Nags to Riches... Monterosso

Hard to believe that Monterosso has won the worlds richest race after so humble beginings.

Mark Johnston first ran him in a Wolverhampton 7f Maiden at the end of the 2009 season where he finished 5th beaten 8L.So no signs yet then...

He then runs in a winter maiden at Lingfield as an early 3yo and earns his connections £725 for finishing 2nd.
Cool there might be a race for him..


He is quickly entered for a 1600m maiden at Lingfield eight days later and comes home lonely by 3 1/2 L.
But looking at the race now it was a very poor race with only one subsequent winner in the field..

Two weeks later he wins a five runner hcp at Lingfield earning his connections a few quid (£4000 beatiful british pounds) and earns a rating of 83..

After a 60 day break Johnston gives him his Turf Debut and a step up in class in a class 3 Hcp over a mile at Northern track Ripon.. He duly obliges staying on well..but the stable still not sure of what they have and they allow him to drift from 4/1 out to 11/2.Racing post comments are not to encouraging..
Soon driven along, ungainly, hampered and lost place bend over 5f out, reminders 4f out, headway and not much room over 1f out, burst through to lead last 50yds (op 4-1)

Does Johnston have a stayer on his hands?

Mark enters him for a 1800m race at Newbury a decent race , he now has a hcp mark of 88 he runs well staying on strongly at the finish but never threatening the impressive Green Moon.Now Green Moon now runs in Aus and as recently as 3 weeks ago won a group 2 race over 1600m..

A couple of weeks later he runs of a mark of 94 in a newmarket hcp and stays on strongly for a comfortable win..Now there is signs he can run..

Johnston enters him for Royal Ascot,The King Edward the seven Stakes a group 2 race over 1 1/2 miles.
Monterosso is majestic and strides away with the prize and over R1m for his owners.

Beating
Artic Cosmos(who would go on to win the St Leger)
Buzzword (who would win the German Derby)
Bullet Train (Lingfield Derby Winner)
At First Sight( 2nd Epsom Derby)

He is turned out quickly and made favourite for the Irish Derby,but runs a bit Flat and is a staying on 4th beating 3 L in Cape Blanco`s Derby..

3 weeks later he is a well beaten Favourite for Buzzwords German Derby going down nearly 6L into 7th under new Pilot Fallon.

Fallon is aboard the next month when he runs a poor 5th to Rewilding at York of a mark of 115..
Over the Top?


Seven month goes by and he reapears under todays connections at Meydan,winning a grade 2 on season Debut...Great prep run for the 2011 Dubai World Cup..

He makes the final field for last years Wc and runs a brave race placing 3rd and earning a massive stake cheque..

For some reason he is not seen for a year until early this month when he runs a good 4th beaten 6l to Capponi,setting him up for todays race..

The rest is History

What a great training feat from both Johnston and Zarooni having both trained the 1st and 2nd home in todays race to think Monterossos earned Johnston £275 way back then...

Sure Magic tip this one!

scotia Wrote:

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> Sure Magic tip this one!


That he did.....

magiclips Wrote:

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> He is probably the class horse of the race, but
> could well be better on turf. I think he is very
> beatable and make the race very open, with
> Monterosso my each way sneaker at a big price.

Strange story, Amazing facts !

*** Horse progress from 2011 was very "well kept secret" !

Monterosso :- { Dubawi (Dubai Millennium) — Porto Roca (Barathea) } ; massive boost to Darley !

you can not beat the rags to riches story of lizard desire but well done to the sheik with this win

Flash Harry Wrote:

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> you can not beat the rags to riches story of
> lizard desire but well done to the sheik with this
> win

lizard desire : 2010 Dubai World Cup and all the shouldas, wouldas, couldas !

good things you compare the breed of lizard desire to monterosso and where the horses come from and there is no coulda shoulda whatever.

Flash Harry Wrote:

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> good things you compare the breed of lizard desire
> to monterosso and where the horses come from and
> there is no coulda shoulda whatever.


"shouldas, wouldas, couldas" comment is with respect to "RIDE" given to L/Desire in W/Cup {which later proved "all wrong" at Singapore}.
IMO, a great opportunity was squandered ( due inappropriate assistance from saddle ).

*** also if I am not wrong, L/Desire was bought for R 5000 in a village ! Is is True ?

Lizard's Desire was bred by his SA owner Albert Boshoff. I think he bought the mother for R5k from a hunting lodge, or something like that.

Lizard's Desire ... dam was Annsfield by Northfields. From what I heard he'd ridden her ... she was a riding horse at a hunting lodge used for all and sundry to ride. He liked her and her breeding so bought her for breeding. I've no idea if she was ever raced and, if so, if she ever won anything.

I was watching channel 200 DSTV on sat around midday(sky sports insert- alex hammond?)
she 's tipped a good few Uk horses in past.Monterosso was her fancy for the big race.
Satisfied with my r100 e/w on her selection.

Andrew Bonn was so close with his treble(2/3)