Ballydoyle | Horse Racing Free Tips

First Euro Group 1 For American Pharoah As Van Gogh Strikes

A fortnight after Harvey’s Lil Goil provided American Pharoah with a first top-level triumph as a sire in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup, there was another landmark in his remarkable story as Van Gogh supplied him with a first in that grade in Europe in Saturday’s Criterium International at Saint-Cloud. Highly tried by Aidan O’Brien this term, the son of the G1 Epsom Oaks heroine Imagine (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells) had been second in Leopardstown’s G3 Tyros S. and G2 Champions Juvenile S. and in the Oct. 10 G3 Autumn S. at Newmarket and traded at what in hindsight appears generous-looking odds of 18-5. Anchored in rear early by Pierre-Charles Boudot, the bay was delivered on the hedge in the home straight to overtake all rivals and assume command with 300 metres remaining. Drawing away from there, he had enough in the tank to jink near the line and had four lengths to spare there over the long-time leader Normandy Bridge (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), with the 17-10 favourite Jadoomi (Fr) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) a neck away in third. “This horse was very impressive and gave me a very good feel,” commented the unstoppable “PCB” as he racked up another big-race double. “Aidan called me before the race and said it was important to get a good trip and get him cover, but he was still a bit keen early on. I made my move along the rail, which is always a big help here and he showed a very nice turn of foot. He was a bit tricky and green in front and was looking around, so he can only improve and has run on all grounds so the signs are positive for next year.”

Introduced over seven furlongs at Leopardstown July 11, Van Gogh who is the 12th foal out of the operation’s 2001 G1 Irish 1000 Guineas and G1 Epsom Oaks heroine was fourth behind Khalid Abdullah’s Masen (GB) (Kingman {GB}) but turned that form around next time in the course-and-distance Tyros Aug. 6. Second to his stablemate Military Style (War Front) there as Masen was back in third, the Ballydoyle blueblood was below-par next time when sixth in The Curragh’s G2 Futurity S. Aug. 22 but rebounded back at Leopardstown when runner-up to Cadillac (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) on his first try at this trip in the prime juvenile contest on Irish Champions Day Sept. 12. Making most to get off the mark in a seven-furlong Curragh maiden Sept. 27, he was out again for Newmarket’s Autumn S. on the “Future Champions Day” but was no match for Godolphin’s authoritative One Ruler (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in that Oct. 10 contest. Minutes prior to that contemporary finishing a game runner-up in the G1 Vertem Futurity Trophy, Van Gogh was putting himself in an aptly priceless bracket in the Saint-Cloud mud with arguably the day’s most impressive display.

The Oct. 2 G3 Prix Thomas Bryon scorer Normandy Bridge, who looked set to be swamped in midstraight having over-raced in front only to rally and get back up for second, is a work in progress according to trainer Stephanie Nigge. “He didn’t have an ideal race, as we would have preferred cover but that’s the way it is,” she said. “I thought he’d finish fourth or fifth at one point, but he is very courageous and kept finding which is a very good sign. I feel he is very immature and there is quite a lot of work to do over the winter. He’s a nice prospect for next season.”

Imagine’s previous best was the ill-fated G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and G2 Futurity S. hero Horatio Nelson (Ire) (Danehill), but she had also thrown the G2 Rockfel S. winner Kitty Matcham (Ire) (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}), the G2 Al Fahidi Fort winner Viscount Nelson (Giant’s Causeway) and his GIII Longacres Mile-winning full-brother Point Piper. Imagine is of regal blood herself, with the full-sister to the Listed Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial winner and G1 Irish 1000 Guineas runner-up Strawberry Roan (Ire) a half to the brilliant G1 Epsom and Irish Derby and G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. hero and sire Generous (Ire) (Caerleon) and to the G3 Park S. and GIII Monrovia H. scorer Wedding Bouquet (Ire) (Kings Lake). The latter is in turn the second dam of the six-times group 1 heroine Moonlight Cloud (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), with this being the dam line of the excellent racemare and blue hen Margarethen (Tulyar {Ire}). It is fitting that one of Aidan O’Brien’s earliest stars during his tenure at Ballydoyle should be responsible for American Pharoah’s breakthrough moment in Europe and fitting also that one of this stable’s runners made the breakthrough such has been Coolmore’s support for the Triple Crown hero. Imagine’s as-yet unnamed yearling is a full-sister to Van Gogh.

Saturday, Saint-Cloud, France
CRITERIUM INTERNATIONAL-G1, €150,000, Saint-Cloud, 10-24, 2yo, c/f, 8fT, 1:48.31, hy.
1–VAN GOGH, 126, c, 2, by American Pharoah
1st Dam: Imagine (Ire) (Hwt. 3yo Filly-Eng at 11-14f, G1SW-Eng & Ire, $527,013), by Sadler’s Wells
2nd Dam: Doff The Derby, by Master Derby
3rd Dam: Margarethen, by Tulyar (Ire)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN; 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Diane Nagle; B-Barronstown Stud (KY); T-Aidan O’Brien; J-Pierre-Charles Boudot. €85,710. Lifetime Record: MGSP-Ire & GSP-Eng, 7-2-3-o, €144,262. *1/2 to Horatio Nelson (Ire) (Danehill), G1SW-Fr, GSWW & G1SP-Eng, GSW-Ire, $488,433; Viscount Nelson (Giant’s Causeway), GSW-UAE, MSW & G1SP-Ire, MG1SP-Eng, $707,647; Point Piper (Giant’s Causeway), GSW-US, $520,415; Kitty Matcham (Ire) (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}), GSW-Eng, $106,564; and Red Rock Canyon (Ire) (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}), MG1SP-Ire, $360,889. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Normandy Bridge (Fr), 126, c, 2, Le Havre (Ire)–Aiglonne, by Silver Hawk. (€80,000 Ylg ’19 AROCT). O-Gerard Thomas Ryan; B-Haras du Mezeray SA & Ecurie Skymarc Farm (FR); T-Stephanie Nigge. €34,290.
3–Jadoomi (Fr), 126, c, 2, Holy Roman Emperor (Ire)–South Sister (GB), by Sakhee. (€75,000 Ylg ’19 AROCT). O-Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum; B-Suc. de Moratalla, Alban Chevalier du Fau & Pierre-Hugues Henry (FR); T-Simon & Ed Crisford. €17,145.
Margins: 4, NK, NK. Odds: 3.60, 4.50, 1.70.
Also Ran: Policy of Truth (Fr), Darkness (Fr), La Barrosa (Ire). Scratched: Ponntos (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

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Galileo’s Bolshoi Ballet Earns Rising Star Tag at Leopardstown

Coolmore’s Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who hit the board going one mile in his Oct. 3 debut at Newmarket last time, was sharply into stride and led from the outset of Friday’s Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C&G) Maiden at Leopardstown. Holding sway throughout the one-mile test, the even-money favourite was shaken up when threatened in early straight and powered clear under continued urging inside the final furlong to prevail by an impressive four lengths from O’Reilly (Fr) (Frankel {GB}), adding ‘TDN Rising Star’ status into the bargain.

“I fancied him in Newmarket, but he was too green that day,” explained winning rider Seamus Heffernan. “Ryan [Moore] said he liked him and that he’d be very hard to beat next time he ran. He was whinnying going to the start and, as I was going to make the running, I thought [racing with] company is a bit better. When I had company it worked and when I let him go he quickened really well. He’s from a good family and he’s a good mover. He has a big future.”

Full to MG1SP G2 Sandown Classic victor Southern France (Ire), Bolshoi Ballet is out of an unraced half-sister to MGSP Listed Prix Rose de Mai victress Aubergade (Fr) (Kaldoun {Fr}) and GSW G1 Prix de Diane runner-up Abbatiale (Fr) (Kaldoun {Fr}), whose own black-type descendants include last month’s G1 Moyglare Stud S. third Oodnadatta (Ire) (Australia {GB}). The April-foaled bay is also full to the dam of GII Miss Grillo S, third Editor At Large (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) and his dam Alta Anna (Fr) (Anabaa) has a weanling filly by No Nay Never to come.

2nd-Leopardstown, €16,500, Mdn, 10-16, 2yo, c/g, 8fT, 1:48.22, yl.
BOLSHOI BALLET (IRE), c, 2, by Galileo (Ire)
1st Dam: Alta Anna (Fr), by Anabaa
2nd Dam: Anna Edes (Fr), by Fabulous Dancer
3rd Dam: Abbey (Fr), by Jim French
Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $12,586. O-Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Lynch-Bages & Rhinestone Bloodstock (IRE); T-Aidan O’Brien. Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Siyouni’s St Mark’s Basilica Prevails In the Dewhurst

Saturday’s G1 Darley Dewhurst S. proved the latest in a line of O’Brien family benefits, with Aidan stamping his authority with a one-two courtesy of St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) and Wembley (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Joseph’s Thunder Moon (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) rounding out the placings. Behind that pair when third in The Curragh’s G1 Goffs Vincent O’Brien National S. over this seven-furlong trip Sept. 13, St Mark’s Basilica was under cover early with Frankie Dettori playing a waiting game with the pace strong up ahead. Threaded through a gap to take the advantage approaching the final furlong, the 10-1 shot who is a half-brother to Magna Grecia (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) ultimately had more stamina on the ground than the National hero Thunder Moon and held his stablemate Wembley by 3/4 of a length, with the 11-4 favourite fading to be 1 3/4 lengths away. “You know with Aidan O’Brien, even the number two horse is a strong one,” Dettori said after steering a seventh Dewhurst winner for the master of Ballydoyle. “In fairness, he didn’t put a foot wrong and did everything I asked him to. He’s neat, nimble, handled the dip and a mile will be no problem in the Guineas.”

St Mark’s Basilica’s first three starts took place over six furlongs at The Curragh, with a debut second in a maiden July 26 followed by a fifth placing when the subject of a gamble as the 7-2 favourite for the Aug. 9 G1 Phoenix S. Off the mark next time at the expense of the impressive subsequent scorers Loch Lein (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and Duke of Mantua (Ire) (No Nay Never) and the G3 Round Tower S. third Coulthard (Ire) (Coulsty {Ire}) on soft ground Aug. 22, he was run out of third late by Wembley after Thunder Moon had flown in the National but despite two defeats at the highest level as a member of Team Ballydoyle was impossible to rule out here. Like Friday’s G1 Fillies’ Mile winner Pretty Gorgeous (Fr) (Lawman {Fr}) withdrawn from Sunday’s action at ParisLongchamp due to the feed contamination, the bay was able to find abundant cover in this field packed with talent and reserve his kick for the business end.

While the Richard Hannon pair Chindit (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and Etonian (Ire) (Olympic Glory {Ire}) were never a factor and the supplemented Alkumait (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) ran too free along with his G2 Mill Reef S. combatant Fivethousandtoone (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), the race was an Irish affair from before the furlong pole. Even the G2 Champions Juvenile winner Cadillac (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) was in the pursuit, while the Jim Bolger runner Poetic Flare (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) was close enough to the premises to confirm the already-existing impression that the Irish hold sway with the juveniles in 2020. It was left to the 100-1 shot Devilwala (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) to deny a one-two-three-four for the visitors, but the Ralph Beckett trainee had the stand’s rail and there is a strong theory that a bias exists there on this track.

“We’re delighted with both of them,” the Ballydoyle handler said. “The plan was that St Mark’s Basilica would run in France and then Wembley would run in the Dewhurst, that’s the way we were going. We’ve always liked St Mark’s Basilica a lot and we’ve always thought they were very smart colts. The first three were were the same three as in the National Stakes. Every year it’s a great race and the form always stands up. The Breeders’ Cup is possible for the winner, but we’re thinking Battleground will go to the Breeders’ Cup, so he doesn’t have to go.”

As mentioned, St Mark’s Basilica is the second winner of a prestige Newmarket contest for the G3 Silver Flash S.-winning dam Cabaret (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) alongside last year’s G1 2000 Guineas hero Magna Grecia, who also captured the G1 Vertem Futurity Trophy at two and was runner-up in this card’s G3 Autumn S. She is a half to the G3 Solario S. scorer Drumfire (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and the stakes winner Ho Choi (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), who was also runner-up in the G2 Gimcrack S. The listed-placed third dam Fife (Ire) (Lomond) is also the second dam of the G3 Park S. winner and G1 Moyglare S. runner-up Ugo Fire (Ire) (Bluebird), while this is also the family of the GI Hollywood Turf Cup hero Frenchpark (GB) and the G1 Prix Vermeille heroine Pearly Shells (GB) (Efisio {GB}). The latter is the second dam of the recent G3 Fairy Bridge S. runner-up Pearls Galore (Fr) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). Cabaret’s full-brother to St Mark’s Basilica was led out unsold at 650,000gns during Tuesday’s session of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1.

Saturday, Newmarket, Britain
DARLEY DEWHURST S.-G1, £427,000, Newmarket, 10-10, 2yo, 7fT, 1:25.24, sf.
1–ST MARK’S BASILICA (FR), 127, c, 2, by Siyouni (Fr)
1st Dam: Cabaret (Ire) (GSW-Ire), by Galileo (Ire)
2nd Dam: Witch of Fife, by Lear Fan
3rd Dam: Fife (Ire), by Lomond
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN; 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (1,300,000gns Ylg ’19 TATOCT). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Robert Scarborough (FR); T-Aidan O’Brien; J-Lanfranco Dettori. £242,152. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Ire, 5-2-1-1, $362,416. *1/2 to Magna Grecia (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Hwt. 3yo-Ire at 7-9.5f & MG1SW-Eng, $597,769. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Wembley (Ire), 127, c, 2, Galileo (Ire)–Inca Princess (Ire), by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire). O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Susan Magnier; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O’Brien. £91,805.
3–Thunder Moon (Ire), 127, c, 2, Zoffany (Ire)–Small Sacrifice (Ire), by Sadler’s Wells. O-Mrs C C Regalado-Gonzalez; B-Whisperview Trading Ltd (IRE); T-Joseph O’Brien. £45,945.
Margins: 3/4, 1 3/4, NK. Odds: 10.00, 7.50, 2.75.
Also Ran: Devilwala (Ire), Cadillac (Ire), Albasheer (Ire), Fivethousandtoone (Ire), Devious Company (Ire), Chindit (Ire), Poetic Flare (Ire), Tactical (GB), Etonian (Ire), Decisive Edge (Ire), Alkumait (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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O’Brien Apologizes, BHA To Investigate Equine Mix-Up In Friday’s Fillies’ Mile

Trainer Aidan O'Brien has issued a public apology after a mix-up occurred in Friday's Fillies' Mile at Newmarket, reports the Racing Post. The Ballydoyle master's two entrants, Snowfall and Mother Earth, carried each other's numbers and intended jockeys.

Snowfall, reported to have finished third under James Doyle, actually finished eighth under William Buick.

“I contacted the BHA straight away and let them know what is after happening,” O'Brien told racingpost.com, adding that he made the call after watching the race on delay. “We have a team based in England these days because of the coronavirus restrictions, so the problem is the lads that are with the horses at home can't always go racing with them.”

“The BHA stewards have been made aware of a potential issue regarding the Group 1 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket today which may have resulted in the incorrect rider and number cloths being carried by the two horses trained by Aidan O'Brien,” reads a statement from the British Horseracing Authority. “A stewards' inquiry will be held on the racecourse tomorrow to consider all of the relevant evidence and determine the course of events and what action needs to be taken.”