John Quinn focused on Swnymor after Arc weekend

Last updated on .From the section Horse Racing

The mood in a packed Gare du Nord the morning after Treve's repeat win in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe was almost tangibly upbeat.
A memorable result, combined with magnificent runs in defeat by leading British hopes Taghrooda and Kingston Hill, plus three successes in the 'undercard' races for the cross-channel raiders, ensured it.
A big dollop of the heady feel-good factor of Paris dressed up in the autumnal colours of brown and gold provided the icing on le gateau.
However, amidst the throng, Irish trainer John Quinn, an adopted Yorkshireman because of the location of his stables, was showing a good bit of British stiff upper lip as inquiries swirled about his horse The Wow Signal.
To many, the unbeaten winner of the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, and of the Group One Prix Morny in Deauville, was the 'nap' selection to pay the expenses of Longchamp racecourse's big weekend.
He was looking to make it four out of four, racing in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere for two-year-old colts on Arc day.

Sent off 6-4 favourite under Frankie Dettori, The Wow Signal, a big-money purchase before Ascot by Sheikh Joaan al Thani's Al Shaqab Racing (same owner as Treve), led for a time, but ended up stone-cold last.
We chatted in the queue for security checks, and Quinn told me: "I suppose it's been a long year for him, unlike some he's been to all the big gigs, and he's off on a long holiday now, but his form is rock solid and he'll be back. We'll train him for the [2000] Guineas.
"I think it was a combination of the lengthy year and a bit of stress maybe."
And he agreed that finishing last is actually better than, say, 4th as you know the performance is too bad to be completely true rather than that the horse is probably not as good as was hoped.
John Quinn's "Big Race" winners | |
---|---|
2014 | The Wow SignalCoventry Stakes (Group 2), Royal AscotCockney SparrowScottish Champion Hurdle (Grade 2), Ayr |
2012 | Kashmir PeakSummit Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2), DoncasterCountrywide FlameFighting Fifth Hurdle (Grade 1), NewcastleCountrywide FlameTriumph Hurdle (Grade 1), Cheltenham Festival |
2011 | Royal BonsaiSummit Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2), DoncasterRed DukeSuperlate Stakes (Group 2), NewmarketRecession ProofTrophy Hurdle (Grade 3), Newbury |
2008 | Blythe KnightDiomed Stakes (Group 3), Epsom |
2007 | Kings QuayElite Hurdle (Grade 2), WincantonBlythe KnightDiomed Stakes (Group 3), EpsomLeslingtaylorSwinton Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3), HaydockBlythe KnightTop Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2), Aintree |
2006 | Crow WoodElite Hurdle, Wincanton |
Subsequently, it also emerged that the son of stallion Starspangledbanner had provided a 'dirty scope' during a veterinary examination.
Now the Quinn string, based in Yorkshire's Malton racing centre, and an ever-growing player both in Flat races and over jumps, has to be philosophical and look forward.
And, split between the large fields and marathon distances of the Betfred Cesarewitch at Newmarket and Ireland's Cesarewitch at The Curragh, the team has much to look forward to on the first weekend following the Arc.
Well-backed Swnymor and Moidore, last year's 10th, take in the £250,000 Newmarket feature the day before Rutherglen travels to The Curragh, looking to take advantage of a featherweight in the Irish version worth 100,000 Euros.
Of soft ground-relishing Swnymor, fifth behind race favourite Quick Jack at Galway in July and technically weighted to turn the tables, Quinn said: "He ran really well at Galway, having been drawn wide [in the stalls] and he didn't get any luck in running.
"We might have run him before this Saturday, but the ground's been so dry until recently.
"He's well and I'm happy with him. Strictly on the formbook, Quick Jack can't beat him, but this is horse racing and things don't often work out like that.
"Moidore's got a decent chance too. He's only had his [rain-softened] ground once this year and he won that day at Newcastle; Rutherglen goes to Ireland in good fettle, but these are hard races to win."
That is obviously the case, but the recent rain at Newmarket combined with a very attractive weight are - dare I say - two big signals that we may all be saying "wow" after Swnymor's Cesarewitch challenge is completed.
Comments
Join the conversation
Racing is a bit different, e.g. Treve was considered a certainty to repeat her success after last year's romp, then the scene changes & everyone is trying to convince everyone its not the same horse etc. & then lo & behold she repeats the dose despite "problems", salute the great training performance etc.
Racing is a sport whereby they try to prove a con is not a con.
1 HOUR AGO
Sadly the first two comments sum this 'sport' up for me! Imagine if you couldn't bet on horse racing.
----------------
Always makes me laugh these comments. I have visited courses before & never had a bet, for nothing more than the enjoyment of the sport.
I know many a person who cannot watch a football match without having a bet. So your point is?.....
10TH OCTOBER 2014 - 20:26
20
So of the more than 1 Billion pounds bet from the UK on the 2014 World Cup, that was from people who don't follow football?
============
2014 World Cup the only football betting market available?
What a DIV!
Fact!
Time to give it rest eh. Have a little read of the following link - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24354124
Fact.
End of...Toodle pip!
Ray Ward @ 16/1 looks a far more attractive proposition.
Apologies for calling you a Div. It wasn't called for :)
Sorry, you're right I am a div as I addressed you by mistake! My comment was intended for JBW (19) who was saying the majority of football followers don't bet on football, based on the fact he and a few of his mates don't.
I believe I am agreeing with you.
So of the more than 1 Billion pounds bet from the UK on the 2014 World Cup, that was from people who don't follow football? You need to separate fact from opinion. Most people you know does not equal the majority of people who follow football. Fact!
I like a bet on both but make much more money on football as there are less variables
no owners/jockeys or trainer 'at it' the horse in not a machine & can have an off day
Have a day at the races, you don't have to bet it is a great day out & watching thoroughbred's running flat out is an impressive sight
Is there anything you can't help commenting on?
8. Jack Blacks Waistline
Already been done maybe Northern Ape can give you his thoughts on that too
6. Galaxy
:-)
Agreed - it's a poor price. I backed Treve on Sunday at 13.5 on the Ladbrokes exchange which kind of puts it in perspective!
Well said 6/1 !!! no value there!!
Very pleased with the Sunday AM prices on the Arc
8/1 Taghrooda & 28/1 Kingston Hill were very fair prices
Could not agree more, well put!
The reason the majority of people follow football without betting on it is because the sport itself is exciting enough, and secondly supporters have been watching it and supporting a team since early childhood, only gamblers have an interest in horse racing because lets face it if you didnt gamble and watched it you would be an extremely sad individual.
Most people I know follow football without betting on it, its not the reason people follow the game, unlike horse racing.
Fact.
End of