Arapaho Strikes in Canberra Cup

Mark Smith - Monday March 13

Arapaho’s last three runs have come in the Melbourne Cup, Apollo Stakes and Chipping Norton Stakes. So, with nothing of the calibre of Anamoe in Monday’s $200,000 Listed Canberra Cup, it was the perfect time to revisit the winner’s circle for the first time since the Premier’s Cup at Randwick last August.

Ridden by Rachel King for Bjorn Baker, the French-bred son of Lope de Vega (IRE) displayed an impressive turn of foot to defeat Explosive Jack (Jakkalberry) by one and a half lengths with Athabascan (FR) (Almanzor) a length back in third.

With his fourth stakes success, Arapaho (FR) advances his record to seven wins, five seconds, and three thirds from 30 starts with earnings of $966,000.

“He’s  been a very good horse since we’ve had him. It took a while for him to win one, but he has been very consistent,” stable representative Glenn Lobb said.  

“He has chased anamoe home at his last two runs so this looked an ideal race for him.”

Advertisement

The 6yo son of Lope De Vega (IRE) was a Listed winner at Deauville at three for Andre Fabre.

After finishing last in a Listed event at Saint-Cloud, Arapaho (FR) was consigned to the 2020 Arqana Autumn Sale, where Bjorn Baker Racing/Avenue Bloodstock/Clarke Bloodstock bought him for €140,000.

Arapaho (FR) is a half-brother to Listed winner Alula Borealus (Kendargent) and stakes-placed Athabascan (Almanzor), out of the Listed Saint-Cloud Prix Dahlia winner Alzubra (Dansili).

Arapaho a €140,000.Arqanna Autmn Sale purchase

Advertisment

Race Result - Tab Canberra Cup LR 2000m

Canberra Track: Soft(5) Time: 2:01.74
1
Arapaho
- 6g Lope De Vega (IRE) x Alzubra (GB) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: Rachel King 59
2
1.5
Explosive Jack
- 5g Jakkalberry (IRE) x Extra Explosive (NZ) (Ekraar (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: K S Latham 59
3
2.5
Athabascan
- 4h Almanzor (FR) x Alzubra (GB) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: J A O'Shea Rdr: K Mc Evoy 54
4
2.6
Sacramento
- 6g Pierro (AUS) x Alzora (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 57
5
3.7
First In Line
- 7g New Approach (IRE) x Hidden Hope (GB) (Daylami (IRE))
Tnr: Matthew Smith Rdr: J Ford 54
6
4.6
Chateaux Park
- 6g Ocean Park (NZ) x Val De Loire (NZ) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: J C Coyle Rdr: R Dolan 54
7
6.5
Tarn's Prince
- 6g Unencumbered (AUS) x Princess Wiltons (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Natalie Jarvis Rdr: Ms R Freeman 54
8
48.3
Just Business
- 8g Shrapnel (AUS) x Natural Time (AUS) (Naturalism (NZ))
Tnr: J C Coyle Rdr: Reece Jones 54
More Reading...
French Bred Stayer Arapaho Tops $4mil with Sydney Cup Romp
The remarkable eight-year-old, Arapaho (Fr) threw aside any two-mile doubts with a brilliant win in Saturday’s Group I Sydney Cup, taking his career earnings over $4million.
G1 Guineas Goal for Unbeaten Snitzel Filly
A quartet of well-performed fillies from Stephen Marsh’s stable took their first steps toward upcoming age group features when they stepped out at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Lope De Vega's Arapaho Captures Tancred Stakes
Twelve days after winning the Listed Canberra Cup, the six-year-old Lope De Vega gelding Arapaho (FR) scaled the heights to Group 1 success in the Kia Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill.
Arapaho Claims the G2 Zipping Classic
Taking a step back from the silk department, Bjorn Baker’s fantastic money spinner Arapaho (FR) made a delayed trip to Melbourne worthwhile for Rachel King with victory in the $750,000 Group II Quayclean Zipping Classic (2400m) at Caulfield.
G1 Plans for Wexford Stable Mares
Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott have their sights set on the opening Group One of the season with a pair of talented mares, both of which appeared at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Highland Blaze Wins $250,000 Grand National Hurdle
Jumps racing was the highlight at Sandown Lakeside on Sunday with the $250,000 Grand National Hurdle (4200m) the highlight and the $100,000 Crisp Steeplechase (4200m) offering a great start to the day.
Lope De Vega's Arapaho Triumphs in Premier's Cup
After winning the Group III ATC Premier's Cup (2000m) twelve months ago with Harpo Marx (IRE) (Galileo), trainer Bjorn Baker and jockey Rachel King went back to back with Arapaho (FR) at Randwick on Saturday.
Too Darn Hot Mare Claims Third G1
Too Darn Hot (GB) will be a returning superstar to Darley NSW this spring and there is no doubt he can get an exceptional horse with Fallen Angel capturing her third Group I in France on Sunday when taking out the G1 Prix Rothschild (1m) at Deauville.
MM Yearling Sales 2026 Open for Entry
The 2026 Magic Millions Yearling Sales - from the Gold Coast in January to Perth and Tasmania in February and the Gold Coast and Adelaide in March - are ready to deliver more groundbreaking results.
Zed 9YO Wins G3 Winter Cup
Saturday’s $110,000 Group Three Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton continued an incredible ride for the connections of Chase (NZ) (Zed), who bought him for only $9,000 from Book 3 of Karaka 2018. Originally a $6,000 purchase by JD Corcoran when offered as a weanling from Valachi Downs in the 2017 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale.