WEDNESDAY MORNING UPDATE – Canadian breds POOL PLAY, DYNAMIC SKY, SPRING IN THE AIR, MARKETING MIX are entered in Breeders Cup races, PAUL REDDAM has a bunch, MARK CASSE a few, and BRITISH COLUMBIA could be in Command?
BREEDERS’ CUP PRE ENTRIES – 188 HORSES, 23 CROSS-ENTERED!
HERE AR THE CANADIAN CONNECTED HORSES:
BREEDERS’ CUP MARATHON
COMMANDER – North American Th Horse Company Troy Taylor – BC’S latest monster horse!
BREEDERS’ CUP JUV. FILLY TURF
NANCY O – Bob Costigan-Carolyn Costigan Borders Racing
SPRING VENTURE – Woodbine based, Mark Casse
BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE FILLIES
SPRING IN THE AIR _ Canadian bred, Mark Casse trained
BREEDERS’ CUP FILLY & MARE TURF
MARKETING MIX – Canadian bred Sean Fitzhenry
BREEDERS’ CUP LADIES CLASSIC
AWESOME FEATHER – Stronach Stables
BREEDERS’ CUP JUV. TURF
KNOW MORE – Paul Reddam owner
HE’S HAD ENOUGH – Paul Reddam owner
FILLY& MARES SPRINT
SELF PRESERVATION – Paul Reddam
BREEDERS’ CUP DIRT MILE
DELEGATION – Woodbine, Mark Casse
HANDSOME MIKE Paul Reddam
JERSEY TOWN Charles Fipke
SECOND CITY – Reddam
BREEDERS’CUP TURF SPRINT
BRIDGETOWN – Eugene Melnyk
BOXEUR DE RUES – Paul Reddam
BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE
DYNAMIC SKY – Canadian bred, Woodbine – Mark Casse
HE’S HAD ENOUGH
KNOW MORE
BREEDERS’ CUP TURF
COGITO _Paul Reddam
BREEDERS’ CUP SPRINT
SECOND CITY
BOXEUR DES RUES
BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC
HANDSOME MIKE
POOL PLAY – Canadian-bred, Woodbine Mark Casse
The Cup & Saucer, post chain reaction crash at top of stretch. Winner Star Contender is second from right
Norm Files photo
TUESDAY MORNING NEWS…in memory of TAPPING MY WAY and COOKING SCHOOL… Tories getting antsey about transitional report release (all of us are!!), Woodbine wrap, Fasig Tipton sale and more!!
oh, and is anyone else glued to GiraffeCam? Baby giraffe born in South Carolina..?
http://www.earthcam.com/usa/southcarolina/greenville/
WOODBINE WRAP
Highlighted by another powerful effort by millionaire and champion PENDER HAROUR, this past weekend at Woodbine featured glorious weather and some good racing action.
Of course, the event that got the most media attention was Chantal Sutherland’s announcement (well, the announcement by her brother Hugh at first) of her retirement from riding.
Certainly the fact that Sutherland was back at Woodbine for a couple of races on Sunday, not long after her previous trip to Woodbine was foiled by a failed breathalyzer, signaled that something was up.
At 36, she has come to the end of her riding career to pursue other jobs in racing – which apparently include racing TV work somewhere.
At one time, Sutherland was the media darling, with dozens of features on her in magazines, such as Canadian Thoroughbred, as she began her career. Hey, her story is an interesting one – she was taking flying lessons at Brampton Flying Club and pondered being a pilot.
She has modelled and done some TV. She has been popular at racetracks and her journey on that cool horse GAME ON DUDE was fun to watch.
Recent troubles with losing Game on Dude to another jockey and Woodbine and media woes made things a bit soft for her day to leave the jockey game. She came up to the Woodbine Club to say goodbye to a few people and heads back to California to her new life.
PENDER HARBOUR was exciting, he posted an 85 Beyer Figure in his win in the Bunty Lawless Stakes for the 2nd straight year. The son of Philanthropist – Uproar by Hail the Ruckus is 8 for 19 in his career now and he has won over $1.28 million for Denny Andrews, Sandra Lazaruk and Bob and Roberta Giffin. Mike DePaulo trains the 4yo gelding.
He is expected to race next in the Autumn or Sir Barton Stakes.
How about yet another rocket 2yo from the Mark Casse barn?
REI (Ray) is a gorgeous, white faced chestnut colt who everyone knew would be the big favourite even from the rail post in the 7 furlong event, was certain to be good. The $490,000 2yo purchase had worked 2 furlongs in 21 1/5 and had a powerful pedigree.
He also seems to have the professionalism and the talent.
Picked on top to win by almost all the expert handicappers. REI (Leroisdesanimaux) ran to his works and looks, rallying on the rail from off the pace, tipping out and drawing off under a cool Patrick Husbands.
He got a 71 Beyer Figure.
SKY HIGH GAL won her maiden in race 3 on the grass for James Perron and family and this $30,000 2yo purchase had a lot of interest after the race by prospective buyers. She is a daughter of Leroidesanimaux out of a Sky Classic mare.
BEAR’S GEM won her 2nd straight race thanks to a strong ride by Emma-Jayne Wilson as she overcame a slow start and rallied wide to win the allowance for Bear Stables and trainer Reade Baker. She is a Kingview Farms-bred.
The day’s final race was marred by the breakdown of Tapping My Way, a son of My Way Only who had won 1 of 6 races already in his brief career.
Who loves ya baby? Pender Harbour wins again
Terence Dulay photo
SATURDAY NOTES
The Cup & Saucer was more like a demolition derby and STAR CONTENDER came out on top with a snart 84 Beyer. This is a big, green Canadian-bred 2yo that was bought lcaooly last year for $82,000 by John Oxley from breeder Bill Graham. He is 2 for 3 in his career but his win did not come without some heat.
Firstly, the Jake Ballis-owned 2yo TEX bore out at the top of the stretch and wiped out most of the field. That colt was still racing hard in the strtech and chasing Star Contender when then rival lugged in and fofrced Tex to check.
In a strange turn of events, Tex was disqualified, but not well back behind horses he interfered with, but to 3rd. Meanwhile, Star Contender was not disqualified at all.
The result is under appeal.
Trainer KEVIN ATTARD won 2 races on Saturday while $10,000 claimer BIG TIME ran 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15 4/5 for an 85 Beyer.
Terra Farms won its 2nd maiden allowance in 2 days, this time with FIGHTING CHRIS, by Old Forester, who won in his 3rd career race (Kevin Attard trains).
ATTENTION HORSEPEOPLE EVERYWHERE!
Holy Schniekies wins at Fort Erie – Norm Files photo
With the closure of Fort Erie for the year (maybe more) , Ajex Downs and soon, Woodbine, many racehorses will be looking for a home. This happens every year when some horses are not going to be carried over the winter by their interests, awaiting a new season.
It’s worse this year since Fort Erie may not open again and let’s face it, if it does, we won’t know for a while.
Thank goodness there are some owners and trainers out there who make sure their horses have places to go if they are not going to race anymore.
I know of many who have already made deals to purchase or take horses from the track to retire them and re-train them/ride them just because it is the right thing to do.
Indeed, we are seeing huge class droppers right now – take a look at HOLY SCHNIEKIES at Fort Erie on Sunday. This sizy, lovely horse has won 8 races and $216,000 on the track and was recently down from $40,000 claiming to just $4,000 claiming. He won the Fort Erie race and was not claimed. He continues to race for Kingview, Ace and Tc Racing and trainer Scott Fairlie.
Others, such as MICHAEL’S BAD BOY, a stakes winner of $552,000, are toiling in low claiming races without doing much. This guy, owned by Adrimar Racing Stables and 2329773 Ontario is trained by Willie Armata but he was raced for most of his career by breeder Joan Agro.
LongRun continues to work frantically to relocate horses and help people find homes for their horses and do so as a registered charity. Second Start Thoroughbreds , which sells its horses that is takes off the track, has placed dozens in recent months also.
LongRun is having LONGRUN DAY on November 10 at Woodbine, a popular event with jockey signing, calendars and more fun stuff.
Tomorrow, LongRun is hosting a cool seminar and meet and greet with Ian Millar:
Second Star can be reached at:
Email info@secondstartthoroughbreds.org or
http://www.secondstartthoroughbreds.org/contact_information_form
CASINO IN TORONTO TO BE DISCUSSED NOV. 5
did you sign the petition at the track?
TORONTO, October 22, 2012 – The issue of Toronto casino(s) will be dealt with at the City of Toronto’s Executive Committee meeting on November 5th. WEG and industry representatives are schedule to make presentations to Council members. These presentations will be an appeal to Council by identifying the economic and social contribution WEG makes to the local community and City as an important gaming site.
During this presentation Nick Eaves (President and CEO) and Jane Holmes (Vice President, Corporate Affairs) will be delivering petitions signed by supporters and the letters of support for the continuation of live horseracing and casino gaming in the City of Toronto at the Woodbine Racetrack in Gaming Zone C2. This is your chance to have your voice heard. WEG’s management team will carry your message of support to the Mayor on your behalf to ensure that it is received by the City in order that you can be part of the decision making process.
To further support the continuation of live horseracing and casino gaming in the City of Toronto at the Woodbine Racetrack in Gaming Zone C2, you can share your comments online or by writing a letter to the Mayor and Councillors.
Letters to the Mayor and Councillors can be addressed to:
Mayor, Rob Ford & Councillors
Toronto City Hall,
2nd Floor, 100 Queen St. West,
Toronto ON
M5H 2N2
In your letter or email, please outline your support of a Casino at the Woodbine Racetrack in Gaming Zone C2 by describing the positive entertainment experiences you have had at the Woodbine Racetrack/OLG Slots and why you value the Woodbine Racetrack/OLG Slots as an entertainment destination in the City of Toronto.
Woodbine Entertainment Group management will simplify delivery of your letter to the appropriate decision makers at City Hall, and ensure its timely arrival for submission into the decision-making processes. Please deliver your completed letter to the Woodbine Entertainment Group at:
Corporate Affairs
Woodbine Entertainment Group
555 Rexdale Boulevard
Toronto, Ontario
Email: C2@woodbineentertainment.com
FAX: 416-213-2126
OR, drop the letter off with a Woodbine Racetrack Customer Service Representative, or at the Security Desk.
All letters must be received by Monday, October 29, 2012.
TORIES DEMAND RELEASE OF TRANSITIONAL REPORT
Monte McNaughton @MonteMcNaughton – tweets a request to release the transitional report immediately:
Just because libs took time off doesn’t mean that livelihoods in horse racing can be put on hold awaiting report. @TedMcMeekin: Release it!
meanwhile…from Bullet Niagara News
JOHN ROBBINS/Bullet News
FORT ERIE – Ontario’s opposition Progressive Conservatives are demanding the release of a report that’s expected to detail government aid for a horse-racing industry still reeling from the Liberal government’s decision earlier this year to pull the plug on the lucrative slots-at-racetracks-program.
The final report of the government’s Horse Racing Industry Transition Panel was due out last week, just days after Premier Dalton McGuinty shocked even his own MPPs by announcing his resignation and decision to adjourn the Legislature until after the party has a chance to elect a new leader this coming January.
BREEDERS’ CROWN 12 RACE CHAMPIONSHIP NIGHT – SATURDAY AT WOODBINE!
A full, four hours of live championship racing will be featured on Saturday, Oct. 27 for harness racing fans north and south of the 49th parallel.
The Score, Canada’s all-sports channel, will carry the $6 million Breeders Crown championships live from Woodbine Racetrack from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. (EDT) and the broadcast will also be streamed live in HD on MavTV in the U.S.
FASIG TIPTON OCTOBER YEARLING SALE
began yesterday…Canadians in action
ROBERT TILLER, acting as agent, purchased 7 yearlings on the first session of the Fasig Tipton October yearling sale including a Canadian-bred colt by Sligo Bay (Ire).
Tiller was one of several Canadians doing some shopping at the sale with 2 more days to come at the auction.
The average was up to $24,000 from $21,000.
HORSES BOUGHT
F SCAT DADDY KISS THE BREEZE ALLIED BLOODSTOCK AGENT II ROBERT TILLER, AGENT $50,000
F KODIAK KOWBOY LEADING LIONESS HIDDEN BROOK AGENT IV CLAYTON GRAY, AGENT $5,000
C SLIGO BAY (IRE) MISS LAINE CARA BLOODSTOCK (BERNARD MCCORMACK) AGENT VI ROBERT TILLER, AGENT $17,500
C MILWAUKEE BREW MONEY MY HONEY ADENA SPRINGS NICK GONZALEZ $20,000
C ZANJERO MONTESSA OAKLEIGH FARM INC. (PAUL SUTTON) AGENT CLAYTON GRAY $7,000
F HENNY HUGHES NAVASHA SUMMERFIELD (FRANCIS & BARBARA VANLANGENDONCK) AGENT XVIII ROBERT TILLER, AGENT $40,000
C BIG BROWN NICE PIC GAINESWAY AGENT C DUNNE FOR DONVER STABLES $57,000
C SONGANDAPRAYER NORTHERN BABE BROOKDALE SALES AGENT ROBERT TILLER, AGENT $30,000
F REPENT PLACE LADY WOODFORD THOROUGHBREDS LLC AGENT ARDELL SAYLER $16,000
267 C SPRING AT LAST PLATINEE TAYLOR MADE SALES AGENCY AGENT II HOWARD WALTON / R TILLER, AGT $80,00
F NORTHERN AFLEET PRECOCIOUS DARBY DAN FARM AGENT V ROBERT TILLER, AGENT $22,000
F ARAGORN (IRE) PROFESSORA ST GEORGE SALES AGENT V ARDELL SAYLER $5,200
C WAR PASS PROSPECTIVE MISS HUNTER VALLEY FARM AGENT DEBMAR STABLES/R GRIFFITH, AGT $30,000
F EL CORREDOR RANSOMED BRIDE BRANDYWINE FARM (JIM & PAM ROBINSON) AGENT FOR LIBERATION FARM & BRANDYWINE FARM CLAYTON GRAY $7,000
C THE DADDY RICH CITIZEN BRERETON C. JONES /AIRDRIE STUD AGENT ROBERT TILLER $7,000
F NOTIONAL SAPPHIRE HILL PARAMOUNT SALES AGENT VIII ARDELL SAYLER $5,800
F HARLINGTON MOONSHINE GAL TAYLOR MADE SALES AGENCY AGENT XXII DEBMAR STABLES $33,000
ONTARIO-BREDS IN SALE:
Purchase price precedes listing
$5,000 11 C BERNARDINI KINGSLAND MR. PROSPECTOR ONTARIO 5 TAYLOR MADE SALES AGENCY AGENT XXII
$10,000 13 C MILWAUKEE BREW KISSIN KENDALL LEMON DROP KID ONTARIO 12 TOP LINE SALES LLC AGENT FOR DEVONLEIGH FARM
NOT SOLD 134 F ROMAN RULER MINSTREL SHOW TALE OF THE CAT ONTARIO B RED GABLES STUD LLC AGENT II
$17,500 147 C SLIGO BAY (IRE) MISS LAINE GOLDEN MISSILE ONTARIO C CARA BLOODSTOCK (BERNARD MCCORMACK) AGENT VI
$20,000 163 C MILWAUKEE BREW MONEY MY HONEY RED BULLET ONTARIO 14 ADENA SPRINGS
$30,000 166 F HARLINGTON MOONSHINE GAL FOREST WILDCAT ONTARIO 5 TAYLOR MADE SALES AGENCY AGENT XXII
OUT 179 C MILWAUKEE BREW MURANI DISTORTED HUMOR ONTARIO 7 SELECT SALES AGENT
$30,000 188 C TALE OF THE CAT MYSTERIOUS LINA (FR) LINAMIX (FR) ONTARIO D ST GEORGE SALES AGENT V
$30,000 210 C SONGANDAPRAYER NORTHERN BABE POLISH NUMBERS ONTARIO D BROOKDALE SALES AGENT
$7,500 215 C CAT DREAMS NUMERIEUS (FR) NUMEROUS ONTARIO D ST GEORGE SALES AGENT V
OUT 224 C BOB AND JOHN ON MY RADAR LIGHTNIN N THUNDER ONTARIO C CARA BLOODSTOCK (BERNARD MCCORMACK) AGENT V
NOT SOLD 246 F MINESHAFT PEACE DREAM (FR) LINAMIX (FR) ONTARIO D ST GEORGE SALES AGENT V
$5,000 258 F PLEASANTLY PERFECT PETITE ELITE FUSAICHI PEGASUS ONTARIO D ST GEORGE SALES AGENT V
$5,200 291 F ARAGORN (IRE) PROFESSORA GULCH ONTARIO D ST GEORGE SALES AGENT V
NOT SOLD 297 F FIRST DEFENCE QUALITY LABEL ELUSIVE QUALITY ONTARIO C BELVEDERE FARM INC. (MARTY TAKACS) AGENT I
NOT SOLD 313 C MAJESTIC WARRIOR QUINTESSA TOUCH GOLD ONTARIO 10 ROMANS RACING & SALES AGENT
NOT SOLD (90)322 C STREET SENSE RARE OPPORTUNITY DANZIG CONNECTION ONTARIO D VANMETER SALES AGENT II
NOT SOLD (27) 383 C BLUEGRASS CAT SANIBEL STAR UNBRIDLED’S SONG ONTARIO D VANMETER SALES AGENT X
NOT SOLD 390 F HAT TRICK (JPN) SARALUNA UNBRIDLED’S SONG ONTARIO D ST GEORGE SALES AGENT V
today – tomorrow:
440 F GIANT GIZMO SHOW BIZ CANDY STRIPES ONTARIO C CARA BLOODSTOCK (BERNARD MCCORMACK) AGENT II
501 C LEONNATUS ANTEAS SPRING FAIR COZZENE ONTARIO 6 SUSAN Y. FOREMAN AGENT
530 F REBELLION (GB) SUGAR PLUM GIRL LEMON DROP KID ONTARIO D ST GEORGE SALES AGENT XII
618 F CORINTHIAN TSUU T’INA DONERAILE COURT ONTARIO A MILLENNIUM FARMS AGENT IV
620 C FLOWER ALLEY TWEEDSIDE THUNDER GULCH ONTARIO 5 TAYLOR MADE SALES AGENCY AGENT XXII
624 C STUDENT COUNCIL TYNE AWESOME AGAIN ONTARIO 6 WILLIAM B. HARRIGAN (MIACOMET FARM LTD.) AGENT
715 C ENGLISH CHANNEL ADEL STRAWBERRY ROAD (AUS) ONTARIO C CARA BLOODSTOCK (BERNARD MCCORMACK) AGENT IV
718 C WILKO AFFLUENT APPEAL KELLY KIP ONTARIO 14 ADENA SPRINGS
734 F SHOWING UP AMANDOLA EL PRADO (IRE) ONTARIO 14 ADENA SPRINGS
785 F LEMON DROP KID BANGA RIDGE SNOW RIDGE ONTARIO C CARA BLOODSTOCK (BERNARD MCCORMACK) AGENT VII
837 C YES IT’S TRUE BOJANGLE NOW TIZNOW ONTARIO C OAK LODGE USA LLC AGENT I
842 F READY’S IMAGE BONNYVILLE SALT LAKE ONTARIO C CARA BLOODSTOCK (BERNARD MCCORMACK) AGENT I
883 C PIONEEROF THE NILE CELTIC CRAFT DANEHILL ONTARIO 3 WARRENDALE SALES AGENT III
893 F OFFICER CHARMING STORY PINE BLUFF ONTARIO C BELVEDERE FARM INC. (MARTY TAKACS) AGENT IV
895 F BERNSTEIN CHECKER HALL SEEKING THE GOLD ONTARIO 5 TAYLOR MADE SALES AGENCY AGENT XXII
898 C JUMP START CHERISH DESTINY GRAND SLAM ONTARIO D ST GEORGE SALES AGENT V
902 F SPEIGHTSTOWN CHRISTIE VILLAGE DEPUTY MINISTER ONTARIO 5 TAYLOR MADE SALES AGENCY AGENT XXII
909 C ZENSATIONAL CLAIRLYN BOLD EXECUTIVE ONTARIO 8 HUNTER VALLEY FARM AGENT
913 F DYNAFORMER CLASSIC BREEZE REGAL CLASSIC ONTARIO 9 KAIZEN SALES (RICHARD KENT) AGENT
921 F SHOWING UP COCONUT CREAM TOUCH GOLD ONTARIO 14 ADENA SPRINGS
956 C REBELLION (GB) DAMIANA FOREST CAMP ONTARIO D ST GEORGE SALES AGENT XII
960 C GIACOMO DANCING BIRD LEMON DROP KID ONTARIO 14 ADENA SPRINGS
992 F BEAR’S KID DIDANA (IRE) $DIKTAT (GB) ONTARIO C CARA BLOODSTOCK (BERNARD MCCORMACK) AGENT V
1004 F TIAGO DONNA LIONA MACHO UNO ONTARIO 14 ADENA SPRINGS
1026 C BEAR’S KID EAST BAY STORMIN FEVER ONTARIO C CARA BLOODSTOCK (BERNARD MCCORMACK) AGENT V
1091 C NORTH LIGHT (IRE) FLEET GODDESS HOLY BULL ONTARIO 14 ADENA SPRINGS
1125 C STREET HERO GET IT STRAIGHT BLACK MINNALOUSHE ONTARIO C CARA BLOODSTOCK (BERNARD MCCORMACK) AGENT I
1130 C GIACOMO GLENGARRA ARCH ONTARIO 14 ADENA SPRINGS
1163 C SMART STRIKE GREEN DOOR DANZIG ONTARIO 8 SHAWHAN PLACE LLC AGENT FOR AUSTIN & BRENDA PAUL
1171 C MACHO UNO HARBOR GIRL BOSTON HARBOR ONTARIO 14 ADENA SPRINGS
1207 F COWBOY CAL I AM SOLID GOLD THUNDER GULCH ONTARIO C CARA BLOODSTOCK (BERNARD MCCORMACK) AGENT I
1251 C GIACOMO JUST DREAMING EMPIRE MAKER ONTARIO 14 ADENA SPRINGS
NO BETTER HORSE THAN FRANKEL
14 – 0, retired
Frankel will start breeding mares at $155,000 a pop according to sources. Here is some post race comments made by his interests from the Racenews Racecourse Service:
Owner Prince Khalid Abdulla confirmed that Frankel had run his last race after the greatest horse of modern times made it 14 wins from as many starts in the QIPCO Champion Stakes.
The four-year-old appeared not to relish the testing underfoot conditions but still held off last year’s winner Cirrus Des Aigles to score by a length and three-quarters.
“That is the end of it and he will retire to stud now. Today was important because it was his last race,” said Abdulla. “I knew he was going to win beforehand and I think he would have been further in front of the other horses if it hadn’t been for the ground.”
Abdulla’s racing manager, Teddy Grimthorpe, added “Frankel is the greatest and he has brought a whole new generation of people and a wider audience to the sport. He’s the ultimate equine athlete. He’s been important because he has brought the sport from the back pages of the papers to the front pages. Hopefully a new generation of interest he has spawned will be a fantastic legacy
“This was a career-defining performance. He was slowly away but the great thing is that he is so relaxed and he got into a rhythm again. He’s unhustled and relaxed and he had a trouble-free run into the straight. I was confident that he’d put the race to bed and that’s what he did.
“I was worried last night when everybody kept ringing me to tell me how much rain there had been at Ascot but Henry was insistent that he would run. When I walked the track this morning I was more than happy. If you watched the race before (won by Excelebration, who had finished behind Frankel five times) it tells you what kind of class he is. Then to beat Cirrus Des Aigles and Nathaniel at their optimum distance was a star performance.
“Prince Khalid has said that he has run his last race and I think that’s the correct decision in every way. He was a champion at two, three and four and if you haven’t made your mind up about him now then you never will.
“Henry’s re-emergence as a trainer is not just one of the greatest stories in sport but one of the all-time great stories generally. He’s has come back from the Conference to the Champions’ League and Henry is a master of his profession. He is very determined and his handling of this horse is masterly. He was determined to do the right thing by the horse and taught him to settle, which you saw today.
“We must also mention Thomas P Queally. They have grown into one of the great sporting partnerships.”
Frankel is set to stand as a stallion at Prince Khalid’s Banstead Manor Stud in Cheveley, near Newmarket, and Grimthorpe added: “I won’t miss him because he’ll be 200 yards from my office! He’ll let down first back at Warren Place Stables and come to Banstead Manor when he’s ready. He’s been on high octane fuel so it’s a gradual letting-down process and when everyone is happy he’ll come to the stud.
“Interest in him as a stallion has been worldwide and I mean from every part of the world. The next process is to decide on a stud fee which Prince Khalid and (the stud’s general manager) Philip Mitchell will do. People wanting to breed to the horse will send their mares’ CVs in and Prince Khalid will send his best mares that suit. They will also decide how many outside mares will go to him. It would be good to get a good breadth of mares in terms of size, scope and pedigree and that is an ongoing process.”
FRANKEL’S CONSISTENCY MARK OF A GREAT, SAYS HANDICAPPER
Frankel did not annihilate his rivals in the QIPCO Champion Stakes, but his performance was that of a horse who consistently runs to a very high mark.
That was the overriding element that should be taken from today’s race, said senior BHA handicapper Phil Smith when reflecting on the Group One contest. He could not say Frankel’s final rating will be the highest of all time – the figure will be decided at a conference later this year – but in terms of stellar performances Smith said he had never known a horse who could achieve top-class marks every time he ran.
Smith said: “He’s won nine Group One races, is the first horse to produce two 140 performances – in the Queen Anne Stakes and Juddmonte International at two different distances – and his consistency is the element that handicappers love to see.
“He has been metronomic, giving performance of 130-plus over and over again. The conditions were not helpful today but he has put up another 130-plus effort. The ground concerned us all, and I think back to great horses of yesteryear, Brigadier Gerard being the obvious one, who were all out to win on this type of ground against significantly inferior horses. Frankel certainly wasn’t running against significantly inferior horses today – they were some of the best he has faced and yet he still went past them looking like a champion.
“It will be a very easy contest to rate, compared to some of his races because they have finished in the order we hoped they would. Frankel was on 140, Cirrus Des Aigles on 130, Nathaniel on 126 and so on. That helps us – the distance between the second and third was two and a half lengths, and we would call that 4lb over this distance so you would have to think they have run to their maximum.
“Then you have to assess the one and three-quarter lengths by which Frankel beat Cirrus Des Aigles – I think he was value for a little more than that, although he wasn’t as extravagant as in some of his other wins. I believe there was a little in the tank and that he was value for two and a half lengths and possibly more, which makes Frankel’s run today a 134-plus performance.
“We just don’t get that level so consistently. Five years ago, in 2007, there was not a single 130-plus performance in the world, yet this horse does it time and again. Last year there were two horses in the world rated 130-plus, namely Frankel and Black Caviar, and Frankel has done it again this year. I’ve never seen a horse who is so consistent. He never throws in a below-par performance.
“His final rating is not purely a BHA decision, but an international handicappers’ decision, which will be discussed at the end of the year in Hong Kong among 20 handicappers. After today his 140-rating won’t change, however it could go up, it could conceivably go down at that conference, although that is unlikely.”
Asked if Excelebration’s win in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes could have a bearing on Frankel’s mark, Smith’s colleague, Dominic Gardiner-Hill said Excelebration did not run to his true mark in the Queen Anne Stakes when trounced by Frankel. Excelebration was rated 125 before today’s victory, but Gardiner-Hill said he could nudge 130 after today’s race is assessed.
Frankel’s top-speed 37.5mph
Statistics provided by TurfTRax show Frankel’s top speed in the QIPCO Champion Stakes was 37.5mph and the fastest single furlong he ran was from the 3f to 2f marker – he covered that distance in 12 seconds dead.
MORE QUEALLY QUOTES
Tom Queally continued his wonderful association with Frankel when steering the world’s best racehorse to his 14th and final victory in the Group One QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot this afternoon.
Although the Frankel conceded a couple of lengths at the start, Queally rode the son of Galileo with the confidence we have come to expect from the 28-year-old, producing him for an easy length and three-quarter success over Cirrus Des Aigles.
Queally said: “I’m really proud of Frankel and we have been on an amazing journey. He was slowly away at York and he was a little bit slower today but I have so much belief in the horse and I suppose that we have pushed that to the limit in the past but he is amazing. We lost a length at the start but a length is nothing to him.
“It’s fair to say that he is better on better ground but the 4×4 kicked in and he is everything that you could imagine in a horse. He didn’t really enjoy the ground – he didn’t bounce of it like he can do – but that shows you what sort of horse we are dealing with. Under the circumstances I would say it’s up there with his best performances.
“Frankel is the biggest chapter in my life and it’s great that it has happened. Sir Henry (Cecil) has had some great jockeys and for me to be there at that time when the horse of a lifetime comes along is just amazing.
“I can think of harder things than being Frankel’s jockey on the grand scale of things. There is pressure but there is pressure in all walks of life and I would gladly take it all on board – the chances of me being the guy on board or even the chances of a horse like him coming along.
“I am by no means at all a showman but it unusual for a Flat crowd to get behind a horse – you come in and say to yourself “wow”. That sums the horse up in every way.
“Connections had to make the call whether to run and it was the right one. I am just proud to be associated with him – I am fortunate, privileged. My family are here and it’s nice for them too. Everyone at Warren Place is like a big family that pulls together and everyone gets a kick out of it.
“I don’t get too nervous because I am so close to it and have control over what’s going on, but I can imagine what some of the other people were feeling. It’s a big thing and you can see how much it means to people.”
“I could stand here and talk to all night about what he means to me and I am very proud to be associated with him. I went down an extra 100y yards in front of the stands to let the crowd soak it all in and so I could have another 20 seconds on his back.”
REPORT OF MARES BRED
Thanks to Sarah for a comment made in regard to the recently released REPORT OF MARES BRED. Slight declines around the continent (7.7 per cent decline in Ontario) but a worrisome state of affairs as many local breeders are selling off their stock.
Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/
articles/73683/report-shows-breeding-steadied-in-2012#ixzz2A7cKhSo8
