Royal Ascot Memories: Takeover Target

Takeover Target | Racing Post

By

It's at this time of year that Australian jockey Jay Ford takes a moment to remember his old mate, Takeover Target (Aus) (Celtic Swing {GB}), and more specifically their victory in the 2006 G2 King's Stand S. at Royal Ascot.

Takeover Target wasn't the first Aussie to upstage the locals at the famous Royal meeting–Choisir (Aus) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) (2001) holds that honour and three others have done it since: Miss Andretti (Aus) (Ihtiram {Ire}) (2007), Scenic Blast (Aus) (Scenic {Ire}) (2009) and Black Caviar (Aus) (Bel Esprit {Aus}) (2012)–but in the eyes of many, his triumph sits behind only Peter Moody's unbeaten wonder mare Black Caviar in terms of capturing the imagination of racing fans around the globe.

Takeover Target was an injury plagued gelding that nobody wanted. He was humbly bred, a son of Celtic Swing–champion 2-year-old in Europe and a French Classic winner–out of the unraced Archregent mare Shady Stream (Aus).

Enter Joe Janiak, a taxi driver and part-time trainer, who spent more than 10 years living in a caravan. Janiak was born to Polish parents on a boat en-route to Australia. He wasn't afforded any luxuries as a child, paying for his own education after earning money by shoveling manure at local stables.

Janiak took a punt on the then 4-year-old with bad knees at a tried-horse sale in Sydney in 2003, paying A$1,375 for him.

Still to this day, it's the best money he's ever spent.

Takeover Target became a star, and the public adored him. It was a script befitting a Hollywood movie.

Fondly referred to as 'Archie,' Takeover Target arrived in the UK following his third Group 1 victory in the Newmarket H. at Flemington in March of 2006. Parading with a thick winter coat and sweating up noticeably, the Australian raider eased in betting (5-1 out to 7-1).

Takeover Target raced at the front of the division that travelled down the grandstand rail. He kicked clear with 200 metres to run, but Ford (23 at the time) had to get busy, as 16-1 shot Benbaun (Ire) (Stravinsky) burst out of the pack under Jamie Spencer to lay down a serious challenge. The Aussies weren't to be denied. Takeover Target dug deep, displaying the trademark fighting qualities that had earned him cult hero status to see it through, the winning margin a short head.

“It was incredible. When I first decided I wanted to be a jockey I didn't even know what or where Royal Ascot was,” Ford said. “It's a very prestigious carnival and renowned throughout the world, so to go and be a part of it was pretty special. I was confident he would perform well, but there was a bit of unknown as to how he would measure up against their horses.”

Following his King's Stand heroics, Takeover Target was declared the best sprinter in the world on turf by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities with a rating of 118. He ran a brave third in the G1 Golden Jubilee S. on the final day of the carnival before finishing unplaced in the G1 July Cup at Newmarket.

He returned to England in 2007, 2008 and 2009, and although he never added to his King's Stand success, he was the runner-up in the 2007 Golden Jubilee and the 2008 King's Stand.

Remarkably, in his six starts down the Ascot straight course the bay gelding with the eye-catching white blaze never finished further back than fourth. Takeover Target retired in 2009, boasting 21 wins from 41 starts. He won eight Group 1s; six in Australia, one in Japan and one in Singapore, amassing more than A$6 million in earnings. Ford formed a special bond with Takeover Target, partnering him to 20 wins and 10 minor placings from 39 starts. The sold-for-a-song castoff with bad knees came along just at the right time for the self-effacing jockey, opening doors for him that otherwise may have been locked shut.

“Winning the King's Stand was just one of the highlights; with him, there were so many highlights,” said Ford. “He was a champion racehorse that won all over Australia and all over the world. He had a tremendous will to win. I haven't ridden a horse before or after him that's had the tenacity he had. He wouldn't always win by a big margin but he knew where the winning post was and it was very hard for a horse to get past him.”

“And his longevity, too–that was amazing,” Ford added. “He traveled and raced at the top level for five years. There are very few horses that can do what he did throughout his career.”

Takeover Target was euthanized in 2015, aged 15, after injuring a leg in his paddock. He is remembered as one of Australia's greats of the turf, despite being the unlikeliest of them.

Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.

Copy Article Link

X

Never miss another story from the TDN

Click Here to sign up for a free subscription.