Even though its nearly the end of January I think its important to reflect on top horse races of 2013. Here is the first instalment of 10-5.
10. Memsie Stakes, 1400m, Caulfield, Australia, 31 Aug 2013
Injuries in thoroughbreds are common; depending on the severity of the injury horses do not always retain their previous ability.
In the Memsie Stakes, Atlantic Jewel proved she did.
After a lengthy layoff of 16 months she managed to easily defeat smart performers such as It’s a Dundeel and Super Cool.
Unfortunately the mare succumbed to injury again just before what could have been her finest hour in the Cox Plate.
The racing world will be left wondering the true extent of Atlantic Jewel’s ability but such is the nature of horse racing.
9. Dubai Sheema Classic, 2400m Meydan, UAE, 30 Mar 2013
In one of the first major Group 1’s of 2013, the Dubai Sheema Classic matched two of the best middle distance horses in the world in St Nicholas Abbey and Gentildonna.
Also staking a claim was the multiple Group 1 winning globetrotter Dunaden.
St Nicholas Abbey was a horse always highly thought of at Ballydoyle but injury kept him side-lined as a three-year-old.
As an older horse he struggled to win top European Group 1’s, competing against the likes of Frankel, Danedream and Snow Fairy although he did have a Breeders Cup Turf win on his C.V.
In the Dubai Sheema Classic, St Nicholas Abbey delivered a top performance is in seeing off high class Japanese mare Gentildonna by two and a quarter lengths.
8. Arima Kinen, 2500m Nakayama Japan 22 Dec 2013
After the disappointment of being runner up in the Arc for second time, Orfevre signed off his racing career with a powerful performance in winning the Arima Kinen by over eight lengths.
While it would be fair to call this horse quirky, particularly when losing his first attempt at the Arc, there was never a question over his ability.
He duly obliged in one of Japan’s premier races.
7. Prix Jacques le Marois, 1800m, Deauville, France, 11 Aug 2013
The 2013 renewal of the Prix Jacques le Marois was packed with quality thoroughbreds.
Moonlight Cloud had proven herself as a top grade sprinter/miler, particularly in France.
Dawn Approach had been putting in quality performances all summer at this distance.
Declaration of War had shown he was capable of mixing it with the best.
Other contenders included previous top two-year-old Olympic Glory, Group 1 winning Elusive Kate and the French Derby winner Intello.
When Moonlight Cloud kicked for home it looked like jockey Thierry Jarnet had timed his run perfectly, Dawn Approach and Declaration of War looked defeated, probably due to the their recent exertions in the Sussex Stakes.
However Olympic Glory came with a powerful run late on but the mare did enough to hold on in a classic finish.
6. King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, Ascot, England, 27 Jul 2013
Historically, England’s premier middle distance Group 1 race the 2013 renewal was a showdown between Cirrus Des Aigles, Irish Derby winner Trading Leather and the German superstar Novellist.
Cirrus Des Aigles was the favourite but the unsuitable fast ground went against him as he struggled to pick up that powerful stride of his.
Novellist had no such problems with the fast going as he looked highly impressive in destroying Trading Leather by five lengths.
After this performance, Novellist became one of the favourites for the Arc.
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