Wandering Eyes

For seventeen years, those who’ve swung by the Richard Mandella stable in Southern California have done so expecting the presence of a Hall of Famer. But right now, Mandella’s barn can boast a two-for-the-price-of-one deal when it comes to one of racing’s most auspicious accolades. “Anything that needs to be done, I do it,” said Hall of Fame jockey Alex Solis, about his latest role as Mandella’s assistant. From exercising the horses, riding work, feeding them, shadowing his boss as he watches the horses train or goes around checking legs, “I’m just trying to understand everything that’s going on in the barn,” Solis added. The two men were far from strangers when the former jockey knocked on Mandella’s door, resume in hand. During Solis’s riding career, which spanned more than 5000 victories, some of his biggest wins came on Mandella trained horses–think Johar in the 2003 Breeders’ Cup Turf, or Pleasantly Perfect in the 2004 Dubai World Cup. And now, with a handful of months as assistant under his belt already, Solis sat down to talk about what he’s learning from his mentor. He also looked back on his riding career–he retired from the saddle officially last year–and forward towards plans to eventually take out his own training license. The following conversation has been edited for brevity and clarity. TDN: What kind of teacher is Mandella? AS: He’s a great teacher. Very patient. He always explains, “This is why we’re doing things this way.” Or, “You don’t do things this way because this is the consequence.” How long has he been training–50 years? [Mandella started out as a private trainer in 1974] I’m getting the crash course. TDN: If you could boil down the most valuable lessons you’ve learned so far, what would they be? AS: I don’t know if I want to share that info–I’m putting in all this work, and people will know my secrets! Seriously, one of the things I’ve really learned from Richard is you never stop paying attention to the horses. He can look a horse in the eye, and he can tell you things–if it’s not eating right. He can see if something’s bothering them. All those little details. It’s amazing how much he has on his mind at one time. Every little aspect, he sees it. That’s one of the things I’ve come to understand, and why I keep my hand in everything that goes on in the barn. It’s cool–I never paid much attention to this side of things. TDN: As a jockey, did you not appreciate all that went into getting a horse to the races? AS: As a jockey, you love the horses and you know the risks. But now, doing this kind of work, you really get to know the horses a lot more, and the people, too. It’s long hours that we all put in together to even make the race. I understand that now. I enjoyed being a horseman, but now, this is more complex. To really understand it, you really have to live it. TDN: Would it have been useful to have done something similar when you were a jockey? AS: Yes. In Panama, you have this kind of program [at what is now called the Laffit Pincay Jr. Jockey School at Preisdente Remon Racetrack]. It’s intense–you have it for two years when you go to jockey school. But of course, you don’t carry on with it. I wish I’d known as a jockey what I know now. Galloping horses, being around the barn, doing more stuff, I feel like I’m a way better horseman now. And the bottom line is, I have more love for the sport than I ever have. It’s the soul of the horse, the soul of the people, as to why it works. If we didn’t have these people making the sacrifices that we do, there wouldn’t be this sport. TDN: So, you think a similar kind of apprenticeship program would be useful for young jocks coming through? AS: It should be brought back. If you remember, a long time ago, most of the riders used to learn at a barn or at a farm. They were great horsemen. Why? They knew how to work. Just look at Drayden Van Dyke [2014 winner of the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey]. He learned how to do everything in the barn of Tom Proctor the old-fashioned way. TDN: Has this experience helped inform your work as a commissioner for the California Horse Racing Board? AS: I understand that we’re just trying to keep horses safe. Like, some people see a lip-chain over the lip of a horse and they think that you’re hurting them. But actually, you’re trying to stop that horse from hurting himself. Same thing with medication–if you’re doing it right, give them enough time, then you’re helping them. One of the guys who’s really helped me with this is Jeff Blea [a Santa Anita-based practicing veterinarian]. Jeff’s very patient-I’m always asking questions, and he always answers. When Jeff and Richard talk about what we can do to help this horse, I’m always listening. TDN: Is it hard to switch from jockey brain to trainer brain? AS: The hustling–that’s the thing [as a jockey]. The hustle. When you get to the backside, you’re so focused on which horse you want to ask the guy to put you on. But one of the things I’ve learned from [Richard], he doesn’t use jockeys very often [in the morning]. He trusts the people he hires–the people working there have been with him for a long time. He’s got a good eye for them, too. He knows what he wants, and right away, he can see someone galloping his horses, and he’ll say, “Yeah, I can use them in the program or not.” And it’s easy to get into his program because it’s very simple. You get to know [the horses], do what he asks you to, and then spend time with the horse, walk them around. It makes sense to me because these horses are in a stall all day long. TDN: When are you looking to take out your own license? AS: I don’t want to rush anything. I’m having a lot of fun just being around the barn and the people. I’ve a few people telling me, “Just tell me when you’re ready.” TDN: Potential owners? Am I allowed to ask who? AS: I can’t say anything right now. At the same time, it’s a hard job–you’re under so much stress every day because of the hours, seven days a week. And any little thing could happen. I had a horse a couple weeks ago, we went in the paddock a few days before he was supposed to run. Really quiet. Another horse spooks in the paddock, rears up and runs back into my horse. Now, my horse runs into the rail and needs some stitches. This horse was so ready to race, he’s looking for action and he’s out. All that work. It’s hard to explain it to people–you have to live it. So many little things. The bottom line is, you need to have a unique kind of person to do this. The trainer doesn’t get a vacation–and you need time away for yourself. TDN: That was a big component of your riding career, working out how to maintain your mental equilibrium. AS: I think it’s very important to give yourself a little break–it’s easy to get caught up in the rat race. I’ll have to make sure I don’t get caught up. TDN: How does Mandella cope with it? AS: That’s what he said to me, “Even when I’m home, I’m thinking about what I’m going to do with this horse or that horse. It never ends.” Again, it takes a really unique kind of person to do this kind of work. You have to really love it and understand it. TDN: How will you manage? AS: I’m preparing myself for it. You only live once, and you’ve got to do something you really love. When I set out as a jockey, I never thought I would win 5000 races. Now, I have goals I’m putting on myself. I want to train winners. I want to win races. Why not a Kentucky Derby? Why not be the first Hall of Fame jockey to make it into the training Hall of Fame? Even if it doesn’t work out, you’ve got to do something with your life. I was off for a year doing nothing, drinking beer, going to the beach, fishing. Afterwards, I was pulling my hair out. For 37 years, I was always focusing on accomplishing something. I’ve always had goals. I had to find something that would make my heart beat-something for which I can be recognized. I’m getting more and more in tune with everything [as a trainer]. I’m grasping a lot of stuff–there’s so much that’s going on all the time. That’s one thing [Mandella] always does, writes things down, keeping it in files. Everything’s very organized in that barn. It’s a lot of work, but it’s well worth it, recording all the things he did with each horse, so, if you can’t remember, you can go back… TDN: A file for everything? AS: Every little thing, there’s a file for it. It’s a lot of work, but it’s well worth it. That’s the way it should be. If you’re going to take a horse’s life in your hands, you should be that prepared. He’s very serious about that. And he listens to you. He’s a pretty amazing guy–there’s a reason he’s in the Hall of Fame. View the full article

Streaking GI Kentucky Oaks heroine Monomoy Girl (Tapizar) will make her next start in the GI Acorn S. on the GI Belmont S. undercard. “The Acorn is a Grade I, sits right on the calendar five weeks after the Oaks, and we think a mile is probably her best distance,” trainer Brad Cox said. “She’s proven she can carry her speed going a mile at one turn. The one-turn mile at Belmont, we think she’ll take to that. The $100,000 KEESEP yearling purchase, campaigned in partnership by Michael Dubb, Monomoy Stables, The Elkstone Group and Bethlehem Stables, has won six of seven career starts, including the GI Central Bank Ashland S. at Keeneland Apr. 7. “We have a four-race plan right now: Acorn, Coaching Club American Oaks or possibly the Alabama or Cotillion, then on to the Breeders’ Cup,” Cox said. “It would be nice to get four more races out of her this year. We’ve gotten three so far, and everything has gone as planned.” View the full article

This was just the next step towards Order of St George’s bid to regain his crown in the G1 Gold Cup and therefore a third consecutive success in this race was always going to be enough. As it turned out, the high-class stalwart of Ballydoyle had to break sweat to deal with Twilight Payment but as soon as he was committed with three furlongs remaining he was always going to prevail. Sent on further out than usual by Ryan Moore, it will be interesting to see if those are the tactics employed at Royal Ascot June 21 as he was given a lot to do when beaten by Big Orange (GB) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}) last year. With Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) unproven at the 2 1/2-mile trip of the Gold Cup, Order of St George making it a thorough test is probably the most likely scenario. The jockey summed it up afterwards. “He’s a beautiful horse and I couldn’t have been happier with what he did there,” he said. “We can look forward to Ascot now. This fellow has been there and done it and I wouldn’t swap him.” Interestingly, this is the first time that Twilight Payment has run after a gelding operation and it may be that what on the face of it appeared a workmanlike effort by the winner can be upgraded. The Godolphin representative was 2 1/4 lengths behind Order of St George on better weight terms in this 12 months ago and so there is little to suggest that the dual G1 Irish St Leger hero who was also placed in the 2016 Arc will not go back to the Royal meeting as much a force as he has been on his last two visits. Since his last outing, the dam almost had a sixth black-type performer when her 3-year-old colt Shakour (Ire) (Declaration of War) who had been bought at the Tattersalls February Sale by Peter Ward for just 19,000gns was fourth in the Listed Dee S. Her 2-year-old colt by Australia (GB) is named Grenadier Guard (Ire). SAVAL BEG LEVMOSS S.-Listed, €50,000, Leopardstown, 5-25, 4yo/up, 14fT, 3:02.50, g/f. 1–ORDER OF ST GEORGE (IRE), 138, h, 6, Galileo (Ire)–Another Storm, by Gone West. ($550,000 Ylg ’13 KEESEP). O-Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier & LLoyd J Williams; B-Paget Bloodstock (IRE); T-Aidan O’Brien; J-Ryan Moore. €29,500. Lifetime Record: Hwt. 3yo-Eur at 14f+, 2x Hwt. Older Horse-Eur at 14f+, MG1SW-Ire, G1SW-Eng & G1SP-Fr, 24-13-6-1, $2,786,184. *Full to Kellstorm (Ire), GSP-Aus, $118,370; 1/2 to Asperity (War Chant), GSW-Fr & GSP-Eng, $245,483; Angel Terrace (Ghostzapper), GSW-US, $298,848; and Sehoy (Menifee), SW-Swe, $144,199. 2–Twilight Payment (Ire), 131, g, 5, Teofilo (Ire)–Dream On Buddy (Ire), by Oasis Dream (GB). O-Godolphin. €9,500. 3–Remarkable Lady (Ire), 126, m, 5, Zoffany (Ire)–Casual Remark (Ire), by Trans Island (GB). (€10,000 Wlg ’13 GOFNOV; £5,000 Ylg ’14 DNPRM). O-Nap Racing Syndicate. €4,500. Margins: 3/4, 8HF, 4HF. Odds: 0.10, 8.00, 33.00. Click for the Racing Post result. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. View the full article

After a decade of sustained growth that culminated in a record sale last year, a certain amount of trepidation was in the air before the Goresbridge Breeze-Up Sale kicked off on Friday. This trepidation was largely due to an increased catalogue and overall patchy trade that has been evident at some other breeze-up sales this year, but on this occasion trade by and large remained buoyant with plenty of activity, as predicted, at the top end. When a Frankel (GB) juvenile out of a stakes-winning mare clocks a very fast breeze, it is quite likely that offering will come at a premium, and it was no surprise that lot 177, offered by Katie Walsh’s Greenhills Farm, took centre stage when selling for a sale record of €315,000. Considering the general patchiness of the European breeze-up market this year, it must be considered satisfying that Goresbridge’s figures largely matched the major gains made last year. At the close of trade, 135 were sold at a clearance rate of 78%, which was well below the remarkable 85.5% clearance rate posted a year ago. The average and median, however, were nearly exactly on par at €34,033 and €20,000, respectively. When bloodstock agent Stephen Hillen opened the bidding on the Frankel filly out of Vital Statistics (GB) (Indian Ridge {Ire}) at €200,000, it was clear he meant business, and when the bidding reached €300,000 Hillen was still in the box seat. Aidan O’Ryan made a late play when he raised the bid to €310,000, but Hillen had enough in the tank to seal the deal with an extra €5,000 before commenting, “I thought she was probably good value at that price and she deserved to make it. She still looks a bit raw but she did a serious time and did it within herself so she seems to have plenty of ability.” Hillen was acting for an established but undisclosed client and the sale was culminating a very successful breeze-up season for Katie Walsh, whose day began on a high by selling lot 19 for €200,000 to BBA Ireland. O’Callaghan Continues to Stock Up… Michael O’Callaghan has enjoyed good success with his Goresbridge purchases in the past, and having been active at the upper end at previous sales earlier in the spring, The Curragh-based trainer was again stocking up with talent on Friday. Topping his acquisitions was lot 142, a colt by Slade Power (Ire) offered by Norman Williamson’s Oak Tree Farm and purchased by O’Callaghan for €220,000. Having outbid Adam Driver for the Jacqui Norris-bred bay, O’Callaghan said, “It was my last bid so luckily it prevailed. He was my pick of the sale from a physical point of view, he did the third-fastest breeze and he vetted well, so we were determined to get him. We’ll probably sell a few shares in him but he will more than likely carry my father’s colours.” For Norman Williamson the sale represented a fine pinhook with the former top jockey having purchased the colt for €45,000 at Goffs last year. Williamson was not surprised he sold well and said, “He breezed like a bullet, he’s a lovely horse.” O’Callaghan runs two juveniles in Saturday’s Listed Marble Hill S. at The Curragh, and among his other purchases on Friday were lot 33, a filly by Dark Angel (Ire) that cost €56,000 and lot 60, a colt by Helmet (Aus) that went for €75,000. BBA Ireland Take A Breath… BBA Ireland were responsible for the top lot last year when Eamonn Reilly bid €210,000 for Landshark (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), but it was the agency’s Mick Donohoe who was the successful bidder on this occasion when signing for another 2-year-old by the same Juddmonte sire for €200,000. Lot 19 was offered by Katie Walsh’s Greenhills Farm and holds the distinction of being a half-sister to a Grade I winner in Wood Memorial S. victor Bellamy Road (Concerto). After fending off a determined effort by Will Johnson of De Burgh Equine, Donohoe indicated that foreign shores beckoned for the filly. “I’ve bought her for a new client from the Middle East. He’s based in Dubai but this filly will go to Jebel Ali to be trained. She clocked a fast breeze for a filly that looks like she will improve over time and her pedigree suggests she could handle the dirt as well,” he said. The filly received a timely update last Sunday when her half-sister Deadline Diva (GB) (Frankel {GB}) broke her maiden on her second attempt for trainer Nicolas Clement at Granville -St Par Sur Mer. Donohoe made another six-figure purchase later in the day when going to €120,000 to acquire a Starspangledbanner (Aus) filly from Brown Island Stables, offered as lot 162. Johnny Collins is no stranger to adding value to yearlings and this was another example with the chestnut, out of the stakes-winning dam Noisy Feet (Tapit), an 18,000gns buy at Tattersalls last year. Collins also had reason for cheer when his lot 126, a colt by Exceed And Excel (Aus), was bought by De Burgh Equine for €190,000. According to the agency’s Will Johnson, the colt will be joining Roger Varian in Newmarket. With the owner of last year’s topper, Bob Edwards of e5 Racing, in town to support his Guineas runner, there was a strong likelihood that he would not leave Goresbridge empty handed, and that eventuality was realized when Eamonn Reilly of BBA Ireland signed for lot 130 on behalf of Edwards for €140,000. The colt by Society Rock (Ire) was offered by his breeder Tally-Ho Stud, and will be starting his career stateside unlike Edwards’s purchase last year, who went to Jessica Harrington. “He’s going straight to the East Coast but I’m not sure who’ll train him yet,” Edwards said. “He was an obvious one to target, he is a great physical and he is the one I really wanted from the sale so I’m delighted. It’s gorgeous over here, and I’m looking forward to the weekend,” he added. Lot 125 had the distinction of being the final 2-year-old by Scat Daddy to be offered at public auction, and the Mocklershill offered filly, purchased for $150,000 at Keeneland last year, was always going to attract attention. Ultimately, it was the locally based breeder John Lenihan of Ballyogue Stud who won the battle for the almost black filly when bidding stopped at €200,000. Driver Returns To The Well… Adam Driver, another Goresbridge regular, fought off strong competition from Dubai-based trainer Rashed Boursely for lot 91, eventually delivering the winning bid of €180,000. The colt by Quality Road was offered by Mayfield Stables, having been purchased by SackvilleDonald for £50,000 at Goffs UK last August. Driver has purchased some high-value horses at Goresbridge in the last five years and said, “He is a lovely colt and he is for the same client as I have purchased for here before. He loves this sale and asks me to come here for him each year as he has had some luck here also. This colt will go to Jo Fenton in Newmarket first, she handles all my spelling and pre-training and when he settles in with Jo we will decide who he will go to to be trained.” The Gittins family bought the sale topper at this sale two years ago and Mark Gittins was back in action acting on behalf of his mother Maura when buying lot 67 for €105,000. The Siyouni (Fr) colt offered by Brendan Holland’s Grove Stud was purchased by Holland for €37,000 at Arqana last year and a smart breeze and a hot sire ensured a decent profit mas made. “He’s for my mother and will go to Karl Burke,” Gittins said. “He is a nice, straightforward colt who was well presented and came highly recommended by a very good consignor.” With No Nay Never having made such a promising start to his stallion career it was always likely that the sole offering in the sale by the Coolmore sire would be popular, and the Ardglas Stables duo of Ambrose O’Mullane and Mary Reynolds made a handsome return on the €20,000 it cost them to buy lot 72 at Arqana last year when Rabbah Bloodstock signed the docket yesterday at €80,000. “He’s a good horse and he will train on into a better 3-year-old and I think he will get a mile as well,” said O’Mullane afterwards. “The market is tricky enough and the sire certainly helped, I might never get another one by him again.” Hoare’s Long Journey Pays Off… Mark Hoare of Pacific Bloodstock made the long journey from Victoria in Australia worthwhile when acquiring a strong Oasis Dream (GB) colt offered by Oak Tree Farm. Hoare spent €72,000 on lot 45, and if everything goes to plan with his vaccinations the colt could be boarding a flight to Australia on June 15 to join the string of Darren Weir. “We hatched this plan about six weeks ago,” Hoare said. “He was one of two colts I had picked out and I am very pleased to get him. He may have been slightly over budget but being by Oasis Dream I thought he was worth stretching for. He is for a syndicate that myself and Darren [Weir] have put together, consisting of a group of his owners and a number of my own clients.” Hoare is the first Australian to have purchased at Goresbridge and regarding his out-of-the-box thinking he said, “You have to be flexible in this game. I may not be a household name in Australia but I like these kinds of projects and hopefully it will work out well.” Goresbridge boss Martin Donohoe had no complaints after another successful edition and said, “We’re very happy. It’s great to see so many high-priced horses and also to see plenty of horses going to so many overseas markets from Australia to America to the Middle East and various countries in Europe. The market hasn’t been straightforward this year so for that reason we would have to be delighted.” View the full article

Hofburg (Tapit), seventh with trouble in the GI Kentucky Derby, put in a “good work” at Saratoga Friday morning as he prepares for the GI Belmont S., Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott said. Hofburg, second in the GI Florida Derby, breezed six furlongs over the Oklahoma training track, officially going in 1:13.43. “I thought it was a very good work on the training track,” Mott said. “The best part about it was he looked like he was moving very well. We went six furlongs with him and from the half-mile pole, he was: 48 1/5; 1:00 3/5; 1:13 3/5; galloped out good and came home in good order. It looked like he took a couple of deep breaths and caught his breath in a hurry.” Mott added, “We have a lot of respect for Justify (Scat Daddy), but on the same token, we don’t want to hand him the Belmont on a silver platter. If he wins it, we’re going to make him work for it.” View the full article

Grade 1 winner Audible, most recently third in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), will not contest the June 9 Belmont Stakes, his connections confirmed May 25. View the full article

1st-Leopardstown, €17,500, Mdn, 5-25, 2yo, 7fT, 1:31.21, g/f. BOLD APPROACH (IRE) (c, 2, Dawn Approach {Ire}–Excuse Me, by Distorted Humor), a 13-2 shot, was always handy behind the leading duo. Driven to gain the advantage with a furlong remaining, the bay saw it out strongly to record a 1 1/4-length success from California Daddy (Scat Daddy) in what could prove a decent maiden. Cape of Good Hope (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), the full-brother to Highland Reel (Ire) and Idaho (Ire), was in line with the winner for most of this but could not pick up and finished seventh. Bold Approach, who is the first 2-year-old winner of 2018 for Jim Bolger, is owned by a newcomer as his breeder and trainer explained. “He’s owned by Sam McCauley who lives on Rectory Road in Enniscorthy and this is his first flat horse,” he told Irish Racing.com. “I think he’s a very nice horse and he’s a great looker. He’s easier to manage than his sire and has his guts. There are two big seven-furlong races on his agenda, the National Stakes and the Dewhurst, and whatever comes inbetween.” The dam, who was fast enough to set a track record over an extended mile at Delaware Park, is a half to the GSP Imitation (Grand Slam) and El Ballezano (French Deputy) whose unraced dam is a full-sibling of the Niarchos Family’s G1 Coronation S. heroine Magic of Life (Seattle Slew). She in turn produced the classy juvenile Enthused (Seeking the Gold) who captured the G2 Lowther S. and G3 Princess Margaret S. for the same operation. Excuse Me also has a yearling full-sister to the winner. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $12,636. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. O-Rectory Road Holdings Limited & Mrs J S Bolger; B/T-Jim Bolger (IRE). View the full article

Despite missing an intended appearance in the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) with a slight hoof injury, Danon Premium (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) will start a warm favourite to take his unbeaten streak to five in Sunday’s G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) over 2400 metres. The blaze-faced brown colt ran the table in three tries as a juvenile and locked up year-end honours with a facile defeat of Stelvio (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) in the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity last December. He returned to action in the Mar. 4 G2 Yayoi Sho (2000m) at Nakayama and sat a soft trip off a loose leader before striding out to easily best the running-on and previously unbeaten Wagnerian (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Gendarme (Kitten’s Joy). He figures to be prominent in the run from gate one as he tries the 12-furlong distance for the first time. “He was a bit tense last time, as well as wanting to get on with things, but it’s all experience and he won well, which I was relieved about,” said jockey Yuga Kawada. “I’ve never ridden a horse like him before with such improvement. Just the way he’s developing and growing is really something. My job is to keep him calm and know when to switch him on and off.” Epoca d’Oro (Jpn), a son of 2011 Derby winner Orfevre (Jpn), has risen through the grades this season, progressing from a February allowance score to drop a nose decision to Stelvio in the G2 Spring S. (1800m) Mar. 18. The dark bay exits a two-length defeat of Sans Rival (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) in a strangely run renewal of the Satsuki Sho, as he gained first run on a trio of leaders and proved easily best. Epoca d’Oro will race left-handed for the first time Sunday. WATCH: Epoca d’Oro gets first run to win the Satsuki Sho Blast Onepiece (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) is unbeaten in his three career appearances and has a rare course-and-distance allowance victory to his credit. The scopey bay stepped up in class for the G3 Mainichi Hai Mar. 24 and raced handy to the pace before literally scraping paint in upper stretch and going on to a two-length tally. Stelvio (19.1-1) and Wagnerian (10.8-1) each merit consideration, particularly at what appear to be overlaid odds in ante-post wagering. The 27-10 second choice in the Satsuki Sho, Stelvio had just two behind through the middle stages, but finished well to be fourth. A victory would mean a remarkable Oaks/Derby sweep for his sire, whose daughter Almond Eye (Jpn) validated odds-on favouritism last weekend. Wagnerian was the slight favorite in the Guineas and came home seventh while not being able to extend his stride fully. The rain-affected turf may have worked against him that afternoon and he should appreciate the added 400m of the Derby. He is one of three in the race for the 2005 winner, who has since sired a trio of Derby winners in the last six years (Deep Brillante, 2012; Kizuna, 2013; and Makahiki, 2016). View the full article

Mind Your Biscuits (Posse), two-time winner of the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, wrapped up his major preparations on Friday for the GI Runhappy Metropolitan H. June 9. He worked six furlongs in a bullet 1:11.66 under jockey Joel Rosario over the main track at Belmont Park. Mind Your Biscuits was last seen successfully defending his Shaheen title at Meydan Mar. 31. “When you’re going a mile stretching out from six furlongs, you have to put some air into them,” Summers said. “That was the plan today, he worked three-quarters and I couldn’t be happier. He showed me today he’s sitting on go, and you see him how he’s cooling out right now, so it’s bubble wrap time already. It’ll be 15 days with bubble wrap.” Earlier in the week it was announced that Mind Your Biscuits would be sent to Japan for stud duty at the end of this year at Shadai Farm. View the full article

Regulator plans to make changes to the rules on interference, how the stewards interpret those rules, and may rotate stewards from track to track. View the full article

Switched from Sunday’s G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup, last year’s surprise package Hydrangea (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) takes in the G2 Lanwades Stud S. also at The Curragh as she begins what could be a stellar campaign. Her amazing autumn campaign saw her emerge from the shadow of Winter (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) to capture the G1 Matron S. over a mile at Leopardstown in September, go under by a head to Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the 10-furlong G1 Prix de l’Opera at Chantilly at the start of the next month before outstaying Bateel (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Coronet (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in Ascot’s G1 Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares S. over a mile and a half. She may not be at that pitch for this seasonal bow and is therefore vulnerable, especially with the likes of the China Horse Club’s unbeaten Goldrush (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in attendance. The daughter of Alexander Goldrun (Ire) (Gold Away {Ire}) was last seen taking the Listed Cooley Fillies S. over a mile at Dundalk in October and Jim Bolger holds her in high regard. View the full article

After scoring a 2 1/2-length victory in last year's Nassau Stakes (G2T), Soli Mehta and Partner's Starship Jubilee is the 6-5 favorite to repeat in the $175,000 one-mile turf race for fillies and mares May 27 at Woodbine. View the full article

Nobody needs reminding what Aidan O’Brien can do with his Australian imports and Merchant Navy (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) begins his European journey on Saturday in the G2 Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands S. at The Curragh. Haradasun (Aus) (Fusaichi Pegasus), Starspangledbanner (Aus) (Choisir {Aus}) and So You Think (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) have set a high precedent, but it will be a surprise if the Nov. 4 G1 Coolmore Stud S. winner is not capable of attaining the same standard in the Northern Hemisphere. Last seen finishing customarily strongly to be third to Redkirk Warrior (GB) (Notnowcato {GB}) in the G1 Newmarket H. at Flemington Mar. 10, the bay has the attention of O’Brien now and he said, “He has a lovely, relaxed way of moving and has a lovely mind, which is always a bit of an advantage for a sprinter. He is going to be here for Ascot, but I’m not sure if he can be here for the July Cup as he has stallion obligations in Australia and has to be back in time to start for that.” This is no soft touch for Merchant Navy, with last year’s G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest winner Brando (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) lining up after finishing second to Harry Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in the May 16 G2 Duke of York S., which Shadwell’s Tasleet (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) was ruled out of at the eleventh hour. They are proper top-level sprinters who set a lofty standard. View the full article

There will be no quarter given in Saturday’s G2 Armstrong Aggregates Sandy Lane S. at Haydock, with the best of the British sprinting 3-year-olds in attendance and barely a length between five of them along with a “dark horse” of considerable intrigue in Barraquero (Ire) (Zebedee {GB}). Not seen again after his success in testing ground in the G2 Qatar Richmond S. over this six-furlong trip at Glorious Goodwood in August, Manton Thoroughbreds’s bearer of the famed Sangster silks will have to be exceptional to deal with the race-fit high-class trio of Sands of Mali (Fr) (Panis), Invincible Army (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and James Garfield (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}). Barraquero’s trainer Brian Meehan is never one to dwell on negatives when he has a good one. “I’m excited. He is in great form,” he said. “He is such a super character and he has got a wonderful temperament. I don’t want it to be too firm up there, but it sounds like there is plenty of rain about. He is in great form and all roads lead to Royal Ascot, really. There was probably nowhere else to go with him before now.” Sands of Mali’s 2 3/4-length defeat of Invincible Army when making all in York’s G2 Gimcrack S. in August is probably the benchmark performance here and he was able to give six pounds to the subsequent G3 Prix Texanita scorer Alistair (Fr) (Panis) in the G3 Prix Sigy at Chantilly Apr. 13. Last year’s G2 Mill Reef S. winner James Garfield (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) holds Invincible Army on that form and returned to win the G3 Greenham S. over seven furlongs at Newbury Apr. 21 before running a sound race in seventh in the G1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket three weeks ago. “We have been really pleased with him since the Guineas,” trainer George Scott commented. “Always in the back of our minds was that he might be a sprinter rather than a miler, but he won one of the most important trials so we had to give it a go and he wasn’t disgraced at all. I think he will be more comfortable back at six furlongs, but this is a ripper of a race and anyone could win it.” View the full article

After scoring a 2 1/2-length victory in last year's Nassau Stakes (G2), Soli Mehta and Partner's Starship Jubilee is the 6-5 favorite to repeat in the $175,000 one-mile turf race for fillies and mares May 27 at Woodbine. View the full article

Sprinters take centre stage at Haydock on Saturday, with no bigger draw than Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in the G2 Armstrong Aggregates Temple S. Having undergone wind surgery since his four-length dismissal of the previous year’s G1 Prix de l’Abbaye heroine Marsha (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) in the latest edition of that five-furlong feature at Chantilly in October, the 4-year-old is ready to apply for leading status among Europe’s fast brigade. “Haydock is a beautiful, flat track and I think Battaash should really enjoy it,” trainer Charlie Hills said of the fiery gelding, whose antics in the preliminaries meant he did not shine when fourth in the G1 Nunthorpe S. at York in August. “We can saddle him up in the stables there and it is a good lead-up for him. He has had a couple of issues with the stalls in the past. We have had Gary and Craig Witheford down the last couple of weeks and Battaash has been as good as gold and not put a foot wrong. He can put his game face on and at York it obviously got to him, but he has not shown any signs of that this year. He was so impressive in France last season and the time of the Prix de l’Abbaye tells you that as well. We have obviously got a penalty and there are some very fast horses in the race. It is not going to be straightforward.” Revitalised by a spell on the all-weather, Kachy (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}) takes on Battaash off a barely-believable nine-length defeat of the useful yardstick Growl (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) over Chester’s turning five furlongs May 11. Sixth and fifth in the last two renewals of this, David Lowe’s 2015 G3 Molecomb S. scorer could still be progressing and is in a happy place at present. “Kachy is in good shape after his win at Chester the other week,” trainer Tom Dascombe said. “It’s a proper race and he doesn’t even come out second-best on the ratings. The conditions should be good for him, but I just wish the race was at Chester! That track really plays to his strengths. He didn’t just win there the last day, he destroyed them. He had the race won after 50 yards. He came out of the race fine and didn’t lose much weight.” David Armstrong’s filly Mabs Cross (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) has to step up again after her career-best win in a below-par edition of Newmarket’s G3 Palace House S. three weeks ago, but is unexposed and trainer Michael Dods knows what a top-class sprinter looks like. “Mabs Cross has come out of her victory at Newmarket in great form,” he said. “She won nicely at Newmarket and hopefully Haydock gets a couple of the showers which are forecast. Battaash is a top-quality sprinter and we have it all to do to match him–he looks to be a sprinter out on his own at the moment.” View the full article

Trying to stop Ballydoyle in the G1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas over the past 10 years has been tough. Ask Jim Bolger and Richard Hannon, who have both had favourites beaten in that period, as well as countless others with Aidan O’Brien registering seven of his 11 wins since Henrythenavigator (Kingmambo) denied New Approach (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in 2008. This year it is Mark Johnston who is charged with denying the Rosegreen operation with Elarqam (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who is as exciting as it gets and has a valid favourite’s opportunity after a perfect reintroduction in Newmarket’s G1 2000 Guineas. Although Shadwell’s son of Attraction (GB) (Efisio {GB}) lost his unbeaten record when only fourth three weeks ago, he would have hewn great improvement from that effort, which was characterised by freshness in the beginning and rustiness coming down into the “dip”, which may have cost him a better placing. The Curragh’s terrain is certain to suit more and it will be no surprise to see Jim Crowley go on at the head of affairs and make this a true test. The one unknown with Elarqam is ground this quick, with his three outings coming on ground no faster than good, but his sire was rapid on it and his dam had identical conditions when beating Alexander Goldrun (Ire) (Gold Away {Ire}) in the 2004 G1 Irish 1000 Guineas. “We’ve got no ground preferences. He has only run the three times on varying ground and we will just take it as it comes,” his trainer said. “The field looks ideal and the horse is in great order. Everything is good.” With regards to the Aidan O’Brien-trained quartet, Johnston is looking at last year’s champion juvenile US Navy Flag (War Front). “Obviously he [Aidan O’Brien] has got four in it which makes it a little bit more difficult,” he said. “I’ve got the greatest of respect for US Navy Flag. He was a great horse last year. He had enough defeats last year and bounced back from them at the highest level. You’ve got to respect him despite his last run, but basically we just care that our horse runs up to his best.” Ryan Moore is on US Navy Flag, who took at least five starts to reach his peak in 2017 and thrives on a heavy workload. He is War Front’s best chance of a European Classic yet, being a full-brother to the similarly hard-grafting Roly Poly capable of moving up several rungs of the ladder each time he runs. Were he from any other stable, the idea that he could turn around a 15-length drubbing by Gustav Klimt (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) from their encounter in the Apr. 14 G3 Ballylinch Stud 2,000 Guineas Trial S. at Leopardstown would be ludicrous, but this is Ballydoyle and US Navy Flag has already found over two stone of progression to be fifth in the G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains at ParisLongchamp May 13. He was the chief victim of the much-criticised turf conditions there and was forced to be ridden aggressively from his wide draw, so Ryan Moore will be able to take his time here and ride more of a race. Where Gustav Klimt is concerned, it is hard to know what to expect as in the last four weeks he has gone from hot ante-post favourite for the 2000 Guineas to stable second-string in this equivalent. Even before he ran flat when sixth at Newmarket, he had begun to lose momentum in the betting and on that showing he has very little prospects of reversing the 1 1/2-length deficit with Elarqam. Added to that are genuine stamina concerns and it is not difficult to see why Moore sided with US Navy Flag. “Gustav Klimt seems to be fine, obviously we were a little bit disappointed with him and we are hoping he’ll leave that run behind him,” O’Brien said. “He shows plenty of pace at home so we’ll find out a lot at The Curragh looking to Ascot, whether we go for the St James’s Palace or come back in trip with him. I think he’ll appreciate the fast ground, as he’s a good-moving horse. US Navy Flag is by War Front and out of a Galileo mare so the better ground would suit him.” The unbeaten Zihba (Ire) (Choisir {Aus}) has been acquired by Al Shaqab Racing after beating the older horses in the G3 Amethyst S. over this trip at Leopardstown on May 13, and the last to do that was Mustajeeb (GB) (Nayef), who went on to be third behind Kingman (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) here four years ago. Trainer Fozzy Stack said, “He’s in good shape. We’re happy with him and hopefully he’ll run a big race. If he runs his race we can’t ask any more than that.” Another live outsider is Godolphin’s Symbolization (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), whose winning time when giving away abundant weight in a Newmarket mile handicap on 2000 Guineas day compared favourably with the big race itself. That followed a second to the subsequent listed winner Purser (Mizzen Mast) in a seven-furlong conditions event there Apr. 17 and his trainer is keen to try him in better company. “Symbolization is a colt who has progressed through the season to date,” Charlie Appleby commented. “He got beaten on first start at Newmarket, but he has subsequently came on and won a nice handicap under top weight and the form of his first run at Newmarket got a boost at the weekend, too. He’s come out of his last run very well.” View the full article

Upon review from the American Graded Stakes Committee, the May 19 renewal of the grade 2 Dixie Stakes—originally scheduled for the Pimlico Race Course turf course but switched to the main track—will not have its original grade reinstated. View the full article

Makybe Diva (GB) (Desert King {Ire}) has not had the fastest start to her broodmare career, her first five foals failing to reach much acclaim on the racetrack. But the legendary stayer and winner of three Melbourne Cups could be leaving her best until later, with her 3-year-old daughter of All Too Hard (Aus), Divanation (Aus), having won in eye-catching fashion on debut at Werribee on Friday. The A$300,000 Inglis Premier graduate is trained by Tony McEvoy, whose representative Michael Shepherdson told Racing.com, “She’s been a slow build but it was great to see her do that today. We’ll build on this and hopefully there are some better races in store. She just looked like she was in a good rhythm the whole way and she was the last off the bridle and she could let down nicely and pricked her ears so it was a great debut. We’ll see how she comes out of this race and Tony will have some fun finding the next one for her.” Let go at A$2.50, Divanation sat as much as five lengths off the pace down the backstretch of the 1625 metre contest. Winding up three-wide passing the 400, the bay swept to the lead at the top of the stretch under a Luke Currie handride and was a very handy 2 1/4 length winner from a fast-finishing Ishkabibble (Aus) (Reliable Man {Ger}). Makybe Diva has an as-yet unraced 2-year-old by world champion sprinter Starspangledbanner (Aus) named Demand Attention (Aus), and a yearling filly by another standout sprinter in Brazen Beau (Aus). She was not covered in 2016. While Divanation’s sire is Black Caviar (Aus)’s half-brother All Too Hard, the filly’s ownership also includes one of that other great mare’s owners, Neil Werrett. While the retirement of Black Caviar’s first foal, Oscietra (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), was announced this week, her second foal, the 2-year-old Prince Of Caviar (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}), makes his debut on Saturday at Sandown. View the full article

Grade 1 winner Audible, most recently third in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) will not contest the June 9 Belmont Stakes, his connections confirmed May 25. View the full article

Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Justify continued his training May 25 at Churchill Downs with a 1 1/2-mile morning gallop under Humberto Gomez. View the full article

Former trainer Robert Smerdon, who was handed a lifetime ban for his role in the Aquanita bi-card doping scandal, which included 115 of the 250 total charges, has also been fined A$90,000 by the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board. Smerdon announced his retirement from training in late March while the case was ongoing and refused to participate in the hearing. “We agree that Mr Smerdon should not be seen as simply retiring and just ‘walking away’, the message that he effectively passed on in a media interview well before the hearing of the Aquanita case had even commenced,” said RAD Board Chairman Judge John Bowman. “Some additional and substantial penalty should be imposed.” “Racing Victoria stewards sought a fine of the maximum permissible amount of A$100,000. We agree that it should be a figure very close to the maximum, but we suppose that even more reprehensible conduct could be imagined or might arise. However, Mr Smerdon’s conduct must be at least close to deserving that maximum figure.” View the full article

Audible (Into Mischief), who most believed was the main threat to ‘TDN Rising Star’ Justify (Scat Daddy), in the GI Belmont S. June 9, is no longer being considered for the final leg of the Triple Crown, reports Elliott Walden, the president and CEO of the colt’s co-owner, WinStar Farm. The story was first reported by the Daily Racing Form’s David Grening. Audible and Justify are owned by the same partners, and that could have created one of the more unusual and potentially awkward situations in Triple Crown history. The owners of Justify potentially could have cost their horse a Triple Crown sweep by beating him with another horse they own. Now, it’s a moot point. Walden said the decision not to run Audible was made by his trainer, Todd Pletcher. Walden said Pletcher was not pleased with the way the colt had been training after his third-place finish in the GI Kentucky Derby. Pletcher had scheduled a work for Audible Friday morning but decided to gallop him instead. “I know people are going to wonder about Audible and all that, but Todd called me yesterday and said he didn’t want to work him this morning,” Walden said. “He wanted to give him a little more time. I told him it was completely up to him. I was for running (Audible). I think we showed that by running Quip (Distorted Humor) in the Preakness. These are good problems to have and we’re blessed to have so many good horse. We just want to do what’s best for each individual horse.” WinStar will still enter a competitor to Justify in the Belmont. Walden said GII Louisiana Derby hero Noble Indy (Take Charge Indy), which it owns in partnership with Mike Repole, worked well Friday and is being pointed for the race. View the full article

Proven sires dominated the top of the weanling market during the second and final session of the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale on Friday. Fastnet Rock once again provided the session topper-a filly (lot 334) bought by Michael Wallace’s Waterford Bloodstock for A$750,000, a sale record-while I Am Invincible (Aus) was the sire of the top-priced colt, Aquis’s supplementary lot 549, who was bought by Sir Owen Glenn’s Go Bloodstock and Paul Moroney for A$400,000. Leading first-season sire Zoustar (Aus) also acquitted himself well on Friday, with five of the top 10 lots to his credit. The two-day sale also returned records for gross and average. The gross for 383 sold was A$24,173,500, up 23% on last year, while the average was up 21.2% from last year’s record at A$63,116. The median climbed 53.8% to A$40,000, and the clearance rate was an excellent 85%. “It was a sensational day,” Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch said. “Following on from yesterday, it got stronger and deeper. The clearance rate of 85% set a tone for what hopefully is in store next week. We’ve been very well rewarded by our vendors and the buyers have confidence in what we’re doing here and long may it continue.” Mike Rennie of Waterford Bloodstock admitted that the price tag for the record-priced filly was well above what he had hoped to pay, but nonetheless described her as “a great buy.” “Ideally we would have loved to have gotten her for A$300,000 or A$400,000, but she was the best horse here,” he said. “You just can’t get a pedigree like that and by a champion sire. We knew we would have to pay a lot of money–I was thinking we might have needed A$600,000, but still at A$750,000 she is a great buy.” “She’s a medium-sized filly with a good girth–well balanced with a big hip. She’s just what I like to see–not too big and she’s really well in proportion. She moved beautifully and Coolmore do a great job.” The filly is the fourth foal out of the More Than Ready mare More Valour (Aus), already the dam of the listed winner Tashbeen (Aus) (Commands {Aus}). More Valour, a sister to three stakes winners is set to sell at next week’s National Broodmare Sale. Coolmore also sold the second-highest priced filly of the day by its resident champion sire Fastnet Rock: lot 316, a full-sister to G1 Australian Guineas winner Rock Classic (Aus) and a granddaughter of the G1 Blue Diamond S. winner Midnight Fever (Aus) (Luskin Star {Aus}). That one was bought by the Chinese entity Full Horse for A$300,000. Aquis Farm’s I Am Invincible colt was a late addition to the sale as a supplementary entry, but he made his presence felt when selling for A$400,000, the highest price on the day for a colt, to Sir Owen Glenn’s Go Bloodstock and agent Paul Moroney. The bay is out of the winning General Nediym (Aus) mare Marechal (Aus), a half-sister to G1 Makybe Diva S. and G1 Australian Cup winner Humidor (NZ) (Teofilo {Ire}). The colt could get a big update as soon as Saturday, with his 2-year-old brother Cyber Attack (Aus) (Shamexpress {Aus}) entered for a listed race in New Zealand. Australia’s leading first-season sire Zoustar was responsible for five of the top 10 lots on the day, and Hannah Wall and David Redvers of Redwall Bloodstock, who are plenty familiar with the sire as managers of Qatar Racing, which owns a piece of Zoustar, signed for both his top-priced colt and filly through their pinhooking entity. The colt, lot 437, is the third foal out of the New York stakes winner Shakeira (Freud), who was bought by Magic Millions as agent from Keeneland November in 2013 for $150,000 before Matthew Sandblom’s Kingstar Farm bought her from the Widden Stud draft at this sale last year, carrying this colt, for A$90,000. She has already paid Sandblom back decently, then, the colt having made A$310,000 on Friday. “He’s obviously by the most exciting young sire over here at the moment,” Redvers said. “We have a vested interest I must say, but he’s just a cracker. He’s the most athletic colt with a huge amount of style and presence. He’ll be brought back to be resold and we hope he will be one of his top lots.” Zoustar’s top-priced filly was Rosemont Stud’s lot 463, who is out of an unraced half-sister to the dam of the champion filly Faint Perfume (Aus) (Shamardal). She was bought by Redwall for A$230,000. Young Coolmore sires Pierro (Aus) and Vancouver (Aus) both continued to be popular on Friday. Pierro has enjoyed a very fruitful season on the track; his oldest crop, now three, can boast two Classic winners, and he is by far the country’s leading second-crop sire. Ireland’s Glenvale Stud was the name on the ticket for Pierro’s lot 515, a colt consigned by Rothwell Park out of the Exceed and Excel (Aus) mare Valoura (Aus), and the price tag was A$320,000. G1 Golden Slipper winner Vancouver (Aus) was the sale’s leading first-crop sire by average, his 14 sold averaging A$140,000, and on Friday his haul included Coolmore’s lot 436, a filly bought by Justin Casse for A$210,000. The Magic Millions National Sale series continues on Tuesday with the four-day National Broodmare sale. View the full article

The G1 Irish 2000 Guineas field comes from a broad range of backgrounds. It includes two seven-figure yearlings, two runners whose dams won the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas, blueblooded homebreds and big pinhook scores. ELARQAM (GB) (Frankel {GB}) was a 1.6-million gns purchase from Tattersalls October Book 1 by Shadwell from the Duke of Roxburghe’s Floors Stud. Elarqam was bred by Floors Stud out of its dual Guineas winner Attraction (GB) (Efisio {GB}), and the G1 2000 Guineas fourth will look to emulate his dam with a Curragh Classic success. B-Floors Farming. GUSTAV KLIMT (IRE) (Galileo {Ire}) is a homebred for team Coolmore but his dam, Massarra (GB) (Danehill), was bought by connections for 600,000gns in 2009. Massarra, a Group 3-winning sprinter, was bred and raced by Prince Faisal out of his excellent mare Rafha (GB) (Kris {GB}), the dam of sires Invincible Spirit (Ire) and Kodiac (GB). He looks to rebound from a G1 2000 Guineas sixth. B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt. LANDSHARK (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}) carries the silks of American owner e5 Racing of Good Magic (Curlin) and Rushing Fall (More Than Ready) fame. E5’s Bob Edwards bought Landshark for €210,000 through BBA Ireland’s Eamonn Reilly from Egmont Stud to top last year’s Goresbridge breeze-up sale. The colt proved a spectacular pinhook for Egmont’s Mark Flannery, who had bought him for 5,000gns as Tattersalls Book 2 as a yearling. B-Fonthill Farms & Mr J Dean. ROMANISED (IRE) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) will be a longshot for Robert Ng and trainer Ken Condon, but he has Classic performance to fall back on in his pedigree thanks to his half-sister, the G3 St Leger Italiano winner Rock Of Romance (Ire) (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}), and his dam’s half-brother Designs On Rome (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), the Hong Kong Derby winner. Romanised did not visit a sales ring as a youngster. B-Mrs Monica Aherne. SPANISH POINT (GB) (Frankel {GB}) passed through the same Tattersalls ring as his paternal half-brother Elarqam and fell just short of that one’s price at 1.3-million gns when bought by Coolmore and Mayfair Speculators from breeder Cheveley Park Stud. While the colt is still a maiden after three tries, he has a progressive pedigree to fall back on, being out of the G1 Sun Chariot S. and G1 Lockinge S. winner Peeress (GB) (Pivotal {GB}). B-Cheveley Park Stud. SYMBOLIZATION (IRE) (Cape Cross {Ire}) is a homebred for Godolphin and is the second in this lineup out of a daughter of Pivotal (GB), who is gaining great acclaim as a broodmare sire. The dam, Yorkshire Lass (Ire), is a daughter of German highweight and Classic-placed White Rose (Ger) (Platini {Ger}), who was bought by Blandford Bloodstock carrying Yorkshire Lass for 620,000gns at Tattersalls December in 2007. B-Godolphin. THEOBALD (IRE) (Teofilo {Ire}) is a Jim Bolger homebred whose third dam is the GI Spinster S., GI Kentucky Oaks and GI Beldame S. winner Dispute (Danzig). The colt was twice Group 3-placed at two. B-J S Bolger. THREEANDFOURPENCE (War Front) is a homebred for John Magnier’s mother Evie Stockwell, and is a full-brother to her Grade/Group 1 winners Hit It A Bomb and Brave Anna. Threeandfourpence has thus far spent this season as a traveling companion to Mendelssohn (Scat Daddy). B-Mrs E Stockwell. U S NAVY FLAG (War Front), the 2-year-old champion, looks to rebound from an inconclusive fifth in the G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains after stumbling while on the lead entering the straight. Like Elarqam, he is also looking to emulate his dam with a win in an Irish Guineas, his dam Misty For Me (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) having won the Irish 1000 Guineas in 2011. His full-sister Roly Poly was second in the same race last year. B-Misty For Me Syndicate. WOULD BE KING (IRE) (Lethal Force {Ire}), a €18,500 foal at Goffs November when bought by Finlea Bloodstock from breeder Rockfield Farm, was pinhooked by Mick Buckley’s Buckley Bloodstock at Orby the following year when bought by trainer Ger Lyons for €42,000. He is out of the G3 Leopardstown 1000 Guineas Trial third Smart Coco (Smarty Jones). B-Rockfield Farm. ZIHBA (IRE) (Choisir {Aus}) was sold by breeder Grange Hill Stud to de Burgh Equine for €62,000 at Tattersalls Ireland in 2016. The G3 Amethyst S. winner is the second in this lineup out of a Galileo mare and represents the highly prolific Danehill over Galileo cross. B-Mark & Caroline Hanly. View the full article