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Henry de Bromhead tried to flee his calling with no success. Office walls are prison cells to the man who might have qualified as an accountant. And when he sought the happy medium of Tattersalls, the Newmarket auctioneers, he lasted only three months.

There was nothing for it. De Bromhead returned to Coolmore Stud, where his equine odyssey first started, and from where, aged 28, he would succeed his father on the familys Waterford farm. Only then did he realise he had been marking time all along. I was definitely trying to get away from training in some respects. Dad had had some really bad years. Id seen how hard it was, he said.

To meet de Bromhead is to encounter a man of old values in contemporary clothes. Yet it is easy to glean, from asides in conversation, that he was a late developer. His confidence did not match his potential, and he may have taken longer than most to recognise the virtues of hard work.

The remedy? Two years in Sir Mark Prescotts Newmarket boot camp, although de Bromheads making can be traced to an unexpected call he fielded from Alan Potts in December 2005. An English owner relatively new to the game, Potts wanted to buy a horse - only to be told on arriving in Ireland that the one he liked had developed tendon trouble.

Undaunted, Potts bought two others from de Bromhead who, three months later, had to tell him that one was dead and the other had fractured its knee. That should have been that, yet Potts quickly returned to Ireland to buy one or two more. He ended up with 13, one of which was Sizing Europe, a leading contender for the Irish Independent Arkle Chase at Cheltenham on Tuesday who could be joined by four other stablemates at the Festival.

De Bromhead doesnt say it, but Potts, a blunt Yorkshireman, saw sincerity in the young trainer. He made his fortune by an intuitive judgment of others, who would subsequently vindicate him. In de Bromheads case Potts recognised a man who simply needed to be shown the way forward.

Alan is very much behind so much of what I do now, de Bromhead said. He kicked my arse a bit; he kept telling me that whatever I did, I had to do it right. He gave me confidence to invest in the yard and build up the business.

Potts is not alone. Last season was a washout for de Bromhead, leaving him worried that the harsh economic climate would reduce his string. Instead his numbers rose to capacity at his 45-box stable. And a thorough review of his daily routine has effected a dramatic transformation in fortunes. This season he passed his previous-best haul of winners by mid-December.

Since de Bromhead took over Knockeen ten years ago he has built numerous boxes and two new gallops, together with an equine hydrotherapy unit. He must now take the place to the next level and in Sizing Europe may have the horse to transport him.

It would be third time lucky. Two years ago Sizing Europe started favourite for the Champion Hurdle and looked like winning until, full of running two out, he damaged a bone in his spine. Worse would follow 12 months later. The horse was so badly affected by transit fever en route to Cheltenham that vets detained him for five days before they allowed him home.

Sizing Europe has since enjoyed a year of robust health. The only caveat within his record of four wins from as many starts this season is that Captain Cee Bee apparently had his measure when he fell at Leopardstown in December. Whatever would have happened, my horse definitely felt that race, de Bromhead said. I think he needed to be freshened up, which is why he hasnt run since.

More than anything, de Bromhead wants Sizing Europe to show his mettle this time round. He said: The horse has had his knocks. Id say that hes just unfortunate, rather than injury-prone, and hes absolutely bouncing now. Lets hope we see it at Cheltenham.

Sam Thomas was airlifted to hospital yesterday after a horrifying schooling fall at the Somerset yard of Paul Nicholls, the champion trainer. The jockey, cursed by drama and dismay since his Gold Cup victory two years ago, suffered a cracked vertebra and will miss the Cheltenham Festival.

This latest crushing setback for Thomas came after he had driven to Ditcheat when Nicholls offered him the ride on Woolcombe Folly in the Arkle Trophy on Tuesday. He was upsides Tony McCoy, on Chapoturgeon, when the fall occurred at the last of the schooling fences.

Nicholls said: It was a frightening incident, quite horrific. We thought Sam was seriously hurt and knew we shouldnt move him, so we called the air ambulance and it was with us in six minutes, which was a tremendous effort. They took Sam to Bath Royal United Hospital and they have been doing tests and scans during the day.

The trainer was so distressed that he cancelled plans to attend a Gold Cup lunch in London. Late yesterday, he managed to speak to Thomas personally. They let me have a quick word. He was pretty groggy but amazingly positive, Nicholls said.

It was Tom George, Thomass retaining trainer, who issued categorical news yesterday evening. I havent spoken to Sam directly, but Ive spoken to his father who is with him and he will not be riding at Cheltenham next week, George said. He has suffered a crack to a vertebra high up in his neck, but it is not as bad as first feared and he is able to walk, talk and move his hands and feet.

Its obviously disappointing that he will miss Cheltenham, but the news is largely positive and his injuries will heal with time.

Thomass Cheltenham rides had included Tricky Trickster for Nicholls, in the Gold Cup, and Tell Massini, for George, in the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle.

Little has gone right for Thomas since a glorious season ended with Gold Cup triumph on Denman. Since losing his job as second jockey to Nicholls, he has missed a number of big days through injury and suspension, but this latest setback will bring most sympathy.

McCoy, who has taken over on Denman, spoke for all his riding colleagues. Sams had no luck recently and we all wish him well, he said. It was a bad fall and I heard something snap.

The champion jockey aims to ride at his lowest weight for almost two years tomorrow. Qaspal, trained by Philip Hobbs, is the new favourite for the Paddy Power Imperial Cup, displacing Hunterview, who failed to make the cut. McCoy said: Hes got 10st 3lb and Im doing my best to get down to it.

Calvin Borel, who will be back aboard Mine That Bird for the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, says the Kentucky Derby-winner is primed for another triumph.

Were going to win, no questions asked, Borel said after a workout on Monday at Churchill Downs, where Mine That Bird did a half-mile in 50 seconds.

He worked in :50 and out in 1:02, just like before the Derby, Borel said. He is doing everything the same. After those two hard races I think he is very happy.

Borel piloted 50-1 shot Mine That Bird to a stunning upset win in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

Then in an unprecedented move, he dumped his Derby-winning mount to ride super filly Rachel Alexandra to victory in the second jewel of US flat racings Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes.

Mine That Bird was a hard-charging second in the Preakness, and when Rachel Alexandras connections opted not to run her in the arduous 1 1/2-mile Belmont Borel switched back to the gelding.

Now in Elmont, New York, on Saturday, Borel will be trying to become the first jockey to win all three legs of the Triple Crown on two horses.

Trainer Chip Woolley thinks Mine That Bird may be even fitter now than he was for the Kentucky Derby.

I was thinking last week, hes probably training better than he did going into the Derby, Woolley said. Calvin got the work I wanted out of him this morning. They just looked like they were bread and butter.

Said Borel: Me and the horse fit good.

Borel was to travel to New York on Monday, where his Belmont week was to include ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange.

Retired Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens is opening his own racing stable.

It will be based at Santa Anita.

This is something Ive wanted to do for a long time, and things finally fell into place, said Stevens, who also works as an analyst for NBC Sports and HRTV. Were starting out with several nice horses and looking forward to slowly building up the stable.

Helping Stevens will be his son, T.C., who worked for Ashford Stud for two years and other stables in California and Florida.

Stevens retired in 2005 with more than 5,000 victories, including three Kentucky Derby wins. He later co-starred in the movie Seabiscuit.

Vincent OBrien, one of horse racings great European trainers during a career that lasted more than a half century, died Monday. He was 92.

OBrien, an Irishman, died at his home in Straffan in County Kildare, his family said. He retired from training in 1994 and had been spending his winters in Australia.

He won 16 English and 27 Irish classics in addition to 25 victories at Royal Ascot and 23 at the Cheltenham Festival.

Breeders Cup president Greg Avioli lauded OBrien for his deep and profound impact on racing.

His career was extraordinary and he set a standard of international excellence that will be rarely equaled, he said.

OBrien began training in 1943 and masterminded the career of three-time Champion Hurdle winner Hattons Grace. He won straight Grand National steeplechases with Early Mist, Royal Tan and Quare Times.

OBrien later switched to thoroughbred racing and trained Nijinsky, Sir Ivor, Alleged, Sadlers Wells, Golden Fleece, The Minstrel, El Gran Senor, Ballymoss and Roberto.

OBrien was the original purchaser of Coolmore Stud, later recruiting John Magnier to run the farm. Owner-investor Robert Sangster then came in to seal Coolmores worldwide reputation.

Dads racing career speaks for itself and needs no elaboration, OBriens daughter, Sue Magnier, and husband John and their family said in a statement. There was nobody like him. Coolmore Stud and Ballydoyle are the results of his vision and testament to his success.

OBrien is survived by his wife, Jacqueline, and five children, including David, who trained English Derby winner Secreto and lives in Australia, and Charles, who trains in Ireland.

The funeral is Thursday in Newbridge, County Kildare.

A racing official says all flood waters have been pumped out of Daytona International Speedway, and the facility will be ready for the Coke Zero 400 race on the Fourth of July.

Speedway spokesman Andrew Booth said Tuesday that the speedway was not damaged.

Several days of rain drenched Daytona Beach and flooded two parts of the speedway. Water filled a tunnel used by haulers to enter the track and the apron of a viewing area near a manmade lake in the infield. None of the water ever was on the track.

Daytona Beach received 21 inches of rain last week, leaving nearly waist-deep water in several areas.

Its still a waiting game for Rachel Alexandra and jockey Calvin Borel to see if one or both will be in the Belmont Stakes.

Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra worked a half-mile at Churchill Downs on Monday, but the fillys owner says it may be another week before he decides whether to enter her in the final leg of the Triple Crown on June 6.

Jess Jackson said Rachel Alexandra is progressing well and will work again next week before a decision is made on the Belmont.

Jackson and Harold McCormick bought Rachel Alexandra after she won the Kentucky Oaks by 20 lengths May 1. On May 16, she became the first filly in 85 years to win the Preakness, with Borel guiding her to a one-length victory over Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird. Mike Smith replaced Borel aboard Mine That Bird in the Preakness.
Shes recovering nicely and I think, for the time thats elapsed, only nine days, shes right onbut we cant make a decision until we know, said Jackson, who owns Stonestreet Stable. My concern is her attitude. She thinks she can run through a brick wall, so her attitude has to be monitored. If anything, we have to hold her back a little bit because shes so eager to run.

Borel is waiting on a decision about the fillys status before he decides who hes going to ride in the 1 1/2 -mile Belmont.

Rachel Alexandra worked the half-mile in 50.20 seconds over a sloppy track under exercise rider Dominic Terry. Mine That Bird worked the same distance in 51 seconds under Borel.

If Rachel Alexandra does not run in the Belmont, which would give her a shot at becoming the first filly to win two-thirds of the Triple Crown, Jackson said the Mother Goose Stakes for fillies at Belmont Park on June 27 is an option.

It might not be as soon as youd want but were still considering the Belmont, Jackson said. The Mother Goose would give her a little extra time if she needs it. The Belmont would be a full (effort) for her right now.

With the no-decision, Mine That Bird trainer Chip Woolley gave Borel more time to decide which horse hell ride in the Belmont. Woolley had set a Monday deadline for the jockey.

He won me a Derby, he deserves the time it takes for him to make the conscious, right decision, Woolley said. And nobody knows really if that fillys going to be running in the Belmont, so it could work out where thats not even a decision for him. I think a little bit of times not too much to ask.

No jockey has ever won the Triple Crown by riding different horses.

If Borel chooses Mine That Bird, then Jackson will go with Robby Albarado if the filly runs in the Belmont. Smith will be riding at Hollywood Park on Belmont day.

Calvin is a great jockey and I hope hed be willing to go with her, Jackson said. He has to make his decision for himself and if were in there together and hes not on our horse itll probably be Robby Albarado, who was with us with Curlin.

Albarado is one of the top riders used by Steve Asmussen, who took over as the fillys trainer after the horse was sold.

Jackson said Rachel Alexandra will give him a sign whether or not the Belmont is next.

We have to monitor her and make sure that we preserve her because shes so special; the principal concern is the horse herself, keeping her sound and letting the public enjoy her, he said. Its not necessary that she go in the Belmont, shes got a whole season ahead. Shes been running the whole year so we have to monitor that very carefully.

Mon Mome, a 100-1 shot, won the Grand National at Aintree by 12 lengths Saturday, with the worlds most famous steeplechase again marred by a horse death.

Mon Mome was ridden by Liam Treadwell over the grueling 4 1/2 miles. The 9-year-old matched Foinavon in 1967 as the biggest long shot to win this race.

Hear The Echo collapsed and died a few hundred yards from the finish. He was the fifth horse to die this year in the three-day meet. Butlers Cabin, one of the pre-race favorite, also collapsed and had to be given oxygen.

Last year, a horse had to be put down after it unseated the jockey, then crashed into a barrier. Not counting Saturdays race, the British charity Animal Aid has determined that a dozen horses have died during the Grand National.

Forty horses started the 162nd running of the race, which was delayed by two false starts. The winner pulled away after jumping the last of the 30 fences. Comply or Die, a 14-1 shot who won last year, was second. My Will finished third, ahead of State of Play.

I had the perfect run through the race, Treadwell said. He jumped brilliant for me. He gave me such a great ride. He was an absolute pleasure to ride. He is so genuine.

Mon Mome, 10th last year, is trained by Venetia Williams, whose career as an amateur jockey ended shortly after falling in the 1988 Grand National. Williams became only the second woman after 1983 and 1995 winner Jenny Pitman to train a National winner.

It was just unbelievable, Williams said. The owner was watching the wrong horse for the first part of the race and she thought it was out the back. Im so proud of the horse. Im so proud of Liam for giving him such a good ride.

Its a Bird flew away nearing the stretch Saturday to win the $500,000 Oaklawn Handicap at Oaklawn Park.

In the tracks other race for older horses Saturday, Seventh Street stayed ahead of the pack to win the $500,000 purse in Oaklawns annual 1 1-16-mile Apple Blossom run.

With jockey Julien Leparoux aboard, Its a Bird kept pace with leading horse Jonesboro for most of the 1 1-8 mile race for 4-year-olds and older. Just before the stretch, the horse rallied, pulling 2 1/2 lengths in front of a fading Jonesboro.

By that point, the six other horses in the race had no chance to catch up, as Its a Bird crossed the finish line at 1:48.96six lengths in front of the competition.

Runforthedoe, which remained in sixth for much of the race, surged into a second-place finish, nosing just ahead of Jonesboro.

Things went as we hoped at the start and I was soon laying just off the pace and pleased with that, Leparoux said. When we made the lead, he just drew out.

Its a Birds trainer, Marty Wolfson, said the track helped his horses run.

He ran a really, really strong race, Wolfson said. We wanted to be on the lead or close to the lead, and Julien did a good job of that.

Its a Bird paid $6, $3.60 and $3. Runforthedoe paid $5.40 and $4.60 while Jonesboro paid $5.

In the Apple Blossom, Seventh Street came out of the gate in first place and never looked back, coming in with a 5 3/4 -length lead into the finish line at 1:43.13. Superior Storm came in an easy second, with Acoma just edging out French Kiss for third in the race for fillies and mares 4 years and older.

She sprinted home. Even though this race was 1 1/16 miles, she had the stamina, then speed to sprint home, trainer Rajiv Maragh said of Seventh Street. It was just like she re-broke at the quarter pole, then sprinted to the wire.

Seventh Street paid $6, $5.40 and $2.20. Superior Storm paid $6.40 and $2.40, while Acoma paid $2.20.

Pioneerof the Nile is still learning how to run, and it showed halfway down the backstretch of the Santa Anita Derby.

Thats where the colt tugged his way to the lead, gave it up and then went to the front in the stretch, holding on for a 1-length victory Saturday.

Now, its on to the Kentucky Derby for trainer Bob Baffert, a three-time Derby winner who hasnt had a starter since 2006.

Im glad to be back in the show, he said after claiming his record fifth Santa Anita Derby.

Pioneerof the Nile ran 1 1-8 miles on the artificial surface in 1:49.17. He was sent off as the 4-5 wagering favorite after main rival The Pamplemousse was scratched hours before because of a soft tissue injury in one of his legs.

Chocolate Candy was second, followed by Mr. Hot Stuff and Take the Points. Feisty Suances was fifth, Unbridled Roman sixth and Gallant Son last.

Chocolate Candy, owned by diet maven Jenny Craig, may be moving on to the Kentucky Derby too.

Ridden by Garrett Gomez, Pioneerof the Nile paid $3.60, $2.40 and $2.10. Chocolate Candy returned $3.20 and $2.60, while Mr. Hot Stuff was another length back in third and paid $3.40 to show in front of an announced crowd of 50,915.

Winning owner Ahmed Zayat scratched his other horse, Z Day, who was entered to serve as a rabbit for The Pamplemousse, who has a front-running style. Cape Truth also was scratched from the $750,000 race.

Alex Solis II, one of The Pamplemousses co-owners, said his colt was scratched because there was concern about the soft tissue in one leg. He did not say which one.

The tendon had a little heat and as a result, (trainer) Julio (Canani) decided to scratch him, Solis said. Well scan the tendon and evaluate it and go from there. Were not going to take any chances with him.

Both Baffert and Zayat expressed regret that The Pamplemousse, who has won three in a row, wasnt able to take on their colt.

Bob and I were looking forward to the match race everyone believed it to be, but unfortunately, we didnt have The Pamplemousse, Zayat said.

Based on Bafferts confidence level, it might not have mattered.

The trainer, who is nominated for racings Hall of Fame this spring, was so sure Pioneerof the Nile was going to win that he had the superstitious Zayat worried.

Bob called my 16-year-old son at 11:30 at night and said, Hes not going to get beat, Zayat said. Bob was super-confident. Ive never seen him like that.

Pioneerof the Nile earned his fourth consecutive victory Saturday, but his stock had fallen in some quarters because he hasnt won his preps in eye-catching fashion.

We wanted an honest pace, Baffert said. This horse has been taken out of his game the last two races.

Pioneerof the Nile, whose name is a nod to Zayats Egyptian roots, was fourth in the early going before charging to the front on the backside. Gomez took a strong hold and the colt dropped back to second before regaining the advantage into the stretch.
With all the scratches, it just jeopardized the pace for us, Gomez said. I tried to get in behind and settle early on. He was OK for a while, but then as they kept slowing down in front of him, I tried to take hold and get him back a couple times.

Gomez wanted Pioneerof the Nile to run more like he did in winning the Robert Lewis Stakes on Feb. 7, when the colt was sixth most of the way before coming with his patented late charge.

Instead, he ran like he did in his last start, the San Felipe Stakes on March 14, when Pioneerof the Nile was fifth before moving up to second and then going on to win.

I wouldnt say its a missed opportunity; I was just a little disappointed I wasnt able to get it done the way we wanted to, said Gomez, who won the race for the first time. Youre always happy to win the Santa Anita Derby, but just knowing the next step for him, I was trying to get a little more preparation for the next step.

But Pioneerof the Nile is still learning.

He was a May foal, so he isnt yet 3 years old, although racing rules dictate that all thoroughbreds birthdays are Jan. 1. He ran Saturday with two teeth dangling after they came loose Saturday night.

Im going to sell them on eBay, Baffert cracked.

The white-haired trainer didnt announce when Pioneerof the Nile will ship to Louisville for the May 2 Run for the Roses.

And Zayat did his best to resist catching that fabled Derby fever.

Lets take it one day at a time, he said.

Tell that to Bafferts 4-year-old son Bode, who clearly has his fathers confidence.

Pioneerof the Nile, he said when his daddy asked him who will win the Kentucky Derby.