Fact File: The Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup

The Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup FACT FILE:

Distance Two miles (3,200m)

Prize money £100,000

RACE HISTORY?

The race started life as a Listed contest and was called the Lonsdale Stakes, run over 1m7f198y. It was promoted to Group 3 level in 1998, before being renamed the Lonsdale Cup and given Group 2 status in 2004. The distance was extended by 110 yards in 2007.

LUCK OF THE IRISH

Since 1980, apart from Willie Mullins who won the race with Max Dynamite in 2015, only Aidan O’Brien (2007) and Dermot Weld (2014) had won this race. O’Brien and Weld don’t send over a representative this afternoon, so it’s down to Mullins, with Stratum and heading his charge for a double.

WHY IS IT SPECIAL?

The very best stayers in Europe have their season geared around “the Cup Races” of which the Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup features strongly. With Classic and Gold Cup at Royal Ascot winners amongst its roll of honour, it is a race that is right up there with the best of them.

Opinion Poll

WHO HAS BEEN THE MOST SUCCESSFUL? That honour befalls six horses who have each won the race twice - Further Flight (1992 & 1993), Double Eclipse (1995 & 1997), Celeric (1996 &1999), Persian Punch (1998 & 2001), Opinion Poll (2010 & 2011) & Stradivarius (2018 & 2019).

SALUTING THE CROWD? Whilst he may not have been the highest rated, Sergeant Cecil was certainly a favourite with the Knavesmire crowds where he won four times from seven starts. He landed this prize in 2006 before following up in the following month’s Doncaster Cup, which was run here due to redevelopments on Town Moor. His other victories here included the Sky Bet Ebor in 2005 and the 2007 Matchbook Yorkshire Cup.

LEADING TRAINERS? John Dunlop holds the record with five victories. Mark Johnston and David Elsworth have both won the race three times but only the former is represented here by Nayef Road. Last year’s winning trainer, John Gosden, saddles Enbihaar in the quest to join that treble club with Stradivarius on the path to the Arc this year.

John Dunlop

LEADING RIDER?

Frankie Dettori surpassed Pat Eddery’s mark of five last year thanks to Stradivarius. However, the pair’s absence this year leaves Jamie Spencer, Ryan Moore, William Buick, Silvestre de Sousa and P J McDonald the only members of Frankie Dettori the current crop with a win in this already to their names. WHAT AGE HOW DO GROUP HAS THE YORKSHIRE BEST RECORD? STABLES Since 1980 four-year-olds lead the way having won the race 13 times. Three and FIGURE? five-year-olds are next best, tied with 7 victories. However, two of the last three The record-breaking Mark Johnston has been a leading light for the winners of the race, Quest For More and White Rose county having won the Montaly, were both six years old. Stratum, race three times. Double Eclipse won and Withhold would be breaking the mould the race twice in 1995 & 1997 with were they to win at seven today, while his dual Gold Cup at Royal Ascot eight-year-old Who Dares Wins would be winner Royal Rebel adding the third pushing the envelope even further. in 2000. He saddles Goodwood Cup WHO and Gold Cup at Royal Ascot second Nayef Road here. Tim Easterby has also been successful in recent times ARE THE SPONSORS? when his St Leger winner Bollin Eric landed the honours in 2003, but he’s not represented here, so instead it falls to David O Meara’s Eagles By Day to provide a second string to If you read your racecard carefully Yorkshire’s 2020 bow. (yes, even this digital one) you may have noticed that Weatherbys are the team behind this racecard and those at thousands of other race meetings. As well as this specialist printing and editorial service to racing they are its civil service, keeping the administration of the sport on track. The equine insurance arm of the business supports this particular race.

The Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup (British Champions Series) (Group 2) Two Miles About 56 Yards (3,200 metres) See page 74 for conditions of this race.

Distance: Race Type: Prize Money: Age: Stalls:

2m Group Two £100,000 3+ Inside Rail

RACE DESCRIPTION

The Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup is part of the Pattern pyramid which denotes the best contests, Listed, Group 3, Group 2 (like this one) and Group 1. This race is open to 3-y-o+ horses, run over two miles which is the longest distance of the week. Weight allowances are granted based on age, gender and previous success. The mare, Enbihaar, gets 3lb in weight due to physical development compared to her male counterparts. An in-form stable could be the clue here, see the table at the beginning of this race.

LAST YEAR’S RACE

Winner: Stradivarius (IRE) Trainer: John Gosden Jockey: Frankie Dettori Age/Weight: 5-9-6 Runners: 4 ran Price: 4/9F Superstar stayer Stradivarius broke the track record in the process of winning this race for the second straight season. Despite the best efforts of the brave Dee Ex Bee, the five-year-old kept on strongly to win by just over a length.

THE TALE OF THE CLOCK

Race Average Time: 3m 32.28s Racing Post Standard Time: 3m 28.50s Course record: 3m 27.06s by Stradivarius (23-Aug-19) All times are based where possible on the corresponding race over the last ten years

RACE FACTS & STATISTICS

Leading course trainer (15-20): M Johnston (29 wins from 267 runners, 11%) runs NAYEF ROAD Trainer-in-form (last 14 days): A Balding (13 wins from 56 runners, 23%) runs DASHING WILLOUGHBY Fancy That: J Gosden won this race in 2018 and 2019. The stable runs ENBIHAAR today. Longest Traveller: STRATUM trained by W P Mullins, Ireland. NOTE: All statistics are up to and including 19th August.

Racecard No.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Last 6 Runs

4579-11 638-914 537-122 00/0110- 1447-17 15-7441 1113-41

Horse

DASHING WiLLOUGHBY EAGLES BY DAY NAYEF ROAD STRATUM WHO DARES WINS WITHHOLD ENBIHAAR

Career Wins

4 2 5 4 7 7 6

Places

2 3 6 6 8 4 3

Total Runs

12 9 18 17 28 20 11

Career Winnings

171977 29520 149983 290224 165315 355528 392097

Winning Distance Range

9-16F 12-14F 7-16F 10-18F 12-22F 13-18F 11-15F

Winning Going Range

G-ST G-GF G-ST G-S G-ST F-ST G-ST

Runs Since Wins

0 1 2 4 1 0 0

KNAVESMIRE TIP

Enbihaar impressed when scoring at Goodwood earlier this month in Group 2 company and should stay this new 2m trip, but this ground might be slightly softer than she would like, and that tips things in the favour of DASHING WILLOUGHBY. An underrated stayer, he has shown a nice attitude in victory at Newmarket and Sandown the last twice and could take all the beating. Nayef Road was second behind Stradivarius in the Goodwood Cup and also deserves plenty of respect.

No Horse Age st-lb (kgs) Draw

1 Dashing Willoughby (47)

B g Nathaniel (IRE) - Miss Dashwood Owner: Sir Owen Glenn/Mick & Janice Mariscotti

Trainer: Andrew Balding, Kingsclere

4 9-3 (58.5) (7)

Form: 4500-11 D Breeder: Meon Valley Stud He has won four times from 1m 1f to 2m on good and soft ground and on synthetics. A winner at 11-4 in the Group 3 Coral Henry II Stakes at Sandown over 2m (good) on his latest outing last month, beating Spanish Mission by 1 1/4l. Strong stayer and a big run surely beckons. Official BHA Rating 112 SP: 10-3

2 Eagles By Day (IRE) (24)

B or Br c Sea The Stars (IRE) - Missunited (IRE) Owner: Clipper Logistics

Trainer: David O’Meara, Upper Helmsley

4 9-3 (58.5) (6)

Form: 630-014 C Breeder: Mrs Vanessa Hutch Successful at 1m 4f and 1m 6f on good to firm and good ground. Finished 5l behind Stradivarius when fourth of 7 at 40-1 on his latest outing in the Group 1 Goodwood Cup Stakes at Goodwood over 2m (good) last month. Won a Group 3 here before that and firmly on the upgrade. Official BHA Rating 111 SP: 11-2

3 Nayef Road (IRE) (24) 4 9-3 (58.5) (5)

Ch c Galileo (IRE) - Rose Bonheur Owner: Mr Mohamed Obaida Form: 530-122 D Trainer: Mark Johnston, Middleham Breeder: B. V. Sangster Winner of five races from 7f to 2m on good to firm and good ground and on synthetics. Beaten 1l by Stradivarius when second of 7 at 20-1 on his latest outing in the Group 1 Goodwood Cup Stakes at Goodwood over 2m (good) last month. He looks better than ever this year. Official BHA Rating 115SP: 11-4

4 Stratum (292) 7 9-3 (58.5) (4)

B g Dansili - Lunar Phase (IRE) Owner: Anthony Bloom Form: 00/0110- D Trainer: W. P. Mullins, Ireland Breeder: Al Asayl Bloodstock Ltd He has won four times from 1m 2f to 2m 2f on varying ground; has also won two hurdles. Beaten 12l behind Jukebox Jive at 7-1 when 10th of 16 on his latest flat outing at Naas over 1m 6f (heavy) in November last year, and he struggled over hurdles at Galway three weeks ago. Official BHA Rating 107 SP: 20-1

5 Who Dares Wins (IRE) (24) 8 9-3 (58.5) (3)

B g Jeremy (USA) - Savignano Owner: HP Racing Who Dares Wins Form: 1440-10 D Trainer: Alan King, Barbury Castle Breeder: Mount Coote Stud Winner of seven races from 1m 4f to 2m 6f on varying ground and synthetics; has also won three hurdles. Beaten 7l behind Stradivarius at 80-1 when last of 7 on his latest outing in the Group 1 Goodwood Cup Stakes at Goodwood over 2m (good) last month. Needs a career best. Official BHA Rating 107 SP: 20-1

6 Withhold (20) 7 9-3 (58.5) (1)

B g Champs Elysees - Coming Back Owner: Anthony Bloom Form: 15-0441 D Trainer: Roger Charlton, Beckhampton Breeder: Millsec Limited Winner of seven races from 1m 5f to 2m 2f on ground varying from firm to good to soft and on synthetics. Won on his latest outing when 5-4fav at Newmarket over 1m 6f (good to firm) earlier this month, beating Dubious Affair by 3l. Back to something like his best there. Official BHA Rating 108 SP: 10-1

7 Enbihaar (IRE) (20) 5 9-0 (57.2) (2)

B m Redoute’s Choice (AUS) - Chanterelle (FR) Owner: Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum Form: 1113-41 Trainer: John Gosden, Newmarket Breeder: Haras du Mezeray Winner of six races from 1m 3f to 1m 6f on good to firm and good ground and on synthetics. Won on her latest outing when 1-2fav in the Group 2 Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes at Goodwood over 1m 6f (good to firm) earlier this month, beating Cabaletta by 3 1/2l. A key player. Official BHA Rating 113 SP: 9-4

Oisin Murphy

Daniel Tudhope

Andrea Atzeni

Jason Watson

Tom Marquand

Ryan Moore

Jim Crowley

NUMBER OF DECLARED RUNNERS 7............................................................................................(EXACTA)

Blinkers worn by No. 6. Visor worn by No. 5.

PROBABLE S.P.’S

9-4 Enbihaar (IRE), 11-4 Nayef Road (IRE), 10-3 Dashing Willoughby, 11-2 Eagles By Day (IRE), 10-1 Withhold, 20-1 Stratum, Who Dares Wins (IRE)