Racing (Horse) : General Horse Racing Thread

[denphone]

Ruler confirmed for Irish Derby.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Sat

Epsom hero Ruler Of The World will be Aidan O'Brien's big hope for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh on June 29.

The Ballydoyle trainer has taken the Classic for the last seven years, and 10 times in all, and has a host of entries in the race this season.

However, he has decided to name his Investec Derby winner as on target for the Curragh, as well as announcing other significant running plans for Royal Ascot.

[denphone]

Simcock reaches Pinnacle with Time.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...=&sub=&day=Sat

Moment In Time sprang a minor surprise when successfully stepping up in grade to land the BetVictor Royal Ascot Money Back Pinnacle Stakes at Haydock.

The David Simcock-trained filly (8-1), winner of a Doncaster handicap only last month, wore down pacesetting German raider Nymphea close home to take this Group Three contest.

Jim Crowley brought Moment In Time with a steady run to make her challenge and she got the verdict by a head.

[denphone]

German raid pays off.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Sun

A first visit to Haydock proved to be fruitful for Peter Schiergen as the leading German handler saddled a winner and a runner-up in the two feature events at the Merseyside track.

Schiergen, a former champion jockey in his homeland and a winner of multiple Group One events as a trainer, is best known on British shores for his handling of the brilliant Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and King George-winning mare Danedream.

The trainer and his jockey Andrasch Starke went close with Nymphea before they struck with Amarillo, who just held Pastoral Player in the Timeform Jury Stakes.

[denphone]

Jewel shows plenty of sparkle.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Sun

Artistic Jewel went one place better than last year with a sparkling show to take the BetVictor.com EBF Cecil Frail Stakes at Haydock.

For a moment it appeared the Dominik Moser-trained Gracia Directa might claim another victory for Germany after the success of Amarillo, but Graham Lee timed it right on Artistic Jewel (8-1) to take Listed honours by a length and a quarter.

"It was a tough ask for her today, having her first run of the year against horses who had all had a run, but she is a very genuine filly and Graham gave her a great ride," said trainer Ed McMahon.

[denphone]

Juddmonte future under review.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...=&sub=&day=Sun

Juddmonte Farms, one of racing's biggest and most successful empires, is under review.

Khalid Abdullah's operation is likely to be trimmed down though their prize possession, the brilliant champion Frankel, who is now at stud, is believed not to be up for sale.

Juddmonte's chief executive Douglas Erskine-Crum confirmed newspaper reports over the weekend that the process was ongoing, but was at an early stage.

[denphone]

Beckett plotting with star fillies

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...=&sub=&day=Sun

Ralph Beckett is still leaning towards the Darley Irish Oaks for his Epsom heroine Talent though a final decision has yet to be made.

Talent led home a one-two for the Kimpton trainer in the Investec Oaks with stablemate Secret Gesture beaten three and three-quarter lengths in second place, and Beckett reports the Irish equivalent at the Curragh on July 21 to be under consideration for both fillies.

"Talent is likely to go for the Irish Oaks, all being well, but with Secret Gesture it's still under discussion," he said.

[denphone]

Bolger adopts cautious approach.


http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Sun

Plans remain fluid for vanquished Epsom Derby favourite Dawn Approach.

The 2000 Guineas winner lost his unbeaten record in the premier Classic when he came home last, having refused to settle from the outset.

Godolphin's colt has already been ruled out of the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, but still holds entries in races like the Irish Derby at the Curragh and the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.

[denphone]

Stars set for summer break

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Mon

Willie Mullins reports Thousand Stars to be in much better health after the popular grey became distressed following the French Champion Hurdle at Auteuil.

Winner of the race twice previously, the nine-year-old finished in ninth behind the impressive home-trained winner Gemix on Sunday. There were some worrying scenes after the race, but Mullins is now much happier with his condition.

"He's much better, he seems to have recovered and it may have been exhaustion," said Mullins.

[denphone]

BHA - Sungate probe continues

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Tue

Investigations by the British Horseracing Authority into the use of Sungate in racing remain "ongoing" as veteran trainer Clive Brittain became the latest to speak of the drug's use in the sport.

Brittain, who has won many of the world's biggest races, including at the Breeders' Cup with the great racemare Pebbles, told the Guardian that some of his horses, who were out of training at the time and recovering from serious injury, had been treated with Sungate, which contains the banned steroid stanozolol.

[denphone]

Dundonnell could storm Palace.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...=&sub=&day=Tue

Dundonnell could yet have a crack at the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, according to his trainer Roger Charlton.

The Beckhampton handler had been aiming one of last season's leading juveniles at the Jersey Stakes over seven furlongs, but the way he finished his race off over that trip when getting back to winning ways at Newmarket last time out convinced Charlton to give the Group One serious consideration.

[denphone]

Legendary trainer Sir Henry Cecil dies aged 70.

http://www.racingpost.com/news/live.sd

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/22856999

SIR HENRY CECIL, one of the most influential and successful racehorse trainers of all time, has died. He was 70.

The trainer prepared 25 British Classic winners and reached arguably the pinnacle of his career with his flawless handling of Frankel, who he guided to a perfect record of 14 wins from 14 races.

Its a very sad day to hear of the passing of one of the true giants of horse racing who was also a true gentleman as well.

RIP Henry

[denphone]

Farewell, King Henry

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...=&sub=&day=Tue

Sir Henry Richard Amherst Cecil was one of the most popular and greatest racehorse trainers of this, or any other, era.

Perhaps those newer to the sport will not be able to quite appreciate his level of domination of British racing in the 1980s and 90s, but the records speak for themselves. Ten champion trainer titles and 25 British Classic winners are the tip of the iceberg, with his 75 victories at Royal Ascot not in danger of being eclipsed any time soon.

The names trip off the tongue. Slip Anchor, Reference Point, Oh So Sharp and Indian Skimmer are just four brilliant horses of yesteryear to graduate with distinction from the Cecil academy in Newmarket, and more recently the exploits of Twice Over, Midday and the incomparable Frankel had propelled him back to where he belonged - at the top table

Warren Place: the greats

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...=&sub=&day=Tue

Following the death of Sir Henry Cecil, we remember some of the greatest horses trained at his famous Warren Place establishment in Newmarket:

[denphone]

O'Sullevan on 'a special man'

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...26#39;&day=Tue

Sir Peter O'Sullevan called many of Sir Henry Cecil's triumphs over the years in his role as the BBC's racing commentator and described the legendary trainer as "a special man".

He also recalled a comment made by former top owner Jim Joel, whose black and red colours were once a familiar sight on British racecourses and for whom Cecil trained Classic winners.

O'Sullevan said: "He (Sir Henry) was a very special man in so many ways. He had the common touch, which is very rare. I think as a trainer he was best described by one of his charming owners Jim Joel as a man with green fingers for horses. That was a perfect definition of his amazing empathy with the horse."

[denphone]

Abdullah hails 'genius' Cecil.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...+Cecil&day=Wed

Leading owner Prince Khalid Abdullah has paid a personal tribute to his "great friend" Sir Henry Cecil following the trainer's death on Tuesday at the age of 70.

Abdullah and Cecil enjoyed one of the strongest relationships in racing, with the owner standing by Cecil throughout his period in the doldrums in the early part of the last decade.

Cecil produced plenty of big winners for the Saudi prince over the years, not least Frankel, who retired after a 14-race unbeaten career at the end of 2012.

In a statement to Press Association Sport, Abdullah said: "It was with great sadness that I learnt of the death of Henry. His life is a remarkable story which has inspired so many.

"His genius and compassion, especially in the training of Frankel, was clear to see. Both their names will be indelibly linked. Above all, he was a great personal friend."

[denphone]

Racing pays its respects.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Wed