Irish ace Kinane top of Club supremo's Arc shopping list
Hong Kong racing supremo Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges flew to France yesterday on a mission to sign the world's leading rider, Michael Kinane, after the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp tomorrow.
Also on his winter stint shopping list is Frankie Dettori and Kinane's compatriot, Irishman Johnny Murtagh, who has had a stellar European season thanks largely to the brilliant Sinndar. Engelbrecht-Bresges will go on to Goffs Irish yearling sales before returning to report to the Licensing Committee meeting on October 10.
Kinane partners the odds-on favourite Montjeu in the premier European race and has been in communication with the Jockey Club's director of racing. Said Engelbrecht-Bresges: 'Ideally, it would be good to have Michael here for two months from the Chinese New Year meeting until after the Derby in late March. These are the dates we have proposed to him.
'Of course, the decision can only be his but overall I believe we have done our best to make it up into an attractive package. That has to be done these days to get the best riders. There are just too many opportunities around the world, not least in Japan.'
Kinane has also had an offer to ride in Singapore where he has practised his profession infrequently in the past. Prior to his departure for Paris, he said: 'I am really concentrating on matters right in hand at the moment but I will be very pleased to see Winfried. My inclination would lie towards Hong Kong.'
Sinndar, the only horse in the small Arc field tipped as a possibility to upset the favourite, is owned by the Aga Khan and has propelled Murtagh into the world limelight with victories in the English and Irish Derbys. Trained by John Oxx, Sinndar hacked up by nine lengths in the Prix Niel, his final Arc preparation race.
Dettori has been taking it easy since his midsummer plane crash but remains a massive drawcard. 'I will have a word with him because he will be there,' said Engelbrecht-Bresges.
Also mentioned in despatches has been American rider Kent Desmoreaux, probably best remembered in this part of the world for dropping his hands in the Japan Cup a few years back when he misjudged the winning post. However, he is a fine jockey.
