The winning margin may only have been three quarters of a length, but it’s hard to think of a better example of a great horse fulfilling their potential than when It’s A Dundeel won Saturday’s $4-million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m, Group 1, weight-for-age) at Randwick.
It was his sixth Group 1 and his second at weight-for-age but this is the victory that will define the career of It’s A Dundeel.
In the second richest race in Australia and against a complete line-up of Australasian middle distance weight-for-age stars, the New Zealand four-year-old stallion answered the three questions that threatened the health of his legacy: Can he a run a strong 2000m? Can he win off a fast pace? Can he fire at the end of a preparation?
The answer to those questions, finally, is an emphatic ‘yes!’
The Queen Elizabeth was the sort of weight-for-age contest I dream about. The speed was genuine from the outset, the field was strung out and the best horses were left to fight the race out.
Tommy Berry, who won two Group 1s on Saturday, rode an aggressive race on Carlton House in the lead. Carlton House has always struggled to finish off a tough 2000-metre race, so in that sense Berry’s ride can be criticised but I thought the daring tactics made the Queen Elizabeth memorable.
A truly run mile and a quarter is the platform for a great race because it asks questions of a horse’s speed and stamina. Lacking in either department spells defeat. In my opinion, a tough 2000 metres at a track like Randwick, is the ultimate thoroughbred race.
It’s fitting then that the Cox Plate (2040m, Group 1, weight-for-age) at Moonee Valley and Queen Elizabeth are our two richest weight-for-age contests.
It’s A Dundeel sat just off the speed in transit and then, once topping the famous rise, went for glory. He had Carlton House, the eventual third place-getter, beaten inside the furlong marker before showing his fighting qualities in the last 100m to stave off an old rival in Sacred Falls.
It was a perfect ride from 22-year-old James McDonald. From the inside gate, he allowed It’s A Dundeel to travel close to the lead. In such a staying contest, it was the place to be.
With the exception of the dual Doncaster (1600m, Group 1, handicap) winner Sacred Falls, those that chose to bludge out the back were completely out-paced.
It’s A Dundeel was in the firing line all the way but he was also in best position to take control of proceedings at the key moment in the straight. McDonald’s ride was so good it allowed It’s A Dundeel to showcase his true quality.
On a drying dead track, It’s A Dundeel was finally able to assert his superiority over the great mare Silent Achiever, who was shooting for four Group 1s in succession this autumn and was a brave fourth throughout.
When It’s A Dundeel won the Australian three-year-old Triple Crown last autumn by a combined margin of 13.5 lengths he had the world at his feet.
He had completely dismantled his opposition in the Rosehill Guineas (2000m, Group 1, three-year-olds) and Australian Derby (2400m, Group 1, three-year-olds) with a display of unmatched speed at the end of slowly-run classics.
In the Rosehill Guineas, It’s A Dundeel beat Sacred Falls by six lengths. When Sacred Falls won the Doncaster three weeks later, many were happy to call It’s A Dundeel a champion in waiting.
Then, in the 2013 Queen Elizabeth, at the end of a long autumn, It’s A Dundeel, the $1.28 favourite, was found wanting at the end of a taxing 2000-metre affair.
Reliable Man, a horse that was a length or so inferior to Carlton House in Europe, had It’s A Dundeel’s measure by more than two lengths.
It was a defeat that exposed chinks in the armour of the colt. And until Saturday’s victory in the 2014 Queen Elizabeth, those chinks remained exposed.
Last spring, It’s A Dundeel showed his quality in the Underwood (1800m, Group 1, weight-for-age). On a slow track and off a slow pace, he wore down the previously untouchable Atlantic Jewel to force the mare into her only career defeat.
James McDonald had It’s A Dundeel breathing down Atlantic Jewel’s neck and the Kiwi proved too strong at the death.
It’s A Dundeel was always fantastic in a close race. He loved to fight and that courage took him to six career victories – four at Group 1 level – by a margin of less than a length.
In the Cox Plate, the stiffest test in It’s A Dundeel’s career, he was sent out favourite in ‘the weight-for-age Championship’ despite missing some trackwork and his final lead-up race because of a hoof abscess. Wearing race plates for the first time and racing off a 35-day break, It’s A Dundeel finished eighth.
It was the only time It’s A Dundeel truly disappointed. Even when he was beaten favourite other times – the 2013 Queen Elizabeth or the 2012 Victoria Derby (2500m, Group 1, three-year-olds) stand out as examples – It’s A Dundeel always gave his supporters hope. He wasn’t a winning chance at any stage in those races but he showed positive signs in the straight.
After the Cox Plate failure, It’s A Dundeel was quickly spelled. This autumn he raced four times, improving on each occasion.
First-up in the Chipping Norton (1600m, Group 1, weight-for-age), when – by retrospective stable reports – he was underdone, It’s A Dundeel raced clear at the 200-metre mark before being run down by three-time Group 1 winner Boban at the death.
Then in the Ranvet (2000m, Group 1, weight-for-age), when he never looked a winning chance, he at least showed great strength in the final furlong to hold third from a charging Hawkspur.
In the BMW (2400m, Group 1, weight-for-age), It’s A Dundeel was ridden cold in last place to help him stay the distance. And while, he couldn’t match the turn of foot of Silent Achiever on the slow ground, he showed great tenacity by stealing second from Fiorente at the very end.
It was his best performance since the Underwood victory and it laid the platform for his Queen Elizabeth success.
It’s A Dundeel’s retirement to stud may be announced on Tuesday morning. A trip to England to race at Royal Ascot in the Queen Anne (1609m, Group 1, weight-for-age) on June 17 is the only other option.
The Queen Anne is arguably the best mile race in the world and It’s A Dundeel deserves a chance at a race of such quality. If he was to win, it would quite possibly double his stud value.
But there is a lot of romance in announcing the retirement now. The timing is perfect because for the first time, the racing fraternity finally understands the quality in It’s A Dundeel.
He belongs with the great horses. Those that weren’t quite champion class but good enough to live in the memory of racing fans for a long time.
I will take away many memories from the 2014 Queen Elizabeth Stakes. But the fondest is a jubilant James McDonald standing up in the irons, extending him arm to the sky in front of the grandstands as he brought a proud It’s A Dundeel back to scale.
It encapsulates the personality of It’s A Dundeel and his rising star jockey.
They are two Kiwis who found the top.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Justin, I guess we all have our own version of what a "champion" or "one of the greats" is but by my reckoning I did not see a champion at the carnival. Maybe Earthquake can become one in the Spring, or Lankan Rupee can back up the TJ form. Hope so.
Bondy
Guest
I think Lucia Valentina is almost identical in ability to Rising Romance ,R Romnace sat 4'th one out at 11-2 $6.50 and LVal sat 12'th at nearly two's on $1.70 reverse those position's and prices lets see the outcome. I didn't have a bet in the Oak's, two's on not on. IADDeal is/was a very hard horse to catch, Congratulations you've earn t it .
Joe
Guest
Im from the UK but I do like Australian racing on the big days, what I dont like is the "prep" runs these horses have, 3 or 4 runs when basically they are not out to win at trips too short, I look at the videos of the good aussie horses on youtube and views are pathetic. For me I think there is something fundamentally wrong with the Australian set up and I would hate to be a punter over there trying to get by through the season. That aside, so happy to see Its A Dundeel and James Mcdonald get it done on the big day, I had one of my biggest bets on him in the Cox Plate last year and paid to find out what a lottery of a race that can be, I was on before the abscess and poor draw but thats the way it goes. I have not backed him since but seen he was 3/1 for this race and Carlton (Group 2) House was his main danger, had a very nice bet on him and told a few others to get on, stayed up till 7am to watch it and he did not let us down. Absolute class animal, one of the best ive seen from Australia but he wouldnt have a hope in hell against the great French filly Treve in the Prince Of Wales, so it was probably best to retire him. Also backed McDonald on the filly Rising Romance, great ride btw, looked like a steal but the filly had the acceleration and thats what won the race, Lucia Valentina was given plenty to do and ran on well but she lacks the gears of the winner. The Offer was impressive, had a good bet on Opinion at 25/1, had the run of the race but was well outclassed. The horse I like from Australia just now is the Sebring colt Criterion, they say he is bred to sprint but if you look deeper there is stamina on the dam side, I can have 100/1 him for the Cox Plate which I think is absurd but im worried he may be best on the soft ground, and whether he really has the gears for the Cox Plate. He just has something about him that I like and that you dont often see in Aussie middle distance horses, I could be wrong but I think he has the potential to be a star over there. The 3yo fillies form does not look strong to me so I prefer the colt despite Rising Romance looking impressive, maybe the Caulfield Cup is his race, looking into it I noticed a lot of winners of that race ran in the Australian Derby, most of them placed admittedly but I will be backing Criterion to run big in the WFA scene after his "preps".
Mark from Derby WA
Guest
Everyone on this post is a mug. If you really love racing how can you stand Pierro and Its A Dundeel being retired as 3 and 4 year olds? It is a joke. Injury like Vain, yes, I can put up with that, but big stud owners like John are being a bit greedy I think. How would we feel if Earthquake was retired tomorrow to have a few babies. Racehorses are born to race not to add to the boring, money making gene pool
casper
Guest
It's a Dundeel looks to me to be an clockwise champion, with a relatively poor record in melbourne. Maybe he should have come to Qld and picked up the doomben cup before pulling the plug. Can't get out of my mind his poor effort in the Victoria derby, never gave a yelp. The win over Atlantic Jewel was in a virtual match race & she couldn't run the distance. He's a 4 length better horse the Sydney way of going, but the QE was a funny race with a lot of horses never really getting into the fight. Poor ride on Carlton House, went too hard, too early & was always going to be a sitting shot. Not sure why they think he has to lead in his races.
Cameron Rose
Expert
Great summary of IAD's career Justin. Not a champion, as you point out, but a great horse who finally fulfilled his potential. Hopefully Sacred Falls has shown that he can graduate to WFA class next season (hopefully he isn't retired too).
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
It's a pity to see IADD retired at the height of his powers, but at least with him, Fiorente and Americain in the breeding barn we might start seeing some champion Aussie stayers coming through in the next few years.
kv joef
Guest
What a race! Worth every cent of the $4m. it was the hunter (IAD) again stalking the pace before chasing down the prey as he did a few months ago when he busted Atlantic Jewel. A great horse. i've already watched it a few times and it really is just a 'classic' race of pure class. As for the HOTY - what a great choice they have this year.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Mark it's probably a fair point. I must say though that the Top 50 was an incredibly hard exercise. It's a matter of opinion.
Mark from Derby WA
Guest
Looks like Its A Dundeel will have no hope making your future top 50's now that John has greedily retired him. Come on John a few more starts wont hurt! Keep the punters happy mate! I think Gunsynd should have been a lot higher than 22 in your top 50. Twenty one of his wins would have been at group one level compared to Kingston Towns 14. He one 5 out of 6 as a 2year old. He was virtually unbeatable over a mile, winning 6 at group one level being beaten only once by a nose in the Epsom. He won the Cox plate convincingly. He ran a courageous third in the 1972 Melbourne Cup carrying a big weight, close to 60kgs I think. Gunsynd underrated, Kingston Town a champion yes, but in this list he is overrated. What do you think Justin?
Max
Guest
Great piece Justin. As a new racing fan IAD has been my favourite horse since his win on Derby day last year. I was concerned he would head to stud without a win in his last prep but he really showed his quality in the QE. Fantastic race. Would love a swansong in the Queen Anne.
Mark from Derby WA
Guest
John, you are ruining my Saturday afternoons. All American and now Its A Dundeel. It's a lot more exciting wathcing them race instead of following their stud careers. Would have love to see him run in the Cox. Come on John you can always change your mind!
Bondy
Guest
Gee they get them off to stud quickly dont they, I guess they cant afford not to nowadays. Just a hypothetical I'd back dundeel over sacred falls over 1600 and up to 2000 mtrs if they squared off to race one another set weights of course ? .It would be very close though I would concede . Although he is a good horse sacred falls I wish him well, he should get pacemakers too which'd help his cause over there.. That's only a couple of months away the Qu Anne, great more racing.
Justin Cinque
Expert
You are spot on Bondy. Sacred Falls will run in the Queen Anne and then will be off to stud in New Zealand. No Queen Anne for It's A Dundeel. He has been retired.
Bondy
Guest
I may be wrong but I thought I heard Sacred Falls was going to stud back in NZ regardless of the weekends outcome.
Bondy
Guest
If I may suggest would IADD have beaten Lord Grd Byr The WFA Ryder winner 1500 mtr he'd only have to travel an extra 100 mtrs LGB ?. Horse of the year Fiorente a Mlb and Aus Cup is hard to fault and was a forced retirement,probably around 5-6 mill in the kitty as well .
Luke Andrews
Guest
The uphill finish at Ascot would help I guess but the question is would he be run off his feet early and get too far back in a big mile? I think the pace at 2000m allows him to find a rhythm and still be close enough. But I don't know the horse as well as the connections and they obviously think the Queen Anne is the race to launch his northern stud career off. Re Sacred Falls; you don't win two Doncasters without being a quality horse. He was really tenacious at the end, and ran out the 2000m. I would have him as early favourite for the Cox Plate. But I never bet early as too much can go wrong. As I said I have LR winning HOTY so far, but if Buffering won both the BTC Cup AND Doomben 10 000 he would have a compelling case. That would be 5 Group 1s across 3 different states, and a Group 1 placing in another. It would also be over a span of October to May while LR recorded victories at the top in February, March and April. I think he would have to win both, but if he did, it would raise the question of which is more important; ability or consistency over the entire season and total victories?
Justin Cinque
Expert
You were spot on Peeeko!
Justin Cinque
Expert
Hi Luke, Answer to a. I sort of agree with you. Messara basically poured cold water on it though. The mile or nothing it seems. My question is - does he have the speed over the mile to match it with the top milers he'll be meeting? If he does, then his stamina will carry him a long way. B. in hindsight, yes, they should have gone to the Sydney Cup. I loved that she ran in the QE though. That's the beauty of $4m - we get to see the best against eachother C. Yeah I guess so. Also think it shows how far Sacred Falls has come in quick time. D. For mine it's Lankan Rupee's HOTY title. As you say, only IADD winning in Europe could challenge for the title.
Luke Andrews
Guest
Hi Justin, well written article about a horse who stood up and really proved his worth with an outstanding display of speed and fight. A couple of questions and points... a, At this stage of his prep and having already been to 2400m, do you think the Prince of Wales could be a better option than the Queen Anne at Ascot? The Australian form seems to stake up for this race with So You Think beating Carlton House into second two years ago. I would also suggest IADD deep into a prep is more a 2012m horse rather than a miler. b, They took the gamble on Silent Achiever but probably should have gone to the Sydney Cup. She has clearly held her form but lacked the speed in her legs for a top class 2000m race on a drying track this far into a prep. She would have been top 2 in the cup, not sure if she beats The Offer, but she would beat Opinion and made it a more interesting race. Her run further highlights the performance of team IADD to have him so right on the day. c, The top 3 in the QE all came off different preps, this shows both the depth of the Sydney Carnival and that this race is going to work as a Championship race as it brings together varying top quality formlines. d, Justin, who do you have as horse of the year so far? I would probably go Lankan Rupee so far as he has the 3 dynamic Group 1 wins, but IADD and Fiorente both have 2 highly memorable Group 1 wins. If IADD won in England I would probably give it to him. Only other chance I see is if Buffering won a couple big ones in Brisbane.