Dynamic Syndication’s own Atomic Force has been recognised among the world’s best horses in the 2012 World Thoroughbred Rankings released by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities in London yesterday.
Atomic Force in full flight
Retired UK superstar Frankel topped the overall rankings with his record breaking Timeform rating of 140 but Australian gallopers dominated the sprint categories. Atomic Force featured in the list of 51 Australian trained horses with a Timeform Rating of 115 which he received after his superb win in the Railway Stakes in NZ on New Year’s Day of 2012.
As well as being in the top 51 horses in Australia based on the widely accepted Timeform ratings, he is the only publically syndicated horse to receive mention on the highly regarded list. This is a sensational effort by the whole team at Dynamic involved with Atomic Force and something we are very proud of. It really shows that hard work, careful planning and good horsemanship are the best way to get the top results. To find a Gr1 winner is exceptionally hard work as anybody in racing understands however to get a dual Gr1 winner that is consistently recognised at the highest level is something that only a small number of people will ever experience. With recognition on this list, Atomic Force can be firmly placed in this category and this adds to a number of nominations and awards that he has received throughout his racing career. We are hopeful that one of our current group of yearlings and older horses that are currently racing can produce results as positive as Atomic Force has.
Darren Smith and his team have done a fine job with our 7yo gelding who was with three different trainers before finding his home at Newcastle with Darren. He always showed plenty of potential as a young horse running 3rd in the Gr3 San Domenico Stakes in just his 3rd start at the races however he has been in a completely different league since arriving with Darren. He is now a dual Gr1 winner with a plethora of other stakes wins and placings. His overall record now stands at 40 starts for 11 wins and 13 placings for $906,111 in stakes earnings.
Dean Watt, Tim Clark and Darren Smith after Atomic Force's Galaxy win
Atomic Force joined 35 other Australian bred and trained horses on the list with the other 15 horses all being bred internationally and brought to Australia. The 2012 World Thoroughbred Rankings take into account all performances throughout the world, irrespective of where individual horses raced or were trained, during the calendar year. To merit inclusion in the rankings, a horse must have been rated at 115 or above in the period under review.
The total number of Australian-trained horses to make the WTR increased from 47 in 2011 to 51 in 2012 which is the highest number ever recorded for Australia. With the numbers so high and Australian sprinters occupying the top 7 spots in the Turf Sprint division, Atomic Force’s two Gr1 victories over the past two years are a testament to how good he really is.
Atomic Force has again resumed work at the Darren Smith stable after a luckless Spring campaign where he sustained an injury after travelling down to Melbourne. He has come back a picture of health after the team at Dynamic took a cautious approach bringing him back to racing. Currently he has begun easy pace work doing laps of the Broadmeadow track and is slowly regaining his fitness. Darren is happy with how his coat is coming along and if all continues to go to plan, he should be approximately a month off a barrier trial.
Nash Rawiller salutes when winning the Railway Stakes in NZ aboard "Tommy"
We are hopeful that the dual Gr1 winner can come back better than ever and once again relive the form that got him onto the 2012 WTR list. We congratulate both Atomic Force and his owners on their recent success. We are all waiting in anticipation to see this Dynamic Gr1 winner return to the track in search of more black type.
Jay Mathieson