NEWMARKET, UK–From a muted opening, Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale picked up the pace on Wednesday with a further four seven-figure lots gracing the ring. These sparked some solid bidding wars between established superpowers such as Coolmore, Godolphin and Juddmonte, with a decent representation of newer players from Bahrain and other Gulf nations, and strong participation from American-based Mike Ryan and Chad Brown.

The ripples of Frankel (GB) combined with Hascombe & Valiant Stud were felt on the turf of Longchamp on Sunday when Ace Impact (Ire), a son of the Oppenheimers' Frankel-sired star Cracksman (GB) waltzed off with the Arc. This year, with Anthony Oppenheimer selling a large draft of colts at Tattersalls, his stud was represented by a star turn of a different kind with the Frankel colt out of Bizzaria (GB) (Lemon Drop Kid) heading Book 1 when sold for 2 million gns to Coolmore.

The dam of lot 266 hails from a different Hascombe & Valiant family to Cracksman but it is one which has nevertheless provided the stud with much success. Her full-brothers Cannock Chase and Pisco Sour are Grade I and Group 2 winners respectively, and they are both former winners of the G3 Tercentenary S. at Royal Ascot. Their half-sister Star Catcher (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) was better still, with her hat-trick of Group 1 victories including the Irish Oaks.

With five of his seven-strong Book 1 draft having been sold already for a total of 2.9 million gns, Oppenheimer was naturally pleased with the week's business.

“So far we have done quite well,” he said. “I know [the Frankel colt] is a very nice horse. He's refuelled the stud's finances and it can't do any harm.”

Oppenheimer's biggest success in recent years came with the 2015 Derby and Arc winner Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), and he is also the breeder of this year's Gold Cup winner, Courage Mon Ami (GB), who is yet another son of Frankel and was sold to Wathnan Racing just prior to Royal Ascot.

Over at Navan, another Frankel colt bought by Coolmore at Book 1 last year for 1.9 million gns, Euphoric (GB), broke his maiden on debut and, through various partnerships, the team, headed by MV Magnier, played a more prominent role at Tattersalls on Wednesday while stocking up on next year's juvenile crop.

After having the final say over Godolphin and Juddmonte for the session-topper, Magnier said, “They [Hascombe & Valiant Stud] are very good breeders and have bred some very nice horses in the past. Frankel is flying at the moment. He'll go to Ballydoyle and let's hope he's good.”

2million gns for lot 266 at #TattsOctober

This colt by Frankel is from the family of G1 winner Star Catcher and was consigned by Hascombe & Valiant Stud. He has been bought by M V Magnier. pic.twitter.com/EHzBuqbpVu

— TDN (@theTDN) October 4, 2023

Late in the session, lot 352 drew a crowd back into the gangway as Magnier batted away a strong challenge from outside the ring and finally prevailed at 1.25 million gns. From Clara Stud and bred by CN Farm, the Wootton Bassett (GB) colt is a half-brother to G1 Commonwealth Cup winner and Sumbe stallion Golden Horde (Ire) (Lethal Force {Ire}) as well as the Listed winners Exhort (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) and Line Of Departure (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}).

Further back, the strong black-type dynasty of champion filly Serena's Song (Rahy) adds fortification to the page.

His dam, Entreat (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), is one of 15 mares owned by Kilkenny native James Cloney in partnership with his father-in-law. Cloney, a pharmacist by trade, admitted to be living out a long-held dream by exceeding seven figures with a horse he'd bred.

“It's once in a lifetime to have such a beautiful article,” he said. “Entreat is a special mare and she really produces top-quality stock. I had a dream about this. Thank God it came true for the family.”

Cloney acquired Entreat, a Cheveley Park Stud-bred mare, at the July Sale here in 2016 through BBA Ireland for just 14,000gns. Her son Golden Horde (Ire) put the pedigree in lights with a G1 Commonwealth Cup victory and Cloney revealed that he has wisely retained another filly from the family.

He explained, “She has a beautiful Dark Angel filly foal at home but is barren at the moment. We're lucky enough to have another daughter at home, called Dutch Treaty (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}), who has turned out to be a stakes producer herself. I'm lucky to have a nice daughter already.

“It's a family-run operation. My father-in-law is Michael Nolan and Paddy Kelly, who led the horse around tonight, helps us as well. I am a pharmacist by trade but am from a farming background. The horses are what keep me right, looking out at them in the evening time.”

1,250,000 million gns for Golden Horde's half-brother at #TattsOctober

This colt by Wootton Bassett has been bought by M V Magnier & White Birch Farm. He was consigned by @ClaraStud pic.twitter.com/fXGUqJYqyG

— TDN (@theTDN) October 4, 2023

Talking Points

• Sheikh Mohammed continued his spending spree, with Godolphin having now accounted for 15% of the turnover through the two days, with 17 yearlings bought for a total of 10,105,000gns

• Mike Ryan and Chad Brown have also been busy and have recruited 12 European yearlings to take back to America for a total of 2,740,000gns

• While trade certainly had a more buoyant feel to it than on the opening day, the median of 195,000gns was actually lower than Tuesday's 205,000gns, while the average, at 265,664gns, was up, thanks to a higher number of seven-figure lots. In comparison to last year's second session, the figures were all down, but on that day, eight of the sale's 16 seven-figure lots were sold. There have been six million-plus yearlings so far across the two days, and there had been 11 by this stage in 2022.

• Wednesday's aggregate settled at 35,599,000gns (-28%), and the clearance rate was 84%, representing 134 horses sold from 160 offered.

• George Boughey cut his teeth as a trainer with small-money buys–Missed The Cut (Quality Road) and Cachet (Ire) (Aclaim {Ire}) cost 100,000gns put together–but this week represented a breakout sale for the trainer. Boughey signed for three yearlings in his own name for a total of 865,000gns.

• Ghaiyyath (Ire) played a leading role here on Tuesday when a colt by the first-season sire sold to Godolphin for 1.05 million gns. But how did the market react to Ghaiyyath and the rest of the newbies on the whole? The answer is pretty positively. Ghaiyyath leads the way for the first-season sires with seven selling for an average of 309,571gns and an aggregate of 2,167,000gns. Along with Godolphin, buyers included Peter and Ross Doyle, Najd Stud and Highclere. Fellow Darley stallion Pinatubo (Ire) was next best for the young guns. Six of his yearlings sold at an average of 237,500gns and aggregate of 1,425,000gns. Earthlight (Ire) also fared well with four selling for an average of 212,500gns, including a 240,000gns colt [lot 237] to Ben McElroy to Stonestreet Stables.

McCartan Lauds 1.5M Blue Point Showstopper 

Renowned breeder Paul McCartan of Ballyphilip Stud heaped praise on his Blue Point (Ire) half-brother to multiple Group 1-winning sprinter Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) by describing him as the best horse he has ever had anything to do with.

That is saying something as, along with Battaash, McCartan has had Xtension (Ire), Tiggy Wiggy (Ire) and Harry Angel (Ire) through his hands. But he clearly wasn't alone in his appraisal of lot 240, who drew a collected hush at a jam-packed auditorium during Book 1 with Godolphin seeing off Najd Stud at 1.5 million gns.

“Look, I haven't said it to too many people, but I think he's the nicest horse I have ever had anything to do with,” a delighted McCartan said moments after the sale. “I really think that. I have always put Battaash number one but, just when he [the Blue Point colt] got here and did everything right and everything came together–he's an absolute belter.”

A belter is probably the best way of putting it. The Blue Point colt commanded the attention of some of the top judges in the game and even Joe Foley labelled him “the best horse in the sale” before bowing out at 800,000gns.

Mark McStay and Simon Mockridge of Juddmonte got a little closer to the magic 1.5-million mark but, in the end, it was Najd Stud, to the left of auctioneer Simon Kerins, and Anthony Stroud, bidding outside the sale ring on behalf of Godolphin, who draw away from the rest.

Godolphin weren't for beating and once again threw their might behind a colt by one of their own bright young stallions. On Monday, it was a Ghaiyyath (Ire) half-brother to Breeders' Cup hero Victoria Road (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) who piqued interest from Sheikh Mohammed's powerful operation.

Just 24 hours later, it was the colt by Blue Point, who has made the most terrific start to his stallion career with Big Evs (Ire) and Rosallion (Ire) the most notable performers, who led the way.

McCartan continued, “I'm delighted that Godolphin have got him and I'm delighted that Charlie Appleby will be training him. Because, to me, he's the image of his father and his grandfather. I think Charlie loved him as well, and Charlie could see that.”

Asked why he decided to send outstanding producer Anna Law (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}) to Blue Point, McCartan said, “It was probably an act of lunacy to take such a risk with a mare who is so important to us. I probably should have taken a more conservative approach and gone with a proven horse but I was at Ascot the day Blue Point beat Battaash in the King's Stand. I remember Blue Point coming into the parade ring and I took one look at him and one look at Charlie Appleby and I knew we weren't going to be winning.”

He added, “It's surreal because it's out of your control but I want to pay particular thanks to the people who work for me. Sure everybody knows that they are one of the best teams around the sales ground. And also to my head man at home, Denis Lawlor, who never comes to the sales and Dinny McCarthy, who led him up. He's a fantastic horseman and did a great job. They all did. It's one of the most enjoyable parts for me, that they can all share it together. We are all great friends.”

Perhaps Anna Law deserves a little more love in this story. Bought by McCartan for just 14,000gns at a horses-in-training sale here in October 2012, she has proved an immensely important part of that Limerick farm in producing Battaash and fellow speedster The Antarctic (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), who sold for 750,000gns at this sale in 2021.

Reported to be happily in foal to Frankel (GB) by McCartan, Anna Law could have an even bigger role to play at Ballyphilip Stud in the years to come given she is still relatively young for a broodmare at just 13 years' old.

McCartan, who runs Ballyphilip with his wife Marie, explained, “Anna Law has a filly foal at home by Dark Angel and is in foal to Frankel. It's a bit of a different approach [going to Frankel] but he's probably the best stallion of all time, so why not? We'll give it a roll again.”

He added, “Anna Law has been an incredible mare for us. She started off by being a grumpy old girl but now every time she sees me out in the field she knows I have a fist full of nuts so we are the best of friends now!”

“He's the image of his sire and grandsire,” – Paul McCartan of @BallyphilipStud

The Blue Point colt half-brother to G1 winner Battaash has sold for 1.5million gns at #TattsOctober to Godolphin. pic.twitter.com/iDuqqNbkuR

— TDN (@theTDN) October 4, 2023

Sumbe On The Stallion Hunt

Ballylinch Stud had enjoyed a particularly noteworthy update for lot 260 since the catalogue was published with the G2 Champagne S. victory of the colt's full-brother Iberian (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}).

Nurlan Bizakov of Sumbe already has a select roster of stallions at his Normandy-based Haras de Montfort et Preaux and there will doubtless be high hopes for the 1.1 million gns son of Listed winner Bella Estrella (Ire) (High Chaparral [Ire}) to join the throng in due course.

“If he is good enough he is a potential stallion,” said Sumbe's manager Tony Fry. “No-one needs a pat on the back now, that can come in two years' time – if it all works out.”

He added of the struggle to secure stallion prospects, “It's not easy to buy one and they are owned by people not keen to sell. And ideally you like to be involved in them from day one – to have bred them yourself, raced them and then stand them.”

A grandson of the Grade II winner Uncharted Haven (GB) (Turtle Island {Ire}), the colt's family also includes the Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Just The Judge (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}).

Lope De Vega's excellent year extends beyond just his promising young son Iberian. He has also been represented by American Grade I winner Program Trading (GB) and Arapaho (Fr), winner of the G1 Tancred S. in Sydney. His 17 yearlings sold so far through Book 1 have returned an average of 374,118gns.

1.1 million gns for lot 260 at #TattsOctober Book 1

This colt by Lope de Vega had a timely update thanks to half-brother Iberian. He has been bought by @sumbe_fr and was consigned by @BallylinchStud. pic.twitter.com/qxYiTvhsQE

— TDN (@theTDN) October 4, 2023

I Got You Babe 

From one of the stars of the show on Tuesday to another early in the second session of the sale, the draft of Newsells Park Stud has continued to feature prominently, which is hardly surprising when one considers the pedigrees of the individuals involved.

Leading the early trade on Wednesday was lot 200, the Kingman (GB) half-brother to the Group 1 winner and young Newsells Park stallion Without Parole (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who was born and raised at the farm on behalf of his breeders John and Tanya Gunther of Kentucky's Glennwood Farm.

With shades of the sale of the last foal of the mighty Shastye (Ire) on Tuesday, this too was tinged with sadness as the colt's dam, Without You Babe (Lemon Drop Kid), who has also produced GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Tamarkuz (Speightstown) and the yearling colt's full-sister, Listed winner She's Got You (GB), died last year.

“It's hard to talk about it,” said an emotional John Gunther after the hammer dropped at 900,000gns for the colt who will now race for Bahraini owners.

“He was the mare's last foal and he was very special to us. It was tough to sell him but he sold very well.

“The mare meant so much to us. Everyone at Newsells did a great job prepping him for the sale and he's gone to some good owners. That's very important.”

Without Parole returned to the stud where he was born to commence his stallion career in 2021. His first yearlings are now at the sales, including three in Book 1 at Tattersalls, where Ross Doyle and Anthony Bromley have signed for a filly and a colt so far.

Gunther continued, “We look forward to Without Parole's two-year-olds and it all carries forward. We're keeping quite a few of them to race ourselves. We want to make sure they go to the right trainers to give the horse his best chance. We will be racing at least half a dozen of them ourselves.”

In the year in which Without Parole won the G1 St James's Palace S. to give the Gunthers a memorable homebred Royal Ascot winner, another graduate of their breeding programme, Justify (Scat Daddy), remained unbeaten to win America's Triple Crown. Subsequently sold to stand at Coolmore's Ashford Stud in Kentucky, Justify has made an eye-catching start to his stud career, with his best progeny on this side of the Atlantic including Sunday's G1 Prix Marcel Boussac winner Opera Singer, G1 Prix Morny runner-up and G2 Prix Robert Pain victrix Ramatuelle, and the G2 Superlative S. winner City Of Troy, who is currently favourite for the G1 Dewhurst S. He has also sired two Grade I winners in America, Arabian Lion and Aspen Grove (Ire).

“Justify looks like a supersire,” Gunther added. “He's got the best two-year-old filly in the country and the best two-year-old colt, and it looks like he has some very good dirt runners in the US as well. We're very excited about how Justify is coming along.”

Oliver St Lawrence, who signed for the yearling, said, “I loved the Kingman colt the first time I saw him. He's a half-brother to two Grade I winners and hopefully he will take us to the Guineas and we can have a bit of fun. I was desperately keen to get him.”

St Lawrence had also signed for the preceding lot [199], a son of Dubawi (Ire) out of Wisdom Mind (Ire), a Dark Angel (Ire) half-sister to Barney Roy (GB) (Excelebration {Ire}). Bought at 500,000gns, the colt was bred by Sun Bloodstock and consigned by Adrian and Philippa O'Brien's Hazelwood Bloodstock.

“They are both for Fawzi [Nass] and team,” St Lawrence said. “I knew we'd have to go strong on the Kingman. The only downside was that I had to be hugged by Julian Dollar afterwards. That took the shine off it a little bit.”

@tanyagun says goodbye to the last foal of Without You Babe

The colt by Kingman @JuddmonteFarms has been sold to @OStLawrence for 900,000gns at #TattsOctober Book 1. He is a half-brother to Without Parole and was consigned by @newsellspark pic.twitter.com/lFZjPubX9z

— TDN (@theTDN) October 4, 2023

Well-Related Colts for Blandford

Another colt with obvious sire power should he prevail on the racecourse is Norelands Stud's son of Kingman (GB) and Cabaret (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Offered as lot 278, the half-brother to Classic winners St Mark's Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) and Magna Grecia (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) was bought by Richard Brown of Blandford Bloodstock for an unnamed client at 600,000gns.

“I didn't expect to be able to buy him,” Brown said. “[His dam] must be one of the better broodmares on Planet Earth. The colt himself was physically a little but immature. He needs to strengthen up a little bit, and I think he will. There was a lot of Kingman about him and he put up a very classy show outside. With a pedigree like that I'm delighted to get him. It's very rare to be able to buy that type of pedigree.”

Brown later signed for lot 336, a Cracksman (GB) half-brother to Givemethebeatboys (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}), whose win in the G3 Marble Hill S. in May helped to turn this 48,000gns foal purchase by Tally-Ho Stud into a highly profitable 410,000gns yearling.

Among Godolphin's purchases for the day was lot 243, a 250,000gns December Foal Sale purchase by Philipp Stauffenberg, who was resold for 600,000gns.

The Havana Grey (GB) colt is a half-brother to the Group 1-placed Dragon Symbol (GB) (Cable Bay {Ire}), who has recently been announced as joining the roster at Whitsbury Manor Stud, where he was bred.

Buy of the Day

Hughie Morrison may well have landed himself the value pick of day two in the shape of lot 328, a filly by first-season sire Mohaather (GB).

Consigned by Llety Farms, the Mohaather filly is out of an unraced Refuse To Bend (Ire) mare, who has produced two black-type performers by Kodiac (GB) and Stimulation (Ire).

At just 55,000gns, Morrison's purchase comes in well below the sale average and time might prove her to have been very well-bought here. She appears to be a sweet filly who will be worth keeping an eye on for next year. Her pedigree suggests that she will be early enough to debut in the first half of the season.

Elsewhere, Ben McElroy added an interesting filly on behalf of Stonestreet Stables to his haul in lot 297.

At first glance, this Oasis Dream (GB) filly wasn't a snip at 335,000gns from Pier House Stud, but she ticks plenty of the right boxes for America.

Out of a black-type producing mare, she hails from a strong family and could do well on the turf in the States where the prize-money is significantly stronger than in Britain and Ireland.

The McElroy-Stonestreet axis has had significant success with European purchases in recent years.

She's another interesting one to keep note of for next season.

The post Coolmore Snaps Up Frankel Colt for 2 Million Gns appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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The Wathnan Racing colourbearer was most recently third to St Leger rival Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) in the G2 Great Voltigeur S. at York last month. He will be partnered by the retiring Frankie Dettori, who has already won the Classic six times including twice for Gosden with Shantou (Alleged) in 1996 and Logician (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in 2019.

“He came out of the race at York in very good order,” said the elder Gosden, who has already won five editions of the British Classic. “If the weather is set fair at Doncaster that won't bother him with it being top of the ground. I have had some luck going from the Voltigeur to the St Leger, but I often feel it is quite close if they have had a hard race and I have had a couple bounce, that can happen. I'm very pleased with him at this stage, he seems in great order and very content in himself.

“He's got a great mind and he is a pretty laid-back character. I trained both the mother and father and he's inherited all their good traits of their mental attitude towards racing. I think he'll enjoy the distance. We are perfectly aware it looks like being a vintage St Leger.”

Qatar Racing's Middle Earth (GB) (Roaring Lion), a winner of the Melrose H., will need to be supplemented to run, while Anthony Oppenheimer's stakes-placed homebred Lion's Pride (GB), another by the late Tweenhills stallion, is also a St Leger prospect. The final member of the quartet is Juddmonte's one-time G1 Betfred Derby favourite Arrest (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who won the G3 Geoffrey Freer S. in August, however the colt is ground dependent.

“Middle Earth ran a lovely race in the Melrose and I'm really happy with him,” said Gosden. “He has a very strong likelihood, all being well with his bloods and scopes, to be supplemented. Qatar Racing have won the race before and I think they are game to go.

“We're very pleased with Arrest, he took his race very well at Newbury. He's in top order but I think if it's good-to-firm at Doncaster I think you'll find him heading to Paris for the [G2] Prix Chaudenay rather than Doncaster. He's a lovely horse but he rolls his knee and he'll enjoy more what I call the autumn ground.”

Of Lion's Pride Gosden added, “I think there's a likelihood he will run in the race as well, after all there's only one St Leger. His sire was the last horse off the bridle in Masar (Ire)'s Derby but he didn't get the mile-and-a-half. This boy is out of a good source of stamina on the dam's side.”

The post Gosdens Considering Quartet For Doncaster’s St Leger appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Racing in the catbird seat off the slow early tempo, the 4-7 favourite showed sharp acceleration to pounce on inferior rivals two out and settle the result quickly before drawing away for a resounding three-length success from stablemate Middle Earth (GB) (Roaring Lion). Lion's Pride, who hails from the same Clarehaven stable as Courage Mon Ami, becomes just the second TDN Rising Star for his sire after the ultimately disappointing Lion Of War (GB).

“He's always been quite a big baby and he learned plenty at Newcastle,” Havlin said. “He has a big action, so we avoided quick ground and I was impressed with the way he quickened from the two-and-a-half to the one-and-a-half today. Courage Mon Ami did everything wrong when he won here and was a work in progress and this guy is the same–he will learn and he was a different horse to the last day, so I'm sure he'll be a different horse again next time. He's got good attributes–he relaxes, has a good turn of foot and stays.”

Alongside Courage Mon Ami, Crimson Ribbon is also responsible for the Listed Chalice S. winner and G3 Pinnacle S. and G3 Princess Royal S. runner-up Crimson Rosette (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), the Listed Girvan Waugh Randwick City S. winner and G3 Neville Sellwood S. runner-up Astronomos (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) and for Purple Ribbon (GB) (Gleneagles {Ire}), who was second in this track's Listed Wild Flower S. A full-sister to the G2 Hardwicke S. and G2 Jockey Club S. winner Bronze Cannon and the GIII My Charmer H. scorer Valiant Girl (GB), she is also a half to the G2 King Edward VII S. winner Across The Stars (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). Her unraced 2-year-old Danielle (GB) is by Cracksman (GB), while she also has a yearling filly by Golden Horn (GB) and a filly foal by Time Test (GB).

3rd-Kempton, £40,000, Novice, 7-12, 3yo/up, 10f 219y (AWT), 2:24.10, st/sl.
LION'S PRIDE (GB), c, 3, by Roaring Lion
     1st Dam: Crimson Ribbon, by Lemon Drop Kid
     2nd Dam: Victoria Cross (Ire), by Mark Of Esteem (Ire)
     3rd Dam: Glowing With Pride (GB), by Ile De Bourbon
Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $29,093. O-Mr A E Oppenheimer; B-Hascombe & Valiant Stud Ltd (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

Lion's Pride scores at @kemptonparkrace

The half-brother to Gold Cup winner Courage Mon Ami quickens clear in good style for Rab Havlin & team Gosden pic.twitter.com/Bp24VMFn5C

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 12, 2023

The post Roaring Lion’s Lion’s Pride A New TDN Rising Star appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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William Haggas had been in the royal procession on Wednesday and he put his name back on the invitation list for next year by becoming the first trainer to provide the King and Queen with a winner at Royal Ascot in the King George V S., named after the present monarch's great grandfather.

Bred by the late Queen, Desert Hero (GB) hails from a family which has been well represented at the royal meeting in recent years. His dam Desert Breeze (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is a full-sister to the G2 Hardwicke S. winner Dartmouth (GB), who appeared at Royal Ascot in three consecutive years, and both siblings were gifted to the Queen by their breeder Sheikh Mohammed. 

The 'new Ascot', as old-timers still like to call it, can feel a little devoid of atmosphere on occasion, even on the big occasion, but not so for a royal winner. Every step, every balcony and every tier was stuffed with racegoers cheering in Desert Hero and Tom Marquand, as the King and Queen, accompanied by the Princess Royal and her daughter Zara Tindall, arrived in the winner's enclosure.

“This is what it's all about for us, and when you are given the privilege of training some horses for the late Queen and The King and Queen, it's an honour,” said Haggas.

“They have been looking forward to Royal Ascot for a long time and they hoped to have as many runners as possible. I think they will be absolutely delighted. It's very important for horseracing, but it's also important that the King and Queen enjoy it, which they clearly appear to do. Long may that continue.”

It didn't take long, however, for the King to have his thunder stolen by the upstager-in-chief, Lanfranco Dettori. With the quality of horses on offer from Wathnan Racing, the breakthrough owners on the scene who have made quite a splash this week, Dettori will certainly be enjoying this new, albeit brief, association.

Wathnan Racing is the operational name for the horses owned by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, whose brother Sheikh Joaan is already a familiar face on the international racing scene as the principal of Al Shaqab Racing and owner of Haras de Bouquetot.

First, Gregory (GB) gave the team the Queen's Vase, only for Courage Mon Ami (GB) to plunder an even bigger prize 24 hours later after an epic stretch battle with the plucky Coltrane (Ire) in the Gold Cup. What these hugely exciting emerging stayers have in common, as well as being trained by John and Thady Gosden, is that their Royal Ascot victories were both their first runs in the colours of Wathnan Racing. 

Courage Mon Ami was bred and raced until recently by Anthony Oppenheimer of Hascombe and Valiant Studs, who was also the breeder of Gregory's sire Golden Horn (GB). Gregory represents Philippa Cooper's Normandie Stud and a family which has been replete with quality stayers over the years. While the latter has the target of the St Leger, the four-year-old Courage Mon Ami, similarly unbeaten, has announced his presence at the top of the staying division having arrived in the Gold Cup straight from a Goodwood handicap. This he won a day after Gregory landed the Cocked Hat Stakes at the same course.

“It's a wonderful day for Hascombe and Valiant,” said Oppenheimer as he congratulated the horse's new connections by the winner's circle.

“We're very pleased. We've got plenty of the family. We very nearly retired him before he ran because he was so big, but he had those two fantastic races last year when he won by about ten lengths.”

As Oppenheimer watched the presentation, made by the King to Courage Mon Ami's new owners, he was joined by Jayne McGivern, who now owns Golden Horn, having bought him last year to stand at Overbury Stud, where he has covered 184 mares this season.

“Your horse is doing very well!” Oppenheimer said to McGivern with a grin. “I'm very pleased with Golden Horn, he's doing much better than ever before. I have a couple of really nice horses by him coming up.”

While Courage Mon Ami's victory means that the extraordinary Frankel (GB) has been represented by a Group 1 winner on every day of Royal Ascot so far, from a mile to two and a half miles, it cannot be overlooked that Oppenheimer has enjoyed great success in the past with another of his sons, Cracksman (GB). Now a Darley second-season stallion, Cracksman is responsible for one of the most exciting three-year-old colts of the season in the Prix du Jockey Club winner Ace Impact (Fr).

Olly Tait of Australia's Twin Hills Stud and his old friend Richard Brown of Blandford Bloodstock have been charged with the advising and buying duties for the Qatari-based Wathnan Racing, and both have passed with flying colours in delivering on their brief.

“I was asked to buy some proper horses who could go to the big meetings and compete in the big races, and this is as big as it gets,” said Brown. “Olly is the advisor for Wathnan Racing, which was the leading stable in Qatar over the winter. He approached me and said that they were interested in buying a few horses. I obviously jumped at the opportunity. I've know Olly for 25 years. We actually lived next to each other in Newmarket when we first there in about 1998. The opportunity to work with him was extraordinary. We haven't bought very many, we've been very selective, but there are a couple more to come out.”

There is just one part of the brief that Tait and Brown may struggle to adhere to if the current level of success continues. 

Brown added, “The owners want to be under the radar slightly, though I think the last two days has just blown that apart, but they are private people. It was just a case of getting started with a few horses and this has been a dream start.”

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“It is a great honour and I am absolutely amazed,” said Oppenheimer, who is a past TBA chairman. “It was not something that ever entered my mind that I could possibly win. I was chairman of the TBA for four years, and even then it never entered my mind that when awarding it to all of these famous people, that I would actually get this honour. It is tremendously exciting.

“I never had the ambition of winning this award but now I have won it, it is just fantastic and I am really honoured by it. My father would be absolutely thrilled if he could look down, this is very much the highlight of my life.”

Ruth Quinn received the Dominion Bronze in recognition of her contribution and long-term commitment to the improvement of the Thoroughbred through her work in race programming. Through Quinn’s efforts, there is now a revitalised staying programme, more race opportunities for Flat fillies and the creation of a comprehensive jump mares’ programme.

“It’s an honour to receive the Dominion Award,” said Quinn, who is also the BHA’s Director of International Racing and Racing Development. “Horseracing is, and has been my life and the driving, ever present reason for that is the thoroughbred. Anybody who knows me well would recognise just how strongly and passionately I feel about our collective responsibilities towards the long-term health of the thoroughbred breed.”

Added TBA Chairman Julian Richmond-Watson said, “This year’s recipients are two very worthy winners of the award. The board of trustees agreed that their long-standing contribution and commitment to the improvement of the breed should be justly rewarded and recognised. The TBA is committed to the long-term future of the industry and pays tribute to Anthony and Ruth who have dedicated considerable time and effort to the British thoroughbred.”

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11.50 Newmarket, Nov, £8,000, 2yo, f, 7fT
Anthony Oppenheimer’s hitherto unraced HOPEFULLY DARLING (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is a Hascombe & Valiant homebred full-sister to MG1SW sire Cracksman (GB) and represents the John Gosden-Rab Havlin axis responsible for that luminary’s debut score at this venue. She encounters Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s 1.05-million guineas Tattersalls October Book 2 topper Tarhib (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), who is one of three debutantes for the William Haggas yard and a granddaughter of G1 July Cup runner-up and MGSW matriarch Cassandra Go (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}).

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Gosden said, “She was ready to run in Dubai and we had her all primed, but at the very last minute we decided not to put her on the plane and of course they then they basically shut down the United Arab Emirates. After that I let her down a bit and gave her a nice little holiday. I thought ‘don’t train her and back right away’ as there was no racing and we didn’t know when we would start again.

“After speaking to Mr. Oppenheimer, we decided to go August onwards with her and–potentially into November. I want to bring her back to the Yorkshire Oaks, then potentially look at the Vermeille again. She is in the Arc and there is Fillies & Mares S. back at Ascot and we would even think of the Breeders’ Cup.”

Having given Enable a racecourse gallop at Newmarket’s July Course ahead of her return in the Eclipse, Gosden has not ruled out doing something similar with Star Catcher, who also struck gold in last season’s G2 Ribblesdale S. at Royal Ascot.

He added, “I might give her a racecourse gallop before the Yorkshire Oaks, but she is pretty simple and gets herself ready. We might pop her down at the July Course before going to York, though.”

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Russian Emperor, who bears a striking resemblance to last year’s winner Anthony Van Dyck (Ire) as a Galileo son of an Australasian mare, this time the supremely-talented Atlantic Jewel (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), has the able assistance of man-of-the-moment Seamie Heffernan. Due to be confined to two weeks’ quarantine when returning to Ireland from Chantilly on Sunday night, the vital cog in the Ballydoyle machine could have at least one more Classic in the bag by then to add to his brace since racing returned. “The decision on what was likely to run wasn’t made until late, but I ended up with four rides in four Classics,” he said on Friday.

“I rode Russian Emperor as a 2-year-old and rated him extremely highly, but he got a nick that day and it put him off for the season,” he added. “He won from an impossible position at Naas and was a little bit unlucky [when second in the June 9 G3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial] at Leopardstown. He goes there on the back of a win at Ascot, just like the Irish Derby winner, and he’s a proper ride in that he only uses what he has to until you have to go. He’s not a horse that wastes any gas. Epsom is a very peculiar track and they have to handle it, but I’m happy to be on him. The Guineas is the best Derby trial and we know the pedigree of Kameko, so I’ll be having a bit of a look at him.”

Despite the tight squeeze for most to get here, both the Derby and Oaks look at least up to standard and Qatar Racing’s Kameko (Kitten’s Joy) and Coolmore’s Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) add crucial Newmarket Guineas-winning stratum to their respective races. The Derby’s age-old quandary is present once again for connections of Kameko. Will he turn out more Sea the Stars (Ire) or Camelot (GB) than Dawn Approach (Ire) or Saxon Warrior (Jpn)? Only the hallowed span of just over two and a half minutes of galloping up and down, across and around the Downs will tell them and us.

Love has more cast-iron credentials to complete the sacred Classic double on pedigree, being by the mighty grass-class donor Galileo and a full-sister to two fillies who stayed even further in Peach Tree (Ire) and Flattering (Ire). Out on her own at the end of the June 7 G1 1000 Guineas, she appears rock-solid as long as the forecast overnight rain does not have too great an impact on the going. Her only achilles heel in 2019 seemed to be ease in the ground, as she floundered when it rode like that in the G2 Debutante S. and G1 Fillies’ Mile.

Aidan O’Brien has no concerns about the trip for Love and said, “Everything has been good with her and although it’s a big step up in trip, we always thought she’d be comfortable doing that. With a nice bit of ground, hopefully she’ll be happy. The gap between the Guineas and the Oaks also gives her a chance, she never missed a beat the whole way. The timing is lovely.”

O’Brien also saddles Evie Stockwell’s Ennistymon (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who was second in the G2 Ribblesdale S. ahead of stablemate Passion (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), and Heffernan gets the call-up on the former. “I’ve been very lucky for Mrs Stockwell and everyone is happy with Ennistymon,” commented the rider, who rode the dam Lahinch (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and whose high-profile successes in these colours include the 2016 G1 Cheveley Park S. on Brave Anna (War Front). “Her Ascot run was great, the trip and ground are good for her, so she just needs to shake a leg and she could collect.”

Coronation Of A King?

At war with Russian Emperor is English King (Fr) (Camelot), with Bjorn Nielsen’s bay looking in physique and performance as if he has been plucked from the mould of an archetypal, made-to-measure Epsom Derby colt. His June 5 Listed Lingfield Derby Trial success satisfied both the eye and the science in a rare symbiosis, but Thursday’s draw has to slightly temper the enthusiasm that had been steadily building. It may be that Frankie Dettori will need all of his tactical guile and experience to obtain an ideal spot the other side of the inevitable bunfight to the first left-hand bend. Trainer Ed Walker is only 37, but such is the intensely competitive nature of the sport it is not unrealistic that this could be the best shot at glory he will ever have. It is cruel fate that his great hope should be potentially compromised by post position in a race where the margins were already tight, but to his credit he was unfazed when quizzed on the subject on Friday. “I have to say the draw doesn’t worry me,” he stated. “Frankie’s not worried and the fact Ryan Moore didn’t choose his ride until after the draw and went for Mogul, who is next to us in two, suggests to me neither Frankie nor Ryan feel it is impossible to win from down there. Frankie has seen and done it all before. A few weeks ago I was expecting a smaller field, so it may be more tactical than normal, but then it’s always tactical in the Derby. We’ve got the right man on board to navigate the waters.”

“When you’re sent a colt by Bjorn Nielsen, you work back from the Derby,” Walker added. “Bjorn is a great man to train for, as everything is about the Derby–he’s either trying to produce fillies to produce him a Derby winner, or raise colts to win the Derby. It’s a simple remit. It hasn’t worked out too many times for me, but thankfully this time it has. This is the highest level for us, so it’s a real privilege to be here. We’re trying to contain nerves, but there’s a great buzz in the yard and there has been for weeks. There’s a buzz around Lambourn as William Muir has a live chance with Pyledriver, Paul and Ollie Cole have a runner and Andrew Balding isn’t far away and he’s obviously got a leading chance with Kameko, so it’s great.”

Dark Horses In Ballydoyle Brigade

Aidan O’Brien opts for safety in numbers once again, but that was also the case when Padraig Beggy delivered the goods on the stable’s 40-1 outsider Wings of Eagles (Fr) (Pour Moi {Ire}) three years ago and this is an operation that has no truck with established limitations. No other yard in Europe could saddle a maiden who has yet to achieve a placing in two starts in an Epsom Derby and it be considered anything other than a no-hoper. The colt in question is Amhran Na Bhfiann (Ire), whose form almost fades into insignificance alongside his profile as a 1.3-million gns Galileo full-brother to the 2012 Oaks heroine Was (Ire). He also has William Buick on board and is one of the select few to have a genuine Epsom pedigree, being linked to the 2008 Blue Riband hero New Approach (Ire).

While Amhran Na Bhfiann probably does lack the armoury to make a serious impact this soon in his career, the fact that he cannot be safely discounted despite being bottom of the pile only serves to underline the widespread respect that Ballydoyle command in 2020. One that is a step ahead of him at present is Serpentine (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who also went two starts without making the frame prior to a nine-length destruction in a 10-furlong Curragh maiden on Saturday. There is reportedly a good vibe around him and while O’Brien’s maidens customarily improve race-by-race, the four-week period that has preceded this event has witnessed them springing forwards. Tiger Moth (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) made his own figurative leap to nearly win Saturday’s Irish equivalent and the Ballydoyle handler is probably in the dark as to how his sextet will end up here.

“Some are making serious progress from their first runs to the second,” commented the seven-times Derby-winning trainer, who with one more notch will leave the legendary trio of Robert Robson, John Porter and Fred Darling behind. “With some horses, especially Mogul (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), we’d have liked two races but it’s been unorthodox and we’ll find out a lot more on Saturday. Russian Emperor came out of his Ascot win well and he’s one we’re looking forward to seeing over a mile and a half. Vatican City (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is by Galileo, but he’s related to a lot of quick horses. Padraig rode him that day [when second in the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas] and found it hard to pull him up, so it will be interesting. Often those you are sure of getting the trip might not have enough class. Mythical (Fr) (Camelot {GB}) is a good traveller, a classy horse, and Serpentine ran straight through the line at The Curragh and it’s going to be interesting watching him over a mile and a half as he’s a seriously well-bred Galileo. Amhran Na Bhfiann is a lovely big horse who we always thought would get the trip well. His one run this year was in a race which has worked out incredibly well. He’ll get better with racing.”

It has to be taken as read that Mogul, who was attracting support yesterday, is going to be a different proposition than the burly colt that finished fourth in the G2 King Edward VII S. Despite that, the re-opposing duo that were ahead of him in that 12-furlong Royal Ascot test on June 16 are themselves hardly the finished article. Fairytale candidate Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) has more to give whatever occurs here, while the third-placed Mohican Heights (Ire) (Australia {GB}) produced the kind of trial effort that is impossible to ignore.

Pyledriver’s trainer William Muir said, “I said from Ascot that to run here he would have had to come right back to his best at home–that includes putting weight on and he has done that. Because of how the season has turned out, we are able to have a Derby runner which might not have happened in an ordinary year because he would have had to have been supplemented. His time was good at Royal Ascot and he has come out of the race well.”

Andrea Atzeni takes the ride on Sun Bloodstock’s Listed Stonehenge S. winner Mohican Heights and he said on Friday, “Mohican Heights ran really well at Ascot and was doing his best work at the end. It was a bit stop-start and he stayed on nicely, so he’s definitely going to stay the trip and has come on for that run like all David Simcock’s horses do. David is very happy with him and we’re very hopeful.  He’s got a great mind and that’s what you need. It won’t be same as every other year, but with the owners being allowed back in it’ll be busy enough and it’s a long way down to the mile-and-a-half start, so you need to be calm.”

Cole On A High Again

It is 29 years since Generous (Ire) stormed to victory here and his trainer Paul Cole has the opportunity for a belated follow-up as he and son Oliver look to make history as the first training partnership to prevail. Jim and Fitri Hay’s Highland Chief (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) is another Royal Ascot winner to contest the Derby, this time slightly from leftfield having defied topweight in the June 18 Golden Gates H. inaugurated in this year’s specially-extended meeting. His performance in that 10-furlong contest puts him within shouting distance of Kameko and jockey Ben Curtis is understandably hopeful. “He was just a frame of a horse last year and his performance at Ascot was very good,” he said. “I was impressed with the way he finished out his race there, still showing greenness, and he’ll probably have learnt from that. Connections have given me the opportunity and my confidence is high at the minute. I think it’s a very open Derby this year and there are a lot of question marks over a few of them. My lad goes in there with some of the best form and comes out well on the figures.”

Fabulous Five

In the Oaks, Anthony Oppenheimer is looking for his own landmark with the Ribblesdale winner Frankly Darling (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Having bred the winner of all the other four British Classics, the operation started by his late father Sir Philip needs to complete the set. Off the mark at Newcastle on June 1, the homebred created a lasting impression 15 days later at Royal Ascot and her owner-breeder is full of hope. “It’s all happened very suddenly with her, but she’s absolutely fine–

John Gosden wouldn’t dream of running her if she wasn’t,” he commented. “Straight after the Ribblesdale, she immediately ate up and then the next day she ate twice as much. He’s more than happy she’s ready to go.”

Oppenheimer is hoping that her early antics at the Royal meeting do not re-surface here, having over-raced for the first part of that contest. “The fact she was keen early at Ascot is going to be one of the problems, a lot of the Frankels are like that, they do tend to pull and she’s very inexperienced,” he added. “Frankie’s seen it all and is a quick thinker. With a huge crowd on Tattenham Corner, that might have been a problem, but without it it might suit her. Love is obviously a very good filly and if she can reproduce her Guineas form she’ll probably beat us, but we’ve no idea. I’m not going to go, I’m going to stay and watch it at home with my family. They couldn’t all come with me. They were with me for the Derby and other big races I’ve won and they all want to watch it, so it would be sad if some were on course and others weren’t.”

Also at Epsom, the G3 Princess Elizabeth S. which is sandwiched between the two Classics plays host to Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum’s June 7 G1 1000 Guineas runner-up Cloak of Spirits (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). She was reportedly hindered by rain-eased going when fifth in the G1 Coronation S. at Royal Ascot 13 days later and trainer Richard Hannon said, “She ran with credit in the Coronation Stakes–I don’t think the soft ground suited her and she was a little bit keen. Hopefully she is not as keen this time. She has been on the Rowley Mile, so I don’t think the track will be a problem. She seems pretty adaptable in that sense and she is a good mover. She is probably the class act in the field–there are a few unexposed types in there, but they will have to be pretty good to beat her.”

One of those “unexposed types” that Hannon is referring to is Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum’s ‘TDN Rising Star’ Fooraat (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who defied a seven-pound penalty to double her tally over a mile at Chelmsford on June 8. Trainer Roger Varian is hoping the full-sister to Benbatl (GB) can measure up switched from the all-weather. “Fooraat is a nice filly. This is a tough track to have her first turf run on, but we are looking forward to running her and seeing how she goes,” he said. “I gave her an entry in the Coronation S., but I wasn’t sucked into running her there as I don’t think it would have been the right thing to do. This race looks right for her. I have a lot of respect for Cloak of Spirits, as she is the filly clear on ratings and was a good second in the 1000 Guineas, but the other fillies all look very similar. We do think she is a nice filly with a big future.”

Another ‘TDN Rising Star’, Godolphin’s Listed Empress S. winner Summer Romance (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), was eighth in the 1000 Guineas but trainer Charlie Appleby is hopeful the grey will back up her home reputation at some point this season. “She put up a pleasing performance in the 1000 Guineas. She has come out of that well and there is every chance she will come forward for it,” he said. “She brings plenty of experience with her against some more lightly-raced fillies.” Adding ballast to a fascinating contest are last year’s G3 Firth of Clyde S. and G3 Oh So Sharp S. winner Rose of Kildare (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}), who was third in the G2 German 1000 Guineas at Dusseldorf on June 21, and John and Tanya Gunther’s June 12 Newbury novice scorer Love and Thunder (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}).

Fillies’ Sprint Lights Up Naas Card

At Naas, the G3 Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Fillies’ Sprint S. features a now-customary clash between three of the country’s leading stables, with Ballydoyle’s June 19 G3 Albany S. third Mother Earth (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) taken on by Ger Lyons’s June 18 Fairyhouse maiden scorer Luminesce (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) and Jessie Harrington’s June 20 Naas maiden winner Sussex Garden (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}). The card also sees the same trio represented in the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Naas Oaks Trial, with Gary Barber and Team Valor International’s Silence Please (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) having to give three pounds away having maintained her unbeaten record in Navan’s Listed Salsabil S. on June 10. One of Jessie Harrington’s star cast of 3-year-old fillies, she meets two Susan Magnier representatives in the Ger Lyons-trained June 13 G1 Irish 1000 Guineas fifth Even So (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and Laburnum (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who hails from Ballydoyle. A full-sister to Roderic O’Connor (Ire), the latter scored on debut at Gowran Park on June 17 and could yet enter the Irish Oaks picture.

Closing the card is the G3 Coolmore Sioux Nation Lacken S., where the visiting Art Power (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) will be a warm order for the Tim Easterby stable after landing a gamble in style in Royal Ascot’s Palace of Holyroodhouse H. over five furlongs on June 19. Last year’s G1 Cheveley Park S. heroine Millisle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) looks to get back on track after a fifth in the G1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot on June 19 and if back on song will provide a test for the winner despite having a three-pound penalty.

Enable Put To The Test

Friday saw the final declarations for Sunday’s G1 Coral-Eclipse at Sandown, with Juddmonte’s star mare Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) making her keenly-anticipated 6-year-old debut against six rivals. Her G1 Prince of Wales’s S.-winning stablemate Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) was not declared by John Gosden, but the field is still strong with Godolphin’s impressive G1 Coronation Cup hero Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Ballydoyle’s G1 Juddmonte International winner Japan (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) engaged. The latter is set to carry the colours of his part-owner Masaaki Matsushima, while further Japanese interest is added by the G1 Nassau S. heroine Deirdre (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}). Restricted this year as a 4-year-olds-and-up race, the 10-furlong contest also features another high-class mare in Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).

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Kicking things off in 1982 was On The House (Fr) (Be My Guest), who was campaigned by Anthony Oppenheimer’s father Sir Philip Oppenheimer and won the G1 1000 Guineas. The family also bred the G1 2000 Guineas winner Footstepsinthesand (GB) and G1 St Leger winner Harbour Law (GB), who campaigned for other connections, and in 2015 homebred Golden Horn (GB) won the G1 Investec Derby.

“I would absolutely love to win the Oaks–it’s the only British Classic we haven’t bred the winner of and it’s one of my big ambitions,” said Oppenheimer. “It won’t be easy, of course, but let’s hope this filly can do it.”

Frankly Darling, who is two-for-two this season and won the G2 Ribblesdale S. at Royal Ascot last week, is currently second choice behind Aidan O’Brien’s 1000 Guineas winner Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).

“It was fantastic to watch [at Royal Ascot],” Oppenheimer said. “We thought she was useful, but to see her win the way she did was very nice. In these times that we’re in, to have a big winner like that was really good.

“I think that [the Oaks] is the intention at the moment, as long as the ground is suitable. We’ll see what the opposition is like nearer the time–there’ll be only one Hascombe horse and there might be 10 or more from Coolmore, which will be interesting.”

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