Dubawi’s Ancient Wisdom Powers To Autumn Triumph

Godolphin's €2-million Arqana August 'TDN Rising Star' Ancient Wisdom (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}–Golden Valentine {Fr}, by Dalakhani {Ire}), who ran third to subsequent G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagradere victor Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) in July's Listed Pat Eddery S., came back off a 77-day sabbatical to trounce his six-strong opposition in Saturday's Emirates Autumn S. at Newmarket.

Positioned off the clear leader in third until taking closer order once past halfway, the 2-1 joint-favourite seized control approaching the final furlong and powered clear of toiling rivals up the hill to easily outpoint Chief Little Rock (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) by an impressive 3 3/4 lengths. Ancient Wisdom had previously followed up a taking debut performance at Haydock in June with a second triumph, under a six-pound penalty, at Newmarket's July track.

“We were disappointed that we were beat at Ascot, but that race worked out so well you couldn't really be disappointed in it,” commented Charlie Appleby. “I've probably mismanaged him running him back at Newmarket. He broke his maiden at Haydock Park and I went to Newmarket thinking I could try and get a bit more experience. He is a Dubawi and I was probably forcing him a bit too much so, after Ascot, we said collectively we will give him a break and we toyed with this and the Zetland. I told William [Buick] he is a horse that will travel for fun stepping up a furlong and also the conditions out there were going to suit him. I said to ride him with mega confidence, to sit up there and travel in the van as he will pick up for you, and he has duly obliged. He is a horse next year that will be a middle-distance type. He is a horse that I do feel a mile-and-a-quarter will be well within his compass and I personally think he will appreciate going a mile-and-a-half. He is a Dubawi and, as we know with those middle-distance Dubawis, you can't force them too much in the spring of their 3-year-old career, so therefore something like the [G2] Dante might be a target for him. We will see where we are in the spring, but we have a long winter ahead of us now. It is nice to be able to put these horses to bed on the back of an impressive victory.”

Pedigree Notes

Ancient Wisdom, full to a weanling colt and half to a yearling colt by Lope De Vega (Ire), is the third of five foals and one of two scorers produced by G3 Prix Minerve winner Golden Valentine (Fr) (Dalakhani {Ire}), herself one of seven stakes performers out of G3 Prix Cleopatre victrix Gold Round (Ire) (Caerleon). Golden Valentine's siblings include her G3 Prix du Lys-winning full-brother Goldwaki (Ger), GIII Robert J Frankel S. victrix and GI Rodeo Drive S. runner-up Luck (Kitten's Joy) and the dam of G3 Prix Vanteaux winner and GI E P Taylor S. third Platane (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}). Gold Round, in turn, is a half-sister to storied multiple champion and three-time GI Breeders' Cup Mile heroine Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa), G1 Prix Vermeille victrix Galikova (Fr) (Galileo {Ire}) and multiple Group 1-placed sire Anodin (Ire) (Anabaa). Golden Valentine was a €520,000 purchase at Arqana's 2012 December Broodmare sale.

 

 

Saturday, Newmarket, Britain
EMIRATES AUTUMN S.-G3, £60,000, Newmarket, 10-14, 2yo, 8fT, 1:37.92, sf.
1–ANCIENT WISDOM (FR), 129, c, 2, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Golden Valentine (Fr) (GSW-Fr, $125,200), by Dalakhani (Ire)
2nd Dam: Gold Round (Ire), by Caerleon
3rd Dam: Born Gold, by Blushing Groom (Fr)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. TDN Rising Star. (€2,000,000 Ylg '22 ARAUG). O-Godolphin; B-Ecurie des Monceaux & LNJ Foxwoods (FR); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. £34,026. Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-1, $60,512. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Chief Little Rock (Ire), 129, c, 2, Galileo (Ire)–Amicus (Aus), by Fastnet Rock (Aus). O-Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. £12,900.
3–Ambiente Friendly (Ire), 129, c, 2, Gleneagles (Ire)–Roxity (Ire), by Fastnet Rock (Aus). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (25,000gns RNA Ylg '22 TATOCT; 80,000gns 2yo '23 TATBRE). O-The Gredley Family; B-Al Shira'aa Farms SARL (IRE); T-James Fanshawe. £6,456.
Margins: 3 3/4, 1 3/4, 5. Odds: 2.00, 3.50, 16.00.
Also Ran: Orne (Ire), Per Contra (Ire), Arabic Legend (Ire), Starliner (Ire).

The post Dubawi’s Ancient Wisdom Powers To Autumn Triumph appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Dubawi’s Dance Sequence Pounces Late For Oh So Sharp Triumph

Charlie Appleby had yet to taste success in Newmarket's G3 Godolphin Lifetime Care Oh So Sharp S., but made a first dent on the seven-furlong contest when Godolphin's hitherto undefeated homebred Dance Sequence (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}–Tearless {GB}, by Street Cry {Ire}) pounced late to maintain her perfect record.

The 4-1 chance, who prevailed over the same trip on debut at HQ's summer venue at the beginning of July, recovered from a slightly tardy start to race in sixth, but slipped to last of the seven contenders soon after passing halfway. Bustled along to reduce arrears approaching the two pole, she moved into third entering the final furlong and kept on relentlessly under continued urging in the closing stages to deny Juddmonte's 7-4 favourite Skellet (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) by a neck in the dying strides.

“She was impressive on her debut and William [Buick] has had confidence going into both races,” explained Appleby. “He planned to drop her in, but I told him to be careful as there is a tailwind and don't let them get free on the front end. I thought, at one stage, he might not be happy with the position he was in, but she answers every question. He looked after her through the dip and up the hill, but she picks up well when she does it. We purposely gave her a gap [between races] as she is a big, scopey filly. We've given her time to come here and get this assignment done. We'll put her away for the winter and dream about running her in some Guineas trials next year. She has a bit more to go before we look at her as a serious [G1] 1000 Guineas contender, but she is on the right path and she will most definitely get further.”

Pedigree Notes

Dance Sequence is the sixth of eight foals and one of four winners from as many runners produced by Listed Fleur de Lys Fillies' S. victrix Tearless (GB) (Street Cry {Ire}), herself a full-sister to GII Orchid S. victrix Anjaz out of G1 Fillies' Mile heroine Playful Act (Ire) (Sadler's Wells). Playful Act is one of three elite-level scorers out of G3 Musidora S.-winning matriarch Magnificient Style (Silver Hawk), the others being MG1SW sire Nathaniel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and G1 Irish Oaks heroine Great Heavens (GB) (Galileo {Ire}). The March-foaled homebred bay is a half-sister to Listed Grosser Preis des Gestuts Etzean victrix Romantic Song (Ire) (Shamardal) and Listed Abu Dhabi Championship third New Comedy (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). Tearless has a yearling colt by Farhh (GB) and a weanling filly by Palace Pier (GB) to come.

 

 

Friday, Newmarket, Britain
GODOLPHIN LIFETIME CARE OH SO SHARP S.-G3, £60,000, Newmarket, 10-13, 2yo, f, 7fT, 1:26.08, sf.
1–DANCE SEQUENCE (GB), 128, f, 2, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Tearless (GB) (SW-Eng), by Street Cry (Ire)
2nd Dam: Playful Act (Ire), by Sadler's Wells
3rd Dam: Magnificient Style, by Silver Hawk
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. £34,026. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $48,284. *1/2 to Romantic Song (Ire) (Shamardal), SW-Ger; and New Comedy (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire), SP-UAE. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Skellet (Ire), 128, f, 2, Kingman (GB)–Dane Street, by Street Cry (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Juddmonte; B-Airlie Stud & Mrs S Rogers (IRE); T-Ralph Beckett. £12,900.
3–Star Music (GB), 128, f, 2, Zoustar (Aus)–Fast Lily (Ire), by Fastnet Rock (Aus).  1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (18,000gns RNA Wlg '21 TADEWE; 160,000gns Ylg '22 TATSOM). O-Jaber Abdullah; B-Plantation Stud (GB); T-Richard Hughes. £6,456.
Margins: NK, 3, 3 3/4. Odds: 4.00, 1.75, 25.00.
Also Ran: Chic Colombine (Fr), Bellarchi (Ire), Circe (Ire), Gushing Gold (Ire).

The post Dubawi’s Dance Sequence Pounces Late For Oh So Sharp Triumph appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Long Weekend, Keeneland’s Haggin Turf Course Hosts A Trio Of Graded Races

Keeneland's lawn debuted during the 1985 Fall meet in an era when American turf courses were just coming into vogue.

According to a back issue of the track's media guide, through 2016 they had two names for their grass course. The Keeneland Course referred to the one with rail up, while the normal configuration with it down was called the Haggin Course.

Named for Louis Lee Haggin II, who was not only Keeneland's President from 1940-1956, but the decade before had purchased the 550-acre Sycamore Farm in Woodford County. Serving as board chairman of the Keeneland Association beginning in 1970, he was a decedent of the gold rusher and California stud farm innovator James Ben Ali Haggin.

As for the Keeneland turf course records, they recognized various distances and rail settings, but for the 2016 Fall meet, the inside rail was replaced on the Haggin Course with a portable fence that can be placed a variety of distances to protect the inside portion of the course. So, beginning with the 2017 Spring meet, Keeneland amalgamated records into one set based on distance.

Now that we mowed through a bit of turf history, the Haggin will take center stage starting on Friday, as the Association cards a trio of graded grass races which will headline another weekend of racing action.

On Friday at Keeneland, a key distance test will be renewed when turf specialists contest the GIII Sycamore S. going 12 furlongs. Grizzled veterans like GISW Red Knight (Pure Prize) and MGISW Channel Maker (English Channel) are present, but so are up and comers like MGSP Limited Liability (Kitten's Joy) and GSP Red Run (Gun Runner). Add in Godolphin homebred Bold Act (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}), who is group stakes placed in England and France for trainer Charlie Appleby, and this should set up as quite a late scramble.

Lindy | Coady Photography

Heading to Saturday in the Bluegrass, it is the annual invitation-only GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S. for 3-year-old fillies. The nine-furlong run over the Haggin includes several invaders with European form. Elusive Princess (Fr) (Martinborough {Jpn}) made her U.S. debut a good one when she captured the GIII Saratoga Oaks Invitational Aug. 4 after running second in the G1 Prix Saint-Alary S. at ParisLongchamp May 14 and when she was fifth behind G1 Prix de l'Opera Longines heroine Blue Rose Cen (Churchill {Ire}) in the G1 Prix de Diane S. June 18 at Chantilly.

Shifting from Jean-Philippe Dubois to Arnaud Delacour, the bay filly will face another who recently changed yards in Lindy (Fr) (Le Harve {Ire}). She made the switch from Christophe Ferland to Brendan Walsh over the summer after finishing second in the G1 French 1000 Guineas S. to Blue Rose Cen and then a well-beaten eighth in the Prix de Diane. Under Walsh, she successfully shipped into Kentucky Downs and won an optional claimer at a short price going a mile.

Other imports into this field include Sounds of Heaven (GB) (Kingman {GB}), who was third at the Royal Meeting in the G1 Coronation S. for Jessica Harrington, French stakes winner for Jean-Claude Roget Elounda Queen (Ire) (Australia {GB}) and finally, Mawj (Ire), who was last seen winning the G1 1000 Guineas S. at Newmarket May 7 for Godolphin and trainer Saeed bin Suroor. Incidently, this will be bin Suroor's first trip to Keeneland since 2014.

“You have to send the right horse to run here,” bin Suroor said. “This is the right place for her. This was the plan to come here and then go to the Breeders' Cup. Either the [GI Breeders' Cup] Mile or the [GI Breeders' Cup] Filly & Mare Turf. I want to see how she runs here and then on to L.A. Mawj had a little chest infection before Ascot [in the summer] and she had a break,” bin Suroor said of the five months between starts.

As for the American contingent, Chad Brown will be well-represented with pair of entries in GSW Liguria (War Front) and GISP Prerequisite (Upstart). Brown has won four of the last five editions of this race.

Finally, on Sunday it will be time to go sprinting at Keeneland when the GII Franklin S. goes off at five and a half furlongs for older females. MGISW Caravel (Mizzen Mast) returns to her favorite course, the site of her upset win last fall in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, as she attempts to repeat in the Franklin S. for trainer Brad Cox. The accomplished 6-year-old, who will be offered at the Keeneland November Sale, will once again face GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint victoress Twilight Gleaming (Ire) (National Defense {GB}). The 4-year-old bay filly is looking to get back on track for Wesley Ward after an unsuccessful trip to Del Mar July 28 in the Daiseycutter S. Also of note is the presence of GII Ladies Turf Sprint winner Bay Storm (Kantharos), who had her own way at Kentucky Downs, and the untested Godolphin homebred from England for Charlie Appleby, Star Guest (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}).

Eternal Hope | Chelsea Durand

The stakes docket is not restricted to just Central Kentucky as both Aqueduct and Woodbine host their own graded races on Saturday.

With rain in the forecast later in the day and Sunday's GIII Knickerbocker S. moved to next week as a consequence, we will get to see the GII Sands Point S. early on the Belmont at the Big A card. Out of 10 entrants and three also-eligibles, Neecie Marie (Cross Traffic) will get another crack at Godolphin's Eternal Hope (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), who bested her by only a neck in the Sept. 16 GIII Jockey Club Oaks Invitational.

Joining the fray are a pair of alums who ran second and third in last month's Virginia Oaks at Colonial Downs. Jeff Drown's Root Cause (Into Mischief) and Don Alberto homebred Alpha Bella (Justify) have proved they can handle nine furlongs as they look to win their first graded race.

Ranging up the Canada, Woodbine has a pair of Grade IIIs scheduled over their Tapeta on Saturday when SW Mouffy (Uncle Mo) takes on MGSW Souper Hoity Toity (Uncle Mo) in the Ontario Matron S. and GSW Loyalty (Hard Spun) battles MGSW Our Flash Drive (Ghostzapper) in the Ontario Fashion S.

The post Long Weekend, Keeneland’s Haggin Turf Course Hosts A Trio Of Graded Races appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Nations Pride Gets Up Late In Canadian International

It should shock no one that Godolphin homebred Nations Pride (Teofilo {Ire}) has a more-frequently used passport than most of his human connections. The star 4-year-old has raced (and won) in his native England, is a Grade I winner in the United States, a graded-stakes winner in the United Arab Emirates and most recently took a Grade I race in Germany July 30 before shipping north of the border to Woodbine.

Racing with the addition of Lasix for his Canadian debut, the son of Teofilo certainly wooed the betting public who dispatched him at favorable odds of 2-5 facing six rivals. Royal Champion (Shamardal) broke widest of the field but had enough early speed to clear down to the rail into the first turn and quickly opened up a multi-length gap back to Nations Pride in a stalking second. The leader cruised through a :25.42 opening quarter and no one bar the eventual winner was making up any ground as Royal Champion swung into far bend. Even by the top of the stretch, Nations Pride had plenty of work left to do and was angled out to come after the pacesetter. Gobbling up the ground late, the Godolphin runner reeled in Royal Champion and drove past in the closing yards to win in a driving finish.

“I've ridden in the Canadian International a few times before and I've been placed a few times so it's great to win it,” said winning jockey William Buick. “I knew with Nations Pride I had a pretty good horse so it's just about getting everything right. The track was a bit of a concern, the yielding surface, but he really showed how versatile he is and he's a high-class horse.”

“The concerns going out was the ground changing to yielding,” added Charlie Appleby, in the winner's circle. “To be fair, in Germany, it was probably on the slower side, but we thought the change might be positive.”

“We'll stick with plan A,” Appleby responded when asked about a potential next start. “We won't go to the Breeders' Cup. We don't think he stretches out that mile and a half, so we'll take him to [G2] Bahrain [Trophy], and then contemplate if Hong Kong might suit him. But our immediate target will be the Bahrain Trophy.”

Pedigree Note:

By European champion Teofilo and out of a mare who picked up her own stakes win in Germany, Nations Pride has a yearling full-sister and a weanling half-brother by Ghaiyyath (Ire). Important Time (Ire) is herself a daughter of G1SW Satwa Queen (Fr) who topped the 2007 edition of the Tattersalls December Mare Sale when bringing a final bid of 3,400,000gns to Godolphin (purchasers of the sales top three hips for a combined 9.8m guineas). Her daughter Amerindia (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is responsible for Australian MG1SW Militarize (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) while another daughter produced GISW Lucky Vega (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}).

Sunday, Woodbine Racetrack
CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL S.-GI, C$753,000, Woodbine, 10-8, 3yo/up, 1 1/4mT, 2:03.65, yl.
1–NATIONS PRIDE (IRE), 126, c, 4, by Teofilo (Ire)
                1st Dam: Important Time (Ire) (SW-Ger), by Oasis
                                Dream (GB)
                2nd Dam: Satwa Queen (Fr), by Muhtathir (GB)
                3rd Dam: Tolga, by Irish River (Fr)
O/B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Charles Appleby; J-William Buick. C$450,000. Lifetime Record: GISW-U.S., G1SW-Ger, G1SP-UAE, 14-9-2-1, $2,583,754. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Royal Champion (Ire), 126, g, 5, Shamardal–Emirates Queen (GB), by Street Cry (Ire). 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. O/B-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum (IRE); T-Roger Varian. C$150,000.
3–Adhamo (Ire), 126, h, 5, Intello (Ger)–Foreign Tune (GB), by Invincible Spirit (Ire). (€250,000 3yo '21 ARARC). O-Madaket Stables LLC, Michael Dubb, Louis Lazzinnaro LLC and Michael J. Caruso; B-Wertheimer et Frere (IRE); T-Chad C. Brown. C$75,000.
Margins: 2 1/4, 7 1/4, 1 1/4. Odds: 0.40, 5.10, 5.50.
Also Ran: Palazzi, English Conqueror, Starting Over, British Royalty, Dynadrive.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post Nations Pride Gets Up Late In Canadian International appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights