Wandering Eyes

Before the Hammer is a series presented by Keeneland that spotlights consignors, their stories of success and their featured offerings at the upcoming Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. (Nov. 5-16) If presenting a diverse, well-rounded consignment is the name of the game at the upcoming Keeneland November Sale, the folks at Hunter Valley Farm will surely lead their offerings to the ring with the greatest of confidence during the 12-session auction. Hunter Valley, managed by Irish natives Fergus Galvin and Adrian Regan, has a total of 112 horses catalogued throughout the sale, highlighted by a 10-horse Book 1 consignment to be offered Monday, Nov. 5. Scanning through the Hunter Valley consignment, Galvin said he is looking forward to bringing a wide range of prospects through the ring, perhaps none more intriguing than Inventive (Dixie Union) (Hip 96) and her Medaglia d’Oro colt (Hip 95). Inventive, who Hunter Valley secured for $800,000 with Hip 95 in utero at last year’s November Sale, will be offered in foal to standout Lane’s End stallion Quality Road, meaning she is carrying a full-sibling to 2016 GI Del Mar Futurity winner Klimt. The mare is also responsible for graded stakes-placed performer West Coast Chick (Malibu Moon). “Inventive and her Medaglia d’Oro weanling are a very exciting package to offer,” Galvin said. “Obviously, the mare is back in foal, carrying a full-sibling to Klimt, who seems to be very popular in his first year at stud at Darby Dan. And she’s thrown a beautiful colt by ‘Medaglia’ as well, so we’re very excited to put them through.” Galvin did not hesitate when asked what qualities distinguish the Medaglia d’Oro colt as a potential standout. “He’s a very good physical–well-balanced and a great mover,” Galvin said. “He ought to be at the top of most people’s lists at the sale, I would imagine.” Inventive is not Hunter Valley’s only broodmare offered in foal to Quality Road in Book 1. Stakes winner Beauly (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who finished a close fourth in the 2017 GI Flower Bowl Invitational S., is in foal to the leading fifth-crop sire and will enter the ring as Hip 20. “She was quite a good race filly,” Galvin said of Beauly. “It doesn’t all show on her catalogue page, but she was fourth–only beaten a nose for third–in the Flower Bowl. And she was fourth in two other graded stakes. So she was quite a good racemare, and her pedigree and race record should appeal to quite a few people from different countries, I presume.” Multiple graded stakes-placed distaffer Jemima’s Pearl (Distorted Humor) (Hip 99) and her American Pharoah filly (Hip 98) add more fire power to the Hunter Valley consignment. Galvin said the mare, who is in foal to 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner, brings obvious appeal thanks to her pedigree. “She’s a nice mare,” Galvin said. “Distorted Humor doesn’t need much introduction as a broodmare sire. She’s got a foal by American Pharoah by her side, and is in foal to a top racehorse in Gun Runner. She’s another nice package.” Likewise, Galvin did not hide his enthusiasm about the timely updates to the page of Hip 69, a weanling colt by Speightstown who is a full-brother to Qurbaan, who won the Sept. 3 GII Bernard Baruch H. and ran third in Keeneland’s GI Shadwell Turf Mile S. Oct. 6 in his first two starts since being imported from France. Their GISP dam Flip Flop (Fr) (Zieten) is also responsible for the 2-year-old colt Dull Knife (Scat Daddy), who won his debut at Deauville in August and could be poised to make further noise on American shores. “We have the Speightstown full-brother to Qurbaan,” Galvin said. “He’s a really nice colt and he’s obviously had some big updates through the year with Qurbaan, and he’s got a very promising Scat Daddy 2-year-old half-brother who just moved to Todd Pletcher’s barn from France. He’s got a very nice physical and the right updates.” Hip 25, a full-brother to 2015 GI Starlet S. winner Street Fancy from the female family of GI Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus, should catch the eye of plenty of buyers thanks to his physical, according to Galvin. “He’s a lovely colt,” Galvin said. “He’s correct and a good mover.” Galvin said he has a genuine sense of optimism heading into the November sale, partly due to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships luring a diverse, multinational pool of potential buyers to the Bluegrass State in early November–and largely thanks to the momentum of a record-setting September Sale. “It helps having the Breeders’ Cup in your backyard,” Galvin observed. “It’s obviously going to attract people worldwide on the heels of quite a strong September Sale. I think everybody feels pretty good about November.” View the full article

Ronnie Bastin has never directly worked in the racing industry and admits to being a lousy handicapper, but neither of those facts, he says, will stop him from becoming a “cheerleader” for the racing and breeding industries in Kentucky if he is elected mayor of Lexington. Bastin realizes that the major decisions that affect the sport are made at the state level in the halls of the capitol building, but believes the Lexington mayor’s office can influence decisions in Frankfort. He says previous mayors have not done enough for the sport or fully realized how much clout they really have when it comes to helping the industry. “We have a tremendous industry here and it’s the best place in the world to breed horses and we have to do what we can to protect that and make sure the industry thrives,” Bastin said. “We don’t want to look around one day and realize that the same thing that happened to the Standardbred industry in Kentucky back in the eighties has happened to the Thoroughbred industry. We have to realize the treasure we’ve been blessed with and do all we can to make it thrive. I’ve talked to people in the industry and they’ve relayed to me, to my surprise, that there’s never really been a mayor in Lexington that has taken an interest in the economic model of the Thoroughbred industry.” Bastin will face off against Linda Gorton. The Lexington mayoral election is non-partisan, meaning that the candidate’s political affiliations are not listed on the ballot. However, it is well known that Bastin is a Democrat, while Gorton is a Republican. The office opened up when Jim Gray stepped down to launch an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate, losing to Rand Paul. Bastin joined the Lexington Police force in 1984 and was appointed Police Chief in 2008. In 2015, he was appointed Public Safety Commissioner, an office that oversees the corrections department, emergency management, 911, fire, police and security. While Bastin has never worked in racing or with horses, he does have an agricultural background. He grew up on a farm in Barren County, worked as a young corrections officer assigned to the farm at the Blackburn Correctional Facility and studied agriculture, economics and farm management at the University of Kentucky. He said that while in school he mulled the possibility of going into the racing industry with an eye on one day becoming a farm manager. “I think people in racing realize I have a farm background and that I pursued an economics, agricultural, farm management degree in college,” he said. “I really do understand the agriculture industry. I’ve always been interested in the economic model of the equine industry but haven’t been able to have the opportunity to get too close and personal because of the profession I wound up pursuing. During the campaign I’ve been visiting lot of farms and really have come to understand a lot more than I ever knew about the industry.” Bastin believes the Lexington mayor’s office should have enough clout that he can go to Frankfort and be seen and heard by the governor and legislators. There are, obviously, other issues he will get behind in addition to horse racing, but promises that the sport will always be on the front burner when it comes to his dealings with state government. “I think the mayor needs to be one of the biggest cheerleaders and advocates for the industry that there is,” Bastin said. “If there is legislation in Frankfort that can help our industry thrive the mayor needs to be arm in arm in with the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and others to go to Frankfort and work together for positive results. It just makes sense.” Bastin added that the need for expanded gaming is at the top of his list when it comes to issues he will fight for. He also believes that, over the years, the Lexington mayor’s office has done a poor job forming alliances with county officials in Fayette County and other counties where horse farms are vital to the communities. “Fayette and the surrounding counties have not always come together in a way they need to have an effective voice in Frankfort because we haven’t been unified,” Bastin said. “Im going to develop good working relationships with all the surrounding counties that support the industry. Together, we should have a louder voice in Frankfort.” Lexington tends to vote Democratic, which is why Bastin is the favorite in the race. Bastin said he feels the racing industry is behind him and believes that people put party affiliation aside when voting for local offices. “There are some very large farms and owners and managers that are supporting me,” he said. “This is not a partisan race and people look at the skill sets that someone brings to the table to select their mayor. The mayor of a local community needs a unique skill set. The mayor has more to do with quality of life in a local community than a president, governor or senator does.” When on the stump and speaking before people not involved with the racing industry, Bastin’s primary talking point is about improving the quality of life in Lexington. He says local government has to do a better job dealing with the opioid crisis, which goes hand in hand with his vow to reduce violent crime and homicides in the city. He paints himself as pro-business, fiscally conservative and someone who has the bona fides to cut down on gun violence and other societal problems. That and a pro-racing guy. On Nov. 6, the citizens of Lexington will decide if that’s what they’re looking for in their next mayor. View the full article

A total of 262 nominations encompassing 191 different horses from 12 different racing jurisdictions–including a landmark representative from the Czech Republic–have been received by the Hong Kong Jockey Club for the 2018 Longines Hong Kong International Races. Exactly one-third of the horses entered have won a top-level event. The four Group 1 events, to be contested at distances from 1200m to 2400m and worth a record total of HK$93 million (£9.2 million/€10.4 million/A$16.8 million/US$11.9 million), will be staged Sunday, Dec. 9, at Sha Tin Racecourse. Among the entries are three of last year’s winners, each locally based, including defending Longines Hong Kong Cup hero Time Warp (GB) (Archipenko); Horse of the Year Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road to Rock {Aus}), who will look to go back-to-back in the Longines Hong Kong Mile; and Mr Stunning (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) shooting for consecutive wins in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint. But given the depth of quality from all over the world, it will prove no easy task. The Japanese can always be counted upon to field a top team for the HKIR and 2018 would appear to be no different. There is no more exciting entrant from the island nation than Almond Eye (Jpn), a daughter of two-time Hong Kong Sprint hero Lord Kanaloa (Jpn), who recently completed a sweep of the fillies’ Triple Crown in the G1 Shuka Sho. The Silk Racing runner was given entries in both the Longines Hong Kong Cup (2000m) and Longines Hong Kong Vase (2400m) and would take some beating in either spot. Godolphin’s last-out G1 Sprinters’ S. victor Fine Needle (Jpn) (Admire Moon {Jpn}) is in line for a second trip to Hong Kong, having run a good fourth to Ivictory (Aus) (Mossman {Aus}) in the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize last April. Mozu Ascot (Frankel {GB}), victorious in the G1 Yasuda Kinen in June, could fly the flag in the Longines Hong Kong Mile, while recent G1 Kikuka Sho winner Etario (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}) could be joined by former Longines Hong Kong Vase by that race’s 2016 winner Satono Crown (Jpn) (Marju {Ire}). There are quiet rumours that the quarantine issues that have halted Australian participation in international racing in Hong Kong are about to be eased, and with that in mind, some 24 horses have been entered across the four races. While Winx (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}) is not among them, the Australian challenge in the Sprint is formidable on paper, with eight of the nine entrants already winners at the Group 1 level. That list includes Viddora (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}), Vega Magic (Aus) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), The Everest runner-up Trapeze Artist (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) and Santa Ana Lane (Aus) (Lope de Vega {Ire}). Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) won the Vase for the second time in three years in 2017, defeating Godolphin’s Talismanic (GB) (Medaglia d’Oro), and Ballydoyle names dot the entries for the HKIR. Highland Reel’s brother Idaho (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) was given an entry in the Vase, while Mendelssohn (Scat Daddy) and Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) could represent the team in the Cup. U S Navy Flag (War Front), the G1 Darley July Cup winner who flopped in unsuitably soft ground in The Everest, could take in the Sprint and Gustav Klimt (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), the G1 St James’s Palace runner-up, has been given the option of a run in the Hong Kong Mile. Trainer Aidan O’Brien’s son Joseph could send out G1 Irish Derby upsetter Latrobe (Ire) (Camelot {Ire}). Staj Bonanza’s Czech Republic-based Subway Dancer (Ire) (Shamardal) covered himself in glory with a third-place effort to Cracksman (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in last Saturday’s G1 QIPCO British Champion S. and could take his place in the field for the Cup. Seven entries were received from American-based runners, including Mind Your Biscuits (Posse), who was nominated to each race bar the Vase. Yoshida (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}) and Voodoo Song (English Channel) were entered for the Mile, while two-time GII Woodford S. winner Bucchero (Kantharos), MGSW Disco Partner (Disco Rico) and top dirt horse Imperial Hint (Imperialism) were handed entries for the Sprint. Others among the 44 local entries include the progressive sprinter Hot King Prawn (Aus) (Denman {Aus}); ‘TDN Rising Star’ and MG1SW Pakistan Star (Ger) (Shamardal); former Horse of the Year Werther (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}); and the talented John Size-trained sprinters D B Pin (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) and Beat the Clock (Aus) (Hinchinbrook {Aus}). “Hong Kong in December is a destination that appeals to the world’s great horsemen and that is borne out by the fact that we have entries from 12 jurisdictions, with many of the world’s most prominent trainers and owners looking to end their year on a high at Sha Tin in four career-defining races,” said Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing, at the Hong Kong Jockey Club. View the full article

As the breed registry for North American Thoroughbreds, The Jockey Club is responsible for reviewing and approving all Thoroughbred names. Last year, the registry reviewed more than 35,000 names, with about 73% of those getting approved. View the full article

Fasig-Tipton will match all funds raised through this year’s New Vocations Breeders’ Cup Pledge in honor of the late Bill Graves, it was announced Wednesday. The Pledge offers owners and trainers of Breeders’ Cup contenders a chance to give back by committing a percentage of their championship earnings to support New Vocations’ aftercare efforts. To date, the fundraiser has raised nearly $500,000 over the past nine years. The program is hoping that Fasig-Tipton’s generosity will encourage more people join the Pledge. “The Breeders’ Cup attracts the finest horses, trainers and owners from around the world,” Fasig-Tipton President and CEO Boyd Browning said. “Bill Graves had a great appreciation for quality Thoroughbreds and was a staunch advocate for the retraining of Thoroughbreds for second careers. Fasig-Tipton is pleased to join with New Vocations to provide matching funds for 2018 Breeders’ Cup pledges in Bill’s honor.” Anna Ford, Program Director at New Vocations, added, “We were thrilled to have Fasig-Tipton reach out to us with the offer to match the funds raised this year by our annual Breeders’ Cup Pledge. We greatly appreciate their support, and it means a lot to our organization to be able to honor Bill Graves as aftercare was something he was so passionate about. We look forward to honoring Bill’s memory by having his name incorporated with the signage of our indoor arena at our Lexington, Kentucky facility.” All of the Pledge information can be found at www.newvocations.org/breeders-cup-pledge/ or by contacting anna@horseadoption.com. View the full article

Fasig-Tipton announced Oct. 24 that they will be matching all funds raised through this year's New Vocations Breeders' Cup Pledge in honor of the late Bill Graves. View the full article

The two-day Goffs UK Autumn Sale began on Wednesday in Doncaster with the yearling session, and shoppers will no doubt be hoping their purchases materialize into Mabs Cross (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}), this year’s G1 Prix de l’Abbaye winner who was picked up for just £3,000-which was, incidentally, Wednesday’s median–at this sale three years ago. Sellers, in the meantime, largely suffered on Wednesday, with less than half (46%) of the offered youngsters finding new homes. The day’s top lot-a £50,000 colt by first-crop sire Sidestep (Aus)-was also the day’s breakout horse and dragged the average up 23% to £5,198, while the median dipped 6%. The total accrued for 66 sold was £343,100. The session-topping lot 147 was picked up by Tony Carroll from the Worsall Grange consignment. He is out of Cheap N Chic (GB) (Primo Valentino) and is a half-brother to two winners. The sire, who stands at Haras du Logis, is a son of Exceed and Excel (Aus) who won Australia’s G2 Pago Pago S. at two and was second in the G1 Golden Slipper. He also won the G2 Royal Sovereign S. at three over Group 1 winner Bounding (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}). Worsall Grange also sold the day’s second-highest priced lot, a filly by Finjaan (GB) (lot 104) who was signed for by Liberty for £35,000. The Goffs UK Autumn Sale concludes on Thursday with the horses-in-training and point-to-point session. 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. Thursday’s Insights features a daughter of champion Zagora (Fr) (Green Tune). 2.05 Deauville, Mdn, €27,000, unraced 2yo, f, 8fT Al Shaqab Racing’s TUNED (GB) (Toronado {Ire}) is a daughter of former Jean-Claude Rouget stable incumbent and subsequent US champion Zagora (Fr) (Green Tune), who registered victories in the GI Diana S. and GI Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, and the homebred chestnut faces 15 rivals in this debutantes’ heat. They include stablemate Sadiqa (Fr) (Poet’s Voice {GB}), who is an Aga Khan homebred half-sister to G1 Prix Saint-Alary heroine Sagawara (GB) (Shamardal). View the full article

DEAUVILLE, France—The later start time for the concluding session of Part 1 of Arqana’s October Sale proved to be of benefit to the breeder of the first lot through the ring on Wednesday after her 2-year-old sister Nova Sol (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) delivered a black-type update with a placed finish in the G3 Prix des Reservoirs two hours before trade gut underway. John Hammond struck early, effectively allowing lot 229 to make all when leading the second day, ensuring that the neat bay filly from the Haras de Saint Arnoult draft would end up at his Chantilly stable. The trainer bid to €140,000 for the daughter of the juvenile winner Neckara (Ger) (Shirocco {Ger}), herself out of another mare with decent 2-year-old form, the G3 Preis der Winterkonigen winner Narooma (Ger) (Silver Hawk). “She’s slightly on the small side but she’s the most lovely walker and in time she should get every yard of a mile and a half,” said Hammond. “She’s the mare’s third foal and the first two are both winners—her full-sister has just finished third in a Group 3 across the road.” As well as Nova Sol, Gestut Auenquelle’s diminutive Soldier Hollow has also worked well with the previous generation of the family. Neckara’s half-sister Nymeria (Ger) is also by Germany’s leading sire and was a listed winner in her home country with multiple Group placings including the German 1,000 Guineas and the G2 Badener Meile. The siblings were bred by Soldier Hollow’s owner Helmut von Finck at his Gestut Park Wiedingen. Consignor Larissa Kneip, who offered the yearling filly on behalf of her breeder Bernd Dietel, will soon take charge of a son of a Soldier Hollow at her Haras de Saint Arnoult The G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin winner Dschingis Secret (Ger), who is owned by Dietel in partnership with Horst Pudwill, retires to stud with six Group victories to his credit. The 5-year-old last year led home two classy Godolphin colts when beating Hawkbill (Kitten’s Joy) to secure his top-level win and followed up by beating Cloth Of Stars (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the G2 Prix Foy. He will stand his first season at a fee of €4,000. “Bernd Dietel is based in Switzerland but is investing heavily in French racing and breeding,” Kneip explained. “He has horses in training here and boards mares with me. He will have between 15 to 20 to support his stallion next year and the dam of this filly will also be visiting Dschingis Secret.” Trade was notably quieter than the first day of the sale and the comparative figures reflected shortfalls on those recorded last year. The clearance rate, though down two points, remained respectable at 78.5% for 91 yearlings sold through the afternoon. This was the same number to change hands in the corresponding 2017 session, but at a reduced average of €33,198 (-7%), while the median dipped from €27,000 to €25,000. Aggregate for the day was also down by 7% at €3,021,000. Rolling The Dice Again Amanda Skiffington’s foray to the October Sale two years ago resulted in the €130,000 purchase of Dice Roll (Fr). Trained by Fabrice Chappet, the son of Showcasing (GB) went on to win the inaugural Criterium de la Vente de Yearlings d’Octobre on Arc weekend last year before being beaten just a neck for third in the G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains. Agent and trainer teamed up again—Chappet signing on behalf of the absent Skiffington—for a Camacho (GB) filly from the draft of Julie Mestrallet’s Haras de l’Aumonerie. The German-bred daughter of the Kheleyf mare Song Of Time (Ire) (lot 304) was also sold for €130,000, a fairly hefty rise from when she went through the same ring last December for €12,000, bought by Nicola Kent of Ireland’s Ballyhampshire Stud. Chappet later added lot 311 to the list of purchases for the agent at €85,000. The Intello (Ger) colt is the second foal of dual winner Stumpy (GB) (Lawman {Fr}) and is a half-brother to winning hurdler Coeur Rouge (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}). Another buying outfit to regroup after a previously successful Arqana purchase was that of trainer Francis Graffard, owner Steeve Burggraf who races his horses under the name of Ecurie di Montalhuc, and agent Laurent Benoit. The trio involved in this year’s G3 Prix de Psyche and G1 Prix de Diane-placed Homerique (Exchange Rate) secured another filly (lot 268), a first-crop daughter of Golden Horn (GB) sold by Haras d’Etreham for €120,000. Benoit said, “We are trying something a bit new by putting our faith in a first-season sire. She is a beautiful filly from a top-class family and Dansili is a very good broodmare sire. She probably won’t be a 2-year-old but that doesn’t worry us.” The Dansili (GB) mare in question is the 9-year-old Rose Et Noire (Ire), who is already the dam of two winners and is a half-sister to the dual Group 2 winner Free Port Lux (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). The mare’s dam Royal Highness was successful on both sides of the Atlantic, winning the GI Beverley D S. and the G2 Prix de Malleret. The family also includes Godolphin’s treble Group 1 winner Wild Illusion (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Siyouni (Fr), whose October Sale average is currently at €102,867 for 15 yearlings sold, provided the one other six-figure lot of the session, a colt out of a sister to Edouard de Rothschild’s four-time Group 1 winner Meandre (Fr) (Slickly {Fr}) (lot 238). Paul Nataf signed the ticket at €120,000 on behalf of an undisclosed owner-breeder. “She will stay in training in France and the plan is to breed from her eventually. The client bought four yearlings at the August Sale and we have been actively looking for a farm to buy in the area,” said the agent. Two more full sessions of yearlings are set to be staged in Deauville with the penulatimte day’s action commencing at 11am today. View the full article

Fans won't need to wait long to see something new at this year's Breeders' Cup as the inaugural edition of the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint will get this year's World Championships started Friday, Nov. 2, at Churchill Downs. View the full article

If once again lamentably timid regarding the other dirt races, a record European entry for the 35th Breeders’ Cup more than redresses that lack of adventure with a genuinely audacious challenge for the Classic itself. For if dual Arc winner Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) bears the standard in the turf programme-which has, as usual, attracted a formidable raiding party–then confirmation that her stablemate Roaring Lion (Kitten’s Joy) will target the Classic represents a gamble in the very best sporting traditions. With only a fortnight to absorb a gruelling race in unsuitable ground at Ascot last Saturday, Roaring Lion will be trying to raise the bar still higher after a season in which he has, in fairness, appeared to thrive on a schedule that has relentlessly pitched him against top-class horses at least once a month since April. On publication of the pre-entries yesterday John Gosden, his trainer, rightly applauded the sporting instincts of his owners Qatar Racing. But they can comfort themselves that, in the end, they are more or less staking a bet to nothing. If Roaring Lion happens to struggle with such a demanding change of environment, after such a demanding season, then it will not take a cent off the value he has established as the premier European colt of his generation. Success, on the other hand, would open up a whole new market for his next career at Tweenhills Stud. “We’re entering unknown waters, and he’s not exactly bred for it,” admitted Gosden. “It’s a massive challenge, and it’s extremely game and sporting of the owners to be coming. But a lot of good horses have tried it over the years–you think of Galileo (Sadler’s Wells) and others–and when it hasn’t worked out I think people tend to admire the boldness of trying and to discard the result.” “We’re all perfectly aware that breezing on the dirt is one thing, and racing on it quite another. I’ve found, over the years, that the problem is not so much the surface as the kickback. Training in America, I worked turf horses 36-and-change on the dirt and would then find that in the race they couldn’t get round [a mile] in 1:41. And that’s because they’re not seasoned. When they find all this dirt coming back in their faces, they start climbing, their breathing gets interrupted.” Roaring Lion does hold a second entry for the Turf but Gosden, while indicating that a sloppy track might alter thinking, was clear that while the horse’s ability to handle the surface was unproven, his preferred distance range was firmly established. Gosden, of course, is the only European trainer to have saddled the Classic winner since the 133-1 shocker Arcangues (Sagace {Fr}) in 1993. But while Raven’s Pass (Elusive Quality), like Roaring Lion, graduated from a heavy campaign leading up to the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S., there have been two huge changes in the landscape since 2008. One is that the inauguration of Qipco Champions’ Day has required the QEII to be shifted much closer to the Breeders’ Cup; the other is that Raven’s Pass was exploiting a brief synthetics window at Santa Anita. A nettle was grasped in renouncing that experiment. By this stage, however, it must be doubted whether even the difficult questions they are asking of their own champion might yet prompt the Champions’ Day sponsors to revisit its place in the calendar. As it is, they must be applauded for rolling the dice. “Obviously the horse has had a tough, long year, and I thought he was incredibly brave the other day when at no stage on the bridle,” Gosden said. “He’s been good since Saturday, and playful at home, albeit he’s probably not expecting to get on a plane. But he is tough enough for it. We know this horse has a fantastic constitution, and he’s got bigger and stronger through the season from training and racing hard.” If Roaring Lion is fairly candidly tackling the race on a wing and a prayer, there could be no greater contrast in the preparation of Mendelssohn (Scat Daddy), who has been given such a purposeful grounding in dirt racing. His trainer Aidan O’Brien has twice come agonisingly close to winning the Classic, having saddled Giant’s Causeway (Storm Cat) in that epic duel with Tiznow (Cee’s Tizzy) over this track in 2000, and Declaration Of War (War Front) to share a three-way photo at Santa Anita in 2013. The other transatlantic raider is Thunder Snow (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}), who likewise warmed up in the G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup. He has since been training up to the race at Churchill, where his trainer Saeed Bin Suroor saddled Swain (Ire) (Nashwan) to that valiant and dramatic near-miss in the 1998 running. Many of those European horses to have actually tried dirt at the Breeders’ Cup have excelled despite copper-bottomed turf pedigrees and, while Roaring Lion is by a celebrated turf influence, there are no rules about these things. Kitten’s Joy’s own sire El Prado (Sadler’s Wells) was always viewed as a turf stallion, but his son Medaglia d’Oro has certainly become a master of all trades. Ready Enable Regardless, the rest of the European challenge is unsurprisingly spread across the grass races. Thanks partly to the promotion from the undercard of a Juvenile Turf Sprint, there are a record 49 individual European entries (including three double entries), comprising 25 from Britain, 22 from Ireland and five from France. And it is again the British champion trainer who leads the way, with Enable potentially able to make a virtue, in the Turf, of her late start to the campaign–not to mention her interrupted Arc preparation. “The filly comes to the race relatively fresh,” Gosden said. “She was a little quiet for a bit after the Arc, but you don’t normally win that race 85% fit. I think I’ve got her fit now, anyway! She breezed this morning under Frankie [Dettori], and seems in good order. But when you are shipping that far, you can never be too confident. It’s the end of the year, she’s a filly, and until you’ve seen how she’s travelled, seen her blood counts and everything, and how she’s settled, you can’t be taking anything for granted.” Arc winners have found the Breeders’ Cup tough going over the years, albeit Sakhee (Bahri) showed the rewards available for risking the dirt when–though out of a Ribblesdale winner by Sadler’s Wells–getting within a nose of stopping Tiznow’s follow-up in 2001, 20 days after winning in Paris. But Gosden saw little reason to be discouraged by the narrow defeat of Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) by Found (Ire) (Galileo {Ire})–whose name, after all, would be next inscribed on the Arc trophy–in this same race three years ago. “Golden Horn was beaten for one reason and one reason only,” he said. “They had an inch and a half of rain, the track was very deep and loose, and he just spun his wheels. But the [sharp] track should be fine for Enable, she handled the turns at Chester particularly well on her second start as a 3-year-old, and she got round Epsom okay too.” Enable is odds-on at 4-6 with bookmakers Coral, who also have European horses at the head of their betting on the Mile, with Polydream (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}) at 5-2; the Juvenile Turf, with Anthony Van Dyck (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) at the same odds; the Juvenile Turf Sprint, with Soldier’s Call (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) just shading Sergei Prokofiev (Scat Daddy) at 3-1 and 100-30 respectively; and the Filly and Mare Turf, with Wild Illusion (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) at 9-4. British Horseracing Authority handicapper Dominic Gardiner-Hill, who had the previous day participated in an eight-hour teleconference to establish rankings for oversubscribed races, named the latter as Europe’s best prospect of the two days after her success in the G1 Prix de l’Opera. “She has improve a little bit all through the season and her last couple of runs have probably been her best yet,” he said. “I’m not sure the American defence is that hot in this race and I’ll be disappointed if she gets beaten. Enable should win, and if she doesn’t I suspect another of the Europeans will. She’s rated 128, and gets the fillies’ allowance, with Crystal Ocean (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) next on 126. We have a strong hand in the Mile, too, with Expert Eye (GB) (Acclamation {GB}) possibly our best chance. Overall I’d say we have a cracking chance of coming away with a good number of the turf races in our pocket.” Plenty of Chances For Ballydoyle As ever, O’Brien matches quality and quantity in the team he is preparing at Ballydoyle. These include Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), like Roaring Lion obliged to soak up a generous effort at Ascot only last Saturday. She has had a rather lighter season, and her trainer said he feels she is only just coming into her own after stepping up in trip and has duly made the Turf her first preference, ahead of the Filly and Mare Turf (where Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Athena (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) are slated to represent the stable). “Wayne Lordan was delighted with her when she tried the mile and a half the first time in the Arc, and when she won at Ascot it was only her second run at the distance,” O’Brien said. “We were training for the Oaks but had a little setback, but as she comes into the autumn a fresh filly it might all have been a blessing in disguise.” Also granted a dual entry is So Perfect (Scat Daddy), with a first preference for the Juvenile Turf Sprint but an option in the Juvenile Fillies’ Turf. “She’s a fast filly, but we haven’t decided yet,” O’Brien explained. “We could still give her chance at a mile to find out about her for next year.” Just Wonderful (Dansili {GB}) is definitely targeting the longer race after emulating her dam Wading (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) to win in the G2 Rockfel S. “She’s a lovely, slick filly who likes to follow the pace and quicken,” O’Brien said. “She’s a classy, very well- bred filly we’ve always loved.” On track for the shorter race, conversely, is Sergei Prokofiev–who confirmed speed to be his forte with a last-to-first dash in the G3 Cornwallis S. at Newmarket. “He got very quick as the year went on,” O’Brien reflected. “Sometimes those fast horses will stretch out but he just got quicker and quicker. He found it hard to go a stride slower over six furlongs, but settled lovely and quickened very well back over five last time–which is not an easy thing to do at Newmarket. A fast pace will suit him very well, he relaxes when they go quick.” Anthony Van Dyck earned his place in Coral’s list with Group 1 podiums in the National S. and Dewhurst S. “He has a lovely mind,” said O’Brien. “We’re looking forward to him next year. We also have Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}) in the race and we’ll probably only run one. Horses can come and go at this time of year so we’ll be watching them very carefully; they have to pass all their tests, their bloods and scopes. Broome has had a tough enough season and has travelled a good bit, but he’s a solid horse. We’ll take it day-by-day and see.” Lost Treasure (Ire) (War Front) is having a busy autumn but was only beaten a length when flying late into fifth in the G1 Prix de l’Abbaye and is an intriguing outsider for the Turf Sprint. “He’s a very smart colt with a lot of speed,” reasoned O’Brien. “He just doesn’t want to be in front too long. He’s just one of those horses that things need to fall right, but they could do in a race like that.” Gustav Klimt (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) has shown the speed to be Group 1-placed over six furlongs, but steps back up in trip for the Mile alongside two female stablemates. “He travels and quickens well so we think he’ll love racing round a bend,” O’Brien said. “Happily (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is coming all the time, we just felt we never really got her there yet, and there might be a bit more to come from her. Fast ground and a flat mile will suit her well. And it was obviously a great run from I Can Fly (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) at Ascot on Saturday, and all ground seems to come to her alike.” She got within a neck of Roaring Lion, of course, and Mendelssohn will be next on his case in the Classic. “After the Kentucky Derby he had a little time and then he started his preps,” O’Brien said. “We think he’s progressed with every run and Ryan [Moore] was very happy with him the last day.” The whole stable, remember, had a troubled spell in midsummer. “But they’re running well lately,” O’Brien said. “We’re very happy with them. These horses have most of their serious work done now, and they’re due to fly on Monday afternoon.” That’s the wing sorted, then. Next–and this is true whether, in Gosden’s words, “you’ve planned from summer onwards” or just say, as with Roaring Lion, “let’s take a look at this at the end of the year”–comes the prayer. View the full article

While this year's Triple Crown winner Justify retired before this year's Breeders' Cup, pre-entries announced Oct. 24 for the World Championships Nov. 2 and 3 at Churchill Downs still include plenty of star power. View the full article

Led by multiple Grade I winner Accelerate (Lookin At Lucky), two-time G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe heroine Enable (Nathaniel {Ire}), multiple Group 1 victor Roaring Lion (Kitten’s Joy) and four-time Grade I victress Monomoy Girl (Tapizar), a record 221 horses, including 51 from overseas, have been pre-entered for the 2018 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, to take place Nov. 2-3 at Churchill Downs. The 35th Breeders’ Cup will consist of 14 races, 13 of them Grade I’s, with purses and awards totaling a record $30 million. This is the record-tying ninth time the event will be held beneath the Twin Spires. Five Breeders’ Cup races will transpire Friday, with the other nine unfolding Saturday. The Breeders’ Cup will be televised live by NBCSN and NBC, with the featured $6 million GI Breeders’ Cup Classic scheduled to run at 5:44 p.m. EST Saturday. A dozen races are oversubscribed, with more than 14 in 11 races and more than 12 in the new Juvenile Turf Sprint. There are 48 horses who were pre-entered after qualifying for automatic starting positions through the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series. Irish-based trainer Aidan O’Brien leads trainers with 18 pre-entered horses, while his frequent client Coolmore paces owners with 20 entered. View the full article

Sunderland Holdings Inc’s Rainbow Heart (Ire) (Born To Sea {Ire}) did not enjoy the clearest of passages when running on at the end of Newmarket’s seven furlongs in her Sept. 29 debut last time, but made amends in style to earn ‘TDN Rising Star’ status tackling the same course and distance Wednesday. In front after a sharp getaway in the hands of Ryan Moore, the 4-6 favourite maintained control throughout and powered clear of Pytilia (Mizzen Mast) once allowed an inch of rein at the quarter-mile marker to easily trounce that rival by an impressive eight lengths. Rainbow Heart, kin to a yearling filly by Invincible Spirit (Ire) and a filly foal by Lope de Vega (Ire), is the third foal and lone performer for G2 Prix de Royallieu victress Sea of Heartbreak (Ire) (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}), herself a half to German black-type scorer Persefona (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}). Her third dam Dansara (GB) (Dancing Brave) is kin to G1 Irish Oaks heroine Princess Pati (Ire) (Top Ville {Ire}), G2 Great Voltigeur S.-winning sire Seymour Hicks (Fr) (Ballymore {Ire}) and dual Listed Prix Belle de Nuit winner Sidara (Ire) (Golden Fleece), who in turn produced stakes-winning G2 Prix de Malleret runner-up Ancara (GB) (Dancing Brave). 1st-Newmarket, £6,000, Cond, 10-24, 2yo, f, 7fT, 1:25.43, gd. RAINBOW HEART (IRE), f, 2, by Born To Sea (Ire) 1st Dam: Sea of Heartbreak (Ire), by Rock of Gibraltar (Ire) 2nd Dam: Top Forty (GB), by Rainbow Quest 3rd Dam: Dansara (GB), by Dancing Brave Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $6,291. O/B-Sunderland Holdings Inc (IRE); T-William Haggas. Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. View the full article

With an action packed day in store the Picks From The Paddock team have put together their selections for every race bet plus their Best Bet featuring a filly making the long trip from North Yorkshire who’ll be hoping to make the journey worthwhile for her trainer Karl Burke. Bet Of The Day 17:15 Chelmsford The youngsters take centre stage in the first contest of the evening at Chelmsford tonight where trainer Karl Burke is set to make a 480 mile round trip from his base in North Yorkshire with just two runners on the card. He has a filly making her debut later on but his runner in the opening event looks to have a great chance of shaking off her maiden tag. Although she hadn’t finished inside of the top half in her first three starts she changed things around at Nottingham last time to claim an eye-catching 5th in a strong 15 runner race. That most recent effort shows a glimpse of her true potential and in this less competitive affair she looks to have a great chance of finding herself in the winners enclosure. The obvious danger is top weight Calling The Wind who won here at Chelmsford last time out. A 5lb rise in weight isn’t too drastic and as such is bound to be in the mix A note also has to be made for Moon King who finished ahead of our selection at Nottingham. A third placed finish looks very respectable form but I’m hoping with a wider draw and on more even weight the form can be turned around with Delectable doing better. DELECTABLE (WIN) Carlisle: 13:55 – Relkadam (WIN) 14:30 – Delire D’Estruval (WIN) 15:05 – Maire Banrigh (WIN) 15:40 – Forthefunofit (WIN) 16:10 – Samtu (E/W) 16:45 – Theatre Act (WIN) 17:20 – Too Much Too Soon (WIN) Chelmsford: 17:15 – Delectable (WIN) * 17:45 – Wise Ruler (WIN) 18:15 – Arctic Ocean (WIN) 18:45 – Roman Spinner (E/W) 19:15 – Espresso Freddo (WIN) 19:45 – Mudallel (E/W) 20:15 – It’s Not Unusual (WIN) 20:45 – Smart Champion (WIN) Ludlow: 14:10 – That’s A Given (WIN) 14:45 – Whin Park (WIN) 15:20 – Pique Rock (WIN) 15:50 – Cernunnos (WIN) 16:25 – Trigger Nichol (WIN) 17:00 – Amour De Nuit (WIN) Southwell: 14:20 – Great Fairy (E/W) 14:55 – Early Retirement (WIN) 15:30 – La Fille Francaise (WIN) 16:00 – Box Office (E/W) 16:35 – Royal Ruby (WIN) 17:10 – Mystic Court (WIN) Thurles: 14:05 – The Tooth Fairy (E/W) 14:40 – Gathering Storm (E/W) 15:15 – Country Garden (E/W) 15:45 – Maysonette (E/W) 16:20 – Chapparal Dream (WIN) 16:55 – Rise Again (WIN) 17:25 – Hey Little Boy (WIN) The post Picks From The Paddock Best Bets – Thursday 25th October appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

Fans won't need to wait long to see something new at this year's Breeders' Cup as the inaugural edition of the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint will get this year's World Championships started Friday, Nov. 2 at Churchill Downs. View the full article

Matthew Poon Ming-fai is ready to embrace life as a senior jockey after racing through his apprenticeship in the second-fastest time of the modern era. The popular 23-year-old guided home the Jimmy Ting Koon-ho-trained Glory Star in the opening race at Happy Valley on Wednesday night to collect his 70th winner and graduate from the Apprentice Jockeys’ School. Poon achieved the feat in 650 rides, trailing only Matthew Chadwick (472) of those who have reached the mark this century. Vincent... View the full article

Duke of Hazzard (Fr) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) carried maiden status through his first four starts, including a third in Royal Ascot’s June 23 Listed Chesham S., before graduating at Goodwood in his fifth attempt Aug. 4. He went postward for this coming back off a second here in the Aug. 18 Listed Criterium du Fonds Europeen de l’Elevage and a sixth in Newmarket’s Sept. 29 G2 Royal Lodge S. last time. Steadied in third after breaking on the lead, he was relegated one spot at halfway and quickened smartly soon after looming large on the bridle with 300 metres remaining to open up in style and record a first black-type triumph. “I think he should have won when he ran well here in August, but he pulled a shoe and wasn’t right in his blood when he returned home,” said winning trainer Paul Cole. “He missed a lot of work after that and wasn’t ready for the Royal Lodge so we can forgive him and forget about that run. He was back to his usual self today and we’ll now put him away for the season. Christophe Soumillon thinks he could be a horse for the [G1 Poule d’Essai des] Poulains so we’ll see where we are at after he’s had a winter on his back.” Duke of Hazzard is the lone foal out of a winning half to G1 Racing Post Trophy-winning sire Palace Episode (Machiavellian) and the dam of MG1SP G2 Debutante S. victress Laughing Lashes (Mr. Greeley) and G3 Abu Dhabi Championship runner-up Janszoon (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). His unraced third dam Royal Run (Wavering Monarch) produced GI Kentucky Derby runner-up and MGISW sire Tejano Run (Tejano) and GII Jersey Derby-winning sire More Royal (Mt. Livermore), and is herself kin to the dam of MGISW US champion Lady Eli (Divine Park). Wednesday, Deauville, France PRIX ISONOMY-Listed, €60,000, Deauville, 10-24, 2yo, 8fT, 1:42.19, gd. 1–DUKE OF HAZZARD (FR), 125, c, 2, by Lope de Vega (Ire) 1st Dam: With Your Spirit (Fr), by Invincible Spirit (Ire) 2nd Dam: Palace Weekend, by Seattle Dancer 3rd Dam: Royal Run, by Wavering Monarch 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. (€130,000 Ylg ’17 ARAUG). O-Mrs Fitri Hay; B-Runnymede Farm Inc & Catesby W Clay (FR); T-Paul Cole; J-Christophe Soumillon. €30,000. Lifetime Record: SP-Eng, 8-2-3-1, €93,027. 2–Art du Val (GB), 125, c, 2, No Nay Never–Aquarelle Rare (GB), by Rainbow Quest. (120,000gns Ylg ’17 TAOCT). O-Godolphin. €12,000. 3–Parafection (Ire), 125, c, 2, Mastercraftsman (Ire)–Your Game (Fr), by Montjeu (Ire). O-Wertheimer & Frere. €9,000. Margins: 1HF, 2HF, 1 1/4. Odds: 3.10, 4.30, 5.40. Also Ran: Ahesta Bero (GB), Prince Eiji (GB), J’Aurais Du (Fr). Scratched: Zerostress (Ger). Click for the Racing Post result. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. View the full article

Donald will be providing an insight into his runners each week and guiding our readers on his best chances. RaceBets are delighted to announce their partnership with leading Jumps trainer Donald McCain who will become the firm’s new brand ambassador. The partnership will see the Cheshire based trainer write regular blogs exclusively for RaceBets, sharing his thoughts on his upcoming races and giving RaceBets customers the opportunity to visit his Bankhouse training base throughout the season. Donald is one of the biggest trainers in the North and having come just shy of the century of winners last year when he had 98 winners, he will be looking to break through this for the 2018/2019 season. This season has got off to a superb start with 35 winners, especially considering that Donald hasn’t pushed his horses to be ready with the good weather leaving the ground on the quick side for most national hunt horses. New recruit Cloudy Dream will be the first high profile runner from Bankhouse this season when he runs in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree on Sunday. Donald said of his inmate: “He’ll probably go to the Old Roan at Aintree on Sunday. There’s nothing to stop us doing that at the moment and then I’ll learn more about him when I start running him.” Some of the horses that readers can look forward to hearing include the aforementioned Cloudy Dream, Aintree regular Katachenko, Mount Mews and exciting novice chaser Uppertown Prince. “We couldn’t be more excited about our new affiliation with Donald McCain, he‘s one of the best national hunt trainers in the country and with the recent influx of quality horses from Trevor Hemmings and from the sales, this season looks to be his most exciting ever” “Donald has one of the finest training establishments which I had the pleasure of visiting recently and with so many top horses at his disposal, we just can’t wait to see them on the track” said RaceBets Alex Haig. Donald said: “We are very excited and grateful to RaceBets for sponsoring our yard this season. They are the only bookmaker that focuses wholly on horse racing which is the sport we all love, so it’s a good fit” Donald’s Background: His own father was the late-great Ginger McCain who trained the legendary Red Rum to win three Grand Nationals (1973, 1974 and 1977) and also Amberleigh House in the 2004 renewal. Donald learnt the training ropes from some of the sports best trainers after spending two and a half years working for Luca Cumani before becoming pupil assistant to Oliver Sherwood. He followed this by working in some of the top Flat yards during the summer break from jumping, spending time with Sir Michael Stoute and Chris Wall. He took over the training licence from his father in 2006 and has had some big race winners since then with an undoubted highlight coming in 2011 when Ballabriggs landed the Grand National. Donald’s Jockeys: It was announced back in May that Brian Hughes would be the number one jockey at Bankhouse for the season with Donald saying: “For a number of years now Brian has been the standout rider in the north so this appointment can only be a positive step for the long-term future and security of my business and is in the best interest of my owners, staff and horses” Former champion conditional jockey Will Kennedy will still be a big part of the team along with Lorcan Murtagh and his two daughters Abbie and Ella. Donald’s Big Winners: Ballabriggs (Grand National 2011 & Kim Muir 2010) Cinders And Ashes (Supreme Novice Hurdle 2012) Cloudy Lane (Kim Muir 2007 & Peter Marsh Chase 2009) Ile De Re (Chester Cup 2012 & Northumberland Plate 2012) Overturn (Northumberland Plate 2010, Galway Hurdle 2010, Fighting Fifth Hurdle 2011 & Chester Cup 2011) Peddlers Cross (Neptune Novice Hurdle 2010 & Fighting Fifth Hurdle 2010) Son Of Flicka (Coral Cup 2012) Whiteoak (David Nicholson Mares Hurdle 2008) New to RaceBets? Check out our offers here The post RaceBets The New Sponsors Of The Donald McCain Yard appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

Godolphin’s multiple Group 1-winning sprinters Harry Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and Jungle Cat (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) will join the Darley stallion roster in 2019. Champion sprinter Harry Angel will stand at Dalham Hall Stud, while Jungle Cat heads to Kildangan Stud. Fees will be set at a later time. Sam Bullard, Darley’s Director of Stallions, said of the two new recruits, “Jungle Cat is every inch his father’s son. Like him, he was tremendously fast, and with Group 1 form from five to seven furlongs. To be a nose behind Muhaarar at two and yet be at his very best in his 31st start as a 6-year-old just goes to show what an utterly admirable racehorse he was. Meanwhile, watching Harry Angel in full flight was quite a sight, and, even in this golden age of sprinters, we’ve seen very few horses with his outright speed and class. He’ll be a very easy stallion for breeders to use, thanks to his outcross pedigree. It’s an enormous honour for the Darley team to be entrusted with managing their stallion careers and we are delighted to continue our policy of offering a limited number of breeding rights in two outstanding prospects.” View the full article

Third in last month’s one-mile Listed Criterium de Lyon at Lyon-Parilly, Marie-Joelle Goetschy and Thierry de la Heronniere’s homebred Cala Tarida (GB) (Garswood {GB}) stepped forward to cause a stir in Wednesday’s G3 Prix des Reservoirs at Deauville. Her trajectory was upward after a May 31 debut second at Lyon-Parilly–securing wins tackling 5 1/2 panels at Salon-de-Provence June 18 and over one mile at Marseille-Borely July 12–and she returned off a sabbatical to hit the board in her aforementioned black-type debut back at Lyon last time Sept. 29. The bay was sharpest into stride and restrained to occupy a berth in rear after the initial exchanges. Last into the straight and in situ with 300 metres remaining, the 19-1 outsider-of-seven quickened in stunning fashion to challenge six-wide entering the final eighth and was ridden out to assert by a half-length from the hitherto unbeaten Montviette (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) for a career high. “I’ve said all along that she is a very nice filly and after she won at Salon-de-Provence and Marseille-Borely I gave her a break with this race in mind,” explained winning trainer Frederic Rossi. “Her run at Lyon-Parilly was a prep race for today, she wasn’t at her peak for that and has improved significantly since then. She does everything easily, but her main quality is a terrific turn of foot. Hopefully she’ll improve further over the winter and we will aim her at all the top races next year.” Cala Tarida is the latest of three scorers from as many foals produced by an unraced half-sister to this term’s Listed Grand Prix de Lyon victress Tilly’s Chilli (Ire) (Excelebration {Ire}) and she is a half-sister to Listed Prix Herod victor Red Onion (GB) (Fast Company {Ire}) and Listed Prix La Fleche third Siderante (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}). Her dam Capsicum (GB) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) shares the unraced Valley of Hope (Riverman) as a second dam with G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis-winning sire Neatico (Ger) (Medicean {GB}). Valley of Hope, who produced G1 Irish Oaks third Sister Bella (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells), is a half-sister to G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois hero Vin de France (Foolish Pleasure) and G2 Mill Reef S.-winning sire Vacarme (Lyphard). Wednesday, Deauville, France PRIX DES RESERVOIRS-G3, €80,000, Deauville, 10-24, 2yo, f, 8fT, 1:40.38, gd. 1–CALA TARIDA (GB), 122, f, 2, by Garswood (GB) 1st Dam: Capsicum (GB), by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire) 2nd Dam: Scotch Bonnet (Ire), by Montjeu (Ire) 3rd Dam: Valley of Hope, by Riverman 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Mme Marie-Joelle Goetschy & Thierry de la Heronniere (GB); T-Frederic Rossi; J-Gregory Benoist. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 5-3-1-1, €73,600. *1/2 to Red Onion (GB) (Fast Company {Ire}), SW-Fr, $121,082; and Siderante (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), SP-Fr. Werk Nick Rating: B+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Montviette (Fr), 122, f, 2, Le Havre (Ire)–Lady Meydan (Fr), by American Post (GB). O-Gerard Augustin-Normand; B-Franklin Finance SA (FR); T-Jean-Claude Rouget. €16,000. 3–Nova Sol (Ger), 122, f, 2, Soldier Hollow (GB)–Neckara (Ger), by Shirocco (Ger). O-Ecurie Pandora Racing, Ahmed Mouknass & Gerard Decocq; B-Bernd Dietel (GER); T-Mauricio Delcher Sanchez. €12,000. Margins: HF, HF, NK. Odds: 18.60, 2.90, 10.00. Also Ran: Sand Share (GB), Kanuka (Fr), Off The Coast (Ire), Aimara (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. View the full article

Getting chinned by Willie Mullins in the trainers’ championship should not define what Gordon Elliott achieved last season. The campaign may have ended in heartache for Elliott once again but there was no shortage of success stories to console him. There were the eight Cheltenham Festival winners, the joint-highest in the history of the March meeting. Or how about the 13 Grade 1s in all. And how could you forget the pint-sized Tiger Roll leaping his way to Grand National glory at Aintree. General Principle mopped up the Irish Grand National for him too and we haven’t even got to the exploits of Samcro yet. You sense Samcro is the horse who has given Elliott most pleasure in the last 12 months. There was intense pressure heading into the Cheltenham Festival and the fact Elliott had drawn a blank on the opening day intensified that tension. Samcro lived up to the hype by bagging the Ballymore and he now looks to be Ireland’s leading Champion Hurdle contender, unless of course connections decide to send him over fences. Whatever decision is made, Samcro is sure to be one of the most talked about horses of the season. “Last season was brilliant. To have eight winners at Cheltenham was incredible really. Our whole season is about Cheltenham. Everything I do centres around Cheltenham so to have eight winners there was magic,” Elliott says. He adds: “We have an exciting team of horses this season but we wouldn’t mind a bit of rain so we can get them all started. Down Royal early next month is the meeting where I like to start a lot of my good horses so hopefully we get a bit of rain before then.” There was an unusually slow start to the campaign. So often he is like a rocket out of the blocks and it is Mullins playing catch-up but this time around the roles are reversed after a bout of summer sickness descended on the camp. “I missed six weeks. The horses were not right and we took a pull. I needed to do the best by the horses but by shutting up shop for two weeks we lost six weeks as the horses did absolutely nothing for a fortnight and then it took a few weeks to get them back to where they were at. It was the right thing to do, though, and they are back firing on all cylinders now,” he said. Has the dream of becoming Ireland’s champion trainer for the first time been dashed already? “It won’t happen this year but I am 40 years of age and it might happen some year. We are getting better quality animals into the yard and that is what matters,” comes the reply. There is quality everywhere you look in Cullentra House. Samcro might be the star striker on the team but there are potential goalscorers in every stable. Exciting times these. Stable profile Yard Cullentra House Stables Where Longwood, County Meath Started training June 2006 Horses in yard 200 Members of staff 50 Head lad Simon McGonigle Assistant trainers Ian Ammond, Davy Condon, Keith Donoghue Feed man and head work-rider Shane McCann Barn leaders Katie Young, Eleri Apps, Cossie McGivern, Georgie Benson, Seainin Mahon, Catriona Bolger, Jack Madden, Bobby McNally Travelling head lass Camilla Sharples Assistant travelling heads Mary Nugent, Barney Flood Secretaries Alex Hutter, Leanne Halton, Lisa O’Neill Account manager Conor McCafferty Jockeys Davy Russell, Jack Kennedy, Keith Donoghue, Mark Enright Conditionals Conor Orr, Liam McKenna Amateurs Lisa O’Neill, Jamie Codd, Kevin Brogan Stable sponsor Betfair WINNERS IN IRELAND 2017-18 210 2016-17 193 2015-16 123 2014-15 92 2013-14 56 PROFIT/LOSS TO A £1 STAKE 2017-18 -£287.03 2016-17 -£285.47 2015-16 -£285.93 2014-15 -£126.35 2013-14 -£102.86 PRIZE-MONEY 2017-18 €5,158,751 A Toi Phil Eight-year-old gelding Day Flight (sire) – Lucidrile (dam) Owner: Gigginstown House Stud Form figures: 21423-6 Racing Post Rating 162c, 152h Official Rating: 156c, 146h He always gets himself out of trouble by winning one or two every year. He’s probably not a Grade 1 horse but he’ll mop up a few Grade 2s and 3s as he’s always done. He’s paid his way for the last few years and I’d imagine he’ll do that again. He’s a good, fun horse to have about the place. Abacadabras 4g Davidoff – Cadoubelle Des As Gigginstown House Stud Unraced He’s a half-brother to a winner in France. He’s been working nicely and will be ready to start off in a bumper in the next few weeks. Allee Bleue 8g Mount Nelson – Murrieta Adrew Cohen 773326- RPR 141h, 124c OR 126h, 116c He’s arrived from Philip Hobbs and he looks like he could be well handicapped to me. We’re just waiting for a bit of rain to get him going and I’ve been very pleased with what he’s showing me so far. Alpha Des Obeaux 8g Saddler Maker – Omega Des Obeaux Gigginstown House Stud 4646F-5 RPR 170h, 161c OR 151h, 154c He could end up in the Grand National. Mouse [Morris] did a wonderful job with him and the horse probably just wanted a change of scenery more than anything. I was pleased with his run in the Munster National and all roads will hopefully lead to Aintree. Ange D’Or Javilex 8g Puit D’Or – Ixia De Menil Thomas R Coleman 3P6/07/0/ RPR 124h, OR 109h He hasn’t been the easiest to train and he’s been off for a long time but he’s actually been doing one or two nice bits of work lately. Anytime Now 6g Beneficial – Rag’s Lady Allan Snow 423375 RPR 123h OR 112h He won his bumper by a wide margin at Kilbeggan and has been a bit frustrating since. He’s definitely up to winning a maiden hurdle before the winter horses come out. Apple’s Jade 6m Saddler Maker – Apple’s For Ever Gigginstown House Stud 1/11133- RPR 162h OR 158h She’ll go an identical route to the one she took last year. She’ll start off in the Lismullen Hurdle at Navan and then on to Fairyhouse for the Hatton’s Grace, a race she won so impressively last year. She kept coming into season during the second half of last season but we think we’ve rectified that issue now. She’s absolutely bombing at home at the moment and the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham is once again the ultimate aim. Apple’s Jade and Keith Donoghue on straight of the sand gallop. Cullentra House Stables.Authorizo 3g Authorized – Street Lightning Gigginstown House Stud 34-13 (Flat form) Handled deep ground when he won at Cagnes-Sur-Mer in January. He’s schooled nicely and will go for a juvenile hurdle once we get a bit of rain. Baby Twig 7m Network – Natty Twigy Philip J Reynolds 1/ RPR 115b She got a leg after she won her bumper by a wide margin in Punchestown around this time two years ago. She’s back now and working away nicely. She’s a nice mare and jumps particularly well. Ball D’Arc 7g Network – Pretty Moon Gigginstown House Stud 33/31U5- RPR 149h, 162c OR 140h, 157c Has thrived since we sent him over fences but hurt himself when favourite at Naas in February and it will probably be Christmas by the time we get him out. He always pays his way. Ballydunblaze 4f Arcadio – Classy Conflict John Lane 1 RPR 96b We’ll look for a winners’ bumper for her in the coming week. She got the job done nicely at Navan and has come on for it too. Baltazar D’Allier 7g Malinas – Kinoise D’Allier JP McManus 12F/ RPR 144h OR 140h We’re looking forward to getting this fella back out. He won his maiden hurdle at Naas like a nice horse and was second in the Challow at Newbury on New Year’s Eve. He then fell at Navan and has had time off since. Battleoverdoyen 5g Doyen – Battle Over Gigginstown House Stud 1/ (point form) A lovely, big horse who won his point-to-point at Loughanmore with a bit up his sleeve. He had a little setback last season and we never got to run him but he’s ready to rock in a bumper as soon as we get a bit of soft ground. Batts Rock 5g Fastnet Rock – Be My Queen Noel Moran/Mrs Valerie Moran 2 A useful stayer on the Flat who was a bit unlucky at Punchestown last Wednesday as the winner ran right across him at the last. Should have little difficulty picking up a maiden hurdle on nice ground. Ben Dundee 6g Beneficial – Miss Dundee C Jones 162000- RPR 140h OR 133h He’s a bit better than his form. He’s been a bit unlucky. He’s going over fences and you’ll see him sooner rather than later. Best Of Dubai 6m Dubai Destination – Second Best Lucky Shoe Part Three Syndicate 3422-31 RPR 103b She won a bumper the other day at Galway and has never run a bad race for us. She’ll head for a maiden hurdle now in the next few weeks. Black Tears 4f Jeremy – Our Girl Salley Mrs Caren Walsh & John Lightfoot 2122- RPR 110b This filly is nice. She got a bit of a cut after Punchestown in April but she’s back cantering now and hopefully you will see her this side of Christmas. She already has black type. Bless The Wings 13g Winged Love – Silva Venture Adrian Butler/S P O’Connor P1FP34- RPR 133h, 152c OR 120h, 137c He’s been some servant. He was third in the Grand National and hopefully he might end up back there next April. We’ll take the cross-country route with him again and I have the Pardubicka at the back of my mind for him. Blow By Blow 7g Robin Des Champs – Shean Rose Gigginstown House Stud 161147- RPR 152h OR 150h He’s ready to go and it will be novice chasing for him. He looks like a big winter horse who should relish deep ground but arguably his best form is on better ground. The RSA or National Hunt Chase is where we would like him to end up. Boot Camp 5g Milan – Derravaragh Native Gigginstown House Stud 274181 RPR 134h, 129c OR 130h I liked the way he got the job done at Limerick. That was his first start over fences and we’ll look for a winner of one for him now. Brelade 6g Presenting – Polivalente DP Sharkey 243725- RPR 145h, 143c OR 139h, 139c He got a bad cut in the Scottish Champion Hurdle and it has taken a while to get him back. He doesn’t have enough confidence over fences so we’re going to aim him at the Greatwood at Cheltenham’s November meeting. Campeador 6g Gris De Gris – Royale Video JP McManus 4F/F/1F3- RPR 154h OR 150h He has a hell of a lot of ability and shows us an awful lot at home. He had a couple of silly falls to his name which didn’t help his confidence. He is back cantering away now and always works well. Carter McKay 7g Martaline – Saxona Pearl Bloodstock Ltd 06/1330- RPR 140h OR 138h We have had him about six weeks or so. If you look at some of his best form you would imagine he will develop into a nice, staying novice chaser. If I could sum up last season in one word . . . Brilliant Cats For Cash 4g Mahler – Harvard Girl Liam J Clancy 2 RPR 89b Should come on for his debut second in a Down Royal bumper and we’ll look for something similar soon. Champagne Classic 7g Stowaway – Classical Rachel Gigginstown House Stud 321311/ RPR 153h OR 151h He’s got some very, very good form. He’s certainly surprised us. He shows us nothing at home. You would like to think that chasing will bring out the best in him and he’s ready to go over fences now. I’m very happy with where he is at the moment. Chief Justice 3g Acclamation – Freedom Pass Cheveley Park Stud 2111 RPR 120h He’s done nothing but improve since arriving here. He was impressive at Listowel and Gowran Park. He only does what he has to do. We’ll put him away for the thick of winter when the ground gets too deep and maybe have a go at the Fred Winter. Race in focus I was watching the Pardubicka the other day on the television and I thought to myself ‘that’s a race I would love to have a good at next year.’ Maybe something like Tiger Roll or Bless The Wings might be suited to it. It would be some buzz to have a runner in that. Coeur Sublime 3g Elusive Pimpernel – Love Knot Chris Jones 1 (Flat form) I’d say this fella is a fair horse. He beat Southern France in a Navan maiden last April and that form doesn’t look too bad now, does it? He’ll start off in a juvenile hurdle as soon as we get a bit of rain. I can’t wait for that. Coeur Sublime winning from Southern France (Ryan Moore) and Understate (Billy Lee) in the “Kilberry Maiden” at NavanColumn Of Fire 4g Robin Des Champs – Ghillie’s Bay Gigginstown House Stud 2- RPR 119b He chased home Commander Of Fleet in the Land Rover Bumper at Punchestown. He’s got very strong over the summer and will start off in a bumper in a week or two. Dark horse Commander Of Fleet 4g Fame And Glory – Coonagh Cross Gigginstown House Stud 1- RPR 132b You’d have to love the way he won the Land Rover Bumper at Punchestown. He’s strengthened up a lot over the summer and the plan has always been for him to start off in a maiden hurdle at Down Royal early next month. Commentariolus 4g Frankel – Apsara M Booth & Miss Rachael Evans 13-5 RPR 120h OR 124h A son of Frankel who hasn’t been the easiest to train. He shows us plenty in his homework. We will be on the lookout for a winners of one hurdle race for him over the next few weeks. Cool Getaway 6g Getaway – Coolnacarriga JP McManus 1/ (Point form) Won a point at Tattersalls for Stuart Crawford back in November 2016 and the form of that has worked out very well. He’ll start off in a maiden hurdle soon and seems nice. Count Simon 4g Rip Van Winkle – Wedding Cake Mrs P Sloan 214225 RPR 128h OR 124h He wasn’t a bad juvenile and he’ll probably head to Down Royal for the valuable 2m handicap hurdle. Cracking Smart 6g Great Pretender – Maya Du Frene Gigginstown House Stud 21/1122- RPR 153h OR 150h This is a smart horse. He could be a proper 3m staying chaser. He got a little chip which kept him out of Cheltenham but he’s back cantering now and you’ll hopefully see him this side of Christmas. He’s a horse we like a lot here. Cracking Smart ridden by Jack Kennedy winning the 2m 4f maiden hurdle. Punchestown.Creadan Belle 5m Vinnie Roe – Aliceaneileen James W Power 642 RPR 88b She’s not the biggest mare you’d ever see but she’s got a massive heart and she tries hard. Hopefully she can pick up a bumper. Cubomania 5g Halling – Surrealism Cubomania Syndicate 52-16113 RPR 117h, 139c OR 114h, 132c A cracking syndicate horse, a real money-spinner. He’s a model of consistency, is versatile and we’ll continue to vary it with him. Dakota Moirette 5g Voix Du Nord – Rahana Moirette Gigginstown House Stud 700/337- RPR 114h, 126c OR 122h Might be better than his form suggests and you’ll see him in a beginners’ chase in the coming weeks. Daylight Katie 5m Bonbon Rose – Sirani David Dunsdon F/1- (point form) She won a Lisronagh point for Aidan Fitzgerald and has been showing me decent things at home. She’ll be ready to go in a bumper in about three weeks. De Plotting Shed 8g Beneficial – Lady Willmurt Ives Ashley Vasey Partnership 2P-F444 RPR 153h, 140c OR 143h, 140c He shows a lot more at home than he’s been showing on the track of late. He’s frustrating. We’re thinking of sticking to hurdles for the time being anyway and there’s a handicap hurdle at Navan next month that we’re thinking of for him. Defi Bleu 5g Saddler Maker – Glycine Bleue Gigginstown House Stud 18- RPR 119h A nice horse who won a Navan bumper before we threw him in at the deep end in a Grade 2 hurdle at Naas in February. A maiden hurdle at Down Royal early next month is on his agenda now. Star quality Delta Work 5g Network – Robbe Gigginstown House Stud 324312- RPR 150h OR 152h I’m really looking forward to seeing this fella over a fence. He could be a lovely staying novice and it was always in my head to start him off in a beginners’ chase at Down Royal early next moth but we will need some rain for that to happen. DELTA WORK Ridden by Davy Russell wins at CHELTENHAM 15/3/18Destin D’Ajonc 5g Martaline – Fleur D’Ajonc JP McManus 1/6360- RPR 135h OR 133c He has bits and pieces of form but was disappointing at Fairyhouse in April and needs to bounce back from that. Diamond Cauchois 7g Crillon – Diamond Turtle Danny & Eamon Partnership 313126- RPR 155h OR 150h He brings home a cheque every day he runs and I love that about horses. We will keep him over hurdles and you could see him end up in the Boyne Hurdle later in the season, he won that nicely last year and seems to love Navan. Diamond Turf 5g Diamond Boy – Lovely Turf Gigginstown House Stud 31- RPR 114b A big staying chaser in the making. He made big improvement from Limerick to win by a long way at Navan and the plan is to start him off in a maiden hurdle very soon once the rain finally arrives. Dinaria Des Obeaux 5m Saddler Maker – Indiana Jaune Gigginstown House Stud 461325- RPR 134h, 139c OR 131h, 140c She has a smashing season last term. She won three times over fences and really took to it. Mares chases will be her bread and butter. Dinons 5g Balko – Beni Abbes T O’Driscoll 3F1111 RPR 145h OR 135h Needs a trip and nice ground. He won four on the bounce over the last few months and we’re bringing him over to Cheltenham this week for a novice hurdle. Doctor Phoenix 10g Dr Massini – Lowroad Cross Nick Bradley Racing Club 0112F5- RPR 131h, 166c OR 133h, 156c He’s probably not quite a Grade 1 horse so we will aim him at Grade 2s and 3s over two miles. If he has as good a season as he had last year then we would be thrilled. Don Poli 9g Poliglote – Dalamine Gigginstown House Stud 32/3P23/ RPR 153h, 168c OR 152h, 161c Back in mighty form. He was absolutely flying before the Gold Cup in 2017 and unfortunately got a leg. He’s back bouncing now and we’re heading to Down Royal for the JNwine.com Champion Chase. Don Poli (right) walks back into the stable yard. Cullentra House Stables.Dona Katharina 4f Stowaway – Western Whisper Edward M Walsh 532 RPR 90b She has a good pedigree. She’s a sister to Outlander and should be up to winning a bumper in the coming months. Dortmund Park 5g Great Pretender – Qena Gigginstown House Stud 611481- RPR 152h OR 148h We haven’t made up our minds whether to go chasing or stay over hurdles with him for another year. He’s only five but is every inch a chaser when you look at him. He finished last year on a high and has summered well. Dounikos 7g Smadoun – Baby Sitter Gigginstown House Stud 114PPP- RPR 124h, 155c OR 121h, 150c He could tailor-made for the Troytown at Navan next month. His form fell apart in the second half of last season but he is still a Grade 2 winner over fences and is a lot better than his form says. Duca De Thaix 5g Voix Du Nord – Nouca De Thaix Gigginstown House Stud 16090-2 RPR 142h, 129c OR 132h He works like a very, very good horse at home but he’s disappointed us. I was happy with the way he jumped at Punchestown on Tuesday and he’ll come on for that. Edene D’Arc 4f Meresca Sorrento Kenneth Alexander 13- RPR 112b A nice mare who we’re waiting on a bit of soft ground for to run her in a maiden hurdle. She won a bumper at Gowran which worked out well. Elwood 4g Martaline – Robbie Gigginstown House Stud 644-1 He’s a brother to Delta Work who came from France and works nicely. He’s nice and just needs a bit of rain. Empire Burleque 6g Cape Cross – Mowazana Gigginstown House Stud 1/9- RPR 117b We decided to take him out of a maiden hurdle at Punchestown on Wednesday as we felt the ground was a shade too quick for him. He’s working well. Dark horse Envoi Allen 4g Muhtathir – Reaction Cheveley Park Stud 1- (point form) A gorgeous horse we like. He looked good when he won his point at Ballinaboola. He’s doing everything right at home and he’ll start off in a bumper as soon as the ground comes right. Enzani 7g Cape Cross – Eytarna Shane Reville 72/2/11-7 RPR 119h OR 116h A good, fun horse who will pay his way over hurdles in the coming months. Everybreathyoutake 4g September Storm – Ashdale Lark Neville Reid P2 RPR 96b Improved at Roscommon and is up to winning a bumper. Doesn’t want real deep, winter ground. Falak 5g Teofilo – Family Bredan Scully 52S-013 RPR 124h OR 122h He’s having a break at the moment but will be back for the spring festivals. Farclas 4g Jukebox Jury – Floriana Gigginstown House Stud 2215- RPR 149h OR 152h I know he won the Triumph Hurdle last year but I think he needs a trip and we’ll be trying him over further than two miles this season. He’s had a wind operation and we hope to start him off this side of Christmas, but I’m convinced he wants a trip. Farclas and Jack Kennedy winning the JCB Triumph Hurdle. Cheltenham Festival.Feel My Pulse 4g Stowaway – Zenaide Gigginstown House Stud 1- (point form) Won his point at Lismore by a long way and looks a nice prospect. We’ll start him off in a maiden hurdle sooner rather than later. He’s ready to go. Dark horse Felix Desjy 5g Maresca Sorrento – Lamadoun Gigginstown House Stud 1165- RPR 135b He qualifies for some of the valuable novice hurdles and we could aim him for the final of that. He’s a very nice horse and could develop into a Supreme Novices’ contender once he learns to settle. Final List 4g Doyen – Lady Goldilocks Gigginstown House Stud 5- RPR 101b He was fifth in a Punchestown bumper but he’s got very strong over the summer and is a nice horse going forward. Flat To The Max 3g Maxios – Another Name Gigginstown House Stud U A three-year-old we got off Ger Lyons. He unseated Jack [Kennedy] at the first at Ballinrobe but that was out of character as he jumps very well at home. Flawless Escape 5g Sagamix – Sainte Kadette T O’Driscoll 12130- RPR 138h OR 133h This guy has got seriously strong over the summer. I like him. We’re going to go novice chasing with him and he should do well at that game. He’ll probably start off over 2m4f but will get 3m no problem. Folsom Blue 11g Old Vic – Spirit Leader Core Partnership 144140- RPR 154h, 148c OR 128h, 145c He was very unlucky in the Irish Grand National and the plan is to run him in what used to be the Fixed Brush Hurdle at Haydock on Betfair Chase day. Fury Road 4g Stowaway – Molly Duffy Gigginstown House Stud 41 (point form) Won his point at the second time of asking quite easily at Dromahane and he’s another ready to run in a bumper once the rain arrives. General Principle 9g Gold Well – How Provincial Gigginstown House Stud 470461- RPR 142h, 146c OR 132h, 144c Irish Grand National winner who is going to be very hard to place now. I suppose we’ll aim him at the Grand National in Aintree this time and he could start off in the Troytown at Navan and run in all those valuable staying chases along the way to Aintree. Getaway John 5g Getaway – Present Your Own John F Doyle 3/2110- RPR 136b He wasn’t right at Punchestown but he was very good at Fairyhouse when he won a proper bumper. He’s been schooling nicely and you’ll see him in a maiden hurdle soon. He’s nice. Glenloe 7g Kayf Tara – Mandys Native JP McManus 5/22325- RPR 146h OR 142h Went very close in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham. He could develop into a nice staying chaser this season. Grand Mogul 4g Presenting – Oligarch Society John Lightfoot 4- RPR 106b He’ll be up to winning a bumper as soon as we get a bit of rain. He’s come forward since finishing fourth in a bumper at Punchestown. Great Vizier 3g Sir Percy – Special Green Simon Munir & Issac Souede 629- (Flat form) Schooling well and doing everything I have asked of him. He will go for a juvenile maiden hurdle once we get rain. Grotesque 7g Kayf Tara – Princess Timon Gigginstown House Stud 21/60/33- RPR 121h OR 116h I would say he’s well enough treated to win a few handicap hurdles before going chasing. Hardline 6g Arcadio – Hidden Reserve Gigginstown House Stud 31138-1 RPR 140h, 139c OR 140h I loved the way he won at Fairyhouse. The second is a good horse. He could be even better over fences than he was over hurdles and we’ll have to step him up in class now. Hardline (Davy Russell) jumps the last when winning the 2m beginners chase. Fairyhouse.High Expectations 7g High Rock – Tashifiya MJ Wasylocha 1P-4521 RPR 133h OR 128h Has a good strike-rate and always wins the races he should be winning, as he showed when getting up late to score at Sedgefield. He’ll mix and match between Flat and hurdles. He’s a good, fun horse to have around the place. You can bring him anywhere. Holy Motivation 5m Kalanisi – Teffia Rose Pioneer Racing 796322 RPR 105h OR 95h She’s been placed on her last couple of runs and hopefully she’ll get off the mark sooner rather than later. Invincible Cave 5g Court Cave – Bespoke Baby Gigginstown House Stud 14- RPR 116b Bit disappointing at Naas having won his bumper at Navan but I do think he’s a nice horse and will appear in a maiden hurdle soon. Isle Of Destiny 5m Gold Well – Young Amelie John F Doyle -533318 RPR 115h OR 105h You would have to be a little disappointed with the way she ran at Cork on Sunday, but she’s better than that. I loved her attitude at Hexham when she won the time before and I’m sure we will find a suitable race for her, perhaps on the other side of the water. Its All Guesswork 6g Mahler – La Lambertine Philip J Reynolds 4-3221F RPR 128h, 131c OR 124h, 130c He would have been placed in the Munster National only for coming down at the last. He was a bit sore after it so we’ll give him a bit of time to recover. He could pick up one of those nice staying handicap chases, maybe something like the Troytown at Navan would suit. He won his beginners chase there. Jury Duty 7g Well Chosen – Swan Heart Sideways Syndicate U3-3721 RPR 150h, 157c OR 147h, 152c We couldn’t have asked much more from him on Saturday night. We thought he would be the ideal type for the American Grand National and he proved just that. He was a high-class hurdler but he has progressed into an even better chaser and hopefully someday he might be the sort of horse who would suit an Aintree National. Kuiper Belt 4g Elusive Quality – Youre So Sweet Melissa Margolis 211216 RPR 122h OR 123h Was a little disappointing at Punchestown on Wednesday but he’s had some summer and won loads of races. He won’t race through the winter but could go for a handicap at Cheltenham if he gets in. Kuraka 4g Cacique – Puzzling Susan Frost & Mrs Caren Walsh 23316-6 RPR 115h OR 119h He’s won two for us. He got a little setback in the summer but he’s back working now and we’ll find a little hurdle for him somewhere. Lackaneen Leader 6m Oscar – Shandora Mrs Caren Walsh & Grant Mercer 21112P- RPR 137h OR 133h Didn’t do a whole lot wrong last year and she’s going over fences now. She has the size and scope to do well chasing. Larquebuse 4f Saddler Maker – Sirene Du Rheu Cheveley Park Stud 1 (point form) Won her point at Durrow nicely for Colin Bowe. She is a big, strong mare we like and you’ll see her in a bumper this side of Christmas. Last Minute Man 6g Yeats – Ella Watson Paul & Clare Rooney 1/22-0 RPR 121h A nice horse and you can forget his run at Clonmel in the summer when he wasn’t right. He’s a nice horse who’s up to winning a maiden hurdle. Lethal Steps 3g Lethal Force – Tanda Tula Cheveley Park Stud 54-45040 (Flat form) A nice juvenile to go hurdling with, he’s rated 102 on the Flat. He jumps really, really well and we like what we’ve seen from him so far. Lethal Steps and Colin Keane take the opening race of the July festival. KillarneyRival to watch Willie Mullins. He has caught me late for the last two seasons but we had a slow start this season so I have no chance of winning the title. What can you say about the man? He is a legend. Make My Heart Fly 6m Stowaway – Poppy Maroon Twenty Syndicate 111124 RPR 130h, 114c OR 130h A star through the summer. She won four in a row and acquitted herself very well in a Listed event at Gowran. She’ll mix it between chases and hurdles. Dark horse Malone Road 4g Kalanisi – Zaffarella Cheveley Park Stud 1 (point form) There was a lot to like about the way he won his point at Loughanmore for Stuart Crawford. This fella could be a seriously nice horse. We like him a lot. Master Of Tara 5g Kayf Tara – Ryme Bere Gigginstown House Stud 61- RPR 127b An imposing individual we like. He’ll start off in a maiden hurdle very soon and I’m looking forward to it. Star quality Mengli Khan 5g Lope De Vega – Danielli Gigginstown House Stud 11RO233- RPR 151h OR 150h He was one of our leading novice hurdlers last season and he goes chasing now. I like what I’ve seen of him schooling so far. He’s not slow so we’ll probably keep him to two miles with the Arkle being the ultimate aim next March. Minellafordollars 6g King’s Theatre – Another Dollar JP McManus 1/31- RPR 136h He’s back cantering away and is a nice horse to be heading into the winter months with as he handles deep ground really well. Miss Aloud 4f Azamour – Key Stage Oghill House Stud Limited 62233 RPR 102b You cannot fault her consistency in bumpers and surely one will come her way in the coming weeks. Missy Tata 6m Astarabad – Queen Running Simon Munir & Isaac Souede 4/11111/ RPR 144h OR 145h She’s back cantering away and it’s great to have her back around the place. She’s a classy mare who will head over fences once we get a bit of rain. She gives you everything. Mitchouka 4g Creachadoir – Minaloushe Gigginstown House Stud 1P26-F5 RPR 140h, 123c OR 140h He had jumped brilliantly before he fell at Gowran Park, which was an awful pity. That seemed to affect his confidence at Punchestown but hopefully we can get him back on track. Monbeg Notorious 7g Milan – Borleagh Princess Gigginstown House Stud 211182- RPR 138h, 155c OR 132h, 151c He looks an ideal type for the Grand National at Aintree. He won the Thyestes in real heavy ground at Gowran and loves those testing conditions. Monbeg Notorious (centre) and Jack Kennedy wins the Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase. Gowran Park.Monbeg Worldwide 6g Lucarno – Molly Duffy Gigginstown House Stud 111/23-5 RPR 128h He got incredibly tired at Tipperary last week and he’ll come on a ton for that. It goes without saying he’s better than the bare form of that and you should see a different horse next time. Monkshood 6g Stowaway – Flirthing Around Gigginstown House Stud 1/1145U RPR 136h OR 136h He’s better than you have seen so far. He had an operation on his back for kissing spines but he’s back cantering away now and we’re looking forward to sending him over fences. Moonlight Escape 5m Court Cave – Festival Leader F Donnelly 1U9-015 RPR 122h, 125c OR 118h She’s a grand, honest mare who should do better over fences than she did over hurdles. HORSE TO FOLLOW Dortmund Park Winner of both his bumpers and a three-time winner over hurdles last season, this five-year-old ended his campaign with a ten-length win in a Grade 1 novice over 2m4f at the Punchestown festival. There was an element of good fortune involved, to the margin of victory if not the result, as two of the leading contenders were knocked out of the race two out. However, the son of Great Pretender looks the type who should take well to fences and should enjoy a successful campaign in staying novice chases this season. Tony O’Hehir Ned Stark 10g Wolfe Tone – Last Moon Noel Moran/Mrs Valerie Moran 68P52/0- RPR 119h, 147c OR 124h, 130c He’s been a long time off the track but he’s got a big engine and could be well handicapped. He’s on the teamsheet for the Troytown at Navan. Noble Endeavor 9g Flemensfirth – Old Moon C Jones P54136/ RPR 151h, 160c OR 145h, 154c The long-term plan for him is the Grand National at Aintree. He hasn’t run since the Irish National in 2017 as he chipped a bone but he’s back now and will tip away in handicap chases this season. He’s got some really good form. Ocean Voyage 3f Most Improved – Minshar Arion Racing Club 142-06 (Flat form) A nice dual-purpose filly who we’ll go juvenile hurdling with soon. Our Father 12g Shantou – Rosepan Ives & Johnsons Partnership 59U/92/0 RPR 147h, 154c OR 130c He never let himself down on the ground at Limerick in the Munster National. He works well at home so we’ll have another go at one of those nice staying handicap chases. Out Sam 9g Multiplex – Tintera D Charlesworth 9/06P33- RPR 140h, 151c OR 127h, 132c We have him pencilled in for the Cork National so that’s where he’ll go. He has some good back form and might not be badly treated if we can get him back to his old self. Outlander 10g Stowaway – Western Whisper Gigginstown House Stud 32PP8-2 RPR 147h, 170c OR 145h, 161c He owes us nothing. He’s won ten times and I was thrilled with his run in the Grade 3 at Punchestown the other day. He is entered in the JNwine.com Champion Chase, a race he beat Road To Respect in last year, so he deserves a shot in that. Pallasator 9g Motivator – Ela Athena Qatar Racing Limited 54115- RPR 151h OR 147h He did nothing but improve last season and won the Grade 2 at Fairyhouse over Easter. He seems in great nick and we might even try him over fences. Pallasator and Davy Russell jumping the last to win “The Donoghoe Marquees Maiden Hurdle” at LeopardstownPenny Jane 6m King’s Theatre – Shannon Rose Paul & Clare Rooney 2231-11 RPR 118h, 122c OR 124c I was absolutely thrilled with her win at Cork and Denis [O’Regan] gave her a terrific ride. That’s the way she likes to be ridden. She has taken really well to fences and she should continue to progress. Hopefully we can find something for her at the spring festivals. Poli Roi 6g Poliglote – Belle Du Roi Gigginstown House 215P85- RPR 136h OR 133c He didn’t really live up to expectations after winning his maiden hurdle at Down Royal around this time last year. We’re sending him over fences and hopefully that will spark a revival. Poormans Hill 7g Stowaway – Sharps Express Vincent Caldwell & Mrs Kathleen Caldwell 161P7-4 RPR 124h, 133c OR 119h, 130c He’s won eight races for us now and kept improving all last season. We’ve had the Cork National in mind for him for quite a while so it’s all systems go for that now. Portnablagh 5m Well Chosen – Countess Trifaldi Gigginstown House Stud 10- RPR 104b She’s a great big galloping mare who loves soft ground. We’re looking forward to her going over the hurdles and winter conditions will really suit. Prince Of Scars 8g Flemensfirth – Spirit Leader Gigginstown House Stud 3/236P3/ RPR 163h, 139c OR 150h, 139c He is a dual Grade 1 winner who has had plenty of problems. He is back cantering away and is ready to return this side of Christmas. He likes winter ground and we’ll look for a nice chase for him somewhere. Rakhine State 5g Arakan – Oiselina Armagh Bhoys Partnership 32464- RPR 118h He has been placed in a few bumpers and hopefully we can spot a nice opportunity for him somewhere in a maiden hurdle. Rogue Angel 10g Presenting – Carrigeen Kohleria Gigginstown House Stud PP2-136 RPR 135h, 150c OR 135c He tanked through the Kerry National and they probably didn’t go quick enough for him at Limerick and it didn’t really turn into a test. Hopefully he can land a big pot at some stage this season. Star quality Samcro 6g Germany – Dun Dun Gigginstown House Stud 1/1111F- RPR 159h OR 160c We’re really looking forward to getting him started. He’s got a lot stronger over the summer and will definitely return at Down Royal – whether that’s in the WKD Hurdle or the beginners chase over 2m4f I’m not 100 per cent sure yet. I’ll have a chat with Michael and Eddie [O’Leary] over the next few days and we’ll make a decision together. He didn’t do much wrong last year, his only blip came at Punchestown and that could happen to any horse. Everyone knows what I think of him and hopefully he can continue to show everyone how good he is. Samcro and Jack Kennedy celebrate winning the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle. Cheltenham Festival.Santana Plessis 4g Saint Des Saints – La Passeroie D Charlesworth 3- RPR 115b Third to Commander Of Fleet – one of ours – in a Punchestown bumper. He’s a nice type who looks up to winning a bumper. Star quality Shattered Love 7m Yeats – Tracker Gigginstown House Stud RPR 141h, 159c OR 136h, 153c We knew she would do better over fences than she did over hurdles but I suppose we never thought she would win two Grade 1s and be a Cheltenham Festival winner. In saying that, I did really fancy her for the JLT and I actually put her up at a few Cheltenham preview nights I was on. We’ll start her off in the chase for second-season novices at Down Royal next month and what she does there will probably decide what path we take with her. She probably needs to improve a bit to be a Cheltenham Gold Cup contender but it’s not out of the question. Silver Star 5g Silver Frost – Suerte Royal’s & Blue Syndicate Silver Star RPR 126h OR 119h Really consistent sort who will hold his own in his own grade. Sire Du Berlais 6g Poliglote – Royale Athenia JP McManus 130/248- RPR 144h OR 142h The best of his form is quite useful. He was fourth in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham and he’s not a bad sort. Smiling Eliza 3f Rock Of Gilbraltar – Gift Dancer Gordon Elliott Racing Club 22121 RPR 112h She keeps winning. The plan is to go to Aintree with her now for a mares’ Listed hurdle and try pick up some black type. Smiling Eliza and Jack Kennedy wins the 2m 3-Y-O Hurdle. Punchestown.Soldier At War 4g Soldier Hollow – Sag Sun Gigginstown House Stud 2- (point form) Second to Malone Road in a Loughanmore point and looks suite useful. He’s ready to start off in a bumper soon and has had a wind operation. Sometime Soon 5g Shantou – Back Log Gigginstown House Stud 1345-2 RPR 119h His jumping was a bit novicey at Fairyhouse last time and it might not be the worst thing in the world that he was beaten as we would have had to go straight for a graded race. Space Cadet 8g Flemensfirth – Shuil A Hocht C Jones 9342PP- RPR 134h, 136c OR 122h, 135c There could be a big day in this fella and he’ll run in all those valuable staying handicap chases. Squouateur 7g Martaline – Samansonnienne JP McManus 6303BP- RPR 141h, 141c OR 141h, 138c It hasn’t happened for him so far but it will happen for him some day. He’s been frustrating but his luck has to change. There’s a nice pot in him. Star Maker 4g Mastercraftsman – Snoqualmie Star Thomond Racing Syndicate 43-6619 RPR 116h OR 117h He’s coming along nicely and I think he can win again before the real winter stuff starts. Stooshie 5g Fracas – Misty Native Mrs Caren Walsh & John F Doyle 2513-32 RPR 130h OR 128h I thought he ran well the other day at Punchestown and there will hopefully be a nice handicap in him somewhere along the way. Sunsetstorise 10g Millenary – Otorum Mrs Finola Murphy & Mrs Ann Marie McManus & Mrs Tahnee Grant 4P1/125- RPR 128c, 120h OR 124c, 102h We took him out of a race at Cork on Sunday because the ground was a little on the quick side. I have no doubt he will pay his way in 2m Handicap chases when there is a bit more cut in the ground. Sutton Place 7g Mahler – Glebe Beauty JP McManus 1/11P/1P- RPR 161h, 141c OR 158h He has missed a bit of time but we are looking forward to getting him back on the right road. He is a nice horse and we have yet to decide what route we are going to take with him. Swingbridge 10g Milan – Creative Approach Noel Gerard Moran F-041361 RPR 118h, 133c OR 109h, 124c A very consistent sort who might go to Cheltenham at the end of the week for a handicap chase. Synopsis 6m Azamour – Censored David Spratt & Kevin McMunigal & Mary Hopkins 70123-6 RPR 126h, 120c OR 124h, 123c A useful enough mare who did well over hurdles and didn’t take long to win over fences. She will probably mix and match between handicap hurdles and chases. Takeittothelimits 6m Stowaway – A Plus Ma Puce JP McManus 112/ RPR 107b She is ready to in in a maiden hurdle once we get a bit of rain. She won her first two bumpers and was second in a Listed bumper at Gowran but she has had her fair share of problems since. It’ll be good to get her back. Thatsy 4g Martaline – Rainallday Gigginstown House Stud 12- (point form) A big, strong, staying sort who won his point at Lingstown for Donnacha Doyle. We’ll pop him into a bumper as soon as we get a bit of rain. The Big Lense 5g Court Cave – Megans Joy JP McManus 63-816 RPR 121h OR 117h He got the job done nicely in a maiden hurdle at Bellewstown and hopefully there is more to come. He won a point at Cragmore a few years ago so he could develop into a nice chaser. The Storyteller 7g Shantou – Bally Bolshoi Mrs P Sloan 137151- RPR 148h, 161c OR 142h, 155c Did us proud last year, winning at Cheltenham and then landing a Grade 1 at Punchestown, although I think we all know he was very lucky there given what happened to Al Boum Photo. He could be tricky enough to place this year but he’ll definitely start off in the chase for second-season novices at Down Royal next month and we’ll take it from there Thisonesforollie 6m Scorpion – Toniberoli B Mannion & Brendan O’Grady 69-4811 RPR 100h OR 90h I’ve got a great kick out of her winning her last few races. I still think she’s quite well handicapped and could win a few more. She’s improving fast. Tiger Roll 8g Authorized – Swiss Roll Gigginstown House Stud P/2P511- RPR 150h, 160c OR 140h, 159c He’s absolutely bouncing, you wouldn’t believe how well he is in himself. He’s loving life. It takes some horse to win at three Cheltenham Festivals and then a Grand National. I suppose we’ll go down a similar route to last year. We’ll keep him to cross-country races. He’s still only eight and we could get a couple more years out of him doing that job if we mind him. TIGER ROLL Ridden By Davy Russell wins the 2018 RANDOX HEALTH GRAND NATIONALTimber House 6g Golden Lariat Gigginstown House Stud 4F1 (point form) A nice type of horse who won his point at Ballysteen in April and will start off in a bumper very soon. Timiyan 7g Ghostzapper – Timarwa John P McManus F-61D07 RPR 139h, 143c OR 132h, 132c He was unlucky to be disqualified at Kilbeggan during the summer. He lost his confidence after an early mistake at Limerick last time. Hopefully we can get him right for the Troytown at Navan. Tintangle 5m Yeats – Connaught Hall Gigginstown House Stud 4113- RPR 116b She’s a grand mare who we’re looking forward to running in a maiden hurdle. She should have a good season ahead. She has ability and should have a good season ahead. Tombstone 8g Robin Des Champs – Connaught Hall Gigginstown House Stud 3626-51 RPR 153h, 153c OR 143h, 144c We thought the world of him early on and he has been a bit frustrating as we all know what he’s capable of. It was great to see him get his head back in front the other day at Limerick and that will do his confidence the world of good. We’ll mix and match it between hurdles and fences. Tombstone and Jack Kennedy winning the Klairon Davis Novice Chase (Grade 3). Navan.Ucello Conti 10g Martaline – Gazelle Lulu Simon Munir & Issac Souede 24U/2PU- RPR 127h, 153c OR 139h, 147c He’ll go hunter chasing and run in cross-country races. He should be a good, fun horse. It’s unbelievable that he has yet to win a race for us. Viscount Wilson 3g Lethal Force – Highland Starlight J A Mooney & Raymond Moore Jnr & Raymond C Moore 4 RPR 97h Not a bad sort on the Flat for Ger Lyons and he will come on for his first start for us over hurdles at Down Royal. Vision D’honneur 4g Vision D’Etat – Hembra Gigginstown House Stud 1 He won in France and he looks like he could be a proper horse. We like the look of what we’ve seen so far. Western Honour 6g Westerer – Cailins Honour Cheveley Park Stud 844-4 RPR 113h OR 112h Arrived from Jimmy Moffatt’s and hopefully there will be a handicap hurdle in him off his mark. They will have plenty of fun with him. Westland Row 6g Oscar – Presenting Proform Mrs Caren Walsh & John F Doyle 221010- RPR 133h OR 129h He might jump a fence sooner rather than later but he’ll pay his way over hurdles too. Woods Well 7g Fleetwood – Millbrook Marble Gigginstown House Stud 5P5P6-1 RPR 136h, 139c OR 134h, 133c He showed a good attitude to win at Galway the other day and he will be part of my Troytown team. The post Gordon Elliott Stable Tour appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

After finding 9 winners yesterday Picks From The Paddock are back to give you their Best Bet Of The Day and a tip for every race! 16.20 Newmarket A decent looking field for this 1m handicap at Newmarket with the principle two in the market likely to take much of the attention and focus. Richard Fahey and the team have booked Ryan Moore to partner their charge, Crotchet, here as after the filly scored readily on her first try at the trip at Musselburgh last time out and she has been the model of consistency this season so far, but she faces an altogether different level of rival today in the shape of Henry Candy’s unexposed filly, Ortiz. She failed to fire at Ascot last time out having previously accounted for two subsequent winners in commanding fashion at Kempton the race before. She remains a horse to keep on the ride side of given her excellent second place in the Sandringham at Royal Ascot and she likely still has improvement in her off a mark of just 90 today so is the clear pick for this one. ORTIZ (WIN) Chelmsford City 16:50 – Townie Mac (WIN) 17:25 – Love Kisses (WIN) 18:00 – Sylvia’s Mother (WIN) 18.30 – Reticent Angel (WIN) 19:00 – Matterhorn (WIN) 19:30 – Storm Trooper (E/W) 20:00 – Jan’s Joy (WIN) 20:30 – Innstigator (E/W) Fontwell 13:40 – Black Anthem (WIN) 14:15 – Le Precieux (WIN) 14:50 – Canyon City (WIN) 15:25 – Never Learn (WIN) 16:00 – Andapa (WIN) 16:35 – Hardtorock (WIN) 17:10 – Milano’s Melody (E/W) Newcastle 17:15 – Grecian Spirit (WIN) 17:45 – Duneflower (WIN) 18:15 – Meraki (E/W) 18:45 – Melgate Majeure (WIN) 19:15 – One One Seven (E/W) 19:45 – Ideological (WIN) 20:15 – Safrani (WIN) 20:45 – Panmolle (WIN) Newmarket 13:30 – Rainbow Heart (WIN) 14:00 – Stay Forever (WIN) 14:35 – Gantier (WIN) 15:10 – The Olympian (E/W) 15:45 – Prefontaine (WIN) 16:20 – Ortiz (WIN) * 16:55 – Ginistrelli (WIN) 17:30 – Tru Grit (E/W) Worcester 13:50 – Barton Rose (WIN) 14:25 – Mercian King (WIN) 15:00 – Gunfleet (E/W) 15:35 – Glen Vine (E/W) 16:10 – Monty’s Award (WIN) 16:45 – Dr Sanderson (WIN) 17:20 – Mystery (E/W) Navan 13:35 – Western Frontier (WIN) 14:05 – Dottie Vallens (E/W) 14:40 – Gottardo (WIN) 15:15 – Fuwairt (WIN) 15:50 – Shareva (E/W) 16:25 – Tide of Time (WIN) 17:00 – Scaglietti (WIN) 17:35 – Miraculum (E/W) The post Picks From The Paddock Best Bets – Wednesday 24th October appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

Japanese superstar Almond Eye is the headline act among the 262 nominations received for the HK$93 million Longines Hong Kong International Races on December 9. Horses from 12 racing jurisdictions from across the globe have been included after the first stage of entries for the showcase event, which includes 191 individual horses (70 hold entries for more than one race). While the overall number of horses nominated is down on last year (191 to 210), the quality is up with 67 individual Group... View the full article

IN the space of 11 bets Australia’s biggest single Winx punter has outlayed $1.2 million in a series of ever increasing wagers - and collected every time. View the full article