Trainer Graham Motion was in England Monday to check up on stable star Animal
Kingdom, who has settled in at David Lanigan’s Berkshire yard since his arrival
from Dubai April 6.
Following his stunning victory in the March 30 Dubai World Cup, connections
have been mulling plans for a possible swan song at Royal Ascot. Two options had
been discussed — the Queen Anne over a mile on June 18, or the 1 1/4-mile
Prince of Wales’s the following day.
On Monday, Motion told
racinguk.com’s Geoffrey Riddle that the Queen Anne now looms as a likelier
target.
“Your mile at Ascot is much more grueling, and a mile and a quarter to us in
the States is like a mile and a half and may just be too much,” Motion said.
“It is a relief that there is no Frankel,” he added of the now-retired phenom,
who romped by 11 lengths in last summer’s Queen Anne.
“The Queen Anne is an interesting option and it is something that I think he
can adapt to. That’s the remarkable thing about this horse is that he can do a
bit of everything.”
Motion also revealed that he’d like to see Animal Kingdom reunite with John
Velazquez, who famously rode him to victory in the 2011 Kentucky Derby. The Hall
of Famer last guided him in an allowance score at Gulfstream Park in February
2012.
Animal Kingdom was subsequently sidelined by injury. When the champion made
his comeback in the November 3 Breeders’ Cup Mile, Velazquez was already the
regular rider for Wise Dan, and he steered the eventual Horse of the Year to a
record-setting win. Animal Kingdom had to settle for a troubled second beneath
Rafael Bejarano.
Joel Rosario took over at the helm in the February 9 Gulfstream Park Turf
Handicap, in a much-critiqued debut aboard Animal Kingdom. He launched an
aggressive early move that day, only to be outkicked late by Point of Entry, who
was ridden by none other than Velazquez.
Rosario got another chance on Animal Kingdom in the World Cup, and he
executed a flawless ride, overcoming the potential hazards from his unfavorably
wide draw.
But Motion made clear that prior experience at Ascot is a must, and Velazquez
checks that box.
“It is asking a lot for an American jockey to ride here if he hasn’t ridden
here before. It is not as if he can watch a race first,” the trainer said,
referring to the fact that the Queen Anne is the traditional opener of the Royal
meeting.
“The constant change of jockeys has been a source of frustration for me,” he
admitted. “I don’t like the idea of putting someone new on him for what is
possibly his last race.
“Velazquez is one of the best jockeys in the world. He has ridden Animal
Kingdom before and has won at Ascot, so is the logical choice.”
Motion also cautioned that Animal Kingdom’s not certain to race again.
“We’re going to press on, but if there is any reason he shows us he is not up
to it, we are not going to force the issue,” he told Riddle.
Animal Kingdom, who has sported the colors of breeder Team Valor
International for his entire career, has picked up additional ownership in
recent months. Last December, Australia’s Arrowfield Stud purchased a majority
share in the chestnut, and after his World Cup heroics, Sheikh Mohammed acquired
a 29-percent interest.
Although Arrowfield’s John Messara had briefly entertained thoughts of
prolonging his racing career, the five-year-old will enter stud in Australia
this September. His initial fee has been set at A$38,500.
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