Treve To Take On A Maximum Of 12

Thursday, 25 June 2015 08:37

Dual Arc winner Treve is the headline attraction among the 13 names left in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

The five-year-old returned to action in the Prix Corrida at the Parisian track last month against her own sex, proving a cut above the opposition when she cruised to victory in the hands of Thierry Jarnet.

Trainer Criquette Head-Maarek may also run Altaira in the same Al Shaqab Racing colours as her stable star on Sunday.

"Touch wood, Treve is in tremendous form and Criquette is very pleased with her," Harry Herbert, racing manager to Al Shaqab, said.

"There is a bit of rain around and we would like some of that. You saw in her last race she seems to be better than ever and hopefully she will put up a bold performance and take another step in the right direction before a shot at a third Arc.

"It is lovely to see her come out of a race so well. We go into Sunday full of hope."

Andre Fabre, chasing an eighth victory in the race, can call on Manatee, Feodora and Hong Kong Vase winner Flintshire.

"He's going for the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and he's going to run a good race," Fabre said of Flintshire.

"The ground will suit him probably and we'll see. He's always been a consistent horse."

Daughter Of Forensics Wins On Debut

Sunday, 31 May 2015 08:26

The first foal of multiple Australian Group One winner Forensics has made an impressive winning debut in England.

Wordcraft won a fillies maiden at Newmarket on Saturday, giving trainer Charlie Appleby his 100th winner of the season.

Always travelling powerfully throughout the seven-furlong (1400m) for James Doyle, Wordcraft ranged up in the latter stages.

As push came to shove the three-year-old daughter of Shamardal quickly went about her business to put a length-and-a-half between herself and Bella Nostalgia.

"She is a nice filly out of a very good Australian mare who is all speed," Appleby said.

"I was a bit concerned about the ground as it would have been plenty quick enough, but her class saw her through."

Forensics won the 2007 Golden Slipper and added three more Group One wins the following year including the Myer Classic.

She was bred and raced by Woodlands Stud until Sheikh Mohammed bought the operation from Bob Ingham in early 2008.

Top Racehorses Getting Faster: UK Study

Thursday, 25 June 2015 00:43

Racehorses are getting faster, according to new research that has overtaken notions of them reaching the limit of their galloping ability.

A study of 616,084 race times run by more than 70,000 horses shows that winning speeds have increased greatly since 1850.

And more recent data from 1997-2012 confirms that the finish line is not in sight yet. Improvements in performance are still on-going, despite heavier handicap weights, it is claimed.

Scientists are not sure whether the quickening pace, largely driven by sprinters, is due to breeding, better training, jockey tactics, or a combination of factors.

Earlier research had indicated that thoroughbred racehorses may have reached a barrier preventing them from becoming any quicker.

But these studies only focused on a small number of middle and long distance elite races and did not take into account factors such as ground softness, according to experts from the University of Exeter.

Dr Patrick Sharman, from the university's Centre for Ecology and Conservation, said: "There has been a general consensus over the last 30 years that horse speeds appeared to be stagnating.

"Our study shows that this is not the case and, by using a much larger dataset than previously analysed, we have revealed that horses have been getting faster. Interestingly, both the historical and current rate of improvement is greatest over sprint distances. The challenge now is to find out whether this pattern of improvement has a genetic basis."

Slower middle and long distance speed improvements could indicate that horses are reaching a performance limit over these distances, say the researchers.

Alternatively, it might mean that breeders are focusing on speed rather than endurance.

The scientists, whose findings appear in the Royal Society journal Biology Letters, used data from flat races run in the UK.

Included in the analysis was the year of race, speed, timing method - whether by hand or automatic - race distance, race course, official going, the number of runners, and the name, age, and sex of every horse running.

The results revealed improvement spurts over certain periods, with rapid increases in speed occurring in the early 1900s and again from 1975 to the early 1990s.

Performance gains in the early 1900s have previously been attributed to an altered riding style, with jockeys assuming the now-familiar crouched position with shorter stirrups.

Improvement through the 1970s and 1980s may be due to jockeys emulating Lester Piggott and shortening their stirrups even further, said the researchers.

However, they also point out that racehorse breeding became more commercialised during this period, which may have had genetic benefits.

Tremendous Treve Back With A Bang

Saturday, 30 May 2015 08:27

Wonder mare Treve has begun the road to an unprecedented third Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with an impressive victory in the Prix Corrida at Saint-Cloud.

The Group Two race over a mile-and-a-quarter (2000m) was her first public appearance since her resounding second success in the Longchamp showpiece in October.

After a smart start, Treve was reined back by Thierry Jarnet as rank outsider and stablemate Silvaplana adopted a pacesetting role.

Having travelled strongly throughout, Treve moved closer to the front on the home turn and bounded clear.

Jarnet only had to keep riding Sheikh Joaan's mare with hands and heels to pull clear of last season's Prix de l'Opera winner We Are and win by four lengths.

"I am delighted. I have to be, she's done everything I thought she would, and she will improve a lot from the run because she spent three months on the farm during the winter and hadn't run since last October," trainer Criquette Head-Maarek said.

"Thierry said she was very relaxed throughout the race and I could tell from the look on his face when he came back in that he is as thrilled as I am."

Treve was scheduled to be retired after the Arc but Sheikh Joaan decided to bring her back for another campaign in the hope she can become the first horse to win Europe's premier middle-distance event three times.

The trainer confirmed the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud on June 28 would be next on the agenda.

"It was important that she ran well but it was a preparation for tougher races ahead and now our attention is set on the Grand Prix De Saint-Cloud at the end of next month," she said.

"She will appreciate moving up to a mile and a half.

"To see a five-year-old mare do what she did today is quite something, and tells us we might have much to look forward to in her build-up to the Arc."

Moore Breaks Royal Ascot Winners Record

Saturday, 20 June 2015 08:06

Ryan Moore broke the post-war record for winners at Royal Ascot when Aloft gave him a ninth winner of the week in the concluding Queen's Vase.

But the crack English jockey was on the receiving end of a master-class from Christophe Soumillon in the feature race on day four.

Riding Ervedya for the Aga Khan, Soumillion threaded his way through traffic to deliver the French-trained filly with perfect timing in the 375,000 Coronation Stakes for fillies over 1600m.

Soumillon pounced just as Moore was entertaining thoughts of victory aboard Found, who went to the front 300 metres from home.

Yet having reeled the leader in, Soumillion had to contend with the even later flourish of Kevin Manning aboard Lucida.

It was a pulsating finish as Ervedya prevailed by a neck from Found, with Lucida a half-length back in third place.

Miss Temple City, the US challenger, acquitted herself with credit in taking fourth place.

Soumillon has long been among the finest jockeys in Europe but this was just his second Royal Ascot winner -- and his first at Ascot itself.

His previous victory aboard Valixir -- also in the Aga Khan's silks -- was gained at York in 2006, when Ascot racecourse was being redeveloped.

"I was lucky to find a gap through them," an elated Soumillon said.

"I knew Found was the horse to beat and so I stayed behind her. Maybe that's why we won. If I had challenged down the outside she might have found the (race) distance a bit too far for her."

At least Found ran up to her best under Moore, who had high hopes of winning the newly-inaugurated STG375,000 ($A763,000) Commonwealth Cup aboard Hootenanny.

But the American speedball failed to fire over the 1200-metre journey.

The race was won by an emerging star in Muhaarar, who exploded under jockey Dane O'Neill to scorch clear of Limato to win by 3 lengths.

Owned by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, Muhaarar is trained by Charlie Hills, who saddled Dutch Connection to win the Jersey Stakes on Wednesday.

"This is probably the best horse I have trained," said Hills, who also saddled the fourth-placed finisher, Salt Island.

On another warm day at the royal racecourse, two jockeys to whom Royal Ascot had been unkind this year experienced better fortunes.

Jamie Spencer, so unfortunate to be denied victory on The Grey Gatsby in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes on Wednesday, found consolation aboard Balios in the King Edward VII Stakes.

Spencer brought the David Simcock-trained horse through from last place to collar Mr Singh after the favourite, Stravagante, had injured himself during the race.

Stravagante is trained by Sir Michael Stoute, who suffered similar misfortune when his Capal Path, owned by Her Majesty the Queen of England, was injured in a race on Thursday.

Having stayed overnight at a local veterinary clinic, Capel Path was moved to Newmarket on Friday for further examination.

But Stoute's misfortunes were later compounded when Yarrow, his runner in the last race, was quickly eased out of the contest by jockey Pat Smullen.

Although Richard Hughes had ridden some fancied horses throughout the week, the jockey had yet to visit the winner's enclosure at his last Royal Ascot before his retirement.

That changed when Hughes rode two winners. Appropriately, the first of them came in the Albany Stakes aboard Illuminate, who is trained by Richard Hannon.

It was with the support of Hannon's father, also Richard, that Hughes rose to the top of his profession.

"He is going to leave a big hole," an emotional Hannon said of Hughes, who is also his brother-in-law.

American Pharoah Favourite For Preakness

Thursday, 14 May 2015 07:46

Kentucky Derby winner American Pharoah is the odds-on favourite in the Preakness Stakes despite drawing barrier one, a gate which has not produced a winner in more than two decades.

A field of eight three-year-olds will go to the post on Saturday (Sunday AEST), the smallest since 2000 when Red Bullet upset Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus.

Trainer Bob Baffert is looking for his sixth Preakness win with American Pharoah and Dortmund, who drew No.2.

Third in the Derby, Dortmund was the 7-2 second choice behind American Pharoah at 4-5 with Derby runner-up Firing Line (4-1) to start from the outside.

Baffert has never liked barrier one and and history backs him up.

The last horse to win the Preakness from the inside post was Tabasco Cat in 1994 and the last to win from two was Snow Chief in 1986.

"I can't believe I drew the 1-2," Baffert said.

"It's the luck of the draw. I don't love it."

If American Pharoah wins, it would set Baffert up for an unprecedented fourth Triple Crown try. The last Triple Crown winner was Affirmed in 1978.

Victor Espinoza has the mount on American Pharoah, with Martin Garcia aboard Dortmund and veteran Gary Stevens to ride Firing Line.

The field, from the rail out is: American Pharoah (Espinoza, 4-5); Dortmund (Garcia, 7-2); Mr. Z (Corey Nakatani, 20-1); Danzig Moon (Julien Leparoux, 15-1); Tale of Verve (Joel Rosario, 30-1); Bodhisattva (Trevor McCarthy, 20-1); Divining Rod (Javier Castellano, (12-1); and Firing Line (Stevens, 4-1).

Able Friend Settles In At Newmarket

Tuesday, 09 June 2015 08:32

Hong Kong star Able Friend has had a work-out at Newmarket ahead of his Royal Ascot assignment.

The John Moore-trained multiple Group One winner, the equal highest-rated horse in the world, will contest the Queen Anne Stakes.

The trainer's son and assistant, George Moore, is overseeing Able Friend's preparations and is pleased with how he has settled in.

"The horse arrived on Saturday and worked on the Polytrack next to Newmarket racecourse," Moore said.

"He worked around 1800 metres (nine furlongs) and will go a little further tomorrow morning (Wednesday AEST).

"(Trainer) Michael Bell has given us a seasoned horse to lead him in his work. Able Friend was having a good look around, but he does that back in Hong Kong as well.

"Everything is going good, there are no problems and we're looking forward to next week."

Able Friend is set to face strong opposition in the Royal Ascot curtain-raiser including the Richard Hannon-trained Lockinge winner Night Of Thunder and Dubai Turf and Prix d'Ispahan winner Solow from the Freddie Head stable.

Moore believes Solow is Able Friend's biggest threat.

"I think the French horse is the one we've got to beat. He was good in his last Group One and looks pretty smart," he said.

Able Friend will be ridden by Joao Moreira who will also partner Australian Diamond Jubilee contender Brazen Beau.

Treve To Make Return At St Cloud

Wednesday, 13 May 2015 07:39

Treve is expected to make her return at the end of the month to begin a campaign aimed at a third win in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Her first appearance will be the Group Two Prix Corrida at Saint-Cloud on May 29.

Should all go to plan, the Criquette Head-Maarek-trained five-year-old will then return to the Parisian track the following month for a shot at the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

"Treve is in terrific form and is moving well," Harry Herbert, racing manager to owners Al Shaqab Racing, said.

"Criquette Head has got her exactly right where she wants her.

"She will run in the Corrida at the end of May all being well and as long as the ground is in her favour.

"Hopefully she will then go for the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. She won't go to Royal Ascot this season as she is a proper mile-and-a-half (2400m) horse.

"Everything is being primed for her to try and win a third Arc, which is very exciting for her owners."

American Pharoah Ends Triple Crown Drought

Sunday, 07 June 2015 08:29

American Pharoah has ended US racing's 37-year Triple Crown drought, romping to victory in the Belmont Stakes.

The free-striding bay colt ridden by Victor Espinoza and trained by Bob Baffert added the 1-1/2-mile (2400m) Belmont to his Kentucky Derby and Preakness wins to become the 12th horse to sweep all three, and the first since Affirmed in 1978.

Since then 13 horses had claimed the first two jewels of the Triple Crown only to be undone by the Belmont.

American Pharaoh.

That list of near-misses included three horses trained by Baffert and two ridden by Espinoza.

"Wow! Wow!" Espinoza said as his mount cantered toward the winner's circle to delirious cheers.

"It's just an amazing thing. He's just an amazing horse!"

American Pharoah came out of the gate slowly but responded quickly as Espinoza took him straight to the lead.

He stayed in front the rest of the way, the first favourite to win the Belmont since Afleet Alex in 2005.

"He's a great horse. It takes a great horse to do it," Baffert said.

The 62-year-old trainer has known Triple Crown heartbreak, having saddled Silver Charm (1997), Real Quiet (1998) and War Emblem (2002) for Kentucky Derby and Preakness wins, only to see them fall short in the Belmont.

"I'm thinking about my parents," he said. "I wish they were alive to see this."

Espinoza was aboard War Emblem for that failed Triple try in 2002, and he had another Triple Crown chance go awry at Belmont on California Chrome last year.

This time, Espinoza said, he knew at the first turn that Pharoah wouldn't let him down.

"He broke a step slow, but in two jumps I was in the lead," Espinoza said.

"I had the best feeling ever when he went to the first turn."

Godolphin-owned Frosted, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin and ridden by Joel Rosario was second. Keen Ice, trained by Dale Romans and ridden by Kent Desormeaux, was third.

American Pharoah ended a record Triple Crown drought. The previous record gap was 25 years, from Citation in 1948 to Secretariat in 1973.

"New Yorkers, all racing fans, this is for you," American Pharoah's owner Ahmed Zayat said.

The field of eight was the smallest in the Belmont since 2007, when the filly Rags to Riches beat six rivals.

US TRIPLE CROWN WINNERS AND JOCKEYS:

2015-American Pharoah (Victor Espinoza)

1978-Affirmed (Steve Cauthen)

1977-Seattle Slew (Jean Cruguet)

1973-Secretariat (Ron Turcotte)

1948-Citation (Eddie Arcaro)

1946-Assault (Warren Mehrtens)

1943-Count Fleet (John Longden)

1941-Whirlaway (Eddie Arcaro)

1937-War Admiral (Charles Kurtsinger)

1935-Omaha (William Saunders)

1930-Gallant Fox (Earl Sande)

Melbourne Cup Placegetter Retired

Tuesday, 12 May 2015 07:50

Globetrotting stayer Mount Athos, who ran in two Melbourne Cups, has been retired.

Mount Athos ran fifth in the 2012 Melbourne Cup and third a year later when trained by Luca Cumani.

The eight-year-old began life with the late John Hills and was subsequently bought by Dr Marwan Koukash.

Jockey Craig Williams on Irish cup runner Mount Athos

He was trained in Ireland for a spell by David Wachman before being sent to Cumani.

Moved to Marco Botti for the start of last season, he ran well in Dubai for his new handler before winning the Aston Park Stakes almost a year ago.

Ongoing injuries have since prevented him making it back to the track.

"Mount Athos is a favourite with all the staff. He will be missed and we wish him well in his retirement," Botti said on his website.