IFHA World Thoroughbred Rankings 2009

The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities issued their World Thoroughbred Rankings.

Trained and bred in Ireland, 3yo colt Sea The Stars (Cape Cross IRE) is first at 135.  He has retired to the Aga Khan's Gilltown Stud where he will stand at 85,000 Euros per 

His 2yo half brother out of their late dam Urban Sea has joined STS at Gilltown.

The unnamed colt by Invincible Spirit IRE is said to be very much in the STS' mold.

Mare Goldikova IRE (Anabaa USA), trained by Freddie Head in France, is second in the rankings at 130 and will race again this year at five.

Coolmore's fine twosome who will race this year at four are Rip Van Winkle IRE (Galileo IRE) and Fame And Glory (Montjeu IRE).  They earned a 129 and 128 rating respectively.

Zenyatta USA (Street Cry IRE) shared a 128 rating with FAG. 

With STS and Lady Z out of the way (if she is out of the way), other horses including Coolmore's twosome have a chance to win major mid-distance races.

Rachel Alexandra USA (Megdaglia D'Oro USA) is the sole 127.  RA was rated at 125 in November after her last race, but the international handicappers decided to raise her 2lbs after their December meeting.

Five horses are rated 125:  Godolphin's Cavalryman (Halling USA), Conduit IRE (Dalakhani IRE), Gio Ponti USA (Tale of the Cat USA) Youmzain IRE (Sinndar IRE) and Gladiatorus USA (Silic FR).

Conduit has retired to stud in Japan, but eight of the top eleven will race in 2010.


Sea The Stars' Trainer Oxx Non-Plussed

John Oxx, trainer of Sea The Stars IRE (Cape Cross IRE) said that he expected the 135 ranking, but felt it was not a "true reflection" on the horse's career.

"When (jockey) Mick Kinane says he (STS) never had to exert himself more than 75 per cent of his capability to win any of his races, then you know the rating isn't going to tell the whole story."

Garry O'Gorman, co-chairman of the WTR committee, said
"I'd hate to think that our findings might be used to knock on the head the opinion of those who think Sea The Stars was the greatest we've ever seen.  We aren't saying they are wrong--not at all."

The committee urged the public to take a more panoramic perspective on relative greatness than merely looking at a horse's rating.


Timeform Issues Its Own Ratings

Timeform (owned by Betfair) rates the quality of every horse that ran on the flat in Britain plus many foreign-trained horses that raced outside Britain and some who have raced in North America.

The highest ranking horse is the late Sea Bird II (Dan Cupid USA) at 145.

Sea The Stars IRE (Cape Cross IRE) shares a 140 ranking with Dancing Brave USA (Lyphard USA), Sheikh Mohammed's beloved Dubai Millennium USA (Seeking The Gold USA), the Aga Khan's kidnapped Shergar IRE (Great Nephew) and Vaguely Noble (Vienna).

Cigar USA (Palace Music USA), who raced mostly in the USA, is the highest ranked North American horse at 138 and resides at the Kentucky Horse Park after failing at stud.

Timeform's Global Rankings place Rip Van Winkle second to STS at 134, Fame And Glory at 133, Goldikova at 132 and Zenyatta at a131. 

Rachel Alexandra shares 7-11th position with a ranking of 129 with Mastercraftsman IRE (Danehill Dancer IRE), Oken Bruce Lee JPN (Jungle Pocket JPN) who came second to Vodka in the Japan Cup and Paco Boy IRE (Desert Style IRE).

Vodka JPN (Tamino Gimlet JPN) herself, who beat Oken Bruce Lee and was voted Japan's Horse of the Year for the second year in a row, did not make the cut.


Racing Post Handicapper Goes His Own Way

In contrast to the IFHA World Rankings and Timeform, the Racing Post issued two lists of top 10:  one for Dirt/AW and the other for Turf. 

Their bottom cutoff was 124 which meant some lesser horses made it into their top ten. 

The RP handicapper gave Sea The Stars the top ranking of 138 on Turf and took a minority position in giving the top
Dirt/AW ranking to Rachel Alexandra at 129.
 
Zenyatta was relegated to bottom place at only 124 with Big City Man USA (Northern Afleet USA) and Bullsbay USA (Tiznow USA).

It is surprising that STS made it to 138 as the Racing Post handicapper refused to believe STS was as good as his favourite Coolmore horses until STS beat them many times. 

It proves that sometimes 'committees' of official handicappers can neutralize preferences of individual handicappers and provide more objective assessments.

Why has the RP handicapper so underrated Zenyatta who beat all his favourite Coolmore horses? 

It is inexplicable.

Vodka:  Japan's Horse of the Year
 
Japan had no question about naming its outstanding 6yo mare Vodka JPN (Tamino Gimlet JPN) Horse of the Year for the second year running and 2009 Best Older Female.

She won three Group 1s in 2009 including a thrilling Japan Cup.

France and Hong Kong Share Group 1 Successes

France and Hong Kong tied with two each of the four international Group 1 Cathay Pacific races at Sha Tin, Hong Kong.

France's Vision D'Etat FR (Chichicastenango FR) was not likely to run as he had a hind leg swelling the day before the biggest race--the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup (Group 1), 1m2f.

The winner of the Prix du Jockey-Club and Prince of Wales Stakes was judged fit and pulled off a brilliant victory of 3/4 lengths over Britain's Collection IRE (Peintre Celebre USA) with Presvis (Sahkee USA) in third a further 2-1/2 lengths behind.

Vision D'Etat became the third French Cup winner joining Jim And Tonic (1999) and Pride (2006).

Olivier Peslier, Vision D'Etat's jockey, produced the 4yo colt at the right moment to collar Collection.

Trainer Eric Limbaud, who had been Alain de Royer-Dupre's assistant, wants to check out the new Meydan racecourse before aiming his colt at the Dubai World Cup. 

Most of the day's runners have the DWC Day in their futures. 

Of the ten runners in the Hong Kong Cup, eight were bred in Europe.  Eagle Mountain raced for Mike de Kock of South Africa, Queen Spumante for Japan and Special Days for New Zealand were the exceptions.  No Hong Kong horses raced.

Three-year-old Daryakana FR (Selkirk USA) is expected to be an exception to the Aga Khan's general practice of retiring his horses at three.  

The late-blooming filly was produced late by Gerald Mosse to pip 5yo Spanish Moon USA (El Prado IRE), Britain's best chance in the four races, by a short head in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase (Group 1), 1m4f.

Spanish Moon's jockey Ryan Moore thought his horse did not see Daryakana approaching until too late.  His connections felt he ran a big race and he is off to Dubai. 

De Royer-Dupre, who trained Pride when she won the Hong Kong Cup, said "When she (Daryakana) won the Group 2 at Longchamp she showed big acceleration.  She started to run on very late in her races." 

The lovely filly has only had five career races--all at three.  One was listed, one Group 2 and the Vase.  Expect to see much more of her next year.

Daryakana joins other French Vase winners Red Bishop (1994), Partipral (1995), Borgia (1999), Ange Gabriel (2002), Vallee Enchantee (2003), and Doctor Dino (2007 and 2008). 

France's magical Jim And Tonic also won the Hong Kong Mile in 1998. 

French jockey Olivier Doleuze won this year's Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile (Group 1), 1m, on the race's defending champion Good Ba Ba USA (Lear Fan USA) who made history in winning the race three years running.  

Doleuze feared that "It was a bit tight at the start, but I saw the Aga Khan's filly win from the back and I knew the pace was strong enough.  You go with your heart and believe in the horse." 

Easy to believe in this wonderful grey 7yo who has won 10 of his 21 starts and placed in four for his Chinese owner.

As to the Hong Kong Sprint, the French have never won it. 

This year the home team took a one-two-three-four in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint (Group 1), 6f. 

Legendary Sacred Kingdom AUS (Encosta De Lago AUS) won the sprint for the second time by a half length to the fast-closing One World, Joy And Fun and Green Birdie fourth. 

According to local experts, this was the strongest field ever assembled for the race.

California Flag USA (Avenue Of Flags USA), of Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint fame, led until run down in the final 200 metres by the Hong Kong sprinters.  

Britain's Total Gallery IRE (Namid), who is the 2008 Prix de l'Abbaye winner, managed sixth, Borderlescott (Compton Place) 11th and War Artist AUS (Orpen USA) 12th.  

The great Australian Scenic Blast (Scenic), joint highest-rated horse at 129 with Sacred Kingdom, finished last after bleeding. 

Borderlescott's trainer Robin Bastiman reflected "They are just a different class here.  Borderlescott is quick at home but he couldn't lay up with them.  It's unbelievable.  I think we will stick to England and Ireland in the future."

Hong Kong, Australia and the United States have some of the world's best sprinters and are just a different class.


Girl Power:  Vodka wins Japan Cup and Ventura in USA

Japan never really had to worry about foreign raiders with Vodka JPN (Tanino Gimlet JPN) and Oken Bruce Lee JPN (Jungle Pocket JPN) defending their Japan Cup, Group 1, 1m4f on turf.

Britain had high hopes for 9.4 favourite Conduit IRE (Dalakhani IRE), back-to-back winner of the Breeders' Cup Turf, but he could only manage fourth in his last race.  His trainer Sir Michael Stoute felt he had one race too many after traveling from England to the USA and then on to Japan. 

Conduit has been sold to a Japanese owner and will retire to stand at the Big Red Farm. 

The five-year old Vodka won eight of her 22 starts, six of which were Group 1s, squeaked past Oken Bruce Lee in a photo finish for what may be her final race.   

France's Christophe Lemaire replaced Vodka's usual jockey Yutaka Take (of double Arc de Triomphe infamy) and proved great value in her final push.

Three-year-old Red Desire JPN (Manhattan Cafe JPN) was third.

Juddmonte's magnificent mare Ventura USA (Chester House USA) just failed to win her second Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, Grade 1, 7f on Pro-Ride, at Santa Anita.  She had been favourite.

Just days before his death her trainer, Bobby Frankel, asked his long-time assistant Humberto Ascanio to race her in the Hollywood Park Matriarch Stakes, Grade 1, 1m on turf, as he wanted her to retire a winner.

The five-year olds' length and 3/4 victory over Tuscan Evening IRE (Oasis Dream) was seen by emotional connections as her final tribute to Frankel whose death has deeply affected his many admirers.

Ventura, who beat the boys in the Woodbine Mile this year, will retire to the Juddmonte Farms to be bred from the very best sires as she deserves.

Vodka will retire to Ireland after she participates in the 2010 Dubai World Cup races.


Racing Victoria Ends Jumps Racing

After 150 years of jumps racing in Victoria (AUS), Racing Victoria Limited announced that jumps racing would end in 2010 out of concern for the image of racing and sustainability of the industry.
 
RVL Chairman Michael Duffy said that despite the implementation of all the safety recommendations of the Jones Report (and six previous reviews) into the industry, the incidence of falls and fatalities continued to increase.

Stakeholders in the Country Racing Victoria (CRV) and the Warrnambool Race Club who sponsor a three-day jumps carnival in May are reported to be "gutted".

The Brumby government and animal welfare groups were jubilant. 

RSPCA Victoria President Hugh Wirth would prefer jumps racing would end immediately.  They have campaigned against them since 1980.

Is this the beginning of the end for jumps racing throughout Australia?  Where next?   


Shocking Keeps Melbourne Cup in Australia

For the second year in a row, a Britain horse lost the Emirates Melbourne Cup (Group 1 Handicap), 2m, 3200m, to a local outsider in the $5.65 million race which is the richest handicap in the world.

Luca Cumani’s Bauer missed out last year.

Godolphin’s 40-1 6yo Crime Scene IRE (Royal Applause), ridden by their lead jockey Australian Kerrin McEvoy, was comfortable in front until the New Zealand-bred 4yo Shocking AUS (Street Cry IRE) surged ahead of Crime Scene at the furlong pole.

Godolphin also came second with Central Park in 1999 and Give The Slip in 2001.

Trainer Saeed Bin Suroor said “So close again—we will come back and win it one day, maybe next year.”

Mouilyan IRE (Desert Prince IRE), who races in England, rallied to take third place. 

Neither local Alcopop or defending champion Viewed could finish better than sixth and seventh.

Winning trainer Mark Kavanagh said “I didn’t give him (Shocking) a hope in the run when he was trapped deep.”

Jockey Corey Brown, who only got the ride when his Vigor missed the cut, could only comment “I’m so happy—I’m speechless.”


Presvis, Mawaatheeq and Possibly Lahaleeb Orient Bound

Trainers Michael Channon, Luca Cumani and Marcus Tregoning are likely to take their charges East rather than West to the Breeders' Cup. 

For Mick Channon, one reason to take his filly Lahaleeb IRE (Redback) to Hong Kong is the high entry fees of the Breeders' Cup. 

Lahaleeb, surprise definitive winner of Woodbine's EP Taylor Stakes (Grade 1), 1m2f, qualifies for the BC as a Challenge race winner.

She defeated Rainbow View USA (Dynaformer USA) who is waiting in Canada for her American owner George Strawbridge to decide if he will enter her in the BC.

Presvis (Sakhee) will have a prep race in a £40,000 Listed at Lingfield November 21 to prepare him for the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup December 13..

Cumani campaigned Presvis to win the Audemars Piguet QEII Cup in April and suffered a photo-finish loss of the Singapore Airlines International Cup in May.  Presvis has been unlucky blocked in both Singapore and in March's Dubai World Cup race; he should have won both.

Even the USA's Mine That Bird (Birdstone USA) is entered in Hong Kong.

Mawatheeq USA (Danzig USA), an unlucky second in the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes (Group 1), was vastly impressive in almost closing after a double block and as a physical specimen. 

Not lost on Tregoning that 4yo Mawatheeq "has proven to be a Group 1 winner in the making", he is looking at the November 29 Japan Cup and the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase on December 13 for final races this year.

"He will be an exciting horse for Europe next year."


Kirklees off to Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup

Keeping up the momentum for Godolphin, Kirklees IRE (Jade Robbery USA) mowed down the opposition in the totesport.com September Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) 1m4f and earned himself a trip to Australia for the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and the Melbourne Cup if he does well in the first two.


Brits Came, Saw and Conquered Turkey

The British won a total of $1.84 million in the four throughbred Group races at the two-day Turkish International Racing Festival at Veliefendi Racecourse in Istanbul.

Michael Jarvis had a real pick-me-up after heart surgery when his Pressing IRE (Soviet Star USA) narrowly won the US$1,020,000 or £625,000 Topakpi Trophy (Group 2) over 1m on Turf for 3yo+, for the second year in a row. 

Jockey Neil Callan said "He is a superstar horse, so honest.  I think I would have won a little easier but we got a bump just as we were getting going."

Another product of sire Soviet Star, Eva's Request was the first of two victories at Veliefendi for the former footballer, trainer Mick Channon, and jockey Alan Munro in the Istanbul Trophy (Group 2) 1m on Turf for 3yo+.

She was followed in by William Haggis' three-year-old Damaniyat Girl USA (Elusive Quality USA), by a length, and France's Wilside IRE (Verglas IRE) for a Western European 1-2-3.
 
Channon landed Bosphorus Cup (Group 2) 1m4f on Turf for 3yo+, with one of England's most durable five-year-olds Halicarnassus IRE (Cape Cross IRE) who scored by a safe 1/2 length after escaping a pocket and having to hit the front too soon.

Munro, who has gone through a recent bad patch, gave Halicarnassus a brilliant ride and was surrounded by autograph hunters after the race.

Goodwood's hero Illustrious Blue (Dansili) came in fifth.
 
In a fitting conclusion, Frankie Dettori treated Istanbul to his flying dismount on Balius IRE (Mujahid USA) when he won the US$425,000 Anatolia Stakes (Group 2) for Godolphin 1m2f on AW polytrack, by 4-1/2 lengths.

This is Balius' second Group 2 of the year; the first was in the Jebal Hatta-Daheer in March at Nad Al Sheba, Dubai.

The Istanbul races have become regular stops during each September for British trainers and they always win one big thoroughbred cup.  This year it was all four.


From Australia to the USA:  Godolphin is Back

Dafeef (Medicean) extended bin Suroor's two-year-old winning rate to 28 this year in the Newmarket EBF Farewell And Thank You To Nick Campbell Maiden Stakes (Class 4), 6f, on the July Course.

He is well on his way to a record 50 for this season.

Campanologist USA (Kingmanbo USA) got his confidence back in the Totepool Winter Hill Stakes (Group 3), 1m2f, at Windsor.

Jockey Frankie Dettori said "He has been very solid, knocking at the door, and he deserved to get his head in front."

Music Note USA (AP Indy USA) romped home by 5-1/2 lengths in the Grade 1 Ballerina Stakes, 7f, Dirt at Saratoga, USA.

Godolphin won the Grade 3 Victory Ride Stakes, over 6f, with Sara Louise USA (Malibu Moon USA).  This is the three-year old who beat Rachel Alexandra USA (Medaglia D'Oro USA) in November at two and came second to her later in that month.

Vineyard Haven USA (Lido Palace CHI) also won the NetJets King's Bishop Stakes (Grade 1) 7f on Dirt for 3yo at Saratoga. 

Unfortunately he leaned on Capt Candyman Can USA (Candy Ride ARG) near the line and was demoted to second.

Bin Suroor accepted defeat with "I'm very proud.  It's just too bad it happened like it did.  I'm pleased, but I'd be more pleased if he had actually won."

Denman AUS (Lonhro AUS), not the legendary Irish chaser, started Godolphin's southern hemisphere season with a solid win in the Group 1 Tooheys Golden Rose Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.

He was ridden to victory by Kerrin McEvoy who is Godolphin's Australian retained jockey.

There is no question that Godolphin is back as the world's major player.


Mokaro Wins SA's Gold Cup

Mokaro provided the first Canon Gold Cup victory for both his Cape Town trainer Stephen Page and racing doyan, owner-breeder Bridget Oppenheimer.

Page's Noblewood took second in South Africa's only 2m Grade 1.  He said, "It's also a one-two in a Grade 1 for me.  That's a once in a lifetime thing!" 

Both horses will return from Greyville to Cape Town for the Summer season where there are many good choices in stayers' races.
            

New Zealand Coup Align--produced a run of six unbeaten races in NZ's October 17 to January 17 season.  The gelding was bred at Highview Stud from its proven stallion Align and Diamond Snip (Snippets).


Banned and Warned Off         

For the last two weeks, regulators in Ireland, the USA and UK have cracked down hard on on dopers and cheaters.
 
Steve Asmussen is appealing the use of a banned substance with the support of his owner claiming blood tests were not given to the horse in question and are more definitive than urine tests.

Hunt trainer to The Queen with 'old' family connections, Nicky Henderson, appealed and lost on use of a banned substance on one of his horses.

His light six-month ban created a class-war uproar from those crying 'privilege'.  

Karl Burke, the trainer involved in the Kieren Fallon trial and charges against fixer-gambler Miles Rodgers (who is a reputed chum of 'Mr Big'), has lost his trainer's license and is warned off for one year after admitting corruption charges at the last minute.  

Corruption charges in Burke's case equal helping to fix races for profit. 

One of his jockeys in the middle, Fergal Lynch, 'got off lightly' according to one British Horseracing Authority official after the jockey admitted guilt and fled to even greener pastures in the USA.

Banned in England, he has become champion jockey at Philadelphia Park until the Burke decision.  

Philadelphia racing authorities decided to support the BHA in enforcing its ban in the USA.  Other states will follow. 

Cheltenham Festival winner Dunguib will probably lose his Paddy Power Champion Bumper victory at Punchestown after a positive drug test with the disqualification giving the win to nine-length runner-up Sweeps Hill. 

And trainer Sir Michael Stoute cannot wait for exceptional jockey Kieren Fallon to regain his license in September after being banned from substance abuse in France.  Charges from the Rodgers' affair were dropped.

More on gutsy 'Stoutie's' approach to the King George Thursday.

Racing provides endless material for Dick Francis, Johnny Francome, Jenny Pitman and all great mystery writers.