A board bearing letters, words, and numbers, upon which an indicator such as an upturned glass is placed. Several people rest their fingers on the indicator, which then moves without their conscious volition across the board. It can then purportedly spell out messages which provide information about events or situations unknown to the people present. It is alleged that information may also be received from deceased persons. The word originates from the French and German words for yes (oui and ja).
"Ouija board" redirects here. Now racing in her fourth season, she has won 10 of her 21 races, 7 of them Group 1s, including the Epsom Oaks in 2004 and the Hong Kong Vase in 2005. In 2006, the Dunlop team took her back to the USA where she regained her crown in the Breeders' Cup Filly &Racing Career
Her debut came at Newmarket Racecourse over 7 furlongs, when finishing third, one length behind the winner. Just 11 days later, she had her third race of the season, again at Newmarket, over a furlong extra in a Listed event, although again she finished third.
Her first outing in 2004 came at Newmarket in the Pretty Polly Stakes over 10 furlongs, a traditional trial for the Epsom Oaks.
The Oaks
She started the Epsom Oaks at 7/2 second favourite behind the Aidan O'Brien-trained All Too Beautiful, as well as taking on the Godolphin duo of Punctillious and Sundrop, but her main rivals had absolutely no answer to Ouija Board's devastating turn of foot, and she ran on to win by seven lengths. Her next target was the Irish Oaks, in which two of her Epsom victims were reopposing - Punctillious and All Too Beautiful, but again neither could seriously challenge, and Ouija Board won by a length from the former.
2005
Several problems at the start of the 2005 season meant her seasonal reappearance came as late as June at Royal Ascot in the Prince of Wales's Stakes.
However, she bounced back at Newmarket three months later on her next start, in the Group 3 Princess John Doyle Stakes, winning comfortably under new jockey Frankie Dettori.
Her relatively short season meant she was still fresh, and connections decided to send her to Japan for a crack at the Japan Cup, in which she ran admirably, finishing 5th to Alkaased, but only two lengths behind.
2006
It was decided she would stay in training for one final season, with the Dubai Golden Sheema her first target. Kieren Fallon was again on-board, and she ran very flat whilst finishing 4th, although Fallon reported that 'she was not herself,' and that the firework display just minutes beforehand unsettled her badly. Connections, although never publicly admitted, felt Fallon had ridden her poorly and signalled the end of the jockey's successful partnership with her.
She was shipped over to Singapore next, reunited with Frankie Dettori, although running over 10 furlongs, 2 furlongs shorter than her preferred distance. Again, although never admitted, connections felt Dettori holding her up in the rear for so long cost her the race.
A return visit to the scene of arguably her greatest triumph was next, as she was sent to Epsom Downs for a crack at the Coronation Cup, although it would not be an easy task, with Shirocco, the apple of André Fabre's eye opposing her, and went off favourite, and justified his favouritism, but Ouija Board again lost nothing in defeat, putting in a marvellous run. Ed Dunlop said after the race that a trip to Royal Ascot was not completely out of the question, with either the Prince of Wales's Stakes over 10 furlongs or Hardwicke Stakes over her preferred 12 furlong distance. Dubai World Cup winner Electrocutionist, Champion Stakes and Dubai Duty Free winner David Junior, Brigadier Gerard Stakes winner Notnowcato, Breeders' Cup Turf runner-up Ace and Manduro all lining up against her.
Ouija Board had been considered for the "King George", but connections felt she had not recovered from her cuts and bruises from the Eclipse and was left out, although she was confirmed a runner in the Group 1 Nassau Stakes at Goodwood Racecourse a week later.
Ouija's finest moment
Dettori was once again on-board, and lined up in a very competetive field, including Hong Kong Cup winner Alexander Goldrun, Coronation Stakes winner Nannina, Echelon and a half-sister to Hawk Wing, Race For The Stars. Mare Turf at Churchill Downs had always been her main seasonal target, and with regular partner Dettori on-board, she was sent off a very warm favourite, and despite being boxed in with three furlongs to go, she sprinted clear of the field, and ended up being probably the best performance of the night.
Future Plans
The Japan Cup and a possible defense of her Hong Kong Vase crown are the most likely options for Ouija Board at the moment.
Pedigree
| Pedigree of Ouija Board | |||
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Sire Cape Cross (IRE) 1994 |
Green Desert (USA) 1993 |
Danzig (USA) 1977 |
Northern Dancer (CAN) 1961 |
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Pas De Nom (USA) 1968 |
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Foreign Courier (USA) 1979 |
Sir Ivor (USA) 1965 |
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Courtly Dee (USA) 1968 |
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Park Appeal (IRE) 1982 |
Ahonoora (GB) 1975 |
Lorenzaccio (IRE) 1965 |
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Helen Nichols (GB) 1966 |
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Balidaress (IRE) 1973 |
Balidar (IRE) 1966 |
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Innocence (GB) 1968 |
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Dam Selection Board (GB) 1982 |
Welsh Pageant (FR) 1966 |
Tudor Melody (USA) 1956 |
Tudor Minstrel (GB) 1944 |
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Matelda (USA) 1947 |
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Picture Light (FR) 1954 |
Court Martial (GB) 1942 |
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Queen of Light (GB) 1949 |
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Ouija (GB) 1971 |
Silly Season (USA) 1962 |
Tom Fool (USA) 1949 |
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Double Deal (GB) 1946 |
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Samanda (GB) 1956 |
Alycidon (GB) 1945 |
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Gradisca (GB) 1943 |
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