It was undoubtedly the most informative weekend of international racing so far this year. In four different countries, horses with aspirations of a high mark in the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings, to be updated on May 14, all turned in outstanding performances.
It was undoubtedly the most informative weekend of international racing so far this year. In four different countries, horses with aspirations of a high mark in the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings, to be updated on May 14, all turned in outstanding performances.
For Godolphin, it was a clear case of hitting the crossbar. Frustration for those involved, inevitably. But when it occurs in three of the season's biggest races on either side of the Atlantic, there is also optimism that such early promise will translate into Group One glory in the months ahead.
The Andre Fabre-trained Territories, in the Godolphin blue colours, was gallant in defeat in the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, chasing home Gleneagles, who was a fine winner under Ryan Moore. Territories held the form he displayed in his prep race at Longchamp last month and finished with a flourish up the hill, beaten two and a quarter lengths after coming from well back. The winner is reportedly to stick to one mile, while Territories should have a range of options.
Godolphin's Lucida battled on courageously for her second to Legatissimo in the Qipco 1000 Guineas. The Jim Bolger-trained filly took it up and dashed clear on hitting the rising ground, only to be cut down late by Legatissimo, who gave jockey Moore a Guineas double for the weekend.
In the Kentucky Derby, it was a classic case of having to be in the first three throughout to be in contention at the finish. Trainer Bob Baffert saddled the winner, the highly-regarded American Pharoah, and he also sent out the third Dortmund. The former settled third, while the latter made the running. Splitting them at the post was Firing Line, trained by Simon Callaghan, and that colt, too, was up in the leading group from the time the gates flew back.
Godolphin's Frosted ran on very strongly from back in the field to take fourth, three and a quarter lengths from the winner. He was doing all his best work in the final two furlongs.
On Sunday, the brilliant Able Friend ambled to a facile win in the Champions Mile at Sha Tin, Hong Kong, with jockey Joao Moreira reporting that he had "heaps left in the tank" as he won eased down by a length and a quarter. Connections will decide whether to send the son of Shamardal to Royal Ascot "after we have cooled down in four or five days," said trainer John Moore.
The other international win of note was recorded by the remarkable Cirrus Des Aigles, who landed the Prix Ganay at Longchamp, exactly 12 months on from his epic battle with dual Arc winner Treve, whom he defeated narrowly in the same race. This time, he was accounting for Al Kazeem.
So, the list of outstanding horses of 2015 is taking shape, and with the major Classic trials approaching, the pecking order should be firmly established in the next six weeks.
