Cielo Canarias won the GP Hispanidad

Cielo Canarias (IRE, 2008), a bay gelding [Exceed and Excel-Summer Dance(Saddler's Wells)], owned by Cuadra Grupo Bolaños, trained by E. León and ridden by J. L. Martínez won last Friday at the La Zarzuela racetrack the GP Hispanidad (1,600 m, 3yo+, weight for age, 24,000 euros for the winner), beating easily Weststow (Medicean) by four lengths, with Jakemate (Denver County) and Mil Azul (Russian Blue) close third and fourth.

This fourth consecutive win of Cielo Canarias means he has won two of the top miles of the year (Gobierno Vasco and GP Hispanidad), which makes him the best miler in Spain.

Cielo Canarias winning the GP Hispanidad 2012. Photo courtesy of www.gacetahipodromo.com

 Here is the video (including footage of the previous edition, won by Abdel): GP Hispanidad 2012

The favourite Ariete Arrollador didn't have a good travel and Silverside finished last in his reappearance after one year without racing.


Other winners of the Friday meeting were:

Labros (Dyhim Diamond) in the 1,400 m race for Spanish bred 2yos

Don Hernando Hab (Delfos) in the 1,800 m claiming race for amateur jockeys

Monte (Singspiel) in the 2,000 m race for maiden 3yo and

Teobaldo (Singspiel) in the 2,800 m  handicap

GP de la Hispanidad tomorrow at La Zarzuela

 This Friday, National holiday in Spain, is the running of the GP de la Hispanidad, one of the highlights of the autumn season and one of the six races under consideration for upgrading to Listed level next year. It is a 1,600 m race for 3yo+, with a purse of 24,000 euros for the winner.

These horses will run this year.

Ariete Arrollador (GB, 2007), bay colt [Kingsalsa-Proud Douna(Kaldoun)], owned by Cuadra Albero, trained by G. Arizkorreta, will be ridden by V. Janacek. Probably the favourite, he won the preparatory race for 4yo+. He was 2nd to Abdel last year

Cielo Canarias (IRE, 2008), bay gelding [Exceed and Excel-Summer Dance(Saddler's Wells)], owned by Cuadra Grupo Bolaños, trained by E. León, will be ridden by J. L. Martínez. He won his last three starts, including the Gobierno Vasco in San Sebastián (also considered for Listed level)

Dunnboinee (IRE, 2008), ch. colt. [King's Best-For Starters(In the Wings)], owned by Cuadra Martul, trained by A. Imaz, will be ridden by G. Madero. He has run mostly over 2,000 m

Jakemate (SPA, 2007), bay gelding [Denver County-Shiva(Policy Matter)], owned by Cuadra Cruceña, trained by J. López,, will be ridden by Oscar Ortiz de Urbina.

Mil Azul (SPA, 2008), bay colt [Russian Blue-Cuittled(Charismatic)], owned by Yeguada Urdiñ-Oriya, trained by J. L. de Salas, will be ridden by J. L. Borrego

Silverside (USA, 2006), bay colt [Pleasantly Perfect-Lyrical Ghost(Silver Ghost)], owned by Cuadra Safsaf, trained by M. Delcher, will be ridden by J. Grosjean. This globetrotter won this race in 2009 and 2010. He was Classic winner of the Premio Cimera (Guineas) in 2009 and has run in France, Germany, Dubai, Norway, England and Spain.. He has the best rating of the race, but comes from almost a year without running.

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

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

La Llanura (CAN, 2008), gray filly [El Prado-Herzblatt(Cozzene)], owned by Cuadra Tiziano, trained by M. Delcher S, will be ridden by J. Horcajada

Valiant Blue (IRE, 2009), bay colt [Moss Vale-Tiltili(Spectrum)], owned by Cuadra Agrado, trained by Teo Callejo, will be ridden by J. B. Hamel. Winner of the prep race for 3yo.



Last winners of the GP Hispanidad are: Abdel (2011), Silverside (2010 and 2009), Shumookh (2008), Solita (2007), Trip to the Moon (2006) and Young Tiger.(2005)


Other races of the card are a 1,400 m for Spanish bred 2yos, a 1,800 m claiming race for 3yo+  (including Bottega and Hispanidad winner Shumookh), a 2,000 m race for maiden 3yos and a 2,800 m handicap

Ariete Arrollador and Valiant Blue won the preps for the Hispanidad

The highlights of yesterday meeting at La Zarzuela were the prep races for the GP Hispanidad (1,600 m, 3yo+, to be run next October 12th), two races over a mile, for 4yo+ and for 3yo.

Ariete Arrollador (GB, 2007), bay colt [Kingsalsa-Proud Douna(Kaldoun)], owned by Cuadra Albero, trained by G. Arizkorreta, ridden by V. Janacek, won the Premio Young Tiger (1,600 m, 4yo+, 8,000 euros for the winner), beating by 3/4 length the frontrunner La Llanura (CAN, 2008), gray filly [El Prado-Herzblatt(Cozzene)], owned by Cuadra Tiziano, trained by M. Delcher S, who was ridden by Jorge Horcajada, with Risby (Big Shuffle) 3rd and Weststow (Medicean) 4th.

Here is the race: Premio Young Tiger

In the equivalent race for 3yo, Premio LAE-Partipral, the winner was Valiant Blue (IRE, 2009), bay colt [Moss Vale-Tiltili(Spectrum)], owned by Cuadra Agrado, trained by Teo Callejo, ridden by V. Janacek, beating Azabache (SPA, 2009) [Iceman-Tiviski(Desert Style)], owned by Cuadra Los Toneles, trained by F. Rodríguez and ridden by J. Grosjean with Laura Moon (Russian Blue) third.

Here is the race: Premio LAE-Partipral

In the first race, Premio Cruzcampo-Zalduendo, a 1,400 m race for debutant 2yo colts, the winner was Moss (SPA, 2010), ch. colt [Palamoss-Falaris(Humool)], owned by Yeguada AGF, trained by G. Arizkorreta and ridden by J L. Borrego, the first product of Palamoss (Night Shift) to run, with Rey de la Plata (Leadership) 2nd and Calamari (Turtle Bowl) 3rd. Here is the race: Premio Cruzcampo-Zalduendo

The equivalent race for fillies was won by Cariñosa (SPA, 2010) [Fol Parade-Emerald Princess(Even Top)], owned by Cuadra Donalfa, trained by M. J. Pérez and ridden by J. Horcajada, who beat Irabia (Shamardal) and Daranur One (Falco).

Tresenpunto (Delfos) and Alfred (Egeo) won the 2nd and 1st parts of the 2,100 m split Handicap

Matusalén won the GP Claudio Carudel

Matusalen (SPA, 2009), bay colt [Caradak-Bixaare(Xaar)], owned by Cuadra Miranda, trained by M. Delcher S and ridden by Charles Nora, won last Sunday the GP Claudio Carudel (1,600m, 3yo+, 25,500 euros for the winner) at the La Zarzuela racetrack of Madrid, beating Mil Azul (SPA, 2008), bay colt [Russian Blue-Cuittled(Charismatic)], owned by Yeguada Urdiñ-Oriya, trained by J. L. de Salas and ridden by J. L. Borrego, with Weststow (GB, 2008), ch. colt [Medicean-Summer Sunset(Grand Lodge)], owned by Cuadra Viguria, trained by J. M. Osorio in third place and Bellaside fourth.
The rest of the participants were Ariete Arrollador, Jokan, Volcánico, Tirion, Shumookh and Risby

The pace was very fast, with Shumookh and Risby putting some distance between them and the rest of the field. In the straight, Mil Azul was the first to attack, with Bellaside and Weststow, but Matusalén closed very strongly to win by a length.

Matusalén was the unbeaten champion 2 yo in Spain and then travelled to Dubai, where he encountered some problems, including a respiratory illness. Back in Spain he had two disappointing performances in the Cimera and GP Nacional.

Here is the video, with footage also of the 2011 edition : GP Claudio Carudel 2012


In the rest of the meeting:

Collio Side (Caradak) won the 1,200 m race for 2yos, with Zahora and Yakarak 2nd and 3rd, getting a 1-2-3 for Caradak

The 1,200 m race for 3yo+ Spanish breds was won by Azabache (Iceman), with Tagomago (Dyhim Diamond) second

Bipolar (Denver County) won the first part of the split handicap (1,800 m) with Literario (Devil Moon) 2nd

Bouquetot Belle (Graeme Hall) won the 2nd part, with Draco (Baptize) 2nd.

Patricio (Sulamani) won the 1,600 m handicap, with Sharp Eye (Okawango) 2nd.

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

Abdel wins the GP de la Hispanidad

Abdel (FR, 2008) [Dyhim Diamond-Leonor de Guzmán(Glauco)], bred, owned and trained by J.M. Osorio (Duque de Alburquerque), won last Sunday the GP de la Hispanidad, a 1,600 m race for 3yo+, weight for age, and one of the highlights of the Madrid Autumn season. He was ridden by Jeremy Crocquevieille. Abdel went second behind Tirión for most of the race, and he won easily by two and a half lengths. Ariete Arrollador (GB, 2007) [Kingsalsa-Proud Douna(Kaldoun)] was second, with Bellaside third and Weststow fourth.

Abdel and Jeremy Crocquevieille, winner of the GP Hispanidad 2011. Photo courtesy of turfarganda.blogspot.com

This is the fourth win in seven starts for Abdel, who was second last time out in the GP Copa de Oro de San Sebastián (2,400 m) in the summer and third in the GP Nacional (2,200) in the spring. This is also the biggest win for stallion Dyhim Diamond since the wins of the French bred Bannaby.

Here is the video: GP Hispanidad 2011

Dyhim Diamond scored also in the Copa de Criadores for Spanish bred colts, when Nuredyn (FR-asim., 2009) [Dyhim Diamond-Nurenieva(Enrique)] beat Dakside (Caradak) by three quarters of a length. Nuredyn is owned and was bred by Cuadra Zurraquín, his trainer is Mariano Hernández and was ridden by J. Crocquevieille (leader of the jockey standings, who won three times this Sunday). Nuredyn's dam, Nurenieva won the Poule de Potrancas - 1000 Guineas, was fourth in the Beamonte (Oaks), second in the Memorial Duque de Toledo and in the Premio Kutxa and third in the Villamejor (St. Leger). Here is the race: Copa de Criadores (potros) 2011

The equivalent for fillies was won byVraivita (SPA, 2009) [Fol Parade-Vraivert(Vert Amande)], owned by Cuadra Luxemburgo, trained by Roberto López and ridden by Oscar Ortiz de Urbina, with Castellana (SPA, 2009) [Yorik-Fellinia(War Chant)] second.

Here is the video: Copa de Criadores (potrancas) 2011

GP de la Hispanidad this Sunday

One of the highlights of the Madrid autumn season is this Sunday's GP de la Hispanidad, a 1,600 m race for 3yo+, weight for age.

The partants this year are:
Ariete Arrollador (GB, 2007), a bay colt. [Kongsalsa-Proud Douna], owned by Cuadra Albero, trained by G. Arizkorreta, will be ridden by J. L. Borrego. Winner of the Cimera (2000 Guineas) last year.

Volapie (SPA, 2007), bay gelding [Multazem-Bassaver], owned by Cuadra Romana Alta, trained by M. J. Pérez, will be ridden by R. H. Huayas.

Abdel (SPA, 2008), a bay colt [Dyhim Diamond-Leonor de Guzmán], owned and trained by J. M. Osorio, Duque de Alburquerque, will be ridden by J. Crocquevieille. Has been running in 2200+ races, including his second place in the Copa de Oro de San Sebastián, now goes to the mile.

Bellaside (IRE, 2007), a bay filly [La Vie dei Colori-Brockton Saga], owned by Grupo Bolaños-Gran Canaria, E. León, will be ridden by J. L. Martínez. She was second to Volcánico in the Gobierno Vasco and then he won the Listed Premio Pietro Bessero in Milan. Was second in the 2010 edition.

Hands Up (FR, 2008), a bay colt [Panis-Bali Bloom], owned by Cuadra Nostrum, trained by J. L. Maroto, will be ridden by Oscar Ortiz de Urbina.

Mil Azul (SPA, 2008) a bay colt [Russian Blue-Cuittled], owned by Yeguada Ordiñ-Oriya, trained by J. L. Salas, will be ridden by J. C. Cerqueira.

Tirión (USA, 2008), a bay colt [Royal Academy-Domenica's Dream], owned by Cuadra Chicago, trained by M. Delcher S, will be ridden by Jorge Horcajada.

Volcánico (IRE, 2008), a bay colt [Refuse to Bend-Zayana], owned by Cuadra Los Toneles, trained by F. Rodríguez, will be ridden by J. Grosjean. Champion 2yo colt in 2010, he has won the GP Claudio Carudel in the spring and the Gobierno Vasco in the summer.

Weststow (GB, 2008), a bay colt, [Medicean-Summer Sunset], owned by Cuadra Viguria, trained by J. M. Osorio, will be ridden by V. Janacek.

Volcánico winning the GP Claudio Carudel. Photo courtesy of Turfarganda.blogspot.com

The Gran Premio de la Hispanidad is the most important race over a mile in the Autumn season of Madrid. The last winners were Silverside (2010 and 2009), Shumookh (2008), Solita (2007), Trip to the Moon (2006) and Young Tiger (2005).

In 1993 and 1994, the race was won by Partipral (later Group 1 winner in Hong Kong). And the 1988 edition was won by Isabena, the grand dam of Entre Copas, Casaca and Vagabond Shoes