Tag: Newbury Racecourse

Hurricane Lane Eclipsed As Grand Alliance Annexes John Porter

Susan Roy's homebred 4-year-old gelding Grand Alliance (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}–Endless Love {Ire}, by Dubai Destination) was winless in six starts since registering early-season scores at Chelmsford and Donaster last year and, with dual Classic hero Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) failing to fire on seasonal return, stepped forward to notch as shock victory in Saturday's G3 Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise S. (John Porter S.) at Newbury. Fourth over course and distance in October's G3 St Simon S. when last seen, the 18-1 outsider was patiently ridden from the outset and found a comfortable rhythm off the pace in fifth. Making eyecatching headway on the bridle in the straight, he launched his challenge passing the quarter-mile pole and surged clear, despite drifting towards the far-side rail, under a drive in the closing stages to secure a career high in game fashion. At the line, he was 2 1/4 lengths too good for Farhan (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), who edged Max Vega (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) by a neck for second.

Grand Alliance, who ran 11th in last year's G1 Derby, snatched defeat from the jaws of victory when drifting late in Royal Ascot's G2 King Edward VII and was gelded before running third behind Max Vega in the St Simon last time. “He has done that to a pretty decent field, they were a good bunch and he has done it pretty handily in the end,” said trainer Charlie Fellowes. “I don't think he was doing a huge amount out in front. He was on and off the bridle, but that's him and he has got a lot better than he was last year. He was particularly quirky last year, but he's settled down a lot. It was rattling quick when he threw that race away at Ascot and I think he goes on any ground. He has a [G2] Yorkshire Cup entry, but James [Doyle] said afterwards he wouldn't be jumping to step up further in trip. I think I need to have a sit down and talk to the owner and make a plan.”

Doyle, celebrating his 35th birthday in style, added, “He was on and off the bridle, but that is what he has does and he has always hinted he has been pretty good. He should have won at Royal Ascot last year, but he just hung across the track. He is very versatile ground-wise and he's got such small feet that it's amazing he does go on this type of heavy ground. He does go on fast ground, so hopefully we can have a bit of fun with him. On better ground he could possibly go up to a Yorkshire Cup trip, but on testing ground like it is today, I think this trip is about right.”

Notwithstanding Hurricane Lane's eclipse, the 6-4 favourite eased when beaten on unsuitable going, there was a downbeat air to the epilogue with the news G1 Derby, G1 St Leger and G1 Gold Cup runner-up Mojo Star (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) may have run his final race after finishing fourth. “He came in lame and has gone straight to the vets in Newbury,” revealed trainer Richard Hannon. “He has a bit of a history, so that's why he doesn't run too often. It doesn't look great and that's all we know at the moment. I would think it might be suspensory, but he has such a big heart he's run right to the line and that's why we all love him. He's been a big part of our lives for five years, he is a gentleman and a horse very close to his owner's heart. He is in the best place and he'll be fine. Whether he continues his racing career or not, is probably doubtful. He has given us several great days, it's been a pleasure to have him about and he is a very special horse.”

Pedigree Notes
Grand Alliance, who becomes the ninth black-type winner for his sire (by Galileo {Ire}), is the ninth of 11 live foals and one of four scorers out of an unraced half to the dual stakes-placed Wittgenstein (Ire) (Shamardal). The March-foaled homebred bay is a half-brother to MGSW G1 Vincent O'Brien National S., G1 Prix Jean Prat and G1 Prix de la Foret placegetter Dutch Connection (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}), Listed Radley S. third Dutch Romance (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) and an unnamed 2-year-old filly by Gleneagles (Ire). Their second dam, Listed Montrose Fillies' S. victrix and G3 Prix Saint-Roman runner-up La Vita E Bella (Ire) (Definite Article {GB}), is kin to the dual stakes scorer Bella Tusa (Ire) (Sri Pekan), herself the second dam of stakes-winning G3 Cornwallis S. runner-up Method (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}).

Saturday, Newbury, Britain
DUBAI DUTY FREE FINEST SURPRISE S. (JOHN PORTER S.)-G3, £70,000, Newbury, 4-22, 4yo/up, 12fT, 2:45.57, sf.
1–GRAND ALLIANCE (IRE), 128, g, 4, by Churchill (Ire)
1st Dam: Endless Love (Ire), by Dubai Destination
2nd Dam: La Vita E Bella (Ire), by Definite Article (GB)
3rd Dam: Coolrain Lady (Ire), by Common Grounds (GB)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Mrs Susan Roy (IRE); T-Charlie Fellowes; J-James Doyle. £39,697. Lifetime Record: 11-3-2-2, $165,149. *1/2 to Dutch Connection (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}), MGSW-Eng, MG1SP-Fr & G1SP-Ire, $881,382; and Dutch Romance (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}), SP-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Farhan (Ire), 128, h, 5, Zoffany (Ire)–Market Forces (GB), by Lomitas (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (25,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT; 58,000gns RNA 2yo '20 TATAHI; 150,000gns 4yo '22 TATAHI). O-James & Susan Cookson; B-Lynch Bages & Camas Park Stud (IRE); T-Paul Kirby. £15,050.
3–Max Vega (Ire), 131, g, 6, Lope De Vega (Ire)–Paraphernalia (Ire), by Dalakhani (Ire). (€47,000 RNA Wlg '17 GOFNOV; €25,000 Ylg '18 GOFOR). O-The Pickford Hill Partnership; B-Tullpark Ltd (IRE); T-Ralph Beckett. £7,532.
Margins: 2 1/4, NK, 4. Odds: 18.00, 40.00, 4.00.
Also Ran: Mojo Star (Ire), Lone Eagle (Ire), Surrey Mist (Fr), Hurricane Lane (Ire). Scratched: Israr (GB).

 

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Decorated Aussie Galloper Anamoe Nominated To The Lockinge At Newbury

Godolphin's superstar Australian runner Anamoe (Aus) (Street Boss) is one of 30 nominees at the latest entry stage for the G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S. on Saturday, May 20, Newbury Racecourse revealed on Tuesday.

A nine-time Group 1 winner Down Under, the bay won the G1 George Ryder in mid-March last out, part of a three-race winning streak from seven furlongs to one mile, which began in the G2 Apollo S. in February and continued in the G1 Chipping Norton S. later that month. He drew post eight in Saturday's G1 Queen Elizabeth S.

Newbury's eight-furlong contest also features fellow Godolphin runners Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), and 2022 Lockinge runner-up Real World (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). Blue Diamond Stud's G1 Prix de Diane heroine Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is among the entries, as is three-time G1 Dubai Turf hero Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Other top-level scorers set to take part include Angel Bleu (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Order Of Australia (Ire) (Australia {GB}), The Revenant (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Homeless Songs (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who runs in the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Heritage S. at Leopardstown on Wednesday, Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}), and Sacred (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) are other runners of note in what appears to be a contentious feature.

Keith Ottesen, Clerk of the Course at Newbury Racecourse, said, “It is very exciting and encouraging to see such a strong list of entries for the first older horse Group 1 race of the season. We are pleased to see some of last year's contenders returning for another tilt after chasing home the mighty Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), including runner up Real World and third placed Chindit (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). It's also great to see the Godolphin owned Anamoe, Australia's best horse at a mile, in there, as well as last season's GI Breeders' Cup Mile winner Modern Games.

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Prize-Money Boost for Newbury

Newbury Racecourse will offer a 16% increase in its prize-money for Flat and jump races throughout 2023 to £6.06 million, the racecourse announced on Tuesday.

With a further increase planned for next year, the upturn in funding is largely through a record executive contribution by the racecourse of £3.1 million, which has increased by £650,000 from 2022.

The G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S. and The BetVictor London Gold Cup Handicap S. will both feature in the World Pool programme of races this year, representing the first time that Newbury has been involved in this lucrative venture. The latter will be run for £100,000 and the Lockinge meeting will increase by £95,000 and feature a new £75,000 handicap over a mile. 

Furthermore, six novice and maiden races between April and September will carry a total prize fund between £30,000 and £50,000. Midweek National Hunt cards will receive an average of £20,000 in additional funding and all Grade 2 races will be worth £10,000 more than the minimum value.

“We are pleased to be able to announce a 16% increase in prize-money with a record executive contribution for the forthcoming 2023 season,” said Julian Thick, Chief Executive of Newbury Racecourse. “The financial challenges for horseracing and its participants are considerable, but we remain confident in the future of the racecourse and are happy to make this valuable investment at a time when racing needs it most. As an independent PLC we must run the racecourse on a sustainable basis and this year sees the largest amount the racecourse has ever invested in prize-money, with £3.1 million in executive contribution which represents a 26% uplift. We are extremely grateful to our sponsors and partners who continue to support Newbury and have helped us boost the prize-money on offer.”

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Alex Eade Named Large Independent Racecourses Secretary General

Alex Eade has been named the successor to Charles Barnett as the next Secretary General of the Large Independent Racecourses. Barnett is due to retire after six years in the post. Eade begins his new role in the new year and has previously been General Manager at Goodwood Racecourse for five years (2015-2019). He also spent six years at Betfair, latterly as Director of Sporting Affairs. Eade is currently Group Commercial Director at Lloyd Webber Theatres, Ltd.

Bridget Guerin, Chairman of York Racecourse, said, “Firstly, I would like to thank and pay tribute to Charles Barnett, who has undertaken the role of Large Independents Secretary General since 2016 as part of a distinguished career of service to the sport. On behalf of the Large Independent Racecourses, I would like to welcome Alex to the role. Following an extensive process which included excellent candidates, Alex's combination of racing, betting and commercial experience and passion for the sport shone through.”

Eade added, “I have been a racing fan since childhood and thoroughly enjoyed working within this fabulous sport during my time at Goodwood. I am therefore absolutely delighted to be returning and honoured to be taking up this role.”

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