Journalists Wandering Eyes Posted September 15, 2023 Journalists Posted September 15, 2023 by Heather Anderson & Brian Sheerin The final leg of the original Triple Crown, the G1 Betfred St Leger features nine colts, with several homebreds and auction graduates, including two at €440,000. If Their Majesties' Desert Hero (GB) pulls off the victory, he would be the first royal winner since Queen Elizabeth's Dunfermline (GB) in 1977. Aidan O'Brien, gunning for his seventh edition, will saddle a quartet of individuals, all in with a chance, and the choice of Ryan Moore is the G2 Great Voltigeur S. hero Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}). ALEXANDROUPOLIS (IRE), Camelot (GB)–Jazz Cat (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) Owner: D Smith, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor & Westerberg Breeder: Mrs Fitri Hay Trainer: Aidan O'Brien Sales History: 240,000gns Tattersalls October Book 2 yearling Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Maiden winner over an extended mile at the back end last year; sent off odds-on favourite for the G3 Ballysax S. at Leopardstown, a key Derby trial, on his seasonal return, but couldn't rival White Birch (GB) (Ire) back in third; mid-season break of 144 days before disappointing in the Vinnie Roe S. on his first attempt at 1m6f and, while he is from the family of this stable's 2018 St Leger winner Kew Gardens (Ire), he still has plenty to prove at this level; outsider. ARREST (IRE), Frankel (GB)–Nisriyna (Ire) (Intikhab) Owner: Juddmonte Breeder: Swordlestown Little Trainer: John & Thady Gosden Sales History: €440,000 Goffs November foal Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: The seventh foal out of his unraced dam and her third black-type horse, this half-brother to group winner and G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup third Dinozzo (Ire) (Lilbourne Lad {Ire}) has already won a brace of Group 3s, including when collecting the G3 Geoffrey Freer S. just 100 yards shy of the St Leger trip last month. One of the most highly rated in the field, it would be no surprise to see him give Juddmonte their third St Leger. Geoffrey Freer Stakes (G3) 2670m, 70.000 GBP, for 3yo+ Newbury Zechariah (IRE) (3C Nathaniel – Nancy O, by Pivotal) J :Tom Marquand T :Freddie & Martyn Meade O :Aquis Farm & Manton Park B : John Guntherpic.twitter.com/rUjVYQ9X8E — (@WorldRacing1) August 13, 2022 CHESSPIECE (GB), Nathaniel (Ire)–Royal Solitaire (Ire) (Shamardal) Owner: Godolphin Breeder: Ammerland GMBH & Co Kg Trainer: Simon & Ed Crisford Sales History: €100,000 Arqana October yearling Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: The most decorated offspring of his dam, who won the G2 Badener Meille and was second in the Grosser Dallmayr-Preis Bayerisches, this stakes winner already found the re-opposing Gregory (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}) too tough to handle in the G2 Queen's Vase at this distance. However, he was only a neck shy of Desert Hero (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the G3 Gordon S. at Goodwood last month. Several of these would have to run below par for Chesspiece to prevail. CONTINUOUS (JPN), Heart's Cry (Jpn)–Fluff (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) Owner: D Smith, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor & Westerberg Breeder: Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt Trainer: Aidan O'Brien Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Dished out a comprehensive beating to Gregory in the Great Voltigeur at York, the form of which is up there with the best on offer in this race, and his chance is bolstered by the fact that he is Ryan Moore's pick of a Ballydoyle four-pronged attack. In truth, the rider would not have had much to think about, as this colt has gone from strength to strength this season and appears ground versatile; gave the impression that he would see out the 1m6f at York and rates a leading player on form and pedigree. His dam Fluff (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is a sister to the formerly smart stayer Barbados (Ire), which gives hope that he should be as effective over the extra two furlongs, while she is also a sister to the Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Maybe (Ire), now the dam of Saxon Warrior (Jpn); classy sort. Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes (Colts & Geldings) (G2) 2.380 m – 250.000 EUR York Continuous (JPN) (3C Heart's Cry – Fluff , by Galileo) J :Ryan Moore T :A.P. O'Brien O Smith,Mrs J Magnier,M Tabor,Westerbergpic.twitter.com/XbrpWu7O1a — (@WorldRacing1) August 23, 2023 DENMARK (IRE), Camelot (GB)–Board Meeting (Ire) (Anabaa) Owner: D Smith, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor & Westerberg Breeder: Dayton Investments (Breeding) Limited Trainer: Aidan O'Brien Sales History: €440,000 Arqana October yearling Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: From the family of French Oaks winner Bright Sky (Ire) (Wolfhound) and, while there is plenty of stamina in the pedigree, he didn't appear to have any excuses when beaten by Middle Earth on his penultimate start at York. He hung left-handed when third in a handicap at Haydock last time; plenty to prove. DESERT HERO (GB), Sea The Stars (Ire)–Desert Breeze (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) Owner: HM The King & HM The Queen Breeder: The Queen Trainer: William Haggas Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Bred by The Queen, Desert Hero is closely related to four-time group winner and dual top-level placed Dartmouth (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Gritty performer who has advertised his St Leger credentials in grinding out victories in a handicap at Royal Ascot followed by the G3 Gordon S. at Goodwood. Could be open to even further progression upped in trip. Gordon Stakes (G3) 2.410 m – 200.000 GBP – for 3yo Goodwood Desert Hero (GB) (3C Sea The Stars-Desert Breeze , by Dubawi) J;Tom Marquand T:William Haggas O:HM The King & HM The Queen B :The Royal Studpic.twitter.com/lshipU1dyy — (@WorldRacing1) August 3, 2023 GREGORY (GB), Golden Horn (GB)–Gretchen (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) Owner: Wathnan Racing Breeder: Normandie Stud Ltd Trainer: John & Thady Gosden Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: This Queen's Vase winner was third to Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) in the Great Voltigeur, after winning his first three starts. Retiring jockey Frankie Dettori has opted for fellow Gosden trainee Arrest, so Kieran Shoemark will partner the son of G2 Park Hill S. heroine Gretchen. A Cocked Hat S. hero like his half-brother Lionel (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Gregory's staying proclivities come naturally, and his dam's half-brother Duncan (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}) won the G1 Irish St Leger. One to watch. Frankie's done it at his last #RoyalAscot! Gregory wins the Queen's Vase for the Gosdens and @FrankieDettori! @Ascot pic.twitter.com/zKA2zCHFXO — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 21, 2023 MIDDLE EARTH (GB), Roaring Lion–Roheryn (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) Owner: Qatar Racing Limited Breeder: The Roheryn Partnership Trainer: John & Thady Gosden Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Although yet to earn black-type and by a classy sire who was just found out at the 12-furlong distance in the Derby, this half-brother to the multiple group-placed stakes-winning Buckaroo (GB) (Fastnet {Aus}), has inherited his stamina from his King George V Cup-winning dam, whose four group placings were anchored by a second in the G3 Ballyroan S. Already a winner at this trip defeating Denmark (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) in the Melrose H. at York, Middle Earth's connections thought highly enough of his chances and paid the supplementary fee. However, the waters are a great deal deeper in this contest. Middle Earth! Team Gosden's inmate (9-2jf) stays on with vigour under @oismurphy to handsomely win the @SkyBet Melrose Handicap @yorkracecourse Could the St Leger now be an option for @Qatar_Racing's Roaring Lion colt? pic.twitter.com/sJ7LNoSQQM — Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 26, 2023 TOWER OF LONDON (IRE), Galileo (Ire)–Dialafara (Fr) (Anabaa) Owner: D Smith, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor & Westerberg Breeder: Lynch Bages Ltd & Camas Park Stud Trainer: Aidan O'Brien Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Brother to Irish Derby and St Leger winner Capri (Ire) and fellow smart stayers Cypress Creek (Ire) and Passion (Ire); denied a third win on the trot when narrowly beaten in a Group 3 over 1m5f at Newmarket in July and, while this is his first start since then, fitness will not be an issue hailing from this camp. One of the more lively outsiders and he certainly commands respect. The post St Leger: Where Did They Come From? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article Quote
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