Frankel’s Diego Velazquez Wins The Champions Juvenile

Aidan O'Brien had already won nine of the 16 renewals of Leopardstown's revamped G2 KPMG Champions Juvenile S. and delivered another on Saturday with a stable one-two in the bargain. This race is a “Win and You're In” for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf in California. Despite the impressive attitude of Capulet (Justify) at the head of affairs, it was the 8-15 favourite Diego Velazquez (Ire) (Frankel {GB}–Sweepstake {Ire}, by Acclamation {GB}) who proved master of ceremonies as he took over a furlong from home en route to a half-length success to earn the bragging rights. A half-brother to Australia's classy Broome (Ire) and Point Lonsdale (Ire), the winner who earned TDN Rising Star status with a 4 3/4-length success on debut at The Curragh last month was providing Ryan Moore with the first of four winners on the day. Atlantic Coast (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) was 3 1/4 lengths behind in third, with the established Deepone (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}) also far enough away to lend the race suitable credibility.

“We liked the second horse a lot and we knew we needed something to take him and stretch him a little bit,” O'Brien revealed. “They didn't go very fast for the first half and turned it on from halfway, so he learned a lot. We were surprised the first day that he ran in the Curragh how babyish he was, he never took a hold of the bridle. Today he was green as well, but a lot better. We think the race will leave him in a very good place. I'd imagine he'll go for the Futurity Trophy, we did it with Auguste Rodin last year, but we knew this horse had to learn a lot more than Auguste did last year.”

Of Capulet, he added, “He's a good horse. He won first time at Dundalk and we liked him. He's out of a good Galileo mare and we thought he was a fair horse. Seamus liked him a lot today. He's a typical Justify, the minute you go beyond seven furlongs they seem to grow another leg. They are really Classic-bred middle-distance horses and you'd have to be really happy with him also.”

 

Pedigree Notes

Diego Velazquez, who at 2.4million gns was upstaged only by Godolphin's 2.8million gns purchase at the Tatts Book 1 Sale, is currently the last known foal out of the Listed National S. winner and GIII Appalachian S. and G3 Princess Margaret-placed Sweepstake whose own dam Dust Flicker (GB) (Suave Dancer) is a full-sister to the G3 Prix de la Nonette scorer Dust Dancer (GB). She is in turn the second dam of the stable's G1 Phoenix S.-winning sire Zoffany (Ire), Frankel's G2 Futurity S. winner and G1 Irish Derby runner-up Rostropovich (Ire) and the G3 Bengough S. winner Projection (GB) also by Acclamation, while Dust Flicker's half-siblings include the G3 Fred Darling S. winner Bulaxie (GB) (Bustino {GB}).

Bulaxie produced the G2 Premio Lydia Tesio winner Claxon (GB) (Caerleon), who is responsible for the GIII Hillsborough S. scorer Cassydora (GB) (Darshaan {GB}), in turn the dam of the multiple group-winning stayer Ernest Hemingway (Ire) by Frankel's sire Galileo (Ire) and the G3 Prix d'Aumale scorer Toulifaut (Ire) by Frankel himself. Recent updates to this illustrious dynasty have been provided by the G1 Moyglare Stud S. and G2 Debutante S.-placed Sunset Shiraz (Ire) (Time Test {GB}) and by one of this year's faster juveniles Elite Status (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), who took the G3 Prix de Cabourg and has been placed in the G2 Norfolk S. The winner probably has more pace than the aforementioned Broome, whose long career has featured a win in the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, and also this year's G2 Huxley S. scorer Point Lonsdale who placed in the G1 Vincent O'Brien National S. and G1 Coronation Cup.

Saturday, Leopardstown, Ireland
KPMG CHAMPIONS JUVENILE S. (GOLDEN FLEECE S.)-G2, €150,000, Leopardstown, 9-9, 2yo, 8fT, 1:40.46, gd.
1–DIEGO VELAZQUEZ (IRE), 131, 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)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (2,400,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Smith, Magnier, Tabor, Westerberg & Brant; B-Epona Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. €90,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $109,221. *1/2 to Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}), G1SW-Fr, MGSW & G1SP-Ire, GSW-Eng & UAE, GISP-US, $2,788,778; and Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}), MGSW & G1SP-Ire, GSW & G1SP-Eng, $439,967. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Capulet, 131, c, 2, Justify–Wedding Vow (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor & D Smith; B-Orpendale, Wynatt & Chelston (KY); T-Aidan O'Brien. €30,000.
3–Atlantic Coast (Ire), 131, c, 2, Kodiac (GB)–Liwa Palace (GB), by Oasis Dream (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O/B-Al Shira'aa Farms (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien. €15,000.
Margins: HF, 3 1/4, HD. Odds: 0.53, 9.00, 5.00.
Also Ran: Deepone (GB), Bremen (Ire), Formal Display (GB), Democracy (Ire). Scratched: Bad Desire (Fr).

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Kitty Rose First Black Type Winner For Invincible Army As Irish Champions Day Kicks Off

The Irish Champions Festival began with a renewal of Leopardstown's Listed Ballylinch Stud Irish EBF Ingabelle S. which may prove better than its status in time as two class acts dominated proceedings throughout. While Ballydoyle's 13-8 favourite Content (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) did her thing by going fast in front and keeping at it, Natalia Lupini's Kitty Rose (GB) (Invincible Army {Ire}–Varnish {GB}, by Choisir {Aus}) had too many guns from over a furlong out and stretched to an impressive 2 1/2-length success under Billy Lee. In doing so, the 3-1 second favourite who had made an instant splash for owners Nigel O'Hare, Gary Devlin and the Kabin Racing Syndicate in a decent maiden at Naas last month provided her first-season sire with his initial black-type winner.

 

For Milan-born and Co. Down-based Lupini, the win was a landmark moment in her fledgling training career. The winner, a 20,000gns Tatts Book 3 bargain, beat the smart yardstick Tannola (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}) decisively on debut in the race that the stable's Highly Desirable (Ire) (Twilight Son {GB}) had been third in last year before going on to finish in the same spot in this race. “She's a big filly, very honest and when she gets into a rhythm she gallops towards the line. She gives it all,” she said. “The lads were looking at the Guineas next year. She'll be a stronger filly and she won't have any problems over a mile.”

“We'll see how she comes out of this race and we'll talk to the owners and see what they would like to do,” the trainer, who is expecting a child in October, added. “We would like to give her a bit of time in the winter to fill out. She's a big filly and will benefit from a winter break. She'll be a nice three-year-old and we're very much looking forward to having her next year. Hopefully we'll get to train her.”

Like the card's G2 Solonaway S. winner Flight Plan (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Kitty Rose hails from the family of Whitewater Affair (GB) (Machiavellian). She is currently the last known foal out of the dam Varnish (GB) (Choisir {Aus}), a grandaughter of that G2 Prix de Pomone winner's half-sister White House (GB) (Pursuit Of Love {GB}) who produced the G2 Ribblesdale S. runner-up Eldalil (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) and who is the second dam of the G3 Round Tower S.-winning sire Cappella Sansevero (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) who was third in the G1 Phoenix S.

Saturday, Leopardstown, Ireland
BALLYLINCH STUD IRISH EBF INGABELLE S.-Listed, €100,000, Leopardstown, 9-9, 2yo, f, 7f 72yT, 1:30.14, gd.
1–KITTY ROSE (GB), 128, f, 2, by Invincible Army (Ire)
1st Dam: Varnish (GB), by Choisir (Aus)
2nd Dam: Bronze Star (GB), by Mark Of Esteem (Ire)
3rd Dam: White House (GB), by Pursuit Of Love (GB)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. (20,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Nigel O'Hare, Gary Devlin & Kabin Racing Syndicate; B-Carmel Stud (GB); T-Natalia Lupini; J-Billy Lee. €60,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $80,125.
2–Content (Ire), 128, f, 2, Galileo (Ire)–Mecca's Angel (Ire), by Dark Angel (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Westerberg, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor & D Smith; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €20,000.
3–Serious Notions (GB), 128, f, 2, Advertise (GB)–Darling Grace (GB), by Nayef. 1ST BLACK TYPE. (50,000gns RNA Wlg '21 TADEWE; €68,000 Ylg '22 GOFOR). O-Gaynor Bloodstock LLC; B-Highgate Stud (GB); T-Ger Lyons. €10,000.
Margins: 2HF, HF, 1 1/4. Odds: 3.00, 1.63, 28.00.
Also Ran: Sea The Boss (GB), Making Time (Ire), Nemonte (Ire), Apricot Ice (Ire), Elegant Madame (Ire), Question Of Class (Ire). Scratched: Grand Job.

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Bay Bridge Back With A Bang At Kempton

Sir Michael Stoute trainee Bay Bridge (GB) (New Bay {GB}–Hayyona {GB}, by Multiplex {GB}), winless in three Group 1 starts since annexing last term's G1 Champion S., regained the winning thread with a confidence-boosting success in Saturday's G3 Unibet September S. at Kempton.

The 8-11 favourite hit the board in both G1 Prix Ganay and G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup earlier in the campaign and went postward this first outing at the 12-furlong trip coming back off a fifth in the G1 Prince of Wales's S. at Royal Ascot. Bay Bridge broke well and was positioned fourth passing the judge first time before tanking along in third down the backstraight. Waiting patiently for the cutaway once turning for home, he quickened in style to seize control approaching the final furlong and stayed on strongly thereafter to easily defeat Candleford (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) by 3 3/4 lengths, becoming a record seventh winner of the contest for Stoute.

“We were unsure about the distance, so we've ticked that box and that's a real big plus,” said Stoute after adding another edition to his record haul. “We'll do some thinking now with the owners as to where we go next. The [faster] ground stopped him earlier in the season, so he had an enforced break. He was very impressive today and I like the way he did it.”

 

Pedigree Notes

Bay Bridge is the fourth of eight foals and one of three scorers from four runners out of a half-sister to G2 Prix Eugene Adam victor Shimraan (Fr) (Rainbow Quest). He is full to a weanling colt and a half to the unraced 2-year-old colt Lucky Hour (GB) (Time Test {GB}). His stakes-winning third dam Shemaya (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}), who produced G1 Prix du Jockey Club second Shamkiyr (Fr) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), is kin to G3 Prix Allez France victrix Shemima (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}), herself the dam of G3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial winner Cormorant (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) and Listed Prix Madame Jean Couturie victrix Shemala (Ire) (Danehill). Descendants of Shemala, herself a daughter of G1 Prix de Diane heroine Shemaka (Ire) (Nishapour {Fr}), include G1 Grand Prix de Paris hero Shakeel (Fr) (Dalakhani {Ire}).

Saturday, Kempton, Britain
UNIBET SEPTEMBER S.-G3, £90,000, Kempton, 9-9, 3yo/up, 11f 219y (AWT), 2:30.87, st/sl.
1–BAY BRIDGE (GB), 133, h, 5, by New Bay (GB)
1st Dam: Hayyona (GB), by Multiplex (GB)
2nd Dam: Shemriyna (Ire), by King Of Kings (Ire)
3rd Dam: Shemaya (Ire), by Darshaan (GB)
O-James Wigan & Ballylinch Stud; B-London Thoroughbred Services Ltd (GB); T-Sir Michael Stoute; J-Richard Kingscote. £51,039. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Eng, G1SP-Fr & Ire, 14-7-2-2, $1,512,681. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Candleford (Ire), 133, g, 5, Kingman (GB)–Dorcas Lane (GB), by Norse Dancer (Ire). O/B-Barnane Stud Ltd (IRE); T-William Haggas. £19,350.
3–Max Vega (Ire), 133, g, 6, Lope De Vega (Ire)–Paraphernalia (Ire), by Dalakhani (Ire). (€47,000 RNA Wlg '17 GOFNOV; €25,000 Ylg '18 GOFOR). O-The Pickford Hill Partnership; B-Tullpark Ltd (IRE); T-Ralph Beckett. £9,684.
Margins: 3 3/4, 2, 3/4. Odds: 0.73, 11.00, 25.00.
Also Ran: Belloccio (Fr), Shandoz (GB), Israr (GB), Fortino (Chi).

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TDN Rising Star Elbaz Steps Out At Chantilly

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. Saturday's Observations features the return of a 'TDN Rising Star'.

13.40 Chantilly, Cond, €34,000, 2yo, 1600mT
ELBAZ (FR) (Siyouni {Fr}) earned TDN Rising Star status on debut in Deauville's important Prix de Crevecoeur in July and Jean-Claude Rouget opts to stick to conditions races for now with The Aga Khan's relative of Siyouni's starlet Ervedya (Fr). Also in this Prix des Aigles is Peter Bradley's acquisition Metropolitan (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), a Mario Baratti-trained relative of the GI Beldame S. runner-up Tiger Ride (Candy Ride {Arg}) who also opened his account on debut at Deauville for Scuderia Scolari who retain a share.

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