Ace Impact justified his Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe favoritism at Longchamp Oct. 1 when a sharp turn of foot helped him win one of the world’s greatest races. Longchamp coverage courtesy of Racing Post Now unbeaten in six starts, Ace Impact runs in the colors of Gousserie Racing and Ecuries Serge Stempniak and showed just why he has headed the betting for the Arc for much of 2023 when he ran down Westover for a 1 ¾-length victory.
Month: October 2023
Gaffalione, Cox Secure Respective Jockey, Trainer Titles At Churchill Downs
Jockey Tyler Gaffalione and trainer Brad Cox entered the final day of racing at Churchill Downs Sunday by already locking up their respective titles for the September Meet through dominating performances across the 14-day stand.
Gaffalione and Cox both defended their titles from a year ago and set September Meet records for wins: Gaffalione with 25 victories through 13 days and Cox with 15.
Gaffalione more than doubled second-place Cristian Torres' 12 wins prior to Sunday's 10-race card. This will be Gaffalione's 10th riding title at Churchill Downs since 2018 and fourth straight September Meet title. Some of Gaffalione's memorable wins were aboard Search Results in the Locust Grove (G3) and Bango in the Louisville Thoroughbred Society.
Cox's dominant September Meet led him to his seventh Churchill Downs training title. He entered the final day of racing with an insurmountable 15-6 win lead over Kenny McPeek. Among Cox's notable victories at the meet were from his trainees Zozos in the Ack Ack (G3), Everso Mischievous in the Harrods Creek and Slip Mahoney in the Bourbon Trail.
Richard Rigney's Rigney Racing had four wins from 11 starts at the meet and tied with Gary and Mary West. Both outfits did not have any starters Sunday. This will be Rigney's third leading owner title at Churchill Downs after winning both the 2022-23 Spring Meets. Gary and Mary West, whose horses are primarily in the care of Cox, recorded their fifth leading owner title and defended their title from last year's September Meet.
Only one owner could tie Rigney and the Wests on Sunday: Ken Ramsey, who had entries in Races 1 and 9.
The post Gaffalione, Cox Secure Respective Jockey, Trainer Titles At Churchill Downs appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
A Fourth Group 1 For Night Of Thunder’s Highfield Princess In The Abbaye
There were some who were preparing to write off John Fairley's mare of steel Highfield Princess (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}–Pure Illusion {Ire}, by Danehill) following her uncharacteristically disappointing effort in the G1 Flying Five at The Curragh last month, but the 6-year-old answered the doubters by simply placing another of the world's big sprints onto her impressive resume as she conquered Sunday's G1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines.
While she may not quite be the same supercharged dragster who went through an unprecedented treble at this level in the space of just over a month last summer, the Queen of England's North proved here that when ability drops courage can still elevate.
Working hard from some way out having been cast an unfavourable wide draw, the 2-1 favourite gave her all for Jason Hart to eventually claw back her three-years-younger front-running compatriot Perdika (GB) (Unfortunately {Ire}) inside the last 50 metres and forge a length victory in this “Win and You're In” race for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. Ballydoyle's revived G2 Futurity S.-winning TDN Rising Star Aesop's Fables (Ire) (No Nay Never) managed to force his way into the frame, a short head back as the habitual blanket finish occurred again in behind.
“She won that through pure guts,” Hart said of John Quinn's long-overdue first winner at this prestigious meeting. “She was flat out the whole way–the ground is a bit quick, but she has the heart of lion. It was only in the last 50 yards when the leader tied up that I knew we were going to win. I knew she was back to herself when I worked her a week ago and credit to connections for keeping her in training, as she's got another Group 1. What a mare, she's so tough.”
Although Highfield Princess had done nothing wrong in her Group 1s so far this term, with perhaps valid excuses for her Flying Five no-show last time, it was only in Goodwood's G2 King George S. that she had really shone and that aura of invincibility she had taken into the Breeders' Cup in November was gone by the time she lined up for this. For Quinn, the result was a personal triumph after some near-misses on this fixture in previous years.
“We have had plenty of horses run really well at this wonderful meeting–in the Abbaye, El Astronaute was third, Liberty Beach was beaten two heads and Safe Voyage was beaten two heads in the Foret,” he said. “It is one of the greatest meetings in the world and I hoped I would one day train a winner here and it is wonderful.”
“She tries hard and you could say from where she was drawn she was inconvenienced,” he added. “She toughed it into the race and toughed it out of the race, because two furlongs out she was flat out so fair dues to her. It was a very brave decision to keep her in training, considering she had won three Group 1s in Europe and was probably one of the best fillies around. I'm so pleased they have been totally vindicated. She's shown she's as good as any sprinting mare in the world.”
Quinn is looking for a second try at the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint following her fourth placing at Keeneland last year. “Why not? I will need to speak to my owner, but I would be strongly suggesting it,” he said. “We needed to see how today went and today went very well. I wouldn't rule out the Breeders' Cup or the big sprint at Hong Kong in December. It's John and his family's decision whether she'll race on next year, but as long as she's okay she could go to Santa Anita or Sha Tin.”
Sally Nicholls, owner-breeder of Perdika, was understandably delighted with the game performance of the rapid runner-up. “Her performance took my breath away. She ran so well,” she said. “Her future certainly lies at stud in 2024. A Group 1 placing changes everything regarding her broodmare profile. She loves France and so do we. Now we're going to crack open our piggy bank and send her to a good stallion.”
Aidan O'Brien was looking ahead with Aesop's Fables, who had spent so long in the wilderness but is back where he was last summer. “He ran really well against horses who had already proved themselves at this level,” he said. “He's blossoming as a sprinter right now. I haven't yet decided where we will be going with him next. One thing's for sure, though and that's that we'll be seeing a lot more of him over five furlongs in the future.”
Pedigree Notes
Highfield Princess, who was bred in the Calvados region at the Haras du Camp Benard run by Fabienne Simoes De Almeida and her mother Martine Van De Kerchove, was led out unsold at only 29,000gns when offered at the 2018 Tattersalls December Yearling Sale. Fairley had paid just 18,000gns for the dam Pure Illusion from the Godolphin draft two years earlier at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale and in the meantime, her son Cardsharp (GB) (Lonhro {Aus}) had captured the G2 July S. and had placed in the G1 Middle Park S., G2 Gimcrack S., G2 Richmond S. and G2 Norfolk S.
Pure Illusion is a daughter of the G3 Princess Margaret S. winner Saintly Speech (Southern Halo), who is also the second dam of the G3 Park Express S. and G3 C. L. Weld Park S. winner Chrysanthemum (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) who in turn produced the G3 Sandown Classic Trial scorer Cunco (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and his G3 Denny Cordell Lavarack & Lanwades Stud Fillies S.-winning full-sister Maxux (Ire). The family also includes the G3 Prix du Calvados winner Woodland Melody (Woodman), whose listed-winning daughter Shady Reflection (Sultry Song) produced the GII Las Vegas Marathon S. and GIII Greenwood Cup scorer Cary Street (Smarty Jones).
Incredible performance! Highfield Princess is flat out most of the way but defies a nightmare draw to win the Group 1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines for @jasonhart13 and John Quinn pic.twitter.com/UWgZOCdgKL
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 1, 2023
Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
PRIX DE L'ABBAYE DE LONGCHAMP LONGINES-G1, €350,000, ParisLongchamp, 10-1, 2yo/up, 5fT, :55.07, g/s.
1–HIGHFIELD PRINCESS (FR), 133, m, 6, by Night Of Thunder (Ire)
1st Dam: Pure Illusion (Ire), by Danehill
2nd Dam: Saintly Speech, by Southern Halo
3rd Dam: Eloquent Minister, by Deputy Minister
(29,000gns RNA Ylg '18 TATDEY). O/B-Trainers House Enterprises Ltd (FR); T-John Quinn; J-Jason Hart. €199,990. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Eng & Ire, 38-14-8-6, €2,090,889. *1/2 to Cardsharp (GB) (Lonhro {Aus}), GSW & G1SP-Eng, $355,619. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Perdika (GB), 133, f, 3, Unfortunately (Ire)–Golden Dirham (GB), by Kheleyf. 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O-Mrs Sally Nicholls; B-Bumble Bloodstock & Mrs Sally Nicholls (GB); T-George Boughey. €80,010.
3–Aesop's Fables (Ire), 137, c, 3, No Nay Never–How's She Cuttin' (Ire), by Shinko Forest (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O-M Tabor, D Smith, Mrs J Magnier & Westerberg; B-Barronstown Stud (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €40,005.
Margins: 1, SHD, NO. Odds: 2.10, 32.00, 43.00.
Also Ran: Get Ahead (GB), Rogue Lightning (Ire), Makarova (GB), White Lavender (Ire), Kerdos (Ire), Batwan (Fr), Ponntos (Ire), Moss Tucker (Ire), Bouttemont (Ire), Equality (GB), Dramatised (Ire), Tudo Bem (Fr), Equilateral (GB), Art Power (Ire), Asymmetric (Ire). Scratched: Coeur De Pierre (Fr). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
The post A Fourth Group 1 For Night Of Thunder’s Highfield Princess In The Abbaye appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.
Churchill’s Blue Rose Cen Back On Top In The Opera
Yeguada Centurion's Blue Rose Cen (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}–Queen Blossom {Ire}, by Jeremy) had failed to fire in two starts after notching a Classic double in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and G1 Prix de Diane, but was pitch-perfect in Sunday's G1 Prix de l'Opera Longines at ParisLongchamp to secure for a fourth elite-level triumph in game fashion.
Last term's G1 Prix Marcel Boussac heroine was supported down to favouritism in the betting market and broke on the lead from the inside stall before accepting a tow in third in this “Win and You're In” for the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf next month. Slipping to fourth at halfway, the crowd's 17-10 pick made smooth progress out wide in the straight to regain control entering the final furlong and ran on strongly under a late drive to hold the rallying effort of Jackie Oh (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) by a neck. Lumiere Rock (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), another who raced to the fore, finished one length adrift in third.
“This filly is incredible,” beamed trainer Christopher Head. “The season has been long and difficult for her, but she has always responded well. I am delighted to have the chance to train her and this win really means something to me. She has known combats like this and to see her shine again at this level is incredible. Aurelien Lemaitre succeeded in moving her to the outside because it can be a little treacherous on the rail. It was a beautiful ride and a beautiful race. We ran her in the [G1] Prix Vermeille in order to see her ability at the [12-furlong] distance. We now know what her limit is and we have her in a good position for us to make a plan for next year. Her last two outings did not worry me and we have seen her tested at Goodwood and over 2,400 metres. Her owner loves a challenge and we will discuss the next step, but she could be entered for the Breeders' Cup.”
Owner Leopoldo Fernandez Pujals added, “For me, this win is very special and the understanding with Christopher Head is perfect. There is lots of discussion between us and we are perpetually dissatisfied. He started as a trainer when I threw myself into it as a breeder and we have grown together.”
Reflecting on the effort of runner-up Jackie Oh, Aidan O'Brien said, “We are very happy and the filly performed really well. She will be seen next at Ascot over 12 furlongs [in the G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares].”
Lumiere Rock's jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle was satisfied with the run of his filly and added, “She ran well over a the 10-furlong distance, which she appreciated, but she would have perhaps preferred softer ground. She's achieved Group 1 black type and that is perfect.”
She's back! Blue Rose Cen lands the Group 1 Prix de l'Opera Longines at @paris_longchamp for @lemaitre60LA and @CHeadRacing! pic.twitter.com/DpLLruBkFw
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 1, 2023
Pedigree Notes
Blue Rose Cen is the lone representative of G3 Park Express S. and fellow GIII Santa Barbara S. victrix Queen Blossom (Ire) (Jeremy), herself the leading performer out of the G3 Silver Flash S. third Mark Of An Angel (Ire) (Mark Of Esteem {Ire}). Mark Of An Angel is a granddaughter of multiple South African winner Grey Angel (GB) (Kenmare {Fr}), whose exploits include two Grade 3 victories and running seond in the G1 Gosforth Park Fillies & Mares Challenge. The January-foaled bay hails from the family of GI Arlington Washington Futurity hero Well Decorated (Raja Baba) and the prolific sire Distinctive (Never Bend).Queen Blossom has a weanling colt by Frankel (GB) to come.
Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
PRIX DE L'OPERA LONGINES-G1, €500,000, ParisLongchamp, 10-1, 3yo/up, f/m, 10fT, 2:03.71, g/s.
1–BLUE ROSE CEN (IRE), 123, f, 3, by Churchill (Ire)
1st Dam: Queen Blossom (Ire) (GSW-Ire & US, $220,859), by Jeremy
2nd Dam: Mark Of An Angel (Ire), by Mark Of Esteem (Ire)
3rd Dam: Dream Time (GB), by Rainbow Quest
O/B-Yeguada Centurion SLU (IRE); T-Christopher Head; J-Aurelien Lemaitre. €285,700. Lifetime Record: 12-8-1-0, €1,589,850. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Jackie Oh (Ire), 123, f, 3, Galileo (Ire)–Jacqueline Quest (Ire), by Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O-Triermore Stud, Mrs J Magnier & M Tabor; B-C O P Hanbury (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €114,300.
3–Lumiere Rock (Ire), 123, f, 3, Saxon Warrior (Jpn)–Last Gold (Fr), by Gold Away (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (55,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Michael O'Flynn; B-The Last Partnership (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien. €57,150.
Margins: NK, 1, HF. Odds: 1.70, 11.00, 8.30.
Also Ran: Al Husn (Ire), State Occasion (GB), Excellent Truth (Ire), Jannah Rose (Ire), Darkaniya (Fr), Stay Alert (GB), Muskoka (Ger), Rogue Millennium (Ire). Scratched: Crown Princesse (Fr). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
The post Churchill’s Blue Rose Cen Back On Top In The Opera appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.
