Early arrivals for Dubai World Cup Carnival
Dec 13, 2013 0:49:35 GMT -5
Post by Jon on Dec 13, 2013 0:49:35 GMT -5
Only US horses are Seth Benzel's. (same as last year).
Here's an excerpt about Benzel from last year's carnival:
When a cocky youth, Benzel felt he could follow the example set by Dale Romans, the American trainer who runs Dullahan and Little Mike on World Cup night, and train at 18 years old.
He had modest success but he really hit his straps when learning under Bill Mott, the Dubai World Cup-winning trainer responsible for Royal Delta on Saturday.
Benzel walked up to Mott on his return from securing the inaugural World Cup with Cigar in 1996 and asked for a job.
He worked firstly as an exercise rider and progressed to assistant before moving to look after around 85 juveniles for Todd Pletcher, the quadruple Eclipse Award-winning trainer who had been an assistant to D Wayne Lukas.
"Both operations required a huge amount of attention to detail and organisation," Benzel said. "It provided the framework to go out there and juggle the various hats that you need as a trainer.
"They both handle high quality and numbers, and that made me comfortable in those situations.
"Mott and Pletcher are high-quality guys. They regularly make the right decisions and I was able to see them do it and learn from them.
www.thenational.ae/sport/horse-racing/dubai-world-cup-playing-second-fiddle-to-a-trainer-not-a-thankless-job
First round of Dubai World Cup Carnival hopefuls settling in at Meydan
Brisnet
The first international contenders have arrived at Meydan Racecourse ahead of the 2014 Dubai World Cup Carnival, which begins on January 9.
There are 26 international Group 1 winners among the acceptances for the three-month-long festival of racing, which concludes with the March 29 Dubai World Cup and carries combined prize money of more than $37 million.
Newmarket-based Italian handler, Marco Botti, brings an extended string to contest the Dubai World Cup Carnival this year. His runners include last season's Dubai City of Gold winner Jakkalberry, this year's Melbourne Cup fifth Dandino and recent Prix Royal Oak winner Tac De Boistron. Botti's string is also strengthened by the new additions of Australian Group 1 winner Linton, who comes to Dubai following his Hong Kong Mile run, and four other Brazilian prospects belonging to Dubai World Cup-winning owner Stefan Friborg's Estrela Energia.
Six from Andrew Balding's Park House Stables will make the trip, with Mackinnon Stakes victor Side Glance chief among them. Former international footballer Michael Owen's Brown Panther also travels to Dubai following his Melbourne Cup run for trainer Tom Dascomb, while Meydan stalwart Mike de Kock comes armed with a string bristling with Group 1 winners.
Among the new recruits for South Africa's four-time champion trainer are Durban July winner Heavy Metal, South Africa's champion three-year-old colt Vercingetorix, 2012 Champions Cup winner Master Plan and champion miler Variety Club.
De Kock, who claimed the Godolphin Mile with Soft Falling Rain last term, has a good record with former Aidan O'Brien-trained horses and two more are added to the ranks this year. Jersey Stakes winner Gale Force Ten and International Stakes scorer Flying the Flag join the likes of David Livingston and Daddy Long Legs, who already bolster de Kock's string. His globe-trotting Soft Falling Rain will be back, as will Al Quoz Sprint hero Shea Shea. The Apache, the 2013 Dubai Duty Free runner-up, also contests the new season.
Ed Dunlop's tough galloper Red Cadeaux, the 2013 Dubai World Cup runner-up, has been accepted for another trip to Dubai. He will be joined by three-time Canadian International winner Joshua Tree as well as Red Avenger.
Dunaden, last see finishing third in the 2013 Hong Kong Vase, has also been accepted alongside 2012 Breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and French One Thousand Guineas heroine Flotilla for trainer Mikel Delzangles.
Richard Hannon Jr., who takes over the training reins from his father, English champion trainer Richard Hannon Sr. in January, brings four including 2013 Topkapi Trophy winner Producer, while Charlie Hills has entered Dewhurst Stakes runner-up Cable Bay.
The full list may be found by clicking here:
www.dubairacingclub.com/sites/default/files/dwccacceptancelist2014-4.pdf
Please note this is a working list and is subject to change.
Here's an excerpt about Benzel from last year's carnival:
When a cocky youth, Benzel felt he could follow the example set by Dale Romans, the American trainer who runs Dullahan and Little Mike on World Cup night, and train at 18 years old.
He had modest success but he really hit his straps when learning under Bill Mott, the Dubai World Cup-winning trainer responsible for Royal Delta on Saturday.
Benzel walked up to Mott on his return from securing the inaugural World Cup with Cigar in 1996 and asked for a job.
He worked firstly as an exercise rider and progressed to assistant before moving to look after around 85 juveniles for Todd Pletcher, the quadruple Eclipse Award-winning trainer who had been an assistant to D Wayne Lukas.
"Both operations required a huge amount of attention to detail and organisation," Benzel said. "It provided the framework to go out there and juggle the various hats that you need as a trainer.
"They both handle high quality and numbers, and that made me comfortable in those situations.
"Mott and Pletcher are high-quality guys. They regularly make the right decisions and I was able to see them do it and learn from them.
www.thenational.ae/sport/horse-racing/dubai-world-cup-playing-second-fiddle-to-a-trainer-not-a-thankless-job
First round of Dubai World Cup Carnival hopefuls settling in at Meydan
Brisnet
The first international contenders have arrived at Meydan Racecourse ahead of the 2014 Dubai World Cup Carnival, which begins on January 9.
There are 26 international Group 1 winners among the acceptances for the three-month-long festival of racing, which concludes with the March 29 Dubai World Cup and carries combined prize money of more than $37 million.
Newmarket-based Italian handler, Marco Botti, brings an extended string to contest the Dubai World Cup Carnival this year. His runners include last season's Dubai City of Gold winner Jakkalberry, this year's Melbourne Cup fifth Dandino and recent Prix Royal Oak winner Tac De Boistron. Botti's string is also strengthened by the new additions of Australian Group 1 winner Linton, who comes to Dubai following his Hong Kong Mile run, and four other Brazilian prospects belonging to Dubai World Cup-winning owner Stefan Friborg's Estrela Energia.
Six from Andrew Balding's Park House Stables will make the trip, with Mackinnon Stakes victor Side Glance chief among them. Former international footballer Michael Owen's Brown Panther also travels to Dubai following his Melbourne Cup run for trainer Tom Dascomb, while Meydan stalwart Mike de Kock comes armed with a string bristling with Group 1 winners.
Among the new recruits for South Africa's four-time champion trainer are Durban July winner Heavy Metal, South Africa's champion three-year-old colt Vercingetorix, 2012 Champions Cup winner Master Plan and champion miler Variety Club.
De Kock, who claimed the Godolphin Mile with Soft Falling Rain last term, has a good record with former Aidan O'Brien-trained horses and two more are added to the ranks this year. Jersey Stakes winner Gale Force Ten and International Stakes scorer Flying the Flag join the likes of David Livingston and Daddy Long Legs, who already bolster de Kock's string. His globe-trotting Soft Falling Rain will be back, as will Al Quoz Sprint hero Shea Shea. The Apache, the 2013 Dubai Duty Free runner-up, also contests the new season.
Ed Dunlop's tough galloper Red Cadeaux, the 2013 Dubai World Cup runner-up, has been accepted for another trip to Dubai. He will be joined by three-time Canadian International winner Joshua Tree as well as Red Avenger.
Dunaden, last see finishing third in the 2013 Hong Kong Vase, has also been accepted alongside 2012 Breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and French One Thousand Guineas heroine Flotilla for trainer Mikel Delzangles.
Richard Hannon Jr., who takes over the training reins from his father, English champion trainer Richard Hannon Sr. in January, brings four including 2013 Topkapi Trophy winner Producer, while Charlie Hills has entered Dewhurst Stakes runner-up Cable Bay.
The full list may be found by clicking here:
www.dubairacingclub.com/sites/default/files/dwccacceptancelist2014-4.pdf
Please note this is a working list and is subject to change.