Category: Big Races

The late Queen Elizabeth II, who died on September 8, 2022, aged 96, was the longest-serving monarch of the United Kingdom. Her Majesty was also, arguably, the most enthusiastic Royal owner, breeder and racegoer in British history. A regular attendee at the Derby at Epsom and, of course, Royal Ascot – where she celebrated 24 winners as an owner, including Estimate in a historic Gold Cup in 2013 – won every British Classic except the Derby.

As an owner, the Queen was not averse to the occasional foray abroad. In June 1974, for example, she was in attendance at Chantilly Racecourse, in Northern France, to witness the victory of Highclere, trained by Dick Hern and ridden by Joe Mercer, in the Prix de Diane, or “French Oaks”. The Queen’s Hussar filly had already won the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket, but opted for an extended mile and a quarter at Chantilly, rather than a mile and a half at Epsom.

Her Majesty did, in fact, make one attempt to win the most important Australian race, the Melbourne Cup. On November 4, 1997, the familiar Royal colours – scarlet and purple with gold braid and a black cap – were worn by Lanfranco “Frankie” Dettori aboard Arabian Story, trained by Lord Huntingdon, William Hastings-Bass, in West Ilsley, Berkshire. Sent off at 25/1 for ‘the race that stops a nation’, the four-year-old son of high-class miler Sharrood never really threatened at Flemington Racecourse, but nonetheless kept on well throughout the final quarter of a mile to finish sixth, beaten 3½ lengths, behind the winner Might And Power.

Anyone who witnessed the 1981 Derby first-hand, including your correspondent, may find it hard to believe that it’s the better part of four-and-a-half decades since Shergar turned the Epsom Classic into a procession. Of course, the name of Shergar would become infamous beyond the racing world when two years later, having been syndicated for £10 million to stand at the Ballymany Stud in Co. Kildare, he was abducted by masked gunmen and never seen again. In all probability, he was slaughtered by Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) shortly afterwards, but no-one has ever officially claimed reponsibility and his remains have never been found.

Anyway, back to happier times on Epsom Downs on June 3, 1981. Trained by Michael Stoute, in the days before his knighthood, and ridden by a youthful Walter Swinburn, Shergar was sent off 10/11 favourite after wide-margin wins in both the Sandown Classic Trial and the Chester Vase. To say the market support was justified is an understatement, because Shergar cruised to victory by a record margin of ten lengths. Indeed, as he drew further and further clear inside the final quarter of a mile, BBC Radio 2 commentator Peter Bromley had cause to exclaim, ‘There’s only one horse in it! You need a telescope to see the rest!’

A respectful distance, although clear second-best, came the Derby Italiano winner Glint Of Gold, trained by Ian Balding and ridden by John Matthias. In a post-race interview, Matthias reportedly said, ‘I thought I’d won. Shergar had gone so far clear I didn’t see him.’ Balding, though, was less fanciful in his appraisal, saying much later, ‘Glint Of Gold did get a bad start and came from a long way back. I’m sure John did see him.’

Run over 2,000 metres, or approximately a mile and a quarter, on a dirt surface, the Breeders’ Cup Classic is the most valuable and prestigious race run during the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Established, as a one-day fixture, in 1984 and expanded to two days in 2007, the Breeders’ Cup consists of a series of 14 Grade 1 races, run over a variety of distances, on dirt and turf, at one of a selection of venues throughout North America.

Nowadays worth $6 million in total prize money, the Breeders’ Cup Classic is always hotly contested and, as such, is notoriously difficult to win once, never mind twice. However, one horse, the quirky but hugely talented Tiznow, did manage to win back-to-back renewals in 2000 and 2001.

Trained by Jay Robbins in California and ridden, in all bar one of his races, by Chris McCarron, Tiznow did not race as a juvenile, but quickly made up into a useful three-year-old. On his first attempt in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs in November, 2000, he made most of the running as was driven out in the closing stages to beat the so-called ‘Iron Horse’, Giant’s Causeway, trained by Aidan O’Brien, by a neck. A year later, at Belmont Park, Tiznow was involved in another tight finish, eventually edging out the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner, Sakhee, trained by John Dunlop, by a nose.

 

Trainer Kenny McPeek has decided to run Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan in the $2 million Belmont Stakes on June 8 at Saratoga. Mystik Dan will face off against Preakness winner Seize the Grey, marking the first meeting of Derby and Preakness winners since 2013. Sierra Leone will also be in the field, who has been one of the best horses this year and narrowly lost out to Mystik Dan in the Kentucky Derby by a nose.

McPeek Leaning Toward Running Mystik Dan

Trainer Kenny McPeek is cautiously optimistic about entering Kentucky Derby champion Mystik Dan at the prestigious $2 million Belmont Stakes on June 8 at Saratoga. During a national conference call last week, McPeek mentioned that the final decision hinged on Mystik Dan’s performance and recovery from a key workout session over the weekend.

“We’re going to get our horse ready, and assuming everything goes right over the next few days, through the weekend, we’re looking forward to being part of it,” McPeek stated. He expressed confidence about the weekend’s preparations but underlined the importance of meticulous attention to the horse’s condition. Mystik Dan is a unique character in McPeek’s stable. “He’s a little tricky in that he’s a quiet type, and we don’t want to miss anything,” the trainer noted, signaling his awareness of the horse’s nuances.

Mystik Dan did everything McPeek was looking for, and as a result, he was entered in this week’s Belmont Stakes. He’ll face a significant challenge in the form of Preakness winner Seize the Grey, setting the stage for the first encounter between the Derby and Preakness titlists since Orb and Oxbow in 2013. Additionally, Sierra Leone will be in the field along with Mindframe, both of whom lead the field as the favorites going into the weekend.

Fans and analysts alike keenly await the outcome, with high hopes for an exciting race when both top contenders meet on the track. For those looking to add an extra layer of excitement, it’s a great opportunity to bet on 2024 Belmont Stakes online.

Mystik Dan’s Road to the Belmont Stakes

Mystik Dan’s journey to the Belmont Stakes has been an exhilarating saga, capturing the attention of racing enthusiasts and analysts nationwide. His Kentucky Derby victory, achieved by a nose over Sierra Lone, demonstrated not just his speed but also his indomitable spirit. Sierra Leon’e sentry into the Belmont adds another layer of intrigue to the upcoming race as he figures to be the favorite come post-time.

In the Preakness, Mystik Dan finished a respectable second, trailing 2-1/4 lengths behind the formidable Seize the Grey. McPeek expressed his preference for the Belmont due to logistical reasons—remaining at Saratoga eliminates the need for shipping Mystik Dan to other races, like the Grade 1 Haskell on July 20 at Monmouth Park. McPeek sees this as a strategic advantage, allowing them to stay focused and conserve the horse’s energy for the Grade 1 Travers Stakes on August 24, also at Saratoga, and possibly the Pennsylvania Derby before setting sights on the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Both Mystik Dan and Thorpedo Anna were on a significant workout on Saturday morning over Saratoga’s Oklahoma training track. The two horses trained in conjunction, though not directly against each other, reflecting McPeek’s meticulous approach to their conditioning.

“We want to run, we do; we just got to make sure that all boxes are checked, t’s are crossed, and i’s are dotted,” McPeek remarked, underscoring the importance of thorough readiness.

The anticipation builds as the racing world watches McPeek’s next moves, hoping to see Mystik Dan strive for glory in the prestigious Belmont Stakes.