Dettori to ride Shea Shea
FRANKIE Dettori has been engaged to ride Shea Shea in the Gr 1 Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes over 1 000m at York Racecourse on Saturday, August 23.
Dettori, who has won the race three times, agreed to ride the former South African star after a meeting with Mike de Kock on Monday. He will be working the six-year-old son of National Emblem in work at Newmarket today.
De Kock said on Tuesday: “Christophe Soumillon was due to take the ride as usual, but he picked up a suspension in France and failed on appeal. He won’t be available on the day. We’re fortunate to have Frankie available to stand in.”
Shea Shea is stabled at Mary Slack’s Abington Place at Newmarket and his preparation is well on target.
De Kock commented: “He’s doing well, his coat looks good and he should be at his best for the race. It’s an easier five-furlong than the one at Ascot where he was beaten late by Sole Power, so we’re hoping it will suit him perfectly.”
Shea Shea (120) and Aiden O’Brien’s Declaration Of Power (121) are the highest rated among the nominations and Sole Power (117) also appears on the list of entries. De Kock said: “It looks like the usual suspects and if all goes well Shea Shea will be in with a big chance.”
The Apache
Meanwhile, the eyes of the racing world will be on Arlington Park outside of Chicago this Saturday when the International Festival of Racing is highlighted by the Arlington Million (GI) and Beverly D. (GI), which will both offer guaranteed starting berths into the Breeders’ Cup later this fall at Santa Anita.
The Million, which will award a berth into the Breeders’ Cup Turf and the Beverly D., which will award a berth into the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, headline a blockbuster card that could go a long way in determining year-end honors.
The Million, run at 1 ¼ miles (2 000m), has long been a melting pot for international horses to test their mettle against the best America has to offer and this year appears no different.
With Priscilla Vaccarezza’s defending champion and Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Little Mike leading the way for the home team, the international invaders will have a formidable foe.
The foreign contingent will be led by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum The Apache (SAF), who has been pointed to the Million all year by trainer Mike de Kock.
The 6-year-old son of Mogok won the Al Rashidiya (GII) in Dubai at Meydan in January and ran second in the Jebel Hatta (GI) and Dubai Duty Free (GI) there in March, when he easily defeated Little Mike.
The Apache is 7-for-19 lifetime and will rate a formidable presence for one of the sport’s top international trainers.
The Apache is reported to be in good shape for the race and De Kock reported on Monday: “The Apache travelled well and he’s in the care of Declan Cronin along with his regular work rider Phil Shea. Christophe Soumillon will fly in later this week and has been booked for the ride.”
-Mikedekockracing.com and Thoroughbrednews.com.au