Railbird 2004–2019

International Archive

Checkbook Racing

No Dubai World Cup winners for Sheikh Mohammed, but his long-term prospects for racing success look good, if money spent is any indication: “Since the second half of last year he has blown, at a conservative estimate, close to a billion of his estimated £14 billion fortune on horses for racing and breeding, double the sum he is prepared to pay in his ongoing attempt to buy Liverpool FC …”

Posted in International on April 1, 2008

Curlin Dazzles, Walks on Water

Curlin, “the most impressive physical specimen at Nad Al Sheba,” worked half a mile in :50.16 on Monday, “dazzling onlookers with a show of contained power.” Assistant trainer Scott Blasi, who’s been overseeing Curlin’s preparation for the Dubai World Cup, called the move “perfect,” while jockey Robby Albarado, now in Dubai, gushed, “There’s so much power, so much confidence, so much ability.” Curlin is scheduled to burnish his reputation and secure his global legacy on Saturday when he lines up against 12 overmatched international challengers, then return to the US for a campaign culminating in a second Breeders’ Cup Classic victory. “I do not think he’s going to be the most tired horse cooling out [after Saturday’s race] by far,” said trainer Steve Asmussen, anticipating. “And we are expecting a very big second half of the year for him.”

Posted in International on March 25, 2008

Gorgeous George’s Only

The George Washington filly born February 4 at Irish National Stud may be the sole offspring of the late European champion, reports Blood-Horse:

Posted in International on February 7, 2008

Inside Court 12

“Racing’s ‘trial of the century’ lived up to its billing last week as Kieren Fallon and his codefendants fought race-fixing allegations” (Times).

Posted in International on October 14, 2007

Dylan Thomas Wins Arc

I guess the ground, labeled very soft earlier this week, dried out enough for Dylan Thomas: The Irish colt survived a lengthy stewards’ inquiry to win the Arc by a head over Youmzain (Sporting Life), giving trainer Aidan O’Brien his first Arc win and jockey Kieren Fallon something to savor on Monday morning while sitting through his race-fixing trial at Old Bailey (Times). You can watch the replay on the official Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe site, or click on the YouTube video below.
Dylan Thomas will start next in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, O’Brien said after today’s trophy presentation (DRF). Previous Arc winners have not fared so well in the Breeders’ Cup, with the best finishes being 2001 Arc winner Sakhee’s second in the Classic and 1987 Arc winner Trempolino’s second in the Turf. O’Brien has won the Turf twice before, in 2002 and 2003 with High Chaparral.
Making his final career start, hot Arc favorite Authorized “was beaten before he started,” finishing tenth of 12. The Epsom Derby winner is headed to the breeding shed after making seven starts in two years; he’ll stand at Darley’s Dalham Hall Stud in 2008.

Posted in International on October 7, 2007