Horse racing
Horse Racing 2023
As the flat turf season approaches, the international stage is hitting its remarks. From the bleaks of Britain to the warmth in Dubai, and Saudi to the US. It’s going to be an action-packed season full of top-class horses, Trainers, and Jockeys.
The Grand National 2023
A dramatic day at Aintree as protestors delay the running of the Randox Grand National
Lusanda Russel trained Corach Rambler, rambled to victory in the Grand National under the hands of Derek Fox. The dual Grand National winning Jockey showed incredible fortitude, doing press ups earlier in the day to pass a fitness test after suffering a shoulder injury. The pair had previously combined to win the race in 2017 with ‘One for Arthur’, becoming only the 3rd Scottish trained winner of the Grand National.
Owned by ‘The Ramblers Syndicate’, Corach rambler was bought for just 17,000 two years ago. Part of the syndicate is university student Cameron Sword who was jumping for joy as his horse romped home a two length winner. Triumph in the race picked up a little over 500,000 pounds for winning the Grand National.
A total of 40 horses competed for the top prize in what was the 175th running of the world famous race, which sparks controversy every year.
This year was no different. As a dark atmosphere rose over the sunlit thrill of Corach Ramblers triumph, animal rights activists stormed across the Aintree track causing a 14 minute delay.
At one stage, it looked as though the race may not go ahead, 9 animal rights activists were arrested in an attempt to attach themselves to the fences. With a total of 118 arrested across the whole day. The arrests include those made before the race which saw members of animal rising glue themselves to the M57, causing an hour traffic delay.
The flying scotsman, wasn’t so pleased with the protestors ‘How can people protest against horse racing, when your protest are making these horses stand out longer in the sun’
It came after two horses Dark Raven and Envoye Special had died across the first two days of the festival, which rose to three after Hill Sixteen took an awful collapse at the first fence. The 10 year old, ridden by Ryan Mania suffered an ‘unrecoverable injury’. Sandy Thompson, trainer of the first fence fatality, put blame on the 14 minute delay as the reason for his horses fall stating ‘There’s no doubt about it, it was the cause of the problems we had’
There had been a total of 4 fatalities from nearly 400 runners in the 10 Grand Nationals since safety changes were introduced in 2012.
Co-Founder of Animal Rising, Dora Hargitai said ‘The race needs to stop today and forever’
Potential safety changes may be introduced to limit the number of fatalities in the future, including reducing field size or even the size of the jumps.
But love it or hate it, the Grand National is here to stay
Written by Liam Mullen 15-04-2023
Dubai World Cup 2023
Japanese challenger Ushba Tesoro raillies late to win the Dubai World Cup, as Frankie Dettori misses out.
It was evident for a while on form and market that the best 2 Japanese contenders didn’t run in the Saudi Cup. Ushba Tesoro confirmed it. A grinding machine, he rolled like a tank all week touting himself in the mornings. The Japanese contender had place claims, but stepped up in class to win the 23rd running of the Dubai World Cup.
It was a race where the picture changed like a storybook in the final 400 metres. It was Algiers who looked the most likely winner turning for home, going hands and heels under James Doyle. But a flourishing finish from Ushba Tesoro sealed Japan's second ever success in the race, the only other being Victoire Pisa in 2011.
Frankie Dettori was denied a fairytale ending aboard Country Grammar. The 6 year old was unable to replicate the level of performance when winning the race last year. However, there was still a moment to savour for Dettori in his farewell season, as Lord North won a historic 3rd Dubai Turf, also a record breaking 4th and last win for 4 time Dubai World winning Jockey
There was more notable success for Japan as Equinox swept past his rivals in the Group 1 Sheema classic. An electrifying performance in which Jockey Christophe Lemaire never took his hands off the reins. Looking untouchable, he established himself as the world's best turf horse, smashing the turf track record.
Another international meeting which did not disappoint, from horses to Jockeys to spectators, it had it all. The excitement is already building for the next big meeting, where some of these horses and Jockeys may feature.
As the curtain closed on the UAE racing season, Irishman Tadhg O'Shea flew his flag high to record another title.
O’Shea has enjoyed an accomplished, record breaking UAE racing career spanning more than 20 years. He is the most successful and decorated rider in the UAE having ridden his 700th winner enroute to an 11th Jockeys Championship. A record that will be very hard to surpass. To put it into perspective, his closest challenger is Richard Mullen, the UAE’s longest serving jockey with 574 victories to his name.
En route to his 11th title, he achieved 9 successes in 24 hours, having ridden 5 winners in a six-race card in the capital, and four the previous day at Jebel Ali. An achievement made even more remarkable, as O’Shea was dealing with a huge personal loss as his Mother Ann had passed away in February.
An unprecedented 11th championship that holds a little bit more significance than the other ten.
Jockeys Championship Standings:
Tadhg O’Shea (IRE) 68 Winners 🇮🇪
Antonio Fresu (ITY) 48 Winners 🇮🇹
Ray Dawson (IRE) 33 Winners 🇮🇪
It was also a Dream for Doug Watson, who completed a double by clinching an eighth UAE trainers championship highlighted by his Godolphin Mile success.
Watson was ready to trade the Trainers crown for success on World Cup night. But it was Double joy for Doug as Isolate won the Group 2 Godolphin Mile, with American rider Tyler Gaffalione aboard. The title was secured as Oscar Chavez, who celebrated his best ever season with 20 winners, led a 1-2 home at Al Ain for the Red Stables.
Trainers Championship Standings:
Doug Watson (USA) 40 Winners 🇺🇸
Bhupat Seemar (IND) 37 Winners 🇮🇳
Ernst Oertel (RSA) 34 Winners 🇿🇦
Written by Liam Mullen 07-04-2023
Cheltenham Festival 2023
A Dream Result For A ‘Dream To Share’
One Ride. One Win. Just when you think there could not be any more great stories at Cheltenham along comes another.
A ‘Dream To Share!’ quite literally. Home bred by father Brian Gleeson, ridden to victory by teenage sensation John.
It was a special day as 85 year old Trainer John Kiely and 18 year old John Gleeson combined to win the champion bumper to create a piece of history on day 2 of the Cheltenham festival. A first but belated Cheltenham success for Kiely, the Waterford based trainer has had numerous successes at the highest level in Ireland but had never trained a winner at the famous festival.
Smooth progress rounding the home bend, he had the Patrick Mullins trained favourite ‘Fact to File’ in his sights. Once young John Gleeson asked his mount for an effort, he quickened nicely and swept past his rivals and never looked like stopping. Celebrations erupted as the pair crossed the line. Giving ex Manchester United owner JP McManus his 70th Cheltenham winner.
A Dream to Share is now unbeaten in four starts, and is already a winner at Grade 1 and Grade 2 level, having cruised to victory at Leopardstown prior to his brave performance at Cheltenham.
He will now look to remain unbeaten and head to Punchestown in a bid to cap off a brilliant season for owner JP McManus who has won the race 9 times of the last 11 runnings.
Unbeaten records were maintained on Day 1 of the festival, as the extraordinary Constitution Hill eased to victory in the Champion Hurdle. An effortless success that saw the hot favourite stretch his winning margin to 9 lengths on the home straight. Second placed State Man is no slouch having proved victorious in 6 of his 9 starts, asserting Constitution Hill as one of the greatest hurdlers of all time.
Fairytale stories at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ for horse racing, but none more than Honeysuckle. The sensational mare drew a close on her career with an emotional victory in the Brother Mares Hurdle. Despite a dip in form as of recent, her ever loyal partner Rachael Blackmore found just the spot with her on their final start together. The 9 year old tracked the leaders throughout, before showing her immense qualities in the straight that defined her, as one of the greatest mares of the modern era.
This is what Cheltenham is all about.
Written by Liam Mullen 28-03-2023
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