Royal Ascot 2011 - Fame and Glory favourite after Rite of Passage withdraws, Aiden O’ Brien trainer
For five-year old Fame and Glory, his racing career has been a series of troughs and crests, fortunately more crests than troughs.
Owned by Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, and, Michael Tabor. Bred by Ptarmigan Bloodstock and Kirsten Rausing, this stallion is something to look out for. Despite setbacks, such as the 2009 rejection by jockey, Johnny Murtagh, this thoroughbred, bay coloured stallion is all set to win the Royal Ascot this year.
He is so far one of the betting favourites, leading at 2/1 with Ladbrokes. And thanks to his prolific career, that begun with a one mile race in October 2008 at Navan that he won.
Trained by Aidan O’Brien this horse has earned a total of 1,315,391 pounds in a career spanning less than three years. The second time he ran a race he won his first Group 1 race, Critérium de Saint-Cloud in 2008, giving Aidan O’Brien his 23rd win that season.
Fame and Glory then went on to win the Ballysax Stakes 2009, finishing in a mere 2 minutes and 7.49 seconds, followed by wins at the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial, and, Irish Derby Stakes the same year.
After this victory, owner Magnier expressed his confidence in this star by saying:
"Seamus(jockey) was impressed with him as I am sure most were”. And most, including William Hill whose new 5-2 favourite for the Investec Derby was Fame and Glory, were indeed impressed.
‘Fame And Glory 5-2 clear favorite for Derby’ read a news report soon after, showing the stallion’s fast growing reputation as a winner. At the 2010 Royal Whip Stakes, Fame and Glory again proved his mettle by winning comfortably by three and a half lengths.
Despite so many successes, Fame and Glory’s career has nosedived too. The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe 2010 was preceded by news of Fame and Glory being injured, which led to disruption of his place in the betting market and even loss of the position of favourite for a firm. Trainer, O’Brien, vehemently denied any injury, however, the stallion still finished fifth in the race.
He soon regained his position as a betting favourite and today, Fame and Glory is leading the betting for the Ascot Gold Cup at the Royal Ascot at 2/1.
Luck seems to be on his side as defending champion, Rite of Passage, opted out due to a setback in training, making Fame and Glory the favourite for the race.
Pair all this up with four time winner, Aidan O’Brien’s, skills and it makes for a very competitive duo. One of Fame and Glory’s greatest strengths is his stamina and ability to get to start strong, lead the race, and, then maintain his position.
However, there are still those that are unconvinced of Fame and Glory’s skill. This is the first time he will cover a distance as long as the 2 mile 4 furlong trip, which might be a source of concern for some. And yet there are still others, who are apprehensive of the stallion’s temperament that sometimes makes him unmanageable, even for the jockey.
Whether or not Fame and Glory will clinch the coveted title is yet to be known, but the odds seem in his favour. With remarkable stamina, great racing style, and, a four-time winning trainer, there is no reason why Fame and Glory should not live up to his name.
Tags: