If Kanya West can be a fashion designer, I guess Justin can be a joc,
Justin Bieber booked for Queen Elizabeth Stakes ride on star stayer Mongolian Khan
By Costa Rolfe 9 hours ago
Justin Bieber will make his debut as a jockey Justin Bieber will make his debut as a jockey
The Championships has drawn even more star power to Randwick, with global pop phenomenon Justin Bieber sensationally booked to ride Caulfield Cup and Australian Derby-winner Mongolian Khan in next Saturday's flagship Group One $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).
The 22-year-old – who stands 175cm tall (the same height as Cox Plate-winning jockey Steven Arnold) – has reportedly been in a heavy training phase to strip the necessary 10kg from his frame in order to make Mongolian Khan’s allocated handicap of 59kg.
Bieber has been forced to strip up to 10kg of muscle mass from his frame.
The Mongolian Khan mount will be Bieber’s first competitive race ride.
It is understood that Monglian Khan’s owner Mr Lang Lin – an eccentric Chinese fast-food billionaire and Justin Bieber’s self-professed “number one fan” – contacted the Australian Turf Club last week and informed them that his horse would only run in the Queen Elizabeth on the condition that Bieber be allowed to take the ride.
Lin - who is addressed by his staff and acquaintances as "Mr Wolf" due to a number of pet wolves being among the exotic animals he keeps - was visibly furious following regular jockey Opie Bosson's ride on his star stayer in the Group One The BMW (2400m), when the horse was forced to travel wide throughout. It was reported that Lin threatened to "feed Bosson to his wolves" in a heated argument outside the jockeys' room after the race.
A triumphant "Mr Wolf" leads Mongolian Khan back to scale after the 2015 Caulfield Cup. Image: Getty.
As the founder of the Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Group, Lin has spent over $11 million on New Zealand bloodstock in recent years and is determined to focus the spotlight upon thoroughbred racing in China, which is evidently part of his motivation for the Bieber booking.
Bieber’s manager Scooter Braun confirmed to Punters.com.au that the Canadian singer-songwriter has for the past month been riding secret early morning trackwork at Los Angeles’ Santa Anita Park in order to sharpen his skills.
Braun stated that initial skepticism about safety risks from within the Bieber camp (Bieber is worth an estimated $215 million) was quickly forgotten.
"We talked about the danger, sure, but at the end of the day Justin's entire life has been about taking risks - he thrives on it and wouldn't be the artist he is today without acknowledging and nurturing that aspect of his character," Braun said.
Having grown up around horses in Stratford, Ontario, Bieber has frequently alluded to his love of horse racing on social media.
Justin Bieber's love for horses was apparent from a young age.
In a February interview with GQ Magazine, Bieber hinted at a burgeoning desire to ride competitively.
"There's nothing more badass than a thoroughbred at full gallop. And horses don't judge, it helps me relax just being around them - it's definitely something I'm keen to explore further."
Justin bieber, 11 February 2016
But key industry players have dismissed Bieber’s booking as little more than a cheap publicity stunt.
Bieber is set to land in Sydney on Thursday, forcing the postponement of arena shows previously slated for Tulsa Oklahoma (April 7), Houston Texas (April 9) and Dallas Texas (April 10) as part of his 'Purpose' tour.
The ATC are expecting Bieber’s presence to draw an additional up to 30,000 people through the Randwick gates, with the promise of an hour-long Bieber set after the final race likely to attract a younger demographic to the track.
“Justin Bieber is one of the world's most recognisable brands and to have him make his global debut as a jockey on Day Two of the Championships is an incredible coup for the ATC,” a club spokesperson said.
“We are confident that Justin has the necessary horsemanship and professional grounding to ride a strong competitive race in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and would like to sincerely thank Mongolian Khan’s owner Mr Lin for making this all possible.”
Bieber is not the only celebrity looking to transition to the riding ranks, with English television personality Katie Price (previously known as 'Jordan') also poised to trot an unlikely new path.
Exclusive: Gold cups Katie Price... Glamour girl is in training to be a professional jockey
https://t.co/oaLVsEjViY pic.twitter.com/5Cmdry11PU
— The Sun (@TheSun) March 21, 2016
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tauto19
tauto19 5 minutes ago pro
Oh GUV, you've done it again....clerk of the course....
GUV
GUV 5 hours ago pro
Messara's hopes would have been raised briefly.....he thought he finally had one international representative at his 'global' championships..
Hes still desperately trying to secure a foreign horse for clerk of the course duties on Saturday...
Meanwhile punters who turn up to the championships asking for directions to the international contingent are being sent to the Sushi bar..
Haha. ..i like that eagle....bet365 lifting their bet maximums to $3.65
eagle
eagle 5 hours ago
Sportsbet getting into the spirit of things too.
http://www.sportsbet.com.au/blog/oth...lien-life-bets
Meanwhile BET365 are following suit with a max bet of $3.65. (Fools on you if you believe that one)
.
KimNedHathaway
KimNedHathaway 5 hours ago
He'd give it a better ride than Opium buffoon.
tauto19
tauto19 6 hours ago
We hardened punters need more of these stories. Well done Costa!
As for Opie Bosson's ride, I totally agree with Mr Lin. In fact Opie is not riding well at home in NZ. He looks like a latter-day Peter Cook, hardly riding his mounts out with the whip. I, for one, will not take the short odds offered on Bosson's mounts in future.
I can only hope he is not riding injured or dehydrated through constant wasting. What say you Kiwis? Addington, et al?
bevan_16
bevan_16 7 hours ago pro
Would love to see him fall. Like really really fall. Would do the world good to see him trampled once or twice. No one else. Just this guy...that is all
davepband
davepband 8 hours ago pro
Worst April fools lol. Wonder what Google do this year...
SEINFELD
SEINFELD 11 hours ago
Lol
Black Caviar clone > Race track lanes > Bieber
If anyone fell for this before scrolling down to the comments section...shame, shame, SHAME lol
Praneelkumar
Praneelkumar Today at 10:43am
April foolss
