Royal Ascot 2011
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
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
World 2011
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Jimmy Choux: NZ HOY
So You Think is not the only very talented New Zealand-bred horse.
He not only missed out on being named the Australian Horse of the Year, but also New Zealand's equivalent.
Jimmy Choux NZ (Thorn Park AUS out of Ciergo NZ) was chosen as both New Zealand's Champion Three-Year-Old and Horse of the Year.
He has won 10 of his 18 starts including the NZ Derby, the NZ 2000 Guineas and Rosehill Guineas in Sydney bringing his earnings to over $2.6 million.
There was compensation for So You Think. His dam Triassic NZ (Tights USA) was chosen Broodmare of the Year and his sire High Chaparral IRE (Sadler's Wells USA) was awarded the Dewar Stallion Award (for his combined Australian and New Zealand stakes earnings).
©Posted September 6, 2011
World Thoroughbred Rankings: Frankel Tops
Frankel with jockey Tom Queally out on their own five lengths ahead of the second in the QIPCO Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. Photo ©David Hastings
The World Thoroughbred Rankings (WTR), which are published by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), made it official.
Frankel GB (Galileo IRE) is the world's top-rated horse at 135. He has eight victories out of eight races - four of which are Group 1s - at only three.
He is leading the Cartier Horse of the Year and Cartier Champion Three-Year-Old categories along with heading the QIPCO British Champions Series with his trainer Sir Henry Cecil and jockey Tom Queally.
He is the highest-rated miler since El Gran Senor achieved 138 in 1984.
A panel of handicappers from IFHA's World Rankings Supervisory Committee compile the ratings which cover performances from February 1, 2011, to July 31, 2011 (date later in southern hemisphere Australia, New Zealand and South Africa).
Australian sprint star, Black Caviar, is second ranked in the world on 130 at the end of her winter season.
Two tragic horses end their careers on 127: retired Canford Cliffs GB and the late Rewilding GB.
The third horse ranking 127 is Nathaniel GB who is thriving after winning the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and is a good prospect for the Arc de Triomphe.
Australia's So You Think IRE, who may try to retain his Cox Plate title in October, secured 126 for his Coral-Eclipse victory over Workforce GB.
Sprinter Rocket Man SING and Workforce GB rate 125.
Dick Turpin GB, who may take on the 14-Group 1 winner Goldikova IRE in the Prix Jacques Le Marois August 14, shares the 124 slot with her.
Andre Fabre's impressive three-year-old Meandre FR ranks 123 and is one of France's favourites for the Arc de Triomphe.
Ten horses rank 122: Acclamation USA, Behkabad FR, Hay List AUS, J J The Jet Plane SA, Planteur FR, Pour Moi FR, St Nicholas Abbey IRE, Twice Over GB, Victoire Pisa JPN and Worthadd ITY.
All of the world's highest-ranked horses are Turf horses including the United States' Acclamation.
Great Britain dominates the high rankings with seven horses bred and trained in the country followed by France with five.
Australia and Ireland have two and Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Africa and the USA only one each.
©Posted August 7, 2011
Gitano Hernando Scoops Singapore International Cup
There are times when I would prefer being wrong. I anticipated that jockey Richard Hughes would not be the right partner for betting favourite Presvis (Sakhee USA) in the Singapore Airlines International Cup (Group 1), 1m 2f on Turf.
Presvis is trained by Newmarket-based Luca Cumani and is a great international competitor. He has a problem in that he likes to ride out a race in the rear and make a final devastating close.
That kind of finish requires good traffic management and perfect timing from the jockey.
Hughes got it so wrong that the horse just shut down about eight wide. He might as well of quit.
Meanwhile, the front was fiercely contested with intrepid Gitano Hernando (Hernado FR) getting the better of eight-year-old mare River Jetez SAF (Jet Master SAF) by a ½ length at the post.
Irian GER (Tertullian USA) and Waikato NZ (Pins AUS) were third in a dead heat by a length.
Chinchon IRE (Marju IRE), who got the worst of the fray, made fourth by another ½ length.
Posted May 23, 2011
Rocket Man Is World Class Sprinter
Rocket Man AUS (Viscount AUS) finally won the KrisFlyer International Sprint (Group 1) for 3yo+, 6f on Turf, in his third try.
His victory brings the six-year old's winnings to almost £1.5 million and his ratings to the top of the handicaps.
He won by 4¾ over two outsiders: Eclair Fastpass (38.1 odds) and Perfect Pins (92.1). Famed Sacred Kingdom ended in sixth.
Jockey Felix Coetzee proclaimed it a privilege to ride a gelding of his quality.
Proud trainer Patrick Shaw described Rocket Man as "the best in the world".
That claim may be disputed by fans of Black Caviar AUS (Bel Esprit AUS) who feel her 13 for 13 and her 133 rating put her at the top of the world's spinter order.
Rocket Man will head to Royal Ascot where his is favourite for the Golden Jubilee and Black Caviar is taking a break.
Until the two meet and race against each other, their respective fans will never be satified.
Posted May23, 2011
Richard Hughes To Ride Presvis
For the first time in 25 starts, jockey Richard Hughes will partner Presvis (Sakhee USA) in his attempt to secure a back-to-back victory in the Group 1 Singapore Airlines International Cup, 1m2f on Turf.
At current prices, he is 7.2 favourite.
A victory would add another major Group race to his sire's recent record after Tin Horse won the Poule d'Essai des Poulains last Sunday.
Most of Presvis' 11 competitors are not Singapore-based horses. Those include Gitano Hernando, Wigmore Hall, Irian and Chinchon FR.
Godolphin's Calvados Bleus, short at 9.1, will miss the race due to a sore foot which is not healing quickly enough to participate.
Posted May 21, 2011
Buena Vista Beaten In Victoria Mile
Japan's 2010 Horse of the Year, five-year old Buena Vista JPN (Special Week JPN), lost her chance of a back-to-back win in Tokyo's Grade 1 Victoria Mile for 4yo+ fillies and mares on Turf, due to her last-to-first style of racing.
She could not quite close down on the winner Apapane JPN (King Kamehameha JPN) and lost by a neck.
The four-year old Apapane is the youngest filly to win five Grade 1s in Japan.
She is last year's 'Triple Crown' winner: the Oka Sho (1000 Guineas), Yushun Himba (Oaks) and the Shuka Sho (filly St Leger) and races in the colours of the great stallion Deep Impact JPN (Sunday Silence USA).
The third by another neck, Lady Alba Rosa, is also by King Kamehameha.
Posted May 15, 2011
Black Caviar Ranked 133 Worldwide
Sprint Mega Star Black Caviar AUS (Bel Esprit AUS) won eleven out of her eleven starts.
After her brilliant victory in the 6f Newmarket Handicap at Flemington (above) over Crystal Lily by three lengths, the five-year old was awarded an official World rating of 133.
Today she is the highest-rated horse in the world.
Her nearest rivals are all males on 124: J J The Jet Plane SAF for the Meydan Handicap, Rocket Man SING for the Dubai Golden Shaheen and Victoire Pisa JAP for the Nakayama Kinen.
Three won on Turf and Rocket Man on All Weather (Tapeta). Three are sprinters with Victoire Pisa a mid-distance specialist.
Black Caviar is the world's reigning champion sprinter. She has won four Group 1s with another four Group 2s, two Listeds and one Handicap from her first race in April 2009.
Her last victory brought her earnings to approximately £1.5 million.
Every major venue is vying for her presence including Royal Ascot, but she is likely to remain in the Far East and take on the boys in the Hong Kong Sprint later in the year.
Her next target is the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick in Sydney on April 9.
Many believe her to be the greatest sprinter who ever raced and her awed trainer thinks only a "curve ball" could defeat her.
Black Caviar - Sprint Mega Star
Black Caviar (in salmon pink) casually took the William Reid Stakes (Group 1)
Buena Vista - Japan's Horse of the Year
Buena Vista's jockey Christophe Soumillon showed his usual exuberance when
his mare won the 2010 Japan Cup (only to lose it in the Stewards' Room).
Photo copyright Sankei, Getty Images
Despite having her 1-3/4 length victory in the Japan Cup taken from her for jockey interference, five-year-old Buena Vista JPN (Special Week JPN) was chosen as Japan's Horse of the Year.
The beautiful mare will remain in training and has been invited to start her 2011 season in the Dubai World Cup.
Sacred Kingdom - HK Horse Of The Year
Sacred Kingdom AUS (Encosta De Lago AUS) has been at the top of international sprint rankings for the last three years, but lost his last two races in 2010.
Those losses did not deter the Hong Kong racing community from choosing him as Hong Kong's Horse of the Year.
The eight-year old justified their faith in him by winning the first leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series in the Kent & Curwin Centenary Sprint Cup (Group 1) 6f on Turf for 3yo+. He also won the race last year.
Sacred Kingdom beat Dim Sum (Kyllachy) by 1/2 length and was "never off the bridle" according to his jockey Brett Prebble.
It was his seventh Group 1 victory.
He will compete in the Chairman's Sprint Prize on February 5, over 6f, but no decision has been made about the final leg over 7f in March.
Global Sprint Challenge
From 2011, the Global Sprint Challenge will race at only Group 1 level on Turf and will include nine races for $US10.8 million prize money.
The opening leg is the Coolmore Lightning Stakes (5f) at Flemington February 19.
The GSC has upgraded the first Japan leg to the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (6f) March 27 and added a new untitled 6f race at Kranji Racecourse, Singapore, May 22.
Onto the UK for Royal Ascot's King's Stand Stakes (5f) and Golden Jubilee (6f) followed by Newmarket's Darley July Cup (6f).
The GSC returns to Japan October 2 for the Sprinters Stakes (6f), Flemington for the Patinack Farm Classic (6f) November 5 and to Sha Tin for the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint (6f) on December 11.
Any horse that wins three of the races in three different countries outside its own racing jurisdiction will collect a $US1 million bonus to be split 75% to the owners and 25% to the trainer.
Australian sprinters racing in Hong Kong will be at the top of everyone's invitational list including Sacred Kingdom, Rocket Man and JJ The Jet Plane.
Pity that most of the US sprinters race exclusively on Dirt.
Turf World Championships in Hong Kong?
Enjoy the magnificent three-year-old filly Snow Fairy win her Hong Kong Cup (Number 13).
The respected CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Winfried Englebrecht-Bresges, was thrilled that over 50,000 attendees proved that racing is Hong Kong's most popular spectator sport.
It may be in trouble in other parts of the world, but not Hong Kong.
They had their hightest turnover with HK$1 billion since 2003 and would have hit HK1.1 billion if Able One had not been scratched.
Four of the international Group 1 races were won from four different racing jurisdictions between Hong Kong with Beauty Flash NZ in the Mile, the UAE with Mastery GB in the Vase, South Africa with JJ The Jet Plane SAF in the Sprint and England's three-year-old filly Snow Fairy in the Cup.
Englebrecht-Bresges was particularly impressed with the three-year-old filly Snow Fairy and has invited her back to defend her title in 2011. She will race at four.
Rather than regretting that the major victors were not all from Hong Kong, E-B feels the international horses put Hong Kong on the map.
"We have claimed the title of the Turf World Championship."
So You Think is not the only very talented New Zealand-bred horse.
He not only missed out on being named the Australian Horse of the Year, but also New Zealand's equivalent.
Jimmy Choux NZ (Thorn Park AUS out of Ciergo NZ) was chosen as both New Zealand's Champion Three-Year-Old and Horse of the Year.
He has won 10 of his 18 starts including the NZ Derby, the NZ 2000 Guineas and Rosehill Guineas in Sydney bringing his earnings to over $2.6 million.
There was compensation for So You Think. His dam Triassic NZ (Tights USA) was chosen Broodmare of the Year and his sire High Chaparral IRE (Sadler's Wells USA) was awarded the Dewar Stallion Award (for his combined Australian and New Zealand stakes earnings).
©Posted September 6, 2011
World Thoroughbred Rankings: Frankel Tops
Frankel with jockey Tom Queally out on their own five lengths ahead of the second in the QIPCO Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. Photo ©David Hastings
The World Thoroughbred Rankings (WTR), which are published by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), made it official.
Frankel GB (Galileo IRE) is the world's top-rated horse at 135. He has eight victories out of eight races - four of which are Group 1s - at only three.
He is leading the Cartier Horse of the Year and Cartier Champion Three-Year-Old categories along with heading the QIPCO British Champions Series with his trainer Sir Henry Cecil and jockey Tom Queally.
He is the highest-rated miler since El Gran Senor achieved 138 in 1984.
A panel of handicappers from IFHA's World Rankings Supervisory Committee compile the ratings which cover performances from February 1, 2011, to July 31, 2011 (date later in southern hemisphere Australia, New Zealand and South Africa).
Australian sprint star, Black Caviar, is second ranked in the world on 130 at the end of her winter season.
Two tragic horses end their careers on 127: retired Canford Cliffs GB and the late Rewilding GB.
The third horse ranking 127 is Nathaniel GB who is thriving after winning the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and is a good prospect for the Arc de Triomphe.
Australia's So You Think IRE, who may try to retain his Cox Plate title in October, secured 126 for his Coral-Eclipse victory over Workforce GB.
Sprinter Rocket Man SING and Workforce GB rate 125.
Dick Turpin GB, who may take on the 14-Group 1 winner Goldikova IRE in the Prix Jacques Le Marois August 14, shares the 124 slot with her.
Andre Fabre's impressive three-year-old Meandre FR ranks 123 and is one of France's favourites for the Arc de Triomphe.
Ten horses rank 122: Acclamation USA, Behkabad FR, Hay List AUS, J J The Jet Plane SA, Planteur FR, Pour Moi FR, St Nicholas Abbey IRE, Twice Over GB, Victoire Pisa JPN and Worthadd ITY.
All of the world's highest-ranked horses are Turf horses including the United States' Acclamation.
Great Britain dominates the high rankings with seven horses bred and trained in the country followed by France with five.
Australia and Ireland have two and Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Africa and the USA only one each.
©Posted August 7, 2011
Gitano Hernando Scoops Singapore International Cup
There are times when I would prefer being wrong. I anticipated that jockey Richard Hughes would not be the right partner for betting favourite Presvis (Sakhee USA) in the Singapore Airlines International Cup (Group 1), 1m 2f on Turf.
Presvis is trained by Newmarket-based Luca Cumani and is a great international competitor. He has a problem in that he likes to ride out a race in the rear and make a final devastating close.
That kind of finish requires good traffic management and perfect timing from the jockey.
Hughes got it so wrong that the horse just shut down about eight wide. He might as well of quit.
Meanwhile, the front was fiercely contested with intrepid Gitano Hernando (Hernado FR) getting the better of eight-year-old mare River Jetez SAF (Jet Master SAF) by a ½ length at the post.
Irian GER (Tertullian USA) and Waikato NZ (Pins AUS) were third in a dead heat by a length.
Chinchon IRE (Marju IRE), who got the worst of the fray, made fourth by another ½ length.
Posted May 23, 2011
Rocket Man Is World Class Sprinter
Rocket Man AUS (Viscount AUS) finally won the KrisFlyer International Sprint (Group 1) for 3yo+, 6f on Turf, in his third try.
His victory brings the six-year old's winnings to almost £1.5 million and his ratings to the top of the handicaps.
He won by 4¾ over two outsiders: Eclair Fastpass (38.1 odds) and Perfect Pins (92.1). Famed Sacred Kingdom ended in sixth.
Jockey Felix Coetzee proclaimed it a privilege to ride a gelding of his quality.
Proud trainer Patrick Shaw described Rocket Man as "the best in the world".
That claim may be disputed by fans of Black Caviar AUS (Bel Esprit AUS) who feel her 13 for 13 and her 133 rating put her at the top of the world's spinter order.
Rocket Man will head to Royal Ascot where his is favourite for the Golden Jubilee and Black Caviar is taking a break.
Until the two meet and race against each other, their respective fans will never be satified.
Posted May23, 2011
Richard Hughes To Ride Presvis
For the first time in 25 starts, jockey Richard Hughes will partner Presvis (Sakhee USA) in his attempt to secure a back-to-back victory in the Group 1 Singapore Airlines International Cup, 1m2f on Turf.
At current prices, he is 7.2 favourite.
A victory would add another major Group race to his sire's recent record after Tin Horse won the Poule d'Essai des Poulains last Sunday.
Most of Presvis' 11 competitors are not Singapore-based horses. Those include Gitano Hernando, Wigmore Hall, Irian and Chinchon FR.
Godolphin's Calvados Bleus, short at 9.1, will miss the race due to a sore foot which is not healing quickly enough to participate.
Posted May 21, 2011
Buena Vista Beaten In Victoria Mile
Japan's 2010 Horse of the Year, five-year old Buena Vista JPN (Special Week JPN), lost her chance of a back-to-back win in Tokyo's Grade 1 Victoria Mile for 4yo+ fillies and mares on Turf, due to her last-to-first style of racing.
She could not quite close down on the winner Apapane JPN (King Kamehameha JPN) and lost by a neck.
The four-year old Apapane is the youngest filly to win five Grade 1s in Japan.
She is last year's 'Triple Crown' winner: the Oka Sho (1000 Guineas), Yushun Himba (Oaks) and the Shuka Sho (filly St Leger) and races in the colours of the great stallion Deep Impact JPN (Sunday Silence USA).
The third by another neck, Lady Alba Rosa, is also by King Kamehameha.
Posted May 15, 2011
Black Caviar Ranked 133 Worldwide
Sprint Mega Star Black Caviar AUS (Bel Esprit AUS) won eleven out of her eleven starts.
After her brilliant victory in the 6f Newmarket Handicap at Flemington (above) over Crystal Lily by three lengths, the five-year old was awarded an official World rating of 133.
Today she is the highest-rated horse in the world.
Her nearest rivals are all males on 124: J J The Jet Plane SAF for the Meydan Handicap, Rocket Man SING for the Dubai Golden Shaheen and Victoire Pisa JAP for the Nakayama Kinen.
Three won on Turf and Rocket Man on All Weather (Tapeta). Three are sprinters with Victoire Pisa a mid-distance specialist.
Black Caviar is the world's reigning champion sprinter. She has won four Group 1s with another four Group 2s, two Listeds and one Handicap from her first race in April 2009.
Her last victory brought her earnings to approximately £1.5 million.
Every major venue is vying for her presence including Royal Ascot, but she is likely to remain in the Far East and take on the boys in the Hong Kong Sprint later in the year.
Her next target is the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick in Sydney on April 9.
Many believe her to be the greatest sprinter who ever raced and her awed trainer thinks only a "curve ball" could defeat her.
Black Caviar - Sprint Mega Star
Black Caviar (in salmon pink) casually took the William Reid Stakes (Group 1)
Buena Vista - Japan's Horse of the Year
Buena Vista's jockey Christophe Soumillon showed his usual exuberance when
his mare won the 2010 Japan Cup (only to lose it in the Stewards' Room).
Photo copyright Sankei, Getty Images
Despite having her 1-3/4 length victory in the Japan Cup taken from her for jockey interference, five-year-old Buena Vista JPN (Special Week JPN) was chosen as Japan's Horse of the Year.
The beautiful mare will remain in training and has been invited to start her 2011 season in the Dubai World Cup.
Sacred Kingdom - HK Horse Of The Year
Sacred Kingdom AUS (Encosta De Lago AUS) has been at the top of international sprint rankings for the last three years, but lost his last two races in 2010.
Those losses did not deter the Hong Kong racing community from choosing him as Hong Kong's Horse of the Year.
The eight-year old justified their faith in him by winning the first leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series in the Kent & Curwin Centenary Sprint Cup (Group 1) 6f on Turf for 3yo+. He also won the race last year.
Sacred Kingdom beat Dim Sum (Kyllachy) by 1/2 length and was "never off the bridle" according to his jockey Brett Prebble.
It was his seventh Group 1 victory.
He will compete in the Chairman's Sprint Prize on February 5, over 6f, but no decision has been made about the final leg over 7f in March.
Global Sprint Challenge
From 2011, the Global Sprint Challenge will race at only Group 1 level on Turf and will include nine races for $US10.8 million prize money.
The opening leg is the Coolmore Lightning Stakes (5f) at Flemington February 19.
The GSC has upgraded the first Japan leg to the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (6f) March 27 and added a new untitled 6f race at Kranji Racecourse, Singapore, May 22.
Onto the UK for Royal Ascot's King's Stand Stakes (5f) and Golden Jubilee (6f) followed by Newmarket's Darley July Cup (6f).
The GSC returns to Japan October 2 for the Sprinters Stakes (6f), Flemington for the Patinack Farm Classic (6f) November 5 and to Sha Tin for the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint (6f) on December 11.
Any horse that wins three of the races in three different countries outside its own racing jurisdiction will collect a $US1 million bonus to be split 75% to the owners and 25% to the trainer.
Australian sprinters racing in Hong Kong will be at the top of everyone's invitational list including Sacred Kingdom, Rocket Man and JJ The Jet Plane.
Pity that most of the US sprinters race exclusively on Dirt.
Turf World Championships in Hong Kong?
Enjoy the magnificent three-year-old filly Snow Fairy win her Hong Kong Cup (Number 13).
The respected CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Winfried Englebrecht-Bresges, was thrilled that over 50,000 attendees proved that racing is Hong Kong's most popular spectator sport.
It may be in trouble in other parts of the world, but not Hong Kong.
They had their hightest turnover with HK$1 billion since 2003 and would have hit HK1.1 billion if Able One had not been scratched.
Four of the international Group 1 races were won from four different racing jurisdictions between Hong Kong with Beauty Flash NZ in the Mile, the UAE with Mastery GB in the Vase, South Africa with JJ The Jet Plane SAF in the Sprint and England's three-year-old filly Snow Fairy in the Cup.
Englebrecht-Bresges was particularly impressed with the three-year-old filly Snow Fairy and has invited her back to defend her title in 2011. She will race at four.
Rather than regretting that the major victors were not all from Hong Kong, E-B feels the international horses put Hong Kong on the map.
"We have claimed the title of the Turf World Championship."