Tag: charlie hills

Muhaarar Colt A New Rising Star

Bypassing the 2000 Guineas in favour of another confidence-building exercise in Goodwood's British EBF 40th Anniversary Conditions S. on Friday, Rosehill Racing's bargain 32,000gns Book 3 purchase Cicero's Gift (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}–Terentia {GB}, by Diktat {GB}) rewarded that patience by taking his record to three-for-three with consummate ease to become the latest TDN Rising Star. Sent off the 7-4 second favourite for the mile contest, the Charlie Hills-trained relative of the smart sprinter Cartimandua (GB) (Medicean {GB}) was settled under cover on the rail by Kieran Shoemark throughout the early stages.

Eased out of his pocket approaching the furlong pole, the bay who had won on testing ground at Newbury in October and on Wolverhampton's Tapeta in March quickly settled the issue before surging to a 5 1/2-length dismissal of the 11-8 favourite Kolsai (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). The Roger Varian-trained runner-up provides useful context to the form, having been just a half-length second to the well-regarded Canberra Legend (Ire) (Australia {GB}) in Newmarket's Listed Feilden S. last month.

 

Cicero's Gift, who holds an entry in the G1 St James's Palace S., brings Muhaarar's TDN Rising Star tally to four, with the P. G. Johnson S. winner and GII Miss Grillo S. third Be Your Best (Ire) winner currently chief among them. The dam, a smart five-furlong handicapper, has produced one black-type performer so far in the Listed Queen Charlotte S. runner-up Crossing The Line (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}). She is out of the Listed Oh So Sharp S. scorer Agrippina (GB) (Timeless Times), who produced the aforementioned Cartimandua. Successful in the Listed Kilvington Fillies' S. and Listed Cecil Frail S. and third in the G3 Ballyogan S., she went on to throw the G2 July S. third Elronaq (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). Terentia's 2-year-old colt is by Golden Horn (GB), while her yearling son of Mohaather (GB) was a 52,000gns purchase by Manister House Stud at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale.

5th-Goodwood, £30,000, Novice, 5-5, 3yo, 8fT, 1:42.03, g/s.
CICERO'S GIFT (GB), c, 3, by Muhaarar (GB)
     1st Dam: Terentia (GB), by Diktat (GB)
     2nd Dam: Agrippina (GB), by Timeless Times
     3rd Dam: Boadicea's Chariot (Ire), by Commanche Run (GB)
(32,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, $37,513. O-Rosehill Racing; B-Mrs F S Williams (GB); T-Charles Hills. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

 

The post Muhaarar Colt A New Rising Star appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Dubai Mile Put Through His Paces Over The Rowley Mile

Group 1 winner Dubai Mile (Ire) (Roaring Lion) galloped over the Rowley Mile in Newmarket on Wednesday. The Ahmad Al Shaikh silksbearer is being primed for a possible start in the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas over this course on May 6.

Trained by Charlie Johnston, the 3-year-old was originally pencilled in for the G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dante S. at York in mid-May, but connections are weighing the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud hero's chances in the run-up to the G1 Betfred Derby on June 3.

“We've been having a debate internally all spring really regarding what is the best route for this horse,” said Johnston. “We're pretty confident his optimum trip this year will be a mile and a half plus and you can see in his work there that he's not travelling hard on the bridle behind the other horse. He's a very laid-back horse who is behind the bridle and his last furlong is his best furlong.

“But, having won a Group 1 as a 2-year-old, your route to the Derby is narrowed down quite dramatically. You either have to have to step down in grade or you have to go to the Guineas. From an early point it's been either Guineas-Derby or Dante-Derby. The way they're in the calendar this year running in all three is pretty unrealistic.

“I've spent most of the spring leaning on the side that he should be going Dante-Derby, but Ahmad is always keen to take on a challenge and take the ambitious route–and when you've got a Group 1-winning 2-year-old, the reality is winning the Dante is not going to add anything to this horse's stallion profile, whereas finishing third in the Guineas would be a big asset to him.”

The chestnut won at second asking over a mile at Windsor last August and added an all-weather mile contest at Kempton later that month. Second over the Guineas course and distance in the G2 Royal Lodge S. in September behind Thursday's G3 bet365 Craven S. entry The Foxes (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), the son of Beach Bunny (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}) thrived in the heavy going at Saint-Cloud in his top-level score a month later.

Johnston added, “We're all well aware that this horse is being trained and going to be campaigned as a top-class mile-and-a-half horse, it's just what we do in the early season to get him there.

“I'd love a soft ground Guineas, then he really would be a player because we know he handles testing conditions, and one asset you can never take for granted here is he's run over the course and distance. Danny says you don't even notice the dip on him, he just floats down it and out the other side. The Guineas is not a race you go into as a prep race, but if he was running in many ways it would be a prep race for the Derby.”

Also taking a spin over the course on Wednesday was the Charlie Hills-trained two-for-two Circero's Gift (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) with Kieran Shoemark at the controls. The Rosehill Racing-owned colt worked in company with stablemate Saratoga Gold (GB) (Mayson {GB}) under Michael Hills, however, his participation in the Newmarket Classic is not definite. He won both his Newbury debut last autumn, and a Wolverhampton all-weather affair on Mar. 30.

“He worked well and had a nice little blow afterwards as well actually, so it was just what we wanted I think,” said Hills. “He's obviously had two starts and two wins and we're just trying to feel our way really and see exactly where we are and find out a bit more about him. Today he behaved great, had a nice bit of work and did what we asked him.

“We didn't really want to run in a trial and put three quick races into him. It's going to be a long season, so we'll just try to keep him as fresh as we can.

“We'll see how the week unfolds with the trials and make a decision next week. There is a conditions race at Goodwood around the same weekend as the Guineas, so that could be another route to take, but I'm pretty open-minded at the moment.

“He's a nice horse and there's only one Guineas, isn't there? If we decide against it you've got Goodwood and the Dante at York and the [G3] Hampton Court [S.] at Royal Ascot, something like that. I think I could see him stepping him up in trip later in the year.”

The post Dubai Mile Put Through His Paces Over The Rowley Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Lazuli Aims For Blue Point Sprint Double

The 2022 G2 Blue Point Sprint hero Lazuli (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) is back to defend his title for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby over this minimum trip on grass. Worth $180,000, the Blue Point is the 6-year-old gelding's second run of the season after defeating Man Of Promise (Into Mischief) in the Listed Ertijaal Dubai Dash on opening day of the 2023 Dubai World Cup Carnival.

“Lazuli is tried and tested over five furlongs at Meydan and this is his optimum trip,” said Appleby. “He is in great form and, even with his draw in stall one, he has speed horses around him and looks the one to beat.

“Man Of Promise ran a good solid race over this distance in the Ertijaal Dubai Dash and seems to be taking his racing better these days.”

Shadwell's Kuzaam (Kitten's Joy), who won the Listed Jebel Ali Sprint by two lengths last February, is hoping to rebound off of a seventh-place run in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night.

“Khuzaam has taken a bit of time to come around, but is really well,” said trainer Doug Watson. “The long layoff is a worry but he's a really nice horse.”

G2 Sapphire S. heroine Ladies Church (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), the only filly in the field, could also be heard from in the Mark Dobbin silks. She was 17 of 19 in the G1 Flying Five S. over this distance at the Curragh on Sept. 11.

“She is in very good form, but like all our horses who travelled to Dubai this season, she will probably need her first run of the year,” said trainer Johnny Murtagh.

2021 victor Equilateral (GB) (Equiano {Fr}) is also signed on but has not won since taking that race for Mrs. Fitriani Hay and trainer Charlie Hills.

 

American-breds A Force Majeure In Guineas

The $150,000 G2 UAE 2000 Guineas run over 1600 metres on the main track sees nine American-bred colts and one Argentinean line up for one of the earliest Classics of the year.

No stranger to Meydan, trainer Doug O'Neill has sent the Calumet Farm-owned Tall Boy (Lookin At Lucky), who should run with credit, despite his maiden status. Out of the unraced Madame Mayra, the colt enters with a fourth-place run in the GII Los Alamitos Futurity on Dec. 17.

“The reason he's in Dubai is because we think he's capable of being pointed to the [G2] UAE Derby [on Mar. 25],” said Leandro Mora, assistant trainer to Doug O'Neill. “He has two GI Kentucky Derby points already and we like him because he's run three tough races against Bob Baffert horses. He's a gentle giant with a lot of talent. We think this race might suit him as he loves the surface at Meydan.”

Charles Fipke homebred Shirl's Bee (Bee Jersey) is aiming to maintain his perfect record after running out a track-and-trip victor in a Dec. 23 maiden race.

“Shirl's Bee would be the most interesting of our runners on Friday,” said Doug Watson, who has been named champion trainer in the Emirates seven times. “He has been training well and we like him a lot. He has a good draw and we're really looking forward to seeing him run.”

Tamarkuz colt Tiger Nation has an even dearer record to protect, as he made a winning debut at Jebel Ali on New Year's Day, before running out a 1 1/4-length victor of a 1400-metre conditions affair on Jan. 13. The main question is the step up in distance for the Sheikh Hamden bin Mohammed Al Maktoum-owned bay.

“Tiger Nation came out of the Guineas Trial well,” said Salem bin Ghadayer. “He has a wide draw [9] but he has natural speed and we're hoping he can control the race and be there or thereabouts.”

 

Large Godolphin Contingent Ready For “Business”

Shining Blue (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) is one of four bearing the royal blue in the Listed Business Bay Challenge over 1400 metres on turf, and he is part of a Saeed bin Suroor trio mustered for this test. A last-out winner over course and distance defeating the re-opposing Spirit Of Light (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) on Jan. 20, he carries a red-capped Daniel Tudhope and they break from stall four. Bin Suroor also sends listed winner Major Partnership (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) and 2021 G2 Al Fahidi Fort hero Land Of Legends (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB})

“Shining Blue won nicely in a handicap over this course and trip last month, said bin Suroor. “He has done well since and is ready to go again. Land Of Legends has won a big race over this distance in the past and we wanted to give him a chance back over seven furlongs as he displays plenty of speed in his races. Major Partnership never shows a great deal in the mornings but I'm hoping he is saving it for the racecourse.”

However, the blue cap is bestowed on Modern News (GB) (Shamardal) from the Charlie Appleby barn. A listed winner at Windsor last June, the 5-year-old gelding has also been placed three times in group company, including when second in the G3 Sovereign S. at Salisbury in August. He weakened to sixth after setting the pace in the G2 Zabeel Mile here on Jan. 20.

 

Curlin S. Springboard To Dubai World Cup

The race re-named in honour of the dual American Horse of the Year, Curlin, who won the 2000-metre Jaguar Trophy H. in 2008 one start before his G1 Dubai World Cup victory, has attracted a field of one dozen aspirants for the $12-million big dance on Mar. 25.

On rankings, Salem bin Ghadayer trainee Hypothetical (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) towers over the field at 112. The 2022 G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 hero was last seen finishing seventh in the Dubai World Cup at the end of March.

“I need to give him one race before [the] Maktoum Challenge Round 3 on Super Saturday,” said bin Ghadayer. “He has a wide draw and top weight, but it's a prep race and he's 80-85% fit.”

The post Lazuli Aims For Blue Point Sprint Double appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

147 Horses Nominated To The Dubai World Cup Carnival

A total of 147 horses from 16 countries have been entered in the upcoming Dubai World Cup Carnival that begins at Meydan Racecourse on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. The nine-week Carnival is a preview for the Dubai World Cup night festivities on Mar. 25 next year.

Among the horses that have accepted their Carnival engagements are an 11-strong team from American-based trainer Doug O'Neill, who saddled four winners from just 19 runners in 2022. Grade II scorer Slow Down Andy (Nyquist), third in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, is set for the desert, as is Oud Metha S. winner Get Back Goldie (Goldencents) and GI Pennsylvania Derby sixth B Dawk (Gormley).

Fellow American Dallas Stewart sends Long Range Toddy (Take Charge Indy), hero of the GII Rebel S. Equilateral (GB) (Equiano {Fr}), from the Charlie Hills barn, is back for a third time and he is joined by stablemate Khaadem (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). Richard Hannon will send group winners Chindit (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and Happy Romance (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}), the latter second in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night in 2022.

South American is also well represented by Group 1 winners La Validada (Arg) (Valid Stripes {Arg}), Nino Guapo (Arg) (Catcher In The Rye {Ire}) and El Musical (Arg) (Il Campione {Chi), all three from the yard of Juan Saldivia. Uruguayan Group 1 winner Loreley (Brz) (Kentuckian) is also set to participate for trainer Ricardo Colombo.

Stephanie Cooley, International Liaison for Dubai Racing Club, said, “We are delighted with the strength of nominations which we have received from across the world for the Carnival.

“To have nations such as South Korea, who have suffered from Covid restrictions in recent years, returning is gratifying, and it's also superb to welcome back many returning equine stars as well as some new faces from the UK, Ireland and the USA.”

To view the full list of accepted horses, please click here.

The post 147 Horses Nominated To The Dubai World Cup Carnival appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights