Irish Champions Weekend/St Leger/ Arc Trials 2019

tryfix

Love this weekend of top class racing. It has it all with Gp1 2yo races, a Gp1 Sprint, 2 St Leger's, and a clatter of the best middle-distance racehorses vying to impress in the Champion Stakes and Arc Trials.

The Champion Stakes is an unusually competitive one. The Going is currently Good.

Irish Champion Stakes betting (best prices): Magical 7-4, Headman 7-2, Elarqam 9-2, Madhmoon 7-1, Deirdre 12-1, Magna Grecia 14-1, Anthony Van Dyck 14-1, Magic Wand 25-1, Pink Dogwood 25-1, Verbal Dexterity 66-1

Magical is really good although 10f isn't her best trip.

There will be plenty of money thrown onto Headman in the belief that the Kingman colt has more in the locker than he has shown so far.

Mark Johnson has performed miracles with Elarqam, he has good place prospects but actually winning something like this should be a bit too much for him.

Madhmoon is a nearly horse. He's a dual course winner and he has been laid out for this with a nice confidence booster last time out. This is his first run over 10f which is the distance that everyone says he needs to shine, a nearly again placed finish is the best that I think he's got in him.

What to make of the rest of the O'Brien team? The returning 2,000 Guineas winner Magna Grecia, the Epsom Derby Winner AVD who has been getting progressively worse since Epsom and the Epsom Oaks favourite Pink Dogwood a seeming non-staying 2nd over 12f at Epsom who hasn't backed it up since.

The 2 Classic winners and Magical Wand are not horses to be written off if they run. Verbal Dexterity and Hunting Horn aren't good enough.


Leaving the Japanese 5yo Deirdre to round off the field. Her last win was impressive with her finishing like a train after being out with the washing. They say Follow A Filly in Form in the Fall, she's a great outsider but it's hard to see her backing up her last run.


Magical is good enough, unless one of the 3yos blossoms on the day. Hopefully the head of steam building up behind Headman will push Magical out in the betting and make it worth while having a punt on her.






Haven't looked at the Irish Leger but the Doncaster St Leger is a race that offers a short priced favourite and plenty of value for those willing to take on Logician.

Logician was very good the last day. He's a tremendous physical specimen who looks to have a great future ahead of him as a 4yo. He showed a lot of speed at York but still only beat O'Brien's Constantinople 1 3/4L in the Gordon Stakes with Constantinople looking like he was running a trial race over an inadequate 12f.

There are plenty who you could make a case for, but the St Leger is a race that has been dominated by Gosden and O'Brien. Logician Vs Sir Dragonet or Il Paridiso + the O'Brien rags. I'd like to see the final decs before picking but a win for Sir Dragonet would give Coolmore a NH stallion by Camelot and I could see that happening.

Andrew00

The best time of year for flat racing, now until the Breeders Cup.

I honestly can't see A'Ali beaten in the G2 Flying Childers at Doncaster on Friday. Far weaker race that what he's been running in to date. 6/4 I think is worth taking with frankie jocked up

longshotvalue

Finally Capri Time

RoyalAcademy2

Would love to see reports here next week on the patron/punter experience over the 2 days. Going myself and hoping Limit Long might put recent disappointments behind him on his jaunt to Chelmsford on Saturday and pay the expenses.

Imhof Tank

Was at Leopardstown. Despite the great weather and the big occasion feel of the day I didn't enjoy it as much as last year which was superb.

Normally I really enjoy the Punter's Council type panels on the big days and make an effort to be there early. This year's offering was Ruby (talked down Willie's), Murtagh (talked up his own), and for some reason 2 GAA men in Colm O'Rourke (talked up every Bolger runner) and John Mullane (token mug for the crowd to relate to - tipped every fav) was a complete waste of time. They didn't have the screens to show galloping clues as the panel when through the card like last year either.

I hate the new pre parade ring also where (1) you can see practically nothing through the trees and (2) limited room to lean on the rail and (3) you have to walk around the ring to the absolute furthest point away from the stands to get there. Used to love the old saddling boxes where you could get a good look at anything that might be playing up.

Got home and watched the RTE coverage back. They are so poor. I mean, they play a mushy soft focus replay to music of Roaring Lion from last year, and then just cut to Tracey in the paddock. No mention of the horse's recent demise.

Was interesting to see both Mark Johnston and the Juddmonte racing manager Grimthorpe there instead of at the Leger. Says a lot about where the Irish Champion Stakes ranks in the pecking order.

Imhof Tank

On the racing front, very disappointed with Madmoon. He just isn't quite top class.

Laurens looks on the downgrade at this stage. She has done a lot of racing and travelling and imo is feeling it.

One who ran better than I expected and might come on again would be Anthony Van Dyke, especially when he gets back to 12f. He was like an old pony walking around before.

Quite impressed with Mogul I thought he did it well. Headman was a beautiful individual also, huge, the type to do well as a 4yo I'd say.

Was anyone at the Curragh?

Was there any improvement on facilities?

What was the numbers in attendance like?

Scott Tenorman

TheTorment wrote: »

Was anyone at the Curragh?

Was there any improvement on facilities?

What was the numbers in attendance like?

According to HRI there was 10k at the curragh on Sunday, didn’t look like anything like that on tv.

I’d take that figure with a large pinch of salt

The Tetrarch

16 races, 100 prizes:
15 races had money from 1st to 6th, 1 race had money to 10th.

Trainer Prizemoney % Prizes 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th
A P O'Brien 2,323,000 49.2 26 6 6 7 1 3 3
D K Weld 578,000 12.3 3 3
Joseph Patrick O'Brien 282,000 6.0 6 1 2 1 1 1
Charlie Appleby 252,000 5.3 2 1 1
Michael Bell 147,500 3.1 1 1
G M Lyons 126,500 2.7 4 1 1 1 1
Richard Fahey 118,000 2.5 1 1
Adrian McGuinness 102,000 2.2 2 1 1
Matthew J Smith 88,500 1.9 1 1
Roger Varian 78,500 1.7 2 1 1
Archie Watson 73,500 1.6 2 1 1
Mark Johnston 54,000 1.1 2 1 1
Mitsuru Hashida 50,000 1.1 1 1
James Tate 44,000 0.9 2 1 1
J S Bolger 39,500 0.8 6 2 1 3
Mrs John Harrington 35,000 0.7 6 1 1 3 1
M Halford 32,500 0.7 2 1 1
W P Mullins 31,500 0.7 2 1 1
Denis Gerard Hogan 28,500 0.6 1 1
Jack W Davison 28,500 0.6 1 1
Hugo Palmer 27,500 0.6 1 1
Roger Charlton 25,000 0.5 1 1
David O'Meara 21,500 0.5 2 1 1
Ms Sheila Lavery 17,500 0.4 1 1
J P Murtagh 16,500 0.3 3 1 1 1
K R Burke 14,000 0.3 1 1
K J Condon 13,500 0.3 1 1
Kevin Prendergast 12,500 0.3 1 1
Edward Lynam 8,000 0.2 1 1
A J Martin 6,000 0.1 1 1
Andrew Slattery 6,000 0.1 1 1
Mark Fahey 6,000 0.1 1 1
T Hogan 6,000 0.1 1 1
Michael Dods 4,000 0.1 1 1
Miss Natalia Lupini 3,000 0.1 1 1
Roger Fell 3,000 0.1 1 1
John Quinn 2,500 0.1 1 1
Richard Spencer 2,500 0.1 1 1
William Knight 2,500 0.1 1 1
Donal Kinsella 1,500 0.0 1 1
Joseph Tuite 1,500 0.0 1 1
T M Walsh 1,500 0.0 1 1
John M Oxx 1,000 0.0 1 1
Mick Channon 1,000 0.0 1 1

4,717,000 100.1 100 16 16 16 16 16 16 1 1 1 1

The Tetrarch

Stud Prizemoney %
.
Coolmore Stud 2,916,500 61.8
Kildangan Stud 472,500 10.0
Banstread Manor Stud 385,000 8.2
Tally Ho Stud 250,000 5.3
Ashford Stud, Kentucky 91,000 1.9
Gurteen Stud 88,500 1.9
Irish National Stud 88,500 1.9
Cheveley Park Stud 83,000 1.8
Shadai Stallion Station 50,000 1.1
Whitsbury Manor Stud 43,500 0.9
Claiborne Farm, Kentucky 39,500 0.8
Yeomanstown Stud 33,500 0.7
Norman Court Stud 28,500 0.6
Dalham Hall Stud 21,500 0.5
Ballyhane Stud 15,000 0.3
Haras de Bonneval 14,000 0.3
Jonabell Farm, Kentucky 16,000 0.3
Llety Farms 13,500 0.3
Throckmorton Court Stud 13,500 0.3
Montfort et Preaux 8,000 0.2
Boardsmill Stud 3,000 0.1
Castle Hyde Stud 6,000 0.1
Derrinstown Stud 4,000 0.1
Hara de Colleville 3,000 0.1
Haras de Grandcamp 6,000 0.1
Haras de la Haie Neuve 6,000 0.1
Rathbarry Stud 4,000 0.1
Woodlands Stud 6,000 0.1
Darley Australia 2,000 0.0
Garryrichard Stud 1,500 0.0
Lanwades Stud 1,500 0.0
Newsells Park Stud 1,500 0.0
UK National Stud 1,000 0.0
.
4,717,000 100


A few of the studs are under one ownership/control (e.g. Coolmore/Ashford/Castlehyde, Kildangan/Dalham Hall) but shown separately above.

The Tetrarch

Sire Earnings %
.
Galileo 2,193,000 46.5
Shamardal 375,500 8.0
Bated Breath 282,500 6.0
Kodiac 247,000 5.2
Ruler Of The World 206,500 4.4
No Nay Never 183,500 3.9
Camelot 142,000 3.0
Rock Of Gibraltar 88,500 1.9
Urban Poet 88,500 1.9
Invincible Spirit 87,500 1.9
Scat Daddy 76,000 1.6
Kingman 59,000 1.3
Mayson 57,500 1.2
Harbinger 50,000 1.1
Holy Roman Emperor 46,000 1.0
War Front 39,500 0.8
Teofilo 38,500 0.8
Raven's Pass 38,000 0.8
Dansili 31,500 0.7
Camacho 28,500 0.6
Sixties Icon 28,500 0.6
Due Diligence 27,500 0.6
Zoffany 22,000 0.5
Australia 21,000 0.4
Dawn Approach 18,000 0.4
Showcasing 16,000 0.3
Street Boss 16,000 0.3
Elzaam 15,000 0.3
Siyouni 14,000 0.3
New Approach 13,500 0.3
Olden Times 13,500 0.3
Pivotal 13,500 0.3
Sayif 13,500 0.3
Frankel 12,000 0.3
Declaration Of War 9,000 0.2
Kyllachy 8,000 0.2
Le Havre 8,000 0.2
Night Of Thunder 8,000 0.2
Fastnet Rock 7,000 0.1
Byron 6,000 0.1
Dream Ahead 6,000 0.1
Pedro The Great 6,000 0.1
Tale Of The Cat 6,000 0.1
Yeats 6,000 0.1
Gutaifan 5,000 0.1
Dutch Art 4,000 0.1
Lilbourne Lad 4,000 0.1
Tamayuz 4,000 0.1
Canford Cliffs 3,000 0.1
Kendargent 3,000 0.1
Mount Nelson 3,000 0.1
Zebedee 3,000 0.1
Epaulette 2,500 0.1
Ivawood 2,500 0.1
Sepoy 2,000 0.0
Equiano 1,500 0.0
Gleneagles 1,500 0.0
Jeremy 1,500 0.0
Sir Percy 1,500 0.0
Dragon Pulse 1,000 0.0
Roderic O'Connor 1,000 0.0

4,717,000 100.0

RoyalAcademy2

A little late to the party.....

Leopardstown was comfortable but I now find a day at the races is just for socialising. If you want to punt, stay at home. There is no sense that value prevails and it is really hard to know what's going on on the day. The tote should be shut down for theft and why was it not part of a global co-mingling pool that might have encouraged serious investment in the exotics, especially with first-ever Japaanese runner?

You know there would be no shame in providing a serious forum for punters beforehand. That two GAA heads had little to offer , a trainer adds nothing (other than informed bias) and Ruby Walsh is in the pay of Paddy Power. What genius assembled this collection?

The Champion Stakes was ultimately a disappointment because it was won by the "dominant force" (with a slew of hangers on and little in the way of joy or emotion) and the opportunity to cheer KP, MJ or the Japanese passed by.

The auction beforehand seemed to be a complete disaster with most horses failing to reach their reserves. When you think about it, why on earth would you buy a horse at such a carnival where the primary intention seems to be mere entertainment?

The Curragh. Hmm....

A day for champions that ultimately revolved around a charity event and a Ladies Day. A week after the event I'm even struggling to recall most winners. No prizes for improving certain areas that were atrociously planned. The parade ring needs improvement immediately and I think has lost the sense of being close to the audience outside. Chris Hayes' unsaddling was a disaster as it seemed to be a celebration played out entirely for those inside and assorted hacks and photographers.

There is a view that the bookies should be re-positioned? If they cannot compete on price they may as well be on the old railway siding (if it still exists).

Dominance is not good for any sport and none of the three/four major owners in world racing attended as far as I can tell?

Irish flat racing has long been a project promoting an image of insider privilege and the Curragh's design (ring and stand) endorses this in spades. If you want me racing and spending money, you need to an entirely different approach.

Attendance figures:
How many paying customers?
Who exactly is counted?
Are the figures accurate?