Kick On, trained by Niels Petersen in Norway, won the Stockholms Stora Pris (Gr.3) 2020
From the Singspiel Stakes to Sweden?
11 February 2022 08:40
Kick On from Norway and Sir Busker from Britain are set for the Singspiel Stakes (Gr.2) at Meydan tonight. This article is about a question: Will they meet again?
Stockholms Stora Pris (Gr.3) at Bro Park in June and the Singspiel Stakes (Gr.2) at Meydan tonight will most likely have something in common this year.
Kick On (Charm Spirit), one of Scandinavia's best milers, is entered for tonight's Singspiel Stakes. Two years ago, Kick On won the Stockholms Stora Pris and last year he came fourth in that same race. It will undoubtedly be a target for Kick On again this year.
Another horse in tonight's race that would suit the Stockholm Stora Pris very well is Sir Busker (Sir Prancealot), trained by Newmarket handler William Knight.
Since he started on his own in 2006, William Knight has been known for traveling with his horses. He is also known for gradually bringing on the best, often peaking when they are five years or older. Sir Busker is certainly a late bloomer, having an OR of 79 when he entered his classical season, finishing the year at 92. As a four-year-old, he was placed in a Group 2 at Goodway earning a rating of 111. Last year he was as high as 115!
The reason we mention this is that when William Knight started out as a trainer he had a horse called Illustrious Blue (Dansili) which came from Jamie Osbourne with a rating of 80. Illustrious Blue went on to be rated 110 after winning a Group 2 at Goodwood! Yes, there are striking similarities with Sir Busker, and we sincerely hope that Sir Busker will continue to travel after the Carnival in Dubai.
In 2008, Illustrious Blue had some success at Nad Al Sheba, and in June the same year, Team William Knight traveled to Sweden to compete in, you guessed it, Stockholms Stora Pris. With Richard Kingscote in the saddle, he finished seventh, beaten by the Swedish hero Peas And Carrots (Final Appearance) ridden by Eddie Ahern. Illustrious Blue didn’t have the cleanest of trips and was unlucky not to be nearer the winner.
The Stockholms Stora Pris is run in June over 1750 meters with 600 000 SEK (approx. 50 000 GBP) to the winner. Will Sir Busker take his chance? Or will Kick On be a sure thing? A lot will happen before June but first of all, we have the Singspiel Stakes to look forward to.
The favorite in the Singspiel Stakes will almost certainly be Lord Glitters, the gray (almost white) son of Whipper. Trained by David O’Meara he would, of course, be a welcome addition to any race in Sweden.
