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27 Aug 12
14:27
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Monday, 27 Aug 2012 14:05
rte.ie
Flemenstar will return to training next week
Exciting chaser Flemenstar is set to return to training next week as trainer Peter Casey plots a route towards the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The seven-year-old enjoyed a fantastic novice campaign over fences, building on a promising debut second to Bog Warrior at Navan with five consecutive victories, including two at Grade One level.
He rounded off his campaign in style in the Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse and although plans for the autumn are fluid, Casey is eyeing the blue riband event at Prestbury Park as his major target.
"He's going to come back into training next week, but the owner has been doing a bit of work with him at home and tells me he's in great form," said Casey.
"We don't know where we're going to start him off yet. There is a Flat race in Navan and a chase in Navan, there are races at Punchestown and in the north (Down Royal) as well, so we have options for him.
"After that we'll probably take him to England for something, bring home again and then go back for the big one.
"We hope he's a Gold Cup horse, but we'll see how we get on with him."
Although Flemenstar was the subject of plenty of interest last season, Casey is confident his stable star will not be sold.
"I don't think the owner would sell him now. He had offers last season and didn't take them, so hopefully he'll be staying with us," said Casey.
rte.ie
Flemenstar will return to training next week
Exciting chaser Flemenstar is set to return to training next week as trainer Peter Casey plots a route towards the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The seven-year-old enjoyed a fantastic novice campaign over fences, building on a promising debut second to Bog Warrior at Navan with five consecutive victories, including two at Grade One level.
He rounded off his campaign in style in the Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse and although plans for the autumn are fluid, Casey is eyeing the blue riband event at Prestbury Park as his major target.
"He's going to come back into training next week, but the owner has been doing a bit of work with him at home and tells me he's in great form," said Casey.
"We don't know where we're going to start him off yet. There is a Flat race in Navan and a chase in Navan, there are races at Punchestown and in the north (Down Royal) as well, so we have options for him.
"After that we'll probably take him to England for something, bring home again and then go back for the big one.
"We hope he's a Gold Cup horse, but we'll see how we get on with him."
Although Flemenstar was the subject of plenty of interest last season, Casey is confident his stable star will not be sold.
"I don't think the owner would sell him now. He had offers last season and didn't take them, so hopefully he'll be staying with us," said Casey.
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Thanks for posting - I think he's the horse I'm most looking forward to seeing again this coming saeason - he looks to have so much potential.
Going to England for 'something;? King George perhaps?
Argento or Aon might also be options. If he were mine, I'd be kene to give him a look at Cheltenham.
That's a fair point Strontonium, the Argento may well be the race he has in mind. If he were mine, I'd aim him at the John Durkan to begin with and leave options open for one or two races between there and Cheltenham.
Just guessing, but they may also want to see if he stays 3m+ before the Festival (which the Argento also covers). I'm not keen on the Aon/Denman as a Gold Cup trial - maybe it's too close.
I dont see the trip as the issue, lets be fair he is a brother to Barafundle who stays 3 miles. Flemensfirth has proven he can Sire a Gold Cup winner. The main concern would be the actual course. You dont know you act on it till you try it. But I cant see it's a massive issue. I am such a big fan of the horse. I've been backing him for the Gold Cup for months (before the Powers Gold Cup). I'm convinced he's the real deal.
Yep if he's coming to England beforehand I'd run him at Cheltenham
The problem is will he stay? He's got an awfully high cruising speed combined with a good turn of foot but his stamina is questionable. I think Last Installment could end up Ireland's number 1 as he looks the type who could go 4 miles and not flinch.
But I don't mind being wrong as I backed them both AP
But I don't mind being wrong as I backed them both AP
That's true Rondetto. I've also recently seen a report that Flemenstar may be a bad traveller which is an obvious worry re coming to Cheltenham. Nevertheless, he's an enormously exciting horse.
stronium...if so they shd bring him over next week and leave him here ;-) I think he's a massive runner int he Gold Cupp and think he's a potential superstar
As I said on August 27th he's the horse I'm most looking forward to seeing again this coming saeason.
I agree with you 100% - he might be the best novice to come out of a vintage group last year.
I agree with you 100% - he might be the best novice to come out of a vintage group last year.
Too exuberent a style to last the Gold Cup trip on decent ground at a real pace with plenty of runners.
Popping round six runner uncompetitive contests in quicksand at home tells us he has loads of class, but I see him as a real danger to all in a Ryanair personally.
Popping round six runner uncompetitive contests in quicksand at home tells us he has loads of class, but I see him as a real danger to all in a Ryanair personally.
http://www.goracing.ie
FLEMENSTAR could make his seasonal debut in the Fortria Chase at Navan this weekend.
Peter Casey's charge was a revelation last season, meeting defeat only once over fences on his debut behind subsequent Grade One winner Bog Warrior. He was an impressive 19-length winner of the Irish Arkle and having skipped Cheltenham, he won the Powers Gold Cup by 11 lengths.
Sizing Europe is also among the 10 entries, but Henry de Bromhead is leaning towards the Clonmel Oil Chase on Thursday week.
Big Zeb has won the race for the last three years and is likely to go for a four-timer, while Realt Dubh, who was in the process of running a big race in the Champion Chase at Down Royal last week before a mistake two out, is also an entry.
Blazing Tempo, Foildubh, Forpadydeplasterer, Keelaghan, Kylebeg Krystle and Mr Cracker make up the list.
The fact the field might cut up is appealing to Casey, who is unsure if his class act is quite 100% fit.
He said: "It maybe might be a little too early for him. He was taken to the Curragh this morning and popped over a few fences by Andrew Lynch and I'm waiting for him to tell me what he thinks as I didn't go.
"I wouldn't have thought Sizing Europe would run, he'll go to Clonmel I think, so Andrew won't have to make a choice. Realt Dubh only ran the other day, too.
"It could be a small field and the owner lives near Navan, so there's a chance he could run."
FLEMENSTAR could make his seasonal debut in the Fortria Chase at Navan this weekend.
Peter Casey's charge was a revelation last season, meeting defeat only once over fences on his debut behind subsequent Grade One winner Bog Warrior. He was an impressive 19-length winner of the Irish Arkle and having skipped Cheltenham, he won the Powers Gold Cup by 11 lengths.
Sizing Europe is also among the 10 entries, but Henry de Bromhead is leaning towards the Clonmel Oil Chase on Thursday week.
Big Zeb has won the race for the last three years and is likely to go for a four-timer, while Realt Dubh, who was in the process of running a big race in the Champion Chase at Down Royal last week before a mistake two out, is also an entry.
Blazing Tempo, Foildubh, Forpadydeplasterer, Keelaghan, Kylebeg Krystle and Mr Cracker make up the list.
The fact the field might cut up is appealing to Casey, who is unsure if his class act is quite 100% fit.
He said: "It maybe might be a little too early for him. He was taken to the Curragh this morning and popped over a few fences by Andrew Lynch and I'm waiting for him to tell me what he thinks as I didn't go.
"I wouldn't have thought Sizing Europe would run, he'll go to Clonmel I think, so Andrew won't have to make a choice. Realt Dubh only ran the other day, too.
"It could be a small field and the owner lives near Navan, so there's a chance he could run."
IMO take him on wherever he runs FTO then back him for the big one after, i think the trainer (nice a guy he is) has trouble getting him fit at home. 2m v a decent grade1 horse or on ground worse than GtoS he might be in trouble. PS, i love flemensfirth as a sire after Imperial Commander who i think is a great horse (55s is just about acceptable for a 12yr old).
the horse went schooling over fences at the Curragh and then trainer was not in attendance?
Casey craves a Gold 'Star
Colourful Dublin trainer hungry to see Flemenstar on ultimate Festival stage
By Niall Cronin
Friday November 09 2012
WHEN someone starts a chat with "What the f**k do you want now, ya hoor ya?" you'd think you were on a hiding to nothing.
"YIZ f**ckers, ye'll be all writing about him in the Herald and everythin' now."
But when it comes to Dublin's most colourful horse trainer, Peter Casey, you couldn't have been granted a more affectionate welcome.
Of course, on the eve of the weekend that one of Ireland's leading Gold Cup contenders is set to make his seasonal debut in Navan, Casey knew well what I wanted, and he was quite happy to sit back and relax for a few minutes to talk about Flemenstar.
It was only a few minutes, though, as Casey, who had "a heap of work to do", doesn't relax for too long.
There are those around him that would prefer to see him taking it a lot easier than he actually does, but that's not him.
He has devilment to stir, but more importantly an operation to oversee and the main project of that operation happens to be one of the best National Hunt chasers on the land.
Come March, a lot of people will be hoping he's the best chaser of them all as the Cheltenham Gold Cup remains the out-and-out target.
Sunday's Fortria Chase at Navan will be run over two miles and is again set to be the starting point for former Champion Chase winner Big Zeb, who will be looking to win the race for a fourth time.
For the second season in a row, the County Meath track will also be the starting point for Flemenstar, of whom Casey said: "He's grand now, I'm delighted with him. I hope he runs well. He's after doing a few bits of work now and everything's gone grand. But Sunday is not the only day, d'ya know what I mean? He's only starting off."
It will be the John Durkan at Punchestown when the real Flemenstar will return, fully wound up and ready to take all before him and then future plans will be discussed between owner Stephen Curran and Casey, along with his son, Frances, who assists in the training. "He was on the Curragh this week and he jumped a few fences and he's grand," says Casey. "He'll run on Sunday, but he'll come on for it. We'll have to see how it goes."
Last season, on his debut over fences, Flemenstar had to settle for second behind Bog Warrior, form he later reversed before the season was out.
"Last year he was starting off against novices. It was different than what he's starting off against this Sunday, but there will be only five or six in it, I'd say. He was beat in Navan last year but he improved from it."
Of course, Casey made all the headlines himself last year after Flemenstar won the Grade One Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle at Leopardstown and in an interview with Tracey Piggott, live on RTE, he revealed how he'd be celebrating: "I'm going to have sex tonight and everything."
The publicity that followed was "f**kin' brilliant", although it has meant that his loyal wife Junie "is afraid of her life to go to the races now!"
Of the new found fame, he added; "Ah sure, wasn't it f**kin' great? I got to meet all them models and get me picture taken and everything.
"I was delighted with it. Tracey Piggot was brilliant but she is afraid of her life of me now ever since as well!
"But sure no matter what people I talk to now, they said I lifted the country for a fortnight."
Mad
When I asked, "How are you keeping yourself?" the reply from Casey was: "I'm grand, only for the f**ckers around me. Do you hear them here telling me what to do, they're driving me mad!"
Those around him are sons Frances, Peter and Oliver, plus daughter Alison, who all pitch in to keep the show on the road, but their father admitted: "I didn't want them to have anything to do with horses at all. It's terrible hard to make money."
For all his 'giving out' about those around him, though, the proud father did admit that they are "rare ones" -- although I don't think he wanted that printed. Sorry, Peter.
For most trainers, Cheltenham is the dream, and with Flemenstar it is close to reality. Regarding that prospect, the Stamullen trainer said: "I'd say I'd get an extra five or ten years out of life. It would be great, it would be f**ckin' great. I dunno, ta f**k, though. Ya know, these things. They say it will never happen? I hope it does."
If you haven't realised already, Peter Casey isn't shy in telling someone his opinion and last year he cornered members of the racing press who didn't put their faith in his stable star.
"They kept writing him off and he wouldn't handle this ground and he wouldn't handle that and he wouldn't do this and he wouldn't stay... And it's going to be the same this year, I suppose. Small f**ckin' trainer sure that's it isn't it? I see he has a half-brother in England that stays three miles, though.
"With Flemenstar's breeding, he should stay and he's a lovely big horse, I always liked him from the day he came here first. Jesus, I loved him."
It's four or five years since Casey himself has made the journey to the Cotswolds, having attended for 30 years, but just the mere mention of the month of March and he sparks to life: "Ah Jaysus, wouldn't it be great (to win at Cheltenham), wouldn't it be f**ckin' brilliant. I'd have him everywhere after it. There'll be a bus leaving here for Cheltenham, they'll all want to go even those hoors from Meath."
Keeping his age to himself, he did admit that Lester Piggott, who celebrated his 77th birthday this week, "is nearly the same as myself", and added: "Lester, Mick O'Dwyer and myself - three rare ones, wha'?"
Although holding an address in Stamullen, may God help the man who accuses Casey of being from County Meath.
He is Dublin, through and through, and proud of it. His love for Dublin GAA is well known and on that subject he said: "They've got rid of a good few of them older lads, but they've brought in about six young lads - minors and that - and I'm telling you now they're right ones."
Historic
Looking ahead to 2013, he is hopeful of the Dubs completing a historic double and bringing both the Liam MacCarthy and Sam Maguire back to the capital, and is extremely confident for the hurlers.
"This (2013) is the year for the hurlers, I'm tellin' ya's. They made a b****cks of it this year and next year will be different. I'm telling ya one thing, they have some players up there in the football and the hurling. They'll go close."
But when asked the vital question of what will go closer -- the Dublin hurlers or Flemenstar in the Gold Cup, there was only one answer: "Oh bejaysus Flemenstar. If we get that hoor to the Gold Cup wouldn't it be great?"
Too often it is said that "it couldn't happen to a nicer man", but should Flemenstar win the Gold Cup that saying would never be more fitting.
An exciting season gets underway on Sunday.
- Niall Cronin
Colourful Dublin trainer hungry to see Flemenstar on ultimate Festival stage
By Niall Cronin
Friday November 09 2012
WHEN someone starts a chat with "What the f**k do you want now, ya hoor ya?" you'd think you were on a hiding to nothing.
"YIZ f**ckers, ye'll be all writing about him in the Herald and everythin' now."
But when it comes to Dublin's most colourful horse trainer, Peter Casey, you couldn't have been granted a more affectionate welcome.
Of course, on the eve of the weekend that one of Ireland's leading Gold Cup contenders is set to make his seasonal debut in Navan, Casey knew well what I wanted, and he was quite happy to sit back and relax for a few minutes to talk about Flemenstar.
It was only a few minutes, though, as Casey, who had "a heap of work to do", doesn't relax for too long.
There are those around him that would prefer to see him taking it a lot easier than he actually does, but that's not him.
He has devilment to stir, but more importantly an operation to oversee and the main project of that operation happens to be one of the best National Hunt chasers on the land.
Come March, a lot of people will be hoping he's the best chaser of them all as the Cheltenham Gold Cup remains the out-and-out target.
Sunday's Fortria Chase at Navan will be run over two miles and is again set to be the starting point for former Champion Chase winner Big Zeb, who will be looking to win the race for a fourth time.
For the second season in a row, the County Meath track will also be the starting point for Flemenstar, of whom Casey said: "He's grand now, I'm delighted with him. I hope he runs well. He's after doing a few bits of work now and everything's gone grand. But Sunday is not the only day, d'ya know what I mean? He's only starting off."
It will be the John Durkan at Punchestown when the real Flemenstar will return, fully wound up and ready to take all before him and then future plans will be discussed between owner Stephen Curran and Casey, along with his son, Frances, who assists in the training. "He was on the Curragh this week and he jumped a few fences and he's grand," says Casey. "He'll run on Sunday, but he'll come on for it. We'll have to see how it goes."
Last season, on his debut over fences, Flemenstar had to settle for second behind Bog Warrior, form he later reversed before the season was out.
"Last year he was starting off against novices. It was different than what he's starting off against this Sunday, but there will be only five or six in it, I'd say. He was beat in Navan last year but he improved from it."
Of course, Casey made all the headlines himself last year after Flemenstar won the Grade One Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle at Leopardstown and in an interview with Tracey Piggott, live on RTE, he revealed how he'd be celebrating: "I'm going to have sex tonight and everything."
The publicity that followed was "f**kin' brilliant", although it has meant that his loyal wife Junie "is afraid of her life to go to the races now!"
Of the new found fame, he added; "Ah sure, wasn't it f**kin' great? I got to meet all them models and get me picture taken and everything.
"I was delighted with it. Tracey Piggot was brilliant but she is afraid of her life of me now ever since as well!
"But sure no matter what people I talk to now, they said I lifted the country for a fortnight."
Mad
When I asked, "How are you keeping yourself?" the reply from Casey was: "I'm grand, only for the f**ckers around me. Do you hear them here telling me what to do, they're driving me mad!"
Those around him are sons Frances, Peter and Oliver, plus daughter Alison, who all pitch in to keep the show on the road, but their father admitted: "I didn't want them to have anything to do with horses at all. It's terrible hard to make money."
For all his 'giving out' about those around him, though, the proud father did admit that they are "rare ones" -- although I don't think he wanted that printed. Sorry, Peter.
For most trainers, Cheltenham is the dream, and with Flemenstar it is close to reality. Regarding that prospect, the Stamullen trainer said: "I'd say I'd get an extra five or ten years out of life. It would be great, it would be f**ckin' great. I dunno, ta f**k, though. Ya know, these things. They say it will never happen? I hope it does."
If you haven't realised already, Peter Casey isn't shy in telling someone his opinion and last year he cornered members of the racing press who didn't put their faith in his stable star.
"They kept writing him off and he wouldn't handle this ground and he wouldn't handle that and he wouldn't do this and he wouldn't stay... And it's going to be the same this year, I suppose. Small f**ckin' trainer sure that's it isn't it? I see he has a half-brother in England that stays three miles, though.
"With Flemenstar's breeding, he should stay and he's a lovely big horse, I always liked him from the day he came here first. Jesus, I loved him."
It's four or five years since Casey himself has made the journey to the Cotswolds, having attended for 30 years, but just the mere mention of the month of March and he sparks to life: "Ah Jaysus, wouldn't it be great (to win at Cheltenham), wouldn't it be f**ckin' brilliant. I'd have him everywhere after it. There'll be a bus leaving here for Cheltenham, they'll all want to go even those hoors from Meath."
Keeping his age to himself, he did admit that Lester Piggott, who celebrated his 77th birthday this week, "is nearly the same as myself", and added: "Lester, Mick O'Dwyer and myself - three rare ones, wha'?"
Although holding an address in Stamullen, may God help the man who accuses Casey of being from County Meath.
He is Dublin, through and through, and proud of it. His love for Dublin GAA is well known and on that subject he said: "They've got rid of a good few of them older lads, but they've brought in about six young lads - minors and that - and I'm telling you now they're right ones."
Historic
Looking ahead to 2013, he is hopeful of the Dubs completing a historic double and bringing both the Liam MacCarthy and Sam Maguire back to the capital, and is extremely confident for the hurlers.
"This (2013) is the year for the hurlers, I'm tellin' ya's. They made a b****cks of it this year and next year will be different. I'm telling ya one thing, they have some players up there in the football and the hurling. They'll go close."
But when asked the vital question of what will go closer -- the Dublin hurlers or Flemenstar in the Gold Cup, there was only one answer: "Oh bejaysus Flemenstar. If we get that hoor to the Gold Cup wouldn't it be great?"
Too often it is said that "it couldn't happen to a nicer man", but should Flemenstar win the Gold Cup that saying would never be more fitting.
An exciting season gets underway on Sunday.
- Niall Cronin
What a fantastic article. Casey sounds like he should have an account on here with all that colourful language!
Agreed Mr Eboue, sounds like some guy. Would love to have a yarn over a few pints with him. I thought sex was what the Irish put their tatties in 
Odds against now, been very negative in the market since yesterday.
Odds against might look like an early Christmas present after the race, but not sure whether I'll back him.
If he's fit, he should beat these if he is the superstar some people think he is. Realt Dubh looks better over further and Big Zeb is not the force of old, and Flem is receiving weight off them both. The other two look below this level imo.
I think think his price is stupidly short for the Gold Cup atm at 8 - 12/1, but it could be easily shorter than that in a couple of hours. We shall see.....
Odds against might look like an early Christmas present after the race, but not sure whether I'll back him.
If he's fit, he should beat these if he is the superstar some people think he is. Realt Dubh looks better over further and Big Zeb is not the force of old, and Flem is receiving weight off them both. The other two look below this level imo.
I think think his price is stupidly short for the Gold Cup atm at 8 - 12/1, but it could be easily shorter than that in a couple of hours. We shall see.....
That was some performance for a horse who wasn't fit; he really is a weapon. His jumping is a joy to watch, can't wait to see him step up to 3 miles. I have been saying he wins the gold cup since last years festival my thoughts reamin the same. Fingers crossed he stays sound!
Very impressive for a horse who was 80% fit. what a lovely jumper of a fence - and what a massively exciting prospect. Could be an early season classic if he meets Sir des Champs in the Durkan.
Think they've said the Durkan next, then something over 3 m. Makes sense to step him up in trip since the plan (at this stage) is very much the Gold Cup.
More here in fact:
http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/article/465/8244202/gold-plan-for-flemenstar
http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/article/465/8244202/gold-plan-for-flemenstar
Wouldn't want to lay him no matter what the distance. Looks a proper challenger.
I thought the trainer mentioned a trip to England next. Sensible strategy - see how he copes with the travelling and likely to encounter faster ground, both of which will need to be overcome in March. Just watched the video tape of yesterday's race - fine performance. Not sure what he has beaten but he has done it very well.
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