Abdel won the Memorial Duque de Alburquerque

The 2nd running of the GP Memorial Duque de Alburquerque (2,100 m, 4yo+, 17,400 euros for the winner), was won by Abdel (FR, 2008), [Dyhim Diamond-Leonor de Guzmán(Glauco)],  the bay colt owned and trained by J. M. Osorio, the current Duque de Alburquerque. Abdel was ridden by J. E. Jarcovsky, who had him in the second position after the frontrunner Nelson Groom (Charming Groom) for most of the race. Abdel found himself boxed in the home stretch when Plantagenet attacked Nelson Groom and Jarcovsky had a difficult time finding the way out, although, once in the clear, Abdel showed a remarkable turn of foot to surpasse Nelson Groom by a length, with Arnuero (Sakhee) third and Plantagenet fourth.

This is the 6th win in 10 starts for Abdel, who has performed at the highest level in 1,400 m (Antonio Blasco), 1,600 GP Hispanidad), 2,400 m (Copa de Oro) and now 2,100 m.

Abdel (Dyhim Diamond) and Jarcovksy, winners of the GP Memorial Duque de Alburquerque. Photo courtesy of http://turfarganda.blogspot.com

Here is the video (including parts of the 2011 edition): GP Memorial Duque de Alburquerque 2011

In the rest of the meeting:
Teobaldo (Singspiel) won the 2,100 m race for maiden 3yo, with Biladi (Authorized) second.

Cañadio (Dyhim Diamond) won the first part of the 1,600 m split handicap, with Viva A Franca (Storm Cat) 2nd

In the 1,600 m race for amateur jockes, the winner was Cielo Canarias (Exceed adn Excel), with Muñeca Brava (Noverre) second.

In the 2,100 m race for maiden 3yo fillies, the winner was the half sister to Faramir (GP Ciudad de Madrid), Sportside (Refuse to Bend), with Azafata (Motivator) 2nd. Here is the video: Premio Loterías y Apuestas del Estado

And in the 2nd half of the split handicap,. Dyhim Diamond made a treble as a sire with Diamante Blanco

Dyhim Diamond sired a total of 5 winners out of 11 races in the weekend

Memorial Duque de Alburquerque this Sunday in Madrid

The meeting of this Sunday in the La Zarzuela racetrack of Madrid will feature the first edition of the Premio Memorial Duque de Alburquerque, a 2,100 m race for 4 y/o+ that will have in this inaugural running a field of 9 horses that includes two Spanish Derby winners (Domeside and Plantagenet), the winner of the Gran Premio Ciudad de Madrid and the Gran Premio Memorial Duque de Toledo of 2010 (Karluv Most), the winner of the Mijas Cup 2010 (Nelson Groom) and Señor Miranda, placed in the Derby 2010, the Villamejor (St. Leger), the Memorial Duque de Toledo, etc.

Domeside (GB), winner of the Premio Villapadierna (Derby) in 2009, was injured after that race to reappear this winter. He has showed some proggression in his last starts, winning the last one, Premio Caballo Ganador de Renfe a race sharing a good number of partants with the race of this Sunday. Owned by Cuadra SafSaf, trained by M. Delcher S., will be ridden by Julien Grosjean. Risquillo (FR), second by 2 lengths in that, carried 4 more kg than Domeside and will carry the same weight now. He is owned by Cuadra El Risquillo, trained by A. Carrasco and will be ridden by V. Janacek.

Domeside (GB) (right) and Risquillo (FR) in the Premio Caballo Ganador de Renfe, April 3rd 2011. Photo courtesy of turfarganda.blogspot.com


Plantagenet (SPA, 2007) won the Premio Villapadierna (Video) in 2010 but then he didn't enter the starting gates in the Copa de Oro de San Sebastián in the summer and, although he won the prep race for the Memorial Duque de Toledo, he failed in the big race, so his true potential is somewhat uncertain. This will be his awaited seasonal debut. Owned by Cuadra Whylar, trained by G. Arizkorreta, will be ridden by J. L. Borrego.

Karluv Most (FR) also reappears after his winter rest. His last race was his win in the Memorial Duque de Toledo (what we may call the Spanish "Arc"): See video here: Memorial Duque de Toledo 2010. Owned by Cuadra Cholaica, trained by J. L. Maroto, will be ridden by Oscar Ortiz de Urbina.

Señor Miranda (GB) reappeared some weeks ago, clearly beaten by Domeside and Risquillo, among other. He is owned by Cuadra Los Toneles, trained by F. Rodríguez and will be ridden by Borja Fayos.

Nelson Groom (FR) seems not to be in good form for now.
Other partants are Diamante Blanco (SPA), unplaced in one start, Duke (GER) who beat Domeside in the winter at Dos Hermanas in a 2,800 race and stable companion to Karluv Most, Porquenotecallas (IRE), trained by J. M. Osorio (in a winning streak)