Epsom's Annual 'Breakfast with the Stars' Event... 2016
''Breakfast with the stars'' Event at Epsom Downs, 2016...
This is the first year I've been invited to witness the Derby potentials acquainting themselves with the famous track and the morning didn't disappoint, every year attracts the big names in the racing industry from AP McCoy to John Gosden... read on for full details...
The day started off at 7:30am with a lovely breakfast served in the Duchess Stand, Diomed Suite.. panoramic views of the Downs and the local Epsom trainers horses out working the gallops set the tone for the day ahead.. tea, coffee and juice a plenty with a good array of a hot and cold buffet set up in one room, giving you a chance to mingle and say hellos...
We then moved into the main room for the welcome by Clare Balding and Nick Luck from Channel 4 racing, this is the last year The Derby will be broadcast by them before moving to a new home with ITV next year...
After a short while, we moved outside to watch the first lot of horses work at 8am..
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| trackside |
First out were John Gosden's horses including the much hyped and talked about 1. Wings of Desire ridden by Frankie Dettori.. he mentioned that Sir Michael Stoute's Ulysses is the biggest threat and is the 'dark horse in the race', luckily for us though Dettori remarked that he is ''looking forward to a challenge'' and that Epsom ''really means something.. that's why the Derby is so great''...
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| Wings of Desire leading them home |
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| a glorious morning on the Downs... |
Next lot out were Hugo Palmers, Harry Champion ridden by Toby Atkinson and Architecture with Frankie Dettori in the saddle, with Dettori commenting that ''distance is not a problem for Architecture, she is a force to be reckoned with''...
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| Hugo Palmer and Frankie Dettori head back inside for interviews |
Other horses working out included 'Postponed' for Roger Varian with Andrea Atzeni riding..
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| Roseburg & King Bolete for Roger Varian |
Mikael Barzalona flew in from France especially for the morning to ride out on Andre Fabre's 'Cloth of Stars' who took to the course with 'Foresee' ridden by Willie Ryan they did a full 10F strong workout, taking in as much of the course and atmosphere as possible... I believe they have a very strong chance to win this year, they sure are taking it seriously!
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| Cloth of Stars, No8 & Foresee No7 |
Then came the Michael Channon lot including Oaks contender, 13 Harlequeen with Silvestre De Sousa who didn't look fully at ease in her work today..
Once all the action was over outside, it was time to head back inside to our table for the interviews with the trainers etc
Andrea Atzeni took to the stage to talk about his chances at Epsom, ''it's a race that a lot of jockeys would like to win, it's unique''
Michael Channon jnr took to the stage to talk about Harlequeen, their chances and what's happening with the rest of the yard..
We listened to Aiden O'Brien and Sir Michael Stoute on the telephone discussing Derby runners, with O'Brien having 10/24 surely he has a good chance to win! Kevin Buckley remarked that 'Minding' had cut her nose in the stalls, they'll give it the rest of the week before deciding whether to run her or not.
Nick Luck interviewed Roger Varian, Hugo Palmer, John Gosden and Frankie Dettori...
And by 11am the morning was wrapped up!
To end the day I captured Frankie Dettori having a mini photoshoot onboard the Generous horse Statue! Talk about being in the right place at the right time!
10 days until the Derby Festival begins... see you there!
thanks for reading!
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| Andrew Cooper out on the course, it'll be his 21st Derby this year, and what a fab job he and the team do for the course! |
Once all the action was over outside, it was time to head back inside to our table for the interviews with the trainers etc
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| Mickael Barzalona right before flying back to Chantilly for afternoon racing!! |
Andrea Atzeni took to the stage to talk about his chances at Epsom, ''it's a race that a lot of jockeys would like to win, it's unique''
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| Andrea Atzeni with Clare Balding |
We listened to Aiden O'Brien and Sir Michael Stoute on the telephone discussing Derby runners, with O'Brien having 10/24 surely he has a good chance to win! Kevin Buckley remarked that 'Minding' had cut her nose in the stalls, they'll give it the rest of the week before deciding whether to run her or not.
Nick Luck interviewed Roger Varian, Hugo Palmer, John Gosden and Frankie Dettori...
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| always good to see a familiar face in the crowd, John McCririck |
And by 11am the morning was wrapped up!
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| parade ring looked stunning in the sun |
To end the day I captured Frankie Dettori having a mini photoshoot onboard the Generous horse Statue! Talk about being in the right place at the right time!
10 days until the Derby Festival begins... see you there!
thanks for reading!
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