RETIREMENT ENDS KING KAUTO'S REIGN

King Kauto has been retired.

The outstanding chaser, who won two Cheltenham Gold Cups and five King George VIs at Kempton, will always be remembered as one of racing's great horses.

The 12-year-old, trained by Paul Nicholls and owned by Clive Smith, bows out with dignity and pride after a fantastic career.

For me, I have grown up with Kauto Star and when I first started gaining an interest in the sport he was always there in the headlines. I have always admired him so it is a sad sight to see such a wonder put into retirement.

But I think the correct decision has been made. He should be remembered for what he did, not what could have been.

Kauto Star won 16 Grade Ones throughout his career and made history in 2009 for becoming the first horse to reclaim the Gold Cup.

Many believed retirement beckoned when he was pulled up in the Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup last May, but Kauto Star proved the doubters wrong with a fourth triumph on his comeback in the Betfair Chase at Haydock last November, in which he defeated Long Run, the 2011 Gold Cup hero, by eight lengths.

It seemed that Long Run couldn't beat his older rival when losing again to the King after his greatest performance in his career on Boxing Day at Kempton in 2011. Kauto won his fifth King George with ease and cemented his status of one the greatest.

After a fall in schooling and pulling up in this year's Gold Cup, history will remember our star kindly, which he deserves.

As an inspirational and talented horse, Kauto Star follows stablemate Denman as a legend and one that should never be 

forgotten.

 

CHELTENHAM: THE SHOWCASE SUMMARY

Sam Twiston-Davies kicked off Friday with a spectacular win on The New One in the Neptune Novices’ Hurdle. Village Vic tried his hardest to catch up with the evens money favourite but 

unfortunately couldn’t catch up.

The NH season is officially back and what a wonderful sight it was to see horses galloping once again around Cheltenham track.

 Carlito Brigante is one on watch for me. Davy Russell led the horse to a comfortable win but if Go All The Way and Kingsmere hadn’t fallen at the last then perhaps we would have seen a different result. Nevertheless Gordon Elliott’s winner is one to keep your eye on. Perhaps the trainer is looking to enter him in the Festival again, if so make sure you are there to back this fella.

Now, if there was one horse that really put the wow factor into Cheltenham, it is Action Master. At 20/1 Hughes’ horse steamed ahead and caused an upset in the Handicap Hurdle. No doubt this one had the biggest result of the day. If a horse can produce series of gasps around the track

then you know you have done your job as a trainer or jockey. Sam Twiston-Davies again performed well and almost reached the winning post in first position but Bryan Cooper proved too strong on the master of the race. Watch this horse go from strength to strength now.

Ruby Walsh finally got a win on Sire Collonges in the Bruton Knowles 150th Anniversary Novices’ Chase with the 11/8f Sea of Thunder finishing in second. Davy Russell rode the Flat horse well and pushed with all his might to beat Walsh. Despite not winning, Sea of Thunder 

should be carefully watched throughout the season. Definitely one to back again.

However, the next race really did annoy me. Not because it was bad or anything like that, but because I was going to back the winner but put my money on someone else. Court Minstrel pulled off a stylish win in the Lemington Maiden Hurdle and with a SP of 6/1 I could have brought back

a profit! Never mind. Will definitely make sure I place my winning bet on him next time!

Sam Twiston-Davies continued his spectacular form again the following day (Saturday). He won the first race of the day, the Edward Gillespie Hands Over The Reins Novices’ Hurdle, on According To Trev at 6/1 beating 9/4 f Our Vinnie. What a fantastic name for a race – Gillespie will officially step down at The Open in November and it is lovely to see the racecourse praising the work he has done throughout his time at the track.

The Masterson Holding Hurdle looked to be a good race. Baby Mix was back at the track and sure is a favourite here. At 9/4 the horse was heavily backed but again failed to perform to high standards. The horse weakened towards the end of the race and I would like to have seen more push. But I will definitely keep my eye on this one in the future – has the ability to go far.

However the winner of the day was Balthazar King, a horse that loves this track more than anyone. Richard Johnson did immensely well to ride to victory and proved that he shouldn’t be doubted at this course. Hold On Julio was my choice and finished well in third. Galaxy Rock is another that enjoys the track but 2011 winner Balthazar King showed that he shouldn’t be messed with at Cheltenham!

It has been a great weekend for racing: Cheltenham is back with the Festival countdown already starting again and Frankel pulled off an astonishing 14/14 win. Simply the best? Well, I suppose he could be.

But all I can say now is…. Bring on The Open!!

SHOULD THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL AGENDA CHANGE?

How would you feel if the Cheltenham Festival changed its format and had the Gold Cup on a Saturday rather than the Friday? It would arguably be a good move as it would bring more race goers to the course. But right now the agenda is great.

Mind you, I have always found it difficult with having the Gold Cup on a Friday. Not because I think it would be better on a weekend, but because I have always been at school or college. And next year will be the first time I can attend! 

I remember the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup when Denman stormed to victory, beating Kauto Star by a good distance. It so happened that at the time of the race I was in a GCSE history lesson. We were studying about India Independence and our teacher decided to put the film Gandhi on. But learning about that was the least of my worries. I was expecting a call from my Dad at 3.13pm so he could play the race down the phone to me! I kept looking over at the clock waiting for the right time to strike and when it did my hand immediately shot into the air to get my teacher's attention. I asked if I could go to the toilet and with a 'yes' as the response I slipped my phone up my sleeve and made a dash to the door. There was the option of pausing the film when I was gone but I declined, claiming that it wasn't fair on my classmates to do so. 

So there was me standing in the corner of the girl's cloakroom listening to the Gold Cup, ooohhing and aaahhing as well as jumping and shouting when Paul Nicholls' horses battled it out for the title. Goodness knows what people outside must have been thinking... But Denman won and it was a wonderful moment: no doubt my favourite Festival to date. 

However, I really should have caught up with the film and studies as a result. Because when we did a mock GCSE exam on India Independence I was graded an E. It did not go down well when my Mum discovered it was in fact my Dad who allowed me to skip the class and listen to the race!

But anyway, the point I am making is that the Festival already has a great agenda and new boss Ian Renton is correct in saying that a Saturday Gold Cup is currently not a matter to discuss. 

He says he is still in "learning mode" and has given a well deserved tribute to Edward Gillespie who has worked tremendously hard as managing director. 

Renton, who is to succeed Gillespie when he officially steps down next month, will be in charge of a track that attracted over 230,000 people to the Festival last March; a record for the Gloucester course.

Everything is fantastic now than it ever has been before for the track and I for one am incredibly excited to attend The Showcase next week. 

Oh and if you were wondering about my GCSE History grade, I got a B!

CAMELOT COMEBACK?

Frankie Dettori has been given the chance to ride dual Derby winner Camelot in Sunday's Qatar Prix de l'Arc Triomphe and what an occasion that will be for him and for the spectators.

Aidan O'Brien had made a strong hint earlier this week that the colt will ride in the mix but decisions were still to be made about his jockey.

O'Brien's son, Joseph, has been unable to make the weight of 8stone 11lb to ride Ballydoyle's 2000 Guineas winner so Dettori, one of racing's most famous jockeys, will take over the reins.

Joseph will instead ride stablemate St Nicholas Abbey. But can Camelot perform to high expectations on Sunday in another high-profiled race after the disappointment of the St Leger?

Camelot failed to gain the triple crown at Doncaster last month that Nijinsky did so well and his participation in the Arc was left in the air since his defeat. I believe that Camelot raced well on the day but he just got beat. O'Brien knew where he went wrong and I hope he corrects his preparations by Sunday. 

There is no doubt about the fact that Camelot can produce world-class performances and he is capable of winning more prestigious titles. But with so much hype constantly surrounding this horse, O'Brien has to be prepared to act brave. 

Can the colt pull off a classy win this time round? His biggest competition seems to be 2-1 favourite Star Sports, who William Buick will be riding as Nathaniel is out of the race.

Camelot has shown he can be beaten and O'Brien has to be sure that he won't disappoint again. After the Gold Cup, the Arc is arguably the next biggest race in the sport's calendar and the team need to be sure of a confident ride.

Do you fancy Camelot's chances in the Arc? Or do you think his recent St Leger defeat has shaken his racing ability?

AINTREE RACECOURSE AND BHA GO AHEAD WITH CHANGES FOR THE GRAND NATIONAL - BUT AT WHAT COST?

Several recommendations and modifications have already been announced by Aintree racecourse and the BHA ahead of the 2013 Grand National, including a change to the start of the race.

In hope that the mayhem will be reduced or stop all together the start will be moved forward by 90 yards, making the distance of the National event 4 miles 3 1/2 furlongs, having previously been 4m 4f. 

Synchronised, who tragically died after last year’s Grand National, was clearly frantic at the start and many argued that the horse was not fit to run on the day.

Having the start a few yards further down the track is a step in the right direction as taking the horses further away from the grandstand will make them calmer and less troubled by the immense sounds of the crowd, therefore leading to fewer false starts.

Other changes include doubling the distance of the 'no-' zone to 30 yards from the starting tape. Research will also be taken into the design of the fences in an attempt to make its central "core" more forgiving.

Once the race begins next year, the Grand National will not look or be the same again. The reason why a review has been conducted is because of the deaths of Synchronised and According to Pete last year.

Personally, I believe the Grand National should cut the number of entries to 30. Having 40 horses on the course at once running at the speed that they do is the most dangerous aspect of the race. If a horse falls after a fence, unharmed, they are in danger’s way of another horse landing on them and causing a serious and life-threatening injury.

It is too crowded for everyone and I honestly think that that is the main reason to why there have been a number of deaths and injuries over the last few years.

But the number will not be cut and a call by Gavin Grant, the chief executive of the RSPCA for removal of Becher’s Brook has also been resisted.

I can only imagine what will happen from 2014 to the future of the Grand National. But I suppose that it will no longer be in control of the BHA. This year they succumbed to the pressure of having to react to the public and RSPCA’s outcry.

But a horse will die within the next few years of the event. No doubt about it. It is a risk that the trainers, owners and jockeys know about and are willing to take. If they weren’t, they wouldn’t even take part. When another fatal accident happens, everything will blow out of proportion again and the BHA will again feel the need to take action.

Changes to the position of the starter's rostrum and the visibility of the starting tape will also be implemented and a pre-race briefing between the starter and jockeys is also scheduled to take place.

The landing side of fences 4, 5 and 13 will be levelled out, while the wider landing side of Becher's Brook has undergone further levelling to correct the settlement which occurred following works carried out in 2011.

A further £100,000 will be invested in further improving the course's watering abilities, while another catching pen for loose horses will be tried out in the region of fence 4.

I really believe that the changes are an overreaction but I understand why they have happened. We should be thankful that the sport is attracting more people, even if they don’t follow the sport. But the Grand National is famed for its risk and fences, so why change it now? 

RACING PREPARES TO SAY GOODBYE TO FRANKEL: THE HORSE WHO BROUGHT BACK POSITIVE PRESS

Bittersweet news circulated around the UK this weekend about the announcement of Frankel's last ever career run which will take place at Ascot in October.

As many of you know from various articles I have written in the past, I am a fan of Frankel and watching the colt race has encouraged me to learn more about flat racing as well as the broadcasting that goes into it. 

The unbeaten race horse will compete in the 10-furlong Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 20. Despite enthusiastic suggestions from outside Frankel's yard, the thought of racing in the Prix de L'Arc Triomphe at Longchamp was turned down in favour for Ascot.

I think it is great that Sir Henry Cecil has decided that his unbeaten superstar should stay in this country and bypass Longchamp for his final farewell on the track. It gives a sense of British spirit and greatly promotes UK racing.

The increase in ticket sales on the Flat just shows how marvellous this horse truly is. After dreadful press NH horse racing received due to the deaths of Synchronised and According to Pete in the 2012 Grand National, Frankel, with the help of Black Caviar, has promoted the sport to a new high. 

Frankel's thirteenth unbeaten win in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York was a sight to see: once this colt is off our screens at the end of the year the sport won't quite be the same.

It is a shame that Cecil decided not to enter his superstar in the Arc as I reckon that race would have been the incredible for his career. Frankel would have no doubt battled for his life on the track but Ascot is still a wonderful place to display his racing ability. 

Ascot racecourse will no doubt promote Frankel's last show immensely well. With the usual attendance of around 30,000 I would not be surprised to see an even bigger turnout for the Champion Stakes.

Victory from Frankel would set a European record of nine consecutive wins at Group One level and bookmakers will offer no bigger than 1-10 odds for another Frankel first. 

I hope that a statue of the wonder-horse will be created at Ascot to remember the horse who made global headlines and put the spirit back into British racing. 

KAUTO STAR RETURNS TO YARD BUT SHOULD HE RUN AGAIN?

As the world of Flat racing holds its breath over the where Frankel will run his last race, there is a similar story to be told within National Hunt racing. 

Kauto Star has returned to Paul Nicholls' yard at the same time his stable mate Denman has left for a post-racing career as a team chaser. 

With questions being raised over the horse's future, should the popular 12-year-old return to the track for one last race? 

Kauto Star's previous run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup certainly enlightened these thoughts. Despite a heavy fall in schooling three weeks before the race, Nicholls still decided to enter his champion alongside rival Long Run.

However, it was too much to ask from the two-time Gold Cup champion, as jockey Ruby Walsh pulled  him up before the tenth fence. 

When Walsh finished the popular race that day, the crowd immediately cheered and clapped. It was noise worthy for a winner. 

And that's what I believe Kauto Star is: he is one of NH's finest, similar to how Frankel is to the Flat. 

I admire the ambition and faith Nicholls puts into Kauto Star as he is a wonder to watch. Last season the old race horse stamped his authority on NH racing. He landed a fifth King George VI Chase title at Kempton as well as returning to Haydock in perfect form. But best of all he is now mentioned in the same awe that Desert Orchid always will be.

I believe that Kauto Star has run his last race and we should remember him for the great titles he has already won; not the ones we thought he could. 

It has been an absolute pleasure watching the 12-year-old compete all his life. But for now I think that Kauto Star should follow Denman in a post-racing career. He has been out of the field all summer and despite having time to rest and soak up more energy, Nicholls should hang up his reins.

I agree that having Kauto Star back on the track for another potential win would be fantastic, but I would hate to see him having to be pulled up again.

If the champion did return for another season, he would have to be sure of a win, otherwise it will be difficult to remember him in the same light as we do now. 

But what an outstanding career he has had. Kauto Star and Frankel = two wonders of the sporting world. 

CHANNEL 4 GAINS A WINNER BY SELECTING CLARE BALDING AS NEW HOST FOR HORSE RACING

After the BBC recently lost the rights to broadcast horse racing on their channels, I felt saddened of the fact that we might not see Clare Balding present the sport again on our television screens.

But news of the sports presenter's move to Channel 4 has been met with praise and smiles as I believe Balding is currently the best person for the job. 

During the Olympics I asked various friends and colleagues who they thought were the best hosts for the event. The majority of which answered 'Clare Balding' as she proved to be an outstanding key figure throughout the programming.

However, despite her move to Channel 4, Clare stressed that she will continue with the BBC, which has made me admire her more. 

Channel 4 has confirmed that Clare will will be the lead presenter of its coverage. Their horse racing events will include Aintree's Grand National, The Cheltenham Festival, Glorious Goodwood and Royal Ascot. 

As an aspiring sports presenter, Balding is the perfect role model in the industry. Her warmth on camera as well as her in-depth knowledge of every sport she presents is extremely encouraging. 

Even if she is not an expert in a particular sport, (e.g. boxing) she will do her homework and research into any given topic. 

Personally, Balding has always been an inspiration for me: watching a woman become such a dominate figure in sport has encouraged me to work in the industry and has given me faith that if you put hard work and dedication into your career, you can achieve anything. 

It was an absolute pleasure watching her host Olympic sports and I think Channel 4 have won a winner with regards to their horse racing coverage. 

HUGHES AND MOORE JOCKEY FOR TITLE

Jockey Richard Hughes recently powered past William Buick into second place for the championship later this year, but agent Tony Hind claims there will be no favouritism between him and current leader, Ryan Moore.

Should Moore or Hughes win the title, it will be a first for Hind having two of his riders competing head-to-head despite being in the industry for 20 years.  

It must be a bittersweet moment when you discover that two of your riders are racing for a major title, but then again I can imagine it being the same in any sport. 

I admire the fact that Hind insists he hasn’t got a favourite. The ideal result for any would agent would be to have two or three riders battling it out for a championship win.

Moore has won the title three times and currently stands as the favourite at 4-5.  Hughes, however, would be a popular winner: he has finished runner-up three times in the last four seasons yet missed the whole of April through his Indian suspension.   He now stands at 5-4 to win.

But the question remains: who would you like to win the championship title this autumn?

Article also features on @valuehorsetips blog: Thursday Thoughts from Abby Rugg

JOHN GOSDEN BUZZING AFTER NATHANIEL'S POTENTIAL BACK-TO-BACK VICTORY AT ASCOT

Focus has turned to John Gosden this week following his announcement of Nathaniel's go-ahead for back-to-back victories in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. 


After Nathaniel's successful first appearance of the season in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown, the team behind the horse have had the urge to compete him in both top races.


Gosden's colt won the King George last year, beating Farhh by half-a-length. However, he had to dig-deep for the win.


A lot of talk has surrounded Farhh recently as he is to race against Frankel in the Eclipse Stakes: he is seen as a classy horse that may have the most ability to beat the superstar. (But will that ever happen?!)


Connections of Nathaniel have admitted that the horse faces a tough task to emulate Dahlia and Swain as the only third dual winner of the King George. 


Despite the challenge ahead, all signs are reportedly to be good ahead of the mile-and-a-half Group One race. 


A sign of a winner is to see the levels of enthusiasm from the team. Gosden seems hyped at the chance of winning a back-to-back with Nathaniel and you cannot leave that unnoticed. No other person knows the well-being of a horse than their trainer. If he is excited about the colt, then I will take note.


Farhh is also to be supplemented for the Qipco Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood. He won the Thirsk Hunt Cup earlier in the season and his form looks ideal for him to be favourite in other Group One races.


However, seeing as Godolphin has decided to race him against Frankel, the horse's ability cannot be questioned. 


Quick Quiz:


In what years did Dahlia and Swain become dual winners of the King George? 






Also published at: @valuehorsetips - Follow me every Thursday on their blog for 'Thursday Thoughts from Abby Rugg'.