Course Specialist Magazine Issue Q1 2020

JANUARY 2020

All hail Pinatubo: 2019’s Champion Two Year Old Colt DARLEY GEARS UP FOR ANOTHER PHENOMENAL YEAR

MARCO GHIANI EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

INSIDE

EXCITING TIMES AT THE NATIONAL STUD

Tattersalls February Sale January 30 - 31 Breeding Stock, Fillies/Horses in Training, 2YO’s, Yearlings

Featuring consignments from European Sales Management, Godolphin, Juddmonte, Shadwell and the TBA Stallion Parade.

MOTION LASS dam of A’Ali winner of Norfolk Stakes, Gr. 2, Prix Robert Papin, Gr. 2, Flying Childers Stakes, Gr. 2 sold at Tattersalls February Sale for 9,000 gns

MISSION BOY winner of Gran Criterium, Gr. 2, etc. sold at Tattersalls February Sale for 3,000 gns

T: +44 1638 665931 sales@tattersalls.com www.tattersalls.com

EDITOR’S WELCOME

We bid you a Happy New Year and a warm welcome to the first issue of Course Specialist Magazine in 2020!

M

uch has happened since the last issue, with Queen Enable just coming up short in her bid to win an unprecedented third Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. She will be back in 2020 to make another bid for history but her haul of Group One victories already assures her place in history as one of the greatest race mares of all time.

Pinatubo was already a sensational winner of the Goffs National Stakes when we last published, but then added the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket, to end 2019 our top-rated juvenile colt, a perfect six from six. In this issue we review the best juvenile colts of an intriguing year which saw Godolphin and Darley dominate this division.

We are also privileged to feature Darley’s Sam Bullard, who discusses the secrets to such phenomenal success and some new additions to a formidable team.

Joe Cullen at the National Stud gives us a look behind the scenes and discusses some hugely exciting additions to the stallion roster in 2020.

We also meet up with a young Sardinian jockey who is going places, leading apprentice Marco Ghiani.

With a review of the Breeders’ Cup Meeting at Santa Anita, UK and International Racing News, not to mention a jam-packed final quarter review of the leading bloodstock sales of 2019, we hope this issue will keep you occupied through the coldest months.

Yours sincerely,

EDITOR & PUBLISHER Andrew Pelis PHOTOGRAPHERS Anthony Byles Arena Racing Company Ascot Racecourse Christopher Jones Darleyeurope.com Dubai Racing Club EclipseSportswire France Galop Godolphin.com Goffs Goodwood Racecourse Healy Racing Hong Kong Jockey Club John James Clark Keeneland Photo Megan Rose Photograph Newbury Racecourse Nick Kennedy Racing Photos Racing Victoria Steven Cargil Tattersalls.com Tattersalls Ireland The Jockey Club The National Stud PRODUCTION Jon Mullender jonmullender.com ON THE COVER Pinatubo with HH Sheikh Mohammed and William Buick, after winning the Dewhurst Stakes

Andrew Pelis Editor and Publisher

WE’RE SOCIAL  /course-specialist  @CourseSpecial Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained within this magazine, no legal responsibility will be accepted by the publishers for loss arising from use of information published. No part of the publication may be reproduced or stored in a retrievable system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written consent of the publisher.

Copyright 2019 © Andrew Pelis

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January 2020

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REVIEW 2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS

2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS REVIEW Image supplied by Goodwood Racecourse

2019

was indisputably the year of Darley stallion Shamardal. His juvenile colt progeny dominated the Group One scene in the UK, Ireland and France.

Heading a trio of top class colts was Pinatubo.

Named after an active volcano, the Charlie Applebytrained colt confounded his home work and took the racing public by storm as the summer progressed.

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Having started out in a minor contest at Wolverhampton, Pinatubo went from strength to strength, finishing the year unbeaten in six starts, including two Group One victories. His success in the Dewhurst Stakes crowned him Champion Two Year Old Colt for 2019.

Pinatubo’s journey began at Wolverhampton, in early May, when he readily beat Platinum Star by 3 ¼ lengths. That colt went on to finish second in the Windsor Castle Stakes and July Stakes, later winning the Listed Ripon Champion Two Yrs Old Trophy.

At the end of that month, Pinatubo was somewhat workmanlike in disposing of Oh Purple Reign by 1 ½ lengths in the Woodcote Stakes. If that contest proved one thing, with the bigger picture in mind, it was that Pinatubo handled Epsom.

Whilst the Woodcote had proved the perfect platform for Buratino to land the Coventry Stakes, Appleby instead chose

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January 2020

2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS REVIEW to step Pinatubo up in trip for the Listed Chesham Stakes, at the Royal Meeting.

This was the day when we got the first inkling that Pinatubo might be something out of the ordinary.

After a short battle with Lope Y Fernandez, the final furlong saw Pinatubo assert and draw away for an impressive 3 ¼ lengths victory over the Aidan O’Brien colt, with good yardsticks like Highland Chief, Harpocrates and Year Of The Tiger further back.

Whilst the Chesham Stakes carries Listed status, the manner of Pinatubo’s success suggested he might be a Group One horse.

That feeling was fully vindicated by his next race – and a scintillating performance in the Group Two Vintage Stakes at Goodwood.

Once again, Lope Y Fernandez was in opposition, along with the Group Two Superlative Stakes winner Mystery Power, Platinum Star, the Mark Johnston-trained Visinari and the highly-regard Clive Cox colt Positive.

This was the moment that the volcano truly erupted, as Pinatubo turned the race into a procession on the South Downs.

From two furlongs out, he was fully in control, hitting the front and quickening away for an emphatic five-lengths win over Positive and Lope Y Fernandez.

It was a performance that drew comparisons with the 2017 winner Expert Eye, who later in his career won the Breeders’ Cup Mile. For his part, Charlie Appleby remained unassuming about his charge, indicating that his racecourse appearances were in contrast to his effective, yet quiet work at home.

But Pinatubo could only head into Group One competition after that Goodwood victory – and that appearance took place in a showdown with some of Aidan O’Brien’s leading juveniles.

After a break, Pinatubo took his place in the field for the Group One Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes, at the Curragh, on Irish Champions Weekend.

If the meeting had been lacking a wow moment, it would not have much longer to wait.

In opposition to Pinatubo was the highly-rated and exciting Armory – and Aidan O’Brien’s Coventry Stakes winner Arizona, who had flopped in the Prix Morny, but was stepping up to seven furlongs here.

William Buick sat handily off the pace and eased Pinatubo to the front with two furlongs to run. What happened next is perhaps the most enduring image of the entire 2019 season.

The colt quickened in sensational style, leaving Armory and Arizona floundering in his wake.

He relentlessly powered on, past the furlong pole, becoming ever more distant from his pursuers and passing the line a stunning nine lengths clear of Armory, who just won the battle for second from Arizona.

It was a performance that left William Buick’s face wreathed in smiles and evoked memories of Arazi’s stunning juvenile victory at the 1991 Breeders’ Cup. Pinatubo was given a rating in excess of Frankel’s at two.

Whilst previous Godolphin winners of the National Stakes – Dubawi and Quorto, were put away afterwards, Pinatubo was aimed at the Group One Darley Dewhurst Stakes, traditionally the end of season race that defines Europe’s Champion two year-old colt.

Pinatubo’s claims were clear enough for championship honours, but as we shall see, two other Godolphin colts, trained in France, also had their fans.

Pinatubo had to deliver one more performance out of the top drawer to cement his reputation – which did not scare off eight rivals at Newmarket.

Chief among those were four Aidan O’Brien horses, as Arizona, with more than nine lengths to find, re-opposed.

Also in the line-up were Wichita, who had impressed over course and distance in the Group Three Tattersalls Stakes, the American Pharoah colt Monarch Of Egypt, stepping up to seven-furlongs for the first time – and Year Of The Tiger.

Two others taking on Pinatubo again were Positive, who had subsequently won the Group Three Solario Stakes, and Mystery Power.

There were three questions that Pinatubo had to answer ahead of his sixth task of the year: was he over the top? Would he handle the Rowley Mile? Would soft ground prove a problem?

The imposing Arizona cut out much of the running and had many of his rivals under pressure approaching the Dip. Buick had ridden a patient race on Pinatubo and eased the colt out wide and into a challenging position. Yet the instant acceleration, on this occasion, was blunted by the ground.

The brilliant turn of foot was not there, but gradually Pinatubo ranged alongside Arizona and passed his rival. At the line, he was pulling away for a two-length victory and it was a further 2 ¾ lengths back to Wichita in third.

The immediate reaction from some quarters of the media was that Pinatubo had been made to work hard for his success.

But that statement does not factor in the ground and the rigours of a long, hard season. Not since Dawn Approach (another Godolphin colt) had won the Dewhurst in 2012, had a Dewhurst winner gone through as many races, been on the go so long – and retained his unbeaten record.

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January 2020

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REVIEW 2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS Dawn Approach went on to land the following season’s 2,000 Guineas and looks the obvious first target for Pinatubo, who beat all challengers. His form appears rock solid and he is a well-balanced colt who won on a flat track and undulating surfaces.

Pinatubo won on the all-weather, on good ground and on soft ground, so he is versatile as regards ground conditions.

The manner of his Dewhurst victory suggests he will comfortably stay a mile.

In fact, his dam Lava Flow, is by Dalakhani, a renowned source of stamina, suggesting that a return to Epsom would not be out of the question.

The only real question is whether or not Pinatubo will train on and there is no reason why he wouldn’t. It is highly unlikely he will be asked to race in Dubai and he is not overly small in size, although dwarfed by Arizona.

Charlie Appleby will have an exciting winter in prospect as he nurtures the seemingly unflappable colt in preparation for next spring’s Classics.

But that is some way off, he has more than earned his berth at the top of our review of 2019 and we should appreciate the talent that is Pinatubo.

Remarkably, Shamardal produced two more outstanding juveniles during the 2019 season, in the shape of Group One winners Earthlight and Victor Ludorum.

Both colts were trained in France, for Godolphin, by Andre Fabre.

In a normal year – without Pinatubo, Earthlight would have held strong claims to be the leading juvenile colt of the season.

© Christopher Jones

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Image supplied by France Galop

The small, stocky chesnut, with the white face, goes into the winter with an unblemished record of five wins from as many starts.

From an early stage, Fabre could not contain his excitement in this colt.

He made his debut in the second half of June, scraping home by a neck from Dutch Chop, in a 5 ½ furlong maiden at Maisons-Laffitte, on good to soft ground.

A couple of weeks later, he encountered good ground in a Deauville conditions race, slamming Les Hogues by 3 ½ lengths over six furlongs.

It was Earthlight’s third start, in the Group Three Prix de Cabourg, also at Deauville, when people began to really take notice.

Back on good to soft ground, he routed his rivals with a powerful display, beating the well-regarded Well Of Wisdom by four lengths. It was a majestic performance which had Fabre delighted and talking his charge up in public.

Earthlight was about to be tested against some of the season’s best, in the Group One Prix Morny.

For the third race running, Earthlight headed to Deauville – and this time the ground was heavy, making the six furlong race a real test of stamina.

But that was arguably the least of his problems, as he faced a field containing three Royal Ascot winners: Coventry Stakes winner Arizona, Norfolk Stakes winner A’Ali and Queen Mary winner Raffle Prize, while Golden Horde had run out an impressive winner of the Molecomb Stakes at Goodwod.

The filly Raffle Prize took the field along and with two furlongs to race, had many of her rivals in trouble.

But Earthlight began his run and came to join the filly, the two enjoying a fine battle, before the colt passed the longtime leader. He drifted on the run-in and the winning margin was only a neck, but the two had pulled 2 ½ length clear of Golden Horde, with another two lengths back to Arizona.

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January 2020

2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS REVIEW Surprisingly, given his star-studded career successes, this was just the second time Fabre had won the Prix Morny.

His first success had come 27 years earlier with the mighty Zafonic, who went on to win the 2,000 Guineas the following year. Fabre suggested that Earthlight could be something special.

Initial indications were that Earthlight would head to Newmarket in the autumn and a date with destiny in the seven-furlong Dewhurst Stakes, which Zafonic had also won.

However, such was the impression that Pinatubo made in Ireland, that plans changed and Earthlight was re-routed to the Group One Middle Park Stakes two weeks earlier, so that the former could run in the Dewhurst.

On paper, it looked a stern test and a race to savour for the Middle Park. Once again, Earthlight was competing over six furlongs, this time on good ground. But would he handle the Dip? Was he good enough in a field that contained the unbeaten Siskin, Mums Tipple, Gimcrack and Champagne Stakes winner Threat, Lope Y Fernandez and Monarch Of Egypt?

Sadly Siskin reared up in the stalls and was withdrawn.

When the race did get underway, King Neptune and Mums Tipple set the tempo, while Earthlight appeared to lose his place and dropped back.

However, as Mums Tipple dropped away, Earthlight came on strong for Mickael Barzalona and began his run towards the stands side.

Meanwhile, Golden Horde had got first run on the French colt and hit the front with a furlong to race.

But Earthlight had a little extra and went on to win by a neck, with Summer Sands – subsequent winner of the Redcar Two Year Old Trophy, coming home third.

It meant that Earthlight was five from five and afterwards, Fabre talked of potentially bringing the colt back to Newmarket for the 2,000 Guineas and even talked of Derbies being within his remit.

The dam of Earthlight is Winters Moon, a useful filly who won on debut over seven furlongs but did not win again. She raced at up to 1 ¼ miles and was by Darshaan, who often injected stamina into a pedigree.

But Earthlight is a small, muscular colt, with not too much scope for further development. He looked like a ball of speed and showed as much, winning over no further than six furlongs in 2019.

There must be question marks about his future physical development and ability to stay a mile. The manner of his victories were far less dominant than those of Pinatubo.

Earthlight was an outstanding two year-old and takes high order in this year’s review, but falls just short of Pinatubo’s achievements.

Earthlight has interestingly yet to race around a bend and if he is to contest longer races or a French Guineas, this is an unknown aspect.

Completing the trio of Godolphin colts at the top of this list is Victor Ludorum.

Like Earthlight, he is a son of Shamardal and is trained

by Andre Fabre.

© AJ Byles

Unlike his two contemporaries, Victor Ludorum was much less raced and has more scope to develop into a three year-old.

Victor Ludorum did not race until the start of September, when he looked a very smart prospect, winning a ParisLongchamp one-mile maiden by 3 ½ lengths from Twist.

It was an eye-catching debut, but Fabre wasted no time in getting more experience into the colt, running him just 13 days later in a one-mile Chantilly conditions race, once again on good ground.

Again, Victor Ludorum looked a talented colt, as he quickened well to beat Dexter by 3 ½ lengths.

Any suggestions that Victor Ludorum might be wrapped in cotton wool and put away for the winter, were soon dispelled, as he took a huge step up in class for the Group One Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at ParisLongchamp, in early October.

Barely five weeks after his debut, Victor Ludorum was taking on some of the best colts around, on very soft ground.

Alson took the field along, but Mickael Barzalona was able to move up with relative ease on Victor Ludorum, taking over with around half a furlong to race, to beat the long-time leader by ¾ of a length, with Armory and Ecrivain finishing next.

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REVIEW 2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS

What Course Specialist noticed afterwards, was that rather than looking tired after a hard race in testing conditions, Victor Ludorum was still full of himself and proving a handful for Barzalona.

Remember this is a colt who had been virtually unheard of five weeks earlier and in that space of time, had a three-race unbeaten record including a Group One. Victor Ludorum, unlike Pinatubo and Earthlight, has already proven he stays a mile. His dam’s sire won over 12 furlongs and he looks a lively contender for the English Derby or Prix du Jockey Club.

After running a promising third to Justifier on debut, Armory developed into a really smart colt, representing Aidan O’Brien in contests that the trainer has historically targeted with his best Classic prospects.

© Nick Kennedy

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The son of Galileo got off the mark when defeating Arranmore by 2 ¼ lengths at the Curragh in late June.

A month later, he contested the Group Three Tyros Stakes at Leopardstown, a race O’Brien has won in the past with the likes of King Of Kings, Rip Van Winkle, Cape Blanco, Zoffany, Gleneagles, Churchill and Anthony Van Dyck.

The result was never in danger from the home straight, as Armory powered away from stable mate Toronto, winning by five lengths, with a performance that generated plenty of excitement.

Armory’s races had been nicely spaced-out and it was another month before we saw him again – in another race O’Brien had farmed, the Group Two Futurity Stakes at the Curragh.

Armory was produced with around a furlong to run – and despite perhaps unsuitably yielding ground, he showed a good turn of foot to seize control and then kept on nicely to defeat Rebel Tale by ¾ of a length, gaining revenge on Justifier in the process.

For his next assignment, O’Brien targeted one of Ireland’s main two year old contests, the Group One Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes at the Curragh.

Beforehand, this looked an intriguing contest over seven furlongs, with O’Brien’s Coventry Stakes winner Arizona, stepping up in trip.

However, the race turned into a rout as Charlie Appleby’s Pinatubo seized control and stormed away for a staggering nine-length victory which on the face of it, brooked little argument.

Armory simply had no answer to the Godolphin colt’s turn of foot but his stamina kicked in late on for him to pass Arizona for second.

Coolmore decided against taking on Pinatubo in the Dewhurst Stakes and instead sent Armory to ParisLongchamp for the Group One Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.

Very soft ground prevailed on Arc Day and perhaps blunted some of Armory’s speed and he looked a little onepaced, although keeping on gamely, to finish a length third to Victor Ludorum and Alson.

Three weeks later, Armory again took on Alson in the Criterium International, over seven furlongs, also at ParisLongchamp.

In the event, it turned into a race that can probably best be forgotten. The withdrawal of Wichita in the morning, on account of heavy ground, was followed by the withdrawal of Lady Penelope, who became upset in the stalls.

That turned the race into a match, with Armory doing too much early on.

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January 2020

2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS REVIEW maiden on Irish Guineas weekend and routed his rivals with a blistering 8-length defeat of King Of Athens.

That saw the colt book his place in the Group Two Coventry Stakes against 16 rivals, on rain-softened ground.

In a field containing the likes of Golden Horde, Well Of Wisdom, Ropey Guest and Royal Lytham, Arizona got up late on to beat Threat by ½ a length, with Guildsman a further neck back in third.

Royal Lytham would soon advertise the strength of the form by landing the Group Two July Stakes at Newmarket, while Threat would later win the Group Two Gimcrack Stakes and Champagne Stakes.

By the home straight, Donnacha O’Brien was driving his mount, as Alson revelled in conditions and cruised alongside.

Alson went on and O’Brien eased his mount down, so the 15-length margin of superiority was probably exaggerated.

Alson stayed and coped with the conditions far better than Armory.

Despite his season not ending with Group One victory, Armory was clearly well-regarded at Ballydoyle and close to the top of the pecking order. There should be more to come in 2020.

Armory is out of the French 1,000 Guineas fourth After and whilst he will stay a mile no problem, there would be a slight question mark against him getting the Derby trip.

© Megan Rose Photography

Arizona had an interesting season, looking hugely exciting, losing his way a little in the middle and then finishing strongly.

His size suggests that he is going to improve with time – a point that Seamie Heffernan endorsed after his excellent second in the Dewhurst Stakes.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained son of No Nay Never was an early two year-old runner, finishing second in early May behind Sunday Sovereign at the Curragh.

He returned to the Kildare track three weeks later for a

Arizona meanwhile, was not seen again for two months, returning in the Group One Prix Morny at Deauville, in heavy ground. He never travelled that day and trailed in 4 ¾ lengths behind Earthlight and seemingly not handling the ground.

Trainer Aidan O’Brien decided to step the colt up to seven furlongs for his next start, in the Group One National Stakes at the Curragh, in September.

Arizona raced prominently and held every chance with two furlongs to run, before Pinatubo swept by and careered away. He had no answer to the Godolphin colt, finishing 9 ¾ lengths behind him, but kept on well and was only just beaten for second by stable mate Armory. It was a performance that cast Arizona very much in the upper echelons of Ballydoyle’s armada of juvenile colts.

As Armory was aimed at ParisLongchamp, Arizona headed to the Dewhurst Stakes and a rematch with Pinatubo.

Also representing Ballydoyle was Wichita, but it was Arizona who cut out the running.

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REVIEW 2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS With two furlongs to run, Pinatubo was at work to reach Arizona’s withers and although he got past, Arizona put up a protracted fight and gave the Champion plenty to think about, pulling clear of the rest of the field.

At the line, Pinatubo had two lengths in hand of Arizona, some turnaround in previous form. It was 2 ¾ lengths back to Wichita in third.

Did Arizona improve? Did the soft ground bring Pinatubo back to his rival? Either way, Arizona has plenty of scope and in our opinion is likely to develop more over the winter than his great rival.

Either way, Arizona’s season was not yet over and he made the long trip to Southern California for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita.

As always, early track position was crucial and Arizona found himself towards the back of the pack on the home turn.

Arizona powered down the short home straight and eventually finished 1 ¾ lengths fifth to Structor. It was a run that had an element of misfortune and Arizona lost little in defeat.

Arizona’s US pedigree suggests that he will stay a mile but not much further. He could potentially have a good bit more improvement to come given his size and reminds us a little of another past O’Brien Coventry Stakes winner – Henrythenavigator, who appeared exposed after Royal Ascot, but returned the following year to dominate the Mile division. He is a horse with an impressive cv but remains one with huge potential.

Wichita had looked a nice prospect when winning on debut, by a head from Fiscal Rules, at the Curragh, in late August.

However, the son of No Nay Never was beaten fair and square when ½ a length second to the highly-regarded Molatham, in the Flying Scotsman Stakes at Doncaster, in September.

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Aidan O’Brien sent the colt back to England later that month, for the Group Three Tattersalls Stakes at Newmarket.

Taking on horses like Persuasion, Ropey Guest and Oh Purple Reign, Wichita looked a very different proposition.

From two furlongs out, Wichita led and then lengthened out of The Dip, pulling further clear.

At the line he beat Persuasion by seven lengths, proving he handled Newmarket’s Rowley Mile, with a performance which screamed Group One candidate.

Just over two weeks later he got his chance, with a crack at Pinatubo, in the Dewhurst Stakes. Racing against the stands rails might not have been the best track position, as he finished 4 ¾ lengths third to racing’s newest superstar and stable mate Arizona.

Wichita has plenty of experience of Newmarket now and O’Brien felt after the Dewhurst that there was no reason why his two colts couldn’t return to the Rowley Mile for the Guineas next spring, where better ground might just play to Wichita’s strengths.

Being out of a Dashing Blade mare, a mile is likely to be the optimum trip for Wichita.

Until late October, the only Group One race open to juvenile colts in England, Ireland and France, not won by Godolphin horses, was Siskin’s triumph in the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes.

The Ger Lyons colt ended his campaign under a slight cloud, but unbeaten in four starts and a Group One winner to boot.

Not overly big, but beautifully put together, Siskin is a son of First Defence.

He made a winning debut when beating Harpocrates by 2 ¾ lengths at Naas, in early May. Just 13 days later he looked a potentially smart colt when beating King Neptune by the same distance in the Listed Marble Hill Stakes at the Curragh.

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January 2020

2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS REVIEW

Image supplied by www.godolphin.com

Lyons elected to miss Royal Ascot and give Siskin more time after his second run. His next start came in late June in the Group Two Railway Stakes, where he faced a stern test in the shape of once-raced Monarch Of Egypt, who had created huge waves with an impressive debut win.

Siskin quickened in taking fashion and easily out-pointed the Aidan O’Brien runner by 2 ½ lengths, to take top rank among the early season juvenile colts.

After a break, Siskin was aimed at the Group One Keeneland Phoenix Stakes back at the Curragh, in early August.

Aidan O’Brien runners represented three of the four other runners, with the Ballydoyle trainer fielding July Stakes winner Royal Lytham and Monarch Of Egypt, who he reported to have improved since the Railway Stakes.

On unsuitably rain-softened ground, the result was the same, as Siskin asserted his authority to beat Monarch Of Egypt by ¾ of a length.

Lyons stated that a step up to seven furlongs for the National Stakes was a possibility, but at a late stage, Siskin was taken out and waited with, for the Group One Middle Park Stakes, over six furlongs, at Newmarket.

Siskin was a fascinating component to what was arguably the race line-up of the season. However, having entered the stalls, he became unruly and reared over, temporarily becoming trapped under the stalls. Thankfully he was released and appeared unscathed, but was withdrawn.

There remain a number of questions to be resolved subsequently.

Has he mentally recovered from that experience? How far will he stay? How good is his early season form? Certainly Monarch Of Egypt’s subsequent runs, whilst respectable, were not out of the top drawer.

Siskin has not raced over further than six furlongs and has a lot to prove if he is to prove a Guineas candidate. With his

dam Bird Flown, a daughter of Oasis Dream, there is plenty of speed in this Juddmonte family. It would be no surprise to see Lyons take his time with Siskin next spring, to wait for better ground and prepare him for the Commonwealth Cup. There is a precedent, as Prince Khalid’s Calyx missed the Guineas and was trained for this year’s Commonwealth Cup before injury intervened.

Positive held solid form during 2019 and his trainer Clive Cox, very much felt he was going to make more of a three year-old.

The son of Dutch Art made a striking debut when slamming Hexagon by five lengths at Salisbury, in late June.

On the strength of that performance, a month later he was pitched into the Group Two Vintage Stakes at Goodwood, faring best of the rest behind Pinatubo, in finishing five lengths second, with quality horses like Lope Y Fernandez, Mystery Power, Visinari and Platinum Star behind him.

Hopes were high for Positive in the Group Three Solario Stakes at Sandown Park, at the end of August.

In the event, he had to work hard to defeat Kameko by a nose, with Al Suhail close-up in third, in a muddling finish.

However, that form took on a decidedly rosier look later in the year and Cox was delighted with Positive, who he was already describing as “next year’s horse”.

Even so, Positive was given one more outing at two – and was disappointing in the Group One Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket, in early October.

On soft ground and coming out of the Dip, he failed to pick up and eventually came home 12 lengths sixth of nine to Pinatubo.

It was a flat run but there ought to be plenty more to come from him and the subsequent Group One victory of Kameko indicates that Positive is far from a back number. He is out of a Makfi mare and a mile should be his perfect trip in 2020.

He holds an Irish Guineas entry and prove a smart miler.

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REVIEW 2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS Mums Tipple was sent to York for his second start in a competitive 21-runner sales race. What followed was simply stunning – and one of the most vivid images of the season.

Mums Tipple simply annihilated his rivals, romping to an eleven-length success in a six-furlong contest on good ground.

It was a remarkable performance that had some harking back to Mill Reef ’s Gimcrack Stakes victory almost 50 years before.

Was Mums Tipple a new wonder horse?

Threat proved a smart horse and enjoyed a fine campaign which yielded two Group Two victories.

The Richard Hannon-trained son of Footstepsinthesand, made a big impression when beating Electrical Storm by 2 ¼ lengths in a minor contest at Newmarket’s Guineas Meeting, in early May. Next stop was the Group Two Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, where Threat was ½ a length second to Arizona.

He was expected to make amends in the Group Two Richmond Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, at the beginning of August. However, on the day he found Golden Horde ¾ of a length too good.

Threat gained a deserved big race success when winning the Group Two Gimcrack Stakes by 1 ¼ lengths from Lord Of The Lodge, at York.

In September, Hannon stepped Threat up to seven furlongs, for the Group Two Champagne Stakes at Doncaster.

He was held up and came through with a strong finish to defeat Royal Crusade by a neck.

Hannon then dropped his charge back down in distance for the six-furlong Group One Middle Park Stakes.

However, Threat never really got involved and was a somewhat lacklustre 3 ¼ lengths fifth of 8 to Earthlight and old rival Golden Horde.

That final start may have been one race too many at the end of a long campaign and Hannon retains faith that Threat will stay a mile and is a Guineas horse.

Hannon also fielded Mums Tipple in the Middle Park Stakes and the latter is another prospective Guineas horse for 2020.

The son of Footstepsinthesand got off the mark at the first time of asking, when beating Molatham by a neck, at Ascot, in late July. The latter went on to frank the form with a Listed victory later in the year.

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He earned an immediate elevation in class and duly linedup for the Group One Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket.

Having been up with the pace through the early stages, Mums Tipple faded to finish 4 ¾ lengths seventh of the eight runners, behind Earthlight.

It was a brutally disappointing let down, but it later transpired that Mums Tipple returned lame.

Hannon remains bullish about his Guineas prospects and being out of a Xaar mare, he should get a mile.

Mystery Power had looked a leading juvenile in high summer.

After defeating the useful Subjectivist by a length at Haydock Park, in late June, Hannon sent the son of No Nay Never to Newmarket’s July Festival.

The race chosen was the seven-furlong Group Two Superlative Stakes.

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2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS REVIEW

Mystery Power came with a strong finish up the hill to defeat Juan Elcano by a smooth length, with smart horses Ropey Guest and Year Of The Tiger further back.

Next up was the Group Two Vintage Stakes at Goodwood, where we were about to witness the arrival of Pinatubo.

Mystery Power, along with the rest of the field, couldn’t live with that horse and he eventually came home a disappointing 15 ½ lengths sixth of the seven runners.

Hannon gave his charge a break afterwards and when he did return, it was over the shorter six furlongs in the Group Two Mill Reef Stakes.

He had every chance two furlongs from home but was no match for the imposing Pierre Lapin, finishing 1 ½ lengths second of eight.

That was an encouraging return and put the Goodwood run in the past. So Hannon decided to have another crack at Pinatubo in the Group One Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket, in early October.

But the result was the same as before - and he was 15 lengths behind the Godolphin colt, finishing seventh of the nine runners, on soft ground.

Mystery Power is out of a Haafhd mare and a mile should be no problem next season. The balance of his form suggests he is below top class, but he is a proven Pattern performer who could be effective at up to 1 ¼ miles.

Image supplied by Arena Racing Company

Temple Of Heaven goes into the winter with a fine record of three victories from four starts.

The son of Iffraaj was an early juvenile runner for Richard Hannon, landing a Nottingham five-furlong contest in April.

He then headed to Newbury for that good conditions race over six, on Lockinge Stakes Day, defeating Fort Myers by a short head. At that stage he was arguably the leading juvenile colt seen.

However, things went wrong for Temple Of Heaven at Royal Ascot, as he trailed in 13th of 21 to Southern Hills, in the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes, back over the minimum trip.

We didn’t see him again for four months and he return victorious in a Newcastle conditions races in late October, slamming Desert Safari by five lengths, back over six furlongs.

Temple Of Heaven does not have any Classic entries and a logical target looks to be the Commonwealth Cup in 2020.

Al Madhar is more of a dark horse and a very interesting colt from the Hannon team.

We only saw this son of Siyouni once – but he made a striking debut in an always informative maiden at Newmarket’s July Festival.

Al Madhar beat the highly-regarded, Pattern-class Al Suhail by a neck, with horses like Tsar, Kipling, Tammani and Eshaasy behind him that day.

He wasn’t seen out again, but looks a very interesting colt for 2020 if he comes to hand early in the spring. Al Madhar is out of a Galileo mare o ought to stay a mile well and could be effective up to 1 ¼ miles. He holds an Irish 2,000 Guineas entry and is a bright prospect.

Roger Varian has enjoyed a terrific 2019 campaign, with two Group One wins, Royal Ascot success and over a century of winners.

His juvenile filly Daahyeh takes high order in that category, but he also had a couple of smart two year-old colts.

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REVIEW 2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS in a sales race. It was a stunning performance that had some people reminiscing about Mill Reef on the Knavesmire.

That seemed to endorse Molatham’s credentials ahead of the Convivial Maiden Stakes, always a high class contest.

In the event, Molatham had to work hard to beat Celtic Art by a neck, but he progressed and got the job done.

The colt was out again in the not too distant future, in the five-runner, seven-furlong Listed Flying Scotsman Stakes, a race formerly won by Frankel.

Image supplied by Newbury Racecourse

Pierre Lapin falls into the “sky is the limit” category as a real dark horse – and has already demonstrated his immense talent with Group Two success in the Mill Reef Stakes.

This big, imposing colt, was an early two year-old runner for the Newmarket trainer, beating Visible Charm by 3 ½ lengths in a Haydock Park maiden, in late May, on good to firm ground.

Varian took his time with the promising son of Cappella Sansevero and held back any desire to run the colt at Royal Ascot.

Other big summer races came and went and still we did not see Pierre Lapin.

In fact, four months elapsed before Pierre Lapin headed to Newbury for the Group Two Mill Reef Stakes over six furlongs.

Against more exposed horses – including the Group Two winner Mystery Power, Pierre Lapin was something of a mystery horse, a big, raw, once-raced colt.

However, the engine was unquestionable as he quickened well on good to firm ground, to beat Mystery Power by 1 ½ lengths. The third home, Shadn, would later win the Group Two Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte.

Varian is keen to continue to take his time with Pierre Lapin and he remains a fascinating horse. His sire was best at sprint distances and the dam, Beatrix Potter, is out of July Cup winner Cadeaux Genereux, suggesting that the Commonwealth Cup and July Cup could be possible targets for 2020.

Molatham was another Varian colt to make his mark as a juvenile.

This son of exciting freshman sire Night Of Thunder, ran a hug race on debut when beaten a neck by Mums Tipple, in an Ascot maiden in late July.

The following month, both colts ran and won at York’s Ebor Festival. Mums Tipple firmly underlined the strength of the form with an 11-length demolition of a big field of horses

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Molatham came with a smooth run to outpoint Wichita by a comfortable ½ a length, with the likes of Visinari and Tomfre in arrears.

In the aftermath, both Varian and owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum’s racing manager Angus Gold, indicated that they thought Molatham was a prodigious talent.

The Dewhurst Stakes was mooted as his next target, but in the event, Molatham ran on Future Champions’ Day in the one-mile Autumn Stakes.

Earlier on the card, Tomfre had endorsed Molatham’s form, but the biggest compliment had been paid by Wichita, two weeks earlier, when that colt slammed Group Three rivals by seven lengths in the Tattersalls Stakes.

The portents were good for Molatham, as he stepped up in trip, however, rain-softened ground proved his undoing.

He briefly threatened to get involved, but then flattened out, unable to quicken, finishing 7 ¾ lengths fourth of 8 to Military March and Al Suhail.

Straight after the race, Varian affirmed the notion that he thought the ground had probably been to Molatham’s

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January 2020

2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS REVIEW detriment. He later suggested that a Guineas bid was not completely blown out of the water.

Molatham is out of a Pivotal mare, so a mile should be no problem and he will probably stay 1 ¼ miles in time and remains a bright prospect.

So what do we make of Military March? His profile is understandably somewhat in the shadow of other Godolphin juveniles in what has been an exceptional year for the operation.

Saeed Bin Suroor commented that he felt he had his best batch of juveniles for some time this year.

This son of New Approach, out of the brilliant race mare Punctilious, made a good impression when winning a maiden on the July Course in late July, by 1 ¼ lengths from Jacksonian.

He was not seen out again until the Group Three Autumn Stakes on the Rowley Mile, in early October.

This time, Military March stepped up in trip to a mile, on soft ground.

His stamina came into play in testing conditions, as he became embroiled in an epic battle with Al Suhail.

The pair pulled clear of a classy field, including Molatham, Ropey Guest and the previously unbeaten Cherokee Trail.

Al Suhail refused to knuckle under, but in the final half a furlong, Military March wore down his rival to win by ½ a length, with the pair seven lengths clear of Ropey Guest.

Military March does not hold any major entries for 2020 but Bin Suroor feels he could develop into a Group One colt.

Al Suhail was very much a talking horse ahead of his Newmarket debut in July – and he certainly proved up to Pattern class during the rest of the season.

The son of Dubawi ran well on his bow to be beaten just a neck by Al Madhar, with talented horses like Tsar and Tammani in behind.

Al Suhail built on that debut to win a Great Yarmouth

contest by four lengths from Imperial Empire, a month later.

That saw Charlie Appleby step him up in class for the Group Three Solario Stakes at Sandown Park, at the beginning of September.

He acquitted himself well to finish a length third to Positive and Kameko.

We only saw Al Suhail once more, as he stepped up to a mil for the Group Three Autumn Stakes at Newmarket.

It was a compelling race and Al Suhail and Military March drew clear of their rivals in an enthralling battle through the final quarter mile. At the line Military March just out-lasted his rival by ½ a length on soft ground, with the pair seven lengths clear of Ropey Guest and Molatham.

Al Suhail holds entries in the 2020 Irish 2,000 Guineas and Irish Derby. He is out of a Shirocco mare and as such, could be more effective from 1 ¼ miles upwards. He could also be open to more improvement on pedigree, having already shown considerable ability.

Aidan O’Brien’s record in the Group Two Beresford Stakes is impressive, but the winners have had mixed future records.

Innisfree became the trainer’s 18th winner of the race and follows in the hoofprints of the likes of Saratoga Springs, Septimus, Eagle Mountain, St Nicholas Abbey, Capri, Saxon Warrior and Japan.

The son of Galileo ran a promising race on debut, when finishing 4 ½ lengths second of 8 to stable mate Year Of The Tiger, in a Naas maiden, in early July.

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REVIEW 2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS Towards the end of that month, he got off the mark when defeating Shekhem by a neck, in a Galway maiden, over seven furlongs.

Two months later, the pair locked horns again, on heavy ground and over a mile, in the Beresford, at the Curragh.

Shekhem attempted to make all, but Innisfree stayed on well and gradually overhauled him, beating his rival once again by a neck.

The colt was then sent to the Group One Vertem Futurity Stakes – re-routed to Newcastle’s Tapeta track, when Doncaster was abandoned.

In the event, Innisfree came out best of his stable’s five runners in the Futurity – finishing 3 ¼ lengths second to Kameko and just winning the scramble for the minor places from Year Of The Tiger and Mogul.

The form may not be world-beating at this stage, but Innisfree gives the impression he is very much a work in progress.

That he was able to win a Group Two contest at two, is a sign of his ability and perhaps something of a bonus. He looks a potential Derby and middle distance colt for next year.

Mogul has been quietly brought along and is another Aidan O’Brien horse who could have Group One and Classic pretensions.

The son of Galileo ran 5 ½ lengths second of 10 behind Geometrical in a Gowran Park maiden in mid-August.

A couple of weeks later, he looked to have progressed, when handing out a 3 ½ length defeat to the useful Shekhem, at the Curragh.

Mogul then headed to the Group Two KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown, on Irish Champions Weekend. This is a race O’Brien has targeted with some of his best juveniles down the years.

Mogul did not let him down, running on strongly in the final quarter of a mile to defeat the useful Sinawann by 1 ¼ lengths.

He looked to be well on top at the end and being out of a Danehill mare, one can envisage Mogul entering the Derby mix next spring.

He was earmarked for the Group One Vertem Futurity Stakes at Doncaster – and when that meeting was called off, was re-routed to the race at Newcastle, on the Tapeta.

Track position perhaps played its part and Kameko had flown with Mogul never really threatening, although he was in the mix for the minor placings, eventually finishing fourth, beaten around 3 ¾ lengths by the winner and narrowly behind stable mates Innisfree and Year Of The Tiger.

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When Royal Dornoch landed the Group Two Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket, it was seen by many as a surprise.

But Aidan O’Brien has a track record for stepping horses up in trip and eking out improvement and the son of Gleneagles had run well in Group races as a maiden.

He had needed his debut run and on his third start, over an inadequate six-furlongs, finished 3 ¾ lengths third to Golden Horde in the Group Three Richmond Stakes at Goodwood.

That underlined Royal Dornoch’s latent talent.

O’Brien then pitched him into Group One competition in a hot renewal of the Prix Morny over six – and he failed to shine in Deauville’s heavy ground in August, finishing well behind Earthlight.

In early September, Royal Dornoch was dropped in class but stepped up to seven-furlongs to land a Gowran Park maiden by ½ a length from Edward Hopper.

Ten days later, he stepped up to Group Two level in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster – and whilst finished last of the five runners, he was only beaten 4 ¾ lengths by Threat.

A fortnight on and he moved up to a mile for the Royal Lodge and showed stamina to be his forte. Royal Dornoch hit the front with just over a quarter of a mile to race, handled the Dip well and kept on gamely to hold off Kameko by a neck, with Iberia and Year Of The Tiger further back.

He is entered in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and the Derby next year and being out of a Danehill Dancer mare, it is touch and go whether he will quite get the trip in the latter.

Kameko well and truly franked the Royal Lodge Stakes form on his final start of the campaign and looks an exciting talent for Andrew Balding, going into 2020.

The son of Kitten’s Joy got off the mark in good fashion at Sandown Park in late July, beating It’s Good To Laugh by ½ length.

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2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS REVIEW Newmarket’s Dip may not have fully suited Kameko, while the flat track at Newcastle certainly did. So a Guineas bid is not a foregone conclusion. There is plenty of reason to believe that 1 ¼ miles will be his optimum trip – that other son of Kitten’s Joy, Roaring Lion, seemed to improve for that trip.

So perhaps a trip to the Prix du Jockey Club could be on the cards for Kameko in 2020.

Just over a month later, he returned to Esher for the Group Three Solario Stakes and was just beaten by a nose by Positive, with Al Suhail a length further back.

It was a race of huge promise, against a horse with proven Group form.

Nearly a month later, Kameko lined-up for the Group Two Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket. He looked set for victory, but was denied by the tenacity of Royal Dornoch, going down to a neck defeat.

However, Kameko looked a very different prospect in the Group One Vertem Futurity Stakes at Newcastle, in early November.

Originally he was the sole British-trained representative in the line-up scheduled for Doncaster. But when that meeting was abandoned, the race was re-scheduled and the entries re-opened.

In the event, Kameko faced ten rivals on the Tapeta, over a mile. Once again, the bulk of the opposition was fielded by Aidan O’Brien, including the Group Two winners Innisfree and Mogul, plus Year Of The Tiger and New World Tapestry. The field also included the impressive Newmarket maiden winner Kinross, Listed Deauville winner Tammani and John Gosden’s Verboten.

But they were all playing second fiddle to Kameko, who seized control from two furlongs out and drew right away, looking in a different league to his rivals.

He crossed the line an easy 3 ½ lengths clear of Innisfree, with a performance that had the wow factor.

It looked to the naked eye as though Kameko had come on significantly for the Royal Lodge run and will be interesting to see what the plans are for Kameko next spring.

Jockey Oisin Murphy suggested afterwards that

Image supplied by Goodwood Racecourse

Golden Horde enjoyed a fine season and looks to be another smart sprinting prospect for Clive Cox, who certainly knows the time of day with precocious talents.

The son of July Cup winner Lethal Force, ran fourth of 12 to Light Angel on debut at Newbury, in mid-May. Later that month he impressed in slamming Indian Creak by 4 ½ lengths at Windsor, setting up a visit to Royal Ascot.

Cox chose the Group Two Coventry Stakes at the Royal Meeting and Golden Horde ran well to come home twolengths fifth of 17 behind Arizona and Threat.

He gained his revenge on Threat with a battling ¾ of a length victory in the Group Two Richmond Stakes at Goodwood.

Later in August, Golden Horde took part in a thrilling contest for the Group One Prix Morny, at Deauville. With three Royal Ascot winners in the field, Golden Horde fared well to come home 2 ¾ lengths third of eight behind Earthlight and the filly Raffle Prize – with old adversary Arizona, in arrears.

Golden Horde had one more run in 2019 – and got a lot closer to Earthlight in the Group One Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket, in late September.

The pair fought out the finish to a contest that also included Threat, Mums Tipple, King Neptune, Monarch Of Egypt, Lope Y Fernandez and Summer Sands – and Golden Horde went down by just a neck to the French colt.

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REVIEW 2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS That run underlined Golden Horde’s credentials and he looks a likely candidate for the Commonwealth Cup and July Cup next year.

Cox may have another genuine contender for those races in the shape of Streamline.

The son of Due Diligence finished 2019 with three victories from four starts, culminating in his win at Group Three level.

He got off the mark when defeating Fanzone by ½ a length at Bath, in July.

In early August he was an emphatic winner of a minor Kempton Park contest, beating Force Of Impact by 3 ¾ lengths over five furlongs.

Those performances saw Streamline stepped up to Listed company in the Roses Stakes, at York, in late August. He ran a commendable race to come home a length third of 12 behind Alligator Alley.

Perhaps Cox felt that the Knavesmire five furlongs was just on the sharp side for his charge, as his final run of the year saw him step up to six furlongs for the Group Three Sirenia Stakes, at Kempton Park, in early September.

He took the move with aplomb, defeating Oh Purple Reign by a length.

Being out of a Compton Place mare, Streamline should be in his element at six furlongs and is an interesting horse.

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Summer Sands caused something of a shock for many people, when finishing a close third in the Middle Park, at odds of 100/1.

However, Richard Fahey clearly had plenty of faith in the son of Coach House, who a week later would frank the form.

Having finished third to Bomb Proof at York in May, Summer Sands got off the mark with a ½ a length defeat of Oh Purple Reign, at Beverley, in early June.

He ran a fine race in the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot, coming home two-lengths sixth of 21 to Southern Hills.

After a break of a couple of months, Fahey stepped Summer Sands up to six furlongs for the Group Two Gimcrack Stakes at York and he was six lengths fifth of 12 behind Threat.

A month later, he confounded his odds with a terrific effort in the Group One Middle Park Stakes, finishing two lengths third to Earthlight and Golden Horde, with a number of highly-regarded horses behind him, including old rival Threat.

He consolidated his reputation a week later, when impressively beating Troubador by 2 ¾ lengths in the Listed Redcar Two Year Old Trophy, on heavy ground.

Summer Sands has plenty of speed but perhaps his best performances came with a little give in the ground. He could be a contender for spring races like the Sandy Lane Stakes and then on to the Commonwealth Cup.

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January 2020

2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS REVIEW Monarch Of Egypt started his career in sensational fashion, making a splash around the world as the first American Pharoah horse to hit the track – and the manner of his victory suggested there was a whole lot more to follow.

In truth, Monarch Of Egypt’s subsequent runs have proved somewhat disappointing and he was well beaten in the Middle Park Stakes and Dewhurst Stakes. However, O’Brien was not afraid to pitch him into Group One contests and it could be that he is showing more at home and could yet improve.

Another son of Gleneagles to make his mark was Royal Lytham – and his form reads well.

The Ballydoyle youngster was a first-time out winner, at a time when many of his juvenile stable mates needed their first run.

He beat Dark Vader by ¾ of a length in a Navan maiden in early June – and perhaps the Coventry Stakes came too soon afterwards for him, as he ran a respectable 3 ¾ lengths seventh of 17 to stable mate Arizona.

Royal Lytham underlined his ability next time out with a narrow victory in the Group Two July Stakes at Newmarket, beating Platinum Star by a short head, with a neck back to Visinari in third. Guildsman, who had finished ahead of him in the Coventry Stakes, was further back this time.

Royal Lytham was then seen in the Group One Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh, in early August, running a super race to finish a length third behind Siskin, on his first attempt on soft ground.

Whilst his form was against early season horses, Royal Lytham stood up well against the best of those and could be open to more improvement when he steps up in trip. Like Royal Dornoch, Royal Lythem is entered in the Irish Guineas and the Derby next season.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Highest Ground went into many notebooks following an eye-catching and eventful

debut at Leicester, in late September.

The son of Frankel completely blew the start in the sevenfurlong contest, losing several lengths.

Ryan Moore took his time and switched Highest Ground across the track and gradually, he worked his way into contention.

Late on, Highest Ground his top stride and was in front before the furlong pole, drawing away, the further he went. At the line, he was 2 ¾ lengths clear of Macho Boy and will have learned plenty.

It was a performance that impressed most onlookers and with more experience, he is another colt for whom the sky appears to be the limit.

Highest Ground is out of a Sunday Silence mare and should have no problem staying 1 ¼ miles, with the Derby a reasonable target with progression.

Sir Michael will surely take his time with this colt and will not step him up in class until he feels he has sufficient experience and maturity.

Aidan O’Brien of course has strength in depth amongst his juveniles and inevitably, some of these are going to emerge from the shadows to become well-known three year-olds.

Among these could be New World Tapestry, who only got off the mark at the third attempt, but had run well against some of his yard’s best two year-olds before then.

The son of War Front ran 10 ½ lengths third of 9 to Arizona on debut, in a Curragh maiden in late May. A month later, at the same track, he bumped into Armory, finishing 2 ¾ lengths fourth of 11. Given what that colt went on to do, that suggested New World Tapestry is above average.

We didn’t see New World Order again for three months and when he returned, it was in a competitive looking Newmarket maiden over seven furlongs.

The colt looked more grown up as he beat Colour Image by ¾ of a length.

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REVIEW 2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS He made a quick reappearance in the Group One Vertem Futurity Trophy at Newcastle, in early November.

He was up with the pace and briefly led with two furlongs to run, before fading to finish eighth behind Kameko. That might have been a step too far and too soon with hindsight and we would expect to see plenty of improvement next spring, although he may be better on a sound surface.

Fort Myers proved a colt of great consistency who ran eight times, mainly in Pattern company – and was never out of the first four.

The son of War Front won on debut at Dundalk, in late April.

He then headed to Newbury a month later for a valuable conditions race over six-furlongs, finishing a short head second to the useful Temple Of Heaven.

Fort Myers lost little in defeat in the Group Two Coventry Stakes, finishing 1 ¾ lengths fourth of 17 to stable mate Arizona.

Just eleven days later he was out again, running 4 ¾ lengths third of 5 behind Siskin, in the Group Two Railway Stakes at the Curragh.

After a break, Fort Myers returned to action in the Group Three Round Tower Stakes, also at the Curragh. He again put up a solid performance to come home 1 ½ lengths third of 12 to stable mate Lope Y Fernandez.

A couple of weeks later, Fort Myers stepped up to seven furlongs in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster. He again acquitted himself with credit, leading early on and keeping on to finish 1 ½ lengths fourth to Threat.

In early October, Fort Myers returned to the all-weather for a Listed contest over seven furlongs, beating the useful Justifier by a length.

A month later, he accompanied Arizona to the Grade One Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita, holding a good position throughout the early part of the race and keeping on at the finish. He had a rough passage late on and eventually finished seventh, beaten less than three lengths by Structor and within ¾ of a length of his stable mate.

Fort Myers is unbeaten on the all-weather and his overall level of form marks him out as a smart prospect.

It will be interesting to see if O’Brien considers a North American campaign with this colt in 2020.

Lope Y Fernandez was in mid-summer, one of the leading juvenile colts seen out from the Aidan O’Brien stable and got closer than many to Pinatubo.

The son of Lope De Vega made an eye-catching debut to land a Curragh maiden in early June, beating Kipling by 3 ¾ lengths over seven furlongs.

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On the strength of that run, O’Brien sent him to the Listed Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot, where he put up a resolute battle with Pinatubo, only wilting late on to finish 3 ¼ lengths second of 14.

That raised high hopes that Lope Y Fernandez might be top drawer and he duly took on the Godolphin colt in the Group Two Vintage Stakes at Goodwood.

However, this time the outcome was disappointing and he had no answer to Pinatubo’s blistering turn of foot, finishing ten lengths adrift in third.

A month later, O’Brien dropped Lope Y Fernandez to six furlongs for the Group Three Round Tower Stakes at the Curragh.

Racing over this trip for the first time, Lope Y Fernandez revelled in the good to yielding conditions and beat Guildsman by a comfortable 1 ½ lengths, with stable mate Fort Myers further behind.

Lope Y Fernandez clearly seemed to enjoy the drop in trip and O’Brien sent him to Newmarket for the Group One Middle Park Stakes and an exciting clash with the likes of Earthlight, Golden Horde, Mums Tipple and Threat.

But in the event, Lope Y Fernandez seemed a little onepaced at this level over six – keeping on to finish 3 ½ lengths sixth of 8 to Earthlight.

It was far from a disastrous run and throughout the year, there were hints that there might be more to come. Lope Y Fernandez is out of a Dansili mare and ought to stay a mile next season.

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January 2020

2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS REVIEW The sensationally-bred Year Of The Tiger is by Galileo, out of the Group One winner Tiggy Wiggy.

After running a promising second to Lil Grey on debut, Year Of The Tiger was pitched into the Listed Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot, finishing 8 ¾ lengths seventh of 14 to Pinatubo.

A couple of weeks later, in early July, he put his racecourse experience to good use by trouncing subsequent Group Two winner Innisfree by 4 ¾ lengths, in a Naas maiden.

However, a week later, at Newmarket, he ran too bad to be true when tailed off behind Mystery Power, in the Group Two Superlative Stakes.

Year Of The Tiger was not seen again until late September, when he stepped up to a mile in the Group Two Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket.

In the event, he kept on well to finish four lengths fourth of 7 to stable mate Royal Dornoch.

A fortnight later, Year Of The Tiger returned to the Rowley Mile for the Group One Dewhurst Stakes, running with credit to finish 6 ¾ lengths fourth of 9 to Pinatubo, on arguably unsuitable ground.

Year Of The Tiger was not quite done for the year and reappeared in the Group One Vertem Futurity Trophy at Newcastle, in early November.

He kept on well to finish 3 ½ lengths third to Kameko and Innisfree, just ahead of Mogul.

The last two races underline the regard for Year Of The Tiger at Ballydoyle and he closed the gap on Pinatubo from their earlier race.

Whilst his form is not sensational, Year Of The Tiger mixed it with the best in 2019 and is open to more improvement. There are Pattern races to be won with him in 2020, whether that is in Ireland and the UK, or further afield, will be interesting to see.

With eight starts in 2019, Harpocrates appears exposed, but put in some fine performances.

The son of Invincible Spirit won just the once, but got within seven lengths of Pinatubo at Royal Ascot and 3 ¼ lengths of Siskin at the Curragh. His best run came when he finished a neck second to Valdermoro in the Group Three Acomb Stakes at York. On pedigree, he should improve for middle distances in 2020.

King Neptune is another who gained lots of experience, with nine races. The son of War Front won on debut but failed to add any more victories. His best subsequent efforts came when he finished 2 ½ lengths second to Siskin in the Listed Marble Hill Stakes in May – and 2 ½ lengths fourth to Earthlight, in the Group One Middle Park Stakes. King Neptune made much of the running on that occasion and kept on well. He should be effective at up to a mile next in 2020.

Santiago built well on his experience to win at the third time of asking. The son of Authorized ran second on debut to Howling Wolf and filled the same position behind the smart Alpine Star (beaten 3 ¼ lengths) at Galway, in August.

He got off the mark with a 1 ¼ length defeat of Sunchart at Listowel, in early September.

Out of a Cape Cross mare, he will stay a mile well and could develop into a useful horse over 1 ¼ miles.

Louisiana ran with great promise on his first three starts and got off the mark on his next run.

The son of Galileo, out of a Danehill Dancer mare, ran third to Geometrical on debut. He was then 2 ¾ lengths second to Shekhem, who subsequently ran well at Group level.

In late September, Louisiana ran well when ½ a length second of 19 to the smart looking Pablo Diablo.

He lost his maiden tag when beating In From The Cold by 4 ¾ lengths at Thurles, in October.

Cormorant is another who could take a big step up from two to three.

The son of Kingman looked in need of his debut start when 6 ½ lengths fourth of 8 to Free Solo, in a Leopardstown maiden in late July.

He returned there in early August to beat Agitare by a short head.

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REVIEW 2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS O’Brien stepped him up notably for his final start of the campaign, in the Group Two KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown, over Irish Champions Weekend.

In the event, Cormorant ran an OK race, leading to 1 ½ furlongs from home, when stable mate Mogul took over. He came home 4 ¾ lengths fifth.

Cormorant is out of a Dansili mare and looks like he will excel at around 10-furlongs. He was not given a hard campaign and raced on all three starts over a mile.

Southern Hills looked a very smart colt in the early summer, but was not seen after winning at Royal Ascot.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained son of Gleneagles was a wellbeaten last of five behind Siskin on debut.

He came on for that run to finish a neck second of 6 to Air Force Jet at Navan, at the start of June.

Southern Hills then headed to Royal Ascot for the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes. He put up a super performance over the five furlongs, defeating Platinum Star by ½ a length.

That was the last time we saw Southern Hills and intriguingly he holds a Derby entry in 2020, having not raced over further than six furlongs.

His speed suggests that the Commonwealth Cup might be a more viable option but he has clearly had his problems.

San Pedro’s first two starts didn’t give many pointers to his ability, but he put it all together impressively on his final start of 2019.

The son of Gleneagles was unplaced behind Royal Lytham on his debut in early June, over 5 ½ furlongs.

O’Brien backed off him thereafter and he was not seen out again until mid-October, when, racing over a mile, he was 6 ½ lengths fourth of 13 to Celtic High King in a Leopardstown maiden.

Returning to the same venue a week later, San Pedro took his rivals apart with an emphatic performance, beating Joven by 5 ½ lengths and looking very progressive.

O’Brien had him back in action in early November, when he took part in the Group Three Horris Hills Stakes, rerouted to Newmarket.

However, the colt dropped right away into the Dip and the combination of the course, heavy ground and three races in quick succession, may have taken their toll in a competitive heat.

He is out of a Lawman mare and holds a Derby entry. It would be no surprise to see him lining up in a Derby trial in the spring.

Kenzai Warrior goes into 2020 with an unbeaten record intact and the Qipco 2,000 Guineas firmly in his sights.

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In 2018, trainer Roger Teal trained Tip Two Win to finish second to Saxon Warrior in the Guineas; he is dreaming of going one place better with this son of Karakontie.

It was early Septmeber when Kenzai Warrior made his debut – beating subsequent Listed winner Max Vega by a neck at Salisbury.

He was not seen out again until early November, when he took on more experienced rivals in the Group Three Horris Hill Stakes at Newmarket, on heavy ground.

Kenzai Warrior handled the conditions and the track well to get up late on and defeat Ropey Guest by ½ a length.

It was a performance that delighted his trainer and having proven he handles Newmarket and is Group class, the Guineas looks the natural target in the spring.

Ropey Guest is already building a public following for his exploits – and it remains an enigma and something of an injustice that he remains a maiden.

The George Margarson-trained son of Cable Bay had ten starts, finishing in the first four on seven occasions.

But it was the level of race that he competed in, that delivered notable prize money and underlined him to be a serious colt.

He started out finishing last of seven to Oh Purple Reign at Nottingham, in late May. Later that month he was 2 ½ lengths fourth to Boccaccio in a minor Yarmouth contest.

Those runs belied the belief Margarson had in his charge and his performance in the Coventry Stakes, when finishing 2 ½ lengths sixth of 17 to Arizona, fully vindicated that faith.

In July, Margarson stepped Ropey Guest up to seven furlongs – and he again acquitted himself well in finishing fourth of 8 to Mystery Power, in the Group Two Superlative Stakes at Newmarket.

On King George afternoon, Ropey Guest again showed his talent in the Listed Winkfield Stakes at Ascot, coming home 2 ¾ lengths third of six to Al Dabaran.

A month later he was in the Group Three Acomb Stakes

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January 2020

2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS REVIEW at York, finishing 2 ¾ lengths third of nine to Valdermoro.

For all of his fine efforts in Pattern company, Ropey Guest remained a maiden.

He was expected to break that hoodoo in a minor Ascot contest in September, but arguably ran his worst race since his debut, in finishing 3 ½ lengths fifth of eight – albeit to the useful Cherokee Trail.

From then onwards, Ropey Guest only ran in Group Three contests, running well to finish 8 ¼ lengths third of six to Wichita in the Tattersalls Stakes at Newmarket, in late September.

He tackled a mile for the first time, in the Autumn Stakes, at the same venue, on Future Champions Day. Whilst Military March and Al Suhail had the race between them, Ropey Guest was best of the rest and stayed on for third.

He had one more contest in 2019 – and came agonisingly close to victory.

Despite his long season, Ropey Guest maintained his level of form and with a furlong to run, looked set to break his maiden in the Group Three Horris Hill Stakes. However, late on, Kenzai Warrior came on the scene to deny him by ½ a length.

It was an amazing campaign in many ways and Ropey Guest not only showed durability and ground versatility, but an ability to mix it at a high level.

He is simply too good to not win races and being out of an Oratorio mare, could get 1 ¼ miles in time. Margarson has trained placed horses in the Qipco 2,000 Guineas before and it would be no shock to see Ropey Guest running a big race on the Rowley Mile next spring.

Joseph O’Brien enjoyed another hugely successful year and in Desgraves, looks to have a colt with Classic potential for 2020.

The son of Camelot ran fourth of 19 to Lady Jane Wilde on debut, at the Curragh, in early August.

A couple of weeks later he ran in a similar contest and finished 2 ¾ lengths third of 16 to the useful Sinawann.

After a little break, Desgraves got off the mark at Navan in early October, beating Chiricahua by 2 ½ lengths.

O’Brien gave his charge one more start, in Leopardstown’s Group Three Eyrefield Stakes over 9-furlongs.

Desgraves showed a nice turn of foot to go on with a furlong to race and held off the late charge of Persia by ½ a length, with the useful Justifier back in third.

He is out of a Danehill Dancer mare and should be at his best over 10-12 furlongs.

Gravity Force ran a belter in the Horris Hill Stakes,

coming home 4 ½ lengths fourth to Kenzai Warrior.

The Karl Burke-trained son of Fountain Of Youth was a promising 1 ½ lengths second to Ascension on his racecourse debut, at Newcastle, in early September.

He built on that run to defeat El Naseri by ½ a length at Ayr, later in the month.

Gravity Force encountered heavy ground at Redcar in early October and finished a length second to Embolden.

Once again the ground was heavy when he headed to Newmarket for the Horris Hill, but he ran a fine race.

Gravity Force showed a good level of consistency and should be effective over a mile.

There were signs that the French juvenile colts might have more strength in depth in 2019, than in previous years.

Ecrivain looked a smart prospect and lost little in defeat on his final run.

The Carlos Laffon-Parias trained son of Lope De Vega, landed a Deauville contest in late August by a head from Legende D’Art. In early September he headed to ParisLongchamp for the Group Three Prix des Chenes, showing his class to defeat Hopeful by a length, with Al Dabaran ½ a length back in third.

That set Ecrivain up for a tilt at the Group One Prix JeanLuc Lagardere on Arc Day at the Paris track.

Encountering very soft ground, he ran on well to finish with the leading pack, just a length down on Victor Ludorum, in finishing fourth.

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REVIEW 2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS Ecrivain is out of a Danehill Dancer mare and the French Guineas and Prix du Jockey Club must come into calculations for 2020.

Mkfancy seemed to improve with each run and landed a Group One for Pia Brandt at the end of the season.

The son of Makfi ran a promising race on debut to finish 5 ¼ lengths third of eleven to subsequent Group One winner Victor Ludorum, in September at ParisLongchamp.

He got off the mark next time out with a 3-length defeat of Firstman in a Saint-Cloud maiden at the end of the month.

A month later, he showed stamina to be his forte, as he outstayed Arthur’s Kingdom to land the Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud, over 1 ¼ miles in heavy ground, by three lengths.

Mkfancy looks to be a Derby candidate and it will be interesting to see if connections favour the shorter Prix du Jockey Club or bring their horse to Epsom over 1 ½ miles.

Former Champion Jockey Richard Hughes has been waiting a long time for a potential Group star among his stables and in Brentford Hope there is cause for real excitement.

The son of Camelot was pitched into a good looking Newmarket maiden in late October, on soft ground, over 1 ¼ miles.

Coming out of the Dip, there was the extraordinary sight of Jamie Spencer, sat motionless on the inside, as his rivals were all under pressure.

Brentford Hope travelled smoothly and with beautiful balance and it was just a question of when Spencer asked him the question. He sat patiently, in classic Spencer style – and when he finally asked he mount, the response was eyecatching.

With the minimum of effort, Brentford Hope pulled five lengths clear of Princess Bride in exciting fashion.

Hughes could not contain his enthusiasm afterwards and

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admitted he had ridden the colt at home.

Clearly stamina is not an issue and there is a big engine in place. Brentford Hope is out of a Ravens Pass mare and he ought to stay 1 ½ miles well and could develop into a Derby candidate. He holds an Irish Derby entry at this stage.

A’Ali proved one of the speediest juveniles around during 2019 and put together a fine sequence of runs which eventually took him to Santa Anita and the Breeders’ Cup. The Simon Crisford-trained son of Society Rock is out of a Motivator mare and in theory, ought to be more effective over further.

However, he came to hand early and had an abundance of speed, winning at Ripon on debut in early June.

Just over a fortnight later, he landed the Group Two Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot by a neck from Ventura Rebel.

A month later, Crisford sent his charge to Deauville and he duly landed the Group Two Prix Robert Papin by ¾ lengths from My Love’s Passion.

To that point, unbeaten in all three starts, including two Group Two races, A’Ali had pretensions to be the leading juvenile of the year.

In August that theory was put to the test in a heavy ground renewal of the Group One Prix Morny at Deauville.

Stepping up to six furlongs, A’Ali’s speed was blunted and he came home five lengths fifth of eight to Earthlight.

Contrasting ground met A’Ali in September at Doncaster, as he readily defeated Dream Shot by a length in the Group Two Flying Childers Stakes.

That booked his place in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint in early November. However, as is often the case for European juveniles in these contests, he was towards the rear from an early stage and never a factor, eventually finishing 5 ¾ lengths tenth of 12 to Four Wheel Drive.

All of A’Ali’s victories came over no further than 5 ½ furlongs although as already stated, on pedigree he should get further. The Temple Stakes, Commonwealth Cup, King George V Stakes and Nunthorpe look likely races for him in 2020.

The Joseph O’Brien-trained Alligator Alley took on A’Ali a couple of times and was another to finish down the field in that Breeders’ Cup contest.

The son of Kingman took a couple of runs before the penny dropped and landed a Navan maiden in mid-July.

That saw O’Brien send Alligator Alley to Goodwood for the Group Three Molecomb Stakes, where he ran a belter to finish a length second of 13 to the smart filly Liberty Beach.

In late August he headed to York and won the Listed

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January 2020

2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS REVIEW Roses Stakes by a length from Dr Simpson, proving he was one of the fastest two year-olds around.

However, he failed to fire in the Group Two Flying Childers Stakes in September and was beaten five lengths by A’Ali, before disappointing in Santa Anita.

Alligator Alley is out of a Cape Cross mare and whilst he raced over no further than six furlongs – and showed his best form over five in 2019, there is no reason why he couldn’t step up in trip in 2020.

Plenty went wrong for Tsar on debut in a competitive maiden at Newmarket’s July Festival.

He eventually finished 2 ¼ lengths fourth of 14 to Al Madhar and Al Suhail, having been very slowly away, before making headway late on.

At the Newmarket Open Weekend, when pressed for a juvenile name to look out for, Lord Grimthorpe, representing owner Prince Khalid Abdullah, nominated Tsar.

The son of Kingman was not seen for virtually two months, returning to action on the Newcastle all-weather in early October.

Whilst taking time to get into his stride, Tsar lengthened well before holding off the late challenge of Glenties by ½ a length at Newcastle.

He is out of a King’s Best mare and is likely to be effective at a mile to 1 ¼ miles. John Gosden had taken his time with him and with no Classic entries, he could be one to note for Royal Ascot.

Tammani had a good first season and wherever the ground comes up soft, looks to be a real threat.

The William Haggas-trained son of Make Believe was pitched in at the deep end in a high-class maiden at

Newmarket’s July Festival, finishing eighth to Al Madhar on debut.

He stepped up for that experience to beat Riot by a neck at Sandown Park towards the end of July.

After a break, Tammani was pitched into Listed level at Haydock Park, over a mile, running 2 ½ lengths third of 8 behind Pyledriver.

In late September, Tammani headed to Chantilly for the Group Three Prix de Conde. A sprint finish did not play to his strengths but he was a creditable ¾ of a length fourth of six to Hopeful and Al Dabaran.

Tammani built on that run and in late October returned to France to win a Listed mile contest at Deauville, by a dominant four lengths from Celtic Art, in heavy ground.

It was an eye-catching performance and when the Vertem Futurity Trophy was re-opened and contested at Newcastle, Haggas put Tammani in the race.

Tammani travelled well in the race and had every opportunity with a quarter of a mile to race, but like the rest of the field, had no answer when Kameko burst onto the scene – and eventually faded to finish a well-beaten ninth.

Perhaps that run – at a higher level, came too soon after France – and maybe the heavy ground victory took more out of Tammani than first thought.

Even so, he seemed to progress for each run and certainly looks a Group standard colt.

Ralph Beckett enjoyed a terrific end to the turf season, with his juveniles making good strides.

Chief among these was the impressive Listed Zetland Stakes winner Max Vega.

The son of Lope De Vega was not seen out until early September, when finishing a neck second to Kenzai Warrior in a Salisbury contest. That form by the end of the season, looked very smart.

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January 2020

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REVIEW 2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS Max Vega made no mistake on his second run, defeating She’s A Unicorn by an emphatic six lengths at Pontefract, in late September.

Just over two weeks later, Becket stepped his charge up from a mile to 1 ¼ miles for the Zetland, at Newmarket.

Soft ground proved no problem in what proved a test of stamina – and inside the final furlong, Max Vega drew clear to win as he liked, by three lengths from the filly Miss Yoda.

Max Vega looked all about stamina that day – and being out of a Dalakhani mare, the Derby trip and some ease in the ground should all be in his favour.

If he strengthens up over the winter and comes to hand in the spring, he looks an interesting Derby prospect. Beckett has often run his Epsom Classic hopefuls at Lingfield in May and it would be no surprise if that was the case with Max Vega.

Kinross looks a terrific prospect for 2020 and did his reputation no harm in finishing fifth in the Group One Vertem Futurity Trophy at Newcastle.

The son of Kingman is beautifully-bred, out of a Selkirk mare.

He made a brilliant debut when landing a Newmarket contest by 8 lengths from Raaeb, in early October.

Beckett had the option to test his inexperienced colt in the Group Three Horris Hill Stakes at Newmarket, a month later. Instead, he pitched him into the Group One race and Kinross showed great promise to finish 6 ¼ lengths fifth to Kameko.

What was really pleasing was how he finished behind more experienced, proven Group runners – and the first five were well clear of the rest.

Kinross looks to have a big future and could be a Guineas horse if he comes to hand early in the season.

Tomfre seemed to thrive for his racing and ran seven times in 2019, winning on four occasions and seeming particularly effective at Newmarket.

The son of Cable Bay won on three occasions at Newmarket; a novice contest and two nurseries, with his big success coming in October, when he defeated Milltown Star by ½ a length.

In September he stepped into Listed company at Doncaster, running last of five – but only beaten 4 ½ lengths

by Molatham.

On his final start of the campaign, Tomfre finished 5 ¼ lengths sixth of 11 to Kenzai Warrior, in the re-routed Group Three Horris Hill Stakes.

Tomfre may be just short of top class but he looks to be up

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to Listed standard if he progresses from a busy season.

Verboten was only seen on the racecourse twice at two – but was highly-tried by trainer John Gosden and is a name to note for 2020.

The son of No Nay Never got off the mark at the first time of asking, when defeating the useful Spreadsheet by ¾ of a length, at Great Yarmouth, in mid-July.

He was not seen again until taking his chance in the Group One Vertem Futurity Trophy at Newcastle, in early November.

Against vastly more experienced juveniles, with proven Group form, Verboten acquitted himself well to run a respectable 11 ½ lengths seventh of 11 to Kameko.

Gosden could have run plenty of juveniles in this race but chose to give Verboten the experience, suggesting he is highly-regarded – and there should be more to come in 2020, when, being out of a High Chaparral mare, he should stay 1 ¼ miles well.

Alan King is of course best known for his National Hunt horses, but his exploits on the flat should never be underestimated, as he showed with the likes of Beringer and Tritonic in 2019.

Tritonic, a son of German Derby winner Sea The Moon, ran a promising fourth to Fred on his debut at Haydock Park, in late July.

A month later, he got off the mark with a ½ a length defeat of Skontonovski at Ffos Las. That saw King set his sights higher, with the always informative Haynes, Hanson & Clark Stakes at Newbury,

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January 2020

2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS REVIEW in September. Tritonic went on with over a furlong to race and showed plenty of stamina to hold off the highly-regarded Man Of The Night by 1 ½ lengths.

Tritonic had one more start, stepping up to 1 ¼ miles for the Listed Zetland Stakes at Newmarket, in early October.

He ran a reasonable race to finish 9 ¼ lengths fifth of 8 to Max Vega.

He is out of a Selkirk mare and stamina should prove his forte in Group races during 2020.

Owner Sheikh Obaid Al Maktoum spread his horses across a number of trainers during 2019 and one of the most promising juvenile colts was the Kevin Ryan-trained Juan Elcano.

The son of Frankel made a winning start when beating Subjectivist by a neck in a Haydock Park contest in early June.

The following month he ran well in the Group Two Superlative Stakes, finishing a length second of 8 to Mystery Power, on the July Course.

Juan Elcano had one more start – and again acquitted himself well when a length third of five behind Threat, in the Group Two Champagne Stakes, at Doncaster, in early September.

He is out of a Daylami mare and 10-furlongs could see him in his prime in 2020.

OTHER HORSES OF NOTE FOR 2020

There as always, were plenty of juvenile colts who showed great promise during the year, without hitting the headlines.

Here are a few names that made a mark on us and could have lots of improvement to come in 2020.

Charlie Appleby’s Al Dabaran looked a very useful recruit when landing a Newmarket contest by 2 ½ lengths from Ursa Minor, in late June.

The son of Dubawi followed-up in a Listed Ascot contest a month later, beating Sun Power by a neck.

In early September he headed to France for the Group Three Prix des Chenes, his first attempt at a mile. He failed to pick up in the Longchamp straight and stayed on at the onepace to finish 1 ½ lengths third to Ecrivain and Hopeful.

Just over three weeks later, Al Dabaran returned to France for the Group Three Prix de Conde, at Chantilly. This time he cut out the running, but had no answer to Hopeful’s finishing kick and was again beaten ½ a length.

He is out of a Manduro dam and should be effective at 1 ¼ miles.

Secret Victory ran twice and showed improvement on his second start. The son of Dubawi is out of a Shamardal mare

and ran fourth on debut at Chelmsford. He looked much more forwards next time out, in what looked a really good Newmarket maiden in late October, finishing 1 ¼ lengths second of 13 to the exciting filly Trefoil. Conceding five pounds to fillies, the next best colt placed fifth.

Native Tribe looked a very useful horse on his debut when finishing 2 ¼ lengths second of 14 to Encipher, at Newbury, in July.

The son of Farhh built on that run to defeat Dubai Mirage by a nose in a Sandown Park maiden in early August.

We didn’t see Native Tribe again in 2019, but being out of a Nayef mare, he should have plenty of progression to come.

Path Of Thunder was an early season juvenile who got better the further he travelled. He finished 5 ½ lengths third to Threat, over five furlongs, on debut at Newmarket’s Guineas meeting in May. A couple of weeks later at Yarmouth, he was ½ a length second to Maxi Boy, over six furlongs.

In early July Path Of Thunder stepped up to seven furlongs at Haydock Park and landed a minor contest by a length from Encipher. He built again at Newmarket, later that month, to defeat Light Angel by ¾ of a length in a nursery.

We didn’t see Path Of Thunder again, but this gelded son of Night Of Thunder should be useful over a mile.

Godolphin’s Blue Point enjoyed a terrific 2019 sprinting, culminating in his dual success at Royal Ascot. In Lazuli, they could have a colt to try to follow in his footsteps.

The Charlie Appleby-trained son of Dubawi got off the mark at the first time of asking, winning a Newmarket contest by 2 ½ lengths from Hello Baileys, in early August.

At Doncaster’s St Leger Festival, he followed-up with a nose defeat of Misty Grey.

Those two contests came over six furlongs on a good to firm surface.

He had one more start and disappointed when a wellbeaten eighth to Good Vibes, in the Group Three Cornwallis Stakes at Newmarket, in October. That final start came on good to soft ground over five furlongs and perhaps did not suit.

Lazuli is out of a Fasliyev mare and six furlongs on a fast surface could prove his optimum in 2020, with the Commonwealth Cup an obvious target.

Well Of Wisdom had six starts at two and only one real blip.

The son of Oasis Dream beat Electrical Storm on debut at Newmarket’s Craven Meeting in April.

A month later he stepped up to six furlongs at Newbury,

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January 2020

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REVIEW 2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS for a valuable conditions race, coming home a short neck third to Temple Of Heaven.

He disappointed in the Group Two Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, finishing 4 ¼ lengths 9th of 17 to Arizona.

A month later, in mid-July, Well Of Wisdom stepped up to seven furlongs and won a Listed contest at ParisLongchamp, by a neck from Helter Skelter.

Two weeks later he returned to France for the Group Three Prix de Cabourg, at Deauville, over six furlongs. He ran with credit to finish four lengths second of five to the top class Earthlight.

Well Of Wisdom had one more start, in late August, in a Group Three race at Baden Baden, finishing two lengths second of 10 to the top class Alson.

Those final two starts came against Group One winners, suggesting Well Of Wisdom has considerable talent. He is out of a Sunday Silence mare and should stay a mile well – and holds an Irish 2,000 Guineas entry.

There was plenty of interest ahead of Volkan Star’s racecourse debut, as Godolphin had purchased the son of Sea The Stars for 1 million guineas as a yearling. He ran well on the July Course in early August to finish a neck second to Cepheus.

A couple of weeks later, Volkan Star looked very smart as he slammed Hold Fast by six lengths at Goodwood, over a mile.

He had one more contest in 2019, as Appleby stepped him up to 1 ¼ miles for the Listed Zetland Stakes at Newmarket, in October. In soft ground he proved disappointing, finishing a remote sixth of 10 to Max Vega.

Volkan Star is out of an Azamour mare and should stay 1 ½ miles well and perhaps a sounder surface will play to his strengths. He holds an Irish 2,000 Guineas entry.

King’s Command looked a useful horse when landing a Newmarket contest by a neck from Al Namir in June.

The following month he bombed out when last of 8 behind Mystery Power, in the Group Two Superlative Stakes, at the same course.

In August he travelled to Deauville for a Listed contest, running better to finish 4 ½ lengths third of 6 to Happy Bere.

But it was his final start – in very soft ground, where King’s Command made his biggest impression, winning the Group Three Prix Thomas Byron Jockey Club de Turquie by 3 ½ lengths from Royal Crusade.

The son of Dubai should stay 1 ¼ miles in 2020.

Saqqara King made headlines as the first son of American Pharoah to win on a British racecourse.

He had run a close fourth to Full Verse at Doncaster on

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debut, before winning a minor Newmarket contest by ½ a length from Mass Media, in late June.

In mid-July, Appleby sent Saqqara King to ParisLongchamp, for a Listed contest – but he failed to quicken in the straight, finishing 5 ¼ lengths third of 5 to stable mate Well Of Wisdom.

A month later, over a mile, he improved in a Listed Deauville contest, coming home 3 ½ lengths second of 6 to Helter Skelter.

Saqqara King took a massive drop in class or his final start of the year in a Chelmsford conditions race – but perhaps failed to handle the surface, coming home last of three to King’s Caper.

He is capable of better than that and should stay a mile to 1 ¼ miles well in 2020.

Boccaccio looks a very exciting prospect and is two from two.

The son of Dubawi is out of the smart mare J Wonder, a daughter of Guineas winner Footstepsinthesand.

He made a winning debut when defeating Dramatic Sands by 1 ½ lengths at Great Yarmouth, in late May. Boccaccio wasn’t seen out again until November, when he recorded a very taking 3 ¼ lengths victory over Juan Les Pins at Kempton Park.

Boccaccio may not have had a straight forward training routine during 2019 but clearly has plenty of ability. He holds an Irish 2,000 Guineas entry and whilst that level is significantly higher than he has currently competed at, there should be plenty of improvement.

Man Of Promise looks a really interesting colt. He ran ½ a length third Mums Tipple and Molatham in an Ascot contest in late July, with both the first two going on to bigger things. We didn’t see Man Of Promise again, but he holds an Irish 2,000 Guineas entry.

Other Charlie Appleby horses to keep an eye on in

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January 2020

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REVIEW 2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS 2020 include: Law Of Peace – impeccably bred, being by Shamardal, out of the top class Certify. He ran second twice and fourth once in three juvenile starts. Story Of Light was well beaten on debut but recorded a 2 ¾ length victory over Irish Acclaim at Chelmsford in November. His pedigree suggests he will be most effective of 6 to 7 furlongs. Desert Peace made a winning bow when beating Nugget by 1 ¾ miles at Kempton in early October. The son of Curlin was then 2 ¼ lengths third of 9 to Battle Of Liege, at Chelmsford, in early November. He could be one for the Dubai Carnival.

Saeed Bin Suroor has been happier with his two year-old batch this term and looks to have a nice prospect in First View.

The son of Exceed And Excel was not seen until early October, landing a minor Kempton contest over a mile, by ½ a length from Stanford.

A month later he returned to Kempton and beat First Receiver by the same distance, over the same trip.

First View is out of a Singspiel mare and whilst he seems well-suited by a mile, could get a little further.

Laser Show looked a useful debutant when landing a Sandown maiden in early July, by a neck from Riot.

The son of New Approach was not seen out again until November, when he ran a length second of 14 to the usefullooking Hukum, in a Kempton Park contest over a mile.

He is out of a Street Cry mare and holds entries in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and Derby.

Other Bin Suroor horses to keep an eye on in 2020 include: Dubai Mirage – twice-raced and ran well on both occasions. He was a nose second to Native Tribe at Sandown Park in early August and then ran 2 ½ lengths third of 14 to the smart Molatham, in the Convivial Maiden Stakes at York, later that month. This son of Dubawi, out of a Shamardal mare, has very useful ability already and is likely to progress.

Live Your Dream was placed twice in his first two starts, before slamming Warranty by 6 lengths at Newcastle, in early October, when stepped up to 10 furlongs. This son of Iffraaj could be very interesting over 12 furlongs or further in 2020.

Many of Roger Varian’s 2018 juvenile colts needed time to make their racecourse debuts, but he had a much more forward bunch in 2019. Whilst Pierre Lapin and Molatham took the headlines, there is strength in depth and plenty of potential at Carlburg House on the Bury Road.

Khaloosy looked a useful colt on debut, when finishing a length second to the more experienced Count Of Amazonia at Newcastle, over seven furlongs.

In late November, he headed to Wolverhampton, for what

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looked an interesting race on paper, against several well-bred juveniles from big yards.

Racing over further than a mile, the grey travelled well throughout and swept into the lead in the home straight, pulling clear with the minimum of effort, to defeat Summit Reach by 4 ½ lengths in the manner of a smart colt.

Khaloosy is bred for stamina, being by Dubawi, out of a Dalahani mare. He holds a Derby entry and it would be no surprise to see him lining up in a Derby trial in the spring.

Premier Power put up a very promising performance on debut, at Newmarket’s July Course, in August.

The son of Siyouni looked all-set to win, but late on was caught by the more experienced Powertrain, going down by a head.

He was not seen out again until early October, when he slammed future Newmarket winner Tom Collins, by five lengths at Kempton Park.

On pedigree, Premier Power looks to be effective at a mile and might get a little further.

We had to wait until late November to see Montather, but the son of Dubawi made a very pleasing start, beating Majestic Noor by ½ length at Kempton Park.

He is out of a Zamindar mare and might get a little further than a mile in 2020.

Magnetised was another who was not seen out until late in the year.

This son of Shamardal, out of a Barathea mare, made a winning debut when defeating Beauty Choice by a neck, over seven furlongs at Doncaster, in heavy ground, in late October.

He showed plenty of resolution that day and should stay 1 ¼ miles well in 2020.

Mottrib was seen just the twice and not after June, suggesting he had one or two issues. The son of Invincible Spirit landed a Newbury race on soft ground, in mid-June, beating Baadirr by a comprehensive 2 ¾ lengths. He headed to Leicester two weeks later, coming home 1 ½ lengths third of 8 to Fred. Mottrib is out of a Dalakhani mare so a mile should be no problem and there should be more to come.

King Ragnar showed lots of talent in three starts. The son of Hot Streak ran 1 ½ lengths second of 15 to Theotherside, at Newbury, in September. He was not seen out again until early November, this time finishing 6 lengths second to the impressive Ottoman Court at Chelmsford. He got off the mark at the third time of asking, when landing a Newcastle contest by ½ a length from Glen Force later that month and could be a useful sprinter.

Waleydd goes into 2020 still a maiden, but after two

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January 2020

2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS REVIEW highly promising starts. The son of Nathaniel was beaten just a head when second of 13 to Acquitted, in a Newbury maiden in late October, on heavy ground. A month later he stepped up to 10-furlongs at Newcastle, coming home 1 ¾ lengths second of 12 to English King. He is out of a Halling mare and should do well with time and trip and holds an Irish Derby entry.

Hibernian Warrior showed plenty of ability in two starts, running third to New World Tapestry in a competitive Newmarket maiden in late September and then finishing a short head second to Fruition, at Lingfield Park, in midNovember. The son of War Front should have learned plenty and looks set for a good 2020.

Solar Screen is impeccably-bred and ran a quiet race to come home sixth behind Trefoil, in a competitive end of season maiden at Newmarket. He is closely-related to top level winners Lumiere and Sheikha Reika, but looked a big, unfurnished type. He lacks the precocity of Lumiere but with a big frame to strengthen into, will improve for time and trip.

He holds a Derby entry but that may come too soon.

Desert Emperor did not race in 2019, but the Derby entry is an interesting colt, by Camelot, out of a Big Shuffle mare. He could make his mark in an early season maiden.

Postileo is similarly unraced at two but holds English and Irish Derby entries and is by Galileo, out of an Indian Ridge mare.

Restrospect is an unraced son of Frankel, out of a Stravinsky mare. He did not race in 2019 but holds a Derby entry and looks the type to do well at three on pedigree.

Aidan O’Brien has plenty of firepower in his Ballydoyle stables which remains relatively unexposed.

Celtic High King came on for his debut run to win a Leopardstown maiden by 1 ¾ lengths from Nobel Prize, in October. The son of Galileo, out of 1,000 Guineas winner Homecoming Queen, was then pitched into the Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud in late October. In heavy ground, over 1 ¼ miles, he was perhaps not best equipped for the task, trailing in last of 8 to Mkfancy. However, he should have learned plenty and is clearly held in high regard, to take his chance at Group One level. He could be seen in Derby trials in the spring.

Arthur’s Kingdom ran an absolute screamer in the same French Group One. The son of Camelot may not have been the highest profile juvenile of the year at Ballydoyle, but he came as close as any of his juvenile stable mates to landing a Group One. He ran a length second to Toronto on debut at

Leopardstown, in late June. A month later he filled the same spot, beaten a nose by Baby Zeus at Killarney.

Three months later Arthur’s Kingdom returned to action on heavy ground, to beat Zoheyr by 1 ½ lengths at Gowran Park.

That set him up for a tilt at the Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud in late October – also on heavy ground.

The step up to 1 ¼ miles seemed no inconvenience and he plugged on at the one-pace in testing conditions, to finish three lengths second to Mkfancy.

Arthur’s Kingdom is out of a Grand Lodge mare and whilst he seemed to lack brilliance on a sound surface, he could make up into a smart stayer in 2020. Races like the Curragh Cup and St Leger could well be within his compass and if he came to hand early in a wet spring, a Derby tilt could not be ruled out.

Nobel Prize was well beaten on debut behind Mogul, in late August, but improved with each start and could make up into an interesting middle distance campaigner in 2020.

The Aidan O’Brien trained colt is a son of Galileo out of a Danehill mare, suggesting he will stay further in time.

He was not seen out again until October, running a much better race to finish 1 ¾ lengths second of 13 to another stable mate, Celtic High King, at Leopardstown.

He got off the mark at Naas, in early November, in heavy ground, beating Chiricahua by a head.

Nobel Prize holds entries in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and the English and Irish Derbies and he will need to improve next spring to figure, but could have plenty more to come.

Mythical looked very much in need of the run when sixth of seven to stable mate Cormorant, at Leopardstown, in early August.

The son of Camelot looked an exciting colt when landing a Gowran Park maiden by 8 ½ lengths from McCabe, in late September.

That saw O’Brien step his charge up in class and trip, for Newmarket’s 10-furlong Zetland Stakes in early October.

The race did not really pan out well for Mythical and he found himself short of room at a critical point, coming home 6 ½ lengths fourth to Max Vega, after his chance had gone.

Mythical was back in action towards the end of the month, in the Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud, again over 10-furlongs, this time on heavy ground. The colt was always prominent and looked a major contender in the home straight, but could not live with Mkfancy, eventually coming home 3 ½ lengths third of 8.

Mythical is out o a Cape Cross mare and should stay 1

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REVIEW 2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS

½ miles well. He holds an Irish Guineas entry but his best performances suggest he is unlikely to drop in distance and he is more likely to take up his entries in the English and Irish Derbies, with a trial race a likely starting point in the spring.

Santiago showed plenty of promise in all three starts as a juvenile, never finishing out of the first two.

The son of Authorized finished ½ a length second of 14 to Howling Wolf, in a Leopardstown maiden in July. A couple of weeks later he was 3 ¼ lengths second of 11 to Alpine Star at Galway.

Santiago got off the mark when taking a Listowel mile maiden by 1 ½ lengths from Sunchart in September.

Santiago is out of a Cape Cross mare and holds Guineas and Derby entries in 2020. Should he come to hand early in the spring, he could be a dark horse to emerge from Ballydoyle and there should be lots of improvement to come.

Sherpa showed very little in his first two starts, but looked a potentially smart prospect in his final race of 2019.

The son of Zoffany beat Maker Of Kings by 2 ¼ lengths

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at Roscommon in August and was not seen out again.

He holds Classic entries in 2020 and will need to improve.

Vatican City is beautifully-bred, being a son of Galileo out of the top class You’resothrilling.

He raced with promise when fifth of 12 on debut at Newmarket, behind Kinross, in early October. The winner franked that form subsequently.

Vatican City made no mistake on his next start, landing a Dundalk maiden by 2 ½ lengths from Psyche at the end of that month.

He holds an Irish Guineas entry along with English and Irish Derby ones and looks the type to improve over a trip.

If breeding was a guarantee of success, then Cabot Hills is a name to note. The son of Gleneagles is out of the champion Peeping Fawn.

He showed promise when 5 lengths second of 8 to Free Solo on debut at Leopardstown, in late July.

The following month he disappointed and came home in mid division in a Curragh maiden won by Sinawann.

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January 2020

2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS REVIEW We didn’t see Cabot Hills again but he could be interesting in a maiden contest in the spring where he could gain more experience. It should also be remembered that his dam showed nothing until midway through her stellar three year-old campaign.

Kipling is another O’Brien inmate that goes into 2020 still a maiden.

The son of Galileo ran well on debut to finish 3 ¾ lengths second of 8 to smart stable mate Lope Y Fernandez, in a Curragh maiden in early June.

A month later, he headed to Newmarket’s July Festival for a renowned maiden, finishing 3 ¼ lengths fifth of 14 to Al Madhar and Al Suhail.

The latter race has worked out well and Kipling looks an interesting horse with plenty of scope for improvement in 2020.

Russian Emperor was raced just once in 2019, finishing a promising two lengths third of 12 to Iberia, in a Curragh maiden in late July.

The son of Galileo is well entered in 2020 and being out of a Fastnet Rock mare, should be effective at between 10 and 12-furlongs.

Iberia was well-exposed in 2019, beating Jungle Cove on debut before finishing a remote seventh to Armory, in the Group Two Futurity Stakes at the Curragh.

The son of Galileo was then a remote fifth of 8 to Pinatubo in the Group One National Stakes in September, at the same track.

A couple of weeks later, he showed improved form over a mile, when finishing 1 ¾ lengths third of 7 to Royal Dornoch, in the Group Two Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket.

He rounded off his campaign with a solid effort to finish 1 ½ lengths second of 5 behind Stela Star in the Group Three Kilavullan Stakes at Leopardstown, in October.

Iberia has the Galileo-Danehill cross and should stay 1 ½ miles in 2020.

Tiger Moth was once-raced and showed ability when ¾ of a length third of 14 to Ten Year Ticket in a Curragh maiden in late October.

He is a son of Galileo and holds Classic entries in 2020.

Similarly Yankee Stadium ran third on his only start and holds Guineas and Derby entries for 2020. The son of Galileo ran 5 lengths third of 8 to Free Solo, in a Leopardstown maiden in late July and could be open to any amount of improvement.

Keats had two promising starts and looks one to improve with time.

The son of Galileo is out of the very fast Airwave. He ran 2 ¾ lengths fourth of 14 to Ten Year Ticket, in a Curragh maiden in late October. Just over a week later, he headed to Newmarket for an interesting maiden, running 8 ½ lengths fourth of 10 to Louganini.

Keats took time to come to hand but could be the type to make rapid strides at three. He holds Derby entries in England and Ireland.

Other Ballydoyle names to note for 2020 include: Knight Of Malta, a son of Oaks winner Was, who ran fourth to Hong Kong, on his only start at two and Dawn Patrol, fourth of 11 to Sunchart on his only start at two. He is bred for stamina and looks one for staying races in 2020 and should get better with time.

Aside from Siskin, Ger Lyons had a good crop of juvenile colts in 2019.

Justifier made his mark from an early stage and the son of Free Eagle landed a Leopardstown maiden in mid-June by a length from Potala Palace.

A couple of months later, he won the Listed Caravaggio Stakes at Tipperary, by 1 ½ lengths from Harpocrates.

Justifier’s unbeaten record went in the Group Two Futurity Stakes at the Curragh in August, as he came home 4 ¼ lengths fifth of 8 to Armory.

He was next seen in a Listed contest on the Dundalk allweather, in early October, finishing a length second to Fort Myers.

Towards the end of that month, he had his final start of the campaign, stepping up to 9-furlongs for the Group Three Eyrefield Stakes at Leopardstown, running a solid length third of 5 to Degraves.

He is out of an Invincible Spirit mare and ought to stay 10 furlongs.

Pablo Diablo very much falls into the “could be anything” category, having won a traditionally strong Leopardstown maiden, on his only start.

The Ger Lyons-trained gelded son of Zoffany, beat Louisiana by ½ a length, finishing strongly over the seven furlongs, in heavy ground.

As mentioned, he is a gelding, so his options may be more limited next year, but there is plenty of ability. Out of a Sadler’s Wells mare, 1 ¼ miles could be his optimum trip in 2020.

Camorra got off the mark at the first time of asking when landing a Killarney maiden by ½ a length from Delta Dawn, in August.

Just over a month later, the Ger Lyons youngster lined up

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REVIEW 2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS in the Group Two Beresford Stakes, but struggled in the heavy ground to come home 10 ½ lengths fourth of five to Innisfree.

The son of Zoffany is clearly well thought of and should be effective over a mile next term.

Lough Cutra put up an eye-catching debut performance when ½ a length second of 14 to Ten Year Ticket, in a Curragh maiden in late October.

The son of Oasis Dream is out of a Shamardal mare and should make up into a lovely miler.

Jim Bolger had a relatively quiet season but in Ten Year Ticket, has a juvenile colt of some promise.

The son of Rock Of Gibraltar won a Curragh maiden in late October by ½ a length from Lough Cutra. Being out of a Byron mare, he looks likely to be most effective over a mile.

As always, John Gosden has plenty of firepower at his disposal and a solid team of juvenile colts who turn three in 2020. Whilst nothing matched the exploits of Too Darn Hot in 2018, here are a few to make a note of.

Former Clarehaven Stables inmate Kingman, enjoyed a terrific year. His son Palace Pier is perhaps one of the most exciting current inhabitants at his old haunt.

Palace Pier made a stunning debut when landing

a Sandown maiden in late August by 3 ¾ lengths from Mascat.

He returned to Esher just under three weeks later for a novice contest, quickening well to slam Mars Landing by 4 ½ lengths.

At that point he was being compared to Too Darn Hot – but we did not see him again and he was not tested at a higher grade.

Palace Pier is out of a Nayef mare, so in theory he ought to get 10 furlongs very well and could stay the Derby trip. He holds an Irish 2,000 Guineas entry but we will not find out his true ability until he is tested in the spring.

Cherokee Trail looked another colt of enormous promise when winning at Ascot on debut in early September.

The son of War Front defeated What An Angel by ¾ of a length and two weeks later followed up with a length defeat of Imrahor at Newbury.

In early October, Gosden stepped Cherokee Trail up to a mile for the Group Three Autumn Stakes at Newmarket, but in soft ground he struggled and trailed in a remote seventh of 8 behind Military March.

Bring a son of War Front, it could be that the combination

Image supplied by Newbury Racecourse

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January 2020

2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS REVIEW of ground and track played against Cherokee Trail on his final start and as a son of the talented Galileo mare Moth, he could play his part in Derby trials next spring.

Cape Palace made headlines with a scintillating debut in late August, beating King Carney by 8 lengths at Newcastle.

However, any talk of him being the second coming were dispelled in the Haynes, Hanson & Clark Stakes at Newbury, the following month, as he came home 2 ¾ lengths third of 8 to Tritonic.

Cape Palace is a son of Golden Horn, out of a Selkirk mare. He will most likely make up into a far better three yearold and although he needs to improve to justify his Derby entry, there is every hope that he can do so.

Enemy is an intriguing horse from the first crop of Champion Sprinter Muhaarar.

He made a winning start at Ascot in early September, beating Law Of Peace by a neck, over seven furlongs.

That was his only start and it is interesting to see that he holds a Derby entry. On pedigree, being out of a Dansili mare, he is not guaranteed to stay 1 ½ miles and we think he could be most effective over 10-furlongs.

Al Rufaa is another interesting son of Kingman. He ran with promise on debut, to finish 4 ½ lengths fifth of 12 to Rovaniemi, in a Lingfield Park contest in early October.

Nine days later he headed to York and defeated Fox Duty Free by a neck.

Al Rufaa does not hold any Classic entries and could be a horse for Royal Ascot next season. He is out of a Cape Cross mare so should be at his best between 8 and 10-furlongs.

Encipher showed a fair amount of ability in two runs in quick succession, but was not seen after July.

The son of Siyouni ran well on debut to finish a length second of 5 to Path Of Thunder, in a Haydock Park contest in early July.

Just over a fortnight later he landed a 14-runner Newbury event by 2 ¼ lengths from Native Tribe.

Encipher did not race again, but being out of a Nayef mare, he could be useful over middle distances.

Ursa Minor showed plenty of promise in his first two starts, converting that into victory on his final start of the campaign.

The son of Sea The Stars ran well to finish 2 ½ lengths second of 6 to the useful Al Dabaran, in a Newmarket contest, in late June.

Gosden’s charge returned to the July Course a month later and was 2-lengths third to the smart Military March.

It was nearly two months before Ursa Minor ran again,

taking his chance in an always-informative juvenile contest at Great Yarmouth’s Eastern Meeting, in September. In the event, his experience counted as he defeated Hlaitan by 1 ¼ lengths.

Ursa Minor would not need to improve too much to already be a Pattern performer. He is out of a Kingmambo mare and holds a Derby entry for 2020.

King Leonidas looked an exciting prospect on his only start of 2019.

The son of Kingman lined up for an 11-runner novice contest at Newmarket, in late October. He stayed on well to beat Evening Sun by two-lengths.

King Leonidas is out of a Galileo mare and could be most

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REVIEW 2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS effective at middle distances. He does not hold any Classic entries but could be progressive over middle distances.

On breeding, Tuscan Gaze is going to be a three year-old and a middle distance performer, so his debut victory, must have been hugely pleasing for connections.

The son of Galileo landed a Newmarket contest in late November by a length from Photograph.

That race came over just seven furlongs, but the John Gosden colt is out of a Rainbow Quest mare and ought to be more effective over much further. He holds a Derby entry and could well turn up somewhere like Sandown or Chester next spring.

Another to make a huge impression on debut was Waldkonig.

The son of Kingman didn’t race until early December, when he contested a minor Wolverhampton race over just over a mile.

What followed was a demolition job, as Waldkonig beat Zoran by 9 lengths.

The likelihood is that he didn’t beat top class horses, but the manor of the victory stamped Waldkonig as a potentially smart horse. He is out of a Monsun mare so should get better with time and trip and has the potential to justify his Derby entry, if coming to hand early in the spring.

After showing promise in his first two starts, Mishriff was a runaway winner of a Nottingham contest.

The son of Make Believe had three runs in quick succession, finishing fourth of 10 to Society Lion, at Great Yarmouth, in mid-October.

Around two weeks later he was 3 ½ lengths third of 13 to Acquitted at Newbury.

Mishriff then made his mark at Nottingham, in early November, landing a minor contest by 10 lengths from Spanish Persuader.

All three of Mishriff ’s starts were on heavy ground but being out of a Raven’s Pass mare, he should be effective on a sounder surface and he holds and entry in the 2020 Irish 2,000 Guineas.

Celestran was not seen until late in the year but looked a useful recruit.

The son of Dansili ran well on debut when 3 ½ lengths third of 10 to Louganini, at Newmarket, in early November.

He built on that run to land a Wolverhampton contest by ½ a length from Kipps, later in November.

Celestran is out of a Selkirk mare and a mile should suit him well.

Galsworthy ran with promise in two starts, filling second behind Tom Collins in a Newmarket maiden in late October.

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The son of Dansili was then third to English King at Newcastle, in late November. He is out of the smart Gallipot and should make up into a nice middle distance horse next term.

On Guard showed a degree of ability when 4 lengths second of 6 to He’s A Keeper in a Haydock Park contest in August. The son of Invincible Spirit did not race again but could make up into a decent 10-furlong horse in 2020.

Others to note include: Pyramid Place, Haqeeqy and Almighwar, a son of Dubawi and Oaks winner Taghrooda.

Louganini was not seen out until very late in the turf season. The Roger Charlton-trained gelded son of Zoffany landed a 10-runner Newmarket maiden by 2 ¾ lengths from Naizagai, in early November. With no Classic entries, he could be a horse to consider for Royal Ascot.

Evening Sun showed promise in both starts and should be winning races in 2020. The son of Muhaarar ran fourth of 9 to Cherokee Trail, at Newbury in September. In late October he headed to Newmarket for a competitive heat and ran well to come home 2-lengths second of 11 to King Leonidas. He is out of a Galileo mare and could be a progressive type for Roger Charlton next spring.

It was a relatively quiet season for Brian Meehan, but Cepheus could be a name to note in 2020.

The son of Sea The Stars made a winning debut when beating the highly-regarded Volkan Star by a neck in a Newmarket contest, in early August.

He was not seen again, but should be effective over a mile.

The Marco Botti-trained Malotru looked a very useful prospect during 2019.

The son of Casamento got off the mark at the first attempt, when beating Nat Love by 3 lengths at Chelmsford, in late May. A month later he won a Group Three at San Siro in Italy, by 2 ½ lengths from Sicomoro.

Botti’s charge had a two-month hiatus before running 5 lengths fourth of 12 to Threat, in the Group Two Gimcrack Stakes at York.

Malotru had one more start and was not disgraced in finishing 4 lengths fifth of 8 behind Pierre Lapin, in the Group Two Mill Reef Stakes, at Newbury, in September.

Malotru is out of a Dubawi mare and should get further than the six furlongs he was campaigned over in 2019. He might be a horse who goes on his overseas travels in 2020 and is a name to keep in mind.

Joseph O’Brien enjoyed another fine year and in Degraves, has a very interesting middle distance horse to campaign.

The son of Camelot ran fourth on debut before finishing 2

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January 2020

2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS REVIEW ¾ lengths third of 16 to Sinawann, in a Curragh mile maiden, in late August.

He got off the mark with a 2 ½ length victory over Chiricahua, in a Navan maiden, in early October.

Later that month, Degraves looked smart when beating Persia by ½ a length, in the Group Three Eyrefield Stakes, at Leopardstown.

That latter contest came over nine furlongs in heavy ground and suggests stamina will be Degraves’ forte. He holds an Irish Derby entry and looks to have live credentials.

Crossfirehurricane only had the one start, when beating Marchons Ensemble by a length at Limerick, in mid-June.

The son of Kitten’s Joy was not seen again but holds entries in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and Irish Derby and could be anything.

Big Call was another of Joseph’s to make a quick impression and looked potentially smart on debut. The son of Animal Kingdom slammed Hong Kong by three lengths at Limerick, in October. He doesn’t hold any big entries at this stage and could be one for Royal Ascot.

Ralph Beckett’s strong juvenile team also included the useful Wyclif. This son of the much-missed Archipenko, beat Sea Trout Reach by an impressive 3 ¼ lengths on his debut, at Doncaster, in early August.

Later that month he ran two lengths third of 18 to Escape Proof at Leicester.

He got back to winning ways with a neck defeat of Vega Magic, at York, in early September.

Beckett stepped Wyclif up to a mile for his last start of the year, when he finished ¾ of a length second of 6 to King Carney, in a Listed contest at Pontefract, in October.

Wyclif proved a consistent type in 2019 and being out of a Montjeu mare, could be seen to best effect at 10-furlongs and above.

Mascat is another very interesting horse that Beckett can look forward to. The son of Zoffany made a promising debut when 3 ¾ lengths second of 12 to the exciting Palace Pier, in a Sandown maiden in late August.

A month later, Mascat got off the mark when landing a Newmarket contest by ½ a length from Discovery Island, over a mile.

He is out of a Peintre Celebre mare and should be at his optimum over 10-furlongs.

Sir Michael Stoute will have high hopes for Highest Ground in 20920, but one thing is for sure, he will take his time with his horses.

Another juvenile colt who showed useful ability in 2019

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REVIEW 2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS and is likely to improve with time, is Her Majesty The Queen’s Vindicate.

This son of Lope De Vega was a green sixth of 9 behind Cepheus, on his Newmarket debut in early August.

Later that month, he looked much straighter when landing a Chelmsford contest by a neck from Live Your Dream.

The form is miles away from Group One company at this stage, but Vindicate is likely to develop and holds a Derby entry.

Stoute will also be looking forward to Society Lion, after two lovely runs as a juvenile.

The son of Invincible Spirit was far from disgraced when finishing 5 ½ lengths fourth of 8 to the useful and more experienced New World Tapestry, in a Newmarket maiden, in late September.

The following month he looked a useful horse when winning at Yarmouth, beating Jumaira Bay by 2 ½ lengths.

Society Lion does not hold any Classic entries and could therefore be targeted at Royal Ascot if he comes to hand early enough in the spring. He should be effective from a mile up to 10-furlongs.

Prince Imperial was never in contention when slowly away and racing green, when last of nine on his Newmarket debut, in late August.

However, the son of Frankel looked a different proposition at Chelmsford, in early October, beating Buwardy by 1 ¼ lengths.

His dam Proportional, won the Prix Marcel Boussac and Prince Imperial holds a Derby entry.

Sir Michael’s reputation of course stretches worldwide and perhaps that is one of the reasons he was entrusted guardianship of the Japanese-owned colt Satono Japan.

The son of Deep Impact made the perfect start to his career when beating Raatea by ¾ of a length at Kempton Park, in late October.

He holds a Derby entry and will of course have to show much more improvement to figure at Epsom, but could be open to any amount of progression.

Law Of One is another Stoute inmate with a Derby entry and shaped well when second on his only start. Chichester ran green on his only start before finishing fourth and is another likely to improve in 2020.

Charlie Hills enjoyed Classic glory in 2019 and will be hoping his juveniles can bloom in 2020.

One of his leading horses was Persuasion, who moved to Hills from Jeremy Noseda, before his debut. He made a winning start when defeating Celtic Art by ½ a length in a

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novice context at Glorious Goodwood, in early August.

Persuasion then disappointed when only sixth to Valdermoro in the Group Three Acomb Stakes at York.

A month later he looked improved when chasing home Wichita, finishing seven lengths second of six in the Group Three Tattersalls Stakes at Newmarket.

Persuasion is a son of Acclamation, out of a Galileo mare, so he should stay a mile to 10-furlongs in 2020.

Royal Commando was clearly highly thought of by Hills and ended his campaign in the Dewhurst Stakes.

The son of No Nay Never was just ¾ of a length fourth of seven to King’s Command, on his racecourse debut at Newmarket, in late June.

Two weeks later, he got off the mark when beating Imperial Gloriana by 3 ¼ lengths at Doncaster, over 6 ½ furlongs.

At the beginning of August, Hills through Royal Commando into Group Two company in the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood – where he ran 7 lengths eighth of 13 behind Golden Horde.

That performance was a little disappointing, but Royal Commando showed more ability a few weeks later in the Group Two Mill Reef Stakes, coming home 2 ¾ lengths fourth of 8 to Pierre Lapin.

He was then upped to seven furlongs for the Group One Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket, but failed to figure, coming home a remote eighth of 9 behind Pinatubo.

Royal Commando is out of an Acclamation mare and looks likely to excel around seven furlongs, with the Jersey Stakes an obvious early season target. He fell a little short of top class in 2019, but Hills clearly had plenty of belief in his ability.

Mark Johnston enjoyed another record-breaking year in 2019 and his juveniles played their part.

Visinari made his mark from an early stage of the season, beating Ottoman Court by 3 ½ lengths at Newmarket, in early June.

The son of Dark Angel was thrown in at the deep end for his next start, in the Group Two July Stakes, at the same track, a month later. He performed well to finish a neck third of seven to Royal Lytham, in a blanket finish.

At the end of July, Johnston stepped Visinari up to seven furlongs for the Group Two Vintage Stakes, but he had no answer to Pinatubo, coming home 13 ½ lengths fourth of 7.

He had one more start at Doncaster’s St Leger meeting, in September, finishing 1 ½ lengths fourth of 5 to Molatham.

Aside from that Goodwood run, Visinari was never beaten

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2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS REVIEW

very far and being out of Sinndar, there is plenty to suggest he will improve at three, for time and trip.

Huraiz won his first two starts at Newcastle and Newmarket in August.

The son of Sepoy lost his unbeaten record but was not disgraced when finishing 1 ¼ lengths third of 7 to Streamline, in the Group Three Sirenia Stakes, at Kempton Park, in September.

A month later, Huraiz was possibly unsuited by the softer ground at York, when three lengths fourth of 12 to Aberama Gold in the Listed Rockingham Stakes.

Huraiz should stretch to seven furlongs in 2020.

Dontaskmeagain looked a very useful colt on his first two

starts, before running too bad to be true at Newmarket.

The son of Karakontie beat Awesome Gary by 4 ½ lengths at Brighton, in early Septmeber. Just over two weeks later he was successful at Beverley, defeating Zegalo by 2 ½ lengths.

Johnston then stepped him markedly up in class for the Group Three Autumn Stakes at Newmarket, in early October.

In the event, he ran no sort of race, finishing a tailed-off last of 8 to Military March.

Dontaskmeagain is out of a Swain mare, so stamina should be his forte at three. He holds no Classic entries but can be expected to improve for better ground and trips of 10 furlongs or more.

Subjectivist gained plenty of experience with seven runs

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REVIEW 2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS in 2019 under his belt. He ran the smart Juan Elcano to a neck and Group Two winner Mystery Power to a length in his first two starts, before romping to a seven-length victory at Chelmsford, in early July.

Mark Johnston campaigned Subjectivist in Pattern races thereafter, with his best run coming when two lengths second of 5 to Mohican Heights in the Listed Stonehenge Stakes at Salisbury, in late August.

Cognac did very little wrong in three starts, winning the second of those and placing twice. Seasony won his only start at Chelmsford in September and the son of Siyouni could make up into a useful miler. Zabeel Champion looked a nice prospect when winning at Bath in mid-September. A month later he ran well when a short head second of 13 to Wadi Al Salaam, at Newcastle. Having run second on debut, Alminoor slammed Bendy Spirit by 4 ½ lengths at Pontefract. However, he has not raced since April 2019. Overwrite improved on each of his three starts and won a minor Brighton contest by six lengths in early October.

When asked earlier in the year, which of his two ear-olds he was looking forward to, Richard Hannon Jr stated Man Of The Night.

The son of Night Of Thunder duly landed his debut contest by 1 ¼ lengths from Ethic, at Newbury, in early July.

The following month, he stepped up quarter of a mile, for the Listed one-mile Stonehenge Stakes at Salisbury, coming home 3 ¼ lengths fourth of 6 to Mohican Heights.

In September he ran well in the Haynes, Hanson & Clark Stakes back at Newbury, finishing 1 ½ lengths second of 8 to Tritonic.

However, in early October, he failed to act either on the track or the ground, when last of 12 to White Moonlight at Newmarket.

That final run seemed too bad to be true and not in keeping with Man Of The Night’s previous efforts. He is out of a Bernadini mare and a mile should suit him down to the ground in 2020.

Fly Falcon and Ajax Tavern – who won on the final day of the year, beating Alborkan, are other Hannon inmates who could make their mark in 2020.

William Haggas had a good year on the track but also the terrible blow of so tragically losing superstar filly Sea Of Class in 2019.

Along with Tammani, the Somerville Lodge maestro enjoyed success with Grand Rock, who proved consistent in four starts.

The son of Acclamation was well beaten when fourth on

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debut in early July. Towards the end of the following month, he landed a Hamilton contest run in heavy ground, over 8 ½ furlongs, by 3 ½ lengths from Flylikeaneagle.

A month later, he won again over the same strip – once again in heavy ground, at Epsom, beating Night Colours by a neck.

Grand Rock had one more start and fared well when finishing 1 ¼ lengths third of 6 to King Carney, in the Listed Silver Tankard Stakes at Pontefract, in late October.

He should be able to win more races in 2020.

Surf Dancer got to within 3 ¾ lengths of the highlyregarded Mums Tipple and Molatham, when fifth of 7 at Ascot, on debut, in late July.

Whilst the first and second went on to frank that form at York’s Ebor Festival, Surf Dancer recorded back to back victories in August, first beating We’re Reunited by 3 lengths at Leicester and then accounting for Light Angel by ½ a length at Chelmsford.

Surf Dancer was not seen again until early November at Newmarket, when he ran in the rescheduled Group Three Horris Hill Stakes, finishing a well beaten 8th behind Kenzai Warrior, in heavy ground.

Surf Dancer is out of that smart race mare Beach Belle and there should be more to come from him up to a mile.

The Jersey Stakes might be an interesting target in the early months for him.

Al Aakif looked a useful early season two year-old, but was not seen out after July.

The son of Acclamation won at Nottingham in early June, defeating Corndavon Lad by 2 ¾ lengths. He followed-up, with a penalty, towards the end of the month at York, when getting the better of Clareyblue by 1 ½ lengths.

Al Aakif had just one more start when Haggas ran him in the Listed Rose Bowl Stakes at Newbury, in July. He lost his unbeaten record, coming home 2 ½ lengths third of six to the useful Shadn.

Clearly things were not straight forward for Al Aakif thereafter, but he showed plenty of pace and ability and a return to form in the early spring could see him emerge for races like the Sandy Lane Stakes and Commonwealth Cup. Boosala enters the New Year unbeaten in two starts at the height of the 2019 summer.

The son of New Approach landed a Windsor contest in mid-June, by 1 ½ lengths from Raahy.

Just over a month later, Haggas upped him in trip to seven furlongs at York. Boosala impressed in beating Yoshimi by 3 ½ lengths.

That was the last we saw of him, but there should be

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2019 TWO YEAR OLD COLTS REVIEW plenty of improvement to come. Being out of an Azamour mare, he should stay 10 furlongs well.

Johan, bookended his campaign, with two cracks at the smart Military March, with mixed results, looking a smart prospect in between.

His debut run saw him finish 2 ¼ lengths fourth of 9 to the Godolphin colt at Newmarket, in late July.

The following month at Lingfield Park, Johan beat Rovaniemi by 3 ½ lengths. The son of Zoffany followedup in late September with an authoritative 6-length success over Amaysmont, at Musselburgh.

That saw Haggas run Johan in the Group Three Autumn Stakes at Newmarket, in early October. However, he failed to figure, eventually coming home 17 ½ lengths sixth of 8 to old foe Military March.

Johan is out of an Oasis Dream mare and should get a mile well, although further might have to be taken on faith.

There should be nice prizes to be won with him in 2020, possibly overseas.

Knight Shield took an unbeaten record into 2020, having made his mark on summer ground.

The son of Starspangledbanner landed a Windsor maiden by a short head from Tambourine Girl, in June.

Haggas then sent him to Newbury a month later, where he followed-up with a 1 ½ length defeat of Cotai Again.

We didn’t see Knight Shield again, but he could develop into a useful sprinter.

Kinsman looked a nice prospect when finishing ¾ of a length third of 12 to Maqtal, at Yarmouth, in September.

The son of Exceed And Excel followed-up with a 1 ¼ length defeat of Well Prepared, at Wolverhampton, in late October.

Kinsman is out of the top class Pivotal race mare Peeress and should stay a mile well in 2020.

Hugo Palmer has a very live 1,000 Guineas contender in Powerful Breeze, while his juvenile colts were perhaps a little quieter in 2019.

However, Acquitted proved to be more than useful, winning twice from three starts.

The son of Night Of Thunder got off the mark first time, when landing a minor Kempton Park contest by 1 ¼ lengths from Byzantine Empire, in early September.

He was then run in the prestigious Haynes, Hanson & Clark Stakes at Newbury, later that month, finishing 4 lengths fourth of 8 to Tritonic.

Acquitted had one more start, returning to the Berkshire course in late October and encountering heavy ground as

he defeated Waleydd by a head, over a mile.

Being out of an Authorized mare, he should be effective over middle distances in 2020.

Emissary was only seen once in 2019, but forged a strong reputation. The son of Kingman defeated Glenties by 2 ¼ lengths at Wolverhampton, in October.

With no Classic entries, it will be interesting to see how Emissary progresses; he is out of a Sadlers Wells mare so middle distances should suit him well.

Eastern Sheriff was not seen until November, but was another Palmer inmate to make his mark.

The son of Lawman defeated Hurricane Alex by 2 lengths at Kempton Park. There should be plenty more improvement to come.

Imrahor had just the one start in 2019 but put up a fine performance. The son of Kingman finished a length second of 9 to Cherokee Trail at Newbury, in September. He is out of a Sea The Stars mare and 10 furlongs should suit him well in 2020.

Marcus Tregoning’s Raasel looked a useful horse in two starts. The son of Showcasing landed a Bath contest in mid-October, by ½ a length from Amarillo Star. A couple of weeks later he was three lengths third of 5 to Brad The Brief at Newmarket.

The George Scott-trained Amazing News announced himself a gelding of some talent as 2019 drew towards a close. The son of Toronado had run fourth of 10 at Wolverhampton, in late November. A month later, he slammed Ayr Harbour by 4 ½ lengths at the same venue.

There should be a lot more to come from him.

Owen Burrows has an exciting prospect on his hands in the shape of Hukum.

The son of Sea The Stars ran six lengths third of nine to Cherokee Trail, on his debut, at Newbury, in late September.

A couple of months later he beat the more experienced and previously unbeaten Laser Show by a length at Kempton Park.

Burrows was delighted with Hukum and might have a colt good enough to take up his Derby entry in 2020.

Burrows could also have a nice prospect in Itkaan, who ran well when placing on his first two starts in midsummer.

The son of Gutaifan had a lengthy break from racing and looked a smart horse in early December, when beating Shumba by 5 lengths at Kempton Park.

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REVIEW ARC WEEKEND

© John James Clark

ARC WEEKEND REVIEW WALDGEIST THWARTS ENABLE ARC RUN Waldgeist reversed previous form and came late to deny Enable a third victory in the Group One Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp.

The world’s biggest race attracted a field of twelve and a huge crowd for this classic 1 ½ mile contest, in which Enable, was bidding to create history, as the first three-time winner.

Ghaiyyath was quickly into stride and took the field along with Fierement and Magical, while Frankie Dettori travelled well on Enable, sitting some three lengths off the leaders.

Ghaiyyath was coming under pressure in the

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false straight and was a spent force by the final turn, as Magical, to the inside, momentarily led.

However, in behind, Enable was travelling well and powered into the lead, with Japan and Sottsass giving chase, while Waldgeist and pierre-Charles Boudot were also making progress.

A great roar went up from the packed stands as Enable drew clear of those to the inside, but Waldgeist came with an irresistible run to the outside and readily went past to record an eight victory for the race’s most successful trainer, Andre Fabre.

The winning margin was perhaps 1 ½ lengths, with Enable taking second place, ahead of Sottsass and Japan, with Magical finishing an honourable fifth.

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ARC WEEKEND REVIEW

SATURDAY SKALLETI KEEPS WINNING RUN GOING IN THE PRIX DOLLAR

he streaked clear with a fine turn of foot, with Olmedo unable to answer and maybe two lengths adrift at the line.

Skalleti continued his progression with victory in the Group Two Prix Dollar over 1 ¼ miles.

ParisLongchamp’s two-day Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe meeting got underway with a field of six.

Mountain Angel and Leo De Fury cut out much of th running on very soft ground.

Into the straight, the latter faded, while Mountain Angel kept up the gallop under Olivier Peslier.

However, in behind Pierre-Charles Boudot was moving well on Skalleti and the four year-old swept through on the outside to record a comfortable victory from the Roger Varian horse.

THE REVENANT STORMS TO VICTORY IN THE PRIX DANIEL WILDENSTEIN

ANAPURNA GRINDS HER WAY TO GROUP ONE GLORY AT PARISLONGCHAMP Oaks winner Anapurna excelled on soft ground and a longer trip to win the Group One Qatar Prix de Royallieu at ParisLongchamp.

This race has taken on added significance, being raised both in Grade and distance, attracting a field of nine fillies and mares over 1 ¾ miles.

Stable mate Lah Ti Dar was best away, but Frankie Dettori soon had the John Gosden filly to the fore.

Into the home straight, the field fanned across the track, but Anapurna dug deep into her reserves to repel the late challenge of Delphinia, while Gosden’s other runner Enbihaar, could make little impression in third.

The Revenant revelled in the conditions and stormed to victory in the Group Two Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein at ParisLongchamp.

Five took part in this one-mile race, with all eyes on last year’s French 2,000 Guineas hero Olmedo.

Impulsif cut out much of the running, but into the home straight, it was Olmedo who struck the front.

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TECHNICIAN ALL CLASS IN THE PRIX CHAUDENAY

© AJ Byles

Technician franked the St Leger form and came with a well-timed run to land the Group Two Qatar Prix Chaudenay at ParisLongchamp.

A field of ten three year-olds went to post for this marathon over 15 furlongs.

Moonlight Spirit took the field along from Lucky Lycra.

As they turned for home, Moonlight Spirit was still in the vanguard, with Dashing Willoughby challenging to the outside, while Technician made ground to the inside.

Pierre-Charles Boudot switched the Martyn Meade-trained grey around Moonlight Spirit and delivered his challenge.

The French jockey was in irresistible form and duly obliged, giving Boudot a four-timer on the card.

Moonlight Spirit kept on for second, ahead of Iskanderhorn in third.

Technician had won the Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury, before finishing sixth to Logician in the St Leger.

Holdthasigreen was soon in front of Dee Ex Bee and the grey Way To Paris and that was the order, with a circuit to run.

Tony Piccone turned the screw racing downhill and into the false straight, with Frankie Dettori hard at work on Dee Ex Bee and not making any impression.

Into the home straight, Holdthasigreen forged into a two-length lead as Dee Ex Bee’s stamina wilted.

From further back, Call The Wind make progress, but the amazing Holdthatsigreen held on.

Dee Ex Bee kept on for a gallant third.

SUNDAY

ALBIGNA STRIKES BACK IN THE PRIX MARCEL BOUSSAC Albigna bounced back to form to land the Group One Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac at ParisLongchamp.

Nine fillies went to post for this one-mile contest

HOLDTHASIGREEN MAKES ALL IN THE PRIX DU CADRAN Holdthasigreen added further lustre to his admirable career with a gutsy all the way win in the Group One Qatar Prix du Cadran at ParisLongchamp.

Ten lined-up for this 2 ½ mile stamina test, in soft ground.

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ARC WEEKEND REVIEW on very soft ground.

Shane Foley produced the Jessica Harringtontrained filly in the home straight and went on to record a smooth success from Marieta and Flighty Lady.

Albigna had been unbeaten in her first two starts, but ran disappointingly when only sixth to Love in the Group One Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh.

VILLA MARINA CAUSES A SHOCK IN THE PRIX DE L’OPERA

VICTOR LUDORUM ON TOP IN THE LAGARDERE Victor Ludorum kept his unbeaten record and

bolstered his reputation with victory in the Group One Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at ParisLongchamp.

One of the big two year-old races of the year in France, attracted a field of seven over a mile.

Alson and Armory led into the home straight, while Micjkael Barzalona began his run to the outside.

With a furlong to race, Victor Ludorum went on and record victory by ¾ of a length from Alson and Armory.

Victor Ludorum is another progeny of the amazing Shamardal and is now three from three, having only made his debut just over a month ago.

Villa Marina finished to best effect in the ground to cause a surprise in the Group One Prix de l’Opera Longines at ParisLongchamp.

A field of twelve fillies and mares lined up for this 1 ¼ mile race.

Frankie Dettori set out to make the running on Medaayih, as With You kept her company.

Turning for home, Medaayih still held the call, with stable mate Terebellum and Commes in close proximity. Sadly further back, the Ballydoyle filly Goddess was pulled up, having sustained an injury.

With 1 ½ furlongs to race, Villa Marina and Olivier Peslier began their charge down the outside, while With You battled on to the inside.

But the early leaders weakened and the final challenge to Villa Marina came from Fleeting, who finished well to the outside.

However, the Carlos Laffon-Parias-trained Villa Marina had enough in hand to beat Fleeting by a short neck, with Watch Me finishing ¾ of a length further back in third.

GLASS SLIPPERS HOT FOOTS IT TO SUCCESS IN THE PRIX DE L’ABBAYE Kevin Ryan enjoyed further French Group One success in a sprint, as Glass Slippers ran out a smart winner of the Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp.

Sixteen went to post for this five-furlong dash.

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REVIEW ARC WEEKEND

El Astronaute broke well and was soon into the lead, but Glass Slippers and Tom Eaves took over, after about 1 ½ furlongs, with Bataash up with the early pace.

However, the very soft ground took its toll on the 2017 winner and Bataash faded out of contention, as Glass Slippers turned the screw with a furlong to race.

With last year’s winner Mabs Cross also failing to get in a blow, the three year-old ran out an emphatic winner by three lengths, with So Perfect staying on to claim second place, ahead of El Astronaute and Invincible Army.

still had plenty of horses ahead of him, on last year’s winner.

The greys Forever In Dreams and Speak In Colours threw the gauntlet down to Hey Gaman at the furlong pole, while One Master was beginning to hit top gear.

Racing to the half furlong pole, City Light and Speak In Colours had gone on, as Hey Gaman’s brave run finally petered out. However, One Master swept through imperiously and led late on.

At the line, the William Haggas-trained One Master, was ½ a length up on City Light, with 3 ½ lengths back to Speak In Colours in third.

BACK TO BACK WINS FOR ONE MASTER IN THE PRIX DE LA FORET One Master showed her tenacity as she landed a second successive victory in the Group One Prix de la Foret at ParisLongchamp.

A dozen horses took part in this seven-furlong event, with the imposing Hey Gaman setting the early pace to the inside, along with City Light.

Turning for home, Hey Gaman had the call, with Speak In Colours and Glorious Journey not far off the lead. At that stage, Pierre-Charles Boudot

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A classical landscape fit for thoroughbreds.

PE A R L S ECR E T GR.2 WINNING SPRINTER BY SPEED SIRE COMPTON PLACE CONSISTENT 5F STAKES WINNER Won 3 Group/Stakes races and twice Gr.1 placed, all over 5f.

OUT OF A 5F STAKES WINNING MARE From the family of Dutch Art. Sold to Jamie Railton x2, Tally-Ho Stud, Norris/Huntingdon, Paul Murphy, Redwall Bloodstock, Star Bloodstock, etc.

FIRST FOALS IN 2018 ARE REAL GEMS

AVERAGING OVER 4X HIS STUD FEE

Sold to Jamie Railton Sales Agency, consigned by Glashare 42,000gns House Stud Colt ex TATTERSALLS

Ermine And Velvet

Sold to Torard House Stud, consigned by Salcey Forest Stud

26,000gns

Colt ex Indigo Beat

TATTERSALLS

Sold to Tally-Ho Stud, consigned by Bucklands €40,000 Farm & Stud Colt ex GOFFS Kirunavaara

€28,000

Colt ex Mastoora

Sold to Old McDonnell Farm B/S, consigned by Nanallac Stud GOFFS

Sold to Jamie Railton Sales Agency, consigned by Salcey Forest Stud €20,000 GOFFS

Fee: £4,000 1st October

Chapel Stud Ltd Chapel Lane, Bransford, Worcestershire WR6 5JQ 01452 717 342 www.chapelstud.co.uk

Colt ex Mothers Finest

Roisin Close

Daniel Creighton

07738 279 071

07597 945 219

roisin@chapelstud.co.uk

REVIEW BREEDERS’ CUP

© Eclipsesportswire john Vorhese

2019 BREEDERS’ CUP REVIEW Friday FOUR WHEEL DRIVE BLITZES RIVALS IN THE BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE TURF SPRINT American Pharoah struck gold at the first attempt, as his first Breeders’ Cup runner was a winner, with Four Wheel Drive making virtually all the running in the Grade One Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.

The main action at the 2019 Breeders’ Cup got underway with this five-furlong dash at Santa Anita, which attracted a field of twelve runners, including six from Europe.

At the break it was Cambria and Four Wheel Drive who broke best, with the latter leading from Chimney Rock to the inside.

On the bend, Four Wheel Drive blazed a trail by 1 ½ lengths, but on the home bend, Chimney Rock challenged.

But Four Wheel Drive and Irad Ortiz were not for catching and the son of American Pharoah never saw another horse.

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Chimney Rock closed late on to get within a length, with a gap back to Another Miracle, who held the fast-finishing Kimari for third.

Winning trainer Wes Ward said: “You never relax until you hit the finishing line.

It is really special.”

STRUCTOR FINISHES LATE FOR JUVENILE TURF SUCCESS Structor won a rough race for the Grade One Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Presented by Coolmore, as the European challenge floundered.

A field of fourteen lined-up for this one-mile contest on firm ground.

Structor was well away along with Graceful Kitten.

Settling down into the first turn, it was Graceful Kitten who held the call from Proven Strategies and Billy Batts, with War Beast next.

Into the far turn, the order remained the same, with the big European hope Arizona, with a ton of ground to make up.

Turning for home, Graceful Kitten still led, but hit the rail as Proven Strategies momentarily went

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BREEDERS’ CUP REVIEW

© Eclipsesportswire Alex Evers

on, before Billy Batts hit the front.

However, his lead was also short-lived, as the complexion of the race changed dramatically late on.

Jose Ortiz and Structor stormed down the outside with a fine turn of foot and collared Billy Batts, going on to record victory by about ¾ of a length from Billy Batts, with Gear Jockey finishing late for third, ahead of Decorated Invader and the late-finishing Arizona.

There was a Stewards’ Enquiry after this race, bur the Chad Brown-trained runner kept the race, giving the trained a 13th career success at the Breeders’ Cup.

BRITISH IDIOM WINS A WAR WITH DONNA VELOCE IN THE JUVENILE FILLIES British Idiom got the better of a classic Breeders’ Cup match-up in the Grade One Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita.

Nine took part in this 8 ½ furlong race on the dirt.

A fascinating renewal got underway with Two Sixty straight into the lead from Bast and Wicked Whisper.

© Eclipsesportswire Scott Serio

The front three fought for the lead into the back stretch, with Donna Veloce given a nice lead in fourth and then came British Idiom to the inside.

Two Sixty quickly folded on the far turn and at the top of the stretch, it was Bast who led – however, Flavien Prat made his move early on Donna Veloce, who swept to the lead down the outside.

But she failed to make a decisive break on her pursuers and Javier Castellano and British Idiom gradually reeled her in.

The two fillies drew clear and delivered an enthralling battle in the final furlong, with the Brad Cox-trained British Idiom stretching her unbeaten record to three, by about ¼ of a length.

Bast finished in third and then came Perfect Alibi.

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SHARING STRETCHES AWAY TO LAND THE BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE FILLIES TURF

© Eclipsesportswire Chris Crestik

Sharing got first run on Daahyeh and ran out a convincing winner of the Grade One Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita.

A field of fourteen took part in this one-mile event, with a strong European challenge, headed by Albigna and Daahyeh.

From the gates it was Abscond who led with Living In The Past, but Jose Ortiz moved Sweet Melania to the front into the first bend.

Settling down, Abscond led from Sweet Melania and Living In The Past, with Sharing and Etoile next.

Racing to the top of the stretch, Abscond was passed again by Sweet Melania, with Sharing next and Daahyeh closing.

Manuel Franco gave Sharing the office and she moved on with half a furlong to race and raced away for a two-length win, with Daahyeh running on well for second, ahead of Sweet Melania and Albigna, who lost her position but finished fast.

Sharing was giving trainer Graham Motion an emotional Breeders’ Cup success, having trained the dam Shared Account to beat Midday in the 2010 Filly and Mare Turf.

STORM THE COURT CAUSES AN UPSET IN THE BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE Storm The Court won a race of outsiders, as he repelled Anneau D’Or, to land the Grade One TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita.

Just eight horses went to post for this 8 ½ furlong contest on the dirt.

The early leader was Storm The Court and Eight Rings, while Dennis; Moment trailed in last.

Down the back, Storm The Court led Eight Rings and Anneau D’Or. The order remained the same into the far turn and

© Eclipsesportswire Scott Serio

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BREEDERS’ CUP REVIEW Storm The Court was first into the home straight, challenged by Anneau D’Or, to the wide outside.

With a furlong to run, Anneau D’Or joined Storm The Court, who gallantly fought back, answering all of Flavien Prat’s urgings.

In a terrific finish, the Peter Eurton-trained Storm The Court pulled out more to beat Anneau D’Or by about ¼ of a length.

Wrecking Crew came home third, ahead of Scabbard.

BELVOIR BAY MAKES ALL FOR AN EMOTIVE WIN IN THE BREEDERS’ CUP TURF SPRINT

Saturday

COVFEFE IN CONTROL IN THE BREEDERS’ CUP FILLY AND MARE

© Eclipsesportswire Alex Evers

Covfefe proved the class act as she ran out a ready winner of the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Santa Anita.

A field of nine went to post for this sevenfurlong contest on the dirt.

Spiced Perfection too them to the far turn but on the final bend, Covfefe went on.

Covfefe moved away from her rivals, but from the wide outside, Bellafina began to close and challenge.

But Covfefe and Joel Rosario had enough in hand to see off her rival by about a length.

There was a wide gap back to Dawn The Destroyer, who took third spot.

© Eclipsesportswire Chris Crestik

Belvoir Bay and Javier Castellano, showed a blistering display of pace in the Grade One Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

From the gates it was Stormy Liberal was well away along with Belvoir Bay, who went on.

Belvoir Bay led into the home stretch with Stormy Liberal to the inside and Om, with Shekky Shebaz close up.

But Belvoir Bay flew home impressively to win by two-lengths from Om and Shekky Shevaz, in the fastest-ever renewal of this race.

Trainer Peter Miller was winning the race for the third consecutive year.

The story of six year-old Belvoir Bay is emotive as the mare ran loose following the horrific San Luis Rey fires in California. She went missing for two days but was eventually found and rehabilitated.

SPUN TO RUN POWERS HOME IN THE BREEDERS’ CUP DIRT MILE Spun To Run never saw another rival as he went from gate to wire in the Grade One Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.

Spun To Run was best away to lead from Blue Chipper and Coal Front.

Settling down, Spun To Run led Blue Chipper and Mr Money, with Improbable next and then Coal Front.

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© Eclipsesportswire Alex Evers

Turning for home, Spun To Run was two lengths clear and still travelling well. Blue Chipper to the inside was one-paced and while Omaha Beach stayed on late, he was 3 ½ lengths down at the wire.

Irad Ortiz and Spun To Run were simply too good for Omaha Beach, who late on got up to deny Blue Chipper for second.

IRIDESSA WINS THE BREEDERS’ CUP FILLY & MARE TURF FOR JOSEPH O’BRIEN Joseph O’Brien became the second man, after Freddy Head, to ride and train a Breeders’ Cup winner, as Iridessa got up late on to land the Grade One Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita.

Ten lined-up for this 1 ¼ mile race on firm ground.

Mirth was soon in front from Vasilika and Castle Lady.

Racing past the post with a circuit to ruin, Mirth moved five lengths clear of Vasilika, herself three lengths ahead of Iridessa and Castle Lady, with the field well strung-out.

© Eclipsesportswire John Voorhees

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Still Mirth and Mike Smith poured it on, moving seven lengths clear down the back stretch.

The leader reached the home stretch clear but they were closing, with Iridessa coming hardest and Vasilika.

Iridessa and Wayne Lordan edged into the lead with a furlong to race, but Vasilika would not go down without a fight. Further back, Sistercharlie was a little one-paced in moving third, but was still well off the pace.

It was Iridessa who held on narrowly from Vasilika, to give Joseph O’Brien a first Breeders’ Cup victory as a trainer.

The victory makes O’Brien the youngest trainer to win a Breeders’ Cup race – he already holds the record as the youngest jockey to ride one.

MITOLE THE SPRINT KING AT THE BREEDERS’ CUP

© Eclipsesportswire Alex Evers

Mitole had to come from way off the pace, but his class got him home in a sensational Grade One Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Santa Anita.

Nine took part in this six-furlong dash on the dirt.

Shancelot and Mitole were both well away, but the Japanese runner Matera Sky went on.

However, Shancelot’s pace was unrelenting and he soon went back in front and moved clear.

It was Shancelot who stormed into the home stretch with a 1 ½ length lead.

Mitole began to close the leader down and his momentum got him home from Shancelot, with Whitmore taking third.

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BREEDERS’ CUP REVIEW

UNI TOUGHS IT OUT IN THE BREEDERS’ CUP MILE

© Eclipsesportswire Chris Crestik

Uni won the battle of the mares as she beat Got Stormy in the TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile, giving Chad Brown another Breeders’ Cup winner at Santa Anita.

Thirteen lined-up for historically, one of the big races of the meeting for European challengers.

From the gates it was True Valour who went on but was soon passed by the James Tate-trained Hey

Gaman, who led into the first bend.

Into the back stretch, Hey Gaman held a narrow lead from El Tormenta, with Bowies Hero third and then came True Valour and Got Stormy.

Into the home stretch, a wall of horses were involved but it was Got Stormy and Uni, both racing wide, who swept by and fought out the finish.

Uni and Joel Rosario had the better turn of foot and whilst Got Stormy battled all the way to the wire, she was beaten by an increasing two-length margin at the line.

Circus Maximus was just touched-off by the former John Gosden-trained Without Parole for third.

BLUE PRIZE UPSETS MIDNIGHT BISOU IN THE DISTAFF Blue Prize got first run to upset Midnight Bisou in the Grade One Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

A field of eleven contested this nine-furlong event on the dirt.

Mo See Cal and Serengeti Empress were quickly away, with the former charging into a clear lead into the first turn.

© Eclipsesportswire Alex Evers

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REVIEW BREEDERS’ CUP Down the back stretch, Serengeti Empress held the call from Paradise Woods and Mo See Cal, with Ollie’s Candy and Street Band next.

Serengeti Empress turned for home in front, but Blue Prize and Midnight Bizou closed her down.

It was Blue Prize and Joe Bravo who hit the front with a furlong to race. Coming from further back, Midnight Bizou could never quite get on terms.

The six year-old Blue Prize was the oldest horse in the race and won by about 1 ½ lengths with a gap back to Serengeti Empress in third.

BRICKS AND MORTAR LIFTS THE BREEDERS’ CUP TURF Bricks And Mortar remained unbeaten on the year, as he came with a strong finish to land the Grade One Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita.

A dozen horses lined-up for one of the big races

of the meeting, over 1 ½ miles, including Epsom Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck.

At the break it was Acclimate who led from Bandua and United, with Bricks And Mortar next.

Down the home stretch for the first time, it was Acclimate who led from Banduaand United and that was the order, as they headed out with a circuit to race.

At the far turn, Acclimate still held the lead narrowly from Bandua, with the field bunched in behind.

Turning for home, Bandua joined Acclimate, with Anthony Van Dyck struggling for a gap, as United challenged.

But down the outside, Bricks And Mortar and Irad Ortiz Jr came with a withering run to take it up.

United fought on well, but Chad Brown’s superb meeting continues and Bricks And Mortar narrowly got the verdict. Anthony Van Dyck was an arguably unlucky third, having been denied a run.

© Eclipsesportswire Alex Evers

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BREEDERS’ CUP REVIEW

© Eclipsesportswire Alex Evers

VINO ROSSO THE TOAST OF SANTA ANITA AFTER BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC WIN Vino Rosso was the toast of Santa Anita after running out a clear cut winner of the Grade One Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic from Santa Anita.

The concluding race at Breeders’ Cup 2019, was the big one, with a field of eleven, over 1 ¼ miles.

The race got underway with McKinzie and War Of Will the early leaders.

Settling down, the Preakness winner War Of Will held a narrow lead to the inside, with Mongolian Groom for company, as they headed into the first turn.

War Of Will continued to lead, but Joel Rosario moved McKinzie into the lead on the far turn and reached the home stretch with a length lead from Vino Rosso, the two clear.

It was Vino Rosso who had the greater fortitude and stamina and went away in the final furlong, to record a going away 3 ½ length success over McKinzie, with Higher Power a long way back in third.

The Todd Pletcher-trained Vino Rosso was a previous winner at Santa Anita and was giving Irad Ortiz Jr. a fourth winner at the meeting.

Very sadly, Mongolian Groom, who had been in contention on the final bend, suffered a fatal injury in the home stretch.

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INTERVIEW MARCO GHIANI

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MARCO GHIANI INTERVIEW

Marco Ghiani INTERVIEW

Every year some new star jockeys emerge from the apprentice ranks.

2019 was certainly the year of Cieren Fallon Jr and the Sardinian Marco Ghiani.

The latter started the year without any career victories, but took the summer by storm, with a succession of victories and a formidable partnership with trainer Stuart Williams.

Course Specialist was privileged to catch up with Marco recently, to talk about his career to date and his hopes for 2020 and beyond.

Where were you born and did you grow up? I was born and grew up in Oristano, Italy.

Were you always with horses and when did you learn to ride?

I started riding at the age of four in my home town.

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INTERVIEW MARCO GHIANI

What interested you in coming to England and when did you arrive?

I planned on coming to England to get my licence out in 2015, as there was no coaching available where I was living.

How much of a change was it to adjust to the weather and the culture?

It didn’t take me long to adapt to the culture; it suits me very well. However the weather took me longer to adapt to, it’s a lot warmer in Italy.

How long did it take to ride work and how did you find life and work in Newmarket?

It took me one year to start riding work in the job I first started in Newmarket at. The Newmarket style is all I’m used to as I don’t have any race experience in Italy. I got used to living in Newmarket pretty quickly as I was too young to do most things.

When was your first race ride?

17 June 2018

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MARCO GHIANI INTERVIEW When and what horse was your first winner?

22 March 2019 on Lunar Deity at Lingfield Park

Tell me about your time in Australia last winter… who did you work for and where were you?

I was in Ballarat, Melbourne, working for Matt Cumani.

I was out there for 6 weeks and I really enjoyed my time.

What skills did you learn or improve whilst in Australia?

Whilst i was in Australia I learnt how to hold on tight.

And I think my riding improved during my time out there and taught me a lot about the pace.

Tell me about your partnership with Stuart Williams – when did you join Stuart and how has it gone?

I joined Stuart in February 2019 and it has gone very well.

Stuart and me get on very well he has been a great trainer to me.

What have you learned and changed in your race riding over the last year?

I have got quicker when thinking and it makes all the difference when riding in a race. I have also improved my style and tidiness.

Who has helped you the most with your riding?

Luca Cumani helped me a lot when I first came to England and my jockey coach Michael Hills has helped improve my riding and knowledge.

What are your big hopes for 2020?

I hope to become Champion Apprentice and ride for more top trainers.

What are your long-term ambitions and what race would you most like to ride in and win?

I would love to get the chance to ride in the Derby and my long-term goal is to become a successful professional jockey.

As a rider, how different was it to go from riding work to the tactics and quick thinking of a race?

Riding work and riding in races, I soon learnt are very different. I did find it difficult at first to adapt to the quick thinking needed in a race.

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FEATURE DARLEY

BUILDING ON A PHENOMENAL 2019 2019 was a staggering year for Darley and Godolphin, as the exploits of its stallions and racehorses dominated much of the European racing scene.

Shamardal, located at Kildangan Stud, enjoyed a sensational year thanks to his juvenile sons Pinatubo, Earthlight and Victor Ludorum.

Course Specialist was privileged to visit Dalham Hall recently and caught up with Darley’s Director of Stallions, Sam Bullard.

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What is the history of Dalham Hall Stud and which stallions stood here before the stud was purchased in 1981?

Dalham Hall Stud was bought by Lord Milford in 1942 from the executors of the prominent owner/breeder Sir Alec Black and was originally called Derisley Stud. The stud was requisitioned by the army during the war, with the current stallion boxes utilised as soldiers’ billets. They still bear the stove chimneys today.

Lord Milford originally stood his homebred July Cup winner Honeyway at Derisley Stud with his son, Jim Philips, standing Honeyway’s son Great Nephew some years later.

Prix du Moulin winner Great Nephew, most famously known as the sire of Derby winners Grundy and the infamous Shergar, was purchased as part of the package during the stud’s sale to Sheikh Mohammed.

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DARLEY FEATURE

Image supplied by Darley

How much land does Godolphin cover and what other stud farms are owned globally?

The entire Godolphin area in Newmarket covers roughly 3,500 acres, which encompasses 12 farms.

Godolphin also owns farms in Oxfordshire and Berkshire which foal mares and are home to some of our retired stallions.

Globally, Godolphin now foal mares and stand stallions at a number of studs across the globe including Australia, Ireland, Japan and the US.

How many stallions will stand at Dalham Hall Stud in 2020?

There will be 13 stallions standing at Dalham Hall in 2020, including world-leader Dubawi, his outstanding son Too Darn Hot and the 2018 Derby winner Masar.

Image supplied by Darley

What year did His Highness purchase the property and how has it evolved since then?

The stud was purchased in the autumn of 1981, together with the stock that resided on the land. As previously mentioned, this included the stallion Great Nephew plus a number of mares, including the American-bred Oh So Fair. She was carrying to Kris at the time and the resultant foal was none other than 1985 fillies’ Triple Crown winner, Oh So Sharp.

Since its purchase, several new American barns have been erected, while various neighbouring studs have been acquired to accommodate broodmares and their progeny.

The original yard at Dalham Hall itself is now home to the UK roster of Darley stallions.

Image supplied by Darley

How many mares and foals will be based at Dalham Hall Stud?

Our mare numbers often fluctuate each season depending on the mating plan for each individual mare but in 2019 we foaled over 150 mares in Newmarket.

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FEATURE DARLEY

Shamardal, based at Kildangan Stud, enjoyed an extraordinary 2019 with his juveniles, headed by Pinatubo, Earthlight and Victor Ludorum. Is there anything you can attribute this astonishing success to?

Shamardal is a brilliant stallion in his own right and the quality of Godolphin mares covered in the last few seasons has only enhanced his credentials. The meticulous mating plans undertaken by the Godolphin team have no doubt contributed to his fantastic year.

Pinatubo and Earthlight have a very similar profile on their dam’s side, carrying both Darshaan and Sadler’s Wells lines, each of which have produced Group winners when crossed with Shamardal in the past.

Victor Ludorum is an example of inbreeding to a fantastic mare, as he is 3x3 to the highly influential Helen Street, a cross which has already successfully produced Shamardal’s Group 1 performer Lucida.

Blue Point retired from racing in 2019 and will go to Kildangan, where Night Of Thunder is returning to … what consideration goes into where a Darley stallion will be based?

There are a number of considerations that go into choosing a location for each stallion. We always aim to have a balanced roster within our European farms and try to avoid stallions directly competing against one another, for example Blue Point in Ireland and Harry Angel in the UK. We also try and place each stallion in an area where they will be suited to the local mare population. The factors for this can vary from stallion to stallion but we want to make each stallion a success, so they are placed at a farm where we feel they will attract the best quality of mare.

With so many stallions, how much of a challenge is it to match the right mare to the right stallion? How scientific is this nominations process and how has this been refined over time?

The diversity of our roster means we cater to the requirements of most clients and their mares. The stallion needs to complement the mare and there are many things to consider such as pedigree, race record, their physicality and whether the intention is to sell the progeny or race themselves.

The old notion “breed the best to the best and hope for the best” can still ring true but the accessibility of nicking programs and gene testing within bloodstock has made it easier to assess compatibility between bloodlines.

How many mares will a stallion typically cover in one year? How many of these will be Darley-owned and how many will be for commercial breeders?

Image supplied by Darley

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We would average around 140 mares a season depending on the stallion’s circumstances and a large proportion of these will be client mares.

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A classical landscape fit for thoroughbreds.

PE A R L S ECR E T GR.2 WINNING SPRINTER BY SPEED SIRE COMPTON PLACE CONSISTENT 5F STAKES WINNER Won 3 Group/Stakes races and twice Gr.1 placed, all over 5f.

OUT OF A 5F STAKES WINNING MARE From the family of Dutch Art. Sold to Jamie Railton x2, Tally-Ho Stud, Norris/Huntingdon, Paul Murphy, Redwall Bloodstock, Star Bloodstock, etc.

FIRST FOALS IN 2018 ARE REAL GEMS

AVERAGING OVER 4X HIS STUD FEE

Sold to Jamie Railton Sales Agency, consigned by Glashare 42,000gns House Stud Colt ex TATTERSALLS

Ermine And Velvet

Sold to Torard House Stud, consigned by Salcey Forest Stud

26,000gns

Colt ex Indigo Beat

TATTERSALLS

Sold to Tally-Ho Stud, consigned by Bucklands €40,000 Farm & Stud Colt ex GOFFS Kirunavaara

€28,000

Colt ex Mastoora

Sold to Old McDonnell Farm B/S, consigned by Nanallac Stud GOFFS

Sold to Jamie Railton Sales Agency, consigned by Salcey Forest Stud €20,000 GOFFS

Fee: £4,000 1st October

Chapel Stud Ltd Chapel Lane, Bransford, Worcestershire WR6 5JQ 01452 717 342 www.chapelstud.co.uk

Colt ex Mothers Finest

Roisin Close

Daniel Creighton

07738 279 071

07597 945 219

roisin@chapelstud.co.uk

FEATURE THE NATIONAL STUD

EXCITING TIMES AT THE NATIONAL STUD

I

n August 2019, Course Specialist was privileged to have a tour of the National Stud in Newmarket.

It was a privilege to meet Aclaim and Rajasinghe and to see dear old Bahamian Bounty in his retirement.

Not to mention former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Lord Windermere, who is enjoying himself immensely with his friend Jack The Giant.

Fast forward to 2020 and a lot has happened in the intervening months, with The National Stud readying itself for an exciting stallion roster.

Joe Callan, Marketing & Nominations Manager, spoke exclusively to Course Specialist about these developments.

Talk us through your new stallion prospects for the 2020 breeding season?

We couldn’t be more pleased with our stallion roster as we head in to the 2020 season. The roster is still very much at an embryonic stage with Aclaim and Time Test the most advanced, both of whom had their first foals sell this year and both were received exceptionally well. It will be important to keep that momentum going for their third season at stud, luckily they have a fantastic core group of breeder right holders who have consistently support them with high quality mares for which we are very grateful.

Rajasinghe is due to have his first-foals on the ground in 2020 which we are very excited for. He was an extremely quick horse who still holds the track record over six furlongs at Ascot for a two-year-old which he broke when winning the Group Two Coventry Stakes. His performance that day was exceptional and it was a real pity his three-year-old career was halted early due to injury. His owners Rebel Racing have been very supportive of him at stud and I have no doubts the support will continue once his progeny enter the sales ring.

Richard Spencer who trains for Rebel Racing is a very good

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trainer so the future for Rajasinghe is exciting.

This year we added two new exciting prospects to our roster in Advertise and Flag of Honour. Advertise is a stunning horse, he was a Group One-winning two-yearold who progressed as a three-year-old to win the fastest running of the Group One Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot before defeating the older horses in the Group One Prix Maurice de Gheest. He is by Showcasing who is continuously proving himself to be a top-class stallion that improves his mares. He has the physical attributes to match his excellent race record and will cover a very high-class book of mares this year.

We are extremely lucky to be standing the Group One Classic winning Flag of Honour on behalf of Mr. Trevor Hemmings as a dual-purpose prospect. He is an impeccably bred son of Galileo who was an incredibly tough performer for Aidan O’Brien. He won or was placed at Group level on 9 occasions throughout his career. Despite his main exploits coming in the staying division, he also proved a talented two-year old and capped off his juvenile career with victory in the Group Three Eyrefield Stakes at the Curragh. His

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THE NATIONAL STUD FEATURE

© The National Stud

Time Test shuttled to the southern hemisphere in 2019, are there plans to do this again in 2020 and will it just be Time Test?

© The National Stud

biggest win came in Group One Irish St. Leger, the front running effort he put in that day was incredible to watch and was truly testament to his toughness, let’s hope he passes that on to his progeny!

Absolutely, Time Test stood his second season at Little Avondale Stud in New Zealand this year and the plan is for him to return next year. Sam and Catriona Williams and their team do a brilliant job and he once again covered a full book this year. They are stud with proven success over for the years and also stand Per Incanto who has developed in to one of New Zealand’s leading sires in recent year.

Sam actually came over to us in June prior to any foals been born in the Southern Hemisphere time and we showed him some of the Time Test foals in the area, he said the bunch he saw here set the bar very high and luckily his crop in New Zealand seemed to be every bit as nice. Which in turn has led to him covering a full book there with some very nice mares.

It was interesting to see the National Stud will be standing Flag Of Honour as a dualpurpose stallion in 2020. With so few stallions of this kind in Newmarket, what was the thinking behind this acquisition?

Without doubt there is a dwindling number of National Hunt stallions available in the UK at the moment which is very difficult on breeders. This is something that was noted on numerous occasions by people and mentioned to us, so when David Minton kindly asked us to stand Flag of Honour we were very excited for the opportunity to provide a horse of his calibre as an option for breeders. There is a good number of National Hunt breeders in the Midlands and East Anglia that he will hopefully appeal to along with some of our current flat clients. Anybody who has come to see him has loved him, he is a cracking physical, very athletic and walks for fun! course-specialist.co.uk

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FEATURE THE NATIONAL STUD Aside from the stallions, has the National Stud made any investments in infrastructure/ operations? If so, what has been done?

Yes, we currently have a five-year plan in place to revamp the infrastructure throughout the stud. It is no secret the National Stud went through a turbulent time financially in the early 2000’s which didn’t really allow for a lot of investment in the infrastructure. In 2008 Brian O’Rourke took over as Managing Director and did an incredible job to take the stud back to a financially stable stage throughout his tenure. The growth has continued under Tim Lane, who took over as Managing Director in 2017 and has done an outstanding job also. Last year saw a £1 million increase in turnover to £3.3million for the stud and a £900,000 operating profit having broken even the previous year and hopefully this year will surpass last year.

This has allowed the stud to invest in infrastructure, this year £250,000 was spent on the refurbishment of the stallion unit, the facilities at the foaling unit is next on the agenda for a makeover along with other small projects throughout the stud.

© The National Stud

In your own opinion, what are the biggest challenges in the thoroughbred industry?

In my view the biggest challenges at this present time is the lack of staff here in the UK and the lack of prize money.

Wages and working hours seem to be the catalyst behind the staffing issue and it is closely intertwined in to a vicious circle due the lack of prize money available. I believe the people with the passion are there but sometimes they can’t justify staying within the industry. If the prize money was healthier trainers and studs could pay more and it could be the first step in leading to the retention of good people while also enticing new young and enthusiastic staff.

Education is of course a major facet of the National Stud and I firmly believe the amazing opportunities provided here, by the Irish National Stud and other programmes such as the Godolphin Flying Start are invaluable tool in training the next generation and supplying different paths in to the industry.

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What were the biggest successes the National Stud enjoyed in the sales ring and on the racecourse in 2019?

The highlight in the sales ring this year for us had to be the success of the first crop foals by Time Test and Aclaim. The Time Test foals were hugely popular with an average and median over three times his covering fee and selling to some of the best judges in the business. This was a fantastic result as it so important to us that breeders are paid dividends for supporting our stallions in the early stages of their careers.

The Aclaim foals also sold very well, they fetched as much as €120,000 and were extremely well received as a whole.

Thankfully this leads both stallions in a good position heading in to their third seasons at stud.

Our consignment side also saw a strong increase this year, most notably with the mares. We grossed 2,100,000gns and were amongst the top consignors for the week. Our consignment business has been growing steadily and we now have some fantastic clients that entrust us with some very nice horses to sell every year.

On the racecourse this year there is a nice filly called Queen Gamrah that was bred by the National Stud. She has raced three times and won her last two impressively. Although they mightn’t have been the strongest of races, the fashion of which she won suggested may be an exciting prospects when she steps up in class.

What are the rates for each National Stud stallion in 2020?

Aclaim – £9,500 (Live Foal Terms) Advertise - £25,000 (1st Oct SLF) Flag of Honour - £4,500 (Live Foal Terms) Rajasinghe - £5,000 (1st Oct SLF) Time Test £8,500 (1st Oct SLF) For more information, please visit: www.nationalstud.co.uk

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© The National Stud •

January 2020

S TA L L I O N S 2 0 2 0 2019 FIRST FOALS MADE UP TO €120,000, €95,000, 65,000GNS ETC.

ACLAIM

AC C L A M AT I O N - A R I S ( DA N R OA D ) £ 9 , 5 0 0

N E W F O R 2 0 2 0 | O U T S TA N D I N G T H R E E - T I M E G R . 1 W I N N E R

ADVERTISE

S H O W CAS I N G - F U R B E LO W ( P I V OTA L ) £ 2 5 , 0 0 0

NEW FOR 2020 | GR.1 CLASSIC WINNER | DUAL PURPOSE PROSPECT

FLAG OF HONOUR GALILEO - HAWAL A (WARNING) £4,500

R E C O R D B R E A K I N G G R . 2 C O V E N T R Y S TA K E S W I N N E R

RAJASINGHE

C H O I S I R - B U N D I T T E N ( S OV I E T S TA R ) £ 5 , 0 0 0

2 0 1 9 F I R S T F O A L S AV E R A G E D O V E R T H R E E T I M E S H I S S T U D F E E

TIME TEST

D U B AW I - PA S S A G E O F T I M E ( DA N S I L I ) £ 8 , 5 0 0

N O M I N AT I O N E N Q U I R I E S T I M L A N E 07738 496141

J O E C A L L A N 07872 058295

N AT I O N A L S T U D . C O . U K

NEWS UK RACING

DAAHYEH CLASS SECURES ROCKFEL STAKES

“She is tough and very likeable. She has run five times and you really couldn’t fault any of those performances.”

The Newmarket trainer also saddled the runnerup Stylistique, who was beaten ½ a length.

In a tight finish, the Andrea Atzeni-ridden Cloak Of Spirits was a short-head further back in third, bouncing back after a tame run in the May Hill Stakes at Doncaster.

BENBATL BACK WITH A BANG IN THE JOEL STAKES Daahyeh continued her fine juvenile campaign with a solid victory in the Group Two Shadwell Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket.

Eight juvenile fillies went to post for this alwaysinformative seven-furlong race.

The daughter of Juddmonte’s Bated Breath dug deep, seeing her race out strongly once back on an even keel, and she looks a bona fide QIPCO 1,000 Guineas contender next season.

However, the sunnier climbs of Santa Anita might be on her dance card before then.

Winning trainer Roger Varian said: “William didn’t think she handled the dip very well but he loved how she moved into it between the three and the two pole.

“He said she felt very classy and he thought she would go and win a bit easier than she did but he didn’t think she handled the undulations very well.

She was strong at the line though and I think he was quite impressed overall.

“I think the Breeders’ Cup race has to be under consideration now although obviously we would have to see how she comes out of this race.

“We felt after her Moyglare run that the pieces were beginning to align in terms of the race in America but obviously it will all depend on the filly’s condition.

“I think she is a proper two-year-old. She looked good early and she has improved all year.

“However, I would anticipate that she would train on and, whether we go to America or not, we would have to consider her a Guineas candidate for next year.

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Benbatl returned to the racetrack with a scintillating display to land the Group Two Shadwell Joel Stakes at Newmarket.

A classy field of seven horses took part in this one-mile contest.

Benbatl was last seen chasing the tail of the mighty Winx in the Cox Plate but, back on home soil and in calmer waters after a lengthy break, he showed just why he is regarded as one of the best older milers/ten furlong performers in training by handing a comprehensive beating to a field of younger rivals.

Allowed to bowl along at the head of affairs, Saeed bin Suroor’s stable star kept rolling out in front as his rivals failed to lay a glove on him.

The brilliant five-length success takes the fiveyear-old over the £4m mark in prize money but his trainer is looking forward to more success at the top table with the impressive son of Dubawi.

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UK RACING NEWS

ROYAL DORNOCH CAUSES SURPRISE IN THE ROYAL LODGE STAKES

Aidan O’Brien’s fine record continued as Royal Dornoch caused something of a surprise when landing the Group Two Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket.

Seven juveniles lined-up for this one-mile contest at a windy Rowley Mile.

Aidan O’Brien has been telling anyone that will listen for a while now that progeny of Gleneagles are as tough and genuine as they come, and Royal Dornoch displayed those qualities in abundance to see off red-hot favourite Kameko and provide his master trainer with a seventh success in the Group Two Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes.

Having finished last of five in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster last time, Royal Dornoch needed to dig very deep to see off the sustained challenge from Kameko and force his nose in front under a determined Wayne Lordan.

MILLISLE’S LATE SHOW PLUNDERS CHEVELEY PARK Jessica Harrington hadn’t saddled a winner this side of the Irish Sea in 2019 prior to today but Millisle put the record straight with a stunning late show to plunder the Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes in a course record time.

The daughter of Starspangledbanner, flew home once hitting the rising ground to collar long-time leader and red-hot market leader Raffle Prize and win the Group 1 prize by one-and-three-quarter lengths.

It was a performance that marked her down as a potential 1,000 Guineas candidate for 2020.

Her trainer was quick to caveat any possible Classic challenge, saying: “You would have to think about giving her an entry for the 1,000 Guineas but the ground would have to be good.

“I know she has won on soft ground but I would question her ability to get that sort of trip on soft ground.

Harrington added: “They went some lick which really suited her, and as soon as she met the rising ground she took off.

“We’ve always liked her. She got beaten at Salisbury but she was coming back at the end and she had to do all the donkey work that day.

“We thought the rising ground here would suit her, and she was much more relaxed today than she has been.

“Shane [Foley] said the further she went the better she went so you would think she will get a mile easily, indeed her half-sister, who I trained, got a mile-and-six-furlongs.

“She is finished for the year now, she’s had five runs and she hasn’t done at all badly.”

Raffle Prize is likely to make a return to the Rowley Mile for the QIPCO 1,000 Guineas next May following her length and three-quarters defeat by the fast-finishing Millisle in a strongly-run Group 1 Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes.

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NEWS UK RACING

© Christopher Jones

EARTHLIGHT WINS INTRIGUING MIDDLE PARK STAKES Earthlight kept his unbeaten record intact with victory in the Group One Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket.

A mouth-watering renewal of this six-furlong race, brought together a field of nine horses, rich in potential and reputation. However, Siskin had problems in the stalls and was withdrawn, taking some gloss off the race.

King Neptune made much of the running and was still in contention with a furlong to race.

However, in behind, Earthlight swooped late to make it a perfect five wins from five starts in what was billed as one of the greatest Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes in recent memory.

The gloss was slightly taken off the quality of the contest after fellow unbeaten Group 1 winner Siskin was withdrawn at the start, while stunning York winner Mums Tipple couldn’t sustain his challenge going into the business end of the contest.

However, in what turned out to be a stronglyrun renewal, Earthlight showed all his class, coming home smartly from off the pace to edge out the runner-up Golden Horde by just a neck in a juvenile track record time.

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The Andre Fabre-trained colt has now won two Group 1 contests as a two-year-old but his shrewd trainer is expecting even bigger things from the exciting son of Shamardal next season.

He said: “I was very confident all of the way, he travelled very easily, they went a pace that suited him and he always looked to have something under the saddle, so I was confident.”

When asked whether he sees the colt as a miler for the future, Fabre replied assuredly, saying: “For sure, indeed he could even go that bit further on pedigree. The Guineas will be his target.

“I thought this was a bit sharp for him, but he has a lot of class.

“Sheikh Mohammed is a sportsman so I don’t think he will mind running Earthlight against Pinatubo but it is something that we will obviously have to discuss in the future.

“I wanted to give him experience on the course but this is a nice race to win as well.

“He will have a prep race before the Guineas – he is a very stocky horse that would need a run before a big target like that.”

The juvenile six-furlong track record was lowered again in a thrilling and high-class renewal of the Group 1 Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes, despite the withdrawal of unbeaten Siskin prior to the start.

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LORD NORTH SURGES TO VICTORY IN THE CAMBRIDGESHIRE

Lord North made it back to back victories for trainer John Gosden in the bet365 Cambridgeshire Handicap at Newmarket.

Beringer committed for home a long way out and appeared to have his rivals cooked coming out of The Dip. However, under a super-confident Frankie Dettori , Lord North cut back the deficit and stormed into the lead on the stands side for an impressive victory, to provide Gosden with a recordbreaking fifth winner of the bet365-sponsored Cambridgeshire.

The relatively unexposed Lord North weaved his way through the field before eating into Beringer’s lead in the final furlong without his rider ever having to get overly serious.

It was a performance that will now catapult the winner into Pattern-class races, with his trainer already contemplating a path to next year’s Winter Derby, as he did 12 months ago with Wissahickon.

BILLESDON BROOK TAKES TOP BILLING IN THE SUN CHARIOT STAKES The 2018 1,000 Guineas winner Billesdon Brook, came back to her best once again on the Rowley Mile, as she ran out the winner of the Group One Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket.

A field of nine fillies and mares took part in this one-mile contest, including last year’s winner Laurens, on what was likely to be her final start.

The Karl Burke-trained filly towed the field along, with this year’s 1,000 Guineas winner Hermosa, her closest pursuer.

However, with a furlong to run, Veracious had gone past them both and they sadly back-pedalled from there.

But as Veracious made her move, a gap opened up for Sean Levey aboard Billesdon Brook and she readily quickened into the lead.

Veracious fought on hard to the line, but the Richard Hannon-trained Billiesdon Brook comfortably held her, with Iridessa staying on to claim third place.

THYME HILL GETS HURDLING CAREER FLYING IN THE PERSIAN WAR Thyme Hill, a smart third to Envoi Allen in the Weatherby’s Champion Bumper, made the perfect debut over timber, as he won the Grade Two Unibet Persian War Novices’ Hurdle at Chepstow.

A field of nine went to post and it was Echiquier who led early on, with Fiddlerontheroof and Some Day Soon also prominent.

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NEWS UK RACING Having hit a flat spot, Fiddlerontheroof went on at the second last, while Thyme Hill began to improve for Richard Johnson.

The leader made a slight blunder at the final flight and Thyme Hill’s impetus took him into the lead.

At the line, the Philip Hobbs runner was two lengths ahead of Fiddlerontheroof, with Some Day Soon staying on for third.

QUADRILATERAL LANDS AN ABSORBING FILLIES’ MILE

MUSTASHRY BACK IN STYLE IN THE CHALLENGE STAKES © AJ Byles

Mustashry made Group One class tell as he ran out a ready winner of the Group Two Godolphin Stud & Stable Staff Awards Challenge Stakes at Newmarket.

Five horses contested this famous seven-furlong race, with Henry Candy’s Limato, bidding to win for the third year running.

From a long way out, Limato and Mustashry had the race between them, but on rain-softened ground, it was the Sir Michael Stoute runner who moved clear in the final furlong.

This season’s Lockinge Stakes winner has been off the track since picking up an injury in the CoralEclipse Stakes in July but Sir Michael Stoute had him cherry ripe for his return and the versatile gelding made light of the drop in trip by kicking clear of his rivals going into the dip and holding them at bay.

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Quadrilateral, so impressive at Newbury, showed tenacity and stamina to outgun Powerful Breeze in a fascinating renewal of the Group One bet365 Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket.

Nine juvenile fillies took part in this prestigious contest, often a portent to the following year’s Classics.

West End Girl and Anastarsia took the field along but gradually the expected big guns moved into contention.

Powerful Breeze, who had got loose in the paddock beforehand, moved into a clear lead, but next to the far rail, Jason Watson had Quadrilateral poised to deliver her challenge.

Inside the final furlong it was still Powerful Breeze who led, but Quadrilateral showed a turn of foot to ease in front on the post.

Love, who had won the Moyglare previously, came home third, ahead of the previously unbeaten Cayenne Pepper.

Roger Charlton will now aim Quadrilateral at next spring’s 1,000 Guineas, where Hugo Palmer confirmed she is likely to re-oppose Powerful Breeze.

PINATUBO A PERFECT SIX WITH DEWHURST GLORY Pinatubo consolidated his position as one of the best two year-olds seen, as he ran out a convincing winner of the Group One Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket.

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The big two year-old race of the season attracted a field of nine over the seven furlongs, with all eyes focussed on Pinatubo.

Arizona took the field along, with stable mate Monarch Of Egypt tracking, in soft ground.

With three furlongs to run, Arizona continued to travel well, while Mystery Power was coming under pressure.

William Buick, tracking runners through the early stages, pulled Pinatubo out wide and began to close with two furlongs to race.

With around a furlong to go, Pinatubo collared the leader who had kept up his gallop – but unlike at the Curragh, he failed to immediately sprint clear in the ground.

Arizona continued to plug away, but Pinatubo had his measure and gradually drew clear on the race to the line, eventually coming home a comfortable two-lengths clear of Arizona, with a further 2 ¾ lengths back to Wichita in third.

Ballydoyle horses Year Of The Tiger and Monarch Of Egypt also filled fourth and fifth.

This was a first Dewhurst Stakes victory for trainer Charlie Appleby and the son of Shamardal has been the star act of the campaign, completing an unblemished six-timer.

This was a tremendous success for Darley – and Shamardal has dominated the juvenile colts’ division in 2019, with sons Earthlight and Victor Ludorum also winning at Group One level.

Any qualms about Pinatubo handling the track or ground were banished here and connections will have a long winter to wait now for next season’s 2,000 Guineas.

Owner Sheikh Mohammed said: “When you win like that that and show so much courage, it’s very pleasing.

“I have seen him many times and we all love him.

“Every year you have a favourite horse and we hope that we can find one like him again next year.

“He is a very good horse that will go on to produce good horses. The Shamardals are very fast.

“I will be looking forward to seeing him next year.”

A relieved Charlie Appleby said: “He’s been a very special horse this year and you all saw him walking around the paddock – he has a demeanour about him.

“I would be making it up if I said he was a ‘wow’ horse in the mornings, he just goes out there and does his business. You would think he was an older horse in a handicap if you didn’t know who he was.

“He showed great courage. He travelled nicely but I told William [Buick] to hold on to him until he hit the rising ground, not to put him on his head in this ground and Will gave him a fantastic ride.

Once it came to the fight he wasn’t going to lie down.

“People ask why we were running him again and if we were taking a big risk running him having already done so five times, but if you are a boxer going into the ring you want someone that has plenty of experience behind him and someone that has been in a dogfight.

“He went to Epsom on Derby day, he went to Royal Ascot, he went to Goodwood, he’s been up and down dale and all around the country and across the world so he brought a wealth of experience to the table as well as an engine, which is the most important thing.

“On the back of Blue Point retiring, it’s great for Sheikh Mohammed that Shamardal is doing so well as a sire.

“Blue Point got me excited in the mornings, I could set my clock by him, I knew what he was going to do but this horse is the complete opposite.

I worked him in the week and he rolls upsides his lead horse and chokes out again, so it doesn’t exactly fill you with confidence going into a Group 1, but as long as he keeps producing on the track I’m happy.”

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NEWS UK RACING Winning jockey William Buick added: “It was a great performance from a great horse.

“It was different ground today so he needed to show different qualities - it turned into a stamina test and you saw today that he is a complete racehorse.”

ANOTHER CESAREWITCH FOR MULLINS AS STRATUM TIMES IT TO PERFECTION Willie Mullins made it back to back victories in the Emirates Cesarewitch Stakes at Newmarket, as Stratum completed an amazing couple of days for jockey Jason Watson.

A field of 30 horses took part in this historic 2 ¼ mile race, the second leg of the Autumn Double.

Another Mullins horse, Great White Shark, had momentarily got loose on the way to the start, but was mercifully, quickly caught and took her chance.

When the stalls opened, it was Rochester House, Stratum and Not So Sleepy who broke best, with Nuits St Georges also prominent.

Settling down, Couer Blimey led from Summer Moon and Seinesational, with Nuits St Georges and Ranch Hand up with the leaders.

Turning into the home straight, with 1 ¼ miles left to run, Couer Blimey led the three year-old Summer Moon, by a couple of lengths, with Ranch Hand third and Nuits St Georges still prominent.# The leader was joined by Land Of Oz and Not So Sleepy, with five furlongs to run, while Summer Moon remained in the mix.

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Not So Sleepy finally passed Couer Blimey, with three furlongs to run, with Summer Moon regaining second, as Party Playboy stayed on, while further back, Stratum and Watson were slowing making ground.

Summer Moon hit the front with two furlongs to race, but Party Playboy and Stratum had not been shaken off.

It was Stratum, to the outside, who had the greatest momentum and went on, with his two rivals closing late on, but not in time.

At the line, Stratum was ½ a length ahead of Party Playboy, with a short head back to Summer Moon, these three clear of Not So Sleepy, Mr Everest, Great Trango and top weight Who Dares Wins.

Stratum had run in last year’s race, when Mullins had been successful with Low Sun.

FOREST BIHAN LANDS THE OLD ROAN CHASE Forest Bihan showed the best turn of foot to outpoint Kalashnikov and Frodon in the Grade Two Monet’s Garden Old Roan Limited Handicap Chase at Aintree.

A classy five took part in this 2 ½ mile contest, but the dimension of the race was dramatically changed beforehand, when the three fences in the home straight were all omitted due to the angle of the sun.

Bigmartre and Frodon were first away, with the latter, under Bryony Frost, going on.

Settling down and taking the second fence, Frodon moved into a three length lead over Bigmartre, while Kalashnikov over-jumped and landed steeply.

Up front, Frodon got into a nice rhythm and moved three lengths clear of Bigmartre and Kalashnikov, with Flying Angel to the inside of Forest Bihan.

The order remained the same, as the quintet moved down the home straight with no fences to jump.

With a circuit to race, the field had bunched up, with Frodon 1 ½ lengths ahead of Bigmartre and Flying Angel, who had moved up on the inside, Kalashnikov raced fourth and Forest Bihan was settled in last.

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UK RACING NEWS At the seventh, Frodon led with Kalashnikov jumping through into second place, while Forest Bihan, to the outside, began to close.

They left the back and headed to what was their final fence, with Kalashnikov on the heels of Frodon.

The two took it well, with Forest Bihan a couple of lengths down and closing.

Into the home straight, the field had half a mile on the flat and Frodon still led, with Kalashnikov and Forest Bihan closing on either flank.

With two furlongs left, Kalashnikov ranged upsides the under pressure Frodon, who quickly faded.

But it was Forest Bihan and Brian Hughes, who had most left in the tank and sprinted away through the final furlong.

The Brian Ellison-trained eight year-old, receiving weight from Kalashnikov, won by about three lengths, with a wide gap back to Frodon, who just held off Flying Angel for third.

KAMEKO STORMS TO VICTORY IN THE VERTEM FUTURITY TROPHY

With the race having been re-opened, a healthy field of eleven lined-up, almost doubling the size of the original final field.

From the break, it was Royal County Down who led from New World Tapestry and Tammani.

The leader continued to power on with New World Tapestry 1 ½ lengths down and a break to the rest.

As they reached the three furlong pole, the leader came under stronger pressure and Tammani and Innisfree closed with Kameko.

Kameko hit the front with 1 ½ furlongs to race and quickly streaked clear under Oisin Murphy.

At the line, Kameko was three lengths clear, with a blanket finish for the minor placings, with Innisfree just pipping Year Of The Tiger in third and Mogul in fourth – all trained by Aidan O’Brien. In fifth place, just behind these, was the inexperienced Ralph Beckett colt Kinross, who was well clear of the rest of the field.

Kameko, a son of Kitten’s Joy, was stepping up on his previous efforts, having run second in the Solario Stakes to Positive and filling the same spot in the Royal Lodge Stakes, behind Royal Dornoch.

THE WORLDS END BACK IN STYLE AT WETHERBY

The Andrew Balding-trained Kameko powered away from his rivals for a dominant victory in the Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes at Newcastle.

Six days after the original race was abandoned at a waterlogged Doncaster, this one-mile contest made history as the first UK Group One to be contested on an artificial surface.

The Worlds End came back to form and laid down a serious marker for the season’s top staying hurdle races, with an authoritative performance in the Grade Two bet365 Hurdle at Wetherby.

The Tom George-trained eight-year-old went chasing last season, with mixed results.

Whilst this was meant to be a preparatory race for the Ladbrokes Trophy, connections may now look to compete against stayer’s champion Paisley Park for the rest of the season.

Treated for kissing spines in the off-season, The Worlds End was a different prospect this time, under Adrian Heskin, beating the veteran Unowhatimeanharry by five lengths, with the returning Two Taffs running an eyecatching race in third. Ballyandy failed to see out three miles in fourth.

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BALLYOPTIC ON TOP IN THE CHARLIE HALL CHASE Ballyoptic put up a personal best to land the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby.

Seven went to post and it was last year’s winner, Definitly Red, who led early on, before Ballyoptic and Top Ville Ben pressed on.

Racing down the back for the first time, Top Ville Ben had the lead, while Elegant Escape made a bad blunder.

With a circuit to run, the order had not changed much.

Top Ville Ben continued to lead on the final circuit, with Aso second. Further back, Molly The Dolly was a faller.

Heading out of the back, the remaining runners bunched, with Top Ville Ben just ahead of Ballyoptic and La Bague Au Roi, with Aso and Definitly Red. Top Ville Ben headed them into the home straight with Aso to the outer and Ballyoptic between the pair and this trio went clear.

The long-time leader quickly weakened and Ballyoptic went on, as La Bague Au Roi pulled up.

Two out it was Ballyoptic who narrowly led Aso, while Elegant Escape was staying on all the time.

Ballyoptic and Sam Twiston-Davies took the last well and although Elegant Escape fought hard, he could not reach the leader, giving trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies another Charlie Hall Chase victory.

Vinndication all gold in the Sodexo Gold Cup Vinndication underlined his smart credentials with a fine victory in the Grade Three Sodexo Gold Cup at Ascot.

Go Conquer was soon in front, with Vinndication among the early chasers in this three-mile contest.

Racing down the back for the first time, Go Conquer continued to lead with Black Corton moving second and then came Vinndication, with Mister Malarky next.

With a circuit to race, there was little change in the order, although Relentless Dreamer had pulled up.

Racing down the side for the final time, there was drama, as a workman was on the track and the field narrowly avoiding a collision.

Four from home, Go Conquer still led with

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Vinndication travelling well to his outside and moving on at the next fence.

As they turned for home, David Bass and Vinndication held a length lead from Go Conquer, with Black Corton giving chase.

The Kim Bailey-trained Vinndication raced to the final fence with a five-length lead over Black Corton – and a massive leap at the last sealed victory.

It was five lengths back to the staying on Regal Encore, with Black Corton third and then Ontheblindside in fourth.

JANIKA WELL ON TOP IN THE HALDON GOLD CUP Janika finally broke his duck for trainer Nicky Henderson, with a clear-cut success in the Grade Two Coral Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter.

The six-year-old was second on three occasions last term, including in the Plate at the Cheltenham Festival.

Under a positive ride from Daryl Jacob, Janika was always up with the pace and moved to the front when Destrier blundered three from home.

From that point, Janika looked in control and ran out a ready winner by 2 ¼ lengths from the Paul Nicholls-trained Dolos.

RESERVE TANK SPOT ON IN THE RISING STARS NOVICES’ CHASE Reserve Tank put in a performance full of promise as he readily won the Grade Two John Romans Park Homes “Rising Stars” Novices’ Chase at Wincanton.

Five took part in this prestigious race over 2 ½ miles.

Solomon Grey took the field along at a good clip from If You Say Run and Reserve Tank.

With a circuit to race, Solomon Grey was still clear and headed into the back straight with a five length lead.

At the last in the back, Solomon Grey made a bad error and If You Say Run and Reserve Tank loomed large.

Four out and the leader was awkward again

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UK RACING NEWS and turned for home with his two nearest pursuers, breathing down his neck.

The three took the third last in unison and Reserve Tank went on from If You Say Run, at the second last.

Robbie Power popped the last on Reserve Tank who powered away impressively ti give trainer Colin Tizzard a first success in this race.

If You Say Run plugged on for second, with Commanche Red staying on past the weary Solomon Grey for third.

FUSIL RAFFLES RETURNS WITH VICTORY IN THE ELITE HURDLE Fusil Raffles had to work hard but got up to deny Grand Sancy in the Grade Two Unibet Elite Hurdle at Wincanton.

A field of five lined-up for this two-mile contest.

Grand Sancy took them along in the early stages and took the first three lengths clear of Fusil Raffles.

Heading into the back straight, Grand Sancy and Harry Cobden continued to bowl along in front, while Fusil Raffles made an error at the first flight in the back.

The order remained the same, with Christopher Wood and Beat The Judge closing up on this pair, while Top Beak was tailed off.

Grand Sancy turned for home with a two-length advantage over Fusil Raffles and kicked on, with his nearest rival being niggled.

The leader dived at the second last and gave Fusil Raffles impetus to close and the pair took the last together.

Fusil Raffles landed marginally in front at the final flight but Grand Sancy fought back and it was a battle all the way to the line.

But Daryl Jacob and Fusil Raffles were always holding on and passed the post a length up on their race-fit rival.

The pair drew well clear of Beat The Judge, who got up for third ahead of Christopher Wood.

Nicky Henderson will have been delighted with the return of Fusil Raffles, who remains unbeaten since arriving at Seven Barrows.

GIVE ME A COPPER LANDS THE BADGER BEERS SILVER TROPHY The Ditcheat stranglehold on the Listed Badger Beers Silver Trophy Handicap Chase continued, as Give Me A Copper held on to win at Wincanton.

Thirteen went to post for this race over three miles and a furlong, with Present Man bidding to win the race for the third year running.

As the tape went up, it was Rock The Kasbah who showed first, but Present Man and Give Me A Copper, the two Paul Nicholls runners, jumped to the front at the first fence and collided.

Present Man and Bryony Frost and Present Man went on from Give Me A Copper, with The Young Master settling in third, with two circuits to go.

At the fifth fence, Rock The Kasbah, racing to the inside, jumped back into the lead from Present Man and Give Me A Copper, with Royal Vacation, Beau De Brizais and The Young Master next.

At the ninth, Rock The Kasbah had a three length advantage and took the field back into the home straight, with ten lengths covering the field.

With one circuit to race, the field bunched up behind Rock The Kasbah, with Wicked Willy beginning to struggle at the back.

Richard Johnson and Rock The Kasbah continued to lead in a good rhythm, while stable mate Beau De Brizais pecked on landing. Royal Vacation travelled well to the outside and Present Man and Give Me A Copper were still prominent.

Leaving the back, Rock The Kasbah was challenged by Royal Vacation, with Five Me A Copper to their outer and then Beau De Brizais and Just A Sting, while Sumkindofking had improved.

Three out and Give Me A Copper challenged to the outside and he took the second last ahead of Rock The Kasbah and Royal Vacation. In behind Soupy Soups closed.

Give Me A Copper and Harry Cobden jumped the last well, but Soupy Soups and Adrian Heskin closed on the flat, hand over fist.

However, Give Me A Coper just held on to give trainer Paul Nicholls a tenth triumph - and a third straight win in the race Royal Vacation was third, ahead of Just A Sting.

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PROGRESSIVE THYME HILL CONVINCES AT CHELTENHAM Philip Hobbs will plot a course towards the Cheltenham Festival after his number one novice hurdler Thyme Hill followed up last month’s win in the Persian War Novices’ Hurdle at Chepstow by beating Champagne Well by three lengths in the Grade Two Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.

Thyme Hill, a five-year-old son of Kayf Tara, was impressive, finishing three lengths ahead of secondplaced Champagne Well, who was ridden by Paddy Brennan, and there was another three-quarters of a length back to third-placed Happygolucky, who is trained by Kim Bailey and was ridden by David Bass.

The Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle, over an intermediate distance, is the obvious target for him in March, and Hobbs completed that double with Massini’s Maguire in the 2006/07 season, but on good ground the longer Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle would also come into strong consideration.

In the meantime, next month’s Grade One Challow Hurdle at Newbury is likely to be on the agenda for the five-year-old, who Hobbs said is more robust than last season but would still not want too much racing.

Hobbs said: “I suppose the obvious race for him is the Challow Hurdle at Newbury, and I should think that’s where we’ll be going next. He had a hard race today though, and he’s not a horse you would want to be running every week.”

He added: “He’s very much to the fore among my novices. He’s not the biggest in the world, but he’s very tough and genuine, and he’s got a very good outlook. I wasn’t too concerned about the ground as his best two runs, at Chepstow and The Festival (when third in the G1 Weatherbys Champion Bumper), were on soft ground.

“He’s very professional and he jumped fantastically well at Chepstow, and very well in the second half of the race here. I think two miles and five is a minimum for him, and if it was good ground here in March we might step up to three miles.”

Image supplied by The Jockey Club

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ALLMANKIND MAKES ALL AT CHELTENHAM

Image supplied by The Jockey Club

Trainer-jockey brothers Dan and Harry Skelton have an exciting JCB Triumph Hurdle prospect on their hands after Allmankind ran out an eyecatching winner of the Grade Two JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle.

The well-bred son of Sea The Moon, who moved to Dan Skelton’s yard from Michael Bell’s Newmarket base earlier in the autumn, made all the running and had plenty left in the tank as he beat Botox Has by two and a half lengths. He made a winning debut over hurdles eight days ago at Warwick.

“I thought this was possible - I wouldn’t say probable - but I was really impressed with him at Warwick. He was keen here, but I can tell you he’s a lot worse at home!” said Dan Skelton. “I just said to Harry, and to Tim [Gredley] who owns him, ‘there’s no point running this horse in another Mickey Mouse race because he’s hard on himself at home.

There’s no point galloping at home because he’s so hard on himself - we may as well just go to the races’.

“Tim said to me that there was a point when he was a two-year-old when they thought he wasn’t far off Derby standard, but then he just got keener and keener. I think the ability has always been there. I wouldn’t call him fragile-minded, because he’s not, but he is bull-headed, as you can see. But juveniles, to keep going in those conditions, you need to be quite strong-headed.

“I’m delighted with that. He’s shown us what he can do now and I won’t be in a hurry to get him out and find out what he can’t do. We’ll just go a little

bit steady now and treat him with the respect he deserves.

“Obviously we will aim to come back here in March. He’s good enough to have a place in that [the JCB Triumph Hurdle], and he’s tough - nothing will get to him in the meantime, if that makes sense.

I can’t see why he needs more experience and that type of thing, so we can just plan backwards from there. I should imagine one race before then.”

Asked whether the occasion might get to him at The Festival, Skelton replied, “To be honest with you, he could boil over at a one-man party. The FA Cup Final wouldn’t stress him anymore than a oneman party.”

WHOLESTONE CLASS TELLS AT CHELTENHAM

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Top-class hurdler Wholestone is converting at least some of that talent to fences, as he proved when winning the Grade Two mallardjewellers.com Novices’ Chase.

The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained winner, an eight-year-old gelding owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, won by one and three-quarters of a length from Rockpoint and Redzor, but he appeared to idle on the run-in and was value for a bigger margin.

Twiston-Davies was in jovial mood having recorded a quick across-the-card double following Good Boy Bobby’s win at Wetherby.

Reflecting on Wholestone’s recent defeat when second at The Showcase, the trainer said: “He is back on track now. It was a bit disappointing last time and it would have been nice to have had two winners with him here, but he’s a lovely horse.

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NEWS UK RACING “He is still a work in progress and he was a bit keen out there today, but it’s hard work in this ground. He was hopefully just idling and should have won a bit easier, but he likes a bit of help from other horses.

“We put him in cheekpieces for the first time because he hung to his left the last time he ran and today they appeared to help keep him straight. I’ll chat to Daryl and see what he thinks. He was happy with the run.

“We’ll look at ordinary novice chases for now - I don’t know if there’s a three-miles novices’ chase at the next meeting.”

When asked if the Grade One Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton’s Christmas meeting was a possible target Twiston-Davies said: “The Festival is the long-term aim, but Kempton could be on his agenda. We’ll look at it and have a word with the owners.”

Daryl Jacob admitted he was in front way too soon on Wholestone in the mallardjewellers.com Novices’ Chase, but there was precious little he could have done about it and all ended well.

Jacob said: “It probably wasn’t one of my finest hours in the saddle, but we got away with it. He’s done a lot of things right today and was a lot more straightforward, but he was keen because we didn’t go much of a gallop and every kind of gap that opened up in front of him he tried to go through.

“I was trying to restrain him, but coming down the hill I knew we hadn’t gone that quick and the two in front weren’t doing a whole lot in front, so I thought they would go along when we got to the bottom of the hill. I thought they would extend, but when I squeezed Wholestone to get him into the bridle he literally just shot through the gap and I was there a million miles too soon.

“He’s a good horse, as he showed over hurdles, but jumping fences is definitely a lot harder for him than jumping hurdles and at Cheltenham last time he was left in front at the third and then got outstayed. He was a slow burner over hurdles, and he’s getting the hang of this now and improving with every run. The cheekpieces sharpened him up today.”

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Image supplied by The Jockey Club

WEST APPROACH COMES GOOD West Approach ended a long losing streak with a scintillating late run after the last fence, to collar long-time leader Achille and win the Grade Three BetVictor Smartcards Handicap Chase under Robbie Power.

The nine-year-old son of Westerner, trained by Colin Tizzard, won by three lengths from Achille, with Potters Legend ¾ of a length back in third.

A jubilant Tizzard said: “It takes a bit of nerve, riding a race like that, doesn’t it? I ask him [Robbie Power] what he’s going to do, and he says he’d sooner get beat by coming late than by getting there too early. He says, ‘I’ll play it late. Don’t expect to see me until the end’.

“It was poetry. Robbie came really late and he ran right to the line. All our instructions are always, ‘be in the first four and see how you get on’. Robbie’s an ice-cool man. He jumps slowly - we’ve tried blinkers, we tried him back over hurdles last year to try to get him to jump faster in a race, and it didn’t make any difference. He’s not in a hurry in life; I’d like him to hurry up a bit sometimes!

“I don’t know what we’ll do next. He came fifth in the Ladbrokes Trophy [at Newbury] last year; if you ever knew [owner] John Snook, you’d have a job to stop him having a go at that. That’s a fortnight’s time, which is probably a bit quick. He’ll go up a few pounds for this. I don’t know. He’s in the Ladbrokes for a reason but we thought this was the easier option. To win this was lovely.”

Asked about the Grand National, Tizzard replied: “He wouldn’t be out of it now. If you ride him like that - we’ve seen a different horse today.

I can’t believe we’ve been riding him wrong for the past four years, but we’ll see.”

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UK RACING NEWS

HAPPY DIVA DELIVERS SMILES IN THE BETVICTOR GOLD CUP Happy Diva ploughed through the mud to gamely hold off Brelan D’As in an attritional Grade Three BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

Eighteen lined-up for this 2 ½ mile chase, with Siruh Du Lac and Warthog the early leaders.

Over the second, Siruh Du Lac went on, while at the second Eamon An Cnoic went.

Siruh Du Lac led by two lengths heading into the straight, with Warthog to the inside and Splash Of Ginge out wider, followed by Mercian Prince and Guitar Pete.

Highway One O One unseated and as the survivors headed out on their final circuit, Siruh Du Lac held a narrow lead over Warthog, with Count Meribel, Mercian Prince and Guitar Pete close-up.

At the first open ditch, Springtown Lake, already adrift, made a dreadful blunder and was pulled up, along with former winner Splash Of Ginge.

At the top of the hill, Warthog went on from Siruh Du Lac, with Happy Diva improving to the inside in third, followed by Count Meribel and Brelan D’As and Slate House.

Warthog and David Noonan turned for home with Happy Diva and Brelan D’As and Slate House virtually in a line two out. However, Slate House fell.

Racing to the last, Happy Diva went on from Brelan D’As who fought back.

In a pulsating finish, Happy Diva and Richard Patrick just held off their rival to win by about ¾ of a length, with a wide gap back to Warthog in third, with Belami Des Pictons running on for fourth,

Image supplied by The Jockey Club

ahead of Magic Saint and Count Meribel.

Described as a “bridesmaid” by trainer Kerry Lee, Happy Diva finally enjoyed her day in the sun with a thrilling success.

Lee said: “What a brilliant horse Happy Diva is.

She has been the bridesmaid once too often, but she is a Listed winner over fences.

“Happy Diva beat Magic Of Light last term who went on to finish second in the Grand National, so the form was there!

“She had always been on the coat tails and it’s great to win today.

“It was a great ride by Richard. We came into the race with a gameplan and thankfully it has worked. We had a plan to be positioned by the rail and she travelled really well throughout and jumped beautifully.

“Happy Diva is a tough and gutsy mare and her class shone through.

“It is great to have the Roseff family [winning owners] here today. They have been with the yard since my father [Richard] started over 30 years ago.

“It is great for them all to be here today. They are fantastic owners as if we have a quiet day, they always say there is another one. If we have a great day, boy do they celebrate.

“I think it’s five years since dad bought her in Ireland - mum and dad went together and bought her as a store - and I am absolutely over the moon.”

Conditional jockey Richard Patrick scored the biggest victory of his career to date.

He said: “It’s a dream, I couldn’t have had a better run round. She was very, very unlucky in this race last year. She was travelling like a dream and I couldn’t have been happier with where I was, but a bad crash happened in front of us and we got brought down [four fences from home]. She has got what she deserved today.

“She is unreal to ride because she travels so well and jumps brilliantly. You can sit wherever you want to - she is almost going too well a lot of the time, but she is epic. She is the best horse that I have ever ridden. I think it is probably the 20th time I have ridden her, something like that, and we’ve had six wins. She’s brought me to all the big days and she always runs her heart out without winning.

“The horses have been a bit hit and miss, but

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NEWS UK RACING they have still been running OK. We have quite a nice bunch, a few less horses this year, but a massive thank you to the owners for keeping me on her and Kerry for keeping the faith. It’s magical.

“Kerry and I have built up a great partnership.

Happy Diva is probably the best one but we’ve got some nice horses coming through; you just need a bit of luck - especially in these big handicaps - and last year we had none, so it’s nice to have it this year.

“This is massive for me, especially just coming towards the end of my claim. I think I’ve got 13 [wins] left now [until he loses his claim] and you need to be being seen on these big days. It just makes you more hungry and want more.”

PUT THE KETTLE ON BURSTS ARKLE PRETENSIONS Put The Kettle On cut out much of the running and repelled all raiders to burst a few Arkle Chase bubbles with victory in the Grade Two Racing Post #responsiblegambling Arkle Trophy Trial Novices’ Chase for Irish trainer Henry de Bromhead.

Ridden by Aidan Coleman, Put The Kettle On, was the only mare in the line-up, but produced a scintillating round of jumping and ran on strongly in the closing stages to see off her three other rivals to score by two and a half-lengths from Al Dancer

in second. Getaway Trump had blundered badly and did well to stay on his feet for third place.

Owned by an enthusiastic group of owners, One For Luck Racing Syndicate, they warmly greeted the five-year-old daughter of Stowaway back into the winner’s enclosure and the Cheltenham Festival in March is now an intended target.

Winning jockey Coleman said: “I would say spectacular would be doing her an injustice because, when I wanted her to come, she came, but she was so economical as well, which is very important on that ground.

“She just handled that ground really well, which is kind of a surprise because it was an unknown.

What an attitude and what a little jumper.

“It was attritional conditions, not really conditions a horse would excel on, but she did it really well.

“This was no fluke as she had good form in Ireland, had the allowances and it was just a very good performance - I won well.

“Henry was very straightforward. He said to let her stride on and use her experience. He didn’t tie me down but, looking at the race, she was always going to be in front.

“She got a lovely lead the whole way and her jumping was impeccable - it didn’t make the difference as she was the best horse in the race on the day but it definitely helped.”

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UK RACING NEWS Jockey Sam-Twiston Davies said of Al Dancer: “I’m very happy with that as we gave the winner far too easy a time up front. My lad is all speed and I thought I’d be quicker than her up the hill, but in this sort of ground there’s no such thing as a fast horse.

“He relaxed really well and jumped better today than last time, even though the ground wasn’t that nice. It was a massive performance to give 3lb to Getaway Trump and a lot more to the winner, but I’m just sick at getting beat.”

Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies added: “I don’t know if he’s favourite for the Arkle but he probably should be. I’m sure he’s better on better ground and missing out the [downhill] fence didn’t help as his jumping is absolutely perfect. I’m still very positive.”

DEFI DU SEUIL TAKES THE SHLOER CHASE

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Defi Du Seuil’s love for Cheltenham again saw him home with a gutsy victory in the Grade Two Shloer Chase.

Four went to post for what is often a significant starting point for the season’s leading two-mile chasers.

It was Politologue who led for much of the contest and was still in there two from home.

All four had their chances but it was the Philip Hobbs-trained Defi Du Seuil who found most to challenge the long-time leader.

Politologue showed his characteristic fighting qualities to battle back, but up the final climb to the line, Defi Du Seuil was always just in control and ran out a 1 ¼ length winner, with five lengths back to Simply Ned, who beat Saint Calvados for third.

Defi Du Seuil clearly has a very special place in the Hobbs household, and the trainer admitted to having a frog in his throat as the six-year-old battled up the hill for a twelfth career success from 18 starts, which includes two Cheltenham Festival victories.

He said: “I’m delighted he managed to win, as four runners is never ideal for a horse like him, especially when the pace isn’t that strong, and there was a lack of room there, though he managed to push out of the gap.

“Although he obviously stays very well he’s got loads of pace. And he’s very brave isn’t he. He does dig deep.”

He added: “I think we’ll take it race by race but I should think it will be the Tingle Creek [Sandown, December 7] next. He’s proven today he can do well over two miles, and Sandown is stiffer than here and will probably suit him better.”

Defi Du Seuil also has an entry in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase, but Hobbs said: “He’s entered, so it’s not completely written off, but I would think not. We had long discussions about that three-mile entry and one of the reasons we came here is that the two-mile division looks weaker, except perhaps for the Willie Mullins horse Chacun Pour Soi. He’d be the main one probably.”

Politologue delighted his trainer and jockey by finishing second, with Paul Nicholls saying: “I’m thrilled with that. He was giving three pounds to the winner and just got a bit outsprinted from the back of the last. He’ll go to the Tingle Creek [at Sandown on December 7] and hopefully he’ll get a bit of a lead in that. It was a good performance.

“It would be nice if Un De Sceaux comes to Sandown and we get a lead; he goes along in front alright but he just doesn’t do a massive amount in front. It was always going to turn into a sprint and he just got outsprinted.

“It was a really good run for his first of the season and should put him spot-on for the Tingle Creek. We’ll obviously meet the winner again on three pounds better terms and a stronger run race will suit us better.”

Twelve year-old Simply Ned couldn’t quite bustle up the big two, but still ran with great credit for trainer Nicky Richards and owners David & Nicky Robinson, taking third place beaten six and a quarter lengths.

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NEWS UK RACING The veteran’s jockey Brian Hughes said: “My horse has run a nice race, he was giving the winner 3lb so had no right to beat him or Politologue. He is a 12-year-old now but went around there like a five-year-old.

“I am sure we will go to Leopardstown now and try and win the Grade One over Christmas that he has won for the last two seasons.”

Trainer Nicky Richards confirmed as much, saying: “That will put him right for Leopardstown now - he’s a proper racehorse.”

HARAMBE LATE THRUST WINS THE GREATWOOD HURDLE Harambe got up late on to deny Gumball in a thrilling finish to the Grade Three Unibet Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The six-year-old son of Malinas swooped late under Tom Bellamy, to land the feature contest of the day by a neck, from the Philip Hobbs-trained Gumball, with Monsieur Lecoq the same distance back in third.

Harambe made up plenty of ground late in the race to snatch the Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle for trainer Alan King and jockey Tom Bellamy.

Bellamy said: “I can’t describe how lucky I feel.

First and foremost, with Wayne [Hutchinson, formerly first jockey at Alan King’s yard] retiring, it’s a good start for the new way things are at Alan’s now. Onwards and upwards from here, hopefully.

“I knew that he would run well - it’s obviously different to winning, but I thought he would be in the first six. A strongly-run race would suit him and the ground was a question, but the guv’nor gave me great instructions. He said to switch him off, think about the last half of the race and see how I go.

“Harambe was very fresh at Chepstow. I spoke to Wayne this morning and he gave me great advice, very similar to the boss. He said switching off was my main objective and to forget about the race to start with - once he is switched off, then start worrying about the race.

“He wasn’t completely switched off but he wasn’t half as keen as he was last time. He has taken me

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everywhere I needed to be and won nicely.

“It’s surreal. I was lucky enough to win at this meeting on Splash Of Ginge [the BetVictor Gold Cup] two years ago, and as soon as you do it you want to do it again. I know it is a different race, but it’s the second-biggest of the weekend, and the timing of it as much as anything means an awful lot.

Hopefully, it might seal the deal of moving up the pecking order at Alan King’s.

“I won this horse’s first bumper on him and rode him in his next two, and he ran away with me a bit at Newbury one day and the boss put Wayne back on him, which is completely fair enough - he was the stable jockey - so it was great to be entrusted with the ride today. And to win, hopefully that repays that trust a little bit.”

HANG IN THERE TOUGHS IT OUT AT CHELTENHAM

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Hang In There lived up to his name to see off the threat of Pacify and land the Grade Two Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Jockey Adam Wedge is enjoying a fine season and rode the five-year-old son of Yeats to a threelengths victory. Ecco, who reportedly hated the ground, finished third, 14 lengths further back.

Winning trainer, Emma Lavelle, said: “This horse is a little terrier. He’s not very big, but he’s all heart. He’s a really good mover, and I wasn’t sure about the ground, but he’s handled this the same as he’s handled better ground.

“He’s always on the gas at home, always busy enough, but he’s all heart and he’ll keep fighting for you. I think we’ll stick where we are now for the minute distance wise, and I suppose we had better

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UK RACING NEWS treat him like a proper horse now.

“To be in with a chance in the big two-mile championship races you’ve got to be able to travel and you’ve got to be able to stay, and he only just got beaten in a two-and-a-half-mile novice at Fairyhouse. He doesn’t have to make it, but it’s better to let him get on with it than fight him. He’s an exciting prospect and he’s done nothing wrong.”

Jamie Snowden said of Pacify’s run: “You’re never happy when you finish second, but he’s run a nice race. The ground’s just meant he didn’t have that potent turn of foot we’ve seen on better ground.

“He’s handled it well enough but it’s just blunted his speed a bit from the back of two out. He’s carried on galloping at one pace from there; he’s carrying a five-pound penalty and has been beaten two lengths, so he’s run a nice race.

“This was always the plan; we’ll see where we go.

There’s half a possibility he might go up in trip as well at some point. I think he does stay nicely.

“We may enter a couple of races at The Festival - the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and the Ballymore, and see how we go from there.”

LOSTINTRANSLATION ALL CLASS IN THE BETFAIR CHASE Lostintranslation threw down a significant marker for the top chases that remain this season, as he ran out a classy winner of the Grade One Betfair Chase at Haydock Park.

A select field of four took part in this three-mile, one-furlong race.

The grey Bristol De Mai, seeking a hat-trick of wins in this race, set off in front, with his ears pricked.

Bristol De Mai took the four out on their first full circuit, with a length advantage over stable mate Ballyoptic, with Frodon a close third and Lostintranslation, who raced three lengths behind the front trio.

Up front, Bristol De Mai jumped for fun down the back straight, with Frodon taking second, ahead of Ballyoptic and Lostintranslation and the grey, under Daryl Jacob, moved into the home straight with a two-length lead.

With a circuit to race, the order remained the same, with Bristol De Mai leading Frodon and Ballyoptic, while Robbie Power waited patiently at the back on Lostintranslation, some four lengths behind the leader.

Once again they raced down the back, with Bristol De Mai electric over his fences, while Frodon regained second from Ballyoptic, over the twelfth and Lostintranslation still waited in last.

Six out and five lengths covered the field, with the grey still jumping well in front.

Bristol De Mai turned for home with his three rivals all poised to strike, while Ballyoptic was being niggled and Frodon came under pressure.

Bristol De Mai took four out extravagantly and Lostintranslation became the main threat to the inside, as Frodon gave way.

Two out and Bristol De Mai landed narrowly ahead of Lostintranslation who blundered but rallied again heading to the last.

The pair landed together over the final fence and Robbie Power went on under Lostintranslation.

Bristol De Mai fought back supremely, but the younger horse showed plenty of class and kept on well to win by a couple of lengths, with a yawning 25-length gap back to Frodon and Ballyoptic.

The Colin Tizzard-trained Lostintranslation, a seven year-old, was winning his second Grade One contest, having defeated the RSA Chase winner Topofthegame, in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree last spring.

For Tizzard, it was a fourth win in the race, following Cue Card’s three victories. It was also Bristol De Mai’s first defeat at Haydock, but a horse who is now firmly in the Gold Cup picture.

CYRNAME COMES OUT ON TOP IN THRILLING CLASH WITH ALTIOR Cyrname overshadowed Altior, jumping extravagantly and making all in the Grade Two Christy 1965 Chase at Ascot.

This keenly-awaited match-up between the two highest rated chasers in the country, pitched Altior against Cyrname, with Solomon Grey for good measure.

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NEWS UK RACING As the tapes went up for this two-mile, fivefurlong trip, the furthest Altior had been, it was Cyrname who went into the lead from Altior, with Solomon Grey sitting a few lengths adrift in third.

Cyrname and Harry Cobden took the second fence 1 ½ lengths ahead of Altior, with Solomon Grey a remote third by the third fence.

At the fourth, Cyrname stood off the fence and ploughed through it with his back legs, but he cleared the next fence with plenty to spare and took Altior into the home straight, putting in a massive jump at the sixth.

With a circuit to run, the crowd saluted the front pair, while Solomon Grey was tailed off.

Cyrname cleared the first in the back straight with a length lead over Altior.

With six to jump, the order remained the same, with Altior tracking Cyrname and Solomon Grey 25 lengths back in third.

Cyrname cleared the final ditch, four out, with some athleticism and turned for home with a 1 ½ length lead over Altior.

Cyrname took the second last with Altior to his outside and the leader increased his advantage heading to the last, with Altior under pressure and not closing.

At the final fence, Cyrname put in another mighty leap and that sealed the victory, with Altior keeping on at the one-pace and never able to close.

Cyrname passed the post 2 ½ lengths clear of Altior, whose run of 19 straight victories came to an end. Solomon Grey came home a distance third.

The Paul Nicholls-trained Cyrname, just a seven year-old, could take in the King George VI Chase now, while Nicky Henderson, who had voiced concerns that Altior had too much speed for three miles, could now drop his star down in distances.

IF THE CAP FITS AGAIN IN THE ASCOT HURDLE If The Cap Fits came with a well-timed run to win successive renewals of the Grade Two Coral Ascot Hurdle.

Six contested this two-mile, three-furlong event.

The ever-popular Lil Rockerfeller was soon into

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the lead from Blu Cavalier and Call Me Lord.

With a circuit to race, Lil Rockerfeller held a length advantage over Call Me Lord and Blu Cavalier, with Roksana and If The Cap Fits close up and Le Patriote sitting last of the sextet.

If The Cap Fits came through to join the leaders five out and Lil Rockerfeller was soon niggled along to keep his position, with Blu Cavalier, If The Cap Fits and Roksana pressing and the other two well within striking distance.

Four out and Lil Rockerfeller led but was still under pressure.

Roksana, racing wide, went on at the third last, with If The Cap Fits and Call Me Lord challenging and Le Patriote on their coattails, as Lil Rockerfeller finally gave way.

Two from home and Call Me Lord went on, with If The Cap Fits his challenger.

The two took the last together and it was If The Cap Fits and Sean Bowen who touched down in front and although Call Me Lord fought valiantly, the Harry Fry runner had enough in hand to make it back to back wins in this race.

Miles back Lil Rockerfeller fought on gamely for third, ahead of Le Patriote.

PAISLEY PARK RETURNS IN TRIUMPH AT NEWBURY The reigning Stayers’ Hurdle winner Paisley Park, made a triumphant return to action, with a hard fought victory over a resurgent Thistlecrack.

Five went to post for the Grade Two Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle, with the race-fit The Worlds End cutting out much of the running.

Into the home straight, Unowhatimeanharry and former winner Beer Goggles came under pressure, as Thistlecrack and Paisley Park came to challenge the long-time leader.

Sadly Beer Goggles sustained a fatal injury and was pulled up.

As The Worlds End weakened, Paisley Park and Aidan Coleman went on – but the veteran Thistlecrack, also a former Stayers’ Hurdle winner, threw down a stern challenge.

Paisley Park was kept up to his work all the way

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UK RACING NEWS to the line to win by a length, with The Worlds End taking third place.

Emma Lavelle suggested that Ascot’s Long Walk Hurdle will likely be next, while Colin Tizzard’s Thistlecrack is set to have a fourth run in the King George VI Chase, a race he won in 2016 as a novice chaser.

CHAMP KEEPS ON TRACK FOR DRAMATIC VICTORY Nicky Henderson’s Champ maintained his unbeaten record over fences – but had to overcome some jumping errors and a meandering run-in, that almost saw him steer the wrong course.

The Grade Two Ladbrokes ‘Where The Nation Plays’ Novices’ Chase – better known as the Berkshire Chase, attracted a field of six over 2 ½ miles.

There was early drama as Dashel Drasher unseated his rider whilst leading, at the first fence.

That left Black Op to lead for much of the race, while Champ was hampered by the loose horse and also stumbled at the third.

Into the home straight, Black Op still led and Champ made another error three from home, where Vision Des Flos was also less than fluent.

Meanwhile, Deyrann De Carjac had made progress.

At the final fence Black Op touched down in front, but Champ, who had hit a flat spot, began to rally for Barry Geraghty.

Just as Champ looked to be winning the battle, the elbow loomed large and Geraghty found himself heading towards the wrong side of the rails.

Champ found a burst of speed though, as he was yanked back on course and he stayed on well to eventually come home 1 ¾ lengths ahead of Black Op and Deyrann De Carjac, after an eventful round.

DANNY WHIZZBANG EXCELS ON CHASING DEBUT Danny Whizzbang emerged as a name for the future, with a bright performance to land the Grade Two Ladbrokes John Francome Novices’ Chase at Newbury.

A small but select field of three lined-up for this race over two miles and seven furlongs, won in the past by the likes of Barton Bank, See More Indians, Joe Lively, Grand Crus, Native River, Thistlecrack, Elegant Escape and Santini.

As the tapes went up, it was Reserve Tank who led and was two lengths up on Ardlethen and Danny Whizzbang by the third fence.

The leader was less than fluent at the seventh, but headed down the back straight with the lead.

However, at the eleventh, Reserve Tank was deliberate and out-jumped by Ardlethen, who edged into the lead.

The front pair left the back almost together, with Danny Whizzbang a couple of lengths behind.

At the Cross Fence, Ardlethen extended his advantage to a length and turned into the home straight travelling the better.

Four from home, Ardlethen landed in front but slightly nodded and at the final ditch, the three horses jumped in unison.

Danny Whizzbang went on at the second last and headed to the final fence with Reserve Tank trying to rally.

But Danny Whizzbang moved two lengths clear of the final fence and moved further clear to win by about three lengths on his chasing debut. Reserve Tank was a slightly disappointing second, with Adlethen back in third.

Paul Nicholls-trained six year-old was a point to point winner and then landed both of his hurdles races.

DE RASHER COUNTY BRINGS HOME THE BACON IN THE LADBROKES TROPHY De Rasher County won a pulsating renewal of the Grade Three Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury.

A maximum field of 24 contested one of the big handicap chases of the season, over 3 ¼ miles.

The massive field were sent on their was with Dingo Dollar, The Conditional and Cabaret Queen among the early leaders, as they streamed over the first.

Yala Enki, OK Corral and Dingo Dollar led over the second, with the latter moving into the lead over the next.

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NEWS UK RACING De Rasher County was completing a memorable two days for trainer Emma Lavelle at the meeting, following the victory of Paisley Park in the Long Distance Hurdle the previous day.

Image supplied by Newbury Racecourse

Settling down, Dingo Dollar led from Yala Enki, with OK Corral holding a handy position and De Rasher County up there to the inside, tracked by The Conditional and On The Blind Side, with Regal Encore and Some Chaos next.

At the Cross Fence, Commodore made a juddering mistake, while further back, Shantou Village was untidy.

At the first in the home straight, West Approach made an error and unshipped Robbie Power, while Yala Enki and Dingo Dollar continued to lead.

Taking the water, the remaining 23 were within 12 lengths of the lead, which was still disputed by Yala Enki and Dingo Dollar, as they set out on their final circuit.

Down the back, Cabaret Queen dropped to last, as OK Corral, Walt and Some Chaos came to join the leaders, along with De Rasher County. Indeed, Cabaret Queen and Robinsfirth were soon pulled up.

Leaving the back, Dingo Dollar and De Rasher County led from Walt.

De Rasher County edged into the lead as they straightened up for home, with Yorkhill falling four out.

Heading to the second last, De Rasher County led The Conditional and Dingo Dollar, with Mister Malarkey closing.

But at the last it was De Rasher County who led and sprinted away from The Conditional who blundered.

Ben Jones pulled away on De Rasher County and although The Conditional rallied on the flat and closed the gap, at the line he had won by about two lengths, with top weight Elegant Escape running a mighty race to finish a close third, just ahead of Beware The Bear, with a gap back to Dingo Dollar in fifth.

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CORNERSTONE LAD TRIUMPHS IN THE FIGHTING FIFTH HURDLE Cornerstone Lad delivered a huge shock by defeating Buveur D’Air, under and enterprising ride from Henry Brooke, in the Grade One Betfair Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.

With Gosforth Park surviving a course inspection, a field of five lined-up for this Champion Hurdle Trial over two miles, including the dual winner Buveur D’Air. As the race got underway, it was Cornerstone Lad who reluctantly went on into the lead from Nelson River and Buveur D’Air, with Silver Streak and Lady Buttons making up the quintet.

The leader took the second flight with a sixlength lead and passed the post clear, with a circuit to run.

Down the back, the order remained fairly unchanged, although Lady Buttons had demoted Silver Streak to a narrow last.

Cornerstone Lad took four out still well clear, with Buveur D’Air moving smoothly into a closer third.

Into the home straight though, the leader was eight lengths clear at the third last and Barry Geraghty began to ask Buveur D’Air to close.

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UK RACING NEWS The leader was still clear two out, but at the final flight, Buveur D’Air had got to within two lengths.

It all came down to the battle on the flat and momentarily it looked as though Buveur D’Air would collect his rival – however, Barry Geraghty was hard at work and Cornerstone Lad answered every call from Brooke.

It became a frantic scrap and the Mickey Hammond-trained Cornerstone Lad showed tenacity in spades to keep his white nose in front, as the pair flashed past the line.

This was an almighty shock and the five year-old Cornerstone Lad, who had been plying his trades in flat handicaps, was a Grade One winner on his first start in Pattern company.

BUVEUR D’AIR UNLIKELY TO RUN AGAIN THIS SEASON Nicky Henderson has given an update on Buveur D’Air who is to undergo surgery to remove a chunk of wood from his foot.

The dual Champion Hurdle sustained his injury during his bid to win a third straight Fighting Fifth

Hurdle at Newcastle, but is unlikely to run again this season.

Speaking to Luck On Sunday, the Lambourn trainer said: “It is so freak it is not possible to even think how you could even do it.

He had a great wedge of wood sticking out and that has gone in through the top of the coronet band, right underneath the hoof.

“It is rather like a rather large splinter underneath your nail and it is very, very sore.

“The good news is that the coffin joint hasn’t been touched or affected in any way.

“So now it is just a matter of getting this piece of wood out from under his hoof. But they are going to have to open the hoof to let it come out. It is the only way.

“They hope that they can do this without a general anaesthetic. Then it is a matter of how long it takes for the hoof to grow back over which will undoubtedly take some considerable time.

“Nobody is even talking about when, what or where. He is obviously comfortable as it has been anaesthetised and we know he is in safe hands. The only thing that is important is him and to eliminate

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NEWS UK RACING pain. He is not feeling a lot at the moment and they can do the surgery standing up.

“So if all goes well through the next 24 hours then we are through the worst of it and then it is to control infection and concentrate on getting the hoof to grow back.”

Asked about Buveur D’Air’s prospects of racing again this term, Henderson said: “I think this season is going to be a grey area and for another fortnight we probably won’t know. I think this season could be pretty slim. First of all is to get him back in good shape and then discuss the long-term future.”

The trainer later wrote on his Unibet blog: “Buveur D’Air has undergone surgery by my vet David Mathieson and his team at Donnington Grove in Newbury to remove the piece of wood which had gone through the coronet band and into his hoof. The wall of the hoof had to be opened up to do this but as a consequence we now have to wait for the foot to grow back together again which could take some time to heal. The procedure went well this morning and they were able to do it without having to put him under a general anaesthetic which can sometimes cause problems when the horse comes round and they can often fall when attempting to get back up, but thankfully the removal was conducted with him standing up.

“The important thing is that he hasn’t damaged his coffin joint which could have very nearly been career ending or worse so that is a huge relief and we have a lot to be thankful for as things could have been much, much worse. Buveur D’Air’s welfare and health is of paramount importance and I simply cannot speculate as to how long it will take to get him back and if/when his next race will be. This in an injury which will not be resolved overnight so we will assess the situation on a day to day basis but he is in extremely safe hands and will get the best treatment he can. It’s a terrible shame for everyone concerned including Hannah Ryan who absolutely adores him and she has barely left his side. Thankfully he is in no pain as it’s very much like a human nail in the fact that he now has a great big hole in his foot (like a human’s nail) which needs to bind together and heal.”

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ENRILO BACK TO WINNING FORM AT SANDOWN Enrilo drew glowing comments from trainer Paul Nicholls after getting back to winning ways in the Grade Two Ballymore Winter Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown Park.

House Island was soon to the fore, heading the seven runners to the first flight in their 2 ½ mile journey.

Into the straight on the first circuit, House Island led Happygolucky, with the pair about three lengths clear of Enrilo and that was the order with a circuit to race.

House Island, who had beaten Enrilo last time, appeared keen to duck out, as he passed the exit to the stables.

However, he kept on course and continued to lead Happygolucky.

The front pair raced in unison out of the back straight, with a five-length lead over Enrilo.

But the leaders tired at the second last, with Enrilo switched to the inside under Harry Cobden and challenging.

House Island plugged on, but jumped the last with Enrilo almost upsides and the pair settled down for a battle up the Sandown hill.

Enrilo gradually got on top and beat his old adversary by ¾ of a length, with 7 lengths back to Happygolucky in third.

Nicholls said: “He was a massive price. Something upset him at Ludlow. He got in a bit of a fight with Bryony (Frost) there — whether something in his mouth was pinching him that day, I don’t know, but he got in a fight with her and literally hung off the course.

“I felt if he hadn’t run at Ludlow he would have been favourite on his Wincanton run. I think he is really good. I did say you could put a line through his last run and today he has shown what a really smart horse he is. He gallops and stays, but he is still as green as grass.

“He will be a super chaser in a year’s time. He is well capable of winning a good race in the spring. I won’t ruin him by going to Cheltenham if I think it is too soon. He is a proper horse with a proper engine.

“I’ve always loved him.”

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UK RACING NEWS

WALK IN THE MILL DOUBLES UP IN THE BECHER CHASE Walk In The Mill ran out a convincing winner of the Grade Three Becher Handicap Chase at Aintree, making it back to back wins.

Eighteen horses lined-up for this race, just short of 3 ¼ miles of the Grand National course.

The early leader Like The Sound and Regal Flow Flow went at the first fence, with Ballydine was a casualty at the second.

Over the Chair, Mulcahys Hill led with former winner Vieux Lion Rouge, with Alpha Des Obeaux to their outside and then Walk In The Mill and As De Mee. Vintage Clouds, tailed off, was soon pulled up.

Racing on towards Becher’s Brook, Alpha Des Obeaux and Mulcahys Hill led with As De Mee, with Vieux Lion Rouge next and all fourteen cleared the famous fence.

As De Mee went on at Foinavon and took the Canal Turn with his ears pricked. At Valentine’s Brook, As De Mee led with Walk In The Mill next and Alpha Des Obeaux still with them, while Le Breuil and Kimberlite Candy had crept closer, along with Definitly Red. Crossing the Melling Road, As De Mee led, with Vieux Lion Rouge rallying and last year’s winner Walk In The Mill next.

The latter came to join the leader and went on at the second last, as Mulcahys Hill and Abolitionist were pulled up.

Walk In The Mill went clear though and took the last well, with As De Mee giving chase in vain.

James Best kept Walk In The Mill up to his work and Kimberlite Candy tried hard to close, but could not stop back to back victories for Robert Walford.

Alpha Des Obeaux came home third, with Definitly Red fourth and then One For Arthur, who had been tacky at several fences, but stayed on well.

NATIVE RIVER SAUNTERS TO VICTORY IN THE MANY CLOUDS CHASE Native River dominated the Grade Two Virgin Bet Price Boosts Many Clouds Chase at Aintree, with his task made more straight-forward by the early departure of Might Bite.

Four took part in this race over three miles and a furlong, which saw a rematch of the first two home in the 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Native Tiver went into the lead, with Black Corton to his outside and Might Bite right there, to the inside, as Outlander galloped a respectful three lengths behind the leaders.

Might Bite and Native River soon went on as they took the third fence, with Black Corton dropping back as the front pair moved six lengths clear, passing the post for the first time.

At the fourth, Native River asserted and pressed on, but Might Bite blundered and unshipped Nico de Boinville. That left the former Gold Cup winner well clear of Black Corton and Outlander.

Native River headed once again down the home straight, in splendid isolation, aside from the loose Might Bite. He took the eleventh fully 20 lengths clear of Black Corton and Outlander and headed out on his final circuit.

Richard Johnson took the third last as his two rivals turned for home and Richard Johnson just had to keep his mount up to his work.

Racing to the final fence, Native River was passed by the loose horse and the leader popped over for a facile success.

A distance back in second came Black Corton, with Outlander always last.

HOGAN’S HEIGHTS STORMS TO VICTORY IN THE GRAND SEFTON Hogan’s Heights powered to an impressive victory in the Virgin Bet Grand Sefton Handicap Chase at Aintree.

Fourteen ran over two miles and five furlongs of the Grand National course.

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NEWS UK RACING It’s Jennifer the French raider, was an early casualty.

Killaro Boy led from Federici and this pair moved two lengths clear of Kay Adventure made an error and pulled up.

Heading to Becher’s Brook, Federici and Killaro Boy led from Didero Vallis, with Flying Angel also up with the leaders.

Federici took the leaders over the Canal Turn with Killaro Boy in close company.

Four out and the order was the same, with Gold Present close-up to the outside, along with Didero Vallis and Hogan’s Height.

As they turned into the home straight, Killaro Boy went on, as Federici dropped away, but two out, Hogan’s Height went on, chased by Didero Vallis and Beau Bay. Hogan’s Height and Tom Cannon took the last clear and sprinted around the Elbow, with a widening advantage.

At the line, the Jamie Snowden runner was a long was clear of Wishfull Thinking who just got up for second from Beau Bay.

ESPRIT DU LARGE IMPRESSES IN THE HENRY VIII NOVICES’ CHASE Esprit Du Large battled hard to see off the previously unbeaten Nube Negra, in the Grade One Read Road To Cheltenham At RacingTV Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown Park.

Six took part in this two mile chase, often one of the most significant pointers to the Arkle.

Torpillo took the field along from Summerville Boy and this pair led down the back.

Torpillo continued to bowl along, while Summerville Boy fell at the water jump.

Racing to the third last, the Pond Fence, Torpillo was still there to the inside, with Esprit De Large challenging and going on as they reached the home turn.

Esprit Du Large took the second last under Adam Wedge, with Nube Negra coming to challenging.

Both horses flew the last and fought up the famous hill.

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But it was Esprit Du Large who had most left in the tank to see off Nube Negra, with the pair a long way clear of Grand Sancy, who faded from the Pond Fence.

The Evan Williams trained Esprit Du Large, a five year-old, could have run at Exeter the previous day, but instead tasted Grade One glory.

DEFI DU SEUIL LANDS A PULSATING TINGLE CREEK Defi Du Seuil held off the spirited challenge of Un De Sceaux to win the Grade One Betfair Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown Park.

Eight lined-up for one of the big two-mile races of the season.

After a false start, the race got underway with Un De Sceaux and Paul Townend quickly away, along with Ornua.

The latter pressed on to the second fence and moved three lengths clear of Un De Sceaux, with Defi Du Seuil, Dolos, Janika and Politologue and these were followed by Waiting Patiently and Sceaux Royal.

Racing downhill to the third, the leader got in a little close, but headed into the back with a twolength advantage over Un De Sceaux, with Defi Du Seuil and Dolos next.

Ornua took the water still in front, but with Un De Sceuax closing.

At the Railway Fences, Dolos blundered and Ornua was challenged coming away by Un De Sceaux.

Racing to the Pond Fence, Un De Sceaux went on, with Defi Du Seuil trying to close and Waiting Patirently, Sceau Royal and Politologue began to close with Janika.

But Un De Sceaux turned for home in front, taking the second last clear, but chased by Defi Du Seuil, racing to the last.

At that point, Barry Geraghty pressed on aboard Defi Du Seuil and went in a clear lead.

But the Sandown Hill began to tell and Defi Du Seuil began to tie-up, as Un De Sceaux rallied and closed dramatically, whilst Waiting Patiently flew home to the stands side.

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UK RACING NEWS Defi Du Seuil kept his head in front and whilst Un De Sceaux joined him on the line, he was just too late. Waiting Patiently was right on their coattails, in a pulsating finish.

The Philip Hobbs-trained six-year old was winning his sixth Grade One.

TOP NOTCH WINS HIS SECOND PETERBOROUGH CHASE

“You can forget your Altiors and the others, everyone just loves him. There are better horses in the yard, but if you asked which was the most popular stalwart then it would be this fellow by a mile.

“He just doesn’t know how to do anything wrong – you can go hurdling, you can go two miles, two and half miles or three miles but you wouldn’t find a nicer person.

“He’s been with us six years and he never looked like a chaser when he came in as he’s not big enough but he’s just so tough.”

SAM SPINNER OVERCOMES ERROR TO WIN DONCASTER GRADE TWO

Top Notch timed it well to win the Grade Two Fitzdares Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon, for the second time.

Six horses went to post for the 50th anniversary of this contest, over just short of 2 ½ miles.

The mare La Bague Au Roi was soon into the lead from Aso, with Top Notch and Born Survivor disputing third.

With a circuit to race, L aBague Au Roi was still travelling well in front, while last year’s winner, Charbel, made a bad blunder at the ditch in front of the stands – and was quickly tailed off.

With three to jump, five were in contention, with La Bague Au Roi taking them into the home straight with Top Notch and Born Survivor looking menacing.

Daryl Jacob got a nice run up the inside and landed on terms with La Baugue Au Roi at the second last and moved into the lead at the last.

A good jump helped and Top Notch drew away impressively, with Kauto Riko running on in grand style for second, ahead of La Bague Au Roi and Born Survivor.

Henderson said: “I don’t know about the general election on Thursday but if there was a popularity poll taken in our yard this morning then Top Notch would be prime minister!

Sam Spinner and Joe Colliver maintain equilibrium after an horrendous mistake – and ultimately ran out emphatic winners of the Grade Two bet365 December Novices’ Chase at Doncaster.

Three lined-up for this three-mile contest.

As the tapes went up, it was Windsor Avenue and Brian Hughes who set off in front, tracked by Aye Right and Sam Spinner.

By the third fence, the trio raced together, with Aye Right just going on, as they entered the home straight for the first time.

Heading onto their final circuit, Sam Spinner had a narrow lead from Aye Right and Windsor Avenue.

With six to jump, three lengths covered the trio, but Sam Spinner made a howler of an error, putting down at the fence – with Joe Colliver shot into the air and remarkably landing back in the saddle. Aye Right was hampered and lost Callum Bewley.

Turning for home, Sam Spinner led, with Windsor Avenue to his inside and looking a threat.

But four out, Sam Spinner jumped the better and began to draw clear.

Preceded by the loose horse, Sam Spinner headed o the second last, with a widening margin over his toiling rival.

At the last, Joe Colliver got Sam Spinner to pop and he sauntered home a wide margin winner to make it three from three over fences.

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NAVAJO PASS ALL HEART IN DONCASTER TRIUMPH Navajo Pass made every post a winning one with a brave performance to land the Grade Two bet 365 Summit Juvenile Hurdle at Doncaster.

Six ran in this race over two miles and half a furlong.

Navajo Pass was the first to show and despite running about, took the first flight clear of Tombee Du Ciel and Paseo.

Leaving the back, Navajo Pass continued to lead and took the sextet into the home straight, with all jockeys holding their cards close to their chest.

The first under pressure was Prefontaine and as they took three out, Navajo Pass led from Lord Lamington and Paseo, as Tombee Du Ciel found very little.

Navajo Pass kept on tenaciously and took two out in front of Lord Lamington.

Both horses looked tired as they headed to the last, where Navajo Pass led but stumbled. But Lord Lamington had nothing left to capitalise and the Donald McCain runner kept on gamely for an admirable victory under Brian Hughes.

Lord Lamington finished a very tired second, with Paseo back in third.

WARTHOG ALL HEART IN CASPIAN CAVIAR GOLD CUP Trainer David Pipe landed a second victory in the Grade Three Caspian Caviar Gold Cup when Warthog (David Noonan) rallied in the shadow of the post to register success.

Having always been in a prominent position, Warthog looked booked for second place as Spiritofthegames (Dan Skelton/Bridget Andrews) went into what appeared to be a decisive lead after the last.

However, David Noonan was able to produce a renewed effort from Warthog in the final half -furlong and the seven-year-old got up in the final strides to score by a head. Irish challenger Robin Des Foret (Willie Mullins/James Bowen) was another

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Image supplied by The Jockey Club

three-quarters of a length away in third with Cepage (Venetia Williams/Charlie Deutsch) in fourth.

Very sadly, the fall of Knocknanuss proved fatal.

On his seasonal debut Warthog contested the BetVictor Gold Cup at The November Meeting, when he ran well to take third behind Happy Diva.

Pipe, who previously landed the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup with Tamarinbleu in 2007, said: “In the past, Warthog has been a bit of a weak finisher and he was in the two-mile race as well. We weren’t sure which one to go for but luckily we have picked the right one.

“Last season, he started off really well first time out and then it all went wrong. We wanted two good runs together and he has certainly done that.”

REDFORD ROAD LEADS TO CHELTENHAM GLORY Redford Road (Nigel Twiston-Davies/Jamie Bargary) made it three wins from four starts over hurdles with a battling victory in the Grade Two Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.

He was towards the rear of the eight-strong field before making headway two flights from home.

He led the field turning for home before being headed by Champagne Well (Fergal O’Brien/Paddy Brennan) approaching the last.

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January 2020

UK RACING NEWS On the run in, Redford Road found a renewed effort and rallied in the last furlong to get up and score by half a length from Champagne Well.

Kiltealy Briggs ( Jamie Snowden/Adrian Heskin) was another six lengths away in third.

SIXTH BULA HURDLE FOR HENDERSON AS CALL ME LORD SCORES

Image supplied by The Jockey Club

It was a sixth win in the Bula Hurdle for trainer Nicky Henderson as Call Me Lord took the contest under James Bowen.

Racing in the familiar green silks of owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, Call Me Lord raced keenly as Elixir De Nutz (Colin Tizzard/ Harry Cobden) made the running.

As the field turned for home, the race looked wide open and Call Me Lord moved into a challenging position at the final flight. The six-yearold ran on to well to take the lead a furlong from home and kept on finding more to hold off the persistent challenge of Ballyandy (Nigel TwistonDavies/Sam Twiston-Davies) by a neck. Ch’tibello (Dan Skelton/Harry Skelton) was another length and a quarter back in third. The disappointment of the race was the previously unbeaten Pentland Hills (Nicky Henderson/Nico de Boinville), who after looking to hold every chance at the last faded into fifth.

James Bowen came in for the ride on Call Me Lord as Daryl Jacob, retained jockey to Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, broke his hand at Musselburgh on 9th December.

Call Me Lord had previously shown his best form over longer distances, with his biggest prior success coming in the bet365 Select Hurdle over an extended two miles and five furlongs at Sandown Park in April, 2019.

Nicky Henderson said: “You are probably wondering what I have been doing with Call Me Lord for the last three years but it (going righthanded) was a trait that he was doing the whole time at home - it’s funny but he hasn’t been doing this year. That’s why we decided that we would give him one try this way round and see if he could. It gives us more options.

“It looked as though Pentland Hills got a touch tired in the end. He over-raced a little early on for me. He looked as though he was travelling supremely well through the race and, luckily for once, it was a good idea to run two in the race.

“Call Me Lord is a good horse and ran a great race as Ascot the other day. He is very versatile in terms of distance and now that he is versatile over left and right, it helps us a lot.

“The horse you want to look out for is Fusil Raffles, who is also in the green colours. He is in good form and goes for the Christmas Hurdle along with Verdana Blue and Epatante, so we will probably be treble-handed there. Then we will sort out the Champion Hurdle.”

ANGELS BREATH IMPRESSES AT ASCOT Angels Breath put in a polished performance as he readily beat his sole rival Mont Des Avaloirs in the Grade Two Jacquart Noel Novices’ Chase at Ascot.

The Nicky Henderson runner was sent straight into the lead by Nico de Boinville and put up a fine round of jumping, steadily drawing clear of the toiling Mont Des Avaloirs, to win by 23 lengths.

The smart former novice hurdler did not return to the winners’ enclosure however, having sustained a cut.

It later transpired that Angels Breath has suffered a serious injury to a tendon and would not race for at least a year.

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MASTER DEBONAIR STORMS HOME IN THE KENNEL GATE NOVICES’ HURDLE Master Debonair dominated from start to finish, to win the Grade Two Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices’ Hurdle, better known as the Kennel Gate Novices’ Hurdle, at Ascot.

A select quartet of horses took part in this twomile contest.

As the tapes went up it was Master Debonair who went into the lead from McFabulous.

There was little change in the order down the back, as Master Debonair and Robbie Power continued to lead, while Ribble Valley closed to move second turning for home.

Turning for home, Master Debonair and Ribble Valley appeared to have the race between them, as Time Flies By moved into third, with McFabulous fading tamely.

But in the home straight, the Colin Tizzardtrained Master Debonair pulled clear, despite looking novice at his hurdles.

At the line, Master Debonair was a comfortable eight lengths or so clear of Ribble Valley, with Time Flies By third, ahead of McFabulous.

The order remained unchanged, as they passed the stands, with a circuit to run.

The Worlds End pressed on as they entered Swinley Bottom, with Papagana coming under a little pressure, as Agrapart and L’Ami Serge closed.

The leader took three from home well and increased his advantage, turning for home with a two-length lead over an under pressure Papagana, as L’Ami Serge closed to the inside.

Two out and L’Ami Serge touched down on terms with The Worlds End, moving into a clear lead at the last and jumping well.

The Worlds End and Papagana tried hard and the former closed as L’Ami Serge tied-up late on, after a long absence.

In the final 100 yards The Worlds End got back up and went clear under Adrian Heskin, to win by maybe four lengths from L’Ami Serge, who had the race at his mercy.

Papagana finished third, with Agrapart fourth.

The Tom George-trained eight year-old, had looked in fine form when winning at Wetherby in early November, but had been no match for Paisley Park at Newbury.

SLATE HOUSE ON TOP IN THE KAUTO STAR NOVICES’CHASE

THE WORLDS END LANDS THE MARSH HURDLE Fitness told as The Worlds End got the better of a tiring L’Ami Serge at the end of the Grade One Marsh Hurdle (Registered as the Long Walk Hurdle) at Ascot.

Ascot survived a morning inspection but heavy ground greeted a quartet of horses, with reigning Champion Stayer Paisley Park, an absentee, on account of false patches of ground.

The Worlds End took the field along from the mare Papagana, with Agrapart third and then L’Ami Serge.

Down the back, Papagana and Leighton Aspell came to join The Worlds End and this pair entered the home straight for the first time, with a threelength break to their pursuers.

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Slate House won an eventful edition of the Grade One Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton Park.

Seven lined-up for this three-mile contest.

The highly-regarded Master Tommytucker led into the first fence, with Black Op and The Mighty Don next.

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January 2020

UK RACING NEWS Heading into the back straight, Master Tommytucker continued to lead Black Op, with The Mighty Don to the inside and Danny Whizzbang to the outer.

Into the home straight for the first time, Master Tommytucker continued to lead Black Op, with all seven jumping well to this point, as they headed out, with a circuit to run.

Black Op came closer to Master Tommytucker over the ditch and the field turned into the back, with the leader a length up on his rival, with The Mighty Don and Danny Whizzbang next, while Slate House moved a little closer.

Six out and The Mighty Don decantered his rider.

With five left, Master Tommytucker held a narrow lead over Black Op, with Slate House and Danny Whizzbang and Jarveys Plate closer.

Four from home and the leader took a crashing fall, hampering his stable mate Danny Whizzbang.

That left Black Op in front and he turned for home with Slate House his rival.

Two out and Slate House touched down in front and he went on approaching the last.

Slate House and Robbie Power took the last in front, but Black Op was far from through and rallied to the inside.

However, Slate House responded well to Power’s urgings and although he drifted to the inside and somewhat tightened his rival for room, he held on gamely to win and make it three victories from his four starts over fences this term. It was miles back to Danny Whizzbang in third.

EPATANTE SMASHES HER WAY INTO THE CHAMPION HURDLE PICTURE AT KEMPTON Epatante routed her rivals to emerge as a bona fide Champion Hurdle contender in the Grade One Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park.

Ten took part in this two-mile Champion Hurdle trial.

Ballyandy went on from Elixir De Nutz over the first couple of hurdles, with Quick Grabim to the inside.

With a circuit to race, Elixir De Nutz went on under Robbie Power.

With four to jump, the field were pretty packed, with Elixir De Nutz still leading Ballyandy.

Turning for home, the race was still wide open, with Elixir De Nutz and Ballyandy leading while Epatante travelled well with Verdana Blue and Silver Streak.

Into the home straight, Silver Streak went on, as Fusil Raffles faded tamely and was pulled up.

But Epatante quickened well and went clear at the last, under Barry Geraghty.

The Nicky Henderson-trained Epatante went clear on the run-in, putting up the most authoritative display seen yet this season, in a traditional Champion Hurdle trial.

She was a long way clear at the line, with Silver Streak taking second, ahead of Ballyandy, with last year’s winner Verdana Blue well-beaten in fourth.

A SECOND KING GEORGE FOR CLAN DES OBEAUX

Clan Des Obeaux ran out an easy winner of the Grade One Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton Park.

One of the big races of the season, saw just five runners contest this three-mile showdown.

With former winner Thistlecrack a non-runner, this race very much had a transitional feel to it, with only Clan Des Obeaux, last year’s winner, having run in a Cheltenham Gold Cup. As the race got underway, Aso went straight into the lead and took the first with a five-length lead over Cyrname, who was ridden with restraint.

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NEWS UK RACING Aso continued to bowl along in front, with a threelength lead from Cyrname, with Lostintranslation, Clan Des Obeaux and Footpad all close-up.

At the first open ditch, Cyrname was on terms with Aso and went on at the last in the back straight, turning into the home straight with a length lead, while Footpad had moved third to the inside, ahead of Clan Des Obeaux and Lostintranslation.

With a circuit to run, Cyrname narrowly led Aso, with the quintet covered by about five lengths, as the crowd roared.

Cyrname put up a spectacular leap at the fence before they turned into the back, while Aso lost ground as Clan Des Obeaux got closer.

Cyrname was chased by his stable mate Clan Des Obeaux, while Lostintranslation got closer, but made an error.

Four out and Cyrname led from Clan Des Obeaux, as Lostintranslation blundered and came under pressure, finding little on the home turn. In behind, Footpad closed.

Straightening for home, Clan Des Obeaux cruised up alongside Cyrname, with Footpad still in touch, as Lostintranslation pulled up.

Two out and Clan Des Obeaux went on, as Cyrname faded quickly and Footpad had no answer.

Sam Twiston-Davies and Clan Des Obeaux popped the last and sauntered home unchallenged on the flat, for an easy second victory, giving trainer Paul Nicholls an eleventh victory in the King George.

It was perhaps a distance back to a weary Cyrname, with Footpad holding off Aso for third.

At seven, Clan Des Obeaux might just be a stronger proposition in March’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, having improved notably from his second to Road To Respect, on his return at Down Royal.

Nicholls, speaking to ITV, said: “Cyrname’s absolutely fine, he didn’t seem to have the normal zest that he normally has. He just ran a bit flat, they all have an off day sometimes and I was never really happy after he jumped a couple. Harry [Cobden] said exactly the same.

“Clan Des Obeaux has had a great preparation.

Last year I knew he’d improve so much from Haydock to here and I knew he’d improve from Down Royal. I’ve always said he’s a better horse this

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year because he’s a year older and he’s stronger.

“If he keeps going forward it could put him in the Gold Cup picture because he’s definitely a better horse this year, and the key is to be really fresh. It wouldn’t be the worst decision to go straight to Cheltenham with him.”

GLOBAL CITIZEN MAKES ALL AT KEMPTON Global Citizen put up a gutsy front-running display to hold off all his challengers in the Grade Two Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton Park.

Six contested this two-mile contest.

Global Citizen took the field along in the early stages at a good pace, from Rouge Vif and Grand Sancy.

By the sixth fence, the front two were a couple of lengths clear of Grand Sancy, with a break of three lengths to Al Dancer and Fanion D’Estruval.

Global Citizen continued to set a scorching pace and left the back with a length lead over Rouge Vif, with Grand Sancy closer and Al Dancer closing.

Three out and the leader had his rivals under pressure.

Racing to the final fence, Global Citizen found more and jumped well. Rouge Vif tried hard to close, but his rival was nothing if not tenacious, responding well for David Bass, to hold on by about 1 ½ lengths.

Grand Sancy took third, ahead of Al Dancer.

Global Citizen had been a smart hurdler and signalled a return to form for Ben Pauling’s stable.

BUN DORAN ALL HEART IN THE DESERT ORCHID CHASE Bun Doran put in some spectacular leaps and showed tremendous heart to see off his rivals in the Grade Two Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton Park.

A field of five took part in this two-mile race, sadly missing Altior.

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UK RACING NEWS Caid Du Lin took the field along, one of two greys, followed by Bun Doran and the second grey, Arkle winner Duc Des Genievres.

With a circuit to race, Jonathan Burke took Bun Doran into the lead and he moved a couple of lengths clear of Capeland to the outside, with Duc Des Genievres and Caid Du Lin racing virtually in a line and then Sceau Royal tracking these.

Bun Doran put in a massive jump down the back and took the fourth last with a two-length advantage over an under pressure Capeland, with Duc Des Genievres close and Sceau Royal travelling well, with this quartet leaving Caid Du Lin behind.

Heading to the second last, Bun Doran still had them at it and lengthened approaching the last, chased by Duc Des Genievres and Sceau Royal.

But they had given the leader too much rope and Bun Doran was two-lengths clear of Duc Des Genievres and Sceau Royal, to give Tom George another big race winner in the colours of the recently-retired God’s Own.

ALLMANKIND POWERS TO FINALE JUVENILE HURDLE GLORY Allmankind galloped his rivals into the heavy Welsh ground with an impressive display in the Grade One Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow.

Eight contested this two-mile event, often a trial for the Triumph Hurdle.

Allmankind was soon into the lead and set a fierce early pace, moving clear of Maskada, with the field strung out by the second flight.

As they raced into the home straight, Allmankind had opened up a five length advantage over Maskada, with Cerberus beginning to close.

Two out and Allmankind was going well but Cerberus was giving chase, the pair miles clear.

Allmankind responded well for Harry Skelton and took the last well, drawing clear of his Irish pursuant to win by about ten lengths from Cerberus, with Nordano third.

The Dan Skelton-trained winner is now three from three over hurdles.

WELSH NATIONAL GLORY FOR THE WELSH-TRAINED POTTERS CORNER The Christian Williams-trained Potters Corner was a Welsh winner of the Grade Three Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow.

Seventeen went to post for one of the season’s great stamina tests, over 3 ¾ miles.

Yala Enki led them over the first, where Space Cadet made a bad error and nearly lost his rider.

Turning away from the stands, Yala Enki had The Two Amigos for company to his inner, with Potters Corner and Truckers Lodge prominent as the field raced down the back.

Yala Enki took them back into the home straight and jumped the ninth ahead of The Two Amigos and Potters Corbner, with Truckers Lodge and Prime Venture next and Elegant Escape to the inside.

With a circuit to race, Yala Enki led, but turning away, The Two Amigos took over, with the field well bunched in behind, as the crowd roared.

Over the sixteenth, it was The Two Amigos who led from Potters Corner and Yala Enki, with plenty still in contention, including last year’s winner and top weight, Elegant Escape.

Matt Griffiths and The Two Amigos led them out of the back from Yala Enki, who appeared to have had a breather, while Potters Corner was poised to the outside, along with Prime Venture and Truckers Lodge and Elegant Escape.

Yala Enki narrowly led over the fourth last, with Potters Corner and Truckers Lodge.

Potters Corner touched down in front three out and led to the last from Truckers Lodge and Yala Enki.

But the Jack Tudor-ridden, Welsh-trained Potters Corner, wasn’t for stopping and galloped resolutely to the line to win by about two lengths.

Truckers Lodge came home second, ahead of Yala Enki and Prime Venture, with The Two Amigos fifth.

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THYME HILL WORKMANLIKE WITH CHALLOW VICTORY Thyme Hill was made to work hard to land the Grade One Betway Challow Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury.

Five went to post for this prestigious contest over two miles, 4 ½ furlongs.

The race got underway with The Cashel Man in front of Stick With Bill and Enrilo, with Éclair Surf fourth and Thyme Hill settled fifth and last.

The Cashel Man continued to lead as they raced up the home straight and with a circuit to run, was about 1 ½ lengths up on Enrilo and Stick With Bill.

Leaving the back straight, The Cashel Man and Jerry McGrath held a 1 ½ length lead, with the other four covered by two lengths.

Straightening for home, The Cashel Man held a three-length lead from Enrilo, with Thyme Hill closing. Éclair Surf crashed out three from home.

At the second last, The Cashel Man nodded on landing, as Thyme Hill came to join him, Thyme Hill led at the last but dived at it, losing impetus.

The Cashel Man made him fight hard, but Thyme Hill was pushed out by Richard Johnson and held his rival at bay by a couple of lengths, with a yawning gap back to Enrilo in third.

The Philip Hobbs-trained Thyme Hill remains unbeaten over hurdles.

MIDNIGHT SHADOW IN TOP AS CHAMP CRASHES OUT IN THE DIPPER NOVICES’ CHASE All eyes were on Champ (Nicky Henderson/Barry Geraghty) in the Paddy Power Broken Resolutions Already Dipper Novices’ Chase.

Owned by J P McManus, Champ was a dual Grade One winner over hurdles and had won both his starts over fences coming into today.

The eight-year-old travelled well behind leader Paint The Dream (Fergal O’Brien/Connor Brace) before taking the lead at the eighth fence. Champ travelled well entering the home straight and held

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Image supplied by The Jockey Club

a four-length advantage at the second last, where he fell. Both horse and jockey were reported to be fine.

The departure of Champ left the way clear for Midnight Shadow (Sue Smith/Danny Cook) who had appeared booked for second. Midnight Shadow stayed on well to hold off the renewed challenge of Paint The Dream by a length and a quarter. It was a second Cheltenham New Year’s Day victory for Midnight Shadow, who landed the Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle exactly a year ago.

SUMMERVILLE BOY BACK TO FORM AT CHELTENHAM

Image supplied by The Jockey Club

Three winners from the Cheltenham Festival in previous years were among the six runners in the Grade Two Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle and the trio went on to fill the first three places.

It was the 2018 Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Summerville Boy (Tom George/ Jonathan Burke) who came out on top after making all the running to see off 2019 Mares’ Hurdle heroine Roksana (Dan Skelton/Harry Skelton) by two and a quarter lengths. The 2019 Coral Cup winner William Henry (Nicky Henderson/Nico de

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UK RACING NEWS Boinville) was third on his first run of the season, another length and a quarter adrift.

Tom George said: “Summerville Boy has had a few blips but he has done plenty of schooling and really enjoyed being back over hurdles. Jonny Burke gave him a great ride and we will enjoy the day. We have been good on the big days and have had a great Christmas - long may it continue.

“I am sure that we will probably stick over hurdles for the moment. There are no firm plans but we will enjoy today, that’s the most important thing. I would have thought that we will be going further rather than shorter. He outstayed them in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and he is a good, strong stayer.”

FIDDLERONTHEROOF IMPRESSES IN THE TOLWORTH NOVICES’ HURDLE Fiddlerontheroof took his rivals apart with an authoritative victory in the Grade One Unibet Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown Park.

The first Grade One contest of the decade in the UK, saw a field of seven take part in this two-mile race.

Calva D’Auge went straight into the lead, but at the first, Hang In There out0jumped the early leader to take over, but made a bad error at the second.

With a circuit to run, Hang In There held a narrow lead from Calva D’Auge, with Son Of Camas and Fiddlerontheroof next, with the field quite bunched.

There was little change down the back, with Hang In There still leading.

Turning for home, with two flights to jump, Hang In There led a bunched field, with all seven very much in touch.

Fiddlerontheroof was the first to challenge Hang In There, with Calva D’Auge and Son Of Camas.

Fiddlerontheroof asserted between the last two and went clear, taking the final flight well under Robbie Power and storming to a four-length win over Jeremys Flame, with Son Of Camas back in third.

This was a third victory in the last four renewals for trainer Colin Tizzard.

TWO FOR GOLD MAKES IT THREE ON THE SPIN Two For Gold confirmed his status as a very progressive novice chaser, with a battling victory in the Grade Two McCoys Contractors 2020 Construction News Awards-Finalist Hampton Novices’ Chase at Warwick.

A field of seven lined-up for this three-mile contest.

Two For Gold led over the first, but Roll Again soon pulled his way to the front from that horse and Zara Hope, with a gap quickly opening up to the other four horses.

Roll Again and Charlie Deutsch dictated affairs and took the septet into the home straight for the first time.

Racing downhill on the final circuit, Roll Again continued to lead by a length from Two For Gold and Zara Hope, with Hold The Note closer and then Ardlethen.

Two For Gold press on at the fourth last, with Roll Again under pressure and Hold The Note looking a threat, as they turned for home.

Two For Gold was closed down by Hold The Note, while Highest Sun and Whatmore stayed on.

Hold The Note moved into the lead as they approached the last, but Two For Gold battled back against the rails for David Bass for a game victory by about half a length, with Whatmore taking third.

The Kim Bailey-trained Two For Gold was making it three out of three for the season.

Image supplied by Tattersalls Ireland

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MOSSY FEN STAYS WELL FOR LEAMINGTON GLORY

Image supplied by Tattersalls Ireland

Mossy Fen showed stamina aplenty to win a gruelling Grade Two Ballymore Leamington Novices’ Hurdle at Warwick.

Five took part in this two-mile, five-furlong race, often a portent to the Cheltenham Festival.

There was drama beforehand, as Harry Senior got loose and had to be withdrawn, reducing the field to a quintet.

As the race got underway, it was Mossy Fen who led from Shan Blue, with Keen On racing between the pair, and this trio a few lengths clear of Décor Irlandais and Whatsupwithyou.

With a circuit to race Shan Blue had moved into a narrow lead over Mossy Fen and Keen On, with the latter two changing places as they raced downhill.

The field bunched as they raced to the fifth last, with Shan Blue still narrowly in front of Keen On and Mossy Fen, while Décor Irlandais closed as Whatsupwithyou lost touch.

Three out and the pace was quickening, with Shan Blue still in front. On the final bend, Mossy Fen and Keen On were feeling the pinch and it was Shan Blue and Décor Irlandais who appeared to have the race between them.

However, racing to the last, Mossy Fen rallied to join the front pair.

Décor Irlandais led over the last and saw off Shan Blue, but Mossy Fen and Sam Twiston-Davies rallied in game style to wear down the leader on the flat.

At the line, Mossy Fen had half a length to spare over Décor Irlandais, with Shan Blue third.

Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies won this race in 2013, with The New One.

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KIMBERLITE CANDY STORMS TO CLASSIC CHASE VICTORY Kimberlite Candy was produced with a well-timed run to run out a convincing winner of the Grade Three McCoy Contractors Civil Engineering Classic Handicap Chase at Warwick.

Thirteen went to post for this marathon contest over three miles and five furlongs.

Captain Chaos set off in front at a strong pace, with Kimberlite Candy second and then The Conditional.

Heading away from the stands for the first time, Captain Chaos settled into a rhythm and led by three lengths from the grey Goodnight Charlie, with Joueur Bresilien next and the field well strungout.

Racing back into the home straight, Captain Chaos was still clear and set off on the final circuit with a three-length lead from Goodnight Charlie and Kimberlite Candy, with The Conditional just in behind these.

Breasting the hulk and racing down to the seventh from home, Captain Chaos still led Kimberlite Candy, as Goodnight Charlie began to struggle. At the back, Mysteree and last year’s winner Impulsive Star, were tailed off and soon pulled up.

Captain Chaos made a blunder seven out but kept on to lead Kimberlite Candy and Head To The Stars, as The Conditional came under pressure.

Further back, Darlac fell three from home, while Crosspark had pulled up.

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January 2020

UK RACING NEWS Captain Chaos turned for home under pressure, with Kimberlite Candy and The Conditional his challengers.

The long-time leader took two out but became leg-weary racing to the last, where Kimberlite Candy went on and leapt well over the final fence.

Richie McLernon just had to push out the Tom Lacey-trained Kimberlite Candy for a wide-margin win.

Captain Chaos put up a fantastic bid for second, while third home came Petite Power and then The Conditional and Le Breuil, with just eight finishing.

FRODON BACK TO FORM AT KEMPTON Frodon showed much more of his old zest to win the Grade Two Unibet Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton Park.

Five contested this race over two miles 4 ½ furlongs.

Frodon jinked at flag fall but led over the first from Top Notch and Keeper Hill.

Racing down the home straight for the first time, Frodon was enjoying himself and jumping well, with Keeper Hill in second and then Top Notch, Kauto Riko and Born Survivor.

Heading out onto their final circuit, four lengths covered the field.

With five to jump, Frodon jumped well, with Top Notch emerging as the big danger, with Keeper Hill third, as Kauto Riko and Born Survivor had more to do.

Turning for home and Frodon found a little more, with Top Notch still there.

The long-time leader took two out with a length lead but increased that advantage at the last.

Keeper Hill stuck on to challenge as Top Notch found disappointingly little.

But Frodon and Bryony Frost had plenty in hand and the Ryanair Chase winner delivered a welcome return to his best form to beat Keeper Hill by 1 ½ lengths, with Top Notch third and then Born Survivor.

BURROWS EDGE LANDS A DRAMATIC LANZAROTE HURDLE Nicky Henderson’s Burrows Edge came out on top after a dramatic finale to the Listed Unibet Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle at Kempton Park.

Thirteen ran in this race over two miles and five furlongs, commemorating one of the great Champion Hurdlers of the 1970s.

Eragon De Chanet led over the first at which he was far from fluent.

Burrows Park joined Eragon De Chanet at the second and this pair led the field into the home straight on the first circuit.

However, at the fourth, Eragon De Chanet asserted and drew clear, leading the runners out onto their final circuit from Borrows Park, with Vive Le Roi to the inside and then Debestyman.

Four out and Eragon De Chanet held a fourlength advantage over Debestyman and Burrows Park, while Notre Pari had closed, along with Echiquier.

Eragon De Chanet quickly dropped away and Debestyman led into the home straight, followed by Notre Pari over the second last, with Burrows Edge staying on.

But there was drama at the final flight.

Debestyman led to it but blundered badly and unshipped his rider. In behind, Notre Pari fell independently.

That left Burrows Edge clear under Nico De Boinville, for an easy win.

Vive Le Roi came home a distant second, ahead of Echiquier and Burrows Park.

SPLASH OF GINGE RETIRED The popular eleven year-old Splash Of Ginge, has been retired after pulling up at Cheltenham.

The Nigel Twiston-Davies trained gelding had failed to sparkle in recent starts and although hopes were high that soft ground conditions would suit him, he struggled in the BetVictor Gold Cup. Splash Of Ginge enjoyed two major victories during his long career.

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FORET HEROINE ONE MASTER SET TO STAY IN TRAINING

Image supplied by The Jockey Club

He delivered a shock win when defeating Dell’ Arca in the 2014 Betfair Hurdle at Newbury. Later that spring he was 1 ½ lengths second to Lac Fontana in the Grade One Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree.

Splash Of Ginge had perhaps his biggest moment two years ago, when landing the BetVictor Gold Cup by a neck from Starchitect.

In fact, all three of his chase victories came at Cheltenham, where he also landed the Grade Three handicap on New Year’s Day, 2015.

He retires the winner of six of his 47 races, having amassed over £296,000 in win and place prize money.

Dual Prix de la Foret winner One Master, is set to remain in training in 2020.

Trainer William Haggas said: “I would think she’ll stay in training. I think Mr and Mrs Jackson (owners) are keen to do it if I am, and I think I’d be mad not to do it.

“She won’t be going to the Breeders’ Cup or Hong Kong like last year, though.

“Last year the Breeders’ Cup was at Churchill, which is not dissimilar weather to England. This year it’s in California which is more akin to Barbados.

ENABLE WILL RETURN AT SIX Superstar mare Enable will remain in training with John Gosden as a six year-old.

In a sensation statement, Lord Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Prince Khalid Abdullah, confirmed: “She has come out of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in good form and will not race again this year.

“Her racing programme will be determined entirely on her wellbeing, so no racing plans will be announced at this stage. The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe remains an important target.”

Enable has had another magnificent season, winning the Coral Eclipse Stakes, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the Yorkshire Oaks, before running a brave race to finish second to Waldgeist in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

She was bidding to become the first horse in history to land the French race three times and will all being well have another crack at that record in 2020.

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“We decided against Hong Kong, too, because I think it’s proved now that when there’s cut in the ground she can put in a really good performance, she’s so much better with cut in the ground.”

Meanwhile, Royal Ascot winner Addeybb is also set to remain at Somerville Lodge next year, with an international challenge likely.

“There’s nothing left for Addeybb, but in the back of my mind for the last six months I’ve been planning on taking him to Sydney in April,” Haggas added.

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Image supplied by www.godolphin.com

DUAL DUBAI WORLD CUP WINNER THUNDER SNOW IS RETIRED Thunder Snow, winner of the 2018 and 2019 Dubai World Cup, has been retired to stud, having sustained an injury.

The Godolphin five-year-old was trained throughout his career by Saeed bin Suroor.

Having beaten Gronkowski by a nose in Meydan in March, Thunder Snow last raced when third in the Metropolitan Handicap behind Mitole and McKinzie at Belmont Park in June.

Injury kept him off the track thereafter.

Bin Suroor said: “Thunder Snow retires to stud and he means a hell of a lot for me and for the Godolphin team.

“He achieved great results for us and is definitely one of the best I’ve trained. He bounced back tremendously after the bucking incident in the 2017 Kentucky Derby and was an extremely tough horse.”

Thunder Snow had lined-up at Churchill Downs but in a bizarre incident, bucked wildly when the gates opened for the Kentucky Derby.

He had happier times Stateside when second in last year’s Jockey Club Gold Cup before finishing third in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

“He’s the only horse to win the Dubai World Cup twice, and I think that was his greatest achievement on the track,” said Bin Suroor. “He always tried his hardest and it won’t be easy to find another one like him. We’ll miss him greatly in the stable.”

Thunder Snow won eight of his 24 starts and amassed £12,671,800 in prize-money.

RACING DEALT A HAMMER BLOW AS TOWCESTER RACECOURSE IS SET TO CLOSE Racing has been dealt a hammer blow with the news that Towcester Racecourse is set to close, having sold its ten fixtures to Arena Racing Company (Arc).

143 years of history appears to have been extinguished by one generation in whose hands the racecourse was entrusted.

Towcester went into administration in August last year citing “trading difficulties” and was subsequently sold to Fermor Land LLP, a company linked to owner and racecourse chairman Lord Hesketh.

Ever since, the track’s fixtures have been rescheduled elsewhere as Towcester’s new owners searched for an operator to run the course for them.

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NEWS UK RACING It is believed that Arc and the Jockey Club had considered taking over but decided against doing so for financial reasons.

A statement from Arc said: “Arena Racing Company can confirm that, following the closure of Towcester racecourse, Arc has purchased the unencumbered freehold of the ten fixtures that remained within the ownership of Fermor Land LLP. “The transfer of these fixtures from Fermor Land LLP to Arc has been approved by BHA, with two to still be staged in 2019. The host venues for the fixtures on Thursday November 28 and Thursday December 19 will be confirmed shortly, with the location of the ten fixtures scheduled in 2020 to also be confirmed in due course.”

The BHA said it had been liaising with Towcester’s owners since late 2018 as they have been assessing the options for the future of the course.

The governing body said that having been informed of the decision to close the course, it had assisted to ensure the sale of its racecourse fixtures.

The sale has been ratified by the BHA board and the BHA will now work with Arc to redistribute Towcester’s meetings BHA chief operating officer Richard Wayman said: “We are saddened to see the closure of Towcester, a beautiful racecourse which will undoubtedly have created fond memories for many racing fans and participants.

“We had hoped, following the course going into administration in August 2018, that the new owners might find a solution which allowed for racing to resume at Towcester, and it is disappointing that has not proved possible. The BHA will now work with Arc to find the most suitable venues for the ten fixtures involved, which will all remain over jumps.

“From championship racing to grassroots, jump racing remains extremely popular, with a growing base of loyal and knowledgeable supporters. The outlook for the sport is a positive one and we will continue to work with parties across the industry to ensure that jump racing in Britain goes from strength to strength in the future.”

Racing first took place at Towcester in 1876 and the Towcester Racecourse Company was established by the first Baron Hesketh in 1928.

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In recent times, 20-times champion jockey Sir Anthony McCoy famously rode his 4,000th British jumps winner at the course on Mountain Tunes in 2013, famously rallying on the renowned uphill finish.

BREEDERS’ CUP WINNER LINE OF DUTY FATALLY INJURED

Godolphin’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Line Of Duty, very sadly suffered a fatal injury whilst preparing for a return to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.

Trained by Charlie Appleby, the impeccablybred son of Galileo was out of Jacqueline Quest, who was famously disqualified after finishing first past the post in the 2010 renewal of the 1,000 Guineas for Sir Henry Cecil.

In addition to his Breeders’ Cup victory, Line Of Duty had placed in the Prix du Moulin and the Jacques le Marois this season.

“Line Of Duty was a brave horse who has travelled the world over,” Appleby told www. godolphin.com.

“As well as his brilliant win at the Breeders’ Cup, he has performed at the highest level throughout his career and will be sorely missed at Moulton Paddocks.”

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UK RACING NEWS

GRADE ONE WINNER TEA FOR TWO IS RETIRED Popular dual Grade One winner Tea For Two has been retired from racing.

The ten year-old finished eighth in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase at Cheltenham before connections decided to draw stumps on a career that helped to catapult jockey Lizzie Kelly onto the big stage.

Kelly became the first woman rider to win a British Grade One contest when Tea For Two landed a four-length victory in the 2015 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton Park.

The following season, the pair fended off Cue Card to win the 2017 Betway Bowl at Aintree.

Trained in the early part of his career by Nick Williams, the son of Kayf Tara won the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton Park in early 2015, before embarking on a chasing career later that year.

He competed in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Grand National and major French races in a long and busy career.

“I feel like our careers were very aligned”, said Kelly. “He won a bumper when I was a 7lb claimer and every step of the way he produced a big run to boost my career.

“He was the reason I decided to turn conditional as riding a staying chaser as talented as he was was a massive incentive for me.

“I was riding a horse way too good for a 7lb claimer at the time. You’d have probably expected a Richard Johnson or a Barry Geraghty to ride him instead.

“I’ll never sit on a horse as good as him again. He took me to all the big days and it’s the end of an era.

He’s helped create memories that will stay with me for a lifetime.”

She continued: “The Grade 1 victory at Aintree was brilliant. We only ran him to give him a spin round at the end of the season after falling in the Gold Cup and the last jump he produced when beating Cue Card, to clean up the mess I created at Cheltenham, was the bravest thing I’ve seen a horse do.

“Even in the Cross-Country race today he was

loving it but the engine just cut out. To be able to draw stumps and retire him while he’s still enjoying it is great. He’s completely irreplaceable.”

Tea For Two was first on nine occasions from 37 starts, amassing just short of £300,000 in prize-money.

JOCKEY WAYNE HUTCHINSON RETIRES Jockey Wayne Hutchinson, perhaps best remembered for his Hennessy Gold Cup win on Smad Place, has retired as a jumps jockey.

Hutchinson, 38, joined the stable of Alan King when he was 21 and never left, assuming the number one role for the trainer, upon the retirement of Robert ‘Choc’ Thornton, in 2015.

That autumn saw him partner the popular grey to a brilliant success at Newbury.

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NEWS UK RACING The jockey enjoyed more than 800 winners over jumps, plus 11 on the Flat, and recorded his best ever seasonal tally last term, with 88 wins, including the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown on Talkischeap, trained by King.

Hutchinson rode L’Unique and Balder Succes (twice) to Grade One glory and enjoyed Cheltenham Festival success with the likes of Oh Crick and Medinas.

Hutchinson said: “It just seems the right time.

I’m rising 39 and I’ve accomplished more as a jockey than I ever thought I would. I’ve ridden a lot of very good horses and I’ve met a lot of great people, and I’ve also just had the best season of my entire career.

“I missed a couple of months in the summer after breaking a bone in a hand schooling, but I came back and rode a winner on my first ride back when Scarlet Dragon won the Listed handicap hurdle at Market Rasen at the end of last month. He was my last winner as it turns out, but I’m fit and well and I could ride again tomorrow if I wanted. I’m immensely proud to be going out on my own terms.”

Hutchinson, began his racing career as an apprentice to Mark Usher, before switching codes when weight became a problem.

He said: “I first went to Mark in the school holidays when I was 14 and joined him as an apprentice the day I left school. I rode ten Flat winners with him [his 11th was in a jump jockeys’ Flat race] before joining Stan Mellor and then Jeff King in their last seasons.

“Both were great mentors to me, and if I was still a bit soft when I joined Jeff he certainly toughened me up. When Jeff retired I joined Alan, and I’ve been there ever since.”

He added: “I rode my first big winner when Halcon Genelardais won the Welsh National in 2006, and my first Cheltenham winner on Oh Crick in the Grand Annual of 2009.

“I’ve had lots of great wins since, and they’ve all been special, but if I was to single out a few besides the Grade 1s on Balder Succes and L’Unique I guess they would be Godsmejudge in the Scottish National, in part of course because of what it meant to Alan as a proud Scot, Smad Place in the Hennessy, and what turned out to be my last big one on Talkischeap in the bet365.”

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CHAMPION HURDLE WINNER MAKE A STAND PASSES AWAY Make A Stand, who famously made all to win the 1997 Champion Hurdle under a young Sir AP McCoy, has died at the age of 28.

A moderate horse on the flat, when trained by Henry Candy, the son of Master Willie was bought

by Martin Pipe, out of a claimer, in 1995.

Make A Stand made his mark in the 1996/97 jumps season, running 15 times, culminating in his victory at the Cheltenham Festival.

The run started with a hat-trick of victories from May 1996 and he maintained his novice hurdle status.

Victories in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle and the Kennel Gate Novices’ Hurdle, served notice on the improvement he was showing and in January 1997, he added the Lanzarote Hurdle.

Make A Stand made short shrift of a big weight in the Tote Gold Trophy, making all in his customary style and slamming his rivals by nine lengths.

That set up a tilt at the Champion Hurdle, where under AP McCoy, he once again set off in front and never came back, eventually beating Theatreworld by five lengths.

Three weeks later, he picked up an injury, when finishing third in the Aintree Hurdle – and he was only seen once more, when running down the field in the 2000 Champion Hurdle, behind his successor, Istabraq.

He was retired in 2001 and went through the Retraining Of Racehorses programme, also hunting.

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PLUMETTE – 3YO Runner up on recent debut, beaten ½ to an experienced horse rated 82.

MOONBOOTZ – 2YO A gorgeous looking £105,000 yearling purchase by first season sire sensation No Nay Never who is keeping us excited for the summer.

First class award winning horse racing photography since 1977 www.healyracing.ie Contact Pat Healy on +353 (0)86 877 6855 or email pat@healyracing.ie

NEWS INTERNATIONAL RACING

IMPERIAL HINT BATTLES BACK IN THE VOSBURGH

VINO ROSSO WINS A JOCKEY CLUB GOLD CUP THRILLER

Imperial Hint showed a mountain of heart to fight his way back on the wire in the Grade One Vosburgh Stakes at Belmont Park.

Imperial Hint and Firenze Fire quickly powered four lengths clear.

At the far turn, Imperial Hint moved two lengths clear of Firenze Fire and into the stretch, where the latter challenged under Irad Ortiz.

It was Firenze Fire who went on but Imperial Hint fought back as he was carried across the track to the far rail.

In the desperately tight finish, Imperial Hint and Javier Castellano gamely headed their rival to make it back to back wins in the Vosburgh.

Vino Rosso got the better of a classic head to head with Code Of Honor, to win the Grade One Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park.

A field of five took part in this ten-furlong contest on the dirt.

As the race got underway, it was an even break, with Vino Rosso pressing on from Tacitus and Preservationist.

Into the back stretch, Vino Rosso had the lead narrowly from Tacitus who had moved off the rail, with Preservationist third and then Code Of Honor and a gap to Olympic Village.

Heading to the far turn, Code Of Honor closed as Vino Rosso just led Tacitus.

Into the home stretch, Vino Rosso still led Taciticus, with Code Oh Honor swopping by on the outside.

As Tacitus faded, Code Of Honor and Vino Rosso settled down to fight over the final quarter mile.

Code Of Honor looked to take the lead, but to the inside, Irad Ortiz Jr. found more on the four year-old Vino Rosso and got back up to shade it.

Tacitus dropped away to finish third, ahead of a moderate run from Preservationist.

MIDNIGHT BISOU STRETCHES WINNING STREAK TO SEVEN IN 2019 Midnight Bisou was given a challenge but ultimately proved up to the task as she saw off Wow Cat to land the Grade Two Beldame Stakes at Belmont Park.

A field of five fillies and mares took part in this nine-furlong contest on the dirt.

From the gates it was Midnight Bisou and Spring In The Wind, with the latter moving half a length up as they headed into the back stretch.

The front pair continued to race to a similar margin, with Wow Cat, last year’s winner, on their heels and then came Crimson Frost.

With half a mile to race, Midnight Bisou inched ahead as the front pair rounded the far turn, with Wow Cat challenging. At the top of the stretch, Wow Cat and Midnight Bisou became locked in battle and bumped.

In the final furlong, Midnight Bisou and John Velazquez asserted and drew three lengths clear of Wow Cat, with Crimson Frost best of the rest.

The Steve Asmussen-trained Midnight Bisou is now seven from seven in 2019 and on course for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

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BRITISH IDIOM LANDS THE DARLEY ALCIBIADES AS KEENELAND’S FALL MEETING COMMENCES The Keeneland Fall Meeting got underway with the Grade One Darley Alcibiades, won by British Idiom and Javier Castellano.

Brad Cox (winning trainer of British Idiom), commented: On what gave him the confidence to start the filly, a winner of her only start, in a Grade 1 race “We were pointing for the Pocahontas at Churchill, but the week before she came down with a little bug. Nothing major, but (I) just wasn’t happy with her bloodwork so we gave her a little

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INTERNATIONAL RACING NEWS Joel Rosario (rider of third-place finisher Alandra) “She broke a little slow. This is her first time going two turns and only her second start. She came running. She put in a good effort.”

James Graham (rider of fourth-place finisher Gone Glimmering) “She felt fantastic, she traveled beautifully. She’s learning, she’s figuring it out. She’s still a little immature but she’s very willing. She wants to do right for you. It just takes her a couple of extra steps to realize it’s OK to settle.”

Also on the card, Engage battled well to land the Grade Two Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix.

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time. She’s a real laid-back filly. She’s a really nice filly that’s full of class. She never gets worked up.

She does whatever you want in the mornings. She’s a good-sized filly, too, and obviously capable of getting around two turns. As long as she comes out of this in good shape, we’ll look at California (and the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillie).”

Javier Castellano (winning rider) On how he got her to relax going two turns for the first time “I think good horses can do that. She broke good and got good position. She pulled a little bit, but I liked the way she did it on the backside. She relaxed, kept tracking the horses, and I liked the way she finished. She’s a good filly. She’s improved and stepped up in class. Credit to Mr. Brad (Cox) on the way he trained her. Made me look good today.”

Jose Ortiz (rider of runner-up Perfect Alibi) “Perfect, clean trip, just second best. I was following Javier (Castellano on the winner) but he was still in a good position passing the three-eighths pole and I was already asking my filly to go. It took her a while to get going but when she did I wasn’t able to keep up with the winner.”

Mark Casse (trainer of Perfect Alibi) “She ran well for her first time going two turns.

I think she earned a (chance) in the Breeders’ Cup ( Juvenile Fillies). She sure didn’t embarrass us today.”

TURNBULL STAKES FALLS TO WALLER AGAIN Chris Waller had won the last two renewals with mighty mare Winx – and landed a third consecutive victory in the Turnbull Stakes with Kings Will Dream.

The Group One contest went the way of Waller who for good measure also saddled the runner-up, the ex-French horse Finche.

Stalwart Hartnell, winner of the race in 2016, ran another honourable race in third.

Kings Will Dream’s success was poignant as he had returned from a near fatal broken pelvis last year, when running in the Cox Plate.

“It’s the most emotional moment I’ve ever had on a racecourse,” winning owner Brae Solkoski said.

“People don’t understand, he was on his deathbed, he was gone. There is something special about him and for him to come back like that is testament to his fortitude and character. It’s incredible and this is a true team effort.”

Waller enjoyed a remarkable afternoon, as he won all of the Group One races on offer in Australia on the day, with Funstar capturing the Flight Stakes at Randwick, while Kolding won the Epsom and Come Play With Me rounded off proceedings in the Metropolitan.

Waller said: “We’ve got a great team, and that’s what a great team does. We take it one at a time and hope for the best.”

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL RACING

BOWIES HERO WINS SHADWELL TURF MILE

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Agave Racing Stable, ERJ Racing and Madaket Stables’ Bowies Hero emerged from a crowded pack in the stretch to win the 34th running of the $1 million Grade One Shadwell Turf Mile for 3-yearolds and up by three-quarters of a length before a chamber of commerce Saturday afternoon crowd of 26,567.

The Shadwell Turf Mile win earned Bowies Hero a fees-paid berth into the $2 million TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita.

Jockey Flavien Prat had Bowies Hero racing in midpack early on, swung seven wide at the head of the stretch for clear running and collared Diamond Oops in deep stretch to claim his second Grade 1 victory in his career.

The victory is the first in a Keeneland stakes for Prat and trainer Phil D’Amato.

Bowies Hero, a Keeneland sales graduate, covered the mile on a firm turf course in 1:34.20 and added $600,000 to his bankroll that now totals $1,478,970 with a record of 21-8-1-3.

A winner of four graded stakes, Bowies Hero is a Kentucky-bred son of Artie Schiller out of the Sky Mesa mare Remembered.

At the wire, Bowies Hero was a nose in front of 2017 Shadwell winner Suedois (FR, ridden by Jamie Spencer.

It was another nose back to First Premio in fourth followed by March to the Arch, 2018 winner Next Shares and Divisidero. Van Beethoven and Bandua in a dead-heat for eighth with favored Valid Point, Admission Office, Vintager (GB), Robin of Navan (FR) and Real Story completing the field.

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MAXFIELD DOMINATES CLAIBORNE BREEDERS’ FUTURITY Maxfield, last in the field of 10 in the early going, exploded past Gouverneur Morris at the top of the stretch and cruised to a 5½-length victory in the 106th running of the $500,000 Grade One Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity for 2-year-olds.

Maxfield not only gave trainer Brendan Walsh his first Keeneland stakes victory but also the first Grade 1 victory of his career. For jockey Jose Ortiz, it was his first win in the race and second stakes victory of Fall Stars Weekend.

With the victory, Maxfield earned a berth in the $2 million TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

American Butterfly led the field through fractions of :24.01 and :47.78 as Maxfield bided his time near the back of the pack. On the far turn, Gouverneur Morris blew past American Butterfly but Maxfield was behind him winding up with his run.

At the head of the lane, Maxfield surged past and quickly erased any doubt about the outcome.

The victory was worth $300,000 and increased Maxfield’s earnings to $354,412 with a record of 2-2-0-0.

Maxfield is a Kentucky-bred son of Street Sense out of the Bernardini mare Velvety.

Maxfield won, with Enforceable finishing a half-length back in third under Florent Geroux and paying $6.20 to show.

It was another five lengths back to Ajaaweed with By Your Side, American Butterfly, January Won, King Theo, Life On the Road and Tap It to Win following in order.

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INTERNATIONAL RACING NEWS

UNI SHATTERS COURSE RECORD IN FIRST LADY PRESENTED BY UK HEALTHCARE VICTORY Uni unleashed a furious run through the stretch to score a 2½-length victory over Juliet Foxtrot to win the 22nd running of the $400,000 Grade One First Lady Presented by UK HealthCare in course-record time of 1:32.87 for the mile on firm turf.

Trained by Chad Brown and ridden by Joel Rosario, Uni obliterated the stakes record of 1:34.08 set by Never Retreat in 2011 and the course record of 1:33.54 established by Perfect Soul (IRE) in 2004.

It is the third win in the race for Brown, who saddled Dayatthespa in 2014 and A Raving Beauty (GER) last year. It is the first victory in the race for Rosario.

Ms Bad Behavior rocketed out of the gate and led the field of 13 through fractions of :22.71, :45.40 and 1:09.47 as Rosario bided his time near the back of the pack.

Turning for home, Rosario moved Uni out into the seven path for clear sailing, collared Juliet Foxtrot at the eighth pole and drew off.

With the victory, Uni earned a berth in the $2 million Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf.

The victory was worth $240,000 and increased Uni’s earnings to $1,247,880 with a record of 17-93-3. Since coming to the U.S. from Europe in 2017, she has won seven stakes, four of them graded, and won six of seven starts at the mile distance.

Uni is a 5-year-old daughter of More Than Ready out of the Dansili (GB) mare Unaided (GB).

Uni finished 1¼ lengths in front of Vasilika, who paid $3.60 to show under Flavien Prat.

It was another 1½ lengths back to favored Rushing Fall, who was followed in order by Hanalei Moon, Awesometank (GB), Just Wonderful, Mitchell Road, Storm the Hill, Ms Bad Behavior, Indian Blessing (GB), Marina’s Legacy and Conquest Hardcandy.

BLUE PRIZE LANDS THE JUDDMONTE SPINSTER STAKES FOR SECOND TIME

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Merriebelle Stable’s Blue Prize (ARG) ran down Elate in the final sixteenth of a mile to win the 64th running of the Grade One Juddmonte Spinster for fillies and mares by a half-length before a Sunday afternoon crowd of 10,303.

Trained by Ignacio Correas IV and ridden by Joe Bravo, Blue Prize earned a fees-paid berth into the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Santa Anita. She finished fourth in the Distaff last year at Churchill Downs.

The 6-year-old Blue Prize also became the fourth horse to win the race in consecutive years with the most recent being Take Charge Lady in 2002-2003.

Other horses to do it were Bayakoa (ARG) (19891990) and Bornastar (1957-1958).

Also earning Breeders’ Cup berths Sunday were a pair of 2-year-olds, JSM Equine’s Peace Achieved, who won the 29th running of the $250,000 Dixiana Bourbon, and Ten Broeck Farm’s Kimari, winner of the second running of the $200,000 Indian Summer.

In the Juddmonte Spinster, She’s a Julie led the field of five through fractions of :24.25, :48.63 and 1:13.12 with Vexatious in closest pursuit and Elate to the outside and Dunbar Road on the rail running a joint third.

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL RACING In the stretch, Elate and Dunbar Road pushed to the front, but Bravo had Blue Prize rolling on the far outside to wear down the leaders and eventually draw away from Elate in deep stretch.

Blue Prize covered the 1 1/8 miles on a fast main track in 1:50.30. The Juddmonte Spinster victory was worth $300,000 and increased her earnings to $1,592,253 with a record of 22-9-8-3.

Blue Prize is a daughter of Pure Prize out of the Not For Sale mare Blues for Sale.

Dunbar Road claimed third place, while She’s a Julie was another 4¾ lengths back in fourth followed

by Vexatious.

STARSHIP JUBILEE OUT OF THIS WORLD IN THE E.P. TAYLOR STAKES

Andrew Balding enjoyed Group Two success as Shadn landed the Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte.

Eight contested this six-furlong race in very soft ground, with Sir Boris soon in front.

Sir Boris was still there with a furlong and a half to run, but Shadn and Pierre-Charles Boudot swept by with Devil and this pair fought out the finish.

At the line, Shadn just prevailed by a head from Devil, with Sir Boris taking third spot.

The daughter of No Nay Never, had previously finished two lengths third to Pierre Lapin, in the Mill Reef Stakes.

Starship Jubilee was a clear-cut winner of the Grade One E.P. Taylor Stakes at Woodbine.

Ten fillies and mares took part in this tenfurlong contest on the turf.

AA Azula’s Arch was well away, but Red Tea soon took over from Starship Jubilee and Imperial Charm.

Red Tea continued to set the tempo as they headed to the far turn, with Starship Jubilee second and then Holy Helena and Imperial Charm.

On the home turn, Starship Jubilee pounced and stormed into a two-length lead from Imperial Charm and Platane, while Durance made ground to the outside.

But they were unable to breach the gap and Starship Jubilee and Luis Contreras sailed home 1 ½ lengths clear Durance and Platane, who were virtually inseparable for the minor positions.

CITY BOY CAUSES A SHOCK IN THE NEARCTIC STAKES

CAMBIER PARC ALL CLASS IN THE QEII CUP IN KEENELAND

City Boy was a surprise winner of a close-run contest for the Grade Two Nearctic Stakes at Woodbine.

Nine lined-up for this six-furlong dash on the turf.

Boreal Spirit and City Boy were fast away, but it was Yorkton who powered into a two-length lead.

Yorkton continued to race clear of Richiesinthehouse by three lengths, on the home bend.

But in the home stretch, the leader was soon passed as the challengers came four-wide.

Richiesinthehouse, City Boy and Reconfigure all

Cambier Parc did it from the front and had plenty in reserve to land the Grade One Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Keeneland.

A field of nine three year-old fillies lined-up for this nine-furlong contest on the turf.

From the break it was the William Haggastrained Royal runner, Magnetic Charm, who led into the first turn, with Cambier Parc to her inside.

Racing into the back stretch, Cambier Parc moved into a slender lead from Magnetic Charm and Regal Glory, who raced wide, while the French runner Castle Lady, sat patiently in fourth.

FRENCH GROUP TWO FOR BALDING’S SHADN

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threw down the gauntlet and it was this trio, who raced almost in a line with half a furlong to run.

But City Boy pulled out more under Jesse Campbell, to go on and score by about a head from Reconfigure and Richiesinthehouse, in an exciting finish.

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INTERNATIONAL RACING NEWS

© Keeneland Photo

Into the home stretch, Cambier Parc led and kicked, while Castle Lady sprinted and chased hard.

However, Cambier Parc and John Velazquez, had first run and held on comfortably enough by about a length, with Princesa Carolina staying on for third.

BACK TO BACK WINS FOR DESERT ENCOUNTER IN THE CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL Desert Encounter added another chapter to his amazing international record, as he came from last to first to win the Grade One Pattison Canadian International Stakes at Woodbine.

Just the six lined-up for this 1 ½ mile contest, including last year’s winner, the David Simcocktrained Desert Encounter.

At the break Desert Encounter was very slow and trailed by three lengths, while Ziyad was the early leader from Pumpkin Rumble and Pivoine.

The French runner Ziyad, raced with his head low, chased by Pumpkin Rumble and Pivoine, while Desert Encounter remained last of the sextet.

Heading to the far turn, Ziyad was a length to the good over Pumpkin Rumble and Pivoine, with Alounak next and then Nessy and Desert Encounter.

The field began to bunch and into the home stretnch, Ziyad and Maxime Guyon tried to kick.

But Desert Encounter and Andrea Atzeni hit top gear, appearing trapped to the inside but weaving their way through traffic.

A break came and Atzeni took aim at Ziyad, showing a fine turn of foot to settle the issue inside the final furlong.

At the wire, the David Simcock-trained seven year-old was three parts of a length clear of Alounak, Ziyad and Pivoine.

ELEVENTH VICTORY FOR VARNA IN THE VELKA PARDUBICKA Theophilos delivered a remarkable eleventh victory for trainer Josef Varna, in the 129th running of the Velka Pardubicka.

In an exciting finish, the nine year-old, under Josef Bartos, got up to deny Stretton by 1 ¼ lengths, with just ½ a length back to Chicname de Cotte in third.

The David Pipe-trained Rathlin Rose, ran well for a long way, before tiring to eventually finish sixth.

Twelve of the twenty runners got round in the 4 ¼ mile contest.

YES YES YES LANDS THE EVEREST Yes Yes Yes ended Redzel’s domination to win the 2019 Tab Everest at Randwick Park in Australia.

A dozen horses lined-up for this six-furlong contest, the world’s richest race on turf.

From the break it was Sunlight who led early on, with Nature’s Strip challenging and Redzel, the two-time winner, settled third.

To the outside, Nature’s Strip went on and moved across to the inside rail, leading into the home straight by a length and kicking.

Redzel tried to close, but it was Yes Yes Yes and Glen Boss, who flew past Nature’s Trip.

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL RACING Late on, Santa Ana Lane and Trekking closed, but the Chris Waller-trained Yes Yes Yes held on to become the first three year-old winner of the race.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained Ten Sovereigns, this year’s July Cup winner, was never in contention and finished last.

MER DE GLACE STRIKES A BLOW FOR JAPAN IN THE CAULFIELD CUP The Japanese runner Mer De Glace won the Grade One Stella Artois Caulfield Cup at Caulfield.

A field of 18 went to post for this 1 ½ mile contest, with plenty of ex-British-trained horses in the line-up.

It was Mer De Glace, ridden by Damian Lane, who took the spoils by a length, from Vow And Declare.

The Japanese horse was making it six straight wins.

Speaking through a translator, Shimizu said: “It’s an amazing experience to be here and I’m so happy right now.

“This win will be very big in Japan, everybody knows about the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival back home so I’m sure there will be a lot of very happy people there.

“One of my main goals was to win a Group 1 race internationally, they’re not easy to win. I’m so proud of this horse and also the jockey, he rode a great race so I’m very grateful to him.”

Mer De Glace becomes the second Japanese horse to win the Caulfield Cup, after Admire Rakti broke through in 2014.

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The ex-Sir Michael Stoute-trained Mirage Dancer came home a head further back in third, followed by the ex-Aidan O’Brien-trained Constantinople and the former Andre Fabre inmate Finche.

There were two British-based runners, with Red Verdon faring best in eighth.

AMERICAN GRAND NATIONAL GLORY FOR HENDERSON WITH BRAIN POWER

Nicky Henderson finally won a Grand National, as Brain Power profited from the last flight fall of Wicklow Brave, to land the Grade One 118th Grand National Hurdle Stakes at Far Hills.

A dozen went to post for this race over two miles and five-furlongs, including the Nicky Hendersontrained Brain Power and Gordon Elliott’s Jury Duty.

Iranistan was the early leader from Wicklow Brave and the early pace was strong.

With four fences jumped, Iranistan led Wicklow Brave by a length, with Surprising Soul next and then Brain Power. That was the order up front, with a circuit completed.

Brain Power clouted the seventh, but did not seem to lose momentum, racing just three lengths off the leader, Iranistan, with Wicklow Brave still travelling well.

Onto the final circuit, it was still Iranistan and Wicklow Brave duelling for the lead, while Brain Power moved into third.

Heading to the fourth last, Wicklow Brave and Paul Townend took up the running, while Brain Power stalked.

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INTERNATIONAL RACING NEWS Two out and Wicklow Brave jumped into a twolength advantage, with Brain Power and Nico de Boinville chasing on the home bend.

The two had the race between them and at the last it was Wicklow Brave with a length lead.

However, he crashed out with a heavy fall, at the last, leaving Brain Power with an uncontested lead and he sauntered to an easy victory.

A long way back, Scorpiancer narrowly beat Moscato for second, with Jury Duty third.

Tragically it was later announced that the highclass Wicklow Brave had fractured a shoulder and had to be put down.

LYS GRACIEUX BAGS THE COX PLATE Lys Gracieux came with a strong run late on to land the Grade One Ladbrokes WS Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.

Fourteen contested this 1 ¼ mile race with Magic Wand prominent from the start.

Into the first bend, Magical Wand disputed the lead with Black Heart Bart and Mystic Journey, with Harlem next.

As the field left the back, Magical Wand and Ryan Moore were about a length up on Black Heart Bart, with Mystic Journey and Kluger next.

However, on the home bend, Castelvecchio went on, with the Japanese runner Lys Gracieux coming from out wide, under Damian Lane.

To the inside, Magical Wand kept up the gallop, but Castelvecchio had her measure and moved two lengths clear.

But Lys Gracieux showed a good turn of foot to gather in the leader with half a furlong to race – and the Yoshito Yahagi-trained runner was going away at the line, to win by about 1 ½ lengths.

Castelvecchio made an audacious bid for victory and was a fine second, clear of Te Akau Shark who came home third, ahead of Magical Wand.

Lys Gracieux thus became the first Japanesetrained winner of the Cox Plate, with his trainer saying: Yahagi said: “I was confident as she has thrived since she has arrived in Australia and was in even better form than when she was in Japan.

“I’ve been wanting to win this race for many years so I’m delighted to do it – it’s a dream come true.”

The other foreign raider to taste victory was Chief Ironside, who claimed the Group Two Crystal Mile under a fine ride from Jamie Spencer.

Trainer David Menuisier was all smiles after the win, but his delight was later tempered after Danceteria came home last of the 14 runners in the Cox Plate.

© Racing Photos

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MKFANCY IMPRESSES IN THE CRITERIUM DE SAINT-CLOUD Mkfancy stormed away from his rivals for an impressive success in the Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud.

A field of nine two year-olds took their chances in this 1 ¼ mile race on heavy ground.

The race got underway with nobody keen to take up the running.

It was Mkfancy who led from Arthur’s Kingdom and Mythical, with Celtic High King settled in fourth, ahead of Sound Of Cannons.

The order remained the same, with Mkfancy continuing to take them along.

Racing to the home bend, Mkfancy still led with Thunderspeed moving second on the inside. Once again, they swung wide towards the stands rail.

With two furlongs to run, Mkfancy was challenged by Mythical and this pair pulled clear.

But Mkfancy found more for Theo Bachelot and moved away impressively.

The Pia Brandt-trained son of Makfi, had just won a maiden before this success and ended up winning by around three lengths from Arthur’s Kingdom, with Mythical in third and these clear of Sounds Of Cannon.

ALSON ROMPS HOME IN THE CRITERIUM INTERNATIONAL Alson turned the Group One Criterium International into a procession at ParisLongchamp.

The defection of Wichita, on account of conditions, left a field of just three for this important seven-furlong contest, run on heavy ground.

However, Lady Penelope spun around in the stalls, becoming trapped – thankfully she was released safely, but unsurprisingly, she was withdrawn.

That left the second and third from the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere to contest this race.

From the break it was Armory who got away best and narrowly led Alson.

However, Frankie Dettori moved Alson into the lead around the first bend in what had turned into

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a match race and something of a competition in the early stages.

Alson led by around ½ a length, to the outside of Armory, as they turned for home.

His early efforts and the deep ground began to take their toll and Armory came under pressure from Donnacha O’Brien, while Dettori sat motionless on Alson.

The latter quickly drew clear and Armory was not given a hard time, leaving Also to cruise home by around 15 lengths in a one-sided affair.

The Jean-Pierre Carvalho-trained Alson, a son of Areion, had finished narrowly in front of his rival on Arc day.

GALOP MARIN DOMINATES IN THE GRAND PRIX D’AUTOMNE The Grade One Grand Prix D’Automne at Auteuil.

Galop Marin and Blue Dragon led down the back, but the latter made an error three out.

Turning for home, Galop Marin travelled the better of the front pair and straightened for home with an increasing margin, as they headed to the stands side.

Galop Marine and Morgan Regairaz took the last well and stormed home for the second successive year, with Paul’s Saga and Bergerac, with Agrapart plugging on in fourth.

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GROUP ONE GLORY FOR MEADE’S TECHNICIAN IN THE PRIX ROYAL-OAK

However, to the outside, Technician showed a good turn of foot under Pierre-Charles Boudot and swept into the lead, with the long-time leader having no answer.

Call The Wind came through to chase the grey, but Technician had stamina in abundance and did not buckle, passing the post a length clear, with Holdthasigreen third.

The Martyn Meade trained Technician was making it three wins from his last four starts. The three year-old had previously landed the Group Two Prix Chaudenay at the same track on Arc Weekend.

VOW AND DECLARE INCHES TO MELBOURNE CUP GLORY

Testing conditions proved no concern for Technician as he beat his elders in the Group One Prix RoyalOak at ParisLongchamp.

Six went to post for this race over just under two miles.

As the race got underway, it was the Prix du Cadran first two home, Call The Wind and Holdthasigreen, who led early on.

However, Frankie Dettori moved Lah Ti Dar into the lead as they passed the winning post, with a circuit to race.

Lah Ti Far, with her ears pricked, led Holdthasigreen by 1 ½ lengths, with Call The Wind to the inside, a close third and then came Technician, Way To Paris and Iskanderhorn.

The field raced down the centre of the track, as they headed down the back straight, with Lah Ti Dar moving two lengths clear.

Leaving the back, Holdthasigreen moved to the front under Tony Piccone, moving to the inside rail.

Into the false straight, Holdthasigreen held a two-length advantage over Lah Ti Dar, with Call The Wind under pressure.

Turning for home, Holdthasigreen came under pressure but responded well and Lah Ti Dar struggled to make any impression.

Vow And Declare showed tremendous tenacity to fight his way back up and win the 2019 Lexus Melbourne Cup at Flemington.

24 horses lined-up for the most famous twomile handicap in the world.

Master Of reality and Finche were well away, along with Hunting Horn and Prince Of Arran.

Passing the post, with a circuit to run, it was Vow And Declare and Twilight Payment who led from Master Of Reality and the pace was not strong.

Into the back straight, Twilight Payment went on from Master Of Reality, with Vow And Declare and Prince Of Arran.

The field began to bunch approaching the home turn, with Master Of Reality and Twilight Payment still leading but the sprint was soon on.

To the inside, Vow And Declare and Hunting Horn quickened.

It was Vow And Declare and Craig Williams who inched into the lead, but were headed late on

by Master Of Reality.

However, Craig Williams and Vow And Declare dramatically got back up on the nod to deny Frankie Dettori and Master Of Reality and Prince Of Arran.

In the scrimmage for the line, Master Of Reality was deemed to have interfered with the original fourth, Il Paradiso – and was demoted to fourth, moving Prince of Arran and Il Paradiso up one place.

But it was an Australian-trained horse who

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL RACING claimed the glory and winning jockey Williams said: “I feel very honoured. I grew up and watched these races and dreamt of these occasions. I’ve got so many people to thank.”

Trainer Danny O’Brien added: “It’s an amazing thing to happen. I really can’t believe it. I feel incredibly blessed to have had a horse good enough to be in it. He was ridden so beautifully by Craig.

“It doesn’t get much better than this. It was a race which wasn’t going to plan. To be fair to Craig he grabbed the bull by the horns early when nothing went forward. He ended up in front by the post.

He’s a courageous horse, he’s got great stamina. I’m sure he was headed but wanted to get his head out on the line.”

Charlie Fellowes was proud of Prince Of Arran, who placed for the second successive year.

The trainer said: “What a horse! To do that two years in a row is remarkable - but this time I never felt that we were going to win it. I always felt Vow And Declare had us, although in the last five yards I realised we were a lot closer than I had thought.

“I’m not disappointed. I’m incredibly happy and I’m really proud. He has run so well and we came so close again. He is six years old and still improving.

He is a laid-back horse who only ever does enough so hopefully we can have a few more years of racing with him.

“Providing the horse is okay, plan ‘A’ is to come straight back here again. The Melbourne Cup will be his number-one target. Next year I won’t run him in the Herbert Power and instead we’ll go via either the Caulfield Cup or the Geelong Cup before coming here.”

MAGIC WAND LANDS THE MACKINNON STAKES Days after Magical was retired, Aidan O’Brien may have found a new Group One globetrotting filly after Magic Wand won the Seppelt Mackinnon Stakes.

The four-year-old arrived in Australia having been second in six Group Ones, but her victory at Flemington – just four days after she had run in the Melbourne Cup, secured a first top flight success.

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© www.healeyracing.ie

Magic Wand will remain in training in 2020.

Winning jockey, Ryan Moore said: “She’s a fabulous filly and been in top company all her life.

She ran a great race in the Cox Plate then it went against her in the Melbourne Cup, but to back up a few days later to win here is great.

“She showed her best quality and it’s very typical of her stallion Galileo as his progeny are very genuine and hard to beat.

“She needs fast ground and had terrible luck with the rain following her. Everything was right for her today.”

Magic Wand’s became the 84th individual Group One winner for sire Galileo, equalling the record set by his former studmate Danehill.

The race proved the swan-song for Godolphin’s popular Australian flagbearer Hartnell, who ran a game race in third.

The eight year-old started life in England with Mark Johnston, landing the 2015 Queen’s Vase, before his career switched to Australia, where he was a Group One winner on four occasions and an adversary to the great Winx.

He will take in show classes in his post-racing career and will be looked after by his groom Reg Fleming.

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INTERNATIONAL RACING NEWS

ENABLE NAMED CARTIER HORSE OF THE YEAR FOR 2019 Enable has been revealed as the 2019 Cartier Horse Of The Year at the 29th annual Cartier Racing awards, European horseracing’s equivalent of the Oscars.

Bred by owner Prince Khalid Abdullah’s Juddmonte Farms, the five-year-old mare added a further three Group One successes to her remarkable CV in 2019, with victories in the Coral-Eclipse, King George VI & Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes and Darley Yorkshire Oaks.

This is the second time Enable has been crowned Cartier Horse Of The Year, with the great mare having previously taken the top honour in 2017.

She becomes just the third horse to be a two-time Cartier Horse Of The Year after Frankel (2011 & 2012) and Ouija Board (2004 & 2006).

The Nathaniel mare, the only European-based filly or mare to gather career earnings of over £10 million in prize money, remains in training for 2020.

She is also the Cartier Older Horse for 2019 and equals the record of the legendary Frankel, another Juddmonte homebred, in gaining five Cartier Racing Awards, having also been named Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly in 2017 and Cartier Older Horse in 2018.

Horses trained by John Gosden in Newmarket have now taken the Cartier Horse Of Year Award in five of the last six years, courtesy of Kingman (2014), Golden Horn (2015), Roaring Lion (2018) and Enable (2017 & 2019).

The other nominees for Cartier Horse Of The Year in 2019 were Blue Point, Magical, Star Catcher, Stradivarius and Waldgeist, while the nominees for Cartier Older Horse this year included Blue Point, Crystal Ocean, Magical, Stradivarius and Waldgeist.

The 2019 season was undoubtedly the year of Gosden and jockey Frankie Dettori. In addition to Enable’s two Cartier Racing Awards, the pair also gained honours with horses in the Cartier ThreeYear-Old Colt, Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly and Cartier Stayer categories.

Stradivarius wins the Cartier Stayer Award for the second successive year. Owned and bred

by Bjorn Nielsen, the five-year-old Sea The Stars horse was nearly all-conquering with repeat wins in the Matchbook Yorkshire Cup, Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, Qatar Goodwood Cup and Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup handing him the Weatherbys Hamilton Stayers Million for the second time. He also went on to take the Magners Rose Doncaster Cup, making him the eighth winner of the Stayers’ Triple Crown. It is intended that he too will remain in training for 2020. The other nominees for Cartier Stayer were Dee Ex Bee, Kew Gardens and Logician.

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL RACING Another repeat winner is Too Darn Hot, who is the 2019 Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt. Owned

by Lord Lloyd-Webber and bred by Lord and Lady Lloyd-Webber’s Watership Down Stud, the son of Dubawi was crowned Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt in 2018. After an interrupted start to this season, he once again demonstrated tremendous ability with victories in the Qatar Prix Jean Prat and Qatar Sussex Stakes. The other nominees for Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt were Circus Maximus, Japan and Logician.

The fifth award on the night for the GosdenDettori combination is Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly, which goes to Star Catcher. Another homebred, Anthony Oppenheimer’s daughter of Sea The Stars got better and better as the season progressed, with victories in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot, Kerrygold Irish Oaks and Qatar Prix Vermeille.

The other nominees in the division were Anapurna, Hermosa and Iridessa.

It was also a very satisfying year for Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin operation, which takes two Cartier Racing Awards.

Blue Point, trained by Charlie Appleby, went through 2019 unbeaten in five starts and wins the 2019 Cartier Sprinter Award. The five-year-old Shamardal horse began the campaign at Meydan, UAE, where his three successes were topped with success in the Al Quoz Sprint Sponsored By Azizi Developments on Dubai World Cup night in March. He was then given a near three-month break and headed to Royal Ascot. On day one, he was the comfortable length and a quarter winner of the King’s Stand Stakes over five furlongs. He turned out to contest the Diamond Jubilee Stakes on day five over a furlong further, when he had to work harder but came out on top again. He became the first horse the complete the King’s Stand/Diamond Jubilee double in the same year since Choisir in 2003 and the first ever to win both races when they have both been run at the highest level. The other Cartier Sprinter nominees were Advertise, Battaash and So Perfect.

Godolphin also gains the honours in the Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt division with Pinatubo. Another son of Shamardal trained by Charlie Appleby, Pinatubo was unbeaten in six starts between May

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and October. After an impressive five-length success in the Qatar Vintage Stakes at the end of July on his fourth start, he was truly breath-taking when running away with the Goffs Vincent O’Brien Stakes by nine lengths at the Curragh in September.

This made him the highest-rated juvenile on official British Horseracing Authority ratings since Celtic Swing a quarter of a century earlier. He ended 2019 with a second success in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket. The other nominees for Cartier TwoYear-Old Colt were Earthlight, Kameko and Siskin.

Owner-breeder Prince Khalid Abdullah gains a third Cartier Racing Award this year courtesy of the unbeaten Quadrilateral, who is named Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly. The Roger Charlton-trained daughter of Frankel was unbeaten in three starts under talented young jockey Jason Watson and her season culminated with victory in the bet365 Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket in October. The other nominees for Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly were Albigna, Daahyeh and Raffle Prize.

The Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award Of Merit for 2019 goes to Pat Smullen. One of the outstanding jockeys of his generation and a nine-time champion in his native Ireland, Pat received devastating news in 2018 when diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. A man of outstanding resilience, he has thrown all his efforts into helping others who face the same condition. His outstanding fund-raising efforts have resulted in over €2.5 million being raised for Cancer Trials Ireland and culminated at the Curragh in September with the Pat Smullen Champions Race For Cancer Trials Ireland which saw stars from the past including Sir A P McCoy and Ruby Walsh return to the saddle.

Harry Herbert, Cartier’s Racing Consultant, commented: “Enable becomes just the third horse to be named Cartier Horse Of The Year twice, following in the illustrious hoof prints of Frankel and Ouija Board. Bountiful talent combined with a courageous running style make her a joy to watch and it is no wonder that Enable is so popular with everyone in racing. It is exciting that Prince Khalid Abdullah is keeping her in training for 2020, when she could become the first three-time winner of the Cartier Horse Of The Year.

“Trainer John Gosden and jockey Frankie

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INTERNATIONAL RACING NEWS Dettori are one of the most enduring partnerships in horseracing and virtually everything they touched in 2019 turned to gold. Stradivarius is firmly among the immortals in the stayers’ division, while it was heart-warming to see Too Darn Hot return to his best in high summer. Star Catcher just seemed to get better and better as 2019 went on and emerged as the best of her generation.

“It was also a great year for Godolphin. It takes a rare combination of talent and tenacity to win two races at Royal Ascot but Blue Point did exactly that as he topped and tailed the week by bagging both sprints.

“Pinatubo was impressive throughout the year and his victory at the Curragh was a real wow moment. Officially the best juvenile in 25 years, his return in 2020 is going to be hugely anticipated.

“As well as his established superstar Enable, Prince Khalid Abdullah also has unbeaten two-yearold filly Quadrilateral to look forward to in 2020.

“Seven of the eight equine winners at the 29th Cartier Racing Award are the product of ownerbreeders who form the backbone of our great sport and I extend my congratulations to Prince Khalid Abdullah, Sheikh Mohammed, Bjorn Nielsen, Anthony Oppenheimer and Lord and Lady LloydWebber.

“Pat Smullen, the Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award Of Merit winner this year, is an inspirational figure.

As well as his brilliance in the saddle, his dedication to help others who face the same health issues tells us what an outstanding human being he is.

“We are all set of for a night of celebration and high emotion at the 29th Cartier Racing Awards.”

2019 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS

Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Pinatubo Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Quadrilateral Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Too Darn Hot Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Star Catcher Cartier Sprinter: Blue Point Cartier Stayer: Stradivarius Cartier Older Horse: Enable Cartier Horse of the Year: Enable owned by Prince Khalid Abdullah Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Pat Smullen

JAPAN CUP TRIUMPH FOR OISIN MURPHY AND SUAVE RICHARD Oisin Murphy consolidated his status as a worldleading jockey with a well-judged ride – and victory, aboard Suave Richard, in the Grade One Japan Cup in association with Longines, at Tokyo Racecourse.

A field of fifteen horses went to post for this 1 ½ mile contest.

From the break it was Daiwa Cagney who led, while Makahiki missed the break and was a long last.

Daiwa Cagney took the runners down the back with a narrow lead over Danburite and Etario.

At the home bend, the leader kicked and moved two lengths clear, with Curren Bouquetd’or giving chase.

To the inside rail, Oisin Murphy began an audacious move on Suave Richard.

It was Suave Richard who went on in the final furlong and held off the challenge of Curren Bouqued’or, to win by about a length.

Wagnerian stayed on for third, ahead of Makahiki.

Immediately following the race, Murphy said: “I can’t believe it. This is only my second year here and I haven’t had that many Group 1 rides in Japan.

“I knew the horse had a great chance and everything went right in the run. I’m absolutely over the moon.”

JAPAN DOMINATES AS GLORY VASE LANDS THE HONG KONG VASE Glory Vase kept up Japan’s fine record in Hong Kong, with an impressive victory in the Group One Hong Kong Vase from Sha Tin. Fourteen contested this 1 ½ mile prize.

From the break it was Exultant who eventually went on, while Young Rascal had to be ridden along in the early stages, from the back.

With a circuit to run, Exultant moved into a 1 ½ length lead over Anthony Van Dyck and Southern Legend, with a similar break to Aspetar and Prince Of Arran. Oisin Murphy sat last of all on the Japanese mare Deirdre.

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NEWS INTERNATIONAL RACING Exultant took the field to the final run, with Southern Legend giving chase, as Anthony Van Dyck dropped away.

But Glory Vase emerged from the pack under Joao Moreira, with a power-packed final furlong charge – and went clear in a matter of strides.

At the line, the Japanese-trained runner was 2 ½ lengths clear of Lucky Lilac, with Exultant keeping on for third, to prevent a Japanese clean sweep, as Deirdre came home fourth.

Into the home stretch, Beauty Generation went on, with Ka Ying Star fighting back.

But the challenge came from the outside, as the Japanese runner Admire Mars swept through, challenged by Waikuku.

Try as he might, Waikuku could not peg back the three year-old and Admire Mars landed the spoils under Christophe Soumillon, by about ½ a length, with Beauty Generation just holding on for third ahead of Normcore.

BEAT THE CLOCK CLICKS IN HONG KONG SPRINT

WIN BRIGHT DENIES UNLUCKY MAGIC WAND IN THE HONG KONG CUP

Beat The Clock came with a well-timed run to get up late on in the Group One LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin. Thirteen contested this six-furlong sprint.

Aethero was straight into the lead from Mr Stunning and Hot King Prawn, with a blistering early pace.

Aethero led by a length at the home bend, with Mr Stunning poised and then Hot King Prawn Rattan and Beat The Clock.

The leader lengthened in the straight and looked booked for victory.

But in the final half a furlong, the leader tied-up and Beat The Clock and Hot King Prawn overhauled him in a tight finish.

It was Beat The Clock and Joao Moreira who got up late on yo win by about ¼ of a length from Hot King Prawn, with Aethero a close third.

ADMIRE MARS BAGS THE HONG KONG MILE Admire Mars came with a powerful run to upset the local favourites Waikuku and Beauty Generation, in the Group One LONGINES Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin. Beauty Generation was well away, but it was Ka Ying Star who went on.

Settling down, Ka Ting Star led from Beauty Generation and Simplyb rilliant, with Zaaki next.

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Win Bright got first run and held off the late challenge of Magic Wand, in the Group One LONGINES Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin. Eight took part in this 1 ¼ mile race.

As the race got underway, it was Magic Wand who broke best, but from a wide berth, Time Warp went on from his brother Glorious Forever, with Win Bright settling in third.

That was the order, as the octet raced down the back, with Time Warp in a clear length lead from Glorious Forever.

At the home turn, it was still Time Warp, with Glorious Forever working hard to peg him back.

From out wide, Win Bright and Odessa challenged, while Magic Wand was short of room and had to be switched around horses, losing momentum.

Win Bright hit the front in the final half a furlong, as Ryan Moore and Magic Wand flew home to the inside.

Agonisingly, Win Bright and Masami Matsuoka held on by fast-diminishing inches from Magic Wand, with Rise High in third.

This result gave Japan a third winner from the four Group One races on the card.

COMMANDING LANDS THE UAE 2,000 GUINEAS TRIAL Commanding won a tight finish to the UAE 2,000 Guineas Trial at Meydan.

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INTERNATIONAL RACING NEWS Sixteen contested this one-mile race on the dirt.

From the gates it was Far Sky who took them along.

He was still to the fore with Dubai Avenue, as they left the back and turned for home.

At that point, Al Modayar was soon into the lead and moved two lengths clear, with Commanding and Richard Mullen gradually wearing them down.

It looked as though Al Modayar would hold on, but right at the death Commanding overhauled him to win by a short head, with Dark Of Night finishing fast and late to the outside, to end up just a short head further back in third.

BENBATL IMPERIOUS IN THE SINGSPIEL STAKES Benbatl oozed class as he easily landed the Group Two Singspiel Stakes at Meydan.

Five took part in this nine-furlong race on the turf.

Christophe Soumillon quickly had Benbatl in front and the Saeed Bin Suroor-trained six year-old was able to dominate.

For The Top gave chase, but with 1 ½ furlongs to race, Benbatl pulled clear and none of his four rivals had any answer.

Benbatl stretched to an effortless 4 ¾ length win over For The Top, with Majestic Mambo claiming third.

KIMBEAR EDGES HOME AT MEYDAN Kimbear won a close battle for the Group Two Al Maktoum Challenge Round One at Meydan.

A field of seven took part in this one-mile race on the dirt.

North America so impressive a year ago, went into the early lead from Heavy Metal, with former Ebor winner Muntazah to the inside.

Racing out of the back straight, Heavy Metal came to join North America, with Muntazah to the outside with Secret Ambition, while Kimbear raced to the inside.

North America turned for home with a two length lead, but had not shaken off Secret Ambition or Kimbear.

The two reeled in the leader and the three horses flashed past the post almost in a line.

It was Kimbear and Pat Dobbs who were called winners by a short-head from Secret Ambition, with the same gap back to North America.

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NEWS BLOODSTOCK & SALES

CONSISTENT TRADE ON THE OPENING DAY OF TATTERSALLS IRELAND SEPTEMBER YEARLING SALE

Image supplied by Tattersalls Ireland

Consistent trade throughout the first day of the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale produced a clearance rate of 86% up 8 points on last year. The average of €25,612 and median of €22,000 increased by 2% and 10% on 2018. Total sales for the day amounted to €5,045,500 for 197 horses sold.

Top price honours of €100,000 went to Lot 126, a colt by Holy Roman Emperor. He was purchased by Mick Kinane on behalf of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Sold by The Castlebridge Consignment, the February-born colt is out of a Nayef unraced halfsister to the Listed winner and Group 3 runner-up Mashaahead (In The Wings) and to Freemantle (Galileo), a three-time winner in Hong Kong.

Competition was fierce for Lot 226, a grey son of Dark Angel sold by Al Eile Stud. The bids rained in from Paddy Twomey, Anna Ross and Ed Sackville, but it was Sackville who emerged successful when taking the bidding to a concluding €90,000.

“The sale has been good to us and we have also been lucky with Dark Angel. This colt has a lovely page and is out of a highly rated mare”, said Sackville.

The first foal out of the Smart Strike mare Click And Roll (Lot 183) was bought by Eamonn Reilly of BBA Ireland for €80,000 from Rathbarry Stud. By Acclamation, the colt now heads stateside to go into training with top two-year-old producer, Wesley Ward.

Hootenanny, a son of Quality Road, won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot, and finished second in the Prix Morny.

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NO NAY NEVER COLT HEADS CONSISTENT TRADE AT THE TATTERSALLS IRELAND SEPTEMBER YEARLING SALE Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale salestopper came late in the day, just 12 lots from the end of the concluding session, but the Mount Eaton Stud consigned colt (Lot 467) proved that he was worth waiting for when fetching €165,000.

By the leading second season sire No Nay Never, he was bought by Mick Kinane on behalf of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

The April-born colt is out of Rio’s Pearl, a daughter of Captain Rio. She is an own sister to Listed winner Agony And Ecstasy and a half-sister to Medicine Jack (Equiano), winner of the Railway Stakes and third in the Phoenix Stakes.

Image supplied by Tattersalls Ireland

Breeder and consignor Philip Hore of Mount Eaton Stud was delighted, the sale being the secondbest price ever achieved by the farm at Tattersalls Ireland.

Eamonn Reilly of BBA Ireland struck gold in the first half hour of the session securing a son of the popular sire Exceed And Excel (Lot 252) for €95,000.

The two-day September Yearling Sale concluded with 388 lots sold for an aggregate of €9,415,500, a fall of 10% compared with 2018 but reflective of the 80-lot smaller catalogue.

The average price of €24,267 was just 5% off 2018’s figure, while the median value of €20,000 was level with last year. The clearance rate over the two days was a strong 86% - up eight points on 2018.

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Tattersalls February Sale January 30 - 31 Breeding Stock, Fillies/Horses in Training, 2YO’s, Yearlings

Featuring consignments from European Sales Management, Godolphin, Juddmonte, Shadwell and the TBA Stallion Parade.

MOTION LASS dam of A’Ali winner of Norfolk Stakes, Gr. 2, Prix Robert Papin, Gr. 2, Flying Childers Stakes, Gr. 2 sold at Tattersalls February Sale for 9,000 gns

MISSION BOY winner of Gran Criterium, Gr. 2, etc. sold at Tattersalls February Sale for 3,000 gns

T: +44 1638 665931 sales@tattersalls.com www.tattersalls.com

NEWS BLOODSTOCK & SALES

AL KAZEEM COLT STARS AT TATTERSALLS IRELAND SEPTEMBER YEARLING SALE & PART II

Image supplied by Tattersalls Ireland

A son of the talented Al Kazeem, the four-time Group 1-winning son of Dubawi, produced the top price for Part II of the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale when selling for €45,000 to Dubaibased owner Nasir Askar (Lot 645).

The colt will go into training with County Kildare’s Mick Halford, who already trains a small string of horses for the purchaser, including Sky Seven.

The top-priced filly, a daughter of the popular sire Dandy Man (Lot 608 - pictured), was sold by Ballygowan Stud to Federico Barberini for €27,000, an Epaulette colt (Lot 644) was sold by Grange to trainer Shaun Keightley for €26,000, while David Appleton, assistant to bloodstock agent Alex Elliott, went to €24,000 for a colt by Sir Prancealot.

Elliott and Appleton will be hoping that lighting strikes twice - Elliott purchased Stone Circle (No Nay Never) at last year’s September Yearling Sale.

The colt was this year’s winner of the €300,000 Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sales Stakes at The Curragh on Irish Champions weekend.

The one-day sale produced a turnover of €1,091,400 from a 32-lot smaller catalogue than in 2018. The average price for the 175 horses sold was €6,201, a 14% fall compared with 2018, while the median value of €4,500 was a drop of 10%.

Clearance rate improved from 66% in 2018 to 74%.

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THREE YEARLINGS REACH A MILLION ON FIRST DAY OF GOFFS ORBY SALE A trio of seven-figure yearlings topped a strong opening day’s trade at the 2019 Goffs Orby Sale at Kildare Paddocks.

The own-sister to three time Group 1 winner Alice Springs (Lot 127), and also an own sister to the filly that sold for €2 million at last year’s Orby, topped proceedings when the Glenvale Studconsigned Galileo filly sold to Westerberg for €2.2 million.

Another daughter of Galileo to surpass the million mark on Day 1 was the own-sister to this year’s Irish Derby hero Sovereign from Barronstown Stud. The filly out of the multiple Group placed Devoted To You (Lot 213) was sold to Phoenix Thoroughbreds and Aquis Farm for €1.1 million.

Image supplied by Goffs

Headlining a number of significant purchases

by Godolphin was the beautiful Dark Angel ownsister to Champion Sprinter Harry Angel, Lot 156.

The filly, whose half-brother Pierre Lapin won the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes just two weeks ago, was consigned by Baroda Stud on behalf of breeders China Horse Club.

GALILEO FILLY TOPS GOFFS ORBY SALE AT €3 MILLION For the second year in succession a magnificent daughter of Galileo out of Green Room, an ownsister to 2018 Epsom Oaks winner Forever Together and Group 1 Fillies Mile winner Together Forever,

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BLOODSTOCK & SALES NEWS was the star of the show at the Goffs Orby Sale.

Bred by Gill and Vimal Khosla and consigned by Ballylinch Stud, the regally bred filly (Lot 262) was bought by MV Magnier and Westerberg for a sale topping €3 million.

The own-sister to last year’s €3.2 million Orby top lot was one of four seven figure sales that headlined a vibrant two days at the Orby, following prices of €2.2 million, €1.1 million and €1 million during yesterday’s opening session.

Among the other highlights on Day 2 was Jacqueline Norris’ exceptional Sea The Stars colt, Lot 408 consigned under Edie Murray-Hayden’s Gormanstown Stud, who sold for €550,000 to Demi O’Byrne on behalf of Aquis Farm. It was also another good day at the Orby for Glenvale Stud, following yesterday’s €2.2 million achieved for the own sister to Alice Springs, as their Australia halfbrother to Group 2 winner Mystery Power (Lot 255) sold early today for €525,000 to MV Magnier.

Godolphin went to €500,000 for the Kilcarn Stud-bred Sea The Stars colt out of a Stakes placed sister to Banimpire, Lot 391 offered by The Castlebridge Consignment, while Shadwell Estate Company added Tally Ho Stud’s Awtaad halfbrother to 2019 Irish 2000 Guineas winner Phoenix Of Spain to their eight Orby purchases, going to €400,000 for the colt (Lot 345).

Image supplied by Goffs

Image supplied by Goffs

CAMELOT FILLY TOPS SPORTSMAN’S SALE OPENING DAY AT €100,000 The opening session of the two-day Goffs Sportsman’s Sale saw solid demand throughout from a broad base of trainers and agents from Ireland, the UK and right across Europe; in particular significant buying groups from Scandinavia, Poland and Italy.

Pine Tree Stud provided the day’s top lot when their beautiful daughter of Camelot, Lot 625, was knocked down to Stroud Coleman and George Murphy for €100,000. The filly is a sister to two winners from two runners, including the recent 2YO Listed winning filly Orlaith, and the dam is a half-sister to a Champion 2YO in Toormore as well as the Group 2 winner Estidhkaar.

The next highest price today of €70,000 was achieved on two occasions, first was The Castlebridge Consignment’s No Nay Never filly from a strong black type family that includes Group 1 winners Royal Applause, Lyric Fantasy and In Command (Lot 642) who sold to Church Farm Stables. Her price was matched ten lots later by another from the Castlebridge Consignment – this time a Fastnet Rock colt out of an own sister to the Group 1 Coronation Stakes, Yorkshire Oaks and Matron Stakes winning Champion filly Lush Lashes (Lot 652) who was purchased by Gerry Hogan Bloodstock.

David Redvers earlier secured a smart son of Kodiac from Tally Ho Stud, Lot 529, out of the Group 3 Lillie Langtry Stakes placed Victoria Montoya for €65,000, while Karl and Kelly Burke later went to €62,000 for Castletown Stud’s Footstepsinthesand colt out of a Group placed sister to Group 1 winner Montmartre (Lot 585).

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NEWS BLOODSTOCK & SALES

SON OF DUBAWI SELLS FOR £3.78 MILLION ON OPENING DAY OF TATTERSALLS OCTOBER BOOK 1 YEARLING SALE

© Tattersalls

There were fireworks on the opening day of the Tattersalls October Book 1 Yearling Sale as a one-year-old colt by stallion DUBAWI (Lot 148) became the highest priced yearling colt to be sold anywhere in the world this year, when purchased by Anthony Stroud, on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed, for £3.78 million (3.6 million guineas).

A packed sales ring greeted the handsome colt, a half-brother to Group One St James’s Palace Stakes winner Barney Roy, consigned by Hazelwood Bloodstock.

“He is a really athletic horse, a really good mover,” Stroud told Tattersalls after placing his winning bid against MV Magnier from Coolmore Stud.

“Sheikh Mohammed picked him out. He was his favourite of today. Of course, we stand the sire Dubawi, and the colt is out of a Galileo mare.

“Night Of Thunder is turning into a useful stallion and we also now have Too Darn Hot – the sire lines are very important. It all traces back to Dubai Millennium, who was so important to Sheikh Mohammed.

“He cost more than we thought, but you need to go so far to get this sort of horse.”

Consignor Adrian O’Brien of Hazelwood Bloodstock was nearly lost for words with delight.

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“He is a beautiful horse and never missed a beat.

It is an unbelievable figure to sell for and I am over the moon. I am so grateful to my clients for this quality of stock.”

“It is ideal, what you dream of, and what you hope for,” added O’Brien referencing the fact that the two biggest powerhouses in horseracing, Godolphin and Coolmore, went head to head over his colt.

“We knew we had an awful lot of interest in him, everyone who saw him liked him.”

The colt was bred by Sun Bloodstock and is out of the brilliant broodmare Alina, who was purchased at the Tattersalls December Mare Sale in 2015 for 65,000gns, when carrying Barney Roy.

SON OF THE FUGUE AND WITHOUT PAROLE HALF-BROTHER SELL FOR 1 MILLION GUINEAS AT TATTERSALLS BOOK 1 One of the picks of the catalogue on paper was lot 77, the DUBAWI colt out of the four-time Group 1 winning DANSILI mare THE FUGUE, offered

by Lord & Lady Lloyd-Webber’s Watership Down Stud. The battle to secure the good looking colt settled down to a head-to-head between David Redvers and Badgers Bloodstock’s Grant PritchardGordon with Redvers proving triumphant at 1,000,000 guineas.

“We are very excited to buy this colt,” said Redvers, standing on the back wall with Sheikh Fahad. “Racehorse ownership is all about dreams, and he will give Sheikh Fahad and his brothers plenty to dream about over the next two years.

“He apparently is very different to his two fullsiblings; he is a very strong colt and he vetted very well.

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BLOODSTOCK & SALES NEWS “Dubawi is an amazing sire and it is difficult to buy them – to have one out of such a mare as this is very exciting indeed.

“He will go to be broken in at Longholes and then will go into training with John Gosden early next year.”

The final lot to sell for 1,000,000 guineas on the opening day was the DUBAWI colt out of the LEMON DROP KID mare WITHOUT YOU BABE. Consigned by Newsells Park Stud, the colt is a half-brother to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner TAMARKUZ and the Group 1 St James’ Palace Stakes winner WITHOUT PAROLE. Bred by John Gunther, the DUBAWI colt was knocked down to trainer Kevin Ryan on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid.

“Sheikh Mohammed Obaid loved the horse, and he knows more about the sire than anyone – he likes to pick horses that have similarities. He told me that if I liked him to buy him – it is wonderful to be able to buy horses such as this.

“The colt has a great pedigree, is a gorgeous horse by a fantastic sire.”

Ryan has had horses for Obaid for the past season and said: “He is a lovely man to train for, very patient. He has been in the game a long time and seen the highs and the lows – there is no pressure from him. It is wonderful to have his support.”

FRANKEL BROTHER TO GOLDEN HORN SELLS FOR £3.26 MILLION AT TATTERSALLS OCTOBER BOOK 1 YEARLING SALE Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale continued to see incredibly strong trade with a son of FRANKEL (Lot 288) purchased for £3.26 million (3.1 million guineas) by Anthony Stroud, acting on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed.

The strapping one-year-old, consigned by Norelands Stud in Ireland, is a half-brother to Investec Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Golden Horn. The colt is the second highest priced yearling colt to be sold anywhere in the world this year, behind a Dubawi colt purchased by Sheikh

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Mohammed’s Godolphin the previous day for £3.78 million at Tattersalls.

The bidding developed into another intriguing head to head between Coolmore Stud and Godolphin. Others who were involved in the early exchanges dropped away, including top US trainer Chad Brown, agent Alastair Donald and Juddmonte.

It was another superb result for Harry McCalmont’s Norelands Stud, having sold Lot 208 to MV Magnier from Coolmore Stud for £1.37 million earlier today.

“I am not often lost for words, but I think I am now,” smiled Harry McCalmont.

“This is easily the best price we have had in the sales ring, the second-best we achieved this morning!

“I have to thank my team – they have done a fabulous job, this colt walked around like a king today. There has been a lot of interest in him, there were some serious people who liked him, however you never know what is going to happen until you get to the ring.”

McCalmont bought the mare Fleche D’Or here in December 2012 for 62,000gns after she had foaled the subsequent champion three-year-old colt Golden Horn.

“I like buying mares from such successful breeders as Anthony Oppenheimer,” said McCalmont.

“You know the mares in the pedigree will always get the best covers and go to the best trainers.”

The 13-year-old Fleche D’Or, a daughter of Dubai Destination, had a Frankel filly foal earlier in 2019, who will be retained, and she is in-foal to Sea The Stars.

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KINGMAN AND SIYOUNI MAKE THEIR MARK AT THE TATTERSALLS BOOK 1 OCTOBER YEARLING SALE KINGMAN COLT TO GODOLPHIN FOR 2,300,000 GUINEAS The KINGMAN colt out of the MONTJEU mare GRACE AND FAVOUR became the result of a lifetime for Nicolas Jones’ Coln Valley Stud when selling to Godolphin for 2,300,000 guineas. The son of Juddmonte Farms’ sire sensation is out of a halfsister to five-time Group 1 winner FAME AND GLORY and to the dam of 1,000 Guineas winner LEGATISSIMO. The colt was knocked down to Anthony Stroud on behalf of Godolphin despite a determined bid by Phoenix Thoroughbreds’ Tom Ludt, stood alongside Aquis Farms’ Shane McGrath and Ballylinch Stud’s John O’Connor.

“Our previous best came last year when we sold a Showcasing colt out of Grace And Glory for 600,000 guineas,” said Jones in between congratulatory kisses and hugs from his many friends.

“Lots of people told us he was a lovely horse, but you can’t really expect a sale like that! We have six Flat mares and one NH mare – we like to keep the numbers to this size and maintain the quality. We sell the colts and keep the fillies – we just have one more colt to sell this year.

“All my thanks has to go to Ian Emes, he runs the farm – he does all the work, all the foalings; he has produced this horse beautifully.”

Of the decision to send GRACE AND FAVOUR to KINGMAN, Jones said: “It was a bit of decision to make as it is always a risk to use a stallion in his third year. It has worked out – we might have to send her back to him again.”

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GRACE AND FAVOUR had a PIVOTAL filly foal this year and is in-foal to SEA THE MOON. Jones bought GRACE AND FAVOUR’s dam GRYADA in 2006 for 180,000 guineas at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale via agent Amanda Skiffington.

SIYOUNI HALF-BROTHER TO MAGNA GRECIA SELLS FOR 1,300,000 GUINEAS

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The first lot to top the million guineas mark on the second day was the SIYOUNI half-brother to this year’s 2,000 Guineas winner MAGNA GRECIA who was knocked down to MV Magnier for 1,300,000 guineas. The son of the Group 3 winning GALILEO mare CABARET caught the attention of Anthony Stroud, the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Michael Kinane and David Redvers who all made bold plays to secure the colt but were unable to better MV Magnier’s successful bid.

The colt was consigned by Norelands Stud, and Harry McCalmont said: “We are delighted. We were hoping for seven figures, but you never know. I am quite emotional.

“He was bred by Bob Scarborough, who also bred Magna Grecia, whom we sold at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale for 340,000 guineas.

“This horse, just like his older brother, has a good temperament, which is so hugely important – he behaved all the way through. He is also an exceptional athlete, a very good walker.”

The colt is the highest-priced yearling sold so far at auction by the Haras de Bonneval-based sire SIYOUNI.

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BROTHER TO BREEDERS’ CUP WINNER LINE OF DUTY MAKES 1,100,000 GUINEAS The Godolphin team will be hoping it will be a case of history repeating itself after they purchased the full brother to their 2018 Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner LINE OF DUTY for 1,100,000 guineas via Anthony Stroud. It was at this sale in 2017 that they purchased that GALILEO colt for 400,000 guineas from Peter Stanley’s New England Stud and it was that vendor again today who consigned the colt on behalf of breeder Christopher Hanbury. Phoenix Thoroughbred’s Tom Ludt and MV Magnier both made bold plays to secure the colt, but it was the Godolphin team that triumphed.

The pair are out of JACQUELINE QUEST, who was first past the post in the 1,000 Guineas but subsequently demoted to second after the race. She was bought by Charlie Gordon-Watson Bloodstock at the 2011 Tattersalls December Mares Sale for 600,000 guineas on behalf of Hanbury.

“She is a great mare and has she been successful financially in the sales ring, but also on the track,” said Stanley. “This is a gorgeous horse and hopes were high, but to get to seven-figures... well it is a big sigh of relief. You dream about this and there is a lot of hope.

“Christopher has been building up a very nice broodmare band at Triermore Stud in Ireland, using some good stallions – it is great to see this rewarded.”

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MAGNIER & WESTERBERG STRIKE FOR GALILEO FILLY It was early in the evening when the highest price of the final session was achieved when Barronstown Stud’s GALILEO filly out of the Grade 2 winner QUIET OASIS was knocked down to MV Magnier and George von Opel’s Westerberg for 2,100,000 guineas. The sister to the recent Listed winner LANCASTER HOUSE also caught the attention of underbidder Roger Varian before being secured by Magnier, stood alongside Von Opel’s racing manager Jamie McCalmont.

“She is a lovely filly and her full-brother Lancaster House is a good horse,” said MV Magnier.

LANCASTER HOUSE, a three-year-old of this year, is now the winner of three races, including the Listed Listowel Stakes.

“Her dam Quiet Oasis raced for Reddam Racing so I know her well,” added Jamie McCalmont, a former racing manager for Paul Reddam.

TATTERSALLS BOOK 1 OCTOBER YEARLING SALE CONCLUDES WITH OVER £100 MILLION TURNOVER

WINX’S BREEDER CAMILLERI SELLS KINGMAN COLT FOR 1,800,000 GUINEAS

Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale came to a close with three lots selling for 1,000,000 guineas or more, taking the number of seven figure yearlings to ten. Heading the way was the GALILEO filly from Barronstown Stud who realised 2,100,000 guineas, the top priced filly at the sale.

Adrian & Philippa O’Brien’s Hazelwood Bloodstock continued a remarkable sale with their second seven figure horse for the week when selling the KINGMAN colt out of ONE LAST DANCE to MV Magnier for 1,800,000 guineas. The colt was bred by John Camilleri’s Fairway Thoroughbreds, the breeder of the superstar racemare WINX and Group 1 winner VANCOUVER.

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NEWS BLOODSTOCK & SALES “It is very special to be here and sell here,” said Camilleri. “I have a small band of broodmares in Europe – around 12 – and they are in Ireland at Norelands and in the UK at Hazelwood. It is a mix of both European and southern hemisphere bloodlines.

“I sent up some mares from Australia – they were not in-foal on southern hemisphere time but I thought their bloodlines were good enough to come to the northern hemisphere.

“I love racing and horse sales and travelling for both, and it is a pleasure to be here, but the stallions whom I would call ‘elite’ are currently in Europe – Dubawi, Kingman, Galileo and Frankel.”

The underbidder on the quality colt was Godolphin’s Anthony Stroud whilst others to get a bid in included Gold medal winning Olympic eventer Mark Todd.

Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale has been a memorable one for the O’Briens with their three sold lots realising 5,875,000 guineas in total.

“It is unbelievable,” said O’Brien. “This colt has oozed class since day one, he is just full of quality. I am so grateful to my clients for this opportunity to work with such horses.

“I wish the best of luck to MV Magnier and Ballydoyle, but this colt does look as though he will be the proper racehorse.”

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

At the conclusion of Book 1 of the 2019 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented; “There have been some spectacular highlights at Book 1 of the 2019 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale including two outstanding colts breaking the 3 million guineas mark with the DUBAWI colt out of ALINA achieving the highest price for a yearling colt in the world this year. In total we have had ten yearlings make 1 million guineas or more reflecting the extraordinary quality of the yearlings assembled for Book 1 and we have welcomed buyers from throughout the world, all of whom are drawn to the sale by its unrivalled reputation as Europe’s premier yearling sale.

“After eight consecutive years of growth with turnover rising from 51 million guineas in 2011 to

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last year’s massive 106 million guineas, the aggregate has fallen a little short this year, but the sale has still produced turnover in excess of 100 million guineas which is the second highest in the sale’s history and yet again a huge tribute to the vendors who have brought the cream of the European yearling crop to Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.

We are fortunate to have so many of the world’s top stallions currently standing in Europe with five of them, DUBAWI, FRANKEL, GALILEO, KINGMAN and SIYOUNI all producing yearlings which have sold for a million guineas or more this week and there is no doubt that the global achievements of these stallions play a big role in attracting so many overseas buyers.

“As ever, we should acknowledge the fantastic support we have received from Sheikh Mohammed and Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum as well as the Coolmore team. They have all enjoyed amazing success with their Book 1 horses over the years and we look forward to seeing this week’s purchases bringing further success in due course. They have all made a major contribution to the very top of the market which has been highly competitive from start to finish, but a new dimension has been added by a particularly strong contingent of American buyers. Their presence has been a growing feature in recent years, and we have worked consistently hard promoting the sale throughout America, so it has been genuinely rewarding to see so many new American buyers here this week. They have made a real impact and it looks as if around 50 yearlings will be heading across the Atlantic from this week’s sale.

“The influence of the £25,000 October Book 1 Bonus understandably continues to be felt at the sale and with more than 180 winners and over £4,500,000 in bonuses already distributed it is little wonder that the beneficiaries are so keen to return to Book 1 of the October Yearling Sale year after year. It is a uniquely rewarding scheme and to see so many syndicates and smaller owners active this week is a clear endorsement of its enduring popularity.”

“We now turn our attention to Books 2, 3 and 4 of the October Yearling Sale starting on Monday and we have catalogues of real quality which will appeal to a wide cross - section of buyers at all levels of the market.”

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RECORD PRICE BROKEN TWICE ON OPENING DAY OF TATTERSALLS OCTOBER BOOK 2

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The record price at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale was broken twice on the opening day, initially when a colt by NO NAY NEVER sold for 900,000 to MV Magnier and then a couple of hours later when Shadwell Estates secured a DARK ANGEL filly for 1,050,000 guineas.

DARK ANGEL FILLY BREAKS OCTOBER 2 SALE RECORD AT 1,050,000 GUINEAS The record price at Book 2 was broken for a second time within a couple of hours when the DARK ANGEL filly out of the PIVOTAL mare ALLEZ ALAIA from Ballyhimikin Stud was sold to Shadwell Estates’ Angus Gold for 1,050,000 guineas. The grand-daughter of the once in a lifetime mare CASSANDRA GO caught the attention of many in the sale ring including US agent Liz Crow, Charlie Gordon-Watson with the Watership Down team and eventual underbidder Kevin Ryan.

“What can you say – that was amazing!” said breeder Trevor Stewart. “People said I was smiling at the 450,000 guineas mark... it is what you hope for, two people to take on the bidding to such a figure, but it is difficult for it to actually happen after passing the 500,000 guineas.”

He continued: “It is just such an amazing family, I am so lucky. We decided to sell in Book 2 because

we had a few Dark Angels and wanted to split them up, we hoped she’d be a stand-out in this sale.”

Of the decision to sell, Stewart said: “Even at lunchtime I was wondering whether I should sell or not! I do have a lot of the family and something has to go at some point, and money, especially when it is a million guineas, does count! Who can refuse that?

“I think it will probably be the last filly from the family that I sell so it does mean there is a rarity value – Shadwell should think they are lucky!”

Stewart recounted his purchase of CASSANDRA GO, probably one of the luckiest moments in bloodstock history.

“I bought her almost as a mistake; I was very innocent and thought I was being cool!” he laughs of his purchase from Corduff Stud for 200,000 guineas at the Tattersalls Houghton Yearling Sale in 1997. “I tried to sell a share after and no one was interested.

The rest as they say is history, I am very lucky.”

CASSANDRA GO, a daughter of INDIAN RIDGE, went onto win the Group 2 King’s Stand Stakes and the Group 2 Temple Stakes and be Group 1-placed in the July Cup. She is dam of Irish 1,000 Guineas winner HALFWAY TO HEAVEN, dam of the Group 1 winners MAGICAL and RHODODENDRON, and of the Group winner THEANN, dam of Grade 1 winner PHOTO CALL and of Group 2 Richmond Stakes winner LAND FORCE. Successful buyer Gold said: “Sheikh Hamdan saw the filly this morning, he was particularly looking for fillies.

“She is from a great family, a great farm and a successful breeder. It is a family that is difficult to get into.”

MV MAGNIER SECURES NO NAY NEVER COLT FOR 900,000 GUINEAS MV Magnier secured the NO NAY NEVER colt from Croom House Stud for 900,000 guineas after a bidding duel with Anthony Stroud. The sale was the highest ever achieved at this fixture for just a couple of hours before being eclipsed by the DARK ANGEL filly that realised 1,050,000 guineas.

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NEWS BLOODSTOCK & SALES The Stud’s owner Denis Brosnan said; “He has been outstanding, No Nay Never is very exciting and this colt’s Montjeu half-sister is already a blacktype-producing mare.

“It is some years back now that we bought the mare in France – she was carrying her first foal and we paid 480,000 Euros, lots of people said we’d paid too much.”

Joe Hartigan, general manager at Croom, added: “He has taken this all so well. He has had over 130 shows and he was the same in all of them, 100 per cent – he has a great mind.

“Even those who had not got him on their lists, if I took them to see him just said, ‘wow!’. All the right people were on him coming to the ring.”

NO NAY NEVER is sire of the Group 1 July Cup winner TEN SOVEREIGNS and five Group 2 winners, including the Coventry Stakes winner ARIZONA, who finished second in last weekend’s Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes.

WHATTON MANOR CELEBRATE PINHOOK SUCCESS The team at Whatton Manor Stud were celebrating a pinhooking triumph after their KINGMAN colt sold for 280,000 guineas, having been purchased for just 85,000 guineas at last year’s Tattersalls December Foal Sale.

“We’ve been very lucky,” said Ed Player of Whatton Manor.

“We like selling in Book 2, it’s our territory and it’s what we are known for – we like to have horses that stand out a little this week. This colt is a gorgeous horse, we didn’t think we’d afford him last year.

“Things have gone well – the Group 1 form for Star Terms in the pedigree has helped, while Kingman has done so well.

“We wish Sheikh Hamdan, who is also a strong supporter of this sale, the best with him, we hope he becomes a great horse.”

The colt is out of the MONTJEU mare SUNSEMPERCHI and is a brother to the Group/Listed winner pair FACIASCURA and FINIDAPREST.

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MAINS SECURES AUSTRALIA COLT FOR JON KELLY Local bloodstock agent Philippa Mains secured lot 610, the AUSTRALIA colt out of the INDIAN RIDGE mare SOPHIE GERMAIN, for 300,000 guineas on behalf of US based owner Jon Kelly. The brother to the Group 2 winner CREGGS PIPES will go into training with Jessica Harrington who also trains Group 1 Fillies’ Mile fourth CAYENNE PEPPER for Kelly.

The colt was sold by Pa Doyle of Galbertstown Stud on behalf of breeders John & Una Hayes, who had purchased the colt’s dam SOPHIE GERMAIN originally as a foal.

“She is a daughter of Indian Ridge and she was a June foal - I think she was possibly the very last foal by him. As a June foal she was too backward to sell on, but I loved her pedigree as she is a daughter of a Group 1 winner.

“She has turned into a great broodmare and two of her three foals now have black-type – Silver Spear’s Listed update yesterday was well-timed!

“I was told that Pa was a great man to prep a horse hence why we sent him this colt and he has done a great job,” said Hayes. “Sophie is now in-foal to Frankel and Creggs Pipes to Sea The Stars – she had a filly foal by him this year.”

Late in the evening SackvilleDonald’s Alastair Donald went to 300,000 guineas to secure the CAMELOT colt out of the NAYEF mare BEACH FROLIC. The Highclere Stud consigned colt is a half-brother to John Gosden’s exciting two-year-old KINGMAN colt PALACE PIER and from the family of Group 2 Dante Stakes winner BONFIRE and Group 2 Windsor Forest Stakes winner JOVIALITY.

STRONG TRADE CONTINUES ON SECOND DAY OF TATTERSALLS OCTOBER BOOK 2 A colt and a filly by ARCHIPENKO and NIGHT OF THUNDER respectively shared top billing at 425,000 guineas during the second session of Book

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ARCHIPENKO COLT TO HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB

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2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale as trade continued in robust style. A total of 207 lots sold for an aggregate of 17,230,500 guineas with significant increases in all key indicators. The median increased 13% from 55,000 guineas to 65,000 guineas and the average rose 6% from 78,592 guineas to 83,239 guineas. The clearance rate was an impressive 86%.

425,000 GUINEAS FOR NIGHT OF THUNDER FILLY It did not take long for the second day of Book 2 of the October Yearling Sale to kick into action as the first lot into the ring, Longview Stud’s NIGHT OF THUNDER filly out of BLANCHE NEIGE, realised 425,000 guineas when selling to Charlie Gordon-Watson Bloodstock.

The eye-catching chesnut filly is out of a full sister to Group 2 winner HARLAND and is a great-granddaughter of the multiple US Grade 1 winner WHITE STAR LINE. “She is for a new project,” said Gordon-Watson.

“She is lovely, the stallion has been doing well and she has a great page.”

The sale was a great result for her owners who purchased her for just 77,000 Euros as a foal.

The 2,000 Guineas winner NIGHT OF THUNDER has made a great start to his stud career with his first runners in 2019 including the Group 3 Princess Margaret Stakes winner UNDER THE STARS, the Listed winners THUNDEROUS and MOLATHAM and a further three Group/Listed placed horses.

The joint session topper on the second day of Book 2 was the ARCHIPENKO colt out of the GREEN DESERT mare DESERT BERRY who made 425,000 guineas to the bid of Mick Kinane, on behalf of the Hong Kong Jockey Club after he saw off the attempts of the underbidder Jamie Piggott.

Bred and consigned by Gary Robinson’s Strawberry Fields Stud, the bay colt is a full brother to the Hong Kong Group 3 winner FLYING THUNDER who has earned nearly £400,000 in prize money.

After the sale Kinane commented; “The sire has done well in Hong Kong. He is a gorgeous horse, with a great walk and he has a good international page throughout – there was a lot of competition for him. I wish I could ride him!”

The sale signified Strawberry Fields Stud’s biggest result in the sale ring and Stud Manager, Stuart Millar said; “We would have been delighted with anything over 300,000 guineas, so we are thrilled with this.

“Due to his brother, there has been a lot of interest in him – he has had a lot of vettings and a lot of views in the repository – and we knew we had the right people on him.”

The ill-fated ARCHIPENKO has also been represented by the Group 1 winners TIME WARP and GLORIOUS FOREVER in Hong Kong.

CORDUFF’S ACCLAMATION COLT MAKES 300,000 GUINEAS The Hong Kong Jockey Club made up for lost time after a frustrating October Book 1 Sale where they were underbidders on numerous occasions. The Michael Kinane lead team bought their second yearling at October Book 2 after securing the ACCLAMATION colt from David & Henrietta Egan’s Corduff Stud for 300,000 guineas.

The bay colt is out of the STREET CRY mare FOLK MELODY, the dam of two winners from two runners and herself the daughter of Grade 1 E P Taylor Stakes winner FOLK OPERA.

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NEW BAY COLT TO SKIFFINGTON FOR 300,000 GUINEAS Another lot to realise 300,000 guineas on the second day of October Book 2 was the NEW BAY colt out of GLORIFICATION purchased by Amanda Skiffington.

The sole offering in the catalogue by Michael and Laurence Gleeson’s Aughamore Stud was a pinhooking triumph; the pair having purchased the relation to Champion racemare ENABLE with agent Hamish Macauley at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale for 80,000 guineas.

“The most we have ever paid for a foal before was 30,000 guineas so we had shaking hands when we signed the docket for 80,000 guineas!” recalled consignor Michael Gleeson.

“We had been looking to buy a ‘commercial’ foal last year, but we could not get near anything. We reassessed our plans and decided to go up a grade – when we saw this horse we loved him.

“He is a lovely type, he has an amazing walk and he is from the family of Enable and Flintshire. Since his purchase his half-sister has done well too.”

The colt, bred by China Horse Club, was bought by Amanda Skiffington acting on behalf of Ballylinch Stud and trainer Roger Charlton.

The trainer said: “He is for a partnership between Ballylinch Stud and owners at Beckhampton. He is very typical of Dubawi.

“If anyone wants to join the partnership they are more than welcome!”

ARCTIQUE ROYALE. Holland commented after the sale; “I loved the horse and he will be back for the Craven Breeze Up Sale. I thought he was as good a physical as you will see and he has a great walk. He is by Kodiac and the mare has bred two winners by lesser sires – he was expensive, but you have to buy what you like and he is my pick of the three days. He is from a very good breeder in James Hanley – I love buying off good breeders.

“We’ve had a good run of it recently at the breeze-up sales, please God that will continue, but I need to line up as good a draft of horses as I can – keep on improving. Buyers come to Grove Stud and expect to see nice horses, I have to try hard to provide that.

“The purchase makes sense now... it might not when I wake up tomorrow morning!”

James Hanley’s Ballyhimikin Stud is currently Book 2’s leading consignor by aggregate with gross sales of 1,750,000gns for five horses sold and leading consignor by average (for more than two horses sold) at 350,000gns.

SIYOUNI COLT TOPS FINAL DAY OF RECORD BREAKING TATTERSALLS OCTOBER BOOK 2 SALE A colt by SIYOUNI was the star turn on the final day of Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale at 600,000 guineas as the sale returned a record turnover and median whilst the highest price for a yearling at this fixture was broken twice.

310,000 GUINEAS FOR BALLYHIMIKIN’S KODIAC COLT Another lot to break the 300,000 guinea barrier came later in the session when Ballyhimikin Stud’s KODIAC colt was purchased by Brendan Holland of Grove Stud for 310,000 guineas from eventual underbidder William Haggas.

Out of the winning PIVOTAL mare HONEYMEAD, the bay colt is a half-brother to two winners from two runners and is from the family of Group 1 Irish 1000 Guineas winner

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SIYOUNI COLT STARS FOR BOSTWICKS The headline horse on the final day of Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale was the SIYOUNI colt out of MOONLIT GARDEN who was knocked down to Shadwell Estates’ Angus Gold for 600,000 guineas. Consigned by Barton Stud on behalf of breeders’ Biddestone Stud, the son of the Listed placed EXCEED AND EXCEL mare is a sibling to the Group 3 Cornwallis Stakes placed MOKAATIL and the Listed placed DAN. Gold secured the stunning colt after seeing off the efforts of the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Michael Kinane and agent Alex Elliot.

Breeder Tim Bostwick said; “That is the biggest sale we have had – we got 450,000 guineas last year, you don’t dare to dream of 600,000 guineas.

“We reorganised everything a couple of years ago – we sold the stud and put together a new team including Barton Stud, Tom Blain and Olivier St Lawrence; it is the best decision we have made. Tom produces the horses so well.”

Gill continued; “This mare is fabulous – you can just trust that she will always throw to the stallion.

She was one of the first mares that we bought rather than inherit after we had taken on Biddestone.

“We have a breeding right in Siyouni and we thought his body, walk and speed would superimpose well on a foal from the mare.”

Bostwick added; “Moonlit Garden had a Muhaarar foal this year and her daughter Dream Dreamer had a super Showcasing, who will come here next year.”

sire NO NAY NEVER attracted plenty of attention from the buyers’ benches and in the end was knocked down to Rabbah Bloodstock for 325,000 guineas.

The colt, who is out of LADY SOLDIER, a daughter of the KINGMAMBO sire EREWHON and the Grade 3 Natalma Stakes winner LUSH SOLDIER, was purchased by Foley in association with the Flannerys of Egmont Stud.

Foley said; “He has always been a gorgeous horse.

He came back as a lovely yearling, by a popular sire and he really went the right way. We’ve been very lucky.”

NO NAY NEVER TO DOYLES FOR 270,000 GUINEAS French consignor Haras du Mezeray enjoyed a successful sale on the final day of Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale when their NO NAY NEVER colt out of the GALILEO mare MAID TO BELIEVE was purchased by Ross Doyle for 270,000 guineas after he outbid Anthony Stroud.

“It is the first time in eight days that I have beaten him!” smiled Doyle.

“This is a nice big attractive filly with a great walk and by a very good stallion.

“She has a great page too and will make up into a lovely broodmare in time, but first, let’s hope she is a good racehorse – that’s up to Richard Hannon.”

The filly, a half-sister to the Group-placed filly MAID TO REMEMBER, is a grand-daughter of MAID TO THE HILLS, the dam and ancestress of nine black-type horses.

RABBAH BUY NO NAY NEVER COLT FOR 325,000 GUINEAS

JUDDMONTE SECURE FRANKEL FILLY

There have been some spectacular pinhooking triumphs during Book 2 of the October Yearling Sale and one of the best was the NO NAY NEVER colt consigned from John Foley’s Ballyvolane Stud who realised 325,000 guineas, having been bought as a foal for just 54,000 euros.

The good-looking son of leading second-season

Juddmonte Farms, who stand sire-sensation FRANKEL, made a rare entry into the sale ring to secure his chesnut daughter of the Group winning DUTCH ART mare LADYS FIRST. Bred by Lady Bamford and offered by The Castlebridge Consignment, the filly was knocked down to Juddmonte’s UK Stud Director Simon Mockridge

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NEWS BLOODSTOCK & SALES for 270,000 guineas with Anthony Stroud the underbidder.

“We like Frankel fillies and we like Frankels!” said Juddmonte’s Racing Manager Lord Grimthorpe.

“We tried on a number of Frankels last week and were unable to buy, but we like this filly and she is bred on a good cross.”

Of Juddmonte’s exciting news that star filly ENABLE stays in training for 2020, Grimthorpe said; “It seems to have been well received, all the reaction so far seems to have been positive!

Hopefully, we will be standing here next year and saying what a great decision it was.

“The decision obviously required a lot of thought, but she passed her MOT after the Arc very well and that helped with the decision-making process.”

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

At the conclusion of Book 2 of the 2019 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented; “Yet again Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale has achieved turnover in excess of all other European yearling sales except last week’s October Book 1. In addition, the sale has averaged more than 75,000 guineas and grossed in excess of 48 million guineas for the third consecutive year. The obvious highlights have been Croom House Stud’s exceptional 900,000 guineas NO NAY NEVER colt who is the highest priced colt ever sold at this fixture, followed swiftly by Trevor Stewart’s beautifully bred record breaking DARK ANGEL filly, presented

by Ballyhimikin Stud, whose 1,050,000 guineas sale broke new ground for Book 2 of the October Yearling Sale.

“Individual records always make good reading, but the real Book 2 story has been the sustained demand from start to finish. It is a pretty extraordinary statistic that as recently as 2012 there were 48 Book 2 yearlings sold for 100,000 guineas or more and this year we have had more than 160 reach that level. The support of the Maktoum family and their associates has, of course, played a huge part in the success of the sale and their continued enthusiasm and commitment should never be underestimated, but they have been joined by buyers from the wider Gulf region and from throughout

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the world including Australia, Hong Kong, Japan and the USA, all of whom have made a significant impact on a sale which has produced an impressive clearance rate of 85%.

“Equally importantly, the British and Irish trainers have also been out in force. The combination of a strong catalogue featuring so many quality British, Irish and French yearlings and the sale’s reputation for producing Champions year upon year, makes October Book 2 a sale which everybody wants to attend. They have all made a valuable and hugely appreciated contribution and we look forward to sustaining the momentum as we turn our attention tomorrow to Book 3 of the October Yearling Sale.”

SPECTACULAR PINHOOK TOPS OPENING DAY OF GOFFS AUTUMN YEARLING SALE One of the pinhooking touches of the year was the highlight of a strong first day at the Goffs Autumn Yearling Sale as Clonmult Farm’s daughter of The Last Lion (Lot 201) sold to Rabbah Bloodstock for €78,000, an incredible return on her purchase price of just €1,000 at last year’s Goffs November Foal Sale Part 2. A filly with a strong black type page, she is out of a winning sister to two Group 1 winners in Classic winner Indian Haven and Champion 2YO in Italy Count Dubois.

Buyers from right across Europe were in action throughout the day’s trade which saw turnover increase by 30% on the corresponding day last year, while rises in average and median prices were also recorded.

STAKES WINNER SHELIR TOPS GOFFS AUTUMN HORSES IN TRAINING SALE Top Lot at the Goffs Autumn Horses In Training Sale went to the 2019 Listed Tetrarch Stakes winner Shelir (Lot 566) from the ever popular Aga Khan Studs draft. A three year old son of Dark Angel, he was purchased by Jason Kelly Bloodstock for €70,000.

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SON OF SEA THE STARS MAKES TOP PRICE ON THE FIRST DAY A well-bred son of Sea The Stars (lot 98) from Ecurie des Monceaux made the top price on the first day after a strong bidding battle between agents Michel Zerolo (Oceanic Bloodstock) and David Redvers. It was the latter that had the final say at €400,000 for the colt, that is out of a half-sister to Arc winner DANEDREAM. © Goffs

The Aga Khan Studs consignment also provided several of the session’s other highlights which included the Lope de Vega colt Shamiyan (Lot 557) who was placed last week at Gowran Park and was knocked down to Emerald Bloodstock for €58,000, as well as Hazran (Lot 561), a Lope de Vega colt out of a sister to Harzand, that sold to Millwood Bloodstock for €52,000.

A winner at the Curragh just over a week ago, Njord (Lot 518) from Sheila Lavery Racing was another standout when selling to BBA Ireland for €54,000, as was Finding Nero (Lot 573) from Johnny Muragh’s Fox Covert Stables who will head to Qatar having been bought by Abdullah Aziz Al Boenain and Al Wakra for €50,000.

The day’s trade began with the remaining Autumn Yearlings which, combined with the opening day, resulted in increases across the board for the yearling sale, in particular a rise in clearance rate to 74% from 60% last year and a 33% increase in median.

SEA THE STARS SON HEADLINES DAY ONE OF ARQANA OCTOBER YEARLING SALES Making up of Part 1 of the catalogue, the first day of the October Yearling Sale finished with an average of €87,701, up 20%. Of the 146 lots offered, 73% were sold, generating a turnover of €8,742,000.

SHALAA FILLY FOR AMERICAN SYNDICATE The second of eight yearlings to sell for €200,000 or more during the session, a daughter of Shalaa (lot 104) out of a half-sister to Prix Jean Prat winner HAVANA GOLD was subject to a lot of interest around the ring. Offered from Haras de Castillon, she was finally knocked down to Kerri Radcliffe for €370,000.

SON OF NO NAY NEVER FOR M.V. MAGNIER A popular colt by Coolmore resident No Nay Never (lot 62) from the family of Prix du Jockey Club BLUE CANARI will be going the way of the Irish entity after Arthur Hoyeau signed the docket for €300,000.

Consigned by Haras d’Elbe, the agent said,

DAY 2: NINE YEARLINGS SOLD FOR €100,000 OR MORE With 175 yearlings going through the ring, the second day of the October Yearling Sale was devoted to Part II of the catalogue. A total of 133 lots changed hands, resulting in a 76% clearance rate, for an average of €41,489, generating a turnover of €5,518,000.

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NEWS BLOODSTOCK & SALES

TOP PRICE FOR SON OF SHOWCASING

DAUGHTER OF BATED BREATH FOR A LIBYAN OWNER

Very active during the first day of the sale when he bought three yearlings for €590,000, Anthony Stroud once again made his presence felt on Day Two. By telephone with Freddy Powell, the agent had the final say for a son of Showcasing (lot 203) for €300,000, the top lot of the day. Offered from Haras de Castillon, the colt is a half-brother to ZIYARID, the Prix Daphnis winner, that also finished runnerup in the Secretariat Stakes.

Bidding beside trainer Romain Le Dren-Doleuze, Zied Romdhane had the final say at €72,000 for the top lot of the day, a daughter of Bated Breath (lot 416). Consigned by Barbara Moser (Haras du Long Champ), the filly is a half-sister to triple Group winner FINSBURY SQUARE.

HARAS DE VICTOT CONTINUES TO INVEST In company with Alban de Mieulle, Sheikh Abdullah Al Thani bought five yearlings during the second day, led by a daughter of TERRITORIES (lot 277). Offered by J.K. Thoroughbreds and with a last-minute update following her half-brother CELTIC ART’s runner-up spot in the Prix Isonomy this afternoon, the filly was sold for €260,000.

A little earlier, he had picked up a daughter of Zoffany (lot 255) from the maternal line of SPECIFICITY, that has produced Group 1 winners PRIDE and SPECIOSA. Consigned by Anna Sundstrom (Coulonces Sales), she was knocked down for €130,000.

FILLIES DOMINATE THIRD DAY OF ARQANA SALE The third day of the October Sale finished with a turnover of €2,315,000. Difficult to compare with last year due to a different format, of the 159 yearlings offered, 72% changed hands for an average price of €20,307.

The total turnover from the first three days can however be compared to that of 2018, adding up to €16,865,000 (-4%). The percentage of horses sold also fell to 74% (-4 points), while the average remained solid at €46,836.

TWO DAUGHTERS OF TERRITORIES SOLD FOR €50.000 AND MORE Paul Basquin showed his presence around the ring when he picked up a daughter of Territories (lot 495) from Haras des Granges for €60,000.

Earlier in the day, another filly from the first crop of the young Darley stallion (lot 389) was sold for €54,000. Offered from Haras de Maulepaire, the daughter of Group placed ALKHANA comes from the family of the excellent US Grade 1 winner A RAVING BEAUTY.

IRISH POINTER DO YOUR JOB TOPS DONCASTER AUTUMN HIT SALE Today’s Goffs UK Autumn HIT Sale once again saw its point-to-point/form horse session produce the sale topper with the Irish pointer Do Your Job selling for £150,000.

The 5YO son of Fame And Glory (Lot 81) won his debut point-to-point for Colin Bowe at Castletown-Geoghegan earlier this month and

© Goffs

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BLOODSTOCK & SALES NEWS subsequently sold to Mark Dunphy and Derek O’Connor. “We are delighted to have purchased him, he was the standout lot today and is to go into training with Claire Dyson,” commented O’Connor.

“He’s an athletic type and Colin has produced some cracking horses such as Samcro and Malone Road so hopefully he can follow in their footsteps.”

The point-to-point/form horse session also sold the four-time flat winner Buzz (Lot 76) to Highflyer Bloodstock for £80,000 while winning pointers Pennyforapound (Lot 83) and Press Your Luck (Lot 88) both sold for £40,000 to Rebecca Curtis and Ed Stapleton & Chris Gordon respectively.

STRONG OPENING DAY OF TATTERSALLS AUTUMN HIT SALE

© www.tattersalls.com

The Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale got off to a strong start with the Juddmonte draft responsible for two of the top three lots and the turnover, average and median all rising significantly.

COHEN BUYS SASH FOR 320,000 GUINEAS The top lot on the opening day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale was the Juddmonte Farms offering SASH who was knocked down to Red Baron’s Barn & Rancho Temescal’s Tim Cohen for 320,000 guineas.

“He is a lovely physical – and you have to pay to get quality. It is more than I wanted to spend,

but I didn’t want to let him go either!” said Cohen, who initially shook his head when offered a bid at 290,000gns, but later pressed on to the winning bid, leaving agent Alex Elliott as underbidder.

“This horse likes firm ground which is important going to California and he still gets all the conditions so he will fit into the programme.”

Cohen is a regular visitor to Tattersalls and the annual trip stretches back a generation beginning with his father.

“I first came with Jed, who had set up Red Barons Farm,” said Cohen. “He used to come here with his trainer Darrell Vienna.

“We had a bit of a break due to market forces and we were buying in South America, but we’ve been coming back for the last five years.”

Cohen will decide on trainers at a later date, but his buying team of Ed Freeman, Joe Miller of Kern Thoroughbreds and Alastair Donald of SackvilleDonald is set in stone “I like to get the horses bought and then decide, but we have a great buying team – we work so well together and we all bring something to the table,” added Cohen.

SASH was trained by Amanda Perrett and he is the winner of three races over a mile. The son of OASIS DREAM has a ‘Timeform’ rating of 101.

MULCASTER SECURES SURREY THUNDER FOR 280,000 GUINEAS New Zealander agent Guy Mulcaster is a regular visitor to the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale and the agent signed for two of the top three lots on the opening day on behalf of Chris Waller Racing. The first of those was the three-year-old Listed winner SURREY THUNDER who was sold

by Tuite Racing for 280,000 guineas after Mulcaster saw off underbidder Alex Elliott.

“Back again!” laughed Mulcaster. “Our prizemoney keeps going up so we keep coming back!

“He is a lovely style of a horse, looked well and has not been over-raced. Horses of his ability are difficult to get.

“We’ll get him into the system at home and see where he fits in,” said Mulcaster

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NEWS BLOODSTOCK & SALES SURREY THUNDER was sold by Surrey Racing, a syndicate run by Clive Hadingham and Steve Grubb, an investment banker and lawyer respectively by trade.

“We tend to buy this more middle-distance type,” said the pair after the sale. “We can’t afford sprinters and we have a few NH horses too, so the horses can go that way if it suits, but we are always looking for differing angles. This horse has been fantastic for us and the owners – we have travelled all around Europe with him.

“It is a balancing act between keeping them and selling them – this is the first horse we have had to sell at this level, it means we can go and buy again.”

SURREY THUNDER is officially rated 104 and has been placed at Group level on two occasions this year for trainer Joseph Tuite.

MULCASTER AGAIN FOR IMAGING AT 260,000 GUINEAS Mulcaster struck again later in the day when securing the OASIS DREAM colt IMAGING from the draft of Juddmonte Farms for 260,000 guineas. The four-year-old colt is out of the Listed winner DUBAI DESTINATION mare MIRROR LAKE and was victorious at Group and Listed level on three occasions for trainer Dermot Weld.

The ever popular Juddmonte consignment, selling on the opening day of the Autumn Horses in Training Sale for the first time, realised a total of 1,577,000 guineas for the 23 lots offered.

RECORDS BROKEN AT TATTERSALLS AUTUMN HIT SALE The record price for a colt at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale was broken when the Richard Fahey trained SUMMER SANDS was sold for 625,000 guineas. Trade on the second day of the sale continued to be strong with an impressive clearance rate of 91%.

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© www.tattersalls.com

SUMMER SANDS BREAKS RECORD The wild card entry SUMMER SANDS, who was third in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes two starts ago behind EARTHLIGHT, was the highlight of the second day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale. The son of COACH HOUSE, who won the Listed Redcar Two-Year-Old Trophy on his latest start, caught the attention of numerous bidders including Badgers Bloodstock’s Grant Pritchard-Gordon, Oliver St Lawrence and eventual underbidder Alastair Donald, but the trio were unable to match the efforts of Bill Dwan who secured the two-year-old for 625,000 guineas. The sale is a record for a colt at this fixture and the third highest price in the sale’s history and was purchased

by Dwan on behalf of trainer Joseph O’Brien.

DANCE JUPITER BOUGHT BY IRIDESSA’S OWNER Bill Dwan had also struck earlier in the day when he secured the lightly raced three-year-old DANCE JUPITER for 270,000 guineas. Consigned from trainer John Kiely’s Lisfennel Stables in Ireland, the son of KINGSBARNS won on his second career start at Cork at the start of October, beating the highly rated PATRICK SARSFIELD. Dwan secured the gelding who has a ‘Timeform’ rating of 88p at the expense of agent Troy Steve.

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INCINERATOR HEADED TO SAUDI ARABIA

KHALID BIN MISHREF STRIKES FOR LEADING PAIR

The OASIS DREAM colt INCINERATOR is headed to Saudi Arabia after being purchased

by Abdulaziz Al-Mousa for 200,000 guineas.

Consigned to the sale by The Castlebridge Consignment on behalf of Hugo Palmer’s Kremlin Cottage Stables, INCINERATOR raced in the colours of breeder Ibrahim Araci and the two-time winner has an official BHA rating of 83.

Despite being denied on the top lot, Khalid bin Mishref was the dominant buyer on the third day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale, buying two of the top four lots for the day and finalising a private sale for MEKONG. With agent Paul Harley assisting him, leading Saudi Arabian owner Mishref made his presence felt in the sale ring on the third day.

First up was the Ed Vaughan trained ROCK THE CRADLE who was knocked down to the pair for 200,000 guineas before he struck again two lots later when securing DRAMATIC DEVICE from Chris Wall’s Induna Stables for 220,000 guineas.

The three-year-old ROCK THE CRADLE was purchased at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale for 25,000 guineas by agent Paul Moroney and was offered with a ‘Timeform’ rating of 97 following on from his easy victory on his most recent start at Yarmouth.

DRAMATIC DEVICE also saw a dramatic increase in his price at Tattersalls, having been bought at the Tattersalls February Sale for just 20,000 guineas earlier this year by Durcan Bloodstock. Three consecutive victories on his most recent starts earned him a ‘Timeform’ rating of 101 and a significant rise in his sale ring price.

SALUTE THE SOLDIER TOPS THIRD DAY OF TATTERSALLS AUTUMN HIT SALE The Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale continued in strong fashion on the third and penultimate day, with the Listed-placed SALUTE THE SOLDIER heading proceedings.

The top lot on the third day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale was the progressive handicapper SALUTE THE SOLDIER who was knocked down to Oliver St Lawrence for 380,000 guineas. The son of SEPOY has won two of his last three starts for trainer Clive Cox and was offered with a ‘Timeform’ rating of 112.

St Lawrence secured the four-year-old on behalf of owner-trainer Fawzi Nass after seeing off Saudi Arabian owner Khalid bin Mishref.

KIEFER TO O’KEEFFE FOR 210,000 GUINEAS Dual-purpose trainer Jedd O’Keeffe had to go to 210,000 guineas to secure the three-year-old colt KIEFER at the expense of underbidder Paul Moroney. The winning son of POUR MOI and half-brother to Group 1 Melbourne Cup runnerup BAUER was consigned from Eve JohnsonHoughton’s Woodway Stables on behalf of owners Aston House Stud. The colt, who is rated 97 by ‘Timeform’, was purchased on behalf Quantum. © www.tattersalls.com

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PRIVATE DEAL AGREED FOR MEKONG MEKONG, the son of FRANKEL who was unsold in the ring, has been sold to Khalid bin Mishref and Paul Harley Bloodstock after a private deal was agreed for 400,000 guineas. The four-year-old was a winner on three occasions for trainer Sir Michael Stoute and owner/breeder Philip Newton and was offered with a ‘Timeform’ rating of 117.

TATTERSALLS AUTUMN HORSES IN TRAINING SALE CONCLUDES

© www.tattersalls.com

The fourth and final session of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale brought down the curtain on the world’s largest horses in training sale. Sustained demand continued through to the end with a clearance rate in excess of 90% taking the turnover for the sale past 25 million guineas, the third highest in the sale’s history.

LOUGHNANE SECURES DAYSAQ FOR 40,000 GUINEAS The highlight of the final session was the 40,000 guineas given for DAYSAQ from the Shadwell Stud draft. The two-year-old son of INVINCIBLE SPIRIT has raced just twice and is rated 78 by ‘Timeform’ and was knocked down to trainer Daniel Mark Loughnane.

Loughnane said: “His first run at Wolverhampton was very good [when fourth] but he didn’t run so

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well on his second start. I don’t think the track at Chelmsford suited him. I’ve bought him for a syndicate which has horses with me.

“We’ll keep him going on the All-Weather, but we’ll get him home and make a plan from there.”

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

At the conclusion of the 2019 Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented; “A record price for a colt of 625,000 guineas, four lots making 300,000 guineas or more and fourteen selling for 200,000 guineas and above all demonstrate the enduring appeal of this unique fixture. The top 20 lots this week sold to buyers from England, Ireland, America, Australia, Bahrain, Dubai, Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia and it is the diversity and sheer number of buyers which make the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale an unrivalled marketplace.

“The Autumn Horses in Training Sale is a magnet for buyers at all levels of the market and the key to the sale’s appeal is that it caters for literally every possible requirement, both Flat and National Hunt.

Amongst the top 10 lots we had the outstanding Group 1 placed two year old SUMMER SANDS, the four year old miler SALUTE THE SOLDIER, the top class stayer MEKONG, a regally bred broodmare prospect LADY CORSICA and Juddmonte Farms’ improving three year old SASH. Nowhere else will buyers find such a rich and varied choice of quality proven horses in training and it is this feature which makes the sale an unmissable event for so many people.

“Every year we marvel at the sustained demand from throughout the Gulf region and 2019 has been no exception. Buyers from Bahrain, Dubai, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have yet again had a massive impact on the sale, and there is no doubt that the growing strength of racing in the region has spurred the buyers on. They have been joined by strong contingents from throughout Europe, most notably Greece, Italy, Poland, Spain, Scandinavia and the Czech Republic and from further afield Americans, Australians and buyers from Hong Kong have all contributed to a sale turnover bettered only twice and an impressive clearance rate of 90%.

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BLOODSTOCK & SALES NEWS The Autumn Horses in Training Sale has enjoyed consistent success in Australia and the sale’s four high profile 2019 Group 1 winners there this year have not gone unnoticed with Australian buyers particularly active this week.

“Probably the only other European bloodstock sale that attracts overseas buyers in similar numbers is the Tattersalls December Sale and as we approach the Europe’s premier foal and breeding stock sale we can take plenty of encouragement from the sustained international demand at the Tattersalls over the past four days.”

SON OF DOCTOR DINO HEADLINES DAY ONE OF TATTERSALLS IRELAND NOVEMBER NH SALE

Image supplied by Tattersalls Ireland

It was a red-hot start to the 2019 November NH Sale for Ballyreddin Stud, the consignor selling two of the top three lots on the opening day of the sale.

The first in the ring for John Dwan’s consignment was a gelding by Doctor Dino (Lot 50) bought as a pin-hook store horse prospect by Oak Tree Farm’s Norman Williamson for €100,000.

Already named Ecrin Vert, the gelding is a half-brother to DREAM WISH (Dream Well), the winner of the Grade 2 Prix Congress and the Listed Prix Noiro Chase, both at Auteuil since the catalogue was published.

Those thwarted underbidders included Katie Rudd, Joey Logan and Ian Ferguson.

The day’s second-best price of €62,000 was given by pin-hooker Timmy Hillman for a son of Shantou consigned by Burgage Stud (Lot 68).

The gelding is a full-bother to Sevarano, winner of a bumper in 2018 and over hurdles at the end of October this year.

Ballyreddin’s second lot in the ring, a gelding by young sire Kitkou (Lot 76), sold for €45,000, bought

by James Mernagh.

The half-day session concluded with 41 lots sold for an aggregate of €535,200, a median price of €9,000, an increase of 13% on 2018 and an average price of €13,054, a rise of 6%.

STRONG TRADE ON THE OPENING FOAL SESSION AT THE TATTERSALLS IRELAND NOVEMBER NATIONAL HUNT SALE The first day of the foal session of the 2019 November National Hunt Sale produced a top price of €62,000, given by Timmy Hillman of Castledillon Stud for a colt by the reigning champion National Hunt sire, Flemensfirth.

Offered by Ballincurrig House Stud, the Marchborn colt is the second foal out of the four-timewinning Robin Des Pres mare Whizzzey Rascal, a half-sister to the 12-time winning, Galway Handicap Hurdle hero Clondaw Warrior (Lot 294).

Hillman was the busiest purchaser through this first session of foals with five lots bought as pinhook prospects, including the day’s second-best priced lot (€48,000), a son of Milan out of Miss Bobs Worth (Bob Back). As her name suggests she is an own-sister to the Gold Cup and three-time Grade 1 Cheltenham Festival winner, Bobs Worth (Lot 298).

Rathmore Stud was also a multiple buyer through the session with the farm’s most expensive

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NEWS BLOODSTOCK & SALES of four purchases being a €45,000 Court Cave colt out of Blazing West (Lot 265). She is a Westerner half-sister to Blazing Tempo, winner of the Grade 1 Galway Plate Chase and dam of Blazing Emily, recently placed twice in Listed hurdles.

The price was matched by Oaks Farm’s purchase of Lot 231, a colt by Soldier of Fortune out of Bells Walks Day (Flemensfirth). She is a full-sister to Time For Rupert, an eight-time winner and runnerup in the World Hurdle.

Mark Dwyer of Oaks Farm was backing his judgement a second time; the buyer bought the colt’s year older full brother for €63,000 at this sale last year.

The day concluded with 168 lots (68%) sold for an aggregate of €2,039,400, an increase of 21% compared with the same session in 2018. The median showed a healthy increase rising by 18% to €10,000, while the €12,139 average was an improvement of 4% on 2018.

HALF-BROTHER TO ALTIOR LIGHTS UP THE SALES RING AT TATTERSALLS IRELAND NOVEMBER NH SALE

The bidding kicked off at €100,000 from a bid given by Hamish Macauley and underbidders included Juliet Minton. The final bid came from the former Irish international footballer Kevin Doyle.

Doyle owns Slaney River Stud and at last year’s November NH Sale purchased the Grade 1 winning mare Augusta Kate for €85,000. She produced a Champs Elysees filly foal in April.

The Getaway colt from Yellowford Farm, and the first foal out of Dreambaby, sold for €95,000 and was bought by Timmy Hyde signing for Summerhill (Lot 593).

Dreambaby, a dual winner and bred by Pat Tobin, is a Yeats half-sister to the talented Grade 1-winning pair of Rhinestone Cowboy and Wichita Lineman.

The Flemensfirth full sister to the Grade 1 Champion Bumper winner Tornado Flyer, a recent winner of a Beginners’ Chase, was bought by Rathmore Stud for €88,000 (Lot 612). It is the best price given for a filly foal at the November NH Sale since 2007.

The filly is out of Mucho Macabi, a half-sister to the brilliant record-breaking Hurricane Fly, the winner of 26 races, 22 Compared with the same day’s figures from 2018, the average increased by 1% to €22,023, the median was unchanged at €18,000, while the aggregate of €4,470,600 was up 4%. The clearance rate rose three points to 79%.

STRONG RETURNS AT 2019 KEENELAND NOVEMBER BREEDING STOCK SALE Image supplied by Tattersalls Ireland

The anticipated highlight of day 3 of the 2019 November NH Sale lived up to expectations - in front of a packed sales ring the Camelot half-brother to Altior, the 20-time winner, 10-time Grade 1 winner and Nicky Henderson-trained champion, sold for €155,000 (Lot 560).

It is the best price given for a foal at the November NH Sale since 2007, and the second-best price ever paid for a colt at the sale.

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Keeneland’s 2019 November Breeding Stock Sale concluded after 12 days of competitive trade fuelled by a deep domestic and foreign buying bench. Kicking off the sale was the premier Book 1 catalogue of stakes-producing mares, stakes-winning fillies and exceptional weanlings, which delivered 14 seven-figure horses led by the sale of champion Take Charge Brandi, in foal to 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify, for $3.2 million, and generated significant momentum that carried forward to propel total

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© Keeneland Photo

sales to more than $200 million. The November Sale further highlighted the strength of the weanling market by producing the top-priced weanling, a $775,000 filly by Curlin, sold at public auction in North America this year.

Held from November 6th to 17th, the November Sale sold 2,667 horses for $200,139,400, an increase of 1.16 percent from last year’s $197,851,300 for 2,644 horses. Keeneland surpassed totals for the entire 2018 November Sale on the 10th day of the 2019 auction. Cumulative average rose slightly from $74,830 to $75,043. The median of $25,000 equalled last year’s figure.

(The 2019 November Sale is the first Keeneland auction to incorporate post-sale transactions of horses initially reported as an RNA and later sold privately. Keeneland has updated all previous sales results to reflect the policy change. They are available on Keeneland.com.)

The opening-day Book 1 catalogue successfully created momentum that rippled through the entire November Sale as 166 horses grossed $71,499,500, up 16.1 percent from last year’s opening-day total of $61,583,500 for 134 horses.

The 14 million-dollar-plus horses sold in Book 1 nearly doubled the eight sold last year and represented the highest number of seven-figure horses in the first

session of the November Sale since 2011. Leading the way were the aforementioned sale-topping Take Charge Brandi; Grade 1 winner Eskimo Kisses, in foal to Curlin, sold for $2.3 million to Shadai Farm; and Grade 1 winner Callback, in foal to Medaglia d’Oro, sold for $2 million to Katsumi Yoshida.

Reinvestment in the market was strong and sent a positive signal to the industry. Clarkland Farm and Hinkle Farms were among breeders who replenished their broodmare bands with quality individuals thanks to proceeds from a successful 2019 September Yearling Sale. Clarkland, which sold the September Sale-topping American Pharoah filly for $8.2 million, purchased three mares in November for a total of $1.53 million, led

by Fairyland for $700,000. Hinkle, which sold two seven-figure yearlings in September, including a Tapit colt for $2.5 million, returned in November to spend $1,185,000 for three mares, led by the $575,000 paid for Ladies’ Privilege.

Purchasers at the top end of the market represented prominent racing and breeding entities, among them Hill ‘n’ Dale, Summer Wind Equine, Claiborne Farm, China Horse Club, Stonestreet, Hunter Valley Farm, OXO Equine, White Birch Farm, Don Alberto Corporation and Japan’s Yoshida brothers, Katsumi, Teruya and Haruya.

John Sikura’s Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalapa, Sikura’s new operation on historic Xalapa Farm near Paris, Kentucky, purchased Take Charge Brandi, consigned by his Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, agent for Elevage Dispersal. Elevage’s partners, which include Sikura and Craig Bernick of Glen Hill Farm of Florida, sold their broodmares and weanlings at the November Sale to refocus their strategy on stallion investment.

Take Charge Brandi sold in foal to 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify, who was the leading covering sire at the November Sale with 15 mares grossing $11,195,000.

The result of the Elevage Dispersal was the sale of 13 horses for $11.7 million, among them three of the sale’s five highest-priced offerings.

Joining Take Charge Brandi in that group was the aforementioned Callback along with Mei Ling, a graded stakes-placed daughter of Empire Maker, in foal to Medaglia d’Oro, sold to Claiborne Farm, agent, for $1.5 million.

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NEWS BLOODSTOCK & SALES Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalapa, led all buyers at the November Sale by acquiring 10 horses throughout the sale for $5,351,000.

Japan’s Shadai Farm ranked second among all buyers by gross, acquiring four broodmares and broodmare prospects for $3.6 million, including Eskimo Kisses for $2.3 million from Gainesway, agent. Jane Lyon’s Summer Wind Farm was the third-leading buyer with two purchases for $3.35 million. Summer Wind paid $1.85 million for Lil Indy, dam of multiple 2019 Grade 1 winner Maximum Security in foal to Quality Road, from the Lane’s End consignment, and $1.5 million for Gloryzapper, a Grade 3-winning daughter of Ghostzapper in foal to Tapit, who was supplemented to the sale by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, for Aaron and Marie Jones.

Making a splash as the fourth-leading buyer at the sale was newcomer Leopoldo Fernandez Pujals from Spain, who bought 16 broodmares and broodmare prospects for $3.3 million in the name of Yeguada Centurion. Another prominent overseas buyer was Arif Kurtel of Turkey, the sale’s leading buyer by number purchased, who spent $1,717,000 for 59 horses, including multiple Grade 2 winner Catapult, a son of Kitten’s Joy who will enter stud in Turkey. Khalid Mishref, representing Saudi Arabian interests, purchased two of the top-priced horses of racing age: Liam’s Legend for $325,000 and New York Central for $240,000.

Keeneland employs a year-round strategy to recruit buyers from across North America and around the world for its sales. Owing to this ongoing initiative, buyers representing 27 countries purchased horses at the November Sale.

Keeneland accepted supplemental entries to the catalogue until the start of the November Sale, and several accounted for top prices in Book 1 and the horses of racing age segments during sessions seven and eight.

Among the Book 1 supplements were Gloryzapper, sold for $1.5 million, and Purely Hot, dam of 2019 Grade 1-winning juvenile Eight Rings, sold in foal to Union Rags to Hugo Merry Bloodstock for $1.2 million.

A pair of 2-year-olds supplemented to the horses of racing age contingent – Liam’s Legend

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and Shedaresthedevil – commanded the top two highest prices during the seventh session.

Liam’s Legend, a son of Liam’s Map who won on closing day of Keeneland’s recent Fall Meet and was consigned by Indian Creek, agent, sold to Khalid Mishref. He said Liam’s Legend and Grade 3 winner New York Central, bought for a session-topping $240,000 in the eighth session, would continue their careers in Saudi Arabia and potentially become stallions.

Staton Flurry’s Flurry Racing Stables paid $280,000 for 2019 Sorrento third-place finisher Shedaresthedevil, a Daredevil filly consigned by Hunter Valley Farm, agent.

The strong yearling market is reflected in the results of the past two editions of the September Sale, which have produced the two highest gross figures for the sale in a decade. As a result, competition for weanlings at the November Sale from both end users and pinhookers was high. This year’s auction featured weanlings from such exciting first-crop stallions as Arrogate, Classic Empire, Connect, Cupid, Gun Runner, Klimt, Mastery, Practical Joke and Unified.

Larry Best’s OXO Equine was the leading buyer of weanlings, acquiring the two most-expensive foals of 2019 when he purchased a filly by Curlin for $775,000 and a colt by Curlin for $750,000 to lead his total purchases of six weanlings for $3.02 million. Consigned by Indian Creek, agent, the $775,000 filly is out of Fly to the Stars, by Giant’s Causeway, and is a half-sister to Grade 3 winner The Tabulator.

Keeneland sales officials credit reforms in the industry, increasing purse money and the significant investment by Kentucky tracks in facility improvement as positive forces driving sales strength.

During Sunday’s final session, Keeneland sold 117 horses for $523,900, for an average of $4,478 and a median of $2,200. Machmer Hall paid $30,000 for the highest-priced offering, the winning Scat Daddy mare True to You, in foal to Tale of the Cat. She was consigned by Vinery Sales, agent.

For the third consecutive year and the 23rd time since 1987, Taylor Made Sales Agency was the leading consignor at the November Sale.

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BLOODSTOCK & SALES NEWS Taylor made sold 292 horses for $27,511,100.

They included the aforementioned Gloryzapper and Purely Hot and two other seven-figure horses, Grade 1 winner Sailor’s Valentine in foal to War Front ($1.25 million) and Bernina Star in foal to Curlin ($1.2 million).

Sales season resumes at Keeneland in 2020 with the January Horses of All Ages Sale, which will cover five sessions from Januart 14th to 17th. The following Keeneland auction will be the April TwoYear-Olds in Training and Horses of Racing Age Sale on April 7th.

STRONG DEMAND AT THE TATTERSALLS ASCOT NOVEMBER SALE Tattersalls Ascot November Sale witnessed strong demand and concluded with turnover of £573,300 (+32%) at an average price of 5,165 (+34%) with a healthy clearance rate of 73% .

The top lot of the day was the Cheval Court consigned broodmare Lot 76 CHARLOTTE ROSINA purchased for £45,000 by agent Tom Malone. The ten-year-old mare, a four-time winner

herself, is the dam of the exciting Roger Teal trained Oxted, winner of the prestigious Portland Handicap at this year’s Doncaster St Leger Festival. The son of Mayson rates a very exciting prospect in the sprint division for connections next season.

As always the Godolphin draft proved very popular with purchasers and Lot 90 KYLLANG ROCK, who boasts an official BHA Rating of 101, caught the attention of Debbie Mountain who saw off fierce competition to secure the son of Kyllachy for £38,000. He now looks set to continue his career in Qatar for new connections.

Lot 137 ALL THE FAME, a four-year-old son of the late Fame And Glory consigned by Denis Murphy’s Ballyboy stables appealed to agent David Phelan who went to £30,000 to secure the gelding who had finished runner-up on his latest start in a four-year-old Maiden Point to Point at Dowth Hall.

The combination of Stroud Coleman Bloodstock and Sean Clancy will be hoping lightning strikes twice after purchasing Lot 126 TWENTY YEARS ON for £30,000 out of Alan King’s Barbury Castle Stables. The same combination teamed up to purchase subsequent American Grade 2 scorer Gibralfaro at this venue from the same source at the 2017 renewal of this sale.

© Tattersalls Ascot

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TATTERSALLS IRELAND NOVEMBER NH SALE: SUMMARY OF DAY THREE The strong trade seen all week at the November National Hunt Sale continued through to the third foal session, and it was regular Tattersalls Ireland buyer Lennie Walker who led proceedings when outbidding owner John Nallen of “Minella” fame to buy the session-topping Flemensfirth colt (Lot 896) from consignor Ballincurrig House Stud.

Walker sealed the deal for the son of Morning Supreme, a Listed winning Supreme Leader mare for €88,000.

Captain Chris was bought here as a foal by Walker for €66,000 and sold at the Derby Sale for €250,000. He went on to be rated 169, win three Grade 1 races and £407,713 in earnings.

Yellowford Farm sold the second highest-priced lot through day 3 and filled the same spot on day 4 when their colt, also by champion National Hunt sire Flemensfirth, fetched €85,000 bought by pinhooker Adrian Costello of Park Farm (Lot 782).

Grange Hill Stud’s prolific winning family of Oscar Whisky once again delivered. Their Walk In The Park colt out of Poppy Baloo, an own sister to the dual Grade 1 winner was bought by Timmy Hillman for €72,000 (Lot 787).

The day concluded with an aggregate of €3,477,850, a median price of €16,000 and an average price of €18,499. The clearance, comparable to 2018, finished on 72%.

TATTERSALLS IRELAND NOVEMBER NATIONAL HUNT SALE 2019 CONCLUDES The five-day November National Hunt Sale 2019 concluded with a superb set of figures boasting a record median price of €12,000, the second-best average in the sale’s history of €16,600 following on from last year’s record-breaking average of €16,866, and gross sales of €12,167,650.

The four foal sessions also produced a record median of €13,750, an increase of 20% on 2018,

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Image supplied by Tattersalls Ireland

and its second-best average price of €16,830. The clearance rate was a healthy 71% with 642 foals changing hands, while 28 lots sold for €50,000 or more.

Thursday’s final foal session produced a joint top-price of €40,000 given for colts by Malinas (Lot 960) and Soldier of Fortune (Lot 1069). They were bought by Redpender Stud and Moanmore Stables.

The concluding broodmare session was topped

by Camelia De Cotte (Lot 1136), the former Willie Mullins-trained and Susannah Ricci-owned threetime graded chase winner. By Laveron, she sold for €140,000 and was bought by Treasa O’Keeffe and partner Rowland Crellin, breeder of the brilliant eight-time Grade 1 winner Cue Card.

Earlier in the week, Peel Hall Stables sold a Kayf Tara colt (Lot 435) for €65,000 and they reinvested funds in two new National Hunt mares, the most high-profile being the dual graded-winning hurdler Limini (Lot 1137). The Peintre Celebre mare is also in-foal to Australia and was offered by Closutton.

BALLYADAM TOPS TATTERSALLS CHELTENHAM NOVEMBER SALE SELLING FOR £330,000 Tattersalls Cheltenham staged its first sale of the 2019/20 season, with the November Sale taking centre stage on the afternoon of the abandoned first day of the Cheltenham November Meeting.

Due to the versatility of this great venue and the quick action of the whole team, the transition was seamless and provided clients with a convenient time to conduct their business.

The sale concluded with an aggregate of £2,982,000 and rises of 5% in the median to £69,000

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BLOODSTOCK & SALES NEWS and 20% in the average to £93,188.

The star of the show was Colin McKeever’s Ballyadam (Lot 20), who could not have been more impressive on his debut, as a four-length winner of the four-year-old maiden at Portrush, previously won by Grade 1-star Finian’s Oscar. Bidding started off at £100,000 and crept in increments of £20,000 and it was trainer Gordon Elliott who saw off fierce competition to secure the son of Fame And Glory for £330,000.

There was a lot to like about the debut performance which earned the French-bred Fiston Des Issards his maiden success. The fouryear-old, consigned by Colin Bowe’s Milestone Stables produced an eye-catching performance at Loughanmore. The son of Buck’s Boum will now continue his career at Cullentra House Stables after trainer Gordon Elliott once again came out on top at £255,000 (Lot 43).

Handler Cian Hughes sent out Yousayitbest (Lot 28) at Moig South who delivered accordingly, winning the four-year-old Maiden with an impressive turn of foot in the closing stages.

The quality and ability were recognised by agent Alex Elliott who purchased the son of Doyen for £220,000.

Tattersalls announce the reintroduction of the Cheltenham January Sale following the successful November Sale renewal Tattersalls Cheltenham continually looks to enhance the profile of sales for horses in training and point to pointers. This give us the opportunity to introduce a sale for a select group of high-class horses in training and point to pointers in the Owners and Trainers marquee, following racing at the Cheltenham Festival Trials Day on Saturday 25th January.

Image supplied by Tattersalls Cheltenham

Tattersalls Cheltenham January Sale will be the first time a sale has been conducted exclusively in the Tattersalls sponsored Owners and Trainers marquee at Cheltenham and is set to provide a luxurious environment for buyers to invest in their future winners.

DERRINSTOWN STUD’S WAHGAH TOPS TATTERSALL IRELAND NOVEMBER FLAT FOAL & BREEDING STOCK SALE

Image supplied by Tattersalls Ireland

Tattersalls Ireland concluded another successful sales year with the one-day November Flat Foal and Breeding Stock Sale.

Top lot of the day was the broodmare Wahgah, an eight-year-old mare by Distorted Humor and sold by Derrinstown Stud (Lot 183). She fetched €50,000 and was bought by BBA Ireland.

She was purchased for Gerry Aherne who commented; “She will stay in Ireland and most likely go to Ten Sovereigns. She was a good racehorse, is a young mare and is from a good farm. Her two-yearold this year has shown some ability too.”

Buroog (Invincible Spirit), also from the Derrinstown Stud draft, was bought by Maurice Burns of Rathasker Stud for €30,000. Katie McGivern was the underbidder (Lot 151).

“She is for a client who had a couple of good sales this year,” said Burns of the mare carrying to Iffraaj. “She is from a nice family, is in-foal to a sexy stallion and on an early cover - there’s a lot to like.”

From Ballywalter Farm, Cosmodrome covered

by Saxon Warrior, was also bought for €30,000 (Lot 174). Bought by Kill Bloodstock the Listed-winning

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NEWS BLOODSTOCK & SALES mare is the dam of two winners and is a half-sister to the Listed Ballymacoll Stakes winner Splashdown.

She is dam of Aktabantay, winner of the Group 3 Solario Stakes.

Top price of the foal session was €24,000 given

by Razza Del Velino in a private sale for a colt by the leading two-year-old sire Kodiac (Lot 112).

Out of Veronica Best (Hernando), a threeyear-old winner in Italy, the April-born colt was consigned by Kilmaglish House Stud.

Flash Bloodstock paid €19,000 for Lot 19, a January-born colt by Adaay, Whitsbury Manor Stud’s son of Kodiac. The sire was a two-time Group 2 winner and has first crop yearlings.

Offered by Church View Stables, the colt is out of the winning Foxwedge mare Glacier Point, a half-sister to this September’s Sirenia Stakes winner Streamline (Due Diligence).

The sale concluded with an aggregate of €547,600 with an average of €6,442 (+4%), a median of €3,000 and a clearance rate of 55% (+5 points).

CARAVAGGIO COLT TOPS OPENING DAY OF GOFFS NOVEMBER FOAL SALE

Image supplied by Goffs

A top price of €100,000 and a significant rise in clearance rate were among the highlights of the opening day of Goffs November Foal Sale.

A colt from the exciting first crop of the multiple Group 1 winning Caravaggio topped proceedings when Altenbach Bloodstock’s Lot 88 (pictured) out of the winning dam Cape Joy sold to Peter and Ross Bloodstock for €100,000.

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Cloneymore Farm’s son of Starspangledbanner, the first foal out of the winning mare Rely On Me (Lot 262), took second spot late in the day when knocked down to Lynn Lodge Stud at €88,000, while another leading pinhooker in action today was Jamie Railton who secured Lot 190, a daughter of Camelot closely related to Group winner Leitir Mor consigned by Ballintry Stud, for €72,000.

Another highlight on Day 1 was a colt by The Last Lion from the family of Bungle Inthejungle (Lot 97) that sold to Grangemore Stud for €70,000.

Bred by Seamus McGarvey, he was consigned by Ballybin Stud.

Among the other in-demand foals was Redmarble Farm’s colt from El Kabeir’s first crop (Lot 159) out of Impasse that sold to Goodwill Bloodstock for €52,000. Decorated Knight’s first foals meanwhile also proved popular and were headed by a €50,000 filly out of a sister to the Champion three year old and dual Classic winner Desert King (Lot 58). Consigned by the Irish National Stud, she was bought by Imad Al Sagar’s Blue Diamond Stud.

NIGHT OF THUNDER COLT HEADS STRONG SECOND DAY AT GOFFS NOVEMBER FOAL SALE A very strong second day at Goffs November Foal Sale saw the clearance rate soar to 85%, up from 76% on Day 2 last year, as well as a 17% increase in turnover and 4% rise in average price. The trade was topped by Lot 305, Awbeg Stud’s Night Of Thunder colt, the first foal out of a winning sister to a Stakes winner from the family of Germany, that sold to Blandford Bloodstock for €135,000.

Stauffenberg Bloodstock later secured an outstanding son of Wootton Bassett (Lot 439) out of a Group performing Kitten’s Joy mare from Altenbach Bloodstock for €130,000, while another of the stand outs on Day 2 was Airlie Stud’s Profitable colt, Lot 535, a half-brother to two Stakes winners including the recent Listed 2yo winner Sopran Ival.

He sold to Lynn Lodge Stud for €120,000.

Paca Paca Farm purchased the first six-figure foal of the day when going to €110,000 for Collegelands

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BLOODSTOCK & SALES NEWS

MAJOR INCREASES ACROSS THE BOARD ON DAY 1 OF NOVEMBER BREEDING STOCK

Image supplied by Goffs

Stud’s Starspangledbanner colt out of a sister to the Nell Gwyn and Princess Margaret Stakes winner Scarlet Run (Lot 281).

Chapel Lane Bloodstock’s daughter of Camelot (Lot 413) out of a sister to the dam of Group 1 Irish St Leger winner Duncan was knocked down to Goodwill Bloodstock at €100,000, and another to make the €100,000 mark was Lot 426 from Yeomanstown Lodge Stud, a filly from the first crop of Ribchester who is a half-sister to two Stakes winners. She was sold to Peter & Ross Doyle Bloodstock.

OWN-BROTHER TO GHAIYYATH TOPS RECORD GOFFS NOVEMBER FOAL SALE A new record for a colt foal at Goffs capped a remarkable third day at Part 1 of the November Foal Sale as the Dubawi own-brother to 2019 Group 1 winner Ghaiyyath out of the Classic winning Galileo mare Nightime sold for €1.2 million to Godolphin. The star of an outstanding draft from the Castlebridge Consignment (Lot 745), sold on behalf of breeder Dermot Weld, was knocked down to Anthony Stroud to also become the second highest priced foal of all time at Goffs.

The top priced filly of the sale was the beautiful Dark Angel half-sister to Irish 1000 Guineas winner Just The Judge (Lot 658) that sold to Shadwell Estate Company for €575,000. Bred by Joan Keaney-Dempsey, she was consigned by Ballylinch Stud.

Vibrant trade continued at Goffs November Sale with consistent demand from the off on Day 1 of the Breeding Stock resulting in a clearance rate of 86% and rises of 30% in turnover, 19% in the average price and median was up 28% over the same day last year.

The four year old winning Galileo mare Snowflakes (Lot 997) was the star of the show as The Castlebridge Consignment’s own-sister to dual Classic and four time Group 1 heroine Winter, in foal to US Navy Flag, sold to Eamon Reilly of BBA Ireland for €525,000.

Image supplied by Goffs

Reiley McDonald of Eaton Sales in Kentucky was one of many international buyers in action today, acquiring several high class mares headed

by Qatar Princess (Lot 873) from Linacre House Stud. Selling for €330,000 to McDonald on behalf of Diane Nagle, the Marju mare is the dam of a Listed two year old winner this year in Flaming Princess and she is a sister to two Group winners in Hawksmoor and Royal Dornoch.

Eaton Bloodstock also bought the Galileo mare Height Of Elegance (Lot 861) from the Peter Magnier dispersal consigned by Grenane House Stud. In foal to Caravaggio, the three-parts sister to the dam of Henrythenavigator, sold for €210,000.

John McCormack secured another of the day’s highlights in Etoile Filante (Lot 950) from Kiltinan Castle Stud for €300,000. The So You Think mare is a half-sister to the Champion and Classic winning filly Alpha Centauri as well as this year’s Group 2 Debutante Stakes winner Alpine Star and is in foal to Mastercraftsman.

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NEWS BLOODSTOCK & SALES Broadhurst Agency later went to €230,000 for the Pivotal mare Danseuse D’Etoile (Lot 972), a sister to Listed winner and Group 1 placed Walk In Marrakesh in foal to Fast Company from Mount Coote Stud, while Imad Al Sagar’s Blue Diamond Stud purchased a pair of €200,000 mares in Godolphin’s winning Kitten’s Joy mare Rivercat (Lot 910) out of a Group winning dam and in foal to Raven’s Pass, as well as Kiltinan Castle Stud’s Group 1 Qatar Prix de l’Abbaye winner Gilt Edge Girl in foal to Saxon Warrior (Lot 949).

SIGNIFICANT GAINS AT RECORD GOFFS NOVEMBER SALE A record renewal of the Goffs November Sale drew to a close today with returns for the week showing significant gains on 2018, including a 25% rise in turnover, 24% increase in average and 21% up on median while the sale set an all-time highest price for a colt foal of €1,200,000 on Wednesday.

The final session featured Parts 2 of both the breeding stock and foal sales and saw good demand for the better lots on offer. The mares were topped by a Group 1 producer from Ballylinch Stud in Lidanski (Lot 1130), the dam of the Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye winner Wizz Kid. In foal to Fascinating Rock, she was purchased by Tullogher House Stud for €32,000.

The Part 2 foal trade was headed by a son of Dandy Man from Ballintry Stud (Lot 1183) whose winning 2yo own-brother has also been Stakes placed twice this year. The colt was knocked down to Jamie B Bloodstock for €35,000.

STRONG HORSES IN TRAINING DAY GETS ARQANA AUTUMN SALE UNDERWAY The opening day of the Autumn Sale, dedicated to horses in training on the flat and over jumps, returned a solid set of figures headed by an 88% clearance rate and average price of €34,829, up 47% from the same day last year.

Turnover for the day was €5,607,500, 45% higher than in 2018.

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Offered by La Motteraye Consignment to dissolve a partnership, the outstanding hurdler MASTER DINO (lot 189), winner of the Prix Renaud du Vivier and Prix Cambacérès among a stellar career to date, was the subject of a fierce bidding war in which Hervé Bunel (BHB Agency) came out on top for €420,000. The son of Doctor Dino has been sidelined since making a winning chasing debut at Plumpton back in January, his sixth consecutive victory in a row.

Horse Racing Advisory secured the position of leading buyer for the day with the purchase of two lots headed by GENTLEMAN DE MEE (Wild Card, lot 225) for €280,000. The sculptural dark brown is a Saint Des Saints half-brother to the talented AS DE MEE and he has made a good career start himself, filling the runner-up spot on both his starts over hurdles to date in the care of Guillaume Macaire.

Next on Horse Racing Advisory’s shopping list was Daniela Mele’s CAPODANNO (Wild Card, lot 217b), who only made his racecourse debut on November 1st. He made sure it was an eye-catching one though, only falling short by a couple of lengths in a hurdle contest at Compiègne. The three-yearold son of Manduro featured high on Hubert Barbe’s wish list and the agent went to €185,000 to secure him.

Already lucky at the Autumn Sale last year with CAT TIGER, with whom he won the Prix Morgex just a few days after buying him, David Maxwell once again made his presence felt. Standing beside agent Guy Petit, the English owner and amateur rider bought STRATAGEM (lot 207b), a threeyear-old gelding from Daniela Mele. Offered as a Wild Card, the son of Sunday Break was knocked down for €200,000 having won on his only outing over hurdles at Auteuil .

STRONG SECOND DAY AT ARQANA’ AUTUMN SALE Reserved for the second year running for National Hunt youngsters, the second day of the Autumn Sale ended with very satisfying results. Underlining the solid demand in each section of the market, the

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BLOODSTOCK & SALES NEWS percentage of horses sold reached 75 per cent (+12 points). The average went up 20 per cent to €26,675 and the overall turnover of €4,188 million registered an increase of 52 per cent.

Haras du Saubouas’s Paul Basquin bought five lots during the session for a total of €465,000, led by lot 432, a son of Kapgarde from Haras de la Croix Sonnet for €150,000. A half-brother to this season’s unbeaten Prix Sagan winner and fellow Arqana yearling graduate MESSAGERE from Haras de la Croix Sonnet, the colt hails from the family of the very talented NO RISK AT ALL, NICKNAME, NOM D’UNE PIPE and N’OUBLIE JAMAIS. A little earlier in the day, he went to €105,000 for a son of Ballingary (lot 405) from Hamel Stud.

A half-brother to recent Prix Cambacérčs runnerup KOOL HAS after the catalogue was printed, he is from the maternal line of KAKIRA. Basquin also signed for lot 384 for €92,000, another son of Kapgarde out of FRANCHE ALLIANCE from Haras de la Croix Sonnet, as well as going to €90,000 for lot 433, a son of Martaline from the family of UTOPIE DES BORDES and VICTOIRE DES BORDE, from Haras de Montaigu.

ARQANA AUTUMN SALE CONCLUDES The final day of the Autumn Sale, reserved for flat-bred yearlings, saw an increase in final figures, following the same pattern of the overall sale. A total of 83% of the 176 horses offered changed hands (+5 points), generating a turnover of €1,182,500 (+5%).

The average of €8,044 proved stable.

Active around the ring during the first day when notably buying SCARLET TUFTY (lot 176) for €120,000, Hubie de Burgh (De Burgh Equine) and Emmanuel de Seroux (Narvick International) went to €45,000 for a yearling by Le Havre (lot 642).

Offered from La Motteraye Consignment, the filly out of Listed winner RIVABELLA comes from the family of Group winners ROUVRES, RIGHT ONE and BUBBLE CHIC. Bringing together horses-in-training, young jumpers and flat yearlings, the Autumn Sale produced

a new record turnover of €11,038,000. With a depth of market over three days, the percentage of horses sold reached 82%, up four points. The average price obtained a new record of €23,622, up 30%, with 17 horses sold for €100,000 or more.

DUBAWI COLT TOPS TATTERSALLS DECEMBER YEARLING SALE The Tattersalls December Sale got underway in Newmarket with a day of yearlings to kick off proceedings. The DUBAWI colt from Hazelwood Stud was the top price of the day with three lots selling for 100,000 guineas or more.

David O’Callaghan of Sun Bloodstock secured the DUBAWI colt out of VOLEUSE DE COEURS for 200,000 guineas after seeing off Stroud Coleman Bloodstock’s Anthony Stroud. The colt is out of the Group 1 Irish St Leger-winning daughter of TEOFILO. “We’ve bought out the partnership,” said O’Callaghan. “She was a very good mare and he is quite similar to her in looks – he had just been held up a bit and so had not sold earlier this autumn.

“This colt is a good mover and looks as though he will need some time – that is fine, we can give him time. He goes to David Simcock.”

The April-born colt was consigned by Hazelwood Bloodstock, consignor of this year’s 3.6 million guineas October Book 1 top lot, also a son of DUBAWI. The Derby winner GOLDEN HORN has made a good start to his stud career with his first runners on the track this year and agent Anthony Stroud went to 100,000 guineas to secure his son out of the SELKIRK mare LEADERENE. The Staffordstown offering is a half-brother to LE DON DE VIE, a three-time winner and rated 101.

“He is a very attractive horse,” said Stroud. “He was bred by very good breeder in Kirsten Rausing.

His half-brother is a well-rated horse.”

LEADERENE is a half-sister to the Group 1 Prix de l’Opera winner LADY MARIAN, dam of Group 2 winner LOXLEY, and is from a deep German family that includes the Champions LOMITAS, LA DORADA and LA COLORADA.

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NEWS BLOODSTOCK & SALES Agent Alex Elliot struck late in the day to secure the SEA THE STARS filly out of the Listed-placed TERTULLIAN mare NINAS TERZ. “It has been a frustrating day as we have missed on a couple, but this filly was a stand-out to me,” said buyer Alex Elliott of The Castlebridge Consignment’s Sea The Stars filly.

“She has a lovely page – it has one I like a lot – her full-sister Fashion’s Star was bought as a yearling

by Brendan Holland for 100,000 euros and sold as a breeze-up for 400,000 euros. She had a lot of ability.

“She will stay in England, but we don’t which trainer as yet.”

The Sunderland Holdings bred filly is out of a half-sister to PAKISTAN STAR, a dual Group 1 winner in Hong Kong.

SOLID START TO TATTERSALLS DECEMBER FOAL SALE

down to Jamie Railton for 65,000 guineas.

Consigned by Genesis Green Stud, the March born filly is out of HARLEQUIN GIRL, a halfsister to the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes winner BLAINE as well as the Listed Redcar Two Year Old Trophy winner BOGART. “She is a pinhook prospect,” said Railton. “I am a big fan of the family with Blaine and Bogart, while the two-year-old half-brother called Byline is well rated too.

“She is a fine horse and is a good advert for her sire.”

DUBAWI’S 2,000 Guineas winner NIGHT OF THUNDER has enjoyed an exciting start to his stud career with his first runners represented by seven Group/Listed winning two-year-olds headlined by the Group 2 Premio Dormello Stakes winner NIGHT COLOURS and the Group 3 Princess Margaret Stakes winner UNDER THE STARS.

EL KABEIR COLT SHARES TOP BILLING AT 65,000 GUINEAS

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The Tattersalls December Foal Sale got off to a solid start on the opening day with a colt by EL KABEIR and a filly by NIGHT OF THUNDER leading the way during a session that saw seven lots top 50,000 guineas.

NIGHT OF THUNDER FILLY TO RAILTON FOR 65,000 GUINEAS NIGHT OF THUNDER was responsible for the joint highest priced lot on the opening day of the Tattersalls December Foal Sale when the daughter of Darley’s leading first season sire was knocked

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Sharing the top billing at 65,000 guineas on the opening session of the December Foal Sale was Ballyreddin and Kellsgrange Studs’ EL KABEIR colt who was purchased by Philipp Stauffenberg’s Stauffenberg Bloodstock Services.

Out of the INVINCIBLE SPIRIT mare SCHOOL RUN, the chesnut colt is from the family of multiple Group 1 winners DREAM AHEAD and FAIRYLAND and is by Yeomanstown Stud’s freshman son of SCAT DADDY. “He is a lovely foal, he had a good walk and is very athletic,” said Stauffenberg.

“In the ring here he really looked good and he was a standout for me today.

“I tried on one by the sire last week and did not get him so very pleased to have bought this foal. I have had luck buying on the first day here before,” added the buyer.

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62,000 GUINEAS KODIAC FILLY FOR HUGO MERRY The joint third highest priced lot of the day was the filly by Tally Ho Stud’s KODIAC from the family of DANEHILL who made 62,000 guineas when knocked down to Hugo Merry on behalf of Old Road Stud.

Bred and consigned by Timmy and Michael Hillman’s Castledillon Stud, the daughter of the ANABAA mare PAYPHONE is a half-sister to NEWSLETTER, winner of the Listed Kilvington Stakes and third in the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes.

Merry commented after the sale; “She is a half-sister to a very good horse in Newsletter, and thought she was a nice model when I saw her yesterday”.

Cobhall Court Stud enjoyed a memorable sale when selling Ciaran Paterson’s TERRITORIES colt out of the NEW APPROACH mare NEVER CHANGE for 62,000 guineas to Good Will Bloodstock.

“Ciaran is our vet and he was too busy to get here today – he knows the price though!” said Scarlett Knipe of Cobhall Court. “We bought the mare infoal with this colt and she was value for money – she only cost 11,000 guineas at the July Sale last year!

“This is a lovely colt with a big walk,” added Knipe.

Purchaser Michael Fitzpatrick, who signed for Good Will Bloodstock, said: “He is a lovely foal from a very good farm. I like what I have seen of the progeny by Territories.”

NEVER CHANGE is a granddaughter of BLESSED EVENT, winner of the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks.

SIMPLE VERSE COLT TOPS ELECTRIC TRADE AT TATTERSALLS DECEMBER FOAL SALE The FRANKEL colt out of SIMPLE VERSE was the top price on an electric day of trade at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale selling for 600,000 guineas, one of 14 lots to sell for 300,000 guineas or more.

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SHEIKH FAHAD BUYS OUT PARTNERS IN SIMPLE VERSE COLT One of the highlights of the December Foal Sale, the FRANKEL colt out of the Classic winner SIMPLE VERSE, is set to return to Tweenhills after her part owner Sheikh Fahad bought out his partners at 600,000 guineas. Those bidding on the colt included Eugene Daly and Philipp Von Stauffenberg, but it was John Gunther, bidding on the rope, who had the final say.

“John was acting for Sheikh Fahad, who was buying out his partners,” reported Redvers.

“Sheikh Fahad, his brother Sheikh Suhaim and associate Mohammed al Kubaisi owned the mare in partnership and initially the other two wanted to sell after she finished racing.

“Sheikh Fahad persuaded them to stay involved, but with the agreement to sell all of her progeny as foals.

“The Sheikh did see this colt in the summer, but only got here this evening when he saw him again and finalised his decision to buy his partners out.”

The colt was the first foal of SIMPLE VERSE who won the Group 1 British Champions Fillies/ Mare Stakes at Ascot and the Group 1 St Leger at Doncaster.

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WOODFORD THOROUGHBREDS BUY INVINCIBLE SPIRIT FILLY FOR 440,000 GUINEAS The leading buyer on the third day of the Tattersalls December Foal Sale was US buyer and businessman John Sykes of Florida-based Woodford Thoroughbreds who purchased five lots through agent Lincoln Collins for a total of 1,390,000 guineas.

The top priced of the quintet was the INVINCIBLE SPIRIT filly from Bernard Cooke’s Bryanstown House Stud who realised 440,000 guineas. The daughter of the KING’S BEST mare LISCUNE is a half-sister to the Group 3 Sceptre Stakes winner MUSIC BOX and the Group 2 Dante Stakes second EKTIHAAM. Collins indicated that the Woodford Thoroughbreds purchases would head to Luke Lillingston’s Mount Coote Stud and could either be reoffered next year or retained.

Lincoln Collins said: “Plans will be fluid, but with a filly there are more options.

“With a pedigree such as this there are broodmare considerations, and she has a pedigree that you would want for your broodmares.”

WOODFORD STRIKE AGAIN FOR SEA THE STARS FILLY Lincoln Collins and John Sykes struck again a few lots later when they went to 400,000 guineas to land the SEA THE STARS filly out of the ANDERFLUG mare AMAZONE, consigned by Castletown Stud.

“That was amazing,” said Castletown’s Joe Hernon.

“We bought the mare as maiden here and she comes from Gestut Schlenderhan bloodlines, which recently celebrated 150 years of breeding horses.

“I share her with Dr Klaus Schulte and we decided to send her to Sea The Stars because he is crossing so well with German pedigrees.”

The filly is a half-sister to the Listed placed pair APADANAH and ANCONA and a granddaughter of the Group 1 German Oaks winner AMARETTE.

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WH BLOODSTOCK TEAM BUY BROTHER TO INVINCIBLE ARMY The fourth highest price for the day was 375,000 guineas given by the WH Bloodstock team of Violet Hesketh and Mimi Wadham for the INVINCIBLE SPIRIT brother to the leading sprinter INVINCIBLE ARMY. Consigned by Dermot Cantillon’s Tinnakill House, the colt is out of the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes winner RAJEEM. INVINCIBLE ARMY won the Group 2 Duke of York Stakes and a further three Group 3 races and has been retired to stand at Yeomanstown Stud in 2020.

FARHH COLT HEADS FINAL DAY OF TATTERSALLS DECEMBER FOAL SALE The top lot on the final day of the Tattersalls December Foal Sale was the FARHH colt out of the DUTCH ART mare DUCHESS OF FIFE which continued the fabulous week enjoyed by breeder Colin and Melba Bryce’s Laundry Cottage Stud and consignor Jamie Railton. The team topped the second day of the sale with their BATED BREATH colt at 185,000 guineas and this colt realised 110,000 guineas to the bid of Ross Doyle after he saw off Tally-Ho Stud’s Tony and Roger O’Callaghan.

“It is great, we are very lucky,” smiled Bryce. “We bred the mare Duchess Of Fife and this was always a fabulous foal, a great walker. It was Melba who decided on Farhh – she loved him when she saw him at Darley.

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BLOODSTOCK & SALES NEWS DUCHESS OF FIFE is in foal to UNFORTUNATELY and is due to be sold at the December Mares Sale next week where she is catalogued as Lot 1983.

FLINTSHIRE STUD’S NATHANIEL COLT SELLS FOR 95,000 GUINEAS Ballyhane Stud’s Joe Foley went to 95,000 guineas to secure the NATHANIEL colt out of the CADEAUX GENEREUX mare ROBEMA from Flintshire Stud after seeing off Yeomanstown Stud’s Gay O’Callaghan. The March-born foal is a halfbrother to Listed winner CONNECT and the Listed-placed ATLANTIC SUN. Dave Weston of the Marlborough-based Flintshire Stud said: “This is a lovely foal and has always been very straightforward. The very first mare we bought was from Joe Foley and Joe was underbidder when we bought Robema.

“We started Flintshire 15 years ago – it was a derelict dairy farm. We have trained National Hunt horses from there under a permit but have recently got a Flat licence too. We want to train our own and then, once we get going, a few for syndicates, but we don’t want to train for lots of outside owners.

“We have four mares and are looking to upgrade them now so we can produce Book 1 and Book 2 type yearlings. We hope to buy next week.”

Purchaser Joe Foley said: “This is a speciallooking foal, and the mare has shown that she can do it. Nathaniel has proved that when he gets a good one, it can be a very good one indeed!”

The first foals of the dual Group 1 winner ULYSSES have been very well received at the December Foal Sale and the colt from West Moor Stud caught the attention of Ballyphilip Stud’s Paul McCartan. Out of the EXCEED AND EXCEL mare AZHAR and from the family of Breeders’ Cup Mile winner DOMEDRIVER and Prix Marcel Boussac winner ALBIGNA, the colt was knocked down to McCartan for 90,000 guineas.

“He is a gorgeous individual, and from a good cross – that of Galileo over Exceed And Excel,” said McCartan.

“He is out of a mare rated 89, who won at two,

and he looks as though he will have some pace. It is also the family of the Autumn’s Group 1 winner Albigna.”

The twelve foals by ULYSSES to sell this week have realised 553,000 guineas at an average of 46,083 guineas.

COPLOW STARS ON INTERNATIONAL DAY OF TRADE AT TATTERSALLS DECEMBER MARES SALE

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COPLOW, dam of Group 1 1,000 Guineas winner BILLESDON BROOK, was the headline act on the second day of the Tattersalls December Mares Sale which saw 22 lots sell for 500,000 guineas or more.

COPLOW SELLS FOR 2.1M GUINEAS COPLOW, the dam of the Group 1 1,000 Guineas and Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes winner BILLESDON BROOK looked the star lot in the catalogue for the 2019 Tattersalls December Mares Sale and the daughter of MANDURO did not disappoint, selling to MV Magnier for 2,100,000 guineas.

Agents James Delahooke and Ross Doyle, who was standing with the Barnane Stud team, took the price to 2,000,000 guineas before Magnier made his one and only bid to secure the ten-year-old mare who was offered in foal to KINGMAN.

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NEWS BLOODSTOCK & SALES COPLOW was consigned to the December Mares Sale by Stowell Hill Stud’s Jeanette McCreery whose partner Bob died in 2016. She is also the dam of the Listed winner BILLESDON BESS who was bought here last year for 800,000 guineas by James Wigan on behalf of Erdenheim Farm. COPLOW’s siblings include the Group winners ANNA NERIUM, MIDDLE CLUB and PIPING HOT.

WILDCARD BIG BROTHERS PRIDE SELLS FOR 975,000 GUINEAS BIG BROTHERS PRIDE, who was a wildcard entry to the Tattersalls December Mares Sale, was purchased by BBA Ireland’s Eamonn Reilly for 975,000 guineas after he saw off the determined effort of Northern Farms’ Shunsuke Yoshida.

The three-year-old daughter of INVINCIBLE SPIRIT was consigned by Tweenhills Farm & Stud and is a half-sister to the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest winner POLYDREAM. Hailing from a ‘Wertheimer’ family, the filly is out of the Grade 3 placed GREEN TUNE mare POLYGREEN.

MERRY FOX SECURE SHAMBOLIC FOR 800,000 GUINEAS The SHAMARDAL mare SHAMBOLIC, who was placed in three Listed races and fourth in the Group 1 Fillies’ Mile, was purchased by Hadden Bloodstock for 800,000 guineas.

SHAMBOLIC is a half-sister to the dual Grade 1 winner LAUGHING as well as the Champion Hong Kong older horse COMIC STRIP whose victories include the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

She was sold by Highclere Stud on behalf of Floors Stud, the 10th Duke of Roxburghe having died in August.

JUDDMONTE FARMS DRAFT THE HIGHLIGHT ON DAY 3 OF TATTERSALLS DECEMBER MARES SALE

IBRAHIM ARACI BUYS GUERRIERE FOR 825,000 GUINEAS Turkish owner breeder Ibrahim Araci has been busy at the December Mares Sale, buying six lots so far for 2,235,000 guineas headlined by the INVINCIBLE SPIRIT mare GUERRIERE at 825,000 guineas.

The Listed placed five-year-old was consigned

by European Sales Management in foal to LOPE DE VEGA and is a half-sister to the Group 3 Prix d’Aumale winner SOUSTRACTION and the Listed Prix Matchem winner MATEMATICA, both of whom were also placed in Group 1 races.

GUERRIERE was knocked down to Araci, who was sitting next to his daughter Pinar and bloodstock advisor Rob Speers.

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The Juddmonte Farms consignment is normally the highlight of the third day of the Tattersalls December Mares Sale and the draft of fillies from the leading nursery did not disappoint, realising 2,809,000 guineas for the 24 lots sold.

Aquis buys Time Saver for 750,000 guineas The leading light for the Juddmonte draft was the FRANKEL filly TIME SAVER who was knocked down to agent Demi O’Byrne for 750,000 guineas.

O’Byrne secured the filly after a prolonged battle with Blandford Bloodstock’s Richard Brown and eventual underbidder Timmy Hyde, stood with Paul Shanahan.

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BLOODSTOCK & SALES NEWS TIME SAVER is a half-sister to the Group 1 winners TIMEPIECE and PASSAGE OF TIME, herself the dam of Group 2 winner and sire TIME TEST. She is also a half-sibling to the Group 2 winner FATHER TIME and to the Listed winner CONTINUUM. The family also includes the Champion and four-time Group 1 winner TWICE OVER. Aquis Farm is owned by the Hong Kongbased Fung family. The farm was established in 2015 initially at Canungra in Queensland and at Seymour in Victoria. In 2017, Aquis took over the management of Emirates Park in New South Wales. It now stands 14 stallions, has a broodmare band numbering 186 mares and over 150 horses in training.

BLANDFORD STRIKE FOR WILD RYE AT 300,000 GUINEAS Blandford Bloodstock’s Richard Brown got some recompense for missing out on the purchase of TIME SAVER by purchasing the next two lots through the ring including WILD RYE for 300,000 guineas. The three-year-old daughter of BATED BREATH is a sister to the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris winner ZAMBEZI SUN and also caught the attention of Jono Mills and Hugo Lascelles.

WILD RYE’s pedigree had received a timely update subsequent to cataloguing with her half-sister SHARED ACCOUNT now the dam of Group 3 Prix des Reservoirs winner POCKET SQUARE.

NEWTOWN ANNER SECURE OBOE FOR 290,000 GUINEAS There was plenty of North American interest in the MIZZEN MAST filly OBOE with agent Jim Schenck and Denali Stud’s Conrad Bandaroff both making bold bids to secure the winning daughter of the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks winner FLUTE. However the pair were no match for BBA Ireland’s Eamonn Reilly who secured the three-year-old for 290,000 guineas on behalf of Newtown Anner Stud.

An EMPIRE MAKER half-sister to OBOE, ENTWINE is the dam of this year’s Group 3 Nell Gwyn Stakes winner and 1,000 Guineas third QABALA.

TWO MILLIONNAIRE MARES ON DAY 1 OF ARQANA BREEDING STOCK SALE A quality catalogue had drawn the who’s who of international breeding to a Christmassy Deauville for the Breeding Stock Sale, and that winning combination resulted in a very strong set of figures.

Last year’s record-breaking turnover was surpassed, with the 163 fillies, mares and foals on offer grossing €22,997,000 and the clearance rate took a 4 point leap for 82%. Only the average price took a slight dip while remaining a healthy €141,086 (-6%).

FRANKEL MARE HAS TOO DARN HOT DATE The excitement in the air was palpable when it came to FRANKEL LIGHT (lot 153)’s turn in the ring, which eventually saw her knocked down for €1.3 million. Offered by Haras du Mezeray carrying her first foal by Dark Angel, the Listed winning daughter of Frankel is a half-sister to this season’s Australian Group winner LE JUGE from the Niarchos family of Group 1 scorers AVIANCE, CHIMES OF FREEDOM, WAR OF WILL and PATHFORK. It was Charlie Gordon-Watson that had the final say in company with Watership Down Stud’s manager Simon Marsh who commented: “We’ve bought her for Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s Watership Down Stud and she’ll go to Too Darn Hot next year. We’re delighted to have got her as she’s from a great family.”

Frankel Light’s dam MAMBO LIGHT (lot 212) was another star of the catalogue and was brought to the ring by Haras d’Ombreville. Raced like her daughter by Rashit Shaykhutdinov, the daughter of Kingmambo carried a Sea The Stars covering around the ring and was initially led out unsold until Bob Scarborough secured her for €725,000 through BBA Ireland’s Adrian Nicoll.

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DAY TWO SUMMARY An ebullient sales ring populated with breeders from all around Europe as well as America, Australia or Japan saw the figures on the second day of the Breeding Stock Sale post impressive gains from the same session a year ago. The aggregate for the 204 horses to change hands was €7,040,500 representing a 32% hike, while the average price of €34,512 increased by 30%. The clearance rate of 78% was also up 4.5 points from 2018.

11 fillies, mares and foals reached or exceeded the six figure mark, a feat only achieved by 4 individuals last year.

CITATION ONE FOR BLACKSTONE FARM Buyers gathered around the ring for CITATION ONE (lot 352), a daughter of Oasis Dream in foal to Mastercraftsman from Coulonces Sales. Bidding from the restaurant, it was the American Christian Black (Blackstone Farm) that went to €200,000 to secure the daughter of dual Listed winner CHANTRA, also a half-sister to Group winner CALYXA. There was a notably relentless apetite for foals, with the 66 heads to sell commanding €38,288 on average, up 38%.

ARQANA’S BREEDING STOCK SALE CONCLUDES The fourth and final session of the 2019 Breeding Stock Sale catered for National Hunt stock and returned an aggregate of €2,308,500 for 122 head sold at an average price of €18,922. Comparisons with the same session in 2018 are not relevant as it featured the dispersal of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede’s breeding stock, which saw 21 fillies and mares sell for a cumulated €1,287,500.

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FRENCH NH GROUP WINNER A MI MANERA AND ROYALE JOANA HAS HEADING TO IRELAND Bought as a Store at the Summer Sale by François Nicolle, for whom she went on to perform at the highest level over jumps in the colours of JeanClaude Rouget, A MI MANERA (lot 971) returned to the ring once again today. The winner of the Grand Steeple-Chase de Compiègne, the daughter of Great Pretender also took the Prix Andre Michel.

Very well bred and a half-sister to the talented FIXE LE KAP, she hails from the family of the excellent KOTKIJET, KOTKITA and KOTKIKOVA. Bidding against Bertrand Le Metayer, Nicolas Bertran de Balanda (NBB Racing) had the winning bid at €120,000. He said: « She’s a lovely filly, expressive and with lots of class. She was very consistent during her racing career and has a lovely pedigree. She’ll go to stud in Ireland ».

She might travel in company with ROYALE JOANA HAS (lot 1038), who was knocked down for €105,000 to Richard Venn acting on behalf of Kieran Mariga’s Coolmara Stables. The very final lot to walk through the ring, the daughter of Martaline won this year’s Prix Hopper for owner-breeder Hamel Stud and trainer Guillaume Macaire.

SILVERWAVE TO STAND AT STUD IN IRELAND Three stallions opened today’s session, the final day of the Breeding Stock Sale. The first to go under the hammer was the talented SILVERWAVE (lot 828), for whom the Deauville sales ring is not unknown.

After a long career which includes several Group wins of which the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, the son of Silver Frost, offered from Haras des Capucines, will now go to Ireland.

Other highlights of the day included the Listed winner over jumps NATURELLE (lot 877), who went to Frédéric Sauque for €85,000, having been consigned by Haras du Mézeray carrying her first foal by Authorized. Guy Petit ended the day as leading buyer with 10 purchases for €243,000,

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BLOODSTOCK & SALES NEWS headed by €70,000 BORN TO PLAY (lot 954), a young mare in foal to Saint des Saints consigned by Guy Chérel.

RECORD-BREAKING RENEWAL COMES TO A CLOSE The results from the four-day Breeding Stock Sale built on the 2018 record-breaking figures with 701 horses sold (a 76% clearance rate) grossing €34,426,500, up 3%, and averaging €49,111, up 1%.

FIESOLE TOPS TATTERSALLS ASCOT DECEMBER SALE The curtain came down on the 2019 Tattersalls Ascot Sales’ year with the Ascot December Sale concluding on an aggregate of £371,500, a median of £2,100, an average of £4,270 and a clearance rate of 62%.

The top lot of the day was the Warren Chase Stables consigned Fiesole (Lot 107). By the great Montjeu, the useful eight-time winner was knocked down to Oliver Murphy Racing for £35,000.

Lot 71, Strong Power a two-year-old winning son of leading sire Kodiac, offered by Godolphin was sold to Jack Stevenson for £27,000. The colt is the second produce from the winning dam Soft Power and is closely related to Champion older sprinter in Europe and ten-time winner SLADE POWER. The third Lot of the day to realise in excess of £20,000 was the Bankhouse Stables consigned Shantaluze (Lot 108). The son of the great Shantou is a three-time winner and was knocked down to Donald McCain Racing for £20,000.

SOLDIER OF FORTUNE COLT FOAL TOPS DAY 1 OF GOFFS DECEMBER NATIONAL HUNT SALE A son of Soldier Of Fortune (Lot 206 - pictured) took top billing on a solid first day at Goffs December National Hunt Sale as the first foal out of the Flemensfirth mare Brog Beanri, who is herself

Image supplied by Goffs

out of Grade 2 winner Brogella and is a sister to two Grade 1 performers in Swamp Fox and Rene’s Girl, was sold by Garryrichard Stud to Park Farm for €72,000.

Turnover, average and median all recorded rises over the opening day in 2018, while clearance rate was up by one point to 68% which was notable given the larger catalogue this year.

Other highlights of today’s trade included Ballyshannon Stud’s Mastercraftsman half-brother to the Grade 2 winners Shantou Village and Portrush Ted (Lot 94) that was bought by Peter Nolan Bloodstock for €68,000. Peter Molony of Rathmore Stud acquired another two of the day’s top lots in Lot 208, a daughter of Milan out of the multiple Graded placed mare Burn And Turn from Carrols Grove Stables for €54,000, and Lot 156, Glen Stables’ Westerner half-brother to the Grade 2 placed Stand Up And Fight out of a sister to Grade 2 winner The Hurl that sold for €52,000.

MASAR AND TOO DARN HOT TO STAND AT DALHAM HALL STUD Two of the most exciting horses of recent years, Too Darn Hot and Masar, will stand their first seasons in 2020 at Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket, alongside their own outstanding sires Dubawi and New Approach.

Too Darn Hot established himself as a horse with huge talent from the moment he stepped onto the racecourse, winning on debut at Sandown by no fewer than seven lengths. He returned to the Surrey track less than a month later and was equally impressive, landing the Group Three Solario Stakes by four.

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NEWS BLOODSTOCK & SALES Next came the Group Two Champagne Stakes at Doncaster and Too Darn Hot came with a withering late run to win far more easily than the length-and-three-quarter margin would suggest.

Too Darn Hot then confirmed his status as Champion two-year-old, and rounded off a perfect juvenile campaign, when beating a high-class field containing the future Group One Commonwealth Cup and the future Derby winner in the Group One Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket.

Placings in the Group One Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes followed at three, before he recorded a scintillating victory in the Group One Prix Jean Prat at Deauville.

Too Darn Hot rounded off his glittering career when bettering his older rivals to take the Group One Sussex Stakes.

Bred by Watership Down Stud, Too Darn Hot hails from an outstanding family. He is out of Singspiel’s globetrotting multiple Group One winner Dar Re Mi, making him a full brother to St Leger second Lah Ti Dar and multiple Stakes winner So Mi Dar. His two-year-old full brother was the highest-priced yearling to sell in Europe last year, going to David Redvers for 3.5 million guineas at Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1.

Simon Marsh, Racing Manager for Watership Down Stud, said, “When we set out to create Watership Down Stud with the purchase of Darara, we wanted to breed the best.

Too Darn Hot comprises everything the Lloyd Webbers set out to achieve. He has taken us all on an incredible journey and has everything you want in a stallion - talent, precocity, pedigree and looks.”.

Too Darn Hot will be joined by another beautifully bred horse in Masar, who it could be said was always destined for Classic success.

The son of New Approach also broke his maiden at the first time of asking, beating Group Twowinning sprinter Invincible Army over six furlongs at Goodwood.

After placing in the Chesham at Royal Ascot, Masar won the Group Three Solario Stakes next time out –in a faster time than Too Darn Hot’s victory the following year.

Masar returned to the UK at three with a ninelength demolition of the field in the Craven (ahead

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of Roaring Lion, who he beat each and every time they met), before running another fine race to take third in the 2,000 Guineas.

The following month, he ensured his place in racing history when becoming the first horse to carry the Godolphin blue silks to victory in the Derby.

He also became the third Derby winner from the Urban Sea dynasty, after Galileo and Sea The Stars, and followed in his sire and grandsire’s footsteps by taking this coveted race.

Sam Bullard, Director of Stallions said, “It is an honour to stand a horse of the quality of Masar. He won the race we all strive to win but had the speed to beat a Group Two-winning sprinter on his sixfurlong debut before going on to win the Group Three Solario Stakes.

“He became the first Derby winner to wear the Godolphin blue and beat Champion Roaring Lion all three times they met. From one of the best families in the Studbook, he had a higher juvenile rating than his illustrious relatives Galileo and Sea The Stars. Prudent breeders will have him on their list” Fees for Too Darn Hot and Masar will be announced at a later date.

DARLEY STALLION NIGHT OF THUNDER RETURNING TO KILDANGAN Night Of Thunder, who had enjoyed an outstanding start to his stud career, with66% winners to runners, is to rejoin the Darley roster at Kildangan Stud for 2020.

The son of Dubawi, a winner of the Qipco 2,000 Guineas and Lockinge Stakes on the racetrack, has produced 25 winners from just 38 runners to date – making him the leading freshman sire and delivering a strike rate better than any other stallion in the northern hemisphere.

Night Of Thunder’s first crop include Group winner Under The Stars, unbeaten Listed winner Thunderous and fellow Black Type winner Molatham, plus three further Stakes performers.

Night Of Thunder has unsurprisingly proved popular at the sales this year, with his yearlings selling for up to €423,000.

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BLOODSTOCK & SALES NEWS Sam Bullard, Director of stallions, said, “The outstanding success that Night Of Thunder has achieved with his first crop is testament to the support he received from Irish breeders during his first season. We are confident that his return to Kildangan Stud will ensure we are able to secure him a very good quality book of mares for 2020”.

PHOENIX OF SPAIN TO STAND AT THE IRISH NATIONAL STUD

purchasing and racing his offspring.”

INS CEO Cathal Beale added: “When our team went to see Phoenix of Spain, we all agreed he had the exceptional physical we had been looking for and we knew there and then he was the perfect fit for us.

“To then go on and win the first Classic at the new Curragh, on our doorstep, was fantastic. There will be a limited number of shares available in him and a fee will be announced shortly.”

2,000 GUINEAS WINNER MAGNA GRECIA RETIRED TO STUD

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The Irish National Stud has announced that this year’s Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Phoenix of Spain is to join its stallion roster for the 2020 covering season.

The son of Lope De Vega, made a big impression when landing the Curragh Classic on his seasonal bow.

Trainer Charlie Hills commented: “The fashion of his Acomb win told us we had a proper horse on our hands.

“Three weeks later his second to Too Darn Hot in the Champagne Stakes confirmed this. The Vertem Futurity was an obvious target for us after his Champagne run and he was unfortunate not to get the decision that day from Magna Grecia by a head.

“When he renewed his rivalry with Too Darn Hot and Magna Grecia my thoughts were confirmed when he beat the high-class field in the Irish 2,000 Guineas.

“I believe this was one of the fastest Guineas run in history. Being a Classic winner by Lope De Vega, given his strength, physique, character and acceleration, Phoenix must have an exciting future at the Irish National Stud and I look forward to

This season’s Qipco 2,000 Guineas winner Magna Grecia, has been retired from racing and is to stand at Coolmore Stud in 2020.

The son of Invincible Spirit is a dual Group One winner, having landed the Vertem Futurity Trophy last season, making him the only son of his sire to win at the highest level as a two and three year-old.

He subsequently picked up a hamstring injury in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and failed to shine thereafter.

Coolmore’s director of sales David O’Loughlin said: “Magna Grecia is a top-class prospect by the sire of Kingman. He’s got the pedigree and the good looks and he beat so many good horses in both the Vertem Futurity and the 2,000 Guineas.”

A fee will be announced at a later date.

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NEWS BLOODSTOCK & SALES

COOLMORE PURCHASE CRYSTAL OCEAN AS A NATIONAL HUNT STALLION Crystal Ocean, who was recently retired after suffering an injury on the gallops, has been purchased by Coolmore and will stand as a National Hunt stallion at The Beeches Stud next year.

The son of Sea The Stars has been a model of consistency, achieving Group One victory in the Princess Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot this June.

He was later embroiled in an epic race with Enable, just going down in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, before running second to Japan in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York, his final racecourse start.

Trained by Sir Michael Stoute, Crystal Ocean was never out of the frame in 17 starts.

“If you look at his race record, it’s quite amazing,” said Stoute. “He has a lovely temperament and was a joy to train.”

“We’ve been lucky enough to get some great horses over the years, but Crystal Ocean could be the best of the lot,” said The Beeches Stud manager Bobby McCarthy. “He’s a great outcross option for the many good mares from the Sadler’s Wells line.”

Crystal Ocean will join a roster that includes veteran Flemensfirth, Soldier Of Fortune and Derby winner Wings Of Eagles.

TEN SOVEREIGNS RETIRES TO COOLMORE STUD

Middle Park Stakes and July Cup winner Ten Sovereigns has been retired to stud.

The son of No Nay Never will join his sire on the roster at Coolmore in Fethard next year.

Having won the July Cup, Ten Sovereigns failed to build on that success and his final start saw him finish last in the Everest at Randwick, with trainer Aidan O’Brien believing the colt had failed to handle racing around a bend for the first time.

“Ten Sovereigns has great power and great presence,” said Coolmore’s David O’Loughlin. “He’s the second-fastest July Cup winner and the thirdfastest Middle Park winner of all time and is by a seriously good sire in No Nay Never.

“I have no doubt that breeders are going to love him.”

ADVERTISE TO JOIN THE NATIONAL STUD STALLION ROSTER IN 2020

Image supplied by Newbury Racecourse

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Advertise, a multiple Group One winner, is to retire and stand at the National Stud for the 2020 season.

Owned by Phoenix Thoroughbreds and trained

by Martyn Meade, the son of Showcasing was a smart juvenile, landing the Group Two July Stakes at Newmarket and later adding the Group One Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh.

Having failed to fire in the Qipco 2,000 Guineas, Advertise won the Group One Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, when dropped down to six furlongs.

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January 2020

BLOODSTOCK & SALES NEWS

Image supplied by Goffs

He then finished second to Ten Sovereigns in the July Cup, before winning a third Group One prize when taking the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville, in August.

The National Stud posted on its Facebook page: “We are delighted to announce that the incredible three-time Group One winning sprinter ADVERTISE will join our roster for the 2020 breeding season!

“An exceptional Group One winner as a 2yo, ADVERTISE cemented himself as one of the best sprinters of his generation when winning the Group One Commonwealth Cup in record time at Royal Ascot before defeating the older sprinters in the Group One Prix Maurice De Gheest!”

Cracksman and Waldgeist in the Irish Derby – and then beat Crystal Ocean and Stradivarius in the St Leger at Doncaster.

However, he failed to recapture that form as a four and five year-old, although he did win the Alleged Stakes and was fifth, not beaten far, behind Enable, in the 2018 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

“Capri is a fine big horse with a good head and a great walk,” said stud manager Albert Sherwood.

“He was a very high-class two-year-old and defeated all the best middle-distance colts of his generation as a three-year-old before again showing high-class form at four.

“We couldn’t be more delighted that he’s coming to Grange.”

FLAG OF HONOUR RETIRES TO THE NATIONAL STUD

DUAL CLASSIC WINNER CAPRI RETIRES TO STAND AS NATIONAL HUNT STALLION Capri, winner of the 2017 Irish Derby and St Leger, has been retired from racing and will stand under the Coolmore National Hunt banner at Grange Stud in County Cork for the 2020 breeding season.

The son of Galileo had some fine scalps on his record, including Derby winner Wings Of Eagles,

The National Stud has reveals that Irish St Leger winner Flag Of Honour is heading to Newmarket to stand as a dual-purpose stallion for the 2020 breeding season.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained son of Galileo, had his big moment when landing the Irish Classic in September 2018, defeating Irish Derby winner Latrobe.

“We are delighted to offer Flag Of Honour as a dual-purpose prospect on behalf of Mr Trevor Hemmings’ Gleadhill House Stud,” said Tim Lane, director of the National Stud.

“He ticks a lot of the right boxes for breeders; he is a Group 1 Classic-winning son of the great Galileo, and had the speed to win at Group level as a two-year-old before developing into a high-class three- and four-year-old.

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NEWS BLOODSTOCK & SALES “He showed tremendous class, toughness and consistency throughout his career. We feel there is definitely a gap in the market in Britain for a horse of his calibre.”

O’Brien said of his former charge: “Flag Of Honour was a very tough and genuine horse that handled all types of ground.”

The National Stud recently announced that crack Group One winning sprinter Advertise is to join their roster.

ARC HERO WALDGEIST RETIRES TO BALLYLINCH STUD

THUNDER SNOW TO STAND IN JAPAN FOR DARLEY

Image supplied by Dubai Racing Club

Dual Dubai World Cup winner Thunder Snow is to stand in Japan for Darley.

Trained by Saeed bin Suroor, the son of Helmet, was the only horse to win Meydan’s big race twice and was also a Group One winner at two, three, four and five.

Harry Sweeney, president of Darley Japan, said: “We are enormously excited for many reasons that Thunder Snow is coming to Japan. In Japan, entry into the Classics is largely based on racetrack earnings and Thunder Snow being a Group One winner on turf as a two-year-old will impress breeders.

“Furthermore, he was very consistent and won a Group One at two, three, four and five, another trait valued in Japan. And in the JRA, 50 per of races are actually on dirt so Thunder Snow’s prowess on that surface in addition to turf is another great advantage.

He ticks many boxes indeed.”

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This year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner, Waldgeist, is to stand at Ballylinch Stud in County Kilkenny at a fee of €17,500 in 2020.

The five-year-old son of Galileo, has now raced for the last time, amassing just under £4.3 million in prize money and winning nine of his 21 starts.

Trained by Andre Fabre for a partnership that included his breeders Gestut Ammerland and Newsells Park Stud, he was a Group One winner at two, landing the Criterium de Saint-Cloud. As a three year-old, he was beaten a short head by Brametot in the Prix du Jockey Club at three.

As a four year-old, he landed four consecutive Group race victories, in the Prix d’Hedouville, Grand Prix de Chantilly, Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and Prix Foy, before running fourth to Enable in the Arc. After slamming Study Of Man and Ghaiyyath in the Group One Prix Ganay, Waldgeist ran third to Crystal Ocean in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes – and filled the same spot behind Enable and Crystal Ocean in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Fabre gave him a break after that and he recorded victory in the Prix Foy, before memorably ending Enable’s long winning sequence in the Arc. “Waldgeist was a pleasure to train,” Fabre said. “He showed me early that he was very good, he won a Group 1 at two, and progressed all the way to win the Arc. “He had a fantastic attitude to training and racing, acted on any ground, and had a great turn of foot. He was very sound both mentally and physically and I’m confident that he has everything it takes to make a top stallion.”

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BLOODSTOCK & SALES NEWS Waldgeist will head toBallylinch Stud alongside the Lope De Vega, who also carried the silks of Gestut Ammerland’s Dietrich von Boetticher.

Managing director John O’Connor said: “The team at Ballylinch are delighted to welcome Waldgeist here to join Lope de Vega.

“We look forward to working with Dietrich von Botticher and Newsells Park to help develop him into another top-class sire.

“As with all new Ballylinch stallions, we intend to syndicate a number of shares to leading breeders.”

JUDDMONTE DOUBLES KINGMAN FEE AFTER PHENOMENAL YEAR

Juddmonte stallion Kingman, will have his standing fee doubled for 2020 and will cover mares at a cost of £150,000 at Banstead Manor Stud in Newmarket.

The hike comes after Kingman, a son of Invincible Spirit enjoyed a fantastic 2019, which saw him sire six Group winners led by this year’s Poule d’Essai des Poulains hero Persian King. Calyx and Headman.

Frankel is still Banstead Manor’s highest-priced sire at a stable £175,000 in 2020 – and he similarly enjoyed a stellar season, with daughter Anapurna winning the Oaks, while son Logician captured the St Leger.

The 2020 fees for Juddmonte’s other three stallions based at Newmarket were also announced, with Oasis Dream standing for £25,000, down from £30,000 in 2019, Expert Eye £17,500 (down from £20,000) and Bated Breath £12,500, an increase from £10,000.

Stud director UK Simon Mockridge said: “We

are very privileged to stand two of the most exciting sires in the world in Frankel and Kingman.

“Kingman has had an outstanding start, with a Classic winner from his first crop as well as Group 2 winners Calyx and Headman, Musidora Stakes winner Nausha and Hampton Court Stakes winner Sangarius.

“In 2019 the only sire in Europe to have had more three-year-old stakes winners than Kingman was Galileo. Kingman has had four stakes winners from his second crop, including Prestige Stakes winner Boomer, and his third crop proved incredibly popular at the yearling sales. Kingman averaged £317,933 for 59 sold, including colts sold for 2.3 million guineas and 1.8 million guineas at Tattersalls Book 1.”

He continued: “Frankel offers breeders the greatest chance of producing a Group winner of any other sire in the northern hemisphere, with a phenomenal 14 per cent Group winners to runners and 28 per cent black-type performers to runners.

“He is second only to his own sire Galileo in terms of Group winners from crops foaled between 2014 and 2017, and is Galileo’s most successful son despite having only four crops of racing age. He sired five Group 1 winners in 2019, including two British Classic winners in Anapurna and trackrecord breaking Logician.”

He added: “Frankel reached his tenth Group 1 winner overall when two-year-old Quadrilateral won the Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket, and she’s currently favourite for next year’s Classics. At the sales, his yearlings averaged £436,160 for 37 sold, including his highest ever priced yearling with a colt sold for 3.1 million guineas to Godolphin.”

Mockridge said: “Oasis Dream is Europe’s leading Group 1 sprint sire, a top-five active European sire by stakes winners, Group winners and Group 1 winners, with ten per cent black-type winners to runners. He was responsible for 16 blacktype performers in 2019, including Irish 1,000 Guineas runner-up Pretty Pollyanna (a two-yearold Group 1 winner in 2018) and Group winners Shine So Bright, Polydream, Imaging, Azano and Mr Ritz.

“A small reduction in his fee recognises this stage of his career and represents excellent value for breeders looking for a proven stallion.

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NEWS BLOODSTOCK & SALES “We await with excitement the first foals by Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Expert Eye. This son of sire-of-sires Acclamation covered a full book of mares in 2019, including 30 stakes winners and 73 black-type performers/producers = 97 per cent of his book were stakes performers, producers or siblings/ daughters of stakes performers.

“As well as being a Group 1 winner at three, Expert Eye was a brilliant, Group-2 winning twoyear-old, described by his trainer Sir Michael Stoute as ‘naturally precocious, very well-balanced, well developed and mature. You would say that he’s the best two-year-old that I have had for quite a while’.

“He has impressed breeders with his good looks and athletic walk, and as a fourth generation homebred we fully expect him to be the latest stallion success story produced by Juddmonte.”

Mockridge added: “This has been a breakthrough year for Bated Breath, with 12 stakes winners including Group 2 winners Space Traveller, Worth Waiting and Daahyeh – the last-named twice Group 1-placed including in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

“In siring three winners at Royal Ascot, he put himself level with Galileo and Sea The Stars, with just one less than the leading sire of the meeting, Shamardal. He is the best value sire in Europe in terms of stakes winners, and the leading sire standing for €/£35,000 or less.”

ZOUSTAR TO HEAD TWEENHILL ROSTER IN 2020 Southern hemisphere star stallion Zoustar, will return to Gloucestershire and head the roster at Tweenhills Stud in 2020.

The son of Northern Meteor will stand at a fee of £30,000, up from £25,000 in 2019 – and currently lies sixth in the leading general sires list in Australia having supplied six stakes winners this term, the joint-best tally with Pierro.

Zoustar’s first three crops of racing age in Australia have produceded ten stakes winners headed by three-time Group One winner Sunlight and Group 2 scorers Haut Brion Her, Lean Mean Machine, Mizzy, Zousain and Zoutori.

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Zoustar had his first season as a shuttle stallion in 2019 and received 149 mares at Tweenhills.

He will cover a strictly limited book of 125 mares in 2020.

Havana Gold, sire of Group One-winning sprinter Havana Grey, has had his fee reduced £15,000 to £10,000.

He was the sire of over 160 foals this year, with over half out of stakes performers or producers of stakes performers.

Charm Spirit will remain at Tweenhills in 2020 instead of returning to Haras de Bonneval in Normandy.

The son of Invincible Spirit, sire of Kick On and Yourtimeisnow, will also cover at a reduced fee, from £17,500 to £8,500.

Hot Streak, produced nine winners from his first crop of two-year-olds in Europe this season and his price has reduced from £7,000 to £5,000.

Sussex Stakes winner Lightning Spear, completes the stallion roster at Tweenhills and will serve mares in his second season at a reduced fee from £8,500 to £5,000.

A limited number of nominations and breeding rights in the Sussex Stakes-winning son of Pivotal will be available next year.

All Tweenhills fees are on October 1 special live foal terms.

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BLOODSTOCK & SALES NEWS

CHEVELEY PARK REVEALS STALLION FEES FOR 2020 Cheveley Park Stud has announced 2020 fees for its five-strong roster of stallions, with Ulysses headlining at £15,000.

The two-time Group One winner is impeccably bred, being a son of Galileo and Oaks winner Light Shift.

His fee has reduced from £17,500, and his first foals are set to appear at public auction later this year, in the Goffs November Sale and Tattersalls December Sale.

Pivotal, the source of 30 Group and Grade One winners, is set to stand for his 24th season on a private basis.

Group One winning sprinter Twilight Son, will stand for £7,000, while July Cup winner Mayson, sire of 19 black-type performers, will stand for £5,000.

Completing the line-up at the Newmarket farm is Dutch Art, who will stand for a private fee for the second consecutive year.

Cheveley Park Stud also stand Unfortunately in partnership with Springfield House Stud. The son of Society Rock will stand his first Irish season at €5,500.

Garswood, Intello and Lethal Force have relocated to France.

Cheveley Park Stud’s managing director Chris Richardson said: “Although our stallion roster for 2020 is somewhat reduced, I feel we continue to

offer exciting, classy, Group One-winning stallions, whose careers are still very much in the making and represent great commercial value.

“Our track record for making stallions is there for everyone to see, with Pivotal very much the elder statesman, imparting his class to younger generations. Twilight Son’s first yearlings were extremely well received at the sales, averaging just under £30,000.

“Mayson’s progeny continue to prove highly competitive, and we look forward to seeing superstar Ulysses’s first foals on show this autumn who will, I’m sure, catch the imagination.

“Finally, we look forward to Unfortunately’s first crop of foals next year, and we will continue to support him with our own mares, in his new home at Springfield House Stud in Ireland. We look forward to the future full of enthusiasm.”

ZEBEDEE PASSES AWAY It has been announced that the top class sire Zebedee has passed away at the age of eleven.

Trained by Richard Hannon, Zebedee proved a sharp juvenile, winning the Group Two Flying Childers Stakes and Group Thee Molecomb Stakes, before retiring to stud.

He was based at Tally-Ho Stud and sired plethora of winners, including the top class Ivawood and Magical Memory.

At the time of the injury, Zebedee was standing at Cornerstone Stud in South Australia.

It was reported that he sustained an injury dismounting from a mare in September which aggravated previously undiagnosed ataxia leading to his death.

“I am extremely grateful for the support that Zebedee received from breeders both here in South Australia and also across the country since his arrival in 2015 from Tally-Ho Stud in Ireland,” said Sam Hayes in a statement. “Zebedee was a beautiful stallion, with a wonderful character and placid demeanour. He was a farm favourite and his early departure has certainly been felt by those that worked alongside him on a daily basis.”

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ECLIPSE STAKES WINNER NOTNOWCATO PASSES AWAY Notnowcato, the horse that carried Ryan Moore to his first-ever Group One victory, has passed away at the age of 17.

The chesnut, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, improved with age as a racehorse, running in handicaps like the Cambridgeshire, before landing a first Group One in the 2006 Juddmonte International Stakes, when he narrowly beat Maraahel.

The following season he was in his prime, beating Dylan Thomas in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh.

But it was his victory in the 200 Coral Eclipse Stakes, that made his name. Under an inspired ride from Ryan Moore, the five year-old raced alone on the stands’ side, beating Derby winner Authorized and 2,000 Guineas winner George Washington.

A son of Inchinor, Notnowcato retired from racing to Stanley House Stud in Newmarket, where he stood for six years, before joining the jumps stallion roster at Knockhouse Stud.

His most notable progeny on the Flat are Redkirk Warrior, a three-time Group 1-winning sprinter in Australia, the popular David O’Meara-trained Custom Cut, Chil The Kite, Thanksfortellingme and Waila.

Over jumps sired the ill-fated dual Grade 1-winning novice hurdler Long Dog and the Bula Hurdle winner Old Guard.

Notnowcato suffered a heart attack while covering a mare at Knockhouse Stud in County Kilkenny late in this year’s breeding season, it was reported.

The stud’s Sean Kinsella said: “He had been hale and hearty and had shown no signs of illness while here, but he just dropped dead in the breeding shed.

“He was a lovely horse to deal with, with a great attitude, and from what we have seen of his young stock they have inherited those attributes. It’s a real pity to have lost him at such a relatively young age.”

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OBSERVATORY PASSES AWAY Observatory, who memorably beat Giant’s Causeway when racing wide in the 2000 QEII Stakes, has passed away at the age of 22.

The son of Distant View landed the Jersey Stakes and Lennox Stakes before running second to Medicean in the 2000 Celebration Mile at Goodwood.

But the John Gosden-trained chesnut reversed that form at Ascot, when he also defeated Best Of The Bests, Diktat and Crimplene.

Owner Prince Khlid Abdullah kept Observatory in training as a four year-old and was rewarded with success in the Group One Prix d’Ispahan.

His final racecourse start came over 10 furlongs when he was fourth to Fantastic Light in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes.

He then retired to Juddmonte Farms and had lived at Banstead Manor Stud for the past 18 years.

At stud his best performer was undoubtedly the Sir Henry Cecil-trained Twice Over, dual winner of the Champion Stakes at Newmarket and the Coral Eclipse Stakes.

Juddmonte’s UK stud director Simon Mockridge said: “Observatory possessed the most wonderful nature and character - he was an absolute delight to have around the stallion yard and even in retirement he played an integral role within the team.

“Our most enduring memory will be his stunning defeat of the ‘Iron Horse’ Giant’s Causeway in the QEII at Ascot, a memorable ride by Kevin Darley bringing him wide in the home straight for victory.

He will be sorely missed by all at Juddmonte.”

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January 2020

S TA L L I O N S 2 0 2 0 2019 FIRST FOALS MADE UP TO €120,000, €95,000, 65,000GNS ETC.

ACLAIM

AC C L A M AT I O N - A R I S ( DA N R OA D ) £ 9 , 5 0 0

N E W F O R 2 0 2 0 | O U T S TA N D I N G T H R E E - T I M E G R . 1 W I N N E R

ADVERTISE

S H O W CAS I N G - F U R B E LO W ( P I V OTA L ) £ 2 5 , 0 0 0

NEW FOR 2020 | GR.1 CLASSIC WINNER | DUAL PURPOSE PROSPECT

FLAG OF HONOUR GALILEO - HAWAL A (WARNING) £4,500

R E C O R D B R E A K I N G G R . 2 C O V E N T R Y S TA K E S W I N N E R

RAJASINGHE

C H O I S I R - B U N D I T T E N ( S OV I E T S TA R ) £ 5 , 0 0 0

2 0 1 9 F I R S T F O A L S AV E R A G E D O V E R T H R E E T I M E S H I S S T U D F E E

TIME TEST

D U B AW I - PA S S A G E O F T I M E ( DA N S I L I ) £ 8 , 5 0 0

N O M I N AT I O N E N Q U I R I E S T I M L A N E 07738 496141

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N AT I O N A L S T U D . C O . U K

HIGHLIGHTS A LOOK AHEAD

A LOOK AHEAD TO FEBRUARY HIGHLIGHTS

S

Image supplied by The Jockey Club

aturday, February 1st, sees Sandown Park stages its Contenders Day, with the Grade One Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase the highlight. In 2019, this contest went to subsequent Cheltenham Festival and Tingle Creek Chase winner Defi Du Seuil.

On Saturday, February 8th, Newbury stages its Super Saturday, featuring the Betfair Handicap Hurdle, the Denman Chase and the Game Spirit Chase. There will be Cheltenham Festival clues aplenty.

Saturday, February 15th, sees Betfair Ascot Chase afternoon, where Cyrname truly announced his arrival as a superstar last year. Also on the card is the Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase, a race which often throws up RSA Chase clues.

The same days sees Haydock Park stage its Grand National Trial, won in 2019 by Robinsfirth, with a card that also features the Victor Ludorum Juvenile Hurdle.

Meanwhile, the 15th sees Wincanton host an important Champion Hurdle trial in the Grade Two Kingwell Hurdle.

On Saturday, February 23rd, Newcastle stages one of the great staying chases, the Eider Chase.

On the same afternoon, Lingfield Park stages one of the most important all-weather races, the Group Three Winter Derby, won in magnificent style by Wissahickon in 2019.

Image supplied by Arena Racing Company

Image supplied by Tattersalls Ireland

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February ends with the two-day Grimthorpe Chase Festival at Doncaster. The big race, often a pointer to the Grand National, takes place on Saturday, February 29th.

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A LOOK AHEAD HIGHLIGHTS

MARCH HIGHLIGHTS On Saturday, March 7th, Sandown Park stages the Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle, with all eyes then turning to the following week.

Thursday 12th has another three Grade One contests: the Stayers’ Hurdle takes top billing, with Paisley Park having won the race in 2019. The other big races on the day are the Ryanair Chase and the JLT Novices’ Chase.

2020 CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL MARCH 10TH - 13TH

The 2019 Cheltenham Festival defines champions.

Tuesday 10th features four Grade One contests: the Champion Hurdle, Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Arkle Chase and Mares’ Hurdle on a glittering card. The big race went the way of the ill-fated Espoir D’Allen in 2019, while Buveur D’Air, the two-time winner, is injured. So there will be a new champion in 2020.

Image supplied by The Jockey Club

Image supplied by The Jockey Club

Wednesday 11th features another four Grade One races: the Queen Mother Champion Chase is the highlight, with Altior possibly bidding to emulate Badsworth Boy, the only three-time winner. Other highlights include: the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle, the RSA Chase and the Weatherbys Champion Bumper.

Friday 13th March sees the Cheltenham Festival reach its crescendo, with the Cheltenham Gold Cup taking precedence.

The biggest race of the jumps season, was won by Al Boum Photo in 2019.

Gold Cup Day has a tremendous support card, featuring the Grade One Triumph Hurdle and the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.

On Saturday, March 14th, Uttoxeter hosts the Midlands Grand National.

The month ends on a high note with the return of the turf flat season at Doncaster. On Saturday, March 28th, Town Moor stages the Lincoln Handicap.

The same afternoon sees the end of the Dubai Carnival, as Meydan stages one of the biggest flat events on the planet: the Dubai World Cup. In 2019, Thunder Snow won the race to become the only dual winner.

Image supplied by The Jockey Club

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