Bloodlines

Gary McKenzie on the importance of bloodlines

Oxted emulated his sire Mayson when winning the July Cup last weekend. His grand sire was Choisir who was second behind top sprinter Oasis Dream in this race.

It shows how breeding is so important in horse racing. And it is not only the horses who contain genes handed down from champions.

Cieren Fallon was winning his first Group One race and his dad is six time champion jockey Kieren Fallon. Fallon senior won most of the big races including two Arcs, three Derbys, and two Breeders Cup races.

He never won the July Cup however. So young Cieren has one up on the old man already.

Advice

He did thank his father who gave him some advice on riding the race but he told reporters he would be winding his dad up about the missing race on his CV.

Trainer Roger Teal was another gaining his first top level success. He had come close in the 2000 Guineas two years ago when Tip Two Win finished ahead of Masar, Elarqam, Roaring Lion and Expert Eye.

Unfortunately Saxon Warrior was too good that day. It was also a family affair for him as his wife Sue is Oxted’s groom and his son Harry rides the horse out most mornings. I think they may have had a sip or two of fizzy wine that night.

Elusive

Sceptical was again placed leaving Frankie Dettori still searching for that elusive July Cup win to complete the set of British Group One races.

Pinatubo won his first race of the season when taking the Prix Jean Prat over seven furlongs. It was not as impressive as we are used to from the horse named after a volcano but he is back to winning ways at least.

Another on the comeback trail was Mohaather who was a near four length victor in the Sumer Mile. It was a good performance and did back up the impression he was unlucky at the Royal Meeting but the horses in behind are not in the top rank in my opinion.

Even though he is one of my favourite horses I will not be rushing to back Mohaather at 5/2 in the Sussex Stakes in less than two weeks.
That is looking like a very good race.

Stellar career

Just before I get on to this weeks races it’s only right I mention Barry Geraghty who has weighed in for the last time. The forty year old has had a stellar career and was a jockey who could be counted on in the biggest races.

Only Ruby Walsh has won more races at the Cheltenham Festival than Geraghty’s forty three. He won two Gold Cups, four Champion Hurdles, a Stayers Hurdle, five, yes five, Champion Chases and in 2003 he rode Monty’s Pass to win the Grand National.

But for me Barry Geraghty will forever be associated with Moscow Flyer. He rode the horse thirty eight times winning on twenty five occasions of which thirteen were at the top level.

Together they won two Champion Chases, two Melling Chases and two Tingle Creeks. The 2004 Tingle Creek is still my favourite ever jumps race.

Although he has retired from race riding I expect Barry Geraghty will not be short of offers of work whether it be as a racing manager, or pundit. He also has bloodstock experience.

Whatever he does I wish him all the best.

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