Winter Watch: Rainbow Tribute to the Late Queen

[Wandering Eyes]

After two consecutive weekends on the road viewing stallions, everywhere from Tally-Ho Stud to Haras de Bonneval, I now find myself chasing my tail in an attempt to catch up with the key all-weather action I've missed since the last edition of Winter Watch went to print over a fortnight ago.

It would be hopeless trying to do justice to every three-year-old who has won a maiden or novice in that time, nor has that ever been the brief for this column. The main idea has always been to focus on the most interesting sorts among them, those with the potential to make an impact at a higher level as we head deeper into 2025.

With that in mind, this week I've narrowed it down to a top five, specifically those performances from the last couple of weeks which I've deemed the most noteworthy, for one reason for another. In true Top of the Pops style, I'll go through them in reverse order, starting with a son of Study Of Man who had the decency to wait until my travels were behind me before making his eye-catching debut…

5. Chess Dad

Study Of Man (Ire)–Mosuo (Ire), by Oasis Dream (GB)

The one-mile novice at Newcastle on Tuesday seemed to revolve around the Karl Burke-trained Inspired (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), the first foal out of the G2 Dahlia Stakes winner Worth Waiting (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), who was sent off the 4-7 favourite to make a successful debut.

Everything appeared to be going to plan when he moved up to challenge with two furlongs to run, still seemingly full of running, but his response when asked for his effort ultimately fell short of what was required, certainly against a willing rival like Chess Dad (GB) who found plenty in the closing stages to pull away for a length-and-a-quarter victory on debut.

Bred by the Niarchos family, Chess Dad has a useful pedigree of his own as he became the third winner from as many runners out of his unraced dam, with the others including the Royal Hunt Cup scorer Dark Shift (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}). Mosuo, in turn, is out of the Oaks heroine Light Shift (Kingmambo), making her a half-sister to the multiple Group 1 winner and sire Ulysses (Ire). Of course, the Niarchos family, also bred and raced the sire, Study Of Man, their Prix du Jockey Club winner who has made such a promising start with his first two crops.

Both that pedigree and the way he finished the race at Gosforth Park suggest Chess Dad will be suited by 10 furlongs, at the very least, and he looks well capable of defying a penalty in a similar event should his connections decide to go down that route. Trained by Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole for owners Commercium, he already looks potentially well bought at the €75,000 it cost to secure him at Book 1 of the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale.

 

Smart debut winner!

Chess Dad – a half-brother to Royal Hunt Cup winner Dark Shift – strikes first time of asking for @HollieDoyle1 and @UrloxheyStables at @NewcastleRaces… pic.twitter.com/mtbSo5SY7y

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 21, 2025

 

4. Treasure Fleet

Kingman (GB)–Pure Excellence (GB), by Exceed And Excel (Aus)

For a horse still a couple of months shy of his third birthday, Treasure Fleet (GB) has already managed to fit in more than many horses do in a lifetime. Three times he's been offered at public auction, while he'd also been gelded prior to the next chapter in his life at Wolverhampton on January 7, when he kicked off his racing career with a cosy success in the novice run over an extended mile.

Admittedly, it's difficult to get excited about the bare form of that race, with just a length and a half covering the first four at the line. The runner-up had also failed to trouble the judge in three previous runs, while the third has since trailed home last of five in the race won by Chess Man at Newcastle.

However, it would be a big surprise if this proves the ceiling of Treasure Fleet's ability and there was plenty to like about the way he got the job done, coming from further back in the field than the other horses who finished in the frame. He was arguably never stronger than at the line, looking value for more than the three-quarters-of-a-length he won by, having picked up really well once switched off the rail in the straight.

Trained by Charlie Appleby, Treasure Fleet has perhaps taken a bit longer to come to hand than might have been expected when connections went to 800,000gns to secure him at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-up Sale. That was a significant pinhooking result for the team at Lynn Lodge Stud, who bought him for 230,000gns at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale. It was also a reward for their persistence, having taken him home after he went unsold at 140,000gns at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.

This gelding is the third winner from four runners out of his Listed-winning dam, with the others including his full-sister, Parent's Prayer (Ire), who gained her biggest victory in the G3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes. That filly didn't peak until her four-year-old season and, similarly, Treasure Fleet appeals as one who should leave the form of his Wolverhampton win well behind in time.

 

Debut victory!

The well-bred Treasure Fleet grabs victory from the jaws of defeat at @WolvesRaces, finding a key change of gear when it matters in the @godolphin blue under @CallumSheppy… pic.twitter.com/kTx2wAi1Lk

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 7, 2025

 

3. Humam

Kodiac (GB)–Her Honour (Ire), by Shamardal

Andrew Balding's Humam (Ire) was sent off the even-money favourite for the seven-furlong novice at Lingfield on Saturday, with good reason, too, when you consider how well the form of his first two starts has worked out.

The Newmarket novice in which he finished third on his debut in October continues to look a red-hot contest, with the fifth- and seventh-place finishers also having won on the all-weather this winter. It appeals as such strong form that I make no apologies for repeating that I believe the winner of that heat, Treble Tee (Ire) (Persian King {Ire}), to be one of the more exciting three-year-old prospects for the season ahead, certainly outside of those already proven in Pattern company.

Humam followed his Newmarket effort with a runner-up finish in a Doncaster maiden a couple of weeks later, chasing home So Darn Hot (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), who doubled his career tally when winning a handicap at Newcastle on Friday from a BHA mark of 82. Humam was beaten just half a length by that rival on Town Moor, despite leaving the impression the drop back to six furlongs was against him.

Back up in trip at Lingfield, the son of Kodiac was ultimately much the best under a confident Jason Watson, coming from last to first to win by a length and a half, without his jockey having to resort to the whip. Admittedly, it probably wasn't the strongest race of its type, but he still impressed with the turn of foot he showed to seal matters, completing the final two furlongs around 0.6 seconds faster than the winner of the handicap run over the same course and distance earlier on the card.

Purchased by Al Shaqab Racing for 260,000gns at Book 1 of the October Yearling Sale, having initially sold for €230,000 at the Goffs November Foal Sale, Humam is the fifth winner from as many runners out of his dam, who fetched €725,000 herself when offered at last year's Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale.

The standout performer out of Her Honour to date is Vadream (GB) (Brazen Beau {Aus}), the winner of the G3 Bengough Stakes and G3 Palace House Stakes for the Charlie Fellowes stable. Crucially, all but one of Humam's siblings to make it to the track have earned black type, so don't be surprised if he's competing in similar company before the year is out.

 

Seriously confident ride from @_JasonWatson as Humam, a half-brother to Vadream, comes from last to first at @LingfieldPark for @AndrewBalding2… pic.twitter.com/lzz7z5qoyK

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 18, 2025

 

2. City Of God

Kodiac (GB)–Rare (Ire), by Galileo (Ire)

Another one in the top five for Tally-Ho Stud stalwart Kodiac and another success for our 'Winners In Waiting', with City Of God (Ire) having appeared in our New Year's Day edition of Winter Watch after his promising debut in the fog at Wolverhampton a few days earlier.

Beaten only two and a quarter lengths on that occasion, despite looking desperately in need of the experience, City Of God duly took a nice step forward when opening his account in the one-mile maiden at Southwell on Friday, justifying favouritism with an authoritative, pillar-to-post victory. He still looked a bit green in the closing stages but was always doing enough to hold off the challenge of the runner-up, ultimately winning by three-quarters-of-a-length.

Owned by footballer Ryan Kent, City Of God was picked up for 135,000gns at Book 2 of the October Yearling Sale. He was bred by the eponymously-named Rare Partnership out of their unraced mare, a half-sister to the 1,000 Guineas, Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks winner Blue Bunting (Dynaformer). A few weeks before City Of God first stepped foot on a racecourse, Rare was sold for €48,000 at the November Breeding Stock Sale.

As for City Of God's second dam, the unraced Linamix (Fr) mare Miarixa (Fr), it's fair to say that she's left quite the legacy. Her other daughters by Galileo (Ire) include Stars At Night (Ire), the dam of the G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein and G2 Zabeel Mile winner Poker Face (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), and Monday Monday (Ire), the dam of the G2 German 1,000 Guineas and G2 May Hill Stakes scorer Darnation (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}).

Like Darnation, City Of God is trained by Karl Burke, who has assembled a formidable team with less than 10 weeks to go until the start of the British Flat season on turf. Only time will tell where this colt fits in, but he's certainly made an encouraging start to his career and there should be plenty more to come from him as he gains in experience.

 

Pillar to post!

An across the card double for the @Karl_Burke team as City Of God gets off the mark under @SamJock22! pic.twitter.com/wWIlDgKs1q

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 17, 2025

 

1. Purple Rainbow

Night Of Thunder (Ire)–Daphne (GB), by Duke Of Marmalade (Ire)

Tom Marquand wasted no time getting back among the winners after returning from a stint riding in Japan, with his first full book of rides at Kempton on January 15 yielding a brace for the man who could well have champion jockey aspirations in 2025.

Marquand had to be at his strongest to get Coul Angel (Ire) (Coulsty {Ire}) home by a head in the six-furlong novice, but his win aboard Purple Rainbow (GB) in the first division of the one-mile fillies' maiden was achieved in altogether more straightforward fashion as she proved herself in a totally different league to her eight rivals.

Her jockey kept things simple from the front, but it was by no means just an example of his filly enjoying the run of the race and quickening off slow fractions. Instead, she set an honest gallop throughout and gradually ground her rivals into submission as she lengthened in the straight, ultimately winning by three and three-quarter lengths with plenty in hand. It wasn't a performance characterised by an electric turn of foot, but the overall time was still around 1.8 seconds faster than the second division won by another Night Of Thunder filly in Sorbus (GB).

Runner-up on her debut over seven furlongs at Wolverhampton, Purple Rainbow seemed to relish the extra distance at Kempton, which was to be expected of one with her stamina-laden pedigree. She is the second winner from three runners out of her strong-staying dam, who was a Listed winner over a mile and a five furlongs at Lingfield. Daphne's first foal, Perfect Alibi (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}), also won at Listed level, in her case over a mile and six furlongs at Yarmouth.

Trained by William Haggas for The King and The Queen, Purple Rainbow was bred by the late Queen Elizabeth II, who painstakingly nurtured this family over many generations.

It began with the purchase of this filly's sixth dam, the Nell Gwyn Stakes and Lingfield Oaks Trial winner Amicable (Doutelle {GB}), as a yearling. At stud Amicable produced, among others, Expansive (GB) (Exbury {Fr}), the winner of the G2 Ribblesdale Stakes for her owner-breeder. In turn, Expansive features as the dam of Trying For Gold (Northern Baby), who was just an ordinary racehorse herself but continued the legacy by coming up with another Ribblesdale winner in Phantom Gold (GB) (Machiavellian). Phantom Gold later produced Daphne's dam, the winning Daylami (Ire) mare Daring Aim (GB), as well as the Oaks runner-up Flight Of Fancy (GB) and multiple Listed winner Golden Stream (Ire), both by Sadler's Wells.

In 2022, Golden Stream's son, Reach For The Moon (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), looked a serious Classic contender for his owner-breeder, having shown himself to be a smart juvenile when winning the G3 Solario Stakes by four lengths. Alas, it wasn't to be, but here's hoping Purple Rainbow can give the reigning monarchs something to shout about in the months ahead, with a step up to a mile and a half, and beyond, promising to suit.

 

Hope you were on your Majesty

Nice effort from the front by Purple Rainbow @kemptonparkrace pic.twitter.com/hTsK0X8W8f

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 15, 2025

 

Winners In Waiting

Dancing Teapot (Ire), runner-up at Dundalk (November 22) since publication
Padua (Ire), seventh at Kempton (December 4) since publication
Marhaba Ghaiyyath (Ire), winner at Lingfield (December 3) since publication
Safe Idea (GB), third at Wolverhampton (December 21) since publication
Indian Springs (Ire)
Spanish Voice (GB)
Noble Horizon (GB)
Dixieland Blues (GB)
City Of God (Ire), winner at Southwell (January 17) since publication
War And Love (GB), runner-up at Chelmsford (January 11) since publication

The post Winter Watch: Rainbow Tribute to the Late Queen appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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