Tag: Broome

Quality Lineup For Longines HKIR

Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and a team of five from Ballydoyle headed by defending G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase hero Mogul (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) are among a list of 49 world-class gallopers that have been extended invitations to the 2021 Longines Hong Kong International Races to be staged Sunday, Dec. 12, at Sha Tin Racecourse. Some 22 of the invitees have already struck at Group 1/Grade I level.

Following her history-making performance in the GI Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Del Mar Nov. 6, the 5-year-old Loves Only You is set to journey from California to the same course and 2000-metre distance over which she won the G1 FWD QE II Cup on her world travels this past April as she swansongs in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup. She is set to be joined in the day's richest event by Lei Papale (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), victorious in this year's G1 Osaka Hai and perfect in a pair of starts at 10 furlongs, as well as the less-heralded Hishi Iguazu (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}).

The Japanese challenge numbers fully 10 of the 21 overseas-based horses and also includes Danon Smash (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), one of three horses back to defend their titles from 2020. The 6-year-old, whose sire was a spectacular two-time winner of the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint, exits a sixth in the G1 Sprinters' S. behind 3-year-old Pixie Knight (Jpn) and 4-year-old filly Resistencia (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}). The former is a son of Maurice (Jpn), winner of both a G1 Long Hong Kong Mile and Hong Kong Cup. While the connections of Schnell Meister (Ger) (Kingman {GB})–Japan's best miler not named Gran Alegria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn})–have passed on the Mile, four others will have a crack at Horse of the Year Golden Sixty (Jpn), including Danon Kingly (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who upset the recently retired Gran Alegria in this year's G1 Yasuda Kinen. Glory Vase (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) looks for a second G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase in three years, having been given a peach of ride by Joao Moreira to score in 2019.

 

Mogul will try to join former Ballydoyle inmate Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) as two-time winners of the Vase and will attempt to become the first to go back-to-back in the race since Doctor Dino (Fr) (Muhtathir) in 2007/2008. His Aidan O'Brien stablemates Japan (GB) (Galileo {Ire}, Cup), the year-older full-brother to Mogul and a latest fourth in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf; and Breeders' Cup Turf runner-up Broome (Ire) (Australia {Ire}, Vase) are also among those receiving invitations, though their participation hinges squarely on their performance in and well-being following this weekend's G1 Japan Cup. Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), winner of this year's GI Belmont Derby, is also invited to the Vase, while G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas heroine Mother Earth (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) is penciled in for the Mile.

The form of the G1 QIPCO Champion S. will be tested in the Cup by the William Haggas-trained Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride of Dubai {Aus}), beaten three-parts of a length into second by Sealiway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) in the Ascot centrepiece Oct. 16, and the third home that day, Mac Swiney (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}), whose trainer Jim Bolger sent out Alexander Goldrun (Ire) (Gold Away {Ire}) to win the Cup back in 2004.

The Vase has lured an additional pair of interesting runners from Europe, including Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}), upset winner of this year's G1 Coronation Cup at Epsom who resumed from a five-month break to score impressively in the Listed Churchill S. over the Lingfield all-weather Nov. 13. Aga Khan homebred Ebaiyra (Distorted Humor) was a two-time winner at group level in France earlier this year for Alain de Royer-Dupre and ran Broome to one length in the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in July.

 

In addition to Golden Sixty, who figures a prohibitive favourite to run his current winning streak to 16 in the Mile, other top contenders from Hong Kong include Panfield (Chi) (Lookin At Lucky, Cup); the progressive Lucky Patch (NZ) (El Roca {Aus}) and Wellington (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) in the Sprint; and Columbus County (NZ) (Redwood {GB})–second to Panfield in the course-and-distance G1 Champions & Chater Cup–in the Vase. Reliable Team (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}), who won the G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2000mT) Nov. 21, stretches out in trip for the Vase.

“The Longines Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) is firmly established as one of the world's principal racing events and this year we will welcome an extraordinary line-up from Japan, Great Britain, Ireland and France which includes 16 individual Group 1 winners,” said Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing, for the Hong Kong Jockey Club. “To have runners of this calibre in any year would be notable but once again it is truly remarkable given the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The post Quality Lineup For Longines HKIR appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Breeders’ Cup Winner Loves Only You, Five From Ballydoyle Headline Hong Kong International Races

Loves Only You is among a stellar line-up of 49 horses selected for the HK$100 million (about US$12.8 million) LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) at Sha Tin on Sunday, Dec. 12.

Fresh off Breeders' Cup success in the United States, Yoshito Yahagi's mare is just one of 22 Group 1 winners set to compete. Returning to Hong Kong in a bid for a second G1 success in the city, the daughter of Deep Impact is looking to cap a superb year and she is just one of the exciting contingent of overseas raiders aiming at this year's “Turf World Championships.”

Featuring prominently once more, Aidan O'Brien will return to Hong Kong in strength with 2020 G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m, or 1 1/2 miles) winner Mogul while stablemates Broome, Japan, Bolshoi Ballet and Mother Earth also feature.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has created uncertainty around many international racing events, the strength of the international presence in this year's line-up confirms that the Sha Tin showpiece retains its pre-eminent position at the top of the agenda for international horsemen.

The LONGINES HKIR is the sport's global year-end spectacular and features the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m, or 1 1/4 miles), the HK$26 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m, or one mile), the HK$24 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m, or six furlongs) and the HK$20 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m, or 1 1/2 miles). The Cup, Mile and Sprint are the world's richest G1 races on turf over their respective distances.

Andrew Harding, the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Executive Director, Racing, said: “The LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) is firmly established as one of the world's principal racing events and this year we will welcome an extraordinary line-up from Japan, Great Britain, Ireland and France which includes 16 individual Group 1 winners. To have runners of this caliber in any year would be notable but once again it is truly remarkable given the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are delighted that the quality of the selected runners for this year's LONGINES Hong Kong International Races is in keeping with our long-held commitment to deliver sporting excellence and Loves Only You's return to Hong Kong after her historical Breeders' Cup victory is incredibly exciting, as is the arrival of a quintet from Aidan O'Brien's all-powerful Ballydoyle operation.

“Our hometown hero Golden Sixty is looking to enhance his astonishing unbeaten streak to 16 and also set a new all-time winning record of 19 in Hong Kong should he successfully defend his Hong Kong Mile title while star sprinter Wellington's development adds further intrigue and everything surely points to a thrilling afternoon of sport on Sunday, Dec. 12.”

Loves Only You spearheads a strong cohort from Japan, which includes first and second out of the G1 Sprinters Stakes (1200m) at Nakayama Racecourse last month, Pixie Knight and Resistencia, respectively, with both plotting raids on the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint. Danon Smash returns to defend his crown in the dash, while Glory Vase will attempt to recapture his LONGINES Hong Kong Vase title from Mogul – last year's victor – who also returns from Ireland to represent Aidan O'Brien.

Joining Loves Only You in the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup is Lei Papale, winner of the G1 Osaka Hai (2000m) earlier this year who is looking to remain unbeaten over 10-furlongs. Bolshoi Ballet – O'Brien's American G1 winner – plots a course for the Hong Kong Cup, as does Mac Swiney for Jim Bolger and Dubai Honour for William Haggas. Both Mac Swiney – a two-time G1 winner – and Dubai Honour placed behind Sealiway in the British Champion Stakes with the latter getting within a length.

O'Brien will be double-handed in the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase as the incredibly consistent Broome – who runs in Sunday's (Nov. 28) G1 Japan Cup (2400m) – journeys to Hong Kong for the first time following his cracking second to Yibir in the G1 LONGINES Breeders' Cup Turf (2400m) earlier this month at Del Mar Racecourse.

The William Muir-trained Pyledriver – winner of the 2021 G1 Coronation Cup (2420m) at Epsom Downs Racecourse – is in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase. While, H H Aga Khan's Ebaiyra – trained by the iconic Alain de Royer-Dupre – is also targeting a Hong Kong Vase raid.

Eyeing a 16th consecutive win and second successive LONGINES Hong Kong Mile crown, Hong Kong's Golden Sixty will face no shortage of stiff opposition including Mother Earth for the Irish mastermind, O'Brien. Her brilliant three-year-old season boasts two G1 titles, winning the 1000 Guineas (1609m) and Prix Rothschild (1600m), while she has also placed in seven other G1 contests in Great Britain, Ireland, France and the United States.

Indy Champ and Vin de Garde join the Japanese brigade bidding to overthrow Golden Sixty, as does Danon Kingly, winner of the G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) last June. Trainer Noriyuki Hori is no stranger to success in Hong Kong after the heroics of the great Maurice and he'll be represented by Hishi Iguazu in the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup as well as the G1-winning Salios, who also boasts consecutive runner-up efforts to Japan's Triple Crown-winning Contrail. Salios will contest the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile.

Joining Golden Sixty – Hong Kong's reigning Horse of the Year – in the home team's defense is Hong Kong's Champion Stayer Panfield, who will be running in the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup.

Hong Kong's emerging talent has always been ever-present and the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint will have no shortage of juvenile stars. Lucky Patch steps out for Hong Kong following consecutive G2 scores, while Courier Wonder, Naboo Attack and Sky Field bolster the home team's defences with established G1 stars, Hot King Prawn and Wellington spearheading the charge.

The post Breeders’ Cup Winner Loves Only You, Five From Ballydoyle Headline Hong Kong International Races appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Three International Raiders Take On Sunday’s $6 Million Japan Cup

This Sunday, Nov. 28, Tokyo Racecourse hosts the Grade 1 Japan Cup, the iconic invitational gala that has been instrumental in boosting Japan's horses and horsemen to the heights of international competitiveness they now enjoy. Some JPY 648 million, over USD 6 million, is up for grabs.

Japan's horses have monopolized the winner's circle for the past 15 years, and though dwindling participation by foreign raiders (only one last year and none in 2019) may have turned the odds in their favor, Japan's domination requires no math. Japan brings its very best to the race and this year is no different.

Eighteen Japan-based runners have been nominated for 15 berths in the 41st running of the 2,400-meter (about 1 1/2 miles) turf event. There are six Grade 1 winners among them, with 2020 Triple Crown champion Contrail ready to join the ranks of Japan's top 10 money earners ever if he can land the race.

Unlike two years ago, there will be no default victory for Japan this year. Three overseas challengers, all top-level winners, have flown in to attempt to land the winner's prize. Two of them – Japan and Broome – hail from the stable of Aidan O'Brien. Grand Glory is fielded by French trainer Gianluca Bietolini. All three arrived in Japan on Nov. 19.

The U.K.-bred Grand Glory, a 5-year-old Olympic Glory mare was raced exclusively over 10 furlongs this year, captured the Grade 3 Grand Prix de Vichy in July, and followed that up with a win of the G1 Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville in August. Last out Oct. 3, she came in second under jockey Frankie Dettori in the Prix de L'Opera at Longchamp. Jockey Cristian Demuro, who rode both the mare's wins this summer, will be her partner on Sunday.

Both Broome and Japan share Japanese connections and are just off a run in the Breeders' Cup Turf Nov. 6. Broome narrowly missed the win by half a length and Japan finished fourth. Earlier this year, in July, Broome won the Grade 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, then ran fourth later that month at Ascot in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. September saw him barely miss clinching the Prix Foy under Frankie Dettori before disappointing in the Arc in 11th place, partnered with Yutaka Take. This time he'll have Ryan Moore in the saddle.

Japan won a G3 over 1,800 meters at Leopardstown in July, before traveling to the U.S. for three starts, all over 2,400 meters, and posted 2-6-4. He'll have four-time winner of the Japan Cup Yutaka Take in the saddle.

The left-handed Tokyo Racecourse is known for its sweeping turns and seemingly endless homestretch with an upward slope starting shortly after the horses turn into the straight. The Japan Cup will be run over the C course, which, with the inner rail moved in 6 meters from the inner rail, measures 25-35 meters across. The same course is just over 2,120 meters around and the Tokyo turf 2,400 meters starts in front of the grandstand at the top of the stretch hill.

Horses will carry 57 kg, with a 2-kg allowance for mares and 3-year-old colts. A 4-kg allowance will be enjoyed by the field's sole 3-year-old filly – Uberleben, who won the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) over the Tokyo 2,400 meters this May while carrying 2 kg more.

Note that although the Japan Cup post time will be the usual 3:40 p.m. for Grade 1 events at the venue, the Japan Cup will be the 12th and last race on Sunday.

# # #

Here's a look at some of the standouts from the Japan team.

Contrail: Following in the steps of his sire Deep Impact, Contrail swept the 2020 3-year-old classics to become Japan's 8th Triple Crown winner. The eighth was also the race that saw him finish out of the winner's circle for the first time, second by a length and a quarter to Almond Eye in last year's Japan Cup. He failed to win in his next two outings, but still, has yet to finish further back than third. The Japan Cup is only his third race since last year's Japan Cup. Next up in April, he encountered heavy ground for the first time and ran third nearly 5 lengths behind winner Lei Papale in the 2,000-meter Grade 1 Osaka Hai. He then returned for a second 1 length behind Efforia in the Tenno Sho (Autumn). The colt's retirement was announced in early October and the Japan Cup later confirmed as his final race. Trainer Yoshito Yahagi, just back from a Breeders' Cup double victory, is the current No. 2 trainer for wins in Japan. Yahagi has yet to win a Grade 1 at home this year and has yet to win the Japan Cup. With farewells impending, he has one last mission to accomplish…or two. “The time passed so quickly. Of course, it's sad. The other day we took on the Breeders' Cup as challengers and that made things easier. But, this time, while I'm looking for results, at the same time, I have to be sure he finishes without mishap. And this makes me very tense.” Tense or not, Yahagi has the coolheaded jockey Yuichi Fukunaga on his side. Fukunaga has yet to win the Japan Cup, but he has bagged three Grade 1s so far this year. If anyone can, Fukunaga, who has ridden all but one of the colt's 10 races thus far, can bring Contrail home safely, and a winner.

Shahryar: With only fives starts thus far, the 3-year-old Shahryar by Deep Impact beat Efforia to the finish by a nose in the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) this spring, then started his autumn campaign with a fourth-place finish in the Grade 2 Kobe Shimbun Hai over 2,200 meters at Chukyo, where races are, like Tokyo, run to the left. He finished 5 lengths of the winner, in the rain and over a sloppy track and rider Yuichi Fukunaga said the colt's responses had been slow and claimed the rain and poor going had prevented him from racing to his best. The Japan Cup will be Shahryar's third start at the venue. Before the Japanese Derby, he had run third to winner Efforia in the Grade 3 Kyodo News Hai (Tokinominoru Kinen), over Tokyo 1,800 meters in February. With Fukunaga taking the reins of Contrail in the Japan Cup, the ride on Shahryar is going to jockey Yuga Kawada, who has ridden the colt once before, to a win of a G3 at Hanshin. Back once again at the site of his Derby victory, Shahryar will attempt to become only the eighth 3-year-old to conquer the Japan Cup and would top both El Condor Pasa (1998) and Almond Eye (2018) to become the first to ace the race with the shortest career yet.

Authority: On Nov. 7, the 4-year-old Authority returned after six months recovering from a fracture and laid claim by 2 1/2 lengths to his second win in a row of the Grade 2 Copa Republica Argentina over the Tokyo 2,500 meters. It was his first win in three starts this year, following two spring runs over marathon distances of 3,400 and 3,200 meters that brought him a second in the Grade 3 Diamond Stakes, but only a dismal 10th in the Grade 1 Tenno Sho (Spring). Back at Tokyo, however, where he enjoys a 1-1-2-1 record, the hefty son of Triple Crown winner Orfevre will be able to have room to move as well as be closer to his Miho base. There is little time between races, but Yu Ota, assistant to trainer Tetsuya Kimura, says the colt is looking fine. “He came out of the race well and is very much on his toes. After a week off, he's back at his usual routine. We're trying not to pressure him by demanding too much but we also haven't gone too easy on the work.” Jockey Christophe Lemaire, gunning for his fourth Japan Cup win, will be up.

Aristoteles: Aristoteles, a 4-year-old by 2014 Japan Cup winner Epiphaneia, ran second in the Triple Crown final leg, the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Legers) over Kyoto 3,000 meters. Contrail beat him by a mere neck. He started this year with a win of the Grade 2 American Jockey Club Cup over Nakayama 2,200 meters, then recorded 7-4-9 in his next three, the two most recent Grade 1s. He returned with a promising second by a nose in the Grade 2 Kyoto Daishoten on Oct. 10 under jockey Mirco Demuro. This will be only the second time at Tokyo for the Ritto-based Aristoteles. His first run brought a sixth in the Principal Stakes, a listed race over 2,000 meters last May, but the extra distance this time should be a plus. The colt has had five different riders in his 14 starts thus far, and this time there's another new face expected aboard, young star Takeshi Yokoyama, who has already ridden the winner in three Grade 1s this year.

＃ ＃ ＃

Others to watch include:

With two strong showings in Grade 3 company earlier this year, Shadow Diva returned after two months off to capture the Oct. 16 Ireland Trophy Fuchu Himba Stakes, a Grade 2 over the Tokyo 1,800 meters. Though it will be only her second start over the Japan Cup distance, all but one of her five starts over the Tokyo 2,000 have been in the top 3. With the right trip, the Heart's Cry 5-year-old could surprise.

Another possible runner is Sanrei Pocket, a 6-year-old by 2001 Japan Cup winner Jungle Pocket. After returning Oct. 10 for a sixth in the Grade 2 Mainichi Okan, he ended the month with a powerful drive that brought him a fourth in the Tenno Sho (Autumn). He's looking good in trackwork and the extra distance will be welcome.

The post Three International Raiders Take On Sunday’s $6 Million Japan Cup appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Japan Cup: O’Brien Sending Breeders’ Cup Runners Broome, Japan

Ballydoyle master Aidan O'Brien plans to send Breeders' Cup Turf second and fourth-place finishers Broome and Japan to the Nov. 28 Japan Cup, according to racingpost.com. The 1 1/2-mile contest at Tokyo Racecourse is worth ¥648 million (about US$5.6 million), and has also drawn Group 1 winner Grand Glory from the barn of trainer Gianluca Bietolini.

Broome, the 5-year-old son of Australia, won the Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud back in July. He also ran second in the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup, and in the Breeders' Cup he finished second, beaten a half-length by Yibir under jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr.

Japan, a 5-year-old son of Galileo, won a pair of Group 3 races in Europe this season and ran a big second in the G1 Sword Dancer Stakes at Saratoga in August, beaten just a neck by Gufo.

Grand Glory, a 5-year-old daughter of Olympic Glory, won the G1 Prix Jean Romanet and was beaten just a nose in the G1 Prix de l'Opera on Arc day. The Japan Cup will be the final race of her career.

Read more at racingpost.com.

The post Japan Cup: O’Brien Sending Breeders’ Cup Runners Broome, Japan appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights