Royal Ascot 2019: Nicola Currie to end 32-year female drought

Royal Ascot 2019. 

The start of more stories than you can shake a stick at. Trainers, jockeys, owners and the pageantry and pomp of the Royals. 

There is one thing that you may not see this year because it has been as rare as hen's teeth in previous times. So what am I talking about? The title of the post gives it away, hey. It's the lack of wins for female jockeys. 

In fact, there has been only one female jockey won at the Royal meeting. Girl, has it been that long between drinks? It's been 32-years since Gay Kelleway rode Sprowston Boy to victory in the Queen Alexandra Stakes. 

Is it really that long ago?

Sadly, it seems that Royal Ascot isn't female friendly when it comes to winning rides unlike this year at Cheltenham when Lizzie Kelly, Bryony Frost & Rachel Blackmore all tasted victory. 

Even Hayley Turner, who has won over 800 races on the Flat, has had to play second fiddle at Royal Ascot. Readers may remember she went so close to winning when riding Margot Did for Michael Bell in the Albany Stakes in 2010. 

Last year, Hollie Doyle was runner-up in the Sandringham Handicap. 

What's happening?

Looking at data detailed by the Guardian newspaper, in all 115 rides since 1989 by female jockeys only 10 have hit the frame. The average starting odds being nearer 50/1. 

What does this tell us? Basically, the female jockeys - bar a few exceptions - are riding no-hopers. 

Even Frankie Dettori would struggle to win if he was riding Eeyore the donkey. 

Is this just another sign of sexism in the Sport of Kings? 

It's not so long ago women in the Royal Enclosure where seen as an appendage of their husband when it came to the names on their badges. However, it should be noted that the majority of male jockeys don't even get to ride at the Royal meeting let alone win a race. It's a similar story for apprentice jockeys of both sexes. 

It is a course for the elite jockeys, much to do with the huge prize money on offer, which makes a great payday for those who are led into the winner's enclosure.  

Nicola Currie is this year's leading female apprentice and a rare talent. Jamie Osborne has given her the ride on Raising Sand in Wednesday's Royal Hunt Cup. 

In one of the most competitive races of the week, this son of Oasis Dream, in the ownership of Nick Bradley Racing 22 & Partner, odds of 12/1 look to hold some value. This 7-year-old bay gelding is a course specialist. He won a £100,000 contest last October. Currie has ridden this talented horse on his last four outings and knows him well. 

Could this be the second female winner at Royal Ascot?

Gay Kelleway's Global Spectrum Potential Group Class

Why do the followers of Group Horse take note of our inside info? Because it reveals hidden talents which, most often, do their talking on the track. 

To be fair Gay Kelleway doesn't have the best string of juveniles. Never quite in the same league as her father Paul, who used to love to tilt at windmills and showed other trainers how to win. One of few trainers who used to love sending out his better two-year-olds to debut at Listed class. It always seemed a touch crazy to me but they often went well. 

Global Spectrum, a bay son of Dutch Art out of the dam Lady Darshaan (a smart filly trained by Stan Moore) ran out a nice winner on debut at Kempton when racing over seven-furlong for owner Dr Johnny Hon. He won by almost three-lengths at odds of 16/1. Followers of Group Horse made note of this particular day because many readers filled their pockets with cash. Take a look at the post we wrote here. We identified that this colt was well respected and an expensive breeze-up purchase at 130,000g. 

Note: Nice to see him win at Group 2 in Doha, Qatar, now heading for the French 2000 Guineas. 

Shock News!!!! Gay Kelleway Plans to Train in France

There was a lot to like about that debut and the way he won gave the impression much greater things were expected. 

Making his return to the racecourse on the 2nd February to compete at Kempton over seven furlongs (carrying a winning penalty and a wide draw) didn't prevent punters from getting stuck in. The early price of 7/2 (Betfair) was soon hoovered up and a sustained wave of cash chipped away at the price until 4/6f was returned at SP. 

Leading from the early stages, he never looked to be threatened by the opposition and won ''readily'' by one-and-a-half lengths. 

Connections will be looking to step up to a higher grade come the Flat turf season. Interesting to hear the views of Kelleway as they may even be thinking about a trial for the 2000 Guineas. Perhaps that is wishful thinking on my part, but you can guarantee that this able colt will be looking to step up to pattern class in his next race or two. 

Group Horse has other notable wins this week with a couple of horses which had looked disappointing. John Gosden's Albert Finney finally go off the mark on this fifth run. This gelding had been far to keen in his earlier races which made life difficult. However, he won well at Wolverhampton (30th January).

Another horse to leave his debut far behind was Charlie Appleby's Wings Of Time who we detailed on one of our two Ten Dark Horse Mailings. This bay gelding, a son of Invincible Spirit, went unfancied on debut Newmarket when starting odds of 20/1. He was definitely in need of the race and between into seventh losing by fifteen lengths. However, a gelding operation, time and stepping up to one mine and half a furlong proved positive moves. This March foal was backed to odds of 4/9f. Although suffering problems in running, he ran out an easy enough winner giving the impression there is a lot more to come. 

Sunday's 2YO Update

I hope you are taking note of all these quality horses we are identifying. Saturday saw Sir Mark Prescott's Brassica cruise to a tidy victory. Looks a horse going places. Then, later that evening, we saw Court Poet win on debut for Charlie Appleby. Just two of a list of quality two-year-olds that win. 

At the end of the turf season 2018, this website will be for subscribers only. If you are interested in keeping the information to yourself then drop me an email at jason@professionalgamblers.co.uk

Sunday 

2:30 Brighton -

A restricted race type which usually goes to horses with experience. Gay Kelleway doesn't have the strongest of string but noted Global Goddess. This bay daughter of Morpheus races in the silks of Dr Johnny Hon, who is no stranger to winners. Beaten a long way in the Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2) when a 200/1 outsider. Ran half respectable last time out at Hamilton when cheek pieces were applied for the first time. Not run since July although a non-runner on a couple of starts with ground issues and vet's certificate. 

The only other entrant, which details the low level of this race, is Wolstonbury, trained by Sylvester Kirk. This horse is capable of winning at the plating class and has achieved an official rating of 60.   

Not really a race to get excited about. Global Goddess has about as good a chance as seen but limited. Should run thereabout 

3:30 Brighton - 

7f (6f210y) Chandlers BMW & Mini 68 Plate Novice Stakes (Plus 10 Race) (Class 4) (2yo)

A much better race. Sir Mark Prescott fields his best two-year-old. Miss Celestial won on debut. Last time out ventured to Deauville, France where she contested at Group 3 race. Ran well enough in fourth place after being reluctant to enter the stalls. Has a weight penalty which makes life harder and faces a field of colts. Prescott has applied the blinkers for the first time. She may be a little bit lazy although you don't want too many issues when priced 6/5f. 

Monday's 2YO Racing Tips (11th June)

Just a quick update.

2:30 Brighton - 

Gay Kelleway has given Induct a few entries including the Woodcote Stakes. This brown gelding hasn't been seen since April. He didn't show any ability of debut when weak in the market. The entries give some hope but there needs to be a transformation.  Stepping up to 6f will help.

Aisling received one significant entry but disappointed on both starts to date. In truth, this filly has been much too keen to do herself justice. This step up in distance will seem even harder work if pulling. Needs to settle to have any claims. 

Sunday's 2YO Racing Tips (10th June)

A couple of races to consider for Sunday. 

1:45 Nottingham - 

Interesting to note Gay Kelleway's Moveonup was earmarked for the Brian Yeardley but takes this easier target. This son of Zebedee ran well on debut when third. A positive jockey booking adds to confidence. Disappointing there are just two places with seven runners for each-way backers. 

Charlie Fellows doesn't have many two-year-olds in training but his debut winner Snazzy is no slouch. Interesting that he fields Sibirica. This daughter of Exceed And Excel cost £64,00 at the breeze-up sales. She actually cost more as a yearling. Fellows gave her an entry for the Hilary Needler which has got to be a sign of confidence. As with all debutantes, you are taking a leap of faith that they will get away on terms and run in a straight line. Bookmakers have this filly priced 8/1. Could be of interest, especially if drifting in the betting. This isn't the easiest of races to win and two places puts a downer on each-way unless brave enough to bet on the two. 

Likely favourite Napanook has no entries as yet but ran well on his racecourse bow. 

3:10 Goodwood - 

A selling race with a significant entry. That doesn't happen everyday. It's our old friend Anthem Of Peace, trained by Brian Meeham. He was given a Lily Agnes entry which looks crazy considering he has proven next to nothing in three starts. The good part - he's 50/1. The blinkers have been applied to bring about concentration. This horse is likely to finish in two positions: first or last. There is no real form to give hope but I still feel the trainer held this colt in some regard earlier in the season. Today is the day. Unlikely in many ways but as a speculative bet you could be proven a wizard if betting and he finally shows a glimmer of ability. 

Just noticed Wolf Hunter is also a significant entrant. Richard Hughes horse has shown ability but been far too keen in his races to finish with any zeal. Saying that, he did storm home after running wide on the bend at Kempton. He has enough ability to well in a rce of this type but needs to settle. 

Monday's 2YO Race Update

Five two-year-old race for Monday. I will try to keep this as brief as possible because I am trying to do a million things at once.

2:05 Redcar - 

Mark Johnston has been in very good form and details the only significant entry for with Aisling. This race type is restricted which usually favours proven form horses.Big Ace ran well last time out and looks a tough horse to beat. However, Johnston's daughter of Dream Ahead - a very cheap buy - has been given an entry of note so it will be interesting to see how she goes.  

2:15 Carlisle - 

Once again, Mark Johnston has the sole entry here with Hard Forest. A wide draw isn't ideal. She must be held in some regard by connections as received a couple of entries including a Listed race. This American-bred daughter of Hard Spun has looked a short runner but ran ok on a couple of occasions. She was readily outpointed at Yarmouth although the form of that race has been franked. Has plenty of pace so may try to get to the rail from this high draw. A slight concern about her tiring in the final furlong.

From a statistical point of view, True Mason could go very well. A wide draw isn't ideal. He ran in a decent race on debut and may have been bogged down with the mud or slightly in need of the run. The stable have been out of form which doesn't bring confidence but their fortunes will change sooner or later. Definitely one for the short list. 

Cosmic Law was the more fancied of the two Fahey runners at Doncaster, where the outsider of the two prevailed. Cosmic Law was slow away from the stalls and never really involved. However, this son of No Nay Never stayed on in the closing stages without being pressed. I was quite taken with that effort and a horse who will progress. If drifting to each-way prices is worth a small bet. 

6:00 Leicester - 

No significant entries.

6:15 Windsor - 

Quite an interesting race. Richard Hannon's Come On Leicester cost 360,000gns at the breeze-up sales and ran well when making her debut at Ascot. She has a plum draw in stall one and a recent entry for the National Stakes Listed races gives the impression this should be a stepping stone to bigger fish.Whether you want to jump in at 4/5f is the only concern. Definitely the horse to beat.

Gay Kelleway's Elieden was a bargain buy at the breeze-up sales. An excellent purchase at £4,000. Interesting to note this small filly was entered to run at selling class but also higher profile races such as the Lily Agnes, a Class 2 contest and the National Stakes Listed. She was sent off a huge price on debut at Chester. A wide draw and slow start didn't help. However, she ran very well, finding trouble in running down the straight, but finished with some verve. There is always a chance she could have been slightly flattered. Recent entries suggest connections fancy she has ability. A wide draw isn't ideal here and she wouldn't be helped by another tardy start. If starting on terms, could well hold each-way claims at 12/1. The favourite looks hard to beat so if betting you may be wiser to have a point on the favourite and Elieden and just hope the jolly has a disaster. 

Richard Hughes has a number of two-year-olds. They often struggle to win but show form. Kadiz traveled well on debut but went a stride too fast and looked to hate the testing conditions at Salisbury. If back to her best, could hold claims. A wide draw isn't ideal but she should have the pace to sit handy if her rider chooses. A hood has been applied which is a slight negative. 

6:45 Windsor - 

Not significant entries

2:55 Lingfield Racing Tips (3rd April)

A Novice Median Auction Stakes over 5f 6y on Standard going. 

Eight debutantes take part: three colts and five fillies. This race type (class 5) details that most two-year-olds were relatively cheap purchases at the sales. 

Not the easiest race to assess so I will just highlight a few which have been given significant entries. 

Gay Kelleway's Induct was earmarked for the Brocklesby Conditions Stakes. This son of Pastoral Pursuits cost £5000 at the yearling sales. 

Mick Channon has done well this early season with Izzer winning the Brocklesby and a Class 2 Stakes race at Bath. Jungle Inthebungle was entered for a Class 2 Stakes which gives some hope. The stable have indicated they have a decent string of juveniles. 

Similarly, Dean Ivory's Penniesfromheaven had been entered for one of those two £12,000 races (Bath or Newcastle). This daughter of Lethal Force runs in the colours of his father, K T Ivory. The mare won on debut. Penniesfromheaven cost £17,000 when purchased from the yearling sales by the handler. 

A watching brief.