The Lir Jet Headed To Phoenix

G2 Norfolk S. winner The Lir Jet (Ire) (Prince Of Lir {Ire}), beaten a head when second in the July 19 G2 Prix Robert Papin, is set for next Sunday’s G1 Keeneland Phoenix S. at The Curragh. The Qatar Racing colourbearer was originally slated for the Aug. 21 Nunthorpe S. against elders, but trainer Michael Bell said that is likely off the table now.

“The Lir Jet worked well this morning,” Bell said. “He is likely to go to Ireland now for the Phoenix S. as plans have been made to get him there. We were thinking of the Nunthorpe, but we thought while he is in great order we may as well give him another chance [at six furlongs]. He just got beat in France on the nod and it was a case of one having its head up and the other having its head down. We could end up dropping back down to five with him, but there are no Group 1 2-year-old-only five-furlong races around and with the penalty he would have to carry in other races we thought it was sensible to try him at six.”

He added, “You can never rule anything out, but I would say it is highly unlikely he would run in the Nunthorpe as well, as he would have been to France and Ireland and then coming back for a Nunthorpe would be quite a lot for a 2-year-old. If he was to win we would rest on laurels for a bit, if he finished a good second or third we could then look at the Flying Childers.”

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Fund Established for Children of Keeneland’s McKee

A fund has been established for the benefit of the children of Katherine McKee, who died July 27 after a three-year battle with melanoma. She was 40 years old.

McKee had worked at Keeneland for 15 years, most recently serving as the director of racing administration, where she was the company’s primary contact for horsemen.

“For nearly three years, Katherine has battled advanced melanoma defying odds from the beginning,” said Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason in a statement sent to Keeneland staff and trainers. “Besides her unwavering grace, commitment and eternal optimism, Katherine miraculously overcame medical hurdles that would cripple even the strongest. Her courage and determination are unmatched and a testament to the power of positivity.

“As Katherine’s family grieves this tremendous loss, I know many of you want to celebrate her life and the impact she has made on all of us. Below are details on a memorial fund as well as the address for Katherine’s parents as we support them through this unfathomable time.”

For the benefit of her children, donations can be made to the McKee Memorial Trust c/o Keeneland Association, PO Box 1690, Lexington, KY 40588, or through Keeneland’s website at www.keeneland.com/mckee

The daughter of Herb and Kass McKee, Katherine was born and raised in Henderson, Kentucky along with her brother Herbie McKee. Katherine found her home when she moved to Lexington to begin her degree at Transylvania University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude.

McKee had recently been a part of a clinical trial at the University of Louisville, where she saw some initial success before facing complications.

She leaves behind two young children, Ava and Walker.

“Katherine had a way of touching everyone and no matter how long it had been since you last talked, you always picked up where you left off,” Thomason’s statement read. “Her ability to love, her authenticity, spirit, humor, openness and her forever caring and selfless heart create the legacy we will never forget. Second to her family, this team meant the most to her. With 15 years here, she loved Keeneland, the horsemen, her team and the entire Keeneland family. While she felt privileged to work at this great place, we are the ones who are truly privileged. It has been an honor to work alongside such an extraordinary person. She is a true inspiration.”

A celebration of her life will be announced at a later date.

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Easy Lillie Langtry Repeat For Enbihaar

With Manuela de Vega (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) ruled out of Saturday’s G2 Qatar Lillie Langtry S. at Goodwood, the way was paved for last year’s winner Enbihaar (Ire) (Redoute’s Choice {Aus}) to enjoy a saunter around the Downs and she duly delivered with the minimum of fuss against two rivals. Last seen finishing fourth in the 12-furlong G2 Princess of Wales’s S. on her seasonal bow at Newmarket July 9, Shadwell’s 1-2 favourite stayed close to the 3-year-old Snow (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) throughout the early stages and once sent past that rival passing the two-furlong pole drew away strongly to score by 3 1/2 lengths from Cabaletta (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}).

One of last term’s most improved performers, Enbihaar proved a formidable runner when granted suitably lively conditions and a distance of ground and went from success in the G2 Lancashire Oaks to this win and another in Doncaster’s G2 Park Hill S. in September. Third when undone by testing ground in the G1 Prix de Royallieu at ParisLongchamp in October, the same underfoot conditions meant that she was below-par on her return at the July meeting but everything fell perfectly into place for this repeat of 12 months ago. Despite giving way weight-for-age to a younger duo with smart form, the imposing bay never looked likely to become the subject of an upset and is primed for a potentially profitable remainder of the campaign.

That could come over excess of this trip according to the operation’s Racing Manager Angus Gold. “It’s unlike Sheikh Hamdan to keep an older mare in training and I’m glad to see that rewarded with another group win,” he commented. “It’s good to see her show her old enthusiasm and that amazing stride of hers. I’ll talk to John and see what the options are, but Jim said she’ll stay two miles any day. She doesn’t want the ground too soft, but I would have thought the [G2 Qipco British Champions] Long Distance Cup [at Ascot Oct. 17] would be an option.”

Enbihaar is a half-sister to Godolphin’s G2 International Topkapi Trophy runner-up Silent Attack (GB) (Dream Ahead) and to the listed-placed King Bolete (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}). They are out of Chanterelle (Fr) (Trempolino), a full-sister to the G3 Prix du Calvados scorer Cox Orange who in turn produced the Listed Masaka S. winner and G1 1000 Guineas third Vista Bella (GB) (Diktat {GB}). Her dam is the G2 Prix Maurice de Gheest winner Spectacular Joke (Spectacular Bid), whose leading performer was the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac heroine Amonita (Anabaa). Chanterelle also has a yearling filly by Muhaarar (GB).

Saturday, Goodwood, Britain
QATAR LILLIE LANGTRY S.-G2, £125,000, Goodwood, 8-1, 3yo/up, f/m, 14fT, 3:03.42, g/f.
1–ENBIHAAR (IRE), 132, m, 5, by Redoute’s Choice (Aus)
     1st Dam: Chanterelle (Fr), by Trempolino
     2nd Dam: Spectacular Joke, by Spectacular Bid
     3rd Dam: No Joke, by Shecky Greene
(€500,000 Ylg ’16 ARAUG). O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum; B-Haras du Mezeray (IRE); T-John Gosden; J-Jim Crowley. £70,888. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Fr, 11-6-1-2, $562,036. *1/2 to Silent Attack (GB) (Dream Ahead), GSP-Tur, $176,808; and King Bolete (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), SP-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: F. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Cabaletta (GB), 121, f, 3, Mastercraftsman (Ire)–Allegretto (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). O/B-Cheveley Park Stud (GB); T-Roger Varian. £26,875.
3–Snow (Ire), 121, f, 3, Galileo (Ire)–Chelsea Rose (Ire), by Desert King (Ire). (1,200,000gns Ylg ’18 TATOCT). O-Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier; B-Barronstown Stud (IRE); T-Aidan O’Brien. £13,450.
Margins: 3HF, 10. Odds: 0.50, 7.00, 2.75.
Scratched: Manuela de Vega (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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