Jan Vermeer’s jockey Johnny Murtagh bided his time at the back and, once his toe went into the heavy ground, JV took off outpacing a very decent field by four lengths.

He joins his stablemates on the betting lists quoted at 10-1 for the Derby. 


Christophe Soumillon Joined Jean-Claude Rouget

It is now official that jockey Christophe Soumillon will join leading regional trainer Jean-Claude Rouget in 2010 when his contract with the Aga Khan expires. 

Soumillon will take Christophe Lemaire's place with Rouget after the latter becomes retained jockey to His Highness. 


British Horses Win French and Italian Group 1s

Trainer Michael Channon is in luck with his fillies.  After Lahaleeb's triumph in the Woodbine EP Taylor Stakes (Group 1), Eva's Request IRE (Soviet Star USA) romped to victory over Preis der Diana (Group 1) winner Night Magic GER (Sholokhov IRE) and Les Fazzani IRE (Intikhab USA) in the Premio Lydia Tesio Shadwell (Group 1), 10f/2000m, Rome. 

Eva's Request might run in the Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup or take off to Hong Kong with several other Channon horses for the Mile of Cup.

Frankie Dettori, on the other hand, lost out on his second Group 1 of 2009 when Schiaparelli GER (Monsun IRE) could not close down Sir Michael Stoute's 6yo Ask (Sadler's Wells USA) in the Prix Royal-Oak (Group 1), 15.5f/3100m at Longchamp.

The much-admired 3yo grey Manighar FR (Linamix FR) of the Aga Khan took third against his elders.

Ask survived an unpleasant official French enquiry for interference against Sevenna FR (Galileo IRE) who came in last.  The placings remained.

The Prix-Royal-Oak was only Ask's fourth race of the season and the first since July.  He proved that he stayed in this his first longer race, but he will return to mid-distances. 

He will be rested for the winter and trained for the Dubai Sheema Classic (Group 1) at the Dubai World Cup in March 2010.  

Stoute is a master of big-race preparation (see King George for an example of his abilities) and delivers his horses fresh.  

Perhaps if Godolphin's Schiaparelli had more than seven days between Group 1 races, he might have won. 


Singspiel Colts Win Two Group Races

Contrary to bettors' madness, there are other 2yo colts who could be 2000 Guineas contenders. 

Two are by Singspiel four-time Group/Grade-winning son of In The Wings who stands a Darley's Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket.

Unbeaten-in three starts, Darley-bred Zeitoper won the Group 3 Prix de Conde over 1m1f at Longchamp.  He was ridden by Ahmed Ajtebi.

His dam is the 1000 Guineas and Oaks winner Kazzia and he is brother to Dubai Sheema Classic winner Eastern Anthem. 

Godolphin thinks Zeitoper is a hot contender for the Derby.

Glad Tiger won the Group 3 Preis des Winterfavoriten over 1m at Cologne and is owned and bred by Gestut Quenquelle. 


Our Hero--No Horse Could Beat Sea The Stars

Sea The Stars winning York's Juddmonte International with jockey Michael Kinane.

UPDATE:  Trainer John Oxx announced today (October 13, 2009) that the great champion Sea The Stars IRE (Cape Cross IRE) would retire to stud. 

Oxx said that, since the horse had been on the go since March 3 to October 4 with no rest from training, STS has done more than enough and is well.

No word yet on which stud with rumours abounding that he would join Sheikh Mohammed's Darley Stud.  The Sheikh has made no secret of his wanting his Cape Cross' son to join his sire at Darley.

The bidding war begins in earnest.


UPDATE:  Timeform left Sea The Stars with his 140 rating and the Racing Post left him with 135, but the RP believes his performance in the Arc was only 131.

Legendary Dancing Brave won the Arc in 1989 with a 141 rating.  Ever since I moved to England, I was told no horse could equal DB.  Now even his greatest fans acknowledge that STS has or bettered him.

The experts held out the hope that, if Rip Van Winkle wins the Breeders' Cup Classic, they might rate STS higher based on his having beaten Rip three times.

Bookmakers gave 40/1 odds that STS would rate 139 or less.  Given the handicappers, it was a sucker bet and they made a bundle.

I, and many, wonder what race the handicappers were watching.

No decision has been made if STS will participate in the Breeders' Cup Classic though his trainer John Oxx thinks seven group 1's since May "is a big ask".

He came out of the race without a cut and is eating up.

Owner Christopher Tsui said that he will not sell the horse (with an estimated value of £50-100 million) and he shall stand at stud in Ireland.

October 5, 2009


We have our answer.  No horse could beat Sea The Stars IRE (Cape Cross IRE) in the Qatar Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe--no matter how much trouble he gave his 50yo jockey Michael Kinane in wanting to take on any horse with the nerve to get by him.

Fresh, happy, ears pricked, powerful and loved; he just wanted to race. 

Everywhere he went he was greeted with awe.  When he entered the paddock before the race, the crowd burst into spontaneous applause--something none of us ever heard before. 

Crowds travelled over from Ireland and England to join French fans in seeing the 'legend' no one could imagine losing.  And no one wanted him to lose.

One could feel the will for him to "do it".  Win, win for us--all of us who love flat racing and desperately want a hero.

Do what no other horse has done.  Win six Group 1's in a year including two Classics, the Guineas and Derby, the Eclipse, Juddmonte International Stakes, Irish Champion Stakes and the Arc de Triomphe.

Hero he is.  Win he did. 

For once he was sweating before a race, jumped out of his stall, keenly charged ahead and took some serious restraining to settle farther back than the crowd could tolerate.  One felt and smelled fear.

But not Kinane.  He fought his horse for control, held him firmly, cleverly covered him, kept him off the rail leaving every escape route and waited for a gap at the right moment to unleash the gears and sprinter's speed.

Once he did, the race was over.  STS scythed through the two fillies in the lead, Stacelita and Dar Re Mi, leaving the field behind by two lengths.

Magnificent Youmzain made his move when Sea The Stars did to cop second (for the third year in a row) and Godolphin's handsome 3yo Cavalryman nailed third, Conduit fourth and, YES, Dar Re Mi fifth in the money for £111,068.  Fame And Glory took sixth and Stacelita seventh.

The crowd went wild.  No one has seen anything like it in flat racing.

STS' trainer John Mortimer Oxx has said of being with him every day "He is just so perfect.  Nothing looks like him.  Nothing is like him."

Was he worried he could not get out and win so far behind?  "No, not really.  He has the gears and the speed to get out of anywhere."

STS won his sixth Group 1 since May, has never been beaten in two years of racing, gave his trainer his second Arc (Sinndar in 2000), gave his jockey his third Arc (Carroll House in 1989, Montjeu in 1999) and gave his young owner Christopher Tsui of Hong Kong his first. 

He catapulted his Darley sire Cape Cross to an unmatchable position of 2009 top-earning sire with today's purse of £2,219,029 and he matched his outstanding late dam Urban Sea in winning the Arc (1993).

He assured himself Cartier Horse of the Year and Cartier Three-Year-Old of the Year. 

He is compared to the greats: Brigadeer Girard, Ribot, Sea Bird, Mill Reef, Nijinsky and Dancing Brave. 

Whilst Nijinsky won the English Triple Crown (Guineas, Derby and St Leger) in one year, no other horse has won the Guineas, Derby and Arc in one year until today.

And he can add another first.  He could win the Breeders' Cup Classic. 

Mick Kinane said, when he sat the two-year-old Sea The Stars, "I couldn't believe my luck."

Nor can we believe all our luck--the quintessential racehorse.


Aga Khan Is Arc Weekend's Leading Owner

The Aga Khan is known not only as the owner-breeder of last year's formidable winner of the Arc de Triomphe, filly Zarkava IRE (nominated by many as a suitable consort for Sea The Stars), but also for his highly large breeding and racing operation in France and Ireland.  

The racing empire was started by his late grandfather who, like Karim, was titular head of 10 million Ishmaeli Muslims worldwide.

After winning two Group 2s on Saturday, his team won four of the most important races on Arc day including the Qatar Prix de l'Opera with Shalanaya IRE (Lomitas).  Shalanaya, despite qualifying for the Breeder's Cup, will compete in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup during the Japan Cup meet.

Rosanara FR (Sinndar IRE) took the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac as did Zarkava as a two-year old in the Group 1, 1 mile race.

Alain de Royer-Dupre also trained the 2yo winner of the Group 1 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Grand Criterium), Siyouni FR (Pivotal), for the Aga Khan.

Alandi IRE (Galileo IRE) emerged from the Group 1 Qatar Prix du Cadran for 4yo+, 2m4f, as Europe's leading stayer for trainer John Oxx and jockey Michael Kinane to make the Aga Khan's fourth Group 1 of the day.

Kasbah Bliss FR (Kahyasi) was beaten by a head and Yeats IRE (Sadler's Wells USA), four-time winner of Ascot's Gold Cup, was beaten into third.


Qatar Arabian World Cup

As part of Qatar's sponsorship of the Arc de Triomphe weekend, Qatar included the Arabian World Cup (Group 1 Pure Arabians) in the Sunday races.

The magnificent grey mare Al Dahma GB (Amer QA-Al Honoof), winner of the Dubai Shadwell International Stakes, Group 1 PA, held at the Dubai International Arab Race Day held at Newbury Racecourse, was defeated by her little brother General GB (Amer QA).

Traditionally, the weekend starts with an Arabian Horse Sale at St Cloud and the race concludes a series of challenge races.


Can Any Horse Beat Sea The Stars In L'Arc?

Every jockey will be riding his horse to win in Sunday's Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in spite of the overwhelming presence of the 137-140+ rated 3yo colt, Sea The Stars IRE (Cape Cross IRE).

The outstanding colt has his preferred good ground that will play to his natural speed and he is in the ideal stall 6 in a field of 19.  Since 1964, only 18 winners have come from stalls higher than 10 and most from 7 or below. 

Competitors hope he can be beaten by bad luck, not feeling like racing on the day, one race too many, jockey error, a Rules' infraction (the French stewards wouldn't dare a repeat of Dar Re Mi, would they?), congestion and traffic problems (pinning him in as Cash Asmussen did to Peintre Celebre in 1997), lack of stamina at 1m4f (except for the 1m4f English Derby, he has not won at greater distances than 1m2f--as if winning the Derby proves nothing!), heated distraction by the proximity of the lovely filly DRM, etc.

STS' trainer will have him 100% fit.  John Oxx understands the race and won it with Sinndar in 2000. 

Jockey Michael Kinane has won the Arc twice and knows all the tricks of the course, stewards, Rules and other jockeys. 

Kinane and STS share absolute trust and confidence in each other.

Aiden O'Brien removed one of his pacemakers for Fame And Glory IRE (Montjeu IRE).  His sire won the Arc in 1999 with Kinane on board. 

FAG comes from stall 15, his pacemaker Set Sail from 14, and Kieren Fallon of the notorious Dylan Thomas episode (see Dar Re Mi French 'Farce') rides Youmzain IRE (Sinndar IRE) in stall 1.

STS breezes through races that wipe out other very good horses trying to keep up with him and he returns fresh to the Winner's Circle. 

He seems a colt hungry to race more and harder in the American 'Secretariat' style.  He is still entered in the Darley Champion Stakes, October 17, at Newmarket and the Breeders' Cup November 7. 

It is not inconceivable that he could win all three races.

Realistically, the other jockeys are running for place money.

Then again, luck is necessary and fickle. 

Just look at the filly Stacelita:  she was the at the critical centre of a controversy she did not cause, did not get her ground, drew wide and lost her jockey.  Then she acquired Christophe Soumillion.

Anything can happen. 


Dar Re Mi's Connections Lose French 'Farce' Appeal

Dar Re Mi beat Sariska in Yorkshire Oaks (above) and thumped Stacelita in Prix Vermeille

Dar Re Mi To Contest Arc and Breeders' Cup

Despite her devastating demotion in the Prix Vermeille, Dar Re Mi's connections are out to show everyone how good she is in the Arc de Triomphe Sunday and she has landed Stall 2 next to Youmzain in 1 on the rail and Getaway in 3. 

Sea The Stars is in 6; his trainer John Oxx is delighted with the stall and ground. 

Her rival who took the win when she was demoted in the Prix Vermeille, Stacelita, is three-times unlucky.  The ground will be good to fast (she prefers softer), she is in stall 16 out wide and her jockey Christophe Lemaire just broke his collarbone. 

In addition to the Arc, Dar Re Mi has several options for the Breeders' Cup and her trainer John Gosden is leaning towards the Classic.  He and her jockey Jimmy Fortune truly believe her talent may be limitless.

September 29, 2009


Update:  France Galop's President, Edouard de Rothschild, told the Jour de Galop that his first order of business will be to bring the Rules (Code) into international harmonisation. 

He admitted that French officials mishandled many aspects of the appeal process as well as treating the connections of Dar Re Mi without protective respect. 

Naturally, he will not interfere with the appeal decision and the judgment stands.

Trainer John Gosden said that the Lloyd-Webbers are appalled by the decision.

He complained that "It is the inconsistency of this decision which is particularly at fault.  You are talking about the infamous Dylan Thomas (Arc de Triomphe 2007) situation--that is one thing in itself--but here we are talking about NO contact."

He contended the problem in the race was caused by team tactics on the part of Stacelita's pacemaker yet no action was taken against the jockey.

No decision has been made concerning Dar Re Mi's participation in the Arc.

September 26, 2009


France Galop, the governing body of French racing, rejected the Lloyd-Webbers' appeal to reinstate the win of first-past-the-post Dar Re Mi in the Group 1 Prix Vermeille, Arc trial, and reinforced their stewards' convoluted decision to demote the winner without taking any action against other horses and jockeys involved in the 'alleged' interference. 

Knowing bureaucrats round the world, most of us never expected the French would overturn their stewards' bad decision.

In saving face for now, they have exposed their system to disdain.

For any country aspiring to function at the highest level of international racing, it must adhere to the Rules that govern most racing countries.  

France and Japan cannot continue to exist in provincial isolation and be taken seriously.

There are at least five reasons that the decision is particularly shocking: 

1) It is one of a number of French decisions surrounding different 'Arcs' which interpret the Rules (Code) depending on the beneficiary.  In short, some winners appear to be more equal than others. 

2) It diminishes France's racing reputation at home and abroad.
 
3) It diminishes the outstanding work done over the years to promote international racing by France Galop's former Director-General, Louis Romanet, who is currently President of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA).

4) It has embarassed Qatar--France Galop's generous new sponsor.

5) It has created and left a great deal of anger and mistrust.

Sadly, the bureaucrats do not realise that this is not the end of the controversy.

September 23, 2009


Dar Re Mi Won and Didn't Win

UPDATE: The hearing is set for Thursday, September 24, and the French media is poised to pounce if the Dar Re Mi decision is not reversed.

UPDATE:  The Lloyd-Webbers will appeal the decision and Jimmy Fortune's two-day ban. 

They are strongly supported by Philippe Bouchara, President of France's Syndicat des Proprietaires, who grasped the consequences to France's local and international racing reputation.

"...un mauvais jugement comme celui-la "coute" tres cher aux course francaises, qui perdent des acteurs que se sentent floues, tant des parieurs que des proprietaires, qui, en sortant de Longchamp, ont du se dire ""On ne m'y reprendra plus."" 

Sadly, in fallout, many think French officials will find some technicality to disqualify Sea The Stars if he wins the Arc.  It cannot get worse than that.

September 15, 2009


Leave it to the girls to suffer (for the men who create the problems)! 

The Qatar Prix Vermeille erupted in French "boos", controversy and international rage when Dar Re Mi (Singspiel IRE) won the Group 1 Arc trial for fillies and mares 3yo+, 1m4f,  and was then demoted to fifth. 

The second and French favourite, Stacelita FR (Monsun GER), was given the win and her third Group 1 for not winning.

In fairness to the French racegoers and their media, they were the ones booing at a decision made by French officials to take the victory from the British winner to benefit the French second.

It seems that, when a rather sluggish Stacelita made her move for the front, she was allowed easy passage.  Jimmy Fortune on Dar Re Mi took his chance at the opening and accidentally bumped the fifth-promoted-to-fourth Soberania GER (Monsun GER).  She was a 28 to 1 outsider.

Fortune proceeded to collar Stacelita without incident and triumphantly entered the Winners' Circle only to be told he and connections, trainer John Gosden and owners, the Lloyd-Webbers, were losing the win.

To add insult to injury, he was banned in France for two days (including the Arc de Triomphe?).

France-Galop officials claimed that Fortune prevented Soberania from achieving a better placing; therefore his horse had to be demoted behind Soberania. 

How she could have gotten a better placing with a valiant Plumania (Anabaa USA) doing all the donkey's work setting the pace, Board Meeting IRE (Anabaa USA), Stacelita and Dar Re Mi always in front of her, I cannot imagine.

When reminded of the controversial decision to allow Dylan Thomas IRE (Danehill USA) to keep the Arc win 2007 after seriously and dangerously impeding three or four horses, France-Galop officials invoked an obscure and, one might say, twisted reading of the Rules.  

They claimed that the impeded Arc horses lost their action and did not keep trying after Kieren Fallon crashed across them to get the rail.

Youmzain IRE (Sinndar IRE), who was one of those impeded, did keep going and would have won if he were not cut off.  He was beaten only by a neck by a horse who was mercilessly flogged.

Resentment has festered over the years that Youmzain was treated unfairly under the Rules to benefit Ballydoyle/Coolmore.

France-Galop officials claimed that Soberania kept going and deserved a promotion.  Then why didn't Youmzain?

Connections of Dar Re Mi were not permitted to speak to the officials and received the bad news from the Secretary. 

Lady Lloyd-Webber, a former eventing competitor and a very gracious lady, was so furious she said they would never race in France again.  At the end of the day, she changed her mind and said they would come back for revenge.

Stacelita achieved a French victory, but at what price to French racing?

John Oxx, trainer of the favourite Sea The Stars IRE (Cape Cross IRE), said that he saw no "outstanding performance" in the French Arc trials and that all their horses would have "something to find" against his lad based on ratings. 

He did not include British Dar Re Mi in that comment.

Odds hardened for STS and against the local French talent.

Oxx and the owners are currently considering if STS will run at four.  He is definite that, if the ground is not good in France, his horse will likely race in the Newmarket Darley Champion Stakes and the Santa Anita Breeders' Cup.

And no wonder odds are hardening in favour of STS.  Godolphin's Cavalryman (Halling USA) had to wake up before scrambling home to win the Group 2 Qatar Prix Niel for 3yo colts and fillies and Vision D'Etat FR (Chichicastenango FR) did not quite make it past Spanish Moon USA (El Prado USA) in the Group 2 Qatar Prix Foy for 4yo+ colts and fillies. 

All three trial races are run at 1m4f--the Arc distance--on the Longchamp course.

Sadly, many would like to boycott the Arc as result of the 2007 and Prix Vermeille decisions. 

So much unnecessary damage when fairness and common sense should have prevailed.


Aqlaam Took No Prisoners

Aqlaam (Oasis Dream) quickly bounced back from his second to the indomitable miler filly Goldikova August 16 in Deauville's Prix Jacques le Marois. 

His trainer William Haggis wasted no time getting the four-year old ready for the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Group 1) 1m for 3yo+ which he won imperiosly by 1-1/2 lengths under Richard Hills. 

His scopey, relentless galloping "was lovely for a horse who has had a chip in his knee and then a hairline fracture in his pelvis" according to owner Hamdan Al Maktoum's racing manager Angus Gold.

Gold further said "Now that Aqlaam has won his Group 1, he will go to stud after his career is finished." 

Connections are considering the Queen Elizabeth II and the Breeders' Cup Mile however the latter would pit him against Goldikova again.

Mastercraftsman IRE (Danehill Dancer IRE) swerved from this race to tackle Sea The Stars IRE (Cape Cross IRE).  Connections now realise his best trip is a mile. 

He and Aqlaam could meet in the QEII or he could try to bring down Goldikova in the BC.

Favourite Elusive Wave IRE (Elusive City USA), winner of the French Guineas, refused to race from the stalls.  What is it about these French miler fillies that makes them so temperamental--shades of Goldikova at Deauville?


Mark Johnston's Victorious Jukebox Jury

Royston ffrench rode the three-year-old grey colt Jukebox Jury IRE (Montjeu IRE) to a photo finish against his elders despite a final flying challenge by four-year-old Pouvoir Absolu (Sadler's Wells USA) in the Lucien Barriere Grand Prix de Deauville (Group 2),1m4-1/2f. 

The winner earned $110,680 for owner A D Spence and trainer Mark Johnston.

Johnston's Laa Rayb USA (Storm Cat USA) surprised everyone by not placing in the Prix Quincey Lucien Barriere (Group 3), 1m, which was won by Freddy Head's revitalised Racinger FR (Spectrum USA) who was recently purchased by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum.

Eastern Aria UAE (Halling USA) was more successful for Johnston in the totesportcasino.com Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2), 1m2f, at Beverley.  One suspects Eastern Aria could be joining Godolphin soon if Sheikh Mohammed's son can be induced to part with her.


Christophe Soumillon Loses Aga Khan Contract in 2010

Brilliant and colourful jockey Christophe Soumillon spoke and acted out of turn again.  He did not just earn criticism.  This time the consequences are stiffer.

HH The Aga Khan decided not to renew Soumillon's retainer contract in 2010 "as human relations have become difficult" though Soumillon will continue riding in 2009 and may have rides after the contract expires.

'Ridicule' comments about leading French trainer Andre Fabre at a recent dinner are said to be latest in the feud and the final straw for his boss.

Fabre admits that he and Soumillon do not like each other and, though he respects Soumillon's great riding ability, he does not like his excessive use of the whip.  Fabre certainly had the final word without even trying.


Arcano Beat Canford Cliffs in Darley Prix Morny

Those who follow two-year olds rarely get carried away with exceptional performances like the six-length victory of Canford Cliffs IRE (Tagula IRE) in the Coventry Stakes, Royal Ascot.

Veteran trainer Richard Hannon and jockey Richard Hughes did--along with all the major bookmakers who made Canford Cliffs favourite for the 2000 Guineas in 2010. 

He went off as 4.9 favourite in the Darley Prix Morney (Group 1), 6f for 2yo, Deauville, August 23.  He came third by a neck.

According to Hughes, he ran flat and never fired.  He was scoped afterwards and shows no sign of illness or injury.

Special Duty (Hennessy USA), a smashing chestnut filly, led almost all the way, fended off Canford Cliffs only to lose the race on the line to Arcano (Oasis Dream) by a short neck.

Both the first and second horse are Juddmonte products.

Arcano, recently purchased by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum after he landed the Newmarket July Stakes, broke the course record by two seconds at 1m07.9sec on good ground. 

Trainer Brian Meehan is sending Arcano to the Dewhurst Stakes (Group 1) at Newmarket October 17.  This 7f race is often a stepping stone to the 2000 Guineas in May 2010.

Meehan made the point that Arcano is still "a bit of a baby". 

Angus Gold, Sheikh Hamdan's racing manager, said "That is very much what Richard Hughes felt too...which is a good sign that he can do that when he is not quite tuned mentally".

Arcano is now leading the betting odds for the 2000 Guineas replacing Canford Cliffs and Special Duty leads the fillies for the 1000 Guineas.

Many experts still hold out hopes for Canford Cliffs; surprises happen and we have months before the end of the 2009 season.


Frankie Dettori Almost Makes a Deauville Hat Trick

Schiaparelli takes the Coutts Goodwood Gold Cup (Group 2), 16f or 2m, from Mourilyan.  Photo Julian Herbert/Getty Images

Godololphin's star older horse, six-year-old Schiaparelli GER (Monsun GER), started a banner day for jockey Frankie Dettori when he was eased down by Dettori to a three length victory over Godolphin's Mojave Moon (Singspiel IRE) and Candy Gift ARG (Candy Stripes USA) in Deauville's Darley Prix Kergorlay (Group 2), 1m7f.

Schiaparelli came out of the race well with options for Baden Baden before making a crack at the Arc de Triomphe.  The St Leger is not in the picture.

Dettori won the Darley Prix de la Nonette (Group 3), 1m2f, for fillies on Charity Belle USA (Empire Maker USA) for trainer John Gosden and her owner HRH Princess Haya of Jordon by a half length.

Dettori narrowly missed a hat trick in the Prix Jean Romanet (Group 1), 1m2f, for fillies and mares, when Godolphin's Lady Marian GER (Nayef USA) went down by a shoulder to Alpine Rose FR (Linamix FR).

Alpine Rose has improved since finishing far back in the field to King's Apostle IRE (King's Best USA) in the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest earlier in August.  King's Apostle has been injured and retired.

Lady Marian is settling in well and returning to form after recently joining Godolphin.

Queen Goldikova Has No Peer

Goldikova IRE descimates her opposition and sets a distance and time record
in the Prix Du Haras De Fresnay-Le-Buffard Jacques Le Marois. 
Photo by Racing International

Freddie Head's four-year-old filly Goldikova IRE (Anabaa USA) desperately fought entering the stalls in the Group 1 Prix Du Haras De Fresnay-Le-Buffard Jacques Le Marois, 1600m or a mile on a straight right-handed turf course.

Her lengthy 'naughtiness' as Head put it would have disqualified her in many countries and the other horses would have gone without her.  Had officials tried, they would have been lynched by her loyal French fans who tittered at her tantrum and then looked as if they would weep when she would not comply.

The lady was almost not for turning, but luckily she did.

What happened after that was legend. 

When she was finally given her head about about two furlongs from home, she accelerated and accelerated and... flew by the frontrunners including the brave and good Aqlaam GB (Oasis Dream GB), who led most of the way, to win by six lengths in record time of 1m33.50s shaving off a second from the 1981 race record by Northjet.

She won nine career starts and her sixth Group 1--her third this year.

When she races, she floats like a speeding hovercraft barely lifting her front legs off the ground in extention and curling them back under like a greyhound.

Her winning feat earned her a standing ovation and thousands of "Bravas!" 

Aqlaam left the others behind by five lengths and has the makings of her successor miler when she retires.  His trainer William Haggis has done a brilliant job in bringing this top-class colt back from a life-threatening injury and he will run either in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot or the Breeders' Cup Mile.

Queen Goldikova will have a little rest, then meet Balthazaar's Gift at the Prix de la Foret or Ghanaati at the Sun Chariot before destroying the US milers in the Breeders' Cup Mile in November.

Long may she reign--temperament and all!


Britain's King's Apostle Routs The French

For years, the British suffered from an inferiority complex when it came to their sprinters.  They always expected other countries would beat theirs especially the Australians.  No more.

One of their most experienced just beat a very respectable field Sunday, August 9.  Despite not being very lucky, he has won five of his 19 starts and placed in six more.
 
William Haggis' handsome five-year King's Apostle Ire (King's Best USA) pulled a surprise in beating all the French favourites including favourites Naaqoos (Oasis Dream) and African Rose (Observatory USA) in the Group 1 Prix Maurice De Gheest, 6-1/2 furlongs. 

Haggis saw it as a very open race and was rewarded with good ground and the luck his horse, a 7.1 shot, did not have especially in the July Cup.

At 50.1 outsider Mariol Fr (Munir) came in second and Alan Jarvis' filly Lesson In Humility Ire (Mujadil) third. 

All of the black-type horses were older and very experienced.

The younger flashy Naaqoos seemed very keen and was steered to the rail.  It did not help as he was in trouble from about three furlongs out.

His trainer Freddie Head's dream of a fourth win of the race in succession ended as did his sister's hope for victory with African Rose.

Haggis has King's Apostle down for the Sprint Cup at Haydock Park on September 5, but he is a sporting man on a roll so the Breeders' Cup guaranteed place is definitely an option for King's Apostle.
 

Naaqoos Goes For BC Challenge

Freddie Head is bidding for his fourth six-furlong Prix Maurice de Gheest with Naaqoos (Oasis Dream) on Sunday, August 9, at Deauville.

This is a Breeders' Cup Challenge race and the winner of the Prix will be guaranteed a place in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint which will run at six-and-half furlongs on Saturday, November 7.  
 
Marchand D'Or Fr (Marchand De Sable USA) won the race last year for Head and for the two years before.  He is sidelined for a rest this year.

Three-year-old Naaqoos has not raced since May when he was demoted to fifth (after coming in third) in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains (Group 1), over a mile, for interference.

He went down to Le Havre Ire (Noverre USA) by a head in the Listed Prix Djebel at Maisons-Laffitte in April and Le Havre went on to win the Group One Prix du Jockey Club, 1m 2f, in June.

Naaqoos was an impressive two-year old when he won his debut over the same course and distance as the Maurice de Gheest in August 2008 and beat leading two-year olds in the seven-furlong Group One Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp during the Arc de Triomphe meet.

On Sunday, he will be up against the seasoned filly African Rose (Observatory) of Head's sister Criquettte Head-Maarek, Serious Attitude Ire (Mtoto) trained by Rae Guest and William Haggas' King's Apostle Ire (King's Best USA). 

"We will certainly consider the Breeders' Cup for him if he runs well at Deauville and the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint could be an option for him," said Head.


Goldikova To Race August 16th

The incredibly tough four-year-old filly Goldikova Ire (Anabaa USA) will contest the Group One Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Sunday, August 16th.

She only made seventh on Longchamp's soft ground in the nine-furlong Group One Prix d'Ispahan in May, but she bounced back with two Group Ones over a mile and is going for a hat trick in Deauville.

Goldikova won the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket in July and devastated her opposition in the Prix Rothschild at Deauville on August 2nd.

Despite the race coming only two weeks after the last race, her trainer Freddie Head feels that "She is very well since her victory in the Prix Rothschild.  She has looked back to her best on her last two starts and she has always been a top-class filly.  The plan is still for her to return to Santa Anita in November to defend her crown in the TVG Breeders' Cup Mile."


Zanzibari for the Prix Morny?

Mme Andre Fabre bred the precosious two-year-colt Zanzibari USA (Smart Strike USA) who ran away with the Prix de Cabourg Jockey-Club de Turquie (Group 3), 6f, for 2yo at Deauville on August 2nd.

Zanzibari was trained by her husband for owner Sheikh Mohammed and ridden by rising star Maxime Guyon.

The Group One Darley Prix Morny at Deauville on August 23rd is a possible target for Zanzibari.

Trainer Fabre said "There's no fixed plan and the Morny could be an option, but it might come a bit too soon."


*Jour de Galop Rising Star*

Daryakana (Selkirk) just won the Prix de Troam, 2700m, and JDG believes she has the pedigree for Group staying races. 


Favre Delivers Two More

Sheikh Mohammed's French operation now has two more promising three-year olds:  Golden Century USA (El Prado Ire) and Cutlass Bay UAE (like Cavalryman by Halling USA) who may compete in Le Grand Prix de Deauville.

Cutlass Bay beat Cavalryman by a 1/2 length in May.

Cavalryman is being pointed at Le Prix Niel (Group 2) and then Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Group 1).

Both Halling horses are offered at 12-16.1 for the Arc on future markets. 

Update:  Cutlass Bay has been injured and is not likely to race again until 2010.