Tag: Ancient Rome

Ancient Rome Conquers Mint Millions

Ancient Rome (War Front) came to America and conquered the richest turf race outside of the Breeders' Cup in Kentucky Downs's GIII Mint Millions S. A graded-stakes winner in his native France, the Charlie Hill trainee also picked up Group 1 placings in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and the Criterium International as a juvenile.

Shipped in specifically for this race, the 6-1 shot came away in the front flight but began to take back under jockey Jamie Spencer as Stiched (Mizzen Mast) and Smokin' T (War Front) traded blows up front. Caught wide up the sweeping run into the far turn, Ancient Rome had clear aim on the leaders into the stretch and rallied outside of the pair to nab the win. Race favorite Annapolis (War Front) made a move to come through a hole inside of Ancient Rome inside the final sixteenth but had to check back as the eventual winner closed the gap.

“I think he's pretty adaptable on all types of ground,” said Spencer. “He's been running on Polytrack also. I went to ride him at home once, and he was pretty lively on his feet. I was pretty expecting that was how he'd be in the paddock. He went to the post a bit lively. I kept him on the move. He was good once he got in the gates. For an English horse, he broke really fast. But he's always done that in France.”

Pedigree Note:

Ancient Rome is another feather in the cap for prolific global sire War Front. His full-sister Etoile, herself a group winner in Ireland, is the dam of successful American juvenile runner No Nay Mets (Ire) (No Nay Never) who sold for £800,000 in the Goffs London Sale just before a start at Royal Ascot in June. Dam Gagnoa is a half to several group winners and to the dam of GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Pizza Bianca (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) who RNA'd for $3.45m at last year's Fasig-Tipton November Sale. She is responsible for eight winners from as many to race and foaled back-to-back fillies by Justify in 2021 and 2022 respectively. She returned to the Triple Crown champion for 2024.

Saturday, Kentucky Downs
MINT MILLIONS S.-GIII, $1,994,285, Kentucky Downs, 9-2, 3yo/up, 1mT, 1:33.37, fm.
1–ANCIENT ROME, 122, c, 4, by War Front
1st Dam: Gagnoa (Ire) (MGSW & MG1SP-Fr, G1SP-Ire, $597,492), by Sadler's Wells
                2nd Dam: Gwynn (Ire), by Darshaan (GB)
                3rd Dam: Victoress, by Conquistador Cielo
O-Mrs. Fitriani Hay; B-Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt (KY);
T-Charlie Hills; J-Jamie P. Spencer. $1,176,600. Lifetime
Record: GSW & MG1SP-Fr, 16-6-3-2, $1,528,247. *Full to
Etoile, GSW-Ire. Werk Nick Rating: B+.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Stitched, 126, c, 4, Mizzen Mast–Walking Miracle, by Into
Mischief. ($50,000 RNA Ylg '20 KEESEP). O-Nathan McCauley,
Michael Olszewski and William Minton; B-Nathan McCauley
(KY); T-Gregory D. Foley. $386,000.
3–Smokin' T, 126, c, 4, War Front–Wine Princess, by
Ghostzapper. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($295,000 RNA Ylg
'20 KEESEP). O/B-Dattt Farm LLC (KY); T-Claude R. McGaughey
III. $193,000.
Margins: HF, HD, HF. Odds: 6.66, 24.55, 6.46.
Also Ran: Atone, Annapolis, Dhabab (Ire), Max K. O., Hozier, Gray's Fable, Get Her Number, Cabo Spirit, Churchtown.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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War Front’s Ancient Rome Returns In Style At Chantilly

Coolmore and Westerberg's dual Group 1-placed 4-year-old colt Ancient Rome (War Front–Gagnoa {Ire}, by Sadler's Wells) returns off a ninth in June's G1 Prix du Jockey Club when last seen and registers a stylish comeback win at Chantilly in his first start for over nine months.

6th-Chantilly, €18,000, Cond, 3-7, 4yo, 9f (AWT), 1:50.78, st.
ANCIENT ROME (c, 4, War Front–Gagnoa {Ire} {MGSW & MG1SP-Fr, G1SP-Ire, $597,492}, by Sadler's Wells) snagged the G3 Prix des Chenes and placed in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and G1 Criterium International as a juvenile, but had not been seen since running ninth in last June's G1 Prix du Jockey Club on the turf here. Under a tight grip in fourth for the most part, the 1-2 favourite loomed large out wide with 350 metres remaining and coasted home in second gear once cruising to the front approaching the final furlong. At the line, he was value for much more than the half-length margin back to Marvanco (Fr) (George Vancouver). Ancient Rome is the seventh of 10 foals and one of seven scorers from as many runners produced by MGSW G1 Prix Saint-Alary, G1 Prix de Diane and G1 Irish Oaks placegetter Gagnoa (Ire) (Sadler's Wells). He is a full-brother to G3 Naas Juvenile Fillies Sprint victrix Etoile and kin to Listed Prix Amandine third Galateia (Ire) (Dansili {GB}) and a 2-year-old filly and yearling filly by Justify. The January-foaled dark bay's dam, who was bred to Gun Runner last year, is kin to three black-type winners, namely G1 Derby-winning sire Pour Moi (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), GSW G1 Irish Derby third Dawn Patrol (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Listed Salsabil S. victrix Kissed (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Gagnoa's siblings also include the dam of GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf heroine Pizza Bianca (Fastnet Rock {Aus}). Lifetime Record: GSW & MG1SP-Fr, 10-4-2-1, €222,030. Video, sponsored by TVG.
O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Westerberg; B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt (KY); T-Andre Fabre.

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Observations: Dual Group 1-Placed Ancient Rome Set for Chantilly Return

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. Tuesday's Observations feature a trio of Andre Fabre trainees, including a welcome return for Coolmore and Westerberg's dual Group 1-placed Ancient Rome.

14.25 Chantilly, Mdn, €27,000, unraced 3yo, c/g, 8f (AWT)
Godolphin's SWING VOTE (GB) (Shamardal) is an Andre Fabre-trained son of G1 Oaks heroine Qualify (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and the March-foaled homebred bay faces nine rivals in this debut. They include Alain and Gerard Wertheimer's Tonal (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), who is kin to three black-type performers out of a half-sister to G1 Cheveley Park S. victrix Pas De Reponse (Danzig).

15.35 Chantilly, Mdn, €27,000, unraced 3yo, f, 8f (AWT)
Alain and Gerard Wertheimer's ALGOLIA (IRE) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), another Andre Fabre-conditioned newcomer of note, is a half-sister to Listed Prix Charles Laffitte victrix Babala (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) produced by G1 Grande Premio Diana (Brazilian Oaks) winner Viva Rafaela (Brz) (Know Heights {Ire}). Her 10 opponents include Ecurie Skymarc Farm's homebred Morgana (Fr) (Camelot {GB}), who is out of an untried half-sister to three-time GI Canadian International-winning sire Joshua Tree (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) and G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud second Arthur's Kingdom (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), from the Stephane Wattel stable; and Rashit Shaykhutdinov's Meteor Shower (Fr) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who is a homebred daughter of stakes-winning G1 Preis der Diana (German Oaks) runner-up Megera (Fr) (Motivator {GB}), representing Fabrice Chappet.

16.45 Chantilly, Cond, €18,000, 4yo, 9f (AWT)
Coolmore and Westerberg's 4-year-old colt ANCIENT ROME (War Front) returns to action for Andre Fabre coming back off a nine-month break, having run ninth in June's G1 Prix du Jockey Club when last seen. The 2021 G3 Prix des Chenes victor, who also hit the board in that season's G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and G1 Criterium International, encounters seven rivals in this low-key affair.

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Poule d’Essai des Poulains: Where did they come from?

A diverse field is led by the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner Modern Games (Ire) and ranging from some fancy homebreds to a €5,000 yearling purchase. Iffraaj (GB) features prominently among the entries for the colts' Classic, as sire, grandsire or great-grandsire of six of the 16 runners in the field.

 

WELWAL (GB), Shalaa (Ire)–Cheriearch (Arch)
Owner: Al Shaqab Racing
Breeders: Oceanic, A Gravereaux and OTI Management
Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget
Sales history: €80,000 at Arqana Deauville Select Yearling Sale (Mandore International Agency).
Pedigree insight: A half-brother to the stakes-placed duo of Epistrophy (Fr) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) and Chic Cherie (Fr) (Muhaarar {Ire}) out of a listed-winning miler.

 

SCHERZO (FR), Wootton Bassett (GB)–Persian Belle (GB) (Machiavellian)
Owner: Al Wasmiyah Farm
Breeders: T de la Heronniere, Mme D and A de la Heronniere
Trainer: Elias Mikhailides
Sales history: €70,000 at Arqana Deauville Select Yearling Sale (private sale), €420,000 Arqana Arc Sale (Charles Gordon-Watson Bloodstock).
Pedigree insight: Group 2 winner Volta (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) and Group 1-placed Calvados Blues (Fr) (Lando {Ger}) are among his seven winning half-siblings. Their unraced dam is sister to American Grade II winner Beautyandthebeast (GB) and half to German Group 1 winner and sire Neatico (Ger) (Medicean {GB}).

 

TEXAS (FR), Wootton Bassett (GB)–Texalova (GB) (Dream Ahead)
Owner: Ecurie Jeffroy
Breeders: SCEA Prairies, T Jeffroy, B Jeffroy
Trainer: Henri Devin
Sales history: not sold at €110,000, Arqana Deauville Select Yearling Sale.
Pedigree insight: A third generation homebred for the Jeffroy family, he is the second foal of an unraced half-sister to Meydan Group 2 winner Frankyfourfingers (Fr) (Sunday Break {Jpn}).

 

NIRLIIT (FR), Iffraaj (GB)–Llanita (GB) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire})
Owner: Ecurie La Vallee Martigny EARL, Guy Pariente, Ecurie de Pradel, Bernard Giraudon
Breeders: Ecurie La Vallee Martigny EARL
Trainer: Christophe Escuder
Sales history: N/A
Pedigree insight: Half-sister Almeida Girl (GB) (Temple City) was a multiple winner and listed-placed, giving Llanita two black-type performers from her first two foals. The mare was herself stakes-placed, both in France and America.

 

MAKING MOVIES (IRE), Dabirsim (Fr)–Grace Lady (Fr) (Muhtathir {Fr})
Owner: Ecurie Hugo and Pierre Pilarski and Jean-Philippe Dubois
Breeders: Jean-Philippe Dubois
Trainer: Didier GuilleminSales history:  €125,000 at Arqana Deauville Select Yearling Sale (private sale).
Pedigree insight: A half-brother to the Group 2-placed duo of Epic Hero (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) and Alhadab (Fr) (Camelot {GB}), his dam won the G2 Prix Corrida and is herself out of a winning hurdler.

 

NESR SHALGHODA (GB), Due Diligence–Lady Macduff (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB})
Owner: Elbashir Salem AB Elhari
Breeder: Whitsbury Manor Stud
Trainer: Romain Le Dren Doleuze
Sales history: 9,000gns Tattersalls December Foal Sale, £16,000 Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale, 45,000gns Tattersalls Guineas Breeze-Up Sale.
Pedigree insight: A family synonymous with Hampshire's Whitsbury Manor Stud; granddam Tamora (GB) (Dr Fong) is a half-sister to the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye winner Gilt Edge Girl (GB) (Monsieur Bond {Ire}) and G2 Flying Childers winner Godfrey Street (GB) (Compton Place {GB}).

 

MODERN GAMES (IRE), Dubawi (Ire)–Modern Ideals (GB) (New Approach {Ire})
Owner/Breeder: Godolphin
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Pedigree insight: The GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner is a half-brother to recent listed winner Modern News (GB) (Shamardal) and Saturday's 'TDN Rising Star' Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), while their dam is a half-sister to the French-based stallion and former champion juvenile Ultra (Ire) (Manduro {Ger}).

 

TRIBALIST (GB), Farhh (GB)–Fair Daughter (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire})
Owner: Godolphin
Breeder: Car Colston Hall Stud
Trainer: Andre Fabre
Sales history: 130,000gns at Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, Book 3 (Stroud Coleman Bloodstock).
Pedigree insight: Tribalist is the first foal of an unraced half-sister to G1 Racing Post Trophy winner Crowded House (GB) (Rainbow Quest) and to the dam of Group/Grade 1 winners Brando (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) and Ticker Tape (GB) (Royal Applause {GB}).

 

THE ACROPOLIS (IRE), Churchill (Ire)–Hairy Rocket (GB) (Pivotal {GB})
Owner: Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg
Breeder: Frank Dunne
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Sales history: €140,000 at Goffs November Foal Sale (Camas Park Stud).
Pedigree insight: The dam won twice and was third in the G2 Queen Mary S. She is a half-sister to Rockliffe Stud's listed-placed Marsh Hawk (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), who is in turn the dam of the stakes-placed Mohawk King (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}).

 

LASSAUT (FR), Almanzor (Fr)–Lady Family (Fr) (Sinndar {Ire})
'TDN Rising Star'.
Owner/Breeder: Riviera Equine SARL and Haras d'Etreham
Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget
Sales history: Bought back by his breeder at €67,000 at the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale.
Pedigree insight: His dam is a half-sister to Group 2-winning sprinter Family One (Fr) (Dubai Destination), while his granddam's half-sister has produced the G1 Haydock Sprint Cup winner G Force (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) and Group 3 winner Louvain (Ire) (Sinndar {Ire}), who is herself the dam of Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Flotilla (Fr) (Mizzen Mast).

 

CLAYMORE (FR), New Bay (GB)–Brit Wit (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire})
Owner: Mary Slack
Breeder: Günther Schmidt
Trainer: Jane Chapple-Hyam
Sales history: €5,000 at the Arqana October Yearling Sale (Ardglas Stables), £10,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland Goresbridge Breeze-up Sale (Mutlaq Menahi Almutairi).
Pedigree insight: His dam is an unraced daughter of Listed Harvest S. winner Brisk Breeze (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}).

 

CALIF (GER), Arion (Ger)–Cherry Danon (Ire) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire})
Owner: Stall Hanse
Breeder: Gestut Brummerhof
Trainer: Dominik Moser
Sales history: Not sold at €95,000, BBAG September Yearling Sale.
Pedigree insight: His dam was a Group 3-winning miler and runner-up in the German 1000 Guineas before going on to produce four black-type horses. Granddam Sherifa (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}) is a full-sister to the dam of multiple Group 2 winner and sire Sommerabend (GB) (Shamardal).

 

ANCIENT ROME, War Front–Gagnoa (Sadler's Wells)
Owner: Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier and Westerberg
Breeder: Orpendale, Chelston and Wyatt
Trainer: Andre Fabre
Sales history: N/A
Pedigree insight: His full-sister Etoile is a Group 3 winner over six furlongs, but there is also stamina in the family. His dam, who was runner-up to Zarkava (Fr) in the Prix de Diane, is a three-parts-sister to Derby winner Pour Moi (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}).

 

ROCK BOY (Fr), Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire)–Frasque (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB})
Owner: Team Calas
Breeder: Legendary Rent Club
Trainer: Richard Chotard
Sales history: Bought for €16,000 at the Arqana October Yearling Sale (Guy Petit).
Pedigree insight: He is one of two black-type performers for his dam, along with the G2 Derby Italiano placegetter Alastor (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}) from her first three foals. Frasque, a minor winner over a mile, is a half-sister to G3 Prix Thomas Bryon winner Makaan (Swain).

 

BAYSIDE BOY (IRE), New Bay (GB)–Alava (Ire) (Anabaa)
Owner: Teme Valley and Ballylinch Stud
Breeder: Ballylinch Stud
Trainer: Roger Varian
Sales history: 200,000gns graduate from Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale (Richard Ryan).
Pedigree insight: His half-brother Forest Ranger (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}) was a dual G2 Huxley S. winner. They are out of a French listed winner over 9 1/2 furlongs who now has three black-type performers to her credit.

 

TUMBLER (FR), Kingman (GB)–Distorion (GB) (Distorted Humor)
'TDN Rising Star'.
Owner/Breeder: Wertheimer & Frere
Trainer: Carlos Laffon-Parias
Pedigree insight: Tumbler has two listed-placed half-siblings and his dam is a half-sister to Poule d'Essai des Poulains winner Falco (Pivotal {GB}), who is now standing as a jumps stallion in Britain.

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