Tag: Racing

After seven races that produced some thrilling finishes and compelling storylines, Japan-bred Equinox produced a dominant performance of rare quality in the $5-million Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) Saturday at Meydan to stamp his authority on global middle-distance turf racing.

Equinox looks quite simply untouchable if trainer Tetsuya Kimura can keep him at Saturday's level of form and the Silk Racing syndicate can have their pick of the world's great races at 2,000 meters and 2,400 meters.

That Equinox was able to run away from his rivals in the straight was predicted by plenty of people beforehand, though few could have foreseen Christophe Lemaire's decision to lead into the first turn and dictate from the front.

It might well be that tactics were immaterial, such was the superiority of this dazzling son of Kitasan Black, a new champion for both Lemaire and Silk Racing that has come hard on the heels of their horse of a lifetime, Almond Eye.

But, convinced he was on the best horse in the race, Lemaire took chance out of the equation, never taking his hands off the reins, let alone shaking them at Equinox; his measured yet irresistible stride taking him out of range of the pursuing Zagrey and the running-on Westover.

Eqinox won by 3 1/2 lengths and covered 2,410 meters (about 1 1/2 miles) in a stakes record 2:25.65.

In any normal edition of the Sheema Classic, Juddmonte's homebred Westover would have been a good winner and trainer Ralph Beckett can plan an ambitious campaign through the summer the Frankel colt.

And Yann Barberot was almost the happiest man in Meydan as his Dubai World Cup Carnival graduate took another big step forward.

Neither is likely to encounter a horse of Equinox's stature back in Europe, while wherever Japan's newest superstar races, he will be the box office attraction in global racing.

Lemaire said: “I knew he was the best horse and so I was happy to make the pace. I'm really happy for all of the connections. It's been a long time since I won the Sheema, the last time was with Heart's Cry and he passed away two weeks ago. So I am very grateful for this horse and he has allowed me to pay tribute to Heart's Cry.

“Race after race, he's going up the rankings of the horses I have ridden. It was a great, great performance against these kind of horses at the top level. I couldn't be happier.”

Kimura said: “Much like he did last year, he went straight to the lead so that got me a bit worried at the start but the horse travelled fine and everything went well. We didn't have a plan really and Christophe is just a very good jockey who knows how to ride these horses very well. He did a fantastic job in the saddle and Equinox is such a fine horse that knows how to get the job done.

“It was a tough field with some very strong horses but he's a champion and he was just the best. He got the job done and made it all look so simple. I am very happy with this performance.”

Dubai Sheema Classic Quotes:

Westover (2nd), jockey Ryan Moore said: “I'm really happy with the run. He ran a super race and he was beaten by a very good horse, but he showed himself to be a high quality colt. That horse [Equinox] will be a threat wherever he goes.”

Trainer Ralph Beckett said: “Terrific as it hasn't been easy this week, he did two laps of the training track on Tuesday when he was only meant to do one! Although he's keen you have to leave him alone. He's been beaten by a very good horse, to finish second to him is fantastic. I wouldn't rule out dropping back to 10 furlongs for an Eclipse or a Tatts Gold Cup.”

Zagrey (3rd), jockey Christophe Soumillon said: “I'm very happy with him as he's progressed through the Carnival. He ran well to be fourth on his comeback and I knew he'd been a bit held up in his preparation. His last run was great and so we were confident he was a horse for World Cup night. Then it was up to Yann to choose between the Turf and the Sheema Classic and he's had a dream run through.

“When I looked up and saw Christophe was away and gone I just concentrated on my horse. I couldn't do much when Ryan came past either but he really dug in to get third against top horses so I'm delighted.”

Trainer Yann Barberot added: “It's fantastic. He's a proper Group 1 horse and I'm delighted. He wasn't precocious, as is the case with quite a lot of Zarak's progeny. Then he got injured at three after he was second in the Prix Eugene Adam but that turned out to be a blessing in disguise. He loves soft ground so he might be a horse for something like the Champion Stakes at Ascot. He's been beaten by a phenomenon.”

Mostahdaf (4th), jockey Jim Crowley said: “I was in second behind the winner. He's broken a track record on the bridle. My guy ran well as he could but Equinox is something else. I think he's the best Japanese horse we have seen over here in many years.”

Shahryar (5th), jockey Cristian Demuro said: “Ran OK but Equinox is very special.”

Win Marilyn (6th), jockey Damian Lane said: “Travelled nice on the fence but she couldn't finish off from that strong tempo. It doesn't matter anyway – Equinox is just a very special horse.”

Rebel's Romance (7th), jockey William Buick said: “Just didn't have any luck from the gate. He's still a very good horse.”

Trainer Charlie Appleby quipped: “I wouldn't having one of those [Equinox].”

Russian Emperor (8th), jockey Alberto Sanna said: “We tracked last year's winner [Shahryar] but it was a serious race. He has had a good time in this part of the world.”

Trainer Douglas Whyte added: “He was never in it, Alberto said the track was a bit more firm than last time. He just never got comfortable – he still ran on, but not like we expected.

“He was still hitting the line, he just didn't do it the way he did on Super Saturday. We'll go back and assess things – I'm happy with the horse, he looked great tonight.”

Botanik (9th), jockey Mickael Barzalona said: “I tracked the winner but he was only at the same pace in the straight.”

Senor Toba (10th), jockey Frankie Dettori said: “I couldn't blow my nose out there.”

The post ‘I Knew He Was The Best Horse’: Japan’s Equinox Stuns With Dubai Sheema Classic Win In Record Time appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Lord North created history by becoming the first horse to win three straight renewals of the Dubai Turf (G1) sponsored by DP World, thanks to the gutsiest of displays under Frankie Dettori.

John and Thady Gosden's 7-year-old Dubawi gelding arrived at Meydan on the back of a winning prep run in last month's Winter Derby (G3) at Lingfield Park and he was always prominent under Dettori.

Tracking the early pace behind the Roger Varian-trained El Drama, the leading pack soon swapped places swinging the bend for home, when William Buick took over on Nations Pride.

Buick would have been entitled to think his sweeping move was enough, but Dettori had his measure on Lord North, cozily picking up the lead inside the final furlong for a game success, winning by three-quarters of a length and stealing first run on the fast-closing Japanese-trained pair of Serifos and Danon Beluga.

Time for the 1,800 meters (about 1 1/8 miles) was 1:47.39.

The victory means that Dettori has bolstered his record as the race's most successful jockey with four victories. Those have come with the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Tamayaz (1997), in addition to three on Lord North.

He also extended his lead as the most successful rider at the Dubai World Cup meeting across its near three-decade history, with this marking his 23rd victory since its inception in 1996.

Saturday marked Dettori's final appearance at Meydan before his retirement.

The jockey, who ensured his trademark flying dismount once again graced Dubai, said: “It's amazing to win once; three times, it's unreal. Thady has done an amazing job because he's a horse that gets sick quite easily, that's why he doesn't run that often. The boys got him ready for this race and full credit to them, they've done great with him.

“And Lord North himself, what a star. To just get one on the board at this beautiful place, in Dubai that has been my home for so many winters, it's pretty special.”

Thady Gosden said: “The first time he won the race he showed a nice turn of foot and then last year his preparation wasn't quite as straightforward as this year. The lad who rides him out every day thought he was in much better form than coming into last year. Obviously you can't say that beforehand in case it all goes wrong.

“It was a little bit messy in the mid-part of the race and coming into the bend, but he missed any trouble and showed a great turn of foot to get to the front. He broke well from three and the strong pace up front definitely helped him; he got a nice tow into it and he picked up as we know he can.

“It's fantastic and thanks to everyone at home in the yard, to the horse and to Frankie as well. He's a homebred gelding and it's fantastic for him to come here and win a race of this quality three times on the trot.”

Dubai Turf Quotes:

Danon Beluga (2nd), jockey Joao Moreira said: “The horse has run a fantastic race. Unfortunately we didn't have a smooth run at the top of the straight, a horse pulled me wide a little bit. However the horse showed that he's got a lot of quality and he should be winning his Group 1 before too long.”

Nations Pride (3rd), jockey William Buick said: “Lord North has won the race three times now so all credit to him. We were drawn 14 of 14 so that was never made easy but I am delighted with him and I think he's a decent horse and he's run a good race tonight.”

Trainer Charlie Appleby added: “He's run a solid kind of race having had to work harder from that draw and it probably cost us second. We wouldn't have beaten the winner but hopefully he's going to have a nice summer internationally ahead of him over the 10 furlongs.”

Shirl's Speight (4th), jockey Antonio Fresu said: “I got in traffic and was sent back further than I wanted, he was shuffled big time. He finished very well, had to find his way through horses. He was unlucky not to be closer.”

Serifos (5th), jockey Damian Lane said: “He didn't sustain his sprint finish like he can.”

Junko (6th), jockey Maxime Guyon said: “We were near the back. He ran on well but never like he was going to really be in the top placings.”

Racing manager Pierre-Yves Bureau added: “He ran well. They went fast and he found himself quite far back. He finished very well and it was just the circumstances of the race that meant he had to make up so much ground. I think stepping him up in trip might be one option we look at, we'll see. But he's run honourably.”

Alfareeq (7th), jockey Dane O'Neill said: “Until the straight he was in a nice spot, going well. Just a better class of horse against him this time than when he won on Super Saturday.”

El Drama (8th), jockey David Egan said: “When he ran well in the Jebel Hatta he was able to get a freebie in front and there was more pressure this time in a much better race. He did his best.”

Real World (9th), jockey Oisin Murphy said: “I had a good position but he didn't finish off quite like I thought he would. He's not the same horse.”

Sir Busker (10th), jockey Ben Curtis said: “It wasn't a bad run at all. These days he is more of a ten-furlong horse.”

Order Of Australia (11th), jockey Ryan Moore said: “Didn't have a great position.”

Glorious Dragon (12th), jockey Neil Callan said: “From the wide draw he had to go back and that was it for him from there. He was very relaxed. He travelled beautifully around. Races over here are different. You have got to put them into the race.”

Master Of The Seas (13th), jockey James Doyle said: “His wide draw was one thing but he's a bit weak mentally.”

The post Lord North Scores Historic Dubai Turf Threepeat appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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If you thought Ryan Moore couldn't leave a winning challenge any later than what he executed on Broome in the Dubai Gold Cup (G2) earlier on Saturday's Dubai World Cup card at Meydan, then the final lunge up the rail aboard Sibelius in the $2-million Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) was even more of a heart-stopper as he denied last year's winner Switzerland by a nose.

In doing so, he gave Irishman Jeremiah O'Dwyer by far the biggest win of his career with Sibelius, who covered the 1,200 meters (about six furlongs) in 1:10.69.

Deep into the straight it looked as if the finish would be an all-American one, fought out between Frankie Dettori on Hopkins and Tyler Gaffalione on Gunite.

But the race changed complexion at the 200-meter mark, with Switzerland launched down the outside by Tadhg O'Shea and Moore moving up on the rail.

Sibelius, a Kentucky-bred 5-year-old gelding by Taylor Made Stallions resident sire Not This Time out of the Pulpit mare Fiery Pulpit, is trained in the United States, but O'Dwyer's role will ensure celebrations in Ireland's County Tipperary, while owners Jun Park and Della Nash can reflect on the wisdom of placing their trust in the young handler.

O'Dwyer said: “The race worked out quite the way I had predicted. You know you can read these races a hundred times but it will never go the same way. To be honest, he just sat back in the gates and was a bit slow but when you have a master rider like Ryan Moore, he gets you out of trouble.

“It really is a proud moment for us. I am grateful to the owners. They let me do what is best with the horse every step of the way and never interfere.

“He trains like a good horse, he acts like a good horse, he rides like a good horse.

“Junior Alvarado gave him his last breeze before we shipped out. He was not able to make it over and there's some Derby trials and big handicaps in America so he could not be here.”

Moore said: “I was very lucky to pick up the ride. He actually stepped a little slowly, I was a half-length further behind than I wanted to be. We had a charmed run, they just drifted off which meant we didn't have to change lanes and the horse dug in really deep. He showed a lot of courage and heart to get there.

“He has form over a little bit further which I think really helped too.”

Sibelius was bred by Taylor Brothers Properties LLC, Pollock Farms, Patrick H. Payne et al.

Dubai Golden Shaheen Quotes:

Switzerland (2nd), jockey Tadhg O'Shea said: “He's a tough horse. He's done everything right, he's just unfortunate to come out the wrong side of a photo, but he's lost nothing in defeat.”

Trainer Bhupat Seemar added: “It's hard to get beat like that; he did everything right. These horses if you take care of them they pay you back. We had a plan to just give him two races and keep the miles off his legs and I thought we had it there.”

Muammar Ameen, representing owners RRR Racing, continued: “He ran a good race and didn't do anything wrong. This year the competition is stronger than last time. It's just a matter of seconds. He was supposed to kick on a little earlier, if you see him in the last furlong he was seventh or eighth. He will bounce back.”

Gunite (3rd), jockey Tyler Gaffalione said: “My horse ran a huge race and a good effort from him. Post position 13 might have cost us in the long run to give a bit of ground but he followed right off to the finish. Hats off to the winner.”

Assistant trainer Scott Blasi said: “It was another great run and this horse shows up every single time. Our gate meant we probably had to compromise and Tyler had to use him a little harder than we would have wanted to so he could get position getting into the first turn, but a solid run and he keeps progressing.”

Hopkins (4th), jockey Frankie Dettori said: “It was a good run.”

C Z Rocket (8th), jockey Antonio Fresu said: “It was a fast race and my horse couldn't keep up with the pace.”

Sound Money (9th), jockey Mickael Barzalona said: “He travelled well but he wasn't able to pick up.”

Super Ocho (11th), jockey Hector Berrios said: “He always goes to the lead but we were in behind and maybe he didn't enjoy the kickback in his face. He never got involved in the race.”

Mouheeb (13th), jockey James Doyle said: “It was kind of a disaster from stall 14.”

Road Bloc (14th), jockey Oscar Chavez said: “My horse stumbled twice at the start and the race was over then.”

The post U.S.-Based Sibelius Denies Switzerland In Dubai Golden Shaheen Thriller appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Danyah put a host of specialist sprinters to the sword when flying up the middle under Dane O'Neill to deliver a head victory for Shadwell and trainer Musabbeh Al Mheiri in the $1.5-million Al Quoz Sprint (G1) Saturday at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai.

Having been campaigned over 1,400 meters and 1,600 meters since arriving in the UAE, he outran the rest on his first start at six furlongs since October 2019, at which early stage of his career he was trained in Britain by Owen Burrows.

With the field staying up the middle of the track any perceived bias for those drawn high was negated and there were a host of chances spread across the track inside the final 200 meters.

Al Suhail and William Buick appeared to be traveling all over the winner but had to settle for third, while The Astrologist also made a final, decisive challenge, finishing just a head behind the winner for Australian-based Leon and Troy Corstens.

A truly international finish was rounded out by the Hong Kong pair of Sight Success and Duke Wai, with a length covering the first five.

Danyah, a 6-year-old gelding by Invincible Spirit out of Cuis Ghaire, by Galileo, finished the trip in 1:08.61.

Bred to be a star as the son of an Albany Stakes winner in Cuis Ghaire, it was Danyah who proved toughest of all and was led in by the Shadwell principal, Sheikha Hissa bint Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Al Mheiri was able to celebrate a third World Cup night success following the victories of Tamarkuz in the 2015 Godolphin Mile and Muarrab in the Dubai Golden Shaheen a year later.

He said: “He had been running over seven furlongs and a mile and we had an invite for the Godolphin Mile but we thought we would try him over six (furlongs) in the Al Quoz. We felt he had enough speed to run well and maybe finish in the placings but to win is a very nice surprise. Great credit to Shadwell for how they planned it and it is a special day for us all.”

O'Neill said: “I'd be lying if I said we were confident beforehand. We thought possibly prize money and that would be great as he has a good cruising speed. It was worth a chance but the low draw in gate five was a concern. It was funny they stayed away from the stands side and I got a great draft into the race behind the second horse and he finished very strongly like a horse that gets further.”

Al Quoz Sprint Quotes:

The Astrologist (2nd), managing owner Nathan Bennett said: “We mapped out a plan back in Australia. We thought the horse was good enough to come over and he proved that when he ran in the Newmarket Handicap. He's flown the flag well for the Aussies back home. We've been invited to Royal Ascot so he won't go back to Australia, he'll go to Newmarket and to Marco Botti.”

Assistant trainer Dom Sutton said: “We're super proud of the horse. He's such a tough and honest horse and we always knew, if we got him here in as good an order as we could, he was going to be right in the finish. He gave his all, obviously it's a little bit gut-wrenching to go down by such a small margin but overall, we couldn't be more proud of him. He's such a marvel, running two weeks ago in the Newmarket Handicap, coming through a 14-hour flight and performing like that. We are looking forward to getting that Group 1 with him in the near future.”

Future trainer Botti also said: “The owners said they would see how he ran today but that was a huge run. It's a shame in a way that he was beaten but it was a huge run. I'm delighted for them and wherever he goes in the future, he's an exciting horse.”

Al Suhail (3rd), jockey William Buick said: “He travelled well and I was probably the last one off the bridle. I don't think being caught the far side of the field helped him but that's where the finish ended up. Still, it was a very good run over six furlongs.”

Trainer Charlie Appleby added: “We are delighted obviously we know that it was just his second start back in sprinting. I think a race like the Platinum Jubilee at Ascot will suit him, the stiff six there. He travels extremely well. I thought for a moment the way he travelled we might just have a chance at pinching it but full credit to Sheikha Hissa and the Shadwell team.”

Sight Success (4th), jockey Ryan Moore said: “He's a very brave horse, he gave his best. I felt the horse that led did not bring me far enough into the race and we were kind of left falling aboard and exposed a long way back. He was tough at the finish. He's a tough horse.”

Duke Wai (5th), jockey Jerry Chau said: “At the 500 meters, I asked him and he responded well but at the 300 (metres) he looked to level off so I switched my stick and he seemed to respond well to the wire. Very happy with his effort. Fantastic to be here, this is a dream and I dream to one day ride in the Dubai World Cup. This was a great experience and I will learn a lot from this ride.”

Happy Romance (6th), jockey Sean Levey said: “She ran a solid race I thought. She was just drawn bad and couldn't really get the cover or the route I wanted. Nonetheless she got upsides and I thought she was going to challenge the winner and then she got stuck outside again.”

Al Dasim (7th), jockey Mickael Barzalona said: “He ran very well but he wasn't quite the same horse as last time out. It was his first time taking on the very top older horses.”

San Donato (8th), jockey Pat Dobbs said: “He ran OK, he finished mid-division.”

Ladies Church (9th), jockey Ben Coen said: “She probably did a bit too much too early.”

Thunder Of Niagara (10th), jockey Ray Dawson said: “Seemed like any of 13 could win there for a minute.”

Flaming Rib (11th), jockey Oisin Murphy said: “He gave a good effort, I wouldn't give up on him off this. I think he can still have a good season ahead.”

Pogo (13th), jockey Kieran Shoemark said: “That was disappointing. I think we've established that he just doesn't enjoy racing abroad. He likes the domestic style and being able to get to the front and you just can't do that when you're racing the Japanese guys. He'll have another day back home.”

Cazadero (14th), jockey Tyler Gaffalione said: “He hated it out there, I don't know if it was the ground or the weight but he just never felt comfortable.”

Miqyaas (15th), jockey Oscar Chavez said: “My horse jumped well and was travelling good but the last 300 metres he could not keep up with them.”

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