ISSUE 7 • 14 DECEMBER 2018
YOUR RACING DESTINATION
DUBAI ON CARDS FOR BEAUTY GENERATION
TEN YEAR OLD FORJATT LANDS LISTED NATIONAL DAY CUP
ALSAYEGH PAYS TRIBUTE TO DARLEY FLYING STAR
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BEAUTY GENERATION DUBAI ON CARDS FOR ‘BRUTALLY GOOD’ BEAUTY GENERATION AFTER HONG KONG MILE DEMOLITION
WINSTAR WINSTAR FORMING 2019 PLANS FOR YOSHIDA, BULLETIN AND MORE
NATIONAL DAY CUP TEN YEAR OLD FORJATT LANDS LISTED NATIONAL DAY CUP
BAHRAIN RACING CARTAGO CAPTURES ARABIAN HORSE CUP
JEBEL ALI AL SAYEGH PAYS TRIBUTE TO DARLEY FLYING STAR AND MASAR GODOLPHIN
DUBAI ON CARDS FOR ‘BRUTALLY GOOD’ BEAUTY GENERATION AFTER HONG KONG MILE DEMOLITION TRAINER JOHN MOORE SAYS HE ‘NEEDS TO BE PINCHED TO TAKE IN WHAT JUST HAPPENED’ HKIR
There is now no doubt, Beauty Generation is one
But once he got there, the reigning Horse of the
of the best horses on the planet. With the eyes of
Year did what he does best, kicking clear at the top
the world watching, John Moore’s superstar
of the straight and breaking his rivals’
produced the performance of the day, running his
hearts. When it became clear nothing would get
Longines Hong Kong Mile rivals ragged to cement
near Beauty Generation, the packed crowd
his status as the territory’s finest – and the trainer
unleashed a massive roar and Purton enjoyed the
is hoping he can now showcase him across the
moment, easing down the last 50 metres and
globe. Beauty Generation jumped a $1.5 favourite,
giving the horse a big pat. Japanese raider Vivlos,
but carrying the weight of expectation proved not
having her final start before heading to the
to be an issue, with top jockey Zac Purton
breeding barn, was the best of the rest finishing
remaining calm under early pressure before
three lengths away, while Caspar Fownes’
coming away to win untouched. Starting from
Southern Legend held on for third. But the
barrier 12, the six-year-old worked forward but a
margins were irrelevant – it was the manner of the
host of challengers pushed up underneath him
victory that left Sha Tin buzzing. “That’s what we
early, forcing him to do some extra work to find
all hoped we would see today,” Purton said. “I’m
the lead just before the turn.
just happy for the horse that he’s come out and produced it on a big stage. .
He showed everyone how brutally good he can
expectations. There were a lot detractors out there
be “He’s got a really high cruising speed – he’s very
saying he’s this and he’s that, but now those
comfortable rolling along at that speed and then he
detractors have to say he’s a champion. “I need to
can kick off it. “So for the horses back in the field,
be pinched I think, to take in what’s happened.”
they are already struggling to go with the pace and
Beauty Generation holds the title – undisputed –
then they’ve got to try to reel him in – it’s not an
as the best horse in the Hong Kong and now
easy thing to do.” There had been whispers about
Moore wants to take on the world. “He needs to go
Beauty Generation’s condition earlier in the week,
away to make him a global great, so from that point
but Purton revealed a final piece of work on
of view I will be speaking to the [owners] about
Saturday morning put his mind at ease. “John
going to Dubai. That would be my preference,” he
asked me to specifically come in [Saturday]
said. “If we are going to prove him, we have to do it
morning and give him a canter on the big track and
on the world stage. We have done it here on the
when I got off him I thought ‘they’re not going to
home ground.” Of the others, 2016 champion
beat him’, so I slept pretty well,” he said. Moore has
Beauty Only put in an eye-catching run to finish
built a reputation as the best big-race trainer in
fourth after blowing the start, while second
Hong Kong and even he was caught up in the
favourite, Yasutoshi Ikee’s Persian Knight, came
moment. “That’s the most impressive [winner I’ve
fifth. But the Group One will only ever be
had in Hong Kong] – by far,” he said. “What he did
remembered for Beauty Generation’s performance
today, he was taken on inside – he had to do it the
– one that goes down among the best in Hong
hard way as far as I was concerned. He wasn’t even
Kong International Races history.
hit – he did it facile. “He’s just lived up to
WINSTAR FORMING 2019 PLANS FOR YOSHIDA, BULLETIN AND MORE HORSE RACING NATION Having campaigned Triple Crown winner Justify
on Santa Anita’s opening day, Dec. 26. Tugel said
this year, along with other big-name stakes horses,
multiple Grade 1 winner Yoshida, trained by Bill
WinStar Farm is forming plans to again compete
Mott, will likely pass on the Pegasus. oshida made
on the world scale in 2019. International events,
the switch from turf to dirt when he won
top domestic Grade 1 races and, of course, the
Saratoga’s Woodward (G1) and rallied to a fourth-
Kentucky Derby were all mentioned as targets in a
place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The
recent interview with Sean Tugel, WinStar’s
Japanese-bred is now being pointed to an overseas
director of bloodstock services and assistant
target. “He is in light training down at Payson Park.
racing manager. First on the agenda in 2019 is the
The Dubai World Cup will be the ultimate goal,”
Jan. 26 Pegasus World Cup (G1) at Gulfstream Park,
Tugel said. "Whether he runs once before that is
which could include both Audible and Battle of
kind of up in the air. We’re looking for possible
Midway. Todd Pletcher-trained Audible is slated
spots to get him going. Most likely not the
prep in the Harlan’s Holiday Stakes (G3) there on
Pegasus, because we have Audible going there and
Saturday. On the West Coast, trainer Jerry
possibly Battle of Midway, but looking for a dirt
Hollendorfer is expected to send Battle of Midway
option for him between now and the Dubai World
for his final prep in the San Antonio Stakes (G2)
Cup probably.”
The Dubai World Cup is scheduled for March 30.
stretch out but she’s very fast. We like her.”
At Meydan, Yoshida could run up against
As for the 2-year-olds, Bob Baffert-trained
Breeders’ Cup Classic third-place finisher
Improbable leads the WinStar juveniles. He is
Thunder Snow, who won last year's World Cup.
undefeated in three starts and earned 10 points
Yoshida has traveled overseas before having
on the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” with his Los
gone to Royal Ascot last June, when he was fifth
Alamitos Futurity (G1) victory over the weekend.
in the Queen Anne (G1). Entering the older horse
Although Justify never raced at 2, there's an
ranks in 2019 is Tampa Bay Derby (G2) winner
obvious physical comparison to be made
Quip. The Rodolphe Brisset trainee was last seen
between the Triple Crown winner and
running eighth in the Preakness Stakes following
Improbable. “We like chestnuts with big white
a runner-up performance in the Arkansas Derby
blazes,” Tugel said. Improbable’s next race plans
(G1). Despite success on the Derby trail, Tugel
are pending. “I’m sure they’ll look at all the
said connections are thinking Quip will cut back
different 3-year-old great prep races – Oaklawn
in distance at 4. After the Preakness he kind of
or Santa Anita – then whenever he’s ready to run,
came out with pretty good bone bruising,” Tugel
Bob knows what he’s doing,” Tugel added, “so
said. “At that point, we weren’t going to get him
I’m sure he’ll have two races and third will be the
back for those mid-summer classics. He’ll
Derby hopefully. Fingers crossed.” Five Star
probably be like a seven-furlong/miler type, is
General could potentially make an appearance
what we ultimately think he may be. Stretch out
on the Derby trail as well. The Arnaud Delacour
to a mile and a sixteenth.
trainee debuted at Parx in September, finishing
“We’re looking at races. Don’t know if he’ll be
sixth on the dirt before entered in two turf races.
ready in time for the Met Mile, or if he’s good
He broke his maiden at Laurel Park over a sloppy
enough, but races like that this year. Around
main track a month later and led every step in
one-turn is probably what we’re going to try and
an off-the-turf version of Aqueduct’s Central Park
focus on with him. Maybe the Vanderbilt and
Stakes. He’s just getting a small, little break
Forego at Saratoga if he can get us there.”
down in Tampa and then we’re going to look at
The Met Mile (G1) now runs annually on Belmont
either probably the Dania Beach or the Sam
Stakes day with the six-furlong Alfred G.
Davis for him,” Tugel said. “He’s a horse that we
Vanderbilt Handicap (G1) and the seven-furlong
think he actually really wants turf, but he’s run
Forego Stakes (G1) in July and August,
very well on dirt so far. He’s a horse that we have
respectively. Quip posted his first workout back
options with.”
last Saturday at Payson Park. He traveled three
The Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) is part of Tampa
furlongs in 38.60. Another horse entering the
Bay Downs’ Derby prep series on Feb. 9, while
older horse division Tugel says WinStar has “really
the Dania Beach Stakes runs a week earlier over
high hopes for” is the filly Abounding Joy, owned
Gulfstream Park’s turf course. WinStar is also
by the WinStar StableMates racing syndicate.
partnered on Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint
Abounding Joy, another in Brisset's care, made
winner Bulletin, another Pletcher horse who won
three starts this year. She broke her maiden at
his debut in Gulfstream’s Hollywood Beach
Keeneland before winning a Churchill Downs
Stakes in September. Current plans are to send
allowance this spring. She ran second in her
Bulletin across the pond. “He’s getting a little
debut at Fair Grounds to stablemate Talk Veuve
break here at the farm,” Tugel said, “and then
to Me, who later won the Indiana Oaks
Royal Ascot will be his ultimate goal this coming
(G3). Tugel added she could return to the races
spring.” Connections expect Bulletin will be able
for Keeneland’s April meet.
to get up to a mile. He’ll likely have one or two
“She’s probably a seven-furlong/miler type as
races before traveling for the June meeting.
well,” he said. “I don’t know how much she’ll
TEN YEAR OLD FORJATT LANDS LISTED NATIONAL DAY CUP ERA
most of his 14 opponents beaten. However, in the predominantly yellow silks of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chris Hayes looked supremely confident on Forjatt, a 10-year-old and winner of this race in 2015. Weaving through runners throughout the straight, they hit the front 100m out to gain a popular victory for new Jebel Ali Stables trainer Nicholas Bachalard. Sheikh Ahmed’s Jaasoos was a dual winner of the National Day Cup, as was Emirates Gold, but both defended their crowns in consecutive years. Forjatt became the
All eyes were on Muntazah, runner-up in the 2018
first horse to regain the title; all the more
Godolphin Mile (G2) on the Dubai World Cup card
impressive being three years apart.
on his previous outing and one of the 15 runners in
“He is a great little horse, especially for his age,”
Sunday’s 1600m Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al
Hayes said. “He jumped great and has then really
Nahyan National Day Cup (Listed) for
travelled strongly in behind. The one thing with
Thoroughbreds at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.
this horse is he needs to be produced late and I
Saddled by Doug Watson for His Highness Sheikh
was able to take my time, threading through the
Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, his trainer had
gaps as they opened in the straight. That is a
warned he would improve for the outing with big
brilliant effort from all the team at home to get the
targets awaiting at Meydan during the Dubai
old boy back to win this race again.”
World Cup Carnival. Such appeared the case, as
Also over 1600m, the Purebred Arabian Sheikh
the well-fancied charge tracked the leading bunch
Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup (PA
throughout the first half of the race, only to drop
G3) was won by RB Torch, originally the first
away early in the straight under Dane O’Neill.
reserve but granted a place in the 16-strong field
Meanwhile, turning for home early leader Above N
after the defection of stable companion Abhaar,
Beyond weakened, leaving Jaaref (also owned by
who was withdrawn after spiking a temperature
Sheikh Hamdan) in front and he looked to have
over the weekend. Both,
as well as two others—making for a quarter of the
” The 1400m handicap was decided in the very last
field—are trained by Eric Lemartinel for his main
strides when Connor Beasley produced Hawafez
patron, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al
with a desperate late lunge, snaring Sam Hitchcott
Nahyan. Recording an eight career victory, fifth on
and AF Hakeem, who had only led themselves
turf and third over course and distance, RB Torch
about 100m out. Trained by Ridha ben Attia
was having his third start of the campaign, having
—saddling his first winner of the season—for Salem
twice been well beaten. Bouncing back in emphatic
Ali Murshed Al Marar, the 5-year-old Hawafez is
style, he settled in midfield under Fabrice Veron,
now a winner twice after 20 starts; both over
chasing down leading duo AF Mahshoum and AF Al
course and distance, having landed a maiden at
Sajanjle at the 200m pole and going on to victory.
this meeting 12 months ago. The 1600m maiden
“We broke reasonably, but then my horse took a
was a race trainer Saeed Al Shamsi will never
little while to get into a rhythm,” Veron said. “Once
forget after AF Shearr provided both himself and
he was settled, he was always travelling nicely and I
owner Khalid Salmeen Ali Theeban with their very
was able to give him a little breather before
first winners. Confidently ridden by Szczepan
challenging in the straight. He picked up well when
Mazur, who settled him just behind the leaders, he
I asked him and has won going away from the other
was produced to lead halfway up the straight and
at the end. You always know when riding for these
was always holding the challenge of runner-up
connections that you have a good chance. Luckily, I
Sallal Al Reef. Well-beaten on the dirt at Al Ain on
was on the right one this evening.”
debut just over two weeks ago, he was providing
Lemartinel, who was completing a double for
his jockey a second victory of the
himself and the owner, added: “Turning into the
campaign. Mazur, from Poland, said: “He has
straight, I could see him making ground and was
certainly preferred racing on turf here after a
very hopeful because he is a very tough horse who
debut on dirt and hopefully can build on this. The
has plenty of ability, especially when he is in a good
concluding 1600m handicap produced a polished
mood!” The opening 1400m maiden was contested
performance from Qader, confidently ridden by
by the maximum allowed field of 16, but very few
Adrie de Vries, who was never far off the pace
were ever able to get involved and Pat Cosgrave,
before asking his mount to win the race inside the
riding for Sheikh Khalifa and Lemartinel, was never
final 200m. The response was telling and they ran
headed aboard Eghel De Pine. They were pursued
on strongly with the pair pulling clear in the
throughout by stable companion Highh Altitude,
closing stages. Trained by Jean de Roualle for Yas
who plugged on gamely to hold on to second and
Horse Racing Management, 6-year-old Qader has
supply the Al Asayl Stables team with a one-two
now landed four of his ten UAE outings.
finish. “He ran a very good race the first day behind (RB Money to Burn),” Cosgrave said. “He learned a lot from that experience and we were pretty confident coming here today that he had progressed. He will improve again because he was looking about in the straight when he was probably getting a bit lonely out in front. Hopefully he can continue to progress with racing experience.
CARTAGO CAPTURES ARABIAN HORSE CUP GDN
CARTAGO was among seven favourites to live up to expectations at yesterday’s horse racing at Rashid Equestrian and Horse Racing Club in Sakhir. Cartago, owned by Al Adiyat Racing, trained by Alan Smith and ridden by Gerald Mosse, beat Saajid by three lengths to win the Arabian Horse Equestrian Services Cup carrying a cash prize of BD3,000 Tonabrocky was third and Whistle Stop fourth. Gharaieb, owned by Al-Afoo Racing Stable, trained by Mohammed Saeed and ridden by P Convertino, beat Parchment by three-and-half-a-lengthy to win the Gulf Petrochemical Industries Cup,
also carrying a cash prize of BD3,000 Daleel was third and Farange fourth. Manama Boy, owned by Ramadhan Stable, trained by Jaber Ramadhan and ridden by Robert Tart, beat Tom Hark by three lengths to win the Arabian Horse Equestrian Services Cup carrying a cash prize of BD2,000 Broughtons Salsa was third and Alphine Affair fourth. Prince Bonnaire, owned by Al-Afoo Racing Stable, trained by Mohammed Saeed and ridden by Salah Isa, pipped Punk by a head to win the Gulf Petrochemical Industries Cup carrying a cash prize of BD2,000 The Nazca Lines was third and Taking Libertys fourth. Al Jellaby 1683, owned by Al Riffa, trained by Abdulla Kuwaiti and ridden by Brett Doyle, beat Al Jellaby 1661 by three-fourth-length to win the Arabian Horse Equestrian Services Cup for Arabian horses carrying a cash prize of BD2,000 Al Jellaby 1704 was third and Al Tuwaisah 1694 fourth. Favourites won the two support races as well with Shajer, owned by Shaikh Isa bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, trained by James Naylor NOMADIC
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and ridden by Brett Doyle, beating Remaih by two lengths to win the first race of the day which was for locally bred horses carrying a cash prize of BD2,000Â Janah was third and Al Tariq fourth. Blues Guitar, owned by Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman bin Al Khalifa, trained by Alan Smith and ridden by Gerald Mosse, followed suit beating Blue Angel by three-fourth-length to win the race for locally bred horses, also carrying a cash prize of BD2,000Â Shomukh was third and Asir fourth.
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AL SAYEGH PAYS TRIBUTE TO DARLEY FLYING STAR AND MASAR GODOLPHIN LESLIE WILSON JR/GULF NEWS
authorities involved in horse racing to make an effort to attract the youth in our country to attend race meetings,” he said during a news conference at Jebel Ali Racecourse on Tuesday. “It is time to consider horse racing, in particular, as it is one of the best alternative actions outside the classroom. “Horses are a part of the fabric of the UAE and by coming together at the racecourse they will learn teamwork and how to improve their social skills.”
Mirza Al Sayegh, Shareef Al Halawani, Sadiq
Al Sayegh, who is the Director of the Office of
Al Mulla and Prof. Abdullah Mohammad Al
Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum,
Shamsi at the Jebel Ali Racecourse
Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of
yesterday.Dubai: Mirza Al Sayegh was joined
Finance, highlighted the success of
by senior faculty members from leading
professional programmes such as Darley
colleges in the UAE as he called out to
Flying Start and Masar Godolphin in opening
students to embrace horse racing and
up career paths for the younger generation.
acknowledge the importance of sports in
Darley Flying Star and Masar Godolphin are
their every day life. “I encourage the
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training programmes operating under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. “I extend my thanks and gratitude to Shaikh Mohammad for introducing these invaluable scholarships related to the sport of horse racing,” Al Sayegh said. “It gives the students an insight into the thoroughbred racing industry and also opens their minds to the many careers that are available to them in the sport.” Charles Diab, Executive Director, Advancement & Alumni Affairs at the American University of Sharjah (AUS), who will sponsor one of the seven races on Friday’s card at Jebel Ali Racecourse, backed Al Sayegh’s views. “Universities are designed to open the minds of young people,” he said. “We are not just designed to teach them in one particular subject. Most of the time graduates don’t necessarily chose careers in the area that they have studied. “Our job is to make sure that we expand their knowledge of the world. And the horse racing industry is one of those areas that we want to expose our students to. “We are aware that it is a major industry in the world that is very import to the Rulers of the country and that’s why we are taking part in this particular activity,” he concluded. Sadiq Al Mulla, Chief Administration and Finance Officer, Zayed University and Prof. Abdullah Mohammad Al Shamsi, Vice Chancellor of the British University in Dubai, also agreed that students will benefit from being exposed to horse racing. Also lending their support to Friday’s race meeting at Jebel Ali Racecourse is Shadwell, the breeding arm of Shaikh Hamdan’s global racing operation, together with Shadwell Farm and Derrinstown Stud.
Levendi set for autumn return RACING.COM Last season's ATC Derby winner Levendi is
of time he looks terrific and he is going really
shaping up for an autumn return after injury
well," Gelagotis added. "We have high
forced him to miss the spring. Following his
expectations for him when he comes back (to
emphatic Derby victory last April, Levendi
the races), he is a seriously good colt."He will
required surgery on both knees to remove
head to Sydney and take on those good races
bone chips and with the Gelagotis stable keen
up there culminating in the (Group 1) Queen
to take a conservative approach with the
Elizabeth." It could be a busy start to 2019 for
classic winner, it was decided to forget the
the Gelagotis stable with plans to race at the
spring and concentrate on his autumn
highest level not only in Sydney but Dubai as
comeback. "He obviously came through the
well. A taste of the March World Cup Carnival
surgery extremely well, we could have brought
in Dubai this year with Illustrious Lad has left
him back for the spring, but we took the view
Manny Gelagotis and his brother Peter seeking
of 'we were only going to get one chance at
a return, this time with G1-winning sprinter
this' so the time off has done him the world of
Malaguerra. "Now that we have been in Dubai
good," Manny Gelagotis explained on
a straight race like that (Al Quoz Sprint) worth
Tuesday. The son of Pierro returned to training
2 million dollars would be certainly appealing
early last month and is progressing well ahead
for a horse like him with his statue," he
of an intended assault on Sydney this coming
said. Malaguerra placed last start in the G1
autumn. "At this point
Winterbottom Stakes in Perth,
his second run back from an extended break after jarring-up badly during spring. "He hit the front there and gave us a bit of excitement in the Winterbottom he has been a grand old horse," Gelagotis said. In terms of Dubai, look it's up to Bruno Micalizzi, the owner he will have a good look at all the options certainly. "He (Micalizzi) has the details in front of him so whether we go back to Moonee Valley for the Australia Stakes and give him an autumn campaign, we will weigh up all the options. "It's up to the owner and hopefully there are a few more wins in store for him."
Unsung heroes: Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff awards' shortlists are unveiled It’s been bad enough getting each category down to a shortlist of ten from a total of 202 high-quality nominations RACING POST
The shortlist for the 2019 Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff awards has been announced after a judging panel whittled down 202 nominations into six categories containing ten candidates each. The awards, now in their 14th year, are designed to celebrate the hard work done by stud and stable staff across the country and culminate in an awards ceremony on February 18 when more than £120,000 in prize-money is awarded to winners and the yards they represent. The awards recognise a diverse range of experiences within racing – from the
David Nicholson Newcomer Award to
Scott said: "For the judges here comes the
Dedication to Racing – and one of the
best and worst task of the year. It’s been bad
evening’s six winners is eventually named
enough getting each category down to a
Employee of the Year. Brough Scott is
shortlist of ten from a total of 202 high-quality
chairman of this year's judging panel, which
nominations. Now we have to whittle each
also includes ITV Racing's Alice Plunkett,
group down to just three.
former jockey Mick Fitzgerald and Jessica
"All I can promise them is that we will do it
McLernon, winner of the Employee of the Year
with a respect and fairness which matches the
award in 2018. The panel will select three
admiration and appreciation we have for their
finalists from each category who will be
efforts every day."
invited to next year's ceremony at the Jumeriah Carlton Tower hotel in London.