Abdel wins the Antonio Blasco in an impressive performance

The heavy favourite, Abdel (FR, 2008) [Dyhim Diamond-Leonor de Guzmán(Glauco)], the bay colt owned and trained by J.M. Osorio, duque de Alburquerque and ridden by Jeremy Crocquevieille, won today the Premio Antonio Blasco (1,400 m, 2yo+), leaving five lenghts behind Mil Azul (SPA, 2008) [Russian Blue-Cuittled(Charismatic)] second and Risby (SPA, 2008) [Big Shuffle-Lonicera(Charmer)] third by a head.

This is the fifth win in eight starts for Abdel, who totals 79,000 euros in prize money. Abdel has been third in the GP Nacional (2,200 m), won the prep race for 3yo for the Copa de Oro de San Sebastián, was second in the Copa de Oro de San Sebastián (2,400 m) and, running now in shorter distances, he has done two great performances, winning the GP Hispanidad (1,600 m, 3yo+, the most important mile in the autumn) and now this Premio Antonio Blasco (1,400 m) with a fantastic performance again.

Here is the video: Premio Antonio Blasco 2011. Abdel's colors are: blue body, red sleeves and cap (the popular silks of the Duque de Alburquerque).

Besides Abdel, Dyhim Diamond, had two winners today: Tagomago, winner of the first part of the Handicap and Diamant du Soleil (SPA, 2008), ch. colt, [Dyhim Diamond-Solina], who won his first race, the 7th of the meeting (Handicap Infanta Isabel).

In the first race of the program, for 2 yo, there was a 1-2 for Caradak, when Fearside beat El Crack. Both are owned by Cuadra Safsaf.

In the race for 2yo debutants, the winner was Stratus Canarias (IRE, 2009) a bay colt, [Soviet Star-Hekayaat(Sinndar)], owned by Cuadra Grupo Bolaños, trained by Enrique León and ridden by Alvaro Gómez, beating Vereda (Kheleyf)(half sister to Lorgan), Vallarta (Devil Moon) and Paniside (Panis).
Video: Premio Marca. The 2nd dam of Stratus Canarias (who left a very good impression with this 4 lengths win) is 3/4 sister to Sakhee.

Stratus Canarias (IRE, 2009) [Soviet Star-Hekayaat(Sinndar)]. Photo courtesy of turfarganda.blogspot.com

Also this Sunday, Eltso, Arnuero, Señor Miranda, Plantagenet

Apart from the Criterium de Potrancas, the meeting of this Sunday includes the Premio Cadena Ser, a 2,200 m race for 3yo+, a prep race for the Memorial Duque de Toledo.

The nine partants include the 4yo+ Calamargo (IRE, 2007) [Arakan-Rain of Flanders(Ranbow Quest)], the twice Classic second Señor Miranda (GB, 2007) [Fantastc Light-Ringing Hill(Charnwood Forest)], Loch Etive (GB, 2006)[Rock of Gibraltar-Amazing Krisjen(Kris S)],the 2010 Derby winner Plantagenet (SPA, 2007) [Trade Fair-Crafty Buzz(Crafty Prospector)], Porquenotecallas (IRE, 2006) [Fantastic Light-Ganga(Generous)] and the 3 yos Eltso (SPA, 2008) [Dyhim Diamond-Katherine(Don Roberto)], who was second in the GP Nacional and in the Spanish Derby won by Ayanz, Arnuero (GB, 2008) [Sakhee-Penang Pearl(Bering)] for his new stable, Diamant du Soleil (FR, 2008) [Dyhim Diamond-Solina(Acatenango)] and Rio Duerna (SPA, 2008) [Okawango-Berona(Policy Matter)]

Arnuero (gray and yellow) and Diamant du Soleil, last spring in Madrid. Photo courtesy of Turfarganda.blogspot.com

Some results from the three meetings this weekend in Spain

This weekend there wasn't any big race in Spain, but there were three meetings (thursday night in Madrid [dirt], saturday afternoon in Antela [Ourense] and Sunday morning in Madrid [turf])

In the Sunday meeting, the first race , a 1,000 m race for 2 yo debutants was won by Irish Cliff (IRE, 2009) [Marju-Miss Corinne(Mark of Esteem)], a bay filly of Cuadra Chicago, trained by M. Delcher S. and ridden by Jorge Horcajada. She won by a head over Hiru (FR, 2008) a chestnut colt [Delfos-Nayzak(Silver Hawk)] who finished strongly under F. Lynch for Cuadra La Milla and trainer J. L. de Salas. Also partant, Mencey (SPA, 2009), a full brother to Amadeo Rey, second in the Spanish 2,000 guineas 2010. Mencey is owned by Cuadra Los Toneles. Here is the race: Premio SEPI

In the fourth race, Premio Lototurf, a 2,100 m race for 3 y/o, the winner was the favourite Arnuero (GB, 2008) [Sakhee-Penang Pearl(Bering)] by half a length to Diamant du Soleil (FR, 2008) [Dyhim Diamond-Solita(Acatenango)], with Kurdo (FR, 2008) [Baptize-La Sayida(Fairy King)] third and Achtung (SPA, 2008) [Sulamani-Aurea(Silvano)] fourth. Sibila (IRE, 2008) [Sulamani-Menta(Finissimo)], half sister to Carmanor (Premio Gladiateur, 2nd in the Memorial Duque de Toledo 2010) made her debut for owner-trainer J. M. Osorio. This is the video: Premio Lototurf

In the Saturday meeting in Antela, the 6th race, a 2,200 race for fillies, was won by Kyra (SPA, 2008) [Egeo-Jazri], ridden by Marco Secci and trained by G. Arizkorreta for owners Yeguada AGF. This is the first race for this stable, who owns only another horse, Kurdo. She caught the favourtite Herri Irratia (Denver County) in the home stretch. Here is the race: Premio Villablanca

Gran Premio Nacional this Sunday

The GP Nacional is the main race of the season for Spanish breds, a 2,200 m race for 3 y/o. This race was won by Plantagenet last year.

Partants (almost definitive) are:

Abdel (SPA, 2008), a bay colt. [Dyhim Diamond-Leonor de Guzmán(Glauco)], owned and trained by J.M. Osorio, Duque de Alburquerque, will be ridden by J. Crocquevieille. Three starts with two wins, the last one beating Indiano, recent winner of the Velayos. Here is the video

Abdel beating Indiano in April. Photo courtesy of turfarganda.blogspot.com

Aljarafe(FR, 2008), a bay colt [Russian Blue-Noche] trained by G. Arizcorreta, will be ridden by J. L. Borrego. He has two starts with one third and one win. Owned by Cuadra Whylar. Aljarafe is half brother to Sam Winner, Gr. 1 placed over hurdles in the UK. This is his win: video

Betanzos(SPA, 2008), a chestnut colt, [Kashwan-Bridge Pool ], owned by Cuadra Llas, trained by J.A. López Valverde , will be ridden by M. Secci

Diamant du Soleil (FR, 2008) a chestnut colt, [Dyhim Diamond-Solina], owned by Cuadra Cielo de Madrid, will be ridden by M. Gomes and is trained by O. Rodríguez. Five starts, four placings

Don Hernando Hab(SPA, 2008), a chestnut colt, [Delfos-Cuddles], owned by
Gonzalo Hernando-Aboin, he is trained by A. Carrasco and will be ridden by Borja Fayos. He has 7 starts with 2 wins and 2 placings

Eltso (SPA, 2008), a chestnut colt, [Dyhim Diamond-Katherine], owned by Cuadra San Cristóbal, trained by J. López, will be ridden by Oscar Ortiz de Urbina. Won his only start, in 1,600 m: Premio Cría Nacional

Eltso (jockey in red) in a final charge to beat Aljarafe (jockey in black), also partant this Sunday, last March.Photo courtesy of turfarganda.blogspot.com


Festeiro(SPA, 2008), a chestnut colt [Fol Parade-New Vert(Vert Amande)] won the Premio Cimera (1,000 guineas) and is half brother to Newango, winner of this GP Nacional in 2007. He is owned by Cuadra El Negredo and trained by M. Delcher (Senior) and Jorge Horcajada (who rode hime in the Cimera) will be his jockey.

Happy Few(GB, 2008), a bay colt, [Ballingarry-Ventolera] owned by Cuadra Odisea, is trained by I. Gómez and will be ridden by A. Gómez. He has three starts, winning the last two, including the Premio Nouvel An


Kurdo (SPA, 2008), a bay colt, [Baptize-La Sayida], owned by Cuadra LAC Internacional, trained by G. Arizcorreta, will be ridden by V. Janacek. He has three starts, with two placings.

Mil Azul(SPA, 2008) a bay colt [Russian Blue-Cuittled], owned by Yeguada Urdiñ-Oriya, will be ridden by F. Lynch and is trained by J. L. de Salas. Six starts, three wins, three placings.

Prince Trial(SPA, 2008) bay colt, [Federal Trial-Vagabunda] trained by J. C. Fernández, will be ridden by F. Jiménez. Owned by Cuadra Zalduendo. Has two starts, winning the last one on 2,100 m.