Major ‘Contributer’ on red-letter day for Godolphin

Contributer (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}) headed home a quinella of Godolphin-owned European imports in the G1 Chipping Norton S. at Warwick Farm and presented trainer John O’Shea with his first top-level trophy for the ‘Boys in Blue’, and hour and a half after Exosphere (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}) saluted the judge in the G2 Skyline S. 5-year-old Contributer was sent off the odds-on favorite on the back of his relaxed victory in the G2 Apollo S. a fortnight ago. Jumping out well under regular partner James McDonald, he was able to secure an ideal position, getting cover two-wide from G1 Epsom H. winner He’s Your Man (Fr) (Cape Cross {Ire}), one of eight Chris Waller trainees in the 15-strong field. He’s Your Man started closing on the pace-setting Weary (Fr) (Astronomer Royal) around the home turn and Contributer followed suit before hitting the front four wide with 200 meters to go and stretching out to the line. He’s Your Man hanged on gamely but couldn’t hold off the late-rallying Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {Ire}), who came from second-last with a jaw-dropping turn of foot. 

Bred by Lady O’Reilly’s Petra Bloodstock Agency, Contributer carried the silks of George Bolton to four victories in the UK, including a pair of listed events over 2000 meters, from only nine starts. A private purchase for Godolphin on the back of his comfortable win in the listed Wolferton H. at Royal Ascot last June, the 5-year-old opened his Australian account at first asking with an impressive display in the 2000-meter G3 David Jones Cup at Caulfield, before being well beaten in the G1 Emirates S. over a mile on firm ground. He was quick to make amend when cruising to the easiest of victories in the G2 Apollo S. and looks a horse going places. The runner-up, 4-year-old Hartnell, was a smart stayer for Mark Johnston and Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum in Great Britain, winning five of his 15 starts including the one-mile-five-furlong G3 Bahrain Trophy as well as a two-mile Listed event at Royal Ascot.

O’Shea commented, “It was a great team effort more than anything. It is good because all of the team are here today and they have worked hard to get this result. It is only the start.” Explaining how the pair had arrived in his care, he said, ““Fergy [John Ferguson] turned up one day and said there is a couple coming down. He was very relaxed about it. When they gave us the names, we had a look at their form and we were all very excited. Who would have thought it would turn out like this.” Contributer is now likely to head towards the G1 Ranvet S. at Rosehill on Golden Slipper Day, Mar. 21.