The top ten races by betting turnover in the first six months of 2014 were as follows:
1. Crabbie's Grand National
2. Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup
3. Investec Derby
4. Ladbrokes World Hurdle
5. Stan James Champion Hurdle
6. Coral Scottish Grand National
7. Qipco 2000 Guineas
8. Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle
9. BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase
10. Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle
Source: HBLB
Showing posts with label Epsom Derby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Epsom Derby. Show all posts
03 October 2013
The British Horseracing Show 2014
There is an online survey being sent out at the moment asking for opinions about an event called the British Horseracing Show.
The survey says the show will take place at Earls Court, London between 13 and 15 June 2014 and will show off all the elements that make up the British horseracing scene:
• A chance to talk to top trainers and jockeys
• See thoroughbred horses in the training ring
• Practise being a race commentator
• Riding a classic race on an Equiciser
• The betting village – talk to tipsters and betting experts to learn about betting
• Chance to learn about racehorse ownership and syndicates
• A Jockey Bar hosted by well-known jockeys
• Exhibitors from betting companies, racing clubs, ownership syndicates and other racing related services and products
• Numerous chances for hospitality, food and drink
The survey also says the show plans to feature the 2014 winning Derby horse and its connections, the race having been run a week before the show in early June.
It all sounds a very enjoyable day out for racing enthusiasts and a good idea to promote racing to a new audience. An internet search yields little further information on the show and there is no obvious mention of it on the BHA’s website or Lovetheraces.com, so maybe the results of the survey will determine whether the event actually goes ahead or not. I, for one, hope it does.
The survey says the show will take place at Earls Court, London between 13 and 15 June 2014 and will show off all the elements that make up the British horseracing scene:
• A chance to talk to top trainers and jockeys
• See thoroughbred horses in the training ring
• Practise being a race commentator
• Riding a classic race on an Equiciser
• The betting village – talk to tipsters and betting experts to learn about betting
• Chance to learn about racehorse ownership and syndicates
• A Jockey Bar hosted by well-known jockeys
• Exhibitors from betting companies, racing clubs, ownership syndicates and other racing related services and products
• Numerous chances for hospitality, food and drink
The survey also says the show plans to feature the 2014 winning Derby horse and its connections, the race having been run a week before the show in early June.
It all sounds a very enjoyable day out for racing enthusiasts and a good idea to promote racing to a new audience. An internet search yields little further information on the show and there is no obvious mention of it on the BHA’s website or Lovetheraces.com, so maybe the results of the survey will determine whether the event actually goes ahead or not. I, for one, hope it does.
01 September 2013
The Economics Of Racing
The BHA’s report Economic Impact of British Racing 2013 reveals some interesting statistics on the state of British horseracing.
Attendances at UK race meetings totalled 5.58 million in 2012, down from a 10-year high of 6.15 million in 2011. But this was a respectable performance given that the Olympics were held in London in 2012. There was also some spectacularly wet weather during the summer of 2012, which caused fixtures to be abandoned.
Not surprisingly, Royal Ascot, the Cheltenham Festival, and the Epsom Derby were the top three meetings by attendance in 2012.
The report also highlights the dilemma that racecourses face in trying to attract new visitors but also trying to please the regular racegoer:
“Racing benefits from a loyal but relatively small core of high frequency racegoers who make up a sizeable proportion of total attendances… however, the sport appeals to, and needs, other less frequent racegoers for whom racing is only a part of the raceday experience – with other factors as, or indeed more, important”.
The number of owners with a horse in training has fallen by 14% from its peak of 9,551 in 2007 to 8,215 in 2012, a decline that mirrors the fortunes of the wider UK economy. When the average cost of keeping a Flat horse in training is over GB£21,500 a year (2012), owning a racehorse is a luxury and one that is soon dismissed when a businessman’s company is struggling or jobs are being lost.
The number of owners with one horse in training fell by 900 between 2008 and 2012, whereas the number of owners with 11-20 horses in training fell by just 1 over the same period. Again, this suggests that the very wealthy were able to keep their luxuries, while the smaller owners quickly gave up their racing interests when the financial troubles hit.
Attendances at UK race meetings totalled 5.58 million in 2012, down from a 10-year high of 6.15 million in 2011. But this was a respectable performance given that the Olympics were held in London in 2012. There was also some spectacularly wet weather during the summer of 2012, which caused fixtures to be abandoned.
Not surprisingly, Royal Ascot, the Cheltenham Festival, and the Epsom Derby were the top three meetings by attendance in 2012.
The report also highlights the dilemma that racecourses face in trying to attract new visitors but also trying to please the regular racegoer:
“Racing benefits from a loyal but relatively small core of high frequency racegoers who make up a sizeable proportion of total attendances… however, the sport appeals to, and needs, other less frequent racegoers for whom racing is only a part of the raceday experience – with other factors as, or indeed more, important”.
The number of owners with a horse in training has fallen by 14% from its peak of 9,551 in 2007 to 8,215 in 2012, a decline that mirrors the fortunes of the wider UK economy. When the average cost of keeping a Flat horse in training is over GB£21,500 a year (2012), owning a racehorse is a luxury and one that is soon dismissed when a businessman’s company is struggling or jobs are being lost.
The number of owners with one horse in training fell by 900 between 2008 and 2012, whereas the number of owners with 11-20 horses in training fell by just 1 over the same period. Again, this suggests that the very wealthy were able to keep their luxuries, while the smaller owners quickly gave up their racing interests when the financial troubles hit.
06 June 2013
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.
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.
05 June 2013
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.
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.
03 June 2013
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.
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.
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.
01 June 2013
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.
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.
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?
26 May 2013
Knocked Into A Cocked Hat
Any last fragment of argument that the Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood (formerly the Predominate Stakes) was in any way a trial for the Epsom Derby has been finally crushed after the 2013 running of the race.
The calendar was already against the race with the Derby falling on the very first day of June this year, its earliest possible date. With only a little over a week between the Cocked Hat and the Derby it was already unlikely that any contender would take in both races.
But this year’s race attracted only three runners and when Fantastic Moon was declared a non-runner it left the Listed race with a match between two horses, battling it out for first place prize money of £22,600.
The race itself was a good duel with Sir Henry Cecil’s Disclaimer coming out on top but it is a shame that more runners were not attracted to contest it.
The race seems to have rather lost its place in the calendar, which is a shame because it is a contest over 1 mile 3 furlongs on a track with a bend and a hill to be negotiated, not unlike Epsom, albeit in the opposite direction. It could be a good test of potential for any Derby horse.
The calendar was already against the race with the Derby falling on the very first day of June this year, its earliest possible date. With only a little over a week between the Cocked Hat and the Derby it was already unlikely that any contender would take in both races.
But this year’s race attracted only three runners and when Fantastic Moon was declared a non-runner it left the Listed race with a match between two horses, battling it out for first place prize money of £22,600.
The race itself was a good duel with Sir Henry Cecil’s Disclaimer coming out on top but it is a shame that more runners were not attracted to contest it.
The race seems to have rather lost its place in the calendar, which is a shame because it is a contest over 1 mile 3 furlongs on a track with a bend and a hill to be negotiated, not unlike Epsom, albeit in the opposite direction. It could be a good test of potential for any Derby horse.
Telegraph Fantasy Racing Update
The position has not improved for Turf Accounts’ fantasy stables after the JLT Lockinge Stakes and Betfred Temple Stakes.
One stable now sits in around 5,000th place and the other is languishing nearer 13,500th.
Richard Fahey earned one stable 320 points for Glen’s Diamond’s victory in the Yorkshire Cup and 25/1.
Selecting Farhh as the winner of the Lockinge only earned us 66 points and it would have been better to have had Sovereign Debt at 80/1 in second.
We also managed to find Kingsgate Native at 14/1 in the Betfred Temple Stakes but our stables do not seem to be making progress up the leaderboard.
We have a some hopes in next week’s Epsom Derby meeting but some of the prices are likely to be too short to earn us lots of points.
One stable now sits in around 5,000th place and the other is languishing nearer 13,500th.
Richard Fahey earned one stable 320 points for Glen’s Diamond’s victory in the Yorkshire Cup and 25/1.
Selecting Farhh as the winner of the Lockinge only earned us 66 points and it would have been better to have had Sovereign Debt at 80/1 in second.
We also managed to find Kingsgate Native at 14/1 in the Betfred Temple Stakes but our stables do not seem to be making progress up the leaderboard.
We have a some hopes in next week’s Epsom Derby meeting but some of the prices are likely to be too short to earn us lots of points.
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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