Handicappers’ Dark Horses for 2013

At the World Thoroughbred Rankings Press Conference, where Frankel was hailed as the “new benchmark of equine excellence”, the selection of international handicappers closed proceedings by offering their very own horses to watch out for this year. Two-year-old assessor, Matthew Tester, who should have a real insight into this year’s Classic generation, the Irish Turf Club’s Garry O’Gorman and Phil Smith and Dominic Gardiner-Hill from the British Horseracing Authority all put their necks on the line to provide a selection each for the coming months…

Matthew Tester

Just The Judge

Owner: Qatar Racing Limited and Sangster Family

Trainer: Charlie Hills

“Connections were never really happy with her as a two-year-old, despite that she was successful on all three racecourse appearances. I think she’ll come on a lot this year and Barry Hills, who thinks a lot of her, knows exactly what it takes to win a 1000 Guineas”.

Garry O’Gorman

Unbridled Command

Owner: Lewis G Lakin

Trainer: Thomas Bush

“This American horse has won six of his ten career starts and he’s set for a truly international campaign in 2013. The plan is to start him off in his native land and then he’ll transfer to Ed Dunlop’s yard ahead of a possible Royal Ascot bid before being aimed at his main target, the Cox Plate down under, due to his new Australian owners”.

Phil Smith

Aljamaaheer

Owner: Hamdan Al Maktoum

Trainer: Roger Varian

“This horse really excites me for this year. He’s done most of his racing at seven furlongs/a mile, but he tends to pull pretty hard and I’d love to see him go sprinting!”

Dominic Gardiner- Hill

Aljamaheer

“I can’t believe that Phil has stolen my tip! I echo all his comments, though, and this horse was one of the unluckiest losers of the entire season at Goodwood”. (Badly hampered a furlong out when a narrow third in a Group 3)