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Hurricane Storms In
29/07/06

Hurricane Run, officially rated the best horse in the world in 2005, further enhanced his reputation with a battling display to land the £750,000 Group One King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes by half a length from Electrocutionist.

The winner did not looked to be travelling particularly well as the field entered the straight and for a moment it appeared as if he would not get a clear run. However, an opening appeared and the horse then quickened ahead.

Hurricane Run is a son of Montjeu, successful in this race in 2000.

Michael Tabor, part owner along with Sue Magnier and Derrick Smith, commented: “Like Montjeu, this horse has so much ability but you have to let him do his own thing.

“I didn’t discuss plans with Christophe before, but for me he was always in a great position. It’s great to see the horse come back to his best.”

Winning jockey Christophe Soumillon added: “I had no choice but to sit in behind the leaders. I didn’t want to come early as we thought that was what beat him last time.

“Frankie (Dettori) has of lot of power with his horse and tried to keep me on the inside.

I decided to wait and thought that there would room later.

“He is a real Group One horse - unbelievable, wonderful. It’s hard to win like he did today but I have always thought he is the best horse in the world. The best way to ride him is not to battle but just let him do his own thing.

“I am grateful to the team for putting me up today and my thoughts go to Kieren (Fallon). I didn’t want to be the bad guy who messed things up - fortunately, I’ve been a good guy today! Having won the Arc, it now good to win what is the ‘English Arc.’ I have now ridden two champions in Dalakhani and Hurricane Run.

“Kieren (Fallon) will probably be back on him for the Arc. I will have to see if His Highness (the Aga Khan) has a runner and there is also Shirocco.”

Andre Fabre, the winning trainer, said: “My first thought is for Kieren Fallon - we owe a lot to him concerning this horse as he found out the best way to ride him. I was not worried that he would not get up from the position he was in as he has such wonderful acceleration.

“My only worry was that he might get boxed in. Hurricane Run is a very laid back horse.

“Everything is always a worry in these big races. I was happy that the weather changed with cooler temperatures. The change of jockey is always a worry too.”

An epic finish to the 2006 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes saw Hurricane Run prevail after a late challenge under Christophe Soumillon to score by half a length from Electrocutionist.

“Circumstances made the race spectacular, but it was not planned like that,” said winning trainer Andre Fabre. “I said to Christophe beforehand that his best race was in the Arc when he came from behind and Christophe sat confidently without challenging too early then showed a real burst of speed.

“I never lost any confidence, I thought he was travelling well and the only worry was that he’d get boxed in.

“What I like about him is that for a horse that could stay two miles is the speed he has. I look foward to his stud career and think he could be a great stallion.”

Soumillon added: “This is a day I will not forget in my life. I have loved this horse for a long time and I said to Andre that this was the best horse in his stable and it was true.

“It was so good beforehand when I was riding for the biggest trainer in the world and he told me to do what I thought was best in the race and the owners said the same.

“I think Frankie was riding a perfect race too on the runner-up but I had the best horse today. He was so good today.

“I’m really upset for Kieren Fallon because I know how difficult it is for him. We have a phrase meaning someone’s bad luck is good for another and I was lucky to be riding today. I’d like to thank Kieren for what he’d done for this horse and he will be back on board in the Arc.”

There was a sting in the tail for jockey Christophe Soumillon following his big-race victory aboard Hurricane Run in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes when he picked up a six-day suspension.

The ban, running from August 9 to 14, was for the frequency with which Soumillon used his whip.

Frankie Dettori, who partnered runner-up Electrocutionist in the big race, was cautioned for his use of the whip but no further action was taken.

Earlier, John Egan received a two-day ban - running on August 9 and 10 - for causing interference through careless riding aboard Vital Statistics in the Princess Margaret Stakes.

Godolphin racing manager, Simon Crisford, said of Electrocutionist’s gallant second-place finish: “It was a great effort from him and there are no excuses. He gave everything he had - absolutely everything - so we’re really proud of him.

“We’re certainly not suggesting for one minute that what happened this morning made any difference to his performance. He ran a fantastic race.”

Asked whether the stiffness Electrocutionist was suffering in the morning, and which put his participation in doubt, may have affected the horse’s performance, trainer Saeed bin Suroor said: “Frankie (Dettori) made no comment about that. He ran a great race and was beaten by a better horse.

“We have no plans yet but we know he is effective at a mile and a quarter and a mile and a half.”

Frankie Dettori, who partnered Godolphin’s Electrocutionist, was in the perfect position turning for home, challenging for second position.

They were just outgunned in the finish by half a length and the rider commented: “He ran a super race.

“Electrocutionist gave me everything he had. The Japanese runner went by me and my horse showed great determination to get back up but the winner had a dream run on the inside and beat us all.”

Japanese raider Heart’s Cry looked the winner turning into the straight but faded in the final half-furlong to finish third, beaten half a length and the same.

The five-year-old’s jockey, Christophe Lemaire, reported: “He hasn’t raced since March and he got a little bit tired in the last 100 metres.

“He travelled perfectly behind Frankie (Dettori) and came easily, but the last 100 metres were 100 metres too much.”

Heart’s Cry’s trainer, Kojiro Hashiguchi, was disappointed not to be rewarded with victory but retains the utmost faith in his charge.

He said: “I want Hurricane Run to come to Japan for the Japan Cup. On his home course, Heart’s Cry will win.”

Hashiguchi is also looking to renew rivalry with Japanese superstar Deep Impact, saying: “Heart’s Cry will run in the Japan Cup and the Arima Kinen. Deep Impact is a very strong horse, but Heart’s Cry can beat him again.”

William Muir, trainer of fourth-placed Enforcer, said: “Martin (Dwyer) said he thought he was going to win turning in and he has run a phenomenal race. We were beaten half a length, half a length, and a length and three-quarters by three brilliant horses, so we are not far off being a brilliant horse.

“He’ll have a little break now as he’s run in seven races, in Group Two or Group One, this season - consistent is not the word. He’ll definitely win a Group One.”

4.20pm KING GEORGE VI AND QUEEN ELIZABETH DIAMOND STAKES (GROUP ONE)
£750,000 guaranteed, 1m 4f, For 3yo+ Weights 3yo colts and geldings 8st n9lb; fillies 8st 6lb; 4yo+ colts and geldings 9st 7lb; fillies 9st 4lb Allowances: Southern hemisphere allowance: 4yo 4lb Entries 36 pay £2625 1st Forfeit 17 pay £3000 Confirmed 8 pay £1875 Penalty value 1st £425,850; 2nd £161,400; 3rd £80,775; 4th £40,275; 5th £20,175; 6th £10,125

1 HURRICANE RUN (IRE) (Michael Tabor) Andre Fabre FR 4-9-07
Christophe Soumillon [4] 5-6F

2 ELECTROCUTIONIST (USA) (Godolphin) Saeed bin Suroor 5-9-07 Frankie Dettori [1] 4/1
3 HEART'S CRY (Shadai Race Horse Co Ltd) Kojiro Hashiguchi JPN 5-9-07 Christophe Lemaire [3] 3/1
4 ENFORCER (Dennis Clarke & Clive Edginton) William Muir 4-9-07 Martin Dwyer [2] 50/1
5 MARAAHEL (IRE) (Hamdan Al Maktoum) Sir Michael Stoute 5-9-07v Richard Hills [6] 14/1
6 CHERRY MIX (FR) (Godolphin) Saeed bin Suroor 5-9-07t Kerrin McEvoy [5] 50/1

6 ran
Distances: 1/2, 1/2, 1 3/4, 1 1/2, 1/2
Winning time: 2m 30.29s
Breeder: Gestut Ammerland
Breeding: b c Montjeu (IRE) - Hold On (GER) (Surumu (GER))
Tote: Win £1.80; Places £1.10, £2.40; Exacta £5.10

Sparkling 36 For King George
22/06/06

This year’s King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes returns to Ascot following its transfer to Newbury in 2005 while the redevelopment was taking place and has attracted a sparkling entry of 36 high-class horses.

The prestigious contest boasts prize money of £750,000, cementing its position as Britain’s premier all-aged middle-distance contest.

As ever, the entries feature the best of the three-year-old crop including the first four colts home in the Vodafone Derby - Sir Percy, Dragon Dancer, Dylan Thomas and Hala Bek - as well as Vodafone Oaks heroine Alexandrova in addition to leading performers from across Europe and further afield.

Godolphin has an enviable record in the 12-furlong event, run on De Beers Diamond Day, Saturday, July 29, with five previous wins courtesy of Doyen (2004), Daylami (1999), Swain (1998 & 1997) and Lammtarra (1995). This year, there are eight entries from the Maktoum family’s entity, headed by the 2006 Dubai World Cup hero Electrocutionsist, who could be joined by Belenus, Cherry Mix, Guadalajara, Pictavia, Pinson, Shawanda and Winged Cup.

Aidan O’Brien, successful with Galileo in 2001, accounts for 10 hopefuls including Alexandrova, Derby third Dylan Thomas, the consistent Ace who runs today, French 2,000 Guineas victor Aussie Rules and Yeats, successful in last season’s Vodafone Coronation Cup. Ireland’s champion trainer has also entered some promising performers such as Fire And Rain, successful on his sole start at Newmarket last year, plus recent impressive Group Three Gallinule Stakes victor Puerto Rico.

Master French trainer Andre Fabre has entered Hurricane Run, the 2005 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe hero and officially the best three-year-old in Europe last year. The son of Montjeu was a facile winner on his seasonal reappearance in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh last month, while further Gallic interest is provided by the Carlos Laffon-Parias-trained Laverock, triumphant in last month’s Group One Prix d’Ispahan at Longchamp, and Policy Maker from the Elie Lellouche stable.

Adding to the international flavour is Heart’s Cry, trained in Japan by Kojirro Hashiguchi. Successful in the Group One Arima Kinen at Nakayama in December, the Sunday Silence horse showed his ability against international opposition when landing the Group One Dubai Sheema Classic in impressive fashion in March.

Sir Michael Stoute, who has sent out three King George winners with Shergar (1981), Opera House (1993) and Golan (2002), has entered Derby sixth Best Alibi, Chester Vase winner Papal Bull, Maraahel, Mountain High and Hard Top.

Diamond Day is on Saturday, July 29, and forms the middle section of the three-day Diamond weekend meeting at Ascot. Racing also takes place on Friday, July 28, and Sunday, July 30 - Hong Kong Day.

THE KING GEORGE VI & QUEEN ELIZABETH
DIAMOND STAKES

Class 1, Group 1, £750,000 Total Prize Fund. 4.20pm, Ascot, Saturday, July 29, 2006. For 3yo+, 1m 4f. Weights: 3yo colts & geldings 8st 9lb; fillies 8st 6lb; 4yo+ colts & geldings 9st 7lb; fillies 9st 4lb. Southern Hemisphere allowance - 4yo 4lb. Entries closed June 14, entries revealed June 21 (36 entries). Forfeit stage July 11, five-day confirmation stage July 24, £70,000 supplementary entry stage July 24, final 48-hour declaration stage 10.00am, July 27. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Tuesday, June 20.

Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
4432-24 ACE (IRE) 5 Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor,Mrs Harry McCalmont Aidan O'Brien IRE
6312-21 ALEXANDROVA (IRE) 3 Sue Magnier, Michael.Tabor & Derrick Smith Aidan O'Brien IRE
15-10 ATLANTIC WAVES (IRE) 3 Jaber Abdullah Mark Johnston
421-510 AUSSIE RULES (USA) 3 Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor, Fasal Salman Aidan O'Brien IRE
1/322- BELENUS (IRE) 4 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
0314-26 BEST ALIBI (IRE) 3 Gainsborough Stud Sir Michael Stoute
5010-06 CHERRY MIX (FR) 5 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
30-4201 CROOKHAVEN 3 J P Kelly John Murphy IRE
41-1130 DECADO (IRE) 3 Mrs C O'Flynn, D Sheehy, D O'Flynn Kevin Prendergast IRE
0-(3)222 DRAGON DANCER 3 John Pearce Geoff Wragg
1126-13 DYLAN THOMAS (IRE) 3 Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
1113-(1)(1) ELECTROCUTIONIST (USA) 5 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
21-6453 ENFORCER 4 D G Clarke & C L A Edginton William Muir
1- FIRE AND RAIN (FR) 3 Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
211123- GUADALAJARA (GER) 5 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
14 HALA BEK (IRE) 3 Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum Michael Jarvis
5/115-05 HARD TOP (IRE) 4 Ballymacoll Stud Sir Michael Stoute
526-0434 HATTAN (IRE) 4 Saeed Manana Clive Brittain
52621-1 HEART'S CRY (JPN) 5 Shadai Race Horse Co Ltd Kojiro Hashiguchi JPN
12111-1 HURRICANE RUN (IRE) 4 Michael Tabor Andre Fabre FR
0261-01 LAVEROCK (IRE) 4 Gainsborough Stud Carlos Laffon-Parias FR
333-(6)31 MARAAHEL (IRE) 5 Hamdan Al Maktoum Sir Michael Stoute
214-420 MOUNTAIN (IRE) 3 Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
3140-12 MOUNTAIN HIGH (IRE) 4 Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Sir Michael Stoute
421-110 PAPAL BULL 3 Sue Magnier, Derrick Smith & Michael Tabor Sir Michael Stoute
300322- PICTAVIA (IRE) 4 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
211110- PINSON (IRE) 4 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
202-351 POLICY MAKER (IRE) 6 Ecurie Wildenstein Elie Lellouche FR
1-31 PUERTO RICO (IRE) 3 Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
5-24133 QUEEN CLEOPATRA (IRE) 3 Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
113-010 SEPTIMUS (IRE) 3 Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
111116- SHAWANDA (IRE) 4 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
1111-21 SIR PERCY 3 Anthony Pakenham Marcus Tregoning
(2)(1)2121 SOAPY DANGER 3 Renata Jacobs Mark Johnston
112- WINGED CUPID (IRE) 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
1/21046- YEATS (IRE) 5 Sue Magnier, Diane Nagle Aidan O'Brien IRE

36 entries
12 Irish-trained
2 French-trained
1 Japanese-trained