Month: May 2022

Second Chances: ‘An Added Sweetness’ for Juddmonte Campaigning Arrogate Homebred Artorius

In this continuing series, TDN's Senior Editor Steve Sherack catches up with the connections of promising maidens to keep on your radar.

After blitzing home to finish a strong second on debut at Keeneland, Juddmonte homebred Artorius (c, 3, Arrogate–Paulassilverlining, by Ghostzapper) could make his next start during the upcoming GI Belmont S. Racing Festival.

“That was maybe a bit short for him and there's a race on June 10th going a one-turn mile at Belmont,” Juddmonte USA General Manager Garrett O'Rourke said. “Everything is going well with the colt. We'll keep our fingers crossed and hopefully he continues to progress. He's a good-looking horse.”

Off as the 3-1 second choice in his unveiling for Chad Brown going six furlongs in Lexington Apr. 16 (video), Artorius was away in good order from stall three and was immediately under a ride in eighth through an opening quarter in a sharp :22.13.

Still with plenty to do rounding the far turn, the dark bay was taken widest of all as they straightened, and despite switching to his left lead approaching the final sixteenth, came flying home on the outside in :12.07 to finish 1 1/2 lengths behind 'TDN Rising Star' Under Oath (Speightstown). Artorius earned an 83 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort.

“He just had a few issues early on as a 2-year-old, so we brought him home and let him grow up a bit,” O'Rourke said. “We brought him back and he's been a different horse altogether. Chad kept saying that he had turned the corner and that he really liked him going into his debut. He obviously came across a good horse [Under Oath] who had first run on him. But, oh God, we loved the way he came home–the final eighth, especially.”

Juddmonte purchased Artorius's dam Paulassilverlining privately from breeder Vince Scuderi ahead of her 5-year-old season with the gone-to-soon Arrogate in mind as a future mate. She recorded two wins at the highest level that term–the GI Madison S. and GI Humana Distaff S.–while carrying Juddmonte's green-and-pink silks.

Paulassilverlining, a half-sister to two-time GI Carter H. winner Dads Caps (Discreet Cat), is also responsible for the 2-year-old filly Parameter (Into Mischief) and a Tapit filly of this year. Parameter recently joined Brown's Saratoga string, according to O'Rourke.

The brilliant GI Breeders' Cup Classic and G1 Dubai World Cup hero Arrogate, the richest North American racehorse in history, was humanely euthanized at Juddmonte after suffering from an undetermined illness in June 2020. He is currently represented by 27 winners, headed by GI Kentucky Oaks heroine Secret Oath.

“There will certainly be an added sweetness–we'd love to have a good Arrogate,” O'Rourke concluded. “And most especially, also get a good start to Paulassilverlining's broodmare career as well. He definitely has talent, it's just a matter of how much.”

The 'Second Chances' honor roll is headed by two-time Breeders' Cup winner Golden Pal (Uncle Mo), GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby winner and Lane's End stallion Honor A. P. (Honor Code) and MGISW and 'TDN Rising Star' Paradise Woods (Union Rags). This term's ultra-impressive GI Carter H. winner Speaker's Corner (Street Sense), GIII Westchester S. winner Cody's Wish (Curlin) and GI Preakness S. third-place finisher Creative Minister (Creative Cause) have also been featured in the series. Other standouts include: GSW Moonlight d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro), GSW & MGISP Spielberg (Union Rags), GSW Backyard Heaven (Tizway), MSW and 'TDN Rising Star' Gidu (Ire) (Frankel {GB}); and GISP A Mo Reay (Uncle Mo).

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Derby Favourite Desert Crown Leaves Connections Purring After Gallop

Connections of G1 Cazoo Derby favourite Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) were left purring after a scintillating exercise gallop on Thursday as Sir Michael Stoute put the finishing touches on what could become the legendary trainer's sixth win in the Classic.

Stoute will forever be remembered for managing Shergar (Ire) to win the Derby in 1981 and followed up on that breakthrough success in the race with Shahrastani (1986), Kris Kin (2003), North Light (Ire) (2004) and Workforce (GB) (2010).

Desert Crown advertised the trainer's claims of bolstering his Derby record when running out an ultra-impressive winner of the Dante at York a fortnight ago and, despite not normally being the flashiest in his work at home, is reported to have sparkled in a gallop at Newmarket on Thursday.

Bruce Raymond, racing manager to Desert Crown's owner Saeed Suhail, said, “He went nicely and everyone is happy. He went on the watered gallop and we're very pleased with him.”

A best-priced 9-4 chance for the Derby on Saturday week, Desert Crown was ridden in the key workout by Richard Kingscote, and is understood to have pulled well clear of group-winning stablemate Solid Stone (Ire) (Shamardal), ridden by Ted Durcan.

It was on that same watered gallop that Stoute readied all five of his Derby winners and, similar to the 76-year-old trainer's first winner of the Classic, Desert Crown will be bidding to emulate Shergar in winning the race off the back of just two starts.

Raymond, who was one of a small group of onlookers to witness the morning workout, added, “He's not a great worker, but I believe everyone was very happy with him this morning, both the jockey and Sir Michael.”

 

Masekela Given Derby Mission

   Masekela (Ire) (El Kabeir) has been confirmed to be on course to take on Desert Crown in the Derby by Andrew Balding after the colt passed a stalls test.

Winner of the Denford S., Masekela was also a short-head second to Native Trail (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) in the Superlative S. as a 2-year-old and returned to finish an encouraging runner-up to Eydon (Ire) (Olden Times {GB}) in the Feilden S. in his first outing at three.

Although withdrawn at the start of the G2 Dante S. earlier this month, his intended Derby prep, Balding has now confirmed it is all systems go for Epsom.

Balding said, “He passed his stalls test on Monday and that (Derby) is the intention. I think the horse has improved a good deal since Newmarket, especially in his home work. Obviously, there are stamina question marks on his sire's side, but also some room for optimism on the dam's side.”

He added, “I've been impressed by the way he has worked since the Feilden S. and on his 2-year-old form he's not a million miles away from at least deserving his place in the field.”

Meanwhile, Charlie Hills has swooped to book Tom Marquand for 50-1 outsider Sonny Liston (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}), who is set to be the trainer's first runner in the Derby.

Hills said, “We all know how well Tom is riding at the moment. He's in great form, is riding with huge confidence, and those are things you can't beat really. We're really looking forward to having him in the saddle next Saturday.”

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First Black-Type Winner For James Garfield

Off the mark on debut over five furlongs at Thirsk May 14, the David O'Meara-trained filly Maria Branwell (Ire) (James Garfield {Ire}–Princess Pearl {Ire}, by Teofilo {Ire}) took the next step in her stride on Thursday to capture Sandown's Listed Coral National S. Settled with two behind early by Danny Tudhope, the 3-1 shot had to chase hard after the Listed First Flier S. runner-up Crispy Cat (GB) (Ardad {Ire}) inside the final two furlongs and despite running away from the whip initially focused enough to run down that visitor close home for a neck success. “She was green and is still learning, but was up against the boys today and has taken a nice step forward,” her rider said. “She has a great attitude and is a very likeable filly. We were outpaced at halfway, but she really picked up and did her best work in the last furlong so I'm sure she'll get six.”

Rathbarry Stud's first-season sire (by Exceed and Excel {Aus}) is off to a flying start, with this being his first black-type winner from only a handful of runners.

“She was a lovely, balanced, athletic filly with a good powerful hind quarter and she had a lovely sweet temperament. Her breeders Barry and Anna Murphy, recommended her highly and well done to them.” – Joe Foley, who purchased the filly for €22,000 at Goffs Autumn Yearlings.

 

Maria Branwell's unraced dam, whose yearling colt by Zoffany (Ire) was a prescient €40,000 purchase by Ballyphilip Stud at the Goffs November Foal Sale, is a half-sister to the listed-placed sprinter Samminder (Red Ranson) and to the dam of the Listed Prix Ceres winner Invitational (GB) (Poet's Voice {GB}). The third dam is the G1 Prix Morny heroine First Waltz (Fr) (Green Dancer).

CORAL NATIONAL S.-Listed, £40,500, Sandown, 5-26, 2yo, 5f 10yT, 1:02.79, g/s.
1–MARIA BRANWELL (IRE), 126, f, 2, by James Garfield (Ire)
     1st Dam: Princess Pearl (Ire), by Teofilo (Ire)
     2nd Dam: Gimasha (GB), by Cadeaux Genereux (GB)
     3rd Dam: First Waltz (Fr), by Green Dancer
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. (€22,000 Ylg '21 GOAUTY). O-Bronte Collection 1; B-Barry Kennedy & Anna Murphy (IRE); T-David O'Meara; J-Daniel Tudhope. £22,968. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $38,826.
2–Crispy Cat (GB), 131, c, 2, Ardad (Ire)–Mara Grey (Ire), by Azamour (Ire). (7,500gns Wlg '20 TATFOA; £105,000 Ylg '21 TATIRY). O-Amo Racing Ltd; B-Saeed Nasser Al Romaithi (GB); T-Michael O'Callaghan. £8,708.
3–Rumstar (GB), 131, c, 2, Havana Grey (GB)–Stellarta (GB), by Sakhee's Secret (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Vincent Ward; B-Whitsbury Manor Stud (GB); T-Jonathan Portman. £4,358.
Margins: NK, 6HF, HF. Odds: 3.00, 0.91, 6.50.
Also Ran: Michaela's Boy (Ire), Waiting All Night (GB), Democracy Dilemma (Ire), Dunnington Lad (Ire).

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Frankel’s L’Astronome Battles To Hocquart Success

He had to fight to extend his winning sequence on his black-type bow on Thursday, but Al Asayl France's L'Astronome (GB) (Frankel {GB}–Tymora, by Giant's Causeway) proved equal to the task when eking out a narrow verdict over Galaxie Gold (Fr) (Dariyan {Fr}) in a thriller for ParisLongchamp's G2 Prix Hocquart. Sent off the 7-10 favourite for the 11-furlong test, having shown abundant promise so far and having scored over slightly shorter at this track last time Apr. 28, the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained chestnut was unable to get a lead from the outset with Christophe Soumillon committed to going on before halfway. Tackled on both sides in what would have been a long last furlong for connections, he refused to allow Ecurie d'Haspel's rail-runner the glory and thrust his neck out to prevail by a head, with 3/4 of a length back to the G3 Bavarian Classic scorer Lavello (Ire) (Zarak {Fr}) in third.

“I think it was a nice performance,” Graffard said. “Christophe feared he might be caught for speed with this horse and so took up his responsibilities. He said the horse is still green and immature and was asked to do something he had never done before, so this education will certainly help him in the future. The horse was courageous and brave and he is now three-for-three this season. The owners will enjoy this and we will now concentrate on our target, the G1 Grand Prix de Paris on July 14th. Hopefully the ground will be even faster and he will appreciate the extra furlong.”

Galaxie Gold is also unexposed and trainer Damien de Watrigant was considering a rematch in the Bastille Day feature. “We are delighted with the performance and frustrated to lose by so little,” he said. “Anyway, we were taking quite a few steps up in class there and the result is positive. The horse seemed quite impressed to run on such a big course and will learn from the experience. The owner now has a partner, so they will discuss his future and there are still some questions to be answered like will he stay a mile and a half and be back for the Grand Prix de Paris?”

L'Astronome, who becomes the 64th group winner for his sire, is a half-brother to the G2 Coventry S.-placed Eltezam (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), with the second dam being the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup heroine Shiva (Jpn) (Hector Protector). She produced the Listed Prix Zarkava winner and G2 Prix Corrida runner-up That Which Is Not (Elusive Quality), whose G3 Ballysax S.-winning son Piz Badile (Ire) (Ulysses {Ire}) could be even bigger things for the pedigree in the upcoming Derby. Shiva is also the second dam of the G2 Gimcrack S. and G2 Champagne S. winner Threat (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}), as well as being a half-sister to the G1 Oaks heroine Light Shift (Kingmambo) who is responsible for Piz Badile's G1 Juddmonte International and G1 Eclipse S.-winning sire. This is also the family of the triple grade I-winning Main Sequence (Aldebaran) and the G1 Prix Ganay hero Cloth of Stars (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}). Tymora's colt foal is by Galiway (GB).

Thursday, ParisLongchamp, France
PRIX HOCQUART-G2, €130,000, ParisLongchamp, 5-26, 3yo, 11fT, 2:20.61, sf.
1–L'ASTRONOME (GB), 128, c, 3, by Frankel (GB)
     1st Dam: Tymora, by Giant's Causeway
     2nd Dam: Shiva (Jpn), by Hector Protector
     3rd Dam: Lingerie (GB), by Shirley Heights (GB)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Al Asayl France (GB); T-Francis-Henri Graffard; J-Christophe Soumillon. €74,100. Lifetime Record: 4-3-1-0, €110,500. *1/2 to Eltezam (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), GSP-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Galaxie Gold (Fr), 128, c, 3, Dariyan (Fr)–Galaxie des Sables (Fr), by Marchand de Sable. 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€28,000 RNA Ylg '20 AROCT; €47,000 RNA 2yo '21 ARQJUN). O-Ecurie d'Haspel; B-Haras d'Haspel (FR); T-Damien de Watrigant. €28,600.
3–Lavello (Ire), 128, c, 3, Zarak (Fr)–Laura (Ger), by Montjeu (Ire). O-Gestut Ittlingen; B-Gestut Hof Ittlingen (IRE); T-Markus Klug. €13,650.
Margins: HD, 1 3/4, 1HF. Odds: 0.70, 10.00, 3.50.
Also Ran: Garachico (GB), Selwan (Ire). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.

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