Challenge
July 18th 2008 08:09
We have become quite used to Aidan O’Brien dominating the English and Irish Group races with strings of consecutive victories in feature races (Irish Derby; Irish Oaks; Ascot Gold Cup and more)
O’Brien and Ballydoyle will often load up the field with multiple entries with most being in contention, and occasionally the pacemaker in evidence.
Perhaps this year, with an eye to history, O’Brien decided that Yeats should have the best opportunity to win a third Ascot Gold Cup, and made alternative plans for Septimus who did look to be his main danger.
(photo: APRH)
Similar to the Coolmore money and mainstay for O’Brien, across the English Channel the master French trainer Alain De Royer-Dupre has the backing of the Aga Khan.
Has Alain De Royer-Dupre the two best 3 year olds in the world in his stable?
Before the running of the Grand Prix de Paris De Royer-Dupre was extremely confident that he had the measure of the French horses - but was respectful of the Irish and English contingent who had performed so well in the classic races of Great Britain. It was decided to place Montmartre on the speed as he has both brilliance and stamina. What he had not expected was the incredible acceleration he produced to sprint off a fast pace and destroy his opposition in the space of one furlong.
The stable rider (first jockey of choice for the Aga Khan) Christophe Soumillion was treated to incredible displays by the filly Zarkava in the Prix de Diane, then by the colt Montmartre in the Grand Prix de Paris. Although the filly came from the rear of the field, the similarities are obvious: scintillating sprints to open up huge winning margins - then shutting down the engines as he allowed both horses to coast to the line under no more urging than gentle pats to their respective necks, and an illustration by finger that each horse was number one.
Well - they both can’t claim that mantle. Perhaps only the Arc can separate them? One and two.
At this time they are first and second favourite for the Arc, but De Royer-Dupre has some doubts about Zarkava handling the possibility of soft ground. Well, it is France after all, and no matter how beautiful it is it does seem to offer a fair share of soft ground. It almost looks like an ‘escape clause’ to prevent the two from clashing. As much as it would be a headache for Soumillion, I will be hoping for a good to (dead) soft track that will accommodate them both. Neither record would be tarnished with a placing behind the other (I think they may be trying to protect the record of Zarkava - knowing just how good the colt is).
Back to the question of ‘are these two the best 3 year olds in the world?’.
A strong case can be made for New Approach. A champion 2 year old and (most likely) a champion 3 year old. No other horse in England/Ireland could be considered in the same breath - not the unlucky Tartan Bearer or O’Brien’s Irish Derby winner Frozen Fire. The only horse across the channel that I would make a case for is the brilliant miler Henrythenavigator - but world rankings would seem to place him no better than New Approach (I would like to debate this after his two victories over him in the English & Irish 2,000 Guineas).
Big Brown has lost much of the gathering gloss after his (tarnishing) Belmont Stakes performance. Question marks abounding. He would need to win a Breeders’ Cup Classic for consideration at this level. But he would really need to contest the Arc to be tested against the best - his opposition in the US appears far inferior to the European 3 year old equivalent.
The lead up to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe may have been more exciting had Zarkava and Montmartre been in the hands of different connections. Then, like prizefighters the two camps would be then talking of the knockout blow in the main event. No niceties: “I’m the best!” would be the cry from two, followed by "you're going down."
But this will be a quiet consideration. More sterile than satisfying.
I hope they both are allowed to run. Christophe Soumillion can toss a coin (I think he already has: coming down with grey side up).
O’Brien and Ballydoyle will often load up the field with multiple entries with most being in contention, and occasionally the pacemaker in evidence.
Perhaps this year, with an eye to history, O’Brien decided that Yeats should have the best opportunity to win a third Ascot Gold Cup, and made alternative plans for Septimus who did look to be his main danger.
Zarkava: number one or number two?
(photo: APRH)
Similar to the Coolmore money and mainstay for O’Brien, across the English Channel the master French trainer Alain De Royer-Dupre has the backing of the Aga Khan.
Has Alain De Royer-Dupre the two best 3 year olds in the world in his stable?
Before the running of the Grand Prix de Paris De Royer-Dupre was extremely confident that he had the measure of the French horses - but was respectful of the Irish and English contingent who had performed so well in the classic races of Great Britain. It was decided to place Montmartre on the speed as he has both brilliance and stamina. What he had not expected was the incredible acceleration he produced to sprint off a fast pace and destroy his opposition in the space of one furlong.
The stable rider (first jockey of choice for the Aga Khan) Christophe Soumillion was treated to incredible displays by the filly Zarkava in the Prix de Diane, then by the colt Montmartre in the Grand Prix de Paris. Although the filly came from the rear of the field, the similarities are obvious: scintillating sprints to open up huge winning margins - then shutting down the engines as he allowed both horses to coast to the line under no more urging than gentle pats to their respective necks, and an illustration by finger that each horse was number one.
Well - they both can’t claim that mantle. Perhaps only the Arc can separate them? One and two.
At this time they are first and second favourite for the Arc, but De Royer-Dupre has some doubts about Zarkava handling the possibility of soft ground. Well, it is France after all, and no matter how beautiful it is it does seem to offer a fair share of soft ground. It almost looks like an ‘escape clause’ to prevent the two from clashing. As much as it would be a headache for Soumillion, I will be hoping for a good to (dead) soft track that will accommodate them both. Neither record would be tarnished with a placing behind the other (I think they may be trying to protect the record of Zarkava - knowing just how good the colt is).
Back to the question of ‘are these two the best 3 year olds in the world?’.
A strong case can be made for New Approach. A champion 2 year old and (most likely) a champion 3 year old. No other horse in England/Ireland could be considered in the same breath - not the unlucky Tartan Bearer or O’Brien’s Irish Derby winner Frozen Fire. The only horse across the channel that I would make a case for is the brilliant miler Henrythenavigator - but world rankings would seem to place him no better than New Approach (I would like to debate this after his two victories over him in the English & Irish 2,000 Guineas).
Big Brown has lost much of the gathering gloss after his (tarnishing) Belmont Stakes performance. Question marks abounding. He would need to win a Breeders’ Cup Classic for consideration at this level. But he would really need to contest the Arc to be tested against the best - his opposition in the US appears far inferior to the European 3 year old equivalent.
The lead up to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe may have been more exciting had Zarkava and Montmartre been in the hands of different connections. Then, like prizefighters the two camps would be then talking of the knockout blow in the main event. No niceties: “I’m the best!” would be the cry from two, followed by "you're going down."
But this will be a quiet consideration. More sterile than satisfying.
I hope they both are allowed to run. Christophe Soumillion can toss a coin (I think he already has: coming down with grey side up).
| 25 |
| Vote |
Shared on
Subscribe to this blog
