Royal Ascot 2013: A New Generation Of Jockeys

With the likes of Kieren Fallon and Frankie Dettori failing to notch a winner at the Royal Ascot meeting in 2013 it did have the feel of a changing of the guard in the jockeys’ ranks, as some of the younger names came to the fore.

Joseph O’Brien is still only 20 years old but has already won a host of big international races. At the Royal meeting in 2013 he recorded three wins, finishing second in the top jockey table behind Johnny Murtagh.

25-year-old James Doyle matched O’Brien’s three wins in the space of just three rides, with an incredible hat-trick of victories on the second afternoon of the Royal meeting. Al Kazeem’s win in the Group 1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes was the jockey’s first Royal Ascot winner.

It was also good to see some recent champion apprentices be successful at the Royal Meeting. The likes of William Buick (champion apprentice 2008), Tom Queally (2004), and Martin Harley (2011) all had a winner each.

Adam Kirby, Richard Kingscote, and Billy Lee were three more young jockeys who put in notable winning performances at Royal Ascot 2013.

Telegraph Fantasy Racing Update

A hectic week of selections at Royal Ascot with moderate success for our fantasy stables. Our leading stable has slipped backed to around 4,700th place with the other languishing in mid-13,000s.

Tom Queally picked us up 42 points for third place on Gregorian (16/1) in the Queen Anne Stakes. The Hannon-Hughes-Toronado (5/1) combination earned a total of 50 points for the runner-up spot in the St James’s Palace Stakes.

The Gold Cup and the Coronation Stakes were the most profitable races for us because we picked both Estimate (7/2) and Top Trip (7/1) in the former and Sky Lantern (9/2) in the latter.

Onwards to the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown.

Royal Ascot 2013: Day 5

The final day of Royal Ascot 2013 saw both triumph and tragedy. Lady Cecil’s Thomas Chippendale (8/1) had fought his way to a tough victory in the Hardwicke Stakes but collapsed yards after the winning post with a suspected heart attack. The joy of the celebrating connections quickly turned to despair and it was strange to watch them collect the trophies for what had become a hollow success.

Jockey Frankie Dettori had the frustration of finishing in second place three times during the course of the afternoon aboard Dandino (10/1), Stencive (5/1f) and Shahwardi (3/1f). He finished the Royal meeting without a win to his name.

Johnny Murtagh claimed the top jockey title for Royal Ascot 2013 with four winning rides and Aidan O’Brien was the leading trainer also with four wins across the week.

Royal Ascot 2013: Day 4

Richard Hughes’ ride aboard Sky Lantern (9/2 jf) in the Coronation Stakes was the highlight of day four of Royal Ascot 2013.

Hughes had a wide draw on the 1000 Guineas winner and decided to drop in at the back of the field in the early stages. In the home straight he took the filly wide of the field to pass her rivals. She quickened her pace very well in the closing furlong and drew away to win by four lengths. It was a ride of great confidence, especially as Hughes had endured a frustrating week to that point.

The Queen’s Vase was run in memory of Sir Henry Cecil but Disclaimer was not able to win the race for Lady Jane. Instead, Leading Light (5/4f) for Aidan O’Brien was the well-backed winner.

O’Brien had endured disappointment earlier on the card when the odds-on favourite Battle Of Marengo (10/11f) was defeated by Sir Michael Stoute’s Hillstar (15/2) in the King Edward VII Stakes.

Champion jumps trainer Nicky Henderson saddled Forgotten Voice to win the Wolferton Handicap at 12/1 on a day on which the bookmakers just had the upper hand.

Royal Ascot 2013: Day 3

The Americans struck in the opening Group 2 Norfolk Stakes with the Wesley Ward-trained No Nay Never (4/1). The lack of rain at Ascot meant the going was good to firm and the colt set a course record for two-year-olds over five furlongs (58.80 seconds).

Lady Cecil carried on Sir Henry’s great record at Royal Ascot by sending Riposte (9/2) out to win the Ribblesdale Stakes, just over a week after he passed away. Tom Queally asked the filly for her effort over a furlong from home and she responded with a good burst of speed that her rivals could not match. She ran out a comfortable winner by two and a quarter lengths.

Her Majesty the Queen then became the first reigning monarch to win the Gold Cup when her runner Estimate (7/2f), trained by Sir Michael Stoute, took the prize. The filly had a real battle with Simenon and Top Trip in the final furlong and just prevailed by a neck. The result gave great delight to Her Majesty and she received the Gold Cup, which she usually presents, from her son Prince Andrew, Duke of York.

Bookmakers got some respite in the Britannia Stakes after paying out on some well-backed horse in the earlier races because Roca Tumu was the winner at 20/1. Tariki (33/1), Queensberry Rules (16/1), and Wentworth (7/2f) filled the places in behind.

But the bookies suffered again in the Tercentenary Stakes when the strongly fancied Remote (9/4f) took the honours for John Gosden and William Buick. At the start of June Remote was winning a Class 2 Handicap at Doncaster and before that a maiden stakes at Newbury.

Her Majesty was not able to make it a double on the day as favourite Bold Sniper was unable to get to the winner Elidor (20/1) (Mick Channon) in the King George V Stakes. Elidor gave jockey Martin Harley his first Royal Ascot winner and he showed his elation as he passed the winning post.

Surprisingly, the award for nonsense phrase of the day on Channel 4 Racing went not to Brix Smith but Clare Balding for her assertion that “you cannot predict history” in the aftermath of the Queen’s Gold Cup win.

Royal Ascot 2013: Day 2

Day two of Royal Ascot began in the same manner as the first day with the opening race going to Aidan O’Brien and Ballydoyle. This time it was Gale Force Ten (9/2f) in the Group 3 Jersey Stakes, showing great resilience to win by a head from Montiridge (15/2) for Richard Hannon and Richard Hughes.

The newly named Duke Of Cambridge Stakes (formerly the Windsor Forest Stakes) went the way of Duntle (10/3) for David Wachman. There was no sentimental win for Lady Cecil’s Chigun (11/4f) who finished back in sixth.

Jockey James Doyle rode his first Royal Ascot winner in the Group 1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes – not a bad way to start – aboard Al Kazeem (11/4). Doyle was quickly alert to the threat from Paul Hanagan aboard Mukhadram (14/1) who had stolen an easy lead on his rivals and was trying to steal the race from the front. But Al Kazeem gradually caught up to him and was ahead by a neck at the line.

Doyle then immediately doubled his tally of Royal Ascot winners by following up in the Royal Hunt Cup aboard Belgian Bill (33/1) with Premio Loco (40/1) in second.

The jockey completed an amazing 891/1 treble by riding Rizeena (6/1) to victory in the Queen Mary Stakes for Clive Brittain.

"I'd have taken one [win] but three is unbelievable!" the delighted Doyle told Channel 4 Racing.

The concluding handicap for fillies, the Sandringham Handicap, went to Annecdote (11/1) in a close four-way finish. The win gave trainer Jonathan Portman his first victory at the Royal meeting. Ed Dunlop's Auction (16/1) was the runner-up by a neck with Woodland Aria (7/1) a further neck back in third.

Royal Ascot 2013: Day 1

Declaration Of War (15/2) for Aidan O'Brien won the opening Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot as the favourite Animal Kingdom failed to get involved in the Group 1 contest.

Joseph O'Brien had trouble in running on the winner and had to wait for a gap to emerge in the runners in front of him but got to the lead with relative ease in the end.

Roger Varian's Aljamaaheer (8/1) and John Gosden's Gregorian (16/1) finished second and third.

Bookmakers had been keen to lay Animal Kingdom immediately before the race and his price drifted from even money out to 11/8. He ran keenly early on and then faded quickly as the pace quickened.

Speaking to Channel 4 Racing after the race trainer Graham Motion suggested Animal Kingdom would now be retired.

Winning trainer O'Brien explained his charge had progressed well after the JLT Lockinge Stakes at Newbury (when fifth) and he was delighted with the victory.

Sole Power (8/1) blasted his way to victory in the King's Stand Stakes over five furlongs, beating South African raider Shea Shea (11/4f) by a neck. It was a late, devastating burst of speed from Sole Power in the final furlong that saw him overhaul the favourite, who was well clear in his 'race' of the runners on the far side of the track.

The St James's Palace Stakes went to a photo between Dawn Approach (5/4f) and Toronado (5/1) after the two rivals had an epic battle down the home straight. Dawn Approach prevailed by just a nose from Richard Hannon's colt.

Just as in the Epsom Derby, Dawn Approach pulled hard again in the early stages but Kevin Manning managed to get him under control this time and he battled hard to see off Toronado. There was some serious bumping and interference in the last furlong which affected both horses and Richard Hughes might have felt his horse would have won without it.

Speaking afterwards Sheikh Mohammed said Dawn Approach's win confirmed for him that he is the best mile horse in the world. Trainer Jim Bolger said he knew his colt would not let him down on this occasion.

Aidan O'Brien was victorious again when War Command (20/1) won the Coventry Stakes by a comfortable six length margin from Parbold (16/1) and Sir John Hawkins (6/1). War Command looked to be the stable's third choice of its three runners, at least by betting, but belied his odds to win impressively.

Well Sharp (9/1) denied Lady Cecil's Tiger Cliff (4/1f) a win in the Ascot Stakes. The victory gave Jonjo O'Neill, a trainer more known for his jumps successes, his second Royal Ascot winner.

Johnny Murtagh completed 152/1 double when Extortionist (16/1) won the closing Windsor Castle Stakes, following up on his win earlier aboard Sole Power.

It was a good day for the Irish.

Racing Preview: Royal Ascot 2013

Royal Ascot 2013 begins with Animal Kingdom, winner of the 2011 Kentucky Derby and the 2013 Dubai World Cup, aiming for victory in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes.

Graham Motion’s 5-year-old is as short as even money for the contest, largely as a result of the lack of perceived serious competition amongst his rivals. Paddy Power is offering to pay money back on all losers if Animal Kingdom wins, so one way to play it would be to look for an each-way selection at bigger prices such as Elusive Kate (John Gosden) or Trade Storm (David Simcock). Under Paddy Power’s offer, if Animal Kingdom does win then the win part of the each-way bet will be refunded, whilst you would pick up the place bet winnings if the selection makes second or third place.

Shea Shea, trained by South African Mike De Kock, has travelled over for the King’s Stand Stakes after a successful spell at Meydan, Dubai earlier in the year. Kingsgate Native, Swiss Spirit, Reckless Abandon and Sole Power all contested the Temple Stakes at Haydock last month but the places could be reversed here.

Jim Bolger’s Dawn Approach is 6/4 favourite for the St James’s Palace Stakes as the colt goes back to a mile after his antics in the Epsom Derby last time. He had several of his rivals well behind him in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket – including Glory Awaits and Toronado – and his nearest rival in the betting, Magician, reportedly had a minor setback last week.

Betting Offers

Betfair: Cash back specials on selection finishing second to Shea Shea in the King’s Stand Stakes

Paddy Power: Money back on all losers if Animal Kingdom wins the Queen Anne Stakes

Skybet: Paying four places on the King’s Stand Stakes and Windsor Castle Stakes

*terms and conditions apply to all offers

Book Review: The Cambridge Companion To Horseracing

Rebecca Cassidy (ed.) (2013) The Cambridge Companion To Horseracing. Cambridge University Press

The Cambridge Companion To Horseracing is a collection of short essays covering a diverse range of topics from art, to literature, to technology’s role in the future of the betting sector.

Reading the introduction I was initially concerned about the direction the essays would take. The introduction talks of ‘old histories, new histories’ and how existing racing literature presents racing as ‘irrelevant and parochial: a white, Anglophile, upper-class sport’. The editor states ‘isn’t it time to ditch old histories in favour of more exciting, accurate and inclusive alternatives?’

Always beware the ‘inclusive’ agenda.

Thankfully, the contributors choose largely to ignore the editor’s slant (or maybe they couldn’t meet the brief with the research at their disposal). The first chapter, for example, is entitled Sporting with Kings (Richard Nash) and describes the role that the English royalty and nobility had in the formative years of what would become thoroughbred racing in the 17th and 18th Century. Discussing the life of the Godolphin Arabian, one of the foundation stallions, the author believes the stallion may have been a diplomatic gift of the ambassador of the Emperor of Morocco and his ultimate owner was Lord Godolphin in 1733.

A later essay, Racing in Asia (Mark Godfrey), focuses on Dr Harry Sweeney, an Irish trainer who has established a very successful training operation in Japan. In discussing the potential for racing in China, Sweeney believes ‘wealthy Chinese will embrace the sport’. Why? Because ‘racing is the ultimate status symbol, get [sic] you up close with royalty like Queen Elizabeth, or the Aga Khan, or Sheikh Mohammed’.
 
The newly rich in Asia are drawn to horseracing precisely because of its links to the upper-classes and British royalty. Indeed, the roots of horse racing across much of Asia (Hong Kong, Singapore, China (Shanghai), Malaysia), like it or not, lie in the British colonial era when the English upper-classes transported their racing interests overseas. Several of the jockey and turf clubs they established exist to this day.

Racehorse ownership is an expensive business. By nature, it will always be the preserve of the wealthy, which in previous centuries often meant the nobility. In the modern age the newly wealthy see ownership and involvement in racing as a status symbol and if the new millionaires are coming from Asia why not play-up Britain’s racing history and tradition?

However hard you try to write ‘inclusive alternatives’, Britain has an undeniably long history of horseracing. It was the home of several key developments in the administration of racing such as the General Stud Book and institutions like Weatherbys, often done by white Englishmen. As a result, British racing and betting has a very strong reputation round the world. Even today, Brits will be found at the heart of the world’s largest betting operations from the US to Asia.

Why ditch this history, especially when new potential owners and breeders in places like China are keen to embrace them?

Regardless of academic agenda, the collection of essays in the companion makes a very enjoyable journey through many aspects of horseracing and betting. If you are interested in racing topics beyond what happens on the track this season it a worthwhile read.

Sir Henry Cecil: 1943 – 2013

Few of us will get the chance to go out at the top, not least because few of us will ever reach the top. We will simply bumble along in mediocrity, decline, and then stop.

The fact that Sir Henry Cecil died not only when he was at the top of his profession but also when he had just seen Frankel, the best racehorse of a generation, successfully into retirement after an unbeaten career afforded the end of his life a dignity and completeness that his achievements deserved.

Sir Henry was often viewed as a dandy, immaculately turned out at the racecourse, a man of refinement. But there must have been steel core to the man who had to endure personal tragedy and severe health problems but still had the fire to haul his professional career back from the deepest depths up to the glorious heights.

The sadness came from seeing Sir Henry’s physical decline mirrored against the imposing strength of Frankel as the two stood side-by-side in the winner’s enclosure last season.

Brough Scott’s recent biography of the 10-time champion trainer is sitting on my table waiting to be read. With Sir Henry’s passing it will be read with a greater sense of poignancy and emotion now.

It will be a Royal Ascot tinged with sadness next week.

Sir Henry Cecil:
Training career: 1969 – 2013
Champion trainer 10 times
75 Royal Ascot winners
4 Derby wins, 8 Oaks wins
Trainer of Frankel, 14 races unbeaten, including 2000 Guineas, St James’ Palace Stakes, Champion Stakes

The Horse In Art

Racing and the racehorse have long been a fertile subject matter for artists. One up and coming equine artist in this field is Nichola Eddery and she is due to display an exhibition of her work at the Osborne Studio Gallery from 18 June 2013 – 5 July 2013 just as Royal Ascot begins.

Find out more about the artist’s portfolio and the exhibition here:

http://www.nicholaeddery.co.uk/

http://www.osg.uk.com/index.shtml

Bookmakers Aren’t Bookmakers Any More

The major bookmakers, particularly their internet betting divisions, are simply marketing operations with betting tacked on. Sports betting is now used as a way to attract customers and then the idea is the get them to play other online games like poker, bingo, and roulette where profit margins are more stable. The notion of making a book, taking an opinion, and laying a bet is very much a secondary concern.

Ahead of last weekend’s Investec Derby the racing press headlines read along the lines of ‘Bookies out to get Dawn Approach’.

Much was made of the fact that Ladbrokes would be offering the top price of 7/4 for Dawn Approach, having been offering just 10/11 earlier in the week.

Brave move by Ladbrokes you might have thought, taking an opinion about a short-priced favourite in the big race. But read on …

The article went on to say that Ladbrokes would be offering this standout price “for an initial 15 minutes from 8.15am to a maximum stake of £50.”

I’m sure Ladbrokes can take a lot of bets in 15 minutes but if they think I’m going to crawl out of bed at 8.15 on a Saturday morning in the hope of getting 7/4 for 15 minutes about a horse that was happily available at 11/8 or 6/4 elsewhere they are a sadly mistaken. I enjoy my sleep more than getting an extra point (not that I wanted to back Dawn Approach in the first place).

Not that the bookmakers care much. The price is more for show and enabling them to shout they are ‘best priced’ or ‘best odds guaranteed’ in their adverts.

Sometimes, however, the marketing exercise backfires.

Ahead of the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March, Coral were offering even money about Sprinter Sacre, who was generally heavily odds-on and eventually returned 1/4.

The decision to offer even money was not a bookmaking one, it was a marketing decision. Coral took the view that a £1,000,000 liability on Sprinter Sacre was worth it in marketing terms for the coverage they would get and the new customers who would open an account with them. The maximum bet on this offer was £20.

Sprinter Sacre duly won by 19 lengths. Unfortunately for Coral all of its customers then logged in to collect their ‘free money’ after the race and the new website crashed. Any hope that these customers might then recycle some of their winnings in the subsequent races on the card was lost as the site remained down. This must have been particularly frustrating for Coral when the winning prices for the rest of the afternoon were: 33/1, 25/1, and 25/1.

Why They Ran Badly

The website of the British Horseracing Authority (www.britishhorseracing.com) is a very useful source of information to the racing enthusiast and well worth taking the time to explore.

One page in the ‘Stewards’ Room’ section of the site is called ‘Why they ran badly’ and gives trainers’ and jockeys’ explanations as to why a particular horse underperformed in a race.

Sometimes the explanations can be helpful for future betting insight. For example the trainer might say the horse “was unsuited by the good, good/firm in places going” or “the trainer reported the gelding had a breathing problem”, or “bled from the nose”.

If you have watched the race in question then sometimes the reason for the poor run is obvious. The report for Dawn Approach in the Investec Derby reads “the colt ran too free”, which was visible to all spectators.

Other times the explanations offered are tautological – the horse ran badly because it ran badly. Only, it is dressed up in racing speak e.g. “the gelding was never travelling”; “the filly stopped quickly”.

You can also review all the official photo finishes on the site to see how narrowly your selection was beaten.

The blogs written by the BHA handicapping team are also worth perusing. The handicappers write about their views on particular races, the performance of horses, and why they have raised (or not) a particular runner in the handicap.

Telegraph Fantasy Racing Update

A few good selections have seen one stable move up to 3,500th. St Nicholas Abbey and Dunaden were hardly inspired selections for the Investec Coronation Cup and they only earned 80 points between them.

We fared better in the Investec Derby as one stable had both Ruler Of The World (85 points) and Galileo Rock (60 points). Sadly, neither the jockeys nor trainers were in our stables, which is where the big points can be earned.

There is some work to be done before the next British Champions Series races at Royal Ascot, with seven races in the space of a week. We’ll have to use our stable changes wisely.

Investec Epsom Derby Review

There is a Phd thesis to be written about the Investec Derby of 2013, such was the absorbing nature of the race.

One interesting aspect in relation to human psychology is the herd mentality that can influence pre-race analysis. There was a lot of discussion before the race about the favourite Dawn Approach’s stamina and his ability to see out the full Derby distance. But all of the analysis focused on Dawn Approach’s stamina being sapped by a furious pace to be set by Aidan O’Brien’s supposed pacemakers in the race. No-one flipped it round the other way  and put forward the hypothesis that an early, dawdling, muddling pace would cause the 2000 Guineas winner to get frustrated and burn himself out before the mile pole, which is what actually happened.

The racing game is all about opinions. So if you’re going to have one it might as well be your own, right or wrong. It makes it all the sweeter when you’re proved right against the herd.

Was the steady pace set in the early stages another tactical masterstroke by Aidan O’Brien? Everyone assumed the lesser ranked of O’Brien’s team were there to burn off in front to ensure a testing 12 furlongs but controlling the pace of the race does not always have to mean a fast early speed. If it was a deliberate tactic, it worked well in the sense that the favourite was beaten and one of the Ballydoyle team won the Derby.

As an aside, Ruler Of The World’s victory means that the Magnier, Tabor, Smith ownership partnership have now won the last three Derbys. That is some record.

The race itself was a fascinating watch, not least for the antics of Dawn Approach who never settled and displayed a temperament quite unlike the calm demeanour seen at the Qipco 2000 Guineas.

Jockey Ryan Moore had an excellent hour on Saturday afternoon. His ride in the Investec Dash showed patience, strength, innate horsemanship, and a chunk of good fortune to get Duke Of Firenze up to win by a neck. He followed up with the Derby win, making a decisive move to take up the race quite a way from home.

In an age of the bluff, extrovert, celebrity I admire Ryan Moore’s quiet, understated character. He wants to be a jockey rather than a ‘personality’ and he is good at what he does.

Race Day Betting: Investec Derby

Throughout the month of May Dawn Approach shortened in price for the Investec Epsom Derby by doing nothing more than sitting in his stable as his various rivals went through their paces on the racecourse.

Jim Bolger’s colt went even money after the Dante Stakes at York, when no runner immediately impressed with a strong performance in a race that has been a good guide to the Derby.

Dawn Approach is currently 6/4 favourite but that is too short a price for a horse whose stamina over 12 furlongs around Epsom is not assured. His sire New Approach did win the Derby, as did his grand-sire Galileo, but the stamina concerns come more from his dam side, which has more sprinting in the breeding than staying.

In addition, Jim Bolger was not overly enthusiastic about going for the Derby with Dawn Approach earlier in season. The trainer argues that the horse’s class and demeanour will enable him to see out the Derby trip.

Having such a short-priced favourite does mean there are some bigger prices to be had further down the field.

If stamina is the key to Derby success, then the only horse to have competed over the Derby distance is Ruler Of The World. Aidan O’Brien’s charge won the Group 3 Chester Vase and prior to that won a maiden race over 10 furlongs at the Curragh.

It was only a small field at Chester but Ruler Of The World, who is sired by Derby winner Galileo, did still look good. He handled the Chester course and saw out the trip well, with a definite burst of speed in the final half furlong.

Ruler Of The World is available at 8/1 for the Derby with Skybet.