Racing (Horse) : General Horse Racing Thread

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O'Brien: Camelot here to stay.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...o+stay&day=Tue

Aidan O'Brien is confident Camelot will not lack for stamina when he bids to follow up his 2000 Guineas triumph in the Investec Derby at Epsom.

The son of Montjeu rounded off his juvenile campaign with a superb performance in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster and he made a winning return when coming from last to first in the season's opening Classic at Newmarket.

"Being by Montjeu, you would have to be optimistic that he will stay, but there are also serious Danehill and Kingmambo traits in Camelot, and he has always been a horse with tremendous speed. However, I have not seen anything to suggest that he will not stay the trip at Epsom, but we won't find out until the day," said O'Brien at a press open day.

Discourse out of action.

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

Godolphin have revealed Discourse suffered a fractured pelvis when tailed off in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket earlier this month.

The three-year-old was considered a major contender for the fillies' Classic, having won each of her two juvenile starts, but trailed home a well-beaten 16th, with only stablemate Lyric Of Light behind her. She had been entered for the Irish 1000 Guineas and the Investec Oaks, but she is now sidelined.

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Cecil still eager for Caviar clash.

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

Sir Henry Cecil is all for a meeting between racing's two unbeaten superstars Frankel and Black Caviar, but concedes it could only happen in the Qipco Sussex Stakes at Goodwood

Cecil told British Champions Series TV: "I'd love them to meet and it would be good for racing. Racing needs champions. The only race they could meet would be in the Sussex Stakes."

Mofeed ruled out of Curragh run.

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

Akeed Mofeed will miss the Abu Dhabi Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh due to the effects of his minor setback.

John Oxx's three-year-old was forced to bypass the Newmarket Guineas and had been second favourite for the Investec Derby at Epsom before he was also ruled out of the Derrinstown Derby Trial last weekend

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Fugue furthers Oaks claims.

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

The Fugue (15-8) showed her credentials for the Investec Oaks with an impressive victory in the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York.

The John Gosden-trained filly showed no ill effects from an unlucky fourth in the 1000 Guineas to land this Classic trial in good style.

The odds-on favourite Twirl and complete outsider Aniseed cut out the running and it was the former who gave The Fugue the most to do at the business end of the race. However, she pulled away in the final furlong under William Buick to win by four and a half lengths. Esentepe was third.

Tiddliwinks runs out a game winner.

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

Tiddliwinks sprang a 25-1 surprise when coming from the rear of the field to capture the Grade Two Duke Of York totepool Stakes on the Knavesmire.

The six-year-old, trained by Kevin Ryan, was held up by Jamie Spencer in the early stages as his stablemate Bogart helped make the pace, with Bannock and Soul also prominent.

A close third in this six-furlong feature last year, Tiddliwinks produced a telling turn of foot to take the lead and hold on dourly by a neck from The Cheka, with strong-finishing Society Rock a neck back in third. Bogart was fourth.

Al Zarooni has faith in Mandaean.

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

Mahmood Al Zarooni expects to find out whether Mandaean is a realistic Investec Derby contender by running him in the Betfred Dante Stakes at York on Thursday.

This prestigious Group Two contest is widely considered the best of the British trials for next month's Epsom showpiece, with Authorized the last horse to complete the double in 2007.

Mandaean certainly looked the part on his two juvenile appearances for Andre Fabre, making an impressive debut at Longchamp before grabbing Group One honours in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud. He makes his Godolphin debut on the Knavesmire, but his trainer admits he does not know the full capabilities of his exciting colt.

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Bonfire sets up tilt at Derby.

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

Andrew Balding's Bonfire emerged as the most serious threat to Investec Derby favourite Camelot with an impressive comeback performance in the Betfred Dante Stakes at York.

The son of Manduro could hardly have promised more in his two starts as a juvenile, looking a class-act on his racecourse debut at Salisbury before finishing a luckless third in the Group One Criterium International at Saint-Cloud. His seasonal return had been shifted to Britain's most high-profile Epsom trial from last week's Dee Stakes at Chester due to the rain-softened ground on the Roodee and it proved a wise decision.

Izzi emerges on top in Middleton.

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

Izzi Top emulated her dam Zee Zee Top nine years earlier by winning the Betfred Middleton Stakes at York.

The 7-2 favourite was always travelling kindly in the hands of William Buick a couple of lengths behind the leader Mohedian Lady, who dictated affairs from the start until early in the straight.

The John Gosden-trained filly picked up well but was challenged strongly by Sajjhaa and she had to be driven out to supplement her recent Newmarket victory by a length and a half. I'm A Dreamer stayed on to finish third after having had difficulty getting a run at a crucial stage of the race.

Moore and Fury foil Prince.

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

Fury (3-1) just denied last season's Cambridgeshire hero Prince Of Johanne in a tremendous finish to the Betfred Hambleton Stakes at York.

The two greys had the finish of this mile handicap to themselves and the result was in doubt right to the line with the William Haggas-trained Fury just obliging in the hands of Ryan Moore.

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Camelot heads Derby contingent.

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

Camelot remains one of 24 colts still engaged in the Investec Derby after the latest scratchings stage.

Aidan O'Brien's representative has been a warm order for the June 2 Classic at Epsom all winter, but shortened to odds-on with many bookmakers after his smooth performance in the 2000 Guineas.

There were no surprise drop-outs, with Thursday's Dante Stakes winner Bonfire still engaged along with Lingfield Derby Trial winner Main Sequence

Red-letter day for Cadeaux.

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

Red Cadeaux set himself up for another crack at the Melbourne Cup when landing his biggest success to date in the Sportingbet Yorkshire Cup at York.

Connections of Ed Dunlop's globetrotter are gunning for revenge after going down by a whisker to Dunaden in the Flemington showpiece last November.

All roads lead to Australia again for Red Cadeaux, who was handed a quote of 16-1 with Paddy Power after winning for the first time since the Group Three Curragh Cup last June.

Laugh books Royal Ascot ticket.

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

Laugh Out Loud could go to Royal Ascot after justifying 2-1 favouritism in the EquinITy Powered By Garmin Fillies' Stakes at York.

Mick Channon's grey, who did not race until January, was a decent eighth in the 1000 Guineas and took this Listed prize by a length from Electrelane.

Royal success in Trial.

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

Momentary sprang a huge surprise when landing the Swettenham Stud Fillies' Trial Stakes at Newbury in the colours of The Queen.

Having finished fourth on her course and distance debut a month ago, the Michael Bell-trained three-year-old was sent off at 33-1 in a field that included 1000 Guineas runner-up Starscope and last year's Fillies' Mile third Firdaws.

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Mighty Frankel takes Lockinge.

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

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/n...3.html&BID=465

Frankel put up yet another devastating performance to open his campaign with victory in the JLT Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.

Tom Queally sat in second behind his pacemaker for much of the Group One contest before easing to the front in the final quarter-mile.

Excelebration tried to keep tabs on him, but Sir Henry Cecil's superstar stretched well clear showing all his class and power

Theres only one word to describe this horse and that is simply brilliant.

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Brindisi killed in accident.

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

Cheltenham Festival winner Brindisi Breeze has died following a freak accident.

The six-year-old gelding was killed after jumping out of his paddock during the night at Scottish trainer Lucinda Russell's stables and reportedly being struck by a tanker

Tregoning strikes with Hawaafez.

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

Hawaafez put up a game performance when making most of the running to land the Listed JLT Aston Park Stakes at Newbury for trainer Marcus Tregoning.

Kieren O'Neill always had the filly at the head of affairs, sharing pacemaking duties with Meganisi, but they were separated by the width of the track in the straight.

Expense claims Gold Cup.

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

Expense Claim continued on the upgrade by completing a hat-trick in the Blue Square London Gold Cup at Newbury.

The Andrew Balding-trained gelding (7-1) quickened up in great style for Jimmy Fortune two furlongs out to open up a clear lead.

Hajras did the best of the rest, but was two lengths down at the line without ever looking like getting near enough to the convincing winner, who was adding to earlier victories at Kempton and Salisbury. Clayton was a further two and a quarter lengths away in third.

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Fame strikes on Navan return.

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

Aidan O'Brien's top-class stayer Fame And Glory made a successful reappearance in the Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan as he took the first step towards the defence of his Ascot Gold Cup crown.

Winner of this Listed race 12 months ago, the 5-4 favourite was always prominent and led a long way from home under Joseph O'Brien, who was keen to give him as easy a race as possible in view of the exertions to come.

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Mullins star lands French prize.

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

Thousand Stars led home Zaidpour to give Willie Mullins a one-two in the Gras Savoye Hipcover Prix La Barka at Auteuil.

The valuable Grade Two event is seen as the final recognised trial before the French Champion Hurdle, which Thousand Stars also won last year.

A real favourite in the yard, Thousand Stars began his season in November winning the Morgiana Hurdle and ran some superb races in defeat behind the likes of Hurricane Fly and Big Buck's.

O'Sullevan joins in accolades.

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

Sir Peter O'Sullevan, the BBC's revered retired racing commentator, described Frankel as a "joy to behold" after the wonder colt notched up a perfect 10 of victories.

The four-year-old, trained by Sir Henry Cecil, took his winning tally into double figures when blowing away the opposition in the JLT Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on Saturday and the 'voice of racing' was suitably impressed.

Arc star back with a victory.

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

Danedream made a winning start to the campaign when landing the Grosser Preis Der Badischen Unternehmer at Baden-Baden.

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Frankel set for Queen Anne.

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

A run in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 19 remains the likely "first preference" for Frankel, trainer Sir Henry Cecil said.

The brilliant colt delighted on his four-year-old reappearance when powering home by five lengths in the JLT Lockinge Stakes over a mile at Newbury on Saturday, and while the 10-furlong Prince of Wales's Stakes at the Royal meeting the following day is an option, the mile of the Queen Anne appears to have been deemed more suitable at this stage.

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Frankel in a world of his own.

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

Dominic Gardiner-Hill believes Frankel is capable of taking his rating to even greater levels after the BHA's handicapper allotted the colt a mark of 138 for his victory in Saturday's JLT Lockinge Stakes.

The decision to raise him 2lb from last season's 136 makes Frankel officially the highest-rated horse in the world for 25 years. Prince Khalid Abdullah's unbeaten and 10-time winner can only be trumped by the same owner's Dancing Brave (141 in 1986), although the World Thoroughbred Rankings scale has been lowered slightly since that time. Frankel leaves behind Peintre Celebre and Generous on 137 and Sea The Stars on 136.

Gold Cup hero Oats dies, aged 26.

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

Kim Bailey's 1995 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Master Oats died on Monday morning at the age of 26.

The strapping gelding, who carried the yellow and black colours of Paul Matthews, lived a long and happy retirement in the Cotswolds after his achievements

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King Kauto ranked No.1 again.

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

Kauto Star has regained his crown as the top-rated steeplechaser in training in the Anglo-Irish Jumps Classifications.

It is the second time in his remarkable career that the Paul Nicholls-trained superstar has won back the accolade after losing it, and he did it even though he was unable to reclaim the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He deposes Long Run at the top of the ratings.

Think booked for Curragh Gold.

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

Aidan O'Brien is responsible for six of the nine entries for the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh on Sunday, headed by So You Think.

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Aigles among Longchamp contenders.

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

Penitent, Planteur and Colombian feature alongside Cirrus Des Aigles in a list of 10 entries for Sunday's Prix D'Ispahan at Longchamp.

David O'Meara's Penitent has won a Listed race at Doncaster and stepped up on that when landing a Group Two at Sandown on heavy ground. Colombian, trained by John Gosden, raced frequently in France last season and began this campaign with a good win in the Gordon Richards Stakes

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Knight announces retirement.

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

Three-times Gold Cup-winning trainer Henrietta Knight has announced her retirement.

Knight, 65, will give up her National Hunt licence to spend more time with her husband, Terry Biddlecombe, who suffered a stroke last October. She will forever be remembered for Best Mate, who won three consecutive Gold Cups at the Cheltenham Festival between 2002-04

Coquet enters Oaks equation.

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

Hughie Morrison added another potential string to his Investec Oaks hand when Coquet ran out a game winner of the Height Of Fashion Stakes at Goodwood.

With Shirocco Star, second in a trial at Newbury recently, already booked for Epsom, the Sir Percy filly won what is considered to be just about the last recognised chance for fillies to stake their claim for the Epsom Classic.

Buick sweet on Fugue Classic chance.

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

William Buick believes The Fugue can give him a genuine opportunity of a first Epsom Classic victory in next Friday's Investec Oaks.

John Gosden's stable jockey has won the last two St Legers for his boss, as well as Group Ones around the world, and will also have a Derby ride in Thought Worthy. But The Fugue, who is the joint-favourite for the Oaks with some bookmakers, is his main hope on the Surrey cambers

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Queen bids to continue reign.

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

Homecoming Queen faces seven rivals as she attempts to follow up her surprise victory in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket in the Etihad Airways-sponsored Irish equivalent at the Curragh on Sunday.

Aidan O'Brien's filly set the early pace three weeks ago and could not be caught under Ryan Moore, who will be replaced in the saddle by Joseph O'Brien.