Wandering Eyes

It was a scorching piece of trackwork on Friday that left trainer and jockey in no doubt that seasoned sprinter Not Listenin’tome is ready to turn back the clock on Sunday. The eight-year-old, who has consistently placed in Group-level races during his five season career in Hong Kong, drops back to Class Two company on Sunday for the first time since 2015 in the Chevalier Construction Handicap (1,000m). Jockey Silvestre de Sousa said the 1,000m trip up the Sha Tin straight will be right... View the full article

Robert McNair, who brought the National Football League back to his beloved Houston and who quickly rose to prominence as a Thoroughbred owner and breeder from the mid 1990s and for the better part of a decade and a half, passed away Friday. He was five weeks shy of his 81st birthday. Born in Tampa, Florida, Dec. 31, 1937, McNair grew up in Forest City, North Carolina, and ultimately graduated the University of South Carolina in 1958. His wife Janice attended a nearby university and the couple relocated to Houston in 1960. McNair founded Cogen Technologies, a cogeneration conglomerate that he later sold to Enron for a reported $1.5 billion. The McNairs purchased their first horse in 1994 and purchased farmland from Arthur Hancock III that fall. In 1997 and now operating as Stonerside Farm, the McNairs purchased the entire broodmare band of Jack Kent Cooke’s Elmendorf Farm in 1997, including Halory (Halo), who would become the dam of $6.4-million Keeneland September yearling and GSW/G1SP Van Nistelrooy (Storm Cat), who Stonerside raced in partnership with Michael Tabor and Sue Magnier. Also among the mares they gained from Elmendorf was Mari’s Sheba (Mari’s Book), who produced future six-time Grade I winner and 2001 GI Kentucky Derby third-place finisher Congaree (Arazi). Other top horses bred and/or raced by Stonerside included the operation’s champion Chilukki (Cherokee Run), who is buried on the property and Country Star (Empire Maker). Soon after their entry into the business, the couple’s second horse, Strodes Creek (Halo), was runner-up in the 1994 Derby and third as the favorite in the GI Belmont S. McNair raced Strodes Creek with his Hancock III, the colt’s breeder, and trainer Charlie Whittingham. Weeks prior to the running of the 1997 Belmont, Stonerside purchased an interest in a Deputy Minister colt from Frank Stronach. Touch Gold would go on to derail the Triple Crown bid of Silver Charm at Big Sandy. Stonerside also owned a piece of MGISW Coronado’s Quest (Forty Niner). Despite the considerable success in the horse business, McNair’s heart was always home in Houston, and he made it his crusade to bring the NFL back to the city following the departure of the Houston Oilers for Tennessee in 1996. McNair formed Houston NFL Holdings in 1998 and a year later, the NFL awarded the franchise to McNair. The Houston Texans entered the league in 2002. NRG Stadium (the former Reliant Stadium) was constructed beginning in 2000 at a cost of $352 million and was the first NFL facility to have a retractable dome. It has since played host to two Super Bowls (2004, 2017). Having decided to turn his attention to the football club, McNair sold Stonerside and the vast majority of its Thoroughbred holdings to Sheikh Mohammed for an undisclosed price. Less than two months after the transaction closed, Stonerside-bred Midshipman (Unbridled’s Song–Fleet Lady) clinched an Eclipse Award in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and Raven’s Pass (Elusive Quality–Ascutney) won the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita. “Janice and I have loved every minute of owning Stonerside,” he told Daily Racing Form in September 2008. “But I have a duty to the Houston Texans now, and it has become increasingly difficult to focus on both ventures.” The final crop of Stonerside-bred horses included G1/GI winners White Moonstone (Dynaformer), It’s Tricky (Mineshaft) and Don’t Tell Sophia (Congaree). Bobby Spalding served McNair and Stonerside as farm manager from 1997-2008. “This is a tremendously sad day for me and my family,” Spalding, now farm manager at Summer Wind Farm. “When I met them, I was out of work. He gave me a big chance in life, and I enjoyed our relationship and really miss our relationship. He was a very special person, I’ve never met anyone like him before. He was such a big presence in Houston.” A noted philanthropist, McNair was a frequent contributor to projects in the Greater Houston area and has donated millions of dollars to a variety of institutions. In 1989, he and his wife established the Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation to benefit financially challenged students in Rutherford County, NC, where he attended high school. The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation was established in 2015 and has helped to create centers for entrepreneurship at several universities. Funeral arrangements are pending. View the full article

Former owner and breeder Bob McNair, who founded Stonerside Stable in 1994 with his wife Janice and owned the NFL's Houston Texans, died Nov. 23 after a battle with cancer, according to NFL.com. He was 81. View the full article

Leofric seized the lead in the stretch, then held off Bravazo late for a narrow win in the $500,000 Clark Handicap presented by Norton Healthcare (G1) Nov. 23 at Churchill Downs. View the full article

After a near miss in the 2017 Hollywood Turf Cup (G2T), when he finished second by a neck, Glen Hill Farm's homebred Chicago Style came back to his favorite turf course and won a photo finish a year later. View the full article

After making a sweeping move on the far turn, Princess Warrior showed she could close the deal at an elevated level when she captured the $200,000 Mrs. Revere Stakes (G2T). View the full article

Horses' test results November 24 View the full article

LEOFRIC (h, 5, Candy Ride {Arg}–Lady Godiva, by Unbridled’s Song) put the wraps on a truly memorable season with a doggedly determined defeat of an equally game Bravazo (Awesome Again) in Friday’s GI Clark H. at Churchill Downs. The 3-1 third choice behind defending champion Seeking the Soul (Perfect Soul {Ire}) and Bravazo, Leofric got the perfect spot in transit, covered up in fourth as Prime Attraction (Unbridled’s Song), just defeated by Leofric in the GII Fayette S. at Keeneland Oct. 27, cut out a solid pace on the sharp end. About the same time Bravazo was being stoked up by Joel Rosario for a three-wide run around the far turn, Leofric was given his cue to take the race to the pacesetter and the stage was set. Leofric turned for home narrowly in front and it appeared that Bravazo may have the momentum into the final furlong, but the 5-year-old gray entire, giving Bravazo three pounds, stiff-armed that challenge and stuck his head across the wire first. Seeking the Soul settled in the latter half of the field early on and opted for a run inside of a tiring rival at the quarter pole. He looked to have every chance at the eighth pole, but could not go with the top two and settled for third in defense of his title. A $330,000 Keeneland September yearling in 2014, Leofric was sold to connections for $100,000 as a racing prospect at the 2016 Keeneland November sale. Lifetime Record: 14-8-1-3. O-Steve Landers Racing LLC; B-Peter E Blum Thoroughbreds (KY); T-Brad Cox. Friday, Churchill Downs CLARK H. PRESENTED BY NORTON HEALTHCARE-GI, $500,000, Churchill Downs, 11-23, 3yo/up, 1 1/8m, 1:48.59, ft. 1–LEOFRIC, 121, h, 5, by Candy Ride (Arg) 1st Dam: Lady Godiva, by Unbridled’s Song 2nd Dam: Lady of Choice, by Storm Bird 3rd Dam: Chosen Lady, by Secretariat 1ST GRADE I WIN. ($330,000 Ylg ’14 KEESEP; $100,000 3yo ’16 KEENOV). O-Steve Landers Racing LLC; B-Peter E Blum Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-Brad H Cox; J-Florent Geroux. $300,700. Lifetime Record: 14-8-1-3, $951,040. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Bravazo, 118, c, 3, Awesome Again–Tiz o’ Gold, by Cee’s Tizzy. O/B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-D Wayne Lukas. $97,000. 3–Seeking the Soul, 123, h, 5, Perfect Soul (Ire)–Seeking the Title, by Seeking the Gold. ($37,000 RNA 2yo ’15 OBSOPN). O/B-Charles Fipke (KY); T-Dallas Stewart. $48,500. Margins: NK, 2 3/4, 3/4. Odds: 3.30, 2.40, 1.50. Also Ran: Prime Attraction, Hence, Hawaakom, Storm Advisory, Sightforsoreeyes. Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. View the full article

Leofric seized the lead in the stretch then held off Bravazo late for a narrow win in the $500,000 Clark Handicap presented by Norton Healthcare (G1) Nov. 23 at Churchill Downs. View the full article

Cleber Massey's Blamed ran to her 6-5 odds Nov. 23 in the $200,000 Comely Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct Racetrack, where she led the field through easy fractions, pulled away in the stretch, and won by just three-quarters of a length. View the full article

Exiting a better-than-it-looked fourth to Rushing Fall (More Than Ready) in the GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland Oct. 13, PRINCESS WARRIOR (f, 3, Midshipman–Sessa, by Consolidator) took flight with a wide run around the far turn and kept finding in the lane to post an upset in Friday’s GII Mrs. Revere S. at overlaid 11-1. Seventh, but not far from the front passing under the wire for the first time, the $60,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-year-old was guided into the clear from midfield as Cool Beans (Candy Ride {Arg}) took them along over the yielding going. Brian Hernandez Jr. let it out a notch with about three furlongs to race, and Princess Warrior loomed boldly four deep into the lane. Cool Beans cut the corner and was plugging on gamely, but she could not resist the run from Princess Warrior, who seized command with a little less than an eighth of a mile to run and held sway late. Get Explicit (Get Stormy) rallied to cut the winning margin down to a length on the wire. Winning trainer Ken McPeek told Churchill’s Joe Kristufek that connections were hoping for an invitation to the GI American Oaks at the end of December, a race won in 2017 by the McPeek-trained and now-retired Daddys Lil Darling (Scat Daddy). O-Evan, Matthew & Drew Trommer; B-George M Veloudis (KY); T-Ken McPeek. View the full article

IDLE HOUR (f, 2, Malibu Moon–Downthedustyroad {GISW, $291,708}, by Storm and a Half) defied her 10-1 odds in this unveiling with a decisive graduation at Churcthe Fair Grounds Friday afternoon. Shooting straight to the front, the $100,000 KEESEP buy ticked off opening splits of :22.15 and :46.42 and cruised clear in the stretch to win for fun. The winner’s dam Downthedustyroad, winner of the 2006 GI La Brea S., was purchased by Fleetwood Bloodstock for $1.5 million at the 2007 Keeneland January Sale. The 15-year-old mare’s most recent produce is a yearling filly by Curlin and she was bred to American Pharoah earlier this term. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O-Stonestreet Stables LLC; B-Grousemont Farm (KY); T-Brendan Walsh. View the full article

Looking to remain perfect at a route of ground, BLAMED (f, 3, Blame-Salsa Star, by Giant’s Causeway) was rated along nicely by Julien Leparoux, had a nice kick in upper stretch and held off a late bid from an unlucky Remedy (Creative Cause) for a three-quarter length victory in Friday’s GIII Comely S. at Aqueduct. Trained in New Mexico by Joel Marr through the first half-dozen starts of her career, the bay aired by better than six lengths in the Island Fashion S. over a flat mile in February and in the Mar. 25 Sunland Park Oaks the following month. Forced to miss the GI Kentucky Oaks with a fractured right hind pastern, she resurfaced in the Bill Mott barn and made a good deal of the running in the GII Lexus Raven Run S. at Keeneland Oct. 20 only to be run down late by subsequent GI Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint winner Shamrock Rose (First Dude). Sent off the 6-5 chalk while stretching back out to two turns, Blamed was allowed a fairly soft time of it on the engine, getting the opening half-mile in a comfortable :49.01 and six panels in 1:13 and some change. Shaken up at the top of the stretch, she opened daylight on her rivals and was home narrowly in front. Remedy bobbled at the break from the widest gate and lingered towards the back of the field early on. She began to improve her position, made eye-catching progress on the turn and was able to sustain a three-furlong run that nearly carried her to victory. Indy Union (Union Rags) was third. A $77,000 Keeneland September buyback, Blamed is the 11th group/graded winner for her sire and is out of a stakes-placed half-sister to MGSW sprinter Pacific Ocean (Ghostzapper). O-Cleber Massey; B-Sagamore Farm (MD); T-Bill Mott. View the full article

7.15 Wolverhampton, Cond, £5,800, 2yo, 8f 142y (AWT) Cheveley Park Stud homebred ASTROLOGER (GB) (Intello {Ger}) is an unraced daughter of G1 1000 Guineas and G1 Coronation S. runner-up Starscope (GB) (Selkirk). Her opponents include Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Alhaazm (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), who is a full-brother to G1 Irish 2000 Guineas-winning sire Awtaad (Ire), representing Sir Michael Stoute; and Sultan Ali’s Approach the City (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}), who is a Simon Crisford-trained son of GSW G1 Falmouth S. third First City (GB) (Diktat {GB}). 7.45 Wolverhampton, Cond, £5,800, 2yo, 8f 142y (AWT) Princess Haya of Jordan’s CASANOVA (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is a half-brother to G3 UAE 2000 Guineas hero Kinglet (Kingmambo) out of G1 Coronation S. and GI Queen Elizabeth II S. runner-up Karen’s Caper (War Chant). The John Gosden incumbent faces one dozen rivals, including fellow firster Rich Cummins (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}), who is a son of G2 Premio Lydia Tesio victress Claxon (GB) (Caerleon) and thus kin to four stakes performers headed by G1 Nassau S. runner-up Cassydora (GB) (Darshaan {GB}), from the Mark Johnston stable. View the full article

American-bred juveniles are prominent in the market for Saturday’s $172,679 Cattleya Sho (1600m) at Tokyo Racecourse, the first of four races in the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby series. Heavily favored in ante-post wagering is the California-bred filly Make Happy (Square Eddie), a $650,000 graduate of this year’s Fasig-Tipton Florida sale who carried leading rider Christophe Lemaire to a 10-length victory in a newcomers’ event over track and trip Oct. 7 (see below, gate 10). Racing in the colors of Kazuko Yoshida, Make Happy is a full-sister to 2015 GI Hopeful S. hero Ralis as well as MSW & MGSP B Squared. The early January foal is the 9-10 pick in the field of 14, though she and Lemaire will need to work out a trip from the widest barrier. Washington Tesoro (Curlin), a half-brother to this year’s GII San Clemente S. winner War Heroine (Lonhro {Aus}), has his fair share of admirers and was the 6-1 third choice in the wagering at the time of this writing. A $550,000 Keeneland September acquisition by Kenji Ryotokuji Holdings last fall, the dark bay was similarly impressive in his career unveiling, scoring by nine eased-down lengths from just off the pace over 1700 meters of the Fukushima dirt course Nov. 4 (video, gate 13). Two other U.S.-bred runners look to play the role of upsetter. Evacuant (Street Boss), a $130,000 Fasig-Tipton October yearling and $200,000 OBS April grad, also made a victorious debut at Tokyo, scoring by 3 1/2 front-running lengths (video, gate 1). Seiun Kobe (Congrats), an $80,000 Keeneland September yearling turned $150,000 OBS March 2-year-old, validated odds-on favoritism when graduating by 3 1/2 lengths in a 1300-meter maiden at Tokyo Nov. 4 (video, gate 2). The Cattleya Sho, run under allowance conditions, offers points to the top four finishers on a 10-4-2-1 scale. The series continues with the Zennippon Nisai Yushun at Kawasaki Dec. 19, the Hyacinth S. back at Tokyo Feb. 17 and the Fukuyra S. at Nakayama Mar. 31. The horse that accumulates the most points will earn a berth in the Kentucky Derby. WATCH: Make Happy romps in her career debut Other U.S-Bred runners of note this weekend: Saturday, November 24, 2018 6th-KYO, ¥13,400,000 ($119k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m BASIN STREET (c, 2, Curlin–Judith Basin, by Danzig) was a $72K purchase as a weanling out of the 2016 Keeneland November sale and fetched $110K as a Keeneland September yearling. Entered for this year’s OBS March Sale, the May foal breezed a furlong in :10 1/5 and was hammered down to Katsumi Yoshida for $250K. The colt hails from the extended female family of A.P. Indy, Summer Squall and Lemon Drop Kid, among others. B-Dixiana Farms LLC (KY) 8th-TOK, ¥19,950,000 ($177k), Allowance, 3yo/up, 1600m RAMSES BAROWS (c, 3, Curlin–Devious Intent, by Dixie Union) graduated in his second career start and first try on dirt last November (video, gate 6) and most recently returned from a three-month freshening to finish a very good third over this course and distance Oct. 6. The chestnut colt was a $425K KEESEP yearling and $350K OBSMAR breezer. B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY) Sunday, November 25, 2018 11th-KYO, ¥41,800,000 ($370k), Open Class, 3yo/up, 1200m MOLTO ALLEGRO (f, 3, Speightstown–Mo Chuisle, by Free House), a debut winner on dirt last June, has since won two of five starts on the turf, including a victory in listed company at this track this past January (video, gate 8). The $525K KEESEP yearling is a half-sister to the late MGISW & champion Points Offthebench (Benchmark) and GSW Bench Points (Benchmark) and makes her first appearance since March. B-Town & Country Horse Farms LLC & Frank & Kim Taylor (KY) View the full article

Trainer Mike De Paulo is hoping a couple of changes with Code Warrior add up to a walk to the winner's circle in the $175,000 Bessarabian Stakes (G2) at Woodbine, a seven-furlong sprint Nov. 25 that drew 14 starters. View the full article

It's a bountiful stakes Saturday across the nation, offering something for handicappers of all persuasions. View the full article

Don Alberto Stable and WinStar Farm's Battle of Midway will look to grab graded glory for the first time since his score in the 2017 Las Vegas Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) in the $100,000 Native Diver Stakes (G3) Nov. 25 at Del Mar. View the full article

Almond Eye (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) has certainly been the apple of the eye of Japanese racing enthusiasts this year through her filly Triple Crown sweep, and the 3-year-old will elevate her reputation to new heights if she can prevail as the even-money favourite in Sunday’s $5.7-million G1 Japan Cup, the country’s most prestigious race. Despite being from the first crop of the outstanding sprint champion Lord Kanaloa, Almond Eye has continued to excel as the distances have increased. No rival got within a length of her throughout her Triple Crown sweep, which began with the 1600 metre G1 Oka Sho on Apr. 8, progressed to the G1 Yushun Himba on May 20 over 2400 metres-the same track and trip as the Japan Cup–and concluded with a drop back in trip to 2000 metres for the G1 Shuka Sho on Oct. 14. The country’s leading rider, Christophe Lemaire, partners Almond Eye as per usual, and they will enjoy the advantage of a 117-pound impost-the lightest in the field. Almond Eye exits gate one, which has produced the last two winners of the race: Cheval Grand (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}) and Kitasan Black (Jpn) (Black Tide {Jpn}). Cheval Grand is back to attempt a title defense, and a dry spell in the interim has ensured that he is once again long in the odds at 10-1. He has for the most part not been disgraced, however, and comes into this off a fourth behind Satono Diamond (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G2 Kyoto Daishoten on Oct. 8. Satono Diamond, already a dual Group 1 winner, looks to be rounding back into form after a disappointing finish in last year’s G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe over yielding ground behind Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}). This year’s G1 Osaka Hai winner Suave Richard (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}) is worth consideration; the 4-year-old went into last month’s G1 Tenno Sho Autumn the favourite but struggled in 10th after a nightmare trip. That was his first run in almost five months, so improvement could be expected. Locally trained runners have won the last 12 runnings of the Japan Cup, but that hasn’t stopped a pair of foreign raiders from having a crack. Last year’s G1 Irish Derby and G1 St Leger winner Capri (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is 15-1 off a fifth-beaten 3 1/4 lengths-in the Arc and a fourth behind Cracksman (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the G1 Champion S., while British fan favourite Thundering Blue (Exchange Rate) is given a longshot chance at 40-1 to go one better than his second in the GI Canadian International on Oct. 13. View the full article

‘TDN Rising Star’ COPPER BULLET (c, 3, More Than Ready–Allegory, by Unbridled’s Song) made a successful return to the races Friday at Churchill Downs after 15 months on the sidelines. Seizing the early advantage from his rail draw, the bay ticked off an opening quarter in :22.91 and was headed by a pair of rivals to his outside through a half in :45.51. Sticking right with them, the $200,000 KEESEP buy resumed command in the lane and rolled clear under a hand ride to win as he pleased in 1:21.86. Graduating by eight lengths at second asking here in May 2017, Copper Bullet checked in second in this venue’s GIII Bashford Manor S. last summer and earned his black-type badge in the GII Saratoga Special when last seen in August of 2017. O-Winchell Thoroughbreds & Willis Horton Racing; B-Dell Ridge Farm LLC (KY); T-Steve Asmussen. View the full article

Uncovering a new elite sire is always exciting. By definition it doesn’t happen very often: a sire that can produce stakes winners at a rate of 10% or higher is hard to find. The last time we got two in the same year was 2009, when Dubawi (Ire) and Shamardal made their debuts. Could 2018 be another of those special years? It will be a tough act to follow, but a handful of sires have advanced their claims in no small way during 2018. The top-class miler Kingman (GB) was first to make his mark, siring the brilliant G2 Coventry S. hero Calyx (GB) at Royal Ascot. Then No Nay Never answered with Ten Sovereigns (Ire) in the G1 Middle Park S. Let’s take a look at a few different metrics and see how the class of 2018 measures up to their predecessors. Getting the most winners on the board is not always a reliable indicator of future class as a sire. Since 2000, no fewer than 20 sires are beating No Nay Never–the current leader–who has amassed 27 winning juveniles in 2018. Iffraaj set the bar high in 2010 with 38 first-crop juvenile winners. And it is not insignificant that the next two on the list are Dubawi with 36 and Invincible Spirit on 35. So, top-class sires can also put plenty of winners on the board early on in their careers. Bungle Inthejungle (Ire) (25 winners) sits in joint 24th place alongside Charm Spirit (Ire). Kingman, meanwhile, with 23 winners, is in 33rd place among all first-season sires since 2000. When we examine the same set of sires by the number of first-crop juvenile stakes winners we get a completely different– and more meaningful–picture about the future prospects of the latest new sires. By this measure, the 2015 intake has two–No Nay Never and Kingman–among the best five sires since 2000. No Nay Never has sired six stakes winners, level with Oasis Dream (GB) and Frankel (GB), while Kingman has five, alongside Zoffany (Ire). Also deserving of mention are Bungle Inthejungle, Sea The Moon (Ger) and Garswood (GB), who have all sired two stakes winners in 2018–a commendable feat when you consider that is as many as the likes of Dubawi, Dark Angel (Ire) and Pivotal (GB) managed, and more than the great Galileo (Ire). This particular metric is far less susceptible to imposters than the winners’ list, but it nevertheless still contains some sires that ultimately were found wanting. Even better is to examine the freshman set by the average rating of their best 10 2-year-olds. By this measure, No Nay Never scores 103.4 and he’s behind only Frankel (104.3) and Zoffany (103.7) among first-season sires this century. Kingman also makes the top 10 with an average of 101.6. Any sire that can surpass the 100 mark is truly exceptional–at least until this point in their career. Another new sire who has made us all sit up and take note this year is Australia (GB). This son of Galileo has a best-10 average of 96.8, which is excellent for one whose stock should thrive as 3-year-olds. To put his achievements in perspective, his best 10 juveniles have the same average rating as New Approach (Ire)’s; and his included three Royal Ascot winners. Australia’s first youngsters include group winner Beyond Reason, plus three Group 1 colts all rated 110 or more by Timeform. Scat Daddy was a huge loss to the industry in general and the Coolmore group in particular. In No Nay Never they have a potential successor and his fee increase to €100,000 for 2019 confirms Coolmore’s faith in the young sire. The fact that he’s already had great success with Danehill-line mares bodes well for his future as there is plenty of that blood at the County Tipperary farm. At this early stage, it looks very much like he’s a speed influence, but one that could get top-class milers with the right mares. Kingman, on the other hand, should sire horses that stay further. His 2-year-olds already have a higher stamina index than those by No Nay Never. His best son, Calyx, earned a Timeform rating of 120 for his Coventry win, the same mark achieved by No Nay Never’s Ten Sovereigns later in the season. It’s not hard to imagine a different hierarchy among the top 2-year-olds had Calyx not sustained a season-ending injury. Calyx is backed up by many 2-year-olds with great potential for his sire, none more so than the G3 Autumn S. hero Persian King. With another season under their belts, it will be intriguing to see what sires among this group are still at the top. View the full article

English Affair split horses in late stretch to score a half-length victory over Amboseli in the $100,000 Cardinal Handicap (G3T) for fillies and mares Nov. 22 at Churchill Downs. View the full article

Expectations were tempered ahead of the second and final day of the Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale and so it proved as trade ticked over at pretty low revs throughout the session. Despite a smaller offering of mares compared to last year, the clearance rate fell to 45% when only 67 of the 148 mares on offer changed hands. This had a severely detrimental effect on turnover, which finished up at €370,600, less than a quarter of the aggregate of last year. The average and median also suffered and came in at €5,531 (-49%) and €2,000 (-63%), respectively. Taken as a whole, the two day breeding stock sale obviously came up well short on last year, with turnover for the sale amounting to €6,290,000, a drop of over €8.5-million from last year and even allowing for the absence of some big-ticket lots this year there are clear signs that there is little or no appetite among breeders to continue breeding from potentially loss-making mares. Acknowledging the highs and lows of the last couple of days, Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby said, “In recent years Goffs has been privileged to handle a number of significant dispersals at our November Breeding Stock Sale. Who can forget the amazing atmosphere as Chicquita sold in front of a packed house for a record breaking €6-million, whilst the Wildenstein Stables mares also added a real buzz before and during their sale? “When this year’s edition was launched we highlighted 16 stand-out mares that we felt held international appeal and set about promoting them to the widest audience. As it turned out 10 of them were withdrawn from the catalogue and we feel that was the difference when comparing yesterday with 2017. I stress we make no criticism of the vendors as it is absolutely their prerogative whether or not to sell, but to an extent it does help explain the big drops in Thursday’s statistics. That said, those that stood out and commanded six figure sums enjoyed a vibrant trade as a truly international group of buyers fought it out for the best we presented. In fact, the top five lots sold to interests from China, Australia, Japan, Spain and France to clearly illustrate the global appeal of the best at Goffs. “Away from the top lots it was a very different story, however, and I would be deluded not to refer to the stark state of the market beneath the top. Some of Thursday and most of Friday has proved extremely tough for breeders and we should not underestimate the ongoing challenges the industry is facing. In my 36 years in the bloodstock business I have seen many highs and lows, enjoyed selling in several strong markets and worked through some very trying times. However I have rarely, if ever, seen a trade that is both so strong and so weak at the same time. As we saw on Wednesday with the best foals, and at the Orby, there is an ongoing hunger for the best-bred but today is just one of several days in recent months that would give huge cause for concern, especially with the ongoing uncertainty of Brexit looming. ‘Polarised’ is an overused description of the market at present but it is very accurate in our view and all we can do is double down on our efforts to seek out new buyers and promote the horses entrusted to us to the widest number of potential purchasers. As ever we are grateful for the support of our vendors, and never more so in such trying times, and our simple promise is to keep endeavouring to repay their trust as best we are able.” The highlights from Friday were few and far between, but a Galileo (Ire) mare that has already produced a stakes performer should not have too much difficulty finding a new home and it was Paul Nataf who signed for lot 1062 for €27,000. Offered by Denis Brosnan’s Croom House Stud in foal to Fascinating Rock (Ire), the unraced mare, named Phillipa (Ire), has bred four winners including the Group 3-placed Naseem Alyasmeen (Ire) (Clodovil {Ire}) and her 2-year-old filly by Acclamation (GB) made €50,000 as a yearling in the Orby Sale last year. Another of the more popular mares during the day was lot 1053, Lady Heart (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}) and she received a quality update since the catalogue was printed when her half-brother Son Of Rest (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) dead-heated in the Ayr Gold Cup. The 3-year-old, offered by the Stack’s Thomastown Castle Stud was purchased by Cavalier Bloodstock for €26,000. Meanwhile, the John McConnell trained filly Evie’s Wish (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) (lot 1117) will now embark on her breeding career after selling to PP Bloodstock for €23,000. A winner this year, Evie’s Wish is a half-sister to the Group 1- placed Lottie Dod (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and a full-sister to another stakes performer in Rockaway Valley (Ire). Indian and Turkish buyers have been a feature of this sale in the past and while their participation isn’t as prolific as in years gone by, they still make a significant contribution to trade. Gaurav Rampal, one of the leading bloodstock agents in India, made his presence felt when purchasing lot 1085, Ibiza Empress (Ire) (Tertullian) for €22,000. The Castletown Stud-consigned 5-year-old was offered in foal to Holy Roman Emperor (Ire). The lone offering by Scat Daddy was bound to generate interest and lot 1120, Miss Margarita (GB), eventually went the way of Honey Pound Farm & Stud for €21,000. Saturday will see the resumption of selling foals with a single-session Part 2, which commences at 10 a.m. View the full article

15:00 Haydock – Betfair Chase In the world of sport, we have witnessed very intense rivalries both past and present. The likes of Celtic v Rangers in football, Ali v Frazier in boxing and even in our beloved sport of racing we’ve had Denman v Kauto Star. This Saturday sees a very hotly anticipated rivalry that brewed from last years Cheltenham Gold Cup. Native River got the better of Might Bite back in March but just over 8 months later they are set to lock horns again. The word on the grapevine is that both runners have improved over the summer and are better than ever which makes this duel even more mouthwatering. Normally racing fans get very disheartened when you only see a handful of runners (5 in this case) line up for a major Grade 1 race but despite the two chasers that are getting all the plaudits there’s a trio of other runners that demand a tonne of respect. Clan Des Obeaux ran well at Aintree in the Betfred Bowl last time out to finish 3rd behind Might Bite so clearly deserves his spot. The likelihood is that he isn’t going to be able to reverse the placings with Might Bite but what he does have over his former conqueror and also Native River is a Haydock course success. If he’s progressed over the summer he may finish closer than before. Former World Hurdle winner Thistlecrack is seen by a handful of racing fans as the better of Colin Tizzard’s duo. After two poor performances in his last couple of starts, it’s easy to forget just how good Thistlecrack really is. He racked up a run of 9 straight victories which culminated with a clear win in the 2016 King George VI Chase. If he’s put his bad recent efforts behind him he certainly, at least on paper, has the credentials to not only win but to possibly dominate a race of this nature. The downside with Thistlecrack, however, is that a lot is taken on trust and just how much this multiple Grade 1 champion has left is up for debate. The horse that looks the most likely to cause an upset for the two at the head of the market has to be Bristol De Mai. Nigel Twiston-Davies’ charge won this race last term and from 3 runs here at Haydock already he remains unbeaten. He’s yet to finish with his head in front of either Might Bite or Native River from 3 previous attempts and although he clearly loves it here at Haydock whether or not he possesses the star ability to finally topple his main rivals is hard to see. Although it may seem boring it’s hard to see past either Native River or Might Bite claiming victory and it’s very tricky to split the two. That being said however I have to side with the Gold Cup hero. Without being disrespectful to Nico de Boinville, who returns from recent injury, you can’t help but acknowledge that the fact Richard Johnson climbs aboard Native River is a huge plus for the 8-year-old. It’s also somewhat surprising to see that Native River is younger than Might Bite as it seems Native River has been around much longer than Nicky Henderson’s runner. The rain is scheduled to fall the night before the race and if the expected down poor occurs it just makes the task easier for Collin Tizzard’s star. Might Bite is still prone to the odd jumping error and if Johnson gets his mount ahead early it’s going to be difficult for his rivals to catch the bold jumping Native River. NATIVE RIVER (WIN) Gowran Park: 11:35 – Union Gap (E/W) 12:05 – Daly An Sceil (E/W) 12:35 – Ballyneety (WIN) 13:10 – Satoshi (WIN) 13:45 – Taisara (E/W) 14:20 – Tycoon Prince (WIN) 14:55 – Crazyheart (E/W) 15:30 – Baby Jake (E/W) Lingfield: 11:45 – Contrive (WIN) 12:15 – Um Shama (E/W) 12:50 – Baby Gal (E/W) 13:25 – Salateen (E/W) 14:00 – Red Impression (WIN) 14:35 – Just Glamorous (WIN) 15:10 – Ban Shoof (WIN) 15:40 – Visor (E/W) Huntingdon: 12:00 – Espoir De Loire (WIN) 12:30 – Jet Set (WIN) 13:05 – Cervaro Mix (WIN) 13:40 – Beach Break (WIN) 14:15 – Boagrius (WIN) 14:50 – Aquarian (E/W) 15:25 – Simply Loveleh (WIN) Haydock: 12:10 – Grand Sancy (WIN) 12:40 – Very First Time (E/W) 13:15 – River Wylde (WIN) 13:50 – Cliffs Of Dover (E/W) – ITV Racing 14:25 – First Assignment (E/W) – ITV Racing 15:00 – Native River (WIN) – ITV Racing 15:35 – Vintage Clouds (WIN) – ITV Racing Ascot: 12:20 – Senior Citizen (WIN) 12:55 – Dino’s Benefit (E/W) 13:30 – Miss Mash (WIN) 14:05 – Charbel (WIN) NAP – ITV Racing 14:40 – We Have A Dream (WIN) – ITV Racing 15:15 – Caid Du Lin (E/W) – ITV Racing 15:50 – Jelski (E/W) Wolverhampton: 17:15 – Fantasy Justifier (E/W) 17:45 – Normal Equilibrium (E/W) 18:15 – Sunday Prospect (WIN) 18:45 – Perceived (E/W) 19:15 – Dal Horrisgle (E/W) 19:45 – Casanova (WIN) 20:15 – Fume (WIN) 20:45 – Global Humour (E/W) The post Picks From The Paddock Best Bet – Saturday 24th November appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

Frankel (GB)’s half-brother Morpheus (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}-Kind {Ire}, by Danehill) will stand at Haras du Grand Chesnaie in France in 2019. Morpheus has sired six winners with his first-crop 2-year-olds this year. Sean Tiernan represented Tally-Ho Stud in the deal, and the agent has also recently brokered the deal on behalf of Coolmore to stand Magician (Ire) at Haras de Corlay in France in 2019. Tiernan said, “I was introduced to Morpheus by Alan Delany of Corbal-Lis Stud and liked him a lot, so things progressed from there.” View the full article