All-Weather Championships Media Release Monday, January 25, 2021 Gurkha and Doyle rally to land Fast-Track Qualifier at Kempton Park

Published 2021/01/25

All-Weather Championships Media Release

Monday, January 25, 2021 Gurkha and Doyle rally to land Fast-Track Qualifier at Kempton Park Mighty Gurkha continued his excellent record on the All-Weather with a tenacious front-running success in the Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Conditions Stakes (6f) at Kempton Park this evening, January 25.

The Sepoy colt, trained by Archie Watson and ridden by Hollie Doyle, is now assured of a start in the Ladbrokes All-Weather Three-Year-Old Championship at Lingfield Park on Finals Day, Good Friday, April 2.

Mighty Gurkha (11/4) was able to dictate from the outset under a 5lb penalty, with the well-backed 13/8 favourite Zamaani (Simon & Ed Crisford/Jack Mitchell) in second and the unbeaten Bravado (Mark Johnston/Joe Fanning) in a share of third.

All four of his rivals were within striking distance as Mighty Gurkha increased the tempo at the top of the straight. Zamaani appeared to be coming with a winning run, briefly heading the leader at the furlong pole, but Mighty Gurkha rallied gamely under the Doyle drive to regain the advantage close home.

The margin of victory was a neck, with Bravado a length and a half further back in third. Mighty Gurkha had a penalty thanks to his triumph in the G3 Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Sirenia Stakes over the course and distance in September.

His overall record on the All-Weather now stands at three wins and a second from four starts. Doyle said:

“It was an excellent performance. He pinged the gates and I thought ‘happy days’ because I was in front of the Johnston horse and able to get an easy enough lead for the first half of the race.

“Jack Mitchell took me on early enough and we did get into a bit of a battle. I was actually headed a furlong out and thought I was beat, but Mighty Gurkha stuck his neck out and ran really well to the line.

“I felt I would take all the beating once I had the position to control the race, and he has shown a great attitude to get his head back in front. If anything, I think being headed probably helped me out because if he had been in front the whole way, he may have wandered around.”

Mighty Gurkha (blinkers) outbattles Zamaani.jpg

Mighty Gurkha (blinkers) outbattles Zamaani

About the All-Weather Championships

Season eight of the All-Weather Championships runs from Tuesday, October 20, 2020 and culminates with All-Weather Championships Finals Day on Good Friday, April 2, 2021 at Lingfield Park.

The six championship categories are:

Three-Year-Olds sponsored by Ladbrokes - 6f Final

Fillies & Mares sponsored by Ladbrokes - 7f Final

Mile sponsored by Bombardier - 1m Final

Sprint sponsored by Betway - 6f Final

Marathon sponsored by Betway - 2m Final

Middle Distance sponsored Betway - 10f Final

There are two ways for horses to qualify for one of the finals on All-Weather Championships Finals Day at Lingfield Park:

* A horse can win a 'Fast Track Qualifier' race which will ensure a FREE and GUARANTEED place in the corresponding final on Good Friday. There are four Fast Track Qualifiers in each of the six Championship Categories hosted at racecourses in Great Britain, Ireland and France. If a filly wins any of the Fast-Track Qualifier races for either the Sprint or the Mile categories, the filly will be qualified for the final of that specific category, or for the Fillies and Mares Final.

or

* A horse must run a minimum of three times on the All-Weather surfaces in Great Britain, Ireland and France; or twice on the All-Weather surfaces in Great Britain, Ireland, France and once on dirt in Dubai during the qualifying period between October 20, 2020 and the six-day entry stage for the finals (Saturday, March 28, 2021) and then be rated high enough to 'make the cut' in a final by order of its BHA Rating. In addition, prizes will be awarded to each of the All-Weather Champions - the 'All Stars' - based on the number of winners at the end of the All-Weather Championships season:

Champion All-Weather Jockey (winner and runner up)

Champion All-Weather Apprentice Jockey (winner and runner up)

Champion All-Weather Trainer

Champion All-Weather Owner

Winning Most All-Weather Horse

For details of the 24 Fast-Track Qualifiers, please click here: https://www.awchampionships.co.uk/take-part/fast-track-qualifier-dates/ Fast-Track Qualifier winners so far:

1 - 3YO, October 20, Newcastle, 6f, SIGNFICANTLY (Karl Burke/Clifford Lee)

2 - F&M, October 29, Lingfield Park, 1m, INDIE ANGEL (John Gosden/Frankie Dettori)

3 - F&M, November 13, Dundalk (IRE), 1m, UMMALNAR (William Haggas/Chris Hayes)

4 - MD, November 14, Lingfield Park, 1m 2f, DUBAI WARRIOR (John Gosden/Robert Havlin)

5 - SPRINT, November 14, Lingfield Park, 6f, GOOD EFFORT (Ismail Mohammed/Ray Dawson)

6 - MILE, November 18, Kempton Park, 1m, KINROSS (Ralph Beckett/Richard Kingscote)

7 - MD, November 25, Deauville (FR), 1m 1½f, SKY POWER (Gael Barbedette/Stephane Pasquier)

8 - 3YO, December 5, Wolverhampton, 6f, VICTORY HEIGHTS (James Tate/PJ McDonald)

9 - MA, December 12, Newcastle, 2m 56y, ISLAND BRAVE (Heather Main/Cieren Fallon)

10 - F&M, January 4, Wolverhampton, 7f, AMNIARIX (Ed Walker/Richard Kingscote)

11 - SPRINT, January 12, Newcastle, 5f, VENTUROUS (David Barron/Tom Marquand)

12 - MILE, January 12, Newcastle, 1m, BLESS HIM (David Simcock/Jamie Spencer)

13 - MA, January 18, Wolverhampton, 2m ½f, MILDENBERGER (Mark Johnston/Joe Fanning)

14 - 3YO, January 25, Kempton Park, 6f, MIGHTY GURKHA (Archie Watson/Hollie Doyle)

For more information on the All-Weather Championships, please visit www.awchampionships.co.uk