[entries]
13 Added to Vodafone Derby Field
09/04/08
A record total of 13 horses have been added to the 2008 Vodafone Derby at
the £8,000 second entry stage, details of which are revealed today.
The additional entries now have a chance to compete for the £1.25 million
prize fund at Epsom Downs on Saturday, June 7.
The second entries include a quartet from the Maktoum family’s Godolphin
operation - Group One Jean-Luc Lagardere victor Rio De La Plata, Group Two
Champagne Stakes hero McCartney, Alexandros, a Group Three winner at Deauville
last season when trained by Andre Fabre, and Young Pretender.
Owner Khalid Abdulla, successful in the Vodafone Derby with Quest For Fame
in 1990 and Commander In Chief in 2003, has two second entries in Confront,
trained by Sir Michael Stoute and a promising winner of the Hyperion Conditions
Stakes at Ascot in the autumn, and Twice Over, from the Henry Cecil stable
and successful on both his starts at Newmarket last year. The master of Warren
Place, who has enjoyed four Vodafone Derby wins, has also put in Kandahar
Run, victorious in two of his three starts last season.
Trainer Walter Swinburn won the Vodafone Derby three times as jockey aboard
Shergar (1981), Shahrastani (1986) and Lammtarra (1995). The Hertfordshire-based
handler has made a second entry for Wintercast, a comfortable winner on his
sole start at Nottingham in November.
French handler Andre Fabre, still seeking a first Vodafone Derby success,
could be represented by the Sean Mulryan-owned Thewayyouare, a four-time winner
in 2007 including in the Group One Gran Criterium International at Saint-Cloud.
John Gosden, who sent out Benny The Dip to victory 11 years ago, has added
Centennial to the field while Clive Brittain has put in Mut’ab and Yahrab.
The other second entry is the Brian Meehan-trained City Leader, winner of
the Group Two Royal Lodge Stakes at Ascot last season.
The Vodafone Derby - Second Entries
ALEXANDROS (GB)
Kingmambo(USA) - Arlette(IRE) (King Of Kings (IRE))
Form: 21113- Owner: Godolphin
Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor Breeder: Darley
Alexandros joined Godolphin at the end of last season, having previously raced
in Sheikh Mohammed’s famous maroon and white colours when trained in
France by Andre Fabre. The son of Kingmambo lost his maiden tag at the second
attempt, winning over seven furlongs at Saint-Cloud in June by five lengths.
Alexandros made the step up to pattern company look easy, scoring by two lengths
in the Listed Prix Roland de Chambure at Longchamp in July. He made further
progress on his next start at Deauville two weeks later, running on strongly
to beat Listed winner Stern Opinion in the Group Three Prix de Cabourg. Alexandros
returned to the Normandy track in August and lost little in defeat in the
seven-furlong Group One Darley Prix Morny. Held up at the rear of the six
runners, he put in his best work in the closing stages to finish third behind
Myboycharlie and subsequent Group One Cheveley Park Stakes heroine Natagora.
CENTENNIAL (IRE)
Dalakhani(IRE) - Lurina(IRE) (Lure (USA))
Form: 3112- Owner: Michael O’Flynn
Trainer: John Gosden Breeder: W Lazy T Ltd
Having finished third behind stablemate and subsequent Group Three scorer
Raven’s Pass in a maiden at Yarmouth in July, Centennial was an impressive
winner on his next racecourse appearance at Newmarket a month later, making
most of the running to score easily over a mile. Another impressive display
followed in the Haynes, Hanson and Clark Conditions Stakes at Newbury in September,
a race which had been won by Vodafone Derby winner Authorized 12 months earlier.
The son of Dalakhani once again ran on well in the closing stages to prevail
by a length, despite jockey Jimmy Fortune losing his whip. Stepping up to
pattern company for his final start of the season, Centennial ran a sound
race in the Group Three Prix Thomas Bryon on soft ground at Saint-Cloud in
October, disputing the lead before eventually being passed by subsequent Group
One scorer Thewayyouare in the final furlong.
CITY LEADER (IRE)
Fasliyev(USA) - Kanmary(FR) (Kenmare (FR ))
Form: 1212- Owner: Sangster Family
Trainer: Brian Meehan Breeder: Swettenham Stud
City Leader showed a good turn of foot on his racecourse debut, coming home
a ready one-and-a-quarter length winner despite hanging badly in a competitive
seven furlong Ascot maiden at the end of July. The son of Fasliyev was unlucky
to run against Raven’s Pass on his next start in the Group Three Iveco
Solario Stakes at the start of September. While the John Gosden-trained colt
was a comprehensive seven-length victory, City Leader stayed on well to finish
second. Returning to Ascot later that month, City Leader gained a deserved
Group Two success in the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes over a mile, staying
on gamely to deny Achill Island by three-quarters of a length. On his final
appearance of the season, City Leader found only Ibn Khaldun too good in the
Group One Racing Post Trophy.
CONFRONT (GB)
Nayef(USA) - Contiguous(USA) (Danzig (USA))
Form: 21- Owner: Khalid Abdulla
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute Breeder: Juddmonte Farms Ltd
Out of a half-sister to Juddmonte Oaks winner Reams Of Verse, Confront had
enjoyed a lofty reputation even before he stepped on a racecourse. The son
of Nayef was sent off a warm favourite for his debut in a typically competitive
Newbury maiden over seven furlongs near he was always towards the front of
the field but could not get on terms with Fool’s Wildcat and finished
a clear second behind the Brian Meehan-trained colt. Confront stepped up on
his first run and landed the odds on his next appearance in a seven-furlong
maiden at Ascot three weeks later. Tracking the leaders, he was soon in command
in the final quarter-mile and stayed on well to finish a length ahead of Stimulation.
KANDAHAR RUN (GB)
Rock Of Gibraltar(IRE) - Kenmist (Kenmare (FR))
Form: 211- Owner: Gestut Ammerland
Trainer: Henry Cecil Breeder: Britton House Stud
Kandahar Run made his debut over a mile in a maiden at Sandown in the middle
of August. Despite showing signs of greenness, the son of Rock of Gibraltar
stayed on well in the closing stages to finish a good second behind the more
experienced Jedediah. A month later, Kandahar Run lost his maiden tag in emphatic
fashion with a length-and-a-quarter victory in a mile maiden at Doncaster,
taking the lead entering the final furlong and staying on well in the closing
stages. Further improvement followed with another confident display over a
mile, this time in a conditions event at Newmarket in the middle of October.
Settled behind the leaders, Khandahar Run was soon in command inside the final
quarter mile to come home an emphatic three-and-a-half length victor, despite
again running green.
MCCARTNEY (GER)
In The Wings - Messina(GER) (Dashing Blade)
Form: 31117- Owner: Godolphin
Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor Breeder: Gestut Brummerhof
Trained for Sheikh Mohammed by Mark Johnston last year, McCartney made his
debut in a seven furlong maiden at Sandown at the end of July and finished
a close third behind two more experienced rivals. Building on his first racecourse
appearance, he was an emphatic winner on his next start in an extended one
mile maiden at Hamilton in the middle of August, coming home seven lengths
clear of his nearest rival. McCartney continued his education with a game
victory in the Listed Stonehenge Stakes at Salisbury two weeks later, beating
subsequent Italian Group One winner Scintillo by a head. Further progression
came with a more authoritative victory on fast ground in the Group Two Urban-I
Champagne Stakes the following month, when comfortably accounting for his
nine rivals. Unsuited by the softer ground at Newmarket on his final start
of the campaign, he could never get competitive in the Group One Darley Dewhurst
Stakes at Newmarket in October and finished seventh.
MUT’AB (USA)
Alhaarth(IRE) - Mistle Song (Nashwan (USA))
Form: 327-7 Owner: Saeed Manana
Trainer: Clive Brittain Breeder: Darley
Mut’Ab made his debut in a seven-furlong maiden at Sandown at the beginning
of July, finishing a good third behind subsequent Italian Group One scorer
Scintillo, despite running green. The son of Alhaarth returned to the Esher
track the following month to contest another seven-furlong maiden, and was
again unlucky to be worn down by the useful Campanologist in the shadow of
the post, having made most of the running. Mut’Ab again attempted to
sit handy in the Group Three Tattersalls Millions Acomb Stakes at York on
August 21, but soon paid for his early exertions and weakened in the closing
stages, having forced the pace with the hard-pulling Legislation. Stepping
down to Listed company on his first run of this season on April 5, Mut’Ab
was held up in Heart Of The South Racing International Trial Stakes, run on
the Polytrack at Lingfield. Taking a keen hold, Mut’Ab put in his best
work in the closing stages, finishing a close seventh.
RIO DE LA PLATA (USA)
Rahy(USA) - Express Way(ARG) (Ahmad (ARG))
Form: 311214- Owner: Godolphin
Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor Breeder: Jose De Camargo, Robert N Clay et al
Having finished a good third in a six-furlong maiden at Newmarket in June
on his debut, Rio De La Plata returned to the Suffolk track the following
month to run out a convincing five length winner over a furlong further. The
son of Rahy proved himself to be a smart colt on his next start in the Group
Two Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood at the start of August,
finishing two lengths ahead of Lizard Island, despite idling near the line.
Stepping up to the highest level, he travelled to Ireland to contest the Group
One Bank Of Scotland (Ireland) National Stakes at the Curragh in the middle
of September. Settled towards the rear of the field by Frankie Dettori, he
came with a strong run but could not get on terms with eventual champion two-year-old
New Approach, going down by a length-and-three-quarters. Group One glory followed
in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Grand Criterium) at Longchamp on Arc Day,
with Rio De La Plata running on strongly to prevail by two-and-a-half lengths
form Declaration Of War. His participation in the Group One Darley Dewhurst
Stakes at Newmarket two weeks later had depended on the going not being too
soft. The took his chance but could only finish fourth behind New Approach,
having been unsuited by the dead ground.
THEWAYYOUARE (USA)
Kingmambo(USA) - Maryinsky(IRE) (Sadler's Wells (USA))
Form: 71111- Owner: Sean Mulryan
Trainer: Andre Fabre FR Breeder: Barnett Enterprises
A half-brother to multiple Group One winner and Juddmonte Oaks runner-up Peeping
Fawn, Thewayyouare made a less than spectacular debut when finishing seventh
in a seven-furlong maiden at Deauville in July. He returned to the Normandy
track the following month and posted a far better display over a slightly
longer trip, beating Trincot by half-a-length, with the rest of the field
a further five lengths behind. Improving with every start, Thewayyouare easily
accounted for eight rivals in a Listed contest over a mile at Lyon Parilly
in September before an equally impressive display over the same trip in the
Group Three Prix Thomas Bryon at Saint-Cloud, beating fellow Vodafone Derby
entry Centennial by a convincing two-and-a-half lengths. Thewayyouare finished
his season with another victory, this time in the Group One Criterium International,
also at Saint-Cloud. Held up in the very soft ground conditions, Thewayyouare
was produced by Stephane Pasquier entering the final quarter mile, and the
colt responded well to fend off the challenge of Hello Morning in the closing
stages to prevail by half-a-length.
TWICE OVER (GB)
Observatory(USA) - Double Crossed (Caerleon (USA))
Form: 11- Owner: Khalid Abdulla
Trainer: Henry Cecil Breeder: Juddmonte Farms Ltd
Out of a half-sister to the dam of Passage Of Time, the impeccably bred Twice
Over only made his racecourse debut on October 4, in a mile maiden at Newmarket.
After breaking smartly, the son of Observatory was soon settled towards the
front of the 17 strong field and was pushed out in the closing stages by jockey
Richard Hughes to record a convincing two-length victory. Twice Over returned
to Newmarket at the start of November to contest the Zetland Conditions Stakes
over 10 furlongs. Sent off a warm order, he was held up at the rear of the
field and found his path blocked entering the final quarter-mile before coming
with a strong run to win by an impressive one-and-a-half lengths, despite
running green nearing the line.
WINTERCAST (GB)
Spinning World(USA) - Bright Hope(IRE) (Danehill (USA))
Form: 1- Owner: Exors of the late Caryl Harris
Trainer: Walter Swinburn Breeder: Pendley Farm
Having won the Vodafone Derby as a jockey aboard Shergar, Shahrastrani and
Lammtarra, Walter Swinburn could have his first runner as a trainer with Wintercast,
who runs in the colours of his late mother-in-law. The Spinning World colt
has only had one start, but created a good impression with victory in a mile
maiden on fast ground at Nottingham at the start of November. Tracking the
leaders under jockey Adam Kirby, Wintercast was produced to lead entering
the final furlong and was driven out to score by a length from favourite West
Is The Wind.
YAHRAB (IRE)
Dalakhani(IRE) - Loire Valley(IRE) (Sadler's Wells (USA))
Form: 21363-05 Owner: Saif Ali
Trainer: Clive Brittain Breeder: Swettenham Stud
After a fine second in a seven-furlong novice stakes at Ascot in the middle
of July, Yahrab got of the mark at the second time of asking, readily winning
another seven-furlong novice event at Newbury at the start of August, beating
a couple of previous winners in the process. Stepped up in distance and class,
he posted another solid display in the Listed Weatherbys Bank Stonehenge Stakes
over a mile at Salisbury at the end of the month, staying on to finish third
behind subsequent Group Two scorer McCartney and Italian Group One winner
Scintillo. Returning to Ascot for the Group Two Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes
at the end of September, Yahrab could not live with the late injection of
pace and plugged on to finish a creditable sixth behind City Leader. Another
solid display at the Berkshire track followed two weeks later, with a good
third in the Group Three Deloitte Autumn Stakes, where he came home a clear
third, despite having raced on his own for much of the race. This season,
Yahrab spoilt his chance when falling out of the stalls in a seven-furlong
conditions race on dirt at Nad Al Sheba on January 24, before running well
to finish fifth on turf at the same track in the Listed Zabeel Mile, where
the three-year-old colt took on older horses for the first time.
YOUNG PRETENDER (FR)
Oasis Dream - Silent Heir(AUS) (Sunday Silence (USA))
Form: 115- Owner: Godolphin
Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor Breeder: Carl Holt
Transferred to Godolphin for this season having been trained by John Gosden
for H R H Princess Haya of Jordan, Young Pretender wasted little time in getting
off the mark when winning a six-furlong maiden on Newmarket’s July Course
in the middle of August. Having won that contest by an impressive three-length
margin, Young Pretender made his next appearance in the Group Three Qatar
Prix La Rochette over seven furlongs at Longchamp the following month. Under
a perfectly timed late run from jockey Frankie Dettori, the son of Oasis Dream
reeled in Shediak inside the final furlong and ran on to score by half-a-length.
The pair would reopposed at the Parisian track on October 7 in the Group One
Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Grand Criterium), where Young Pretender was kept
in the rear and was unable to launch a serious challenge, eventually finishing
a staying-on fifth behind Rio De La Plata.
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