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Newbury's G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S. has been a happy hunting ground for some top fillies in recent times and Saturday's renewal features another as TDN Rising Star Laurel (GB) (Kingman {GB}) takes aim at the colts. Dazzling with her sectionals in a Kempton novice in September, the daughter of Promising Lead (GB) (Danehill) was sent into battle for the G1 Sun Chariot S. by the normally more-reserved Gosdens just days later and justified that risk by beating all bar Fonteyn (GB) (Farhh {GB}) in the Newmarket contest. With a confidence-enhancing win behind her in the Listed Snowdrop Fillies' S. back at Kempton last month, the homebred will have the respect of all opposition in the race conquered by the likes of Russian Rhythm (GB) (Kingmambo), Peeress (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), Red Evie (Ire) (Intikhab) and Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).

“Laurel is very unexposed,” Juddmonte's racing manager Barry Mahon said. “Last year we threw her in the deep end after two easy wins and it looked for a minute like she was going to pull it off in big style. That day there was a little bit of bias towards the stands' side and I think a combination of greenness and the other horse just getting a nice run up the rail saw her just get run out of it late on.”

Let The Games Begin

With Godolphin's Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) setting the standard bidding to provide the operation with a record-extending ninth renewal, the race to the Queen Anne is well and truly underway for the older milers. Sunderland Holding's My Prospero (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) has something to find at this trip, but showed the best form of these overall as a 3-year-old when a close-up third in the G1 Champion S. at Ascot in October. Still unexposed and low on mileage, the William Haggas trainee made relentless strides after his third in the G1 St James's Palace S. at Royal Ascot to Champions Day and he may just be the class act in the line-up.
Haggas is cautious, with the homebred having missed his intended reintroduction last month. “I wanted very much to run him in the Paradise Stakes at Ascot, but his scope wasn't very good,” he said. “The reason I wanted to run there was to see if he was quick enough for the Queen Anne, or the Prince of Wales's Stakes. I'm pretty sure he's Prince of Wales's. So, having missed that, we are then a bit on the back foot and it was either this or the Prix d'Ispahan and I thought the d'Ispahan was a bit too close to Ascot for his first run, so we're coming here. I'm pretty sure a mile is not his best trip, but he's fresh and well and I think he'll run a nice race. I hope he's got a big season ahead of him.”

Time For An Upset?

So far in 2023, the flat action at Newbury has seen fields strung out more than normal and Friday's big-priced winners suggest an upset is far from off the cards here. Kevin Ryan's horses have been ripping it up at York all week and the Hambleton handler has a live Lockinge contender in Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's Triple Time (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), the latest notable out of the owner-breeder's remarkable Reem Three (GB) (Mark Of Esteem {Ire}). His first run back in 2022 resulted in an impressive success in the G3 Superior Mile and while this is another level, he is open to improvement. Another who has potential to shake things up is last year's G1 Prix Jacques le Marois runner-up Light Infantry (Fr) (Fast Company {Ire}), who was just a neck down on Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) when tackling a straight mile. “He's proven he's a group one performer,” trainer David Simcock said. “It is a very open Lockinge and I should think everybody thinks they've got a little shout.”

Can Yibir Complete The Trifecta?

There is plenty of intrigue on the Lockinge card, with the G3 Aston Park S. seeing the return of another of Godolphin's transatlantic stalwarts in Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), whose last public sighting came when winning the G2 Princess Of Wales's S. at Newmarket's July Festival. After the successful comebacks of the 5-year-olds Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), it is up to the third of the big trio of 2021 to keep up Charlie Appleby's momentum. “He went for a racecourse gallop at Newmarket a couple of weeks ago and we were very pleased with how he went,” his trainer said. “If he can bring the level of form he showed as a three-year-old and what we saw last year, he is going to be the one they all have to beat.”

Haskoy Back For More

Yibir faces the potentially daunting prospect of facing Juddmonte's Haskoy (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}) on Saturday and the fast-improving St Leger supplementary is one of the more intriguing older fillies in action this term. Added to the Doncaster Classic following her impressive success in York's Listed Galtres S. in August, she was perhaps controversially demoted from second to fourth behind New London (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Friday's G2 Yorkshire Cup winner Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) and that form has a vastly more solid look after the way the latter and the Leger hero Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) went through their race on Friday.
“She's a star–to jump up from winning a maiden on the all-weather, to then win a stakes race at York days later and then be thrown in at the deep end into a St Leger and finish second past the post,” Barry Mahon said of the Ralph Beckett trainee. “She's a good filly, but she's just taken a bit of time to come to hand.”

Star Style

Newbury also stages a fascinating renewal of the Listed BetVictor Carnarvon S., in which Godolphin's G2 Gimcrack S.-winning TDN Rising Star Noble Style (GB) (Kingman {GB}) backs up quickly after his highly creditable sixth in Newmarket's G1 2000 Guineas. Ballydoyle's own TDN Rising Star Aesop's Fables (Ire) (No Nay Never) continues on the sprinting route which could also lead to the G1 Commonwealth Cup, with his success in The Curragh's seven-furlong G2 Futurity S. not quite the distant memory his odds suggest here. TDN Rising Star material can also be found in the Listed Haras de Bouquetot Fillies' Trial S., where Juddmonte's Salisbury novice winner Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}) looks to stay in a competitive Oaks picture.
Another Beckett representative on an important day for the stable, Barry Mahon said of Bluestocking, “Unfortunately we missed Lingfield, which was where we wanted to go and she has taken time to come to herself like a lot of fillies this spring. We're just waiting for her to come and bloom and she's coming. Everyone is happy with her, she's not 100 per-cent there yet, but she's coming and just about ready to start.”

Fantastic Prospect At Iffezheim

Baden-Baden's G3 Japan Racing Association – Derby-Trial should offer some big clues ahead of the G1 Deutsches Derby, with likely favourite Fantastic Moon (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) out to put a latest drubbing at the hands of Mr Hollywood (Ire) (Iquitos {Ger}) behind him. Beaten 7 1/2 lengths by that TDN Rising Star in Munich's G3 Bavarian Classic at the start of the month, Liberty Racing's G3 Preis des Winterfavoriten winner faces four more unbeaten and unexposed colts including Gestut Karlshof's highly-regarded Straight (Ger) (Zarak {Fr}). A relative of Monsun's domestic Derby-winning siblings Schiaparelli (Ger) and Samum (Ger), he hails from the Andreas Wohler stable. A deep contest also features a TDN Rising Star in search of redemption in Gestut Rottgen's Aspirant (Ger) (Protectionist {Ger}), who is up in trip following his well-beaten fourth in Krefeld's G3 Dr Busch-Memorial with something to prove.

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By what standard is the success of this publication's signature TDN Rising Stars measured; is there an answer? Achieving black-type, at the very least, is a given in any consideration, but tweaks are necessary, as our recent “The Ones That Got Away” article demonstrates. As it happens, last season's vintage managed a sizeable haul of elite-level contests to make 2022 a relative success. Four European Classic triumphs–courtesy of Cachet (Ire) (Aclaim {Ire}), Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire})–were the obvious highlights.

There were others to strike in Group 1 company too, including Classic contenders Little Big Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never), Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) and Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). Bolstered by G2 Mill Reef S. scorer Sakheer (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) and G2 Gimcrack S. victor Noble Style (GB) (Kingman {GB}), last term's juvenile band is one of some strength. Depth is provided by G1 Futurity Trophy runner-up Epictetus (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), G3 Zukunfts-Rennen victrix Habana (Ger) (Kingman {GB}) and G3 Somerville Tattersall S. victor and G1 Dewhurst S. third Nostrum (GB) (Kingman {GB}).

Statistically, 59 individuals were elevated to 'Rising Star' status in Europe last year, kicking off with subsequent black-type winner and G2 Prix Niel runner-up Lassaut (Fr) (Almanzor {Fr}) at Chantilly in March. It'll come as no shock to learn that Kingman (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) was numerically dominant, notching eight 'Rising Stars' during the course of the season. He was comfortably clear of Dubawi (Ire) (Dubai Millennium {GB}), Frankel {GB}) (Galileo {Ire}) and No Nay Never (Scat Daddy), who all registered four. Galileo (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), Sea The Stars (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) and Siyouni (Fr) (Pivotal {GB}) were next in line on three.

Tasked with formulating a Top 10 to look forward to in 2023, plumping for those already on the black-type register would be an exercise in stating the obvious, so the net has been cast further in attempt to identify untapped potential of those yet to make their mark at a higher level. Listed in alphabetical order below, five are by sires who became 'Rising Stars' in their own right on the racecourse and the nominations, by sire, are headed by Dubawi and Siyouni with two each. It's an almost even split by jurisdiction, with France and Ireland home to three apiece. Britain and Germany are tied at two while the gender bias is six to four in favour of the colts. Aidan O'Brien accounts for Ireland's tranche and is numerically the strongest trainer. Markus Klug and Jean-Claude Rouget also make the countdown more than once.

ALEXANDROUPOLIS (IRE) (c, 3, Camelot {GB}–Jazz Cat {Ire}, by Tamayuz {GB})

Multiple Group 1 entrant Alexandroupolis, a 240,000gns Tattersalls October Book 2 graduate, encountered soft ground when introduced at Galway in early September and displayed a rare turn of foot in the latter stages of the extended one-mile maiden to subdue his rivals, defeating G1 Criterium International runner-up and fellow 'TDN Rising Star' Espionage (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Aidan O'Brien stablemate Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) won this race in 2020. He is from the family of G1 Grand Prix de Paris and G1 St Leger hero Kew Gardens (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and G1 Grand Prix de Paris and G1 Irish Derby placegetter Wordsworth (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and a distance of ground awaits.

ALIA'S ROSE (FR) (f, 3, Lope De Vega {Ire}–Quanzhou {Fr}, by Dubawi {Ire})

Jaber Abdullah's Alia's Rose had a trio of black-type performers nine lengths and more in arrears when powering to a breathtaking six-length rout over seven furlongs at Chantilly in July. The Andreas Schutz trainee's victims included Tigrais (Fr) (Outstrip {GB}), who subsequently defeated G1 Prix Jean Luc-Lagardere third Breizh Sky (Fr) (Pedro The Great) in September's G3 Prix La Rochette. The January-foaled bay is out of a stakes-winning half-sister to G1 Prix du Cadran hero Mille Et Mille (GB) (Muhtathir {GB}), but has not been seen since her stunning debut.

ASPIRANT (GER) (c, 3, Protectionist {Ger}–Aussicht {Ger}, by Haafhd {GB})

Prior to 2022, just one horse since 2014 G1 Deutsches Derby-winning sire Sea The Moon (Ger) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) had been elevated to the 'TDN Rising Star' ranks in Germany, but last year was a departure from normality and witnessed a first ever hat-trick of rosettes for the country. Gestut Fahrhof's G3 Zukunfts-Rennen victrix Habana (Ger) (Kingman {GB}) set the ball rolling, plugging a 5-year gap opened by subsequent stakes winner Diaphora (Ger) (Pivotal {GB}) in April 2017, and Aspirant joined her when slamming runaway G3 Herzog von Ratibor-Rennen winner Alpenjager (Ger) (Nutan {Ire}) by 3 1/2 lengths over one mile at Dusseldorf in September. Gestut Rottgen's bay finished just under 17 lengths adrift of that rival in Krefeld's November rematch, having become upset in the stalls during an elongated loading process and posting a sub-par fifth. A half-brother to G2 Diana-Trial victrix Akribie (Ger) (Reliable Man {GB}) and G3 Herzog von Ratibor-Rennen second Ariolo (Ger) (Reliable Man {GB}), he can be forgiven that blip for now and remains an exciting prospect for July's G1 Deutsches Derby.

BEGINNINGS (f, 3, Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}–Winter {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire})

Ballydoyle's Beginnings, a slow-starting debut fourth over six furlongs at Naas in September, summoned the required improvement when making all in taking fashion to garner a seven-furlong Dundalk maiden in November, becoming a first European 'Rising Star' for her sire. That form received a welcome boost when 10th-place finisher Anann (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) snagged a maiden at same track last Friday. Beginnings is the second foal produced by Winter (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who shed her maiden status over the same Dundalk course and distance in 2016 before embarking on a dual Classic-winning Group 1 spree the following year. She is quoted at ante-post odds of 25-1 for the 1000 Guineas and that's just too tempting to resist.

IMPERIAL EMPEROR (IRE) (c, 3, Dubawi {Ire}–Zhukova {Ire}, by Fastnet Rock {Aus})

Jean-Claude Rouget is a fully paid-up member of the Dubawi fan club (see “Snowpark”), but nobody knows better than Charlie Appleby when it comes to conditioning offspring of the recently crowned champion sire. Step forward Imperial Emperor (Ire), whose introduction over the Rowley Mile on Arc weekend was one of abundant promise. The son of GI Man O' War S. victrix Zhukova (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), herself a half-sister to sire Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), recovered from a tardy getaway and powered home majestically to earn his badge by daylight. “He is one we would try to pop out early in the spring in another novice event, then hopefully look at a Derby trial after that,” Appleby revealed afterwards and it would be wise to pay heed to a trainer festooned with another embarrassment of sophomore riches. Imperial Emperor is quoted at 20-1 for the Derby, for those that way inclined.

INTINSO (GB) (c, 3, Siyouni {Fr}–Rose Of Miracles {GB}, by Dalakhani {Ire})

Imad Al Sagar's famed Blue Diamond Stud silks of Authorized (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) and Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) were again in focus when the Gosden-trained Intinso was unveiled in a one-mile Newcastle test won in 2020 by Godolphin's GI Breeders' Cup Turf and dual German Group 1 scorer Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Justifying odds-on favouritism, he left his rivals trailing en route to an impressive 3 1/4-length win. He hails from a family featuring storied champion Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa), G1 Prix Vermeille heroine Galikova (Fr) (Galileo {Ire}) and multiple Group 1-placed sire Anodin (Ire) (Anabaa). Yet to receive any fancy engagements, he is quoted at high prices for both the 2000 Guineas and the Derby, with the former the likelier destination if good enough.

NAILA (FR) (f, 3, Adlerflug {Ger}–Naomia {Ger}, by Monsun {Ger})

Germany's sophomore Class of 2023 may be one for the ages with the calibre of Quantanamera (Ger) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Alpenjager (Ger) (Nutan {Ire}) and Fantastic Moon (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), to name but three, adding lustre to a trio of 'TDN Rising Stars'. One of two Gestut Rottgen homebreds on this list, Naila surfaced with a scintillating display over 9 1/4 furlongs at Cologne in October, pouncing in the home straight to win unchallenged and eased down, by an impressive 10 lengths. The March-foaled bay is a half-sister to G3 Zukunfts-Rennen scorer Narella (Ire) (Reliable Man {GB}), produced by a stakes-winning daughter of G1 Oaks d'Italia victrix Nagoya (Ger) (Goofalik), and a path to August's G1 Preis der Diana (German Oaks) must be on the map.

PADDINGTON (GB) (c, 3, Siyouni {Fr}–Modern Eagle {Ger}, by Montjeu {Ire})

Coolmore and Westerberg's Paddington was the joint second-highest priced lot when fetching €420,000 at Arqana's 2021 October sale, but failed to fire on debut when starting slowly and racing greenly over seven furlongs at Ascot in September. However, he was a completely different animal six weeks later and downed a hot field by five lengths and more over the same trip at the Curragh to earn his stripes in style. Post-breakthrough, Aidan O'Brien indicated an intention to start off the upcoming campaign in a 2000 Guineas trial. Bred on the same Siyouni/Montjeu cross as the dual Grade I-placed Sacred Life (Fr), he is a grandson of G1 Prix de Diane second Millionaia (Ire) (Peintre Celebre). She is a half-sister to G1 Dewhurst S. runner-up Fencing Master (GB) (Oratorio {Ire}), out of G1 Prix Saint-Alary winner Moonlight Dance (Alysheba), and the family also features G1 Melbourne Cup second Heartbreak City (Fr) (Lando {Ger}). His optimum may not necessarily be the one-mile trip, but it's an obvious starting point.

PADISHAKH (FR) (c, 3, Wootton Bassett {GB}–Penny Lane {Ger}, by Lord Of England {Ger})

Nurlan Bizakov's €130,000 Arqana August yearling Padishakh unboxed his 'TDN Rising Star' effort in a nine-furlong newcomers' heat at ParisLongchamp, offering a glimpse of what was to come with an imperious 2 1/2-length win in September. One of three career 'Rising Stars' for his Coolmore-based sire, the Jean-Claude Rouget representative was even more spectacular next time, saluting by 5 1/2 lengths tackling the same distance at Chantilly in October. He is a son of stakes-winning G3 Prix Cleopatre third Penny Lane (Ger) (Lord Of England {Ger}), herself a full-sister to G1 Preis der Diana heroine Palmas (Ger), and could be anything.

SNOWPARK (FR) (f, 3, Dubawi {Ire}–Starlet's Sister {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire})

Ecurie des Monceaux homebred Snowpark, whose year-younger half-brother by Siyouni (Fr) fetched a sale-topping €2.1-million at the latest Arqana August fixture, created a stir of her own when delivering in a one-mile debutantes' heat at Deauville in October. Having negotiated traffic in the straight, the Jean-Claude Rouget trainee hit top gear late in proceedings and won going away to justify the pre-race hype. “I expected her to perform well, but to also improve in the future,” Rouget explained. “She has an aptitude for soft ground and it's extraordinary when you have progeny of Dubawi in the stable. They never show anything in the morning, but in the afternoon, wow. I love these horses.” The April-foaled filly has a page to die for and is a half-sister to Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), Sistercharlie (Ire) (Myboycharlie {Ire}) and My Sister Nat (Fr) (Acclamation {GB}). All options are on the table at present.

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