Month: January 2023

TDN Rising Stars: Notes on the Noteworthy

By what standard is the success of this publication's signature TDN Rising Stars measured; is there an answer? Achieving black-type, at the very least, is a given in any consideration, but tweaks are necessary, as our recent “The Ones That Got Away” article demonstrates. As it happens, last season's vintage managed a sizeable haul of elite-level contests to make 2022 a relative success. Four European Classic triumphs–courtesy of Cachet (Ire) (Aclaim {Ire}), Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire})–were the obvious highlights.

There were others to strike in Group 1 company too, including Classic contenders Little Big Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never), Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) and Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). Bolstered by G2 Mill Reef S. scorer Sakheer (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) and G2 Gimcrack S. victor Noble Style (GB) (Kingman {GB}), last term's juvenile band is one of some strength. Depth is provided by G1 Futurity Trophy runner-up Epictetus (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), G3 Zukunfts-Rennen victrix Habana (Ger) (Kingman {GB}) and G3 Somerville Tattersall S. victor and G1 Dewhurst S. third Nostrum (GB) (Kingman {GB}).

Statistically, 59 individuals were elevated to 'Rising Star' status in Europe last year, kicking off with subsequent black-type winner and G2 Prix Niel runner-up Lassaut (Fr) (Almanzor {Fr}) at Chantilly in March. It'll come as no shock to learn that Kingman (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) was numerically dominant, notching eight 'Rising Stars' during the course of the season. He was comfortably clear of Dubawi (Ire) (Dubai Millennium {GB}), Frankel {GB}) (Galileo {Ire}) and No Nay Never (Scat Daddy), who all registered four. Galileo (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), Sea The Stars (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) and Siyouni (Fr) (Pivotal {GB}) were next in line on three.

Tasked with formulating a Top 10 to look forward to in 2023, plumping for those already on the black-type register would be an exercise in stating the obvious, so the net has been cast further in attempt to identify untapped potential of those yet to make their mark at a higher level. Listed in alphabetical order below, five are by sires who became 'Rising Stars' in their own right on the racecourse and the nominations, by sire, are headed by Dubawi and Siyouni with two each. It's an almost even split by jurisdiction, with France and Ireland home to three apiece. Britain and Germany are tied at two while the gender bias is six to four in favour of the colts. Aidan O'Brien accounts for Ireland's tranche and is numerically the strongest trainer. Markus Klug and Jean-Claude Rouget also make the countdown more than once.

ALEXANDROUPOLIS (IRE) (c, 3, Camelot {GB}–Jazz Cat {Ire}, by Tamayuz {GB})

Multiple Group 1 entrant Alexandroupolis, a 240,000gns Tattersalls October Book 2 graduate, encountered soft ground when introduced at Galway in early September and displayed a rare turn of foot in the latter stages of the extended one-mile maiden to subdue his rivals, defeating G1 Criterium International runner-up and fellow 'TDN Rising Star' Espionage (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Aidan O'Brien stablemate Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) won this race in 2020. He is from the family of G1 Grand Prix de Paris and G1 St Leger hero Kew Gardens (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and G1 Grand Prix de Paris and G1 Irish Derby placegetter Wordsworth (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and a distance of ground awaits.

ALIA'S ROSE (FR) (f, 3, Lope De Vega {Ire}–Quanzhou {Fr}, by Dubawi {Ire})

Jaber Abdullah's Alia's Rose had a trio of black-type performers nine lengths and more in arrears when powering to a breathtaking six-length rout over seven furlongs at Chantilly in July. The Andreas Schutz trainee's victims included Tigrais (Fr) (Outstrip {GB}), who subsequently defeated G1 Prix Jean Luc-Lagardere third Breizh Sky (Fr) (Pedro The Great) in September's G3 Prix La Rochette. The January-foaled bay is out of a stakes-winning half-sister to G1 Prix du Cadran hero Mille Et Mille (GB) (Muhtathir {GB}), but has not been seen since her stunning debut.

ASPIRANT (GER) (c, 3, Protectionist {Ger}–Aussicht {Ger}, by Haafhd {GB})

Prior to 2022, just one horse since 2014 G1 Deutsches Derby-winning sire Sea The Moon (Ger) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) had been elevated to the 'TDN Rising Star' ranks in Germany, but last year was a departure from normality and witnessed a first ever hat-trick of rosettes for the country. Gestut Fahrhof's G3 Zukunfts-Rennen victrix Habana (Ger) (Kingman {GB}) set the ball rolling, plugging a 5-year gap opened by subsequent stakes winner Diaphora (Ger) (Pivotal {GB}) in April 2017, and Aspirant joined her when slamming runaway G3 Herzog von Ratibor-Rennen winner Alpenjager (Ger) (Nutan {Ire}) by 3 1/2 lengths over one mile at Dusseldorf in September. Gestut Rottgen's bay finished just under 17 lengths adrift of that rival in Krefeld's November rematch, having become upset in the stalls during an elongated loading process and posting a sub-par fifth. A half-brother to G2 Diana-Trial victrix Akribie (Ger) (Reliable Man {GB}) and G3 Herzog von Ratibor-Rennen second Ariolo (Ger) (Reliable Man {GB}), he can be forgiven that blip for now and remains an exciting prospect for July's G1 Deutsches Derby.

BEGINNINGS (f, 3, Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}–Winter {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire})

Ballydoyle's Beginnings, a slow-starting debut fourth over six furlongs at Naas in September, summoned the required improvement when making all in taking fashion to garner a seven-furlong Dundalk maiden in November, becoming a first European 'Rising Star' for her sire. That form received a welcome boost when 10th-place finisher Anann (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) snagged a maiden at same track last Friday. Beginnings is the second foal produced by Winter (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who shed her maiden status over the same Dundalk course and distance in 2016 before embarking on a dual Classic-winning Group 1 spree the following year. She is quoted at ante-post odds of 25-1 for the 1000 Guineas and that's just too tempting to resist.

IMPERIAL EMPEROR (IRE) (c, 3, Dubawi {Ire}–Zhukova {Ire}, by Fastnet Rock {Aus})

Jean-Claude Rouget is a fully paid-up member of the Dubawi fan club (see “Snowpark”), but nobody knows better than Charlie Appleby when it comes to conditioning offspring of the recently crowned champion sire. Step forward Imperial Emperor (Ire), whose introduction over the Rowley Mile on Arc weekend was one of abundant promise. The son of GI Man O' War S. victrix Zhukova (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), herself a half-sister to sire Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), recovered from a tardy getaway and powered home majestically to earn his badge by daylight. “He is one we would try to pop out early in the spring in another novice event, then hopefully look at a Derby trial after that,” Appleby revealed afterwards and it would be wise to pay heed to a trainer festooned with another embarrassment of sophomore riches. Imperial Emperor is quoted at 20-1 for the Derby, for those that way inclined.

INTINSO (GB) (c, 3, Siyouni {Fr}–Rose Of Miracles {GB}, by Dalakhani {Ire})

Imad Al Sagar's famed Blue Diamond Stud silks of Authorized (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) and Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) were again in focus when the Gosden-trained Intinso was unveiled in a one-mile Newcastle test won in 2020 by Godolphin's GI Breeders' Cup Turf and dual German Group 1 scorer Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Justifying odds-on favouritism, he left his rivals trailing en route to an impressive 3 1/4-length win. He hails from a family featuring storied champion Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa), G1 Prix Vermeille heroine Galikova (Fr) (Galileo {Ire}) and multiple Group 1-placed sire Anodin (Ire) (Anabaa). Yet to receive any fancy engagements, he is quoted at high prices for both the 2000 Guineas and the Derby, with the former the likelier destination if good enough.

NAILA (FR) (f, 3, Adlerflug {Ger}–Naomia {Ger}, by Monsun {Ger})

Germany's sophomore Class of 2023 may be one for the ages with the calibre of Quantanamera (Ger) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Alpenjager (Ger) (Nutan {Ire}) and Fantastic Moon (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), to name but three, adding lustre to a trio of 'TDN Rising Stars'. One of two Gestut Rottgen homebreds on this list, Naila surfaced with a scintillating display over 9 1/4 furlongs at Cologne in October, pouncing in the home straight to win unchallenged and eased down, by an impressive 10 lengths. The March-foaled bay is a half-sister to G3 Zukunfts-Rennen scorer Narella (Ire) (Reliable Man {GB}), produced by a stakes-winning daughter of G1 Oaks d'Italia victrix Nagoya (Ger) (Goofalik), and a path to August's G1 Preis der Diana (German Oaks) must be on the map.

PADDINGTON (GB) (c, 3, Siyouni {Fr}–Modern Eagle {Ger}, by Montjeu {Ire})

Coolmore and Westerberg's Paddington was the joint second-highest priced lot when fetching €420,000 at Arqana's 2021 October sale, but failed to fire on debut when starting slowly and racing greenly over seven furlongs at Ascot in September. However, he was a completely different animal six weeks later and downed a hot field by five lengths and more over the same trip at the Curragh to earn his stripes in style. Post-breakthrough, Aidan O'Brien indicated an intention to start off the upcoming campaign in a 2000 Guineas trial. Bred on the same Siyouni/Montjeu cross as the dual Grade I-placed Sacred Life (Fr), he is a grandson of G1 Prix de Diane second Millionaia (Ire) (Peintre Celebre). She is a half-sister to G1 Dewhurst S. runner-up Fencing Master (GB) (Oratorio {Ire}), out of G1 Prix Saint-Alary winner Moonlight Dance (Alysheba), and the family also features G1 Melbourne Cup second Heartbreak City (Fr) (Lando {Ger}). His optimum may not necessarily be the one-mile trip, but it's an obvious starting point.

PADISHAKH (FR) (c, 3, Wootton Bassett {GB}–Penny Lane {Ger}, by Lord Of England {Ger})

Nurlan Bizakov's €130,000 Arqana August yearling Padishakh unboxed his 'TDN Rising Star' effort in a nine-furlong newcomers' heat at ParisLongchamp, offering a glimpse of what was to come with an imperious 2 1/2-length win in September. One of three career 'Rising Stars' for his Coolmore-based sire, the Jean-Claude Rouget representative was even more spectacular next time, saluting by 5 1/2 lengths tackling the same distance at Chantilly in October. He is a son of stakes-winning G3 Prix Cleopatre third Penny Lane (Ger) (Lord Of England {Ger}), herself a full-sister to G1 Preis der Diana heroine Palmas (Ger), and could be anything.

SNOWPARK (FR) (f, 3, Dubawi {Ire}–Starlet's Sister {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire})

Ecurie des Monceaux homebred Snowpark, whose year-younger half-brother by Siyouni (Fr) fetched a sale-topping €2.1-million at the latest Arqana August fixture, created a stir of her own when delivering in a one-mile debutantes' heat at Deauville in October. Having negotiated traffic in the straight, the Jean-Claude Rouget trainee hit top gear late in proceedings and won going away to justify the pre-race hype. “I expected her to perform well, but to also improve in the future,” Rouget explained. “She has an aptitude for soft ground and it's extraordinary when you have progeny of Dubawi in the stable. They never show anything in the morning, but in the afternoon, wow. I love these horses.” The April-foaled filly has a page to die for and is a half-sister to Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), Sistercharlie (Ire) (Myboycharlie {Ire}) and My Sister Nat (Fr) (Acclamation {GB}). All options are on the table at present.

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FDA Confirms Botulism Found In Alfalfa Cubes Tied To Death Of Nearly 50 Horses

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry (LDAF), in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the California Animal Health & Food Safety Laboratory (CAHFS), has confirmed the presence of Clostridium botulinum type C in alfalfa hay cubes linked to the death of at least 20 horses in Louisiana. This incident, which has evolved into a multi-state epizootic of Equine Botulism linked to the same alfalfa hay cubes, has also been connected to at least 28 similar horse deaths in New Mexico, Texas, and Colorado, with many other horses becoming clinically ill.

Equine Botulism is a condition caused from a bacterial toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum. In this incident, the condition was likely caused from direct ingestion of the toxin produced by the vegetative bacteria through contamination of the alfalfa hay cubes.

The FDA began their investigation, in conjunction with state departments, after reports that horses in Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Texas showed neurologic symptoms consistent with botulism. During LDAF's investigation, LDAF Investigators received information of possible alfalfa hay cube adulteration with animal remains. LDAF Investigators subsequently confirmed the presence of animal remains in an unopened 50 lb. bag of “Top of the Rockies Alfalfa Horse Cubes” (Lot # 111422), produced by Manzanola Feeds LLC, a feed manufacturing firm in Manzanola, CO. This finding indicated that material from an animal or animals may have been incorporated into the cubes during alfalfa harvesting. Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium that causes botulism, is commonly present in decaying animal carcasses.

As a result of this ongoing investigation, Manzanola Feeds has recalled Top of the Rockies alfalfa cubes with the date codes 111222, 111322, 111422, 111522, and 111622.  If you have Top of the Rockies alfalfa cubes with these date codes, or you can't be sure of the date code of the products you have, throw them away in a secure container and follow the handling and cleaning instructions found at https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/outbreaks-and-advisories/fda-cautions-horse-owners-not-feed-recalled-lots-top-rockies-alfalfa-cubes-due-reports-illness-and.

Immediately consult a veterinarian if your horse ate this product and shows signs of neurologic illness, such as muscle tremors, difficulty eating or swallowing, difficulty standing, or collapse. You can also report the illness to FDA through the Safety Reporting Portal or by calling your state's FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators. If possible, share the brand name and lot numbers of what your horse ate.

If you have fed this product with the associated lot number or no lot stamp at all to your animal(s) who subsequently became ill or has died unexpectedly with neurologic clinical signs, please notify the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry by calling their 24-hour Emergency Hotline at 1-855-452-5323.

For more information on Botulism, visit https://www.ldaf.state.la.us/animal-health/botulism/.

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Multiple Graded Stakes Winner Sacred Life To Stand At Buck Pond Farm

Multiple graded stakes winner and Grade 1-placed Sacred Life (FR) has been retired from racing and will stand the upcoming breeding season at Buck Pond Farm, it was announced today. The accomplished and well-traveled French-bred son of Siyouni (FR) will stand the 2023 season for $2,000 S&N.

A fixture in the top turf races since his arrival in the U.S., Sacred Life won the 2022 Grade 3 Monmouth Stakes, the 2021 G3 Knickerbocker Stakes, and burst on the scene at two in his native France with a victory in the 2017 G3 Prix Thomas Bryon Stakes at Saint Cloud. In addition to his graded stakes success, Sacred Life overwhelmed his opposition in the Oceanport Stakes at Monmouth in 2020, defeating graded stakes winners Synchrony, Hawkish, Eons, and Thread of Blue, and in his final career start in August, he finished third behind Grade 1 winners and millionaires Santin and Smooth Like Strait in the in the $1 million G1 Arlington Million, run in 2022 at Churchill Downs.

“We are very excited to have Sacred Life standing at Buck Pond for the 2023 breeding season,” said Doug Arnold Jr. “With 27 starts under his belt, Sacred Life proved to be an iron horse miler who was good at two and even better as he progressed.

“Turf racing has established a foothold in the United States and predominantly turf sires have seen increased popularity in the sales ring,” he continued. “With precocity and grit on the track, a fashionable pedigree, and an affordable stud fee, we believe Sacred Life will prove interesting to a wide array of breeders around the country.”

In the 1 1/8-mile Monmouth Stakes, Sacred Life settled in mid-pack early. He overcame a controlled pace over a course that had been favorable to frontrunners and with a quick turn of foot advanced on the pacesetters three-wide around the far turn. He tore past rivals in the stretch to post a 1 ¼-length victory, covering the distance in 1:47.70 and earning a 111 Timeform rating in a resounding performance.

In the Knickerbocker, Sacred Life once again closed with a rush to defeat a competitive group in the 1 1/8-mile test at Belmont Park. Allowed to settle early, he was roused at the quarter-pole and rallied strongly in the final furlong to beat multiple graded stakes winner Field Pass and Graded stakes winner Temple in 1:47.27 with a 109 Timeform.

Prior to his U.S. success, Sacred Left proved his precocity at two in France, impressively winning the Prix Thomas Bryon S. at Saint Cloud with a 113+ Timeform rating. Campaigned in the U.S. by Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, Wonder Stables, and Michael Caruso and trained by Chad Brown, Sacred Life retires having won eight of 27 lifetime starts. He also placed in 11 others en route to amassing career earnings of $920,768.

The only son of two-time leading French sire and Grade 1 winner Siyouni in the U.S., Sacred Life is the first foal out of the Montjeu (IRE) mare Knyazhna (IRE), who subsequently produced French Group-placed Khagan (IRE). Sacred Life's second dam is a half-sister to Group 1 stakes winner Rule of Law.

Sacred Life will stand with a Black-Type Bonus incentive, where breeders will receive $1,000 for breeding a black-type performing mare to Sacred Life; $1,000 for a black-type-producing mare; or $2,000 if the mare is both.

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At The Races With Saul Steinberg Exhibition Opens Jan. 18

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will open a new exhibition, At the Races with Saul Steinberg, in the Link Gallery Jan. 18. Made possible by the Saul Steinberg Foundation, the drawings featured in this exhibition span the period of 1955 to 1959. Three were published in his book The Labyrinth in 1960. One was later published in the 1963 Sports Illustrated article “Steinberg at the Races” that featured scenes at racetracks from Paris to Los Angeles.

“We are excited to exhibit the artwork of Saul Steinberg in a different light and bring together those with an appreciation of art as well as Thoroughbred racing,” said Jessica Cloer, the Museum's curator.

Romanian-born and raised Steinberg (1914-1999), who created cartoons for the Italian humor magazines Bertoldo and Settebello, was contracted by The New Yorker in 1942 and soon after, he was recommended for employment as a consultant at the Office of War Information. He later received a commission in the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1943 and was granted citizenship. After the war, he returned to New York to resume his work.

Steinberg produced drawings, paintings, prints, collages, sculptures, and murals. Best known for the visual wit of his pen-and-ink drawings featured in The New Yorker for close to 60 years, Steinberg also contributed to other magazines, including TIME, LIFE, Vogue, Harper's Magazine and Sports Illustrated.

In 1952, Steinberg visited Saratoga Springs, New York, on commission from Harper's to provide drawings for an article about the city. Though he previously produced a series of drawings of horses and their riders in the 1940s, this visit may have prompted his interest in Thoroughbred racing.

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