Month: January 2023

Valiant Prince A New Group Winner For Dubawi In Dubai

The $180,000 G2 Al Rashidiya Presented By Azizi featured a Godolphin trifecta once the dust settled, as Valiant Prince (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) came out on top by three-quarters of a length over the better-fancied pair of Dubai Future (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) for Saeed bin Suroor, and Ottoman Fleet (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). It was the second Friday of the Dubai World Cup Carnival, and a one/three finish for Charlie Appleby.

The 1800-metre contest began with the eventual winner in close quarters under James Doyle and shuffled back to a midpack perch, as bin Suroor trainee Passion And Glory (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire})–the fourth of the Godolphin quartet–cut out fractions on the front end. Dubai Future rated just off the frontrunner with Wirko (Ger) (Kingman {GB}) to his outside, and Valiant Prince was on Dubai Future's tail.

Able to save ground against the fence, Valiant Prince appeared poised for a big effort rounding the far bend and Wirko retreated leaving the turn. Passion And Glory's lead diminished upon straightening, and Dubai Future took over with 400 metres remaining, as Ottoman Fleet also began to let down for his run. Splitting Dubai Future and Ottoman Fleet, the dark bay battled with those foes, before finally subduing Dubai Future in the final 50 metres. Ottoman Fleet's drive fell flat.

“It was a big step forward on what he's achieved in the past,” said Doyle. “We were drawn well, but it got a little hairy on the bend and the two in front got away. It kind of suited him as he doesn't want to see much daylight and the way he picked up was quite a surprise–he felt like he was always going to win comfortably.”

A winner of a brace of one-mile Meydan handicaps last winter, the 5-year-old ran fourth in the Listed Paradise S. returned to England in April. He drew off to win the Listed Ganton S. by four lengths at York in June, and Friday was his first start in 217 days.

 

Pedigree Notes

Darley's remarkable Dubawi, fresh off his first UK/Ireland Champion Sire title, has sired 249 black-type winners. Friday's winner is his 162nd group scorer.

Valiant Prince joins G3 Pinnacle S. heroine Klassique (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) as group winners out of G1 Matron S. victress Chachamaidee (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}). Klassique, who was also placed an additional three times at group level in England and France, has colts by Siyouni (Fr) and Lope De Vega (Ire) in 2021 and 2022. The last reported foal for Chachamaidee is Capitano (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who is an unraced 3-year-old colt.

A half-sibling to G3 Premier Cup winner Chief Whip (Giant's Causeway) and a full to G3 Fred Darling S. heroine J Wonder (Footstepsinthesand {GB}), Chachamaidee is from the extended family of G1 1000 Guineas heroine Virginia Waters (Kingmambo), herself the granddam of G3 Snow Fairy S. winner and G1 Irish Oaks/G1 Pretty Polly S. bridesmaid Rain Goddess (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).

Friday, Meydan, Dubai
AL RASHIDIYA PRESENTED BY AZIZI-G2, $180,000, Meydan,
1-13, 3yo/up, 9fT, 1:46.92, gd.
1–VALIANT PRINCE (IRE), 126, g, 5, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Chachamaidee (Ire) (Hwt. Older Mare-Eng at
                                5-7f, Hwt. Older Mare-Ire at 7-9 1/2f,
                                G1SW-Ire, MGSW & G1SP-Eng, $650,743),
                                by Footstepsinthesand (GB)
2nd Dam: Canterbury Lace, by Danehill
3rd Dam: Legend Maker (Ire), by Sadler's Wells
1ST GROUP WIN. (200,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-Godolphin;
B-R A H Evans (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby; J-James Doyle.
$108,000. Lifetime Record: SW-Eng, 9-5-2-0, $229,409. *1/2 to
Klassique (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), GSW-Eng, MGSP-Fr, $180,470.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the
   eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Dubai Future (GB), 126, g, 7, Dubawi (Ire)–Anjaz, by Street
Cry (Ire). O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Saeed bin Suroor. $36,000.
3–Ottoman Fleet (GB), 125, g, 4, Sea The Stars (Ire)–Innevera
(Fr), by Motivator (GB). (€290,000 Wlg '19 ARQDEC;
425,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Godolphin; B-SCEA Marmion
Vauville & Alain Jathiere (GB); T-Charlie Appleby. $18,000.
Margins: 3/4, HF, 4 1/4.
Also Ran: Zagrey (Fr), Freescape (GB), Fastnet Crown (Ire), San Donato (Ire), King David (Den), Passion And Glory (Ire), Ursa Minor (Ire), Wirko (Ger). Click for the VIDEO.

 

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Mind Control Anchors Rockridge Stallion Roster

Mind Control (Stay Thirsty–Feel That Fire, by Lightnin N Thunder), who closed his career with a battling victory in the GI Cigar Mile H., will anchor the 2023 stallion roster at Rockridge Stud, where he will stand for $8,500 LFSN as a joint venture between Irish Hill/Dutchess View Farm, Waldorf Farm and Hidden Lake Farm.

The farm's other stallions with their stud fees (all LFSN) are: Al Khali (Medaglia d'Oro, $2,500); A Shin Forward (Forest Wildcat), $2,500); Disco Partner (Disco Rico, $4,000); Frank Conversation (Quality Road, private); Slumber (GB) (Cacique {Ire} $7,500); Tourist (Tiznow, $3,500).

Rockridge will host a stallion show Saturday, Jan. 28 from noon to 2 p.m. A lunch buffet will be served as will a raffle for free seasons to each stallion at the show (winner must be present).

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‘You Will Always Be So Loved’: Hall Of Famer Mike Smith Pays Tribute To Late Jockey Avery Whisman

Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith paid tribute to fellow rider Avery Whisman on Twitter after learning of the 22-year-old's passing, calling Whisman his “little brother.” Whisman's death was not caused by a racing accident; an official cause of death has not been released.

“R.I.P my little brother you will Always be so Loved,” Smith wrote.

Smith and Whismen met when Whisman moved to Southern California in the summer of 2018; Smith gifted the young rider with several pairs of boots and the saddle Smith used to win the 2005 Kentucky Derby (G1) aboard 50-1 long shot Giacomo. It was the same saddle presented to Smith by another Hall of Famer, Laffit Pincay Jr., upon his 2003 retirement as the sport's all-time leading rider.

The death of the 22-year-old jockey was first announced on Twitter on Jan. 11, 2023, by Morell Bloodstock, LLC.

“We are deeply saddened to hear the news about Avery Whisman,” the Maryland Jockey Club wrote on Twitter. “Our hearts are with his family and friends.”

According to a 2019 interview with the Maryland Jockey Club, Whisman grew up in Lexington, Ky., riding three-day eventing horses including an off-track Thoroughbred which he piloted in the Junior Olympics in 2017. He pivoted to racing shortly thereafter, first working as an exercise rider for Joan Scott at Keeneland before Carla Gaines hired Whisman and brought him out to the West Coast.

Whisman said of Smith: “Being around somebody like Mike, who is absolutely a complete professional and so focused and so good at what he does, gave me the inspiration to strive to be like that. He does everything right. They give great advice and things like that, but to see how they conduct themselves and go about their business is inspiring and motivating.”

It was Smith's idea for Whisman to begin his career as a jockey at Turf Paradise, where mounts would be more plentiful. Whisman made his professional debut Dec. 18, 2018 at Turf Paradise, finishing sixth with Sincere Warning. He rode twice more before the end of the year and remained in Arizona to start 2019, riding there through the end of March and picking up his first winner March 16 aboard Spring Sprung.

By the end of April, Whisman relocated to the Mid-Atlantic region and found a home in Maryland. Whisman rode his first race at Laurel Park April 26 and was winless in three mounts before the circuit moved to Pimlico Race Course for its 12-day Preakness Meet. There, at the second-oldest racetrack in the country behind Saratoga, he finished with eight wins from 31 mounts, second in wins only to multiple meet and year-end champion Trevor McCarthy.

After skipping a year of riding in 2021, Whisman returned in May of 2022 at Pennsylvania's Presque Isle Downs. He won with 16 of his 93 mounts last year, his final mount coming on Aug. 23, 2022.

The post ‘You Will Always Be So Loved’: Hall Of Famer Mike Smith Pays Tribute To Late Jockey Avery Whisman appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Longines World Racing Awards Ceremony Will Be Live-Streamed On Jan. 17

The 2022 Longines World Racing Awards ceremony, which is organized by the Swiss watch brand Longines and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. The event will honor the Longines World's Best Racehorse and the Longines World's Best Horse Race of the 2022 season, and the winners will be announced beginning at approximately 14:15 GMT/9:15 EST.

The in-person event will take place at Banqueting House in London. This year marked the 400th anniversary of the building, which is one of the Historic Royal Palaces and is the only surviving portion of the lost Palace of Whitehall. The live stream of the ceremony will be released on multiple digital platforms including the social media accounts of Longines and the IFHA, as well as World Horse Racing. Additionally, multiple other racing industry players from around the globe will show the awards.

The highest-rated horses in the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings and the 2022 Longines World's Best Horse Race will be revealed and celebrated. The Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings are established by international handicappers according to the performance of the horses in top races. The highest rated race is determined by averaging the rankings of the first four placed horses.

This is the 10th ceremony honoring the Longines World's Best Racehorse and the eighth time the Longines World's Best Horse Race will be named. The connections of the winning horse will be presented with an elegant Longines watch and a replica of the vase of the Longines World's Best Racehorse. The connections of the Longines World's Best Horse Race will also be presented with a watch and a replica of a trophy representing a proud horse head.

Additionally, the IFHA's annual list of the Top 100 Group/Grade 1 races will be released, as well as the rankings for all horses around the world rated 115 or higher. The full list and further information on the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings will be available on the IFHA website ifhaonline.org.

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