Month: February 2024

Senor Campeon! Senor Buscador Takes A Dramatic Saudi Cup

After running home bravely to just miss reeling in National Treasure (Quality Road) in last month's $3-million GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational S., it did not take long for the human braintrust around Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) to accept an invitation to the world's richest race, the $20-million G1 Saudi Cup half a world away.

And why not?

The 6-year-old admittedly had a bit to find on form with each of his four fellow American participants, but it wasn't as if he'd been dreadful in defeat in those efforts. Not when a running-on seventh behind White Abarrio (Race Day) in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic. Not when runner-up to loose-on-the-lead Hoist the Gold (Mineshaft) in the GII Cigar Mile H., and certainly not in the Pegasus. He drew a nice gate in four at Wednesday's post position draw and, on paper at least, the Saudi Cup race flow seemed to favor horses capable of switching off early and saving their best for a final-furlong flurry. The pace got hot, as predicted, and Senor Buscador–who was racing over the 13th different racetrack in the 18th start of his career–took full advantage, running down reigning G1 Dubai World Cup hero Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) and a brave pacesetter in the form of the locally owned Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming), capping a brilliant and often-thrilling evening of racing in the Saudi capital.

Senor Buscador, who carried the silks of local owner Sharaf Mohammed Al Hariri in a deal brokered with joint-owner Joe Peacock, Jr. in time for this race, was allowed to find his stride and raced in the company of the slow-starting Ushba Tesoro at the back of the field, as Saudi Crown showed the way and was kept honest by National Treasure, Hoist the Gold and King's Cup winner Power in Numbers (Girvin) deep on the track. White Abarrio, making his first start since defeating Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits) at Santa Anita, was well-spotted behind the leaders and just to the outside of the UAE galloper Isolate (Mark Valeski).

From a virtual standing start, the first 400 meters were posted in :23.80 and the 800-meter split of :46.01 would have had the back markers licking their lips. Saudi Crown took the field into the turn and looked to be going much better than National Treasure, who was now vigorously ridden by Flavien Prat, and in the meantime, Ushba Tesoro had gotten the jump on Senor Buscador entering the final three furlongs. Having survived the the pace battle, it was time to win the war, and Saudi Crown went for home, but Ushba Tesoro and Senor Buscador were beginning to do their best work and began to chip away at the deficit. Saudi Crown held the call deep into the final 100 meters, and Ushba Tesoro speared through looking the winner, but Junior Alvarado conjured up one final surge from Senor Buscador, a move that failed at Gulfstream four weeks ago, but one that was worth $10 million this time around.

The final time of 1:49.50 established a new stakes record, just betting the mark of 1:49.59 set by Mishriff (GB) (Make Believe {GB}) in 2021.

“We got a bit unlucky the last two races on the track, very fast with speed horses, and I never like to change the style of horses,” said Alvarado. “I always had faith in the horse and we just needed, not even luck, just a fair track and I knew we would get that today. I'm very happy, very grateful for opportunities that come along.”

Added co-owner and breeder Joe Peacock, Jr.: “The one-turn mile and eighth [1800m] was right up his alley and a track that played fair. We can make excuses for him, he puts himself in that position getting dirt in his face but he sure tries to overcome it every time.

“A couple of weeks before the Pegasus we thought of The Saudi Cup. I was so adamant he would prove himself and he has. This ranks up there. This was big. We were excited about the opportunity. We felt the horse deserved the opportunity. It's amazing.”

Winning conditioner Todd Fincher indicated this year's World Cup about 600 miles of desert to the east in 35 days would be next, but that they will 'leave it up to the horse.'

White Abarrio failed to capitalize on his good trip and weakened out to finish 11th.

“Beautiful trip,” was the succinct post-mortem from Irad Ortiz, Jr.

Fincher's Crowning Moment

According to a story from the TDN's J. N. Campbell, Todd Fincher was born to a family of horsepeople in Denver, Colorado, and became a jockey, amassing better than $2 million in earnings. But he outgrew the saddle by 1997 and took out his training license in the following year–according to Equibase statistics, his runners earned $18,199 that year and about $700,000 over the next four seasons, but the fire had been lit.

Since 2009, the New Mexico-based outfit has never earned less than $1.4 million, and with the likes of Senor Buscador's GIII Sunland Park Derby-winning half-brother Runaway Ghost (Ghostzapper)–now a stallion in New Mexico–and Slammed (Marking) representing the stable in recent years, posted earnings north of $5.5 million in 2023. That topped his previous best of $4.5 million from 2022, when both Slammed and Senor Buscador competed in the Breeders' Cup at Keeneland.

And now–a $10-million payday thousands of miles from the Land of Enchantment.

“I'm about to cry, it's amazing,” Fincher said. “He never got the credit he deserved and he finally got to show it today. I didn't believe it, as something always happens to him in every race. He always has 10 or 11 horses to weave in and out of. We know he was going to run good, we just had to hope for the right set up. It's awesome.

“From New Mexico, we don't have the quality of horses very often but the stable is getting better now and they treated us great over here. I'm very excited about the opportunity and getting it done is unbelievable.”

Pedigree Notes:

At the age of 25, Lane's End's Mineshaft was being represented by his eighth Grade I winner, while Senor Buscador is the first elite-level scorer for Desert God (Fappiano), a son of Blush With Pride (Blushing Groom {Fr}), making him a half-brother to four stakes winners, including Broodmare of the Year Better Than Honour (Deputy Minister). A mating between Mineshaft's late, great sire A.P. Indy and Better Than Honour resulted in GI Belmont S. winner Rags To Riches and her GII Peter Pan S.-winning and Group 1-placed close relative Casino Drive was also by Mineshaft.

Senor Buscador is the most accomplished foal from his remarkable dam, trained by Fincher for Joe Peacock, Sr. to no fewer than seven stakes wins at Sunland and Zia Park.

Rose's Desert is also the dam of the 3-year-old filly Aye Candy (Candy Ride {Arg}), victorious in her lone racetrack appearance at Zia Park last November, the 2-year-old filly Rose A (Hard Spun) and the yearling colt The Hell We Did (Authentic). She most recently visited the latter's sire Into Mischief.

What They're Saying

Yuga Kawada, jockey, Ushba Tesoro, second: “He was in good form and travelled nicely. He showed his run. The only thing he didn't do is win.”

Florent Geroux, Saudi Crown, third: “It was very comfortable up front, I was surprised. It was too far for him. He ran a big race. Obviously, he ran too hard to get beat. He did all the dirty work and I just got caught in the last 100m. Beautiful race.”

Flavien Prat, National Treasure, fourth: “I had a good trip and I thought he ran a good race. I was not travelling as well as last time. I think he ran hard last time, but still I'm very proud of him.”

Christophe Lemaire, Derma Sotogake, fifth: “With this number in the stalls, the horse didn't leave that quick. I could get a position on the inside and didn't lose any ground and the horse made good progress. I was at the back of the leaders in the final straight and I thought I could come with a big run to win, but this was a reappearance and he just couldn't finish it.”

Joel Rosario, Isolate, sixth: “Very good, he was in a good spot but he got a little tired in the end.”

Luis Saez, Defunded, seventh: “Broke well, he was in the right spot, but no horse to finish.”

Joao Moreira, Crown Pride, ninth: “He travelled very nice the first half of the race and all of a sudden he came off and he kept running, but he didn't bring his A-game.”

Camilo Ospina, Carmel Road, 11th: “He was wide from gate 14 but it was a very tough race.”

Adel Alfouraidi, Power In Numbers, 13th: “Very hard for him.”

John Velazquez, Hoist The Gold, 14th: “He broke well, but he didn't show up today.”

Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia
SAUDI CUP-G1, $20,000,000, King Abdulaziz, 2-24, NH4yo/up, SH3yo/up, 1800m, 1:49.50, ft.
1–SENOR BUSCADOR, 126, h, 6, by Mineshaft
1st Dam: Rose's Desert (MSW, $626,035), by Desert God
2nd Dam: Miss Glen Rose, by Peaks and Valleys
3rd Dam: Snippet, by Alysheba
O-Sharaf Mohammed Al Hariri & Joe R Peacock Jr; B-Joe Peacock Sr & Joe Peacock Jr (KY); T-Todd W Fincher; J-Junior Alvarado; $10,000,000. Lifetime Record: MGSW & MGISP-US, 18-7-2-2, $11,496,427. *1/2 to Runaway Ghost (Ghostzapper), GSW, $783,509; Sheriff Brown (Curlin), MSW, $603,681; and Our Iris Rose (Ghostzapper), SW, $307,880. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Ushba Tesoro (Jpn), 126, h, 7, Orfevre (Jpn)–Millefeui Attach (Jpn), by King Kamehameha (Jpn). (¥25,000,000 Wlg '17 JRHAJUL). O-Ryotokuji Kenji Holdings Co Ltd; B-Chiyoda Farm Shizunai; T-Noburu Takagi; J-Yuga Kawada; $3,500,000.
3–Saudi Crown, 126, h, 4, Always Dreaming–New Narration, by Tapit. ($45,000 Ylg '21 KEEJAN; $240,000 2yo '22 OBSAPR). O-FMQ Stables; B-CHC Inc (KY); T-Brad Cox; J-Florent Geroux; $2,000,000.
Margins: HD, 3/4, 3/4.
Also Ran: National Treasure, Derma Sotogake (Jpn), Isolate, Defunded, Scotland Yard, Crown Pride (Jpn), White Abarrio, Carmel Road, Lemon Pop, Power in Numbers, Hoist the Gold.
Click for the JCSA chart (R9).

 

 

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Galileo’s Tower Of London Pips Enemy In The Final Jump Of Red Sea Turf

TOWER OF LONDON (IRE) (c, 4, Galileo {Ire}-Dialafara {Fr}, by Anabaa) gave the Coolmore partners a dramatic, last stride victory under a quality Ryan Moore ride in the 3000-metre $2.5-million G3 Longines Red Sea Turf H. at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Saturday. It was Moore's 18th ride and first win at the fledgling meeting, and trainer Aidan O'Brien's third runner and first winner, as well. Enemy (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}), who finished second in the 2023 edition, filled that spot again, a head off of the winner.

The listed winner blew the break, and Moore steered him over to the fence, where they loitered for the majority of the race as Libyan Glass (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) blitzed up to the head of affairs while pressed by Iron Barows (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) and Echt (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) perched in third.

The strung-out field began to bunch midway on the last of three turns. Right about the time Iron Barows tackled his countrymate in earnest 500 metres from home, Moore and Tower Of London began to inch around and in between runners with their bid, at times in desperate need of gaps. Luckily, the pair found racing room and, after moving out for clear sailing in the lane, were flying into the final furlong with a full head of steam and dead aim on Enemy closer to the rail, who had capitalised once the Japanese pacesetters threw in the towel.

G2 Yorkshire Cup S. hero Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) was also coming with a strong run and he rushed up to Enemy's throat latch. That duo seemed to have the race at their mercy for a second or two, before Tower Of London, responding gallantly to Moore's efforts, unleashed a determined rally. In the final metres of the race, it was too close to call if Tower Of London would get there, but Moore was able to eke out that extra bit of effort from his mount, who pipped Enemy by a head on the line. Giavellotto was a game third. Of the Japanese, the best finish was by Echt in fifth.

“He's a lightly raced horse,” said Moore afterwards. “He's from a very good family, a brother to Capri and the family have done well for the yard. He'd been working well, they always held him in high regard. We had to be patient and a few horses were dropping back. We eventually got out and he got there at the end. Today was the first time he was able to run on a flat track on quick ground and Aidan has had a lot of faith.”

“In fairness to Aidan, he was quite confident coming out here and Ryan said he was going to take his time,” said MV Magnier. “He's pretty cool, relaxed and nothing fazes him. I haven't spoken to Aidan yet but I'd say the chances are he could go for [G2] Dubai Gold Cup but it'll be up to Aidan and the lads. I've been here for the past few days, it's remarkable the welcome we've got and the people have been brilliant.”

A maiden winner at first asking at two, the full-brother to staying star and G1 St Leger hero Capri (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) won a pair of handicaps at three, and was also second in the G3 Bahrain Trophy S. later in the season. Only fourth in the St Leger at Doncaster in September, he was a distant ninth in the Irish Cesarewitch H. at the end of a the season. Saturday's race was his 4-year-old bow.

Pedigree Notes

Coolmore's much missed Galileo is now the sire of 252 group/graded winners (373 stakes winners) internationally with the victory of Tower Of London. A dozen of Galileo's stakes winners are out of Anabaa mares, the best of them including the previously mentioned Capri, as well as three-time Group 1 winner Lush Lashes (GB), GI Belmont Derby/GI Sword Dancer S. winner Bolshoi Ballet (Ire), and Stone Age (Ire), who has been placed thrice at Group 1/I level.

Mated exclusively with Galileo for her first nine foals, the winning Dialafara foaled seven winners in that bunch, with G3 Loughbrown S. winner Cypress Creek (Ire) and G3 Stanerra S. heroine Passion (Ire) joining Capri and Tower Of London as group winners. Passion was also third in the G1 Irish Oaks and the G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares S. Dialafara's latest produce is a colt by Camelot (GB), who was born in 2022.

Second dam Diamilina (Fr) (Linamix {Fr}) won two group races in France, and was also second in the G1 Prix Vermeille. She is a half-sister to the sire Diamond Green (Fr) (Green Desert), a winner of the G3 Prix La Rochette, and second in the G1 French 2000 Guineas among three Group 1 podiums. G1 Melbourne Cup runner-up Bauer (Ire) (Halling) is also kin to Tower Of London.

Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia
LONGINES RED SEA TURF H.-G3, $2,500,000, King Abdulaziz, 2-24, NH4yo/up, SH3yo/up, 3000mT, 3:04.43, gd.
1–TOWER OF LONDON (IRE), 131, c, 4, by Galileo (Ire)
                1st Dam: Dialafara (Fr), by Anabaa
                2nd Dam: Diamilina (Fr), by Linamix (Fr)
                3rd Dam: Diamonaka (Fr), by Akarad (Fr)
1ST GROUP WIN. O-D Smith, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor &
Westerberg; B-Lynch Bages, Ltd. (Ire) & Camas Park Stud;
T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore; $1,500,000. Lifetime Record:
SW-Ire, GSP-Eng, 9-4-1-0, $1,708,396. *Full to Capri (Ire)
(Galileo {Ire}), Hwt. 3yo-Euro at 14f+, Hwt. 3yo-Ire at 11-14f &
14f+, Hwt. Older Horse-Ire at 11-14f, Hwt. 3yo-Eng at 14f+,
G1SW-Ire & Eng, G1SP-Fr, $2,067,692; Cypress Creek (Ire)
(Galileo {Ire}), GSW-Ire & GSP-Eng, $102,373; and Passion (Ire)
(Galileo {Ire}), GSW & G1SP-Ire, G1SP-Eng, $200,604. Werk
   Nick Rating: B+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree
   or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Enemy (GB), 131, g, 7, Muhaarar (GB)–Prudenzia (Ire), by
Dansili (GB). (€420,000 Ylg '18 ARQAUG; €92,000 HRA '21
ARQNOV). O-Tracey Bell & Caroline Lyons; B-Ecurie des
Monceaux & Skymarc Farm, Inc. (GB); T-Ian Williams; J-Richard
Kingscote; $500,000.
3–Giavellotto (Ire), 136, h, 5, Mastercraftsman (Ire)–Gerika (Fr),
by Galileo (Ire). O/B-Societa la Tesa, Ltd. (Ire); T-M. Botti;
J-Oisin Murphy; $250,000.
Margins: HD, 3/4, 4 1/4.
Also Ran: Al Nayyir (GB), Echt (Jpn), First Minister (Ire), Big Call, Pin Your Hopes (Ire), Breakup (Jpn), Libyan Glass (Jpn), Diva Donna (Fr), Iron Barows (Jpn), Roberto Escobarr (Ire), Skazino (Fr). Click for the JCSA chart (R8) and video.

 

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Frankel’s Spirit Dancer Pounces In Neom Turf Cup

Saturday marked the fifth edition of the blockbuster G1 Saudi Cup, with Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) racing into the history books as another American-trained winner of the $20-million race at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Connections of horses worldwide benefitted from the $33.5 million in purses on offer throughout the card, with Europe claiming a trio of wins, and Japan two victories on a night that is rapidly becoming one of the can't-miss events of the year in international racing.

Sir Alex Ferguson, best known for his Manchester United exploits in another sporting sphere, declared the victory of SPIRIT DANCER (GB) (g, 7, Frankel {GB}–Queen's Dream {Ger}, by Oasis Dream {GB}) in November's G2 Bahrain International Trophy “my best day in racing”, but already that triumph has some stiff competition. In Saturday's $2-million G2 Howden Neom Turf Cup, Ferguson, Ged Mason and Peter Done's determined gelding put his rivals to the sword with a dramatic kick to win by a length in the 2100-metre contest for trainer Richard Fahey.

Japan's Killer Ability (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was a half-length ahead of the rallying Calif (Ger) (Areion {Ger}) at the line, with Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), who had stayed nearer the pace set by Jack Darcy (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) a neck back in fourth.

When the gates flew, Spirit Dancer was a touch keyed up, tossing his head and was forced to sit three off the fence in midfield as Jack Darcy cut out the running while feeling the heat from Luxembourg, who was ridden forward from the widest alley. Relaxing into a nice rhythm on the backstretch, Spirit Dancer was able to edge a bit closer to the inside, but still had at least six horses to pass on the far turn. Ryan Moore asked Luxembourg to tackle the leader 400 metres from the wire, while Spirit Dancer swung toward the centre of the lane for his bid. He soon gobbled up ground, blew past Luxembourg inside the final furlong and withstood the closing rushes of Killer Ability to his inside and Calif to claim his third group race in good style.

“It's fantastic, after Bahrain you come here and look at the field, the performance from Oisin [Orr] and the horse and Richard, it's unbelievable,” said Ferguson. “Richard made the point he hasn't had a lot of racing, and I think we see the evidence today. Oisin said this morning horse the is improving all the time. I took a gamble a few years ago with a stud in Hemel Hampstead and the results have been very good.

“That puts his win in Bahrain in perspective. Richard gave us confidence but it is one of these things, you are never too confident.”

Mason added, “It's like a dream, I have to pinch myself. For Richard to produce him and win as easy as he did, he was like a steam engine. Sir Alex had a dream this morning and dreamt he'd win.”

“It's absolutely amazing,” said Done. “Super, super trainer. All credit to him and Oisin with a terrific ride. We bought into him as a 2-year-old. If Sir Alex asks do you want a share, what do you say? We turned down a big offer after Bahrain and we all turned it down and what a great decision.”

A three-race winning streak last summer culminated in York's G3 Strensall S. in August for the Ferguson and Niall McLoughlin-bred gelding, and two starts later he won the G2 Bahrain International Trophy in November. Spirit Dancer was fourth in the G1 Jebel Hatta to Measured Time (GB) (Frankel {GB}) warming up for this on Jan. 26.

“We'll send him back to Dubai, said Fahey of future plans. “We'll see how he is in the morning but it's hard not to go back to Dubai. I'll be shocked if he doesn't line up in something on World Cup night.

“Always in my mind I wanted to stretch out to a mile and a half [2400m] but I don't want to make any decisions tonight. Any horse that goes on the international scene, becomes a people's horse, and he's got a huge fan base–the lad that has a share in him has something to do with that!

“As trainers we don't really understand what it means to people and to see the enjoyment gives me huge pride. He gets his head down and gallops to the line.”

Pedigree Notes

The unbeaten champion Frankel is already the recipient of two sire titles in the UK & Ireland, and the 16-year-old's progeny are never far from the limelight. Spirit Dancer is one of 136 stakes winners (93 group) on an international scale for the bay, and one of seven stakes winners out of Oasis Dream mares. The best of that septet is G1 Prix de la Foret heroine Kelina (Ire).

The third foal and one of four winners for his unraced dam Queen's Dream, Spirit Dancer's latest half-sibling is a 2-year-old by Masar (Ire). Second dam Quetena (Ger) (Acatenango {Ger}) was a better producer than runner, as she placed in a listed race in Italy before foaling a quartet of stakes winners. Three of them were group class or better–Italian Group 1 winner and sire Querari (Ger) (Oasis Dream {GB}), fellow sire and G3 Bavarian Classic victor Quasillo (Ger) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), and the stakes-producing Quidura (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) all won at least one race at the group or graded level. The last-named mare triumphed in the GII Ballston Spa S. and GII Canadian S., and GIII Valley View S. and was placed an additional three times at the highest table in the U.S.

Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia
HOWDEN NEOM TURF CUP-G2, $2,000,000, King Abdulaziz, 2-24, NH4yo/up, SH3yo/up, 2100mT, 2:07.10, gd.
1–SPIRIT DANCER (GB), 125, g, 7, Frankel (GB)
                1st Dam: Queen's Dream (Ger), by Oasis Dream (GB)
                2nd Dam: Quetena (Ger), by Acatenango (Ger)
                3rd Dam: Quebrada (Ire), by Devil's Bag
O-Done/Ferguson/Mason; B-Sir Alex Ferguson & Niall
McLoughlin (GB); T-Richard Fahey; J-Oisin Orr; $1,200,000.
Lifetime Record: GSW-Eng & Bhr, 25-8-6-2, $2,131,263. Werk
   Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the
   eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the
   free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Killer Ability (Jpn), 125, h, 5, Deep Impact (Jpn)–Killer Graces,
by Congaree. O-U Carrot Farm; B-Northern Racing (Jpn);
T-Takashi Saito; J-Cristian Demuro; $400,000.
3–Calif (Ger), 125, g, 5, Areion (Ger)–Cherry Danon (Ire), by
Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire). (€95,000 RNA Ylg '20 BBASEP;
€400,000 HRA '23 ARQSEP ). O-Victorious; B-Gestut
Brummerhof; T-Fawzi Nass; J-Adrie de Vries; $200,000.
Margins: 1, HF, NK.
Also Ran: Luxembourg (Ire), Jack Darcy (Ire), Grocer Jack (Ger), Alooqaal (Ire), Astro King (Ire), Studley (Jpn), Starcat (GB), Hearts Concerto (Jpn), Bolthole (Ire), The Foxes (Ire).
Click for the JCSA chart (R7) and video.

 

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