Square de Luynes put on a new show
Square de Luynes defended his title from last year and put on a big show in Stockholm Cup.
The star runner was almost as outstanding as last year when he in the hands of Pat Cosgrave claimed a new impressive victory worth SEK 900,000.
"He is far from being 100 percent but he still wins. That's very well done" says trainer Niels Petersen.
Bro Park conducted their biggest day of the year during Sunday where Stockholm Cup was the featured race. The Group 3 race is the biggest race for thorughbreds in Scandinavia and and the huge favorite Square de Luynes lived up to the expectations by far. The five year old gelding is as fragile as a porcelain horse and only had one start (finished third in Norway) since last year's Stockholm Cup. Trainer Niels Petersen, who wins most big races, said before the race that he appreciateded his horse's form to 90 percent. That showed to more than enough. Square de Luynes broke very well out of the gate and took the lead. Pat Cosgrave was in total control and could set the pace he wanted. None of the opponents wanted to make a move to challenge the favorite. Pat Cosgrave gave his horse a breather around the last turn and when he asked him to stride out down the stretch his horse responded immediately. He left his opponents behind and won by seven, eight lengths impressively. Just like last year he was in splendid isolation and another big win for trainer Niels Petersen was a fact.
"I was very nervous today. He got it done today but he's not 100 percent, far from it. He won easily and that was well done. He deserves to win" says Niels Petersen.
The Swedish horses enjoyed great success and came in second and third. Espen Hill finished the race very well and came in second for Madeleine Smith and Freestyler trained by Jessica Long finished third.
"Square de Luynes has a different kind of toughness and he is hard to beat. But I'm very happy with my horse who stepped up three classes. Big thanks to my team. This horse is very special" says Madeleine Smith.
Cosgrave a perfect two for two
Star jockey Pat Cosgrave came to Bro Park to ride two horses - and he won with both. In the final leg of GS75, a Listed race with SEK 400,000 to the winner, he rode Hatyea to victory. The horse is trained by Jim Boyle in England and he got a well deserved thank you pet across the wire after a sharp rally that gave him the victory.
That means Cosgrave made SEK 1.3 million for his owners in those two races.
Duca di Como enormously impressive
Grand Slam 75 started off with an enormously impressive winner in Duca di Como. He bombed away in Nickes Minneslöpning with SEK 400,000 to the winner. Duca di Como broke as if he was shot out of a cannon and was in the lead right away. He was all alone on the course and sprinted on way ahead of the field to win in splendid isolation. He completely outclassed his opponents and it looked like he was just out jogging for jockey Elione Chaves. He is trained by Cathrine Erichsen in Norway and the five year old gray superstar will now go to Dubai for the winter.
"He won very easily and he does it all on his own. He's a fantastic horse. I have ridden many good horse but I don't I have ever ridden anyone as good as him. There's a difference compared to the others" says Elione Chaves.
Thunderey still undefeated
Thunderey delivered as the favorite in Svealandslöpning and he is still undefeated after three starts. But Wido Neuroth's two year old talent had to go all out down the stretch to hold on with the smallest possible margin before the huge upset and his own stable mate No Lie. Thunderey came out on the winning side and collected SEK 249.000 after a tough battle down the stretch where four horses were going neck to neck across the finish line.
Sarookh and Oliver Wilson was the biggest upset of the day as they won Bro Park Sprint and SEK 400,000. After a tight battle down the stretch Sarookh put his head first to trainer Jessica Long's immense delight.
For those who picked all seven winners on Grand Slam 75 the payout was SEK 55,261.