Cheltenham horse racing

Coneygree success in Cheltenham Gold Cup demonstrates the importance of smaller stables

 March 15, 2015   John Welsh

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The 2015 Cheltenham horse racing festival may have been dominated by the performance of legendary Irishman Willie Mullins in training eight winners and by the final appearance of Tony McCoy at the prestigious annual meeting, but it was also noteworthy for the success of Coneygree in the coveted Cheltenham Gold Cup and a victory for […]

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McCoy stuns horse racing public

McCoy stuns horse racing public with surprise retirement announcement

 February 8, 2015   John Welsh

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When English viewers were watching Channel 4 television coverage of Newbury horse racing on Saturday afternoon, one of the main sources of interest was the return of 2014 Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Sire De Grugy after an injury setback. It was earmarked as a final preparation race before attempting to retain his crown at […]

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Hurricane Fly

Another Leopardstown victory proves that Hurricane Fly will be a serious contender for Champion Hurdle crown

 January 28, 2015   John Welsh

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The statistics will show that Hurricane Fly won the 2015 Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown for a record-breaking fifth time, eclipsing the performances of the legendary Istabraq, and also won his tenth race from as many starts at the racecourse. The 11 year old racehorse is now being aimed at another tilt at claiming the […]

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Cheltenham Gold Cup

Silviniaco Conti and Road To Riches demonstrate their credentials for Cheltenham Gold Cup glory

 December 30, 2014   John Welsh

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Many of the contenders for the 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup appeared in two separate races during the Christmas period with ante-post favourite Silviniaco Conti justifying his odds with a smooth front running success in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day while Road To Riches emphasised his claims for glory by claiming […]

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Noble Mission

Noble Mission emulates his brother Frankel on a proud day for the Cecil family

 October 20, 2014   John Welsh

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When Frankel won the 2012 Qipco Champions Stakes at Ascot in beating French horse Cirrus Des Aigles, it marked the end of an illustrious career for the unbeaten four year old horse and a deserved victory for his ailing trainer Henry Cecil. Two years later, Frankel’s brother Noble Mission managed to win the 2014 renewal […]

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Treve

Treve retains Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe crown after fine training performance

 October 7, 2014   John Welsh

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When an international crowd of horse racing enthusiasts gathered at Longchamp racecourse in Paris on Sunday October 5th, there were many doubters expressing concern that French filly Treve was no longer capable of defending her Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe crown which had been secured with much aplomb just twelve months previously. The Criquette Head-Maarek […]

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Taghrooda

Taghrooda defeat demonstrates unreliability of the form guide

 August 22, 2014   John Welsh

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The announcement that Jamie Spence was to retire as a jockey to concentrate on an alternative role with Qatar Racing was greeted with an element of surprise by racegoers at the York Ebor festival but that news was accompanied by an even unlikelier event much later in the day. Taghrooda was long odds on favourite […]

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Aidan O'Brien

Australia answers fitness doubts with comfortable win at York

 August 21, 2014   John Welsh

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After winning both English and Irish Derbies following his defeat in the Newmarket 2,000 Guineas, Aidan O’Brien trained horse Australia was allowed a brief summer break before resuming his racing career. The three year-old reappeared at York this week in the 1m2f Juddmonte International Stakes with his trainer concerned that he may lack fitness following […]

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Taghrooda

Further glory awaits Taghrooda after stunning King George victory

 July 28, 2014   John Welsh

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When Australia produced an impressive performance to win the Epsom Derby in June, it was heralded as the best horse ever to be trained by Irishman Aidan O’Brien and probably the leading three year old of the 2014 flat season. At the same meeting, Taghrooda won the Oaks in an equally stylish display but the […]

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Estimate dethroned as courageous Leading Light wins Ascot Gold Cup

 June 20, 2014   John Welsh

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After Estimate created history by winning the 2013 Ascot Gold Cup and so becoming the first horse to claim the prestigious prize for owner Queen Elizabeth II, all eyes were focussed on the horse as she attempted a repeat performance in the 2014 renewal of the race at the royal meeting. Having raced only once […]

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