Tag: Epona Bloodstock Ltd

Book 1 Millionaire Diego Velazquez A New TDN Rising Star In Ireland

Saturday's Bord Na Mona Recycling Irish EBF Maiden at the Curragh has been a springboard to success in the G1 Vincent O'Brien National S. for Al Riffa (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and Thunder Moon (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), who annexed two of the last three editions. This year's renewal witnessed the emergence of another potential candidate after Aidan O'Brien trainee Diego Velazquez (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) romped to 'TDN Rising Stardom' in the seven-furlong contest.

He had already caused a stir at Newmarket last October, when knocked down for 2.4-million guineas at Tattersalls' Book 1 sale, but was unable to fulfil a June engagement over this strip after suffering an allergic reaction. There was a buzz in the air for this belated debut and the April-foaled bay was hammered down to odds-on favouritism. The eventual winner was slightly askew leaving the gates and soon recovered to stalk the tempo in a prominent second. Asked to stretch soon after passing halfway, the 2-5 pick quickened stylishly to seize control approaching the final furlong and powered clear in impressive fashion to easily outclass Guildenstern (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) by 4 3/4 lengths.

Frankel, a 'TDN Rising Star' himself, now has 37 on a roster which also features multiple Group 1 winner Nashwa (GB), Sunday's G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois contender Onesto (Ire) and leading juvenile filly and stablemate Ylang Ylang (GB).

“We had him ready to run about a month ago, but he'd a little setback so we had to stop and start again,” O'Brien explained. “We wanted to get him out and he was ready to come racing today. Ryan [Moore] said he was very babyish, but he obviously has a massive engine. He doesn't even know what he's at yet, he only came on the bridle with 50 yards to go and only realised he was racing then. We felt he could go anywhere, but looking at today you'd like to give him another run somewhere before he goes for a big one. He was absolutely half-speeding with horses [at home], but didn't take hold of the bridle today. That can happen first time as it did with Paddington first time in Ascot last year. He's probably going to come on and learn a lot from it.”

Diego Velazquez, immediately identifiable due to his four white socks, has the option of Leopardstown's G2 Golden Fleece S. on Irish Champions Weekend next month, according to the trainer.

Diego Velazquez, the latest of 11 foals, becomes the seventh for Listed National S. victrix Sweepstake (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), whose own dam Dust Flicker (GB) (Suave Dancer) is a full-sister to G3 Prix de la Nonette victrix Dust Dancer (GB). Dust Dancer, in turn, is the second dam of G1 Phoenix S.-winning sire Zoffany (Ire) (Dansili {GB}) and G3 Bengough S. winner Projection (GB) (Acclamation {GB}). Dust Flicker is also kin to G3 Fred Darling S. heroine Bulaxie (GB) (Bustino {GB}), herself the dam of G2 Premio Lydia Tesio victrix Claxon (GB) (Caerleon). Claxon is responsible for GIII Hillsborough S. victrix Cassydora (GB) (Darshaan {GB}), whose three stakes scorers include multiple Group 3 winner Ernest Hemingway (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and G3 Prix d'Aumale victrix Toulifaut (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). The winner's siblings include G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud victor Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}) and MGSW G1 Vincent O'Brien National S. and G1 Coronation Cup placegetter Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}).

 

1st-Curragh, €20,000, Mdn, 8-12, 2yo, 7fT, 1:27.22, gd.
DIEGO VELAZQUEZ (IRE), c, 2, by Frankel (GB)
1st Dam: Sweepstake (Ire) (SW & GSP-Eng & US, $114,162), by Acclamation (GB)
2nd Dam: Dust Flicker (GB), by Suave Dancer
3rd Dam: Galaxie Dust, by Blushing Groom (Fr)
(2,400,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT) Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €11,800. *1/2 to Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}), G1SW-Fr, MGSW & G1SP-Ire, GSW-Eng & UAE, GISP-US, $2,756,270; and Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}), MGSW & G1SP-Ire, GSW & G1SP-Eng, $413,216. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-Smith, Magnier, Tabor, Westerberg & Brant; B-Epona Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore.

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Lonsdale On Point In The Huxley

Coolmore and Westerberg's 575,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 yearling and 'TDN Rising Star' Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}–Sweepstake {Ire}, by Acclamation {GB}) made a winning seasonal return in last month's G3 Alleged S. at the Curragh, having been on the shelf for almost a year after running seventh in last term's G1 2000 Guineas, and added to his tallies in 2021's G3 Tyros S. and G2 Futurity S. with a battling effort in Friday's G2 IRE-Incentive It Pays To Buy Irish Huxley S at Chester.

Positioned in second passing the judge first time, the well-backed 5-6 favourite came under increased pressure from halfway and stayed on in resolute fashion once gaining an edge into the straight to hold the late rattle of Mujtaba (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) by a neck, providing Ryan Moore with a record eighth renewal of the extended 10-furlong contest.

“He was a good 2-year-old who won a Listed race, a Group 3 and a Group 2, but he wasn't around for most of last year,” commented Moore. “It wasn't very pretty, but he's a real galloper and he probably hasn't been round a tight track like this before. He's only really been to the Curragh, Leopardstown and Ascot and he was just a bit unsure what to do with himself. Today's race was well up to standard and the track didn't suit him, but he has a great attitude, to be fair to him, and plenty of ability. It was a very good performance.”

Pedigree Notes

Point Lonsdale, who also ran second in the G1 Vincent O'Brien National S. as a juvenile, is the ninth of 11 reported foals and one of five winners produced by the stakes-winning GIII Appalachian S. runner-up and G3 Princess Margaret S. third Sweepstake (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), herself a half-sister to the stakes-placed Dustymour (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}) and to the dam of the stakes-winning Conformist (Hit It A Bomb). The March-foaled bay is a full-brother to G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud hero Broome (Ire) and to the hitherto unraced 2-year-old colt Diego Velazquez (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). His third dam is Hesmonds Stud matriarch Galaxie Dust (Blushing Groom {Fr}).

Friday, Chester, Britain
IRE-INCENTIVE, IT PAYS TO BUY IRISH HUXLEY S.-G2, £120,000, Chester, 5-12, 4yo/up, 10f 70yT, 2:13.98, sf.
1–POINT LONSDALE (IRE), 129, c, 4, by Australia (GB)
1st Dam: Sweepstake (Ire) (SW & GSP-Eng, SW & GSP-USA, $114,162), by Acclamation (GB)
2nd Dam: Dust Flicker (GB), by Suave Dancer
3rd Dam: Galaxie Dust, by Blushing Groom (Fr)
TDN Rising Star. (575,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Westerberg; B-Epona Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £67,224. Lifetime Record: MGSW & G1SP-Ire, 8-6-1-0, $355,935. *Full to Broome (Ire), G1SW-Fr, MGSW & G1SP-Ire, GSW-Eng & UAE, GISP-US, $2,756,270. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Mujtaba (GB), 129, g, 5, Dubawi (Ire)–Majmu (Aus), by Redoute's Choice (Aus). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O/B-Shadwell Estate Company Ltd (GB); T-William Haggas. £25,596.
3–Layfayette (Ire), 129, g, 6, French Navy (GB)–Scala Romana (Ire), by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire). (€4,000 Ylg '18 TIRSEP; €54,000 2yo '19 TATGOR). O-Mrs Patricia Hunt; B-Matthew Duffy (IRE); T-Noel Meade. £12,816.
Margins: NK, 1HF, 3/4. Odds: 0.83, 4.00, 20.00.
Also Ran: Poker Face (Ire), Royal Champion (Ire), Foxes Tales (Ire).

 

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Broome Gallops Hardwicke Rivals Into Submission

With the scene set on the final day of Royal Ascot, Saturday's G2 Hardwicke S. produced the inevitable as Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}) conjured a 900th group win for Aidan O'Brien. Ryan Moore was the sorcerer once again, as the meeting's leading rider pulled off a front-running tour de force on the 6-1 shot who had already contributed five to that awe-inspiring tally. In many ways, last year's G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud hero and Breeders' Cup Turf runner-up is a fitting horse to bring up the milestone, typifying the honed resolution and hardiness that is the trainer's great trademark. Kept wide initially before crossing over to head off the rest, he had the 8-11 favourite Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in attendance but by the turn for home Godolphin's re-emerging Irish Derby, St Leger and Grand Prix de Paris hero was in trouble. Striding with zest and purpose to the line, the six-year-old who sports the Masaaki Matsushima silks had 3 1/4 lengths to spare over Mostahdaf (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), with Hurricane Lane perhaps finding this too hot on his comeback 1 1/4 lengths away in third.

“We are so privileged to be in the position we are and are so grateful to everyone at Ballydoyle, to John and Sue, Michael and Doreen, Derrick and Gay and Georg and Emily,” O'Brien said in his time-honoured deferential style, before turning his attention to the jockey. “Ryan has done an incredible job on Broome and it was a brilliant ride,” he added. “He is a six-year-old horse now, but the strange thing is he seems to be coming to the peak of his career. He has a very high cruising speed and does not surrender. We think we will see the best of him this year.”

O'Brien's contention that Broome is reaching an apex is borne out by the fact that most of his recent performances have been in the last 12 months, with a second to Wonderful Tonight (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) in this preceding his Saint-Cloud highlight and his stirring effort at Del Mar, where only Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) could suppress him. Only 11th in the G1 Japan Cup, he was a well-beaten fifth in the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at The Curragh May 22 but his trainer revealed he had excuses. “When he was getting unsaddled after the Japan Cup, a horse walking by kicked him and fractured a shin,” he explained. “He was off for a long time. He just had the comeback run in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and finished fifth behind all those good horses. We will be thinking about something like the King George back here.”

“Broome has been brilliantly prepared–he was a different machine to what I've known before,” Moore said. “He was in a beautiful rhythm and stretched out excellent. He was really good today–he just flowed and lengthened. We always thought a lot of him–he was close to winning a Derby and a few things haven't gone his way. Aidan had him in a place to do that today.”

Mostahdaf was up to this trip for the first time and saw it out strongly, giving John and Thady Gosden options now. Gosden Jr said, “Ryan gave Broome an exceptional ride from the front–probably the best ride I've seen this week. He got loose, but Mostahdaf ran very well. It seems to be the right trip for him now and we'll see where we go from here.”

Charlie Appleby was keen to put Hurricane Lane's reversal in the context of his overall program and said, “We haven't hidden anything about what our thought processes are–we're working back from October, very much so. We feel Hurricane Lane is our Arc horse and, with the ground being as quick as it was, I said to William Buick 'don't forget, if it's not happening for him, look after him round there'. William said he travelled into it well, but his action just shortened a bit and he said he just went through his girths and just got tired. The ground was quick enough for him–he does move better when there's ease in the ground–we all know that. More importantly, he took on two match-fit horses as well. I'm pleased–you're just glad they've still got their enthusiasm.”

If Broome is this good at six, that bodes well for his 3-year-old full-brother Point Lonsdale (Ire) who has already garnered the G2 Futurity S., G3 Tyros S. and Listed Chesham S. here. The dam is the Listed National S. winner and GII Appalachian S. runner-up Sweepstake (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), a daughter of Dust Flicker (GB) (Suave Dancer) who is a full-sister to the G3 Prix de la Nonette scorer Dust Dancer (GB). She is in turn the second dam of the G1 Phoenix S.-winning Zoffany (Ire) and the G3 Bengough S. winner Projection (GB), who shares Acclamation as a sire with Sweepstake. This is the Hesmonds Stud family of the G2 Premio Lydia Tesio winner Claxon (GB) (Caerleon), her GIII Hillsborough S.-winning and G1 Nassau S.-placed daughter Cassydora (GB) (Darshaan {GB}) and the likes of Ernest Hemingway (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Frankel's Rostropovich (Ire) and Toulifaut (Ire). Sweepstake's unraced 2-year-old filly by Lope de Vega (Ire) is named Saadiyat (Ire) purchased by Al Shira'aa Farms for 475,000gns at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1, while she also has a yearling colt by Frankel.

Saturday, Ascot, Britain
HARDWICKE S.-G2, £237,750, Ascot, 6-18, 4yo/up, 11f 211yT, 2:30.07, g/f.
1–BROOME (IRE), 129, h, 6, by Australia (GB)
1st Dam: Sweepstake (Ire) (SW & GSP-Eng & US, $114,162), by Acclamation (GB)
2nd Dam: Dust Flicker (GB), by Suave Dancer
3rd Dam: Galaxie Dust, by Blushing Groom (Fr)
(€120,000 RNA Ylg '17 GOFOR; 150,000gns Ylg '17 TATDEY). O-Masaaki Matsushima, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Epona Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £134,828. Lifetime Record: Hwt. Older Horse-Ire at 11-14f, G1SW-Fr, MGSW & G1SP-Ire, GISP-US, 24-8-6-0, $1,865,821. *Full to Point Lonsdale (Ire), MGSW & G1SP-Ire, SW-Eng, $236,144. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Mostahdaf (Ire), 129, c, 4, Frankel (GB)–Handassa (GB), by Dubawi (Ire). O/B-Shadwell Estate Company Ltd (IRE); T-John & Thady Gosden. £51,116.
3–Hurricane Lane (Ire), 129, c, 4, Frankel (GB)–Gale Force (GB), by Shirocco (Ger). (200,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-Godolphin; B-Normandie Stud Ltd (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby. £25,582.
Margins: 3 1/4, 1 1/4, 1 3/4. Odds: 6.00, 5.50, 0.73.
Also Ran: Solid Stone (Ire), Layfayette (Ire), Away He Goes (Ire), Living Legend (Ire). Scratched: Third Realm (GB). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

 

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Australia’s Point Lonsdale Takes The Tyros

It looked straightforward on paper for Ballydoyle's TDN Rising Star Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}) ahead of Thursday's G3 Japan Racing Association Tyros S. and that was the case as the full-brother to Broome (Ire) justified 1-8 favouritism in Leopardstown's juvenile pointer. Racing in second early after a slightly tardy start, the June 19 Listed Chesham S. winner took control two out and stayed on strongly to register a three-length verdict over Maritime Wings (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}). “He got a lead today, which was nice as in his last two races he had to be very forward,” commented Aidan O'Brien, who was registering an eighth consecutive success in this often-informative contest. “He was around a bend for the first time, he loved that ground, put his head down and quickened well. It will be the [G2] Futurity [at The Curragh Aug. 21] and, all being well, then the [G1 Goffs Vincent O'Brien] National [at The Curragh Sept. 12]. He is very off-handed and straightforward and he has no problem over seven furlongs, so he won't be stepping up yet. He looks like he'll stay well, but has loads of speed. From the first day we worked him he was exciting–he was so forward and showing so much, which is why he's where he is today.”

Point Lonsdale, who had the third-placed Unconquerable (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) 5 1/2 lengths back on his impressive debut at The Curragh June 2 and 6 1/2 lengths behind in this race, is a more precocious sort than his full-sibling who was making his debut at around this time three years ago. Broome, who lines up in Saturday's G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco S., was runner-up in the G2 Champions Juvenile S. and G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at two before winning the G3 Ballysax S. and G3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial and finishing fourth in the G1 Epsom Derby the following season. Back better than ever this term, he has won the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, G2 Mooresbridge S. and G3 Alleged S. and been second in the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup and G2 Hardwicke S.

The dam Sweepstake (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), who also has a yearling filly by Lope de Vega (Ire), was a speedy performer who was successful in the Listed National S. over five furlongs and was third in the G3 Princess Margaret S. over an extra furlong for the Richard Hannon stable. Later second in the GIII Appalachian S. at a mile for the David Carroll barn, she hails from the Hesmonds Stud family of the G3 Fred Darling S. winner Bulaxie (GB) (Bustino {GB}) and the G3 Prix de la Nonette scorer Dust Dancer (GB) (Suave Dancer). Under Bulaxie are the G2 Premio Lydia Tesio scorer Claxon (GB) (Caerleon) and the GIII Hillsborough S. winner and G1 Nassau S. runner-up Cassydora (GB) (Darshaan {GB}), with the latter responsible for the dual G3 Curragh Cup scorer Ernest Hemingway (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), his listed-winning full-sister South Sea Pearl (Ire) and the G3 Prix d'Aumale winner Toulifaut (Ire) (Frankel {GB}).

Dust Dancer produced Spotlight (GB) (Dr Fong), who took the GII Lake Placid H. before throwing the G3 Bengough S. winner Projection (GB), who shares Acclamation (GB) as a sire with Sweepstake. She is also the third dam of last yer's G1 St Leger runner-up Berkshire Rocco (Fr) (Sir Percy {GB}) and of Tyranny (GB) (Machiavellian) who was responsible for the G1 Phoenix S.-winning sire Zoffany (Ire) (Dansili {GB}), Rostropovich (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) who was second in the G1 Irish Derby and Wilshire Boulevard (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) who captured the G3 Anglesey S.

Thursday, Leopardstown, Ireland
JAPAN RACING ASSOCIATION TYROS S.-G3, €56,000, Leopardstown, 7-22, 2yo, 7fT, 1:29.47, gd.
1–POINT LONSDALE (IRE), 131, c, 2, by Australia (GB)
     1st Dam: Sweepstake (Ire) (SW & GSP-Eng, SW & GSP-US, $114,162), by Acclamation (GB)
     2nd Dam: Dust Flicker (GB), by Suave Dancer
     3rd Dam: Galaxie Dust, by Blushing Groom (Fr)
1ST GROUP WIN. (575,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Westerberg; B-Epona Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. €30,000. Lifetime Record: SW-Eng, 3-3-0-0, $100,376. *Full to Broome (Ire), G1SW-Fr, MGSW & G1SP-Ire, GSP-Eng, $914,346. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Maritime Wings (Ire), 131, c, 2, Gleneagles (Ire)–Celeste de La Mer (Ire), by Zoffany (Ire). (€82,000 Wlg '19 GOFNOV; £58,000 Ylg '20 GOFOR). O-Team Valor International LLC; B-Jer Hickey & Aaron Langan (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien. €10,000.
3–Unconquerable (Ire), 131, c, 2, Churchill (Ire)–Rien Ne Vas Plus (Ire), by Oasis Dream (GB). (210,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Atlantic Thoroughbreds; B-Rien Ne Vas Plus Syndicate (IRE); T-Donnacha O'Brien. €5,000.
Margins: 3, 3HF, 1 1/4. Odds: 0.13, 8.00, 12.00.
Also Ran: Chicago Soldier (Ire), Gabbys Girl (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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