Vancouver was a brilliant winner of the Golden Slipper Stakes
PICTURE: Getty Images
Diamond Jubilee most likely goal for Vancouver
Last year’s Champion Australian two-year-old Vancouver faces a race against time if he is to be seen to advantage in his brief stay in Europe this summer, but Aidan O’Brien hopes he might well have the class to cope.
The Golden Slipper winner, described by O’Brien as “a powerhouse” and “massive”, has been at Ballydoyle only around seven weeks and has to go into quarantine in preparation for his return to Australia just 24 hours after the Darley July Cup. However, if all goes well he will have three races while under O’Brien’s care.
Although a three-year-old in southern hemisphere terms, Vancouverhas to race in the northern hemisphere as a four-year-old. He is entered over a range of distances at Royal Ascot, from five furlongs to ten furlongs, but O’Brien is leaning heavily towards the 6f Diamond Jubilee Stakes as his target there, followed by the July Cup.
“He’s very exciting, very quick and the Diamond Jubilee is his most likely race at Ascot,” said O’Brien on Monday, when hosting a media visit to his Ballydoyle yard.
‘He has to have a race’
Vancouver is due to make his debut for O’Brien in the Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh a week on Saturday, although he will be by no means wound up.
O’Brien added: “He’s only really ready for a racecourse gallop, but he has to have a race so that we can learn about him. If he doesn’t have a race before Ascot we won’t know how we should ride him. Everyone has to be prepared for him to get beat there. What we’re asking of him is next to impossible. But maybe he’s good enough.”
Melbourne Cup goal for Bondi Beach
Australia might also feature in Bondi Beach’s year as connections are eyeing a tit at the Emirates Melbourne Cup.
O’Brien said: “Bondi Beach is not a definite for the Yorkshire Cup this Friday and could go to Navan on Sunday instead. His long-term target is the Melbourne Cup.”
Order Of St George is likely to be aimed at the Gold Cup, for which he is 5-2 favourite, but Royal Ascot is likely to come to soon for Kingfisher, who, O’Brien reported had suffered a setback.
While O’Brien’s three-year-old colts and fillies are hogging most headlines, with Epsom approaching, he also has several other leading older horses and said that Highland Reel, who has run overseas on his last four starts, could contest the Investec Coronation Cup next month, as could Found, though she first has the Tattersalls Gold Cup on her agenda, with the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe the big target for her later in the year.
Read more about Aidan O’Brien’s powerful string in the Racing Post on iPad from 8pm on Monday or pick up Tuesday’s newspaper
Diamond Jubilee Stakes |
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| Group 1, Ascot 16:20 £600,000 added, 3yo plus, 6f, Class 1 |
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Saturday 18th June 2016
The £600,000 Diamond Jubilee Stakes (44 entries) could see a fascinating clash between top Australian sprinter Chautauqua (John Hawkes AUS) and last year’s winner Undrafted (Wesley Ward USA). |
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That is also a challenge leg so if appearing at Royal Ascot, or in the Darley July Cup, Chautauqua would be running for the US$1-million bonus available to any horse winning three legs in three different jurisdictions.
Ward has also entered Green Mask, Hootenannyand The Great War, while Godolphin’s Holler(John O’Shea AUS), The Quarterback (Robbie Griffiths AUS) and Spalato(John O’Hara SING) are among other long-distance entries.
Other possibles for the six-furlong dash on Saturday, June 18 include high-class Hong Kong performers Gold-Fun and Giant Treasure (both Richard Gibson HK), plus US import Bobby’s Kitten (Dermot Weld IRE), the 2014 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint victor, who scored impressively on his Irish debut last month.
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Jan 12 Star Australian colt Vancouver joined Aidan O’Brien’s team ahead of a likely appearance at Royal Ascot.
Last season’s champion two-year-old won three races last year, when trained by Gai Waterhouse, with Coolmore having purchased controlling interest in him after his impressive victory in the Group One Golden Slipper at Rosehill in March.
The son of Medaglia D’Oro is now set to enter quarantine ahead of his transfer to Ireland.
Coolmore’s Tom Magnier said in a statement: “Circumstances have forced our hand with Vancouver to an extent, but Gai is adamant that he’s a Royal Ascot horse and that’s where we’ll be aiming him.
“I’ve spoken to Aidan and Joseph (O’Brien) and they can’t wait for the horse to arrive.
“Gai and her team have done a wonderful job with him, as evidenced by his unforgettable two-year-old season, and let’s hope he does them proud on his travels.”
Waterhouse added on www.coolmore.com: “He’s an incredibly talented horse and, with the autumn falling so early this year and Royal Ascot an important goal in June, we decided in consultation with managing owner Coolmore that it would be best to send him to Ireland to give Aidan O’Brien the necessary time to prepare.
“As an unbeaten champion two-year-old and winner of the Golden Slipper, he has nothing more to prove in Australia.
“I have no doubt that he is world class and this plan gives him the best opportunity of proving himself on the international stage, with a view to possible dual-hemisphere stud duties.”
Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Group 1)
(British Champions Series & Global Sprint Challenge)
£600,000 added, 3yo plus, 6f, Class 1
44 entries
Going: N/A
International entries
| Horse | Owner | Trainer | Country |
| Japonisme (AUS) | Ingham Racing | Chris Waller | Australia |
| Kermadec (NZ) | N. Morgan | Chris Waller | Australia |
| Chautauqua (AUS) | R. & C. Legh Racing et al | John Hawkes | Australia |
| Holler (AUS) | Godolphin | John O’Shea | Australia |
| The Quarterback (AUS) | C W Pearce & Partners | Robbie Griffiths | Australia |
| Sonnerie (GB) | Wertheimer et Frere | F. Head | France |
| Signs of Blessing (IRE) | Ecurie Pandora Racing | Francois Rohaut | France |
| Not Listenin’tome (AUS) | Mr Matthew Wong Leung Pak | John Moore | Hong Kong |
| Giant Treasure (USA) | Mr Pan Sutong | Richard Gibson | Hong Kong |
| Gold-Fun (IRE) | Mr Pan Sutong | Richard Gibson | Hong Kong |
| Cougar Mountain (IRE) | M Tabor/D Smith/ Mrs Magnier/Mrs O’Brien | Aidan O’Brien | Ireland |
| Dick Whittington (IRE) | Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier | Aidan O’Brien | Ireland |
| Vancouver (AUS) | Mrs John Magnier | Aidan O’Brien | Ireland |
| Bobby’s Kitten (USA) | Mr K. L. Ramsey | D. K. Weld | Ireland |
| Fort Del Oro (IRE) | Ballylinch Stud | Edward Lynam | Ireland |
| Moviesta (USA) | H.Redknapp, W.Salthouse, Ritchie Fiddes | Edward Lynam | Ireland |
| Sole Power (GB) | Mrs S. Power | Edward Lynam | Ireland |
| Yuften (GB) | Saleh Al Homaizi & Imad Al Sagar | J. P. Murtagh | Ireland |
| Letters of Note (IRE) | Pearl Bloodstock Limited | M. D. O’Callaghan | Ireland |
| Spalato (NZ) | Mr Graham Mackie | John O’Hara | Singapore |
| Guns Loaded (USA) | Neil Haymes & Partners | Doug F. O’Neill | USA |
| Mongolian Saturday (USA) | Mr Ganbaatar Dagvadorj | Enebish Ganbat | USA |
| Green Mask (USA) | Sheik Abdullah Saeed Almaddah | Wesley A. Ward | USA |
| Hootenanny (USA) | Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith | Wesley A. Ward | USA |
| The Great War (USA) | MTabor/DSmith/ MrsJMagnier/ Joseph Allen LLC | Wesley A. Ward | USA |
| Undrafted (USA) | Wes Welker & Sol Kumin | Wesley A. Ward | USA |
THE DIAMOND JUBILEE STAKES
Past Results
2015-WINNER-UNDRAFTED
2014-WINNER-SLADE POWER 5-9-04 Owner-Sabena Power; Trainer-Edward Lynam IRE; Jockey-Wayne Lordan; SP-7/2F
2ND-Due Diligence 3-8-11 Owner-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magner; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Ryan Moore; SP-5/1
3RD-Aljamaaheer 5-9-04 Owner-Hamdan Al Maktoum; Trainer-Roger Varian; Jockey-Paul Hanagan; SP-4/1
14 ran; Time-1m 12.40s; Dist-1½; hd
2013-WINNER-LETHAL FORCE 4-9-04 Owner-Alan Craddock; Trainer-Clive Cox; Jockey-Adam Kirby; SP-11/1
2ND-Society Rock 6-9-04 Owner-Simon Gibson; Trainer-James Fanshawe; Jockey-Kieren Fallon; SP-4/1 Fav
3RD-Krypton Factor 5-9-04 Owner-Fawzi Abdulla Nass; Trainer-Fawzi Nass BAH; Jockey-Luke Morris; SP-25/1
18 ran; Time-1m 13.36s; Dist-2, 1¾
2012-WINNER-BLACK CAVIAR 6-9-01 Owner-G J Wilkie, Mrs K J Wilkie et al; Trainer-Peter Moody AUS; Jockey-Luke Nolen; SP-1/6
Fav
2ND-Moonlight Cloud 4-9-01 Owner-George Strawbridge; Trainer-Freddy Head FR; Jockey-Thierry Jarnet; SP-5/1
3RD-Restiadargent 3-8-08 Owner-Guy Pariente; Trainer-Alex Pantall FR; Jockey-Maxime Guyon; SP-40/1
14 ran; Time-1m 14.10s; Dist-hd, nk
2011-WINNER-SOCIETY ROCK 4-9-04 Owner-Simon Gibson; Trainer-James Fanshawe; Jockey-Pat Cosgrave; SP-25/1
2ND-Monsieur Chevalier 4-9-04 Owner-Valerie Hubbard & Ian Higginson; Trainer-Richard Hannon; Jockey-Kieren Fallon; SP-25/1
3RD-Star Witness 4-9-04 Owner-Widden Stud; Trainer-Danny O’Brien AUS; Jockey-Steven Arnold; SP-4/1
16 ran; Time-1m 17.22s; Dist-½, 1¼ 3/1 Fav Bewitched (14th)
2010-WINNER-STARSPANGLEDBANNER 4-9-04 Owner-Michael Tabor/Derrick Smith/Sue Magnier/Ms Massey; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien
IRE; Jockey-Johnny Murtagh; SP-13/2 Jt Fav
2ND Society Rock 3-8-11 Owner-Simon Gibson; Trainer-James Fanshawe; Jockey-Pat Cosgrave; SP-50/1
3RD Kinsale King 5-9-04 Owner-Sheehy LLC; Trainer-Carl O’Callaghan USA; Jockey-Kieren Fallon; SP-8/1
24 ran; Time-1m 12.57s; Dist-1¾, hd 13/2 Jt Fav Fleeting Spirit (4th)
2009-WINNER-ART CONNOISSEUR 3-8-11 Owner-Richard Green; Trainer-Michael Bell; Jockey-Tom Queally; SP-20/1
2ND-Cannonball 4-9-04 Owner-Ken & Sarah Ramsey; Trainer-Wesley Ward USA; Jockey-Olivier Peslier; SP-11/1
3RD-Lesson In Humility 4-9-01 Owner-Michael Nelmes-Crocker; Trainer-Karl Burke; Jockey-Andrew Elliott; SP-33/1
14 ran; Time-1m 14.90s; Dist-nk, 2½ 5/2 Fav J J The Jet Plane (4th)
2008-WINNER-KINGSGATE NATIVE 3-8-11 Owner-John Mayne; Trainer-John Best; Jockey-Seb Sanders; SP-33/1
2ND-War Artist 5-9-04 Owner-Vintage Thoroughbreds; Trainer-James Eustace; Jockey-Kerrin McEvoy; SP-8/1
3RD-Sir Gerry 3-8-11 Owner-Mrs Gerry Galligan; Trainer-James Fanshawe; Jockey-Jamie Spencer; SP-20/1
17 ran, Time-1m 13.33s, Dist-1¼, ¾ 4/1 Fav Takeover Target (4th)
2007-WINNER-SOLDIER’S TALE 6-9-04 Owner-Budget Stable; Trainer-Jeremy Noseda; Jockey-Johnny Murtagh; SP-9/1
2ND-Takeover Target 8-9-04 Owner-Joe & Ben Janiak; Trainer-Joe Janiak AUS; Jockey-Jay Ford; SP-8/1
3RD-Asset 4-9-04 Owner-Highclere Thoroughbred Racing XXVI; Trainer-Richard Hannon; Jockey-Richard Hughes; SP-14/1
21 ran, Time-1m 14.51s, Dist-hd, ½ 2/1 Fav Miss Andretti (15th)
2006-WINNER-LES ARCS 6-9-04 Owner-Willie McKay; Trainer-Tim Pitt; Jockey-John Egan; SP-33/1
2ND-Balthazaar’s Gift 3-8-11 Owner-Ryder Racing Ltd; Trainer-Kevin Ryan; Jockey-Jamie Spencer; SP-50/1
3RD-Takeover Target 7-9-04 Owner-Joe & Ben Janiak; Trainer-Joe Janiak AUS; Jockey-Jay Ford; SP-7/2 Fav
18 ran, Time-1m 13.12s, Dist-nk, 2
2005-WINNER-CAPE OF GOOD HOPE 7-9-04 Owner-Exors of the late R Carstairs; Trainer-David Oughton HK;
Jockey-Michael Kinane; SP-6/1
2ND-Galeota 3-8-11 Owner-John Lazzari; Trainer-Richard Hannon; Jockey-Ryan Moore; SP-15/2
3RD-Balmont 4-9-04 Owner-Sanford Robertson & Hatta Bloodstock; Jockey-Christophe Soumillon; SP-9/2 Fav
15 ran, Time-1m 8.58s Dist-hd, 1½ (run at York)
2004-WINNER-FAYR JAG 5-9-04 Owner-Jonathan Gill; Trainer-Tim Easterby; Jockey-Willie Supple; SP-12/1
2ND-Crystal Castle 6-9-04 Owner-J Raw; Trainer-John Hammond FR; Jockey-Kieren Fallon; SP-8/1
3RD-Cape Of Good Hope 6-9-04 Owner-Exors of the late R Carstairs; Trainer-David Oughton HK; Jockey-Michael Kinane; SP-13/2
14 ran, Time-1m 13.35s Dist-hd, hd 100/30 Fav Avonbridge (5th)
2003-WINNER-CHOISIR 4-9-04 Owner-Terry Wallace and Partners; Trainer-Paul Perry AUS; Jockey-Johnny Murtagh; SP-13/2
2ND-Airwave 3-8-08 Owner-Henry Candy and Partners; Trainer-Henry Candy; Jockey-Dane O’Neill; SP-11/8 Fav
3RD-Baron’s Pit 3-8-11 Owner-Jeff and Kath Thomas; Trainer-Richard Hannon; Jockey-Jimmy Fortune; SP-50/1
17 ran, Time-1m 12.23s Dist-½, 1
2002-WINNER-MALHUB 4-9-04 Owner-Hamdan Al Maktoum; Trainer-John Gosden; Jockey-Kevin Darley; SP-16/1
2ND-Danehurst 4-9-01 Owner-Cheveley Park Stud; Trainer-Sir Mark Prescott; Jockey-Seb Sanders; SP-13/2
3RD-Three Points 5-9-04 Owner-Godolphin; Trainer-Saeed bin Suroor; Jockey-Frankie Dettori; SP-4/1
12 ran, Time-1m 14.34s, Dist- 1½, ½ 3/1 Fav Johannesburg (9th)
fonte : RacingBetter
