Ouija Board leaves rivals spellbound in Hong Kong Vase

Ouija Board steps up for Vase score (Photo courtesy of Hong Kong Jockey Club) Lord Derby’s OUIJA BOARD (GB) (Cape Cross [Ire]) stormed home an emphatic 2 3/4-length winner under Kieren Fallon in Sunday’s $1.8 million Hong Kong Vase (G1) at Sha Tin Racecourse to register her first stakes score against males. The four-year-old dual classic heroine finished the 1 1/2 miles on the good to firm turf in 2:28 4/5, becoming the first Breeders’ Cup winner to capture a race on Hong Kong International Day. Fallon had reserved Ouija Board at the tail of the field, well behind a dawdling early pace dictated by Saturn (Marju). The champion then smoothly cruised into contention on the far turn, and the moment that a clear lane appeared, Ouija Board delivered the instantaneous acceleration that has made her a star. Tearing through a final quarter in :23 2/5, she quickly asserted her superiority and opened a daylight advantage over her rivals. Japanese raider Six Sense (Sunday Silence) finished an admirable second, just holding Hong Kong’s own Best Gift (Bahhare), who took third. The Aga Khan’s Shamdala (Grand Lodge) was another half-length back in fourth. Favored Westerner (Danehill), coming off an excellent second to Hurricane Run (Montjeu [Ire]) in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1), could manage only fifth. Completing the order of finish were Reefscape (Linamix), Samando (Hernando [Fr]), Sweet Stream (Shantou), Cherry Mix (Linamix), Saturn, Norse Dancer (Halling) and Warrsan (Caerleon).

“They went very slow, but I wanted
to hold onto her longer than I did in Japan (Japan Cup [Jpn-G1]) when probably I
went too soon,” Fallon said, explaining his strategy. “I knew that she would be able to quicken past
them. I just needed to get the gaps, and they opened for me.”

Trainer Ed Dunlop had feared that Fallon had her too far back.

“I was cursing him
(Fallon) during the race, worried that he was in the wrong position, but he got
it right.”

“She has a lot of speed and
acceleration,” Fallon said, giving all the credit to Ouija Board. “She’s looked after me yet again.”

Ouija Board’s triumph was especially sweet for Lord Derby and Dunlop, as she
had to overcome so much during the season. An injury came to light after her
uncharacteristically poor performance in the Prince of Wales’s S. (Eng-G1) at
Royal Ascot at York in June, her seasonal reappearance. It is a testimony to the
horsemanship of Dunlop and his staff, as well as to the sporting nature of Lord
Derby, that she recovered from that setback not only to compete in, but to
capture in devastating fashion, a major international prize.

“Absolutely fantastic,” Lord Derby exulted. “She’s an amazing filly. She’s
now won on three continents.”

Bred by her owner in England, Ouija Board is out of Selection Board (Welsh
Pageant), a full sister to 1985 Arlington Million S. (G1) hero Teleprompter
(GB). The family has produced other notable performers, including Ibn Bey (GB), a
champion in Ireland, Germany and Italy who came second in the 1990 Breeders’ Cup
Classic S. (G1).

Ouija Board has an enviable resume. Last year at three, she was crowned Horse
of the Year in Europe and champion turf mare in the United States. In addition
to her resounding victories in such historic events as the Epsom Oaks (Eng-G1)
and Irish Oaks (Ire-G1), she has captured prestigious prizes of more recent
vintage, including the 2004 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) and now the Hong Kong
Vase. Even in defeat, she has shown her class — a flying third in last year’s
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1); second when trying to defend her title in the
Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf; and most recently a game fifth in the Japan Cup
(Jpn-G1). Her record stands at seven wins and four placings
in 13 lifetime starts.

The connections of this fabulous filly have held out a glimmer of hope that
we have not seen the last of her on the racecourse.

“I would be surprised if she
is retired just yet,” Dunlop said.

“We’ll see how she travels back to
Europe before we discuss her future plans,” Lord Derby added.