Wandering Eyes

Coolmore Australia has released its service fees for its 15-strong stallion roster, led by stalwart Fastnet Rock (Aus), who just sired another Group 1 winner in Unforgotten (Aus) in the G1 Australian Oaks on Saturday. The 16-year-old will stand for a private fee, and he will be joined by his son G1 Coolmore Stud S. hero Merchant Navy (Aus) at A$55,000, once he concludes his racing career. Caravaggio (Scat Daddy), a MG1SW in the Northern Hemisphere, is priced at A$33,000, while the third new recruit, dual Classic hero Churchill (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), will command A$27,500. Young sire Pierro (Aus) recently sired his second Group 1 winner, when Levendi (Aus) saluted in the Australian Derby, and his fee has been raised to A$88,000. Shuttlers American Pharoah and Air Force Blue also make the trip Down Under and will stand for A$66,000 and A$11,000, respectively. “Our roster now comprises many of the best Australian-raced stallion prospects to retire to stud over the past number of years along with international stars like American Pharoah, Churchill and Caravaggio,” said Tom Magnier of Coolmore. “All in all we believe it is the finest collection of stallions ever to stand at Jerrys Plains. Our flagship horse Fastnet Rock continues to excel both on the racecourse and in the sales ring and in Merchant Navy we are thrilled to have arguably his best sprinting son joining the roster following his stint with Aidan O’Brien in Europe. Pierro is now firmly established as the best young sire in the country while So You Think (NZ) (A$44,000) has produced a trio of Group 1 winners from his first two crops.” View the full article

Radar Racing's Rated R Superstar, a 5-year-old gelding, roared past favored Chip Leader to win the April 13 Ben Ali Stakes (G3) at Keeneland. The son of Kodiak Kowboy covered the nine furlongs in 1:49.31. View the full article

William "Bill" Nack, a renowned sports journalist and author, died April 13 at his home in Washington, D.C. after a lengthy illness, according to Secretariat.com. View the full article

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. Today’s Observations features a half-brother to three GSWs by The Factor. 4.10 Cork, Mdn, €12,000, 3yo, 10fT GIUSEPPE GARIBALDI (IRE) (Galileo {Ire}) was forced to miss his intended seasonal bow at a rain-afflicted Leopardstown earlier this month and reappears for Ballydoyle. Second to stable companion Flag of Honour (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G3 Eyrefield S. in October, he encounters Calumet Farm’s unraced Bandua (The Factor), a Dermot Weld-trained half-brother to three GSWs in Ilusora (Tale of the Cat), Mr. Roary (Scat Daddy) and Tale of a Champion (Tale of the Cat). View the full article

WILL’S PIONEER (c, 3, Pioneerof the Nile–Holy Bubbette {MSW & GSP, $240,995}, by Holy Bull), a full-brother to MGSW and freshman sire Cairo Prince, broke on top and never looked back en route to a good-looking graduation Saturday at Oaklawn. Contesting the pace before settling for second over track and trip Mar. 22, the $500,000 Keeneland September graduate was made the 5-2 second choice this time around and beat the gate to quickly move clear. Dictating terms through splits of :22.34 and :46.07, the gray arrived at the top of the lane under confident handling and kicked away into the final furlong to score by 3 1/2 lengths in 1:10.99. Odds-on stablemate Slick Silver (Kantharos) was second-best. In addition to his relation to Cairo Prince, the winner is a half to Holdin Bullets (Ghostzapper), SP, $166,254. His dam is responsible for a juvenile Bodemeister colt and was bred to Bodemeister and Liam’s Map last spring. Sales History: $410,000 Wlg ’15 KEENOV. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $64,800. O-Willis Horton Racing LLC; B-Richard L. & Katherine H. Elam (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. View the full article

William Nack, a renowned sports journalist and author, died April 13 at his home in Washington, D.C. after a lengthy illness, according to Secretariat.com. View the full article

Undefeated ‘TDN Rising Star’ Saxon Warrior (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) is set to head straight to the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, according to trainer Aidan O’Brien. The Deep Impact colt currently heads the market for the May 5 Classic and the June 2 G1 Investec Derby at Epsom, following his victories in the G2 Beresford S. and the G1 Racing Post Trophy last season. O’Brien had indicated last month he would not give Saxon Warrior a prep run, and intends to stick to that plan. He said, “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.” View the full article

Germany gets in on the Classic trial act on Sunday, when the 3-year-old miling fillies step out to stake their claims in Cologne’s G3 Karin Baronin Von Ullmann – Schwarzgold-Rennen. Second, third and fourth respectively behind George Strawbridge’s acquisition Rock My Love (Ger) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) in the G3 Preis der Winterkonigin over a mile at Baden-Baden in October, Suada (Ger) (Maxios {GB}), Angelita (Ger) (Areion {Ger}) and Dina (Ger) (Nathaniel {Ire}) renew rivalries. They are faced with Jaber Abdullah’s Hoppegarten maiden winner Queens Beauty (GB) (Lethal Force {Ire}), who represents the same team responsible for the 2015 G2 German 1000 Guineas heroine Full Rose (GB) (Aqlaam {GB}). View the full article

As Wings of Eagles (Fr) (Pour Moi {Ire}) proved last year, Derby winners can come from anywhere at Ballydoyle and as a black-type winning member of the yard, Flag of Honour (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) warrants respect as he reappears in Sunday’s G3 Prix Noailles at at ParisLongchamp. Last seen winning Leopardstown’s G3 Eyrefield S. in October, he faces some intriguing home-trained talent including Godolphin’s Gyllen (Medaglia d’Oro). With the benefit of race-fitness this term, the Mar. 27 Listed Prix Francois Mathet scorer is a progressive type in Andre Fabre’s hands. “He is a very honest horse, who tries his best, and stays well in this ground,” Godolphin’s Lisa-Jane Graffard commented. “You would have to be fearful of some of the opposition, but he should run another good race.” Fabre, who has won this 11 times, also saddles Al Shaqab’s Listed Criterium de Lyon runner-up Alhadab (Fr) (Camelot {GB}) while Jean-Claude Rouget has a pair engaged and is keen to take on Gyllen again with his Francois Mathet runner-up Nobokhov (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}). View the full article

Trainer Brian Lynch reported Saturday that Heart to Heart (English Channel) has emerged from his pacesetting success in Friday’s GI Maker’s 46 Mile no worse for the effort and will have a light campaign for the rest of the season with a year-end goal of the GI Breeders’ Cup Mile at Churchill Downs. “He had a nice hour out grazing,” Lynch said. “So he’s in good order. He’s been banging heads in that race for the last three years, ran two very game races in it in 2016 and 2017, so that was really cool to get it done. “He’ll have a couple more races through the summer, maybe two more, and hopefully be back here to Churchill for the Breeders’ Cup,” Lynch added. “He’ll maybe run again at Belmont and then run at Saratoga, and that will be his prep for getting him back here.” The 7-year-old Ontario-bred is perfect in three starts beneath the Twin Spires, having won the GIII Jefferson Cup and GIII Commonwealth Turf in 2014 before tacking on a victory in the GII River City S. the following season. View the full article

With Ballydoyle’s presence spread out over the Classic trials, Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is handed the responsibility of representing the stable in Sunday’s G3 Prix de la Grotte at ParisLongchamp. Successful in the G2 Debutante S. at The Curragh in August before playing second fiddle in the following month’s G1 Moyglare Stud S., she was fourth in both the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac at Chantilly and G1 Fillies Mile at Newmarket in October and a repeat of any of that form could be enough. First she will have to reverse form with Mohammed Fahad Al Attiya’s Mission Impassible (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who was one place ahead of her when third in the Boussac and hails from the always-respected Jean-Claude Rouget stable. At this time of year there is always potential for the more unexposed types to upstage the proven ones and it is interesting that Magical’s connections also have the Andre Fabre-trained Wind Chimes (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), who took Chantilly’s Listed Prix Herod impressively over seven furlongs in November. View the full article

Sunday’s G3 Prix de Fontainebleau at ParisLongchamp is certain to provide clues as to where the upcoming Classics will go, with Godolphin’s unbeaten Wootton (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) putting his cards on the table ahead of the G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains. Successful over a mile at Deauville in August, the bay followed up by five lengths in the Listed Prix Isonomy back there in October and the operation’s Lisa-Jane Graffard is striking a note of caution about expectations. “The winter hasn’t been particularly kind to trainers and Wootton’s preparation has been slightly interrupted, but he appears to be in very good form and ready to make his first start of the season. He is a horse that we think a lot of and he has plenty of quality. He’s not the flashiest at home, so it is hard to go into a race like this with a great deal of confidence, but he is as well as he can be.” Last year’s G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere runner-up and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Olmedo (Fr) (Declaration of War) and G2 Futurity S. scorer Rostropovich (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) also try out ahead of the spring Classics, with the latter providing Ballydoyle with another marker. View the full article

William Nack, a renowned sports journalist and author, died April 13 at his home in Washington, D.C. after a lengthy illness, according to his longtime former employer Sports Illustrated. View the full article

Promises Fulfilled (Shackleford), upset winner of the GII Xpressbet Fountain of Youth S. on his seasonal return Mar. 3, hit the Churchill Downs worktab for the first time since shipping in from his winter home, clocking a half-mile in :49 flat as he prepares for a start in the GI Kentucky Derby May 5. Owned by Robert Baron, the $37,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase clicked off fractions of :12.40, :24.80 and :37 before galloping out five panels in 1:01.40 and six furlongs in 1:14.80 according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols. “We had a really good morning,” trainer Dale Romans said. “He breezed very easy and galloped out strong. It was exactly what we wanted to see.” Promises Fulfilled, who had subsequent GII Toyota Blue Grass winner and champion Good Magic (Curlin) back in third in the Fountain of Youth, was part of a suicidal speed duel in the GI Florida Derby Mar. 31 and faded to ninth, but the conditioner is pressing on nonetheless with the son of the Romans-trained GI Preakness S. winner. “Things really didn’t go our way that day,” Romans said. “We’re regrouping and excited to move on from that effort. When you have a horse that is a son of a former star you trained, it’s always special to showcase them on the grandest stage.” Robby Albarado will pilot either Promises Fulfilled or Free Drop Billy (Union Rags) in the Derby, with the second rider yet to be determined. Romans also sent out Coach Rocks (Oxbow) for a half-mile breeze in advance of her next start in the May 4 GI Kentucky Oaks. The two-time Fasig-Tipton graduate was timed in :48.60 for four furlongs and was clocked in splits of :11.80, :23.80 and :36.20 before galloping out five furlongs in 1:01.80 and six panels in 1:16.20. Coach Rocks broke her maiden by eight front-running lengths in her seventh career trip to the post on Valentine’s Day, but came from off the pace last time to take the GII Gulfstream Park Oaks by 1 1/2 lengths. “She looked great this morning,” Romans said. “She came out of the [Gulfstream Park] Oaks well and she’s been training great at Churchill since we got her back here. The track has been a bit fast the last two weeks but it looked good this morning.” View the full article

The veteran stayer Who Shot Thebarman was contesting the G1 Sydney Cup for the fifth straight year on Saturday, and the 9-year-old gelding built on a runner-up finish last year, as well as in 2015, to win his first Group 1 in Australia and give trainer Chris Waller a third Group 1 on the card. Traveling in the second half of the field with cover early, the gelding bided his time in arrears under Blake Shinn and unleashed a rally coming off the home turn. Extremely wide running into the straight, Who Shot Thebarman used the entire length of the stretch to find the lead but got there in the nick of time to best his compatriot Zacada by a nostril. “What a thrilling finish–if there is ever a horse that deserves to win a Sydney Cup it’s him, only narrowly beaten in two, nine years old and he’s got a great group of owners that follow him around every year,” said Shinn, winner of the Nathan Berry Medal for leading rider at The Championships. “This is for the horse, credit to Chris Waller and his team getting him to back up every year. It means a lot to me to be able to do it for those guys, they’ve stuck solid with me the last couple of years riding him and it’s a massive thrill to be able to get him over the line today.” Click for the free Arion.co.nz catalogue-style pedigree. Saturday, Royal Randwick, Australia SYDNEY CUP-G1, A$2,159,500 (US$1,677,365/£1,178,142/€1,359,722), ATC, 4-14, Open H., 3yo/up, 3200mT, 3:20.04, gd. 1–WHO SHOT THEBARMAN (NZ) , 55.0, g, 9, by Yamanin Vital (NZ) 1st Dam: Ears Carol (NZ), by Carolingian 2nd Dam: Auditive (NZ), by Random Chance (NZ) 3rd Dam: Auditory (NZ), by Noble Bijou (USA) O-D M O’Leary, H T O’Leary, M J O’Leary, S C O’Leary, Mrs J C Nugent-O’Leary, Mrs A M O’Leary, Mrs F J O’Leary & Mrs L O’Leary; B-B J & Mrs L E Anderton, South (NZ); T-C J Waller; J-B Shinn; A$1,319,500. Lifetime Record: G1SW-NZ, 51-11-7-4, A$4,655,586. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A. 2–Zacada (NZ), 50.5, g, 5, Zabeel (NZ)–Lacada, by Giant’s Causeway (USA). (NZ$135,000 RNA Ylg ’14 NWZJAN). O-A J Bryant, Sir Patrick & Lady Justine Hogan & D L Armstrong; B-Andari Ltd, Sir Patrick & Lady Hogan (NZ); T-M Baker & A Forsman; J-Dean Holland; A$380,000. 3–Sir Charles Road, 50.0, g, 4, Myboycharlie (Ire)–Giant Mystique, by Giant’s Causeway (USA). (NZ$90,000 Ylg 2015 NZB National Yearling Sale). O-Archer Equine Investments Ltd; B-Miss A Yelland (Vic); T-L O’Sullivan & A Scott; J-A Adkins; A$195,000. Margins: NO, 1, SHD. Odds: 17.00, 90.00, 6.00. Also Ran: Auvray (Fr), Lasqueti Spirit, Patrick Erin (NZ), Doukhan (Ire), Almandin (Ger), Ventura Storm (Ire), Five to Midnight (NZ), Admiral Jello, Libran (Ire), Lord Fandango (Ger), Peribsen (Ire), Cismontane (NZ), Ormito (Ger), Aloft (Ire). Click for the Racing Post chart. NSW Video. View the full article

Long-priced favourite Unforgotten highlighted three stakes wins on the card for her sire Fastnet Rock while also opening a Group 1 triple for Chris Waller and a double for Hugh Bowman. Unforgotten went unbeaten in three starts in the spring from 1250 to 1500 metres and has continued to excel as the trips have increased. She most recently finished a good second to Hiyaam in the G1 Vinery Stud. S. on Mar. 31 before turning the tables over the longer trip on Saturday. Biding her time midfield while saving ground as Hiyaam set an uncontested pace, Unforgotten and Bowman swung five-wide off the turn. Hiyaam put up a valiant fight but Unforgotten wore her down passing the 100-metre mark to win with relative ease. Bowman was winning the Oaks for the third straight year. “She’s a lovely filly,” said Bowman. “We had a slight concern of her running a strong mile and a half, it was a staying test today and this filly came through with flying colours. Who knows what’s in store for her in the future.” Pedigree Notes… Unforgotten is the fourth foal out of Memories Of You (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a daughter of the dual Group 1-placed Most Precious (Nureyev), whose four stakes winners were headed by the G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches winner Matiara (Fr) (Bering {GB}). Memories Of You was barren for two years after producing Unforgotten, and last year she produced a colt foal by Coolmore shuttler No Nay Never. Click for the free Arion.co.nz catalogue-style pedigree. Saturday, Royal Randwick, Australia AJC AUSTRALIAN OAKS-G1, A$1,114,500 (US$865,643/£608,009/€701,688), ATC, 4-14, Open Set, 3yo, f, 2400mT, 2:27.21, gd. 1–UNFORGOTTEN, 56.0, f, 3, by Fastnet Rock 1st Dam: Memories of You (Ire), by Galileo (Ire) 2nd Dam: Most Precious (USA), by Nureyev (USA) 3rd Dam: Miss Summer (Ire), by Luthier (Fr) 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (NZ$360,000 Ylg 2016 NZB National Yearling Sale). O-Magic Bloodstock Racing (Mgr: P G Tighe), C J Waller, F W Cook, Mrs C M Cook, N A Greenhalgh, Mrs M T Greenhalgh, R Shrimpton, Mrs C Shrimpton, I Bruce, R Smith, P Y W Ng, K H Warr; B-Roncon (NSW); T-C J Waller; J-J Bowman; A$694,500. Lifetime Record: 9-5-2-0, A$1,095,520. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. 2–Hiyaam (NZ), 56.0, f, 3, by High Chaparral (Ire) 1st Dam: Mazarine (NZ), by Zabeel (NZ) 2nd Dam: Marquise (NZ), by Gold and Ivory 3rd Dam: Eight Carat (GB), by Pieces of Eight II (Ire) O-Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum; B-Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum (NZ); T-M G Price; J-M J Dee; A$190,000. 3–Miss Admiration, 56.0, f, 3, by Sebring 1st Dam: Admiring, by Street Cry (Ire) 2nd Dam: Ballet Girl (Aus), by Covetous (Aus) 3rd Dam: Nimble Doll (NZ), by Three Legs (GB) (A$210,000 Ylg 2016 WI Sydney Easter Yearling Sale). 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-M G Price; J-D Oliver; A$98,000. Margins: 1, 2 1/4, 1. Odds: 3.00, 3.60, 100.00. Also Ran: Bring Me Roses, Savvy Coup (NZ), Danzdanzdance, Aloisia (NZ), Chilly Cha Cha (NZ), Contessa Vanessa (NZ), She’s a Treasure (NZ), Luvaluva (NZ), Wild Sea, Naivasha. Click for the Racing Post chart. NSW Video. View the full article

James Cummings broke Chris Waller’s hold on the Group 1 races at Randwick on Saturday when Godolphin’s Alizee swooped late to earn her second Group 1 win in the G1 Coolmore Legacy S. and a berth in the GI Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf. Biding her time with just two beaten down the backstretch, last season’s G1 Flight S. winner had to find running room in the stretch but once she saw daylight near the outside, she came with a withering turn of foot to run down Prompt Response and win by two lengths. Alizee, by far the best runner for her sire Sepoy (Aus) in the Southern Hemisphere, had started out the season with a win in the G2 Light Fingers S. on Feb. 17 but was off the board in her next three tries, including a step up to 2000 metres in the Mar. 31 G1 Vinery Stud S., and she enjoyed the drop back in trip here. Pedigree Notes… Alizee certainly comes by her talent naturally. Not only is she a half-sister to the G1 Golden Rose S. winner Astern (Aus) (Medaglia d’Oro), but her second through fourth dams were all high-class runners: the G2 Magic Night S. winner Alizes (NZ) (Rory’s Jester {Aus}), the G1 Galaxy H. winner La Baraka (Aus) (Euclase {Aus}) and the champion and five-time Group 1 winner Triscay (Aus) (Marscay {Aus}). The dam, Essaouira, has a soon-to-be 2-year-old by Brazen Beau (Aus) named Tassort (Aus), and last year foaled a full-sister to Astern. Click for the free Arion.co.nz catalogue-style pedigree. Saturday, Royal Randwick, Australia COOLMORE LEGACY S. (QUEEN OF THE TURF S.)-G1, A$1,114,500 (US$865,643/£608,009/€701,688), ATC, 4-14, 3yo/up,f/m, 1600mT, 1:34.94, gd. 1–ALIZEE, 54.5, f, 3, by Sepoy 1st Dam: Essaouira, by Exceed and Excel 2nd Dam: Alizes (NZ), by Rory’s Jester 3rd Dam: La Baraka, by Euclase (AUS) O-Godolphin; B-Darley NSW; T-James Cummings; J-G Schofield; A$694,500. Lifetime Record: 14-5-2-1, A$1,410,350. *1/2 to Astern (Aus) (Medaglia d’Oro), G1SW-Aus, $884,734; and Mogador (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}), GSP-Aus, $193,687. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Prompt Response, 57.0, m, 4, by Beneteau 1st Dam: Prompt, by Exceed and Excel 2nd Dam: Amnesia (NZ), by Desert Sun (GB) 3rd Dam: Please Remember (NZ), by Don’t Forget Me (Ire) O-R K Hamer & M S Sowerby; B-Mr R Hamer (Qld); T-G Waterhouse & A Bott; J-B Shinn; A$190,000. 3–Heavens Above, 57.0, m, 6, Street Cry (Ire) 1st Dam: Reggie (NZ), by Germano (GB) 2nd Dam: Crackastar (NZ), by Star Way (GB) 3rd Dam: Crackapon (NZ), by Le Fripon (NZ) (A$170,000 Ylg ’13 INGAPR). O-President Bloodstock Pty Ltd (Mgr: R C Kemister); B-Mr R Kemister (NSW); T-T R Martin; J-T Angland; A$98,000. Margins: 2, HF, SHD. Odds: 7.50, 11.00, 14.00. Also Ran: Oregon’s Day, Abbey Marie, Dixie Blossoms, Eckstein, Foxplay, Nettoyer, Silent Sedition, Daysee Doom, Zanbagh, Payroll, Spanish Reef, Samovare, Aide Memoire (NZ), Perfect Rhyme. Click for the Racing Post chart. NSW Video. View the full article

TIGER Roll won the Grand National Steeplechase in a photo finish over Pleasant Company as Irish horses dominated the world’s most famous handicap steeplechase at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool on Saturday. View the full article

Terry Hamilton's Heart to Heart had his own little celebration the morning of April 14, after he won Maker's 46 Mile (G1T) less than 24 hours earlier. View the full article

3rd-TAM, $22.5K, Msw, 3yo, f, 1 1/16mT, post time: 1:27 p.m. ET Bridlewood Farm and its trainer Jonathan Thomas unveil a couple of extremely well-bred firsters in this spot. Osare (Medaglia d’Oro), a $300,000 KEESEP acquisition, is a half to none other than ‘TDN Rising Star’ and monster MGISW Arrogate (Unbridled’s Song). The dark bay miss will partner with red-hot rider Samy Camacho. Bridlewood’s other newcomer is homebred Paza (Galileo {Ire}), who was purchased in utero for $1.9 million at the 2014 Keeneland November sale. Her GSW dam Peace Preserver (War Front) is a full-sister to Grade I winner and young sire Jack Milton. TJCIS PPs View the full article

Promises Fulfilled, winner of the March 3 Xpressbet Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2), and Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) winner Coach Rocks both turned in maintenance moves for trainer Dale Romans April 14 at Churchill Downs. View the full article

Jockey Mike Allen earned the 2,000th victory of his career April 13 when he guided Diva Chick to a narrow victory over California Cotton in the first race at Tampa Bay Downs. View the full article

Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith’s Nelson (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) enjoyed a profitable juvenile campaign, backing up an Aug. 17 breakthrough score going one mile at this track in his third start with victory in the Sept. 9 G3 Golden Fleece S. over that trip here once more. The bay closed last term with a neck second to subsequent G1 Racing Post Trophy runner-up Roaring Lion (Kitten’s Joy) in the Sept. 30 G2 Royal Lodge S. at Newmarket and carried a three-pound impost for his juvenile highlight in this seasonal return. Sent to the fore after the initial strides and enjoying a comfortable lead until turning for home, he was shaken up inside the two pole and kept on resolutely under continued rousting in the closing stages to withstand the persistent attention of stable companion Delano Roosevelt (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) by a half length and double his black-type tally. Delano Roosevelt had lowered Nelson’s colours when the pair met in their July 27 debuts over one mile at this track, the former earning a ‘TDN Rising Star’ tag for that effort. Fellow ‘TDN Rising Star’ and G1 Racing Post Trophy third The Pentagon (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) was the first of four runners off the bridle, but nonetheless kept on to complete a Ballydoyle trifecta, albeit 8 1/2 lengths further adrift. NELSON (IRE), c, 3, Frankel (GB)–Moonstone (GB) (G1SW-Ire & G1SP-Eng, $613,532), by Dalakhani (Ire). O-Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt (IRE); T-Aidan O’Brien; J-Donnacha O’Brien. €35,400. Lifetime Record: 6-3-2-0, €134,050. *1/2 to US Army Ranger (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), GSW & G1SP-Eng, MGSP-Ire, $616,212; Words (Ire) (Dansili {GB}), GSW-Ire; Nevis (Ire) (Dansili {GB}), MSW-Eng, $206,034; and Stubbs (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), SW-Ire, SP-Eng & Nor, $110,592. View the full article

With the European Breeze Up season in full flow, the TDN‘s Daithi Harvey caught up with Eamonn O’Connor, who runs the investment scheme Seven Hills Bloodstock. The organisation has a number of interesting juveniles for sale this year, including at this week’s Craven Sale, through Johnny Hassett’s The Bloodstock Connection. TDN: Can you tell us a little bit about Seven Hills Bloodstock and how long you have been in business? EO’C: I founded Seven Hills Bloodstock five years ago. My motivation was twofold: a lifelong interest in the bloodstock sector and a belief that, contrary to popular opinion, it was possible to profit by investing in bloodstock. The business was founded at a time when many investors were looking at ‘alternative’ asset classes; yields on traditional investments were low and there was an appetite for risk, where it could be justified by considerable upside potential. Our ability to manage the downside risk through EIS helped attract initial investors. Our early success allowed us to attract more. In practice, Seven Hills has developed into something of a ‘lifestyle’ investment for its participants. Our investors are fully engaged, attend sales where we are buying or selling, follow closely the progress of our stock during the winter, meet regularly for social events and take an annual trip to County Clare to see the horses work at Johnny Hassett’s–as educating an experience as it is enjoyable. I was lucky enough to be introduced to Jeremy Brummitt at the outset, and through him, Johnny Hassett. We have a great team and tremendous working relationship, which always helps. I manage the business, Jeremy buys the horses, Johnny handles the prep and training. TDN: There have been a number of bloodstock Enterprise Investment Schemes set up in the past, particularly in the breeding side of the industry. Have you found it difficult to attract investment into the breeze up sector, which is considered one of the riskier sides of the business? EO’C: Funnily enough, no. I also run a separate breeding business under the Seven Hills brand. Perhaps because our breeze-up business had a head start on the others and we’ve had plenty of success, this is the one that our investors have really bought into. It’s certainly high-octane stuff compared to breeding; we buy in the autumn and know our fate in the spring. I guess it’s like a five furlong sprint compared to a three mile chase and investors seem to like the pace and how quickly it all happens. They get the summer off to steady their nerves. I do, however, think this will change over time and that our breeding business will prove at least equally attractive. It is now well established and has demonstrated some early success and our investors, despite their predilection for the excitement of the breeze-ups, recognise the value of a diversified portfolio. In fact, most already have an interest in both businesses. TDN: What is the general profile of your investors? Are they predominantly from within the bloodstock industry or are they from various walks of life? EO’C: The mix is about 50/50. Half have had experience of the sector (mostly through owning racehorses), whilst the other half have had no previous involvement. Interestingly, all of our ‘non-industry’ investors have subsequently gone on to own racehorses in their own right as their experience, interest and enjoyment of the sport has increased. I think we are certainly doing our bit to widen the ownership base in the UK. TDN: You work closely with Jeremy Brummitt and Johnny Hassett who both have proven track record in their respective fields. I presume this was a key selling point in attracting investors? EO’C: Without doubt, Jeremy’s and Johnny’s involvement has been instrumental in growing our business and attracting new investors. As well as their experience and track records, they are very generous with their time, especially in outlining our approach to new and existing investors. We have a considerable amount of goodwill in the camp, which helps enormously when we have to deal with the inevitable setback. TDN: You have an interesting draft going to the Craven Sale including a colt by Australia (GB) (lot 135) purchased for 190,000gns as a yearling. What are the vibes like from your team as their date with destiny approaches? EO’C: We feel that this is our best group to date, though they may not be as forward as last year due to the extremely harsh recent weather. In the past we have had some fast horses by stallions who were unfashionable at the time and were maybe not given due credit. Jeremy invariably looks for horses with the scope to progress beyond their first season and this year they are all by sires who are capable of siring Group 1-winning 3-year-olds. Except for the Australia colt, but we feel that this is one stallion that will live up to his hype. Jeremy was very high on this colt from his first look and though he was very late in the sale we decided to keep our powder dry and wait for him. We really had to stretch, but tellingly a very well-respected breeze up consignor was underbidder. I hope the buyers see what we see this time round. TDN: What is your exit strategy if a horse misses its breeze up sale slot due to a minor setback for example? Do you take the next step and put it into training? EO’C: One of our most remarkable statistics to date is that we have never had a breezer miss a sale. Testimony to Johnny’s prep, but we are not naive enough to believe it will never happen. We don’t race horses under our EIS structure so every effort is made to sell in the spring. If a horse misses a sale through a minor problem or if a horse gets a minor problem on the day, we would aim to sell privately as our preferred exit strategy. Breezers are judged on the day–fairly or unfairly. Often problems which are transitory will not be forgiven. For that reason of course the preferred–if not only–exit strategy for most consignors is to race them. The best example of a horse we liked failing to sell on the day was a colt subsequently named Gallic Chieftain (Fr) (Tamayuz {GB}), whom we couldn’t sell at Arqana due to sore shins. We managed to form a syndicate to buy him. He raced in France earning €40,000 before being re-sold for a significant profit to Australia, where he is group-class and has earnings to date of over A$400,000. TDN: How did you find the yearling market last autumn when reinvesting and do you envisage a similar situation later this year? E’OC: The market in Europe seems to become more selective with each sale. That situation cannot change until the ownership base widens. TDN: I presume you keep a close eye on your graduates and can you tell us how some have performed since hitting the tracks? EO’C: Our statistics bear close scrutiny. From three years of sales to date, we’ve had eight winners from 14 runners, six of which have achieved a BHA rating of 80+. A number of our horses, such as Flying Empress (GB) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) and the above mentioned Gallic Chieftain, have subsequently been re-sold by their purchasers for significant profit. TDN: Give us a horse or two you have sold to look out for? EO’C: I would mention a couple from last year’s draft, both of whom won their maidens impressively at two; Raid (Ire), a colt by Havana Gold (Ire), in training with David Simcock and Pretty Baby (Ire), an Orpen filly in training with William Haggas. Additionally, we are keen to see how a Big Bad Bob (Ire) colt we sold at Goresbridge has fared over the winter. He is in training with Jessica Harrington and was thought worthy of an Irish 2000 Guineas entry. We liked him, even if he wasn’t a profitable horse for us–he was a scopey, backward type in the mould that Jeremy likes to buy and was always going to be better at three. View the full article

Who’s Steph (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) bettered a Sept. 9 debut ninth over this course and distance with a breakthrough score upped to one mile at Naas in her only other prior start Oct. 4, and she took a giant leap forward with a game win in this black-type bow and sophomore return. The grey broke well to race in a handy third initially and bounded to the front before halfway. Last off the bridle in the straight, she ran on powerfully under a final-furlong drive to turn down all challenges and register a career high. Who’s Steph is one of two scorers and the leading performer for Llew Law (GB) (Verglas {Ire}), and she is a half-sister to the gelded dual winner Thunder Crash (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}), who is one year her senior, and a 2-year-old colt by Rock of Gibraltar (Ire). Llew Law is a half-sister to stakes-winning G3 Molecomb S. third Hototo (GB) (Sleeping Indian {GB}), out of Listed Prix de Thiberville placegetter Harlem Dancer (GB) (Dr Devious {Ire}), and the winner’s fourth dam is G1SW French champion juvenile filly Hippodamia (Hail to Reason). WHO’S STEPH (IRE), f, 3, Zoffany (Ire)–Llew Law (GB), by Verglas (Ire). (€20,000 Wlg ’15 GOFNOV; €40,000 Ylg ’16 TIRSEP). O-Sean Jones; B-Patrick Headon (IRE); T-Ger Lyons; J-Colin Keane. €38,350. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, €48,514. View the full article