Search
where the horse is always the hero
Article Item
Posted 2015-08-04 09:08:56  
American Pharoah vs Golden Horn is a no go



THE world's two best horses seem destined never to lock horns, with owner Anthony Oppenheimer saying on Monday there is "absolutely no way" Golden Horn will have a Breeders' Cup Classic showdown with American Pharoah.

As one bookmaker took the view the Triple Crown hero will edge past the Derby and Coral-Eclipse winner and achieve a higher end-of-year rating, Oppenheimer all but ruled out what would amount to one of the all-time great head-to-heads at Keeneland on October 31.

The diamond magnate also repeated his wish for Golden Horn's racing career to end this year, when racegoers will also get the last chance to enjoy Coolmore-bound US phenomenon American Pharoah, who on Sunday delivered by far his most impressive performance yet when winning the Haskell Invitational without coming off the bridle.

'Complete no-no'

"He's very quiet, very happy and growing stronger by the day," said Oppenheimer, confirming the John Gosden-trained Golden Horn on course for the Juddmonte International at York on July 12, for which he was cut to 1-2 (from 4-7) by William Hill and to 8-15 (from 8-13) by Coral.

However, Oppenheimer offered no hope at all that the highest-rated thoroughbred in the world will be aimed at the Classic, for which, in a match bet, American Pharoah was quoted at 1-2 by Paddy Power with Europe's top horse on 6-4.

"It's a complete no-no, on dirt certainly," said Oppenheimer. "There's absolutely no way he'll run on dirt. First, it's quite a long bet for him to go to America anyway. Second, if we were to go to America he'd certainly only race on grass."

World's best

An update to the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings is due to be released next Thursday. Golden Horn sits atop the current standings on 130 with American Pharoah on 128. The Racing Post has Golden Horn on 132 and American Pharoah on 131.

Before the Haskell William Hill had Golden Horn at 4-11 to end 2015 with a higher figure than American Pharoah, who had been offered at 5-2. On Monday , however, there was a flip-flopping of superstars with American Pharoah now 5-6 to have the greater close-of-year rating with Golden Horn 11-8.

Coral priced up the two heavyweights at 5-6 each of two should they meet at any point this year, spokesman David Stevens saying: "While it is perhaps just a dream at this stage, a meeting between the pair would be a must-see showdown for racing fans everywhere."

'He's our Frankel'

Speaking to the Racing Post last night, Baffert paid American Pharoah the ultimate compliment.

"He's our version of Frankel," said Baffert. "I think he's there already. Watching him train, I've never seen anything like him. He's incredible. He's drawn so much attention nationwide that the pressure is starting to build. He's like an expensive Picasso. I have to make sure he doesn't get scratched.

"It's like the farewell tour now. We probably won't know what we're doing for a couple of weeks. You never know what will happen. I don't want to send him out unless I'm really confident he's at his best.

"It's hard to keep a horse at that level in the States. Racing on dirt is tough as they have to run fast and hard the whole way and this horse likes to dominate as well. Eventually it catches up with them.

"American Pharoah and Golden Horn are two different types of horse. I would never compare the two."

Asked if he expected American Pharoah to topple Golden Horn in the Longines rankings, Baffert added: "I wear a Longines watch and they do make a great watch. That's as much as I know about their rankings."

Confirming his plan to send Golden Horn to stud next year, Oppenheimer said: "I'm a breeder, not a racer, so I would like to get him to stud."
 

Racing POST 

Rate:
Email link to a friend | Printable Version
  • Similar Articles
    Displaying 20 ResultsSee All
    preview kenilworth 3 november 20182018-11-03

    KENILWORTH Race 1 1-MUSHI STEREK 9-INDI ANNA 14-SILVER DAZZLE   Race 2 6-GIMMETHERAIN 5...

    View | Add Comment
    betting world 2200 preview 2017-06-26

     Just ten horses have been declared for the Gr3 Betting World 2200, the first of nine features ...

    View | Add Comment
    greyville june 25th results 2017-06-25

    N899 - Race 1 - R 200000 - SUMMERHILL STUD KWAZULU-NATAL BREEDERS JUV ...

    View | Add Comment
    american pharoah vs golden horn is a no go2015-08-04

    THE world's two best horses seem destined never to lock horns, with owner Anthony Oppenheimer sa...

    View | Add Comment
    irish-breds lead the way for hong kong’s international meeting2014-11-24

    Irish-Bred PENIAPHOBIA (IRE) became only the second three-year-old ever to win the Group 2 BOCHK W...

    View | Add Comment
    death of racing great hughes2014-11-18

      Dessie Hughes, one of Ireland's racing greats as a trainer and before that as a jockey, has ...

    View | Add Comment
    arc beckons for europe's stars2014-10-01

    Tapestry has emerged a possible challenger for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe after Coolmore said she...

    View | Add Comment
    musir does it for south african 2012-01-12

    Etisalat was the generous sponsor of Thursday's third meeting of the Dubai World Cup Carnival and th...

    View | Add Comment
    date for meydan opening announced2009-06-11

     Meydan has finally announced the date of its first meeting after months of speculation surrou...

    View | Add Comment
    meydan - may 2009 in pictures2009-05-26

    Meydan, the most spectacular development to happen to the thoroughbred racing world this cent...

    View | Add Comment
    jay peg to stand at klawervlei2009-04-28

    He’s been called a “giant killer” and now imposing bay Jay Peg is returning...

    View | Add Comment
    south african horses arrive in hong kong2009-04-14

    South Africa's two contenders for Hong Kong Group 1 honours, Imbongi and Archipenko (pictured), have...

    View | Add Comment
    bruss runners highlight disappointing day for s.a2009-03-29

    The Saudi Arabian based Neil Bruss held up the Southern African flag in Dubai on Saturday night in t...

    View | Add Comment
    smashing win for well armed in dubai world cup2009-03-28

    One of the most dominant performances in Dubai World Cup history was seen at Nad Al Sheba on Saturda...

    View | Add Comment
    eastern anthem captures sheema classic crown2009-03-28

    The most competitive race finish of the Dubai World Cup night was won by a local rider and trai...

    View | Add Comment
    gladiatorus storms to dubai duty free victory2009-03-28

    The Dubai Duty Free was a truly Emirati victory with apprentice rider Ahmed Ajtebi completing a rema...

    View | Add Comment
    brown, bruss thrilled with world cup runners2009-03-23

    Albertus Maximus, the Dubai World Cup contender owned by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Ma...

    View | Add Comment
    super thursday double for south africa, godolphin2009-03-06

    The final meeting of the 2009 Dubai International Racing Carnival, Super Thursday, was kindly sponso...

    View | Add Comment
    south african bred biarritz tops dubai sale2009-03-04

    The Mike De Kock-trained Biarritz (pictured) will carry the yellow and blue silks of his main patron...

    View | Add Comment
    dubai's super thursday approaches2009-03-01

    With only next week’s Super Thursday meeting, the dress rehearsal for Dubai World Cup night le...

    View | Add Comment
  • United States of America
    Displaying 10 ResultsSee All
    three star grade 1 winners set for stud at spendthrift 2023-09-18

    Spendthrift Farm has announced it will be adding Grade 1 winners Taiba, Zandon and Arabian Lion to i...

    View | Add Comment
    munger second in canadian gr1 as she feels pretty romps2023-09-17

    She Feels Pretty, closing down the middle of the track under rider John Velazquez, proved best by 4 ...

    View | Add Comment
    master appleby takes canada's big mile 2023-09-17

    Irish-bred Master of The Seas, a 5-year-old son of Dubawi (IRE)-Firth of Lorne (IRE), was dominant i...

    View | Add Comment
    monmouth increases handle for third straight year2023-09-12

    Monmouth Park continued its upward trend by showing an increase in average total handle and average ...

    View | Add Comment
    arabian knight takes revenge in geaux rocket ride in pacific classic 2023-09-03

    In the $1-million FanDuel Racing Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Saturday, two of the top 3-year-old c...

    View | Add Comment
    del mar's pacific classic set to thrill 2023-09-01

    The upcoming Gr1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar promises an exciting showdown, reminiscent of Flightline...

    View | Add Comment
    del mar cancels sunday card. only second time in history for this reason 2023-08-19

    Bowing to Mother Nature and putting safety first on its list, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club has announce...

    View | Add Comment
    big money for curlin beholder colt 2023-08-10

    The second session of Fasig-Tipton’s 102nd Saratoga Sale held Tuesday produced a sale record...

    View | Add Comment
    star filly breaks down in front of thousands at saratoga 2023-08-07

    The world witnessed the catastrophic indicident of Maple Leaf Mel breaking down near the finish line...

    View | Add Comment
    oaklawn increase 3 yo preps into kentucky derby 2023-07-23

    The richest 3-year-old prep series in the nation gets even richer in 2024 as Oaklawn announced today...

    View | Add Comment