Royal Ascot 2015 review
65 points was the rather measly return for Gleneagles' (8/15) victory in the St James's Palace Stakes with jockey Ryan Moore and trainer Aidan O'Brien earning just 6.5 points each for the win.
Much more healthy was the 325 points that trainer Robert Cowell earned for Goldream's (20/1) first place in the King's Stand Stakes.
Jockeys Graham Lee (164 points) and Frankie Dettori (94 points) also made good contributions to our tally for the week for their wins aboard Trip To Paris (12/1, The Gold Cup) and Undrafted (14/1, The Diamond Jubilee Stakes) respectively.
The next race in the British Champions Series' calendar is the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park on 4 July 2015.
Showing posts with label Aidan O'Brien. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Aidan O'Brien. Show all posts
26 June 2015
02 May 2014
Racing Preview: Qipco 2000 Guineas
The Qipco 2000 Guineas is the first Classic race in the British Flat season. It is run in early May over a distance of a mile (8 furlongs) at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile course. The race is open to three-year olds, both colts and fillies. The race title is derived from the approximate value of all the entry fees for the first running of the race.
The race has been won by the favourite for the last three years and John Gosden will try to continue that trend with his unbeaten colt Kingman (7/4f).
2000 Guineas: Leading Contenders
Kingman: three wins from three runs, including two Group 3 victories in the Solario Stakes last season and a good win in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury in April. The Greenham victory was impressive and the colt showed the ability to quicken and had good speed in the closing stages.
Australia: Sired by Galileo and trained by Aidan O’Brien. Not seen on the racetrack since last September when winning over 8 furlongs at Leopardstown. O'Brien has said he could be the best he has trained.
Toormore: Unbeaten after four races, including a course and distance win in the Craven Stakes last month. The highest rated horse in the race on official ratings
War Command: a second entry for Aidan O’Brien and the winner of the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes at the end of last season at Newmarket. Not seen since then and will be ridden by Ryan Moore.
The race has been won by the favourite for the last three years and John Gosden will try to continue that trend with his unbeaten colt Kingman (7/4f).
2000 Guineas: Leading Contenders
Kingman: three wins from three runs, including two Group 3 victories in the Solario Stakes last season and a good win in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury in April. The Greenham victory was impressive and the colt showed the ability to quicken and had good speed in the closing stages.
Australia: Sired by Galileo and trained by Aidan O’Brien. Not seen on the racetrack since last September when winning over 8 furlongs at Leopardstown. O'Brien has said he could be the best he has trained.
Toormore: Unbeaten after four races, including a course and distance win in the Craven Stakes last month. The highest rated horse in the race on official ratings
War Command: a second entry for Aidan O’Brien and the winner of the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes at the end of last season at Newmarket. Not seen since then and will be ridden by Ryan Moore.
04 July 2013
Racing Preview: Coral-Eclipse Stakes
The Coral-Eclipse Stakes is run at Sandown Park over a distance of one mile, two furlongs (10 furlongs) and in 2013 has a first prize of £241, 018. It is a Group 1 contest and forms part of the Qipco British Champions Series.
The race was first run in 1886 and takes its name from a great racehorse of the 1760s. Eclipse was unbeaten in 18 races and went on to sire three of the first five Derby winners. The race pitches the Classic generation of three-year-olds against the older horses in a middle distance contest.
In the last 12 runnings of the Eclipse there have been three three-year-old winners: Sea The Stars (2009), Oratorio (2005), and Hawk Wing (2002). Oratorio and Hawk Wing were both trained by Aidan O’Brien and he enters the only three-year-old in the 2013 race in the form of Mars. The Galileo colt has finished sixth in the 2000 Guineas, sixth in the Epsom Derby, and third in the St James’s Palace Stakes.
It is common for runners in the Coral-Eclipse to have raced at Royal Ascot just a few weeks before, often in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes over the same distance. Indeed, Al Kazeem, Mukhadram, The Fugue, and Miblish all lined up in that race at Royal Ascot 2013 with the first three listed filling the places.
Aidan O’Brien’s other runner in the race, Declaration Of War, won the Queen Anne Stakes over a straight mile (8f) at Royal Ascot but has also won over 10 furlongs.
The final contender in the seven runner field is the German colt Pastorius. The four-year-old has been a globe-trotter in recent months, contesting the Group 1 Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot last October, the Group 1 Prix Ganay at Longchamps in April, and the Group 1 Singapore Airlines International Cup at Kranji in May.
Recent years have seen several short-priced favourites win the race, a sequence broken last year by Nathanial (7/2), who denied 11/4 favourite Farhh (subsequent winner of the 2013 JLT Lockinge Stakes) by half a length.
The race was first run in 1886 and takes its name from a great racehorse of the 1760s. Eclipse was unbeaten in 18 races and went on to sire three of the first five Derby winners. The race pitches the Classic generation of three-year-olds against the older horses in a middle distance contest.
In the last 12 runnings of the Eclipse there have been three three-year-old winners: Sea The Stars (2009), Oratorio (2005), and Hawk Wing (2002). Oratorio and Hawk Wing were both trained by Aidan O’Brien and he enters the only three-year-old in the 2013 race in the form of Mars. The Galileo colt has finished sixth in the 2000 Guineas, sixth in the Epsom Derby, and third in the St James’s Palace Stakes.
It is common for runners in the Coral-Eclipse to have raced at Royal Ascot just a few weeks before, often in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes over the same distance. Indeed, Al Kazeem, Mukhadram, The Fugue, and Miblish all lined up in that race at Royal Ascot 2013 with the first three listed filling the places.
Aidan O’Brien’s other runner in the race, Declaration Of War, won the Queen Anne Stakes over a straight mile (8f) at Royal Ascot but has also won over 10 furlongs.
The final contender in the seven runner field is the German colt Pastorius. The four-year-old has been a globe-trotter in recent months, contesting the Group 1 Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot last October, the Group 1 Prix Ganay at Longchamps in April, and the Group 1 Singapore Airlines International Cup at Kranji in May.
Recent years have seen several short-priced favourites win the race, a sequence broken last year by Nathanial (7/2), who denied 11/4 favourite Farhh (subsequent winner of the 2013 JLT Lockinge Stakes) by half a length.
24 June 2013
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.
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.
19 June 2013
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.
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.
31 May 2013
Racing Preview: Epsom Derby
The Investec Derby is a Group 1 Classic race run over 1 mile 4 furlongs round Epsom. In 2013 the winner will collect just over £780,000 in prize money.
Since 2001 trainers Aidan O’Brien and Sir Michael Stoute have each won three Derbys, the former most recently in 2012 with Camelot (8/13 f).
One of the most startling images or recent Derby history is that of jockey Mickael Barzalona standing up in the saddle and celebrating victory on Pour Moi a few strides before he passed the winning post. The winning distance was a head!
Two former Derby winners dominate the 2013 renewal through their offspring: Galileo (2001) and New Approach (2008). They have sired seven of the 12 runners in the race.
Throughout the month of May Dawn Approach has been like the prize gladiator just waiting in the wings as his rivals fight it out in the arena. Dawn Approach won the 2000 Guineas impressively early in the month and it was then up to his rivals to match his standard in the various trials races. From a betting perspective none of the rivals impressed the bookmakers, as Dawn Approach shortened in price without leaving his stable. The fact that the likes of Telescope were ruled out of the race also compounded this effect.
The Irish trainers have a strong hand in the 2013 Derby. As well as the strong favourite in Dawn Approach (Jim Bolger), Aidan O’Brien saddles five runners and David Wachman has interesting outsider Galileo Rock.
Libertarian, winner of the Dante Stakes at York, represents the main contender for the home contingent.
Each year, and 2013 is no different, the major Derby imponderables are whether or not a particular runner will handle the Epsom track and will it stay the distance?
Since 2001 trainers Aidan O’Brien and Sir Michael Stoute have each won three Derbys, the former most recently in 2012 with Camelot (8/13 f).
One of the most startling images or recent Derby history is that of jockey Mickael Barzalona standing up in the saddle and celebrating victory on Pour Moi a few strides before he passed the winning post. The winning distance was a head!
Two former Derby winners dominate the 2013 renewal through their offspring: Galileo (2001) and New Approach (2008). They have sired seven of the 12 runners in the race.
Throughout the month of May Dawn Approach has been like the prize gladiator just waiting in the wings as his rivals fight it out in the arena. Dawn Approach won the 2000 Guineas impressively early in the month and it was then up to his rivals to match his standard in the various trials races. From a betting perspective none of the rivals impressed the bookmakers, as Dawn Approach shortened in price without leaving his stable. The fact that the likes of Telescope were ruled out of the race also compounded this effect.
The Irish trainers have a strong hand in the 2013 Derby. As well as the strong favourite in Dawn Approach (Jim Bolger), Aidan O’Brien saddles five runners and David Wachman has interesting outsider Galileo Rock.
Libertarian, winner of the Dante Stakes at York, represents the main contender for the home contingent.
Each year, and 2013 is no different, the major Derby imponderables are whether or not a particular runner will handle the Epsom track and will it stay the distance?
18 May 2013
Hawk Wing’s Lockinge: 2003
Aidan O’Brien might have the favourite for the 2013 renewal of the Lockinge Stakes but it is now 10 years since the trainer’s first and only win in the race so far with Hawk Wing.
Hawk Wing was a colt who had a good career but never really fulfilled the potential he showed as a two-year-old. His wins as a two-year-old in 2001 made him favourite for the 2000 Guineas and Epsom Derby the next season but he finished second in both Classics.
Hawk Wing was kept in training as a four-year-old and it was his win in the 2003 Lockinge that, for me, gave him his most memorable day on the racecourse.
I remember watching the race on the big screen in a betting shop. In the minutes before the race dark rain clouds gathered over the racecourse and heavy rain began to fall. It gave a great sense of atmosphere to the race and then Hawk Wing proceeded to storm down the straight mile, leaving a good quality field far behind. The video below fails to do full justice to the heavy atmosphere but does show how impressive he was when he was at his best.
Cannot believe it was a decade ago now.
Hawk Wing was a colt who had a good career but never really fulfilled the potential he showed as a two-year-old. His wins as a two-year-old in 2001 made him favourite for the 2000 Guineas and Epsom Derby the next season but he finished second in both Classics.
Hawk Wing was kept in training as a four-year-old and it was his win in the 2003 Lockinge that, for me, gave him his most memorable day on the racecourse.
I remember watching the race on the big screen in a betting shop. In the minutes before the race dark rain clouds gathered over the racecourse and heavy rain began to fall. It gave a great sense of atmosphere to the race and then Hawk Wing proceeded to storm down the straight mile, leaving a good quality field far behind. The video below fails to do full justice to the heavy atmosphere but does show how impressive he was when he was at his best.
Cannot believe it was a decade ago now.
14 May 2013
Racing Preview: York Dante Meeting
The Dante Meeting takes place over three days from 15 – 17 May 2013 at York racecourse, also known as the Knavesmire.
As well as being a very enjoyable early summer Flat meeting, the three days’ racing at York provides some useful clues to the upcoming Classics races at Epsom in June, namely the Oaks and the Derby.
The two key trials races at the Dante Meeting are the Betfred Dante Stakes for three-year-old colts and the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes for three-year-old fillies. Both are run over 1 mile 2 furlongs and act as trials for the Epsom Derby and Oaks respectively.
The Dante Stakes has proved a good trial for the Epsom Derby and several recent winners have gone on from York to win at Epsom in June, including North Light (2004), Motivator (2005), and Authorized (2007).
2012 Dante winner Bonfire finished sixth in the Epsom Derby, whilst Carlton House was third in 2011, and Tartan Bearer (2008) finished second to New Approach.
For 2013’s running of the Dante it was expected that Sir Michael Stoute’s Telescope would feature prominently because the colt was a leading contender for the Epsom Derby. But on Tuesday Telescope was withdrawn from the Betfred Dante Stakes after suffering a minor infection in some cuts on his legs.
Eight horses remain in Thursday’s race including Aidan O’Brien’s Indian Chief. The trainer has been winning many of the Epsom Derby trial races. Mark Johnston’s unbeaten Windhoek is also still in the line up.
Away from the Epsom trial races, another highlight of the Dante Meeting at York is the Qipco Yorkshire Cup, a Group 2 race for Flat staying horses over 1 mile 6 furlongs. The Yorkshire Cup is part of the Qipco British Champions Series.
As well as being a very enjoyable early summer Flat meeting, the three days’ racing at York provides some useful clues to the upcoming Classics races at Epsom in June, namely the Oaks and the Derby.
The two key trials races at the Dante Meeting are the Betfred Dante Stakes for three-year-old colts and the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes for three-year-old fillies. Both are run over 1 mile 2 furlongs and act as trials for the Epsom Derby and Oaks respectively.
The Dante Stakes has proved a good trial for the Epsom Derby and several recent winners have gone on from York to win at Epsom in June, including North Light (2004), Motivator (2005), and Authorized (2007).
2012 Dante winner Bonfire finished sixth in the Epsom Derby, whilst Carlton House was third in 2011, and Tartan Bearer (2008) finished second to New Approach.
For 2013’s running of the Dante it was expected that Sir Michael Stoute’s Telescope would feature prominently because the colt was a leading contender for the Epsom Derby. But on Tuesday Telescope was withdrawn from the Betfred Dante Stakes after suffering a minor infection in some cuts on his legs.
Eight horses remain in Thursday’s race including Aidan O’Brien’s Indian Chief. The trainer has been winning many of the Epsom Derby trial races. Mark Johnston’s unbeaten Windhoek is also still in the line up.
Away from the Epsom trial races, another highlight of the Dante Meeting at York is the Qipco Yorkshire Cup, a Group 2 race for Flat staying horses over 1 mile 6 furlongs. The Yorkshire Cup is part of the Qipco British Champions Series.
12 May 2013
O’Brien Dominates Derby Trials
In the months before the Epsom Derby, which takes place over 1 mile 4 furlongs, 10 yards on Saturday 1 June 2013 there is a number of races which act as trials for the Classic race and help sort out which horses may or may not take their place in the starting stalls at Epsom.
In 2013 the recognised trials races have been dominated by Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien’s Derby contenders.
In mid-April Battle Of Marengo won the Ballysax Stakes over 1 mile 2 furlongs at Leopardstown and O’Brien has subsequently won the Chester Vase (1m 4f 110y) with Ruler Of The World, the Dee Stakes (Chester) (1m 2f 110y with Magician, and the Lingfield Derby Trial Stakes (1m 4f) with Nevis.
Later this afternoon Battle Of Marengo will contest the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown, which will reveal more about his Derby credentials.
Still to come next week is a key Derby trial in the form of the Dante Stakes at York (1m 2f 110y).
Of course, winning the trials does not mean you win the Derby and there is certainly a question about the quality of competition in the trial races and the relevance of Derby trials in the modern racing calendar.
Despite all of these winners for Aidan O’Brien, Jim Bolger’s Dawn Approach, winner of May’s 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, remains 13/8 favourite with William Hill for the Epsom Derby.
In 2013 the recognised trials races have been dominated by Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien’s Derby contenders.
In mid-April Battle Of Marengo won the Ballysax Stakes over 1 mile 2 furlongs at Leopardstown and O’Brien has subsequently won the Chester Vase (1m 4f 110y) with Ruler Of The World, the Dee Stakes (Chester) (1m 2f 110y with Magician, and the Lingfield Derby Trial Stakes (1m 4f) with Nevis.
Later this afternoon Battle Of Marengo will contest the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown, which will reveal more about his Derby credentials.
Still to come next week is a key Derby trial in the form of the Dante Stakes at York (1m 2f 110y).
Of course, winning the trials does not mean you win the Derby and there is certainly a question about the quality of competition in the trial races and the relevance of Derby trials in the modern racing calendar.
Despite all of these winners for Aidan O’Brien, Jim Bolger’s Dawn Approach, winner of May’s 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, remains 13/8 favourite with William Hill for the Epsom Derby.
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