Bet to win.
Sedgefield 1.50 Maillot Blanc – win bet.
Month: January 2023
Dubai Future Intrigues In Friday’s G2 Al Rashidiya S.
by J.N. Campbell & Heather Anderson
The pulse intensifies week-to-week at Meydan Racecourse, as it's almost a fortnight into the Dubai World Cup Carnival. A seven-race card this Friday sports the 1800-metre G2 Al Rashidiya Presented By Azizi, and a well-matched field of 11 will vie for group honours over the Meydan turf.
That distance might be a touch long for Godolphin-bred, Dubai Future (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). He is poised to make a splash in what is his 7-year-old debut for trainer Saeed bin Suroor as he points towards what could be his third consecutive appearance in the G1 Sheema Classic come March. It should be noted that he bested stablemate Passion And Glory (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), who also reappears here, in the G3 Bahrain International Trophy at Sakhir Racecourse on Nov. 18.
“He [Dubai Future] hasn't had a run for two months but he's been back in full training a while now, he's working well and I'm happy with him,” said Bin Suroor. “The Bahrain Trophy was obviously a good result and this is the best race for him before World Cup night.
“We will see how he runs here before deciding where he ends up. He's a tough horse, a fighter, and we'll just have to see how he runs before the World Cup meeting.
“Passion And Glory has also been training well since Dubai and I expect him to run well as well.”
As expected, more royal blue will be present in the form of a pair of lightly-raced Charlie Appleby runners–namely, Newmarket listed hero Ottoman Fleet (Fr) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Valiant Prince (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). The former gained valuable experience when fourth in the G2 King Edward VII S. at Royal Ascot last summer, and he was also runner-up two starts later in the G3 Darley S. at HQ. The latter won a pair of handicaps over the winter at Meydan in 2022, and earned a career-best black-type score in the Listed Ganton S. at York in June. This old fashioned 'horse-for-the-course' angle from his winter exploits could offer a clue as to what is expected from this sharp-looking 5-year-old gelding.
One other runner that warrants a look is the Doug Watson-trained San Donato (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}). An ultra-consistent performer against listed-types, this 7-year-old competed more often as a miler for Roger Varian's barn. Gelded last April, he came to his new outfit and won a listed tune-up by two lengths at Abu Dhabi on Dec. 4.
Classic Pointer On The Undercard
Besides the stakes action later on in the evening, race three is the purview of colts with potential Classic aspirations, with an octet signed on for the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial Presented By Azizi over 1400 metres on the main track. The most accomplished runners in this conditions heat hail from South America, with the three-for-four Loreley (Brz) (Kentuckian) amply supported by fellow dual listed winner Es-Unico (Brz) (War Secretary), and Group 3 victor Eye On The Prize (Arg) (Il Campione {Chi}).
Godolphin also holds a strong hand in the Ipi Tombe S. Presented By Azizi, as a quartet of runners represent bin Suroor and Charlie Appleby, split two apiece. 2021 Listed UAE 1000 Guineas heroine Soft Whisper (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) squares off with stablemate White Moonlight (Medaglia d'Oro). Appleby's duo of Grade I winner Wild Beauty (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Light Of Peace (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) also step out in this conditions heat over 1400 metres on the Meydan lawn.
“Soft Whisper is working well and likes it in Dubai, I'm really happy with her, she worked really well last week,” said bin Suroor. “She's in the right race over the right trip [seven furlongs], so we'll see how she goes.
“White Moonlight had three years off but she still shows me something on a morning, the problem is she is unsound.
“Every time she got close to a run she'd get another problem. I've given her lots of time, but I know she still has class. She's better than she showed last time. What I see on the morning is very good. We just thought we'd give her a chance out here in Dubai before deciding on her future.”
The post Dubai Future Intrigues In Friday’s G2 Al Rashidiya S. appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.
TAA Official Charity of Eclipse Awards
In-person attendees of the Eclipse Awards will have the opportunity to donate to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) and learn more about its mission through on-screen displays of TAA's messaging at the Eclipse Awards, to be held Jan. 26 at The Breakers, Palm Beach, Florida. The TAA is the official charity partner of the event.
“As we convene to recognize the most accomplished horses and humans of 2022, the NTRA is proud to recognize the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance as the Official Charity of the 52nd Eclipse Awards,” said NTRA President and CEO Tom Rooney. “The work of the TAA is vital to the longevity of our sport, and we hope everyone dependent on these magnificent creatures for their livelihood and enjoyment will join us in honoring them during this time of reflection and beyond.”
In conjunction with NTRA, Lilly Pulitzer will host a “Sip, Shop, and Support” event from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. with 10% of the proceeds to benefit the TAA. In addition to the free beverages provided by Lilly Pulitzer, the TAA will be raffling off a hand-painted Lilly Pulitzer purse. Raffle tickets are $20 with 100% of proceeds benefitting the nationwide aftercare nonprofit. Raffle tickets can be purchased during the in-store event in Palm Beach on Worth Avenue.
In addition to the in-person festivities, the TAA will kick off its second annual Off to the Races online auction Thursday, Jan. 26 consisting of VIP experience packages on major race days in 2023 and 2024. The online auction will remain open for 8 days, with more details to be announced by the TAA in the coming weeks.
The post TAA Official Charity of Eclipse Awards appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.
Zarak Share One Of The Highlights Of Tattersalls Online January Sale
A stallion share in His Highness The Aga Khan's promising stallion Zarak (Fr) (lot 63) is one of 65 lots catalogued for the Tattersalls Online January Sale on Jan. 18-19. In addition, several breeding rights will be offered, as well as 36 horses in/out-of-training, some broodmares, a pair of 2-year-olds, a yearling by Eqtidaar (Ire) (lot 18) and one point-to-point entry.
The son of Dubawi (Ire) and Arc heroine Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar) already has group winners Purplepay (Fr), Baiykara (Fr), Sirjan (Ger), Lavello (Ire), and Lizaid (Ger) in his first two crops, as well as the Classic-placed duo of Times Square (Fr) and La Parisienne (Fr). He stands for €60,000 this year. The share will provide one nomination per year from 2023 onwards and an additional nomination in 2024 and in every even-numbered year thereafter.
Other lots of note including breeding rights to UK/Ireland Champion First-Season Sire Havana Grey (GB) (lot 66), besides additional breeding rights in Charming Thought (GB) (lot 64), Harry Angel (Ire) (lot 65), Profitable (Ire) (lot 59), Ribchester (Ire) (lot 60), Territories (Ire) (lot 61) and Time Test (GB) (lot 62). G1 Champion Novices Hurdle winner Cilaos Emery (Fr) (Califet {Fr}) (lot 44) will be offered by Willie Mullins's Closutton Stables.
Seven of the 65 lots are part of the Lance Bloodstock Reduction, including Represent Yourself (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire}) in foal to Equiano (Fr), and three-time winner Satin Snake (GB) (Aclaim {Ire}) (lot 29), who won at Kempton earlier this week.
Trainer Ger O'Leary, disucssing the Lance Bloodstock Reduction, said, “Lance Bloodstock is reducing numbers in order to make space for a number of homebred 2-year-olds that are in training in my stables. Lance Bloodstock also plans on purchasing a select number of 2-year-olds in the upcoming breeze-up sales. The horses-in-training that are being offered have won many races. They have all passed a rigorous vetting process and all have recent racing form.
“Lance Bloodstock made the decision to sell with Tattersalls Online because it causes no disruption to the training routine of the horses and avoids the expense of sending staff to the sales for two days.”
The post Zarak Share One Of The Highlights Of Tattersalls Online January Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.
