tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85511380273020684302024-03-08T14:17:56.871+00:00Festival FocusA focus on the Grand National, Royal Ascot, Cheltenham and other UK Horse Racing FestivalsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551138027302068430.post-17242806588542548892024-02-12T20:36:00.000+00:002024-02-13T19:26:52.775+00:00Cheltenham Festival - Cheltenham Gold Cup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is definitely a good reason why this race is the headline event of the Cheltenham Festival. An Assortment of the best horses fight it out for the top position through three miles and two-and-a-half furlongs ( 5331m) on the Cheltenham New course. <br />
<br />
The horses must have attained the age of five years to participate, and will have to have been in tip-top position throughout the season. A gruesome path of such lengthy distance is laden with 22 fence obstacles.<br />
<br />A horse’s acceleration over short distances, endurance, braking and jumping skills are put to ultimate test in this event. The same applies to a rider’s handling skills. <br />
<br />For all the pain, the winner gets to take home a whopping £350,000 from a £625,000 purse (as of 2024). Gamblers find some of the best odds here too!<br />
<br />When it’s time for the Gold Cup, everything else comes to a stop. The viewing stands fill up to the brim as spectators line up to see this spectacular event. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551138027302068430.post-32321634813178838832024-01-10T14:38:00.000+00:002024-02-13T19:25:28.869+00:00Was the Cheltenham Gold Cup once run on the Flat?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The simple answer is yes, it was. More
than a century before the Cheltenham Gold Cup was inaugurated in its
more familiar guise, as a steeplechase run at Prestbury Park, in
1924, a race of the same name was run for the first time on Cleeve
Hill, or Cleeve Cloud, which dominates the skyline to the north-east
of the current racecourse, in 1819.
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
According to Baily’s Racing Register,
in its original incarnation, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, or Piece of
Plate, was contested over three miles, on the Flat, with a value of
100 guineas, added to a sweepstakes of 20 guineas each. The race was
won by the four-year-old bay colt, Spectre, owned by a certain Mr.
Bodenham, who carried 6st 7lb to victory, after finishing second in
the Gloucestershire Stakes, over two miles, at the same venue two
days earlier. Interestingly, the second horse home, Zenith, was owned
by John Rous, a.k.a. Lord Rous, whose second son, Henry John Rous,
was later appointed Jockey Club Steward.
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551138027302068430.post-39674387667627421612023-12-03T02:35:00.000+00:002024-02-13T19:24:58.206+00:00Kentucky Derby Festival<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />A Grade 1 contest, run over 2,000
metres, or approximately a mile and a quarter, on dirt at Churchill
Downs Racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky and open to three-year-old
colts, fillies and geldings, the Kentucky Derby represents the first
leg of the North American Triple Crown. Known colloquially as the
'Run for the Roses' and billed as 'the most exciting two minutes in
sport', the Kentucky Derby is run on the first Saturday in May,
where it forms the highlight of a 14-race card.<p></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">However, the Kentucky Derby Festival
stretches far beyond the confines of Churchill Downs into the wider
Kentucky community, where it celebrates not only the Kentucky Derby,
but also the coming of spring to the 'Bluegrass State'. Indeed, the
Festival is the largest single annual event in the Kentucky calendar
and, in the two weeks preceding the Kentucky Derby, attracts 1.5
million people to a series of playful, tongue-in-cheek events
suitable for the whole family. All told, over 70 special events, many
of which are free of charge, are laid on for entertainment purposes
and to bolster the local economy.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Highlights include the opening
fireworks display, known as 'Thunder Over Louisville', which is one
of the largest events of its kind anywhere in the United States, the
'Great Steamboat Race' on the Ohio River, and the founding event, the
'Pegasus Parade'. Sports, including basketball, golf and volleyball,
are very much in evidence and so, too, is music, with concerts
running almost non-stop throughout the fortnight.
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551138027302068430.post-29016336104275590622023-10-11T02:37:00.000+01:002023-10-19T14:22:03.357+01:00Hong Kong International Races<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />The Hong Kong International Races
meeting is staged, under the auspices of the Hong Kong Jockey Club,
at Sha Tin Racecourse, in the New Territories region of Hong Kong, in
December each year. Currently sponsored by Swiss watchmaker Longines
and billed as the 'Turf World Championships', Hong Kong International
Races comprises the four most prestigious races run in the region,
namely the Hong Kong Cup, Hong Kong Mile, Hong Kong Sprint and Hong
Kong Vase.<p></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Unsurprisingly, all four races are
nowadays Group 1 contests but, while all four are open to horses
aged three years and upwards, they did not come into existence at the
same time. The Hong Kong Cup, which is run over 2,000 metres, or
approximately a mile and a quarter, was first run in its current
guise in 1999. So, too, was the Hong Kong Mile, which is run over
1,600 metres, or approximately one mile, although it was not upgraded
to Group 1 status until the following year. The Hong Kong Sprint,
nowadays run over 1,200 metres, or approximately six furlongs, was
also inaugurated in 1999, albeit over 1,000 metres, or approximately
five furlongs, but did not achieve Group 1 status until 2002 and was
not lengthened to its current distance until 2006. The Hong Kong
Vase, run over 2,400 metres, or approximately a mile and a half, was
first staged in 1994, but similarly did not achieve Group 1 status
until 2000.
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551138027302068430.post-14224258257683376642023-08-16T07:28:00.002+01:002024-02-13T19:33:57.183+00:00Many Clouds<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> Described by trainer
Oliver Sherwood as 'the horse of a lifetime', Many Clouds tragically
collapsed and died, from a severe pulmonary haemorrhage, shortly
after narrowly beating Thistlecrack in the Cotswold Chase at
Cheltenham in January, 2017. However, aside from that final Herculean
effort, the Cloudings gelding will always be best remembered for
winning the Grand National in 2015.<p></p>
<br /><br /><br /> <br /><br />The winner of the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury in November, 2014, Many Clouds was sent off 7/1 second favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup the following March, but could manage only sixth, beaten 24½ lengths, behind Coneygree. Consequently, when he lined up at Aintree less than a month later, under the welter burden of 11st 9lb, he was a largely unconsidered 25/1 chance. <br /><br /> <br /><br />However, ridden by regular partner Leighton Aspell, he raced prominently for most of the way and was left in the lead when second favourite Druids Nephew fell at the fence after Valentine's Brook on the second circuit. Thereafter, he made the best of his way home and set off up the run-in with a three-length lead over his nearest pursuer, Saint Are. Approaching the famous 'Elbow', he looked sure to win comfortably, but Saint Are, who was receiving 17lb, started to cut into his lead close home and, in the end, he had to be driven right out to win by 1¾ lengths. <br /><br /><br /> <br /><br />Win he did, though, and in so doing made Aspell the first jockey since Brian Fletcher, in 1974, to win back-to-back Grand Nationals. Winning owner Trevor Hemmings, previously successful with Hedgehunter in 2005 and Ballabriggs in 2011, joined James Machell and Noel Le Mare as co-leading owner in the history of the Grand National. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551138027302068430.post-25497236305080331872023-06-05T02:39:00.001+01:002023-07-27T16:04:02.697+01:00Saudi Cup Festival<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />The Saudi Cup Festival is a recent
addition to the global racing calendar, having been inaugurated in
2020. Under the auspices of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, the
two-day festival centres around the Saudi Cup, run over 1,800 metres,
or approximately nine furlongs, on dirt at King Abdulaziz Racecourse
in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in February. The Saudi Cup was established
with the intention of raising awareness of horse racing among the
Saudi population and promoting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
internationally. It is, in fact, the most valuable horse race in the
world, with a total purse of $20 million.<p></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Indeed, the Saudi Cup is the highlight
of an eight-race card, featuring top class races on dirt, and on
turf, worth a total of $30.5 million in prize money. The card, as a
whole, attracted 22 Group 1, or Grade 1, winners in 2020 and 31 such
winners in 2021. The preceding Friday features a curtain-raising
'International Jockeys Challenge', contested over four races, each
worth $400,000, on the dirt course , plus the Saudi International
Handicap, worth $500,000 and open to horses trained in developing
racing countries. Irish jockey Shane Foley, who won the International
Jockeys' Challenge in 2021, said, 'I really enjoy riding abroad and
think it’s massively important. The racing in Saudi Arabia is a big
and growing operation as far as owners are concerned, and all it
takes is to kick on with one there and you could bring an owner back
to Ireland for your stable.'. In 2022, the race was won by outsider Emblem Road, and Panthalassa in 2023 - with the winner claiming a cool $10 million.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551138027302068430.post-6648569031529566122023-05-20T02:41:00.001+01:002023-07-27T16:03:59.363+01:00Breeders' Cup<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The Breeders' Cup, or Breeders' Cup
World Championships, to give the event its official title, is a
series of 14 Grade 1 horses staged in North America in late October
or early November each year. Inaugurated, as a one-day, seven-race
event, at Hollywood Park, California in 1984, the Breeders' Cup has
been staged at various venues throughout the United States and
Canada, although predominantly at Santa Anita Park, California and
Churchill Downs, Kentucky. In 2007, the Breeders' Cup was held for
the first time at Monmouth Park, New Jersey, three new races –
namely the Juvenile Turf, Dirt Mile and Filly & Mare Sprint –
were added to the programme and the event was extended to two days.<p></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The most valuable races run at the
Breeders' Cup are currently the Breeders' Cup Classic, worth $6
million in prize money, and the Breeders' Cup Turf, worth $4 million.
Both races are open to horses aged three years and upwards, but the
Breeders' Cup Classic is run over a mile and a quarter on dirt, while
the Breeders' Cup Turf is run over a mile and a half on turf, by way
of making it more appealing to horses trained outside North America.
Arguably the most famous horse in Breeders' Cup history was American
Pharoah, trained by Bob Baffert. In his three-year-old campaign, in
2015, American Pharoah won the traditional North American Triple
Crown – that is, the Kentucky |Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont
Stakes – plus the Breeders' Cup Classic, to complete what has
become known as the 'Grand Slam of Thoroughbred Racing'.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551138027302068430.post-73445806290637673502023-04-19T13:31:00.002+01:002023-07-27T16:03:55.623+01:00Finesse Juvenile Novices' Hurdle<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The Finesse Juvenile
Novices' Hurdle is a Grade 2 juvenile novices' hurdle run over 2
miles and 179 yards on the New Course at Cheltenham on Festival
Trials Day in late January. As such, the race is restricted to horses
aged four years who, obviously, having started the season as
three-year-olds, did so without a win over hurdles.<p></p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Festival Trials Day is
the last fixture staged at Prestbury Park before the Cheltenham
Festival in March and, run over the same course and distance, the
Finesse Juvenile Novices' Hurdle is considered a significant trial
for the Grade 1 JCB Triumph Hurdle, run on the final day of the
Festival. Indeed, the race is also sponsored by JCB and hence known,
for sponsorship purposes, as the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The Finesse Juvenile
Novices' Hurdle was inaugurated in 1985 and, although many winners
have subsequently contested the Triumph Hurdle, just three horses –
Katchit (2007), Peace And Co (2015) and Defi Du Seuil (2017) – have
completed the double. Nicky Henderson, trainer of Peace And Co, also
saddled Mister Banjo (2000), Rolling Star (2013), Protek Des Flos
(2016) and Apple's Shakira (2018) to victory and is the leading
handler in the history of the Finesse Juvenile Novices' Hurdle, with
five wins in all.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">For the record, the
2023 winner of the Finesse Juvenile Novices' Hurdle, Comfort Zone,
is currently quoted as 10/1 fourth favourite for the JCB Triumph
Hurdle on March 17. Joseph Patrick O'Brien's Churchill gelding ticks
plenty of boxes, insofar as he has run four times over hurdles and
won his last two starts in Grade 2 company, but his official rating,
of 132, is lower than a typical Triumph Hurdle winner; he also has
just over six lengths to find with the current ante-post favourite,
Lossiemouth, on their running at Fairyhouse in December 2022.
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><br />
</p><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551138027302068430.post-7319838396198019462023-03-04T11:46:00.006+00:002023-07-27T16:03:52.087+01:00Ascot Hurdle<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The Ascot Hurdle is a
Grade 2 hurdle race run over 2 miles, 3 furlongs and 58 yards on the
course from which it takes its name in November. Open to horses aged
four years and upwards, the race was inaugurated in 1978, but has
been sponsored by Coral since 2006 so, for sponsorship purposes, as
the Coral Hurdle. In 2004 and 2005, during the multi-million
redevelopment of Ascot, the Ascot Hurdle was run over 2 miles and 4
furlongs at nearby Windsor.<p></p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Worth £40,000 in
guaranteed prize money, the Ascot Hurdle is obviously a prestigious
and valuable contest in its own right, but its position in the
National Hunt calendar makes it an appropriate early-season 'stepping
stone' for horses with aspirations of winning the Champion Hurdle at
the Cheltenham Festival. In fact, in its history, a total of seven
winners of the Ascot Hurdle, including three dual winners, have also
won the Champion Hurdle before or after their Ascot victory.
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">In chronological order,
they were Dawn Run (1983), Gaye Brief (1984, 1985), Morley Street
(1990, 1991), Hardy Eustace (2006, 2007), Annie Power (2013),
Faugheen (2014) and Rock On Ruby (2015). Dawn Run, of course, remains
the only horse in history to have won both the Champion Hurdle and
the Cheltenham Gold Cup.</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">As far as the most
successful trainer in the history of the Ascot Hurdle is concerned,
although long retired, Martin Pipe, with five winners – Sabin Du
Loir (1987, 1988), Pridwell (1997), Wahiba Sands (1999) and Mr. Cool
(2003) – still holds sway. Those in search of more useful
statistics ahead of the 2022 renewal, schedule for 2:40pm on
Saturday, November 19, may like to note that ten of the last dozen
winners had won at least four times over hurdles, including at least
once at Graded level.
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551138027302068430.post-5245372344400806732023-01-27T11:43:00.002+00:002023-07-27T16:03:44.444+01:00Mersey Novices' Hurdle<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The Mersey Novices' Hurdle is a Grade 1 hurdle race run over 2 miles and 4 furlongs on the Mildmay Course at Aintree in early April. The race takes its name from the River Mersey, which empties in to Liverpool Bay a few miles west of Aintree Racecourse and, as the name implies, is restricted to horses, aged four years and upwards, who start the season without a win over hurdles.<p></p><p>The Mersey Novices' Hurdle was inaugurated in 1977, but was shortened from its original distance of 2 miles and 5½ furlongs in 1988. Similarly, the race was promoted to Grade 2 status in 1991 and again, to Grade 1 status, in 2014. The position of the Mersey Novices' Hurdle in the National Hunt calendar – the 2023 renewal is scheduled for 2.25pm on Saturday, April 15 – means that it often features horses that contested the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival the previous month. That said, of all the winners of the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle since 2014, only the 2016 winner,Yorkhill, ran in the Mersey Novices' Hurdle, but completed the double with a minimum of fuss at long odds-on. </p><p><br /></p><p>The now-retired Martin Pipe saddled four winners of the Mersey Novices' Hurdle, namely Lemon's Mill (1993), Cyborgo (1994). Silver Shred (1996) and Classified (2002). More recently, his record has been equalled by Paul Nicholls, who saddled Garde Champetre (2004), Natal (2006), Elusive Dream (2008) and Lac Fontana (2014); jointly, the two multiple champions are the leading trainers in the history of the race. </p><p><br /></p><p>Obviously, at this still early stage of the season, it must be fairly long odds-against naming a runner in the Mersey Novices' Hurdle, never mind the winner. However, the first half a dozen or so in the ante-post betting for the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, which include leading 'bumper' performers from last season, such as Facile Vega, American Mike and James's Gate would merit close examination if lining up at Aintree. </p><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551138027302068430.post-91063835687091761572022-12-23T02:42:00.005+00:002023-07-27T16:03:38.677+01:00Dubai World Cup Carnival<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Formerly known as the Dubai
International Racing Carnival, the Dubai World Cup Carnival consists
of a series of nine meetings staged at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai,
United Arab Emirates between January and March each year. The Dubai
World Cup Carnival is staged in preparation for Dubai World Cup
Night, in the late March, the highlight of which is the Dubai World
Cup, a Group 1 race run over 2,000 metres, or approximately a mile
and a quarter, on dirt and worth $12 million in prize money.<p></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Inaugurated Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid
Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, in 1996, the Dubai World Cup was
originally run at Nad Al Sheba before being transferred to Meydan in
2010. In its recent history, the Dubai World Cup has vied with the
Pegasus World Cup, staged at Gulfstream Park, Florida in January, as
the most valuable horse race in the world. However, since the
inauguration of the Saudi Cup, at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia, which is worth $20 million, the Dubai World Cup has
been only the second most valuable race in the world.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Nevertheless, the Dubai World Cup
Carnival builds to a major milestone in the form of so-called 'Super
Saturday', typically staged on the first Saturday in March. Super
Saturday is the official 'dress rehearsal' for Dubai World Cup Night,
intended to allow trainers from home and abroad with their eyes on
the major prizes on the single most valuable raceday anywhere in the
world to fine tune their chages.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551138027302068430.post-58039530233993512872022-06-22T02:38:00.005+01:002023-07-27T16:03:31.297+01:00Sydney Carnival<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />The Sydney Carnival, or Sydney Autumn
Racing Carnival, consists of a series of major horses staged at
Rosehill Gardens Racecourse and Royal Randwick Racecourse, situated
in the suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, over a six-week
period in March and April each year. The Sydney Carnival includes 45
Group races and, at the last count, was worth $33 million in prize
money.<p></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">At Rosehill Gardens, the highlight of
the Sydney Carnival is Golden Slipper Day, which features the Golden
Slipper, a Group 1 contest run over 1,200 metres or approximately 6
furlongs and open to two-year-old colts, fillies and geldings, plus
four other Group 1 races. The Golden Slipper, alone, is worth $3.5
million in prize money, making it the most valuable race for
juveniles run anywhere in the world.
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">At Royal Randwick, The Championships,
billed as 'The Grand Finals of Australian Racing', are staged on the
first and second Saturday in April. As the name suggests, The
Championships feature twelve races over a variety of distances, open
to different age groups and collectively worth over $21 million in
prize money. Highlights of The Championships Day One incude the $3
million Doncaster Mile and the $2 million Australian Derby, while
highlights of Day Two include the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes
and the $2 million Sydney Cup. In 2019, the incomparable racemare
Winx was retired from racing after winning the Queen Elizabeth Stakes
for the third year running.</p>
<p><br /><br /><br />
</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551138027302068430.post-61704457505537394212022-04-19T01:47:00.000+01:002022-06-13T15:39:45.294+01:00Winning the Grand National - The Trainers View<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/z5-RzwXc4mw" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551138027302068430.post-27620581588845969772022-03-15T15:05:00.001+00:002023-07-27T16:03:14.304+01:00Jason MacGuire Triumphs on Ballabriggs to Win the 2011 Aintree Grand National<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Just 12 months previously, A P McCoy
had ridden Don’t Push It to win the 2010 Grand National and he was
installed as joint 2nd favourite on the same horse alongside Silver
By Nature ridden by Northern Irishman Peter Buchanan, both backed
into 9-1. The most popular money however was on Ruby Walsh on The
Midnight Club who was fancied as the 15-2 favourite.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Sunshine graced the start of the 2011
John Smith’s Grand National Grade 3 Handicap and by the 3rd fence,
it was Ballabriggs making the running from Hello Bud, who came close
in last year’s race. There had only been a few casualties by this
point, with outsiders Becauseicouldntsee, Vic Venturi and That’s
Rhythm the unfortunate trio.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The leaders fared well over both
Becher’s and Foinavon, but that wasn’t the case for everyone as
the field reduced further with West End Rocker, The Tother One,
Dooney’s Gate and Barry Geraghty on Or Noir de Somoza all falling
foul.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Jamie Moore</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Santa’s Son had made his way through
the melee to reach the front, guided by the brave Jamie Moore who had
once been told he wouldn’t walk again after fracturing two
vertebrae in a fall in 2004. Puppy Power had also joined the leaders
on Killyglen and Hello Bud was tucked in behind.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The entire field had become quite
closely bunched with the lead changing hands several times and
Santa’s Son was still leading after clearing the Chair. However,
this was short lived, as a strong looking Ballabriggs strode into the
lead over the water and so it remained, with fence 20 being omitted
from the race due to an obstruction.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Becher’s was also omitted just two
fences later for the same reason meaning the race had experienced the
first and second time it had ever happened.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Almost!</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Ballabriggs almost came a cropper over
Valentine’s, but MacGuire somehow managed to hold on and held onto
the lead, being pressed by Harry Skelton on Niche Market. How
fortunate that was, as it was an advantage Ballabriggs would not
relinquish again.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Despite being tested through the elbow
by Sam Waley-Cohen on Oscar Time, Jason MacGuire claimed the £535,135
prize money for Trevor Hemmings and the accolades for himself. It had
been a hot day in more than one sense and the extreme temperatures
meant that Ballabriggs was too dehydrated to take his lap of honour,
marking the first time a jockey had ever entered the winner’s
enclosure without his champion horse.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551138027302068430.post-44486840755638045862022-01-18T21:30:00.001+00:002023-07-27T16:03:06.590+01:00Hedgehunter Returns with Ruby Walsh to Claim the 2005 Grand National Crown<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Having fallen at the last, while still
in contention for the 2004 Martell Grand National, the 9 year old
Trevor Hemmings owned Hedgehunter had been installed as the 7-1F for
the 2005 running of this famous steeplechase. Also heavily backed
were last year’s runner up Clan Royal, trained by Jonjo O’Neill,
the Richard Ford trained Forest Gunner and French Grey, Strong
Resolve.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Last year’s winner, Amberleigh House
was listed as 16-1, 5th favourite.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The going for the rebranded John
Smith’s Grand National was good to soft and the 40 strong field set
off under leaden Aintree skies. The assembled crowd cheered as the
race was officially underway.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Over Becher’s</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
By the time the field crossed over
Becher’s Brook for the first time, there had been just 4 fallers,
with last year’s 3rd placed horse, Lord Atterbury, trained by M C
Pipe amongst those whose race ended in the first few fences. The
early running was being made by 150-1 outsider Glenelly Gale,
followed a couple of lengths back by Double Honour with Paddy Brennan
in the saddle and Astonville in 3rd.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>The Chair</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
At the mid way point of the race, there
were still as many as 20 horses within touch of the leading bunch and
the arduous Aintree course had resulted in 8 fallers. The remaining
field was still headed by Glenelly Gale, who was starting to feel the
pace, causing the horse to fade away shortly after.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Bad Luck</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Coming up to Becher’s Brook for the
second time, Clan Royal, who had been flanked by two riderless horses
for much of the straight was baulked by the pair, leading to a
refusal and disappointment for Jockey Tony McCoy.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
This allowed favourite Ruby Walsh on
Hedgehunter to hit the front, jumping over Foinavon, followed by
Innox, ridden by Robert Thornton and 16-1 shot, Joly Bay in third.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It was a lead that Hedgehunter would
hold all the way to the finish line, Ruby Walsh skillfully saw the
steed home, some 14 lengths clear of the field. It was another
wonderful day for Irish racing, as the Irish trained and ridden horse
romped home to rapturous applause from the vibrant Aintree crowd,
earning owner Trevor Hemmings £406,000 in prize money in the process</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551138027302068430.post-6199774338671830542021-12-04T04:35:00.003+00:002023-07-27T15:58:41.739+01:00Cheltenham Festival - Queen Mother Champion Chase<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
This is one of the elite Grade I races run on the second day of the Cheltenham Festival. It is a tough race that enlists horses of age five years and above to compete over a distance of two miles (3219 m). Twelve fences are jumped along this path. <br /> The inaugural event of Queen Mother was held in 1959. Then, it was known as National Hunt Chase. It was renamed to the current form in 1980 on the eightieth birthday of Elizabeth (Queen Mother). It often takes a prefix to go along with the existing sponsor (currently Betway). <br /> <br /> You might guess from the name that this is a pretty royal race. With a purse of around £350,000, it ranks among the highest paying races at the event. Consequently, it attracts the best horses and the biggest crowds. <br /> <br /> Nicky Henderson will be making an entrance in this event during the 2018 festival with Arkle winner and increasingly popular horse Altior, who is 4-1 favourite to finish in first positionUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551138027302068430.post-59426349790465794512021-11-24T16:31:00.006+00:002023-07-27T15:58:52.988+01:00Ascot, Aintree, Cheltenham: 5 of the Best Big Festival Racing Moments from 2021<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">There’s plenty of racing left to go
in 2021, of course. But as we are approaching December, we thought we
would look back at some of the highlights from a cracking year for
both flat and national hunt racing. Below we pick out five of the
best moments from the last 11 months. They are subjective, of course,
but it’s hard to deny that these moments didn’t bring joy to the
racing community:
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b>1. Blackmore lands the Grand
National on Minella Times</b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">This one doesn’t really <a href="#:~:text=RACHAEL%20BLACKMORE%20REWRITES%20THE%20HISTORY,win%20in%20the%20iconic%20race.">need
much introduction</a>. After becoming the first woman to land the top
jockey award (and several other records) at Cheltenham, Rachael
Blackmore put the cherry on top of her season with a win in the Grand
National. While some credit should go to Minella Times, it needs to
be stressed that it went off among the favourites simply due to the
fact that Blackmore was in the saddle. It was a historic win, and it
has wider implications for racing and women in sport generally.
</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5tDR_OXfpNQ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b>2. Murphy Clinches Ascot jockey
crown in The Golden Gate Stakes</b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">If we look back at all <a href="https://blog.mansionbet.com/horse-racing/royal-ascot/royal-ascot-results/">the
results of Royal Ascot</a>, there’s plenty of bigger races than the
low-key Golden Gate Stakes. While the penultimate race of the
festival is overshadowed by the slew of Group 1s at Royal Ascot, all
eyes were on this one as Oisin Murphy hoped to clinch the top jockey award ahead of Ryan Moore. Murphy duly
obliged with a brilliant, but chaotic, ride. It meant Murphy was the
toast of Ascot, and it was refreshing to see someone other than Moore</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b>3. He Knows No Fear delivers at
300/1 </b>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Not technically a big festival, but the
victory for He Knows No Fear at Leopardstown in August deserves a
mention as it has been entered into the history books. Going off at
300/1, few gave the horse much of a hope in this maiden hurdle, but
the Luke Comer trained mount stormed to victory to leave the
Leopardstown faithful stunned. It’s the biggest SP for a race
winner in GB and Ireland since records began, and it broke a record
(there was a 250/1 winner at Kelso in 1990) that has stood for over
30 years. Miracles do happen, then.
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b>4. Tiger Roll wins again at
Cheltenham </b>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Let’s face it: Many of us doubted
that Tiger Roll could take the Cross Country Chase in 2021. The
two-time Grand National winner showed no form in the lead-up to the
2021 Cheltenham Festival, and plenty of cash went on the even-money
favourite, Easysland. But Tiger Roll showed supreme stamina to
stampede to victory, making him a five-time Cheltenham Festival
winner – only Quevega (6) has won more. It’s a pity owner Michael
O’Leary didn’t have to spoil it all <a href="https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/tiger-roll-out-grand-national-23591803">by
pulling Tiger Roll from the Grand National</a> after falling out with
the handicapper.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> <p></p></div><p></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b>5. Adayar does a Derby and King
George Double </b>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Trainer Charlie Appleby has had a
superb 2021 so far, capped off by an incredible Breeders’ Cup
treble. But the highlight arguably came earlier in the summer when
Adayar took the Epsom Derby, then landed the King George and Queen
Elizabeth Stakes <a href="https://www.festivalfocus.co.uk/p/uk-horse-racing-festivals.html">at
Ascot</a> a month later. The latter was a thrilling race, with
William Buick guiding Adayar home ahead of Mishriff and Love.
Unfortunately, Adayar cooled off in the autumn, missing out on the
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, but it’s been a brilliant year for
Appleby.
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551138027302068430.post-57851332946997043182021-10-23T01:00:00.001+01:002023-07-27T15:58:58.098+01:00Cheltenham Festival - Cross Country Chase<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The Cross Country Chase- oft referred to with sponsor Glenfarclas name as a prefix- is another longer distance race run during the latter stages of the Cheltenham Festival. It opens its gates for<br />horses of age five years and more who fight to complete three miles and seven furlongs (6236 m) on the cross country course.</span></div>
<span lang="EN-GB"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB">Along this distance, an astounding 32 obstacles are to be cleared, all in the bid to collect the most of a £50,000 purse. The already tough race is made even more demanding by the presence of condition weights used to cull weight advantages. </span><br />
<br /><span lang="EN-GB">It is a unique race in that it is the only cross country competition held at the Cheltenham event and all over racing circles at this time of the year. This has caused its popularity to go up among stamina race lovers since it was first introduced in 2005. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB">Irish trained horses do love this chase as indicated by their 11 wins in the 13 editions running up to 2017. It gets even better for horses of between eight and 10 years who have won ten of the<br />thirteen races. The other three were 12-year-olds. Garde Champetre and Balthazar King share a record of two wins. The leading trainer is Miss Nina Carberry with three wins, during which she rode leading trainer Enda Bolger (5wins) trained horses. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551138027302068430.post-50693513620370360282021-09-22T02:35:00.001+01:002023-07-27T15:59:02.552+01:00Cheltenham Fesival - Festival Trophy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 107%;">The Festival Trophy – otherwise known as the Ryanair Chase- is another Grade 1 race to be witnessed on the third day of the Cheltenham Festival. It has some pretty generous offerings as horses aged five years and over compete to clear seventeen obstacles and cover a distance of two miles and five full furlongs (4225m). It was introduced as a lower grade race as more events were required to increase the action when the festival was expanded to four day in 2005.</span></div>
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"></span><br />
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 107%;">By 2010, it had become a highly competitive and popular race and it was then handed a first-grade ranking. </span><br />
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 107%;">To this end, Albertas Run remains the leading horse in this event after sweeping first honours in 2010 and 2011. Five trainers hold a joint record of two wins each, among them Jonjo O’ Neill who rode Albertas run in both wins. Ruby Walsh has crossed the finish line atop the winning horse a record four times- twice before 2010 and twice after.</span><br />
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 107%;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Ahead of the 2018, joint record trainer Nicky Henderson announced that he was withdrawing his horse Top Notch from the Festival Trophy. It was a disappointment to race fans who had tipped the<br />trainer to win the race, but he explained that recent performances and signs from the horse to his rider indicated he was not ready for the event.</span> </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551138027302068430.post-49661400907552525652021-05-01T21:17:00.002+01:002023-07-27T15:59:06.768+01:00Cheltenham Festival - Spa Novices' Hurdle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 107%;">Any race run on the final day of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Cheltenham Festival is a big race and so is the Spa Novices’ Hurdle. This is a grade 1 National Hunt ranked race that admits four years and above aged horses. They compete over a three mile (4828 m) distance on the New Course.</span></div>
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"></span><br />
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 107%;">A generous offering of £68,000 goes to the race winner while the rest share what remains of the £120,000 purse. </span><br />
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"></span><br />
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 107%;">The Spa Novices <a href="https://www.horseracingqa.com/whats-the-record-for-most-consecutive-wins-at-the-cheltenham-festival/">at Cheltenham</a>, oft referred to as the Albert Barlett Novices’ Hurdle, has been existence for 12 years before the 2018 edition. It Achieved<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grade 1 status in 2008. Its popularity among viewers make it one of the races with a good actual viewing from the stands. </span><br />
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"></span><br />
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 107%;">Tony Mc’ Coy is the race’s leading jockey with three wins while the two wins by Jonjo O’ Neill make him the leading trainer. </span><br />
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 107%;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Horses that compete in the Spa Novices are often angling for elite jump races like the Gold Cup.</span> </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551138027302068430.post-53870124151957505242021-04-05T01:00:00.006+01:002021-04-05T01:08:51.062+01:00Grand National - Equality of Opportunity<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-1g_8KNoMxQ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> <div><br /></div><br /><br />Well hasn't it come around fast? In a little under a week's time the highlight of the national hunt calendar, namely the Grand National, is upon us. Last year due to Covid we had to make do with a pixelated affair, which while better than nothing, was no substitute for the blood, sweat and tears that goes into 'the real thing'. The 2021 Grand National brings together the best of the best at a time where we could do with something positive to focus on. <br /><br /> With no Tiger Roll this year, heavy favourite Cloth Cap is looking to show them how its done, with a convincing win, but is it really going to be that easy? Speaking of which, Katie Walsh recently spoke to <a href="https://betway.com/en/sports/cat/horse-racing">Betway</a> about another facet of racing that has been anything other than easy over the years; namely representation of female jockeys in the Grand National. Unbelievably it wasn't until the 1970s that a female jockey even took part. Watch the video to learn more about how our girls turned the lemons of discrimination in the sport, into the lemonade of success. Cheers! <br /><br /> Tune into the Grand National on April 10thUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551138027302068430.post-76757069506336886232021-03-15T19:54:00.003+00:002021-03-15T19:54:25.268+00:00Chomping at the Bit for Cheltenham!<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HVDLUKhu9Jg" width="560"></iframe>
<div><br /></div><div><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Here at
FestivalFocus.co.uk it should be no surprise that we're chomping at
the bit with excitement for this years Cheltenham Festival. For
starters it's a relief that it's even going ahead (last years Grand
National had no such luck and we were instead lumbered with a
'Virtual' version – a poor substitute). And secondly there are a
number of races that we just can't wait to see. Can Honeysuckle
(currently 9/4) make it an amazing 11 from 11 in the Champion Hurdle
Challenge Trophy? Can Altior (13/2) overcome Chacun Pour Soi(10/11)
in the Champion Chase. We'll soon find out, so prior to that let's
have a lighthearted Cheltenham Festival themed quiz from <a href="https://betway.com/en/sports/cat/horse-racing">Betway</a> with some not
necessarily 'in the know' Premier League footballers!</p><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551138027302068430.post-19655036172476303622020-12-01T01:18:00.001+00:002021-03-21T20:32:13.407+00:00Grand National Focus - Geraldine Rees<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
In recent years, Geraldine Rees has
been better known as racehorse trainer and, since she relinquished
her licence in 2010, as the head of GSR Thoroughbreds, a breeding
operation based at Moor Farm, near Preston, Lancashire. However, in
her younger days, Geraldine was a highly accomplished amateur rider
and has the distinction of being the first woman to complete the
Grand National course.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
In 1982, at the age of 26, Geraldine
rode Cheers into a weary eighth, and last, place behind Grittar,
ridden by 48-year-old Dick Saunders. Her original intended mount,
Gordon’s Lad, went lame shortly before the race and, when her
attempt to buy Cheers – who’d finished twelfth behind Aldaniti in
1981 and was entered for the Grand National again in 1982 – at
auction failed, the winning bidder booked her for the ride in any
case.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Geraldine wasn’t the first woman to
ride in the Grand National. That distinction is held by Charlotte
Brew, who in 1977, at the age of 21, rode her own horse, Barony Fort.
The 12-year-old had qualified for the race by finishing fourth in the
Fox Hunters’ Chase, over one circuit of the National fences, at
Aintree the previous year, but was hopelessly tailed off when
refusing at the fourth last. Of course, 1977 was the year in which
Red Rum won his unprecedented third Grand National, so Charlotte was
destined to play second fiddle to the legendary steeplechaser.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551138027302068430.post-12039911998120266992020-11-03T01:52:00.001+00:002023-10-19T14:20:51.571+01:00Cheltenham Festival - National Hunt Challenge Cup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">This penultimate race of the opening day events at the annual festival is a grade two competition that brings together horses of age five years and more. These compete to complete a distance of four miles (6400 m) with the winner earning an estimated $59000 of a £100,000 purse.</span></div>
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"></span><br />
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" lang="EN-GB">The race enjoys the record of being the longest distance at the festival as well as ranking among the oldest events since it was first run in 1860. It has been especially consistence, recording the single largest number of repeat competitions.</span><br />
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" lang="EN-GB"></span><br />
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" lang="EN-GB">The gruelling distance is not made any easier by the twenty four fences that competitors have to go over. It calls for outstanding stamina and endurance on the part of the horse and excellent handling by the rider. </span><br />
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" lang="EN-GB"></span><br />
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" lang="EN-GB">The fact that no single horse has been able to win thrice in a race that is over a century and a half old is an indicator of its competitiveness. Jonjo O’ Neill is the leading trainer with six wins to his name.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551138027302068430.post-48085627690936908902020-10-19T16:05:00.002+01:002023-10-19T14:21:24.662+01:00Horse Racing and Betting: Much-loved Melbourne Cup Winner Subzero Dies of Heart Failure<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Legendary racehorse Subzero and the winner of the Melbourne Cup in 1992, died of heart failure. The horse was trained by Lee Freedman and was four years when it won the Melbourne Cup competition in Flemington. Ridden by Greg Hall, the horse mastered the wet weather conditions to finish the race ahead of Castletown and Veandercross.</span></p><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Also known as Subbie, he was one of the best-thoroughbred stayers in Australia during the 1990s. He was euthanized after developing heart complications. The death of Subzero was confirmed by Bruce Clark, one of the most prominent racing figures in the world.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Subzero died two months after his great long-term career mate Graham Salisbury passed on after a long battle with cancer in June. The two mates paraded horseracing to different generations with frequent visits to nursing homes and schools. Additionally, they were one of the horseracing great ambassadors in Australia.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you love horseracing and gambling, then this must be sad news for you since you have lost one of the figures that you would place wagers on. However, there is no need to worry since</span><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/events/grand-national" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sportsbet</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> still has many horseracing options for you to select from when it comes to betting.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 18pt;"><span style="font-size: 17pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How Legendary Race Horse Subzero Died</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Subzero died at the age of 32 at the Bendigo Equine Hospital. He died after battling ill health for a few days. After his death, <a href="https://www.racing.com/news/2017-04-21/giles-thompson-appointed-rv-ceo#/">Giles Thompson</a>, the RV chief executive, said that it was another sad day for all individuals within the Victorian horseracing industry as well as sports fans. Subzero’s contribution to the sport both on and off the racing track was incredible, and will forever be grateful to a horse that touched the hearts of everyday Australians and fans, he added.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Many young individuals have grownup having had the opportunity to meet and pat only one horse, which was Subzero. From the elderly to schoolchildren and Hollywood A-listers to those battling ill health, Graham and Subzero did plenty to provide them with joy while at the same time promoting the thoroughbred racing sport.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 18pt;"><span style="font-size: 17pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Race Horse Subzero Achievements before the Death</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On the track, Subzero performed excellently. He won six races from a total of 48 starts. Aside from his Melbourne Cup victory in 1992, his other major wins included the Adelaide Cup in 1992 and South Australia Derby in the same year. Aside from the racing career, Subbie was also the Course horse clerk until 2008 when he retired from those duties.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 18pt;"><span style="font-size: 17pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Summary</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Subzero’s name will always be remembered by many horseracing fans and Australians at large. Until now, there is no better example of love and friendship between a horse and man than Subzero and Graham Salisbury. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The two together brought love and friendship to many individuals ranging from racing fans and sports bettors of all ages to the general public across the world. Sadly, the horseracing industry has lost one of the key figures a few months after another sad news of Graham.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0