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Michael Owen announced as guest presenter for 2018 UK Stud and Stable Staff Awards
Former England football star and racehorse breeder and owner Michael Owen has been announced as the guest presenter for the 2018 UK Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards.
The awards, now in their 14th year, recognise and reward the outstanding skills, commitment and contribution of racing’s 6,000 stud and stable staff. Sponsored by Godolphin and run by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) in association with the Racing Post, there is more than £120,000 in prize money on offer, with up to £40,000 available to a single yard or stud.
Michael Owen will join ITV Racing’s Ed Chamberlin, who will host the awards, on stage at the Jumeriah Carlton Towers Hotel on Monday, 19 February, in front of an audience that will include the 18 finalists, their colleagues and families together with leading industry representatives, politicians and media.
Since retiring from football, Owen has enjoyed success as a racehorse breeder and owner with Brown Panther, who won the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2011 before later landing a G1 win in the 2014 Irish St Leger. He recently made his debut as a jockey, finishing second at Ascot in November 2017 in a seven-furlong charity race in support of the Prince of Wales’ Countryside Fund.
Michael Owen said: “I’ve had a lifelong love of horseracing and have been lucky enough to get more involved in the sport as an owner and breeder since retiring from football, I’ve witnessed just how hard the staff work and how much they care for their horses.
“These awards are a great chance to recognise the thousands of hours that go in away from the cameras and to say thank you. I can’t wait to meet the winners and I’m sure it will be an exciting and inspiring night.”
Presenter, Ed Chamberlin said: “Presenting these awards for the first time last year allowed me to see the outstanding dedication, expertise and workmanship of the stud and stable staff, who are at the heart of this great sport. I hope we’ve also showcased that pivotal role and passion on ITV Racing.
“I’m sure this year’s ceremony will be no different and I’m looking forward to joining Michael in recognising the incredible individuals who do so much behind the scenes of British racing.”
Harry’s the world’s best sprinter — and can still improve
“I am very grateful to Sheikh Mohammed for having purchased Harry Angel and then having the faith and confidence to leave the horse with me,” the trainer added.
Godolphin’s brilliant Harry Angel is the best sprinter in the world — and that’s official.
The multiple G1 winner has been given a rating of 125 in the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, released on Tuesday, 23 January, a mark that placed him clear of his global sprinting rivals.
The winner of the G1 Darley July Cup at Newmarket and the G1 Haydock 32Red Sprint Cup, Harry Angel has been described by his trainer Clive Cox as ‘very special.’
Speaking from Dubai, Cox said: “I am very proud of him. For a three-year-old to collect the accolade ‘best sprinter in the world’ is exceptional, and I think there is better to come from him in 2018.
“He has wintered extremely well. I will discuss plans with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, but I would naturally like to aim ‘Harry’ at Royal Ascot’s G1 Diamond Jubilee and then the G1 Darley July Cup again.
“With that in mind, he could well start his campaign in the G2 Duke Of York Stakes at York in May,” he pointed out.
Harry Angel was bought by Godolphin to stay with Cox at his Lambourn yard.
“I am very grateful to Sheikh Mohammed for having purchased Harry Angel and then having the faith and confidence to leave the horse with me,” the trainer added.
The Longines Rankings featured several highlights for Godolphin. Apart from Harry Angel’s triumph in the sprinting division, Ribchester (124) was the world’s top-ranked specialist miler, 1lb ahead of Churchill (123), while the Andre Fabre-trained Cloth Of Stars (125) was ranked equal 7th on the list.
The Longines World’s Best Racehorse for 2017 is Arrogate (134), who won the G1 Pegasus at Gulfstream Park, Florida, and the G1 Dubai World Cup at Meydan, but then suffered three defeats at Del Mar.
He finished his career with a well-beaten fifth in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic in November, something of an anti-climax considering his outstanding Dubai performance in March.
Winx (132) was second on the list but is clearly the world’s best Turf horse for 2017, while Cracksman (130) and Enable (128) are ranked next.
Preview
Cape Verdi bid by Promising Run
Promising Run goes for a second major victory at the Dubai World Cup Carnival as 11 Godolphin contenders are set to line up at this week’s fixture at Meydan, UAE, on Thursday, 25 January.
Five-year-old mare Promising Run (Saeed bin Suroor/Pat Cosgrave) runs in the G2 Cape Verdi over a mile on turf, having run on gamely to take the nine-furlong G2 Al Rashidiya at the same course on her seasonal return 12 months ago.
The daughter of Hard Spun also captured the G2 Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket, UK, as a juvenile and makes her first appearance since coming home third in a mile Listed race on Polytrack at Lingfield Park, UK, at the start of November.
Promising Run takes on seven fillies and mares in the Cape Verdi including South African G2 winner Smiling Blue Eyes and Rehana, successful at G3 level in Ireland.
Her trainer Saeed bin Suroor commented: “Promising Run doesn’t show a great deal in the mornings, but her work has been OK.
“This looks a tough race, but she won the Al Rashidiya on her first start of last year and we are looking for a good run.”
Godolphin is doubly represented in both divisions of the UAE 2,000 Guineas Trial over seven furlongs on dirt, with dual all-weather winner Deyaarna (Saeed bin Suroor/Jim Crowley) and Gold Town (Charlie Appleby/William Buick), an impressive nursery victor on turf at Newmarket in August, among a field of 12 in the first heat of the seven-furlong dirt contest.
Another full line-up of 12 for division two includes the Saeed bin Suroor-trained duo of Moqarrab (Jim Crowley), a decisive winner on Tapeta at Wolverhampton in December, and Racing Country (Christophe Soumillon), fourth in a Polytrack novice race at Kempton Park, UK, in November.
Saeed bin Suroor said: “Deyaarna won twice in the UK last season and has been working well in Dubai. I am looking for a big run from him.
“Moqarrab is another nice colt who heads into this race in good form and I am hoping for a good result.
“Racing Country hasn’t shown a great deal in his two previous starts, but I can see from his work that he should be suited by the dirt.”
Charlie Appleby reported: “Gold Town won nicely over seven furlongs at Newmarket and looks to act well on dirt in his work.
“If he brings his best European form to the table, he should be very competitive.”
Red Galileo (Pat Cosgrave) bids to win the only 14-furlong turf handicap at the Dubai World Cup Carnival for a second straight year and the Saeed bin Suroor-trained stayer is joined by stable companion Natural Scenery (Gerald Mosse), who was third over the same trip in last year’s Ebor Handicap.
Two Saeed bin Suroor-trained runners in the 10-furlong dirt handicap include Alabaster(Oisin Murphy), successful over the course and distance last year, and unexposed four-year-old Don’t Give Up (Gerald Mosse).
Banksea (Charlie Appleby/William Buick), successful in a Newbury, UK, handicap last season, makes his Godolphin debut in the 10-furlong turf handicap, a race that also features Mountain Hunter (Saeed bin Suroor/Christophe Soumillon), who switches surface after disappointing on dirt last week.
fonte : Godolphin
