Page 45 - The Game August 2006

Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper The Game, August 2006 45
~ The Scribe ~
European Update
Kieren Fallon is very much the man making the headlines in European racing in recent weeks both on and off the racecourse. He is one of three jockeys to be banned from riding in Britain due to race fixing allegations which he strenuously denies. However he is riding on an Irish licence and can continue to ride in Ireland and other countries because the RHA (formerly Jockey Club) in Britain has not asked for the ban to be imposed elsewhere.
Fallon and others have been charged by the police and while his appeal to the HRA to continue riding until his trial was turned down two weeks ago his legal team have been pursuing other avenues to have the ban lifted. This includes trying to get the High Court in London to overturn the HRA decision.
Fallon insists on his innocence - although reports suggest that at least one of the other jockeys will be found guilty when his case is heard in July 2007 which means, as things stand, that he will be unable to partner the Coolmore owned runners in British races until after that trial.
Coolmore and trainer Aidan O'Brien are backing their jockey in his fight for justice. If he does not receive justice in the British High Court the case will be brought to the court of human rights in Brussels.
Because of the allegations, the integrity of racing in Britain has suffered according to official comment. Betting fans are supportive of Fallon, who has been British champion on a number of occasions in recent years, and is by far one of the punters biggest heroes.
While obviously under stress as a result of the ongoing investigation Fallon continues to shine on the racecourse. At the Curragh in the last week of June he added the Budweiser Irish Derby to his impressive big race wins when bringing Dylan Thomas to a clear cut victory in the top Irish classic.
The colt was always highly regarded by trainer Aidan O'Brien and is now likely to be aimed at the Baileys Irish Champion Stakes over a slightly shorter trip at Leopardstown in September. He was not sent to contest the King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot on June 29 as John Magnier and the Coolmore team had Hurricane Run to represent them in the twelve furlongs events.
The powerful Irish team continue to dominate European racing particularly during 2006 as the Godolphin team has not enjoyed many big race successes so far this year. Unfortunately heir horses have failed to sparkle in the first half of the season. The Irish Oaks, which is sponsored by Darley, provided Fallon and trainer Aidan O'Brien with their fifth classic of the season.
George Washington (English 2,000 Guineas), Aussie Rules (French Guineas), Alexandrova (Epsom Oaks) and Dylan Thomas (Irish Derby) set the season
standard in fine style and then Alexandrova completed the Oaks double in facile fashion at the Curragh in mid July. Once again Fallon rode her
with supreme confidence coming from well off the pace to power away from her rivals in the final furlong.
Allowing for her sex allowance this performance put her on a par with the top colts such as Dylan Thomas and Epsom Derby winner Sir Percy. Alexandrova has not been raced too often but maintains her form very well and she is sure to be given another rest before being prepared for another grade one contest in the future.
Another top Irish trained filly to show her class in July was the Jim Bolger trained Alexander Goldrun which is a five times grade one winner in four different countries. She contested the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh and was opposed by other grade one winners in Chelsea Rose and the Michael Stoute trained Peeress which had finished runner up to bolger's charge in the same race in 2005.
All three fillies ran to their highest ratings with Alexander Goldrun just holding off Chelsea Rose with Peeress just behind. The finish looked very tight but although the runner up was staying on all the way to the line her rider Pat Shanahan reported "the winner was always holding me". This was confirmed by winning rider Kevin Manning who noted "She has now won five grade one races and the winning margin has never been more than a length - she only does enough and pulls herself up when she hits the front".
Alexander Goldrun now goes for the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood this week before returning to Longchamp to contest a race she won in the past and then hopefully she will receive an invitation to again race in a major event in the Far East. Trainer Bolger says "Alexander Goldrun does nothing at home, she trains with a bad filly and still never has anything to spare in a gallop but it boosts her confidence every time she has things nice and easy".
Epsom Derby winner Sir Percy has had training problems since that victory in a race which saw leading Coolmore hope Horatio Nelson break his leg in the straight. The form of the major English classic has not worked out with Dylan Thomas (3rd) being the only subsequent winner from the race and of course he completely outran the French Derby winner and runner up at the Curragh.
Of course Coolmore's highly impressive English Guineas winner George Washington is another to have been absent in recent weeks. He ran second in the Irish Guineas b ut was found to injured himself in that classic and was on the easy list for some time. He is now back cantering but will not be rushed and could well have his end of season target at the Breeders’ Cup meeting where his tremendous speed would be brought into play.
$700,000 Gr.2 Northern Dancer Breeders’ Cup Turf Stakes
Woodbine Head Chef, Joseph, gets ready to cut and serve Woodbine’s 50th Anniversary cake
Drawmaster Noreen Taylor is surrounded by jockey legends after the drawing of the post positions for the Northern Dancer Breeders’ Cup Turf Stakes with the inaugural running of the race being held on the day that Woodbine Racetrack designated to celebrate their 50th Anniversary.
From left to right back row - Larry Attard, Hugo Dittfach, John LeBlanc, Lloyd Duffy From left to right front row - Sam McComb, Sandy Hawley, Noreen Taylor, Bob Cormack, Richard Grubb and Robin Platts. Michael Burns photo, courtesy of WEG
Honorary drawmaster Noreen Taylor and track announcer Dan Loiselle talk about the great Northern Dancer before the post position draw for the inaugural running of the Northern Dancer Breeders’ Cup Turf Stakes.
The William Sorokolit owned and bred, Sky Conqueror was the winner of the inaugural running of the Northern Dancer Breeders Cup Turf Stakes at Woodbine, July 23. Winning Trainer Darwin Banach & Winning Jockey Todd Kabel.
Michael Burns Photo - Courtesy of WEG