Archive for May, 2010
Hernando’s new heroine
Sunday, May 23rd, 2010There is always some aspect of a pedigree that can be used to explain why a horse won a particular race- after the event. Tipsters have a much more difficult job and yet they are regarded with far more suspicion than ‘expert’ bloodstock writers. Most writers would wait until after the Derby and Oaks to provide pedigree reports on the winners. Here [...]
Lope de Vega- something to write about
Tuesday, May 18th, 2010Lope de Vega was a celebrated Spanish writer, ranked almost the equal of Cervantes and the author of an incredible 1800 plays (thanks Wikipedia). Last weekend’s French Guineas (Poule d’Essai des Poulains) saw another Lope de Vega defeat Dick Turpin by half a length. The equine Lope is unlikely to achieve evarlasting fame but on [...]
A vintage crop?
Tuesday, May 18th, 2010When we think of races involving horses that became successful stallions, the standout event is the 1984 French Derby that famously saw Darshaan defeat Sadler’s Wells and Rainbow Quest. The 1996 July Cup won by Anabaa, had Danehill Dancer and Pivotal back in fifth and sixth places. It is early days yet, but we might soon [...]
A strange sequence of events-1000, 2000, 2010 Guineas
Sunday, May 2nd, 2010Our friends in the States may not agree, but they have their classic programme in the wrong order. Having the Kentucky Derby as the opening classic is like having your main course first. In Europe, we have the Guineas for starters, building up to the main course of the Derby and then we allow plenty of time for digestion, [...]
