FAME AND GLORY SECURES GOLD CUP FOR BALLYDOYLE

Click above to watch Fame and Glory winning the Gold Cup (Gr1)
(Image : Telegraph - Footage : Racing UK)

GOLD CUP (Group 1)
Royal Ascot, 4000m
16 June 2011

Royal Ascot witnessed one of the great gambles yesterday when Fame and Glory (GB) (Montjeu) gave a passable impression of Yeats (Ire) to annex a fifth G1 Gold Cup in six years for Ballydoyle at a rain-soaked Royal Ascot.

Settled against the rail early under jockey Jamie Spencer in the spot the his illustrious predecessor used to enjoy in his four forays here, the bay was lolling off the moderate pace which was upped a notch after a mile by the veteran Geordieland (Fr) (Johann Quatz). Still cruising with a half mile remaining, Jamie Spencer waited for racing room to appear on his outside, and asked Fame and Glory to go through the gears at the top of the stretch. The confidence in his 11-8 favoritism proved infectious and the bay was carried by the wave of the crowd’s will as he swooped to the lead approaching the final furlong. Rolling by Duncan (GB) (Dalakhani), he received a smack with the whip there and a few after as Opinion Poll (IRE) (Halling) arrived and kept grinding way in the final yards. Godolphin had overturned So You Think (NZ) on Wednesday and it looked momentarily as if a case of de ja vu was about to strike with Opinion Poll coming out wide. But the Derrick Smith silks stayed ahead this time and, at the line, it was three lengths back to the royal blue.

“We didn’t go very fast early and I was delighted when I saw Geordieland go round the field and inject some pace,” Spencer said. “He wasn’t keen, but because he has so much class and is used to going a different pace he wanted that to make it more comfortable for him. It was a very easy, push-button ride and I’m just privileged to be allowed to ride him. Everyone was doubting him for the last few weeks, but we never had any doubts as those first two races were just to bring him along. It’s a great training performance.”

“Very few mile-and-a-quarter Group 1 winners get to run in a Gold Cup, but class makes them stay,” Aidan O’Brien said of the 5-year-old, who capped a successful venture for Dr Jim and Fitri Hay into joint-ownership with Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier and Michael Tabor. “He’s been a Group 1 winner every year since he was a 2-year-old, and we never knew until we tried, but we believed he would definitely get two miles. We are privileged to have him and Jamie was very confident and gave him an unbelievable ride.”

Another tilt at the October 2 G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is on the cards for Fame and Glory after his luckless runs in that Longchamp showpiece in 2009 and 2010. “The plan after today was to give him a break and train him for the Arc again, with a run beforehand,” O’Brien added.

GOLD CUP (Gr1)
Final Result

#	Horse	Sire	Jockey	Trainer
1	FAME AND GLORY (GB)	Montjeu	J Spencer	Aidan O’Brien
2	OPINION POLL (IRE)	Halling	M Barzalona	Mahmood Al Zarooni
3	BRIGANTIN (USA)	Cozzene	PC Boudat	Andre Fabre
4	MANIGHAR (FR)	Linamix	K Fallon	Luca Cumani
5	ASKAR TAU (FR)	Montjeu	G Baker	Marcus Tregoning
6	DUNCAN (GB)	Dalakhani	W Buick	John Gosden
7	KASBAH BLISS (FR)	Kahyasi	T Thulliez	Francois Doumen
8	AAIM TO PROSPER (IRE)	Val Royal	R Moore	Brian Meehan
9	MOTRICE (GB)	Motivator	S Sanders	Sir Mark Prescott Bt
10	BLUE BAJAN (IRE)	Montjeu	D Tudhope	David O’Meara
11	THE BETCHWORTH KID (GB)	Tobougg	H Turner	Alan King
12	FICTIONAL ACCOUNT (IRE)	Stravinsky	F Berry	Vincent Ward
13	HOLBERG (UAE)	Halling	F Dettori	Saeed bin Suroor
14	TASTAHIL (IRE)	Singspiel	R Hills	Barry Hills
15	GEORDIELAND (IRE)	Johann Quatz	R Hughes	Jamie Osborne

Extract from Thoroughbred Daily News

ROYAL ASCOT 2011 CONTINUED

Click above to watch an interview with Henry Cecil discussing Royal Ascot 2011
(Image : Telegraph - Footage : At The Races UK)

ROYAL ASCOT
Tuesday 14th to Saturday 18th June 2011

The G1 King’s Stand Stakes looks below-par this year, and with no Black Caviar (Aus) (Bel Esprit), the best Antipodean offering is Star Witness (Aus) (Starcraft), who was only seventh behind her in Flemington’s G1 Newmarket Handicap when last seen March 12. What this year’s edition lacks in star quality - which also applies to Saturday’s G1 Golden Jubilee Stakes - it makes up for in diversity, as the runners hail from the States, Hong Kong, Hungary, France and Germany as well as Australia, Britain and Ireland. Probably the most important juvenile race of the meeting also takes place on the opening day and all eyes will be on Ballydoyle’s Power (GB) (Oasis Dream) as he bids to provide Aidan O’Brien with a sixth renewal.

Few will get rich on Goldikova, Canford Cliffs and Frankel today, and even fewer will have the firepower it takes to make a healthy profit from So You Think (NZ) (High Chaparral) in tomorrow afternoon’s G1 Prince of Wales’ Stakes. Forecast at 1-2 at best at present, the brilliant dual G1 Cox Plate hero has had a relatively soft time of things in the Emerald Isle so far, but the gloves will have to come off if last year’s runner-up Twice Over (GB) (Observatory) can regain some momentum after unplaced efforts in Dubai and Newbury. To a large extent, the betting is not a factor here, as Royal Ascot wants to see a star, and the noises from Ballydoyle suggest we will see one.

Wesley Ward, who has taken France by storm over the past few weeks, is looking for a third juvenile success at the meeting and there are exciting things expected from his G2 Queen Mary Stakes representative Gypsy Robin (Daaher).

Thursday’s G1 Gold Cup is missing last year’s hero Rite of Passage (GB) (Giant’s Causeway), but in Fame and Glory (GB) (Montjeu) this fixture’s historic showpiece still has a fascinating draw. What Aidan O’Brien did with Yeats (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells) is now the stuff of legend, and to show that was no aberration, Ballydoyle nearly repeated the feat of transferring middle-distance class over this marathon trip with Age of Aquarius (Ire) (Galileo) 12 months ago. Success here would also be a major boost for Jim and Fitri Hay following their recent investment in the sport and high-profile link with Coolmore.

ROYAL ASCOT 2011
Overview

Tuesday 14th June
The opening day of what is sure to be a spectacular Royal Meeting gets off to a flying start with three Group 1 races (i.e. the very best in the world); the Queen Anne Stakes, the King’s Stand Stakes - the first British leg of the Global Sprint Challenge – and the St James’s Palace Stakes. As the first day of Royal Ascot, the fashion stakes are high but the atmosphere is relaxed which allows racegoers the chance to enjoy a glass of Champagne between races or explore the racecourse at their leisure.
Wednesday 15th June
The highlight of the second day is the Group 1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes, arguably the most important race at the Royal Meeting in the modern era with £400,000 prize money on offer. Also on the card are the Group 2 Windsor Forest Stakes, for older female milers and the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes, for the best up and coming two year old fillies (females). Wednesday is perfect for groups of friends to enjoy the Royal Ascot experience at a slightly more gentle pace.
Thursday 16th June
Thursday’s highlight is the Group 1 Gold Cup, a battle of stamina and determination over two miles and four furlongs - this undisputed long distance world championship is not for the faint hearted! Style, elegance and the height of the summer social calendar all combine on Gold Cup Day, colloquially known as ‘Ladies’ Day’. Although the whole week of Royal Ascot is a fashion show like no other, it is Thursday when the designer creations and millinery masterpieces reach new heights. To commemorate 300 years of racing, the Hampton Court Stakes has been renamed the Tercentenary Stakes.
Friday 17th June
The feature race on Friday is the Coronation Stakes, which traditionally brings together the leading three-year-old fillies in Europe. Also on the card is the King Edward VII Stakes, colloquially called the Ascot Derby, as its conditions mirror those of the Epsom Classic. This is the perfect way to start the weekend with friends and work colleagues.
Saturday 18th June
The final day of the Royal Meeting always provides a dramatic climax and features one of the world’s most important and international races, the Golden Jubilee Stakes, - the second British leg of the Global Sprint Challenge. Saturday is a relatively new addition to the Royal Meeting, having been introduced as recently as 2002. Although the fashions are as elaborate as they are during the week, there is a pronounced, relaxed family feel as many people who are unable to attend until the weekend come to enjoy the experience of the greatest race meeting in the world.

Extract from Thoroughbred Daily News and Royal Ascot

www.ascot.co.uk

THE KING IS DEAD : LONG LIVE THE KING

Click above to watch
Zoffany winning the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (Gr1)
(Photo : Independent - Footage : YouTube)

THE DANSILI REPUTATION

One door closes, they say, and another one opens. No sooner than the news that the highest rated racehorse in the world, Harbinger (a son of Dansili) had been retired from racing as a result of a fracture, than yet another son of the hottest stallion in Europe produced a Group One winning effort. Zoffany by name, this youngster made it five wins from six starts with a breathtaking display in the Grade 1 Phoenix Stakes (for two year olds) in Ireland. Displaying the lightening acceleration for which the Dansili’s are rapidly claiming a reputation, Zoffany came from the rear of the field to defeat his only nemesis to date, Strong Suit (who beat him in Royal Ascot’s Gr2 Coventry Stakes), by a increasing half length.

Sunday marked the 6^th Group winner for Dansili in just over a fortnight, marking this one of the most prolific stallion patches in modern times. It reminds us how fortunate South Africans buyers are to have an impeccably bred son of Dansili out of a daughter of Europe’s most successful stallion of all time, Sadler’s Wells, available at this year’s Emperors Palace Ready To Run Sale.

In other news, the Coolmore teams Gr1 Irish Derby hero, Fame And Glory eased his way to an effortless victory in the Gr2 Royal Whip Stakes on the same meeting. This is the race that finally justified the Ballydoyle outfit anointing Danehill’s handsome son, Solskjaer, with the name of the world’s best footballer of his time.

For more information please visit :
www.summerhill.co.za

OR CALL

Tarryn Liebenberg
083 787 1982

EMPERORS PALACE READY TO RUN SALE
SUNDAY, 7 NOVEMBER 2010

FAME AND GLORY FOR AIDAN O'BRIEN IN CORONATION CUP

Fame And Glory - Investec Coronation Cup (Gr1)
(Photo : PA Photos)

INVESTEC CORONATION CUP (Gr1)
Epsom Downs, 4 June 2010

The Investec Coronation Cup Gr.1 was won impressively yesterday at Epsom Downs by last year’s Irish Derby Gr.1 hero Fame And Glory. Taking over from his pacemaker Dixie Music inside the final quarter of a mile, the Aidan O’Brien-trained four-year-old ran on well to beat last year’s Investec Oaks Gr.1 winner Sariska and the St Simon Stakes Gr.3 victress High Heeled, who was making her seasonal re-appearance for her new connections.

Aidan O’Brien, who was winning the race for the fourth time in six years, stated, “He is tactically very quick now and Johnny said he was cantering at all stages. A midsummer break was the plan, but we might just have a look at the Gr.1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes now as he has gone very pacey. This and the Tattersalls Gold Cup were his first two early targets. He’s a great horse. We don’t want to look back, but we’ve learnt as we’ve gone along.”

Jockey Johnny Murtagh was upbeat about the colt’s chances for the rest of the season, “He’s a real champion. I liked the way he knuckled down in the last furlong. He missed the start a little bit today but was soon into a lovely rhythm. He is much more on the ball this year and is showing more pace. He’s really in the zone now, a very exciting horse.”

The son of Montjeu who has now won eight of his thirteen starts, two of those at the highest level this season, was bred by Ptarmigan Bloodstock and Kirsten Rausing and races in the colours of Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier and Michael Tabor. A 190,000gns Tattersalls December Foal Sale graduate, he comes from a top-class family, which includes the German Classic winner Grimpola (Windwurf) and the dual Gr.1 winner Gonbarda (Lando).

RACE RESULT

#	LBH	Horse	Age	Dr	Sex	Jockey	Trainer
1	0.00	FAME AND GLORY (GB)	4	8	C	J Murtagh	Aidan O’Brien
2	1.50	SARISKA (GB)	4	5	F	J Spencer	Michael Bell
3	1.25	HIGH HEELED (IRE)	4	1	F	W Buick	John Gosden
4	0.75	YOUMZAIN (IRE)	7	9	E	K Fallon	Mick Channon
5	1.75	CAVALRYMAN (GB)	4	2	C	L Dettori	Saeed Bin Suroor
6	4.50	SOUTH EASTER (IRE)	4	4	C	R Moore	William Haggis
7	5.00	JUKEBOX JURY (IRE)	9	3	C	R Ffrench	Mark Johnston
8	10.00	BASHKIROV (GB)	5	6	C	R Walsh	Luke Comer
9	14.00	DIXIE MUSIC (IRE)	4	10	C	J Heffernan	Aidan O’Brien
0		CLOWANCE (GB)	5	7	F	J Fortune	Roger Charlton

Extract from European Bloodstock News

FAME AND GLORY ALL CLASS IN TATTERSALLS GOLD CUP

Click above to watch
Fame And Glory winning the Tattersalls Gold Cup (Gr1)
(Photo : Lahipodromodigital - Footage : At The Races)

TATTERSALLS GOLD CUP (Gr1)
The Curragh, Turf, 2112m

THE CURRAGH, IRELAND - Already victorious here on his finest hour in last year’s Irish Derby (Gr1), Fame and Glory (Montjeu) successfully shortened up in trip to emulate his sire, and one of his best progeny in Hurricane Run, by adding this contest to that mile-and-a-half Classic. Denied a larger share of the limelight in 2009 due to the misfortune of being foaled in the same year as Sea the Stars, the bay would by now also have an Epsom Derby and Irish Champion Stakes to his name had he not encountered that formidable rival.

Any fears that he might not be the same force following a comeback third in the course-and-distance Listed Alleged Stakes on April 11 were assuaged by his easy win under a five-pound penalty in the G3 Mooresbridge Stakes back here last time May 3. Allowed time to arrive at this feature on his own terms by Aidan O’Brien, he justified the patient approach with an awesome display of power.

Towed to the top of the stretch by the Ballydoyle rabbit Dixie Music, he took control from 2 1/2 lengths out and drew away from the chasing Lady O’Reilly pair of Recharge and Chinese White as Johnny Murtagh took his foot off the pedal in the final yards.

“It was a true-run race, and he is really there now”, Aidan O’Brien commented. “All the class is there in abundance, and you can see that in the way he traveled and quickened today. Johnny said he could have waited a lot longer, and he was a different class really. He’s always been an amazing horse and is in a great place at the moment. He has matured, and so, although it is a quick turnaround, the G1 Coronation Cup (4 June at Epsom) will be next provided he is well. It was lovely the way he handled the fast ground, and it all comes the same to him now.”

Extract from Thoroughbred Daily News

RESULTS

#	LBH	Horse	Kg	Dr	Jockey	Trainer
1	0	FAME AND GLORY	57.0	5	JP Murtagh	Aidan O’Brien
2	7L	RECHARGE	57.0	3	CD Hayes	Kevin Prendergast
3	nk	CHINESE WHITE	56.0	6	PJ Smullen	Demot Weld
4	1/2 L	HALICARNASSUS	57.0	1	RL Moore	Mick Channon
5	13 L	CUTLASS BAY	57.0	2	A Ajtebi	Saeed bin Suroor
6	13 L	DIXIE MUSIC	57.0	4	JA Heffernan	Aidan O’Brien