Tag: Top News Europe

Scintillating Equinox Smashes Sheema Classic Record

Japan's Horse of the Year Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) took a huge step towards global recognition with a dominant victory in the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic, routing his nine rivals under a motionless Christophe Lemaire.

Despite being eased down towards the line, the Tetsuya Kimura-trained 4-year-old lowered the course record previously held by Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) by exactly a second to stop the clock at 2:26.65.

G1 Irish Derby winner Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}) gave chase in vain, running home best of the rest to reduce the winning margin to 3 1/2 lengths, with French-trained Zagrey (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) taking third.

Equinox had the race at his mercy almost from the off, charging to the front from gate six to bowl along with ease. As jockeys on runners in behind started to ask serious questions of their mounts, Lemaire had merely to ease his rein out an inch for the leader to increase his stride–and his lead–with no further effort required from the rider who had partnered another Japanese Horse of the Year, Almond Eye (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), to victory in the Dubai Turf of 2019.

“I knew he was the best horse and so I was happy to make the pace,” Lemaire said of Equinox. “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; he has allowed me to pay tribute to Heart's Cry.”

He continued, “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.”

Tetsuya Kimura had already saddled his stable star to win the G1 Tenno Sho and G1 Arima Kinen in the last six months but even he appeared staggered by Equinox's bloodless victory. He said, “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.”

Ryan Moore had already secured two wins on the Dubai World Cup card but he had to settle for second on Juddmonte's Westover. The 4-year-old's trainer Ralph Beckett expressed relief after a testing time in the build-up to Saturday.

“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,” said Beckett. “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.”

Long-shot Zagrey, who was runner-up in the G3 Dubai Millennium S. on his last start, has his trainer Yann Barberot dreaming of major targets closer to home after his third-place finish. He said, “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 S. at Ascot. He's been beaten by a phenomenon.”

 

Pedigree Notes

A son of the young Shadai stallion Kitasan Black, whose sire Black Tide (Jpn) is a full-brother to Deep Impact (Jpn), Equinox is the third foal of his Group 3-winning dam Chateau Blanche (Jpn) (King Halo {Jpn}). His year-older half-brother Weiss Meteor (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) won the G3 Nikkei Sho, and the mare has a 3-year-old colt whose sire Just A Way (Jpn) won the Dubai Turf of 2014. Chateau Blanche's current 2-year-old filly is a daughter of Kizuna (Jpn), and she is due to foal a full-sibling to Equinox this season.

 

Saturday, Meydan, Dubai
LONGINES DUBAI SHEEMA CLASSIC-G1, $6,000,000, Meydan, 3-25, NH 4yo/up & SH 3yo/up, 2410mT, 2:25.65 (NCR), gd.
1–EQUINOX (JPN), 125, c, 4, by Kitasan Black (Jpn)
                1st Dam: Chateau Blanche (Jpn) (GSW-Jpn,
                                   $1,096,970), by King Halo (Jpn)
                2nd Dam: Blancherie (Jpn), by Tony Bin (Ire)
                3rd Dam: Maison Blanche (Jpn), by Alleged
O-Silk Racing Co Ltd; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); T-Tetsuya
Kimura; J-Christophe-Patrice Lemaire. $3,480,000. Lifetime
Record: Horse of the Year & Ch. 3yo Colt-Jpn, MG1SW-
Jpn, 7-5-2-0, $9,516,220. *Half to Weiss Meteor (Jpn) (King
Kamehameha {Jpn}), GSW-Jpn, $820,531. Werk Nick Rating:
   A+++. *Triple Plus*.  Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross
   pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style
   pedigree.
2–Westover (GB), 125, c, 4, Frankel (GB)–Mirabilis, by Lear Fan.
O-Juddmonte; B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd (GB); T-Ralph Beckett.
$1,200,000.
3–Zagrey (Fr), 125, c, 4, Zarak (Fr)–Grey Anatomy (GB), by
Slickly (Fr). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (€32,000 RNA Ylg '20
ARQSEP). O-Ecurie Altima & Gerard Augustin-Normand; B-
Ecurie Euroling (Fr); T-Yann Barberot. $600,000.
Margins: 3HF, 2 1/4, 1 1/4.
Also Ran: Mostahdaf (Ire), Shahryar (Jpn), Win Marilyn (Jpn), Rebel's Romance (Ire), Russian Emperor (Ire), Botanik (Ire), Senor Toba (Aus). VIDEO.

 

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History-Making Lord North Secures Third Dubai Turf Victory

“What a star,” exclaimed Frankie Dettori as he returned to the winner's circle aboard Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who reaffirmed his love affair with Meydan with an historic third win in the $5-million G1 Dubai Turf Sponsorsed By DP World.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained gelding, who races in the colours of Sheikh Mohammed's son Sheikh Zayed's racing banner, launched his attack under Dettori with just over a furlong left to run, coming wide down the home straight from way off the pace to relegate fellow late challenger Danon Beluga (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) to second. Godolphin's Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) faded to third having taken the lead from front-running El Drama (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) after turning for home.

Another triumph for longevity on the World Cup card, the 7-year-old Lord North landed his first stakes success late in his 3-year-old campaign, but it was the following year when the extent of his talent was first properly exhibited when he bounced straight from success in the G3 Brigadier Gerard S. to Group 1 glory at Royal Ascot in the Prince of Wales's S. He was five when he made his first foray to Meydan, setting up what would transpire to be a Dubai Turf hat-trick with his three-length victory over Vin De Garde (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who reopposed him this year but finished last of the 14 runners.

That first win in the Turf was Lord North's sole appearance in 2021, with illness keeping him off the track until his prep run for a repeat bid last year. His runner-up spot behind Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}) in a strong renewal of the G3 Winter Derby had him perfectly primed for Meydan but, famously, Lord North had to settle for a dead-heat with Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), who went on to win this year's G1 Saudi Cup and finished down the field in 10th in the Dubai World Cup later in the evening.

A winning return to the Winter Derby last month again saw Lord North arrive in perfect shape to provide Dettori with a memorable top-flight success at Meydan in his final year in the saddle.

The 52-year-old, who has had a long association with Dubai throughout his former role as Godolphin's retained jockey, said as he returned to scale, “Amazing. To win once, but three times. Thady [Gosden] has done an amazing job because this horse can get sick quite easily, that's why he doesn't run that often. But the boys get him ready for the race and full credit to everyone. They've done an amazing job, and credit to Lord North himself. What a star.”

Dettori, the most successful jockey at the Dubai World Cup with 23 wins since the inaugural meeting of 1996 and four in the Sheema Classic, added, “I came here with some decent rides and to get one on the board in this beautiful place which has been my home for so many winters, it really is special.”

Lord North had provided Thady Gosden with his first Group 1 success after he joined his father John as co-trainer early in 2021. Back at Meydan with his parents and sister Thea, Gosden, Jr. said, “The first time he won the race he showed a nice turn of foot, but last year it wasn't quite as straightforward a preparation as it was this year. We were very happy with him coming into the race, but obviously you can't say that before in case it all goes wrong.

“It was a little bit messy in the mid-part of the race coming into the bend, but he got out of trouble and showed a great turn of foot to get to the front. The strong pace up front definitely helped him and he got a nice tow into it and picked up like we know he can.”

He added, “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.”

 

Pedigree Notes

Bred by Godolphin, and by a sire who is synonymous with success at the Dubai International Racing Carnival, Lord North is out of the Giant's Causeway mare Najoum, a half-sister to GI Blue Grass S. winner Bandini (Fusaichi Pegasus) and G3 Sweet Solera S victrix Discourse (Street Cry {Ire}). A dual winner at two for Saeed bin Suroor, Najoum ran her final race at Meydan in 2011 when eighth in the UAE 1000 Guineas Trial. Lord North was her third foal and one of only two winners to date. The mare died last year, having foaled a full-brother to Lord North on May 1. She also has a 3-year-old filly by New Approach (Ire) and a juvenile filly from the first crop of Dubawi's Darley-based son Too Darn Hot (GB).

 

Saturday, Meydan, Dubai
DUBAI TURF SPONSORED BY DP WORLD-G1, $5,000,000, Meydan, 3-25, NH 4yo/up & SH 3yo/up, 9fT, 1:47.39, gd.
1–LORD NORTH (IRE), 126, g, 7, by Dubawi (Ire)
                1st Dam: Najoum, by Giant's Causeway
                2nd Dam: Divine Dixie, by Dixieland Band
                3rd Dam: Hail Atlantis, by Seattle Slew
O-HH Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed Racing; B-Godolphin (IRE);
T-John & Thady Gosden; J-Frankie Dettori. $2,900,000.
Lifetime Record: Hwt. Older Horse-UAE at 7-9 1/2f, G1SW-Eng,
20-10-3-1, $8,054,571. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the
   eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the
   free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Danon Beluga (Jpn), 126, c, 4, Heart's Cry (Jpn)–Coasted, by
Tizway. (¥160,000,000 Wlg '19 JRHAJUL). O-Danox Co Ltd;
B-Northern Farm (Jpn); T-Noriyuki Hori. $1,000,000.
3–Nations Pride (Ire), 126, c, 4, Teofilo (Ire)–Important Time
(Ire), by Oasis Dream (GB). O/B-Godolphin (Ire); T-Charlie
Appleby. $500,000.
Margins: 3/4, HD, 2.
Also Ran: Shirl's Speight, Serifos (Jpn), Junko (GB), Alfareeq (Ire), El Drama (Ire), Real World (Ire), Sir Busker (Ire), Order Of Australia (Ire), Glorious Dragon (Ire), Master Of The Seas (Ire), Vin De Garde (Jpn). Scratched: Do Deuce (Jpn), Shelir (Ire). VIDEO.

 

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Japanese Champ Titleholder Rolls In 5-Year-Old Bow

Imperious during the early part of his 2022 season, Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) stormed home to take the G2 Nikkei Sho by eight lengths at Nakayama on Saturday. The Hiroshi Yamada-owned and Toru Kurita-trained entire was the 7-5 favourite.

In charge practically from the bell, the Okada Stud-bred had things mostly his own way throughout the 2500-metre contest. Lightly pressed by Diastima (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) on the backstretch, he continued to click off reasonable fractions while unruffled and soon increased his lead approaching the final turn. Engaging the afterburners, Titleholder opened up on the field in fine style and was an easy-as-you-please victor. Boccherini (Jpn) King Kamehameha {Jpn}) bested Diastima for second by three-parts of a length, with that foe another three-quarters of a length in front of Lilac (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) in fourth.

A winner at first asking as a juvenile and second in the 2020 G3 Tokyo Sports Hai Nisai S., the flashy bay would take the G2 Hochi Hai Yayoi Sho Deep Impact Kinen at three, and also run second in the G1 Japanese 2000 Guineas before taking the G1 Japanese St. Leger several starts later. As a 4-year-old, he won the G2 Nikkei Sho, G1 Tenno Sho (Spring) and G1 Takarazuka Kinen in succession, those efforts earning him 2022 Champion Older Horse honours in Japan. Tried in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, he was unplaced racing on soft ground for the first time, and was well behind subsequent Japanese Horse of the Year Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) in the G1 Arima Kinen back in Japan in December. The Nikkei Sho was his first run back.

Pedigree Notes

One of four Group 1 winners for his late sire, the 5-year-old is also part of a 10-strong batch of stakes winners. Other top-tier winners for Duramente included Stars On Earth (Jpn), Liberty Island (Jpn), and Dura Erede (Jpn). The last-named ran second in the G2 UAE Derby to countrymate Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits) later in the day.

The third foal and second winner for his dam, a five-time winner, Titleholder is the last to race to date from Mowen (GB) (Motivator {GB}), who was covered by Benbatl (GB) last spring. Under the fourth dam is 1982 G1 1000 Guineas and G1 Sussex S. heroine On The House (Fr) (Be My Guest).

 

Saturday, Nakayama, Japan
NIKKEI SHO-G2, ¥128,920,000, Nakayama, 3-25, 4yo/up, 2500mT, 2:36.80, vsf.
1–TITLEHOLDER (JPN), 130, h, 5, Duramente (Jpn)
                1st Dam: Mowen (GB), by Motivator (GB)
                2nd Dam: Top Table (GB), by Shirley Heights (GB)
                3rd Dam: Lora's Guest (Ire), by Be My Guest
(¥20,000,000 Wlg '18 JRHAJUL). O-Hiroshi Yamada; B-Okada
Stud (Jpn); T-Toru Kurita; J-Kazuo Yokoyama; ¥67,854,000.
Lifetime Record: Ch. Older Horse-Jpn, MG1SW-Jpn, 15-7-2-0.
Werk Nick Rating:A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the
   eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the
   free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Boccherini (Jpn), 128, h, 7, King Kamehameha (Jpn)–Popcorn
Jazz (Jpn), by Dance in the Dark (Jpn). O-Makoto Kaneko
Holdings; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); ¥27,244,000.
3–Diastima (Jpn), 126, h, 6, Deep Impact (Jpn)–Sweet Reason,
by Street Sense. O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm (Jpn);
¥17,122,000.
Margins: 8, 3/4, 3/4. Odds: 1.40, 16.10, 33.30.
Also Ran: Lilac (Jpn), Machaon d'Or (Jpn), Heat On Beat (Jpn), King Of Dragon (Jpn), Meiner Fanrong (Jpn), Ask Victor More (Jpn), Cantor (Jpn), Aristoteles (Jpn), Kotobuki Thetis (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart and video.

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Sibelius Neutralizes Switzerland In Golden Shaheen Thriller

The connections of SIBELIUS (g, 5, Not This Time–Fiery Pulpit, by Pulpit) have enjoyed themselves as much or more than anyone in the build-up to  the Dubai World Cup program and as night began to fall over Meydan Saturday, the chestnut just kept coming up the fence beneath Ryan Moore and dropped his head on the wire just ahead of defending champion Switzerland (Speightstown) to take the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen Sponsored by Nakheel. Drawn the fence and over a dirt surface that had been playing kind enough to front-runners, Sibelius broke well but was outfooted and raced in about fifth position while hugging the fence. Fourth as Hopkins (Quality Road), Sound Money (Flatter) and Gunite (Gun Runner) lined up at the head of the lane, Moore–who had early won the G2 Dubai Gold Cup going two miles on the grass–was relentless, pumping with his left arm while using a right-handed stick and he managed to shove Sibelius across the line first in the tightest of tight photos. Sales history: $100,000 Wlg '18 KEENOV; $62,000 RNA Ylg '19 KEEJAN; $75,000 RNA Ylg '19 KEESEP. O-Jun H Park & Delia Nash; B-Taylor Brothers Properties LLC, Pollock Farms, Patrick H. Payne et al; T-Jeremiah O'Dwyer.

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