Ariete Arrollador 2nd and Plantagenet 4th in Meydan yesterday

Ariete Arrollador (GB, 2007), bay colt [Kingsalsa-Proud Douna(Kaldoun)], owned by Cuadra Albero, trained by G. Arizkorreta and ridden by Christophe Soumillon, was 2nd yesterday in Meydan in the Longines Saint Imier Handicap (1,400 m, all-weather track) at the Meydan racecourse. He encountered some problems at the far stretch and was boxed along the rail for most of the race, although he showed a nice turn of foot when he had a gap to proggress. The race was won by Lily's Angel

Here is the video: Longines Saint Imier
Ariete is a black horse, Soumillon wears yellowish orange silks

In the fourth race, Plantagenet (SPA, 2007) [Trade Fair-Crafty Buzz(Crafty Prospector)], owned by Cuadra Whylar, trained by G Arizkorreta and ridden by Jose Luis Martínez, was fourth in the Longines Prima Luna Handicap (1,900 m, all weather track). Plantagenet, who is already winner in Dubai, won the 2010 GP Villapadierna (Spanish Derby)

Here is the video: Longines Prima Luna Handicap
Plantagenet starts from the outermost post. Jose Luis Martinez wears black silks (red cap).

Five races are granted Listed status by the European Pattern Races Committee for 2013

The European Pattern Races Committee has granted the status of Listed races to 5 races in the Spanish calendar: the GP Ciudad de Madrid, the GP Gobierno Vasco, the Copa de Oro de San Sebastián, the GP de la Hispanidad and the Memorial Duque de Toledo. The Premio Claudio Carudel will be evaluated for its inclusion from 2014 pending the rating of its participants this year.

The details about these races are:

GP Ciudad de Madrid (2,500 m, 3yo+, end of June, La Zarzuela racetrack, Madrid). Karluv Most won the 2012 running

GP Gobierno Vasco (1,600 m, 3yo+, summer, Lasarte racecourse, San Sebastián). Cielo Canarias won the last one.

Copa de Oro de San Sebastián (2,400 m, 3yo+, Lasarte racecourse, San Sebastián). Won by Pazifiksturm in 2012

GP de la Hispanidad (1,600 m, 3yo+, October 12th, La Zarzuela racecourse, Madrid). The 2012 edition was won by Cielo Canarias

GP Memorial Duque de Toledo (2,400 m, 3yo+, Autumn, La Zarzuela racecourse, Madrid). Last edition was won by Casaca

Guillermo Arizkorreta wins the 2012 trainer title., Safsaf wins the owners title

The winner of the trainer title was Guillermo Arizkorreta, with a total of 425,347 euros in prize money, after saddling the winners of 51 races. In second place, was Mauri Delcher (based in France for the 2013 year), with 378,125 euros and 28 races. Francisco Rodríguez was third, with 331,589 euros and 30 races.

The winner of the owners title was Safsaf (220,808 euros)  for the third year in a row. Safsaf is the owner of Pearlside (Gran Critérium) and Domeside, among others. In the 2nd place, Cuadra Martul (142,200 euros), owners of Pazifiksturm (Mijas Cup, Copa de Oro de SS, 2nd Memorial Duque de Toledo). The third owner in the list is Reza Pazooki (119,026 euros)

Janacek wins the 2012 jockey title

The Czech jockey Vaclav Janacek won the 2012 jockey title in Spain with 65 wins in 317 races and a total prize money of 605,048 euros. He won the Premio Beamonte - Spanish Oaks with Opikoppi as his most important win this year, winning also the Premio Velayos with Galipoli, and the Premio Gladiateur with Achtung. He won also the Italian St. Leger.

In the 2nd place was Julien Grosjean with 41 wins and third was Jeremy Crocquevieille with 33 wins. Both French jockeys will not be based in Spain in 2013. Oscar Ortiz de Urbina and Alvaro Gómez both won 28 races each. Alvaro Gómez is the new jockey for 2013 for trainer J. M. Osorio, replacing J. Crocquevieille.

Azafata won the Villamejor

[Slightly updated news, but written for the record]

Azafata (SPA, 2009) bay filly [Motivator-Anysheba(Alysheba)]. owned by Cuadra Chamartín, trained by J. López and ridden by Jorge Horcajada, won the Premio Villamejor (Spanish St. Leger, 2,800 m, 3yos, 20,000 euros for the winner), at the La Zarzuela racetrack Sunday 18 Nov, beating Ranyan (SPA, 2009), ch. gelding [Gold Away-Triple Two(Pivotal)], owned by Cuadra Agrado, trained by Teo Callejo and ridden by F. Jiménez by 4 lengths, with Teobaldo (Singspiel) third and Avante (Shamardal) fourth
Here is the race: Premio Villamejor 2012


Another highlight of the meeting was the Premio Gladiateur (4,000 m, 4yo+,. 10,000 euros for the winner). And the winner was Achtung (SPA, 2008), a bay colt [Sulamani-Aurea(Silvano)], owned by Cuadra Enalto, trained by Roberto López and ridden by Vaclav Janacek., beating Domeside (Domedriver) and Entre Copas (Sakhee). Achtung won the Premio Villamejor last year.

Video: Premio Gladiateur 2012

 In the rest of the meeting , the winners were:

Minolto (Barathea) in the 1,400 m race for 2yos

Laura Moon (Russian Blue) in the 1,000 m race for 3yo+-

Blantor (Clodovil) in the 1,600 m split handicap (2nd part A), Callside (Pyrus) in the 2nd Part B and Don Fernando Hab (Intikhab) in the 1st part.

This was the last meeting of the La Zarzuela autumn season. Racing now continues in the Dos Hermanas (Seville) racetrack.

Mil Azul won the Antonio Blasco

Mil Azul (SPA, 2008), bay colt [Russian Blue-Cuittled(Charismatic)], owned by Yeguada Urdiñ-Oriya, trained by J. L. de Salas, ridden by Jorge Horcajada, won the Premio Antonio Blasco (1,400 m, 2yo+) in the La Zarzuela meeting of last Sunday. S Grillo (GB, 2008), gray gelding [Val Royal- Santiago Blue(Relaunch)], owned by Cuadra Ussía-Figueroa, trained by G. Arizkorreta was 2nd, with globetrotter As de Trébol 3rd and Risby fourth.


Negrete led the race with a strong pace, followed by As de Trébol. All five runners used the outer part of the track. Negrete went towards the rail in the home stretch and was surpassed by As de Trébol, and then Mil Azul and S Grillo, who were first and second at the finish line.


Here is the video: Premio Antonio Blasco 2012


There were 5 more races in the card, including the Copas de Criadores (1,500 m, Spanish bred 2yos)

The Copa de Criadores  for colts was won in impressive fashion byAarhus (SPA, 2010), chestnut colt [Dyhim Diamond-Ensis(Zieten)], owned by Cuadra El Molino, trained by J. López and ridden by Oscar Ortiz de Urbina, with Duendecillo (Visindar) 2nd seven lengths behind and Mayo (Sakhee) third.
Here is the race: Copa de Criadores (colts) 2012

In the Copa de Criadores - fillies, the winner was Cariñosa (SPA, 2010), bay filly [Fol Parade-Emerald Princess(Even Top)], owned by Cuadra Donalfa, trained by M. J. Pérez, ridden by Jorge Horcajada, with Artesa (Medecis) 2nd and Albuhera (Devil Moon) third.

Video: Copa de Criadores - fillies 2012

In the rest of the meeting, the winners were:

Tubal (Dalakhani) won the Premio Veil Picard (1,800 m, 2yos), beating Kirilovich (Denver County) by a head

Arsalan (Halling) won the 1,800 Handicap (Premio Victoria Eugenia), beating Porquenotecallas

Duke (Second Set) won the claiming race over 2,200 m

Premio Antonio Blasco and Copas de Criadores tomorrow at LZ

This Sunday, the highlight of the La Zarzuela meeting is the Premio Antonio Blasco (1,400 m, 2yo+, 12,000 euros for the winner), with the following participants (no 2yos this year):


Ariete Arrollador (GB, 2007), bay colt [Kingsalsa-Proud Douna(Kaldoun)], owned by Cuadra Albero, trained by G. Arizkorreta, will be ridden by J. L. Martínez. Scratched.

As de Trébol (USA, 2006), gray colt [Tapit-Adelphi(Danzig)], owned by Cuadra Chicago, trained by M. Delcher, will be ridden by Oscar Ortiz de Urbina Comes from his 6th place in the Nearctic Stakes G1 (Canada).

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 Jorge Horcajada

Risby (IRE, 2008), bay gelding [Big Shuffle-Lonicera(Charmer), owned by Cuadra Viguria, trained by J. M. Osorio, will be ridden by J. Crocquevieille

S Grillo (GB, 2008), gray gelding [Val Royal- Santiago Blue(Relaunch)], owned by Cuadra Ussía-Figueroa, trained by G. Arizkorreta, will be ridden by V. Janacek.

Negrete (SPA, 2009), bay colt [Hold that Tiger-Helena Smile(Southern Halo)], owned by Cuadra Jarilla, trained by F. Pérez, will be ridden by J. L. Borrego

The winner last year was Abdel

There are also two 1,500 m races for Spanish bred 2yos, the Copas de Criadores, one for colts and the other one for fillies, with 9,500 euros for the winner of each race:

The Copa de Criadores for colts has the following participants:


Aarhus (SPA, 2010), chestnut colt [Dyhim Diamond-Ensis(Zieten)], owned by Cuadra El Molino, trained by J. López, will be ridden by Oscar Ortiz de Urbina. Was 2nd in his only start. His dam Ensis was Listed performer.

Dubrovnik (SPA, 2010), bay colt [Dyhim Diamond-Delta(Istoriato)[, owned byY. Las Cuevas, trained by J. Calderón, will be ridden by J. Crocquevieille. Winner of 2 races.

Duendecillo (SPA, 2010), ch. colt [Visindar-Chloe(Green Desert), owned by Cuadra Isabel, trained by I. Gómez, will be ridden by A. Gómez, Unbeaten in 2 starts, half brother to Doende (Wagon Master)

Labros (SPA, 2010), bay colt [Dyhim Diamond-Sunset Fily (Lil's Lad)], owned by Cuadra Dosemes, trained by M. Delcher S, will be ridden by J. Horcajada. Winner in his 2nd start.

Mayo (SPA, 2010), bay colt [Sakhee-Abril(Anabaa)], owned by Cuadra Ussía-Figueroa, trained by G. Arizcorreta, will be ridden by V. Janacek. Winner in his last start.

Pikerson (SPA, 2010), bay colt [Dyhim Diamond-Pashmiyina(Highest Honor)]. owned by Cuadra Cielo dr Madrid, trained by O. Rodríguez, will be ridden by J. L. Borrego. He is half brother to Cambalache GR (winner of the GP Nacional)

Recent winners have been Nuredyn (2011), Banbu (2010), Jakemate (2009), Tirillas (2008), Sideside (2007), Newango (2006), Boabdil (2005).

In the Copa de Criadores for fillies, participants are:

Alabarda (SPA, 2010), bay filly [Dyhim Diamond-Eiren Surprise(Danetime)], owned by Cuadra Il Padrino, trained by R. López, will be ridden by Oscar Ortiz de Urbina.

Albuhera (SPA, 2010), bay filly [Devil Moon-Lili d'Aubois(Lycius)], owned by Cuadra Cacharela, trained by J. A. Rodríguez, will be ridden by Nieves García

Artesa (GB, 2010), chestnut filly [Medecis-Pas le Temps(Be My Guest)], owned by Cuadra Bloke, trained by J. A. Rodríguez, will be ridden by J. L. Martínez

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

Cariñosa (SPA, 2010), bay filly [Fol Parade-Emerald Princess(Even Top)], owned by Cuadra Donalfa, trained by M. J. Pérez, will be ridden by J Horcajada.

La Bopperia (SPA, 2010), chestnut filly [Dyhim Diamond-Katherine(Don Roberto)], owned by Cuadra Bolak, trained by J. C. Fernández, will be ridden by  A. Gómez, own sister to Eltso.

Napa Side (SPA, 2010), ch. filly [Dyhim Diamond-Free Lunch(Vettori)], owned by Cuadra Saf Saf, trained by F. Rodríguez, will be ridden by J. Grosjean

Sol Dyhim (SPA, 2010), ch. filly [Dyhim Diamond-Solin(Songlines)], owned by Cuadra Manola, trained by A. Sánchez, will be ridden by J. L. Borrego

Winners in recent years have been Vraivita (2011), Ventura (2010), Cris Cross (2009), Desdella (2008), Sorayah (2007) and Casbah (2006)


The Premio Veil Picard (2yos, 1,800 m), the Premio Victoria Eugenia (Hdcp, 1,800 m, 3yo+) and a claming race for 3yo+ over 2,200 m complete the card