A Horse-By-Horse Guide to the Brocklesby

[Wandering Eyes]

The British Flat season will officially get underway on Saturday with the sight of 17 unraced juveniles barrelling down the Doncaster straight for the traditional curtain-raiser that is the Brocklesby–the starting point for subsequent Group winners such as Hearts Of Fire (GB), The Last Lion (Ire) and Persian Force (Ire) since the turn of the century. Here, we've provided everything you need to know about this year's contenders, from trainer quotes to a pedigree nugget or two.

AHEAD OF FASHION (GB)
Dream Ahead–Fashion (GB), by Lope De Vega (Ire)
Sales/pedigree info: This gelding was a 1,500gns purchase at Book 4 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. Bred by Denford Stud, he is the second foal out of the four-race maiden Fashion who, in turn, is out of a winning half-sister to Michelangelo (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) and Private Secretary (GB) (Kingman {GB}), both winners of the Listed Cocked Hat Stakes. This is also the family of the Poule d'Essai des Poulains hero and sire Aussie Rules and the dual Group 1 winner Coronet (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}).
Dominic Ffrench Davis: “He goes nicely and we've liked him from the word go. We gelded him quite soon after we got him because he was a little bit above himself and I thought he was a bit heavy. He's a good model of a horse now and his work has been good. If he breaks on terms, I think he'll run a big race. Judging by the pedigree, the softer the ground the better.”

ALKUWARRIOR (IRE)
Alkumait (GB)–Elegant Peace (Ire), by Intense Focus
Sales/pedigree info: Bought for €11,000 at the Goffs November Foal Sale, this colt then failed to find a buyer at 1,000gns when offered at Book 4 of the October Yearling Sale. He was bred by John Malone out of the two-time winner Elegant Peace, a half-sister to the G3 Sprint Stakes scorer Hoh Mike (Ire) (Intikhab). Elegant Peace is the dam of three winners from six runners thus far, while Alkuwarrior will be the first runner for Capital Stud's freshman sire Alkumait.
Des Donovan: “He goes nicely at home, but the ground is going to be the problem there, I'd say. You'd like it to be good ground for two-year-olds having their first run. There's 17 runners and it's going to be tough–we'll need a lot of luck. He's the sire's first runner and I have a few foals by him. He seems to throw nice ones and I just hope they can run now.”

ARCHIBALD IVES (IRE)
Arizona (Ire)–Divine Truth (Ire), by Mastercraftsman (Ire)
Sales/pedigree info: This gelding fetched 13,000gns at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale, before being bought back for 3,000gns when returning to Park Paddocks for the Somerville Yearling Sale. He was bred by Athnid Stud out of an unraced half-sister to the Listed Stanerra Stakes winner Arya Tara (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}), who is also the dam of the G2 Debutante Stakes heroine Agartha (Ire) (Caravaggio). His second dam is a half-sister to the G1 Prix Ganay winner and sire Astarabad, as well as the Listed Trigo Stakes scorer Asmara (Lear Fan), the dam of the multiple Group 1-winning sire Azamour (Ire).
Darryll Holland: “He's well forward–as forward as our previous runners in there. Primrose Ridge was second [in 2022] and Paddy's Courage was three lengths clear with half a furlong to run last year when she capitulated because of the heavy ground. Otherwise, she probably would have won. He's a rocket out of the gates and he knows his job, that's for sure. He's bulletproof.”

EXCLAMATION (IRE)
Acclamation (GB)–Amanda (Fr), by Kendargent (Fr)
Sales/pedigree info: This colt was picked up for 27,000gns at the Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale. Bred by A V Bloodstock, he is out of a winning half-sister to the GIII Hendrie Stakes runner-up Clitheroe, while the winning second dam is a half-sister to the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen winner Muarrab (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), as well as the prolific sire Bungle Inthejungle (GB), who was successful in the G3 Molecomb Stakes and G3 Cornwallis Stakes at two.
Grace Harris: “We'd have hardly any two-year-olds in, but we think he's a nice horse. He's done everything right and he's been a very quick learner. Hopefully, he can run a nice race and we can go forward with him.”

HAROME STAR (IRE)
River Boyne (Ire)–Maramba, by Hussonet
Pedigree info: Bred by Derek Iceton, this gelding is out of the Listed Radley Stakes third Maramba, a half-sister to the Listed Prix du Cercle scorer Coco City (Fr) (Elusive City). Maramba is already the dam of five winners from eight winners, including the G3 Premio Chiusura runner-up Dream Mover (Ire) (Dream Ahead).
Roger Fell: “He's only a small horse, but he goes well at home. We'll have to see how he goes, but I think he's got a bad draw–you couldn't fancy him from stall 1.”

HARSWELL CALLING (IRE)
Coulsty (Ire)–Libiamo (Ire), by Alhebayeb
Pedigree info: Another bred at Iceton's Tara Stud, this gelding is a half-brother to the stable's dual winner Call Me Harswell (Ire) (Soldier's Call {GB}). Libiamo, who failed to beat a rival in her two starts, is a half-sister to the GI Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes hero and Tara Stud resident River Boyne (Ire).
Roger Fell: “He came to us from Tara Stud and he's bred nicely–his half-sister [Call Me Harswell] won twice for us.”

KAMAKAMELEON (GB)
Kameko–Moravia (GB), by Siyouni (Fr)
Sales/pedigree info: This colt fetched £30,000 at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale. Bred by the Moravia Partnership, he is the second foal out of the G3 Silver Flash Stakes runner-up Moravia, a half-sister to the G3 Prix Miesque heroine Moon Ray (Fr) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) and Swedish Dream (Fr) (Helmet {Aus}). Swedish Dream and this colt's second dam, Demeanour (Giant's Causeway), were both Listed winners in Sweden.
Dylan Cunha: “He's very nice–he's as nice as our winner last year [Zminiature], put it that way. I like him a lot. Five furlongs will be his absolute minimum trip, but I expect a massive run. He'll be one of the horses to beat, for sure. I'm just hoping the ground stays nice like it is now because nobody wants a bog.”

KANISHKA (IRE)
Coulsty (Ire)–Blushing Rose (GB), by Dalakhani (Ire)
Sales/pedigree info: This colt sold at Book 2 of the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale for €20,000. He was bred by Aguiar Bloodstock and Padraig Williams out of Blushing Rose, a three-time winner for Sir Michael Stoute, whose first foal, Red Rambler (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}), won his sole career start at Doncaster. Blushing Rose herself is out of the G2 Cherry Hinton Stakes runner-up Russelliana (GB) (Medicean {GB}).
Brian Ellison: “He's doing everything right at the moment. It's early stages, but he's a nice colt and he's done plenty.”

MIGHTY VEGA (IRE)
Lucky Vega (Ire)–Own Gift (GB), by Rahy
Sales/pedigree info: This colt was a 19,000gns purchase at the Somerville Yearling Sale. Bred by Golden Vale Stud, he is a half-brother to five winners, including the G3 Acomb Stakes third Broxi (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}). His second dam is the G1 Nassau Stakes winner and Oaks third Zahrat Dubai (GB) (Unfuwain), whose other progeny include the Listed Severals Stakes scorer and G2 Prix de Royallieu third Modeyra (GB) (Shamardal). Mighty Vega will be the first runner in Britain for the Irish National Stud's Lucky Vega.
Lemos de Souza: “I'm pleased with him. He's very straightforward and works well enough. Whether it's good enough for him to win this race, I don't know, but I wouldn't swap him for anything, anyway. I have two by Lucky Vega, him and another one. I like them both. This one is well put together–a typical early type.”

MONTY MAGOO (IRE)
Kessaar (Ire)–Charlize Angel (Ire), by Dark Angel (Ire)
Sales/pedigree info: This gelding was picked up for £4,500 at the Premier Yearling Sale. Bred by Rossenarra Bloodstock, he is out of an unraced full-sister to the G3 Hackwood Stakes winner and sire Heeraat (Ire). Charlize Angel, who is also a half to the multiple Listed scorer Ambiance (Ire) (Camacho {GB}), is herself out of an unraced half-sister to the G1 Golden Jubilee Stakes hero and sire Malhub.
Roger Fell: “He's done everything asked of him and he's going well. I don't know [why he's the shortest price of the stable's four runners], to be honest. They're all much of a muchness. It's very hard to say until you get there and it all happens.”

NORMAN'S CAY (IRE)
Sioux Nation–Dear Miriam (Ire), by Acclamation (GB)
Sales/pedigree info: This colt was bought for 60,000gns at the Somerville Yearling Sale. Bred by Louise McLoughlin and Jack Maher, he is the second foal out of Dear Miriam after Bright Smiles (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}), a two-year-old winner in Germany last year. Dear Miriam herself is one of six winners out of the unraced Phillippa (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a three-parts sister to the Listed Zetland Stakes runner-up Ayam Zaman (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), with the others including the G3 Bahrain Trophy runner-up Naseem Alyasmeen (Ire) (Clodovil {Ire}).
Richard Hannon: “He's a straightforward horse and he's shown a bit at home. He's quite forward in his coat. It might happen a bit quick for him, but he's mentally ready for a race, so let's have a go. I wouldn't think he's a Persian Force [the stable's 2022 winner], but I'd like to think he'll run well.”

SON OF SARABI (GB)
Cable Bay (Ire)–Sarabi Mshairi (GB), by Poet's Voice (GB)
Sales/pedigree info: This colt was offered at Book 4 of the October Yearling Sale but failed to find a buyer at 5,000gns. He was bred by Charlock Stud and is the second foal out of his unraced dam, after his full-sister Sarafina Mshairi (GB), a recent handicap winner over five furlongs at Wolverhampton. His second dam is the G3 Prix du Calvados runner-up Sara Lucille (GB) (Dansili {GB} who, in turn, is out of the G3 Prix Miesque winner and G1 Prix Morny runner-up Magic America (High Yield).
Jonathan Portman: “He's a lovely horse. He came to hand very swiftly and he's never put a foot wrong. It's not a race that I've ever really targeted, but he's just one of those horses who has been so straightforward that I haven't been able to find a reason not to run him. I'm not saying for a minute that he'll win–I just don't think he's a horse who will let me down.”

THE BOREHAM BULLET (IRE)
Kessaar (Ire)–Ola Bonita (Ire), by Zebedee (GB)
Sales/pedigree info: A €3,000 foal purchase at the Tattersalls Ireland Sapphire Sale, this colt then sold at Book 4 of the October Yearling Sale for 1,000gns. Bred by Eileen Flanagan Bourke, he is the first foal out of his winning dam who, in turn, is out of a sibling to multiple black-type performers, including the G3 Stockholm Cup International winner Dorcia (GB) (Henrythenavigator). His third dam is the G2 Cherry Hinton Stakes heroine Spinola (Fr) (Spinning World).

JUSTICE TWICE (IRE)
Inns Of Court (Ire)–Second Life (Ire), by Dubawi (Ire)
Sales/pedigree info: This filly was led out unsold at 16,000gns when offered at the Somerville Yearling Sale. Bred by A Al-Mulla, she is the first foal out of her winning dam, while her third dam is the Listed Pretty Polly Stakes scorer and G1 Prix Saint-Alary runner-up Hi Dubai (GB) (Rahy), a full-sister to the multiple Group 1-winning sire Fantastic Light.
Hilal Kobeissi: “She's very nice, very straightforward with a great mind. Mentally, she's very forward going and she's always done everything we've asked of her. I think she's got every right to be there.”

LADY OF HONOUR (GB)
Bungle Inthejungle (GB)–Society Guest (Ire), by Society Rock (Ire)
Sales/pedigree info: After being bought for 1,000gns at the December Foal Sale, this filly then sold for 3,000gns at Book 4 of the October Yearling Sale. She was bred by John Guest Racing and is the third foal out of her winning dam, a half-sister to the Listed-placed Lexington Grace (Ire) (Sir Prancealot {Ire}). Society Guest, in turn, is out of a half-sister to the multiple Group 3 winner and 1,000 Guineas runner-up Arch Swing (Arch).
Seb Spencer: “She has a lot of speed but the hardest part is trying to get her to channel her energy in the right way. She can be a bit of a handful at home–she's not completely straightforward. This will be a stepping stone to see where we are and I wouldn't be expecting big things of her.”

LOPE HARSWELL (GB)
Lope Y Fernandez (Ire)–Livella Fella (Ire), by Strategic Prince (GB)
Sales/pedigree info: A 5,750gns purchase at the December Foal Sale, this filly then went unsold at the Goffs Autumn Yearling Sale. Bred by W H R John And Partners, she is out of the three-time winner Livella Fella, a half-sister to a pair of black-type performers. Livella Fella has already produced two winners from three runners thus far, while this filly will be the first runner for the National Stud's freshman sire Lope Y Fernandez.
Roger Fell: “She's a nice little horse and she goes well.”

SUCKING DIESEL (IRE)
Aclaim (Ire)–Sonko (Ire), by Red Clubs (Ire)
Pedigree info: This filly was bred by Hyde Park Stud out of the six-time winner Sonko, a half-sister to the Listed Bosra Sham Fillies' Stakes scorer and G3 Sceptre Stakes third Terror (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}). This is also the family of the G2 Mill Reef Stakes hero and sire Indian Rocket (GB).
Alice Haynes: “She's a nice, straightforward filly and very precocious. She knows her job very well. I'm not saying she's a world-beater, but she should give a good account of herself. She'd be better than [last year's fourth] Atherstone Warrior, anyway.”

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