Moonlight Cloud the European Star!

Fourth place finish last year to the winner of the title this year… Moonlight Cloud proved her point!

A week after her win at the Maurice de Gheest, Moonlight Cloud captured her group 1 Prix Jacques Le Marois by a nose defeating Olympic Glory at Deauville. The showdown that was expected between Moonlight Cloud, Dawn Approach and Intello on the straight mile witnessed the tremendous competition between the runner- up English invader Olympic Glory and bay filly Moonlight Cloud. Jockey Thierry Jarnet leading the filly was in the middle of the field before she set forth at the quarter mile finding and opening trashed to the win the race, timing 1:33.39. Trained by Freddy Head, the 2008 filly sired by Invincible Spirit and Venture both Ireland bred accounted for her fifth group 1 victory and the fourth at Deauville.

The Marois which is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge is a “win and you’re in” race, Moonlight Cloud who is now being called the European star after winning both the races in a gap of a week; earned a fees-paid berth in the Breeders’ cup along with a travel fee.

Intello the leading French 3 year old finished third running a decent race followed by Declaration of War and Dawn Approach in the field of 13 horses.

Trainer Head delighted by the five year old’s performance told Racing Post; "I think with this victory she's joined Miesque and Goldikova among the Deauville legends.”

Moonlight Cloud shines through winning the Larc Prix Maurice de Gheest

Moonlight Cloud shines at Maurice de Gheest

Third win for Moonlight Cloud at the Larc Prix Maurice de Gheest (Fr-1), August 4 at the Deauville course. 

Smashing her contender Lethal Force known as an elite sprinter, the 2008 foal bay mare has an impressive pedigree, sire Invincible Spirit (ranks among top 20 in England and Ireland this season) and dam Ventura. This might have been an opportunity for the 6-5 Favorite with Racing Post to finish the 1,300 meters or 6 ½ furlong turf surface in a mind blowing record time of 1:14.33.

The 14 horse field saw the test of speed where results were unexpected. Lethal Force who was the spot light finished second ahead of Group 1 winner Gordon Lord Byron (winner of the Darley Cup and Diamond Jubilee in England) by three quarters of length.

Lethal Force trained by Cox Clive started as usual taking charge from the start with jockey Kirby Adam but was of no match to Jarnet Thierry aboard Moonlight who throttled away in the outside of the pack moving closer to the finish and giving Lethal Force a challenging run. Spectators witnessed the splendid run with a lead of three quarters clear of Lethal Force and a further three quarters from running third Gordon Lord Byron.

Accounting to her third win of the title, the mare sought for four group 1 victories for owner George Strawbridge including the Prix de la Porte Maillot (Fr-II). A total of 10 wins and two seconds from a career of 17 starts; the 2008 mare seems to be at the peak of her career.

"It put hers in a very good position for next weekend. I hope as in previous years it will be a good pace in the Marois because she's proved she's the best mare in Europe and she might be the best in the world." – Jarnet; Racing Post. Looking forward to her fifth win at the Prix Jacques le Marois.

Well, set forward for the classic meet between Dawn Approach and Intello at the Prix Jacques le Maro, the winner will get a hand over the Breeders’ Cup Mile (gr.IT) scheduled November 2 at Santa Anita Park.

Canadian all the way - Uncaptured

It couldn’t have been any better – Uncaptured ‘captures’ the Prince of Wales Stakes

The fifth runner gushes passed to win the race! Uncaptured ‘captured’ the Prince of Wales Stakes, the second leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, held July 30.

It was indeed my lucky day that I could witness such a magnificent race at the so very beautiful Fort Erie Race Track at Ontario. My visit to Canada was absolutely worth it. The six horse field ran over a distance 1 3/16 mile where Uncaptured timed 1:55.49. Following second was River Seven, and third Niigon’s Glory. The order of the finish was Jagger M, Power Phil and Rackman. All were carrying 126 pounds.

I was simply amazed to see jockey Miguel Mena tugging t he beast to full power at final turn. The dark bay colt trained by Mark E. Casse is the 2 year old champion horse in the male category last year in Canada. Son of Lion Heart and Captivating marked his first three year old win. Holding onto his position through three quarters of the mile in the fifth position, however he had started quite well in second. Uncaptured won the second straight year win for trainer Casse, previously winning with Dixxie Trike in 2012. His first ever win of the Prince of Wales Stakes was in 2009 with Gallant.

Surprised at his win, Casse had commented, "I was very surprised, I was shocked," Casse said of Uncaptured's trip, going down the backside I kept saying to myself, 'He really likes the dirt.' – CBC Sports.

River seven also ran a very brave run even though being pressed into the second turn. Among other Casse’s horses were Dynamic Sky, Spring in the Air and Jagger M.

All –in-all it was a great experience to being able to witness a race with such uncertain beasts.

A Deserving Win by Flintshire

July 13, 2013; the evening mood was set right with the thrilling run at Longchamp, Juddmonte Grand Prix De Paris. The 12 Furlong or 2400 meters race witnessed the graceful run of Maxime Guyon aboard Flintshire. Bearing the colors of sponsor Khalid Abdullah, the Bay colt sired by Dansili and trained by Fabre Andre won on a margin of 1 ½ lengths.

Running in 6th position at the start, Flintshire was seen to pace throughout the race and finally push away effortlessly in the last stretch after the turn. Following close behind initially was Manndawi, grey colt jockeyed by Lemaira Christophe but Flintshire took charge and swept across winning the race by quite a length. Ocovango, a brown colt sired by Monsun and Jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot kept his pace throughout the race but struggled for space from the start eventually placing third in the race.

Grand Prix De Paris initially created by the former governing body of France the Societe d’Encouragement was more of a display event of three-year-old home bred race horses against ‘out side’s’ or international runners. Established in the year 1863, the inaugural race of 3,000 meters was won by a British colt – The Ranger.  Then being France’s richest and most elaborated and awaited event the prize money was 100,000 francs raised by the Duc de Morny.

Being canceled over a period of time due to the Franco- Prussian War in 1871 and later throughout World War 1, this event finally established itself as a 2,000 meters group 1 race in 1987 and was sponsored by Louis Vuitton between 1988-1992. It finally found its place as the Juddmonte Grand Prix De Paris in the year 2011 with the commencement of the Juddmonte Farms sponsorship.  Later in 2005, the length was revised to 2400 meters by France Galop and stands the same till present day. France Galop a major body of horse racing in France also manages other race courses like Auteuil Racecourse, Deauville Racecourse, Maisons-Laffitte Racecourse, and Saint –Cloud Racecourse, not to forget of my hometown racecourse - the Chantilly Racecourse.

Juddmonte Farms owned by Prince Khalid Abdullah of Saudi Arabia sponsoring Flintshire this year saw his fourth win of the title from the year 2000, when Beat Hallow, jockeyed by Richard Quinn had won the title. Later in 2006, 2007 and 2013 Rail Link, Zambezi Sun and Flintshire respectively won the title for him.

Generally held on Bastille Day (14th July), this year it was held on the 13th since the following day was a Sunday. I was more than ready to see my favorite win, however a little disappointed by my grey colt - Manndawi. Well, nevertheless Flintshire deserved every bit of the win, with the magnificent run!

Big Blue Kitten Thrashes his Way to Victory – UN Nations Stakes

With the start of the race, Little Mike was shooting across 00:23.91 jockeyed by Joel Rosario till the very end before weakening at a mile with 1:35.91. Big Blue Kitten pacing fourth close to the rail throughout most of the race picked up speed at the end and shot his way through the finish placing first with a time of 2:11.98. Teaks North and Hangover Kid placing second and third. Jockey Joe Bravo held his grounds to earn his first grade 1 in Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” event. In 2012 Bravo had won the United Nations title aboard Turbo Compressor.

Trainer Chad Brown who was more than confident with his New Jersey ace jockey, Big Blue Kitten became the first U. S based runner to qualify for the November race – Breeders’ Cup Turf (grade1) at Santa Anita Park.   The 5 year old sired by Kitten’s Joy stood his grounds and propelled through defeating the dark brown gelding son of Northern Afleet – Teaks North and Hangover Kid the son of  Lemon Drop Kid led by Gabriel Saez.

Little Mike son of Spanish Steps and Dam Hay Jude had a strong start and was leading the way half way through the race, trainer Dale Roman was impressed with his start since the disappointing run at the Dubai Duty Free, Meydan.  Little Mike had won the Arlington Million in 2012.

Following the top three there was Willcox Inn, Skyring, Harrods Creek and Russian Greek.

Different race horses, with different performance ratios; qualifying from the various challenge meets “Win and You’re In” the Breeders’ Cup Classic, is building on the unpredictability of the game!

Groupie Doll leads the way again!

July 5, 2013 Churchill Downs was a spectacular run to watch, Groupie Doll hustled her way through the 4 furlong distance. Making Jockey Leandro Gonclaves and trainer Buff Bradley proud and pleased with the performance, the 5 year old daughter of Bowman’s Band might have had a late start in the season of horse racing 2013 but looks focused to rule the year ahead.

The champion sprinter has a number of varied victories on her name and that is exactly what interests me to watch her run. Some of her victories are the Vinery Madison Stakes, the Humana Distaff, the Presque Isle Downs Masters, the Thoroughbred Club of America and the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, 9 wins out of which 6 have been grade stakes. Taking a considerable amount of time off at the Bradley Family Farm near Frankfort, she came back to training on May 6. A month into training and she is back with a bang!

I am more than excited to watch her run at the Ballerina, a Breeders’ Cup Challenge for the Filly & Mare Sprint; however it seems that trainer Bradley is yet to make up his mind and decide between running the Masters and the Ballerina. The Ballerina is a 7 furlong race run over Saratoga’s dirt track whereas Masters is 6 ½.

“I'm a little more favorable to go to Presque Isle right now but I still have a lot of people wanting me to go to New York, so we'll see as we get a little closer." – Bradley; Bloodhorse. 

Last year’s Ballerina was won by Class Included, Evelyn’s Dancer and Orchid’s Silver finishing second and third respectively.

Hoping to see some action soon, I wish all the luck to Groupie Doll!

‘O’ What Beasts! – Famous Races Horses

Being a horse lover, it is of great pleasure for me to read about the magnificent breed, and see them race at the top stakes races.  To my knowledge, a horse’s race career is determined by the number of wins which primarily generates from the genetic aspect of the breed. Training and jockeying clearly plays an important role too.  However, genetics always does not prove to be as fruitful. The unpredictability of the game raises a question, which then leads to the analysis of a horse’s performance.

With the help of the Internet, the curiosity of a horse racing fan is kept at bay, as related news and event replays are found extensively. Buffs like me, do not need to be physically present to witness the glorified event of horse racing, even though the dream to do so remains fresh. 

Referring to my last Blog, today I will be talking about two of my favorite race horses; Orb and Oxbow. Having a large fan –base these two champions, have galloped their way to victor the Kentucky Derby 2013 and the Preakness Stakes 2013 respectively.

Keeping aside their race performances and the capabilities of the jockeys who have lead these beasts to victory, genetics have played an important role for both of these racing champions.

Orb a bay colt being sired by Malibu Moon, grandsire AP Indy and dam, Lady Liberty who was sired by the 1990 Kentucky Derby winner Unbridled, was foaled on February 24, 2010. This thoroughbred racehorse had a slow start in his racing career but soon picked up pace and blazed through to five consecutive wins, with the crowning of the Kentucky Derby on May 4, 2013. The three-year-old however, was unable to perform in the Preakness Stakes two weeks prior to his wins!

My ‘other’ favorite race horse is Oxbow, foaled on March 26, 2010 is a bay colt as well. Sired by Awesome again; the winner of Breeder’s Cup 1998 and dam Tizamazing, one of the most successful matches since Archie and Olivia Manning, this three year old marked his name in history of horse racing by winning the second jewel in the American Triple Crown, the 2013 Preakness Stakes.  The American bred thoroughbred racehorse was ranked the top three-year-old racehorse in the United States by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association.

It is difficult to conclude who is a greater champion than the other; however watching them race against each other is truly a sight that cannot be missed by any.