the-racehorse.com - Features

2008 Derby analysis

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 10:32:29 +0100

Derby winner New Approach looked like he has more to offer over a mile and ahalf, and Tartan Bearer could make up into a top class four year old. Read Graham Richards' full analysis of every runner in the Derby.

Derby contenders - King of Rome

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:32:17 +0100

KING OF ROME 3-y-o (8 Apr 2005) b c

Montjeu(IRE) - Amizette (USA) (Forty Niner (USA))

Trainer: A P O´Brien Owner: D Smith, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor Bred: The Amizette Partnership

King Of Rome is a son of Montjeu, winner of the 1999 French and Irish Derby’s as well as the Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe. Montjeu already has Derby winners Motivator and Authorized on his C.V. In addition, his hugely talented son Hurricane Run has an Irish Derby and Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe on his personal roll of honour. King Of Rome’s dam has thrown six other foals which are one mile to nine-furlong performers; none of which have set the world alight.

Derby contenders - New Approach

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:53:33 +0100

NEW APPROACH (IRE) 3-y-o (18 Feb 2005) ch c

Galileo(IRE) - Park Express (Ahonoora)

Trainer: J S Bolger Owner: H R H Princess Haya Of Jordan Bred: Lodge Park Stud

Galileo won six of his eight races. He was unbeaten in three runs over a mile and a half; all came in Group One events. In his short career at stud, Galileo has sired Group One mile and a half winners Soldier Of Fortune and Red Rocks. In addition, he is a strong influence for stamina. St Leger winner Sixties Icon, Purple Moon, Mahler and Galactic Star are all currently representing him on the racecourse. New Approach’s dam Park Express, won the 1986 Group One Irish Champion Stakes amongst other top-class races. The only Group One winner she has thrown apart from New Approach, is Shinko Forest. He was a top-class sprinter in Japan.

Derby contenders - Kandahar Run

Fri, 30 May 2008 11:26:42 +0100

KANDAHAR RUN 3-y-o (13 Apr 2005) gr c

Rock Of Gibraltar(IRE) - Kenmist (Kenmare (FR))

Trainer: H R A Cecil Owner: Gestut Ammerland Bred: Britton House Stud

Rock Of Gibraltar was a top-class miler. He won seven Group One races over seven-furlongs and a mile, on a variety of ground conditions from heavy through too good to firm. He is yet to sire a winner of a Group race over a mile and a half; his offspring have a median stamina distance index of nine and a half furlongs.

Derby contenders - Frozen Fire

Thu, 29 May 2008 11:36:18 +0100

FROZEN FIRE (GER) 3-y-o (19 Feb 2005) b c

Montjeu (IRE) - Flamingo Sea (USA) (Woodman (USA))

Trainer: A P O´Brien Owner: M Tabor, D Smith & Mrs John Magnier Bred: J U W Hoyer

Frozen Fire could hardly have better breeding for a potential Derby winner. A son of Montjeu, winner of the 1999 French and Irish Derby’s as well as the Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe. Montjeu already has Derby winners Motivator and Authorised on his C.V. In addition, his hugely talented son Hurricane Run has an Irish Derby and Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe on his personal roll of honour. Frozen Fire’s dam was a one-mile winner in Germany. She is a daughter of Woodman, sire of amongst others, Group One winners Hawk Wing and Bosra Sham.

Derby contenders - Doctor Fremantle

Wed, 28 May 2008 15:41:20 +0100

DOCTOR FREMANTLE 3-y-o (29 Jan 2005) b c

Sadler's Wells(USA) - Summer Breeze (Rainbow Quest (USA))

Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute Owner: K Abdulla Bred: Juddmonte Farms Ltd

Another son of the legendary Sadler's Wells, sire of countless Group 1 winners including Epsom Derby winners Galileo and High Chaparral. Doctor Fremantle’s dam Summer Breeze won over a mile as a two-year-old and showed she stayed middle distance at three-years. She is a full-sister to top-class stayers Raintrap and Sunshack.

Derby contenders - Tajaaweed

Wed, 28 May 2008 15:39:18 +0100

TAJAAWEED (USA) 3-y-o (25 Jan 2005) br c

Dynaformer(USA) - Uforia (USA) (Zilzal (USA))

Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute Owner: Hamdan Al Maktoum Bred: Herman Sarkowsky

Dynaformer’s most successful offspring have raced over ten-furlongs on dirt in the U.S.A. However, he is also the sire of last season’s St Leger winner Lucarno. Tajaaweed’s dam Uforia was unplaced in several sprints on the turf in the U.S.A. She is a daughter of the top-class miler Zilzal. Her three other offspring to race all competed over seven furlongs and a mile as three-year-olds.

Derby contenders - Tartan Bearer

Wed, 28 May 2008 15:37:17 +0100

TARTAN BEARER (IRE) 3-y-o (29 Mar 2005) ch c

Spectrum (IRE) - Highland Gift (IRE) (Generous (IRE))

Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute Owner: Ballymacoll Stud Bred: Ballymacoll Stud Farm Ltd

Derby contenders - Curtain Call

Wed, 28 May 2008 15:34:46 +0100

CURTAIN CALL (FR) 3-y-o (31 Jan 2005) b c

Sadler's Wells (USA) - Apsara (FR) (Darshaan)

Trainer: L M Cumani Owner: Mrs P K Cooper and Partners Bred: Famille Niarchos

Curtain Call is a son of the legendary Sadler’s Wells, sire of countless Group One winners including Epsom Derby winners Galileo and High Chaparral. Curtain Call’s dam was placed four times in France. These came over distances between nine and sixteen furlongs on both good and soft ground.

Derby contenders - Henrythenavigator

Mon, 26 May 2008 12:38:23 +0100

Henrythenavigator is a brilliant dual Guineas winner - Graham Richards continues his Derby previews with an assessment of whether the Kingmambo colt will stay the Derby trip.

Derby contenders - Casual Conquest

Wed, 21 May 2008 11:23:19 +0100

In the first of a series of profiles of leading Derby ontenders, Graham Richards assesses Casual Conquest, a son of Hernando who put in the fastest time in the Derrinstown Derby Trial since High Chaparral. If he lines up at Epsom, he should be able to put his devastating turn of foot to good use in the staright.

Flat Guide gives pointers to unexposed types

Mon, 19 May 2008 16:55:03 +0100

A new Flat Guide produced by betting columnist Graham Richards offers a wealth of clues for the rest of the Flat season. With stable tours of leading trainers and a separate section detailing unexposed three-year-olds, subscribers to the guide receive email updates providing specific pointers - order your copy for only £10 today..

Two of the unexposed three-year-olds could be in action this week. Sir Michael Stoute's Kensington Oval is entered in Friday's Newmarket maiden won last year by Tranquil Tiger, and holds an entry in the Irish Derby.

Cheltenham 2008 - review of the beaten horses

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 12:49:07 +0000

With a good number of favourites turned over and plenty of action behind the winners at the Cheltenham Festival, Graham Richards analyses the performance of the beaten horses to divine what to expect in the future.

Cheltenham 2008 - leading hurdlers

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 11:40:06 +0000

With a memorable Cheltenham behind us, Graham Richards assesses the leading hurdling performances, with full analysis and ratings for all the top performers.

Chetenham 2008 - leading chasers

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 11:37:34 +0000

With a memorable Cheltenham behind us, Graham Richards assesses the leading chasing performances, with full analysis and ratings for all the top performers.