Oertel And O'Shea Claim Abu Dhabi Features

Owner HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, trainer Ernst Oertel and Champion Jockey Tadhg O’Shea were the combination to follow at Abu Dhabi on Sunday evening, winning both of the featured Purebred Arabian contests.

The official highlight was the Listed opening round of the Arabian Triple Crown and O’Shea was able to produce Shayel Aldhabi to lead close home, despite a less than smooth passage, and deny stable companion Wycked in the 1600m feature.

“We had a bad draw and I just could not get cover when I wanted so we have been forced to stay quite wide. And then I have had to wait to make my challenge but she is a quality filly and has really helped me out. Remember, she is a local-bred taking on USA and French Arabs so that is a really good effort.”

Half an hour earlier, Seraphin Du Paon won the prep race for HH The President’s Cup for a second year running for the same connections. Seraphin Du Paon won both HH The President’s Cup and Dubai Kahayla Classic in 2011 and O’Shea said: “He is a quality horse, we all know that and he will be running in all the big races again. Once I found a gap we were always on top and we will be back in four weeks for The President’s Cup itself.”

AF Sanadek continues to improve and landed his sixth consecutive success and third this season in the opening 1600m handicap with Gerald Avranche in the saddle for trainer Eric Lemartinel. Avranche said: “He has done that nicely enough but is going to be a better horse on an even faster surface. Hopefully there is more to come from him.”

The only Thoroughbred race was a 2200m handicap and Doug Watson saddled the winner in the shape of Mantoba who made all under an inspired Kieren Fallon. Twice a winner in the UK as a juvenile for Brian Meehan, Mantoba has appeared at the two most recent Dubai World Cup Carnivals but was opening his local account on this occasion.

Fallon said: “He is a horse I know from England having won on him there and I was pleased we had a low draw so I could race prominently on him. Nobody wanted to lead so I was happy to and he was always finding plenty in the straight.

“I am really looking forward to the Dubai World Cup Carnival starting next week and it is nice to get a winner on the board early in the year. All the top jockeys are here at this time of year and it is a great place to be.

“I have not started on the Purebred Arabians this season but will do soon hopefully.”

The penultimate race, a 1600m conditions event, was won by Prime D’Or with Saber Trabelsi in the saddle for Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.
The final race, a 1600m maiden, was won by Duzar with Carlos Sanchez in the saddle and producing his mount to lead in the dying strides for trainer Majed Al Jahouri.

THE COUNTRY GENTLEMEN'S ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCED AS SPONSOR OF CGA FOXHUNTER STEEPLECHASE AND ROAD TO CHELTENHAM

Cheltenham Racecourse today announced that the Country Gentlemen's Association (CGA) is to sponsor the CGA Foxhunter Steeplechase at The Festival, in a five-year deal starting in 2013.

In addition, the CGA will take ownership of the Hunter Chase 'Road to Cheltenham' by backing a total of 23 Hunter Chases run in Britain in the lead up to the race at The Festival on Friday, March 15, each named the CGA Foxhunter Trial Steeplechase.

The CGA, one of the country's most respected membership associations, was founded in 1893 with members enjoying a remarkable collection of benefits that come with its membership. This includes a magazine, exclusive events, numerous privileges, a wide range of retail discounts and much, much more.  The CGA also provides an extensive range of trusted financial and insurance services to members and non-members alike, with the association always extending a warm welcome to new members.

The CGA Foxhunter Steeplechase, which was first run in 1904, is also known as 'the Amateurs' Gold Cup', staged as it is just 45 minutes after the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup, over the same three mile, two and a half furlong trip, but open to amateur riders only. Over the years, it has been won by many of the greats of the Hunter Chasing world, including Spartan Missile, Grittar, Elegant Lord and Earthmover, who won the race twice, as a seven year old in 1998 and again aged 13 in 2004.

William Harrison-Allan of The Country Gentleman's Association said: "In 2013 we celebrate the CGA's 120th year and what better way to celebrate than supporting one of the most historic races at The Festival on Gold Cup Day, Jump racing's day of days.

"The CGA Foxhunter Steeplechase is the ideal race for us and the addition of many of the trial races prior to the big day will put our thriving nationwide membership organisation in front of many more people."

Peter McNeile, Director of Sponsorship at Cheltenham, added: "We are extremely pleased to welcome The CGA as a long term sponsor, both at The Festival and during the build-up to Friday, March 15.

"I am sure they will bring energy and style to their backing of the CGA Foxhunter Steeplechase and help us to increase the profile of the race and their brand still further in the years ahead."

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Oertel And O`Shea Claim Abu Dhabi Features

Seraphin du Paon And Shayel Aldhabi Oblige 

Owner HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, trainer Ernst Oertel and Champion Jockey Tadhg O`Shea were the combination to follow at Abu Dhabi on Sunday evening, winning both of the featured Purebred Arabian contests. 

The official highlight was the Listed opening round of the Arabian Triple Crown and O`Shea was able to produce Shayel Aldhabi to lead close home, despite a less than smooth passage, and deny stable companion Wycked in the 1600m feature. 

“We had a bad draw and I just could not get cover when I wanted so we have been forced to stay quite wide. And then I have had to wait to make my challenge but she is a quality filly and has really helped me out. Remember, she is a local-bred taking on USA and French Arabs so that is a really good effort.” 

Half an hour earlier, Seraphin Du Paon won the prep race for HH The President`s Cup for a second year running for the same connections. Seraphin Du Paon won both HH The President`s Cup and Dubai Kahayla Classic in 2011 and O`Shea said: “He is a quality horse, we all know that and he will be running in all the big races again. Once I found a gap we were always on top and we will be back in four weeks for The President`s Cup itself.” 

AF Sanadek continues to improve and landed his sixth consecutive success and third this season in the opening 1600m handicap with Gerald Avranche in the saddle for trainer Eric Lemartinel. Avranche said: “He has done that nicely enough but is going to be a better horse on an even faster surface. Hopefully there is more to come from him.” 

The only Thoroughbred race was a 2200m handicap and Doug Watson saddled the winner in the shape of 
Mantoba who made all under an inspired Kieren Fallon. Twice a winner in the UK as a juvenile for Brian Meehan, Mantoba has appeared at the two most recent Dubai World Cup Carnivals but was opening his local account on this occasion. 

Fallon said: “He is a horse I know from England having won on him there and I was pleased we had a low draw so I could race prominently on him. Nobody wanted to lead so I was happy to and he was always finding plenty in the straight. 

“I am really looking forward to the Dubai World Cup Carnival starting next week and it is nice to get a winner on the board early in the year. All the top jockeys are here at this time of year and it is a great place to be. 
“I have not started on the Purebred Arabians this season but will do soon hopefully.” 

The penultimate race, a 1600m conditions event, was won by Prime D`Or with Saber Trabelsi in the saddle for Ibrahim Al Hadhrami. 

The final race, a 1600m maiden, was won by Duzar with Carlos Sanchez in the saddle and producing his mount to lead in the dying strides for trainer Majed Al Jahouri

NEW RECORD PRIZE MONEY AT JOHN SMITH'S GRAND NATIONAL MEETING

  

BIG HURDLE SWITCH TO AUGMENT OPENING DAY

Total prize money for the 2013 John Smith's Grand National meeting at Aintree sets a new record at £2,725,000, which represents an increase of £185,000 (+7.3 per cent) for the three days over 2012.

Thirteen of the 21 races at the meeting from Thursday to Saturday, April 4-6, have boosted prize money.

The John Smith's Grand National is worth £975,000 again, with an estimated purse to the winner of nearly £550,000 and prize money down to 10th place. It is the richest British jump race by far and has risen in value from £600,000 under John Smith's sponsorship.

In line with the Jockey Club Racecourses' prize money pledge, Aintree's total prize money for 2013 has increased to £3,386,500 (from £3,106,000), with new funds injected throughout the year for Aintree's five other racedays as well the John Smith's Grand National meeting.

AINTREE HURDLE SWITCHES TO THURSDAY

Nicky Henderson has made no secret that his high-class hurdler Oscar Whisky's prime target this season is a repeat win in the Grade One John Smith's Aintree Hurdle over two and a half miles, in which Monksfield, Dawn Run, Morley Street, Aonoch, Istabraq and Al Eile have also been successful.

Oscar Whisky will be racing two days earlier this year as the John Smith's Aintree Hurdle has been switched to first day of the meeting on Thursday, April 4 and the prize fund raised by £40,000 to a record £200,000.

The Grade One three-mile John Smith's Liverpool Hurdle (£120,000 - an increase of £20,000) will move from being the opening race at the meeting to the third race on the Saturday.

"We are confident that this switch will greatly strengthen Thursday's card and thereby provide a big additional star attraction on the opening day," said Aintree's Clerk of the Course Andrew Tulloch.

"It is a formidable day's racing with the Grade One Betfred Bowl, the Grade One  Matalan Anniversary 4-Year-Old Hurdle and the John Smith's Fox Hunters' Chase over the Grand National fences also on the Thursday card. 

"Prize money for the Thursday is £695,000, up £130,000 on last year, and we are putting a lot of effort into increasing the attendance towards the very high levels seen on the other two days."

JOHN SMITH'S MELLING CHASE BOOSTED TO £200,000

As always, Friday's Ladies' Day highlight is the Grade One John Smith's Melling Chase, which enjoys increased prize money of £200,000, up £25,000 on 2012.

This race, run over two and a half miles of the Mildmay course, attracts the very best  horses at the trip, with Moscow Flyer, Monet's Garden, Voy Por Ustedes and Master Minded among the greats on the roll of honour.

Another major attraction on the Friday is the John Smith's Topham Chase over the Grand National fences. The Topham's prize money jumps from £100,000 to £120,000 and total prize money for the day totals £635,000 (£565,000 in 2012).

Jockey Club Racecourses' Regional Director John Baker commented: "Aintree and John Smith's felt it was important to increase prize money across the board during the three days of the 2013 John Smith's Grand National meeting.

"The John Smith's Melling Chase and the John Smith's Topham Chase are prime examples of this policy and 13 of the 21 races enjoy higher prize money this year."

JOHN SMITH'S GRAND NATIONAL - CLOSING DATE

 

The closing date for entries to the 2013 John Smith's Grand National is noon on Tuesday, January 29, with the eagerly-anticipated handicap weights due to be unveiled on Tuesday, February 12. The two scratchings' stages are on February 26 and March 19.

There are no changes to the race conditions, with a rating of 120 a minimum requirement for the horses and riders must have won 15 or more times in chases and hurdles, with at least 10 of those successes being over fences.

Total prize money for the Saturday, John Smith's Grand National Day, is £1,395,000.

Baker reports excellent advance sales, both of corporate facilities and raceday tickets. 

He said: "Things have moved really fast since mid-December. We have experienced a real surge in demand for both corporate facilities and admission tickets.

"Now is the time to secure a place in the premier enclosures so please ring 0844 579 3001 (tickets) or 0151 522 2911 (hospitality) or visit our web site, www.aintree.co.uk ."

A full prize money schedule, including the interim order of running, for the 2013 John Smith's Grand National meeting can by found by clicking here.

Monawer Contests First Leg Of Arabian Triple Crown

The opening round of the Arabian Triple Crown is the official feature as Abu Dhabi race for the first time in 2013 this Sunday evening.

A maximum field of 14 has been declared for the 1600m feature which carries Listed status.

A race restricted to four-year-olds, it looks a tricky puzzle for Pick Six players to solve with the weights headed by the Jaber Bittar-trained Monawer, the mount of Pat Cosgrave and penalised after their win in the Colts’ Classic a fortnight ago.

Cosgrave said: “He was impressive last time and is hopefully still improving after only four starts.”

Magik Du Paon, to be ridden by Wayne Smith for trainer Eric Lemartinel, is also penalised for winning the Listed Abu Dhabi Championship on the same card as Monawer’s latest victory. Smith said: “That was a nice win last time and perhaps a bit of a surprise as he was losing his maiden tag in the process. Hopefully he can build on that.”

A third penalised runner from that evening is Shayel Aldhabi who won the Fillies’ Classic. All three wins were achieved over the same 1600m course and distance as Sunday’s feature.

Trained by Ernst Oertel for HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, it looks significant that stable jockey Tadhg O’Shea partners Shayel Aldhabi from four runners representing the same connections.

O’Shea explained: “She has won both her local starts and was impressive last time in a decent race so it would have been hard to desert her. She will go well but this is her toughest challenge to date.”

The main support race is undoubtedly HH The President Of The UAE Cup prep, over 2200m, and again, the maximum 14 are set to face the starter including Nieshan, last year’s winner of HH The President’s Cup itself.

He is trained by Eric Lemartinel but faces no easy task with the opposition headed by the 2011 HH The President’s Cup and Kahayla Classic winner Seraphin Du Paon. Throw in last year’s Group 1 Emirates Championship winner Versac PY and it looks a quality race.

The only Thoroughbred race on the card is a 2200m handicap with the weights headed by Kal Barg, trained by Dhruba Selvaratnam and to be ridden by James Doyle. The pair were a close third over course and distance on their penultimate start and a repeat of that would see them go close.

One of the more interesting runners has to be local debutant Jawhar who arrives in the UAE having won his last three starts in the UK when trained by William Haggas. Owned by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he has now joined Doug Watson and will be ridden by the owner’s retained jockey Paul Hanagan who said: “I won on him three times in England and am really looking forward to getting back on him.

“He used to be far too keen but responded well to the hood. It would be nice to think he can progress into a Dubai World Cup Carnival horse.”

Stable companion Dr Faustus, the mount of Pat Dobbs, is another to consider in an open race.

21st ANNIVERSARY OF WILLS WRITING AWARDS

£3,125 in prizes and the opportunity to be published

"2013 may be the 21st year of the Wills Writing Awards, but the competition came of age many years ago" says Brough Scott, Chairman of the judges for the 11th successive year. "Long may the Awards offer their uniquely generous opportunity for those who want to make their writing sing."

The annual Awards, promoted by a registered UK charity, launched in 1993 in memory of journalist and amateur jockey Martin Wills and now in their 21st year, are for creative writing (fact or fiction) around a horseracing theme. They are open to young people resident in the UK or the Republic of Ireland, with three categories: under 26, under 19 and under 15. Each category offers substantial prizes, the main one being £1,250.

Last year's under 26 joint winner, five-times Irish Champion Amateur Jockey Patrick Mullins, had his article on his tragic experience when riding Dooneys Gate in the 2011 Grand National - published as the principal comment piece in The Daily Telegraph on the day before the 2012 Grand National.

Those aged under 26/19/15 at January 1, 2013, are invited to submit a single article by February 28, 2013, via the 'Entry Requirements' section of the Awards' website www.willswritingawards.co.uk. Employees of the national and racing press, in a journalistic capacity, and previous winners in their category are ineligible. Entries are judged anonymously.

Particular importance will be attached by the judges to imagination, use of language and entertainment. Quality of writing is key; a detailed knowledge of horseracing is unnecessary. No previous experience of published or competitive writing is required.

The maximum word counts are 1,200 (under 26s/19s) or 800 (under 15s).

The article must not be published prior to the announcement of the winners of the Awards. No correspondence will be entered into and the judges' decision is final. Schools should, please, not submit more than three entries per class.

The six prizes, for the winner and runner-up in each category, are £1,250/£750 (under 26s), £500/£250 (under 19s) and £250/£125 (under 15s). In addition, the winners will be published in the Racing Post and The Irish Field. The under 26 winner will also have the opportunity of work experience at the Racing Post.

The Awards will be announced and presented at Newmarket's prestigious Craven Meeting on Wednesday, April 17, 2013, when all six prize winners will be given an expenses paid day's racing, including a reception in a private luncheon room generously made available by the Racecourse. There will also be a tour of two leading stables.

This year's six judges are: Brough Scott (Chairman), three-times Sports Feature Writer of the Year, Racing Writer of the Year in 1977 and 2010, his Henry Cecil, Trainer of Genius will be published in April; Marcus Armytage, racing writer at The Daily Telegraph and Grand National-winning jockey in record time, who was shortlisted for Racing Reporter of the Year 2012; Sean Magee, a versatile journalist and author, most recently of Desert Island Discs:70 Years of Castaways ; Lee Mottershead, a writer on the Racing Post, who was named Racing Writer of the Year in 2011; Leo Powell, who is in his 10th year as Editor of The Irish Field; and Catherine Wills, D Phil art historian sister of Martin Wills, and a racehorse owner and breeder.

The Martin Wills Memorial Trust commemorates Martin Wills, an amateur jockey, point-to-point rider and journalist who died in April 1992, aged 39.

Information on the Awards is available on www.willswritingawards.co.uk. 

 

Satish Seemar on Bay Willow

Satish speaks about Bay Willow's victory at the first Meydan meeting of 2013 where he won the feature race and gives his views on the track and his team. 

listen to ‘Satish Seemar speaking after Bay Willow's success at Meydan’ on Audioboo