Wandering Eyes

With the deluge of precipitation hit Churchill Downs May 5, it was a day more suitable to ducks than people, aptly named Funny Duck posted a major upset in the $300,000 Pat Day Mile presented by LG&E and KU (G3) on the Kentucky Derby Day card. View the full article

YOSHIDA (JPN) (c, 4, Heart’s Cry {Jpn}–Hilda’s Passion, by Canadian Frontier), a ‘TDN Rising Star’ and promising sophomore last year, ran easily his career-best race in his 4-year-old bow to take the GI Old Forester Turf Classic S. at Churchill. Winning last spring’s James W. Murphy S. at Pimlico, the bay was fifth in the GI Belmont Derby and just missed when second in both the GII Hall of Fame S. and GIII Saranac S. before breaking through in the GIII Hill Prince S. to close his 3-year-old account Oct. 7 at Belmont. Spotted confidently off the layoff here, Yoshida dropped to 99-10 by post from a 15-1 morning line and settled in fourth behind splits of :24.86 and :50.61. Making a sudden three-wide move nearing the straightaway, he forced the hand of favored Beach Patrol (Lemon Drop Kid) to his inside, and those two squared off entering the final furlong. The chalk was game, but Yoshida was always doing slightly better work, and he hit the wire three-quarters of a length to the good in 1:54.64. Lifetime Record: 8-4-3-0, $849,100. O-China Horse Club, WinStar Farm, Head of Plains Partners et al; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); T-William I. Mott. View the full article

FUNNY DUCK (c, 3, Distorted Humor–Slow Down, by Seattle Slew), one of the least-accomplished horses in a stacked version of the GIII Pat Day Mile making just his second dirt start, rode the rail and splashed away in deep stretch to a colossal Derby Day upset. Debuting on the local dirt last Sept. 17, the $110,000 OBS March buy took money but was a no-factor seventh. He took four more tries to break his maiden over grass Feb. 11 at Gulfstream and was seventh in the GIII Transylvania S. last out Apr. 6 at Keeneland. Dismissed at 39-1 in this return to the main, the chestnut settled in midpack behind fractions of :22.31 and :45.53. Advancing along the rail on the turn, he looked to have a ton of horse at the top of the lane and found his opportunity to run when tipping off the rail outside the eighth pole. Taking control from fellow longshot and ‘TDN Rising Star’ New York Central at the sixteenth marker, he kicked clear powerfully from there to score by five lengths in 1:37.16. Sales History: $120,000 RNA Wlg ’15 KEENOV; $65,000 RNA Ylg ’16 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 7-2-2-0, $224,780. O-Calumet Farm; B-SF Bloodstock (KY); T-George R. Arnold II. View the full article

Maraud employed a late kick down the middle of the turf course to score in the American Turf Stakes presented by Ram Trucks (G2T) May 5 at Churchill Downs, while Captivating Moon and Untamed Domain dead-heated for second. View the full article

AMADA RAFAELA (f, 3, Distorted Humor–Dust and Diamonds {MGSW & GISP, $496,260}, by Vindication) took all the money for her debut Saturday at Santa Anita and blasted away in the stretch to a ‘TDN Rising Star’-earning romp. Showing a sharp local worktab, highlighted by a six-furlong gate move in 1:11 3/5 (1/5) Apr. 23, the Three Chimneys homebred came away sharply as the 7-10 favorite before deferring to sit fourth, 1 1/2 lengths adrift of a :22.10 quarter. Cruising up past the leaders three deep on the bottom half of the turn, the bay quickly spurted clear after straightening for home and came home a dominant 8 1/4-length victress in 1:09.88. Hot Autumn (Tiz Wonderful) was second-best. The winner’s dam was a two-time graded stakes winner who ran second in the 2012 GI Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at this oval. Selling for $1 million at KEENOV in 2016, she has a juvenile colt by More Than Ready named Much Better who went for $600,000 at the same sale and a yearling filly by Pioneerof the Nile. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $32,400. O/B-Three Chimneys Farm LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert. View the full article

The Ball family's Limousine Liberal earned his sixth win under the Twin Spires in eight tries with a head victory May 5 over Warrior's Club in the $500,000 Churchill Downs Stakes Presented by TwinSpires.com (G2). View the full article

Patricia Moseley's homebred rewarded trainer Brendan Walsh Saturday with a half-length victory over On Leave in the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2T), a rebound from her eighth in the April 14 Coolmore Jenny Wiley Stakes (G1T) at Keeneland. View the full article

The Ball family's Limousine Liberal earned his sixth win under the Twin Spires in eight tries with a head victory May 5 over Warrior's Club in the $500,000 Churchill Downs Stakes Presented by TwinSpires.com (G2). View the full article

MARAUD (c, 3, Blame–Unbridled Empire, by Empire Maker) rallied from off a contested pace to capture his second graded stakes win in the GII American Turf S. at Churchill. Third in both the GIII Pilgrim S. and Pulpit S. as a juvenile, the $375,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic buy took a Gulfstream optional claimer Jan. 13 and repeated there in the GIII Palm Beach S. Mar. 3. Finishing fifth last out in the GIII Transylvania S. Apr. 6 at Keeneland, the bay drifted up to 42-5 in this boggy-turf test and traveled in eighth as a trio of leaders sparred through splits of :23.79 and :48.39. Revving up on the latter half of the far turn, he swept to the lead a sixteenth from home and held sway from Untamed Domain (Animal Kingdom) to score by 1 1/4 lengths. The final time was 1:47.52 over the rain-softened course, almost six full seconds slower than Toinette (Scat Daddy) ran in winning the sophomore filly counterpart GIII Edgewood S. Friday on firm ground. The winner has a juvenile half-sister by Flatter who sold for $200,000 at KEESEP and a yearling Will Take Charge half-brother. His dam was bred to Runhappy last term. Sales History: $100,000 Ylg ’16 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 7-4-0-2, $348,510. O-Treadway Racing Stable; B-John R. & Frank Penn (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. View the full article

The Tabulator (Dialed In), who returned to the races with a dominating 6 1/4-length victory in Thursday’s Golden Circle S. at Prairie Meadows, is a candidate for the $400,000 GII Woody Stephens S. on Belmont Day June 9. A $460,000 OBS March graduate, The Tabulator won his first three starts, including the GIII Iroquois S. last September. In the Golden Circle he was making his first start since tasting defeat for the first time when fifth in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. “We wanted to shoot for an easy spot for his first start this year with him being off for so long,” trainer Larry Rivelli told Arlington Park’s Bailey Gallison. “I think that from two to three he is a little bit better of a horse, more mature which is good. [Jockey] Jose [Valdivia Jr.] sent me a text after the race and just said ‘Wow!’ He was impressed.” Other possible targets for The Tabulator include the June 23 GIII Ohio Derby, the GIII Indiana Derby July 14 and the GIII West Virginia Derby Aug. 4. Each race is worth $500,000. View the full article

American Gal pulled off what no other rival has against fellow grade 1 winner Finley'sluckycharm—she bested the daughter of Twirling Candy in her home state. View the full article

American Gal pulled off what no other rival has against fellow grade 1 winner Finley'sluckycharm—she bested the daughter of Twirling Candy in her home state. View the full article

Louisville native son Brad Cox has seen his star rise over the past three seasons, but his career hit the pinnacle when Monomoy Girl (Tapizar) outfought ‘TDN Rising Star’ Wonder Gadot (Medaglia d’Oro) to take a thrilling renewal of the GI Longines Kentucky Oaks in front of better than 113,000 at sunsplashed Churchill Downs. Cox greeted well-wishers outside his barn Saturday morning and reported all was well with Monomoy Girl and that it’s full steam ahead from here. “It was amazing,” the conditioner told the Churchill notes team. “It’s more than you would ever expect as far as the excitement and the thrill. It was an amazing race. It was an unbelievable quarter-mile. From the quarter pole to the wire, it was a battle. It was intense. It was a great outcome for us for sure. I couldn’t be happier.” Cox indicated that Monomoy Girl would ship to New York for the $700,000 GI Acorn S. on the Belmont S. undercard June 9. Plans are undefined for Sassy Sienna (Midshipman) and Kelly’s Humor (Midnight Lute), sixth and eighth, respectively, in the Oaks. For her part, Wonder Gadot is set to return to Canada for the June 9 Woodbine Oaks over the synthetic track. The Ontario-bred went wire-to-wire to win the GIII Mazarine S. by six lengths in her lone appearance over the surface last October. “That’s where she started, and they know her well, so I think it probably would make sense to get her up there and train over that track,” trainer Mark Casse said. “She actually loves the Tapeta, but of course we haven’t found much she doesn’t love.” Even bigger objectives loom assuming she comes through the Oaks well. “A good performance there and she’ll probably run in the Queen’s Plate,” Casse confirmed. Favored Midnight Bisou (Midnight Lute) emerged from her third-place effort in decent shape, despite a rough passage. “She’s OK, thank goodness,” said trainer Bill Spawr. “I just wish we would have been in a fair fight. [Jockey] Mike [Smith] told me that the first bang tilted him sideways and almost took his right foot out of the stirrup. Then when she got rolling on the turn for home, he got hit again. But she’s all right this morning and that’s what really matters. She’s better than I thought she would be.” Midnight Bisou returns to Southern California Tuesday, with her next start to be determined. View the full article

AMERICAN GAL (f, 4, Concord Point–American Story, by Ghostzapper) overcame an awkward start, stalked a slow pace and kicked away in the stretch to earn her second top-level success in the GI Humana Distaff S. at Churchill. Placed in a pair of Grade I’s for Bob Baffert as a 2-year-old, the Kaleem Shah homebred romped in the GIII Victory Ride S. first out for this barn and repeated with a convincing success in the GI Longines Test S. next out. Fourth after disputing a fast pace in the blanket-finish GI Madison S. last out Apr. 7 at Keeneland, the bay was made a fractional second choice at 29-10 in this spot and broke way outwardly at the start. Recovering quickly though, she tracked the speed of Finley’sluckycharm (Twirling Candy), heretofore unbeaten at Churchill through a soft opening quarter of :23.03. Inheriting the lead soon after straightening once that one dropped away, American Gal kicked away into the final furlong and held Ivy Bell (Ghostzapper) at bay to score by 1 3/4 lengths in 1:22.33 over the muddy going. Lifetime Record: 8-5-1-1, $902,700. O/B-Kaleem Shah Inc.; T-Simon Callaghan. View the full article

The Hall of Fame trainer increased his career win count to 8,000 when Lookin At Lee won the third race at Churchill Downs on the Kentucky Derby undercard. View the full article

The British Triple Crown dream is very much alive in 2018 after Ballydoyle’s “monster” Saxon Warrior (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) beat the cream of the milers in Saturday’s G1 Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket for a ninth renewal for Aidan O’Brien. In a year when the stable could conceivably win Triple Crowns in two continents, the heavily-supported 3-1 second favourite travelled easily for Donnacha O’Brien in the main group racing up the centre before being set alight running towards the two-furlong pole. Sweeping by Elarqam (GB) (Frankel {GB}) soon after, last year’s G1 Racing Post Trophy hero was soon into the clear and it was the 50-1 outsider Tip Two Win (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) who gave closest pursuit to narrow the margin to 1 1/2 lengths at the line. There was another head back to the strongly-backed 5-2 favourite Masar (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) in third. “This is very special and I have to give a huge thanks to all the owners for giving me the chance to ride him,” commented Donnacha, who followed brother Joseph in winning this Classic for his father Aidan. “He’s a very good horse–very special. I had planned to follow Jim Crowley [on Elarqam], but he turned his head when the stalls opened and I missed it. I followed Seamie [Heffernan, on Gustav Klimt] and when I got down to the two I got a bit excited and set off too early, but he’s a proper horse.” SAXON WARRIOR (JPN), c, 3, by Deep Impact (Jpn) 1st Dam: Maybe (Ire) (Ch. 2yo Filly-Eur, G1SW-Ire & G1SP-Eng, $469,223), by Galileo (Ire) 2nd Dam: Sumora (Ire), by Danehill 3rd Dam: Rain Flower (Ire), by Indian Ridge (Ire) O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt (JPN); T-Aidan O’Brien. T-Donnacha O’Brien. Lifetime Record: GSW-Ire, 4-4-0-0, £475,487. Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. View the full article

Cologne’s G2 Gerling-Preis is often the re-entry point for Germany’s leading older horses and Sunday’s edition is no exception with Horst Pudwill’s G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin and G2 Prix Foy hero Dschingis Secret (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) back under the domestic spotlight. Proving the latter defeat of Cloth of Stars (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) and Talismanic (GB) (Medaglia d’Oro) was no fluke when sixth in the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in October, the bay may have been feeling the effects of his Chantilly efforts when signing off with a third in Munich’s G1 Grosser Preis von Bayern a month later. Gestut Rottgen’s G1 Deutsches Derby hero Windstoss (Ger) (Shirocco {Ger}) could have a big year ahead of him as he reappears for the first time since stamping his authority on the G1 Preis von Europa over this course and distance in September. Both could be vulnerable under penalties up against Gestut Winterhauch’s progressive Veneto (Ger) (New Approach {Ire}), who took the 10 1/2-furlong course warm-up, the Apr. 2 Listed Grand Prix-Aufgalopp. View the full article

This truly huge weekend at Newmarket for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby also features the re-emergence of last year’s GI Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine Wuheida (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in Sunday’s G2 Charm Spirit Dahlia S. If all else fails and the Classic brigade come up short, it should be a straightforward task for the homebred as she returns after a career-best success from Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in that nine-furlong Del Mar contest. That win confirmed the promise she had shown when taking the previous year’s G1 Prix Marcel Boussac at Chantilly and her trainer is confident she can repel her apparently over-matched rivals despite a five-pound penalty. “Wuheida travelled back from Dubai earlier this week, having wintered very well out there,” he said. “She has done well from three to four and this looks a nice starting point for her. I am confident that she is going to run a big race if she brings her Group 1 form to the table. It will be her first start of the year and she will come on for it, but I have been very happy with her preparation. She has an array of options this season–whether we stay in Europe or go back to America for the summer–and we will see where we are with her on Sunday before deciding her campaign.” The one thing that last year’s Listed Garnet S. winner Elegant Pose (Ire) (Elusive Pimpernel) has in her favour is race-fitness, as the Anamoine homebred was third on heavy ground on her return in the G3 Park Express S. at Naas Mar. 25. View the full article

Nestled between Aidan O’Brien and Charlie Appleby in Sunday’s G1 Qipco 1000 Guineas S. is Karl Burke, whose Middleham stable is poised for a red-letter day as Laurens (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) bids to become only the fifth home-trained winner of the Classic since 2004. By an upcoming sire whose Ervedya (Fr) provided him with a breakthrough winner in a European Classic and whose Le Brivido (Fr) went so close to doubling up in last year’s G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains, the centrepiece of John Dance’s foray into serious bloodstock enterprise has already upstaged racing’s great powers when taking the G1 Fillies’ Mile over this course and distance in October. Making virtually all there, the imposing bay held on from Ballydoyle’s September (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) with the Appleby runner Magic Lily (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) back in third and it is likely that she has come forward over the winter. Her trainer thinks so. “She’s a well-balanced filly for one who is so big and who has such a massive stride. Now she’s that bit stronger, if she can keep that great gallop up, it’s going to be a good horse that gets by her,” he said. Laurens, who also captured the G2 May Hill S. under less aggressive tactics at Doncaster in September, is no less believable a winner of this as Speciosa (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) was when making all for the much smaller Pam Sly stable in 2006. Despite the temptation to throw everything into this, Burke is refusing to over-cook his stable’s luminary. “The thing is, although we want to win a Guineas, there’s a long season ahead of her,” he reasoned. “You can risk turning the screw with these fillies too early and we haven’t done that. She’s going to improve through the year, just naturally, more than us doing anything, and that’s the balancing act we have with her.” This Classic has kept Godolphin involved in the ever-shifting picture throughout the last two decades and Blue Bunting (Dynaformer) captured a similar renewal to this in 2011 when Charlie Appleby was assistant to Mahmood Al Zarooni. Appleby has stealthily carved out a successful training career in his own right and it is a measure of his dedication and skill that he has two strong contenders here in ‘TDN Rising Star’ Wild Illusion (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Soliloquy (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Both represent their sire’s versatility, with the former a product of stout German breeding which leans towards a stamina requirement and the latter from a quick Australian dynasty. William Buick has gone the way of the slick G3 Nell Gwyn S. scorer, who belied inexperience when making virtually all and beating the G3 Oh So Sharp S. winner Altyn Orda (Ire) (Kyllachy {GB}) in this track’s seven-furlong prep, with the general feeling being that last year’s G1 Prix Marcel Boussac heroine Wild Illusion loses an edge over her rivals as the ground dries. The latter is no one-dimensional mud-lover, however, with her half-sister Really Special (GB) (Shamardal) liking it on the fast side and able to win last year’s UAE 1000 Guineas Trial on Meydan’s dirt. Her dam Rumh (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}), who ended up as a pacemaker for the aforementioned Blue Bunting, had the pace to win the 2011 Listed Lord Weinstock Memorial S. by six lengths on good-to-firm and it could be that Wild Illusion has been pigeon-holed due to her impressive and clinical performance on testing ground on Arc day. Her winning time in the Marcel Boussac was faster than today’s big opponent Happily (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere on the same day. “We’re very happy with both fillies,” Appleby commented. “William rode Soliloquy in the Nell Gwyn and rode her in plenty of work before that. He was always very happy with her and she shows more pace than Wild Illusion, but Wild Illusion has never been a work horse so it was a hard decision for him. Visually, on race evidence, Soliloquy has got a bit more of a pace angle, whereas with Wild Illusion we are working back from an Oaks with her. Wild Illusion is ready to run and she brings Group 1 form into the race.” As usual, Aidan O’Brien has one big shot and some up-and-comers in the mix, but there has never been any doubt since Clemmie (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) exited the reckoning that Happily would be Ryan Moore’s ride. Her defeat of Olmedo (Fr) (Declaration of War) and Masar (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) in the Lagardere is, at face value, strong enough to win this but it is well-documented that she would be only the second from the stable to succeed on her seasonal bow alongside the high-class Minding (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), with the other Ballydoyle winners all coming off a prep. If there is a Homecoming Queen (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) or Winter (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) lurking, it is expected to be I Can Fly (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), who like the latter placed in Leopardstown’s G3 1,000 Guineas Trial S. on Apr. 14. “Happily is in good shape. She hasn’t run, but she’s in good form,” O’Brien said. “She’s a very good, professional filly with a good mind. I Can Fly [is] experienced enough too, we think. I’m happy with where they are.” One of the British trainers to interrupt the foreign run of success of late is Richard Hannon, whose Sky Lantern (Ire) (Red Clubs {Ire}) succeeded in 2013, and the East Everleigh-based trainer has a solid chance of a repeat in the Listed European Free H. winner Anna Nerium (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). If taking formlines strictly, the Stowell Hill homebred beat the colt Finniston Farm (GB) (Helmet {Aus}) further than Gustav Klimt (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) did in the Superlative when readily upstaging the colts in the seven-furlong prep on Apr. 18. Interestingly, she had others who contested the Superlative well behind there and last year had the subsequent G3 Nell Gwyn S. third Eirene (GB) (Declaration of War) back in second when causing a 40-1 shock in Salisbury’s G3 Dick Poole Fillies’ S. over six furlongs in September. Her full-brother Piping Rock (GB) was cut off in his prime when a legitimate 2000 Guineas contender for the same connections in 2014 and success for Anna Nerium would provide the breeding operation with a third European Classic. Bob McCreery, who was also responsible for the 1972 2000 Guineas hero High Top (Ire) and the 1989 Prix du Jockey Club and G1 Irish Derby winner Old Vic (GB), died in December 2016 after playing a major role in establishing the European Breeders’ Fund and supporting the Injured Jockeys Fund. The Hannons also have last year’s G3 Prestige S. winner Billesdon Brook (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) who is related to Anna Nerium and was fourth in the Nell Gwyn here on Apr. 18, and the unexposed Vitamin (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). Hussain Alabbas Lootah’s bay had Soliloquy two lengths back in second on the July Course here in August and is a live outsider with Jim Crowley on board. View the full article

We may often bemoan the demise of the owner-breeder but at this level of the racing programme it’s not uncommon to come up against blue-blooded homebreds from some of the sport’s biggest operations. However, the field of 15 for the QIPCO 1000 Guineas boasts representatives from breeders large and small, and six of the runners were offered for sale as yearlings, ranging in price from 16,000gns to 240,000gns. Altyn Orda (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}) Nurlan Bizakov’s homebred is the second foal of Alidiva’s daughter Albanka (Giant’s Causeway). The half-sister to 1000 Guineas winner Sleepytime was bought for the Hesmonds Stud owner for $350,000 by Charlie Gordon-Watson at the Keeneland September Sale of 2010 and was unplaced on her sole start. Anna Nerium (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) Bred at Stowell Hill by the late Bob McCreery, the European Free H. winner races for McCreery’s wife Jeanette, having been a 300,000gns vendor buy-back at Book 1 of Tattersalls’ October Sale. Her dam, the Gestut Rottgen-bred Anna Oleanda (Ire), is a daughter of another Stowell Hill graduate, Old Vic (GB), and was bought by the McCreerys for 45,000gns at Tattersalls’ December Sale of 2005. Billesdon Brook (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) Like Anna Nerium, Billesdon Brook was also bred at the McCreerys’ stud by the Stowell Hill Partners and hails from the same family, being out of Anna Oleanda’s daughter Coplow (GB) (Manduro {Ger}), whose first foal Billesdon Bess (GB) (Dick Turpin {GB}) is also declared to run at Newmarket today in the G2 Dahlia S. Dan’s Dream (GB) (Cityscape {GB}) A daughter from the first crop of the Overbury Stud-based G1 Dubai Duty Free winner, Dan’s Dream was bred by her part-owners Hunscote Stud and is the first foal of the unraced Royal Ffanci (GB) (Royal Applause {GB}), who was bought as a yearling for Hunscote owner Steven Smith by Henry Candy for 27,000gns. Happily (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) A pedigree that screams Guineas: her brother Gleneagles (Ire) won the colts’ version in 2015, sister Marvellous landed the Irish 1000 Guineas and her dam You’resothrilling (Storm Cat) is a Group 2-winning sister to Engligh and Irish 2000 Guineas runner-up to Giant’s Causeway, who went on to win five Group 1 races and sire Ghanaati and Footsepsinthesand (GB), both winners of the Newmarket Classics. Bred and raced by Coolmore affiliates. I Can Fly (GB) (Fastnet Rock{Aus}) Bred by the late Walter Swinburn under the Rockwell Bloodstock banner, I Can Fly was sold for 240,000gns through his brother Michael’s Genesis Green Stud consignment for 240,000gns at Book 2 of the October Sale. Swinburn also bred and trained the dam Madonna Dell’Orto (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}), a half-sister to the G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains winner Landseer (GB) (Danehill). Laurens (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) The top-priced filly when offered by Coulonces Consignment at the Goffs UK Premier Sale of 2016, Laurens was bought by owner John Dance for £220,000. Bred by Francois Mathet, she is a daughter of the dual winner Recambe (Fr) (Cape Cross {Ire}), herself a half-sister to G1 Hong Kong Derby winner Helene Mascot (Ire) (Peintre Celebre), who raced in the UK as Salford Mill. Liquid Amber (Kitten’s Joy) The Niarchos family homebred is the second foal of the dual Grade III winner Pachattack (Pulpit), bought by Flaxman Holdings for $1.2-million as a 5-year-old from the Fasig-Tipton November Sale of 2011. Madeline (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) Sold by Owenstown Stud for 140,000gns at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Sale, Madeline was bred by Manfred Wurtenberger from the Marchand De Sable mare Madhulika (Fr), a sister to the multiple listed winner Dolma (Fr) whose daughter Thistle Bird (GB) (Selkirk) won the G1 Pretty Polly S. Sarrocchi (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) Bred in partnership by China Horse Club and Eddie Irwin’s Rockhart Trading Ltd., she was sold as an unraced 2-year-old for €215,000 at Goffs last October and, having returned to Ballydoyle, won her maiden four days later. Sarrocchi is the third foal of Thai Haku (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), a French listed winner bought by Eaton Sales for 650,000gns in 2012 and sold at Goffs last November for €250,000. Sizzling (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) Another Coolmore homebred out of Weekend Strike (Smart Strike), who was bought by David Nagle’s Barronstown Stud for $2.3-million at Keeneland in November 2011. Soliloquy (GB) (Dubawi {Ire} A Godolphin homebred out of the Australian listed winner Dysphonia (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}) from a family inherited when Sheikh Mohammed purchased the Ingham family’s Woodlands Stud in 2008. Vitamin (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) A €95,000 Goffs Orby yearling purchase by Stephen Hillen and Richard Hughes from Glenvale Stud, Vitamin was bred by Ben Sangster, as was her dam True Verdict (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). She hails from a family which has had a decent slice of Classic success and traces back to the Moller brothers’ Irish 1000 Guineas winner Favoletta (GB). Wild Illusion (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) Another Godolphin homebred out of the Gestut Fahrhof-bred Rumh (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}), who was bought for 300,000gns at October Book 1 by John Ferguson and went on to win the Listed Ballymacoll Stud S. at three. The mare’s first foal, Really Special (GB) (Shamardal), was a listed-winning juvenile. Worship (GB) (Havana Gold {Ire}) Bred by Bobby and Honora Donworth’s Roundhill Stud in partnership with JS Investments, Worship is the least expensive of the 1000 Guineas field as a 16,000gns October Book 2 yearling who was later withdrawn from the Ascot Breeze-up Sale. She is the first foal of the G2 San Clemente H. winner Up In Time (GB) (Noverre), bought by Roundhill Stud for 110,000gns and bred by Larry Stratton, who also features as the co-breeder of Havana Gold’s 2000 Guineas runner Headway (GB). View the full article

The were emotional scenes at Morphettville on Saturday as young jockey Harry Coffey recorded his first Group 1 win aboard the Darren Weir trained Sopressa (Aus) (So You Think {NZ}) in the G1 Schweppes Oaks. The 22-year-old suffers from Cystic Fibrosis but there was absolutely nothing going to get in the way of his first top level success as he gave the filly a fantastic ride to fend off Sheezdashing (Aus) (Myboycharlie {Ire}) and Miss Admiration (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}) by a neck and a short head. The winner was brilliant out of the gates, gaining at least a length on the field and Coffey was able to reign his mount back and take a position in fourth on the rails as Bring Me Roses (Aus) (High Chaparral {Ire}), Think Bleue (Aus) (So You Think {NZ}) and Pretty To Sea (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) ensured the pace was strong. Turning into the straight Think Bleue was still at the head of affairs but Sopressa was travelling well in second one off the rail. When Coffey got serious with the filly she took a while to hit top gear and it was only inside the last half furlong that she got her head in front and in fairness to Coffey he could not have timed his run any better. “This is just so special for Harry and his family, no better moment,” Darren Weir told Racing.com after the race. “It means so much for all of us. It’s a dream come true for Harry and also me to be able to give Harry his first Group 1 winner,” he added. Coffey was on a high afterwards and was quick to offer his gratitude to Weir for giving him the opportunity. “Darren’s probably wondered at stages if I’d be able to deliver on the day with what I’ve been through because I can remember as a little kid him visiting me in hospital,” the jockey said. It means a lot and my family would be so proud.” Sopressa arrived as a leading candidate for the Oaks having won the G3 Schweppervescence S. at Morphettville on her previous start on April 21. Up to that her form had been a bit hit and miss; it took her seven runs to break her maiden, which she did at Kyneton in March before finishing only seventh in a listed race at Morphettville over a mile April 7. She easily produced a career best on Saturday when upped to 2000m and her future looks bright. Pedigree notes… Sopressa’s sire So You Think (NZ) is really coming to the fore in the Southern Hemisphere after a slightly underwhelming start to his stallion career in Europe. He has sired 12 stakes winners to date and it is no surprise genetically that Sopressa is one of them given the race record of her dam Hidden Strings (Aus) (Weasel Clause {Aus}). Her eight wins included the G2 Marsh Classic and her record at stud is no less impressive with her five named foal all winners. Hidden Strings was also the highest achiever among her own siblings but her grand dam Sunshine Sue (NZ) (Agricola {GB}) won nine races and was stakes placed before producing the black type performers Rainy Day (Aus) (Wilkes {Aus}) and Wilsuelou (Aus) (Wilkes {Aus}), the latter subsequently becoming the dam of G3 Debutante S winner On With It (Aus) (Keen {Aus}). Since Sopressa, Hidden Strings has foaled a filly by Written Tycoon (Aus) in 2015, a colt by Warhorse (NZ) in 2016 and was barren in 2017. Click for the free arion.co.nz catalogue-style pedigree. SCHWEPPES OAKS-G1, A$501,810 (US$378,323/£279,713/€316,196), SAJC, 5-05, 3yo, f, Open Set, 2000mT, 2:04.34, soft. 1–SOPRESSA (AUS), 56.0, f, 3, by So You Think (NZ) 1st Dam: Hidden Strings, by Weasel Clause 2nd Dam: Shining Sue, by Buoy (GB) 3rd Dam: Sunshine Sue (NZ), by Agricola (GB) 1st GROUP 1 WIN. (A$70,000 Wlg ’15 INGJUN) O-D Molloy, Mrs D Molloy, N Antonio, S Molloy, P Molloy, P White, C Matthews, B Molloy, A Molloy, A Thompson, G Wakefield, R Dickinson, Mrs P Dickinson, G Orr, R Orr, B Molloy, Boatm; B-Victorian Stallion Partnership VIC; T-D K Weir; J-H Coffey; A$321,810. Lifetime Record: 10-3-2-2, A$433,420. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A 2–Sheezdashing (Aus), 56.0, f, 3, Myboycharlie (Ire)–Dashing Oberon (Aus), by Falbrav (Ire). (A$52,500 Ylg ’16 INGAPR) O-D Romanelli, B E Arnhold, Mrs M J Wilson, D M Richards, R WFenwick, A Darivas, C Drabsch, R J Donazzan, L R Heinze, Mrs J G Grace & L Webb; B-Mr D Romanelli VIC; T-M Ellerton & S Zahra; J-Damien Thornton; A$85,000. 3–Miss Admiration (Aus), 56.0, f, 3, Sebring (Aus) –Admiring (Aus), by Street Cry (Ire). (A$210,000 Ylg ’16 INGAPR) O-Segenhoe Thoroughbreds Australia Syndicate (Mgr: K W Maloney), A C Lloyd Jones, Dad Racing Syndicate (Mgr: D Marulli), A D Powick, Beautiful Sell Syndicate (Mgr: C A McDonald), B A; B-G & G Bloodstock Australia Pty Ltd WA; T-MG Price; J-B Melham; A$40,000. Margins: 0.3, 0.4, 0.7. Odds: 11/2, 15/1, 25/1. Also Ran: Pleasuring (Aus), Think Bleue (Aus), Aloisia (NZ), Savacool (NZ), Semari (NZ), Temple of Bel (Aus), Pure Scot (Aus), Pretty to Sea (NZ), Earth Angel (Aus), Velocita (Aus), Bring Me Roses (Aus). Click for the Racing Post result. View the full article

Eagle Way won last year’s Queen Mother Memorial Cup and he has the class to go back-to-back in the Group Three at Sha Tin on Sunday. The John Moore-trained five-year-old relishes the 2,400m trip, with his four starts over the journey returning two wins, including the Group One Queensland Derby, a third in the Champions & Chater Cup and an unplaced run in the Hong Kong Vase after an interrupted preparation. He caught the eye with a third in the Group One QE II Cup behind Pakistan Star... View the full article

Joao Moreira is confident three-year-olds Raging Storm and Hezthewonforus can bounce back from last start defeats as favourite as the Brazilian’s battle with Zac Purton for the jockeys’ championship continues today at Sha Tin. Raging Storm disappointed as 1.5 favourite last time out while Hezthewonforus ran well first-up but had the misfortune of clashing into another smart three-year-old in Win Beauty Win. Trainer John Size has put pacifiers on Raging Storm since that ineffectual... View the full article

The G1 Ubet Classic for fillies and mares over 1200m at Morphettville looked an open and deep affair but the Anthony Freedman trained Shoals (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) absolutely tore the field apart and romped home almost two lengths clear under Tim Clark. Although she broke smartly from her wide draw Clark elected to allow Shoals drift back through the pack as Missrock (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and Its Been A Battle (Aus) (Nicconi {Aus}) matched strides up front. As they prepared to hit the straight the field fanned out and no one was wider than Shoals who began a sweeping run just as they turned. The 3-year-old showed a great burst of acceleration to hit the front 200 metres from home and she continued to extend all the way to the line. Secret Agenda (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}) won the battle for second from Mica Lil (Aus) (Testa Rossa {Aus}) but in truth the winner was different class on the day. It was a third top level win for the filly and one that opened up the distinct possibility of a trip to Royal Ascot next month. “She’s an outstanding filly,” Anthony Freedman told Racing.com. “Three Group 1s out of 10 runs, not many do that. She was dominant today and it was a very good race, so she’s gone up a couple of levels and we’ll give Royal Ascot a lot of thought. We have to talk to [owners] John Messara and Jonathon Munz and if that is the decision then she’d fly out probably the end of May.” Having enjoyed a four race winning streak from debut that included a victory in the G2 Percy Sykes S. at Randwick last April, Shoals then met with defeat when second in both the G2 Schweppes Thousand Guineas Prelude and the G1 Schweppes Thousand Guineas. She proved her class when taking the G1 Myer Classic at Flemington last November before a rare lapse saw her finish in rear in the G3 Kevin Hayes S. on her reappearance at Caulfield in February. Shoals then bounced back in style to win the G1 James Boag’s Premium Surround S. at Randwick in March and she will prove a tough nut for the European sprinters to crack should she make her way north next month. Pedigree notes… Coolmore’s Fastnet Rock (Aus) needs no introduction and The Broken Shore (Aus) (Hussonet), Shoals’ dam is another whose fantastic lineage has been well documented. Although she recorded just the solitary win, it was entirely likely that The Broken Shore would produce a top level winner given she is a half-sister to the highly influential Group 1 winners and champions Platinum Scissors (Aus) (Danehill), Redoute’s Choice (Aus) (Danehill) and Manhattan Rain (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}) not to mention the GSW Sliding Cube (Aus) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}). The last named is proving an elite producer with her two runners Rubick (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}) and Echoes Of Heaven (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}) both stakes winners who have been placed at the highest level. With Arrowfield Stud bred Shoals being her first produce, The Broken Shore has some exciting stock waiting in the wings. Tides (Aus), a 2015 born full-sister to Shoals has yet to race and she delivered a full-brother in 2016 who was purchased by Anthony Freedman for A$2.3-million at Inglis last month. Her 2017 produce is also a colt, by Medaglia D’Oro. Click for the free arion.co.nz catalogue-style pedigree. UBET Classic (Robert Sangster S.)-G1, A$1,002,120, SAJC, 5-05, f/m Open, 1200mT, 1:09.19, Soft. 1--SHOALS (AUS), 55.0, f, 3, by Fastnet Rock (Aus) 1st Dam: The Broken Shore (Aus), by Hussonet 2nd Dam : Shantha’s Choice (Aus), by Canny Lad (Aus) 3rd Dam: Dancing Show, by Nijinsky (CAN) O-Pinecliff Racing (Mgr: J B Munz) & Arrowfield Pastoral Pty Ltd (Mgr: J M Messara); B-Arrowfield Pastoral Pty Ltd NSW; T-Anthony Freedman; J-Tim Clark; A$642,120. Lifetime Record: 10-7-2-0, A$2,004,270. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Secret Agenda (Aus), 56.5, m, 5, Not a Single Doubt (Aus)–Negotiate (Aus), by Red Ransom. (A$120,000 Ylg ’14 MMLJAN) O-Blueblood Thoroughbreds, Mrs L Lewis, S Misra, Ms K L Yorston, Dynasty No 11, J A Wilson, M P Heaney, W Winterburn, D A Marshall, S J Cosson, Mrs P A Cosson, Island Sands, T D Parr; B-Arrowfield Pastoral Pty Ltd & Planette Thoroughbred NSW; T-M G Price; J-D Oliver; A$170,000. 3–Mica Lil (Aus), 56.5, m, 4, Testa Rossa (Aus)–Gemstone (NZ), by Pentire (GB). (A$55,000 Ylg ’15 MMLJAN) O-N J House, S N Jones, Mrs J V Short, J M & P J Gray, J A Smith, Mrs M B Gibb, Mrs E E Taylor, I N Dally, J W Ray, D W Trott, M & P Bock, S Bosley, B Cefai, S Johns, R Searle, J Doy; B-Mr A Galbraith NSW; T-M S Minervini; J-S Cahill; A$80,000. Margins: 1.8, 2.8, 2.9. Odds: 11/1, 17/2, 90/1. Also Ran: True Excelsior (NZ), Whispering Brook (Aus), Mystified (Aus), Catchy (Aus), Missrock (Aus), Quilista (Aus), Legless Veuve (NZ), Super Cash (Aus), Pedrena (Aus), Dainty Tess (Aus), Formality (Aus), Tulip (Aus), Miss Gunpowder (Aus), It’s Been a Battle (Aus). Click for the Racing Post result View the full article

A wide post, brutal stretch duel, and post-race objection could not change the result. Monomoy Girl scored the $1 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) May 4 at Churchill Downs. View the full article