July, 2021 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Poetic Flare, Order Of Australia Chasing Breeders’ Cup Berth In Wednesday’s Sussex Stakes

Mrs. J.S. Bolger's 3-year-old Poetic Flare (IRE), a two-time Group 1 winner, and Order of Australia (IRE), the defending US$2 million FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) champion, lead Wednesday's Qatar Sussex Stakes (G1) at Goodwood Racecourse. The Qatar Sussex Stakes winner will earn an automatic starting position and fees paid into this year's US$2 million FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile presented by PDJF (G1) through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series.

The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series is an international series of 84 stakes races whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, which will be held at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California on Nov. 5-6.

As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for the Qatar Sussex Stakes winner to start in the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile, which will be run at a mile on the Del Mar turf course. Breeders' Cup will also provide a travel allowance of US$40,000 for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships. The Challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders' Cup program by the Championships' pre-entry deadline of Oct. 25 to receive the rewards.

The Qatar Sussex Stakes will be televised live on TVG with an approximate post time of 10:35 a.m. ET.

Challenging older runners for the first time in the Qatar Sussex Stakes, Poetic Flare, trained by Jim Bolger, has won five races in eight starts, including three this year. A son of Dawn Approach (IRE) out of the Rock of Gibraltar (IRE) mare Maria Lee (IRE), Poetic Flare captured the QIPCO 2000 Guineas at 1 mile on May 1 at Newmarket, defeating Master of The Seas (IRE) by a short head at 16-1. That win was followed by a sixth-place finish as the 5-2 favorite in the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) (G1) at ParisLongchamp on May 16. Just six days later, Poetic Flare was entered in the Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas (G1) at The Curragh, where he finished second by a short head to stablemate Mac Swiney (IRE). However, Poetic Flare returned to his winning ways with his most impressive performance to date, taking the 1-mile St James's Palace Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot on June 15 by 4 1/4-lengths.

“Poetic Flare has been very well since the St James's Palace Stakes,” said Jim Bolger to Goodwood.com. “We're very happy with his work and he seems to be improving further. I was expecting and hoping for him to win at Ascot but possibly not as spectacularly as he did.”

Trainer Aidan O'Brien, who has won the Qatar Sussex Stakes five times, has entered Order of Australia and Lope Y Fernandez (IRE), the first and third-place finishers, respectively, in last year's FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile at Keeneland. Owned by Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Anne Marie O'Brien, the 4-year-old Order of Australia came off the also-eligible list to win by a neck at 73-1 over stablemate Circus Maximus (IRE). Order of Australia made his first start of 2021 in the “Win and You're In” Queen Anne Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot, finishing eighth. He rebounded in his next start, though, scoring a 1 1/4-length triumph in the 7-furlong Romanised Minstrel Stakes (G2) at The Curragh on July 18.

The 4-year-old Lope Y Fernandez, owned by Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier and Michael Tabor, finished second to Palace Pier (GB) in the Queen Anne Stakes by 1 ½ lengths in his third start this year. A son of Lope de Vega (IRE), Lope Y Fernandez began 2021 with a 5 ½-length victory in the listed 1-mile Heritage Stakes at Leopardstown on April 14. He started next in the 1-mile Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes (G1) at Newbury on May 15, but was not a factor, finishing eighth as the 5-1 second choice.

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Three-year-old fillies Alcohol Free (IRE) and Snow Lantern (GB) were the first two finishers in the 1-mile Coronation Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot on June 18. The 1 ½-length victory in the Coronation was Alcohol Free's second Group 1 triumph. Owned by Jeff Smith and trained by Andrew Balding, the daughter of No Nay Never claimed her first Group 1 in last year's Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket. Alcohol Free began this year with a win in the Dubai Duty Free Stakes (G3) at Newbury on April 18. In her first start against older fillies and mares, Alcohol Free finished third to Snow Lantern in the Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes (G1) at Newmarket on July 9.

Rockcliffe Stud's Snow Lantern, trained by Richard Hannon, has finished in the money in her four starts this year. A gray daughter of Frankel (GB), Snow Lantern broke her maiden in the 1-mile Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships at Newbury on April 18. She finished third in the listed Oaks Farm Stables Fillies' Stakes at York on May 14 prior to her second-place effort in the Coronation. Sent off at 6-1 in the Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes, Snow Lantern moved off the rail in the final two furlongs and surged to the front to catch QIPCO 1000 Guineas (G1) winner Mother Earth (IRE) by a half-length.

Juddmonte's 4-year-old Kentucky homebred Tilsit, trained by Charlie Hills, comes into the race off a win in the 1-mile Betfred Summer Mile Stakes (G2) at Ascot on July 10. That victory came after a second-place finish in the 1 1/8-mile Prix d'Ispahan (G1) at ParisLongchamp on May 30. A son of First Defence, Tilsit has a win over the Goodwood course, taking last year's 1-mile Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes (G3).

The post Poetic Flare, Order Of Australia Chasing Breeders’ Cup Berth In Wednesday’s Sussex Stakes appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Catalogue Out For Inaugural Somerville Sale

Tattersalls has released the catalogue for its inaugural Somerville Yearling Sale, which was formerly staged as the Ascot Yearling Sale but has now been permanently moved to Newmarket after a successful renewal at Park Paddocks last year. The sale takes place on Sept. 7 and features 292 yearlings, all eligible for the £100,000 Tattersalls Somerville Auction S. and the £150,000 Tattersalls October Auction S.

The Tattersalls Ascot Yearling Sale produced 13 group and listed winners in its short history including this year's Listed Windsor Castle S. and Brocklesby S. scorer Chipotle (GB) (Havana Gold {Ire}), a 10,000gns purchase and one of 32 individual 2-year-old winners thus far from last year's sale.

The Somerville catalogue features siblings to 44 black-type winners including a pair of its star graduates in Windstormblack (GB) (Brazen Beau {Aus}) (lot 2, a filly by Adaay {Ire}) and Flippa The Strippa (Ire) (Outstrip {GB}) lot 222, a colt by War Command). There are also siblings to group and listed-winning 2-year-olds Aqlaam Vision (GB) (Aqlaam {GB}) (lot 250, a filly by Havana Gold {Ire}), Chilworth Icon (GB) (Sixties Icon {GB}) (lot 144, a filly by Cable Bay {Ire}) and Sweet Gardenia (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) (lot 71, a colt by Showcasing) up for sale, as well as a Jungle Cat (Ire) half-sister to the G1 Commonwealth Cup-placed Ventura Rebel (GB) (Pastoral Pursuits {GB}) (lot 271) and an Unfortunately (Ire) half-brother to this year's G2 Coventry S. third Vintage Clarets (GB) (Ardad {Ire}) (lot 261).

Other standouts on paper include a Twilight Son (GB) colt out of the G1 Cheveley Park S.-placed Bailey's Jubilee (GB) (Bahamian Bounty {GB}) (lot 206), and a Kodiac filly out of G2 Ribblesdale S. runner-up Sahool (GB) (Unfuwain) (lot 105).

“The catalyst for launching the Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale at Park Paddocks was the extraordinary vibrance of last year's relocated Tattersalls Ascot Yearling Sale and consignors have embraced the permanent move with an outstanding group of precocious yearlings,” said Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony. “The improving quality of yearlings being offered at the sale has been matched by the racecourse performance of its graduates, and the introduction of the £100,000 Tattersalls Somerville Auction S. will further enhance the appeal of the sale which has quickly established a reputation as a consistent source of top-class juvenile talent.”

The post Catalogue Out For Inaugural Somerville Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Dark Angel’s Angel Bleu Pounces For Vintage Success

With overnight soft-ground conditions deteriorating to heavy, Tuesday's G2 Unibet Vintage S. was shorn of G2 July S. victor and likely protagonist Lusail (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) on a card struck by multiple scratchings. Step forward Marc Chan's Angel Bleu (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}), who followed up a one-length second in Saturday's Listed Pat Eddery S. to post a career high in Glorious Goodwood's day one juvenile feature. The 10-3 second choice and Ralph Beckett trainee had previously finished 13th behind the reopposing Berkshire Shadow (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) when contesting Royal Ascot's June 15 G2 Coventry S. and raced in fourth through halfway as that rival settled at the tail of the field. Making continued headway in the straight, he quickened smartly for his challenge entering the final furlong and was ridden out to withstand the late surge of 13-8 favourite Berkshire Shadow by 3/4-of-a-length for a career high.

“[Last] Saturday [at Ascot] went well, although he was a little keen and Frankie [Dettori] got off him and said he thinks the horse needs a little break,” explained trainer Ralph Beckett. “I had a chat with the owners and we decided that we should geld him, give him a holiday and send him to Hong Kong, where the owner has a permit to run horses, in the autumn. However, he bounced up the yard on Sunday morning so I told the owner that I think we should declare for Tuesday and I could hardly believe my luck when I saw the rain coming down overnight. I am not sure America would suit him as he likes a bit of juice. He is 2-out-of-2 on soft ground and I would say that we would maybe think about the [G1] Dewhurst S. and [G1 Vincent O'Brien Goffs] National S. now.”

Dettori added, “He was sweaty and keen when I rode him on Saturday so I told Ralph to give him a break as he was a bit over the top. I told [owner] Marc Chan that I'd told Ralph to give him a break and then Ralph calls me Sunday morning saying he's declared him for Goodwood on Tuesday. I wonder what Marc thinks of me after the horse goes and wins as well. Horses make a fool of you, but a combination of running round the turn and soft ground made a difference. He loved it.”

Reflecting on the performance of runner-up Berkshire Shadow, Oisin Murphy said, “He relaxed very well, but the pace was slow. He took a while to wind up and, when he did get going, he hit the line really well. He probably wants better ground and is a miler in the making.”

Angel Bleu, half-brother to a yearling colt by Siyouni (Fr), is the first of two foals produced by a full-sister to MG1SW sire Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who won this contest in 2014, MG1SP G2 Great Voltigeur S. and G2 Hardwicke S. victor Idaho (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and G1 Caulfield S. hero Cape of Good Hope (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). The February-foaled bay's G1 Australia Oaks-winning third dam Circles of Gold (Aus) (Marscay {Aus}) threw MG1SW Australian champions Elvstroem (Aus) (Danehill) and Haradasun (Aus) (Fusaichi Pegasus).

Tuesday, Goodwood, Britain
UNIBET VINTAGE S.-G2, £150,000, Goodwood, 7-27, 2yo, 7fT, 1:32.85, sf.
1–ANGEL BLEU (FR), 127, c, 2, by Dark Angel (Ire)
1st Dam: Cercle de La Vie (Ire), by Galileo (Ire)
2nd Dam: Hveger (Aus), by Danehill
3rd Dam: Circles of Gold (Aus), by Marscay (Aus)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (€120,000 Ylg '20 ARDEAY). O-Marc Chan; B-Pan Sutong Racing Bloodstock (FR); T-Ralph Beckett; J-Lanfranco Dettori. £85,065. Lifetime Record: 6-3-1-1, $150,212. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Berkshire Shadow (GB), 130, c, 2, Dark Angel (Ire)–Angel Vision (Ire), by Oasis Dream (GB). (40,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Berkshire Parts & Panels Ltd No1 Fanclub; B-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd (GB); T-Andrew Balding. £32,250.
3–Austrian Theory (Ire), 127, c, 2, Awtaad (Ire)–Cedar Sea (Ire), by Persian Bold (Ire). (30,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Dr Jim Walker; B-Epona Bloodstock Ltd & P A Byrne (IRE); T-Mark Johnston. £16,140.
Margins: 3/4, 1, 3HF. Odds: 3.33, 1.63, 16.00.
Also Ran: The Acropolis (Ire), Eldrickjones (Ire), Secret Strength (Ire). Scratched: Lusail (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Study: Thailand’s African Horse Sickness Outbreak Likely Started From Just One Animal

Scientists have found that the 2020 outbreak of African Horse Sickness in Thailand most likely came from just one affected animal entering the country. Hundreds of horses were killed in the country's first outbreak of the disease, which is spread by biting midges.

Dr. Napawan Bunpapong and a research team from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok used molecular-based testing to help determine the disease's origin. They discovered that every blood and tissue sample taken from affected horses in Thailand contained the virus, and more specifically, contained unique amino acids, indicating a single, common origin. The researchers suggest that the virus may have come from an asymptomatic animal like a zebra.

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The government of Thailand restricted movement and enforced quarantine, disinfection and vector control to try to staunch the spread of the disease. Mass vaccination was also completed in Thailand and neighboring countries.

Affected horses had a fever and swelling near their eyes; they became depressed and short of breath before dying suddenly within 48 hours.