STRAIGHT TALKING by Mark Johnston

[email protected] When second isn’t goodenough CELEBRATING STAMINA AM often asked whether I get better in his approach to Attraction and that second in a Group 1 race is not I expected her to come on nervous before a race and the was at pains, after her third start and good enough. In reality, to have a significantly for that run and so, by I truthful answer is, ‘very rarely, first Listed class win, to remind us all horse good enough to run in a Group 1 the time we came to Newmarket, I these days’. It isn’t that I have that the filly owed us nothing and that race and hold its own is really had convinced myself that it was AM delighted to see that the racing development, means that the race become blasé about winning: more anything she did would be a bonus. exceptional. And I know that more down to my team to produce her at BHA and TBA are committed to would have to demonstrate that it could that I have come to accept that being And Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed than most. I was not nervous before peak for that race and, if we did, she I encouraging the breeding, buying meet the necessary criteria, in terms of beaten is not the end of the world or and everyone connected with Darley the Lowther at York and I was far from should win. and racing of staying-bred horses average rating of the first four home, to even the end of the road for most Stud has experienced the highest of devastated by finishing second to and that they are undertaking some be allocated Listed Status. Fat chance. It horses. You move on and live to fight highs and lowest of lows in another great filly. But, at that stage, I Internal changes in the programme with the aim is hard to imagine how any Conditions another day. horseracing. They put no pressure on really wasn’t sure what we had. She of doing so. I am not certain, however, race ever makes that jump, when I did, however, admit to the press me as a trainer. had only won a maiden, albeit in Come the day, I felt that we had that the planned changes will have the Conditions races are generally such a that I was nervous before ’s spectacular fashion, and I was well failed in our task. The long hair desired effect although I freely admit failure, never mind one run over 10 and that it was Nervous aware that I could be asking too much under her belly told me that her that I have no simple alternative to offer. furlongs for two-year-olds. I hope I’m the first time for a very long time. of her to jump from that level to the internal clock was preparing her for It is their intention to introduce a wrong but I fear that such a race will Frankly, I’m not sure when the last But, when I have a horse so good Group 2 Lowther Stakes. while we were trying to number of maiden races, over distances inevitably have a small field and there time was, but the last horse I that I think it might just be the best in On that occasion, second place was prepare her for the Cheveley Park. I ranging from seven furlongs to one mile could be a vast discrepancy in ratings remember really being nervous about its class, I put pressure on myself. enough to tell me that we might just thought I’d got it wrong and I was and one furlong, restricted to horses between the winner and the placed was Attraction. It is certainly not There are times when second will not have something of the very highest nervous. whose sires won over a mile and a horses. because there was particular pressure be good enough and, at those times, I calibre on our hands. To win would She saved the day and made the quarter or more. Can that really from either horse’s owner. The Duke get nervous. have been even better but to finish year for us and the nerves encourage the use of middle-distance S I say, I don’t have the answer of Roxburghe could not have been It is ridiculous to suggest, of course, second was enough. beforehand made the winning all the sires or the purchase of their progeny A but I do wonder if more more satisfying and thrilling. just because there are a few extra opportunities for middle- Perhaps the presence of her mother maiden races available? I’m not sure, distance and staying fillies might help. and full sister in paddocks at home particularly as some of the races will be Breeders are often put off using the added to that thrill but it was not run over seven furlongs and we all longer distance sires for fear that their about them. It is all about the dream know that some sires which won over mare produces a filly which will be of of having a true champion and the middle-distances do not actually prove significantly less value than those bred anticipation that comes with each to be an influence for stamina or vice- for speed. Colts are perceived as having step of the journey. versa. more residual value for jump racing, if Would it not be simpler, and more they don’t make the highest grade on ECENTLY we were looking effective, to run a few more races over the flat. Maybe if fillies were afforded a R through old photographs of longer distances? That way, the two- few more opportunities and, in horses galloping and Charlie year-olds themselves would need to particular, a few more opportunities to singled out one in which Attraction demonstrate that they did actually grasp the Holy Grail that is ‘Black was powering away from her possess some stamina, not simply that Type’ by running over further, we would companions (see picture on left). He their father had demonstrated the ability see more dams with stamina retained for pointed out that one of those trailing to win at 10 furlongs (at any age). breeding. Then again, under the current in her wake had won a Group 1 itself It is also planned to introduce a 10- system, how could these races ‘earn and he asked: ‘Why don’t we have furlong Conditions race in early their keep’ and ever hope to achieve or Left: Mark congratulates William Buick in the horses like that anymore?’ November ‘with the intention that it keep their Listed status? winner’s enclosure after Lumiere’s Group 1 win; The answer is simple. They are would gain Listed status, though it It is difficult to have any faith in there Above: Deirdre and Attraction leave their work very rare things, but we might just would have to earn its keep first’. By being a true desire to promote stamina companions behind on Middleham High Moor, have another. I hope I’ll be as this I assume that Ruth Quinn, the BHA when we have so recently seen the including Group 1 winner Pearl Of (right, nervous next time she runs. director of international racing and Queen’s Vase downgraded. under Paul Howard) www.markjohnstonracing.com www.markjohnstonracing.com 4 5