In both the races he has won this year (the Group One five-furlong Lightning Stakes at Flemington on January 31 - the first leg of the 2009 Global Sprint Challenge - and the Group One six-furlong Newmarket Handicap at the same course on March 7) he was back off the speed a little bit. He lets down very quickly which is good attribute to have. He has sometimes been closer to the speed and boxed on very well.

“Steven (Arnold) is a very good jockey and he knew what he had under him. We were 20/1 I think in the first race and there was no great expectation.

“It would probably be an advantage for Steven to have ridden at Ascot before but I prefer to have someone who knows my horse. The uphill finish is a bit of an unknown at Ascot but I am sure Scenic Blast will cope well.

“He had plenty of experience of flying before he came to England and he handled all that very well. Our biggest worry was the travel - he was on the plane some 30 hours - but it was no problem and he has settled in at Newmarket.

“I would like to think we have Scenic Blast somewhere near his best form - he has had a trouble-free prep which is very important going into these big meets.

“He will be left in the Golden Jubilee but it is more likely that he won’t run in it.

“Scenic Blast is very sound so touch wood he can continue racing for a long time. Takeover Target has been remarkable.”

The 36-year-old trainer will also consider running in the third British leg of the Global Sprint Challenge, the Darley July Cup at Newmarket on July 10, and is hoping to win one of three races so his horse can then go to Hong Kong or Japan later in the year for other Global Sprint Challenge contests.

There is a US$1 million bonus for winning any three Group One Global Sprint Challenge races across three different countries.

Arnold was also present at today’s press conference. He said afterwards: “Scenic Blast handles straight courses really well. He likes good cover early so he can get into his rhythm. Then he seems able to produce a good finish.

“A testing 1,000 metres will suit him and he is a nice-actioned horse who travels well in his races. We are as confident as we can be. He is up there with the good sprinters we have had in Australia over the last five years.”

J J The Jet Plane, trained by Mike de Kock, who has 15 horses at what used to be Geoff Wragg’s yard in Newmarket, is being aimed at the Golden Jubilee Stakes.

The five-year-old, who trotted up at Windsor on his British debut at Windsor on June 1, had a blow-out on Newmarket’s July Course this morning.

The South African trainer, who has a stable of 170 horses back home, said: “I have had J J The Jet Plane since September. He has matured - I got him just as he turned four in Southern Hemisphere time - and I think he is on the up.

“We have seen a good part of him but I still think the best is still to come. He is a horse who lands running and gets into the race early.

“He is straightforward for both trainer and jockey. His mind is on the job. He has been in England since May and I think that has been an advantage.”

“J J The Jet Plane has not competed internationally at Group One level but he ran to a very good rating of 120 at Windsor.

“The Windsor race probably has put him spot on for the Golden Jubilee. To have a winner a Royal Ascot is a life’s ambition. I have healthy respect for Sacred Kingdom but his Singapore race may have taken quite a lot out of him - Singapore is a humid environment - and he has had to do a lot of travelling.

“I will consider the Darley July Cup after the Royal Ascot race.”

Mythical Flight, the South African challenger for £300,000 King’s Stand Stakes, is also staying at De Kock’s British base. The six-year-old is trained by Sean Tarry.

De Kock remarked: “Mythical Flight did not travel over well from Singapore (where he finished sixth to Sacred Kingdom) but he is coming right now. He is a specialist over five furlongs and is a very good horse. He is in with a chance.”

American trainer Wesley Ward has four-year-old Cannonball entered in the King’s Stand Stakes, the Golden Jubilee Stakes and the Darley July Cup.

He has also brought over from the US five two-year-olds for Royal Ascot. In a recorded interview, he said: “Cannonball is going to run a bang-up race.”

Royal Ascot takes place from Tuesday, June 16, through to Saturday, June 20, while Newmarket’s Champagne Lanson July Festival happens from Wednesday, July 8, to Friday, July 10.

THE KING’S STAND STAKES
First British Leg of the Global Sprint Challenge, Class 1, Group 1 Race, Total Prize fund £300,000. Royal Ascot, 3.05pm, Tuesday, June 16, 2009, five furlongs. For three-year-olds and upwards. Entries closed Tuesday, April 21, entries revealed, Wednesday, April 22 (51 entries). Scratchings deadline noon, Tuesday, May 26 (36 remained). Five-day-confirmation and £45,000 supplementary stage noon, Wednesday, June 10 (19 remain). Final declaration stage 10.00am, Sunday, June 14. Weights: three-year-old colts and geldings 8st 12lb, fillies 8st 9lb; four-year-old and upwards colts and geldings 9st 4lb, fillies 9st 1lb. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up and including the racing of Tuesday, June 9, 2009. May not include some overseas form.

Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
3131-32 BORDERLESCOTT 7 James Edgar & William Donaldson Robin Bastiman
103-422 CANNONBALL (USA) 4 Kenneth & Sarah Ramsey Wesley Ward USA
400-000 CAPTAIN GERRARD (IRE) 4 Reg Bond Bryan Smart
4300-00 DANDY MAN (IRE) 6 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
140-200 EQUIANO (FR) 4 James Acheson Barry Hills
(4)0-3020 FULLANDBY (IRE) 7 Miss M Greenwood Tim Etherington
0-80123 HOH HOH HOH 7 Multi Lines 2 Richard Price
(1)(1)(1)-(1)(1)1 IALYSOS (GR) 5 Marina Marinopoulos Luca Cumani
123/27-6 MYTHICAL FLIGHT (SAF) 6 C J H Van Niekerk Sean Tarry SAF
110-151 SCENIC BLAST (AUS) 5 Elio Anthony Galante & Partners Dan Morton AUS
411-131 TAX FREE (IRE) 7 Ian Hewitson David Nicholls
0-34337 WI DUD 5 John Duddy, L Duddy,P Mcbride, Mrs J Ryan Kevin Ryan
12/1354- FLEETING SPIRIT (IRE) 4 The Searchers Jeremy Noseda
7111-1 AMOUR PROPRE 3 Simon Broke and Partners Henry Candy
114-652 RIEVAULX WORLD 3 Rievaulx Racing Syndicate Kevin Ryan
12500-1 SPIN CYCLE (IRE) 3 H E Sheikh Rashid Bin Mohammed Bryan Smart
7522-52 WAFFLE (IRE) 3 Susan Roy Jeremy Noseda
6254-12 ANGLEZARKE (IRE) 3 David Armstrong Tim Easterby
14528-0 LUCKY LEIGH 3 Rachael Flintoff, J Channon & K Baker Mick Channon
19 Entries remain
1 Australian-trained
1South African-trained
1 US-trainedTHE GOLDEN JUBILEE STAKES
Second British Leg of the Global Sprint Challenge, Class 1, Group 1 Race, Total Prize fund £450,000. Royal Ascot, 3.45pm, Saturday, June 20, 2009, six furlongs. For three-year-olds and upwards. Entries closed Tuesday, April 21, entries revealed, Wednesday, April 22 68 entries). Scratchings deadline noon, Tuesday, May 26 (39 remain). Five-day-confirmation and £45,000 supplementary stage noon, Monday, June 15. Final declaration stage 10.00am, Thursday, June 18. Weights: three-year-old colts and geldings 8st 11lb, fillies 8st 8lb; four-year-old and upwards colts and geldings 9st 4lb, fillies 9st 1lb. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up and including the racing of Tuesday, June 9, 2009. May not include some overseas form.

Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
14210-4 AFRICAN ROSE 4 Khalid Abdulla Criquette Head-Maarek FR
01-41 ALYARF (USA) 3 Hamdan Al Maktoum Barry Hills
2/61316- ANCIEN REGIME (IRE) 4 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
(1)(1)-(1)(1)04 ARGANIL (USA) 4 The Big Moment Kevin Ryan
11120-0 ART CONNOISSEUR (IRE) 3 Richard Green Michael Bell
(2)-41014 ASSET (IRE) 6 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
116-235 AWINNERSGAME (IRE) 3 Saeed Suhail Jeremy Noseda
1311(0)-4 BUSHRANGER (IRE) 3 Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor David Wachman IRE
103-422 CANNONBALL (USA) 4 Kenneth & Sarah Ramsey Wesley Ward USA
4300-00 DANDY MAN (IRE) 6 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
022-(3)(3)3 DIABOLICAL (USA) 6 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
06(1)(1)-(2)0 DUFF (IRE) 6 Kilboy Estate Edward Lynam IRE
010-003 EDGE CLOSER 5 Godfrey Wilson Richard Hannon
140-200 EQUIANO (FR) 4 James Acheson Barry Hills
11005-0 FAT BOY (IRE) 4 Maurice Sines Peter Chapple-Hyam
12103-0 FINJAAN 3 Hamdan Al Maktoum Marcus Tregoning
12/1354- FLEETING SPIRIT (IRE) 4 The Searchers Jeremy Noseda
(4)0-3020 FULLANDBY (IRE) 7 Miss M Greenwood Tim Etherington
612060 HATTA FORT 4 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
(1)(1)(1)-(1)(1)1 IALYSOS (GR) 5 Marina Marinopoulos Luca Cumani
00-4002 INTREPID JACK 7 Michael Lynch Hughie Morrison
111-(6)11 J J THE JET PLANE (SAF) 5 Coenie Strydom Mike de Kock SAF
0201-02 KING'S APOSTLE (IRE) 5 Bernard Kantor William Haggas
12/0153- KINGSGATE NATIVE (IRE) 4 Cheveley Park Stud Sir Michael Stoute
2116-11 LESSON IN HUMILITY (IRE) 4 Michael Nelmes-Crocker Karl Burke
3100-11 MAIN AIM 4 Khalid Abdulla Sir Michael Stoute
116-(0)40 MARCHAND D'OR (FR) 6 Carla Giral Freddie Head FR
(1)-1(3) MUTHEEB (USA) 4 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
0410-10 OUQBA 3 Hamdan Al Maktoum Barry Hills
0546-10 PRIME DEFENDER 5 S Falle, M Franklin, J Sumsion Barry Hills
014-(6)21 REGAL PARADE 5 Dab Hand Racing David Nicholls
0(0)142-5 ROCK OF ROCHELLE (USA) 4 Her Diamond Necklace Farms FZE Andrew Kinsella IRE
3320-14 SAYIF (IRE) 3 Saleh Al Homaizi & Imad Al Sagar Peter Chapple-Hyam
110-151 SCENIC BLAST (AUS) 5 Elio Anthony Galante & Partners Dan Morton AUS
33033-0 SIR GERRY (USA) 4 Mrs Gerry Galligan John Best
305-44(1) STRIKE THE DEAL (USA) 4 Martin Barber Jeremy Noseda
411-110 TAKEOVER TARGET (AUS) 10 Joe & Ben Janiak Joe Janiak AUS
4361-11 UTMOST RESPECT 5 The Rumpole Partnership Richard Fahey
1/(2)6223- WAR ARTIST (AUS) 6 Rupert Plersch James Eustace
39 Entries
3 Irish-trained
2 French-trained
2 Australian-trained
1 South-African trained
1 US-trained

THE DARLEY JULY CUP
British Leg of the Global Sprint Challenge, Class 1, Group 1, £400,000 Total Prize Fund. Six furlongs. For three-year-olds and upwards. Newmarket, Friday, July 10, 2009. Entries closed, May 5, entries revealed, May 6 (69 entries). Scratchings deadline, Tuesday, June 16. Six-day confirmation & £30,000 supplementary entry stage Saturday, July 4. Final declaration stage 10.00am, Wednesday, July 8. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Tuesday, June 9. May not include some overseas form.

Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
14210-4 AFRICAN ROSE 4 Khalid Abdulla Criquette Head-Maarek FR
01-41 ALYARF (USA) 3 Hamdan Al Maktoum Barry Hills
2/61316- ANCIEN REGIME (IRE) 4 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
3/11-0 AQLAAM 4 Hamdan Al Maktoum William Haggas
50641-3 ARABIAN GLEAM 5 Saeed Suhail Jeremy Noseda
(1)(1)-(1)(1)04 ARGANIL (USA) 4 The Big Moment Kevin Ryan
11120-0 ART CONNOISSEUR (IRE) 3 Richard Green Michael Bell
116-235 AWINNERSGAME (IRE) 3 Saeed Suhail Jeremy Noseda
1311(0)-4 BUSHRANGER (IRE) 3 Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor David Wachman IRE
103-422 CANNONBALL (USA) 4 Kenneth & Sarah Ramsey Wesley Ward USA
400-000 CAPTAIN GERRARD (IRE) 4 Reg Bond Bryan Smart
44022-(0) CAT JUNIOR (USA) 4 Roldvale Limited Brian Meehan
654210 CONTEST (IRE) 5 Mrs T Nanos & Christos Theodorakis Christos Theodorakis GRE
240-(4)63 DAMIEN (IRE) 3 Catherine Corbett & Chris Wright Barry Hills
4300-00 DANDY MAN (IRE) 6 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
215-120 DELEGATOR 3 Poilin Good Brian Meehan
022-(3)(3)3 DIABOLICAL (USA) 6 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
06(1)(1)-(2)0 DUFF (IRE) 6 Kilboy Estate Edward Lynam IRE
010-003 EDGE CLOSER 5 Godfrey Wilson Richard Hannon
140-200 EQUIANO (FR) 4 James Acheson Barry Hills
(3)11-6 EVASIVE 3 Cheveley Park Stud Sir Michael Stoute
1/6(0)-430 EXCLAMATION 4 Raymond Tooth Brian Meehan
11005-0 FAT BOY (IRE) 4 Maurice Sines Peter Chapple-Hyam
12103-0 FINJAAN 3 Hamdan Al Maktoum Marcus Tregoning
12/1354- FLEETING SPIRIT (IRE) 4 The Searchers Jeremy Noseda
032-000 GEORGEBERNARDSHAW (IRE) 4 Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith Aidan O'Brien IRE
60(3)33-0 GLUTEUS MAXIMUS (IRE) 3 Vesalius Syndicate Aidan O'Brien IRE
612030 HATTA FORT 4 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
0452-24 HEART SHAPED (USA) 3 Michael Tabor, Sue Magnier & Betty Moran Aidan O'Brien IRE
14- HIMALYA (IRE) 3 Gillian Khosla Jeremy Noseda
0(3)-1060 HITCHENS (IRE) 4 Laurence O'Kane David Barron
2130- HUNTDOWN (USA) 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
(1)(1)(1)-(1)(1)1 IALYSOS (GR) 5 Marina Marinopoulos Luca Cumani
245210- IL WARRD (IRE) 4 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
00-4002 INTREPID JACK 7 Michael Lynch Hughie Morrison
111-(6)11 J J THE JET PLANE (SAF) 5 H S N Du Preez Mike de Kock SAF
0201-02 KING'S APOSTLE (IRE) 5 Bernard Kantor William Haggas
12/0153- KINGSGATE NATIVE (IRE) 4 Cheveley Park Stud Sir Michael Stoute
(1)316- LADDIES POKER TWO (IRE) 4 Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Jeremy Noseda
52411-0 MADAME TROP VITE (IRE) 3 Tersea Marnane Kevin Ryan
3100-11 MAIN AIM 4 Khalid Abdulla Sir Michael Stoute
33200-5 MAJOR CADEAUX 5 N A Woodcock, A C Pickford & David Mort Richard Hannon
10-1003 MAOINEACH (USA) 3 Jackie Bolger Jim Bolger IRE
116-(0)40 MARCHAND D'OR (FR) 6 Carla Giral Freddie Head FR
1114-51 MASTERCRAFTSMAN (IRE) 3 Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
(1)3- MULLIONMILEANHOUR (IRE) 3 Pattern Racing UK Ltd John Best
1514-3 ORIZABA (IRE) 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
0410-10 OUQBA 3 Hamdan Al Maktoum Barry Hills
11111-1 OVERDOSE 4 MIKO Racing-Zoltan Mikoczy Sandor Ribarszki HUN
1D1-014 PACO BOY (IRE) 4 The Calvera Partnership No 2 Richard Hannon
213-1 PALACE MOON 4 Bridget Swire Hughie Morrison
0546-10 PRIME DEFENDER 5 S Falle, M Franklin, J Sumsion Barry Hills
3-(6)1141 PROCLAIM 3 Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Mark Johnston
10164-4 REDFORD (IRE) 4 Highclere T'bred Racing (Housemaster) Michael Bell
321-0 RUN FOR THE HILLS 3 Normandie Stud Ltd John Gosden
3320-14 SAYIF (IRE) 3 Saleh Al Homaizi & Imad Al Sagar Peter Chapple-Hyam
110-151 SCENIC BLAST (AUS) 5 Elio Anthony Galante & Partners Dan Morton AUS
12500-1 SPIN CYCLE (IRE) 3 H E Sheikh Rashid Bin Mohammed Bryan Smart
1/(3)43P-0 STARLIT SANDS 4 Kirsten Rausing Sir Mark Prescott
305-44(1) STRIKE THE DEAL (USA) 4 M Barber Jeremy Noseda
411-110 TAKEOVER TARGET (AUS) 10 Messrs Joe & Ben Janiak Joe Janiak AUS
411-131 TAX FREE (IRE) 7 Ian Hewitson David Nicholls
2/212-50 TAYSEER 4 Hamdan Al Maktoum John Hammond FR
111262 THREE ROCKS (IRE) 4 Jackie Bolger Jim Bolger IRE
4361-11 UTMOST RESPECT 5 The Rumpole Partnership Richard Fahey
41-1110 VOCALISED (USA) 3 Jackie Bolger Jim Bolger IRE
1/(2)6223- WAR ARTIST (AUS) 6 Rupert Plersch James Eustace
0405-40 WINKER WATSON 4 Comic Strip Heroes & Joy Trotter Peter Chapple-Hyam

68 Entries remain (INSPIRATION (AUS) has been scratched)
9 Irish-trained
3 French-trained
2 Australian-trained
1 Greek-trained
1 Hungarian-trained
1 South African-trained
1 US-trainedCANNONBALL (USA) FACTFILE
4 b g Catienus (USA) - No Deadline (USA) (Skywalker (USA)) Form: (6)(4)113/33(6)7183-422 Owner: Kenneth & Sarah Ramsey
Trainer: Wesley Ward USA Breeder: Kenneth & Sarah Ramsey Jockey: John Velazquez
Cannonball
Home-bred at Ramsey Farm in Kentucky, Cannonball made an inauspicious debut at Belmont Park in May, 2007, when he failed to beat a horse in a five-furlong dirt maiden. He returned to the New York track in September for his third start, recording a four-length victory in a six-furlong turf maiden before following up with another success at the course in a non-graded turf contest over a mile in October. He continued to show improvement on his final juvenile appearance just five days later, keeping on to take third in the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Monmouth Park. Stepped up to Pattern company for his three-year-old debut, Cannonball acquitted himself well by coming third in the nine-furlong turf Grade Three Tropical Park Derby at Calder on New Year’s Day, 2008, and he followed up with another third place over the same trip in a non-graded race on turf at Gulfstream Park in mid-February. Cannonball switched to Polytrack for the Grade Two Lane’s End Stakes at Turfway Park a month later, but could only finish sixth in the nine-furlong contest, and he once again failed to show his true form when seventh on his turf return in the Grade Three Crown Royal American Turf Stakes on May 2 at Churchill Downs. Dropping down in class and trip, Cannonball returned to the winner’s enclosure in a six-furlong turf race at Belmont Park at the end of May but he failed to build on that effort when coming eighth in another minor turf event over a mile at Del Mar in mid-July. Cannonball ended his season with another below-par effort in another non-graded turf contest, when he could only finish third over an extended mile and Saratoga at the start of August. Cannonball began this season with a fourth in a five-furlong allowance race on turf at Gulfstream Park on February 5, and he stepped up on that effort in the Shakertown Stakes at Keeneland on April 11, when he was edged out by a head in the in the extended five-furlong Grade Three turf sprint, with Chamberlain Bridge a further head in arrears. Both the second and third home re-opposed in the Grade Three Aegon Turf Sprint Stakes over five furlongs at Churchill Downs on May 1, when Chamberlain Bridge reversed the form with Cannonball, repelling the late challenge of the Wesley Ward-trained gelding to win by a neck.

Race Record: Starts: 15; 1st: 3; 2nd: 2; 3rd: 4; Win & Place Prize Money: £165,927
Wesley Ward
Born on March 3, 1968, in Saleh, Washington State, Welsey Ward is the grandson of long-serving New York outrider Jim Dailey and the son of former apprentice and trainer Dennis Ward. Ward jnr left school at 14 and moved to New York to ride when he was just 15 and enjoyed a sensational first season, partnering 335 winners and becoming leading jockey at both the Belmont, Aqueduct and Meadowlands fall meetings. Such a meteoric rise to fame was rewarded with Ward receiving the Eclipse Award for leading apprentice when he was just 16. Further spells in Italy, Singapore, Malaysia, Illinois and Canada followed and Ward was in the plate when subsequent Kentucky Derby hero Ferdinand lost his maiden tag in 1985. But a growth spurt and weight problems forced Ward to quit riding in 1989 and he assisted his father for four years prior to starting out on his own in 1993. He celebrated his first Stakes victory as a trainer when Unfinished Symph landed the Grade Three Cinema Handicap at Hollywood Park in June, 1994, and the horse went on to be third in the Grade One Breeders’ Cup Mile that November before going on to further Graded success in the San Francisco Mile and the Shoemaker Breeders’ Cup Mile the following year. Other notable horses to have been trained by Ward include Men’s Exclusive, who earned more than $.104 million in his career and raced in the Sprinter’s Stakes in Japan as well as the Dubai Golden Shaheen (in which he was second in 2001), and Bear Fan, who landed Grade Two victories in the Genuine Risk Handicap and the Vagrancy Handicap in 2004. Ward also trained Pesci, who was third in the Grade One Milady Breeders’ Cup Handicap in June, 2004, for her co-owner and Hollywood actor Joe Pesci, while the trainer was also responsible for One Hot Wish, who set a new world record for of 48.87 seconds for 4.5 furlongs on her debut at Keeneland in April, 2007. Based in Glendora, California, Ward also trains at Gulfstream Park, Florida throughout the winter months. Ward is also planning to run five two-year-olds at Royal Ascot - Aegean (Albany Stakes), Honor In Peace (Coventry Stakes), Jealous Again (Queen Mary Stakes), Strike The Tiger (Windsor Castle Stakes) and Yogaroo (Norfolk Stakes).

Kenneth & Sarah Ramsey
Both Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey grew up in Artemus, Kentucky. After graduating from the University Of Kentucky, Kenneth worked for several trucking firms before trying his hand as an estate agent. Disillusioned with selling houses, he started setting up his own franchises specialising in mobile phones in the late 1980's and soon had a string of stores throughout north-eastern Georgia and south-eastern Kentucky. He sold the business for around $38 million in 1994 and decide to return to his hobby of horseracing. Kenneth had previously had a limited interest in racing, having claimed a horse called Red Redeemer at Louisville in 1969 and briefly held a trainer’s licence before deciding to concentrate on his business interests. In 1994, Kenneth and Sarah purchased the historic Almahurst Farm, birthplace of 1918 Kentucky Derby winner Exterminator, and renamed it Ramsey Farm. The couple have since gone on to enormous success as owners and breeders, headed by the home-bred pair of Kitten’s Joy and Roses In May. In 2004, Kitten’s Joy enjoyed Grade One success in the Secretariat Stakes and the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Handicap before going on to be second in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Lone Star Park, earning him the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Male Turf Horse. Roses In May also ran at the same Breeders’ Cup meeting, coming second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, and went on to victory in the Dubai World Cup, the world’s richest race, the following March. More recently, the Ramseys have enjoyed further Grade One success as breeders with Precious Kitten, whose three wins at the highest level included victory in the Matriarch Stakes at Hollywood Park in November, 2007. The Ramseys currently have over 60 horses in training with Bobby Frankel, Mike Maker, Mark Shuman, Ronny Werner, Charlton Baker, Richard Schosberg, Tom Voss and Wesley Ward, while their breeding operation now covers more than 1,200 acres and is home to 161 broodmares as well as the stallions Catienus and Kitten’s Joy.John Velazquez
Born on November 24, 1971, John Velazquez attended jockey's school in his native Puerto Rico and rode his first winner, Roda, at El Comandante in 1990. Under the guidance of former jockey Angel Cordero Jr, who works as his agent, Velazquez came to New York in March, 1990, and has perennially ranked among the leading riders on that circuit. He has won or shared 20 meet titles in New York, and ranked as the state's top jockey for four consecutive years between 2001 and 2004. On September 3, 2001, he became the first jockey in Saratoga history to ride six winners on a single card. A two-time winner of the Eclipse Award, he has been presented with the Eddie Arcaro Award from the New York Turf Writers Association on three occasions. Velazquez has also been honoured with the Bill Shoemaker Award for the top performance by a jockey in the 2004 Breeders’ Cup, as well as the New York Turf Writers Association’s Fourstardave Award. Velazquez has been actively involved as a spokesman for his profession and was elected chairman of the board of directors of the Jockeys’ Guild in July, 2006. On September 28, 2008, he racked up his 4,000th career victory when he guided Rogue Agent to a six-length victory. Velazquez has ridden seven winners at the Breeders’ Cup, most recently with English Channel in the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Turf. Other notable mounts have included Ashado, Roses in May, Speightstown, Indian Blessing, Wait a While, Commentator, and Rags To Riches, who handed Velazquez his first, and so far only, Classic victory in the 2007 Belmont Stakes. He will be making his second appearance at Royal Ascot this year, having ridden for the Godolphin operation in 2000, when he finished second on Teggiano in the Ribblesdale Stakes. Rene Douglas had been due to ride Cannonball and the Ward-trained juveniles at Royal Ascot but suffered severe injuries in a fall on May 23.

J J THE JET PLANE (SAF) FACTFILE
5 b g Jet Master (SAF) - Majestic Guest (SAF) (Northern Guest (USA)
Form: (1)15/3011111-(6)11 Owners: Hennie Du Preez, Coenie Strydom, Thea Boyens & “Lucky” Houdalakis
Trainer: Mike De Kock SAF Breeder: Pat and Henry Devine Jockey: Kevin Shea

J J The Jet Plane
Named after an American cartoon character, J J The Jet Plane, was all the rage for the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot following an impressive four-length victory in the Listed Leisure Stakes at Windsor on June 1. That Thames-side romp over six furlongs was the gelding’s first start in Britain. The South African speedster notched seven victories from 10 starts in his homeland, including three at Grade One level, before competing with mixed success at the Dubai International Racing Carnival earlier this year. A 70,000 rand purchase as an under-sized, knock-kneed yearling, J J The Jet Plane entered training under the care of rookie trainer and joint-owner “Lucky” Houdalakis. The gelding landed a debut triumph over six furlongs on sand at Vaal racecourse in October, 2007, winning by six lengths. Houdalakis successfully stepped his charge up to Grade Three company for the seven-furlong Graham Beck Stakes at Turffontein on November 3, but defeat followed at the same course in the Grade Two Dingaans on November 24. Sent over nine furlongs in the Listed Sea Cottage Stakes on January 6, 2008, J J The Jet Plane was well-beaten in third behind odds-on favourite Eddington and he suffered another heavy loss at Turffontein in the Grade Two Gauteng Guineas on March 1, when he could only finish 10th in the mile contest. Returned to six furlongs on March 24, the three-year-old (southern hemisphere) impressed with victory in the Grade Two Senor Santa Handicap on turf at Vaal. Another Grade Three triumph followed in the Man O’War Stakes at Turffontein on April 12. J J The Jet Plane proceeded to rattle off a Grade One hat-trick in three of South Africa’s most prestigious sprints. After clinching the five-furlong Computaform Sprint at Turffontein on May 3, the little bay took steps towards greatness in the Golden Horse Casino Sprint at Scottsville on May 31. Carrying top-weight of 80kg, J J The Jet Plane was eased close home as he saw off older rivals by two and a quarter lengths. Following that success, reports suggested the horse would be sold, however, in June, 2008, it was revealed that Mike de Kock was to take over the training of J J The Jet Plane, who would continue under the same ownership. J J The Jet Plane clinched his latest South African victory in awesome fashion as he smashed the track record and slammed his rivals by four lengths in Clairewood’s sprinting showcase, the Mercury Sprint, on July 20. After being denied a run in the Hong Kong Sprint due to quarantine restrictions, the gelding’s first start for de Kock came in a conditions race at Nad Al Sheba, Dubai on February 12. A disappointing sixth-place behind inferior rivals ended that particular experiment on dirt and J J The Jet Plane reverted to turf for an impressive victory in the Group Three Al Quoz Sprint at the course. Bred by Pat and Henry Devine, J J The Jet Plane is by South African stallion sensation Jet Master out of the Listed winner Majestic Guest.

Race Record: Starts: 13; Wins: 9; 2nd: -; 3rd: 1 Win & Place Prize Money: £173,702

Mike de Kock
Raised within a stone’s throw of Newmarket racecourse in South Africa, Mike de Kock, who was born on February 13, 1964, has been watching horseracing since his youth. In 1981, he was drafted into the Equestrian Unit of the South African defence force and became a riding instructor. After starting out in racing as assistant trainer to Ormond Ferraris, he moved on to Robbie Sage and finally Ricky Howard-Ginsberg. He took over Howard-Ginsberg’s stable upon the trainer’s death in 1989. De Kock was only 25 at the time but within months he had saddled the filly Evening Mist to win the Grade One Administrator’s Champion Stakes. He gained wider fame as the trainer of South African Triple Crown winner Horse Chestnut, widely considered the greatest South African champion. With his main base at Randtjiesfontein near Johannesburg and a satellite yard near Durban, de Kock has been champion trainer in his homeland three times, the first of those titles coming in the 1998/99 season. He has won a host of his country’s top prizes, including the Durban July, J & B Met, Summer Cup, South African Derby, Cape Argus Guineas, South African Filllies Guineas and South African Fillies Classic. He first made a splash internationally on Dubai World Cup night in 2003 as Ipi Tombe landed the Dubai Duty Free and Victory Moon took the UAE Derby. He has been the leading international trainer at the Dubai Racing Carnival every year since its inception in 2004. Major victories at Nad Al Sheba have come thick and fast thanks to the exploits of stable stars Grand Emporium, Right Approach, Sun Classique, Asiatic Boy and Archipenko. In 2008, De Kock trained the last-named to win the Group One Audemar Piguet QEII Cup in Hong Kong, the Group Two Summer Mile at Ascot and to finish second in the Grade One Arlington Million in the US, while Eagle Mountain took the Group One Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup. In recent seasons, he has based a select string of horses in Newmarket, England, for a northern hemisphere summer campaign. He is married to Diane and has two children.

Hennie du Preez, Coenie Strydom, Thea Boyens, Nicholas Michael “Lucky” Houdalakis
Hennie du Preez is a resident of Elsburg, a town on the south east outskirts of Johannesburg. He made his money in the building industry. Du Preez went to the 2006 Emperors Palace National Two-Year-Old Sale determined to buy a horse by Jet Master. He bought J J The Jet Plane for 70,000 rand and roped in his friend Coenie Strydom, a property man, Thea Boyens, the female proprietor of the Elsburg Hotel, and trainer Lucky Houdalakis. Born on June 27, 1963, Houdalakis is a popular South African former jockey who was forced to retire in the wake of an injury sustained in 2003. He began training six horses at James Maree’s private establishment in April, 2006 and moved to the Vaal racecourse in December, 2007. The yard now numbers in excess of 60 inmates. He resides with his wife Natalie in the town of Three Rivers, not far from his training base, which is about 30 miles south of Johannesburg. He got hooked watching horseracing as a boy and became apprenticed to Dave Bullock upon leaving school at 14. As a jockey, Houdalakis enjoyed success in his homeland. He also spent three seasons in Macau, during which time he was never out of the top eight. His highlights in the saddle include victory aboard Legality in the Grade One Empress Club Stakes (15/02/2003). He sent out his first winner, Mans Mood, on July 31, 2006. As well as training J J The Jet Plane to three Grade One triumphs, he prepared Supper Club to win the Grade Two Debutante Stakes in June, 2007.

Kevin Shea
South African Kevin Shea began riding out when he was 13, and joined the Summerveld stable of David Payne after completing his apprenticeship in 1982. He enjoyed a highly successful 18 years with the trainer but it wasn’t until he linked up with Mike de Kock in 2000 that he shot to international prominence. The pair linked up with Ingleside, who landed the Summer Cup in 2001, and also took the 2002 Vodacom July Handicap with Ipi Tombe, who was the first filly in 50 years to triumph in the Grade One feature, helping Shea to his first jockey’s championship. Ipi Tombe went on to give Shea and de Kock further glory in the 2003 Dubai Duty Free as the trainer began to dominate the Dubai International Racing Carnival. Shea’s other major Nad Al Sheba successes include four winners of the Dubai City Of Gold Stakes, victory in the Dubai Sheema Classic with Sun Classique in 2008. Further international success has followed with several other Mike de Kock-trained horses, headed by Coolmore cast-offs Eagle Mountain, who landed the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile in 2008, and Archipenko, who triumphed in the Audemars Piguet QEII Cup in the same year. The latter went on to give Shea a first major success in the UK when taking the Group Two Plymouth Gin Summer Mile at Ascot in July, 2008, and was second in the Grade One Arlington Million the following month. Shea is married to Kim and counts himself as a fanatical Manchester United supporter, with a tattoo declaring his love for the Red Devils.MYTHICAL FLIGHT (SAF) FACTFILE
6 ch g Jet Master (SAF) - Mythical Bird (SAF) (Harry Hotspur (SAF))
Form:1111111231/297-6 Owner: Chris Van Niekerk
Trainer: Sean Tarry SAF Breeder: The Alchemy Jockey: Kevin Shea

Mythical Flight
Mythical Flight, who is by the champion South African stallion Jet Master, made an impressive debut for owner Chris Van Niekerk and trainer Sean Tarry when taking a maiden over five furlongs at Clairwood by four and a half lengths in June, 2006. He posted another imperious display when easily winning a Listed five-furlong contest at Turffontein three months later and returned to the same course that December and distance to make it three wins from as many starts in a graduation race. Stepping up to Pattern company for the Grade Three Lebelo Handicap at Newmarket (South Africa) later the same month, Mythical Flight once again treated his rivals with distain, winning by four and a quarter lengths. The improvement continued on his next appearance as Mythical Flight announced himself as a sprinter of the highest order with victory in the Grade One Graham Beck Wines Cape Flying Championship in January, 2007. Following another easy win on turf at Vaal, Mythical Flight stretched his unbeaten run to seven by taking the Grade One Computaform Sprint at Turfffontein in May, 2007, setting the fastest ever time for five furlongs in South Africa (54.96s) and giving the owner a second successive victory in the race following on from National Colour 12 months earlier. Having carried all before him over five furlongs, Mythical Flight made the step up to six furlongs for the first time in the Grade One Golden Horse Casino Sprint at Scottsville later the same month, in which he was burdened with top weight, but he was collared in the closing stages by Kildonan, who set a new record time for the race. Having returned lame from that race, Mythical Flight was given a break before returning over six furlongs for the Grade One Mercury Sprint at Clairwood in mid July, but the gelding once again tired and was passed by War Artist and Rebel King near the line. After a five-month break, Mythical Flight made his seasonal return in the Lebelo Handicap at Newmarket in December, 2007, when he beat Flintlock easily despite conceding at least six kilograms to his rivals. Mythical Flight returned to Kenilworth to defend his crown in the Graham Beck Wines Cape Flying Championship in January, 2008, but he once again tied up in the final furlong and was headed by the veteran sprinter O Caesour. Mythical Flight once again failed to give his true running in the Computaform Sprint at Turfffontein in May when he laboured home to finish ninth behind the new sprint sensation J J The Jet Plane, but he produced a far better effort on his next appearance in the six-furlong Group One Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin in December, when he cut out the running before fading to seventh. Found to have suffered a torn muscle during the race, Mythical Flight was shipped to Dubai for the winter to recuperate before he made the journey to Singapore for the KrisFlyer International Sprint at Kranji on May 17, when he once again made the running before being passed in the final quarter mile to finish seventh behind fellow Royal Ascot hopeful Sacred Kingdom.
Race Record: Starts: 14; Wins: 8; 2nd: 2; 3rd: 1; Win & Place Prize Money £86,843

Chris Van Niekerk
A former chairman of the Racing Association in South Africa, Christiaan Johannes Hattingh Van Niekerk is a prominent owner in his homeland. The 61-year-old is Executive Chairman of PG Bison, a subsidiary of the Steinhoff Group and is a director of Steinhoff Africa Holdings (Proprietary Limited), and the non-executive chairman of Chlor-Alkali Holdings (PTY) Ltd, one of South Africa's major chemical companies. He spent 19 years working for Sentrachem and in 1985 became general manager of NCP Chloorkop. In 1994 he became managing director of NCP Group. He is a notable figure in South African horseracing, being a non-executive director of the Racing Association, a trustee of the Thoroughbred Horseracing Trust and non-executive director of Phumelala Gaming and Leisure Ltd. His filly National Colour won two coveted Equus Awards as Horse of the Year and champion female three-year-old female sprinter in 2006. She competed at Royal Ascot in 2008, running a fine race to finish sixth in the King’s Stand Stakes and also went close in the Group One Nunthorpe Stakes at Newmarket in August, when she went down by half a length to Borderlescott. He was named owner of the year at the 2007 Equus Awards.

Sean Tarry
In a little under 12 seasons as a licensed trainer, Sean Tarry (born in Johannesburg in 1966) has risen rapidly towards the top of the training ranks in South Africa and is regularly among the top 10 handlers. He has enjoyed Grade One successes with the likes of Alastor (2005 J& B Met), National Colour (2006 Computaform Sprint, 2006 South African Fillies' Sprint, 2006 Mercury Sprint), Mythical Flight (2007 Computaform Sprint, 2007 Cape Flying Championship) and Buy And Sell (2007 Daily News 2200). He has approximately 100 horses split between his main yard at Randjesfontein (Johannesburg) and Clairwood (Durban). This is a far cry from his life in the early 1990s as a young 20-something entrepreneur running a juice bar, Sir Juice. Having shown no real interest in horseracing previously but seeking an outdoor life, Tarry decided to quit the juice making business in 1993 to take a job as an assistant to his brother-in-law Damon Rahme who had recently taken out a trainer's licence. After 10 months with Rahme, he joined trainer June Casey and in May, 1997, after three years as an unpaid assistant, he decided to take out his own licence to train, backed by his brother Mark, a successful breeder and owner, who provided all 15 of his initial string. His first winner was Supreme Magic who paid 199 rand for the win on the Tote. He soon made the headlines when Sorevof won the John Breval Memorial and it was not long before he was attracting high-profile owners such as Chris van Niekerk, former chairman of the Racing Association. His first black-type success came with Golden Apple in the Gosforth Park Fillies' Guineas in 1999, while Alastor's 2005 J&B Met success was his first Grade One triumph.

Kevin Shea
South African Kevin Shea began riding out when he was 13, and joined the Summerveld stable of David Payne after completing his apprenticeship in 1982. He enjoyed a highly successful 18 years with the trainer but it wasn’t until he linked up with Mike de Kock in 2000 that he shot to international prominence. The pair linked up with Ingleside, who landed the Summer Cup in 2001, and also took the 2002 Vodacom July Handicap with Ipi Tombe, who was the first filly in 50 years to triumph in the Grade One feature, helping Shea to his first jockey’s championship. Ipi Tombe went on to give Shea and de Kock further glory in the 2003 Dubai Duty Free as the trainer began to dominate the Dubai International Racing Carnival. Shea’s other major Nad Al Sheba successes include four winners of the Dubai City Of Gold Stakes, victory in the Dubai Sheema Classic with Sun Classique in 2008. Further international success has followed with several other Mike de Kock-trained horses, headed by Coolmore cast-offs Eagle Mountain, who landed the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile in 2008, and Archipenko, who triumphed in the Audemars Piguet QEII Cup in the same year. The latter went on to give Shea a first major success in the UK when taking the Group Two Plymouth Gin Summer Mile at Ascot in July, 2008, and was second in the Grade One Arlington Million the following month. Shea is married to Kim and counts himself as a fanatical Manchester United supporter, with a tattoo declaring his love for the Red Devils.

SACRED KINGDOM (AUS) FACTFILE
6 b g Encosta De Lago (AUS) - Courtroom Sweetie (AUS) (Zeditave (AUS))
Form: 11/1114111/2121-43611 Owner: Sin Kang Yuk
Trainer: Ricky Yiu HK Breeder: Andy & Julia Calvert Jockey: Brett Prebble

Sacred Kingdom
An AUS$200,000 purchase at the 2005 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Sacred Kingdom began life as Jumbo Star and was bred by Andy and Julia Calvert at their Kornong stud farm in Streatham, Western Victoria. He was bought by trainer Clarry Connors on behalf of owner Sin Kang Yuk and was gelded soon afterwards. After impressing in a barrier trial, Jumbo Star was sent to the Hong Kong stable of Ricky Yiu in March, 2006, and renamed Sacred Kingdom. He made his racecourse debut over five furlongs at Sha Tin racecourse that December when he eased to an impressive two and three-quarter-length victory, despite missing the break, and followed up the eye-catching debut with three further handicap victories over the same course and distance. After a successful step up to six furlongs in another Sha Tin handicap, Sacred Kingdom ended the 2006/07 campaign with his first defeat when he could only finish fourth in a six-furlong Group Three handicap in May. He returned to five furlongs for his seasonal return in October, 2007, and duly recorded a facile success in another Group Three handicap before stepping back up in trip the following month to take the six-furlong Group Two Cathay Pacific International Sprint Trial in scintillating fashion, beating Absolute Champion by two and three-quarter lengths. The pair re-opposed over the same course and distance in the Group One Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint in December, when Sacred Kingdom once again stormed to a facile success, although Absolute Champion did turn the tables with a short-head verdict in the five-furlong Group One Centenary Sprint Cup at the end of January, 2008. Sacred Kingdom gained his revenge three weeks later when showing a blistering turn of foot in the six-furlong Group One Chairman’s Sprint, defeating his old rival by a length and a half. On his first attempt at seven furlongs in the Group One Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup in March, Sacred Kingdom met trouble in running on several occasions before staying on to take second. He ended his season with another comfortable success over his favourite six-furlong trip in the Group Two Gome Sprint in May. Following a nine-month absence due to a hairline fracture of the sesamoid bone, Sacred Kingdom’s current term began with two solid, if unspectacular, displays in Group One company as he came fourth in the Centenary Sprint Cup at the start of February and followed up with a close third in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize later the same month. Sacred Kingdom once again failed to see out seven furlongs when coming sixth in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup in mid-March but recorded his first victory for exactly a year on May 1, when taking the six-furlong Group Two Sprint Cup by a nose under new jockey Brett Prebble. Sacred Kingdom made his first appearance away from Sha Tin in the six-furlong domestic Group One KrisFlyer International Sprint at Kranji racecourse in Singapore on May 17, when he held on well to repel the challenge of local superstar Rocket Man, winning by a neck and breaking the course record. Sacred Kingdom was not originally entered for any race at Royal Ascot, but is expected to be supplemented for the Golden Jubilee Stakes on Monday, June 15, at a cost of £45,000.

Race Record: Starts: 18; 1st: 12; 2nd: 2; 3rd: 1; Win & Place Prize Money: £1,807,679

Ricky Yiu
Born on July 12, 1957, Ricky Yiu Poon-fie enjoyed limited success as a jockey, riding 15 winners between 1974 and 1981. He first took out a training licence for the 1995/96 season. Yiu has since enjoyed over 300 winners as a trainer and became the first Chinese trainer to win a Hong Kong International race when Fairy King Prawn landed the inaugural Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint in December, 1999. More recently, Yiu has returned to international prominence through the exploits of the outstanding sprinter Sacred Kingdom, who gave the trainer a second success in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint in 2007 and went on to glory in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize and the KrisFlyer International Sprint in Singapore. Yiu currently lies 12th in the Hong Kong trainers’ table with 24 victories and HK$24,542,338 to his name (up to June 7).

Sin Kang Yuk
Businessman Sin Kang Yuk, 58, is the director of a garment company in Hong Kong. Prior to Sacred Kingdom, he had enjoyed moderate success as an owner with Just Too Good, who was also trained by Ricky Yiu and won at both Sha Tin in May, 2005, and Happy Valley in March, 2004. His only other previous runner was Everbright Sky, who failed to win any of his six starts between 1997 and 1999 for trainer B K Ng. A keen racegoer, Sin Kang Yuk travelled to Singapore to oversee Sacred Kingdom’s preparation for the KrisFlyer Sprint at Kranji and is expected to be at Royal Ascot to cheer on his sprinter in the Golden Jubilee Stakes.

Brett Prebble
Born on September 23, 1977, in Victoria, Australia, Brett Prebble recorded his first success with Wait On Me at Edenhope on March 6, 1993. He joined the yard of John Meagher as an apprentice the following year and the pair went on to great success, including Prebble’s first Grade One victory on Daacha in the 1995 Syndey Cup. Under Meagher’s guidance, Prebble became champion apprentice for three consecutive seasons between 1996 and 1998. He switched to the powerful stable of David Hall and rode a record nine winners at the prestigious four-day Flemington Carnival in both 1999 and 2000 and was Melbourne’s champion jockey in both 1999/2000 and 2000/2001. In December, 2002, Prebble notched his 1,000th career victory at the tender age of 25. Eager to seek new challenges, Prebble moved to Hong Kong for the second half of the 2002/03 season and the decision paid immediate dividends as he partnered Precision to victory in the Champions & Chater Cup in June, 2003. He enjoyed further big-race success on board the David Oughton-trained Cape Of Good Hope in the Australia Stakes at Melbourne in February, 2005, and the seven-year-old went on to become the inaugural winner of the Global Sprint Challenge with victory in the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot at York. A fruitful 2005/06 campaign included the victory of Bullish Luck in the Group One Champions Mile in May, 2006. The Tony Cruz-trained gelding went on to be Hong Kong Horse of the Year and was also victorious under Prebble in the Yasuda Kinen at Tokyo in June of the same year. In the 2006/07 season, Prebble enjoyed a brace of Group One wins on Absolute Champion, including a four and a half length demolition of Silent Witness in the Cathay Pacific Hong King Sprint, as well as a first success in the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby with Vital King. He also partnered Bullish Luck to be third behind Invasor in the Dubai World Cup and ended the season second in the Hong Kong jockeys’ table behind Doug Whyte, a position he filled once more last term with a personal best of 83 wins to his name. He looks certain to be second once again this season, having notched 70 successes so far. His biggest wins this campaign have come courtesy of Sacred Kingdom, on whom he scored in the Group Two Sprint Cup and the KrisFlyer International Sprint at Singapore.

SCENIC BLAST (AUS)
5 b/br g Scenic - Daughter’s Charm (AUS) (Delgado (USA))

Form: 122112623/3110-2151 Owner: Elio Anthony Galante & Partners
Trainer: Daniel Morton AUS Breeder: Durham Lodge Thoroughbred Stud
Jockey: Steven Arnold

Scenic Blast
A son of Scenic, who dead-heated in the 1988 Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket, England, Scenic Blast has emerged as one of Australia’s leading sprinters over the past two seasons. He was sold for AUS $85,000 as a yearling at the WA Magic Millions sale. His first season included victories in Listed company at Ascot (Australia) and in a Grade Three contest at Caulfield, both coming over six furlongs, while he also scored over five furlongs at Belmont Park (Perth) in handicap company. He also ran extremely well in defeat on two occasions, both in Group One company, when taking the runner-up spot behind Weekend Hustler in the Caulfield Guineas and third behind the same horse in the Coolmore Stud Stakes. Last year saw Scenic Blast win two of his four starts, with both victories coming in handicap company at Ascot and Caulfield. He disappointed at the end of 2008 when stepped back up to Pattern company in the Group Two Memsie Stakes at Caulfield in August, but this poor run was attributed to a wind problem and the horse was subsequently operated on. The operation certainly proved the key to Scenic Blast this year. After finishing second over five furlongs in a handicap at Ascot in January, he caused something of an upset when landing the first leg of the Global Sprint Challenge 2009, the Group One Coolmore Lightning Stakes over five furlongs, at Flemington on January 31. In that contest he had the likes of Weekend Hustler and Apache Cat in arrears. Next time out on February 21, he finished fifth behind Swiss Ace in the Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield before getting the better of that rival by a head when successful, coming with a breathtaking last-to-first run, in the 22-runner Group One Newmarket Handicap (colloquially known as the “Sprinters Melbourne Cup”) over six furlongs at Flemington on March 7. The horse has been stabled with Peter Chapple-Hyam ahead of his Royal Ascot bid.

Race Record: Starts: 17; Wins: 7; 2nd: 5; 3rd: 2; Win & Place Prize Money: £761,554 (AUS$1,539,900)

Elio Anthony Galante & Partners
Elio Galante, who owns Scenic Blast in partnership with nine others, is managing director of Beaumonde Homes, a Perth-based house builder that specialises in the construction of quality single and two storey homes on the Perth coastal strip. His wife Jacqui is also heavily involved with the company, which was established in 1986. Galante has been in horse ownership for a number of years. Good horses he has been involved with include the 2004 Group One Victoria Derby winner Plastered and star sprinter Scenic Blast.

Dan Morton AUS
Dan Morton, 36, is based in Perth, Western Australia and is the son of trainer Len Morton, who enjoyed his biggest success with Muros in the 1978 Brisbane Cup and handled the decent mare Celestial Show, who finished third in the 2001 Caulfield Cup. Morton senior moved away from Perth to train in Melbourne in order to chase the better prizes offered in the east before moving back to Perth when the quality of racing improved in Western Australia. Dan initially rode as an apprentice jockey for his father before becoming too heavy. In 2004, Len handed over the training licence to Dan, but subsequently started training a small team of horses again in his own right. In addition to Scenic Blast, Dan has also trained the high-class middle-distance performer Scenic Shot, winner of the Grade One XXXX Gold Doomben Cup at Doomben last month.

Steven Arnold
Born and raised in Alice Springs, in the Northern Territory of Australia, Steven Arnold, 34, began his riding career as an apprentice to his mother, Sheila, before moving on to the stables of leading Adelaide trainer Ted Cameron. After six months, he was lured to the yard of Lee Freedman, but found it hard to make an impact on the Melbourne scene as a 17-year-old and returned to Adelaide to ride for Cameron’s son Russell. The partnership flourished and Arnold won local jockey premierships as an apprentice and senior rider, before the jockey decided to try his luck riding in Macau. When Cameron decided to move to Melbourne in 1998, Arnold returned to Australia soon after and the pair enjoyed a superb spring campaign in 2000, culminating with victory in the Thousand Guineas with All Time High. Arnold also struck up a successful relationship with another Cameron-trained horse, Bomber Bill, who won the Australia Stakes and the Goodwood Handicap and contested the Golden Shaheen in Dubai and the Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin. Other horses to have been ridden by Arnold include the Bart Cummings-trained Magical Miss, who won the Thousand Guineas and the VRC Oaks in 2001, and the outstanding sprinter Toledo, who landed the Australia Stakes in 2002. In total, Arnold has 15 Group One victories to his name with the most recent being two successes this season with Scenic Blast in the Coolmore Lightning Stakes and the Crown Newmarket Handicap. As well as being one of Australia’s most successful jockeys, Arnold is also one the tallest at 5' 9" and he doesn’t ride below 55kg, which has restricted his opportunities in some of the leading handicaps. He will be having his first ride in the UK at Royal Ascot.TAKEOVER TARGET (AUS) FACTFILE
10 b g Celtic Swing - Shady Stream (AUS) (Archregent (CAN))
Form: 1111111/43024011/13113021/5214211/2312411-110 Owner: Joe & Ben Janiak
Trainer: Joe Janiak AUS Jockey: Jay Ford Breeder: Meringo Stud Farm
Takeover Target
Joe Janiak bought the broken down and unraced Takeover Target for a mere AUS$1,400. The gelding made a resounding early impression on his trainer/owner, leaving Janiak with 30 stitches to a head wound after flooring him before a barrier trial. He was put out to grass for six months after that incident but went on to secure seven straight victories when finally making it to the track. The first of those came in a maiden over six furlongs at Queanbeyaan, Australia, on April 23, 2004, and the last in the sequence was the Group One Seppelt Salinger Stakes at Flemington on October 30 of that year. He continued to run respectably in top events without winning until securing the Group Three Summer Stakes at Doomben on December 10, 2005. He proceeded to rattle off a hat-trick, adding a Listed contest 14 days later and then taking his second Group One prize, the five-furlong Lightning Stakes at Flemington in February, 2006. Two further starts, including victory in the Group One Newmarket Stakes at Flemington the following month, preceded a trip to Britain. Takeover Target made a stunning British debut when taking the then Group Two King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot by a short-head from Benbaun and finished a creditable third to Les Arcs in the Group One Golden Jubilee Stakes four days later. The gelding failed to fire when two lengths seventh to Les Arcs in the Group One Darley July Cup at Newmarket in July. He left for Japan and ran second in the Grade Two Centaur Stakes in September before landing the Group One Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama. He was controversially prevented from competing in Hong Kong that December after medication was found in his system. His return to Australia, brought a fifth to Bentley Biscuit in the Group One All-Aged Stakes at Randwick in April, 2007, and that was followed by a close second to the same rival over six furlongs at Doomben in the BTC Cup. He returned to top form in the seven-furlong Group One Carlton Draught Doomben 10,000 in May, when he swept aside star filly Gold Edition for a half-length verdict. Coming back to Royal Ascot for a second time, Takeover Target once again showed his liking for the Berkshire course, finishing a good fourth in his supposed “prep” race, the King's Stand Stakes, before finishing a head second in the Golden Jubilee Stakes four days later. Connections bypassed the Darley July Cup at Newmarket, but Takeover Target suffered a mild bout of colic in July and injured himself in a paddock accident, forcing him out of action for several months. Having made a winning reappearance at Randwick at the start of December, Takeover Target returned to the Sydney racecourse three weeks later to take the six-furlong Listed Star City Razor Sharp Quality Stakes by a nose. Controversy followed on his next appearance at Randwick, when he was demoted to second in the seven-furlong Group Two Villiers Stakes on January 5, 2008, following an objection by the runner-up Honor In War. Returning to Group One company, Takeover Target finished a creditable third behind Apache Cat on heavy ground in the Sydney City Lexus T J Smith Stakes, run over six furlongs at Randwick on April 26. Sent to Singapore to contest the KrisFlyer International Sprint, Takeover Target showed that he still retained all of his ability as a nine-year-old with a scintillating victory in the six-furlong contest at Kranji, beating Magnus by half a length and setting a new course record in the process, in spite of trainer Joe Janiak insisting that the horse was only 90 per cent wound up for the race. A third visit to Royal Ascot then beckoned and again Takeover Target performed with great distinction, going down by half a length to Equiano in the Group One King’s Stand Stakes and then fourth to Kingsgate Native in the Group One Golden Jubilee Stakes. After the Royal Meeting, he was put away and returned in the form of his life at the end of 2008 and start of 2009 with victories in the Group Two Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot, Australia, in November and at the same course in the Group Three A J Scahill Stakes in December. Two Group One victories then followed, in the T J Smith Stakes at Randwick on April 18 and in the Goodwood Handicap at Morphettville on May 2. The 10-year-old disappointed on his latest start in the Group One KrisFlyer International Sprint at Kranji, Singapore, on May 17, with trainer Joe Janiak feeling that the gelding perhaps did not handle the track.

Race Record: Starts: 40; Wins: 21; 2nd: 6; 3rd: 4; Win & Place Prize Money: £2,980,556 (AUS$6,028,311)

Joe & Ben Janiak
Joe Janiak is based at Coffs Harbour in New South Wales, after moving his 10-strong string there following Takeover Target's Royal Ascot win in 2006. Born to Polish parents on a boat travelling to Australia, the 61-year-old is a former baker and taxi driver who shovelled manure at stables as a child to pay for school. He trained a couple of racehorses in a part-time capacity and lived in a caravan for over 12 years at Queanbeyaan, a country racetrack outside Canberra. He bought the broken down and unraced Takeover Target for a mere AUS$1,400 and had 30 stitches to a head wound when the gelding floored him before a barrier trial. He owns Takeover Target in partnership with his sons Ben and Scott. Ben, who trained horses under his father's name at Coffs Harbour, took out his own licence in May, 2008, and trains in Canberra. Joe Janiak is set to publish a book entitled “Against All Odds” later this year while there are rumours that the remarkable achievements of Takeover Target could be made into a film with Russell Crowe playing the role of Janiak.

Jay Ford
Based in Sydney, New South Wales, Jay Ford began riding Takeover Target as a 20-year-old apprentice in 2004 and has partnered the gelding to seven of his eight Group One victories. The star sprinter's trainer Joe Janiak gave Ford his first career win aboard Chumbolly. He was New South Wales Champion Apprentice in 2003/04 and, on July 10, 2004, became the first junior in over 25 years to ride five winners in a day at a Sydney Metropolitan meeting. He began riding in 2001as apprentice to Canberra trainer Keith Dryden, and spent the latter part of his apprenticeship with Rosehill trainer Kim Waugh. Takeover Target provided him with his first Group One win when taking the Seppelt Salinger Stakes at Flemington on October 30, 2004. As well as his global exploits on Takeover Target, Ford's big-race wins also include the 2005 Spring Champion Stakes and the 2006 Randwick Guineas aboard Hotel Grand. Ford lost the mount on Takeover Target when the gelding won at Randwick this April - Janiak didn’t make public why this happened - but has been reunited with his old partner for the latest two outings.

AT THE RACES CELEBRATES 5TH ANNIVERSARY

With the continued backing of 31 British racecourses, all Irish racecourses and British Sky Broadcasting, At The Races has established itself as the leading, multi-platform media business within horseracing, recognised not just in the UK and Ireland but in the international market.

The Company has generated media rights payments for its racecourse partners since its first day of operation in June 2004. It announced today that payments to racecourses are forecast to exceed £3 million in 2009 - a record annual level - despite the severe effect of the economic downturn and a depressed advertising market.

Matthew Imi, Chief Executive of At The Races, said, “We’re delighted to mark the fifth anniversary of our launch with the promise of a record year of payments back to our racecourse partners. We now operate the most widely distributed cross platform horseracing service not just in the UK and Ireland but also in the international arena as well as attheraces.com, the market leading racing website. At The Races is a healthy, diversified and maturing business which offers growth opportunities not just to its shareholders and racecourses but also its many commercial partners at home and abroad. Despite a challenging economic climate our trading performance year to date is holding up well and if there are other racecourses who would like to re-examine their media rights options in these uncertain times we would be happy to talk.”

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