THE RACING POST WEEK MONDAY JULY 18th to SUNDAY JULY 24th 2011

THE RACING POST SUNDAY JULY 24th   2011

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NATHANIEL STRIKES IN DRAMATIC KING GEORGE.

BIG - RACE ASCOT SUCCESS FOR BUICK AND GOSDEN
MARRED

BY DEATH OF REWILDING

 

NATHANIEL STRIKES IN DRAMATIC KING GEORGE.

BIG - RACE ASCOT SUCCESS FOR BUICK AND GOSDEN

 MARRED BY DEATH OF REWILDING

ALASTAIR DOWN hails the dignified and responsible reactions from the King George - winning trainer

“GOSDEN STRIKES ALL THE RIGHT NOTES IN SOMBRE TRIUMPH

“He did everyone in racing a massive favour that deserves our enduring gratitude. It was a performance that I can only describe as statesmenlike

“ This was a King George that stripped the senses back to bare metal, but it was salvaged by a man equal to the needs of the hour in John Gosden, triumphant in the race and nothing less than magisterial in its aftermath. 

“After REWILDING broke a cannon-bone and speared Frankie Dettori into the turf two furlongs from home, the Godolphin colt careered on until coming to a halt just before the line. This sad sub plot had it in its power to upstage the main event and potentially provide its most vivid lasting image, and a profoundly unfortunate one at that.

“It was no fault of the ultra-progressive winner NATHANIEL that he returned to a more subdued reception than that which befits a King George winner, and this was one of the definitive moments of Gosden’s career as it was 51 years to the day since his father, Towser, won the race with AGGRESSOR.

“Gosden said ‘I sat on an armchair and rode a finish that day, then fell off and sprained my wrist. It’s taken me a long time to emulate my father and to have done so is a massive thrill.”

“But then, instead of wallowing in the moment, the big man grew a foot taller in front of our eyes by producing a masterclass in his TV interview with the BBC. Sensing the importance of the occasion, he defused and averted a potential PR disaster for the sport by flawlessly addressing the demise of REWILDING with a fluency and lucid compassion that no other member of the training profession could have matched.

“Gosden, who had watched the race down at track side near the winning post, was among the first to reach REWILDING and, having reassured the all - important viewing public – or at the very least given them an utterly plausible professional analysis of REWILDINGS demise – the trainer proceeded to repeat the exercise for the benefit of Radio 5 Live listeners. Gosden’s contribution may not strike you as the pivotal event of the afternoon, but I would argue that in instantly seeing the bigger picture – and having the wisdom to step back from his own moment of triumph – he did everyone in racing a massive favour that deserves our enduring gratitude. It was a performance that I can only describe as statesmanlike . (Here here, JMC Turfcall) 

“So what do we make of NATHANIAL, who quickened to lead over two furlongs out and ran on strongly to win by two and three-quarter lengths from WORKFORCE, who hung through the final furlong in a display that would raise serious questions were it not for the fact that he was struck into and must have been feeling it?

J.Margaret Clarke Turfcall

 WORKFORCE will have sensed that there was something frightening about REWILDING’S behaviour, his greased lightening reaction to get away, to flee as quick as possible away from what he rightly sensed to be an horrific accident. Animal’s can get as freaked out as we do, sometimes they are far quicker than us in sensing danger no matter in whatever guise, spooked.

ALASTAIR Racing Post “We will next see NATHANIAL in the Arc, for which he will have to be supplemented, as he was here for £75,000. Happily he is owned by enthusiasts who rejoice in the name of Rothschild and I don’t begrudge then any of their many pennies. The Rothschilds made their money when banking was a respectable trade, not a charter for cheats, fools and vagabonds.

“And when they made a mistake, they didn’t expect you and I to clear up after them.”

16-PAGE PULLOUT FREE INSIDE

Superb guide to this week's five-day bonanza on the Sussex Downs, featuring Alastair Down on the clash we've all been waiting for-FRANKEL V CANFORD CLIFFS in the Sussex Stakes to be run on Wednesday July 27th the 3rd race on the Goodwood Card

TODAYS RACECARDS: Ascot, Pontifract, Carlisle, Maisons-Laffitte and Hoppegarten

16-PAGE PULLOUT FREE INSIDE

Superb guide to this week's five-day bonanza on the Sussex Downs, featuring Alastair Down on the clash we've all been waiting for-FRANKEL V CANFORD CLIFFS in the Sussex Stakes to be run on Wednesday July 27th the 3rd race on the Goodwood Card

TODAYS RACECARDS: Ascot, Pontifract, Carlisle, Maisons-Laffitte and Hoppegart

THE RACING POST SATURDAY JULY 23nd 2011

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SATURDAY  IT’S ANOTHER SIZZLING SUMMER SATURDAY

WORK TO RULE? Pic shows three of today’s challengers WORKFORCE, REWILDING and ST NICHOLAS ABBEY bidding to win the King George vi and Queen Elizabeth Stakes to be run at Ascot at 4.30pm.

THE BEST PREVIEWS for all today’s big-race-action from Ascot, York and Newmarket.

PRICEWISE Value bets from the service the bookies fear with 11 races live on BBC1 and C4.

FREE SHOT AT THE totescoop6. Superb offer for racegoers at today’s big meetings.

JON LEES BRINGS US TODAY’S BIG TALKING POINT on a KING GEORGE CAST WORTHY OF THIS RACE'S RICH PAST. 

“DIAMOND OF A RACE THAT ADDS LUSTRE TO THE SPORT –

“IF BRITISH racing’s crown jewels have needed a polish then the clash of WORKFORCE, ST NICHOLAS ABBEY and REWILDING ensures that today’s £1 million King George vi and Queen Elizabeth Stakes has the hallmarks of a diamond renewal 60 years after the race was first run.

“Although it has drawn the smallest line-up since 1966, it has also attracted one of its strongest fields, in which last year’s Derby and Arc winner WORKFORCE takes on ST NICHOLAS ABBEY, the champion two-year-old he was meant to meet at Epsom and who is now beginning to forge his own formidable reputation.

“NATHANIEL, added to the field on Monday morning at a cost of £75,000 will provide a strong three- year-old representative.

“Youth and experience, how the big four King George riders measure up ….

REWILDING 4 9-7 partner FRANKIE DETTORI age 40

WORKFORCE 4 9-7  partner RYAN MOORE age 27

NATHANIEL 3 8-9 partner WILLIAM BUICK age 23. (receives 12lb weight allowance.)

ST NICHOLAS ABBEY 4 9-7 partner JOSEPH O’BRIEN  age 18

The key issue here will be which of these four horses will respond best to their partner this afternoon as this race unfolds …. 

ST NICHOLAS ABBEY seems to have been in the wilderness for most of his career to date. Has JOSEPH O’BRIEN been finding the key at home to unlock his talent ?  Are we to see this afternoon the results of JOSEPH and ST NICHOLAS ABBEY’S  homework?  YES, YES, YES  go for it JOSEPH you have a good chance to win this

TODAY’S RACECARDS Ascot, York, Newmarket, Newcastle, Salisbury, Lingfield and Wexford.

THE RACING POST FRIDAY JULY 22nd  2011

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TONY O’HEHIR

“ST NICHOLAS OUT TO 11-4 AS O’BRIEN IN THE HOT SEAT

“JOSEPH O’BRIEN was last night looking forward to the highest- profile ride of his short career after he was named as the jockey of ST NICHOLAS ABBEY in the £1m King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot tomorrow.

“The surprise selection of O’Brien coincided with a further easing in the odds about ST NICHOLAS ABBEY, who will represent his powerful Coolmore connections alone after stable-mate SEVILLE failed to appear among the five declared runners in the Betfair –sponsored race.

“O’BRIEN, who’s father Aiden trains ST NICHOLAS ABBEY, said at Leapordstown last night: ‘I’m delighted and grateful to get this opportunity, and I am really looking forward to riding  ST NICHOLAS ABBEY in the King George.”

“The 18-year- old, whose sole British win came in an apprentice handicap at Ayr last July, seemed unfazed at the prospect of his most high-pressure booking so far.

“I ride the horse a lot at home, so I know him very well,” he said. O’BRIEN , the joint champion apprentice in Ireland last year, already has a classic under his belt after his Irish 2,000 Guineas victory on RODERIC  O’CONNOR in May, but most of the big-race rides in his father’s stable have been taken by more senior riders this season.”

“HONEST HUGHIE. Racing for Change has aimed at the wrong target. Flat racing is about the summer, isn’t it ……?

PETER THOMAS  "Visits the honourable trainer as he prepares for a big week with PISCO SOUR and SAGRAMORE interview. Railing against racing’s wrongs and wanting to put them right. The racecourses are in control because they gather the income, but if they don’t spread it around we’ll go elsewhere. If we don’t have enough decent racing, the sport will die.

It has finally become plain that the Jockey Club, who were perceived as rich people who were taking the piss, actually did know what they were doing when it came to stewarding.'

PETER THOMAS visits a trainer enjoying a successful Flat season and who has plenty to say about the future direction of horseracing in Britain.

“It’s a rare morning of clement English summer in East Ilsley as the sound of idle chatter and lazy hoofbeats drifts to the foot of the Berkshire Downs. First lot has trodden the forgiving chalkland turf with a sense of high season purpose and now the debriefing has begun …..

 “The Hon Hugh Morrison, son of the 2^nd Baron Margadale, heads up to the big house for a cup of tea, his Etonian education passed down in some small way to those less fortunate than himself. It’s not quite the way Hughie himself would recount the tale. In fact, he wouldn’t recount it at all, but it’s a social vignette that amuses and informs in equal measure. The well- spoken  but slightly spiky 50-year-old was born to a life of ease, spent between the family’s stately piles in Wiltshire and Scotland, but the title and the estates went to his brother, and though bred in the purple and steeped in the tradition of the patrician Tory landowner, he has spent his adult life having to make a living.

“Morrison reports that his splendid wife, Mary, has advised him many times not to be quite so openly confrontational, but hordes of wounded racing administrators will testify to the fact that he rarely takes any notice. He is discretion personified when it comes to divulging details of his recent visit to the wedding of  Prince William to Kate Middleton, whose parents have shares in his good sprint handicapper SOHRAAB, but on matters of racing idiocy and injustice he’ll speak openly and at length.

Morrison on Boris Johnson: “He was in my house at Eton. I was captain of house but he was a scholar and he ran rings around us. I saw him at a meeting the other day and he said hello and even knew I had a runner that day. He may look as though he’s just come out of the bathroom, but he’s incredibly alert and aware.”

Morrison on Kate and Wills, “Have I tried to persuade them to have a horse with me? I don’t think that I’d do that. Having a horse might be seen as extravagant of them, I think.”

Morrison on the whip, "I think you see more horses lost because of the whip than won. You often see a horse being hit and going nowhere, then the jockey puts his hands back on the reins and it starts going forwards. Punters often like to see jockeys using the whip, but Jo Public doesn’t like it at all.”

Morrison on hard times at the tracks:

“Everything is cut to the bone now, down to the champagne for owners after a race. There’s fizzy water these days and you don’t even get a dry biscuit. I’m told the cost of giving free sandwiches to owners  is 12 grand a year, so some courses take the view they’d rather put it into prize money, which is fine if it does go into prize money. The big corporate groups have a lot of money but they’d rather just paint the outside and use the rest of the cash to buy another racecourse.”

Morrison on: Nic Coward and Paul Roy.

“You’ve got to have faith in our leaders, but they haven’t delivered. Racing needed a strong personality to drive the industry forward and pull all the vested interests along kicking and screaming , but we didn’t get it . The betting industry will always give as little as possible to the people who want as much as possible and now the sale of the Tote to a bookmaker has been a disaster.”

TODAY’S RACECARDS: Ascot, Thirsk, Southwell, York, Newmarket, Chepstow, Down Royal and Wexford.

THE RACING POST THURSDAY JULY 21st 2011

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JON LEES

ASCOT KING GEORGE vi and QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES: (23.07.2011)

FRANKIE “ I’m raring to go on REWILDING  …. We’re going there with a good horse and it’s going to be a fantastic race. REWILDING didn’t really handle Epsom (third in 2010 Derby) very well last year. He was still on the weak side, but he has matured very well and his form is rock solid. The King George was always the plan."

PRICEWISE ON THE EBOR

ANTI-POST SPECIAL with form, ratings, trends and all the latest running plans.

“TOM SEGAL delves into one of his favourite races and finds a 20-1 cracker.

FREE IN THIS SUNDAY’S RACING POST 16-PAGE PULLOUT, ITS GOING TO BE GLORIOUS ALL NEXT WEEK AT GOODWOOD.

START YOUR OWN GOODWOOD PREVIEW BY GETTING SUNDAY’S RACING POST. ALL YOU NEED FOR THE GREAT SHOWDOWN –CANFORD CLIFFS V FRANKEL.

ALASTAIR DOWN sets the scene for a momentous contest. DON’T MISS IT

“Day-by-day race guide by chief analyst Graham Guest

“SNOW FAIRY’S trainer Ed Dunlop on what Goodwood means to him ….

“James Pyman puts the meeting under the microscope in his search for winners

“Our (form) experts select their outstanding bets of the week

“How to get the most from a visit to one of Britain’s loveliest racecourses.”

RACING POST- BE IN THE KNOW

HORSERACING A UNIQUE AND REMARKABLE SPORT

THE RACING POST WEDNESDAY JULY 20th 2011

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KING GEORGE COUNTDOWN (Ascot Saturday July 23. 4.30pm BBC1)
QIPCO CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES RACE

STEVE DENNIS meets the always entertaining JIMMY LINDLEY

“He loves a good story and 51 years ago he was at the centre of one in the Ascot feature, riding the giant AGGRESSOR to a brilliant victory over PETITE ETOILE and LESTER PIGGOTT. PLUS relive the epic clash of the seventies –GRUNDY V BUSTINO.

COUNTDOWN TO GOODWOOD

THE HANNON TEAM CHALLENGE FOR GOODWOOD NEXT WEEK 
“CANFORD PRIMED FOR DUEL ON THE DOWNS. No excuses says Hannon but he would prefer to take on FRANKEL at a different track.

“HORSE-BY-HORSE –GUIDE TO HANNON’S  FORMIDABLE CHALLENGERS

RODNEY MASTERS TALKS TO RICHARD HANNON

“RICHARD HANNON yesterday heaped further plaudits on the best horse of his 40- years training career, but conceded that CANFORD CLIFFS would not be at his happiest on the Goodwood undulations when tackling FRANKEL in next week’s eagerly anticipated Qipco Sussex Stakes.

“Hannon who sent out CANFORD CLIFFS to claim the Group 1 prize 12 months ago, tempered confidence in his superstar’s prospects by arguing that the downhill parts of Goodwood’s track will, as last year, prove challenging to CANFORD CLIFFS and RICHARD HUGHES.

“Nevertheless, he insisted he would not use concerns about the course as an excuse should the three- time Royal Ascot winner be unable to deal with the year- younger FRANKEL, whose appreciation of the race’s 1m trip was also questioned by the reigning champion trainer.”

“CAMERON UNDER PRESSURE“PM CAMERON cut again as gamble gathers pace DAN CHILDS …“FOAM pie attacks aside, Rupert Murdoch came through yesterday’s Commons culture committee grilling largely unscathed but the jury is still out over the impact of the phone hacking scandal on Prime Minister David Cameron.

“Even before Murdoch senior , his son James and the former News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks had given evidence to MPs, the gamble on Cameron to depart the cabinet has gathered pace …..

“ENGLAND 3-1 TO RULE THE WORLD.”

“RPSPORT special with all the best bets as the Test series against INDIA, the top ranked- side in the world, gets under way at LORD’S tomorrow, including the verdict of WEST INDIES legend Michael Holding.”

IN TOMORROW'S RACING POST

PRICEWISE ON THE EBOR.
SERGEANT CECIL 1st 11-1
PURPLE MOON 1st 6-1
"The Totesport Ebor is one of Tom Segal's favourite handicaps and over the years he has produced a healthy profit in the York feature for his army of followers. He's been burning the midnight oil to come up with a big value selection for August 20th. Don't miss the Pricewise verdict."
LIVE C4 Totesport Ebor Meeting Wednesday August 17^th to  Saturday August 20^th  2011
EBOR ENTRIES 1m6f  £210,000  INFO

http://www.yorkracecourse.co.uk/racing/news/2009/08/red-merlin-heads-stellar-list-of-entries-for-totesport-ebor

Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival 2011 http://www.yorkracecourse.co.uk

view fixture details

TODAY’S RACECARD’S: Catterick, Lingfield, Worcester, Sandown, Leicester and Naas.

THE RACING POST TUESDAY JULY 19th 2011

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DAVID BAXTER MARKET FORCES PREVIEW

“Shake-up in King George betting as Stoute ace WORKFORCE is supported.”

“WORKFORCE looks set to go off favourite for the King George vi and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on Saturday after the market for the £1m showdown turned on its head yesterday. 

“Bookmaker Stan James stood alone last night in promoting last year’s Derby, and Arc hero to outright favourite,  but it looked only a matter of time before others followed suite.

JMC TURFCALL

It would be dangerous to follow suit in a race as this looks like turning out to be.

JULIAN MUSCAT ‘ THE CHOSEN ONE ….            
"I keep wondering why His Highness chose me. Even now, I still don’t know’
 
“As he prepares Royal Ascot hero REWILDING for the King George, the modest Mahmood Al Zarooni tells Julian Muscat how he still can’t quite believe his rapid rise in the Godolphin ranks …..

 

“When Sheikh Mohammed made a phone call less than three years ago it was to change the life of one young horseman forever. Julian Muscat hears his story.”  

“For Mahmood Al Zarooni, BLUE BUNTING’S victory in the Irish Oaks on Saturday made the perfect preamble for REWILDING’S  tilt at the King George vi and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. It has the makings of a stunning week for a man whose life changed dramatically with an unexpected phone call …. 

“At that time Al Zarooni was a cog in the wheel of Ali Al Raihi’s Dubai yard. He now runs Godolphin ‘s enterprise at Moulton Paddocks, where 200 horses reside and work continues apace to increase capacity as Sheikh Mohammed’s private stable on the northern fringe of Newmarket. Its no wonder he shakes in disbelief when he recalls how it came to be……” 

A fascinating and amazing read, don’t miss it ...

JON LEES SPECIAL FOCUS SUNDAY RACING THE BIG DEBATE

“WHY THEY DON’T LIKE SUNDAYS. Lack of interest from sponsors, the corporate sector and TV companies turns tracks off .....”
 

JMC TURFCALL

A MODEL JOCKEY, EDIE CAMPBELL A great pic from Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos) "Edie Campbell, the supermodel face of Burberry, brightens up a wet and grey day at George Baker's Whitsbury yard yesterday as she prepares for her ride in a celebrities' race being staged on ladies day at Glorious Goodwood a Thursday week." 

JMC TURFCALL

EDIE limbering up for her ride at Glorious Goodwood (1.55 Thursday July 28^th) walking with her tack to prepare her horse to ride out first lot. An athletic challenge for all the girls preparing to ride in this new 6f race. Perhaps this is the reason why MADONNA was unable to accept the invitation to ride.

IN TOMORROW’S RACING POST

“AT HOME WITH CANFORD CLIFFS RODNEY MASTERS reports from Richard Hannon’s yard as the stable star gears up for his epic clash with FRANKEL.”

“CANFORD V FRANKEL The first in a daily series of expert views on The Duel On The Downs.”

“KING GEORGE BUILD- UP The latest news, plus JIMMY LINDLEY tells STEVE DENNIS about the day he denied LESTER PIGGOTT a King George triumph aboard PETITE  ETOILE .”

TODAY’S RACE CARDS Musselburgh, Yarmouth, Bangor, Southwell, and Ballinrobe.

THE RACING POST MONDAY JULY 18th 2011

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REVIEW OF THE IRISH OAKS SUNDAY JULY 17th 2011

www.curragh.ie

3.45 Darley Irish Oaks  (Group 1) ( 3yo Fillies ) 1m4f.

Winner e246,600  2^nd e80,550

WIN:  BLUE BUNTING (USA) 3 9-0 partner FRANKIE DETTORI handler presenter SIKANDAR HAYAT trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni for Godolphin. breeder B M Kelley. 5-2 Distance sh, hd, and half a length. 2^nd BANIMPIRE 8-1. 3^rd WONDER OF WONDERS 5-4f

TONY O'HEHIR REVIEW "That's better Frankie! DETTORI and BLUE BUNTING atone for Epsom defeat with thrilling last-gasp win in Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh yesterday."

"DETTORI DELIGHT as he banishes Epsom woe on BLUE BUNTING


"THE nightmare of his Epsom experience was replaced by understandable elation at the Curragh yesterday when FRANKIE DETTORI produced BLUE BUNTING  with a storming
 last-furlong run to land the Darley Irish Oaks by a short head from BANIMPIRE."


"NOTHING WENT RIGHT for the Godolphin filly in the Investic Oaks and things went from bad to worse for DETTORI when he dropped his hands, lost third place and picked up a ten day ban for his error of judgement."

GRAHAM DENCH PREVIEW “WORKFORCE and NATHANIEL on course for Ascot showdown in SATURDAY’S King George vi and Queen Elizabeth Stakes looks set to be the latest classic of a vintage Flat season as last year’s Derby and Arc hero WORKFORCE and exciting three-year-old NATHANIEL became likely opponents for ST NICHOLAS ABBEY and REWILDING yesterday.”

 

JOHN RANDALL PREVIEW  “KING GEORGE COUNTDOWN, THE POST’S LEADING

HISTORIAN charts the race’s rich history and we also focus on legendry Italian champion RIBOT, the winner in 1956, to celibrate the 60th running of this race on Saturday.  Europe’s top midsummer show with a proud roll-call of superstars.” Don’t miss it.

HORSERACING A UNIQUE AND REMARKABLE SPORT

THE RACING POST WEEK MONDAY JULY 11th TO SUNDAY JULY 17th 2011

THE RACING POST SUNDAY JULY 17th 2011

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DARLEY IRISH OAKS SPECIAL (3.45pm) 

PREVIEW: “WONDER WHY SHE’S SO SHORT?

WONDER OF WONDERS is no bigger than 11-10 to gain revenge on her Epsom conqueror DANCING RAIN at the Curragh today, but our experts say Aiden O’Brien’s filly is no good thing .

“Why is she such a short price favourite?  Our (form) experts can’t help but wonder ……..”

 BRENDAN SHERIDAN CLERK OF THE COURSE AT THE CURRAGH.

TONY O’HEHIR brings news that “heavy rain caused three changes in the official description of the going yesterday, ending up as yielding.”

J MARGARET CLARKE TURFCALL. Tricky going conditions, so how does the Curragh Turf deal with such heavy downpours? 

GOING CONDITIONS ON RACECOURSES PUNTERS BEWARE

There is no point risking injury to your horses on ground that is unreliable, all the preparation work done at home can so easily end up getting thrown away on a racecourse where poor turf maintenance and inaccurate reports on changing going conditions are the norm.

 

The Turf on the Curragh one would believe to be long since established, therefore indeed the very best turf to race on, well able to deal with such downpours, but still after long periods of drought vulnerable to such heavy rain.  

TURFCALL PAUSE FOR THOUGHT

KEY STATEMENT FROM MICK CHANNON TO THE RACING POST (Licensed racehorse trainer Berkshire)  

“I’m running a business, the big stick doesn’t work. It hasn’t for thousands of years, but

no- one seems to have noticed.”

J MARGARET CLARKE TURFCALL. PHYSCOLOGY

Young people who study physcology at university find that there are no jobs available afterwards … how can this possibly be the case when the whole world and all the people and creatures attempting to live in it, especially the very young and the very old are crying out for true understanding and caring. The National Health Service run an 'inhouse' complaints department, as do the landlords from hell,  to insure that any true complaints are quickly fired in the waist bin.

TURFCALL PAUSE FOR THOUGHT

NEWBURY THE DAY’S RACING THAT TURNED INTO A

 RACEMEETING FROM HELL.

FREAKING OUT all who witnessed the shocking electrocution of two horses MARCHING SONG and FELIX ONE.

GRAHAM GREEN ”NEWBURY DEATH COMPENSATION OFFER ‘INSULTING’. “The owners of one of the two horses fatally electrocuted in the paddock at Newbury’s Toteport Trophy meeting in February plan to instruct solicitors after receiving an ‘insulting’ compensation offer from the racecourse’s insurers.

“MARCHING SONG cost 10,000 guineas when bought unraced from Juddmonte Farms in October 2009 by Graham Thorner, but with connections convinced the Andy Turnell-trained five- year-old was set to make a name for himself, he was valued at a sum well into six figures by the former champion jump jockey and connections  ...

“Thorner said: “ The offer was insulting and we will now be instructing solicitors.”

“Blame has still to be established for the deaths of the two horses, despite Scottish Electrical Power Distribution conducting an investigation into how a section of cable close to where MARCHING SONG and the JP McManus –owned FENIX TWO collapsed came to be live when thought to have been disconnected. However Royal and Sun Alliance is attempting to settle with both parties without admitting liability, owing to the ‘sensitive nature’ of the tragedy."

WHAT SORT OF PEOPLE OWN AND RUN NEWBURY RACECOURSE?

Clearly people who pay scant regard for the care and needs of the horses and their minders who make their racecourse tick without which they would have no business whatsoever. Another racecourse who fail miserably to comprehend bloodhorse literacy.

THE RACING POST SATURDAY JULY 16th 2011

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Please use this link for today's info
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THE RACING POST FRIDAY JULY 15th 2011

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REVIEW

NO JOY IN PARIS ... BUT MAYBE A SILVER LINING

"Aidan O'Brien's trio, spearheaded by Irish Derby hero TREASURE BEACH, had no answer to the finishing burst of Andre Fabre's MEANDRE in the Grand Prix de Paris last night, but the trainer was a happy man five minutes earlier as 1,000 Guineas favourite MAYBE struck at Leopardstown  ...

SCOTT BURTON REPORTS:

"Derby aces have no answer to MEANDRE as FABRE calls the shots ....

THE RACING POST THURSDAY JULY 14th 2011
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STORM THE BASTILLE!

“TREASURE BEACH leads O’Brien trio into battle in clash of the Derby winners at Longchamp.

PREVIEW TODAY’S ACTION FROM LONGCHAMP RUNNERS AND RIDERS CHALLENGE FOR THE 6.50 GRAND PRIX DE PARIS  GROUP 1.  1m4f  

LIVE ON RUK /ATR

“DERBY HEROES GO HEAD TO HEAD IN TREAT OF RARE QUALITY.

WIN:  MEANDRE 3 9-2 partner MAXIME GUYON  handler presenter? trainer Andre Fabre for Rothschild Family. 11-2 from SEVILLE distance one and a half lengths at 12-1

MAXIME GUYON strikes with MEANDRE a brilliant young horseman under the guidance of

FABRE.

DON’T MISS TOMORROW’S RACING POST - BE IN THE KNOW

“GOING CONCERN is it a case of going, going, gone or is it something we should stick with? Special Report on the controversial GoingStick.

J MARGARET CLARKE TURFCALL OPINION

No, no, no don’t throw the GoingStick experiment away. Look upon the GoingStick as a first

stepping stone experiment,  in an endeavour to sort out and provide accurate turf condition forecasts for each and every racecourse. Throughout this country there are many different soil types .......  and each horse galloping over turf hits the turf differently, some heavily, some lightly etc ....

DAVID ASHFORTH enjoys a spot of golf on the box.

ALLEZ FRANCE all the drama from Longchamp as we report on tonight’s

thrilling Grand Prix de Paris.  

“DON’T MISS OUR BASTILLE DAY SPECIAL GUIDE TO WHERE TO GO RACING IN FRANCE THIS SUMMER.

TODAYS RACE CARDS: Hamilton, Leicester, Cartmel, Doncaster, Epsom, Bath, Leopardstown, Killarney and Longchamp.

victorchandler.com The Open Championship DON’T GET TEED OFF!

LIVE ON BBC2.

HORSERACING A UNIQUE AND REMARKABLE SPORT

THE RACING POST WEDNESDAY JULY 13th 2011

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GOLF, GOLF, GOLF  FREE OPEN PULLOUT

24 – PAGES  UNRIVALLED BETTING GUIDE

Player-by-player analysis by golf’s smartest expert STEVE  PALMER,

his 50-1 top tip is revealed inside.

JON LEES FOCUS ON ASCOT FEATURE RACE SATURDAY 23^rd JULY

THE KING GEORGE vi and QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES

“ABBEY EVENS FOR KING GEORGE AFTER MAJOR PLUNGE

“Favourite tightens grip up as WORKFORCE drifts.

“THE King George vi and Queen Elizabeth Stakes market was last night in danger of becoming a one-horse book as a wholesale gamble on ST NICHOLAS ABBEY forced his price down to as short as evens.

“In echoes of the heavyweight support for his stablemate  SO YOU THINK  before that Aiden O’Brien-trained star’s Coral-Eclipse  win this  month, Boylesports and Ladbrokes  both went evens from 6-4 and Victor Chandler went 11-10(from 6-4) about the Ormonde Stakes and Coronation Cup winner for the 1m4f showpiece at Ascot on Saturday week.

“The plunge came on the back of news from Sir Henry Cecil that Khalid Abdullah’s MIDDAY could run in the King George should Eclipse second WORKFORCE  also owned by Abdullah, side step the race.

“WORKFORCE  drifted yesterday and is as big as 4-1 with four-firms, while MIDDAY attracted some support and is as short as 12-1 with Paddy Power and William Hill, although she can be backed at 20-1 with Totesport. Prince of Wales’s Stakes winner REWILDING is second favourite at a best-price 5-2.

“MIDDAY has an alternative target in Goodwood’s  1m2f Nassau Stakes, but Cecil thinks the longer trip at Ascot will be more to the fillies liking.

“Cecil said “We will consider the King George if WORKFORCE doesn’t run. MIDDAY has come out of her last race in Ireland (when she was second in the Pretty Polly Stakes) in good form.”

“ANDRE FABRE yesterday confirmed that the next stop for Investic Derby winner POIR MOI will be in the Prix Neil at Longchamp on September 11. The French  champion trainer will use the race as a prep for the Arc, in which a win for POIR MOI would give Fabre an eighth success in the race..

“Coolmore, who own ST NICHOLAS ABBEY and POIR MOI, have high hopes of Classic success on Sunday  with WONDER OF WONDERS, who was one of  14 fillies left in the Darley Irish Oaks at yesterday’s confirmation stage.

“Also among the contenders for the Curragh race is DANCING RAIN, who beat WONDER OF WONDERS into second in the Investic Oaks. She is joined by Godolphin’s supplementary entry RUMH."

RISING STARS

COLIN RUSSELL

“SILVESTRA  DE  SOUSA “Now he’s breathing down HANAGAN’S neck after five-timer  …..

"Three more for DE SOUSA as title bid continues to build  ....

LEE MOTTERSHEAD  “PHILLIP MAKIN talks about his hot streak since teaming up with Kevin Ryan.

“Not so long ago, PAUL HANAGAN  looked at PHILLIP MAKIN with a sense of sympathy.  The man who would be champion jockey had long viewed his northern colleague with respect and admiration but he considered that MAKIN’S immense talent was not being rewarded with the recognition or opportunities he deserved. Times have changed. Opportunity has knocked and recognition has followed. Sympathy is a thing of the past.

“MAKIN is riding winners, lots of winners, better winners. At 27 he is no overnight sensation, nor indeed has he yet to scale the heights he is capable of reaching, but he is on the right track. Eighth in the championship table, he has been successful 61 times this calendar year,  a total already only 14 short of his tally  for the whole of 2010 that left him deflated and keen to make major changes. MAKIN knew he could do better. HANAGAN  knew he deserved to . Since forging  a relationship with Kevin Ryan , MAKIN has.”

“HANAGAN ‘Until he got the job with Kevin I’ve never really seen him get the chances that he deserves. He is bang up there with the best in the business, always in the right place at the right time , stylish through a race and strong in a finish. Honestly, I think he is different class.”

JULIAN MUSCAT “Harmony needed to secure future of the sport.

“THE FALLOUT from Saturday’s clash of four prime features has made for fascinating reading. In many ways it resembles the preamble to a general election, when parties state their case in the strongest possible terms. The difference is that there will be no vote, no public determination of the prevailing argument.

“That thought came through strongly with the case put forward by Newmarket managing director Stephen Wallis. He said that racing as a whole should examine the problem and advance a solution, but that as far as Newmarket was concerned, the July Cup would be run on a Saturday.

“SO THERE YOU HAVE IT. END OF DEBATE.

“Talk all you like about what may or may not be best, but in the end, the decision is ours alone. Newmarket wants the race to be part of the Global Sprint Challenge, which means running it on a Saturday so that people in Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia can watch it live at home.

“This is nor a prime consideration in what is best for British racing . But don’t blame Newmarket. It would be remiss of any racecourse, any business, to divert from its chosen path  for the greater good.

“And frankly, why should it? It has become a free- for -all out there; capitalism rules OK. Never mind that capitalism’s purest expression sees us continue to pay heavy for the collapse of our banking system, it is the way forward. Seize it or wither away.

“Against that, the rise and rise in racecourse power has given rise to an important side-effect. Racecourses have in effect become the sport’s moral guardians. The shape of the fixture list-and thus, race-planning issues that led to Saturday’s glut-is entirely in their hands.

“This gives rise to considerable unease. Why? Because we don’t really know what racecourses stand for. To return to the election analogy, racecourses do not represent a range of political parties but a one-party state without a clearly defined leader.

“They represent a totality within which any one entity can do as it chooses. And that, as any political commentator will vouchsafe , is the template recipe for anarchy.

“Even the bookies are powerless on this one. They protested loudly about Saturday’s overload, citing a six-figure levy shortfall in the sacrifice of terrestrial TV coverage on Wednesday to accommodate a Saturday July Cup. “It would be an argument worth heeding but for their own contribution to collapsing levy yields as a result of their offshore flight.

“In this way does the capitalist wheel turn-except that racecourses are hardly shining examples of the process at work. How they have advanced to their position of  might can only be described as extraordinary.

“These are businesses that until recently lacked drive. Any upgrading in their facilities over the last 30 years has been abetted by interest-free loans from a Levy Board so generous with its daily grants that many were in profit even before the first punter paid to enter on a Monday. Any business would fall over itself  to trade on such terms. Indeed, so ring-fenced have racecourses been from economic reality that despite two subsequent recessions, the last  properly established one to close was Stockton in 1981.

“Still, there’s no point in dwelling on the past. Perhaps they deserve what David Cameron might loosely describe as a  “second chance”. In tandem with power comes responsibility, and a sense of responsibility is paramount in respect of these Saturday clashes.

“The only foil to racecourse hegemony is the Horsemen’s Group. It puts many to sleep when the ‘t’ word is mentioned, but the Group’s tariffs policy has illustrated that racecourses’ long-term business models can be seriously affected if tariffs are ignored. No racecourse can thrive on a diet of small fields.

“Great conflict between the two groups accompanied the introduction of Tariffs. Thankfully, that has moved on to a position in which both sides are in dialogue, rather than abusing each other through this newspaper.

“Within that development is an important message that is plain to everyone else. It stares racing in the face. The sport’s enduring health depends on a harmonious alliance between these pivotal groups.

“Only when this is established can issues like the Saturday glut be resolved. The outcome may not please everyone . It never does, but such concerns are vastly outweighed by the creation of a platform for meaningful collective discussion.

“Some big decisions are imminent in the years ahead. Racing’s future funding is totally up in the air. Its alliance with television is in need of urgent review. The fixture list is unholy mess, and we have yet to experience the gig-bang concentration on quality that has transformed the fortunes of other sports.

“When these questions arise, racing desperately needs an authority in which all its participants  have confidence. Sadly, that is not how it stands to-day.”            

“VICTOR CHANDLER  THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP 3BALL – ROUND 1 THURSDAY LIVE ON BBC2."

THE RACING POST TUESDAY JULY 12th 2011

racingpost.com/mobile

"REVVING UP FOR THE DUEL ON THE DOWNS."

  DAY ONE GLORIOUS GOODWOOD WEDNESDAY JULY 27^th

FEATURE RACE 

3:10 1m Grade 1 Sussex Stakes Qipco Championship Race (Series Middle Distance)  http://qipcochampionseries2011.blogspot.com/ 

 

JON LEES brings news from Goodwood:

“Sussex winner will be the best horse in the world”– Hannon jnr

“Horsepower : The FRANKEL and CANFORD CLIFFS teams were at Goodwood’s  motor racing circuit yesterday to promote their clash – “Pics Edward Whitaker show Tom Queally,

Richard Hannon, joined by  Haley Turner fresh from breaking her Group 1 duck in the July Cup on Saturday, enjoyed a spin in a racy Audi R8.”

 

“THE STAGE IS SET for a spectacular show-down between CANFORD CLIFFS and FRANKEL for the Sussex Stakes as Richard Hannon jnr yesterday described it as an unmissable opportunity to see the winner emerge as probably the best horse in the world.

“Hannon said he had never looked forward more to a race than the Qipco sponsored mile

showpiece at Glorious Goodwood on July 27^th between CANFORD CLIFFS – last year’s hero, trained by his father Richard – and FRANKEL, the unbeaten 2,000 Guineas winner from the Sir Henry Cecil stable, which is being billed as ‘THE DUEL ON THE DOWN’S.”

“IF YOU WANT to learn who will probably be the best (current) racehorse in the world (27.07.2011) then be at Goodwood two weeks on Wednesday,” said Hannon …...

 

WILLIAM HAGGAS, DANCING RAIN’S trainer talks to JULIEN MUSCAT about his hopes for more Classic glory at the Curragh on Sunday.

 

INTERVIEW WILLIAM HAGGAS

JULIAN MUSCAT talks to Oaks-winning trainer William Haggas about hard graft and finding the right formula…..

HAGGAS on Newmarket’s July Festival “A hectic week, fixture congestion, leaves him hoping his staff rota does not disintegrate with anyone reporting sick ….. 

“IN THE EVENT, emerging from that congestion is a cherished York victory for GREEN DESTINY in the John Smith’s Cup, a race ‘I’ve thrown several darts at in the past, all fabulously unsuccessful.

“Then there’s the stream of owners who come and go  from his Somerville Lodge Stables with the frequency of the traffic that clogs the High Street.

“AND ON THIS WEDNESDAY  afternoon he is braced for the staff party to celebrate DANCING RAIN’S Oaks victory in marquees adorning the side of his house. For all that, the sense of order is striking.

 

COLIN RUSSELL brings Turf condition into focus and asks, “IS THIS STICK the best way to deal with going concerns? From an early stage several clerks of the course questioned its benefit …..

J MARGARET CLARKE TURFCALL:

It was stated after the first day’s racing at Newmarket last week that the runners all finished tired …… this indicates that the heavy rain experienced in and around Newmarket before and during last weeks racing caused a significant and substantial change to the condition of the Turf.

Turf coping with rain, especially heavy rain after a long dry spell, would depend on how turf sponged the heavy rain up so to speak. Turf in the process of sponging a considerable amount of water up could provide the answer to the horses finishing tired as the actual turf  was in the process of coping with rain saturation.   

TODAY’S RACECARDS: Beverley, Brighton, Southwell, Yarmouth, Dundalk and Killarney.

THE RACING POST MONDAY JULY 11th 2011

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THE TATLING

STEVE DENNIS visits Milton Bradley, the veteran trainer in charge of the extraordinary sprinter still thrilling his legions of fans at the age of 14 …..

THE VERDICTS THAT COUNT

“The Monday Jury answers the key questions after a frantic few day’s of top action ……

 

INTERNATIONAL NICHOLAS GODFREY REPORTS:

BELMONT PARK MAN O’WAR STAKES
“SPENCER’S all smiles after CAPE stormer for O’Brien in the US.

WIN: CAPE BLANCO partner JAMIE SPENCER handler presenter? trainer Aiden O’Brien for Fitri Hay, Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier and Michael Tabor. 61-20 from
GIO PONTI 11-10f distance 2 and a quarter lengths.

GLOBAL REVIEW

“Boodstock World GALILEO’S run of success continues as BLANCO adds to sire’s big-race haul.”

“AIDEN O’BRIEN and JAMIE SPENCER struck in the States on Saturday night when CAPE BLANCO landed a decisive verdict over duel US turf champ GIO PONTI in the Grade 1 Man O’War Stakes at Belmont Park.”

COMING UP IN THE RACING POST

TOMORROW

“Getting in the mood for an impending thriller. We join Tom Queally and Richard Hannon at Goodwood to get the views from the camps as FRANKEL and CANFORD CLIFFS are readied

for their potential epic duel on the Downs.”

“Getting in the mood for a Classic double William Haggas talks about his hopes of another Oaks success with DANCING RAIN in Sunday’s Irish Classic.”

ALSO THIS WEEK

WEDNESDAY

“Philip Makin tells Lee Mottershead why he’s enjoying a dream ride this season.”

THURSDAY

“Special focus on NATHANIEL’S tilt at the Grand Prix de Paris.”

FRIDAY

“Is it time to ditch the GoingStick? A special focus on whether the controversial tool has a future.”

“THEY CAME IN THEIR DROVES TO YORK ON SATURDAY -

BUT WAS NEWMARKET A MEETING TOO FAR?”

JON LEES: “More than 40,000 people turned up to enjoy a day at the races at York on Saturday, nearly four times more than attended the Group 1 July Cup fixture at Newmarket.”

J MARGARET CLARKE TURFCALL

Looks like the July Course at Newmarket is not designed to accommodate

40,000 people …...

JON LEES “Chester hits out at July Cup switch. Newmarket’s controversial

decision to move the Darley July Cup raceday to a Saturday faced a further challenge yesterday when Chester chief executive Richard Thomas questioned whether a crowd of just over 10,000 for the fixture was vindication for putting it on the same day as his track , York and Ascot all raced …...

“While Chester, drew an attendance of 36,500, York 40,155 and Ascot 14,564 Newmarket reported the lowest crowd of Saturday’s feast of racing, attracting 10,736 for the first Saturday running of a championship sprint that had been staged on a weekday up to last year…..

“Citing a three-day crowd rise of eight per cent on last year, Newmarket managing director Stephen Wallis was yesterday standing by the decision to move the race to a day when it could attract a bigger world wide audience and said it was up to the sport as a whole to address concerns about the level of quality racing staged on any one day…..

“But Thomas, who had offered to move his meeting by a week in a fixture swap deal that was declined by Newmarket’s owner, Jockey Club Racecourses, said, ”Newmarket’s move sounded barmy to start with, but if they had justified it by bringing an extra 20,000 or 30,000 people racing, then it was the right decision. But it didn’t did it? “

JON LEES “HORSEMAN'S GROUP TO LOOK INTO

BIG-RACE FIXTURE CLASHES."

“TRAINER’S concerns that too much quality racing is being pushed on to Saturdays are to be examined by the Horsemen’s Group new-race planning-committee – but any changes will be gradual rather than immediate.

“Champion Flat trainer Richard Hannon, Mark Johnson and Richard Fahey were among those who voiced anxiety at the problems they were experiencing trying to make running and riding plans for a Saturday that featured afternoon fixtures at Ascot, Chester, Newmarket and York, plus evening meetings at Hamilton and Salisbury.

“It will certainly be on the agenda,” said HG chief executive Alan Morecombe.

“Hannon went to Ascot, then to Salisbury in the evening, while his son Richard jnr supervised runners at Newmarket.

“I got home nice and tired,” said Hannon snr, “I was pleased to see my bed last night . It is tough when you start at five in the morning. If you keep looking at the fixtures you will find that everything is being moved into the weekend.

“It’s giving us a very hard time; there is no doubt about it. You have got only so many horseboxes, so many head lads and so many people who can go racing.”

“The trend is also a concern for William Haggas and Ralph Beckett, who pointed out yesterday that a clash would have been avoided had the July Cup been moved to Sunday.

“We all understand why they want to race on Saturday, but there needs to be some balance,” said Beckett. “Yesterday was in nobody’s interest really. I can’t believe Newmarket would have had a smaller crowd today (Sunday)”

“Haggas, who landed the John Smith’s Cup at York, said “I am going to write to (managing director) Stephen Wallis when the dust settles to see what he thinks because Newmarket is the track that has upset the applecart.

“We will get more and more of this, because the big racecourses will say this is what we want to do and we’re going to do it. I think it takes the shine off York.”

“Haggas added ‘All of us, though, want the racecourses to be profitable and put on the best races possible . Presumably they know what they are doing.

Was it a gamble worth taking? Newmarket still have to decide.”

TODAY'S RACE CARDS: Ayr, Ffos Las, Windsor, Wolverhampton and Killarney.

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