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!

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!

Aficionado ~ My love for Horses !

My adoration for horses started when I was just a kid around the block, riding my pony with pride and honor! My pony; Sarah was fed, cleaned and walked religiously, even though there was no need for her care; the fact that she (not it) was a mechanical pony, did not occur or bother me at all. I was happy and content with her and my fantasy to own a real horse someday ignited from that very moment.

Well, days went by and my love for the equine species magnified to an extent where I started reading and writing about them extensively.  Reading about horses introduced me to horse racing. Horse racing as a sport intrigued me to the core and the thrill and unpredictability of the game aroused the need to witness a horse race event. However, subject to circumstance this fantasy of mine has not been fulfilled yet! And I am trying to stay optimistic about the same.

Anyway what I really wanted to say, is that being a horse ‘fanatic’ has brought me to read and share what I know about these mighty beasts. Through my Blog, I want to reach out and educate myself further.  My present interest focuses on horse racing; and after quite some research over the Internet I was surprised to see that this singular term is infinite! I found myself at the starting point of the World of Horse Racing.  Worthy reads about Races, Race Tracks, Race Horses, Jockey, Trainers, bets and many more.

In my next blog I will be writing about few of the current top race horses, being a vast section in itself, I am sure a lot of you will be able to add to my blog, and that is exactly what I aim to do! Connect!