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57 Group 1 Winners Among Nominees To Hong Kong International Races

The 2021 LONGINES Hong Kong International Races has attracted a galaxy of global and local stars with 135 world-class horses included in a glittering entry, with 57 individual Group 1 winners from nine countries or regions eyeing the lucrative four-race showcase on Dec. 12. Now worth a mammoth HK$100 million (US$12.86 million), the four G1s on offer are the HK$30 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m), HK$26 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m), HK$24 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) and HK$20 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m). While the COVID-19 pandemic has continued to create uncertainty around many international sporting events, the strength of this year's entries for the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races again reaffirms the importance of the end-of-year spectacular to horsemen from around the world with the nomination of heavyweights Golden Sixty, Gran Alegria, Verry Elleegant, Mac Swiney, Tarnawa, Loves Only You, Hot King Prawn, Danon Smash, Nature Strip, Snowfall, Love and Sealiway.

Japan heads the overseas representation with 40 of the 90 entries received from abroad, while Hong Kong has 45 contenders listed. Hong Kong's Horse of the Year Golden Sixty headlines a fascinating list of entries. The brilliant son of Medaglia d'Oro hasn't tasted defeat in over two years and will look to defend his title in the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile after blitzing last year's contest. A strong contingent from Aidan O'Brien's all-conquering Ballydoyle has been entered with the Irish mastermind fielding 10 nominations. Featured is Mogul, last year's LONGINES Hong Kong Vase hero, while his brilliant Epsom Oaks winning duo, Love and Snowfall, could also feature. Love claimed the Classic at Epsom Downs by nine lengths in 2020, while Snowfall took it up a notch with a commanding 16-length triumph this year. Order Of Australia, Bolshoi Ballet, Japan, Mother Earth, Broome, La Joconde and Santiago also feature for O'Brien, the most single entries of any handler for this year's flagship event as he looks to add to his three Hong Kong International Races victories. Japan took two out of the four features last year and the 'Land of the Rising Sun' has once again reiterated their affinity for Hong Kong with a high-class list of entrants, including Danon Smash, last year's winner of the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint, while Loves Only You who sealed FWD Champions Day success back in April, could return for the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup. Gran Alegria, a five-time G1 winner from 1200m to 1600m in Japan, is included and could make her first tilt abroad. Glory Vase, winner of the 2019 Hong Kong Vase, has thrown his hat in the ring as have Salios, Lei Papale, Indy Champ and Lauda Sion. LONGINES Hong Kong Cup Loves Only You and Vincent Ho charged to a brilliant win in the G1 FWD QEII Cup on FWD Champions Day and Yoshito Yahagi is after more success at Sha Tin with his two-time G1-winnning mare. Her name sits alongside that of seven from trainer Aidan O'Brien, who has Bolshoi Ballet, Japan, Love, Broome, Snowfall, La Joconde and Santiago all entered. Joining Loves Only You from Japan could be Lei Papale, who was undefeated across her first six starts which included a tough G1 Osaka Hai (2000m) success before her third-placed effort to Chrono Genesis in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) as could Gibeon, Persian Knight and Cafe Pharoah. Gran Alegria holds an option for the 10-furlong test, as do World Premiere, Glory Vase and Curren Bouquetd'or. While also from Ireland is Tarnawa, H H Aga Khan IV's top-class mare holds an entry for both the Cup and the Vase. She's a three-time G1 winner who finished a close-up second in this year's G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (2400m). France is no stranger to success in the Cup with three wins in the 10-furlong showdown thanks to Jim And Tonic (1999), Pride (2006) and Vision d'Etat (2009). This year, their assault could be spearheaded by Sealiway, winner of the British Champion Stakes earlier this month. Trainer Chris Waller has a host entries across the board with two for the Cup, headlined by Verry Elleegant, his prolific G1 winner and last year's champion of the G1 Caulfield Cup (2400m). She was crowned Australia's Racehorse of the Year (2020/21) and could bolster her resume, while Waller's other mare Hungry Heart is entered. The home team's defence features Furore, the 2019 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) hero, Glorious Dragon and Southern Legend, while Panfield, winner of the G1 Standard Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) in May, holds an option for both the Cup and the Vase. Channel Cat – who races in the iconic Calumet Farm silks – is entered for American handler Jack Sisterson. The six-year-old claimed the G1 Man o' War Stakes (2200m) at Belmont Park in May, this year. LONGINES Hong Kong Mile Golden Sixty, winner of his last 14 consecutive races, headlines the entries for the Mile and will spearhead the local brigade. Francis Lui's six-year-old will look to defend his crown in the race, while the home team's entries also includes G1 winners Southern Legend and Waikuku, while 2021 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) winner Sky Darci is expected to have a crack as is Ka Ying Star and More Than This. Leading the assault from overseas is Gran Alegria, Kazuo Fujisawa's crack mare and top-class winner over 1200m and 1600m. She claimed three consecutive G1s through 2020, kicking off her streak with a Yasuda Kinen (1600m) triumph ahead of the phenomenal Almond Eye. A G1 winner in the United States of America, Aidan O'Brien has his Breeders' Cup Mile winner Order Of Australia entered for a second crack at Hong Kong glory, while Mother Earth, winner of this year's G1 Prix Rothschild (1600m) at Deauville is entered. Also from Ireland, Jim Bolger's crack chestnut Mac Swiney could make his way to the 'Far East' for the Mile, while also holding a nomination for the Cup too. The son of New Approach is a two-time G1 winner and he could too be joined from Ireland by Pearls Galore for Paddy Twomey and the Joseph O'Brien-trained State Of Rest, winner of the G1 W.S. Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday (23 October) and also the G1 Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes (1911m). Twice runner-up to Japan's Triple Crown-winning Contrail, Salios – an exceptional three-year-old last year in his own right – holds an entry for the Mile and the Cup. Indy Champ who campaigned to Hong Kong for a luckless seventh in this race two years ago when join equal favourite will look to return for another tilt at redemption, while Lauda Sion, Vollkommen, Grenadier Guards, Lotus Land and Schnell Meister hold options. LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint Champion Sprinter Hot King Prawn heads the Hong Kong nominations, along with G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize (1200m) hero Wellington, last-start G2 Premier Bowl (1200m) winner Lucky Patch as well as a host of younger exceptionally gifted adversaries: Sky Field, Naboo Attack and Courier Wonder. Bolstering the home team is Stronger, Computer Patch and Super Wealthy with one-time boom sprinter Aethero adding intrigue after lengthy stint on the sidelines. Last year's winner, Danon Smash is entered to defend his title and win a second LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint just like his sire, Lord Kanaloa who did so in 2012 and 2013. But he might not be alone from Japan, with Pixie Knight, winner of the G1 Spinters Stakes (1200m) pitted to take his exploits abroad, while Diatonic, Curren Moe, Resistencia and Shivaji also included. Australian speedster Nature Strip, a sharp six-time G1-winning sprinter who recently claimed The Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick, is one of four entrants from Down Under, including Eduardo who finished third to Nature Strip in that race, while from Ireland trainer Adrian McGuinness has last-start G1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp (1000m) winner A Case Of You entered. LONGINES Hong Kong Vase Aidan O'Brien has the most LONGINES Hong Kong Vase wins in history and the Irish legend will look to further enhance that record with Mogul – last year's winner of the race – leads a charge of seven other possibilities into the 12-furlong showdown. O'Brien's hand could feature Bolshoi Ballet, Japan, Love, Snowfall, Broome, La Joconde and Santiago – all of which are also optioned for the Hong Kong Cup. While Hong Kong's leading hope is G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup winner, Panfield, who last-start returned in fine fettle with victory in the G2 Oriental Watch 60th Anniversary Sha Tin Trophy over a mile. The Chilean Triple Crown winner also holds and option for the Cup. Against O'Brien's cavalry could be no shortage of talent; last-start G1 British Champion Stakes winner Sealiway is entered for Cedric Rossi, Ebaiyra is one of two for Alain de Royer-Dupre along with Valia, while Magny Cours could represent Andre Fabre, France's iconic 24-time champion trainer. Also for France is Sweet Lady, Eudaimonia, Monty and Bubble Gift. Frenchman Christophe Clement – who now trains in the United States – has entered Gufo, winner of the G1 Sword Dancer Stakes (2400m) at Saratoga in August this year. Japan has had no shortage of Vase winners in recent times and their charge could be led by Glory Vase, winner of this race two years ago, while Titleholder swept into calculations with victory in the G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) over 3000m on Sunday. The pair could be joined by Curren Bouquetd'or, World Premiere, Satono Saltus, Meiner Virtus, Uberleben, and Authority could join him. Great Britain has tasted significant success in the Vase and they have Away He Goes, Hukum, Spanish Mission and Pyledriver, a last-start G1 winner in the Coronation Cup over the Vase distance 2400m at Epsom Downs. Germany's sole entry – Sisfahan – could bring exceptional Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe form lines having finished second to Arc hero, Torquator Tasso in last month's G1 Grosser Preis von Baden (2400m). Like last year, the staging of the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races will be subject to approval by the Hong Kong SAR Government.

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Study: No Proof Horses Bond To Humans

Though many horse owners believe their horses are bonded to them, The Horse reports there's actually no scientific evidence demonstrating this.

Dr. Elke Hartmann of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences compared horse and human bonds to the bonding that occurs between dogs and humans. Dogs often consider their humans safe and will stay near them when they are afraid. Hartmann notes that horses may not express their attachment in the same ways dogs do, seeking them out in times of stress, or jumping on or playing with humans. We don't yet know what behaviors to look for demonstrating attachment from horses.

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Hartmann said evidence has shown that horses are often relaxed around humans with whom they are familiar, though this may depend on the type of training the horse receives from the human. To determine if positive reinforcement caused horses to bond with their trainers, Hartmann and a research team used 12 Standardbred school horses between five and 13 years old in a recent study. The horses had been trained for handling, riding and driving by students using negative reinforcement (meaning the release of pressure).

The horses were given tests using a familiar and an unfamiliar human, both before and after training which used different reinforcement models: negative reinforcement alone, negative reinforcement with food-based positive reinforcement, or negative reinforcement with wither-scratching positive reinforcement.

Hartmann reported that no matter the training method, all horses were calmer after the training, but in general, they showed little difference between the familiar trainer and the unfamiliar human.

Horses taking part in the obstacle course after training using wither scratching took significantly less time to complete the course when paired with the familiar trainer. The scientists believe that scratching may aid in the development of a horse-trainer bond since it's a mutual grooming technique.

Though humans who spend more time with their horses may develop attachments, Hartmann believes more work is needed to prove the phenomenon happens for the horse. Until then, Hartmann encourages humans to manage their equine relationship expectations. Horse owners shouldn't put themselves in dangerous situations because they feel the horse “loves” them and therefore won't harm them: A horse might not respond the way a bonded human would.

O’Brien Sends Love, Snowfall Against Top 3-Year-Olds, Japan’s Chrono Genesis In 100th Arc De Triomphe

The Qatar Arc de Triomphe is run over a distance of 1 1/2 miles, and requires 2 minutes and 30 seconds of effort from a horse. The purse on offer amounts to 5 million euros (US$5.8 million) – and champions from all over the world will be on display. Furthermore, the horse tasting ultimate glory will be hailed in the history books as the 100th winner of the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. This is the spectacle which awaits the public on Sunday, Oct. 3 at ParisLongchamp.

The Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is considered the greatest horse race in the world. It is THE race that causes racing fans, trainers, jockeys and owners alike to dream. The 2021 edition promises to be an exceptional one: as it marks the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe's centenary edition.

The Arc is a “Win and You're In” race for the Breeders' Cup Turf on Nov. 6 at Del Mar.

The field is certainly on a par with the occasion. The Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe above all pits the young generation (namely a 3-year-old crop which goes into the autumn at the top of its game, but still lacking somewhat in experience), against older horses (4-year-olds plus) who are much more seasoned.

An ambitious young generation

On this occasion, Europe's two best 3-year-old colts will be on display. Both are trained at Newmarket (England) by Charlie Appleby on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, and are Adayar and Hurricane Lane. The former won the prestigious Epsom Derby in which the latter was third.

Adayar subsequently went on to become the first horse in 20 years to complete the Epsom Derby – King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes double (considered the 'British equivalent of the Arc') double. Hurricane Lane subsequently shone at ParisLongchamp by taking Grand Prix de Paris, before going on to capture the St Leger run over 2,850m at Doncaster. This was a true test of stamina, but the fly in the ointment is that no St Leger winner has managed to win the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in the same season!

“I am very happy with both colts,” Appleby said. “Adayar had a setback before the Arc trials. He missed two gallops as a result and we thought that it was best to skip the Niel. He had already earned his ticket to the Arc. Since then he has been doing very well. William Buick is our first choice rider and he chose Adayar: it's always an encouraging sign when you go in to a race, and even more so when it's the Arc. He feels that he has made the right choice. With a week to go before the Arc, I can say that Adayar is in the form of his life right now.

“We toyed with the idea of going for the Arc with Hurricane Lane after he won the Grand Prix de Paris. Winning the St Leger and the Arc in the same year has never been done: so we took our time before making a firm decision straight after the St Leger. I feel that the St Leger was the easiest of his three big wins: he was very impressive at ParisLongchamp but, in terms of his racing weight and overall condition, we feel that he came out of the race in better shape after the St Leger – compared to his two other group 1 wins.

“After Doncaster, he was just kept ticking over, and he didn't do any serious work until Saturday morning. James Doyle was in the saddle: which was the first time that he had ridden him. He was very happy: as the colt moved well, and worked as he usually does. It's exciting to be able to go into a race, like the Arc, with two 3-year-olds which have rather different profiles. Adayar was an impressive winner of the Derby and King George, and he goes into the Arc on the strength of that. Hurricane Lane can make history by becoming the first St Leger winner to win the Arc [in the same season]. The forecast is for rain later in the week: and that will suit both colts.”

A race which has attracted some top class fillies and mares

The aforementioned two young pretenders are by no means home and hosed, as they will be up against some very talented fillies and mares. In the first instance they will have to contend with Tarnawa – the star mare of His Highness the Aga Khan. Now a 5-year-old, she has remained in training this year (mares of this age are usually retired to the paddocks so as pass on their much sought after gene pool to their progeny). Trained in Ireland by Dermot Weld, the mare will be ridden by Christophe Soumillon: a rider who boasts two prior Arc wins in the Aga Khan colours.

Also travelling over from Ireland are Love and Snowfall. Both are trained by Aidan O'Brien for the powerful Coolmore operation. Both fillies can draw on eloquent CVs despite the fact that they are coming off defeats.

“Everything is going well for Snowfall,” O'Brien said. “Since the Qatar Prix Vermeille, she hasn't done any serious work and everyone is happy with her. Her performance in the Vermeille was a good one: she found herself in a race with no pace on fast ground, and the conditions were very different from those encountered in the Oaks for example. She's got beaten but we're glad we ran her in it, as it gave us a chance to see how she would act on good ground at ParisLongchamp. It's probably better to be beaten, without everything going to plan, than to be beaten on the big occasion. The Vermeille was a prep race for the Arc. I think she's quite indifferent to the state of the ground. Before Epsom, I was worried about the soft ground, but I think that stamina finally comes into play on this type of ground. If it's soft on Sunday, it won't be a problem.

“I think that Love is better on good ground. However, given that she's now a 4-year-old, the filly should be able to handle soft ground that much better. If the ground gets really heavy, then it will be a problem. She won the Prince of Wales's on her seasonal debut and we were very happy. There wasn't enough pace in the King George on her subsequent start. Last time out at the Curragh, she got pipped at the post by a filly who was receiving 10lb and is rated 110. The Blandford Stakes was a prep race for the Arc: and, given that it was run over 2,000 metres with a bend, it was ideal.”

Hailing from Japan is Chrono Genesis. A star in her country and a quadruple Group 1 winner (the pinnacle in horse racing) to boot, she will carry the hopes of a whole nation, and one which has been coveting success in this race since 1969: the year which marked the appearance of the very first Japanese raider.

“The mare had already begun her preparation on a positive note in Japan, and she arrived in France in good condition,” said trainer Takashi Saito. “The flight went very well, and the mare was calm. She cantered on Wednesday when Oisin Murphy, her jockey in the Arc, was in the plate. I instructed him not to force it. She was very fluid in her paces – and so there are no concerns about her fitness.

“She hasn't run since June but I'm not worried about that. In Japan, she runs every two months. This is her natural rhythm. She needs this recovery period between races and that's how it should be.

“When the mare won the Arima Kinen last December, we started thinking about the Arc. There were several pathways to the race, and we made the choice to head to Dubai. The idea was to give her experience of racing abroad, in preparation for the Arc, and to get her used to the travel factor. I think that our trip to France was made easier by the experience in Dubai.

“I don't have any concerns about the ground. I know it's the subject of much debate, and is advanced to explain the defeat of the Japanese [horses] in the Arc. Chrono Genesis will adapt: as she gives of her best whatever the conditions. She is generous and will give 100 per cent on Sunday. I know that she will be up against very tough opposition, but my job is to ensure that she's 100 per cent for the race. What matters to me is my mare. I have total confidence in her jockey. It's an honor that she's being touted in France as a leading Arc contender.”

The French will be out to upset calculations

The Gallic challenge only looks to have an 'outside' chance of landing the spoils this year – despite the fact that the home team are the defending champions, thanks to the 2020 success of Sottsass. The latter was trained at Deauville by Jean-Claude Rouget and ridden by Cristian Demuro.

A French quartet is expected to come under orders on Sunday. This includes a trio of 3-year-old colts and namely: Sealiway, second in the Qatar Prix du Jockey-Club in June but unraced since; plus Bubble Gift and Baby Rider. The latter pair were separated by a whisker in the Qatar Prix Niel: the traditional Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe prep reserved for 3-year-olds.

Fifth last year, the 4-y-old filly Raabihah will endeavour to do better this year by attempting to thrust Jean Claude Rouget and Cristian Demuro yet again into the spotlight.

The post O’Brien Sends Love, Snowfall Against Top 3-Year-Olds, Japan’s Chrono Genesis In 100th Arc De Triomphe appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Snowfall, Love On Course For Arc

Trainer Aidan O'Brien said plans remain in place for Snowfall (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), the last two winners of the G1 Oaks, to line up in the Oct. 3 G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe despite both fillies being eclipsed in their preps.

Snowfall won the Oaks, the G1 Irish Oaks and the G1 Yorkshire Oaks before making up ground too late to be second in the G1 Prix Vermeille on Sept. 12.

“She came out of the Vermeille very well–we're very happy with her,” O'Brien told Sky Sports Racing. “It was lovely for her to go round the track and we saw the way she coped with it. The ground was quick and we know that she's very comfortable on soft ground. She's a filly who gets a mile and a half well and it [the Vermeille] was more of a trial.

“Frankie (Dettori) was very happy with her. Obviously she didn't win, but I think her last six furlongs were the quickest of any horse in the race–she was really quickening and was going forward. Often in the trial, you're better to get beat and things not go right than win and everything go right. She worked well this morning and we're very happy with her at the moment.”

Love missed her chance at last year's Arc, withdrawn in the week leading up on account of the softening ground. After winning the G1 Prince of Wales's S. at Royal Ascot on her belated return, last year's champion 3-year-old filly has been beaten in her three subsequent starts, when third in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. and the G1 Juddmonte International, and when second to the rising talent La Petite Coco (Ire) (Ruler of the World {Ire}) in the G2 Blandford S. on Sept. 12.

“We were delighted with her run [in the Blandford],” O'Brien added. “The winner was rated 110 and she gave her 9lb, so it was a serious run–on ratings, it wasn't far off her best. We went to The Curragh as a trial for the Arc and we think she's really gone the right way since then. If the ground was nice, we were always planning on going to the Arc with her.”

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