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By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Continuing our series, Emma Berry rambles on about cakes, why she loves Baden-Baden, and her favourite BBAG graduate. Horse of the year: Tamfana There is a certain appeal to the BBAG September Yearling Sale. Nothing against Tattersalls, Goffs or Arqana, but I've spent so many hours in their sales rings over the years that, to a degree, familiarity breeds contempt. Not so at BBAG, where an eclectic eve-of-sale singalong with 'German Elvis' and a decent selection of Kuchen are guaranteed for the one day a year on which I am fortunate enough to be reporting from Germany's leading sale. It's not just the cakes, of course, that make this a favourite. Being able to take in a decent couple of days' racing at the next-door racecourse at Iffezheim is an extra draw, as are the pedigrees on offer, which offer a refreshing departure to those more regularly found a bit closer to home. There's a fine line to be drawn when it comes to putting in vital sales research and generally annoying consignors on their busy inspection days. I long ago worked out that it is better to pester a bloodstock agent and tag along on their rounds, hoping to gain an insight on what's in store once the sale begins while not being branded a tyre-kicker for going around solo and pulling out horses you have no intention of buying. My regular victim at Baden-Baden is Jeremy Brummitt. No better man to follow at this particular sale, especially if one can cope with his unique brand of humour and ferocious work ethic which ensures that he sees every horse on the sale ground. One brief lunchtime stop for Maultaschen at the stable cafe is permitted. Brummitt's diligence paid off particularly well this year when his €20,000 purchase in 2022, Tamfana (Ger), won the G1 Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket. I'd love to claim some kind of credit for this lovely daughter of Soldier Hollow (GB) but my only tenuous link is having been there when she was bought, and on the Rowley Mile to witness the unbridled joy of her owners in the Quantum Leap Racing & Friends syndicate. A vicarious thrill it was, too. The credit must all go to her breeders Gestut Etzean and Hans-Helmut Rodenburg, trainer David Menuisier, whose star rises year on year and, of course, Brummitt, the man in the hat, who declined to join the winners' photo at Newmarket but was nevertheless plainly delighted. Beyond the Sun Chariot, Tamfana has done little wrong in her two seasons of racing. A winner on Kempton's Polyrack on her second start last October, she made light work of the heavy going at Chantilly to land the G3 Prix Miesque as her two-year-old bow. Her Classic trial came in the G3 Prix Impudence on debut this year, in which she was only half a length behind Ramatuelle (Justify) when third, beaten a length in total. Those two fillies met again next time in Newmarket in the 1,000 Guineas, the form of which now reads very well. One length separated the first five home. Tamfana, who was blocked in her eye-catching late run, was fourth, with subsequent Group 1 winners Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio) and Ramatuelle only narrowly separating her from the winner Elmalka (GB) (Kingman {GB}). The Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Fallen Angel (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) was back in eighth that day and the Oaks runner-up Dance Sequence (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) was ninth. Third in the Prix de Diane, just three-quarters of a length off the winner, Tamfana got her head back in front in the G3 Atalanta Stakes as a confidence-booster prior to the Sun Chariot, and she ended her year with another Group 1 placing in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes when third to Charyn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and Facteur Cheval (Ire) (Ribchester {Ire}). There was some poignancy to her good year on the track as her sire, the former multiple German champion, died in May just a few days after the Guineas. Soldier Hollow did his bit to silence the doubters of small horses. Barely bigger than a pony, he was by the similarly diminutive and successful In The Wings (GB) and he was beloved by his owner Helmut von Finck, another of the country's leading breeders through his Gestüt Park Wiedingen, who regarded him as “the German Galileo”. Reduced foal crops are a feature of most breeding nations, but the shrinking of the Thoroughbred population in Germany is becoming of great concern. Stallions in the country covered only 629 mares this year but, still, Germany punches above its weight. Tamfana hails from one of the country's leading farms, Gestut Etzean, where the horsemanship of manager Ralf Kredel shines through in the presentation of his sale yearlings, which are shown in head collars with no bits. Recent graduates from the farm include Miss Yoda (Ger) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Palmas (Ger) (Lord Of England {Ger}), consecutive winners of the G1 Preis der Diana in 2020 and 2021. All of these factors combined made Tamfana my horse of the year in 2024, and I hope to be shouting her home again next year. One for next year: Seaplane I remain convinced that Golden Horn (GB) will eventually be represented by a Classic winner. Whether or not that will be Seaplane (GB) will be seen in the coming season but, either way, Paul and Oliver Cole look to have a smart colt on their hands in this homebred for Ben and Sir Martyn Arbib. His dam, Seaduced (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), has already provided the Arbib family with notable success as her first foal was Sumo Sam (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), winner of the G2 Lillie Langtry and G2 Park Hill Fillies' Stakes in 2023. Her next was the dual winner and 93-rated Sun God (GB) (Fastnet Rock {GB}). Stallion to follow: Ubettabelieveit It is easy to believe that this young son of Kodiac (GB) could get off to a fast start in the first-season sires' championship. Standing at Mickley Stud, which breeds plenty of winners year after year, including, most notably, Havana Grey (in partnership with the late Lady Lonsdale), Ubettabelieveit will be one to watch in the early skirmishes. He had some well-made youngsters at the sales who looked, perhaps unsurprisingly, as if they could be early sorts, just like him. His yearling average of just over £21,000 for 40 sold, was more than four times his fee. The post Horse Of The Year; One For Next Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Coolmore shuttle stallion Wootton Bassett (GB) sired his first Australian juvenile winner when Pallaton (Aus) bolted up by 2 3/4 lengths in the 1000-metre Shinzo@Coolmore Plate at Randwick on Saturday (video). Trained by Michael Freedman and ridden by Tommy Berry, the bay shifted off the fence at the 400-metre mark, split rivals inside the 300 and cruised past 3-1 crowd's pick Chergui (Aus) (Frosted) at the 100-metre pole to win going away. The colt now shares co-favourite honours for the G1 Golden Slipper with G3 Gimcrack Stakes winner Bel Merci (Aus) (Extreme Choice {Aus}). “We've had a good opinion of him for a while and he's has been very professional right from the first day we got him in,” said Michael Freedman. “He has a great temperament, just the perfect 2-year-old type and I worked him with an older horse earlier this week and he more than held his own and I thought if he brings that to the races you will see the best of him.” A homebred for Anthony Gow Gates, the colt joins his sire's 42 Northern Hemisphere 2024 juvenile winners. They were the first crop bred at Coolmore Stud in Ireland. Among them are 13 stakes winners, 10 group. There are four Group 1 winners sprinkled among them–Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf hero Henri Matisse (Ire), Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere victor Camille Pissarro (Ire), Criterium de Saint-Cloud scorer Tennessee Stud (Ire), and the Criterium International winner Twain (Ire). Added Freedman of the Wootton Bassett progeny in his care, “We have a few at home and they have a terrific constitution and great temperament. “I said to someone earlier in the week they remind me of back in the day with the Danehills, they had that relaxed and laid-back temperament and there is a bit of that talk around with a few of the other trainers saying the same thing.” The son of Listed Talindert Stakes victress Anevay (Aus) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) is her fifth winner. Anevay, herself, is a half-sister to G2 Todman Stakes hero Krupt (Aus) (Flying Spur {Aus}), as well as the dam of the stakes winner Poifect (Aus) (Pierro {Aus}). Fit To Lead (Fit To Fight), a five-time stakes winner in the U.S., was also second in the G1 Hollywood Oaks. Palladon is from the first Southern Hemisphere-bred crop of Wootton Bassett, who splits his time between Coolmore Stud in Ireland and Coolmore Australia at Jerry Plains, NSW. The post Future Looks ‘Golden’ For Wootton Bassett’s Initial Australian Juvenile Winner Pallaton appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
A leading trainer in his native Venezuela, Jose D'Angelo decided that it was time to “head to the big leagues,” and relocated to South Florida in 2019. After having GIII Sam F. Davis Stakes winner No More Time (Not This Time) on the GI Kentucky Derby trail this spring, winning his first career Grade I with Howard Wolowitz (Munnings) in the Aristocrat Franklin-Simpson Stakes at Kentucky Downs in September, and recording second-place finishes on the biggest of stages with Gabaldon (Gone Astray) in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot and Bentornato (Valiant Minister) in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint, D'Angelo has firmly established himself as a major player on these shores just five years later. D'Angelo's stable of approximately 100 head–currently split between Palm Meadows (85) and Tampa Bay Downs (10)–has posted a record of 752-137-132-103 (18% winning percentage) in 2024 with career-best earnings of $7,325,451 (through Friday, Dec. 20). He trails only trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. on the leaderboard at Gulfstream's Championship Meet after saddling four winners on Friday's card. “It's been an amazing year, I'm living a dream,” D'Angelo, 34, said. “All the places that these horses have brought me to in the same year–Ascot, Saudi, Dubai, Del Mar for Breeders' Cup, etc.–and they all ran so so well. You can be a good trainer, but if you don't have the right horses, you won't go anywhere. I'm trying to have the quality and compete at the top level here and all over the world. In this sport, when you take care of the small details, big things will come.” D'Angelo added, “We're getting better and better horses and every day is better than the last one.” Even the day after Christmas. Leon King Stable Corp.'s Bentornato, third after leading at the top of the stretch in a fantastic renewal of the G3 Saudi Derby at King Abdulaziz Racecourse Feb. 24 and a too-good-to-lose second at 28-1 in the Breeders' Cup Sprint at Del Mar Nov. 2, will look to go one better from a tough rail draw in the GI Malibu Stakes on Santa Anita's opening-day program. Bentornato | Sarah Andrew A winner of his first four attempts at two at Gulfstream Park, including a trio of stakes, the Florida-bred added this term's GII Gallant Bob Stakes at Parx Sept. 21 prior to his bang-up second at the Championships. “He's run some huge races this year,” D'Angelo said. “He ran his heart out in Saudi, he ran an amazing race at Charles Town (second in the Robert Hilton Memorial Stakes Aug. 23), he won the Gallant Bob at Parx and he almost won the Breeders' Cup against older horses. Six furlongs is really his specialty, but this seven furlongs for the Malibu–I think this track is very similar to Gulfstream's and that can help carry his speed. He just ran against older and that should be an advantage for him. He's doing excellent.” D'Angelo added, “He's a very special horse. Donato Lanni loved him and he's part of this horse, too. The owner decided to pinhook him–we bought him for $45,000 (OBS October yearling) and they sold him for $170,000 (OBS March 2-year-old). The buyers returned the horse though, so that's why he's named Bentornato. It means welcome back in Italian.” Stars in the Making… D'Angelo unveiled a pair of very promising 2-year-olds to 'TDN Rising Star' performances earlier this fall. Morplay Racing's 'Rising Star' Shisospicy (Mitole) debuted with a head-turning, 16 1/4-length maiden victory at Gulfstream Park Oct. 18, then was third as the favorite after dueling through fast fractions in the Fern Creek Stakes going 6 1/2 furlongs at Churchill Downs Nov. 30. Shisospicy | Ryan Thompson Hailing from the second crop of champion sprinter Mitole, she was bred in Kentucky by Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt and was produced by the three-time winning Into Mischief mare Mischief Galore. Shisospicy, a $100,000 Keeneland January short yearling and $200,000 Fasig-Tipton July yearling, RNA'd for $300,000 after breezing in :9 3/5 at OBS April. “She's such a nice filly, her talent is incredible,” D'Angelo said. “I don't know her limits yet.” D'Angelo continued, “When I ran her the first time, I didn't push her too much because when she works, she works so fast. I knew she was going to win, but didn't think she'd win by 16 lengths. After watching that, that's why we jumped her first condition and put her in the stakes at Churchill, where she fought so hard on the lead and got beat by two stakes fillies with more experience.” He added, “I don't know if she will go long, but the plan is to freshen her a little bit, keep her happy and sound and find the right spot for her next race.” Guns Loaded (Gun Runner), a respectable second on debut after stumbling at the start and showing good speed going seven furlongs at Saratoga Aug. 31, earned his 'Rising Star' badge with a powerful, front-running victory at second asking while cutting back to six furlongs at Churchill Downs Nov. 16, good for an 88 Beyer Speed Figure. The latter race has already produced a pair of next-out winners–Ain't No Disco (Catalina Cruiser) (third-place finisher) and Brodeur (Nyquist) (sixth-place finisher). Guns Loaded | Coady Media Gulfstream's Mucho Macho Man Stakes going a one-turn mile Jan. 4 is a potential landing spot for the $800,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase, who is campaigned in partnership by Morplay, Joey Platts and Lady Sheila Stable. “Our goal is to try to make the Derby with him,” D'Angelo said. “He's a Gun Runner. He's supposed to be able to go longer and I think he can do it. He's a smart horse, the kind that when he works by himself, he doesn't show you all of his class. When he works in company, he works differently, and that's why I brought him to (debut at) Saratoga.” One of 16 'Rising Stars' for leading young sire Gun Runner, Guns Loaded is out of the MGSP Bernardini mare Sky My Sky and hails from the extended female family of MG1SWs Nebraska Tornado (Storm Cat) and Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}). He was bred in Kentucky by John Oxley. D'Angelo's current stable star Howard Wolowitz could make his next start in the G2 1351 Turf Sprint on the Saudi Cup undercard Feb. 22. The Gold Square colorbearer and $240,000 Keeneland January product bounced back from a ninth-place finish in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint with a 'big bang,' nearly setting a track record for six furlongs in last weekend's Holiday Cheer Stakes at Turfway Park. He earned a career-high 103 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort. “He's very special to me,” D'Angelo said. “A horse with amazing talent and a character to train.” GU Racing Stable's Twirling Queen (Twirling Candy), a four-time stakes winner this term, including Del Mar's Senator Ken Maddy Stakes on Breeders' Cup Friday, will make her next start in the Abundantia Stakes going five furlongs on the Gulfstream turf Dec. 28, per D'Angelo. The aforementioned Gabaldon and No More Time are both expected to return to action for D'Angelo in 2025. An upset winner at first asking of Gulfstream's Royal Palm Juvenile Stakes, the overachieving $9,000 OBS October yearling purchase Gabaldon has been on the shelf since his second-place finish at Royal Ascot. Qatar Racing acquired a 50% interest (for $150,000) in Gabaldon following this summer's Inglis Digital USA July Sale. His original owner Soldi Stable has retained the other half. Morplay Racing's No More Time, last seen coming up just a neck short of subsequent GISW Domestic Product (Practical Joke) in the GIII Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby Mar. 9, suffered a condylar fracture of his left front leg during a workout in April while preparing for the Kentucky Derby. Bred on the same Not This Time x Speightstown cross as GISW Just One Time, the Iowa-bred brought $40,000 as a Keeneland September yearling. “They are both on the farm doing well and getting better for next year,” D'Angelo said. “Gabaldon is already galloping and I'm looking forward to moving him to Palm Meadows in January. No More Time is an amazing horse with a big heart and brought us to dream of the Derby. He was my first graded winner here (winning the Sam F. Davis) and I owe a lot to him and his connections for the opportunity to train him.” Father-and-Son Training Team… D'Angelo learned the ropes from his father, Francisco D'Angelo, who was also a leading trainer in Venezuela. His dad is now his right- hand man, serving as assistant trainer. Francisco & Jose D'Angelo | Ryan Thompson “I wanted to emulate him. My father was Venezuela champion trainer three times and I learned everything from him,” said D'Angelo, adding that his grandfather was a turf writer. “I won the Clasico Simon Bolivar–it's like our Derby–and I'm the youngest trainer to do that.” He added, “To do good here, you need a team. It's better to have two trainers than one. We make a great team here in USA. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to work with my father.” The elder D'Angelo, a finalist for this year's Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards (Dedication to Racing Award), presented by Godolphin, said, “I feel privileged that God gave me this gift of being able to work as my son's assistant. I decided to step aside as an active trainer to work alongside my son. All parents want the best for their children. I believe that I have had time to prove what I had to prove (as a trainer) and now it's my turn to play the role of an assisting father.” The post Enjoying a Breakthrough Year, D’Angelo Barn ‘Loaded’ Heading into 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Sam Agars WUNDERBAR - R10 (2) Classy horse can overcome wide gate and continue his march up the ratings Jay Rooney ALSONSO - R7 (6) No luck last start but should get a far better run from the draw here Jack Dawling DIVANO - R8 (1) Impressive winner last time out looks set to repeat from inside gate Phillip Woo BLAZING WIND - R5 (4) Can open his win account after seconds in two of three C&D runs this term Shannon (Vincent Wong) YOUNG SUPERSTAR - R7 (2) Honest sprinter ran third from a wide gate last start and looks the one to beat Racing Post Online DIVANO - R8 (1) Scored well over this C&D last start and can repeat the dose Tom Wood CHARITY GAIN - R6 (1) Covered more ground than the early settlers last start and can win hereView the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
One-time Melbourne Cup favourite Goldman has bounced back to winning form for the first time in more than 18-months when leading throughout to score in the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) on Saturday. The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Goldman last saluted in the Listed Roy Higgins (2600m) in March of last year which rocketed him to 2023 Cup favouritism. While subsequent preparations haven’t gone to plan, Goldman relished being in his favoured on-speed ride under Beau Mertens and out-toughed runner-up Grand Pierro in winning the A$300,000 feature. Muramasa made the best ground from last, while Smokin Romans battled on well after tracking the speed, but all honours were with the winner. Third-up and getting out to his preferred staying distance, the six-year-old son of Verdi ensured syndicator Darby Racing again remained in the limelight after a remarkable run through December. “I spoke to Gai this morning, and the only instructions were to give it a Gai Waterhouse ride – it’s pretty simple when she wants that done,” winning jockey Beau Mertens said. “They presented the horse in great order for me to do so and once I jumped and got to the front I had a very enjoyable time and built from the 800m. In typical Waterhouse fashion, they keep running. “Probably in the last 100m, Grand Pierro came up alongside and really tested him, but my bloke dug deep and was strong.” The win also held some personal significance to the in-form hoop, who emulated his late father Peter in riding a Pakenham Cup winner, with Peter successful in 2002 and 2004. “It’s unbelievable. Many years later, we (have both) got the job done, it’s always good picking off races that Dad won,” he said. Goldman has now won six of 18 starts, with a further three placings and amassed $640,368 in prizemoney. The stayer is a son of the Zabeel stallion Verdi, a half-brother to the multiple Group One winners Sir Slick and Puccini, who stands at Long Acres Stud in Canterbury. Prepared by Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, Verdi won three of his eight starts and had Group One potential before a tendon injury pre-maturely ended his career. Bred by the Smithies family’s Monovale Holdings, Goldman is out of the Montjeu mare Goldsmith and won two of his four starts in New Zealand for the Smithies and original trainer Tony Pike. Goldman was sold to syndicators Darby Racing via bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo following a narrow victory over 1600m at Pukekohe in November 2022. View the full article
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