Auguste Rodin Joins Longines WBRR Top 10 After Irish Champion Win

The Coolmore partners' Auguste Rodin (Ire) has joined the top 10 of the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings on the back of a victory in the G1 Irish Champion S. and raised his rating to 124. Japanese superstar Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) is still on top of the rankings at 129, one pound better than G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. victor Hukum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and G1 International S. hero Mostahdaf (Ire) (Frankel {GB}).

Also a winner of the G1 Derby and G1 Irish Derby, the son of Deep Impact (Jpn) defeated Aidan O'Brien stablemate Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) (123), fellow list newcomer and G1 Falmouth S. heroine Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) (121) and group winner King Of Steel (Wootton Bassett {GB}) (121) in fourth.

Arcangelo (Arrogate), who won the GI Belmont S. in June, returned to take the GI Travers S. at Saratoga and is now ranked 121, also good for the top 10 spots. For the full list of ranked horses, please visit the IFHA website.

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Doncaster: Can Coltrane Do It Again In The Doncaster Cup?

Causing an upset when edging out Trueshan (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}) in a thriller for last year's G2 Doncaster Cup, one of the staying division's leaders Coltrane (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) returns to Town Moor for another encounter with his nemesis on Friday. Having won Ascot's G3 Sagaro S. and the G2 Lonsdale Cup at York and been runner-up in the G1 Gold Cup in the interim, Mick and Janice Mariscotti's stalwart is better than ever at the age of six and is the one with the target on his back this time.

Andrew Balding holds Coltrane close to his heart and is relishing another battle royal. “The great thing about him is he seems to be effective on any ground and in any sort of style of race, which is a big help for these stayers,” he said. “He obviously won the race last year, but he does carry a penalty this year which makes life a lot tougher. It is not a straightforward task, but the horse is really well and he seems to thrive on his racing.”

Trueshan has been absent since finishing fourth behind Coltrane in the Sagaro in May and has undergone a wind operation, so the star stayer of 2021 has questions to answer here. Normandie Stud's progressive Ebor H. runner-up Sweet William (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) represents the Gosdens, who have a line on these through their Gold Cup hero Courage Mon Ami (GB) (Frankel {GB}).

“We think there's more improvement to come and we think he might make up into an Ascot Gold Cup and Goodwood Cup type of horse next year,” jockey Robert Havlin said of the Normandie Stud homebred. “Since we put blinkers on he's been ultra consistent. He's won over two miles and the Ebor was obviously a drop back in trip. He gets the trip well so there are a lot of positives, especially after all the rain. He doesn't need soft ground, but he handles it very well.”

 

Inquisitively Takes On Big Evs In The Flying Childers

Also at Doncaster on Friday is the G2 Carlsberg Danish Pilsner Flying Childers S., where Wee Sean Gan's Listed Roses S. scorer Inquisitively (GB) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}) looks to turn the tables on Big Evs (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) after their prior meeting in Royal Ascot's Listed Windsor Castle S. Trainer Kevin Philippart De Foy is concerned about the slower ground for Inquisitively, however. “The ground would be a question mark, he won on fast ground at York and so there is a question mark over soft conditions,” he said.  “The horse won well at York and I think the course will suit him. It's a very flat, straight course and very straightforward. He has been in good form since his race at York, I think he took a step forward from that race. He's very straightforward and professional, I don't think anything will be an issue other than the question over the ground.”

 

All Nine Stand Their Ground For St Leger

There were no withdrawals from Saturday's G1 Betfred St Leger at Doncaster on Thursday, with the major news concerning the decision of Frankie Dettori to ride Juddmonte's Arrest (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) ahead of the fellow Gosden representative Gregory (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}). That leaves Kieran Shoemark with the task of steering the latter, who captured the G2 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot for Wathnan Racing.

“I'm very happy with my mount in the race and wouldn't swap him,” Shoemark said. “As soon as Frankie made up his mind I found out. He's a high-profile horse in a high-profile race. He's one of the market leaders and to be riding a favourite in a British Classic is hugely exciting. It's where I want to be, so it's a privilege not pressure and I look forward to it.”

Also representing the Gosdens is Qatar Racing's Melrose H. winner Middle Earth (GB) (Roaring Lion), while The King & The Queen's G3 Gordon S.-winning TDN Rising Star Desert Hero (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Ballydoyle number one Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), who catapulted himself into the picture with his impressive G2 Great Voltigeur S. success, are other notables.

 

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Former Trainer Darren Weir And Two Others Hit With New Animal Cruelty Charges Over Jigger Video

Australian trainer Darren Weir, trainer Jarrod McLean and stablehand Tyson Kermond, who were found guilty of animal cruelty in the Australian magistrates court in December, have each been hit with fresh racing charges by the Racing Victoria stewards on Thursday, The Age reported.

Each man was given 10 charges relating to the use of an electronic apparatus or “jigger” on Yogi (NZ) (Raise The Flag {GB}), Red Cardinal (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) and Tosen Basil (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) when they trained on a treadmill at Weir's Warrnambool stables on Oct. 30, 2018. The trio were caught on video using a jigger. All three were handed four charges for corrupt conduct and six charges for animal cruelty apiece.

Weir was originally disqualified for four years beginning in February of 2019 due to being in possession of jiggers that were found in his bedroom following a police raid. If he is convicted again, he would be banned from working with horses for life. Currently, he is pre-training horses.

“The charges relate to the stewards' inquiry into the conduct of Mr. Weir, Mr. McLean and Mr. Kermond which was reactivated after further evidence was presented in the Magistrates' Court on 14 December 2022 in the course of criminal proceedings against the three individuals,” the stewards' statement said.

“Since December, the stewards have conducted a comprehensive investigation involving interviews with multiple persons and analysis of a substantial volume of materials.”

“Mr. Weir was at all relevant times the licensed trainer of Red Cardinal, Tosen Basil and Yogi.

“On or about 30 October 2018, on each horse Mr. Weir used an electric or electronic apparatus capable of affecting their performance in a race.

“Mr. Weir applied the apparatus to Red Cardinal, Tosen Basil and Yogi with the intention of affecting their performance, and thereby affecting their results in future races.”

“The original penalties related to the possession charges and that matter proceeded on the evidence that was available at that time,” Jamie Stier, Racing Victoria's executive general manager of integrity services, said in December last year.

“Following yesterday's open court hearing, there's been further evidence come to light.

“In October 2019, the stewards actually opened an inquiry into the criminal charges laid by the police, so that inquiry has been sitting there open. The stewards have reactivated their inquiry now, and they will now consider any evidence that becomes available to them.”

A date with the Victorian Racing Tribunal is pending for the three men.

 

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Too Darn Hot’s Darnation Powers To May Hill Triumph

Trainer Karl Burke's banner season continued apace on the opening day of Doncaster's St Leger Festival after G3 Prestige S. victrix Darnation (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}–Monday Monday {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) added lustre to her palmares with a clear-cut triumph in Thursday's G2 Betfred May Hill S. over a straight mile at the Town Moor track.

Newtown Anner Stud's homebred, who registered a 10-length tally at Thirsk in her penultimate start, bounded along behind a steady tempo and raced third through the initial fractions. Taking closer order once past halfway, the 11-10 favourite quickened to the fore passing the quarter-mile marker and, despite drifting right inside the final furlong, drew off late under urging to post an ultimately impressive three-length success from See The Fire (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). Mark McKay's G3 Sweet Solera S. third and G2 Prix du Calvados fourth Les Bleus (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}) was four lengths adrift in third as the field came home at wide-margin intervals.

“They didn't go quick and, when I asked her, she quickened up really well for a few strides and then galloped on towards the line,” said winning rider Clifford Lee. “She's very good and I'd like to see her next year when she's physically and mentally stronger. She handles that soft ground, she does stay very well and she does have a bit of boot about her as well, so we'll see next year how we get on.”

Burke added, “She's a classy filly and, on that ground, she's very good. We'll have to see how she is on quicker ground, but she's tough and she stays. She's not in the [G1] Fillies' Mile, but she is in the [G1] Prix Marcel Boussac. I haven't spoken to the owners, but she'd be more likely to get her ground in France. She's not the biggest in the world, but she should strengthen up even if she doesn't grow much. If she bumps into soft ground she could be anything.” Explaining his absence from the track, the trainer continued, “I was all set to come today, but I had a busy morning and decided not to. They don't run any faster for me being there.”

Pedigree Notes

Darnation, half-sister to a yearling filly by Fastnet Rock (Aus), is the first of two foals produced by an unraced full-sister to dual Group-placed G2 Beresford S. third Exemplar (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). The April-foaled homebred bay's dam is also a half-sister to G1 1000 Guineas, G1 Irish Oaks and G1 Yorkshire Oaks heroine Blue Bunting (Dynaformer). Descendants of her second dam Miarixa (Fr) (Linamix {Fr}), herself out of stakes-winning G1 Prix Saint-Alary third Mrs Arkada (Fr) (Akarad {Fr}), include dual stakes-winning GIII Intercontinental S. and GIII Franklin S. placegetter Star Devine (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and G3 Earl of Sefton S. runner-up Poker Face (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}).

Thursday, Doncaster, Britain
BETFRED MAY HILL S.-G2, £120,000, Doncaster, 9-14, 2yo, f, 8fT, 1:41.38, sf.
1–DARNATION (IRE), 128, f, 2, by Too Darn Hot (GB)
1st Dam: Monday Monday (Ire), by Galileo (Ire)
2nd Dam: Miarixa (Fr), by Linamix (Fr)
3rd Dam: Mrs Arkada (Fr), by Akarad (Fr)
O/B-Newtown Anner Stud Farm (IRE); T-Karl Burke; J-Clifford Lee. £68,052. Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-1, $149,904. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–See The Fire (GB), 128, f, 2, Sea The Stars (Ire)–Arabian Queen (Ire), by Dubawi (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-J C Smith; B-Littleton Stud (GB); T-Andrew Balding. £25,800.
3–Les Bleus (GB), 128, f, 2, Blue Point (Ire)–Huma Bird (GB), by Invincible Spirit (Ire). (€52,000 Ylg '22 TATIRY; £60,000 2yo '23 GOUKB). O-Mark McKay; B-Godolphin (GB); T-Richard Hughes. £12,912.
Margins: 3, 4, NK. Odds: 1.10, 4.00, 14.00.
Also Ran: Hard To Resist (Ire), Francophone (GB), Hala Abrar (Ire), Romanova (GB). Scratched: Meribella (GB), Zenjabeela (GB).

 

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