Tag: Adayar (Ire)

Bay Bridge Upsets Baaeed In The Champion

Caught off guard in Royal Ascot's G1 Prince of Wales's S. and Sandown's G1 Coral-Eclipse, James Wigan and Ballylinch Stud's Bay Bridge (GB) (New Bay {GB}–Hayyona {GB}, by Multiplex {GB}) made it third time lucky at the highest level when upsetting the hitherto undefeated Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and a stellar field in Saturday's G1 Qipco Champion S. at Ascot. The race is a qualifier for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland next month. Having appeared set fair to join the upper echelons when routing his rivals by five lengths and more in May's G3 Brigadier Gerard S. at Sandown, the 4-year-old bay failed to justify odds-on favouritism when usurped by State Of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) over course and distance in June and didn't fire as expected when fifth behind Vadeni (Fr) (Churchill {Ire}) in Sandown's annual highlight in July. The eventual winner occupied an ideal slot in third behind a steady tempo through halfway and the 10-1 chance shifted gears rounding the home turn, moving into second at the top of the straight. Hooking up with the revitalised Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in the leading wave passing the quarter-mile marker, the expected surge of Baaeed failed to materialise in speed-blunting conditions as the 1-4 favourite's stablemate My Prospero (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) joined the mix inside the final furlong. An enthralling battle ensued with Derby-winning jockey Richard Kingscote teasing every last drop out of Bay Bridge to edge ahead in the closing stages for a career high, with Adayar outbobbing My Prospero by a nose for second. Baaeed lost no caste in defeat and ran on to finish 1 1/4 lengths further adrift in fourth.

Surprisingly, Bay Bridge's success provided Sir Michael Stoute with a first positive outcome on the programme since Champions Day was recalibrated in 2011 and a first in the contest for the veteran conditioner since Kalanisi (Ire) (Doyoun {Ire}) outgunned Montjeu (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) in 2000. “Bay Bridge was very brave and I am absolutely thrilled,” Stoute said. “The staff have done a great job with this horse and we are all delighted. He was in very good shape coming here. He came back from Sandown with a knock and we had to back off him, so he's been very consistent this year with the exception of that race. We thought the favourite was unbeatable, or I did, but I thought he had a great chance of being second, because he was in terrific shape. I'm delighted to have won two Group 1 races this year, the staff have been brilliant and it's down to them.”

While Stoute was rekindling memories of yore, it has been a breakthrough year for winning rider Richard Kingscote. “It is surreal really,” he said. “I guess we came here knowing we have a nice horse, but we were taking on one of the best around. You cannot be afraid of one horse. They've always liked Bay Bridge back home and it's perfect to ride beautiful horses like this. He looked like he would have a big one in him and, on that ground, he showed he is a really lovely animal. He was a bit fresh and ran with enthusiasm for the first three-quarters of the race. He was going well into the turn and, when the others tried to put a bit of pace into it, he responded and knuckled down when William [Buick] came to us on Adayar. He put in a very good effort.” Reflecting on a banner season, Kingscote continued, “I am very grateful to everyone for having me. Two spectacular horses have made it a great year.”

Last year's G1 Derby hero Adayar was making his first start in elite-level company since running fifth in last year's renewal and his renaissance thrilled Charlie Appleby. “We know Adayar's back on the top table again and I am delighted,” the trainer commented. “It is always in the back of your mind when you've won a conditions race, but he is where he was when he left off last year. There were no excuses there, William said they didn't go quite as strong a gallop as you would like, but he committed when he did. That was always the plan and he stuck to his guns well. We were beaten by a horse that we know has always had plenty of potential there and has been waiting for the ground.”

Reflecting on a first defeat in 11 starts for Baaeed, William Haggas admitted, “It is deflating, but he is still a good horse and I'm sad he didn't win for him and his connections as well as all the people at the yard who have worked tirelessly to get him there. There you go, it's horse racing. Jim [Crowley] felt Baaeed just couldn't pick up in the ground. All I know is he didn't win and I need to watch it again. I was busy watching the others as well and I tend not to make an assessment straight after. Let's hope this is eradicated from people's minds quite quickly. My Prospero couldn't quite nut Adayar on the line for second, so it looks like we'll have to wait for next year until we have a go at the Trainers' Championship. My Prospero ran a magnificent race and has lots to look forward to. He is a beautiful horse, a great big horse and I think he has a good future. Dubai Honour ran well, but James [Doyle] said they went no gallop for him.”

For rider Jim Crowley, Baaeed's defeat was down to one factor alone. “The ground, simple as that,” he insisted. “I turned into the straight and, normally, he would be able to do it on good to soft, but that kick just wasn't there. It was heavy weather really and as soon as I went for him I knew I was in trouble. In the past, it has just been instant, but it just wasn't there, simple as that. It is unbelievable the journey we have been on. He is a very special horse and it is sad that he does not finish his career unbeaten as we have come so far. Baaeed has captured the imagination and I'm sorry we couldn't do it today. He is a special horse still.”

Bay Bridge is the fourth of seven foals and one of two scorers from three runners out of a half-sister to G2 Prix Eugene Adam victor Shimraan (Fr) (Rainbow Quest). He is kin to the hitherto unraced 2-year-old filly Stormy Sea (GB) (Territories {Ire}) and a yearling colt by Time Test (GB). His stakes-winning third dam Shemaya (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}), who produced G1 Prix du Jockey Club second Shamkiyr (Fr) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), is kin to G3 Prix Allez France victrix Shemima (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}), herself the dam of G3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial winner Cormorant (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) and Listed Prix Madame Jean Couturie victrix Shemala (Ire) (Danehill). Descendants of Shemala, herself a daughter of G1 Prix de Diane heroine Shemaka (Ire) (Nishapour {Fr}), include G1 Grand Prix de Paris hero Shakeel (Fr) (Dalakhani {Ire}).

Saturday, Ascot, Britain
QIPCO CHAMPION S.-G1, £1,300,000, Ascot, 10-15, 3yo/up, 9f 212yT, 2:09.46, g/s.
1–BAY BRIDGE (GB), 133, c, 4, by New Bay (GB)
1st Dam: Hayyona (GB), by Multiplex (GB)
2nd Dam: Shemriyna (Ire), by King Of Kings (Ire)
3rd Dam: Shemaya (Ire), by Darshaan (GB)
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-James Wigan & Ballylinch Stud; B-London Thoroughbred Services Ltd (GB); T-Sir Michael Stoute; J-Richard Kingscote. £737,230. Lifetime Record: 10-6-1-1, $1,284,847. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Adayar (Ire), 133, c, 4, Frankel (GB)–Anna Salai, by Dubawi (Ire). O/B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby. £279,500.
3–My Prospero (Ire), 129, c, 3, Iffraaj (GB)–My Titania (Ire), by Sea The Stars (Ire). O/B-Sunderland Holding Inc (IRE); T-William Haggas. £139,880.
Margins: HF, NO, 1 1/4. Odds: 10.00, 6.00, 22.00.
Also Ran: Baaeed (GB), Stone Age (Ire), Dubai Honour (Ire), Helvic Dream (Ire), Mac Swiney (Ire), Royal Champion (Ire).

 

The post Bay Bridge Upsets Baaeed In The Champion appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Modern Games Anchors Appleby Breeders’ Cup Brigade

Godolphin's Breeders' Cup team from Charlie Appleby's Moulton Paddocks will be led by multiple Grade I winner Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Already successful at the Breeders' Cup with a score in the GI Juvenile Turf at Del Mar last November, the chestnut returned to Europe for his seasonal bow and claimed the G1 French 2000 Guineas at ParisLongchamp on May 15. Third in the G1 French Derby in June, Modern Games was fifth in the G1 Prix Jean Prat on July 10 and rebounded to take second behind Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the G1 Sussex S. at Goodwood later that month. He made a second triumphant foray to North America with a 5 1/4-length victory in the GI Woodbine Mile S. in Canada on Sept. 17 and is an intended starter in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile.

“It's shaping up,” said Appleby on his raiding party bound for the States.

“The Breeders' Cup is always something that is on our minds at the start of the season and we like to try to pinpoint an older horse or 2-year-old for it. As I've always stated I'd rather turn up with one than six–one good one and have a good crack. And this year I feel like we've got some live contenders there.

“Modern Games [is] in the Mile–he is a deserved favourite as we stand. He's been there and done it as a juvenile and been over to Canada and done what he has done at Woodbine.”

He added on a possible run at Ascot prior to Keeneland's Breeders' Cup, “If we take in Champions Day then that would be an extra race on the list for him, but perfectly doable. But being perfectly honest our main target is [the] Breeders' Cup Mile with him.

“We'll sit and toy with the idea of sending Modern Games to the QEII. If it was good to soft the conversation would still be taking place, but there wouldn't be any certainty to it. If it was soft he wouldn't be turning up at all. It doesn't take much to change it, but if you are lucky enough to get a settled week you might end up on some half-sensible ground.”

Appleby boasts a high strike rate at the Breeders' Cup with six wins from just 11 runners. One horse that is likely for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf is the G3 Solario S. hero Silver Knott (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), who most recently ran third to probable G1 Dewhurst S. pick Chaldean (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the G2 Champagne S. at Doncaster on Sept. 11. Less certain of a spot on the Keeneland team is GI Summer S. victor Mysterious Night (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). Appleby is also set to be represented in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint with G3 Sirenia S. hero and G1 Middle Park S. fourth Mischief Magic (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}).

He continued, “Silver Knott is a horse I would potentially take to America. Stepping up to a mile I think will suit him, he travels very well.

“Mysterious Night who won in Canada is a horse we'll contemplate going there with as well, but he's achieved his Group 1 status already and, while he hasn't been busy, he's had a few runs and is a horse we've very much got on our radar for next year.

“I will potentially take Mischief Magic to the [Juvenile Turf] Sprint. He ran well in the Middle Park, he ran a solid race drawn out on a wing and he was very impressive at Kempton before that.

“You need to turn up at these international events with A–the right horse and B–have all the luck in the world. You've got to get a good draw, travel over well and get settled in OK. If he does all that he won't look out of place in the race.”

The Godolphin raiders will not be limited to just juveniles, as the progressive Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who has won all four of his starts in 2022, including a brace of German Group 1s on Aug. 14 and Sept. 25, is likely for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf. GI Saratoga Derby Invitational S. scorer Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), who blew away a field by 6 1/4 lengths in the GIII Jockey Club Derby Invitational S. at the Belmont At The Big A on Sept. 17 is another for the 1 1/2-mile turf showpiece. An outsider for the trip is Classic winner Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {Ire}), who is first running on QIPCO British Champions Day on Oct. 15.

“For the Breeders' Cup Turf we've got a nice little collective,” said Appleby. “We've already seen what Nations Pride has done in America this season. He's come back and is a horse we will very much look forward to having on the list.

“There is also Rebel's Romance, who is now four-from-four and has got the job done in his last two starts at Group 1 level in Germany. Potentially Adayar as well depending on how he gets on at Champions Day.

“If you can walk away from the Breeders' Cup with one winner it sort of wraps the season up nicely.”

The post Modern Games Anchors Appleby Breeders’ Cup Brigade appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Derby Winner Adayar’s Arc Bid Depends On Ground

Godolphin's Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), winner of the G1 Cazoo Derby and the G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth S. in 2021, is likely to run in the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Oct. 2, as long as he gets his desired ground, trainer Charlie Appleby confirmed on Thursday. If the going is too deep, he will instead be pointed for the Oct. 15 G1 Champion S. at Ascot. Fourth in the ParisLongchamp test last year over the heavy going, the bay was then fifth in the G1 Champion S. on QIPCO British Champions Day. Planned runs at Royal Ascot, Sandown, and Ascot, did not come to fruition, and the bay made a successful return to the races in the Hilton Garden Inn Doncaster Conditions S. over 10 furlongs at Doncaster on Sept. 8.

“It's most likely Adayar is going to work on Saturday and if we're happy with that work we will then leave him in the Arc on Monday and take a look at it then,” said Appleby.

“We'll keep an eye on the ground. We know what it can be like [at ParisLongchamp] and I don't want him to have to encounter what he went through last year.

“Admittedly the race wasn't run to suit us–we ended up on the lead where we didn't want to be–but it was very testing conditions and then we backed him up on Champions Day.

“The mindset is still Champions Day, but if the Arc comes up as being sensible ground, we know at this time of year you're going to have to go where the ground is because every day it can change.

“If I was going to say we'll wait for Champions Day and all of a sudden it's bottomless there, I'll be kicking myself that I've potentially missed an opportunity of running in the Arc on decent ground.”

Added Appleby, “He looks great. Everyone was very pleased with the manner in which he did it at Doncaster and he's come out of there thinking he's King Kong again, and that's what you need.

“He finished last season off with two gruelling races in the Arc and on Champions Day and it takes a lot for a horse sometimes to come back from it.

“He's got his mojo 110% now. He's back to how he was when he won the Derby, if not better.”

The trainer also provided an update on Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who won three Group 1s in 2021 and was third in the Arc later that season. Third in the G2 Hardwicke S. on his 4-year-old bow, the chestnut has not graced a racecourse since an eighth-place finish in the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud on July 3.

“He's probably not going to be in the equation, to be honest,” Appleby added. “I feel for him in that we encountered quick ground during the summer. The first run [at Royal Ascot] we got away with it and on his second run we didn't think we'd get the conditions we unfortunately ran on in the end and it didn't help his cause.

“I backed right off him and what he's encountered hasn't helped us in preparation for an Arc.”

The post Derby Winner Adayar’s Arc Bid Depends On Ground appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Frankel’s Adayar In Doncaster Comeback Cruise

He's back. Godolphin's 2021 Derby and King George hero Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) enjoyed what was an exercise gallop with prize money at Doncaster on Thursday as he marked his low-key comeback in the 10-furlong Hilton Garden Inn Doncaster Conditions S. with a cruise around Town Moor. Settled last of the trio early by William Buick, the 2-7 favourite moved to Masekela (Ire) (El Kabeir) with ease two out and without any prompting bulldozed that rival by 3 3/4 lengths. “You are always a bit apprehensive after so much time off, but full credit to the team as they've done a great job,” Charlie Appleby said. “You just hope he's still got the enthusiasm for it and that was a perfect gallop for him there. The decision as to whether to go to the Arc or Champion Stakes will be made another day but I didn't want him to have a hard race there as he would be going into either as pretty much his first run of the year and I want to avoid the bounce. To be honest, I've worked him harder at home–he enjoyed himself around there.”

 

The post Frankel’s Adayar In Doncaster Comeback Cruise appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights