Wandering Eyes

A bumper field of 22 was declared for the fourth running of the Commonwealth Cup (G1), as Ascot's Royal meeting continues June 22. View the full article

A trio of Guineas winners clash at Royal Ascot June 22, as Alpha Centauri (IRE), Billesdon Brook (GB), and Teppal (FR) lock horns in the one-mile Coronation Stakes (G1). View the full article

The Longines Tracking System, a timing and tracking system, was successfully launched at Royal Ascot on June 20, Longines and Ascot Racecourse announced on Thursday. The system, developed in association with Swiss Timing, provides instant data on the exact position of horses during a race, race rankings, the distance between horses, as well as their acceleration and deceleration. Based on satellite data, the system also measures the distance covered and remaining distance by the horses during a race. “For Longines, investing in technological advancements is the latest step in its long-term relationship with horseracing,” said Longines Vice President and Head of International Marketing Juan-Carlos Capelli. “The Longines Tracking System delivers a number of benefits to the sport and is a game-changer for the racing industry. We believe that live performance data enhances viewing experience and depth of understanding of the sport.” View the full article

The longest day, and in more ways than one. On the two previous mornings, the only racegoers on the train had been murmuring to each other over the rustle of their newspapers, trying not to feel too conspicuous in their finery among the stolid and resentful commuters. Yesterday, the same service was crammed with the noisy, bibulous vanguard of Ladies’ Day, launching a fusillade of corks in ominous syncopation with the safety-catch clicking of cans. Some, plainly, were setting impossible early fractions. By the time the shadows of the solstice evening began to lengthen, they had been given an edifying lesson in how to manage a far more arduous test of stamina. And not just by the three magnificent horses who, after two and a half miles, produced a Gold Cup very nearly as thrilling as the one that last year qualified as the race of the British season. For the fact that they were able to do owed much to three top-class jockeys in their prime, who eked out the reserves of their mounts by individual variations of the seasoning gained through decades of shared experience. First there was Colm O’Donoghue, throwing down the gauntlet on Torcedor (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) as a man transparently emancipated by his new responsibilities as a stable jockey. Then came Christophe Soumillon, playing late cards with all his familiar verve on Vazirabad (Fr) (Manduro {Ger}). But ultimately both had to yield to the track’s presiding genius, Frankie Dettori, on Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). In the bigger picture, moreover, Dettori’s renaissance with John Gosden–for whom he had also ridden a treble on the opening day–is itself a model of sustained vitality. That he should remain at the peak of his powers, at 47, is a measure of the renewal by which he has maintained the median of his stardom, no matter how steep the occasional troughs. With his showmanship, of course, Dettori was also able to renew his connection with those who had resorted, from so early in the day, to a more artificial form of effervescence. Uniquely in his generation, Dettori has equal celebrity among the professionals who judge him as a horsemen; and the dilettanti whose curiosity the industry will perhaps only value once he has gone. These appreciated his flying dismount from Stradivarius no less than Wesley Ward, nowadays something of an Ascot institution himself, did the hug and kiss that interrupted a television interview after the opening race. Ward responded by cheerfully reproaching Joel Rosario for his failure to master a flying dismount for the G2 Norfolk S. success of Shang Shang Shang (Shanghai Bobby). If this markedly different race must also have enthused the casual fan, simply by dint of the desperate margin, then it also contained an important lesson for the cognoscenti. True, European breeders are mistaken if they view American blood as a conduit purely for speed: the Kentucky sire’s hallmark is sooner the ability to carry that speed over Classic distances. But you can see why the incursions of Ward speedballs over the past decade might have nourished the myth. In that case, however, why should such a cult have developed around European sires who often impart a degree of speed and precocity, but seldom any real class? Because whether by training or breeding, the indigenous sprinter has been routinely exposed by bare handfuls of American or Australian raiders at Ascot. If you want class as well as speed, by this stage you really should know where to get it. So here was a perfect barometer of the state of play for European commercial breeding. Five furlongs, flat out, on summer ground at Ascot. And the first two home, divided by a nostril, were the only American-breds in the field; closely followed, in a clear third, by a colt from the first crop of No Nay Never (Scat Daddy), whose track-record success in this same race, five years ago, helped bring both his sire and trainer to wider notice in Europe. If the winner had a familiar profile, as another to pour on the pace for Ward, then much could be learned from runner-up Pocket Dynamo (Dialed In). For while Robert Cowell arguably loses as much as he gains from his expertise with sprinters– however diverse a trainer’s talents, pigeonholing tends to become self-fulfilling–then his acuity in the discipline makes it highly instructive that he should be one of few European trainers prepared to put in the legwork to sift the deeper recesses of the Keeneland September Sale. Cowell found Pocket Dynamo there in 2017 as Hip 2934, for $35,000 from Hunter Valley Farm. In admitting to the value he finds falling through the cracks at Keeneland, Cowell can rest assured that these will not suddenly be closed by an influx of neighbours from home. Hip 2934! Read it and weep. Especially if you are one of those trainers who a) complain about being overmatched by the stables of the big owner-breeders; and b) lack the imagination and balls to hang around Lexington when the only familiar faces still in town belong to breeze-up pinhookers. “I’ve been going for six or seven years, and it’s something I’m very keen on,” Cowell said. “I just feel there are a lot more horses and a lot fewer buyers. I’ll be there through Books 4, 5 and 6, and do it all on my own. I came back with six last year, including a couple of others that trialled for Ascot but just weren’t there yet. But they will be. It’s just that they’re a different shape, bigger horses.” “This horse didn’t cost much, but I thought him a beautiful yearling: a really strong, sturdy type. He’s so tough and genuine, when he won at Longchamp last time he was taken on a long way out in quite a snazzy race but just kept that nose of his in front. And he’s maturing all the time, there’s better to come.” Few trainers operating at the same level could afford Scat Daddy yearlings but that, sadly, will no longer be a problem. The three members of his last crop to have run at this meeting so far, incidentally, have finished second (in a photo), third and fourth. But while Scat Daddy was clearly exceptionally potent, Cowell has had the enterprise to explore the wider ripples, and not just the stone cast into the middle of the market. It was the beginning of a sumptuous summer afternoon, but the long evening to follow was bound to be lost on some. Thinking back to the morning train, I am reminded of the tot of Caribbean rum I was once offered. The brand was Sunset. “Coz it don’t matter what time you start drinkin’ it,” the barman explained. “Your day is over.” Happily, with all due respect to the monarch who actually owns the place, there is little sign of the sun setting any time soon on Dettori’s Ascot empire. View the full article

Osare (f, 3, Medaglia d’Oro–Bubbler, by Distorted Humor), the half-sister to champion and $17-million winner ‘TDN Rising Star’ Arrogate (Unbridled’s Song), returned 6-1 to her backers when graduating at second asking Thursday afternoon at Belmont Park. Enjoying a cushy ground-saving journey after a smooth departure from gate two, the Bridlewood colorbearer was shoved on and under a left-handed stick from Javier Castellano fully three furlongs from home. Cracked right handed in upper stretch, she still appeared destined for defeat entering the final eighth of a mile, but kept plugging away and grabbed longtime leader Windjammer (Ger) (Campanologist) on the wire to score by a head. Osare was offered by her breeder Clearsky Farm at the 2016 Keeneland September sale just a few weeks after Arrogate recorded his jaw-dropping 13 1/2-length victory in the GI Travers S. at Saratoga, but was remarkably sold on a bid of $300,000 from John Malone’s operation. Arrogate would go on to add the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic over California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) and the inaugural running of the GI Pegasus World Cup, defeating future Horse of the Year Gun Runner (Candy Ride {Arg}). Osare was bet town to 18-5 for her Apr. 15 at Tampa and did her best work late to finish fourth. She was adding blinkers for Thursday’s much tougher test. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0. O-Bridlewood Farm; B-Clearsky Farms (KY); T-Jonathan Thomas. View the full article

Werther (NZ), a former Hong Kong Horse of the Year, takes on a field including five Japanese grade I winners in the Takarazuka Kinen (G1) June 24 at Hanshin Racecourse. View the full article

A bumper field of 22 have been declared for the fourth running of the Commonwealth Cup (G1), as Ascot's Royal meeting continues June 22. View the full article

The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association and the New York Racing Association, committed to efforts to ensure safe and healthy Thoroughbred retirement, have teamed up to announce a new award created to highlight the success of retired racehorses in second careers. The $5,000 Empire State Success Story will go to the top-placed New York-bred at the Retired Racehorse Project’s 2018 Thoroughbred Makeover, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America. The event takes place Oct. 4-7 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. “Racehorses are first and foremost athletes, and they excel at second careers,” said Rick Schosberg, Chair of the NYTHA Aftercare Committee. “It is truly amazing how versatile they are. We want to put the spotlight on our New York-breds at the Makeover and show everyone that our horses have long and fruitful lives after they leave the track. He added, “We are dedicated to taking care of our horses, whether they bankrolled a million dollars or never earned a dime. That is our duty, as horsemen.” View the full article

1st-CD, $51K, Msw, 2yo, f, 5 1/2fT, post time: 12:45 p.m. ET Live Oak Plantation’s SOUPER CHARLOTTE (Warrior’s Reward) was the most expensive of her sire’s 37 yearlings reported as sold in 2017 when hammering for $325K at KEESEP last fall. A full-sister to ‘TDN Rising Star’ Unbridled Reward, who aired by 7 3/4 lengths on debut and was second in the Debutante S. in her two career starts for trainer Mark Casse, the April foal is also kin to SP Southern Parkway (Lemon Drop Kid) and MSP Belleofthebridle (Yes It’s True) and is out of a half-sister to the good turf distaffer Turkappeal (Turkoman), dam of GIII Natalma S. victrix Pink Champagne (Awesome Again) and SW Z Appeal (Ghostzapper). Further down the page is GI Spinaway S. winner Mani Bhavan (Storm Boot). Tom Durant homebred Scatrattleandroll (Scat Daddy) is out of Grade III-placed Haley’s Lolipop (Cuvee), a half-sister to the fleet Maddalena (Good and Tough). TJCIS PPs 6th-CD, $51K, Msw, 2yo, f, 5 1/2fT, post time: 3:18 p.m. ET The split of this race has attracted a good-looking group led by the rail-drawn CHOCOLATE KISSES (Candy Ride {Arg}). Acquired for $410K out of last year’s FTSAUG sale, the bay is a daughter of GSW (turf) and GISP (main) Brownie Points (Meadowlake), whose 5-year-old Synchrony (Tapit) won this year’s GIII Muniz Memorial S. earlier this year and is a candidate for the GI Arlington Million in two months’ time. TJCIS PPs 3rd-BEL, $75K, Msw, 3yo/up, f/m, 1m, post time: 4:10 p.m. ET RESTRUCTURE (Blame) has been made the 2-1 morning-line favorite and has put together a postive-looking worktab for this first career go. A homebred for Shel Evans, the dark bay is out of an unraced half-sister to GSW Golden Spikes (Seeking the Gold) and SW Al Muhtasib (Distorted Humor). Her Grade I-winning third dam Shared Interest (Pleasant Colony)–a half to GISW Sewickley–was responsible for GISW Forestry (Storm Cat) as well as GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies’ winner Cash Run (Seeking the Gold), dam of European SW & MGSP Great War Eagle (Storm Cat). TJCIS PPs View the full article

The fifth and final day of the Inglis Great Southern Sale at Oaklands Junction saw yearlings and racing stock pass through the ring on Thursday. A total of 144 sold (88%) from 144 offered and grossed A$1,867,000. Overall, 798 horses (82%) sold for A$15,877,473 from Sunday-Thursday compared to 665 for A$15,225,700 in 2017. The average was A$19,897 (-13.1%) and the median reached A$8,000 (-11.1%). Lot 935, the Exceed And Excel (Aus) 4-year-old filly Villa Rosa (Aus) commanded the top price of A$240,000 when acquired by Freyer Bloodstock (FBAA). Consigned by Blue Gum Farm, the two-time winner is a full-sister to Hong Kong champion griffin Amber Sky (Aus), as the pair are out of G2 Champagne S. heroine Truly Wicked (Aus) (Rubiton {Aus}). Randwick Bloodstock spent A$210,000 for the 3-year-old filly Blue Morpho (Aus) (Hussonet) (lot 900). From the draft of Angas River Contractors, the Listed Laelia S. heroine is from the family of G1 Adelaide Cup victor Apache King (Aus) (Waajib {Ire}). “I think it was a very fair market, well balanced between vendors and purchasers,” said Inglis Victorian Bloodstock Manager Simon Vivian. “The competition on many of the prized lots of the sale was outstanding. We had a record number of entries for the sale this year and to see the strong buying across all sessions of the sale has been very pleasing. We thank both the vendors and the purchasers for their support.” View the full article

In less than a London minute, Wesley Ward turned into a hero just after 2:35 in the afternoon at Royal Ascot in the G2 Norfolk S. The margin of victory was shorter than a nose, shorter than half-a-nose. It was a whisker. Because the Ward stable has been cold over the first two days, the price on Shang Shang Shang (Shanghai Bobby) climbed all morning long, up to 5-1. The fans were giving up on the 1984 Eclipse Award apprentice jockey turned conditioner, until this perfect sunny afternoon. His horse wore saddle cloth #10, and it was Royal Ascot winner #10 for Ward, the most successful trainer based outside Europe. Just turned 50 year-old Ward was in a jovial mood in paddock, giving instructions for the television crew in Spanish to his pal and rider, Joel Rosario. And after the five-furlong jaunt, Ward gave great credit to his jock, saying Rosario was an early morning worker at his barn all year long in the USA, working every 2-year-old that he was asked. Jim Gluckson, representing the Breeders’ Cup, was at the track, letting us know that this was a “Win and You’re In” event, meaning even though Shang Shang Shang was the only filly in the race, she gets an automatic berth for the $1-million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint in November at Churchill Downs, which is open to colts and fillies. In other another headline among Thursday action, the longest, toughest, more grueling, oldest and rich G1 Gold Cup S. went to Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea of the Stars {Ire}) after 20 furlongs. Trained by John Gosden, and ridden by Frankie Dettori, it was one of the best stretch drives seen in the more than 200 chapters. Dettori notched his sixth Gold Cup win and 60th Royal Ascot victory. Vazirabad (Fr) (Manduro {Ger}) was second, with jockey Christophe Soumillion bouncing up and down in his saddle like a yo-yo. You’ve got to see this! #Strange. Ryan Moore tightened up the race for Royal Ascot champion jockey with winners in the G3 Hampton Court S. and the G2 Ribblesdale S. 3 1/2-1 odds-on trainer John Gosden is looking good with two more glorious days to go. Summer arrived, the champagne is on ice, and the 92 year-old Queen of England we understand, will be studying the entries before getting in the Landau carriage for the Friday trip down the home stretch tomorrow. View the full article

Trainer Dale Romans is eyeing some of the top 3-year-old stakes races this summer for impressive GIII Matt Winn S. winner King Zachary (Curlin). The July 28 GII Jim Dandy S. at Saratoga and July 29 GI Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park are among the spots under consideration. “We’ll keep our options open for either spot and see what the field looks like,” Romans said. “This horse was really impressive last weekend in the Matt Winn. He’s only going to get better as time goes on.” The $550,000 KEESEP yearling, an optional claiming winner on GI Kentucky Derby day, is owned by Louisville-based attorney Tom Conway. Romans added that the two-for-two Mr Freeze (To Honor and Serve), is aiming for the July 6 GIII Iowa Derby. “This horse is the real deal,” Romans said. “He was a little late to come along but is proving to be a really nice horse.” View the full article

None of them were able to make a dent while trying their luck at undefeated Triple Crown winner Justify, but a quartet of this spring’s Classic also-rans will look to start fresh while kicking off their second-half campaigns in the GIII Ohio Derby Saturday at Thistledown. The most accomplished of the four is John Oxley’s Flameaway (Scat Daddy), who captured the GIII Sam F. Davis S. in February before running second in both the GII Tampa Bay Derby and GII Toyota Blue Grass S. Making a bit of an early move into the supersonic GI Kentucky Derby pace, the chestnut faded to finish 13th and returns with a trio of quick breezes at his Churchill Downs base for this return engagement. G M B Racing’s Lone Sailor (Majestic Warrior) came by far closest of any of his rivals to Justify when finishing fifth, beaten just two lengths in the GI Preakness S. The Tom Amoss trainee will look to finally break through at the stakes level after placing in three other black-type events. Gary Broad’s Core Beliefs (Quality Road) is the lone west coast representative in the field, shipping in from Santa Anita for trainer Peter Eurton. After an impressive graduate there Mar. 8, the $350,000 Barretts March buy was a respectable third at 41-1 behind Justify while making his stakes debut in the GI Santa Anita Derby Apr. 7. He most recently finished second after dueling on the lead and opening up into deep stretch of the GIII Peter Pan S. May 12 at Belmont. Diamond King (Quality Road) earned a spot in the Preakness by virtue of his score in the Federico Tesio S. at Laurel, but could beat just one horse in Balitmore. He returned home to drill five furlongs in :59 1/5 (1/18) June 12 at trainer John Servis’s Parx base in preparation for this. View the full article

I am writing in response to the second part of Bill Finley’s series regarding “Super Trainers” (Part I and Part II). Mr. Finley states that these so-called super trainers rarely participate in the claiming races that make up the bread and butter of our sport, therefore creating short fields and barren race cards. Among these super trainers, he counts Mark Casse, Bill Mott, Chad Brown, Steve Asmussen and Todd Pletcher. In just the past five days, Mark Casse has run in a $10,000 claimer; Bill Mott has run in a $10,000 claimer; Chad Brown has run in a $12,500 claimer and Steve Asmussen has run in a $5,000 claimer, $7,500 claimer and a $10,000 claimer. As far as Todd Pletcher goes (the same Todd Pletcher who is the subject of Mr. Finley’s statement, “There have to be middle-class trainers to fill the $12,500 claimers on a Thursday afternoon. Pletcher just doesn’t run in those races.”), he is running in a $12,500 claimer at Gulfstream today, which just happens to be a Thursday. In his article, Mr. Finley makes some valid points that are worthy of discussion, but his argument is greatly weakened when he fails to adhere to the facts. Sincerely, Maggie Sweet View the full article

A large field for the G2 Albany S. has something for everyone: from a vendor buyback at €1,000 to a representative of one of the most illustrious families in the modern-day studbook ANGEL’S HIDEAWAY (IRE) (Dark Angel {Ire}) An impressive winner at Haydock on her second starts, she was bred by the O’Callaghan family at Yeomanstown Stud and sold to Cheveley Park Stud at the Goffs Orby Sale for €390,000. Her dam The Hermitage (Ire) (Kheleyf) was bought form the Darley draft at Tattersalls in 2010 for 29,000gns. B-Yeomanstown Stud & Doc Bloodstock. BYRON BAY (FR) (Showcasing {GB}) Another to break her maiden in impressive fashion, this time at Chantilly, this first Royal Ascot runner for Yan Durepaire was bought by the trainer from co-breeder Pierre Talvard of Haras du Cadran for €100,000 at the Arqana August Sale and is out of a Diesis (GB) half-sister to the G1 Famouth S. winner Giofra (GB) (Dansili {GB}). B-Ecurie Haras du Cadran & Ecurie JMI Racing. CHICAS AMIGAS (IRE) (Dragon Pulse {Ire}) Following the success Down Under of multiple Group 1 winner Global Glamour (Aus), the Irish wing of the It’s All About The Girls syndicate can enjoy its first Royal Ascot runner with this €25,000 Goffs Orby yearling. B-Irish National Stud. COTUBANAMA (GB) (Heeraat {Ire}) More experienced than many of her rivals with four starts and one win under her belt already, Cotunbanama bids to become the first group winner for her freshman sire and was unsold as a foal at 2,500gns when offered for her trainer/breeder through Norman Court Stud. B-M Channon. FAIRYLAND (IRE) (Kodiac {GB}) Bred by a different branch of the O’Callaghan family at Tally-Ho Stud, this smart filly runs in the successful colours of Anne O’Callaghan’s mother Evie Stockwell. The owning partnership is completed by Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith and Fairyland, out of a Pivotal (GB) half-sister to Dream Ahead, was bought for 925,000gns at Tattersalls October Book 1 by Mrs. Stockwell’s grandson MV Magnier, the Mayfair Speculators and Peter and Ross Doyle. B-Tally-Ho Stud. HAWAYEL (IRE) (Dandy Man {Ire}) Bought as a foal by Richard Knight for 23,000gns, she was subsequently bought again by the agent in partnership with owner Sheik Abdullah Amalek Alsabah for €19,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland September Sale. B-Nafferty Stud. JENSUE (IRE) (Red Jazz {Ire}) A Salcey Forest Stud pinhook bought for €3,000 as a foal at Goffs and later sold for €13,000 to SackvilleDonald at the Tattersalls Ireland Ascot Sale. Breeder Ciaran Mac Ferran bought her dam Gold Tobougg (GB) (Tobougg {Ire}), a sister to the talented Sweet Lilly (GB), for €26,000 from Rabbah Bloodstock. B-Ciaran Mac Ferran. JUST WONDERFUL (IRE) (Dansili {GB}) This great granddaughter of Urban Sea out of the G2 Rockfel S. winner Wading (Ire) is a stand-out on pedigree and made a winning debut at The Curragh on May 26. B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt. LA PELOSA (IRE) (Dandy Man (Ire}) Bought as a foal by Tally-Ho Stud for €52,000 and subsequently bought back at €40,00 at the Orby Sale. Holding on to her until her 2-year-old season paid dividends as she was bought by Godolphin for 280,000gns at the Tattersalls Craven Sale and has won her only start by three lengths. B-Elton Lodge Stud. MAIN EDITION (IRE) (Zoffany {Ire}) This physically imposing half-sister to the admirable Group 2-winning miler Major Cadeaux (GB) (Cadeaux Genereux {GB}) is unbeaten in two starts. She was bought by trainer Mark Johnston from the Castletown Stud draft at Book 1 of the October Sale for 62,000gns. B-Minch Bloodstock. MERRY GO ROUND (FR) (Literato {Fr}) Bred by Gilles and Aliette Forien at Haras de Montaigu by their resident stallion Literato and out of homebred listed winner Wedding Night (Fr) (Valanour {Fr}), she was sold at the Osarus Septemer Sale for €22,000 to her initial trainer Didier Guillemin, for whom she won on debut at La Teste de Buch. B-Mme G Forien & G Forien. NAKAKANDE (IRE) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}) A representative of this season’s leading first-season sire, this filly was twice unsold, at €1,400 and €1,000 when offered as a foal and a yearling at Goffs. She won on her second start at Nantes in the French provinces for Stan Moore but has since been transferred to Jamie Osborne. B-Tom McDonald. NO MORE REGRETS (IRE) (Kodiac {GB}) Never out of the first three in three starts, including finishing second in the listed Premio Vittorio Crespi, this filly has been through four sales in her short life, being bought as a foal for €32,000 by Springield, then selling from Horse Park Stud to Con Marnane for 40,000gns. She was one of a number of Bansha House offerings who went unsold at the breeze-up sales but her racecourse form ensured she was not overlooked at Monday night’s Goffs London Sale, where she was bought by King Power Racing for £130,000. B-Michael G Daly. OCTAVE (IRE) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) A Godolphin homebred, she won on debut at Lingfield on May 29 and was then runner-up to subsequent G2 Coventry S. winner Calyx (GB) (Kingman {GB}) on that colt’s debut at Newmarket. Her grandam Diminuendo (Diesis {GB}) was a treble Oaks winner for Sheikh Mohammed. B-Godolphin. PRETTY POLLYANNA (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) A winner on debut just last week at Yarmouth, the third-generation Gredley homebred was offered for sale at Book 1 of the October Sale where she was bought in at 50,000gns. B-Stetchworth & Middle Park Studs. REPONSE EXACTE (FR) (Rajsaman {Fr}) Bought back as a foal for €4,000 by co-breeder Sylvain Vidal, she subsequently fetched €50,000 as a yearling through the La Motteraye Consignment. Breezed by Roger Marley and John Cullinan of Church Farm & Horse Park Studs at Arqana’s Breeze-up Sale, she elicited a bid of €85,000 from David Redvers and now runs for David Howden from the stable of Maisons-Laffitte-based American trainer Gina Rarick. Reponse Exacte made a winning debut on Saturday in the colours of Catherine Hassett. B-S Vidal & Mme E Vidal. SATISFYING (IRE) (Fast Company {Ire}) Still a maiden after three placed starts, she was sold by her breeder as a foal through Ennell Lodge Stud for €7,000. She was reoffered by Chasemore Farm as a yearling at Ascot where she was bought by breeze-up pinhookers Cristiano Martins and Patrick Moyles for £17,000. They then received 68,000gns for Satisfying at the Craven Sale, where she was bought by Richard Hughes and Stephen Hillen.B-Littlejohn Bloodstock Ltd. STILLWATER COVE (Quality Road) British-based breeders Hugo Lascelles and Ben Sangster teamed up in this filly who was a winner on the dirt at Keeneland on debut for Wesley Ward on Apr. 6. She was unsold at $45,000 when offered at the next-door sales complex last September. B-Lofts Hall Stud and Ben Sangster. View the full article

The other day we rolled down various leading sires lists in search of a topic for this installment and immediately came to a halt. That’s because we noticed that Eclipse champion Blame had suddenly snuck up a few of those lists to the point where he has to be considered a serious bet after what was probably a fair assessment that–echoing his racing career–he’d gotten off to a slow start as a sire. That statement was not meant to be anything other than a logical observation. One has to consider that even though he is from one of the most incredible families of the past 75 years–that of *Rough Shod II, his fifth dam–it was always his sire, and his sire line, which was mostly greeted with a bit of hesitancy by a market oversaturated with commercial hyperventilation. But with ten stakes winners this year (four graded), headed by filly Fault (GI Santa Margarita S.) and the turf colt Maraud (GII American Turf S.), attention must be paid. But the eyebrows were arched when we continued scrolling down the list and discovered that his deceased sire, Arch, and his now exported (to Korea) speedball son, Archarcharch, were ranked among the top 50 sires in cumulative 2018 earnings. To double check, we ran the 2017 list–and they were in the Top 55 at the end of the year. That’s an interesting discovery for a branch of a sire line that snuck up on a lot of people and is often overlooked by more, i.e. that of Kris S., a son of Roberto. Taking a step back, we wondered how other Roberto branches were doing and discovered of course, that there’s only one other which is prominent in North America, that of Dynaformer. The latter has some young sons at stud, but only Temple City and second-crop sire Point of Entry are beginning to make any noise that might compete with that of Blame. One reason is that aside from the ill-fated Barbaro (whose full brother Lentenor is now at stud), many good racing sons of Dynaformer were geldings. More interestingly, except for Darby Creek Road, Lear Fan and Silver Hawk, each of whom had successful records but never established viable branches, the sons of Roberto who left sons behind did so overseas, e.g., Brian’s Time in Japan and Red Ransom in Australia. Thus, we come to Kris S. In contrast to Dynaformer, who raced more than 30 times and won graded races around two turns, Kris S., a foal of 1977, made only five starts, winning two sprints at two and the listed Bradbury S. at Santa Anita at nine furlongs at three. He was undoubtedly of high class considering the horses he ran against (e.g., Raise a Man, First Albert, The Carpenter, Rumbo). Surprisingly, none of his starts came on turf and along with the speed he showed at two, he set himself apart from other sons of Roberto when he went to stud. His sons who carried on his line more efficiently showed that tendency on the track and at stud. They included Prized, You and I and Rock Hard Ten, a diversified branch who unlike Arch did not leave any sons behind who made an impact. So much for first impressions. Things like this bother us because as sire lines fade, there are questions as to what factors may have affected the transitions from gangbusters to busts. We tend to look at things from three points of view, not necessarily in order of importance: Biomechanics, pedigree, and environment. The latter is a somewhat esoteric factor that includes cultural and economic issues which affect acceptance of a line, see Franco Varola’s The Functional Development of the Thoroughbred, Chapter 11. Ironically, if we look at biomechanics first, we get a very powerful slap upside the head–Roberto has a profile similar to Halo’s, whose line we explored in our essay in the Feb. 1 edition of TDN. We noted on our Phenotype Target that Halo and his son Southern Halo were somewhat heavier in body structure than most successful sires. Heavy or light bodied stallions often pass that factor on. That can result in inconsistency for a progenitor because more energy is required to bring versatility on the racetrack. Heavier types often tend to be sprinter-milers; light bodied horses often can handle two turns but unless blessed with good cardio systems for energy storage can run out of gas if pressed too soon. Neither type generally succeeds at stud. Even though it made little difference in the racing careers of Halo and Southern Halo, their genetics fell into a biomechanical limbo that required their mates to bring less weight to the table so as to produce efficient racing progeny, which apparently happened. When we ran the biomechanical profile of Roberto and Kris S., we hit a “holy moly” minute: Both also carried more weight than we expected. And as in the case of Halo and Southern Halo the most successful sires in this branch had obvious biomechanical balance from their dams so that they were somewhat more balanced in terms of weight and efficiency. This is more clearly explained from a glance at the two Phenotype Targets attached, one for Halo and Southern Halo (which also appeared in the February 1st article), and the other for Roberto and Kris S. Note how the proximity of Roberto and Kris S. is similar to that of Halo and Southern Halo. This is almost mystical. However, we have another curve to throw. This one involves the esoteric, which begins with the fact that Roberto and Halo were both foaled in 1969, coincidence, no? Both were out of very decent but totally unrelated female families and both were sired by Hail to Reason, foal of 1958, a huge, somewhat heavy horse who was among the most charismatic, and to many at the time, over raced, horses in history–18 starts, all at two when he was champion but broke down without racing again. To the mind of a high school sophomore who grew up a few miles from both Aqueduct and Belmont, in the same borough as the owner-breeders of Hail to Reason, Hirsch and Ethel Jacobs (along with quiet partner Isidore Bieber), what mattered just as much was the oft-repeated references made by them in the press of how the son of *Turn-to and his dam, Nothirdchance (1948, by Blue Swords), came by their names. If you grew up around that time and knew the history of the two world wars and survivors who were friends and neighbors, you knew instinctively that Nothirdchance was a specific wish the Jacobs’ had for the world to never give fascism a third try. That we live in a world in which many would argue there are examples of third chances emerging everywhere in the West, we can hope that reason may prevail, as have the descendants of that stallion, whose name inspired so many, on the 60th anniversary of his birth. Bob Fierro is a partner with Jay Kilgore and Frank Mitchell in DataTrack International, biomechanical consultants and developers of BreezeFigs. He can be reached at bbfq@earthlink.net. View the full article

A last start winner of the G2 Dane Ripper S. (1350m) when jumping from barrier 14 of 15, the Chris Waller-trained Invincibella (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) has shown that she appreciates galloping room and could be a player at odds in Saturday’s G1 Tattersalls Tiara (1350m), the final Group 1 event of the Australian racing season, despite another wide barrier. With a trio of runners in the field, and another as third emergency, Waller’s runners all show chances, with last start G1 Stradbroke H. sixth-placed Shillelagh (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}), already a Group 1 winner herself, looking suited in the race if there is solid speed on throughout, whereas Invincibella can sprint off a slow tempo and be charging late. Likely race favourite is Bjorn Baker’s Champagne Cuddles (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}) after another exciting third last start behind Santa Ana Lane (Aus) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) in the Stradbroke. From just 10 starts to date, the 3-year-old filly has recorded four Group 1 placed efforts, and a forward showing here could secure her an Everest slot with connections looking to aim that way in the Spring. Finishing in front of Champagne Cuddles in the Stradbroke was Andrew Noblet’s Super Cash (Aus) (Written Tycoon {Aus}) who endured a wide passage throughout and was entitled to knock up. If that run hasn’t taken any toll on the mare, she looks capable of once again running a classy race, even though she has been allocated an extremely wide barrier. Arguably one of the most consistent mares in training, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Prompt Response (Aus) (Beneteau {Aus}) deserves her very own Group 1 win. Having contested four Group 1 contests in the last 12 months including her gallant second in this race last year, the mare has not finished further back than fifth in any of those elite level races, and the honest proposition is sure to once again be in the firing line when the whips are cracking. Another who has drawn wide in the race, but comes in off the back of third behind Invincibella and Prompt Response at Group 2 level is the 3-year-old Moss Trip (Aus) (Mossman {Aus}), impressive in her two most recent victories highlighted by the G3 James Carr S. Although drawn the complete outside barrier, she is on the up and even though she might find it hard, she is clearly one to watch for future races. View the full article

The 2018 G1 Ascot Gold Cup was talked of as a match between Order of St George (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), but the 2016 winner and 2017 runner-up could only manage fourth while Bjorn Neilsen’s 4-year-old excelled in a fight with Vazirabad (Fr) (Manduro {Ger}). Successful in the G2 Queen’s Vase at this meeting 12 months ago, the chestnut who was the 7-4 joint-favourite alongside the Ballydoyle stalwart was kept back in fourth early by Frankie Dettori. Angled out to grab the lead with a furlong remaining, he had Vazirabad to deal with from there but saw out the two and a half miles thoroughly to score by 3/4 of a length, with a head back to Torcedor (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) in third. “It went perfectly,” Dettori commented as he savoured a sixth Gold Cup success. “I come alive here–I love it! The Gold Cup is the showcase of the week and to do it for the John Gosden team is amazing–they are all my friends.” STRADIVARIUS (IRE), 127, c, 4, by Sea the Stars (Ire) 1st Dam: Private Life (Fr) (MSP-Fr), by Bering (GB) 2nd Dam: Poughkeepsie (Ire), by Sadler’s Wells 3rd Dam: Pawneese (Ire), by Carvin II (330,000gns RNA Ylg ’15 TATOCT). O/B-Bjorn Nielsen (IRE); T-John Gosden; J-Lanfranco Dettori. £283,550. Lifetime Record: 11-6-1-2, £902,199. *1/2 to Persian Storm (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}), Hwt. 3yo-Ger at 9.5-11f & MGSW-Ger, $121,198; Rembrandt Van Rijn (Ire) (Peintre Celebre), GSP-Eng, $167,081; and Magical Eve (Ger) (Oratorio {Ire}), SP-SAf. View the full article

The funeral service information for accomplished horseman Olin B. Gentry has been announced. The funeral mass will occur Friday at 12 p.m. at St. Paul Catholic Church on 501 W Short St. in Lexington. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery on 874 West Main St. In Thursday’s TDN, a number of horsemen shared their remembrances of Gentry. An additional remembrance follows: I was asked to say a few words or reminisce about a fond story I have of Olin Gentry and in all honesty it is a grander task than I could’ve imagined. He arrived into my life in 2003, and it’s hard to believe that at that time he was the same age as I am now. I didn’t know of him and had never really heard of him, but I was immediately intimidated because he was so well thought of by everyone who cited his name. Eventually, some of the intimidation would wear off. There was no doubt in my mind that he was cerebral, analytical and forward-thinking, but he wasn’t intimidating. He had a great ability to handle extremely stressful situations with what looked like relative ease. My stint at Paramount was brief but because of him and Pat Costello I felt like I had received a substantial education. Eventually, I went back to Ocala, Florida and of course Olin stayed in Lexington and we would cross paths at the sales but little conversation was really had until the last two years of his life. We became business associates, partners, friends and counselors in some regards. We had both grown up not only in the sales industry but also in the shadows of larger-than-life figures that both of us would call ‘dad.’ We both also contended with similar demons, were open about it and found consolation in speaking to one another. My only regret is not having taken the time to sincerely know Olin my entire life; things could have been more enjoyable and definitely entertaining. He had a heart of gold. He was not egotistical. He was most concerned with how you were doing or how your significant other was doing and since Friday afternoon when I last saw him that is what I’ve thought most about. It is also the most significant thing I hope to take away from knowing him. He cared A LOT. So much so that he gave his ‘heart of gold’ to a transplant recipient in the North Florida Regional Medical Center the day that he died, along with any other piece of him that could help another human being. He was that kind of guy; something most would aspire to be. It goes with out saying that you will be missed, my friend. –Justin Casse View the full article

Successful from Forever Together (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the May 9 Listed Cheshire Oaks, Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) had trailed that stablemate by 11 lengths when fourth in the June 1 G1 Epsom Oaks but back on this summer ground was clear best in her absence in the G2 Ribblesdale S. Always happy in second, the 10-3 shot was sent to the lead at the top of the straight and powered to a four-length-success from the 9-4 favourite Wild Illusion (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), with Sun Maiden (GB) (Frankel {GB}) 1 1/2 lengths back in third. “We did feel the [rain-softened] ground was a factor at Epsom and we were hoping she would be back to the filly she was at Chester on good ground here,” Aidan O’Brien commented. “Forever Together might go to the [G1] Pretty Polly [S. at The Curragh July 1] and this filly could maybe go to the [G1] Irish Oaks [at The Curragh July 21] and then maybe York.” MAGIC WAND (IRE), 126, f, 3, by Galileo (Ire) 1st Dam: Prudenzia (Ire) (SW-Fr), by Dansili (GB) 2nd Dam: Platonic (GB), by Zafonic 3rd Dam: Puce (GB), by Darshaan (GB) 1ST GROUP WIN. (€1,400,000 Ylg ’16 ARAUG). O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Markus Jooste; B-Ecurie des Monceaux & Skymarc Farm Inc (IRE); T-Aidan O’Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £113,420. Lifetime Record: 5-2-0-1, £184,041. *1/2 to Chicquita (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), Hwt. Older Mare-Ire at 11-14f, G1SW-Ire, G1SP-Eng & Fr, $859,094. View the full article

It has been three years since American Pharoah won the Triple Crown, but the big bay son of Pioneerof the Nile figures to make waves again this summer and fall when his first yearlings go through the ring. Ahmed Zayat reminisces about the 2015 Triple Crown, talks about how much he was rooting for Justify this year, and how much he’s looking forward to seeing this year’s sales results. All that and more on the TDN Podcast, sponsored by Taylor Made. Click here to listen. View the full article

The funeral service information for accomplished horseman Olin B. Gentry has been announced. A visitation will take place Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Milward-Broadway. The Funeral Mass will occur Friday at 12 p.m. at St. Paul Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. View the full article

Sixth last time in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly, Hunting Horn (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) was on song to win the G3 Hampton Court S. with authority and provide Ryan Moore with a 50th Royal Ascot winner. Racing in sixth without cover early, the 5-1 second favourite was sent past Crossed Baton (GB) (Dansili {GB}) with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining and despite lugging down towards the rail stayed on strongly to score by 4 1/2 lengths from that rival, with a half length back to Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) in third. “We were delighted with his last run and he can travel and quicken well like his sire,” Aidan O’Brien commented on his 63rd Royal winner. “We thought a mile and a quarter would suit well and Ryan gave him a lovely ride. He can step back up to a mile and a half and he has a lot of options, but he’s been busy for the last few weeks and might have a break.” HUNTING HORN (IRE), 126, c, 3, Camelot (GB)–Mora Bai (Ire), by Indian Ridge (Ire). O-Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Lynch-Bages & Rhinestone Bloodstock (IRE); T-Aidan O’Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £51,039. Lifetime Record: 7-2-1-2, £81,523. View the full article

It was inconceivable that Wesley Ward would go home with a blank at Royal Ascot and Breeze Easy’s Apr. 26 Keeneland maiden special weight winner Shang Shang Shang (Shanghai Bobby) duly stepped up to provide the customary victory in the G2 Norfolk S. Quickest away under Joel Rosario in contrast to the barn’s G2 Queen Mary S. favourite Chelsea Cloisters (First Samurai), the 5-1 shot kept finding as Pocket Dynamo (Dialed In) fought hard and at the line it was just a nose that separated them, with Land Force (Ire) (No Nay Never) a half length back in third. Despite celebrating a 10th Royal winner, Ward was quick to send the attention elsewhere. “I want to say something about the jockey–he’s fabulous and put his time and effort in every day for me and that’s why he’s here,” he said. “This is the best–there’s nothing like it.” SHANG SHANG SHANG, f, 2, Shanghai Bobby–Yankee Victoria (SP-US, $193,510), by Yankee Victor. O-Breeze Easy LLC; B-Kris R Del Giudice (KY); T-Wesley Ward; J-Joel Rosario. £56,710. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, £76,577. View the full article

Friday’s Royal Ascot card is one of the strongest of the week, with real commercial concerns on the line in the G1 Coronation S. and G1 Commonwealth Cup and the supporting G2 King Edward VII S. and G3 Albany S., two of the more significant pattern races of the week. Ballydoyle have had a mixed bag of results so far and could possibly supply the favourite for the fillies’ mile contest in Clemmie (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who was effectively prepping for this prize when ninth in the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas at The Curragh on May 27 and who needs no introduction after her victories in last year’s G1 Cheveley Park S. and G2 Duchess of Cambridge S. at Newmarket. “She has come forward since the Guineas, but she will come forward again,” Aidan O’Brien commented. “She needed the run in the Guineas badly. She ran well and just got tired. She had a little bit of a setback and lost a good bit of fitness, but she is coming back. I think a mile will be within reach, but we will see. We weren’t sure if it was the trip or if she got tired in Ireland, but we think she got tired. It will be interesting.” The Irish Guineas winner and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) is also here and the Niarchos homebred faces the test of consistency now which she failed last term, having started out so brightly. Jessie Harrington has delivered her in the best form she can and it is just a question of whether she can mix it with these new rivals on the quickest ground she has raced on. Her trainer said she believes the surface will be a positive. “All has been good since [the Irish Guineas],” she said. “She is tough, genuine and pretty talented. What she loves is a nice, firm surface. She’s a very big filly and I think what happens on soft ground is that she basically can’t pull her body out of it.” The Hannons are firmly entrenched in British racing folklore thanks largely to their uncanny efficiency at unearthing high-class talent from relative small-change purchases and the products of small-scale breeders. When it comes to the 66-1 G1 1000 Guineas heroine Billesdon Brook (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}), the latter applies as she is a homebred of Stowell Hill Stud, which is a Somerset-based establishment steered by the late Bob McCreery. Descended from Anna Oleanda (Ire), whose sire Old Vic (GB) was bred by McCreery and who fetched just 45,000gns at the 2005 Tattersalls December Sale, she is the latest prodigy from a family that runs deep with class. It also includes the Listed European Free H. winner and Guineas seventh Anna Nerium (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who has since been runner-up to the subsequent G2 Duke of Cambridge S. third Wilamina (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) in Epsom’s G3 Princess Elizabeth S. on June 2. “I think it’s the first time for 30 years the winners of the English, Irish and French Guineas have all met in the Coronation,” Hannon said, referring to the inclusion of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani’s G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches scorer Teppal (Fr) (Camacho {GB}). “Billesdon Brook is in great form, we’re very happy with her. People can question the form of each Guineas if they want, but we need to meet to see who is the best. She’s as good as she was going into the Guineas, this will be a fantastic race and if she wins then great. We haven’t done anything different with her, she’s not doing handstands or anything but she wasn’t before the Guineas.” Speedsters Do Battle… Inaugurated in 2015, the Commonwealth Cup already feels like its been around for a while and the only question surrounding it is why it took so long to establish. Most of this year’s protagonists sidestepped the European Guineas which they would formerly have been steered towards in the absence of any alternative at this time of year and now there are definite lead-up races of merit to pave the way. The Cool Silk Partnership’s Sands of Mali (Fr) (Panis) took the chief one, Haydock’s G2 Sandy Lane S. on May 26, where he made all and knuckled down to deny Saeed Manana’s G3 Pavilion S. scorer Invincible Army (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) by a nose. Jockey Paul Hanagan is hoping he will have a lead this time. “We are kind of hoping they are going to go quick,” he said. “He is not the type of horse you can mess about with, as he jumps so quick and gets into that big, long stride. I don’t think the distance he won last time told the whole result, really. He got a bit lonely in front, but he was always holding on. He showed a good attitude and determination to stick his head out again. It was a good Sandy Lane and we’ve always thought a lot of this horse, so we are pretty confident. He is the one I’ve been looking forward to all meeting.” James Tate said he maintains the belief that the cast-iron consistency of Invincible Army can reap its rewards eventually and said, “We’re looking forward to the rematch. He should keep improving with every race.” Last year’s G2 Norfolk S. winner Sioux Nation (Scat Daddy) is back after winning Ireland’s main trial for this, the G3 Lacken S. at Naas on May 20, and this fast surface is an absolute prerequisite. “He won over five here last year and he is a fast horse. He seems in good form and he has been progressing with his runs,” Aidan O’Brien said. “We think he is ready for this, but it will be his first time over six furlongs on a real stiff track.” Denied with Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in Tuesday’s G2 King’s Stand S., Charlie Hills is hoping to go one better with the totally unexposed Equilateral (GB) (Equiano {Fr}), who bids to continue a stellar week for Juddmonte. “I think he’s a very talented horse with a great attitude,” the trainer said of the eight-length Doncaster novice stakes winner. “He’s lightly raced and obviously it is a big step up in class but, for me, he’s got the right mindset to overcome the step up in class.” Stars On The Rise… The Albany features two TDN Rising Stars from Ballydoyle in Fairyland (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), who beat two colts from her stable in the Listed Marble Hill S. over this trip at The Curragh May 26, and Just Wonderful (Dansili {GB}), who won despite looking green on her sole start also at that Kildare venue on May 26. The runner-up Lethal Promise (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) has since been an easy winner, while the third Gossamer Wings (Scat Daddy) was very close to winning Friday’s G2 Queen Mary S., so it is no surprise to see Ryan Moore opting for her over Fairyland, who he also passed over in the Marble Hill. “Fairyland is a very straightforward filly and it looks like she will get further than six furlongs,” Aidan O’Brien said. “Ryan’s filly has only won a maiden, but was very impressive and he loved her when she won it. She is a nice filly as well, but we will learn a lot about them both after the race. Fairyland has done well to win twice and the other filly did very well to win as she was across the other side of the track at The Curragh, but she still won very nicely.” Moore knows what to expect from the unbeaten Main Edition (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), who he partnered on her winning debut at Windsor on May 21, but he has that Mark Johnston-trained filly to fear nonetheless. Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore also combine with another ‘TDN Rising Star’ in Delano Roosevelt (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the King Edward VII and the win of Kew Gardens (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) on Wednesday will surely have boosted the stable’s hopes of this fellow Epsom Derby also-ran. Also in the line-up is the Listed Dee S. scorer Rostropovich (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who is upped to a mile and a half after a ninth in the June 3 G1 Prix du Jockey Club staged on unsuitably soft ground, and the progressive Listed King George V Cup winner Giuseppe Garibaldi (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). “Delano Roosevelt ran well in the Derby and he has come out of it well,” O’Brien said. “He has been in good form since. We are not really sure what happened with Rostropovich in France, but we were a little bit disappointed with his run. He is stepping up to a mile and a half now. He should like the ground and the track. He also seems to be in good form. We were going to go a mile and six [with Giuseppe Garibaldi], but we just said we would leave him at a mile and a half. He travels well in his races. We will probably step him up after this.” View the full article