The 2009 Royal Hunt Cup
winner Forgotten Voice appeared rejuvenated after a winter hurdling when
winning the Wolferton Handicap for champion jump trainer Nicky Henderson and
owners Paul and Susan Roy.
"We'd gone to Haydock
for the Swinton Hurdle, which had been his aim all season, but they had watered
and then it rained so we took him out," said Henderson. "Then it was
a question of where we went. I rang Paul and suggested this as an afterthought.
It was the natural thing to put Johnny (Murtagh) on board as he won a Hunt Cup
with on the horse a long, long time ago.
"He took a bit of
time to learn to settle down but Barry (Geraghty) got on with him very well.
Johnny said that he felt great the whole way today. When we started with him, I
was worried that he would ever get two miles over hurdles but Barry taught him
in his first couple of races to go sleep. He had to do that before we could
even think about him being a good horse over hurdles.
"I said to Paul that
I would like to put him away and go chasing - he would jump a fence - but I
don't think that Mrs Roy liked the idea of novice chasing! I suddenly suggested
that this might be an alternative plan. But I thought he might even need a mile
and a half at this stage.
"He won that off 105
today and has not won by too far so we'll see what the handicapper does. But I
would like him as a jumper for next season. He had two years completely off
when Jane Allison did a great job looking after him."
Paul Roy added: "He's
always had an amazing turn of foot and likes good ground although I thought
he'd be better over a mile and a half. We are just so lucky because I have had
some wonderful horses and been very, very privileged. Johnny won the Royal Hunt
Cup on this horse in 2009 and so I said why not get him again. We spent two
years putting him back together and getting him fit again."
MURTAGH
RENEWS WINNING WAYS WITH VOICE
Ace jockey Johnny Murtagh
won the Royal Hunt Cup in 2009 on Forgotten Voice, and today he renewed
acquaintance with the horse to land the Wolferton Handicap.
Trained four years ago by
Jeremy Noseda, he is now in the care of Nicky Henderson and was a useful
hurdler last jumps season.
Murtagh said: "I was
just worried about the start, and hoped he would be able to jump [from the
stalls] and go for a mile and a quarter because it can be pretty full on here.
"But after two
furlongs I was in a great position, the horse was travelling well and in a good
rhythm and I was confident then. He's a high-class horse and wants good, fast
ground.
"I got into a bit of
trouble, but when I switched him inside he found a new lease of life and
battled well to the line. He's probably fit from hurdling and freshened up and
must have thought this was a walk in the park today after running at Aintree.
"He was impressive in
the Hunt Cup, and after that I thought he was going to be a Group performer. He
didn't live up to that, but he has lots of ability and Mr Henderson has done a
great job. I'm delighted he booked me.
"When Nicky Henderson
and Willie Mullins show up on the big days you have to respect them because
they are at the top of their profession.
"That's my third
winner of the meeting and I'm still in the hunt [for the QIPCO Leading Jockeys'
Award]. There's a day and a half to go and I have a few bullets left. The aim
is to be top jockey at the end of the week."
SHEIKH
LEAVES SIMCOCK SMILING
Sheikhzayedroad produced
another strong performance in the Wolferton Handicap Stakes at Royal Ascot this
afternoon despite being beaten half-a-length by eventual winner Forgotten
Voice.
The 8/1 shot had impressed
connections with a fine victory at Epsom's Derby meeting earlier this month and
franked that form with another solid effort to finish second.
"We're delighted with
that and he's run another great race," said Simcock.
"He's now 17lb higher
than he was at the start of the season which shows just how far he's come.
He'll have a bit of a break now and we'll see how he is after that."
Martin Lane, who rode
Sheikhzayedroad, said: "He's run a really good race - he needed to step up
on his performance and he has."
Bana Wu was a further
short-head back in third and she was another that had her trainer beaming after
her effort.
"She's run very
well," said trainer Andrew Balding.
"She didn't have the
best of draws but under the circumstances, I'm very pleased with her."
Richard Hughes, who was on
board Bana Wu, said: "She ran a blinder and seeing as she was drawn
fifteen, she's done really well."
4.25pm
Wolferton Handicap (Listed)
£60,000
total prize fund. For 4yo+ rated 96-110 (also open to such horses rated 95 and
below), 1m 2f. Weights: highest weight 9st 7lb; minimum weight 8-7. Penalties:
after June 8th, a winner of a Class 1, 2 or 3 race 3lb. Penalty value 1st
£34,026.00 2nd £12,900.00 3rd £6,456.00 4th £3,216.00 5th £1,614.00 6th
£810.00.
1.
FORGOTTEN VOICE (IRE) (Susan Roy) Nicky Henderson 8-9-02 Johnny Murtagh [7]
12/1
2
SHEIKHZAYEDROAD (Mohammed Jaber) David Simcock 4-8-12 Martin Lane [14] 8/1
3 BANA WU
(G Russell) Andrew Balding 4-8-10 Richard Hughes [15] 16/1
4.
OTTOMAN EMPIRE (FR) (Ahmad Abdulla Al Shaikh) David Simcock 7-8-13 Harry
Bentley [8]
5.
ALBASHARAH (USA) (Godolphin) Saeed bin Suroor 4-9-01 Silvestre De Sousa [2] 3/1
Fav
6. TWO
FOR TWO (IRE) (High Hopes Partnership) David O'Meara 5-8-11 Daniel Tudhope [12]
7.
CHAPTER SEVEN (Qatar Racing Limited) Stuart Williams 4-8-11 Jamie Spencer [6]
8. OCEAN
WAR (Godolphin) Saeed bin Suroor 5-9-02 Mickael Barzalona [10]
9.
FATTSOTA (Scuderia Rencati Srl) Marco Botti 5-9-00 Martin Harley [5]
10.
REWARDED (Patrick Dalby & Richard Schuster) James Toller 4-9-05 Kirsty
Milczarek [4]
11.
MOBACO (FR) (OTI Racing) Luca Cumani 4-9-02 James McDonald [3]
12.
LABARINTO (Khalid Abdullah) Sir Michael Stoute 5-8-13 Ryan Moore [9]
13. INIS
MEAIN (USA) (Barry Connell) Denis Hogan IRE 6-9-07 Danny Mullins [13]
14. DICK
DOUGHTYWYLIE (Rachel Hood) John Gosden 5-9-01 William Buick [1]
15. GENZY
(FR) (Michael Watt & Chris Wright) Ian Williams 5-9-00 Jim Crowley [11]
15 ran
Non-runner: King's Warrior (Self cert - Not eaten up)
Time: 2m
6.06s. Distances: ½, sh, 1, ¾, hd, hd, ½, 4½, nk, 1, 1½, hd, 1½, 7.
Breeder:
Swettenham Stud & Ben Sangster. Breeding: 8 b g Danehill Dancer (IRE) -
Ashieres (USA) (Spend A Buck (USA))
Tote Win
£14.80 Place £3.40, £3.40, £7.10 Exacta £201.20
Winning
Trainer:Nicholas (Nicky) John Henderson Based: Seven Barrows,
Lambourn, Hungerford, Berkshire Date of birth:10/12/50 Date of first
licence: July (1978) Previous occupation/ apprenticeship: Amateur
jockey, assistant to Fred Winter 1975-78 Major Flat wins: Cesarewitch Handicap
(2003 Landing Light, 2008 Caracciola), Goodwood Handicap (2005 Afrad, 2010
Ghimaar) Royal Ascot Wins (3): Queen Alexandra Stakes (2009 Caracciola),
Ascot Stakes (2011 Veiled), Wolferton Handicap (2013 Forgotten Voice), Flat
wins (2002-2012): 4; 4; 1; 2; 0; 3; 3; 3; 1,2 ,2 Flat wins in 2013: 2
Winning
jockey:-Name: Murtagh, John Patrick Born: May 14, 1970 Background: Attended
the Apprentice Jockeys School at Kildare while serving as an apprentice for
John Oxx, with whom he stayed with until 2004. Apprentice champion in 1989,
winning the senior version in 1995 and 1998, despite lingering weight problems.
Used regularly by Sir Michael Stoute in 2000 when Kieren Fallon was injured,
and won 12 Group One contests in that season alone. Spent some of 2006 riding
over hurdles, but returned to flat racing later that year, and spent 2007 as
Ballydoyle's main jockey in Britain, following the suspension of Kieren Fallon
on suspicion of race-fixing, before being given the job full-time because of
Fallon's 18 month ban for failing a drugs test. Split from Ballydoyle in
November, 2010, to become retained jockey for the Aga Khan in Ireland. First
Winner: Chicago Style, Limerick, July 6, 1987 British Classic Wins (5): Investec
Derby (2000 Sinndar, 2002 High Chaparral, 2005 Motivator), 2000 Guineas (2002
Rock Of Gibraltar, 2008 Henrythenavigator) Irish Classic Wins (13):
Irish 1,000 Guineas (2009 Again), Irish 2,000 Guineas (2001 Black Minnaloushe,
2008 Henrythenavigator, 2009 Mastercraftsman), Irish Derby (2000 Sinndar, 2003
Alamshar, 2009 Fame And Glory, 2010 Cape Blanco), Irish Oaks (1997 Ebadiyla,
1998 Winona, 2000 Petrushka, 2007 Peeping Fawn, 2008 Moonstone) French
Classic Wins (1): Prix De Diane (2012 Valiyra) Other Major Wins:
Irish Champion Stakes (1996 Timarida), Matron Stakes (1995 Timarida, 2004
Soviet Song, 2010 Lillie Langtry), Moyglare Stud Stakes (1998 Edabiya),
National Stakes (1993 Manntari, 1999 Sinndar, 2008 Mastercraftsman), Phoenix
Stakes (2008 Mastercraftsman, 2009 Alfred Nobel, 2010 Zoffany), Pretty Polly
Stakes (1993 Takarouna), Tattersalls Gold Cup (2007 Notnowcato, 2008 Duke Of
Marmalade, 2010 Fame And Glory), Champion Stakes (2000 Kalanisi), Coronation
Cup (2008 Soldier Of Fortune, 2010 Fame And Glory), Coral-Eclipse (2008 Mount
Nelson), Falmouth Stakes (2004 & 2005 Soviet Song, 2007 Simply Perfect),
Fillies' Mile (2007 Listen), Juddmonte International (2008 Duke Of Marmalade,
2010 Rip Van Winkle), July Cup (2004 Frizzante, 2010 Starspangledbanner), King
George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2003 Alamshar, 2007 Dylan Thomas, 2008
Duke Of Marmalade), Middle Park Stakes (2008 Bushranger), Nassau Stakes (2007
Peeping Fawn, 2008 Halfway To Heaven), Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (2009 Rip Van
Winkle), Racing Post Trophy (2000 Dilshaan, 2009 St Nicholas Abbey), Sussex
Stakes (2004 Soviet Song, 2008 Henrythenavigator, 2009 Rip Van Winkle),
Yorkshire Oaks (1996 Key Change, 2000 Petrushka, 2007 Peeping Fawn), Criterium
de Saint-Cloud (2008 Fame And Glory), Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp (2000
Namid, 2009 Total Gallery), Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (2000 Sinndar), Prix du
Cadran (2002 Give Notice), Prix Ganay (2008 Duke Of Marmalade), Prix Morny
(2008 Bushranger), Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (1995 Ridgewood Pearl), Prix de
l'Opera (1995 Timarida, 2000 Petrushka), Prix Royal-Oak (2008 Yeats), Prix
Vermeille (2007 Mrs Lindsay), Total Prix Marcel Boussac (2010 Misty For Me),
Beverly D Stakes (1996 Timarida), Breeders' Cup Marathon (2009 Man Of Iron),
Breeders' Cup Mile (1995 Ridgewood Pearl), Breeders' Cup Turf (2000 Kalanisi),
Bayerisches Zuchtrennen (1996 Timarida, 2000 Greek Dance), Hong Kong Vase (2000
Daliapour), E P Taylor (2001 Choc Ice, 2007 Mrs Lindsay), Jaguar Cars Cheveley
Park Stakes (2011 Lightening Pearl, 2012 Rosdhu Queen),QIPCO British Champions
Sprint Stakes (2011 Deacon Blues), QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares
Stakes (2011 Dancing Rain) Royal Ascot Wins (42): Coronation Stakes
(1995 Ridgewood Pearl, 2010 Lillie Langtry); Gold Cup (1999 Enzeli, 2001 Royal
Rebel, 2002, Royal Rebel, 2008 & 2009 Yeats), St James's Palace Stakes
(2001 Black Minnaloushe, 2008 Henrythenavigator, 2009 Mastercraftsman), Duke of
Edinburgh Stakes (2000, Katiykha), Ascot Handicap Stakes (2000 Barba Papa),
Golden Jubilee (2000 Superior Premium, 2003 Choisir, 2007 Soldier's Tale, 2010
Starspangledbanner), King George V Handicap (2001 Beekeeper), Ribblesdale
Stakes (2001 Sahara Slew), Wokingham Handicap (2001 Nice One Clare, 2010
Laddies Poker Two, 2011 Deacon Blues), Queen Anne Stakes (2002 No Excuse
Needed, 2008 Haradasun), King Edward VII Stakes (2002 Balakheri, 2012 Thomas
Chippendale), Windsor Castle Stakes (2002 Revenue, 2011 Frederick Engels, 2013
Extortionist), King's Stand Stakes (2003 Choisir, 2013 Sole Power), Hampton
Court Stakes (2003 Persian Majesty), Jersey Stakes (2005 Proclamation), Queen
Alexandra Stakes (2005 Cruzspiel, 2008 Honolulu), Queen Mary Stakes (2007
Elletelle), Britannia Handicap (2007 Eddie Jock), Prince Of Wales's Stakes
(2008 Duke Of Marmalade), Hardwicke Stakes (2008 Macarthur), Windsor Forest
Stakes (2009 Spacious), Queen's Vase (2010 Mikhael Glinka), Wolferton Handicap
(2013 Forgotten Voice), Leading Rider at Royal Ascot: 2001 (5 wins);
2002 (4 wins), 2008 (6 wins)), Wins in Britain 1999-2012: 9; 17; 10; 15;
12; 77; 48; 0; 21; 28; 15; 13; 11; 12 Wins in Britain in 2013: 4
No comments:
Post a Comment