Racing (Horse) : General Horse Racing Thread

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Secret retains perfect record.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Sun

Pearl Secret had been considered too immature to be risked against many of the world's top sprinters at Royal Ascot next week, but it will not be long before he throws his hat into the ring after stretching his unbeaten record to four at Sandown.

David Barron's powerfully-built colt had already been anointed as a potential Group One performer after winning in minor company at Doncaster and York earlier in the season.

Royer-Dupre relies on Man.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...e&sub=&day=Sun

Alain de Royer-Dupre is expecting a big run from Reliable Man in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot on Wednesday.

Last year's French Derby winner has been well beaten in two starts this term, behind Cirrus Des Aigles in the Prix Ganay and Golden Lilac in the Prix d'Ispahan.

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Frankel fails to scare off rivals.


http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...e&sub=&day=Mon

Frankel will face 10 rivals when he puts his unbeaten record on the line in the Queen Anne Stakes in the opening race of Royal Ascot 2012 on Tuesday.

Sir Henry Cecil's colt has produced some stunning performances during his 10-race career to date and was ominously perhaps most impressive on his four-year-old debut in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.

Classic joy for Murtagh.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...2&sub=&day=Mon

French 1000 Guineas heroine Beauty Parlour was denied a Classic double as the Johnny Murtagh-ridden Valyra ran out a shock winner of the Prix de Diane at Chantilly.

Although unbeaten in two previous starts, Jean-Claude Rouget's Valyra was allowed to start at 25-1 as seemingly the least fancied of three runners for the Aga Khan.

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Frankel aiming to enhance record.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Mon

Frankel goes for his 11th straight victory as he bids to get Royal Ascot off to the best possible start in the Queen Anne Stakes tomorrow.

Sir Henry Cecil's superstar colt has carried all before him so far and heads into the first race of five glorious days as the long odds-on favourite, having made an impressive reappearance as a four-year-old in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury last month to register his sixth Group One success, despite suffering a setback that cost him 10 days' work.

Sea seeking Ascot success.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Mon

Born To Sea has another chance to come out of the shadow of his illustrious half-brother Sea The Stars when he goes for glory in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot on Tuesday.

The three-year-old colt has just one success to his name but while he was well-beaten in the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, he finished as well as anything when fifth in the Irish equivalent, where he had the benefit of a hood to help him settle. Connections still regard him as a classy type and he will be sporting the hood again.

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O'Brien has the Power in Palace.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...Palace&day=Tue

Power is the number one hope for the Aidan O'Brien stable in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot as the Ballydoyle trainer bids for a seventh win in this prestigious contest.

Last year's Coventry Stakes hero put a poor performance in the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket behind him when winning the Irish equivalent. He was ridden that day by the trainer's son Joseph O'Brien, who is in the saddle once again.

Ortensia chasing Stand glory.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Tue

As Australia watches the every move of Black Caviar at Royal Ascot this week, the Antipodean raid on the big meeting gets under way on the opening afternoon with Ortensia in the King's Stand Stakes.

Behind Diamond Jubilee Stakes-bound Black Caviar at Flemington in November 2010, the mare has hit the headlines in her own right since joining trainer Paul Messara, winning the Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai on World Cup night.

Hannon aims quartet at Coventry.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Tue

Richard Hannon has high hopes of his team of four as the Marlborough trainer bids to add to his tally of three Coventry Stakes wins at Royal Ascot on Tuesday.

With Rock City (1989), Canford Cliffs (2009) and Strong Suit (2010) on the roll-of-honour in this two-year-old feature, Hannon looks to Sir Prancealot, The Taj, Olympic Glory and Master Of War to give him another victory.

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Mighty Frankel still unbeaten.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...e&sub=&day=Tue

Frankel stretched his unbeaten record to 11 races by winning the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot this afternoon.

Sir Henry Cecil's colt went into the race at very short odds and got the meeting off to a terrific start.

He was eased out to go past his pacemaker two furlongs out and stretched further and further clear in the closing stages to pass the post a long way ahead of Excelebration

The greatest racehorse in the world ever.

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Bridge strikes King's Stand gold.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...d+gold&day=Tue

Little Bridge struck for Hong Kong in a furiously run King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The Danny Shum-trained six-year-old was always towards the head of affairs and was the last off the bridle under Australian jockey Zac Purton. The 12-1 shot put the race to bed with a burst a furlong out and while Bated Breath tried to challenge, he was three-quarters of a length down at the line.

Improved takes Palace prize.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Tue

Most Improved ran out a ready winner of the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The 9-1 chance suffered an early-season setback that ruled him out of the Craven Stakes and the 2000 Guineas, and he had no luck in running in the French Derby at Chantilly earlier this month, but he suffered no such trouble on this occasion in the hands of Kieren Fallon.

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Mullins tastes Ascot victory.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Wed

Simenon gave leading National Hunt trainer Willie Mullins his first taste of Royal Ascot success when careering away with the Ascot Stakes in the hands of Ryan Moore.

Mullins is a regular trainer of winners at the Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown Festivals, but is a rare visitor to the summer showpiece meeting. A high-class Flat performer for Andrew Balding before joining Mullins to go hurdling, Simenon showed some smart form in his first few appearances over timber.

Improved takes Palace prize.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Wed

Most Improved ran out a ready winner of the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The 9-1 chance suffered an early-season setback that ruled him out of the Craven Stakes and the 2000 Guineas, and he had no luck in running in the French Derby at Chantilly earlier this month, but he suffered no such trouble on this occasion in the hands of Kieren Fallon.

Always travelling strongly, the Brian Meehan-trained three-year-old ran to the lead in the home straight and kept tight to the rail. Hermival and Gregorian came at him inside the final furlong, but Most Improved comfortably held the pair off to score by three-quarters of a length and a head.

Dawn delivers in Coventry.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Wed

Dawn Approach lived up to his tall reputation with a hard-fought victory in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The Jim Bolger-trained son of his Derby winner New Approach was one of the first off the bridle in the six-furlong heat, but the 7-2 chance stayed on strongly under Kevin Manning to run out a decisive winner in the end

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Think spoils House party at Ascot.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Thu

Aidan O'Brien's So You Think recorded his 10th top-class victory in the 150th Anniversary of Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The former Australian superstar suffered a shock odds-on reverse in this 10-furlong prize 12 months ago, but he got the job done in fine style on this occasion. Always travelling strongly in the hands of the trainer's son, Joseph, the six-year-old (4-5 favourite) looked likely to run out an easy winner when cruising to the front halfway up the home straight.

The Queen's Carlton House emerged on the far rail to launch a serious challenge, but So You Think saw him off, asserting close home to score by two and a quarter lengths. Carlton House just held on to the runner-up spot from Farhh, who finished as well as anything having encountered traffic problems in the straight.

Joviality has Gosden smiling.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...e&sub=&day=Thu

Joviality held off the late lunge of Chachamaidee to get John Gosden off the mark for Royal Ascot 2012 in the Windsor Forest Stakes.

Sir Henry Cecil's runner-up could go down as an unlucky loser after missing the break completely and ultimately being beaten just a neck.

Kitty rockets to Queen Mary glory.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...e&sub=&day=Thu

Ceiling Kitty claimed a fiercely-run Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot for Tom Dascombe.

Although beaten on her first couple of starts, the youngster came good with victories in a Kempton maiden and a Listed race at York.

Dascombe had a much better fancied filly in the Group Two contest in the shape of Upward Spiral, but that one could only finish fourth as Ceiling Kitty claimed top honours at 20-1.

O'Brien strikes with Ishvana.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...shvana&day=Thu

Aidan O'Brien got off the mark for Royal Ascot 2012 as apparent second-string Ishvana claimed the Jersey Stakes.

The master of Ballydoyle also saddled leading fancy Reply, ridden by his son Joseph, but he failed to make an impact in the Group Three contest. Although Ishvana had filled the runner-up spot in the Irish 1,000 Guineas on her latest appearance, she was allowed to go off at 20-1.

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Caviar on the menu in Jubilee.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Thu

Australian superstar Black Caviar will face 14 rivals when she puts her unbeaten record on the line in Saturday's Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Peter Moody's mare has enjoyed sensational success in her homeland, winning each of her 21 starts. She is the second-highest-rated horse in the world behind Tuesday's mesmerising Queen Anne Stakes winner, Frankel.

Coronation charges excite Channon.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Thu

Mick Channon is excited about saddling Samitar and Laugh Out Loud for Friday's Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Samitar gave the West Ilsley handler his first major Classic success when springing a surprise in the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh. Young jockey Martin Harley keeps the ride in this Group One contest

Godolphin have duo going for Gold.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Thu

Godolphin have two runners in this afternoon's Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, with Frankie Dettori opting to ride Colour Vision and Michael Barzalona set to partner Opinion Poll.

Colour Vision, trained by Saeed bin Suroor, was only third to the reopposing Fame And Glory at the Berkshire venue last October, but has since returned to action with a taking success at Kempton.

"Colour Vision showed a good turn of foot when he won at Kempton Park and he came out of that run in good order," Bin Suroor told www.godolphin.com.

Camelot has Champion Stakes option.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Thu

A mouthwatering clash between Frankel and Camelot remains a possibility after trainer Aidan O'Brien confirmed the Champion Stakes at Ascot as an option for the latter.

Sir Henry Cecil's Frankel secured his 11th consecutive victory in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot on Tuesday and is next likely to step up to 10 furlongs for the Juddmonte International at York, bringing October's Champion Stakes into play.

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Reckless powers to Norfolk glory.


http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Thu

Reckless Abandon overcame clear signs of inexperience to record his second victory from as many starts in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Clive Cox's Doncaster winner was smartly away in the five-furlong Group Two and quickened up to take the lead heading towards the furlong marker. It looked as though the 4-1 shot would throw away his chance as he hung violently left in the hands of Adam Kirby, coming right across to the stands side rail.

Frankel rating pegged at 140.


http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Thu

Frankel's new rating of 140 has been confirmed by the British Horseracing Authority.

Many expected Sir Henry Cecil's star to be assessed at an even higher mark than that after his 11-length demolition job in Tuesday's Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, a race he went into on a rating of 138.

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Gold-en Vision for Frankie.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Fri

Colour Vision and Frankie Dettori survived a stewards' inquiry as they held off fellow Godolphin runner Opinion Poll to take top honours in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.

The Italian rider had to choose between the pair earlier this week and many saw it as a surprise when he sided with Saeed bin Suroor's Colour Vision over the more established Opinion Poll.

Weld takes Highway to glory.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Fri

Princess Highway emulated her dam Irresistible Jewel as she powered to victory in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Dermot Weld saddled the latter to win the Group Two event 10 years ago in the hands of Pat Smullen for Moyglare Stud, and the same team struck gold once again with Princess Highway.

Investec Oaks second Shirocco Star set out to make all under Darryll Holland, getting a few on the stretch turning in after a canny ride, but Princess Highway (17-2) swept into the lead with two furlongs to run and did not stop, passing the post with six lengths to spare over 5-2 favourite The Fugue.

Reckless powers to Norfolk glory.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Fri

Reckless Abandon overcame clear signs of inexperience to record his second victory from as many starts in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Clive Cox's Doncaster winner was smartly away in the five-furlong Group Two and quickened up to take the lead heading towards the furlong marker. It looked as though the 4-1 shot would throw away his chance as he hung violently left in the hands of Adam Kirby, coming right across to the stands side rail.

Energizer powers up in Tercentenary.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Fri

Energizer became the first German-trained winner at Royal Ascot when registering a comfortable victory in the Tercentenary Stakes.

Jens Hirschberger's hooded three-year-old was given a confident ride by Adrie de Vries and was produced with a withering run down the outside of the field in the home straight.

The 15-2 chance picked up Stipulate heading towards the final furlong and kicked clear to score by two and a half lengths. Rewarded and Kirsty Milczarek grabbed third place.

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Distance test for Dunaden.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Fri

Dunaden bids to confirm his middle-distance credentials when he contests the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot on Saturday.

Winner of the Melbourne Cup last year, he went on to land the Hong Kong Vase over 12 furlongs but has yet to make a mark in two starts at that trip this term, finishing third in the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket before fellow Hardwicke runner Aiken had him in the same position at Chantilly.

Noble's mission to follow Frankel.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...rankel&day=Fri

Frankel may have romped home on the opening day of Royal Ascot, but his full-brother Noble Mission faces a tougher task as he raises his sights to Group Two company today.

Like his unbeaten sibling, Noble Mission is trained by Sir Henry Cecil and he steps him up in both quality and distance in the King Edward VII Stakes, a race often referred to as the Ascot Derby.

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Chippendale on winning streak.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...e&sub=&day=Fri

Two Sir Henry Cecil-trained stablemates fought out the finish of the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, with Thomas Chippendale just getting the better of Noble Mission.

The runner-up was done no favours inside the final furlong when he was squeezed between Thought Worthy and the eventual winner

Newfangled spanks Albany rivals.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...e&sub=&day=Fri

Newfangled proved a different class to her opponents in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The John Gosden-trained daughter of New Approach had created a big impression when successful on her Newmarket introduction a fortnight ago and she was a strongly-supported 7-4 favourite to follow up in this six-furlong Group Three contest.

A smart start meant she was in front from the outset and it was clear after a furlong that she was going to take some catching. William Buick asked his mount to quicken at the halfway stage and she readily put daylight between herself and her rivals in impressive style to win by two and a half lengths from Agent Allison.

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Fallen crowned Coronation queen.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Fri

Fallen For You showed style and speed in equal measure to win the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot for the red-hot John Gosden operation.

William Buick brought the 12-1 shot through with a swooping challenge from the rear in the straight to run out a three-and-a-quarter-length winner over stablemate Starscope. Irish History finished third, another two and a quarter lengths in arrears.

Sussex beckons for Frankel.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...e&sub=&day=Fri

Sir Henry Cecil has confirmed the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood as the most likely next port of call for Tuesday's awesome Queen Anne Stakes winner Frankel.

The world's highest-rated racehorse produced a career-best performance when annihilating his Group One rivals over a mile.

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Estimate lands Royal victory.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Sat

Estimate sparked Royal celebrations at Ascot when Sir Michael Stoute's filly appropriately won the Queen's Vase.

Two days after Carlton House was just denied by So You Think in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes, Her Majesty The Queen returned to the sacred Royal winner's enclosure for the first time since Free Agent claimed the Chesham Stakes in 2008.

The sense of occasion in Diamond Jubilee year was lost on no one as Her Majesty was afforded a rapturous ovation when receiving the prize for victorious owner from her husband Prince Philip, the Duke Of Edinburgh.

Gatewood too good in Wolferton.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...d&sub=&day=Sat

John Gosden and William Buick continued their domination of the fourth day of Royal Ascot when Gatewood got up close home to win the Wolferton Handicap.

Fresh from earlier wins on Newfangled and Fallen For You, Buick settled the recent York and Epsom scorer in the middle of the field early on.

The 3-1 favourite looked to have plenty to do when Mijhaar hit the front a furlong out, but the George Strawbridge-owned four-year-old came with a relentless run and struck by a neck. Black Spirit flew from the rear to claim second, with Mijhaar a narrow third and Qaraaba fourth.

Eton storms the Palace.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...d&sub=&day=Sat

Trainer Roger Varian notched his first Royal Ascot winner when Eton Forever defied a big weight in the Buckingham Palace Stakes.

The five-year-old, drawn on the far side, had started to become a little disappointing since winning the Spring Mile at Doncaster last year, but thrived at the Berkshire circuit