Racing (Horse) : General Horse Racing Thread

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Sea just swell for Goodwood date.

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

A trip to Royal Ascot is on the agenda for Sea Moon if all goes according to plan on his seasonal reappearance at Goodwood tomorrow.

Sir Michael Stoute's colt did not make his three-year-old debut until last June, when impressive in a York handicap. He then took a step up to Pattern class in his stride with a brilliant display in the Great Voltigeur Stakes on the Knavesmire, after which he finished a luckless third in the St Leger.

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Hall systems go for double bid.

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

Parish Hall attempts the first leg of a remarkable Classic double in the Abu Dhabi Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh.

Last year's shock Dewhurst Stakes winner bypassed the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket earlier this month due to the rain-softened ground, but trainer Jim Bolger is intent on making up for it over the next week.

Michelangelo in Ascot picture.

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

Michelangelo ensured the Casco Cocked Hat Stakes remained in exactly the same hands after overcoming glaring inexperience to catch Expense Claim in the closing stages at Goodwood.

A year ago it was another valuable colt, subsequent St Leger hero Masked Marvel, who carried Bjorn Nielsen's colours to victory in this Listed prize for trainer John Gosden and jockey William Buick, and Michelangelo looks an equally exciting three-year-old middle-distance prospect

World Cup hero in Sandown frame.

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

Dubai World Cup hero Monterosso is among the initial entries for the reopened Betfair Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown on Thursday.

The prestigious Group Two prize is seen as an ideal stepping-stone to some of the summer's major middle-distance prizes, but has this year been reopened after attracting only seven horses.

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Parish forced out of Classics.

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

Jim Bolger has ruled Parish Hall out of this afternoon's Abu Dhabi Irish 2000 Guineas.

The son of Teofilo has a leg infection and will miss next week's Investec Derby as well.

Parish Hall was last seen beating Power in the Dewhurst last autumn.

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Kailani added to Oaks field.

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

Godolphin have supplemented Kailani at a cost of £20,000 for Friday's Investec Oaks.

The filly will be bidding to emulate her mother, Kazzia, who won the Classic 10 years ago.

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Power lands Guineas glory.

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

Aidan O'Brien swept up another Classic as Power put his disappointing Newmarket run behind him to take the Abu Dhabi Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh.

Bated best in Temple thriller.

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

Bated Breath put up a superb performance to hold last year's winner Sole Power in a thrilling finish to the Betfred.com Temple Stakes at Haydock Park.

Roger Charlton's 2-1 favourite, trying to win over five furlongs for the first time, was always travelling sweetly just off the pace in the hands of George Baker, who was standing in for the suspended James Doyle.

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Moon eclipses Goodwood rivals.

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

Sir Michael Stoute's Sea Moon survived a major scare to scrape home in the Southern Daily Echo Tapster Stakes at Goodwood.

Ryan Moore set off in front at just a sedate pace on the 2-7 favourite, with Cill Rialaig for company, and while all looked to be going to plan, the Hughie Morrison-trained mare proved hard to shake off and was upsides three furlongs out.

Moore was not sending out too many distress signals on the colt and was soon back in control, only for Dandino to come powering through to lay down a serious challenge. Hayley Turner's mount looked to head the market leader over a furlong out, but Sea Moon battled back for a head success.

Tiddliwinks adds to gains.

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

Tiddliwinks followed up his recent Group Two success at York with victory in the Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh.

Kevin Ryan's runner, who landed the Duke Of York Stakes last time, came with his customary late run to claim Group Three honours after Jimmy Styles set the early gallop.

Pat Smullen was happy to employ waiting tactics on the winner, tracking Crusade and Fire Lily down the middle of the track, and when the 8-1 shot hit his stride he powered through to steal a half-length verdict. Jimmy Styles put in a renewed challenge to take second, with The Reaper back in third.

Emulous off to a flyer.

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

Group One-winning mare Emulous set out on her new campaign with an impressive show in the Group Three TRI Equestrian Stakes at the Curragh.

Dermot Weld's charge was giving away at least 2lb to the rest of the nine-strong field after winning the Matron Stakes last term.

Pat Smullen settled the 4-5 favourite in fifth before making his move a furlong out and the response was almost immediate as Emulous picked up with the minimum of fuss to record a one-and-three-quarter-length verdict in style from outsider One Spirit.

Channon polishes off Marble.

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

Cay Verde held a prominent position all the way before landing the Emirates Equestrian EBF Marble Hill Stakes at the Curragh a shade cosily in the hands of Richard Hughes.

The Mick Channon-trained 5-2 shot disputed the early lead with Liberating, but when the race got serious over two furlongs out it was Dylanbaru and favourite Infanta Branca who emerged as bigger threats.

Cay Verde always had their measure, however, and had three-quarters of a length in hand at the line without having to be put under strong pressure.

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Sagawara shines in Saint-Alary.

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

Sagawara showed a commendable attitude to win the Montjeu Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary at Longchamp.

Trained by Alain de Royer-Dupre and ridden by Christophe Lemaire, the three-year-old daughter of Shamardal had just enough in the tank to deny the onrushing Rjwa in the 10-furlong Group One contest

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Samitar strikes in Irish Guineas.

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

Samitar gave trainer Mick Channon and young jockey Martin Harley their first taste of Classic glory with a surprise victory in the Etihad Airway Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh.

The 12-1 chance had shown some smart form as a juvenile but looked to have plenty on her plate, having finished down the field at Newmarket and in the French 1000 Guineas on her two starts this year

So You glitters in Gold.

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

So You Think got his career back on track by easily defending his crown in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh.

The Australian superstar registered his first Group One victory in Europe in this mile-and-a half prize 12 months ago, but he was returning to Ireland this weekend having suffered four consecutive defeats, including when a slightly disappointing fourth in the Dubai World Cup on his first start of 2012.

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Lilac blossoms in D'Ispahan.

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

Golden Lilac got the better of the hat-trick-seeking Cirrus Des Aigles to make a winning seasonal reappearance in the Prix d'Ispahan at Longchamp.

Words of praise for Speaking.

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

Speaking Of Which annihilated his rivals in the Group Three Airlie Stud Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh and is heading for the Irish Derby.

The Cork maiden winner, fitted with first-time blinkers, ran keenly in the early stages, but was still travelling better than anything once they straightened for home under Pat Smullen.

Dermot Weld's 7-1 chance shot to the lead once the gap came and continued to extend his advantage. The official margin of victory was nine lengths, with the Aidan O'Brien-trained pair of Soon and Athens second and third respectively

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Black Caviar to swerve Sussex clash.

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

A clash between the equine superstars of the northern and southern hemispheres has been ruled out at Goodwood, with brilliant Australian mare Black Caviar not among the entries for the Qipco Sussex Stakes on August 1.

Prize-money was to be boosted to £1million if Black Caviar and Frankel could be enticed for what would have been one of the races of all time, with the pair unbeaten in 31 outings between them.

Art books Ascot ticket.

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

Artigiano may have booked his place in what is likely to be a huge Godolphin team for Royal Ascot by turning in an impressive opening victory at Leicester.

Mahmood Al Zarooni's American-bred juvenile caught the eye when narrowly beaten into third on his racecourse debut at York earlier this month and was the 11-10 favourite to go a couple of places better in the Pytchley Maiden Stakes.

It was clear from halfway Frankie Dettori's mount had his rivals in real trouble and he finished his race off in some style, scoring by six lengths from Pearl Noir.

Fabre - No doubt about Lilac class.

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

Andre Fabre has hailed Golden Lilac as the best filly he has ever trained in the wake of her defeat of Cirrus Des Aigles in the Prix D'Ispahan at Longchamp on Sunday.

Making her seasonal reappearance, the four-year-old quickened up impressively to beat the Dubai Sheema Classic winner, and she has only lost once in her life, when third to Galikova in the Prix Guilaume D'Ornano last August.

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Balding unfazed by Bonfire.

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

Trainer Andrew Balding believes Bonfire's temperament will stand up to the test of the electric atmosphere of Saturday's Investec Derby at Epsom.

Winner of the Dante at York, so often the key trial for the blue riband race, some were concerned about his exuberant antics on the way to the start that day.

Improved makes Chantilly return.

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

Most Improved will make his return to action in Sunday's Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly, trainer Brian Meehan has confirmed.

One of the talking horses over the winter, he was forced to miss his intended comeback in the Craven Stakes and also the 2000 Guineas through injury.

He held an entry in the Heron Stakes at Sandown on Thursday, but Meehan has aimed straight for the top with the Lawman colt, who has done all his racing to date over seven furlongs.

House returns in Gerard.

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

Carlton House is the headline name in a field of six for Thursday's Betfair Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown.

The Queen's colt won last year's Dante and was third in the Derby, but will be having his first start since finishing fourth in the Irish Derby.

Dubai World Cup winner Monterosso is a surprise absentee from the race, and Godolphin rely instead on Hunter's Light. Colombian, who landed the Gordon Richards Stakes for John Gosden, returns to the Esher track.

Poll heads Sandown contenders.

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

Godolphin's star stayer Opinion Poll heads a field of 10 declared for the Betfair Henry II Stakes at Sandown on Thursday.

The Mahmood Al Zarooni-trained horse won the Dubai Gold Cup on his latest start and takes in this Group Three contest ahead of a possible tilt at the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot

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O'Brien has six appeal in Oaks.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...n+Oaks&day=Wed

Maybe is one of Aidan O'Brien's six runners in a field of 14 declared for the Investec Oaks at Epsom on Friday.

The daughter of Galileo bids to go two places better than in the 1000 Guineas, when she was a beaten favourite behind her stablemate Homecoming Queen.

O'Brien is going to the Surrey track with all guns blazing as he seeks a fourth win in the fillies' Classic. The Ballydoyle trainer is also represented by the unbeaten Kissed, Betterbetterbetter, Devotion, Twirl and Was. However, Kissed will only run if conditions are suitable.

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Dettori to share Godolphin mounts.

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

Frankie Dettori can no longer expect to take all the big-race rides as number one jockey to Godolphin, racing manager Simon Crisford has said.

Sheikh Mohammed's outfit recruited two further top riders this season in Mickael Barzalona, winner of the Derby last year on Pour Moi, and Silvestre de Sousa, runner-up to Paul Hanagan in the jockeys' title race.

Barzalona will ride Kailani for one of Godolphin's trainers, Mahmood Al Zarooni, in the Investec Oaks at Epsom on Friday, leaving Dettori without a mount.

Carlton ready for Sandown return.

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

Last year's Derby third Carlton House will be on something of a fact-finding mission as he is pitched back into action in Thursday's Betfair Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown.

The four-year-old was sent off favourite for the Investec Derby last year after winning two of his three previous starts, including the Dante, but the Queen's colt did not enjoy an ideal passage at Epsom and was subsequently fourth in the Irish Derby at the end of last June.

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Trainers back 'best rider' Dettori.

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

Several trainers taking advantage of Frankie Dettori's surprising availability on Derby Day have given a ringing endorsement of the superstar jockey's talents.

News outlets went into meltdown on Wednesday night amid a false rumour that the 41-year-old was to retire following the decision by Godolphin to choose Mickael Barzalona to ride Kailani in Friday's Investec Oaks.

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House shines in Brigadier.

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

Carlton House (10-11 favourite) made an accomplished return from a long absence by claiming the Betfair Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained colt, owned by Her Majesty The Queen, had not been sighted since finishing fourth in the Irish Derby last June, but looked the essence of vitality in Esher, and was perhaps a little too keen to get on with things, virtually from the start, as Colombian's early pace was sedate at best.

I'm A Dreamer came through to lead two furlongs out, closely followed by Hunter's Light on her outside, but Carlton House bisected that duo as they sprinted inside the final furlong to collect by a length and three-quarters in the hands of Ryan Moore.

Poll tops charts in Henry II.

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

The honourably consistent Opinion Poll secured another big race in the Betfair Henry II Stakes at Sandown.

Trained by Mahmood Al Zarooni and ridden by Frankie Dettori, the six-year-old stayer could not have looked any more stylish in the Group Three over an extended two miles.

Dettori double as Cogito strikes.

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

The Frankie Dettori-ridden Cogito (8-1) won an engaging renewal of the Betfair Heron Stakes, giving the jockey a double on the Sandown card after his win in the Henry II Stakes on Opinion Poll.

Brian Meehan's colt preserved his unbeaten record by taking some not inconsiderable scalps courtesy of another cute ride from the Italian.

Fugue Maybe able to turn the tables.

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

The Fugue bids to reverse the 1000 Guineas form with Maybe when she lines up in the Investec Oaks at Epsom on Friday.

John Gosden's filly was one place behind the Ballydoyle representative in fourth spot at Newmarket and has since run out a convincing winner over Twirl in the Musidora Stakes over an extended mile and a quarter at York.

Oaks trip Maybe an issue - O'Brien.

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

Joseph O'Brien has his fingers crossed Maybe will last home when she steps up to a mile and a half in the Investec Oaks at Epsom on Friday.

The 19-year-old is excited at the prospect of partnering the daughter of Galileo, who heads a strong team of fillies from his father Aidan's stable in the fillies' Classic, and though he was convinced Maybe would stay the eight furlongs of the Qipco 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, this extra half a mile is another matter.