Tag: 2000 Guineas

‘Ability To Switch Off,’ ‘Cruising Speed’ Should Benefit Classic Winner Kameko In Breeders’ Cup Mile

A Group 1 winner at two and winner of the G1 2,000 Guineas in 2020, 3-year-old Kameko will be making the trip across the Atlantic to contest the Breeders' Cup Mile at Keeneland. Trained by Andrew Balding, the son of Kitten's Joy will enter the Mile off a victory in the Group 2 Joel Stakes, held over a mile at Newmarket.

“The Joel Stakes was as good a performance as the Guineas, really,” Balding said in a Twitter video produced by At The Races. “To give them five pounds and a beating in good style, it again cemented to the world what a high-class achiever this horse is.”

For work rider, Joshua Bryan, the chance to send the horse to the United States for the Breeders' Cup has long been on his mind.

“He's got one strong burst where he could blow away a whole field in a matter of strides,” Bryan said. “I always thought he'd be a great horse in America. He's by Kitten's Joy, who is obviously great out there, and he's got that nice cruising speed to get him out of trouble in America. I think whatever surface out there he would thoroughly enjoy.”

Kameko was bred in Kentucky by Calumet Farm, and commanded the bargain price of $90,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September sale from agent David Redvers on behalf of Qatar Racing. Now a four-time winner from nine starts with earnings over $500,000, the colt returns to his home state to take on the best in the world.

Kameko will have to overcome 2019 Mile winner Uni, as well as several horses who've had his measure earlier this season. Circus Maximus and Siskin both finished ahead of Kameko in the G1 Sussex Stakes over a mile, but with the potential for firmer ground at Keeneland next weekend, the classic winner's team is feeling confident.

“To this date he's been my favorite work horse,” said Bryan. “I've rode a lot of good horses here at Andrew's, but he has that ability to switch off. He's almost asleep in behind, and you don't need to move on him. He knows when he's gotta join, and all you have to do is just pull the rein a tiny bit to the right or left, wherever you're going, and he just takes off. It's a feeling you long for as a rider; it's incredible, really.”

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2,000 Guineas Winner Kameko Will Retire To Tweenhills After Breeders’ Cup Run

QIPCO 2,000 Guineas winner Kameko will be retired to stand at Tweenhills, home of the Qatar Racing stallions, at the end of his 3-year-old campaign in 2020.

Kameko was the fastest ever winner of the 2,000 Guineas and Qatar Racing's third European Gr.1 Classic winner after Simple Verse and Just The Judge. He was also an impressive winner of the Gr.1 Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes at two and successfully gave weight to world-class older horses in the Gr.2 Joel Stakes.

The son of Kitten's Joy – the same sire as Qatar Racing's late world champion Roaring Lion – joins Zoustar, Champion First-, Second- and Third-Season Sire in Australia, Gr.1-winning sire Havana Gold and champion older miler Lightning Spear at Tweenhills for the 2021 breeding season.

Looking back on Kameko's success, Sheikh Fahad Al-Thani, Chairman of Qatar Racing, said: “My brothers and I are delighted to own another superstar in Kameko, whose record-breaking two- and three-year-old campaigns will live long in our memory. We cannot wait to unveil him to breeders.”

Trainer Andrew Balding added: “Kameko is without doubt the best horse I've trained. He has all the attributes of a top-class miler and is a striking horse to look at. I feel very honored to have had the opportunity to train a horse of such class.”

Kameko was a first British Classic winner for jockey Oisin Murphy, who said: “I felt from the very beginning that this could be a special horse. He's the perfect model – he has size, durability and a great character. To ride, he has super balance, a great turn of foot and a good mind – you can put him anywhere in a race. He's a machine.”

Kameko will run at the Breeders' Cup and on his return will be paraded for breeders, along with other Tweenhills stallions, at Longholes Stud in Newmarket during the Tattersalls December Mare Sale. His 2021 stud fee and syndication plans will be announced in due course.

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Classic Winners Kameko, Siskin Clash In Wednesday’s ‘Win And You’re In’ Sussex Stakes

Classic winning 3-year-olds, Kameko and Siskin, are set to clash in the Qatar Sussex Stakes (G1) at Goodwood on Wednesday. The winner will earn an automatic berth into the US$2 million TVG Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) through the international Breeders' Cup Challenge.

QIPCO 2000 Guineas (G1) winner, Kameko, and Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas (G1) winner, Siskin, will take on the older generation on Wednesday in the British Group 1 mile showpiece.

Prince Khalid Abdullah's unbeaten homebred colt Siskin travels from Ireland for this hot contest. The son of First Defense (USA), trained by Ger Lyons, has not been seen on a racecourse since scoring in impressive fashion at the Curragh.

Lyons said: “On form figures we have to improve. I think he has but we won't know until the day. The horse has done everything I've asked him and has been working well at home. Physically he is improving — you can see him getting stronger. It is going to be a tough contest.”

Regular jockey Colin Keane will take the ride despite facing 14 days' quarantine on his return to Ireland, with Lyons adding: “These are the races that you want to win. He has to self-isolate when he comes home. These are strange times though, and we are lucky to be racing.”

Owned by Qatar Racing and trained by Andrew Balding, Kameko steps back down in trip after finishing a credible fourth in the Investec Derby (G1) last time out. The dual Group 1 winner set a course record over a mile in the 2000 Guineas (G1), beating Ballydoyle's Wichita (IRE) by a neck.

Wichita is one of three runners for trainer Aidan O'Brien, alongside Queen Anne (G1) winner Circus Maximus (IRE) and Irish Guineas runner-up Vatican City (IRE). The former's Royal Ascot victory guarantees his place in the TVG Breeders' Cup Mile through the international Breeders' Cup Challenge.

The Breeders' Cup Challenge is an international series of stakes races whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, which is scheduled to be held at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky, on Nov. 6-7.

Others lining up at Goodwood for the Qatar Sussex Stakes and looking to earn their place at this year's Breeders' Cup include Mohaather (GB) and San Donato (IRE), the first two home in the Group 2 Betfred Summer Mile at Ascot this month.

Mohaather was an emphatic winner that day, having previously endured a luckless run behind Circus Maximus in the Queen Anne Stakes. His trainer Marcus Tregoning is hoping for his first Group 1 success since landing the Derby with Sir Percy in 2006.

Marcus Tregoning said, “It's a tough order but I don't think we could have Mohaather any better and he deserves a crack at it. He took his race in the Summer Mile very well and was back cantering the next day.

“I don't see why he won't handle the track because he's a neat horse who travels well and has plenty of speed. Hopefully he's going to run a big race.”

As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for the winner of the Qatar Sussex Stakes to start in the TVG Breeders' Cup Mile, which will be run over 1 mile at the Keeneland turf course. Breeders' Cup also will provide a travel allowance of US$40,000 for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships. The Challenge winner must already be nominated to the Breeders' Cup program or it must be nominated by the Championships' pre-entry deadline of Oct. 26 to receive the rewards.

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Classic Winner Kameko Tops 17 Early Entrants For Saturday’s Investec Derby

QIPCO 2,000 Guineas hero Kameko was the headline act amongst the 17 entries submitted Monday for Saturday's Group 1 Investec Derby at Epsom, as he seeks to double up his Classic success.

The son of Kitten's Joy will be partnered by regular rider Oisin Murphy for trainer Andrew Balding.

The pair look to face a stiff challenge, most notably from impressive Lingfield Derby-trial winner English King, who will be the mount of Frankie Dettori. He won't be the only threat, however.

As is customary, Aidan O'Brien has entered a sizeable raiding team from Ireland including Mogul, Vatican City and Royal Ascot hero Russian Emperor. It will be fascinating to see which mount their number one rider Ryan Moore will be on board, and Saturday's impressive nine-length maiden winner Serpentine is among the possibilities.

Fairy-tale entrant Pyledriver will aim to complete his own Cinderella story; having been unsold at 10,000 guineas at the sales as a 2-year-old, before winning at Royal Ascot a fortnight ago. Veteran rider Martin Dwyer partners him, and will be looking to emulate his win in the race 14 years ago aboard Sir Percy.

Amhran Na Bhfiann, Armory, Emissary, Gold Maze, Highland Chief, Khalifa Set, Max Vega, Mohican Heights, Mythical, Serpentine and Worthily complete the entries.

In the Investec Oaks Aidan O'Brien holds a strong hand with four entrants – Peaceful, Passion, Ennistymon and most notably QIPCO 1000 Guineas heroine Love.

She could face up to 10 rivals, with hugely impressive Ribblesdale Stakes winner Frankly Darling appearing the most dangerous contender; especially as she's being handled by the red-hot Frankie Dettori and John Gosden partnership.

Bharani Star, Dubai Love, Gold Wand, Oriental Mystique, Queen Daenerys and Tiempo Vuela make up the other entries.

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