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De Kock to Run Eagle Mountain in Breeders Cup Turf - 10-25-08
October 25 - Mike de Kock, one of South Africa's leading thoroughbred horse trainers (and trainer of top-rated Archipenko) will be making his Breeders' Cup debut at Santa Anita Racecourse in Arcadia, California today with Eagle Mountain in the $3-million Breeders' Cup Turf.
Having earned his reputation in South African, European and Dubai horseracing circles, the intrepid SA-based trainer will be eager to extend his numerous wins to include a coveted Breeders' Cup title. A Bay colt, Eagle Mountain has notched up three stakes wins in England and Ireland over the last two years.
Incredibly, Eagle Mountain has made a stunning return to form after suffering a serious pelvic injury that kept him out of the major stakes races during Dubai's winter racing season. Having returned to racing earlier this month, he impressed right off the bat by winning the 1 mile Joel Stakes (Gr 3) at Newmarket in England.
In fact so impressed with the colt's performance were de Kock and Eagle Mountain's owner Sheikh Mohammed, that they decided to transport him across the Atlantic for the Breeders' Cup Turf - instead of taking him to the Far East. Explains de Kock, 'We were originally going to take him to Hong Kong.
'However, after the way he ran in the Joel Stakes we thought he would be better suited for the Breeders' Cup Turf. Plus it would be nice to have a crack at the richest turf race in America. While he won the Joel Stakes, we believe it was too short for him and 1 1/2 mile Turf distance may be ideal,' he said.
De Kock went on to say that he felt Eagle Mountain had had a long, slow build-up and that his 'fresh legs' would likely be in his favor in Saturday's race. The South African took over the training of Eagle Mountain from top Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien in last year.
'Last year Eagle Mountain finished second in the English Derby, second in the Champion Stakes and third in the Irish Derby. Some of these results were extremely close which, coupled with the Joel Stakes, has led me and Sheikh Mohammed to believe that he has the capability to win major races,' said de Kock.
Other Articles:
Conduit Wins 2008 Breeders Cup Turf - 10-27-08Freddie Head Wins Breeders Cup Mile With Goldikova - 10-27-08Horseracing Icon Harry Mangurian Jr Dies - 10-26-082008 Breeders Cup Classic Won by Ravens Pass - 10-26-08Breeders Cup Betting Preview And Free Tips - 10-24-08The Tiger Claws Way to Geelong Classic Win - 10-23-08Bolger Celebrates Dewhurst Stakes Hat-Trick - 10-23-08Royal Day Chalks up Win in Michaelmas Handicap - 10-22-08
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| | 2009/11/20 11:35:00 AM |
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