Cheltenham Festival
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25 Jan 11
17:22
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05 Jan 10
Jon Lees
VOY POR USTEDES, winner of the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2007, has returned to training and joined trainer Nicky Henderson.
The five-time Grade 1 winner, formerly Alan King's stable star, has not been seen in action since last April, having been given time off in the care of owner Sir Robert Ogden's veterinary team.
In a statement to the Racing Post, Barry Simpson, racing manager to Ogden, said on Tuesday: "Sir Robert felt a fresh initiative would be beneficial to the horse and he has joined Nicky Henderson at Seven Barrows where he has four other horses in training.
"The horse has settled in well in his new routine, he thrives on his work and still appears to be most enthusiastic.
"At present, Voy Por Ustedes does not hold any entries for the Cheltenham Festival, butif everything goes to plan he will be aimed towards Aintree, Punchestown and Fairyhouse. "
Voy Por Ustedes, also winner of the Arkle in 2006, suffered a disappointing 2009-10 campaign, culminating in a fifth-placed finish in the Masterson Holdings Silver Trophy Chase at Cheltenham, the last time he was in action.
Simpson added: "Following the close of the 2009-10 season where the form of Voy Por Ustedes had deteriorated considerably, it was decided to carry out a full-scale veterinary investigation.
"Subsequently, following several tests including a bone scan, it was found Voy Por Ustedes had sustained a fracture to his ilium wing and was also suffering from significant pain inhis lumbar region and left hind stifle.
"It was thought the fracture occurred early on in training during 2009 and possibly during his race at Ascot, where he jumped so badly when finishing third to Albertas Run in the Amlin Chase. It should be stressed the normal symptoms shown for this type of injury were not apparent at that time.
"Sir Robert's veterinary team imposed a strict regime for the horse to follow through the summer months and it is only now the horse is completely sound.
"It is far too early to say if the treatment and rest given to Voy Por Ustedes will be sufficient for the horse to stand training, however Sir Robert wishes to give him every possible chance toshow he retains some of his previous form.
"If that level of form is not forthcoming, the horse will be retired and will return to Sir Robert's farm in Yorkshire."
King's stable jockey Robert Thornton used his column in the Racing Post on Monday to pay tribute to the horse he credited with raising his own profile.
Thornton said: "Voy Por Ustedes is one of the best horses I've ridden. I've been aboard him for 29 races, winning 11 and being placed in another 11. His career earnings to date are just £6,000 short of £1 million."
Thornton added: "He raised my profile enormously, and I put him in the same bracket as My Way De Solzen and Katchit when it comes to the top horses I'm lucky to have been associated with."
VOY POR USTEDES, winner of the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2007, has returned to training and joined trainer Nicky Henderson.
The five-time Grade 1 winner, formerly Alan King's stable star, has not been seen in action since last April, having been given time off in the care of owner Sir Robert Ogden's veterinary team.
In a statement to the Racing Post, Barry Simpson, racing manager to Ogden, said on Tuesday: "Sir Robert felt a fresh initiative would be beneficial to the horse and he has joined Nicky Henderson at Seven Barrows where he has four other horses in training.
"The horse has settled in well in his new routine, he thrives on his work and still appears to be most enthusiastic.
"At present, Voy Por Ustedes does not hold any entries for the Cheltenham Festival, butif everything goes to plan he will be aimed towards Aintree, Punchestown and Fairyhouse. "
Voy Por Ustedes, also winner of the Arkle in 2006, suffered a disappointing 2009-10 campaign, culminating in a fifth-placed finish in the Masterson Holdings Silver Trophy Chase at Cheltenham, the last time he was in action.
Simpson added: "Following the close of the 2009-10 season where the form of Voy Por Ustedes had deteriorated considerably, it was decided to carry out a full-scale veterinary investigation.
"Subsequently, following several tests including a bone scan, it was found Voy Por Ustedes had sustained a fracture to his ilium wing and was also suffering from significant pain inhis lumbar region and left hind stifle.
"It was thought the fracture occurred early on in training during 2009 and possibly during his race at Ascot, where he jumped so badly when finishing third to Albertas Run in the Amlin Chase. It should be stressed the normal symptoms shown for this type of injury were not apparent at that time.
"Sir Robert's veterinary team imposed a strict regime for the horse to follow through the summer months and it is only now the horse is completely sound.
"It is far too early to say if the treatment and rest given to Voy Por Ustedes will be sufficient for the horse to stand training, however Sir Robert wishes to give him every possible chance toshow he retains some of his previous form.
"If that level of form is not forthcoming, the horse will be retired and will return to Sir Robert's farm in Yorkshire."
King's stable jockey Robert Thornton used his column in the Racing Post on Monday to pay tribute to the horse he credited with raising his own profile.
Thornton said: "Voy Por Ustedes is one of the best horses I've ridden. I've been aboard him for 29 races, winning 11 and being placed in another 11. His career earnings to date are just £6,000 short of £1 million."
Thornton added: "He raised my profile enormously, and I put him in the same bracket as My Way De Solzen and Katchit when it comes to the top horses I'm lucky to have been associated with."
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Replies: 16
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Looks like Nicky has found his "Johnny Henderson" horse!
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It would be good to see him back, whilst never top top class, I feel his mullering in the 2008 CC when MM was simply freakishly good has detracted from a lot of peoples views of him. He has always given his all (including it seems when not right) and as a dual festival winner it is clear that he is no mug. A likeable sort.
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It's good news, love the horse. Bit of a kick in the balls for King mind you.
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Makes you wonder when the horse suffered the fracture, he certainly clouted one when beaten by Imperial Commander in the Ryanair. I know he won the Grade 1 Melling Chase at Aintree NTO, but that wasn't the strongest of fields and the manner of his win that day was workmanlike.
If he can be brought back to race fitness (and Henderson is no mug at doing that with horses off the sick list) than off a rating of OR160 (from a high of OR173) he's got to be an interesting proposition. |
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What did King ever do wrong? The horse is on the downgrade and they seem to be clutching at straws
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Not really a surprise after Sir Robert moved all his other horses out of the stable. Wonder what Mr King has done wrong?
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Maybe they think he just needs a change of scenery, but i wonder if it is more than that - Chamirey has also left King's for pastures new (McCain's, and another has made the same journey this winter if i remember rightly). King did a super job with Voy Pour Ustedes.
I recall Marlborough left Henry Daly's/Tim Forster's for Henderson's yrs back. I could be wrong but I also seem to remember Ogden also moving a few south from Len Lungo's and/or Gordon Richards' many yrs back. I seem to remember Gordon (rightly IMO) saying something along the lines of Ogden could move them all, after all, he (Richards) did the hard work breaking them in and teaching them the ropes as babies, only for them to be moved South. IMO is is pretty poor form and Ogden has previous, although we clearly do not know all the facts. |
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Sagalyrique has left Kings and gone to Henderson too, so wouldnt surprise me if something has happened. Strange considering as King has given him the most success!
I think Nicholls no longer has any horses for Ogden either now. |
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Thanks El Gran - I think i thought he may have been the other one who went to McCain's, but couldn't recall. Nicholls had a bumper horse last yr, but its now with John Wade up north (no longer in Ogden's ownership). I think i read that Ogden was cutting his jumps string back, but he does have horses with Pipe this yr, unusually. Not sure what he has with Jonjo (must be something, simply cannot remember) to replace Exotic Dancer. He had plenty of nice ones with Nicholls too, Star De Mohaison and that lovely ex-french who won at Haydock a few yrs ago. I believe Forzy Origny also has mpved to Nicky Henderson.
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VPU had 10 runs in his first season, albeit six of those in France as a three-year-old. King appeared to do little wrong with him but he's not the first high class horse from the yard to suddenly lose his form.
His jumping had gone to pot and they started changing distances and making statements about right-hand/left-hand preferences - the horse should have had a thorough check-over then, rather than head-scratching and daft theories from connections. It would be good to see him back to something like his old form though I seriously doubt that will happen. Let's hope they keep their word and retire him quickly if necessary. I always thought him over-rated as a two-miler but he's been most game and genuine all his life. He deserves to be remembered with high esteem |
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I wish they would just retire him, I'm very fond of this horse and it was sad to see him like that last year.
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In fairness Steeple, he'd had about 25 runs in the UK prior to the start of last yr, over 5 yrs, I think most people just thought he had too many miles on the clock and had been at the top too long, and what we were seeing was just an inevitable decline.
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RC, I didn't think it was too bad 111112/21U1/221221/43121/3645: that first set being his first full season with AK.
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I was always a huge backer e/w with this horse even at shorter than 4/1 sometimes. He was so consistent he was only once outside the places when completing in his first 4 seasons.
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Ogeden seems to change his trainer like I change my underpants!
I notice that he has a horse with Pipe now. |
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Hi Steeple, yes, he was admirably consistent and an excellent Arkle winner, but last yr I just decided he'd had enough of the game, having been at the top for so long. Clearly, it seems, he had a physical problem. However, besides older joints and bones, I wonder how much enthusiasm and ability he will retain (hopefully loads) because, as i say, he's been around forever and a day.
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