Category: Big Races

The Derby, or the Derby Stakes, to give the race its full title, is run over a left-handed, undulating mile and a half at Epsom Downs in Surrey, South East England on the first Saturday in June. The race is open to three-year-old colts and fillies, with the latter receiving a 3lb weight allowance from their male counterparts. Despite that significant advantage, which effectively equates to a two-length ‘head start’ over the Derby distance, modern trainers are loath to pitch their fillies in against the colts.

Historically, six fillies have won the Derby, but none has done so since 1916 and none has even attempted to do so since Cape Verdi finished unplaced, as favourite, in 1998. Of course, colts are, on the whole, physically bigger and stronger than fillies, such that it takes an exceptional middle-distance filly to beat male opposition on the track, especially at the highest level. Fillies also have the option of running in their own Classic, the Oaks, which is run over the same course and distance as the Derby on the previous day. The Oaks is restricted exclusively to fillies, who compete at level weights and, despite offering far less guaranteed prize money than the Derby – £548,450 compared with £1,561,950 in 2023 – is evidently the preferred option for contemporary trainers.

Of course, in the racing industry, prize money is not the be-all and end-all, especially for powerhouse breeding operations, such as Coolmore, Godolphin and Juddmonte. A Derby-winning broodmare is all very well, but a Derby-winning stallion – who can cover hundreds of mares a year, as opposed to producing just a single foal – is an altogether different proposition, economically. The last Derby winner to be retired to stud, Masar, who is from the family of Sea The Stars, stands at the Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket for a relatively modest £14,000 per offspring, but Sea The Stars himself stands at Gilltown Stud in Kilcullen, Co. Kildare for an eye-watering €180,000 a time.

Ascot Racecourse is, of course, situated in the Royal County of Berkshire, South East England, which is, in fact, the only English county to warrant the ‘Royal’ epithet. Berkshire has been closely associated with the British monarchy for nearly a millenium, not least because of the presence of Windsor Castle, originally constructed by William I, a.k.a. ‘William the Conqueror, in the late eleventh century and a royal residence pretty much ever since.

As far as Ascot Racecourse is concerned, the association with the British Royal Family is nowhere near so lengthy, but still dates back to the reign of the much-maligned Queen Anne, in the first half of the eighteenth century. In fact, three years before her death, aged 49, in 1714 – apparently, after succumbing to ‘gout, dropsy, hemorrhage and stroke’ – ‘Brandy Nan’, as she was known, identified Ascot Heath as a likely location for ‘horses to gallop at full stretch’. That they did, for the first time, on August 11, 1711, with the inaugural running of Her Majesty’s Plate, contested over three separate heats, of four miles apiece.

It was not until 1794, during the reign of King George III, that the first permanent building was raised on Ascot Heath, while the first reference to a Royal Stand, albeit temporary, also dates back to the same decade. However, the Royal Enclosure, which originally consisted of a two-storey, permanent grandstand surrounded by a lawn, was decreed by King George IV in 1822 and did not officially become known as such until 1845; by that stage, it had already been further developed for the inaugural visit of Tsar Nicholas I, as a guest of Queen Victoria, the previous summer.

King George IV also began the tradition of the Royal Parade, or the Royal Procession, as it is now known, in 1825. At two o’clock each afternoon, the reigning monarch and the Royal party arrive at the so-called Royal Gates, at the top of the Straight Mile, and process along the track in front of the racegoers, who can number up to 70,000, to the Royal Enclosure.

The Gold Cup, which, nowadays, forms the highlight of the third day of the Royal Meeting, a.k.a. Ladies’ Day, was inaugurated in 1807, making it the oldest surviving race of the week. Indeed, the Gold Cup, remains one of just three perpetual trophies presented during Royal Ascot.

Indeed, it was the establishment of the Gold Cup that, in many ways, laid the foundation for Royal Ascot as we know it today. The traditional, four-day, Tuesday to Friday format had been in place since 1768, but the meeting did not earn the ‘Royal’ epithet until 1911 and, until 1939, remained the only fixture of the year at the Berkshire track.

Fast forward to the early years of the twenty-first century and, in 2002, the four-day Royal Ascot meeting was extended to five days, by way of celebrating the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. Hitherto, Royal Ascot had been immediately followed by a less formal fixture, without a Royal presence, on the Saturday. However, the new format proved hugely successful, such that the ‘Ascot Heath’ Meeting, as was, ceased to be and the Royal Meeting has continued as a five-day affair ever since.

In 2013, an unusual situation occurred insofar as the winner of the Gold Cup was owned by the late Queen Elizabeth II, who thereby became the first reigning monarch in history to win the ‘flagship’ race of the week. Obviously, Her Majesty could not present the Gold Cuo trophy to herself, so instead took delight in receiving it from her son Prince Andrew, Duke of York.

Author: Lindsay Griffin

The Kentucky Derby is a racing tradition that has been going on every year since 1875, meaning that there are precisely 149 previous iterations of the race.

Every running has its own story: its own characters, its own plots, its own tragedy, its own triumphs. Every year, at some point, someone turns to another and says “This is the greatest Kentucky Derby ever run!”

And still, there are some stories that stick out more than others. There are some winners whose histories make them more sympathetic, and whose charisma makes their mark more lasting.

One of those was 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, a plucky little gelding who became one of the longest-priced winners in Derby history- and who is coming to the Kentucky Derby Museum this year as a part of the 2024 Legends Series With Maker’s Mark.

Who Is Mine That Bird?

Mine That Bird’s career is a study in ups and downs.

Although the gelding, who is by Belmont Stakes winner Birdstone and out of the Smart Strike mare Mining My Own, was bred in Kentucky, he raced for almost all of his two-year-old season at Woodbine, a track in Toronto, Canada.

He won a maiden claiming race in his second start and then was put in stakes company. He did well, winning the listed Silver Deputy and Swynford Stakes before taking the Grade III Grey Stakes. A trip to Southern California for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile did not pay off- Mine That Bird finished twelfth- but he was still named the Sovereign Award Champion Two-Year-Old Male (Canada’s equivalent of the Eclipse Awards). Therefore he continued being a good option for anyone using a horse racing bonus by TwinSpires.com.

In the spring of 2009, Mine That Bird was transferred to trainer Chip Woolley and brought to the United States. He was somewhat successful, picking up a second-place finish in the Borderland Derby and a fourth in the Sunland Derby (both listed).

Odds Favoring Mine That Bird

Nowadays, that race record would not gain a horse enough points to qualify for the Kentucky Derby; however, at the time, the points system was still several years away. Instead, qualifications for the Kentucky Derby were based on earnings in graded stakes races, regardless of whether those races are typically considered Kentucky Derby prep races. Mine That Bird’s performance in the aforementioned Grey Stakes gave him enough earnings to qualify for the Run for the Roses, in spite of the fact that his current form did not look to be competitive when compared to the rest of the entrants.

However, there were a few strokes of luck that proved favorable for Mine That Bird. First was the fact that there was a ton of early speed in the race. This meant that the frontrunners were likely to speed up the pace and tire themselves out, setting up for a deep closer- such as Mine That Bird. Secondly, Mine That Bird had gained the services of Calvin Borel, a jockey who was especially skilled at guiding closers along the rail to victory. He had done exactly that two years prior with Street Sense.

Join in the Dance, one of only two horses in the race whose odds were longer than that of Mine That Bird, broke fast and led for the first mile of the race, holding off Regal Ransom with Papa Clem and Pioneerofthe Nile just behind. By the time the field entered the stretch, Borel had expertly guided Mine That Bird along the rail to the front, and they widened from there, eventually winning by 6 3/4 lengths, the largest margin of victory in nearly six decades.

Unfortunately for Mine That Bird, that proved to be his last victory. He ran well in the Preakness and the Belmont, finishing second and third, but after another third in the Grade III West Virginia Derby, his form tailed off badly and he failed to hit the board in his six remaining career starts.

As a gelding, Mine That Bird would not be able to provide stallion services and was thus instead retired to work as a ranch horse with co-owner Mark Allen. Although Allen sold his Double Eagle Ranch in New Mexico, he and Mine That Bird still work together daily at HV Ranch in Texas.

What Is The Exhibit?

Mine That Bird’s exhibit will be a feature of the last night of the event, which is dedicated to the longest shots to win the Kentucky Derby. Artifacts connected to other famous longshots, such as 1913 91-1 winner Donerail and 2022 80-1 victor Rich Strike, will be on display, and some of them will be auctioned off, with proceeds benefiting the Kentucky Derby Museum as well as the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

The evening, which will take place on March 27th from 5:00 until 8:00, will also feature Mine That Bird in the Museum Stable. Guests will be able to see Mine That Bird during the stable’s showcase. He will remain at the stable until mid-April.

The upcoming Pegasus World Cup 2024 is quickly approaching! This highly respected horse race in South Florida will once again be held at Gulfstream Park on Sunday, January 27th. With a total of $14.875 million in purses, there’s a lot of anticipation and excitement surrounding this prestigious event.

As racing enthusiasts gear up for the event, all eyes will be on the top invitees. In this article, we’ll round up the top contenders who will vie for supremacy and aim to etch their names in the annals of Pegasus World Cup history. Check them out here:

Master of Seas

One of the top Pegasus World Cup contenders is Master of the Seas. This Irish-bred horse has established an impressive record with eight victories in 16 lifetime starts, accumulating earnings exceeding $2.2 million.

This exceptional equine athlete recently showcased its prowess by making a remarkable comeback from a trailing position to secure a significant win in the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) on the grass at Santa Anita last November.

Known for its speed, stamina, and strategic racing acumen, Master of the Seas has proven to be a formidable competitor on the turf. The horse’s ability to navigate challenging courses and emerge victorious in prestigious events underscores its status as a top-tier racehorse.

Atone

The next primary contender anticipated in the Pegasus Turf is the defending race champion, Atone. This seasoned 7-year-old gelding boasts seven wins and $1.3 million in earnings from a total of 29 career starts.

Atone’s achievements extend beyond his Pegasus Turf success. He also had great placements in four other graded stakes races. Notable among these are his second-place finishes in the 2021 Fort Lauderdale (G2) at Gulfstream and the 2022 Forbidden Apple (G3) and Mint Million (G3).

However, it’s noteworthy that Atone has yet to secure a victory in any of his six starts since his triumphant performance in the previous race edition. Despite being the reigning titleholder, Atone faces the challenge of breaking a winless streak, adding an element of intrigue and uncertainty to his bid for success in the upcoming Pegasus Turf event.

Therapist

Atone’s stablemate Therapist is also on the list of invitees for the 2024 Pegasus World Cup. He was pushed by Trainer Mike Maker, who secured his initial triumph in the Pegasus Turf with Zulu Alpha in 2020.

Owned by Michael Dubb, Therapist boasts an impressive record as a 14-time winner, accumulating over $1.3 million in purse earnings. The seasoned horse has claimed victory in nine stakes races, achieving Grade 1 status with a notable win in the United Nations on July 22. Additionally, Therapist displayed prowess by securing the 2018 Cutler Bay at Gulfstream, further enhancing his credentials as a formidable contender in high-profile turf competitions.

Warm Heart

Another invitee from Europe besides Master of Seas is the Irish-bred 4-year-old filly Warm Heart. This talented equine athlete ventured to North America for her only start in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) on November 4, narrowly finishing second by a neck to the favored Inspiral.

Prior to her impressive performance in the United States, Warm Heart won the Qatar Prix Vermeille (G1) at Longchamp and Yorkshire Oaks (G1). Her international racing resume further extends to her commendable third-place finish in the Hong Kong Vase (G1) just last month.

Saudi Crown

Saudi Crown, the offspring of Always Dreaming, has earned its Grade 1 credentials through a noteworthy victory in the $1-million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx. Despite facing a formidable field, the horse demonstrated both speed and stamina, securing a Grade 1 title.

The early chapters of Saudi Crown’s racing career featured consecutive victories, establishing the horse as a rising star. Following its initial success, the 4-year-old runner delivered strong performances, finishing second in both the Dwyer (G3) at Belmont and the Jim Dandy (G2) at Saratoga.

However, it faced a challenging moment in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita, where it finished off the board, representing its only performance falling below the second-place mark. This setback, however, serves as a testament to the competitive nature of top-tier horse racing.

Adhamo

Adhamo, owned by Madaket Stables, Louis Lazzinnaro, Michael Caruso, and Michael Dubb, is under the tutelage of renowned trainer Chad Brown. Notably, Brown secured victory in the inaugural Pegasus Turf in 2019 with the eventual Horse of the Year, Bricks and Mortar.

This 6-year-old Irish-bred horse is considered a Group 3 winner in France. Apart from Europe, this promising horse has participated in nine races in North America, the last eight being Grade 1 events. Among his notable accomplishments is a triumph in the 2022 United Nations. It has also clinched victories in the Hollywood Derby (G1) and the Saratoga Derby Invitational (G1) in 2023.

Final Thoughts

All these horses have top-tier talent and impressive track records and achievements, making them top contenders for the Pegasus World Cup. Note that this list is not exhaustive, and the dynamic nature of horse racing can introduce new contenders and developments. Make sure to keep yourself informed about the newest updates and entries in order to fully enjoy the unfolding events of the Pegasus World Cup.