Tag: Dubai Mile (Ire)

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.”

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Derby Attracts 20 Second Entries Led By White Birch

Fresh off of his victory in the G3 Ballysax S. on Sunday, White Birch (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}) leads 19 other colts as second entries for the G1 Derby at Epsom on Saturday, June 3. Owned by Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez and trained by John Murphy, the colt scored a half-length upset in the Ballysax at 22-1.

Several Derby second entries were also made by Charlie Appleby on behalf of Godolphin. Leading the sextet is GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf second Silver Knott (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), while listed winner Naval Power (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}), Military Order (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Imperial Emperor (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Flying Honours (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), and Ancient Rules (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) are also nominated.

There is also an American-trained entrant to the Blue Riband, whose connections also paid the £9,000 second entry fee–Ken McPeek entered two-for-two Mendelssohn's March (Mendelssohn). Already a winner on turf and dirt after victories at Fair Grounds and Oaklawn Park, he will race in the colours of Harold Lerner, LLC, AWC Stables, Nehoc Stables, and Team Stallion Racing Stable.

Ahmad Al Shaikh's Group 1-winning Dubai Mile (Ire), by 2018 Derby third Roaring Lion, has been entered by Charlie Johnston, who also declared Group 3-placed Dear My Friend (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) for Middleham Park Racing and Michael Lai.

Dubai Mile, who prevailed in the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud over 10 furlongs in heavy going in October, will contest either the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 6 or the G2 Dante S. at York later in the month.

“Any 2-year-old that can win at Group 1 level leaves you dreaming over the winter about what they could achieve during their 3-year-old campaign,” said Johnston. “He's obviously going to be a flagship horse for us this year and one we're going to have realistic Classic ambitions with, so we're very much looking forward to him.

“You need these horses to compete at the highest level to put you in people's eyes and minds going forward and he's a big flagship horse that we need and want a big year from–hopefully he can deliver.”

“The Guineas is still on the table and Ahmad is quite keen for him to go there,” continued Johnston.

“For all the Dante is a significant race and the preeminent Derby trial, this horse has already won a Group 1 so his CV would be enhanced more by a placed effort in the Guineas than winning the Dante.

“He was only just touched off in the Royal Lodge over the Guineas course and distance and although I'm pretty certain he's going to come into his own over middle-distances this year, I wouldn't rule out his prep race being in the Guineas.

“They are the best two Derby trials and it will be one of the two races for him. Being a vanquished horse in the Guineas can often be the best Derby trial you can run.”

With these late additions, the total number of nominated horses for the Epsom showpiece has grown to 103. Entries were also released for the G1 Oaks (65 entries) and G1 Coronation Cup (19 entries), both held the day prior to the Derby, on June 2.

Of the latter entries, at least three are Classic winners in the form of Godolphin's Frankel (GB) pair of Adayar (Ire) and Hurricane Lane (Ire), and Juddmonte's Westover (GB).

Godolphin's 'TDN Rising Star' and G2 Duchess Of Cambridge S. winner Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf heroine Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never), and G2 May Hill S. victress Polly Pott (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) are some of the notable entries for the Oaks.

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Roaring Lion Colt Battles To Criterium de Saint-Cloud Triumph

Ahmad Al Shaikh's Dubai Mile (Ire) (Roaring Lion–Beach Bunny {Ire}, by High Chaparral {Ire}) backed up victories at Windsor and Kempton in August with a half-length second in last month's G2 Royal Lodge S. at Newmarket and stepped forward to register a determined success in Saturday's G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud, becoming the first Group 1 winner from the lone crop of his sire (by Kitten's Joy). The 49-10 chance was swiftly into stride and led through the early fractions of this 10-furlong test. Headed on the turn for home, he came under pressure at the top of the straight to regain a slender advantage passing the quarter-mile marker and was driven out in the closing stages to deny fellow British challenger Arrest (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) by a head after a to-and-fro tussle, the duo six lengths clear of the remainder headed by Adelaide River (Ire) (Australia {GB}).

“He came second in the Royal Lodge so, in that sense, he has exactly the same profile to [2020 winner] Gear Up,” said trainer Mark Johnston after claiming a second win in the contest. “They are similar horses in other ways and this fellow clearly looks like he stays and will stay further. It's sad that the sire's no longer with us and we've had a lot of success with his first crop.”

Reflecting on Dubai Mile's performance, Johnston added, “It's fantastic the way he has come back and it was a tremendous ride by the jockey. I think we all thought we were looking for fourth place on the bend and Daniel [Muscutt] said he felt it would have been a mistake to rush the horse when he was headed and he gradually worked back into it. That was clearly the right decision. The horse has surprised a lot of people, including us, along the way because he has a style of racing where he looks green in every race. That was his fifth race and he still looks a little bit green, but he's clearly got a tremendous attitude. When he's got something to aim at he keeps finding a bit more.”

Looking ahead, the trainer continued, “[Owner] Ahmad Al Shaikh has some very clever ideas and has helped campaign the horse very well. He was due to be sold before the Royal Lodge, but the deal was never completed. He's in the [Tattersalls] Horses-in-Training sale next week and he may yet go there.”

Pedigree Notes
Dubai Mile is the ninth foal and scorer produced by stakes-winning G1 Pretty Polly S. runner-up Beach Bunny (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}), herself the leading performer out of an unraced half-sister to G1 1000 Guineas heroine Miss France (Ire) (Dansili {GB}). Beach Bunny is kin to the dam of G3 Grosser Preis von Lotto Hamburg victor King David (Den) (Elusive City). The March-foaled chestnut is kin to stakes-winning dual Group 3 placegetter Naadirr (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), Listed Naas Fillies Sprint victrix Beach Belle (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and a weanling colt by Sottsass (Fr). Beach Belle, in turn, is the dam of Listed King Charles II S. winner Surf Dancer (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}).

Saturday, Saint-Cloud, France
CRITERIUM DE SAINT-CLOUD-G1, €250,000, Saint-Cloud, 10-22, 2yo, c/f, 10fT, 2:20.57, hy.
1–DUBAI MILE (IRE), 126, c, 2, by Roaring Lion
1st Dam: Beach Bunny (Ire) (SW & G1SP-Ire, $263,884), by High Chaparral (Ire)
2nd Dam: Miss Hawai (Fr), by Peintre Celebre
3rd Dam: Miss Tahiti (Ire), by Tirol (Ire)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN; 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (€20,000 Ylg '21 GOFOR). O-Ahmad Al Shaikh; B-Skymarc Farm (IRE); T-Charlie & Mark Johnston; J-Daniel Muscutt. €142,850. Lifetime Record: GSP-Eng, 5-3-1-0, €184,225. *1/2 to Naadirr (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), MSW & GSP-Eng, GSP-Ity, $307,838; and Beach Belle (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), SW-Ire. Werk Nick Rating: F. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Arrest (Ire), 126, c, 2, Frankel (GB)–Nisriyna (Ire), by Intikhab. 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (€440,000 Wlg '20 GOFNOV). O-Juddmonte; B-Swordlestown Little (IRE); T-John & Thady Gosden. €57,150.
3–Adelaide River (Ire), 126, c, 2, Australia (GB)–Could It Be Love, by War Front. 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O-Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Westerberg; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €28,575.
Margins: HD, 6, NK. Odds: 4.90, 2.30, 3.50.
Also Ran: Gan Teorainn (Ire), Sylphid (GB), Cite d'Or (Fr), Ndaawi (GB), Covent Garden (Ire), Strako (Fr). Video, sponsored by TVG.

 

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Churchill’s The Foxes Wins The Royal Lodge

Just minutes after the fellow Listed Chesham S. flop Crypto Force (GB) (Time Test {GB}) had caused an upset in the G2 Beresford S., King Power's The Foxes (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) did the same in Newmarket's G2 Juddmonte Royal Lodge S. , a “Win And You're In” for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland in November. Only ninth in that June 18 Royal Ascot contest, the Andrew Balding-trained 440,000gns Book 1 graduate had come back to break his maiden in a Goodwood maiden also over seven furlongs July 30 and raised his game upped to a mile here. Comfortable sitting last of the quartet despite the moderate pace set by Dubai Mile (Ire) (Roaring Lion), the 17-2 shot was delivered against the far rail by David Probert to gain the edge inside the final furlong and beat the long-time leader by half a length, with the disappointing 2-7 favourite Flying Honours (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) only third, a short head away.

 

“He's matured really well this horse–both mentally and physically. He got into a lovely rhythm and handled the undulations quite well today,” Probert said of the winner who gets his title from the nickname of the Srivaddhanaprabha family's Premier League club Leicester City. “This name was always saved for a special one and they have got one. He's got a lovely temperament and the way he has galloped out today, it won't be a problem going up in trip. He's just a professional.”

Andrew Balding added, “We thought they would go a stronger gallop than that, so he has done very well to come from that position and get the job done. For King Power, we are trying to get them as many chances at Royal Ascot as we could, so we slightly rushed his programme but we always thought highly of him and had to re-group. He has an entry in the Futurity Trophy, but I think he is a horse that will go on and I'd prefer to wait until next year. Where Epsom is concerned, his brother was better over a mile and a quarter than a mile and a half, but that is something we will find out over time.”

Charlie Johnston revealed that Dubai Mile could run again in 2022. “He is still very green. He has won two novices convincingly, but he has not been in the heat of the battle. It was only when the horses came to him that he engaged into top gear. I'm sure people will pick holes in the form, but I think time will tell it was a good race. He is in the Vertem Futurity Trophy and I wouldn't rule that. He could go to the mile-and-a-quarter group one in France and I'd expect we will roll the dice in one or the other.”

The Foxes (Ire) becomes the fifth group winner for his sire and the sixth black-type winner for the stellar producer Tanaghum (GB) (Darshaan {GB}), whose previous best are the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 winner Matterhorn (Ire) (Raven's Pass), this stable's G2 York S. scorer Bangkok (Ire) (Australia {GB}) and the G3 Curragh Cup winner Tactic (GB) (Sadler's Wells). Also responsible for Churchill's Listed Her Majesty's Plate-winning 3-year-old Ballydoyle resident Perotan (Ire), she is the second dam of the four-times group 1-winning star miler and sire Ribchester (Ire) and this year's G2 Vintage S. winner Marbaan (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}).

The second dam Mehthaaf (Nureyev), who landed the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas, is kin to the G1 July Cup hero Elnadim (Danzig) and to Only Seule (Lyphard), who produced the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest and G1 Prix de la Foret heroine Occupandiste (Ire) (Kaldoun {Fr}). She is in turn the dam of the GI Arlington Million hero Mondialiste (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and is the second dam of Galileo's G1 Prix du Jockey Club-winning sire Intello (Ger). Tanaghum's filly foal is a full-sister to The Foxes.

Saturday, Newmarket, Britain
JUDDMONTE ROYAL LODGE S.-G2, £125,000, Newmarket, 9-24, 2yo, c/g, 8fT, 1:43.66, gd.
1–THE FOXES (IRE), 128, c, 2, by Churchill (Ire)
     1st Dam: Tanaghum (GB) (SP-Eng), by Darshaan (GB)
     2nd Dam: Mehthaaf, by Nureyev
     3rd Dam: Elle Seule, by Exclusive Native
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GROUP WIN. (440,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-King Power Racing Co Ltd; B-Barronstown Stud (IRE); T-Andrew Balding; J-David Probert. £70,888. Lifetime Record: 4-2-0-0, $96,445. *1/2 to Tactic (GB) (Sadler's Wells), GSW-Ire, SW & GSP-Eng, $142,213; to Bangkok (Ire) (Australia {GB}), MGSW-Eng, SP-Qa, $926,107; to Yaazy (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), SW & MGSP-Fr; & to Matterhorn (Ire) (Raven's Pass), G1SW-UAE, SW & MGSP-Eng, GSP-Ire, $780,089. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Dubai Mile (Ire), 128, c, 2, Roaring Lion–Beach Bunny (Ire), by High Chaparral (Ire).
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€20,000 Ylg '21 GOFOR). O-Ahmad Al Shaikh; B-Skymarc Farm (IRE); T-Charlie & Mark Johnston. £26,875.
3–Flying Honours (GB), 128, c, 2, Sea The Stars (Ire)–Powder Snow, by Dubawi (Ire).
1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby. £13,450.
Margins: HF, SHD, 3/4. Odds: 8.50, 16.00, 0.29.
Also Ran: Greenland (Ire).

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