Tuesday, July 20, 2004

GAMUT THE GAMBLE OF THIS YEAR'S KING GEORGE

The Freemason lodge handler is currently £179,586 behind Saeed Bin Suroor at the head of the table. Ladbrokes has suspended betting on the market in the belief that the Godolphin trainer cannot be caught but punters seem to think differently as Gamut has been backed in from 25/1 to 6/1 antepost to land Saturday's showpiece.

"We laid the son of Spectrum at a top price of 25/1 back in June with punters tucking in at cascading prices all the way down to his current quote of 6/1," said Balthazar Fabricius of Ladbrokes.

"He's our worst loser in the book with the biggest bet we've taken being £3,000 at 8/1," added Fabricius.

King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes
1m 4f, Ascot, 24th July 2004
11/10 Doyen, 5 Vallee Enchantee, 6 Gamut, 6 Warrsan, 7 Sulamani, 14 Bandari, 20 High Accolade, 20 Tycoon, 25 Phoenix Reach, 33 Hard Buck, 150 Lunar Sovereign (1/5 Odds 1,2,3) Non Runner No Bet

totesport International Stakes
7f, Ascot, 24th July 2004
8 New Seeker, 8 Vortex, 10 Court Masterpiece, 11 Zosima, 12 Polar Bear, 14 St Andrews, 16 Amandus, 16 Autumn Glory, 16 Camp Commander, 16 Ettrick Water, 16 Greenslades, 16 Grizedale, 16 Royal Storm, 20 Desert Destiny, 20 El Coto, 20 One More Round, 20 Peter Paul Rubens, 20 Quito, 20 Tillerman, 25 Bahiano, 25 Capricho, 25 Colisay, 25 Free Trip, 25 Jedburgh, 25 Master Robbie, 25 Philharmonic, 25 Polar Way, 25 With Reason, 28 Manaar, 33 Digital, 33 Heretic, 33 Tahirah, 33 Taranaki, 33 Uhoomagoo, 40 Binanti, 40 Bravo Maestro, 40 Marshman, 40 St Pancras, 50 Loyal Tycoon, 50 Vicious Knight, 66 Banjo Bay, 66 Low Cloud, 66 Machinist, 66 Sawwaah, 100 Albashoosh, 100 Bailieborough, 100 Border Artist, 100 Lord Of The East (1/4 odds 1,2,3,4)

Hong Kong Jockey Club Sprint
5f, Ascot, 25th July, 2004
6 First Order, 8 Two Step Kid, 10 Pic Up Sticks, 10Plateau, 10 Raccoon, 12 Forever Phoenix, 12 Talbot Avenue, 14 Corridor Creeper, 14 Green Manalishi, 14 Pivotal Point, 16 Atlantic Viking, 16 Baltic King, 16 Merlin's Dancer, 16 Orientor, 16 Piccled, 16 Proud Boast, 18 Brave Burt, 18 Connect, 18 Fire Up The Band, 18 Nights Cross, 20 Artie, 20 Blackheath, 20 Celtic Mill, 20 Fictional, 20 Funfair Wane, 20 Pax, 20 Smokin Beau, 20 Speed Cop, 20 Tychy, 20 Whistler, 22 Devise, 22 Ptarmigan Ridge, 25 Bahamian Pirate, 28 Awake, 28 Little Edward, 33 Bar (1/4 odds 1,2,3,4)

Racing UK Leading Jockey Award
Glorious Goodwood, Tues 27th July to Sat 31st July 2004 inclusive
7/4 Dettori, 2 Fallon, 6 Holland, 10 Spencer, 12 Darley, 16 R Hills, 16 Hughes, 16 Sanders, 20 Dwyer, 20 R Moore (Win only) Others on application

Sussex Stakes
1m, Goodwood, 28th July 2004
2 Refuse To Bend, 7/2 Soviet Song, 4 Haafhd, 12 Antonius Pius, 12 Kalaman, 14 Bachelor Duke, 20 Arakan, 16 Nayyir, 20 Salselon, 25 Salford City, 25 Gateman, 25 Norse Dancer, 25 Passing Glance, 25 Tillerman, 25 Vespone, 33 Hurricane Alan, 33 Yesterday (1/5 odds 1,2,3)

William Hill Mile
1m, Goodwood, 30th July 2004
10 Mandobi, 12 33 Battle Chant, 12 Zosima, 14 Able Baker Charlie, 14 Court Masterpiece, 14 Pentecost, 14 St Andrews, 14 Tahreeb, 14 Unshakable, , 16 Amandus, 16 Audience, 16 Autumn Glory, 16 El Coto, 16 Mine, 16 Mutafanen, 20 Ancient World, 20 Colisay, 20 Ettrick Water, 20 Flowerdrum, 20 Master Marvel, 20 Putra Kuantan, 20 St Petersburg, 25 Finished Article, 25 Greenslades, 25 Impeller, 25 King“s County, 25 Manaar, 25 Play That Tune, 25 Secret Place, 25 Sharplaw Venture, 25 State Dilemma, 25 With Reason, 25 Zonus, 33 Bar (1/4 odds 1,2,3,4)

Vodafone Stewards' Cup
6f, Goodwood, 31st July 2004
10 Prince Aaron, 12 Two Step Kid, 14 High Reach, 14 Dazzling Bay, 14 Fantasy Believer, 14 Pic Up Sticks, 14 Coconut Penang, 16 Material Witness, 16 Fire Up The Band, 16 Caribbean Coral, 16 Forever Phoenix, 16 Royal Storm, 20 Loyal Tycoon, 20 Mutawaqed, 20 Philharmonic, 20 Pieter Brueghel, 20 Pivotal Point, 20 Plateau, 20 Raccoon, 25 Circuit Dancer, 25 Corps De Ballet, 25 Marsad, 25 Merlin“s Dancer, 25 Seven No Trumps, 33 Fictional

Vodafone Stewards' Cup
What will the winning distance be?
7/4 Shorthead - ¾ Length, 13/8 1 Length - 1 ¼ Lengths, 7/2 1 ½ Lengths - 1 ¾ Lengths, 6/1 2 Lengths and over (Dead Heat - bets void, singles only)

Galway Hurdle
2m, Galway, 29th July 2004
8 Puck Out, 10 Batang, 12 Cloone River, 12 Essex, 12 Tulipa, 16 Dyrick Daybreak, 16 Lost In The Rain, 16 More Rainbows, 16 Rockstown Boy, 16 Sabadilla, 20 Aine Dubh, 20 Balapour, 20 Callow Lake, 20 Dancing Bay, 20 Direct Bearing, 20 Grimes, 20 Kickham, 20 King Carew, 20 Lafayette, 20 Mutakarrim, 20 Nayodabayo, 20 Nopekan, 20 Say Again, 20 Three Mirrors, 25 Anno Jubilo, 25 Blue Away, 25 Columba, 25 Crimson Flower, 25 Dashing Home, 25 Duke Of Bucingham, 25 Hirpour, 25 Kmaz, 25 Moratorium, 25 Piercing Sun, 25 Portant Fella, 25 Prince Among Men, 25 Quest For A Star, 25 Room To Room Gold, 25 Safe Route, 25 Swordplay, 25 Tuppenny Cody, 25 Windermere, 33 Amid The Chaos, 33 Classic Note, 33 Corporate Express, 33 Gemini Guest, 33 Greenhall Rambler, 33 High Prospect, 33 Loughanelteen, 33 Mise Rafturai, 33 Sargon, 33 Windsor Boy, 40 Galtee View, 40 High Reef, 40 Naahil, 50 Liberman, 50 Truly Gold, 66 Blue Corrig, 66 Eimear's Pride, 66 Native Stag, 100 Bouncing Bowdler, 100 Il De Boitron, 100 Reve De Rose (1/4 odds 1,2,3,4)

Galway Plate
2m 6f, Galway, 28th July 2004
10 Banasan, 12 Kickham, 14 Back On Top, 14 Manjoe, 14 The Culdee, 14 Wouldn't You Agree, 16 Ansar, 16 Ballyamber, 16 Colca Canyon, 16 Direct Bearing, 16 Glynn Dingle, 16 Grimes, 16 Rand, 16 Risk Accessor, 16 Wests Awake, 20 Farinel, 20 Junior Fontaine, 20 Mutakarrim, 20 One Knight Out, 20 Rheindross, 20 Say Again, 20 Sum Leader, 20 Verchoyles Lad, 20 Wotsitooya, 25 Fable, 25 Juradc Express, 25 Newratking, 25 Night Busker, 25 Ross Moff, 25 Splendour, 25 Star Performance, 25 Thari, 25 Torduff Boy, 33 Albatros, 33 Alphazar, 33 Bregogue, 33 Broadstone Road, 33 Half Barrell, 33 Lisaan, 33 Little Big Horse, 33 Native Performance, 33 Prince Of Pleasure, 33 Sparkling Gold, 33 Stage Affair, 33 Ted Perugo, 33 Theseus, 40 Atlantic Rhapsody, 40 Doessheknow, 50 Kilbryne King, 50 Toto Caelo, 66 Give Me Style (1/4 odds 1,2,3,4)

St Leger
1m 6f, Doncaster, 11th September 2004
5 North Light, 6 Let The Lion Roar, 7 Percussionist, 10 Duke Of Venice, 12 Maraahel, 12 Punctilious, 12 Rule Of Law, 12 Tycoon, 14 Day Flight, 14 Reefscape, 16 Book Of Kings, 16 Pukka, 16 Two Miles West, 16 Wolfe Tone, 20 Frank Sonata, 20 Mikado, 25 Acropolis, 25 Baraka, 25 Cobra, 25 Five Dynasties, 25 Quiff, 33 Albinus, 33 Darsalam, 33 Double Aspect, 33 Esperanto, 33 Into The Dark, 33 Lord Mayor, 33 Manyana, 33 Ovation, 33 Top Seed, 40 Agenda, 40 Elmustanser, 50 Arch Rebel, 50 Bumptious, 50 Crystal, 50 Go For Gold, 50 Haadef, 50 Iktibas, 50 Isidore Bonheur, 50 Massif Centrale, 50 Mesopotamia, 50 Rosberg, 50 Schumann, 66 Hanazakari, 66 Liss Ard, 66 Napoleon, 66 Quartino, 100 Vintage Fizz (1/4 odds 1,2,3)

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
1m 4f, Longchamp, 3rd October 2004
7/2 Doyen, 7 Grey Swallow, 7 North Light, 10 Bago, 12 Ouija Board, 12 Mubtaker, 14 Gamut, 14 Latice, 14 Sulamani, 14 Vallee Enchantee, 16 Papineau, 16 Warrsan, 20 Fracassant, 20 Prospect Park, 25 Blue Canari, 25 Day Flight, 25 Powerscourt, 25 Valixir, 33 Brian Boru, 33 Lord Du Sud, 33 Millenary, 33 Polish Summer, 33 Rule Of Law, 40 High Accolade, 40 Let The Lion Roar, 40 Percussionist, 40 Phoenix Reach (1/4 Odds 1,2,3)

Dubai Millennium specials
11/4 Dubai Millennium to have a domestic Group 1 winner in 2004
4/1 Dubai Millennium to have a domestic classic winner in 2005
10/1 Dubai Millennium to sire the winner of the 2005 Epsom Derby

Flat Jockeys Championship 2004 - Thurs 25th March to Saturday 6th November
2/7 K Fallon, 7/2 D Holland, 8 L Dettori, 33 Bar

SEVEN NEW SYNDICATES FOR 2005 LAUNCHED BY HIGHCLERE THOROUGHBRED RACING

Harry Herbert, the managing director of HTR, commented: "We always launch our new syndicates during late summer and usually all the shares are sold by the end of September.

"There are seven syndicates, each with one to three yearlings that are going to be bought by John Warren, and they are all named again after something to do with the Highclere Estate."

The seven syndicate names are Red Bug, Cricket Ground, De Havilland, Golf Links, Hiding Place, Nursery and Sir Charles Barry. (See below for Harry Herbert's explanation of each).

There are a total of 127 shares available in the seven new syndicates, with the cost of a share ranging from £8,000 to £30,000 (plus VAT which is reclaimable). The share price covers all costs, including the purchase of the horses, until the end of 2005.

John Warren, a HTR director and leading bloodstock agent who is also Director of Bloodstock for Her Majesty The Queen's Royal Studs, and Harry Herbert will begin the search for yearlings at Deauville in France next month, followed by the Keeneland sale in America in September.

Harry Herbert commented: "Hopefully, we have something that suits everybody. It is pretty much the same recipe - we have just changed some of the trainer combinations and introduced Mick Channon as a HTR trainer.

"We are trying to produce well above-average horses for our owners. That is the purpose of HTR and the policy has produced four champions plus winners and placed horses in six Classics.

"A really important statistic is that 40 per cent of our syndicates have produced Group or Listed horses - people come into HTR because, as much as anything, they want to go to Royal Ascot and other Festival meetings with a runner. Our horses have won or been placed in 40 Group races."

HTR's existing syndicates are enjoying a good year - Brunel gave HTR a second European Classic success when winning the German 2,000 Guineas on May 16, following on from Petrushka's Irish Oaks victory in 2000.

Admiral won in a thrilling finish at Royal Ascot last month while Distinction, who is being targeted at Australia's top race, the Melbourne Cup on November 2, recently bounced back to form in a valuable Listed handicap at York. HTR has had 11 winners so far during 2004.

The seven new syndicates are already proving popular with HTR's current shareowners from the 19 live syndicates. Shares in new HTR syndicates are always offered first of all to existing shareowners.

HTR has been consistently successful since it launched in 1992 - with the first runners in 1993 - and has produced champion racehorses like Lake Coniston, Tamarisk, Delilah and Petrushka.

Lake Coniston - European Champion Sprinter 1995
Lake Coniston was purchased for 22,000 guineas and sold for £2.45 million (pounds).

Tamarisk - Cartier European Champion Sprinter 1998
Tamarisk was bought for 78,000 guineas and sold for £3.5 million (pounds).

Delilah - European Champion Staying Filly 1998
Delilah cost 70,000 guineas and sold for US$550,000 (dollars).

Petrushka - Cartier European Champion Three Year Old Filly 2000
Petrushka cost 100,000 guineas and sold for US$5.250 million (dollars).

Highest, second in the 2002 St Leger, was subsequently purchased by Godolphin for £1.7 million (pounds) while last year HTR sold two horses - Tiber and Saturn - to owners in Hong Kong for very substantial amounts, giving the shareowners in those syndicates a return.

Harry Herbert talks about the seven new syndicates that are being launched.

THE RED BUG SYNDICATE

"The Red Bug was a battery operated car which my grandfather imported from America in the 1920s. It was the cheapest car of all time - built in 1922 by the Briggs and Stratton Company of Milwaukee - and it sold for $125.

"The car had a top speed of 12 miles per hour and was driven around the Park by my father as a boy and then by my brother Geordie and me. Needless to say, the top speed was somewhat exceeded as we let it rip down Castle Hill!

"I introduced a one-horse syndicate last year, which proved to be extremely popular, and this year, I am delighted to welcome Mick Channon to our team of trainers. He, of course, needs little introduction.

"I am a good friend of Mick and his wife Jill, who moved some years ago from Lambourn to West Ilsley Stables. This historic yard was formerly owned by Her Majesty The Queen and I have many happy memories of it. Mick has trained many winners including the champions Queen's Logic and Tobougg and last year won Group 1 races with Zafeen and Imperial Dancer.

"At £8,000 plus VAT per share, I hope that this syndicate represents great value for money and, with Mick Channon training, there will be no shortage of fun and plenty of action!

"This syndicate is already proving very popular and, if it sells out quickly which seems likely, we will introduce another one-horse syndicate."

THE CRICKET GROUND SYNDICATE

"This syndicate is named after the cricket pitch at Highclere which sits in the most beautiful and tranquil of settings in the Park. My father was a keen follower of the game and for over forty years, had his own eleven.

"Although not a great player himself (not to mention his sons!), he loved to take on the top club teams. Some eight England captains played for him at Highclere and in 1994, South Africa played their first game for 29 years in this country at Highclere.

"I thought this looked a really pacy duo of trainers (David Loder and Richard Hannon) with the prospect of some early two-year-old action. With John Warren buying two horses at 75,000 guineas apiece, it gives him the opportunity of spending 100,000 guineas on one and averaging down on the other.

"Both trainers are renowned for their success with two-year-olds and, while Richard has trained many winners for us including Regiment (Easter Stakes (Listed)), Prizeman (Washington Singer Stakes (Listed)) and the Group winning sprinter Bonus, David Loder joined us for this year from his outstanding new yard in Newmarket."

THE DE HAVILLAND SYNDICATE

"Sir Geoffrey de Havilland, the son of a local vicar, flew his first plane at Highclere on September 10, 1910. My great grandfather gave him a barn in which to construct his flying machine and proudly witnessed the first successful flight.

"It is amazing to think that without experience, plans or instructions, de Havilland built his own aeroplane, the engine to power it and by painstaking trial and error, taught himself to fly. From these beginnings, he was responsible for the first of many of the finest planes of World War One.

"The two trainers (Richard Hannon & Sir Michael Stoute) in this syndicate need no introduction and historically they have proven to be a wonderfully successful combination.

"Syndicates with them together have produced the likes of Beekeeper (King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot), Bonus (Phoenix Sprint Stakes (Gr 3)), Prizeman (Washington Singer Stakes (Listed)) and Highest (second St Leger (Gr 1))."

THE GOLF LINKS SYNDICATE

"This syndicate is named after the old golf course at Highclere which my great grandfather created in the late 1800s. Infuriatingly, especially as I am a keen golfer (!), it was ploughed up during the last war.

"Situated under Beacon Hill above the Stud, you can still see some of the old tees and bunkers as well as the Club House; even the odd golf ball surfaces occasionally as a reminder of times past.

"The trainer combination of William Haggas and Sir Michael Stoute are currently responsible for our German 2,000 Guineas winner Brunel as well as the very promising recent winner Motive.

"Both trainers have been with us since we started back in 1993 and have provided our owners with two Classic winners, Brunel and Petrushka, Royal Ascot victories and two individual champions.

"This syndicate is also attractive because of the contrast in styles between the two trainers."

THE HIDING PLACE SYNDICATE

"This syndicate is named after my father's great broodmare, Hiding Place, who produced seven Listed and Group performers including the champion stayer and Ascot Gold Cup winner Little Wolf. Also, her daughter Sanctuary produced the champion sprinter Sheikh Albadou, who remains the only European-trained winner of the Breeders' Cup Sprint.

"This syndicate will consist of three horses averaging 100,000 guineas apiece. All three horses will be trained from very different but equally beautiful establishments and those of our owners that have visited Amanda Perrett's Coombelands Stables will have been tremendously impressed with the warm welcome and outstanding facilities. She combines terrific professionalism with a very welcoming family feel.

"I thought that this trio of trainers (the others are Richard Hannon and Sir Michael Stoute) looked particularly strong on paper and, historically, this type of syndicate has produced a multitude of Listed and Group performers for Highclere."

THE NURSERY SYNDICATE

"This syndicate is named after the nursery in the Castle where my father and grandfather spent most of their childhood under the watchful eye of rather terrifying grey-skirted nannies!

"In those days, children were to be seen very occasionally by their parents and certainly not heard, so the nursery on the third floor was where they spent their time. Although not used now, some of the old lead and tin toys can still be found tucked away in the cupboards.

"John Gosden, William Haggas and Sir Michael Stoute make up a terrific team; all three have trained Derby winners and this three-horse style of syndicate gives John Warren plenty of flexibility when buying the yearlings.

"John and I will endeavour to try and balance the syndicate with a precocious individual, a mid-season starter and one for the back-end."

THE SIR CHARLES BARRY SYNDICATE

"Sir Charles Barry was the famous Victorian architect who designed Highclere Castle in 1839. He effectively took a Georgian house and completely refaced it in Bath stone, adding four corner towers as well as a magnificent central tower, turning Highclere House majestically into a Castle!

"This was to be a forerunner to his designs for the Houses of Parliament which is why the two look so similar.

"The two leading trainers in the country make up our most exclusive syndicate. Mark Johnston is enjoying yet another superb season, having recently won both the English and Irish 1,000 Guineas with Attraction. He continues to train winners at every level and a visit to his unique stables at Middleham in North Yorkshire can only but impress as they boast some of the best facilities in the country.

"Sir Michael has trained numerous top class horses for us including two of our champions, Petrushka and Delilah, as well as the St Leger second Highest. He has also provided us with two Royal Ascot winners in Beekeeper and Admiral.

"The two horses will average 125,000 guineas which allows John to go to 150,000 guineas or possibly more for one horse and that can mean being able to buy a real crackerjack. This is our most exclusive syndicate with only 12 shares."

NO IMMINENT RESULT IN BE MY ROYAL HEARING

The hearing, which got underway yesterday (Monday) morning, was completed around lunchtime today (Tuesday). The members of the Board have since retired to deliberate. The outcome of their deliberations, together with the Board's reasons and findings, will be issued in the near future. It is unlikely the result will be issued this week.

EXTENSION OF INCREASED WEIGHT ALLOWANCE FOR FILLIES AND MARES IN JUMP RACES

Following a recommendation from its Jump Racing Advisory Panel, BHB increased the allowance in Jump Pattern races to 7lb from 5lb at the start of the 2003/04 season with a view to extending it across the board the following year. This has now been ratified by BHB.

The ratings files show that the median rating of mares is 10lb lower than that of male horses. It is intended that this imbalance can be redressed to an extent by having a 7lb allowance across the board, which it is also hoped will encourage them to stay in training.

Ensuring that more fillies and mares go jumping is a strategic aim of BHB.

BHB Communications Manager Alan Delmonte said: "The statistics show that mares win fewer races than could be expected given their representation and it is logical to extend the increased allowance to beyond Pattern races.

"As part of our plan for more fillies and mares to go jumping, Owners' Premiums are paid at double the rate for fillies and mares and there have been a number of race planning initiatives over recent seasons.

"We have already seen some significant progress, with the number of individual runs by fillies and mares in National Hunt races virtually doubling in the last two years. There were 186 performances in 2001/02, 294 in 2002/03 and 359 last season."

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

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