Tag: Darley

Exceed And Excel’s Mawj Survives Enquiry In The Duchess Of Cambridge

Godolphin's homebred 2-year-old distaffer Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}–Modern Ideals {GB}, by New Approach {Ire}) exhibited an impressive array of gears when earning 'TDN Rising Star' status by daylight in her May 14 debut over six furlongs at Newmarket's Rowley Mile venue and followed up with a second in Royal Ascot's June 17 G3 Albany S. in her only other start last time. Lining up as a 4-1 chance for Friday's bet365-sponsored G2 Duchess of Cambridge S. at HQ's July course, the G1 Moyglare Stud S. nominee bounced back in style, and survived a stewards' enquiry, to claim a first black-type triumph in the six-furlong test. Positioned on the lead after a slick getaway, she was bustled along when threatened on both sides at the foot of the hill and kept on strongly, despite a leftward drift, in the closing stages to deny the hitherto unbeaten Listed Empress S. victrix Lezoo (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}) by a half length for a career high.

“The way she won the race is exciting and now we're looking at the [G1] Cheveley Park,” revealed trainer Saeed bin Suroor, who notched his second win, and first since 1997, in the contest. “She's a tiny filly, but she obviously has class. I remember when she won first time out, off the back of one piece of work, because she was light and she won well. She was behind a good filly at [Royal] Ascot and now winning this is a good result for her. I hope she grows and if she does it would be great. I'll take her to Dubai to find nice races for her in the winter, but her next target is the Cheveley Park and she will have a break now. Seven furlongs will be better for her at the end of the season.”

Winning rider Ray Dawson incurred a three-day suspension for careless riding in the closing stages and added, “Obviously there was interference, I was unaware where Frankie [Dettori on Lezoo] was until probably the last furlong and it was a little bit late then. I straightened my filly up and she was always going to stay in front. We kept the race, but it's mandatory that you're going to get between two and four days. I got three which is fair enough. I watched the video of the head-on and I did let her drift across and I've got to be punished for that. I am over the moon for this filly and we got very excited when she won first time out at Newmarket. Ascot didn't work out the way we hoped and she ran a great race [in the Albany], but we bumped into a very good horse on the day. She jumped and was very professional today. She wanted to please me the whole way and wanted to get her head in front. She was tough when she needed to be and she's got a lot of scope for the future. She's definitely heading towards a Group 1, she's ticking all the boxes and the [G1] Cheveley Park sounds about right at this moment.”

Ralph Beckett, trainer of runner-up Lezoo, commented, “I was very pleased with the run, she ran her race and left it all there. We just couldn't quite get it done. She was ready for it, from the way she was training, and I was happy to come back here after her Listed win here 13 days ago. Six furlongs on this [good-to-firm] ground appears her gig. Her dam was very much a soft-ground filly that won the [G3] Firth Of Clyde, so I wouldn't mind trying her on it.”

Mawj is the fifth of six foals and one of four scorers out of a half-sister to G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere-winning sire Ultra (Ire) (Manduro {Ger}), G3 Prix Minerve victrix Synopsis (Ire) (In The Wings {GB}) and the dual stakes-placed Epic Similie (GB) (Lomitas {GB}), herself the dam of G2 July S. and G3 Sirenia S. runner-up Figure of Speech (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). Her dam Modern Ideals (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) is also kin to the dam of Listed Prix Pelleas second Lackeen (GB) (Shamardal). Descendants of her MGSW third dam Proskona (Mr. Prospector), herself a half-sister to MG1SP sire Keos (Riverman) and GSW matriarch Korveya (Riverman), include MG1SW sire Act One (GB) (In the Wings {GB}), G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains third Gharir (Ire) (Machiavellian), G1 Fillies' Mile second Summer Symphony (Ire) (Caerleon) and GI Belmont Oaks Invitational third Summer Solo (Arch). The April-foaled homebred bay is a half-sister to GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf and G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains hero Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), stakes-winning G3 Diomed S. second Modern News (GB) (Shamardal) and a yearling filly by Mastercraftsman (Ire).

Friday, Newmarket, Britain
DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE S. (SPONSORED BY BET365)-G2, £100,000, Newmarket, 7-8, 2yo, f, 6fT, 1:11.02, g/f.
1–MAWJ (IRE), 128, f, 2, by Exceed And Excel (Aus)
1st Dam: Modern Ideals (GB), by New Approach (Ire)
2nd Dam: Epitome (Ire), by Nashwan
3rd Dam: Proskona, by Mr. Prospector
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Saeed bin Suroor; J-Ray Dawson. £56,710. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, $102,467. *1/2 to Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), GISW-US, G1SW-Fr & GSW-Eng, $1,136,105; and Modern News (GB) (Shamardal), SW & GSP-Eng, SP-UAE, $176,814. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Lezoo (GB), 128, f, 2, Zoustar (Aus)–Roger Sez (Ire), by Red Clubs (Ire). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (77,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT; €110,000 2yo '22 ARQMAY). O-Marc Chan & Andrew Rosen; B-Chasemore Farm (GB); T-Ralph Beckett. £21,500.
3–Queen Olly (Ire), 128, f, 2, No Nay Never–Surprisingly (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€300,000 Ylg '21 GOFOR). O-Amo Racing Ltd; B-Diamond Creek Farm (IRE); T-David Loughnane. £10,760.
Margins: HF, 1 3/4, 1 1/4. Odds: 4.00, 1.88, 9.00.
Also Ran: Tagline (GB), Carmela (Ire), Maylandsea (GB). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

 

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Keeneland Fall Stakes Worth a Record $8.75 Million; Meet “Promises to Be Better Than Ever”

Keeneland, which is preparing to host its third Breeders' Cup championship weekend in November, will offer 22 stakes races worth a record $8.75 million at its upcoming Fall Meet, which runs from Oct. 7-29. The Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund is contributing $1.3 million to Fall Meet stakes purses, pending approval from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, and purses for every stakes race have increased for 2022.

“Keeneland has planned a Fall Meet that promises to be better than ever,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “Adjustments made to the season last year, including increasing the number of stakes to 22 and boosting the final days with multiple stakes, produced an extremely successful meet from start to finish. This year, even higher stakes purses indicate the strength of the Kentucky circuit while helping Keeneland set the stage for the Breeders' Cup World Championships, which we are proud to host for the third time.”

The 17-day season will open with 11 stakes–nine of which are “Win and You're In” events as part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series Presented by America's Best Racing–during the signature three-day Fall Stars Weekend.

Keeneland has adjusted several stakes on the schedule to attract horses bound for the Breeders' Cup, most notably moving the GII JPMorgan Chase Jessamine S. to opening day. Opening day stakes races will also include the $500,000 GI Darley Alcibiades S. and $350,000 G2 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix S. All three are 'Win and You're In' races for the Breeders' Cup.

The season's richest race is the $1-million GI Coolmore Turf Mile, a Breeders' Cup Challenge race that anchors opening Saturday of Fall Stars Weekend. Along with Coolmore's first year as sponsor of the premier turf stakes, the race is again worth seven figures–a status it held from 2014, when it was Keeneland's first million-dollar race, through 2019.

Also on the Oct. 8 card is the $600,000 GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity, $350,000 GII Thoroughbred Club of America S.–both Win and You're In races–and the $600,000 GI First Lady S. and the $350,000 GII Woodford S.

Sunday of Fall Stars Weekend presents three stakes–all Breeders' Cup Challenge races: the $600,000 GI Juddmonte Spinster S., $350,000 GII Castle & Key Bourbon S. and $250,000 Indian Summer S.

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Appleby And Dubawi One-Two In The Platinum Jubilee As Naval Crown Prevails

Saturday's G1 Platinum Jubilee S. produced a surprise, but it was a welcome one for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby as Naval Crown (GB) edged out Creative Force (Ire) spread wide across the track to provide a one-two for the stable and the meeting's star sire Dubawi (Ire). Relishing a lead from the ultimately disappointing 5-2 favourite Home Affairs (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) racing stand's side, Naval Crown who was last seen finishing fourth in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint was sent on by James Doyle approaching two out and came home alone there as Creative Force forged ahead of the main pack up the centre. At the line, it was the 33-1 shot sporting the white cap who had a neck advantage, with half a length back to the dead-heating Artorius (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}) and Campanelle (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}).

“I just got a lovely draft into the race behind Home Affairs and he kind of dropped away around the two and a half,” Doyle explained. “We had to be pretty brave and kick for home, but Naval Crown has campaigned over further and he's got the stamina in his legs. He's very genuine. This race is one of the highlights of the week, so to be able to win it again and to do it for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and Charlie–it's great to play a small part in that.”

Campaigned at up to a mile at two and three, Naval Crown had beaten Master of the Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the Listed Meydan Classic last February before finishing behind that stablemate when fourth in the 2000 Guineas. Ironically, it was Creative Force and Doyle in the white cap who was in front in the G3 Jersey S. on soft ground here 12 months ago, with Naval Crown under William Buick as they took identical paths racing far away from each other. Naval Crown had one more outing in Europe, when eighth in Deauville's G1 Prix Jean Prat in July and was next seen winning Meydan's G2 Al Fahidi Fort Jan. 21. Favourite for the 1351 Turf Sprint at Riyadh Feb. 26, the bay was sent forward from his wide draw and over-raced before fading to 11th there and was trying this trip for the first time when fourth in the Mar. 26 Al Quoz Sprint back at Meydan.

All the focus had been on the Chris Waller trainee Home Affairs, who was looking to bring up a rare double for the trainer, and all seemed to be going to plan as he tanked along for the first two furlongs under James McDonald a few widths off the stand's rail. At halfway, the rest were too close for comfort and two out the favourite was already beaten as the bulk of the contenders were fighting up the middle of the track. Naval Crown, Campanelle, Highfield Princess (Fr) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) and Creative Force were almost in line spaced apart passing the furlong pole as Artorius came into the picture, but it was the winner's solo effort clear of his group which proved marginally the strongest.

“He owes me a big day, to be fair–he was red-hot favourite for the race in Saudi and we had a bad draw. He jumped impeccably, but just completely tore off,” Doyle added. “It was a bit of a disaster, but it taught us one thing, that he's definitely a sprinter so we dabbled with the idea and he ran a cracking race in the Al Quoz. That kind of taught him plenty that would have stood him in good stead today.”

Appleby commented, “One thing that Naval Crown had coming into the race was that he was still learning the sprinting game. He'd only sprinted once in his life and that was in the Al Quoz. When I took him to Saudi it was all a bit of a mess unfortunately, although we saw his natural pace there. He was fourth in a Guineas, so he's a rock-solid horse. Creative Force ran a blinder. From that draw, it was always away from him but Will gave him a fantastic ride and it was just like the Jersey last year–they were ding-donging away with themselves in the end. They are two fantastic Dubawis.”

“Naval Crown is cutting his teeth at the sprinting division now and he's learning fast. I see no reason why we shouldn't be going to the July Cup now on what we've seen today. We hadn't really planned beyond this–we thought we'd just be following the Australians home to be fair. Full credit to all the team. I am lucky enough to stand here, but the team do all the work at home. The horses have been in rude health since the spring and it's hard to try to maintain it as the year goes on, but touch wood, they're staying there.”

Campanelle lost her unbeaten Royal Ascot record, but nothing in defeat and trainer Wesley Ward said, “I am very proud of her. The race went just as we hoped. She jumped well and those on the speed have been doing well because of the weather conditions here. She would have preferred the going a little softer. She was out in front, she ran a beautiful race and there are no excuses.”

Sam Freedman said of Artorius, “There was barely a gap there and he poked his head through. He has run a wonderful race. The guys say he will probably stay here for the July Cup. The track is little bit different to Ascot, but it is a stiff finish again.” His part-owner Henry Field added, “That is the style of the horse that Artorius is. He didn't quite get there, but the trip away has done him the world of good. Sam Freedman is one of the most astute young trainers I have ever come across. Anthony and Sam have done a wonderful job with him. As long as he comes through the race well, there is no doubt we will run in the July Cup in a few weeks.”

Naval Crown capped one of the key moments in Dubawi's formidable stud career by becoming his 50th group 1 winner. The dam, the Listed Prix Amandine victrix Come Alive (GB) (Dansili {GB}), is a daughter of Portrayal (Saint Ballado) who took the Listed Severals S. and was placed three times in group company including when third in the G2 Prix Robert Papin. Portrayal, whose full-sister Trujillo produced the New Zealand stakes scorer Ruby Armani (NZ) from a mating with Dubawi's son Makfi (GB), is a granddaughter of the G3 Prix de Royaumont winner Truly Special (Ire) (Caerleon) whose progeny list is headed by the GII E. P. Taylor S. heroine and stakes producer Truly a Dream (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}). This is the family of the G1 Irish Oaks heroine Moonstone (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}). Come Alive's unraced 2-year-old filly by Lope de Vega (Ire) is named Spring Promise (Ire), while she also has a yearling filly by Shamardal.

Saturday, Ascot, Britain
PLATINUM JUBILEE S.-G1, £1,000,000, Ascot, 6-18, 4yo/up, 6fT, 1:12.17, g/f.
1–NAVAL CROWN (GB), 131, c, 4, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Come Alive (GB) (SW-Fr), by Dansili (GB)
2nd Dam: Portrayal, by Saint Ballado
3rd Dam: True Glory (Ire), by In the Wings (GB)
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby; J-James Doyle. £567,100. Lifetime Record: Hwt. 3yo-UAE at 7-9.5f, GSW-UAE & MGSP-Fr, 15-4-2-5, $1,055,430. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Creative Force (Ire), 131, g, 4, Dubawi (Ire)–Choose Me (Ire), by Choisir (Aus). (€400,000 Ylg '19 GOFOR). O-Godolphin; B-Owenstown Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby. £215,000.
(DH)3–Artorius (Aus), 131, c, 4, Flying Artie (Aus)–Gracie's Lass (Aus), by Redoute's Choice (Aus). (120,000 Ylg '20 MMGYRL). O-Newgate, China Horse Club & Partners; B-G J Perry (AUS); T-A & S Freedman. £80,600.
(DH)3–Campanelle (Ire), 128, f, 4, Kodiac (GB)–Janina (GB), by Namid (GB). (190,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-Stonestreet Stables LLC; B-Tally-Ho Stud (IRE); T-Wesley Ward. £80,600.
Margins: NK, HF, DHT. Odds: 33.00, 12.00, 8.50/10.00.
Also Ran: Sacred (GB), Highfield Princess (Fr), Happy Romance (Ire), Kinross (GB), Alcohol Free (Ire), Run To Freedom (GB), Double Or Bubble (Ire), Diligent Harry (GB), Minzaal (Ire), King's Lynn (GB), Emaraaty Ana (GB), Gustavus Weston (Ire), A Case of You (Ire), Umm Kulthum (Ire), Grenadier Guards (Jpn), Home Affairs (Aus), Garrus (Ire), Vadream (GB), Dragon Symbol (GB), Great Ambassador (GB). Scratched: Glen Shiel (GB), Happy Power (Ire), Ventura Diamond (Ire). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

 

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Brazen Beau’s The Ridler In Controversial Norfolk Win

Dreams came true in Royal Ascot's opener on Thursday for Steve Bradley as his homebred The Ridler (GB) (Brazen Beau {Aus}–Colorada {GB}, by Lope de Vega {Ire}) came out on top in the G2 Norfolk S. to gain a 'Win and You're In' berth at the Breeders' Cup. Let go at 50-1, the bay who had hidden his light under a bushel up to this point did not earn it without controversy, however, in a race that is certain to attract heated debate for some time to come. A promising if unexciting third in Beverley's Two Year Old Trophy Conditions S. over this five-furlong trip last time May 28, The Ridler's win gained extra significance as he was partnered by Paul Hanagan whose longstanding relationship with the Richard Fahey stable was announced to have come to an official end last month. Proving there is no fall-out, it was a case of friends reunited as they enjoyed the fruits of the biggest shock in the history of this prestige event, which they had also landed 12 months ago with Perfect Power (Ire) (Ardad {Ire}).

Anchored early behind the leaders up the centre, The Ridler produced a strong run to overhaul TDN Rising Star and 7-4 favourite Walbank (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) with half a furlong remaining en route to a 1 3/4-length score. That was only half the story, however, as the winner had seconds earlier drifted markedly left and significantly hampered Crispy Cat (GB) (Ardad {Ire}), who ended up a neck behind in third having had his momentum checked at a crucial stage. The fourth, Brave Nation (Ire) (Sioux Nation), also met with major interference as a result of the winner's drift but the stewards opted relatively quickly to leave the order as it finished.

Hanagan, who was handed a 10-day ban, was convinced he had won fair and square before he had the opportunity to watch a replay. “The Ridler pricked his ears in front and I always felt he was clear,” he explained. “I don't think they had to stop riding. He is still very green and a baby. I put my stick down to get him straight, so I could not have done much more.”

Fahey said, “That was a bit of a surprise–I know we were mad about the second horse [Walbank] in the breeze-up, but he made a little bit too much than we wanted to pay. I didn't think The Ridler was a 50-1 shot. He's a good hardy horse. We had him in the Coventry and had a long chat about it all, then decided to go here. You need a good six-furlong horse to win, especially the pace they went, so we're delighted.”

Of the change in the jockey situation at Musley Bank, the trainer added, “Paul is happy, I'm happy. We haven't really had a change around of jockeys, it was just bringing a young guy [Oisin Orr] in and Paul would still ride for us and has ridden for us today. You've got to look to the future, though. We will get Ascot out of the way before we think about the future, but we'd think about a flat six furlongs. He's quite a quick horse–you'd like to think of something like the Prix Morny, because if you've got a group 2, you've got to think of a Group 1.”

Steve Bradley said of his pride and joy, “The Ridler has got a reverse question mark on his face and The Riddler on every outfit has loads of question marks, including in reverse. As soon as he was born, it was a no-brainer. Weatherbys didn't like it with two 'd's, so we settled for one and the rest is history. My son Leigh is a Batman fan more than me, but it's been around for a long time, more than 60 years. Weatherbys were worried about the copyright–they didn't want to take on whoever owns Marvel Comics these days and they got a sweat on about that. I think Marvel Comics have got more money than I have! We use the National Stud to breed most of our horses and I have been involved heavily in the last 10 years in racing. It's amazing. This is the best day of my life, along with getting married and having children.”

Walbank's trainer David Loughnane was finishing runner-up for the second year in succession having missed out with Go Bears Go (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) and said, “Deja vu! The horse has done very well. He has run his race and I don't think he could have done anything different. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't heartbroken, but that's racing. We were out in front and he has probably got a little bit lonely. The winner has come down the outside and a long way across the track.”

Michael O'Callaghan was convinced the winner's move cost Crispy Cat the race. “He should have won. It is plain and simple,” he stated. “Silvestre [de Sousa] said he would have won. He never had a clear run through the race, even from the mid part of the race, and then he got wiped out by the winner when he was coming through. It wasn't the first time he had to check and he has run on again, so he should have won, unfortunately.” Brave Nation's rider James Doyle said, “He ran with a lot of credit–he would have been third without the interference.”

The Ridler, who had given little indication that he was about to deliver a performance such as this when getting off the mark at Ripon May 6 prior to finishing behind Wednesday's Listed Windsor Castle S. fourth Chateau (Ire) (Havana Gold {Ire}) at Beverley, hails from the family of the G3 Prix Corrida winner Trumbaka (Ire) (In the Wings {GB}) and last year's G1 Haydock Sprint Cup hero Emaraaty Ana (GB) by Lope de Vega's sire Shamardal. Colorada's yearling colt is by Time Test (GB).

Thursday, Ascot, Britain
NORFOLK S.-G2, £110,000, Ascot, 6-16, 2yo, 5fT, 1:00.50, g/f.
1–THE RIDLER (GB), 129, c, 2, by Brazen Beau (Aus)
1st Dam: Colorada (GB), by Lope de Vega (Ire)
2nd Dam: Isabella Glyn (Ire), by Sadler's Wells
3rd Dam: Questina, by Rainbow Quest
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Steve Bradley; B-Smarden Thoroughbreds (GB); T-Richard Fahey; J-Paul Hanagan. £65,120. Lifetime Record: 4-2-0-1, $90,774. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Walbank (Ire), 129, c, 2, Kodiac (GB)–No Lippy (Ire), by Oasis Dream (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (525,000gns 2yo '22 TATBRE). O-Amo Racing & Omnihorse Racing; B-Tally-Ho Stud (IRE); T-David Loughnane. £24,629.
3–Crispy Cat (GB), 129, c, 2, Ardad (Ire)–Mara Grey (Ire), by Azamour (Ire). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (7,500gns Wlg '20 TATFOA; £105,000 Ylg '21 TATIRY). O-Amo Racing Ltd; B-Saeed Nasser Al Romaithi (GB); T-Michael O'Callaghan. £12,309.
Margins: 1 3/4, NK, 1. Odds: 50.00, 1.75, 7.00.
Also Ran: Brave Nation (Ire), Bakeel (GB), Pillow Talk (Ire), The Antarctic (Ire), Thunder Moor (Ire), Redemption Time (GB), Jungle Fever (Ire). Scratched: My First Rodeo (Ire). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

 

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