Five two-year-olds worth almost €2 million will be re-offered by Arqana next month as another sales house bids to recoup the losses incurred by the Derby-winning owner Saleh Al Homaizi who racked up over €20 million of unpaid debt at the yearling sales last autumn.
As revealed by TDN Europe back in January, Tattersalls were the first sales company to re-offer the 17 juveniles who were knocked down to bloodstock agent Richard Knight for 11,055,000gns at the October Yearling Sale last year.
A Frankel (GB) colt out of Bold Lass (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) headed that unpaid bill at 2,000,000gns. However, the majority of the youngsters that Al Homaizi failed to pay for found new owners, with Godolphin stepping in to purchase the Frankel colt among others.
Arqana will stage a private sale for the five two-year-olds that Al Homaizi defaulted payment on from the August Sale. It takes place on Wednesday, April 12, and the horses are all being trained in Chantilly, with three in the care of Francis-Henri Graffard and two with Mikel Delzangles.
A €750,000 Wootton Bassett (GB) filly out of Ambivalence (Ire), a Siyouni (Fr) filly out of Fig Roll (GB) and a Night Of Thunder (Ire) filly out of Nymeria (Ger) are based with Graffard and can be viewed by appointment.
Delzangles is overseeing the training of an Adlerflug (Ger) filly out of Sylvestra (Ire) and a Night Of Thunder colt out of Awe Struck (GB). They can also be viewed by appointment.
Arqana are following the same course of action taken by Tattersalls and Keeneland in re-offering the stock bought by Knight on behalf of Al Homaizi, who part-owned 2007 Derby winner Authorized.
The six horses bought at last year's Keeneland September Yearling Sale for nearly $5 million were re-offered in late February and were all found new homes.
The horses will be sold by Arqana without a reserve but offers must be higher than the amount of the price indicated on the online platform for each lot.
Conspicuous by his colour if not his presence in the betting market, Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez's recent acquisition White Birch (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}–Diagnostic {GB}, by Dutch Art {GB}) overhauled the customary representation of the O'Briens and Bolger in Leopardstown's G3 P W McGrath Memorial Ballysax S. to provide the John Joseph Murphy stable with a red-letter day. Anchored at the tail of the field early by Shane Foley, the almost-white grey who had opened his account by 6 1/2 lengths over seven furlongs sporting Murphy's own silks at Dundalk in November loomed large out wide as Ballydoyle's TDN Rising Star Alexandroupolis (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) made his move in early straight. Hampered as that 4-5 favourite lugged right approaching the furlong pole which also affected the Joseph O'Brien-trained Up And Under (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) before they went clear, the 22-1 shot had that bit extra inside the dying strides to prevail by half a length. There was eventually four lengths between Up And Under and Alexandroupolis, who could fare no better than third as he failed to bring up a Ballydoyle trial treble.
“We were very excited coming in, as we always thought he was a very serious horse and his work had been super,” the winning trainer said. “He was very impressive in his maiden and he did what we hoped he could do today. There is a fair bit more to come, as he has a big engine and I couldn't thank the owner enough for keeping him with us. His first run was on heavy ground at Naas and he finished out strong, so I was confident he'd get through it and the good ones can do it on anything. With the pace he showed at Dundalk, we weren't 100 per-cent confident he'd get a mile and a quarter but I don't think we'd be too worried going anywhere with him now. He's very well-balanced and moves very well, so I wouldn't be worried about going to Epsom–we'll have a serious chat with the owner and make a plan.”
Pedigree Notes
White Birch, who provided his sire with back-to-back renewals of the Ballysax after Piz Badile (Ire), is Cheveley Park breeding through and through. He is the second of two foals out of Diagnostic, who proved a useful sort in the red, white and blue of the Thompsons when winning four times at six and seven furlongs campaigned by William Haggas almost exclusively on the all-weather. Her dam Holistic (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) is a full-sister to the Listed Kilvington Fillies' S. winner and stakes producer Prescription (GB) and a half to four further black-type winners headed by Clinical (GB) (Motivator {GB}), who proved especially adept on Epsom's unique contours when winning the G3 Princess Elizabeth S. before producing the G2 Mehl-Mulhens-Rennen (German 2000 Guineas) runner-up and G1 Vincent O'Brien National S. third Lockheed (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}).
Further back, White Birch boasts as one of his relatives the renowned Secreto mare Rahaam, who was not only responsible for the top-class grey Verglas (Ire) but also the G2 King's Stand S. winner and all-round sprinting talent Cassandra Go (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}) who in turn threw the illustrious performer and producer Halfway To Heaven (Ire) by Cheveley Park's flagship sire Pivotal (GB). Her Galileo (Ire) daughters Magical (Ire) and Rhododendron (Ire) need no introduction, with the latter the dam of Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who at present at least looks the biggest obstacle to White Birch should connections take the grey down the Derby route.
Sunday, Leopardstown, Ireland P.W. MCGRATH MEMORIAL BALLYSAX S.-G3, €50,000, Leopardstown, 4-2, 3yo, 10fT, 2:19.95, hy.
1–WHITE BIRCH (GB), 131, c, 3, by Ulysses (Ire) 1st Dam: Diagnostic (GB), by Dutch Art (GB) 2nd Dam: Holistic (GB), by Pivotal (GB) 3rd Dam: Doctor's Glory, by Elmaamul 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GROUP WIN. (75,000gns Wlg '20 TATFOA; 48,000gns RNA Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Mrs C C Regalado-Gonzalez; B-Cheveley Park Stud Limited (GB); T-John Joseph Murphy; J-Shane Foley. €30,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $42,029. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Up And Under (Fr), 131, c, 3, Lope De Vega (Ire)–Hibiscus (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (220,000gns Wlg '20 TATFOA; 130,000gns RNA Ylg '21 TATOCT; €130,000 2yo '22 ARQMAY). O-Go Racing Limited; B-Floors Stud Roxburgh Estate Office (FR); T-Joseph O'Brien. €10,000.
3–Alexandroupolis (Ire), 131, c, 3, Camelot (GB)–Jazz Cat (Ire), by Tamayuz (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. TDN Rising Star. (240,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-D Smith,Mrs J Magnier,M Tabor,Westerberg; B-Mrs Fitri Hay (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €5,000.
Margins: HF, 4, 1 3/4. Odds: 22.00, 7.50, 0.80.
Also Ran: Serious Challenge (Ire), Denmark (GB), Mohawk Chief. Scratched: Alder (Ire).
Having celebrated his 54th birthday less than three weeks ago, Yutaka Take became the oldest jockey in the history of the Japanese turf to win at Group 1 level after putting a well-rationed ride aboard second favourite Jack d'Or (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) in Sunday's G1 Osaka Hai (2000m) at Hanshin Racecourse. Reigning champion 3-year-old filly Stars on Earth (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) found no luck in running for a second straight race and fell just short, while Danon the Kid (Jpn) (Just a Way {Jpn}) checked in a close third.
The expected pacesetter from gate nine, the flashy chestnut hit the ground running and led from the outposted North the World (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), as two-time Classic winner Stars on Earth was involved in a bit of a chain reaction at the break that saw her exchange bumps with Killer Ability (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), relegating her to a position towards the rear. Allowed to bowl along, as is his wont, Jack d'Or covered the opening 800 metres in :47.5 seconds, but really picked up the pace from there, clocking an internal half-mile in :46 flat from the 1200m to the 400m while still racing well within himself.
Firmly on top as they hit the Hanshin straight, Jack d'Or continued to find even as Danon the Kid–who had sat a perfect trip one out and one back–came to challenge at the furlong grounds. But under vigorous urging from Take, Jack d'Or kept on doggedly to prevail by the minimum margin. Stars on Earth, on hold on the turn, raced in traffic in the final 300 metres, but charged through between a tiring Hishi Iguazu (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) and third choice Weltreisende (Jpn) (Dream Journey {Jpn}) and rattled home to just fail. She covered her final three furlongs in a race-fastest :34.4 while making her first start since a troubled second in the G1 Shuka Sho when attempting a sweep of the Filly Triple Crown last October. Danon the Kid, who came in on and bothered Killer Ability at the start, held for third.
“I was hoping to take the front if we could get a good start,” said Take, commonly referred to as 'Legend'. “He was a bit keen to go in the first two corners, but raced in good rhythm thereafter. I think it was tough for him because of the headwind in the straight, but I had a feeling that we were able to hold off the chasing horses when we crossed the wire.”
It was an 80th career Group 1 for Take, and, reflecting on that achievement, he said: “I owe it to all the many great horses I was able to ride, and I will do my best to extend this record even further.”
A well-backed fifth in this race last year, Jack d'Or–whose 14 career starts have all come over 10 furlongs–outgamed future G1 Saudi Cup winner Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) in the G2 Sapporo Kinen last August before finishing a close fourth to Horse of the Year and recent G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic hero Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) in October. With Take at the controls for the first time, Jack d'Or was a lacklustre seventh in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup when last seen Dec. 11.
Pedigree Notes:
Jack d'Or, purchased for just over $320,000 at the 2019 Hokkaido Selected Yearling Sale, is the fifth top-level winner worldwide for his sire and his third in Japan (Geraldina {Jpn}, a sneaky-good sixth Sunday and top sprinter Pixie Knight {Jpn}). Maurice is also the sire of Hitotsu (Aus) and Mazu (Aus) from his shuttle missions to Arrowfield Stud in Australia. Jack d'Or is the 31st Group 1/Grade I winner out of a daughter of Unbridled's Song, who has also been responsible for Triple Crown winner Contrail (Jpn) and additional G1SWs Danon Platina (Jpn), Suave Richard (Jpn) and Toho Jackal (Jpn) in Japan.
Bred and raced by Sheikh Maktoum al Maktoum's Gainsborough Farm, Ravarino is a daughter of Sous Entendu, trained for Gainsborough by Criquette Head to a third-place effort in the 1990 G3 Prix de la Grotte who would go on to produce the listed-winning and G2 Dante S. third Slip Stream (Irish River {Fr}) as well as dual US graded winner Porte Bonheur (Hennessy). Jack d'Or's third dam was the champion 2-year-old filly of 1978 in America and the deeper family includes globetrotting multi-jurisdiction Group 1/Grade I winner State of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}); multiple Group 1/Grade I winner Storming Home (GB) (Machiavellian); G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Musical Chimes (In Excess {Ire}); and five-time Grade I winner Music Note (A.P. Indy), the dam of 'TDN Rising Star', G1 Dubai World Cup winner and Darley America stallion Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper).
Ravarino is represented by the once-raced 3-year-old colt Crown Romagna (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}), the 2-year-old filly Marino El Dorado (Jpn) (Rey de Oro {Jpn}) and a yearling full-sister to Jack d'Or. The mare, whose last seven foals have been chestnut in colour, is due once again to Maurice for her 2023 produce.
Sunday, Hanshin, Japan OSAKA HAI-G1, ¥384,860,000, Hanshin, 4-2, 4yo/up, 2000mT, 1:57.40, fm.
1–JACK D'OR (JPN), 128, h, 5, by Maurice (Jpn) 1st Dam: Ravarino, by Unbridled's Song 2nd Dam: Sous Entendu, by Shadeed 3rd Dam: It's in the Air, by Mr. Prospector 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (¥34,560,000 Ylg '19 HOKSEL). O-Toshiyuki Maehara; B-Crown Hidaka Farm; T-Kenichi Fujioka; J-Yutaka Take; ¥203,402,000. Lifetime Record: 14-8-2-0, ¥675,444,000. Werk Nick Rating: A+ (1 SW). Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com pedigree.
2–Stars on Earth (Jpn), 123, f, 4, Duramente (Jpn)–Southern Stars (GB), by Smart Strike. O-Shadai Race Horse; B-Shadai Farm; ¥80,972,000.
3–Danon the Kid (Jpn), 128, h, 5, Just a Way (Jpn)–Epic Love (Ire), by Dansili (GB). (¥100,000,000 Wlg '18 JRHAJUL). O-Danox Inc; B-Northern Farm; ¥ 50,486,000.
Margins: NO, NK, 2. Odds: 2.60, 2.40, 31.80.
Also Ran: Matenro Leo (Jpn), Maria Elena (Jpn), Geraldina (Jpn), Hishi Iguazu (Jpn), North Bridge (Jpn), Weltreisende (Jpn), Potager (Jpn), Lagulf (Jpn), Moze Bello (Jpn), Killer Ability (Jpn), Wonderful Town (Jpn), North the World (Jpn), Hindu Times (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart.
Following on where stablemate Hans Andersen (GB) (Frankel {GB}) had left off half an hour earlier, Never Ending Story (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}–Athena {Ire}, by Camelot {GB}) supplied further notice that Ballydoyle hold many of the aces in the Classic pack as she swept aside her rivals in Leopardstown's G3 Ballylinch Stud “Priory Belle” 1,000 Guineas Trial S. on Sunday. Successful in the G3 Silver Flash S. over this seven-furlong trip and track in July, the 2-1 favourite who had last been seen finishing third in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac was keen initially as Matilda Picotte (Ire) (Sioux Nation) took up the running with Ryan Moore opting to slot into mid-division. Wide throughout with no cover, the regally-bred bay was wound up to take the measure of that long-time leader with 150 yards remaining and draw away for a 2 1/2-length success as Zarinsk (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) finished the same margin away in third.
“We're delighted, as she hadn't come in her coat yet and so we had been minding her,” explained Aidan O'Brien, who was stretching his record to a dozen winners of this contest. “We decided rather than working her hard, we'd let her run and then back off and prime her for one of the Guineas and Ryan gave her a beautiful ride and let her go to sleep. That is tough ground, so we're very happy with her. We think she'll go a mile and a quarter in time and we might wait for the Irish Guineas as Newmarket might come too quick and Meditate is on track for that.”
Pedigree Notes
Never Ending Story, who was also third in the G2 Prix du Calvados and a slightly unlucky fourth behind Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) and Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never) in the G1 Moyglare Stud S. last term, is the first foal out of the stable's GI Belmont Oaks Invitational winner Athena who was also third in the G1 Pretty Polly S. A full-sister to the G3 Snow Fairy S. winner Goddess, she is also kin to the G1 Irish Oaks heroine Bracelet (Ire) and G2 Rockfel S. winner Wading (Ire) both by Camelot's sire Montjeu (Ire). Wading produced Just Wonderful (Dansili {GB}), who emulated her dam by also winning the Rockfel prior to running second in the Belmont Oaks and third in the G1 Matron S.
The second dam is the G3 Blue Wind S. runner-up Cherry Hinton (GB) (Green Desert), one of four daughters of the great Urban Sea (Miswaki) who has been either directly or indirectly responsible for a trio of Derby winners since the turn of the century. Interestingly, Dubawi has sired three black-type performers from this family in the G2 Balanchine and G3 Pride S. scorer Creative Flair (Ire), the G3 September S. winner Royal Line (GB) and Sayyida (GB) who was second in the G3 Princess Royal S. Athena's 2-year-old colt and yearling filly are full-siblings of Never Ending Story.
Sunday, Leopardstown, Ireland BALLYLINCH STUD PRIORY BELLE 1,000 GUINEAS TRIAL S.-G3, €55,000, Leopardstown, 4-2, 3yo, f, 7f 18yT, 1:37.43, hy.
1–NEVER ENDING STORY (IRE), 128, f, 3, by Dubawi (Ire) 1st Dam: Athena (Ire) (GISW-US, G1SP-Ire, SP-Eng, $732,859), by Camelot (GB) 2nd Dam: Cherry Hinton (GB), by Green Desert 3rd Dam: Urban Sea, by Miswaki
O-Mrs J Magnier/M Tabor/D Smith/Westerberg; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. €33,000. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Fr, 7-3-0-3, $153,655. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Matilda Picotte (Ire), 128, f, 3, Sioux Nation–Hallie's Comet (Ire), by One Cool Cat. O-Matilda & Kilmichael Racing Partnership; B-Mighty Universe Ltd (IRE); T-Kieran Cotter. €11,000.
3–Zarinsk (GB), 128, f, 3, Kodiac (GB)–Pavlosk, by Arch. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Juddmonte; B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd (GB); T-Ger Lyons. €5,500.
Margins: 2HF, 2HF, NK. Odds: 2.00, 6.00, 5.50.
Also Ran: Madly Truly (Ire), Nightcliff (Ire), Dower House (Ire), Dame Kiri, Clever And Cool (Ire), Impact Warrior (Ire), La Dolce Vita (Ire). Scratched: Not Even Close (Ire), Ocean Quest (Ire), Tarawa (Ire), Thornbrook (Ire).
