Thursday, March 4, 2010

BUMPER ENTRIES FOR StanJames.com GUINEAS

Both contests are worth £400,000 in 2010, with 91 entries (up from 89) in the StanJames.com 2000 Guineas and 71 (up from 65) in the fillies’ Classic, the StanJames.com 1000 Guineas. The StanJames.com 2000 Guineas takes place on the Rowley Mile on Saturday, 1st May, with the StanJames.com 1000 Guineas following on Sunday, 2nd May.

Xtension has already exhibited top-class form on Newmarket’s Rowley Mile course and last season’s Group One Jumeirah Dewhurst Stakes third has pleased trainer Clive Cox with the progress he has made this winter ahead of a planned tilt at the StanJames.com 2000 Guineas.



The three-year-old Xaar colt, beaten only a neck and nose behind Beethoven in the seven-furlong Newmarket contest, won two of four starts last term including the Group Two Vintage Stakes at Goodwood and was also runner-up to Canford Cliffs in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Cox revealed today: “Xtension has wintered very well and I am pleased to say that we have had a good start with his training. He is pleasing me with his build-up at this stage.

“He would not get a penalty in the Greenham (Newbury, 17th April), so that is an option before Newmarket but, ground dependent, we would not be at all worried about running him in the StanJames.com 2000 Guineas first time up.



“I am very confident that, although he is very lightly raced, he is obviously more experienced than when he ran in the Dewhurst off the back of a break. I think, in this day and age, I would be quite happy taking him to the Guineas without a prep.

“The Dewhurst is what it is - a Group One race - and he showed a very high level of performance at that stage of his career. I am quite satisfied and would expect him to have improved and progressed through the winter.”



The current 100/30 favourite with Stan James for the 2000 Guineas is St Nicholas Abbey, one of 13 entries for Aidan O’Brien. The Ballydoyle trainer is seeking a sixth victory in the Classic following King Of Kings (1998), Rock Of Gibraltar (2002), Footstepsinthesand (2005), George Washington (2006) and Henrythenavigator (2008) and is just two winners behind the overall record of John Scott achieved in the 19th century.

St Nicholas Abbey was undefeated in three outings last season, culminating with an emphatic victory over Elusive Pimpernel in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster and was subsequently rated the best two-year-old in Europe. Other possibles starters for the Ballydoyle team include the first two horses home in the Group One Jumeirah Dewhurst Stakes on the Rowley Mile on Champions’ Day, Beethoven and Fencing Master, as well as the fourth horse home in that contest, Steinbeck. Cape Blanco and Joshua Tree, both Group Two scorers and Jan Vermeer, a Group One winner in France, are also among the formidable O’Brien entry.

In addition to Aidan O’Brien’s team, there are a further five entries trained in Ireland, while Pascal Bary supplies the one French-trained contender, Eightfold Path, a Group Three winner at Chantilly.

Godolphin has won the 2000 Guineas with Mark Of Esteem (1996) and Island Sands (1999) and the Maktoum family’s racing operation has the largest number of entries of any owner this year, with 14 possibles at this stage. These include the Group One Breeders’ Cup Juvenile hero Vale Of York, the Group One-placed Chabal, the unbeaten Kingsfort, a Group One winner in Ireland last season when trained by Kevin Prendergast, Passion For Gold, who landed a Group One at Saint-Cloud in 2009 as well as Zeitoper, who is unbeaten in three starts and is out of the 2002 1000 Guineas heroine Kazzia.

Owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum has seen his famous blue and white silks carried to victory by Nashwan (1989) and Haafhd (2004) and has a dozen entries in 2010, headed by the Mark Johnston-trained Awzaan. The colt went through 2009 unbeaten in four starts, culminating with a battling effort to lift the Group One Shadwell Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket in October. Other possible starters for Sheikh Hamdan include Arcano, successful in the Group One Prix Morny at Deauville last season, when he defeated the current favourite for the StanJames.com 1000 Guineas, Special Duty.

Trainer Richard Hannon is another trainer to boast an excellent record in the 2000 Guineas, having recorded victories with Mons Fils (1973), Don’t Forget Me (1987) and Tirol (1990). This year, he has seven possible starters headed by Canford Cliffs, the emphatic six-length winner of the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and a close third behind Arcano and Special Duty in the Prix Morny.

Sir Michael Stoute’s record in the first Classic of the season is also impressive, following the victories of Shadeed (1985), Doyoun (1988), Entrepreneur (1997), King’s Best (2000) and Golan (2001). The master of Freemason Lodge has a trio of entries to choose from in 2010, including Workforce, a facile winner on his sole start in a Goodwood maiden, Treble Jig, successful in a maiden on the July Course, and Markazzi, a Leicester maiden scorer but a disappointing 11th behind the Ralph Beckett-trained Oasis Dancer in the lucrative Tattersalls Timeform Million on the Rowley Mile in October.

Pat Eddery won the 2000 Guineas three times as a jockey and has a live contender as a trainer this year with Hearts Of Fire, a Group One winner on his final start at San Siro, Italy, last season.

Charlie McCann, Head of PR for Stan James, said: "We were privileged to be proud sponsors of the race that launched an equine superstar in Sea The Stars last year and, who knows, perhaps there is another racing great among the entries for the StanJames.com 2000 Guineas.



"All eyes are likely to be focussed on St Nicholas Abbey after his breathtaking win in the Racing Post Trophy but the unbeaten 'A Team' of Arcano and Awzaan as well as brilliant Coventry Stakes winner Canford Cliffs ensures a very strong British challenge for the first Classic of the 2010 season."



Tickets are now on sale now for the StanJames.com Guineas Festival and are priced at £40 Premier Enclosure, £25 Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure and £10 Garden Enclosure. Why not visit http://www.newmarketracecourses.co.uk/ for a 25% discount when tickets are booked online in advance. Alternatively, tickets can be ordered over the telephone on 0844 579 3010.



Latest prices from Stan James: 100/30 St Nicholas Abbey, 8/1 Canford Cliffs, 9/1 Steinbeck, 10/1 Awzaan, 12/1 Arcano, 14/1 Elusive Pimpernel,14/1 Workforce, 16/1 Kingsfort, 20/1 Cape Blanco, 20/1 Pounced, 20/1 Fencing Master, 25/1 Chabal, 25/1 Poet's Voice, 25/1 Hearts Of Fire, 25/1 Inler, 33/1 Bar



THE StanJames.com 2000 GUINEAS

(THE 202nd RUNNING)



Class 1, Group 1 Race, Total Prize fund £400,000. Newmarket, Saturday, May 1, 2010, one mile. For three-year-olds only, entire colts and fillies. Weights: colts 9st, fillies 8st 11lb. Entries closed March 2, entries released March 4 (91 Entries), Scratchings deadline noon, April 20. Five-day confirmation and £30,000 supplementary stage noon, April 26. Final declaration stage 10.00am, April 29. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up and including the racing of Monday, March 1, 2010. May not include some overseas form.

Form Horse Owner Trainer

113- AL ZIR (USA) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor

11165(0)- ALFRED NOBEL (IRE) Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE

111- ARCANO (IRE) Hamdan Al Maktoum Brian Meehan

5-(1) ARRY'S ORSE Harry Redknapp Bryan Smart

1230- ATLANTIS STAR Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor

201143- AUDACITY OF HOPE The Hon Earle I Mack/Four Winds Racing Charlie McBride

22(3)104- AWESOME ACT (USA) Susan Roy & Tom Ludt Jeremy Noseda

1111- AWZAAN Hamdan Al Maktoum Mark Johnston

1- BEAUCHAMP YORKER Erik Penser Henry Candy

13461(6)- BEETHOVEN (IRE) Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE

13345-(5) BLACK SNOWFLAKE (USA) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor

BUSINESS BAY (USA) Ali Saeed Ed Vaughan

221355- BUZZWORD Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor

113- CANFORD CLIFFS (IRE) Heffer Syndicate, Susan Roy & Mrs Instance Richard Hannon

111- CAPE BLANCO (IRE) Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE

202011- CARNABY STREET (IRE) Noodles Racing Richard Hannon

120- CHABAL (IRE) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor

1- COMMISSIONAIRE Cheveley Park Stud John Gosden

315- CRITICAL MOMENT (USA) Khalid Abdulla Barry Hills

214- DANCING DAVID (IRE) Catesby Clay Brian Meehan

41- DESTINATION AIM Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor

111156- DICK TURPIN (IRE) John Manley Richard Hannon

621360- DUBAWI PHANTOM Sultan Ali David Simcock

230(1)- DYNASTY Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith Aidan O'Brien IRE

0-(1) EDINBURGH KNIGHT (IRE) Knights Racing Paul D'Arcy

131- EIGHTFOLD PATH (USA) Niarchos Family Pascal Bary FR

(1)- ELSPETH'S BOY (USA) David Gorton John Best

112- ELUSIVE PIMPERNEL (USA) Windflower Overseas Holdings Inc John Dunlop

41212- EMERALD COMMANDER (IRE) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor

22- ENCOMPASSING (IRE) Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE

32- ESAAR (USA) Hamdan Al Maktoum Barry Hills

2- FAIR TRADE Raymond Tooth David Elsworth

(1)2- FENCING MASTER Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE

(1)(5)- FIGHTING BRAVE (USA) Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE

20(1)(4)01- FREE JUDGEMENT (USA) June Judd/Jackie Bolger/Ennistown Stud Jim Bolger IRE

1041- FREMONT (IRE) Julie Wood Richard Hannon

1100-(2)(2) FROZEN POWER (IRE) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor

4-(2)(1)(1)(1) GREYFRIARSCHORISTA Greyfriars UK Ltd Mark Johnston

4- HARVEST DANCER (IRE) Paul & Jenny Green Brian Meehan

252111- HEARTS OF FIRE Pat Eddery Racing (Detroit) Pat Eddery

1- INLER (IRE) Maggie Findlay John Best

10(2)634- IVER BRIDGE LAD The Iver Lads John Ryan

411- JAN VERMEER (IRE) Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE

121- JOSHUA TREE (IRE) Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE

11162- KAPTAIN KIRKUP (IRE) Kevin Kirkup Michael Dods

11- KINGSFORT (USA) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor

3- LATANSAA Hamdan Al Maktoum Marcus Tregoning

615- LORD ZENITH Mrs M E Wates Andrew Balding

401431- LUCKY GENERAL (IRE) Julie Wood Richard Hannon

1- MAKFI M Offenstadt Mikel Delzangles FR

210- MARKAZZI Hamdan Al Maktoum Sir Michael Stoute

326233- MATA KERANJANG (USA) Fitri Hay Paul Cole

0(1)- MEEZAAN (IRE) Hamdan Al Maktoum John Gosden

(1)-(1) MENDIP (USA) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor

(0)-(1) MIDFIELDER (USA) H R H Princess Haya of Jordan John Gosden

2101- MON CADEAUX Mick and Janice Mariscotti Andrew Balding

31- MONT AGEL Jeff Pearce Michael Bell

2215- MORANA (IRE) Andrew Black Peter Chapple-Hyam

414- MR DAVID (USA) Gold Group International Ltd Brian Meehan

321- MUFARRH (IRE) Hamdan Al Maktoum John Dunlop

(2)10- MUSAAFER (IRE) Hamdan Al Maktoum Michael Jarvis

NAASEF Hamdan Al Maktoum John Dunlop

16- NO HUBRIS (USA) Fitri Hay Paul Cole

021- OASIS DANCER Heather Slade Ralph Beckett

131- PASSION FOR GOLD (USA) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor

31314- POET'S VOICE Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor

2121- POUNCED (USA) Lady Rothschild John Gosden

01100- PUNCHER CLYNCH (IRE) Ennistown Stud/Jackie.Bolger Jim Bolger IRE

3342(0)1- PURPLE HEART (IRE) Derrick Smith/Sue.Magnier/Michael Tabor/Peter Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE

r- PURPLE LAND (USA) Jackie Bolger Jim Bolger IRE

1(1)2- QUADRILLE The Queen Richard Hannon

1- RASHAAD (USA) Hamdan Al Maktoum Barry Hills

51- RASMY Hamdan Al Maktoum Marcus Tregoning

1103- RED JAZZ (USA) Ronnie Arculli Barry Hills

20- REITERATION (USA) Jackie Bolger/ Ennistown Stud Jim Bolger IRE

0311- RUM KING (USA) Sir David Seale Richard Hannon

111- ST NICHOLAS ABBEY (IRE) Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE

41135(2)- STARGAZE (IRE) John Stocker Alan Bailey

14- STEINBECK (IRE) Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE

4- STRONG VIGILANCE (IRE) Lawrie Inman Michael Bell

210- STUNNING VIEW (IRE) Dr Ronan Lambe Dermot Weld IRE

21- TAMAATHUL Hamdan Al Maktoum Barry Hills

01- TREBLE JIG (USA) Khalid Abdulla Sir Michael Stoute

15132(1)- VALE OF YORK (IRE) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor

31120- VISCOUNT NELSON (USA) Sue Magnier/Diane Nagle Aidan O'Brien IRE

25- WILLIAM VAN GOGH Bill Gredley John Gosden

1- WORKFORCE Khalid Abdulla Sir Michael Stoute

1213- XTENSION (IRE) Brighthelm Racing Clive Cox

22- YOUM JAMIL (USA) Jaber Abdullah Brian Meehan

4(1)- ZAAHY (USA) M Al-Qatami & K M Al-Mudhaf Peter Chapple-Hyam

111- ZEITOPER Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor



91 Entries

18 Irish-trained

2 French-trained


SPECIAL DUTY HEADS 71 IN StanJames.com 1000 GUINEAS



French trainer Criquette Head-Maarek has landed the StanJames.com 1000 Guineas on three occasions with Ma Biche (1983), Ravinella (1988) and Hatoof (1992) and looks to have an excellent chance of adding to that terrific record in 2010 with Special Duty, the clear 7/2 favourite with Stan James for the first fillies’ Classic of the season for which there are 71 entries, six more than last year.

Last season the daughter of Hennessy won the Group Two Robert Papin against the colts at Maisons-Laffitte and then ran Arcano to a short-neck when runner-up in the Group One Prix Morny at Deauville.

Her season ended with an imperious performance on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket in the Group One Electrolux Cheveley Park Stakes in October, when she defeated decisively fellow StanJames.com 1000 Guineas entrants Misheer and Lady Of The Desert.

Head-Maarek reports Special Duty to be in rude health and commented today: “Special Duty is on course for the StanJames.com 1000 Guineas.

“She has wintered very well - she has filled out and grown a little - and she looks very well at the moment. She will hopefully have a prep race in the Prix Imprudence at Maisons-Laffitte on April 8 and then head to Newmarket, providing that she runs well.



“I have always thought that she was a good filly because I started her off in a Listed race against the colts first time out. She then ran as a maiden in the Prix Robert Papin and that form has worked out tip-top with Siyouni going on to land the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.



“She wasn’t unlucky in the Prix Morny but she went off quite fast. She showed tremendous speed on that occasion but I think that she showed that she could stay a bit in the Electrolux Cheveley Park Stakes, when she ran on quite well.



“The way she won that race suggests that she can get the mile at Newmarket and you can win the StanJames.com 1000 Guineas with a fast horse.



“If she goes there, then she will have a good shot of winning.”



In addition to Special Duty, there are two other French-trained entries. Joanna, trained by Jean Claude Rouget and third in the Group One Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp last season, and Ayun Tara, from the Xavier Nakkachdji stable and runner-up in the UAE 1000 Guineas at Meydan earlier this year.

Seta is second favourite with Stan James at 14/1. The Luca Cumani-trained filly was an eight-length winner on her debut in a maiden on the July Course in August and subsequently finished third behind Pollenator in the Group Two May Hill Stakes at Doncaster. Misheer, runner-up to Special Duty in the Electrolux Cheveley Park Stakes, boasts winning form at Newmarket, having landed the Group Two Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cherry Hinton Stakes in July.

No current trainer can match the record of Henry Cecil in the StanJames.com 1000 Guineas, who has six victories to his name courtesy of One In A Million (1979), Fairy Footsteps (1981), Oh So Sharp (1985), Bosra Sham (1996), Sleepytime (1997) and Wince (1999). There are five entries from Warren Place this year, including Aviate, who like last year’s heroine Ghanaati won a Polytrack maiden at Kempton on her latest start, Yarmouth maiden victor Principal Role and Timepiece, successful in the Listed Montrose Stakes over the course and distance on October 31.

Fellow Newmarket handler Sir Michael Stoute has four to choose from including Tabassum, successful in the Group Three Sakhee Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket last year as well as maiden winners Muwakaba and Revered.

Barry Hills landed an emotional victory with Ghanaati last year, to add to his earlier victory with Enstone Spark (1978). The Lambourn handler has two entries this time around in Sent From Heaven, a Group Three scorer at Goodwood and Za Za Zoom, successful in a maiden at Windsor.



Godolphin took the StanJames.com 1000 Guineas with Cape Verdi (1998) and Kazzia (2002) and there are four entries from the Maktoum family’s operation this time including the Group One Fillies’ Mile victress Hibaayeb. Siyaadah has already won a ‘Guineas’ this season, having collected the UAE version at Meydan on 11th February.

Aidan O’Brien has 10 to choose from including Lillie Langtry, successful at Newmarket in the Timeform Tattersalls Fillies’ 800 and You’ll Be Mine, third behind Hibaayeb in the Group One Fillies’ Mile at Ascot. In total, there are 17 Irish-trained entries.

Charlie McCann, Head of PR for Stan James, said: "Once again we are delighted with the quality of entries for the 2010 StanJames.com 1000 Guineas and, as with Natagora in 2008, we have a very strong French challenge.



“Special Duty is to attempt to give Criquette Head-Maarek a fourth win in the Classic and she looks the one to beat after her scintillating victory in the Group One Electrolux Cheveley Park Stakes last autumn."



Tickets are now on sale now for the StanJames.com Guineas Festival and are priced at £40 Premier Enclosure, £25 Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure and £10 Garden Enclosure. Why not visit http://www.newmarketracecourses.co.uk/ for a 25% discount when tickets are booked online in advance. Alternatively, tickets can be ordered over the telephone on 0844 579 3010.



Latest prices from Stan James: 7/2 Special Duty, 14/1 Seta, 20/1 Misheer, 20/1 Pollenator, 20/1 Hibaayeb, 20/1 Music Show, 20/1 Revered, 20/1 Emulous, 20/1 Tabassum, 20/1 Lady Of The Desert, 20/1 Termagant 25/1 BAR

675 505



THE StanJames.com 1000 GUINEAS

Class 1, Group 1 Race, Total Prize fund £400,000. Newmarket, Sunday, May 2, 2010, one mile. For three-year-old fillies only. Entries closed March 2, entries revealed March 4 (71 entries).Scratchings deadline noon, April 20. Six-day confirmation and £30,000 supplementary stage noon, April 26. Final declaration stage 10.00am, April 30. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up and including the racing of Monday, March 1, 2010. May not include some overseas form.

Form Horse Owner Trainer

56-(1) AREEDA (IRE) Saeed Manana Clive Brittain

135- ASTROPHYSICAL JET Ladas Ed McMahon

105122- ATASARI (IRE) Jackie Bolger Jim Bolger IRE

(1)- AVIATE Khalid Abdulla Henry Cecil

0(2)- AWE INSPIRING (IRE) Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE

51112-(2) AYUN TARA (FR) Prime Equestrian Sarl Xavier Nakkachdji FR

124- BEYOND DESIRE Clipper Logistics Michael Jarvis

2125- BLUE MAIDEN Peter Charter Charlie McBride

2110- CABARET (IRE) Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith Aidan O'Brien IRE

1365- CHACHAMAIDEE (IRE) R A H Evans Henry Cecil

1- DECORATIVE (IRE) Highclere Thoroughbred Racing Royal Pal Michael Jarvis

3312- DEVOTED TO YOU (IRE) Diane Nagle & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE

3110- DISTINCTIVE Gary & Lesley Middlebrook Bryan Smart

0(4)- DUBAI MEDIA (CAN) Ahmad Al Shaikh David Simcock

32(1)5- DYNA WALTZ George Strawbridge John Gosden

16321- ELECTRIC FEEL Joseph Barton Marco Botti

1- EMULOUS Khalid Abdulla Dermot Weld IRE

1(1)- EOLITH Alison Ruggles William Knight

241524- FAMOUS (IRE) Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE

1- FIELD DAY (IRE) Ballymacoll Stud Brian Meehan

4- FULL OF HOPE (IRE) Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE

15- GILE NA GREINE (IRE) Jackie Bolger & Harry Dobson Jim Bolger IRE

123466- GOLD BUBBLES (USA) June Judd, Jackie Bolger, Ennistown Stud Jim Bolger IRE

(2)254- GREEN DANDY (IRE) Frank Cosgrove Eoghan O'Neill

31120- HABAAYIB Hamdan Al Maktoum Ed Dunlop

121- HAFAWA (IRE) Hamdan Al Maktoum Mark Johnston

3221- HIBAAYEB Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor

210- JACQUELINE QUEST (IRE) N Martin Henry Cecil

140435- JIRA Saeed Manana Clive Brittain

12113- JOANNA (IRE) Hamdan Al Maktoum Jean Claude Rouget FR

3132- LADY DARSHAAN (IRE) Coleman Bloodstock Limited Stan Moore

0541- LADY LUPUS (IRE) Anne-Marie O'Brien Aidan O'Brien IRE

16113- LADY OF THE DESERT (USA) Jaber Abdullah Brian Meehan

121310- LILLIE LANGTRY (IRE) Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE

1140- LONG LASHES (USA) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor

33124- MARIE DE MEDICI (USA) Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Mark Johnston

112102- MISHEER Saeed Manana Clive Brittain

(0)3- MISS MITTAGONG (USA) Richard Pegum Ralph Beckett

10120- MUDAARAAH Hamdan Al Maktoum John Dunlop

5- MUJDEYA Hamdan Al Maktoum John Gosden

1101- MUSIC SHOW (IRE) Jaber Abdullah Mick Channon

(1)- MUWAKABA (USA) Hamdan Al Maktoum Sir Michael Stoute

(5)(2)32- NURTURE (IRE) Richard Pegum Ralph Beckett

524- PINK SYMPHONY Fitri Hay Paul Cole

13- PIPETTE George Strawbridge Andrew Balding

01- PLUME Highclere Thoroughbred Racing Touchstone Richard Hannon

62211- POLLENATOR (IRE) The Royal Ascot Racing Club Richard Hannon

1- PRINCIPAL ROLE (USA) Khalid Abdulla Henry Cecil

(1)4242- PUFF (IRE) Mr and Mrs David Aykroyd Ralph Beckett

0(2)(1)64(0)- QUEEN OF TROY (IRE) Sue Magnier/Paul Fleming Aidan O'Brien IRE

0131- QUEEN'S GRACE Exors of the late Miss Bridget Swire Hughie Morrison

2- REMEMBER WHEN (IRE) Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE

31- REVERED Khalid Abdulla Sir Michael Stoute

0- ROMANCEA (USA) Ali Saeed Ed Vaughan

(1)- RUMOUSH (USA) Hamdan Al Maktoum Marcus Tregoning

3- SAFINA Cheveley Park Stud Sir Michael Stoute

1- SAGACIOUS (IRE) Miss A H Marshall Jim Bolger IRE

5(1)3110- SAND VIXEN Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor

42- SCORN (USA) James Wigan John Gosden

(1)314- SENT FROM HEAVEN (IRE) Triermore Stud Barry Hills

13- SETA Sarah J Leigh Luca Cumani

SHAMS ALBAWADI (USA) Ali Saeed Ed Vaughan

10- SILVER ROCK (IRE) Eastwind Racing Ltd and Martha Trussell Mikael Magnusson

106-(1)(3) SIYAADAH Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor

6116- SONG OF MY HEART (IRE) Sir Robert Ogden David Wachman IRE

2121- SPECIAL DUTY Khalid Abdulla Criquette Head-Maarek FR

113- TABASSUM (IRE) Hamdan Al Maktoum Sir Michael Stoute

11- TERMAGANT (IRE) Jorg Vasicek Kevin Prendergast IRE

2(1)1- TIMEPIECE Khalid Abdulla Henry Cecil

413- YOU'LL BE MINE (USA) Roisin Henry & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE

512- ZA ZA ZOOM (IRE) Simon Brooke & Steve Smith Barry Hills



71 Entries

17 Irish-trained

3 French-trained

OXX HOPES FOR ANOTHER INVESTEC DERBY STAR

Oxx revealed: “We have given Behtarini an entry in the Investec Derby but it’s slightly speculative at the moment.



“He has been beaten three times but he has run up against some good horses. He would have to take a step forward now in the springtime if he was to measure up to be an Investec Derby contender but we thought that we would leave him in.



“He is in good form and we are just starting him off in his work. He is quite a nice horse but he would have to win his maiden and step up into a Derby trial before we would consider him for Epsom.



“The Investec Derby is the race that everybody wants to win - it is a marvellous event and a great test of a horse. It is a demanding mile and a half and that is one of the reasons that it has been such a successful source of stallions over the years - a horse needs all of the qualities to win.

“It was the race that made us feel that Sea The Stars was a special horse - we were pretty hopeful after the 2000 Guineas but it was at Epsom that Mick told me that he was one of the greats.”



Irish-trained horses have won five of the past 10 renewals of the Investec Derby, including the last two (2009 Sea The Stars, 2008 New Approach) and there are 48 horses from across the Irish Sea remaining in Britain’s richest race following the first scratchings deadline.

Trainer Aidan O’Brien claimed two of those Irish successes (2001 Galileo, 2002 High Chaparral) and the master of Ballydoyle is responsible for 40 of the remaining entries. The O’Brien/Coolmore contingent includes the unbeaten winter favourite St Nicholas Abbey, a runaway winner of the Group One Racing Post Trophy, and fellow Group One winners Beethoven and Jan Vermeer, as well as Group Two victors Cape Blanco and Joshua Tree. St Nicholas Abbey was ranked Europe’s top two-year-old of 2009 by the official handicappers who rated him 124, 5lb better than Jan Vermeer.

Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor is seeking a second success in Flat racing’s blue riband following Lammtarra’s win in 1995. Suroor has 16 entries including the promising maiden winner Burj Nahar and Haynes Hanson & Clark Conditions Stakes victor Ameer.

Sir Michael Stoute has won the Investec Derby on four occasions (1981 Shergar, 1986 Shahrastani, 2003 Kris Kin, 2004 North Light) and the Newmarket trainer has three entries going forward including the well-connected maiden Nibani.

Owner Hamdan Al Maktoum landed the Investec Derby in 1989 with Nashwan and has 10 horses still engaged, including Royal Lodge stakes runner-up Waseet.

The Royal Ascot Racing Club prevailed in 2005 with Motivator and its phalanx of members will be dreaming that trainer Michael Bell can work his magic once again with Prompter. The Newmarket handler also has Coordinated Cut, sporting the colours of city high roller Lawrie Inman.

Sinndar’s success in 2000 took the Aga Khan’s Investec Derby tally to four (1980 Shergar, 1986 Shahrastani, 1988 Kahyasi). The race’s most successful current owner could also see his colours carried at Epsom in June by Dibir and the Sinndar colt Sidpour, both of whom are in the care of French champion trainer Jean-Claude Rouget.



The last French-based horse to triumph was the Maurice Zilber-trained Empery in 1976 and there are currently a total of five horses trained in France still remaining, as well as three possible runners from Japan.

All of the horses remaining in the Investec Derby, the world’s premier Classic which is being run for the 231st time, were entered as yearlings and there is a second entry stage on April 6. There is a maximum field of 20.

Andrew Cooper, Director of Racing at Epsom Downs Racecourse, commented: “We saw one of the greatest ever Epsom winners last year when Sea The Stars captured the Investec Derby in scintillating fashion and we are already counting down to this year’s race, which is now just three months away.

“The entries include the usual intriguing blend of top-class two-year-olds and less exposed horses and the countdown is now underway to find out who will emulate Sea The Stars at Epsom Downs on Saturday, June 5.”

SIX TO WATCH

BURJ NAHAR (GB)

b c Shamardal (USA) - Melikah (IRE) (Lammtarra (USA))

Form 1-

Owner Godolphin

Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor

Breeder: Darley



The Darley homebred is by Godolphin’s French Derby hero Shamardal out of Listed winner and 2000 Oaks third Melikah, a half-sister to last year’s all-conquering Investec Derby winner Sea The Stars. Burj Nahar has raced only once to date but made a good impression when easily winning a mile maiden at Nottingham in November.

CAPE BLANCO

ch c Galileo (IRE) - Laurel Delight (Presidium)

From: 111-

Owner: Derrick Smith

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Breeder: Jack Ronan & Des Vere Hunt Farm

Unbeaten in three starts at seven furlongs last term, Cape Blanco followed a Fairyhouse maiden win in June with success in the Group Three Tyros Stakes at Leopardstown the following month. His campaign ended back at Fairyhouse on August 22, with a length and a quarter victory in the Group Two Futurity Stakes. Cape Blanco, a 330,000 euro purchase at Goffs in September, 2008, is a half-brother to US Grade Two mile winner Mr O’Brien out of the five-furlong winner Laurel Delight, a half-sister to high-class sprinter Paris House.

JAN VERMEER (IRE)

b c Montjeu (IRE) - Shadow Song (IRE) (Pennekamp (USA))

Form: 411-

Owner: Michael Tabor

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Breeder: Shadow Song Syndicate

Jan Vermeer capped a fine first season with an impressive four-length defeat of Emerald Commander in the Group One Criterium International over a mile at Saint-Cloud on November 1. Previously, the Montjeu colt had easily landed a mile maiden at Gowran Park from Behtarini on September 26. That victory followed a fourth place on his career debut over seven furlongs at the Curragh on September 12. Jan Vermeer’s dam, Shadow Song, won over an extended 11 furlongs in the French provinces and is a half-sister to Group Three May Hill Stakes winner Midnight Air.

NIBANI (IRE)

ch c Dalakhani (IRE) - Dance Of The Sea (IRE) (Sinndar (IRE))

Form: 4-

Owner/Breeder: Ballymacoll Stud

Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute

Nibani is closely related to 1995 Irish 2,000 Guineas and Champion Stakes hero Spectrum, dual Breeders’ Cup Turf victor Conduit and triple Group One winner Petrushka. The homebred colt made his sole racecourse appearance in a mile Newmarket maiden in September when, after a slow start, he stayed on to finish fourth of 13.

ST NICHOLAS ABBEY (IRE)

b c Montjeu (IRE) - Leaping Water (Sure Blade (USA))

Form: 111-

Owner: Sue Magnier

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Breeder: Barton Bloodstock & Villiers Syndicate



A 200,000 guineas purchase at Tattersalls in October, 2008, St Nicholas Abbey is a half-brother to mile and a half US Grade Two winner Grammarian. His dam, Leaping Water, is an unraced half-sister to Group One winners Starborough, Ballingarry and Aristotle. The Montjeu colt made an impressive career debut in a mile maiden at the Curragh on August 16. He returned there to clinch the Group Two Juddmonte Beresford Stakes the following month by a cosy three quarters of a length from Layali Al Andalus, with subsequent Group One winner Passion For Gold in third. He emerged as favourite for the 2010 Investec Derby after a devastating defeat of Elusive Pimpernel in the Group One Racing Post Trophy over a mile at Doncaster on October 24. He is the highest-rated winner of the Racing Post Trophy in recent years, above Authorized, Motivator and High Chaparral who all went on to win the Derby.

WASEET

ch c Selkirk (USA) - Najayeb (USA) (Silver Hawk (USA))

Form: 312-

Owner: Hamdan Al Maktoum

Trainer: John Dunlop

Breeder: Shadwell Estate Company Ltd

Waseet’s finest performance to date came on his latest start when he finished second to Joshua Tree in the Group Two Royal Lodge Stakes at Ascot in September, with subsequent Grade One Breeders’ Cup Juvenile victor Vale Of York back in third. That effort confirmed the impression of his impressive four and a half-lengths success in a mile Sandown maiden on August 13. He had finished third first time out over seven furlongs at Newmarket in July. The Shadwell homebred is out of an unraced half-sister to the brilliant Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner and Investec Derby runner-up Sakhee.

THE 2010 INVESTEC DERBY



Class 1, Group 1, £1,250,000 Total Prize Fund, Epsom Downs, Saturday, June 5, 2010. For three-year-olds only, entire colts & fillies, one mile & four furlongs. Entries closed December 2, 2008 (388 entries). First scratchings deadline noon, March 2, 2010 (122 remain), £8,000 secondary entry stage noon, April 6, 2010, second scratchings deadline noon, May 20, 2010, £75,000 supplementary entry & five-day confirmation stage, noon, May 31, 2010, final declaration stage 10am, June 3, 2010. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Monday, March 1, 2010. May not include some overseas form.



Form Horse Owner Trainer

ABRASIVE (IRE) Tony Bloom William Haggas



3- ALBURJ (USA) Hamdan Al Maktoum Dermot Weld IRE

113- AMEER (IRE) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE

3- ANCIENT KINGDOM (USA) Michael Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE

12- ANHAR (USA) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE

APRES VOUS (IRE) Michael Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE

ARABIAN HISTORY (USA)Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE

51- AT FIRST SIGHT (IRE) Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE

1230- ATLANTIS STAR Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE

415- AVERROES (IRE) HE Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Clive Cox

10- AWAIT THE DAWN (USA) Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE

0- AWSAAL Hamdan Al Maktoum John Dunlop

110- AZMEEL M Al-Qatami & K M Al-Mudhaf John Gosden

20- BAB AL SHAMS (IRE) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE

13461(6)- BEETHOVEN (IRE) Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE

422- BEHTARINI (IRE) H H Aga Khan John Oxx IRE

2- BIG OCCASION (IRE) Michael Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE

3- BITTER MAN (IRE) Jaber Abdullah Mick Channon

4- BLISSFUL MOMENT (USA) Saeed Suhail Sir Michael Stoute

5- BOLD QUEST (IRE) Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE

04- BOMBADERO (IRE) Windflower Overseas Holdings Inc John Dunlop

BRIDGE MOUNTAIN (USA) Michael Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE

(6)(2)- BRIGHT HORIZON Michael Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE

1- BURJ NAHAR Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE

10- BURNETT (IRE) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE

111- CAPE BLANCO (IRE) Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE

6- CAPTAIN JAMES COOK Derrick Smith Aidan O’Brien IRE

(0)- CARRAIGLAWN (IRE) Jackie Bolger Jim Bolger IRE

120- CHABAL (IRE) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE

0-(1) CHINK OF LIGHT David Brownlow Andrew Balding

CLEAR ALTERNATIVE (IRE) Moyglare Stud Farms Ltd Dermot Weld IRE

CLEARWATER BAY (IRE) Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE

COASTAL WELLS (IRE) Iona Equine Syndicate Out of training

10- COORDINATED CUT (IRE) Lawrie Inman Michael Bell

5-334 COSMO MEADOW (IRE) Big Red Farm Shigenori Hatakeyama JPN

DANCE AT DAWN (IRE) Michael Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE

DESERT MYTH (USA) Saeed Suhail Sir Michael Stoute

DEUX ETOILES (IRE) Michael Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE

(3)- DIBIR (FR) H H Aga Khan Jean Claude Rouget FR

314- DON CARLOS (GER) Derrick Smith Aidan O’Brien IRE

230(1)- DYNASTY Derrick Smith Aidan O’Brien IRE

0-(1) EDINBURGH KNIGHT (IRE) Knights Racing Paul D'Arcy

1433- EMIRATES DREAM (USA) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE

22- ENCOMPASSING (IRE) Michael Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE

ESHTYAAQ Hamdan Al Maktoum Marcus Tregoning

ETON FOREVER (IRE) HRH Sultan Ahmad Shah Michael Jarvis

2- FAIR TRADE Raymond Tooth David Elsworth

3- FALCON FLIGHT (IRE) Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE

1(1)-(0) FAREEJ (USA) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE

(1)2- FENCING MASTER Michael Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE

(1)(5)- FIGHTING BRAVE (USA) Michael Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE

41- FLYING CROSS (IRE) Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE

GARTH MOUNTAIN Kevin Mercer David Elsworth

0- GOMRATH (IRE) Jon and Julia Aisbitt Mick Channon

661- GREEN LIGHTNING (IRE) The Green Dot Partnership Mark Johnston

4-(2)(1)(1)(1) GREYFRIARSCHORISTA Greyfriars UK Ltd Mark Johnston

0(6)-(2)(1) GUMND (IRE) Saeed Manana Clive Brittain

2140- HIGH TWELVE (IRE) Thomas Barr John Gosden

216- HOT PROSPECT Alan Spence Michael Jarvis

IBN SINA (IRE) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE

411- JAN VERMEER (IRE) Michael Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE

JOSEPH LISTER Bill Gredley John Gosden

121- JOSHUA TREE (IRE) Michael Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE

4- KING'S WARRIOR (FR) Paul Hancock Gary Moore

3- LATANSAA Hamdan Al Maktoum Marcus Tregoning

1002- LORD HIGH ADMIRAL (IRE) Derrick Smith Aidan O’Brien IRE

(0)1- MAKANI (GER) Niarchos Family Jonathan Pease FR

3277-33 MEINER GUT (JPN) Thoroughbred Club Ruffian Ryuichi Inaba JPN

314- MIDAS TOUCH Derrick Smith Aidan O’Brien IRE

12612- MIKHAIL GLINKA (IRE) Derrick Smith Aidan O’Brien IRE

31- MONT AGEL John Pearce Michael Bell

2215- MORANA (IRE) Andrew Black Peter Chapple-Hyam

213- MUBTASSIM Hamdan Al Maktoum Freddie Head FR

321- MUFARRH (IRE) Hamdan Al Maktoum John Dunlop

01- MULTAMES (IRE) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE

MUTASAREB (USA) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE

(1)- NEXT MOVE (IRE) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE

4- NIBANI (IRE) Ballymacoll Stud Sir Michael Stoute

16- NO HUBRIS (USA) Mrs Fitri Hay Paul Cole

ORIGINAL QUEST (IRE) The Originals Mark Johnston

PASSING THE TORCH (IRE) The Honorable Earle Mack Luca Cumani

4- PEKAN STAR HRH Sultan Ahmad Shah Michael Jarvis

6- PEKAN THREE (IRE) HRH Sultan Ahmad Shah Paul Cole

PETER MARTINS (IRE) The Honorable Earle Mack Luca Cumani

POINT NORTH (IRE) Sir Robert Ogden Jeremy Noseda

(1)- POWERFUL MELODY (USA) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE

2- PRINCE OF DREAMS G Roddick William Knight

2162- PROMPTER The Royal Ascot Racing Club Michael Bell

3342(0)1- PURPLE HEART (IRE) Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE

0- QUEST FOR GOLD Derrick Smith Aidan O’Brien IRE

0- RAIN FOREST Michael Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE

51- RASMY Hamdan Al Maktoum Marcus Tregoning

6- ROCKET MAN (IRE) Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE

(1) RUBI DIA C G Maybury Mark Johnston

SAIL BOAT (IRE) Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE

SCOTTISH REEL (IRE) Michael Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE

6(2)- SEPTEMBER MORN (IRE) Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE

5-(1) SHERNANDO The Originals Mark Johnston

SIDPOUR (IRE) H H Aga Khan Jean Claude Rouget FR

SILVER FOX (IRE) Derrick Smith Aidan O’Brien IRE

SNOW BLIZZARD (IRE) Michael Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE

0- SOUR MASH (IRE) The Honorable Earle Mack Luca Cumani

SPACE AND TIME (IRE) Jackie Bolger Jim Bolger IRE

4- SPEARTOOTH Niarchos Family Pascal Bary FR

111- ST NICHOLAS ABBEY (IRE) Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE

STAR OF THE SHOW Michael Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE

14- STEINBECK (IRE) Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE

210- STUNNING VIEW (IRE) Dr Ronan Lambe Dermot Weld IRE

(1) TAJAARUB Hamdan Al Maktoum Barry Hills

21- TAMAATHUL Hamdan Al Maktoum Barry Hills

013- TED SPREAD False Nose 'n Glasses Partnership Mark Tompkins

20- TEXAN STAR (IRE) John Gosden John Gosden

30- THEOLOGY Highclere Thoroughbred Racing Touchstone Jeremy Noseda

3(1)- TREASURE TOWN Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE

000- TROVARE (USA) John Connolly Amanda Perrett

VICEROY (IRE) Derrick Smith Aidan O’Brien IRE

31120- VISCOUNT NELSON (USA) Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE

VITA VENTURI (IRE) Ruairi O'Coileain/John Corcoran/Jackie Bolger Jim Bolger IRE

312- WASEET Hamdan Al Maktoum John Dunlop

22- YOUM JAMIL (USA) Jaber Abdullah Brian Meehan

408-6 YUME YUME YUME (IRE) Shigeyuki Okada Ryuichi Inaba JPN

6- ZULU PRINCIPLE Plantation Stud Dermot Weld IRE



122 entries remain after first scratching stage

48 Irish-trained

16 UAE-trained

5 French-trained

3 Japanese-trained



BREAKDOWN OF ENTRIES BY TRAINER WITH PAST SUCCESSES IN THE INVESTEC DERBY



40 entries

Aidan O’Brien IRE (2001 Galileo, 2002 High Chaparral)



16 entries

Saeed bin Suroor (1995 Lammtarra)



5 entries

Mark Johnston



4 entries

John Dunlop (1978 Shirley Heights, 1994 Erhaab)

John Gosden (1997 Benny The Dip)

Dermot Weld IRE



3 entries

Michael Bell (2005 Motivator)

Jim Bolger IRE (2008 New Approach)

Luca Cumani (1988 Kahyasi, 1998 High-Rise)

Michael Jarvis

Sir Michael Stoute (1981 Shergar, 1986 Shahrastani, 2003 Kris Kin, 2004 North Light)

Marcus Tregoning (2006 Sir Percy)



2 entries

Mick Channon

Paul Cole (1991 Generous)

David Elsworth

Barry Hills

Ryuchi Inaba JPN

Jeremy Noseda

Jean Claude Rouget FR



1 entry

Andrew Balding

Pascal Bary FR

Clive Brittain

Peter Chapple-Hyam (1992 Dr Devious, 2007 Authorized)

Clive Cox

Paul D’Arcy

Shigenori Hatakeyama JPN

Freddie Head FR

William Haggas (1996 Shaamit)

William Knight

Brian Meehan

Gary Moore

John Oxx IRE (2000 Sinndar, 2009 Sea The Stars)

Jonathan Pease FR

Amanda Perrett

Mark Tompkins



1 horse currently out of training

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

©Racenews
designed and produced by Racenews Internet Services