Tag Archive for: Wimbledon Hawkeye

James Owen hoping Wimbledon Hawkeye can be Breeders’ Cup ace

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Wimbledon Hawkeye will head straight for the Breeders’ Cup following his lucrative success in America last weekend.

Although James Owen’s charge had previously failed to get his head in front since winning the Royal Lodge as a two-year-old, he has been placed in a number of high-profile races this season including the Craven Stakes, the Dante, the Princess of Wales’s Stakes and the Gordon Stakes.

The Kameko colt travelled to Kentucky Downs as a leading contender for the $2million Nashville Derby and claimed a thrilling victory in the hands of Frankie Dettori, who Owen hopes will be on board again at Del Mar on November 1.

“It was perfect, a great result. I’m proud of the horse and proud of the team that took him over. It was great prize-money and we had a great time,” said the Newmarket handler.

“He’s won prize-money every time he’s ran, so he’s a great horse for us to have. The international scene was what we wanted to get on and that was a great start for us.

“He’s come out of the race really well and we’re looking forward to going back to America for the Breeders’ Cup Turf. He’ll go straight there, he’s been busy, so he’s got a nice break now until that.

“An extra furlong is going to help him and quick ground obviously suits. It’s going to be a strong race against older horses, but he deserves his chance in it now. He travelled well, Frankie really liked him and hopefully he’ll be keen to ride him again.

“We’re nine weeks away, so it’s hard to say for sure, but I’m sure he’ll be available.”

Wimbledon Hawkeye is Nashville hit for Frankie Dettori

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Frankie Dettori steered British raider Wimbledon Hawkeye to a thrilling victory in the DK Horse Nashville Derby on Saturday.

Although James Owen’s charge had not managed to get his head in front since landing last season’s Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket, he has run creditably defeat on a number of occasions this term, filling the runner-up spot in the Craven, the Princess of Wales’s Stakes and Gordon Stakes.

Wimbledon Hawkeye, owned by Dettori’s former neighbours the Gredley Family, headed Stateside as a leading contender for Saturday’s $2million feature at Kentucky Downs and after rocketing to the front early in the home straight, the Kameko colt knuckled down to see off the persistent challenge of Burnham Square by a head.

Dettori told TwinSpires Racing: “We know he’s proven on grass and proven on the distance, so when we got to the top of the hill I thought ‘come and catch me if you can’.

“Brian (Hernandez Jr, riding Burnham Square) came to me with a wet sail and I thought he was going to pass me, but in fairness Wimbledon Hawkeye put his head down and battled for me. I wasn’t sure at the line, but we got there first.

“The only thing I was afraid of was he’s danced every dance this year – he’s run a Guineas trial, the Guineas (finished fifth), Derby trials and Royal Ascot. He ran at Goodwood on deep ground, it’s a long journey for a three-year-old and sometimes we ask horses too much, but the team have done a great job.

“He was bucking and kicking like a yearling and he showed that he was full of energy, well done to the team.”

Trainer James Owen was delighted to strike gold in America with Wimbledon Hawkeye
Trainer James Owen was delighted to strike gold in America with Wimbledon Hawkeye (Mike Egerton/PA)

Quoted on www.bloodhorse.com, Owen added: “The horse is improving. He’s not the biggest, but he’s getting stronger all the time, and he’s a very consistent horse.

“I’m privileged to train him. I haven’t been training long. It’s my third season training and to win this prize is unreal.”

Wimbledon Hawkeye teaming up with Dettori for Kentucky bid

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James Owen is relishing linking up with Frankie Dettori when Wimbledon Hawkeye heads to America for the Nashville Derby later this month.

The son of Kameko – who won the Group Two Royal Lodge as a juvenile – gave William Haggas’ potential Arc contender Merchant a fright in Goodwood’s Gordon Stakes and his trainer feels the colt has all the attributes to thrive at Kentucky Downs in a $3.5million event won by Andrew Balding’s Bellum Justum 12 months ago.

Explaining the decision to head Stateside, Owen said: “After his good run at Goodwood we were invited over for the race and I think it looks ideal, the track will suit him.

Wimbledon Hawkeye winning at Newmarket as a juvenile
Wimbledon Hawkeye winning at Newmarket as a juvenile (Mike Egerton/PA)

“Bellum Justum won it last year after doing well in the Gordon Stakes and I think Wimbledon Hawkeye is the ideal horse for it really.

“He has a very good mind, he’ll travel over well and handle the whole experience well and he’s shown us this year how tough he is by holding his form really well.

“It’s great prize-money and hopefully he can go over there with a great chance.”

It will be a first runner in America for Owen, who will be hoping for kinder weather at the Franklin track than that which greeted Wimbledon Hawkeye at Goodwood recently.

James Owen is looking forward to heading over to America
James Owen is looking forward to heading over to America (Mike Egerton/PA)

And the icing on the cake for the Newmarket handler has been securing the services of Dettori, who was in fact aboard the victorious Bellum Justum last year and is no stranger to Wimbledon Hawkeye’s owners the Gredley family.

“It’s great that Frankie can ride him and he’s had a lot of success for the Gredleys before and even won the race last year on Bellum Justum,” continued Owen.

“We don’t have to take a jockey over which is another plus and having Frankie is a little cherry on top for us and a big part of the decision to go over, it’s lovely to have him.

“He’s never ridden for me, but I’m looking forward to it.”