Love In, St Mark’s Basilica Out Of Juddmonte

Aidan O'Brien has declared Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) for Wednesday's G1 Juddmonte International at York after revealing that St Mark's Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) has suffered a setback in training.

“Yesterday morning he lost a front shoe and it came back and hit his hind leg–his near-hind joint,” the Ballydoyle handler explained on Monday. “We didn't think a lot of it, but this morning there was a little bit of swelling in it and when we took bloods off him, his bloods came back and it was a little bit infected. We were a bit taken aback when we saw it this morning, but when we did the bloods then we didn't have any choice as he needs to go on antibiotics and the antibiotics that he's going to go on obviously he couldn't run on. Hopefully we'll be back on target towards the end of this week and if we are, we'll be able to train him for the Irish Champion.”

Of Love, O'Brien added, “It's four or five days earlier than we'd planned for her–the plan was to go for the [G1 Prix Jean] Romanet on Sunday. When St Mark's came out, we decided we'd let her run here instead.”

Seven will go to post for the extended 10-furlong feature, with dual Group 1 winner Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) for John and Thady Gosden, Andrew Balding trainee Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never), who won the July 28 G1 Sussex S., and G1 Irish 2000 Guineas scorer Mac Swiney (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) for Jim Bolger three other star names. The field is rounded out by William Haggas's pair of G2 King Edward VII S. winner and G1 Grand Prix de Paris third Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}) and G3 Hampton Court S. victor Mohaafeth (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), as well as stakes winner Juan Elcano (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who was second in the July 24 G2 York S. for trainer Kevin Ryan.

Mishriff's jockey David Egan reacted to the news of the withdrawal of his mount's G1 Eclipse S. conqueror later on Monday. “St Mark's Basilica has been outstanding this season. It's unfortunate what's happened–nobody wants that,” he said. “We want the best horses going for these big races. One horse isn't going to make a horse race. Even without St Mark's Basilica, it's still a very strong field and we have a lot of good opposition to take on.”

Mishriff may have come up short behind St Mark's Basilica when third in the July 3 Sandown feature, but he has subsequently run second to Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), with Love 1 3/4 lengths in arrears, in Ascot's G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco S. July 24. That gives Prince Faisal's homebred G1 Prix du Jockey Club and G1 Dubai Sheema Classic hero the edge on form, but Egan is taking nothing for granted.

“Love is a very special filly. Although she did finish third last time, her previous form is not to be overlooked,” he added. “She was an unbelievable filly at three and looked like a real superstar and I still think she is. She possibly underperformed in the King George and we have to give a weight allowance to a filly that's very, very good, which is not going to be easy. We saw with Enable how strong these top-class fillies can be against the colts. Love is definitely going to bounce back and give us a good race.”

“Everything has gone smoothly–his preparation has been good,” Egan continued. “I was really pleased with how he progressed from the Eclipse to the King George. I thought the King George run was a fantastic run, finishing behind an absolute monster in Adayar, giving him so much weight. We don't need to give the 3-year-olds as much weight in the Juddmonte and I think dropping my lad back to a mile and a quarter will only play to his strengths. If Mishriff can improve as much as he did from the Eclipse to the King George, he's going to be hard to beat.”

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Adlerflug’s Alenquer Prevails In King Edward Test

After Mohaafeth (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) had provided William Haggas with solace for having to watch the G1 Epsom Derby take place without his star colts, M M Stables' Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}) also came to Royal Ascot to add further consolation in Friday's G2 King Edward VII S. There is no doubt he would have played a major role in this year's blue riband on the bare form of his defeat of Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in the Apr. 23 G3 Sandown Classic Trial, but after a subsequent setback this was the path he was set upon and he duly regained all momentum in the 'Ascot Derby'. Always comfortable racing in rear in the rain-soaked ground, the 13-8 favourite was sent forward by Tom Marquand to tackle Tasman Bay (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) inside the final two furlongs and he was already in command as they passed the furlong pole. At the line, he had 1 1/2 lengths to spare over that imposing rival, with Title (GB) (Camelot {GB}) 2 1/2 lengths back in third. “When a horse does that, with a subsequent Derby winner behind, everyone expects a high level afterwards and he made my life easy,” the winning rider said. “William showed that patience is a virtue yesterday and it shows the wisdom he brings–they could have supplemented this horse and thrown him in the deep end in the Derby but instead came here and I think looking back in a few months time it will have been a blessing. On this ground, saving energy is key and I was really happy with the rhythm he found. The race opened out beautifully from the three and I always felt like I had plenty of horse to go for. It's onwards and upwards for him, I think.”

Alenquer, who was also second in the Listed Ascendant S. on testing ground at Haydock in September, could yet be Classic-bound according to Maureen Haggas. “He could easily be a [Sept. 11 G1] St Leger horse, but it's hard to know really,” she said. “He wasn't stopping here, so I think we will just see how it goes. He didn't do much wrong last year, but he was probably a bit immature still. He surprised us a little bit at Sandown, but he's more grown up this year. He's a bit of a boy at home, but at the races this year he's been really professional and focused and he's definitely going the right way.”

“I think he was a bit fresh though, a little bit keen the first furlong, but once Tom had him in behind and settled, he was great. To be honest, we didn't know whether the ground would suit or not, but this horse is German and German horses often go in the slow ground, so we thought we'd give it a go and find out. I think he is pretty versatile–just a thoroughly nice, tough, genuine horse and a good guy to have around. He's got a pretty good action on him–I wouldn't say he was ground-dependent.” William added, “He isn't in the [G1] Grand Prix de Paris, but we could go there. It is such a pain getting to France at the minute, but it's on July 14, so it's pretty good timing. We could supplement, because it's a good race. He's not a 'today' horse–he's very much for the longer term as well, so we've lots of exciting options.”

Sir Mark Todd said of Tasman Bay, “That was a super run. He is such a lovely horse–he is huge, with a massive stride. He is lovely to ride. He just got a bit keen early on, but when he kicked I thought he might have had it but the other horse just came at him. He is a beautiful mover and seems to act on anything.”

Alenquer is the second foal out of Wild Blossom (Ger) (Areion {Ger}), who is a half-sister to the Listed Junioren-Preis winner Wilder Wein (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) and a granddaughter of the influential Waitotara (Ire) (Habitat). The second dam of Hong Kong's champion stayer Mr Medici (Ire) (Medicean {GB}) and the excellent producer Wild Romance (Ger) (Alkalde {Ger}), she is therefore the ancestress of the likes of the G3 Prix Miesque winner and G1 Preis der Diana runner-up White Rose (Ger) (Platini {Ger}), the G2 EuropaChampionat winner Wild Side (Ger) (Sternkonig {Ire}), her triple group-winning daughter Wild Coco (Ger) (Shirocco {Ger}) and the G2 Oettingen-Rennen scorer Vintager (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}). Wild Blossom also has a 2-year-old filly by Zarak (Fr) and a yearling colt by Galiway (GB) bought for €100,000 by Haras de Meautry at the Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale.

Friday, Royal Ascot, Britain
KING EDWARD VII S.-G2, £173,400, Ascot, 6-18, 3yo, c/g, 11f 211yT, 2:41.31, hy.
1–ALENQUER (FR), 126, c, 3, by Adlerflug (Ger)
1st Dam: Wild Blossom (Ger), by Areion (Ger)
2nd Dam: Wind in her Hair (Ger), by Turtle Island (Ire)
3rd Dam: Waitotara (Ire), by Habitat
(€18,000 Wlg '18 ARQDE; 80,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-M M Stables; B-Gestut Romerhof (FR); T-William Haggas; J-Tom Marquand. £98,335. Lifetime Record: 4-3-1-0, $183,498. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Tasman Bay (Fr), 126, c, 3, Le Havre (Ire)–Purely Priceless (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). (€220,000 Ylg '19 ARAUG). O-Sir Peter Vela; B-SARL de Chambure, Haras d'Etreham & SARL Ecurie des Charmes (FR); T-Sir Mark Todd. £37,281.
3–Title (Ire), 126, c, 3, Camelot (GB)–Danehill's Dream (Ire), by Danehill. (€175,000 Ylg '19 GOFOR). O-Highclere Thoroughbred Racing (Charles Church); B-Llang Bloodstock (IRE); T-Roger Varian. £18,658.
Margins: 1HF, 2HF, 3/4. Odds: 1.63, 10.00, 5.00.
Also Ran: The Mediterranean (Ire), Gear Up (Ire), Belloccio (Fr). Scratched: Gloucestershire, Yibir (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.

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Adlerflug’s Alenquer Prevails In the Classic Trial

One of the lesser-fancied 3-year-old colts in the line-up for Friday's G3 bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown, M M Stables' Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}) nevertheless emerged front and centre with no hint of fluke as he split the Godolphin duo of Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Runner-up in the Listed Ascendant S. on soft ground at Haydock in September, the William Haggas-trained 25-1 shot was sent forward from the break by Tom Marquand and made certain that Yibir was unable to enjoy an easy time there. Attacking that rival three out with stamina assured as Adayar tried to emerge from a pocket back in the pack, the bay had first run on the imposing Charlie Appleby second-string and kept galloping relentlessly to score by half a length. Adayar, the race's major eye-catcher, had a neck to spare over his stablemate Yibir at the line. “He had only had two runs last year and the second was on horrific ground at Haydock, so he's certainly not the finished article yet,” Marquand said. “Every time he was joined, he fought back and is still learning. He'd never really had the chance to flatten out and run to the line before, so he's still quite raw. He's obviously got plenty of talent and promises to stay an extra couple of furlongs, but when he straightens out it might be that he shows us more speed than we thought.”

Alenquer had impressed when winning by 2 3/4 lengths on testing ground over seven furlongs at Newbury in August before meeting his match in the smart Hannon trainee Fancy Man (Ire) (Pride of Dubai {Aus}) in the Ascendant, but remained unexposed in what is widely-regarded as the best renewal of this Derby prep for some years. With the G3 Zetland S. scorer and 7-2 favourite Lone Eagle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) 4 1/2 lengths back in fourth and the unbeaten Listed Criterium du Languedoc winner Belloccio (Fr) (Belardo {Ire}), the G3 Solario S. winner Etonian (Ire) (Olympic Glory {Ire}) and Ballydoyle's Sir Lucan (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) well beaten this stood up to its billing. It also comes in the month that the German bloodstock industry was hit by the early demise of Adlerflug, Germany's champion sire last year who was responsible for the talented In Swoop (Ire).

Charlie Appleby said of the second and third, “Adayar and Yibir have finished off their races well and I am very pleased with their efforts. Yibir has stuck at it all the way to the line, while Adayar stayed on well. They have put up two very solid performances and a step up in distance could be on the cards for both colts, who look nice middle-distance horses for the rest of the season.” Yibir's jockey William Buick added, “I'm delighted with him–he ran a great race and as last year he got better with racing I expect it will be the same this year. I loved the way he battled back and he'll definitely get further. The runner-up is a lovely horse too and I guess he could step up as well.”

Alenquer is the second foal out of Wild Blossom (Ger) (Areion {Ger}), who is a half-sister to the Listed Junioren-Preis winner Wilder Wein (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}). This is the family of the Hong Kong champion stayer Mr Medici (Ire) (Medicean {GB}) and group-winning top producers White Rose (Ger) (Platini {Ger}) and Wild Side (Ger) (Sternkonig {Ire}), with the latter being responsible for the G2 Park Hill S. winner and G1 Prix Vermeille runner-up Wild Coco (Ger) (Shirocco {Ger}). The dam's 2-year-old filly is by Zarak (Fr), while her yearling colt by Galiway (GB) was a €100,000 purchase by Haras de Meautry at the Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale.

Friday, Sandown, Britain
BET365 CLASSIC TRIAL-G3, £45,000, Sandown, 4-23, 3yo, 9f 209yT, 2:12.13, gd.
1–ALENQUER (FR), 127, c, 3, by Adlerflug (Ger)
1st Dam: Wild Blossom (Ger), by Areion (Ger)
2nd Dam: Wind In Her Hair (Ger), by Turtle Island (Ire)
3rd Dam: Waitotara (Ire), by Habitat
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (€18,000 Wlg '18 ARQDE; 80,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-M M Stables; B-Gestut Romerhof (FR); T-William Haggas; J-Tom Marquand. £25,520. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, $46,562. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Adayar (Ire), 127, c, 3, Frankel (GB)–Anna Salai, by Dubawi (Ire). O/B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby. £9,675.
3–Yibir (GB), 127, c, 3, Dubawi (Ire)–Rumh (Ger), by Monsun (Ger). O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby. £4,842.
Margins: HF, NK, 3 3/4. Odds: 25.00, 8.00, 4.00.
Also Ran: Lone Eagle (Ire), Belloccio (Fr), Trawlerman (Ire), Etonian (Ire), Sir Lucan (Ire), Recovery Run (GB), Irish Legend (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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