2004 European Archives

Attraction Loses For the First Time in Her Career
by Emily Hufford

Previously unbeaten Attraction was attempting to win her ninth career start when the older filly Soviet Song ran past her to win the group one Falmouth Stakes in England. Attraction finished second, 2 1/2 lengths behind the winner. Baqah was third.

Soviet Song, who was coming off a second place finish behind Refuse to Bend in the Queen Anne Stakes (Eng-I), was ridden by Johnny Murtagh and is trained by James Fanshawe. Soviet Song is an Irish-bred by Marju and out of the Soviet Star mare Kalinka.

 

 


Refuse to Bend In October © Dave Shields 2003

Refuse to Bend Defeats Rakti
by Emily Hufford

Last year Refuse to Bend was a fading star, taking the English Two Thousand Guineas (gr. I) before falling into a long slump. The sometimes brilliant four-year-old son of Sadlers Wells has now won two group one races in a row. The latest was the Coral-Eclipse Stakes, which was expected to be a coronation for the dominating racehorse Rakti, who finished a dismal eighth after missing the break.

Refuse to Bend is owned by Godolphin, who plan on standing him at stud next year. Frankie Dettori was aloft for the victory. He and Refuse to Bend took the lead with a furlong left and were able to hold off the closing Warrsan for second. Kalaman finished third.

Refuse to Bend is trained by Saeed bin Suroor.

 

Attraction Still Undefeated, Makes it Eight for Eight
By Emily Hufford

She is elegant, powerful, and has so far been unbeatable. Attraction won her eighth straight at Royal Ascot on Friday, taking the Coronation Stakes (gr. I) by 2 1/2 lengths, her third group one victory of the year. Her historic run continues; earlier this year she won the Irish One Thousand Guineas and the One Thousand Guineas (Eng-I), something no other filly has ever done. She was ridden by jockey Kevin Darley and is trained by Mark Johnston.

Papineau Wins the Gold Cup
By Emily Hufford

Papineau (GB), a four-year-old son of Singspiel, won the marathon 2 1/2 mile Gold Cup (Eng-I) at Ascot on Thursday. The Godolphin color-bearer is now unbeaten in three starts this season. Frankie Dettori was the jockey. Westerner was second, Darasim was third. Papineau is out of the Grey Dawn II mare Early Rising, making him a half brother to the English classic winner Silver Patriarch.

Rakti Wins the Prince of Wales Stakes
By Emily Hufford

Rakti returned to the races in style on Wednesday, winning the Prince of Wales Stakes (Eng-1) at Ascot by two lengths. The Great Britain-bred son of Polish Precedent is out of a Rainbow Quest mare. He has been a star throughout his career, winning the Derby Italiano (Ity-G1) in 2002 and the Champion Stakes (Eng-G1) in 2003. This was his first start since finishing second in the Hong Kong Cup (HK-G1) last December. He also finished second in last year's Prince of Wales.

Sulamani, the favorite and a star from Godolphin Racing Stable, finished fourth. Powerscourt was second.

Rakti is owned by Gary Tanka and trained by Michael Jarvis.


Refuse to Bend In October © Dave Shields 2003		 Refuse to Bend Victorious at Royal Ascot
By Emily Hufford

Refuse to Bend, the winner of last year's Two Thousand Guineas (gr. I), won the Queen Anne Stakes (gr. I) on opening day at Royal Ascot. The speedy filly Soviet Song finished second, beaten only a neck, with Salselon third. 2003 Breeders' Cup Mile winner Six Perfections, also a filly, finished sixth. Another filly, the brilliant Nebraska Tornado, finished fourth. The race was contested with seventeen runners.

Refuse to Bend was bought by Godolphin last fall and since ran poorly in the Breeders' Cup Mile, the Dubai Duty Free, and the Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes. This was his first win since that Guineas score last year.

Refuse to Bend is a four-year-old son of Sadlers Wells out of the Gulch mare Market Slide. He was ridden by Frankie Dettori, who thrilled crowds with his traditional flying dismount in the winner's enclosure.