To open Royal Ascot 2011, The Queen unveiled a magnificent bronze sculpture in the Ascot's main paddock of Coolmore's stallion, Yeats, who is the only horse to win Ascot's Gold Cup four times.
It set a quality tone for international racegoers and fans on the first day of Royal Ascot which offers three Group 1 races featuring some of the world's top Turf horses.
This year is also the first year of the British Champions' Series and winners of those three Group 1s qualify for inclusion.
The King's Stand Stakes also qualified for the Global Sprint Challenge.
Breeders' Cup executives actively scout the races on Day 1 and 2 for talent to include in their November championship races which will be held November 4 and 5 at Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY.
Arguably the first and third races generated the most interest generated by the presence of Canford Cliffs, Cape Blanco, Goldikova in the first and mega-star Frankel in the third.
The Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions' Series), 1m (8f, 1600m)for 4yo+
Canford Cliffs got the better of Goldikova. Photo ©David Hastings
Flash Dance was pacemaker for Freddie Head's Goldikova, 6yo triple Breeders' Cup Mile winner and 13-Group 1 winner, who was sent out with her jockey Olivier Peslier weighing in two pounds overweight.*
Handicap officials acknowledge that the extra weight negated her fillies' allowance and cost her a length.
With trainer Richard Hannon gunning for blood after his colt Paco Boy's multiple losses to the mare (costing him over £1.5 million in earnings) and a very fit Canford Cliffs under top jockey Richard Hughes, Goldikova could expect no mercy.
With the weight disadvantage, her jockey should not have taken the lead too early if he wanted to avoid setting her up as a sitting duck.
Further, he did not appear notice Canford Cliffs oncoming assault 1f out and responded too late for even a dead heat.
Goldikova is a mare who will always try with her tremendous speed and determination if she gets the jockey signal soon enough. She did not get it and came in second by 1 length.
Cityscape was another 1¾ lengths in third. The talented Cape Blanco had an off day 16 lengths behind the winner and beat only Flash Dance home and behind Rio De La Plata and Ransom Note.
The King's Stand Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions' Series and Global Sprint Challenge), 5f (5/8m, 1000m) for 3y0+
Nineteen runners from eight countries competed in this sharp 5f sprint and the impressive foreign competitors looked to have the advantage over Britain's horses.
Robert Cowell's four-year-old gelding, Prohibit, beat out three foreign-trained horses in a tight close with Australia's Star Witness, South Africa's mare Sweet Sanette and Hungary's speedster Overdose.
Prohibit races best from behind under a strong pace and he got his conditions paying 7/1.
He gave Ballydoyle's Zoffany the chance to streak from the rear 1f out to nearly, but never able to, catch him.
Favourite Kingsgate Native at 11/2 was 3¾ lengths behind the winner in sixth and the second favourite at 13/2, Sole Power, was eighth by 4¼ lengths.
*In Peslier's attempt to lose his extra 2 pounds, he took a sauna and grabbed boots which looked like his. They were not and he was fined £650. Not his best day.
The St James's Palace Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions' Series), 1m (8f, 1600m) for 3yo entire colts
The world's highest-rated horse, unbeaten Frankel, won his cliffhanger St James Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. Photo ©David Hastings
This must be the race of races at this year's Royal Ascot.
There is no adequate description of the excitement leading up to seeing the world's highest rated horse, Frankel, annihilate another hapless field of the year's best three-year olds.
Yet confused signals between the pacemaker Rerouted who went too fast burning himself out early and the wilful Frankel who forced himself into the lead 2f out and then dawdled almost contemptuously.
The playful Frankel left part of the audience holding its collective breathe and other sounding as if they were having heart attacks with the tension.
After watching Goldikova's being pipped, it was good to see jockey Tom Queally rally his colt thereby averting disaster.
Zoffany has the rare distinction of getting closest to the Wonder at a ¾ length, but only because of a failed Cecil (Sir Henry) team tactic.
Cecil promised to change tactics in future races and defended his jockey from what he felt was unfair criticism.
Marco Botti's Excelebration lost again to Frankel - this time ceding second to Zoffany and just holding third from Neebras by a head. They were 2¼ and 2½ lengths behind the winner.
The other five competitors were too far behind to be in the same class: Dream Ahead, Dubawi Gold, Wootton Bassett, Grand Prix Boss from Japan and pacemaker Rerouted.
The three races were fast on good ground, but this race was the fastest by 0.76s (1m 39.24s).
One can only admire Sir Henry Cecil for allowing the Juddmonte colt his head and experimenting with different tactics.
He is not playing it safe. Frankel will have his chance to show how good he really is.
Day Two
Races with international 'star' horses and good weather increased Royal Ascot's opening day crowd by 10% over last year to 43,354. Even Tote betting increased by 14% over last year to £1,245,535.
The second day of Royal Ascot has three world-class Group races which were full of surprises and without a favourite winning.
The Jersey Stakes (Group 3), 7f (7/8m, 1400m) for 3yo
After seeing Richard Hannon's Strong Suit in the saddling area, it was difficult to imagine the imposing colt not being the favourite (11/1), but Codemaster was at 7/4.
Strong Suit was one of last year's best two-year olds. Breathing problems developed this year and he had surgery to relieve the difficulty.
When he powered up, Codemaster and the third Western Aristocrat at 9/2 had no answer. Strong Suit was out front by ½ length and a neck in 1m 26.09s (fast by 0.61s).
The victory gave trainer Richard Hannon and son-in-law Richard Hughes their second Group victory in Royal Ascot's opening races.
The Windsor Forest Stakes (Group 2), 1m (8f, 1600m) for 4yo+ fillies and mares
Ireland's Lolly For Dolly bested 12 far more experienced and higher-rated fillies to win by 1½ lengths over Sir Henry Cecil's Chachamaidee and David Simcock's First City (by another length).
Tommy Stack, trainer of the winner. attributed her victory to staying ability and newly-fitted blinkers. Wayne Lordan gave her a perfect ride and was thrilled with his first win at Royal Ascot.
The Prince of Wales's Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions' Series), 1m2f (10f, 1¼m, 2000m) for 4yo+
Frankie Dettori's flying dismount from Godolphin's Rewilding after winning the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot. Photo ©David Hastings
This race probably had the most shocking conclusion of any during the meet.
Ballydoyle's famous import from Australia, So You Think NZ, was sent out 4/11 favourite. Any and all would probably have done battle over his being the one sure winner of the day.
Godolphin did not agree and they sent in their Debussy and Rewilding, winner of the Dubai Sheema Classic, to take on the challenge.
Debussy is a better frontrunning horse at 7f or a mile and Rewilding is a true 1m4f stayer who lags in the back to make bursting closes.
Godolphin bet on So You Think's actually not being a stayer and Rewilding having the ability to handle a sharper trip than usual. And they have jockey Frankie Dettori.
The saddling-up area is the best place to assess the fitness and mood of potential winners. Those three horses, plus the underestimated Sri Putra, looked the best.
I bet on the sleek and lightly-raced Rewilding, half brother of Dar Re Mi by dam Darara, who looked outstanding to me.
Jan Vermeer, who was So You Think's pacemaker, missed the break and took 2f to get to the front putting SYT in second to be closely shadowed by Debussy.
Ryan Moore had trouble settling his mount SYT who was sweating in the paddock.
Once they hit the front, it appeared the race was locked down 1f out until the Dettori torpedo shot from back of the pack to wear down So You Think winning by a neck with Sri Putra third 6 lengths out.
The crowd was stunned and Godolphin jubilant.
Dettori did his flying dismount after earning himself a nine-day ban for excessive use of the whip.
Aidan O'Brien claimed his horse lost, because he was not fit enough. Australians and New Zealanders had much more unkind assessments.
Day Three
The third day of Royal Ascot draws the largest crowd of the Meet as it is Ladies' Day and the ladies come in droves to outdo each other in fashion.
It is also Gold Cup Day. For the last four years, the race was won by Yeats who is now retired to the Coolmore Stud and commemorated on Day One by The Queen when unveiling his statue in the main paddock.
This year's tussle for Royal Ascot's iconic was between the two major racing empires: Opinion Poll for Godolphin (Darley) and Fame And Glory for Ballydoyle (Coolmore).
The Gold Cup (Group 1) (British Champions' Series), 2m4f (20f, 2½m, 4000m) for 4yo+
Yeats' worthy successor Fame And Glory outclassed Royal Ascot's Gold Cup field winning by 3 lengths over Opinion Poll. Photo ©David Hastings
The race was slowly run in 4m 37.51s (16.51s) and perfectly set up for jockey Jamie Spencer to bring Ballydoyle's relaxed Fame And Glory to the front of 14 other competitors in the final furlongs of the Gold Cup.
His stamina gave him the edge in the staying race over Godolphin's respected Opinion Poll and trainer Andre Fabre's accomplished Brigantin who raced for owners Team Valor.
Fame And Glory won easily by 3 lengths over Opinion Poll and a further 4½ lengths over Brigantin.
Trainer Aidan O'Brien confirmed that the five-year old horse will be prepared for October's Arc de Triomphe and he will return to Royal Ascot next year to try to equal or best Yeats' Gold Cup record.
Day Four
Thursday at Royal Ascot may be Ladies' Day, but the fourth day of Royal Ascot or Friday has the showcase mile race for the best international fillies of the three-year-old Classic generation.
The Corronation Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions' Series), 1m (8f, 1600m) for 3yo fillies
Robert Collet and son brought their dynamic filly duo, Immortal Verse and Nova Hawk, from France to take first and second in Royal Ascot's Coronation Stakes. Photo ©David Hastings
Twelve fillies competed led by some of Britain and Ireland's best females.
France's Robert and son Ron Collet believed they had two of the best three-year old fillies, Immortal Verse and Nova Hawk, of 2011 and committed them to Royal Ascot's prestigious Coronation Stakes.
They were right. The beautiful Immortal Verse beat her beautiful compatriot Nova Hawk by 2¼ lengths followed a half length by Richard Fahey's Barefoot Lady.
The British were stunned but gracious to the happy Frenchmen. Regretfully, there is some truth in the French trainers complaint to the French press that they received only a tepid reception for their victories.
The King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2), 1m4f (12f, 1½m, 2400m) for colts and geldings
Trainer John Gosden usually has good reasons when he brings a three-year-old colt who has only won a maiden to compete in one Royal Ascot's Group 2 historic races.
Nathaniel was second to Treasure Beach in the Group 3 Chester Vase and did not face as stiff competition in the King Edward.
The handsome Nathaniel, who has proven to be best at 12 furlongs, waltzed 5 lengths past his nearest rival (of nine) Fiorente and another 2 lengths ahead of Alexander Pope in a slow 2m 34.48s (slow by 4.48s).
Young jockey William Buick rode Nathaniel to perfection.
The team is just beginning its upward curve for they have a very talented colt.
Day Five
Royal Ascot's closing day on Saturday is often family day which has one of the best races for two-year olds and a prestigious 6f sprint which is part of the Global Sprint Challenge along with the 5f King's Stands Stakes won by Britain's Prohibit on opening day.
Many foreign sprinters come to Royal Ascot just to compete in both races as the 5 and 6 furlong distances.
Until recently the British sprinters were easy prey for the superior foreign horses, but that has changed with Prohibit and Society Rock (below).
The Golden Jubilee Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions' Series and Global Sprint Challenge, 6f
Society Rock outpowered Monsieur Chevalier and Star Witness in Royal Ascot's Golden Jubilee Stakes. Photo ©David Hastings
Australia's Star Witness travelled to Royal Ascot to compete in both its Global Sprint Challenge races a 5 and 6 furlongs.
He was unfortunate to be touched off by Prohibit in the King's Stands Stakes, but had no excuses when he lost to Society Rock by 1¾ lengths. He was third 1¼ lengths behind trainer Richard Hannon's Monsieur Chevalier who has recovered much of his earlier form.
Trainer James Fanshawe always seems to produce a winner at Royal Ascot.
The Chesham Stakes (Listed Race), 7f for 2yo fillies and colts
Future star Maybe in the Ballydoyle Tabor colours imposed herself on 15 other 2y olds by 2¼ lengths in Royal Ascot's Chesham Stakes. Photo ©David Hastings
Sometimes trainers are overly enthusiastic about their horses, but Aidan O'Brien's words about his two-year-old filly Maybe were understatements.
With Ryan Moore on board, the filly was sent out 5/2 favourite in Royal Ascot's Chesham Stakes and she thrashed the field of 16 - 2¼ lengths in front of Fort Bastion and another 3 lengths before Self Centered.
The youngster is a very finished professional filly and one expects great things from her.
The O'Brien/Moore team also won the second race of the day, the Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2), 1m4f for 4yo+, with four-year-old colt Await The Dawn who beat Harris Tweed by 3 lengths and Drunken Sailor in third.
Overall World Top Ten Ratings
Outstanding winners and seconds enhanced their reputations on the World Top Ten Ratings with their Royal Ascot Turf performances:
Canford Cliffs and Goldikova rose to 130 and 126 respectively for the Queen Anne race.
Rewilding and So You Think raised their ratings to 130 and 129 respectively for the Prince of Wales's Stakes.
Frankel retains his 133 world leader rating for the 2000 Guineas though his impressive St James's Palace Stakes did not rate a 133.
Workforce earned his 127 from the Brigadeer Gerard and did not compete in Royal Ascot.
Five of the world's top Turf horses competed at Royal Ascot and six of the 11 are European.
Posted June 19, 2011
Royal Ascot Will Set Season's Form Again
The five-day Royal Ascot Meet occurs during the early peak season for most horse. Its races are known to establish the year's form for the horses competing in its wide range of races and distances.
It is suitable, that given 2011 is the 300th Anniversary of Royal Ascot, the QIPCO British Champions Series should start its first Series in the same year having seven of Royal Ascot's races are part of the Series.
Three major QIPCO BCS races are on opening day June 14th.
The Queen Anne Stakes (1m, 4yo+) has lured six-year-old Goldikova back to England to repeat her success last year. She is up against very tough competition against powerful males like Canford Cliffs, Cape Blanco, Citiscape, Ransom Note and Rio Del La Plata. Flash Dance will be her pacemaker.
Given the mess in the Prix de Diane, one hopes Goldikova's jockey remembers that she is 2010 Horse of the Year in both England and France as well as being the three-times' winner of the Breeders' Cup Mile.
The King's Stand Stakes (5f, 3yo+) has attracted 19 of some of the world's finest sprinters - except Black Caviar who will compete in 2012 - and trainers.
Overdose is back for the Czech Republic. Todd Pletcher brought Bridgetown and Wesley Smith brought Holiday For Kitten to be ridden by Zenyatta's partner Mike Smith who is riding in Britain this Spring.
Star Witness is currently favourite and hails from Australia.
The European home team claims the favourites in Sole Power and game Kingsgate Native.
This is the most open race of the three starting the RA/BCS Series.
The St James's Palace Stakes (1m, 3yo) promises to be a thriller with eight taking on Frankel who is the highest-rated colt in the world at 130.
Japan is not affraid of him. It has sent Grand Prix Boss with Dubai World Cup winner Mirco Demuro on board. Dumuro is proving to be one of the world's top jockeys in and out of Italy along with his chum Frankie Dettori.
Dubawi Gold and Wootton Bassett return to the challenge against Frankel along with Dream Ahead, Excelebration, Rerouted, Godolphin's Neebras and Ballydoyle's Zoffany.
Many think Canford Cliffs will beat Goldikova. He may, but my heart is always with her.
I cannot predict the sprint outcome, but I cannot see any colt beating Frankel unless he has his first bad day.
Inside international horse racing paddocks with form expert Susan Trevelyan-Syke
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Santa Anita opened its winter season on Boxing Day before the largest crowd since 1994 - 44,519.
Though some had given up on The Factor USA (War Front USA), his trainer Bob Baffert had not.
His colt gave him his first victory after 20 tries to win the Grade 1 $250,000 Malibu Stakes for three-year olds.
The Factor won the 7f race by a fast 3½ lengths over Rothko in 1.19.89s - just .19 off the track record set by Twirling Candy last year.
Baffert is so pleased with his charge that he is keen to enter him in Dubai's Sheema Classic.
Nice to see a good horse come right.
©Posted December 27, 2011
Rapid Redux Sets The Records
The five-year-old gelding of Pleasantly Perfect USA, Rapid Redux USA, may only run in $5,000 starter-allowance races, but he has won 20 of them consecutively - 18 of which were in 2011.
His 20th was at Mountaineer Racetrack in Chester, WV, in January 2012.
Rapid Redux has bested Zenyatta and Peppers Pride's 19 straight.
Hiis 18 in one season is one race short of Citation's 19.
©Posted November 11, 2011
Awesome Feather Is Back
Last year's Champion 2yo filly and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies' winner, Awesome Feather, won the Grade 1 Gazelle at Aquaduct and the Le Slew Stakes on October 5.
Trainer Chad Brown decided to skip the BC Ladies' Classic as it would be too demanding given her long layoff after changing owners.
She will race next year at four.
Awesome Feather Is Back
She was last year's Champion 2yo filly and a star at the Breeders' Cup when she won the BC Juvenile Fillies.
Awesome Feather has had only one race at three for her new connections; she won the Le Slew Stakes on October 5.
Trainer Chad Brown will skip the BC Ladies' Classic and will race her again November 26 in the Grade 1 Gazelle at Aqueduct.
Brown felt the BC was too much to ask of Awesome.
©Posted October 26, 2011
Soumillon And France Triumph Again - In Canada
Christophe Soumillon hardly had time to rest from his victory on Cirrus Des Aigles in the QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot and the resultant controversy when he flew to Canada to ride the victorious four-year-old filly Sarah Lynx in the Grade 1 $1.5 million Canadian International, 1m4f (12f, 1½m, 2400m) on Turf for 3yo+, at Woodbine.
Trained by John Hammond in France, Sarah Lynx IRE (Montjeu IRE) is the only European horse to win in the hotly-contested Grade 1 races on the Canadian International Day despite a record number of talented raiders.
The others had to settle for places.
Sarah Lynx looked trapped on the rail until Soumillon found a gap and unleashed her relentless drive leaving last year's winner Joshua Tree four lengths behind her at the post.
She got her good-to-soft ground and handled it with authority.
Sent off only at 23/1, she left many stunned.
Soumillon learned the following week that the British Horseracing Authority had reconsidered purse forfeits so he will get his £50,000 winning purse from the QIPCO Champion Stakes as well.
©Posted October 11, 2011
Europeans To Dominate Canada International?
Canada's Woodbine will host its annual Canadian International Day with three Grade 1 Turf stakes on Sunday, October 16.
The $1.5 million Canadian International, 1m4f (12f, 1½m, 2400m), may have 18 runners induding Group/Grade 1 winners from Europe: Arctic Cosmos, Bronze Cannon, Joshual Tree, Mikhail Glinka, Mores Wells, Quest For Peace, Redwood and filly Sarah Lynx.
Winchester and Rahystrada will come in from the USA.
Up to 18 fillies and mares could participate in the E.P. Taylor, 1m2f (10f, 1¼m, 2000m), but the Nearctic six-furlong sprint will be limited to 14.
©Posted October 15, 2011
O'Brien's Together Defeats U. S. Fillies
After considerable pre-race controversy, trainer Aidan O'Brien's gambit in running his three-year-old filly, Together IRE (Galileo IRE), in two back-to-back Grade 1 races within a week paid off in doubles for her trainer.
Not only did this sweet, hard-working filly take the winner's share of the $400,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup, 1m1f (9f, 1-1/8m, 1800m) for 3yo fillies on Turf at Keeneland, but she earned herself an invitation to the Breeders' Cup Fillies & Mare Turf on November 4.
Out of 16 races in two years, she has only won three and placed second five times as she did in Keeneland's First Lady against older females.
Most of her races have been in Europe except for these two at Keeneland and the 2010 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies when she was fifth to More Than Real.
Together, under sympathetic Colm O'Donoghue, ran the QEII in 1m48.83s after taking the lead in the final furlong from Summer Soiree.
Marketing Mix, Nereid and the 7/5 favourite Winter Memories were second, third and fourth by 1¼, 3½ and ¾ lengths. WW never really picked up in her usual style.
Together was sent off 23/5 and had no trouble beating this field with panache.
O'Donoghue pointed out that she is by Frankel's sire Galileo and has always competed at the highest level. "She's got that speed and energy and strength. She's just a wonderful filly."
©Posted October 16, 2011
Hard Man O'Brien?
Aidan O'Brien took a pasting from the Daily Racing Form for today's running of Ballydoyle's three-year-old filly, Together, in the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II at Keeneland after only seven days of rest.
O'Brien and Coolmore are also criticised for not being available for interviews.
So You Think will also run today in the Champions Stakes at Ascot after less than two weeks since the Arc de Triomphe.
Many question whether all the Ballydoyle/Coolmore horses are not being run too often for their own good.
In the end, O'Brien can only recommend - the 'bosses' make the decisions and they want horses in all the top races.
©Posted October 15, 2011
Winter Memories - USA's Great Turf Filly
Given that the rest of the world races on Turf and the USA specialises in Dirt races, seldom do we produce Turf horses who can compete at the highest international levels.
One never knows when a race will turn up The One.
The Belmont Park $250,000 Garden City Stakes (Grade 1), 1m1f (1-1/8m) on Turf for fillies, produced one of the USA's best international prospects in three-year-old Winter Memories USA (El Prado IRE out of Memories Of Silver USA (Silver Hawk USA).
This grey-roan filly left her victory to a stunning wide run in the last sixteenth of a mile after being boxed in.
She defeated improving and experienced Theyskens' Theory USA (Bernardini USA) by a neck and the only two horses who beat her in eight career races: long-time leader More Than Real USA and Hungry Island USA (both by More Than Ready USA) who were third and fourth respectively.
When she has lost, she has been bottled up with no way to escape. Seeing daylight, this filly can be trusted to fly home.
It is Winter Memories first Grade 1. What impressed was not that she has won at the highest level, but how she did it in nearly impossible circumstances.
She responded instantaneously to Javier Castellano's very command with fluid ease and confirmed her reputation for lightening acceleration (first seen in the Grade 2 Lake George on July 27 when she sprinted from the quarter poll.
Castellano commented that "I tapped her on the shoulder and she took off."
She ran her last eighth mile in 10.60 seconds leaving her trainer James Toner and owner John Phillips gasping.
"I cannot believe she won the race. I cannot believe the way she accelerated and exploded in a short space of time; you're talking about a sixteenth of a mile", said Toner.
"That's breathtaking", Phillips said.
Winter Memories won the race in 1:51:06 and is likely to compete in the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland on October 15.
She is almost nonchalant about winning while oozing pure class.
This is one filly to follow.
©Posted September 18, 2011
Europeans Rout Arlington Grade 1s
Bettors expected that foreign Turf horses would win three of the Arlington International Festival's Grade 1 races. They were right - the favourites won.
The beautiful Stacelita FR (Monsun GER), formerly trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, romped home in the $750,000 Beverly D Stakes, 1m1½f on Turf for 3yo+ fillies and mares.
The winner of the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) in 2009 has won twice at the highest level since switching to her owner Martin Schwartz's home country and to trainer Chad Brown.
Schwartz has won two Beverly Ds with Gorella in 2006 and Angara in 2005.
Stacelita, under US Eclipse Award champion Ramon Dominguez, slipped past Simon Callaghan's frontrunning Dubawi Heights (Dubawi IRE) to win by 1¼ lengths.
Eight-year-old international competitor, River Jetez SAF (Jet Master SAF), was third for trainer Mike de Kock by a head.
The almost-English Derby winner, Treasure Beach (Galileo IRE), was not too overraced as I feared to win the $400,000 Secretariat Stakes, 1m2f, for 3yo on Turf.
His jockey Colm O'Donoghue stalked the Aga Khan's Ziyarid IRE (Desert Style IRE) and passed him, but was up against a tenacious horse who battled back for Christophe Lemaire.
Treasure Beach won by a ¼ length with Banned USA (Kitten's Joy USA) in third by 1½ lengths. Banned is trained by Thomas F Proctor.
Ziyarid's trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre said "My horse was beaten by a true Group 1 horse."
Willcox Inn USA (Harlan's Holiday USA) was the best of the local contingent in fourth 3½ lengths behind.
O'Donoghue, who was one of the three Irish jockeys' champion team in Ascot's Shergar Cup and winner of the Canadian International, continues to prove his versatility and professionalism for Ballydoyle.
However, the man of the hour was absent Ballydoyle trainer Aidan O'Brien who not only trained Treasure Beach, but also the winner of the Arlington Million.
Racing International harboured no doubts about Cape Blanco IRE (Galileo IRE) being overworked. He thrives on racing.
Despite failing to place in four races since last October, Cape Blanco found his winning formula again last month when he defeated America's leading Turfer Gio Ponti USA (Tale Of The Cat USA) in Belmont's Man o'War Stakes.
He repeated his dominance over Gio Ponti by 2¼ lengths with jockey Jamie Spencer saying "He's a good tough horse and he's brilliantly trained. All I did was do the steering."
Gio Ponti's jockey Ramon Dominguez, who won the Beverly D on Stacelita, said the winner "had first run on us but you have to give him credit - we were second best today."
Dean's Kitten USA (Kitten's Joy USA), trained by Michael J Maker, was third by 2¾ lengths.
There is hope for American Turf racing with consistent Gio Ponti, two thirds for colts of Kitten's Joy's, Willcox Inn and the USA's hightest-rated horse Acclamation (WTR 122), but there is a long way to go before US horses can be competitive with the rest of the world's Turf horses.
©Posted August 14, 2011
Arlington's Grade 1 Turf Weekend
The United States may be the only country in the world that prefers Dirt racing, but it still has Grade 1 Turf races which draw runners from all over the world.
Winners of selected Group 1s and 2s in six different European nations will receive an Arlington International Festival's "free pass" to encourage participation.
Arlington Park offers three of the best Turf races of the summer with massive purses in the Arlington Million ($1million), the Beverly D Stakes ($750,000) and the Secretariat Stakes for three-year olds ($400,000).
Two horses of Ireland's Aidan O'Brien are favourites in two of the races.
Bettors believe that Cape Blanco will repeat his success in the July Man o'War Stakes against the USA's Gio Ponti in the Arlington Million, 1m2f, for 3yo+.
America's top-rated horse, Acclamation (WTR 122), will not race.
Stacelita, who raced in France, will join international horses Dubawi Heights, River Jetez and Pachattack in the Beverly D Stakes, 1m1½f, for 3yo+ fillies.
O'Brien's other horse is Treasure Beach who will race in the Secretariat Stakes, 1m2f for 3yo.
Treasure Beach has had a long, hard season and may be vulnerable to a fresher horse.
His main opposition is Willcox Inn with Robby Albarado on board. He is the exciting winner of the Grade 2 American Derby at Arlington Park in July.
©Posted August 10, 2011
Tizway - Two Breeder's Cup Invitations
USA racing may have solved one of its two yearly dilemmas after six-year-old Tizway's (Tiznow USA) three-length victory in the Grade 1 $750,000 Whitney Invitational Handicap, 1m1f (1-1/8m) on Dirt, before 34,412 at Saratoga.
Once he took the lead a furlong out under jockey Rajiv Maragh, the outcome was never in doubt. Flat Out was second in front of Giant Oak by two lengths after the latter nosed out Friend Or Foe for third.
Coupled with Tizway's victory in the Met Mile at Belmont by 2¾ lengths, he earned himself invitations to compete in both the Breeders' Cup Classic (1m2f, 1¼m) for the Whitney win and the BC Mile for the Met Mile.
Victory in either Breeders' Cup race should assure him Eclipse Older Horse of the Year and perhaps Horse of the Year.
He has won four of 11 starts and placed in four (always third).
His trainer Harold James Bond will enter Tizway in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at 1m2f (1¼m) at Belmont Park on October 1.
If he handles the distance, Tizway will go to the BC Classic on November 5, according to owner William Clifton Jr.
He appears to be getting better and more adaptable as he ages.
His sire, Tiznow USA, is the only horse in Breeders' Cup history to have won the Classic twice (2000, 2001).
Tiznow was a 9.9f specialist, but Tizway's dam Bethany USA, sired by the great Dayjur USA), was a sprinter.
Bond said, "He's a fast horse, he's a miler, and now he's shown us he can make to turns and carry it on. There's one more hurdle, and that's 1¼ miles."
Spendthrift Farm bought him before the race to stand at stud after his racing career ends.
And Then There Is Coil
US Racing's remaining dilemma is what three-year old will win the Eclipse Three-Year-Old category and even qualify for Eclipse Horse of the Year.
When no single three-year old has seemed exceptional, the Haskell and Whitney offer stong indicators.
This year the Whitney was won by Tizway, a six-year old.
The Haskell may have identified the best three-year-old in Coil USA (Point Given USA).
The $1 Million Haskell Invitational (Grade 1),1m1f (1-1/8m) on Dirt for 3yo, was run July 31 at Monmouth Park.
Late-bloomer Coil was far less experienced than his competitors in the Haskell despite winning four of six starts. He did not participate in the Triple Crown races.
The West-Coast colt, trained by Bob Baffert, had never raced on Dirt before nor had he raced without blinkers before (at jockey Martin Garcia suggestion).
Nevertheless, Coil closed down the Preakness winner Shackleford by a neck after an extraordinary wide last-to-first run and a courageous eye-to-eye battle with one of racing's toughest horses.
Both left Belmont champ Ruler On Ice 2½ lengths behind in third in 1m48.20s.
Coil's sire, Point Given, provided Baffert with the first of his five Haskell victories in 2001 (War Emblam 2002, Roman Ruler 2005 and Lookin At Lucky last year.
Coil will receive an invitation for the Breeders' Cup Classic November 5 where he will encounter Tiznow.
His next race is Saratoga's $1 Million Travers Stakes where he will stretch to the BC Classic distance of 1m2f, (1¼m) on August 27.
Baffert gave most of the credit to Garcia for bringing the colt along to win such a difficult race.
Garcia pointed proudly to his mount and said "He won it."
Things have just started to get interesting in what has seemed to be a dull season after Animal Kingdom was injured and Paddy O'Prado retired.
©Posted August 7, 2011
Shackleford Favourite For Haskell
Observers of Shackleford's track workouts are very impressed with his extra-sharp 5f work in 58.60 at Churchill Downs in hot, humid weather.
The Preakness winner is favorite for the Grade 1 $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park, Oceanport, NJ, on Sunday July 31.
©Posted July 25, 2011
Teaks North Won For USA
Having trained at Monmouth Park track is one reason given by trainer Justin Sallusto for Teaks North's victory in the $750,000 United Nations Stakes (Grade 1), 1m3f on Turf for 3yo+, over last year's winner Chinchon IRE and favourite Stacelita FR who flew in from France to compete.
Another reason for the victory is that favourite, mare Stacelita, stumbled from the gate pulling keenly for much of the race and giving her new jockey 'Jersey Joe' Bravo the impossible task of conserving enough of her energy to win after she took an easy lead.
Despite all that, Stacelita looked the winner until the four-year-old colt Teaks North, under jockey Eddie Castro, shot past her at the 1/16th pole.
Chinchon was impeded by Eldaafer, but recovered from the bumping to make a final surge past Stacelita for second losing to Teaks North by only a length. Stacelita held third.
In winning his second Grade 1, Teaks North qualifies for a 'Win and you're in' place in the Breeders' Cup Turf.
His trainer is debating the Sword Dancer at Saratoga or the Arlington Million.
It is a pity about the mare as she looks to be back to her best form. If only, she could settle.
Posted July 3, 2011
Ruler On Ice Wins Belmont Stakes
For the third consecutive year, three different horses won the three legs of the Triple Crown.
Ruler On Ice USA (Roman Ruler USA), a gelding who had not won a race before nor had won enough earnings to qualify for the Kentucky Derby, romped ahead of eleven horses on muddy ground to win the 1½m Grade 1 Belmont Stakes in its 143rd running by ¾ lengths.
The three-year old 25.1 shot had his first race this year at Sunland Park in March where he placed second in a Grade 3 and third at Pimlico in May. Both were 1¼m (9f, 1800m) races.
Ruler On Ice and his jockey, Peruvian-born Jose Valdivia Jr, shared double maiden victories. ROI broke his maiden at Grade 1 level and Valdivia, who had never raced in the Belmont Stakes, won it on his first try.
Trainer Kelly Breen, who went a bit "nuts" just as he characterized his horse who looked fresh enough to race again, warned Valdivia to stay up with the pace from stall 3.
Shackleford jumped brilliantly from stall 12 at the start, crossing the field to take the lead on the rail, and was closely stalked by ROI, the eventual second and third - Stay Thirsty (Bernardini USA) and Brilliant Speed (Dynaformer) - as well as Mucho Macho Man and Nehro.
Luck could not have been worse for 5.2 favourite Animal Kingdom (Leroidesanimaux BRZ) who was nearly brought down within the first furlong when struck by another horse's heels and almost lost his jockey. From that point on, it was catch up.
Trainer Graham Motion crumbled. That the colt was able to close much of the 15 lengths off the leader, attempt a wide arc around the centre fading horses and finish sixth shows his class.
The first three were many lengths ahead of Nehro, Shackleford, Animal Kingdom and the others. The latter three used up too much energy on the sloppy mud to win and tired dramatically.
The three who closed were all fresh, stamina-bred horses.
The ground and distance found out the others six.
The verdict is still out on how good Animal Kingdom is. The Preakness and Belmont were washouts for him. He could not race to his best level through no fault of his nor for lack of ability.
Many believe he is the best three-year-old colt in 2011 and look forward to a better second half a year for him.
Posted June 11, 2011
Belmont Stakes' Preview
Since no horse can win the Triple Crown this year, the prognosticators have focused all their bets that one of the two winners of the first two legs of the TC will win the third leg - the 143rd Belmont Stakes, 1½m (1m 4f, 2400m) on the left-handed oval Dirt track in New York.
They are already predicting that the horse (of the two) who wins the Belmont Stakes will be this year's Eclipse Horse of the Year.
Animal Kingdom (Leroidesanimaux BRZ) is the favourite for the honours of the two competing for Eclipse godhood. He is the Kentucky Derby winner and his opponent is the horse who outlasted him in the Preakness Stakes - Shackelford.
There are still doubts about either being bred to stay a mile and a half.
Given that Shackleford (Forestry son of Storm Cat USA) has always been a speed horse who led his races until a change of tactics in the longer Preakness (1-3/8m), his emerging as a serious contender would not have been expected earlier in the year.
His sire's breeding indicates he could and connections say his work is sparkling.
More often in history, three-year olds who win the Belmont are Preakness winners like Point Given and Afleet Alex.
Animal Kingdom appeared to be the stamina horse of the two until Velazquez left his long run too late in the Preakness.
Despite and impressive swoop, he could not find extra near the line when the barrel-chested chestnut Shackleford did.
Many blame the jockey, but one has to wonder about the horse and his ability to handle the greater distance.
Should AK make it, he will be the first horse since Thunder Gulch in 1995 to win both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes.
He is well placed in stall 9 and Shackleford has to come from the wide stall 12 which is not ideal unless Castanon moves quickly.
Mucho Macho Man has always been up with the place horses in the first two races and runs off the pace from stall 10. It is unlikely that Dominguez will change tactics.
Nehro and Santiva will be fresh and, along with Master Of Hounds, come from solid mid-distance lines. Gomez will have to exploit MOH's stall 1 or be swamped.
The remaining colts of the twelve are Stay Thirsty, Ruler On Ice, Brilliant Speed, Monzon (Thunder Gulch), Prime Cut and Isn't He Perfect.
It always fascinates that Dirt horses today do not seem to have the distance versatility that the Secretariat's did in their days.
Turf horses are bred to win from a mile to mile-and-a-half races and are defined as 'Classic' horses by those abilities.
Tonight we shall know if one of the two favourites will win and automatically become favourite for the Eclipse HOY or if a dark horse emerges to muddy the voting waters.
Let us hope there is no repeat of the nastiness of 2009 and 2010.
Posted June 11, 2011
Uncle Mo's Back
The one horse most people thought could have been the 2011 Triple Crown winner, Uncle Mo, missed all the TC races because of a bile/liver inflammation.
He is on the mend and will return to his trainer in August.
If he cannot manage training, he will be retired.
What a tragedy for this brilliant and thoroughly likeable colt!
Shackleford - Sharp On Top
Finally! The doughty white-blazed chestnut Shackleford USA (Forestry USA), who courageously set up past races for all the late closers, beat them out in a slightly sharper trip than the Kentucky Derby.
Fourteen contested the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico, (Grade 1) 1-3/16m (9.5f) on Dirt, in the second leg of the Triple Crown for first-prize money of $600,000.
Shackleford's trainer Dale Romans thought his colt just ran out of puff in the longer Kentucky Derby (1¼m (1m 2f)) when he was run down by Animal Kingdom USA (Lesroidesanimaux BRZ).
AK was sent off as Preakness favourite at 2.1 odds and Dialed In USA (Mineshaft USA) as second favourite at 9.2. Shackleford was 11.1.
Both AK and DI are late closers and were left at the rear of the Preakness pack by their jockeys guaranteeing dirt in their faces and chests from twelve others for half of the race.
Both jockeys left their late run a bit too long with Animal Kingdom nearly catching the determined, muscle-straining Shackleford only to lose by a half length with 'new shooter' Astrology USA (A.P. Indy USA) in third, Dialed In fourth followed by newbie Dance City USA (City Zip USA) and Mucho Macho Man USA (Macho Uno USA).
Time was 1.56.47 on fast ground that ran flat.
Flashpoint USA (Pomeroy USA), who battled Shackleford for the lead early in the race, ended up last.
With Flashpoint and Astology hugging the rail, Shackleford raced about three out for the whole race - a change from his usual rail position.
Any front-running horse like Shackleford, who can outlast all that competition with sweat-dripping panache, should bring very good genes to the breeding pool and is a credit to his sire Forestry and dam Oatsie USA out of Unbridled USA.
For sheer guts, Shackleford earned himself another winner's bonus of $550,000 for participating in the Fountain of Youth (fifth to Soldat) and the Florida Derby (second to Dialed In).
It is hard to believe that, after so many years of training and riding, this is the first win of a Triple Crown race for both Romans and Jesus Castanon.
Posted May 22, 2011
Paddy O'Prado Retired
Paddy O'Prado successfully returned to racing after injury by winning the Group 2 Jagermeister Dixie Stakes at Pimlico on Saturday.
His outstanding Turf performance ended in lameness caused by a broken ankle bone.
He will be retired to stud with many offers on the table. No surprise as the gorgeous grey by El Prado will be much in demand.
Posted May 24, 2011
Romans' Second Victory At Pimlico With Paddy O'Prado
Romans scored another victory in Pimlico's Grade 2 $200,000 Jagermeister Dixie Stakes, 1-1/8m (9f) on good Turf.
Proving that last-to-first is possible with the right timing, jockey Kent Desormeaux swung his Paddy O'Prado USA (El Prado USA (Fun House USA)) seven wide using the grey/roan's powerful stride and turn of foot to win by a length in 1.53.56.
This is Paddy O'Prado's first season appearance since an injury and finishing fifth in the Breeders' Cup Classic last November.
Once switched to Turf, the four-year-old colt has won five of his seven starts placing in the other two.
He has the talent to develop into a worthy American mid-distance Turf star who can compete with the Rest of the World along with Gio Ponti USA (Tale Of The Cat USA). The latter has carried the American flag on his own for far too long.
Posted May 22, 2011
Preakness Stakes
Despite much conjecture about his being in Stall 11 of 14, Animal Kingdom remains the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes 2.1 favourite with most.
Some bookies are offering even odds for him and Dialed In.
The winner of the Kentucky Derby has been bred for stamina and should not be troubled by the 1m 3/16. He retains John Velazquez as his jockey.
Dialed In should not be troubled by the step down in trip either. He showed excellent closing speed in the KD and would have done better if Julien Leparoux had not kept him at the rear, blinded from dirt kicked in his face, for far too long.
Mucho Macho Man is a very progressive horse and Shackleford ran a solid lead until the last furlong of the KD.
Astrology, King Congie with Robby Albarado on board, Flashpoint, Sway Away, Dance City and Mister Commons are the newbies who missed the KD and are being sent out in the second leg of the Triple Crown at fairly long odds.
Dance City impresses punters the most of them with 12.1 current odds.
The race is second last on the Pimlico racecard Saturday, May 21.
Posted May 21, 2011
Animal Kingdom: Will he love Pimlico?
Excited professionals assessed the new Kentucky Derby victor, Animal Kingdom USA (Leroidesanimaux BRZ), in one sentence: "He'll love Pimlico."
They refer to the second leg of the Triple Crown - the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes on May 21 at Pimlico in Maryland.
British-born trainer H Graham Motion confirmed that his colt will be one of its 14 entries in the Classic for three-year old thoroughbreds on Dirt.
Countdown and frenzied ticket sales have begun in the yearly national 'hope' that we will finally have another Triple Crown winner.
Why the enthusiasm from so many racing professionals this time?
The answer is simple. Team Valor International's colt produced an exceptionally polished and fluid victory in the 137th running of the Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Kentucky, before a record crowd of 164,858.
Animal Kingdom gave left the impression that, if he remains well, he just might have the ability, strength and stamina to win the Triple Crown of three races on three different tracks at three distances.
The Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs is 1m2f or a mile and a quarter, the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico is 1m3f or a mile and 3/16th and the Belmont Stakes 1m4f or a mile and a half.
All are Grade 1 races concluding in the Belmont Stakes on June 10.
Only eleven horses have won the Triple Crown and no horse has won it since Affirmed in 1978 - 33 years.
Animal Kingdom is the first horse since 1918 to have won the Kentucky Derby with only three starts. He came second in his first two races and won his third - a Grade 3.
He is the first horse to win the Kentucky Derby without a prior start on Dirt. The earlier three races were on synthetic (AW) and Turf.
He is the first horse to win the Derby after a six-week's layoff since Needles in 1956.
So many precedents to defy left him underestimated in pre-race betting and assessment when he was sent off at 21.1.
His trainer designed his career with the Derby as his objective and now he may be looking at a potential super star in the making.
His victory is a tremendous boost to his sire's stud career. Leroidesanimaux, Turf champion bred in Brazil, is the son of Candy Stripes USA who is also the sire of the great double Dubai World Cup winner Invasor ARG.
His dam is Delicia GER (Acatenango GER).
Her sire and Monsun GER are choices of many international breeders who are looking for an alternative to the predominent U.S. Northern Dancer line which many blame for the inbreeding and fragility of thoroughbreds today.
Whereas his sire's side are 8 to 11 furlong horses, the German line has produced many stayers.
Animal Kingdom's jockey, John Velazquez, started Friday in despair as his mount Uncle Mo was pulled from the 20-horse Kentucky Derby lineup, because of an unexplained enzyme problem.
He finished the day with the ride on Animal Kingdom after the latter's usual jockey Robby Albarado was dropped by the owner after injuries early in the week.
Velazquez promised to 'look after' Albarado who was attended the winner's press conference. "Believe me we will find a way to make this up to Robby."
In his 13th try for the Derby, Velazquez piloted his partner with a perfect assessment of the fast 1m2f track placing AK in mid division never more than six lengths off the leader Shackleford.
Despite a few tight spots and a bump, the chestnut glided through the openings and Valazquez wisely chose to close wide outpacing Nehro and Mucho Macho Man for first by 2 ¾ lengths in 2.02.04.
Shackleford ended in fourth and Aiden O'Brien's Master Of Hounds, in his first Dirt try, in fifth. The first five horses were drawn wide.
Motion said "This horse was so powerful today. I didn't know for sure he would handle the switch over to dirt. This is a very special horse."
Posted May 8, 2011
Plum Pretty Won Kentucky Oaks
Before record crowds at Churchill Downs, Plum Pretty USA (Megdalia D'Oro USA) scooped the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks, 1m1f (9 furlongs) on Dirt, from the rear over outsider St John's River by a neck.
Lovely grey Zazu USA (Tapit USA), from California, was third.
PP was ridden by Martin Garcia and trained by Bob Baffert who won his second Oaks Classic with PP.
Plum Pretty outstayed her rivals winning both her 9f races and coming third in her other two starts at 7f and 8f.
Posted May 8, 2011
Uncle Mo Works Out
After a poor performance of third in the Wood Memorial, long-time Kentucky Derby favourite Uncle Mo was found to have an intestinal infection.
He is recovering and working out, but is not a certain entry for the first Classic of the season.
He is no longer favourite having been usurped by Dialed In.
Dialed In Won Florida Derby
Uncle Mo USA (Indian Charlie USA) had one of his prime competitors for the Kentucky Derby in May, Soldat USA (War Front USA), humiliated in the $1 million Forida Derby (Grade 1), 1m1f on Dirt, at Gulfstream Park.
Dialed In USA (Mineshaft USA) streaked from dead last to defeat upstart Shackelford USA (Forestry USA) by a nose leaving Soldat in fifth and To Honor And Serve USA (Bernardini USA) in third 7 lengths behind.
The winner of three out of three has boosted his chances in the Kentucky Derby May 6 against everyone's favourite Uncle Mo, winner of the 2010 Breeders' Cup Juvenile just a few days before Dialed In won his first race - a maiden on November 12.
Trainer Nicholas Zito, who was in tears of joy over his lightly-raced colt, will keep Dialed In at his Florida base for a while longer before sending him to Kentucky with Julian Leparoux as his Kentucky Derby partner.
Shackelford, a 60.1 shot, surprised everyone by snatching the lead, setting sharp early fractions and nearly winning the race. He has only raced twice and was beaten into second by Soldat in his first race and Dialed In in his second.
He is certainly on an upward curve, but his trainer Dale Romans is not sure his total $200,000 earnings will qualify him for the Kentucky Derby.
The one to beat is Uncle Mo (below).
Awards Never Stop For Zenyatta
Though officially retired from racing at the world's top level, the beautiful mare Zenyatta USA (Street Cry IRE) continues to intrigue and beguile.
The 2010 Horse of the Year had her first encounter with Bernardini USA (A P Indy USA) down the road from Lane's End at Jonabell Farm.
She returned in foal, but unfortunately lost it. She will return to him in a few weeks.
For the first time, the Association of Racing Commissioners International awarded the 2011 William H May Award for 'meritorious service' to the racing industry to a horse - Zenyatta of course.
RCI president Ed Martin said "From her multiple grade 1 victories to dancing her way to the paddock for the Breeders' Cup Classic, Zenyatta was able to capture the hearts and spirits of racing fans around the world."
"Team Zenyatta" was also acknowledged for its ongoing contributions to racing.
Bernardini--The Lucky Stallion
Jerry and Ann Moss announced that their champion mare, Zenyatta USA (Street Cry USA), would travel down the Lexington road to Darley America to mate with Bernardini USA (A. P. Indy USA out of Cara Rafaela USA).
The 16.1-1/2HH eight-year old is descended from the Seattle Slew and Secretariat lines on his sire's side and Quiet American and Spectacular Bid on the dam's.
Bernadini won six of his eight starts including the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Preakness, Jim Dandy, Withers and Travers.
Only Damascus and Man o' War had won the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Preakness and Travers in their third year.
He came second to the double Eclipse Horse of the Year winner, Invasor, in the Breeders' Cup Classic.
Bernardini has produced Grade 1 winners in his first season on both Dirt and Turf including A Z Warrior, Biondetti and To Honor And Serve.
His yearlings have averaged $202,000 and he stands for a listed $75,000.
Many thought A P Indy was ideal first mate for Zenyatta. It is a very brave decision to choose his successful young son for their treasure.
Her sire Street Cry stands at Darley America as well.
This is a real coup for Darley and Sheikh Mohammed.
"Secretariat Vox Populi Award" to Zenyatta
2009 Breeders' Cup winner, Zenyatta, with jockey Mike Smith and
her beloved groom Mario Espinoza. Photo copyright Racingfotos
The voice of the public has been heard by the owner of the late, two-time Horse of the Year Secretariat USA (Bold Ruler USA).
Penny Chenery has created the "Secretariat Vox Populi Award" which will "recognize a horse whose popularity and racing excellence best resounded with the American public and gained recognition for the sport during the past year."
Chenery chose the first winner herself - Zenyatta - and the Award will be presented to the six-year-old mare's owners, Jerry and Ann Moss, at Santa Anita Park on February 5.
Future awards will be chosen by a committee of racing personalities and industry representatives in conjunction with an online vote.
The controversy over Zenyatta vs Blame for Eclipse Horse of the Year continues with an unhappy minority claiming Blame was robbed of the award despite beating her by six inches in the Breeders' Cup Classic.
What started as a heated controversy in 2009 between followers of the East Coast's Rachel Alexandra vs Zenyatta in the Eclipse Horse of the Year contest (won by RA) has turned into a vendetta against the Zenyatta team and her fans by a minority of racing writers and 'alleged' experts - many of whom vote.
It is sad. Mrs Chenery has taken a positive step to give the public a vote to express what brings and binds them to racing.
Though Chenery chose Zenyatta, the mare has always been the public's choice.
Zenyatta: Eclipse Horse of the Year
Though Racing International heartily endorsed Zenyatta USA (Street Cry IRE) for the 2010 Eclipse Horse of the Year, we did not expect her to win on her third try for the honour.
She lost out in 2008 and 2009 to Curlin and Rachel Alexandra - the latter race set an acrimonious tone for 2010.
None of the connections were responsible for the anger and controversy. All behaved with great dignity.
Certain members of the media squared off against the many new racing fans who were brought to the sport by Zenyatta's extraordinary popularity.
Zenyatta won lovers all across the USA and the world. So did Curlin and Rachel Alexandra, but not in the numbers and adoring and enduring passion.
She won easily over Blame USA (Arch USA), the worthy 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic winner, and France's diva Goldikova IRE (Anaaba USA) with strongest support coming from two of the three voting organizations: the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association.
The third organization voting for the Eclipses was the Daily Racing Form which voted 38-21 for Blame and gave two votes to Goldikova.
Zenyatta also won Eclipse Older Female Dirt Horse.
Blame won Eclipse Older Male Dirt Horse and Goldikova was chosen again as Eclipse Older Female Turf Horse.
Though worthy of HOY, Goldikova is primarily a European mare who only runs one race a year in the United States - the Breeders' Cup Turf Mile.
She has won that race three years in a row and holds the BC record for three consecutive victories.
Gio Ponti USA (Tale Of The Cat USA) is again Eclipse Older Male Turf Horse and has started his preparation for the Dubai World Cup in March.
I am thrilled that my prediction was wrong.
Miesque Dead
One of the great mares, Miesque USA (Nureyev USA), was euthenised at 27 due to age infirmaties.
She was the winner of 10 Group/Grade 1 races in 16 starts in France, England and the USA. She won 13 of them placing in the other three.
Two of the races were Breeders' Cup Miles at three and four years of age.
Owned by the Stavros Niarchos and trained by Francois Boutin, Miesque was the inspiration for Freddie Head, who rode her, in his training of France's Goldikova IRE (Anaaba USA).
Miesque was the dam of the legendary sire Kingmambo by Mr Propector.
'Secretariat'
'Secretariat' is a multi-million dollar film based on the life of U.S. Triple Crown Winner, Secretariat USA (Bold Ruler USA).
It has become so popular with the U.S. general public that it has made the Top 10 Movies of 2010 list.
Secretariat and Man o' War are reputed to be the greatest Dirt horses in history; they have left many records which have yet to be broken.