Twice Over

twice over.jpg
 
 

More about twice over

 

A beautiful old fashioned looking horse Twice Over found himself at the head of many ante post markets for the Derby of 2008 after 2 impressive victories in as many starts in his juvenile year.

 

A battling win over none other than Ravens Pass in the Craven done little to diminish those hopes. However Henry wasn't convinced and felt a mile four furlongs would stretch his stamina, so he next appeared in York's Dante Stakes over an extended mike and a quarter where his stamina did seam to weaken and he finished third.

 

Having missed the Derby he ran respectfully at Royal Ascot before travelling to France and plundering a Group 2 on his next start.

 

Twice over continued to run well but it was to be the Champion Stakes the following year before he won his first Group 1. By this stage he was wearing the Yasha Glue on shoe specially imported from America for him.

Stephen explains:

"Twice Over had quite poor quality flat feet and while he was sound we felt he wasn't extending his stride to full length at the gallop. I had heard about a special type of Glue-on shoe developed by Ian McKinley from Tenderhoof Solutions in America.

 

The Yasha heel support shoes had a special rubber compound that not reduced the concussive forces but increased the depth between the sole of the foot and the shoe. These shoes were attached via riveted tabs that were glued on to the wall as opposed to the traditional method of gluing to he sole.

 

Twice Over wore these plates for each of his 4 Group 1 victories and I hold dear a Christmas Card I received from Henry saying he felt they had made the difference from nearly being a Group One winner, to being a Group One winner.

 

He was such a special horse to me and from whom I learnt so much about the difference between a sound horse and a horse who can achieve full athletic ability"

 

A winner of 12 races and slightly over £2.5 million in prize money Twice Over more than lived up to the early expectations placed upon him.

 

Trainer: Henry Cecil

Sire: Observatory

Dam: Double Cross

Owner: Khalid Abdullah

Major Wins:

  • Zetland Stakes (2007)

  • Craven Stakes (2008)

  • Prix Eugène Adam (2008)

  • Foundation Stakes (2009)

  • Champion Stakes (2009, 2010)

  • Eclipse Stakes (2010)

  • Al Maktoum Challenge, Round 3 (2011)

  • Juddmonte International Stakes (2011)