Lope De Vega's Arapaho Captures Tancred Stakes

Mark Smith - Saturday March 25

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.

Group 1 triumph for Arapaho (FR) (image Steve Hart)

Ridden by Rachel King for Bjorn Baker, Arapaho defeated the 5yo Kermadec mare Montefiliaby a short-neck, with the 5yo Frankel gelding King Frankel three-quarters of a length back in third.

Advertisement

With his breakthrough at the highest level, Arapaho (FR) advances his record to eight wins, five seconds, and three thirds from 31 starts with earnings of $1,864,200.

“I’m absolutely thrilled, he’s been a great horse,” Baker said.

“This time last year, we were hoping to win about a benchmark 70 race, so it’s worked out well.

“He travelled beautifully and Rachel (King) got it right. She just puts him in the zone, she really suits him.

“They are a great team of owners; we’re going to have some fun.”

Arapaho - Rachel King (image Steve Hart)

Rachel King said she has no doubt Arapaho will run the 3200m of the Sydney Cup.

 “I just know he’s got the biggest heart ever this horse,” King said.

“He’s not the biggest in himself. I said on the way here whenever Arapaho is running it’s a good day because you know he will try his hardest. He certainly showed them what he can do today.

“He’s been a superstar to me. Thanks to the owners and Bjorn (Baker), everyone at home has done a fantastic job.

“This horse has improved to no end this preparation. He’s the prime example of a happy horse who’ll run his heart out every time. No matter what he gives you 110 percent every start. He’s never run a bad race for me. He took me around in a Melbourne Cup last year (11th), and he’ll be back there a bit more competitive this year.”

“He’s a unique kind of stayer, he has a very good turn of foot.”

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

Bjorn Baker Racing/Avenue Bloodstock/Clarke Bloodstock shelled out €140,000 for Arapaho (FR) at the 2020 Arqana Autumn Sale.

He 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 is the 18th Group 1 winner for Ballylinch Stud's Lope De Vega.

Advertisment

Race Result - Kia Tancred Stakes Gr1 2400m

Rosehill Track: Good(4) Time: 2:29.86
1
Arapaho
- 6g Lope De Vega (IRE) x Alzubra (GB) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: Rachel King 59
2
0.2
Montefilia
- 5m Kermadec (NZ) x Bana Wu (GB) (Shirocco (GER))
Tnr: David Payne Rdr: Dylan Gibbons 57
3
1.0
King Frankel
- 5g Frankel (GB) x You'Ll Be Mine (USA) (Kingmambo (USA))
Tnr: Mark Newnham Rdr: Tyler Schiller 59
4
1.1
Vow And Declare
- 7g Declaration Of War (USA) x Geblitzt (AUS) (Testa Rossa (AUS))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: N Rawiller 59
5
2.0
Cleveland
- 5h Camelot (GB) x Venus De Milo (IRE) (Duke Of Marmalade (IRE))
Tnr: Joseph O'Brien Rdr: K Mc Evoy 59
6
2.5
Knights Order
- 8g So You Think (NZ) x Lamanka Lass (USA) (Woodman (USA))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 59
7
3.2
Gold Trip
- 6h Outstrip (GB) x Sarvana (FR) (Dubai Destination (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: M Zahra 59
8
5.8
Stockman
- 6g Tavistock (NZ) x Crimson (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: S Clipperton 59
9
6.0
Sir Lucan
- 5g Camelot (GB) x Sparrow (IRE) (Oasis Dream (GB))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Regan Bayliss 59
10
8.3
Explosive Jack
- 5g Jakkalberry (IRE) x Extra Explosive (NZ) (Ekraar (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: John Allen 59
11
16.0
Selino
- 7g Champs Elysees (GB) x Air Kiss (GB) (Red Ransom (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: T Marquand 59
12
20.0
Saracen Knight
- 8g Camelot (GB) x Za'Hara (IRE) (Raven's Pass (USA))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: C Schofield 59
13
29.3
Tappy's Lad
- 5g Proisir (AUS) x Tapinsky (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: K & I Taplin Rdr: J Parr 59
More Reading...
Nominees Announced for Australian Racehorse of the Year Awards
The nominees for the prestigious 2024/2025 Australian Racehorse of the Year awards have been announced today by Racing Queensland in association with Racing Australia.
Arapaho Strikes in Canberra Cup
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.
One to Watch – Ballarat
Last seen contesting the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes, newly gelded three year-old Olatunde bolted in at Ballarat on Monday continuing the fast start to the new season for his sire Farnan.
Lope De Vega's Arapaho Spaces Them In Grafton Cup
While Arapaho (FR) has won just two of his thirteen starts since his importation, the son of Lope De Vega (IRE) has returned his €140,000 purchase price back with interest highlighted by runaway victory in Thursday’s $200,000 Listed Southside Pharmacy Grafton Cup (2350m).
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.
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.
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.
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.
Blue Gum Farm Welcome First Foal of the Season
Victorian nursery Blue Gum Farm announced on Monday the arrival of their first foal of the season and there is no mistaking the sire of this gorgeous filly.
Te Akau Stars Warm Up at Taupo Trials
Perennial bridesmaid Qali Al Farrasha headlined a strong contingent of trialists out of Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson’s stable at Taupo on Monday.