LAMMTARRA : OF LEGENDS AND WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN...

Click above to watch Lammtarra winning the 1995 Epsom Derby
(Image : Jockeysite - Footage : Sewageable)

LAMMTARRA (USA)
Nijinsky (CAN) - Snow Bride (USA)

Nicola HaywardAs I drove up the High Street in Newmarket the week before Christmas past, I tried to imagine how it might have looked early in 1904. It was difficult given the tarred road, beautiful Christmas lights and decorated storefronts - Marks & Spencer, Sainsburys, and French Connection filled with eager shoppers. Yet it was to 1904 that my mind returned, for that was when Signorina was booked to be covered by the Champion Isinglass. For a decade, the Oaks runner-up had failed to produce a foal and her owner, the Italian trainer Ginistrelli, followed on foot as she was led down the High Street for her planned assignation with Isinglass. On the way Chaleureux, a lowly stallion that was being used as a teaser, passed the aging mare. The two called to one another and refused to move apart and so, on a whim, Ginistrelli allowed his mare her ‘love match’. The result was the filly Signorinetta who in 1908 won the Epsom Derby and two days later the Oaks, a feat not accomplished since.

Myth or legend, it is one of the stories that Newmarket holds and was worthy of consideration. Of course, for one who loves the Thoroughbred, to be in the same country as Frankel, let alone to drive past the yard where he is stabled and trained, was very special. That an entire town can be dedicated to the horses that have for centuries made it their home, is quite remarkable. Bridleways crisscross the suburban roads allowing every animal to reach the gallops safely and the public happily accept that it should be so, as it always has.

Of course, one does not turn down a visit to Dalham Hall Stud. Even though a number of the stallions were on stud duty in Australia and South America, there was the chance to see the mighty Dubawi. A son of Dubai Millenium out of the Deploy mare Zomaradah, he has risen to star status. He won 5 of 8 starts and is a compact bull of a horse. Dubawi is all power and he knows it. His son Poet’s Voice, out of Bright Tiara (Chief’s Crown) was victorious in the 2011 G1 QEII Stakes and is a taller, more elegant horse than his sire. He is bay without white markings and has a beautiful head. He had let down very well and has a good book of mares waiting for his attention once the season begins. Both horses live in roomy stalls in the stallion block that overlooks the graveyard where the memorial to the great Dubai Millennium dwarfs all those around it. It takes one into the past - Singspiel, Machiavellian, Reference Point, Great Nephew…

Then, a woolly, muddy liver chestnut danced toward his stall and the world stopped turning.

Lammtarra.

By Nijinsky (Northern Dancer), out of Snow Bride (Blushing Groom), Lammtarra won his only outing as a two-year-old in 1994. His trainer Alex Scott was certain of classic success but then in a cruel twist of fate, an employee with a grievance shot and killed Scott. The colt was transferred to Godolphin, to Saeed Bin Suroor. Under Walter Swinburn, Lammtarra won The Derby in a time only bettered in 2010 by Workforce. Then under Frankie Detorri he took the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe before being retired to stud unbeaten in four starts. His pedigree was impeccable - by a Derby winner out of an Oaks winner - and his record faultless. Yet at stud he was a failure. He covered one season at Dalham Hall before being sold to Japan for $30,000,000. Eventually, in 2006, Sheikh Mohammed bought him back and he returned to Dalham Hall to live out his days in retirement.

Do yourself a favour and watch his Derby win above courtesy of YouTube and you will see why it was he more than any other that made my heart soar. It was an old, sprightly gentleman who danced and squealed as his groom led him in who made me smile. It was a Champion now past his prime that made me wonder what if? Why not? And ask the question what might have been…

ST NICHOLAS ABBEY RULED OUT OF INVESTEC DERBY

St Nicholas Abbey and Johnny Murtagh
(Photo : Daily Mail)

THE INVESTEC DERBY (Group 1)
Epsom Downs, Turf, 2423m
5 June 2010

St Nicholas Abbey, the long time favourite for Saturday’s Investec Derby at Epson Downs, has been ruled out of the race by trainer Aidan O’Brien. He was set to do his final piece of work after failing to sparkle on Friday.

“St Nicholas Abbey was due to work first thing, however when he came out of his box we noticed he was stiff behind. He had looked slightly stiff on Monday evening. His work on Friday last was a little lacklustre for him and that was the first time we had seen anything different but he was fine afterwards”

“He was immediately examined and scanned by our vets this morning. They found a slight muscle injury high up in his hind quarter. This meant he could not work today and we were advised to give him an easy few days”

“Obviously this will preclude him from running in the Derby on Saturday. We always thought St Nicholas Abbey could walk on water and it is very unfortunate for all concerned to have a setback like this so close to the big race,” said Aidan O’Brien.

If the betting is any guide, Johnny Murtagh may well ride Jan Vermeer (Montjeu), who is as short as 13/8 favourite, and Midas Touch (Galileo) and Cape Blanco (Galileo) are other strong contenders for O’Brien, though the latter is more likely to run in the Gr.1 Prix du Jockey-Club on Sunday.

Godolphin are likely to have three in the line-up on Saturday after Rewilding (Tiger Hill) and Buzzword (Pivotal) were supplemented at a combined cost of £150,000. The decision was made to supplement Buzzword after he worked well on Saturday and he was introduced in the betting at 50/1. They are both trained by Mahmoud Al Zarooni, Godolphin’s second trainer, while Saeed bin Suroor, who has yet to train the winner of the Derby, has Al Zir (Medaglio d’Oro) entered.

Godolphin Racing Manager Simon Crisford confirmed yesterday that Kieren Fallon, who has ridden the winner of the Derby three times, has been booked to ride Al Zir, with Frankie Dettori on Rewilding and Ahmed Ajtebi switching to Buzzword.

Extract form European Bloodstock News

MIKE DE KOCK VS GODOLPHIN

Saeed bin Suroor and Mike de Kock
(Photos : Dubai Race Night / Racing Post)

AL MAKTOUM CHALLENGE ROUND TWO

The fifth meeting of the 2010 Dubai International Racing Carnival takes place today. All eight races, one of which is for Arabians, are on the Tapeta and 13 horses have been declared for the Gr.3 Al Maktoum Challenge Round Two which is to be run over a new trip of 1900m this year on the new surface. The Mike de Kock pair Mr Crazy Boy (Numerous), the only three-year-old in the race, and Mr Brock (Fort Wood), are drawn one and thirteen respectively and the trainer hopes both can go well in an open contest.

He said: “Mr Brock won well last time over course and distance and deserves this step up in class. He has a bit to find in a tough race, while Mr Crazy Boy will relish the step up in trip but it is a big ask on the ratings.”

Saeed bin Suroor and Godolphin are well represented and Frankie Dettori rides Jalil (Storm Cat), who progressed through the ranks to contest the 2008 Dubai World Cup. Ahmed Ajtebi rides Allybar (King’s Best), on whom he has already won at the Carnival, with Ted Durcan on Calvados Blues (Lando).

Bin Suroor said: “All three should run well; Allybar is obviously race fit and came out of that win in very good form. Jalil will be better for the outing but is a horse we have always liked, while Calvados Blues is a new horse who has been training well.”

Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore combine with Perfect Stride (Oasis Dream), a Royal Ascot winner last year and the jockey is hopeful of a good show: “He is a nice horse and seems in excellent heart. It is a decent contest but I expect a big run.”

Local South African hope Jet Express (Jet Master) has been a real star for trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe and jockey Royston Ffrench, who said: “He has won his last four, all at Jebel Ali, but seems to prefer the Tapeta to the old Nad Al Sheba dirt track. This is his toughest test this year but he seems to be in good form still and I am hopeful he will run well.”

Extract from European Bloodstock News

IRISH 2000 GUINEAS : Rivals meet again

Henrythenavigator and New Approach (The Racing Post)

New Approach will have a rival from within his own stable for his rematch with Henrythenavigator, with his trainer Jim Bolger on Monday insisting the unraced Luminaire will not be acting as a pacemaker in the Boylesports Irish 2,000 Guineas on Saturday.

Henrythenavigator and New Approach, separated by a nose in the 2,000 Guineas, are among 13 acceptors for Saturday’s race, while Aidan O’Brien has left in five, while Saeed Bin Suroor has two entries in Fast Company and Ibn Khaldun.

The Irish 2,000 Guineas has gone for export in the past four years, and the overseas three-pronged challenge includes Godolphin’s Ibn Khaldun, the Brendan Duke-trained Sammy The Snake and Stubbs Art, added at a cost of €40,000.

ARCHIPENKO : Mike de Kock equals his Carnival record in the Al Fahidi Fort

Archipenko, Kevin Shea and Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum
                                                                            (Andrew Watkins)

Archipenko announced himself as a live chance for the Dubai Duty Free after Mike de Kock landed his third Al Fahidi Fort, the feature race at the Commercial Bank of Dubai-sponsored card at Nad Al Sheba on Thursday night.

The four-year-old, who boasted Group 2-winning form for his former trainer Aidan O’Brien, now runs in the Asiatic Boy colours of HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum.

The winner flashed home on the outside to see off Royal Oath and Lord Admiral, with the disappointment of the race Linngari - who was seeking a hat-trick of wins in this Group 2 contest - back in fourth after running a “flat” race according to Ryan Moore.

Mike de Kock said: “He’s improved significantly from his first run but it was hard to be confident when you’re facing a horse like Linngari.

“But he could run a really big race in the Dubai Duty Free, and there’s plenty more improvement to come from him”, which bodes well for a team which has already equalled its previous record number of wins at the Carnival, where they’ve posted three Trainer’s Championships.

The South African maestro, along with Saeed bin Suroor, has dominated at Nad Al Sheba this year, and was savouring his 10th winner of the 2008 Dubai International Racing Carnival.

Extract from Dubai Racing Club