UK Horse Racing Tips

Archive for the ‘News’ Category

Gordon Elliott looks to have an exciting staying chasing prospect on his hands in the shape of the Gigginstown Stud-owned Roi du Mee, an impressive winner of the Grade 1 JNWine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal recently.

A 13-length drubbing of former champion chaser Sizing Europe in the high-quality contest came as a surprise to most punters who allowed Roi du Mee to start a 12/1 shot, most pundits having anticipated that his stable companion Mount Benbulben, (who unseated rider when holding every chance four from home), was the more likely candidate of the Elliott-trained pair.

The eight-year-old had been defeated in both previous outings this term, possibly needing those runs to bring him to concert pitch. He certainly brought his best game to Down Royal and on this evidence looks a horse with a bright future.

Clearly a gelding who stays very well, some observers wondered if Roi du Mee could well be aimed at the Crabbies Grand National at Aintree in April, a race that his young handler famously won back in 2007 with the 33/1-shot Silver Birch. Betting firms were clearly thinking along the same lines as the son of Laveron was introduced to the ante-post market for the ‘world’s greatest steeplechase’ at odds of 25/1.

No immediate plans were mooted for the Grade 1 winner but options such as the King George VI Chase or Lexus Chase at Christmas may well be on the cards. Roi du Mee won his first four outings of last term – having finished eighth in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on his final start of the previous campaign – then finished runner-up to Quito de la Roque at Thurles in January, before winning his final two starts of the term, including the Grade 2 Atthraces Bobbyjo Chase at Thurles, a race seen as a key Aintree Grand National trial.

Champion trainer elect, Richard Hannon, has decided not to ask the popular Toronado to run again this term and instead will send his tremendously impressive QEII Stakes winner, Olympic Glory, to Santa Anita next month to bid for the prestigious Breeders’ Cup Mile.

In what could be a sensational head-to-head between Hannon’s three-year-old and the US star, Wise Dan, (currently evens favourite with betfair.com in the ante-post lists for the big race), Olympic Glory will bid to transfer his tremendous autumn form in Europe to the heat of California, a task that has often proved a step too far over the years for many high-class performers.

In his favour, Olympic Glory has only been lightly campaigned this season so will be a relatively fresh horse having enjoyed a three-month mid-term break after being unlucky-in-running when sent off favourite for the French 2000 Guineas in May.

He returned to run a blinder in failing by just a short-head to defeat the outstanding French star, Moonlight Cloud, at Deauville in August, before filling the same position behind Maxios at Longchamp in September.

The application of first-time blinkers appeared to make all the difference to the son of Choisir at Ascot earlier this month when he tore apart a high quality field to land the QEII Stakes, revelling in the easy ground and storming clear to beat the remarkable Top Notch Tonto by over three lengths to set up his trip to the Breeders’ Cup.

The big question mark around Olympic Glory is how he will cope on potentially fast ground at Santa Anita having shown his best form in Europe when there has been give in the ground? With that factor in mind betfair.com have Hannon’s classy charge listed at around 5/1 second-favourite behind Wise Dan, a price that will doubtless appeal as a ‘knocking bet’ to those who like to play each-way.

I know of a fellow who has the knack of being able to spot potential in a horse by appearance alone. He’ll stand near the parade ring before a race, say that he likes the look of one particular horse, then often come race time often it will storm home in first place, sometimes at generous odds. It’s certainly possible for some to see the tiniest difference in the appearance of thoroughbred horses on race day, when the rest of us are oftem left scratching our heads. With that is mind, here are two horses you’re never likely to confuse for one another.

A friend recently pointed me towards an entertaining online article relating to Einstein. No, not the German-born theoretical physicist , but instead the smallest horse on earth. Born in Barnstead, New Hampshire, Einstein weighed in at only 6lb and stood just 14 inches tall. Despite that, by all accounts it seems that he’s a lively little fellow, bringing a smile to the face of all those who see him. His breeders are hopeful that he’ll get to to lay claim to the Guinesss Book of World Records title of smallest horse, making it official. So while I doubt many bookies quaking in their boots at the sight of this little guy, he’ll hold a worthwhile distinction all the same.

Taking it to the opposite extreme below is an image of Brooklyn Supreme. This magnificent Stallion is thought to have weighed in at over 3,200 pounds and was 6 foot 6 inches tall. His appearance was so unique, that he was exhibited around the country, with eager onlookers willing to pay 10 cents a piece to see him. A not inconsiderable sum at the time – the 1930s.

Tributes have been paid to racehorse Frankel’s trainer, Sir Henry Cecil, at a memorial service in Cambridgeshire. Over 1,000 guests turned up to pay their respects for the trainer who died in June.

Racing legend Sir Henry Cecil died at the age of 70, after a long fought battle with stomach cancer. Sir Henry who was a 10 times champion trainer, passed away at a hospital in Cambridge on 11 June 2013.

Sir Henry Cecil had an extremely successful career as a flat-racing trainer, responsible for 25 Classic winners and becoming the lead handler at Royal Ascot with 75 winners. His biggest achievement was the training of Frankel, who holds the record for the highest-ever rated racehorse.

Frankel retired last year unbeaten in his 14 race career, including victories in the 2000 Guineas (1/2F), Queen Elizabeth II (4/11F) and International stakes (1/10F). The British thoroughbred’s last race was the Champion stakes at Royal Ascot, which he finished in first place at odds of 2/11F, taking away a massive prize pot of £737,000 for owner Khalid Abdullah.

Sir Henry Cecil, Khalid Abdullah and regular jockey Tom Queally helped take a whopping £3 million in winnings with Frankel, a horse who has now been put to stud. A liaison with this champion of the flat doesn’t come cheap though, with a six figure sum being touted for a ‘session’ with the stallion.

Frankel became the first racehorse to be given a valuation of £100 million. The numbers begin to speak for themselves when admiring work of Sir Henry, who has trained one of the worlds most profitable racehorses.

Sir Henry’s four-decade career in horse racing wasn’t an easy one for the Scottish-born trainer. In his heyday, between 1976 and 1993, Sir Henry saw unrivalled success with the horses he trained, however a period of decline followed, including being diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2006. The trainer struggled to continue his form in the following seasons until his renaissance came in 2010 with the success of Frankel, self proclaimed as the best horse he had ever seen.

Lady Cecil, Sir Henry’s widow, will continue to train from his Warren Place stables after the license was temporarily handed to her after his death. The Newmarket stable has gone on to saddle over 30 winners since June and Lady Cecil has announced she will take over as yard’s successor permanently.

The most notable victory for Lady Cecil, since Sir Henry passed away, has been Rispote’s win at Royal Ascot in the Ribblesdale stakes. Tom Queally rode the filly over 12 furlongs to an emotional win for Lady Cecil in June, at a starting price of 9/2.