The exciting run of barrier trials in Sydney on Friday mornings is set to continue this week with a number of 2013 Spring Racing Carnival contenders to appear in the trials at Warwick Farm.
The first four trials of the day will all include Group level performers with the first trial over 1200 metres highlighted by Melbourne Cup contender Kelinni and classy three-year-old colt Criterion.
Criterion will be making his second barrier trial appearance this campaign since finishing fourth in a trial at Rosehill last Monday, as will Kelinni who also finished fourth behind Robard and Beaten Up at the same set of trials.
The second trial over 800 metres is dominated by leading trainer Chris Waller with Beaten Up, Casual Choice, Catkins, Hawkspur and Heart Testa all set to compete.
Tripler Group 1 winner Appearance has also been nominated to take part in the trial while Melbourne Cup aspirant Dear Demi will make her first public appearance since finishing seventh behind Gondokoro in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2400m) in June.
Waller also has a strong hand in the third trial of the day over 800 metres with Group 1 winners Foreteller, Metal Bender and Shoot Out all included in the nominations.
Shoot Out and Foreteller both finished at the tail of the field behind Streama in a barrier trial over 900 meters at Rosehill on August 5 while Metal Bender continues to work towards a return to racing for the first time since his victory in the 2012 Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) and has been included in the nominations for both the Caulfield Cup (2400m) and Cox Plate (2040m).
The racing public will get their first look this preparation at a bunch of talented three-year-olds when Champollion, Fast Dragon, Twilight Royale and Vilanova all compete over 800 metres.
New Zealand import Vilanova raced consistently during the 2013 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival while Champollion (The Schweppervescence) and Twilight Royale (VRC Sires Produce Stakes) were both victorious at Group level during the autumn.
To assist trainers getting their gallopers ready for the spring Racing New South Wales has moved the barrier trails scheduled for Friday August 23 forward to Monday August 19.
Read more: Exciting Barrier Trials To Continue On Friday - HorseRacing-com.au
The 1,000km Mongol Derby took riders across Mongolia.
American Devan Horn crossed the finish line first but her horse later failed a veterinary inspection.
"I can't really believe it," said Prior-Palmer, 19, who is the niece of British equestrian and Olympic silver medallist Lucinda Green. Prior-Palmer, from Hampshire, added: "I came into the first station last because my horse was so slow and I had to walk him in.
"I thought that would be the end of my Mongol Derby.
"I knew that there were 30 people and nearly all of those 30 wanted to win and I really just wanted to finish.
"If you compare my first few days to my last few days, I was going so much slower and suddenly I just got the hang of it and how to ride the horses and what to do to catch up with the rest."
The race, which is in its fifth edition, was won in six days and eight hours and is a recreation of Genghis Khan's ancient postal system - a mammoth network of 25 horse stations across the Mongolian steppe.
Riders change their semi-wild Mongolian horses at each station - approximately 40km apart - and stay with the local nomadic herding families that run the stations and provide the horses.
BBC Sport - British rider Lara Prior-Palmer wins world's longest horse race
RIZEENA, clearcut winner of the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot, is likely to bid for her first Group 1 in the Prix Morny over six furlongs at Deauville on Sunday.
The Iffraaj filly, runner-up to Lucky Kristale at Newmarket on her only subsequent outing, has thrilled trainer Clive Brittain in recent workouts, producing a level of ability which he believes is good enough to pitch her into any Group 1 for juveniles.
"I couldn't be happier with Rizeena," Brittain said on Tuesday.
"A couple of pieces of work she has done lately suggests she is good enough to go anywhere, and she is more likely to go to France this weekend than the Lowther at York next week.
"It's a Group 1 on Sunday. She has already won a Group 2, and deserves to take her chance. I have still got to see the confirmations, but at this stage I am leaning towards Deauville."
Rizeena, who would be bidding for another British success in the prestigious Deauville race following Reckless Abandon's victory for Clive Cox 12 months ago, is set to face a strong field, which will include No Nay Never, who is now part-owned by Michael Tabor.
The US-trained juvenile, unbeaten in two starts, most recently Royal Ascot's Group 2 Norfolk Stakes, is firmly on course for the race, but Tabor's Great White Eagle, impressive winner of his sole start at Naas for Aidan O'Brien last week and as short as 10-1 for the 2,000 Guineas, is not likely to join him.
O'Brien said: "Great White Eagle is well but it's looking unlikely he'll run in the Morny."
O'Brien added that War Command, runaway winner of the Coventry Stakes, has come out of Sunday's disappointing Phoenix Stakes run well and that the aim was to try him over further than six furlongs.
"He lost a bit of weight on Sunday which would suggest he will improve next time," said O'Brien. "He's been in good form since the race, which followed a good break, and while we haven't made any plans for him I imagine we will be stepping him up in trip."
Another Royal Ascot winner, Kiyoshi, who triumphed by three and a quarter lengths in the Group 3 Albany Stakes, will not be travelling to France as connections focus on the filly's principal target, the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh next month.
Charlie Hills, who trains Kiyoshi, said: "I have taken her out of the Morny. The plan since Ascot has always been the Moyglare as the combination of the step up to seven furlongs and the track will suit her very well."
He added: "Kiyoshi has had a break since Ascot, and has done really well."
Rizeena seeks Group 1 success at Deauville | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
Owner Christopher Tsui sees the first progeny of Sea The Stars take to the track in his colours as My Titania makes her racecourse bow at Leopardstown tonight.
Sea The Stars won six Group Ones for Tsui back in 2009 and his first crop of runners have hit the racecourse this summer, with two of his 10 starters winning so far.
Tsui and Sea The Stars’ trainer, John Oxx, have yet to team up with one of their great horse’s sons or daughters, but My Titania will get the ball rolling in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Fillies Maiden.
“She is a nice filly having her first run and hopefully she will come on for it,” said Oxx.
“Like everybody else we would like a bit of rain and good ground. This is a nice start for her, though there are a couple with good placed form, including David Wachman’s Three D Alexander who was third to Tapestry (subsequent Debutante Stakes winner).
Quite precocious
“My Titania is quite precocious. Plan A was for her to be out a few months ago, but for one reason or another that didn’t happen so she is out later.”
Oxx also takes the wraps off a well-bred colt in Karezak, who lines up in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Maiden. The son of Azamour holds an early entry for next year’s Investec Derby.
Oxx said: “He’s a nice big horse and needs the run. He’ll hopefully run respectably.
“He hasn’t been on grass much so it could come as a shock to him. He wouldn’t be as sharp as the filly (My Titania).”
Action last night centred on Gowran Park where Along Came Casey was a most impressive winner of the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Hurry Harriet Stakes over an extended nine furlongs.
Strongly backed into 6 to 4 favouritism, the Dermot Weld-trained five-year-old was nicely positioned just off the pace set by Johnny Murtagh on Belle De Crecy.
The latter still held sway with a quarter of a mile to run, but Pat Smullen was travelling powerfully on Along Came Casey.Hitting the front a furlong and a half out, Smullen only had to give his mount a few reminders as she ran on strongly to beat Belle De Crecy by three lengths.
‘High-class filly’
Say took third for Aidan O’Brien, whose Snow Queen was very reluctant to leave the stalls – as she was on her last start at Cork – losing many lengths before consenting to go on her way.
Weld said: “She did what was expected and is unbeaten around here. She’s a very high-class filly and I thought she would be tough to beat. She is so consistent and loves fast ground.
“The Dance Design Stakes at the Curragh is a logical next race, it’s also over nine furlongs which is probably her optimum distance. She’s entitled to have a crack at a Group One before the year is out.”
A dramatic outcome to the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Maiden saw first-past-the-post Green Tag demoted in favour of the O’Brien-trained odds-on favourite Mekong River.
The market leader looked to be making hard work of it before fellow newcomer Green Tag, who had led from the off, hung to his left at the furlong pole and then back over to the right, although not as sharply.
Mekong River (4-9) appeared to find his feet after the initial interference and was making ground to the line, eventually failing by a neck. A stewards’ inquiry was immediately called, with the officials electing to reverse the placings.
My Titania makes bow for Tsui and Oxx - Racing Results | Horse Racing Times, Race Cards & Winners - Thu, Aug 15, 2013
A doping investigation is underway after reports in the Argentinian press claim Classic winners Juhayna and Koller have tested positive for illegal substances including cocaine.
Juhayna landed the 1,000 Guineas at San Isidro racecourse on August 3, the same day as stablemate Koller took the 2,000 Guineas, however, reports claim that samples taken from both horses have returned positive results.
Both horses are trained by Brazilian Martins Alves and owned by the Providence Stud, with the trainer provisionally suspended pending a retest of the samples taken on raceday.
According to reports by the Telam news agency, the retest will take place at San Isidro's laboratory on August 29.
The substances found in Koller's original samples are reportedly oxazepam, better known for its treatment of anxiety and insomnia in humans, along with cocaine and cocaine metabolites.
Oxazepam was again tested positive for in Juhayna's sample.
Trainer Diego Sinner was recently suspended for four months after Blue Snow tested positive for a banned substance after winning the Peru Classic at Palermo racecourse on July 19.
Argentina Classic winner tests positive for cocaine | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
The traditional Palio race in Siena, Italy, was won by a jockey riding for the city’s Onda neighborhood. The bareback race around the city centre’s Piazza del Campo lasted just over a minute. The race, which pits horses picked at random for the city’s neighborhoods, is a tradition that took its current form in the 17th century and has been held every year for centuries, except for a break during World War II.
Real Solution won the Arlington Million on Saturday when first-place finisher The Apache was disqualified to second for bumping Real Solution in the final 200 yards.
Ridden by Alan Garcia, Real Solution was on the outside of The Apache as they came down the stretch. The Apache was on the rail, but ended up about four lanes outside, bumping Real Solution in the process before The Apache, ridden by Christophe Soumillon, beat Real Solution to the wire by a head.
Garcia and trainer Chad Brown filed an objection, and after 6 minutes, the objection was upheld.
"At the top of the stretch I had plenty of horse to go by, and the other horse bumped us more than four times," Garcia said. "Made me lose my momentum. If that didn't happen we might have won by two or three lengths."
Soumillon blamed the move to the right on the giant video screen close to the finish line.
"We were the better horse, but he got scared by the screen and shifted out," Soumillon said. "My horse was on the lead and got a little unbalanced. The screen scared him, but we were the best horse."
The 4-year-old Real Solution ran 1¼ miles on the turf in 2:00.99 and paid $18.80, $8.60 and $6.20. The Apache returned $7.80 and $5.60, and Side Glance paid $12.20 to show.
Real Solution won for the first time in the U.S. after a pair of top-four finishes. He also has won in Italy.
Ken Ramsey, Real Solution's owner, went from disappointed to delighted.
"I thought we lost the race," Ramsey said. "Then I heard he was bumped. I was eager to see the head-on. We had the momentum and he was pushing us out."
Real Solution was ninth with a quarter-mile to go, but found room between horses to jump to sixth at the top of the stretch and charged through the field, catching everyone but The Apache.
The Apache had run fifth through the middle of the race, but saved ground on the rail on Arlington's sweeping turn and took the lead at the top of the stretch.
Also, Admiral Kitten charged from the middle of the pack to run down Stormy Len and Jack Milton in the Secretariat. Ridden by Rosie Napravnik, Admiral Kitten ran third in the early going, was passed, then pushed hard in the final quarter mile and passed both Stormy Len and Jack Milton to win by 1¼ lengths.
Dank, going off at 3-1, overhauled four horses in the final furlong to take the Beverly D. for Dank, a 4-year-old with Ryan L. Moore up, beat Ireland's Gifted Girl to the wire by 4¼ lengths.
Dandino, a 6-year-old also ridden by Moore won the American St. Leger.
Read more here: ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill.: Real Solution wins Arlington Million - Horse Racing - MiamiHerald-com
THREE decades of inflation has done little to dent the international appeal of the Arlington Million's million dollar purse. It was a lot of money in 1981 and it's still a lot of money now. It's also a lot to lose in the stewards' room.
Unfortunately the Arlington Park officials are developing a reputation for overturning results and on Saturday The Apache became the third horse to be thrown out after 'winning' the Million in the last 11 years.
The South African was demoted to second for “interference in the straight”. As with every inquiry there were upset parties on both sides, but of the three horses recently disqualified in the Million this was the least controversial.
Storming Home, who jinked and unseated Gary Stevens on the line in 2003, and Powerscourt, who won by daylight in 2004, each won the valuable turf prize on merit. They were disqualified because their actions affected the run of other horses.
That's the way America governs interference and the rule is different in other countries. In the UK, for instance, because they were the best on the day Powerscourt and Storming Home would have kept their share of the million dollar prize fund and kept the race.
In this year's Million, however, international stewards may have found harmony in the decision to throw out The Apache, with the demoted horse failing on both the American question: 'was there interference?' and the follow-up British question: 'did it make a difference?'.
A review of the tape shows two supporting facts for Real Solution being promoted to first. Firstly the side angle shows him come with a charging run and make up lots of ground on The Apache, but this momentum stops when The Apache starts to drift off the rail. Secondly the head-on shot shows something much more important.
The disqualified horse hangs to his right away from the whip and pushes the promoted horse (there was plenty of contact) a good four yards over to the right.
You don't need evening classes in geometry to tell you that if Real Solution was allowed to run in a straight line he would have crossed the line before The Apache. Perhaps not by two or three lengths, as Real Solution's rider Alan Garcia suggested, but the momentum and ground lost during that final furlong would certainly account for more than the head he was defeated.
Christophe Soumillon believed his mount (the first past the post) was clearly the best on the day, but Garcia says he might have won by two or three lengths if he hadn't been bumped in the straight.
As far as the stewards are concerned the decision on who was the better horse doesn't always come into it, but this time the horse who was the best on the day (probably) was awarded the race.
So there is harmony in the equine court of justice. The horse who suffered interference and should have won the race was awarded the race. Real Solution was the right solution.
Even South African trainer Mike de Kock, trainer of The Apache, felt his horse would get thrown out after he saw the head on, admitting “if it had happened to me, I'd have felt aggrieved.”
If justice was served by the stewards on the matter of the winner there was only really one unlucky horse to concentrate on – the tenth, Hunter's Light.
The Godolphin colt travelled very strongly up the rail and looked full of running turning for home. Ryan Moore reported he was hanging left all the way and as he switched right to make his run he seemed to run up the back of The Apache before lugging left again and finding himself in a pocket.
Then he clipped heels with Mull Of Killough, stumbled and was eased to the line. He should have hit the frame and was awarded an RPR of 112+.
The overall form of the race was not spectacular for the prize-money on offer. The first and second posted RPRs of 114 (and Real Solution gets a '+' because he was motoring along before The Apache made contact). The third, Side Glance, ran to his previous Prince Of Wales's Stakes RPR of 110, while the fourth and fifth ran to their best US figures.
The biggest RPR at Arlington Park on Saturday actually came in the Grade 1 fillies' race, the Beverly D Stakes, where Sir Michael Stoute's Dank (116) stormed clear in a good time to defeat Paul Cole's Listed winner Gifted Girl (107) by four-and-a-quarter lengths.
Japan hosted the richest race of the week, the Grade 2 Sapporo Kinen at Hakodate on Sunday, won by Tokei Halo (121+).
The winner has been a revelation since stepping up to 1m2f, landing a Grade 3, a Grade 3 handicap under top weight and now a Grade 2 by six-lengths.
He improved his RPR for each of those wins, although he did enjoy the run of the race on Sunday. He made all, was a few lengths clear from halfway and a long way clear turning for home.
He coasted in for a cosy success and looks capable of stepping up again when up against the big guns later in the campaign. That said, he will need to step up again to win a Grade 1 in Japan.
Over in France Wesley Ward's No Nay Never moved to the top of the juvenile pecking order with an RPR of 117 for his one length victory in the Prix Morny.
The American speedball is unbeaten in three starts, including a battling success in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot, and plans for the rest of the campaign are fluid.
An RPR of 117 will likely come under pressure when the class juveniles step up to 7f and 1m later in the year, although 117 was enough for Reckless Abandon to finish the year as champion sprint juvenile last year and No Nay Never looks a prime candidate for that award.
World Class Justice done in Arlington Million reversal | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
NINA CARBERRY is to continue her long association with the Noel Meade stable in a new role, with Ireland's most successful female rider taking up the position of racing assistant to the trainer at his Tu Va stables in County Meath next month.
Meade said on Monday: "Nina has been riding out for me three mornings a week for some time and when I put the idea to her of becoming more involved and being my racing assistant she was very keen to take it up.
"We have a great team in the yard led by headman Paul Cullen and my assistant Damien McGillick, and having Nina on board in her new role will be a really good addition. Her job will be an upfront one and a big part of it will involve going racing and meeting the owners. She'll be starting in the position on September 1."
Carberry, 29, was champion amateur in Ireland in 2005-06 and again the following season. She rode her first winner on the Meade-trained Sabrinsky at the Curragh in 2001 and has been the trainer's main amateur rider for more than a decade.
A broken collarbone, the result of a fall at Gowran Park on June 23, has kept her sidelined but she expects to resume in about two weeks.
Carberry said on Monday: "I went for a check-up today and was told that, with more physiotherapy, I should be fine to resume riding in bumpers in about two weeks."
She added: "I've had a good working relationship with Noel for about ten years and I'm really looking forward to taking up the new position. The job will involve more responsibility and I should learn a lot. He's got a good team of horses and very good staff."
Carberry achieved her biggest win on Organisedconfusion, trained by her uncle Arthur Moore, in the 2011 Irish Grand National, and has ridden four winners at the Cheltenham Festival.
She took out a licence to train this year but has decided to put that aspect of her career on hold.
Nina Carberry to take up assistant role with Meade | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
TORONADO is the horse to beat in today’s feature Juddmonte International (York, 3.40). Sure, there’s a risk over whether he will stay a mile and a quarter, but his breeding suggests he will, and he meets the genuine Al Kazeem better at the weights.
Richard Hannon’s Sussex Stakes winner is definitely the best horse in the race, too.
There may be the suspicion Telescope (York, 3.05) is a little fragile, but I’m still sticking with him in the Great Voltigeur Stakes. He has all the potential in the world and, if he can repeat his Leicester form, where the time backed up a pretty decisive performance, then he should win.
But there’s a nagging doubt he is not the easiest colt to train.
I’m also keen on the prospects of Wyborne (York, 4.20). Brian Ellison’s contender will get the distance and the off-spring of Halling tend to get better with age. The other thing in his favour is he is lightly raced, with only nine starts under his belt.
Toronado tipped to win in Juddmonte International | Horse Racing | Sport | Daily Express
Live horse racing could be coming to Laramie County.
County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to allow the owner of the Wyoming Downs track in Evanston to offer off-track betting and horse race simulcasting at the Outlaw Saloon. The measure also gives Dynasty Development Management LLC the ability to host live race events in the county. It would still have to win additional approvals from the Wyoming Pari-Mutuel Commission, which regulates horse racing statewide, to gain that ability.
The operations director of Wyoming Downs, Joan Ramos, has been talking with Cheyenne Frontier Days officials about bringing thoroughbred racing to the city.
"We could be on the brink of one of the biggest expansions of live horse racing in North America over the past 40 years," said Charles Moore, executive director of the pari-mutuel commission.
Live horse races are expensive to operate and off-track betting helps subsidize the cost, said Bill Gentle, former chairman of the Wyoming Horse Council.
With simulcasting, a gambler in Wyoming could place a bet on a race in another state and watch the race live at the off-track betting location.
Laramie County already has one off-track betting location at the Cheyenne Amvets Post 10. The site's operator, Eugene Joyce, said simulcasting has allowed horse racing to compete with casinos and lotteries. His permit doesn't allow him to offer live horse racing.
Sydney’s premier jockey Nash Rawiller has brushed aside a back injury and will ride at today’s Warwick Stakes meeting at Warwick Farm.
Rawiller bounced back after a nasty barrier incident at Canterbury on Wednesday to ride four winners at the Hawkesbury Gold Cup meeting on Thursday.
The tough jockey admitted that he rode through the pain at Hawkesbury but is confident that a ‘rest day’ on Friday will be enough to have him primed for his five rides at Warwick Farm.
“I’m OK but I’ll make sure I have a quiet day, have a bit of physio and be ready for Warwick Farm,” Rawiller told The Daily Telegraph on yesterday.
“I’ll definitely be better for the run, I know what I can do now.”
Rawiller’s successful day at Hawkesbury wasn’t all rosy with Racing New South Wales stewards suspending the top jockey for causing interference in the second race of the day forcing him to is the Chelmsford Stakes race day at Randwick on September 7.
After winning on De Crillon for trainer Tony McEvoy, stewards found Rawiller guilty of shifting in at the 100m hampering Albert’s Symphony.
And Rawiller almost made it five winners for the day with a close second on Julienas behind Coup Ay Tee in the Group 3 $150,000 Panthers Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m).
Rawiller has a first class book of rides today and another day of multiple winners wouldn’t surprise.
He will be aboard raging favourite Rain Affair for Joe Pride in the Group 2 $175,000 Pro-Ride Warwick Stakes (1400m) as well as the Australian Oaks winner Royal Descent who is having her first run back since the Autumn.
Rawiller and Rain Affair made it a one act affair when they streeted their rivals in the Group 3 $125,000 McGrath Real Estate Agents Missile Stakes (1200m) at Randwick two weeks ago and the same result could be on the cards again today.
The Chris Waller trained Royal Descent is primed to run a mighty race while fresh and even though the 1300m might look a bit short, her class should be enough to carry her through.
Rawiller is also back on Lucripetus in the first race and could get the day off on a winning note.
The pair combined to score over 2600m at Randwick last start and are once again among the top fancies for $85,000 Comfort Inn Hunts Liverpool Handicap over 2200m.
Rawiller is also on Charing Cross in the $85,000 Panucci Transport Handicap (1600m) and Pitcrew in the Group 3 $125,000 IBIS Styles Lansvale Up and Coming Stakes (1300m), both for Gai Waterhouse.
Read more: Rawiller will ride at Warwick Stakes meeting - HorseRacing-com.au
THE FINAL Sunday of Deauville's summer meeting has a lot to live up to after the Group 1 fireworks produced by Moonlight Cloud, No Nay Never and Elusive Kate.
There is at least one genuine star on show, although Cirrus Des Aigles is unlikely to have things as easy as when scoring by 10 lengths in this race two seasons ago.
Having come up short in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and the King George following a long layoff, Cirrus Des Aigles was then out-sprinted by Petit Chevalier in the Group 3 Prix Gontaut-Biron here two weeks ago.
But connections are confident a quick return to the fray is warranted.
"He's come on again and that's why we're running him again so soon," reflected Corine Barande-Barbe, who once again turns to Christophe Soumillon with Olivier Peslier claimed to ride Slow Pace. "His real weapon is that long acceleration and last time it turned into a bit of a sprint on quick ground. He's come out of it well although this is a different test with the three-year-olds getting a lot of weight."
Chief among the Classic-generation pretenders is Penglai Pavilion, yet another Andre Fabre inmate looking to force his way into the reckoning for late-season honours.
Godolphin's Monsun colt is closely matched with recent Prix Guillaume d'Ornano hero Vancouverite on the pair's running in a Longchamp conditions race two starts ago.
Tres Blue already has Group-winning form on this course from his success in the Prix Reux at the beginning of the month, a race in which the Lady Cecil-trained First Mohican finished third.
First Mohican's owner Henry Ponsonby said: "We were thrilled last time because it wasn't ideal having to make all, we just wanted to make sure he enjoyed himself. We'll do it again if there's no pace but ideally in this class of race you'd like a lead. Any additional rain would be welcome too."
Nicolas Clement's Melbourne Cup hopeful Now We Can and the ultra-consistent Haya Landa have both enjoyed fruitful campaigns but are returning after mid-season breaks.
Cirrus Des Aigles aims to get back to winning ways | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
MEMORIES of the late Sir Henry Cecil were rekindled when his wife Jane triumphed with Tiger Cliff in the Ebor at York yesterday. Sir Henry, whose memorial service takes place at Ely Cathedral on September 16, had a deep fondness for York racecourse. He won the Ebor twice, Tuning in 1998 and Kneller in 1988, and was last seen at the course when the imperious Frankel romped home in last year’s Juddmonte Stakes.
Henry Ponsonby, who fronts the syndicate of the owners involved with Tiger Cliff, said: “I’m very emotional, I know Sir Henry would have loved this.
“It’s just wonderful. I must thank my owners, Michael Marshall and Lady Cecil, all at team Warren Place.”
Marshall was assistant to Cecil and has continued in the role since the licence was passed over to his wife. He added: “It’s a team performance – a great job. On his homework we felt he had a great chance.”
Richard Hughes received the accolade for the riding performance of the day after timing his run to perfection on Magic City at Goodwood.
Tiger Cliff roars to glory for Lady Cecil | Horse Racing | Sport | Daily Express
LOCAL trainers have dominated the City of Ripon Stakes (4.15) over the last decade, and Mick Easterby is confident of continuing that record with Barren Brook.
Yorkshire-based trainers have won seven of the last ten runnings of the 1m 2f handicap, and only the Jim Goldie-trained Full Toss can prevent them adding to that record, with the other nine runners all hailing from Yorkshire stables.
Barren Brook may be without a victory since July 2011, but Easterby thinks the six-year-old has a decent chance, and said: "I think he'll run a good race and I fancy him. He's been pleasing at home."
St Moritz, who finished down the field in the Betfred Mile at Glorious Goodwood on his last start, is favourite for the in-form David O'Meara, and is one of four course and distance winners in the field.
As well as Ripon there are Flat fixtures at Epsom and Southwell. Sedgefield stages a jumps meeting, and there is a mixed card in Ireland at Ballinrobe.
Today's key pointers
Richard Hughes is noted for riding two-year-olds particularly well, so it may pay to heed the fact he's 3-4 since 2008, showing a small profit, on ones having their fourth start. His mount A Childs Dream in the 2.15 at Epsom makes obvious appeal.
Alba King's record in handicaps at Sedgefield over distances short of 2m4f reads 1121. Look for him to bounce back to form in the 6.25.
Davy Russell has a 4-7 record on chasers at Ballinrobe in the last three seasons and has two booked rides in that sphere today, Far Away So Close in the 7.05 and Claragh Native in the 7.35.
Easterby fancies Barren Brook's chances at Ripon | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
WESLEY Ward on Tuesday revealed his unbeaten Royal Ascot winner No Nay Never has run his final race of the season but says he will return to British shores next year with both the St James's Palace Stakes and Qipco 2,000 Guineas possible targets.
Following a debut success at Keeneland in April, No Nay Never gave American Ward further Ascot success in the Norfolk Stakes before again crossing the Atlantic to land the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville on August 18, a victory Ward described as the highlight of his career.
Having returned unscathed from that historic performance, Ward thinks it is the perfect time to give the Coolmore-owned juvenile a well-deserved rest before working towards a return trip to Britain in 2014.
Ward said: "We've got big plans for him next year and it's nice to give him a break while he's sound and has no issues. This way we'll have a healthy tiger for next year."
Looking to next season, when No Nay Never will be campaigned at 1m, he added: "The ultimate goal would be the St James's Palace Stakes and we'll work from there backwards.
"We'd look to run at Keeneland first, when they open up the gates at the end of March or beginning of April, and I wouldn't rule out the Guineas. A straight mile at Newmarket in early May would be beautiful, but we'd get a run into him first to see where we're at. We are already excited about coming back."
No Nay Never no more for this year says Ward | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
If owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey were going to break the modern-day record for most wins in a single meet at Saratoga Race Course, there was a very good chance it was going to happen with one of their homebred offspring by Kitten’s Joy, the 2004 Champion Turf Male they stand at their Kentucky farm.
And so it was, as Granny Mc’s Kitten, making just her second career start, found running room in the stretch to triumph in the $100,000 P. G. Johnson Stakes Wednesday by 1 3/4 lengths. The victory was the Ramsey’s 19th this summer, topping the old mark set by Zayat Stables in 2007.
“It’s kind of sentimental the way it all turns out,” said Ken Ramsey, mentioning that the P. G. Johnson winner is named after his sister, Luann McIlwayne, and her seriously ill daughter. “It’s pretty special. We own the mare and the stallion, and (the horse) is named after my sister, and it breaks the all-time record up here at Saratoga. I couldn’t have planned it any better.” Granny Mc’s Kitten raced in third behind Miss Frost’s reasonable fractions of 47.47 seconds for a half-mile and 1:11.81 for three-quarters. Miss Frost turned the corner with a short lead, with Granny Mc’s Kitten following along the hedge. Approaching the sixteenth pole, jockey Javier Castellano angled his mount out through a hole that developed when Candy Kitty starting dropping back. Granny Mc’s Kitten straightened out and had no trouble getting by the tiring leader, finishing up with something left.
“She’s lightly raced, and she had a beautiful trip,” said winning trainer Chad Brown, who won this race last year with Watsdachances. “She finished very well. It was Javier’s first time on her, and he rode her very well. I’m hoping she’s still on the improve.”
Duff One got up for second, 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Miss Frost. Chase My Tail, Candy Kitty and 8-5 favorite La Reine Bourbon (another Brown trainee) completed the order of finish. The running time for 1 1/16 miles over firm going was 1:42.07.
The victory had extra meaning for Brown, as his first win after he’d started training on his own came with a Ramsey-owned horse at Churchill Downs in 2007.
“They’re big supporters of mine, and they send me a lot of nice horses every year,” said Brown. “They’ve always been behind me, which I really appreciate.
“(Ken) is a fun guy to train for,” continued Brown. “He’s very intense and passionate about the game, but he and Sarah also really care. It’s a hard enough game as it is, but to be as positive as he always is gives you a lot of confidence.” Granny Mc’s Kitten paid $5.70 to win as the 9-5 second choice. The exacta with Duff One (15-1) was good for $64.00.
BOOKMAKERS expect Kingman to confirm his dominance at the head of the market for next season’s 2,000 Guineas at Sandown on Saturday.
Trainer John Gosden has insisted the colt’s current 5-1 quote for the classic as being “for the theatre of the absurd”. But Ladbrokes PR David Williams said: “The public have laid into him and it would be commercially imprudent of us to keep him at big odds. The public expect him to win the Solario Stakes – and win it well.”
He added: “They were saying the same thing about Dawn Approach last season and look what he went on to win. He will start a short favourite at Sandown but how short will depend on who he is up against.”
Williams said 1,000 Guineas favourite Kiyoshi would be around 6-4 ahead of Tapestry (7-4) in a star-studded Moyglare Stakes at The Curragh on Sunday.
He's the Kingpin | Horse Racing | Sport | Daily Express
LLEWELLYN drops back into selling company at Thirsk this afternoon and punters are expecting him to oblige in the 4.50.
Initially installed a 2-1 chance, the David Nicholls-trained five-year-old is now as short as evens and no bigger than 5-4.
Breden goes in search of a hat-tick in the 3.55 at Sandown and the John Gosden-trained colt has been cut to 6-4 (from 3) to win again.
At Southwell Anytimeatall is now trading at evens (from 2) for the 6.00, while the best-backed horse at Chester is Yarroom in the 3.35 who is into 11-4 from an early show of 7-1.
JAMES DOYLE has replaced William Buick on 2000 Guineas favourite Kingman in tomorrow’s Betfred Mobile Solario Stakes at Sandown – the first consequence of the 25-year-old being appointed stable jockey to Prince Khalid Abdullah.
Doyle’s deal has come as a surprise given the fact that Tom Queally enjoyed an unbeaten association with the Prince’s world champion Frankel. But Abdullah’s strongest link in British racing has been at the Beckhampton Stables in Wiltshire, firstly with the late Jeremy Tree and now with Roger Charlton.
Doyle became Charlton’s stable jockey last year and has enjoyed a stellar season, which has included an 892-1 three-timer at Royal Ascot and a string of top races on the Charlton trained (but not Abdullah-owned) Al Kazeem.
Charlton said: “Having won four Group One races for me recently I am not surprised an operation as successful as Juddmonte Farms has recognised James’s talents.” Doyle’s top win in the famous Abdullah silks came in the £2 million Dubai Duty Free Stakes on Cityscape.
James Doyle's mega deal | Horse Racing | Sport | Daily Express
The first four trials of the day will all include Group level performers with the first trial over 1200 metres highlighted by Melbourne Cup contender Kelinni and classy three-year-old colt Criterion.
Criterion will be making his second barrier trial appearance this campaign since finishing fourth in a trial at Rosehill last Monday, as will Kelinni who also finished fourth behind Robard and Beaten Up at the same set of trials.
The second trial over 800 metres is dominated by leading trainer Chris Waller with Beaten Up, Casual Choice, Catkins, Hawkspur and Heart Testa all set to compete.
Tripler Group 1 winner Appearance has also been nominated to take part in the trial while Melbourne Cup aspirant Dear Demi will make her first public appearance since finishing seventh behind Gondokoro in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2400m) in June.
Waller also has a strong hand in the third trial of the day over 800 metres with Group 1 winners Foreteller, Metal Bender and Shoot Out all included in the nominations.
Shoot Out and Foreteller both finished at the tail of the field behind Streama in a barrier trial over 900 meters at Rosehill on August 5 while Metal Bender continues to work towards a return to racing for the first time since his victory in the 2012 Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) and has been included in the nominations for both the Caulfield Cup (2400m) and Cox Plate (2040m).
The racing public will get their first look this preparation at a bunch of talented three-year-olds when Champollion, Fast Dragon, Twilight Royale and Vilanova all compete over 800 metres.
New Zealand import Vilanova raced consistently during the 2013 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival while Champollion (The Schweppervescence) and Twilight Royale (VRC Sires Produce Stakes) were both victorious at Group level during the autumn.
To assist trainers getting their gallopers ready for the spring Racing New South Wales has moved the barrier trails scheduled for Friday August 23 forward to Monday August 19.
Read more: Exciting Barrier Trials To Continue On Friday - HorseRacing-com.au