Horse Antepost
Welcome to Live View – Take the tour to learn more
Start Tour
There is currently 1 person viewing this thread.
06 Nov 12
17:43
Joined:
Date Joined:
05 Jan 10
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."
Show More
Casey craves a Gold 'Star
Colourful Dublin trainer hungry to see Flemenstar on ultimate Festival stage
By Niall Cronin http://www.herald.ie 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 http://www.herald.ie 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
You know you have something special when COOLMORE take time to write about it.
http://www.coolmore.com
Flemen stars in G2 on comeback
(11th November 2012)
A potentially hugely-exciting season for Flemenstar (7g Flemensfirth-Different Dee, by Beau Sher) began on a bright note at Navan on Sunday when he easily won the G2 Fortria Chase on his comeback.
The son of Flemensfirth saw off six-time G1 winner Big Zeb (11g Oscar-Our Siveen, by Deep Run) to take the two-mile contest by seven lengths and he looks set to excel in the very best company this season.
Flemenstar, who has now won seven of his 10 starts, scored twice in Grade 1 company last season and bookmakers reacted to this latest victory by installing him as one of the market leaders for both the 2m 5f G1 Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham as well as the Gold Gup.
“When he is fit he’ll be a good one! He will go for the G1 John Durkan Chase now at Punchestown,” said trainer Peter Casey. “He has got stronger since last year but he was only 80% fit today. He got beat here the last two years but I slept well last night, I wasn’t worried about him. Andrew (Lynch) knows him well. There is no use in telling him what to do. After he goes over two and a half in the Durkan we will think about running him over three miles. He should get three miles on breeding.”
Flemenstar was bred by Donal Barnwell and was bought by his owner Stephen Curran for 40,000 euros as a yearling at Tattersalls Ireland.
http://www.coolmore.com
Flemen stars in G2 on comeback
(11th November 2012)
A potentially hugely-exciting season for Flemenstar (7g Flemensfirth-Different Dee, by Beau Sher) began on a bright note at Navan on Sunday when he easily won the G2 Fortria Chase on his comeback.
The son of Flemensfirth saw off six-time G1 winner Big Zeb (11g Oscar-Our Siveen, by Deep Run) to take the two-mile contest by seven lengths and he looks set to excel in the very best company this season.
Flemenstar, who has now won seven of his 10 starts, scored twice in Grade 1 company last season and bookmakers reacted to this latest victory by installing him as one of the market leaders for both the 2m 5f G1 Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham as well as the Gold Gup.
“When he is fit he’ll be a good one! He will go for the G1 John Durkan Chase now at Punchestown,” said trainer Peter Casey. “He has got stronger since last year but he was only 80% fit today. He got beat here the last two years but I slept well last night, I wasn’t worried about him. Andrew (Lynch) knows him well. There is no use in telling him what to do. After he goes over two and a half in the Durkan we will think about running him over three miles. He should get three miles on breeding.”
Flemenstar was bred by Donal Barnwell and was bought by his owner Stephen Curran for 40,000 euros as a yearling at Tattersalls Ireland.
Sir Des Champs will tackle Flemenstar at Punchestown on December 9
By Richard Forristal
http://www.independent.ie
Thursday November 15 2012
Willie Mullins looks set to facilitate a mouth-watering early showdown between two of Irish racing's brightest chasing prospects after confirming that his ante-post Gold Cup favourite Sir Des Champs will tackle Flemenstar at Punchestown on December 9.
Although reluctant to speculate as to whether Leopardstown's Lexus Chase or Kempton's King George VI Chase might appeal more as a follow-up target, the champion trainer stated that his Gigginstown Stud-owned six-year-old would be campaigned with March's Prestbury Park showpiece as the ultimate goal.
"I imagine we are gearing towards the Gold Cup," Mullins admitted of the dual Cheltenham Festival hero. "He'll probably start off in the John Durkan and he's entered in the King George, but he'll be entered for Leopardstown at Christmas too."
A Sir Des Champs-Flemenstar dust-up in next month's Grade One, which is also likely to feature last year's winner Rubi Light, could have a significant bearing on either horse's future objectives.
Peter Casey's hugely exciting Flemenstar, twice a Grade One winner last term, was thoroughly polished in routing a more experienced field on his reappearance over two miles in last Sunday's Fortria Chase.
As part of a gradual process of stepping the 2010 point-to-point winner up in trip ahead of a Gold Cup tilt, his colourful Meath-based handler nominated the Punchestown two-and-a-half-miler as the most suitable target. With Mullins now committing Sir Des Champs to the same race, two enormous reputations are at stake.
At top-priced 6/1 for the Gold Cup, a race that Irish horses have a dismal record in ever since War Of Attrition's 2006 victory, Sir Des Champs might be perceived to have more to lose.
However, Flemenstar, as low as 7/1 in the ante-post book after his Navan win, will be race-fit, so defeat for him could be more damaging.
In light of the seven-year-old's prowess over shorter distances, there is a legitimate question mark over how he will be suited by the three-and-a-quarter-mile Gold Cup journey, so connections could conceivably be prompted to consider other options if Sir Des Champs were to bring his sequence of six successive wins to an end.
STAMINA
Having won a Grade One over three miles and a furlong in heavy ground at the Punchestown Festival in April, Sir Des Champs has much less to prove in terms of stamina.
"He's built to carry 12st over three miles, which is ideally what you want in a chaser," Mullins acknowledged. "I think the key to him is that he is so relaxed – he just does what he has to do."
In the meantime, Mullins has Hurricane Fly's Morgiana Hurdle comeback to contend with at Punchestown this Sunday. Mouse Morris revealed yesterday that Baily Green will bid for an eighth win on the spin in the two-mile Grade Two novice chase on the same card.
"He's in great form, and that's the only reason I'm contemplating running him," Morris said of his bold-jumping front-runner.
- Richard Forristal
By Richard Forristal
http://www.independent.ie
Thursday November 15 2012
Willie Mullins looks set to facilitate a mouth-watering early showdown between two of Irish racing's brightest chasing prospects after confirming that his ante-post Gold Cup favourite Sir Des Champs will tackle Flemenstar at Punchestown on December 9.
Although reluctant to speculate as to whether Leopardstown's Lexus Chase or Kempton's King George VI Chase might appeal more as a follow-up target, the champion trainer stated that his Gigginstown Stud-owned six-year-old would be campaigned with March's Prestbury Park showpiece as the ultimate goal.
"I imagine we are gearing towards the Gold Cup," Mullins admitted of the dual Cheltenham Festival hero. "He'll probably start off in the John Durkan and he's entered in the King George, but he'll be entered for Leopardstown at Christmas too."
A Sir Des Champs-Flemenstar dust-up in next month's Grade One, which is also likely to feature last year's winner Rubi Light, could have a significant bearing on either horse's future objectives.
Peter Casey's hugely exciting Flemenstar, twice a Grade One winner last term, was thoroughly polished in routing a more experienced field on his reappearance over two miles in last Sunday's Fortria Chase.
As part of a gradual process of stepping the 2010 point-to-point winner up in trip ahead of a Gold Cup tilt, his colourful Meath-based handler nominated the Punchestown two-and-a-half-miler as the most suitable target. With Mullins now committing Sir Des Champs to the same race, two enormous reputations are at stake.
At top-priced 6/1 for the Gold Cup, a race that Irish horses have a dismal record in ever since War Of Attrition's 2006 victory, Sir Des Champs might be perceived to have more to lose.
However, Flemenstar, as low as 7/1 in the ante-post book after his Navan win, will be race-fit, so defeat for him could be more damaging.
In light of the seven-year-old's prowess over shorter distances, there is a legitimate question mark over how he will be suited by the three-and-a-quarter-mile Gold Cup journey, so connections could conceivably be prompted to consider other options if Sir Des Champs were to bring his sequence of six successive wins to an end.
STAMINA
Having won a Grade One over three miles and a furlong in heavy ground at the Punchestown Festival in April, Sir Des Champs has much less to prove in terms of stamina.
"He's built to carry 12st over three miles, which is ideally what you want in a chaser," Mullins acknowledged. "I think the key to him is that he is so relaxed – he just does what he has to do."
In the meantime, Mullins has Hurricane Fly's Morgiana Hurdle comeback to contend with at Punchestown this Sunday. Mouse Morris revealed yesterday that Baily Green will bid for an eighth win on the spin in the two-mile Grade Two novice chase on the same card.
"He's in great form, and that's the only reason I'm contemplating running him," Morris said of his bold-jumping front-runner.
- Richard Forristal
Post Your Reply
Please login to post a reply.
Wonder
Instance ID: 13539