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 By Michael Graham

                       Sure Reef, With Shield far right in JP McManus colours
                                            (Healy Racing Photos)

Sure Reef was brought through to challenge Akorakor at the last and the four-year-old stayed on strongly in the last 200 yards to land the opening maiden hurdle in Leopardstown.

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......The two Champion A.P's double up to take victory in the opener           ...............................Leopardstown RC with Plinth

Great Photo from my Friends Healy Racing Photos of Plinth winning 

the 1220 at Leopardstown for Aidan AP McCoy & JP McManus

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Craftsman (IRE) winner of the Killavullen Stakes for AOB with Hussey aboard last time out has been sold to an American partnership called Eclipse Thoroughbreds. Will now be trained by Simon Callaghan.

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                   St Nic Update & Video> http://www.coolmore.tv/farm/ireland/92#.UrlaoM22t40.facebook

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Recital is new to Coolmore’s National Hunt Roster for 2014 
(23rd December 2013) 

Montjeu’s Gr.1 winning 2yo Recital will retire to stand at the Beeches Stud for a fee of €2,500. Winner of the Criterium de Saint-Cloud-Gr.1 by 5 lengths as a 2yo he went on to land the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial-Gr.2 the following spring. A very good looking individual he cost €750,000 as a yearling.

It’s worth noting that previous Criterium de Saint Cloud winners include Darshaan, Pistolet Bleu and Poliglote while the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial has been won by Sadler’s Wells, Theatrical, Sinndar, Galileo, High Chaparral and Yeats.

Recital’s pedigree is also of the highest quality. His full-brother Corre Caminos won the 10f. Prix Ganay-Gr.1 by 5 lengths and his half-brother Racinger won the Prix du Muguet-Gr.2 over a mile. His grandam was a Classic placed Group winner in France and this is also the family of champion French 2yo filly Princesse Lida.

“Recital is a fine looking horse and like the brilliant champion hurdler Hurricane Fly, he is by Montjeu from a Kenmare line mare. Gr.1 winning 2yo’s by Montjeu are doing very well at stud and Recital also comes from a top-class French family. He’s a very exciting prospect.” said Robert McCarthy of the Beeches Stud.

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                   SO MUCH TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2014

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Series stars to stud: Declaration of War

18 December 2013 |

Declaration of War powering his way to Juddmonte International Stakes glory at York. Image copyright of Laurence Squire.

As a three-year-old, Declaration of War was considered classy, but not overly flashy. A victory in the Group 3 Diamond Stakes last year set up the Aidan O’Brien-trained colt for an exciting career at four. However, he would go on to further surpass his connections’ expectations in 2013.

On his seasonal reappearance, Declaration of War won the Listed Heritage Stakes at Leopardstown comfortably. The victory indicated that the son of War Front could be a candidate for the Champions Series’ Mile and Middle Distance divisions, with the JLT Lockinge Stakes at Newbury particularly in mind.

Despite favouritism at the West Berkshire track, Declaration of War, for one reason or another, did not perform to his best on his British debut, ending up 11 and a half lengths behind the future QIPCO Champion Stakes victor, Farhh.

However, the performance did not deter connections.

The Coolmore-owned colt was then aimed at the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, where he excelled on the grandest stage of them all.

With a surging run under jockey Joseph O’Brien, Declaration of War stretched three quarters of a length clear of Aljamaaheer to take the Group 1 prize, with eventual Etihad Airways Falmouth Stakes winner, Elusive Kate, three and a quarter lengths back in fourth.

O’Brien would go on to take the four-year-old to Sandown Park for the Coral-Eclipse, finishing second to Roger Charlton’s Al Kazeem, and then to Glorious Goodwood, claiming third place behind Toronado and Dawn Approach in the famous ‘Duel on the Downs’ clash in the QIPCO Sussex Stakes.

It was at York, though, that Declaration of War fully demonstrated why his connections were confident in him.

With Toronado and Al Kazeem both in contention for the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes, it was the Queen Anne champion that soared clear on the Knavesmire, beating Jim Bolger’s Irish Derby winner Trading Leather by one and a quarter lengths.

Declaration of War would go on to finish a narrow third in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita, before now being retired to Coolmore’s Co. Tipperary-based stud in Ireland.

The two-time British Champion Series champion is set to stand alongside the world’s best stallions, including Galileo, High Chaparral and Holy Roman Emperor.

Camelot heading to post before winning the QIPCO 2000 Guineas. Image copyright of Racingfotos.com

Enthusiastically glorified as a future champion as soon as he set his hooves in Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle stable, Camelot was always expected to deliver for his eager connections.

His owners, Coolmore, had held back the rights to use his name for ten years, hoping that the horse to eventually don the name of the Arthurian paradise was a superstar. He proved to be just that.

After winning the Racing Post Trophy impressively, the son of Montjeu entered the 2012 British Flat season with a weight of expectancy on his shoulders to perform.

In the QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, jockey Joseph O’Brien produced a perfectly-timed ride to help Camelot claim his first Classic success, beating French Fifteen by a neck.

With one British Classic under the belt, and with a pedigree to suggest that he would relish running over further than a mile, the logical next step was a tilt at the Investec Derby.

Being sent off odds-on at Epsom’s famously difficult and undulating track, Camelot cruised to a five-length success to claim the British Flat season showpiece.

The victory meant that an historical bid to be the first horse since Nijinsky in 1970 to take the prestigious British Triple Crown was still on the cards.

A triumph in the Doncaster St Leger would seal his place in history alongside the Vincent O’Brien-trained legend, Gainsborough and Gay Crusader.

However, before running in Yorkshire, Camelot would head to The Curragh to tackle the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby.

In slightly more testing fashion, he defeated Born To Sea by two-lengths, registering his third Classic win of the campaign.

The victory for Camelot would maintain his unbeaten record on the track.

Though, that record would sadly go at Doncaster.

Heavily backed at odds-on to enter racing folklore, Camelot succumbed to the staying power of Godolphin’s Encke, who beat him by three quarters of a length.

The disappointment at Doncaster meant that the first British Triple Crown in over 40 years was not meant to be.

After a failed attempt in the 2012 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe to conclude 2012, Camelot would go on to win once more in his career, as a four-year-old, in the Group 3 Mooresbridge Stakes.

As of next season, Coolmore Stud, in Ireland, will be where he will stand as a stallion, along with the likes of Galileo, High Chaparral and new recruit St Nicholas Abbey.

Connections will be hoping he is as successful at stud as his multiple Group 1-producing father.

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Coolmore 2 Year Olds 2014 Colts Updated 14/12/13 

Special Thanks to Ian Humphries 

 >>>>  http://www.aidanobrienfansite.com/ballydoyle-2yos-2014.php

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www.coolmore.com Friday 13 December 2013

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So far In 2013 we have had 35,000 Unique Visitors 59.32% percent of Total Visitors since we founded in 2010 Visitors form 80 Nations in 2013

We are 231 Visitors from hitting a total of 60,000 Total Unique Visitors since 2010 a Huge year for the site

Getting a mention on @AtTheRaces on Derby Day by presenter Sean Boyce @boyciesbetting helped a great deal.

Thanks to our much appreciated Visitors for your continued support

Having trouble seeing this then click here       www.coolmore.com Wednesday 11 December 2013

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NEW PAGE 

> Coolmore 2 Year Olds 2014 <  http://www.aidanobrienfansite.com/ballydoyle-2yos-2014.php

Horse Racing Ireland Awards 2013 

FLAT AWARD

AIDAN O’BRIEN

Trained a record 135 flat winners in Ireland (beating the previous highest total of 125 which Jim Bolger recorded in 1990) including a tally of 9 Grade One winners worldwide. Ruler Of The World gave him his fourth Epsom Derby success in June while another English Classic was annexed with Leading Light in the St Leger at Doncaster in September. Declaration Of War was a top class individual who landed the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Juddmonte International Stakes at York before going down in a tight three-way photo in the Breeders Cup Classic at Santa Anita in November. Magician was his 9th Irish 2000 Guineas winner in May before rounding off another wonderful year with a memorable success in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, which was possibly the training performance of the year as the horse had not raced since finishing down the field at Royal Ascot in June, and War Command cemented his place as a leading contender for next year’s Classics after taking the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket.

JOSEPH O’BRIEN

Smashed the record for most number of winners in a season with a final total of 126 in Ireland (comfortably beating Michael Kinane’s previous record score of 115 which was set in 1993) thus enabling him to be Crowned Champion Flat Jockey for the second consecutive year.  Joseph also became the first jockey to ride the winner of the Irish 2000 Guineas on three consecutive occasions when Magician triumphed at the Curragh in late May, while he rode three Royal Ascot winners (Queen Anne Stakes on Declaration Of War, Jersey Stakes on Gale Force Ten and Queen’s Vase on Leading Light). Other notable victories at the highest level included The Juddmonte International on Declaration Of War, The Dewhurst Stakes on War Command and the English St Leger on Leading Light to round off a truly memorable year.

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               Another French flier for Mullins                   

             Positive Debut for Beach of Falesa    

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Sales News

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Battle of Marengo at his new home

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Nephrite (blue and orange silks) wins the Killavullan Stakes

 PICTURE: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Nephrite to stand at Park Stud in Canada

NEPHRITE, who took the scalp of Born To Sea when he won the Killavullan Stakes in 2011, has been retired to stand at Michael and Laurel Byrne's Park Stud in Canada for the 2014 breeding season.

The four-year-old son of Pivotal was previously trained by Aidan O'Brien, who described him as a "very fast horse".

Bred by Templeton Stud and Cheveley Park Stud, Nephrite scored  first time out at the Curragh and finished in the first three in his next three starts including when second in this year's Group 3 Gladness Stakes.

Nephrite is one of two black-type winners for his winning dam, Cape Merino. His half-brother Cape Of Good Hope is a dual Group 1 winner who scored in the Golden Jubilee Stakes and the Australia Stakes.

"Pivotal is an emerging sire of sires and his offspring have been very successful in North America. We're very excited to be partnering with Coolmore again, we know Aidan thought very highly of Nephrite and we expect his speed and good looks to be attractive to Ontario breeders", said Michael Byrne.

Nephrite was bought by Demi O'Byrne for 230,000gns at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling sale in 2010. He will stand the 2014 season for Can$2,500.

Park Stud also welcomes the stakes winning Exhi, by Maria's Mon to its stallion roster for 2014. The Grade 2 Lexington Stakes winner will stand for a fee of Can$3,000.

Two other stallions to carry out the 2014 breeding season at Park Stud are the five-time Grade 1 winner Court Vision, who stands for Can$10,000 and Victor's Cry, who stands for Can$5,000.

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                       Shaneshill and Patrick Mullins storm clear in the bumper
                                             (Healy Racing Photos)

Shaneshill filled  Willie Mullins with belief that he can add to an already impressive record in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham next March after taking the O’Doherty’s Audio & Video Production Ltd Bumper in runaway fashion.

King Leon put up a Decent performance finishing strongly in 3rd more to come from the Mountain High Gelding this was only the 2nd start of his National Hunt Career he finished 6th behind Goldboy on Debut on the 20th October at Naas .

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Galileo Page Completely Updated >>> http://www. aidanobrienfansite.com/galileo.php 

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               Horse of the Month Results Oct/Nov

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Lucky Bridle clears the last on his way to victory under Ruby Walsh

Shield (right) 2nd in Orange & Blue Colours
(Healy Racing Photos)

Lucky Bridle, the even money favourite, made all to take the Cahir Maiden Hurdle, scoring under Ruby Walsh for Willie Mullins.

The four-year-old son of Dylan Thomas, who cost €110,000 at Arqana last October, finished third at Punchestown on his Irish debut, when sent off the 4/6 favourite.

It looked likely that he would come on plenty for that experience, and he did just that, making all this afternoon, and being pushed out away from the last to come home a comfortable three and three parts of a length in front.

Shield ran a nice race to take second under Robbie Power for Aidan O’Brien at 5/1 finishing just under 4 Lengths off the winner 

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St Nicholas Abbey update 
(28th November 2013)

St Nicholas Abbey is struggling to overcome the laminitis in his left front foot, this is indeed life threatening and is the single biggest complication he has faced since his initial lifesaving surgery.

The worry is that if the condition progresses and further sinking of the pedal bone takes place it may prolapse through the sole of his foot.

In spite of this St Nicholas Abbey is very comfortable, being just a little ouchy when walking in his first steps and better thereafter, his appetite and demeanour remain incredibly good.

His intensive veterinary treatment continues and includes maggot therapy for the slight discharge at the toe of the laminitic foot and a daily session on a vibrating plate.

The next few weeks are critical for St Nicholas Abbey – we are just hoping that he can turn the corner.

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    COOLMORE    

Imperial Monarch joins Coolmore’s N.H. division 
(22nd November 2013)

Galileo’s Group 1-winning son Imperial Monarch has been retired to stud and will stand under the Coolmore National Hunt banner at the Beeches Stud where he will replace the recently deceased Gold Well. Winner of his only start at two, a Curragh maiden by 3½ lengths, Imperial Monarch was next seen in the Group 3 Classic Trial at Sandown where he defeated the smart Thought Worthy. After a troubled passage in the habitually rough Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly he made no mistake next time out when a short-priced favourite for the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris.

“Imperial Monarch is by the best sire in the world in Galileo and out of a Slip Anchor half-sister to Oscar so he’s got an ideal pedigree for the job. His dam, the Listed winner Ionian Sea bred no less than ten winners including four Group 1 horses,” said the Beeches manager Robert McCarthy. “Although he was somewhat overshadowed by his stablemate Camelot at Ballydoyle he was a very talented racehorse in his own right and would have been the stable star in virtually every other yard. He’s a lovely horse with plenty of size and scope and a good walk.”

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Galileo Empire 2013 Version 2 Video (Updated for the end of 2013 Season)

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Aidan O'Brien's Future Stars of 2014

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Aidan O'Brien's 9 Group One wins of 2013 Video