Manduro justified the
favouritism in the Prix Foy. He beat the Aga Khan-owned Mandesha with a
measure of comfort. The time for the race was 2.28.8 on a firm track. It
was ‘all systems go’ for Andre Fabre, Manduro’s trainer. Critics
doubting Manduro’s ability to handle 2,400 metres had been silenced. The
odds on Manduro to win the Arc to be run on Sunday, October 7,
shortened.
The optimism-level in the von Ullmann camp was high. The Godolphin
establishment was on ‘cloud nine’ because Sheikh Mohamed had acquired
Manduro’s breeding rights for a reported 23 million pounds. All the joy,
however, was short-lived. It was discovered that Manduro had suffered a
fracture to his off-hind cannonbone. Further examination revealed that
the injury was career-ending. “Baron is devastated,” was the terse
reaction from the von Ullmann side. Sheikh Mohamed dispatched a surgeon
from Britain to attend to the fallen star.
Andre Fabre, Manduro’s trainer, in a moving tribute said, “He’s the best
horse I have trained. He is the best without doubt. I was confident he
would win the Arc. I was considering the Breeders’ Cup in America and I
think he could have won there too. He could do everything.” Andre Fabre
is the perennial leading trainer in France.
Jockey Stephen Pasquier, unbeaten with Manduro, was full of praise. With
a tinge of sadness, Pasquier stated, “He was unbelievable. He is the
best there is. He could do anything I wanted him to.”
Manduro raced 18 times and won 10 races. Seven wins came in Group-level
races. He won 1,037,461 pounds. The British bookmakers were quick to
react. Bets, primarily made soon after the Prix Foy, are to be refunded.
Manduro’s departure will make Authorized a short-priced favourite in the
Arc. The Epsom Derby winner is training forwardly in England. Frankie
Dettori will ride.
In another ‘not so happy’ development, Rags To Riches was found to have
a hairline fracture in the right front pastern soon after her loss to
Lear’s Princess in Belmont Park’s Gazelle Stakes on Saturday. Confirming
that Rags To Riches is out for the year, Todd Pletcher, her trainer,
said, “Her injury is not career-ending. Full recovery is expected. She
will go to Kentucky for stall rest. We will examine her at the
appropriate time and make a decision about future plans and the
intention is to race her at four. During the stretch run in the Gazelle,
she changed to the right lead, came off the bridle and lugged in. We
found out Sunday morning.”
Rags To Riches became the first filly in June to win the Belmont Stakes
in 102 years. The Breeders’ Cup distaff may now have an open look.
At Longchamp, Irish Derby hero, Soldier Of Fortune won the Prix Niel.
John Murtagh rode the Aidan O’Brien-trained sophomore. Sagara was second
and Zambezi Sun finished third.
John Murtagh expressed delight at his victory. “Soldier Of Fortune will
improve. He did the job in style. He had not raced since early July. He
has a great attitude.”
Derrick Smith, one of Soldier Of Fortune’s owners, confirmed that the
colt will be in the Arc. Smith said that Dylan Thomas will also line up
in the Arc.
John Murtagh rode another winner on Sunday at Longchamp, He steered the
16-1 Mrs Lindsay to an upset win in the Prix Vermeille. West Wind and
Passage of Time were in the beaten brigade.
On Sunday at Woodbine in Toronto, Garrett Gomez won with the favoured
Shakespeare in the $1 million Woodbine mile. Shakespeare found room on
the fence turning for home and won by a length over Kip Deville.
Shakespeare paid $5.90 on a $2.00 ticket. Kiaran McLaughlin was the
trainer and was winning his second Graded race in two days. Lear’s
Princess, saddled by McLaughlin, won the Gazelle in New York on
Saturday.
Jockey Garrett Gomez was extremely pleased: “He had good position. When
he saw daylight on the inside in the stretch, he did some serious
running. I thought 1600 would be too short for him but I was wrong.”
Shakespeare is pointed toward the Breeders’ Cup mile.
At Belmont Park on Saturday, The Green Monkey, a $16 million purchase,
made his debut. He finished third in six horses in a 1200-metre maiden
race. He was 4-10 in the betting. Todd Pletcher explained, “In a perfect
world, he would have won. We prepared him well and he’ll be better next
time.”
John Velasquez, The Green Monkey’s rider, was not disappointed. “He was
good, very professional. He was just not quick. He will need more
distance.”
As of September 15, 2007. Brazilian jockey Jorge Ricardo had 9,857
winners. America’s Russell Baze had 9,833 winners. Laffitt Pincay, Jr
had 9530 winners in a great career.
