Wandering Eyes

Day two of the Inglis Great Southern Sale resumed on Monday and at the top of the market it was all about one sire, Woodside Park’s Written Tycoon (Aus). The stallion was responsible for the top three lots, headed by a colt offered by Glenelg Park that sold to Sheamus Mills for A$175,000. By the close of business the clearance rate had crept up a few points on the opening session to 79% but the aggregate of A$3,976,500 came in just slightly shy of the previous day’s. The 168 weanlings that sold produced an average of A$23,670 and a median of A$12,000 and again Inglis’ Victorian bloodstock manager Simon Vivian was keen to take plenty of positives from the state of play so far. “It’s great to see the improvement with the market meeting the expectations of vendors,” Vivian said. “The sale on the whole is now clearing 77%, and with further private sales currently under negotiation, we anticipate it increasing to over 80%. It was particularly pleasing to see six horses sell for more than A$100,000 today, certainly reflecting the demand for well bred and well conformed horses. There’s still plenty on offer at the sale, with more than 150 weanlings to sell, as well as 300 broodmares and 150 racehorses,” he added. Monday’s topper came early in the day as lot 244 and the colt is the second produce out of the dual winner High Above (Aus) (High Chaparral {Ire}), from the family of MG1SW Prized Icon (Aus) (More Than Ready). Just under 100 lots later the colt’s vendor Glenelg Park offered a filly by Written Tycoon as lot 341 and were suitably rewarded when the triumvirate of Randwick Bloodstock Agency, Suman Hedge Bloodstock and Milburn Creek purchased the daughter of Miss Chard (Aus) (Al Samer {Aus}) for A$155,000. Naturally Glenelg Park principal Danny Swain was very happy with their returns and said, “Written Tycoon is the best stallion in Victoria and to be Victorian breeders, selling at a Victorian sale and having results like this is very rewarding. The two horses were in high demand in their inspections and that certainly carried through to the sales ring. We were confident they’d sell well and it was great to see such strong competition.” As well as standing Written Tycoon Woodside Park also continued to be prominent among the top vendors and were responsible for offering the second highest priced weanling on Monday. Lot 460 was the last lot into the ring but that proved no hindrance when Paul Willetts bid A$170,000 for the colt out of Simply The Best (NZ) (Kingdom Bay {NZ}), who is already the dam of two stakes performers. “Today provided another reminder of how well sought after Written Tycoon is,” Woodside Park’s general manager James Price said. “It’s been fantastic to see our unreserved reduction of weanlings being well received by the market. We decided to target this sale with several good quality weanlings that offered genuine commercial upside and they’ve sold very well,” he added. The sale continues on Tuesday from 10a.m. with a mixture of weanlings and broodmares. View the full article

TRAINER Charlie Appleby is still on a high after his Masar claimed the Investec Derby at Epsom this month in the colours of Godolphin. He will be hoping his Royal Ascot runners help keep him in a buoyant mood across the week with success at the meeting highly prized by Godolphin founder Sheikh Mohammed. We spoke to Appleby about his Royal Ascot team and got an update on plans for Masar. Blue Point leads your team off on Tuesday in the King’s Stand Stakes. Is he quick enough for 5f? Dropping back to five furlongs will be within Blue Point’s compass. He seems to love Ascot – he has won two races there and was third in the Commonwealth, so it is a course and a track that he is very comfortable at. Coming back to five furlongs will also suit him as they will go hard up front and he will come into the race at the right time. Hawkbill takes on Cracksman et al in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes. Can he improve on his run at Epsom last time? We were slightly disappointed with his run at Epsom as he had his ground there. He’s becoming more versatile as he gets older and has put up decent performances on quick ground as well as soft ground. He does get himself worked up but he got a bit more worked up as well and maybe there was a bit of freshness as well that day because he had a break since the Sheema Classic victory in Dubai. Hawkbill is dropping in trip for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes. Will that help him too? The plan is be positive in the Prince of Wales and if the Hawkbill that won the Sheema Classic and Coral Eclipse turns up, he’ll take a bit of pegging back. He’s come out of Epsom very well and Hawkbill is Hawkbill – when he brings his A game, he is a hard horse to pass. Wild Illusion finished second in the Oaks last time out. Can she go one better in the Ribblesdale? She lost nothing in defeat in the Oaks or Guineas. We were confident going into the Oaks but take nothing away from the winner, who was better on the day and outstayed us. I’m confident Wild Illusion stays the trip and probably being back on a sounder surface will suit D’Bai goes for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes on Saturday. Do you think he is quick enough? I’ve felt for the past six to eight months that D’bai could be a sprinter. On his first start back in Britain after the winter in Dubai, he was second to The Tin Man over six furlongs at Windsor which was a very positive run. We just thought that another run before Ascot wouldn’t do any harm and the John of Gaunt looked a logical race to go for. He just showed his bit of class at Haydock in the way he travelled. They are going to go hard in the Diamond Jubilee and I am hoping he will be able to travel and come on to the scene late on. Looking at the two-year-olds, tell us a little about your Albany contender La Pelosa Our fillies seem to be the most precocious at this stage. She broke her maiden smartly at Kempton and came from the Craven breeze up sales. She is by Dandy Man and has done well since that success. I like her. In the Chesham you run Beyond Reason. How will she cope with the trip? Beyond Reason is a nice filly by Australia who won on her second start at Kempton. Stepping up in trip is going to be her forte and I think it’ll really help her shine. You also have a Queen Mary runner in Strings Of Life. How will she get on? She’s a little Slade Power filly who won first time at Newmarket. She might just lack on the class front, but deserves to be there. And, finally, can we get an update on your Derby winner Masar? After a long discussion we’ve decided to target him at the Coral-Eclipse as we think that’s best for the horse. He’ll stay in the Irish Derby as well in case something goes wrong with the other horses and it then looks a very winnable option. But we’re concentrating on the Eclipse. The post Charlie Appleby Royal Ascot preview appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

WHILE many get excited by the sight of the Queen at Royal Ascot, racing fans and punters every year cannot wait to see what horses American trainer Wesley Ward is bringing over. Ever since Strike The Tiger’s shock win in the 2009 Windsor Castle Stakes, Ward has routinely come across to Royal Ascot and plundered some of the biggest prizes. Once again Lady Aurelia leads his team as she goes for back-to-back wins in the King’s Stand Stakes. We spoke to Ward about her prospects, and got the lowdown on his other raiders. Royal Ascot is just around the corner. How are you feeling ahead of the meeting this year? We think our horses are going to run fantastic and I think we’re going to win, but you have to be realistic and appreciate you’re competing against huge fields and against every trainer from Britain, Ireland and France who is also thinking the same as we are. We’re very hopeful and positive and excited. It’s such a brilliant time to go over to such a wonderful and opulent place. You have been extremely successful with your Royal Ascot runners in past years. Do you get any nerves ahead of the meeting at all? It used to be that you’d hide in the bathroom and then glance up at the TV as they’re coming back under the stands to see if they’ve done it. Now you’re able to look at the races and know you did your best in preparing the horse for the race. Then it’s down to the good Lord Almighty and the jockey to make sure everything goes well. You celebrate if you win and if not you appreciate that you’re at Royal Ascot and it’s the toughest racing in the world. Lady Aurelia leads your time in the King’s Stand Stakes. Can she win at Royal Ascot for the third time in a row? I hope so. She’s a wonderful filly. We called it out after her win last year that we’d come back and defend her title and it’s been the plan since then. She’ll have to be as good as she’s ever been, but she loves it here and thrives here and is doing great. Undrafted, who won the 2015 Diamond Jubilee Stakes, runs in the Wokingham this year. How is he settling into things? He loves England. He thrives and it’s like home for him. That’s a big point I made to the owners and one of the key things for horses to run well is to send them places where they’re happy. I think he’s going to run big. Bound For Nowhere runs in the Diamond Jubilee this year. How do you rate his prospects? I think I’m bringing the best turf sprinter in the United States to this meeting and I’m super excited about that. He ran a beautiful race at Ascot last year so we know he likes it there and travels well too. Hemp Hemp Hooray, Lady Aurelia’s work partner, goes for the Jersey Stakes. Can you see him making an impact? He’s more of an outsider of the horses I’m running but I can see him running well. When he gets to the races the adrenaline kicks in, his eyeballs come out and he runs as best he can – so I hope that means he can show up good. Chelsea Cloisters represents you in the Queen Mary Stakes, a race you are trying to win for a fourth time. Do you think she can do it? She’s a super talented filly and I’m really excited about her. Her win was by many lengths and she’s come out of that race in great shape. She likes firm ground. Shang Shang Shang takes on the colts in the Norfolk Stakes, why is that? We have Chelsea Cloisters already for the Queen Mary and I think she’s our best filly. I think the Norfolk’s the right race for Shang Shang Shang and I like taking on the colts with a filly as I think it can be an advantage. How about your other two-year-old runners – where do they go and how will they get on? Our Passion and Moonlight Romance go for the Windsor Castle. They both have grass pedigrees and have been doing great workouts in the morning. Stillwater Cove runs in the Albany and just won on her debut. She didn’t get a great ride that day but still won. She’s been doing great too and I’m excited about her. And, finally, are there any other runners you are looking forward to this week? Master Merion is training with Bound For Nowhere and he goes for the Royal Hunt Cup. He stays a mile well and he’ll have Ryan Moore riding him. The post Wesley Ward Royal Ascot Exclusive appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

RACING superpowers always make sure they target Royal Ascot and Qatar Racing are no exception with several high-profile runners set to line up at the meeting. Managing those horses, and the expectations of Sheikh Fahad Al-Thani and his family, is David Redvers, who we spoke to to get the latest on the Qatar Racing hopes for Royal Ascot. Royal Ascot takes place next week. How important is it for you and Qatar Racing? It’s a huge deal. We were the first commercial partners with Royal Ascot through Qipco so we go there with great pride in that, but also with a great deal of trepidation and high hopes. Lightning Spear represents Qatar Racing in the Queen Anne Stakes. He must be a favoured horse of everyone in the operation? He really is. He’s been one of my favourites ever since we bought him as a yearling because he’s probably the best-looking horse in training. He’s been so unfortunate not to win a Group 1, especially last time, and he goes to Ascot with a view to gaining his revenge on Rhododendron. We go there with great hopes for him. Kings Shield lines up in the St James’s Palace Stakes. Does he deserve to be there? Mr Gosden certainly thinks he does. We ran him for experience at Epsom as we wanted him to learn more about racing. It also confirmed beyond a shadow of a doubt that he doesn’t like soft ground. We’re delighted to have him running and he’s an extremely good looking and talented son of Scat Daddy, and we all know what Scat Daddy’s results have been like at Ascot. Legends Of War looked an interesting contender for the Coventry but is now not running. What are the plans for him? Unfortunately he’s thrown a temperature so won’t be able to run at Royal Ascot, which is a huge shame. He goes straight for the July Stakes at the July meeting in Newmarket instead. He’s hugely talented and a horse we’re looking forward to seeing on the course again. Bless Him won the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot last year. Can he do the same in the Royal Hunt Cup this time around? That’s the plan. He’s got form over the straight mile at Ascot and more importantly he’s got a guaranteed strong pace to run at. Raid is an interesting runner based on his performance in the 2,000 Guineas. What chance do you think he holds at Royal Ascot? He’s got two options but I think he’s more likely to go for the Jersey Stakes rather than the Commonwealth Cup. He ran a good race in the Guineas and his performance suggested we need to come back in trip with him. He’s a horse with a lot of potential. Roaring Lion skips Royal Ascot after his fine third in the Derby. What is next for him? He goes for the Coral-Eclipse next. He ran the sort of race we expected from him realistically. It would have been lovely for him to get his head in front, but there was always the concern whether he would stay the toughest mile and a half there is. In the end he didn’t quite stay on that far so he’ll revert to ten furlongs and we’re excited about seeing him at Sandown. And, finally, can you give us a little insight into your two-year-olds and any other Royal Ascot runners you might have? We’re a little bit light on numbers this year for the fixture. We’ve got more quality than we’ve ever had going to the meeting but we’re a bit short on actual runners. We’ve got some lovely two-year-olds and the best way to describe them would be ‘Classic types’ for later in the year. I think they’re as good a bunch as we’ve ever had, so are worth keeping an eye on for the rest of the season. The post David Redvers Exclusive on Qatar Racing’s Royal Ascot Runners appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

AUSTRALIA has been leading the way with sprinters at Royal Ascot ever since Choisir blew everyone away with his King’s Stand – Golden Jubilee double in 2003. Redkirk Warrior is the latest Antipodean runner to head to Royal Ascot with dreams of glory, with connections hoping he can carry the now Diamond Jubilee Stakes back down under. We spoke to Ben Hayes, assistant trainer to his father David Hayes, about the prospects of Redkirk Warrior landing the sprint prize on the final day of Royal Ascot. How is Redkirk Warrior settling in after his extended journey across from Australia? It took 36 hours and we had to land twice on the way but we’ve been really happy with him since he arrived in Britain. He’s settled in well and taken everything in his stride – he’s in good order. Redkirk Warrior has actually won at Ascot before, in a 1m2f race for William Haggas. Is that a plus for him at all? We think it’s an advantage that he has raced on the track before as we know he’s handles it. Whilst that was a long time ago, it’s good that he has a past experience of Ascot. How long has it been the plan to come to Royal Ascot with Redkirk Warrior? Coming to Royal Ascot with him has always been in the back of our minds, but not necessarily a plan. When he won in the Newmarket [Handicap, Group 1] off top-weight, the Diamond Jubilee became on option for us and one in which we could freshen him up and bring him over, so it appealed to us. Redkirk Warrior has not raced since March. Is that a concern for you at all? He is a horse who goes really well fresh and, looking at his record, he seems to relish slight gaps in between his races. He’s coming off two Group 1 wins and he’s excellent on straight courses. He has won four of his races on straight courses and he has great credentials for Ascot. Redkirk Warrior has won both the Lightning Stakes and the Newmarket Handicap this year. How does that compare with previous Australian sprinters who have come across to Royal Ascot? Most of the Australian sprinters who have come over here have won at least one of those races, so we know that the form stacks up and we hope he has a great chance in the Diamond Jubilee. Australian sprinters who have come to Ascot in the past have at the very least run competitively, so hopefully he handles everything on the day as he has the ability to win. Merchant Navy was behind Redkirk Warrior in the Newmarket Handicap last time. How do you rate him as an opponent in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes? Merchant Navy is a good horse, but we were giving him five and a half kilos when we beat him last time. We led that day and were on inferior ground, so we had factors which were against us too. Did the fact Merchant Navy won on his first start for Aidan O’Brien give you a confidence boost that coming over to Britain is the right move for Redkirk Warrior? Merchant Navy winning in Ireland gave us a lot of confidence. He’s a very good horse in Australia and for him to come over here on his first run and win giving weight away was impressive and gave our form a real boost. Does that victory give you more of a chance to compare the Australian form with the European form? You don’t usually have a form line to follow when you run in these big European races as it’s hard to compare the Australian and European form usually, but the fact that Merchant Navy has come over to Europe and already won gives the Newmarket win a strong form boost. And, finally, do you think Redkirk Warrior can emulate the likes of Black Caviar and Choisir in winning the Diamond Jubilee Stakes? I definitely think he has the credentials to win. If you win both a Newmarket and a Lightning, that is pretty good form which entitles you to have a really good chance at Ascot. The post Redkirk Warrior Trainer Ben Hayes previews his Royal Ascot runner appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

With a stalk-and-pounce trip that sent him sailing past the wire, Amerman Racing's homebred Oscar Performance captured the $300,000 Poker Stakes (G3T) June 17 on the outer turf course at Belmont Park and broke a 20-year-old track record. View the full article

Stallionaire Enterprises' Supreme Aura took the $100,000 Pegasus Stakes by a neck over Roaming Union to earn his first stakes victory for trainer Michael Stidham. View the full article

Gamble's Ghost, patiently handled by Eurico Rosa da Silva, rallied from next to last and six wide in the stretch to capture the $140,000 Trillium Stakes (G3) June 17 on Woodbine's all-weather track. View the full article

Undefeated Triple Crown winner Justify settled back in at his Santa Anita Park home base June 17, after a flight from Louisville. View the full article

Regazze Cat's gate-to-wire effort gave owner/trainer Arturo Arboleda the win in the "Not in Any Rocking Chair Starter Allowance," a race where the conditions required the horses' trainers to be born on or prior to June 6, 1928. View the full article

Horses' test result June 18 View the full article

Ante-post favourite Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who won the G1 Lockinge S. narrowly over Lightning Spear (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) at Newbury in May, is one of 15 horses declared for the G1 Queen Anne S. at Royal Ascot on Tuesday. The straight-mile Group 1 is the traditional curtain-raiser to the Royal meeting and another fascinating renewal is in store. Trainer Aidan O’Brien also has Deauville (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) for that contest. Godolphin has claimed this prize a record eight times and Sheikh Mohammed’s operation has a major contender for this year’s renewal in Saeed bin Suroor’s Benbatl (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who was last seen running out a brilliant winner of the G1 Dubai Turf at Meydan in March, while Recoletos (Fr) (Whipper) and Yoshida (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}) represent France and America, respectively. Ten colts stood their ground in the G1 St James’s Palace S. later on the card, led by the undefeated listed hero Without Parole (GB) (Frankel {GB}) for John Gosden. G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas bridesmaid Tip Two Win (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and G1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas victor Romanised (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) will also take part. The next three home in the Irish Guineas, US Navy Flag (War Front), Gustav Klimt (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Threeandfourpence (War Front) are aiming to give Aidan O’Brien an eighth renewal. Group 1 winners Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) from the yard of Charlie Hills and U.S. invader Lady Aurelia (Scat Daddy) who ships in for Wesley Ward, will clash in the five-furlong G1 King’s Stand S. on Tuesday. A two-time winner at the Royal meeting, the latter ran second in the Listed Giant’s Causeway S. last out at Keeneland on Apr. 14. Another American chance is Bucchero (Kantharos) for trainer Tim Glyshaw, who finished fourth in the GI Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar last November. Godolphin’s Blue Point (Ire) (Shamardal) steps forward, as well as a quartet from Ballydoyle in Washington DC (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), Battle of Jericho (War Front), Declarationofpeace (War Front) and G3 Albany S. heroine Different League (Fr) (Dabirsim {Fr}). View the full article

In no time at all, the Goffs London Sale has come to seem something of an institution. The auction, staged for only the fifth time on Monday, has quickly found a niche in terms of both business and pleasure. In the former regard, as many as 22 of the 30 lots on offer hold entries at Royal Ascot this week; in social terms, meanwhile, the grounds of Kensington Palace provide an apt milieu for members of the international bloodstock community to convene on the eve of the most cosmopolitan meeting of the British racing calendar. True, there has been a slight change of scene this year after the closure for renovation of the Orangery; nor is the weather expected to be anything like as unusual as last year, when temperatures soared uncomfortably. This time the sale will be conducted in the adjacent Perks Field, and the forecast is for a more typically pleasant English summer afternoon. Ideal, in other words, for the garden party atmosphere sought by Goffs, who stage the sale in conjunction with QIPCO among various commercial partners. Among the juveniles likely to attract plenty of interest is lot 10, Vintage Brut (GB) (Dick Turpin {Ire}). Trained by Tim Easterby, he stormed home by seven lengths on his Thirsk debut before winning a listed race at Sandown. He is offered with an entry in the G2 Norfolk S. on Thursday. Another with stakes form entered both in the Norfolk and in this auction is lot 19, Andre Amar (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}). After beating a subsequent listed winner on his debut for Ger Lyons, he chased home the highly regarded ‘TDN Rising Star’ Sergei Prokofiev (Scat Daddy) in a listed race at Naas despite running greenly from the gate. The winner that day is warm favourite for the G2 Coventry S. tomorrow, where his winning rivals will include lot 6, Boa Noa (Ire) (Zebedee {GB}), who scored on debut for Brian Meehan at Bath; lot 21, Ninetythreetwenty (Ire) (Dragon Pulse {Ire}), unbeaten in two starts for Richard Fahey; and lot 30, Shine So Bright (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), introduced by Karl Burke to score in impressive fashion at Nottingham only last week. The grey is out of Group 3 winner Alla Speranza (GB) (Sir Percy {GB}) from the family of Alborada (GB) (Alzao). Besides several promising juvenile fillies and older horses with Ascot entries, the catalogue has also provided a conduit onto the market for three breeze-up horses and three broodmares. Selling as lot 7, Landikusic (Ire) (Dansili {GB}) is a winning full sister to Zoffany (Ire) (Dansili {GB}), in foal to none other than Frankel (GB) (Galileo {Ire}). Belle Josephine (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) sells as lot 22, her foal Mildenberger (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) having done so well this spring; she is in foal to Siyouni (Fr) and sells with her Pivotal (GB) colt foal at foot. Miss Beatrix (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), winner of the G1 Moyglare S. in 2006, comes under the hammer with a Muhaarar (GB) covering as lot 13. “We are looking forward to a fantastic afternoon of sales action,” said Group Chief Executive of Goffs, Henry Beeby. “And we believe the quality of the catalogue holds great appeal for both domestic and international buyers. The weather forecast looks sunny all week and we are excited to be raising the curtain on a superb week of racing in some style at our new site.” As a bonus, Qatar Racing stallion Hot Streak (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) will be paraded before the sale. His first crop are yearlings of 2018. But the icing on the cake is the donation by artist Katie O’Sulivan of a mare-and-foal painting, to be auctioned for World Horse Welfare. The sale starts at 5 p.m. local time, with the gate open to guests from 3 p.m. View the full article

PRAY FOR LESLIE (f, 3, Bernardini–C J’s Leelee {MGSP, $172,463}, by Mizzen Mast) earned a solid 86 Beyer Speed Figure for a six-length debut romp over track and trip May 10, and was 3-2 to remain unbeaten against a group of mostly older foes. Immediately to the front and clear, the bay cruised through splits of :23.14 and :46.31 as her competition lined up to challenge approaching the stretch. Pray for Leslie threatened to run up the score from there, but Quick Quick Quick (Tiago) made a race of it late and cut the winning margin to about a half-length. The winner is a half to C J’s Awesome (Awesome Again), SP, $328,302. Her 2-year-old full-brother now named Justhitthe Wire was a $75,000 Fasig-Tipton October yearling turned $410,000 OBS April acquisition by agent Mike Ryan after a :10 2/5 move. Dam C J’s Leelee, graded stakes-placed on both the local lawn and main track, produced a Speightstown filly last year and a colt by the same sire this term. She is a half to GISW Capo Bastone (Street Boss). O-Carl Gessler Jr. B-Carl Gessler Jr. & Danny Wigington (Ky). T-Albert M. Stall Jr. View the full article

Winning on debut for owner Carolyn Wilson and trainer Larry Rivelli, Strong Will turned in an impressive performance for his sire Strong Mandate June 17 at Arlington when he secured a $32,000 maiden special weight on the all-weather track. View the full article

Triple Crown winning jockey and New Mexico native Mike Smith will make a celebratory appearance July 8 at Ruidoso Downs. View the full article

California Retirement Management Account (CARMA) will host its 13th annual fundraiser July 22 at Del Mar. Funds raised from ‘Hoedown for Horses’ will directly benefit the organization’s placement program for retired racehorses and its grant process. Attendees at the hoedown will enjoy a country-western themed evening with entertainment highlighted by a head-to-head jockey bull riding competition, line and square dancing, live music by American Country singer, Jake Parr and a photobooth. “It’s going to be an incredibly fun night for a great cause that we all, the racing community, needs to support,” said Billy Koch CARMA board member and managing partner of syndicate Little Red Feather Racing. “There is going to be a showdown at the hoedown for the jockeys and I can’t wait to watch it.” Festivities begin in the Del Mar paddock after the final race. Individual tickets are $125 and sets of 10 can be bundled for $1,000. Sponsorships and underwriting opportunities ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 are still available. To purchase tickets or become a sponsor, visit https://www.carma4horses.org/events/carma-cares-fundraiser. View the full article

John Dance's Laurens battled hard to win the 169th running of the Prix de Diane Longines (French Oaks, G1) at Chantilly June 17, prevailing in a tight finish to the fillies' classic and completing a group 1 hat trick. View the full article

John Dance's Laurens battled hard to win the 169th running of the Prix de Diane Longines (French Oaks, G1) at Chantilly June 17, just prevailing in a tight finish to the fillies' classic and completing a group 1 hat-trick. View the full article

STRONG WILL (c, 2, Strong Mandate–Magestic Stinger, by Majestic Warrior) the co-third-priciest juvenile at this year’s OBS March sale when he went for $775,000 after a powerful :9 4/5 bullet breeze, began paying back that purchase price with an expected debut score Sunday afternoon at Arlington Park. Backed down to 1-5 favoritism facing just four foes, the bay rushed past his rivals to quickly open up and dole out an opening splits of :22.87. Challenged turning for home, he kept on to fend off pesky longshot newcomer Dazzling Truths (Yes It’s True) by about two lengths in :52.29. Strong Will is the first winner for his freshman sire (by Tiznow), winner of the 2013 GI Hopeful S. as a juvenile. Picked up for $25,000 in utero at the 2016 Keeneland January sale, Strong Will was a $37,000 Keeneland November weanling and $47,000 OBS Winter Mixed sale short yearling buy-back. His Tonalist half-brother cost $70,000 at KEENOV last year and his dam dropped an Outwork colt Jan. 28. Trainer Larry Rivelli and owner Carolyn Wilson also teamed up to purchase a Munnings filly for $275,000 out of the same Wavertree Stables consignment they picked Strong Will up out of. That filly, eventually named O’Keeffe, scored first out here May 27. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O-Carolyn Wilson. B-Golden Pedigree LLC (Ky). T-Larry Rivelli. View the full article

Mutual friends thought Olin and I should meet a few years after Olin graduated college and several years after a Bank prematurely pulled the rug out from under his Dad disrupting a future Olin had prepared himself for since childhood. Our friends were right. We became instant friends. At the same time John Gaines was getting very bored just buying art after selling Gainesway Farm and began selecting high-quality broodmares through agents in 1990 when the market was at its lowest-but all the while he had his eye on young Olin whom, he told me later, was in his opinion a “certifiable genius.” Mr. Gaines thought so much of Olin that when he formed John R Gaines Thoroughbreds in 1992 he granted Olin a large equity position in the new company. After Gaines’s passing, Olin continued to operate the venture forming a close relationship with the Coolmore Crew–John Magnier was a hero of Olin’s and Olin had his ear: In November of American Pharoah’s juvenile year, it was Olin that forcefully suggested Mr. Magnier buy the colt and take a position in Pioneerof The Nile’s syndicate which he did. Olin knew a little about Stallions and Stallion Shares–he raised millions to start a Stallion Fund and made as his first purchase 30% of Tiznow when that stallion had three year olds. Along the way countless top mares, foals and yearlings passed through his hands-Olin loved the action. We had our differences and when Olin wasn’t invited to my small wedding he called me on the morning of the ceremony with a smile in his voice and we talked for two hours. Olin loved to quote lines from movies to drive a point home and then howl with laughter. He was good friend who would do anything for those he loved. We will miss him sorely and never see another quite like him. View the full article

Editor’s note: On July 10, the Fasig-Tipton July Sale of Selected Yearlings kicks off this year’s yearling marketplace in Lexington. There is cause for enthusiasm about this year’s first-crop sire ranks; the 2017 first-crop weanling sires are led by no other than American Pharoah, who looks to keep the current Triple Crown buzz going through the summer. (TDN Sales Statistics.) He is joined in the top 10 by a trio from Lane’s End Farm (Honor Code, Liam’s Map and Tonalist) and others spread over Kentucky, from WinStar to Hill ‘n’ Dale to Claiborne to Airdrie to Three Chimneys. This is the first in a series of multimedia features Lucas Marquardt is producing for the TDN in the leadup to Fasig July. LM: In a nutshell, what does this freshman sire class look like? BB: I think, without question, it’s one of the deepest and most exciting groups of freshman sires that have entered into the marketplace in probably a couple of decades. You’ve got tremendous quality at the top end, obviously highlighted by a stallion like American Pharoah–shameless plug, Fasig-Tipton graduate American Pharoah, Triple Crown winner–which is particularly exciting coming on the heels of this past weekend. Clearly there’s been an immense amount of interest and popularity with American Pharoah. But it’s certainly not a one-horse group. I mean, it is a tremendously talented group of freshman sires that will be offered this year. I think we’ll look up 10 years from now and say that there were several successful stallions and several very important stallions that emerged from this crop of freshman sires. LM: It is a catalog very heavy in freshman sires, which it always is. When you put together the catalog, what is the mindset on including a lot of young sires. Why so many of these yearlings, and why did these sires ended up in the catalog? BB: For over 30 years, there has been a close association and affiliation with the July Sale at Fasig-Tipton, and new sires, or freshman sires. For many, many years we had a special showcase called The New Sire Showcase, which featured the yearlings by the first- and second-crop sires. There’s always a tremendous amount of interest and enthusiasm to see what’s new. People remember these great racehorses and they’re really anxious and excited to see their yearlings. The success that we’ve had on the racetrack by the performance of the progeny of the young stallions in recent years sure helps also. So the market certainly is always excited to see the future stars. I think there’s always some intrigue by most astute observers and participants in the bloodstock market to say who is gonna be the next great sire. There’s a little bit of an intellectual aspect to that to say, “I really believe that this horse has the potential to become a tremendous stallion.” And you kind of want to get in on the ground floor and say, “I was there in the early days.” And they’re good-looking. That’s the one thing that I think that we always say from our perspective is at the July sale, we’re not just trying to find ordinary horses by freshman sires; we’re trying to find good-looking yearlings. And I think it’s probably exciting if you’re standing with one of these young horses that may not be an extremely high stud fee, but if you’ve got six, eight, 10 of them by your stallion, that means the market is likely to be receptive to the type of physical that horse is throwing. And we sure crave physical horses in the July sale. LM: This has been a sale that’s always been popular with two-year-old consignors. Are you expecting those horses to be the kind of types that are good, early developing, 2-year-old new prospects? BB: One of the things that we’re looking for for the July sale is precocious-type individuals, that look like they’re going to run early. Those also happen to be very good candidates for two-year-old-in-training sales. And I think there’s always been a little fascination and a little desire from the pinhookers to search and buy the first-crop sires. There’s not a trainer in the world who has had a bad one yet, or a bloodstock agent that has bought a bad one yet. So I think there’s always a little attraction for those horses which you haven’t had a bad experience with. Clearly, we are trying to find mature, precocious individuals. We might be willing to forgive a little bit on the pedigree in certain instances as long as the physical is there. I think a lot of times you might see people who will try to breed to a less-expensive stallion if they’ve got a really good-looking mare who might not have produced anything yet or might not be having a great run herself. But if she produces a good-looking individual, you’re probably more tempted to go to a younger, unproven stallion that’ll throw a commercially desirable physical yearling. LM: The July Sale is exciting because it kicks off the yearling-sale season. How do you think the market is playing at the moment? BB: I think there’s always a great sense of anticipation for the July sale. The catalog this year is larger. It’s just short of 350 horses, compared to about 300 last year. We find the quality is at least as strong if not stronger this year, both in terms of physicals and pedigrees. So I think that there’s a great deal of enthusiasm and optimism from our perspective. The two-year-old sales this year have established that the market is similar. I don’t think any of us have any dramatic expectations for a different marketplace in 2018 than we had in 2017 for the yearling sales. There’s still going to be some polarization, without any question. But hopefully, from our perspective, particularly with our early sales with July and Saratoga and the New York-bred sale, these horses have been through the selection process, so hopefully we’ve done a good job of identifying the types of physicals that are going to be attractive and appealing to a broad cross-section of buyers. And I think traditionally we’ve done that, so we’re excited to get July 10th here and kick off the yearling marketplace. LM: It must be exciting that these are all sires–as you would expect at the top level of the market–that you’d expect to get classic-type horses. Are you seeing that reflected in the physicals that you’ve seen on the ground? BB: We’re excited about some of the freshman stallions from which we will see significant representation at Saratoga this year. It’s a stellar group, period, end of discussion, both in terms of their performance on the racetrack, their pedigrees, and the types of individuals that they’re producing. So we’ll certainly have a significant uptick. I don’t know what percentage of the catalog is going to be represented by freshman sires, but there will be extensive representation across the board from a number of exciting stallion prospects at Saratoga in 2018. I don’t think there’s any question that another recent Triple Crown winner creates excitement and interest in our industry, both internally and externally. I think everyone is energized and excited to see another spectacular horse like Justify appear on the scene. And that’s what our buyers are looking for: another great horse. Can I be the one that picks out the next Justify, or the next American Pharoah, or the next great horse? And clearly, in the marketplace that we’re living in, those horses have significant and substantial value. From an economic standpoint, that drives the dream from the upper end of the marketplace, to think that you have a horse that can accomplish those types of things, and the value that those horses create is dramatic. View the full article

BBA Ireland agents Michael Donohoe and Patrick Cooper have interests in horses purchased for clients from all over the world at this year’s Royal meeting. The TDN‘s Gary King caught up with each of them to hear more about the horses they purchased. Michael Donohoe: GK: Indigo Balance (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) looked very impressive at The Curragh on May 27. You must have been delighted with that performance, especially winning first time out at HQ? MD: Yes we were all delighted with his win. Historically this has always been a strong maiden and on such an important day “Irish 2000 Guineas day” everyone with Royal Ascot aspirations likes to win this race. GK: He’s currently 14-1 for the G2 Coventry S. Do you feel that’s about right? MD: I think it’s about right. A lot of luck is needed at Ascot with the usual big competitive fields. The form of his win has worked out really well and the colt has improved both mentally and physically. He may lack a little in experience having only had the one run but we are hopeful of a big run and that he can show everyone the class he shows us at home. GK: Was he a precocious-looking yearling? (He was a €155,000 purchase for Yuesheng Zhang at Goffs Orby) MD: I wouldn’t say he was obviously precocious but he was a beautiful, balanced colt. At the time he was a little angular in ways but he had the frame, pedigree and a beautiful temperament at the sale. All he needed was time and patience and the team at Commonstown Stables gave him plenty of both. GK: Mr. Zhang has made a significant impact on the racing/bloodstock scene over recent years. A Royal Ascot winner must be high up on the list of goals? MD: It would give me and the team at BBA Ireland, Irish Thoroughbred Marketing and everyone in Ireland a huge thrill if he could win for Mr. Zhang and Yulong at Royal Ascot. Mr. Zhang has been a huge supporter of the Irish Thoroughbred industry and we are forever indebted to him. It would also be fitting that a colt bred by the Irish National Stud by their own stallion, bought at Goffs and trained in Ireland, would be his first Royal Ascot winner. GK: You have obviously been to a lot of the major racing festivals around the world. What makes Royal Ascot so special? MD: It’s unique, it’s as much about the horses as it is about the fashion and social side of the week, these aspects make us so lucky to be involved in this great global industry. Who said one can’t work and play at the same time! Patrick Cooper: GK: It must be exciting to have purchased two fillies, Servalan (Ire) (No Nay Never) and Chicas Amigas (Ire) (Dragon Pulse {Ire}), that have strong chances at Royal Ascot? PC: It is fantastic to have chances in both the Queen Mary and Albany. Fair play to Mrs Harrington. The two will not run against each other. Servalan goes to the Queen Mary and Chicas Amigas to the Albany. It’s a long way from Naas to Ascot, but they are entitled to have a rattle. GK: Both were relatively inexpensive yearlings as well. Servalan was knocked down for €50,000 at Goffs Orby (owner, Vimal Khosla), while Chicas Amigas (owner, It’s All About The Girls) was €25,000 at the same sale. What attracted you to the fillies? PC: We were buying to a budget and both were good-looking fillies by stallions who you could make a case for with the funds provided. Any eejit can spend a lot of someone else’s money. It is always fun to buy cheaper yearlings although it doesn’t put meat on the table. The biggest draw back though is that it does preclude you from buying where the really good stock lies as they are the ones with the pedigrees. GK: Was there any extra pressure buying yearlings for Elaine ‘Legs’ Lawlor and the It’s All About The Girls syndicate? PC: I am sure they will be gentle with me. GK: How many members of the syndicate will be in attendance? PC: Legs is the boss, so I am not certain. We have a picnic booked in Car Park 2 and judging by the booze order either quite a lot or a few very thirsty ones. GK: Servalan actually beat Chicas Amigas in a strong-looking listed race at Naas on May 20. They obviously came out of the race in good order? PC: Both worked well this week and, fingers crossed, are all set. View the full article

Royal Ascot begins on Tuesday with three Group Ones on the opening day to really kick start the week. In fact, there are a total of eight Group Ones to savour throughout the week with leading equine talent such as Cracksman, Lady Aurelia and Order Of St George all set to grace Royal Ascot. These Group Ones are fantastic but for many punters, it’s the ultra-competitive handicaps that really get their pulses racing. Everybody likes to get that sense of satisfaction of picking a handicap winner, you are looking for that “edge” in the race or a particular angle. I have looked at three handicaps during the week and picked my handicap hopefuls. Ascot Stakes – Light Pillar Trainer Joseph O’BrienEight of the last ten renewals of the Ascot Stakes have been won by predominantly national hunt trainers. Willie Mullins has an enviable record having won three of the last six contests. There are numerous unknowns in a race of this nature, with many of the runners reverting back to the flat having been purchased to go jump racing by current connections. Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Joseph O’Brien saddles one of the more interesting runners in Light Pillar. The daughter of Galileo began her racing career in France and showed some very smart form for Andre Fabre contesting a Listed and Group Three race before joining O’Brien jnr. She has looked progressive in two starts in Ireland, winning ion debut and only succumbing to Law Girl on her most recent start. It looks like she will really appreciate the step up in trip and we already know that Joseph O’Brien knows what it takes to win a competitive staying handicap. The current odds of 14/1 offered by RaceBets look pretty big considering the untapped potential the filly possess. Royal Hunt Cup – Settle For Bay Settle For Bay (Nearside)The Royal Hunt Cup is an ultra-competitive 1-mile handicap run on the Wednesday of Royal Ascot. Four-year-olds have a great record in the race with the last three renewals going their way. Thankfully my nap of the week Settle For Bay falls into this age bracket and this is not the only positive. The son of Rio De La Plata was hugely progressive last year winning four on the bounce and in the process going from a mark of 59 to 99. David Marnane’s charge ran very well on seasonal debut at Leopardstown last month when finishing a staying on fourth under hands and hells after running very free in the early stages of a competitive 7-furlong race. Settle For Bay has shown a winning attitude, it looks like he is on an upward curve, he will be racing off a lovely weight and for those of you unfamiliar with David Marnane, he is trained by one of the shrewdest in the business when it comes to winning big English handicaps. Marnane has had limited runners in England but has already landed some of Brittan’s biggest handicaps, he has previously plundered the Portland twice(Santo Padre 2009 & Nocturnal Affair 2011), Victoria Cup (Dandy Boy 2010) and the Wokingham (Dandy Boy 2012). Everything points to Settle For Bay running a massive race and I for one will be shouting him home from the rooftops! Wokingham – Danzeno Danzeno (Near Side)Some might raise an eyebrow at the thoughts of Danzeno winning the Wokingham, he is a seven-year-old who has already run seven times this year and is winless since July last year. However, that win was over 5f at Ascot off a mark of 104. Danzeno has saved some of his best runs for Ascot which included a placed effort in the Group One Champion Sprint Stakes in 2015 along with a fifth placing in last year’s Wokingham behind Out Do. Mick Appleby’s inmate is now two pounds lower than when contesting the race last year and following an encouraging third-place finish at York on his most recent start. In such a competitive handicap Danzeno’s experience at Group One level should stand to him and if he can get a favourable draw (Last four winners drawn 21 or higher) on Saturday he looks sure to run a big race. RaceBets are paying 4 places in the Wokingham and at current odds of 25/1, Danzeno looks like good value. The post Royal Ascot – Handicap Hopefuls appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

Nocturnal Fox (Ire) (Farhh {GB}) may have been hard to detect before Sunday’s G2 Prix Hocquart Longines, but when you are carrying Godolphin’s royal blue around and hail from the stable of Andre Fabre who held the record of seven winners in this, anything is possible. With just a 10 1/2-furlong maiden win to his name at Maisons-Laffitte May 16, the homebred started at 15-1 tackling some smart types but as they failed to live up to expectations he profited under an uncomplicated ride from Mickael Barzalona. Always happy tracking the leading trio, the bay was committed passing the quarter pole and after gaining the edge soon after held on as Al Malhouf (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) ate into his lead late on along with Hush Writer (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}). Just a head and a short head separated that trio at the line and the winner could be bound for another race in which his trainer excels now. “Nocturnal Fox is improving all the time and has a great temperament, so we hope that there is more to come from him,” the operation’s Lisa-Jane Graffard said. “The [July 14 G1] Grand Prix de Paris [at ParisLongchamp] could be an option, but we will see how he comes out of the race before making any plans.” Another solid performer from the first crop of Farhh after Dee Ex Bee (GB) and Wells Farhh Go (Ire), Nocturnal Fox offers further evidence that his sire will get horses who stay a lot further than him. The winner is currently the last known foal out of Nabati (Rahy), whose previous best was the Listed Newmarket S. scorer Best of Times (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). The second dam is the G2 Grand Prix d’Evry and G3 Prix de Minerve winner Wajd (Northern Dancer), who was also placed three times at the highest level including when third in the G1 St Leger. She has three group winners to her credit, headed by the G1 St Leger hero and G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. runner-up Nedawi (GB) (Rainbow Quest) and the G3 Herbst Stutenpreis scorer and GI E.P. Taylor S. runner-up Fitful Skies (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). The third dam is the elite champion and equally outstanding producer Dahlia (Vaguely Noble {Ire}), whose 15 victories include 10 at the highest level headed by the Irish Oaks and back-to-back renewals of the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. Sunday, Chantilly, France PRIX HOCQUART LONGINES-G2, €130,000, Chantilly, 6-17, 3yo, c/f, 12fT, 2:29.51, g/s. 1–NOCTURNAL FOX (IRE), 128, c, 3, by Farhh (GB) 1st Dam: Nabati, by Rahy 2nd Dam: Wajd, by Northern Dancer 3rd Dam: Dahlia, by Vaguely Noble (Ire) 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Godolphin SNC; B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Andre Fabre; J-Mickael Barzalona. €74,100. Lifetime Record: 4-2-0-0, €91,050. *1/2 to Best of Times (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), SW-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Al Malhouf (GB), 128, c, 3, Dutch Art (GB)–Lady Eclair (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). (€70,000 Ylg ’16 ARAUG). O-Sheail bin Khalifa Al Kuwari; B-Newsells Park Stud (GB); T-Fabrice Chappet. €28,600. 3–Hush Writer (Jpn), 128, c, 3, Rulership (Jpn)–Star of Sapphire, by Tapit. (¥23,000,000 Wlg ’15 JRHJUL). O-Craig Thompson; B-Chiyoda Farm Shizunai (Jpn); T-Francis-Henri Graffard. €13,650. Margins: HD, SHD, 1 3/4. Odds: 15.30, 4.50, 18.00. Also Ran: Pharrell (Fr), King of Camelot (Fr), Solesili (GB), Master of Reality (Ire), Aspetar (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. View the full article