Author: GC

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Desert Orchid

According to Timeform, Desert Orchid was the third best steeplechaser since the mid-1960s, rated inferior to only Sprinter Sacre and Kauto Star, by 5lb and 4lb, respectively. The plucky grey – he became almost white with age – won 34 of his 70 races, but captured the public imagination perhaps more than any other horse of modern times. Of course, his eye-catching colouration made him easy to pick out in his races, but beyond that he became known for his bold, front-running style, his tenacity and his extreme versatility.

 

In 1988 alone, he won the Tingle Creek Chase – in those days, a limited handicap – over 2 miles at Sandown, the King George VI Chase over 3 miles at Kempton, the Martell Cup over 3 miles 1 furlong at Aintree and the Whitbread Gold Cup over 3 miles 5 furlongs, also at Sandown. The following season, he won the Victor Chandler Chase over 2 miles 1 furlong, the Gainsborough Chase over 3 miles at Sandown, the King George VI Chase and the Cheltenham Gold Cup over 3 miles 2½ furlongs.

 

All in all, he won the King George VI Chase four times, in 1986, 1988, 1989 and 1990, but his crowning glory was his victory in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1989. On heavy going, bordering on unraceable after overnight snow, he overhauled confirmed mudlark Yahoo in the closing stages to win by 1½ lengths. Jockey Simon Sherwood said afterwards, “I’ve never known a horse so brave. He hated every step of the way in the ground and dug as deep as he could possibly go.”

 

His preference for going right-handed, possibly due to his natural disposition to wander in that direction when fatigued, limited his effectiveness at Cheltenham. Nevertheless, in four appearances at the Cheltenham Festival he never finished out of the first three, chasing home Pearlyman in the Queen Mother Champion Chase in 1988, winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1989 and finishing third in the same race behind Norton’s Coin and Garrison Savannah in 1990 and 1991, respectively.

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Harry Angel’s form impressive going into the Sprint Cup but he must improve on last time

As we enter the dying embers of British summertime and the horse racing flat season punters look ahead to the Haydock Sprint Cup knowing time is running out to land that elusive big winner of the campaign.

Scheduled to go to post on Saturday 8th September, this group one flat race run over the snappy six-furlong trip has attracted a strong field with this year’s renewal promising a £260,000 prize pot, over £160,000 of that gifted to the winner.

First contested all the way back in 1966, this British racing spectacle open to three-year-olds and above was won by Harry Angel for jockey Adam Kirby and trainer Clive Cox last year and bookmakers expect more of the same as the champion returns to defend his crown.

 

Success around Haydock Park 12 months ago remains one of five wins from 10 starts for progressive four-year-old Harry Angel who has finished outside of the first two only twice in his career as a race horse to date. Starting with a silver medal at Ascot in a novices Stakes on debut, the bay colt was quick to learn and popped his head in front at the second time of asking, beating Perfect Angel over 6f in the group two Mill Reef Stakes when going off a 2/1 favourite.

The team got the taste of success that day and have certainly grown familiar with it since, winning the group two Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock, group one July Cup at Newmarket last summer, that Sprint Cup score and, most recently, victory in the Duke of York Clipper Logistics Stakes around York in May. Harry Angel again went off jolly on that occasion and lived up to the pre-race hype, holding runner-up Brando at arm’s length.

The only slight blot on the form runner’s copybook came last time out when finishing with only one behind in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Ascot in June. A race won by 4/1 shot Merchant Navy, Harry Angel carried the shortest price of the bunch but had problems throughout. Agitated in the stalls, he was slow to get off and, having given the rest a head-start, was in no mood to close the gap. Jockey Adam Kirby was quick to notice the danger, refusing to ask too much of his mount.

 

 

Connections will travel to Haydock determined to prove that was a one-off but punters may be reluctant to give him another chance after having their fingers burnt on the big stage. The 10/3 available at William Hill makes him favourite in the racing betting. That quote may just scare a few off.

If Harry Angel doesn’t win the Sprint Cup bookmakers think it’ll be James Garfield with George Scott’s colt doing the rounds as a 7/1 second favourite. Others worth a mention in the current list are US Navy Flag at 7/1, Blue Point 7/1 and the 10/1 of Tasleet.

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Justify

Justify is a three year old thoroughbred racehourse of high acclaim. He recently retired and did so undefeated after an illustrious career of six runs, ending his career with a stunning American Triple Crown. This accolade has only been achieved 12 times previous, and is a title awarded for winning the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes. Justify had his toughest task in the Preakness Stakes where he had to really dig in to edge out Bravazo by 1/2 length.

This Triple Crown feat was first achieved in 1913 by Sir Barton, and previous to Justify, it was a title gained by American Pharoah in 2015. Prior to that it hadn’t been awarded since 1978 (to Affirmed). Other winners are a who’s who of racing greats such as War Admiral, Citation and Secretariat.

Before his triple crown win, Justify also had convincing wins between
February and April of 2018, including a grade I win in the Santa
Anita Derby in April. Mike E. Smith was jockey onboard for all but one
of the six wins. Amassing earnings of almost $4 million, Justify was
purchased for $500,000 just two years ago at Keeneland’s September
yearling sale. It’s rumoured that breeding rights have been sold to
Coolmore for an incredible $60 million.

The chestnut colt is the son of Scat Daddy (2004) and Stage Magic
(2007). Scat Daddy himself is a descendand of Nijinsky which is a
very noteworthy connection and indication of good genes. With six very impressive wins spanning such a short period of time Justify has shown himself to be a class above during his brief racing career.

At three years old his retirement would appear unusual if not for an
ongoing ankle problem. “Justify had some filling in his ankle, and he
is just not responding quick enough for a fall campaign,” trainer Bob
Baffer stated this week. Jockey Mike Smith went on to call him “a gift
from God”. A Breeders’ Cup Classic farewell had been on the cards, but
sadly will not now happen.