Premio Carlos Sobrino, October 7th at La Zarzuela

The Premio Carlos Sobrino - Criterium de Potrancas is a traditional race for 2yo fillies over 1,400 m at the La Zarzuela racetrack. Prize this year is 15,000 m for the winner.

Last winners were: Irish Cliff (2011), Clunia (2010), Ercolini (2009), Aiboa (2008), Puntilla Bay (2007) and Nachita (2006)
 
These are the participants this year:

Albuhera (SPA, 2010), bay filly [Devil Moon-Lili d'Aubois(Lycius)], owned by Cuadra Cacharela, trained by J. A. Rodríguez, will be trained by Nieves García. Unbeaten in four starts in Madrid, she won the Premio Martorell (the top race for 2yo in the spring season). She was third in the Criteriun Nacional at San Sebastián, her last start.

Briseida (SPA, 2010), gray filly [Keltos-Tiviski(Desert Style)], owned by Cuadra Los Toneles, trained by F. Rodríguez, will be ridden by J. Crocquevieille. Third in the Premio Dehesa de Milagro.


Cariñosa (SPA, 2010), bay filly [Delfos-Emerald Princess(Even Top)], owned by Cuadra Donalfa, trained by M. J. Pérez, will be ridden by Jorge Horcajada. She won her only start, beating Daranur One..


Daranur One (FR, 2010), bay filly [Falco-Sutherland(Primo Dominie)], owned by Cuadra Tres y Medio, trained by B. Valenti, will be ridden by J-. L. Borrego

Lolita Pluma (GB, 2010), bay filly [Kheleyf-Doohulla(Stravinsky)], owned by Cuadra SafSaf-Los Toneles, trained by F. Rodríguez, will be ridden by V. Janacek. She is half sister to Clunia, who won this race in 2010 and she was 2nd in the Premio Dehesa de Milagro at San Sebastián

Miss Clori (IRE, 2010), gray filly [Clodovil-Nadirana(Kendor)], owned by Cuadra Maldón, trained by M. Delcher S, will be ridden by Oscar Ortiz de Urbina

Pearlside (FR, 2010), bay filly [Alhaarth-Prickly Pearl(Lahib)], owned by Cuadra Madroños, trained by M. Delcher S, will be ridden by Julien Grosjean. Half sister to Baldoria (Gran Criterium, GP Ciudad de Madrid)

Zahora (SPA, 2010), bay filly [Caradak-Topita(Daggers Drawn)],owned by Celso Méndez, trained by M. Alvarez, will be ridden by J. L. Martínez




Completing the card are:
- A 1200 m race for maiden 2yos
- A 2000 m race for 3yo+, with Risquillo, Turrialba, Celtic Rock and Vergara among others
- A 1,100 m sprint for 3yo+, with good sprinters such as S Grillo, Golfo Pérsico, Tagomago, Valle,...
A 2,200 m handicap for 3yo + and
A 1,400 m handicap for 3yo+

Other races of the Sunday meeting

Besides the Premio Beamonte, the Sunday meeting at La Zarzuela, Madrid, includes two mile races, one for 4yo+ and for 3yo, preps for the GP Claudio Carudel


The race for elder horses, Premio Marca (1,600 m, 9,000 euros for the winner), has the following participants:

Ariete Arrollador (GB, 2007), bay colt [Kingsalsa-Proud Douna(Kaldoun)], owned by Cuadra Albero, trained by G. Arizkorreta. Ariete reappears in Spain after his good performances in Dubai (twice second)
As de Trébol (USA, 2006), gray colt [Tapit-Adelphi(Danzig)], owned by Cuadra Chicago, trained by M. Delcher, will be ridden by Borja Fayos.The winner of the Gran Criterium in 2008, also run this year in Dubai.

Volcánico (IRE, 2008), bay colt [Refuse to Bend-Zayana(Darshaan)], owned by Cuadra Los Toneles, trained by F. Rodríguez, Winner of the GP Claudio Carudel 2011

Bellaside (IRE, 2007), bay filly [Vie dei Colori-Brockton Saga(Perugino)], owned by Cuadra Grupo Bolaños, trained by E. León. Will be ridden by A. Gómez. Reappears.

Risquillo (FR, 2006), bay colt [Ballingarry-Alexia Fedorovna(Steinlen)], owned by Cuadra El Risquillo, trained by A. Carrasco.

Weststow (GB, 2008), ch. colt [Medicean-Summer Sunset(Grand Lodge)], owned by Cuadra iguria, trained by J. M. Osorio. Will be ridden by J. Crocquevieille

In the 3yo race, Premio Folie (1,600 m, 9,000 euros for the winner) the field is:

Azabache (SPA, 2009) [Iceman-Tiviski(Desert Style)], owned by Cuadra Los Toneles, trained by F. Rodríguez. Will be ridden by O. Ortiz de Urbina.

Stratvs Canarias (IRE, 2009), bay colt [Soviet Star-Hekayaat(Sinndar)], owned by Cuadra Grupo Bolaños Gran Canaria, trained by E. León. Will be ridden by J. Crocquevieille. The winner of the Handicap Opcional 2012 was 7th in the Cimera (2,000 Guineas)

Valiant Blue (IRE, 2009), bay colt [Moss Vale-Tiltili(Spectrum)], owned by Cuadra Agrado, trained by Teo Callejo, ridden by B, Fayos.

Celtic Rock (GB, 2009), ch. colt [Rock of Gibraltar-Luna Celtica(Celtic Swing)], owned by Cuadra Habit, trained by J. C. Fernández, will be ridden by J. L. Martínez


Alduides (IRE, 2009), ch. colt [Rock of Gibraltar-Misdirect], owned by Cuadra Quinto Real, trained by G. Arizkorreta, will be ridden by V. Janacek. Winner of his last start, beating Celtic Rock

Dakside (SPA, 2009), bay filly [Caradak-La Lola(Zafonic)], owned by Cuadra Safsaf, trained by F. Rodríguez. Will be ridden by J. Grosjean.

Extrañeza (SPA, 2009), bay filly [Caradak-Watchkeeper(Rudimentary)], owned by MG Racing, trained by M. J. Pérez. Will be ridden by J. Horcajada

There is also a 1,500 m split handicap and a 1,000 m race for debutant 2yos

Memorial Duque de Alburquerque, Sunday 22 April 2012

The Sunday 22 meeting at the La Zarzuella racecourse of Madrid features the Memorial Duque de Alburquerque (2,100 m, 4yo+, 17,400 euros for the winner), in its second edition.

And there is a top level field, that includes no less than 4 Classic winners (Domeside, Karluv Most, Plantagenet, Achtung), 2 Mijas Cup winners (Nelson Groom and HOY Entre Copas), along with the versatile Abdel (2nd in the Copa de Oro and winner of the Hispanidad), Arnuero (the half brother to Harbinger, and 2nd in the Memorial Duque de Toledo in autumn), etc.


This is the field:

Abdel (FR, 2008), bay colt [Dyhim Diamond-Leonor de Guzmán(Glauco)], owned and trained by J. M. Osorio, Duke of Alburquerque and ridden by J. E. Jacoksky. 2nd in the Copa de Oro de San Sebastián (2,400 m, weight for age), he won the GP Hispanidad and the Antonio Blasco and was fourth in the Listed Prix Tantieme in his last start in 2011.

Achtung (SPA, 2008), bay colt [Sulamani-Aurea(Silvano)], owned by Cuadra Enalto, trained by R. López, will be ridden by Oscar Ortiz de Urbina. Winner of the Villamejor (Spanish St. Leger) in 2011.

Arnuero (GB, 2008), bay colt [Sakhee-Penang Pearl(Bering)], owned by Cuadra Medreal, trained by M, Delcher, will be ridden by J. Horcajada. The half brother to King George winner Harbinger was 2nd to Ayanz in his last start, the GP Memorial Duque de Toledo, in the autumn

Casar (IRE, 2008), chestnut colt [Hurricane Run-Thoroughly (Woodman)], owned by Cuadra Medreal, trained by M. Delcher, will be ridden by Borja Fayos. 2nd in the Villamejor

Domeside (GB, 2006), bay colt [Domedriver-Buck's Fizz(Kris)], owned by Cuadra Safsaf, trained by M. Delcher, will be ridden by J. Grosjean. Winner of the 2009 Villapadierna, and winner of the first edition of this race last year.

Entre Copas (GB, 2004), chestnut gelding [Sakhee-Priena(Priolo)], owned by Cuadra Äfrica, trained by J. M. Osorio, will be ridden by J. Crocquevieille.Reigning horse of the year 

Karluv Most (FR, 2006), bay colt, [Della Francesca-La Vlatava(Grand Lodge)], owned by Cuadra Cholaica, trained by J. L. Maroto, will be ridden by J. L. Borrego.

Nelson Groom (FR, 2006), gray colt [Charming Groom-Slot Machine(Highest Honor)], owned by Reza Pazzoki, trained by F. Rodríguez, will be ridden by M. Borrego. Won in his last start, Premio Día Mundial del Teatro

Plantagenet (SPA, 2007), chestnut colt [Trade Fair-Crafty Buzz(Crafty Prospector)], owned by Cuadra Whylar, trained by G. Arizkorreta, will be ridden by J. L. Martínez. Winner of the 2010 Villapadierna (Derby), he comes from Dubai, where he was the first Spanish bred to win

Risquillo (FR, 2006), bay colt [Ballingarry-Ringing Wood(Charmwood Forest)], owned by Cuadra El Risquillo, trained by A. Carrasco, will be ridden by F. Jiménez.

Señor Miranda (GB, 2007), bay colt [Fantastic Light-Ringing Hill (Charmwood Forest)]. owned by Cuadra Los Toneles, trained by F. Rodríguez, will be ridden by M. Gomes

Zona Cero (IRE, 2005), bay gelding [Noverre-Thoroughly(Woodman)], owned by Cuadra Popular, trained by G. Arizkorreta, will be ridden by V. Janacek.  Half to Casar and Midnight Beauty. (winner of the G3 Prix Condé in France)


The rest of the meeting includes:
A 2,100 m race for maiden 3yo (with 3 debutants)
A 1,600 m split handicap with two parts
A 1,600 m race for gentlemen/women riders
A 2,100 m race for maiden 3yo fillies (4 of them, debutants)

Nelson Groom (FR) wins again

Nelson Groom (FR, 2006) [Charming Groom-Slot Machine(Highest Honor)], winner of the 2010 Mijas Cup, achieved his first win since that race when he went wire to wire in the Premio Guardia Civil under jockey Julien Grosjean for trainer F. Rodriguez and owner Reza Pazooki, last Sunday in the La Zarzuela racetrack. The field for this 2,200 race for 4 yo+ included three classic winners of 2010 in Spain: Plantagenet (SPA, 2007) [Trade Fair-Crafty Buzz(Crafty Prospector)], winner of the Villapadierna (Derby), Pazifiksturm (GER, 2007) [Samum-La Parabol(Trempolino)], winner of the Villamejor (St. Leger) and Narya (IRE, 2007), winner of the Beamonte (Oaks), also starring Señor Miranda (GB, 2007) [Fantastic Light-Ringing Hill(Charmwood Forest)] (second both in the Villapadierna and the Villamejor), Casaca (GB, 2006) [Medicean-Priena(Priolo)], half sister to Entre Copas and 2nd in the Valderas(1,000 guineas) and Beamonte(Oaks) in 2009. Risquillo (Ballingarry), Saruman (Arch) and Tasha Linda (Where or When) completed the field.

Nelson Groom went comfortably in front of the field, followed by Señor Miranda and didn't face great opposition in the stretch, with Plantagenet closing along the rail for second and Señor Miranda third and Risquillo fourth.

Here is the race: Premio Guardia Civil

Domeside (GB) wins the Memorial Duque de Alburquerque

Domeside (GB, 2006) [Domedriver-Buck's Fizz], the bay colt owned by Cuadra SafSaf and trained by M. Delcher Sánchez won today with Julien Grosjean the inaugural running of the Gran Premio Memorial Duque de Alburquerque, a 2,100 m race for 4 yo+ in the La Zarzuela turf track, over a heavy going.

Nelson Groom (FR) led the race with Duke (GER) second, until the home stretch, where the duo trained by Francisco Rodríguez (Nelson Groom and Señor Miranda) seemed ready to make a 1-2 for their trainer. Domeside had to look for an opening but when he had it, he caught and surpassed Nelson Groom (2nd) and Señor Miranda (3rd). Risquillo (FR) joing the three but his jockey (Vaclav Janacek) fell in a false step of the horse. Fortunately, he seemed relatively unharmed and abandoned the track walking without needing any help.

Domeside (far right) surpasses Nelson Groom and Señor Miranda. Meanwhile, Vaclav Janacek falls from Risquillo.Photo courtesy of Turfarganda.blogspot.com


The seasonal comeback of both Plantagenet and Karluv Most was somewhat disappointing.

The Memorial Duque de Alburquerque is a new race in tribute to Beltrán Osorio, the late Duque de Alburquerque, a prominent figure in racing (and another equestrian disciplines) in Spain in the twentieth century.

Here is the race: Premio Memorial Duque de Alburquerque 2011

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)