Stable employee banned for taking Gordon Elliott dead horse photo
The man who took the photograph of leading Irish trainer Gordon Elliott sitting on a dead horse gets a two-month suspension.
Month: March 2021
‘Emperor’ Leads European-Raced Hong Kong Derby Entrants
During the nine-year stretch from 2006-2014, no fewer than five European-bred and -raced gallopers were successful in the BMW Hong Kong Derby: Viva Pataca (GB) (Marju {Ire}, 2006); Helene Mascot (Ire) (Peintre Celebre, 2008); Collection (Ire) (Peintre Celebre, 2009); Akeed Mofeed (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}, 2013); and Designs On Rome (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), 2014). Sunday's 2000-metre feature at Sha Tin includes five horses–four European-bred, one US-bred–that were imported with this very race in mind. Here is a brief recap of how they have gotten to this point. For handicapping insights, please refer to the special BMW Hong Kong Derby cheat sheet.
RUSSIAN EMPEROR (IRE) (c, 4, Galileo {Ire}–Atlantic Jewel {Aus}, by Fastnet Rock {Aus})
The second foal for his four-time Group 1-winning and dual Australian champion dam, Russian Emperor won the G3 Hampton Court S. at Royal Ascot last June for Ballydoyle, but struggled home seventh in the G1 Investec Derby. His first two local runs lacked any spark, but the entire sprung to life in his final prep, has drawn well and is a live chance.
CONGRATULATION (g, 4, American Pharoah–Up {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire})
Former 'TDN Rising Star' Monarch of Egypt sneaks into the Derby field off a lofty rating upon import. Competitive against the likes of Siskin (First Defence) at two, including a runner-up effort in the G1 Keeneland Phoenix S., the $750,000 Keeneland September grad wasn't a factor in the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas, but was a smart runner-up in the G3 Jersey S. at Royal Ascot. Drawn the parking lot and stretching out for this, the task at hand is very tall. (Click here for a feature on Congratulation)
DELIGHTFUL LAOS (IRE) (g, 4, Baltic King {GB}–Pepys Tillergirl {Ire}, by Tillerman {GB})
A €50,000 purchase out of the 2019 Tattersalls Ireland Goresbridge Breeze-Up, the former Now The King was a Dundalk maiden winner in three runs for trainer Michael O'Callaghan at two before being sold on. His three wins in Hong Kong–including a debut victory at 59-1–have all come at Happy Valley and he was no factor against many of these last month.
MAXIMUS (GER) (c, 4, Ivawood {Ire}–Coco Demure {Ire}, by Titus Livius {Fr})
Bought in for €32,000 as an Arqana August Yearling, the former Chares bolted up by a combined 12 1/2 in his first two career starts for trainer Christophe Ferland and added the Listed Criterium de Lyon in September 2019 before being purchased for €710,000 by Lohan Equine/Narvick International at that year's Arqana Arc Sale. Victorious in the 'Road to the Kentucky Derby' conditions stakes in a single appearance for Jane Chapple-Hyam, Maximus has a pair of minor placings from five local runs.
PACKING WALTHAM (FR) (g, 4, Wootton Bassett {GB}–Baki {Fr}, by Turtle Bowl {Ire})
Sports a very similar profile to Maximus, as he was conditioned by Christophe Ferland to three wins from four starts, including the Listed Prix Maurice Caillault over the Chantilly fibresand last March. A €110,000 ARQAUG purchase who was unsold at that same price as an ARQMAY breezer, the former Waltham has yet to taste local success in five trips postward, but looms an interesting each-way play this weekend nonetheless.
The post ‘Emperor’ Leads European-Raced Hong Kong Derby Entrants appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.
Mar. 20 Insights
Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency
INTRIGUING MAIDENS FILL LA DERBY UNDERCARD
2nd-FG, $75K, Msw, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 12:48p.m.
Three Chimneys Farm and Harrell Ventures teamed up to acquire ROAD BIBLE (Pioneerof the Nile) for $610,000 at Keeneland September and he debuts in this event. The bay is the first foal out of MSW & MGISP Wonder Gal (Tiz Wonderful), who hails from the family of Grade I winner Force the Pass (Speightstown) and MGSW Social Queen (Dynaformer). TJCIS PPs
5th-FG, $75K, Msw, 3yo, 6f, 2:13p.m.
Steve Asmussen unveils Sumaya U S Stables homebred BEDUIN FIGHTER (War Front) here. He is out of the unraced Mineshaft mare Joyfully, who is a half-sister to MGSW Divine Oath (Broken Vow) and GSW Auntie Joy (Uncle Mo). OXO Equine's $600,000 KEENOV acquisition Koolhaus (Nyquist) makes his second trip to the post in this race after rallying strongly to be third in his track-and-trip unveiling Feb. 16. His dam is a half-sister to beloved champion Lady Eli (Divine Park) and MGSW Bizzy Caroline (Afleet Alex). TJCIS PPs
6th-FG, $75K, Msw, 3yo, 1mT, 2:42p.m.
Juddmonte homebred SNOW HOUSE (Twirling Candy) makes his career bow in this test. The bay is out of a daughter of European champion Special Dity (GB) (Hennessy). This is also the family of MGISWs Sightseek (Distant View) and Tates Creek (Rahy); and GI Breeders' Cup Mile victor Expert Eye (GB) (Acclamation {GB}). TJCIS PPs
7th-FG, $75K, Msw, 3yo, f, 6f, 3:12p.m.
Brad Cox saddles a first timer with a big pedigree in Bridlewood Farm homebred SPEIGHTHARMONY (Speightstown). The chestnut is out of a daughter of blue hen Leslie's Lady (Tricky Creek), who produced four-time champion and future Hall of Famer Beholder (Henny Hughes); Grade I winner and top stallion Into Mischief (Harlan's Holiday); and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf victor and young sire Mendelssohn (Scat Daddy). Phil Bauer unveils a newcomer with a strong family in Played Hard (Into Mischief). The $280,000 KEESEP buy is out of Well Lived (Tiznow), a full-sister to MG1SW Well Armed and the dam of Grade I winner American Patriot (War Front); and a half to GSW Witty (Distorted Humor). TJCIS PPs
The post Mar. 20 Insights appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.
American Graded Stakes Standings Presented By Muirfield Insurance: Godolphin Sets The Pace Among Breeders
Following a season where the Godolphin operation took home the Eclipse Award as outstanding owner, the blue team has set a blistering pace on its quest to collect its second trophy as outstanding breeder.
Godolphin leads all breeders with five North American graded stakes winners through March 9, all homebreds, with the most recent addition Micheline, who took the Grade 2 Hillsborough Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs on March 6.
It was the seasonal debut for the 4-year-old Bernardini filly, and her first career graded stakes win after several close calls in previous campaigns. She is out of the multiple Grade 1-winning Include mare Panty Raid.
Champion Essential Quality, made his seasonal debut a winning one with a powerful drive down the sloppy Oaklawn Park stretch to win the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes by 4 1/4 lengths on Feb. 27. He is a son of Tapit, out of the Grade 3-placed Elusive Quality mare Delightful Quality.
Godolphin has a strong pair of 4-year-old colts at the top of the older male division, in Maxfield and Mystic Guide.
Maxfield, a son of Street Sense, shined in his first start of the season with a four-wide rally on Feb. 13 to win the G3 Mineshaft Stakes at the Fair Grounds.
He is out of the winning Bernardini mare Velvety, who raced as a Godolphin homebred in England.
Mystic Guide added his name to the fold with a dominant performance in the G3 Razorback Handicap at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 27, drawing off to win by six lengths over a sloppy sealed track.
Mystic Guide is also out of a mare that competed under the Godolphin colors in Music Note, a daughter of A.P. Indy who picked up five Grade 1 wins over the course of her career.
Rounding out the group was Antoinette, a 4-year-old daughter of Hard Spun who also won her seasonal bow with an effortless front-running triumph in the G3 The Very One Stakes, also on Feb. 27.
Another multi-generational member of the Godolphin breeding program, Antoinette is out of the Godolphin-homebred Elusive Quality mare Shuruq, who was a group stakes winner in the UAE and Turkey.
The post American Graded Stakes Standings Presented By Muirfield Insurance: Godolphin Sets The Pace Among Breeders appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
