Wandering Eyes

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday’s Insights features a half-brother to G1SW Benbatl (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). 4.20 Newbury, Mdn, £8,550, 3yo, 8fT TA ALLAK (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) is another significantly-bred member of the Roger Varian stable to emerge at this crucial stage of the season, being a half-brother to the recent G1 Dubai Turf hero Benbatl (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s son of the MG1SW Nahrain (GB) (Selkirk) encounters another newcomer of note in the Gredleys’s Olympic Odyssey (GB) (Camelot {GB}), a George Scott-trained half-brother to the owner’s G1 2000 Guineas third Olympian Odyssey (GB) (Sadler’s Wells). 4.55 Newbury, Mdn, £15,000, 3yo, 11fT SHAREEF STAR (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) has caught the eye of workwatchers in Newmarket of late and debuts for the Sir Michael Stoute stable in this intriguing maiden. Ryan Moore is on Saeed Suhail’s 700,000gns TATOCT son of the useful Gotlandia (Fr) (Anabaa), whose equally exciting unraced stablemate Crystal King (GB) (Frankel {GB}) joins him. Sir Evelyn de Rothschild’s homebred is a half-brother to the fellow Freemason Lodge representatives Crystal Capella (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), Crystal Ocean (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) and Hillstar (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), all of whom flew the flag for the yard in recent times. 5.40 Nottingham, Mdn, £7,000, 3yo, 10f 50yT DEPARTMENT OF WAR (IRE) (Declaration of War), a half-brother to the high-class miler Toormore (Ire) (Arakan) and G2 Champagne S. winner Estidhkaar (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) who represents a relatively new link up in Smith/Magnier/Tabor/Jooste and the Richard Hannon stable. He meets fellow unraced colt Mazboon (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s 400,000gns TATFOA purchase from the Roger Varian stable whose family links with the afternoon’s Newbury maiden runner Olympic Odyssey (GB) (Camelot {GB}). View the full article

7th-KEE, $76K, Alw, 3yo, 6f, 4:24 p.m. ET AUTOSTRADE (Giant’s Causeway) looks to continue the legacy of his late sire and take his record to two-for-two in this spot. The $400,000 OBSMAR buy romped by five lengths in his six-panel debut at Gulfstream Mar. 11 and prepped for this with a five-panel bullet in 1:01 4/5 at Palm Beach Downs Apr. 14. The chestnut is out of SP Hot Trip (Trippi), a full-sister to GISW R Heat Lightning. Stonestreet Stables’ Chaos Theory (Curlin) also looks to keep his perfect record in tact after a first-out score sprinting on the turf at Fair Grounds Feb. 18 for Mark Casse. TJCIS PPs. —@CDeBernardisTDN View the full article

The “people’s horse” is no longer just a concept. A filly by California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) out of Colerful Bride (Munnings) was born Wednesday evening at Taylor Made Farm, the biggest step to date in bringing journalist Geoffrey Gray’s innovative concept to life. Gray is the founder of True.Ink, an interactive magazine devoted to adventure stories. True doesn’t want its readers to simply read the story but to experience it. True’s readers, or members, as Gray calls them, get to go well beyond the traditional printed page. When the on-line, interactive magazine covers something like a search for buried treasure in Mexico, the readers are invited to physically come along on the treasure hunt. Gray got the idea to involve horse racing as part of True’s menu after a chance encounter with handicapper Michael (The Wizard) Kipness at a grocery store checkout line in 2015 in Saratoga. Kipness told Gray the story of a claimer he owned and the journalist was immediately captured by the colorful, suspenseful, roller-coaster ride that is racing and breeding. So, through crowdfounding, he started raising money and began the “people’s horse” project. The idea was that anyone who got involved would experience virtually everything there is to experience when it comes to ownership, breeding and racing. All Gray needed was a horse. Gray partnered with the team at Taylor Made, where California Chrome stands at stud, and they agreed to go in with him and his readers on a foal by the two-time Horse of the Year. The birth of the foal was broadcast live on a “horsecam” that streams the view from Colerful Bride’s stall 24-7. Gray said “at least” 1,000 people watched the horse being born. He was there in person to witness the birth. “Many people in the horse world have had that experience before, but not me,” he said. “To be able to be there and share it with our members was so once-in-a-lifetime. I’ll never forget that. I’ll never forget that feeling of the foal’s slobber on my fingers. We have a baby girl now to look after. Oh, my God. “I was floored and really a bit chilled by the sincerity of emotion coming from our members and our team. Literally, one night there was one horse in the stall and today there are two. One of them is ours and now we have a new member of the family to look after.” Because True does not accept advertising, in order for the readers to share in any of the stories they must pay a membership fee. About 600 people are currently members of the “the people’s horse” and memberships are still available. Prices range from $99 to $500 and additional privileges come with the pricier levels. Beyond being able to read about the foal and to watch her progress on various streaming outlets, the members were able to vote on which mare among a handful made available by Taylor Made they would breed to and they will be allowed to vote on what the horse will be named. (According to The Jockey Club records, the name The People’s Horse is available). Additional benefits include tours of Taylor Made, where they can visit California Chrome, Colerful Bride and their weanling baby. “Our challenge is to share the emotional thrill, and the ups and downs, the rawness, to share the emotions that horses can naturally bring,” Gray said. “We’re not interested in it just for ourselves, we’re interested in sharing it with as many people and as many members as we can. The horse is not just something that will give us personal pleasure, but can unite our community.” Members may not be entitled to any of the earnings of the horse, which is usually the case when people pay small fees to join fan club-style setups that purchase horses. Several racetracks have opened similar stables. Rather, people are paying for the experience, one that is otherwise beyond the financial means of many. “There’s a little bit of a proletariat class element to this,” Gray said. “This is a statement where we are saying you don’t need to be super wealthy to have all the fun.” When asked to describe the typical member of the “people’s horse” ownership group, Gray said: “It’s a funky bunch, but they are all dreamers. We are all dreamers.” Taylor Made’s involvement is part of the farm’s commitment to bringing owners into the sport and Gray said none of this would have been possible without the backing and support of the farm. Will someone who went in on the “people’s horse” as a bit of a lark become a more traditional owner? Gray believes they will. “It’s bound to happen,” he said. “When you put people and horses together there are marriages that happen there. Horses are addictive; the dream, the gambling, the high stakes. Those are real intoxicants. That’s one drug. The other drug is the chance to be around them. Horses are such special animals.” View the full article

This Q&A is part of an ongoing series where current trainees of the Godolphin Flying Start sit down with graduates of the programme to discuss their career successes. Godolphin Flying Start graduate Scott Calder recently returned home to New Zealand to begin his role as sales and nominations manager at Cambridge Stud. Scott graduated from Godolphin Flying Start in 2011, he then worked in Ireland for Coolmore Stud in marketing for 18 months followed by a sales and marketing position at Ashford Stud for the past five years. Current Godolphin Flying Start trainee Liam Elvidge caught up with Scott to discuss his return home to New Zealand and his new role at the historic Cambridge Stud. LE: Could you talk about your background in the industry? SC: My dad works in the industry in New Zealand, so I grew up around it without ever working hands on with the horses. I started working at Curraghmore Stud during university because I needed a holiday job and wanted to get a feel for it. I really enjoyed it and around the same time heard about Flying Start so I continued to spend all the time I could working at Curraghmore in addition to a summer with the New Zealand Racing Board. When the time came to graduate I had decided I wanted to stick with the horses and was very fortunate to be selected for Flying Start that year. LE: Who have been the biggest role models in your career so far? SC: That’s a tough one to answer as there have been so many people that have helped me while on Flying Start and at Coolmore, but I’d probably have to go back to where it all started. My parents have always been a huge support and Gordon Cunningham at Curraghmore got me going in the business and has been a constant source of advice ever since. I often look back and think how lucky I was to start at Curraghmore, Gordon does a great job and it’s probably fair to say if I hadn’t enjoyed it so much I might be working for a bank or something like that. LE: What are you most looking forward to in your new role at Cambridge Stud? SC: My title is sales and nominations manager, so I’ll be involved in the promotion of the stallion roster which is made up of Tavistock (NZ), who has quickly established himself as one of the best Classic sires in Australasia, and Burgundy (NZ) and Highly Recommended (Aus), who have both had group winners from their first 3-year-olds this season. I grew up in Cambridge so it means a lot to be returning home to be involved in a new phase of a farm that has been such a significant part of the New Zealand industry over the years. LE: What was the most memorable moment of your time in America? SC: Being at Ashford for the first few years of American Pharoah’s stud career was a pretty surreal experience. The day he arrived at the farm was one thing in particular that I’ll always remember. There was a small collection of media but mostly it was just the farm staff and some family members assembled and it was just a really cool thing to experience first hand. LE: What advice would you give to people thinking of applying for Godolphin Flying Start or wanting to get involved in the industry? SC: I’d say to try and get as close to as many quality horses as you can. At the end of the day it doesn’t matter what you end up doing in the industry, you need to understand what makes a top racehorse as that’s what it all comes down to at the end of the day. View the full article

One of the main focuses of attention for the last year’s G1 St Leger, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum’s Defoe (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}) was only 10th there but connections are keen to wipe the slate clean and begin again in Newbury’s G3 John Porter S. on Saturday. Having taken the 11-furlong Listed Glasgow S. at Hamilton in July and G3 Geoffrey Freer S. over an extended 13 furlongs here the following month, he was on a roll until his momentum abruptly halted in that Doncaster Classic. “He’s been working well and he loves the track,” trainer Roger Varian said. “I’m sure there will still be a bit of give underfoot and he’d appreciate that.” The Queen’s Call To Mind (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) was third to Defoe in the Glasgow before winning the Listed March S. at Goodwood in August and finishing a short-neck second to the subsequent G1 Prix Royal-Oak hero Ice Breeze (GB) (Nayef) in the G2 Prix Chaudenay at Chantilly in September. Trainer William Haggas said, “He’s fine and ready to go. The ground should be fine for him and this looks a good place to start. We’ve been pleased with how he’s wintered. He’s grown up a lot. He’s a horse who stays well and we’ve looked after him as a young horse, so hopefully that will come to fruition this season.” View the full article

On another big day for Juddmonte, Gavota (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}) puts her 1000 Guineas credentials on the line in Saturday’s G3 Dubai Duty Free S., or Fred Darling, at Newbury. Third in the G2 Rockfel S. and second to Altyn Orda (Ire) (Kyllachy {GB}) in the G3 Oh So Sharp S. over this trip at Newmarket during the autumn, the homebred sets the standard on that form. Khalid Abdullah’s racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe commented, “She probably didn’t quite handle the dip as well as some of the others, but she ran very decently in both races at Newmarket and the form of the second race looks solid after the Nell Gwyn. She’s a neat, smallish filly and she still has a winter coat on her, but the coat itself is gleaming so she’s in good shape. If she won very well then Prince Khalid would have to make a decision about where he wants to go, but I would think if she won well she might be more of a French Guineas type.” This is a race which the Hannons have enjoyed much success in and the stable have a trio this time which includes a live contender in Shadwell’s Tajaanus (Ire) (Arcano {Ire}), who beat the subsequent Rockfel winner Juliet Capulet (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in Newmarket’s G3 Sweet Solera S. at this distance in August. Only seventh in Doncaster’s G2 May Hill S. over a mile in September, she had excuses that day. “Tajaanus has wintered really well according to Richard and he is extremely happy with her heading into Saturday’s race,” racing manager Angus Gold said. “She had enjoyed a good season last year, but that had probably caught up with her by the time she ran in the May Hill. She is a daughter of Arcano, so whether she stays a mile will be interesting in time, but that is why we are running, so we can see what sort of plans we could make for her this season. She is entered in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket. I don’t think she probably is good enough to run in that race, but Saturday will tell us everything.” View the full article

Reputation tarnished after a flop in the G1 Dewhurst S., Khalid Abdullah’s Expert Eye (GB) (Acclamation {GB}) returns to the fray with a G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas tilt still on the cards in Saturday’s G3 Al Basti Equiworld Supporting Greatwood Greenham S. at Newbury. Last of nine when 4-7 favourite for that Newmarket feature in October, the homebred had previously been the season’s main talking point after powering to an emphatic success in the G2 Vintage S. at Glorious Goodwood in August. Sir Michael Stoute has had all winter to retrieve his spark and as he proved with King’s Best in 2000 he is the master at sending excitable colts in the right direction. “We had huge expectations going into the Dewhurst and there was no getting away from it, it was very disappointing,” the owner-breeder’s racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe commented. “That having been said, I hope we’ve got on top of his issues. Sir Michael has worked hard and the horse himself is in very good shape. It’s an important race for him to get back on track, we know he has the talent–it’s a question of channelling that correctly.” The Gredleys’s James Garfield (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) was over five-lengths fourth behind Expert Eye in the Vintage prior to winning the G2 Mill Reef S. here in September. Last seen finishing 10th in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf in November, he offers a real measurement of where his Juddmonte rival is now compared to where he was last summer. “This race has been the plan since the Breeders’ Cup and I’m very much looking forward to getting him started,” trainer George Scott said. “He has form at the track, obviously, having broken the track record over six furlongs for two-year-olds when he won the Mill Reef. I’m very happy with my horse and this is a trial that will hopefully answer a lot of questions. I would have preferred it if the ground had dried out a bit more, but he does have some very good form with cut in the ground, so I’m fairly relaxed about it, to be honest.” Sultan Ali’s Hey Gaman (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) captured the Listed Washington Singer S. over this course and distance on his favoured soft ground in August before running second in the G2 Champagne S. at Doncaster the next month. “This has been his target since last year and it looks like we’re going to get some give in the ground, which he will appreciate,” trainer James Tate commented. “He’s flying at home. He weighs 560 kilos–he’s a huge horse–and I have little doubt that he’s improved from two to three. He obviously likes the track and the conditions should suit, so we’re expecting a big run.” Daniel Macauliffe and Anoj Don’s G2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte winner Fighting Irish (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) is another trying his hand with the Classics in mind and trainer Harry Dunlop is hopeful of a bold show. “He has wintered well, he has strengthened and he seems really well,” he said. “He won well over six furlongs at Maisons-Lafitte in October and we are running him in the Greenham to see if he stays seven furlongs. We’ll see how he runs on Saturday, but if he seems to stay the trip, we are thinking about races including the French and German Guineas with him, so we’ll see what happens.” View the full article

3rd-NBY, £8,550, Mdn, 4-20, 3yo, f, 10fT, 2:12.07, g/s. LAH TI DAR (GB) (f, 3, by Dubawi (Ire) 1st Dam: Dar Re Mi (GB) (Hwt. Older Mare-Eng at 11-14f, G1SW-Eng, Ire & UAE, GSW & G1SP-Fr, GISP-US, $4,359,112), by Singspiel (Ire) 2nd Dam: Darara (Ire), by Top Ville (Ire) 3rd Dam: Delsy (Fr), by Abdos (Fr) Lah Ti Dar was always going to attract keen attention as the latest progeny out of the esteemed Dar Re Mi to hit the track and she was duly sent off the 7-2 joint favourite for this race won four times since 2010 by the John Gosden stable. Settled in fourth early by Frankie Dettori, the bay homebred was coaxed into contention in early straight and had the measure of Arcadian Cat (Kitten’s Joy) with two furlongs remaining. Asked to stretch all the way to the line, she built momentum to power away for an ultimately impressive six-length success. Dar Re Mi, who was a TDN Rising Star herself when successful by seven lengths in a Sandown maiden in April 10 years ago, went on to win three times at the top level in the Yorkshire Oaks, Pretty Polly S. and Dubai Sheema Classic. Also controversially disqualified from first place in the G1 Prix Vermeille, she is a daughter of the 1986 Vermeille heroine Darara whose other progeny included the ill-fated G1 Prince of Wales’s S. and G1 Dubai Sheema Classic hero Rewilding (GB) (Tiger Hill {Ire}) and the Hong Kong champion Diaghilev (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells). Dar Re Mi’s daughter So Mi Dar (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) was built in her image, winning the G3 Musidora S. and finishing third in the G1 Prix de l’Opera, GSW-Eng & G1SP-Fr, $242,742, while she also produced the smart De Treville (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), MGSP-Fr, $112,069, her first foal who sold for 850,000gns at Tattersalls five years ago. Her 2016 and 2017 colts are both also by Dubawi. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $7,789. O-Lord Lloyd-Webber; B-Watership Down Stud (GB); T-John Gosden. Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. View the full article

In the last three weeks, since the technical opening of ParisLongchamp, many people have had a chance to look around and gather an idea of what the new-look racecourse is about. From now on, the game is on and France Galop looks forward to that. A provisory first head count indicates that more than 20,000 people will gather there a week on Sunday to watch the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, cut the ribbon along with France Galop boss Edouard de Rothschild. They might also witness Cracksman (GB) (Frankel {GB}) winning the G1 Prix Ganay, whose purse has been doubled for this special occasion to €600,000. Racegoers and the whole racing tribe will enjoy a unique day, with plenty of action on and off course, as the French DJ The Avener performing for the crowd after the races to the late hours of the day. The new Brasserie by the paddock will open for the first time for owners, trainers and friends. It will close again after the event as the kitchens are not quite finished yet, and after the final touches are made it will be open every week for lunch from Wednesday to Sunday in addition to racing days. Many hospitality events are available for the public and the members on Sunday for the big opening, and most are available for booking either on the France Galop website or through the French Racing and Breeding Committee. The five meetings held at ParisLongchamp since the opening have allowed the France Galop team to make the required amendments so that everybody can move around and find the right place to enjoy the action. The next step will be the Qatar Arc weekend, on the first Sunday in October. The biggest crowd of the French season will gather at ParisLongchamp for the first time after two years of scenic exile by Chantilly’s castle and its Grandes Écuries. By then, ParisLongchamp will have reached full gear. But acceleration is more exciting than speed, isn’t it? View the full article

After some minor foot issues delayed the start of his season, Agave Racing Stable and Jeffry Wilke's grade 1 winner Ransom the Moon will get back on the track in a familiar spot April 21 at Santa Anita Park. View the full article

Due to renovations being undertaken at The Orangery, this year’s Goffs London Sale will take place in slightly different surroundings. While the address for the fifth renewal of the sale, Kensington Palace, remains the same, the auction will now be held on the greenfield Perks Field site in Kensington Palace Gardens, as usual on the eve of Royal Ascot June 18. The sale has provided some stunning results in its history to date, including selling a Classic winner in Jet Setting (Ire) (Fast Company {Ire}) for £1.3-million in 2016 and Goffs chief executive Henry Beeby is looking forward to building on that success in two months time. “We have been thrilled with how the sale has developed and grown since 2014 with numerous success stories to come out of it, but we are always looking to improve and refine it each year,” Beeby said. “As we prepare for the fifth sale, the new site will allow us to create something bespoke and as a shop window on the eve of the most global race meeting in the world, we want to provide a spectacular experience for those who attend whether they are a new or existing buyer,” he added. Goffs have stepped up the recruitment process for the sale to ensure another quality catalogue and as in previous years QIPCO are the title sponsor of the event and their representative David Redvers said, “As we always believed it would, the Goffs London Sale has established itself as a key event in the season and the perfect way to start Royal Ascot week. It is bringing new investors into the sport by providing them with the opportunity to own a Royal Ascot runner. As title sponsors, we are delighted with how the sale has developed and we very much look forward to this year’s renewal.” View the full article

Zac Purton has started the mind games with Joao Moreira ahead of the Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize, saying he would have chosen Ivictory over Beat The Clock if the decision was his, an opinion seemingly vindicated by the sprinter’s scintillating dirt trial at Sha Tin on Friday. Moreira was left with the tough decision between the two John Size-trained four-year-olds, with Beat The Clock a more proven conveyance at the top level but Ivictory an up-and-coming talent many have... View the full article

Champion jockey Joao Moreira looks the key factor for improving Amazing Satchmo as he looks for back-to-back wins in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Community Trophy (1,400m) at Sha Tin on Saturday. The David Ferraris-trained Amazing Satchmo is lightly raced and giving every impression he is going to make his mark in Class Three in time so this Class Four trophy event should be within his scope. The challenge is that he is dropping back from 1,600m when he finished powerfully into a close third... View the full article

Bold, front-running three-year-old chestnuts Handsome Bo Bo and Ugly Warrior could be the key for Zac Purton as he tries to upset Joao Moreira in a Jockey Challenge that looks like a race in two on Saturday at Sha Tin. The top two riders in Hong Kong are the only ones in single figures for the Jockey Challenge but perhaps Purton’s two bankers can give him the edge over his arch rival. Handsome Bo Bo has been a dominant wire-to-wire winner over 1,200m at his last two starts and steps into... View the full article

New Zealand Bloodstock held their single session South Island Sale in Christchurch on Friday when 103 yearlings came under the hammer. It was a low key day of trade but the standout lot still commanded a premium when selling for NZ$100,000. At the end of the day a total of 63 horses sold (61%) for receipts totaling NZ$873,750, bringing an average of NZ$13,869 and a median of NZ$10,000. The sale topper was offered by the Dennis family’s Ravelston Stud as lot 109 and the son of Per Incanto was knocked down to Garry Carvell’s Hiwi Bloodstock for NZ$100,000. The colt is out of the four time winner The Dewdrop (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), from the family of the New Zealand champion The Jewel (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) and the successful purchaser said, “I sorted him out on pedigree to have a look at. It is a cross that works well, by Per Incanto out of an O’Reilly mare, and we’ve had a bit of luck with that before. I bought Baba Mama, who is bred on that cross and he has won four races in Hong Kong for trainer Peter Ho.” Carvell continued, “He’s a quality colt and out of a three-quarter sister to the Jewel, so he’s probably one of the better-bred horses in the sale and his x-rays were very clean. John Foote was under-bidder on him, everyone was on the horse, but at the end of the day in today’s market he wasn’t expensive.” Carvell also purchased the only other offering in the sale by Little Avondale Stud stallion Per Incanto when buying lot 25 for NZ$16,000 and revealed that the pair were for a Singaporean client of his but where they will race has yet to be decided. “Per Incanto is a good sire and he leaves runners. They are going well in Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore. Everyone we have had so far can run. We’ll trial them up as late two-year-olds and make a decision then,” he added. One lot before the sale topper Ravelston Stud also enjoyed a good result when selling their Charm Spirit (Ire) filly (lot 108) for NZ$50,000 to Chris Rutten while White Robe Lodge’s position as the leading vendor by aggregate was aided by lot 98, a colt by their resident stallion Ghibellines (Aus) who sold to Robert Dawe for NZ$55,000. “We like to think we bring a nice draft to the sale,” White Robe Lodge manager Wayne Stewart said. “The market today wasn’t very strong, but all the horses have gone to very good homes.” View the full article

Guineas weekend (Newmarket) is fast-approaching and the dates for your diary are Saturday May 5th (2000 Guineas) and Sunday May 6th (1000 Guineas). These are the first 2 Classic races of the British racing season. This is where the flat campaign really gets into top gear! 2000 Guineas Stakes While open to both colts and fillies, this is essentially a race for colts while the fillies compete in the 1000 Guineas. The 2000 Guineas is a 1-mile event and run over the straight ‘Rowley Mile’ course. There is a £500,000 purse on offer, although the prestige of winning greatly outweighs this figure. Churchill, trained by Aidan O’Brien, won the race in 2017. O’ Brien first won the race with King Of Kings, back in 1998. Churchill was his 8th 2000 Guineas winner and his 2nd in 3 years (Gleneagles won in 2015). Unsurprisingly, colts at his yard are among the favourites to land the 2018 renewal. Let’s take a look at some of the fancied runners, that are already attracting bets in our ante-post market. Gustav Klimt (IRE) Age: 3 (Foaled March 28th, 2015), Sex: Bay Colt, Breeding: Galileo (IRE) – Massarra (Danehill (USA)), Trainer: A P O’Brien, Owner: Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith He made a fairly disappointing debut, at The Curragh, dwelling at the start and requiring Ryan Moore’s urgings from halfway just to stay in touch. Gustav Klimt finished the race in 5th place and was not making ground, as they passed the winning-post. Despite this, the Galileo colt was still made favourite when he returned to the same track in July. Moore did need to push him along, but he proved too good for Would Be King and won comfortably. O’Brien then sent him across the Irish Sea for the Superlative Stakes. He was hampered in this race, but showed true grit by recovering and beating Nebo by a head. Back in Ireland, he then took on stablemates Kenya and U S Navy Flag in the 2,000 Guineas Trial Stakes. However, neither horse could lay a glove on him and only Dermot Weld’s Imaging was able to keep him honest. Gustav Klimt got his nose in front with about 50 yards left to travel and held-on strongly. The colt has now had 4 outings and Ryan Moore has been on-board, every time. O’Brien told reporters that his top jockey is enjoying the partnership. “We’re very happy. Obviously the ground was far from ideal, but it was nice to get a run into him as it’s a long time since he ran. Ryan was very happy with him,” said O’Brien. Ryan said he was very impressed with the way he quickened in that ground. He’s a real good-ground horse. Newmarket (2000 Guineas) is the plan, if everything is well.” Saxon Warrior (JPN) Age: 3 (Foaled January 26th, 2015), Sex: Bay Colt, Breeding: Deep Impact (JPN) – Maybe (IRE) (Galileo (IRE)), Trainer: A P O’Brien, Owner: Mr D Smith, Mrs J Magnier, Mr M Tabor Unlike Gustav Klimt, Saxon Warrior will not have a prep-race before the Guineas but his 3 outings in 2017 indicate that this Deep Impact colt should enjoy a fantastic Classic campaign. In his debut at The Curragh, he was expected to play second-fiddle to stablemate Christopher Robin, but that horse barely turned-up and Saxon Warrior won comfortably. The likes of Kew Gardens and Delano Roosevelt went into the stalls with him, for the Beresford Stakes at Naas, but neither could live with Saxon Warrior’s pace and he won without being fully-extended. His final race of 2017 (and the last time we saw him on the track) was in the Racing Post Trophy. This time he certainly was up against a worthy adversary, in the shape of Roaring Lion and it looked like John Gosden’s star juvenile was going to come out on top as he took the lead in the closing stages. Roaring Lion hung left though and Saxon Warrior snatched 1st-place in the closing strides. “He’s going straight to the Guineas at the moment, unless something changes. He’s coming, he has a good bit to do still, but he’s coming. He’s a big, powerful horse.” said O’Brien last month and it will be a huge surprise, should there be any change of plan. Masar (IRE) Age: 3 (Foaled April 16th, 2015), Sex: Chestnut Colt, Breeding: New Approach (IRE) – Khawlah (IRE) (Cape Cross (IRE)), Trainer: C Appleby, Owner: Godolphin Won on debut at Goodwood, beating Invincible Army by a short-head. Was outpaced in the Chesham, although did rally at the end to claim 3rd place, then put in a polished performance in the Solario Stakes to beat Romanised fairly comfortably. Charlie Appleby then took Masar on tour, although he failed to shine at Chantilly, Del Mar and Meydan. Wintering in Dubai clearly did the New Approach colt the world of good, however, as he was scintillating in Thursday’s Craven Stakes. Roaring Lion was the red-hot favourite, but Masar won the race by 9 lengths and looked very-much like a potential Classic winner. “I knew he was 100 per-cent ready, as he’d done fantastically well over the winter. It was never my intention to run him in Dubai, but he was going too well and so I wanted to get a bit of gas out of him and put some manners on him. If he had adapted to the dirt, we could have gone UAE Derby and if not it still put a run under his belt and so if this came down to a dogfight fitness was going to be his edge. He quickened twice and has got stronger, but we always said he was going to be a 3-year-old and he’s got the pedigree to do that. The Guineas route is foremost in our minds now.” a delighted Appleby told reporters, following Masar’s commanding victory. Could the trainer snatch his first 2000 Guineas success, at Newmarket next month? Recent 2000 Guineas Champions Some terrific horses have won the 2000 Guineas and recent years have served-up worthy champions. Churchill’s win last year came off the back of a stunning juvenile campaign that saw him land the Chesham Stakes, the Tyros Stakes, the Futurity Stakes, the National Stakes and the Dewhurst Stakes. As a 3-year-old, he also won the Irish 2000 Guineas. The 2016 winner was the Hugo Palmer-trained Galileo Gold. It was expected to be a walk in the park for Aidan O’Brien’s Air Force Blue, but that horse never got going and it was left to Galileo Gold to fight it out with Massaat who was outpaced at the business end of the contest. Galileo Gold confirmed his class, by winning the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. Gleneagles was named Cartier Champion 2-year-old Colt, after scooping the Tyros Stakes, the Futurity Stakes and the National Stakes (he was also first past the post in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, but was later disqualified. His Guineas victory was by a couple of lengths from Territories, in a contest that saw the field split into 2 groups. Gleneagles went on to win both the Irish 2000 Guineas and the St James’s Palace Stakes, before being sent to the Coolmore Stud. His progeny are eagerly awaited, by the racing public. 1000 Guineas Stakes The first fillies’ Classic of the campaign was first run in 1814, 5 years after the 2000 Guineas was introduced. The inaugural winner was Charlotte, who would go on to claim the Stamford Gold Cup in the following year – a 4-mile encounter! Aidan O’Brien has only won the 1000 Guineas 4 times, but his recent record is an ominous one for his peers as he saddled the champion in both 2016 (Minding) and 2017 (Winter). Mos pundits expect him to make it 3 in a row. Here are 3 fillies that punters have been backing. Happily (IRE) Age: 3 (Foaled February 27th, 2015), Sex: Bay Filly, Breeding: Galileo (IRE) – You’resothrilling (USA) (Storm Cat (USA)), Trainer: A P O’Brien, Owner: Mr D Smith, Mrs J Magnier, Mr M Tabor O’Brien gave her a heavy workload, as a 2-year-old, racing her on no less than 7 occasions. After an uninspiring debut at Leopardstown, she then beat Shalailah at The Curragh and put that filly to the sword again in the Silver Flash Stakes. Happily was beaten by stablemate Magical, in the Debutante Stakes, but reversed the form in the Moyglare Stud Stakes and was then sent to France for the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere Grand Criterium at Chantilly. It looked like plans had gone awry, as the horses straightened up for the run-in, with Happily unable to find room but Ryan Moore remained patient and found a gap inside the final furlong. With a clear run, Happily would surely have won by a bigger margin. Her final race came at Del Mar, the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. She was slowly away and although she passed several good horses the door was firmly shut on her as they rounded the final bend. Her chances of landing the 1000 Guineas received a huge boost when O’Brien conceded that Clemmie is unlikely to be ready for the big weekend at Headquarters. Veracious Age: 3 (Foaled February 17th, 2015), Sex: Bay Filly, Breeding: Frankel – Infallible (Pivotal), Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute, Owner: Cheveley Park Stud Sir Michael Stoute’s filly has only run twice and both outings were under Ryan Moore, who will of course be firmly in Aidan O’Brien’s camp for the Guineas. Veracious flashed her tail, on debut at Newbury and like Ed Dunlop’s Melodies was outpaced by the unfancied Magnolia Springs. It was still a pleasing-enough opening display and she looked to have made excellent progress, when beating Winter Lightning by 4 lengths in the Godolphin Under Starters Orders Maiden Fillies’ Stakes at Newmarket in October. Sir Michael has a worthy replacement jockey lined-up, for the 1000 Guineas. Frankie Dettori will be given steering-duties and the pair have already enjoyed an encouraging gallop session at Newmarket. “Frankie was very happy with her. She’s a nice filly. She won her maiden here well, and I think she has developed very pleasingly. We’ll run her (in the Guineas) and Frankie will ride her. I did have her in the Nell Gwyn, but I thought that (racecourse gallop) would be more beneficial.” said the trainer, afterwards. Dettori was also impressed, saying “It was the first time I’d ridden her and she’s fit and well. She gave me a decent feel and it’s an open Guineas now.”. This will be a huge step-up for a filly who has yet to race in Listed or Group company though and Sir Michael’s last 1000 Guineas victory came with Russian Rhythm back in 2003. Wind Chimes Age: 3 (Foaled March 15th, 2015), Sex: Grey Filly, Breeding: Mastercraftsman (IRE) – Militante (IRE) (Johannesburg (USA)), Trainer: A Fabre, Owner: D Smith/mrs J Magnier/m Tabor Andre Fabre’s Mastercraftsman-sired colt raced just once as a 2-year-old and it seems clear that the trainer believed that the grey could be something quite special, as he pitched her straight into a Listed encounter. This debut saw her beating the highly-rated Louis D’or and Fabre decided that would be her only juvenile outing. She made her seasonal reappearance in the Grade 3 La Grotte (Longchamp), alongside Aidan O’Brien’s Magical. However, neither horse performed well and the race was won by Wind Chimes’ stablemate, Musis Amica. Magical finished 4th, while Wind Chimes (who didn’t get the best of starts) managed only 5th. “She had a lot of other options but I thought that Longchamp would suit her well. She has a big long stride and a big action and she has the pedigree for that [to stay further].” Wind Chimes had received significant market-support for the Guineas, before the race at Longchamp, but you’ll now be able to back her at significantly longer odds. Was she just under-cooked and in need of the run? We’ll find out at Newmarket, if Fabre hasn’t already decided that his filly isn’t yet up to such a task. Recent 1000 Guineas Champions Winter (the 2017 winner), who didn’t impress particularly as a 2-year-old, was sent to Aidan O’Brien’s yard at the end of the campaign due to the retirement of David Wachman. She finished 2nd in the Leopardstown 1,000 Guineas Trial Stakes but, despite some market-support, could still be backed at 10/1 just before the English 1000 Guineas went under starter’s orders. However Winter never looked in danger of defeat and her 3-year-old campaign was a huge success. She won the Irish 1000 Guineas, the Coronation Stakes and the Nassau Stakes. Few would argue that the 2016 champion wan’t among the best 1000 Guineas winners in the modern era. Minding won both the Moyglare Stud Stakes and the Fillies’ Mile, which led to her becoming Cartier Champion Two-year-old Filly and Top-rated European 2-year-old Filly. Her Classic campaign was even more astounding. She crushed Ballydoyle by over 3 lengths in the Guineas and then ran amok – helping herself to the Epsom Oaks, the Pretty Polly Stakes, the Nassau Stakes and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. Minding was named Cartier Champion 3-year-old Filly, 2016 Cartier Horse of the Year, 2016 Irish Horse of the Year and World top-rated 3-year-old Filly. Her rating of 122 puts her on level terms with the great Songbird. Sired by Danehill Dancer, Legatissimo failed to cut the mustard as a juvenile and 4th place in the Leopardstown 1,000 Guineas Trial Stakes didn’t suggest the Winter had been of much help to her. Ryan Moore was put on her back for the Guineas though and she was a filly transformed. Her winning time of 1:34.60 was the 2nd-fastest in the race’s history and a full second quicker than Gleneagles 2000 Guineas victory. She went on to win the Nassau Stakes and the Matron Stakes, before being named Cartier Champion Three-year-old Filly. Betting With RaceBets We already have live ante-post markets for both the 2000 and 1000 Guineas. Create an account with us now and claim your welcome bonus! RaceBets is the number 1 site for horse racing betting. No other bookmaker covers the action in as many countries as we do and our range of ante-post markets puts all of our rivals in the shade! The post 2018 Newmarket 2000 & 1000 Guineas Preview appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

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