Order Of St George powers to St Leger victory at the Curragh

 PICTURE: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos

Panther suffers fatal injury as St wins Leger

Report: Curragh, Sunday,  Palmerstown House Estate Irish St Leger (Group 1) 1m6f, 3yo+

ORDER OF ST GEORGE completed a St Leger double for Aidan O’Brien with a runaway victory under jockey Joseph O’Brien.

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However, the race produced more sadness than jubilation after last year’s winner Brown Panther sustained a fatal hind leg injury nearing the turn for home.

The decision to reroute Order Of St George to the Irish St Leger instead of the Ladbrokes St Leger on Saturday proved an inspired move by connections as he eased to success while Bondi Beach scored at Doncaster in his absence.

O’Brien anchored the well-backed 5-4 favourite at the back of the pack as Good Tradition set a solid pace in front with Brown Panther taking up a role behind the leader and clear of the main pack.

The race changed dramatically approaching the turn for home as Richard Kingscote sent Brown Panther in pursuit of the leader at which point disaster struck and the popular seven-year-old was pulled up. He could not be saved.

Owen: “I can’t bear thinking of life without him”

Former England international Michael Owen has been a longtime lover of horseracing but there is little doubt Brown Panther was the horse he loved the most.

Bred by Owen out of his first racehorse Treble Heights, Brown Panther reduced his owner to tears when winning at Royal Ascot in 2011 and provided him with a first Classic win in last year’s Irish St Leger as well as a host of other big-race wins.

Speaking in June, Owen told the Racing Post’s Lee Mottershead of his affection for Brown Panther, saying: “I can’t bear thinking of life without him. It’s that bad.

“I’ll always love racing but I can’t imagine I’ll ever be able to replicate the pleasure he has given me over the last half a dozen years. I don’t think anyone could get as much pleasure from a horse as we’ve had from him.”

Michael Owen (right) with his pride and joy Brown Panther

 PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

With front-runner Good Tradition weakening, Order Of St George powered through the pack and shot clear, his superiority over the rest of the runners there for all to see as he pounded clear.

Order Of St George crossed the line 11 lengths in front of Agent Murphy, who ran on resolutely in the closing stages to take second from Wicklow Brave in third.

Joseph O’Brien, who was winning the race for the first time, said: “He’s a lovely horse who handled the ground and stays well. He’s very genuine too and was really good today.

“I was a bit further back than I intended and I had a quick look at the top of the hill and made my move a bit earlier than I should have as I didn’t want the leader [Good Tradition] to get away, but I ended up there sooner than I wanted. Fortunately he has a big engine and fought all the way to the line.”

Treve leaves her rivals in her dust at Longchamp on Sunday

PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Treve looks unstoppable in stunning Arc trial win

Report: France, Sunday,  Longchamp: Qatar Prix Vermeille (Group 1) 1m4f, 3yo+ fillies & mares

TREVE was at her imperious best as she routed the field on her final outing before attempting to win the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe for an unprecedented third time next month.

Trained by Criquette Head-Maarek and ridden by Thierry Jarnet, Treve left her rivals for dead turning into the home straight and continued to motor clear of them under minimal urging for a utterly dominant and dismissive victory.

Bookmakers immediately ducked for cover with William Hill going 4-5 (from 7-4), Paddy Power evens (from 2), BoyleSports evens (from 6-4) and Betfred 11-10 (from 7-4).

‘Fantastic mare’

Treve stepped on to the course at Longchamp around half an hour after Prix du Jockey Club winner New Bay had announced himself as a serious contender for the Arc with a mighty win in the Group 2 Prix Niel. But he, and anyone else, will have to be something very special indeed to deny Treve if she lines up in the Arc in the form she was in for this trial.

“I don’t know what to say,” said a near-speechless Head-Maarek. “She’s a fantastic mare, she loves Longchamp and I’ve always said she is so much better going right-handed.

“It is three weeks to the Arc and obviously she is in very good form but we have seen a very good colt here already today [in New Bay] and also in England as well. The Arc will be a different matter and it’s not won yet.”

Treve and Thierry Jarnet receive the applause of fans at Longchamp

 PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Magnificent victory

From the stalls Dihna jumped out into the lead and set the pace for her stablemate Treve with Arabian Queen, second favourite for this contest behind Treve after her defeat of Golden Horn in the Juddmonte International last month, tracking the pacemaker in second.

Turning into the false straight Jarnet asked Treve to move a little closer and the rider needed all of his skills to keep the mare from rocketing clear as she picked up the bridle in ominous fashion to sit just behind the pacemaker.

At the top of the home straight it was clear Treve would win but the manner in which she kicked a Group 1 field out of the way was magnificent and almost in the blink of an eye she accelerated well clear.

Owner Sheikh Joaan Al Thani and his racing manager Harry Herbert watched the closing stages with huge smiles on their faces knowing the decision to un-retire Treve and go for a third Arc was looking a wise one as the five-year-old cantered to a quite brilliant success.

In focus: Treve’s main Arc rivals

New Bay French Derby winner who represents master trainer Andre Fabre. Second favourite for the Arc after swatting aside rivals to win the Prix Niel on Sunday, the race Fabre used to prep his Arc winners Trempolino, Carnegie, Hurricane Run and Rail Link.

Jack Hobbs Winner of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby and warmed up for the Arc with an effortless win against inferior rivals on the all-weather at Kempton. Soft ground in Paris preferred by trainer John Gosden.

Golden Horn Leading three-year-old of the year having added Saturday’s Qipco Irish Champion Stakes to wins in the Investec Derby and Coral-Eclipse. Potentially better at 1m2f and soft ground an issue but has a turn of foot to match Treve.

New Bay (left): represents master trainer Andre Fabre

Ervedya (second left) challenges Karakontie in the Prix du Moulin

 PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Soumillon times it right on Ervedya in Moulin

 BY PETER SCARGILL3:53PM 13 SEP 2015 

Report: France, Sunday,  Longchamp: Qatar Prix du Moulin (Group 1) 1m, 3yo+ no gelding

On a weekend dominated by stewards’ inquiries and close finishes, Christophe Soumillon steered a careful and patient course on Ervedya before unleashing her potent turn of foot to great effect.

Soumillon had to wait for the right moment to ease Ervedya out as Wild Chief attempted to hold her in behind leader Karakontie, knowing an overzealous manoeuvre would land him in hot water with the French stewards.

The moment came with a furlong to run and once out the Alain de Royer-Dupre-trained filly ran down Karakontie impressively to score despite the late charge of Akatea.  

Overnight rain in Paris reduced the field for this contest with Dutch Connection, Arod, Esoterique and Territories all non-runners.

fonte : RacingPost

 

Ballydoyle downed by stablemate in Moyglare

 BY DANIEL HILL3:34PM 13 SEP 2015 

Report: Ireland, Sunday,  Moyglare Stud Stakes (Group 1) 7f, 2yo fillies

MINDING led home an Aidan O’Brien 1-2-3 in the Moyglare Stakes with a hard-fought victory over favourite Ballydoyle with Alice Springs back in third.

Ballydoyle was sent straight into the lead by Joseph O’Brien, and as the furlong pole approached the daughter of Galileo appeared to have fought off her nine rivals.

However, her stride began to shorten and she was overhauled by a battling Minding under Seamie Heffernan.

Alice Springs made good late headway to fill a place after missing the break.

Second favourite Tanaza, owned by the Aga Khan and trained by Dermot Weld, was a onepaced fourth.

Despite her reverse, Ballydoyle remains the 8-1 favourite for the 2016 Qipco 1,000 Guineas with Betfred, who go 10-1 Minding.

fonte RacingPost

 

SABATO 12 SETTEMBRE 2015 Leopardstown: Golden Horn vince le Irish Champion Stakes battendo Found e quasi abbattendo Free Eagle!

 

Ancora più incredibile, se prendiamo a riferimento quanto accaduto a Doncaster, quello che è successo a Leopardstown. Nelle Irish Champion Stakes G1 a vincere sul palo è stato Golden Horn (Cape Cross) il quale è sopravvissuto ad un intervento dei commissari dopo una netta deviazione ai danni diFree Eagle (High Chaparral) con il quale aveva dato vita ad un duello prima che il cavallo montato da Frankie, complice un’ombra, non scartasse nettamente verso il cavallo di Dermot Weld fermandone l’azione. Golden Horn ha proseguito per la sua strada e sul palo è passato per primo mentreFound, acquattata dietro ai primi, è riuscita a prendere il secondo posto. Ne ha fatto le spese solo Free Eagle, di fatto, perchè la deviazione è stata davvero molto pericolosa ed il risultato invariato. Questa si, che è una vera decisione all’inglese che ha salvaguardato il risultato sportivo che altrimenti avrebbe avuto Found al primo posto. Anche qui, come sopra, dateci la Vostra impressione. IL VIDEO DELLA CORSA QUI.

 

Comunque, al netto di tutte le storielle, Golden Horn è andato forte partendo ancora una volta brillante e gestendola in avanti, girando stretto.. Found ha confermato di essere in ordine e di contare tanto quando è fresca, e stessa cosa per il povero Free Eagle a cui non ne va una dritta. Stagione da incorniciare per Frankie (21° pattern in stagione) e John Gosden, con Anthony Oppenheimer quasi sorpreso di salire in premiazione. Prossimo obiettivo per il figlio di Cape Cross (Green Desert) è l’Arc de Triomphe. Questa corsa ci ha dimostrato che deve sfogarsi, ogni tanto, ed ha bisogno di correre.

 

Quanto agli altri: Direi che per il leone Cirrus è giunto il tempo di una meritata pensione con tanta erba da brucare. 

 

PUBBLICATO DA GABRIELE CANDI A SABATO, SETTEMBRE 12, 2015 

 

Golden Horn Prevails in Leopardstown Thriller

• By Myra Lewyn, September 12, 2015 3:12 PM

In a wild finish to the Irish Champion Stakes (Ire-I), Golden Horn swerved out into challenging Free Eagle but got across the finish line first and then held on to the win after a stewards’ inquiry Sept. 12 at Leopardstown. 

 

Investec Epsom Derby (Eng-I) winner Golden Horn, the 5-4 favorite, dictated the running for most of the race before Frankie Dettori urged him for more rounding the turn. As Free Eagle challenged to his outside in the stretch, the winner suddenly veered off the rail in the final 150 yards and slammed into Free Eagle before continuing on to a one-length triumph.

 

In behind the front-runners filly Found was closing ground to the outside, and then down the center of the course. As Golden Eagle and Free Eagle made contact she dashed over to the rail and was up to take second under Seamus Heffernan, a half length in front of Free Eagle. 

 

A prolonged stewards’ inquiry ensued but the results were unchanged. 

 

“Pat said that the interference completely knocked the wind out of Free Eagle and cost him the race,” Weld told Racing Post. 

 

Golden Horn was timed in 2:05.41 for 1 1/4 miles on yielding turf and earned a starting berth in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (gr. IT) Oct. 31 at Keeneland.

 

Golden Eagle came in off his first career defeat, in which he was a neck second to Arabian Queen in the Juddmonte International (Eng-I) Aug. 19 at York. His record stands at 6-1-0 from seven career starts that include consecutive wins this season in the Fielden Stakes, Betfred Dante (Eng-II), Epsom Derby, and Coral Eclipse (Eng-I). John Gosden trains the Cape Cross colt for owner/breeder Anthony Oppenheimer.

 

Earlier in the week, the race shaped up as a mouth-watering showdown between Golden Horn and dual Guineas winnerGleneagles, but the latter bypassed the race due to less-than-ideal soft ground conditions. 

 

Golden Horn’s dam Fleche d’Or, a half sister to the group I winner Rebecca Sharp.

 

Pleascach was fourth, followed by Highland Reel, The Grey Gatsby, and Cirrus des Aigles to complete the order of finish.

 

One race later on the card, 7-4 favorite Legatissimo was the clear winner of the Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes (Ire-I), taking the event by 2 1/4 lengths from Cladocera, with Ainippe another 2 1/4 length back in third.

 

With Wayne Lordan aboard for trainer David Wachman, Legatissimo covered one mile in 1:39.95, adding a third top-level win to her record, which also includes the QIPCO One Thousand Guineas (Eng-I) in May at Newmarket and Qatar Nassau Stakes (Eng-I) in August at Goodwood last time out.

 

Legatissimo, a daughter of Danehill Dancer out of Yummy Mummy, by Montjeu, provided owner Coolmore and partners a second group I win Saturday. The connections took the Ladbrokes St. Leger (Eng-I) at Doncaster with Bondi Beach, trained by Aidan O’Brien.

 

The Matron is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” race to the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (gr. I).

 

Doncaster: Atzeni vince il St Leger, ma viene retrocesso. Promosso Bondi Beach. Bocciati i commissari

 

Incredibile a Doncaster. Sul palo del St Leger è passata Simple Verse (Duke Of Marmalade) ma poco dopo i commissari hanno ritenuto di intervenire per distanziare la cavalla montata da Andrea Atzeni per i colori della Qatar Racing, a favore di Bondi Beach (Galileo) che dunque è stato promosso al primo dopo decisione presa dopo la corsa, in sala commissari. Scelta a nostro avviso estremamente discutibile perchè la femmina di Ralph Beckett si è presa si lo spazio quando non ne aveva, è vero, ma il tutto è rimasto secondo quelli che sono i criteri di liceità assorbiti da tante corse inglesi viste e riviste. I commissari hanno invece ritenuto quella spallata pregiudizievole di un miglior piazzamento per il Coolmoriano con Colm O’Donoghue che ha convinto gli stessi nella Steward’s Room, i quali dunque hanno tolto il titolo alla femmina. Atzeni incredulo, Ralph Beckett indignato e Fahad Al Thani che ha lasciato Doncaster furioso annunciando che farà ricorso. Quanto alla corsa, per Andrea Atzeni era la seconda affermazione consecutiva nella Classica più vecchia in Inghilterra, un anno dopo la vittoria con Kingston Hill con Simple Verse, supplementata per £50,000 nei giorni precedenti. Giudicate voi. IL VIDEO DEL ST LEGER QUI.
Seguiranno approfondimenti.

La retrocessione di Atzeni, per poco non ci faceva dimenticare che ne ha vinte altre due nel convegno. Una, bellissima, con Limato (Tagula) che ha vinto le Park Stakes G2 (VIDEO QUI) al rientro dal terzo nella Commonwealth Cup G1 di Ascot. il figlio di Tagula (Taufan) allenato da Henry Candy ha dato una categoria a Markaz (Dark Angel) e Breton Rock (Bahamian Bounty) sul quale c’era Umberto Rispoli. Dopo la retrocessione, è arrivata una facile vittoria in handicap sempre per i colori di Al Thani su Captain Morley, ma quando il boss se n’era già andato altrove.
Alla voce imprese memorabili della giornata, segnatevi il nome di questo cavallo: Emotionless (Shamardal) che ha vinto le Champagne Stakes G2 per i colori Godolphin sui 1400 metri senza mai uscire dal canter con William Buick in sella. Il figlio di Shamardal ha avvicinato Ibn Malik, secondo di Vintage Stakes G2 a Goodwood, e lo ha disperso nettamente. Emotionless è un bel cavallo che ha ottimo cambio di marcia, anche se ha corso solo 100 metri, ma personalmente ha impressionato tantissimo per la concentrazione e la facilità d’azioni. Ha iscrizioni alle Royal Lodge Stakes G2, alle Dewhurst Stakes G1 e Racing Post Trophy G1 qui a Donny. In generale, è diventato il fava nell’antepost delle 2000 Ghinee 2016. Giudicate voi, il video lo trovate QUI.

 

PUBBLICATO DA GABRIELE CANDI A SABATO, SETTEMBRE 12, 2015 

 

Leopardstown: Ritirato Gleneagles dalle Irish Champion Stakes. Terreno non sufficientemente asciutto…

 

Niente, neanche stavolta. Uno dei più attesi, Gleneagles, è stato ufficialmente ritirato dalla partecipazione nelle Irish Champion Stakes G1 di Leopardstown. Ad indurre Padre Aidan al ritiro, ovviamente, sono ancora una volta le condizioni del terreno non abbastanza veloce per il figlio di Galileo, che resta dunque sulla vittoria nelle St James G1 di Giugno. Ora però, dopo i ritiri nelle Sussex, nel Le Marois, nelle Juddmonte International, qualcosa comincia a puzzare di bruciato….

 

PUBBLICATO DA GABRIELE CANDI A SABATO, SETTEMBRE 12, 2015