Tag: Epsom

The Oaks: Where Did They Come From?

Looks can be deceiving, but it is hard to argue with Savethelastdance's 22-length winning margin in the Listed Cheshire Oaks. The Coolmore filly faces 10 rivals in Friday's G1 Betfred Oaks, among them G3 Musidora S. heroine Soul Sister for Lady Bamford.

BE HAPPY (IRE), Camelot (GB) – Frequential (GB) (Dansili {GB})
Owner: M Tabor, D Smith, Mrs J Magnier & Westerberg
Breeder: Lynch Bages Ltd & Longfield Stud
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien

A 340,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 purchase, she is a sister to the Group 3-placed Hector De Maris (Ire) and hails from the family of Classic winners Galileo (Ire), Sea the Stars (Ire) and King's Best, her fourth dam being Allegretta (GB). Runner-up to the supplemented Eternal Hope in the Lingfield Derby Trial and not without a chance.

BRIGHT DIAMOND (IRE), El Kabeir – Starlite Sienna (Ire) (Elusive Pimpernel)
TDN Rising Star.
Owner: Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum
Breeder: T Molan
Trainer: Karl Burke

A graduate of the Tattersalls Ireland Goresbridge Breeze-up Sale for €52,000, she is out of a half-sister to Group 3 winner Realtra (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and was a highly impressive maiden winner on debut last year before finishing third in the G1 Fillies' Mile. Down the field in fifth but not beaten far in the Lingfield Oaks Trial on her only start this year.

CAERNARFON (GB), Cityscape (GB) – Royal Ffanci (GB) (Royal Applause {GB})
Owner: Hunscote Stud, P Humphreys & J Sweeney
Breeder: Hunscote Stud
Trainer: Jack Channon

A full-sister to the G3 Fred Darling winner Dan's Dream (GB) out of an unraced mare, she won the Listed Montrose Fillies' S. over a mile on the last of her seven starts at two, and came out strongly on debut this season to take fourth in the 1,000 Guineas. What she lacks in size she makes up for in toughness. The Oaks trip may just be a stretch.

ETERNAL HOPE (IRE), Teofilo (Ire) – Voice Of Truth (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire})
Owner/Breeder: Godolphin
Trainer: Charlie Appleby

The second foal of a half-sister to Group 1 winner and sire Rio De La Plata (Arg), and all three of her runs have come this year. She won on her second start at Chelmsford in February then took to the turf with aplomb to win the Lingfield Oaks Trial, thereby demanding to be supplemented for this Classic test. Big chance. 

HEARTACHE TONIGHT (FR), Recorder (GB) – Salvation (GB) (Montjeu {Ire})
Owner: Chris Wright and Andy MacDonald
Breeder: Sylvain Vidal
Trainer David Menuisier

A first British Classic runner for her trainer and for her French-based sire, she is a half-sister to the dual Group 1 winner Wonderful Tonight (Fr) and bred on very similar lines to the 2019 Oaks winner Anapurna (GB) (Frankel {GB}). One for the placepot.

MAMAN JOON (IRE), Sea the Stars (Ire) – Dorcas Lane (GB) (Norse Dancer {Ire})
Owner: Amo Racing Ltd
Breeder: Barnane Stud Ltd
Trainer: Richard Hannon

A half-sister to the Royal Ascot winners Candleford (Ire) and Atty Persse (Ire), she was bought for 400,000gns at Tattersalls October Book 1. She has raced just once to date when second, more than nine lengths adrift of Gather Ye Rosebuds (Ire), in a 10-furlong Newbury maiden in April. Stamina won't be a problem but this is a dive into the deep end for an inexperienced filly.

RED RIDING HOOD (IRE), Justify – Ballydoyle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire})
Owners: D Smith, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor, Westerberg
Breeder: Coolmore
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien

From a deep Coolmore family and one Aidan O'Brien knows well, as he sent out her dam Ballydoyle to win the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac and finish second in the 1,000 Guineas. Dam is a sister to Misty For Me (Ire), a four-time Group 1 winner and the dam of US Navy Flag, as well as Twirl (Ire) and April Showers (Ire). It's a mouthwatering pedigree but she appears to be the Ballydoyle third string and improvement is required.

RUNNING LION (GB), Roaring Lion – Bella Nouf (GB) (Dansili {GB})
Owner: D P Howden
Breeder: The Bella Nouf Partnership
Trainers: John and Thady Gosden

A half-sister to Group 3 winner Majestic Glory (GB) (Frankel {GB}), her dam is a dual-winning half-sister to three black-type performers. Ultra-impressive winner at Newmarket back in May and forms part of a strong Gosden hand in the race. She is one of two Classic runners at Epsom from the sole crop of Roaring Lion, along with Dubai Mile (Ire) in the Derby.

 

SAVETHELASTDANCE (IRE), Galileo (Ire) – Daddy's Lil Darling (Scat Daddy)
Owners: Mrs John Magnier/Michael Tabor/Derrick Smith/Westerberg
Breeder: Daddys Lil Darling Syndicate
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien

The family has unfinished business in this race given the dam Daddys Lil Darling bolted to the start and was withdrawn from the 2017 Oaks after getting loose. The mare was a top performer in America, won at the highest level, and Savethelastdance appears to have inherited all of her ability and more judging by a breathtaking 22-length win in the Cheshire Oaks. Deserving favourite.

 

SEA OF ROSES (GB), Sea The Moon (Ger) – Plume Rose (GB) (Marchand De Sable)
Owner: Weldspec Glasgow Limited
Breeder: Overbury Stallions Ltd
Trainer: Andrew Balding

Bought by Grangemore Stud for 115,000gns at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale in 2020. Reoffered at Book 1 and sold for 170,000gns to Andrew Balding. A half-sister to five winners, including the classy Desert Icon (Fr) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Gardol City (Fr) (Elusive City). Lots to find on form and ratings.

SOUL SISTER (IRE), Frankel (GB) – Dream Peace (Ire) (Dansili {GB})
Owner/breeder: Lady Bamford
Trainers: John & Thady Gosden

Lady Bamford's homebred is a sister to the Australian performer Herman Hesse (GB) and Dreamflight (GB), and a half-sister to Questionaire (GB) (Galileo {Ire}). Traces back to Kilfrish Stud's successful matriarch Arctique Royale (GB). Ticks a lot of boxes on paper, couldn't have been more impressive in winning the G3 Musidora S., and provides the final ride in the Oaks for Frankie Dettori.

 

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“It’s All To Play For” – Murphy Team Place Faith In Derby Hope White Birch

John Murphy has described himself as very lucky to have come across Betfred Derby contender White Birch (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}) and says that his 14-1 chance for Epsom glory is more than worthy of his shot in the line-up for the eagerly-awaited Classic. 

White Birch identified himself as a bona fide Derby prospect when streaking to G3 Ballysax S. glory at Leopardstown earlier in the season. From there, he went on to overcome a tardy start to finish an excellent second behind The Foxes (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) in the G2 Dante S. at York, enhancing his Derby credentials in the process. 

Murphy, who turned 62 last week, said, “It's hugely exciting. It gives you a pep in the step and we're really looking forward to it.”

Murphy is best known for sending out Newmill (Ire) (Norwich {GB}) to win the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2006. That was the Upton-based trainer's first ever top-level triumph and he followed it up with another when Newmill went on to win at the Punchestown Festival later that spring. 

A lot of water has passed under the bridge since the days of Newmill, with Murphy almost entirely concentrating on the Flat now, the fruits of which will be in full bloom on Saturday.

“We're just very lucky,” he added. “We're very thankful to everyone who has made it possible, especially all of our staff, who have done a great job with White Birch.”

However, it's not entirely true to say that White Birch will be Murphy's first Derby runner. The man who describes himself as a producing trainer, a nod to the fact he gets as much of a kick out of selling horses as he does winning with them, pinhooked Papal Bull (GB) many moons ago. 

Papal Bull went on to finish a luckless 10th in the Derby for Sir Michael Stoute the same year Newmill won the Champion Chase and is just another horse that Murphy enhanced the value of, having bought him as a foal for just 20,000gns and selling him on to Demi O'Byrne as a yearling for 100,000gns. 

But it is Murphy's son George, along with the help of Tally-Ho Stud's Roger O'Callaghan, who deserve all the credit for finding White Birch. O'Callaghan highly recommended the grey to the 29-year-old and a private deal was brokered. 

Recalling the story, Murphy said, “It was George who saw White Birch first. The horse had been recommended by Roger O'Callaghan of Tally-Ho Stud and you have to listen when Roger speaks. When George went to see him, he loved him. He's a beautiful-looking horse. He had everything.”

There may have been a certain amount of luck in White Birch finding his way to the Murphys but even more when it came to hanging on to the horse. The phone calls were endless when White Birch won his maiden by over six lengths at Dundalk last November but it was long-standing owner Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez, who has had Big Time (Ire) (Kheleyf) and Charterhouse (GB) (Charming Thought {GB}) here and won the Oaks with the Aidan O'Brien-trained Qualify (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), who came up trumps.

Murphy said, “He always did it easy and always had a lovely brain. He did it very well at Dundalk and there was a lot of interest in him after that. 

“The owners [Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez] expressed an interest and we were delighted that they bought him and were kind enough to leave him in training with us. They are long-standing owners of ours and love their racing. They are here for a good one now anyway.”

A good one might be putting it mildly. White Birch is well found in the Derby market and, with Shane Foley committed to riding Jessica Harrington's Sprewell (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), Colin Keane has been booked to ride. 

Murphy said, “We're delighted to have Colin on board. We have had a good relationship with Colin over the last number of years and White Birch definitely won't be lacking in the saddle anyway.”

And what would success mean to this father-and-son operation who have been without a flagship Group 1 horse for the best part of a decade?

“It's huge,” comes the response. “We might seem calm but, inside, a lot is going on. It's all to play for in the Derby. He probably has as much entitlement to go there as anything else in the race. Everything is good with the horse and we are happy.”

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Epsom: Savethelastdance Readied For Oaks Bid

Aidan O'Brien has the key member of the G1 Betfred Oaks again as the certain favourite Savethelastdance (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) drew stall four for the Epsom Classic, which will have 11 starters on Friday. Taking out a trio at Wednesday's final stage including the Listed Haras De Bouquetot Fillies' Trial S. scorer Warm Heart (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), the Ballydoyle handler left the smart duo Be Happy (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and Red Riding Hood (Ire) (Justify) in support of the impressive Listed Cheshire Oaks winner. “You don't take anything for granted, it's a different track and different ground so it's going to be very interesting for us all, O'Brien said of the filly who dazzled in the mud at Chester. “She'll be leaving this evening and that's gone fine, so we hope everything goes well between now and the race.”

“It's going to be very exciting to see what she does do,” he added. “When you go up in distance there are a lot of different things that can happen. If you looked at her pedigree, you'd say 'definitely not soft ground', but she bends her knee a little bit and she rises her feet which helped her to handle it. It's going to be very interesting to see how she fares on totally different ground. She just kept accelerating at Chester and I think that makes it unusual, so we're looking forward to the Oaks the same as everyone else.”

O'Brien's Epsom record suggests the outsiders have to be taken seriously, especially with both the remaining entries having placed in pattern races. “Red Riding Hood will take her time, she has blinkers on her and she doesn't concentrate much when she gets to the front,” he continued. “Be Happy ran well at Lingfield and we were very happy with that run, the pace was a bit slower than we would have liked for her but we've been very happy with her since then.”

 

Not On Her Dance Card…
Wednesday's other notable withdrawal was Jaber Abdullah's Dance In The Grass (GB) (Cracksman {GB}) from the Charlie Johnston stable, leaving the opposition to Savethelastdance headed by Lady Bamford's G3 Musidora S. winner Soul Sister (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) who has drawn the “lucky” stall 10 as Frankie Dettori's final Oaks ride. Fellow John and Thady Gosden-trained Running Lion (GB) (Roaring Lion) is in the largely-unfavourable stall two, with the inside draw considered a major hindrance even allowing for the recent Epsom performances of Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Tuesday (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).

 

Quality Quintet For Coronation Cup…
Friday's G1 Dahlbury Coronation Cup looks a high-class affair, with the quintet including Juddmonte's G1 Irish Derby hero Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and the fellow group 1 winners Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). Aidan O'Brien looks to TDN Rising Star Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}), who has captured the G3 Alleged S. and G2 Huxley S. in two 4-year-old starts. “We think a mile and a half will suit him well and we knew a mile and a quarter would be tight for him around Chester last time, but we wanted to run him there to try and sharpen him up,” he explained. “He went there to learn about going quicker on a left-handed track and we think it worked. From day one, he's looked like a horse who's crying out to go this kind of a trip.”

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Savethelastdance Heads 11 For The Oaks

Eleven fillies will line up for Friday's G1 Betfred Oaks as Aidan O'Brien trimmed his numbers to three for the Epsom Classic including the certain favourite Savethelastdance (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Other than the trio taken out by the Ballydoyle handler which include the Listed Haras De Bouquetot Fillies' Trial S. scorer Warm Heart (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), the other notable withdrawal was Dance In The Grass (GB) (Cracksman {GB}) from the Charlie Johnston stable. Heading the opposition to the Listed Cheshire Oaks winner Savethelastdance, who as expected will have the assistance of Ryan Moore from stall four, is Lady Bamford's G3 Musidora S. winner Soul Sister (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) who has drawn the “lucky” stall 10 under Frankie Dettori on his last Oaks ride. Fellow John and Thady Gosden-trained Running Lion (GB) (Roaring Lion) is in the largely-unfavourable stall two. In the card's G1 Dahlbury Coronation Cup, a high-class quintet include Juddmonte's G1 Irish Derby hero Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and the fellow group 1 winners Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}).

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