Wandering Eyes

SERENGETI EMPRESS (f, 2, Alternation–Havisham, by Bernardini), last seen finishing fourth in Saratoga’s GIII Schuylerville S. July 20 off an Indiana Downs debut romp 16 days earlier, couldn’t have been much more dominant in Sunday afternoon’s Ellis Park Debutante S. Backed down late to 9-5, the $70,000 KEESEP yearling attended splits of :22.21 and :45.29. She blew the race open along the bend, and ran up the score from there to about a dozen lengths, stopping the clock in 1:22.29. Include Edition (Include) rallied for second. Serengeti Empress becomes the fourth black-type winner for second-crop sire Alternation (Distorted Humor). Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0. O-Joel Politi. B-Tri Eques Bloodstock LLC (Ky). T-Thomas Amoss. View the full article

Several contenders for the $1.25 million Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course put in their final works Aug. 19, including Robert LaPenta's Catholic Boy. View the full article

MGISW champion Unique Bella (Tapit) was in fine condition Sunday morning after a chip was discovered in her sesamoid bone following a Saturday morning workout. Resting in her outdoor pen at Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer’s stable on the Del Mar backside, the filly had a cast-like bandage on her right front foot to keep the injury secure. Later in the day Saturday, Don Alberto Stable confirmed that the fleet-footed gray has been retired from racing. “She’s doing fine,” Hollendorfer said. “She couldn’t have done any better than what she did as far as the barn is concerned and we enjoyed training her every minute that she was here.” Unique Bella will remain at Del Mar until arrangements are made to move her to continue her recovery at Don Alberto’s farm. View the full article

With the GI Runhappy Travers S., the cornerstone of the Saratoga meet, only six days away, a slew of contenders put in their final serious preparations for the Midsummer Derby Sunday morning at the Spa. Catholic Boy (More Than Ready), seeking to make a successful transition back to the dirt for the Travers, worked an easy four furlongs in :49.44 with a five-panel gallop out in 1:02 3/5 beneath Hall of Fame pilot Javier Castellano. “We were doing it more for us than him,” trainer Jonathan Thomas said of the colt, who most recently landed his fourth graded stakes victory in the July 7 GI Belmont Derby Invitational S. “I asked Javier to let him gallop out a little piece, and he jumped right onto the bridle and showed he was there for him, and then he slowed him down a little to show he was there. It wasn’t exciting, but we weren’t looking for exciting.” Also working Sunday morning on the main track was Phoenix Thoroughbred’s Gronkowski (Lonhro {Aus}), who worked five furlongs in 1:00.02 in company with stablemate Instilled Regard (Arch). The work was the fifth at the Spa since Gronkowski made his North American debut with a second-place finish behind Triple Crown hero Justify (Scat Daddy) in the GI Belmont S. June 9. “He breezed super,” said trainer Chad Brown. “The horse has gotten stronger and fitter. He couldn’t be coming into the race any better.” Gronkowski will join GI Betfair.com Haskell Invitational hero Good Magic (Curlin) as one of two starters for Brown in the Travers. Good Magic turned in his final work for the race Friday, breezing five furlongs in 1:00.44 over the main track. King Zachary (Curlin), fourth as the favorite in the GIII Indiana Derby July 14, also tuned up for his engagement in the Travers with a five-furlong move in :59.66 on the main track for trainer Dale Romans Sunday. Over at the Oklahoma training track, Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas sent out Bravazo (Awesome Again) to breeze five furlongs in 1:00.11 in company–his final move ahead of Saturday’s feature. Bravazo most recently finished second behind Good Magic in the Haskell. “It went real good,” said Lukas. “We wanted him to go right at a minute, and that’s what we got, so that’s probably all we need. He did it easy, like they all say. He’s doing well, eating well, getting in the tub, I’m looking forward to it. I’m anxious to run him.” Rounding out the barrage of Travers activity were a pair of Oklahoma breezers from the Steve Asmussen barn, GII Jim Dandy S. winner Tenfold (Curlin) and Churchill maiden winner Meistermind (Bodemeister). Tenfold covered four furlongs in :50.09, while Meistermind, a half-brother to 2009 GI Kentucky Derby winner Mine that Bird (Birdstone), drilled the same distance in :50.19. View the full article

NEWSPAPEROFRECORD (IRE) (f, 2, Lope de Vega {Ire}–Sunday Times {GB}, by Holy Roman Emperor {Ire})entered this unveiling with a reputation that preceded her, and she came out of it a ‘TDN Rising Star’ after an extremely impressive first outing reminiscent of some of her Eclipse winning-trainer’s superstar turf trainees. Pounded down to 3-2 favoritism, the 200,000gns Tattersalls October yearling acquisition sat in a well-held second behind splits of :25.05 and :50.45. She could be bottled up no more as she tugged her way to the lead through a six panels in 1:15.77, and from there the bay put on a show, widening her margin with every stride despite cruising to the line under a Irad Ortiz, Jr. hammerlock. Keeping with the theme of Chad Brown-trained exactas and trifectas, Newspaperofrecord’s stablemate Sister Kitten (Kitten’s Joy) came on for second. The Ballylinch Stud resident Lope de Vega had enjoyed an outstanding day at the Arqana August Sale on Sunday, with a half-brother to recent G2 Vintage S. hero Dark Vision (Ire) (Dream Ahead) selling for €900,000 to MV Magnier and another colt going the way of the China Horse Club for €600,000 just a few hips later. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O-Klaravich Stables Inc. B-Times of Wigan Ltd (Ire). T-Chad C Brown. View the full article

DEAUVILLE, France—In more ways than one, Ballylinch Stud played a major role during the second session of Arqana’s August Sale, not just as the buyer of the top lot (137), a colt by Dubawi (Ire) out of the Irish 1000 Guineas winner Just The Judge (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}), but as the farm which stands the sire of the next two most expensive colts of the session, Lope De Vega (Ire), and breeder of one of them. Dubawi was the sire responsible for last year’s €1.55 million sale-topper and though this year’s leading light didn’t quite reach the same heights, at €1.4 million he returned a price entirely befitting his smart pedigree. Just The Judge is now owned in partnership by Qatar Bloodstock and China Horse Club but she is very much tied to the Co Kilkenny farm, her fifth dam Mesopotamia (Ire) having established a significant dynasty at Ballylinch. Only last month, Bella Estrella (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}), a daughter of Just The Judge’s grandam Uncharted Haven (Ire), became the latest stakes winner for the family in the Ballylinch silks when landing the listed Cairn Rouge S. in Ireland. “He was a gorgeous, imposing colt with a great walk, all the things I like in a horse,” said Ballylinch Stud manager John O’Connor. “The Mesopotamia family has been associated with Ballylinch for generations so it’s a family we know well and in some ways he’s coming home.” Just The Judge’s dam Faraday Light (Ire) (Rainbow Quest) raced in the Ballylinch silks and was sold to Joan Keaney Dempsey, a long-term client of the stud. “Joan sent the mare to Lawman twice in his early days with us and the second filly was Just The Judge,” explained O’Connor, who will offer Just The Judge’s full-brother for Dempsey through the Ballylinch Stud draft at Book 1 of Tattersalls’ October Sale. He continued, “We feel that Lawman is becoming an important broodmare sire and we already have a Group 1 winner by Dubawi, Make Believe (GB), standing at the farm. If this colt is good enough the long-term hope would be to stand him.” The sale of the colt provided an important landmark for consignors La Motteraye, entrusted by his breeders to prepare him for the sale and bringing their first August topper and first seven-figure return. “It’s a weight off the shoulders,” said Gwen Monneraye, who set up La Motteraye eight years ago with his partner Lucie Lamotte. “We knew he could have made a lot of money but you never know what will happen. The horse was a complete gentleman to deal with, his temperament was excellent. We don’t dream of topping the sale, just of bringing the best price we can for our clients.” La Motteraye ended Part 1 of the August Sale as the second-leading vendor with nine sold for €2,730,000, sheer numbers meaning that they would always finish some way behind the behemoth that is the Ecurie des Monceaux draft. Over two evenings, Monceaux sold 26 yearlings for €8,690,000. Part 1 Finishes Almost On Par In a sale in which the running order is decided by the letter of the dam’s name rather than grading, figures can be up one day and down the next and this was very much the case in Part 1 of the August Sale. While Saturday’s results took a hit across the board, Sunday’s session felt stronger in the ring and looked better on paper. Turnover of €13,959,000 for 58 horses sold—75% of those offered—was up by 16.5%, while the average rose by 10.5% to €240,672. The median also rose to €177,500 from €160,000. Taking Part 1 as a whole, figures were largely in line with last year. The clearance rate dropped slightly to 73% from 76%, and the median also saw a very small decrease at €235,724 (-1%). The median of €172,500 was an improvement on last year’s €160,000, while the aggregate for the two days, from a total of 116 horses sold—five fewer than last year—was €28,074,000 (-3%). The August Sale will conclude with a single-session Part 2 today. Lope De Vega’s Big Day The importance of a fresh-in-the-mind update was illustrated vividly by the sale of a Lope De Vega (Ire) half-brother to G2 Qatar Vintage S. winner Dark Vision (Ire) (Dream Ahead) for €900,000 less than a year after his sibling made just 15,000gns at Tattersalls. But it also serves as a reminder of how certain sires are too harshly judged in a market of ever-changing whims. Coolmore’s MV Magnier signed the ticket for the Monceaux-consigned Lope De Vega colt (lot 94), much to the delight of Tom Ryan, the representative of SF Bloodstock which bred him from Black Dahlia (GB) (Dansili {GB}), a listed-placed five-time winner who has already produced a black-type-earner, Al Hayyah (Ire), by the same stallion in addition to Dark Vision. SF Bloodstock owns shares in both Lope De Vega and Dream Ahead. “From day one he was a tremendous foal,” said Ryan. “He was born at Baroda Stud and then raised at Monceaux and he’s a flawless colt. I saw his dam this morning and she looks amazing with another quality Lope De Vega colt at foot and she’s now in foal to Almanzor. We’re pretty excited about her now.” He added, “This is a great result for the team and it really is a team effort. I’m located in Kentucky and Mick [Flanagan] helps us with a lot of things over here. When you have a horse at Monceaux you have no worries as it really is a world-class nursery. They do everything so well. “It’s also good to have a real vote of confidence in the stallion from Coolmore. This colt will be given the very best chance at Ballydoyle.” Black Dahlia was herself bought for 40,000gns as a 5-year-old in 2010. Six years later, just after Dark Vision had sold for €15,000 as a foal at Goff, the mare was offered in the Monceaux draft at Arqana’s December Sale but was unsold at €145,000. John O’Connor has always stood four square behind his stallions and, with his son Jack, he pinhooked Dark Vision as a foal for €15,000, effectively losing a little on the trade when as a yearling he brought the same amount in guineas. But father and son can rightly claim some reflected glory in singling out the colt by Dream Ahead, who spent five seasons at Ballylinch before moving to Haras de Grandcamp in 2017. Subsequent to his success at Glorious Goodwood, Dark Vision has now been sold privately to Godolphin. “We bought Dark Vision in the name of our own farm, Limefield Stud, and what he has achieved gives us a bit of confidence to carry on doing what we’re doing,” O’Connor said. O’Connor’s work for the evening was far from complete with the purchase of the top lot. As vendor, Ballylinch Stud enjoyed two really eye-catching results, first through the sale of the full-brother to Belardo (Ire) (lot 105), who in 2014 became the first Group 1 winner for his sire Lope De Vega. China Horse Club will now race the yearling son of Danaskaya (Ire) (Danehill) after representative Mick Flanagan went to €600,000 to secure the colt. “He’s a good moving colt and a full-brother to a Group 1 winner, by a proven stallion out of a good Danehill mare, which was very important,” Flanagan said. “He’s been bought for China Horse Club and we’re very glad to get him.” A remarkable day for the Ballylinch team was rounded off when they presented lot 161, an Invincible Spirit (Ire) filly. Sold to Godolphin for €900,000, she is the first foal of Group 3 winner Mayhem (Ire) (Whipper), herself a sister to Group 2 winner Royal Bench, the pair out of an unraced daughter of the top-class runner and producer Cerulean Sky (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}). “We thought she was an extremely nice filly,” said Anthony Stroud, signing the docket after John Gosden completed the bidding. “She’s bred by a renowned breeder in Brendan Hayes and hopefully she’s a filly who can eventually go back to the broodmare band.” The same family had accounted for another good sale a little earlier as Phoenix Thoroughbreds, frustrated underbidders for the American Pharoah filly sold on the opening day, managed to land another one with bright paddock prospects in lot 140. The daughter of Frankel (GB) out of Cerulean Sky’s sister L’Ancresse (Ire), runner-up in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf and Irish Oaks, realised €480,000. L’Ancresse is also closely related to another elite performer and producer in Moonstone (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire})—fertile ground indeed for Phoenix’s growing ambitions for the longer term. “She’s a beautiful filly and we’ve been trying to get some bloodlines to build up the filly side,” confirmed Tom Ludt of Phoenix. “We won’t decide for a while where she’ll be trained but we’ve plenty of trainers and will have a lot of friends [among them] right now!” The filly was presented by La Motteraye, and Ludt noted that Phoenix had done well with a colt from the same consignment here last year: the €480,000 colt who recently made the frame in the G2 Superlative S. as Neverland Rock (GB) (No Nay Never). Pharoah Back To America One of the keynotes of this sale was always going to be the appearance in each session of a filly from the first crop of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah (PIoneerof The Nile)—and yesterday the second, at €850,000, surpassed even the €750,000 paid by M.V. Magnier for the first. But where Magnier was intent on experimenting with the Ashford rookie’s adaptability to European turf, lot 158 will be heading back to the land of her father after being signed for by Deuce Greathouse. Presented by Monceaux, she is out of the Smart Strike mare Marbre Rose (Ire), a Grade 3 winner from the family of the Grade 1 “Z team” of Zoftig (Cozzene), Zo Impressive (Hard Spun) and Zaftig (Gone West), and will run for a syndicate whose majority stakeholder, Cindy Huthson, was excited to be present for her first visit—albeit she wished that the European market hadn’t matched the enthusiasm of the domestic one for American Pharoah. “Cindy’s kind of new in the game, the last couple of years at a lower level, and a few other people will be falling in,” Greathouse explained, one being Robert Masterson for whom he bought champion Tepin (Bernstein) as a yearling. “American Pharoah was such a well balanced horse, and this filly is very similar. And we love the family, it’s a Glencrest family and that’s the Greathouse farm.” A Dubawi For Scandinavia Besides attesting to his market power with the top lot of the sale, Dubawi reached parts other sires cannot reach through lot 98, at €520,000. Certainly this daughter of dual Grade 2 winner Cladocera (Ger) (Oasis Dream {GB}) must be one of the most expensive animals ever purchased to race in Scandanavia, but that is where she will start her career after Danish trainer Bent Olsen signed the docket on behalf of his patron Lone Kaj Nielsen. “Hopefully she can progress from Scandinavia to the bigger scene, which is something Bent Olsen has been able to do before,” said Morten Buskop, Arqana’s regional representative. “Hopefully she will be able to stay there as a breeding prospect one day. But the main story today is that she’s been bought for a lovely Danish lady, who has had horses for many years, and who has fallen absolutely in love with this one. So we are delighted. The filly doesn’t look as though she will be particularly precocious but the owner is always prepared to be patient.” The filly, presented by Haras de la Perelle, certainly offers a solid genetic base for the longer term. She is her dam’s first foal, out of another black-type winner, and the fourth dam is the triple Grade 1 winner Annoconnor (Nureyev). View the full article

As a prelude to a major exhibition that will open next year, the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame held a "Women in Racing" panel Aug. 19 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. View the full article

Juddmonte Farms’ Hofburg (Tapit) will miss Saturday’s GI Travers S. after spiking a fever, Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott said Sunday. The chestnut, second in the GI Florida Derby in March and third in the GI Belmont S. June 9, was last seen capturing Saratoga’s Curlin S. in impressive fashion July 27. He had posted two workouts in the interim, but missed his scheduled training this weekend. “Hofburg will not run in the Travers,” Mott said. “He’s been off the training list the last two days and we’re not going to force ourselves into the Travers.” Hofburg vaulted himself on to the 3-year-old scene with a sharp maiden victory off an extended layoff Mar. 3 at Gulfstream-an effort that set him up for his Florida Derby try. He was subsequently a belatedly closing seventh in the GI Kentucky Derby May 5 prior to returning to New York for the Belmont and Curlin. View the full article

Ecurie des Monceaux consigned lot 158, who was knocked down for €850,000 to Deuce Greathouse. The bay is the first foal of GIII Seaway S. heroine Marbre Rose (Ire) (Smart Strike), who was also twice Group 3 placed in France. View the full article

Nonza (FR) came from well back to overhaul Urban Fox (GB) and James Doyle in the Aug. 19 Prix Jean Romanet (G1), sparking emotional scenes in the tight Deauville winner's enclosure. View the full article

Lot 161 was snapped up by Anthony Stroud for €900,000 late in the second session of the Arqana August Sale. By Irish National Stud stalwart Invincible Spirit (Ire), the filly is out of Group 3 victress Mayhem (Ire) (Whipper) and was offered by Ballylinch Stud. View the full article

Relaxed and admittedly a bit tired sitting on the stairs outside of his office on the Del Mar backside in between training sessions Aug. 19, trainer John Sadler reflected on one of the signature victories of his career. View the full article

Pretty Pollyanna preserved her place as favorite for the QIPCO One Thousand Guineas (G1) with success in the group 1 Darley Prix Morny at Deauville—but she was given a scare. View the full article

When Martine Bellocq first closed her eyes and drifted into a deep, pain-medicated sleep, she found herself balancing on the deck of a boat on the choppy waters of a Cuban port, a hurricane barreling down ominously upon her. It wasn’t a memory–Martine has never been to Cuba. “I was dreaming,” she explained, “but it looked so real.” As the days and weeks passed, the waters of Martine’s dreams began to quieten. So much so, she could leap from one boat to another. “And when I was tired on that boat, I’d jump onto another one.” Sometimes she simply drifted away, floating further and further out upon the calm azure oasis of the open sea. Each time Martine emerged from these blissful excursions, the pain and the discomfort of the burns that covered 60% of her body tormented her. And so, “I would just fall asleep and sail away. I loved it. No pain. No nothing,” she said, almost wistfully. The vast borderless expanse of the ocean with its soothing sea mists offered Martine an escape from the aching, scorching reality awaiting her, just around the corner. A chance to retreat inwards, into distant, unearthly dimensions. A time to heal. The burns that Martine suffered were sustained, it barely needs noting, in the fire that ravaged San Luis Rey Downs last December. That awful, fateful afternoon, Martine tried to rescue from his stall one of her horses, Wild Bill Hickory, but was beaten back by the flames that eventually engulfed her. Pierre, Martine’s husband, found her on the ground amid the melee of the fire, and carried her to safety. But Wild Bill Hickory–a favorite of hers, a home-bred, from whom she expected big things–wasn’t so lucky. He sadly perished–one of 46 horses that died in the fire. Nevertheless, it’s for this act of bravery and selflessness, as well as for her stoic resiliency since, that Martine collected the Laffit Pincay, Jr. Award in a ceremony at Del Mar yesterday. The award is given to someone who has served the industry with “integrity, dedication, determination and distinction.” No boxes, therefore, left unticked with this recipient. And as Martine noted, “I’m the first woman to win the award” individually (Ann Moss having won it alongside her husband, back in 2011). The ceremony coincided with a transitional period in Martine’s recovery. She’s now back home, having spent most of the year hop-scotching between a series of hospitals, and medical and rehabilitation facilities. Del Mar also marked her first public appearance since the fire. I met Martine and Pierre a couple of weeks before the event, and asked Martine if she felt about the day any sense of trepidation. “I’m okay. I’m okay,” Martine replied, very matter-of-fact. “I’m a tough cookie, like people say.” The afternoon was a blistering one in Murrieta, in the shadow of Lake Elsinore, and Pierre, pushing Martine’s wheelchair, put in a dash across their sun-drenched apartment complex into their cool, air-conditioned clubhouse–the harsh sunlight too much for Martine’s exposed skin. Beneath a peaked cap boasting a French Tricolore and pulled low over her face, Martine was clad in a pressure garment, like a beige catsuit in piecemeal, covering torso, legs and arms, little snips of pink and white marbled skin peeking through. The pressure garment had arrived only a few days before. It helps reduce scarring. She’s still getting accustomed to it. “I’ll have it on for six months,” she explained. Though general pain is managed through medication, the itching can prove unbearable. Pierre was called upon more than once on back-scratching duties. They both have lost count of the number of operations Martine has undergone–about eight skin grafts “at least,” Pierre said. Another is required for an open wound beneath one eye. The tracheostomy tube is long removed, but Martine’s voice still bears the raspy remnants of the former aperture. Then there’s her amputated lower left leg–the fire damage so severe, the circulation so compromised, the doctors had no choice but to operate. Not that this confines Martine to her wheelchair. Aside from all the routine physio, Martine frequently hauls herself up and out of the chair to “do a little dance” on one leg, she said. She has also been fitted with a prosthetic limb. Only, “it gives me a blister because my skin is so sensitive,” she said. “You have to wait for it to heal, a week and a half or two weeks at a time.” And yet, some elements of Martine’s recovery can be described as nothing short of miraculous. Early on, the doctors told Martine she had end-stage renal disease, and, as a result, underwent regular dialysis. “They said, maybe I would need a kidney transplant.” A friend, however, connected the Bellocqs with a French-based doctor. He asked them for a readout of her blood work and a description of her injuries, after which, he sent them a CD of soundwaves specially engineered to heal her particular health problems. “It was a very strange thing,” said Pierre. Martine then proceeded to imitate the sound on the disc–what can be best described as an eerie high-pitched whine, like something out of the Twilight Zone. Strange as it was, they began playing the disc every day, as instructed, until one day, “I go in and ask her, ‘how was the dialysis?’ And she waved her arms to say, ‘no dialysis,'” said Pierre. “She was completely fine. It almost disappeared overnight. Whether it was that or everyone’s prayers, it’s quite unbelievable.” Other moments have oscillated between the ridiculous and the sublime. The first time Martine put on her prosthetic leg, she wore it home. On the journey back, they stopped off at San Luis Rey Downs to check on a filly running the next day. As Martine slowly made her way to their barn, it turned out the prosthetic limb hadn’t been screwed on properly–you can guess what happened next. Undeterred, Pierre grabbed the wheelchair and pushed his wife the rest of the way, and at the barn Martine approached the filly, who gently rested her head in Martine’s chest. “Horses have very good memories,” said Pierre, with a touch of wonder. “People don’t always realize that.” To say that Pierre has been a lifeline to Martine these past few months would do a disservice to the word understatement. Back and forth, back and forth, Pierre ping-pongs between their horses in training–they currently have six at San Luis Rey Downs–and Martine, to wherever she is at the time, never mind the Odyssey of errands he runs in between. “In a way, having the horses to look after in the mornings has been helpful, keeps my mind off it for a few hours,” said Pierre, with characteristic restraint, his voice as quiet as a librarian’s. Throughout, he’s been just the sort of unflappable, sensible presence needed for a situation that’s hard to make sense of. That said, for these trials Pierre has paid an emotional toll. “The toughest part for me was the first couple of months, going through the events of the fire,” Pierre said, describing how that day played over and over in his mind like a film reel, leading to agonizing what-could-haves and what-ifs. “Now, I’m ok with it because I realize I couldn’t have done anything differently.” Martine, on the other hand, is a self-professed force of nature, someone who lets her emotions bubble easily to the surface. As we talked, she zig-zagged her wheelchair back and forth, left and right, side to side, rearranging herself constantly in the seat, all the while expressing a barely-suppressed desire to return to a world as close as possible to the one before the fire. “I don’t want to be a handicapped person–I can do anything. I can cook. I can wheel the wheelchair. I can use the computer,” she said, underscoring a remarkable independent spirit that has driven both her physical and mental recovery. She was offered psychological counselling, for example, but nixed the idea flat. “‘I don’t need to talk to people–I’m okay,'” she told them. “What did I go through? Okay, I went through a fire. It’s sad. Sure. I cried a little bit because he’s my favorite horse. But having been around horses for so many years, I’ve seen so many things.” The sheer emotional enormity of what she’s been through isn’t lost on her–far from it. Nor how it has affected others. “I tell you, it was harder on him than for me,” she said, about Pierre. “For me, I’m tough. Deep inside, I knew he was hurt.” Still, she admits the fire has softened her own perspective on life. “A little bit,” she said. “I’m more sympathetic. I will have tears come to my eyes when I see something sad on TV.” That said, “I’m not afraid of death. Everybody has to die–it’s a part of life.” The life that now awaits them both is one gaining greater clarity all the time, but the vagaries of the future still cloud that crystal ball. The here and now, however, is marked by the Laffit Pincay, Jr. Award–a tribute, they feel, to all who battled valiantly that day in the fire, and to each and every helping hand extended afterwards. “To award it to Martine, and everything she’s done, it represents all racing people, the whole backstretch,” said Pierre. “There were a lot of other heroes beside her. This award is for all people who deserve recognition in this business. And rightfully so.” As to Martine’s future as a trainer, her daughter talks retirement. “She thinks I’ve given enough of my life to horses,” said Martine. “She said, ‘Now it’s time to take care of yourself.'” A part of Martine agrees. “It’s hard–it’s not easy to stay in business. Maybe we’ll retire to the south of France and eat pate and cheese and drink wine. I’m 65, you know.” And yet, it’s hard to imagine that indomitable spirit of hers laying idle. “What am I going to do in retirement, sit in front of the TV? I’d be bored. I’d be missing something in my life.” And, when I asked her where she’d like to be in a year’s time, the response was immediate: “I will have a stake horse and run in the Kentucky Derby.” “And win it?” I asked. “First woman to win the Kentucky Derby,” she replied, adamantly. No longer, then, do Martine’s dreams whisk her away to far-flung places, exotic ports and tranquil seas, as a means of escape. No, from the ashes of devastation have emerged those old familiar hopes and aspirations–that the next horse, perhaps, or the one after that or the one after that, could be the one to catapult both she and Pierre to the summit of this strange, heartbreaking and wonderful sport called horse racing. “I don’t dream bad dreams. I don’t cry. I accept that life goes on,” Martine said. “Sometimes I get upset because my horse [Wild Bill Hickory] died, sure, but maybe another horse comes along who’s just as nice as him.” View the full article

Hofburg will miss the $1.25 million Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) after spiking a fever, Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott said Aug. 19 at Saratoga Race Course. View the full article

4th-SAR, $85,000, Msw, 2yo, f, 5 1/2fT, post time: 2:40 p.m. ET TIMELY (Verrazano), a $575,000 KEESEP yearling, debuts for trainer Wesley Ward. The filly is out of the unraced Timeless (Unbridled’s Song), who is a half-sister to multiple Grade I winner Lady Tak (Mutakddim). Graham Motion saddles first-timer Perfect Kind (Noble Mission {GB}) for West Point Thoroughbreds. The filly was a $235,000 purchase at this year’s Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Sale. Her unraced dam Easy Limit (Storm Cat) is a daughter of Grade I winner Passing Shot (A.P. Indy). Colts Neck Stables’ Introduced (El Padrino), a $310,000 OBS March graduate, makes her first start for trainer Al Goldberg. The filly’s second dam is multiple graded stakes winner Who Did it and Run (Polish Numbers). TJCIS PPs View the full article

A colt (lot 137) by Dubawi (Ire) out of dual Group 1 winner Just the Judge (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}) made €1.4 million to take the lead during the second session of the Arqana August Sale at Deauville on Sunday evening. The bay, consigned by La Motteraye Consignment, was purchased by Ballylinch Stud. 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. Monday’s Insights features a half brother to Camelot (GB). 6.00 Windsor, Mdn, £7,400, 2yo, 6f 12yT The Eclipse Partnership’s WILD ABANDON (GB) (Kingman {GB}) is kin to three black-type performers, headed by 2012 G1 Prix Morny and G1 Middle Park S.-winning sire Reckless Abandon (GB) (Exchange Rate), and debuts for the Ralph Beckett stable. Her rivals include Paul Cole trainee Aristomachos (Ire) (War Command), who is a hitherto unraced half-brother to MGSW GI Rodeo Drive S. and GI Gamely H. placegetter Elektrum (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}). 8.00 Windsor, Mdn, £5,800, 3-4yo, 10fT ATHARY (IRE) (Shamardal), who debuts in the silks of Abdullah Al Khalifa, is a son of 2005 G3 Dahlia S. victress Tarfah (Kingmambo) and thus a half-brother to MG1SW sire Camelot (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}). Opposition to the Charles Hill incumbent includes Khalid Abdullah’s Midi (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who is a once-raced son of MG1SW dual British highweight Midday (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), from the Sir Michael Stoute stable. View the full article

A yearling colt by Lope de Vega (Ire) and out of listed winner Black Dahlia (GB) became the new Arqana August Sale topper when he hammered for €900,000 to MV Magnier. Consigned by Ecurie des Monceaux, lot 94 is a half-brother to emphatic G2 Vintage S. hero Dark Vision (Ire) (Dream Ahead). View the full article

The G1 Darley Prix Jean Romanet “dark horse” Nonza (Fr) (Zanzibari) must have been France’s best-kept secret prior to Sunday, but Henri-Francis Devin pulled the rabbit out of the hat as the 4-year-old overcame some established high-class performers to make a dramatic breakthrough. Untested in anything like this company but a proven winner time and again, the homebred bay had booked her ticket with a first black-type success in the 10 1/2-furlong Listed Prix de la Pepiniere at Maisons-Laffitte July 22 and raced towards the rear early with the pace honest up front. As they turned for home, there was unwanted drama as Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) went wrong and was eased by Ryan Moore but Nonza had almost three lengths to make up on the G1 Pretty Polly S. winner Urban Fox (GB) (Foxwedge {Aus}) who had cut loose. Eating into that deficit as the line neared, the 12-1 shot managed it in the final stride to prevail by a neck under Alexis Badel, with Navaro Girl (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) 1 3/4 lengths behind in third. Sunday, Deauville, France DARLEY PRIX JEAN ROMANET-G1, €250,000, Deauville, 8-19, 4yo/up, f/m, 10fT, 2:06.46, gd. 1–NONZA (FR), 126, f, 4, by Zanzibari 1st Dam: Terra Alta (Fr), by Kaldounevees (Fr) 2nd Dam: Toujours Juste (Fr), by Always Fair 3rd Dam: Soloist, by Alleged 1ST GROUP WIN; 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O/B-Mme Antonia Devin (FR); T-Henri-Francois Devin; J-Alexis Badel. €142,850. Lifetime Record: 7-5-1-0, €211,870. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Urban Fox (GB), 126, f, 4, Foxwedge (Aus)–Lomapamar (GB), by Nashwan. (10,000gns Ylg ’15 TAOCT; 425,000gns 3yo ’17 TATMA). O-Barnane Stud Ltd; B-Mascalls Stud (GB); T-William Haggas. €57,150. 3–Navaro Girl (Ire), 126, f, 4, Holy Roman Emperor (Ire)–Neele (Ire), by Peintre Celebre. O-Stall Nizza; B-Jurgen Imm (IRE); T-Peter Schiergen. €28,575. Margins: NK, 1 3/4, HD. Odds: 11.00, 1.90, 25.00. Also Ran: Lady Frankel (GB), I’m So Fancy (Ire), Bateel (Ire), Golden Legend (Fr), Wilamina (Ire), Rhododendron (Ire). Scratched: Haggle (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. View the full article

Sunday’s G1 Darley Prix Morny at Deauville looked to be dominated by the fillies on paper and that played out in the race as the Gredleys’ Pretty Pollyanna (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) saw off Signora Cabello (Ire) (Camacho {GB}) in a pulsating fight to the line. Showing the same instant speed that saw her register a seven-length success in the G2 Duchess of Cambridge S. over this six-furlong trip at Newmarket July 13, Pretty Pollyanna was in front of the rivals racing up the centre as the G3 Prix de Cabourg winner Comedy (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) overdid it ahead racing alone up the stand’s rail. Silvestre de Sousa had the 8-5 favourite on the front foot throughout, but the inevitable challenge came from the Queen Mary heroine Signora Cabello who tracked her compatriot throughout under Frankie Dettori. Taken on and headed for a stride before the 100-metre marker, Pretty Pollyanna was spurred her on by the attention and duly asserted to score by 3/4 of a length as they pulled four lengths clear of True Mason (GB) (Mayson {GB}) for a British one-two-three. Sunday, Deauville, France DARLEY PRIX MORNY-G1, €350,000, Deauville, 8-19, 2yo, c/f, 6fT, 1:10.24, gd. 1–PRETTY POLLYANNA (GB), 122, f, 2, by Oasis Dream (GB) 1st Dam: Unex Mona Lisa (GB), by Shamardal 2nd Dam: Friendlier (GB), by Zafonic 3rd Dam: Rostova (GB), by Blakeney (GB) 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (50,000gns RNA Ylg ’17 TATOCT). O-W J & T C O Gredley; B-Stetchworth & Middle Park Studs Ltd (GB); T-Michael Bell; J-Silvestre de Sousa. €199,990. Lifetime Record: GSW-Eng, 4-3-0-0, €258,157. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Signora Cabello (Ire), 122, f, 2, Camacho (GB)–Journalist (Ire), by Night Shift. (20,000gns Ylg ’17 TAOCT). O-Phoenix Thoroughbred & Zen Racing; B-Diomed Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-John Quinn. €80,010. 3–True Mason (GB), 126, c, 2, Mayson (GB)–Marysienka (GB), by Primo Dominie (GB). (25,000gns Wlg ’16 TATFOA; 120,000gns Ylg ’17 TAOCT). O-Khalifa Dasmal; B-Simon Balding (GB); T-Karl Burke. €40,005. Margins: 3/4, 4, 2HF. Odds: 1.60, 4.20, 25.00. Also Ran: Land Force (Ire), Sexy Metro (Fr), Simply Striking (Fr), Kinks (GB), Comedy (Ire), Marie’s Diamond (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. View the full article

Trainer Sheila Lavery has tasted Group success as an owner when the Eddie Lynam trained Viztoria (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire}) carried her colours to victory in the G2 Park S. at Doncaster in 2013 and Lavery is hoping she may now have care of a filly of similar calibre in Lady Kaya (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}). The 2-year-old built on an encouraging second on debut at The Curragh in June to demolish her opponents by ten lengths in a fillies race back at The Curragh Aug. 12. That visually impressive display had ‘stakes filly’ written all over it and the only concern that Lavery had was would her owner be able to resist the inevitable big offers that would come for a filly with her profile. That concern has not been realised and Lavery is pleased to report Lady Kaya is still in her care and readying for a step up in class. “She’s come out of the race very well and the owners are going to hold on to her, which is obviously great for me,” she said. “My niece [Joanne] owns her and I didn’t get involved in the decision. I told her there had been interest, but they’re holding onto her. The plan at the moment is to go back to the Curragh for the Debutante Stakes [Aug. 26]. It will be big step up but it looks the obvious progression as she’s won at the Curragh over seven furlongs and timescale-wise it fits in well,” she added. Regardless of what else Lady Kaya achieves on the track she was well bought by her owner for only €15,000 as a foal in Goffs. Offered the next year at Tattersalls Ireland’s September Yearling Sale she failed to capture the attention of the masses and was wisely retained by her vendor for €12,000. View the full article

Hronis Racing's 5-year-old son of Lookin At Lucky made a powerful move around the far turn, then drew off to win by 12 1/2 lengths, a record margin in the 1 1/4-mile event. View the full article

Hronis Racing's 5-year-old son of Lookin At Lucky made a powerful move around the far turn, then drew off to win by 12 1/2 lengths—a record margin in the 1 1/4-mile event. View the full article

Accelerate (h, 5, Lookin At Lucky–Issues, by Awesome Again) made 2-5 look like a bargain in Saturday evening’s GI TVG Pacific Classic, a ‘Win and You’re In’ for the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic. The chestnut, off a beat slow, sat in third through fractions of :23.05 and :46.69. He put in a three-wide bid entering the turn, hit the gas with a devastating turn of foot to open daylight as they straightened for home, and kept on rolling into the stretch to win by a Pacific Classic record-setting 12 1/2 lengths. Pavel (Creative Cause) was second; Prime Attraction (Unbridled’s Song) was third. The final time for 1 1/4 miles was 2:01.83. Accelerate entered off a dominating win in the GI Gold Cup at Santa Anita May 26. Sales history: $380,000 yrl ’14 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 20-8-5-5. O-Hronis Racing; B-Mike Abraham (Ky); T-John Sadler. View the full article