Month: June 2022

Cazoo Oaks: Where Did They Come From?

This year's G1 Cazoo Oaks is an up-to-scratch renewal. Aidan O'Brien runs four, with Ryan Moore electing to ride Irish 1000 Guineas runner-up Tuesday, while John and Thady Gosden are double-handed with short-priced favourite Emily Upjohn and Nashwa. Emily Upjohn cost just 60,000gns as a yearling while Tom Clover's Rogue Millennium, unbeaten in both of her starts, is another bargain buy that will line up in this year's Classic after she changed hands to join her current connections for just 35,000gns. We took a look at the story behind each of the 11 fillies that will step forward in the Epsom Classic on Friday afternoon and find out where they all came from.

 

CONCERT HALL (IRE), Dubawi (Ire)–Was (Ire) (Galileo {Ire})
Owner: D Smith, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor, Westerberg
Breeder: Was Syndicate
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Pedigree Notes: Her dam Was stormed to Oaks glory 10 years ago under Seamie Heffernan. Was is from the family of G1 Derby victor New Approach (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and is a sister to stakes winners Douglas MacArthur (Ire), Amhran Na Bhfiann (Ire) and the dual Group 3-placed Al Naamah (Ire), as well as a half-sister to listed winner Janood (Ire) (Medicean {GB}). Concert Hall is followed by an unraced 2-year-old sister and a filly foal by Wootton Bassett (GB) this year.

 

EMILY UPJOHN (GB), Sea The Stars (Ire)–Hidden Brief (GB) (Barathea {Ire})
'TDN Rising Star'.
Owner: Tactful Finance & S Roden
Breeder: Lordship Stud & Sunderland Holding Inc
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
Sales History: The heavy favourite for this year's Oaks will provide many people with reason to dream, as she was knocked down for just 60,000gns during Book 2 of the Tattersalls Yearling Sale in October 2020.
Pedigree Notes: Emily Upjohn has a pedigree that belies that 60,000gns price tag. The race favourite is a half-sister to two winners, while her dam Hidden Brief is a winning sister to Hazarista (Ire) and a half-sister to Hazariya (Ire) (Xaar {GB}), both of whom were black-type performers for John Oxx. More pertinently, Hazariya is the dam of dual Derby winner Harzand (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). Hidden Brief has a yearling filly by Capella Sansevero (GB).

 

KAWIDA (GB), Sir Percy (GB)–Kandahari (GB) (Archipenko)
Owner/Breeder: Miss K Rausing
Trainer: Ed Walker
Pedigree Notes: Kawida is the first foal out of the dual winner Kandahari, herself a half-sister to triple Australian Group 1 winner Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}). She has a 2-year-old full-sister called Khinjani (GB) (Sir Percy {GB}), who has yet to race, and a yearling half-sister by Sea The Moon (Ger).

 

MOON DE VEGA (GB), Lope De Vega (Ire)–Lunesque (Ire) (Azamour {Ire})
Owner: Regents Consulting
Breeder: Montcastle Bloodstock Ltd
Trainer: Ralph Beckett
Pedigree Notes: Her dam carried the colours of Lady O'Reilly to victory in France and is a half-sister to a French Group 3 winner, a listed juvenile scorer and a listed-placed performer. Lunesque has a 2-year-old colt named Sir Cilia (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) and her 2021 filly Night of Thunder (Ire).

 

NASHWA (GB), Frankel (GB)–Princess Lulu (Ire) (Pivotal {GB})
'TDN Rising Star'.
Owner: Imad Alsagar
Breeder: Blue Diamond Stud Farm (uk) Ltd
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
Pedigree Notes: A half-sister to three-time winner Louganini (GB) (Zoffany {Ire}), Nashwa is followed by a Decorated Knight (GB) yearling half-sister and a colt foal by Dubawi (Ire). Her dam won three times, including at listed level over 10 furlongs, and was runner-up in the G1 Prix Jean Rommanet.

 

ROGUE MILLENNIUM (IRE) Dubawi (Ire)–Hawaafez (GB) (Nayef)
Owner: The Rogues Gallery
Breeder: Shadwell Estate Company Limited
Trainer: Tom Clover
Sales History: Another castoff from a major outfit, Rogue Millennium was bought for just 35,000gns by JS Bloodstock from Shadwell at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale last year.
Pedigree Notes: Out of the G3 Cumberland Lodge S. heroine Hawaafez, who is a great granddaughter of Wedding Bouquet (GB) (Kings Lake), Rogue Millennium is a sister to the winning Khatm (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Wedding Bouquet herself is a dual Grade/Group 3 victress, who was third in the G1 Phoenix S. and is a half-sister to Irish Horse of the Year Generous (Ire) (Caerleon). Hawaafez was also dispersed by Shadwell and caught the eye of Blandford Bloodstock for 14,000gns at the Tattersalls February Mixed Sale. She has an unraced 2-year-old filly by Awtaad (Ire) named Naomi Lapaglia (GB) and a yearling filly by Kingman (GB).

 

THE ALGARVE, American Pharoah–Imagine (Ire) (Sadler's Wells)
Owner: Mrs David Nagle,Coolmore & Westerberg
Breeder: Barronstown Stud
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Pedigree Notes: The 13th and final foal out of Imagine, who won the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas in 2001 before winning this race for Aidan O'Brien, the bay is from the same family as three-time American champion turf mare Trillion (Hail To Reason). Imagine is a proven producer of high-class horses, six of which have achieved black-type, including G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere winner Horatio Nelson (Ire) (Danehill) and Van Gogh, a full-brother to The Algarve, who won the G1 Criterium International.

 

THOUGHTS OF JUNE (IRE), Galileo (Ire)–Discreet Marq (Discreet Cat)
Owner: Moyglare Stud Farm & Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor
Breeder: Moyglare Stud Farm
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Pedigree Notes: From an ultra-tough family, she is a sister to a winner, while her dam Discreet Marq won six times in America, including the GI Del Mar Oaks before she was picked up for $2.4 million by Moyglare Stud at Fasig-Tipton November in November 2014.

 

TRANQUIL LADY (IRE), Australia (GB)–Repose (Quiet American)
Owner: Teme Valley
Breeder: Tinnakill Bloodstock Ltd
Trainer: Joseph O'Brien
Sales History: Failed to sell at the November Foal Sale at Goffs in 2019, however, she was knocked down from Tinnakill House to Richard Ryan for £160,000 at the Goffs Orby Sale in October 2020.
Pedigree Notes: The family has taken off in recent times, largely down to globetrotting star State Of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), who has won three Group 1 races on three different continents. Tranquil Lady's unraced juvenile half-sister Double Scoop (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) was sold for €180,000 at the Goffs Orby Sale last year. Their dam also has a Sea The Stars (GB) filly foal at foot and was recently sold to Juddmonte in foal to Frankel (GB).

 

TUESDAY (IRE), Galileo (Ire)–Lillie Langtry (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire})
Owner: Mrs John Magnier/Michael Tabor/Derrick Smith/Westerberg
Breeder: Coolmore
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Pedigree Notes: A full-sister to the brilliant 1000 Guineas and Oaks winner Minding (Ire), Irish 1000 Guineas scorer Empress Josephine (Ire) and Group 3 scorer Kissed By Angels (Ire), out of top-class racemare Lillie Langtry, who won the G1 Matron and G1 Coronation S., Tuesday turns three on Cazoo Oaks Day. Her 2-year-old full-sister has been named Delightful (Ire), but has yet to grace the track.

 

WITH THE MOONLIGHT (IRE), Frankel (GB)–Sand Vixen (GB) (Dubawi {Ire})
Owner/Breeder: Godolphin
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Pedigree Notes: A sister to Dream Castle, winner of a Group 1 over nine furlongs at Meydan, she is the sixth foal out of Sand Vixen, who won the G2 Flying Childers S. as a juvenile. Sand Vixen has a yearling filly by Cracksman (GB) and a filly foal by Blue Point (Ire).

The post Cazoo Oaks: Where Did They Come From? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Rich Strike ‘More Relaxed’ Through Light Gallop At Belmont Park

RED TR-Racing's Grade 1 Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike got his first look at the Belmont Park main track on Thursday, galloping 1 1/2 miles over the sloppy going with regular exercise rider Gabriel Lagunes in the irons. The son of Keen Ice arrived at Belmont early Wednesday morning for the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets on June 11.

“It seems like he's done everything a little bit better than I thought he would,” said trainer Eric Reed. “We actually took him out yesterday and we were going to give him one turn – the rider said he wanted to give him another, so he went twice on the [training] track and got used to the pony and made a friend there. Today, we took him to the main track. It was a little wet, so we just went one time around and we kind of made him go at our pace. He didn't care for that. His ears were back and he was wanting to go. So, tomorrow he'll get a chance to go out and train like normal.”

Rich Strike made his way through the paddock in tandem with outrider Juan Galvez and his pony, Stormy, who will accompany Rich Strike throughout his preparations leading up to the Belmont. The two quietly made a few laps around the walking path with other trainees behind them before heading through the tunnel and to the main track.

Lagunes trotted Rich Strike for a few strides over Big Sandy before asking him to extend to a light gallop for the 1 1/2-mile journey, keeping a tight hold of the energetic chestnut. Rich Strike kept an even tempo throughout, pinned his ears and wanted to do more down the lane, but stayed in hand to complete the exercise and exit the track through the chute on the first turn.

Lagunes noted that Rich Strike, who can be spirited in the mornings, has been noticeably more relaxed at Belmont.

“He's happy. I think he likes this track,” Lagunes said. “He was pretty fresh and was pulling a little, but he's more relaxed here than at Churchill Downs. There [at Churchill], there are a lot of horses and a lot of traffic and he gets a little stressed. But not here.”

Reed said Rich Strike appeared to be ready for more in his exercise.

“We never really try to make him go a certain pace except for today, and he didn't like that. He wants to go his [way],” said Reed. “It was his second day back and I wasn't sure if he's got some fatigue and just won't show it, so I didn't want to overdo it today. Tomorrow, we'll let him do his thing.”

With the track rated sloppy from overnight rain, Reed said he will know more about how Rich Strike handled the surface once he gallops over a fast going.

“He's done everything right. He's enjoying it,” Reed said. “It was a little wet today so I don't think we got a true feel of the track. Maybe tomorrow if it's dry then I'll get a chance to watch him and I think after a couple days I'll have a pretty good idea of how he's taking to the track.”

Rich Strike posted his final breeze in preparation for the Belmont on Monday at Churchill Downs where he breezed five furlongs in 59 seconds flat. He is not expected to breeze at Belmont, but will school in the paddock and gallop each day leading up to his run in the 1 1/2-mile “Test of the Champion.”

Jeff Perrin, agent for Rich Strike's jockey Sonny Leon, said the rider will arrive in New York next Thursday evening with an eye towards participating on the Friday, June 9 card at Belmont.

“I'd like to get Sonny a couple of mounts Friday so he can get a feel for the track, so I've reached out to a couple trainers up there,” Perrin said. “He'll be watching many of the replays of previous Belmonts to see who did what and how it happened. And then he'll be studying every race over the next week at Belmont Park to get ready.”

Leon's only mount at a NYRA track came last year at Saratoga Race Course when he piloted Forewarned to a sixth-place finish in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup.

Perrin said he's not too worried about Leon having a light schedule on Belmont Stakes Day as the rider had won just four races at Churchill Downs prior to the Kentucky Derby.

“Even on Derby day, the only race he rode was the Kentucky Derby,” Perrin said. “The dream was to draw in and run in the Kentucky Derby but the dream never went as far as to winning it, but the good Lord has different plans for us all.”

The post Rich Strike ‘More Relaxed’ Through Light Gallop At Belmont Park appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Dalika Headlines Cast Of 10 For Sunday’s Mint Julep Stakes

Bal Mar Equine's seven-time winning mare Dalika (GER) is set to make her first start since October against an ultra-competitive cast of nine rivals that entered Sunday's $200,000 Old Forester Mint Julep (Grade 3) at Churchill Downs.

The Mint Julep, run at 1 1/16 miles on the Matt Winn Turf Course, will go as Race 9 of 10 with a post time of 4:55 p.m. (all times Eastern). First post is 12:45 p.m.

Trained by Al Stall Jr., the speedy Dalika (GER) won last year's Robert Dick Memorial (G3) at Delaware and Al Stall Memorial at Fair Grounds. The gray mare has done most of her training this spring at Skylight Training Center, located in Goshen, Ky. Dalika (GER) has recorded two of her seven wins at Churchill Downs and has only one start locally where she finished outside the top 2. The late Miguel Mena rode Dalika (GER) in nine of her last 10 starts. Ricardo Santana Jr., who was close friends with Mena, will be in the saddle Sunday from post No. 6.

Other top contenders that entered the Mint Julep include Grade 3 winner Gam's Mission, two-time stakes victor Hendy Woods, recent allowance winners Market Rumor and Petricor (GB) and Group 3 winner Waliyak (FR).

Here's the complete field for the Old Forester Mint Julep from the rail out (with jockey and trainer):

  1. Petricor (GB) (Florent Geroux, Bill Mott)
  2. Market Rumor (Chris Landeros, Ian Wilkes)
  3. Waliyak (FR) (Joe Talamo, Ed Vaughan)
  4. Keeper of Time (Tyler Gaffalione, Brendan Walsh)
  5. Lake Lucerne (Julien Leparoux, Brendan Walsh)
  6. Dalika (GER) (Santana, Stall)
  7. Gam's Mission (Adam Beschizza, Cherie DeVaux)
  8. Ambassador Luna (Rafael Bejarano, Ben Colebrook)
  9. Hendy Woods (Brian Hernandez Jr., Mark Casse)
  10. Take Charge Ro (James Graham, Brian Lynch)

Wagering for Sunday's Mint Julep Stakes and every race from Churchill Downs is available on www.TwinSpires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated and the Kentucky Derby.

The post Dalika Headlines Cast Of 10 For Sunday’s Mint Julep Stakes appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Steve Koch to Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association

Longtime Thoroughbred industry executive Steve Koch has joined the senior management teams of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association and Florida Equine Communications.

Koch will assume responsibilities in July for all operations and systems related to the FTBOA and FEC offices, meeting rooms, library and museum facilities. Koch will also coordinate a soon to launch, in-house video and broadcast production partnership and tenant relationship and will generally assist the management team in increasing awareness, economics and programs for the FTBOA membership and Florida Thoroughbred industry.

“It is an exciting time to join the FTBOA,” Koch said. “This new position combines my lifetime experiences in Thoroughbred breeding and racing and I am proud and looking forward to being part of an already strong and growing organization and dynamic Florida industry.”

Koch has held prior positions as vice president of Thoroughbred racing at Woodbine Racetrack, executive director of the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance and was most recently a senior vice president for the Stronach Group.

The post Steve Koch to Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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