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Paul O’Sullivan takes the good with the bad as ratings hike keeps Zac Purton aboard Spontaneous
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Francis Lui mulls over 2021-22 plans for Golden Sixty as star miler heads to the paddock
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Francis Lui mulls over 2021-22 plans for Golden Sixty as star miler heads to the paddock
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Hong Kong Derby hero Sky Darci ‘pretty close to being spot on’ as racetrack return looms
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Hong Kong Derby hero Sky Darci ‘pretty close to being spot on’ as racetrack return looms
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Chad Schofield chases a Fantastic five with the shining light of his ‘disappointing’ season
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Chad Schofield chases a Fantastic five with the shining light of his ‘disappointing’ season
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By Wandering Eyes · Posted
New year but the same old brief for Winter Watch, with the horses who officially turned three on January 1 set to continue under our supervision in the hope that the all-weather programme might yet throw up another Classic contender or two. Remember, Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) didn't make his debut until January 27 last year. We've seen plenty of interesting action since the last column before Christmas, and some interesting action we didn't see quite so much of because of the fog. All of it is going to take some unpicking so, without further ado, I shall wish you a Happy New Year and begin our review, starting with the debut of an aptly named filly who sparkled as brightly as the New Year's Eve fireworks… Surf's Up at Kempton The one-mile fillies' maiden run at Kempton the week before Christmas threw up a high-class winner in 2023–the subsequent G1 Prix de l'Opera heroine Friendly Soul (GB) (Kingman {GB})–and there's every chance the latest edition might have done likewise if the striking display we witnessed from Glittering Surf (GB) is anything to go by. Sent off the 11-8 favourite as seven runners went to post for the first division, the daughter of Oasis Dream (GB) made for easy watching if you'd backed her at those short odds. She was in front from an early stage, taking an enthusiastic hold of the bridle, before quickly putting daylight between herself and the chasing pack when shaken up entering the final two furlongs. Whilst the runner-up made some late inroads, Glittering Surf was still over three lengths clear at the line, seemingly with plenty in hand. Owen Burrows wouldn't be renowned for first-time-out juvenile winners, but Glittering Surf is the second exciting filly from the stable to have sparkled on debut in recent weeks after Shadwell's Falakeyah (GB) (New Bay {GB}), who earned 'TDN Rising Star' status when she impressed at Wolverhampton back in November. This filly is reportedly the first horse Burrows has had for former trainer Peter Winkworth, who bred her out of the Frankel (GB) mare Sparkling Surf (GB), a half-sister to the G1 Prix Vermeille heroine Kitesurf (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and the G2 Dante Stakes third Surfman (GB) (Kingman {GB}). Winkworth also trained the second dam, Shimmering Surf (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), before his retirement from training in 2011. She later won the G3 Pinnacle Stakes and was twice placed at Group 2 level when in the care of Roger Varian. Physically, Glittering Surf certainly takes after the distaff side of her pedigree, with Burrows describing her as “a big, long-striding filly”. She could be the type to make significant progress as a three-year-old. A Strong Stayer for the Boys in Blue Charlie Appleby had to settle for the runner-up spot in Glittering Surf's race with Pearl Of Hope (GB) (Dubawi {Ire})–a half-sister to the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains winner Victor Ludorum (GB)–but he was on the mark earlier on that Kempton card when Aegean Prince (GB) won the 11-furlong maiden. The first foal out of the G1 Prix de Diane and G1 Prix Vermeille runner-up Musis Amica (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}), Aegean Prince had shaped with plenty of promise when finishing third on his debut at Chelmsford back in November, an experience which clearly stood him in good stead when he found himself in a battle at Kempton. Unlike Glittering Surf's backers, you were made to sweat if you were on at 8-15, but the son of Dubawi (Ire) found plenty where it mattered to get the verdict by a neck. The way Aegean Prince saw this out suggests stamina will be his strong suit and he has the makings of a smart stayer in 2025, with a step up to a mile and a half, and likely further still, promising to see him to best effect. Gosden Bluebloods on the March When Musis Amica finished second in the 2019 Prix Vermeille, she was denied by that year's Irish Oaks heroine Star Catcher (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) who, coincidentally, was also represented by her first runner in the days leading up to Christmas when Star Of Light (GB) (Frankel {GB}) debuted in a fillies' maiden at Wolverhampton over an extended nine furlongs. Trained by John and Thady Gosden for owner-breeder Anthony Oppenheimer, Star Of Light was only the fourth choice of punters in a field of eight, suggesting she was perhaps expected to benefit from the experience, but she was ultimately well on top at the finish in winning by half a length. She was arguably value for extra, too, having made her effort from further back than ideal in a slowly-run race, before looking a bit green once produced to lead in the final furlong It was certainly a promising start to life as a racehorse for Star Of Light, who should be suited by a mile and a half as a three-year-old, and she wasn't the only regally-bred two-year-old from Clarehaven to catch the eye in recent days. Too Darn Hot (GB) filly Sandirella (GB), a half-sister to the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches winner Mangoustine (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}), shaped like the run would bring her on when finishing third in the maiden won by Glittering Surf at Kempton, while a half-brother to the aforementioned Too Darn Hot was also in action at Wolverhampton just two days after Christmas. The ninth runner out of the multiple Group 1 winner Dar Re Mi (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}), with the others including the high-class Dubawi (Ire) fillies Lah Ti Dar (GB) and So Mi Dar (GB), Mallorca (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) was unable to emulate those siblings by making a winning debut, but it's surely just a matter of time before he opens his account judged on what we saw of his first start over the extended mile at Wolves–and that wasn't very much. In front when the runners finally emerged from the fog in the final furlong, he was ultimately beaten a short head as the William Haggas-trained Merchant (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) finished with a wet sail to edge ahead in the final strides. Crucially, that rival had the benefit of two previous runs, so it was to the credit of Mallorca that victory for the odds-on favourite was so hard fought. One to Watch Showcasing (GB) colt Showering (GB) was another two-year-old from the Haggas yard to receive a positive mention in a previous edition of Winter Watch, after his successful debut at Newcastle early last month, and he built on the promise of that effort when attempting to follow up in a novice over the same course and distance on Saturday. Beaten a length and a half into second, Showering probably had an impossible task as it turns out, trying to concede 7lb to a Karl Burke-trained newcomer who looked potentially smart in registering a decisive victory, impressing with the way he put the race to bed after travelling smoothly into contention. The Watcher (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) is the colt in question, a homebred of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's. The third winner from as many runners out of the unraced Lope De Vega (Ire) mare Lunar Vega (Ire), he looks all about speed and should make a good-quality sprint handicapper, at the very least, as a three-year-old. Crisfords and Rabbah Racing on a Roll Speaking of high-class sprinters in the making, Good Banter (Ire) (Calyx {GB}) deserves another mention despite being off the track since his Wolverhampton win back in November. The form has worked out very well in the interim, with the runner-up, The Quiet Gent (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), and third, Don Pacifico (Ire), both winning next time. Southwell novice scorer Don Pacifico still looked a work in progress on his second run, taking a fierce grip through the first part of the six-furlong trip, but at the line he was an emphatic winner by two and three-quarter lengths. He is very much the type to go on improving as he learns how to race. The son of Night Of Thunder (Ire) is trained by Simon and Ed Crisford for Rabbah Racing, who also struck in the one-mile fillies' novice at Southwell on Saturday with Suzette Defoye (Fr) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), a half-sister to the G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin winner Simca Mille (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}). Bought for €260,000 at the Arqana October Yearling Sale, Suzette Defoye is bred to be suited by at least 10 furlongs and the way the race developed at Southwell almost certainly wasn't to her advantage, with the modest gallop putting the emphasis firmly on speed. In spite of that, she was an authoritative winner, by three quarters of a length, in a race that should throw up plenty of winners. Stable-mate Harpsichord (GB) (Ribchester {Ire}), another debutant, was especially eye-catching in fourth. The Next Mill Stream? A word, too, for Jane Chapple-Hyam and Peter Harris, who celebrated a pair of two-year-old debut winners in the space of three days. It began with 80,000gns purchase Casa de Salinas (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), the second foal out of the G3 Fairy Bridge Stakes heroine Waitingfortheday (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}), who followed Glittering Surf in winning the second division of the fillies' maiden at Kempton, while Kon Tiki (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) was arguably even more impressive in winning at Wolverhampton. Lining up in the second division of the fillies' novice, Kon Tiki completed the seven furlongs in a time over 2.2 seconds faster than the winner of the first division, Never Let Go (GB) (No Nay Never), only winning by half a length but looking value for extra given that she conceded first run, and experience, to the placed pair. Like Casa de Salinas, Kon Tiki was purchased by Harris at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, this time for 220,000gns. She is the second foal out of the G3 March Stakes winner and G2 Lillie Langtry Stakes runner-up Maid Up (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), whose first runner, Champagne Prince (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), won a Listed contest at Kempton last month for the same connections. Following the retirement of their G1 July Cup hero Mill Stream (Ire), Chapple-Hyam and Harris have a vacancy for a flagbearer in 2025. Champagne Prince could well be the one, but don't bet against an unexposed three-year-old, such as Kon Tiki, making the jump up to Pattern company. Winner in Waiting City Of God (Ire) Kodiac (GB)–Rare (Ire), by Galileo (Ire) Visibility at Wolverhampton was significantly reduced for the second division of this seven-furlong novice, but what we did see of City Of God was a horse desperately in need of the experience, hanging badly left when asked for his effort in the straight. The son of Kodiac was caught further back than ideal in a steadily-run race, too, so he did well under the circumstances to be beaten only two and a quarter lengths at the line, having finished well once switched to the outside. Trained by Karl Burke, he seems sure to improve with the run under his belt and will be suited by at least a mile. The post Winter Watch: Fireworks Through the Fog appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article -
Notwithstanding the above discussion, I thought young Floor Moerman showed good balance and judgement in her first win yesterday at Riverton...and over a trip too. But still not a local, she's from the Netherlands. -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
After on-again, off-again attempts to bring Rich Strike (Keen Ice–Gold Strike, by Smart Strike) back to the races, owner Rick Dawson has decided to retire the 2022 GI Kentucky Derby winner. Dawson revealed the news in a Facebook post on New Year's Eve. “I have entered into a P&S Agreement to stand Richie as stallion at Mountain Springs Farm in Palmyra PA w/ owner Rich Miller,” he wrote. “A final contract should be executed very soon & Richie will ship shortly thereafter. I personally plan to support Richie with several quality mares each season. GO RICHIE & OFFSPRING!!” Mountain Springs Farm is located in Palmyra, PA, and is owned by Miller. “This is more than a little exciting,” Miller said. “I don't know what to expect yet, but we're seeing that there's a lot of interest in him.” Miller said he was not aware if a stud fee had been set yet. When it comes to highs and lows, few horses have had careers quite like that of the chestnut 6-year-old. After running 10th in his debut, a maiden special weight turf race at Ellis Park, he was claimed for $30,000 out of his next start by Dawson and trainer Eric Reed. That was in a maiden claimer going a mile on the main track at Churchill Downs, which he won by 17 1/4 lengths. Five starts later he managed to finish a distant third in the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park, but earned enough points to be on the bubble for the Derby. Rich Strike only got into the race because there was a late scratch and he drew in off the also-eligible list. In a shocking performance, he won by three-quarters of a length at odds of 80-1. Rich Strike became the second longest priced horse to have won the Kentucky Derby after Donerail in 1913. Donerail was 91-1. The Derby was the last race he would ever win and he made just one start in 2023, finishing a distant fifth in the GII Alysheba S. Dawson said the horse was suffering from suspensory injuries, but he held out hope they could be healed to the point that he could return to the races. Meanwhile, Dawson and Reed parted ways over a dispute involving the rights to a movie about Reed, his father and Rich Strike. Rich Strike was turned over to Hall of Famer Bill Mott and more time was given for him to get over his injuries. This time stem-cell treatments were tried, but he was never able to get back to his self. He recovered to the point that Mott was able to work him four times this summer at Saratoga, but injury problems persisted and he was retired with a record of 14-2-1-3 and earnings of $2,526,809. He was bred by Calumet Farm. “I was approached about him weeks ago and we just kept discussing it,” Miller said. “It looks like there's quite a bit of interest coming from out of state. But the breeding program here in Pennsylvania is excellent and that's probably why they decided to come here. They approached me and I must have watched the Derby 20 times. I still can't figure out how he got from last to first. What a run. What a race.” Miller is a veteran Pennsylvania breeder, whose farm stands some of the best stallions in the state. The most notable is Uptowncharlybrown (Limehouse), who was the leading stallion in Pennsylvania in 2024. They also have, among others, Uncle Benny (Declaration of War), who was second in the 2018 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, and Enticed (Medaglia d'Oro), a two-time graded stakes winner. The post Derby Winner Rich Strike To Stand at Mountain Springs Farm in Pennsylvania 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
James Harron Bloodstock (JHB) and Tony Fung Investments (TFI) will partner for the 2025 yearling sales. TFI will participate in acquisitions for both the JHB Colt Partnership and the JHB/Michael Freedman Filly Partnership. “As the market continues to evolve, so must we,” said James Harron in a statement. “Historically, we've been fierce competitors in the sales ring with Tony and his team. However, given our shared focus on acquiring and developing elite horses to maximize on-sale value and build enduring stallion equity for our partners, this partnership is a natural next step. I have tremendous respect for the achievements of Tony and his team, and believe this alliance represents a great opportunity for all involved.” The two companies have previously purchased (separately) G1 Golden Slipper winners Capitalist (Aus) and Farnan (Aus), dual Group 1 winner King's Legacy (Aus), as well as group winning stallions Prague (Aus) and Anders (Aus). “When I first landed in Australia, I asked my team who was the competitor we ought both fear, and look to for inspiration, and my team unequivocally said the team at James Harron Bloodstock,” said John Fung, Tony Fung's son. “Over the November sales in Kentucky, our teams began developing the idea to combine our energies and maximize value for the foreseeable future. Today, I am thrilled that we have found our way to this exciting collaboration. I look forward to learning from James and his team over the next few years, and to all the opportunities which the upcoming sales present. I truly think that my family's future in this industry has been enhanced by this partnership.” The post James Harron Bloodstock And Tony Fung Investments Partner For 2025 Yearling Sales appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article -
I suppose you could look back at previous DHs and see if it's the same. Pretty delinquent if that is the case.
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