Month: May 2022

Alenquer Wins An Epic Tattersalls Gold Cup

The William Haggas show had another stirring episode at The Curragh on Sunday as M M Stables' Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}) came out on top of a thrilling finale to a G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup which will be recalled for some time. Last year's G2 King Edward VII S. winner had lost a front shoe when a gallant sixth in the Mar. 26 G1 Dubai Sheema Classic when last seen, having readily beaten Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) previously in the G3 Winter Derby at Lingfield Feb. 26, and was accorded due respect at 7-2 in this fascinating renewal. Kept handy by Tom Marquand as Ryan Moore finally unlocked the abundant talent of the frustrating High Definition (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) with a no-nonsense front-running ride, he was at work turning for home and continued to graft all the way up the straight as Ballydoyle's 20-1 shot clung on at the head of affairs. The 2-1 joint-favourite Lord North was the first to crack inside the final furlong, but Alenquer kept digging in to deny the upset in the final stride and prevail by a neck. The other joint-favourite State of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) ended up the same margin away in third, in front of Lord North but never able to land a serious blow in an epic encounter of middle-distance heavyweights.

“We had hoped he had this in the tank and came here with barely an inch to find with the top horses–there were a couple of little things that didn't go our way in Dubai and we had valid excuses and this is testament to his attitude,” Marquand said after his first ride in Ireland. “At the two pole, I was more worried about Lord North than High Definition but there was a question mark about his stamina and in the end it was no mean task pegging back the runner-up. He really had to dig deep there and it is a stiff last furlong. It is wonderful for William Haggas and the team at home, because he is not the easiest.”

Alenquer may have entered the G3 Sandown Classic Trial last April a 25-1 shot, but he emerged to make a mockery of those odds by beating Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Lone Eagle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in what has come to represent one of those races that was foretelling a big story. Left out of the Derby mix, he was sent to Royal Ascot to garner the King Edward prior to missing the break and finishing a distant third to Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in the G1 Grand Prix de Paris in July. Again well adrift of a bigwig when six-lengths second to Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) in York's G1 Juddmonte International the next month, the bay was sent to the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe but wound up ninth after trying to force the issue from the front.

Having been dogged by testing ground for most of his 3-year-old campaign, Alenquer showed the kind of pace and strength that connections had always believed was there on his comeback when putting Lord North to the sword in the Winter Derby on Polytrack. Beaten only just over a length in the Sheema Classic racing on three plates, he had ideal conditions returning to Europe in this hot contest and ultimately again had too much stamina for the Gosdens' dual G1 Dubai Turf hero, too much pace for the GI Saratoga Derby Invitational, G1 Cox Plate and G1 Prix Ganay winner State of Rest and a smidgen more class on the day than the revitalised TDN Rising Star High Definition. Putting the performance in context, last year's winner Helvic Dream (Ire) (Power {GB}) was last, beaten over 11 lengths, while the 2021 runner-up Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}) could only manage fifth.

William and Maureen Haggas are operating at a near 50% strike-rate at the moment and have now won nine black-type races since the previous Saturday when Baaeed (GB) took Newbury by storm. Maureen had the pleasure of representing Somerville Lodge and said, “He was ridden beautifully by Tom. He knows him really well and the horse is as hard as nails. The more you ask the more he gives. He's always been a nice horse, but he keeps surprising us a bit. I think ground is important and it is on the slow side here. He won over a mile and a half at Ascot last year, but his top-class form is over a mile and a quarter. I thought he had a hard enough race today, but looking at him there is not a bother on him.”

Alenquer, who was a super-find by Armando Duarte at only 80,000gns at the 2019 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1, further advertises the prowess of his late sire for whom he was the sixth group 1 winner. He is the second foal out of Wild Blossom (Ger) (Areion {Ger}), a half-sister to the Listed Junioren-Preis winner Wilder Wein (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) from a family replete with black-type winners. The third dam is the influential Waitotara (Ire) (Habitat), ancestress of Hong Kong's champion stayer Mr Medici (Ire) (Medicean {GB}), the G3 Prix Miesque winner and G1 Preis der Diana runner-up White Rose (Ger) (Platini {Ger}), the G2 EuropaChampionat winner Wild Side (Ger) (Sternkonig {Ire}) and her triple group-winning daughter Wild Coco (Ger) (Shirocco {Ger}). Wild Blossom also has an unraced 3-year-old filly by Zarak (Fr), a 2-year-old colt by Galiway (GB) bought for €100,000 by Haras de Meautry at the 2020 Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale, and a yearling colt by The Grey Gatsby (Ire).

Sunday, The Curragh, Ireland
TATTERSALLS GOLD CUP-G1, €400,000, Curragh, 5-22, 4yo/up, 10f 110yT, 2:11.44, gd.
1–ALENQUER (FR), 131, c, 4, by Adlerflug (Ger)
     1st Dam: Wild Blossom (Ger), by Areion (Ger)
     2nd Dam: Wind In her Hair (Ger), by Turtle Island (Ire)
     3rd Dam: Waitotara (Ire), by Habitat
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (€18,000 Wlg '18 ARQDE; 80,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-M M Stables; B-Gestut Romerhof (FR); T-William Haggas; J-Tom Marquand. €240,000. Lifetime Record: MGSW & G1SP-Eng, G1SP-Fr, 10-5-2-1, $1,016,838. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–High Definition (Ire), 131, c, 4, Galileo (Ire)–Palace (Ire), by Fastnet Rock (Aus).
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. O-D Smith,Mrs J Magnier,M Tabor,Westerberg; B-Whisperview Trading Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €80,000.
3–State of Rest (Ire), 131, c, 4, Starspangledbanner (Aus)–Repose, by Quiet American.
(45,000gns Wlg '18 TATFOA; 60,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-State of Rest Partnership; B-Tinnakill Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien. €40,000.
Margins: NK, NK, 1 1/4. Odds: 3.50, 20.00, 2.00.
Also Ran: Lord North (Ire), Broome (Ire), Bear Story (Ire), Mac Swiney (Ire), Helvic Dream (Ire). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Lester Piggott Hospitalised In Switzerland

Legendary jockey Lester Piggott has been hospitalised in Switzerland, according to Piggott's son-in-law William Haggas. Haggas is married to the former champion jockey's daughter Maureen. A nine-time G1 Derby-winning rider, the jockey is 86.

Haggas told Sky Sports Racing, “I believe he is in hospital and I think Maureen is going over tomorrow to see him. Jamie, his son, is there today. He's battling a bit, but he's a tough man. Hopefully he'll pull through and get home as soon as possible.

“All we can do is train plenty of winners and keep him amused, that's what we're trying to do. I don't think he thinks about what he's achieved, but he loves the adulation that he gets every time he steps out into a public place.”

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MLB Star Bregman Hoping to Hit It Out of the Park in Racing

Alex Bregman was 0-for-4 last Thursday night as the Houston Astros fell, 5-1, to the Texas Rangers, but the two-time All-Star will remember the day as one of the best he's ever enjoyed in sports. A few hours before the Astros took the field at Minute Maid Park, Bregman won his first-ever race as an owner with the first horse he had ever run. The feat was accomplished by Cadillac Candy (Twirling Candy) in the first race at Churchill Downs, a five-furlong turf maiden for two-year-olds.

“It felt like hitting my first home run in the Major Leagues,” Bregman said.

The enthusiasm is for real. Bregman has been active at the sales the last two years, has compiled a stable of eight horses and said his goal is to develop Grade I-caliber horses.

“It felt amazing,” he said of the victory, which came in the colt's second lifetime start. “The whole team was watching the race with me. We knew it was going to be tough for him to win because he was turning back in distance from 5 ½ to five furlongs and he is a closer. Ideally, he wants a little bit longer. He came flying and I don't remember much after that, other than yelling and going crazy.”

That Bregman has gravitated to Thoroughbred racing is hardly a surprise. His father, Sam Bregman, is the chairman of the New Mexico Racing Commission. His grandfather, the late Stan Bregman, was a prominent Washington D.C. lawyer and a frequent visitor to Pimlico and Laurel. Alex Bregman was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico and his grandfather started taking him to Albuquerque Downs when he was just five years old. His wife, Reagan, is a lifelong equestrian.

His horses run under the name of Bregman Family Racing LLC, which consists of Bregman, his wife, his father and his mother, Jackie.

Once he decided to start buying horses, he put together a team that included bloodstock agent Mike Akers. He has also leaned on Jim (Mattress Mack) McIngvale for advice. Bregman owns some of his horses in partnership with the Houston furniture magnate and rabid Astros fan.

“I own three horses in partnership with Mack,” Bregman said. “I'm really hopeful about those horses. He's been awesome and he has taught me a lot about the Thoroughbred business, what to do, what not to do. He's been an awesome resource.”

While the Astros were gearing up for the 2021 postseason, the Bregman team descended on Keeneland last September, which is where they found Cadillac Candy and two other yearlings. Cadillac Candy, who is also partially owned by Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Jake Marisnick, sold for just $15,000.

“It's a little bit of beginner's luck,” Bregman said. “I liked how he looked. Most importantly, my wife liked him and she is the one who picked him out. We all thought that buying him would be a good way to start.”

The Bregman babies were sent to Ciaran Dunne's Wavertree Stable in Ocala, where they were prepared for the races.

“Ciaran Dunne did an unbelievable job getting this horse ready to run,” Bregman said. “I asked him, `do we have anything here with this horse?' and he said, 'yes, actually, I think you have something.'”

Cadillac Candy wins at Churchill May 19, 2022 | Coady photo

While Cadillac Candy was bought for what now looks like quite the bargain, Bregman hasn't been afraid to go after pricier horses. In partnership with Trevor Smith, he bought a Medaglia d'Oro colt named Golden Sombrero (a baseball term that means someone struck out four times in a game) at Keeneland September for $150,000. At this year's OBS March sale, he and partner Ivan Cabrera bought a two-year-old by Ransom The Moon for $200,000. The colt has been named Raji.

“Our game plan right now is to find the best athletes possible,” Bregman said. “We want give ourselves a chance to win graded stakes races. We are in it to win and we are in it for the long run.”

“Alex does not do anything half-assed,” Sam Bregman said. “He is going to put all his effort into this, just like he does with everything else. It's a wonderful thing for the whole family. He felt the desire to get involved as more than just a fan. He loves the adrenaline, he loves the competition. He loves the idea that you go out and get results or you don't get results. I don't think it's going to take 10 years for Alex to be competing at the highest level in horse racing. If I know anything about my son and his drive, I can assure you that he is a sponge and he has educated himself 100 percent when it comes to racing. He's going to know the game as well as anyone. It also takes a little luck and so far he's had that going for him, too.”

Bregman says he will be back at Keeneland for the sale this September and expects that future partners will include Astros teammates.

Obviously, Bregman's first priority is baseball. The third baseman is considered one of the elite players in the game, but he finds the time to follow racing and attended last year's Breeders' Cup at Del Mar. Give him a chance and he'll tell anyone who will listen that there is something special about horse racing and that's the reason why he has become so involved with the sport.

“These animals are amazing and the people in the business are amazing,” he said. “It's an amazing competition, the best two minutes in the sport. It's just amazing to get a horse at one of these sales, watch it grow, watch it learn. They learn what their job is and then they go out there and do it. You get to watch a horse do what it most loves doing. And as you saw with Rich Strike in the Derby, anything can happen, anybody can win. This sport allows you to have that dream.”

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