Int'l entries for Royal Ascot (Incl Verrazano & The Gray!!)
Apr 23, 2014 19:37:45 GMT -5
Post by Evelyn on Apr 23, 2014 19:37:45 GMT -5
International entries abound for Royal Ascot races
No fewer than 11 nations are represented among the entries for this year's seven Royal Ascot Group 1 races, which were released Wednesday.
The Hong Kong-trained winners of both Group 1 sprints on Dubai World Cup night, Sterling City and Amber Sky, are expected to head the early betting markets for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes and King's Stand Stakes, respectively.
Sterling City is set to take in the KrisFlyer Sprint in Singapore before a final decision is made on Royal Ascot but if successful there, he would be racing for the $1 million bonus at Royal Ascot, having already won Dubai's leg of the Global Sprint Challenge.
The bonus is payable to the connections of any horse successful in three of ten legs of the Global Sprint Challenge. The next leg is the KrisFlyer Sprint in Singapore on May 18, followed by the two Royal Ascot sprints and the July Cup at Newmarket on July 12.
The United States is represented in the initial entries for the King's Stand by Ancil, who broke the five-furlong track record when winning at Tampa Bay Downs in March. Trainer Joan Scott is expected to be the first lady trainer from the United States to saddle a runner at Royal Ascot.
South Africa's Shea Shea was narrowly denied by fellow entry, Ireland's Sole Powerm, in last year's King's Stand and both are expected to line up again.
Australia, successful four times in the King's Stand, is represented by last year's champion three-year-old sprinter Zoustar, although he is more likely to take up his engagement in the Diamond Jubilee where, in addition to Sterling City, international representation could include North American sprinters Occasional View and Laugh Track.
Occasional View won the Commonwealth Stakes at Keeneland on April 12 with Canadian-trained Laugh Track less than three lengths behind in third, the last named having been beaten just a neck in the Breeders' Cup Sprint at Santa Anita in November.
The Queen Anne Stakes has attracted its most cosmopolitan entries ever, with eight countries represented at the closing stage.
Australia's champion miler Sacred Falls heads the international cast having won the Doncaster Mile on April 12 at The Championships in Sydney. He went on to finish second to the retired It's a Dundeel in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, also at Randwick, the following week.
Hong Kong has three entries headed by Able Friend, second in the Hong Kong Derby over 10 furlongs in March and a winner back over a mile at local Group 2 level on his next start. He heads next to the Champions Mile at Sha Tin on May 4 where likely opponents could include fellow Queen Anne entries Gold Fun, second in the Hong Kong Mile in December, and Blazing Speed, who is a regular in the big Hong Kong races between a mile and 10 furlongs.
South Africa's entry is Soft Falling Rain, second in the recent Godolphin Mile in Dubai, whilst the United States could be represented by Golden Ticket, who dead-heated in the 2012 Travers and was second in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile last year.
The United States is also represented by proxy in the Queen Anne through Verrazano, who was fourth in that Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile when trained by Todd Pletcher.
Germany, France, Ireland, and the United Kingdom are also represented. Richard Hannon has entered Sussex Stakes winner Toronado, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes winner Olympic Glory and One Thousand Guineas and Coronation Stakes winner Sky Lantern, although she is likely to start her year in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes.
The Prince of Wales's Stakes will be many people's idea of the race of the week this year with French-trained Arc winner Treve an intended runner pending her reappearance at Longchamp this weekend.
Compatriot and Ascot regular Cirrus des Aigles and Ocovango make up a powerful French entry for the race which also includes a fascinating possible runner from Hong Kong in Akeed Mofeed.
Akeed Mofeed, winner of Hong Kong's premier race last year, the Hong Kong Cup, has been forced to miss this weekend's Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Sha Tin through injury and also been ruled out of the Singapore Cup in May, but has nevertheless been entered for Royal Ascot.
Breeders' Cup Turf winner Magician and Epsom Derby winner Ruler of the World head Aidan O'Brien's entries while others of note include last year's Prince of Wales's runner-up Mukhadram, who was second in the Dubai World Cup in March; last year's Irish Derby winner Trading Leather, and Yorkshire Oaks winner The Fugue.
There is no doubt that the star name amongst the entries for the Gold Cup is The Queen's reigning champion, Estimate, although the favorite for the race is likely to be last year's St Leger winner Leading Light in what could be a fascinating clash between the last two winners of the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot.
The United States could be represented by Frac Daddy, a recent winner at Keeneland in the Ban Ali Stakes, while entries have also been received from France, Spain and Germany for Europe's long-distance championship.
"We are delighted to see so many continents represented and especially pleased with the depth of entries from Hong Kong after their sprinters stole the show on Dubai World Cup night," said Nick Smith, Head of Communications and International Racing at Ascot.
"The entries from North America look high quality this year too and, in addition to a large contingent from Kenny McPeek at this stage, and the very quick Ancil and Laugh Track, we are expecting No Nay Never to try to supplement his Norfolk Stakes win of last year in the Jersey Stakes. (Trainer) Wesley (Ward) reports that he is putting together his usual string of two year olds for the trip and Todd Pletcher has also shown interest in sending juveniles this year.
No fewer than 11 nations are represented among the entries for this year's seven Royal Ascot Group 1 races, which were released Wednesday.
The Hong Kong-trained winners of both Group 1 sprints on Dubai World Cup night, Sterling City and Amber Sky, are expected to head the early betting markets for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes and King's Stand Stakes, respectively.
Sterling City is set to take in the KrisFlyer Sprint in Singapore before a final decision is made on Royal Ascot but if successful there, he would be racing for the $1 million bonus at Royal Ascot, having already won Dubai's leg of the Global Sprint Challenge.
The bonus is payable to the connections of any horse successful in three of ten legs of the Global Sprint Challenge. The next leg is the KrisFlyer Sprint in Singapore on May 18, followed by the two Royal Ascot sprints and the July Cup at Newmarket on July 12.
The United States is represented in the initial entries for the King's Stand by Ancil, who broke the five-furlong track record when winning at Tampa Bay Downs in March. Trainer Joan Scott is expected to be the first lady trainer from the United States to saddle a runner at Royal Ascot.
South Africa's Shea Shea was narrowly denied by fellow entry, Ireland's Sole Powerm, in last year's King's Stand and both are expected to line up again.
Australia, successful four times in the King's Stand, is represented by last year's champion three-year-old sprinter Zoustar, although he is more likely to take up his engagement in the Diamond Jubilee where, in addition to Sterling City, international representation could include North American sprinters Occasional View and Laugh Track.
Occasional View won the Commonwealth Stakes at Keeneland on April 12 with Canadian-trained Laugh Track less than three lengths behind in third, the last named having been beaten just a neck in the Breeders' Cup Sprint at Santa Anita in November.
The Queen Anne Stakes has attracted its most cosmopolitan entries ever, with eight countries represented at the closing stage.
Australia's champion miler Sacred Falls heads the international cast having won the Doncaster Mile on April 12 at The Championships in Sydney. He went on to finish second to the retired It's a Dundeel in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, also at Randwick, the following week.
Hong Kong has three entries headed by Able Friend, second in the Hong Kong Derby over 10 furlongs in March and a winner back over a mile at local Group 2 level on his next start. He heads next to the Champions Mile at Sha Tin on May 4 where likely opponents could include fellow Queen Anne entries Gold Fun, second in the Hong Kong Mile in December, and Blazing Speed, who is a regular in the big Hong Kong races between a mile and 10 furlongs.
South Africa's entry is Soft Falling Rain, second in the recent Godolphin Mile in Dubai, whilst the United States could be represented by Golden Ticket, who dead-heated in the 2012 Travers and was second in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile last year.
The United States is also represented by proxy in the Queen Anne through Verrazano, who was fourth in that Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile when trained by Todd Pletcher.
Germany, France, Ireland, and the United Kingdom are also represented. Richard Hannon has entered Sussex Stakes winner Toronado, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes winner Olympic Glory and One Thousand Guineas and Coronation Stakes winner Sky Lantern, although she is likely to start her year in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes.
The Prince of Wales's Stakes will be many people's idea of the race of the week this year with French-trained Arc winner Treve an intended runner pending her reappearance at Longchamp this weekend.
Compatriot and Ascot regular Cirrus des Aigles and Ocovango make up a powerful French entry for the race which also includes a fascinating possible runner from Hong Kong in Akeed Mofeed.
Akeed Mofeed, winner of Hong Kong's premier race last year, the Hong Kong Cup, has been forced to miss this weekend's Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Sha Tin through injury and also been ruled out of the Singapore Cup in May, but has nevertheless been entered for Royal Ascot.
Breeders' Cup Turf winner Magician and Epsom Derby winner Ruler of the World head Aidan O'Brien's entries while others of note include last year's Prince of Wales's runner-up Mukhadram, who was second in the Dubai World Cup in March; last year's Irish Derby winner Trading Leather, and Yorkshire Oaks winner The Fugue.
There is no doubt that the star name amongst the entries for the Gold Cup is The Queen's reigning champion, Estimate, although the favorite for the race is likely to be last year's St Leger winner Leading Light in what could be a fascinating clash between the last two winners of the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot.
The United States could be represented by Frac Daddy, a recent winner at Keeneland in the Ban Ali Stakes, while entries have also been received from France, Spain and Germany for Europe's long-distance championship.
"We are delighted to see so many continents represented and especially pleased with the depth of entries from Hong Kong after their sprinters stole the show on Dubai World Cup night," said Nick Smith, Head of Communications and International Racing at Ascot.
"The entries from North America look high quality this year too and, in addition to a large contingent from Kenny McPeek at this stage, and the very quick Ancil and Laugh Track, we are expecting No Nay Never to try to supplement his Norfolk Stakes win of last year in the Jersey Stakes. (Trainer) Wesley (Ward) reports that he is putting together his usual string of two year olds for the trip and Todd Pletcher has also shown interest in sending juveniles this year.
