Bay Bridge has connections dreaming of Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe glory as he heads to ParisLongchamp for a blockbuster renewal of the European middle-distance championship.
Bay Bridge lowered the colours of the all-conquering Baaeed when scooping Champion Stakes gold at Ascot last year, but the proven Group One performer will be making just his second start over a mile and a half in the French capital on Sunday.
Course experience was banked when third in the Prix Ganay earlier in the season and the final piece of the Bay Bridge jigsaw was completed when proving his suitability over the 12-furlong trip with an emphatic success in the September Stakes earlier this month.
That Kempton event has been used as a timely stepping stone to Paris in the past and the Sir Michael Stoute-trained five-year-old fared best of the British challengers during Thursday’s draw in stall six – the spot that has provided the most Arc success this century.
“We’re heading there and hoping for a good result,” said John O’Connor of Ballylinch Stud, who own the horse in conjunction with breeder James Wigan.
“We think based on his last run that he gets a mile and a half. He’s well proven over a mile and a quarter, but he appears to get a mile and a half well enough judged on the September Stakes, which has been used as a Prix de l’Arc prep previously by Enable. So it’s a proven path if you like.”
Remarkably Stoute has just one Arc victory on his illustrious CV, but few in the training ranks possess a wealth of experience as great as the master of Freemason Lodge.
And it is the 77-year-old’s desire to run in the race which has given his owners the belief their charge could make his mark in one of the year’s most fiercely competitive contests.
“He’s a very good horse, but obviously the Arc is a very difficult race to win,” added O’Connor.
“It’s regularly the highest-rated race in the world and we’re under no illusions that it is a competitive race and hard to win.
“But we think he is in there with a good chance and he’s trained by a maestro who has already won the race, so he knows what it takes to win it. He’s keen to run him and we’re happy to go along with that.
“Everyone knows how hard it is to win the race, but we’re going to give it a shot.”
Stoute’s sole Arc victory came curtesy of Workforce who carried the famous Juddmonte silks to victory in 2010 and the Abdullah family’s racing operation – who have enjoyed Arc glory with Enable in the last 10 years – will be optimistic of celebrating another triumph with the Ralph Beckett-trained Westover.
“We’re looking forward to it and he’s in good form at home,” said Barry Mahon, European racing manager for the owners.
“His preparations have gone really well, both Ralph and Rob (Hornby, jockey) are really happy with him and as I say, he’s had a smooth run into it.”
A winner of the Irish Derby at three, he has taken his form skywards this term, finishing no worse than second in four starts, all at Group One level.
The son of Frankel has already tasted success in France at Saint-Cloud earlier in the season and having got bogged down in deep ground when sixth in this race last season, conditions should suit this time ahead of his second bite of the Arc cherry.
“He’s a better horse now at four, both physically and mentally, and is in a good place,” continued Mahon.
“He’s been to France and Dubai this year and travelling doesn’t seem to bother him and hopefully that is a plus.
“He’s obviously had two hard runs his last two races and we probably won’t see the full effect of them, if there is any, until he runs on Sunday.
“But the ground looks like it will be better than last year which will suit and he has had his few days away (racecourse gallops) and a break since the King George. There have been no blips along the way and hopefully that will equate to a good run on Sunday.”
Westover was last seen going down valiantly in defeat as Owen Burrows’ Hukum prevailed in a thrilling finish to the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.
Both horses have not been seen since as their respective trainers elected to send their candidates across the Channel with a full petrol tank and despite a tough draw in stall 14 to overcome, connections of Hukum are keen to see how the thriving five-year-old fares against a talented cast of rivals.
“It’s very exciting, Owen decided to keep him fresh (after Ascot) hoping to get him there in good shape,” explained Angus Gold, racing manager for owners Shadwell.
“There’s a reason it is one of the best races in the world, it is very hard to win.
“It will be fascinating this year to see if the two really good French three-year-olds and the likes of Continuous and Fantastic Moon are good enough to take on the older horses. That is the interesting puzzle this year and obviously we won’t know until Sunday.
“It’s very exciting to go out there with a chance, it’s a shame about the draw but there is nothing we can do about that so we are just going to have to work our way around it, hope for a little bit of luck, and see how we get on.”
Aidan O’Brien has won Europe’s richest middle-distance contest twice in the past and his St Leger hero Continuous is the sole Ballydoyle contender this time around, dropping back in trip following his Doncaster Classic triumph.
Only two weeks have passed since his victory on Town Moor, but O’Brien is confident the son of Heart’s Cry will justify connections decision to supplement the colt into the contest at a cost of £120,000.
O’Brien said: “Every horse is different and every year is different, but it is two weeks and it is quick enough for going back. You’d prefer three or four weeks really, but I suppose he has been busy and he’s a hardy type of horse now. Obviously we’re hoping, he seems to be in good form.
“You’re obviously never sure when you turn around that quick and he is only a three-year-old, but he’s a hardy, mature horse. He’s done plenty of racing and he has had breaks in between his runs.
“We’re very hopeful, he’s a good, strong traveller, he’s relaxed and he’s got form in all types of ground and he is tactically quick enough, but you never know until you do it, really.
“He’s not dislike (2016 winner) Found, he’s a good, strong traveller. He handles fast ground and he does quicken and gets the trip very well. He probably gets the trip better, Found just got a mile and a half but this horse won a Leger so obviously gets further. But class might have helped him do that and not stamina.”
Early overseas interest for the 2024 Mouttet Mile: Sheer Delight and Pack Plays set to compete
The 2024 staging of the highly anticipated Mouttet Mile Invitational is already shaping up to be an exciting affair with early interest from six prominent overseas-based horses. Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited, operators of Caymanas Park, are pleased to announce that Sheer Delight, Pack Plays, Barnaby, Legacy Isle, Commandant & Real Macho are set to bring international competition to the December 7 race day.
Sheer Delight, a three-year-old colt owned by Jeremy Rachpaul, has already made a name for himself with impressive earnings of over USD$30,000. Trained by Donovan Hutchison, Sheer Delight has recently arrived in Jamaica and is gearing up for the big race. Mr. Rachpaul expressed his gratitude and enthusiasm: "It is with excitement and joy that our team has a chance to enter the Mouttet Mile 2024 with Sheer Delight. On behalf of myself, my family, and our team, I would like to say thank you to Caymanas and the horse racing family in Jamaica. We look forward to growing our stable, racing in Jamaica, and competing in the Mouttet Mile 2024 with God's grace and blessings."
Another strong contender for the 2024 Mouttet Mile is Pack Play, owned by Diley Dakins. Dakins shared his insights on Pack Plays' capabilities stating, "Pack Plays has been preparing for the Mouttet Mile for a while and has shown tremendous speed and agility in most of his races. I know he will get the distance. Pack Plays will undoubtedly make the Mouttet Mile competition more interesting." Pack Play is currently being conditioned by trainer, Rowan Mathie.
Trainer of the 2023 winner – Rough Entry – Rohan Crichton, has returned for the 2024 staging with three entries: Legacy Isle, Commandant and Real Macho. For the current year, Commandant has had 3 wins with earnings of US$88,060, Legacy Isle has had one win, eaning US$47,480; and Real Macho has secured two wins with an earning total of US$124,020.
“Our horses are scheduled to arrive in Jamaica on September 18. The plan is to follow the same pattern as Rough Entry, ease them into their training regimen after quarantine and gradually build from there," he said. "The Mouttet Mile is an amazing event that showcases Jamaican racing, we are proud to participate and doing our best to make it two in a row.”
Local champion trainer, Anthony Nunes, has also opted to submit an international entry in runner – Barnaby. He shares: “Barnaby is a 3-year-old bay colt. He's a son of Tapiture out of the Giants Causeway mare, Giants Diva. He has a racing record of three wins and two thirds from six starts, and earnings of (US)$89,510.00 or (JMD)$14,000,000.00. Barnaby arrived in Jamaica on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, and will be in quarantine for two weeks. We look forward to having him in our barn, at which time he will start the process of getting acclimatized to his new surroundings. We look forward, shortly thereafter, to getting him on the track in preparation for the Mouttet Mile in December,” Nunes said.
Commenting on the early interest, Christopher Wills, VP Operations at SVREL, said, "We are excited to see the early enthusiasm and commitment from international owners and trainers for the 2024 Mouttet Mile. The inclusion of top-tier horses, from the North American circuit, enhances the prestige of the event and promises thrilling competition for all horse racing fans."
Since its 2022 debut, the Mouttet Mile Invitational has developed a reputation for attracting top-tier international talent. Last year’s Mouttet Mile was won by Rough Entry, an overseas entrant ridden by Canadian jockey Julien Leparoux. The inclusion of Sheer Delight and Pack Plays in the 2024 Mouttet Mile Invitational will further cement Caymanas Park’s marquee race day as the premier event in the horse racing calendar.
SVREL signs strategic agreement with Bluedot
Since assuming operations of Caymanas Park in 2017, Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL) has invested billions of dollars in rebranding and revolutionizing the park as well as improving the commercial route to market strategy. The company’s latest investment comes in the form of a strategic partnership with market research company Bluedot Insights to conduct a comprehensive survey to gain insights into the industry locally.
According to Solomon Sharpe SVREL Executive Chairman, the company’s unwavering vision is to make making the premier destination of racing and entertainment in the region.
“Over the past seven years we’ve consulted with our stakeholders and made significant investments into improving the overall racing product. We’re very proud of what we have achieved so far. Even with the success and the enduring popularity of Caymanas Park and horseracing in Jamaica, we know there’s still more work to be done. Understanding our customers is at the core of our strategy. With that as our mission, we’ve engaged Bluedot Insights to conduct a comprehensive island wide consumer survey on our behalf.
"This survey is aimed at providing us with verifiable data from sports bettors, racing stakeholders and the general public that will further guide our strategic decisions and investments that will bring us further towards our ultimate goal – to make Caymanas Park the premier destination of racing and entertainment in the Caribbean,” said Sharpe.
“Our vision for Caymanas Park and the horseracing industry in Jamaica is one of growth and innovation. We will continue to invest in the park, introducing new features and enhancements that elevate the experience for all our visitors. Our commitment to the community and the sport remains steadfast, and we are excited about the future,” he added.
It was disclosed that Bluedot will provide a comprehensive report presenting quantitative and qualitative findings that details consumer profiles highlighting demographic, psychographic, and behavioral characteristics. This will be done in three phases.
"Bluedot aims to use our skills and expertise to provide SVREL with comprehensive insights that will be pivotal in allowing SVREL to refine their marketing strategies, customize their offerings to align with consumer preferences, and nurture stakeholder relationships essential for advancing the horse racing business," stated Bluedot CEO Larren Peart.
SVREL's investments in Caymanas Park have spanned various areas, from infrastructure upgrades like the installation of the largest digital tote board in the Caribbean and implementation of AmTote totalizer system, improved product offerings such as the new bet type options like Reggae-6 and Ketch-9 as well as fixed odds betting, to the integration of cutting-edge technology like the recently launched GMax digital timing system.
Supreme Ventures Racing urges review of racing rule after Caymanas Park abandonments
Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL), operators of Caymanas Park, have called for a review of Rule 44 (iii) enforced by the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) following the cancellation of two races during the April 27 race meet at Caymanas Park.
In a press conference on Monday addressing the abandoned races, SVREL Executive Chairman Solomon Sharpe expressed frustration with the rule, highlighting its potential impact on the racing industry.
"This rule, unique to Jamaica, imposes a strict five-minute limit after the published post time for races at Caymanas Park," Sharpe stated. "It fails to account for various factors that can delay race starts and penalizes all stakeholders when races are abandoned, affecting punters, jockeys, grooms, trainers, owners, promoters, and the government."
Last year, Caymanas Park contributed over $260 million in combined taxes to the government's coffers. Sharpe urged the JRC to engage SVREL in discussions on Rule 44, emphasizing the need for constructive dialogue to address the rule's impact.
"We were not consulted during the initial discussions on this rule, and now, with two races abandoned in a single race day, our concerns have materialized," Sharpe explained. "SVREL is open to collaborating with the JRC to review and refine this amended rule."
Representatives from the Grooms Association, Jockeys Association, and the United Racehorse Trainers Association echoed SVREL's concerns and supported the call for a review of Rule 44.
Sharpe concluded by appealing to regulators, stakeholders, and the public to support the growth of the horseracing industry in Jamaica. "Horseracing has immense potential in Jamaica and can become a significant foreign exchange earner. Realizing this potential requires collaboration among all stakeholders."
SVREL has been operating Caymanas Park since March 2017 after the government divested the property. With investments exceeding J$4 billion in product enhancements and innovations like the Mouttet Mile, which boasts the largest purse in the English-speaking Caribbean, SVREL remains committed to advancing the horseracing experience in Jamaica.
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