Preview & Trifecta - Queen Elizabeth II Stakes 2017
Big Guns Like Ribchester, Churchill In The Running
Won by Minding in 2016, The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes is a highly contested mile.
Churchill, for Aidan O'Brien, did the Newmarket/Irish 2000 Guineas double but has since been beaten three times. French challenger Al Wukair was third in the Newmarket Guineas, while Beat The Bank has only been beaten once in six starts. Lightning Speak did exceptionally well in the Gr 2. Celebration Mile, but then slid to 6th place in The Prix du Moulin de Longchamp, which was won by Ribchester.
Godolphin's Ribchester, flagbearer of trainer Richard Fahey's powerful Malton-based team, is the outstanding miler having carried all before him for Group One prizes at Newbury. Stablemate and well loved Thunder Snow is also in the running. Given his current form he should land in the top 5.
Beat The Bank is owned, like Leicester City, by big-spending Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, whose jockeys wear silks in the Premier League club's blue and white. This horse is on a relentless upward curve. It would be no major surprise if he pulled off a place in the top 3 and ensured his owner ended the week on a high after a tumultuous time at King Power Stadium.
Gate |
Horse Name |
Age |
Origin |
Pedigree |
Trainer |
Owner |
Jockey |
Race Form |
1 |
Breton Rock |
7 |
IRE |
Bahamian Bounty (GB)-Anna's Rock (IRE)(Rock Of Gibraltar (IRE)) |
David Simcock |
John Cook |
Andrea Atzeni |
32 Starts, 10 Wins |
2 |
Here Comes When |
7 |
IRE |
Danehill Dancer (IRE)-Quad's Melody (IRE)(Spinning World (USA)) |
Andrew Balding |
Mrs Fitri Hay |
Jamie Spencer |
29 Starts, 8 Wins |
3 |
Lightning Spear |
6 |
GB |
Pivotal (GB)-Atlantic Destiny (IRE)(Royal Academy (USA)) |
David Simcock |
Qatar Racing Limited |
Oisin Murphy |
19 Starts, 6 Wins |
4 |
Ribchester |
4 |
IRE |
Iffraaj (GB)-Mujarah (IRE)(Marju (IRE)) |
Richard Fahey |
Godolphin |
William Buick |
14 Starts, 6 Win |
5 |
Toscanini |
4 |
IRE |
Shamardal (USA)-Tuzla (FR)(Panoramic (GB)) |
Richard Fahey |
Godolphin |
James Doyle |
28 Starts, 5 Wins |
6 |
Zonderland |
4 |
GB |
Dutch Art (GB)-Barynya (GB)(Pivotal (GB)) |
Clive Cox |
Cheveley Park Stud |
Adam Kirby |
9 Starts, 3 Wins |
7 |
Al Wukair |
3 |
IRE |
Dream Ahead (USA)-Macheera (IRE)(Machiavellian (USA)) |
A Fabre |
Al Shaqab Racing |
Gregory Benoist |
6 Starts, 4 Wins |
8 |
Beat The Bank |
3 |
GB |
Paco Boy (IRE)-Tiana (GB)(Diktat (GB)) |
Andrew Balding |
King Power Racing Co Ltd |
Jim Crowley |
6 Starts, 5 Wins |
9 |
Churchill |
3 |
IRE |
Galileo (IRE)-Meow (IRE)(Storm Cat (USA)) |
A P O'Brien |
Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier |
Ryan Moore |
11 Starts, 7 Wins |
10 |
Lancaster Bomber |
3 |
USA |
War Front (USA)-Sun Shower (IRE)(Indian Ridge (GB)) |
A P O'Brien |
Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier |
Donnacha O'Brien |
12 Starts, 1 Wins |
11 |
Nathra |
4 |
IRE |
Iffraaj (GB)-Rada (IRE)(Danehill (USA)) |
John Gosden |
Abdullah Saeed Al Naboodah |
Robert Havlin |
13 Starts, 3 Wins |
12 |
Persuasive |
4 |
IRE |
Dark Angel (IRE)-Choose Me (IRE)(Choisir (AUS)) |
John Gosden |
Cheveley Park Stud |
Frankie Dettori |
9 Starts, 5 Wins |
13 |
Sir John Lavery |
3 |
IRE |
Galileo (IRE)-Race For The Stars (USA)(Fusaichi Pegasus (USA)) |
A P O'Brien |
Mrs John Magnier |
Seamie Heffernan |
7 Starts, 2 Wins |
14 |
Thunder Snow |
3 |
IRE |
Helmet (AUS)-Eastern Joy (GB)(Dubai Destination (USA)) |
Saeed bin Suroor |
Godolphin |
Christophe Soumillon |
13 Starts, 5 Wins |
15 |
Sea Of Grace |
3 |
IRE |
Born To Sea (IRE)-Lady Dettoria (FR)(Vettori (IRE)) |
William Haggas |
Sunderland Holding Inc |
Daniel Tudhope |
8 Starts, 3 Wins |
Trifecta:
1) Ribchester
2) Churchill
3) Beat The Bank