Tag: Shared News Europe

Horse of the Year Efforia Resumes in Osaka Hai

A bit more than three months removed from a championship-clinching victory in the G1 Arima Kinen, Japan's reigning Horse of the Year Efforia (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) makes a much-anticipated return to the races in a high-class renewal of the G1 Osaka Hai (2000m) at Hanshin Racecourse.

Winner of six of his seven career starts, the bay son of Katies Heart (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) won the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) by three easy lengths and looked all over a winner of the G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) before being chinned on the wire by last weekend's G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic hero Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). Efforia beat Triple Crown and subsequent G1 Japan Cup winner Contrail (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) on the square when resuming in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) over this trip Oct. 31 and locked up Horse of the Year honours in the fan-voted Arima Kinen on Boxing Day.

“He came back to the stable from Northern Farm Tenei on Mar. 4, and his weight was around 530kg,” commented trainer Yuichi Shikato. “This has given us some leeway with his training, and while last time he did have a slight hoof issue, this isn't a problem now. He has been running with a good rhythm and all's well with him so far.”

 

 

 

It will have been a busy weekend for one-time Japanese Horse of the Year Maurice (Jpn), with three runners in the G1 Australian Derby at The Championships on Saturday and the highly progressive Jack d'Or (Jpn) in the Osaka Hai. Raced exclusively over the metric 10 furlongs in his nine visits to the races to date, the bald-faced chestnut has won five on the trot, including a front-running, 2 1/2-length defeat of this race's defending champion Lei Papale (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and the re-opposing Akai Ito (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in the G2 Kinko Sho at Chukyo Mar. 13. Each of the mares was first-up last time, with Lei Papale having finished sixth to Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup and Akai Ito a midfield seventh in the Arima Kinen.

Hishi Iguazu (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) was a cracking fifth first off an eight-month absence behind Efforia in the Tenno Sho and came from well back in the field to nearly upset Loves Only You when last seen at Sha Tin.

The post Horse of the Year Efforia Resumes in Osaka Hai appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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State Of Rest Races On For Newgate Partners

Trainer Joseph O'Brien, the denizen of picturesque Owning Hill in County Kilkenny, is still over a year away from his 30th birthday. During his six-plus years as a trainer, one could argue that great moments like the upset 2018 G1 Irish Derby win by Latrobe (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) or the 2020 G1 Melbourne Cup triumph by Twilight Payment (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) hold their very special places. However, the exploits of State Of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) last season were unusually brilliant.

The now 4-year-old colt raced thrice last season after winning only his Fairyhouse debut from six 2-year old appearances. Last June, when sent off as the fourth choice in the betting, he picked up a third-place finish in a listed race at The Curragh.

When still very much under the radar, he was sent to Saratoga last August to contest the GI Saratoga Derby Invitational S. In addition to beating seven US-based rivals on that occasion and the Charlie Appleby-trained Secret Protector (War Front), he drubbed a pair of well-regarded Irish colts that day, Joseph's father Aidan's US GI Belmont Derby winner Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and the Jessica Harrington-trained Group 2 winner Cadillac (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}).

Still improving at a rate of knots, State Of Rest turned up in Melbourne in October. In the G1 Cox Plate, long considered Australia's most prestigious weight-for-age race, he stunned the racing world by defeating the Goldolphin-owned local superstar Anamoe (Aus) (Street Boss) and subsequent G1 Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}).

During a media morning at his stable on Wednesday morning, O'Brien said, “State Of Rest is hopefully our flagship horse for the season. We're looking at starting him off in either the [G2] Mooresbridge S. at The Curragh or heading to Longchamp for the [G3] Prix Ganay. We'll see what the ground is like.”

He continued, “The [G1] Tattersalls Gold Cup back at the Curragh will probably be his first big target of the season.”

Campaigned throughout his career by Teme Valley Racing, he was purchased privately in the aftermath of his Cox Plate glory by New South Wales-based Newgate Stud and partners.

O'Brien reported, “He's going to run for the [new] State Of Rest Partnership this year which would mean that it's likely he'll end up in Australia again towards the end of the season, all going well.”

He added, “Anamoe won a Group 1 by 6 1/2 lengths lengths earlier this month. Hopefully, our horse is going to be competitive in those major 10-furlong races this year, having had two big wins last year. If he happens to win or be competitive in Group 1s early in the season, the pattern of his season almost makes its own way through the year. Maybe you wouldn't go to them all, but there are options at Sandown, Ascot and York. He also has American options.”

The former rider of dual Derby winners Camelot (GB) and Australia (GB) also spoke highly of his 3-year-old Buckaroo (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), the fourth-place finisher in last October's G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud behind the James Ferguson-trained El Bodegon (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}).

Outlining his plans for the colt, he said, “Buckaroo will more than likely run at the weekend in the [G3] Ballysax [S.] and we'll see where that takes us. He'll go down the Derby path and see. He's a huge horse and he beat [impressive winner of a Navan maiden race on Tuesday] Stone Age (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in a maiden at Galway last season.”

O'Brien, who recently celebrated victory at the Cheltenham Festival with Banbridge (Ire), started the Flat season well with victory for Perfect Thunder (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) on the opening day of the Irish turf season at The Curragh, beating the regally-bred Toy (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), trained by Aidan O'Brien.

Among the Classic prospects in the yard are a talented trio of fillies who are likely to be seen out this weekend: Agartha (Ire) (Caravaggio), a Group 2 winner last season at The Curragh for U.S.-based owner Scott Heider; Seisai (Ire)(Gleneagles {Ire}), an ultra-consistent Group 3-placed juvenile; and Pennine Hills (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), a tough Group 3-placed sprinter at two.

Laying out options for them, he stated, “I could run three in the 1000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown. Agartha won over the course and distance last year. We're probably looking more towards The Curragh than Newmarket for her. Seisai is a good solid filly who has some nice form in good races last season. Pennine Hills ran well over that course and distance when second in the Killavullan S. She's a solid, hardy filly who quickens and stays. I'm happy with all three.”

Also among the Carriganog Racing team for the season are capable older horses like the 6-year-old gelding San Andreas (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), the Group 1-winning juvenile Thunder Moon (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), who will open his campaign in the G3 Gladness S. on Apr. 10, and Baron Samedi (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}), a Group/Grade 2-winning stayer at both Longchamp and Belmont Park.

The post State Of Rest Races On For Newgate Partners appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Dunne Suspension Reduced to 10 Months After Appeal

Jockey Robbie Dunne has had his 18-month suspension reduced to 10 months after an appeal hearing in London. Dunne was suspended for conduct prejudicial to racing for his harassment and bullying of fellow rider Bryony Frost by the British Horseracing Authority Disciplinary Panel in December. His appeal was rejected by the independent appeal board, with the following conditions:

  • The four breaches of Rule (J)19 originally found by the independent Disciplinary Panel have been adjusted to one overarching breach, which covers all offences
  • Penalty reduced from 18 months suspension (three of which were suspended) to 10 months suspension (with no part suspended)

The suspension will now run from Dec. 10, 2021-Oct. 9, 2022.

In response to the news of the suspension reduction, the British Horseracing Authority released the following statement:

“The independent Appeal Board has today upheld the decision of the independent Disciplinary Panel that Robbie Dunne is in breach of Rule (J)19 in that his conduct was prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct or good reputation of horseracing in Great Britain. We acknowledge their decision to amend the penalty he will serve and await the full reasons in relation to that aspect.

“This reduction in penalty in no way diminishes the recognition of the severity of the allegations that were brought against Mr. Dunne. Indeed, it continues to send a clear message that conduct of this nature cannot be tolerated in any working environment within our sport.

“Following the original decision last year, the BHA released a statement which outlines our commitment to improving workplace standards, conduct and wellbeing. Work is continuing with industry colleagues to finalise the industry code of conduct, with a view to it going before the BHA Board in the first half of the year. A cross-industry working party has also been formed to look at ways of improving education and awareness around the standards of conducted expected across the sport.

“Once again, we recognise that this has been a challenging period for all involved in this complex and emotive case, and we ask that the privacy and wellbeing of both parties is respected as they continue to receive the support of the appropriate bodies and those close to them.

“We now await the Appeal Board's written reasons before we can comment on any of the technicalities around their findings or any other matters associated with the hearing.”

The post Dunne Suspension Reduced to 10 Months After Appeal appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Messara Steps Down as Racing Australia Chair

by TDN AusNZ

Racing Australia has had its second high-profile resignation this week, with John Messara stepping down as the Chair of the embattled body, just a day after it was announced CEO Myles Foreman would be leaving.

Messara was appointed the first Independent Chairman in June last year replacing Greg Nichols and was charged with the task of breaking the state-based deadlock which has plagued the organisation for several years.

However, he was not able to reconcile the differences between the major state bodies, chiefly Racing New South Wales and Racing Victoria, nor was he able to progress on the stated aims of Racing Australia and he has decided to step down.

“I joined the Board of Racing Australia as its first-ever Independent Chairman with the intention of reconciling differences,” he said in a short statement.

“I am now stepping aside to allow the Board to vote in a new Chair, who I hope will have more success than I have had.”

When Messara assumed the role of Chair, he listed animal welfare, whip reform and the prolonged debate between the states over the group and listed racing Pattern as priorities to address.

The Board, which will shortly consider the replacement process for a new Chair, paid tribute to Messara, who also held the position of Chairman from 2014 to 2016.

The Arrowfield Chairman has a long list of leadership roles in Australian racing, including as Racing NSW Chairman from 2011 to 2016.

On Tuesday, Racing Australia confirmed that Foreman would step down as CEO after two years in the role and 16 years with the organisation.

“The Board joins me in thanking Myles for his hard work and dedication to the advancement of Australian racing and breeding over the past 16 years and we wish him well in the future, including in the establishment of his sports and business consultancy company,” Messara said on Tuesday.

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