BOAY Racing News

Group 1 winner Onesto (Ire) has sired his first reported foals, according to a release from Haras d'Etreham on Friday. Haras de Saint-Julien, Haras de Bourgeauville and Coulonces Sales welcomed the first arrivals of the 2022 G1 Grand Prix de Paris winner. Said Anna Sundstrom of Coulonces, “She is a high-quality filly, very correct, with plenty of size and a pretty and expressive head. She is easy to handle and I am delighted with her, as are her owners who will certainly keep her.” Added Louis Baudron, “We are very pleased with Villanelle's filly by Onesto. She is elegant, well-balanced and displays excellent quality.” Another filly, out of Motivation (Fr)) (Muhtathir {Ire}), arrived at Haras des Capucines. The dam has already produced the Group 1 winner Rockemperor (Ire) to the cover of Holy Roman Emperor (Ire). Capucines also welcomed a colt out of Mintaka (Fr) (Zamindar), whose first foal, Cartiem (Fr) (Cape Cross {Ire}), won the G3 Prix Penelope and finished third in the G2 Prix de la Nonette; and a filly who is the niece of two black-type horses including Group 1 winner Odeliz (Ire) (Falco). Eric Puerari was pleased with the new arrivals and said, “We have had two colts and two fillies and we are delighted with them. They are very well-balanced, just like their sire, with strong physiques and refined heads. They are all foals with great presence, good conformation and plenty of character.” Lady Glenham (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), a half-sister of dual Group 1 scorer Russian Camelot (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), also gave birth to a filly at Haras d'Etreham. The stallion, who is standing his second season for €12,000 at Etreham, covered 120 mares in 2024 and is set to represented by approximately 100 foals, including the progeny of 62 sister of 100 stakes performers, 26 dams of black-type horses, and 23 black-type mares, of which over a third earned that status at two. Thirteen of his 2024 book were stakes winners. The post First Reported Foals For Grand Prix De Paris Hero Onesto appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

“An eagle-eyed former Timeform employee, Adam guarantees that if the next Notable Speech is out there, about to make his debut on the all-weather this winter before marching on to Classic glory, then he will spot him. No pressure, then.” Those were the words of TDN colleague Emma Berry when she penned her final Seven Days column of 2024, teeing up what was to come in the column introduced in its stead for the winter. Now, in this 12th edition of Winter Watch, we've reached the stage where it's time to put some cards on the table and deliver on the task which was set back in November: that of spotting the next Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), if such a thing existed. Step forward Opera Ballo (Ire), the son of Ghaiyyath (Ire) who must now be considered the closest thing we've seen to a Classic contender this winter. That would certainly be the view of this scribe–one shared by bookmakers if ante-post odds of 8-1 for the 2,000 Guineas are anything to go by–following back-to-back wins at Kempton, by a cumulative margin of over 12 lengths. If nailing my colours to the Opera Ballo mast really does bring any pressure with it, then thanks should go to Charlie Appleby and the Godolphin team for spelling out so clearly that this is the colt considered the heir apparent to last year's Guineas winner. Perhaps we're guilty of putting two and two together and getting five, but it didn't escape anybody's attention that the one-mile maiden chosen for Opera Ballo's debut last month was the same race in which Notable Speech had kicked off his career 12 months earlier. The result was a bloodless victory by eight and a half lengths, not to mention 'TDN Rising Star' status. Next up for Opera Ballo was Wednesday's “European Road To The Kentucky Derby” Conditions Stakes over the same course and distance, a race Appleby has now four times in five years, after this colt again emulated Notable Speech with a smooth defeat of some promising rivals as the 11-10 favourite. A shade keener than ideal through the early stages, Opera Ballo eventually settled on the heels of stable-mate Olympus Point (Ire) (Earthlight {Ire}) in second, before moving up to challenge the leader early in the straight. Towering over the tiring Olympus Point approaching the two-furlong pole, the imposing Opera Ballo then dipped under 11 seconds for the penultimate furlong–just as he had on his debut–as he surged clear for a four-length win.     They finished in a bit of a bunch behind the winner, but the runner-up, Hott Shott (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), came into the race with a BHA mark of 94, while Saddadd (Ire) (Pinatubo {Ire}) and Quai De Bethune (Fr) (Persian King {Ire}) each arrived at Kempton having recorded impressive wins when last in action. They had to settle for third and fourth, respectively. Certainly, there's some substance to the form, as you'd hope for a colt who now has only The Lion In Winter (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) categorically ahead of him in those ante-post lists for the Guineas. The majority of bookmakers now have him the same price as stable-mate Shadow Of Light (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), a dual Group 1 winner as a two-year-old when landing the Middle Park Stakes and Dewhurst Stakes. That suggests William Buick might have a decision to make come the first Saturday in May, especially if Opera Ballo can further enhance his reputation with another showstopping performance between now and then. In 2024, Notable Speech completed his hat-trick in a conditions race at Kempton on Easter Monday, but this year that fixture falls just 12 days before the 2,000 Guineas. A provisional schedule for that card on the Kempton website also shows no such conditions race being held this year. Perhaps the team at Kempton have made the decision to bring it forward in the calendar, so as not to deter any potential Classic contenders from taking up the option. Either way, Appleby will no doubt be keen to give Opera Ballo more experience, ahead of the big spring races which the son of Ghaiyyath looks like he belongs in. No pressure, though. A Taste of the Turf Some might consider this outside of our remit, but we're still in February and this is Winter Watch, so there's no harm in sneaking in a bit of turf racing from Sunday's card at Cagnes-Sur-Mer. One of the feature events there was the Listed Prix de la Californie, another race which had a top-class winner last year in the shape of the subsequent G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest hero Lazzat (Fr) (Territories {Ire}). Only time will tell whether Silius (Ire) can scale similar heights in 2025 after his authoritative victory on Sunday, but he's certainly bred to go to the top as a son of Dubawi (Ire) and the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac and G1 Prix Saint-Alary heroine Silasol (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}). He's the fourth winner from five runners out of Silasol, with the others including Fasol (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) and Silawi (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), both of whom were placed at Group 3 level in France. Silius was kept busy as a two-year-old when he won two of his six starts–as well as finishing fourth in a pair of Listed contests at Deauville–and already this year he's rattled off a hat-trick of victories over the extended seven furlongs at Cagnes-Sur-Mer. The latest of them was achieved by three and a half lengths from Kaadi (Ire) (Soldier's Call {GB}), just needing to be kept up to his work by Maxime Guyon to justify short odds with the minimum of fuss. Trained by Christophe Ferland, Silius holds an entry in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains and a trial for that Classic looks the obvious next step. At this stage he is one of five entries in the Poulains for his owner-breeder, Wertheimer et Frere, alongside the likes of Pacifiste (Fr) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), who created a big impression when making a winning debut on the Deauville polytrack back in November. He is out of the GI American Oaks and GI Del Mar Oaks winner Lady Of Shamrock (Scat Daddy).     One for the Shakira Fans It was back to our bread and butter on Tuesday when the all-weather action resumed at Cagnes-Sur-Mer, featuring another dominant front-running display from Prix du Jockey Club entrant Waka Waka (Fr) as he made it two wins from three career starts for the Jerome Reynier stable. In a near carbon copy of his breakthrough success over the same course and distance last month, the son of Dabirsim (Fr) was in front for virtually every yard of the 10-furlong trip, ultimately winning by three lengths eased down, having gained a decisive advantage when kicking clear early in the straight. The limitations of the placed pair are fairly well exposed at this stage–they came into the race having had a combined 15 starts between them–but Waka Waka did everything that was required of him in putting them to the sword in comprehensive fashion. He'll be well worth his place in better company when the time comes. The second foal out of the Listed winner Watayouna (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), he sports the silks of Michael Motschmann, having been bought by Reynier for €28,000 at the Arqana October Yearling Sale.     Amo Fillies to the Fore at Dundalk Spicy Margarita (Ire) (Earthlight {Ire}), who earned a positive mention in this space last week, was ruled out of a quick return to action at Dundalk on Friday after she was found to be coughing, but Adrian Murray and Amo Racing were still responsible for the winner of the race she'd been due to contest in Carolina Jetstream (GB) (Pinatubo {Ire}). Sent off the 4-5 favourite for what was a conditions event run over an extended 10 furlongs, Carolina Jetstream proved very well suited by the step up in trip as she followed up her maiden victory over a mile at the same track in November. At the line she was two and a quarter lengths clear of her closest pursuer, impressing with how quickly she asserted after moving up to lead entering the final furlong. Bought for 110,000gns at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, Carolina Jetstream holds an Irish Oaks entry and it would seem that she takes more after the dam's side of her pedigree than her sire in terms of trip requirements. She is the second winner from three runners out of the Sea The Stars (Ire) mare Queen Of The Stars (GB), who gained her sole career win over 10 furlongs. Queen Of The Stars, in turn, is out of Queen Of Pentacles (Ire) (Selkirk), a Listed winner over the same trip and a half-sister to the classy stayer Caucus (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}). This filly still has plenty to find to achieve the level required to be a genuine Classic contender, but she's certainly going the right way for connections who also won the one-mile fillies' maiden on Friday's card with California Dreamer (GB) (Mehmas {Ire}). She was a 1-6 shot to finally get off the mark and duly obliged by five and a half lengths, matching her peak two-year-old form which included a runner-up finish in the G2 Airlie Stud Stakes at the Curragh. Incidentally, the victory of Carolina Jetstream also paid a compliment to the form of Giselle (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who had this filly back in third when they met in a seven-furlong maiden at the Curragh in October. The winner is seemingly held in very high regard by the team at Ballydoyle, while the runner-up, The Palace Girl (Ger) (Areion {Ger}), subsequently sold for 1,550,000gns at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale.     Hey Boo Springs a Surprise Back on British soil, the crossbar has been taking a good battering from the Amo team in recent days, including at Southwell on Saturday where their Royal Ascot winner, Valiant Force (Malibu Moon), finished third in the Listed Hever Sprint Stakes. Expensive breeze-up buy Too Sweet (GB) (King Of Change {GB}) went closer still when filling the runner-up spot in the seven-furlong fillies' maiden at Chelmsford on Saturday, a race won by the Jack Channon-trained newcomer Hey Boo (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}). The first two were separated by just three quarters of a length at the line, though 16-1 shot Hey Boo was arguably value for extra, having overcome a sluggish start and a wide draw to win going away. Jonathan Mitchell's homebred winner is out of the Listed-placed Tricksy Spirit (GB) (Lethal Force {Ire}), who is now a perfect three from three since retiring to the paddocks, with the G3 Dick Poole Fillies' Stakes heroine Juniper Berries (GB) (Expert Eye {GB}) featuring among her two previous winners. Hey Boo was hooded for her debut but showed a likeable attitude and ought to do better still with this experience under her belt. Similar comments apply to Hugo Palmer's Miami Matrix (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), the winner of the seven-furlong maiden at Wolverhampton on Monday, at the expense of another Amo runner in Political Power (Ire) (Wooded {Ire}). Beaten just a length and a half when finishing third on his debut at Newcastle last month, Miami Matrix still looked far from the finished article at Dunstall Park, but he was always going forward despite wandering right in the closing stages, hitting the line powerfully with nearly two lengths to spare over his closest pursuer. He should stay at least a mile on this evidence. An 80,000gns purchase at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-up Sale, having initially sold for €48,000 at Book 1 of the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale, Miami Matrix is the second winner from as many runners out of the Listed-placed Duchess Of Danzig (Ger) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). His second dam is the multiple Group 3 scorer and G1 Preis der Diana runner-up Djumama (Ire) (Aussie Rules), whose other notable progeny include the Listed winner and G3 Prix Cleopatre second Samahram (Fr) (Sea The Moon {Ger}).     Winners in Waiting My Kinda Ghaiy (Ire) Ghaiyyath (Ire)–Mamonta (GB), by Fantastic Light The one-mile maiden on Saturday's card at Southwell had a promising winner in the Ralph Beckett-trained Run With It (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), while My Kinda Ghaiy also shaped with plenty of encouragement as the sole newcomer in the line-up. He was a never-nearer fourth, passing the post two lengths behind the winner, and it's worth watching a replay to see just how much ground he made up in the straight under a hands-and-heels ride. A 75,000gns purchase at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, he looks a useful middle-distance performer in the making, a half-brother to the G2 Lancashire Oaks winner and G1 Prix Vermeille and G1 Prix Royal-Oak runner-up Endless Time (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). Dancing Teapot (Ire), runner-up at Dundalk (November 22) since publication Padua (Ire), seventh at Kempton (December 4) since publication Marhaba Ghaiyyath (Ire), winner at Lingfield (December 3) since publication Safe Idea (GB), third at Wolverhampton (December 21) since publication Indian Springs (Ire) Spanish Voice (GB) Noble Horizon (GB) Dixieland Blues (GB) City Of God (Ire), winner at Southwell (January 17) and runner-up at Wolverhampton (February 18) since publication War And Love (GB), runner-up at Chelmsford (January 11) and fifth at Newcastle (February 4) since publication Cupola (GB), seventh at Wolverhampton (February 18) since publication Lady Lilac (Ire) The post Winter Watch: Could Opera Ballo Be The One? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Meydan's nine-race Super Saturday card features eight Thoroughbred contests, with several of them offering automatic entry into the big day in April. The G2 Al Maktoum Classic is one such race, with last year's G1 Al Maktoum Challenge hero Kabirkhan (California Chrome) signed on. Trained by Chief Stipe Watson and the very image of his dual American Horse of the Year sire, the 5-year-old entire was only eighth to Laurel River (Into Mischief) in the G1 Dubai World Cup last March, and returned to action with a seventh-place finish defending his title in the Al Maktoum Challenge on Jan. 24. “We thought we had him in good shape for his last race, off a ten-month layoff,” said trainer Chief Stipe Watson. “I think that he just got in the kickback and then he lost his action. I like the draw [9], a little wide, to keep out of the kickback. I think he will run a nice race.” Tadhg O'Shea and Bhupat Seemar team up with Imperial Emperor (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who won a pair of Meydan handicaps earlier this season. He ran second to Walk Of Stars (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the Al Maktoum Challenge on Jan. 24 and is looking for some redemption. “He's done nothing wrong,” said the reigning UAE Champion Trainer. “He's won two races and he was second in the Group 1. There's no Walk Of Stars this time, but Kabirkhan is a good horse.” Gun Runner's Guns And Glory, who races for Fitri Hay, could also be rounding into his best form and cuts back 200 metres in trip after taking a 2200-metre contest here on Jan. 31. “He is being thrown a bit in the deep end here having broken the track record last time out,” said Alex Cole, racing manager to the Hay family.  “I feel he's earned a shot at this level and on Saturday night we'll find out if he's good enough or not.”   Decorated Nations Pride Looms Large in Singspiel Godolphin's four-time Group 1 winner Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) appears to have the G2 Singspiel Stakes field at his mercy. After a productive American campaign that saw him run third in the GII Man O'War Stakes, second in the GI Manhattan Stakes and win the GI Arlington Million Stakes, the 6-year-old entire was unplaced in the G2 Bahrain International Trophy in November. He was a last-out ninth in the GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes on Jan. 25. “Nations Pride put up a strong performance over this course and trip in the Dubai Turf two years ago and enjoyed a productive campaign in the United States last season,” said trainer Charlie Appleby, who has won this race twice. “He is a multiple Group 1 winner and looks a leading contender if he runs to his best.” Godolphin also has First Conquest (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) entered. He is two-for-two over this trip in a Meydan handicap in January and in the G3 Dubai Millennium Stakes defeating Cairo (Ire) (Quality Road) on Jan. 31. “First Conquest has done nothing wrong so far this winter and came out of the Dubai Millennium Stakes in good order,” he added. “He deserves to take another step up the ladder and will have no problem with the return to nine furlongs.” Karl Burke saddles G1 Jebel Hatta third Holloway Boy (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}), who leaves from stall three under Danny Tudhope. The Nick White and Elaine Burke runner had only Hong Kong Horse of the Year and G1 Saudi Cup second Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) and the late Poker Face (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) in front of him on Jan. 24.   Jumeirah Guineas Up For Grabs The Meydan nightcap, the Listed Jumeirah 2000 Guineas sponsored by Emirates Holidays sees 10 colts and geldings vie for AED800,000 (€209,175) in prize-money. A clear head and shoulders above his contemporaries on ratings is William Buick's mount, 'TDN Rising Star' Ruling Court (Justify). That Godolphin runner blitzed a quality Sandown field by 5 1/2 lengths on debut in July, and was third to current G1 Derby favourite The Lion In Winter (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in York's G3 Acomb Stakes over seven furlongs in August. He is joined by Appleby's second string and three-time winner Hallasan (GB) (Pinatubo {Ire}), who is the only other runner rated over 100 in the 1600-metre affair. That gelding won the prep for this race, the Jumeirah Guineas Trial, locally at the end of January. The duo break from posts five and two, respectively, with James Doyle booked for Hallasan. “Ruling Court won impressively on his debut and put up another strong effort in the Acomb Stakes, when he finished third behind two nice colts,” said Appleby. “The plan is to give him one run out here before heading back to Europe for a Classic trial, and this will hopefully guide us whether we go down the Guineas or Derby route. On Hallasan, he added, “Hallasan progressed from his first start of the season to win the trial for this, with Al Qudra going on to frank the form by winning out in Qatar. He's a tough, honest horse who should be competitive again.” Saffie Osborne will ride her father Jamie's The Fingal Raven (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) in this spot. Third to Hallasan in the Jumeirah Guineas Trial, the colt leaves from stall seven. Among the six fillies for the Listed Jumeirah 1000 Guineas sponsored by Emirates Skywards, Godolphin has the 'TDN Rising Star' Mountain Breeze (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), who will leave from stall two. Runner-up at Newmarket in both the G2 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes in July and the G3 Sweet Solera Stakes in August, the filly was only eighth when traveling for the GI Natalma Stakes in Canada, but rebounded to win the Mawj Stakes (conditions) over 1400 metres here on Jan. 31. She handily defeated the re-opposing Spanish filly Octans (Spa) (The Grey Gatsby {Ire}), with Lhakpa (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) third that day. “We were very pleased with Mountain Breeze in the Mawj Stakes,” said Appleby of the Lope De Vega filly. “It was always the plan to come here before possibly looking at a Guineas trial in Europe. She has come forward for her seasonal return and looks the one to beat.”   Additional Undercard The G2 Dubai City of Gold features a trio from Godolphin in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf second Silver Knott (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Arabian Crown (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Passion And Glory (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) versus four foes. The first-named was third in a pair of American Grade Is in August and September and has been freshened since. Oxbow's Tuz towers over his foes in the 1200-metre G3 Mahab Al Shimaal sponsored by emirates.com. He is aiming for his fifth win in a row, and has captured the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, Listed Al Garhoud Sprint, G3 Dubawi Stakes, and G3 Al Shindagha Sprint in succession, the last-named race on Jan. 24. Turf sprinters test the Meydan straight course in the G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint, with the G2 Blue Point Sprint one-two of West Acre (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) and Ponntos (Ire) (Power {GB}) set to renew their rivalry. In the G3 Burj Nahaar sponsored by Emirates Airlines, 2023 G3 Mahab Al Shimaal winner Sound Money (Flatter) faces off against the equal-rated stakes winner Cagliastro (Flatter), who was third in the G3 Firebreak Stakes to King Gold (Fr) (Anodin {Ire}) last month. The post Super Saturday Tees Up Dubai World Cup Night Pointers appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Light Up Racing is pushing back against a New York Times article on horse racing with a message sent to its members Friday. The message reads in part: “A new New York Times article on horse racing has been published, and unfortunately, it follows a familiar pattern: misleading claims, outdated narratives, and a failure to acknowledge the industry's real progress. They frame the industry as reliant on subsidies while overlooking the hundreds of millions it contributes in tax revenue. They call racing a dying sport but ignore the record Kentucky Derby audience and the $2 billion invested in track infrastructure. They question safety standards, even though racehorse fatalities have dropped 27% since HISA's implementation, marking the safest period in modern racing. Misinformation spreads when it goes unchallenged. That's where this community comes in. With the Kentucky Derby approaching, the grassroots network we've built is more important than ever in ensuring that the real story of racing is heard.” Light Up Racing also included a google document with key talking points related directly to the article and encouraged readers to share it and “help set the record straight.” The post Light Up Racing Pushes Back Against New York Times Racing Piece appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Smarty Jones, the Pennsylvania-bred horse that captured the hearts of sports and horse fans across the world during his race for the Triple Crown in 2004, is the subject of a new 37-minute documentary titled 'Ride of a Lifetime: The Smarty Jones Story'. Following Smarty Jones being named a finalist for the National Museum of Racing's 2025 Hall of Fame last week, the documentary can be streamed for free exclusively on a newly-launched website. Filmed last year to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of Smarty Jones' Triple Crown run, the story recounts how he overcame a potentially career-ending injury and features new interviews with owner Pat Chapman, trainer John Servis, jockey Stewart Elliott and many other key figures. “Smarty brought so much joy to me, my husband, and fans around the world,” said Chapman. “Smarty gave hope, courage, and inspiration to multitudes after his recovery from a near-career-ending injury. He was the quintessential underdog, overcoming incredible odds and capturing the hearts of people around the world. I love the way that this documentary captures his story, spirit, and how much he inspired and meant to so many people. He truly took us on the 'Ride of a Lifetime.' I am also incredible grateful to the Hall of Fame Committee for naming Smarty as a finalist.  It is truly an honor and I am thrilled that he will be on the ballot.” Smarty is one of eight racehorses who will appear as a finalist on the National Museum of Racing's 2025 Hall of Fame ballot. Finalists must receive a minimum of nine votes from the Hall's 14-member nominating committee. To earn induction into the Hall of Fame, finalists must receive a majority of votes from the voting panel.  Results will be announced on Thursday, April 24 and the induction ceremony will be held on Friday, August 1 at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion in Saratoga Springs, NY. The post Hall Of Fame Finalist Smarty Jones Honored With New Documentary appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article