Royal Ascot 2013 closes today (Saturday, June 22) and on today’s card is the prestigious DIAMOND JUBILEE. As well, the HARDWICKE promises to be a corker with some really good older horses in the running.
Trainer Luca Cumani’s Mount Athos (2007) is the acknowledged favourite here. The 6 yr. old son of the late, great Montjeu comes into the Hardwicke with a career record of 20-7-0-1 and has won over every conceivable surface. The sentimental favourite, however, will be Lady Cecil’s Noble Mission (2009), who is a full brother to Frankel and will have Tom Queally aboard. While in no way Frankel’s equal, Noble Mission has shown great improvement since last year and won at this distance last time out. Below is a look at Noble Mission from a year ago, racing at Newmarket:
Another interesting colt is Universal (2009) by Dubawi, whose BM sire is the mighty Giant’s Causeway. Universal has won his last 3 starts at this distance. John Gosden’s Aiken (2008) is another who shouldn’t be overlooked. The bay son of Selkirk has raced over 2 miles in his career of 10 starts and although he hasn’t won since this time last year, he came in second last time out and has the brilliant William Buick to pilot him home in a relatively small field. Trainer Sir Michael Stoute, who should never be overlooked, runs a 4 yr.old son of Investic Derby winner Sir Percy, called Sir John Hawkwood (2009). This horse won his last 2 starts at the Hardwicke distance and runs over any surface, so Sir John might well be a threat. Finally, Roger Varian runs Ektihaam (2009) , a 4 yr. old son of Invincible Spirit, who can be counted on to come strongly at the finish.
This is a very evenly-matched field, making for a really exciting race.
DIAMOND JUBILEE STAKES (GROUP 1, part of the BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES, 3YR. OLDS + DISTANCE: 6 f)
The Diamond Jubilee is for sprinters and this year’s gang should give racing fans a good deal of excitement as they roar towards the finish.
Installed as favourite is the popular Society Rock (2007), a 6 yr. old son of super-horse, Rock of Gibraltor (1999). “The Rock” — as Rock of Gibraltor was called in his racing days — was a staggeringly good, solid competitor, who won seven Group 1’s in a row, including the English and Irish 2,000 Guineas as well as the St. James Palace Stakes, retiring to Coolmore a millionaire. In 2002, “The Rock” was voted World Horse of the Year — and Society Rock, having earned almost a million BPS to date, is one of his best sons. What makes Society Rock rather unique in this field is that he carries two American Triple Crown winners in the fifth generation of his dam’s family: Secretariat and Chris Evert (who won the Triple Tiara). On this, the 40th anniversary of Secretariat’s Triple Crown, it’s magical to realize that a descendant of “Big Red’s” will be tearing up the turf at Royal Ascot 2013.
Have a look here at Society Rock just nipping Gordon Lord Byron at the finish in the 2012 Betfred Sprint Cup:
A really exciting entry is the Australian mare, Sea Siren (2008) by Fastnet Rock (2001). A winner of over a 1 million (AUS), Sea Siren has made 15 starts, with a record of 6-3-1, with the result that she starts as third favourite in the betting. She will have the services of crack jockey, Ryan Moore and races for Coolmore. Other fillies running are Intense Pink (2009), Rosdhu Queen (2010) and Mince (2009). Of these, Rosdhu Queen and Mince are the strongest, but neither is a match for Sea Siren if she runs true to form. She is a really wonderful mare. Check out her storming home in the Hong Kong Gr. 1 Manikato Stakes in October 2012.
Gordon Lord Byron (2008)by Byron is another highly-regarded entry. The gelding’s career record stands at 20-4-6-3 and he’s a 6f specialist who’s last win came in March at Dundalk. Although he’s lost this year to Society Rock, Maarek (2007)is a veteran who has already earned over a quarter of a million in his 27 starts. Primed in June at 5f where he finished second, Maarek looks ready to run a very good race. The grey, Lethal Force (2009), ran second to Society Rock last time out in May over 6f and is already a winner at this distance. His pedigree favours a shorter distance and he may very well be the one to give Society Rock and Sea Siren a battle toward the finish.
It will be interesting to see if the Aussies can grab a Group 1 again this year at Royal Ascot.
SPECIAL NOTE: Part III of THE VAULT’S Royal Ascot coverage will be posted Friday, June 21st and cover the closing day. (The fields are still unconfirmed for several races on the Saturday, making the addition of a third article prudent. AA)
This second of a three-part series covers some of the top races and horses on DAY THREE, Thursday, June 20 and DAY FOUR, Friday, June 21. Please note that the fields in each race covered below are still shifting somewhat, but every effort has been made to focus on top thoroughbreds confirmed in the running at this time, with a particular emphasis on those who are likely to be less-familiar to non-UK viewers.
WHERE TO WATCH: HRTV is covering the key Royal Ascot races, beginning at 9:00 A.M. (approx.) over each of the 5 days.
AT THE RACES (UK) at http://www.attheraces.com/ascot/list.aspx?lid=pa+news also offers complete Royal Ascot coverage and will post all races on its YouTube channel by the end of each day.
RACING POST (UK) hosts its own Royal Ascot site, complete with race cards for each race and articles: http://royal-ascot.racingpost.com
OVERVIEW
The following Royal Ascot races are reviewed below:
THURSDAY, JUNE 20: the RIBBLESDALE STAKES (3 yr-old fillies) featuring ALIVE ALIVE OH, THE LARK, RIPOSTE, SAY, MAGICAL DREAM, JUST PRETENDING; and THE GOLD CUP (4 yr-olds and up) featuring RITE OF PASSAGE, SIMENON, COLOUR VISION, ESTIMATE and SADDLER’S ROCK.
FRIDAY, JUNE 21 : the ALBANY STAKES featuring FRANKEL’S half-sister JOYEUSE and a host of other precocious 2 YR. OLD fillies; the KING EDWARD VII STAKES featuring BATTLE OF MARENGO,MUTASHADED, BRASS RING and DYNAFORMER’S son, ESHTIAAL; and the CORONATION STAKES featuring another anticipated battle between two fabulous files, JUST THE JUDGE and SKY LANTERN.
THURSDAY, JUNE 20
THE RIBBLESDALE STAKES (3 yr-old fillies, Fillies Grade 2. Distance: 1 m 4 f)
This race might be a real corker because, despite the apparent superiority of Alive Alive Oh (2010), all of the contenders do best over soft-yielding turf. At present, it looks as though the turf will be firm-hard, leading several trainers to flirt with withdrawing their fillies from Ascot altogether.
ALIVE ALIVE OH wins for trainer Tommy Stack. She enters the Ribblesdale as the filly to beat.
What makes Tommy Stack’s filly a prohibitive favourite is that she’s managed 2 impressive wins in her 3 starts, beating Coolmore-Ballydoyle’s Magical Dream most recently and running third to their very good colt, Magician, in her maiden almost a year ago. Of course, a lot can change in a year, but Alive Alive Oh only seems to be getting better. The dark bay daughter of The Duke of Marmalade (see coverage of him in Part 1, under St. James Palace Stakes) walked away from the field to win brilliantly over Magical Dream in her last outing on May 7th over yielding turf.
The Lark, trained by Michael Bell, is a daughter of the outstanding world-class sire, Pivotal (1993) who had 100 SW in 2012, both fillies and colts. She arrives at Ascot with 4 races under her belt and a record of 4-1-0-2, although her only win came back in October 2012.
Coolmore-Ballydoyle has 2 confirmed entries and may run a third. Definitely in the mix for the Ribblesdale are Magical Dream and Just Pretending. The former, a daughter of Galileo(1998) has a record of 6-2-1-1 but hasn’t chalked up a victory since September 2012. Giant’s Causeway (1997) is the sire of Just Pretending, who has won twice in her 4 starts to date, running third to a superstar in Just The Judge in her last start, the 1,000 Irish Guineas. However, on May 12th (2013) in the Derrinstown Stud 1,000 Trial, under Joseph O’Brien, she came home first in a close finish. Say, another Galileo filly, may also contest the Ribblesdale but we will need to wait until mid-week to know for certain.
Lady Cecil, who has been extended a trainer’s licence in light of the recent death of her husband, Sir Henry Cecil, comes into the Ribblesdale with a lovely Juddmonte filly, Riposte. Sir Henry was still nominating horses to Royal Ascot in the last days of his life and there can be no doubt that Riposte is here because she deserves to be. The daughter of another super sire, Dansili (1996) is, of course, trained by Sir Henry and she will have Tom Queally to guide her home. The filly comes into the race with a record of 2-1-1-0, but the fact she’s been so lightly raced ought to be subscribed to her trainer’s illness and not to her abilities. And: Riposte is the only other serious contender other than Alive Alive Oh to have won over firm – hard ground.
RIPOSTE under Tom Queally shown here beating the filly MUTHMERA at Newmarket this May. The ground was listed as Firm, making her a particularly strong contender in the Ribblesdale.
THE GOLD CUP ( 4 yr-olds & up, Group 1, part of the British Champions Series. Distance: 2m 4f)
The Gold Cup is a marathon of a race and this year’s version sees some really good horses entered. Winners here will shout stamina, as did the most famous of all Gold Cup winners, the mighty Yeats (2001) who won it an unprecedented 4 years in a row.
Aidan O’Brien’s magnificent YEATS has set the Gold Cup standard. Now retired, he performs the dual function of siring both jump and flat thoroughbreds.
Simenon (2007), a 6 yr. old campaigner and son of Marju (1988), has raced 21 times with 4 wins, one being in the Ascot Stakes over good-soft ground at Royal Ascot a year ago. This fellow is bound to be the sentimental favourite, although he will get some play at the betting pools as well. Interestingly, the gelding has raced over fences too. His last time out, Simenon finished 4th of 17 in the Stan James Chester Cup (over fences). This is one hard-working, talented and gutsy thoroughbred and Yeats would have loved him for it. Fittingly, Simenon stands at current odds of 7-1. Here he is, winning the Ascot Stakes in 2012:
The Gold Cup will also be graced by an entry from Her Majesty the Queen in the form of the filly, Estimate (2009), who is currently the favourite. She was a gift from Prince Khalid Abdullah to Her Majesty as a baby and was selected from Juddmonte’s top breeding stock that year. The daughter of the late great German sire, Monsun (1990) won the Longines Sagaro Stakes her last time out, but also took home the Queen’s Vase at Ascot last year. In 6 starts, Estimate has only been out of the money once, chalking up 3 wins and 2 shows (3rd). No question that this talented lady will be another sentimental choice to take the honours, it being the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
ESTIMATE poses with HM The Queen after winning the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot in 2012.
After Simenon and Estimate, the other really good horses running in the Gold Cup seem to pale by comparison. However, expect the 9 yr.old Rite of Passage to run in very good form. Currently the second favourite, the chestnut gelding by Giant’s Causeway is another sturdy character, having started 9 times on the flat(record of 6-0-2) and 3 times over jumps (record of 2-0-1). Versatile as well as talented, Rite of Passage has already won the Gold Cup once — at Royal Ascot in 2010. His last start, in October 2012, was on British Champions Day, where he walked off with the Group 3 Long Distance Cup beating Saddler’s Rock, Colour Vision and Fame and Glory in the process. However, that was over soft-yielding ground and the conditions at Ascot look to favour hard-firm this year.
Co-favoured at 7-1 with Simenon is Saddler’s Rock (2008). Even though he hasn’t had a win since last August, the 5 yr. old son of the fantastic Sadler’s Wells is trained by John Oxx, the man who took Sea The Stars to racing glory. Oxx was already a leading Irish trainer before Sea The Stars, having trained the brilliant filly Ridgewood Pearl, as well as Sinndar, winner of the Investic Derby, Irish Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe for Oxx’s main client, the Aga Khan. If the turf plays good-firm, look for Saddler’s Rock to run a blinder.
SADDLER’S ROCK won’t appreciate soft ground, but if the Ascot turf plays good-firm, look to see this son of Sadler’s Wells run his best race to date.
Last but not least is Godolphin’s Colour Vision (2008), last year’s Gold Cup winner. And even though the grey son of Rainbow Quest(1981) hasn’t scored since Frankie Dettori left Godolphin, he’s a versatile horse who has won over good to soft ground, making him a serious contender in this year’s field.
An elated Frankie Dettori rides back to the winner’s enclosure after COLOUR VISION’S win in the 2012 Gold Cup.
FRIDAY, JUNE 21st
THE ALBANY STAKES ( 2 yr. old fillies, Group 3. DISTANCE: 6 f)
Excitement will be in the air as Day Four of Royal Ascot kicks off with Frankel’s little half-sister, Joyeuse, taking on a field of fairly accomplished babies. Of course, these are juveniles and have only just gotten started, making the task of choosing a winner pretty demanding.
Joyeuse, by Oasis Dream (2000), broke her maiden at first asking at 6f over ground labelled “good.” Meaning that neither the distance nor the probable state of the Ascot turf should bother her. Joyeuse was trained by Sir Henry Cecil for owner, Prince Khalid Abdullah and will have her big brother’s jockey, Tom Queally, back to guide her. Here’s a look at the compact and feminine-looking filly on her very first time out. Quite apart from the race, the hijinks at the gate and Queally’s struggles keeping Joyeuse on-track — a little like his early battles with Frankel who, like this young lady, just wanted to run — provide a great insight into what it’s like when babies first race!
As much as the fans will be behind Joyeuse and Queally, there are a number of other good fillies running against the pair. From Godolphin comes Fire Blaze, a daughter of Dubawi (2002) and Wedding Ring, a daughter of Oasis Dream (2000), both of whom also won their maidens and like the turf good-firm. In the case of the latter, her win came at 6f and she will be under the excellent tutelage of Mikhail Barcelona. Lady Kristale is undefeated and has started twice; like the previous 3 fillies, she has won at 6f and will like the good to firm going at Ascot.
SANDIVA and Pat Smullen race home in the Coolmore Stud Fillies Sprint for trainer, Richard Fahey.
Trainer Richard Fahey’s Sandiva is by Footstepsinthesand (2002), a son of Giant’s Causeway(1997). Sandiva has been very impressive in her 2 winning starts to date, her most recent win coming in the Coolmore Stud Fillies’ Sprint Stakes at 6f. Expect this baby to be right there in the thick of it. Coolmore-Ballydoyle have entered Wonderfully, as well as Bye Bye Birdie, but it is the former who seems a better bet. By Galileo (1998), Wonderfully’s BM sire is the great Danehill (1986); she comes in off a maiden win at 6f and is still another filly who will appreciate good-firm footing. Last but not least is Princess Noor, By Holy Roman Emperor(2004) who is a maiden winner at 6f on an all-weather surface. Princess Noor will be ridden by William Buick, another fabulous young jockey and one in the same league as either Joseph O’Brien or Tom Queally.
The Albany appears to be a very evenly-matched field and should be a thrilling race.
Jockey William Buick, shown here in 2010 at Meydan aboard Sheema Classic winner DAR RE MI, gets the ride on the talented Princess Noor.
KING EDWARD VII STAKES (3 yr. olds, Group 2. Distance: 1 m 4f)
Fourth in the Investic Derby to Ruler of the World, but undefeated in 3 starts prior to it, including the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes in May (above) there is no question that Coolmore-Ballydoyle’s Battle of Marengo is the colt to beat in this year’s running of the King Edward VII at Ascot. In his 7 starts, the son of Galileo (1998) has only ever been out of the money in his recent Derby run and has 5 wins to his credit. But the handsome bay won’t be left all alone at the wire.
Roger Varian has confirmed the undefeated Mutashaded, a lightly-raced but competent son of the mighty Raven’s Pass (2005), winner of the 2008 BC Classic. Mutashaded’s 2 wins have come over firm and heavy (wet) turf, showing his versatility. Two other colts that are only getting better are Brass Ring and Eshtiaal. Both have won their last 2 races and Brass Ring seems to do best over good-firm going. Trained by the winning John Gosden for Prince Khalid Abdullah, Brass Ring’s last win came at the King Edward distance, but his competition is a distinct step up for the son of Rail Link(2003), a sire who won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe as a 3 yr. old.
RAIL LINK, Juddmonte’s Arc winner of 2008, shown here with his ecstatic jockey. The stallion is represented by Brass Ring and SPILLWAY in the King Edward VII.
Eshtiaal will be of particular interest to North American racing fans. Racing for Hamdan Al Maktoum, the colt is a son of Dynaformer(1985) and his BM sire is Kingmambo(1990). Eshtiaal has won on both soft and good ground, something that bodes well for him. But like Brass Ring, he is taking a huge step up in company in the King Edward.
All in all, this race looks like a romp — albeit a prestigious one — for Battle of Marengo.
We lost him in April 2012, but Three Chimneys’ much-loved DYNAFORMER will be represented by ESHTIAAL at Royal Ascot in 2013.
THE CORONATION STAKES ( 3 yr. old fillies, GROUP 1, part of the British Champions series. DISTANCE: 1m)
For hard-wired racing enthusiasts, the Coronation is shaping up to be a modern Battle of the Titans between two brilliant fillies: Just The Judge and Sky Lantern.
The Charlie Hills-trained Just The Judge, won the Irish 1,000 Guineas last time out, running the mile on turf that was good-firm. Her career record stands at 5-4-1-0 and she has also handled soft ground with aplomb. Her sire, Lawman (2004), winner of the Prix Matchless at 2 and of the Prix de Jockey (G1), Prix Jean Prat(G1) and Prix de Guiche (G3) at 3, is a son of the great Invincible Spirit (1997). Just The Judge is his second highly successful filly in earnings, after Forces of Darkness (2009) who began her career in France like her sire before moving to the USA this year.
Sky Lantern, trained by the excellent Richard Hughes won the QUIPCO 1,000 Guineas, beating Just The Judge by a nose, in her last start. Piloted by the talented Richard Hughes, the grey filly has a career record of 7-4-3-0. She prefers the ground to be good-firm, but has also won over a soft surface. Her sire, Red Clubs (2003) is a son of the late, prominent sire Red Ransom (1987) who produced more than 100 SW’s. Red Clubs continues the Roberto bloodline in style, having won the Cartier European Champion Sprinter in 2007; at stud, he has also sired two other champion fillies, The Gold Cheongsam (2010) and Vedelago (2009), who races in Italy.
But why say more? Below are Just The Judge and Sky Lantern in each of their winning 1,000 Guineas races. Clearly, their encounter at Royal Ascot will bring the kind of suspense and drama that makes thoroughbred racing so thrilling.
NOTE: Part III of THE VAULT’S Royal Ascot coverage will be posted Friday, June 21st and cover the closing day.
As Royal Ascot kicks off (June 18-22) there will be an understandable nostalgia in the air. After all, last year saw Frankel and Black Caviar grace the Ascot turf and it’s hard to imagine any thoroughbred rising to those heights in 2013.
However, it looks as though the hugely talented Camelot will be in attendance and the crowd will be delighted to greet the colt who almost clinched the first British Triple Crown since Nijinsky in 1970. As well, Frankel’s little sister, Joyeuse, is running in the Albany Stakes. Trained by Sir Henry Cecil for Khalid Abdullah, her appearance will bring with it a huge range of emotions. And Dawn Approach, who was to skip Royal Ascot altogether, is set to go in the St. James Palace Stakes if he turns in a good work on Thursday, June 13th.
And then there’s the Queen Anne Stakes, where Dubai World Cup winner, Animal Kingdom, makes his final start before heading off to stud duty in Australia.
There have also been some notable defections, among them Snow Fairy, Black Caviar’s little (half-) brother, All Too Hard (who was retired), as well as Soft Falling Rain, Shea Shea, Farrh and the world’s highest-rated turf horse, Cirrus des Aigles. And don’t expect to see Ballydoyle’s Derby winner, Ruler of the World. He will be aimed at the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes which run at Ascot in July. Nor does it look as though champion St. Nicholas Abbey will put in an appearance following his historic win at Ascot last month in the Coronation Cup.
But make no mistake about it: Royal Ascot is the most glittering 5-day event of the British flat racing season, a place where legends are crowned and rising stars are anointed.
In the midst of preparing this article, news arrived that Sir Henry Cecil had died.
This article is dedicated to a man who was undoubtedly one of the finest trainers ever and begins, fittingly, with Frankel’s romp in last year’s Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot. Despite his battle with a horrible disease, Sir Henry Cecil said, “…I had to be there, for Frankel.”
And, indeed, he was.
OVERVIEW
This review is Part I of a two-part feature.
Part II, a review of the top races between June 20 & 21 will be posted on THE VAULT on Wednesday, June 19.
PART I
The following races are reviewed in this article:
Opening Day, JUNE 18 — The Queen Anne Stakes (featuring Animal Kingdom), The King’s Stand (featuring Reckless Abandon and Shamexpress), The St. James Palace Stakes (sure to be a thriller, with Dawn Approach taking on Magician, Toronado and Dundonnell), The Coventry Stakes (2 year-old colts) and The Windsor Castle Stakes (featuring the promising daughter of British legend, Attraction).
Day Two,June 19, The Prince of Wales Stakes (featuring Camelot, Al Kazeem, The Fugue and Red Cadeaux).
WHERE TO WATCH: HRTV is covering the key Royal Ascot races, beginning at 9:00 A.M. (approx.) over each of the 5 days.
AT THE RACES at http://www.attheraces.com/ascot/list.aspx?lid=pa+news also offers complete Royal Ascot coverage and will post all races on its YouTube channel by the end of each day.
Tuesday, JUNE 18
* Please note that all entries are accurate as of 13-06-2013
THE QUEEN ANNE STAKES (Grade 1, part of the British Champions series. Distance: 1 mile)
ANIMAL KINGDOM (centre) looks over the course at Royal Ascot. (Photo and copyright, Steve Cargill)
No question: at Royal Ascot 2013, THE race is the Queen Anne and THE horse is Animal Kingdom (2008). At least, that’s how many Brits see it.
Fresh off his impressive win in the Dubai Gold Cup, the son of Lesroidesanimaux brings a presence to UK racing that fans across the pond are lapping up. British papers have featured articles on the elegant Animal Kingdom and his under-stated trainer, Graham Motion, weekly. And racing sites like At The Races and Racing Post have posted an array of videos, of which this is one:
Of course, all of this excitement is old news for North American racing fans, who fell in love with the strapping chestnut when he won the 2011 Kentucky Derby. Not that they’ll be any less thrilled this coming Tuesday. The colt already sits in the betting at the very top of the heap and it must be said that the Queen Anne is Animal Kingdom’s to lose. What Graham Motion has been teaching the champ since he arrived in April in the UK is how the Brits do things — notably, the demand of the Ascot turf, that features ups and downs rather than a straight, flat surface. However, after a number of very strong works, it’s fair to assume that Animal Kingdom knows what to expect.
ANIMAL KINGDOM with John Velasquez after a work over the Ascot course. The Queen Anne Stakes will likely be the colt’s final race, after which he departs for stud duty in Australia.(Photo and copyright, Steve Cargill)
Although entries have yet to be finalized, Aidan O’Brien will likely run at least 2 horses against the Dubai World Cup winner, the best of these being Declaration of War (2009). The 4 year-old son of War Front(2002) last raced in May at Newberry, where he finished 5th in a field of 12. However, he has won 5 of his 7 career starts and is likely to be partnered by Joseph O’Brien, a decided advantage. Trainer John Gosden is likely to run the mare, Elusive Kate (2009) who last raced in October 2012 against the colts at Ascot and finished in 3rd place against the likes of Excelebration. The daughter of Elusive Quality(1993) will need to show that she has the will to compete. A more important competitor, running in the colours of HRH Princess Haya of Jordan and also trained by Goseden is Gregorian (2009). This colt has finished either first or second in his last 4 races and is likely the one who will give Animal Kingdom the most trouble, if he fires. And fire he must, since Graham Motion’s superstar is by far the very best in the field.
Ballydoyle’s DECLARATION OF WAR will seek to de-rail ANIMAL KINGDOM.
KING’S STAND STAKES (Grade 1, part of the British Champions series. Distance: 5 furlongs)
UPDATE (June 16) : Mick de Kock’s SHEA SHEA (South Africa) is now confirmed for this race.
This race is a sprint for 3 year-olds and up and promises to be hotly contested, despite the possible defection of Mike de Kock’s Shea Shea. If he doesn’t run, the favourite will be 3 year-old Reckless Abandon (2010), a son of Exchange Rate (1997) trained by Clive Cox, who has only lost once in a total of 6 starts. Last year’s Prix Morny and Middle Park winner was third in the five-furlong Temple Stakes at Haydock last time out and is an honest type who can be counted on to try his very best.
RECKLESS ABANDON in action, showing his scope and powerful stride.
But Reckless Abandon is unlikely to get off easy. He will be facing the Australian Shamexpress (2009) who has won 2 of his 3 starts this year and, according to trainer Danny O’Brien, the colt is coming up to the race in fighting form. Shamexpress won the Newmarket Handicap (AUS) last time out and finished going away. Also fancied are Richard Lynam’s Sole Power (2007) who enters with a track record of 34-6-6-5 and John Gosden’s Swiss Spirit (2009), a son of super sire, Invincible Spirit (1997). Cheveley Park Stud’s Kingsgate Native (2005) may be a veteran, but he has already beaten Swiss Native and lost by only a length to Sole Power recently, making him a serious contender. Also re-appearing is the veteran Medicean Man (2007) who won last time out at Haydock on June 7. Pearl Secret (2009) lost last time out, but this was his very first defeat in 5 career starts.
The white-faced PEARL SECRET will be easy to spot and deserves to be considered a serious contender, since he has only lost once in 5 starts.
ST. JAMES PALACE STAKES (GROUP 1 for 3 year-old colts, part of the British Champions series. Geldings barred. Distance: 1 mile)
This is one of England’s most prestigious races for 3 year-olds. First run in 1834, its initial running turned out to be a walkover for a great British thoroughbred called Plenipotentiary (1831). It has been won by a veritable who’s who of champions since then, including the mare Sceptre, Rock Sand, the much-loved Captain Cuttle, the fabulous Brigadier Gerard, Kris, Kingmambo, Giant’s Causeway and Frankel in 2011.
PLENIPOTENTIARY (1831), the first winner of the St. James Palace Stakes, took the honours in a walkover.
The incomparable SCEPTRE, who was the main rival of the brilliant PRETTY POLLY, pictured in this intaglio print during her racing days.
Not only is he beautiful, but GIANT’S CAUSEWAY was also a much-loved champion in the UK. The “Iron Horse” would not only win the St. James Palace in 2000, but also sire a son who won it 5 years later, SHAMARDAL.
This year, the drama is shaping up to lie principally between Dawn Approach, Dundonnell and Toronado. The Jim Bolger-trained Dawn Approach is seeking to regain some respect, having run a very rank race in the recent Investic Derby. Bolger believes the colt’s uncharacteristic effort in the Derby — he finished last — was caused by a smack in the ribs that he sustained leaving the gate, causing him to never really settle.
DAWN APPROACH eyes the camera, as if to say, “Look out on June 18th lads!”
Dundonnell is owned by Khalid Abdullah, Frankel’s owner-breeder, and trained by Roger Charlton. This colt has been in the money 6 times in his 7 starts and won at Newmarket his last time out. Toronado is a son of High Chaparral. Trained by Richard Hannon, the colt has only ever lost once in 5 starts. This will be the third time that Toronado and Dundonnell face-off against one another. Here’s a sample of what we can expect from these two:
Aidan O’Brien was able to confirm that Magician will definitely start in the St. James Palace and it is on this son of the mighty Galileo that O’Brien will pin his hopes for victory. Coolmore-Ballydoyle will also run Gale Force Ten, George Vancouver and Mars, although it seems unlikely that any of these will better either Dawn Approach (unless he runs another stinker) or favourites like Toronado. Magician comes to the St. James Palace with a record of 6-3-1-0 and has won his last 2 races, including the Irish 2000 Guineas (below).
Coming in undefeated is the lightly raced Mutin(2010) from the stable of Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum. A son of the multi-millionaire Kentucky Dynamite (2003), who hails from the Mr. Prospector line through his sire, Kingmambo, this colt will like the distance and, if the course is fast, should excel.
Trainer George Margarson’s Jammy Guest is by the very talented Duke of Marmalade; although the colt has only been out of the money once in 3 starts, the St. James Palace is a huge step-up in class for him. A 5-time Group One winning son of Danehill, Duke Of Marmalade comes from a family that includes the likes of A.P. Indy, Lemon Drop Kid and the former Classic winner Summer Squall, sire of Horse of the Year Charismatic. The family has met with great success in the southern hemisphere, through stallions like Bite The Bullet, Spectacular Spy, Honor Grades and the red-hot Statue Of Liberty. All to say that Jammy Guest just might well be ready to take a really good run at Dawn Approach, Magician or Toronado.
The dramatically handsome DUKE OF MARMALADE hails from the same family as A.P. Indy, Lemon Drop Kid and Summer Squall.
COVENTRY STAKES (Group 2 for 2 year-olds. Distance: 6 furlongs)
Information about entries in this coveted event for the youngest thoroughbred remain sketchy at the time of this writing. However, there is a strong possibility that three of Coolmore-Ballydoyle’s most promising babies will be entered. Stubbs (2011), by Danehill Dancer, has only lost once in his 3 starts, coming in third on his very first attempt. Sir John Hawkins (2011), a son of Henrythenavigator, makes only his second career start after winning his maiden but is already considered one of the best of the Ballydoyle juveniles. Last, but hardly least, is Coach House (2011). The son of Oasis Dream(2000) has already won 2 of his 3 starts and is another rising star.
The absolutely gorgeous STUBBS, under Joseph O’Brien, powers home. Photo and copyright, HEALY RACING PHOTOS.
SIR JOHN HAWKINS, ridden by Joseph O’Brien (pink & blue striped cap) wins at first asking from INTENSIFIED and SUDIRMAN. Photo and copyright, HEALY RACING PHOTOS.
WINDSOR CASTLE STAKES (A listed race for 2 yr. old colts and fillies. Distance: 5f)
The colt FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH is by OASIS DREAM but her dam, ATTRACTION, became a modern legend.
The story of this race regardless of its outcome has to be Fountain of Youth. Every British racing fan will be watching to see if he has the talent of his dam, the great Attraction (2001), whose story and achievements made her a heroine of the turf.
Attraction was born with crooked forelegs and her owner, the Duke of Roxburghe, knew there was no point sending her into the sales ring. So he sent her off to his trainer and the rest, as they say, is history. And what a history: with her front legs rotating like egg-beaters, Attraction became the only filly (until 2007, when she was ousted by Finsceal Beo) to won both the English and Irish Guineas. Nor did it end there. Unbeaten in 7 starts, Attraction annexed the Coronation, Sun Chariot and Cherry Hinton Stakes as well. In 2003, Attraction was rated at 118, making her the third best 3 year-old in the world.
ATTRACTION is pictured here at her home, Floors Stud, on the Scottish border. As a broodmare, she has already been a success but Fountain of Youth may be her best yet.
Wednesday, June 19
* Please note that all entries are accurate as of 13-06-2013.
THE PRINCE OF WALES STAKES (GROUP 1 for 4 year-olds and up, part of the British Champions series. Distance: 1 mile, 2f)
This race is shaping up to be a smallish, selective field with horses like Camelot (2009), Al Kazeem (2008), The Fugue (2009) and Red Cadeaux (2006) set to do battle. Of these 4, arguably the least known to racing fans outside of the UK is trainer Roger Charlton’s Al Kazeem. But the son of Dubawi has already beaten Camelot once, in the Tattersalls Gold Cup, which was his last outing, and is not to be overlooked. Not only did he take down Coolmore-Ballydoyle’s golden boy, but Al Kazeem has come back after an injury that put an end to his 2012 season to win his last 3 races, improving his track record to 10-5-4-0. Below is the running of the Gold Cup (May 26, 2013):
Windsor Palace (2005) will again serve to keep the pace honest for Camelot, who will have Joseph O’Brien in the irons. The veteran campaigner, Red Cadeaux (2006) last ran second to Animal Kingdom in the Dubai World Cup and can also be counted on to run a good race. A multi-millionaire with earnings of 3, 275, 933 BPS in 36 starts, the gelded son of the late Cadeaux Genereux (1985) is a stalker who comes from off the pace, like Al Kazeem.
Red Cadeaux is a veteran of 36 races and a multi-millionaire who last ran second to Animal Kingdom in the Dubai World Cup.
The Fugue(2009) is the only lady in this heady field and, before we count her out, it should be said that she is also the best rested of all the entries, having made her last run in the 2012 Breeders’ Cup, where she finished 3rd to Zagora after a less-than-ideal trip. In fact, bad trips have plagued this feisty daughter of Dansili, who is owned by Andrew Lloyd-Weber and trained by the great John Gosden. Despite not always getting the best of chances, The Fugue has only been out of the money once in 8 career starts. And….not only is she one gorgeous gal, but her BM sire is Sadler’s Wells.
Here’s The Fugue, who gets hopelessly stuck behind horses, rallying to take third in a race she should have won — the BC Filly & Mare Turf (2012):
THE VAULT: Horse racing past and present 