Tag: Europe

O’Brien Relies On “Classy” Cherry Blossom To Plunder Goffs Million Riches

Aidan O'Brien has set his sights on winning the Goffs Million at the Curragh for the first time on Saturday and says that Cherry Blossom (Ire), who has Group 1 targets later this season, could be just the answer in the lucrative contest.

Bred by Barronstown Stud, the daughter of No Nay Never was a €360,000 buy at the Goffs Orby 12 months ago by MV Magnier. Cherry Blossom broke her maiden at the second time of asking over six furlongs at the Curragh before running second to Relief Rally (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) in the G2 Lowther S. and O'Brien is hopeful of a big performance provided she handles the step up to seven furlongs.

He said, “We're very happy with Cherry Blossom. She was a little bit green going to York, which we thought she might be, and Ryan [Moore] thought that she would come forward from that run.”

O'Brien added, “She has been very well since but we are not sure about the seven furlongs for her. We still think it's worth letting her take her chance. She is a classy filly. 

“Originally, we were going to go straight to the Cheveley Park with her but, because of the huge value of this race, we said we'd take our chance. Credit to Goffs for putting a race of this value on.”

Cherry Blossom will be partnered by Frankie Dettori for the first time and heads the betting for the 23-runner contest. The Goffs Million returned to the calender 12 months ago and went to export with the Charlie Hills-trained (Ire) (Camacho {GB}), who cost just €45,000 at the Orby the previous year, landing the spoils.

Goffs chief Henry Beeby spoke to the Nick Luck Daily Podcast on the eve of the Million about all things Orby and the different bonuses the sales company has introduced this year. 

He explained, “The Goffs Million is Europe's richest two-year-old race and was won by the Charlie Hills-trained Galleron last year amid much excitement. The race was worth €1,234,000 last year and tomorrow it will be worth €1,232,000, so that's €660,000 to the winner.”

Beeby added, “We've now introduced the Goffs €2 million series so the yearlings sold next week will be qualified for the Goffs Million and the Goffs 500 and the Goffs €50,000 Bonus Series, which means we will have a series of two-year-old maidens from the start of the season right up to Million day and a total of 10 €50,000 bonuses can be won if those two-year-old winners come from the Orby Sale next week. We have converted the Orby Sale and the Sportsman's into Orby Book 1 and 2 so about 1,000 yearlings will qualify.”

The Orby Sale kicks off on Tuesday and O'Brien confirmed that he will be one of the many key industry figures to attend the highly-anticipated sale. 

He said, “I'll be at Goffs next week. I go to all of the yearling sales and always have done. We've got some great horses from Goffs and we're looking forward to it.”

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Bauhinia At Saint-Cloud For Second Test

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Friday's Observations features the return of a 'TDN Rising Star'.

13.40 Saint-Cloud, Cond, €34,000, 2yo, f, 7 1/2fT
BAUHINIA (IRE) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) earned TDN Rising Star status at ParisLongchamp last month and Godolphin's daughter of the G2 Rockfel S.-placed Desert Blossom (Ire) (Shamardal) is kept away from black-type company for now by Andre Fabre. Among her opponents is Ecurie des Charmes's Deauville conditions scorer Opera Mundi (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), a Carlos & Yann Lerner-trained relative of the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud winner Plumania (GB) (Anabaa) and G1 Prix Vermeille winner Left Hand (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}).

 

14.25 Newbury, Cond, £20,000, 2yo, f, 7fT
INVERSION (GB) (Frankel {GB}) makes her debut in this Dubai Duty Free Full of Surprises British EBF Fillies' Conditions S. which obviously enjoys a special resonance with the Charlton stable, having won it for three of the last five years including with the subsequent G1 Fillies' Mile heroine Quadrilateral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and with this Juddmonte homebred's half-sister Lucid Dreamer (GB) (Dansili {GB}). Also successful with L'Ancresse (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}) in 2002, their runner this time is also a half-sister to the recent GI Diana S. winner Whitebeam (GB) (Caravaggio).

 

16.40 Kempton, Novice, £9,900, 2yo, 7fT
MILITARY LEADER (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is introduced by Charlie Appleby at a track at which he likes to run his smart juveniles and this is a half-brother to this year's G1 Coronation S. third Sounds Of Heaven (GB) (Kingman {GB}). A 1.5million gns Tatts Book 1 purchase, he hails from the spectacularly successful Kilfrush Stud family of Galileo's Hydrangea (Ire), The United States (Ire) and Hermosa (Ire).

 

17.15 Kempton, Novice, £9,900, 2yo, 7fT
AGE OF BAROQUE (FR) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) is another Godolphin-Appleby project starting out on the Polytrack, being a grandson of the G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp winner Grey Lilas (Ire) (Danehill) from the immediate family of the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and G1 Prix de Diane heroine Golden Lilac (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Costing €575,000 at last year's Arqana Deauville August Yearling Sale, the Februray-foaled bay has some experienced peers to overcome including Victorious Racing's 360,000gns Tatts Craven Breeze-Up graduate Military Artist (Munnings) from the Roger Varian stable.

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Foley Tops Tatts Ireland Part Two With “Beautiful” Soldier’s Call Filly

It was a day for the die-hards at Part Two of the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale where a filly by first-season sire Soldier's Call (GB) led the way at €45,000 to Joe Foley.

But the story of the sale was the strength of the Italian buyers, with Cristiana Brivio, who operates under the banner of Razza Latina, and Valfredo Valiani, two of the leading purchasers on the day. 

Foley, who also stands Soldier's Call at Ballyhane Stud, was repeating the trick from last year after topping this sale 12 months ago. 

“I am delighted to have found her, she has a great pedigree-her second dam [Ameerat] won the 1,000 Guineas and there is loads of page here,” said Foley.

He added, “She is a stunningly-beautiful filly, too, and looks a real classy type. She will run in the Clipper Logistics colours.”

Breeder David Laverty enjoyed a fine payday having purchased the filly's dam Ebbraam for just 1,000gns.

“I bought the mare via a Tattersalls Online Sale through Covid,” said the breeder who hails from County Armagh and keeps 10 to 12 mares. “From day one this filly has always been in proportion and is a great walker.

“The team at Ballyknock has done a great job with her prep. My father has been breeding horses for a lifetime and we have had the highs and very lows, it is nice to get a result for all of us.”

The session concluded with a turnover of €1,546,100 and a robust clearance rate of 81 per cent.A vibrant international atmosphere was maintained over both parts of the September Yearling Sale – yearlings have been purchased by representatives from 13 different countries, with over 80 shipping to Italy, the most popular overseas destination for new acquisitions. Horses are also travelling to the Far East with Thailand appearing on the buyers' sheet for the first time.

Tattersalls Ireland CEO Simon Kerins commented, “The demand witnessed over the last two days has carried through into today's session, resulting in lively trade and a clearance rate comparable to last year given the increased catalogue. The plethora of both international and domestic buyers throughout the week has significantly contributed to these results. We hugely appreciate the support of our loyal vendors who have recognised that Part Two of the sale has established itself as a viable option for selling commercial yearlings.”

He added, “We now turn our attention to preparing the catalogue for the Sapphire Sale with entries closing for foals, yearlings and broodmares on Friday, 20th October and the sale taking place on Friday, 16th November.”

All yearlings catalogued for the September Yearling Sale and Sapphire Sale are eligible for the €250,000 Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sales Stakes 2024.

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Making Waves: A Masterful 56 For Dubawi

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Master Of The Seas in the Ricoh Woodbine Mile at Woodbine on Saturday.

 

Dubawi Gelding Masters Woodbine Mile Foes

The Classic-placed Master Of The Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) won his first race at the Grade I level for breeder Godolphin and Charlie Appleby in the Ricoh Woodbine Mile on Saturday (video).

Already a five-time group winner who was second in the 2021 edition of the G1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, the 5-year-old was last seen taking the G2 Summer Mile S. at Ascot. One of four stakes winners for his listed-winning and G1 French 1000 Guineas second dam, Firth Of Lorne (Ire) (Danehill), Master Of The Seas is a half-brother to the dam of top-level winners Cascadian (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) and Albahr (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}).

The 56th Grade/Group 1 winner worldwide for his Darley sire, Master Of The Seas is one of 37 winners from 76 runners (48%) in the U.S. Dubawi has accumulated 20 stakes winners (26%) in North America, including 10 Grade I winners.

 

 

Jockey Club Oaks Goes To Teofilo Filly

Godolphin homebred Eternal Hope (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) secured her first victory at the graded level with a win in the GIII Fasig-Tipton Jockey Club Oaks Invitational S. for trainer Charlie Appleby on Saturday (video).

Already a listed winner and second in the G2 Prix Alex Head during her 2023 European campaign, the chestnut is the second foal and first winner for the winning Dubawi (Ire) mare Voice Of Truth (Ire), herself a half-sister to triple Group 1 winner and Classic-placed sire Rio De La Plata (Rahy). Eternal Hope is a half-sister to Blue Point (Ire) juvenile filly Word's Out (Ire), a yearling full-sister who is lot 168 as part of the Baroda Stud draft at the Goffs Orby Sale, and an Australia (GB) half-brother born this year. Voice Of Truth was picked up for €35,000 out of the Godolphin consignment by Gary Mullins carrying her Teofilo yearling at Goffs November in 2021.

Darley's Teofilo is responsible for 17 winners from 27 runners (63%) in North America. His four stakes winners (15%) are anchored by GI Saratoga Derby victor Nations Pride, and Eternal Hope is his third graded winner in that locale.

 

 

Sea Venture A Success

Lael Stables' Ready To Venture (GB) (Kingman {GB}) claimed a career high in the GIII Seaway S. at Woodbine on Sunday (video). Trained by Mike Stidham, the 5-year-old was making her first start in graded company.

A homebred for Roy and Gretchen Jackson who raced GI Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro (Dynaformer) and bred George Washington (Ire) (Danehill), the two-time U.S. stakes winner is the first foal out of the G3 Pinnacle S. third Wonderstruck (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). A half-sister to the aforementioned Classic winner George Washington and to three-time Group 1 winner Grandera (Ire) (Grand Lodge), her latest is a weanling filly by Too Darn Hot (GB).

Juddmonte's Kingman is responsible for 30 winners from 55 runners in the U.S. (54.5%). Eight of that cohort (14.5%) are stakes winners, with three-time Grade I winner Domestic Spending (GB) his best.

 

 

Sweet Like Sugar

Gregory Hoffman, R.T Racing Stable and Clay Scherer's Ever So Sweet (Ire) (Calyx {GB}) followed up a runner-up performance at Saratoga into a Belmont at the Big A victory on Saturday (video).

The Brad Cox trainee was bred by G. H. S. Bloodstock and J. C. Bloodstock, and brought €150,000 from Scherer as a Goffs Orby yearling in 2022. Ever So Sweet is one of three foals for her dam, the Exceed And Excel (Aus) mare Shine (GB), who is a full-sister to the listed winner and black-type producer Shamandar (Fr) and a half-sister to the listed winner and G3 Prix la Rochette second Hung Parliament (Fr) (Numerous). Third dam Blushing Heiress (Blushing John) won both the GII Wilshire H. and GIII Palomar H.

The progeny of Coolmore stallion Calyx are thriving as autumn arrives, and all three of his U.S. runners have now won, including the stakes-placed Angiolleta (Ire). Internationally, the G2 Coventry S. hero has 14 winners anchored by G2 Duchess of Cambridge heroine Persian Dreamer.

 

 

Too Darn Hot Filly Shines At The Meadowlands

It's Hot In Here (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), who runs in the silks of Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, LLC, Michael Kisber and William Rucker, won at Monmouth Park at the Meadowlands late last week for trainer Chad Brown (video). She is the first runner and winner in North America for her Darley sire.

Part of the Ballylinch Stud breeding programme, she was making her second start after running third to future GI Natalma S. fourth Ozara (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) at Saratoga in August. The €110,000 Arqana August yearling selection of Mandore International Agency, the bay is the sixth foal and fifth winner produced by Listed Flaming Page S. second and GIII My Charmer H. third Janicellaine (Ire) (Beat Hollow {GB}). The dam has a yearling filly by Lope De Vega (Ire), who is consigned as lot 428 by Ballylinch to the Goffs Orby Sale next week and a weanling filly by Make Believe (GB). Janicellaine is also a half-sister to the star-crossed GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and G1 Fillies' Mile heroine Chriselliam (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) among others.

Worldwide, Too Darn Hot has sired 15 winners. G1 Moyglare Stud S. and G3 Sweet Solera S. victress Fallen Angel (GB), G2 May Hill S. and G3 Prestige S. winner Darnation (Ire) and Carolina Reaper (GB), who claimed the G3 Zukunfts Rennen, are his trio of stakes winners so far.

 

 

Kodiac Filly Game Beneath The Twin Spires

Stonestreet Stables' Salt Spray (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) made her second start a winning one at Churchill Downs for trainer Wesley Ward on Thursday (video).

Bred by Denis Brosnan's Epona Bloodstock, Ltd., the 285,000gns Tattersalls October Book 2 yearling, who was picked up by Ben McElroy for Barbara Banke's operation, is out of Taste The Salt (Ire) (Born To Sea {Ire}), who is a half-sister to G2 Norfolk S. winner Baitha Alga (Ire) (Fast Company {Ire}). Taste The Salt has the juvenile filly Lady Of War (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), a yearling colt by Mehmas (Ire) who will be offered by Croom House Stud as lot 132 at the Goffs Orby Sale later this month, and a full-sister to the winner born this year, yet to come.

Tally-Ho's Kodiac has sired 38 winners from 76 (50%) to race in the U.S. Seven (9%) of them have won stakes, led by GII City of Hope Mile S. hero True Valour (Ire), and Grade III winners Campanelle (Ire), Island Of Love (Ire), and Spirit Of Xian (Ire). Dual Group 1 winner Campanelle, too, raced in the marigold-with-a-burgundy-vee Stonestreet silks.

 

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