Royal Ascot

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Soldier’s Tale foils Australian Golden Jubilee Bid
23/06/07

1st 15 Soldier's Tale 9/1
2nd 16 Takeover Target 8/1
3rd 5 Asset 14/1

An emotional trainer Jeremy Noseda welcomed his favourite horse, Soldier’s Tale, into the winner’s enclosure after the injury-prone six-year-old claimed a Group 1 success after beating Australian raider Takeover Target to capture the Golden Jubilee Stakes.

“I adore him, he’s my favourite horse and I think this might be my best day as a trainer,” said Noseda. “A win like that is very special. After all he’s been through he so deserves this win and his owner (Canadian-based Syd Belzberg), who has supported me since I started training, really deserves it for sticking with the horse

“I love him for his heart and will to live, 99 out of 100 horses would have given up after what he’s been through - he’s fought back from so many problems.

“He had problems with his knees as a two-year-old so couldn’t run then I thought he’d win the Jersey at three but he fractured a leg and had to have five or six screws put in. He then had colic surgery and spent three months at the equine hospital when he was minutes away from being put down.

“He was fourth in the July Cup as a four-year-old but then got injured and then I couldn’t get him on the racetrack. So many people worked so hard for today, it’s special for them for him to finally do it in a Group 1 here. This is fabulous when you look back on all it’s taken to get here this day.

“When he looked like dying he never gave up and despite everything he’s been through he’s always had a kind heart - so much so that I felt guilty putting a visor on him today.

“We call him Spam at home because he sticks his tongue out and it looks like a piece of spam. I go out and see him every night and shout ‘Spam’ to him and he hollers back at me. I’ve told his owner that if the horse doesn’t go off to a be a stallion, he’ll be staying with me forever in the yard. It all sounds a bit soppy but I love him to bits.”

Noseda was delighted to see rain arriving before the race and said: “I knew he was good enough as long as the rain came because six furlongs is his minimum. The more rain that fell the more it was going to be a test of stamina.

“I knew he’d keep going all the way to the line because he fights so hard and I said to Johnny (Murtagh) beforehand that is he was within three lengths of the leaders at halfway that he would win.

“It’s great to beat the Aussies - I have a few gripes that their travel over here is paid for yet we would have to pay our way if we went there for the Melbourne Cup. I’m delighted to beat their best sprinters with a horse that’s not a sprinter, maybe it will be put some of the stuff we have had to read about them to bed.

“He could go for the Haydock Sprint Cup if the ground was right and then maybe the Maurice de Gheest and Foret in the autumn. But even if he never wins another race it doesn’t matter, this day will always be very special,

Jockey Johnny Murtagh added: “I got a lovely run and followed Takeover Target. When that one quickened I thought he’d win but my fellow got his head down and extended well. The ground was a big help to him and I think he can improve from today because he’s not had too many runs.”

HEARTBREAK FOR TAKEOVER TARGET

Australian raider Takeover Target was just foiled in the shadow of the post by a head by Soldier’s Tale, meaning that he was placed in the Golden Jubilee Stakes for the second year running after finishing third to Les Arcs in 2006.

Trainer Joe Janiak said: “That was a great run and I actually thought that was his race two strides from home. But in racing, there are always prizes and that’s what makes it interesting.

“The rain made no difference - it’s been a great trip and I’m really glad that we came and the hospitality has been great.

“I’ll go to the pub and get drunk now, but I’ll have to go home with Takeover Target first!

“We’ll take him home now. We were considering Newmarket and the July Cup, which is suitable for him, but while he hasn’t had a severe preparation, there are a lot of miles on the clock and I don’t want to push him to the limit.

“He’ll be retired at the end of next year. I haven’t looked what races there are for him back home.

“We were hoping to do the Nunthorpe Stakes at York but it’s too late and we’ll probably find something for him at the Spring Carnival in Melbourne.

“It actually wouldn’t surprise me if we took him home and retired him if there are no suitable races. He’s got old legs and I don’t want to travel him unless he shows something different. This is probably his last trip overseas.”

However, while Janiak went on to rule out another visit to the Far East, he did then open the door to returning to the Royal fixture.

“It’s a bit controversial over there [in Hong Kong and Japan] and I think that we will give those places a miss,” he added. “All the training techniques and everything else are different.

“If the horse is up to it, I would be more than glad to be here [Royal Ascot].”

Asset was a further half a length away in third.

Richard Hannon Junior, son and assistant to trainer Richard Hannon, said: “I’m very, very pleased as the rain took the speed out of the ground. But he travelled so well and he is a top, top sprinter and that was the performance of one.

“On that run, he can only get better. Harry Herbert [racing manager to owner Highclere Thoroughbred Racing XXVI] will decide where he goes to and there are loads of options.

“I can’t see anything stopping him on fast ground over six furlongs and I will be very surprised if too many beat him over those conditions.

“I said that I can see him becoming champion sprinter for years to come before the race and I meant it.”

NEWITT - NOT THE TRUE MISS ANDRETTI

Jockey Craig Newitt was unable to explain the poor performance of Tuesday’s King’s Stand Stakes victor Miss Andretti in the Golden Jubilee Stakes, in which she finished 15th.

Newitt said: “I’m a little bit dazed really.

“She was struggling 600 metres out which is not like her at all.

“It may be that the two races came a bit close together and also the soft ground here is totally different to the soft ground at home.

“I am dumbfounded though.

“She owes as nothing - it has still been a great week.”

Magnus, third in the King’s Stand Stakes on Tuesday, did not fare so well today and could only finish 14th.

His jockey Damien Oliver said: “That was no good.

“He was a bit free early on and didn’t back up.”

3:45pm GOLDEN JUBILEE STAKES
(2ND BRITISH LEG OF THE GLOBAL SPRINT CHALLENGE)
Class 1, Group 1, £350,000 guaranteed, 6f; For 3-y-o+; Weights: colts and geldings 8st 11lb; fillies 8st 8lb; 4-y-o+ colts and geldings 9st 4lb; fillies 9st 1lb; Weight for age: 3 from 4-y-o+ 7lb; Entries: 72 pay £875; 1st Forfeit: 55 pay £1,015; Confirmed: 32 pay £630; Penalty value 1st £198,730; 2nd £75,320; 3rd £37,695; 4th £18,795; 5th £9,415; 6th £4,725

1 SOLDIER'S TALE (Budget Stable) Jeremy Noseda 6-9-04 Johnny Murtagh [11] 9/1
2 TAKEOVER TARGET (Messrs Joe & Ben Janiak) Joe Janiak AUS 8-9-04 Jay Ford [10] 8/1
3 ASSET (Highclere Thoroughbred Racing XXVI) Richard Hannon 4-9-04 Richard Hughes [12] 14/1
4 RED CLUBS (Ronnie Arculli) Barry Hills 4-9-04 Michael Hills [22]
5 DRAYTON (Skeikh Mohammed bin Khalifa & Club ISM) Mike De Kock SA 3-8-11 Wayne Lordan [20]
6 BYGONE DAYS (Godolphin) Saeed bin Suroor 6-9-04 Frankie Dettori [8]
7 BALTIC KING (Thurloe Thoroughbreds VIII) Hughie Morrison 7-9-04 Jimmy Fortune [13]
8 BORDERLESCOTT (Border Rail & Plant Limited) Robin Bastiman 5-9-04 Royston Ffrench [17]
9 FIRENZE (Jan And Peter Hopper) James Fanshawe 6-9-01 Jamie Spencer [4]
10 AL QASI (Ziad Galadari) Peter Chapple-Hyam 4-9-04 Kerrin McEvoy [15]
11 AMADEUS WOLF (Duddy McDonald Heeney Irish National Stud) Kevin Ryan 4-9-04 Neil Callan [7]
12 PRESTO SHINKO (Major Tony Everett, Lucayan Stud) Richard Hannon 6-9-04 Hugh Bowman [9]
13 WI DUD (John Duddy, L Duddy, P McBride, E Duffy) Kevin Ryan 3-8-11 Michael Kinane [19]
14 MAGNUS (R Crabtree) Peter Moody AUS 5-9-04 Damien Oliver [21]
15 MISS ANDRETTI (Sean Buckley, D Mueller, Ms G Guenzi) Lee Freedman AUS 6-9-01 Craig Newitt [16] 2/1F
16 ASSERTIVE (A Ilsley, K Ivory, Lady Whent) Richard Hannon 4-9-04 Ryan Moore [14]
17 QUITO (Michael Hill, David Chapman) David Chapman 10-9-04 Kevin Darley [18]
18 APPALACHIAN TRAIL (GLS Partnership) Ian Semple 6-9-04 Tom Eaves [2]
19 RISING SHADOW (G Morrill) David Barron 6-9-04 Jimmy Quinn [1]
20 FAYR JAG (Jonathan Gill) Tim Easterby 8-9-04 John Egan [5]
21 HAMOODY (Saleh Al Homeizi & Imad Al Sagar) Peter Chapple-Hyam 3-8-11 Olivier Peslier [6]

21 ran; Non-runner: Mastership
Distances: hd, 1/2, 1/2, 2, 1 1/4, nk, sh, 3/4, 1/2, 2, 1/2, 3/4, 3/4, 1/2, 2, 1 3/4, 2 1/2, 3/4, 1, nk
Time: 1m 14.51s
Unplaced Favourite: Miss Andretti 2/1F (15th)
Breeding: ch h Stravinsky (USA) - Myrtle (Batshoof); Breeder: Budget Stables Inc
Totes: Win: £14.30; Places: £4.70, £3.40, £4.00; Exacta: £186.20

Winning trainer:- Name: Noseda, Jeremy James Date of birth: 17/9/63 Trains at Shalfleet, Bury Road, Newmarket Other details: Served as assistant trainer with John Dunlop (6 years), John Gosden (5 years) and Godolphin (2 years). Trained for a while in America before returning to Britain. Horses in training (1998-2007): 48: 78: 66: 70: 71: 67: 81: 91: 114; 117 Wins in a season (1997-2006): 0,18,39,40,37,43,37,34, 47; 46 Wins in 2007: 22 British Classic Wins: (1) Ladbrokes St Leger (2006 Sixties Icon) Major wins: Irish 2000 Guineas (2006 Araafa); Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (2004 Wilko), Chippenham Lodge Stud Cherry Hinton Stakes (1998 Wannabe Grand - Noseda’s first Group race win in Britain - 2006 Sander Camillo); Cheveley Park Stakes (1998 Wannabe Grand, 2003 Carry On Katie) Nell Gwyn (2001 Lil’s Jessy), Princess Margaret Stakes (2001 Leggy Lou), Lupe Stakes (2002 Mellow Park), Lancashire Oaks (2002 Mellow Park), Musidora Stakes (2003 Cassis), Challenge Stakes (2003 Just James), Gimcrack Stakes (2003 Balmont), Meon Valley Stud Fillies’ Mile (2006 Simply Perfect), Middle Park Stakes (2003 Balmont), Musidora Stakes (2000 Kalypso Katie), Sussex Stakes (2005 Proclamation), Jockey Club Stakes (2007 Sixties Icon) Royal Ascot Wins (7): Jersey Stakes (2002 Just James, 2005 Proclamation), Norfolk Stakes (2004 Blue Dakota), Albany Stakes (2005 La Chunga, 2006 Sander Camillo), St James’s Palace Stakes (2006 Araafa), Golden Jubilee Stakes (2007 Soldier’s Tale)

Winning jockey:-Name: Murtagh, John Patrick Based: Moattown, Kildalkey, Co Meath and Newmarket Born: May 14, 1970 First Winner: Chicago Style, Limerick, July 6, 1987 British Classic Wins (4): Vodafone Derby (2000 Sinndar, 2002 High Chaparral, 2005 Motivator), 2000 Guineas (2002 Rock Of Gibraltar) Big Race Wins include: Ascot Gold Cup (1999 Enzeli, 2001 & 2002 Royal Rebel); Beverly D Stakes (1996 Timarida), Breeders’ Cup Mile (1995 Ridgewood Pearl), Coronation Stakes (1995 Ridgewood Pearl), Darley July Cup (2004 Frizzante), Dubai Champion Stakes (2000 Kalanisi), Falmouth Stakes (2004 & 2005 Soviet Song), Grosser Dallmayr-Preis (2000 Greek Dance), Irish Oaks (1997 Ebadiyla, 1998 Winona, 2000 Petrushka), Irish Champion Stakes (1996 Timarida), Irish 2,000 Guineas (2001 Black Minnaloushe), Irish Derby (2000 Sinndar, 2003 Alamshar), King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes (2003 Alamshar), Moyglare Stud Stakes (1998 Edabiya), National Stakes (1993 Manntari, 1999 Sinndar), Prix de l’Abbaye (2000 Namid), Prix de l’Opera (1995 Timarida, 2000 Petrushka), Prix Niel (2000 Sinndar), Prix du Moulin (1995 Ridgewood Pearl), Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2000 Sinndar), Racing Post Trophy (2000 Dilshaan), Sussex Stakes (2004 Soviet Song), Tattersalls Gold Cup (2007 Notnowcato), Yorkshire Oaks (1996 Key Change, 2000 Petrushka); Diadem Stakes (1998 Bianconi, 2001 Nice One Clare, 2005 Baron’s Pit) Other details: Champion Irish apprentice in 1989, champion jockey in Ireland 1995 and 1998, has also been champion in Dubai Wins in Britain 1999-2006: 9; 17; 10; 15; 12; 77; 48; 0 Wins in Britain 2007: 4 Royal Ascot wins: (22) Coronation Stakes (June 21, 1995, Ridgewood Pearl); Gold Cup (June 17, 1999, Enzeli, June 21, 2001 Royal Rebel, June 20, 2002, Royal Rebel), St James’s Palace Stakes (June 19, 2001, Black Minnaloushe), Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (June 20, 2000, Katiykha), Ascot Handicap Stakes (June 21, 2000, Barba Papa), Golden Jubilee (June 22, 2000, Superior Premium, 2003 Choisir, 2007 Soldier’s Tale), King George V Handicap (June 21, 2001, Beekeeper), Ribblesdale Stakes (June 21, 2001, Sahara Slew), Wokingham Handicap (June 22, 2001 Nice One Clare), Queen Anne Stakes (June 18, 2002 No Excuse Needed), King Edward VII Stakes (June 21, 2002, Balakheri), Windsor Castle Stakes (June 21, 2002, Revenue), King’s Stand Stakes (June 17, 2003, Choisir), Hampton Court Stakes (June 19, 2003, Persian Majesty), Jersey Stakes (June 15, 2005, Proclamation), Queen Alexandra Stakes (June 18, 2005, Cruzspiel), Queen Mary Stakes (2007 Elletelle), Britannia Handicap (2007 Eddie Jock) Leading Rider at Royal Ascot: 2001 (5 wins); 2002 (4 wins)