Latest news with #1351TurfSprint
Japan Forward
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Japan Forward
Victoria Mile: Ascoli Piceno Secures Victory with Tremendous Burst of Speed
Jockey Christophe Lemaire claimed his 54th JRA Grade 1 title and took sole possession of the record for most Victoria Mile wins (four). Ascoli Piceno, piloted by Christophe Lemaire, wins the 20th Victoria Mile on May 18, 2025, at Tokyo Racecourse. (©KYODO) Race favorite Ascoli Piceno was victorious in the 20th Victoria Mile on Sunday, May 18. It was her fifth graded title following the 1351 Turf Sprint (G2, 1,351 meters) on February 22 in Saudi Arabia. The daughter of Daiwa Major was unbeaten in her three starts as a 2-year-old, including the Niigata Nisai Stakes (G3, 1,600 meters) and the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (G1, 1,600 meters), which earned her the season's Best Two-Year-Old Filly title in 2023. Her victory in the Victoria Mile at Tokyo Racecourse gave trainer Yoichi Kuroiwa his second JRA G1 title. Jockey Christophe Lemaire scored his 54th JRA G1 title. For Lemaire, Sunday's effort produced his fourth Victoria Mile title — the most in JRA history — after previous victories aboard Admire Lead (2017), Almond Eye (2020) and Gran Alegria (2021). Keita Tosaki has three wins in the race. Ascoli Piceno (17) is seen with a slim lead at the end of the race.(©SANKEI) Ascoli Piceno was eased back after the whole field broke in a straight line then led by Alice Verite (Kenichi Ikezoe's ride), who opened the gap from the rest of the field along the backstretch. Positioned well back in second from last before attempting to make headway through the last two corners and caught behind traffic soon after entering the straight, Lemaire shifted his mount to the outside. And he gave the filly the green light. The Daiwa Major filly responded with terrific speed as soon as she hit the top of the hill for a victory by a neck's length. ( Watch the race on the JRA's YouTube channel .) Winning jockey Christophe Lemaire (©SANKEI) "The break wasn't too sharp and it took some effort to get her into the speed," Lemaire said after the race. "I did have a little concern [about] how the filly would perform as the race favorite starting from an outside stall. But she did have plenty of energy left when needed. "And, while it did take her some time to reach her top speed, I was thrilled by how she showed her mental strength and potential in fighting to the very end." In the 20th running of the Victoria Mile at Tokyo Racecourse, Ascoli Piceno's path to victory was navigated on the outside. (JRA/via SANKEI) Queen's Walk, unhurried and settling in the middle to near rear in a field of 17, angled out for the stretch run under Yuga Kawada, and accelerated impressively to reach contention soon after the 200-meter pole. She was the first to pin Alice Verite in a multiple-horse rally with just 50 meters to go before being outrun by the winner from the outside in the last stride. Shirankedo (Mirco Demuro) traveled well off the pace, third from last inside the eventual winner, up to the last corner. Opting to wait for an opening down the center lane down the straight while the top two finishers angled out at the early stretch, the 5-year-old Declaration of War mare turned in a terrific finishing speed, the fastest in the race, from 100 meters out to gain third place. Argine (Damian Lane) and Alice Verite placed fourth and fifth, respectively. Second favorite Bond Girl (Yutaka Take) was 16th. The Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) is the JRA's next G1 race on May 25 at Tokyo Racecourse. Read the full report , including details on each of the Victoria Mile entrants, on JRA News. Author: JRA News
Arab News
19-02-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Witness Stand gears up for Saudi Cup's $2m 1351 Turf Sprint
LONDON: Urloxhey Stables is set for its first international flat runner as Witness Stand prepares to line up in the $2 million 1351 Turf Sprint at the Saudi Cup on Saturday. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The Worcestershire-based training partnership of National Hunt trainer Richard Newland and co-trainer Jamie Insole is making a significant leap onto the global racing stage with the four-year-old gelding. Witness Stand, a Listed winner at Newbury last autumn under jockey Kieran Shoemark, is the highest-rated UK entry in the prestigious 7-furlong contest. Shoemark, who guided the son of Expert Eye to two victories last season, will renew his partnership in Riyadh. Acquired for 100,000 guineas ($132,159) at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale, Witness Stand was identified as a value buy by Insole on behalf of owners Scott and Debbie Turner. Recalling the acquisition, Insole told Great British Racing International: 'We initially thought he'd be too pricey and his consignors Barton Stud brought him out to show me and I told them to put him away as he'd be too expensive. We were delighted to secure him and we're excited to campaign him in 2025 and beyond.' After arriving at Urloxhey Stables in November, Witness Stand was given a short break before returning to training. Insole has been steadily building up the gelding's fitness, incorporating two away days at Wolverhampton to sharpen him for the Saudi challenge. 'He's a compact horse who carries his condition well, but the next 10 days will sharpen him up further,' Insole said. The Saudi Cup's unique seven-furlong test, which brings together sprinters stretching out and milers cutting back in trip, will pose tactical challenges. However, Insole believes Witness Stand's adaptability is a key asset. 'The seven-furlong trip is perfect for him in a race that brings together five and six-furlong sprinters and milers dropping back in distance. He's shown good form on quick ground at Goodwood, so that holds no concern,' he said. Shoemark, who will travel to Saudi Arabia for a sole ride aboard Witness Stand, is optimistic about the gelding's chances. 'He's done a couple of pieces of work at Wolverhampton, and I'm happy with where he is at this stage,' Shoemark said. 'The quick ground and track in Saudi won't be an issue — he's incredibly versatile both in terms of ground and trip. All he did last year was improve in a short space of time, and with his rating of 114, he fully deserves his place in this field.' Witness Stand's strong autumn campaign coincided with the addition of cheekpieces, which will remain in place for the Saudi Cup. 'They've sharpened him up and he's worked well at home in them, so we see no reason to change what's proven to be successful,' Insole added. Shoemark also praised Insole's approach to training, highlighting his ambition and results. 'Jamie is very passionate and proactive, and he's not afraid to run his horses. His results last year speak for themselves, and with the quality two-year-olds and pedigrees he's added to the yard, I think there's more success ahead,' he said. The international campaign marks a significant step forward for Urloxhey Stables, which was formed in December 2023 when Insole joined forces with Grand National-winning trainer Newland. Since then, the duo has sent out 27 winners on the flat and currently trains 35 National Hunt horses and 65 flat horses, including 27 two-year-olds. 'It's a huge step,' Insole admitted. 'Last year, we showed we could improve older horses and develop two-year-olds. Now, we want to prove we can compete on the biggest stage and attract international owners. This race is fully funded, so it's a free hit at big prize money. Even finishing sixth would bring home £50,000 ($62,914).' Young British trainers such as George Boughey and George Scott have expanded their global presence in Dubai, Qatar and Bahrain, and Insole hopes this race will be the catalyst for a similar international profile for Urloxhey Stables, adding: 'We're hoping he can run a big race and we can prove we are a professional outfit who mean business.'
Arab News
06-02-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Annaf in good form ahead of repeat Saudi bid
RIYADH: Last year's 1351 Turf Sprint winner Annaf is being prepared to defend his Saudi Cup night crown on Saturday Feb. 22, with trainer Mick Appleby reporting he has emerged from a recent prep race in good form. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Hailing from Ireland, Annaf is taking the same route to the $2 million G2 event, run over 1,351 meters on turf at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, by first warming up with a solid run on the all-weather in the Kachy Stakes at Lingfield in the UK. 'He would have finished a bit closer had he not missed the break,' said the trainer. 'He was beaten in this race last year before he went to Saudi though, so hopefully we head there with a good chance again. 'He's come out of the race well and is in good form and we now just need everything to go well in the next few weeks. The track there seems very fair and hopefully he gets a good draw for the race. Rossa (Ryan) will ride him once again.' Ryan executed the perfect waiting ride 12 months ago, and when a gap emerged up the rail as the field swung off the final bend, he produced Annaf with a winning run to fend off the fast-finishing La La Christine and Byline. The six-year-old's success in Riyadh was a big moment for a relatively small UK yard, but one that has proved more than capable of producing horses for the biggest of occasions, as shown with Big Evs's success at the 2023 Breeders' Cup. Speaking about the international opposition once again facing Annaf, Appleby said: 'There's great prize money on offer so it's always going to be a strong race. We're looking forward to the challenge once again. 'Last year everyone was very welcoming and it was a great occasion. We had great celebrations when he got back home too.' Annaf is likely to face 13 rivals as he aims to become the first back-to-back winner of the race. Japan is seeking its third win in the contest and are set to field Ten Happy Rose, winner of last year's G1 Victoria Mile, Ascoli Piceno, winner of the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies as a two-year-old, and Win Marvel. G1 Franklin-Simpson Stakes winner Howard Wolowitz of the US will line up for American-based handler Jose D'Angelo, while Topgear, of France, an impressive winner of Newmarket's G2 Challenge Stakes when last seen, will represent trainer Christopher Head. Byline, from Great Britain, will again line up for Bahrain-based trainer Allan Smith, along with compatriot Ava Go Joe, with Dark Trooper of Ireland representing Qatar-based Alban de Mieulle and owners Wathnan Racing. Listed winners Task Force (GB) Witness Stand (GB) and Goemon (GB) will also represent the UK, with Uncle (GB) and Malyan (GB) racing for Saudi Arabia and trainer Thamer Aldaihan.
