October, 2022 | Horse Racing Free Tips

European Star Baaeed Retired To Shadwell’s Nunnery Stud In England For 2023

Baaeed, the winner of six Group 1 races and, at 135, the highest-rated turf racehorse anywhere in the world, will join the Shadwell stallion roster at Nunnery Stud in Norfolk for 2023.

Shadwell's homebred colt has an impeccable pedigree, being by the brilliant world champion Sea The Stars out of the Listed-winning Kingmambo mare Aghareed, making him a full-brother to this season's Group 1 Coronation Cup winner Hukum.

Aghareed is out of Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf heroine Lahudood, who is descended from His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum's blue hen mare Height Of Fashion, the dam of top-class performers Nashwan, Nayef and Unfuwain.

Baaeed was expertly prepared by William Haggas to win all his six starts at three, including wide-margin successes in the listed Sir Henry Cecil Stakes at Newmarket and the G3 Thoroughbred Stakes at Goodwood.

He made his breakthrough at the highest level by beating Group 1 winners Order Of Australia, Victor Ludorum and Snow Lantern to take the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp, and signed off for the 2021 season by outbattling world champion miler Palace Pier to score in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.

Baaeed was even better this season at four, winning three prestigious Group 1 contests over a mile, all in impressive fashion. His triumphs in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot and Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood were followed by a breathtaking performance on his first start over 10 furlongs in the Juddmonte International at York, where he surged clear of the previous year's winner Mishriff, in electrifying style, to prevail by no less than six and a half lengths.

Baaeed will stand alongside fellow Sussex Stakes victor Mohaather, exciting first-season sire Tasleet and Group 1-winning sprinter Eqtidaar at Nunnery Stud. His nomination fee will be announced in due course.

Sheikha Hissa said: “On behalf of my family, I am delighted to confirm that Baaeed has now been retired to stand at Shadwell's Nunnery Stud for the 2023 season, where he was born in 2018. We are all so proud of what Baaeed has achieved and count ourselves very fortunate to have shared his journey with him. I would like to thank everyone at William's for managing his career so expertly and the teams at Shadwell and Derrinstown for raising him to be the champion that he is.

“His regal pedigree and outstanding conformation will stand him in excellent stead at stud and hopefully attract the top breeders from around the world, so that together we can give Baaeed every chance to prove himself as exceptional a stallion as he was a racehorse.”

Stephen Collins, European Bloodstock Manager said: “Shadwell are honored to welcome Baaeed, the top-rated turf horse in the world to their stallion portfolio. Baaeed has all the qualities that breeders require to make the grade as a successful stallion. He is a magnificent racehorse with superb conformation coupled with a wonderful temperament.

“His exemplary pedigree has been developed and nurtured by the late Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and his family for over 40 years and this renowned bloodline continues to provide so many great racehorses and racing memories for us all.

“I have no doubt that Baaeed will be hugely popular at stud, and we very much look forward to his arrival in a few weeks' time.”

William Haggas said: “We have enjoyed an incredible journey with Baaeed over the last 18 months. His speed, brilliance and raw ability combined with an extraordinarily good temperament have made him a joy to train.

He is unquestionably the best horse ever to have walked through the doors at Somerville Lodge and I hope he enjoys as fruitful a career at stud.”

Angus Gold, racing manager said: “We have been blessed to have Baaeed racing in the Shadwell silks for the last two seasons. Since the first day he set foot on a racecourse he has demonstrated his class, incredible turn of foot and outstanding temperament at every opportunity, highlighted by his magnificent victory in the Juddmonte International at York in August.

As well as being a beautifully balanced horse with enormous presence and his exceptional temperament, Baaeed's greatest asset was his remarkable turn of foot which has been evident on so many occasions, and we are all very excited and proud to launch his stallion career at Nunnery Stud for 2023.”

The post European Star Baaeed Retired To Shadwell’s Nunnery Stud In England For 2023 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

‘Part Of The Family’: Mandella Exudes Pride As 48-Year Employee Felipe Mendoza Wins ‘Dedication To Racing’ Award

It's often said that racing's grooms, hotwalkers and exercise riders are the unsung heroes of a game that requires its equine athletes be cared for on a 24-7 basis. No one better exemplifies the dedication, work ethic and love of the horse that's required at all times than Felipe Mendoza, who has worked for some 48 years as a groom for Hall of Fame conditioner Richard Mandella.

So recognized this past Thursday, Oct. 13 at Keeneland Racecourse, Mendoza, 70, was presented with the NTRA-sponsored “Dedication to Racing” Award in a ceremony that was attended by both Mandella and Mendoza and was emceed by Santa Anita's Frank Mirahmadi.

“It was one of the best days of my life,” said Mandella. “The excitement and the satisfaction for both Felipe and I, it was one of the best days I've had in a long time. Felipe's worked for me for 48 years and he's part of the family. When I was just starting out, he was a hotwalker at that time for a barn that I took over, Braugh Ranches.

“He's just been a great person, a great employee all these years. He's there every day, on time and horses love him. He takes good care of them, he just couldn't be better. I tried to move him up, into an assistant's job years ago and he gave it try but he asked me to put him back with his horses. That's were he wanted to be.”

When asked about some of the “big horses” that Mendoza has been entrusted with, Mandella responded:

“We'll go back to the beginning, with my first stakes winner, Bad 'n Big. He had Phone Trick, Rock Hard Ten, Dare and Go, Soul of the Matter and others.”

A native of Jalisco, Mexico, Mendoza came to the United States at age 21 and currently resides in nearby Eagle Rock with his wife Irene. They have two grown children and six grandchildren.

“Yes, I'm very proud to win this award,” said Mendoza Thursday morning at Mandella's Santa Anita Barn 4. “Working for Mr. Mandella all these years has been a great pleasure. He's a good man and he's been a great boss. I love working with the horses and as long as I'm feeling healthy, I want to keep working. I love what I do.”

The post ‘Part Of The Family’: Mandella Exudes Pride As 48-Year Employee Felipe Mendoza Wins ‘Dedication To Racing’ Award appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Todd Pletcher’s Juvenile Breeders’ Cup Contenders ‘Solid’ In Thursday Breezes

Trainer Todd Pletcher's juveniles taking aim on the Nov. 4 Future Stars Friday races during the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Keeneland worked here Thursday on a fast track.

Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable's Forte and Harrell Ventures' Lost Ark, the respective winner and sixth-place finisher in the Oct. 8 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland, breezed a half-mile together in :49.20 immediately after the track's second renovation break at 9 a.m. Both are candidates for the $2 million FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1).

Keeneland clockers caught the two in fractions of :13.40, :25, :49.20 and out in 1:02, 1:15.80 and 1:30.20. (Click here for a video of the work.)

“That was a pretty standard breeze from them,” Pletcher said. “They're both solid work horses and are always willing. We were just hoping to see more of what they normally do.”

Pletcher was happy with the colts' performances in the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity.

“We felt like (Forte) handled the added distance (of 1 1/16 miles) and the two turns; he certainly looked like he relished it,” Pletcher said. “Lost Ark had a rough trip into the first turn and that kind of took him completely out of position. He finished up with some interest so that was encouraging.”

In addition, Frizette (G1) winner Chocolate Gelato and restricted stakes winner Atomically worked in tandem for Pletcher following the first renovation at 7:30 a.m. The prospects for the $2 million NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) clocked the half-mile in :49.

Fractions for the pair, according to Keeneland clockers, were :13.20, :25.20, :49 and out in 1:01.80, 1:15.20 and 1:30.

“I thought it was perfect,” Pletcher said. “Went off nicely, finished up well, good strong gallop out. Both got over the track (as if) they like it. It was a well-executed breeze.”

Repole Stables races Chocolate Gelato, and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners owns Atomically.

On Friday morning, Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) contenders Malathaat and Nest as well as Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) or Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile (G1) hopeful Life Is Good are expected to breeze for Pletcher.

Malathaat, last season's champion 3-year-old filly, won Keeneland's Juddmonte Spinster (G1) on Oct. 9 for Shadwell Stables. Nest, owned by Repole Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Michael House, is exiting a victory in the Beldame (G2) on Oct. 9.

Life Is Good, winner of last year's Dirt Mile, won the Woodward (G1) in his most recent start on Oct 1. He races for CHC Inc. and WinStar Farm.

The post Todd Pletcher’s Juvenile Breeders’ Cup Contenders ‘Solid’ In Thursday Breezes appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Pletcher Juveniles Tune Up for Breeders’ Cup

A host of juveniles from the Todd Pletcher barn gearing up for engagements on Friday of Breeders' Cup championship weekend worked at Keeneland Thursday.

Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable's Forte (Violence) and Harrell Ventures' Lost Ark (Violence), the respective winner and sixth-place finisher in the Oct. 8 GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity, breezed a half-mile together in :49.20 immediately after the track's second renovation break at 9 a.m. Both are candidates for the $2-million GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

Keeneland clockers caught the two in fractions of :13.40, :25, and out in 1:02, 1:15.80 and 1:30.20. (Click here for a video of the work).

“That was a pretty standard breeze from them,” Pletcher said. “They're both solid work horses and are always willing. We were just hoping to see more of what they normally do.”

Pletcher was happy with the colts' performances in the Breeders' Futurity.

“We felt like [Forte] handled the added distance [of 1 1/16 miles] and the two turns; he certainly looked like he relished it,” Pletcher said. “Lost Ark had a rough trip into the first turn and that kind of took him completely out of position. He finished up with some interest, so that was encouraging.”

Also working Thursday, GI Frizette S. winner Chocolate Gelato (Practical Joke) worked in company with Florida Sire My Dear Girl S. winner Atomically (Girvin) following the first renovation at 7:30 a.m. Pointing towards the GI NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, the pair clocked the half-mile in :49 flat (11/26).

Fractions for the work, according to Keeneland clockers, were :13.20, :25.20, and out in 1:01.80, 1:15.20 and 1:30.

“I thought it was perfect,” Pletcher said. “Went off nicely, finished up well, good strong gallop out. Both got over the track [as if] they like it. It was a well-executed breeze.”

Thursday's work tab at Keeneland also included GI Breeders' Cup F/M Sprint contender Slammed (Marking), who worked three furlongs in :36.80 (6/9) for trainer Todd Fincher.

“That was a good way to start the day. She was very happy out there,” said jockey Florent Geroux, who was aboard for the work.

Slammed earned a berth in the F/M Sprint with her victory in the GII Thoroughbred Club of America S. at Keeneland Oct. 8.

Also Thursday, two Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” victors owned by Susan Moulton and trained by Wayne Catalano–Manny Wah (Will Take Charge) and Andthewinneris (Oscar Performance)–returned to the work tab following their victories during Fall Stars Weekend.

Manny Wah, winner of the GII Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Oct. 7, worked a half-mile in :47.40 for the second-fastest move of 26 at the distance. Manny Wah is headed for the $2-million GI Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint, a race in which he finished fifth in at Keeneland in 2020.

The GII Castle & Key Bourbon winner Andthewinneris worked a half-mile in :48.60 (8/26) with splits of :12.40 and :24.40. Andthewinneris is a candidate for the $1-million GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf that will close Future Stars Friday Nov. 4.

The post Pletcher Juveniles Tune Up for Breeders’ Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post