RACING:FRANKEL'S OFF to the breeding shed and Excelebration is going to the Breeders' Cup but Rite Of Passage's World Hurdle option at Cheltenham in March could be the most intriguing long-term target for Saturday's "Champions Day" Ascot winners.
Dermot Weld admitted yesterday he is considering trying to depose the staying legend Big Buck’s with Rite Of Passage, who defied a 510-day layoff to land the Long Distance Cup at the weekend.
It initiated a hugely valuable double for Weld and jockey Pat Smullen, completed by Sapphire in the Filly Mare Race, on a red-letter day for Ireland that saw Excelebration land the QEII and David Nagle’s Maarek in the Sprint.
Frankel ending his career unbeaten in the Champion Stakes understandably swamped the Irish four-timer in terms of attention but Weld is weighing up the chances of building on Rite Of Passage’s remarkable return to the limelight this winter.
“We will consider the World Hurdle and make a decision in the spring. We have a fresh horse now and he’s a super jumper,” Weld said yesterday.
Rite Of Passage ran three times over hurdles in 2010, winning twice and finishing third in the Neptune Investments Novice Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival. He was also third to Dunguib in the Champion Bumper at the 2009 festival.
Sapphire is finished for the season after her success and Weld is looking at next year’s Arc as a long-term target for the Moyglare-owned mare. The Curragh trainer’s overseas exploits may not be finished this year either, as Galileo’s Choice has recovered from a tough journey to Australia and is still a general 14 to 1 shot to give Weld a third Melbourne Cup in a couple of weeks time.
“He has recovered and we’re happy he is progressing nicely,” the trainer said.
Aidan O’Brien confirmed the Breeders’ Cup Mile is next for Excelebration after his decisive defeat of Cityscape and Elusive Kate at Ascot.
“He has progressed with every run. The beauty of this horse is he is on the upgrade. We have learnt a lot about him. He is a very fast horse right up to a mile, which he gets well,” said O’Brien yesterday, before indicating Excelebration could be retired to Coolmore after Santa Anita.
“It would be a dream for us (to keep him in training) but obviously we have to be realistic. He would be very sought after now for breeding. He has shown form at two, three and now at four and has shown he is very high class at a mile now,” he said.
