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Lloyd’s Life Through A Lens

It was hard to imagine that we'd ever be able to smuggle a photograph of the late, great singer/songwriter Nick Drake into the pages of TDN, but thanks to the multi-talented Julian Lloyd, we have been presented with the perfect excuse to do just that.

Lloyd, longtime manager of Staffordstown Stud in Ireland for Kirsten Rausing, retired at the end of last year, and his career in bloodstock was honoured with a Special Recognition Award at the recent ITBA Awards. Perhaps unbeknown to many in the horse world, however, is the fact that this was merely the third or even fourth chapter in the career of Lloyd, who started out working as a local newspaper photographer before moving to London to assist a fashion photographer in the ultra-hip days of the Kings Road in the 1960s. During that time he mixed with musicians and actors before turning his hand to racehorses and training. Those two worlds collided when he trained several winners for rock legend Eric Clapton, but Lloyd retained a love of photography and is about to unveil an exhibition of his work in London in May.

“I'm not a photographer, I'm a farmer with a camera, and this is just what I've accumulated,” says Lloyd modestly of a collection which includes portraits of various members of The Rolling Stones as well as the actor John Hurt. The accompanying portrait of the widely lauded Nick Drake, who died in 1974 at the age of just 26, has achieved iconic status, having been used on the cover of Drake's posthumous album Way To Blue. It was added to the collection of the National Portrait Gallery last year, and Lloyd's work has also featured on an album cover for Clapton's Derek and the Dominos.

“I bought my first camera when I was 15,” Lloyd reflects. “When I left school I worked for a newspaper in Berwick-upon-Tweed, then I went to London and worked as an assistant to a fashion photographer in Chelsea, Bill King, doing a lot of work for Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, and that sort of stuff. During that time was when I was friends with Nick Drake. When I met my wife we moved to the country and I got interested in horses.”

He continues, “I stopped working at the end of last year and this has always been in the back of the mind. I have gradually been scanning and filing. There are other Nick Drake images that I've had all those years that have never been seen or printed.

“I have a friend who has a shop off the Portobello Road. It's all rather spur-of-the-moment stuff and we're just going to do a pop-up show. But it's not centred on celebrities or musicians, it's really just autobiographical and quite light-hearted. The photos of Ronnie Wood, Keith Richards, Marianne Faithfull and co. are really just incidental. The exhibition is a photographic diary in a way.”

Casting his mind back to the ITBA Awards in February, Lloyd, whose equine passion grew after a time living in a horse-drawn caravan, admits that he was honoured to be recognised by his peers in what has been his 'day job' for almost 50 years, with more than three decades spent at Staffordstown.

“It was very touching. It came out of the blue and you could have knocked me over,” says Lloyd, who has recently moved to Shropshire.

“My time in Ireland means an enormous amount to me. I'm back in Britain now to be near the children but I was quite broken-hearted about leaving Ireland and I miss it very much. We went there initially for six months for me to do a season with Tim Rogers at Airlie [Stud] and it was 47 years before we left.”

In Swedish-born Kirsten Rausing, an avowed music fan, Lloyd had a kindred spirit in more ways than one.

He says, “She always claims to have learnt English through Tattersalls catalogues and Bob Dylan lyrics.”

The exhibition Julian Lloyd Photographs 1963-2021 is at 2 Blenheim Crescent, London W11 1NN, and runs from May 11 to 21.

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St Mark’s Basilica Divine at Cartier Racing Awards

St Mark's Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), a four-time Group 1 winner in 2021 and five-time top-level scorer overall, was named the Cartier Horse of the Year and Cartier 3-Year-Old Colt during the 31st annual Cartier Racing Awards at the Dorchester Hotel in London on Wednesday evening.

The sixth Cartier Horse of the Year for the Coolmore partners since the awards began in 1991, the Aidan O'Brien trainee joins the illustrious company of stablemates Giant's Causeway (Storm Cat) (2000), Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire) (Danehill) (2002), Hurricane Run (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) (2005), Dylan Thomas (Ire) (Danehill) (2007) and Minding (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (2016).

A winner of the G1 Dewhurst S. at two, the Robert Scarborough-bred completed an unbeaten campaign in 2021 including a brace of French Classic wins in the G1 French 2000 Guineas and G1 Prix du Jockey Club. The 1.3 million gns Tattersalls October Yearling then won a thrilling renewal of the G1 Eclipse S. and defeated 2020 GI Breeders' Cup Turf heroine Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal) in the G1 Irish Champion S. to end his career. At the beginning of November, it was announced he would join the Coolmore Stud roster for 2022.

The other nominees for Cartier Horse of the Year were Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) and Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). Of that trio, Baaeed and Hurricane Lane, along with G1 Derby hero Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), were nominated in the Cartier 3-Year-Old Colt category.

Raced and trained by the same connections as St Mark's Basilica, Classic heroine Snowfall (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was given the nod as the Cartier 3-Year-Old Filly. A brilliant winner of the G3 Musidora S. in May, the bay added the G1 Oaks by a record 16 lengths in June at Epsom. The margin of her G1 Irish Oaks victory was 8 1/2 lengths, and she was eased to a four-length win versus her elders in the G1 Yorkshire Oaks in the summer. She was second in the G1 Prix Vermeille in France and third in the G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares S. at Ascot to end her year.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum's Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}) was named the Cartier Older Horse. Trained by John and Thady Gosden, the Highclere Stud and Floors Farming-bred was named the Cartier 3-Year-Old Colt in 2020. After a season that saw him win two Group 1s over a mile last term, he swept all before him in his season opener-the G2 bet365 Mile at Sandown in April. He added the G1 Lockinge S. to his resume later that spring and defeated all comers in the G1 Queen Anne S. at Royal Ascot. After scoring in his second consecutive G1 Prix Jacques le Marois in France, Palace Pier finished his career with a second in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. to Cartier 3-Year-Old Colt nominee Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). He will stand at under the Darley banner at Dalham Hall Stud.

Native Trail (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) earned Cartier 2-Year-Old Colt honours after a flawless campaign for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby. Bred by Haras d'Haspel, the bay brought 210,000gns at the 2021 Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale and was quickly off the mark at first asking at Sandown. The G2 Superlative S. went his way at Newmarket, and then he traveled to Ireland to face off with fellow Cartier juvenile colt nominee, Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}) in the G1 National S. at The Curragh. Despite the high quality of opposition, the result was the same, with Native Trail running out a 3 1/2-length winner. In his final start of the season, the colt was first past the post in the G1 Dewhurst S. back at HQ in October, the same Group 1 double achieved by former Godolphin star and young sire Pinatubo (Ire) (Shamardal).

Cheveley Park homebred Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) was named the Cartier 2-Year-Old Filly. Trained by John and Thady Gosden, the daughter of G1 1000 Guineas bridesmaid Starscope (GB) (Selkirk) carries an unbeaten record into her sophomore season. Successful on debut at Newmarket in June, she landed the Listed Star S. at Sandown a month later and took the G2 May Hill S. at Doncaster in September. She capped 2021 with a 2 1/2-length victory in the G1 Fillies' Mile in October.

Starman (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}), a homebred for David Ward, was honoured with the Cartier Sprinter award. A winner of the G2 Duke of York S. in May where he downed 2020 G1 July Cup winner Oxted (GB) (Mayson {GB}), the 4-year-old colt was back in action in the G1 July Cup at Newmarket. In that race he overcame a troubled trip to win by 1 1/4 lengths and gave his owner and trainer, Ed Walker, a first win at the highest level. It was announced in October that he would stand at Tally-Ho Stud for 2022.

After claiming three major staying prizes in 2021, Singula Partnership's Trueshan (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}) was named the Cartier Stayer. Trainer Alan King was given his first Group 1 success on the Flat in the G1 Goodwood Cup by the 5-year-old gelding. Ridden by Hollie Doyle in that prize, Trueshan reveled in the testing conditions of the G1 Prix du Cadran on Arc weekend, to defeat three-time Cartier Stayer Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). After returning from France, Trueshan, bred by Didier Blot, defended his crown in the G2 British Champions Long Distance Cup.

The Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit was awarded to David Elsworth, one of the most successful dual-purpose trainers in Britain. Besides Flat Classic success, Elsworth has parlayed his 67-year career into victories in the Grand National and Cheltenham Gold Cup. Licenced in 1978 and still going strong at 83, some of Elsworth's best horses included star jumper Desert Orchid (GB) (Grey Mirage I {GB}), standout stayer Persian Punch (Ire) (Persian Heights {GB}), the crack sprinter Indian Ridge (Ire) (Ahonoora {GB}) and Irish Classic heroine In The Groove (GB) (Night Shift). Named Champion National Hunt Trainer in 1987/88, Elsworth has trained seven Group 1 winners on the Flat and has 16 Royal Ascot winners to his name. His filly Arabian Queen (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) shocked Derby/Arc hero Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) in the G1 Juddmonte International S. at 50-1 in 2015.

Harry Herbert, Cartier's Racing Consultant said, “The 2021 European Flat season has once again highlighted all that is wonderful in this great sport.

“With capacity crowds back at racecourses and some brilliant equine performances, we were ultimately rewarded with a season to savour.

“Racing cannot continue without the ongoing support of owners and I would like to extend my congratulations to tonight's winners–Coolmore, Godolphin, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Cheveley Park Stud, David Ward and the Singula Partnership.

“David Elsworth has truly reached the summit of his profession and is the perfect recipient for the Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit in 2021. A man whose life has been steeped in racing, Elsworth's career spans 67 years and has scaled the heights of both Jump and Flat racing. One of the most successful dual-purpose trainers Britain has produced, the sport is lucky to call him one of our own.

“Cartier's support of these prestigious awards stretches right back to 1991 and is ongoing as we once again enjoy all coming together at the Dorchester Hotel for such a wonderful event. We are truly blessed to be able to enjoy such tremendous support.”

Laurent Feniou, Managing Director of Cartier UK, added, “The 2021 European Flat season has lived up to its billing as horseracing once again highlighted the magic and brilliance of the sport following a challenging 2020.

“I am delighted for the Cartier Racing Awards to be taking place once again at the Dorchester Hotel celebrating another wonderful year of sport.

“It is an honour to celebrate the very best of horseracing and it is a privilege for Cartier to be celebrating the 31st anniversary of the Cartier Racing Awards. My heartfelt congratulations go out to this year's exceptional winners.

Horses earned points in Pattern races (30%), combined at the end of season with the opinions of a panel of racing journalists/handicappers (35%) and votes from readers of Racing Post and The Daily Telegraph (35%) to be considered for the awards. Highlights of the 31st annual Cartier Racing Awards will be shown on Sky Sports Racing on the evening of Friday, Nov. 12.

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La Jolla, Graduation Stakes Headline Sunday Card At Del Mar

Stakes horses will once again double up for a Del Mar crowd, this time on Sunday with the presentation of the 81st La Jolla Stakes and the 70th edition of the Graduation Stakes. The races will go as the 6th and 9th races, respectively, on the shore track's 10-race program.

The La Jolla, a Grade 3 affair that carries a purse of $150,000, has drawn a half-dozen 3-year-olds for a mile and one-sixteenth jaunt on the Jimmy Durante Turf Course at Del Mar Thorughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif. The Graduation also has drawn six California-bred 2-year-old starters for its five and one-half furlong spin on the main track. It offers a purse of $100,000.

The Irish horse Cathkin Peak, owned by Sterling Stables, Nentwig, and CYBT, is a candidate to be the favorite in the La Jolla. A bay son of the Irish stallion Alhebayeb, Cathkin Peak raced once in his native land as a 2-year-old, then was purchased privately and shipped to California where he won a pair of races, including the overnight Eddie Logan at Santa Anita Park last December. He subsequently chased home the blossoming star Rock Your World in February's Pasadena Stakes, also at Santa Anita, then went on the shelf. This will be his first start in nearly six months, but trainer Phil D'Amato has put a series of steady works into him for this comeback.

Double L Stable and Natalie Baffert's Hudson Ridge hails from the powerful Bob Baffert barn and is a son of one of Baffert's Triple Crown winners, American Pharoah. The colt broke his maiden with a dead-head score in a straight maiden race at Santa Anita on May 1 and came back to win a pair of races after that, including the Cinema Stakes.

Two of the other La Jolla runners — Red Baron's Barn and Rancho Temescal's Zoffarelli and Yuesheng Zhang's Sword Zorro also first saw light of day in Ireland. The former will be making his U.S. debut in the La Jolla, while the latter owns a victory in the Singletary Stakes at Santa Anita on grass April 25.

The Graduation – like many 2-year-old races at this time of year – is a tough one to sort out with only minimal past performances to work with. Morning line maker Jon White could barely separate two of the runners, hanging Lovingier, London, and Zondlo's Rock N Rye as an 8/5 favorite, just a tick better than Lovingier, Beckerle, and Carrillo's Thirsty Always at 9/5.

Rock N Rye is a homebred by Always Thirsty who was a handy winner of a straight maiden race in his second start at Santa Anita on May 30 in his most recent outing. He's been training steadily for this return date at both San Luis Rey Downs and Del Mar.

Thirsty Always, also by Stay Thirsty, scored in his first start at Santa Anita on May 16, then shipped up to Pleasanton and captured the Nevin Stakes there on July 10.

Trainer Walther Solis conditions both juveniles.

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Here's the lineup for the La Jolla from the rail out with riders and morning line odds: Steve Moger's Stilleto Boy (Kent Desormeaux, 6-1); Gary Barber's Wyfire (Kyle Frey, 12-1); Hudson Ridge (Abel Cedillo, 5/2); Cathkin Peak (Juan Hernandez, 2-1); Zoffarelli (Drayden Van Dyke, 3-1), and Sword Zorro (Umberto Rispoli, 4-1).

The field for the Graduation lays out like this: Lovingier or Templeton Horses' Mr. T's Thirsty (Tyler Baze, 2-1); McMahon or Rudy's Trip to Spain (Frey, 2-1); Thirsty Always (apprentice Cesar Ortega); Rock N Rye (Rispoli); Moger, Burke or Estrada, et al's Northvale Road (Tiago Periera, 6-1), and Branch or Hill's Fowler Blue (Edwin Maldonado, 12-1).

First post for Sunday's card is 2 p.m.

The post La Jolla, Graduation Stakes Headline Sunday Card At Del Mar appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Park Lane Stables Fundraiser Underway

A crowdfunding effort has been started for Park Lane Stables RDA (Riding for the Disabled), a riding school charity that provides therapy and riding lessons for people with and without disabilities in London. Run by Natalie O'Rourke, the Teddington-based riding school's landlord is not renewing their lease and selling the property. A total of £1 million is needed by Feb. 24 to enable Park Lane to purchase the property and secure their future in the community. The riding school has already raised over £183,000 toward their goal.

Park Lane first drew international notice with #tinyponyatyourwindow during the first London lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic. Stable volunteers cheered those self-isolating with their pony Annie's Whizz, who eventually would visit over 300 people in their homes, schools, hospitals and care homes. To donate, please go to www.crowdfunder.co.uk/save-our-stables.

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