Spirit Dancer will follow the same route as 12 months ago and tune up for his defence of the Bahrain International Trophy at Newmarket next week.
Co-owned by former Manchester United manger Sir Alex Ferguson, Spirit Dancer has previously enjoyed a profitable time in the Middle East, winning in Bahrain before also lifting the Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Connections will bid for further riches on the international stage this winter but first the seven-year-old son of Frankel – who was also bred by Ferguson – will head to the Rowley Mile to run in the Space Blues Darley Stakes on October 12, a race in which he finished fourth last year.
Fahey said: “Spirit Dancer is in great form. He will have a prep run at Newmarket in the Darley Stakes, following the same route that he took last year.
“We all had an amazing trip and experience in Bahrain and the team are really looking forward to going back this year.”
There are 61 initial entries for the $1million Bahrain International Trophy on November 15, with notable names including Aidan O’Brien’s Luxembourg, John and Thady Gosden’s Nashwa and James Fanshawe’s Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly.
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Richard Fahey’s Powerful Glory will aim to build on his big reputation when he lines up in the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury.
Due to heavy overnight rain the Newbury card has been decimated by non-runners, including in the afternoon’s feature race.
Adrian Keatley’s Symbol Of Strength, Hamad Al Jehani’s Defence Minister, Charlie Appleby’s Shadow Of Light and the Karl Burke-trained Andesite are all non-runners.
Powerful Glory made a deep impression when justifying odds-on favouritism on his debut at Pontefract last month.
Bruce Raymond is racing manager for Powerful Glory’s owner Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum and also looks after the racing interests of Jaber Abdullah, whose colours will be carried by another winning debutant in Jack Channon’s Sarab Star.
Raymond said: “Richard Fahey’s horse I thought had a very good winning chance, certainly a good each-way chance.
“His form hasn’t worked out much, but he’s a lovely horse and I think he could go pretty close.
“They were confident before Pontefract and he won well, so I think he’s got a good chance, hopefully, but it’s a good race of course.
“Jack’s horse is going to be one of the outsiders, but he was pretty confident going to Salisbury and I think he can improve a bit and has got a nice outside chance.”
Brian returns the winner of the £100,000 Tattersalls Somerville Auction Stakes at @NewmarketRace for owners Mr T Lock & Partner, trainer Sylvester Kirk and pilot @liamkeniry.
Bargain-buy Brian has enjoyed a fine campaign for trainer Sylvester Kirk, breaking his duck over this course and distance and landing a valuable sales race at Newmarket.
The son of Shaman has also finished third in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot and third in the Sirenia on his most recent outing, prompting connections to stump up the required £5,000 to supplement him for the Mill Reef earlier this week.
“We’re looking forward to it, just being in the race and having a little squeak is great,” said Kirk.
“There’s a bit of rain forecast, which I think I will help him. It’s the owners’ local racetrack and they thought ‘why not’ (supplement), so that’s why we’ve done it.
“It’s a proper race, one of the best races to win as a two-year-old, and he’s certainly had enough experience, hasn’t he?
“He didn’t cost a lot, the owners have had great fun with him, he’s in great form and he’ll go and take his chance.”
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Spirit Dancer is set to follow the same route to his successful campaign in the Middle East last winter, with a tune-up run at Newmarket before heading off on his globetrotting adventure.
The seven-year-old, who carries the red and white silks of part-owner and breeder Sir Alex Ferguson, took his career earnings to over £1.7million following victory in the Bahrain International Trophy in November before landing the even more lucrative Neom Turf Cup in Riyadh in February.
He was last seen in Meydan for the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic in March, but the Frankel gelding was unable to land a blow on Dubai World Cup night, finishing 11th of 12 runners.
It's Fergie time in Saudi!! 🇬🇧
SPIRIT DANCER powers home in G2 Howden Neom Turf Cup at #TheSaudiCup.
Spirit Dancer did sustain an injury on his last appearance, which has seen a delay to his reappearance. However, trainer Richard Fahey has set out a path for his stable star.
The Musley Bank handler confirmed his charge will travel to Newmarket for the Group Three Darley Stakes in October, as he did last year when finishing five and half lengths behind Highland Avenue in fourth.
Attention is mainly on the Middle East for Fahey and Spirit Dancer, though, as they aim to retain their money-spinning titles.
“he’s good. He’s had a bit of an easy period, but he’s been back cantering for two months. He’s had a good rest and the plan was to give him a break so we’ve given him one,” Fahey said.
Spirit Dancer, second left in red, will return to Newmarket before travelling to the Middle East (Nigel French/PA)
“He will head back to the Middle East, probably run at Newmarket before and head back to Bahrain.
“To be honest his focus is the Middle East. We will see, he’s had a tough enough year this year. He’s had a such a busy time that he needed a break. We’ll probably run him at Newmarket in that Group Three, the Darley Stakes, and then head to Bahrain.
“I did try him at a mile and half, but he had a bit of a setback in that race so it’s a bit inconclusive. I can’t see why we would change it from a mile and quarter at the moment.”
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Dare To Hope led home stablemate Ramazan to provide Richard Fahey with a one-two in the William Hill Great St Wilfrid and give him a third winner of Ripon’s most valuable race of the season.
Fahey has tasted glory before with Baccarat (2013) and Don’t Touch (2015), who subsequently went on to land the Ayr Gold Cup, and the handler dominated the six-furlong sprint again inside the final furlong.
Top weight Ramazan ran his heart out once more and having been pipped in the Victoria Cup at Ascot earlier in the season, it is surely only a matter of time before he lands a deserved big pot.
But it was the 9-2 favourite Dare To Hope, unlucky in running at Goodwood when last seen, who was the better handicapped of the pair.
Not only was it two Fahey runners dominating the finish, both his jockeys were called Oisin, and it was stable number one Oisin Orr who came out on top by three-quarters of a length, with Oisin McSweeney having to settle for second.
Secret Guest was third, with Summerghand, twice placed in the race before, back in fourth.
Orr said: “I had a good draw and they weren’t going fast enough for him, the race kind of fell apart two and a half out, which really suited my horse and he galloped out well.
“I think he needs a good gallop to aim at, so I knew I was coming there with a chance, but when I looked up, I could see Richard’s other horse, so I thought I’d stay away from him.
“He ran well at Goodwood and he’s always worked really well. I imagine he’ll be aimed at some nice races now.”
Fahey’s assistant trainer Robin O’Ryan said: “I was cheering for them both because they both deserved it. Ramazan really deserves one, as he just got beat at Ascot earlier in the season.
“It’s lovely for all the owners of the winner, I couldn’t believe we were first and second – it was a great result.
“Ramazan must be a tough horse; over six or seven furlongs, he always runs his heart out and he’s probably Listed class.
“The winner is a lovely horse, we haven’t seen the best of him yet. I’m sure they’ll both be heading towards Ayr.”
Richard Fahey saddled the first two home (Julian Herbert/PA)
Syndicate organiser John Wicks said of Dare To Hope: “I’ve run racehorse partnerships for Richard since 1999, many of these guys have been in virtually the whole time – and he’s the best we’ve had.
“I work very hard at it, I daren’t tell my wife how little I charge but it’s great to do it with a group of people. Look how happy they are! It’s a magic day.
“He’s had a bit of bad luck a few times, he’s that sort of horse. He comes from a little bit back and he doesn’t have a turn of foot, he just keeps going.
“He was blocked in the Sky Bet Dash at York and the Stewards’ Cup – Vincent Ho reckoned he’d have got third at Goodwood, even though he was drawn wrong.”
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Charlie Appleby feels Ancient Truth has a “live chance” of providing him with a fifth victory in Saturday’s bet365 Superlative Stakes at Newmarket.
Since breaking his duck with Boynton in 2016, the Moulton Paddocks handler has saddled a trio of subsequent Group One winners to land this Group Two prize in Quorto (2018), Master Of The Seas (2020) and Native Trail (2021).
Having made a successful start to his career on the Rowley Mile in mid-May, Ancient Truth followed up over this course and distance last month and Appleby is looking forward to raising his sights.
Impressive 👀
Dubawi colt Ancient Truth follows in the footsteps of his brother Great Truth by making a winning debut for the Charlie Appleby team.
“He’s two from two and has got that experience on this track now and I feel he has come forward again from his last run if anything,” he said.
“The timing is hopefully suitable and I feel he has hopefully come forward mentally and physically.
“It’s a good Superlative, as it always is, and hopefully we go there with a live chance.”
The Richard Fahey-trained Columnist and George Boughey’s Pentle Bay both bring Royal Ascot placed form to the table, having finished third and second in the Coventry and Chesham Stakes respectively.
Columnist was beaten just a neck as a 50-1 shot at the Royal meeting and Fahey is keen to discover whether his charge possesses the required stamina for this step up from six to seven furlongs.
He said: “I was a bit shocked how big of a price he was at Ascot, but he ran a good, solid race.
“You’ve got to take it on trust that he’ll stay seven. His six-furlong form looks very good, so we’ll see what happens.
“He’s never been stopping in his races and he’s a relaxed type. We’re happy with him, so if he can stay seven and bring that Royal Ascot form, I’m sure he’s got a big chance.”
Pentle Bay found only the hugely impressive Bedtime Story too strong in the Chesham and Boughey believes he merits his place in the line-up.
“It’s probably going to be slightly different ground, as it was very fast at Ascot, but very fair, safe ground. He’s been training great since and deserves a crack at this sort of level,” said Boughey.
“I think a stiff seven (furlongs) will suit him and he looks like he has a more stout pedigree than a few of them at the top end of the market.”
Bedtime Story’s trainer Aidan O’Brien sent over City Of Troy to score here in impressive fashion 12 months ago and this time relies upon The Parthenon, who after finishing fifth in the Group Three Marble Hill Stakes on debut, opened his account at short odds at Gowran Park.
“The Parthenon was taken out of the Railway Stakes on the day and he is clearly open to considerable improvement after just the two starts, which included a win over this trip at Gowran last time,” jockey Ryan Moore told Betfair.
“He will need to improve to win this but obviously the potential is there.”
Danny Welbeck is one of the owners of Seagulls Eleven (Martin Rickett/PA)
Hugo Palmer’s Seagulls Eleven is a similarly unknown quantity, having confirmed the promise of his debut second at Haydock with a clear-cut win at the same venue next time.
A son of the trainer’s 2000 Guineas winner Galileo Gold, Seagulls Eleven is owned by a clutch of current and former Brighton footballers including Billy Gilmour, Danny Welbeck and Adam Lallana.
“We’re really looking forward to him running. He’s always done nice things at home and he’s very versatile as far as ground is concerned – he ran very well on soft ground at Haydock and then won very nicely on firm ground at Haydock,” said Palmer.
“We’re looking forward to seeing him take his chance and seeing how he gets on going up in grade.”
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The red-hot Richard Fahey will attempt to land the bet365 Two Year Old Trophy Conditions Stakes for the second year running when he saddles Moving Force at Beverley on Saturday.
The Musley Bank handler has won this with Summer Sands (2019) and Bombay Bazaar (2023) in recent years with both marching on to run at Royal Ascot and he could have another above-average juvenile on his hands judged by his taking debut at the track last month.
The son of Mehmas was always in control over the same five furlongs he faces here and his handler is taking plenty of encouragement from that performance ahead of this step into deeper waters.
“We were very pleased with him on debut, he’s a quick horse and he’s entitled to improve for that,” said Fahey.
“He does have to give weight all round which feels a bit unfair, but that’s life.
“He’s a very nice colt, we like him and we’ll find out if he’s an Ascot horse after this.”
Moving Force’s biggest danger could be Karl Burke’s newcomer Shareholder, who carries a big reputation having been recently purchased for €460,000 and has been delighting connections in the lead up to his racecourse bow.
“He was bought from the Arqana breeze-up so it is quite a quick turnaround, but when we bought him I said to Karl ‘let’s give him a chance of being an Ascot horse’,” said Richard Brown, racing adviser to owners Wathnan Racing.
“Karl hasn’t had him very long but he is very happy and did a serious piece of work the other day.
“It’s quite a quick turnaround but the horse is screaming he is ready to run. Let’s hope he is and I’ll be nervous watching, but I think he is definitely a nice horse.
Karl Burke is in great form (Mike Egerton/PA)
“It’s a tough race and if it doesn’t happen that is absolutely fine. It will be good to get him out and get him started.
“I’ve worked with Karl for a while and when you are buying some of these sharp types, he is an obvious name to drop in the hat to train these breeze-up horses.”
Pontefract winner Regal Gem carries a similar profile to Moving Force having struck an encouraging blow on debut and will represent Tony Coyle and Kaine Wood, while John and Sean Quinn’s Jm Jhingree was tough when opening his account at Redcar and could enjoy this stiff sprint test.
Craig Lidster’s first timer Horus completes the select group of five heading to post.
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Pretty Crystal held off the late surge of Dance Sequence in the Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket.
Viewed as the first 1000 Guineas trial of the spring, Charlie Appleby’s previously unbeaten Dance Sequence was 10-11 favourite to enhance her Classic claims.
William Buick was briefly short of room on the Godolphin filly and it was just then that Oisin Orr on Pretty Crystal made his decision to set off in pursuit of Brian Meehan’s Kathmandu, who had made a bold bid for home.
As Kathmandu’s stride began to shorten, it was Richard Fahey’s Pretty Crystal who looked the likely winner but Dance Sequence, once in the clear, began to make ground.
The favourite began to roll around upon meeting the rising ground, though, making life difficult for Buick, and that enabled Pretty Crystal (18-1) to come out on top by a neck.
Fahey said: “I’m just delighted because she had some tough tasks last year and it’s nice to get one. She’s been placed a few times, but I kept saying she was a black-type filly and it’s the first time she’s won one so it’s grand.
“It was a real career-best, the favourite looked a good filly and she battled away. It was a good, hardy, tough performance and you would have to be really pleased with her.
“She had to step up and she has done, she stuck her head down and kept going and we’re delighted. We were expecting a decent run and I thought we definitely had an each-way chance.
“We haven’t put her in the 1000 Guineas and when she stepped into Pattern company last year she was found wanting a little bit. We could supplement her, but we will speak to the team and work our way from there.
“It’s been a lucky race for us and I think it’s something like the third time we have won it now. It’s quite a prestigious race and to get black-type in a race like that is great. We are little bit shocked that we beat the Godolphin filly.”
Oisin Orr was full of praise for Pretty Crystal (Bradley Collyer/PA)
Orr said: “I was delighted and things went a lot smoother today as a few times I’ve been unlucky on her.
“I got a lovely run and she is tough, she hit the line strong and was great.
“She had good form as a two-year-old, but I think she’s a lot stronger and she’ll be right up there with the good fillies we have and it’s good to get her head in front.”
Philip Robinson, assistant racing manager for owner Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum, said: “I couldn’t understand how she was such a big price – I thought we would be single figures.
“I don’t think she’s in the Guineas, but we might have to put her in! We have got to find out what we have to do now, but why not (have a go). Dubawis, they never stop improving I think and as they get older they get better. Big heart, tries, it’s what you need.”
Appleby said of Dance Sequence “Without winning, we are delighted with the run and that is very much what the trials are there for.
“I spoke to William and said we are going to have to ride her a bit closer to the pace because the twice she ran last year she just got through the line and was learning on the job. Today there were pacier fillies in there and I thought he might just have to ask her a bit more to get to them and I think we saw all of that develop throughout the race.
“Even going to the line, William thought he had won and she ducks out towards the rail so it’s just all about learning and I think you will see a different filly in two and a half weeks’ time. That extra furlong will suit and just the experience of this itself.
“The Guineas is two and a half weeks away so needless to say we hope there is a little bit more there, hopefully.”
Spirit Dancer is set for a well-earned break after finishing lame in his bid for further international honours in Saturday’s Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan.
Richard Fahey’s charge has enjoyed a hugely productive winter on foreign soil, carrying the red and white silks of part-owner and breeder Sir Alex Ferguson to victory in the Bahrain International Trophy before claiming an even more lucrative success in the Neom Turf Cup in Riyadh.
The seven-year-old was unable to land a blow when stepped up in class on Dubai World Cup night, finishing 11th of 12 runners, but was subsequently found to have sustained an injury.
“He has a chip in his joint I’m afraid, so he did pull up lame,” Fahey said on Tuesday.
“It (injury) won’t have helped. It was a messy sort of race as he sort of dropped in and never got back into it, but that can’t have helped.
“He was due for a holiday anyway and he’ll get it now. He’s fit enough to travel and we’ll sort him out when we get him home.
“It’s been a fantastic winter with him and he’s got the money in the bank to prove it!”
Sir Alex Ferguson (centre) at the Cheltenham Festival (Joe Giddens/PA)
While Fahey is keen to get his charge back to his North Yorkshire base before committing to future targets, there is every chance Spirit Dancer will be stamping his passport again later in the year.
The trainer added: “I’d be keen to go back there (Dubai) again next year, so all roads and plans will lead to go there.
“I’ve got Hong Kong in my mind as well, so we’ll see. He could have a couple of runs over here and then head back over there.”
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Having broken his Cheltenham Festival duck with a dream double when Monmiral and Protektorat scored, Sir Alex Ferguson is chasing more glory with Spirit Dancer in the Dubai Sheema Classic on Saturday.
Bred by Ferguson himself, the Richard Fahey-trained seven-year-old has enjoyed a memorable 12 months.
He started last season in handicaps off a mark of 97, his winning spree began at York in July, was followed by a Racing League success at Windsor and he returned to the Knavesmire to claim the Group Three Strensall Stakes.
Spirit Dancer appears to love racing abroad even more, though, as in November he bagged the Bahrain Trophy and last month he won the Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia, taking his career earnings to over £1.7million.
Can SPIRIT DANCER (GB) complete the Middle East treble for @RichardFahey?
✅ Bahrain International Trophy✅ Neom Turf Cup, Saudi Arabia🔜 Dubai Sheema Classic
He looked a picture during his work at Meydan Racecourse.
“Everything’s going great. Looking at the videos and speaking to the lad out there, I believe he’s come on in his coat and his demeanour, he’s in very good form,” said Fahey.
“He did have five weeks to acclimatise from his first run this season to the Neom Turf Cup and it’s nearly another five weeks again.
“We’re very lucky to be able to have him there because it’s more or less the same climate in the Middle East and he’s had time to settle into a good routine – he’s loving his time there. It’s an easier preparation to do it there than from here.
“It was always in the back of my mind to go to a mile and a half. You’d have every confidence that he should stay. He relaxes and in all his races he’s always finished well.
“We are in at Group One level, so it will be a huge ask, but we’ve had a nice prep and it’s always nice coming there off the back of a win. I’m really looking forward to seeing him run.”
Spirit Dancer is firmly on course for a Dubai World Cup night outing after providing Sir Alex Ferguson with further international success in Saudi Arabia.
The Richard Fahey-trained seven-year-old gave the former Manchester United manager – along with co-owners Ged Mason and Peter Done – a day to remember when scoring in the Bahrain International Trophy in November and hit the target once again in the Middle East in the Neom Turf Cup.
Having scooped a first-prize of just shy of £1million when downing the likes of Aidan O’Brien’s Luxembourg in Riyadh, the son of Frankel will now return to Dubai, where he has spent the majority of the winter and will be prepared for Meydan action on March 30.
“It has been a great winter with him and he’s progressing well,” said Fahey.
“He’s taken to us to another level of enjoyment there and the whole thing has been great. It’s very exciting.
“We flew him into Dubai for his last run (in the Jebel Hatta) and left him there and now he has flown back to Dubai. We will see how he is, but he looks well and is summering well in Dubai. He’s in great form and enjoying life at the moment competing at the very highest level.
“Definitely, all being well, you will see him on World Cup night.”
Spirit Dancer’s latest victory came over an extended 10 furlongs and Fahey now has to decide whether Spirit Dancer stretches out to a mile and a half for the first time to take part in the Dubai Sheema Classic or drops back to nine furlongs for the Dubai Turf.
Fahey added: “I haven’t decided which race yet and it will be either be the nine-furlong race or the mile and a half. I’ll see how he is training and I have to make a decision soon because he has an invite, but I haven’t 100 per cent made a decision yet.
“It’s always been in my mind to give him a go (at a mile and a half).
“I’ll have to have look and see what runs in each race there and I’m afraid there is no easy race, but when they are $5m and $6m races, that’s what you expect in Dubai.”
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Richard Fahey will bid to provide Sir Alex Ferguson with further international success when Spirit Dancer lines up in the Howden Neom Turf Cup on Saturday.
The seven-year-old gave the former Manchester United manager and his fellow owners, Ged Mason and Fred Done, a day to remember when scoring in the Bahrain International Trophy last November and attentions were soon turned to securing more valuable prizes in the region.
Spirit Dancer tuned up for his crack at this $2million prize by finishing fourth in Meydan’s Jebel Hatta last month and his handler believes that will have put him spot on for this Saudi Cup night assignment.
Sir Alex Ferguson confirms he's happy to break another rib to see SPIRIT DANCER win on #TheSaudiCup night! 🤣
We caught up with Sir Alex and co-owner Ged Mason at trackwork this morning. 👇 pic.twitter.com/bxf2MKJUpV
“I felt he would need the run the last day and it looked that way as well,” said Fahey.
“He has had four or five weeks to acclimatise now. It’s all stuff of dreams, which is becoming a reality when we get to run on Saturday.
“It’s fantastic here, we are well looked after and the horse is happy. When you come on these trips, the most important thing is how the horse is – and the horse is in good order. I’m very pleased with him and at the moment I wouldn’t swap my fella.”
Fahey admitted to being awestruck by the footballing great in the early stages of training for him, but now relishes the time they spend together comparing notes on how to prime star sporting talent for action.
“To be fair, when I first started training for him, I was a little bit humbled,” Fahey this week.
Sir Alex Ferguson has enjoyed Spirit Dancer’s success of late (David Davies/PA)
“I have some fantastic conversations with him and he has been to the yard three or four times now. He is just a wonderful man and you can see why he has been a success.
“It’s a humbling experience but it’s amazing, because even this (Thursday) morning we were discussing footballers and horses and Sir Alex was asking why we didn’t canter on the grass.
“I explained we race on the (grass) surfaces because if we were to train on them all the time, we wouldn’t have many horses left, so we tend to use the artificial surfaces – and he compared it to a very good football team whose training pitch was quite quick and a lot of the players were getting hurt, so there is comparisons with football and racing.”
There is plenty of British and Irish involvement in the extended 10-furlong event, with Aidan O’Brien’s Luxembourg a clear favourite with the bookmakers, having knocked on the door behind Auguste Rodin on home soil in the autumn before also going close in Hong Kong in December.
Luxembourg will represent Aidan O’Brien in the Neom Turf Cup (Donall Farmer/PA)
Andrew Balding’s The Foxes is another who is no stranger to international competition, having finished second in the Belmont Derby last summer, and the Dante winner is expected to take a step forward from his comeback run at Southwell recently.
A January afternoon at Rolleston is poles apart from the pressure cooker of Riyadh on Saudi Cup night, but connections are confident of a bold bid from their four-year-old.
“He’s got here in great form,” said the trainer’s wife and representative Anna Lisa Balding.
“I was very pleased with how he looked out there on Thursday morning.
The Foxes warmed up for his Neom Turf Cup challenge at Southwell (PA)
“Last year, we took him to America and he finished second in a Grade One, so we felt he would be up to the travel again.
“We’re delighted with his position in gate six and Oisin Murphy is back on and he rides him so well. He needed the run last time at Southwell but it was a good effort and he will come on for it.”
John and Thady Gosden struck gold with subsequent Royal Ascot and Juddmonte International Stakes champion Mostahdaf 12 months ago and will look to repeat the dose with stable newcomer Jack Darcy.
Astro King has been something of a superstar for Daniel and Claire Kubler and their Cambridgeshire hero should not be underestimated after being far from disgraced in sixth behind Spirit Dancer last time.
“With a little more luck, he might well have placed second or third (in Bahrain),” said Claire Kubler.
“He was on the rail in Bahrain and ran into traffic. It was frustrating but we had to notice that it was established horses like Point Lonsdale and Nations Pride that were in his path and he was finishing stronger than them.
“It’s amazing for our team and his owners to be a part of this occasion. It’s so exciting and we feel he can run well.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/274582649-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2024-02-23 12:48:272024-02-23 12:48:27Fahey making the most of Fergie time with Spirit Dancer
Sir Alex Ferguson “never dreamed” that he would have a horse good enough to take on the best in the world on the international stage. But in Spirit Dancer – a horse he bred – that is exactly what he is doing.
The former Manchester United manager has become immersed in the racing world since his retirement, enjoying several high-profile victories in the National Hunt sphere.
To date, his Flat exploits had not reached the same heights. But the Richard Fahey-trained seven-year-old Spirit Dancer has started to change all that.
Winning the Strensall Stakes at York last summer earned him an invite for the Bahrain International Trophy, which he won, and he was last seen finishing a respectable fourth in the Group One Jebel Hatta at Meydan in Dubai.
He now runs in the Howden Neom Turf Cup on Saturday in Riyadh, a race worth almost £1million to the winner.
“One of the great advantages of having a really good horse is international racing. We never dreamed, when I bred Spirit Dancer, that he would end up getting as far as this,” Ferguson told The Saudi Cup.
“We’re so excited about it and after Bahrain we are quite optimistic.
“He had a little problem when he was three years of age, he got over that and he’s just got better and better. He’s not had a lot of racing. That’s what Richard keeps saying, that he can race a lot more than he’s been doing. So we’re getting the benefit.
“The international element is something we didn’t expect. I’d been to Dubai some years back and I was saying to myself I wonder what it’s like to have a horse involved in it – now we’ve got one, I’m enjoying it.
“Competing with the likes of Aidan O’Brien and the Japanese, you know you are up against the best, and we’re enjoying it.”
Spirit Dancer on track at Riyadh (Mathea Kelley-Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, Feb. 22, 2024)
Ferguson’s racing interests stretch back almost 30 years now, and it is fair to say he is more involved than at any time in his life.
“It was round about 1995 that I remember my wife saying I was going to kill myself because my whole day was absorbed with the (football) club,” he explained.
“One day, I said to my wife ‘shall we go to the races?’. She asked where that had come from and I told her it was her who said I needed to start doing something else.
“We were at the races one day when I met John Mulhern and Dessie Scahill and I got hooked. She once said ‘you want to buy all the right horses’, well, I’m trying!
“I got into breeding by accident, I was in Germany visiting Andreas Wohler and he put the idea in my mind, I bought a horse from him, the mare Queen’s Dream (Spirit Dancer’s dam).
“A friend of mine then put the idea in my head about buying the stud in Hemel Hempstead. I said we’d have a go and it’s been great. They are fantastic people there, we had a foal there last week by Stradivarius, so it’s great.”
It is Ferguson’s second trip to Saudi Arabia, the first was in 2008 when Manchester United played in a testimonial to honour local player Sam Al Jaber, who played over 150 times for his country.
“We came to Saudi about 15 years ago to play in a game to celebrate a famous player who had 150 international caps. The King bought 80,000 tickets and gave them all away to the people and it was fantastic,” said Ferguson.
Spirit Dancer is co-owned by bookmaker Fred Done and Ferguson’s big friend, Ged Mason, with whom he is involved with most of his horses – and who initiated a rather painful celebration in Bahrain.
“Ged broke my rib celebrating in Bahrain, I won’t mind him breaking another if it means we win!” said Ferguson.
Mason is loving being involved in the ride and is thrilled at the enjoyment Ferguson is getting from the game.
“When he came round the bend at Bahrain, it was a fantastic sight and the way he pulled away was a pinch yourself moment, to be honest,” said Mason.
“He got the invite to Bahrain because he’d produced the goodies at York. I’m so proud for Sir Alex because he bred him and he’s out of Frankel.
“I think our first venture into ownership was What A Friend and what a friend he was to us, he got our appetite for winning. Clan Des Obeaux won King Georges and Irish Gold Cups, it’s been a fantastic journey and we don’t want it to stop.”
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Sir Alex Ferguson will have the chance to secure further international honours after Richard Fahey confirmed his Spirit Dancer is on course for the Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia later this month.
The former Manchester United manager was no stranger to glory overseas during his time in the dugout and alongside co-owners Peter Done and Ged Mason saw Spirit Dancer collect £500,000 when victorious in the Bahrain International Trophy in November.
The seven-year-old has since tuned up for his outing in Riyadh by finishing fourth in the Jebel Hatta at Meydan and Fahey is confident that will put him spot on for the $2million event on February 24.
“I was delighted to get that run in Dubai into him,” said Fahey.
“We were pleased with the run and we were probably just drawn a little bit wide – hopefully the run will put him 100 per cent right for Saudi.
“We’re going to run in the Neom. I was keen to go for the big one there (Saudi Cup), but I just felt nine furlongs on the dirt would be sharp enough for him. He’s a horse I would probably want to go a mile and a half in Saudi rather than a sharp nine, if that makes sense.”
Spirit Dancer’s owners revelled in their Bahrain success before Christmas, with Ferguson describing it as his “best ever” victory as an owner.
All of the son of Frankel’s ownership trio appear keen on another visit to the Middle East, with Fahey predicting a strong showing from his charge in the extended 10-furlong turf contest.
“Barring problems I’m sure his owners are very keen,” continued Fahey.
“Peter Done and Ged Mason are both very keen and Sir Alex is keen as well, so it looks like they are booking and barring problems I would say they will probably be there.
“We certainly enjoyed Bahrain and anything now is a bonus, but we’re expecting him to run a big race in Saudi.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/274582649-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2024-02-14 11:59:442024-02-14 11:59:44Spirit Dancer confirmed for Neom Turf Cup bid in Saudi
The Sir Alex Ferguson-owned Spirit Dancer will search for further international riches on Friday when he attempts to supplement his Bahrain International Trophy success in Meydan’s Jebel Hatta.
Owned by Ferguson alongside Fred Done and Ged Mason, Spirit Dancer gave the former Manchester United manager one of the best days of his racing life when the £500,000 connections earned through victory in the Persian Gulf eclipsed any single winner’s cheque the Scotsman picked up with the legendary Rock Of Gibraltar.
Trained by Richard Fahey, the son of Frankel – who was bred by Ferguson and Niall McLoughlin – has taken his time to fulfil his potential but is now rapidly climbing through the ranks as he prepares to line up in Group One company for the very first time.
Victory in Bahrain was Spirit Dancer’s fourth from his last five runs and although his owners are not able to make the trip to the UAE to cheer the seven-year-old on, connections are hopeful of tasting more overseas success in his first outing of 2024.
Fahey said: “It’s his first Group One and a tough race, a proper Group One and we’re looking forward to seeing him run. Everything is going well and he’s in great order.
“I’m afraid his owners can’t make it this time which is a big shame because I know they were keen to come, but it’s just fallen on the wrong day sadly.
“Sir Alex is used to winning, but he gets a good kick out of it, so let’s hope he runs well again.
“It was a great day (in Bahrain), a very enjoyable day and it’s always great to be a part of these big international meetings and Dubai is exceptional as well, so we’re looking forward to it.”
The Jebel Hatta – which also features 1000 Guineas heroine Mawj – is the beginning of what could be a busy few months for Spirit Dancer in the Middle East, with a trip to the Saudi Cup meeting next month and a return to Meydan on Dubai World Cup night pencilled in on the gelding’s calendar.
His win in Bahrain secures him an automatic spot into the Neom Turf Cup in Riyadh on February 24, but he also has the option of switching to dirt for the fixture’s main event the $20,000,000 Saudi Cup.
Spirit Dancer winning at York last summer (Mike Egerton/PA)
“We’re certainly using this as a prep for Saudi and he will maybe just need the run,” continued Fahey.
“He will stay in the Middle East now for a few months and hopefully also get an invite for Dubai World Cup night.
“We haven’t decided yet (which race in Saudi Arabia) and we’re just keeping our options open. It’s very difficult to get away from a $20,000,000 race but the Neom Cup does look the easier race, so we will speak to the team and see what they think.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/274582649-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2024-01-24 14:16:342024-01-24 14:16:34Spirit Dancer primed to test Group One waters for the first time in Dubai
Spirit Dancer quickened up impressively to give owner and breeder Sir Alex Ferguson a famous victory in the Bahrain International Trophy.
The former Manchester United manager already had a special place in his affections for the Richard Fahey-trained six-year-old, having sent the unraced dam Queen’s Dream to Frankel.
While he has taken time to reach his full potential, this summer saw him win three in a row, including the Group Three Strensall Stakes at York, which booked his ticket for this contest, worth £500,000 to the winner.
Spirit Dancer was not among the favourites due to the class of the opposition, which included Charlie Appleby’s Grade One winner Nations Pride, Saeed bin Suroor’s 2022 Queen Anne runner-up Real World, Israr for the Gosdens and Aidan O’Brien’s Point Lonsdale.
All the main protagonists had their chance but none had an answer to Spirit Dancer, who when Oisin Orr unleashed him down the outside put the race to bed in a matter of strides.
Ferguson was understandably delighted, telling Racing TV: “That is the best ever, without doubt. Against all the pedigrees and form of all the other horses – that’s fantastic, I couldn’t believe it.
“Richard said to leave it to the jockey, he’ll be all right.
“I was terrified looking at all the other people involved in this race. Godolphin had five horses in it. That was great, I’m so proud.
“I said to the jockey ‘remember, he’s a Frankel’.”
Orr said: “I got a lovely sit the whole race and I always felt I had plenty of horse underneath me. I couldn’t believe how well he quickened in the straight, he’s won well.
“He had good form coming here, maybe he just needed his last run a little but he’s come back to his best today.”
Sir Alex Ferguson is presented with the Bahrain International Trophy (Bahrain Turf Club)
A delighted Fahey said: “This race has been the plan for some time, but to win it is a lovely surprise considering the quality of the opposition.
“Our stay in Bahrain has been brilliant, both Sir Alex (Ferguson) and Ged (Mason) have been incredibly well looked after and we have enjoyed every minute.
“Realistically we didn’t think we would win, but Spirit Dancer and Oisin pulled it out of the fire and in the end he won well.”
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