Curlin wins Horse of the Year
DiscreetCat
Moderator
from Bloodhorse:
As the only member of the elite crop of 2007 3-year-olds to return to racing as a 4-year-old, Curlin had the hopes of racing fans across the country resting on his shoulders as he embarked on an ambitious campaign that was designed to break new ground in international racing.
Everything began according to plan when Curlin captured the Jaguar Trophy and Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) at Nad Al Sheba, the latter by a resounding 7 3/4 lengths over top-class horses from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
After conquering the Middle East, Curlin returned home and easily captured the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) at Churchill Downs by 4 1/4 lengths under 128 pounds. With his form established on two continents, the defending Horse of the Year turned his sights to Europe and the granddaddy of all races, the Prix de lArc de Triomphe (Fra-I).
But in his grass debut in the Man o War Stakes (gr. IT) he finished second to 2006 John Deere Breeders Cup Turf (gr. IT) winner Red Rocks. It was enough to convince owner Jess Jackson and trainer Steve Asmussen to abandon their plans and map out a new schedule in the United States.
Curlin captured the prestigious Woodward Stakes (gr. I) and Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I), the latter for the second year in a row. His Gold Cup victory pushed his career earnings over the $10-million mark, making him the top money-winning North American-based horse of all time, passing Cigar.
Curlin concluded the year in the Breeders Cup Classic (gr. I), but could do no better than fourth in his synthetic surface debut.
As the only member of the elite crop of 2007 3-year-olds to return to racing as a 4-year-old, Curlin had the hopes of racing fans across the country resting on his shoulders as he embarked on an ambitious campaign that was designed to break new ground in international racing.
Everything began according to plan when Curlin captured the Jaguar Trophy and Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) at Nad Al Sheba, the latter by a resounding 7 3/4 lengths over top-class horses from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
After conquering the Middle East, Curlin returned home and easily captured the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) at Churchill Downs by 4 1/4 lengths under 128 pounds. With his form established on two continents, the defending Horse of the Year turned his sights to Europe and the granddaddy of all races, the Prix de lArc de Triomphe (Fra-I).
But in his grass debut in the Man o War Stakes (gr. IT) he finished second to 2006 John Deere Breeders Cup Turf (gr. IT) winner Red Rocks. It was enough to convince owner Jess Jackson and trainer Steve Asmussen to abandon their plans and map out a new schedule in the United States.
Curlin captured the prestigious Woodward Stakes (gr. I) and Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I), the latter for the second year in a row. His Gold Cup victory pushed his career earnings over the $10-million mark, making him the top money-winning North American-based horse of all time, passing Cigar.
Curlin concluded the year in the Breeders Cup Classic (gr. I), but could do no better than fourth in his synthetic surface debut.
Comments
Btw, I believe the European filly you're referencing is Zarkava? She's French, and though she was a filly, she would never have run vs. Zenyatta even if she DID run in the Breeders Cup. She would have run in (and likely won) the Breeders Cup Turf. But she was never being aimed at the Breeders Cup at any point. Her main goal was the Arc, which she won in spectacular fashion. She has since been retired.