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Taking Stock: Country Grammer Boosts Tonalist

Before the G1 Dubai World Cup, Country Grammer (Tonalist) was already a Grade l winner in North America, but that race that he won on May 31, 2021, the Gl Hollywood Gold Cup S. at Santa Anita, was worth only $180,000 to the winner.

Since then, Country Grammer has made only two starts, both abroad and both fruitful: he was second in the G1 Saudi Cup, a $20-million race in Riyadh on Feb. 26, earning $3.5 million; and he won the $12-million Dubai World Cup Saturday, collecting almost $7 million, giving the strapping colt who races for the partnership of Zedan Racing, WinStar and Commonwealth Thoroughbreds total earnings of $10,837,320.

Country Grammer's prize money from the Middle East has catapulted his Lane's End-based sire Tonalist from the back of the field to second place on North America's general sires list with year-to-date progeny earnings of $11,772,495, behind leader and fellow Lane's End sire Quality Road's $13,392,856. Quality Road himself was the beneficiary of a $10-million Middle Eastern boost, as it was his son Emblem Road who won the Saudi Cup from Country Grammer.

For context, Spendthrift's mighty Into Mischief, the leading sire of 2019, 2020, and 2021, sits in third place at the moment with progeny earnings of $6,779,549.

Quality Road and Into Mischief are top-class stallions and are fully booked; the former stands for $150,000 and the latter for $250,000. Tonalist, in contrast, isn't a proven horse, has only three crops racing (not including current 2-year-olds), and has a modest $10,000 fee this year, so he stands to benefit the most from the accumulated earnings of Country Grammer with half the breeding season still ahead of him.

In light of Country Grammer's exploits, a re-examination of Tonalist reveals a horse with impeccable credentials and one who has potential to separate himself from others standing in his fee range. For one, he's a son of the outstanding Tapit, who is establishing himself as a sire maker, notably with Constitution; he's a Classic winner at 12 furlongs (Gl Belmont S.) who also won Grade l races at 10 furlongs (Jockey Club Gold Cup) and eight furlongs (Cigar Mile); he's a standout physical specimen with significant scope and size, attributes he's clearly passed on to 5-year-old Country Grammer, a member of his first crop; and he's from the immediate family of Horse of the Year Havre de Grace, which is to say from the blue-blooded Toll Booth branch of Missy Baba, his fourth dam and also the fourth dam of A.P. Indy. Because Tapit is an A.P Indy-line sire, inbreeding to Missy Baba lurks in the background of Tonalist, too.

Essentially, Tonalist ticks every box, except for perhaps early maturity, and he is the sire of eight black-type winners so far through his first three crops. Among them is the good first-crop filly Tonalist's Shape, who won her first five starts from late September at two to late February at three, when she took the Gll Davona Dale S. at Gulfstream. It's worth noting that both she and Country Grammer are bred on the potent Tapit/Storm Cat cross.

Country Grammer

The type of horse that Country Grammer has developed into is exactly what you'd expect from Tonalist, and this could actually benefit the stallion moving forward. Early maturity, which is prized at 2-year-old sales, isn't exactly what Tonalist is about–he only made one start at two himself and was unplaced, though Country Grammer did sell and win at two. But Tonalist does have the potential to deliver a late fall 2-year-old or an early spring 3-year-old with the potential of staying 10 furlongs, which is what's increasingly sought after these days as the most promising Classics contenders' schedules are delayed to coincide with the high-points races for the Gl Kentucky Derby that are held in March and April. And continued development through four and five can have its own lucrative benefits these days, as Country Grammer has so aptly shown.

Bred by Scott and Debbie Pierce at their Omega Farm in Kentucky, Country Grammer was a $60,000 Keeneland September yearling and a $450,000 OBS April 2-year-old. He made his debut as an October 2-year-old at Belmont at a mile for trainer Chad Brown and owner Paul Pompa Jr., running fourth. He returned at Aqueduct in November to win his next start, a 9-furlong maiden special, which is as far as 2-year-olds are asked to run in North America and a strong indicator that 10 furlongs would be well within reach at three and beyond.

Aside from Tonalist, Country Grammer's pedigree contains some internal structural elements that indicated this as well. For instance, he is inbred 3×4 to Pleasant Colony and 5×5 to Nijinsky –two strong markers for stamina in pedigrees.

Moreover, his tail-female line goes back to filly Triple Crown winner Chris Evert, Country Grammer's fifth dam; Chris Evert won the GI Coaching Club American Oaks back in 1974 when that race was contested at 12 furlongs and held more prestige than the now-Gl Kentucky Oaks, which was a Grade ll race at that time at a mile and a sixteenth.

Juddmonte got into this family when it purchased Chris Evert's Nijinsky daughter Nijinsky Star–Country Grammer's fourth dam–for $700,000 at Keeneland November in 1987, carrying a foal by Conquistador Cielo, and the internationally renowned farm shaped this branch of Chris Evert that leads to Country Grammer.

This family includes, among others, the Juddmonte multiple Grade l winners Sightseek, by Distant View, and Tates Creek, by Rahy, both fillies produced from the Nureyev stakes winner Viviana, a daughter of Nijinsky Star.

Viviana is a full sister to Willstar, Country Grammer's third dam. Like Viviana, Willstar also produced a highest-level filly for Juddmonte in G1 Prix de la Foret winner Etoile Montante, a daughter of Miswaki. Also like Viviana, Willstar was mated to Juddmonte homebred Distant View, producing Prima Centauri, Country Grammer's second dam and a mare that's closely related to the aforementioned Sightseek.

Prima Centauri, unplaced in two starts, was culled by Juddmonte in 2001 and eventually came into the hands of Dixiana, which paid $270,000 for her at Keeneland November in 2005. She was carrying a colt by Forestry, who must have physically impressed Dixiana as a weanling, because the mare was bred back to Forestry in 2007, producing Arabian Song, Country Grammer's dam, in 2008.

The Forestry full brother to Arabian Song made $425,000 as a Keeneland September yearling but never raced. Arabian Song sold for only $40,000 at Keeneland September to Rabbah Bloodstock, but won one race from six starts, a $40,000 maiden claimer at Churchill.

The Pierces acquired Arabian Song after her racing career and bred her first five foals. Among them is the 4-year-old Runhappy Grade lll-placed filly Joyful Cadence, who'd sold for $90,000 as a weanling at Keeneland November in 2018 before making $235,000 as a yearling at Keeneland the next September. The Pierces also sold Arabian Song, in foal to Wicked Strong, at Keeneland November in 2018 for $5,000, to Abdul Aziz Al-Ateeqi, who sent the mare to Saudi Arabia. The Wicked Strong foal is a 3-year-old filly named Gharz (KSA), who is placed in four starts.

Country Grammer Ownership

The topsy-turvy auction history and ownership changes of this immediate family that include Saudi Arabian involvement extend to Country Grammer as well.

After Pompa died in October of 2020, his stock was dispersed at Keeneland January in 2021. Country Grammer, who, as noted earlier, had sold for $450,000 as a 2-year-old, had gone on to win the Glll Peter Pan S. at three and was among those in the sale. Elliott Walden, president and CEO of WinStar, knew of the colt's talents as he'd been in training at the farm, and he was able to surprisingly purchase the colt for the bargain price of $110,000 at the dispersal.

Sent to Bob Baffert, who'd trained Justify for WinStar and partners and had Into Mischief's Life Is Good as the 3-year-old stable star for WinStar and CHC Inc., Country Grammer blossomed last year to win the Hollywood Gold Cup S.

However, both Country Grammer and Life Is Good were transferred later to Todd Pletcher after “Bob got in the penalty box” after the Medina Spirit controversy at Churchill, Walden explained by phone Monday, after arriving in Miami from Dubai. Walden said that Country Grammer was unable to start for Pletcher, however, after sustaining a minor ankle injury and was sent back to WinStar to recover. He was then sent back to Baffert.

Somewhere around this time the colt's ownership changed as well. First Commonwealth, which sells microshares in horses, purchased 30% of Country Grammer, leaving WinStar a 70% stake, until Saudi Arabian Amr Zedan offered to buy the entire horse.

“Amr Zedan is great for the industry and so easy to deal with,” Walden said. “He just told us to put a price on the horse, and we agreed to sell 50% of the horse to him, so we–WinStar and Commonwealth–paired down our interests to bring him aboard.”

And the rest is interesting history. Flying the same Zedan silks as Medina Spirit, Country Grammer gave Amr Zedan some revenge on Life Is Good–the same colt Medina Spirit had chased early in his career.

Sid Fernando is president and CEO of Werk Thoroughbred Consultants, Inc., originator of the Werk Nick Rating and eNicks.

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Shahryar Fends Off Yibir To Take Sheema Classic

Of the eight races for Thoroughbreds on the $30.5-million Dubai World Cup night, five of them went to horses owned, bred, and trained in Japan. Granted, $5-million G1 Dubai Turf winner Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) had to share his victory with His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed Racing's now-dual Turf hero Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), but that is cold comfort to other countries, who struggled to get near the winner's circle.

The night started out in much the same fashion as the Saudi Cup card in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 26 where Japan went four-for-six, with a Japanese victory, as Bathrat Leon (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) won the $1-million G2 Godolphin Mile, the second race on the card. Japan's G3 Longines Red Sea Turf H. victor Stay Foolish (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}) used his Saudi prep as a springboard to G2 Dubai Gold Cup honours, and it was only in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint that the Japanese contingent drew a top-three blank, as A Case Of You (Ire) (Hot Streak {Ire}) surged away to win by 1 1/4 lengths, putting Ireland on the board.

Back on dirt, Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}) punched his ticket for the GI Kentucky Derby with a 2 3/4-length score in the G2 UAE Derby. Red Le Zele (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), second in the 2021 G1 Golden Shaheen, once again completed the exacta in this year's version, as Speightstown ironhorse Switzerland belied his years for a cozy triumph. After Panthalassa's tie with Lord North, Authority (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), who had also taken a Group 3 in Riyadh on Saudi Cup day, charged around the course in front for much of the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic, but as he gave way, countryman Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) took over to lift the evening's biggest turf prize, fending off GI Breeders' Cup Turf winner Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) by a neck. Although the G1 Dubai World Cup went to Country Grammer (Tonalist), Japan still picked up some prizemoney, as the 2021 runner-up Chuwa Wizard (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) reported home third to cap a red-letter day for the island nation.

The Japanese have been aggressively upgrading their country's bloodstock from the highest tier of international racing and breeding prospects for several decades. They have now been well-rewarded on the world stage.

'Shah'king up the World Order

Already a winner of the G1 Japanese Derby, Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was one of five horses to represent his country in the $5-million G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic on Saturday. Just 2:26.88 seconds after the gates flew, he became the fourth Japanese winner of the 2410-metre turf showpiece and fifth individual scorer on the night for Japan, which has enjoyed some stellar performances around the world in the past few months. Stay Gold (Jpn) (Sunday Silence) landed the 2001 edition, and fellow top sire Heart's Cry (Jpn) (Sunday Silence) stamped his name on the trophy in 2006. The final former winner was international wondermare Gentildonna (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who accomplished that feat in 2014.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) was only a neck back in second, a half-length to the good of the pacesetting Authority (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), who denied Group 1 winner Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) by a short head.

Once the gates flew, Authority steamed up to take command, with Shahryar in that foe's slipstream and Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}) sitting third. Pyledriver was also tucked in an ideal position hugging the fence a few lengths off of the leaders. For The Top (Arg) (Equal Stripes {Arg}) perched just off the inside behind the leader and Yibir raced dead last.

Freewheeling and in a relaxed rhythm on the front end, Authority entered the backstretch with the field well strung out behind him. For The Top kept Authority honest in the vanguard as the pack neared the final bend, and Burgas (Tur) (King David) launched a middle move, three deep.

A gap opened inside the final 500 metres, and pilot Cristian Demuro quickly gave Shahryar his cue. Poised to pounce with less than a quarter mile to travel, Shahryar let down strongly and began to eat into Authority's lead. Yibir, meanwhile, was winding up out in the centre of the course and what had appeared an impossible task, to get the boys in blue a winner on the night, suddenly seemed highly likely. Right as Shahryar grabbed the baton from Authority at the furlong grounds, the Godolphin runner unleashed a furious rally.

The Classic hero finally subdued a stubborn Authority and had enough left in the tank to just hold off an indomitable Yibir. It was very tight for third, with Pyledriver giving a good account of himself, but just losing out to the pacesetter.

Winning trainer Hideaki Fujiwara, who had saddled Vin De Garde (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) to a third-place finish in the G1 Dubai Turf one race earlier on the card, said, “This horse was a winner of the Tokyo Yushun, the Japanese Derby, and that is as good a race as we have in Japan. I was confident that he wasn't going to lose.

“It's very normal for him to get on his toes before he races so I wasn't too concerned and I had full faith in Cristian [Demuro] to handle the horse and take care of him during the race.”

Europe's greatest weight-for-age race, the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, at the beginning of October, is now the aim for the Sheema Classic scorer.

Added Fujiwara, “It would be a dream for me to take this horse to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. It is the race we want to win and it would mean so much to be able to take him there. That is our ambition and our aim.

“It has been a great night for Japan and a great night for our stable with a first and a third. I am so proud of our horses.”

Said Demuro, “Before the race, I knew I wanted to be behind Authority as I knew he would lead. We were able to get a nice position just behind him on the rail and when I pulled my horse out in the straight I knew he was going to win.

“For a moment he was a little lost in front, but we felt Yibir coming and I always believed we were going to get there.

“It is amazing to win a race like this. Amazing also to win on a Japanese horse. They are showing they are the best in the world.”

William Muir, trainer of Pyledriver, said, “He's run a great race, travelled powerfully but probably didn't get all the luck in running, but I can't complain. I'm delighted for the horse and the owners and I'm looking forward to the season ahead back home.”

“It was a super run and he didn't get the splits at the crucial moments, but I'm very happy with him,” said pilot Frankie Dettori of the 2021 G1 Coronation Cup hero.

Lightly raced, Shahryar was a debut winner in October of his 2-year-old year, and returned at three to take third in the G3 Kyodo News Hai (Tokinominoru Kinen) on Valentine's Day in 2021. The G3 Mainichi Hai went his way going 1800 metres on firm turf that March, and he bested eventual Japanese Horse of the Year Efforia (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) by a nose in the 2400-metre G1 Japanese Derby on May 30. Given a break, he returned to be fourth to Stella Veloce (Jpn) (Bago {Fr}) in the G2 Kobe Shimbun Hai at Chukyo on Sept. 26, and his final start prior to his Dubaian heroics was a third to Japanese Triple Crown Winner Contrail (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the Nov. 28 G1 Japan Cup.

Pedigree Notes

The legendary Deep Impact's influence is still front and centre in Japanese bloodlines, and the winner is one of 54 Group 1 winners from the late Shadai kingpin. Shahryar is the second winner of the race after his paternal half-sibling Gentildonna (Jpn), who scored in 2014. Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was third in 2021, and Last Impact (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) also filled that spot in the 2016 edition. Through Saturday, the son of GI Kentucky Derby hero Sunday Silence is responsible for 184 black-type winners, with 147 of them in group company.

Broodmare sire Essence of Dubai, best known as the winner of the GII Super Derby, GII Norfolk S. and the 2002 versions of the G2 UAE Derby and G3 UAE 2000 Guineas, has three black-type winners to his credit, as well as the graded-placed Unbridled Daddy (Scat Daddy).

Shahryar, one of five winners for his dam, is a full-brother to dual Group 1 winner and fellow Classic winner Al Ain (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who won the Japanese 2000 Guineas in 2017. The duo are out of the 2010 Eclipse Champion Female Sprinter Dubai Majesty (Essence of Dubai), who struck in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint that same year. She was knocked down for a cool $1.1 million to Katsumi Yoshida at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale and sent to Japan. The dam's latest foal is a yearling colt by Duramente (Jpn), and she was covered by Real Steel (Jpn) last spring.

Saturday, Meydan, Dubai
LONGINES DUBAI SHEEMA CLASSIC-G1, $6,000,000, Meydan, 3-26, 3yo/up, 12f 11yT, 2:26.88, gd.
1–SHAHRYAR (JPN), 125, c, 4, by Deep Impact (Jpn)
                1st Dam: Dubai Majesty (Ch. Female Sprinter-US, GISW-US,
                                $1,509,243), by Essence of Dubai
                2nd Dam: Great Majesty, by Great Above
                3rd Dam: Mistic Majesty, by His Majesty
O-Sunday Racing Co Ltd; B-Northern Farm (JPN); T-Hideaki
Fujiwara; J-Cristian Demuro. $3,480,000. Lifetime Record:
GISW-Jpn, 7-4-0-2, $6,802,660. *Full to Al Ain (Jpn) (Deep
Impact {Jpn}), MG1SW-Jpn, $4,749,430. Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A+++.
*Triple Plus*.
2–Yibir (GB), 125, g, 4, Dubawi (Ire)–Rumh (Ger), by Monsun
(Ger). O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby. $1,200,000.
3–Authority (Jpn), 126, h, 5, Orfevre (Jpn)–Rosalind (Jpn), by
Symboli Kris S. O-Silk Racing Co Ltd; B-Northern Farm (JPN);
T-Tetsuya Kimura. $600,000.
Margins: NK, HF, SHD.
Also Ran: Pyledriver (GB), Uberleben (Jpn), Alenquer (Fr), Hukum (Ire), Glory Vase (Jpn), Stella Veloce (Jpn), Dubai Honour (Ire), Dubai Future (GB), Without a Fight (Ire), Kaspar (Ger), Burgas (Tur), For the Top (Arg). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Life Is Good The Main Man at Meydan

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — In a Thursday morning presser at Meydan Racecourse, Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher suggested that a good deal of the allure of running in a race like the G1 Dubai World Cup is that it brings together a smorgasbord of horses from a variety of jurisdictions with patriotic pride at play.

“I think part of it is the international competition aspect of it,” he offered. “I said this when Coal Front (Stay Thirsty) won the [G2 Godolphin] Mile [in 2019], it almost takes on an Olympic-type feel and when the announcer says, 'Coal Front is winning for the US,' it's a great feeling.”

Indeed, Saturday's 26th running of the 2000-metre event has attracted 10-furlong gallopers representing no fewer than five countries, including a quartet of runners from the United States that is topped by the outstanding 'TDN Rising Star' Life Is Good (Into Mischief).

The $525,000 Keeneland September purchase has tasted defeat just once in his eight career trips to the races, a desperately unlucky second to champion Jackie's Warrior (Maclean's Music) in the seven-furlong GI H. Allen Jerkens S. in August being his lone blemish. A victory Saturday makes him a top-level winner at eight (Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile), nine (Pegasus World Cup Invitational) and 10 furlongs, an accomplishment not many horses can boast of.

Pletcher said, “He's a remarkable horse in that there are a few horses that have that ability where, if you were looking at the Breeders' Cup card–if he were to run in the Sprint, he'd probably be favored, he could run in the Dirt Mile and be favored and if things go well from here, he could run in the Classic and be favored. He's just one of those horses that can go super fast and keep going. I don't think I've had one better than him.”

Pletcher admits that Saturday's trip is the great unknown, and while he said that connections are 'optimistic' the colt will continue to stretch out, there are many in the field with already proven form over the 10 furlongs. One of those is his compatriot Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow), the GI Pennsylvania Derby winner who placed in the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont S. and shipped to Dubai early to swamp his rivals in the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 going 100 metres shorter Feb. 5. He'll not be far away in the run and will attempt to outstay Life Is Good, whom he has yet to face.

Hot Rod Charlie knows Midnight Bourbon (Tiznow) all too well, having beaten him in the Keystone State after causing the Steve Asmussen trainee to go to his knees in the GI Haskell Invitational S. six weeks prior. The latter arrived here from Saudi Arabia off a good third in the G1 Saudi Cup Feb. 26, where he finished 1 1/2 lengths behind the second-placed Country Grammer (Tonalist), whose three starts for Bob Baffert includes a narrow success in the GI Hollywood Gold Cup. A win from him would give trainer Baffert a fourth World Cup, still well short of the nine won by trainer Saeed bin Suroor.

The Rest of the World…

Four other countries are represented in this year's World Cup, including last year's second- and third-place finishers. Chuwa Wizard (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) flies the Japanese flag and got the ideal prep for this when rolling home by four lengths in the Feb. 2 Listed Kawasaki Kinen, while the dirt-bred, French-based Magny Cours (Medaglia d'Oro) is one of two in the race for Godolphin. He will need to return to last year's form to be any sort of a factor, having finished well down the field in Riyadh four weeks ago.

Among those based locally, Bin Suroor had an option for the G1 Dubai Turf with Real World (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), but rolls the dice in the big race, despite a nil-for-five record on dirt. Hypothetical (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), by contrast, has won four of his nine starts on the main track, including an all-the-way defeat of Remorse (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 on Super Saturday Mar. 5. The waters are considerably deeper on this particular Saturday.

Brazilian-bred, but Uruguay-based Aero Trem (Brz) (Shanghai Bobby), last year's winner of the G1 GP Latinoamericano over his home track at Maronas in Montevideo, covered himself in glory in his first start in these parts, running on well to fill fifth spot in the Saudi Cup. The slightly longer World Cup trip figures to suit him right down to the ground.

Grocer Jack (Ger) (Oasis Dream {GB}) was withdrawn from the World Cup Thursday evening.

Japan Sets The Standard in Sheema Classic

by Heather Anderson

Japan has brought their largest team ever assembled for the $30.5-million 2022 Dubai World Cup night, and are aiming to add a Dubaian treasure chest to their international haul after their initial Breeders' Cup victories last autumn continued during the Longines Hong Kong International Races and culminated with sweeping four of the six group races on the lucrative $20-million G1 Saudi Cup undercard on Feb. 26.

The $6-million G1 Dubai Sheema Classic over 2410 metres on turf sees five of the 23-strong Japanese contingent signed on and sees the country attempt to take their fourth Sheema, after future Group 1 winners Chrono Genesis (Jpn) (Bago {Fr}) and Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) were second, and third, respectively, in 2021. There is no shortage of quality, either, as three of the quintet are Group 1 winners.

Based on ratings, the dual G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase victor Glory Vase (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) is a full two pounds ahead of the remainder of the 15-horse field, and he will have every opportunity to improve his record, as he has been off since taking the Vase over G1 Coronation Cup scorer Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) on Dec. 12. However, the 7-year-old entire, who leaves from stall six with Christophe Soumillon in the irons, does not bear the first colours of Silk Racing Co., Ltd, with that honour going to Authority (Jpn).

A son of the quirky dual G1 Prix de l'Arc de Tromphe second Orfevre (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}), the 5-year-old is a triple Group 2 winner in his native land. He ran second in Japanese Triple Crown winner Contrail (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn})'s 2021 G1 Japan Cup in November, with Sunday Racing's re-opposing 2021 G1 Japanese Derby scorer Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) third that day. Sent to Riyadh for Saudi Cup Day, the bay didn't disappoint, running out a 1 1/4-length winner over German Group 2 scorer Kaspar (Ger) (Pivotal {GB}) in the G3 Neom Turf Cup going 2100 metres on Feb. 26 and Christophe Lemaire is at the controls from gate 10.

“This is tough compared to Saudi Arabia but I am honoured to compete against so many trainers that I admire,” said Authority's trainer Tetsuya Kimura.

William Muir trainee Pyledriver was a distant 11th in that contest after racing wide without cover for much of the running. Pyledriver's regular pilot Martin Dwyer is on the injured list, so the La Pyle Partnership has opted for three-time Sheema Classic-winning reinsman Frankie Dettori.

Yet another Japanese Classic winner lining up in the Sheema is Thoroughbred Club Ruffian Co. Ltd.'s 2021 G1 Japanese Oaks heroine Uberleben (Jpn) (Gold Ship {Jpn}). The quintet of challengers is completed by the dual Japanese Classic-placed Stella Veloce (Jpn), a son of the 2005 Arc winner Bago (Fr), for owner Tsuyoshi Ono.

Godolphin's GI Breeders' Cup Turf scorer Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is an admittedly tough customer, according to trainer Charlie Appleby. However, if the chestnut brings his A-game, he poses the greatest threat to a Japanese processional. American champion turf male for 2021, he captured the Jockey Club Derby Invitational S. at Belmont Park in September prior to his Breeders' Cup heroics at Del Mar, where he was overeager and under a tight hold through the early stages of the race while well back in the pack, before swooping past the field in dramatic fashion to win by a measured half-length under William Buick. Buick remains aboard the chestnut who breaks from stall 12.

“The biggest danger to Yibir is himself,” said the British champion trainer. “He could pull like a train and do everything the wrong away round, or he could do what he did in America, when he pulled but they went a good gallop and he still won. It's credit to the horse and to William that they won the race.”

G3 Winter Derby victor Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}) makes his first foray to Meydan, and he is one of two in the race for trainer William Haggas. Second to 2021 Sheema Classic winner Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) in the G1 Juddmonte International S., the 4-year-old is joined by Group 2 winner Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}), who was runner-up in the G1 Champion S. in October. The last-named gelding is another to finish behind Loves Only You in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup.

“It's a strong race but he's a nice horse,” the trainer said of Alenquer. “He surprised me in the Classic Trial at Sandown when defeating a very strong field, but he's gone on to win easily at Royal Ascot and finish second in the International S. at York.

“He's gone from strength to strength, winning two Group 2 races in France and finishing second in the Champion S.,” Haggas continued. “It's his first time over a mile and a half and I'm not sure about the ground for him. He needs cut in the ground, but he did run a very solid race in December at Sha Tin. He was fourth and finished good in a strong race so we'll see.”

Owen Burrows sends out Hukum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the blue and white silks of Shadwell. He is fresh off of a gritty win over Simon Crisford's Without A Fight (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) in the G2 Dubai City of Gold on Super Saturday.

Defending Champ Lord North Faces Stiff Challenge

By Bob Nastanovich

Originally known as the Dubai Duty Free from 1996 to 2014, the $5-million G1 Dubai Turf has a distinguished roll of former winners, including foreign invaders like French-based globetrotters Jim and Tonic (Fr) (Double Bed {Fr} and Solow (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) in 2001 and 2015 respectively, Zimbabwean superstar mare Ipi Tombe (Zim) (Manshood {GB}) in 2003 and the legendary Japanese mare Almond Eye (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) in 2019.

Unquestionably, strength in depth and international flare is a profound aspect of this year's field of 15. Last year's winner Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), trained by John and Thady Gosden, has only raced once since his 2021 triumph here mainly due to a throat infection. Prepping for this engagement, he ran an encouraging second behind the William Haggas-trained Alenquer (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}), a fancied runner in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic, in Lingfield Park's G3 Winter Derby S. on Feb. 26.

Haggas has tapped the 4-year-old colt Mohaafeth (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and the 5-year-old gelding My Oberon (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) for the Dubai Turf. Mohaafeth will welcome the turn back in distance after tiring when fourth in his last race, the G1 Juddmonte International. Earlier this week, Haggas spoke candidly about Mohaafeth's biggest change leading up to his 2022 debut. He said, “When he was purchased, he was a rig– meaning they only have one descended testicle–and we didn't think in his last races he was running as well as he possibly should have. We investigated and decided to take it out. He's got one less excuse now.”

Perhaps the horse to beat is the lightly raced Japanese star miler Schnell Meister (Ger) (Kingman {GB}), a Takahisu Tezuka trainee ridden by the 'now jockey' on the international stage Christophe Lemaire, who was victorious in four races on the G1 Saudi Cup undercard. Under Lemaire, Schnell Meister, a talented and reliable colt, led home a memorable 1-2-3 for his powerful owners Sunday Racing Co. Ltd. in last May's G1 NHK Mile Cup in Tokyo.

Dr. Schivel Looks To Strike Gold in Shaheen

The U.S. contingent of sprinters offers strong representation in Saturday's G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, led by the early favorite Dr. Schivel (Violence). Victorious in the GI Del Mar Futurity at two, the colt returned at three to add a win in the GI Bing Crosby S. at that seaside venue before adding a score in the GII Santa Anita Sprint Championship at Santa Anita in October. Well supported in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint the following month, he was caught late by Aloha West and had to settle for second. Given one more try before wrapping up for the season, he encountered his share of difficulties during the course of the Dec. 26 GI Runhappy Malibu S., finishing a well-beaten seventh. In his latest work at Santa Anita before departing his California base, Dr. Schivel completed five furlongs in a bullet :58 3/5 (1/44) Mar. 12.

“He's a real laid-back horse, he takes everything in his stride,” said California-based trainer Mark Glatt. “He's all class. You never know how a horse might ship, especially this far. He seems to have made it very well. He bounced right over the track in his gallop this morning, he had a really nice workout.”

Drawn in post 9, the bay will be rejoined by Flavien Prat, aboard for his two Grade I wins.

“Depending upon what they are doing on the front end, our rider…will be able to choose what he wants to do,” said Glatt. “He will be able to see the majority of the field in the early stages. Our horse has gone wire-to-wire in the past and also come from four or five lengths out of it. We trust Flavien. He's ridden the horse magnificently every time and we expect he will make the right decisions.”

Also representing Team USA is another Grade I winner, Drain the Clock (Maclean's Music). The winner of last year's GIII Swale S. and GIII Bay Shore S., he recorded his most important win to date in the June 5 GI Woody Stephens S., besting subsequent Eclipse champion sprinter Jackie's Warrior (Maclean's Music) in the process. In his sole start this season, he finished a neck back in second in the Gulfstream Park Sprint Feb. 19.

Riding a two-race win streak, Meraas (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) has shown a distinct preference for the venue and the surface. An easy 4 3/4-length winner going six furlongs at Meydan Dec. 23, the gelding had to work harder in his latest but was still good enough to finish on top in the Feb. 11 G3 Al Shindagha Sprint.

Red le Zele (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), runner up in this race in 2021, will try to go one better this season. Winner of the valuable JBC Sprint at Kanazawa in November, the 6-year-old kicked off this season with a sixth as the favourite behind Cafe Pharoah (American Pharoah) in the G1 February S. at Tokyo Feb. 20.

Eastern World (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) has proven uninspiring in most of last season, but turned things around to win while dropping back to six furlongs for the first time to cause a major upset in the Mar. 5 G3 Mahab Al Shimaal.

Godolphin Well Represented in Al Quoz

Godolphin sends postward a quartet of runners for this year's renewal of the $1.5-million G1 Al Quoz Sprint, headed by the Charlie Appleby-trained pair of Man of Promise (Into Mischief), undefeated in a pair of starts this season, and Creative Force (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).

Three for five at Meydan, the former comes into the race riding a two-race win streak, including an eyecatching, 4 3/4-length victory in the G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint at this venue Mar. 5. He will be ridden by William Buick, aboard for all four of his lifetime wins. His Irish-bred stablemate makes his 2022 debut following a victory in Ascot's G1 British Champions Sprint S. in October. In 2021, the chestnut also won the G3 Jersey S. in addition to finishing runner- up in the G2 Lennox S. at Goodwood. Also suiting up for the Boys in Blue are MGSP Naval Crown (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), also trained by Appleby and winner two back of the G2 Al Fahidi Fort S. over a bit further; and the Saeed bin Suroor-conditioned Mutafawwig (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), second going seven furlongs in two of three starts this term.

Among the U.S.-based runners taking part this year, Casa Creed (Jimmy Creed) is one of three winners at the highest level in this test. Recording a career high in the six-panel GI Jaipur S. at Belmont last June, he finished third in the one-mile

GI Fourstardave H. at Saratoga before finishing off the board in the GIII Turf Sprint and the GI Breeders' Cup Mile at Del Mar in November. He returned off a layoff to finish a close-up second behind Songline (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in the G3 1351 Turf Sprint Cup in Saudi Arabia Feb. 26.

“He has handled everything well. He likes it out here, and takes everything in stride,” said Neil Poznansky, assistant trainer to Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, who has been with Casa Creed throughout his Middle East soujourn.

America is also represented by Get Smokin (Get Stormy), the mount of Flavien Prat who tries a trip this sharp for the first time since finishing third at first asking at Saratoga in August 2019. He was most recently runner-up in defence of his crown in the GII Tampa Bay S. Feb. 5.

A Case of You (Ire) (Hot Streak {Ire}) punched his ticket to last fall's Breeders' GI Cup Turf Sprint with a nose victory over Air de Valse (Fr) (Mesnil des Aigles {Fr}) in ParisLongchamp's G1 Prix de l'Abbaye Oct. 3. Fifth at Del Mar the following month, the 4-year-old rebounded to win when finding easier company at Dundalk in his seasonal return Feb. 11 before finishing second behind Man of Promise last time out in Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint.

Pinehurst Goes For International Double in Derby

by Alan Carasso

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — Pinehurst (Twirling Candy) looks to double up in the desert when he jumps as the likely favorite against some interesting rivals in Saturday's $1.5-million G2 UAE Derby at Meydan Racecourse.

Winner of the GI Runhappy Del Mar Futurity at second asking last September, the $385,000 Keeneland September purchase was fifth to champion stablemate and 'TDN Rising Star' Corniche (Quality Road) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile in November and was runner-up to Forbidden Kingdom (American Pharoah) in the GII San Vicente S. Jan. 29. Ridden for speed last time in the G3 Saudi Derby Feb. 26, he dug in doggedly to withstand a late lunge from Japan's Sekifu (Jpn) (Henny Hughes) and looks to see out this extended trip with an extra three-sixteenths of a mile to negotiate.

The latter is one of four in the race for Japan, successful in this with Lani (Tapit) in 2016. The chestnut narrowly bested Reiwa Homare (Jpn) (Deep Brillante {Jpn}) in a Hanshin allowance in October and defeated Godolphin's Combustion (Jpn)–a son of 2006 UAE Derby hero Discreet Cat–in the Listed Hyogo Junior Grand Prix at Sonoda Nov. 25. Combustion, later the winner of the Listed Hyacinth S. to pick up 30 Kentucky Derby points, was much the best in a Wednesday blowout with World Cup aspirant Chuwa Wizard (Jpn).

Moscow debut winner Azure Coast (Street Sense) looks to remain perfect in four starts here, having gotten just the better of Withering (GB) (Mondialiste {Ire}) in a non-Carnival allowance in December at this track before closing from a mile back in the G3 UAE 2000 Guineas Feb. 11. Runner-up Kiefer (Brz) (Drosselmeyer) returned to be sixth in the Saudi Derby and has since been acquired by Hong Kong connections. Third home in the Guineas was Quality Boone (Arg) (Daniel Boone {Brz}), who franked the form with a victory over Withering in the Listed Al Bastakiya S. on Super Saturday Mar. 5.

Irwin (Brz) (Seek Again) is the Derby X-factor. He is two-for-three on dirt, both at Group 1 level, including a nine-length romp in the Derby Nacional when last seen in November (video). If Timeform ratings are to be believed, he is in the thick of this at a big price.

Limitless 'Ambition' in Godolphin Mile?

by Heather Anderson

Champion trainer-elect Bhupat Seemar saddles a trio in the $1-million G2 Godolphin Mile Sponsored By Nakheel, the first Thoroughbred race on the card. Last year's winner, Secret Ambition (GB) (Exceed And Excel Aus}), is on a recovery mission after his six-length demolition job in 2021. The 9-year-old has only made two starts since his Dubai World Cup night triumph, which resulted in a second-place finish to the re-opposing Golden Goal (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire})-runner-up in the Godolphin Mile last term–in the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 over track and trip on Jan. 14. The 1800-metre $20-million G1 Saudi Cup stretched his stamina reserves too far, and, after leading under pressure, he faded to seventh on Feb. 26. On Saturday he leaves from gate three.

Seemar stablemates Al Nefud (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), second to $12-million G1 Dubai World Cup entrant Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow) in the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 on Feb. 4, and Tuz (Oxbow) also line up. The latter completed the trifecta behind Desert Wisdom (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Doug Watson's Mubakker (Speightstown) in the Mar. 5 G3 Burj Nahaar on Super Saturday.

The omnipresent royal blue of Godolphin is carried by two runners from the Saeed bin Suroor camp, and it is the listed winner Storm Damage (GB) (Night of Thunder {Ire}), who appears to have the most upside. Five-for-seven in his young career, the 4-year-old gelding has serious questions to answer, as this is his first try both on dirt and at the group level. Leaving from gate seven, he's won his last two starts, but both were over the local grass going 1400 metres on Feb. 11 and Mar. 5, respectively.

Group 2 winner Bathrat Leon (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) represents the phenomenally successful trainer Yoshito Yahagi, while Feb. 20 G1 February S. fourth Soliste Thunder (Jpn) (Toby's Corner) flies the flag of trainer Dalsuke Takayanagi. Rounding out the Japanese challenge is Full Flat (Speightstown), who has already displayed his liking for the desert, as he was the winner of the inaugural Saudi Derby for conditioner Hideyuki Mori in 2020.

Snapper Sinclair (City Zip), fourth in the 2021 edition and fellow Steve Asmussen trainee Bankit (Central Banker) have flown in from the States, while the Abdullah Mishriff barn is represented by Great Scot (GB) (Requinto {Ire}), who holds an important formline, as he was only a length behind subsequent Saudi Cup hero Emblem Road (Quality Road) going this trip in Saudi Arabia on Jan. 15.

All Eyes On Unbeaten Manobo in Dubai Gold Cup

By Bob Nastanovich

Since the creation of the Dubai World Cup night concept, which was inaugurated at nearby Nad Al Sheba Racecourse in 1996, the general idea has been to invite the world's best to take on Dubai's best. In large part, Dubai's best have been owned and raced by Godolphin. The $1-million G2 Dubai Gold Cup, a two-mile test on Meydan's turf course, has been won by Godolphin four times including the race's 2019 victor Cross Counter (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}).

The exciting Godolphin-owned, Charlie Appleby-trained Manobo (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) brings an undefeated five-for-five record into this year's Gold Cup and the 4-year-old is still improving judging by his effortless victory in G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy on Feb. 18, his first run over Meydan's turf course.

Appleby, who had a banner year in 2021 culminating with three Breeders' Cup wins, rates Manobo as his best chance of a winner and it is difficult to see beyond the imposing, unexposed gelding in the 13-horse line-up. “We were all delighted with his first run in Dubai, it could not have gone any better,” said Appleby, who also trained Cross Counter.

If looking for a chink in Manobo's armour, he has never been tried at a trip of more than 15 furlongs, the distance he travelled over Longchamp's very soft turf course to win the G2 Prix Chaudenay on Oct. 2. In addition, Appleby also said this week, “I don't think he's a dour stayer, in fact I toyed with running him the G2 Dubai City Of Gold and maybe in time we'll come back in distance with him.”

Manobo's biggest challenge will likely come from the Japanese raider Stay Foolish (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}), a convincing wire-to-wire winner of the Feb. 26 G3 Longines Red Sea H. on the Saudi Cup card. Stay Foolish, who had never raced beyond 12 furlongs previously, relished the added distance on that occasion and drubbed an Irish Group 1 winner Sonnyboyliston (Ire) (Power {GB}) in the process. However, the 7-year-old globetrotter will have to step up further to fend off Manobo in this spot.

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Life Is Good Draws Gate One in Dubai World Cup

WinStar Farm and China Horse Club's Life Is Good (Into Mischief), who won the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational S. in dominating fashion, has drawn gate one in the $12-million G1 Dubai World Cup. The 4-year-old colt is six for seven, with five of his wins at the graded level.

Elliott Walden, president and racing manager of co-owner WinStar Farm said, “It's an 11-horse field. He has enough time to get over, and has enough speed to put himself in a good position. It's been amazing. He has a beautiful way of moving, I think he knows he's special. It is just a blessing to have him. It's a great honour to be favourite. We feel grateful to have him.”

The Todd Pletcher trainee is joined in the starting gate by American compatriots and Grade I winners Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow) in stall seven for Roadrunner, Boat Racing, Strauss & Gainesway and trainer Doug O'Neill; and Bob Baffert's Country Grammer (Tonalist), who runs for Zedan Racing, WinStar and Commonwealth TB, who leaves from gate five.

Leandro Mora, assistant trainer to Doug O'Neill, said, “[We are] very happy. He needs to prove it. We talked about it we wanted any post from one through seven, so we are happy.”

Added Roadrunner Racing's Greg Helm, “To be a part of this event in Dubai is outrageous. I am shaking like a leaf. I'm so excited to be here.”

Steve Asmussen's multiple Grade I-placed Midnight Bourbon (Tiznow), who carries the silks of Winchell Thoroughbreds, LLC, has drawn post eight.

Carlos Rosas, exercise rider for Asmussen, said, “I didn't want him inside drawn on the rail so we have gone for the middle in eight. Hopefully his jockey Jose Ortiz can get a good position from there. He has been training beautifully since he finished third in the Saudi Cup.”

The 2000-metre main track race is a truly international contest, as Godolphin's duo of Real World (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and last year's third-place finisher Magny Cours (Medaglia d'Oro), for trainers Saeed bin Suroor and Andre Fabre, leave from stalls six and nine, respectively.

Bin Suroor said, “I'm very happy with that, we've got the best draw. This was always the plan for him and we've always trained him on the all-weather track at home. He's always shown his form really well on that and he's trained really well so I'm very happy with him. He worked last Saturday and it was the best work I've ever seen, clocking 1:26 on the bridle.”

He added, “He came back very well from his last run, his draw is brilliant and Christophe [Soumillon] the jockey knows the track very well. He's a two-time winner of the race [with Thunder Snow (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}) in 2018 and 2019] so it's great to have him on our side.

“It's a very tough race and it's hard to win. You always have to have a good horse. We've won it nine times and we'll try to do it again.”

Godolphin's managing director Hugh Anderson added of Magny Cours, “We have the best trainer in Europe at present and the leading jockey in Dubai on our side. Maybe they won't thank me for drawing nine, but he is in better form now having disappointed us a little last time in Saudi. He finished third in this race last year so we know he likes the track.”

Super Saturday's G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 victor Hypothetical (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), a colourbearer for Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum and trainer Salem bin Ghadayer, leaves from stall 10. Dubawi (Ire)'s Remorse (Ire), second to Hypothetical, will exit from the widest post, 11, for Al Rashid Stables, LLC and trainer Bhupat Seemar.

Japan, which has launched their strongest assault to date on the Dubai World Cup card, is represented by Shinobu Nakanishi's Chuwa Wizard (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) from post three. He was runner-up in the 2021 edition of the race.

Trainer Ryuji Okubo said, “I'm happy with the gate and his condition is better than last year. He's got the experience of Meydan last year and that has served him well for this year. I'm happier this year and gate three is perfect.”

Stud Old Friends and Antonio Cintra's Aero Trem (Brz) (Shanghai Bobby) will leave from barrier two. Cintra said, “It's a good draw for him, he's a horse that can't run in the back [during his races] so it's a good draw.

“We're very proud to be here again. Last season was the first time we had a horse in the World Cup but I think this year we arrive with Aero Trem who is looking 100% so we're hoping for a good race from him.”

Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz's Grocer Jack (Ger) (Oasis Dream {GB}), a Group 3 winner in Germany for William Haggas, has drawn gate four.

Haggas's wife Maureen, said, “We're quite happy with that, he's inexperienced on the dirt so he wouldn't have wanted to be drawn on the inside in stalls one to three. To be more to the outside is better for him and he'll work it out on the dirt.”

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