Tag: Arqana August

Shin Emperor Has Much In His Favour In Hopeful

Perfect in two starts, including a victory over 2000 metres already at this early stage in his career, Susumu Fujita's Shin Emperor (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) can well and truly stamp himself a leading contender for next year's Japanese Classics when he takes on a full field in Thursday's G1 Hopeful S. at Nakayama, the final top-level event on the JRA circuit for 2023.

Bred by Ecurie des Monceaux, the chestnut is–as has been well documented–a full-brother to G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Sottsass (Fr) and was hammered down to trainer Yoshito Yahagi for a sales-topping €2.1 million at last year's Arqana August Sale in Deauville. The colt has done little to suggest his connections' lofty opinions are misguided, as he was visually impressive in taking out his maiden at first asking over 1800 metres at Tokyo Nov. 4 and he made it two-from-two with a half-length success in the G3 Kyoto Nisai S. Nov. 25, successfully stretching out to Thursday's distance. Yahagi has tabbed Bauyrzhan Murzabayev to ride.

“He has a lot of potential and it's not often you get to work with a horse with a pedigree like he has, so I'm feeling the pressure,” said assistant trainer Yusaku Oka. “He's still mentally immature, but he has shown a high level of ability and with his European bloodline, I think the tough turf at Nakayama will suit him. He has a lot of power and he should be able to handle the hill in the stretch. He already experienced the trip to Kanto for his debut, so I'm not worried there. I'm hoping he'll do his best.”

 

 

 

Regaleira (Jpn) (Suave Richard {Jpn}), one of two fillies taking on the boys here, graduated in a July 9 newcomers' event at Hakodate and most recently resumed with a sound third-place effort behind the talented JRHA Select Yearling Sale topper Danon Ayers Rock (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) in the Listed Ivy S. at Tokyo Oct. 21. Christophe Lemaire sticks with the filly for Equinox (Jpn)'s trainer Tetsuya Kimura.

Bricks and Mortar is in a good battle for second spot on the list of leading first-crop sires in Japan by progeny earnings behind Suave Richard, and Gonbade Qabus (Jpn) stands a good chance to solidify that position Thursday. The dark bay colt opened his account at first asking in a 1600-metre newcomers' contest at headquarters June 10 and was not seen for four months thereafter, returning to cause a mild upset in the G3 Saudi Arabia Royal Cup over the identical course and distance Oct. 7. He must negotiate an extra two furlongs here, but on pedigree it is clearly well within his reach.

Velociraptor (Jpn) (Suave Richard {Jpn}) also brings an unblemished record into the Hopeful, having won his maiden over nine furlongs at Tokyo June 24 before adding a Sept. 23 conditions test at Hanshin over the same trip.

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Shin Emperor Off The Mark at First Asking at Tokyo

Susumu Fujita's Shin Emperor (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), the full-brother to G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Sottsass (Fr) and €2.1-million topper at the 2022 Arqana August sale, made a successful racecourse debut Saturday, bursting through with 400 metres to travel en route to a three-length success at Tokyo Racecourse.

Trying an 1800-metre trip for this first go, the son of Starlet's Sister (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) was first to break the line and could have led had they chosen, but Takeshi Yokoyama elected to allow the colt to find his feed and settled in a handy fourth behind a steady tempo for the long run down the back straight. Patiently handled on the circle just behind the speed, Shin Emperor traveled strongly and had to be pulled off heels with the real running about to begin, but he split rivals decisively and sprinted his final 600 metres in a strong :33.8 for an easy victory as the $4 (3-1) second favourite.

“He was stronger than I imagined, and I thought he was a good horse from the start,” said Yokoyama. “He's still a kid and he's still a challenge, but he's a horse I'm looking forward to.”

Added winning trainer Yoshito Yahagi: “I'm relieved to see such a performance from a new horse with such a deep pedigree.”

While not specifying any future targets, Shin Emperor would certainly be on a trajectory towards the 2024 Japanese Classics, which begin with the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) in April. There are two top-level opportunities for 2-year-old males in December in Japan, the Asahi Hai Futurity over a mile and the Hopeful S. going 2000 metres.

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Le Havre’s G1SP Lindy Triumphs in U.S. Debut

3rd-Kentucky Downs, $120,500, Alw (NW3$X)/Opt. Clm ($80,000), 9-7, 3yo/up, f/m, 1mT, 1:41.01, gd, 1 1/4 lengths.
LINDY (FR) (f, 3, Le Havre {Ire}–Llanita {GB} {SP-Fr, SP-USA, $135,802}, by Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}), backed down to 1-5 in this scratch depleted U.S. unveiling, settled in a stalking third behind Delight (Mendelssohn) through an opening quarter in :25.25. With Do You Love Me (English Channel) assuming control through a :50.36, the French-bred took aim at the leader in the final furlong, gained control late en route to a confident 1 1/4-length victory over Poca Mucha (Tourist) with Do You Love Me staying on for third. Victorious at two in her first three starts in the French provinces, including a listed score at Toulouse in November, the Arqana August graduate returned at three to finish runner-up behind the classy Blue Rose Cen (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) in the G3 Prix de la Grotte at ParisLongchamp Apr. 13. Finding that rival once again too good in the May 14 G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, Lindy came home eighth while stretching out in the G1 Prix de Diane at Chantilly June 18. A half to Nirliit (Fr) (Iffraaj {GB}), SW-Fr, $103,573, Lindy also has an unraced juvenile half-brother by Siyouni (Fr) and a yearling brother by Zelzal (Fr). Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
Sales history: €90,000 Ylg '21 ARAUG. Lifetime Record: SW & G1SP-Fr, 7-4-2-0, $267,662.
O-Everest Racing; B-Ecurie La Vallee Martigny Earl (FR); T-Brendan P. Walsh.

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Optimism In The Air As Arqana Bids To Build On Momentum In V2 

Arqana boss Freddy Powell and consignors Guillaume Vitse and Anna Sundstrom have said that they are optimistic that the sales company's return to a V2 format will pay off in spades in Deauville on Tuesday. 

After a helter-skelter August Sale that saw figures rise dramatically across the board, including the aggregate by a massive 15% to almost €40m at an average of over €236,000, the Arqana sales complex took a well-earned pause on Monday on the eve of the V2 Sale. 

Sundstrom reported many breeze-up handlers and French trainers to have landed at her Coulonces barn while Al Mohamediya Racing, Al Shaqab and trainer Richard Fahey were also spotted inspecting the talent on offer. 

For Powell, Monday provided the opportunity to reflect on one of the most successful sales in the recent history of the company, before looking forward to V2.

He said, “The August Sale definitely exceeded our expectations. We were cautious leading up to the sale because you just never know but obviously we were quietly confident that we had some nice horses and knew some of the big buyers were coming and knew that some of the principals were coming as well. 

“That's always a good sign. We would take this opportunity to thank those people for coming. It's a really good dynamic. For the past 10 years, the French breeders have invested a lot of money and are operating at a really high level because they know they have a good marketplace here in Deauville to sell their horses. Things are going well and it's fruitful for everyone.”

He added, “The sale was competitive but not too selective, which was great. When you see the raise in the median [by €55,000 to €185,000], it means that the quality of the whole group of horses has been raised, which is great.”

Arqana is reverting to the V2 style after staging a September Yearling Sale in 2022 which, by the company's own high standards, failed to hit the target in terms of attracting footfall. There will be no excuses on that front tomorrow judging by the amount of people present for the Monday evening BBQ and Powell says he is confident that the new format will work. 

He said, “We had too many horses last year overall for some reason. The September Yearling Sale is working on the racecourse but September is a very busy period on the sales circuit with Keeneland, Tattersalls Ireland etc. There are plenty of sales at that time and the calendar is full. It is difficult to get people to Deauville for August, September and October. It is very busy this morning and this format is probably the best format. We are keen to find a good balance.”

Sundstrom will be hoping to keep the momentum going from a memorable August Sale where she sold 14 horses for over €3m while Vitse's Normandie Breeding operation is keen to make hay with its typically-sharp offering.

Vitse said, “The August Sale went okay for us. Compared to the big operations, we did okay and our clients were happy and I was happy, so that's the main thing. We have a nice bunch for V2.This is more what we do; precocity and speed. That's what I like.”

He added, “Today has been very busy. We haven't stopped. We have a nice colt by Calyx (GB), who is doing pretty well, a Golden Horde (Ire, who is a nice filly, a nice Earthlight (Ire) and a Hello Youmzain (Fr) as well. All four horses are going down well.

“There was no atmosphere here last year. It didn't work as there were no English and Irish buyers here. It was difficult for them to come because there were so many other sales at the time and, when there is no atmosphere, it's not easy. We are optimistic about tomorrow. I am always optimistic.”

Sundstrom's bonanza of an August Sale was headed by a Wootton Bassett colt to Yoshito Yahagi for €1m and she lauded Arqana for attracting the big players to Deauville which allowed such a result be possible. 

She said, “It was an incredible three days. Going into the sale, I knew we had a really strong draft but I never thought they would make that much money. It's unreal. The stars aligned and everything fell into place.

“The French horse has proved itself as good as any other. Trainers can travel all over the world and we can sell the French horse to some of the best people in the world to win Group 1 races.”

She added, “We have been really busy again today and there have been a lot of French trainers and breeze-up trainers flying in today. There are a lot of foreign people here as well. 

“We actually showed here on Sunday while a lot of people were still here. We had our V2 horses here already so we said, 'come on, see if there's anything you like.' We have a fabulous Ten Sovereigns (Ire) filly who should go well tomorrow and a nice draft overall so hopefully it goes well.”

 

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