Tag Archive for: Ryan Moore

Super Mac just edged Ryan Moore in battle for world’s best honours

Ryan Moore and James McDonald have dominated the Longines World’s Best Jockey award in recent years. Here we assess who really rules the roost between the top two.

James McDonald

James McDonald salutes the crowd aboard Romantic Warrior
James McDonald salutes the crowd aboard Romantic Warrior (Hong Kong Jockey Club)

The 32-year-old Kiwi finished on top of the leaderboard for the second time in 2024, having previously prevailed in 2021.

He registered nine Group One victories during the 12-month qualifying period, with Romantic Warrior his main ally after they struck at elite level four times together, while Via Sistina added three more.

Now with a career total of 106 top-tier triumphs to his credit, McDonald is a superstar in Australia, Hong Kong and his native New Zealand.

The rider nicknamed ‘J-Mac’ said: “Nothing beats experience and I think the ultimate thing I have learnt is to cope with what Frankie (Dettori), Ryan and Hughie (Bowman) have been able to do and ride champion racehorses – and to be able to cope with that sort of pressure.

“Look, I thoroughly enjoy it and I think it is a very privileged position to be in and I think that’s grown on me to be able to ride great racehorses on the biggest stage, whether it’s Royal Ascot or the Hong Kong International meeting.”

When asked to build his perfect jockey, four-time British champion Oisin Murphy hailed the tactical brain of McDonald and his rides on Romantic Warrior highlight an uncanny knack of being in the right place at the right time.

Ryan Moore

The Betfred Derby Festival – Derby Day – Epsom Downs Racecourse
Ryan Moore after winning the Derby with City Of Troy (David Davies for the Jockey Club).

In the same feature for Champions Series, Murphy declared: “I think Ryan Moore is very strong, he’s certainly one in a finish that you don’t want to be against.”

Alongside Dettori, the 41-year-old has a record-equalling four World’s Best Jockey awards on his CV, having prevailed in 2014, 2016, 2021 and 2023.

Moore has ridden over 200 Group One winners, forging incredible partnerships with first Sir Michael Stoute and then Aidan O’Brien.

The major victories continued in 2024, with the likes of City Of Troy, Kyprios, Lake Victoria, Los Angeles, Luxembourg and Auguste Rodin adding to his top-grade tally.

After Moore went past Dettori to become the most successful active rider at Royal Ascot, O’Brien commented: “Every year he is getting better, which is incredible. He will definitely keep improving until he is 45.”

Coolmore’s Michael Tabor added: “He’s just riding at the top of his game and long may it continue. We know he is going to retire one day, but hopefully it is many years away.”

Verdict: Moore’s record in Britain, Ireland and France is obviously incredible, but he has also done it all on the international stage. There have been Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup triumphs in Australia, a clean sweep of Hong Kong’s biggest prizes, two Japan Cup strikes and his Breeders’ Cup haul stands at 16 and rising after Lake Victoria and Henri Matisse this term. For all his amazing success in Australia and in the Far East, McDonald can only boast one European win of note, on board Nature Strip in the 2022 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot. Such different levels of worldwide experience mean that Moore would still be the number one choice for most people.



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Auguste Rodin hailed by Japanese fans after Tokyo finale

Auguste Rodin was afforded a hero’s farewell after finishing eighth in his Japan Cup swansong at Tokyo racecourse.

A son of Japanese sensation Deep Impact, Aidan O’Brien’s dual Derby-winner was attempting to follow in his sire’s footsteps and add the Japan Cup to his hugely-decorated CV.

However, he struggled to make his presence felt in Tokyo as Do Deuce took home the spoils, leaving Auguste Rodin to bow out having won eight of his 16 career starts, with six of those victories coming at the highest level.

As well as his Derby triumphs at both Epsom and the Curragh, he landed the Futurity Trophy as a juvenile and along with further success on home soil in the Irish Champion Stakes, was a winner in America when capturing the Breeders’ Cup Turf under a fine Ryan Moore ride at Santa Anita in 2023.

Auguste Rodin's final victory came at Royal Ascot in the summer
Auguste Rodin’s final victory came at Royal Ascot in the summer (John Walton/PA)

His final Group One victory came at Royal Ascot this summer when producing a brilliant display to win the Prince of Wales’s Stakes and he retires having amassed just shy of £5million in prize-money.

Auguste Rodin was honoured with a farewell ceremony following his final outing in Japan and Moore, the man who has ridden the colt in all but one of his career starts, paid tribute.

He said: “He was very special from the first day I saw him and the first day I sat on him he impressed me and I believe I said to Aidan ‘I think he’ll win the Derby’.

“He was always a special horse and a beautiful mover, much like his sire, and the way he won the Derby, he gave me an unbelievable feel.

“I have been privileged to ride a lot of great horses but he is right up there with the very best.”

Over 15,000 spectators stayed behind after racing to witness Auguste Rodin’s retirement ceremony, where O’Brien also spoke, expressing his gratitude at being entrusted with one of Deep Impact’s finest progeny.

O’Brien said: “It’s been an incredible journey for us and we’ve been privileged to have him. There have been so many people involved with him and Ryan took him all the way through his career and gave him unbelievable rides.

“It’s been unbelievable for us really, he has shown class from day one and through all of his races. He has a great mind and is a beautiful mover. Being by Deep Impact out of a Galileo mare, he brought two continents together and it was a privilege to have a son of Deep Impact with such class and quality.

“We always dreamed he would end up here for his last run, that was the dream and he retires safe and sound.”



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Varian hoping Charyn can be big in Japan on farewell appearance

Roger Varian hopes Charyn has one last chapter to write of his sensational season when he bows out with an “away game” in the prestigious Mile Championship at Kyoto Racecourse on Sunday.

The son of Dark Angel will head to owner Nurlan Bizakov’s stud operation in France following his globetrotting mission to Japan and a race that has always been the preferred option for the colt’s career swansong after landing the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in style at Ascot.

That British Champions Day success was the fifth time the dashing grey has stuck gold in seven outings this term and having given his connections notable highlights such as a Royal Ascot victory and the Prix Jacques le Marois triumph to celebrate, his final act could well be his toughest, as he ventures to the Far East.

Varian is well aware of the task at hand, but is keen to embrace the challenge of taking on a racing powerhouse in their own backyard with Europe’s leading miler.

Varian said: “He’s been great this year and we’ve had a good journey with him. He’s given us some brilliant days and hopefully there is one more to come.

“The timing of this race worked well after Ascot and it is obviously going to be the last run of his career. He has come out of Ascot so well and we were always keen to come.

“It is a challenge and it’s a sporting challenge. It’s admirable of his owner Nurlan Bizakov to support that challenge. Nurlan is here and is very excited.

A big smile from Silvestre de Sousa as he returns aboard Charyn after the Prix Jacques le Marois
A big smile from Silvestre de Sousa as he returns aboard Charyn after the Prix Jacques le Marois (PA)

“We’re in a global industry and it’s not an easy place to come. The Japanese are very strong globally, but particularly when it is an away game and you are taking them on in their own back yard.

“It’s a very different style and tempo of racing and while Charyn is the highest-rated horse in the race, we’re not underestimating the challenge he faces.”

Although always held in the highest regard, Charyn was a Group-level winner at two, but did not get his head in front at three, despite a number of respectable efforts in deep waters, including against Aidan O’Brien’s Paddington.

However, it is iron constitution and steadfast temperament that has been often been credited as key to his flourishing at four, resulting in three victories at the highest level.

Those characteristics have once again come to the fore as he has made the long trip across the globe, where he will become Varian’s second runner after an unsuccessful tilt at the Japan Cup with Sri Putra in the early part of his training career.

“He’s in great form, he has an unbelievable temperament and a very relaxed mentality,” continued Varian.

“He’s took the long journey and quarantine in his stride. Of course, you never quite know until the gates open, but for all the world he looks in great nick and hopefully that proves to be the case.

“It’s nice to have a good one competing on Japanese soil and we keep our fingers crossed for Sunday.”

Charyn after winning at Royal Ascot
Charyn after winning at Royal Ascot (David Davies/PA)

A central figure in Charyn’s rise to stardom this season has been the ever-present Silvestre de Sousa in the saddle.

However, there will be a replacement in play this weekend with Ryan Moore, who has already put Charyn through his paces since arriving in Japan, taking over steering duties.

“Ryan is going to ride him and that is due to Silvestre not being licensed by the JRA,” added Varian.

“It’s unfortunate for Silvestre that he is unavailable, but Ryan Moore is a pretty good substitute and knows these Japanese tracks very well.”



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2024 Futurity Trophy Stakes Trends

The William Hill Futurity Trophy Stakes is staged each year at Doncaster racecourse and is for 2 year-olds only.

The Group One race is run over a distance of 1m and is an excellent guide and trial to the following year’s Classics, in particular the 2,000 Guineas and Epsom Derby - backed up in recent years with High Chaparral, Motivator, Authorized, Camelot and, most-recently, Auguste Rodin all winning the William Hill Futurity Trophy before going onto take the Epsom Derby the next season, while recent winners – Saxon Warrior, Magna Grecia and Kameko, who the race is named after this year - went onto land the 2,000 Guineas the following season.

Trainer Aidan O’Brien has won the race a remarkable 11 times, including in 2022 with Auguste Rodin, who went onto win the Epsom Derby. Ryan Moore is also another jockey making the race his own - with 3 wins since 2017.

Lester Piggott and Pat Eddery remain the winning-most jockeys with 5 wins each. While last year in 2023 the Charlie Appleby team won the race for the first time whrn Ancient Wisdom won the race for jockey William Buick.

Here at GeeGeez we take a look back at recent winners and highlights the key stats ahead of the 2024 renewal.

Kameko Futurity Trophy Winners

2023 - Aincient Wisdom (5/4 fav)
2022 - Auguste Rodin (9/4 fav)
2021 – Luxembourg (4/6 fav)
2020 - Mac Swiney (12/1)
2019 – Kameko (11/2)
2018 – Magna Grecia (2/1 fav)
2017 – Saxon Warrior (13/8 fav)
2016 – Rivet (11/4)
2015 – Marcel (33/1)
2014 – Elm Park (13/8 fav)
2013 – Kingston Hill (7/2 fav)
2012 – Kingsbarns (15/8 fav)
2011 – Camelot (10/11 fav)
2010 – Casamento (2/1 fav)
2009 – St Nicholas Abbey (13/8 fav)
2008 – Crowded House (7/1)
2007 – Ibn Khaldun (11/4 fav)
2006 – Authorized (25/1)
2005 – Palace Episode (20/1)
2004 – Motivator (6/4 fav)
2003 – American Post (5/6 fav)
2002 – Brian Boru (11/8 fav)

Note: The 2006 renewal was staged at Newbury
Note: The 2019 renewal was staged at Newcastle

Kameko Futurity Trophy Betting Trends

20/22 – Had won either 1 or 2 races before
19/22 – Winning distance – 1 ¼ lengths or more
19/22 – Placed favourites
18/22 - Foaled in February or later
18/22 – Finished in the top two last time out
17/22 – Raced within the last 4 weeks
16/22 – Had raced at least twice previously
15/22 – Winning favourites
14/22 – Ran at either the Curragh or Newmarket last time out
14/22 – Won their last race
13/22 – Foaled in either Feb or March
13/22 – Had won over a mile in the past
10/22 – Won by an Irish-based yard
8/22 – Trained by Aidan O’Brien (11 wins in total)
4/22 – Ridden by Andrea Atzeni (won 4 of the last 10)
3/22 - Ridden by Ryan Moore
Trainer John Gosden have NEVER won this race
Aidan O’Brien has won the race 11 times – 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2017, 2018, 2021 & 2022
The average SP in the last 22 runnings is 6/1

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Delacroix upholds family honour with gutsy success

Delacroix came out on top in a prolonged battle with Stanhope Gardens to win the Emirates Autumn Stakes for Ryan Moore and Aidan O’Brien.

It was a first victory in the Group Three contest for O’Brien, who for once was in need of a little pick-me-up.

He was forced to rule odds-on favourite The Lion In Winter out of the Dewhurst Stakes before the sun had risen and then just as racing began, news broke that his stable star City Of Troy is to be retired after the Breeders’ Cup.

This meeting is all about finding new stars, though, and Delacroix, having his fourth outing, has already shown that he will be competing in some of the big events next season.

By Dubawi out of the late, great racemare Tepin, his half-sister Grateful won a Group One in France last weekend.

Delacroix just got the better of Stanhope Gardens
Delacroix just got the better of Stanhope Gardens (Nigel French/PA)

Moore sent Delacroix (15-8 favourite) into the lead going into the dip when Wolf Of Badenoch faded, but he was briefly headed by Rossa Ryan on Ralph Beckett’s Stanhope Gardens.

It has taken something special to get the better of Ryan and Beckett of late, but Moore always looked confident that this time he would get the upper hand and he went on to win by a neck.

The winner was paying a huge compliment to Jessica Harrington’s Green Impact, who has already beaten Delacroix twice.

Betfair cut Delacroix to 8-1 from 20s for the Futurity Trophy at Doncaster.

“He’s improving and learning and he got a bump early which just unnerved him a little bit,” said O’Brien.

“He’s progressive and that’s why we are racing him and keeping him busy and Ryan was much happier with him today. He’s a tough, hardy horse who looks like he’s going to get a trip, he’s going to get middle-distance next year.

“You have to be very happy with him and Ryan said he could be a Futurity Trophy horse if we want, so we will see how he is and how it goes.

“I think next year, a mile upwards will be no problem; he’s a big horse, he’s learning and he’s obviously got a great pedigree.”



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Fabulous four-timer sees O’Brien approach Arc with zest

Aidan O’Brien fired an ominous shot across the bows on the eve of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe by saddling a Saturday four-timer at ParisLongchamp.

The master of Ballydoyle is launching a twin assault on Europe’s most prestigious middle-distance contest on Sunday, with the well-fancied Los Angeles and stablemate Continuous bidding to provide O’Brien with a third Arc success following the previous triumphs of Dylan Thomas in 2007 and Found in 2016.

The all-conquering team got day one of the meeting off to a flying start as Illinois ran out a determined winner of the Qatar Prix Chaudenay and soon doubled up, with the remarkable Kyprios continuing his domination of the staying division by reclaiming his crown in the Prix du Cadran.

The hat-trick was brought up by Mount Kilimanjaro (9-4 favourite) in the €260,000 Arqana Series – Haras de Bouquetot Criterium d’Automne before 25-1 shot Grateful rounded off an excellent afternoon’s work with a Group One triumph in the Qatar Prix de Royallieu.

O’Brien said: “It’s been an incredible day – a day like today, how can you believe it or think it?

“It’s wonderful really, unbelievable and very special.”

While Ryan Moore steered home O’Brien’s first three winners, Christophe Soumillon was in the saddle aboard Grateful and left it as late as he dared before, delivering his mount with a thrust to deny Ralph Beckett’s River Of Stars by three-quarters of a length.

Of Grateful, O’Brien said: “Obviously the lads bought Tepin (dam) in America, an incredible mare, and this her first foal by Galileo.

“Christophe gave her a masterful ride and I imagine that will be her (retired) because her mum sadly passed away and this filly is priceless as a broodmare. Knowing the way the lads think, I would imagine she would go off because she’s so valuable.”

Illinois with connections after winning at ParisLongchamp
Illinois with connections after winning at ParisLongchamp (Ashley Iveson/PA)

Illinois had to be brave from the front to win the Chaudenay under a power-packed Moore drive.

Having filled the runner-up spot in the Grand Prix de Paris, the Great Voltigeur and the St Leger since his Royal Ascot victory in the Queen’s Vase, the Galileo colt was a warm order to strike Group Two gold on his return to the Bois de Boulogne and was soon bowling along at the head of affairs.

Moore had to get to work from the home turn and the 4-9 favourite looked at the mercy of Trafalgar Square after being joined and briefly passed by his French rival, but Illinois gritted his teeth to keep himself in the fight and battled back to score by a widening two lengths at the line.

“I’m delighted, he’s a lovely horse and straightforward and stays very well. He’s lazy but finds plenty and Ryan said he’d have no problem coming back in trip if he needs to,” said O’Brien.

“In an ideal world you’d prefer to get a lead, but we’re very happy as it was a lovely race to come to after he got beat in the Leger.

“He should be a lovely four-year-old. I was obviously concerned when the other horse came to him, but knowing him he finds loads and Ryan gave him a great ride – that’s Ryan all over, isn’t it?”

Paddy Power cut Illinois to 8-1 from 10-1 for the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup, but he appears unlikely to turn up at Ascot in a fortnight’s time.

O’Brien added: “That will probably be it for him for this year, I’d imagine. It’s a nice, long winter and he’ll be ready to start early in the spring. Ryan said he could start in Dubai or anywhere.”

Mount Kilimanjaro and Ryan Moore at ParisLongchamp
Mount Kilimanjaro and Ryan Moore at ParisLongchamp (Ashley Iveson/PA)

Mount Kilimanjaro could only finish fifth and third respectively on his first two starts, but the form of both has worked out well.

With Moore again positive from the off, Mount Kilimanjaro dug deep when challenged in the big sales race and his trainer believes there will be even more to come next season.

“He had a couple of nice runs early and the maiden he ran in Newmarket worked out very well – I think the winner (Field Of Gold) runs in the Lagardere here tomorrow,” said O’Brien.

“Our fella will be a lovely middle-distance horse next year, a mile or a mile-and-a-quarter horse. He’d be one for one of the trials in the spring and he’s big, too.

“He’d been working nicely and Ryan gave him an uncomplicated ride. We could have a look at one of the Group Ones in Saint-Cloud, but we’ll see.”

Ramadan got the home team off the mark at Group level for the day in the Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein.

A dual Group Three winner earlier in the season, the three-year-old finished last of seven behind fellow Nurlan Bizakov-owned miler Charyn in the Prix du Moulin last time out.

But dropping down in class from Group One to Group Two company, the 18-1 winner finished with a flourish under Aurelien Lemaitre to get the better of Andromede by three-quarters of a length.

“I love this horse, what a pace we had during the race,” said Head.

“It’s great to have a winner on Arc weekend for Nurlan Bizakov. He has faith in France and I hope he continues to do it.

“Ramadan is entered in the Arc sale later, so we will see what will happen.”



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King Kyprios records landmark eighth Group One success

Aidan O’Brien hailed Kyprios “the horse of a lifetime” after he secured his eighth Group One victory in the Prix du Cadran at ParisLongchamp.

The popular chestnut rounded off an unblemished 2022 campaign with was a jaw-dropping 20-length victory in this race two years ago, but made it the track only twice last season after suffering a life-threatening injury and was beaten on both occasions.

However, he has roared back better than ever this term, regaining the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, the Goodwood Cup and the Irish St Leger and he was a 1-5 shot to do the same in the Cadran.

Ryan Moore sent the six-year-old into an early lead and despite having to be niggled at various stages to keep up the gallop, he never looked like being beaten.

It was Alan King’s veteran Trueshan, in search of a third win in the race himself, who kept him honest for much of the race yet despite running admirably, he could never quite get on terms for James Doyle.

O’Brien said of the winner: “He’s so special and I sound like a broken record thanking everyone, but all the people around him every day are the ones that make the difference. Everyone had so much patience with him getting him back and I’m so grateful to everyone.

“At those distances he’s only playing with horses really. He’s so much class and Ryan said he’s just going along there in second gear and wanting someone to come and join him all the time.”

Kyprios with connections after winning his second Prix du Cadran at ParisLongchamp (Ashley Iveson/PA)
Kyprios with connections after winning his second Prix du Cadran at ParisLongchamp (Ashley Iveson/PA)

By claiming an eighth Group One, Kyprios has now won more races at the highest level than any of the greats O’Brien has trained in his stellar career, with the likes of four-time Gold Cup winner Yeats, Highland Reel, Magical, Minding and Rock Of Gibraltar all having won seven.

While a bid for a third Gold Cup success next summer is clearly the priority for Kyprios, he could back at Ascot in just a fortnight’s time in a bid to win a first Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup, for which Paddy Power make him their 8-11 favourite.

“He’s an incredible horse, the horse of a lifetime really, and if everything is well with him we might have a look at going back to Ascot, then give him the winter off and go back for the Gold Cup next year with his two prep runs before it again,” O’Brien added.

“He’s very unique. When you have a horse with the class he has and gets the trip like he does, it’s vey unusual and his mind is unbelievable.

“For us it’s a privilege to have him. We’ve never had a horse win eight Group Ones before and what can I say? He’s so unusual and I promise you he’s lucky to be here – we didn’t think he would be.”

In the aftermath of his Irish Leger success last month, O’Brien did tantalisingly raise the possibility of Kyprios dropping back in trip for a tilt at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, but he insists he has no regrets about sticking to the staying division.

He said: “We’d love to have run him in the Arc, but we have to be respectful of the horse and it might be disrespectful to him to ask him to run in a race like that.

“He’d be a lot better with a stronger pace in front of him, but he tries so hard he would go down on his knees for you, that’s the way he is, and that might be the wrong thing to (do when) looking to have him hopefully for next year.

“He’s an amazing horse to have and I don’t think you could ask any more from him – you have to be respectful of him the whole time.”



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Illinois shows courage and class in Chaudenay victory

Illinois got Arc weekend off to a flying start for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore with a determined victory in the Qatar Prix Chaudenay at ParisLongchamp.

Having filled the runner-up spot in the Grand Prix de Paris, the Great Voltigeur and the St Leger since his Royal Ascot victory in the Queen’s Vase, the Galileo colt was a warm order to strike Group Two gold on his return to the Bois de Boulogne and was soon bowling along at the head of affairs.

Moore had to get to work from the home turn and the 4-9 favourite looked at the mercy of Trafalgar Square after being joined and briefly passed by his French rival, but Illinois gritted his teeth to keep himself in the fight and battled back to score by a widening two lengths at the line.

“I’m delighted, he’s a lovely horse and straightforward and stays very well. He’s lazy but finds plenty and Ryan said he’d have no problem coming back in trip if he needs to,” said O’Brien.

“In an ideal world you’d prefer to get a lead, but we’re very happy as it was a lovely race to come to after he got beat in the Leger.

“He should be a lovely four-year-old. I was obviously concerned when the other horse came to him, but knowing him he finds loads and Ryan gave him a great ride – that’s Ryan all over, isn’t it?”

Paddy Power cut Illinois to 8-1 from 10-1 for the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup, but he appears unlikely to turn up at Ascot in a fortnight’s time.

O’Brien added: “That will probably be it for him for this year, I’d imagine. It’s a nice, long winter and he’ll be ready to start early in the spring. Ryan said he could start in Dubai or anywhere.”

Mount Kilimanjaro and Ryan Moore at ParisLongchamp
Mount Kilimanjaro and Ryan Moore at ParisLongchamp (Ashley Iveson/PA)

After doubling up with the remarkable Kyprios in the Prix du Cadran, O’Brien and Moore made it a treble on the card with Mount Kilimanjaro justifying 9-4 favouritism in the €260,000 Arqana Series – Haras de Bouquetot Criterium d’Automne.

Although the son of Siyouni could only finish fifth and third respectively on his first two starts, the form of both has worked out well, with the winner of his Leopardstown debut Scorthy Champ going on to win the National Stakes and Field Of Gold, who Mount Kilimanjaro was placed behind when last seen in action at Newmarket in July, following up in the Solario at Sandown.

With Moore again positive from the off, Mount Kilimanjaro dug deep when challenged and his trainer believes there will be even more to come next season.

“He had a couple of nice runs early and the maiden he ran in Newmarket worked out very well – I think the winner (Field Of Gold) runs in the Lagardere here tomorrow,” said O’Brien.

“Our fella will be a lovely middle-distance horse next year, a mile or a mile-and-a-quarter horse. He’d be one for one of the trials in the spring and he’s big, too.

“He’d be working nicely and Ryan gave him an uncomplicated ride. We could have a look at one of the Group Ones in Saint-Cloud, but we’ll see.”

Ramadan got the home team off the mark at Group level for the day in the Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein.

A dual Group Three winner earlier in the season, the three-year-old finished last of seven behind fellow Nurlan Bizakov-owned miler Charyn in the Prix du Moulin last time out.

But dropping down in class from Group One to Group Two company, the 18-1 shot finished with a flourish under Aurelien Lemaitre to get the better of Andromede by three-quarters of a length.

“I love this horse, what a pace we had during the race,” said Head.

“It’s great to have a winner on Arc weekend for Nurlan Bizakov. He has faith in France and I hope he continues to do it.

“Ramadan is entered in the Arc sale later, so we will see what will happen.”



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The Euphrates digs deep to claim Cesarewitch crown

The Euphrates capped a fine afternoon for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore when bringing up a four-timer for the pair with a decisive victory in the Friends Of The Curragh Irish Cesarewitch.

Always in a handy position, the 7-2 favourite was still full of running as the field swung into the home straight, with Moore happy for his mount to stride on and make a long bid for home.

It was a move that ultimately put the race to bed and although A Piece Of Heaven and Sixandahalf were closing rapidly in the final furlong, they were never getting by Moore and his willing mount, who held a half-length advantage at the finish.

“He was very well handicapped, he ended up on a good mark. His (Irish) Leger run (fourth) was an unbelievable run,” said O’Brien.

Aidan O’Brien saddled four winners at the Curragh
Aidan O’Brien saddled four winners at the Curragh (Mike Egerton/PA)

“Ryan gave him a great ride, he got a great position and was controlling it.

“He’s an improving horse, I’d say he’s a Cup horse. He stays two (miles) and he has a bit of class, he travelled very strong at all stages.

“They were doing 12s all the way and to do that all the way in a race like that is very difficult. It’s very unusual in those distance races.”

O’Brien ruled The Euphrates out of the Melbourne Cup, with St Leger scorer Jan Brueghel set to carry Ballydoyle hopes in Flemington, and added: “He’s had a busy time and he’s probably a next year horse.

“He’s a quality stayer. He’s run a lot for a three-year-old and hasn’t exactly had an easy time, but he just kept getting better.”

The Euphrates’ victory was the final leg of a fine afternoon at the Kildare track for the Ballydoyle operation, which also saw them land the Group Three Weld Park Stakes with Heavens Gate and began with Shackleton taking the Trainor Stone And Tile Irish EBF Maiden.

The Camelot colt made all to get off the mark at the third attempt, with the 2-5 favourite appearing to book his ticket for the Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud later in the year.

“We’re delighted with him. We were disappointed he got beat the last day but obviously Joseph’s (O’Brien) horse (Tennessee Stud) ran a big race in the Beresford yesterday,” said O’Brien.

Shackleton got off the mark in easy fashion
Shackleton got off the mark in easy fashion (Niall Carson/PA)

“Ryan was happy today, he went forward and kept it simple. He said he was very green, that it was a very strong headwind and it wasn’t easy out there.

“He said he was idling and it probably wasn’t the way to ride him ideally.

“He’s a horse that will get a trip and we could look at the mile-and-a-quarter race in Saint-Cloud for him.”

Another talented youngster shedding his maiden tag was Aftermath in the Fitzpatricks Mercedes-Benz Irish EBF Maiden, with the Champagne Stakes third romping to a five-and-a-half-length triumph as the 5-6 favourite.

Aftermath delivered in style
Aftermath delivered in style (Niall Carson/PA)

“We’re delighted with him. He had a lovely run first time in Newbury, he was very green and got left by himself,” added O’Brien.

“He ran a lovely race in Doncaster, he’s a lovely horse. A big horse to look forward to for next year.

“That was only seven and he’ll have no problem getting a mile or a mile and a quarter even next year. He’s a fine, big horse.”



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Moore feels Whistlejacket fits the bill in Middle Park

Ryan Moore considers Whistlejacket “the one they all have to beat” in the Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.

The No Nay Never colt lines up on the Rowley Mile bidding for back-to-back Group One victories following last month’s success in the Prix Morny at Deauville.

Aidan O’Brien’s youngster is also a previous winner at Newmarket, albeit on the July Course in the Group Two July Stakes, with a runner-up finish behind Cheveley Park Stakes favourite Babouche in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh providing more evidence of his top-level capabilities.

“Whistlejacket is my ride and he is the one to beat in the field,” Moore told Betfair.

“He has been very active this season, but he has taken his form to a new level on his last three runs.

“After winning over six furlongs in the July Stakes in good style, he then finished a good second to Babouche who we take on (with Lake Victoria) in the Cheveley Park earlier on in the day. That is good form.

“He managed to land his first Group One at Deauville when last seen in the Prix Morny, seeing off Coventry Stakes winner Rashabar.

“Whistlejacket is the one they all have to beat on form, having already won in slow conditions.”

Ides Of March winning at the Curragh
Ides Of March winning at the Curragh (Brian Lawless/PA)

O’Brien has a second string to his bow in the form of dual winner Ides Of March, who Moore believes is also capable of making his presence felt.

He added: “I have ridden him on his last three starts. He is an improving horse who has some good form behind The Lion In Winter when a good third in a maiden over seven furlongs.

“Dropped to six furlongs at the same track, he got off the mark in good style and improved again next time out to land a nice Group Three in taking fashion.

“He holds good claims as well and this looks another good race.”

Charlie Appleby is represented by the promising Shadow Of Light, who impressed in winning his first two starts at Yarmouth and Newmarket before pushing Cool Hoof Luke all the way in the Gimcrack at York.

Having sidestepped last weekend’s Mill Reef at Newbury, the son of Lope De Vega instead tests his powers at Group One level and Appleby’s assistant, Alex Merriam, is optimistic about his chances.

He said: “Shadow Of Light seems in good order and has run some nice races this year.

“It got very heavy at Newbury last weekend and he was obviously entered here, so Charlie thought we would wait and see what the ground does. I think he will cope with it softish, but we’ll just have to see what the weather does.

“In hindsight, he probably was on the wrong side at York to be fair, but ran a solid race with some good horses behind him and hopefully he will improve again.

“That was his first run in Group company and hopefully he will come forward again – and I don’t think he will be too far away.”

Hamad Al Jehani has made a bright start to training in Britain
Hamad Al Jehani has made a bright start to training in Britain (Adam Morgan/PA)

Defence Minister has cost owners Wathnan Racing a pretty penny in the last couple of weeks without yet running, missing the Mill Reef after being supplemented on account of the testing conditions and then being added to the Middle Park field earlier this week at a cost of £20,000.

Trainer Hamad Al Jehani is keeping his fingers crossed the ground at Newmarket does not deteriorate further for his July Course and Haydock winner.

“Defence Minister is one of the nicest horses I have and deserves to be in a stakes race,” said the Newmarket-based trainer.

“I think it will be very hard for all the horses in this race, to be honest (with the ground). He is in good shape and ready to run in this race, but a lot will depend on how the ground will be.”

Other contenders include Michael O’Callaghan’s Richmond Stakes winner Black Forza, who was last seen finishing fourth in America, and Andrew Balding’s Sirenia Stakes runner-up Jouncy.

Andrew Balding trains Middle Park outsider Jouncy
Andrew Balding trains Middle Park outsider Jouncy (Mike Egerton/PA)

Barry Mahon, racing manager for Jouncy’s owners Juddmonte, said: “He’s in great form, he’s a very lazy, sleepy horse and it has taken us a couple of goes to get him to learn what it is all about.

“But I think his last two starts have kind of shown that the penny has dropped, and Andrew is very happy with his work.

“He’s obviously a big outsider but with what was left for him this year, we just felt that we’d roll the dice. If the penny drops, there’s no doubt he has the ability, it’s just a case of getting him to put his mind towards it.

“I don’t think it (soft ground) would inconvenience him, to be honest. Ground-wise, he is pretty straightforward.”



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Bubbling powers home for convincing Rockfel victory

Bubbling finished with gusto to provide trainer Aidan O’Brien with a fourth victory in the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket.

A winner on her second start at Galway before finishing third in a Listed event at the Irish Champions Festival at Leopardstown two weeks ago, Bubbling was a well-supported 11-8 favourite to successfully graduate to Group Two level on the Rowley Mile and make it a treble on the card for Ryan Moore.

After being slightly slow into stride, Moore gave the No Nay Never filly time to find her feet during the early stages of the seven-furlong contest while the Victorious Racing-owned pair of Serving With Style and Duty First vied for the lead.

However, Bubbling was produced with a well-timed challenge against the far rail inside the final furlong and the further she went, the better she looked, eventually passing the post with two and a quarter lengths in hand over Serving With Style in second.

The previously unbeaten Formal, bidding to give the soon-to-retire Sir Michael Stoute his fourth Rockfel success, was disappointing in fourth.

Paddy Power cut Bubbling to 6-1 from 16-1 for the Fillies’ Mile back at Newmarket on October 11, although her trainer suggested she may not run again this season.

O’Brien watched from home but said: “We were delighted with that.

“She ran a very good race the last day but things just didn’t work out for her, it was a bit messy.

“She’s definitely a filly to look forward to for next year. She could be a middle-distance filly but she’ll be fine over a mile also.

“I’m not sure if she’ll run again this year, possibly not, but we’ll see.

“She obviously handled the soft ground very well anyway, I don’t think any ground is going to bother her.”

Moore told Racing TV: “They didn’t go that mad and when they quickened, she just got a bit lost and unbalanced. She’s still learning and stayed on well up the hill. She’ll be comfortable going a bit further.

“We’re still learning about them (O’Brien’s juvenile fillies), it’s early days. They won’t finish their progressions for a while yet, so we’ll learn and run them and Aidan will work them out.”



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Time Lock too strong again in Princess Royal repeat

Time Lock opened her account for the campaign with a successful defence of the Princess Royal Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Stakes at Newmarket.

Harry Charlton’s Frankel mare was a decisive winner of the Group Three contest 12 months ago, but subsequently disappointed on Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot.

While the five-year-old had failed to add to her tally in three subsequent starts this term, she was placed in the Jockey Club Stakes in May and in the Princess of Wales’s Stakes on her most recent outing in July and she was a 13-8 favourite to rediscover the winning trail following a two-month break.

After being settled in third place for much of the mile and a half contest by Ryan Moore, Time Lock was asked to go about her business racing inside the final two furlongs and soon pulled clear of the pacesetting duo of Place Of Safety and Comic Book.

The result was never in any doubt thereafter, with Moore keeping his mount up to her work in the testing conditions to seal a five-length victory, with Comic Book pipping Place Of Safety to second.

Barry Mahon, Juddmonte’s racing manager, said: “She obviously likes it here, that’s twice she’s won this race now. We’ll talk to the owners whether she will be retired or not.

“We had half an idea about whether or not to go to Hong Kong for the mile and a half race or not in December, Ryan just said that could be a good option for her depending on what’s in it.

“The owners would be delighted whether we retire her now or give her one more roll of the dice. She’ll retire either way at the end of this year to be bred from and she’s a nice broodmare prospect.”

Juddmonte have two other very smart middle-distance fillies in their ranks in Kalpana and Bluestocking for the rest of the season.

“Kalpana is in very good nick and she goes to Ascot for the Fillies & Mares on Champions Day,” continued Mahon.

“Bluestocking is going to do a bit in the morning and if Ralph (Beckett) is happy with everything, then we’ll probably look to supplement her for the Arc on Tuesday.”



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Auguste Rodin to retire after Japan Cup swansong

Dual Derby winner Auguste Rodin is set to retire to stud following a final run in the Japan Cup in November.

The son of Deep Impact is a six-times Group/Grade One winner, landing the Futurity Trophy as a juvenile before securing Derby glory at both and Epsom and the Curragh last year.

He subsequently claimed the Irish Champion Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Turf at three before winning the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot earlier this summer.

It is fitting he will return to the country in which his sire made his name for his final on-track appearance before commencing stallion duties for the 2025 season at Coolmore’s base in Ireland.

Auguste Rodin beat King Of Steel at Epsom
Auguste Rodin beat King Of Steel at Epsom (Tim Goode/PA)

“Auguste Rodin is out of Rhododendron, one of the best Galileo mares, and by Deep Impact, Japan’s best stallion,” said Aidan O’Brien, who has overseen the colt’s career.

“He connects two of the most powerful breeding lines in the world. He has been a pleasure and a privilege to train.

“He is just a very unique horse and we’re very excited to see what he will achieve at stud. We will be supporting him with our own mares.”

Auguste Rodin has been ridden in all but one of his races by Ryan Moore, who added: “He’s been an unbelievable horse for us. We have always thought the world of him. He has everything you’d want.

“He has so much pace. He could kill horses for speed, and he was able to stretch that out over 12 furlongs. Horses like him are so hard to find. An incredible horse.”

Coolmore’s MV Magnier is excited to see Auguste Rodin join the stallion ranks, rating him alongside some of the very best sires to stand at the stud.

Auguste Rodin was a top-level winner at Ascot in June
Auguste Rodin was a top-level winner at Ascot in June (David Davies/PA)

He said: “Auguste Rodin is an exceptional racehorse and stallion prospect with the blend of class, speed and pedigree that only the best possess.

“He is a very special horse for us, and I truly believe he ranks up there with the best middle-distance racehorses and sires that we have stood here before him like Sadler’s Wells, Galileo, Montjeu, Caerleon and Camelot.

“Physically he fills the eye so well as he has extra quality and movement so I can’t wait to see his first crop in Ballydoyle in 2028. We are going to do all we can to give him the best possible opportunity to follow in his illustrious predecessor’s footsteps.”



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Double delight for Moore on Listowel debut

Ryan Moore enjoyed a successful first visit to Listowel with a double on day three of the Harvest Festival.

The three-time champion jockey may have enjoyed big-race success across the globe during his glittering career in the saddle, but he had not previously been seen in competitive action at the County Kerry track.

Moore arrived with a strong book of four rides and made an instant impact aboard Thrice in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

Having finished a close third on his debut at the Curragh last month, Aidan O’Brien’s colt was a 1-4 favourite to open his account on his second start and rewarded odds-on backers with a comfortable four-length victory.

“He had a good run at the Curragh, he is still a bit babyish and was a little lost going around the bends,” Moore said of the son of Wootton Bassett.

“Once he got balanced in the last furlong and a half, he stayed going well to the line.

“It is a flat track, a bit quick and a bit ridgy, but the horses seem to handle it well in general.

“They have a heated weighing room here, which is good!”

Moore and O’Brien completed their brace in the MAC Hardware And Farm Supplies Irish EBF Rated Race, with Medici Venus (15-8) edging out The Marty Party by a short head.

Moore added: “She is still learning and is obviously improving, as I thought she had a lot on at the weights. She is still plenty green and isn’t quite sure what to do with herself.

“I’ve been well looked after and it’s a nice place to come and visit. I’m only here today, but I was delighted to come.”

Curvature returns to the Listowel winner's enclosure
Curvature returns to the Listowel winner’s enclosure (Thomas Weekes/PA)

The rider will have had high hopes of landing the Listed Edmund And Josie Whelan Memorial Listowel Stakes aboard the well fancied Mundi, but he could only finish sixth as the Jessica Harrington-trained Curvature took top spot in some style under Gary Carroll.

Always up with the pace, the 5-1 shot extended clear in the closing stages and passed the post with two and a quarter lengths in hand over Princess Child.

Carroll, who stepped in to take the ride in the absence of Colin Keane, who was feeling unwell, said: “I won on her last year and while she is a little bit tricky, she gave me a lovely ride today.

“The rain came, which suited her, and she liked the track and finished third in this race last year.

“She can be keen and a little awkward but is getting better with age. The pace was nice, she quickened off the bend and got to the line well.”



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Monday Musings: Of Real Racing Heroes

Less than a year after areas of Southwell racecourse, including the main grandstand and offices, were flooded to a depth of up to three feet, it played host last Friday to a unique presentation, writes Tony Stafford. No racing there, nor even the Big Trucks event that was lined up for the following couple of days, just one group of five horses galloping for a mile around its Tapeta oval.

Yet the mesmeric draw of City Of Troy and four of his lesser stablemates, accompanied by trainer Aidan O’Brien, was sufficient to entice 1,500 people – that was the pre-event estimate but on the ground the feeling was that the figure had been exceeded – to come to see it.

Here were Ryan Moore, Wayne Lordan, Brett Doyle, Rachel Richardson and Dean Gallagher to ride the quintet in advance of City Of Troy’s Breeders’ Cup Classic challenge at Del Mar, California, in November. (Gallagher amazingly so as it was more than 30 years ago that his dad Tommy asked me if I could find him a job in England. I did and he came to Rod Simpson, yet he is still regarded as sufficiently talented and fit to be asked to take his part in a trial of this importance.)

https://twitter.com/RacingTV/status/1837185812837855338

A few years after Dean had been signed as first jockey for the one-time Midlands greengrocer Paul Green, by then a substantial owner, he rode the Francois Doumen-trained Hors La Loi III into second place in the third of Istabraq’s triple Champion Hurdle sequence, Istabraq trained of course by Aidan O’Brien.

There was no Champion Hurdle the following year because of foot and mouth, but when Istabraq went for the four-timer in 2002, he pulled up as Charlie Swan felt he was wrong, a view confirmed by the vet’s post-race inspection. The winner, Hors La Loi III, by now trained by James Fanshawe but ridden still by Gallagher, beat Hughie Morrison’s Marble Arch, a 25/1 shot into second place.

I can throw in another small personal part to this story. I was asked to try to buy Istabraq from the July sale in 1996 and went to the John Gosden yard at Newmarket a couple of days earlier. I was shown the horse by the late John Durkan, Gosden’s assistant at the time, who said: “He’s a lovely horse. I couldn’t recommend him more highly.”

I had a budget from a Saudi prince who wanted the staying 3yo for the King’s Cup in his home country. I stayed in until 36k but Timmy Hyde, bidding for J P McManus, held sway at 38,000 gns.

I was coming back from Keeneland Sales a few years later when I heard a voice from behind me as we walked to change planes in Cincinnati. It was Timmy Hyde. He said: “Tony, you were the under-bidder for Istabraq. I know because I was standing right behind you! It’s just that that f…ing Danny Murphy is telling everyone he was!” He wasn’t.

The obvious next question was: “How high would I have needed to go?” Timmy smiled and said: “We had 100 grand if necessary!” Hardly an underbidder in truth!

The saddest part of the story was that Aidan wasn’t meant to be training the horse, it was John Durkan who would be leaving Gosden to set up his own operation in Ireland. He even came up to the Daily Telegraph’s office in South Quay Plaza, the one between Fleet Street and Canary Wharf, with our photographer Ed Byrne and Conor O’Dwyer.

But then he contracted inoperable cancer and was unable to proceed with his plans. JP McManus gave the horse to Aidan and four consecutive Festival wins, starting with the 2m5f novice and then three Champion Hurdles, earned him a place in jumping folklore, along of course with his owner and trainer. I’ve never forgotten how honest he was about the horse even though if JP had bought him, he would be training him. Istabraq died this summer at the age of 32, much lamented by his owner and family.

JP has stayed mainly in that environment, dominating owners’ championships on either side of the Irish Sea, while O’Brien has been unchallenged on the flat in his homeland and more than a match for Gosden, Hannon and the rest for most years over here.

When interviewed after a big win, Aidan invariably remembers all the people he considers have played a part in the particular horse’s preparation. It’s not about him, everyone else almost.

On Friday, as Pat Keating awaited his boss’s delayed arrival – there was a crash on the way from the airport - replying to his question: “How long <have they been walking around the paddock>? answered “Forty-seven minutes”. Aidan said: “They are set to go then.” Thirty is the usual requirement. The jockeys mounted, setting off around to the far side of the track for the American-style stalls especially brought for the event.

The imperative, apart from City Of Troy working well and acting on the surface, was a fast pace and the short-running duo that broke best, ensured that would happen. Up the straight, the markedly elongated stretch of the Derby winner’s stride not for the first time struck connections Paul Smith, son of Derrick, his son Harry and Mike Dillon, former Ladbrokes man and a close friend.

The workout was the day job. But then we saw the true Aidan. He had a quick post-work de-brief with the jockeys, giving each the chance to comment, but obviously then having the crucial talk with Ryan on how it went.

But then the crowd saw something I doubt even those that travelled from far beyond the East Midlands would have expected. Aidan smiled throughout whenever cornered by a gallop-goer to sign the nice little racecard designed by Nick Craven, one of Weatherbys’ bosses. Each signature, because we are in 2024 and not 2004, had to require a selfie. None of which the personable O’Brien refused.

There was a lengthy television interview for Sky Sports Racing with Jason Weaver, while Brough Scott added his wisdom of many years to the proceedings. Then Aidan spent ages talking to mainly young aspiring journalists, none of whom could believe this giant of racing would give them so much time.

I guess almost an hour and a half after the workout – the pre-event blurb said he would stay for 45 minutes - he went off smiling for the car to the airport, long after Keating, his travelling head lad, had caught his eye and pointed to his watch.

Aidan O’Brien may be no Frankie Dettori but where the Italian has showmanship in the extreme, Aidan has a modesty and innate kindness that you would need to go a long way to see replicated by any public figure.

It could have been a fiasco, but Aidan’s plan to give his horse an awayday must be termed a great success, not least in PR terms. I’m certainly glad I was there to see it. And I know that the final line of people waiting patiently for his signature, selfie and smile, all got their precious reward for their trip. Well done, Southwell, well done Aidan, Ryan and the rest.

*

Mentioning Marble Arch in relation to Hors La Loi III and Dean Gallagher reminded me that Hughie Morrison has been around for a good while, too. Not So Sleepy hasn’t been with us for quite as long but he did win first time out as a two-year-old at Nottingham ten years ago and in the following May, won the Dee Stakes, the pre-Derby warm-up for winners Oath and Kris Kin, the latter for Sir Michael Stoute who will retire from training at the end of the season.

Not So Sleepy has raced at least four times in each of the next nine seasons, never once having his flat handicap mark drop below 94 and now, after a wonderful repeat win in a valuable Newbury handicap on Saturday, will surely end his career rated over 100 – he was 99 on Saturday. I’ll be shocked if that has ever happened before.

Hughie trains with a rare sympathetic view of his charges – “Each one that gets injured I feel it so much”, he says. But consequently, few trainers have a comparable facility for extending their horses’ working lives. He won a Group 1 with the stayer Alcazar when that horse was ten years of age, but his achievements with the difficult to manage Not So Sleepy dwarf even that.

He finished in the first four in three Cesarewitch Handicaps and was seventh last year. He also ran in four consecutive Champion Hurdles. Despite not taking up hurdling until the age of seven, his three Grade 1 wins include a dead-heat with previous Champion Hurdle winner Epatante in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle, a feat he followed with a second win in the Newcastle race.

Last December, he won a Grade 1 hurdle at Sandown in a procession, a few days short of his official twelfth birthday. Few horses have achieved half as much as Sleepy. His owner, Lady Blyth, seemed very keen as with Quickthorn recently to ascribe lots of credit to rider Tom Marquand, a sentiment reciprocated in their interviews with Matt Chapman for Sky Sports Racing.

Never a mention of the trainer and the usually forensic Chapman didn’t seem to think of bringing in his name either. Maybe Hughie was being courted and given his rightful credit for the horse’s achievements by ITV, but I have only one television set.

Also Saturday was the final day’s riding for Franny Norton, and he chose Chester, where he has been the “King” for so long, for the farewell. He did it in style, notching a treble, and it would be fitting if the course made him an ambassador for the future, especially at the May meeting.

It was a lovely weekend at any rate for some real racing heroes.

- TS



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