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Saturday, September 15, 2001


ROTHMANS ROYALS ST LEGER DAY
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2001
DONCASTER

MILAN WINS THE
OLDEST CLASSIC


Milan powered to victory in the Rothmans Royals St Leger at Doncaster this afternoon, embellishing trainer Aidan O’Brien’s memorable season and becoming a leading fancy for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.


With Galileo a major contender for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, the autumn promises to be an Indian summer for O’Brien, who now seems assured of his first British trainers’ championship, and also for the owning partnership of Michael Tabor and Sue Magnier.


Not that Milan’s path to victory had been entirely without worrying moments. As Richard Quinn kicked for home on Demophilos, Milan and jockey Mick Kinane seemed boxed on the rail, but as a gap appeared the Irish horse raced through and quickened easily past the leader. At the line Milan was five lengths clear of Demophilos, with Mr Combustible three lengths further back.


O’Brien looked suitably elated after winning his 15th Group 1 race of the season, although his moment of triumph was tainted by an injury to one of his other three runners, Mediterranean, who was pulled up and dismounted by Jamie Spencer on the home turn after being struck into.


O’Brien said of Milan: “We didn’t dare to say it beforehand, but the plan was to come here and then go for the Arc. He has a lot of class - Michael [Kinane] was very pleased.


“The Arc will be his first time against older horses and it is two furlongs shorter.”

Milan became a contender for the Rothmans Royals St Leger by winning the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York last month, a point at which O’Brien also began making plans for Longchamp, and Europe’s big middle-distance race on October 7. Bookmakers quickly slotted Milan into their lists near the head of the market for the Arc. Ladbrokes and William Hill make him a 10-1 shot, but Coral Eurobet were impressed enough to make him their 5-1 joint-second favourite behind Hightori, who is 7-2, while the Tote made him 9/2 joint favourite.


Reflecting on Milan’s path to victory, and his position two furlongs out when he was boxed on the rails, O’Brien said: “I was worried, but Mick said he was happy. I thought he’d have to jump to get out of there.”

Of his stream of successes, O’Brien said: “They’re wonderful horses and we have great facilities. Everyone works very hard in keeping them right and keeping them healthy.”


TABOR FLIES IN
FOR MILAN WIN


Milan’s joint owner Michael Tabor admitted that events in America this week had put a “dampener” on the excitement which followed his horse’s victory in the Rothmans Royals St Leger.


Tabor flew into Britain yesterday morning, arriving at Farnborough in Surrey at 8.15am, having been in the USA attending the Keeneland Sales.


Looking subdued, he said: “What happened in America puts a dampener on this. Events over there are too horrific for words.”

He did, however, pay tribute to Aidan O’Brien, who saddled his 15th Group 1 winner of the season and is on course for the British trainers’ championship. Tabor said: “It’s just a phenomenal feat, and a credit to Aidan. He is a man devoted to what he does. His attention to detail is second to none and he loves to train racehorses.”

Of Milan’s likely bid for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Tabor said: “The Arc won’t be easy for him but he deserves to take his chance, in what I think is a fairly open race. We always hoped Milan would win this and do the double in the Arc.”

It took Milan five races to win this season, but his win in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York last month made him a contender for the oldest Classic. Reflecting on the horse’s season, Tabor said: “He was unlucky in the French Derby. He was drawn on the outside and jinked left coming out of the stalls - but he seems to be improving. The family do with age. I don’t think the lesser distance will make any difference.


“It has been a fantastic year and this was a great result. I am delighted to win the St Leger. The success rate (at Ballydoyle) speaks for itself and I enjoy being with them - I am very happy with the situation.”

Tabor, who also owns Galileo in partnership with Sue Magnier, said that horse would run in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, though he wondered whether the Breeders’ Cup will go ahead.


QUOTES FROM FIRST THREE JOCKEYS HOME IN THE ROTHMANS ROYALS ST LEGER



Michael Kinane, winning the Rothmans Royals St Leger on his first ride in the Classic with Milan, said: “It went well. The plan was always to take my time. There was a headwind and I wanted to get hidden from it until the last furlong.

“He was the class horse in the race - he should have been a Group One winner over a mile and a half - he was unlucky in the French Derby. He stumbled and they went slowly. If they had gone a proper gallop, I thought he would have won the French Derby. He’s no mug.


“He has done it today and he has just started to mature. He has never looked better than he did in the parade ring. He’s a classy colt and there is more to come from him.


“I had a load of horse under me (two out) and they had gone very fast - I knew they were going to hit the wall and I had plenty of horse under me. It was just a question of biding my time and I had all the cover - I didn’t have to do anything.


“Slow runs races don’t suit him. He just took off (when I asked him). He’s a horse who would acquit himself well in the Arc. I wouldn’t swap him - he’ll run a big race.


Richard Quinn, on the second Demophilos, said: “The horse has done nothing wrong - he has galloped to the line but the winner has now beaten us twice. The winner picked up very well.”


Michael Hills, rider of the third Mr Combustible, said: “I don’t think he has run his full race. But I thought the winner looked a good horse on the day - he flew by me.


“I was always labouring and I think the horse ran below his best but there will be another day for this fellow.


“He got the trip but he hung all the way round - I couldn’t get him off the rail so he was obviously discomforted about something but he still ran a sound race.


“I was hoping he was going to be better today but he will be in the future.”



CROWDS & TOTE
UP ALL WEEK



Today’s crowd came to 23,500, the highest attendance seen at Doncaster for the final Classic, the Rothmans Royals St Leger, in recent years.



The attendance over the first three days came to 26,475, an increase of 13.5% over the 23,336 for the initial three days last year. Therefore, the meeting attendance was 49,975.




Tote on-course cash pool betting turnover came to £446,847 on Rothmans Royals St Leger day, an increase of 7.4% over the 2000 figure of £415,929.



On-course Tote cash pool turnover has also increased on the first three days, with the total for the first three days being £641,617, up nearly 7% on the 2000 figure of £600,402.



This means that Tote betting was well over £1 million for the meeting, coming to £1,088,464.



FOURTH RACE PLACED QUOTES
THE ROTHMANS ROYALS ST LEGER

PERRETT DELIGHTED


“It’s better than 50 winners to finish second in a classic,” declared Amanda Perrett after saddling Demophilos to finish five lengths runner-up to Milan in the Rothmans Royals St Leger.


“I’m very proud of him and thought that maybe two out we could have pinched it, then Milan emerged and quickened up like a good horse. There aren’t many classics in the year and we gave it a go and it was very exciting

“Early in the year we were disappointed that he wasn’t getting it right - he was worrying about his racing - but the penny has now dropped and roll on next year when we have something to go to war with.”


Barry Hills was disappointed with the performance of Mr Combustible to finish third. “He hung today for whatever reason and I don’t feel that he’s run to his form,” said Hills.


“He appeared to be a bit keen but Michael (Hills) said that wasn’t the case and that he was just hanging. He’ll be put away for the year now.”

Charles Cyzer, who saddled Book At Bedtime to finish fourth in the 1997 race, repeated the feat with the home-bred When In Rome. “We’re fourth again and every bit of prize money helps!”, said Cyzer. “We’re thrilled as we didn’t pay $6.4 million for this one. He’ll be put away now and hopefully he’ll be a nice Cup horse next year.”


FOURTH RACE RESULT

3.35pm ROTHMANS ROYALS ST LEGER STAKES


Class A, Group One, Showcase Race, £350,000 guaranteed, for 3yo entire colts & fillies, 1m 6½f. Weights: colts: 9st; fillies 8st 9lb. Penalty values: 1st: £222,000; 2nd: £85,100; 3rd: £42,550; 4th: £20,350

1) MILAN (Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier) Aidan O'Brien IRE 3-9-00 Michael Kinane [7] 13/8F
2) DEMOPHILOS (Athos Christodoulou) Amanda Perrett 3-9-00 Richard Quinn [4] 10/1
3) MR COMBUSTIBLE (Dick Bonnycastle) Barry Hills 3-9-00 Michael Hills [3] 3/1
4) WHEN IN ROME (Elizabeth Cyzer) Charles Cyzer 3-9-00 Neil Callan [6]
5) PUGIN (Lady Clague) John Oxx IRE 3-9-00 Johnny Murtagh [11]
6) ALUNISSAGE (Godolphin) Saeed bin Suroor v3-9-00 Ted Durcan [9]
7) AND BEYOND (Maktoum Al Maktoum) Mark Johnston 3-9-00 Kevin Darley [10]
8) LIFE MATCH (Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor) Aidan O'Brien IRE 3-9-00 Jimmy Fortune [1]
9) SADDLER'S CREEK (Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor) Aidan O'Brien IRE 3-9-00 Paul Scallan [5]
PU) MEDITERRANEAN (Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor) Aidan O’Brien IRE 3-9-00 Jamie Spencer [8]

10 ran Non-Runner: Alexius (Vet’s Certificate)
Distances: 5, 3, ¾, 5, nk, 3, dist, 22 Time: 3m 05.16s
Breeder: Fittocks Stud Breeding: b c Sadler’s Wells-Kithanga (Darshaan)
Tote: Win: £2.70 Places: £1.40; £2.30; £1.80 Exacta: £19.40

Winning trainer:-Name: Aidan O’Brien Date of birth: 16/10/69 Previous occupation: Assistant trainer to Jim Bolger and Anne-Marie Crowley O’Brien Date of first licence: 1993 British Classic wins: (5) Vodafone Derby (2001 Galileo), Sagitta 2,000 Guineas (1998 King Of Kings), Vodafone Oaks (1998 Shahtoush, 2001 Imagine), Rothmans Royals St Leger (2001 Milan) Other major wins include: Irish 1,000 Guineas (1997 Classic Park, 2001 Imagine), Irish 2,000 Guineas (1997 Desert King, 1999 Saffron Walden, 2001 Black Minnaloushe), Irish Derby (1997 Desert King, 2001 Galileo), French 1,000 Guineas (2001 Rose Gypsy), Coventry Stakes (1997 Harbour Master), Grand Criterium (1997 Second Empire), Racing Post Trophy (1997 Saratoga Springs, 1999 Aristotle), National Stakes (1996 Desert King; 1997 King Of Kings, 2000 Beckett), Dante Stakes (1998 Saratoga Springs), Prix Morny (1998 Orpen, 1999 Fasiliyev, 2001 Johanesburg), Phoenix Stakes (1998 Lavery, 1999 Fasiliyev, 2000 Minardi, 2001 Johanesburg), July Cup (1999 Stravinsky, 2001 Mozart), Nunthorpe Stakes (1999 Stravinsky, 2001 Mozart), Phoenix Stakes (1999 Fasiliyev), St James Palace Stakes (2000 Giant’s Causeway), Coral Eclipse Stakes (2000 Giant’s Causeway), Sussex Stakes (2000 Giant’s Causeway), Irish Champion Stakes (2000 Giant’s Causeway), Acomb Stakes (2000 Hemingway), Juddmonte International Stakes (2000 Giant’s Causeway), Moyglare Stud Stakes (2000 Sequoyah, 2001 Quarter Moon), Middle Park Stakes (2000 Minardi) Wins This Season (In Britain): 14 - currently leading trainer with £2,581,907

Winning jockey:-Name: Kinane, Michael Joseph.Born: County Tipperary, Ireland, 22/6/59 Apprenticeship: With Liam Browne. First winner: Muscari (Leopardstown 19/3/75) British Classic wins: (7) Vodafone Derby (1993 Commander In Chief, 2001 Galileo); Vodafone Oaks (2001 Imagine), Sagitta 2000 Guineas (1990 Tirol, 1997 Entrepreneur, 1998 King Of Kings); Rothmans Royals St Leger (2001 Milan) Other major wins include: French 1,000 Guineas (2001 Rose Gypsy), Melbourne Cup (1993 Vintage Crop), Irish Oaks (1989 Alydaress, 1996 Dance Design), Prix de l'Abbaye (1985 Committed), St James's Palace (1992 Brief Truce, 1994 Grand Lodge, 2000 Giant’s Causeway), Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (1989 Carroll House, 1999 Montjeu), Eclipse (1993 Opera House, 1997 Pilsudski, 2000 Giant’s Causeway), Irish St Leger (1993, 1994 Vintage Crop), King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes (1990 Belmez, 1994 King's Theatre, 2000 Montjeu, 2001 Galileo), Ascot Gold Cup (1996 Classic Cliche, 2000 Kayf Tara), Fillies’ Mile (1996 Reams Of Verse); Cheveley Park Stakes (1995 Blue Duster); Dewhurst Stakes (1994 Grand Lodge); July Cup (1999 Stravinsky, 2001 Mozart); Nunthorpe (1999 Stravinsky, 2001 Mozart); Derby Italiano (1992 In A Tiff, 1995 Luso); Hong Kong Invitational Bowl (1991 Additional Risk), JuddmonteInternational (2000 Giant’s Causeway), Dubai Champion Stakes (1997 Pilsudski), Racing Post Trophy (1997 Saratoga Springs), Japan Cup (1997 Pilsudski), Prix Morny (1998 Orpen, 1999 Fasliyev, 2001 Johanesburg); Phoenix Stakes Phoenix Stakes (1998 Lavery, 1999 Fasiliyev, 2000 Minardi, 2001 Johanesburg), Prix de la Salamandre (1999 Giant’s Causeway), Grand Criterium (1997 Second Empire, 1999 Ciro), Sussex Stakes (2000 Giant’s Causeway), Irish Champion Stakes (1989 Carroll House,1994 Cezanne, 1997 Pilsudski, 2000 Giant’s Causeway), Tattersalls Gold Cup (2000 Montjeu), Acomb Stakes (2000 Hemingway), Prix Vermeille (2000 Volvoreta), Middle Park Stakes (2000 Minardi)


MILAN FACTFILE before the race


3 b c Sadler’s Wells (USA) - Kithanga (IRE) (Darshaan)
Form: 1-23541 Owner: Michael Tabor and Sue Magnier
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien IRE Breeder: Fittocks Stud Jockey: Mick Kinane

Milan
Luca Cumani, trainer of the 1984 St Leger winner Commanche Run, bids to land the final classic as a breeder with Milan, who was bred at his Fittocks Stud near Newmarket and sold at the 1999 Tattersalls Houghton Yearling Sales. Despite being sent off at 9/1 against his more-fancied stablemate Leopard Spot in a seven-furlong maiden at the Curragh on October 15 last year, he ran out a three-and-a half length winner from his Ballydoyle compatriot. He was not seen out again last season and returned on Leopardstown on April 16 in the Listed Ballysax Stakes when he was again the stable’s second string. He was not pushed excessively when finishing three-and-a half lengths second to the future dual Derby hero Galileo. He was then a seemingly unlucky third to Chichicastenango and Anabaa Blue in the Group 1 Prix Lupin at Longchamp on May 13, was staying on when fifth in the French Derby on June 3 and was once again running on when fourth to Storming Home in the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 22. The Ascot winner was a warm order for the Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes at York on August 21 but this time Storming Home had to come off second best, by a length and a half, to the convincing winner Milan. Another of today’s rivals, Demophilos, was a neck back in third with pacemaker Saddler’s Creek, a well beaten sixth.
Race Record: Starts: 6; 1st: 2; 2nd: 1; 3rd: 1; Win & Place prize money: Ù140,873

Sue Magnier/Michael Tabor
Few in the racing world can boast better connections than Sue Magnier. Not only is she married to the most powerful man in the bloodstock world, she is a daughter of arguably the greatest 20th century trainer, Vincent O’Brien, and sister of another Derby winning trainer, David O’Brien, while another brother, Charles, is also a successful handler. In the 1970s John Magnier (born February 10, 1948), the son of a Co Cork dairy farmer and breeder, teamed up with Vincent O’Brien and owner Robert Sangster with the idea of buying potential stallions as yearlings. This they did with great success, counting Alleged, Caerleon, El Gran Senor, Golden Fleece, Sadler’s Wells and Storm Bird amongst those and this provided the financial foundations for Coolmore Stud in Co Tipperary. Magnier is in overall charge at Coolmore, which has huge offshoots in America and Australia, and is proprietor of Ballydoyle, the magnificent training base of Aidan O’Brien. With Sangster now racing mainly home-breds, Magnier found a new partner in the 1990s with whom to resume the search for potential stallions, former bookmaker Michael Tabor. Tabor was born in the East End of London on October 28, 1941, but is now a resident of Monte Carlo with a reputed £20-million house in Barbados, and a $27-million yacht, and has enjoyed enormous success on the racecourse in recent years in both Europe and North America, investing millions at the major bloodstock sales. The financial foundation for this came from the sale of his Arthur Prince betting shop chain and an on-course bookmaking division for a reputed £28 million to Coral in September, 1995. Tabor now speculates in the currency markets and owns a major stake in the Victor Chandler bookmaking firm. His wealth was recently estimated at £400 million by the Sunday Times. Entrepreneur in the 1997 Sagitta 2000 Guineas provided the Tabor/Magnier team with a first British classic success, and they also won that season’s Irish equivalent and Irish Derby with Desert King. Tabor first tasted classic success with Thunder Gulch in the 1995 Kentucky Derby. Other major wins include the 1998 Sagitta 2000 Guineas with King Of Kings, the 1999 French Derby, Irish Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe plus the 2000 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes with Montjeu, and a run of five consecutive Group 1 successes last season from Giant’s Causeway, including the Ireland Food Island Irish Champion Stakes. Galileo, winner of this year’s English Derby, Irish Derby and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes) has spear-headed an incredible season for the partnership. No Previous Rothmans Royals St Leger wins

Aidan O’Brien IRE
Born on October 16, 1969, Aidan O’Brien has been phenomenally successful in his relatively short training career. After a spell with Jim Bolger, he became assistant to his now wife, Anne-Marie, and her father Joe Crowley, before taking over the reins when granted a licence to train himself in 1993. His impact on the Flat was made with backing of the highest calibre in the shape of Coolmore, which offered the precocious O’Brien the use of Ballydoyle Stables, where the young trainer’s namesake and legendary Irish trainer Vincent O’Brien had enjoyed so much success. In 1997, in only his third season at the helm of the Tipperary yard, he confirmed his intentions on the Flat when winning the Irish 1,000 Guineas, the Irish 2,000 Guineas and Irish Derby. He had previously never won a classic. O’Brien’s prowess on the Flat is matched by his achievements with his jumpers, which saw him crowned champion National Hunt trainer in Ireland for the first five seasons since he took out his licence in the 1993/4 campaign. He now only trains a handful of jumpers but these include the great Istabraq, winner of three Smurfit Champion Hurdles. In 1998 King Of Kings provided O’Brien with a first British classic win from his first runner when taking the Sagitta 2000 Guineas. His second runner, Shahtoush, finished runner-up in the Sagitta 1000 Guineas the following day and went on to win the Vodafone Oaks. Last season he sent out Giant’s Causeway, who finished runner-up in both the Sagitta 2000 Guineas and its Irish equivalent, to win five consecutive Group 1 races and narrowly fail in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. O’Brien has had a phenomenal 2001 season, with Quarter Moon providing a 14th Group 1 success of the campaign in the Moyglare Stud Stakes. He has won the English and Irish Derbys, as well as the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes, with Galileo, while Imagine has supplied him with the Irish 1,000 Guineas and English Oaks. Black Minnaloushe has been another superstar winning the Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. Just for good measure Rose Gypsy landed the French 1,000 Guineas, and Mozart is set to be the season’s champion sprinter following victories in the July Cup at Newmarket over six furlongs and Nunthorpe Stakes at York.

Rothmans Royals St Leger Record: 2000 Rostroprovich (7th)

Michael Kinane
Born in Co Tipperary on June 22, 1959, Michael Kinane rode his first winner on March 19, 1975, at Leopardstown on Muscari and served his apprenticeship with Liam Browne. He was champion Irish apprentice in 1978 and has been Irish champion jockey 11 times, most recently in 1999 with 92 successes. He was first jockey to Dermot Weld from 1984 until 1998 and is now retained by Aidan O’Brien. Kinane, who has regularly spent his winters riding in Hong Kong, partnered the O’Brien-trained King Of Kings to win the 1998 Sagitta 2000 Guineas, his second consecutive win in the race, following Entrepreneur in 1997. He also partnered Tirol for Richard Hannon to take the first colts’ classic in 1990. He has won many of the world’s top races, including the Vodafone Derby in 1993 on Commander In Chief and Galileo this season, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 1989 on Carroll House and in 1999 on Montjeu, the 1993 Melbourne Cup on Vintage Crop, the 1990 Belmont Stakes on Go And Go and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes four times (1990 Belmez, 1994 King's Theatre, 2000 Montjeu, 2001 Galileo). Kinane was aboard Giant’s Causeway for four of his five Group 1 successes last season and pulled off the Vodafone Oaks/Vodafone Derby double in June on Imagine and Galileo. On July 1, Kinane filled an omission in his CV when winning the Irish Derby aboard Galileo. No Previous Rothmans Royals St Leger rides

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