Wandering Eyes

Who is Donner, also known as ‘the deer’? He ran as Smart Gorky, a 2003 NY-bred by Gorky Park out of Smart Jane (Smarten). He raced six times, never hit the board and earned only $2,870. He retired at age three and by his fifth birthday, he was in the capable hands of event rider Lynn Symansky. Donner is aptly nicknamed ‘the deer’ because of his flighty personality in addition to his leggy athletic frame. “He is not the bravest horse,” said Symansky who has owned, trained and competed him for the past 10 years. In spite of his quirks, today Donner is among the most accomplished American Thoroughbreds in three-day eventing, which is one of the most challenging and technical disciplines in equine competition. If you know three-day eventing, you know the stamina and versatility needed for three completely different competitions spread out over three consecutive days. On day two, horses and riders gallop a technical four-mile cross country course over 45 daunting obstacles, which include ditches, water, large jumps of every shape and combinations of all of the above. Each individual horse and rider team is judged on time as well as faults. Symansky and Donner debuted on the sanctioned event circuit in 2010 and have competed consistently at the highest levels. They finished fifth at Kentucky’s Four Star Event (formerly Rolex, now known as Land Rover) (video). The pair have represented the United States twice at both the World Equestrian Games, and at Burghley in England where this video was taken in 2017. How did Donner, a failed racehorse, rise to the top of a sport that is clearly not for sissies? Symansky found the champion in Donner by taking her time and watching the signals he gave about his readiness to advance. With patience and a willingness to listen to Donner and let him dictate the pace of their rise, Symansky coaxed a brilliant diamond of a competitor from the rough. “In some ways he isn’t the most likely candidate,” said Symansky. “He is not naturally brave and he is a little bit spooky. But, he always showed up 100% willing and ready to work, and he clearly liked the job. So, I listened to him and advanced him at his pace.” She added, “Mostly, Donner has huge heart and that has been the underlying reason for our success.” By building strong basic skills and a relationship through ground work as well as riding, she brought him from the back of the pack in racing to the top of the heap in international eventing competition. In 2018, at 15, he is in top form and having his best year. After the dressage portion of the competition at WEG 2018, they were in 17th place out of 83 horses with a personal best dressage score. His clean and fast cross country run put him in ninth place and the highest American horse in the competition. Overall, they placed 25th in the event because they knocked down three rails in stadium jumping, the third leg of the event, which was delayed a day because of Hurricane Florence. “I knew that the unscheduled day of rest wasn’t good for us, said Symansky. “But, he tried his best under the circumstances.” Donner isn’t Symansky’s first off-track Thoroughbred to reach the advanced level of three-day competition. Her first was No It Tissant, a WV-bred by Admiral’s Flag. On choosing a Thoroughbred, Symansky looks for certain physical attributes like an uphill build and long legs. She said the prospects don’t have to have a beautiful trot to begin with because that is something she can build on. “The horse has to show natural ability to jump,” added Symansky. “In transitioning a Thoroughbred, I build a partnership, do ground work and really focus on fitness and building a top line. And, I always let the horse tell me where he belongs.” View the full article

A pair of 3-year-old fillies by the same sire, with the same lifetime record, will line up right next to each other as two of the top choices in Saturday’s 14-horse GIII Autumn Miss S. at Santa Anita. Toinette (Scat Daddy), fourth in her debut on the Del Mar main track last fall, graduated first time on grass going down the hill Jan. 28 at Santa Anita and repeated in a two-turn Keeneland allowance Apr. 11. Tried in stakes company next out, the $110,000 Keeneland September buy accomplished something no one else has, nailing otherwise-undefeated MGISW Rushing Fall (More Than Ready) in the GIII Edgewood S. May 4 at Churchill. The dark bay disappointed, however, when fading to finish ninth in the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational July 7, and hasn’t raced since. Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and TNIP Racing’s Tesora (Scat Daddy) followed up a sharp debut victory sprinting on the Gulfstream lawn last September with an eye-catching two-turn optional claiming triumph at Del Mar to check the ‘TDN Rising Star’ box. Fourth in a pair of stakes tries to begin her 3-year-old season, the $130,000 KEESEP pickup captured the Christiecat S. going six furlongs at Belmont Sept. 7 and stretches back out to a mile in this West Coast return. Ms Bad Behavior (Blame) tries again for an overdue first graded stakes tally. Victress of the course-and-distance China Doll S. Mar. 10, the $75,000 KEESEP grad was second in the GIII Providencia S., third in the GII San Clemente S. and fourth in the GI Del Mar Oaks this spring and summer. She most recently completed the exacta when turned back to a sprint in the Unzip Me S. here Sept. 29. View the full article

Debut bumper winner Aggressive (Ire) (Declaration of War) (lot 290) topped the second day of the Goffs UK Autumn Sale at Doncaster on Thursday when selling for £150,000 to Hamish Macauley Bloodstock on behalf of American Irvin Naylor. Consigned by David Elsworth, the 3-year-old half-brother to SW & GSP Tashaar (Ire) (Seas The Stars {Ire}) was one of 132 sold from 188 offered (70.2%). The gross was £1,497,700, the average rose to £11,346 (+20.9%) from 41 fewer lots offered and the median ticked up slightly to £5,000 (+2%). Thursday’s session of horses-in-training and pointers followed on the heels of Wednesday’s yearling session. Cumulatively, 331 lots went through the ring with 198 (60%) finding new homes for an aggregate of £1,840,800. The average rose 19% to £9,297 and the median remained flat at £4,000. Pistol Whipped (Ire) (Beneficial {GB}) (lot 306) was the other lot to reach six figures, when bringing £110,000 from Highflyer Bloodstock. A member of Colin Bowe’s Milestone Stables draft, the 4-year-old gelded pointer most recently ran second at Loughrea this month. “We have enjoyed a good day’s trade today for the Horses-in-Training and Pointers with the higher-class entries attracting strong demand in the ring from buyers from throughout Europe and America,” said Goffs UK Managing Director Tony Williams. “Yesterday’s yearling session was indicative of the season’s end service trade. Our figures were in line with last year’s edition and the clearance rate was reflective of this market. We were pleased with the top priced yearling selling for £50,000 yesterday and today’s top price of £150,000 proved a highlight of the day and indeed the sale.” View the full article

4th-KEE, $67K, Msw, 2yo, f, 5 1/2fT, post time: 2:45 p.m. ET LADY WORTHINGTON (Scat Daddy), a $650K Keeneland September purchase, will have to overcome the rail draw as a 7-2 chance on the morning line for this career debut. Campaigned in partnership by her breeder, Stonestreet and Fitry Hay, the bay is a daughter of Argentinian Group 1 winner Misty Lady (Arg) (Lucky Roberto). And She’s Gone (War Front) was purchased by Phyllis Wyeth’s Chadds Ford Stable for $725K at KEESEP last year and is out of the MSP Bend (Arch), dam of MGSW and Belmont track-record setter Clearly Now (Horse Greeley) and ‘TDN Rising Star’ and GSW Bendable (Horse Greeley). Fancy Dress Party (Munnings), a full-sister to SW Will Munnings, cost $280K at KEESEP. Her third dam Meafara (Meadowlake) was desperately unlucky to lose back-to-back GI Breeders’ Cup Sprints in 1992 and 1993. TJCIS PPs 7th-BEL, $75K, Msw, 2yo, 1 1/16m, post time: 4:42 p.m. ET CLOSEAU (Pioneerof the Nile) makes his first career trip to the races for his breeder Don Alberto Stable after the operation elected to retain the colt when bidding on him stalled out at $885K at Keeneland last September. The son of SP Chattertown (Speightstown) is a half-brother to 2016 GII Jim Dandy S. upsetter Laoban (Uncle Mo), while the colt’s third dam includes treble Grade I winner I’m A Chatterbox (Munnings). TJCIS PPs 10th-KEE, $67K, Msw, 2yo, f, 6f, post time: 6:03 p.m. ET ULELE (Candy Ride {Arg}), a $300K Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling purchase, is the most recent to make the races out of Princess Arabella (Any Given Saturday), who defeated Glinda the Good (Hard Spun)–later the dam of champion Good Magic (Curlin)–by eight lengths in the 2012 Sunland Park Oaks. A half-sister to SW & MGSP Dyna’s Lassie (Dynaformer), Princess Arabella was purchased by Summer Wind Equine for $725K in foal to Tapit at KEEJAN in 2013. TJCIS PPs View the full article

Bob LaPenta and Head of Plains Partners’ ‘TDN Rising Star’ Coal Front (Stay Thirsty) staked his claim as a sprinter with a future with a pair of graded stakes victories at three in 2017. Unfortunately, that future had to be put on hold, as the $575,000 OBS April buy has been unseen for over 13 months, but he reopens his account as the favorite in Saturday’s GIII Bold Ruler H. at Belmont. Romping by 6 1/2 lengths first out last spring at Keeneland, the dark bay repeated in a local allowance before annexing the GII Amsterdam S. wire-to-wire at Saratoga. Disappointing when fifth in the GI H. Allen Jerkens S. next, he bounced back with a career-high 107 Beyer when taking the GIII Gallant Bob S. at Parx. Stabled at Saratoga through the summer, the Todd Pletcher trainee shipped down to drill five furlongs over the local main in 1:00 1/5 (2/10) Oct. 20. Lael Stables’ No Dozing (Union Rags) looks for his first graded success after continuously knocking on the door going back to his juvenile season two years back. Second in the GII Remsen S., he was third in the GIII Lexington S. and runner-up in the GIII Pat Day Mile S. last spring before capturing the Concern S. in July at Laurel. Off the board in his final three outings as a sophomore, he returned as a new gelding this summer at Saratoga and upset a high-priced optional claimer there July 21. Since then, the bay has been fifth in the GI Forego S. and fourth in the local GII Kelso H. Stronach Stables’ Delta Prince (Street Cry {Ire}) returns to dirt for the first time in nearly two years. Third in his unveiling here two Octobers ago, he was runner-up going a main track mile next out at Aqueduct before breaking his maiden powerfully over the Gulfstream turf to earn ‘Rising Star’ honors. That effort was good enough to keep the half-brother to three-time champion Royal Delta (Empire Maker) on the lawn, where he earned his first graded stakes tally in the GII King Edward S. June 30 at Woodbine. Just missing by a neck when second in the GI Fourstardave H. next out at Saratoga Aug. 11, he most recently checked in fourth as the favorite in the GI Ricoh Woodbine Mile S. Sept. 15. The homebred adds blinkers here and worked a bullet half-mile in :47 2/5 (1/40) over the local training track Oct. 22. View the full article

An octet of horses-in-training will be offered as wildcards at the upcoming Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale from Oct. 29-Nov. 1. All eight new additions will go through the ring on Oct. 30. Lot 729A, Group 3 winning sophomore colt Chilean (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}) is the clear leader on form and is ranked 106 on Timeform. Four-year-old gelding Red Alert (GB) (Sleep Indian {GB}) (lot 674A), who has won his two latest trips to the post, hails from the draft of Tony Carroll’s Mill House Racing, while 2-year-old filly Galtee Mist (Ire) (Gale Force Ten {GB}) (lot 674B) was runner-up in her only start to date for Michael Byrne at Naas last week. Other juveniles entered include recent winner The Cotswold Wasp (GB) (Swiss Spirit {GB}) (lot 674C) from JohnQuinn’s Bellwood Cottage Stables; lot 674D, Tenax (Ire) (Slade Power {Ire}), who has won once in five starts and is a half-brother to two black-type winners for Joseph O’Brien; the William Knight-trained Sir Busker (Ire) (Sir Prancealot {Ire}) (lot 729B), who broke his maiden over six panels at Newbury and is from the family of G1SW Golden Apples (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}); Aristocratic Man (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) (lot 729C) hails from the yard of Gordon Elliot and was runner-up to subsequent Group 2 hero Japan (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) in a maiden at Listowel; and Showout (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) (lot 729D), a two-time winner for trainer Archie Watson, who was runner-up in the Listed Prix Zeddaan at Deauville. View the full article

Among the top broodmare prospects to be sold at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale is a half-sister to this year’s European superstar Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}). The Niarchos family runner proved to be the standout filly of her generation this year, sweeping the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas, G1 Coronation S., G1 Falmouth S. and G1 Prix Jacques le Marois before finishing 3/4 of a length behind the Classic-winning Laurens (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) in Leopardtown’s G1 Matron S. in September. The ‘TDN Rising Star’ emerged from the Matron with a chip in a fetlock, according to the owners’ racing manager Alan Cooper, and was retired. Alpha Centauri and her half-sister Galileo Gal (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), entered in the November sale as hip 198, hail from one of the classic Niarchos families, and will sell for her owner, Gary Barber, at the Night of the Stars on Nov. 4. The TDN paid a visit to the stunning chestnut at Bluewater Farm, and sat down with consignor Meg Levy to talk about the filly. TDN: So often, the best racemares aren’t the best producers, but Galileo Gal’s third dam Miesque was both one of the great racemares and great broodmares of all time. ML: I’d say that’s a huge testament to the Niarchos family and their breeding program, because there’s a lot more to it than just nicking and breeding the best to the best, as we all know. In this case, with Galileo Gal being a half-sister to probably the best filly of her year in Alpha Centauri, it means that there will be an ability for the pedigree to move forward. She’s a young mare, so that ability to flush out the pedigree, so to speak, at least in the first dam, is very exciting. Galileo Gal herself is a sister to two others–a 2-year-old filly and a yearling filly, so that really helps as well. It helps the pedigree move forward commercially, so there are a lot of opportunities. Alpha Centauri is an absolute memory of Miesque, really, with her gameness, and her physical drive. They don’t look very much alike. Alpha Centauri is a throwback, a large imposing individual, whereas Miesque was not, but the blood is there. TDN: Who can you imagine Galileo Gal being bred to? ML: Galileo Gal has good opportunities to be bred in America, in Europe, in Japan or in Australia. The Danzig line has worked very well with Galileo mares, obviously. With a horse like War Front, you have examples like Roly Poly. You have another example of the Danzig line in Cover Song, by Fastnet Rock (Aus). In America, War Front is the most obvious choice. Galileo himself, in 2018 has been the broodmare sire of 29 black-type winners, which is pretty outstanding stuff. I think she has huge international appeal. She’s really a cosmopolitan collectible, as it were, and would work with sires in Japan like Deep Impact (Jpn). TDN: She concluded her racing career in August. What did you think of her when she arrived here? ML: Waiting for a filly like this to get off the van is a pretty exciting time. Alpha Centauri was right in the middle of her string of four Grade Is, so when I heard that Mr. Barber was sending the half-sister to Alpha Centauri, I was sitting here waiting like it was Christmas. I was actually particularly impressed when she got off the van because she’s a great mover, she’s a really, really good-looking filly. She has really good lines, she’s got a much bigger hip than I thought she would have. She has a lovely top line and she just moves like silk. Conformationally, Galileo Gal reminds me of some of the best broodmares that I’ve been around. She’s medium-sized, she’s correct, she’s a great mover, she has a wonderfully balanced top line, and most of all, what I look for in a broodmare, is a really intelligent eye. I love an intelligent eye on a broodmare, it just bespeaks quality. I feel like I can see through that into East of Moon, Miesque, you can see that blood coming through that eye. No one who has come in the barn has looked at her and not asked who she was. {"id":3,"instanceName":"Articles No Playlist","videos":[{"videoType":"HTML5","title":"Meg Levy of Bluewater on Galileo Gal (Ire)","description":"","info":"","thumbImg":"http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/GalileoGalTN.jpg","mp4":"https://player.vimeo.com/external/296936572.sd.mp4?s=ebf3802d65a66dd195a77e223817fc4343e2a676&profile_id=165","enable_mp4_download":"no","prerollAD":"yes","prerollGotoLink":"prerollGotoLink","preroll_mp4_title":"preroll_mp4_title","preroll_mp4":"https://player.vimeo.com/external/279914219.sd.mp4?s=8d2dfefc9b804ab07dc00dbbe6ed6f4837cb6d1e&profile_id=165","prerollSkipTimer":"5","midrollAD":"no","midrollAD_displayTime":"midrollAD_displayTime","midrollGotoLink":"midrollGotoLink","midroll_mp4":"midroll_mp4","midrollSkipTimer":"midrollSkipTimer","postrollAD":"no","postrollGotoLink":"postrollGotoLink","postroll_mp4":"postroll_mp4","postrollSkipTimer":"postrollSkipTimer","popupAdShow":"no","popupImg":"popupImg","popupAdStartTime":"popupAdStartTime","popupAdEndTime":"popupAdEndTime","popupAdGoToLink":"popupAdGoToLink"}],"instanceTheme":"light","playerLayout":"fitToContainer","videoPlayerWidth":720,"videoPlayerHeight":405,"videoRatio":1.7777777777778,"videoRatioStretch":true,"videoPlayerShadow":"effect1","colorAccent":"#000000","posterImg":"","posterImgOnVideoFinish":"","logoShow":"No","logoPath":"","logoPosition":"bottom-right","logoClickable":"No","logoGoToLink":"","allowSkipAd":true,"advertisementTitle":"Ad","skipAdvertisementText":"Skip Ad","skipAdText":"You can skip this ad in","playBtnTooltipTxt":"Play","pauseBtnTooltipTxt":"Pause","rewindBtnTooltipTxt":"Rewind","downloadVideoBtnTooltipTxt":"Download video","qualityBtnOpenedTooltipTxt":"Close settings","qualityBtnClosedTooltipTxt":"Settings","muteBtnTooltipTxt":"Mute","unmuteBtnTooltipTxt":"Unmute","fullscreenBtnTooltipTxt":"Fullscreen","exitFullscreenBtnTooltipTxt":"Exit fullscreen","infoBtnTooltipTxt":"Show info","embedBtnTooltipTxt":"Embed","shareBtnTooltipTxt":"Share","volumeTooltipTxt":"Volume","playlistBtnClosedTooltipTxt":"Show playlist","playlistBtnOpenedTooltipTxt":"Hide playlist","facebookBtnTooltipTxt":"Share on Facebook","twitterBtnTooltipTxt":"Share on Twitter","googlePlusBtnTooltipTxt":"Share on Google+","lastBtnTooltipTxt":"Go to last video","firstBtnTooltipTxt":"Go to first video","nextBtnTooltipTxt":"Play next video","previousBtnTooltipTxt":"Play previous video","shuffleBtnOnTooltipTxt":"Shuffle on","shuffleBtnOffTooltipTxt":"Shuffle off","nowPlayingTooltipTxt":"NOW PLAYING","embedWindowTitle1":"SHARE THIS PLAYER:","embedWindowTitle2":"EMBED THIS VIDEO IN YOUR SITE:","embedWindowTitle3":"SHARE LINK TO THIS PLAYER:","lightBox":false,"lightBoxAutoplay":false,"lightBoxThumbnail":"","lightBoxThumbnailWidth":400,"lightBoxThumbnailHeight":220,"lightBoxCloseOnOutsideClick":true,"onFinish":"Play next video","autoplay":false,"loadRandomVideoOnStart":"No","shuffle":"No","playlist":"Off","playlistBehaviourOnPageload":"opened (default)","playlistScrollType":"light","preloadSelfHosted":"none","hideVideoSource":true,"showAllControls":true,"rightClickMenu":true,"autohideControls":2,"hideControlsOnMouseOut":"No","nowPlayingText":"Yes","infoShow":"No","shareShow":"No","facebookShow":"No","twitterShow":"No","mailShow":"No","facebookShareName":"","facebookShareLink":"","facebookShareDescription":"","facebookSharePicture":"","twitterText":"","twitterLink":"","twitterHashtags":"","twitterVia":"","googlePlus":"","embedShow":"No","embedCodeSrc":"","embedCodeW":720,"embedCodeH":405,"embedShareLink":"","youtubeControls":"custom controls","youtubeSkin":"dark","youtubeColor":"red","youtubeQuality":"default","youtubeShowRelatedVideos":"Yes","vimeoColor":"00adef","showGlobalPrerollAds":false,"globalPrerollAds":"url1;url2;url3;url4;url5","globalPrerollAdsSkipTimer":5,"globalPrerollAdsGotoLink":"","videoType":"HTML5 (self-hosted)","submit":"Save Changes","rootFolder":"http:\/\/wp.tdn.pmadv.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/Elite-video-player\/"} TDN: Talk about her personality. ML: She’s actually been quite kind to be around, she wants to do what you want her to do. The day we saw the personality was with other horses which I also think is important for a broodmare because the broodmares raise the foals, and teach the foals about the world, so the strong-minded broodmares that we’ve seen in the field, so to speak, are the ones that usually raise the good foals that have a competitive desire, so I do like that about her as well. TDN: Why is Gary Barber selling her? ML: Mr. Barber’s first and foremost love is racing. We have sold fillies for him over the last seven or eight years. Breeding isn’t his main focus, so once a filly is finished with her racing career, usually they are presented at market. It’s so exciting to be around those fillies who are from this kind of family and express that quality. It’s a real connection for me, and having those fillies here makes it a relief when they sell because it’s such a challenge, and you really want them to go to a great home, not just for them, but for their owners so they have the opportunity to go on. View the full article

Three female contenders for the Breeders' Cup put in their final workouts for their respective races Oct. 25 at Santa Anita Park a day ahead of their scheduled flight to Churchill Downs. View the full article

In this continuing series, Alan Carasso takes a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Kyoto and Tokyo Racecourses, including the return to action of US-bred G1SW Mozu Ascot (Frankel {GB}). Saturday, October 27, 2018 4th-KYO, ¥13,400,000 ($119k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1200m The interestingly named POMPEII WORM (c, 2, Itsmyluckyday–Briecat, by Adcat) is the second foal to race from his dam, a Grade II winner and second to Zenyatta (Street Cry {Ire}) in the GI Vanity H. on synthetic and a Grade II winner on turf. A March foal, the chestnut breezed a furlong in a bullet :9 4/5 on his incorrect lead and was purchased by Katsumi Yoshida for $525K at this year’s OBS March Sale (video). B-Spendthrift Farm LLC (KY) 11th-KYO, Swan S.-G2, ¥112,800,000 ($1m), 3yo/up, 1400mT The Saturday feature at Kyoto features the first start of a fall preparation for MOZU ASCOT (c, 4, Frankel {GB}–India, by Hennessy). Last seen posting a spectacular victory in the G1 Yasuda Kinen at Toyko June 3 (see below, gate 10), the half-brother to SW & ‘TDN Rising Star’ Kareena (Medaglia d’Oro) is out of a MGSW Summer Wind-raced half-sister to Pilfer (Deputy Minister), the dam of MGISW To Honor and Serve (Bernardini), GISW Angela Renee (Bernardini) and SW & GISP Elnaawi (Street Sense). Mozu Ascot was a $275K buyback at the 2015 KEESEP sale and, all things equal, progresses from here to next month’s G1 Mile Championship and the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile in early December. B-Summer Wind Farm (KY) Sunday, October 28, 2018 1st-TOK, ¥9,550,000 ($85k), Maiden, 2yo, 1400m LITTLE MONSTER (f, 2, Into Mischief–Pashmina, by Pentelicus) failed to land a blow debuting on turf in July, but woke up with a switch to the main track in her latest to just miss over this course and distance Oct. 13. An $85K purchase as a short yearling at OBSWIN, the half-sister to the fleet MSW Pashito the Che (Flatter) improved over the next eighth months and was hammered for $375K at KEESEP. B-Off the Hook Partners LLC & Farm III Enterprises LLC (FL) 3rd-KYO, ¥9,550,000 ($85k), Maiden, 2yo, 2000mT MINT FRESH (f, 2, War Front–Minorette, by Smart Strike) is the first foal for her dam, stakes-placed in Ireland for Ballydoyle and Aidan O’Brien before annexing the inaugural running of the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational in New York for Chad Brown in 2014. Minorette is a daughter of GSW Silk and Scarlet (GB) (Sadler’s Wells), whose distinguished produce include G1 Mile Championship hero Eishin Apollon (Giant’s Causeway) and G1 Jebel Hatta S. winner Master of Hounds. B-Shadai Farm (KY) View the full article

Just as Wednesday’s session-topping Soldier Hollow (GB) filly had benefitted from a final-hour update when her full-sister added black-type at the racecourse across the street from Arqana’s Deauville sales complex just hours before she stepped into the ring, Thursday’s €230,000 session-topping filly was also the beneficiary of a late boost. Albeit, hers had come three weeks earlier, but it was about as good as its gets: her half-sister, Lily’s Candle (Fr) (Style Vendome {Fr}), had upgraded the page significantly when winning the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac on the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe undercard, and Philippe Decouz, acting on behalf of World Cup-winning footballer Antoine Griezmann, had to work hard to see off Marc-Antoine Berghgracht and Eric Puerari for the American Post filly (lot 436) out of Golden Lily (Fr) (Dolphin Street {Fr}). “She is a very racy filly with great limbs and a bit of stretch, and the family has worked tremendously with American Post,” said Decouz. The filly was consigned by Antoine Lepeudry’s Elevage de Tourgeville, and that aforementioned family affinity with American Post refers to the dam’s stakes-winning half-sisters Liliside (Fr) and Lily America (Fr), as well as G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud winner Robin of Navan (GB), who also appears under the second dam. By the time lot 436 was conceived, however, American Post had rather gone out of fashion and had been relocated from Haras d’Etreham to Haras de Treban in Central France. Undeterred, Lepeudry loaded his mare on the van and made the long haul. In another twist of fate, American Post, who was also responsible for a colt that fetched €75,000 from Stroud Coleman Bloodstock on Thursday, died just weeks after covering Golden Lily. Lot 436 is by far the highest-priced sales yearling for Golden Lily, her prior best being a son of Kendargent (Fr) that was a €39,000 yearling turned €95,000 breeze-up horse. Lily’s Candle cost just €15,000 at this sale last year, but had been bought by Martin Schwartz on the eve of her Group 1 win at Arqana’s Arc Sale for €390,000 off a listed win and Group 3 fourth. The American Post filly was the breakout horse of the session and one of just two to make six-figures. Thursday’s session, the start of Part II of the October Yearling Sale, saw 117 yearlings sold from 153 offered (a clearance rate of 76%) for €3,336,000. The average fared well, climbing 8.7% from last year’s corresponding session to sit at €28,513, while the median was on par at €22,000. For the first three days of the October sale combined, the clearance rate sits at 78%; the median is up to €33,000 from €32,000 at this stage last year, and the average is down 3% at €46,273. With one day of selling remaining, €17,306,000 has been accumulated for 374 yearlings sold. Earlier in the session, Alex Elliott went to €125,000 for lot 386, a filly by Wootton Bassett (GB) from the family of G1 Melbourne Cup winner Americain (Dynaformer). “She is a gorgeous filly who oozed class,” said Elliott. “We will take her to Ireland first but I am not sure about training plans yet.” Elliott will be hoping to keep a strong strike rate at the October Yearling Sale alive: last year he purchased a son of Reliable Man (GB) that would go on to be named Master Brewer (Fr) and win the second renewal of the October Yearling Sale Criterium three weeks ago for trainer Michael Bell. Sea The Moon (Ger) has made a promising start to his stud career this year with his first 2-year-olds, and a colt by the G1 Deutsches Derby winner (lot 374) caught the eye of Australian agent John Foote, who signed the ticket at €85,000. While Foote has been active this week buying youngsters with staying prospects Down Under, this particular individual will head to Stephanie Nigge. The colt has an eye-catching page, his family tracing back to the dam of George Strawbridge’s excellent producer In Clover (GB) (Inchinor {GB}), the dam of Group 1 winners With You (GB) (Dansili {GB}), We Are (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and Call The Wind (GB) (Frankel {GB}). The Sea The Moon colt was the third-most expensive yearling of the session, equal with a son of Siyouni (Fr) picked up by Paul Nataf (lot 416). Another first-crop sire with a good result on Thursday was Anodin, who had a colt picked up by Nicolas Lefevre of Equos Racing International for €82,000 (lot 420). Lefevre was formerly assistant to Louis le Metayer of Astute Bloodstock, but has recently gone out on his own. This colt was purchased for an Irish partnership with the intent of going to the breeze-ups. Anodin’s other results on the day included a €75,000 filly and colts that made €72,000 and €67,000. View the full article

The connections of multiple grade 1 winner Hoppertunity, one of the longest-running competitors at the graded stakes level in recent years, are looking for a stud deal for the 7-year-old son of Any Given Saturday, trainer Bob Baffert said Oct. 25. View the full article

RaceBets Bet Of The Day 13:50 Doncaster In an action-packed field with top trainers being represented, John Gosden’s Ambling looks to have the perfect opportunity to score. The 2yo has progressed nicely over two starts with the best of those efforts coming last time out at Nottingham when only just touched off and pull well clear of the remainder. With more progress likely, this looks a fantastic opportunity and she gets the nod to break her maiden. William Haggas’ Galileo filly Ghaziyah makes most appeal of those making their debut and rates as the main danger. AMBLING (WIN) Cheltenham 14:00 – Sizing Cusimano (WIN) 14:35 – One For Billy (E/W) 15:10 – High Expectations (WIN) 15:45 – Lil Rockerfeller (WIN) 16:20 – Seven De Baune (E/W) 16:55 – Vinegar Hill (E/W) 17:30 – Man Of Plenty (E/W) Doncaster 13:20 – Prejudice (WIN) 13:50 – Ambling (WIN)* 14:25 – Nabbeyl (WIN) 15:00 – Regular (E/W) 15:35 – Teruntum Star (WIN) 16:10 – Winston C (E/W) 16:45 – Herculean (WIN) 17:20 – Edgar Allan Poe (E/W) Kempton 17:45 – Nawar (WIN) 18:15 – Golden Guest (WIN) 18:45 – Art Song (WIN) 19:15 – Stand N Deliver (E/W) 19:45 – Golden Valour (E/W) 20:15 – Treasure Me (WIN) 20:45 – Joust (WIN) 21:15 – Ember’s Glow (WIN) Newbury 13:10 – Phosphor (WIN) 13:40 – Sezim (E/W) 14:15 – Apparate (E/W) 14:50 – Improve (WIN) 15:25 – Elegiac (WIN) 16:00 – Ptarmigan Ridge (WIN) 16:35 – Waseem Faris (E/W) 17:10 – Graceful Lady (E/W) Dundalk 18:00 – Lady Godiva (E/W) 18:30 – Olay Power (E/W) 19:00 – Magic Shuffle (WIN) 19:30 – Vocal Relation (WIN) 20:00 – Surrounding (WIN) 20:30 – Kodianne (E/W) 21:00 – Fivehundredmiles (E/W) The post Picks From The Paddock Best bet 26th October appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

This week is a stakes story covering Old Hat's victory in the 1965 Fayette Handicap Oct. 9 at Keeneland. The story ran in the Oct. 16, 1965 magazine. View the full article

Joseph V. Shields Jr., a longtime breeder/owner, died Oct. 10 in Thomasville, Ga. A member of The Jockey Club, Shields racing highlight came when his homebred Wagon Limit won the 1998 Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1) over Skip Away. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Today’s Observations features the progeny of three Group 1-winning mares. 1.50 Doncaster, Mdn, £5,800, 2yo, f, 8fT Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor’s GRACEFULLY DONE (IRE) (Australia {GB}) is a half-sister to Listed Prix Michel Houyvet winner Only A Pleasure (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) out of GI Matron S. victress Sense of Style (Thunder Gulch). Opposition to the Luca Cumani-trained debutante includes Waverley Racing’s €150,000 Goffs Orby yearling Dancing Vega (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), who is a half-sister to G3 Prix du Prince d’Orange victor Sky Kingdom (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) out of G1 Levin Classic and G1 Captain Cook S. heroine We Can Say It Now (Aus) (Starcraft {NZ}), from the Ralph Beckett barn. 2.25 Doncaster, Mdn, £5,800, 2yo, 7f 6yT Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum’s NABBEYL (IRE) (New Approach {Ire}) is a son of G1 Jebel Hatta and G1 Dubai Duty Free heroine Sajjhaa (GB) (King’s Best) and one of two hitherto unraced contenders representing the Roger Varian stable. Rivals include stablemate Emirates Knight (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), who kin to G1 Grosser Preis von Bayern victress Temida (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire}) produced by a stakes-winning half-sister to G1SW sire Midships (Mizzen Mast) and MSW G1 Nassau S. placegetter Principal Role (Empire Maker). View the full article

From a first taste of the stallion market through Aclaim (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) in 2018, the team at Avenue Bloodstock has increased its representation three-fold in recent weeks with the announcement that Lancaster Bomber (War Front) and Rajasinghe (Ire) (Choisir {Aus}) will also join the ranks at the National Stud for next year. While the operation is a relatively new name in the bloodstock world, the faces behind it are not. Former Godolphin chief executive John Ferguson teamed up with another long-term member of the Godolphin/Darley staff, Mark McStay, and Sam Haggas, son of leading Newmarket trainer William Haggas, last year. The company, which takes its name from the organisation’s Newmarket base in The Avenue, right outside Tattersalls, offers a range of bloodstock and sales-related services, with stallion management an area which is clearly a fast-growing concern. “I went out on my own last year and myself and John got working together pretty much from the start,” says McStay, whose personal achievements in the bloodstock world include being co-breeder with Hugo Merry of the G1 Irish Oaks winner Covert Love (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}). “We formalised the Avenue banner in the spring and it’s been going very well. We couldn’t have wished for a better or more productive year on the business front. And, obviously, we started off managing Aclaim this time last year.” Providing Martyn Meade with a first Group 1 victory when landing last season’s Qatar Prix de la Foret, Aclaim then moved across Newmarket to the National Stud and is managed by Avenue Bloodstock for his owners Dermot Farrington, Canning Downs and Phoenix Thoroughbreds, who bought into the 5-year-old ahead of the start of his stallion career. “Thankfully nomination sales and managing stallions are things I’ve had a lot of experience with,” McStay says. “We’re very grateful to the horses’ owners and of course the management team at the National Stud.” Thirty breeding rights were sold in Aclaim, who covered 160 mares this spring and has 135 in foal from his starting fee of £12,500. “He’s had the support of some very good breeders from both England and Ireland,” McStay continues, “and we’ve decided that for 2019 we’ll be lowering his fee to £9,500, which I think is going to be very competitive.” “The National Stud is an ideal location for us to standing stallions. It’s in Newmarket and it has a wonderful team, led by Tim Lane and James Berney, and they’ve recently added Joe Callan. They did a fantastic job with Aclaim for us last year, and with Rajasinghe and Lancaster Bomber they’re fully behind the project and trying to achieve a full book of mares.” Lancaster Bomber, a half-brother to fellow Group 1 winner and stallion Excelebration (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), becomes only the second son of Claiborne Farm’s acclaimed War Front to stand in Britain and will cover his first season at a fee of £8,500. Runner-up in both the G1 Darley Dewhurst S. and GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at two, he returned at three to chase home his half-brother’s first Group 1 winner, Barney Roy (Ire), in the G1 St James’s Palace S. and notched two further runner-up finishes at the highest level at Woodbine and Del Mar, the latter back at the Breeders’ Cup in the Mile. The colt who had appeared to be the perennial bridesmaid was finally rewarded with his own Group 1 success earlier this year when beating Cliffs Of Moher (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) by two lengths in the Tattersalls Gold Cup. “John Ferguson met Aidan O’Brien last weekend at Newmarket and spent nearly 15 minutes just talking about the horse,” says McStay of Lancaster Bomber. “What Aidan conveyed to John was how talented the horse was and how tough he was. He was a horse that danced every dance, and thankfully he’s got the looks to boot. And of course the War Front line is one that’s proven itself to be very effective in Europe on the turf.” On the same day that Lancaster Bomber was placed at Royal Ascot, Rajasinghe burst onto the scene on only his second start to win the G2 Coventry S. for his young trainer Richard Spencer and Phil Cunningham’s Rebel Racing team. Rajasinghe failed to turn that good early 2-year-old form into Classic success this season, but Cunningham has already been involved with a dual Guineas winner, Cockney Rebel (Ire) (Val Royal), who also started his stallion career at the National Stud. “Rajasinghe was your real Royal Ascot 2-year-old and he’s from a sireline that is just pure speed, so he’s appealing to the broader base of breeders who want to breed for the speed-orientated market. He’s going to stud at £5,000 and will be supported by his owner, Phil Cunningham. I think he’s going to go down very well,” McStay says. As well as a burgeoning stallion roster, the two-legged team at Avenue Bloodstock has also increased with the recent appointment of Amy Lanigan as bloodstock manager. “We were absolutely thrilled the day Amy decided to join us full time,” McStay says of the graduate of the inaugural Darley Flying Start course who is married to trainer David Lanigan and is a talented equine photographer. “She’s been helping us all through the year and brings a lot to the team. She’s very, very good in dealing with people as well as marketing of the stallions and communications. Hopefully, as our roster of stallions continues to expand, Amy’s role is going to grow the same in strength. She’s somebody who is going to be very helpful in dealing with the breeders and trying to help them achieve their goals.” Breeders heading to the December Sales at Tattersalls will have ample opportunity to view both Lancaster Bomber and Rajasinghe in their new home. “The plan is for both horses to be on show during the December sales and we encourage people to get in touch with myself, Amy Lanigan, John Ferguson or the National Stud team to come to see the horses and speak to us about the opportunities available to get involved with the breeding rights. Breeding rights afford breeders the opportunities to get involved with a horse in the early days. If that horse suddenly goes up in value and the stud fee goes up, they’re able to be in from the get-go and have a good opportunity to make some money.” View the full article

4th-Deauville, €27,000, Mdn, 10-25, unraced 2yo, f, 8fT, 1:43.82, gd. TUNED (GB) (f, 2, Toronado {Ire}–Zagora {Fr} {Ch. Grass Mare, MGISW-US & MGSW-Fr, $2,368,589}, by Green Tune) skipped a proposed Aug. 21 engagement over this strip, which featured the ‘TDN Rising Star’ performance of stablemate Commes (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), but dwelt at the break before recovering to sweep by a swathe of rivals and track the pace in fourth along the rail. Quickening when prompted with 300 metres remaining, the 31-5 chance was brave under a late drive and forced her way through an ever-narrowing gap along the fence to oust stablemate Sadiqa (Fr) (Poets’ Voice {GB}), herself an Aga Khan homebred half-sister to G1 Prix Saint-Alary heroine Sagawara (GB) (Shamardal), by a short head on the line. She becomes the 18th winner for her freshman sire (by High Chaparral {Ire}) and the second scorer from three runners produced by GI Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf and GI Diana S.-winning US champion Zagora (Fr) (Green Tune), herself a half-sister to stakes-winning G2 UAE Derby runner-up Asmar (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) and Listed Prix Delahante third Zanet (Fr) (Enrique {GB}). Her stakes-placed third dam Party Zane (GB) (Zafonic) is a half-sister to MGSW sire Titus Livius (Fr) (Machiavellian) and the homebred chestnut is kin to a yearling colt by Dubawi (Ire). Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €13,500. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. 1ST-TIME STARTER. O/B-Al Shaqab Racing (GB); T-Jean Claude Rouget. View the full article

G1 Prix de Ganay winner Cloth of Stars (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}-Strawberry Fledge, by Kingmambo), also placed behind Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) in the last two G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphes, has been retired from racing and will stand at Darley’s Haras du Logis in France. A 400,000gns yearling, Cloth of Stars was trained by Andre Fabre and won the G3 Prix de Chenes at two and was runner-up in the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud. His four starts at three included wins in the G3 Prix La Force and the G2 Prix Greffulhe, and at four he was never worse than second, his three wins coming in the G3 Prix Exbury, the G2 Prix d’Harcourt and the Ganay. Cloth of Stars rounded out that season with a runner-up effort to Enable in the Arc, and after a pair of thirds in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic and the Ganay earlier this year, he filled third behind Enable at Longchamp three weeks ago. Cloth of Stars is out of Strawberry Fledge (Kingmambo), a full-sister to G1 Oaks winner Light Shift and also the dam of Ulysses (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Other top-class Niarchos representatives to appear under the second dam include Smoking Sun (Smart Strike) and Main Sequence (Aldebaran). Sam Bullard, Darley’s director of stallions, said, “Cloth of Stars has an awful lot going for him. He’s a Timeform champion and a Group 1 performer every season from two to five, who was absolutely top-class. He’s beautifully bred, and a quality individual. Cloth of Stars is in exalted company and we’re delighted to be offering him to breeders.” View the full article

This week is a stakes story covering Old Hat's victory in the 1965 Fayette Stakes Oct. 9 at Keeneland. The story ran in the Oct. 16, 1965 magazine. View the full article

Addressing your thoughts, questions and statements about Hong Kong racing. Have something to say? Send a tweet to @SCMPRacingPost Well done Matthew Poon and welcome to the senior ranks – @zpurton Life is about to change for the “Poon train” after collecting his 70th winner and graduating from the Apprentice Jockeys’ School on Wednesday night. Let’s start with the positives – he was able to do it in the second-quickest time of any of the other apprentices this... View the full article

Last season wasn’t plain sailing at Sandhill Stables, with health issues contributing to the lowest seasonal total in many years, but Philip Hobbs, as befits his many years of experience, remains unperturbed by the blip and quietly optimistic for the future. “We had 60-odd winners but for us it was a little bit slow, because a lot of our horses were affected by a bug that we couldn’t really get rid of,” he explains. “It’s frustrating because you never know quite what you’re dealing with. It’s the same as you or me having a cold – there are so many different viruses around that it’s impossible to say what it is you’ve got, so you just have to give them antibiotics and plenty of time. They’re good and healthy again now though, and we’re looking forward to a good season. “Defi Du Seuil was among those affected and obviously it was a big disappointment for him to be beaten on his only two starts, but he’s back in good nick again and we’re looking forward to an exciting novice chase campaign for him. “We’ve had a good summer with very few horses on the go. Leapaway and Imperial Presence both stepped up and won us plenty of races and plenty of prize-money to keep us ticking over, which is always a great help around the yard. “Apart from the obvious stars, we’ve got nothing that has proved themselves to be very good but plenty with the potential to be very good and lots of youngsters who’ll be capable of winning races. I’d like to think it’s in the younger division that our strengths lie because I can see plenty of untapped talent out there.” Stable profile Yard Sandhill Racing Stables Where Bilbrook, near Minehead, Somerset Started training August 1, 1985 Horses in yard 108 Members of staff 37 Assistant Johnson White Second assistants Darren O’Dwyer, Leighton McGuiness Head girls Liz Welsh, Carol Burnett Travelling head grooms Sean Mulcaire, Laura Parker, Izzy Stadden, Zoe Moore-Williams Jockeys Richard Johnson, Tom O’Brien, Micheal Nolan, James Best Conditional Sean Houlihan Amateurs Stefan Kirwan, Ben Jones, David Maxwell Secretary Jo Cody-Boutcher, Diana Hobbs Stable sponsor Amlin Plus Website pjhobbs.com WINNERS IN BRITAIN 2017-18 63 2016-17 111 2015-16 113 2014-15 102 2013-14 106 PROFIT/LOSS TO £1 STAKE 2017-18 -161.95 2016-17 -92.03 2015-16 -64.73 2014-15 -80.06 2013-14 +21.37 PRIZE-MONEY 2017-18 £709,992 Awake At Midnight Six-year-old gelding Midnight Legend (sire) – Wakeful (dam) Owner: Mrs Charles Lloyd-Baker Form figures: 23237-1 Racing Post Rating: 121 (hurdles); Official BHA rating: 121 Won well at Worcester last time after being placed several times last season. He’s the type to make a chaser sooner rather than later and I’d expect him to improve, although he wouldn’t want the ground too firm. Ballotin 7g Enrique – Orphee De Vonnas David Maxwell Racing 0/3152P- RPR 147c OR 141c Won last year’s Bobby Renton at Wetherby. He wouldn’t want very soft ground but 2m4f is his trip and he’ll go hunter chasing for his owner to ride as soon as the season starts. He may go up to 3m at some stage. BALLOTIN with Mr D Maxwell wins Bobby Renton Handicap chase at Wetherby 18-10-17.Ballygown Bay 5g Flemensfirth – Star Shuil Mrs Joanna Peppiatt 33/33P-4 RPR 112h OR 116h Ran some decent races last season, seems to be maturing now and I hope he’d improve this year over 2m4f in novice hurdles. Barbrook Star 6g Getaway – Fille de Robin Mrs B Hitchcock 0/3006-4 RPR 115h OR 114h Placed last season over hurdles and looks as though he should do better over fences, but he may run in a handicap hurdle first because I think he could win one over 2m4f. Beau Du Brizais 6g Kapgarde – Belle Du Brizais Mrs R J Skan F22P-63 RPR 127c OR 124c Ran a good race at Ludlow last time and has been coping with fast ground very well, although I don’t think he needs it. He’ll go to Exeter today and should give a good account. Bradford Bridge 6g Milan – Isis Du Berlais Brocade Racing 2PP-621 RPR 119h OR 112h Lost his confidence over fences when he slipped very badly going to the first in his novice chase debut at Fontwell. He was an eight-length winner of a handicap hurdle on good ground at Worcester this month, but chasing will be his job, he’s very well in himself and his confidence seems to have come back. He probably doesn’t want it very soft but is on the up. If I could sum up last season in one word . . . Frustrating Casterly Rock 6g King’s Theatre – Alderbrook Girl The Juwireya Partnership 4/523-82 RPR 119h OR 118h Pleased me on his reappearance in a handicap hurdle at Bangor but will go chasing very soon. I may give him one more run over hurdles and he’d go on any ground. Cedar Valley 4f Flemensfirth – Lunar Path Mrs Caren Walsh and Mrs Kathleen Quinn 19-3 RPR 106b OR – A nice mare who won well first time at Taunton, ran a good race in the Grade 2 bumper at Aintree, then showed up well on her seasonal reappearance at Carlisle, all with plenty of give in the ground. She ran extremely well the last day, going on strongly at the finish, and I’d say she’ll definitely want 2m4f when she goes over hurdles, but she may go for a Listed mares’ bumper at Cheltenham on November 17 in the meantime. She has a really good attitude and looks a progressive type for mares’ races. Chef D’Equipe 6g Presenting – Millesimee David Maxwell Racing 136517- RPR 137c OR 132c A handicap chaser who will go hunter chasing eventually. He copes well with soft ground but doesn’t have to have it. I’d say 2m4f is his trip at the moment. Come On Charlie 6g Anzillero – End Of Spring Martin St Quinton 903-P1 RPR 103h OR 106h Won well at Stratford over 2m2f last time and will run in another handicap hurdle before going chasing fairly soon. I’d think he’ll want 2m4f at least and will cope with soft ground as the winter goes on. Cotswold Way 5g Stowaway – Rosies All The Way Miss I D Du Pre 5372 -1 RPR 126h OR 123h Did it nicely last week at Huntingdon and looked to be an improved performer. He’s very much a potential chaser but will probably stay over hurdles for this campaign. He can be a bit keen and 2m4f is probably his trip for now. Cotswold Way (Micheal Nolan) jumps the final flight and wins the 2m 4f maiden hurdle Crooks Peak 5g Arcadio – Ballcrina Girl Andy Tilley 110-4 RPR 123b OR – Looked an exciting horse when scoring at Newton Abbot and Cheltenham on his first two runs but was disappointing in the Champion Bumper and again on his first hurdling effort, over 2m1f at Newton Abbot this month. He seemed fine afterwards and in his defence the ground was bad that day and he lost a lot of momentum at the second-last with a poor jump, so he deserves another chance. Dancingatdunraven 5g Mahler – My Kit Let’s Get Ready To Rumble Partnership 1- (point form) RPR 90 OR – Won his only point-to-point in Ireland, stays very well and may go straight over hurdles. He’s a 3m chasing type and will want at least 2m4f over hurdles. Dark Episode 4g Getaway – No Moore Bills Louisville Syndicate Elite 3 RPR 101b OR – Ran fine in his first bumper at Newton Abbot, even though the ground was awful and the pace wasn’t strong enough. Will improve for better conditions and a faster gallop in bumpers, but he’ll be a chaser in time. Star quality Defi Du Seuil 5g Voix Du Nord – Quarvine Du Seuil JP McManus 1111/47- RPR 150h OR 157h He’s in good nick, will go straight novice chasing this season and would be ready to go fairly soon, but we’ll need more rain for that to happen. Only ran twice last year, was disappointing when odds-on for the Coral Hurdle at Ascot, then again in the Irish Champion Hurdle, so it was sensible for him to go home and have the summer off. A lot of our horses were under a cloud last season and there are plenty of reasons why he should improve over fences, so we’re very hopeful. He’s bright and well. Deise Aba 5g Mahler – Kit Massini Trevor Hemmings 1 (point form) RPR 90 OR – Won a point in Ireland and looks a stayer who will probably start in a 2m4f novice hurdle. He’s a big, strong horse with a very good temperament. Demopolis 4g Poliglote – Princess Demut JP McManus 1- RPR 124h OR – Won his only race in France, a hurdle at Auteuil, and will go handicap hurdling to start with, although I have no idea what kind of mark he’ll get. We’ll file him under ‘could be anything’. Diplomate Sivola 5g Noroit – None De Sivola David Maxwell Racing 76F43-3 RPR 115c OR 117c Joined us from France in the spring and got off the mark at Fontwell this month over just short of 2m4f. He may improve for going a bit further. Dostal Phil 5g Coastal Path – Quiphile JP McManus 1/4-2 RPR 117h OR – Came from the Arqana Sale in November 2016, having won over 1m4f on the Flat at Deauville. We had high hopes of him and were a little disappointed when he finished only fourth at odds-on in his novice hurdle at Bangor on his first run for us, but we decided he may have found the track and trip a little on the sharp side. He wasn’t at his peak after that so we put him away for the year to retain his novice status for this season, and he pleased us on his reappearance when second over 2m at Uttoxeter. He ran too keen early on, something he hadn’t done last season, but he was probably just a little fresh and well and it was a performance that suggested he’ll be winning soon. Duke Des Champs 8g Robin Des Champs – Ballycowan Lady Diana Whateley and Tim Syder 2136/23- RPR 142h OR 139h Ran two good races in handicap chases at Newbury last year but is still a novice. He’ll want some rain before he runs but will be out in the autumn on soft going over 3m plus. Richard Johnson celebrates his 3000th winner in the UK and Ireland when steering Duke Des Champs to victory in the 2m 5f NH novice hurdleEarth Moor 4g Ask – Merrylas Mrs Catherine Penny 4-221 RPR 105b OR – Showed a lot of promise last season and won his bumper well at Fontwell this month. He’ll go to Exeter today over 2m2½f and I’d expect him to stay well. Ebony Gale 4g Shirocco – Glenora Gale Mrs Judith Luff 61- RPR 104b OR – A bumper winner at Wincanton last season, he’ll go straight over hurdles, either over 2m4f or 2m at a stiff track, but we’ll wait for a bit of rain first. Ecu De La Noverie 4g Linda’s Lad – Quat’Sous D’Or David Maxwell Racing 52F451- RPR – OR – A big, strong horse who won a 2m3f chase on soft ground in Pau and will run in a novice hurdle before going back chasing at some stage. We’ll start him at 2m and go from there. Dark horse Evidence De Thaix 4f Network – Nacre De Thaix JP McManus 211- RPR – OR – Twice a winner on the Flat in France up to 1m5f on good to soft, she’s a lovely strong filly who looks a good prospect for mares’ races. She has a good pedigree and lots of potential. Festival Dawn 6m Kayf Tara – Keel Road British Racing Club 2-2 RPR 117h OR – Ran well on her reappearance at Chepstow on good ground and you’d hope she was up to winning a mares’ novice hurdle fairly soon, although she has the scope to go chasing at some stage. Flinck 4g Fame And Glory – Princess Supreme Ronnie Bartlett 5- (point form) RPR 67 OR – Showed promise in an Irish point-to-point and looks a nice type who should do very well, either in a hurdle or a bumper, when he runs for the first time in two or three weeks. For Good Measure 7g King’s Theatre – Afdala JP McManus 5290/43- RPR 138h OR 137h A full-brother to Balthazar King, he showed up well over fences last season – finishing third in the Grade 2 Pendil Novices’ Chase over 2m 4½f at Kempton, after which we put him away to preserve his novice status – and should make an impression in long-distance chases this campaign. He’d want good ground and will be out in a fortnight or so. From The Heart 4g Jeremy – Zephyr Lilly Zoe Moore-Williams 80-3 RPR 86b OR – Third place in his first hurdle race at Market Rasen on Saturday – leading for a long way and only being run out of second late on after a mistake at the last – was a big step up on his bumper form and hopefully he’ll be winning before too long. Curragh Fri 11 May 2018 Picture: Caroline Norris Hand On Heart ridden by Chris Hayes winning The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race from Bond Street ridden by Seamus Heffernan, far side, 2nd.Garde La Victoire 9g Kapgarde – Next Victory Diana Whateley 18/240-4 RPR 162c OR 149c Wasn’t a healthy horse in the second-half of last season and needed the run on his reappearance at Chepstow, so he’ll improve on that. He’s a high-class handicap chaser who could go 2m or 2m4f, so we have the option. The Haldon Gold Cup is a possibility after his fourth in the race last season and the handicapper seems to have given him a chance. Gosheven 5g Presenting – Fair Choice The Grocer Syndicate 535-3 RPR 128h OR – Ran well when third in the Persian War at Chepstow on his reappearance – an unusual race for us to run a horse in before he’s won a novice hurdle – and I’d like to win an ordinary novice with him before we up our sights again. One with lots of promise. Gumball 4g No Risk At All – Good Time Girl Terry Warner 122P21- RPR 139h OR 148h Won three times for us last season after arriving from France, his best effort coming when he finished second in the Grade 1 juvenile hurdle at Aintree over 2m1f. That sort of horse becomes more difficult to place as a four-year-old as he’s now high in the handicap, but he’ll start off at Cheltenham this weekend in a four-year-old conditions hurdle and he seems in good nick at home. He seems to be a horse that likes better ground, nothing too soft. I’m A Game Changer 6g Arcadio – Drinadaly Paul and Clare Rooney 6519-22 RPR 142h OR 138h Ran very well in a 2m hurdle at Chepstow after his break and may well go novice chasing before too long. He’s got a decent level of form but he’ll be better when he settles better – he can be a bit keen, but he seems to be learning. Jerrysback 6g Jeremy – Get A Few Bob Back JP McManus 11/- RPR 129h OR 139h Won his only two hurdle races for us very well after winning his fourth Irish point-to-point, but he was never sparkling in his work last season and although there was nothing wrong with him, I wasn’t happy and he didn’t run. He should do well as a novice chaser but could win a good handicap hurdle if we decided to go down that route. We’re looking forward to seeing him on the track again. Kayf Adventure 7g Kayf Tara – My Adventure Louisville Syndicate 312372- RPR 144c OR 137c Did very well in 2m4f chases last year and while his ideal conditions at the moment may be that trip on heavy ground, he’ll be wanting 3m at some stage. We’ll wait for buckets of rain before we start thinking about where to go first. Kensukes Kingdom 5g Stowaway – Hamalata Tim Syder and Martin St Quinton 41-1 (point form) RPR 94 OR – Won two Irish points, which is unusual, is going very well at this stage and will start in a bumper very soon. Larkbarrow Lad 5g Kayf Tara – Follow My Leader The Englands and Heywoods 332- RPR 107b OR – Placed in three bumpers and ought to win one before he goes novice hurdling. He’s ready to go but is a big, tall horse who will improve with time and will want 2m4f over hurdles. Leapaway 6g Stowaway – Gisela Dr V M G Ferguson 111113 RPR 134h OR 137h Had a fantastic summer, winning five hurdles and helping us get the season off to a flying start, but his effort at Kempton on Sunday showed he’s now in need of a break. He’ll have the winter off and be back in the spring. LEAPAWAY Ridden by Richard Johnson wins at Cartmel 1/7/18 Photograph by Grossick Racing Photography 0771 046 1723Little Miss Poet 6m Yeats – R De Rien Sivola Michael and Mrs Norma Tuckey 1/543-31 RPR 130h OR 130h Did well in handicap hurdles last season and may reappear in a valuable 2m5f open mares’ handicap hurdle at Wincanton on November 10. She’ll go novice chasing at some stage. Lord Duveen 5g Doyen – Afdala Field, Cognet, Sigler and Walsh 52-6 RPR 121h OR – Looked a very nice horse when second at Kempton on his final run last season but was a bit disappointing on his reappearance at Chepstow. I’m sure that was just a blip, though, and he’s one who should do well this year. Louis’ Vac Pouch 6g Oscar – Coming Home The Vacuum Pouch Company Ltd 1/6100-0 RPR 147h OR 141h Below par in the spring, he ran respectably last time in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow, which was just to get him to settle as he’s a bit keen at the best of times. With that under his belt he’ll very likely go novice chasing and looks promising. Majestic Touch 7g Kalanisi – Alexander Divine N Sutton 0/62/1-14 RPR 125h OR 123h Wasn’t a healthy horse last season and wasn’t seen on the racecourse. Won well in a handicap hurdle at Newton Abbot on his first run back but disappointed at Fontwell last time when there was no pace and he was extremely keen. He’ll probably go novice chasing and wouldn’t mind any ground apart from very soft. McNamaras Band 5g Getaway – Katies Pet Frank Jarvey 1- RPR 102 OR – Really nice young horse who won his only bumper for us a year ago. Back in training now, ready to run and for sale, he’ll go for a 2m4f novice hurdle to start with, on decent ground, but he’s very much a chaser and has plenty of potential. Melekhov 4g Sholokhov – Yorkshire Girl Owners For Owners 211-4 RPR 113b OR – Won two bumpers last season but disappointed when only fourth at Bangor last time. I’m sure that was only a blip and hopefully he’ll be back on track soon. Mendip Express 12g King’s Theatre – Mulberry David Maxwell 52/441-5 RPR 154c OR 127c A fantastic old horse with some very good form in big chases, he’s well capable of winning again for his owner/rider, hopefully starting next weekend at Cheltenham in the amateurs’ chase. Ninth Wave 4g September Storm – Royale Pearl Trevor Hemmings 1-4 RPR – OR – Easily won a point-to-point bumper at Bitterley in April and made a very pleasing debut at Ffos Las at the weekend, travelling well throughout and shaping very encouragingly for the future in fourth place. I’m not sure yet if he’ll run in another bumper or move straight to hurdles. No Comment 7g Kayf Tara – Dizzy Frizzy JP McManus 722/36-5 RPR 137c OR 139c Had some decent form over hurdles before transferring his ability to fences when third in the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase. He didn’t enjoy the best of health last season and his only other run was when not staying the trip in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham, but he’s been dropped 6lb by the handicapper, is well treated over fences compared to his hurdling mark, and I think he’s one to follow in 3m novice chases. It was a very hot race he reappeared in at Ffos Las on Saturday and he was a little bit rusty, but after a few early mistakes he ran on well and it was a satisfactory first run back. No Comment (Barry Geraghty) runs on from the final flight and beats Minella Awards in the 2m 4.5f nh novices hurdle Oakley 5g Oscar – Tirolean Dance Tim Syder 35- RPR 112b OR – Showed up well in his bumpers without quite getting home, and will start over hurdles at 2m, as he has plenty of pace. I think he’ll improve. Ozzie The Oscar 7g Oscar – Private Official Bradley Partnership 1321-13 RPR 157c, 140h OR 151c, 145h A big improver last season, winning three from five over fences, he returned with an excellent effort when third in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las on Saturday, looking as though he was going to win at one stage. I was delighted with that and it should set him up nicely for a tilt at the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on November 6, as long as the ground’s not too firm. Pineapple Rush 5m Kayf Tara – Celtic Native Bradley Partnership 3211-50 RPR 111h OR 120h She disappointed us a little when unplaced in a 2m4f handicap hurdle at Carlisle last week, travelling very well until after the third last but not really getting home, so at this stage we’re a little bit stumped, but we’ll see how she is in the next week and plan from there. She may go over fences in time. Perform 9g King’s Theatre – Famous Lady Merry Old Souls 5/1/64/F4- RPR 136h OR 132h Has been in training for four years and won just the one race from six starts [at Aintree three years ago], but he’s had no end of minor hiccups and we’ve never had a clear run with him. He’s still with us because we think we can still win with him, probably in 3m handicap or novice handicap chases. Reikers Island 5g Yeats – Moricana James Drummond F15- RPR 123h OR 124h Did very well to win a 2m5f novice hurdle at Fontwell in March before disappointing slightly over 3m at Kempton, but I think he was just in need of a break. He’ll go novice chasing, starting fairly soon, and I think 3m will be no problem. Rock The Kasbah 8g Shirocco – Impudent Diana Whateley 26/1P2-6 RPR 155c OR 147c Ran well for a long way at Chepstow this month and remains a top-class 3m handicap chaser. It’s hard to start making plans until we get some rain, but we have plenty of options, with the Ladbrokes Trophy and the Grand National at the back of our minds. ROCK THE KASBAH with T O’Brien wins Handicap Hurdle at Haydock 21-11-15. Rolling Dylan 7g Indian River – Easter Saturday Mrs I D Du Pre 1P2312- RPR 149c OR 142c Did well novice chasing last season but will find things harder this term off a high mark. He’ll start wherever the ground’s safe – not necessarily soft, just decent – and I think 3m will be his trip. He can continue to progress. Roll The Dough 9g Definite Article – High Dough The Kingpins 63-2114 RPR 123c OR 117c Has won two handicap chases already this season and the first next option is on November 1 at Stratford in a 2m6f handicap chase. I don’t think he’d want it too soft but on decent ground he’d go there with a real chance. Royal Regatta 10g King’s Theatre – Friendly Craic Lesley Field and Eileen Murphy 1P3P/PP- RPR 161c OR 150c A Grade 2 winner in his pomp, he’s been a great servant to us for a long time and with the handicapper ready to drop him to 145, he’ll go to Ascot for a 0-145 at Ascot at the end of November. He was pulled up in both starts early last term but we identified a breathing problem that we hope we’ve sorted out. I’d love to see him win again. Samburu Shujaa 5g Poliglote – Girelle Robert and Janet Gibbs 02/3334- RPR 126h OR 125h In reasonable form over novice hurdles last season, he’s a lovely strong horse who’ll start in a 2m4f maiden hurdle, probably on a left-handed track, because he can hang a bit. He has the size to jump a fence in time. Show On The Road 7g Flemensfirth – Roses Of Picardy Roger and Catherine Penny 12318-4 RPR 128h OR 126h Twice a winner over hurdles at Exeter last season on heavy ground I thought he’d hate, he looks the type to go over fences before too long but stayed on well in fourth place over hurdles at Market Rasen on Saturday for what was a very respectable comeback. Springtown Lake 6g Gamut – Sprightly Girl Tim Syder 1F2310- RPR 138h OR 137h Very decent novice hurdler last season – twice a winner and runner-up in a Sandown Grade 2 – who we hope will do very well over fences this year, although he may run in a handicap hurdle first. He had a good summer, came back in looking very well and I’d see him as a decent novice chaser over 2m4f and beyond. Steely Addition 6g Craigsteel – Blond’s Addition Step By Step 34/F118- RPR 136h OR 137h A very thorough stayer who won a good handicap hurdle at Chepstow over just shy of 3m in soft ground last November. He’ll go novice chasing over 3m and will be suited by plenty of give. Sternrubin 7g Authorized – Sworn Mum Terry Warner 0/2203-0 RPR 148h OR 137h Won twice on the Flat last year and has the option to stay handicap hurdling after a good third at Aintree on Grand National day, but he’s quite high in the handicap and I could see him going back novice chasing after a couple of decent placed efforts last term. He needs to go right-handed over fences. Sternrubin – Tom O’Brien wins The William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race) Ascot 29/10/16That’s A Given 4g Great Pretender – Aulne River Andrew Cohen 10- RPR 104b OR – Won a bumper well at Huntingdon last season so we took him to Punchestown but the race didn’t go to suit and I’m sure he’s capable of more than he produced that day. He has plenty of speed and will go novice hurdling over 2m. Thyme Hill 4g Kayf Tara – Rosita Bay The Englands and Heywoods 1 RPR 110b OR – Won on debut at Worcester this month but we won’t be in any hurry to run him again. I think he’ll need a bit of time to get over that, maybe go for returned with an excellent effort when third in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las on Saturday, looking as though he was going to win at one stage. I was delighted with that and it should set him up nicely for a tilt at the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on November 6, as long as the ground’s not too firm. Tidal Flow 5g Black Sam Bellamy – Mrs Philip Brocade Racing 14- RPR 115b OR – Bred by Richard Johnson and my wife Sarah, he won his bumper well at Newbury but then disappointed under a penalty at Wincanton in the spring. I think he’s better than he showed there and he’ll start in 2m4f novice hurdles. Truckin Away 5g Getaway – Simons Girl Brocade Racing 3- (point form) RPR 87 OR – Ran well in his only Irish point-to-point and looks one to start in novice hurdles at 2m4f or upwards. Umndeni 4g Balko – Marie Royale St Quinton, D L Whateley and Syder 1-4 RPR 111h OR – A half-brother to Vision Des Flos, he’s always shown plenty at home and won his bumper last season at Warwick. A bit disappointing at Warwick on his reappearance but he hadn’t schooled on grass since the spring and he made mistakes, looking hesitant and jumping left. He should benefit for the experience and is a very nice prospect. Waiheke 5m Black Sam Bellamy – Its Meant To Be Mrs Sally White 51424- RPR 111h OR 117h Scored second time out last season at Exeter and ran some good races in defeat, despite showing a tendency to hang left, which we’ve tried to correct. She looks one to start in a handicap hurdle off a fair mark, but she’ll run in mares’ novice chases later on. War Sound 9g Kayf Tara – Come The Dawn The Englands and Heywoods 234222- RPR 140c OR 136c Won the Swinton Hurdle back in 2015 but has been placed eight times in chases without winning. You’d have thought he’ll be landing a handicap chase or novice chase before too long, because he has the ability. I think 2m4f is his trip. WAR SOUND ridden by Ciaran Gethings WINNER at HAYDOCK 9/5/15 Westend Story 7g Westerner – Sarahall Mick Fitzgerald Racing Club 2B/4121- RPR 138h OR 137h Has had his jumping issues but won well on his last two runs of last season, looks one to improve a fair bit and may go to Cheltenham at the weekend before beginning a novice chase career. He’d go on anything but quick ground. Who’s My Jockey 5g Yeats – Skandisk Paul and Clare Rooney 1231-43 RPR 134h OR 136h A good third at Stratford recently on a track that was probably too tight for him. I’d say he wants 3m on a more galloping track – we tried him over the trip at Aintree on his final start of last season but I think he was over the top by then, so I’d be happy to try again. He could go novice chasing before too long. Zanza 4g Arcadio – What A Bleu Louisville Syndicate Elite 6 RPR – OR – Ran a very respectable race on his debut in a Ffos Las bumper last Saturday, looking like he had a chance three furlongs out but just running a bit green in the closing stages. It was a run full of promise. The post Phillp Hobbs Stable Tour appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

Zac Purton will partner Juddmonte Farms’ Finche in next month’s Melbourne Cup after opting against riding on Hong Kong-owned Red Verdon. The champion Hong Kong jockey confirmed he is booked for the Chris Waller-trained four-year-old son of Frankel, who finished third in Wednesday’s Geelong Cup. Finche won at Group Two and Group Three level in France when trained by Andre Fabre before moving to Australia in August. Purton had been tentatively booked for Red Verdon, but after a... View the full article

Connections of Group One-winning colt Summer Passage will resist the temptation of a lucrative stud career and race on in Hong Kong this season. The well-bred son of Snitzel, who sold for A$800,000 (HK$4.4 million) as a yearling in Australia, struggled in his only two Hong Kong starts last season, running a combined 23 lengths off the pace at Sha Tin. Trainer Paul O’Sullivan admitted it was a challenge training the highly strung colt, but hoped a change of scenery could have the desired... View the full article

How much would you pay for a piece of Winx’s poo? View the full article

IRISH Derby winner Latrobe is out of the Melbourne Cup. View the full article