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Kempton are to stage a race next March, the winner of which will be offered a guarenteed place in the Kentucky Derby.
Then maybe Southwell could run a race with a free entry into the Man O War or Sword Dancer; would make as much sense.
For two turf races for older horses? Why?
If a British trainer is quite confident about competing in the Kentucky Derby, I wouldn’t go trialling at Kempton.
What was Dr Devious’ campaign prep before the Twin Spires?
This is excellent news, Paul. It’s been a while since a British trainer last took a pop at the Run for the Roses – would it be Dr Devious? I know Bold Arrangement came very close for Clive Brittain.
The link up is further evidence too of the growing legitimacy (and innovative approach), of AW racing in this country.
Mr Deering, the good Doc ran in the Craven, if I remember correctly after a traditional 2-y-o campaign.
The horse gets an extra $100,000 for just showing up to Churchill Downs as well.
Ok, now to brainstorm: who out of the current squadron of 2YOs has a decent profile?
Can’t disagree that initiatives like this will do nothing but help AW racing.
It will be interesting to see who turns up for the race.
This is excellent news, Paul. It’s been a while since a British trainer last took a pop at the Run for the Roses – would it be Dr Devious?
And a what a decision it was – a much better trial for the Derby than the 2,000 Guineas
Agree with Max, another sign of the increasing acceptance and influence of AW racing over here. Perhaps in a dozen years or so people will look back to Lingfield, the winter derby and other pattern races on the polytrack, GL and this new initiative as where it all began, to get better.
Leave the inconsistent and dangerous surfaces to PtP and NH imo, flat racing can do better.
And a what a decision it was – a much better trial for the Derby than the 2,000 Guineas
Oh Lee. What a great season that was! And what a horse.
Dr Devious, the son of Ahoonora and Rose of Jericho. Superb 2-y-o; runner up in the Coventry (behind the superfast Dilum) and Dewhurst winner. From the same stable as the 1992 season’s other star, champion 2-y-o Rodrigo De Triano; an embarrasment of riches at Manton.
The talk of that winter was of the pair’s likely lack of stamina for the Derby and then suddenly, out of the blue, Dr Devious was sold by Robert Sangster for an undisclosed sum to Mrs Sydney Craig of California, as a birthday present for her husband.
Like many US owners, Mr Craig’s ambition was the Kentucky Derby, so Peter Chapple-Hyam prepped him for that race without much enthusiasm or confidence (being Peter Chapple-Hyam and very much his own man).
Yet against expectations, the colt excelled himself to finish seventh (a head in front of the scintillating juvenile Arazi).
Connections began to think in terms of Epsom. And the trainer began to think about winning his first Derby!
Many hacks considered that Dr Devious wouldn’t stay the Blue Riband trip, but pressure of money ensured he started second favourite at 8/1 behind stable companion, Guineas winner Rodrigo De Triano (the mount of Lester Piggott – and a very doubtful stayer).
In what was to be journeyman John Reid’s finest hour, the good Doctor soared down the outside of the field from two out and won by a conservative two lengths from subsequent Irish Derby winner St Jovite.
The pictures of Mr and Mrs Craig in the Epsom stands going absolutely loop the loop, the former in an unaccustomed top hat, are memorable. Surely one of the best birthday presents ever!
(Would he have finished closer at Churchill with a Kempton prep? I reckon so…
Sorry for digressing Paul – if I read one more negative post about horse racing I’ll scream…Simon, Simon, Simon, Simon, Simon… I was wholeheartedly agreeing with every point you were making on the AW racing there. Why then sully it with yet more anti-turf dogma right at the end?
For as long as AW surfaces can be susceptible to changes in condition on account of sustained dry or wet spells, and unless the rash of accidents / fatalities at Wolverhampton in 2006 can be explained away 100% as caused by something other than the surface, it really profits no AW fan to place their preferred means of racing on some sort of unimpeachable pedestal like this.
Magnanimity win or lose is a far nicer trait.
gc
Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.
Have Kempton actially staged any other 9f races there this season? I think that is the only one.
Although a good initiative there were some eyebrows raised after the press conference that the race is to be staged on a Wednesday.
Great idea as long as it attracts a decent standard of horse.
I wouldn’t be happy if I was a local owner and my horse was balloted out because of an agreement that saw a no-hoper from thousands of miles away guaranteed a place due to winning a race on a surface that top class horses invariably avoid in that country.
I’m not a big flat racing fan in the U.K let alone the U.S (Breeders Cup aside) so can anybody tell me whether there are any races stateside that guarantee the winner an entry ?
Lee
I think it’s all done on prizemoney won rather than actual races, but also I think there is a committee somewhere that has final say.
Have Kempton actially staged any other 9f races there this season? I think that is the only one.
There was a 9f conditions race won by Campanologist in March this year.
Great initiative this for those of us who are pro all-weather. Hat’s off
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What has John Dunlop got against all-weather by the way. He hardly has a runner on the surface let alone a winner.
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Kentucky placed Bold Arrangement would not have made the top twenty of middle distance european nags in 1986.
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