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| Hoping Storm Agnes Won't Disrupt Frankie Dettori's Bellewstown Plans |
In anticipation of his bid for a record seventh victory in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe aboard the appropriately named Free Wind in Paris this weekend, Frankie Dettori's focus first turns to Bellewstown, where he hopes Storm Agnes won't disrupt plans.
Dettori is scheduled to return to the Co Meath course for the second edition of the Barney Curley Cup charity event on Wednesday. This year, he will take on the role of 'non-playing' captain in a two-race team competition.
Much like last year, Dettori and champion National Hunt trainer Willie Mullins will lead two teams of riders in a pair of handicap races, scheduled for 2.35 and 4.20, respectively.
The 2022 event raised over €200,000 for the Direct Aid for Africa charity, founded by Dettori's late friend Barney Curley.
With free admission to the track, courtesy of the Irish National Bookmakers Association, organizers are hopeful for a crowd of up to 5,000, potentially surpassing last year's charity fundraising efforts.
However, the looming threat of adverse weather conditions on Wednesday, especially strong winds, has many crossing their fingers for safe racing.
A spokesperson for the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board mentioned, "A status yellow wind warning is currently in effect for Co Meath tomorrow, so we will continue to monitor the situation. We have raced under yellow wind warnings before, but we will have to wait and see."
While up to 20mm of rainfall is expected during the races at Bellewstown, the primary concern remains the high winds.
Frankie Dettori, a star attraction, will serve as more of an ambassadorial figure on Wednesday, though he is expected to draw a significant crowd in his final season before retiring at year-end.
"We'll be hopeful, provided the weather cooperates, for up to 5,000 people. We have an arrangement with the bookies for free admission for everyone, so we're hoping for charitable donations from those attending. Frankie will be there to encourage people, pose for photos, and sign autographs," said Alan Delany, vice-chair and event organizer at Bellewstown.
Before the potential storm, Dettori took some time to relax and play golf at nearby Baltray on Tuesday. He will soon assume the role of captain for a competition that features Jamie Spencer riding in both races.
Although the worst of the winds are expected in the south and east, officials will also monitor Wednesday's National Hunt action in Sligo. Sligo could see between 35-45mm of rainfall on Wednesday, along with high winds and gusts.
If the Bellewstown event receives the green light, it will adhere to racing regulations, in contrast to Sunday's contentious Corinthian contest at the Curragh.
During the final race on Irish Cesarewitch day at the Curragh, Martina Dempsey rode Fair Damsel to victory after Damien Moore, aboard the favorite Noble Anthem, inexplicably pulled up inside the final furlong despite looking like a likely winner.
Moore subsequently issued an apology, but the incident sparked significant discussion on social media, especially regarding the starting price ('SP').
Sunday's race was the second of three races in this year's Corinthian Challenge, reserved for relatively inexperienced amateur riders who must raise €10,000 for the Irish Injured Jockeys fund.
An IHRB spokesperson emphasized that although officials volunteered their services to assist with Sunday's race, it was not stewarded under the rules of racing.
"We provide the starter, the judge, the clerk of the scales; the clerk of the course would assist too, but there are no stewards," the spokesperson clarified.
The final leg of this year's Corinthian Challenge will take place at Leopardstown next month.
In contrast to Ireland, Paris is expecting largely favorable weather conditions this week, setting the stage for Dettori's final Arc ride on Sunday.
Although the 52-year-old boasts a record six wins in Europe's most valuable race, bookmakers consider his chances of securing a seventh victory on Free Wind, priced at 20-1, as slim.
As of Tuesday, 14 entries remained in the Arc after Jessica Harrington withdrew Sprewell. Irish interest in the €5 million race is expected to focus on Aidan O'Brien's Continuous, set to be supplemented into the race at a cost of €120,000.
The home defense is spearheaded by the undefeated French Derby winner Ace Impact, with trainer Jean Claude Rouget expressing optimism that the colt can replicate the success of his 2020 victor, Sottsass.
Another leading French three-year-old, Feed The Flame, fourth to Ace Impact in the French Derby, is also in contention. Trained by Pascal Bary, Feed The Flame is a Group One winner over the same course and distance, which he achieved in July's Grand Prix de Paris.
Bary hopes to secure his first Arc victory with Feed The Flame, who could face off against the German Derby winner Fantastic Moon if the latter is also supplemented. Fantastic Moon defeated Feed The Flame in the traditional Arc trial, the Prix Niel, earlier this month.
Connections of Fantastic Moon are encouraged by a mostly dry weather forecast for Paris this week and haven't ruled out the possibility of supplementing the colt, aiming to become just the fourth German winner of the Arc.
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