15 JUNE 2017 www.aladiyat.ae ISSUE 617 hoping further Group One success IMPENDING

© Steve Hart Photography © Steve Impending - Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap with RIBCHESTER © focusonracing.com heading Royal Ascot challenge Ribchester - GroupGroupgp 1 LockingeLockin e Stakes 40 years ago Sheikh Mohammed celebrated his first winner in England (See Pages 4 - 6) Standing at Nunnery Stud, England: MAWATHEEQ SAKHEE

Also standing in England: HAAFHD

Standing in France, Haras du Mezeray: MUHTATHIR

Standing in Italy, Allevamento di Besnate: MUJAHID

www.shadwellstud.co.uk

www.shadwellstud.co.uk

Discover more about the Shadwell Stallions at www.shadwellstud.co.uk Or call Richard Lancaster, Johnny Peter-Hoblyn or Rachael Gowland on 01842 755913 Email us at: [email protected] twitter.com/ShadwellStud www.facebook.com/ShadwellStud 15 2017 June 3 Contents HATTA LAUNCHES A DYNASTY 4-6 Can celebrate GODOLPHIN NEWS 8-11 GENERAL NEWS 12-15 BLOODSTOCK 16-19 Sheikh Mohammed’s MANSOUR FESTIVAL NEWS 21 LOCKINGE STAKES 23 OTHER UK RACING 24-27 landmark in style? OAKS 28-31 RGUABLY Europe’s 32-35 most eagerly anticipated IRISH 2000 GUINEAS 36-37 A and prestigious five days IRISH 1000 GUINEAS 38-39 of racing annually, Royal Ascot never fails to disappoint and, as ROYAL ASCOT TRIAL 40-41 always, there is plenty to look PREAKNESS STAKES 42 forward to next week. 43 Racing first staged at Ascot DIAR RACES 44 in August 1711 after the ruling ENDURANCE 46-47 monarch, Queen Anne, out riding NICHOLAS GODFREY 48-49 through the area, known as East Cote at the time, identified the MICHELE MACDONALD 50-51 site as a perfect area for ‘horses to HOWARD WRIGHT 52 gallop at full stretch’. ROYAL ASCOT LATEST NEWS 53-61 Now a five day meeting with 30 races and over £6.58 million Editorial in prize money to be won, eight Editor of the 30 races carry Group Back over a mile, but on the The week’s official feature is Mark Jackson One status. round course, we then move on Thursday’s Group 1 Ascot Gold Writer The meeting is not all about to the Group 1 St James’s Palace Cup and last year’s winner, Order Duane Fonseca Stakes races though, with several Stakes, restricted to 3yos and a Of St George, is going to be competitive, valuable and ultra rematch from the 2000 Guineas at hard to beat. Another winner for Head of English Design prestigious handicaps, including Newmarket. Godolphin’s Barney O’Brien looks more likely after the Eng. Mohamed Maher the 6f Wokingham Handicap Roy, absent since, will seek revenge defection of France’s dual Dubai and the over the on Churchill, subsequent winner of Gold Cup winner, Vazirabad. Assistant Designers straight mile. the Irish equivalent for O’Brien. The sprinters return to the Nisar Shaikh Fittingly, the meeting opens The only other day with more limelight on the final day, Saturday, with the Group 1 Queen Anne than one Group One is Friday when with Limato looking to bounce Ismail KV Stakes, named after the monarch all eyes will be on Caravaggio, back from a lacklustre display in the Graphic & Scanner credited with the birth of what we another for the O’Brien juggernaut, Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan in the 6f Abdul Majeed now know as , who will put his unbeaten record Group 1 . Nadim Ahmed and over the straight mile. on the line in the 3yos only 6f As long as conditions remain Library It went to America last year and Commonwealth Cup. dry and given a nice break since Abdulla Khalifa the mighty Tepin, but this year Again Godolphin appear to Dubai, he looks sure to go close. Godolphin’s Ribchester looks provide the main opposition with An exciting five days are in K. Aboobacker certain to start a hot favourite recent recruit Harry Angel and store with the might of Godolphin, Photographers after his impressive victory in who actually beat him, set to be represented by at least K.P. Majeed the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes over Friday’s course and distance, six trainers, seemingly due to Abdul Razzak at Newbury. at the beginning of May. lock horns with the Ballydoyle Sheikh Mohammed will be On the same card, the Coronation battalion of Aidan O’Brien. Correspondents celebrating his 40th anniversary as Stakes is the 3yo fillies’ equivalent Fittingly, it was announced Overseas a winning racehorse owner on the of the St James’s Palace Stakes and on Monday that a Royal Ascot Nicholas GODFREY day so a Group One success would again an O’Brien hotpot looks the Leading Owner Trophy will be be very appropriate! one to beat; his dual 1000 Guineas awarded, to run alongside the Michele MACDONALD heroine . established equivalents for jockeys Howard WRIGHT See pages 4-6 for more details Back to Wednesday which and trainers. of this notable landmark is highlighted by the Group 1 Thus, the Champion Owner Bloodstock Prince of Wales’s Stakes and over the week will be decided on Beverley TOWNSEND The Queen Anne is immediately Godolphin’s Sheema Classic straight wins, with seconds, thirds followed by the week’s main hero, Jack Hobbs, missed the and fourths only coming into play juvenile contest, the 6f Group 2 at Epsom to in the event of a tie for wins. , which looks arrive here fresh. For the purposes of the award, wide open and a perfect hors He is trained by horses reprenting Ballydoyle and d’oeuvre for the Group 1 King’s whose patience could well be Coolmore will be regarded as one Stand Stakes. This 5f dash is set to rewarded; especially after the entity, regardless of the precise feature a fascinating clash between same owner’s , syndicate for whom they run. American raider Lady Aurelia sadly ruled out of contention by and last year’s winner, Profitable, trainer Andre Fabre to become We cannot wait! who was subsequently purchased another major hope from France So for all the Royal Ascot news by Godolphin. not to take their chance. see pages 53 - 61 15 4 June 2017

OPULAR fans, especially those of the P Beatles, will remember the opening lyrics of Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band: ‘It was From horse enthusiast to 20 years ago today…’ Switch to racing, of the equine variety, on the Flat in England and, for Sheikh Mohammed, ‘It was 40 years ago next Tuesday’. world leader in racing I can picture furrowed brows, twinned with head scratching and a chorus of: ‘What was?’ So, let us embark on a journey and rewind to the year 1977; the and breeding industries venue Brighton Racecourse; the date 20th June; the occasion, the victory of a juvenile filly named Hatta; the relevance? She was a first winner for a new owner in the sport, a young Emirati royal, Sheikh during a 40 year journey Mohammed, being represented by the first racehorse he owned. Few present on the Sussex Downs that day could have realised what a significant moment that continues today they had just witnessed and what a dramatic impact the young Sheikh and his family would have on the racing industry, worldwide, over the next four decades. An impact arguably more far reaching now than ever with the Maktoum family synonymous with the sport of racing, in the highest echelons, around the globe. Sheikh Mohammed’s of horses is renowned and they have always been an important part of his life. As a young man, Sheikh Mohammed was captivated by the power, elegance, speed and grace of horses and he rode bareback races with his friends on the sands of Jumeirah Beach. He himself has recounted the story of his first race, on a legs, as well as how to care for the and she was ready for a his racing colours were recorded seemingly unwanted mare, Sawdah hoofs to aid recuperation. race. The partnership fought as ‘royal blue, white chevron, blue Um Halag, whom he nursed to Three months of training the gallantly, beaten just a length. cap, white star’. health and soundness. Taught by mare, swimming with her in During his studies in Cambridge, Less than three years later, they his mother, he learned to inspect the sea, letting her run loose to Sheikh Mohammed attended his would be replaced by ‘maroon, the skeletal aspects of the feet and return to him on his command first race meeting at Newmarket white sleeves, maroon cap with where he watched white star’. These silks were win the 2000 Guineas in May 1967. recognised worldwide. Ten years later Hatta started John Dunlop trained Hatta, a juggernaut rolling, following making her second racecourse that Brighton victory by landing appearance at Brighton having the Group 3 finished sixth in a massive field of at Glorious Goodwood the 26 on her debut at Sandown. following month. Starting favourite, the daughter Sheikh Mohammed’s passion of Realm eased to victory under for horses grew into a major Ron Hutchinson, a leading investment in bloodstock and Australian with the pair in has resulted in the growth of the full control from over a furlong out world’s largest and most global in the maiden over an extended 5f. racing team, Godolphin, as Hutchinson recalls: “Hatta was well as the successful stallion a very nice filly and won easily operation, Darley. at Brighton. She had improved When Hatta began this epic from her first start and, as history Hatta wins at Sandown journey for Sheikh Mohammed, proved, carried on progressing. 15 2017 June 5

Three winner and charm. While he clearly knew a First crowned in 1985 he landed successful sire, Jalmood. great deal about horses, he was the title in each of the following After their initial very keen to learn all he could four years, again in the three years encounter, Walden about English racing. 1991 - 1993, as well as 1997. His reported to his CBA “He bombarded me with run of success was only interrupted colleagues: “I met this questions about the preparation by his brother, Sheikh Hamdan, in charming gentleman of , and while he 1990, 1994 and 1995, as well as who would like to buy a understood horses as a species, he Godolphin, in 1996. few horses. I think that was trying to reconcile his own That dovetails perfectly to one day he could be a understanding of the subject with Godolphin, masterminded and very big owner.” the principles of training finely created by Sheikh Mohammed in That would prove to tuned equine athletes.” 1993 to campaign the very best of be an understatement! In From Brighton, Hatta went the Maktoum bloodstock on the “She was quick and very 1976, Sheikh Mohammed, Warden to Salisbury, easily landing world stage, promoting Dubai in determined; always an ideal and Dunlop attended the October the Stakes, before the process. combination and, looking back, Yearling Sales at Newmarket, a similarly straightforward That inaugural Godolphin it was great to be so closely buying three horses, including the success at Sandown in the British championship title has associated with such an important aforementioned Hatta. Raynes Park Stakes. been replicated on nine further breakthrough victory.” Dunlop explained: “Initially, It was Glorious Goodwood next occasions, namely 1998, 1999, Sheikh Mohammed was ‘up we were instructed to buy only and the Group 3 Molecomb Stakes 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2012, and running’ and his passion for colts, but quite late on Sheikh which, in 1977, was restricted to 2013 and 2015. English racing already fuelled, Mohammed asked we purchase 2yo fillies. And the rest, as they The list of equine luminaries was reportedly further fired by his a filly for him. Pretty well all say, is history; hot favourite, sporting both the maroon and white meeting Colonel Dick Warden. the fillies within his budget had Amaranda, winner of the Queen and, more recently the all blue of Accompanying a batch of horses, already been sold, and very little Mary at Royal Ascot, had no Godolphin, is literally endless and sourced by the Curragh Bloodstock was left for us except this Realm answer to the imperious Hatta and would require a whole issue of Agency on behalf of the mounted filly, who did not exactly inspire a first big race success was secured Al Adiyat to list individually. division of Dubai police, the us with confidence. She was very for the fledgling owner. Attributed to Sheikh Mohammed Sheikh immediately took to the small indeed and crooked in one A multitude would follow with as owner, such superstars as Colonel who, as well as being a leg, but the Sheikh wanted a filly, the new maroon and white silks Indian Skimmer, , World War II hero, also included so we bought her. carried to endless victories and Old Vic, In The , Keen Thoroughbred racehorse trainer “When meeting Sheikh securing Sheikh Mohammed the Hunter, Barathea, , and amateur jockey on his CV. Mohammed for the first time I British Champion Owner accolade , Pennekamp, Winged He was charged with the task was immediately struck by his on nine occasions. Love, Casamento and King’s of sourcing the Sheikh’s initial bloodstock interests and Dunlop was the man to whom they turned to train them. He said: “The Colonel was not only exceptionally entertaining but a fantastic judge of horseflesh. The first time he went to Keeneland for Sheikh Mohammed he came back with two yearlings: one became and the other became Jalmood.” Awaasif, a Group One winner herself, was to foal , the dam of , the -trained winner of the 1995 Derby at Epsom. Awaasif was by , as was subsequent Group Hatta wins the Molecomb Dubai Millennium 15 6 June 2017

Theatre would be an impressive New Approach from Jim Bolger; list but one which is barely the tip sporting the green silks of his wife, of a very imposing iceberg. Princess Haya, the colt numbered Perhaps ironically, the last the Derby at Epsom among his big named, King’s Theatre, was race triumphs. runner-up to in the Irish America, mainland Europe, Derby of 1994. Australia and Japan are others to Whereas Cutwater, at Nad Al have seen the influence of Sheikh Sheba in late 1992, was the first Mohammed, Godolphin and official Godolphin runner, it was the Darley, operating in the highest success of Balanchine echelons of their racing industry. which was attributed with The Thoroughbred racehorses announcing the name of Godolphin all trace back to three Purebred on the international stage. Arabian stallions, the Godolphin She has been followed by a host Arabian, the Darley Arabian and of star performers in the all blue, in the Byerley Turk. which, like Lammtarra, she did not With his Godolphin base at BORN and raised in the UAE, was Hatta and he proudly told actually race. Al Quoz and through Nad Al actually in Hatta, Saeed bin Suroor us that, ‘this filly won for my son, Of those who did, the most Sheba and now Meydan, Sheikh is Godolphin’s longest serving Sheikh Mohammed in Britain’. famous was Dubai Millennium but Mohammed has returned the trainer, overseeing the training of “Sheikh Mohammed then also include , , racehorse to its point of origin. horses since 1995. started to buy horses and stud , Mark Of Esteem, Cape Sheikh Mohammed is, of course, a One of Britain’s leading trainers, farms. After 24 years he started Verdi, Almutawakel, , globally renowned endurance rider; collecting the first of four British Godolphin and became the best , Street Cry, Fantastic in 2010 he led the UAE team to glory trainers’ championships in his owner in the world; he has so Light, Sakhee, , Moon in the World Equestrian Games at second year in charge, and following many good horses that he has Ballad, Electrocutionist, Ramonti, Lexington, himself finishing second up in 1998, 1999 and 2004, he has had thousands of winners. Horse Marienbard, , Sulamani, in the individual category. also dominated the Dubai World racing has always been here in , Shamardal, Rio De La Two years later, Sheikh Cup Carnival since 2008. Dubai, for hundreds of years, but Plata, , African Story Mohammed landed the individual He has sent out 12 British Sheikh Mohammed decided to and Dawn Approach, to name but a Endurance World Championship Classic winners since 1995 do things professionally and he smattering of an endless collection. at Euston Park, while leading the headlined by Lammtarra and has bought the best horses, employed A plethora of the aforementioned UAE team to victory in the team saddled seven the best trainers and jockeys. horses, as well as far more not event. With his sons following in winners including the brilliant “He also formalised racing in listed individually, have gone on his footsteps, both in the saddle Dubai Millennium who won for Dubai, established the Emirates to produce fellow star racehorses. and as Thoroughbred owners, his Saeed and Godolphin in 2000. Racing Authority, built Nad Al This list, to pick just two, include legacy is assured. With 179 Group One winners Sheba and now Meydan. , who carried Sheikh But both the world of on his CV, and more than 2,000 “It was his dream that a lot Mohammed’s own colours to victory endurance and his heritage are victories worldwide, he is in the of people would go and see the in the 1997 Dubai World Cup and separate chapters among his perfect position to reflect on racing, his vision that created sired Godolphin’s winner of the countless achievements registered Sheikh Mohammed’s contribution the Dubai World Cup and he same race in 2003, Moon Ballad. throughout many fields, not just to the world of racing and was right; thousands flock to Sheikh Mohammed’s favourite the sporting arena. breeding and kindly took time out Meydan for the big race day racehorse, Dubai Millennium, His vision and creation of the to do so for Al Adiyat. and throughout the Dubai landed the 2000 Dubai World Cup Dubai World Cup, which followed “Sheikh Mohammed has made World Cup Carnival, another but sadly only sired one crop after on from an annual international a big change in innovation of his received his retirement. jockeys’ challenge at Nad Al worldwide, dating back to a filly enthusiastically worldwide. However, that one batch of Sheba and preceded the Dubai he named Hatta who actually “His drive, enthusiasm and progeny included Dubawi, an International Racing Carnival, or shared her name with my home foresight has changed so many Irish 2000 Guineas winner Dubai World Cup Carnival as we town in Dubai. things worldwide but horses have and now the star of Sheikh now know it, have truly propelled “I can remember when I was a always been part of his life. Mohammed’s European arm of his UAE racing onto the world stage. kid my father took me to meet “Over 40 years, he has changed Darley operation. And who knows what may be in Sheikh Mohammed’s father, and impacted horse racing, He is also renowned for his store next in an amazing winning Sheikh Rashid, at his palace worldwide, in a way no one has generosity which was perfectly story, which began, 40 years ago, at and I remember Sheikh Rashid in the past and I doubt anyone demonstrated when he purchased Brighton with a filly called Hatta. showed us three photos of Sheikh can have such a major, pioneering Mohammed’s first winner; that influence in the future.”

15 8 June 2017 GODOLPHIN NEWS

BY DUANE FONSECA UAL UAE Classic winner Snow Thunders to second on return Thunder Snow proved he D has returned to form with a good second on his return to turf to action in Irish 2000 Guineas in the Group 1 Irish 2000 Guineas over a mile on the Curragh at the softened ground, with a further end of last month. four and a half lengths back to The Saeed bin Suroor-trained third home Irishcorrespondent. colt, who was pulled up shortly Bin Suroor said: “Thunder after leaving the stalls in the Snow ran very well. He did on May 6, broke everything right during the race smartly and soon settled in and was beaten by a better second of the six runners behind horse on the day. We will keep Lancaster Bomber. the options open for him, but He held the lead briefly under the St James’s Palace Stakes at Christophe Soumillon just inside Royal Ascot looks likely.” the final quarter mile before being The 3yo homebred son of headed by Churchill in the closing Helmet landed both the UAE stages and going down to him 2000 Guineas and Derby at by two and a half lengths on rain Meydan earlier in the year. Thunder Snow

it looked as if she didn’t Appleby reflects on Sobetsu in Epsom Oaks stay. She was up there with the winner and the second RAINER Charlie faded in the straight to at the top of the straight but Appleby believes his be beaten 23 lengths by just ran out of petrol. She’s T Group One heroine the winner. come back and eaten up Sobetsu may not have stayed The joint second favourite this morning so we’ll have when beating only one home may now be dropped back a look at the behind in an eventful in trip for the Group 1 Prix with her.” renewal of the Oaks at de Diane at Chantilly this The last filly to be beaten Epsom a fortnight ago. weekend which had been her at Epsom and win the The Group 1 Prix Saint- original target. French equivalent was Star Alary winner was well The trainer said: “William Of Seville who finished positioned just off pacemaker Buick said Sobetsu didn’t ninth behind in 2015 Pocketfullofdreams for really turn up as she was before scoring at Chantilly Sobetsu much of the Classic but edgy beforehand but visually just eight days later. Inns holds Court over rivals XCITING 3yo Inns Of sixth after suffering a slipped stages for a length and a quarter Court capitalised on a drop saddle in the mile Group 1 Poule victory on soft ground. E in grade and trip as he d’Essai des Poulains, was held up Winner of his sole juvenile recorded a comfortable success at the rear of the eight runners by outing, the Invincible Spirit colt in the 7f Group 3 Prix du Palais- Mickael Barzalona. has now landed three of his Royal at Maisons-Laffitte two He ran on strongly down the four career starts and Lisa-Jane weeks ago. centre of the course to head Graffard of Godolphin commented: The Andre Fabre-trained Attendu just inside the final “Inns Of Court switched off nicely Godolphin colt, who came home furlong and asserted in the closing and came with Inns Of Court

Facts and Figures (as at 11/06/2017) Worldwide Race Statistics - 2017 Worldwide Race Statistics - 1992 - 2017

Wins :256 Wins : 4,215 Horses (Individual Runners): 521 1,294 Horses (Individual Runners): 3,950 Runs: 20,130 Stakes Wins:50 % Wins to Runs: 20% Stakes Wins:1,127 % Wins to Runs: 21%

G1 Wins: 8 Prize Money (USD): $ 22,447, 521 G1 Wins: 248 Individual Winners: 2,205 15 2017 June 9 Portage ruled out of repeat Ascot bid and retired

LMOST exactly a saying: “Portage was special and unfortunately it’s career year after winning for us, a horse of a lifetime. ending. He’s in great fettle A the Royal Hunt Cup He didn’t run that often but but we’ve had to retire him. at Royal Ascot, Mick Halford was a wonderful servant and “It’s disappointing and a has announced the retirement we’ll never forget him.” big blow for everybody. We’re of Godolphin’s Portage, The 110-rated stable star going to miss him and he’ll almost exactly a year after was set to return to the scene be very hard to replace. I’ve that victory in the prestigious of his greatest success next no doubt there was more to mile handicap. week but it was not to be. come from him, but it wasn’t A 5yo entire son of “He gave us one of our to be.” Teofilo, Portage won four of most special days last year Portage scored in each his ten starts and finished in the Hunt Cup and we season he ran, with a Listed second three times, with were aiming to take him victory in the Silver Stakes the highlight undoubtedly back there again this year, at The Curragh last year on coming at last year’s stepping him up in trip for his CV, as well as a valuable royal meeting. the Wolferton Handicap,” Ascot handicap on King Halford paid tribute to the continued Halford. George day in 2015 and a horse who gave him his first “He was on target but met Curragh juvenile maiden ever Royal Ascot success, with an injury in training in 2014. Godolphin satisfied as Wind in the sails for Kitesurf at Chantilly BY DUANE FONSECA Paname, a further length and three ITESURF proved quarters adrift. Talismanic grabs Chantilly Silver connections right when he Lisa-Jane Graffard, the Godolphin BY DUANE FONSECA K did as was expected after representativ said: “Kitesurf won forward to the second half of the being asked to step up in class really well and is progressing all the EAM GODOLPHIN were season now and would love to for the 2400m Group 3 Prix de time. She was suited by the good happy after Talismanic travel with him.” Royaumont at Chantilly. pace in the race and everything went T claimed a fighting second in The 3yo Dubawi filly, trained her way. We haven’t talked about the 2400m Group 2 Grand Prix de by Andre Fabre, settled in targets yet but will do so shortly.” Chantilly, at Chantilly, in early June. third under Mickael The 4yo Andre Fabre-trained Barzalona and showed colt took the lead twice but her keenness alongside was passed by eventual winner another Godolphin runner Silverware in the final furlong and Glittering Jewel, trained by finished second by a neck, with Charlie Appleby and ridden Apilobar three-quarters of a length by . behind in third. When Kitesurf was Godolphin representative Lisa- finally asked to go she Jane Graffard said: “Talismanic just flew, seizing the lead ran a great race and there are with 300m left to win by no excuses as he was beaten by a length and a quarter a better horse. Talismanic is a from Bebe d’Amour, who very straightforward colt and just kept narrowing the coming to himself. We are looking deficit. In third was Lady Harry Angel Points towards new Blue clash but now in blue

HE BRILLIANT Harry Angel has been bought by Godolphin and now T heads to Royal Ascot’s 6fGroup 1 Commonwealth Cup. The 3yo, who has won two of his four starts, smashed the course record for six furlongs when landing the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock when he recorded a time of 1m 8.56s. On his previous outing, he was second to Godolphin’s Blue Point in the Group Pavilion Stakes at Ascot and the pair look set to clash again over the same 6f course and distance in next week’s Commonwealth Cup. He will remain in the care of Clive Cox, who described the sprinter as ‘a very special horse’. Harry Angel chases home new teammate Blue Point 15 10 June 2017 Frontiersman does plenty to please connections with Coronation Cup second BY DUANE FONSECA Frontiersman and and HARLIE APPLEBY was said: “I’m delighted with the pair thrilled to see Frontiersman of them. Frontiersman finishing C put his hand up as a top second there was a big step middle distance prospect as he ran up from his handicap win at on to second behind , Newmarket on his previous start. who was never headed, in the 1m4f “His homework has been so Group 1 Coronation Cup at Epsom. good and he has a pedigree to die Frontiersman fought hard under for, this horse. I’m not saying that but looked uneasy makes him a great racehorse but on the Epsom undulations and he showed us all the right signs at couldn’t stop Highland Reel, who home and he is a typical Dubawi had earlier come under pressure who is getting better with age. from another Appleby runner “James Doyle thought his Hawkbill, who eventually finished inexperience has just caught him third to add to Appleby’s joy. out round there. We did ask James Frontiersman (red cap), Hawkbill (all blue) and Prize Money (white cap) While Frontiersman went to just give him a chance as we down by a length and three knew the pace was going to be fit and well and we will then head it was all a little bit much for him; quarters to Highland Reel, up front. to Royal Ascot. a step up from handicap company Hawkbill, winner of the 2016 “He saw it out well and he “I was also delighted with to that. He is pretty good. I think Group 1 , placed galloped strongly. We might look Hawkbill’s run and I’m not going to possibly the Hardwicke would be three and half lengths behind his at the at Royal keep boring people with the same the race for him at Royal Ascot.” stablemate under regular jockey Ascot with him as that looks the story, but he needs soft ground.” The Saeed bin Suroor-trained William Buick. most logical step forward and he Frontiersman’s rider Doyle Prize Money held every chance two Appleby was happy with will justifiably deserve to be there. added: “I am really pleased with furlongs out but weakened in the the performances of both All being well, he comes out of this him, he has run a cracker, though closing stages under Olivier Peslier. Journey begins Godolphin quartet on a Glorious afternoon ITH a lofty price million guineas, for topping the far too strong for 12 rivals in a to justify, Godolphin’s charts at the 2016 6f handicap. W Glorious Journey October Yearling Sale and Appleby said: “Glorious made the best possible start to all such auctions in Europe Journey was showing up well his racing career, becoming the last year, he landed the first at home so we decided to give first of four consecutive winners, division of a 6f novice stakes on him a run and it was pleasing Joe Osborne from just five runners, for the his debut. to see how he won given they owners as Newmarket’s July Never far off the speed under went no pace. IT WAS announced last Course staged its first meeting William Buick, he led just over “He’s gone weak on us at times week that John Ferguson of 2017 last Saturday. a furlong out and was always at home so we’ll see how he has stepped down from his A juvenile son of Kodiac who holding the late challenge of comes out of this before making position as chief executive was jointly responsible, at 2.6 Grand Koonta. any plans. He could go up to and racing manager He is trained by Charlie seven furlongs for something of Godolphin. Appleby, as is Folk Tale who, at the July meeting, but we’ll let Joe Osborne, the current 30 minutes later, like Glorious him tell us. Managing Director of Journey, scored by a neck in the “Fair play to the vets and the Godolphin in Ireland, will second division of the same race. staff at home getting him back take up the position Homebred, the son of Dubawi as he’s been off for a long time of interim chief was fourth, at Goodwood, with a tendon . He has executive of Godolphin’s on his debut and put the a real engine so, fingers crossed, global operation. experience to good use to deny we can kick on with him.” Joe Osborne said: “We Sheikh Hamdan’s Faraasah a The fourth Godolphin victor are committed to our winning debut. was Parfait, saddled by John objective of achieving Fast forward just over an Gosden and partnered by success for His Highness hour and the same connections Martin Dwyer. A 3yo gelded son Sheikh Mohammed and were again gracing the winner’s of Invincible Spirit, he was far his family. Our thanks go enclosure, this time after the too good for the opposition, no to John Ferguson for his 4yo Culturati, having his first less than 13 of them, in a longstanding contribution Glorious Journey start since October 2015, was valuable 7f handicap. to Godolphin and Darley.” 15 2017 June 11 More big race glory Impending for new star colt © Steve Hart Photographics

Impending HE CLASSY colt the fifth for Godolphin in Australia Godolphin’s Australian managing Brown took a conservative Impending scored a Group this season. It also completed a rare director Henry Plumptre believes approach aboard the colt, easing T One victory that defied the sequence for the former Champion Impending can add to his feature him across from his wide gate to odds and provided full reward for Rider who won Group One races on race record in the new season that settle, three deep, in midfield until the perseverance and dedication Impending’s sire, Darley’s Lonhro, as begins on 1 August. entering the short straight. of Godolphin’s entire Australian well as on his dam Mnemosyne. “He will head home now and we With 300m to run he moved team in the Stradbroke Handicap, Beadman’s 86 Group One wins in can have a talk about the spring,” out to the centre of the track and over an extended 6f, at Doomben the saddle also included five aboard Plumptre said. unleashed an irresistible challenge. last Saturday. Lonhro’s sire, Octagonal. His third win from 12 starts took “I found a nice trail, three wide, The homebred 3yo Lonhri colt, But Godolphin’s recently installed his racetrack earnings beyond A$1.5 and even though we were out who had spent so much of his early Australian head trainer couldn’t million and made him Lonhro’s ninth there for the entire race, he was career in the shadow of stablemate witness the biggest moment of individual Group One winner. comfortable,” Brown said. Astern, stepped decisively into the his brief training career in person For winning jockey Corey Brown, “When I asked for his effort, top rank with a comprehensive having been struck down by a virus it was a fourth Group One success he really let down so well, he was defeat of In Her Time and that forced him to be hospitalised in Australia since returning from a the best horse in the race and he Clearly Innocent. on Thursday. stint in Singapore earlier this year. deserved it.” Impending took his place in Queensland’s richest race with stable confidence high, but a wide gate on the tricky Doomben circuit looked to have dented his prospects. “We thought this was a great race for him; he’d worked so well over the past two weeks, but after the draw I knew it was going to be tough,” said trainer Darren Beadman. “There were a couple of other issues as well; he trod on his shoe, pulling it off and Brett Killion, who looks after him, spent most of the past 24 hours icing his foot so we could get him to the start. “It’s been a huge team effort but has certainly proved well worth it.” For Beadman, the win was his first at the highest level as a trainer and 15 12 June 2017 GENERAL NEWS Trainer Swinbank sadly dies suddenly

HE BRITISH racing community was left in T shock last month following the unexpected death of top dual purpose trainer Alan Swinbank. He was 72. Swinbank made his mark on the Flat and over jumps during a training career that garnered nearly 800 domestic winners. He also enjoyed notable success internationally thanks to the exploits of Collier Hill, who won 15 Alan Swinbank Collier Hill races in eight countries including at the highest level in the Irish St good at it. He always loved horses year with a public licence and he going abroad he loved it; he was like Leger, Canadian International and and had a decent eye for a horse.” became renowned for his ability to a human being going on his holidays. Hong Kong Vase. Born in Sedgefield, Swinbank transform talented jumps horses “Alan was always hoping for Winner of a Nad Al Sheba came from farming stock and was into Group performers on the Flat, another Collier Hill, but you have to handicap in 2005, Collier Hill was involved in horses all his life. He none more so than Collier Hill. have a lot go through your hands third in that year’s Dubai Sheema had horses in training with the Bought cheaply by Swinbank, before you find another like that.” Classic and second in the same late Arthur Stephenson, and rode who also acted as a bloodstock Swinbank’s final winner proved race in 2006. and trained in the pointing field. agent, the globetrotting star went to be at Hamilton on 7 May, when Assistant and partner Sally His first winner as a trainer on to plunder more than £2.3 Genres won a 1m3f handicap under Haynes said: “He was a hard man under rules was The Froddler in a million in prize money. Joe Fanning. Swio but very fair and hard working. I hunter chase at Sedgefield in 1982. Haynes added: “We had a hell of Married twice, is survived by sons know he was an awkward devil at Based in Melsonby, North a time with Collier Hill. He was a Julian and AJ, daughter Michelle times but he loved his job and was Yorkshire, 2001 was his first fantastic horse and when we started and four grandchildren.

REDDY HEAD and the Wertheimer Brothers have F retired their crack miler Connections call time , winner of five Group Ones during the 2015 season. The grey son of Singspiel has not been seen on a racecourse on Solow’s career since winning at Chantilly in March 2016, after which he and had been entered for the “The horse is well but is not from his breakout performance suffered a leg injury while at Ascot quite at 100% and we don’t in Dubai to a hat-trick in Britain, preparing for the defence of his next week but racing manager want to take the slightest risk with wins at Royal Ascot and on Dubai Turf crown. Pierre-Yves Bureau said the with him, so we have decided Champions Day in the Queen Solow was reportedly horse had not returned to his the prudent thing to do is to Elizabeth II Stakes bookending training well earlier this spring glittering best. retire him,” said Bureau. his success. Solow was bred to have plenty Reflecting on Solow’s career, of stamina and it was only after Bureau said: “I promise you trying him over very nearly two winning the Queen Anne Stakes miles that Head decided his at Royal Ascot was a magnificent charge showed enough speed moment and we had already in the mornings to drop back won that race with Goldikova, to a mile. so it was extra special. It was a The results were startling and great occasion and he put up a Solow rounded off 2014 with great performance that day. impressive wins at Deauville “There are lots of reasons and on Arc weekend in the Prix why his story was special, Daniel Wildenstein. from the fact that he had to In 2015 Solow would earn be gelded and then the way recognition as Cartier Older he found his best form later Horse of the Year and was only on over a mile. He was a great denied overall honours by the horse to be around and Freddy exceptional . did a wonderful job with him. The exuberant celebrations of He will now enjoy a thoroughly his new partner, Maxime Guyon, well deserved retirement at the Solow became a feature of the year, Haras de Saint-Leonard.” 15 2017 June 13 Gosden spoilt in 3yo filly ranks RIDAY the 2nd June 2017 was a memorable one for F trainer John Gosden who saddled Khalid Abdulla’s Enable to win the Oaks at Epsom under . However, she is not the only star 3yo filly in the care of the master of Clarehaven Stables who also campaigns the same owner’s Shutter Speed who actually beat his Oaks winner, emphatically, in a 1m2f conditions race at the John Gosden Shaaqaaf Sheikha Hissa bint Hamdan’s silks Dubai Duty Free Newbury meeting in April. of , one of her owner’s week and the easily under Jim Crowley, first Third on that occasion, Enable headline sires. at Royal Ascot. jockey for Sheikh Hamdan. then the Listed Cheshire Oaks For the record, Enable is So, back to the beginning, Having tracked the leaders, before grabbing the limelight, by . John Gosden and the first Friday Crowley eased the daughter of through the thunderous gloom, Digressing slightly, Abdulla has in June but now at Goodwood, Sepoy to the head of affairs two at Epsom. another potential 3yo star filly in just over an hour, by car, south furlongs out and, never extended, Meanwhile, Shutter Speed his armoury; Mori, a daughter of of Epsom. the pair stormed home, far too went to York to win the Juddmonte luminaries Frankel and Nine 3yo fillies went to post good for the remainder. Group 3 Musidors Stakes, over an Midday. With parents boasting for a mile maiden, including the The relevance; Shaaqaaf was a first extended 1m2f, the same trip as five Goodwood Group One Gosden-trained Shaaqaaf who winner sporting the blue and white her next target, Sunday’s French victories between them, it was no started hot favourite having silks of Sheikha Hissa bint Hamdan, Oaks, the Prix de Diane. surprise to see Mori win the Listed finished second on her seasonal a daughter of Sheikh Hamdan. Like Enable, homebred by on the return at Newmarket. It was perhaps a weak race but Abdulla and his powerful Sussex track. Purchased by Shadwell for the filly is clearly improving after Juddmonte Farms operation, Trained by Sir , 200,000gns at Tattersalls as a just four career starts and should Shutter Speed is a daughter she is now on course for next yearling in 2015, Shaaqaaf won build on this.

RILLIANT and versatile, Sheikh Hamdan’s 4yo B colt, Rafeef, is to retire Stud career awaits Rafeef to stud at Highlands Farm, part of Ridgemont. He will stand at a as landing the Group 2 Hawaii stud fee of R50,000. Stakes over 1400m. Jehan Malherbe of Form Four races before his big sprint Bloodstock announced last week victory, Rafeef’s full-brother, that Sheikh Hamdan’s Shadwell Mustaaqeem, also trained by De will be retaining the majority of Kock for Sheikh Hamdan, landed shares in the horse and wishes the Group 1 S A Nursery. to make him available to South In his only attempt at 1600m, African breeders, rather than Rafeef finished fourth to exporting him. Champion Miler and Horse of the By sire of sires Redoute’s Year Legal Eagle in the Group 1 Choice, Rafeef is out of former Horse Chestnut Stakes. South African Champion Rafeef’s trainer Mike de Kock Racemare and multiple Group commented: “We knew from One heroine National Colour the start that Rafeef was an and raced ten times for six wins exceptionally talented horse Rafeef and three places, earning R1.19 gifted with brilliance. We saw million in prize money. only a glimpse of that in the Craig Carey of Highlands coming to the farm. Our special Rafeef won the 2017 Group 1 Computaform Sprint and I have thanked Malherbe for putting thanks must go to Mike de Computaform Sprint over 1000m no doubt he would have won many together “a very nice group of Kock, who fought hard for with a riveting run, defeating more Group Ones had he been shareholders” and said: “We Rafeef to stay in South Africa. Champion Sprinters Carry On kept in training. He has the ‘wow’ are naturally very pleased to This is a very exciting venture Alice and Talktothestars, as well looks to go with his ‘wow’ ability.” have a horse of this calibre for us.” Al Adiyat is available at ADNOC petrol stations throughout the UAE, as well as EPPCO petrol stations in Dubai 15 14 June 2017 Cupid arrows to Santa Anita Gold BY NICK GODFREY going to ride Cupid. He liked our ATER on the same day other runner, American Freedom, Churchill won the Irish but I wanted to do it differently.” L 2000 Guineas, his owners, American Freedom, who started a Coolmore partnership, were the hot favourite, was only fifth celebrating Grade One success in under Martin Garcia. America when Cupid landed the Away from the bright lights, 1m2f Gold Cup at Santa Anita, Cupid made plenty of cash as a obviously staged at Santa Anita. 3yo with victories below the top Trained by , the 4yo level in the West Virginia and son of Champion Sire Tapit had Indiana Derbys. been off the track for eight months “We took the back roads with but hit the front at the top of the him last year and made over a straight under Rafael Bejarano, million dollars,” added Baffert. “He sporting the colours of Derrick has changed a lot and really filled Cupid Lady Eli Smith, before powering clear. out. He’s always been a beautiful that fast pace might get to The 5yo, whose career was It was a sixth winner in the race, horse. Coolmore have been great American Freedom.” interrupted by a serious bout of formerly known as the Hollywood keeping him in training and I On the same card, star turf mare laminitis in 2015, was beaten a Gold Cup, for Baffert. landed a Grade One which is very Lady Eli claimed her fourth win at head at Keeneland on her seasonal “His class showed up and important for a horse like him. the highest level for Chad Brown debut but made no mistake here, he’s been working so well,” said “We brought two really good when securing the 1m1f Gamely leading early in the straight and Baffert. “I told Bejarano he was horses today and I thought Stakes under Irad Ortiz. running on strongly. Farhh opens his account ARLEY’S first crop sire Farhh himself won on his only Farhh sired his first start at two, landing a 7f maiden D winner when Fa Ul Sciur at Newmarket by six lengths. was victorious on his racecourse He then progressed through debut in Rome last week. the ranks, finishing second Sent off favourite, the Stefano in the Group 1 Juddmonte Botti-trained colt took the 7f International, Eclipse, Sussex contest by a length from the Stakes and Prix du Moulin, more experienced Isole Canarie. before rounding off his Bred by Azienda Agricola racing career with victories Francesca SRL, he is out of the in the Group 1 Lockinge and Italian Group Three winner Rosa . Del Dubai making him a half- His yearlings made up brother to two Stakes winners, to £170,000; he has a first including this year’s Group 2 crop of 38 and he stood this Oaks d’Italia heroine Folega, a season at Dalham Hall Stud daughter of . for £8,000. Farhh Reason alights for disappointing effort from Aneen

LANS are on Prendergast said: “There hold for Sheikh are no excuses as she would P Hamdan’s Aneen never have beaten Winter after the filly pulled on the day, but she may muscles when finishing have finished closer. seventh in the Irish 1000 “Chris Hayes said she was Guineas, trainer Kevin never striding out properly Prendergast revealed the and unfortunately she day after the race. pulled muscles behind. She A Lawman half-sister was quite lame this morning to Awtaad, who was so we’ll back off her and give victorious for the owner her some time to recover. and stable in last season’s “She should be able to get Irish 2000 Guineas, Aneen over it pretty soon and we’ll was having her first start bring her back for a Listed of the season in the race somewhere and try to fillies’ showpiece. get some black type.” 15 2017 June 15 Friend Able to enjoy deserved retirement

HREE days after the to identify him, to see him go retirement of Solow was from provincial racing to being, T announced, the world of at one time, the world’s highest racing lost another star miler rated horse. While we’ll miss with the confirmed retirement him, I’m sure when he gets back of Hong Kong star Able Friend. to the farm where he was born Able Friend was rated the best he’ll enjoy a lovely retirement, horse in the world at one point probably eyeballing sheep of his highly successful career and cattle!” which officially ended with a His owner Dr Cornel Li Fook parade in front of his multitude Kwan died in April and the of fans at Sha Tin during a gelding’s retirement had been special ceremony to honour his hinted at due to the recurrence numerous achievements. of a tendon problem that had No horse trained in Hong sidelined him previously. Kong has ever been rated higher Able Friend will retire to Doing what he did best - winning than Able Friend, whose trainer the farm in New South Wales, John Moore said: “He was the Australia, where he was foaled, equal of any horse on the planet having won 13 of his 26 at his peak. races, notably the Hong Kong “He’ll be remebered as a Mile in 2014 and Champions legend here. He’s earned his Mile in 2015. place in Hong Kong folklore as Jockey Joao Moreira, who that strapping, big chestnut won on him seven times, said: with the electrifying turn of “Very few horses here have foot. The public really took to given me what he has. I’m not him, he had them in awe with talking about prize money but some of the things he did. He I’m talking about pride. just obliterated the best here in “Everything that has come Hong Kong. from him has been very special. “It was a great privilege for He has a place in my heart and me to have had the opportunity I’m very happy he is going to have to be involved with Able Friend; a beautiful life in a paddock.” A fond farewell

was no problem today; she went in sweetly. Step back up in class awaits Nezwaah “We needed to get a race into WNED by Sheikh found themselves trapped on in behind two horses but her as the big races are coming Ahmed, the very useful the rail when looking to once she was in the clear it wasn’t up fast and this was ideal.” O Nezwaah provided make a challenge. a problem. The absent Varian added: “I Andrea Atzeni with an ultimately Forced to switch round the field “She’s done everything I asked have always thought a great comfortable victory in the and forfeit several lengths into of her and there are a lot of big deal of Nezwaah and this was a Listed 1m2f Rothesay Stakes the bargain, the hot favourite races she can go for now.” most pleasing return to action. at Ayr, a course the jockey had quickened impressively to Trainer Roger Varian did not We dipped her into Grade One never previously visited. stretch clear in the final furlong make the trip to Ayr, but his pupil company last year and that is His only ride on the card, and defeat Sophie P by almost assistant Felix Lepeudry said: “It where she will hopefully end up the 4yo daughter of Dubawi, four lengths. was unfortunate what happened once again. trained by Roger Varian, “I couldn’t be more pleased last time when she broke out “She currently holds entries at was always travelling best with her,” said Atzeni. “It was a of the stalls at Newmarket and Royal Ascot in both the Duke Of of the five runners but they slight worry when I got boxed had to be withdrawn but there Cambridge and Group 1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes, as well as at the Curragh in the Group 1 . We will let the dust settle before making a plan.” With Atzeni on duty in Scotland, Harry Bentley was in the saddle on the same owner’s Wadigor, also in the care of

© Focusonracing Archive Varian, who made it three © Racing Post wins from as many starts in a mile handicap on the Kempton Polytrack on his seasonal debut. A 4yo son of Champs Elysees, he looks highly progressive and is clearly versatile having also won Nezwaah Varian & Atzeni on Tapeta and turf. 15 16 June 2017 BLOODSTOCK Arab Springboard for Ballymacoll dispersal AGERLY anticipated, the at Meydan and the Tattersalls dispersal of stock from Gold Cup at The Curragh. E the historic County Meath A son of proven sire of sires in nursery of Ballymacoll Stud begins Monsun, Arab Spring is one of six at the Tattersalls July Sale with winners out of the mare Arab Spring the first offering due Spring Symphony, and is a half- to go under the hammer. brother to the Group One winner Winner of the 2015 John Porter Glass Harmonium, now standing Stakes and the 2016 September at stud at Blue Gum Farm in Stakes, both Group Three Australia, and also Holda, the contests, the 7yo son of Monsun dam of recent Group 2 Middleton was trained by Sir Michael Stoute. Stakes winner Blond Me. A winner of six races and placed Spring Symphony is a winning Arab Spring on five other occasions, from 15 half-sister to the Stoute-trained starts, he was denied in a photo , a dual Breeders’ Cup Turf of the Ballymacoll stock,” said Arab Spring will be consigned on his seasonal debut this year in scorer for Ballymacoll, tracing back Stoute. “He has been a pleasure to by Stoute’s Freemason Lodge the Listed Winter Derby Trial by to the influential broodmare Sunny train. Such classy sons of Monsun Stables, and will be offered for sale , who has gone Gulf. “Arab Spring is a quality, are hard to come by now and he on Friday 14 July, the final of the on to win the Group 1 Jebel Hatta talented individual like so many is an interesting stallion prospect.” sale’s three days. Not one, but two, as Rio Fancy a Royal Ascot runner? opens Stakes account Heated bidding expected at ARLEY’S French-based The now Godolphin-owned filly palatial The Orangery! sophomore sire Rio De had previously run in the colours of D La Plata supplied his Theresa Marnane, whose husband XCITING International Those initially catalogued first Stakes winner when Con had a significant role in the prospects, Royal Ascot include Group 1 Commonwealth landed the 1600m Listed Prix story of Rio De La Plata, having E juveniles, black type fillies Cup contenders Lockheed, des Lilas at Maisons-Laffitte last sold him to Darley for 170,000gns and high class breeding stock Straight Right, Mr Scarlet and Saturday before doubling the at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze- make up the initial select entries Legendary Lunch, as well as tally, just 30 minutes later, when up Sale in 2007, having purchased for this year’s Goffs London Sale, Ornate, who is entered in the Aiming For Rio landed the Listed him as a yearling for $75,000 to be held on Monday, the eve Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes. Marchand d’Or over 1300m. at Keeneland. of Royal Ascot, at Kensington A 3yo son of Exceed And Excel Thais is trained by Pascal A tough and consistent son of Palace’s The Orangery. owned by the China Horse Club, Bary and has now won two , Rio De La Plata won eight Nineteen lots were confirmed Lockheed finished third in the of her seven starts as well as of his 30 starts including three to date with a number of wild card Group 1 National Stakes as a twice finishing third in Group European Group One events, additions, as has become traditional, juvenile. This year, he was runner- Three contests. namely the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere expected between now and the sale. up in the German 2000 Guineas She was listed as not sold at at two, and both the Premio All horses-in-training will on his most recent start last €140,000 at the 2015 Arqana Vittorio di Capua and Premio Roma be offered with Royal Ascot month and looks sure to attract October Yearling Sale. during his 5yo campaign. engagements. The event is by plenty of prospective buyers. Aiming For Rio is now a winner He retired to Darley’s French invitation only and prospective It had already been revealed four times, including when base at Haras du Logis in 2013, purchasers must ensure that that one of the likely stars of becoming his sire’s very first where he is standing the 2017 they are registered owners in a the show Millevini, a Hawk winner in May of last year. season at a fee of €5,500. recognised racing jurisdiction in Wing half-sister to St Leger order for the BHA to facilitate a and Racing Post Trophy winner change of ownership and allow , was to be offered a horse to run at Royal Ascot in foal to and with a under new ownership. Frankel filly foal at foot.

Rio De La Plata Lockheed (right) 15 2017 June 17

BY BEVERLEY TOWNSEND ULTIPLE Grade One Roses In May’s sire put down winner and sire Devil prolonged battle and dead-heat M His Due was euthanised with Lure in the 1992 Grade 2 recently, due to infirmities of Gotham Stakes. old age. Bred in Kentucky by Peter E Devil His Due carried the Blum, out of the Raise A Cup mare colours of Lion Crest Stable to Plenty O’Toole, he entered stud the winner’s enclosure on ten of at Margaux Farm in Kentucky his 41 starts, earning just short in 1996. of $4 million. From just 1048 foals in 18 In the care of the late Hall of crops, Devil His Due sired 40 black Fame trainer H Allen Jerkens, the type winners, including 2005 son of Devil’s Bag won the Wood Dubai World Cup hero Roses In Memorial Invitational Stakes, May and Alcibiades Stakes scorer Devil His Due Roses in May Gulfstream Park Handicap, She’s A Devil Due. He was pensioned from stallion of racehorse anyone would want Pimlico Special Handicap and the His influence has also been felt duty following the 2013 breeding to own or breed. His soundness Suburban Handicap twice. as a broodmare sire, producing season, aged 24. “Devil His Due and resilience was matched only Considered one of the top the dams of 20 Stakes winners, was a truly great horse,” said by the tenacity he instilled in his handicap horses of his generation, including eight time Grade One Margaux Farm general manager offspring. He will be missed by all he will also be remembered for a scorer Game On Dude. Michael Hardy. “He was the type here at the farm.” Curlin colt sets Maryland record BY BEVERLEY TOWNSEND Breeze Easy and John Oxley sale, but also for a Thoroughbred That humour referenced the ASIG-TIPTON staged signed the docket for the sold at public auction in the state gutsy runner-up effort by his their Midlantic 2yos in individual who not only set a new of Maryland. Classic Empire at Pimlico the F Training Sale last month record price for this particular It was not the colt’s first trip previous Saturday, when the Casse- and it proved a memorable through this particular sales ring trained Champion Juvenile was occasion with a son of Curlin, having been sold last July, as a caught late by Cloud Computing. winner of the 2008 Dubai World yearling, for $475,000 making Whether the colt Casse Cup, selling for $1.5 million. him the most expensive offering selected on behalf of his clients at that particular sale. John C Oxley and Breeze Easy will He is a half-brother to the be a Classic contender next year Stakes winners Swinger’s remains to be seen, but he has all Party and Hubba Shake, the potential of a horse who could while their dam, the winning compete at the highest level. Stormin Fever mare Franscat, Casse was certainly happy with comes from the family of the his major purchase and said: “He’s triple Group One winner and just a beautiful horse and there sire Ogygian. aren’t many better sires than Emerging from the Fasig- Curlin. I was actually underbidder Photos by Z Tipton Midlantic offices shortly on him last July. after the sale, trainer Mark “He’s been on my radar a long Casse, who will prepare the colt, time. I had actually watched him joked: “We’re trying to find the at the farm. He was not cheap but Preakness winner for next year!” we knew he would not be.” Top lot

BY BEVERLEY TOWNSEND

RESHMAN sire Sonjeu a double first for Intello Intello, winner of the F mare Wait And See and Trained by Andre Fabre, in 2013, made the perfect was sold for €120,000 at Intello won twice at two start to his stud career last year’s Arqana October before becoming Champion when his very first runner Yearling Sale. 3yo Colt in Europe, winning won on debut in a juvenile Second in a 1m1f the Jockey Club and finishing maiden over an extended Group Three contest in third in both the Prix 5f at Tarbes in France. France, Wait And See is a Jacques la Marois and the Trained by Christophe three-parts sister to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Ferland for the Wertheimer Group 3 Prix Allez France The son of stood brothers, Sonjeu came home scorer Daksha, out of an his first two seasons at two and a half lengths clear. unplaced daughter of the Cheveley Park Stud before Bred by the Vidal family, classy Golden Opinion. his transfer to Haras du the filly is the third of four She also has a yearling Le Quesnay, where he is foals out of the Havre filly. standing at €25,000. Intello 15 18 June 2017 Mustajeeb relocating Roussel pays first instalment OUTH AFRICA’S Bush continue in the ownership of his Hill Stud has gained a breeder, Sheikh Hamdan. of record purchase price S new recruit for the 2017 From the outstanding family of breeding season in Group Two Allegretta, he is closely related to ODOLPHIN’S Roussel, and half-sister to another winning sprinter Mustajeeb. Tamayuz, who has enjoyed such who topped the Goffs classy sprinter in the Group 3 The talented 6yo son of Nayef, success as a young sire this spring. G UK Breeze-Up Sale Prix du Petit Couvert winner trained by Dermot Weld to win Retired to stud in 2015, he took in April when purchased for and third four races including both the up stallion duties at Overbury Stud £360,000 by Dick O’Gorman, Bishops Court. Greenlands and , in Gloucestershire and his first foals took the first step towards Roussel’s price tag also the latter in a record time, will are on the ground this spring. justifying his record price tag justified the decision of Tally Ho for that auction when winning Stud, who purchased Roussel for a 5f novice stakes on debut at €68,000 as a foal and offered Leicester at the end of May. him at , to retain the In a closely fought finish, with a colt when the bidding reached length separating the first three, €58,000 at last year’s Goffs the Charlie Appleby-trained Orby Yearling Sale. Roussel held on by almost a Roussel looks a likely candidate length from the Requinto colt to follow in the footprints of Demons Rock, with another Prince Of Lir and Ardad, both Kodiac colt, Alaska, in third. sons of Kodiac, who jointly Bred by Tom Darcy And topped the 2016 Goffs UK Vincent McCarthy, Roussel is a Breeze-Up Sale at £170,000. Mustajeeb half-brother to the The pair went on to score at last filly Ponty Royale, a winner over year’s Royal Ascot, in the Group 2 six and seven furlongs, out of the Norfolk Stakes and Listed Windsor Frankel’s influence unplaced Noverre mare Sodashy. Castle Stakes respectively. Sodashy is a half-sister to the expanding Stateside Group 3 Cornwallis Stakes winner UDDMONTE sire Frankel Stakes. Since delivering Rubilinda, Ponty Acclaim, broke new ground in his she has produced a 2yo filly by out of Leopard J second career when siring Street Cry and a colt foal by Creek, a sister to his first American winner at Empire Maker. the prolific Listed Belmont at the end of May. Her first foal is trained by Chad winning sprinter The heavily backed debutante Brown, formerly assistant to and Epsom Dash Rubilinda, carrying the same Bobby Frankel, after whom Khalid scorer Astonished, Don Alberto colours as her sire’s Abdullah named his champion. first ever winner Cunco, showed Brown dedicated his recent tremendous acceleration to cut Preakness Stakes success with through from last and win a 6f Cloud Computing to his mentor. Cityscape off the maiden by over three lengths. Brown’s barn recently took The 3yo was purchased in delivery of Cunco, who opened utero along with her dam, the Frankel’s account as a sire at mark with Ballymount BY BEVERLEY TOWNSEND Invincible Spirit mare Rubina, for Newbury last spring and showed An 11yo son of Selkirk, Cityscape 475,000gns at the Tattersalls that he has trained on when INNER of Meydan’s is a half-brother to Bated Breath, December Sale in 2013, a year winning the Sandown Classic Trial 2012 Dubai Turf, in a Group Two winner who was after being culled from the Aga on his reappearance. But Cunco W its former guise as second in Group One company on Khan Studs at Goffs for €190,000. did not fare quite so well in the the Dubai Duty Free, Cityscape four occasions. During her days with , Chester Vase and has since left sired his first winner when his son, Remarkably, besides his Meydan Rubina narrowly missed a Group John Gosden to try his luck in the Ballymount, scored on his second success, Cityscape, who stands at One victory in the Moyglare Stud United States. start over 6f at Senonnes-Pouance Overbury Stud at a fee of £4,500, in France. was himself runner-up four times at Trained by Eoghan O’Neill for the highest level. wife Melissa, the gelding had finished fourth on debut over slightly shorter at Chateaubriant last month. Ballymount is the second foal out of the placed Amadeus Wolf mare Symphony Star, a half-sister to Jersey Stakes second Deposer. He sold as a foal at Tattersalls for 5,700gns and again, the following year, to O’Neill for €14,000 at Rubilinda the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale. Cityscape 15 2017 June 19 Oaks glory Enables Nathaniel to eclipse old rival Frankel EATEN by less than a length on his debut in a B mile Newmarket maiden by Frankel, the narrowest victory of the 14, including ten Group Ones, by the equine superstar, Nathaniel has gained revenge, of sorts. Again second on his sole other juvenile outing, the now 9yo son of Galileo lost his maiden tag on his 3yo seasonal debut and would register four career victories, Frankel beats Nathaniel Nathaniel finishes King George in splendid isolation highlighted by the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Enable is out of the Sadler’s in both the Epsom and Enable also became the 24th Stakes in 2011. Wells mare Concentric, a Listed Curragh Oaks in 1987. homebred European Classic As a sire, his first crop, as are winner in France over 1m2f and a Concentric has a 2yo colt winner to carry the familiar that of Frankel, are this year’s sister to Dance Routine, a Group by Dansili named Centroid, a green, pink and white silks of 3yo Classic generation and his Two winner over 1m4f and dam yearling filly by the same sire Khalid Abdullah, the driving daughter, Enable, winning the Oaks of globetrotting multiple Group and was then covered by Frankel force behind the mighty ensured, of the pair, he was first to One winner . last year. Juddmonte breeding operation sire a Classic winner in Europe. Concentric is out of Apogee, An unusual aspect of Enable’s and a number which, of course, Frankel, though, was responsible a daughter of pedigree is her close inbreeding included Frankel. for last month’s Japanese Oaks who won the Group 3 Prix du to Sadler’s Wells. Nathaniel is a Juddmonte have also been heroine, Soul Stirring, while the Royaumont over 1m4f, and paternal grandson and Concentic responsible for having bred the unheralded No Risk At All was first Apogee was in turn a daughter of is a daughter, so the Classic winner of the 2003 St Leger in Europe courtesy of Polish 1000 Bourbon Girl, an heroine is bred 3x2 to the breed- Brian Boru, who carried the Guineas heroine Mona Kerbili. mare who finished second to shaping Coolmore stallion. colours of Coolmore.

A TIENCE is a virtue we are always told growing Classic success for Pour Moi, P up. The breeding of Thoroughbreds is far from an exact science but when Pour Coolmore’s latest National Hunt Sire Moi landed the 2011 Derby his retirement to the breeding sheds Ballydoyle axis, so dominant in this year may well have enjoyed added his name to the list of was eagerly anticipated. Europe for the past generation. a bargain. his sire’s winning juveniles but Six years later, in a style But perhaps not; Pour Moi A son of Montjeu, whose own was then beaten in two reminiscent of his own Epsom had not initially set the world male progeny have been making subsequent runs. success, his son Wings Of Eagles alight as a sire and, this year, a mark as National Hunt sires, Inexperience was offered as emulated his sire with a rattling found himself rebranded as a Pour Moi had clearly fallen out of a reason though those ever late challenge. National Hunt sire; ‘exiled’ to favour as a prospective producer keen to crab his sire’s progeny Another Epsom Derby was Grange Stud. of quality on the Flat. leant towards the ‘suspect heading to Aidan O’Brien and However, from his second crop, Montjeu sired four Epsom Derby attitude’ theory. Ballydoyle with a horse sired by a he is now sire of the winner of winners, a record he shares with Fast forward to 2016 and a Coolmore stallion. the world’s most prestigious Flat three others dating back a hundred return at Chester with a promising So, all must be rosy for the race and, thus, National Hunt years and more , but his offspring second to stable companion Venice all conquering Coolmore and breeders who utilised his services were renowned for their delicate Beach, despite hanging markedly. temperament, a trait often passed For the record, a son of Galileo, on by themselves. Venice Beach was well beaten, in Pour Moi’s first crop of juveniles, twelfth, at Epsom. in 2015, mustered a handful of Wings Of Eagles cost wins, highlighted by Listed winner, connections €220,000 as an Only Mine. That horse graduated Arqana August yearling and has to Group Three success at three, more than justified the price tag. but the first real sign of hope last Whether Wings Of Eagles’ year came in Australia, where Epsom effort proves a flash in the Sacred Elixir vindicated Pour Moi’s pan remains to be seen; perhaps shuttle to Windsor Park Stud in he can progress with experience? New Zealand with Group One But, for Pour Moi, ‘blueblooded’ success in the JJ Atkins Stakes. Flat mares appear a thing of the Last August, Wings Of Eagles, past unless, of course, Coolmore Pour Moi Wings of Eagles beaten out of sight on debut, perform a dramatic U-turn. Horsemanship, knowledge & experience.

At Derrinstown we have never wavered from our desire to give breeders access to some of the best bloodlines in the world at fees which they can afford and this policy has served both the stud and our clients for over three decades.

Derrinstown: Maynooth, County Kildare, Ireland T: +353 (0) 1 6286228 F: +353 (0) 1 6286733 E: [email protected] W: derrinstown.com 15 2017 June 21 MANSOUR FESTIVAL NEWS Zayed Cup joy for Metrag, Coccia and Bihari book Abu Dhabi spots

BY DUANE FONSECA Zayed Cup race in Toulouse in November and now I hope I can HE TALENTED Metrag April. But he was a class apart in carry my country’s flag on the big bounced back from a this Listed 2400m contest. stage with a good finish.” T disappointing run to win The 5yo son of Amer, trained by Meanwhile, Bihari claimed the Listed Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Thomas Fourcy, was kept just off success in the apprentice event Al Nahyan Cup with a performance the pace and was let loose in the over 1700m, in doing so marking worthy of a champion at the final 400m. a successful return to competitive Capanelle racecourse in Rome in He ran on well thereafter riding. She had been a regular early June. finishing four lengths clear of the competitor at the Festival, but a Three races were held as part of Gunter Richter-saddled Ramiz rift in her national federation had the ‘Abu Dhabi Day’ race meeting Al Aziz under Mauro Manueddu, left her in the cold for nearly two at Capanelle under the umbrella of with Nil Aziz taking third under years. With the issues resolved the HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Carlo Fiocchi. in May, Bihari was eligible to ride Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Italian riders secured a 1-2 in the and the Capanelle meeting marked Flat Racing Festival. Abu Dhabi HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak her return to racing in style as the Day in Rome also saw jockeys Guilia Ladies World Championship 24yo won on the back of Loskhar, Bihari Coccia from Italy and Hungary’s race when Coccia and Sedilesu the pair demolishing their rivals to HE Saqr Nasser Al Raisi, UAE Alexandra Bihari booking their produced a strong finish in the win by nearly five lengths. Ambassador to Italy, Bosnia and berths in the finals of the HH final 200m of the 1800m contest It was Bihari’s 26th victory in 301 Herzegovina, Macedonia and Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak to edge Italian countrywoman starts and she said: “This is like a San Marino, as well as festival Ladies and Apprentice World Debora Fioretti aboard Tabasco. rebirth for me. My horse was all representative, Lara Sawaya, other Championships respectively. Coccia said: “I was a late entrant over the place but at the end we sponsors’ representatives and Metrag had finished seventh to and I am so happy to qualify for managed to get into a steady pace Italian racing officials, awarded Khataab in the Festival’s Sheikh the final. It is a great event in and the win is a great moment.” the trophies.

Metrag Coccia

15 2017 June 23 LOCKINGE STAKES William Buick Improvisation rewarded with

Lockinge glory Ribchester HEN PLAN A has to run almost two furlongs from Mohammed, but in my mind I that served only to give Appleby be aborted within home at which point Ribchester would love to think he’d get a mile more confidence before the race. W seconds of the start, was quickening the tempo and, and a quarter. Do we have to go Of the 5yo son of Kitten’s Joy, jockeys have to think ‘on their with a furlong remaining, had the there at the minute? No. he explained: “People were asking saddle’ which is just what William race in the bag. “I thought he’d win in Dubai and me if I was worried, but if he Buick did, to great effect, aboard For Godolphin, it was a record I was disappointed, but maybe didn’t sweat like that then I’d be Godolphin’s Ribchester in the eighth win in the race and fourth he was a bit fresh. He picked up worried. That’s the nature of the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes over in the last five years. “I was half a million quid on the way and beast. I couldn’t be more pleased. the straight mile at Newbury. nervous, and I don’t do nerves,” he’s thrived from that. This guy “He’s entered in everything, Their pacemaker and stable said winning trainer Richard is special.” but the key thing is the ground companion, Toscanini, missed Fahey. “It’s a big day and you just It was a big race double on the and I can’t say where he’s going the break, leaving the stalls want to perform and god he did. I card for both Buick and Godolphin to go until we see what nature last whereas Buick’s mount enjoyed that. after the earlier emphatic victory does. If we’re going to compete pinged the gates and they found “The pacemaker missed the of Hawkbill in the Group 3 Aston at the top level it needs to be in themselves in the lead. kick so it was Plan B, but I always Park Stakes over 1m4f. soft ground.” Plan B was required and Buick thought Ribchester could do Like Ribchester, Hawkbill was They were two of four decided to let Ribchester stride something like that. soon in front and was never Godolphin winners on the on and the 4yo son of Iffraaj “I wasn’t disappointed because headed, Buick winding the pace afternoon in the UK with settled beautifully, unlike in he seemed relaxed in front. He’s up early in the straight and Appleby combining with Martin Dubai when he pulled hard in the mentally mature and physically the pair soon having the race Lane to land both legs of a Dubai Turf at Meydan. getting better all the time.” under control. 1m4f maiden at Thirsk with Key Meanwhile, on The man on top was also far “We purposely went out there Bid and Ottonian. Toscanini decided not to rush his from panicked by his pacemaker’s to lead because that’s what On the same day, Sheikh mount to the front, concerned absence, always feeling he had caught us out in France on his Hamdan also celebrated four that, if he did, he would ‘set matters under control at the previous start,” said winning winners, all representing Ribchester alight’. head of affairs. trainer Charlie Appleby. different trainers, including a Galileo Gold, an old adversary Buick said: “It wasn’t the initial “He’s versatile with trip but the treble at Newmarket highlighted and, on paper, seemingly the main plan to be in front, but Richard key thing is soft ground. He’s one by the success of Taamol in the danger to Ribchester, raced alone always says go with the horse of the few who can quicken in 7f Listed King Charles II Stakes. under Frankie Dettori, seemingly rather than against it. He likes to that ground.” He was saddled by Sir Michael a length behind Buick’s mount use his stride and keeps finding. Winner of last year’s Stoute and one of three winners but refusing to settle. He’s a very classy miler.” Group 1 Coral Eclipse at for the owner on the day He paid the price for racing Fahey added: “I have to speak to Sandown, Hawkbill was awash partnered by retained jockey, over exuberantly and his race was the Godolphin team and Sheikh with sweat in the paddock, but Jim Crowley.

Ribchester Hawkbill 15 24 June 2017 UK RACING

Grimthorpe, Moore & Stoute in discussion

Mori All photos © Racing Post It’s all in the blood and blue at that ENES play a huge part in as her father won two Sussex the race. As you can see by his in a titanic struggle with Apphia horseracing so, on that Stakes and her mother won three breeding and the way he won, he throughout the final furlong G basis, it was no surprise Nassaus. If we were ever to breed wants further. in a 3yo fillies only maiden when Mori landed the Listed a winner for Goodwood, this “William Buick said he was very over the same almost 1m2f trip Height of Fashion Stakes, over is the one. happy with him. To be honest, as the feature. just short of 1m2f and restricted “When she won at Ascot, she with a horse like that, you would With Jim Crowley riding for to 3yo fillies, at Goodwood. was doing her best work in the look at Royal Ascot. Simon Crisford, Hadeeqa, a A 3yo daughter of Frankel, last furlong and really today it “He is qualified to run in the homebred daughter of Cape winner of the Group 1 Sussex was pretty much the same thing. Chesham and if we are going to Cross, looked set to make it third Stakes, Goodwood’s biggest race “I think all being well we will send him there, that would be the time lucky after one previous of the season, in both 2011 and head to Royal Ascot for the one to go for. We do like him and I outing as a juvenile and another 2012, her dam, Midday was an Ribblesdale and take it from there. think he has a lot of class.” this year, but the Ed Walker- unprecedented triple winner of On that, you’d be pretty confident Connections were denied a trained Apphia and William Buick the Group 1 , the she’d have no problems getting a double when Secret Advisor was fought back valiantly. course’s annual feature for fillies mile and a half. unable to overhaul Eynhallow As the two protagonists flashed and mares. “She was green first time out in a handicap over 1m1f. Jamie past the post in unison, but well Homebred, like her parents, by at Newbury, and it was a learning Spencer partnered the winner for apart on the track, opinion was Prince Khalid Abdulla, she did not curve at Ascot, but she was quite Roger Charlton. divided as to who had prevailed. race as a juvenile before finishing professional today. She was really Sheikh Hamdan’s Hadeeqa, It transpired both had; the judge second, in April, at Newbury well balanced and relaxed.” on her third start, was involved announcing a dead-heat. in a maiden. Earlier, Godolphin’s Masar Trained by Sir Michael Stoute, produced an excellent effort to she shed her maiden tag three make a winning debut in the weeks later, at Ascot, two weeks opening 6f juvenile novice stakes before this career best effort with William Buick and Charlie with aboard on all Appleby continuing their rich vein three occasions. of form. Moore allowed her to race The 2yo homebred son of New prominently throughout in Approach is the second foal out company with Coconut Crème. It of Kawlah, Godolphin’s 2011 UAE was clear early in the straight that Derby and Oaks heroine. the pair would fight out the finish, Although one of the first off with Mori eventually poking her the bridle and racing in rear, he head in front with half a furlong managed to weave his way to the to run before going on to win by front to deny Invincible Army by a almost two lengths. short-head. Teddy Grimthorpe, racing Assistant trainer James manager to the owner, said: “She Ferguson said: “He did it the right is bred to win at Goodwood, way, as he learnt a lot during Buick & Appleby 15 2017 June 25 Double for Moore and Orange just juicy ANDOWN played host big, burly horse so he would have to the major evening needed his first run. To be honest, S fixture of the UK season I would have been happy if he had late last month with Ryan Moore finished in the first three. partnering half of the four feature “As a yearling he dislocated his race winners. shoulder, as normally we offer all The official feature, the our colts at the sales. He came Group 3 Stakes back and spent time out recovering over an extended 1m1f, was from the injury. It is great to see a All photos ©focusonracing.com sadly robbed of ‘star turn’ So Mi performance like that and it makes Dar on the morning of the race him rather exciting now. but produced an impressive “His plans need to be reviewed performance nonetheless. now and obviously I need to speak Sir Michael Stoute and Moore to Sir Michael Stoute, as he could notched their third Brigadier not be there this evening either.” Gerard victory in seven years when The Richard Hannon stable took Autocratic weaved through rivals the Listed Heron Stakes, over a to score decisively. mile and restricted to 3yos, for Autocratic Positioned in behind pacesetter the third time in ten years when pressure, the further they pulled under PJ McDonald to give trainer and market leader Chain Of Daises Khafoo Shememi, under Moore, away. As they crossed the line Karl Burke victory in the Listed for much of the race, Moore was kept all at bay and repelled the late Dettori raised his hand aloft in National Stakes, a 5f juvenile dash. briefly short of room but managed thrust of Escobar. celebration and marked victory with A five length winner at Ayr on his to find a gap between the fading Hannon said: “He looked a smart a flying dismount to wild applause. previous start, Havana Grey needed leaders and came with a strong run horse when he won the Easter “It was so nice the reception to improve but did so professionally, to hold off Algometer by more than Stakes then he went to a handicap he recieved here,” said Bell. “It’s while some of his rivals were let a length. at Ascot and he didn’t run his race. heart warming. These older horses down by inexperience. Only seven went to post He won well here. become so popular. He never saw a rival, with the but what looked a competitive “He tries very hard. He’s a “That was a real confidence favourite, Frozen Angel, making contest beforehand certainly smashing horse who I hope I booster. He’s had some hard races late ground but never getting close proved to be with five of the field can keep for next year. We’ll and travelled round the world in enough to make a telling challenge. holding a realistic chance with a take it steady and don’t need to the last six months. It’s the Ascot Kelly Burke, the winning trainer’s furlong to run. overface him.” Gold Cup next and we pray we get a daughter, said: “The plan is to go It was Autocratic who surged At a tad over two miles, the nice steamy Ascot because he loves to Royal Ascot but we don’t know ahead shortly after and was Group 3 Henry II Stakes was the fast ground. whether to go for the 5f Norfolk or always holding the final challenge the longest race on the card and “He doesn’t have to make the 6f Coventry. of Algometer. Frankie Dettori was never headed running. If something wants to go “The way he ran there Stoute was not present, nor was on Big Orange, a close fourth in front of him they’re probably you would probably say five owner Cheveley Park Stud’s racing in the Dubai Gold Cup on his committing suicide because he has furlongs, but that will be up manager, Chris Richardson who, previous outing. this relentless gallop. If something to the boss. when contacted, said: “He won very Twice a winner, leads him they’re probably not “He’s such a straightforward well. He is an impressive looking Big Orange loves fast ground and, going to stay there.” horse, all he wants to do is please horse and we have always had after a sunny spell in England, Dettori said: “It’s the third time you. He’ll definitely be better confidence in him, especially Sir found his ideal conditions and I’ve ridden him and I’m beginning taking a lead but we didn’t want Michael Stoute. perfect partner to land the spoils to know him. Michael trains him so to lose that rail because he had “Things just didn’t go his way for Michael Bell. well to get an older horse like that a good draw. last term, but tonight looked an They turned into the straight to keep his enthusiasm.” He showed second time out he impressive performance and it was with rivals queuing up to pounce, Earlier, Havana Grey proved too does improve with something to a great ride by Ryan Moore. He is a but the more they poured on the quick out in front as he made all aim for.”

Big Orange Havana Grey 15 26 June 2017 Dettori stars on a sweet afternoon for Candy

ROMISED a special Buckley, the clerk of the course panama hat by Goodwood and I want a panama with the P to mark 30 years since his anniversary engraved on it. He first winner at the course, and in said, ‘Done!’, so that is sorted and Britain, Frankie Dettori was seen will be a great memento.” at his best winning Goodwood’s The rest of the card was Cocked Hat Stakes aboard Khalidi. dominated by trainer Henry The anniversary falls next Candy who saddled a treble with month and, now aged 46, Dettori his fourth runner, Vibrant Chords, is showing no signs of slowing second in a 6f handicap to deny down as the pair smashed the him the perfect afternoon. 1m3f track record in a race Noble Peace and traditionally considered the final Harry Bentley set trial for the Derby. However, this Henry Candy the ball rolling in year, it was only contested eight the move because nobody else a 7f handicap, days before Epsom’s highlight of was going. winning by just the UK Flat season. “Then I knew at the furlong a head whereas A date in the King Edward VII marker Monarchs Glen was Queen Of Time Stakes at Royal Ascot is planned beaten. Khalidi is completely laid registered a for the John Gosden-trained back so I knew he’d be fine at the much easier winner after he trimmed 0.23 end and stay on.” victory in a seconds off the benchmark set by He did, finishing five lengths fillies’ handicap Asian Heights in 2001. clear of Fierce Impact, with over a mile. “This form is solid,” said Dettori, the fading Monarchs Glen in She could who declined a flying dismount fourth, one place behind the be heading but was beaming all day, emerging disappointment of the race, to Royal from the weighing room to pose favourite Raheen House. Ascot for the for ‘selfies’ with fans before racing. Conditions were perfect for the Sandringham “I think he had a day off at 1m3f track record to be broken, Handicap in Newmarket last time and the as Dettori detailed: “It was fast an attempt winner is talented. He was never ground with the wind behind and to emulate travelling that day and made hard with that kind of pace I’m not Queen work of it. But today he felt good surprised. And I think there are Of Time, and finished strong. The King only two races a year here over however, Edward will suit him.” this trip.” could be The Italian maestro did not Royal Ascot- panic when stablemate Monarchs Khalidi was then supplemented bound after Glen roared into a clear lead for the Epsom Derby in which, winning the under Robert Tart turning into partnered by Pat Smullen, he was competitive mile the home straight with most tenth having weakened inside the fillies’ only handicap that of his rivals starting to look final furlong. took before The treble was completed uncomfortable behind. landing the Listed Sandringham in the finale, a 5f handicap Dettori, still on a high after Dettori was just 16 when he Handicap last year for John Gosden. won relatively comfortably winning on Big Orange in the announced his arrival in Britain by Both contests are restricted to by Rebecca Rocks and Henry II at Sandown the previous partnering Lizzie Hare to victory 3yo fillies and a delighted Candy Pat Cosgrave. evening, explained: “I was worried at Goodwood for . smiled: “I might be persuaded to A beaming Candy said: “It has because Monarchs Glen has a lot The date was June 9, 1987 take her to Ascot; if the owners been a great afternoon and the of . If you give him too much and Dettori is anxious to mark it want to do that I’ll certainly have horses are really running into rope, he’ll go. So I decided to make and said: “I’ve spoken to Seamus no objection.” form now.” All photos © www.focusonracing.com

Khalidi Queen of Time 15 2017 June 27 Harry Angel wings it as Cox celebrates Priceless brace RAINER Clive Cox and jockey T celebrated a Group Two sprint double at Haydock at the end of last month, highlighted by the victory of Priceless in the featured over 5f. Well away, the 4yo daughter of Exceed And Excel was soon tracking the pace set by Take Cover and always appeared to be All photos © www.focusonracing.com travelling best of the 12 runners. Urged to set sail for home by Kirby, Priceless hit the front over a furlong out and while Goldream finished powerfully, Cox’s charge held on by half a length with Alpha Delphini a close third. Previously a dual Listed winner, this was a career best from Priceless who had finished fifth Priceless in the Stakes at Newmarket three weeks earlier Clive Cox’s colt won the Mill when Goldream was third. Reef at Newbury on his final start Priceless sports the colours of as a juvenile and there was no Alan Spence as did Profitable who disgrace in his comeback effort won the same race last year for behind Blue Point in the Pavilion Cox and Kirby. He then went to Stakes at Ascot earlier last month. Royal Ascot and landed the Group He was a warm order as hot 1 King’s Stand Stakes before being favourite for this Group Two purchased privately by Godolphin. assignment and his supporters Kirby said: “She’s very good and had few concerns for the duration I was basically riding the best filly of the 6f journey. in the race.” Harry Angel pinged the start in Cox added: “To have consecutive the hands of Kirby and was soon winners in the race for the same bowling along enthusiastically at Priceless, Kirby & Cox owner is very satisfying; he’s a the head of affairs. having some very good horses that’s what I’m proud of. He’s a great man and he’s had horses It was clear entering the after the last couple of years, I very special horse. with me for about 15 years now. final furlong that he was not really couldn’t believe our luck to “He’s just had a bit of anxiety “That was first class. It was for catching and he passed the have this guy. but the talent has always been a really pleasing performance. I post with four and a half lengths “He’s done so well and he’s available, it’s just a case of giving didn’t expect her to come to the in hand. progressed. We had a hiccup him the confidence to prove it. boil as readily as she has this year. Second Thought was given with the stalls, but everyone “Royal Ascot and the “She is maturing into a really a more patient ride by Robert has worked really hard on that. Commonwealth Cup will, without strong filly. She’s still getting Winston and came through to fill He’s going the right way and doubt, be next for him.” better and she has taken a step up the runner-up spot. here. In her younger days she won Kirby said: “He’s a very big, a maiden here and was very green. strong horse and I think we were The next year she was headstrong, all aware there was nothing in the we were trying to get further with race quick enough to lead him. her but dropping down to five “I just let him do it and it will do furlongs has been the key. him good because he’s had a race “I have a great team back home and he’ll improve again from this. and all credit to Kevin Harris, who “I was really pleased with the rides her and Harry Angel.” way he behaved, he’s growing up It was Harry Angel, just over 30 with every run. I think the world minutes earlier, who initiated the of him. double for jockey and trainer when “We haven’t seen the best of he left his rivals trailing in his wake him yet. There’s still more to as he sealed a most impressive come. He’s a machine, this lad.” victory in the 6f Group 2 Sandy Cox added: “He’s just very Lane Stakes, a 3yo only sprint. exciting and after the joy of Harry Angel 15 28 June 2017 EPSOM OAKS

Classic victory Enables Dettori reason for flying dismount

RAMATIC was the only 5f sprinters would struggle to in the closing stages, making post the fastest ever winning time word to describe the muster in a race. viewing conditions, be it through in the Oaks. D 2017 renewal of the 1m4f Luckily, horse and jockey binoculars or via television Enable’s time of 2m 34.13s Group 1 Oaks at Epsom with emerged unscathed but the camera, far from ideal. lowered the previous best of lightning splitting the sky, filly had to be withdrawn with On the track, the race developed 2m 34.19s by Sheikh accompanied by booming rolls of a dejected, and rather damp, into a battle between hot favourite Mohammed’s Intrepidity in 1993. thunder and torrential rain. Peslier lamenting: “I think it was Rhododendron, ridden by Ryan The fastest time ever recorded The atmospherics attributed the thunderclap; she spooked and Moore and trained by Aidan for an Oaks was ‘hand timed’ in to the behaviour of Daddys took off. That’s racing I guess O’Brien, and Enable under Frankie the 1945 wartime event, held at Lil Girl, a first Oaks contender but it is very disappointing for Dettori, before the latter drew away Newmarket, when from America, who careered to everyone concerned.” to win by an impressive five lengths. stopped the watch at 2m 30s. the start under Olivier Peslier Thunder and lightning may Forbidding dark skies and a final The Epsom Downs 1m4f course who was forced to ‘bail out’ as have relented by the time the two furlongs run in a downpour of record is held by Workforce, who his mount headed towards the race began but the precipitation almost biblical proportions were landed the 2010 renewal of the starting stalls at a speed some certainly had not, particularly not enough to prevent Enable Derby in 2m 31.33s.

Enable 15 2017 June 29

Enable’s connections Winning trainer, John Gosden, “She is beautifully bred by good after Chester when she won after early leader and pacemaker landing the race for a second time, Juddmonte, and by old Nathaniel! the Cheshire Oaks.” Pocketfullofdreams faded. said: “That was a real Oaks. The Good old Nathaniel. Sheikh Hamdan’s The favourite looked to be drama before, I hope Olivier is ok, “Frankie and Ryan are good provided Gosden his first Oaks travelling the better of the two and the flash of lightning when friends but they knew they had success in 2014, while Enable but Enable stuck to her guns they were loading into the stalls; it the two best fillies. Ryan said he represents the first crop of admirably and the Aidan O’Brien- was all a bit Hollywood! “I thought was very impressed with our filly Nathaniel who Gosden trained trained filly had no answer to the they were two magnificent fillies; when she beat him at Chester. He to win both the Eclipse and the winner’s staying power. they fought hard all down the knew it was going to be a battle. It King George VI and Queen After the race, Dettori revealed straight. You could see Ryan and was all very exciting. Elizabeth Stakes. that he thought Rhododendron Frankie, who are good mates and “These are both truly fabulous Punters had decided the race was going to beat him as the pair each knew what the other was fillies. Enable is in the Taghrooda was likely to be dominated by came down the straight. going to do. They locked on three class; she followed up her Oaks Rhododendron and Enable. They Having treated delighted out, and I must say, from the win with victory in the King were right and it was precisely how onlookers to his trademark flying three furlong marker to the one, I George VI and Queen Elizabeth the race panned out as the pair dismount, Dettori, winning his thought we were in trouble. Stakes. I felt Enable was that set sail for home two furlongs out, fourth Oaks after Balanchine in 1994, Moonshell in 1995 and Kazzia in 2002, all for Godolphin, enthused: “Early in the straight, when I saw Ryan was not moving, I thought ‘Oh God, I’m in trouble!’ “But once I saw the distress signals coming out, I knew my filly would stay right to the end and she pulled away in the last furlong. Enable has only run three times previously and is very good. She stays well and is still a bit of frame. I think she will get better and better. “Well done to John Gosden and his team at Clarehaven Stables. They have done a great job.” Lord Grimthorpe, racing manager for owner and breeder Khalid Abdullah, added: “She looked like she was going to have a bit of a tussle with Rhododendron and she did. She really stayed on, lengthened again and really did it well; it was utterly brilliant. She Enable was very impressive. 15 30 June 2017

“I think we are in a very fortunate position and I am so thrilled for Prince Khalid. It’s his breeding operation and another homebred Classic winner is so vital for everything. I think we have to enjoy this and then think about the future.” Of the runner-up, O’Brien said: “Ryan thought Rhododendron ran very well. Everything went lovely and she has run a very good race. “Obviously the shower before the race made the ground a little bit slower than it was earlier in the day but that wasn’t any excuse. “Ryan just felt the last furlong was a long furlong on our filly. Whether the trip was far enough for her or whether she just had a busy day, there was a lot of stuff but she ran very well. “We are delighted though and obviously the winner is a very Highland Reel good filly indeed but I would say that Rhododendron would be very notably on his way to post. In Ballydoyle runners obviously went “He’s a very good horse,” said happy going back down in trip.” doing so, he landed his own fifth through a lot today and were here Moore. “He’s proven around the Delayed en route from their victory, across three continents, just before the race. world. He’s won top races in Hong Ballydoyle base in Ireland, the at the highest level and provided “Things weren’t going smoothly Kong, America and he’s a King O’Brien equine contingent did not his trainer an eighth victory in this but everyone was doing their best George winner. arrive at Epsom until about an particular race. and did a great job. Thanks to “He’s been a great horse for hour before the first race, slightly Sent straight to the front by everybody involved. connections and a great horse to more than two hours before the Moore, completing a double, he “Highland Reel is an amazing be associated with. He’s tough 1m4f Group 1 Coronation Cup in was virtually never headed. Having horse. Tactically, he has speed more than anything. He always which he saddled three runners. burned off Godolphin’s Hawkbill, and he stays. He’s very versatile. finds more when you ask him. The rushed final preparations who drew level two furlongs He could run in the Hardwicke He’s just a pleasure to ride.” ultimately did not prevent out and may have led briefly, at Stakes at Royal Ascot and maybe The meeting opened with the globetrotter Highland Reel the furlong pole, he was always then on to the King George.” only juvenile contest, the 6f adding a further Group One holding on from Frontiersman, O’Brien is the winningmost , which had, victory to his burgeoning chest also owned by Godolphin, who trainer ever in the Investec sadly, lost its traditional Listed of big race victories, despite denied Hawkbill second. Coronation Cup, while Moore was status this year. the colt seeming uneasy in the A relieved O’Brien said: “I’m full of praise for Highland Reel’s Moore made the perfect start preliminaries and sweating delighted with Highland Reel. Our battling qualities. to the meeting, partnering the

Highland Reel’s connections 15 2017 June 31

G K Chesterton impressive De Bruyne Horse to and my shoes are ruined! He and kicked at the right time to put month. He continued: “The Royal a comfortable victory, for Richard didn’t cost a lot and they have the race to bed. Hunt Cup is the plan. We needed Hannon, the favourite supplying a few horses with us, so they “There were a few keen in to find a few pounds so hopefully the handler his second winner in deserve success. behind there and we applied the we have found those and we the race since 2014. “If you win this, arguably the cheekpieces today as we felt that should get a run in there. His father, also Richard, saddled best race of its type this season, when he won at Newmarket last “That was always in the back of Thunder Strike to land the spoils you have to go to Royal Ascot time, he just wandered around a our minds so hopefully he has done in 2013, his fourth victory in a and he needs six furlongs so it will little bit in the last furlong. enough to get us in the race now.” contest he first tasted success have to be the Coventry. “Therefore, we thought as we Moore was not the only jockey back in 1991. Not the fastest “This race isn’t a Listed one were stepping him up in company to celebrate a double with away and having tracked second anymore which is a massive again, that we would help him Silvestre de Sousa emulating him favourite, Cardsharp, saddled by shame; it should be, it’s always the and they really helped with the with victories in the final two Mark Johnston, Moore drove his best 2yo race before Royal Ascot positive tactics. races on the card. mount to the front just over a and I think they deserve to be “Full credit to the horse, he His brace was initiated by the furlong out. Listed winners if they handle the found when he needed to and Roger Varian-trained Solomon’s Cardsharp rallied for Silvestre track and go round Tattenham it’s really great for the team Bay in the Listed 7f de Sousa but Moore’s mount Corner. It isn’t worth any less, but to have a winner here on a day and completed in the finale, a proved too strong, finally crossing it would be nice to get black type like today with HH Sheikh handicap over the same trip, the line a couple of lengths for the horse. Mohammed in attendance. aboard Juanito Chico, saddled by to the good. “The owners have made their “It is a big team effort and William Jarvis. Moore said: “He stepped a minds up about Ascot; they’re everyone at home has done a Not So Sleepy was the other little slow out of the stalls but buying hats, so he’s going!” great job with this horse.” winner on the day, tasting organised himself pretty quickly Then Godolphin’s G K Appleby will now target the victory in a 1m2f handicap with and I was able to just take a lead Chesterton led virtually from imposing gelding at the Royal Adam Kirby in the saddle for off Silvestre and Cardsharp. start to finish in a handicap over Hunt Cup at Ascot later this Hughie Morrison. “When Silvestre quickened he an extended mile with William was flatfooted for 100 yards or so, Buick, as he had done on Hawkbill but once into gear he was always and Ribchester a fortnight earlier, going to win from a furlong and a again demonstrating the ability to half out. dictate affairs and dominate from “He’s improved with every the front. run; Richard’s 2yos keep getting Trained by Charlie Appleby, the better; this lad has a great winner, a 4yo homebred son of attitude and that’s a great help on Poet’s Voice, was having just his a day like today. seventh career start, winning for “He’s probably more of a 6f the third time and second this horse looking ahead.” season having been gelded since Hannon added: “He impressed last year. me today with his attitude. I was A delighted Appleby said: very surprised with his win last “William has given him a time and he knuckled down and fantastic ride. did it very well. “He went straight to the front, “He has some enthusiastic dictated the pace and steadied it owners; I watched it with them up. He stacked them up in behind De Bruyne Horse 15 32 June 2017 EPSOM DERBY

Outsider Eagles sprouts Wings to land on winning post target

NCONSIDERED by most, first ride in arguably the world’s However, on just his third turning in, Beggy and the son of as seemingly the least most famous Flat race a winning start and having still looked 2011 Derby hero Pour Moi had U fancied of six Aidan one to give Aidan O’Brien a sixth inexperienced throughout the other ideas. O’Brien-trained runners in the Derby success at Epsom. race, he was soon joined, and Hitting his stride, the winner shot 1m4f Group 1 Derby, outsider After their success with passed, by Cliffs Of Moher under past his stable companion inside Wings Of Eagles, partnered by Enable in the Oaks the previous Ryan Moore. the dying strides to defeat him by the unheralded Padraig Beggy, afternoon, Frankie Dettori and After mastering Cracksman, almost a length, with Cracksman a flew through the final furlong to John Gosden briefly appeared set Moore and O’Brien seemed poised further neck away in third. snare stablemate Cliffs Of Moher to complete a memorable Classic to go one better than when denied, Fourth went to Martyn close home. Having contemplated double when their Cracksman by Enable, with Rhododendron 24 Meade’s Eminent, arguably a bit hanging up his riding boots, the swamped the eventual winner’s hours earlier in the Oaks. unlucky not to finish closer, with 31yo was more than thankful he stablemate, Douglas Macarthur, However, although having only Godolphin’s Benbatl faring best of decided otherwise as he made his just over a furlong out. a couple of horses behind them their runners in fifth.

Wing Of Eagles 15 2017 June 33

A delighted Aidan O’Brien said: “You never really know going just a baby coming here and Ryan “I had seen that Ryan had “Padraig is a brilliant rider, a world into this race. They are all bred had to mind him. He’s one to look gone and, in fairness to this big class rider and always has been. for it and until you test them on forward to next season.” horse, his best furlong in the He is strong with a great mind, this course over a mile and a half Beggy was understandably ecstatic race was his last, which makes a tactically very aware. I can’t tell you don’t know how they will do; but not as surprised as some. big, big difference. I don’t get to you how delighted we are to have anything can happen. “The main thing is that you are sit on too many like this beast him working with us and having “I couldn’t be happier and I am riding for Aidan O’Brien in colours at the races. I’m going to enjoy him there on those big days. delighted with Cliffs Of Moher, like these so you don’t worry it! I have dreamed about this “Padraig was always going to who was just a little bit of a baby. about the betting because they big time and, to be honest, I had take his time and he gave the horse He was there to win his race but always have a chance,” said Beggy. probably given up on the big day. a brilliant ride. He had the horse tired a little bit so his next run “He gave me a great feel going Aidan O’Brien, fair play to him, nice and balanced and was in a will be something to look forward down, he probably pulled a little has made it happen. I’ve won the great position coming down the hill. to. He came with a sustained run hard. I was a bit unlucky in running Derby though! “This was a nice horse last year, but his lack of preparation just but it probably helped us get there “I dreamt about it when I was Colm O’Donoghue liked him and showed in the last 50 yards. at the right time in the end. They young but I’d nearly given it up. It he ran a lovely race late autumn “The runner-up only just made went quick. I was drawn beside doesn’t matter what the pecking in France. Then we took him to it here. He needed a bit of time to Ryan Moore and Cliffs Of Moher order is when you’re riding for the Chester Vase, where he ran get him there in spring so it was a so I decided to follow Ryan and let Aidan O’Brien as they’re all good well. rode him rush to have him ready. I’d the best horse take me into the horses and they all have a chance. and was delighted. He had been Cliffs Of Moher is the one with race. A furlong down I knew that, “I’m delighted for the horse working well since. most improvement in him. He was if I get a run, I would win. and all the lads that look after All photos © focusonracing.com

Wing Of Eagles’s connections 15 34 June 2017

him every day. He’s a strong colt go down in history though and I’ve “I think it was a good, solid run. three home pretty much the and I’m fairly happy! It means the won the Derby. I’ll be remembered I think Frankie found the horse leading trio throughout. world to me; all my family are at for something at least!” slightly immature. Gosden and Godolphin home watching this. My girlfriend, Co-owner Michael Tabor was “I think he just ran a little babyish combined to land the spoils with family, everyone. Aidan and Ryan also delighted following the race. but produced a great effort, he Laugh Aloud who travelled well told me to ride him like that and “You never get tired of winning was just light on experience at throughout under James Doyle, I’m glad they went quick, although a race at the pinnacle of horse the end but I don’t think he was came wide of the field in the I don’t think they went too mad. racing,” he said. beaten too far. straight and put the race to bed in “I was on a good horse and he “It’s just a fantastic feeling. The “We knew there was going to be a matter of strides. She won the looked a million dollars; a lot of the way I felt personally this morning a lot of pace, but the pacemakers race by five lengths to claim her jockeys down at the start said I was was that it was a very open race were rather ignored and they took biggest career success. riding the paddock pick. He’s a fine and any horse could come forward, a bit of catching in the end. “She’s improved with age, I wish big colt. I knew I had a chance as as 3yos do, to win and we knew “He is in the , I would we humans did the same!” said Aidan always trains each horse for Wings Of Eagles was in the mix, not mind going there at all, as it Gosden. “She won well last time and this race; some have form coming but no more than that. is a nice, galloping track.”Earlier, likes it in front, but I said to James into the race, some improve all the “He’s proved to be a very, very the Group 3 Princess Elizabeth I think there are a couple of others time. My lad improved since his good horse for the future. Aidan’s Stakes, over an extended mile, who want to go there. I like the way last run. It’s brilliant to win this. done it again and we were second was restricted to fillies and mares. she relaxed off them, let them fight I can’t really describe it in words as well. It is just incredible.” Of It was dominated by those who it out and then swung off them and and it hasn’t quite sunk in yet. I’ll Cracksman, John Gosden said: raced prominently, with the first kicked the race into touch.”

Laugh Aloud 15 2017 June 35

Doyle added: “It was quite in company with Godolphin’s something wasn’t it? It was an Folkswood and Ballet Concerto, explosive performance. It is nice owned by Saeed Suhail. that she is versatile now. In behind, Pat Dobbs was “She was always one who liked desperately looking for a gap to get out on the front end and aboard Oh This Is Us who was enjoy herself before but there denied a run and forced to angle were a couple in the race today we out, only to find Gabrial in his way, thought would be hassling her all the pair bumping before both ran the way. on strongly. “Myself and John spoke about James Sullivan drove Sovereign it beforehand and, if one wants to Debt to the head of affairs a go, we would take a lead and get furlong out and they held on her to switch off, which is exactly grimly from Gabrial who finished what she did. with a real rattle under Dettori. “She was impressive when I let Victorious on his final start for her go, she travelled into the race David Nicholls, Sovereign Debt so well and scampered up the hill. It was third on his debut for Carr felt good and I think she would have and has now won each of his won even if I’d have found trouble. three subsequent outings. “I think she could make an The 8yo gelded son of Dark Sovereign Debt impact at an even higher level. She Angel was penalised here after his deserves a crack at a Group One victory, again from Gabrial, in the “It just gives them a chance to Caspian Prince is a regular and race now, perhaps. Group 2 Sandown Mile. be horses. I’m lucky I have the later became the first horse to win “She has won a couple of Listed “He’s just a straightforward facilities to do that. the 5f ‘Dash Handicap’ three times. races and now a Group Three, so horse,” said Carr. “He doesn’t “I will have to think about a Group After breaking smartly and she is going in the right direction. need to be dropped out or force One at some point. He’s on a roll at blazing the trail under Tom Eaves, That was a pretty authoritative the pace, you can just put him the moment and it’s very special to the 8yo gelded son of Dylan performance so she definitely wherever and he does the job. have a winner on Derby day. Thomas started to tire inside the deserves a crack at it, perhaps He just keeps upping his game ”Winning jockey, James Sullivan, closing stages but just managed after Royal Ascot.” all the time. added: “Each ride I’ve had on him to land the spoils by a diminishing A homebred daughter of “I did think he’d be beaten today this year has been my biggest win short head. Dubawi, Laugh Aloud is a half- as he was carrying a 5lb penalty to date and he’s become a very big Caspian Prince’s three successes sister to Debussy who, trained by for his Sandown win. That sort chapter in my life. in the race have all come for Gosden, landed the 2010 Group 1 of penalty, giving weight away to “He’s an absolute legend. It’s different trainers, with Tony Arlington Million in the colours of horses rated the same as him and brilliant for the yard, just to have Carroll in 2014 and Dean Ivory Princess Haya. horses coming up through the a horse like this lifts the whole in 2016 also saddling the gelding Doyle was to complete a grades, can really stop them so yard. It’s a great team effort and to victory. double, partnering the Mark this was great to see. He’s a real everyone works really hard. He also won at Meydan in 2015 Johnston-trained Solider trier and he really wants it. “I’m sure he’s deserved his right when trained by Carroll. In Action who produced a “We put him out in a field with to run in a Group One somewhere Malton trainer John Quinn, who commanding performance to a very average gelding, who looks now. I’d love to ride him in one used to employ Padraig Beggy, land a 1m4f handicap. after him, he does his work and but I’m not very used to riding in saddled Reputation to land The revitalised Sovereign Debt, he eats well. He does enough to Group Ones so not really sure of the finale, a 6f handicap, under fittingly in front of the Queen (as keep himself fit and healthy so, the calibre of horse needed.” Jason Hart. in she is the Sovereign, not that basically, he’s a happy horse. Trainer Andrew Balding believes Quinn said: “I’m so pleased for she is in debt!) continued his run “I like to turn my horses out; I’m there could still be better to Padraig, who obviously worked of winning form since joining Ruth probably obsessed with it. I don’t come from Drochaid after the for us for a while. He has always Carr with a hard fought success in care if they’re a bit muddy or have colt took the been a talented rider and Aidan the 7f Group 3 Diomed Stakes. a few wounds from where they opening 3yos only 1m2f handicap obviously recognised that. Only seven went to post but, two bite each other as the physical under Oisin Murphy. “We knew this horse handles furlongs out, the eventual winner and mental benefits far outweigh That was his first visit to Epsom the track and were pretty hopeful was throwing down his challenge those negatives. whereas the Tony Coyle-trained of a big run.”

Caspian Prince Dorchaid 15 36 June 2017 IRISH 2000 GUINEAS

Churchill is too good for Thunder Snow

Thunder Snow and heavy rain not enough to deny Churchill

ODOLPHIN’s UAE Derby which was softening by the minute Of the previous ten, and John Magnier, Churchill could winner, Thunder Snow, as heavy rain hit The Curragh, Gleneagles, Rock Of Gibraltar and have the St James’s Palace Stakes G tried valiantly but he, as which was far from ideal, given also completed at Royal Ascot next on his agenda. well as four others, were powerless the fact Ireland’s premier the notable Guineas double. “He’s been a pleasure to ride to prevent Churchill adding the racecourse is in the middle of O’Brien actually started his from day one,” said Moore. “We Irish 2000 Guineas to his victory extensive reconstruction. Classic haul with Desert King in this went a good gallop today and you in the English equivalent three As a result, temporary stands, race 20 years ago and shows no could tell he wasn’t enjoying the weeks earlier. marquees and tents have replaced signs of stopping. easy ground. I had to pick him up, The winner, a 3yo son of Galileo the concrete infrastructure for this Thunder Snow, who played up but when I asked him he picked up and last year’s European Champion season so the weather literally ‘put when pulled up in the Kentucky Christophe and Thunder Snow a Juvenile, has now won seven a dampener’ on proceedings. Derby last time, at least put lot sooner than I expected. Guess consecutive races, highlighted by Providing trainer Aidan O’Brien those antics behind him to finish I should know better! two Classics and four Group Ones, with his 11th win in the race, a highly commendable second “I think he’s very talented and only tasting defeat when third on Churchill went off hot favourite under Christophe Soumillon, ticks all the boxes. He goes to sleep his racecourse debut, 53 weeks and recorded a comfortable victory with the previously unbeaten on you and is such a good mover; he before this victory. under Ryan Moore, who was sealing Irishcorrespondent third. has a lot of power underneath and Basically, he proved himself a his second success in the Classic Owned by Coolmore partners never misses a beat. He’s always class apart in the mile feature and after riding Gleneagles two years Michael Tabor, in whose orange and level and that’s because he’s so coped admirably with the ground ago, also for O’Brien. blue silks he runs, Derrick Smith strong; he’s a very special horse.”

O’Brien & Moore Saeed bin Suroor congratulates Moore & O’Brien 15 2017 June 37

O’Brien added “He’s brave and “Everything was in her favour so versatile. Ground and trip all today with the ground and the trip. come alike to him and he has a That is my biggest winner, and we’ll lovely demeanour. He saves all the go to Royal Ascot now for the Duke petrol, and when you ask him to of Cambridge.” quicken he quickens. The 6f Group 2 Greenlands “Obviously we were worried Stakes was weakened by the about the ground but all the lads withdrawal of the O’Brien-trained who had ridden him were confident Acapulco, who was running a and especially when he’d already temperature, but allowed veteran had a run this season. Gordon Lord Byron to roll back “He’s a big powerful horse and the years with a truly nothing is a problem to him. Coming dominant performance. here we were thinking we’d go from The 9yo gelding was recording here to Ascot and he’ll probably go his 16th career victory, three of for the St James’s Palace. which have been gained at the “He’d have no problem stepping very highest level, and a change up to ten furlongs later in the year. of tactics proved the key on the Gordon Lord Byron Brother Bear He’s so relaxed and chilled.” ever softening ground. problem to him but it’s nice to win “I go on what Jessie is happy with, Of Thunder Snow, Saeed bin The outsider among the six over six furlongs as well.” and she gives me lots of confidence Suroor commented: “Thunder remaining runners, he was The juvenile highlight on the every day I ride.” Snow has run very well indeed. He prominent throughout and in front card was the Listed 6f Marble Hill The meeting opened with a basically did everything right but before halfway under Chris Hayes. Stakes and Brother Bear, part of fascinating 6f juvenile fillies’ was beaten by a better horse on the He stayed on really well inside a strong juvenile team for Jessica maiden full of blueblooded day.“We will keep the options open the final furlong to beat Only Mine Harrington, booked his ticket for individuals and in which three of for him, including the St James’s by a length and a half, with Suedois Royal Ascot with a smooth victory the 15 runners flashed past the Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.” another half a length back in third. under Colm O’Donoghue. post locked together. Over the same mile course Winning trainer Tom Hogan said: The striking son of Kodiac stayed The verdict went the way of and distance as the feature, the “He doesn’t relish that ground any on strongly to beat Would Be Gasta, a daughter of Vocalised who Group 2 Lanwades Stud Stakes, longer but Chris was brave and said King, with U S Navy Flag running finished well under Kevin Manning restricted to fillies and mares, he’d ride him up there as nothing on in third. Harrington’s charge to lead in the closing strides to beat provided Killenaule trainer Andy was going to come from behind impressed on his sole previous favourite Now Your Talking by a Slattery his biggest success thus here today on that ground. He went start when landing a Leopardstown head, with just another far when Creggs Pipes made all for through it thank God but he’s a maiden and is clearly progressing. head away in third. a convincing win. good actioned horse. Harrington said: “That was The third was never really The 5yo Rip Van Winkle mare, “He’s tough and he’s genuine. fantastic as I was very worried involved after a slow start but this a Listed winner last year, bounced That’s his 16th win and I’d like to about the ground. It was good full-sister to Churchill caught the out of the stalls and really poured it get him to 20! He’s back up there to firm at Leopardstown and he eye when coming home strongly. on under Declan McDonogh inside close to the level when he won the skipped across it but today it was The going was officially changed the final furlong. Minstrel last year, and that’s a race the complete opposite. to good to yielding on the straight She came right away to beat he’s likely to go for again. “He learned from his first run course before racing, and a further Opal Tiara, winner of Meydan’s “It’s a privilege to have him and as he was quick out of the stalls change to yielding to soft after Group 2 Balanchine Stakes in his owners. He’s a very special today. He rolled around a bit on the this race. February, comfortably with Turret horse. He’ll be up in the invitation ground in front. Winning trainer Jim Bolger said: Rocks back in third. area now for races abroad again but “The Coventry Stakes is more “She was a bit green but the job Slattery said: “She was in season he’s a horse who has always needed than likely where he’ll go if all is was eventually done. I hope there yesterday morning but Evan a lot of attention to keep him right. alright but he has to step up again.” is plenty of improvement in her, Arkwright, the course’s commercial My head man, Paddy O’Brien, who O’Donoghue said: “Jessie was and two winners I had in this race manager, rang me just before led him up today takes care of him very happy with his work. He’s before went on to win Group Ones. 10am to say there were only four all the time. tightened up and he’s improved. “The Albany is an option for her in the race and we said we’d take “He gets a mile well so seeing the He’s going through stages and it’s at Royal Ascot but we will decide our chance. trip out today was going to be no good to see him go and win again. nearer the time.” All photos © Racing Post All photos © Racing Post

Gasta (centre, white sleeves) Creggs Pipes 15 38 June 2017 IRISH 1000 GUINEAS Winter warms up a damp Curragh and Knight is Decorated at top table again EWMARKET 1000 MooreMoore said:said: “It was very easy.eassyy.. Guineas heroine Winter SheShe gave me a lovelylovely rideride andand itt N dominated her rivals to waswas very straightforward.straightforward. complete the notable double “She“She ttravelledravelled aandnd ttookook me iintonntto in the Irish 1000 Guineas on thethe race witwithouthout me asaskingking hhereerr The Curragh. a thingthing andand I couldn’tcouldn’t bebe moremoorree The Aidan O’Brien-trained impressed.impressed. SShehe was rerelentlesslentless anandnd 3yo daughter of Galileo saw keptkept bbuildinguilding aallll tthehe way to tthehhee off stable companion and hot line.line. It rorodede llikeike a piece of worwork.k. favourite Rhododendron to “You’d“You’d havehave to say she’sshee’ss win the 1000 Guineas over ssteppedtepped forwarforwardd witwithh eaceachh of hherer the Rowley Mile three weeks rrunsuns anandd tthehe way sshehe fefeltlt totoday,daayy,, earlier and was hot favourite to I can’t see ananyy reason whywhy sheshhee follow up back on home soil in the wwon’ton’t carrcarryy on proprogressing.gressing. capable hands of Ryan Moore. “I thinkthink tthehe milemile is fine, she’dshee’’dd In doing so, she became pprobablyrobably ggetet a llittleittle bbitit furtfurther,heerr,, the first of her trainer’s four bbutut sshe’she’s a fast fifilly.”lly.” Newmarket winners to complete O’Brien added:added: “I’m ddelightedelighteed the double after failed attempts wwithith hher.er. ShShee cacameme fforwardorward ffromroom by , Homecoming ththee first ddayay at LeoparLeopardstowndstown ttoo Queen and . NewmarNewmarketket anandd oobviouslybviously we ffelteelt Fellow Ballydoyle inmate shshee came forwarforwardd tthenhen to today.today. Hydrangea adopted a pacesetting “She’s“She’s not shortshort of pace. You’dYouu’’d role early on before the Mick imaimaginegine sshehe mimightght ggetet a mimilele aandnndd Halford-trained Rehana was a quarter wwhenhen sshehe getsgets a milemilee given her head by Pat Smullen ththatat stronstrongg hhereere at TThehe Curragh,Curragghh,, and allowed to run to the lead. bbutut sshe’she’s a ggoodood travetraveller.ller. However, her effort was “Ryan“Ryan was ververyy impressedimpresseedd short lived and Winter loomed wwithith heher.r. HHee sasaidid she wwasas aass ominously alongside just under eeasyasy a ClassicClassic winner as youyoouu three furlongs out before cocoulduld bebelieve.lieve. scooting clear. “If everythingeverything went well,well, you’dyouu’’d WinterWWiintnteerr The result was never in doubt bbee tthinkinghinking of tthehe CoronatCoronationioon from there as the daughter of SStakestakes at RoRoyalyal Ascot wiwithtthh Galileo further extended her lead hher,er, bbecauseecause sshehe is a goodgooodd and passed the post with plenty sstrongtrong travetraveller.ller. in hand. “Then“Then youyou havehave to makemake youryoouur and Hydrangea boxed mmindind up wwherehere yyouou ggoo after tthat.haatt.. on to finish second and third, Do yyouou ggoo to GooGoodwooddwood overoverr a making it a 1-2-3 for O’Brien, mmileile anandd a qquarteruarter for tthehe NasNassausaau who was winning the race for a SStakes,takes, or ddoo youyou gogo to thethhe seventh time. FFalmouthalmouth aandnd those mimilele rraces?”aces??”

O’Brien & Moore Homesman 15 2017 June 39 All photos © Racing Post

Commander Grigio Decorated Knight The Ballydoyle handler had Iron Mountain who, having Atzeni said: “He did it very “He has a very classy pedigree. also completed the 2000 raced once as a juvenile, made smoothly, we had a good draw He’s a very close relation to Guineas double with Churchill a winning reappearance in and a good position throughout. Gleneagles and his dam is a the previous day. a 1m2f maiden. “He travelled beautifully and half-sister to Giants Causeway, The trainer added: “It’s for The Group 1 Tattersalls Gold I was confident two out that he so he has a stallion career. everyone really; a lot of people Cup, over an extended 1m2f, would take all the beating. He’s “The Prince of Wales’s Stakes work very hard. Over 20 years if I was robbed of star very brave and he’s going the at Royal Ascot looks likely to be named out all the people, I’d only Minding two days previously right way; when the second horse his next port of call.” forget some. but, as a consequence, appeared came closer to him he went on The meeting opened with a “As each horse comes along there wide open on paper. again and won quite well. 6f maiden for juvenile colts and is a team around them and we’d be In reality though, Decorated “There’s been a lot of rain but geldings in which nine went to very grateful to a lot of people.” Knight, victorious at Meydan I was pleasantly surprised how post but only two ever looked Restricted to 3yos, the 1m2f on Super Saturday in the 1m1f the ground was. Fair play to the like winning. The favourite, Brick Group 3 Gallinule Stakes also Group 1 Jebel Hatta, won with owners and Mr Charlton, who By Brick and Colm O’Donoghue, went to O’Brien and Moore plenty in hand. was keen to run him despite attempted to make all, stalked with Homesman running out a Trainer Roger Charlton had Saturday’s heavy rain.” by Commander Grigio. narrow winner. claimed this Group One prize Charlton added: “I was very The latter, the mount of Chris Turning out a fortnight twice previously with former worried when I saw the ground Hayes, overpowered the early after chasing home stable star Al Kazeem, in 2013 yesterday. I knew the forecast leader, who faded into fourth, Irishcorrespondent, vanquished and 2015, so it was no surprise was for heavy showers, but not just over a furlong out, running in the Irish 2000 Guineas, Decorated Knight was sent like an inch or whatever they had. on strongly to land the spoils for in a conditions race at the off favourite. “People kept tactfully sending trainer Fozzy Stack. track, Aidan O’Brien’s charge Remarkably, with Thistle Bird me photographs of flooded car Stack said: “He won well. Chris was sporting blinkers for the landing the 2014 Pretty Polly parks and puddles everywhere was kicking himself the last time first time. Stakes, Charlton’s last four and I thought it was getting bad. because he said he couldn’t really Moore’s mount took a while winners at The Curragh have all “The surface was a bit dead, get out of traffic on him. to find top gear, but eventually been Group Ones! it’s good to soft, but the course “He won well today and he’s wore down Born To Play to score Admirable grey Success is in fantastic condition. They’ve been working well at home. by a head. Days took the eight runners opened up a new strip. I walked the The owners might want to go O’Brien said: “Ryan gave him along for much of the journey, course and was very pleasantly to Royal Ascot, but I’ll try to a great ride. He’s a big, massive with Decorated Knight always surprised how good it was. persuade them to come back horse for a 3yo and was a little on his tail. “He doesn’t have to have here for the . bit immature mentally but he’s Andrea Atzeni sent his mount rattling quick ground. In Dubai it “He’s a smart horse and that’s coming. That’s why we put the in pursuit halfway up the straight affected him quite badly. only his third time on grass. blinkers on, just to try to get and they hit the front inside the “This horse has improved and “On pedigree he should get him together. final furlong. improved. The Group One race further as it’s kind of a staying “He’d probably prefer better Aidan O’Brien’s tenacious he won at Meydan wouldn’t have family. He’s from the same family ground and a mile and a quarter filly Somehow, fourth in the been the strongest race and as and his grandmother is probably his trip, but we could Lockinge Stakes at Newbury this is a stronger race. He keeps was placed in the Guineas. look at the Irish Derby. just the previous weekend and on improving. “I don’t think he wants it “We could also look at the running for the fourth time “If Minding had turned up it bottomless and fast ground King Edward VII at Royal Ascot in the space of a month, was would have been a different here the last time didn’t really for him.” delivered late with her challenge, story, but he won with his bother him. Chris thought he’d Connections went on to but Decorated Knight held on ears pricked and was pulling be better on fast ground and I complete a 3yo treble with for victory. up in front. hope he’s right.” 15 40 June 2017 ROYAL ASCOT TRIALS DAY - NAAS Caravaggio paints a pretty picture sprinting RAINED by Aidan O’Brien, Caravaggio, who T connections had decided was showing too much speed in his work to have a crack over a mile in one of Europe’s 2000 Guineas, remains unbeaten after a facile success under Ryan Moore in the 6f Group 3 Lacken Stakes at Naas last month. Winner of all four juvenile starts All photos © Racing Post last season, culminating in the Group 1 , the 3yo son of Scat Daddy will now head to Royal Ascot, the scene of his Group 2 Coventry Stakes victory last year. The 6f Commonwealth Cup, Caravaggio restricted to 3yos, looks his most A massive juvenile daughter of It was True Blue Moon who and most important career success likely engagement but he is also Mastercraftsman, she followed gained the day, leading close home in the process. Grassick, saddling entered in the 5f King’s Stand up effortlessly in the Listed Irish under Donnacha O’Brien, riding his first winner of the season, said: Stakes, as well as the St James’s EBF Fillies’ over the for his brother, Joseph. “I felt the ground was a bit quicker Palace Stakes over a mile. same 6f. Winner of his one previous off the rail and it didn’t look like O’Brien said: “He’s an unbelievably Trained by start, on the Polytrack at Dundalk there was going to be anything to quick horse. We’ve never seen one and ridden by Colm O’Donoghue, and also over 5f, the son of Holy make the running, so we said we quicker at home and that’s why she hit the front at halfway and Roman Emperor is also on his way would play to our strengths. we’re going to keep him sprinting. soon pulled clear in the style of a to Ascot. “There were a few six furlong The Commonwealth Cup will be his vey useful youngster. His trainer said: “He won nicely horses and we knew our horse next race all going well. Harrington said: “The great at Dundalk but had a little setback stayed well. Turning in he kicked “He’s a good bit heavier than thing today was she had a bit of after that so we were a bit worried two or three lengths clear and he was last year, so you’d imagine an education, and she was behind coming here. He’s quick and tries that’s what won it. He’s tough and he’ll come on from today’s race.” for a while. She was very good, and hard. Donnacha gave him a great was pricking his ears just doing It was very much a when she went she just went. ride. He should improve from that enough in front. straightforward success. Settled “She’s so relaxed and takes as he missed a week. “I’m delighted as I bred him, and towards the rear, Ryan Moore everything in her stride. She “He’d have to go to Ascot after it means that bit more. We still steered Caravaggio to the outside hardly breaks sweat. that, but which race I’m not sure. I’d have the mare at home. I was just of the field with just over two “If she goes to Ascot it would be be inclined to stay at five furlongs hoping to get a bit of black type furlongs to run, and under a hands for the Albany. She’s such an easy as he’s quick and travels well.” but didn’t expect to win. We will and heels ride, the pair were filly to train, and she has some Texas Rock was basically never probably look for a similar type of soon clear. stride on her. I don’t think going headed under Billy Lee to provide race again or maybe take him to Also bound for Royal Ascot further will be any problem, as the trainer Michael Grassick a first England for something like a Hunt is the equally impressive Alpha further she went today the further Listed winner with a hard fought Cup at Royal Ascot.” Centauri who beat the O’Brien- she went away.” success in the 7f Owenstown The meeting concluded with trained Actress, winner of her The other Listed juvenile Stud Stakes, holding off the a mile handicap and Godolphin previous outing, just as she had contest, the 5f Listed Rochestown late challenges of Drumfad Bay supplied the winner with the done when making a winning Stakes, was wide open with less and Whitecliffsofdover. Mick Halford-trained Allography debut three weeks earlier in a 6f than a furlong to run with six of A gelding by Rock Of Gibraltar, hanging on grimly under course maiden. the seven runners challenging. the 6yo was registering his fifth apprentice Conor McGovern.

Allography 15 2017 June 41 WINNERS OF ROYAL ASCOT TOP WINNERS OF ROYAL ASCOT TOP TRAINER AWARD JOCKEY AWARD Year Trainer No. of wins Year Jockey Wins 2016 Ryan Moore 6 2016 Aidan O’Brien IRE 7 2015 Ryan Moore 9 2015 Aidan O’Brien IRE 5 2014 Ryan Moore 6 2014 Sir Michael Stoute 4 2013 4 2013 Aidan O’Brien IRE 4 2012 Ryan Moore 5 2012 John Gosden 5 2011 Ryan Moore 3 2011 Aidan O’Brien IRE 4 2010 Ryan Moore 4 2010 Richard Hannon snr 3 2009 Johnny Murtagh 4 2009 3 2008 Johnny Murtagh 6 2008 Aidan O’Brien IRE 6 2007 5 2007 Aidan O’Brien IRE 4 2006 Jamie Spencer 4 2006 Sir Michael Stoute 3 2005 6 2004 Frankie Dettori 6 2005 Sir Michael Stoute 4 2003 Frankie Dettori 3 2004 Saeed bin Suroor 6 2002 Johnny Murtagh 4 2003 Mark Johnston 5 2001 Johnny Murtagh 5 2002 Mark Johnston 4 2000 4 2001 Aidan O’Brien IRE 4 1999 Frankie Dettori 4 2000 Sir Michael Stoute 3 1998 Frankie Dettori 7 1999 Saeed bin Suroor 3 1997 Frankie Dettori 4 1998 Sir Michael Stoute 4 1996 Michael Kinane 5 1997 Saeed bin Suroor 3 1995 Michael Kinane 4 1996 Saeed bin Suroor 3 1994 Michael Kinane 4 1995 John Dunlop 5 1993 5 1992 Pat Eddery 4 1994 Paul Cole 4 1991 4 1993 3 1990 Steve Cauthen 5 1992 Richard Hannon snr 4 1989 Pat Eddery 8 1991 Michael Stoute 4 1988 Pat Eddery 4 1990 Henry Cecil 4 1987 Steve Cauthen 7 1989 Guy Harwood 6 1986 Pat Eddery 6 1988 Guy Harwood 3 1985 Steve Cauthen 4 1987 Henry Cecil 7 1984 4 1986 John Dunlop 3 1983 Willie Carson 5 1985 Henry Cecil 4 1982 6 1984 Fulke Johnson Houghton 2 1981 Lester Piggott 5 1980 Willie Carson 4 1983 Henry Cecil 3 1979 Lester Piggott 6 1982 Henry Cecil 4 1978 Lester Piggott 3 1981 Guy Harwood 4 1977 Lester Piggott 7 1980 4 1976 Lester Piggott 4 1975 Lester Piggott 8 Aidan O’Brien and the late Sir Henry Cecil holds the post-war record of seven for the number of Royal Ascot winners trained in a year. Cecil achieved the feat in 1987 when the Royal Meeting consisted of four days and 24 races while O’Brien’s achieved in 2016 came over TOP CURRENT JOCKEYS AT five days and 30 races. NB: In some years, the winner was decided on the number of placed horses. THE ROYAL MEETING Name Total number of winners Frankie Dettori 56 Ryan Moore 42 TOP CURRENT TRAINERS AT Jamie Spencer 22 William Buick 16 THE ROYAL MEETING Jimmy Fortune 15 Name Total number of winners Olivier Peslier 15 Sir Michael Stoute 75 Steve Drowne 11 Aidan O’Brien IRE 55 The above table features currently licensed jockeys. John Gosden 41 Mark Johnston 39 Saeed bin Suroor 35 Royal Ascot Jockey records Paul Cole 21 Ryan Moore set a new post-war Royal Ascot expanded to five Mick Channon 18 record of nine winners for a single days in 2002. Royal Ascot meeting in 2015. The best score by a jockey at Royal Dermot Weld IRE 17 The previous best of eight since Ascot is 12, set by Fred Archer in 1878. David Elsworth 15 1945 was achieved by Lester Piggott in Another 19th century celebrity, Luca Cumani 11 1965 & 1975 and Pat Eddery in 1989 , rode 11 winners at The above table features currently licensed trainers. when the meeting was four days. the meeting in 1847. 15 42 June 2017 PREAKNESS STAKES Always no longer Dreaming of Triple Crown

Cloud Computing

BY NICK GODFREY unfancied Cloud Computing, explained. “Our horse is very The previous day, over the NY HOPES of a Triple who had stalked the leading pair talented too. Classic Empire same course and distance, Crown for 2017 bit the throughout, to wear him down and Always Dreaming are two the Jimmy Jerkens-trained A dust in a shock result close home. Longshot Senior outstanding horses and our Shaman Ghost won the to the 142nd edition of the Investment took third, nearly five strategy was, if we were going to Grade 3 Pimlico Special, justifying Grade 1 Preakness Stakes as lengths adrift of the principals. ever beat them, let’s take them his status as hot favourite, under Cloud Computing, ridden by Having only the fourth start on two weeks’ rest when we have Javier Castellano. Javier Castellano for Chad Brown, of his career, Cloud Computing six, and it worked.” Sporting the colours of Pimlico ran down Classic Empire inside had never previously scored Brown’s association with owner Frank Stronach, Shaman the final furlong to claim the $1.5 outside maiden company. He is Castellano is the new powerhouse Ghost brought strong credentials million contest by a head. a son of Maclean’s Music owned of US racing, and the jockey to the $300,000 contest, Kentucky Derby winner Always by Klaravich Stables and William jumped off his Kentucky having chased home Arrogate Dreaming faded at the top of the Lawrence and representing the mount Gunnevera to honour a in the Pegasus World Cup straight after trying to make all reigning Eclipse Award winning commitment to the trainer to before winning the Santa Anita and finished much nearer last pair of jockey Javier Castellano ride Cloud Computing. Handicap and added another than first, a dismal eighth of ten and trainer Chad Brown, hitherto “It’s special, because Chad has prestigious victory to his resume. beaten more than 13 lengths better known for his prowess given me a lot of support in my In front of a bumper crowd of in the middle leg of the Triple with turf horses. career,” said the Venezuelan, whose 50,339, Shaman Ghost was on Crown over an extended 1m1f. After Cloud Computing came only previous success in a Triple top by a neck in the end, denying Sent off favourite in front third in the Wood Memorial at Crown race had come in the same stable companion Dolphus with of a record crowd of 140,327 Aqueduct in April, 38yo Brown contest via Bernardini in 2006. more than seven lengths back to at Pimlico, he was pressured decided to target the third “We had a plan and we were Godolphin’s Watershed in third. throughout by main market rival Saturday in May instead of sticking to the plan and it “It’s terrific to run one-two; Classic Empire in what looked the first, and he duly collected worked out great. We analysed it’s what we came down here set for a dramatic duel amid the blanket of Black-Eyed the race and handicapped the for,” said winning trainer Jimmy relatively quick fractions. Susans. He was only the fourth race together; we had a lot of Jerkens after watching his 5yo It wasn’t to be; Always horse in 34 years to win the thoughts and put them together son of Ghostzapper add his Dreaming threw in the towel as Preakness without running in the and I think that is the most name to a storied roll of honour they entered the straight, after Kentucky Derby. important thing in a relationship. featuring such luminaries as which Classic Empire looked sure “I’m not going to dispute the We have a great communication Seabiscuit, Citation and Cigar. to collect as he moved into a fact I brought in a fresh horse together and I think that is the “Dolphus had his own way,” clear lead, only for the relatively as part of our strategy,” Brown key to winning the race.” added Jerkens. “He wasn’t exactly walking but he reached the three-quarters in 1:12 and the way the track was playing today, I thought he had a shot to hang on. Shaman had just a little too much for him, but Dolphus ran terrific. “It’s great to win for Mr Stronach at his track and it’s great to keep Shaman going.” On the same card, the 1m1f Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, restricted to 3yo fillies, was won by Actress, trained by Jason Servis and partnered by Shaman Ghost Actress (far side) Nik Juarez. 15 2017 June 43 BELMONT STAKES

ISSING not only Kentucky Derby and M Preakness Stakes Gritty Writ Taps hammer winners, Always Dreaming and Cloud Computing, as well as UAE Derby runner-up Epicharis and blow to opposition 2016 Champion US Juvenile, Classic Empire, this year’s Belmont Stakes was somewhat weakened. However, that will not worry who saddled the winner of the 2400m dirt feature for a third time, courtesy of Tapwrit, who outstayed Irish War Cry to claim a gritty victory in the final leg of the US Triple Crown by two lengths under Jose Ortiz. Pletcher, who landed the ‘Test of a Champion’ in 2007 with and followed up five years later when Palace Malice scored, was obviously delighted Tapwrit Tapwrit’s Connections celebrate as his charge stayed on strongest to deny the favourite at the “We felt like with the five restricted to fillies and mares, as calm Javier Castellano produced New York track known as ‘The weeks in between, and with the well as Mor Spirit, victorious in the Chad Brown-trained Antonoe Big Sandy’. He also saddled the way this horse had trained, that the Metropolitan Handicap over fast, late and on the rail, to snatch third, Patch. he had a legitimate chance,” the same dirt course and distance. an unlikely looking victory in the “Tapwrit was getting a added Pletcher. Also on dirt and restricted Grade 1 Just a Game Stakes. beautiful trip,” Pletcher said. “It Ortiz, winning his first Triple to the fairer sex, but for the Last in the 1600m contest, was everything we talked about Crown race, enthused: “It’s older brigade, was the 1700m another for 4yo+ fillies and in the paddock before the race. an unbelievable feeling that Stakes with Smith mares, Castellano hugged the We were hoping he had enough I can’t explain. again celebrating victory at the rail entering the straight, saving when it came to crunch time. It “I’m very happy right now. It’s highest level, this time aboard the vital ground and swooping close looked like Irish War Cry still had very exciting but it needs to sink remarkable Songbird. home to deny Sassy Little Lila and something left, but the last 16th, in. I was sure he would handle the Saddled by Jerry Hollendorfer, the Godolphin’s Dickinson. he dug down deep.” distance. I always liked him and 4yo daughter of Pletcher’s Triple Crown dreams had a lot of faith in him.” Medaglia D’Oro became unglued when his An hour earlier, Ortiz had landed was making her Always Dreaming flopped in the the Grade 1 Woodford Reserve seasonal debut Preakness. There were only two Manhattan Stakes for Graham having tasted weeks between the races, a fact Motion on outsider Ascend. her sole career attributed to the disappointment, A cracking card actually defeat, from 13 whereas Tapwrit, sixth in the featured four further Grade One starts, on her Kentucky Derby, was prepared contests with veteran jockey, previous one for this target at Belmont where Mike Smith, snaring three, as in November’s he is based. well as the 1400m Grade 2 Breeders’ Cup

“I think that’s always an Stakes aboard Distaff, also at © david alcosser advantage,” admitted the trainer, American Anthem. Belmont. That who is set to run American He is trained by Bob Baffert, as was on turf, the Patriot in the Queen Anne Stakes were Abel Tasman, winner of the same surface as at Royal Ascot. Acorn Stakes, over 1600m and which the ultra Songbird © david alcosser

Antonoe Abel Tasman 15 44 June 2017 De Kock and Tarry dominate awards

OUTH AFRICAN training legend Mike de Kock S was presented with a special award at last month’s Highveld Awards, while his equine stars collected five prizes between them at the ceremony hosted by the Racing Association. A triple winner was Sheikh Hamdan’s brilliant Australian-bred Rafeef, who was crowned Horse of the Season, Champion Older Rafeef Mustaaqeem Al Sahem Horse and Champion Sprinter. Keeping it in the family, his great night to which further gloss and victorious in the Group 1 event organised by the Racing juvenile full-brother Mustaaqeem was added when the trainer was South African Derby. Association, celebrating its 20th received the accolade of presented a Special Achievement Sporting the silks of Sheikh anniversary this year. Champion Juvenile Colt so it was award having reached a milestone Mohammed bin Khalifa’s Al At the beginning of the month no surprise their dam, National 3,000th winner during the season. Adiyaat, he was recognised as it was then confirmed that Al Color, received a special accolade. The only other horse whose both Champion 3yo Colt or Sahem would be campaigned, Owned by Mary Slack, Orchid achievements were considered to Gelding and Champion Stayer. from Blue Stables by De Kock, Island was named Champion merit more than one award was Tarry was also crowned at the 2018 Dubai World 3yo Filly to complete the stable’s Al Sahem, trained by Sean Tarry Champion Trainer at the annual Cup Carnival. ‘Sprint King’ Nicholls succumbs to illness

ORMERLY a jockey, Responsible for such speedy retirement in March this year, always help jockeys out. There riding over 400 winners luminaries as , citing financial problems. are a lot of lads who wouldn’t F including ‘flying filly’ Bahamian Pirate, Regal Parade Based at Tall Trees Stables be where they were if it wasn’t Soba, the Champion European and , who created near Thirsk, Nicholls, who had for his help. He’d go out of his Older Sprinter of 1983, recently his own piece of history when been battling illness, went out way to help you. retired trainer David ‘Dandy’ ridden by Nicholls’ wife, Alex with a winner as current stable “We were only talking the Nicholls sadly passed away in Greaves, to become the first star Sovereign Debt landed a other day about some of his his sleep earlier this month. female rider to win a Group valuable race abroad at the end sprinters. What he did with Dubbed the ‘Sprint King’, One in Britain, dead-heating of February and, the day before Bahamian Pirate, winning a having saddled the winners of with at York in his death was announced, won Nunthorpe at the age of nine, the Nunthorpe Stakes, July 1997, he propelled himself the Diomed Stakes at Epsom an and other Cup, Prix de l’Abbaye and through the training ranks. for his new trainer Ruth Carr. big races having started off as , as well as Dandy, a reference to actress His son, Adrian, said: “He a plater just showed what he all the major sprint handicaps Dandy Nichols, who played Alf passed away in his sleep at could do. such as the Ayr Gold Cup, Garnet’s wife Else in Till Death home. He’d been battling a few “The yard would be full of he enjoyed an illustrious Us Do Part, began training problems of late. horses, not just good ones. training career. in 1992, but announced his “Everybody knows in racing Dad was being sent horses and what he did. He was a improving them hand over fist very good jockey and and he had a great team around an even better trainer him at home.” and probably an even Carr, who took over the better dad. handling of Sovereign Debt “Even yesterday, when Nicholls handed in his he was watching licence, is the granddaughter the racing and saw of Soba’s trainer, the late Sovereign Debt win David Chapman. at Epsom. “It’s very sad. He was so good “His record speaks with his sprinters over the for itself. There are years,” she said. a few other people “Grandad thought an awful snapping at his heels lot of him and It’s a sad time for to take the ‘Sprint all involved.” King’ title, but they’ll Nicholls, who saddled be doing well to do Addictive Dream to win twice what he did. under Adrian at Meydan in “He was good with 2012, leaves another son, Adrian, Addictive Dream and Dandy Nicholls apprentices and would James, and a daughter, Amy. 15 2017 June 45

BY DUANE FONSECA RIPLE success, courtesy of Saleemah, Naishaan Incredible Arabian success T and Alazeez ensured HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum starred as the sole winning owner as Purebred for Sheikh Hamdan Arabian racing featured on otherwise Thoroughbred cards at two courses in the UK, Chelmsford and Doncaster, a fortnight ago. While Naishaan and Alazeez turned up victorious on the all-

weather at Chelmsford in prep © Debbie Burt races for July’s big DIAR (Dubai International Arabian Races) meeting at Newbury, Saleemah showed her incredible staying power to win over 3200m Richard Lancaster & at Doncaster. Arabian Racing Organisation Director Genny Haynes Naishaan The Chelmsford victories provided a double for trainer ARO Racing operations James Owen, with a win each executive Gemma Cobb added: for riders Tadgh O’Shea, aboard “ARO has welcomed the DIAR Naishaan and Harry Bentley Prep Race Series and are on Alazeez. pleased that we attracted three Naishaan scored impressively international runners for the two in the 2000m Shadwell Arabian DIAR prep races. Last year saw Stallions a rise in overseas runners at the for fillies and mares under main event at Newbury, a trend O’Shea, winning by four and which we hope will continue. It is half lengths from Aghsaan, also the highlight of the UK Arabian © Andrew Kelly Photography © Debbie Burt © Debbie Burt owned by Sheikh Hamdan and racing season, which this year the choice of retained jockey, will be held on July 30.” Jim Crowley. Two days later, in the 3200m Thirty minutes later Royal Cavalry of Oman Premier Alazeez and Harry Bentley (green cap) Alazeez, ridden by Bentley, Handicap Stakes at Doncaster, finished a length and a half rider Will Pettis drove Saleemah ahead of Radames in a the to outrun Aurora Forta, with ‘Dubai International Arabian another Sheikh Hamdan runner, Races at Newbury, 30th July’ like the winner trained by Philip International Stakes over Collington, Almareekh, placing 1200m. was a further third well behind the first pair. half length behind in third and Seemingly a tad surprised all three represent the powerful by the result, Collington said: owner with Crowley only fifth on “Saleemah is by Madjani, out his fourth contender, Jamaayil, of a miler, so this wasn’t an who actually started favourite. obvious race for her. We were Arabian Racing Organisation a bit disappointed with her run (ARO) Champion Trainer last time at Wolverhampton, of 2016, Owen said: “I am but she obviously wants a bit of delighted with Naishaan, who cut and this ground definitely James Owen & showed here today she has the helped her.” Arabian Racing Organisation Director Genny Haynes ability she shows at home. “Alazeez I’ve loved since day one. He has progressed from last year and has come on well from his last run.” Both were homebred by Sheikh Hamdan’s Shadwell Stud whose manager, Richard © Andrew Kelly Photography Lancaster, said: “I’m so pleased with the performances of both horses, as they are both 4yos who can progress from here. We are looking forward to having a strong team for Dubai Day at Newbury in July for when Sheikh Hamdan comes over.” Saleemah 15 46 June 2017 ENDURANCE BY DUANE FONSECA

Double joy for battling Ponton in Sheikh Mansour endurance series WO DAYS, two trophies: 21.05kph and clocked 5:50:30. weather conditions, and the 120km ride won by Ponton and Spain’s Maria Alvarez Ana Maria Garcia was third with a presence of strong local and Casillas did well to win the former T Ponton could not contain timing of 6:32:03 after riding at an European contenders made things aboard Ugolin De Parical. Casillas her joy after clinching what was average speed of 18.82kph. even tougher.” covered the 120km distance in a scintillating double during the In contrast, the 160km ride The HH Sheikh Mansour bin 5:34:57 as he rode at an average Abu Dhabi-Madrid-Brussels series turned out to be a keenly Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian speed of 22.03kph. Juan Carlos of the HH Sheikh Mansour bin contested affair with Ponton Horse Flat Racing Festival Panchame, aboard Americano, Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian edging a number of her Spanish supported three other rides in settled for second in 5:54:28 Horse Flat Racing Festival in compatriots, who were looking to Madrid where Prince Bernat (20.82kph), while Javier Garcia Madrid, Spain, last month. book their spots in the national Casillas, Lucia Sobikova and Cuervo rode Tuno into third Having won the FEI 3-star 160km team for the 2017 Grand Prix. Francesco Herrera Carmona were place, covering the trip in 5:59:02 ride a day earlier, Ponton claimed Ponton finished as the winner among the winners. at 20.55kph. her second success in as many after completing the five phase Riding Pique JC, Carmona The CEI Young and Juniors ride, days when she nailed the 2-star ride aboard Delif De La Nie in scalped the 80km 1-star ride with also over 120km, was won by FEI 120km Ladies Endurance Cup 7:34:30 riding at an average speed a timing of 3:50:53 at an average Slovakian rider Lucia Sobikova on aboard JM Bucefala. of 21.12kph. Finishing runner-up, speed of 21.05kph. Jordi Lopez Chester. Sobikova finished the ride Both events were held at 21 seconds later with an average riding Jassa placed second in the in 6:07:33, followed by the Spanish the Carmara Esteruelas suburb riding speed of 21.10kph, was three stage ride with a time of pair of Laura Fernandez Pina and in Madrid. Angel Soy Col, who rode Sheitan A 3:55:47, while Maria Barguerro Maite Pradira Lido on Angelina Maria completed the 120km Gwervaen. A second later in third on Girasol did well to finish and Game On respectively. ride in 5 hours 34 minutes and place was Anna Maria Tamerra on third despite injuring her knee Dr Hessa Al Otaiba, UAE 56 seconds, riding at an average Girola De Quercus. and fingers. Barguerro’s timing ambassador to Spain, the Vatican speed of 22.03kph, winning A thrilled Ponton said: “It was 3:55:48. and Andalus, along with Lara comprehensively from Sylvia Libra, was a tough challenge following The 120km FEI 2-star King’s Sawaya, executive director of the who rode at an average speed of the extensive hot and humid Cup was held alongside the Ladies festival, presented the prizes. 15 2017 June 47 ENDURANCE BY DUANE FONSECA Emiratis sweep all category honours during Euston Park Endurance

MIRATIS swept the top forward to the rest of the European Heather Whiteley placed fifth and Briton Nikki Brown, who rode spots in each of the four season. “We started our European sixth respectively. Tinkerbell’s Image across the finish E categories at the Euston season at Royal Windsor Endurance, The CEI 2-star 120km ride saw with the clock reading 8:32:54. Park Endurance Ride, sponsored but this was our first three star ride Al Harbi finish the four phase The 80km ride was won by Ali by Emirates Airlines, in fine and it’s just amazing. The horses ride in a total time of 4:50:11 Mubarak, who rode Al Hedjaz weather conditions in Suffolk late finished in great condition and it aboard JQ Safi Safra. Ghanim Said Bhagwan at an average speed of last month. looks very positive for the season Salim Al Owaisi, aboard Salam 21.32kph to complete the three Saif Ahmed Al Mozroui, Saeed ahead,” he said. Banquetol, was adjudged second phase race in 3:45:09. Finishing Salem Atiq Khamis Al Muhairi, The UAE were absolutely having finished with the same time. second was another Emirati rider, Saeed Ahmad Jaber Al Harbi dominant in the feature 160km In third place, a second behind, was Mohammed Obaid Rashed Al and Ali Mubarak Salem ride with Al Mozroui leading a top Mohammed Ahmad Ghanim Al Kaabi, who came home in 3:55:34 Mohammed Allooba, all four in the category as he clocked Marri, riding Zulo. Saeed Sultan when riding Ankor Da. Indian rider representing MRM Stables, won a total of 7 hours 59 minutes Shames Al Maamri and Sheikh Bank Singh placed third on the at the Euston Park Estate. and 4 seconds on board Preume Hamed Dalmook Al Maktoum back of Rakib Nikita 10, completing While Al Mozroui won the De Paute, who was ridden at an ensured the top five spots were the ride in 4:21:01. prestigious CEI 3-star 160km average speed of 20.04kph over claimed by Emirati riders. Nick Brooks-Ward, event ride, Al Muhairi triumphed in the the six phases. Al Muhairi proved peerless director at HPower Group CEI 2-star 120km Young and In second place, just four in the Young and Junior riders Endurance, said: “It was a fabulous Junior class. seconds behind in 7:59:08, was event, completing the 120km ride start to our ride season and I am Al Harbi finished at the summit Hamad Obaid Rashed Al Kaabi in 5:32:25 aboard Zo Go Dayr. So so grateful to our ground staff for in the CEI 2-star 120km event aboard Siam Du Barthas. In third, dominant was the Emirati that, the incredible work they’ve put in and Allooba stole success in the a further 40 seconds adrift, was riding at an average speed of over the last few months. We had CEI 1-star 80km ride. Ahmed Salem Ali Sultan Al Subose, 21.66kph, he finished nearly an extremely heavy rain in the days MRM Stables’ trainer Ismail who rode Cadigaam. Finishing hour and a half ahead of Italian prior to the ride but given the long Mohammed Al Jeziri was thrilled fourth was Saeed Mohammed lady rider Chiara Careddu, who period of dry weather we’d had with the favourable turn of events Khalifa Al Mehairi, while British clocked 6:59:52 aboard Da Fuica before we ended up with really and said he is very much looking lady riders Caroline Cowley and Da Marinela. In third place was good going.” 15 48 June 2017 NICHOLAS GODFREY'S INTERNATIONAL POST

O PRECISELY where do we stand after a slew of senior A horse, a horse, S Classics around the world? The truth is, I bet you don’t really know any more than I. We’ve certainly seen some my kingdom for a horse... particularly exciting races, full of final furlong drama, but after Padraig Beggy. It is hard to Derbys in England and France, escape the idea that they won the we are no nearer identifying a race with the ‘wrong one’: Ryan superstar 3yo than we were a Moore looked ‘shell shocked’ couple of months ago. after getting mugged on Cliffs The same might also be said Of Moher, while the winner is by of America, where the Triple Pour Moi, who has been marketed Crown has been shared between as a jumps stallion. three different horses, none of This was an intense Derby them world beaters at this stage, indeed; the Aidan O’Brien-trained and Japan. stablemates Douglas Macarthur While there is plenty of time and The Anvil ensuring a searching for this next statement to be gallop. The irony there of course is rendered ridiculous over the that while Moore was able to sit coming months, nowhere on and wait on Cliffs Of Moher in the the planet have we seen certain knowledge those in front anything to suggest the Classic would be coming back to him, that generation is anything above same fearsome gallop may well the relentlessly average. have been too much for Cliffs Of Okay, maybe a couple of caveats Moher as well, since he had been must be issued: I am talking assured of victory entering the specifically about the males, as final furlong. Indeed, from where Enable looked a useful filly in I was standing on an open top beating Rhododendron in the Oaks double decker bus, celebrating at Epsom, and obviously Churchill my 50th birthday, at the furlong sits atop the colts’ division in marker, Cliffs Of Moher looked an Europe after his Guineas double absolute certainty. with a Racing Post Rating of 125. But he tied up and will drop But his middle distance back in trip next time for the Waldgeist counterparts are looking a Eclipse Stakes at Sandown, as his distinctly ordinary bunch on what stablemate overwhelmed his rivals Eminent also by the same sire, the French Guineas and Derby we’ve seen so far. Let’s start with in the shadow of the post. Frankly, might well prove to be the best and looks a fine colt. However, Epsom, where the Derby looked the winner looks a St Leger type of the Derby bunch, though it is his Chantilly triumph was rated short of a superstar before the more than anything else, and it doubtful he wants a strongly run 3lb inferior to Wings Of Eagles’ race, an impression a mile and a will be interesting to see if he mile and a half. Epsom victory according to Racing half of the world’s senior Classic can confirm the form with the Be that as it may, whichever way Post Ratings (117 as opposed did little to evaporate after Epsom third, Cracksman, in the you cut it, the Epsom Derby raised to 121), and his pair of Classic a muddling finish in which five Irish Derby. On a less idiosyncratic more questions than it answered. victories have been achieved by lengths covered the first eight track, I would fancy Cracksman In retrospect, it looks a race full of a pair of short heads. While he horses home. to come out on top; twice he has ifs and buts. has a fine turn of foot once he For once, the Ballydoyle team run at Epsom, and twice he has So what about France, and the gets going, the son of Rajsaman seemed just as astonished as the run well despite not handling the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly? takes a while to get into that full rest of us when the unheralded gradient, which also compromised Brametot, who heads the French stride. You get the impression Wings Of Eagles pounced close Eminent who was fourth. In time, crop after another last gasp that everyone at the Jean-Claude home under little known jockey the Frankel colt, Cracksman, success, has at least won both Rouget operation would expect

Cracksman Eminent 15 2017 June 49

Cliffs Of Moher Always Dreaming Almanzor to kick him into touch if The Tokyo Yushun (Japanese favourite, Admirable, who finished the pair ever meet, as they might Derby) was another confusing best of all to take third. He may in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, affair, won by Rey De Oro after well turn out to be the star among last year’s 2yo champ Classic though Brametot’s stamina would a brilliant effort in the saddle the Japanese Classic generation. Empire, even Japanese-trained need to be taken on trust from Christophe Lemaire, who As for the States? Well, your Epicharis, ruled out on the At least we will get some idea completed a memorable Oaks guess is as good as mine now morning of the race with a vet of the relative merits of the and Derby double following his that the Triple Crown has finished. scratch after lameness issues, Epsom and Chantilly form in the success the previous weekend Tapwrit stayed better than Irish the Belmont was arguably more Irish Derby, as French runner-up on Soul Stirring in the Yuhsun War Cry to win the Belmont Stakes notable for its absentees than for Waldgeist is set to join Wings Of Himba (Oaks). at the weekend but the ‘Test of a those who actually turned up. Eagles and Cracksman. He was Recognising a dangerously slow Champion’ was besmirched by an There is still time, of course. But done for toe at Chantilly and will pace, Lemaire moved his mount unfortunate lack of champions, for now, the whole generation, turf surely appreciate the extra furlong up on the back straight at Tokyo potential or otherwise. Indeed, or dirt, Europe, Asia or America, and a half. Racecourse and secured first run after a series of defections, both looks a right old jumble. If Europe is struggling to find a on his rivals. It was a peach of a previous Classic winners Always Nicholas Godfrey, standout, what about farther afield? ride and one that caught out the Dreaming and Cloud Computing, Racing Post international editor Desire misses Main target July return planned for Arrogate UBAI WORLD CUP be dropping back to the but Orange makes Big meet winner Arrogate, who shortest distance he has D became the record encountered since winning REVIOUSLY second She impressed with a smooth leading money earner of all an allowance race at Del Mar favourite for the Queen victory in the Listed Marygate time with his sensational last August. P Mary Stakes, Main Fillies’ Stakes at York, having Meydan success in March, is Since then the 4yo son of Desire has been ruled out after broken her maiden first time set to have his first start since Unbridled’s Song has extended suffering a setback. out at Nottingham two weeks in the San Diego Handicap at his winning spree to seven, with After two outings, the juvenile earlier with both races over 5f. Del Mar on 22 July. four wins at the highest level daughter of “It’s frustrating,” added Bell, The Juddmonte Farms- taking his earnings through remains unbeaten and had been “but life goes on.” owned world champion, who the $17 million barrier. described by her trainer, Michael The Newmarket trainer will blew the start in Dubai before Prior to the $10 million Bell, as a leading player in the 5f still be represented at Royal circling his 13 rivals en route Dubai World Cup, Arrogate contest, but will not be running. Ascot with his team headed to registering a stunning won the Travers Stakes, “She’s temporarily out of by his star stayer Big Orange victory, is being lined up for Breeders’ Cup Classic and action,” said Bell. “It only who was reported ‘in very three races at the Californian inaugural running of the happened on Monday so I can’t good order and on target’ by track, which stages the world’s richest race, the $12m say when she’ll be back.” his handler. Breeders’ Cup for the first Pegasus World Cup. time in November. “The San Diego is our likely next stop if all goes well,” said trainer Bob Baffert. “We’ll take him to Del Mar for the summer and if he gets back in action in the San Diego, that could be a good prep for August’s Pacific Classic and then possibly the Breeders’ Cup Classic on 4 November.” Should he contest the 1700m San Diego Handicap, Arrogate, officially rated Main Desire the world’s best horse, will Arrogate 15 50 June 2017 MICHELE MACDONALD ‘IN FULL STRIDE’ by Michel e MacDonal d Tapwrit Perseveres In Belmont, Gives Pletcher 150th Grade One Win

Tapwrit Todd Pletcher OT LONG after the sun of white carnations draped over his championship title for owner Rick Despite all those confirmations rose at on withers. The ten Stakes, six at Grade Porter as he battles cancer; and revelations, however, the N June 10, a gloomy sense One level, on the card produced an . Mike Smith, the regular rider of Belmont did not in any way define permeated the air that the 149th unexpectedly electrifying explosion Dubai World Cup winner Arrogate, which 3yo colt is America’s edition of America’s oldest and of horsepower that revealed or reigns as the current king of best. For the second consecutive longest Classic race, the 1m4f confirmed a number of truths about American jockeys after riding all of year, there are three different Belmont Stakes, had fallen apart. American racing: Baffert’s big winners plus Songbird winners of the Classic races and Pre-race favourite Classic . First and foremost, Belmont in a monumental performance, and the championship is up for grabs, Empire, the 2016 Champion day demonstrated yet again how brothers Jose and Irad Ortiz are leaving a gap for a colt to burst Juvenile, had been withdrawn with superior Todd Pletcher and Bob princes, with the former winning the through in races such as the Travers his second hoof abscess of the Baffert are on the American Belmont on Tapwrit following the Stakes in August and the Breeders’ spring and exciting Japanese raider , with Pletcher runners latter’s score on Creator last year; Cup Classic in November, just as Epicharis, who was to make his first Tapwrit and Patch finishing first . Kentucky Oaks winner Abel Arrogate did in 2016. start since his valiant UAE Derby and third in the marquee race and Tasman, owned in part by the What the Belmont did, second to Thunder Snow, had just Baffert sweeping four other key emergent China Horse Club, is however, is open the door for been scratched due to lameness. Stakes with horses who looked like progressing with each start for Tapwrit to stake his claim The Belmont, billed as ‘The proverbial monsters heading toward Baffert and could blossom into an to the title. Test of the Champion,’ looked to championship season; able challenger to Songbird on the As Pletcher noted, Tapwrit’s be just another race for ‘also rans’ . Tapit is unassailably the top sire distaff side following her impressive sixth place finish in the Kentucky this year, with the favourite’s role in the United States and has become Acorn Stakes victory, and Derby was ‘sneaky good’ as he had falling to Irish War Cry, who could a leading source of stamina on dirt, . American speed still rules the run on willingly in the stretch after do no better than 10th of 20 in the having sired three of the last four globe as the modestly bred, 5yo Disco being compromised by a body slam Kentucky Derby. Belmont winners; Partner blazed to a new world record from Irish War Cry at the start. But at the end of the day, a . Songbird, twice a champion, is when winning the Grade 3 Jaipur Yet Tapwrit had a lot to prove brighter light was shining at back from time on the sidelines and Invitational Stakes on turf in 1:05.67 since the $1.2 million Saratoga Belmont after Tapwrit strutted into winning Grade One events while for 6f, making him a star candidate yearling had not quite lived up to the winner’s circle with a blanket she vies for a third consecutive for the 2018 Al Quoz Sprint. his potential while incurring streaks

Classic Empire Epicharis (Red cap) 15 2017 June 51

of bad luck. After dominating For Pletcher, the Belmont proved “This has been the ultimate the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby in an ecstatic high to conclude a volatile roller coaster,” Pletcher said. March over a modest field, Tapwrit five weeks through the Triple “We really were hoping that made a slow start in the Grade 2 Crown frenzy. After his dreams Always Dreaming could take a Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland of a potential sweep with Always shot coming in for a Triple Crown in April, finishing only fifth to the Dreaming were crushed when the try; that’s every trainer’s ultimate upset winner Irap, who had been a Derby winner folded and finished dream. But in the back of my mind maiden going into that race. eighth after setting a torrid pace in I was thinking, man, if he wins the The Belmont gave Tapwrit the the Preakness Stakes won by Cloud Preakness, I’m worried about what chance to show that, while he may Computing, along came Tapwrit to we’re going to do with Tapwrit. not be brilliant, he can be resolutely give the trainer his second jewel of “It’s all good today,” he added game, which he had to be to run the crown this season and his third before heading to his Belmont down Irish War Cry, who had Belmont trophy overall. barn and posing for photos with dictated a slow pace and seemed a Remarkably, according to his family standing between his sure winner in mid-stretch. compilations on the trainer’s Kentucky Derby and Belmont Thus, even though veering left and website, the Belmont marked the Stakes winners. right from Jose Ortiz’s whip in deep 150th Grade One win during the Tapwrit, co-owned by Baffert lost his best 3yo male, stretch, Tapwrit exacted vengeance record smashing career of Pletcher, Bridlewood Farm, Eclipse Mastery, to a career ending injury for the slam that compromised his who will turn 50 on June 26 and Thoroughbred Partners and this spring, but on Belmont day chances in the Derby, even giving who already is America’s all time Robert LaPenta, followed he unleashed two impressive his rival a slight bump in retribution leader in stable earnings with what has recently become a colts: Gary and Mary West’s near the finish line. over $341 million. successful formula to win the West Coast, who sailed home in “In the last sixteenth of a mile, Typically stoic, Pletcher endured Belmont Stakes. the Easy Goer Stakes at 1 1/16 Tapwrit dug down deep,” Pletcher the ups and downs of the Triple After competing in the Derby, miles, and the China Horse Club said. Ortiz had no doubts about Crown season with a serene the steel grey colt was withheld co-owned American Anthem, his mount handling the distance, countenance, but his jubilant fist from the Preakness and pointed a similarly easy winner of the adding: “We always had a lot of pump after the Belmont revealed to the Belmont. That same basic Grade 2 Woody Stephens Stakes faith in him. Today he showed up.” his deep underlying emotions. plan was successfully executed at seven furlongs. with Pletcher’s previous Belmont The race to the finish line for winners Rags to Riches, who won 2017 begins now. In the bigger in 2007 following her Kentucky scheme of racing, this is the Oaks triumph, and Palace Malice competition that also is likely in 2013. Other Belmont victors, to reveal who has the strength including Creator and Union and stamina to compete for the Rags in 2012, have followed 2018 Dubai World Cup trophy, the same path. but so far it does not appear With this year’s Triple Crown there are any young colts worthy races in the history books and no to run beside this year’s Dubai clear cut divisional leader, now champion Arrogate. the running for the championship begins in earnest and, at this point, Michele MacDonald it appears that Pletcher and Baffert award winning Always Dreaming hold the strongest cards. international journalist Palmer fancies Jersey victory for Jersey owners

UGO PALMER is prize his next target. Palmer considering stepping said: “We are definitely going to H Escobar back up in think about the Jersey with him class at Royal Ascot for a tilt at as he certainly has that 7f speed. the 7f Jersey Stakes. “It looked like he went there After swerving both the English, to win his race at Sandown and

French and Irish 2000 Guineas, I know the winner had the run of © Focusonracing Archive the son of Famous Name had to the race, but it was possible that settle for second in the Listed he just outstayed us over that Heron Stakes on his seasonal bow stiff mile. at the end of last month. “Seven furlongs at Ascot Although a final decision has should suit him and the owners yet to be made, the Newmarket are from Jersey, so it would handler is leaning towards be lovely to win the Jersey making next week’s Group Three for them.” 15 52 June 2017 THE WRIGHT WORD 1. Wright 2. Word Godolphin leads way in equine aftercare 3. S DOUBLE acts go, Diana On the wider issue of aftercare, As the Godolphin rehoming Cooper and Di Arbuthnot Arbuthnot summed up IFAR’s website points out: “Retired A might not challenge mission by saying: “We all have Thoroughbreds are versatile. the legacy of Morecambe and a shared responsibility for the A retrained Thoroughbred can Wise, but there is no escaping welfare of racehorses, which excel in many disciplines off their enthusiasm to please, nor extends beyond the track. Across the track, such as dressage, their passion for the subject of the entire animal welfare debate, showjumping, eventing, polo, aftercare of racehorses. the spotlight is on the animal’s hunting, for pleasure riding or as a Both were well to the fore when quality of life and the emerging companion horse. With retraining, the International Forum for the concept of a life worth living. a Thoroughbred can be the Aftercare of Racehorses, the “The welfare of racehorses perfect mount for a competent organisation they helped to form, throughout their lifetime is rider. Our priority is the welfare held a seminar that ran parallel one of the single biggest issues of the horses, and we want them with the second Pan American facing the racing industry. A key to be able to go on to successfully Conference in Washington in May. function of IFAR is to provide fulfil other roles once their racing Cooper, who heads Godolphin help and support by sharing careers have finished.” charities worldwide, started the expertise and good practice on Godolphin’s European rehoming ball rolling two years ago, by a global basis, whilst recognising centre is run by Jo Brisland and equine welfare. Two years later, setting up a meeting of like minds cultural differences.” Lisa George at Badlingham, near when Racing NSW staged the next in Kentucky, which was followed by Cooper noted the impact that Chippenham on the outskirts of ARC in Sydney, the subject was a similar event in Newmarket, also IFAR has made in a short time Newmarket, where the current squarely on the list for debate, hosted by Godolphin, last summer. when she recalled: “Three of the ‘students’ include Dubai World and it has remained there at three The Washington event was IFAR’s countries that were represented Cup winners African Story and subsequent such conferences and first standalone promotion, when we first met in Lexington Prince Bishop. “They are learning will no doubt figure again when and topics covered included in 2015 did not have an aftercare to be horses again,” Brisland says. the event reaches Seoul next May. all aspects of Thoroughbred programme. In Washington two Retraining can go on for six Australia has reacted aftercare, including post racing of them, France and Japan, were months, including being schooled particularly vigorously in this options, connecting aftercare and able to report huge progress.” to hack out in company or alone regard, following two heavy horse owners, and standards for Explaining Godolphin’s and introducing them to poles laid blows inflicted by animal welfare aftercare providers. involvement in its own aftercare flat on the ground at first before protesters, firstly against jump Arbuthnot, who chairs the programme, she said: “The global being raised to test their ability or racing and more significantly in IFAR steering group alongside operation, which started almost otherwise, to jump. “We find out February 2015 after an explosive her main role as chief executive 25 years ago, was established what the horse will enjoy doing,” TV programme about cruelty of Britain’s leading aftercare because Sheikh Mohammed’s Brisland explains, “then we start within greyhound racing. charity Retraining of Racehorses, passion for horses is paramount, to look for a home for them.” Heading the fight on behalf told delegates: “Part of IFAR’s which extends to lifetime Ongoing welfare of racehorses of Racing Australia’s national mission is to share our views care, and we have a rehoming has been accorded proper, high Retirement for Racehorses on aftercare best practices, and programme in all territories: level attention only recently, which Committee, of which he is having our meetings coincide with America, Australia, Europe probably mirrors the changes in chairman, is Dr Eliot Forbes, a the Pan American Conference and Japan.” public perception over a post war figure well known in Dubai for his enabled us to do that with a truly Godolphin works with local period in which urban affairs have spell as the ERA’s chief veterinary global audience.” partners to support its own grown to overshadow rural matters officer and now chief executive of Looking back over the near three Thoroughbred geldings as they in most developed countries. Racing Queensland. years of IFAR’s informal and now move on to a life after racing, and In 2008, when the Japan Racing Forbes, whose organisation formal existence, she added: “It all although individual programmes Association hosted the Asian has introduced the most began over a cup of coffee with differ from country to country Racing Conference, the world’s comprehensive process for Diana Cooper and has advanced in some of their details, they all most wide ranging and influential tracing Thoroughbreds from from Kentucky to Newmarket to contain basic assessment of the gathering of racing administrators birth to retirement from Washington, but it would not have horse in the first place, followed and professionals, in Tokyo, the racing among all international happened but for Godolphin.” by retraining. agenda made no mention of authorities, spelt out the dangers of ignoring public opinion in his Washington presentation, which is available for viewing under the Resources link of IFAR’s website, internationalracehorseaftecare.com. Recalling the dark days of public outrage, he said: “The message was clear. Welfare must take centre stage in the conduct of horse racing.” It is a message that IFAR, with Godolphin leading the way, is hoping to make a worldwide mission.

Eliot Forbes Diana Cooper Di Arbuthnot Howard Wright 15 2017 June 53 SELECTED ROYAL ASCOT TARGETS

HORSE RACE(S) HORSE RACE(S) HORSE RACE(S) Acapulco King’s Stand/Golden Jubilee Stakes Harbour Law Gold Cup Permian Queen’s Vase/King Edward VII Stakes Aclaim Queen Anne Stakes Harrison Gold Cup Pinzolo Hardwicke Stakes/Wolferton Handicap Alpha Centauri Albany Stakes Harry Angel Commonwealth Cup Precieuse American Patriot Queen Anne Stakes Hawkbill Prince Of Wales’s Stakes Prince Of Dark Coventry Stakes Another Touch Royal Hunt Cup Havana Grey Coventry/Norfolk Stakes Priceless King’s Stand Stakes Arwak Coventry Stakes Headway Coventry/Norfolk Stakes Profitable King’s Stand Stakes Atty Persse King George V Handicap Heartache Prost Britannia Handicap Barney Roy St James’s Palace Stakes Highland Reel Hardwicke Stakes Quiet Reflection Diamond Jubilee Stakes Benbatl King Edward VII Stakes High Secret Queen Of Time Sandringham Handicap Best Of Days King Edward VII Stakes/Queen’s Vase Homesman King Edward VII Stakes Quest For More Gold Cup Beyond Conceit Ascot Stakes Irish Correspondent Quiet Reflection Golden Jubilee Stakes Big Orange Gold Cup It Don’t Come Easy Coventry/Norfolk Stakes Raheen House King Edward VII Stakes Bound For Nowhere Commonwealth Cup John Constable Ascot Stakes Handicap Ribchester Queen Anne Stakes Brametot St James’s Palace Stakes (doubtful) Kaspersky Queen Anne Stakes Richard’s Boy King’s Stand Stakes Brian The Snail Commonwealth Cup Khalidi King Edward VII Stakes Coventry/Norfolk Stakes Briardale Royal Hunt Cup Khairaat Wolferton Handicap Run Away Norfolk Stakes Brother Bear Coventry Stakes Koditime Norfolk/ Running Cloud Dabyah Coronation Stakes Kool Kompany Queen Anne Stakes Salouen King Edward VII Stakes Caravaggio Commonwealth Cup La Coronel Coronation Stakes Santry Norfolk Stakes Cardsharp Norfolk/Coventry Stakes Laugh Aloud Sea Of Grace Coronation Stakes Chica La Habana Queen Mary/Albany Stakes Lady Aurelia King’s Stand Stakes Short Call Albany Stakes Churchill St James’s Palace Stakes Librisa Breeze Diamond Jubilee Stakes Simmy’s Copshop Norfolk/Windsor Castle Stakes Clemmie Chesham/Albany Stakes Limato Diamond Jubilee Stakes Second Thought Commonwealth Cup/ Con De Partiro Sandringham Handicap Lockheed St James’s Palace Stakes Jersey Stakes Consequences Norfolk Stakes Long On Value Golden Jubilee Stakes Simple Verse Gold Cup Creggs Pipes Duke Of Cambridge Stakes Looks A Million Queen Mary/Windsor Castle Stakes Snowflakes Chesham/Albany Stakes Dabyah Coronation Stakes Memory Diamond Jubilee Stakes So Mi Dar Prince Of Wales’s/ Dal Harraild Gold Cup (Doubtful) Main Desire Queen Mary/Albany Stakes Duke Of Cambridge Stakes Dartmouth Hardwicke Stakes Masar Chesham Stakes Stormy Liberal Diamond Jubilee Stakes De Bruyne Horse Coventry Stakes McErin Norfolk/Coventry Stakes Surrey Hope Britannia Handicap Declarationofthepeace Coventry Stakes Mekhtaal Prince Of Wales’s Stakes Tajaanus Queen Mary Stakes Declarationoflove Windsor Castle Stakes Meteor Light King George V Handicap Texas Rock Hunt Cup Decorated Knight Prince Of Wales’s Stakes Mirage Dancer King Edward VII Stakes Prince Of Wales’s/ Denaar Coventry Stakes Miss Temple City Queen Anne/Duke Of Cambridge Stakes Hardwicke Stakes Dotted Swiss Albany Stakes Mix And Mingle Duke Of Cambridge Stakes The Tin Man Diamond Jubilee Stakes Ellthea Albany Stakes Mori Ribblesdale Stakes Thunder Snow St James’s Palace Stakes Elysium Dream Chesham Stakes Mubtasim Commonwealth Cup Time To Study Queen’s Vase Escobar Jersey Stakes Mutakayyef Queen Anne Stakes Top Tug Albany Stakes Murillo Coventry Stakes Torcedor Fas Commonwealth Cup My Dream Boat Prince Of Wales’s/Hardwicke Stakes True Blue Moon Norfolk/Coventry Stakes Fastnet Tempest Hunt Cup/Wokingham Handicap Natural Albany Stakes Prince Of Wales’s Stakes Finsbury Square King’s Stand/Diamond Jubilee Stakes Naughty Or Nice Ribblesdale Stakes Unforgettable Filly Coronation Stakes/ First Sitting Wolferton Handicap Neola Queen Mary/Norfolk Stakes Sandringham Handicap Frozen Angel Coventry/Norfolk Stakes Nine Below Zero Norfolk Stakes Usherette Duke Of Cambridge Stakes Gasta Albany Stakes Normandy Barriere Wokingham Handicap Via Firenze Duke Of Cambridge Stakes Gilgamesh Brittania Handicap Opel Tiara Duke Of Cambridge Stakes Vintage Folly Ribblesdale Stakes G K Chesterton Royal Hunt Cup Oh This Us Queen Anne Stakes We Are The World Chesham Stakes Goldream King’s Stand Stakes Optimum Time Chesham Stakes Winter Coronation Stakes Gossiping Wokingham Handicap Order Of St George Gold Cup Wuheida Coronation/Ribblesdale Stakes Grandee Queen’s Vase Out Of The Flames Queen Mary Stakes Zubayr Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes 15 54 June 2017 ROYAL ASCOT NEWS Dascombe to resist temptation to Farm Ascot prize with Finniston XCITEMENT was tangible “There are actually two people when Finniston Farm left at home, including my pupil E trainer Tom Dascombe assistant Anna Hesketh who is a waxing lyrical following a striking former jockey, who say he’s the debut success in a 6f novice stakes best horse they’ve sat on and he’s at Haydock. a very nice prospect.” The Helmet colt, a half-brother Normally in such circumstances to the stable’s Listed winner connections would be dreaming Crowley’s Law, had been capturing of Royal Ascot, but Dascombe is the imagination at home and eager to bide his time.

transferred his work to the track “I don’t think he’ll go to Ascot; © Racing Post at the first time of asking. it’s too soon and there are other “That was exciting, we’ve loved races,” he added. “He’s not ready him from the minute we’ve had to be thrown in at the deep end him,” said the trainer. but he’s seriously good.” Finniston Farm Title defence next in running Order Of St George EFENDING his Ascot Motherland was encouraged rounding the bend, and although Gold Cup crown is next into an early lead by Donnacha momentarily four runners were D on the agenda for exciting O’Brien, riding for his brother in line, Order Of St George had stayer Order Of St George after Joseph, and the runners were the race in safe keeping from a he made light work of four rivals soon positioned in single file as long way out. in the 1m6f Listed Saval Beg Stars Over The Sea settled in Aidan O’Brien said: “You’d be Stakes at Leopardstown. second, with Twilight Payment delighted with that, very happy The 5yo picked up smartly and Order Of St George racing indeed. He couldn’t have done rounding the final bend to ahead of Carbon Dating. any more really. circle the field before easing Kevin Manning was the first “There’s a bit more time away from Godolphin’s Twilight jockey to become animated as between this and the Ascot Gold Payment in the final furlong for Twilight Payment came off the Cup this year and that will suit a comfortable success for Aidan bridle before the final turn, and him. Sometimes the two races © Racing Post O’Brien and Ryan Moore. although he improved as the race can be a little bit close together. The entire son of Galileo used progressed, he could not match “He doesn’t mind the ground the same contest as his prep for the injection of pace Order Of St too much and it was beautiful the royal meeting last year and is George provided. here. It will be the Gold Cup for hot favourite to retain his crown Ryan Moore was alert to the him next and we could give him at the five day extravaganza sedate early pace and asked the a similar campaign to last year if Order Of St George next Thursday. son of Galileo to quicken out wide everything goes well.”

ESSICA HARRINGTON has warned that Alpha Dominant Centauri’s Alpha Ascot J Centauri will only take her chance in the Albany Stakes should the ground prove suitable. mission ground dependent The juvenile daughter of but there would be a reservation Mastercraftsman was made about running her if the ground favourite for the Group Three description had firm in it. after maintaining her unbeaten “She is a very mature and big filly record with an impressive victory so, at this stage of her career, she in a Listed race at Naas. has surprised me. She would be one Although Harrington intends to of the best 2yos that I’ve trained.” make Royal Ascot the next port Meanwhile, plans are in of call for the Niarchos family- place to send Torcedor, who owned filly, her appearance at made it two from two since the meeting will only materialise joining Harrington from David Torcedor if the ground is not too quick. Wachman in a Group Three at the plan and it is all systems go Harrington said: “Alpha Centauri Navan in April, straight to the Jessica Harrington at the moment. He has settled is great. She has come out of the Ascot Gold Cup. will see out the 2m4f trip in the in well since moving here. The race well and I am happy with her. Although the 5yo is yet to race Group One showpiece. trip should be fine for him in “We are looking at the moment beyond two miles, Harrington is She said: “Torcedor is going the Gold Cup, as he is a very to go to Ascot for the Albany, confident the son of Fastnet Rock to the Ascot Gold Cup. That is relaxed horse.” 15 2017 June 55 Reflection Quiet at Haydock but on course for Ascot ARL BURKE expects Quiet He said: “Everything is fine after Reflection to raise her game the race. She’s absolutely perfect, no K at Royal Ascot next week issues, and we’re very happy with her. after finishing down the field in last “I came very close to pulling her month’s Temple Stakes at Haydock. out at Haydock and heading to The Leyburn-based trainer Chantilly the following weekend, made no secret of the fact his dual but you don’t know what the Group One winning filly has not ground will be like so we decided been burning up the gallops this to let her take her chance. spring and the prospect of quick “She’s not a 5f filly, at least we ground over an inadequate five know that for sure now, and it furlongs on Merseyside further ended up being a racecourse gallop. tempered his enthusiasm. “In hindsight we probably should However, he decided to let his have run her in the Greenlands 4yo daughter of Showcasing line Stakes at The Curragh with the up in the Group Two contest as a way the ground went there on come out of it well and we’ll head “He said he felt she was just prep run for the Diamond Jubilee the same day, but hindsight is a for Royal Ascot where she won the picking up in the last 100 yards in Berkshire next month and while wonderful thing. Commonwealth Cup last year. after getting her second wind she finished well beaten, Burke is “The main thing is she’s had a “I was happy with how she ran and another furlong will make a far from downbeat. run now, which we wanted, she’s and so was Martin Harley. big difference.” Lockinge flop explained so Meade star set for Queen Anne RAINER Martyn Meade wrong, so he had an infection is confident Aclaim will which we are treating now. T bounce back to form this "You can put a line through summer after finding a viable that run. Luckily he wasn't excuse for his disappointing given too hard a race as he reappearance in the Group 1 didn't perform at all. This must Lockinge Stakes at Newbury. have literally happened and Having rounded off last season manifested itself the day he ran. Limato with three successive victories, He will bounce back and we will culminating in the Group 2 look towards Royal Ascot and Challenge Stakes at Newmarket, the Queen Anne. hopes were high the 4yo could "We will continue to monitor Candy remains make his mark at the highest him but at least we have found level this term. a reason for such a poor run and He was thrown in at the deep hopefully he can show his true sweet on Limato end in Berkshire but finished ability going forward. sixth, ultimately well beaten RAINER Henry Candy, son of Tagula is still filling out having seemingly travelled well whose horses hit form according to his trainer. throughout the first part of the T in style late in May, Candy said: "Limato is in great race under Jamie Spencer. believes there is even more to form and enjoying the sunshine. "It was a very disappointing come from stable star Limato He looks very happy again now run and clearly something was this season. after Dubai and Ascot is the amiss. The annoying thing is I After a trip to Dubai failed plan. I think he has grown and had him routine blood tested the to go to plan, Candy is now developed a little bit more; he is day before he ran and he was preparing him for the 6f quite a big horse now. absolutely fine, brilliant in his Diamond Jubilee Stakes. "He has always been a bit lazy coat and wonderful at home," Winner twice in Group One at home, but we won't take any said Meade. company last season, landing notice of that. We are happy "He ran flat in the race, so both the 6f and 7f with him and I think he can we took him home and had him Prix de la Foret, the 5yo gelded improve again this season." blood tested; his blood was Aclaim 15 56 June 2017 ROYAL ASCOT NEWS Hardwicke looks Dream destination for My Boat says trainer LIVE COX believes the get him plenty of cover and, as a 1m4f Group 2 Hardwicke consequence of that, he ended up C Stakes at Royal Ascot is the racing lazily in the straight. ‘logical’ race for My Dream Boat, “That meant Adam had to get as long as ‘conditions are suitable’. very serious with him but he did Despite having been the stay on strongly. It confirmed he first horse off the bridle in the stays and, on his day, Hawkbill is Group 3 Aston Park Stakes at a very serious animal so he didn’t Newbury last month, he did all his lose much in defeat. best work late on to take second “He has entries at Ascot, but the behind Godolphin’s Hawkbill on Group Two on the Saturday, the what was his first start over 1m4f. Hardwicke, would look the logical Cox said: “He stayed on very well, one, if the ground is soft enough. which he’d been doing over 1m2f “He’s well entered up and he and made us be confident that he has plenty of options, including would stay. He’s been keen in the abroad. It’s still early in the season past so Adam Kirby was keen to and I’m sure he’ll come on again.” My Dream Boat Constable to share Palmer hoping to Ascot canvas with enjoy Best Of Days for Caravaggio Godolphin at Ascot RTISTS look certain However, despite a 5lb rise RAINER Hugo Palmer “The Derby is the world’s to be well represented at Haydock, he proved he plans to run Godolphin’s greatest race but it takes a A at Royal Ascot with was back to his best when a T Best Of Days at Royal hell of a horse to win it, so Caravaggio leading the way in facile winner of the valuable Ascot after he missed the rather than push him and let the Commonwealth Cup and Grade Three, with trainer Evan Derby at Epsom. him run poorly we will look at John Constable emerging as a Williams keen to strike while The Newmarket handler other options. He is in the King contender for the 2m4f Ascot the iron is hot. made the decision to swerve Edward VII, the Queen’s Vase, Stakes Handicap. “We’ll aim him at the 2m4f the Epsom Classic after the the Irish Derby and the Eclipse. Ridden by Davy Russell, John race at Royal Ascot, the Ascot 3yo son of failed “We have a month to Ascot Constable won last month’s Stakes,” said Williams. to sparkle in a gallop on the and that takes the pressure off. Swinton Hurdle at Haydock “It seems the obvious place previous Friday morning. “I think at this stage, and will now be aimed at the to go but he might not get in, Best Of Days has not although he has an entry in the royal meeting next week. that’s the worry. It’s 0-100 and been seen since winning the Queen’s Vase, I would say the Formerly trained by Aidan he’s currently rated only 88 on Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes King Edward VII is more likely. O’Brien, he was in the process the Flat. at Newmarket last September “He is a gorgeous horse and I of running his best race for “I’d have no worries and Palmer explained: “The can’t wait to run him.” some time in a handicap hurdle about the ground as we’ve horse is in great nick but we at Aintree last month when he found out he’s a spring and always knew after his niggle fell at the final flight. summer horse.” at the beginning of March that the Derby would be cutting it fine. “His work was particularly satisfactory but he just tired so, having tired so markedly eight days before the Derby, he was not going to run to the best of his ability. “He really has grown a lot over the winter. “He is much bigger and stronger, and with him being a big horse it takes a little bit Caravaggio John Constable more time to get him ready. Best Of Days 15 2017 June 57 Wesley’s Wards ready for Ascot raid BY DUANE FONSECA

ITTLE did Wesley Ward know that what began as a L quest to merely try and give his runners more races would make him the most successful American trainer at Royal Ascot. The Wesley Ward story is a fascinating tale of an American handler who carved a niche for himself in the most prestigious meeting eastside of the Atlantic and in the process blazed a trail for his countrymen. Wesley Ward Lady Aurelia Strike The Tiger Ward’s successes at Royal Ascot have turned him into a sort Jealous Again claiming the of legend in less than a decade Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes since he won his first race when he with John Velazquez once again took a big outsider named Strike in the saddle. The Tiger, a horse who had shed The 49yo hasn’t looked back and his maiden status in a $30,000 since then has added two more claimer at Churchill Downs and Queen Mary wins, in 2015 and won the Listed Windsor Castle 2016, a second Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot. Stakes in 2014 and the 2013 It was his first runner at Norfolk Stakes to his resume. the meeting and it coincided He sends another strong team with being the first win by an this year, including 2016 Queen American handler. Mary heroine, Lady Aurelia and, Ward won twice during that based on his past record, he looks Royal Ascot debut in 2009, sure to be competitive. Undrafted

Q & A with Wesley Ward after seeing Johnny Velazquez in the winner’s circle. It It is the most special win of my life; I’ve won a really took a lot of pressure off for the next few days couple of Breeders’ Cup races but there is nothing How did it all start for you because Royal because I knew what was needed to be done at least. better than winning the Diamond Jubilee with Ascot is not on the radar of many American Two days, two wins at RA, in your first year the Queen of England presenting you the trophy, trainers but you went there in 2009 and won there, you must have been over the moon when having my kids there to watch it all. When my kids with your very first runner? Jealous Again won there the following day? open their laptop to do their homework, they have I had some early success with these 2yos and really I really was. It was unbelievable and everyone over a picture of me with the Queen of England for their had nowhere to run them, so I was kind of looking to there was so gracious and they went out of their way to home screen. It’s that much special for them as well. Royal Ascot to try and find a place where I could run come over and congratulate me. It was a situation where How do you choose your jockeys - whether to against winners and I could have an advantage and they finally had Americans coming over and winning. go with an American or a European rider? figured I’d give it a try. How much of an advantage is the fact that Frankie Dettori is just a brilliant rider and it was Now, looking back, I was really lucky because when American horses and riders have the tendency down to him that we won the Diamond Jubilee. It you have the fast ground there it’s an advantage to be more aggressive compared to others? just depends on the experience. to the American pedigree and the faster 2yos. Over That is a big advantage especially when you get a Which other horses are you planning to run there the Europeans give their horses time and they fast track. I’ve learned that when it rains there and and who will be riding them? aren’t pushing too hard so the horses don’t really the track gets deep you might as well scratch and On opening day, I have Arawak in the Coventry come out running. They go slowly and try and teach go home because their horses have been bred for Stakes; he has been running well. Elizabeth Darcy them to go late whereas it is completely different hundreds of years to run in those kind of conditions takes her place in the Windsor Castle. here in the US and looking at that I thought I’d give and they can run just as fast in boggy, wet conditions McErin likes grass more than dirt and runs in the it a try and it all worked out. as on dirt grounds, but when it’s fast and it’s firm, Norfolk Stakes, while Happy Like A Fool has been What did accomplishing a historic first win for it’s a great advantage for American horses. fielded in the Queen Mary. Princess Peggy is a Americans at Ascot mean to you? Do you take satisfaction when one of your possible starter alongside Fairyland in the Albany You really feel the magnitude of the racing when you North American peers wins a race like when Stakes, while Con Te Partiro takes his place in the get there. Strike The Tiger was running in the last the Mark Casse-handled Tepin won the Queen Sandringham Stakes. race and I thought what did I do? I brought this whole Anne Stakes last year? Bound For Nowhere is getting better by the day bunch of 2yos over and looking at this opulent place I really do now that everybody is going over and has a good chance in the Commonwealth Cup, with everybody dressed to the nines and thought I was there and winning. That’s what Royal Ascot was while Lady Aurelia won the Queen Mary Stakes last at the deeper end of the pool and going to be in big lacking. It was lacking the Americans coming and year and should do well in the King’s Stand Stakes. trouble. When the horses came out into the parade competing. For 50-60 years they were coming here I feel I’m very strong and fielding some good horses ring I was looking at the competition. It felt like you and winning, but we never took them on and now in all of the categories. I know their races now and were at the sales and I thought if I was to buy any we know it can be done. It just makes it so special. I know what it takes to win, and all the horses I’m of the horses, I’d have bought my horse. In the race What does Undrafted’s success in the Group 1 taking are very competitive and I believe I have a he just broke and went to the front and I was elated Diamond Jubilee Stakes 2015 mean to you? good chance this year. 15 58 June 2017 ROYAL ASCOT NEWS

AELIC master trainer Andre Fabre is likely Fabre trio likely to G to have a small but select team of three for Royal Ascot, headed by Godolphin’s cross the Channel Cloth Of Stars. The 4yo has been in rude confidence since he finished be supplemented for the Duke health this season, winning a eighth behind in last of Cambridge, a race she won Group Three at Saint-Cloud, a year’s Derby and the Prince of last year. Group Two at Chantilly and the Wales’s Stakes now beckons. “I’ll also take Le Brivido for Group One back at “Cloth Of Stars will be going the Jersey Stakes. He was only Saint-Cloud. to Ascot,” said Fabre. “I won’t just caught by Brametot in the Fabre has done a great job have many runners there. It’s Guineas and seven furlongs rebuilding Cloth Of Stars’ likely Godolphin’s Usherette will should suit.” Andre Fabre Kirk seeks compensation for unlucky Salouen

RGUABLY unlucky at kept on picking up and might have Epsom in the Derby, reached sixth or something only A Salouen will hope for a to be hampered again. clear passage in the King Edward “For a yard like us to have VII Stakes according to trainer gone close in the Derby would Sylvester Kirk. have been great, everyone would Badly hampered at least twice in have noticed. the Derby, last season’s Group 1 “He’s come out of it fine. He has Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere runner- a little cut on the bulb of his heel up was lucky to stay on his feet and is a bit tender but considering after one incident. what he went through he was lucky. He ended up finishing well down “He’ll stay at a mile and a half the field, beaten just over 11 and go for the King Edward, if he’s lengths by surprise winner Wings okay in the next two weeks. Of Eagles. “He wouldn’t have won but it “It was so unfortunate, it was would have been nice to see where like hitting an open ditch,” said he could have finished. There’s a Kirk “Even after the first knock he big race in him, I’m sure of that.” Grey targets biggest meeting in Britain

EWMARKET handler Mosse was very complimentary John Ryan is leaning about him. N towards making the “I had him in at Epsom on Hampton Court Stakes at Derby day in a handicap but Royal Ascot the next target for decided not to run him as Grey Britain. he would have given lots of Although the weight away. remains an alternative option for “He will go to Ascot now for the 3yo, the Newmarket handler the Hampton Court. I think I will is favouring a tilt at the 1m2f have him in the Britannia as well Group Three on the Thursday. on the same day because his Out of luck in two Meydan handicap mark is still handy so starts earlier this year, the son we will look at the pair of them. of Arcano scored for the first “Obviously the Hampton time since winning a maiden Court is a mile and a quarter, at Lingfield last August, when whereas the Britannia is only a never headed in a Listed contest mile, but that straight mile at at Newmarket in May. Ascot is one of the stiffest in Ryan said: “He was tough at the country and he does show Newmarket when he stumbled early pace. a couple of times coming into “I think the Hampton Court the dip as the ground was a would be the more obvious bit loose. choice and that was the one that “But he picked his head up sprung to mind to step him back and kept trying and Gerald up to a Group Three.” Grey Britain 15 2017 June 59 Haggas plans to Consequences far from dire Grace Ascot by Sea RAINED by David A trip to the royal meeting is O’Meara, Consequences an option for the same owner’s ONNECTIONS of Sea Precieuse too good in the French T could clash again with Monkeylou, who made a winning Of Grace hope to run 1000 Guineas. his York conqueror Santry in the debut for Gordon Elliott at C the daughter of Born To The trainer’s wife, Maureen, Norfolk Stakes next week. Listowel two days later. Sea in the Coronation Stakes at said: “Hopefully she will go to A juvenile son of Dandy Man, Bradley said: “Monkeylou is a Royal Ascot. Royal Ascot, but she needs the he was beaten two and a quarter serious horse. Gordon Elliott has Formerly with John Oxx in rain as she wants soft ground. lengths on the Knavesmire on his always told us that he would be a Ireland, the daughter of Born To “If we don’t run her at Ascot, racecourse debut but improved Stakes horse. Sea moved to William Haggas there are plenty of opportunities on that effort to record a facile “Our horse Beckford came on a for her 3yo campaign and after throughout the year for her. success in a novice event at lot for his first run and we expect finishing fifth in the Nell Gwyn “I think she might stay a bit Catterick recently. this fellow to do that. He did a lot Stakes at Newmarket, she further, but we will stick at a mile Nick Bradley, racing manager to wrong but still won easily. progressed nicely to find only for the moment.” owners Nick Bradley Racing 15, “If he goes to Royal Ascot said: “At York he looked the best it would have to be for the horse in the ring. We’ve always Coventry. Other options include thought a lot of him and he is one going to Newmarket for the July of our biggest 2yos. Stakes or the Anglesey Stakes at “I think he ran into a nice horse The Curragh.” at York. He hit the front too soon Meanwhile, the aforementioned and was a bit green on soft ground Santry, a winner on the first day of first time out. He was more the UK Flat season as well as under professional at Catterick, but still a penalty at York, is reported on has to learn. The Norfolk would course for Ascot by his trainer, appear the right race at Ascot.” Declan Carroll. Sea Of Grace (left in yellow) Ozzie girls target

Ascot glory © Racing Post ORMERLY campaigned in Listed race at Windsor was Italy, Kaspersky remains abandoned, it was the only thing F on course for a tilt at I could really run him in. the Queen Anne Stakes at “He will go for the Queen Anne Monkeylou Santry Royal Ascot, where he will be now. Michelle Payne is definitely partnered by 2015 Melbourne riding and I think she is aiming Cup heroine Michelle Payne. to get here in plenty of time so Godolphin may seek The 6yo, previously trained by she can sit on him at home and Endo Botti, numbers Italian and get to know him. German Group Two victories on “He will come on again. I am winning recital from Poets his record, along with third place not saying he is going to be in HARLIE APPLEBY has improvement. At the moment, in the Group 1 Premio Vittorio the first four, but he will give his revealed Bay Of Poets, on all evidence, I don’t think the di Capua last term. owners a run for their money. His C previously placed in two Hampton Court will come too A son of Footstepsinthesand, main goal is the Emirates Stakes Derby trials, has been gelded quick. We will take it day by day, he made his debut for Jane at the Melbourne Cup Carnival.” ahead of a possible run in the but at the moment he is showing Chapple-Hyam, like Payne an Hampton Court Stakes. all the right signs.” Australian, when fifth in the Beaten three lengths when Paradise Stakes at Ascot and seventh in the French Derby, was second under 10st in a the 3yo son of Lope De Vega handicap at Nottingham last had previously chased home time out. Cliffs Of Moher in the Dee Stakes Payne, who created history at Chester. in 2015 when becoming the Appleby explained: “He ran very first female rider to win the well and was competitive in both his Melbourne Cup, is lined up to Derby trials, as well as the French ride at the royal meeting. Derby when he put up a creditable Chapple-Hyam said: “He had performance and he looks to have to lump a big weight round come out of the race well. Nottingham, but because the Kaspersky “I’ve gelded him since the run and I hope we’ll see some Bay Of Poets 15 60 June 2017 ROYAL ASCOT NEWS Ivory hopes Librisa can Breeze towards Ascot EAN IVORY hopes to have Ivory said: “The plan is to go for stable star Librisa Breeze the Diamond Jubilee Stakes. D ready in time to take his “I’ve just given him plenty of time place in the Group 1 Diamond off. It is a long season and I’ve not Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. been in a hurry with the horse as Owned by Tony Bloom, owner he is better later in the season. I and chairman of Brighton and am nice and relaxed about it. Hove Albion Football Club who will “He is a horse that has always grace England’s Premier League for shown quite a lot at home but you the first time next season, the 5yo never know quite how well they are Mount Nelson gelding was second until they get to the racetrack. in last year’s Royal Hunt Cup. “If we miss Royal Ascot, we miss it, Successful in a 7f handicap, as it is still very early in the season, also at Ascot, he has not been but it’s still the plan to run there seen since finishing sixth in the 6f at the moment. He will do another Group 1 Champions Sprint, at the piece of serious work and probably same course, in October. ‘breeze’ nearer the race time.” Ulysses on course American Patriot bids to for Ascot odyssey emulate heroine compatriot WELVE months after “It’s an honour to have a horse EEMINGLY improving, Michael decided it would be Tepin’s famous victory, good enough to compete in one of Ulysses remains on target better to keep him fresh.” T the US will seek to win the biggest races in the world like S for a crack at the Group 1 Jessica Harrington’s exciting consecutive renewals of the Group the Queen Anne, and on a stage Prince of Wales’s Stakes. juvenile Alpha Centauri, 1 Queen Anne Stakes, the first like Royal Ascot. We are very Sir Michael Stoute’s 4yo won favourite for the Albany Stakes, race of Royal Ascot, after Grade much looking forward to it and the Group is set to be another notable One winner American Patriot Frankie Dettori rides.” Stakes on his return to action runner for the owners. was confirmed an intended starter American Patriot enjoyed a this season but has been kept “She has a lovely stride. with Frankie Dettori in the saddle. good campaign in the US last fresh for the big meeting. For a big filly, she is very well The 4yo, winner of Keeneland’s year, capturing the Grade 3 Regally bred, by Galileo out of an balanced,” said Cooper. Maker’s 46 Mile on his last start, Kent Stakes at Delaware Park Oaks winner in , Ulysses “Jessica has stated she wouldn’t travelled to Britain earlier this before going close in the Grade 1 has won over both 1m2f and 1m4f. want to run her on firm ground, week alongside Long On Value, Secretariat Stakes on Arlington “The Prince of Wales’s is but good ground would be fine.” with the pair set to lodge at Million day in Chicago. definitely the plan and all is well Another contender in the Abington Place in Newmarket. This year WinStar Farm’s colt is with him at the moment,” said famous silks will be George Todd Pletcher, trainer of unbeaten in two starts, winning a Alan Cooper, racing manager for Scott’s Gilgamesh in the Britannia American Patriot, who will try Gulfstream allowance race on his the owners, Flaxman Stables. Stakes, a mile handicap, for 3yos. to become the third US-bred seasonal debut as a prep for his “Sir Michael has indicated he is “Gilgamesh will head for the Queen Anne winner in the last breakthrough Grade One win at happy to stay over ten furlongs Britannia. He started off at a low five runnings with Declaration Keeneland. Meanwhile, Long On for now, but he can do both if we level but George has brought Of War having scored in 2013, Value, last seen finishing second need him to. We know he stays him along lovely and he’s now said: “American Patriot breezed in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint in further, though. four from five,” said Cooper. exceptionally well in preparation Dubai in March, will be Bill Mott’s “It was always the plan to go “Obviously this requires and came out of the work good. first runner at Royal Ascot in the straight to Ascot. The Brigadier another step up, but he’s going He’s doing really well, so it’s all Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes Gerard was looked at, but Sir there at the top of his game.” systems go. on 24 June.

Ulysses American Patriot 15 2017 June 61 Oxx hopes filly will be Nice, not Naughty ROGRESSIVE 3yo filly to Naughty Or Nice in the Yeats Naughty Or Nice is Stakes at Navan last month, P on course to put her ran out easy winner of a Listed unbeaten record on the line in the contest at Leopardstown. Ribblesdale Stakes. Naughty Or Nice has sufficiently The daughter of Fastnet Rock pleased trainer John Oxx to has won both her starts to date, persuade him to put her in the with the runners-up in those picture for the Ribblesdale. two races franking the form in “She’s fine and is in good form. © Racing Post some style. She’s been fine since her win and Bean Feasa, whom Naughty Or we’ve been happy with her,” said Nice defeated by two and a half the Currabeg handler. lengths on her debut at Gowran “As I’ve said before, she’s a lazy Naughty Or Nice Park in April, went on to win the worker at home and wouldn’t Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas give you any clues, but she’s done a Listed race. Her form is solid all continues to go well. It’s a fair Trial and was unlucky in running well on the track which is the enough at Listed level anyway, so step up from a Listed to a Group when fifth in the Classic itself. important thing. we will just have to see if she can Two, but Ascot should suit her The latest booster came a week “The form of her last race is step up a bit. The plan is to run and if she’s well we’ll let her take ago, when Grandee, a head second working out and the second won her in the Ribblesdale Stakes if her chance.” Godolphin colt Card Sharp enough for minimum dash after ٥f winning hand to seek revenge revealing NTHUSIASTIC as “The mile at Ascot is right ark Johnston is showed plenty of dash over ever, Richard Hannon up his street and I can see him leaning more towards the 5f minimum trip to defeat E is looking forward to putting it up to Churchill in a M the Norfolk Stakes stablemate Rufus King. having another crack at 2000 big way.” for Cardsharp following his “I can’t say I had a plan to go Guineas winner Churchill with Barney Roy will head a strong victory in the Brian Yeardley to Beverley prior to his Epsom Godolphin’s Barney Roy in the Ascot team for Hannon, with Oh Continental 2yo Trophy at run,” he said. “When he was beat St James’s Palace Stakes. This Is Us and Kool Kompany Beverley last Saturday. at Epsom I had a few entries in Having just his third run on course for the Queen Anne The Middleham trainer the Brian Yeardley, but it looked in the Classic, Barney Roy Stakes after finishing third had been thinking about the a bit too good of an opportunity finished a creditable length and fourth respectively in Coventry Stakes over 6f as to resist, as it looked on paper second to Aidan O’Brien’s colt, the Diomed Stakes at Epsom a possible objective for the he could win the race. a fine effort considering he met behind Sovereign Debt. Lonhro colt after he took “I think before we were trouble in running. “They both had traffic second place behind De Bruyne leaning towards the Coventry, “Barney Roy has come out problems at Epsom but both Horse in the Woodcote Stakes as we thought he might be a really well from that run and ran very well. The plan is to at Epsom a week earlier. nice 6f horse, but possibly after with a stronger pace he would head to Ascot and off a strong However, Johnston is that we might lean towards have finished much closer,” pace they should both be right having second thoughts after the Norfolk. He certainly heads said Hannon. there,” Hannon added. Cardsharp, owned by Sheikh to Ascot and will have entries Hamdan bin Mohammed, in both.”

Barney Roy Card Sharp