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| Staff Writer |
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The QIPCO British Champions Series is set to welcome three new inductees into its prestigious Hall of Fame, with Yorkshire-born trainer Jack Berry MBE and the outstanding 14-time Group One winner Goldikova leading the charge. They'll be joined by Dubai Millennium, who topped the public vote for the Turn of the Century horse category.
Berry, just the third person to be honoured in the Special Contributor category after Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Khalid Abdullah, has been a driving force behind the Injured Jockeys' Fund (IJF) since its inception 60 years ago. His visionary leadership led to the establishment of Oaksey House in Lambourn, Berkshire, and Jack Berry House in Malton, Yorkshire, in 2009 and 2015 respectively.
The 86-year-old's tireless fundraising efforts have been nothing short of phenomenal, earning him an MBE in 1996 for charitable services and contributions to horseracing. Berry remains the IJF's vice-president, continuing to champion the cause of injured riders.
Reflecting on his induction, Berry said, "To be inducted into the Hall of Fame is a huge honour. I always knew I wanted to be a jockey from when I was five years old and now, at almost 87, to be added to such a list of horses and humans who have had such an impact on the sport is truly humbling.
"I'm certainly in good company; to even be mentioned in the same breath as Prince Khalid Abdullah, Sir Henry Cecil, The Queen and my old pal Lester Piggott is some achievement and I couldn't be prouder. I am very much looking forward to being at Ascot for QIPCO British Champions Day next month."
French supermare Goldikova, trained throughout her illustrious career by Freddy Head, etched her name in racing history by becoming the only horse to win three consecutive renewals of the Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Mile between 2008 and 2010.
Her dominance extended well beyond American shores, with 11 additional Group One victories in Europe, including a remarkable four-year reign in the Prix Rothschild at Deauville. Goldikova's overall tally of 14 top-level wins remains a European record, testament to her exceptional talent and durability across a career that saw her triumph in 17 of 27 starts.
Owners and breeders Alain and Gérard Wertheimer expressed their delight at Goldikova's induction: "We are very touched and honored by the upcoming induction of our champion Goldikova into the Hall of Fame and this mark of distinction reflects the value of her career.
"The winner of 17 races, including 14 Group 1s, she is the only one who has managed to win the Breeders' Cup three times in a row. She also won two main English races on the mile in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket and, of course, a legendary Jacques Le Marois at Deauville in the summer of 2009."
Rounding out this year's inductees is Dubai Millennium, the public's choice for the Turn of the Century horse. Despite a tragically short stud career, his impact on the breed has been profound through his son Dubawi, who has sired numerous Group One winners and become a cornerstone of the Darley breeding operation.
Rod Street, CEO of British Champions Series, commented on the new inductees: "Along with Aidan O'Brien, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the QIPCO Guineas Festival earlier this year, the three further inductees into the Hall of Fame this year represent some of the finest qualities to be found in horses and people.
"Dubai Millennium, winner of the public vote for the Turn of the Century horse, was superb on the track and, despite a stud career that was tragically short, has stamped his mark on the breed as sire of Dubawi.
"The brilliant mare Goldikova showed such durability in winning 14 Group 1s–among them three consecutive victories in the Breeders' Cup Mile, as well as her wins in the UK at Ascot and Newmarket.
"And Jack Berry's contribution to our sport, as a trainer but even more significantly as one of the instigators of the Injured Jockeys' Fund, for which his fundraising efforts have been nothing short of staggering, must be one of the greatest of the past century. I am very much looking forward to their inaugurations on QIPCO British Champions Day."
The induction ceremony is scheduled to take place on QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday, October 19, where these racing luminaries will be honoured for their outstanding contributions to the sport.