BHA UNMOVED AS O'NEILL JOINS CALL TO AXE WATER JUMPS

Lee Mottershead reports for the Racing Post (26.03.2008) BHA unmoved as O'Neill joins call to axe water jumps

JONJO O'NEILL on Tuesday (25.03.08) became the latest high-profile trainer to call for the abolition of water jumps, but his wish seems unlikely to be realised after both the BHA and RSPCA came out in support of the controversial obstacles.

O'Neill's East Tycoon became the second horse in the space of four weeks to be killed at a water jump when suffering a fatal fall at Ludlow last Thursday, (20.03.08) the previous casualty having been the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Miss Shakira at Huntingdon on February 21.

BHA figures show that, since the specifications of water jumps were changed in 2000, six horses have been killed at the fences, making them, according to BHA chief course inspector Richard Linley, “the safest obstacle on a racecourse”.

However, that argument cuts little ice with O'Neill, who on Tuesday followed the lead of champion trainer Paul Nicholls, who, in his Racing Post column earlier this year, described the water jump as “the worst jump in racing”. “I'd demolish them and replace them all with ordinary fences,” said O'Neill. “Some might say they are less dangerous, but I don't think so. I've never been a fan of them, even when I was a jockey. Nobody has them at home and I don't see why racecourses need them. “Water jumps are trap fences. A horse approaches the fence thinking that it's only a little jump but then sees the water and suddenly changes its mind and puts in extra effort by stretching, and I think that's why they break their backs.”

Linley on Tuesday night said the BHA is “open to constructive comment” about water jumps but made clear there were no plans to follow the lead of Ireland, where the last water was negotiated in 1966. Ascot, Kempton and Wetherby are among the tracks to have removed water jumps in Britain, but Stratford and Newton Abbot have both reintroduced theirs after previously replacing them. Linley said: “It is most unfortunate to have had two fatalities in the last four weeks at water jumps, but, overall, it is a fact that the water jump is the safest obstacle on a racecourse.

“When we have canvassed jockeys, they have always told us that they don't want water jumps scrapped if that means another plain fence is introduced, as there is an inherently greater risk of injuries and fatalities at plain fences.” In similar vein, RSPCA equine consultant David Muir said: “I am not against water jumps. I just want to see them modified. They are the safest fences on racecourses, and if you replace them with normal fences, the number of fatalities will rise. “What we need to do is find a way to stop horses slipping back when landing in the water. I think we need to increase the size of the actual fence by two or three inches and the water area needs to have an effective non-slip landing zone.” That suggestion is already being taken up by Haydock, whose rebuilt water jump will feature a coarse non-slip rubber mat beneath the water.

What is a water jump?
A fence with a minimum height of 3ft is followed by an expanse of water that, from the landing side of the fence to the end of the water, measures 9ft, a width that had been 12ft before specifications made in 2000. In total, the expanse of the obstacle can vary between 11.5ft and 12ft. The water's depth is a uniform 3 inches, with the water's base made of sand, pea gravel or matting. Haydock, which, alongside Aintree, uses a fence made of privet, is introducing a non-slip rubber mat for the base of its new water jump.

TURFCALL RESPONDS:

Of what PROFESSIONAL NATIONAL HUNT STATUS taken in the context here
as licensed true professional Jockey's/Handler/Rider's/Trainer's do those acting and responsible for safety issues in the employ of the British Horseracing Authority hold? What riding expertise at this level does RSPCA David Muir hold? Is anyone allowed to know?

That the British Horseracing Authority personnel choose to remain unmoved as Jonjo O'Neill joins Paul Nicholls call to axe water jumps, clearly shows this authority to be indeed a cruel, harsh, and ignorant body unfit to regulate British National Hunt Horseracing at all. It further shows their utter contempt for proven National Hunt horsemen/handler/riders who have served this sport throughout their lives, at the highest level.

Prevention is key, all water jumps should be removed with immediate effect from all British National Hunt racecourses, and not necessarily replaced by any other type of fence either. Far too many distressing deaths, falls and injuries ... a totally unacceptible state of affairs.

ENDS

YARMOUTH RACECOURSE HOPES BOYCOTT HAS NO LASTING IMPACT

David Carr reports for the Racing Post Wednesday March 26th 2008


NORTHERN RACING group managing director Tony Kelly hopes the controversy surrounding the boycott of a race at Yarmouth will cause no lasting damage to the course's relationship with trainers.

Kelly was reluctant to stir things up further before talks with trainers and the Horsemen'sGroup, planned in light of the protest against the group's poor prize-money contributions at the track.

The trainers' action led to just one horse being declared for a maiden on the Easter Monday card. But asked whether he felt the affair could have along-term effect on support for Yarmouth, a popular venue for Newmarket trainers, Kelly said: “I don't think so, that is not what they have said in their statement. I hope when I get to meet them that will be the outcome.

“In my last statement we said we would contact the protagonists during the course of this week, which is what we are going to do. We will sit down, we will talk to them and hopefully we can understand each other's positions a bit better. But I am not going to add fuel to the fire that is already raging. I'm not going to conduct this debate in public.”

Monday's meeting was abandoned due to snow and no decision has yet been made on whether the £18,600 prize-money up for grabs that afternoon will be added to race values at the course's next fixture on April 28. “We haven't talked about that internally yet,” Kelly said. “We will be talking about that this week.”

National Trainers' Federation president Chris Wall, who was involved in the boycott, hopes Kelly will listen to the trainers' views and said: “It never was an NTF issue, but by all means if he wishes to speak to trainers then we will certainly talk to him.

“We have aired our views in public, but we had already aired our views to Northern Racing over a number of years and not really been listened to – perhaps now they might listen.”

As for possible long-term damage to relationships with the course, he said: “The reason for doing this was that Newmarket trainers were frustrated that Yarmouth had fallen so far down the prize-money league, and we very much look forward to continuing strong relationships with Yarmouth.”

Trainers who took part in the boycott are not set to attract disciplinary action by the BHA, which said it did not believe they were in breach of rule 220(iii), which outlaws action “prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct or good reputation of horseracing in Britain”.

BHA media relations manager Paul Struthers said on Tuesday: “We will not be looking at charging anyone. We simply don't believe that anything that has happened falls under 220(iii).

“We have had boycotts and strikes before and never done anything under it, although we did look into allegations of bullying and found that it hadn't taken place with regard to the jockeys' mobile phone strike back in 2003.

“If trainers don't want to run at a particular track and owners don't want to run at a particular track because of the prize-money situation that is a matter entirely for them. We can't and wouldn't force owners to run anywhere.”

ENDS

DIXON DECLARES BOYCOTT A ' WAKE-UP CALL' FOR RACECOURSES

Jon Lees reports for the Racing Post Tuesday March 25th 2008:

Snowy scenes at Yarmouth on Easter Bank Holiday Monday (24.03.08) when its controversial low prize-money meeting was abandoned


RACEHORSE owners’ leader Paul Dixon yesterday said racecourses had been given a “wake-up call” by trainers’ action against prize-money at Yarmouth and warned of the possibility of further protests unless the issue is satisfactorily addressed.

Citing declining field sizes on the all-weather during the winter, Dixon said the Yarmouth protest was further evidence that the appetite of owners and trainers to compete for low purses was beginning to run out.

Profitable companies like Northern Racing could afford to contribute more to prize-money, he claimed, and that small fields would inevitably impact on the levy, which helps funds prize-money.

“People have started voting with their feet,” said Dixon, the Racehorse Owners’ Association president. “We have seen over the last few months how the field sizes on the all-weather have reduced dramatically. That’s because they have slashed the prize-money.

People are looking at this now and taking an economic view. That’s what the trainers did in this particular case. It wasn’t an organised action through the National Trainers’ Federation or the Horsemen’s Group. This was purely and simply about trainers who are very disgruntled about the prize-money and this was their way of showing it.

“Things like this are a bit of a wake-up call. Sometimes you need shock treatment to get these things into the public view, but I’m not saying this is the way to do it. I can’t see it being a one-off incident unless prize-money levels increase.”

Dixon was previously involved in an owners’ boycott over prize-money cuts at Wolverhampton some years ago, action that he said resulted in previous levels being restored.

He added: “ I understand that the likes of Arena and Northern have shareholders to please, but without runners they are not going to attract the racegoers and you won’t keep shareholders happy that way either.

“There is a fine dividing line between keeping shareholders happy by minimising prize-money and getting the quality and numbers you want. These boycotted races turn into a farce as a betting medium.

“I would urge all courses to look at prize-money levels and look at their forth-coming fixtures and make sure this doesn’t happen again. Their destiny is in their own hands.

ENDS

Racing Post Jon Lees and Paul Eacott Report "GOSDEN'S BLAST FOR NORTHERN"

"Gosden's blast for Northern" as published in the Racing Post 24.03.2008

JOHN GOSDEN on Sunday rounded on the owners of Yarmouth race-course for accusing trainers of singling out Monday's meeting as “an easy target, in order to make a point to the racing authorities”.

Gosden, instead, pointed out that trainers had specifically chosen Yarmouth's first meeting of the season to protest against Northern Racing's “consistent downgrading of racing at the track”.

Reacting to a statement issued to the Racing Post on Saturday (22.03.08) by Northern's group managing director Tony Kelly, Gosden said: “We trainers in Newmarket specifically picked on this meeting, and particularly one race, which we would all like to have run in.

“We did it particularly to Yarmouth and Northern Racing, not to the racing authorities, so Northern's statement is completely erroneous. “It is due to the fact that they have consistently downgraded the racing at Yarmouth until, quite frankly, all they deserve is horses rated 60 and below.”

Referring to Southwark Newsboy's walkover on Monday, Gosden said: “They thoroughly deserve a horse who has been last in both starts having a walkover in the maiden.” Of the nine Northern tracks, three are in the bottom seven places in the racecourses' prize-money table, with Yarmouth in 46th position, and although the total purse had fallen by almost £200,000 year-on-year to the period ending February 29, 2008, Gosden insisted he would continue to have runners at the track if they offer reasonable prizes.

“I think it's very important to say we've always liked and favoured Yarmouth,” he said. “It's always been a fantastic place. We run our best horses there. Last year, I ran Raven's Pass and Centennial. There were no maidens at Newmarket and, fortunately, Yarmouth had one.

“We'd go there every meeting if they put on reasonable races and prize-money, but it's been the policy of Northern Racing that their contribution to prize-money has been right at the bottom in the meritocracy table. Therefore, they can reap what they sow.

“Our action is clearly against them. They may well argue they have improved their executive contribution, but that is because they have come from zero.”

Referring to Monday's meeting, at which 34 horses have been declared to contest six races, Gosden added: “Yarmouth deserves the card it has got. It deserves to have Christine Dunnett with a bad horse getting a walkover. We don't take any pleasure in it. “Mr Kelly has tried to duck the issues and the blame – he wants to look in the mirror. Yarmouth's prize-money has always been close to insulting and we have just had enough of it.”

Gosden's Newmarket neighbour John Ryan has declared Lindbergh for the first race, with the proviso that the six-year-old runs “subject to staff availability”. The trainer on Sunday (23.03.08) confirmed it was his own way of joining the protest. “I'm not happy with the situation,” said Ryan, whose 23-strong string at Cadland House is just over 15 per cent the size of Gosden's Clarehaven team. “If they had put a meeting on somewhere else with this kind of prize-money, I don't think anybody would have minded much. “But it's diabolical ground already and it will be wrecked for no purpose. I hope everyone has opened their eyes up now, and like Chris Wall said, this thing needs to be addressed. “We've worked hard to attract new owners, and by continually cutting prize-money we're pulling the carpet from under them. It doesn't help anybody.”

TRAINERS ACT IN PROTEST OVER YARMOUTH POOR PRIZE-MONEY

John Lees reports for the Racing Post Easter Sunday March 23 2008 "Trainers at war over Yarmouth boycott."

WILLIAM HAGGAS on Saturday expressed his frustration at Christine Dunnett as he accused her of breaking ranks with other trainers who had agreed to shun Monday's Yarmouth meeting in protest at poor prize-money.

The action, which had the support of several of Britain's leading stables, resulted in the bank holiday meeting attracting just 34 runners to its six races, one of which will be a walkover for the Dunnett-trained Southwark Newsboy in the concluding 1m maiden.

With total added prize-money of £18,600 – more than £5,000 less than available at the corresponding meeting in 200, which itself became the victim of an owners' boycott – a number of trainers opted to withdraw their support, either by not making an entry or not declaring, to show their disapproval of Northern Racing's management of the course.

Haggas said: “Many trainers are pretty disappointed with the way Yarmouth is going and a lot of my friends in Newmarket didn't want to show any support for this fixture. Unfortunately, some
of the smaller trainers felt that they should be running their horses. The majority of trainers
have had enough of it. Prize-money is a huge issue for owners and trainers. Newmarket classes Yarmouth as its nursery. We want to look after the place and race there but they are continually downgrading the programme and we've had enough. I'm disappointed somebody declared in the maiden because everyone said they wouldn't, but somebody broke ranks. I hope she is pleased to have another winner.”

The Derby-winning trainer continued: “The racecourses are getting quite powerful. Our costs go up and up. Our clients are getting more angry about it and we are racing for less and less. Somewhere, it's got to break. “I made a few phone calls to trainers and they were unstinting in their support. There is a lot of ill-feeling and Northern Racing, in particular, appear to not want to put their hands in their pockets, whatever they might say. This is not a boycott. This is a
few of us getting together and doing something, instead of talking about it.”

The maiden had attracted 22 possibles at the five-day stage, including entries from Ed Dunlop, Mark Johnston, Peter Chapple-Hyam, Clive Brittain, John Gosden, Michael Jarvis and James Fanshawe, but after the race had reopened only Dunnett had made a declaration, with a horse who has finished last on both starts.

Dunnett, who trains at Hingham, Norwich, said: “I was put under pressure not to declare and I thought long and hard about it, but my owners wanted to declare. Being my local track, I felt it was bad not to support it. I don't think the Newmarket trainers have gone about this the right
way. If they'd called a meeting before the entry stage I'd have supported it, but us small trainers had already made plans. I hope nobody bears grudges. I feel a bit like I've crossed the picket-line and that I'll be tarred and feathered when I get to Yarmouth. But I'm not going to not run him because of the politics of racing – I've got to act in the interests of my owners.”

Brittain said: “To put on an Easter Monday fixture with that prize-money beggars belief. All our staff are on double wages and the lads also have a day in lieu, so to support races under £2,000 is impossible.”

Northern Racing has put £145,000 towards Yarmouth's purses this year, to help offset a 43.6 per cent Levy Board cut in basic daily rates, but the money has been targeted at other fixtures.

Further action by trainers is not predicted, but National Trainers' Federation president Chris Wall warned racecourses to take note. “This had nothing to do with the NTF, but a lot of trainers are fairly fed up with the way things are going,” he said. “I'd expect this to be a one-off, but if any racecourse is not pulling its weight it can expect similar treatment.”

Northern Racing's group managing director Tony Kelly said: “They would appear to have picked on the meeting as an easy target in order to make a point to the racing authorities. This is particularly frustrating, given the weather forecast was already a potential deterrent for runners and racegoers. “Their action damages horseracing, makes the sport less attractive to the paying public and will mean a reduction in contributions from bookmakers to the levy. “We've invested substantially in prize-money for 2008, with a large input of executive funding to offset the shortfall from the levy. Yarmouth's complete 2008 programme is being ignored in favour of targeting this single fixture. “We'll be in touch with the trainers concerned, the National Trainers' Federation and the Horsemen's Group next week, as we do not consider this is an appropriate manner to conduct matters. In the meantime, the fixture – weather permitting – will proceed, and we'll concentrate on those who do come, as racegoers or participants.”

ENDS

Cheltenham 2008 4 day festival opens today!

Above - Gold Cup Challengers DENMAN and KAUTO STAR

The Sizzling Racing Post's great input, upside Channel4 Racing coverage, supports great back-up from all of those who's hard work has pieced this all together once again. This includes the horses and all those who's daily care working at the dangerous sharp end, with the horses is the key to the whole wonderful event. Turfcall would like to express sincere thanks to all those who make this annual festival possible.

GOSDEN TARGETING SECOND STAN JAMES 1000 GUINEAS

NEWMARKET RACECOURSES MEDIA RELEASE
embargoed until noon, Thursday, March 6, 2008

Unbeaten Sense Of Joy among entry of 74 for fillies’ Classic at HQ. Newmarket trainer John
Gosden is aiming to add a second Stan James 1000 Guineas victory to his CV with Sense Of Joy set to feature in the fillies’ Classic at Newmarket on Sunday, May 4.

Gosden, based on the Bury Road in Newmarket, won the race with Lahan in 2000. This year he is intending to send the unbeaten Sense Of Joy, who is among an initial entry of 74 – up from 70 in 2007 – for the £375,000 race, run over the NatWest Rowley Mile. Sense Of Joy broke her
maiden in emphatic fashion by making a winning debut on Newmarket’s July Course and then triumphed in the Group Three Prestige Stakes at Goodwood. She didn’t appear again in 2007 .
But her form in those two starts was impressive enough to earn a sponsor’s quote of 16/1 for the Stan James 1000 Guineas – a race which Gosden has confirmed will be her target. "She’ll
be aimed to run here in the Guineas," said Gosden. "If it suits she can run in a trial but she doesn't have to. "When she ran first time out, she was very professional and scooted up. So I don’t feel in any sense that I’ve got to get the Nell Gwyn or Fred Darling into her. "But if she is well and happy, we’ll do it. If I think she needs another week or 10 days, she’ll get it."

Gosden also pointed out that Sense Of Joy is a different type of horse to his past Guineas heroine "Lahan was a big, powerful and very masculine filly," he outlined. "This filly is very feminine - a lot more light-framed, a daintier model."

Last year’s renewal of the Stan James 1000 Guineas was won in impressive fashion by Finsceal Beo, trained by Jim Bolger. The Irishman once again looks to have a very strong hand for the Classic with both Saoirse Abu and the intriguing Lush Lashes among his entry of six.
Saoirse Abu has impeccable credentials, having landed two Group One contests as a juvenile. She won the National Stakes and also the Moyglare Stud Stakes in 2007 and is a 16/1 shot with Stan James.

The unexposed Lush Lashes won a million euros on her only start in the Goffs Fillies Million - and is as short as 14/1 with Stan James for the 1000 Guineas. Assessing the pair, Bolger said:
"Saoirse Abu has wintered well and is well forward. She looks on target for the 1000 Guineas on May 4 "The 1000 Guineas is also the target for Lush Lashes. She would have a Guineas trial beforehand, although I am not sure where that would be at the moment. "The ground will
determine where we go with her as we would not want it to be too soft. Apart from that we wouldn't mind. "She has wintered well and seems a much stronger filly this year – as you would expect." The entries include 19 hopefuls from Ireland, eight from France and five from Dubai.
Aidan O’Brien has more contenders entered in the first fillies’ Classic of the season than any other trainer. The Ballydoyle maestro was successful in 2005 with Virginia Waters and he has seven engaged this time, headed by Ascot’s Group One Fillies’ Mile heroine and winter favourite
Listen. The O’Brien contingent includes Newmarket’s Group Two seriousquitters.co.uk Rockfel Stakes winner Kitty Matchem who defeated her once-raced stablemate Psalm at Naas in October. Savethisdanceforme landed a Listed contest at the Curragh in October, having finished fourth in the Group One Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp, while Leopardstown maiden winner Halfway To Heaven, a daughter of the top-class mare Cassandra Go, is also a potential contender.

Ger Lyons has entered Group Two Queen Mary Stakes winner Elletelle, while Dermot Weld has engaged Group One Prix Marcel Boussac and Moyglare Stud Stakes third Mad About You as well as Campfire Glow who defeated Listen in the Group Two Ballygallon Stud Debutante Stakes at the Curragh in August.

There is a strong French contingent with Alain de Royer Dupre having entered the unbeaten Zarkava, a brilliant winner of the Group One Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp for the Aga Khan.

The Pascal Bary-trained Natagora rattled off four straight wins in France last summer and has already tasted success on the NatWest Rowely Mile, having brilliantly captured the Group One skybet.com Cheveley Park Stakes on October 5.

Jean Claude Rouget is becoming an ever more familiar force in major races and he has engaged five fillies, including Group Three Finnforest Oh So Sharp Stakes runner-up Step Softly.

The home challenge includes the unbeaten James Fanshawe-trained Spacious, who was half a length superior to Kotsi in the Group Two May Hill Stakes at Doncaster in September.

The powerful Godolphin string, which took the prize in 1998 with Cape Verdi and again four years later with Kazzia, has four entries. The pick of trainer Saeed bin Suroor’s quartet is Laureldean Gale, runner-up in the Group Three Prix du Calvados at Deauville in August but no match for Zarkava at Longchamp.

Mick Channon is seeking a first win in the Classic and he has a classy trio entered, comprising of Nijoom Dubai, winner of the Group Three Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, Group Two Jaguar Cars Lowther Stakes heroine Nahoodh and Group Three C L Weld Park Stakes winner Eva’s Request.
Sir Michael Stoute has taken the prestigious Classic twice, most recently with the brilliant Russian Rhythm, and the master of Freemason Lodge has three entries this year including Visit, winner of the Group Three Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot.

Trainer John Dunlop and owner Hamdan Al Maktoum teamed up for Stan James 1000 Guineas glory in 1990 and 1991 with Salsabil and Shadayid, respectively. The pair have the unbeaten Listed winner Muthabara, while the owner also has Makaaseb in the care of Michael Jarvis, who won the prize in 2001 with Ameerat.

Clive Brittain knows what it takes to prepare a filly for Stan James 1000 Guineas glory, having saddled Pebbles and Sayyedati to success, and he has entered Group Three skybet.com Sweet Solera Stakes winner Albabilia and Listed UAE Oaks runner-up Love Of Dubai.

Spinning Lucy, winner of the EBF Bosra Sham Stakes at Newmarket in November, York Listed winner Janina and Rockfel Stakes third Royal Confidence could represent Barry Hills, who was successful with Enstone Spark in 1978 and went close with Maids Causeway in 2005.

UAE trainer Erwan Charpy has entered Unilateral, winner of the Group Three Laundry Cottage Stud Firth Of Clyde Stakes at Ayr when trained by Bryan Smart.

Charlie McCann, head of PR for Stan James, said: "In last year’s Stan James 1000 Guineas Finsceal Beo ran The Rowley Mile faster than any filly or colt in the history of either of Newmarket’s two famous Classics. While we are unlikely to get another record-breaking performance on May 4, the 1000 Guineas promises to be another wonderful renewal."

Stan James 1000 Guineas betting: 6 Listen, 13/2 Spacious, 8 Zarkava, 12 Natagora, 14 Lush Lashes, 16 Saoirse Abu, 16 Laureldean Gale, 16 Sense Of Joy. 20/1 bar

For further information, please contact Tony Rushmer at Newmarket Racecourses on 01638 663482 or 07702 579 382; Email: tony.rushmer@jockeyclubracecourses.com.

or Newmarket’s Director of Racing, Michael Prosser, on 01638 675504 or (m) 07802 844 578. Email: michael.prosser@jockeyclubracecourses.com

BREAKDOWN OF ENTRIES BY TRAINER WITH PAST SUCCESSES IN THE STAN JAMES 1000 GUINEAS

7 Entries
Aidan O’Brien IRE (2005 Virginia Waters)
6 Entries
Jim Bolger IRE (2007 Finsceal Beo)
5 Entries
Jean-Claude Rouget FR
4 Entries
John Gosden (2000 Lahan)
Saeed bin Suroor UAE (1998 Cape Verdi, 2002 Kazzia)
3 Entries
Mick Channon
Barry Hills (1978 Enstone Spark)
Jeremy Noseda
Sir Michael Stoute (1989 Musical Bliss, 2003 Russian Rhythm)
Dermot Weld IRE
2 Entries
Clive Brittain (1984 Pebbles, 1993 Sayyedati)
John Dunlop (1980 Quick As Lightning, 1990 Salsabil, 1991 Shadayid)
Richard Hannon
Michael Jarvis (2001 Ameerat)
Brian Meehan
Marcus Tregoning
1 Entry
Pascal Bary FR
Michael Bell
Paul Blockley
Marco Botti
Peter Chapple-Hyam
Roger Charlton
Erwan Charpy UAE
Clive Cox
Tom Dascombe
Harry Dunlop
Alain de Royer Dupre FR
Richard Fahey
James Fanshawe
Richard Gibson FR
Rae Guest
Ger Lyons IRE
Rod Millmam
John Murphy IRE
Kevin Ryan
Alan Swinbank
David Wachman IRE

THE STAN JAMES 1000 GUINEAS
Class 1, Group One, £375,000 total prize fund, Newmarket, Sunday, May 6, 2008. For three-year-old fillies. Entries closed March 4, entries revealed March 6 ( 74 entries). First forfeit stage noon, April 22. Supplementary entries pay £30,000 by noon, April 28. Final declarations to be made by 10.00am, Friday, May 2. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Wednesday, March 5.
Form Horse Owner Trainer
41140-0 ALBABILIA (IRE) Saif Ali Clive Brittain
122052- ANOSTI Theobalds Stud Kevin Ryan
(2)(1)0- BASTAKIYA (IRE) H R H Princess Haya of Jordan John Gosden
BRAMAPUTRA (IRE) Mette Campbell-Andenaes Rod Millman
124420- BROKEN APPLAUSE (IRE) Rob Lloyd Racing Limited Richard Fahey
CAMPFIRE GLOW (IRE) Dr Ronan Lambe Dermot Weld IRE
1- CAPE AMBER (IRE) Five Horses Ltd Peter Chapple-Hyam
32- CHARLOTTE BRONTE Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor David Wachman IRE
1- CHINESE WHITE (IRE) Lady O'Reilly Dermot Weld IRE
11- CLASSIC LEGEND Moira McNamara Brian Meehan
32- DESERT CHILL (USA) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE
1205- DON'T FORGET FAITH (USA) Simon Hope & S Barrow Clive Cox
(1)26- DREAM DAY Robert Barnett Richard Hannon
311336- ELLETELLE (IRE) Jesse Club Syndicate Ger Lyons IRE
(1)(4)5301- EVA'S REQUEST (IRE) Liam Mulryan Mick Channon
615- FESTIVALE (IRE) Prince A A Faisal John Dunlop
10243- FESTOSO (IRE) Prince A A Faisal Harry Dunlop
0451- FRANCESCA D'GORGIO (USA) Sir Robert Ogden Jeremy Noseda
GAUDETE (USA) Jackie Bolger Jim Bolger IRE
1112- GIPSON DESSERT (USA) Ecurie I M Fares Jean Claude Rouget FR
GULCH'S ROSE (USA) Tom Ludt Jeremy Noseda
21- HALFWAY TO HEAVEN (IRE) Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
(5)6- ICE QUEEN (IRE) Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
1- INFALLIBLE Cheveley Park Stud John Gosden
116- JANINA Hamdan Al Maktoum Barry Hills
44011- KITTY MATCHAM (IRE) Diane Nagle & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
LA COVETA (IRE) Wendy English Brian Meeha
LADDIES POKER TWO (IRE) Ladbrokes International Ltd Jeremy Noseda
324121- LADY DEAUVILLE (FR) P J Hughes Developments Ltd Paul Blockley
LAUGHTER (IRE) Highclere Thoroughbred Racing(Petrushka) Sir Michael Stoute
120- LAURELDEAN GALE (USA) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE
(2)0(1)- LILLE IDA Mette Campbell-Andenaes Marcus Tregoning
1221- LISTEN (IRE) Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
416-(6)(3)(2) LOVE OF DUBAI (USA) Mohammed Al Shafar Clive Brittain
1- LUSH LASHES Jackie Bolger Jim Bolger IRE
1233- MAD ABOUT YOU (IRE) Moyglare Stud Farms Ltd Dermot Weld IRE
10- MAKAASEB (USA) Hamdan Al Maktoum Michael Jarvis
131- MAX ONE TWO THREE (IRE) Andrew Black Tom Dascombe
4- MELODRAMATIC (IRE) Bjorn Nielsen Roger Charlton
1- MICHITA (USA) Stonerside Stable LLC John Gosden
MISS BROWN TO YOU (IRE) Bill Gredley Michael Bell
16- MISTRESS GREELEY (USA) Renata Jacobs Sir Michael Stoute
11- MUTHABARA (IRE) Hamdan Al Maktoum John Dunlop
000005- MYSTICAL LADY (IRE) Anne-Marie O'Brien Aidan O'Brien IRE
031- NAHOODH (IRE) Jaber Abdullah Mick Channon
111121- NATAGORA (FR) Stefan Friborg Pascal Bary FR
231- NIJOOM DUBAI Jaber Abdullah Mick Channon
5510- PRIMA LUCE (IRE) Jackie Bolger Jim Bolger IRE
2- PSALM (IRE) Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
1331- RAYMI COYA (CAN) Claudio Pizarro Marco Botti
4- RED DUNE (IRE) Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum Michael Jarvis
412- RINTERVAL (IRE) Fergus Jones Richard Hannon
1154- ROSA GRACE E Duggan Rae Guest
521143- ROYAL CONFIDENCE Derek James Barry Hills
14- SALINGERS STAR (IRE) Hokey Cokey Partnership Alan Swinbank
4(1)- SAN SICHARIA (IRE) Marc de Chambure Jean Claude Rouget FR
253113- SAOIRSE ABU (USA) Ennistown Stud Jim Bolger IRE
340(1)41- SAVETHISDANCEFORME (IRE) Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
1- SCREEN STAR (IRE) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE
SEFROUA (USA) Nelson Radwan Jean Claude Rouget FR
11- SENSE OF JOY Khalid Abdulla John Gosden
21- SHABIBA (USA) Hamdan Al Maktoum Marcus Tregoning
0- SIYASA (USA) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor UAE
20(1)650- SOLAS NA GREINE (IRE) Jackie Bolger Jim Bolger IRE
11- SPACIOUS Cheveley Park Stud James Fanshawe
320311- SPINNING LUCY (IRE) Steve Jenkins Barry Hills
1162- STEP SOFTLY Joseph Allen Jean Claude Rouget FR
21- TOIRNEACH (USA) G Seoige Jim Bolger IRE
302233- TUSCAN EVENING (IRE) John Murphy John Murphy IRE
213310- UNILATERAL (IRE) Prime Equestrian Erwan Charpy UAE
13- VERBA (FR) Eduard Mordukhovitch Richard Gibson FR
21D0- VISIT Khalid Abdulla Sir Michael Stoute
1- WEDGE (USA) Ecurie I M Fares Jean Claude Rouget FR
11- ZARKAVA (IRE) H H Aga Khan Alain de Royer Dupre FR

74 Entries
19 Irish-trained
8 French-trained
5 UAE-trained

THE 2008 GODOLPHIN SEVEN STARS COMPETITION

GODOLPHIN MEDIA RELEASE

for immediate release, Saturday, March 1, 2008


The Godolphin Seven Stars, the greatest free-to-enter competition in the racing world, is now open for entries.

The entry period for the 2008 competition started today, March 1 and closes at 23.59hrs on Friday, March 28 (Dubai time).

With a tremendous first prize of US$50,000 and a luxury holiday for two to the 2009 Dubai World Cup, as well as US$25,000 for the runner-up and US$15,000 for the third plus four individual Challenge prizes of $7,000 each, there is every incentive to enter the 2008 Godolphin Seven Stars.

Following the exciting new format seen last year, entrants have to choose 14 Godolphin horses, seven of whom are active at any one time.

Entrants are able to swap horses within their 14-horse squad during designated "Swap Windows" three times in 2008.

The seven active Godolphin horses earn points according to their performances on racecourses around the globe, while each of the other seven remains dormant until called upon.

The first day for the Godolphin horses selected to earn points is Saturday, March 29, for the Dubai World Cup meeting and final day is Sunday, December 14, 2008.

Changes can be made during any of the three swap windows. The first window opens at 00.00hrs on Sunday, May 25 and closes at 23.59hrs on Saturday, May 31. The second opens at 00.00hrs on Friday, July 25 and closes at 23.59hrs on Thursday, July 31, while the final swap stage commences at 00.00hrs on Wednesday, September 24 and ends at 23.59hrs on Tuesday, September 30 (all times are Dubai time).

Points earned during each of the four Challenge phases are not carried forward to the next Challenge but all points gained contribute to the running total that will determine the overall Godolphin Seven Stars winner plus the second and third.

The first Challenge stage is from Saturday, March 29, to Saturday, May 31. Challenge Two commences on Sunday, June 1, and ends on Thursday, July 31, while Challenge Three runs from Friday, August 1, until Tuesday, September 30. The fourth and final Challenge starts on Wednesday, October 1, and finishes on Sunday, December 14.

Only one list of 14 horses per person can be accepted and, in the event of a tie, the entry which was made first will win the 2008 Godolphin Seven Stars first prize.

Racing novices may wish to make a Lucky Dip entry, where the computer will select 14 Godolphin horses.

Entrants are encouraged to follow the thrilling competition throughout the year on http://www.godolphin.com/, while email alerts will be sent out whenever an active horse is declared to run and when horses gain points.

As befits the most international of all racing stables, the Godolphin Seven Stars appeals to people all around the world, with the first prize going to entrants from Cyprus (2007), Sri Lanka (2006), Uruguay (2005), Britain (2004 and 2000), Dubai (2003), Australia (2002) and France (2001).

There were entries from over 150 countries last year.

For more information, please contact Sue Durcan, the Godolphin Website Manager, in Dubai on +971 4 3185555, email info@godolphin.com or go to http://www.godolphin.com/