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27. Mai, Darren
What’s on the 27th May? Both Auteuil and Baden-Baden are on Sunday 25th May. Baden-Baden actually begins on 17th May, but as usual, it’s 6 race days spread over 8 days.
Darren – AngloGerman
Hang on, May 25th……..
(gets diary)……..
AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!
I’m in Baden-Baden!!!!
Darren – Anglo-German
In the last hour, I’ve received a very interesting e-mail from Germany. It would appear that, in addition to Stellino, Henderson also has another German Flat recruit in his yard, but this one could be a bit special!! Turfshuffle is the name, and I remember him giving Weststern 4 kg and an absolute hammering in a decent race at Cologne in August last year when trained by Uwe Ostmann. I understand he’s just arrived at Hendersons yard (that’s Turfshuffle, not Uwe Ostmann!!), but he’s a really decent horse, and I for one can’t wait to see him run!
Darren – AngloGerman
No space for Karasi, Zabenz, Hirapour, Or Noir De Somoza – all legendary international jumpers
Honestly – I actually had 14 horses written down – and one of them was Karasi!! His third Nakayama Grand Jump victory was fantastic – it’s another ‘lump in the throat’ moment.
If I could write down many more, I would – I could have gone for Or Noir De Somoza, but I have always thought that Mid Dancer was the best of the Mulryan/Chaille-Chaille team.
Darren – AngloGerman
I don’t know of a ‘Grand Prix’, but the biggest chase in France is the Grand Steeplechase de Paris at Auteuil and it’s always the last Sunday in May.
Darren – AngloGerman
As you’ll probably gather, my list has a bit of an international feel, and although I’ve followed racing for many years, most of these are pretty much modern day. I’ve done a Top 10, and apologies if I blabber on a bit:
REGISTANA – A living legend. The greatest horse I’ve ever seen. Won 16 on the trot in Germany, Italy and the Czech Republic, including 2 Velka Pardubickas. I still maintain that she would have won the Sporting Index Chase at Cheltenham if Peter Gehm hadn’t gone the wrong way.
FIEPES SHUFFLE – Won have won the Agfa Hurdle at Sandown if he hadn’t fallen at the last. Even so, Christian let him go for the Champion Hurdle, but he didn’t do himself justice at all. I’ve always been a fan of the horse, and now I’m involved with the stable, it’s even better. He’s had injury niggles, but makes his comeback at St. Moritz tomorrow. We’ll wait and see what happens tomorrow, but if I can get my way, he’ll be running in England soon!
DESERT ORCHID – As I type this, a large photo of Dessie hangs in my living room. A horse that even non-racing fans took a shine to. Although most mention his Cheltenham victory, I remember his superb win in the Irish National in 1990 as something very special.
McDYNAMO – How many horses win FIVE Grand Nationals? But he did – the Breeders Cup Grand National at Far Hills in the USA.He’s 12 now though, and I think he might be on the verge of retirement.
THE FELLOW – I was at Cheltenham in 1991 for the Gold Cup, and actually though he had beaten Garrison Savannah, but it was only to be a matter of time before he soared to greatness. My only regret is that I never saw any of his wins in France.
SIBERION – Germanys answer to Dessie! A beautiful grey horse who files off in front and runs his opponents ragged. Christian trained him for a few years, where the Italian Champion Hurdle was among his many victories. Now with Tony Martin in Ireland – he’s got himself a superstar!
MID DANCER – Another prolific winner. Remember watching in disbelief as he flopped in the Queen Mother the other year, but almost unbeatable in his native France.
HELMAC – Yes, sorry about this, he’s another one of Christians!! I’m getting too biased!! Anyway, he’s practically unbeatable in the unique spectacle of the lake races in Germany, and can jump about anything.
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE – OK I admit it, I was crying my eyes out when he fell at the end of the Sporting Index in November. I videod the race, and watching it even now, there’s a tear in my eye and a lump in my throat! Just absolutely wonderful that he got up, and now has a happy retirement.
ROYAL MOUGINS – Actually bred by Jeff Pearce at Newmarket, but a real star in central Europe. Trained in the Czech Republic, but actually beat Siberion in the 2005 Italian Champion Hurdles. Has switched to novice chasing this year, and looks fantastic. If he runs in England – beware!
Actually, I could go on….but I don’t want to upset anyone, so I’ll shut up now!!!
Darren – AngloGerman
Knowing how closely matched Stellino and Weststern were on the flat in Germany, and having an idea of how much Weststern was sold for, I would guess that Tonys estimate is a little low, and that Colins is a little high – I would go for around the £35,000 – £45,000 mark. At this figure, I think Stellino could well turn out to be a bit of a bargain.
I think the most ever paid for a German horse to go hurdling is Donaldson, who was EUR 300,000 from what I remember, but he was a proven group horse on the flat in Germany. I spoke to his trainer, Peter Rau last year at Baden-Baden (a true gentleman and a very nice chap), and he said that although the horse was no Saddex, he was good enough to win Listed/Group 3 races at least. Hopefully, he’ll come good over hurdles (his 3rd place last time out was quite encouraging). Certainly Donaldson would be a different class to Stellino on the flat.
Darren – AngloGerman
I’m absolutely astonished (and also very pleased) that the faller got up. I was watching the race in my local bookmakers during my lunchbreak, and I turned round to a couple of the cashiers and said that, sure, I was really happy to see Stellino win but I hate it when a horse gets killed. I was 100% certain he wasn’t getting up from that, as it looked to me he had broken his neck. However, I have seen some falls in my time, and several nasty ones (including last years Belgian Grand National), when the horse somehow looks to be finished, only to rise up and be seemingly OK. And as I’m writing this, I feel compelled to add three words on the end here – Spot the Difference!
Darren – AngloGerman
Our horse Weststern came up against Stellino a couple of times last year – at Cologne in July and then at Frankfurt in September, both times in a Class 2 handicap. We were well ahead of Stellino at Cologne, but Stellino turned the tables on us at Frankfurt thanks to a huge weight pull. I don’t think there is much between the two on form, but I think Stellino will make a really good hurdler. Incidentally, he is a half brother to our other horse, Sworn Mum (being out of Sweet Tern). Yes, I think Stellino could be a really decent prospect.
Darren – AngloGerman
Darren, I’m pretty sure the equivalent contest last season was a 3m1.5f hunters’ chase, so this race would never have been a goer for Quirino, this season or last. To quote Eric Idle’s Life of Brian character on the crucifix, “What have you lost? Naffin!!!”
By the way, that’s the same animal I saw winning a low sun-affected Towcester beginners’ chase this time last year, isn’t it?
gc
First of all, this was definitely the race that Christian had in mind for him – he wanted to run him around this time of year, and the distance, course and conditions suited him (apart from the veterans thing of course!!). That being said, he probably would have been a non runner today anyway due to the gales in the south.
Yes, he won the ‘semi-chase’ as I call it at Towcester this time last year where the entire home straight was run on the flat, and he overturned Esprit Saint of Alan Kings if I remember correctly. Not sure where he goes from here, but he’s only 7 so time is on our side. FYI, after Towcester last year, he ran twice back in Germany, and then at Ludlow.
Darren – AngloGerman
Unfortunately, this subject has hit a rather raw nerve with me! Basically, Christian e-mailed me last week to say that Quirino was going to make his long awaited seasonal debut in a race at Wincanton, so I took the day off work (day job) to make sure I’d be able to do my duties (2nd job). Unfortunately, Christian then e-mailed me a few days later to say that Quirino wasn’t eligible for the race – yes, you’ve guessed it, it was this veterans race! There I was, all hopes high of seeing one of our stable stars running – and he can’t get in because he’s only 7. That being said, I do think these sort or races are a good idea – it gives a good old racing stalwart a chance to rekindle former glories.
Darren – AngloGerman
Maybe I should whisper this, but the way things are going, what price Channel 4 getting the Grand National before too long? Let’s face it, yes, they do have McCririck, but look at C4s coverage, and then look at the BBC with Willie ‘Great jockeys don’t make great presenters’ Carson. It’s almost as if someone at the Beeb has said ‘Horse Racing? No, we don’t really need it’. Mind you, maybe we should be grateful – especially if you saw the racing coverage on TV in Germany. Erm…well, really, there isn’t any!!
Darren – AngloGerman
I’m always a fan of those commentators who just can’t quite keep their emotions in check. Try this for size:
http://www.tjk.org/Content/Visual.aspx? … opUp=1&l=2
This is the Group 1 Prime Ministers Cup at Veliefendi in Istanbul, and no less jockey that Kieren Fallon is on the inside in the yellow colours. Now unless you’re Turkish, you might not understand what the commentator is saying here, but I think he might well have needed a lie down afterwards!! I tell you, he gives this EVERYTHING!!
‘And over to the second race at Warwick Farm, Australia, with your commentator, ‘Mad’ Mike McCattermole’.
Actually, he couldn’t find Khyber Kim at Newbury, but even I can’t imagine the Catt going into a David Coleman-like meltdown like that!!
Darren – AngloGerman
Bearing in mind how much My Way de Solzen loves soft ground, I’m wondering if a trip to France should be on the agenda – I think he’s made for Auteuils hurdles course. Plenty of decent Group races, and very decent prize money.
Try this Venusian:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfjDhX7FJWQ
Strange, I never got into trotting, although in Germany today, there were THREE trotting meetings and only Neuss holding a racemeeting.
FYI, if you like your trotting, ZE Turf always do prices (http://www.zeturf.com) on the French and Scandinavian trotting, and Racebets (http://www.racebets.com) are pretty an-European, including the German stuff.
Darren – AngloGerman
