Latest St Leger press release: SEA MOON AND BLUE BUNTING AMONG 17 EYEING LADBROKES ST LEGER GLORY AS BALDING LOOKS TO WHIPLASH WILLIE Sea Moon, ante-post favourite at 6/4 with sponsor Ladbrokes, heads 17 horses going forward for the £500,000 Group One Ladbrokes St Leger (3.05pm) at Doncaster on Saturday, September 10, following the August 23 scratchings deadline Sir Michael Stouteâs lightly-raced charge earned his position at the head of the market for the worldâs oldest Classic with a stunning eight-length triumph in the Group Two Great Voltigeur Stakes over 12 furlongs at York on August 17. That win was his third from four career starts. Stoute saddled his first Ladbrokes St Leger winner in 2008 when Conduit prevailed. The brilliant colt went on to win the Group One King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes as well as back-to-back renewals of the Grade One Breedersâ Cup Turf. A fantastic renewal of the Ladbrokes St Leger is on the cards this year with the news that Godolphinâs Blue Bunting (9/2 second-favourite), who added the Group One Darley Yorkshire Oaks to Classic victories in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas and Darley Irish Oaks, is a possible starter for the race. Mahmood Al Zarooniâs charge could bid to become the first 1,000 Guineas heroine to win the Ladbrokes St Leger since the extraordinary Oh So Sharp in 1985. The most recent filly to win the race, the outstanding User Friendly, was also the last to complete the Irish Oaks, Yorkshire Oaks and Ladbrokes St Leger treble when successful in 1992. The Richard Hannon-trained Census (5/1) landed the Group Three CGA Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury on August 13, from Brown Panther (12/1) who is owned by Manchester United and England striker Michael Owen. Another with the Ladbrokes St Leger on his agenda is the Andrew Balding-trained Whiplash Willie (33/1). The Phoenix Reach colt could attempt to improve upon the effort of his triple Group/Grade One-winning sire, who was third for Balding behind Brian Boru in the 2003 renewal. Whiplash Willie landed competitive handicaps at Salisbury and Glorious Goodwood earlier this summer. The progressive individual was a creditable runner-up when conceding 8lb to the victorious Parlour Games in the Melrose Handicap over a mile and six furlongs at York on August 20. Balding revealed today: âWhiplash Willie would want plenty of rain that week but the Ladbrokes St Leger is certainly an option. He stays well and, while it is obviously a massive jump in class for him, somebody has got to finish third or fourth. âHis sire ran well in the race and he is tough, he just wouldnât want the ground too fast. âIt was a good effort at York last week. He travelled well and he is improving with each run, so we are very pleased with him. He is going to be a fun horse for next year and it will be nice to have a fun day out at Doncaster - hopefully he can run well.â Of the 17 entries remaining, five are trained in Ireland by Aidan OâBrien. Seville (8/1) heads the quintet having been placed second in a brace of Group One contests, the Irish Derby and Grand Prix de Paris, before filling third spot behind Sea Moon at York. OâBrien has won the Ladbrokes St Leger previously with Milan (2001), Brian Boru (2003) and Scorpion (2005). Irelandâs champion trainer could also run Wonder Of Wonders, placed in the Epsom Oaks, Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks, as well as Melrose Handicap third Apache, Freedom and Regent Street. John Gosden saddled Arctic Cosmos to land the spoils in 2010, having also scored with Shantou (1996) and Lucarno (2007). This year he may run Masked Marvel, who defeated Census to win the Group Three Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket in July, as well as the progressive Buthelezi and Thimaar. The Mark Johnston-trained Namibian proved his stamina when winning the Group Three Queenâs Vase over two miles at Royal Ascot and then exhibited speed to triumph over 12 furlongs in the Group Three Gordon Stakes at Glorious Goodwood but was a below par fifth in the Great Voltigeur Stakes last time, one place behind the Al Zarooni-trained Genius Beast. Johnston may also saddle Group Three Lingfield Derby Trial winner, Dordogne. Well Sharp finished third to Brown Panther in the King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot but Michael Dodsâ charge was last of 10 behind Namibian at Goodwood last time. Ladbrokes St Leger Day on Saturday, September 10, is the final day of the four-day Ladbrokes St Leger Festival, which commences on Wednesday, September 7. Latest sponsorâs betting for the Ladbrokes St Leger: 6/4 Sea Moon, 9/2 Blue Bunting, 5/1 Census, 8/1 Seville, 8/1 Masked Marvel, 12/1 Brown Panther, 14/1 Namibian, 25/1 Wonder Of Wonders, 33/1 Whiplash Willie, 40/1 Apache, 40/1 Thimaar, 66/1 Buthelezi, 66/1 Genius Beast, 66/1 Regent Street, 100/1 Dordogne, 150/1 Freedom, 200/1 Well Sharp Saturdayâs exciting card also features the prestigious £100,000 Group Two Park Stakes (3.40pm) over seven furlongs, which is contested under Group One conditions. Among the 17 going forward at the latest scratchings stage are a pair of Group One winners, Zoffany and Wootton Bassett, who both scored at the highest level as juveniles last year. Zoffany, trained by Aidan OâBrien, disappointed on soft ground at Deauville last time behind Moonlight Cloud in the Group One Prix Maurice de Gheest but got to within three quarters of a length of the mighty Frankel when runner-up in the Group One St Jamesâs Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. Wootton Bassett, successful in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp last term, was fifth in the Prix Maurice de Gheest over six and a half furlongs on August 7. James Fanshawe could saddle the progressive Deacon Blues who landed the Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot in June and has since flourished n Pattern company, most recently when storming to an easy success over six furlongs in a Curragh Group Three on August 7. Chachamaidee, trained by Sir Henry Cecil, took the Group Three Oak Tree Stakes at Glorious Goodwood last time, while the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Delegator won the Group Two Duke of York Stakes at York in May. Suroor could also saddle Godolphinâs Rainfall, winner of the Group Three Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2010 and twice placed at Group One level that year. Balthazaarâs Gift landed the spoils for trainer Clive Cox (who could also saddle Beacon Lodge) in 2010, while Duff, a close fourth that day, was successful in 2009 for trainer Edward Lynam. Other potential runners include Premio Loco, trained by Chris Wall, who was runner-up in 2010, and the Charles OâBrien-trained Bewitched, a multiple Group Three winner. Saturdayâs fantastic card also features the £75,000 Group Two One Call Insurance Champagne Stakes (2pm) for two-year-olds over seven furlongs. The prestigious contest, a pointer to the following seasonâs Classics, has 32 horses remaining at the latest scratchings stage including the Aidan OâBrien-trained Power, winner of the Group Two Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and runner-up to La Collina in the Group One Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh on August 7. OâBrien is responsible for seven of the eight remaining Irish entries. The John Quinn-trained Red Duke landed the Group Two Superlative Stakes over the distance at Newmarket in July before finishing an unlucky third to Chandlery in the Group Two Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, while Caspar Netscher won the Group Two Gimcrack Stakes at York on August 19 for trainer Alan McCabe. The William Haggas-trained Entifaadha is unbeaten in two starts and won the Group Three Acomb Stakes over the distance at York on August 17, while the Jeremy Noseda-trained Talwar has won his last three races, most recently the Group Three Sunshine Coaches Solario Stakes at Sandown on August 20. Thursday, September 8, sees the staging of the Weatherbys Insurance £300,000 2-Y-O Stakes (2.25pm) over an extended six furlongs, which has 121 going forward at the scratchings stage. The four-day Ladbrokes St Leger Festival runs from Wednesday, September 7, through to Saturday, September 10, inclusive. For further information and to book tickets, please go to www.doncaster-racecourse.co.uk
THE LADBROKES ST LEGER Class 1, Group 1, £500,000 Total Prize Fund. 3.05pm, Doncaster, Saturday, September 10, 2011. For 3yo only, entire colts and fillies. One mile, six furlongs & 132 yards. Weights: colts 9st; fillies 8st 11lb. Entries closed July 19, entries revealed July 20 (36 entries). Scratchings deadline noon, August 23 (17 remain), five-day confirmation & £45,000 supplementary entry stage Monday, September 5, final declaration stage 10am, Thursday, September 8. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Monday, August 22, 2011. Form Horse Owner Trainer 2-23103 APACHE (IRE) Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE 211-1411 BLUE BUNTING (USA) Godolphin Mahmood Al Zarooni (1)-(4)11152 BROWN PANTHER Owen Promotions Limited Tom Dascombe 10-12334 BUTHELEZI (USA) H R H Princess Haya of Jordan John Gosden 021-1221 CENSUS (IRE) Highclere Thoroughbred Racing (Beeswing) Richard Hannon 13-1016 DORDOGNE (IRE) Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Mark Johnston 042-15 FREEDOM (IRE) Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE 331-1364 GENIUS BEAST (USA) Godolphin Mahmood Al Zarooni 16-5101 MASKED MARVEL Bjorn Nielsen John Gosden 45243115 NAMIBIAN (IRE) Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Mark Johnston 5(1)-2340 REGENT STREET (IRE) Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE 21-11 SEA MOON Khalid Abdulla Sir Michael Stoute 12-20223 SEVILLE (GER) Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE 2-3210 THIMAAR (USA) Hamdan Al Maktoum John Gosden 0-361350 WELL SHARP Andrew Tinkler Michael Dods 4(1)(3)-20112 WHIPLASH WILLIE Jeremy & Stephen Hitchins Andrew Balding 2-011233 WONDER OF WONDERS (USA) Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE 17 entries remain after August 23 scratchings deadline 5 Irish-trained THE FOLLOWING 19 HORSES HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED: ADMIRAL OF THE RED (IRE), ALOEIL (FR), CASAMENTO (IRE), ETERNAL HEART (IRE), FIORENTE (IRE), FRENCH NAVY, LAATAFREET (IRE), LYRIC STREET (IRE), MARKSMANSHIP (IRE), MEMPHIS TENNESSEE (IRE), MONTE CARLO (IRE), NATHANIEL (IRE), PIVOTMAN, SADLER'S RISK (IRE), SLUMBER, SOLAR SKY, TREASURE BEACH, WILD COCO (GER), ZAIN AL BOLDAN THE PARK STAKES Class 1, Group 2, £100,000 Total Prize Fund. 3.40pm, Doncaster, Saturday, September 10, 2011. For three-year-olds and upwards, seven furlongs. Weights: three-year-old colts and geldings 9st, fillies 8st 11lb; four-year-old and up colts and geldings 9st 4lb, fillies 9st 1lb. Entries closed July 19, entries revealed July 21 (31 entries). Scratchings deadline noon, August 23 (17 remain), six-day confirmation stage Monday, September 5, final declaration stage 10am, Thursday, September 8. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Monday, August 22, 2011. Form Horse Age Owner Trainer 00510-000 BALTHAZAAR'S GIFT (IRE) 8 HE Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Clive Cox 42-153332 BEACON LODGE (IRE) 6 Mr and Mrs P Hargreaves Clive Cox 1311-10 BEWITCHED (IRE) 4 Sue Magnier & Jacqueline O'Brien Charles O'Brien IRE 025-3121 CHACHAMAIDEE (IRE) 4 R A H Evans Sir Henry Cecil 422132-5 DAFEEF 4 Hamdan Al Maktoum William Haggas 230-2111 DEACON BLUES 4 Jan & Peter Hopper & Michelle Morris James Fanshawe 5/140-150 DELEGATOR 5 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor 44625625 DUFF (IRE) 8 Kilboy Estate Edward Lynam IRE (1)25-145 ETON FOREVER (IRE) 4 H R H Sultan Ahmad Shah Roger Varian 100000-(0) KARGALI (IRE) 6 Margaret Comer Luke Comer IRE 320-(4)306 PREMIO LOCO (USA) 7 Bernard Westley Chris Wall 35013-6 RAINFALL (IRE) 4 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor (4)500431 ROCK JOCK (IRE) 4 Thistle Bloodstock Limited Tracey Collins IRE 5513100 SIX OF HEARTS 7 Round Tower Syndicate Cecil Ross IRE (5)-221446 THE CHEKA (IRE) 5 Anthony Pye-Jeary And Mel Smith Eve Johnson Houghton 1111-505 WOOTTON BASSETT 3 Frank Brady & The Cosmic Cases Richard Fahey 113-2220 ZOFFANY (IRE) 3 Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE THE FOLLOWING 14 HORSES HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED: AL AASIFH (IRE), EXCELEBRATION (IRE), MAJESTIC MYLES (IRE), MAQAASID, MOONLIGHT CLOUD, PERFECT TRIBUTE, RED JAZZ (USA), REROUTED (USA), RIO DE LA PLATA (USA), SHAKESPEAREAN (IRE), SHARNBERRY, SKYSURFERS, SOCIETY ROCK (IRE), YAA WAYL (IRE) 17 entries remain after August 23 scratchings deadline 6 Irish-trained THE ONE CALL INSURANCE CHAMPAGNE STAKES Class 1, Group 2, £75,000 Total Prize Fund. 2.00pm, Doncaster, Saturday, September 10, 2011. For two-year-old colts & geldings, seven furlongs. Weights: 8st 12lb; Penalties: a winner of a Group 1 or Group 2 race 3lb. Entries closed July 19, entries revealed July 21 (81 entries). Scratchings deadline noon, August 23 (32 remain), six-day confirmation & £7,500 supplementary entry stage Monday, September 5, final declaration stage 10am, Thursday, September 8. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Monday, August 22, 2011. Form Horse Owner Trainer 04 ABSHIR ZAIN (IRE) Saeed Manana Clive Brittain 15 AL KHAN (IRE) Ziad A Galadari Peter Chapple-Hyam 031 AMONG EQUALS Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE 16 ARCHBISHOP (USA) Catesby Clay Brian Meehan 010 BALTY BOYS (IRE) Sir Alex Ferguson, Cavendish Inv Ltd, Jack Hanson Charlie Hills 1 BRONTERRE Michael Pescod Richard Hannon 245 BURANO (IRE) Jonathan Harvey Brian Meehan 1243231 CASPAR NETSCHER Charles Wentworth Alan McCabe 0 CRUSADE (USA) Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE 1 DADDY LONG LEGS (USA) Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE 13 EASTERN SUN (IRE) Prince AA Faisal & Rachel Hood John Gosden 1 EKTIHAAM (IRE) Hamdan Al Maktoum Roger Varian 11 ENTIFAADHA Hamdan Al Maktoum William Haggas 21 FARHAAN (USA) Hamdan Al Maktoum John Dunlop 2 IFFRAAM (IRE) Andrew Tinkler Michael Dods MIBLISH Saeed Manana Clive Brittain 31 NOOR ZABEEL (USA) Jaber Abdullah Mick Channon OXFORD CHARLEY (USA) Eastwind Racing Ltd and Martha Trussell Mikael Magnusson 1100 PARC DE LAUNAY Fitri Hay Tom Tate 15 PEARL CHARM (USA) Pearl Bloodstock Ltd Richard Hannon 1112 POWER Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE 101 REBELLIOUS GUEST John Guest Racing George Margarson 3113 RED DUKE (USA) Maxilead Limited John Quinn 3156 REPLY (IRE) Sue Magnier/Tabor/Smith/Mordukhovitch Aidan O'Brien IRE 13 SHAMROCKED (IRE) Box 41 Mick Channon 3416 STRAIT OF ZANZIBAR (USA) Zinlo Syndicate Ken Condon IRE 0 STRICTLY SILVER (IRE) A J H Alan Bailey 0111 TALWAR (IRE) Vimal Khosla Jeremy Noseda 3213 TENTH STAR (IRE) Niarchos Family/Sue Magnier/Tabor/Smith Aidan O'Brien IRE 310214 TRUMPET MAJOR (IRE) John Manley Richard Hannon 1510 VAULT (IRE) Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith Aidan O'Brien IRE 0 WARCROWN (IRE) Helen Steel Richard Fahey 32 entries remain after August 23 scratchings deadline 8 Irish-trained THE FOLLOWING 49 ENTRIES HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED: ALMUFTARRIS (USA), APOLLO (IRE), ARNOLD LANE (IRE), ATHENS (IRE), B FIFTY TWO (IRE), BARTOLOMEU, BOGART, CHANDLERY (IRE), DARK DON (IRE), DAVID LIVINGSTON (IRE), DIAMONDHEAD (IRE), ELKHART (IRE), EXHORTATION, FACTORY TIME (IRE), FURNER'S GREEN (IRE), GLEN MOSS (IRE), GOLD EDITION, HADAJ, HUMUNGOSAUR, JOHNNO, JUNGLE BEAT (IRE), LEARN (IRE), LETHAL FORCE (IRE), MABAANY, MAIN LINE, MEZMAAR, MICKDAAM (IRE), MOON PEARL (USA), NAWWAAR (USA), NINE REALMS, OVERPOWERED, PIECE BY PIECE, PROTANTO (IRE), QANNAAS (USA), QATAR'S PEARL (USA), RAWAAFED (IRE), RIGHT TO DREAM (IRE), RIVIERA POET (IRE), ROMAN SOLDIER (IRE), ROUGEMONT (IRE), SAMOAN (IRE), SANS LOI (IRE), SARDANAPALUS, SEHNSUCHT (IRE), SEQUOIA, SOVEREIGN DEBT (IRE), TAIGAN (USA), TOP OFFER, VALBCHEK (IRE)
It really is a sign of publicity desperation when they continually have to mention that Michael Owen owns Brown Panther, even though that is technically incorrect (his ‘business’ owns it). The 12/1 is more a sign of the bookmakers’ ante-post liabilities than the horse’s chance of winning. Little surprise that nearly a third of the field are Aidan O’Brien possibles. Having been slammed more than eight lengths by Sea Moon at York, there does not seem much reason for Seville’s 8/1 odds other than the abysmal record of the favourite’s trainer in the final Classic. With the Prix Vermeille the following day, I still wonder whether Blue Bunting will go to Doncaster. I know that the sponsors want to make sure they get mentioned as much as possible in association with their race, but why in every piece of publicity that is issued these days do they mention the current sponsor before every reference to races that were not sponsored by them at the time? Milan did not win the Ladbrokes St Leger in 2001 (they started sponsorship in 2005) just like nobody won the Investec Derby before 2009. In 2001 it was the Rothmans Royals St Leger – bookies have replaced cigarettes!
Thanks for the comprehensive preview PN. I would be surprised if BB did not attempt to beat the boys,and other girl,at Doncaster given that classic glory is paramount to the Sheikh. Re Seville,I would agree that his price is far from tempting.However,it is worth remembering that Rewilding easily bettered Midas Touch by four lengths in the GV last year before the latter reversed the form by nine lengths at Town Moor. The stamina of all participants is unproven,making this a thoroughly difficult heat to fathom.
If I was betting as an Ante-Post man then I'd be taking Apache at 33s on Betfair. I really liked his run at York last week and I think there is much more to come. The form of his maiden victory is excellent.
PS Princess, is the St Leger open to late entrants, (for a considerable fee) RE Nathaniel in the King George? I look at the field and think that it is a winnable race if someone takes a chance and enters a progressive sort of horse.
Namibian is out for the rest of the season following his colic op Apparently Por Moi is to be retired due to a ligament injury
Whilst I think that Sea Moon is a worthy favourite for the St Leger after his emphatic victory in the Great Voltigeur Stakes, I would not be rushing in to back him even though he is related to previous winner Brian Boru. TopClass, there is a supplementary entry stage for the St Leger. It is not cheap though – it cost £45,000 to add Monitor Closely in 2009 when he finished third to make connections a slight profit. I am not sure who you have in mind as a possible late entry because I cannot think of one.
I like the 66 on offer for Buthelezzi. He looked to me like he'd get the trip and i certainly think he could be in contention for a place.
