International Racing

The G2 Zipping Classic over the mile and a half turned out to be a torrid old affair. The Taj Mahal and Dal Harraild fought a titanic battle in the straight. They had the race between themselves from the get go.

 

The G2 Sandown Guineas went to No3, the awfully named Ringerdingding. He's better than his name. The lovely filly Seabrook went down fighting. The winner is in the blue with black checks and black sleeves.

 

One of the big highlights of any racing year for me, is the G1 2700m Prix d'Amerique. It's pretty much accepted as the premier trotting event in the world. To automatically qualify for the race, horses have to finish one, two or three and any of the six lead in races. The first of these qualifying races, the G1 Grand Prix de Bretagne which was run yesterday. It drew a cracking field, headed by Bold Eagle and Bird Parker. Also entered was the Champion five year old from last season, Davidson du Pont. Bold Eagles stablemates Valko Jenilat and Carat Williams lined up, as did Belina Josselyn.

Davidson du Pont was too good for the older brigade. Bold Eagle could only manage a fourth place, while Bird Parker took third. The winner in green, yellow sleeves and red cap.

 

Almond Eye smashed the track record in the Japan Cup. 2.20.6 - 1.5 faster. 11/10 with some over here, went off 1.4 there.

Thundering Blue and Capri out with the washing.

Handy on the inside all the way, she shows her versatility after winning the triple crown with Dancing Brace tactics. Shes a freak.

Wonder if they will go for the Arc next year, Enable, Sea Of Class, Almond Eye

 

Now, my memory may be fading (fast) however I do not recall winning distances like this in Group 1 races in Japan.

 

So sad to hear that Maisons-Laffitte is to close at the end of their 2019 season. My Mum and I loved our trips to this track which would include a wee walk around the town, an enjoyable meal at a brasserie just outside the rail station and an early evening drink/stroll after the races.

From an old European (UK, Irish, German and French) race diary I see there will be a M-L race day on the Wednesday after the Grand Steeplechase de Paris (Sunday 19th May) so I shall visit the track and town to remember great days with Flo. I recall a PMU bar where you could discuss horse racing with the locals for hours on end; cannae wait!

 

Yesterday at Vincennes, the Final of the Grand National de Trot Paris - Turf was run and won by Ble Du Gers, the stable mate of the leading contender Cleangame. Being coupled with Cleangame (who finished third,) the winning payout was about threes on. The classy Ceylan Dairpet finished second. It was a big, strong win by Ble Du Gers.

16, 14 &17.

https://www.letrot.com/fr/courses/replay-courses/2018-12-02/7500/5

 

The G1 Champions Cup at Chukyo in Japan went to Le Vent Se Leve. The 3 year old colt cut the 9 furlongs in 1:50:10, a new dirt track record. A monster of a run came from the runner up Westerlund. He settled a long last.

Le Vent Se Leve, No 2, is in the black and red.

 

Across the pond at Delmar, Uni comes from nowhere to take out the G1 Matriarch Stakes in a new track record of 1:34:35.

Uni. No 13. Lime and pink.

 

Same day. Raging Bull wins the Hollywood Derby from River Boyne. They were first and second favourites.

Raging Bull. No6 in the two tone green.

 

Yesterday the Grand Prix du Bourbonnais, the second of six rounds of pre-qualifying for the 2019 Grand Prix d'Amérique, was won by the five year old Delia du Pommereaux, in what appears to be another nail in the coffin of the older generation. The two heavyweights in the race, Bold Eagle and Bird Parker were easily put to the sword by Delia du Pommereaux, a horse not considered the best of his age. The first three home earn a walk upstart in the Grand Prix d'Amérique.

Bold Eagle made a run at the race from a long way out but ran out of gas and finished sixth. Bird Parker held on gamely for third, but was no match for the first two. The lovely mare Belina Josselyn came with a whirl wind finish to finish about a half neck second. Two hops past the post and she was in front. Carat Williams and Briac Dark finished fourth and fifth.

2, 10, 11, 6 & 3.

https://www.letrot.com/fr/replay-courses/2018-12-09/7500/6

 

The G1 Hong Kong Cup run over the 2000m was run yesterday at Sha Tin. Some of the finest riders in the world will be there for the week.

The Field.

1 SUNGRAZER. 126.. J Moreira 6.
2 TIME WARP. 126. Z Purton 7.
3 NORTHERN SUPERSTAR. 126. K Teetan 9.
4 SEASONS BLOOM 126. R Moore 4.
5 GOLD MOUNT 126. O Murphy 5.
6 STORMY ANTARCTIC 126. J Doyle 8.
7 STAPHANOS 126. W Buick 3.
8 GLORIOUS FOREVER 126. S de Sousa 1.
9 DEIRDRE 122. C Lemaire 2.

 

All so on the same card. The G1 Hong Kong Mile. What a brutal win, the clock stopped at a staggering 1:33:52.

 

The G1 Hong Kong Sprint.

 

G1 Hong Kong Vase. 2400m.

 

For those who have not caught up with the G1 Tingle Creek Chase. Altior makes it 15 wins on the bounce. 10 over the tall timber and 5 hurdling.

 

The Standard bred is one sturdy beast. It's not unusual for them race at their best with a hundred runs under their belt. Tonight in Australia we saw the Grand Final of the Inter Dominion, a race for the best pacers in this part of the world. To qualify for the final, horses have to amass enough points in 3 races in the last 15 days. In taking out the Final, Tiger Tara took his prize money to just short of $2,000,000. Believe it or not, this was the horse's 99th start. Tiger Tara took the track record as well. Amazing stuff.

 

A nice bit of old film of Citation. Triple Crown winner and rated No 3 in the list of 100 American Racehorses of the 20th Century.

Futurity Stakes (1947)
Pimlico Futurity (1947)
Tanforan Handicap (1948)
Flamingo Stakes (1948)
Stars and Stripes Handicap (1948)
Jockey Club Gold Cup (1948)
American Derby (1948)
Pimlico Special (1948)
Hollywood Gold Cup (1950)
San Francisco Breeders' Cup Mile (1950)
American Handicap (1951)
Triple Crown.
Kentucky Derby (1948)
Preakness Stakes (1948)
Belmont Stakes (1948)
Awards
8th U.S. Triple Crown Champion (1948)
U.S. Champion 2-Yr-Old Colt (1947)
U.S. Champion 3-Yr-Old Colt (1948)
DRF Champion Male Handicap Horse (1948)
U.S. Horse of the Year (1948)
TSD U.S. Champion Older Male Horse (1951)
Timeform rating: 142

No 4.

 

A lovely piece of film of the great Seabiscuit. There probably won't be too many on the forum who'll like with the music chosen to end the video, but I loved it. I've been a big fan of the singer for ages. The match race was coast to coast news at the time.