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EPSOM DOWNS 13 DECLARED TO RUN IN THE DERBY ON SATURDAY JUNE 4th 2011

2011-06-02T11:14:00.000-07:00

13 DECLARED RUNNERS FOR THE INVESTEC DERBY

Carlton House, the Queen’s horse, is one of 13 declared runners for the premier Classic, the Investec Derby, which takes place at Epsom Downs at 4pm on Saturday, June 4.

The three-year-old Street Cry colt is an intended runner in the 12-furlong Group One worth £1,250,000 after picking up a slight injury earlier this week.

He exercised over four furlongs at Newmarket this morning and connections are waiting to see how his near-fore joint, which slightly swelled up on Monday evening, reacts.

Trained by Sir Michael Stoute, Carlton House was the ready winner of the best Investec Derby trial, the totesport Dante Stakes, at York on May 12.

The Queen has had nine runners in the Derby, coming closest with the first of them, Aureole, who finished second to Pinza in 1953. She has been at Epsom Downs for Derby Day in the great majority of years since then.

Carlton House, due to be ridden by Ryan Moore who was successful last year in both the Investec Derby (Workforce) and Investec Oaks (Snow Fairy), is the 7/4 favourite with William Hill, the official betting partner for the Investec Derby Festival.

The Andre Fabre-trained Pour Moi, who ran a good trial when the decisive winner of the Group Two Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud on May 7, is next in William Hill’s market at 7/2. The colt worked pleasingly under big-race jockey Mickael Barzalona at Epsom Downs last week during Breakfast With The Stars. He is Fabre’s first Investec Derby runner since 2006.

The other French runner is Vadamar (16/1), trained by Alain de Royer Dupre for the Aga Khan. He also ran in the Prix Greffulhe and finished third after starting the odds-on favourite, staying on without getting to Pour Moi over 10 furlongs.

Ireland’s champion trainer, Aidan O’Brien, has four runners, headed by Recital (5/1), the mount of Kieren Fallon, who won the Group Three Derrinstown Stud Trial by a length and a half from Memphis Tennessee (20/1) at Leopardstown on May 8, while Seville (13/2), second to Carlton House in the totesport Dante, and Treasure Beach (25/1), who took the Group Three Chester Vase over the Derby distance by a head from Nathaniel on May 5, complete the team.

O’Brien, interviewed this afternoon on At The Races, said it would be very hard to pick between his four runners because it was difficult to judge how far they have come on from their last races and added: “I would probably pick the wrong one.

“The Derby is an unbelievably special race - it is the ultimate test of a thoroughbred. We are just so lucky to have some horses to run in it.”

Godolphin relies on the Mahmood Al Zarooni-trained Ocean War (16/1), unbeaten in two starts this year, and Frankie Dettori takes the mount.

The Ed Dunlop-trained Native Khan (10/1) has Classic form, having finished third to Frankel in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas over a mile at Newmarket on April 30. He too gained experience of Epsom Downs at Breakfast With The Stars, and has to tackle an extra half-mile in the Investec Derby with Johnny Murtagh up.

John Gosden’s runner is Masked Marvel (25/1), the three-length winner of the Listed IBA Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood on May 18.

The Dante third Pisco Sour (100/1) is a first Investec Derby runner for trainer Hughie Morrison who has booked Jimmy Fortune to ride.

The other two Investec Derby hopefuls are outsiders Marhaba Malyoon (200/1) and Castlemorris King (500/1).

GOING NEWS - THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2011

The going is GOOD at Epsom Downs and that will be the ground description tomorrow morning for the first day of Investec Derby Festival.

Watering has continued today on parts of the course with Andrew Cooper, Director of Racing and Clerk of the Course at Epsom Downs, making sure that the ground is consistent throughout.

He said: "We are putting on two to three millimetres of water over parts of the course to balance things up. The watering will be completed by the end of the afternoon.

"There is plenty of moisture in the ground and, though the course will dry in the good weather, we hope to start Saturday on going that is no worse than good, good to firm in places.

"The course is in great shape and it walks quite even and consistent. The grass cover is good and the going is slightly better than for the start of the meeting last year.

"We watered during the meeting for the first time last year. I would prefer not to do that this year but we will see how the ground rides tomorrow before making a final decision."

The GoingStick reading at 7am this morning was 7.8 (Home Straight Stands' Side 8.1, Far Side 7.8).

The inside rail tomorrow (Friday, June 3) will be dolled out five yards from the mile pole to the six-furlong marker.

From the five-furlong pole to the winning post, the inside rail will be dolled out by up to 5 yards. This will add 10 yards to race distances.

The forecast is for dry and increasingly warm weather, with temperatures in the low to mid 20s tomorrow and on Saturday.

THE 2011 INVESTEC DERBY DECLARED RUNNERS

Class 1, Group 1, £1,250,000 Total Prize Fund, 4.00pm, Epsom Downs, Saturday, June 4, 2011. For three-year-olds only, entire colts & fillies, one mile, four furlongs and 10 yards. Entries closed December 1, 2009 (444 entries). First scratchings deadline noon, March 1, 2011 (125 remained), £8,000 secondary entry stage noon, April 5, 2011 (12 extra entries received), second scratchings deadline noon, May 19, 2011 (22 remained), £75,000 supplementary entry & five-day confirmation stage, noon, May 30, 2011, (17 confirmed) final declaration stage 10am, June 2, 2011 (13 declared runners).

No./Form Horse Owner Trainer/Jockey/Draw

1) 21-1 CARLTON HOUSE (USA) The Queen Sir Michael Stoute/Ryan Moore (13)

2) 0560-5 CASTLEMORRIS KING (v) Charles O'Connell Michael Attwater/Mark Coumbe (11)

3) 1-6 MARHABA MALYOON (IRE) Ahmad Al Shaikh David Simcock/Jamie Spencer (8)

4) 16-51 MASKED MARVEL Bjorn Nielsen John Gosden/William Buick (5)

5) 5(1)-2 MEMPHIS TENNESSEE (IRE) Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith Aidan O’Brien IRE/Joseph O’Brien (6)

6) 114-13 NATIVE KHAN (FR) Ibrahim Araci Ed Dunlop/Johnny Murtagh (3)

7) 5-11 OCEAN WAR Godolphin Mahmood Al Zarooni/Frankie Dettori (10)

8) 0(1)120-3 PISCO SOUR (USA) Michael Kerr-Dineen Hughie Morrison/Jimmy Fortune (1)

9) 01-31 POUR MOI (IRE) Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith Andre Fabre FR/Mickael Barzalona (7)

10) 11-31 RECITAL (FR) Sue Magnier/Michael Tabor/Derrick Smith/Eduard Mordukhovich Aidan O’Brien IRE/Kieren Fallon (4)

11) 212-2 SEVILLE (GER) Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE/Christophe Soumillon (2)

12) 21123-1 TREASURE BEACH Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE/Colm O’Donoghue (12)

13) 61-13 VADAMAR (FR) H H Aga Khan Alain de Royer Dupre FR/Christophe Lemaire (9)

13 declared runners

4 Irish-trained

2 French-trained

CARLTON HOUSE The Queen-9 Sir Michael Stoute-34 Ryan Moore-5

CASTLEMORRIS KING Charles O'Connell-0 Michael Attwater-0 Mark Coumbe-0

MARHABA MALYOON Ahmad Al Shaikh-0 David Simcock-0 Jamie Spencer-7

MASKED MARVEL Bjorn Nielsen-2 John Gosden-13 William Buick-1

MEMPHIS TENNESSEE Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith-6 Aidan O’Brien IRE-44 Joseph O’Brien-0

NATIVE KHAN Ibrahim Araci-0 Ed Dunlop-2 Johnny Murtagh-14

OCEAN WAR Godolphin-23 Mahmood Al Zarooni-2 Frankie Dettori-18

PISCO SOUR Michael Kerr-Dineen-0 Hughie Morrison-0 Jimmy Fortune-6

POUR MOI Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith-6 Andre Fabre FR-9 Mickael Barzalona-0

RECITAL Sue Magnier/Michael Tabor/Derrick Smith/Eduard Mordukhovich-1 Aidan O’Brien IRE-44 Kieren Fallon-10

SEVILLE Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier-7 Aidan O’Brien IRE-44 Christophe Soumillon-3

TREASURE BEACH Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor-8 Aidan O’Brien IRE-44Colm O’Donoghue-4

VADAMAR (FR) H H Aga Khan-11 Alain de Royer Dupre FR-1 Christophe Lemaire-0

For further information please contact:

Rupert Trevelyan, Managing Director at Epsom Downs Racecourse, on 01372 726311

Andrew Cooper, Director of Racing at Epsom Downs Racecourse, on 07774 230850

Johnno Spence at JSC Sport on 07860 583307

BAKER'S DOZEN FOR INVESTIC OAKS FRIDAY 3rd JUNE 2011 4.05pm

2011-06-01T09:52:00.000-07:00

“WE HAVE EVERY CHANCE” SAYS BLUE BUNTING’S TRAINER

MAHMOOD AL ZAROONI

FIVE GO IN INVESTEC CORONATION CUP

Final declarations have been made today for the two Group One contests on day one, Investec Ladies’ Day, of the 2011 Investec Derby Festival at Epsom Downs on Friday, June 3 - the £325,000 Investec Oaks (4.05pm) and the £250,000 Investec Coronation Cup (2.45pm).

Both contests take place over one mile, four furlongs and both form part of the QIPCO British Champions’ Series.

Godolphin’s Blue Bunting is one of 13 set to line up in the fillies’ Classic, the Investec Oaks, and will attempt to become the first horse since Kazzia, who also raced for Godolphin, to complete the QIPCO 1000 Guineas/Investec Oaks double.

She is the 2/1 favourite with William Hill, official betting partner of the Investec Derby Festival, and will be partnered by Frankie Dettori who is seeking a fourth Investec Oaks success.

Mahmood Al Zarooni, trainer of Blue Bunting, revealed today: “Blue Bunting is doing very well and she has improved since her victory at Newmarket.

“The most surprising thing about her winning the QIPCO 1000 Guineas was that she coped so well with the ground. Her two wins last season came on a softer surface and we were a little concerned about how she would run on faster going, but Blue Bunting showed that she is a classy and versatile filly.

“We have always regarded her as a nice filly and she made most of the running twice as a juvenile and it’s hard to do that, especially over a straight mile at Newmarket.

“We decided to try and shield her in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas and let her finish the race to try and get placed. They went a good pace and the strong wind made it very difficult for the horses at the front, which also played to her stamina.

“I think that the best thing to do on Friday will be to drop her in at first. It takes her a long time to get going in her races - we saw that at Newmarket, when she was outpaced at the start but started to get going in the second half of the race.

“The course is a bit of an unknown but she is a well-balanced filly and I am hopeful that she can cope with the track. It won’t be easy to win but she is a classy filly and has already won a Classic.

“She has the best jockey riding her and we have every chance of winning another big race.”

The strongest challenge to Blue Bunting’s quest for a second Classic would appear to come from the Aidan O’Brien stable. The Irish champion trainer is set to saddle four runners, including Wonder Of Wonders (4/1 second favourite with William Hill), winner of the Listed Cheshire Oaks last time out, and Misty For Me (13/2), who also brings Classic form into the race having landed the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh on May 22. Completing the Ballydoyle quartet are Eirnin (100/1), who will provide a first British Classic ride for the trainer’s son Joseph, and Why (50/1). A fifth Irish-trained runner is Siren’s Song (20/1) from the Jessica Harrington stable, who was last seen out when taking a Listed contest at Navan on April 17.

Sir Michael Stoute will saddle Havant (11/2), the mount of Ryan Moore, who finished a staying-on sixth behind Blue Bunting in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas, while the only unbeaten filly going into Friday’s contest is Zain Al Boldan (10/1), victorious in the Listed Oaks Trial at Lingfield on May 7, who will be aiming to give trainer Mick Channon a first Classic success. Channon will also be represented by outsider Fork Handles (100/1).

Owner Benny Andersson, best known as one of the members of 1970s supergroup ABBA, has a decent chance with Beatrice Aurore (14/1), who was the ready winner of the Listed Height Of Fashion Stakes at Goodwood on May 18.

Izzi Top (33/1) and Dancing Rain (14/1) occupied the first two places in the Listed Swettenham Stud Fillies' Trial Stakes at Newbury on May 13, while the field is completed by Blaise Chorus (100/1), runner-up to Wonder Of Wonders at Chester.

ST NICHOLAS ABBEY AND MIDDAY AMONG FIVE

FOR INVESTEC CORONATION CUP

St Nicholas Abbey was the winter favourite for the 2010 Investec Derby following his spectacular success in the 2009 Racing Post Trophy but unfortunately he never made it to Epsom Downs. However, on Friday he finally gets the chance to run over the unique course in the Investec Coronation Cup for which he is one of five declared runners.

The four-year-old Montjeu colt, who will be partnered by Ryan Moore, finished third on his reappearance at the Curragh in April before putting up an eye-catching display in the Group Three Ormonde Stakes at Chester on May 6, when he scored by an impressive nine lengths. Trained by Aidan O’Brien, who has landed four of the past six renewals of the Investec Coronation Cup, he is the 10/11 favourite with William Hill.

Midday (13/8 with William Hill) found only Sariska a head too strong in the 2009 Investec Oaks and has gone on to register five successes at Group/Grade One level. Trained by Henry Cecil, the five-year-old mare is set to take on male opposition for the first time since April, 2009, when she chased home Debussy in the Blue Riband Trial Stakes at Epsom Downs.

Trainer James Given is doubly represented with recent Group Two QIPCO Jockey Club Stakes victor Dandino (7/1) and Indian Days (20/1), who finished third behind his stablemate in that Newmarket contest on April 30.

Completing the line-up is another mare in Clowance (20/1), who finished fourth in the 2008 Investec Oaks and will be making her seasonal reappearance for Derby-winning trainer Roger Charlton. The six-year-old daughter of Montjeu is in foal to Oasis Dream.

GROUND

The going at Epsom Downs is currently:

GOOD

Andrew Cooper, Director of Racing and Clerk of the Course at Epsom Downs, said today: “The going remains good overall at Epsom Downs, with slightly faster ground on the sprint course.

“Our plan for today is to water the entire course and we will be applying between two and three millimetres of irrigation. We will then assess the situation later today.”

The GoingStick reading at 7.00am today was 7.8 overall. The forecast is for dry and warm weather.

For further information please contact:

Rupert Trevelyan, Managing Director at Epsom Downs Racecourse, on 01372 726311

Andrew Cooper, Director of Racing at Epsom Downs Racecourse, on 07774 230850

Johnno Spence at JSC Sport on 07860 583307

THE 2011 INVESTEC OAKS

Class 1, Group 1, £325,000 Total Prize Fund. 4.05pm, Epsom Downs, Friday, June 3, 2011. For three-year-old fillies only. One mile, four furlongs and 10 yards. Weights: 9st each. Entries closed March 15, entries revealed March 17 (93 entries). Scratchings deadline noon, May 19, 2011 (25 remained). £20,000 supplementary entry stage and six-day confirmation stage May 28 (16 confirmations), final declaration stage 10.00am, June 1 (13 declared runners). Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and include the racing up to and including Tuesday, May 31. May not include some overseas form.

Form Horse Owner Trainer

1) 01-511 BEATRICE AURORE (IRE) Benny Andersson John Dunlop/Ted Durcan

2) (2)(3)2 BLAISE CHORUS (IRE) John Deer Barry Hills/Michael Hills

3) 211-1 BLUE BUNTING (USA) Godolphin Mahmood Al Zarooni/Frankie Dettori

4) 2-12 DANCING RAIN (IRE) M & L Taylor William Haggas/Johnny Murtagh

5) 001-00 EIRNIN (IRE) Annemarie O'Brien/Sue Magnier/Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE/Joseph O’Brien

6) 14034-3 FORK HANDLES Dr Marwan Koukash Mick Channon/Jamie Spencer

7) 11-6 HAVANT James & Anita Wigan Sir Michael Stoute/Ryan Moore

8) 2-131 IZZI TOP Helena Springfield Ltd John Gosden/William Buick

9) 01211-01 MISTY FOR ME (IRE) Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE/Seamie Heffernan

10) 21 SIREN'S SONG (IRE) Juliet Cooper Jessica Harrington IRE/Fran Berry

11) 4410-60 WHY (IRE) Magnier/Tabor/Smith/Niarchos Family Aidan O'Brien IRE/Mickael Barzalona

12) 2-011 WONDER OF WONDERS (USA) Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE/Kieren Fallon

13) 1-11 ZAIN AL BOLDAN Jaber Abdullah Mick Channon/Sam Hitchcott

13 declared runners

5 Irish-trained

THE 2011 INVESTEC CORONATION CUP

Group One, £250,000 Total Prize Fund. 2.45pm, Epsom Downs, Friday, June 3, 2011. For four-year-olds and upwards, one mile, four furlongs and 10 yds. Weights; colts and geldings 9st; fillies 8st 11lb. Entries closed April 5, entries revealed April 6 (27 entries), scratchings deadline May 17 (15 remained), six-day confirmation & £20,000 supplementary stage May 28 (7 confirmations), final declaration stage 10.00am, June 1 (5 declared runners). Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Tuesday, May 31. May not include some overseas form.

Form Horse Age/Wt Owner Trainer/Jockey

1) 1200-11 DANDINO 4-9-00 Elite Racing Club James Given/Paul Mulrennan

2) 1160-13 INDIAN DAYS 6-9-00 David Fish James Given/Paul Hanagan

3) 11/6-31 ST NICHOLAS ABBEY (IRE) 4-9-00 Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE/Ryan Moore

4) 4/24/010- CLOWANCE 6-8-11 Seasons Holidays Roger Charlton/Richard Hughes

5) 21112-1 MIDDAY 5-8-11 Khalid Abdulla Henry Cecil/Tom Queally

5 declared runners

1 Irish-trained

END

15 GO FORWARD FOR THE QIPCO 2000 GUINEAS ON SATURDAY (APRIL 30th 2011) NEWMARKET ROWLEY MILE

2011-04-26T07:11:00.000-07:00

15 GO FORWARD FOR QIPCO 2000 GUINEAS

The unbeaten Henry Cecil-trained Frankel is set to be the hottest favourite for the QIPCO 2000 Guineas on Saturday since Nijinsky won the Newmarket Classic at 4/7 41 years ago.

Frankel, plus his pacemaker Rerouted, are the among the 15 horses confirmed at today’s five-day stage for the first British Classic of the season over the Rowley Mile on 30thApril.

The colt, owned and bred by Khalid Abdulla, impressed on his seasonal return in the Group Three Greenham Stakes at Newbury earlier this month and will be his trainer’s first runner in the Classic since 2000 as Cecil seeks his third triumph in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas, following on from Bolkonski (1975) and Wollow (1976).

Frankel shared the accolade of being the champion European two-year-old of 2010 after his excellent Group One Dubai Dewhurst Stakes win at Newmarket in October.

His main challengers are set to be Pathfork, also unbeaten and trained in Ireland by Jessica Harrington, Roderick O’Connor, one of three colts going forward for Ireland’s champion trainer Aidan O’Brien (also Alexander Pope and Master Of Hounds), and Ed Dunlop-trained Native Khan, who landed the Group Three Breeze Up Vendors Craven Stakes over the course and distance at Newmarket on 14th April.

Godolphin could have two QIPCO 2000 Guineas runners, Group One Racing Post Trophy hero Casamento who is handled by in-form Mahmood Al Zarooni and the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Group Two Champagne Stakes victor Saamidd.

Eoghan O’Neill, who trains in France, has left in Broox, fourth to Dream Ahead in the Group One Darley Prix Morny in August, while Fury is unbeaten in two starts for trainer William Haggas, the latest of which came in the £500,000 Tattersalls Millions 2YO Trophy on the Rowley Mile in October.

The Richard Hannon-trained Dubawi Gold has landed a pair of Listed races this year, while the others still engaged are Happy Today, Loving Spirit and Slim Shadey.

23 TARGET QIPCO 1000 GUINEAS

INCLUDING SUPPLEMENTARY ENTRY BAREFOOT LADY

ANDREW BALDING AND HIGHCLERE THOROUGHBRED RACING HAVE HIGH HOPES FOR CLASSIC SUCCESS IN THE QIPCO 1000 GUINEAS WITH
I LOVE ME AND MEMORY RESPECTIVELY.

I Love Me, successful in a Tattersalls sales race on her debut last year, finished a close third behind Cape Dollar and Cochabamba in the seven-furlong Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket on October 16 last year and she will be returning to action in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas on Sunday, 1st May.

Trainer Andrew Balding is looking forward to running the Cape Cross filly, with Jimmy Fortune up, in the fillies’ Classic which has 23 going forward after today’s six-day stage, including the Richard Fahey trained Barefoot Lady who was supplemented today at a cost of £30,000, having won the seven-furlong Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket on 13th April.

Balding said today: “I Love Me has a fair bit to find on form but she has improved over the winter and a mile is right for her.

“She is working well and looking great. I am very happy with her and Jimmy Fortune will ride.”

Richard Hannon will saddle Memory, winner of the Group Two Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cherry Hinton Stakes at Newmarket in July last year but only sixth to Misty For Me in the Moyglare Stud Stakes on her final start of 2010.

The three-year-old filly is owned by the Masquerade Syndicate of Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, whose managing director Harry Herbert commented today: “Memory is going really well. She had a seven-furlong gallop down the straight at Newbury a week ago and that seems to have put her right.

“She has been ticking over since and Richard Hannon was very pleased with that work and does not plan any more serious work.

“Memory is bigger and stronger than last year and much more relaxed at home. She looks fantastic and her owners, some of whom are experiencing ownership for the first time, are very excited to have a live chance in a Classic.”

Laughing Lashes, from Jessica Harrington’s County Kildare stables, defeated the Aidan O’Brien-trained Misty For Me in the Group Two Debutante Stakes at the Curragh before finding that rival a length superior when runner-up in the Group One Moyglare Stud Stakes at the same course on 29th August and they are due to clash again in the Newmarket Classic over a mile.

Also among those going forward for the QIPCO 1000 Guineas is last year’s champion juvenile filly Hooray. Sir Mark Prescott’s charge stormed to a four and a half-length victory in the Group One Adnams Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket in October.

Sir Michael Stoute has two fillies remaining, the unbeaten Group Three Sakhee Oh So Sharp Stakes winner Havant and Group Two Rockfel Stakes heroine Cape Dollar.

Godolphin handler Mahmood Al Zarooni could saddle course and distance winner Blue Bunting, successful in the Listed bet365.com EBF Montrose Fillies’ Stakes, and the unbeaten Listed Radley Stakes winner Zoowraa.

As well as Misty For Me, O’Brien has Group Three winner Empowering and Together still entered.

The French could have three runners, headed by Moonlight Cloud from the Freddy Head yard. The Invincible Spirit filly impressed when winning the Group Three Prix Imprudence on April 7 and her only career defeat came against colts when fourth to Wootton Bassett in the Group One Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp in October.

Robert Collet could run the smart Immortal Verse, while his son, Rodolphe Collet, has Listed winner Nova Hawk.

Others still in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas include Group Two Queen Mary Stakes winner Maqaasid, the Barry Hills-trained Make A Dance, well backed at fancy odds in recent days, and Group Three winner Majestic Dubawi.

LATEST GOING

Good to Firm (Good in places) (Watering as necessary)

The stands’ side course will be utilised for the QIPCO Guineas Festival.

Newmarket’s Clerk of the Course and Director of Racing Michael Prosser said this afternoon: “We put 15 millimetres of water on the course during Friday and Saturday, cut the grass today and will resume watering tomorrow, with another 15 millimetres planned to go down by Wednesday. (27 April 2011)

“The temperatures will be cooler from tomorrow until Thursday when some rain is forecast in the evening and then there could a shower or two on Friday.

“Temperatures are set to pick up again for the QIPCO Guineas Festival on Saturday and Sunday. We will reassess the ground towards the end of the week and see whether we need to water again.”

For more information please contact:

Michael Prosser, Clerk of the Course and Director of Racing, 07802 844 578

Tony Rushmer, Racing PR Manager, 07702 579 382

THE QIPCO 2000 GUINEAS (THE 203rd RUNNING)

Class 1, Group 1, Total Prize fund £350,000. Newmarket, Saturday, April 30, 2011, one mile. For three-year-olds only, entire colts and fillies. Weights: colts 9st, fillies 8st 11lb. Entries closed March 1, entries released March 3 (52 entries), Scratchings deadline noon, April 19 (20 remained). Five-day confirmation and £30,000 supplementary stage noon, April 25 (15 remain). Final declaration stage 10.00am, April 28. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up and including the racing of Monday, April 25, 2011. May not include some overseas form.

Form Horse Owner Trainer

331(1)-(6) ALEXANDER POPE (IRE) Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE

112410- BROOX (IRE) G A Lucas Eoghan O'Neill FR

1211- CASAMENTO (IRE) Godolphin Mahmood Al Zarooni

0410-(1)(1) DUBAWI GOLD Andrew Tinkler Richard Hannon

1111-1 FRANKEL Khalid Abdulla Henry Cecil

11- FURY Cheveley Park Stud William Haggas

41-2 HAPPY TODAY (USA) Jaber Abdullah Brian Meehan

12- LOVING SPIRIT P C J Dalby & R Schuster James Toller

22136-(2) MASTER OF HOUNDS (USA) Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE

114-1 NATIVE KHAN (FR) Vefa Ibrahim Araci Ed Dunlop

111- PATHFORK (USA) Silverton Hill Partnership Jessica Harrington IRE

13414-2 REROUTED (USA) Khalid Abdulla Barry Hills

3121- RODERIC O'CONNOR (IRE) Sue Magnier/Michael Tabor/Derrick Smith/Sangster Family Aidan O'Brien IRE

116- SAAMIDD Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor

561245- SLIM SHADEY Phil Cunningham Stan Moore

15 entries remain after April 25 five-day declarations

4 Irish-trained

1 French-trained

The four taken out today were (Monday 25th April 2011)

DREAM AHEAD (USA) Khalifa Dasmal David Simcock

ECLIPTIC (USA) Godolphin Mahmood Al Zarooni

NEEBRAS (IRE) Godolphin Mahmood Al Zarooni

TLAAD (USA) Saeed Manana Clive Brittain

THE QIPCO 1000 GUINEAS SUNDAY MAY 1st 2011 (THE 198th RUNNING)

Class 1, Group 1, Total Prize fund £376,500. Newmarket, Sunday, May 1, 2011, one mile. For three-year-old fillies only. Entries closed March 1, entries revealed March 3 (79 entries). Scratchings deadline noon, April 19 (30 remained). Six-day confirmation (22) 30,000 supplementary stage (1), April 25 (23 remain). Final declaration stage 10.00am, April 29. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up and including the racing of Monday, April 25, 2011. May not include some overseas form.

Form Horse Owner Trainer

1132-1 *BAREFOOT LADY Mrs H Steel Richard Fahey

211- BLUE BUNTING (USA) Godolphin Mahmood Al Zarooni

3131-0 CAPE DOLLAR (IRE) Saeed Suhail Sir Michael Stoute

(1)2262-6 COCHABAMBA (IRE) The Rat Racers Roger Teal

22-(2)0 ELSHABAKIYA (IRE) Saeed Manana Clive Brittain

0(2)(1)-1 EMPOWERING (IRE) Annemarie O'Brien Aidan O'Brien IRE

11- HAVANT James & Anita Wigan Sir Michael Stoute

0361(1)1- HOORAY Cheveley Park Stud Sir Mark Prescott Bt

153- I LOVE ME Neven Botica Andrew Balding

12-4 IMMORTAL VERSE (IRE) Richard Strauss Robert Collet FR

2-1 IZZI TOP Helena Springfield Ltd John Gosden

2212- LAUGHING LASHES (USA) Betty Moran Jessica Harrington IRE

011-6 MAJESTIC DUBAWI Jaber Abdullah Mick Channon

(0)1- MAKE A DANCE (USA) Khalid Abdulla Barry Hills

1143-3 MAQAASID Hamdan Al Maktoum John Gosden

1116- MEMORY (IRE) Highclere Thoroughbred Racing-Masquerade Richard Hannon

01211- MISTY FOR ME (IRE) Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE

(1)14-1 MOONLIGHT CLOUD George Strawbridge Freddie Head FR

01422-1 NOVA HAWK Ahmed Mouknass Rodolphe Collet FR

42(2)1-4 SHOW RAINBOW Jaber Abdullah Mick Channon

(6)210-(1) THE SHREW Bill Gredley John Gosden

134235-5 TOGETHER (IRE) Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE

11- ZOOWRAA Godolphin Mahmood Al Zarooni

*supplementary entry today

23 entries go forward at six-day supplementary entry stage

4 Irish-trained entries

3 French-trained entries

The eight taken out today were:-

LADIES ARE FOREVER Reg Bond Geoff Oldroyd

LOOK AT ME (IRE) Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE

MIXED INTENTION (IRE) J Romel Fabrice Vermeulen FR

NOVA STEP Ahmed Mouknass Francois Rohaut FR

SORAAYA (IRE) Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum Mick Channon

TRAFFIC SISTER (USA) Fitri Hay Stan Moore

WHITE MOONSTONE (USA) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor

WILD WIND (GER) Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith Aidan O'Brien IRE

END

FRANKIE DETTORI UNVEILED AS THE FACE OF THE QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPION SERIES 2011

2011-04-22T05:16:00.000-07:00

LEADING JOCKEY AND RACING CELEBRITY FRANKIE DETTORI WILL BE THE FACE OF THE NEW QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPION SERIES WHICH WILL SHOWCASE

THE BEST OF BRITISH FLAT RACING OVER THE NEXT SIX MONTHS.

FRANKIE will act as an ambassador for the 35 race series that begins on Saturday 30 April with the QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and runs throughout the summer, encompassing British racing's key festivals and culminating at QIPCO British Champions Day - the richest fixture in British racing history - at Ascot on Saturday 15 October.

As part of his ambassadorial role, Frankie will offer his unique insight into the sport of Flat racing, talking about his favourite races and courses, the jockeys and trainers to look out for throughout the Series, style tips for going racing and everything in between.

Frankie Dettori, the new face of the QIPCO British Champions Series, said: “This is a fantastic development for my sport. Linking together all the best races in Britain is going to create a real buzz and bring new fans to horse racing. British Flat racing is the best in the world and I'm sure this will help encourage fans of other sports to take an interest in ours.
“I will be giving my views on all the big races, the characters in the sport, which jockeys and trainers to look out for and what goes on behind the scenes. I can't wait to talk about the amazing courses and festivals that are part of the Series, as well as giving style and fashion tips and telling people how to get the most out of our sport.

“And most of all I'm looking forward to winning some of the QIPCO British Champions Series races myself, of course!”

Karl Oliver, Chief Executive of British Champions Series Limited, said: “Frankie is one of the most recognisable faces in British sport; he holds a unique place in the hearts of the British public and racing fans.

“With his outstanding racing pedigree and record of success, there was no one better than Frankie to be the face of the QIPCO British Champions Series. His enthusiasm for Flat racing and his infectious character make him the perfect choice of sporting celebrity to engage and excite a new audience.

“In his own inimitable style, Frankie will share his views on the great races, racecourses and characters who will light up the Series, which we hope will entertain sports fans across the country.”

The QIPCO British Champions Series is a major new premier series of British horseracing that will launch on Saturday 30 April 2011 with the QIPCO 2000 Guineas on Newmarket's Rowley Mile course and will climax at a spectacular new day in the British racing calendar called QIPCO British Champions Day, to be staged at Ascot on Saturday 15 October 2011.
The QIPCO British Champions Series will comprise five categories, namely Sprint, Mile, Middle Distance, Long Distance and Fillies and Mares. Each will feature the seven highest-rated races in that category and will showcase the very best of British Flat racing, bringing together the world's finest horses, jockeys and trainers for this series of 28 days.
Staged at the leading courses - Ascot, Doncaster, Epsom Downs, Goodwood, Haydock Park, Newbury, Newmarket's July Course, Newmarket's Rowley Mile, Sandown Park and York - the Series will encompass all British Flat racing's key festivals, including the QIPCO Guineas Festival, the Investec Derby Festival, Royal Ascot, the July Festival, Glorious Goodwood, the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival at York and the Ladbrokes St Leger Meeting.

QIPCO British Champions Day, the climax to the Series, will see the final races run in each of the five categories, including the most valuable race ever run in Britain, the £1.3m QIPCO Champion Stakes, and the most valuable mile race ever run in Europe, the £1m Queen Elizabeth II Stakes sponsored by QIPCO. This ultimate showpiece will be the richest fixture in British racing history, featuring more than £3 million in prize money.

About QIPCO Holding:
QIPCO is a private investment holding company owned by six brothers who are members of the Royal Family of Qatar. The Chief Executive is Sheikh Hamad, who together with his brothers are nephews of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar. One of the brothers, Sheikh Fahad, owns, under the umbrella of Pearl Bloodstock, 40 horses in training in Britain and Ireland.

QIPCO stands for Qatar Investment & Projects Development Holding Company (QIPCO Holding) and is one of the leading private shareholding companies in Qatar.

ESTABLISHED in 1999, QIPCO has a diverse range of interests, including real estate, construction, oil and gas, trading and services, finance, health together with joint ventures with renowned international companies, such as Siemens and Thyssenkrupp. Over time, the group has diversified itself to form individual subsidiaries, each operating independently and specialising in their fields of expertise.

For further information please contact:

Alistair Haggis, 07761 896 500

END

NEWMARKET RACECOURSES GUINEAS MEETING

2011-04-20T08:32:00.000-07:00

http://www.racingbetter.co.uk/races/newmarket/guineas_meeting.html

Guineas Festival Saturday 30th April - Sunday1st May 2011

NEWMARKET RACECOURSES MEDIA RELEASE

HARRINGTON’S QIPCO GUINEAS RAIDERS ON COURSE FOR NEWMARKET

19 REMAIN IN QIPCO 2000 GUINEAS & 30 IN QIPCO 1000 GUINEAS AFTER SCRATCHINGS DEADLINE
Jessica Harrington is poised to unleash the unbeaten Pathfork and leading contender Laughing Lashes in the first two Classics of the season at Newmarket, the £350,000 Group One QIPCO 2000 Guineas on Saturday 30th April and the £350,000 Group One QIPCO 1000 Guineas on Sunday 1st May.
The mile Classics are the feature events at the two-day QIPCO Guineas Festival.

Pathfork is one of 19 colts remaining for the QIPCO 2000 Guineas following yesterday’s scratchings deadline, details of which are revealed today, Wednesday, 20th April, 2011, while Laughing Lashes is among 30 fillies going forward following yesterday’s scratchings stage for the QIPCO 1000 Guineas.
Pathfork is unbeaten in three starts including a head victory over subsequent Group One Racing Post Trophy winner Casamento in the Group One Vincent O’Brien National Stakes at the Curragh on 11th September.

The Distorted Humor colt is set to make his three-year-old debut in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas, while stablemate Laughing Lashes will make her seasonal bow in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas.
Laughing Lashes defeated the Aidan O’Brien-trained Misty For Me in the Group Two Debutante Stakes at the Curragh before finding that rival a length superior when runner-up in the Group One Moyglare Stud Stakes at the same course on 29th August.

Harrington outlined today from her County Kildare yard: “As of this moment Pathfork and Laughing Lashes are both running and I’m happy with their progress. So far, touching all wood, it’s so good.
“Both of them had very good form last year. They did everything that was asked of them so I couldn’t ask for any more.
“I would like rain on the Saturday night for Laughing Lashes in the following afternoon’s 1000 Guineas.”

Frankel remains a hot favourite for the QIPCO 2000 Guineas following his impressive victory in the Group Three Greenham Stakes at Newbury on Saturday and is on course to give Henry Cecil (1975 Bolkonski, 1976 Wollow) his first runner in the race since 2000 as the trainer seeks a third triumph in the Classic.

The Khalid Abdulla-owned colt was jointly crowned champion European two-year-old last season after his Group One Dubai Dewhurst Stakes win, equal with the David Simcock-trained Dream Ahead who slammed the opposition to win the Group One Shadwell Middle Park Stakes, also on the Rowley Mile course, before running below par in the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes.
Another colt with winning course form is the Ed Dunlop-trained Native Khan, who landed the Group Three Breeze Up Vendors Craven Stakes over the distance at Newmarket on 14th April.
A quartet from Godolphin remains on target for the QIPCO 2000 Guineas, headed by Group One Racing Post Trophy hero Casamento who is trained, like Ecliptic and Neebras, by Mahmood Al Zarooni. Saeed bin Suroor could saddle Group Two Champagne Stakes victor Saamidd.
Among the four Irish-trained entries, Aidan O’Brien has a trio, consisting of Group One Criterium International winner Roderic O’Connor, who was runner-up to Frankel in the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes, Group Two UAE Derby runner-up Master Of Hounds and Alexander Pope.
Eoghan O’Neill is responsible for the remaining French-trained entry Broox, fourth to Dream Ahead in the Group One Darley Prix Morny in August.
Fury is unbeaten in two starts for trainer William Haggas, the latest of which came in the £500,000 Tattersalls Millions 2YO Trophy on the Rowley Mile in October.

The Richard Hannon-trained Dubawi Gold has landed a pair of Listed races this season, while the others still engaged are Happy Today, Loving Spirit, Rerouted, Slim Shadey and the unraced Clive Brittain-trained Tlaad.

QIPCO 1000 GUINEAS
Also among the 30 fillies going forward for the QIPCO 1000 Guineas, is last year’s champion juvenile filly Hooray. Sir Mark Prescott’s charge stormed to a four and a half-length victory in the Group One Adnams Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket in October.
Sir Michael Stoute has two fillies remaining, the unbeaten Group Three Sakhee Oh So Sharp Stakes winner Havant and Group Two Rockfel Stakes heroine Cape Dollar, while Richard Hannon is set to saddle Memory, winner of the Group Two Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cherry Hinton Stakes but only sixth to Misty For Me in the Moyglare Stud Stakes on her latest start.

White Moonstone won the Group One Fillies’ Mile at Ascot in September for trainer Saeed bin Suroor. Fellow Godolphin handler Mahmood Al Zarooni could saddle course and distance winner Blue Bunting, successful in the Listed bet365.com EBF Montrose Fillies’ Stakes, and the unbeaten Listed Radley Stakes winner Zoowraa.

As well as Misty For Me, O’Brien has Wild Wind, Together, Sakhee Oh So Sharp Stakes runner-up Look At Me and Group Three winner Empowering going forward.

Among the remaining fillies are a French-trained quintet, headed by Moonlight Cloud from the Freddy Head yard. The Invincible Spirit filly impressed when winning the Group Three Prix Imprudence on April 7 and her only career defeat came against colts when fourth to Wootton Bassett in the Group One Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp in October.
Robert Collet could run the smart Immortal Verse, while his son, Rodolphe Collet, has Listed winner Nova Hawk. Nova Step represents Francois Rohaut and Fabrice Vermeulen has Mixed Intention.

Others going forward include Group Two Queen Mary Stakes winner Maqaasid, Group Three winners Majestic Dubawi and Soraaya, as well as Group Two Rockfel Stakes runner-up Cochabamba.
For more information please contact
Michael Prosser, Clerk of the Course and Director of Racing, 07802 844 578

Tony Rushmer, Racing PR Manager, 07702 579 382

THE QIPCO 2000 GUINEAS (THE 203rd RUNNING)

Class 1, Group 1, Total Prize fund £350,000. Newmarket, Saturday, April 30, 2011, one mile. For three-year-olds only, entire colts and fillies. Weights: colts 9st, fillies 8st 11lb. Entries closed March 1, entries released March 3 (52 entries), Scratchings deadline noon, April 19 (20 remain). Five-day confirmation and £30,000 supplementary stage noon, April 25. Final declaration stage 10.00am, April 28. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up and including the racing of Monday, April 18, 2011. May not include some overseas form.

Form Horse Owner Trainer
331(1)-(6) ALEXANDER POPE (IRE) Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE

112410- BROOX (IRE) G A Lucas Eoghan O'Neill FR

1211- CASAMENTO (IRE) Godolphin Mahmood Al Zarooni

1115- DREAM AHEAD (USA) Khalifa Dasmal David Simcock

0410-(1)(1) DUBAWI GOLD Andrew Tinkler Richard Hannon
212- ECLIPTIC (USA) Godolphin Mahmood Al Zarooni

1111-1 FRANKEL Khalid Abdulla Henry Cecil

11- FURY Cheveley Park Stud William Haggas

41-2 HAPPY TODAY (USA) Jaber Abdullah Brian Meehan

12- LOVING SPIRIT P C J Dalby & R Schuster James Toller

22136-(2) MASTER OF HOUNDS (USA) Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE

114-1 NATIVE KHAN (FR) Vefa Ibrahim Araci Ed Dunlop

212-0 NEEBRAS (IRE) Godolphin Mahmood Al Zarooni

111- PATHFORK (USA) Silverton Hill Partnership Jessica Harrington IRE

13414-2 REROUTED (USA) Khalid Abdulla Barry Hills

3121- RODERIC O'CONNOR (IRE) Sue Magnier/Michael Tabor/Derrick Smith/Sangster Family Aidan O'Brien IRE

116- SAAMIDD Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor

561245- SLIM SHADEY Phil Cunningham Stan Moore

TLAAD (USA) Saeed Manana Clive Brittain

19 entries remain after April 19 scratchings deadline
4 Irish-trained
1 French-trained

THE FOLLOWING 33 HORSES HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED:
ATRAAF (IRE), BRIDGEFIELD (USA), BURJ ALZAIN (IRE), DFFAR (IRE), DUBAI PRINCE (IRE), DUX SCHOLAR, EARL OF LEITRIM (IRE), EL WASMI, ELZAAM (AUS), FOOLPROOF (IRE), FRENCH NAVY, GARDE COTIERE (USA), GLOR NA MARA (IRE), HEAD SPACE (IRE), HO YA MAL (IRE), KARAM ALBAARI (IRE), KIRTHILL (IRE), MADAWI, MANHAJ, MILAGRES, MONOPOLIZE, PETER MARTINS (USA), SHAFGAAN, SHROPSHIRE (IRE), SPLASH POINT (USA), STRONG SUIT (USA), TREASURY DEVIL (USA), UNEX EL GRECO, UTLEY (USA), WESTERN ARISTOCRAT (USA), WOOTTON BASSETT, YASEER (IRE), ZOFFANY (IRE)

THE QIPCO 1000 GUINEAS (THE 198th RUNNING)

Class 1, Group 1, Total Prize fund £350,000. Newmarket, Sunday, May 1, 2011, one mile. For three-year-old fillies only. Entries closed March 1, entries revealed March 3 (79 entries). Scratchings deadline noon, April 19 (30 remain). Six-day confirmation and £30,000 supplementary stage noon, April 25. Final declaration stage 10.00am, April 29. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up and including the racing of Monday, April 18, 2011. May not include some overseas form.

Form Horse Owner Trainer
211- BLUE BUNTING (USA) Godolphin Mahmood Al Zarooni

3131-0 CAPE DOLLAR (IRE) Saeed Suhail Sir Michael Stoute

(1)2262-6 COCHABAMBA (IRE) The Rat Racers Roger Teal

22-(2)0 ELSHABAKIYA (IRE) Saeed Manana Clive Brittain

0(2)(1)-1 EMPOWERING (IRE) Annemarie O'Brien Aidan O'Brien IRE

11- HAVANT James & Anita Wigan Sir Michael Stoute

0361(1)1- HOORAY Cheveley Park Stud Sir Mark Prescott Bt

153- I LOVE ME Neven Botica Andrew Balding

12-4 IMMORTAL VERSE (IRE) Richard Strauss Robert Collet FR

2-1 IZZI TOP Helena Springfield Ltd John Gosden

131-5 LADIES ARE FOREVER Reg Bond Geoff Oldroyd

2212- LAUGHING LASHES (USA) Betty Moran Jessica Harrington IRE

12- LOOK AT ME (IRE) Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE

011-6 MAJESTIC DUBAWI Jaber Abdullah Mick Channon

(0)1- MAKE A DANCE (USA) Khalid Abdulla Barry Hills

1143-3 MAQAASID Hamdan Al Maktoum John Gosden

1116- MEMORY (IRE) Highclere Thoroughbred Racing-Masquerade Richard Hannon

01211- MISTY FOR ME (IRE) Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE

6(1)-(3)(1)(1)d MIXED INTENTION (IRE) J Romel Fabrice Vermeulen FR

(1)14-1 MOONLIGHT CLOUD George Strawbridge Freddie Head FR

01422-1 NOVA HAWK Ahmed Mouknass Rodolphe Collet FR

2(1)13-(1)6 NOVA STEP Ahmed Mouknass Francois Rohaut FR

42(2)1-4 SHOW RAINBOW Jaber Abdullah Mick Channon

1210- SORAAYA (IRE) Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum Mick Channon

(6)210-(1) THE SHREW Bill Gredley John Gosden

134235-5 TOGETHER (IRE) Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE

6(5)5- TRAFFIC SISTER (USA) Fitri Hay Stan Moore

1111- WHITE MOONSTONE (USA) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor

21520-2 WILD WIND (GER) Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith Aidan O'Brien IRE

11- ZOOWRAA Godolphin Mahmood Al Zarooni

79 Entries
6 Irish-trained
5 French-trained

THE FOLLOWING 49 HORSES HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED:
ALL TIME, AMAZING WIN (IRE), BANIMPIRE (IRE), BREEDJ (IRE), BREVITY (USA), CHRYSANTHEMUM (IRE), CLAIOMH SOLAIS (IRE), DAIRIRE (IRE), DATE WITH DESTINY (IRE), DFFRA (IRE), DUBAI QUEEN (USA), EIRNIN (IRE), EUCHARIST (IRE), EXEMPLIFY, GOSSAMER SEED (IRE), HANDASSA, HELLEBORINE, HURRICANE HAVOC (IRE), JOVIALITY, KATLA (IRE), KHAWLAH (IRE), LADY KASORA (IRE), MAMBIA, MANAABER (USA), MASAYA, METHAYEL (IRE), MORNING CHARM (USA), NAHRAIN, PANOPTIC, PONTENUOVO (FR), PRESENT DANGER, QUSHCHI, RADHARCNAFARRAIGE (IRE), RAINBOW SPRINGS, RIOCHAS (IRE), SAKTOON (USA), SHIM SHAM (IRE), SHUHRA (IRE), SING SOFTLY (USA), SO STYLISH (USA), STRICTLY PINK (IRE), SUBMISSION, SUNDAY BESS (JPN), SUNSET AVENUE (USA), SWEET CECILY (IRE), TEO'S SISTER (IRE), THEYSKENS' THEORY (USA), WONDER OF WONDERS (USA), ZAMINAST

END

BROUGH SCOTT IS NAMED THE WINNER OF THE HORSERACING WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS ASSOCIATION 2010

2010-12-07T03:26:00.000-08:00

Horserace Writers & Photographers Association

BROUGH SCOTT IS NAMED JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR - ALL THE NEWS FROM THE 44th ANNUAL HWPA DERBY AWARDS LUNCH SUPPORTED BY BOYLESPORTS.COM AND SPINAL RESEARCH

Brough Scott was today crowned Journalist of the Year at the 44th annual HWPA Derby Awards Lunch supported by boylesports.com and Spinal Research, held in London on Monday, December 6. The Racing Post man was winning the award for the second time having first collected the Clive Graham Trophy in 1977. Dan Abraham was another to win for the second time when named Photographer of the Year, six years on from his first success.

Matt Chapman prevented event co-host Nick Luck from taking a fourth Sir Peter O’Sullevan Trophy in winning the Broadcaster of the Year award for the first time.

Chanelle McCoy once again collected the National Hunt Jockey of the Year award on behalf of her husband who was taking the title for a remarkable twelfth time, in addition to receiving the President’s award from Will Hayler in recognition of his career and service to the sport. Paul Hanagan's trophy for Flat Jockey of the Year was received by his proud parents Geoff and Sheila.

Nigel Twiston-Davies and John Gosden were on hand to receive their respective awards as National Hunt Trainer and International Trainer of the Year, whilst Richard Hannon jnr collected the Flat Trainer of the Year award on behalf of his father. Lord Grimthorpe represented Prince Khalid Abdulla in picking up Owner of the Year for the first time since 1986, and in the year that he handed over the reins at Goodwood, Rod Fabricius was presented with the George Ennor Trophy.

For further details, please contact HWPA President Will Hayler at will.hayler@gmail.co

END

EUROPEAN BREEDERS FUND 2010/2011

2010-12-06T01:15:00.000-08:00

The tortuous process involved in Levy negotiations, etc, has been foremost in everyone’s mind, and there appears very little on the horizon to brighten the prize money picture.

It is refreshing, therefore, to report that the Trustees of the British European Breeders’ Fund have agreed in principle to allocate the SAME AMOUNT TO EBF RACES AS IN 2010. They have been able to achieve this due to the steadfast support of owners/managers of stallions standing in Great Britain, and those owners/breeders who nominate their US-sired stock to the EBF.

The response to this news from Racecourses has been overwhelmingly positive. It is hoped that, as was the case in 2010, EBF supported Maiden races will continue to be, on the whole, more valuable in terms of prize money than non-supported Maidens. This is due to the fundamental EBF requirement that all EBF money must be, at the very least, added to the Minimum Value of the race.

Facts

In 2010, over 500 flat races were supported by the British EBF with more than £1,080,000 of EBF money on offer.

Since 1984 the BEBF Trustees have provided more than £24.8 MIILLION in prize money to races in Great Britain.

In 2010 98.6% of all two year olds registered with Weatherbys as in training (as at 30th July 2010) were eligible to run in EBF races – a figure that has been consistent for over 15 years.

The EBF’s overall income is made up of contributions from European stallion owners, owners of stallions standing outside of Europe and North America (the Common Fund) and nomination payments from owners/breeders of US-sired yearlings/two year olds.

From the 2011 covering season, US based stallions will be able to register directly with the EBF, thus making all progeny, conceived in the year that payment is made, eligible for EBF races without further payment.

Trustees of the British EBF:
Philip Freedman (Chairman)
Lady Emma Balding
David Brown
Chris Harper
Richard Lancaster
Simon Morley
William Morgan
Miss Kirsten Rausing

For more information please contact the EBF Office on 01638 667960 or email info@ebfhorseracing.co.uk
Chairman, British European Breeders’ Fund Trustees: Philip W Freedman

General Manager: Cheryl Caves

END

CHELTENHAM DELIGHTED TO STAGE TINGLE CREEK CHASE AS PART OF FANTASTIC EIGHT-RACE CARD ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11

2010-12-04T04:31:00.000-08:00

CHELTENHAM'S INTERNATIONAL MEETING:

TINGLE CREEK CHASE LOST TODAY AT SANDOWN DUE TO THE WEATHER. WILL BE RUN INSTEAD AT CHELTENHAM AS PART OF FANTASTIC EIGHT-RACE CARD ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11 2010.

CHELTENHAM NEXT MEETING FRIDAY AND SATURDAY DECEMBER 10 AND 11 2010.

Gates Open: 10am both days
First Race: 12.10pm Friday, 11.40am Saturday

Admission prices from £9.
Go to www.cheltenham.co.uk for further information

Following the abandonment of todays card at Sandown Park due to the current adverse weather conditions, the Grade One Keith Prowse Hospitality Tingle Creek Chase will now be staged at Cheltenham on Saturday, December 11, day two of The International, as part of a fantastic eight-race card.

Cheltenham’s Managing Director, Edward Gillespie, said: “The Keith Prowse Hospitality Tingle Creek Chase is the target for the best two-mile chasers in the first half of the season and Cheltenham is delighted to step into the breach and save this important Grade One contest.

“We will now have a fantastic eight-race card on Saturday, December 11, with the best two-mile hurdlers set to line up in the StanJames.com International and one of the most competitive handicap chases of the season, the Vote A P Gold Cup.”

This will be the second time the Tingle Creek Chase has been run at Cheltenham due to the abandonment of Sandown Park. The previous staging was in 2000, when Flagship Uberalles prevailed.

The re-scheduled contest will close for entries at noon on Monday, December 6.

Due to the addition of the Keith Prowse Hospitality Tingle Creek Chase to the December 11 programme, the first race will now take place at 11.40am. The Tingle Creek Chase will be staged at 1.55pm and will be the first of four races transmitted live on Channel 4.

WEATHER UPDATE
Simon Claisse, Cheltenham’s Clerk of the Course and Director of Racing, said: “The current situation is that the course is frozen in places, as it has been for the last 10 days. Over the weekend, a slight thaw is forecast and I hope that this will allow us to put down frost covers on the whole course. Given the forecast, the most likely day for this to happen is Sunday.

“The forecast for next week is for more cold nights. Temperatures are predicted to get down to minus four or minus five degrees Celsius most nights.

“We are doing everything we can at Cheltenham to try and stage The International and will keep everyone updated as appropriate over the next few days.”

For further information, please contact Andy Clifton, Communications Manager at Cheltenham Racecourse, on 07876 330090, or visit the website at http://www.cheltenham.co.uk/

CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE FESTIVAL ADVANCED BOOKING DISCOUNTS END NEXT MONDAY, DECEMBER 6 2010

2010-12-03T04:04:00.000-08:00

Cheltenham Racecourse would like to remind customers that the best deals for tickets to The Festival 2011 are only available until the close of business next Monday, December 6.

The Festival 2011 takes place from Tuesday, March 15 through to Friday, March 18, inclusive.

Advance booking prices are as follows:

CLUB ENCLOSURE
Tuesday, March 15th 2011
Until December 6 - £60
After December 7 - £65
On The Day - £70

Wednesday, March 16th 2011
Until December 6 - £60
After December 7 - £65
On The Day - £70

Thursday, March 17th 2011
Until December 6 - £60
After December 7 - £65
On The Day - £70

Friday, March 18th 2011
Until December 6 - £75
After December 7 - £75
On The Day - £80

TATTERSALLS ENCLOSURE
Tuesday, March 15th 2011
Until December 6 - £32
After December 7 - £37
On The Day - £45

Wednesday, March 16th 2011
Until December 6 - £32
After December 7 - £37
On The Day - £45

Thursday, March 17th 2011
Until December 6 - £32
After December 7 - £37
On The Day - £45

Friday, March 18th 2011
Until December 6 - £45
After December 7 - £50
On The Day - £55

BEST MATE ENCLOSURE
Tuesday, March 15th 2011
Until December 6 - £20
After December 7 - £22
On The Day - £25

Wednesday, March 16th 2011
Until December 6 - £20
After December 7 - £22
On The Day - £25

Thursday, March 17th 2011
Until December 6 - £20
After December 7 - £22
On The Day - £25

Friday, March 18th 2011
Until December 6 - £35
After December 7 - £35
On The Day - £40

All tickets subject to availability
For further information, please contact Cheltenham Racecourse's Communications Manager Andy Clifton on 07876 330 090

END

MEET UP WITH MONTY ROBERTS AT AINTREE RACECOURSE ARENA ON FEBRUARY 11th 2011

2010-12-03T03:44:00.000-08:00

MONTY ROBERTS

Members Christmas Present 2010

http://www.intelligenthorsemanship.co.uk/
Not only do you get your
fabulous glossy Listening Post magazine with a free DVD

but also your £9.95 Top Spec Feed voucher
and heaps of wonderful articles!

Don't forget...
It's the most wonderful time
of the year to...

...Surprise someone with the full benefits of Membership
to Intelligent Horsemanship for just £20!

Simply add the lucky friend's or family member's address as shipping address and we will send them their membership pack including the Christmas issue of the Listening Post!

Members' tour tickets will be stamped for admission to private audience, so make sure you buy membership and tickets at the same time!

February 11th – Aintree Racecourse Arena,
Liverpool, L9 5AS, Merseyside

February 18th – The College EC,
Keysoe, MK44 2JP, Bedfordshire

February 26th – The Hand EC,
Clevedon, BS21 6TG, Somerset

With Special Guest Appearance by
Martin Clunes!

Remember:

IH Members go in to the Private Audience and get to reserve the best seats!

‘I'm Shy Boy’ by Monty Roberts
Hard Back book with glossy cover and over 140 quality pages - this books feels as good as it looks and reads.

"I expected this to be good but it was even better than I'd thought it would be. I loved every word of it and the drawings were just amazing.

This is the real, true story of a wild mustang called Shy Boy. Born in the mountain ranges of Nevada in America, Shy Boy tells of his life as a foal, and then growing up in the wild with his herd. He then relives the story of how he ended up being owned and trained by Monty, and the amazing adventures he's experienced since.

I knew most of the story of one of the world's most famous horses before reading the book but it still is a great story to read. Not many real horses have had such an extraordinary life. And not many real horses have the voice of the amazing Monty Roberts to tell us about it. Monty's understanding of horses in general and the wonderful Shy Boy in particular, mean that this tale is not just a story.

His insight into how horses think, remember and learn will be fascinating to all IH members and to anyone else who wants to improve their understanding of their own ponies. Throughout his life, Shy Boy never forgets his wild origins or the experiences that taught him along the way. The lessons Shy Boy learns and recounts can be lessons to us all.

It is a really great read just for the story. It is exciting, for example when Shy Boy is first captured by humans or when he is taught not to be scared by firecrackers (!!!), and very moving too. As Shy Boy's trust in Monty, and then in other humans, develops, you can't help feeling the depth of the emotion between both horse and human."

(Review by Liz Pitman, RA)

'I'm Shy Boy'

Interpreted by Monty Roberts. Illustrations by Sisko Tahon-Raulo and Phillipa “Millie” Raulo. Hardback.
order online
Your Horse Live Prize Draw

And the winner for the two day course with Kelly is...

Marian Panther!

Marian please contact the office at Brenda.ihoffice@virgin.net to book your life changing prize!

STOP PRESS! Pie and Kelly special appearance at Olympia!

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CHELTENHAM BACKS McCOY WITH THE "VOTE A P" GOLD CUP AT THE INTERNATIONAL 2010

2010-12-03T03:17:00.000-08:00

THE INTERNATIONAL CHELTENHAM TURF JUMP MEETING:
TO BE RUN ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY- DECEMBER 10 & 11 2010

Gates Open: 10.00am both days

First Race: 12.10pm both days
Admission prices from £9.

Go to www.cheltenham.co.uk for further information

Cheltenham racecourse is pleased to announce that the £150,000 Grade Three December Gold Cup, one of the highlights of The International on Saturday, December 11, will this year be run as the Vote A P Gold Cup.

No other Jump jockey can come close to matching the achievements of A P McCoy, who has ridden over 3,000 winners and been crowned Champion Jockey on 15 occasions. As the home of Jump racing, Cheltenham is firmly behind the drive to highlight McCoy's case to receive the coveted BBC Sports Personality Of The Year Award.

Managing Director Edward Gillespie said: "A P has won every challenge Jump racing has to offer. This is a rare opportunity for our serial Champion to compete against the best of other sports. He deserves all possible support we can give him".

The winner of the BBC Sports Personality Of The Year Award will be announced at Birmingham’s LG Arena on Sunday, December 19 and viewers will have the chance to vote for their favourite during the show, which will be broadcast live on BBC One, BBC Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sport website.

McCoy partnered Northern Starlight to success in the 1998 renewal of this two mile, five furlong, handicap chase and he looks set to have a strong chance of a second victory with the J P McManus-owned quartet of Dancing Tornado, Finger On the Pulse, Jered and Sunnyhillboy among the 30 remaining entries.

For further information, please contact Andy Clifton, Communications Manager at Cheltenham Racecourse, on 07876 330090, or visit the website at http://www.cheltenham.co.uk/

END

NEIL MULHOLLAND SADDLES I'MONCLOUDNINE TO BE PARTNERED BY DOUGIE COSTELLO AT AINTREE TOMORROW

2010-11-19T23:49:00.000-08:00

AINTREE HOST THE BEECHER HANDICAP CHASE TO BE RUN AT 1.45 TOMORROW SUNDAY NOVEMBER 21st 2010 OVER 3m 2f (Listed Race) (Class 1) 3m 2f

OVER THE GRAND NATIONAL COURSE

I’MONCLOUDNINE FOR totesport.com BECHER CHASE ASSIGNMENT

Neil Mulholland saddled I’moncloudnine to a handicap chase victory at Aintree on day two of the 2009 Northwest Masters and 12 months on the ascendant trainer is optimistic of his charge’s chances in Sunday’s feature race itself, the £100,000 Listed totesport.com Becher Chase (1.45pm) over three and a quarter miles of the world famous Grand National course.

Aintree’s excellent seven-race card on Sunday, November 21, is the second and final day of the Northwest Masters that commences at Haydock Park on Saturday, November 20, when the feature event is the £200,000 Grade One Betfair Chase.

Fresh from a notable success with stable star Midnight Chase at Cheltenham last week, Mulholland is hopeful that I’moncloudnine can build on his only previous Aintree effort that saw him take the toteswineger Flexibetting Handicap Chase over the Mildmay course by a comfortable 17 lengths.

The totesport.com Becher Chase requires a step up on I’moncloudnine’s recent promising fourth behind Meanus Dandy in the Listed Badger Ales Trophy at Wincanton on November 6, but Mulholland believes that the Grand National course’s unique test will be right up the seven-year-old’s street.

The Devon-based trainer revealed today: “We schooled I’moncloudnine over Grand National-style fences at home and he jumps them very well - we would be hoping he can make into a Grand National horse in time. His jumping is an asset and he does stay very well, so off a nice weight, 10st 8lb, we will be hoping that he can stay galloping and be competitive at the end.

“He won by 17 lengths on the Mildmay course last year and this track will suit him. He‘s in great order, he’s a bit stronger than he was last year and hopefully he is going to improve a bit.

“It was a pretty competitive race at Wincanton last time and he just found that everything happened a bit quicker than he liked. The track there was a bit quicker than he will find on Sunday. His jumping kept him in it but he was flat-out the whole way and just kept on galloping. With the bigger fences over three and a quarter miles, the hope is that he can make a good show for himself.

“He is what he is, he ran well twice this season already and is in good order. He’s a nice horse and I’m not saying he will be going for the Grand National this season - we will see how he gets on on Sunday - but for these kind of races he does have a nice weight. Instead of trying him in the smaller races, we will try to get him to run well in big ones and hopefully he might win one some time.”

A high-class field of 17 has been declared for the totesport.com Becher Chase, headed by the Jim Dreaper-trained Notre Pere, successful in the 2008 Coral Welsh National and 2009 Grade One Punchestown Gold Cup.

Also among the runners are the two most recent Scottish Grand National victors, Merigo (2010) and Hello Bud (2009), while Irish Raptor is already a winner over the course, having landed the 2009 John Smith’s Topham Trophy.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls is set to run Gullible Gordon and Meanus Dandy, while others of note include Maljimar, Whatuthink, One Cool Cookie and the 2009 totesport.com Becher Chase third Royal Rosa.

Latest totesport.com Becher Chase odds from the sponsor: Gullible Gordon 7/1, Meanus Dandy 7/1, Maljimar 8/1, Merigo 8/1, Notre Pere 9/1, Hello Bud 10/1, I’moncloudnine 10/1, Royal Rosa 12/1, Whatuthink 12/1, Irish Raptor 14/1, Ballyvesey 16/1, Newman Des Plages 16/1, Pak Jack 16/1, Midnight Gold 20/1, Minster Shadow 20/1, One Cool Cookie 20/1, Au Courant 40/1

Aintree on Sunday is the only time that racegoers can enjoy two races over the Grand National course on the same day. The other event over the famous spruce fences is the £60,000 totesuper7 Grand Sefton Handicap Chase (12.35pm).

A total of 16 horses are declared for the extended two-mile, five-furlong contest, including the Peter Bowen-trained Always Waining, triumphant in the John Smith’s Topham Trophy over the course and distance in April.

Trainer Jim Goldie saddled Lampion Du Bost (2007) and Endless Power (2008) to win the totesuper7 Grand Sefton and the first named takes his chance again alongside stable mates Stormin Exit and last year’s third Craiglands.

Other contenders of note include Moon Over Miami, Magic Sky, Private Be, and Battlefront.

Sunday’s racing kicks off with the £8,000 toteplacepot Maiden Hurdle (12.05pm) over an extended two miles and also includes the two and a half-mile £20,000 Live Football Betting at totesport.com Handicap Hurdle (1.10pm).

The popular fixture also incorporates the £12,000 toteswinger Flexibetting Handicap Chase (2.20pm) over three miles and a furlong, and continues with the £8,000 toteexacta Flexi Betting Handicap Hurdle (2.55pm) over two and a half miles, before concluding with the £3,000 totepool A Better Way To Bet Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (3.30pm) over two miles and a furlong.

There will be a festive theme to proceedings with Santa Claus and his real-life reindeer on hand to meet children aged under 17, who gain FREE ENTRY to the course if accompanied by an adult. There will be plenty of Christmas shopping opportunities at the course and live Christmas music to provide winter cheer and get racegoers in the Christmas mood. General admission is from £19.

Three races will be shown live on the BBC. Clare Balding will anchor the show and will be joined by Rishi Persad, Grand National-winning jockey Mick Fitzgerald and star commentator Jim McGrath. Three races will be broadcast: totesuper7 Grand Sefton Handicap Chase (12.35pm), the Bet On Live Football At totesport.com Handicap Hurdle (1.10pm) and the totesport.com Becher Chase (1.45pm).

Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander heads a fantastic seven-strong field for Saturday’s Haydock Park feature, the Betfair Chase, with his rivals consisting of What A Friend, Nacarat, Tidal Bay, Planet Of Sound, Chief Dan George and Atouchbetweenacara.

GOING
The going at Aintree is currently:
Mildmay & Hurdle Course - Soft, Good to Soft in places
Grand National Course - Soft, Heavy in places (Canal Turn area)

Andrew Tulloch, Aintree's Clerk of the Course and Director of Racing, commented: "The forecast is for generally dry conditions today and over the weekend with the chance of the odd shower, so we should see some drying out of the course.

"We are delighted with the declarations for the two races over the Grand National fences. With 16 declared runners in totesuper7 Grand Sefton Chase and 17 runners set to go to post in the totesport.com Becher Chase, we have two cracking contests to look forward to."

For further information, please contact Emma Owen, Aintree’s Marketing & PR Manager, on 0151 522 2906 or e-mail emma.owen@thejockeyclub.co.uk

CARTIER RACING AWARDS 2010

2010-11-17T09:46:00.000-08:00

CARTIER RACING AWARDS

WERTHEIMER SALUTES GOLDIKOVA & THE QUEEN PAYS TRIBUTE TO HANNON
Goldikova’s joint owner-breeder Gerard Wertheimer last night told guests at the 20th Cartier Racing Awards that he hoped the record-breaking mare could return in 12 months’ time to land another accolade at the glittering event.

The five-year-old was named 2010 Cartier Horse Of The Year and also took the Cartier Older Horse Award at the ceremony in the ballroom of London’s Dorchester Hotel attended by an invited audience of 350, including some of the biggest names in racing plus some owners better-known outside the sport such as Liz Hurley, Lord Lloyd-Webber and actor Nat Parker.

Goldikova, owned and bred by Wertheimer and his brother Alain, also won the Cartier Older Horse Award last year (she is the first horse to win this Cartier award twice) and she stays in training with Freddy Head in 2011, a year that marks a significant anniversary for her connections.

“In 2011, we celebrate 100 years of my family’s stud, which was created by my grandfather Pierre in 1911. We are immensely proud that we have been able to maintain this passion for breeding and racing for three generations.

“Some great champions have emerged. The principal winners in Great Britain have been Lavandin, winner of the Derby in 1956, Green Dancer, Gold Splash and Pas De Reponse.

“Of course I can’t forget my grandfather’s first great horse Epinard, who won the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood in 1923 and is surely giving a nod and a wink to Goldikova, who is seven generations on from him.

“Last but not least, I would like to thank Cartier and their Executive Chairman, Mr Arnaud Bamberger, for the promotion of the Cartier Racing Awards which are always such a big incentive in the racing world. On behalf of Goldikova and the whole team, thank you for this wonderful award. I hope to see you all again in 2011!”

Newly-crowned champion trainer Richard Hannon was the recipient of the Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit and, although he could not make the awards’ dinner having recently undergone heart bypass surgery, his son Richard junior and wife Jo were on hand to collect the Award.

A film was shown paying tribute to Hannon and among those to pass on their congratulations was his best-known owner, Her Majesty The Queen, via her bloodstock advisor John Warren.

“When I told the Queen that you had received the Cartier Award of Merit, she was absolutely delighted and asked me to send you many, many congratulations,” Warren told Hannon. "She once said to me that you brighten up her day and I'm sure that applies to everyone you train for."

An emotional Hannon junior added: “My family are all extremely proud of dad. On a bright note, it has to be his health. He is in great form and is recovering well from his operation. You all know he wouldn’t miss this for the world. Everything reported on the film, is exactly the man he is.

“He’s given me one quote to give to you - tell Harry (Herbert) that the doctor tells me that after this operation I’ll be 20 years younger, recover and come back as good as gold. In the New Year, you’ll see me racing and you’ll be referring to me as (Richard) junior!”

Others collecting awards included Prince Khalid Abdulla’s racing manager Lord Grimthorpe, who picked up Frankel’s prize for Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt and Workforce’s trophy for Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt.

The Henry Cecil-trained Frankel is named after Bobby Frankel, who died a year ago after training many of Abdulla’s best American performers and Grimthorpe commented: “It’s a really special award for what we hope will become a really special horse. It’s no coincidence that Prince Khalid’s absolutely prized two-year-old was sent to an outstanding practitioner and named in honour of another outstanding practitioner. We are lucky to have him.”

J P Magnier, whose mother Sue jointly owns Misty For Me and Starspangledbanner, and Paul Smith, whose father Derrick is also involved in both horses, jointly collected the Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly Award and the Cartier Sprinter Award.

Owner-breeder the Duquesa de Durcal y Borbon received the Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly Award for Snow Fairy, while owner Dr Ronan Lambe travelled from Ireland to pick up the Cartier Stayer Award for Rite Of Passage.

The evening was compered as usual by Harry Herbert, Cartier’s Racing Consultant, with the awards presented by Arnaud Bamberger, the Executive Chairman of Cartier UK

Herbert, in introducing the awards, said: “I know I speak on behalf of everybody in this room when I say how much Cartier's sponsorship means to our industry - 20 years is a very long time for a company to support any sport and there will be few within racing who have done so for so long and especially at this unbelievably significant level.

"You have created something Arnaud that really is the envy of other racing nations and we hope your generosity will continue for many years to come.”

Bamberger commented: “I am so very happy and proud as we celebrate the 20th presentation of these most prestigious awards.

“I simply cannot believe it was 20 years ago that the late Wing Commander Tim Vigors came and talked to Pilar Boxford who helped set up so many wonderful things for Cartier.

“He had the idea of creating an award that everyone in racing would aspire to win. It goes without saying therefore that all of us here are enormously grateful to Tim. I am sorry that Diana, his wife, was not able to come tonight because she was sick.

“The past 20 years, I have met so many new friends from within the world of racing and I have learnt to appreciate what an intoxicating and thrilling sport it is.

“Not only have we honoured over 150 champions within the various divisions but also through the Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit, we have honoured 20 very special people who during their lives have made such a remarkable contribution to racing.

“For me personally, one of the greatest highlights was in the year 2000 when I presented Her Majesty The Queen with a special millennium award in a private ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

“I would like to say a big thank you to The Daily Telegraph and especially to a man who is here tonight, Jeremy Deedes, who was then the managing director.

“My thanks also go to the Racing Post and all of their team whose help over the years has given our awards the profile that they so richly deserve within the industry itself.

“Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank Harry for all you have done to help us since you started - you have guided us so well and your enthusiasm has been truly infectious especially during these recent difficult economic years. You have also provided so much humour to our evenings despite your extremely poor impersonation of me.

“All of you here tonight are involved with the sport which is truly magical, a sport that has glamour and excitement - in short everything that is Cartier.

“Thank you so much for coming tonight and here is to the next 20 years.

Herbert and Bamberger gave each other surprise awards.

The full speeches of the 2010 Cartier Racing Awards winners are below.

Copyright free images of the winners can be supplied by Racenews - please email racenews@racenewsonline.com or ring Mark Popham on 07980 691256

For more information, please contact Harry Herbert, Cartier’s racing consultant (01488 669166), Sima Bibi of Cartier (020 7408 5740) or Mark Popham of Racenews (020 7704 0326)
Copyright images of the winners can be supplied by Racenews - please email

Cartier Horse Of The Year & Cartier Champion Older Horse
GOLDIKOVA (IRE)5 b m Anabaa (USA) - Born Gold (USA) (Blushing Groom (FR)
2010 form: 111211 Owner/Breeders: Wertheimer et Frere Trainer: Freddy Head FR

Gerard Wertheimer: “My lords, ladies and gentleman, last year you had a very quick speech from me but this time I’m prepared and it might be a bit longer!

“When I was here a year ago receiving the award for the best older horse we had not made our decision whether we would keep Goldikova in training in 2010. To find myself in front of you all again tonight is very comforting since it means that the decision we made to keep Goldikova in training was the right one.

“Everything has already been said about Goldikova being a great champion but three events during this year remain firmly in my mind.

“Firstly, her victory at Royal Ascot in the Queen Anne Stakes. We are very proud to have a succeeded in winning this Group One race at the marvellous and celebrated Royal Meeting against two of the best horses, Paco Boy and Rip Van Winkle.

“The second event is to have beaten by one the record of Dahlia in winning 11 Group One races and to have surpassed Miesque’s 10 Group Ones, two great horses who have left their mark, was amazing.

“Thirdly, to have made history by winning her third Breeders’ Cup. Goldikova is now internationally famous and has won the hearts of the public on the great racetracks of the world.

“The applause for Goldikova tonight was most wonderful.

“It is also the best award possible for her whole team from the start - Freddy Head and his whole family and Olivier Peslier, the most remarkable jockey.

“In 2011, we celebrate 100 years of my family’s stud, which was created by my grandfather Pierre in 1911. We are immensely proud that we have been able to maintain this passion for breeding and racing for three generations.

“Some great champions have emerged. The principal winners in Great Britain have been Lavandin, winner of the Derby in 1956, Green Dancer, Gold Splash and Pas De Reponse.

“Of course, I can’t forget my grandfather’s first great horse Epinard, who won the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood in 1923 and is surely giving a nod and a wink to Goldikova, who is seven generations on from him.

“Last but not least, I would like to than Cartier and their Executive Chairman, Mr Arnaud Bamberger, for the promotion of the Cartier Racing Awards which are always such a big incentive in the racing world. On behalf of Goldikova and the whole team, thank you for this wonderful award. I hope to see you all again in 2011!”

Freddy Head: “On my behalf and on Goldikova’s behalf, I want to thank all the team at Chantilly, Olivier (Peslier), Gerard and Alain Wertheimer for sending me that great mare and keeping her in training. I thank you all.”

Cartier Champion Two-Year-Old Colt
FRANKEL (GB)
2 b c Galileo (IRE) - Kind (IRE) (Danehill (USA))
2010 form: 1111 Owner: Khalid Abdulla
Trainer: Henry Cecil Breeder: Juddmonte Farms Ltd
Lord Grimthorpe, racing manager to Frankel’s owner Khalid Abdulla, said: “Thank you to Cartier and we really need you. Prince Khalid will be absolutely delighted to get this award; it’s a really special award for what we hope will become a really special horse. It’s no coincidence that Prince Khalid’s absolutely prized two-year-old was sent to an outstanding practitioner and named in honour of another outstanding practitioner. We are lucky to have him.”

Cartier Champion Two-Year-Old Filly
MISTY FOR ME (IRE)
2 b f Galileo (IRE) - Butterfly Cove (USA) (Storm Cat (USA))
2010 form: 01211 Owner: Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien IRE Breeder: March Thoroughbreds
J P Magnier, son of part-owner, Sue Magnier, said : “My lords, ladies and gentleman, I’m delighted to accept this award of behalf of Doreen and Michael Tabor, Gay and Derrick Smith and my parents. Misty For Me is obviously an exceptional filly and played a role in Galileo’s phenomenal year. Most importantly we must thank the team at Ballydoyle and Aidan, who managed to keep her fresh to the very end and she did us proud.

“And of course to the three lads who rode her - Colm (O’Donoghue), Seamie (Heffernan) and Johnny (Murtagh), who did a great job as always. Finally I’d just like to thank Cartier, The Daily Telegraph and Racing Post for another fantastic evening.”

Cartier Champion Three-Year-Old Colt
WORKFORCE (GB)
3 b c King´s Best (USA) - Soviet Moon (IRE) (Sadler’s Wells (USA))
2010 form: 2151 Owner: Khalid Abdulla

Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute Breeder: Juddmonte Farms Ltd
Lord Grimthorpe, racing manager to Frankel’s owner Khalid Abdulla, said: “I think Prince Khalid is one up on Prince William with two acceptances tonight! Again I have to say thank you to Arnaud and Cartier, their support of the racing industry is spectacular. We know it can go elsewhere so we are incredibly grateful.

“I think if you come into racing you probably dream of winning two races and Workforce managed to do that through the wonderful skill of Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore and we’re very lucky.”

Cartier Champion Three-Year-Old Filly
SNOW FAIRY (IRE)
3 b f Intikhab (USA) - Woodland Dream ((IRE) (Charnwood Forest (IRE))
2010 form: 111241 Owner: Anamoine Limited

Trainer: Ed Dunlop Breeder: Windflower Overseas Holdings Inc.

Owner/Breeder the Duquesa de Durcal y Borbon said: “I’d like to first of all thank Mr (Arnaud) Bamberger, Cartier, the Racing Post and the Telegraph, which I read every day. I would like to thank several people, first and foremost La Grange Stables and all their supporting staff and of course Ed, who has done the most marvellous job with Snow Fairy. Ryan Moore is not here tonight but I would like to thank him very much for the three fantastic and magical rides he gave Snow Fairy. A very special thanks to Castle Stables (in Arundel) for all their support and especially to (Ed Dunlop’s parents) John and Sue for all their support at times when I was very nervous and I want to thank them very much.”

Cartier Champion Stayer

RITE OF PASSAGE (GB)
6 ch g Giant’s Causeway (USA) - Dahlia’s Krissy (USA) (Kris S (USA))
2010 form: 1 Owner: Dr Ronan Lambe

Trainer: Dermot Weld IRE Breeder: Newsells Park Stud
Dr Ronan Lambe, the owner of Rite Of Passage, said: “I’d like to thank Cartier for this award, which was particularly special for me because it was my first Group One winner on the Flat. What a race too, in which to achieve your first Group One success. Having seen the race again, I’d like to commiserate with Aidan O’Brien and the Coolmore team for the premature retirement of Age Of Aquarius - we had been looking forward to some stirring battles over the next couple of years. I’d like to say a special word of thanks to my trainer Dermot Weld. Dermot’s exploits on the international stage are very well known to all of us but to take a horse that was beaten in a Cheltenham bumper and beaten in a Cheltenham novice hurdle and train him to win one of the most historic and prestigious Flat races in the world was an outstanding achievement so thank you very much Dermot.”

Cartier Champion Sprinter
STARSPANGLEDBANNER (AUS)
4 ch c Choisir (AUS) - Gold Anthem (AUS) (Made Of Gold (USA))
2010 form: 413511

Owner: Michael Tabor/Derrick Smith/Sue Magnier/Michelle Massey

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien IRE Breeder: Emily Krstina
Paul Smith, son of part owner Derrick Smith, said “A horse like Starspangledbanner likes to keep his races very brief and I think I’ll do the same with my speech. His success is due to a number of people. I’d like to thank Tom Magnier, Michael Kirwan and all the team at Coolmore Australia, the team at Ballydoyle, to Colm, Seamie, the inspired training of Aidan O’Brien and to the man on board. He rode the horse’s sire Choisir to a famous sprint double at the 2003 Royal Meeting, the brilliant Johnny Murtagh. On behalf of all the owners, I’d like to thank Cartier for hosting a fabulous evening and showcasing an industry that really does mean so much to all of us.”

Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit 2010

RICHARD HANNON
Richard Hannon junior commented: “I’d like to thank Cartier and The Daily Telegraph for giving this award to my father this evening. It’s very fitting that Mum is here this evening because in many ways I think she is a better trainer than my dad. It’s not possible without all the backroom staff and our owners over the years.

“We’ve had the most fabulous year and it’s been amazing to have all the good horses in one year - Canford Cliffs, Paco Boy and Dick Turpin. It is not just this year but for 30 or 40 years of my father’s career that he’s been so lucky to have so many friends and owners.

“My family are all extremely proud of dad. On a bright note, it has to be his health. He is in great form and is recovering well from his operation. You all know he wouldn’t miss this for the world. Everything reported on the film, is exactly the man he is.

“He’s given me one quote to give to you - tell Harry (Herbert) that the doctor tells me that after this operation I’ll be 20 years younger, recover and come back as good as gold. In the New Year, you’ll see me racing and you’ll be referring to me as (Richard) junior!”

End

RoR LAUNCHES NEW RACING TO RIDING DVD AT CLINICS WITH YOGI BREISNER

2010-11-16T23:02:00.000-08:00

RETRAINING OF RACEHORSES (RoR) WITH YOGI BREISNER

Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) will launch its new ‘Racing to Riding’ DVD on Friday 12th November at the ‘How to retrain an ex-racehorse’ evening clinic at Gleneagles with World Class Performance Manager Yogi Breisner.

Di Arbuthnot, RoR director of operations, said: “If you are thinking of owning an ex-racehorse, or already have one, this DVD is an excellent educational tool to help you. In the DVD Yogi Breisner is joined by European Eventing Gold Medalist Tina Cook as they work with a number of ex-racehorses on the flat and over small jumps. This includes Yogi lungeing an ex-racehorse and giving a jump clinic to three riders with their ex-racehorses, as well as Tina schooling a filly recently out of racing.”

For a preview and details on how to purchase the DVD visit www.ror.org.uk/care_videos.htm

The RoR ‘Racing to Riding’ DVD will cost £16.99. Alternatively, those attending the RoR clinics with Yogi Breisner held nationwide over the next few weeks will receive a free DVD.

Ex-racehorse enthusiasts are invited to come and watch Yogi training ex-racehorses at all levels at these venues:

12th November at the Scottish Equestrian Centre, Gleneagles, Perthshire (7.00pm to 9.00pm)

18th November at the Unicorn Centre, Gloucestershire (7.00pm to 9.00pm)

23rd November at the Oldencraig Equestrian Centre, Surrey (6.30pm to 8.30pm)

YOGI BREISNER was appointed World Class Performance Manager and Chef d'Equipe to the British Eventing team in 2000. He has since led many medal winning teams including the recent Gold Medal winning team at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Yogi is also much in demand in National Hunt racing, training both jockeys and horses to jump.

The cost to attend the RoR clinic will be £15. Those wishing to attend should email their name and clinic location to lquainton@ror.org.uk , payment is required on the day.

RoR is also launching two more DVDs for specific equine disciplines at £16.99 each: ‘Racing to Showing’ with top show rider and producer Lynn Russell, and ‘Racing to Polo’ with leading polo pony trainer David Morley and England International Tom Morley.

Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) is British horseracing’s official charity for the welfare of horses who have retired from racing.

Yogi Breisner
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGk9TlbIRqk

For further information contact: Di Arbuthnot, RoR
T: 01488 648998
M: 07836 293191
E: darbuthnot@ror.org.uk

http://www.ror.org.uk/

YOGI BREISNER IN TUNE WITH MONTY ROBERTS

- ENDS -

AT THE RACES ("ATR") HITS RECORD DAILY AUDIENCE

2010-11-16T22:31:00.000-08:00

JOCKEYS CHAMPIONSHIP & BREEDERS’ CUP COMBINE TO ATTRACT OVER 565,000 VIEWERS

Live coverage of the Breeders’ Cup and the thrilling end to the Jockeys Championship title race helped At The Races to record its highest ever daily audience reach, it was announced today.

According to latest BARB figures, 565,487 viewers tuned into At The Races on Saturday 6th November to watch live coverage from Churchill Downs, Doncaster’s Totesport.com November Handicap meeting and action from Down Royal where Kauto Star’s return was the feature of Jnwine.com Champion Chase Day.

Jason Weaver, Matt Chapman and John McCririck led an exclusive, live presentation of the 27th Breeders’ Cup event from Churchill Downs while Steve Millar hosted a London studio set. The dramatic final days of the Flat season and the epic duel between Paul Hanagan and Richard Hughes for the Jockeys Championship title proved equally compelling for ATR viewers. A quarter hour audience of 184,563 was recorded by BARB on Saturday afternoon while 144,139 was the figure registered on Friday at 7pm during coverage of Wolverhampton’s evening meeting.

attheraces.com recorded just under 7 million page views on Saturday 6th November, a figure the site has surpassed only during this year’s Cheltenham Festival. The Churchill Downs showpiece helped attheraces.com reach a total of 983,000 unique users for the 31 days Oct 7th – Nov 6th 2010.

Matthew Imi, Chief Executive, At The Races said:
“The Breeders’ Cup and Churchill Downs are to be congratulated for putting on another spectacular event, one that continues to be enjoyed by ATR viewers and online users. Our exclusive coverage this year has again helped us set new audience records. In basic terms we now regularly reach 2 million TV viewers and 1 million web users a month – that has to be good news for racing.”

For more information please contact:
Matthew Imi
Chief Executive, At The Races
Tel: 020 7420 3203

James Singer
Marketing Director, At The Races
Tel: 020 7420 3218
Notes to Editors
At The Races

At The Races is the UK and Ireland’s most watched dedicated horseracing channel. It launched on June 11th 2004.

It is a joint venture between BSkyB, Arena Leisure plc, Ascot Racecourse, Northern Racing and Plumpton, Ripon and Newton Abbot Racecourses. It has media rights arrangements with 30 UK racecourses and all 26 Irish racecourses.

Broadcasting 24 hours a day in basic subscription packages, At The Races is currently available to over 13 million multi-channel homes across the UK and Ireland through Sky, Virgin Media and UPC.

Up to 2 million individuals tune into the channel every month (BARB).

Attheraces.com now attracts over 900,000 monthly unique users (Adobe Hitbox). The site serves over 2 million video streams each month with instant race replays available free of charge.

At The Races won ‘Best Sports Service’ at the prestigious Broadcast Digital Channel Awards in both 2008 and 2009.

At The Races won ‘Best Broadcaster’ at the inaugural Irish Independent Sport Betting Awards in Ireland in 2009.

Outside the UK and Ireland At The Races distributes its content into over 20 countries by means of GBI Racing, its joint venture operation with Racecourse Media Group.

At The Races broadcasts racing from over 1,200 UK and Irish meetings, holding the rights to broadcast nearly 60% of all UK and 100% of Irish fixtures. It also broadcasts high quality racing from the USA, France, Italy, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, Dubai and Germany.

- END-

PADDY POWER OPENS MARKET ON THOMAS PINK LEADING JOCKEY AWARD AT THE OPEN

2010-11-10T08:22:00.000-08:00

JOHNSON & FEHILY HEAD MARKET AT 5/2
Paddy Power has opened a market on the Thomas Pink Leading Rider Award at The Open.

Heading the market at 5/2 for the coveted prize, which is awarded to the jockey who rides the most winners over the three days of The Open (Friday, November 12 to Sunday, November 14), are Richard Johnson and Noel Fehily. With Ruby Walsh on the sidelines, Fehily looks set to gain a number of lucrative spare rides from the powerful Paul Nicholls stable during The Open.

Top Jockey at Cheltenham this weekend (Paddy Power bets):

5/2 Richard Johnson, Noel Fehily, 5/1 Barry Geraghty, 6/1 AP McCoy, 14/1 Paddy Brennan, Joe Tizzard, Jason Maguire, 20/1 Timmy Murphy, 25/1 Tom Scudamore, 33/1 Wayne Hutchinson, Graham Lee, Nina Carberry, Paul Moloney, Sam Twiston-Davies, 50/1 Sam Waley-Cohen, Sam Thomas, Tom O’Brien, Daryl Jacob, 66/1 Will Kennedy

Paddy Power himself said: “Ruby Walsh’s misfortune has been Noel Fehily’s gain and champion trainer Paul Nicholls has provided him with some wonderful rides at Cheltenham this weekend.

“Noel’s rides are likely to include Tchico Polos, who looks to have a lively chance in the Paddy Power Gold Cup as well as Sanctuaire, who obviously has a favourite’s chance in the Greatwood Hurdle the following day.”

In the event of a tie, the number of placed mounts will be taken into consideration.

Thomas Pink, the leading shirtmaker, also extends its support to the Leading Trainer Award at The Open as well as the awards for both leading jockey and leading trainer at The Festival in March.

The previous top jockeys at The Open over the last five years are:
2009 - Paddy Brennan & Ruby Walsh (2 winners)
2008 - Paddy Brennan (2 winners)
2007 - Paddy Brennan (2 winners)
2006 - Ruby Walsh (6 winners)
2005 - Timmy Murphy (4 winners)

Leading Jockeys at The Open since 1990
Tony McCoy - 39
Timmy Murphy - 19
Ruby Walsh - 16
Richard Johnson - 11
Mr J T McNamara - 7
Paddy Brennan - 6
Joe Tizzard - 6
Robert Thornton - 6
Barry Geraghty - 5
Noel Fehily - 4
Paul Carberry - 3
Brian Harding - 3
Philip Hide - 3
Graham Lee - 3
Jimmy McCarthy - 3
Tom Scudamore - 3
Sam Thomas - 3

For further information please contact Andy Clifton, Communications Manager at Cheltenham Racecourse, on 07876 330090, or visit the website at http://www.cheltenham.co.uk/

END

COOPER HANDS FORPADYDEPLASTERER A CHELTENHAM CHASE ASSIGNMENT

2010-11-10T08:10:00.000-08:00

THIS NEXT MEETING AT CHELTENHAM FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY NOVEMBER 12, 13 & 14 2010

First race - 1.15pm Friday, 12.45pm Saturday, 1.10pm Sunday

Tickets available from www.cheltenham.co.uk or by calling 08445 793 003.

Forpadydeplasterer heads to Cheltenham for an exciting renewal of the £50,000 Sinbad Testimonial 2010/2011 Chase (1.45pm), which brings together a select bunch of crack two-milers on Sunday, November 14.

The Tom Cooper-trained top-class chaser makes his seasonal return in the two-mile contest, having finished runner-up in each of his five starts last season, including when six lengths behind Big Zeb in the Grade One Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase over the course and distance at The Festival in March.

Forpadydeplasterer boasts top-class winning form over two miles at Cheltenham too, with a battling triumph over Kalahari King in the Grade One The Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase at The Festival in 2009, the highlight of his career to date.

Cooper revealed this morning: “Forpadydeplasterer is going to Cheltenham on Sunday. He had a good summer off, all has gone well with him since he came back and I am very happy with him.

“This is a nice race to start him off in. He goes there without a penalty and he has always run well at Cheltenham. Good to soft ground will be fine for him.

“The plan this year is to step him up to three miles, so after this we will go to Kempton with him for the King George at Christmas.”

The lucrative contest could also feature the Paul Nicholls-trained dual (2008 & 2009) Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase victor Master Minded, who was third to Well Chief in last season’s Sinbad Testimonial 2010/2011 Chase and must concede 10lb to Forpadydeplasterer.

Nicholls could also saddle Tataniano, who proved himself a top-class novice with a Grade Two victory in The Independent Newspaper Novices’ Chase over the course and distance at The Open last year, before going on to clinch a Grade One triumph at Aintree in April.

Also among the 14 entries are Nicky Henderson’s high-class charge Petit Robin and the smart performers Consigliere, Chaninbar, Mahogany Blaze, Oiseau De Nuit, Oh Crick, I’msingingtheblues and Moon Over Miami.

Nick Williams could run Gauvain, who was last seen in public winning an extended two-mile novice chase by six lengths from Chapoturgeon at Cheltenham in April, 2009, for his former trainer Charlie Mann.

The £100,000 Grade Three Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (2.20pm) headlines Sunday’s thrilling six-race card, while other highlights include the £30,000 Grade Two The Independent Newspaper Novices’ Chase (1.10pm) and the £25,000 Grade Two Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle (3.30pm).

The Open commences on Friday, November 12, with six enthralling races, including the £25,000 Grade Two Cheltenham Collection Novices’ Hurdle (1.50pm), the £40,000 Paddypower.com Handicap Chase (2.25pm), and the £25,000 Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeplechase (3pm) over Cheltenham’s unique cross country course.

Saturday’s excellent six-race card features the £150,000 Grade Three Paddy Power Gold Cup (2.35pm) and also includes the £25,000 Grade Two JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial (12.50pm) and the £50,000 Grade Three Morson Group Handicap Chase (1.50pm) over an extended three miles and three furlongs.

For further information please contact Andy Clifton, Communications Manager at Cheltenham Racecourse, on 07876 330090, or visit the website at http://www.cheltenham.co.uk/

END

CAN WHAT A FRIEND WIN THE BETFAIR CHASE AT HAYDOCK ON SATURDAY 20 NOVEMBER?

2010-11-10T07:58:00.000-08:00

WHAT A FRIEND AIMING TO CONTINUE NICHOLLS’ EXCEPTIONAL BETFAIR CHASE RECORD AT HAYDOCK PARK

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls will bid to enhance his superb record in the £200,000 Grade One Betfair Chase (3.25pm) with leading chaser What A Friend on course to contest the prestigious three-mile chase at Haydock Park on Saturday, November 20.

The Ditcheat handler has dominated the Betfair Chase since its inception courtesy of 14-time Grade One winner Kauto Star, who took the spoils in 2006, 2007 and beat subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup victor Imperial Commander in a scintillating climax to last year’s race.

What A Friend himself posted a pair of Grade One victories last season, having scored in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown in December and ended his campaign with a comfortable success in the totesport Bowl at Aintree’s Grand National meeting, when he took on the likes of Nacarat and Imperial Commander.

The seven-year-old is part-owned Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and there is an outside chance he could be joined in the Betfair Chase by stable-companion Noland, who has not raced since taking the Grade One John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase in December, 2008.

Nicholls revealed today: “What A Friend is likely to be our only runner in the Betfair Chase. He had a breathing operation over the summer and he looks in good form at the moment.

“After Haydock, his main objective of the season will be the Cheltenham Gold Cup. We didn’t aim him at Cheltenham last season because we wanted to give him a bit of time to mature but it is definitely his long-term target this time around.

“Denman and Kauto Star will not be heading to Haydock but Noland is a slight possibility for the Betfair Chase. I have just had a little temporary hold-up with him and I would want him bang on when he runs.

“It’s pointless if horses need a run after they have been off for while and we might need another fortnight with him. I am trying to find a race for him and will have to discuss it with (owner) John Hales, so it’s 99 per cent certain that What A Friend will be our only representative.”

The Betfair Chase is the highlight of the two-day Northwest Masters, which continues at Aintree on Sunday, November 21, and is one of only three Grade One staying chases in Britain, the others being the three-mile King George VI Chase at Kempton in December and the extended three and a quarter-mile Gold Cup at Cheltenham in March.

Haydock’s fantastic seven-race card on November 20 also features the £75,000 Listed 40% Better Off On Betfair SP “Fixed Brush” Handicap Hurdle (2.55pm) over three miles, as well as the £40,000 Betfair iphone & Android App Hurdle (1.50pm) over two miles for four-year-olds.

The day commences at 12.40pm with the £17,500 Coronation Street 50th Anniversary Novices’ Hurdle over two miles, while the remaining contests are also over two miles, the £25,000 Follow Paul Nicholls On Facebook And Twitter Handicap Chase (1.15pm) and the £7,000 Timeform Betfair Racing Club Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (3.55pm).

The Northwest Masters continues at Aintree on Sunday, November 21, which is the only raceday of the year to feature two races over the famous Grand National fences - the £60,000 totesuper7 Grand Sefton Chase (12.35pm) and the £100,000 Listed totesport.com Becher Chase (1.45pm).

For further information please contact Dickon White, Managing Director at Haydock Park, on 01942 725963 or 07798 928924 or e-mail: dickon.white@thejockeyclub.co.uk

END

THE 20TH CARTIER RACING AWARDS TO BE UNVEILED ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 16TH 2010

2010-11-10T07:40:00.000-08:00

COUNTDOWN TO CARTIER RACING AWARDS

There is great anticipation ahead of the 2010 Cartier Racing Awards after another fabulous year of horseracing, with the winners announced in London on the evening of Tuesday, November 16.

European horseracing’s most prestigious accolades will be presented for a landmark 20th time during a glittering ceremony before an invited audience of 350 in the ballroom of London’s Dorchester Hotel.

The Cartier Racing Awards recognise excellence in horseracing and the awards are the sport’s equivalent of the Oscars.

Split into eight categories for the year’s top horses, including the particularly coveted Cartier Horse Of The Year, the awards are determined by points earned in Pattern races combined, at the end of the season, with the opinions of a panel of leading racing journalists, as well as votes from readers of the Racing Post and The Daily Telegraph.

The categories are Cartier Horse Of The Year; Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt, Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly, Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt, Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly; Cartier Stayer, Cartier Sprinter and Cartier Older Horse.

The nominations for this year’s awards - five in each category - will be announced tomorrow, Thursday, November 11.

The Cartier Racing Awards were established in 1991 to recognise the achievements of racehorses in Europe and have proved their staying prowess.

Harry Herbert, Cartier’s Racing Consultant, commented: “We have enjoyed thrilling top-class racing throughout the year and the 2010 Cartier Racing Awards will honour the champions.

“The announcement of the Cartier Racing Awards on Tuesday will be particularly momentous, with it being the 20th unveiling of these very prestigious awards.

“This milestone is being celebrated during the evening by a film tribute to previous winners.”

The Cartier Racing Awards also include the Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award Of Merit for the person or persons who, in the opinion of the special 18-strong Cartier Jury, has/have done most for European racing and/or breeding either over their lifetime or within the past 12 months.

The list of past winners of the Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit is as follows; HM The Queen (Cartier Millennium Award of Merit), John Oxx, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Niarchos Family, Peter Willett, Henry Cecil, David & Patricia Thompson, Lord Oaksey, Tony McCoy (Cartier Special Award), Prince Khalid Abdullah, John Magnier, His Highness The Aga Khan, Peter Walwyn, the Head Family, Sir Peter O’Sullevan, Frankie Dettori, John Dunlop, the Marquess of Hartington, Francois Boutin, Lester Piggott and Henri Chalhoub.

For more information, please contact Harry Herbert, Cartier’s racing consultant (01488 669166), Sima Bibi of Cartier (020 7408 5740) or Mark Popham of Racenews (020 7704 0326)

Past winners at the Cartier Racing Awards
2009 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS

Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: St Nicholas Abbey

Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Special Duty

Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Sea The Stars

Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Sariska

Cartier Sprinter: Fleeting Spirit

Cartier Stayer: Yeats

Cartier Older Horse: Goldikova

Cartier Horse of the Year: Sea The Stars, owned by Christopher Tsui

Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: John Oxx

2008 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS

Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Mastercraftsman

Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Rainbow View

Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: New Approach

Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Zarkava

Cartier Sprinter: Marchand D'Or

Cartier Stayer: Yeats

Cartier Older Horse: Duke Of Marmalade

Cartier Horse of the Year: Zarkava, owned by HH the Aga Khan

Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

END.

HORSERACING WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS ASSOCIATION (HWPA)

2010-11-01T03:51:00.000-07:00

DERBY AWARDS’ NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

The identities of the four writers shortlisted for the title of Horserace Writers and Photographers Association Journalist of the Year, one of the showpiece awards at this year’s 44th HWPA Derby Awards lunch on Monday, December 6, supported by Boylesports.com and Spinal Research, are announced today.

Chris McGrath (The Independent), who took the coveted Clive Graham Trophy three years ago, is a nominee along with another previous winner Brough Scott (Racing Post), who gained the title back in 1977 when writing for the Sunday Times.

The other two selected are first-time shortlisters, Chris Cook (The Guardian) and Peter Thomas (Racing Post).

A record entry of 25 was received for this year’s award, each of whom submitted three articles from the last 12 months to an independent judging panel comprised of former Sporting Life editor Monty Court, experienced Daily Star writer Tony Lewis and Mark Popham, editor and managing director of Racenews.

The panel was asked to select the shortlist on the basis of the three submitted articles plus the overall work of the writers concerned over the past 12 months.

Because of the size and high standard of the entry, the panel also requested that four other writers should receive commendations for their work - Sean Boyce (Boycie’s blog), Lissa Oliver (freelance), Tom Peacock (Press Association) and Tom Richmond (Yorkshire Post).

“There were some particularly strong pieces which meant deciding the shortlisted journalists wasn’t easy,” said Mark Popham.

“Away from finalising the shortlist, the most pleasing aspect of being involved was the number of writers with whom not all of the judges were familiar, but whose work was interesting and of a good standard. We felt they should be encouraged as much as possible.”

Members of the Horserace Writers and Photographers Association will now vote to choose between the four shortlisted to be the HWPA Journalist of the Year, while they will also vote on whether Nick Luck will claim the Sir Peter O’Sullevan Trophy as Broadcaster of the Year for the fourth year running.

The shortlist for the title of Photographer of the Year has been selected by award-winning sports photographer Chris Smith, who chose the portfolios submitted by Dan Abraham, Julian Herbert, Louise Pollard and Hugh Routledge.

Dan and Hugh are both former winners of the award, while Julian and Louise are also previous nominees, so there is plenty of experience among the shortlist. Incredibly, there were no less than eight former winners among the 17 photographers who submitted portfolios for the competition.

The winners of all of this year’s awards will be announced at a sell-out lunch at the Lancaster London Hotel on Monday, December 6.

HWPA President Will Hayler said: “The Derby Awards lunch has become known as the best racing lunch in town and the winners’ celebrations tend to go on well into the night. To have the largest-ever entry from 25 journalists and 17 photographers is a great compliment to the esteem in which these prizes are rightfully held.

“Everyone lucky enough to be attending the lunch should be grateful for the ongoing support of Boylesports.com, and also to Andy Stewart, whose generous backing of the awards allows us to use the event to raise awareness of the important and groundbreaking work of Spinal Research.”

Boylesports.com has opened up betting on two of the awards and make Brough Scott the 4-5 market-leader to repeat his victory of 33 years ago in the Journalist of the Year title, while Nick Luck is the 4-9 favourite to continue his winning streak in the broadcasters’ division, ahead of Matt Chapman at 13-8. Betting for both competitions will be available on the Boylesports.com website.

Head of Communications and Betting Spokesperson, Leon Blanche, commented: “We at Boylesports.com are proud to be back to sponsor the HWPA Derby Awards for the second year running and congratulate all of the nominees. Last year’s event was fantastic and we received a great deal of positive feedback.

“We’re looking forward to an equally enjoyable event in 2010 and are thrilled to be joined by Spinal Research. It is a hugely important cause and this is the perfect stage to provide the organisation with plenty of publicity.”

Jonathan Miall, chief executive of Spinal Research, said: “Spinal Research is very pleased to be associated with this year’s Derby Awards lunch.

“This represents another major opportunity not only to support an excellent event, but also to further increase Spinal Research’s profile amongst key supporters in the horseracing industry, and to publicise its recent successes and ongoing developments in the research that it funds towards repair of damaged spinal cords.

“Spinal Research would like to congratulate all nominees and winners of awards this year.

Boylesports.com betting for Journalist of the Year:
4/5 Brough Scott

2/1 Chris McGrath

7/2 Peter Thomas
4/1 Chris Cook

Boylesports.com betting for Broadcaster of the Year
4/9 Nick Luck

13/8 Matt Chapman

8/1 Clare Balding

16/1 bar
For further details, please contact HWPA President Will Hayler at will.hayler@gmail.com

END.

RACING POST SPECIAL REPORT TODAY: AT HOME WITH GOLDIKOVA.

2010-10-27T01:18:00.000-07:00

WHAT BLOODHORSE LITERACY IS ALL ABOUT.

PART OF THE FANTASTIC TRUE LIFE STORY OF GOLDIKOVA PAGES 6 AND 7 IN THE RACING POST TODAY. FREDDIE HEAD A MASTERCRAFTSMEN IN HIS OWN RIGHT A HIGHLY SKILLED ARTIST WHO STAMPS HIS INDEPENDENT TALENTS UPON EACH AND EVERY THOROUGHBRED PLACED IN HIS CARE. TOGETHER WITH HIS TEAM OF HORSEMAN AT HOME WHERE ALL THE PREPERATIONS TAKE PLACE
FOR COMPETITION ON THE RACETRACK BEFORE ANY JOCKEY TAKES OVER.

JULIAN MUSCAT talks to FREDDIE HEAD as the trainer approaches the end of the line with a mare who has left an indelible mark. Freddie says: “It is too much to hope I will ever have another like her. All she has ever wanted to do is run, run, run.”

BRILLIANT PHOTOGRAPH CAUGHT BY DAN ABREHAM.
“Unrequited love: a devoted Freddie Head checks up on the object of his affections, who is a notoriously independent soul.” Allowed to be a free spirit.

MUSCAT “FREDDIE HEAD is woefully unprepared for the inevitable. One day the object of his overriding affection will pass through the front gates and won’t be coming back. Only then will he confront the cold reality of life without GOLDIKOVA.”

Get today's Racing Post read it, keep it, and never forget the true life story of Goldikova ever. This will give you the true insight of what Bloodhorse Literacy is all about.

END

CASELA PARK UPDATE - LETHAL CONCOCTION OF BLOODHORSE AND LEGAL ILLITERACY

2010-10-08T05:11:00.000-07:00

RACING POST REPORT BY JESSICA LAMB

“EAMON TYRRELL, warned off for three years by the BHA on Tuesday, (05. 10. 2010)

“ TYRRELL PLANS TO CONTEST CASELA PARK BAN IN JUDICIAL REVIEW COURT."

Tyrrell: “I didn’t get a fair hearing the first time.”

"Tyrrell said yesterday that he would not appeal the decision but will instead take his case to Britain’s courts for judicial review.

“The trainer and his jockey Jason Behan were handed three – year suspensions for “deliberately stopping” CASELA PARK in a Newcastle handicap in August.

“Explaining his decision to go to the courts rather than lodge an appeal with the BHA, he said “I didn’t get a fair hearing the first time, so why would I go back to the same crowd, who are with the same body who handed me an unfair sentence from an unfair hearing. I was found guilty of rule C45.1 which the guidelines clearly state warrants only a fine of between £1,000 and £2,500.

“Where have they pulled out three years from? A second offence for C45.1 gets 24 months according to the guidelines.”

J. Margaret Clarke comment for Turfcall:
This case poses the question ...'Who are the present Rules of Racing made up to support?

Bloodhorse Illiterate regulation and disciplinary parties including QC's who act without fair consideration and knowledge as to the rights and needs of the horses, as in context here 'horseracing'?

“Despite Tyrrell’s questioning of the length of the ban, the BHA yesterday pointed out that the penalty of three years was the mid-point of the punishment that could be handed to a trainer where the jockey is also in breach of the rules.

J. Margaret Clarke comment for Turfcall. Punishment? But what about the horse, is he to be punished for being tricky to ride? Or is the horse’s part in all this to be ignored? Due to the fact that all the parties who made up the panel at the disciplinary hearing to include the QC are ‘Bloodhorse Illiterate’ therefore would be unable to read this race in its true perspective inclusive of CASELA PARK, needs and rights .... we are talking here of a HORSERACE which in it’s name alone most certainly includes each and every horse, in each and every race. So how is it that the hierarchy within the regulation of British horseracing remain to be mainly all ‘Bloodhorse Illiterate?’

“BHA spokesman Paul Struthers said ‘We totally refute that either the hearing or the penalty imposed were unfair. The authority’s role is to investigate, to decide on the appropriate charges and present a case to the disciplinary panel.

“The disciplinary panel acts independently of the authority, and it’s role is to assess the evidence, and reach a decision as to whether or not there has been a breach of the rules of racing, before deciding on an appropriate penalty.”

“CASELA PARK was suspended for 42 days, beginning on Wednesday (06.10.2010). However, because the deadline for appeal is 5pm on Monday (11.10.2010) the son of ELNADIM can take up the entry he holds in a handicap at the Curragh on Monday at 3.20pm.

J. Margaret Clarke comment for Turfcall. BHA spokesman Paul Struthers is also Bloodhorse Illiterate.

“Tyrrell said: “He works in the morning and we’ll decide then. It’s a similar race to the one he finished fourth in at Leopardstown in July.

“We made too much of him there and, I think, if we drop him out like Newcastle and he settles he has a realistic chance.”

This photograph shows the highly skilled art, in practice,of a true horseman of the highest caliber. No one can buy 'Bloodhorse Literacy' it can only be achieved through dedicated endevour, hard work and the right guidance.

CASELA PARK - LETHAL CONCOCTION OF BLOODHORSE AND LEGAL ILLITERACY

2010-10-01T12:07:00.000-07:00

INJUSTICE SLAUGHTERS CASELA PARK AND ALL CONNECTIONS

COMMENT J MARGARET CLARKE FOR TURFCALL

ON THE NEWCASTLE RACE LAST MONTH

PROFESSIONAL JOCKEY'S are paid to ride the horses, they have a duty of care to the horses, the trainer and the owner, whilst doing so. Jockey’s are not there to teach the stewards about horses or how to ride them.

Bloodhorse Illiterate Stewards: “The gelding (Casela Park) was subjected to strong and persistent episodes of restraint ...

Bloodhorse Illiterate Stewards: “But for its (CASELA PARK) treatment by Behan, it (CASELA PARK) would have won. That may seem a strong conclusion , but the more the panel viewed the recordings, the more it felt driven to this view.”.

Bloodhorse Literate: CASELA PARK bolted on leaving the starting gate.

Bloodhorse Literate: BEHAN became CASELA PARK’S passenger. A drastic and dangerous situation for any horseman to find himself in.

ON THE RIDE
Bloodhorse Illiterate Steward: “Behan’s ride was not misjudged : it was deliberate. WRONG

Bloodhorse Literate: Casela Park upon leaving the starting gate, tanked off with Behan, in other words bolted ... out of control, leaving Behan as passenger.

Bloodhorse Illiterate Stewards: The panel concluded that the ride came within category (b - deliberately preventing a horse from winning.” WRONG .

Bloodhorse Literate: It was through CASELA PARK’S actions taking charge of BEHAN not the other way round. A horse is a large animal if it decides for whatever reason to use brute force to get itself out of a situation it fears, man’s strength is no match.

Bloodhorse Literate: There was nothing intentional other that Casela Park determination to get his own way through panic and fear to run away.

ON THE MOTIVE

Bloodhorse Illiterate Stewards: “The more likely possibility is that, for whatever reason, the money was not planned to be down for Newcastle but was planned down for Musselburgh.

Bloodhorse Literate: These BHA panel parties are second guessing, assuming flippantly, disregarding and misinterpreting the actual key facts as they unfolded here, as this race actually paned out to be. BHA parties accusing and abusing horsemen to include the horses, using unacceptable inaccuracies, way out of perspective in their perception as to what horsemanship is all about, they are in fact Bloodhorse Illiterate and have no business whatsoever of holding positions as acting stewards.

ON THE VERDICT

Bloodhorse Illiterate Stewards: “Tyrrell chose to paint a portrait of the gelding as very difficult to ride. RIGHT

Bloodhorse Illiterate Stewards: “And as sometimes uncontrollable. RIGHT

Bloodhorse Literate: CASELA PARK bolted out of the starting gate, he was uncontrollable, he proved then just how difficult and how dangerous he is to ride.

Bloodhorse Literate: Tyrrell didn’t make Behan ride as he did, it was Casela Park who made Behan ride the way he did.

Bloodhorse Illiterate Stewards: Tyrrell ‘s remark “to not kill the gelding” was a valid one, due to the fact that through the BHA’S Bloodhorse Illiterate stewarding, horses have been dying whilst running in races, or collapsing dead after passing the winning post due to the harsh attitudes dictated by bloodhorse illiterate stewarding parties.

END

30.09.2010 CASELA PARK - JESSICA LAMB REPORTS FOR THE RACING POST

2010-09-30T03:21:00.000-07:00

Thursday, September 30th , 2010

CASELA PARK - A LETHAL CONCOCTION OF BLOODHORSE AND LEGAL ILLITERACY.

INJUSTICE SLAUGHTERS CASELA PARK AND ALL CONNECTIONS. CONTINUED.

TYRRELL: IF MY LICENCE GOES I'LL HAVE NOTHING.
“EAMON TYRRELL yesterday claimed that he faced not only the end of his career, but the loss of his house if he receives a lengthy ban from the BHA for Casela Park’s run in a Newcastle handicap last month.

“Tyrrell and jockey Behan were found guilty of deliberately preventing Casela Park from winning by the BHA’s disciplinary panel and await their sentences, which are unlikely to come until next week. Both could receive a disqualification of up to five years and are likely to be banned for a minimum of 18 months

“Whatever the outcome, Tyrrell already fears the worst for his training career as owners have put plans on hold and some have withdrawn altogether.

“Speaking from his base at the Curragh yesterday, he said: ‘It’s ground to a standstill here. I’ve owners wanting to bring me yearlings – some very nice ones that I bought for them – but they can’t because I might not have a license next week.

“The only thing I know is horses and if they take the license off me, I’ll have nothing. At this stage in the game I’m barely hanging on to my property, and to take my license would be to take my livelihood away from me.”
“Tyrrell, 50 has been training full time since 2002, having been apprenticed to Buster Harty (brother of Eddie) and assistant to multiple Classic winning trainer Kevin Prendergast.

“ At the height of his career, he had between 50 and 60 in his stable, including duel Listed winner Slip Dance, but this year he has run only four horses over both Flat and Jumps.

“Despite more than 35 years of working within the industry, Tyrrell insisted yesterday that at Newcastle last month, he entered a stewards’ room for the first time.

“He expressed disbelief at the level of the expected sentences , given his previous disciplinary record, which was forwarded with a letter of commendation to the BHA by the Turf Club.

“”He said: ‘ It’s like being found guilty of assault and getting sentenced for murder. The only thing I’ve been found guilty of is giving inadequate instructions.
“My motto regarding that comes from Con Collins. I asked him one day how I should ride a horse, and he told me, ‘If you don’t know the horse well enough to know that then I don’t have the right jockey on him.’ I’ve gone through all the rules and guide lines, and don’t understand how I can be sentenced under a rule I haven’t been found guilty of.’

“At the BHA’s head office in London, Tyrrell and Behan represented themselves, suggesting they were unable to pay up front for a barrister and solicitor.

“Tyrrell considered approaching the Irish Racehorse Trainers’Association to help with these funds, but decided it would be ‘unfair to ask such a small organisation ‘.

“He added: ‘The whole issue has snowballed out of all proportion. It’s not like there was a big betting coup, or we’re even a betting yard.

“I trained Ireland’s first Listed winner in Germany for about 20 years when Impetious won at Hanover three years ago and didn’t get as much publicity as I’ve got for this..”

COMMENT J MARGARET CLARKE FOR TURFCALL
RIP OFF BRITAIN MARCHES ON - This time courtesy of the Bloodhorse Illiterate British Horseracing Authority, geared exactly the same as the British Legal Justice System, to suit only the rich and privileged.

TYRRELL points out ‘ It’s like being found guilty of assault and getting sentenced for murder. The only thing I’ve been found guilty of is giving inadequate instructions."

No horseman can give copious instructions in this case with CASELA PARK because he is such a troubled horse. CASELA PARK in the hands of Behan who most probably rides him out at home, so works with him each day and knows him best of all. Tyrrell's imput therefore has been working each and every day, not only on the race day.

It appears that the BHA stewards take the view that a race , any race only need be consentrated upon by their stewards over the last furlong or less. When in fact any and all races start when the starting stalls open, and continue on throughout until each and every horse passes the winning post. Throughout this time, all incidences and action that occur need accounting for, be they either fair or foul.

END

29.09.2010 CASELA PARK - ANDREW SCUTTS REPORTS FOR THE RACING POST

2010-09-30T01:04:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

CASELA PARK - A LETHAL CONCOCTION OF BLOODHORSE AND LEGAL ILLITERACY

INJUSTICE SLAUGHTERS CASELA PARK AND ALL CONNECTIONS. CONTINUED.

RACING POST REPORT BY ANDREW SCUTTS: "BHA DEFENDS DECISION TO USE QC IN CASELA PARK INQUIRY."

THE BHA yesterday defended its decision to use a solicitor to present its case against Eamon Tyrrell and Jason Behan, arguing it was to late to change tack when realising the trainer and jockey would not be legally represented at last weeks hearing.

Tyrrell and Behan were found guilty of deliberately preventing a horse from winning- the first such instance of its type in Britain for nearly 20 years – and await their fate knowing that the maximum penalty is a five- year disqualification .

The disadvantage of not being able to afford a solicitor or barrister was underlined by Tyrrell and Behan during last Wednesday’s hearing, while yesterday Rupert Arnold, chief executive of the National Trainers Federation, described legal representation in such a scenario as “absolutely essential”.

In Ireland, should a trainer or a jockey not be legally represented at an inquiry, the Turf Club reciprocates. The BHA follows that policy, but did not last week, when the disciplinary panel conducted the hearing into Casela Park’s Newcastle run last month.

BHA spokesman Paul Struthers explained: “We’d normally reciprocate but found out only on Monday that Tyrrell and Behan weren’t going to be represented.

“We felt we could not change tack at that stage. We had already incurred costs and 24 hours was too late notice for someone internally to prep and present the case. If we had known all along that they were not going to be presented, it’s more than possible the case would have been presented by a member of the internal team. I don’t believe a delay (of the hearing) was requested.”

Struthers said the defendants’ lack of representation was not a critical factor in the disciplinary panel finding them in breach of the rules “as this was strictly a running and riding case, and the video evidence is damning”.

However, Tyrrell and Behan described themselves as “lambs to the slaughter”, after choosing not to be legally represented on the basis of costs - £18,000 according to the trainer.

Jim Kavanagh chief executive of the Irish Racehorse Trainers’ Association said: “We don’t have the finances to provide legal advise to trainers, but back them in whatever way we can.

“ I did speak to Eamon before the case, and know him well. It’s astounding he could loose his livelihood over it. The BHA used an anvil to crack a nut in employing a QC to prosecute this case.

“What chance would anyone have in Eamon and Jason’s position? The cost of legal representation are prohibitive and this ended up like an 11-a -side football team taking on a five-a-side team.

COMMENT J MARGARET CLARKE FOR TURFCALL
RIP OFF BRITAIN.
The British Legal Justice System is geared to suit the rich and privileged, the only ones able to afford the "Rip Off Legal Fees."

The British Legal Justice System needs to be made available for all.

“What happened doesn’t do racing any good.”

Arnold, Kavanagh ‘s counter - part in Britain, said yesterday: “We provide free legal advice and representation at inquiries up to a certain level (of funding).

“Legal costs are a problem, but it’s absolutely essential to have representation in a hearing like last week’s. The system is so legalised now, and the BHA can provide reams of evidence for prosecution .

“It’s essential for a trainer or jockey to be fully represented, with professional legal representation to protect their interests.”

Kevin Darley, chief executive of The Professional Jockeys’ Association , said: “All our members are covered (for legal representation) through our group insurance scheme.

“What happened with this hearing is not a scenario that would occur with a member of the PJA.

“They would have a solicitor in such a hearing, the main ones we use being Andrew Chalk of Withy King, and Rory Mac Neice of Ashfords – they are well up to speed with rules and regulations .”

Darley, who confirmed the insurance scheme would cover a member at a Turf Club hearing, added: “I’d say it would b better to have legal representation.” END

CASELA PARK - A LETHAL CONCOCTION OF BLOODHORSE AND LEGAL ILLITERACY

2010-09-28T05:26:00.000-07:00

INJUSTICE SLAUGHTERS CASELA PARK AND ALL CONNECTIONS.

COMMENT J MARGARET CLARKE FOR TURFCALL

HOW TO UNTANGLE THIS MESS

BLOODHORSE ILLITERATE QC for the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) GRAEME McPHERSON reached the wrong conclusion, he has given a wrong judgement, he has made false accusations, he has punished and condemned innocent BLOODHORSE LITERATE parties, and he has totally ignored the rights and needs of CASELA PARK.. It could be said that McPHERSON could not have made more of a hash of the CASELA PARK case, even if he had wanted to.

NOT GUILTY

LET THE HORSES DO THE TALKING

CASELA PARK

From the time that the starting stalls opened and this race at Newcastle started CASELA PARK took charge of his rider JASON BEHAN, and ran away with JASON … JASON could not hold CASELA PARK who was out of control, galloping flat out. JASON however was able to steer CASELA PARK which he succeded in managing to accomplish.

(To get carted anywhere by a horse is a ghastly and frightening experience) So in this context, JASON deserved a medal not punishment or disgrace.)

LEE MOTTERSHEAD REPORTING FOR THE RACING POST WEDNESDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2010. (See full report as published herewith)

LEE REPORTS:“ In a statement that in no way tried to hide the (unnamed) panel’s view of the Irish duo’s actions, Tyrrell and Behan were accused of deliberate stopping Casela Park.”

TURFCALL COMMENT:Tyrrell and Behan were accused of deliberate stopping CASELA PARK by the BHA panel. However the true facts do not suggest this at all. The true facts show that from the time that the stalls opened in the Newcastle race, CASELA PARK fled, a frightened, traumatised CASELA PARK taking charge of his rider JASON BEHAN, he ran away, galloped off as fast as he could go, leaving BEHAN struggling to regain control.

Luckily for JASON and the other runners competing in this race JASON was able to steer CASELA PARK whilst he was attempting to regain control.

LEE REPORTS: Brian Storey and Dick Allan, the last jockey and trainer convicted of preventing a horse from winning, were each warned off for three months after Flowing River’s defeat at Kelso in 1991. At that stage, no guidelines for punishment existed.”

TURFCALL COMMENT: In 1991 at Kelso, Lee points out a key fact. “At that stage, no guidelines for punishment existed.” Now in 2010 we have BHA ‘Bloodhorse Illiterate’ regulation and disciplinary parties acting in ignorance as this case highlights so sadly.

LEE REPORTS: “ CASELA PARK sent off 17-2 for the Newcastle race, a winner of two of his previous six outings finished an eye catching sixth.”

TURFCALL COMMENT: CASELA PARK clearly has talent, the problem is finding the key to unlocking his talent. As things stand at present he is so traumatised that he deals with his fears the only way he knows how by running away.

LET THE HORSES DO THE TALKING

CASELA PARK is now five years old. The way he is now shows that he has had many bad experiences, each and every one have left their scares along the way toward destroying the quality of his life.

Similar to that which Monty Roberts Blushing ET documentary shows. (Link on Turfcall’s Home page)

LEE GOES ON: “That effort prompted the Newcastle stewards to refer Casela Park’s connections to the BHA, who’s QC, Graeme McPherson, claiming that last weeks hearing that the horse had been “stopped” in order that connections could obtain a better price when contesting a Musselburgh handicap two days later.

TURFCALL COMMENT: QC Graeme McPherson makes a very dangerous assumption here. CASELA PARK was not stopped, because JASON BEHAN could not hold him. Simple as that.

QC for BHA Graeme McPherson together with the unnamed BHA panel need to ask themselves who would want to place a bet on a horse that is impossible to hold? A horse who shows in his races what a nervous wreck he has become.

LEE REPORTS: Summing up its assessment of Casela Park’s Newcastle run, the panel stated, “but for its treat by Behan, it would have won.” It argued that Behan was guilty of “deliberately preventing a horse from winning”, and stressed that Tyrrell’s assertion that Casela Park was “very difficult to ride” was “plainly false”.

TURFCALL COMMENT: Total rubbish. There could be no argument about anything other than if JASON had been able to hold CASELA PARK from the off, he may well have won this race. As JASON was unable to hold one side of CASELA PARK from the off, CASELA PARK ended up being a spent force by the time he needed to make his winning move. CASELA PARK is indeed a very difficult ride.

LEE REPORTS: The panel’s statement concluded: “This was not merely a case where a rusty over interpreted the instructions ‘not to kill the horse’ ... this was a deliberate stopping ride on Tyrrell’s instructions .”

TURFCALL COMMENT: Total Rubbish. JASON BEHAN is not a rusty rider, he is a skilled and brave rider to have agreed to ride such a traumatised CASELA PARK.

LEE MOTTERSHEAD REPORT RACING POST 28.09.2010

"GUILTY CASELA PAIR FACE LENGTHY BANS."

The trainer and jockey to be found guilty of deliberately preventing a horse from winning in Britain for almost 20 years could be warned off for five years each after BHA disciplinary panel found Eamon Tyrrell and Jason Behan guilty of insuring Casela Park did not win a Newcastle handicap in August.

In a statement that in no way tried to hide the panel’s view of the Irish duo’s actions, Tyrrell and Behan were accused of “deliberate stopping”.

However, the London announcement sent shock waves and anger through parts of Ireland’s racing’s hierocracy. Jim Kavanagh head of the Irish Racehorse Trainers’ Association , described himself as “astounded” and “amazed” at the verdicts while Irish jockeys’ chief Andrew Coonan said a lengthy ban for Behan would be extremely harsh”.

A decision on penalties is unlikely to come until next week, but with the panel having found the accused guilty, a disqualification at, or close to, the maximum tier of five years seems likely. The minimum possible punishment is a one year disqualification, with the Irish racing authorities expected to reciprocate any bans.

Brian Storey and Dick Allan, the last jockey and trainer convicted of preventing a horse from winning, were each warned off for three months after Flowing River’s defeat at Kelso in 1991. At that stage, no guidelines for punishment existed.

Sent off at 17-2 for the Newcastle race, Casela Park, a winner of two of his previous six outings finished an eye catching sixth , the Racing Post comment noting that the horse had made “steady headway going well when switched repeatedly from over one furlong out”. Thereafter he was nudged along and kept on strongly” in the last 100 yards, eventually passing the post two lengths adrift of the winner.

That effort prompted the Newcastle stewards to refer Casela Park’s connections to the BHA, who’s QC, Graeme McPherson, claiming that last weeks hearing that the horse had been “stopped” in order that connections could obtain a better price when contesting a Musselburgh handicap two days later.

Under intense media scrutiny, and with Patrick Mathers taking over in the saddle, Casela Park a 3/1 shot, finished fourth in Scotland.

Summing up its assessment of Casela Park’s Newcastle run, the panel stated, “but for its treat by Behan, it would have won.” It argued that Behan was guilty of “deliberately preventing a horse from winning”, and stressed that Tyrrell’s assertion that Casela Park was “very difficult to ride” was “plainly false”.

The panel’s statement concluded: “This was not merely a case where a rusty over interpreted the instructions ‘not to kill the horse’ ... this was a deliberate stopping ride on Tyrrell’s instructions .”

Reacting to the panel's verdict, Kavanagh said: "I'm astounded to hear
that Eamon has been found guilty and I'll be even more astounded if he
receives a five - year penalty.

"I saw both races and felt Eamon made a very logical case. I also believe
there was no illegal movement on the exchanges, so I'm amazed at the decision.

"I cannot speak about the jockey but I know Eamon very well. He's a very good trainer and has never come under unfavourable notice in Ireland. A five year ban would effectively end his career."

Coonan added:"I have yet to read the findings, but the possibility of a lengthy suspension does seem extremely harsh, with regards Jason, who has at all times denied culpability."

The BHA, Tyrrell and Behan are now able to make representations to the panel before penalties are determined. END.

KEY EXCERPTS FROM THE PANEl'S FINDINGS.

ON THE RACE.
“The gelding was subjected to strong and persistent episodes of restraint ... and was manoeuvred several times away from gaps and back behind other runners. It was running on well in the last 50 yards, despite an absence of any driving or encouragement. But for its (Casela Park) treatment by Behan, it (Casela Park) would have won. That may seem a strong conclusion , but the more the panel viewed the recordings, the more it felt driven to this view.”

Comment J Margaret Clarke for Turfcall
To follow shortly

ON THE RIDE.
“Behan’s ride was not misjudged: it was deliberate, and Tyrrell’s late criticism of a different aspect of it did not touch on that. He did not identify any aspect of the ride which failed to meet his instructions. He (Tyrrell’s) failure to ensure Casela Park ran on its merits was intentional ... The panel concluded that the ride came within category (b - deliberately preventing a horse from winning.”

Comment J Margaret Clarke for Turfcall
To follow shortly

ON THE MOTIVE.
“The more likely possibility is that, for whatever reason, the money was not planned to be down for Newcastle but was planned down for Musselburgh. This explanation finds some support from Tyrrell’s remark of not killing the gelding or ‘we wouldn’t be able to go to Musselburgh’ ... The panel was left in the position that there was no clear or obvious motive for the ride given at Newcastle. There may have been one but it didn’t emerge.”

Comment J Margaret Clarke for Turfcall
To follow shortly

ON THE VERDICT.
“Tyrrell’s denial of the obvious was so striking that the panel felt bound to conclude that he caused ... Behan to ride as he did. Tyrrell chose to paint a portrait of the gelding as very difficult to ride and as sometimes uncontrollable , which was plainly false. The important picture that emerged ... was that the gelding was a genuine trier and could be relied upon to run straight, even under strong driving . This was not merely a case where a rusty jockey (Behan) over- interpreted the instruction ‘not to kill the horse or get milled to finish third’. This was a deliberate stopping ride on Tyrrell’s instructions.” END

Comment J Margaret Clarke for Turfcall
To follow shortly

RACING POST COMMENT Andrew Scutts
Defendents’ lack of representation was unsatisfactory.

Whatever the eventual fate of Eamon Tyrrell and Jason Behan after being found guilty, their lack of legal representation at the hearing last Wednesday cannot be allowed to pass without comment.

A report in the Racing Post on September 4 revealed that the trainer and jockey had secured the services of the legal team who successfully represented Harry Findlay when the owner-gambler’s six-month suspension was quashed in July.

But when Tyrrell and Behan walked into the lion’s den, otherwise known as the BHA inquiry room in the basement of its London office, they did so unaccompanied .

Tyrrell said that until a couple of days earlier they were set to have barrister Roderick Moore and solicitor Daryl Cowan in their corner, but that the cost - £18,000 according to Tyrrell – led to a change of mind.

Whether it should be incumbent on the BHA to conduct a potentially career-ending or financial damaging hearing with legal representation on both sides of the room – ie stand the cost of providing a solicitor for the defence – could be a matter for debate, but with integrity spend already under pressure, given the industry’s financial straits, it is probably a non starter.

As things stand, it is up to the defence to meet the cost of being represented. An irony of this inquiry is that Graham McPherson QC, for the BHA, in trying, is trying to paint a picture of a future betting coup that would provide a motive for Behan’s ride at Newcastle, made a lot of Tyrrell’s dwindling string- down to four
from 60 before the credit crunch – and Benham’s dwindling rides: seven this year, down from 50- plus in 2005.

Comment J Margaret Clarke for Turfcall
To follow shortly

So if they are down on their luck, they can hardly have been expected to enter the fray with a legal representative to challenge McPherson’s assertions .

Whatever the ins and outs, it was uncomfortable at times observing the aggressive nature of McPherson questions and statements, knowing there was no – one on the opposite side of the room to give him some back.

McPherson has presented many BHA cases and is comfortable in an environment that Tyrrell and Behan were clearly understandably uncomfortable in.

“Lambs to the slaughter,” was a phrase Tyrrell and Behan both used to describe their situation. Behan had never ever been to London before, and in his summing up again made mention of the difference it made to him and the trainer in not having the money for a barrister or a solicitor..

Both were happy with the way panel chairman Tim Charlton conducted affairs , but if their not being legally represented was bad news for Tyrrell and Behan, you sensed it was not ideal for the panel either.

Inevitably, in mulling over the verdict, it would have reflected the disadvantage to trainer and jockey of not having representation. That is unsatisfactory all round.

It was easy to imagine a solicitor and/or barrister getting stuck in to McPherson after many of his exaggerations , comments and questions, particularly in regard to his trying to explane a “betting coup” motive for the Newcastle ride, and the use of articles in the Racing Post as evidence.

Should this end up with an appeal against their penalties, it would be fascinating to see what difference legal representation would make.

Perhaps if Harry Findlay wins the Scoop6 this week, he’ll stand the cost, just for the hell of it. END

MIDDAY ENTERS RECKONING FOR CARTIER RACING AWARDS RECOGNITION

2010-09-15T06:40:00.000-07:00

AUTUMNAL LONGCHAMP has been the scene of many thrilling performances down the years and the Paris venue witnessed another on Sunday, September 12, when Midday enhanced her Cartier Racing Awards credentials with a dominant victory in the Group One Qatar Prix Vermeille.

On a weekend of outstanding European racing at Doncaster, the Curragh and Longchamp, Midday’s fifth Group One triumph took her Cartier Awards points tally this year to 104, placing Cartier Older Horse category leaders Goldikova (112 points) and Starspangledbanner (112) firmly in her sights.

The Cartier Racing Awards recognise excellence in horseracing and the awards are the sport’s equivalent of the Oscars. Split into eight categories for the year’s top horses, including the particularly coveted Cartier Horse Of The Year, the awards are determined by points earned in Pattern races combined, at the end of the season, with the opinions of a panel of racing journalists, as well as votes from readers of the Racing Post and The Daily Telegraph.

European horseracing's most prestigious accolades will be presented for the 20th time on November 16, during a glittering ceremony before an invited audience in the ballroom of London’s Dorchester Hotel.

The Cartier Racing Awards were established in 1991 to recognise the achievements of racehorses in Europe. There is also the Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award Of Merit for the person or persons who, in the opinion of the special 18-strong Cartier Jury, has/have done most for European racing and/or breeding either over their lifetime or within the past 12 months.

Trained by Henry Cecil for owner/breeder Khalid Abdulla, Midday saw off a classy pair of fillies, Group One Grand Prix de Saint Cloud winner Plumania and previously unbeaten Group One Prix de Diane heroine Sarafina (72), as she posted an excellent third Group One win from four starts this season.

The four-year-old Oasis Dream filly’s next outing will see her attempt to clinch a second Grade One Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf victory at Churchill Downs, USA, in early November.

The juvenile divisions’ various form threads are beginning to interweave and Pathfork emerged as a strong candidate for Cartier 2-Y-O Colt Award recognition when defeating a top-class field to win the Group One boylesports.com Vincent O’Brien National Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday, September 11.

Unbeaten now in three starts, Jessica Harrington’s charge saw out the seven-furlong trip well as he held Casamento by a head with the Aidan O’Brien-trained Group One Keeneland Phoenix Stakes winner Zoffany five lengths back in third.

Pathfork and Zoffany head the category on 48 points, while the William Haggas-trained Approve moves to 46 points after finishing second to Godolphin’s impressive scorer Saamidd in the Group Two Neptune Investment Management Champagne Stakes at Doncaster the same afternoon. Saamidd now heads for the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes, also over seven furlongs, at Newmarket on October 16

Two weeks earlier, on Sunday, August 29, the O’Brien-trained Misty For Me saw off the Harrington-trained Laughing Lashes (36) to take the Group One Moyglare Stud Stakes and leap to the top of the Cartier 2-Y-O Filly category with 40 points.

Hooray (28) followed success in the Group Two Jaguar Cars Lowther Stakes at York in August with a Group Three win in the totepool Sirenia Stakes at Kempton on September 4, while Moyglare Stud Stakes flop Memory has 24 points, the same as Godolphin’s White Moonstone, who easily landed the Group Two Keepmoat May Hill Stakes at Doncaster on September 10.

Cape Blanco received plenty of plaudits and rightly so after he pulverised a top-class field to win the Group One Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes at the Curragh on September 4.

The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby winner had finished 11 lengths second to Harbinger in the Group One King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July but relished the drop back to 10 furlongs as he made all for a resounding five and a half-length success over Group One Juddmonte International Stakes winner Rip Van Winkle, with the five-year-old Emirates Airline Champion Stakes and Coral-Eclipse Stakes hero Twice Over a short-head back in third (92).

With 136 points, Cape Blanco now sits second to triple Group One-winning miler Canford Cliffs (140) in both the Cartier Horse Of The Year and Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt categories.

O’Brien was on the mark the same card with Lillie Langtry who took her Cartier 3-Y-O Filly tally to 72 in the Group One Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes over a mile. Successful in the Group One Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, the Danehill Dancer filly held Spacious by a neck with Music Show (80), her conqueror in Newmarket’s Group One Etihad Airways Falmouth Stakes, back in third.

Dual Oaks heroine Snow Fairy, a non-staying fourth to Arctic Cosmos in the final British Classic, the Group One Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster on September 11, tops the division with 118 points, 20 more than fellow dual Classic winner Special Duty.

In the Group One Irish Field St Leger, also run on September 11, the Jeremy Noseda-trained Sans Frontieres saw off Profound Beauty to win his third race on the bounce and move second in the Cartier Stayer division with 32 points, 16 behind the Ascot Gold Cup winner Rite Of Passage.

Markab’s excellent demonstration of speed clinched victory in the Group One Betfred Sprint Cup over six furlongs at Haydock on September 4 and put him in contention for Cartier Sprinter honours with 52 points. Henry Candy’s charge had Starspangledbanner, currently top of both the Cartier Sprinter and Cartier Older Horse divisions, back in fifth. Regal Parade, sixth at Haydock, has 40 points, while King’s Stand Stakes winner Equiano has 72 points.

Harry Herbert, Cartier’s racing consultant, commented today: “This year’s Cartier Racing Awards are wide open, which makes the coming weeks particularly exciting.

“Midday and Cape Blanco have leapt back to the fore in recent weeks to challenge the likes of Snow Fairy, Makfi, Canford Cliffs, Goldikova, Starspangledbanner and Harbinger in the Cartier Awards standings, and there are talented horses like Investec Derby winner Workforce and last year’s Cartier 2-Y-O Colt St Nicholas Abbey due to make comebacks.

“With the Ascot Festival, Arc weekend and Newmarket’s big autumn meetings looming, the European season is building towards a fantastic climax.”

For more information, please contact Harry Herbert, Cartier’s racing consultant (01488 669166), Sima Bibi of Cartier (020 7408 5740) or Mark Popham of Racenews (020 7704 0326)

CARTIER AWARDS 2010 LATEST POINTS STANDINGS

(up to and including September 12, 2010)

Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt

CANFORD CLIFFS - 140

CAPE BLANCO - 136

DICK TURPIN - 104

LOPE DE VEGA - 98

MAKFI - 88

Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly

SNOW FAIRY - 118

SPECIAL DUTY - 98

MUSIC SHOW - 80

LILLIE LANGTRY - 72

SARAFINA - 72

Cartier Older Horse

GOLDIKOVA - 112

STARSPANGLEDBANNER - 112

MIDDAY - 104

BYWORD - 94

TWICE OVER - 92

Cartier Sprinter

STARSPANGLEDBANNER - 112

EQUIANO - 72

MARKAB - 52

REGAL PARADE - 40

Cartier Stayer

RITE OF PASSAGE - 48

SANS FRONTIERES - 32

AGE OF AQUARIUS - 28

ILLUSTRIOUS BLUE - 26

Cartier Two-year-old Colt

PATHFORK - 48

ZOFFANY - 48

APPROVE - 46

Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly

MISTY FOR ME - 40

LAUGHING LASHES - 36

HOORAY - 28

MEMORY - 24

WHITE MOONSTONE - 24

Cartier Horse Of The Year

CANFORD CLIFFS - 140

CAPE BLANCO - 136

SNOW FAIRY - 118

STARSPANGLEDBANNER - 112

GOLDIKOVA - 112

END

CHELTENHAM ANNOUNCES EXCITING ADDITIONS TO PERTEMPS HANDICAP HURDLE SERIES AS SPONSORSHIP IS EXTENDED FOR FURTHER THREE YEARS

2010-09-15T06:33:00.000-07:00

CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE today announced that leading recruitment company Pertemps Group has renewed its sponsorship of the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Series and added seven new qualifiers for the 2010/11 season.

The Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Final has been a feature since 2002 and is always one of the most keenly-fought races at The Festival. Run over three miles and one and a half furlongs, the race is a betting highlight on the Thursday of Cheltenham’s four-day March highlight and, in order to run in the final, horses must have taken part in a qualifier (or been declared to run should a qualifier be abandoned).

In 2007 a qualifier was introduced at Auteuil, and France features heavily in the series this season, with two new races each at Cagnes sur Mer (in December and January) and Pau (in January and February).

With additional races at Exeter, Huntingdon and Carlisle, and a new qualifier at Punchestown in Ireland, the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle series now includes 16 qualifying races plus the final, seven more than were programmed in 2009/10.

Tim Watts, Chairman of Pertemps Group, said: “The Pertemps Handicap Hurdle series is a significant investment for us, but one that is great value too.

“The final at The Festival is one of the highlights of the year for many of our staff and clients, and the series of qualifiers over the course of the season allows us to place our brand in front of countless racegoers, television viewers, newspaper readers and Internet users.

“I’m delighted that we have extended the series even further and look forward to welcoming some French-trained qualifiers to the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Final this season.”

Peter McNeile, Director of Sponsorship at Cheltenham, added: “We are thrilled that the Pertemps Series continues to flourish and grateful to Pertemps Group for their commitment.

“The addition of extra qualifying races this season will make the Final more competitive than ever, and with seven races taking place away from Britain, it truly is now a European race series.”

The schedule for the series is as follows:

Friday, October 15, 2010
Cheltenham

Monday, November 1, 2010
Kempton Park

Sunday, November 7, 2010
Auteuil

Friday, November 19, 2010
Exeter

Saturday, December 4, 2010
Sandown Park

Monday, December 20, 2010
Cagnes sur Mer

Sunday, December 26, 2010
Wincanton

Sunday, January 9, 2011
Leopardstown

Sunday, January 9, 2011
Cagnes sur Mer

Saturday, January 15, 2011
Warwick

Sunday, January 16, 2011
Pau

Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Huntingdon

Sunday, January 30, 2011
Punchestown

Friday, February 4, 2011
Pau

Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Carlisle

Saturday, February 19, 2011
Haydock Park

Thursday, March 17, 2011
Cheltenham

Further information from Andy Clifton, Cheltenham’s Communications Manager, on 07876 330090

END

REVIEW WEDNESDAY 8 SEPTEMBER THE FIRST DAY OF DONCASTER’S ST LEGER FESTIVAL MEETING 2010.

2010-09-15T05:55:00.001-07:00

REVIEW: DONCASTER INTRODUCE A NEW CHARITY RACE, UNDER RULES. OPEN TO RACE RIDING LEGENDS OF THE PAST. WHO HAD BETWEEN THEM WON THE MAJORITY OF BIG RACES AROUND THE WORLD, BOTH ON THE FLAT AND OVER JUMPS, INCLUDING THE DERBY, ARC, CHAMPION HURDLE, GOLD CUP, AND GRAND NATIONAL.

The debut of this race, 3.45 The Fudge and Smudge Leger Legends Classified Stakes (Class 5) 1m. Winner £6,476. 16 ran. This race open to 3 year olds + rated 1-70 partnered by Riding Legends of the past. 16 runners took part. With three reserves standing by.

Being a classified stakes race. The runners were tightly matched judged on official ratings, which meant the skill and more importantly the fitness of their riders, was always likely to prove paramount. In the event, nothing was able to come from off the pace.

WINNER: MIAMI GATOR (v) 3-11-2 partner CHARLIE SWAN trainer Mrs K Burke for Mrs Elaine M Burke. 9/2 j . In form, front runner took command from the start, never headed.

SECOND: LEGAL LEGACY 4-11-13 partner DALE GIBSON trainer M Dods for D Vic Roper. 9/2 j Top weight, beaten one and three quarters of a length. Took keen hold from the off, always in touch.

THIRD: AFLAAM 5-11-7 partner GRAHAM BRADLEY trainer RA Harris for The Circle Bloodstock Limited. 8/1 . Beaten nk. Always in touch, could find no extra.

FOURTH: CAPE KIMBERELY 3-11-2 partner ERNIE JOHNSON trainer AG Newcombe for J R Salter 25/1. Beaten three and a quarter lengths. No more to give from over a furlong out.

FIFTH: PLENTY O’TOOLE 3-11-2 partner KEVIN DARLEY 20/1
SIXTH: GRAND DIAMOND 6-11-7 partner TONY DOBBIN 8/1
SEVENTH: ARCHIE RICE 4-11-7 partner JOHN FRANCOME 20/1
EIGHTH: DARING DREAM 5-11-7 partner ALEX GREAVES 9/1
NINTH: DARK MOMENT 4-11-7 partner GEORGE DUFFIELD 20/1
TENTH: NEVADA DESERT 10-11-7 partner JOHN REID 20/1
ELEVENTH: RISING KHELEYF 4-11-7 partner GARY BARDWELL 25/1
TWELFTH: KINSYA 7-11-7 partner STEVE SMITH –ECCLES 9/1
THIRTEENTH: JACKSON 8-11-7 partner GRAHAM THORNER 100/1
FOURTEENTH: MASTER OF DANCE 3-11-2 partner PAT EDDERY 10/1
FIFTEENTH: EASTERN GIFT 5-11-7 partner GAY KELLEWAY 33/1
SIXTEENTH: ARMY OF STARS 4-11-7 partner JAMIE OSBORNE 20/1

The total sum to date received in through the running of this chartity race, amounts to £116,000. (One hundred and sixteen thousand pounds) To be shared between the Injured Jockey Fund and the Northern Racing University's project "The House that Jack Built.

END

EUROPEAN BREEDERS' CUP FUND BOARD DECISION (EBF)

2010-09-15T02:10:00.000-07:00

It is with regret that the European Breeders’ Fund (EBF) acknowledges that Breeders’ Cup Ltd has opted to terminate the BC/EBF Cross-Registration Agreement, an Agreement which has stood the test of time since the 1995 Covering Season. Now, from the 2011 Covering Season, BC will be applying different regulations in an attempt to boost the numbers of horses eligible to run in the “World” Championship days – and we wish them well in their efforts.

For its part, the EBF will continue to operate under the same general format as before, sponsoring over 1,200 races in Europe each year. It has proved a successful, significant and stabilizing factor since 1984, when EBF funds were first applied to European racing. Although the aims of BC and EBF have been very different, the Cross-Registration Agreement has meant that the two parties have worked closely together throughout the period of the Agreement.

In general terms, the BC and EBF will be operating completely separately, but under similar terms. The EBF is very conscious of the large number of US-sired youngstock which are imported each year to race in Europe – very different to the traffic in the opposite direction. We know that it is highly unlikely that the whole of a crop by a US-based sire will ever be imported to Europe, but details of the 990 Breeders’ Cup sired yearlings of 2010 that have already been nominated to the EBF at $500 by 1st May 2010 make interesting reading. The 990 are the progeny of no less than 132 individual BC sires. Three of those sires have had over 41 yearlings nominated; three have had between 31 and 40 nominated; eight have between 21 and 30 nominated; and four have between 15 and 20 nominated. It might make some sense for some of those stallions to be nominated to the EBF in 2011 at a rate yet to be ratified, thus providing the breeders, who used those stallions, with significant savings, as the progeny will be automatically eligible for the EBF programme which involves around 1,200 races confined to EBF Eligibles.

TELEPHONE: (01638) 667960

FACSIMILE: (01638) 667270

STANSTEAD HOUSE

THE AVENUE

NEWMARKET

SUFFOLK, CB8 9AA

EMAIL: info@ebfhorseracing.co.uk

WEBSITE: www.ebfhorseracing.com

END

FINDLAY IN AMAZING TIRADE AT BHA CHIEF. RACING POST FRIDAY 10 SEPTEMBER 2010

2010-09-10T07:17:00.001-07:00

“YOU’VE RUINED MY LIFE” OWNER TELLS COWARD IN PUBLIC OUTBURST. REPORT BY DAVID CARR.

RACEGOERS at Doncaster yesterday witnessed an astonishing outburst from gambler and Cheltenham Gold Cup winning owner Harry Findlay as he accused British Horseracing Authority (BHA) chief executive Nic Coward of “ruining my life”.

“Still angry at having been warned off for six months by the BHA disciplinary panel for laying his own horse Gullible Gordon, a punishment later reduced to a fine on appeal, Findlay confronted Coward near the parade ring and loudly called for his resignation, along with that of BHA chairman Paul Roy.

Findley, best known as part owner of Denman, was later seen in heated discussion with owners’ chief Paul Dixon at Doncaster sales over Dixon’s suggestion that Findlay’s initial six-month ban had been merited.

Coward refused to engage with Findlay, telling him this was “not the time or the place”, but he was clearly shaken by the incident.

Speaking to the press outside the weighing room a few minutes after the confrontation, Findlay said: ”I don’t care if I never own another racehorse in my life, all I want is my respect back.

“You can call me a bigmouth, you can call me a loudmouth, you can call me fat, but you don’t call me a liar. I haven’t lied for 27 years.”

Findlay promised to return to Doncaster today, when Black Moth – a colt he used to own – runs in the opening Flying Childers Stakes. “I am telling you now, they have picked on the wrong guy,” he said.

Findlay claims the BHA is pursuing a vendetta against him, and that its investigators had given him permission to lay other horses from Paul Nicholls’ stable.

FINLEY IN PUBLIC ATTACK ON BHA.

In June, Findlay asserted that, because of his “exemplary relationship with the BHA and Betfair” he was treated as a special case, where the laying regulations were concerned.

However, Roy was adamant in his rebuttal of the owner’s claims. “the BHA never gave permission to Harry Findlay to lay horses in yards where he had horses in training.” he said in a statement.

During yesterday’s outburst, Findlay told Coward: “You’ve ruined my life.”

Later he said: “Nic Coward said to me, ‘this is not the time or the place.’ He won’t speak to anyone. I’ve been waiting four and a half years to speak to him. I asked him, ‘Why have you tried to ruin my life?’ I really think Paul Roy has no choice but to go.”

Speaking after the incident, Coward said: ”Harry can make his point wherever he wishes to, but I deal with matters in the right way through the right processes. Dealing with things on the racecourse in that manner is not the right process.”

When Findlay’s accusations were put to him, he said: “You will have to speak to Mr Findlay , that is Mr Findlay’s business. Mr Findlay was dealt with through a disciplinary process in the right way. There was an outcome through a disciplinary panel and an appeal board and that is an end to the matter.

“You will have to speak to Mr Findlay about what Mr Findlay now wishes to say. You have seen repeatedly what we have said on this matter on the record.” END

COMMENT J Margaret Clarke for Turfcall.

Paul Roy and Nic Coward's attitude " When we say jump ....you jump ....."
Both these pompous regulators must go, and all the rest like them, OUT.

Britain is riddled with people as this:

British Courts riddled with same. ( British Legal Justice System)

British Political System riddled with same (British Political System)

British Horseracing Parties riddled with same (British Horseracing Authority)

British National Health Parties riddled with same

British Police Force riddled with same

British County Council’s riddled with same.

British National Health Service Parties all riddled with same

British Entrapment Policies, how they work, all riddled with same

British Church of England Parties all riddled with same

British Veterinary Surgeons all riddled with same

All tarred with the same brush. All riddled with the same bully beaurocracy.

British Horseracing repressed by Bloodhorse Illiterate Tyrant Parties using archaic tactics to punish and destroy peoples lives, to include the horses. Britain in the grip of archaic regulation stitch-ups by BHA bullies.

END

BHA DEFENDS HEREFORD STEWARDS OVER LACK OF 'AM I BLUE' INQUIRY

2010-09-10T04:13:00.000-07:00

RACING POST TAKES ISSUE TODAY (10.09.2010)'AM I BLUE' INQUIRY BY GRAHAM GREEN

While the investigation continues into the background to last week’s successful gamble on AM I BLUE, the BHA has defended the competence of the Hereford stewards whose decision not to hold an inquiry infuriated on-course punters.

It was only when the regulatory body stepped in that a closer inspection of events was ordered after stipendiary steward, Simon Cowley, accepted owner-trainer Delyth Thomas’s explanation on the day for the filly’s improved performance.

BHA spokesman Paul Struthers said there were no grounds for taking disciplinary action against Cowley and the stewarding panel on duty as official procedure had been followed..

AM I BLUE , who had been tailed off 88 lengths behind the winning horse at Worcester 15 days earlier, and before that was beaten 75 lengths at Newton Abbot, was backed down from an early morning price of 25/1 to 5/1 before recording a 19-length victory in the 2m4f handicap hurdle under Richard Johnson , who was a late replacement for Dean Coleman.

The 5lb claimer has since admitted it was a lack of confidence, and not a puncture, that caused him to miss the ride. The gamble is estimated to have cost the betting industry a six-figure sum and represented a massive improvement by AM I BLUE, who had appeared to have lost her form having previously been placed three times for former trainer Tim Vaughan.

After being told by Thomas, who was visited by BHA investigators on Tuesday, that the filly had benefited from “some spinal therapy”, and a change of tactics, Cowley said: “It was not necessary to call a formal inquiry, because there was nothing suspicious to investigate. There was a change of jockey because Dean Coleman was unwell and that was straight forward enough.”

AM I BLUE, again partnered by Johnson, reappeared under a 7lb penalty at Newton Abbot on Monday and hacked up at odds of 5-6.

Asked what action was going to be taken against the Hereford stewards for not holding an inquiry, Struthers replied: “None.”

He said: “The procedures laid out compel them to hold an inquiry if a horse has never been placed. If a horse has been placed before, they can still hold an inquiry, but they do not consult with the handicapper on duty and aren’t compelled to hold an inquiry.

“Moreover in the absence of the stewards holding an inquiry and referring anything to us, it doesn’t preclude us from looking at previous races or indeed investigating, and that is exactly what happens, so they haven’t done anything wrong as such, and therefore no action will be taken.” END

COMMENT David Ashforth for the Racing Post

The BHA should tell the Hereford stewards that they made a serious error of judgemant in failing to call an official inquiry into the improved form shown by AM I BLUE on September 1st.

Yet the BHA proposes doing nothing, on the basis that official procedures did not compel the stewards to hold an inquiry and it was open to the BHA to initiate an investigation itself, which it promptly did. “They haven’t done anything wrong, as such,” said BHA spokesman Paul Struthers, “and therefore no action will be taken.”

But they did do something wrong. The stewards failed to use their discretion to call an inquiry that clearly needed to be called, which meant a lost opportunity to question the horses connections immediately after the race. It was also a decision guaranteed to inflame punters.

Here was a horse, transferred from trainer Tim Vaughan to Delyth Thomas, that had been beaten 75 lengths on August 2 and 88 lengths on August 17 . Yet 15 days later, backed from 25/1 to 5/1, she strolled home by 19 lengths. AM I BLUE’S handicap mark had slipped from 100 to 83, but that was an insufficient explanation. She appreciated the reversion to two and a half miles, but was that a sufficient reason? Then there was the late replacement of conditional jockey Dean Coleman by Richard Johnson to consider.

The stewards should have summoned Thomas, Johnson and Coleman and asked the questions that needed asking but Simon Cowley, the professional steward, didn’t think any questions needed to be asked beyond those he informally gave to Thomas. He told him that the explanation lay in spinal therapy conducted since AM I BLUE’S last run and a change to front- running tactics. “It was not necessary to call a formal inquiry because there was nothing suspicious to investigate,” said Cowley, naively. “There was a change of jockey because Dean Coleman felt unwell, and that was straightforward enough.”

No it wasn’t, since it wasn’t clear whether Coleman was suffering from the dentist, a punctured tyre or a lack of confidence.

An issue is not only the question of whether any rules were broken but the competence of the stewards.

A case like this undermines the betting public’s fragile faith in the system

Punters need to know that the BHA has instructed all stewards that, in a case such as this of AM I BLUE, they must hold an official inquiry. END

COMMENT J Margaret Clarke for Turfcall.

FAILED BRITISH HORSERACING AUTHORITY PERSONNEL PRACTICES (BHA)

Failed ‘Duty of Care’ working practices within Disciplinary Department

Failed ‘Duty of Care’ working practices within Regulation Department

Failed ‘Duty of Care’ practices burdened upon Licensed Trainers

Failed ‘Duty of Care’ practices burdened upon Owners and Breeders

Failed ‘Duty of Care’ practices used legally in all cases where handler/rider/horse issues are at stake. Rampant Bloodhorse Illiteracy the norm.

Failed ‘Duty of Care’ practices used within the Rules of Racing

Failed ‘Duty of Care’ miss interpreting the meaning of such rules within perspective

Failed ‘Duty of Care’ practices relevant to all handler/riders, all those who go to make up each and every licensed trainer teams.

Failed ‘Duty of Care’ practices burdened upon all handler/rider training and career structures

Failed ‘Duty of Care’ practices toward Punters

Failed ‘Duty of Care’ working practices on Racecourses.

Failed ‘Duty of Care’ within intelligence perspective practices

Failed ’Duty of Care’ Veterinary practices on Racecourses

Failed ’Duty of Care’ Veterinary practices whilst acting within licensed trainer establishments

Failed ‘Duty of Care’ Medical practices on Racecourses

Failed ‘Duty of Care’ political practices

Failed ‘Duty of Care’ within horsemanship practices

Failed ‘Duty of Care’ practices toward animals

Failed ‘Duty of Care’ practices toward people

RIP OFF BRITAIN TACTICS USED RIGHT ACROSS THE BOARD, BLIGHTING AND CONTAMINATING PEOPLES LIVES, AND THE LIVES OF ALL LIVING CREATURES INCLUDING THE HORSES.

END

DONCASTER WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8TH 2010 DAY ONE OF THE ST LEGER FESTIVAL MEETING WITH A DIFFERENCE

2010-09-08T03:10:00.000-07:00

FOUR DAYS OF CLASSIC RACING, WELCOME TO YORKSHIRE. Yorkshire.com This meeting is sponsored and supported by Welcome To Yorkshire, the marketing organisation for our region,showcasing the wonderful variety of opportunities for visitors to Yorkshire. For lots of great ideas on planning your break in Yorkshire visit www.yorkshire.com

We will also be raising money on our opening day, Wednesday 8th September for the Injured Jockey Fund, and the Northern Racing University as we hold the LEGER LEGENDS RACE. RETIRED CHAMPIONS FROM BOTH THE FLAT AND JUMPS AS FOLLOWS:

BRING ON THE LEGENDS THE FOURTH RACE ON TODAYS CARD 3.45 FUDGE AND SMUDGE LEGER LEGEND CLASSIFIED STAKES (Class 5) 1m Str WINNER £6,476 16 run.

The race riding stars of yesteryear take centre stage this afternoon at 3.45pm

1. LEGAL LEGACY DALE GIBSON

2. AFLAAM GRAHAM BRADLEY

3. ARCHIE RICE JOHN FRANCOME

4. ARMY OF STARS JAMIE OSBORNE

5. DARING DREAM ALEX GREAVES

6. DARK MOMENT GEORGE DUFFIELD

7. EASTERN GIFT GAY KELLEWAY

8. GRAND DIAMOND TONY DOBBIN

9. JACKSON GRAHAM THORNER

10. KINSYA STEVE SMITH-ECCLES

11. NEVADA DESERT JOHN REID

12. RISING KHELEYF TOM O'RYAN

13. CAPE KIMBERLEY ERNIE JOHNSON

14. MASTER OF DANCE PAT EDDERY

15. MIAMI GATOR CHARLIE SWAN

16. PLENTY O'TOOLE KEVIN DARLEY

END

LADBROKES ST LEGER FESTIVAL MEETING DONCASTER SEPTEMBER 8th to 11th 2010

2010-09-07T23:35:00.000-07:00

THE FIRST WINNER OF THE ST LEGER IN 1776 WAS: ALLABACULIA partner JOHN SINGLETON trainer Christopher Scaife for the Marquess of Rockingham.
Owner Charles Watson- Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham. (13 May 1730 – 1 July 1782) Served as Prime Minister of Great Britain, in office 27 March 1782 – 1 July 1782. Monarch George 111.

Despite the attractions of other Autumn races such as the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and Breeders’ Cup, the St. Leger remains a key feature of the British racing calendar. Don’t miss the continuation of St Leger’s history, the 234th running of this race will take place on Saturday afternoon 11th September 2010.

THE ST LEGER FAMILY IS AN OLD ANGLO - IRISH FAMILY WITH NORMAN ROOTS GOING BACK OVER A THOUSAND YEARS, AND WHOSE NAME HAS APPEARED MORE THAN A FEW TIMES IN HISTORY.
ST LEGER 616? – 678 7th century martyr and bishop of Autun, contributed to the popularity of the name in France. The name was introduced into England by the Normans after 1066, and to Ireland in the 12th century following the Norman invasion of Ireland in 1169, where it achieved considerable status.
As part of Leger’s episcopal duties, he not only preached and taught ordinary folks, but he also reformed many of the clergy who had become lax in their responsibilities. He said that if monks were doing what they were supposed to do, their prayers would preserve the world from many disasters.

St Leger's words way back then, ring true, and continue to ring true throughout and over all these centuries, to the present day: "If each of us were doing no more and no less than what we were supposed to, the world would be in much better shape. The problem is we sometimes become so overwhelmed we don’t know where to start.
"Whether we’re dealing with global issues or sorting out personal ones, the process is exactly the same. We can’t try to solve the whole thing all at once. We’ve got to take it one step at a time. What issue concerns me the most at this moment? What one thing can I do to help?

St Leger's words were brought to light in recent years by Mother Teresa “What you are doing, I may not be able to do ... what I am doing you may not be able to do ... But all of us together are doing 'Something Beautiful For God' (www.lionhudson.com) If we each do what we can right now, together we will be able to accomplish all that needs to be done."

The author of this book, Malcolm Muggerage, was born in 1903, was educated at Selhurst Grammer School and Selwyn College, Cambridge. He started his career as a university lecturer in Cairo before taking up journalism. As a journalist he worked around the world on the Guardian, Calcutta Statesman, the Evening Standard, and the Daily Telegraph, and then in 1953 became editor of Punch where he remained for four years. In the 1939 - 45 war he served as a Major in the Intelligence Corps, being awarded both the Legion d'Honneur and the Croix de Guerre. In latter years Malcolm Muggerage became best known as a broadcaster both on television and radio for the BBC. He died at the age of 87 in 1990.

Mother Teresa is an unsurpassed inspiration of simplicity, faith and compassion. As she daily cared for the poor of Calcutta, she challenged the world to greater acts - to the importance of small things done with great love. First published in 1971 'Something Beautiful For God' is an uplifting chronicle of Malcolm Muggerage's discovery of Mother Teresa and the religious order she instituted. It is not, in the ordinary sense, a biography, but arises out of Muggerage's observations and reflections on being with her in Calcutta. It is the classic work that introduced Mother Teresa to the Western world. Now colour illustrated throughout, the book includes, along with Muggerage's reflections, the transcript of his conversations with Mother Teresa and a selection of her own writings and meditations. Her message is forever relivant. As is St Leger's 616? – 678 from way back in the 7th century.
St Leger was raised at the court of King Clotaire II and by his uncle, Bishop Didon of Poitiers. Leger was made archdeacon by Didon, was ordained, and in about 651, became abbot of Maxentius Abbey, where he introduced the Rule of St. Benedict. He served Queen Regent St.Bathildis and helped her govern when Clovis II died in 656, and was named bishop of Autun in 663. He reconciled the differing factions that had torn the See apart, introduced reforms, fortified the town, and was known for his concern for the poor. His feast day is October 2.

Doncaster benefited from the lucrative stagecoach trade in the 16th century. This led to horse breeding in the town, and to the popularity of horse racing. The first known horse races were held there as early as the 17th century.
The St. Leger Stakes is a Group 1 flat horserace, run in Great Britain, open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 1 mile, 6 furlongs and 132 yards (2,937 metres), and it is scheduled to take place every September. Established in 1776, the St. Leger is the oldest of Britain's five Classics. It is the last of the five to be run each year, and it is raced over a longer distance than any of the previous four. To be run this year on Saturday 11 September 2010 and televised live by the Channel 4 Horseracing Team.

Race Date Distance Course.

2,000 Guineas Stakes
Late April / early May 1 mile Newmarket

1,000 Guineas Stakes
Late April / early May 1 mile Newmarket

Epsom Oaks
Early June 1 mile 4 furlongs 10 yd
Epsom Downs

Epsom Derby
First Saturday in June 1 mile 4 furlongs 10 yd
Epsom Downs

St. Leger Stakes September 1 mile 6 furlongs 132 yd Doncaster

A later St. Leger of historical importance was Gen. Anthony St. Leger. He was born in 1731 probably in Kildare, Ireland. He was one of a group of noblemen and gentlemen who in 1778gathered for a private dinner party in an upper room of the Red Lion Inn which standsin the market square in Doncaster. When they departed, history had been made. A horse race which was to set the pattern for classic racing throughout the world had been christened the St. Leger. The race, a sweepstake for three-year-olds, had been born two years earlier in 1776, at the suggestion of Lt. Col. (later Major-General) Anthony St. Leger and ran for the first time over a two-mile course on Cantley Common in Doncaster. The classic race, The St. Leger has been run at Doncaster ever since. St Leger died on 19 April 1786. He was buried in Saint Anne’s Church Dublin.

END

ALL THE NEWS & QUOTES FROM MONDAY’S (06.09.2010) LADBROKES ST LEGER LUNCH

2010-09-07T02:48:00.000-07:00

DOZEN CHASING LADBROKES ST LEGER GLORY

The 2010 Ladbrokes St Leger, the 234th running of the world’s oldest Classic, has attracted 12 horses at today’s five-day stage, headed by the clear market leader, Godolphin’s Rewilding.

The Classic, scheduled for 3.20pm on Saturday, September 11, and run over one mile six furlongs and 132 yards, is the highlight of the final day of the four-day Ladbrokes St Leger Festival at Doncaster.

Simon Crisford, the Godolphin racing manager, talked about Rewilding at today’s Ladbrokes St Leger lunch at the Landmark Hotel in London. The three-year-old colt had an excellent prep race for the Doncaster Classic by winning the Great Voltigeur Stakes in good style by four lengths at York in August.

Crisford said: “Rewilding has done very well since winning at York - Mahmood (Al Zarooni, his trainer) has been extremely happy with Rewilding - he is a very straightforward colt and does not carry a lot of condition.

“He has got a fantastic profile - he was third in the Derby and then he won the Great Voltigeur like a really classy colt.

“To win the Ladbrokes St Leger is all about class in my view. We have been lucky enough to win this Classic with five horses but you have to be good and he has the class.

“I watched Rewilding work on Saturday morning - he did a little breeze on his own because he did not actually need any work. He is very athletic and very fit and does not take any training.

“He is a little bit like a filly in a roundabout way but the great thing about him is that he comes from a fabulous family - he is a half-brother to Dar Re Mi plus a host of other talented middle distance performers.

“A mile and six furlongs is great while he also has enough speed to win over a mile and a quarter - next year we will be campaigning him over shorter distances. He is a very uncomplicated horse.

“He had just arrived from France (before running at Goodwood in May) - people underestimate the difficulty of moving horses around and mid-season is even more difficult.

“He ran extremely well in the Predominate at Goodwood and then he put up a huge run in the Derby - he did not like the track at Epsom and encountered the fastest ground of his life.

“He only got going in the last quarter-mile and that was a big run to finish third - he probably should have been second on a level track but the winner was outstanding.

“At that time, by looking at the horse and thinking of the big picture, it was thought best to give him a holiday and miss Goodwood. So that is what we did as Sheikh Mohammed was very keen to focus all attention on the Ladbrokes St Leger.

“We will see what happens afterwards and whether we consider the Arc - he has got to win on Saturday for that to happen.

“There are some fabulous horses in the Ladbrokes St Leger and he has to be every bit as good as he was at York.”

Corsica, trained by Mark Johnston for Sheikh Mohammed’s son, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed al Maktoum, will act as a pacemaker for Rewilding who is the 13/8 favourite for the Ladbrokes St Leger with the sponsor.

Simon Crisford added: “Corsica will be pacemaking for Rewilding. Obviously, he will be running on his own merits. He is a natural front runner and has every right to be in the race himself, but his primary task will be to set the pace for Rewilding.”

Ed Dunlop, the trainer of dual Oaks winner Snow Fairy, also attended the Ladbrokes St Leger lunch and he said: “Whether she runs depends on the weather actually.

“If it is not too bad, she will definitely run in the Ladbrokes St Leger. She has been a total surprise package.

“We have been lucky enough to place her well and it has been a great story for me, the staff and the owner (Cristina Patino).

“I was going to run her in a Listed race at York at the start of the season and took her out of that because the ground was too firm. I looked at the programme book and found the Lupe Stakes (at Goodwood) and she won that well and then we supplemented her to the Oaks and Irish Oaks.

“My brother and I train one horse each for the owner and my father has about 20. My father gets the choice of the ones she breeds but obviously did not pick Snow Fairy.

“She has won two Oaks and was beaten by a better filly at York (Midday in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks).

“We are looking forward to the race - I’ve never had a runner in the Ladbrokes St Leger before, although the Godolphin horse (Rewilding) is going to be very hard to beat and I know that (Godolphin's racing manager) Mr (Simon) Crisford is pretty bullish.

“I hope Snow Fairy runs well but if she doesn't stay at Doncaster she won’t be bullied into having a hard race - she does not deserve that. She’s still in the Prix Vermeille (on Sunday) and will stay in there and will have one, or maybe two, more runs this year.

“Hopefully, Ryan Moore will be available to ride her but if he is not able to then we will look to either Richard Hughes or Eddie Ahern, although they don’t know that yet.”

Mark Tompkins, trainer of Ted Spread, said: “In the winter I told the boys that owned him that, if he was going to be a nice horse, then the Ladbrokes St Leger was his race.

“He’s a big, tall horse and he was always going to be better at this time of year and even more so next season.

“He won his Derby trial at Chester and then you feel nearly forced to run in the Derby - the course and ground did not suit him. I was then delighted with his run at York last time.

“I’m pleased that rain is forecast but it has still got to actually happen. Any rain will undoubtedly suit him and if we get it then I think we have a chance of being in the frame. Mr (Darryll) Holland will definitely ride and, although I’m not getting excited, I’m hopeful.

“He doesn’t have many similarities to my St Leger winner Bob’s Return, who had a lot more pace and was a smaller horse. This fellow is much bigger but they both like soft ground.”

Sir Michael Stoute, trainer of Total Command, said: “We confirmed him this morning and then will check on the ground on Thursday morning before deciding whether he runs. He wants it good or softer.

“His preparation for the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York went badly and he needed the race. The ground was also probably quick enough for him at York. He had had a skin infection and then a joint infection before York so we just got messed around a bit. But things have gone smoothly since then and we have done what we have wanted with him

“After he finished third behind Mikhail Glinka in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot we thought that he might be a Leger horse because the two miles there was stretching him a bit far. But a mile and six should be ideal for him at Doncaster and his full-sister Quiff got touched off by a short-head in the race (in 2004). Ryan Moore will ride if he runs.”

Aidan O’Brien has left four in the race - Midas Touch, Joshua Tree, Flying Cross and Bright Horizon - and he reported: “The plan is to run Joshua Tree and Midas Touch and Bright Horizon is also a possible. At the moment, Flying Cross is a possible for the Irish St Leger at the Curragh but nothing is set in stone and a lot depends on the weather because we are forecast rain at home and in Doncaster.

“Midas Touch has been a very consistent horse and ran a very good race when second in the Irish Derby and again in the Great Voltigeur Stakes. We still think he’s on the upgrade and gave him a break after the Irish Derby and used York as a prep for the St Leger. He was giving 3lb to Rewilding that day and we were delighted with his run.

“I was happy to get a run in to Joshua Tree at York and he was only just ready to come back then. We’ve taken our time with him and we’re delighted because he’s come on again since the race.

“We’ve given plenty of time to Flying Cross and the race he won at Tipperary came up lovely for him. He won it nicely as well.

“It’s possible Johnny (Murtagh) will be riding at Doncaster but we also have the National Stakes in Ireland that day so nothing is decided on jockeys yet.”

John Gosden is set to be represented by Arctic Cosmos, owned jointly by his wife Rachel Hood and Robin Geffen, and the trainer said: “Looking at my two previous winners of the race then, like Lucarno, he was second in the King Edward VII Stakes, as was Conduit who won last year for Sir Michael Stoute.

“But my other winner, Shantou, ran in the Rewilding race and for me that horse has the best form and sets the gold standard coming into the race.

“We’ve had the Leger in mind for Arctic Cosmos since Royal Ascot and he’s a giant of a horse who we’ve not rushed at all. The end of this year and next year will be important for him.

“The spring was brutal for us this year with a cold north-east wind and no rain and we had a problem with the ground so he ran on the all-weather so as not to come back jarred up. He actually loved it and won at Wolverhampton and Kempton.

“There is nowhere to run a three-year-old like him between Royal Ascot and the Leger other than the Gordon Stakes and Great Voltigeur. We chose the Gordon because I knew they’d watered the track well at Goodwood. He was very uncomfortable coming down the hill but then finished very well. He loved the last furlong but not the previous bit of the race.

“I always buy one yearling on spec and this is the one my wife got landed with and it has worked out well. She very kindly lets me get on with my life and luckily thinks everything I do is great and we have brought in a marvellous partner in Robin Geffen.”

Jeremy Noseda is set to run Highclere Thoroughbred Racing’s Theology and he said: “He won’t mind a bit of cut and a stiff test of stamina should suit him. His last few pieces of work have been good and he’s approaching the race in top shape.

“He doesn’t have a lot of similarities with Sixties Icon, who won the race for me when it was staged at York in 2005. That horse went in there with a favourite’s chance, whereas this time we’re an outsider but I think he has a bit of a chance.

“His future’s really in front of him and he should be a Cup horse next year. I’m delighted to have a runner for Highclere, who are the top syndicate in Europe.”

James Given flew in for the lunch from Turkey, where he saddled Indian Days to score yesterday, and he is looking forward to running Dandino at Doncaster on Saturday. He said about the Elite Racing Club’s three-year-old: “It was a great result yesterday and the horses are running very well at the moment.

“Dandino was a very backward horse mentally and took a long time to get the hang of things, but he’s certainly got the hang of it now. As a two-year-old, he suffered from attention-deficit disorder and would get distracted by things like pigeons flying around or a bus on the road.

“I was initially disappointed leaving Goodwood when he was second in the Gordon Stakes but in hindsight he just didn’t come down the hill very well and I think it might have been a different result in a few more strides.

“Whatever ground we get at Doncaster won’t be a problem. When he won at Epsom it was quite quick and if anything at Goodwood it was a little loose on top.

“I’d like to think he could be good enough to win on Saturday. Rewilding is the one to beat, he was very impressive at York but we will be there to give it a fight.”

THE LADBROKES ST LEGER FIVE-DAY CONFIRMATIONS

Class 1, Group 1, £500,000 Total Prize Fund. 3.20pm, Doncaster, Saturday, September 11, 2010. For 3yo only, entire colts and fillies. One mile, six furlongs & 132 yards. Weights: colts 9st; fillies 8st 11lb. Entries closed July 20, entries revealed July 21 (42 entries). Scratchings deadline noon, August 24 (16 remained), five-day confirmation & £45,000 supplementary entry stage Monday, September 6 (12 remain, no supplementary entries), final declaration stage 10am, Thursday, September 9. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Sunday, September 5, 2010.

Form Horse Owner Trainer/Probable Jockey

.(4)4-(1)3(1)23 ARCTIC COSMOS (USA) Rachel Hood & Robin Geffen, John Gosden/William Buick

.(2)-5110023(4) BRIGHT HORIZON Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith Aidan O’Brien IRE/

1(1)13415 CORSICA (IRE) Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Mark Johnston/

02-11112 DANDINO Elite Racing Club James Given/Paul Mulrennan

41-1 FLYING CROSS (IRE) Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE/

121-3 JOSHUA TREE (IRE) Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE/

314-1522 MIDAS TOUCH Sue Magnier/Michael Tabor/David Smith/Denford Stud Aidan O’Brien IRE/

21-2131 REWILDING Godolphin Mahmood Al Zarooni/Frankie Dettori

430-1112 SNOW FAIRY (IRE) Anamoine Ltd Ed Dunlop/

013-104 TED SPREAD False Nose 'n Glasses Partnership Mark Tompkins/Darryll Holland

30-4126 THEOLOGY Highclere Thoroughbred Racing Touchstone Jeremy Noseda/

62-4130 TOTAL COMMAND Khalid Abdulla Sir Michael Stoute/

12 entries remain at five-day confirmation stage on Monday, September 6

4 Irish-trained

THE FOLLOWING FOUR HORSES HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED TODAY:

AWAIT THE DAWN (USA), BUZZWORD, CAPE BLANCO (IRE), VIBRANT FORCE (USA)

LATEST LADBROKES BETTING ON THE LADBROKES ST LEGER AFTER TODAY’S FIVE-DAY CONFIRMATIONS

Rewilding 13/8

Arctic Cosmos 7/1

Dandino 7/1

Midas Touch 7/1

Snow Fairy 7/1

Joshua Tree 8/1

Ted Spread 14/1

Flying Cross 25/1

Theology 25/1

Corsica 33/1

Total Command 33/1

Bright Horizon 200/1

Each-way 1/4 odds 1-2-3

For further information, please contact:

David Williams at Ladbrokes on 07976 180236

or e-mail david.williams@ladbrokes.co.uk

LATEST GOING NEWS AT DONCASTER

David Williams, Doncaster’s Clerk of the Course & Estates Manager, reported this morning: “We are due rain overnight tonight into Tuesday with anything up to between 20 and 30 millimetres, so it’s a pretty significant amount.

“We could see more rain on Friday, with the forecast being for between seven and eight millimetres and I just hope this doesn’t run over into Saturday. The forecast is certainly looking unsettled for the week.

“The ground is currently still good to firm and we have just been keeping it ticking it over for the past three weeks. Up until last Friday, we were not forecast any rain at all - there was a band coming through but not for the amount we are looking at now for this week.

“It’s been a funny old year to be honest. It has been dry and we have pretty much had a drought here, although we had 15 millimetres of rain in two days three weeks ago. Some rain would be welcome, but not in the amount we are forecast.

“In some respects, it is a godsend that we have been so dry with the amount of rain that is forecast.

“On the round course, I have railed out from the bottom of Rose Hill to into the straight to provide some fresh ground for Friday and Saturday.”

QUALITY SATURDAY CARD

Ladbrokes St Leger Day also features two superb Group Two contests including the £160,000 Eddie Stobart Park Stakes (3.55pm) and a total of 18 horses remain on course for the seven-furlong contest at the five-day confirmation stage.

Premio Loco has enjoyed a superb season and the Chris Wall-trained six-year-old may head to Town Moor having scored in the Group Two Summer Mile at Ascot and found only Canford Cliffs and Rip Van Winkle too strong in the Group One Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

The Jeremy Noseda-trained Arabian Gleam is set to bid for a third victory in the race following his successes in 2007 & 2008, while last year’s winner Duff may bid to plunder another big prize for his Irish handler Eddie Lynam, who sent over Sole Power for a famous 100/1 triumph in the Group One Nunthorpe Stakes at York last month.

Both Cat Junior, from the stable of Brian Meehan, and the Barry Hills-trained Ouqba may also re-oppose Duff having finished second and fourth respectively last season. Both horses have performed admirably in Group company again this term, including when filling the places behind the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Shakespearean in the Group Two Hungerford Stakes at Newbury in August.

High Standing was third behind Regal Parade in last season’s Group One Haydock Sprint Cup for William Haggas and the five-year filled the same position behind the David Nicholls-trained sprinter in the Group One Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville on his latest start.

Group Two winners Finjaan, representing Marcus Tregoning, and the Clive Cox-trained Balthazaar’s Gift may also bid for further big race glory alongside the Mark Johnston-trained Rainfall and St Moritz and Irish Group Three scorer Air Chief Marshal, from the Ballydoyle yard of Aidan O’Brien.

The 12 five-day confirmations for the £118,700 Group Two Investment Management Champagne Stakes (2.10pm) have been joined by a pair of supplementary entries, who were added to the field for the seven-furlong contest at a cost of £10,000 each. The William Haggas-trained Approve will be bidding for a third Group Two success this term following victories in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Gimcrack Stakes at York, while Saamidd, representing Saeed bin Suroor, was an emphatic seven-length winner on his only start at Newbury on August 13.

Other notable contenders include Waiter’s Dream, who was a ready winner of the Group Three Acomb Stakes at York for Brian Meehan and Ascot Listed winner Toolain, from the stable of Michael Jarvis. A quartet of remaining entries from Aidan O’Brien features Samuel Morse, who was beaten a short-head in the Group Two Railway Stakes at the Curragh in June, and Group One Phoenix Stakes fourth Emperor Hadrian.

THE EDDIE STOBART PARK STAKES

Class 1, Group 2, £160,000 Total Prize Fund. 3.55pm Doncaster, Saturday, September 11, 2010. For three-year-olds and upwards, seven furlongs. Weights: three-year-old colts and geldings 9st, fillies 8st 11lb; four-year-old and up colts and geldings 9st 4lb, fillies 9st 1lb. Entries closed Tuesday, July 20, entries revealed Thursday, July 22 (53 entries). Scratchings deadline noon, August 24 (32 remained), five-day confirmation stage September 6 (18 remain), final declaration stage, 10.00am, Thursday, September 9. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Sunday, September 5, 2010. May not include some overseas form.

Form Horse Age/Wgt Owner Trainer

1/3031-60 ARABIAN GLEAM 6-9-04 Saeed Suhail Jeremy Noseda

2105-005 BALTHAZAAR'S GIFT (IRE) 7-9-04 H E Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Clive Cox

5(5)(1)(0)4022 CAT JUNIOR (USA) 5-9-04 Roldvale Limited Brian Meehan

0-425026 DUFF (IRE) 7-9-04 Kilboy Estate Edward Lynam IRE

03/010-000 FINJAAN 4-9-04 Hamdan Al Maktoum Marcus Tregoning

5-0110136 HARRISON GEORGE (IRE) 5-9-04 P D Smith Holdings Ltd Richard Fahey

134-1023 HIGH STANDING (USA) 5-9-04 Tony Bloom William Haggas

(3)(4)-0222343 HIMALYA (IRE) 4-9-04 Gillian Khosla Jeremy Noseda

642-2043 OUQBA 4-9-04 Hamdan Al Maktoum Barry Hills

100-53204 PALACE MOON 5-9-04 Canisbay Bloodstock William Knight

11-(5)0113 PREMIO LOCO (USA) 6-9-04 Bernard Westley Chris Wall

(1)5-32315 ST MORITZ (IRE) 4-9-04 Renata Jacobs Mark Johnston

010-200 SERIOUS ATTITUDE (IRE) 4-9-01 Derek Willis & Rae Guest Rae Guest

4-040(1)10 AIR CHIEF MARSHAL (IRE) 3-9-00 Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith Aidan O’Brien IRE

2-(1)0324 ALDOVRANDI (IRE) 3-9-00 Tenuta Dorna Di Montaltuzzo SRL Marco Botti

116-1651 SHAKESPEAREAN (IRE) 3-9-00 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor

242-12141 YAA WAYL (IRE) 3-9-00 Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum Michael Jarvis

12135 RAINFALL (IRE) 3-9-00 Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Mark Johnston

18 entries remain at five-day confirmation stage on Monday, September 6

2 Irish-trained

THE FOLLOWING HORSES HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED: DALGHAR (FR), FRAVASHI (AUS), MABAIT, MAIN AIM, PRIME DEFENDER, SIROCCO BREEZE, SKYSURFERS, VARENAR (FR), ALVERTA (AUS), GOLDEN STREAM (IRE), AWZAAN, BEETHOVEN (IRE), POET'S VOICE, RED JAZZ (USA)

THE NEPTUNE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT CHAMPAGNE STAKES

Class 1, Group 2, £118,700 Total Prize Fund. 2.10pm, Doncaster, Saturday, September 11, 2010. For 2yo, colts & geldings, seven furlongs. Weights: 8st 12lb. Penalties: a winner of a Group 1 or Group 2 race 3lb. Entries closed Tuesday, July 20, entries revealed Thursday, July 22 (82 entries), scratchings deadline noon, August 24 (37 remained), five-day confirmation and £10,000 supplementary entry stage September 6 (12 confirmations, 2 supplementary entries), final declaration stage, 10.00am, Thursday, September 9. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Sunday, September 5, 2010. May not include some overseas form.

Form Horse Age/Wgt Owner Trainer

3141431 APPROVE (IRE) 3-9-01 Highclere Thoroughbred Racing (Bahram) William Haggas

0 CASTLEMORRIS KING 2-8-12 C O'Connell Michael Chapman

1510 CASUAL GLIMPSE 2-8-12 Sir Robert Ogden Richard Hannon

02410444 EMPEROR HADRIAN (IRE) 2-8-12 Sue Magnier,Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith Aidan O’Brien IRE

0124 HIGH RULER (USA) 2-8-12 Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE

(1) KARAM ALBAARI (IRE) 2-8-12 Fhad Al Harthi John Jenkins

614 LAKE ONTARIO (USA) 2-8-12 Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE

213135 PREMIER CLARETS (IRE) 2-8-12 The Matthewman Partnership Richard Fahey

1 SAAMIDD 2-8-12 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor

1142253 SAMUEL MORSE (IRE) 2-8-12 Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE

3146 THE LONG GAME 2-8-12 Sangster Families Brian Meehan

U(1)1 TOOLAIN (IRE) 2-8-12 Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum Michael Jarvis

6211 WAITER'S DREAM 2-8-12 R P Foden Brian Meehan

1155 WALTZ DARLING (IRE) 2-8-12 Mike Browne Richard Fahey

12 entries remain at five-day confirmation stage on Monday, September 6 plus 2 supplementary entries

4 Irish-trained

THE FOLLOWING HORSES HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED: FORMOSINA (IRE), KING TORUS (IRE), BELGIAN BILL, CHILWORTH LAD, FACTUM (USA), FITYAAN, HAPPY TODAY (USA), MANTOBA, MARDEN (IRE), MASTER OF HOUNDS (USA), MEMEN (IRE), OCEAN BAY, PARK AVENUE (IRE), PEARL ARCH (IRE), PETER MARTINS (USA), RODERIC O'CONNOR (IRE), ROMAN EAGLE (IRE), RUDOLF VALENTINO, SATIN LOVE (USA), SISINDU (IRE), STENTORIAN (IRE), THE BELLS O PEOVER, TITUS MILLS (IRE), ZAIDAN (USA), ZAIN SHAMARDAL (IRE)

For more information, please contact:

Kate Hills

Director of Public Relations and Communications, Arena Leisure Racing

Tel: 01342 834800

Fax: 01342 835874

Mobile: 07813 947201

Email: kate.hills@arenaleisureplc.com

END

DONCASTER CUP HOPEFUL ELECTROLYSER HEADS STRONG COX TEAM FOR LADBROKES ST LEGER FESTIVAL SEPTEMBER 8th TO 11th 2010

2010-09-06T04:15:00.000-07:00

STRONG COX TEAM HEADS FOR LADBROKES ST LEGER FESTIVAL DONCASTER CUP HOPEFUL ELECTROLYSER.

Day three of the 2010 Ladbrokes St Leger Festival, Friday, September 10, features the £100,000 Group Two Doncaster Cup (2.40pm), run over two and a quarter miles and the oldest race run under the Rules of Racing.

Featuring among the 14 entries for this historic contest, first staged in 1766, is the Clive Cox-trained Electrolyser. The lightly-raced five-year-old, a grey son of Daylami, has made the progression from handicapper to Pattern race performer this season, performing admirably on his three starts of the current campaign. After a third behind Illustrious Blue in the Group Three Sagaro Stakes at Ascot in April, Electrolyser went on to run that rival to a length and a quarter in the Group Two Goodwood Cup in July and on his latest appearance didn’t enjoy the clearest of runs when fourth in the Group Two Lonsdale Cup at York in August.

Cox reported: “Electrolyser is very much on course for the Doncaster Cup. He has come out the York race very well and we have been thrilled with his performances so far this year. Hopefully, it won’t be long before he takes one of these big staying races.

“He improved on his form with Illustrious Blue, who beat him at Goodwood, in the Lonsdale and I would be hopeful that he is still on an upward curve.

“The only time that he has previously raced over two and a quarter miles was in last year’s Cesarewitch but that was a non-event. He got very badly hampered coming round the bend at Newmarket and was very lucky not to fall, which was the end of the race for him.

“He has been running really well over two miles so far this season and I am hopeful he will get the trip.”

The Lambourn handler is also planning to be represented on the final day of the Ladbrokes St Leger Festival, Saturday, September 11 by stable stalwart Balthazaar’s Gift in the £160,000 Eddie Stobart Park Stakes while Polly’s Mark is an intended starter in Thursday’s Group Two £100,000 DFS Park Hill Stakes.

The Lambourn handler continued: “We are also hoping to send up Balthazaar’s Gift for the Eddie Stobart Park Stakes. He missed the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury after the ground came up too easy at Newbury, but the weather forecast looks promising for Doncaster.

“He didn’t get the best of luck in running in this year’s Betfair Cup (when finishing fifth) but that’s the rub of the green. He is still a high-class performer and, given his best conditions, we are very much looking forward to seeing how he gets on next week.

“Polly’s Mark will be going for the DFS Park Hill Stakes. The ground was very, very soft on her latest start at Deauville and it turned into a bit of a sprint, which didn’t suit her.

“Her second in the Lancashire Oaks would very much put her on the premises and she goes to Doncaster in very good nick.”

Other entries for the Doncaster Cup include last year’s winner Askar Tau plus Opinion Poll and Samuel, who were first and second respectively in the Lonsdale Cup at York, and the progressive Motrice. A potential Irish challenge of five features recent Galway Listed scorer Rajik and Dirar, who gave Grand National-winning trainer Gordon Elliott the biggest Flat success of his career when taking the prestigious Ebor handicap at York last month.

Friday, September 10, also feature high-class two-year-old action with the £80,000 Group Two Polypipe Flying Childers Stakes getting the afternoon underway at 1.35pm. Featuring among the 17 entries for the five-furlong contest are Group Three Molecomb Stakes winner Zebedee, Group Two Queen Mary Stakes runner-up Meow and Dinkum Diamond, who acquitted himself well against the best sprinters in Europe when staying on to take seventh in the Group One Nunthorpe Stakes at York’s Ebor meeting.

Juvenile fillies get their chance to shine in the £80,000 Group Two Keepmoat ‘Delivering Community Regeneration’ May Hill Stakes (3.15pm), a race won in recent years by subsequent high-class performers Spacious and Rainbow View. Among the 12 possible starters in this contest is White Moonstone, who posted a decisive victory on her latest start in a Newmarket Group Three, and impressive Curragh maiden winner Spin.

Also taking place on Friday’s seven-race programme is one of the season’s most competitive handicaps, the £60,000 Ladbrokes Mallard Handicap (2.05pm), which is run over the St Leger distance of one mile, six furlongs and 192 yards and has attracted 35 entries.

GROUND

The going at Doncaster remains Good to Firm.

For more information, please contact:

Kate Hills

Director of Public Relations and Communications, Arena Leisure Racing

Tel: 01342 834800

Fax: 01342 835874

Mobile: 07813 947201

Email: kate.hills@arenaleisureplc.com

END

CAMBRIDGESHIRE OPTION FOR TIGER REIGNS AT NEWMARKET 3.40pm SATURDAY 2nd OCTOBER 2010

2010-09-03T03:24:00.001-07:00

TIGER REIGNS COULD SPEARHEAD REVITALISED DODS TEAM IN totesport.com CAMBRIDGESHIRE

- ONE-TIME DERBY HOPE HAS totesport.com CAMBRIDGESHIRE OPTION

MICHAEL DODS, whose County Durham yard is starting to fire once again after a lean summer, is weighing up the £160,000 totesport.com Cambridgeshire (3.40pm) for three of his stable stalwarts at Newmarket on Saturday, 2nd October.

This year’s renewal of the historic nine-furlong handicap has attracted a bumper entry of 146, up from 134 in 2009, with horses that fail to make the cut for totesport.com Cambridgeshire eligible for the £40,000 Standing For Success Handicap (Silver Cambridgeshire) on Friday, 1 October (please see below for further details).

Sweet Lightning (9st 2lb, 14/1), Tiger Reigns (8st 12lb, 40/1) and Thin Red Line (8st 7lb, 33/1) are all engaged in the prestigious nine-furlong heritage handicap, weights for which are released today, Wednesday, 1st September, 2010.

Sweet Lightning showed his well-being at York’s Ebor Festival on 17th August, when winning a competitive 10-furlong handicap, while Thin Red Line ran with credit on the Knavesmire the following day when a close sixth to The Fonz over 12 furlongs.

But it is Tiger Reigns, campaigned exclusively at a mile this term, who Dods sees as his number one hope at this stage, despite the gelding having finished unplaced on his last two starts.

Dods revealed today: “At the moment, Sweet Lightning and Tiger Reigns are the most likely of the three to go to Newmarket for the totseport.com Cambridgeshire.

“Sweet Lightning will most likely go to Newbury for the Dubai Duty Free Handicap (18th September) and then we will decide after that. Thin Red Line, we are not sure whether he might be better over a longer trip but we have given him the entry and Tiger Reigns will be the most likely runner because I think the race will suit him well.

“Tiger Reigns would love it soft. He has been struggling a bit this season because he has only had his ground once, that was at Haydock last month when he had a bad draw and was lumping 10st but still managed to come fourth.

“You can’t get it soft enough for him - he just keeps going on that sort of ground. He has struggled because, off a high handicap mark, he has had to run in races when the ground wasn’t ideal. When he gets his conditions, he will do all right.

“Sweet Lightning travels well and he deserved to have an entry so we could make a decision nearer the time. He travelled sweetly at York and picked up well that day. He is happy on the slow side of good and the same goes for Thin Red Line.”

Dods enjoyed his best ever seasonal tallies in 2008 and 2009 with 49 winners but this year has brought only 22 winners to date despite notable investment. The experienced handler puts this down to his horses being off colour through mid-summer, a time when the yard traditionally reaps a rich harvest.

The Denton Hall trainer said: “Some of them came in a few weeks after we bought them at the breeze-ups and just spread something to the other horses. We had to sit very patiently through July. Normally we would be running everything at that time but I wasn’t happy with them so I ran very few.

“Now they are coming right so we are getting on again and everything I have run recently has run well, placed or won. I’m happy with them although one or two of the two-year-olds aren’t quite there yet so we will just continue to be patient with them.”

Marcus Tregoning has a fascinating prospect in one-time Derby hope Taameer (9st 4lb, 25/1), who has not raced since finishing fifth of six behind Above Average in the Group Three Classic Trial at Sandown in April, 2009.

The Beat Hollow colt was sent off the 13/8 favourite for that contest, having finished runner-up to the high-class Kite Wood in the Group Three Autumn Stakes at Ascot, the second of two juvenile starts the previous season.

Tregoning said: “It’s not certain that Taameer will go to Newmarket for the totesport.com Cambridgeshire, it’s a possibility at this stage. We haven’t really decided where we are going with him. He is coming on well and will be ready for it but we need to decide whether it is the right race for him.

“He picked up an injury and has been away from here recuperating. He came back into training about six weeks ago, so he is almost ready and he will probably run next week, maybe in a handicap at Doncaster. That is the first plan and we will see from there how well he is, but he is going all right at the moment.”

Distant Memories (20/1), trained by Tom Tate, has been allotted top-weight of 9st 11lb after winning the Group Three totesport.com Winter Hill Stakes at Windsor on 28th August.

A high-class entry includes several horses that have proven form in Pattern races, among them the Clive Cox-trained three-year-old Black Spirit (9st 5lb, 25/1), third in the Group Two Prix Guillaume D’Ornano at Deauville last month, and the Roger Teal-trained Steele Tango (9st 3lb, 25/1), winner of the Group Three Darley Stakes over the course and distance last October.

Two classy German raiders could take their chances - the Torsten Mundry-trained Group Three-placed Scolari (9st 8lb, 40/1) and the Pieter Schiergen-trained Neatico (9st 4lb, 33/1), successful in that grade as a juvenile last term.

Also of note, the Barry Hills-trained Britannia Handicap winner Ransom Note (12/1 joint favourite) has 9st 3lb, stablemate and fellow three-year-old Critical Moment (20/1) has 9st 4lb, the Luca Cumani-trained pair of Acrostic (16/1) and Forte Di Marmi (14/1) have 9st 6lb and 9st 2lb respectively, the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Royal Hunt Cup winner Invisible Man (20/1) as been allotted 9st 8lb, while the Mick Channon-trained Aattash (16/1) has 8st 11lb. The other 12/1 joint-favourite is Lost In The Moment (7st 13lb), winner of his last two starts for Newmarket handler Jeremy Noseda.

Old stager Nanton (9st 3lb, 33/1), trained by Jim Goldie, was third behind Supaseus in last year’s totesport.com Cambridgeshire and runner-up in 2008, and has competed with great credit in Group Two company this term.

Irish handler Tony Martin landed the totesport.com Cambridgeshire in 1999 with She’s Our Mare and his totesport Ebor fourth Salute Him (33/1) has 9st 5lb.

The totesport.com Cambridgeshire has a safety limit of 35 runners and this year, for the first time, the Rowley Mile is hosting a consolation race for those horses that do not make the cut at the 48-hour stage.

Taking place over the same course and distance on Friday, 1st October is the £40,000 Standing For Success Handicap (Silver Cambridgeshire). This contest, one of six races on the card generously supported by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum’s Shadwell breeding operation, also has a maximum field of 35 and is an exciting innovation undertaken by Newmarket Racecourses.

totesport.com Cambridgeshire – sponsors bet: 12 Lost In The Moment, Ransom Note, 14 Forte Dei Marmi, Start Right, Sweet Lightning, Taqleed, 16 Acrostic, Aattash, Beachfire, Hanoverian Baron, King Of Reason, Proponent, Set The Trend, Tryst, 20 Absinthe, Balducci, Cityscape, Critical Moment, Day Of The Eagle, Distant Memories, High Twelve, Innocuous, Invisible Man, Rock Critic, Rock N Roll Ransom, Tamaathul, 25 Al Khaleej, Black Spirit, Capponi, Clockmaker, Con Artist, Don’t Call Me, Greylami, Highland Knight, Invincible Soul, Irish Heartbeat, King Of Windsor, Lucky Windmill, Mutamaashi, Nationalism, Nazreef, Pires, Steele Tango, Stone Of Scone, Suruor, Taameer, 33 Breakheart, Colepepper, Constant Contact, Designated Decoy, Elliptical, Emirates Dream, Fair Trade, Hillview Boy, Indian Days, Jo'burg, Leviathan, Nanton, Neatico, Our Joe Mac, Pallantes Cross, Rakaan, Rashaad, Royal Destination, Salute Him, Sand Skier, Sandor, Sarrsar, Smarty Socks, Sour Mash, Speed Dating, Splinter Cell, Tartan Gigha, Tartan Gunna, Tartan Trip, Thin Red Line, 40 Aspectoflove, Aspectus, Brunston, Changing The Guard, Christmas Carnival, Circumvent, Directorship, Dolphin Rock, Gold Rules, Major Phil, Mirrored, Red Jade, Roman Republic, Scolari, Shavansky, Stevie Thunder, Tepmokea, Tiger Reigns, Vainglory, 50 Be Invincible, Big Audio, Caldercruix, Camerooney, Charlie Cool, Classic Colori, Cloudy Start, Dream Lodge, Ginger Jack, Good Again, Greyfriarschorista, King Olav, Mahadee, Markazzi, Northern Fling, Opus Maximus, Party Doctor, Pendragon, Silver Rime, The Galloping Show, The Which Doctor, Truism, What's New Pussycat, 66 Audemar, Beauchamp Xerxes, Credit Swap, In Footlights, Levera, Reve de Nuit, Smokey Oakey, Space Station, Swiss Cross, The Cayterers, Viva Vettori, 100 Espero, European Dream, Final Verse, Follow The Flag, High Resolution, Maristar, Marvo, Moheebb, Mustakmil, Rosko, Seasonal Cross, Sequillo, Spirit Of A Nation, 200 Dream Win, Global, Sedgwick, 500 Nicholas Pocock.

END

RACING POST INVESTIGATE RACECOURSE CATERING WEEK

2010-09-01T05:36:00.000-07:00

RACINGPOST.com FOOD FOR THOUGHT

MAJOR FOUR-PART INVESTIGATION INTO RACECOURSE CATERING WEEK TO RUN FROM TUESDAY TO FRIDAY THIS WEEK.

DOES RACECOURSE CATERING CUT THE MUSTARD?

DAVID ASHFORTH ON ‘FOOD FOR THOUGHT’.
After some 40 years of sampling, or avoiding , what tracks have had to offer, David tells us what he has found.

“The person next to me pulled out a long blond hair from his beef roll. Unfortunately the blond was no longer attached to it.”

LEE MOTTERSHEAD ON ‘FOOD FOR THOUGHT’.
"What racegoers really think of the food and drink on offer? You spill the beans.

"Most places are very expensive or else it’s burger and chips’. We asked racegoers what they like, don’t like and what they’d like to find more of. ...."

Pic’s of the huge catering vans equipped to serve vast number of people.

Today (Wednesday September 1st 2010) in part two of our major investigation.

DAVID CARR goes behind the scenes at York

CATERING SUPREMO BOB REEVES talks to HOWARD WRIGHT

PLUS, WEB USERS HAVE THEIR SAY.

MARGARET CLARKE ‘FOOD FOR THOUGHT’ FROM TURFCALL

The Racing Post’s ‘FOOD FOR THOUGHT WEEK’ new direction for British Racecourses to explore.

Racecourse Picnic Hampers perhaps for families, with a variety of food and drink.
And different varieties of hamper foods. Empty hampers to be returned to racecourses before people leave.

All working people need a decent break from work, to refresh. To have a little treat now and then. To enjoy something quite new and different. Rick Stein amongst others puts this whole subject into perspective in his book:

RICK STEIN
http://www.rickstein.com/seafood-school.html
http://www.rickstein.com/Food-Heroes.html

RICK STEIN’S GUIDE to the food heroes of Britain BBC.
Where to Buy the Best Produce in Britain & Ireland. ISBN 0-563-48742-9

Food Heroes
Over the past few years, Rick has embarked on a voyage of discovery taking him the length and breadth of Britain, searching out the very best of all British produce.

Directory of produce
This directory gives you a taste of many of the producers of excellent food that I have discovered. These are my Food Heroes who are the stars of the TV series and Food Heroes books. The directory is organised into types of food and then into the different regions of Britain and Ireland.

Each entry describes the produce and whether it can be bought at the farm door or shop or by delivery, on the web or by mail order. Please select an option below to discover the Food Heroes in your region:
• Eggs
• Cheese
• Vegetables & Fruit
• Fish
• Poultry & Meat
• Game
• Fruit Desserts, Cakes & Bread
• Special Ingredients
• Farmers Markets
• Restaurants, Cafes & Pubs

JAMIE OLIVER
http://www.jamieoliver.com/campaigns/
http://www.jamieoliver.com/
http://www.fifteencornwall.co.uk/

After three successful series of The Naked Chef, Jamie Oliver could have easily retired from television and publishing, bought a little pub/restaurant in the Essex countryside and spent the rest of his life cooking and taking it easy. But there's a part of Jamie that wants to make the world a better place, wants everyone to have the knowledge and the opportunity to enjoy good food, and wants to help people who perhaps haven't had anyone there to help them before.

This side to Jamie was first seen in the Channel 4 series "Jamie's Kitchen" which followed the setting up of Fifteen London restaurant and the Fifteen Foundation charity which helps young people not in education or employment to train for a good career in the catering industry.

Against the odds, Fifteen London became a success and was followed by similar projects in Amsterdam, Cornwall and Melbourne, all still training young people. Yet, Jamie wanted to do more, and around the middle of 2003, he started thinking about how to make bigger, more positive change happen; change that would affect not merely a handful of young people but millions...

ALBERT AND MICHEL ROUX
The Roux brothers are regarded as the godfathers of modern restaurant cuisine in the UK. They put Britain on the culinary map and raised standards across the board through their ground-breaking Michelin-starred restaurants, their TV series, their many books, and the unflagging training and encouragement they have provided to many of today’s top chefs.

Michel currently owns the three-Michelin starred Waterside Inn in Bray, Berkshire, and the White Hart Inn near Colchester in Essex, which is run by ex-Waterside staff. Albert owns London’s two Michelin-starred Le Gavroche in London and his wide-ranging consultancy work includes a number of cafés in hotels and department stores.

Career guide
Albert was born in 1935 and Michel in 1941 into a family of French charcutiers. For much of their early career they cooked for wealthy individuals – Albert, notably, for Lady Astor and for Peter Cazelet’s estate in Kent – and both gained an insight into British tastes at the British Embassy in Paris.

In 1967, the Roux brothers opened Le Gavroche in London’s Lower Sloane Street (moving it to Upper Brook Street in 1981). In 1982 it became the first UK restaurant to hold three Michelin stars.

The Waterside Inn opened in the Berkshire village of Bray in 1972. It gained its third Michelin star in 1985 and has held onto this accolade longer than any other UK restaurant. Eight guest bedrooms were added in the 1990s.

In 1972 the brothers started a catering service that was bought by Compass in 1993 to become Roux Fine Dining, with Albert as a consultant.

Between 1969 and 1996 Roux Restaurants opened a number of restaurants and brasseries in London – including Poulbot Pub, Le Gamin, Gavvers, Les Trois Plats, and Roux Britannia – which the brothers sold to focus on their consultancy work.

In 1986 the brothers separated their businesses, with Michel taking on the Waterside Inn and Albert retaining Le Gavroche. In both cases, their sons – Alain in Bray and Michel Jnr in London – now run the kitchens.

What we think
The Roux brothers were voted the UK’s most influential chefs by their peers in a 2003Caterer & Hotelkeeper survey and their profound impact on food and cooking in this country has not been lost on the British Government. Awarding the brothers honorary OBEs in 2002, Foreign Minister Jack Straw described them as: “two of Britain’s finest ambassadors who together have greatly enhanced Britain’s gastronomic standing in the world … Thirty years ago just the phrase ‘British cuisine’ would have led to a belly laugh. That we can now talk proudly of ‘British cuisine’ owes a huge amount to the outstanding work of the Roux brothers,” Straw added.

The brothers arrived in Britain in the 1970s as hardcore French professionals in an era of enthusiastic amateurs. In the 1980s, they pioneered the use of quality ingredients by setting up a company to freight in produce from Rungis market in France.

They have won countless awards in Britain and in France, including four Caterer & Hotelkeeper Catey awards – the Waterside Inn won the 1984 Menu of the Year award; Michel and Albert were voted Independent Restaurateur of the Year in 1985 and 1988 respectively; and in 1995 the brothers scooped the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Among other key awards, Albert was the youngest chef to be elected as Maître Cuisinier de France (in 1968) while Michel has held one of the top culinary awards –the Meilleur Ouvrier de France en Pâtissier – since 1972.

Perhaps their most lasting legacy has been the countless young chefs they have trained and nurtured, including such luminaries as Pierre Koffman, Marco Pierre White and Gordon Ramsay. In 2004, when Michel was voted the AA Chef’s Chef, he calculated that he had trained more than 1,000 people over the past 35 years.
In 1984 they set up the Roux Brothers Scholarship, in which 50 young chefs compete annually to win three months’ experience in any UK or European three Michelin-starred restaurant of their choice.

Michel bought the White Hart Inn near Colchester in 1995 and has acted as a consultant to British Airways from 1983 to 2003, and to the nine-strong Celebrity Cruises group since 1990.

Albert, a founder of the Académie Culinaire of Great Britain, has explored many different avenues. He opened a boucherie in London in 1982 which transformed into a deli and retail traiteur until it was sold in 1999. Between 1981 and 1999 he was involved with the five-star London hotel 47 Park Street. In 1983 he worked with Bournemouth University to experiment with sous vide (boil-in-the-bag) cuisine, opening the UK’s first sous vide factory in 1985.

Since 1999, the House of Albert Roux has operated Roux Express and Albert Roux Cafés at House of Fraser department stores while the Albert Roux Consultancy has set up restaurants at Accor’s Sofitel The Grand Amsterdam hotel and its Sofitel St James hotel in London.

DELIA SMITH
http://www.deliaonline.com/

French food and wine: a marriage made in heaven!
Delia Online recipe sponsorship

We’ve sourced some fantastic French wines for you to try – and the good news is that they pair perfectly with Delia’s gorgeously Gallic casseroles, salads, seafood, tarts and steaks. You can also enter our competition to win 12 bottles of Plaimont’s star wines Le Faîte red and white.

Producteurs Plaimont represent over 1000 vine growers based in the South West of France, at the foot of the Pyrenees Mountains. Wine lovers will be particularly interested to learn that these wines tend to be made from grape varieties that are new to us in the UK: Tannat, Pinenc, Gros Manseng, Petit Courbu – allowing you to discover exciting new wine favourites!

e have paired eight Plaimont wines with recipes from Delia that will complement them to perfection. For more information, visit www.plaimont.com/uk/
The food and wine flavours of France
Win 12 bottles of Plaimont's Le Faite wine

THE HAIRY BIKERS
http://www.hairybikers.com/index.php?hairybikers_food_tour_of_britain

Food Tour of Britain

First transmitted: 08/2009
The Hairy Bikers have travelled the globe but in a new series for BBC Two Daytime, they’re out to prove that for world-beating food, there’s no place like home.

In this series, Si and Dave are back on their bikes, sampling the best of British fare from across the isles. There are 86 counties in the British Isles and the Bikers have covered 30 of them, from Aberdeenshire to Cornwall, Fermanagh to Norfolk, north to south, west to east.

Covering 15,000 miles in their culinary tour of Britain’s counties, they meet the locals and learn about how the land and the produce has informed the way we eat. In each episode, the Hairies will taste that county's 'signature dish'. They visit local food producers and hunt for their ingredients before cooking the county's traditional favourite on location in front of an audience of locals. The crowd are then invited to sample the food and pass their verdicts.

The boys are then pushed outside their comfort zone as they face a cook-off against some of each county's best chefs to create a unique dish using local produce that typifies the county. Not used to cooking in the kitchens of fine-dining restaurants, the Bikers need all the help they can get to find inspiration and source their ingredients.

END

CARTIER AWARDS 2010 LATEST POINTS STANDINGS

2010-09-01T02:27:00.001-07:00

CARTIER THREE YEAR OLD COLTS

CANFORD CLIFFS 140

DICK TURPIN 104

LOPE DE VEGA 98

CAPE BLANCO 88

MAKFI 88

Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly

SNOW FAIRY 112

SPECIAL DUTY 98

MUSIC SHOW 74

SARAFINA 64

JOANNA 60

Cartier Older Horse

GOLDIKOVA 112

STARSPANGLEDBANNER 112

BYWORD 92

HARBINGER 80

TWICE OVER 80

Cartier Sprinter

STARSPANGLEDBANNER 112

EQUIANO 72

REGAL PARADE 40

SOLE POWER 33

BORDERLESCOTT 32

Cartier Stayer

RITE OF PASSAGE 48

AGE OF AQUARIUS 28

ILLUSTRIOUS BLUE 26

PURPLE MOON 24

MANIFEST 20

Cartier Two-year-old Colt

ZOFFANY 40

APPROVE 38

DREAM AHEAD 32

KING TORUS 32

LIBRANNO 32

Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly

MEMORY 24

HOORAY 20

LAUGHING LASHES 20

MAQAASID 18

MARGOT DID 16

SORAAYA 16

Cartier Horse Of The Year

CANFORD CLIFFS 140

STARSPANGLEDBANNER 112

GOLDIKOVA 112

SNOW FAIRY 112

DICK TURPIN 104

END

2009 - WINNERS OF CARTIER RACING AWARDS

Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: St Nicholas Abbey

Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Special Duty

Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Sea The Stars

Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Sariska

Cartier Sprinter: Fleeting Spirit

Cartier Stayer: Yeats

Cartier Older Horse: Goldikova

Cartier Horse of the Year: Sea The Stars, owned by Christopher Tsui

Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: John Oxx

END