Month: June 2021

Breeders’ Cup To Expand U.K. Coverage Of 2021 World Championships

Breeders' Cup announced Friday expanded plans for broadcast coverage of the 2021 Breeders' Cup World Championships in the U.K. and Ireland, with ITV, Sky Sports Racing and Racing TV all set to deliver live television and digital broadcast coverage from the event to be held at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, Calif. Nov. 5 and 6, 2021.

“The Breeders' Cup World Championships is a truly international event and fans around the world deserve increased access to and in-depth coverage of the world's most talented horses, jockeys, and trainers,” said Breeders' Cup President and CEO Drew Fleming. “ITV, Racing TV and Sky Sports Racing are wonderful partners and we look forward to working with them to expand coverage of this world-class event for racing fans in the U.K and Ireland.”

ITV

Breeders' Cup will enjoy unprecedented exposure from ITV, which is the biggest commercial broadcast network in the U.K. and the home of terrestrial horseracing. ITV have held the terrestrial horseracing rights since 2017 and during that time have effectively doubled the racing audience in the U.K., winning a BAFTA in their first year of broadcasting.

ITV will have an on-site presentation and production team at the 2021 Breeders' Cup and will show all 14 Championship races, with the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf and Longines Breeders' Cup Classic being showcased on the main channel and every other race on ITV4.

Niall Sloane, Director of Sport, ITV said: “ITV are delighted to be able to bring all the races at the Breeders Cup, a truly global event and the culmination of the 2021 flat racing season, to a big terrestrial audience in the U.K.”

Sky Sports Racing

Sky Sports Racing will continue its long-standing partnership with the Breeders' Cup with live coverage of the 2021 Breeders' Cup World Championships using the acclaimed, NBC-produced feed in its broadcast coverage and hosting Sky Sports Racing talent on-site at Del Mar for interviews and reporting. Alongside the live television broadcast, extensive digital coverage and promotion of the Breeders' Cup World Championships will be available on attheraces.com – the U.K. and Ireland's largest racing website – and via the skysports.com network.

Matthew Imi, Chief Executive, At The Races said: “We're delighted to continue our valued relationship with the Breeders' Cup and it's great news that Del Mar in November will be able to welcome racegoers with 100% of seated capacity. The Breeders' Cup goes from strength to strength and continues to be a focal point and culmination for our comprehensive coverage of US racing, as we stream and broadcast events throughout the year for fans in the U.K. and Ireland and via more than 30 bookmaker partners.”

Tickets for the 2021 Breeders' Cup World Championships in Del Mar, Calif. will go on sale at Noon ET / 9:00 a.m. PT on Friday, July 16. Available seating options and pricing can be viewed now at BreedersCup.com/tickets.

Racing TV

Racing TV has secured the rights to broadcast the 2021 Breeders' Cup World Championships as well as 11 of the 16 Breeders' Cup “Win and You're in” Challenge races in the U.K. and Ireland this year. Racing TV has also committed to a full, innovative marketing plan to support its coverage of the event across its broadcast and digital platforms.

Martin Stevenson, CEO of Racecourse Media Group, parent company of Racing TV, said: “We are delighted to team up with Breeders' Cup. We look forward to building real momentum and excitement across the season in the lead-up to Breeders' Cup via engaging and compelling content, which will all be underpinned by the highest-quality production and presentation, as befits the World Championships of horse racing.”

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Campanelle Awarded The Commonwealth Cup As Dragon Symbol Demoted

Royal Ascot 2021 cannot be accused of lacking melodrama, especially in the 24 hours from Thursday's Gold Cup to Friday's G1 Commonwealth Cup, with the monstrous monsoon and grim skies the backdrop for an epic renewal of the meeting's premier 3-year-old sprint. As the TDN Rising Stars Dragon Symbol (GB) (Cable Bay {Ire}) and Campanelle (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) drove past the post, it was the former who was announced the winner by a head but after an agonising spell for connections of the transatlantic duo the stewards duly reversed the placings to end Wesley Ward's drought. With the final 1 1/2 furlongs constantly re-run from every angle on the screens following the inspiring duel between two such talented sprinters, the rightward drift of Archie Watson's flagbearer was considered the crucial factor in the outcome. Campanelle, who was so strong on the front from the outset under Frankie Dettori, was bumped and rubbed up by Dragon Symbol as the line approached and her rider felt he had received justice. “I feel sorry for connections of the runner-up, but in these conditions when you get carried across eight lanes, get nudged three times, lose momentum and get beaten a head, I had reason to believe that my filly was best on the day,” he said of the 5-1 shot. “I was coming back at the line and so the stewards gave me the benefit of the doubt. It was a good effort by both horses, but I'm glad that we've got it.” Whatever the decision of the powers that be, this will also be remembered as a demonstration of dominance from the front pair, who were five lengths clear of Measure of Magic (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) in third with some classy contemporaries spaced out behind.

This renewal suffered from high-profile withdrawals such as the G2 Richmond S. and G1 Middle Park S. hero Supremacy (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), his promising stablemate Diligent Harry (GB) (Due Diligence) and the high-class Miss Amulet (Ire) (Sir Prancealot {Ire}), but what it lost in cast members it more than made up for in terms of excitement. As Dragon Symbol surged by the Stonestreet colour-bearer passing two out, it looked momentarily as if he would comfortably take her measure but as far as last year's G1 Prix Morny and G2 Queen Mary S. heroine was concerned it was merely game on. Leaving George Strawbridge's unbeaten 9-4 favourite Suesa (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) and the rest behind as they drove on together, Yoshiro Kubota's grey lugged right and although Murphy initially had his whip in the correct hand his switch to his left meant that it would be tougher for him to keep the prize. Campanelle was in front again nearing the line, but when straightened up Dragon Symbol managed to thrust his head back up where it mattered.

Murphy deserves credit for his handling of the inquiry's outcome and said, “I am disappointed for the connections of Dragon Symbol. There was a massive Japanese interest, he finished the race in front, but it wasn't meant to be,” he said. “I went into the stewards' room, I told them I was on the best horse, Frankie said I was on the best horse, but it didn't go my way.”

Wesley Ward, whose juvenile brigade had missed their respective targets one after another throughout the week, was a relieved man. “We are elated. Both horses ran fantastic, they dug down deep and they were only inches apart,” he said. “I think it was a validated result–in the United States terms, he has taken her across the track. Archie Watson shook my hand after the enquiry, a true gentleman. This was Campanelle's first run since the Breeders' Cup. It was a gritty performance on heavy ground and, to come back from that, it is a true testament of how good this filly is. We weren't sure about heavy ground, but we knew she liked soft ground.”

“Winning at Royal Ascot is so special, especially with my children here from the onset in 2009, it has been so special,” Ward continued. “To have Campanelle ponied down by my first winner Strike the Tiger too means a lot. Royal Ascot has changed my life. If it wasn't for Royal Ascot, my kids would be going to community college and instead my eldest son is going to law school in August. We'll sit down with the owners. Campanelle worked well on the July Course, but the [G1] July Cup [at Newmarket July 10] could come a bit quick. I have run horses in the [Aug. 8 G1] Prix Maurice de Gheest [at Deauville] in the past and I think she'll do well whatever ground comes on the day. I think it would suit. Campanelle is going up the pecking order. Lady Aurelia was very special, but if she keeps delivering, she'll keep going up.”

Watson had said before the inquiry's outcome was announced, “He's run a huge race and he's an incredibly tough horse–we came here knowing that although he handled the ground at Haydock he wouldn't be in love with it. For a team like us, even though we are a fair-sized yard, to compete with the big stables on a stage like this means a lot. He's always been very talented and was still a big baby and unfurnished last year, so we gave him plenty of time and he's come right and improved from run to run. He's a pleasure at home and the team have done a fantastic job with him. Just to have a horse of this quality is massive and we've still got a very good horse on our hands.”

Campanelle is the last known foal out of the Listed Marygate S. winner Janina (GB) (Namid {GB}), who was the leading performer out of the G3 World Trophy scorer Lady Dominatrix (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). The latter is also the second dam of the recent Listed Scurry S. runner-up Warrior Brave (GB) (Twilight Son {GB}) who later disappointed when down the field in the card's closing Palace of Holyroodhouse H. This is also the family of the G2 Lowther S. winner Miss Demure (Ire) (Shy Groom).

Friday, Royal Ascot, Britain
COMMONWEALTH CUP-G1, £350,000, Ascot, 6-18, 3yo, 6fT, 1:16.67, hy.
1–CAMPANELLE (IRE), 123, f, 3, by Kodiac (GB)
1st Dam: Janina (GB) (SW-Eng), by Namid (GB)
2nd Dam: Lady Dominatrix (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire)
3rd Dam: Spout House (Ire), by Flash of Steel (Ire)
(190,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-Stonestreet Stables LLC; B-Tally-Ho Stud (IRE); T-Wesley Ward; J-Lanfranco Dettori. £75,250. Lifetime Record: Hwt. 2yo Filly-Eur & G1SW-Fr, 5-4-0-0, $374,478. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
*2–Dragon Symbol (GB), 126, c, 3, Cable Bay (Ire)–Arcamist (GB), by Arcano (Ire). (67,000gns Ylg '19 TAOCT). O-Yoshiro Kubota; B-Whitsbury Manor Stud (GB); T-Archie Watson. £198,485.
3–Measure of Magic (Ire), 123, f, 3, Kodi Bear (Ire)–Lilly Be (Ire), by Titus Livius (Fr). (€9,500 Ylg '19 GOAUTY). O-JP Murtagh Racing; B-Mr & Mrs Reddy Coffey (IRE); T-Johnny Murtagh. £37,660.
Margins: (HD, 5, HF). Odds: 5.00, 4.00, 11.00.
Also Ran: Dandalla (Ire), Laws of Indices (Ire), Mooneista (Ire), The Lir Jet (Ire), Suesa (Ire), Isabella Giles (Ire), Happy Romance (Ire), A Case of You (Ire), Jumby (Ire), Mighty Gurkha (Ire), Lipizzaner, Fivethousandtoone (Ire). Scratched: Diligent Harry (GB), Method (Ire), Saint Lawrence (Ire), Supremacy (Ire), Miss Amulet (Ire), Sacred (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.
*Demoted from first.

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CHRB Approves Race Date Shifts For Northern California Fairs

The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting by teleconference on Wednesday, June 16. The public participated by dialing into the teleconference and/or listening through the audio webcast link on the CHRB website. Chairman Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, Brenda Washington Davis, Wendy Mitchell, and Alex Solis.

The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief:

  • The Board conditionally approved the license application for the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club to operate a race meet that will open on Friday, July 16, and run through Monday (Labor Day), September 6. Unlike last year when the pandemic prevented the public from attending the races, Del Mar will welcome as many as 15,000 patrons to its racing programs, provided they have reserved seats. Racing is scheduled for three days – Friday, Saturday, and Sunday – for the first two weeks, and then Thursday racing will be added for the following four weeks. The meet will close with a five-day week, Thursday through Labor Day.
  • As there will not be a State Fair again this year, Fair officials decided not to run any racing programs at Cal Expo in what normally would be a summer race meet in the Capital in conjunction with other Fair activities. Accordingly, Cal Expo arranged to move one of its allocated three weeks of racing to Pleasanton. The Board approved the license application for the California Exposition and State Fair to conduct a fair meet in Pleasanton. The three days of racing will be offered on July 16, 17, and 18.
  • The Board also approved an agreement between Pleasanton and three horsemen's groups – the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC), Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Racing Association, and Arabian Racing Association of California – authorizing their racing secretaries to establish conditions on races limiting the administrations of certain medications. Specifically, no horse shall be permitted to race in a stakes race with any race-day medication, which includes the use of furosemide; every horse within the inclosure and any auxiliary training facility is subject to out-of-competition testing; all parties agree to strict limitations on the use of any analgesic and anti-inflammatory medications during racing and training; there are restrictions on intra-articular injections that include a prohibition of a horse racing within 30 days following an intra-articular injection with a corticosteroid into the metacarpophalangeal or metatarsophalangeal joints; and finally, no horse that has been administered nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication within the previous 48 hours shall participate in a race or recorded work. This agreement will extend to all fair meets in Northern California.
  • The Board dealt with the remaining two weeks of racing that originally were allocated to Cal Expo by reallocating those weeks to Golden Gate Fields at the request of both parties. The Board first made that reallocation and then approved the license application for Pacific Racing Association II to conduct a race meet at Golden Gate that will commence July 23 and conclude August 1.
  • The Board also approved agreements between the TOC and the two thoroughbred meets approved Wednesday (Del Mar and Golden Gate) with the same entry conditions as those contained in the fairs agreement.
  • The Board denied a request by San Luis Rey Downs auxiliary training facility for more time to install sprinklers in some of its barns.
  • The Board asked management to provide more information about the delay and for progress reports. The matter will be reconsidered at the July 21 meeting.
  • Executive Director Scott Chaney reported on a significant reduction in equine fatalities in California horse racing, largely due to a multitude of new regulations to protect horses as well as cooperation from stakeholders. He also announced that Dr. Timothy Grande, longtime Official Veterinarian on the Southern California thoroughbred circuit, has been named to the newly created position of CHRB Chief Official Veterinarian with broad responsibilities of oversight throughout the state.
  • Dr. Rick Arthur gave his final report as equine medical director before retiring at the end of this month. Dr. Jeff Blea will become EMD on July 1. Chairman Ferraro and several other commissioners took the opportunity to thank Dr. Arthur for his service. “During the last 15 years, Dr. Arthur has brought our medical program and our health and safety program light-years ahead of where it was when he started. We truly appreciate what you've done,” said Chairman Ferraro.
  • Representatives of Arabian racing gave presentations stressing the significance of Arabian racing and pressing for more racing opportunities in the future.

Public comments made during the meeting can be accessed through the meeting audio archive on the CHRB website.

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Adlerflug’s Alenquer Prevails In King Edward Test

After Mohaafeth (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) had provided William Haggas with solace for having to watch the G1 Epsom Derby take place without his star colts, M M Stables' Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}) also came to Royal Ascot to add further consolation in Friday's G2 King Edward VII S. There is no doubt he would have played a major role in this year's blue riband on the bare form of his defeat of Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in the Apr. 23 G3 Sandown Classic Trial, but after a subsequent setback this was the path he was set upon and he duly regained all momentum in the 'Ascot Derby'. Always comfortable racing in rear in the rain-soaked ground, the 13-8 favourite was sent forward by Tom Marquand to tackle Tasman Bay (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) inside the final two furlongs and he was already in command as they passed the furlong pole. At the line, he had 1 1/2 lengths to spare over that imposing rival, with Title (GB) (Camelot {GB}) 2 1/2 lengths back in third. “When a horse does that, with a subsequent Derby winner behind, everyone expects a high level afterwards and he made my life easy,” the winning rider said. “William showed that patience is a virtue yesterday and it shows the wisdom he brings–they could have supplemented this horse and thrown him in the deep end in the Derby but instead came here and I think looking back in a few months time it will have been a blessing. On this ground, saving energy is key and I was really happy with the rhythm he found. The race opened out beautifully from the three and I always felt like I had plenty of horse to go for. It's onwards and upwards for him, I think.”

Alenquer, who was also second in the Listed Ascendant S. on testing ground at Haydock in September, could yet be Classic-bound according to Maureen Haggas. “He could easily be a [Sept. 11 G1] St Leger horse, but it's hard to know really,” she said. “He wasn't stopping here, so I think we will just see how it goes. He didn't do much wrong last year, but he was probably a bit immature still. He surprised us a little bit at Sandown, but he's more grown up this year. He's a bit of a boy at home, but at the races this year he's been really professional and focused and he's definitely going the right way.”

“I think he was a bit fresh though, a little bit keen the first furlong, but once Tom had him in behind and settled, he was great. To be honest, we didn't know whether the ground would suit or not, but this horse is German and German horses often go in the slow ground, so we thought we'd give it a go and find out. I think he is pretty versatile–just a thoroughly nice, tough, genuine horse and a good guy to have around. He's got a pretty good action on him–I wouldn't say he was ground-dependent.” William added, “He isn't in the [G1] Grand Prix de Paris, but we could go there. It is such a pain getting to France at the minute, but it's on July 14, so it's pretty good timing. We could supplement, because it's a good race. He's not a 'today' horse–he's very much for the longer term as well, so we've lots of exciting options.”

Sir Mark Todd said of Tasman Bay, “That was a super run. He is such a lovely horse–he is huge, with a massive stride. He is lovely to ride. He just got a bit keen early on, but when he kicked I thought he might have had it but the other horse just came at him. He is a beautiful mover and seems to act on anything.”

Alenquer is the second foal out of Wild Blossom (Ger) (Areion {Ger}), who is a half-sister to the Listed Junioren-Preis winner Wilder Wein (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) and a granddaughter of the influential Waitotara (Ire) (Habitat). The second dam of Hong Kong's champion stayer Mr Medici (Ire) (Medicean {GB}) and the excellent producer Wild Romance (Ger) (Alkalde {Ger}), she is therefore the ancestress of the likes of the G3 Prix Miesque winner and G1 Preis der Diana runner-up White Rose (Ger) (Platini {Ger}), the G2 EuropaChampionat winner Wild Side (Ger) (Sternkonig {Ire}), her triple group-winning daughter Wild Coco (Ger) (Shirocco {Ger}) and the G2 Oettingen-Rennen scorer Vintager (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}). Wild Blossom also has a 2-year-old filly by Zarak (Fr) and a yearling colt by Galiway (GB) bought for €100,000 by Haras de Meautry at the Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale.

Friday, Royal Ascot, Britain
KING EDWARD VII S.-G2, £173,400, Ascot, 6-18, 3yo, c/g, 11f 211yT, 2:41.31, hy.
1–ALENQUER (FR), 126, c, 3, by Adlerflug (Ger)
1st Dam: Wild Blossom (Ger), by Areion (Ger)
2nd Dam: Wind in her Hair (Ger), by Turtle Island (Ire)
3rd Dam: Waitotara (Ire), by Habitat
(€18,000 Wlg '18 ARQDE; 80,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-M M Stables; B-Gestut Romerhof (FR); T-William Haggas; J-Tom Marquand. £98,335. Lifetime Record: 4-3-1-0, $183,498. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Tasman Bay (Fr), 126, c, 3, Le Havre (Ire)–Purely Priceless (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). (€220,000 Ylg '19 ARAUG). O-Sir Peter Vela; B-SARL de Chambure, Haras d'Etreham & SARL Ecurie des Charmes (FR); T-Sir Mark Todd. £37,281.
3–Title (Ire), 126, c, 3, Camelot (GB)–Danehill's Dream (Ire), by Danehill. (€175,000 Ylg '19 GOFOR). O-Highclere Thoroughbred Racing (Charles Church); B-Llang Bloodstock (IRE); T-Roger Varian. £18,658.
Margins: 1HF, 2HF, 3/4. Odds: 1.63, 10.00, 5.00.
Also Ran: The Mediterranean (Ire), Gear Up (Ire), Belloccio (Fr). Scratched: Gloucestershire, Yibir (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.

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