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I was present at Chepstow when he won the Persian War at a very generous 9/1. I was a guest at the track that day, and the two horses I took away from the card were Sire De Grugy and this handsome chap.
Prior to the race, I was in the paddock and kept remarking about what a chasing prospect he was for the future. So much so that someone suggested I take him home with me!
A lovely horse and the game has lost a top prospect.
Rest In Peace, handsome.
Without Frankel running riot, Excelebration would have won twelve consecutive races, including seven at the highest level (although his programme would almost certainly have been different if Galileo had never briefly entertained Kind).
He boasts a far more decorated career than Kingman and, based on what they achieved and how the form book reads, would have defeated Kingman. Simple.
A great ride from Spencer. If Moore had been riding we would all be fainting and begging the rest of the world to recognise. Sorry to put a negative spin on it, but with all the attention on Moore’s international exploits this season, Spencer recently has ridden a Grade 1 winner in Canada, finished a close fourth in one of Australia’s biggest races, and ran in the money on four occasions at the Breeders Cup, three of them on relative longshots.
Can you imagine the furore if Joseph O’Brien had drawn a blank and been brushed aside on two fairly short-priced turf favourites? Nothing against Moore, but the undeserved negativity thrown at quality jockey’s is a bit frustrating and ignorant on occasions. Spencer and Joseph are much appreciated on the international stage, more so than domestically.
The place to be was on the speed, and the onus was on Spencer to get his mount across. He caught the home-based jockey’s napping, and demonstrated his tactical awareness and horsemanship in what has proved a very demanding race for our jockey’s in the past.
What a journey this horse has provided for connections. Osbourne is an absolute credit, and it goes without saying that he should be given more ammunition. A great effort from both of his challengers.
Good point, BH.
We often accuse the American’s of being insular, but they cater for both turf and dirt performers at their championships, and I still rate the Breeders Cup as the most enjoyable thoroughbred event the global flat code has to offer.
I never criticise Channel Four racing because we should appreciate any such coverage on terrestrial television, but I’ m always impressed with the production and presentation efforts for the Breeders Cup. American racing focus on both the human and equine stories, and do it with such an analytical passion. It’s the little things too, like footage of the horses in their stable during the broadcast.
As for TONY. I know I wasn’t the only one screaming as he entered the stretch, even though little or no money was down. You knew something special could happen when Spencer looked over his shoulder coming round the final bend.
A great tactical ride. I notice Baffert somewhat complained about his manoeuvre at the start in his defence of his winner. Spencer caught the home-based boys napping and caused marginal interference, if any.
I hope Osbourne will have the chance to prove himself further after an immaculate effort with this horse. An articulate, passionate and thoroughly decent chap.
Well done, Jamie’s.
Debdebdeb has only finished outside the first five on just one start in seventeen. This consistent filly gave every indication this trip will suit on her Ascot fourth over two miles, and wears a hood for the first time. She could have had better luck with the draw, but is worth a couple of quid.
Will also have a flutter on her stablemate, Communicator, and the admirable Noble Silk under Frankie.
‘Greatest mare of the century’ is probably a little extreme given how weak this Arc field was. Don’t forget Goldikova, Zarkava and Zenyatta!
I think people were confusing ‘competitive Arc’ with ‘great Arc’ pre-race. The hopeful punts connections of the likes of Tapestry, Kingston Hill and even old Al Kazeem had at the race underline that fact.
Still, it’s a wonderful performance from Treve. She ripped them apart, gave away weight and showed how brilliant she really is.
In the process of winning successive renewals of the greatest race in the world, she has done what no horse has done since Alleged – 36 years ago – and that includes Zarkava.
She didn’t just win, either – she absolutely destroyed top, top class oppostion. I was Zenyatta’s biggest fan, but she never beat anything close to the level of opposition Treve has encountered, while Goldikova is perhaps the one filly/mare that is, and this is the key word, ‘arguably’ her superior based on class, consistency, longevity and versatility. In my opinion, Treve has more class, but has not produced it over the same duration as Goldikova.
She overcame physical problems to give weight away and show tactical versatility by winning from an inside draw after her success from an outside draw last year.
It’s one thing to compete and dominate in the manner of Goldikova, but to win what is consistently the best race in the world in successive years without turning a hair, showing a blistering turn of foot, that is something rare.
So rare, that it hasn’t been done since 1978! There is something about Treve that sets the pulse racing.
Fighting fit tomorrow, she could trounce them again.
I’ll be backing Kingston Hill as a saver. I think he’s still learning and improving and whatever the draw, he lacks the early pace to make the best of a good one, and for a bad one to do too much damage, as he’ll be eased to the outside, I think and brought with his run.
Good luck to all
JoeWell done, Joe. Kept the faith.
I was a massive supporter of her last year, but thought she would find a couple too good.
Kingston Hill has danced every dance this year from eight furlongs to one mile-six. He’s my horse of the year. Hope you got on 1-2-3-4.
The last five renewals have seen nine of the fifteen placed horses emerge from a single figure draw, and six from a double figure position. It should be noted that only Treve has won from a wide berth during that time, but Orfevre came close from stall eighteen two years ago.
Conversely, 2011 heroine Danedream came form stall two, and Youmzain bounced from stall one when finding only Sea The Stars too good in 2009.
I think that if you’re good enough the draw will not stop you.
I suppose the influence of the draw on the likes of Avenir Certain (1) and Taghrooda (15) will depend on your preconceived opinion of their respective ability.
Of course, rather than just concentrate on the number, one should also look closer at those surrounding each contender and how that will influence the tactical scenario of the race.
Avenir Certain has Gold Ship, Treve and Flintshire on her outside. Gold Ship can go forward and track the pace, while both Treve and Flintshire will be waited with. Will that help her chances, or have a detrimental effect?
Of greater significance are the success of 3YOs (nine of the last fifteen placed horses were from the classic generation), and fillies have been well represented in recent years. Treve reigned supreme last year, while Dandream led home a 1-2-3 for the girls in 2011.
I’m with you on
Ashpan Sam
, VTC.
I had a bit of 25/1 on Tuesday when I noticed connections were quick to secure the services of Kieren Fallon.
He gave weight to both Intrinsic and Watchable when splitting that pair at Goodwood in May, and followed up impressively at Epsom on Derby day. Seemingly lost his way before an eye-catching effort last time out over five furlongs behind Blaine at York.
Has gone on pretty much anything in the past, but wouldn’t mind a touch of rain.
I think there’s a huge race in John Smith’s Cup runner-up,
Zain Eagle
.
He smashed recent Rose Of Lancaster winner, Amralah, last year but has been rather inconsistent since. He’s a lightly raced sort, open to plenty of improvement and looks certain to enjoy the stiff nine furlongs at HQ. Connections preferred tactics this term suggest the draw could be crucial to his chances.
I was quite tempted by an ew double on the Cowell-trained duo, Goldream (Ayr Gold Cup) and Zain Eagle (Cambridgeshire)
I like the Jean-Claude Rouget pair,
Avenir Certain
and, in particular,
Prince Gibraltar
.
Avenir Certain is unbeaten in six starts with two classics to her name. Obviously the twelve furlong distance is an unknown, but she settles well and has a blistering turn of foot. Her trainer gave a glowing recommendation when he stated ‘she reminds me of Zarkava’.
Prince Gibraltar is something of a forgotten horse. He landed the Criterium de Saint-Cloud as a juvenile (Hartnell held) and started as low as 2/1 when favourite for the Prix Du Jockey Club. There was a lot to like about his performance when a fast-finishing third behind The Grey Gatsby that day (given too much to do), and he finished in identical fashion when runner-up in the Grand Prix De Paris, narrowly failing to catch Gallante (Prix Niel bound).
He would almost certainly stay even further, but he also has one almighty kick at the end of his races and is versatile ground-wise.
The Grey Gatsby’s defeat of Epsom Derby winner, Australia, in the Irish Champion suggests there may not be a lot between the respective 3YOs this year and, with four out of the last five renewals going to the classic generation, including three fillies, Treve certainly has a challenge to retain her crown.
I really can’t look beyond the front three in the market – Kingston Hill, Snow Sky and Romsdal – for this contest, with preference for the latter.
The respective Epsom efforts of Kingston Hill and Romsdal put them head and shoulders above their rivals, but I think the Gosden-trained colt can reverse the form.
Kingston Hill went three-for-three and had bagged a Group 1 prize at this venue before Romsdal even knew what a racecourse looked like, so it’s fair to assume that the Derby third has more room for improvement and, in my opinion, will relish the extra distance. I’m not convinced the same can be said for the Racing Post Trophy winner.
Romsdal has given every indication that he will stay every yard of this trip, and his pedigree certainly supports the visual impression. His dam was a maiden, placed twice over one mile-six, while the two biggest money-spinners offered by his sire – Halling – are Cavalryman and Opinion Poll.
Snow Sky could be anything, but he has a bit to find on the leading duo and I think tomorrow will come a little too soon for him to bridge the gap. Of the remainder, Hartnell is an admirable sort who will be battling on when others are beaten – he could make the frame if the leading candidates under-perform.
My idea of the 1-2-3 :
1 Romsdal
2 Kingston Hill
3 Snow SkyRichard Hughes and Mark Johnston are two people worth listening to in the horse racing industry. They are both articulate, knowledgeable horseman who make the health of the thoroughbred a top priority.
I have followed this sport for the past twenty-three years and have noticed recently just how fragile the breed has become. Increased coverage and the introduction of social media has perhaps exaggerated this conception but, without accessing any statistics, I see more racehorses breaking down on the course and an increase in reported injuries / fatalities at home on the gallops.
In America, a combination of therapeutic and performance-enhancing drugs, coupled with an ever increasing ’need for speed’, has apparently weakened the breed. There is no schedule for stamina in a country where fourteen furlongs is considered a marathon. Consequently, fast, fragile stallions are producing fast, fragile offspring. It doesn’t take a genius to understand that fast and fragile is certainly not a good combination.
Conversely, European-bred stock has been in such high demand throughout the world in more recent years, with home-grown talent being acquired to race in America, Australia and the Far East. One need only look at the card and subsequent result of last year’s Melbourne Cup to fully appreciate the regard in which our thoroughbreds are held.
European stock is widely respected because it is versatile, durable and generally has a fantastic constitution. However, it should also be noted that in the aforementioned event, one of our own lost its life.
Richard Hughes is correct about his concerns regarding the future of the thoroughbred:
That’s because horses nowadays never learn how to race on firm ground and, as a result, they are not hardened to it. That’s desperately sad.
Yes, racing on very fast ground can cause a horse to get jarred up, but it just means you have to wait with the horse for a while. Jarring is not an injury and soon comes out of a horse.
Increasingly, then, watering is not just damaging racecourses but also racehorses. I am not exaggerating when I say it is weakening the thoroughbred breed. As we increasingly race horses on softer ground than was for centuries the case, we are softening up horses at the same time.
This is alarmingly true, and our widely-respected breed is now becoming increasingly fragile. Statistics may indicate that firm ground is unsafe, but greater research and common sense must ask the question
’Is it a cause, or the consequence of a weaker thoroughbred?’
Leg 1 L’UNIQUE / WYSE HILL TEABAGS
Leg 2 CASUAL SMILE
Leg 3 HARRIS TWEED
Leg 4 MONSIEUR JAMIE
Leg 5 VIBRATO VALTAT
Leg 6 AYAAR / BROWNSEA BRINKI would rather put a couple quid on one race or a little ew double, but who can argue with £7.5 million. Worth a crack!!
I’d be happy with the place fund!
