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Thoroughbred Makeover Diary: The Gift Is in the Journey

The story of my horsemanship journey has looked a lot like this: a horse enters my life typically for an intended purpose such as to train for a specific competitive discipline, and as I truly listen to them and commit myself to solving their unique challenges, they take me down a very different and unexpected path. Just because the horse is “doing” the job doesn’t mean that it is the right one for them to stay sound and happy for their career. I like to think of the “round peg, square hole” analogy for this explanation.

Road to the Breeders’ Cup: Important Classic and Distaff Preps Saturday at Churchill

Last weekend marked the beginning of the summer season, which in Thoroughbred racing usually signals a transition in focus. In years past, the pursuit of the Triple Crown ended in early June and owners and trainers began targeting races that are part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, with the long-term goal of getting their best horses a spot in one of the 14 World Championship races.

Dandalla Camp Mulling Targets

Last week’s eye-catching G3 Albany S. winner Dandalla (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) will step up to Group 2 company in either the Duchess of Cambridge S. at Newmarket on July 10 or the Prix Robert Papin against colts at Chantilly the following week, according to Nick Bradley, who co-owns the filly with Elaine Burke, wife of trainer Karl Burke.

Dandalla was a €22,000 yearling purchase by the Burkes’ daughter Kelly. Bradley said offers have been coming in for the filly since her Royal Ascot victory, but that they likely will continue to be turned down.

“We’ve probably had around 10 enquiries since last week, but I think we’ll still own her [for her next run],” Bradley said. “[Elaine Burke] has a significant share and we’re not that interested in selling, to be honest.”

Of Dandalla’s six-length Albany victory off a two-length maiden score at Newcastle, Bradley said, “It was a great performance and we sort of thought she might do that, to be honest, although maybe not in that style. The word beforehand was really good. You never really know what you’re up against going into a juvenile race at Royal Ascot, but Karl was very hopeful and how right he was–he’s done a great job with her.”