Here De Angels
December 27th 2009 22:17
HERE DE ANGELS
6 year old bay gelding
By Dehere (USA) out of Angelic Belle.
26 starts - 10 wins - 2 seconds - 2 thirds - $568,850 in prizemoney.
Here De Angels photographed winning the Listed Christmas Stakes at Caulfield on Boxing Day 2009. This photograph emphasising the fact that his name is Here De Angels - and not Hear De Angels - as with his deafeners on he seems not to even be hearing Steven Arnold's yelled encouragement.
(photo: Neil Murray)
Here De Angels burst onto the racing scene in 2006 under the care of trainer Lee Freedman. He would win his first 6 starts and rise from a Cranbourne 1000m Maiden to win in Group Three company at his fifth and sixth starts - winning the DC McKay Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville, and then the Ian McEwan Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley.
He started favourite on each occasion - until the McEwan Stakes - when he would run as second-favourite (3/1) behind Australian Champion Sprinting mare, Gold Edition.
But all through this time - and beyond - he was a barrier rogue. Each time behind a barrier the prospect of late scratching as distinct a possibility as him winning the race. And then there were the times when he entered the barrier - but came out of them very tardily. Or times that he would go berserk in the barriers without warning. Jockey Corey Brown retells this episode to Fox Sports:
"It was my first race ride on Here De Angels and I had been told the horse could play up at the gates. But what caught me off guard was the fact he gave me no warning. He was standing there quietly, then took a step back and just launched himself at the barriers."
Corey Brown was catapulted out of the saddle and landed on the back of the horse in the adjacent stall. Brown got out unharmed - but Here De Angels became panicked and thrashed about at the horses either side of him who could not escape.
Naturally there was a Stewards ban from racing until it could be proved that the horse had mended his ways. Lee Freedman did have the patience and skill to get Here De Angels back and winning - but along the way the horse gradually appeared to lose his interest or competitive edge, winning just 2 of his next 14 starts, until it was decided by the owners at the end of 2008 to try a new stable and environment to rekindle his enthusiasm for racing.
Mark Kavanagh was given the challenge. He took control of Here De Angels at the beginning of 2009 and then took time to evaluate the best way to rejuvenate this highly talented horse, who by then had both reputation, and history. There were the barrier trials. And there was tinkering with his gear - the addition of ear muffs appearing to have made a major impact. Since joining the Kavanagh stable Here De Angels has had 5 starts which have produced 2 wins and 2 placings. His only unplaced run an unlucky 4th at Group Three in September in the McEwan Stakes (1000m) behind David Hayes’ impressive sprinter Nicconi. The most satisfying win to date was his last start win of the Listed Christmas Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield where he carried 59 kg to an effortless victory.
Here De Angels has been an exciting ride, for both jockeys and the punting public. And the story is not yet complete.
6 year old bay gelding
By Dehere (USA) out of Angelic Belle.
26 starts - 10 wins - 2 seconds - 2 thirds - $568,850 in prizemoney.
Here De Angels
Here De Angels photographed winning the Listed Christmas Stakes at Caulfield on Boxing Day 2009. This photograph emphasising the fact that his name is Here De Angels - and not Hear De Angels - as with his deafeners on he seems not to even be hearing Steven Arnold's yelled encouragement.
(photo: Neil Murray)
Here De Angels burst onto the racing scene in 2006 under the care of trainer Lee Freedman. He would win his first 6 starts and rise from a Cranbourne 1000m Maiden to win in Group Three company at his fifth and sixth starts - winning the DC McKay Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville, and then the Ian McEwan Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley.
He started favourite on each occasion - until the McEwan Stakes - when he would run as second-favourite (3/1) behind Australian Champion Sprinting mare, Gold Edition.
But all through this time - and beyond - he was a barrier rogue. Each time behind a barrier the prospect of late scratching as distinct a possibility as him winning the race. And then there were the times when he entered the barrier - but came out of them very tardily. Or times that he would go berserk in the barriers without warning. Jockey Corey Brown retells this episode to Fox Sports:
"It was my first race ride on Here De Angels and I had been told the horse could play up at the gates. But what caught me off guard was the fact he gave me no warning. He was standing there quietly, then took a step back and just launched himself at the barriers."
Corey Brown was catapulted out of the saddle and landed on the back of the horse in the adjacent stall. Brown got out unharmed - but Here De Angels became panicked and thrashed about at the horses either side of him who could not escape.
Naturally there was a Stewards ban from racing until it could be proved that the horse had mended his ways. Lee Freedman did have the patience and skill to get Here De Angels back and winning - but along the way the horse gradually appeared to lose his interest or competitive edge, winning just 2 of his next 14 starts, until it was decided by the owners at the end of 2008 to try a new stable and environment to rekindle his enthusiasm for racing.
Mark Kavanagh was given the challenge. He took control of Here De Angels at the beginning of 2009 and then took time to evaluate the best way to rejuvenate this highly talented horse, who by then had both reputation, and history. There were the barrier trials. And there was tinkering with his gear - the addition of ear muffs appearing to have made a major impact. Since joining the Kavanagh stable Here De Angels has had 5 starts which have produced 2 wins and 2 placings. His only unplaced run an unlucky 4th at Group Three in September in the McEwan Stakes (1000m) behind David Hayes’ impressive sprinter Nicconi. The most satisfying win to date was his last start win of the Listed Christmas Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield where he carried 59 kg to an effortless victory.
Here De Angels has been an exciting ride, for both jockeys and the punting public. And the story is not yet complete.
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