Tag: Aidan O’Brien

Observations: Clash of the Rising Stars at Saint-Cloud

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Sunday's Insights features the return of TDN Rising Stars Ramatuelle (Justify) and Beauvatier (Fr) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) in a Saint-Cloud conditions event.

13.58 Saint-Cloud, Cond, €34,000, 2yo, 6fT
Christopher Head trainee RAMATUELLE (Justify) created a deep impression first time out when powering home by 4 1/2 lengths over five furlongs at Chantilly last month and the 'TDN Rising Star' makes her eagerly-awaited return upped in trip here. She encounters a trio of winners which includes fellow Rising Star Beauvatier (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), who made an equally taking debut when routing his rivals by 5 1/2 lengths and more over the same five-furlong strip at Chantilly earlier this month.

13.45 Curragh, Mdn, €20,000, 2yo, f, 6fT
Coolmore and Westerberg's well-related MATRIKA (IRE) (No Nay Never) faces eight rivals in this debut. She is a full-sister to the dual Group 3-winning G1 Takarazuka Kinen runner-up Unicorn Lion (Ire) and a half-sister to G1 Prix Morny-winning sire The Wow Signal (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}). Opposition to the Aidan O'Brien trainee includes Moyglare Stud Farm's homebred September Leaves (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), who is out of a full-sister to multiple Group 1-winning dual Hong Kong champion Designs On Rome (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), from the Jessica Harrington stable; and $105,000 Keeneland September graduate Grand Job (Justify), who is kin to G3 UAE Oaks victrix Divine Image (Scat Daddy) and represents Joseph O'Brien.

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Siyouni’s Paddington Wins The Irish 2000 Guineas

Saturday's G1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas at The Curragh was one for Ballydoyle, as TDN Rising Star Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) provided his stable with compensation for their Newmarket disappointment three weeks earlier. Prepared for this Classic “old-school style” via the Madrid H. and Listed Tetrarch S., the dark horse of the Rosegreen 3-year-old crop attracted support into 3-1 second favouritism and enjoyed a tow from fellow TDN Rising Star Hi Royal (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) throughout the early stages.

Putting the pressure on that 2000 Guineas runner-up three out, the bay gave generously for Ryan Moore to get on top a furlong from home and assert for a two-length success from Cairo (Ire) (Quality Road), who put the cherry on the cake in providing a one-two for the 12-times Irish 2000 Guineas-winning trainer Aidan O'Brien.

There was an inquiry, with Paddington having bumped the eventual third inside the last furlong, but the result was allowed to stand. Hi Royal faded late to be a further 3/4 of a length behind in third, with the well-backed 6-4 favourite Royal Scotsman (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) never a factor in ninth.

O'Brien has another top-class son of Siyouni on his hands in Paddington, whose sole defeat came when fifth on his introduction at Ascot in September prior to earning his TDN Rising Star tag back on home soil here in October. “We went to Ascot first time with him and he was very babyish, but he wintered very well and we were very happy with him in the Spring,” he explained. “He ended up in the Madrid on a lovely mark, it was a lovely place to start him as it was over seven furlongs, even though the ground was soft. Then he came back here and won the Tetrarch in soft ground again, so we weren't really sure about the ground with him. Obviously he's a Siyouni out of a Montjeu mare. He was always a beautiful mover, but you are never sure until they do it.”

“Seamus loved him the last day and he had been doing everything really nice since. He's a fine, big horse and is maturing very well. He's very good-looking,” the Ballydoyle handler added. “He was a little bit slow away, but Ryan got his position very quickly on him and he didn't light him up to do it. He's a very exciting horse. The St James's Palace looks like the natural progression for him, because he doesn't look short of speed even though he will get further in time.”

Pedigree Notes

Bred and raised at Monceaux for the Wildensteins, Paddington who was the joint-second highest-priced lot when realising €420,000 at the 2021 Arqana October Sale, is currently the last known foal out of the Listed Prix Belle de Nuit winner Modern Eagle (Ger) (Montjeu {Ire}). Her first progeny was Masterpiece (Fr) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), who was twice listed-placed in France while she is a daughter of the G1 Prix de Diane runner-up Millionaia (Ire) (Peintre Celebre) and a half to the Listed Vintage Tipple S. winner and G3 Loughbrown S.-placed Mighty Blue (Fr) by Montjeu's Authorized (Ire). Millionaia is out of the G1 Prix Saint-Alary heroine Moonlight Dance (Alysheba), who is also the second dam of the G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris scorer Ming Dynasty (Fr) (King's Best) while the fourth dam Madelia (Fr) (Caro) scored three times at the highest level including in the Diane.

Saturday, Curragh, Ireland
TATTERSALLS IRISH 2000 GUINEAS-G1, €500,000, Curragh, 5-27, 3yo, c/f, 8fT, 1:40.80, gd.
1–PADDINGTON (GB), 128, c, 3, by Siyouni (Fr)
1st Dam: Modern Eagle (Ger) (SW-Fr), by Montjeu (Ire)
2nd Dam: Millionaia (Ire), by Peintre Celebre
3rd Dam: Moonlight Dance, by Alysheba
TDN Rising Star. 1ST GROUP WIN; 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (€420,000 Ylg '21 ARQDOY). O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, Westerberg & Peter Brant; B-Dayton Investments Ltd (GB); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. €285,000. Lifetime Record: 5-4-0-0, $381,722. *1/2 to Masterpiece (Fr) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), MSP-Fr. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Cairo (Ire), 128, c, 3, Quality Road–Cuff (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Westerberg; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €95,000.
3–Hi Royal (Ire), 128, c, 3, Kodiac (GB)–Majestic Roi, by Street Cry (Ire). TDN Rising Star. O-Jaber Abdullah; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Kevin Ryan. €45,000.
Margins: 2, 3/4, HF. Odds: 3.00, 14.00, 5.50.
Also Ran: Charyn (Ire), Galeron (Ire), Quar Shamar (Ger), Proud And Regal (Ire), Alexander John (Ire), Royal Scotsman (Ire), Age Of Kings (Ire), Bold Discovery.

 

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No Nay Never’s Little Big Bear Rattles Home An Easy Winner Of The Sandy Lane

Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Westerberg's Little Big Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never–Adventure Seeker {Fr}, by Bering {GB}) overraced and encountered a rough journey when well back in the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas at the beginning of the month, but on livelier ground over Haydock's straight course, the even-money favourite ran out an open-length winner of the one-mile G2 Betfred Nifty Fifty Sandy Lane S. on Saturday.

Always forwardly placed against the fence as last year's G2 Coventry S. hero and G3 Commonwealth Cup Trial S. third Bradsell (GB) (Tasleet {GB}) set the pace, the 2022 G1 Phoenix S. hero took over at the furlong grounds and surged away to a visually pleasing 1 1/4-length victory. Multiple listed winner Shouldvebeenaring (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) closed with promise to take second and Bradsell reported home third, eight lengths back.

Deputising for Ryan Moore who won the G1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas aboard Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) at the Curragh later in the day, Frankie Dettori was picking up his second win on the card, after guiding Covey (GB) (Frankel (GB)}) to victory in the Betfred Silver Bowl H. one race prior. It was the first victory at Haydock for Aidan O'Brien.

“In fairness, they booked me about 10 days ago,” said the Italian, who is retiring at the end of the year. “I thought I could have been in Ireland for the Guineas but things didn't materialise, so I was straight on the phone to say that I'd go to Haydock.

“He was the champion 2-year-old last year and the 2000 Guineas proved too far for him, but he won in good style today. He quickened up well for hands and heels and it's a big boost for the Commonwealth [Cup at Royal Ascot in June].

“I'll be honest, I eased up in the last few yards as the job was done, that was a good performance ahead of next month. He's got big figures in the book and he's come back to his best today–he'll be a big favourite.

“I don't think Ryan [Moore] is going to give me this one [ride]! I was very pleased to ride him today and wish him all the best.”

Before his Guineas hiccup, Little Big Bear was named a Rising Star at second asking at Naas last May, and sped to successive victories in the Listed Windsor Castle S. at Royal Ascot, the Curragh's G3 Anglesey S., and the G1 Phoenix S., prior to being shelved for the rest of the campaign due to a setback.

Pedigree Notes

Coolmore Stud's No Nay Never has 49 stakes winners (28 group) to his credit. Little Big Bear is one of seven Group 1 winners. Little Big Bear shares damsire Bering with star stayer Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), and the duo belong to a 73-strong clutch of stakes winners.

The stakes-winning Adventure Seeker was second in the G3 Prix Cleopatre, and hit black-type pay dirt with her first foal, Andrea Mantegna (Giant's Causeway), who ran second in the G3 Hobart Cup in Australia. The Sandy Lane winner is her seventh, and she has colts by No Nay Never born in 2021 and 2022 still to come. Third dam All Along (Fr) (Targowice) was a champion in both the U.S. and France, and won the 1983 G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Saturday, Haydock, Britain
BETFRED NIFTY FIFTY SANDY LANE S.-G2, £125,000, Haydock, 5-27, 3yo, 6fT, 1:11.39, g/f.
1–LITTLE BIG BEAR (IRE), 128, c, 3, by No Nay Never
1st Dam: Adventure Seeker (Fr) (SW & GSP-Fr, $155,312), by Bering (GB)
2nd Dam: American Adventure, by Miswaki
3rd Dam: All Along (Fr), by Targowice
TDN Rising Star. (€320,000 Ylg '21 ARAUG). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Westerberg; B-Camas Park Stud & Summerhill (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Lanfranco Dettori. £70,888. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Ire, 7-5-1-0, $385,136. *1/2 to Andrea Mantegna (Giant's Causeway), GSP-Aus, $352,585. Werk Nick Rating: C. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Shouldvebeenaring (GB), 128, c, 3, Havana Grey (GB)–Lady Estella (Ire), by Equiano (Fr). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (£40,000 Ylg '21 GOFFUK). O-Middleham Park Racing XVIII; B-Whitsbury Manor Stud (GB); T-Richard Hannon. £26,875.
3–Bradsell (GB), 128, c, 3, Tasleet (GB)–Russian Punch (GB), by Archipenko. (12,000gns Ylg '21 TATSOM; £47,000 2yo '22 GOFTY). O-Victorious Racing; B-Mrs D O'Brien (GB); T-Archie Watson. £13,450.
Margins: 1 1/4, 8, 1 1/4. Odds: 1.00, 11.00, 5.00.
Also Ran: Matilda Picotte (Ire), Cold Case (GB), Mill Stream (Ire), The Ridler (GB). Scratched: Al Dasim (Ire).

 

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Wootton Bassett’s Unquestionable Impresses With TDN Rising Star Display At The Curragh

Team Ballydoyle got off to a perfect start on Irish 2000 Guineas day when the once-raced Unquestionable (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}–Strawberry Lace {GB}, by Sea The Stars {Ire}) powered clear of his five rivals in Saturday's Tally-Ho Stud Irish EBF (C&G) Maiden at the Curragh for a 'TDN Rising Star' rosette.

The July 2 G2 Railway S. entry lined up as the 4-6 favourite coming back off a promising debut third in this month's Listed First Flier S. and broke sharply to seize an immediate lead upped to six furlongs for this test. In command throughout, he was asked to stretch passing the quarter-mile marker and, with the benefit of the stands' side rail, quickened clear in taking fashion inside the final 150 yards to hit the line with an impressive 4 1/4-length buffer back to Mr Saturday (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}). Unquestionable becomes the fifth Rising Star for his sire (by Iffraaj {GB}), and second this term, following in the hoofprints of stablemate River Tiber (Ire).

“It was big ask to throw him in over five [furlongs] first time in a stakes race and we felt he'd appreciate the step up [in trip],” said Aidan O'Brien. “We're delighted with him and he's going to get even further than this. Ryan [Moore] was very happy with him and he went to the line very strong. It's very hard to beat a run and he had a good run. He looks like a [G2] Coventry horse.”

Unquestionable is the second of three foals and first winner, from two runners, produced by a daughter of Listed October S. victrix and G3 Sweet Solera S. runner-up Crying Lightening (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}). Crying Lightening is a half-sister to Listed Prix de Saint-Patrick second Lucky Bridle (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) and a granddaughter of GII Dahlia H. winner and GI Gamely H. third Didina (GB) (Nashwan). Descendants of Didina include G1 Dubai Duty Free-winning sire Cityscape (GB) (Selkirk), G2 Temple S. victor and MG1SP sire Bated Breath (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and G2 Gimcrack S.-winning sire Ajaya (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). The April-foaled bay, a €340,000 Arqana August graduate, is kin to a yearling colt by Almanzor (Fr).

1st-Curragh, €20,000, Mdn, 5-27, 2yo, c/g, 6fT, 1:16.42, gd.
UNQUESTIONABLE (FR), c, 2, by Wootton Bassett (GB)
1st Dam: Strawberry Lace (GB), by Sea The Stars (Ire)
2nd Dam: Crying Lightening (Ire), by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire)
3rd Dam: Auction Room, by Chester House
(€340,000 Ylg '22 ARQAUG) Lifetime Record: SP-Ire, 2-1-0-1, $16,849. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-Al Shaqab Racing, Coolmore & Westerberg; B-Mme Camille Vitse, Mme Axelle Vitse, Mme Valentine Vitse & Guillaume Vitse (FR); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore.

 

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