Mr Ritz defends Seagram Cup title

Oasis Dream's Mr Ritz was victorious in the Gr.3 Seagram Cup at Woodbine for the second year in succession yesterday (26th July).

The Josie Carroll-trained five-year-old led from the gate and repelled all his challengers to win by two lengths. He now has two Group wins and four Group places to his credit. Carroll commented: “When he made the lead, I was a little worried with that horse [Explode] pressuring him, but he was so relaxed. You could tell he was very relaxed and then we he got a :24 [quarter], I said, 'You know what, they're not going to catch him today.'”

She added: “We thought he was very, very tight – he had been excelling in his works – but there's nothing like a race to really tighten him up, especially at this level of competition. He's won stakes on both surfaces. I think he's just a good older horse that's coming into himself.”