by Magnat
Another race meeting will be held on Sunday, 22nd December starting at 1.30pm. This is a special meeting being held within the context of the Equestrian Festival and comprising just seven races, all of which are however finals. Six of the races are reserved for trotters with the remaining race being a flat race. The races are all on sprint distances, with trotters racing over the 1,640m distance and thoroughbreds over 1,250m. In the trot sphere, we have a final for each class, i.e. Premier, Gold, Silver A, Silver B, Bronze and Copper. Equestrian Festival trot finals The star attraction is naturally the Premier class final. Here all nine finalists (6 geldings, 2 mares and 1 stallion) are coming from a brilliant performance and a splendid time in the semi-final and have won some 18 times and placed (from 2nd to 4th) another 38 times, thus promising a truly hard-fought final. This is a truly international race with no less than six countries being represented, i.e. Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden, with horse ages being relatively young for Malta, between 7 and 12 years. The following is the full list: 1. Totti T. Dream, Swedish 12 year old, with overseas winnings of SEK1,965,853 and a best time of 1’11’5 per kilometre. It has won once from its five races in Malta with a best time among us of 1’13’1 per kilometre on 1,640m, being the joint national best time on the distance. 2. Madam di Poggio, Italian 7 year old, with overseas winnings of Euro90,325 and a best time of 1’13’2 per kilometre. It has placed twice in its three races in Malta with a best time among us of 1’14’1 per kilometre on 1,640m. 3. Absolut Spender, Swedish 10 year old, with overseas winnings of SEK686,713 and a best time of 1’12’8 per kilometre. It has four wins and 3 places from its 13 races in Malta with a best time locally of 1’13’7 per kilometre on 1,640m. 4. Vejby Boom, Swedish 7 year old, with overseas winnings of SEK676,390 and a best time of 1’11’6 per kilometre. It has a place in its only race in Malta so far, with a time of 1’13’7 per kilometre. 5. Vanmaker Limburgia, German 10 year old, with overseas winnings of SEK977,418 and a best time of 1’12’2 per kilometre. It has 7 places from its 12 races in Malta with a best time among us of 1’14’0 per kilometre on 2,140m (1’14’2 per kilometre on 1,640m). 6. Oran, French 11 year old, with overseas winnings of Euro347,910 and a best time of 1’11’7 per kilometre. It has notched two wins and four places from its 12 races in Malta with a best time locally of 1’14’1 per kilometre on 1,640m. 7. Sultan November, German 9 year old, with overseas winnings of SEK582,179 and a best time of 1’11’8 per kilometre. It has acquired three wins and ten places from its 20 races in Malta with a best time among us of 1’14’0 per kilometre on 1,640m. 8. Made In Hoff, Danish 9 year old, with overseas winnings of NOK506,540 and a best time of 1’13’1 per kilometre. It has a win and a place in its 4 races in Malta with a best time of 1’14’0 per kilometre on 1,640m. 9. Zilver Boko, Dutch 7 year old, with overseas winnings of SEK235,743 and a best time of 1’13’4 per kilometre. It notched seven wins (including the 2012 Sette Giugno Cup final) and ten places from its 21 races in Malta with a best time of 1’13’7 per kilometre on 1,640m. The total prize-money for this final amounts to Euro2,350, with the winner receiving Euro1,300. The other five Equestrian Festival finals are also extremely exciting with some of Malta’s most in-form horses participating therein. As an example we take a look also at the participants in the Gold class final, featuring 9 geldings, 1 stallion and 1 mare aged between 7 and 12 years, which have to date won 27 races and placed another 62 times between them here in Malta. These are: 1. Charm Hammering, Swedish 8 year old, with overseas winnings of SEK301,400 and having six wins and seven places in Malta with its absolute best time being realised here, i.e. 1’13’4 per kilometre on 1,640m. 2. Paleo des Cascades, French 10 year old, with overseas winnings of Euro180,340 and having a place in Malta with a best time here of 1’14’8 per kilometre on 1,640m. 3. Phenix de la Roque, French 10 year old, with overseas winnings of Euro131,800 and having acquired three wins and six places in Malta with its absolute best time being realised here, i.e. 1’14’6 per kilometre on 1,640m. 4. Skip Dimanche, Swedish 10 year old, with overseas winnings of SEK961,750, winner of one race plus another 10 places in Malta with a best time among us of 1’13’8 per kilometre on 1,640m. 5. Zandina Boshoeve, Swedish 7 year old, with overseas winnings of Euro25,660, having notched three wins and seven places in Malta with its absolute best time being registered here, i.e. 1’13’9 per kilometre on 1,640m. 6. Niky de Memartin, French 12 year old, with overseas winnings of Euro195,780, with 11 places in Malta and its absolute best time being registered here, i.e. 1’14’5 per kilometre on 1,640m. 7. Nagano Phedo, French 12 year old, with overseas winnings of Euro123,530, having 8 wins and 6 places in Malta with a best time here of 1’14’2 per kilometre on 1,640m. 8. Reader Jyl, French 8 year old, with overseas winnings of Euro108,870, with 2 wins in Malta and a best time here of 1’14’6 per kilometre on 1,640m. 9. Ouf Boy, French 11 year old, with overseas winnings of Euro197,280, with 6 places in Malta and having registered its absolute best time here, i.e. 1’13’6 per kilometre on 1,640m. 10. Power Night Star, Swedish 8 year old, with overseas winnings of SEK569,570, notching 3 wins and 4 places in Malta and realising its absolute best time among us, i.e. 1’14’1 per kilometre on 1,640m. 11. Pan des Couperies, French 10 year old, with overseas winnings of Euro116,460, winning once and placing another 4 times in Malta and with a best time here of 1’14’0 per kilometre on 1,640m. Another truly impressive list of participants! Exciting fair is also expected from the other four finals whose main characteristics are: (i) Silver A: 12 participants (8 geldings and 4 mares), originating in France, Germany, Sweden and the USA, and aged between 5 and 12 years; (ii) Silver B: 10 participants (9 geldings and a mare) originating in France and Sweden and aged between 6 and 12 years; (iii) Bronze: 10 participants (6 geldings, 2 stallions and 2 mares) coming from Denmark, France and Sweden and aged between 6 to 15 years; (iv) Copper: 12 participants (9 geldings and 3 mares) originating in Denmark, France, Germany and Sweden and having the widest difference in ages, i.e. between 5 and 17 years. Coronation Cup for thoroughbreds The other key race in this Equestrian Festival is the Coronation Cup final for thoroughbreds – an accolodate with a long prestigious history, the main honour in Malta on the sprint 1,250m distance. This race sees six participants (2 geldings, 2 mares and 2 stallions) in action, hailing from Germany, Ireland and the USA and aged between 3 and 7 years. These are: 1. Kimberley Downs, US 7 year old, winner of 11 races (including this year’s Mediterranean Derby and Johnnie Walker Cup) and a place, from its 14 races in Malta. 2. Timolin, German 6 year old, winner of 6 races plus another 9 places (2nd or 3rd), from its 15 races in Malta. 3. Enthrall, Irish 4 year old, winner of one of its two races in Malta. 4. Darielli, US 6 year old, with 2 wins and four places from its 9 races in Malta. 5. Diamante Grande, Irish 4 year old, with a win and a place from its 5 races in Malta. 6. Gold As Good, Irish 3 year old, which placed in all of its 3 races in Malta. I always look forward to the December race meetings, because they involve one of the climaxes of the season, with semi-finals or finals featuring in practically every meeting. This is no exception both in respect of trotters as well as thoroughbreds as we crown the best horses on the sprint distances. This meeting has the added attraction of forming part of the day-long Equestrian Festival, a feast of horses and of all those connected therewith, going well beyond racing! Last Meetings
The highlights of the last three meetings were undoubtedly the President’s Cup final on the 13th December, the SECF French trotters' finals on the 15th December and the Equestrian Festival semi-finals on the 13th, 14th and 15th December. Cloria Victis took an early lead in President’s Cup final over the rather long 2,640m distance followed for quite some time by True Q, among others. However, the real action arrived in the back straight as Cloria Victis first extended its lead but then we saw the acceleration of various horses particularly Poppes Fighter, Gently the Poggio and The Bad Rock which arrived within striking distance of the race leader with half a lap to go.
As the horses entered the final straight we had no less than four horses nearly in a straight line, Cloria Victis hugging the rails, Poppes Figher next to it, Gently di Poggio three wide and The Bad Rock four wide. Brian Zammit’s Italian 10 year old Gently di Poggio powered into the lead less than 200m from the end and sprinted marvellously to the finishing post, to claim its first win in Malta and the 13th edition of the President’s Cup, more than a length ahead of The Bad Rock, followed by Cloria Victis, Midnight Passion and Poppes Figher.
The race time was a fantastic 1’14’4 per kilometre, the best time on this distance since Joker de Choisel’s national record (second time) registered on the 1st June 2008. The President of Malta His Excellency Dr George Abela, who followed the race at the racecourse made the presentation to the owners/ drivers of the first four horses.
On Sunday, the key attractions were the five finals from the SECF French trotters championships also on the 2,640m distance.
In the most important final, the Prix de Vincennes (Premier class), it was Pacha de la Frette which took an early lead followed by Orion du Vaumicel and Orgueil de Nganda. After running in last place for a good part of the race, around 1,200m from the end Okilaibo went on the outer lanes to soon go up all the way to come close to the race leader.
The situation remained the same until around half a lap to go when Okilaibo went in front followed three wide by Ohime Mag driven by Ronald Cassar. The final straight saw an exciting struggle between Okilaibo and Ohime Mag with the latter having the better around 150m from the end to go on to claim its fourth seasonal win and the Prix de Vincennes in a time of 1’14’9 per kilometre, more than a length and a half ahead of Okilaibo, followed by Oltedo de Rieux, Quelino d’Amour and Orgueil de Nganda in that order.
Prince Gaillard went in front early on in the Prix d’Enghien (Gold class) final, but after the first half lap it was overtaken by Pepito Flash. With 1,400m to go, we had another change in the race leader, with Onyx Lucernais taking the lead. Orion de Chapeau went two-wide head-to-head with the race leader in the back straight, with these two horses being followed among others by Oolong hugging the rails.
As the horses entered the last 400m it was Onyx Lucernais closely followed by Oolong and Prince Gaillard with the final straight being a mighty struggle between these three horses. Running three wide, Charles Degiorgio’s Oolong went in the lead in the middle of the final straight and dominated the last metres to claim its third seasonal win and the Prix d’Enghien nearly two lengths ahead of Prince Gaillard, followed by Onyx Lucernais and Orage du Pont, in a time of 1’17’4 per kilometre.
The other finals saw wins for Petit Pierricais (Ray Schembri) at its second seasonal win, in the Prix de Cabourg (1'16'0 per kilometre), Noel Baldacchino’s Polytain at its sixth seasonal win, in the Prix de Cagnes Sur Mer (1’16’6 per kilometre) and Owens Kin also driven by Noel Baldacchino at its first seasonal win (1’18’5 per kilometre), in the Prix de Caen.
The prizes relative to these finals were presented by Ms Emmanuelle Morvillers, a senior official of the Societe’ du Cheval Francais, the French trotting association, which sponsored these championships.
During Sunday’s meeting, Noel Baldacchino was also presented with the award of Best Driver for the month of November by Mr Kenneth Vella on behalf of the Italian company Equine Supreme a producer of equine products. We sincerely thank the said sponsors for kindly supporting this initiative.
The other key races last weekend were the Equestrian Festival trot semi-finals on the sprint 1,640m distance. These saw trotters from all classes in action on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
However the two most-awaited races were held on Saturday, i.e. the Premier class semi-finals.
Madam di Poggio took an early lead in the first semi-final, remaining comfortably in the lead until the back straight, when various horses accelerated strongly to come close to the race leader.
However, Madam di Poggio managed to maintain its lead and to enter first into the final straight when it was attacked by horses such as Sultan November, Oran and Made In Hoff. Sultan November went in front in the last 50 metres to claim its third seasonal win in 1’14’0 per kilometre, half a length ahead of Made In Hoff, followed by Oran, Madam di Poggio and Vanmaker Limburgia which all made it to the final.
Why Not As went in front early on in the second Premier class semi-final followed by Pro Shop and Vejby Boom. However Totti T. Dream made its move around 650m from the end going three wide and attacking the race leaders in a decisive manner. It went in front with half a lap to go and completely dominated the remainder of the race, sprinting strongly throughout the final straight to claim its first win in Malta some three and a half lengths ahead of Absolut Spender followed by Zilver Boko, Vejby Boom and Nabab du Chatelet which all qualified for the final.
Totti T. Dream’s time was historic, the joint best time on this distance and overall in Malta of 1’13’1 per kilometre, the third time (after Hiracan de Brehan and Pajarito Nada in 2007) that this average time was registered in Maltese horse-racing history.
The Equestrian Festival 2013
And so, we are now at the third edition of Malta’s Equestrian Festival; a beautiful festival whose first edition was held in 2010, with a follow-up a year later (Kejser Flamingo and Mon Daniel being the winners of the Premier class finals in the first two editions), was absent from the calendar in 2012 and is now returning on Sunday.
The first two editions were held in Spring with this edition taking place in winter.
I must admit that although I love horse-racing, I love even more the horses themselves. I probably prefer even more watching horses in their paddock or stables or whilst being trained to the race itself.
That is what the Equestrian Festival is all about. A true celebration of horses and all those around them. And not just race horses but also polo horses, show jumpers, ponies etc., with the festival's aim being that of linking together all these equestrian disciplines.
Sponsored by the Government, the Equestran Festival sees the participation of various clubs affiliated with the Malta Equestrian Federation, of the Malta Racing Club and of the Malta Polo Club.
Activities open with the blessing of horses at 10am by Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap, followed by ponies’ races, a parade of famous trotters which have retired from racing, a polo tournament, a jog cart race involving well-known sports journalists, dressage and show-jumping, the Equestrian Festival trot finals as well as the historic Coronation Cup final with its long prestigious history and finally the auctioning of a driver’s jacket of French world-famous driver Jean Michel Bazire (sincere thanks to Mr Mario Xuereb who managed to obtain this jacket from France) with the proceeds being devolved on L-Istrina.
Apart from the equine-related activities, as is typically the case on such festive occasions, a great backdrop of fun for the whole family has been prepared, with songs by renowned performers, a live band, a live crib, Christmas-related activities and much more, with the festival also having a philanthropic theme through the donation of proceeds to L-Istrina.
Undoubtedly another memorable day at the Marsa racetrack, not just due to the seven racing finals, but also with the addition of so many other horse- and Christmas- related activities which should serve to put young and old in the holiday mood typical of this time of year.
We wish you another great Equestrian Festival on Sunday.
