Alan Cooper | Horse Racing Free Tips

Piz Badile Camp Snap Up Dettori for Derby Ride

Connections of leading G1 Cazoo Derby hope Piz Badile (Ire) (Ulysses) have been provided with a massive boost ahead of Epsom after legendary rider Frankie Dettori committed to ride the Donnacha O'Brien-trained colt in the Classic on June 4.

Dettori made his Derby breakthrough in 2007 aboard Authorized (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) for Peter Chapple-Hyam as well as partnering John Gosden's Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) to victory in the race back in 2015 and he will bid to win the iconic race for a third time aboard the impressive G3 Ballsax S. winner.

A general 10-1 chance for the Derby, Piz Badile has raced just three times, but that reappearance win in the Ballysax at Leopardstown received a major advertisement when the runner-up, Buckaroo (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), ran out an impressive winner of the Listed Tetrarch S. at the Curragh last month.

Confirming Dettori for the ride, Alan Cooper, racing manager to Piz Badile's owners the Niarchos Family, said: “Frankie is going to ride at Epsom. The horse is in good form. We've got just under three weeks to go, so hopefully he stays in good form between now and then.”

He added, “I think Donnacha is very happy with his horse and the decision was made not to go to the Derrinstown (Derby Trial), which would have been the horse's third trip to Leopardstown.

“I'm in regular contact with Donnacha and he's delighted with his horse. They all need luck in running and we'll go from there.”

The post Piz Badile Camp Snap Up Dettori for Derby Ride appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Group 1 Winner Alpine Star Retired

Group 1 winner Alpine Star (Ire) (Sea The Moon {Ger}–Alpha Lupi {Ire}, by Rahy) has been retired after an unplaced run in Sunday's G1 Prix Jacques le Marois according to the Niarchos Family's Racing Manager Alan Cooper. The Jessica Harrington trainee and Niarchos homebred is a half-sister to four-time Group 1 winner Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}).

“She retires sound and hopefully she'll be a nice broodmare for us,” said Cooper.

A winner at Galway at second asking at two, the chestnut added the G2 Debutante S. next out and earned her Group 1 stripes with a 4 1/4-length win in the G1 Coronation S. last June in her first start at three. She completed her sophomore year with three seconds-in the G1 Prix de Diane last July, the Prix Jacques le Marois a month later, and in the Oct. 4 G1 Prix de l'Opera. Prior to Sunday's Marois result, Alpine Star was second in a listed affair at York on July 23. She retires with a mark of 9-3-4-1 and earnings of $734,558.

Besides Alpha Centauri, Alpine Star is a half-sister to Irish listed winner Tenth Star (Ire) (Dansili {GB}), who placed twice at the group level in Ireland and England. Their unraced dam is a daughter of dual French Classic heroine East of the Moon (Private Account), herself out of international champion, dual GI Breeders' Cup Mile heroine and bluehen producer Miesque (Nureyev).

The post Group 1 Winner Alpine Star Retired appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Alpine Star Enters Winter Quarters, Will Race On

Alpine Star (Ire) (Sea the Moon {Ger}), winner of the Coronation S. in June, will not race again this year and instead enjoy some time off. The Niarchos Family runner was runner-up in three consecutive Group 1s following her Ascot score-the July 5 Prix de Diane Longines, the Aug. 16 Prix Jacques le Marois and the Prix de l’Opera Longines on Arc Day, Oct. 4.

“She ran another blinder in the Opera,” said the Niarchos family’s racing manager Alan Cooper of the Jessica Harrington trainee. “She’s a tough, honest and very high-class filly. We’ll put her away now and bring her back for a 4-year-old campaign next season. She’s very consistent and hopefully there’ll be more Group 1 races for her.

“It will be interesting to see what Jessie decides regarding trip next year. She seems equally capable over a mile and a mile and a quarter at the moment, which is very exciting.”

The post Alpine Star Enters Winter Quarters, Will Race On appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Alpine Star Eyeing Deauville Date

G1 Coronation S. winner Alpine Star (Ire) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), last seen finishing a short-neck second to Fancy Blue (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G1 Prix de Diane on July 5, could resurface in the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Aug. 16 if ground conditions play to her liking.

“If all goes according to plan she could go to Deauville, but we just need to keep an eye on the ground,” said Alan Cooper, racing manager to owner/breeder The Niarchos Family. “There’s very hot weather forecast, but then there could be thunderstorms, so we’ll watch out for that. Her form appears very strong, with Fancy Blue winning again at Goodwood. The 3-year-old fillies appear to be very strong this year which is exciting, it’s good for racing.”

The Niarchos Family could yet have another major player in the division in Albigna (Ire), also from the yard of Jessica Harrington. The daughter of Zoffany went into winter quarters with hopes high off a win in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac, but has only been seen once this year when sixth in the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas.

“Albigna is making steady progress and it’s possible she could have a busy end-of-year programme,” said Cooper. “She could reappear in the Snow Fairy at The Curragh at the end of the month, we’ll just wait and see. But all is well with her.”

Cooper reported that 3-year-old colt Highest Ground (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who lost his unbeaten record when beaten a neck at third asking in the G2 Dante S. on July 9, will stay in training at four.

“Sir Michael is very happy with him currently, but he’s just waiting a little bit longer before committing to a plan,” said Cooper. “There was a mad rush when racing resumed with all the races crammed together, but it’s not like that now. The long-term plan for him is for next year, he’ll be staying in training as a 4-year-old, so Sir Michael will feel his way and when he’s ready, he’ll take it from there. I would think Highest Ground fits the profile of a typical Sir Michael late-maturing type–I hope so.”

The post Alpine Star Eyeing Deauville Date appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post