Series has failed to set world alight

RACING: Today's Food Island Champion Stakes is the seventh leg of racing's World Series, a concept that appears in decline, writes Brian O'Connor

Originally modelled on the Formula One motor racing circuit, the 11-race series has failed to capture the public imagination in the four years it has been in operation.

Originally sponsored by Emirates airlines to the tune of $5 million a year, that sponsorship stopped just three days after the September 11th atrocities and no replacement has been found.

Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin operation has won all three championships with horses such as Fantastic Light and Daylami, both of whom won this afternoon's big race en route.

Some of the world's most important races such as the Breeders' Cup Classic in the US, the Dubai World Cup and Australia's Cox Plate are also included in the series.

However, it has failed to change the pattern of world racing with horses continuing to be prepared for specific races rather than an ultimate championship success.

No horse has come close to competing in every leg and the powerful Coolmore-Ballydoyle operation have not been a significant presence in most of the races.

It has been left to Sheikh Mohammed to be the principal supporter of the series.

A frequently cited weakness in the concept is the comparison initially made to Formula One racing.

The training of racehorses was never going to be conducive to travelling around the world amassing the points necessary to win.

Races are also run on both grass and dirt.

Characteristically, the Godolphin team have again been prominent in this year's series with Marienbard successful in the previous leg in Germany last weekend.

They also won the Dubai World Cup in March with Street Cry and their big hope today, Grandera, won in Kranji, Singapore earlier in the year.

Michael Kinane Factfile

Age: 43

Number of Irish championships: 11

Irish Champion Stakes winners: Carroll House (1989); Cezanne (1994); Pilsudski (1997); Giant's Causeway (2000).

Irish Classics (10): Derby (2001-02); Oaks (1989-96);

2,000 Guineas (1982-86-2002); St Leger (1993-94); 1,000 Guineas (1988).

Major International winners: Epsom Derby (1993-2001);

Arc de Triomphe (1989-1999); Melbourne Cup (1993);

Belmont Stakes (1990); Breeders' Cup Juvenile (2001).