Derby Winner Desert Crown On Course For Juddmonte International

Dual Group 1 winner Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), who won the Derby and King George in 2022, emerged from his Wednesday gallop in good order and is on target for the G1 Juddmonte International on Aug. 2.

“Desert Crown worked this morning, he worked nicely and everybody was happy with him,” said Bruce Raymond, racing manager to owner Saeed Suhail. “He's not a great worker, as has been stated before, but everyone was very happy with him this morning and everything went as well as expected.”

The Sir Michael Stoute trainee was due to run in the G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth S. at Ascot, but was forced to miss the race due to a leg infection. Missing since last year's King George with an ankle injury, the 4-year-old finished second to subsequent King George hero Hukum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the G3 Brigadier Gerard S. on May 25.

Added Raymond of the work, “William [Buick] didn't ride him. Ryan Moore rode him this morning. He's ridden him a lot of times at home and Sir Michael just sometimes likes a different opinion.

“One thing I can definitely tell you is this horse needed it badly at Sandown, it wasn't said at the time but Michael was quite surprised how much he was blowing afterwards. He had worked on the grass but nowhere near as much as we would have liked as it kept on pouring down.

“We're looking forward to next week. He's got to go somewhere and when you are in his class, there are only certain races you can run in.”

The post Derby Winner Desert Crown On Course For Juddmonte International appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Alflaila Possible for Irish Champion

Shadwell's Alflaila (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) may be supplemented to the Sept. 9 G1 Irish Champion S., sidestepping Shadwell-owned Mostahdaf (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in next week's GI Juddmonte International at York.

Trained by Owen Burrows, Alflaila is on a four-race winning skein, taking the July 29 G2 York S. over the same course and distance as the International.

“It's unlikely at this stage that we would run the two against each other, I would think,” said Shadwell's racing manager Angus Gold.

“God willing, Mostahdaf stays in good shape–he'll be the one to represent [in the International]. Obviously, we will leave Alflaila in just in case something went wrong.”

“Sheikha Hissa may decide to run the two together. But at the same time if he didn't go there, we may look to supplement Alflaila for the Irish Champion.”

Shadwell has also penciled in the G1 Yorkshire Oaks for Al Husn (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), victorious in the G1 Nassau S. at Goodwood in her latest start Aug. 3. The 4-year-old is trained by Roger Varian.

“She's never run over this trip before and nobody has ever particularly said she needs that trip,” said Gold. “She's so tough and she's such a little star of a filly that she might well stay. On pedigree, the mare [Hadaatha] I think would have stayed–she was by Sea The Stars out of a Linamix mare. And Al Husn's by Dubawi–they can do anything.

“She a very easy filly to ride and she's got a heart the same size as her. So, she might well get it and it would be fun to try it, but we're in the luxurious position of her already being a Group 1 winner now, so we'll just see how Roger and his team feel she is and whether she's ready to go again.”

The post Alflaila Possible for Irish Champion appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Paddington And Auguste Rodin “Good” Ahead Of Next Engagements

Four-time Group 1 winner Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) continues to thrive ahead of the Aug. 23 G1 Juddmonte International at York, Aidan O'Brien confirmed on Saturday.

The consistent Coolmore runner is six-for-seven and has won the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas, G1 St James's Palace S., the G1 Eclipse and the G1 Sussex S. in succession.

“He's good and everything is good so far with him. The Juddmonte is still the plan,” said O'Brien.

Ballydoyle's master trainer also had an update on G1 Derby and G1 Irish Derby hero Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who ran too poorly to be true in the G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. at Ascot last out. The G1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion S. at Leopardstown during Irish Champions Weekend in September is next for the 2022 G1 Vertem Futurity Trophy s. victor.

He added, “He's good and he's on the Leopardstown programme at the moment. He's done two or three pieces and everything has been lovely so far.”

The post Paddington And Auguste Rodin “Good” Ahead Of Next Engagements appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Paddington Exits Sussex In “Fine” Condition With Juddmonte International A Possibility

Fresh off a win in the G1 Sussex S. on Wednesday, Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) has emerged from that effort “absolutely fine” and the G1 Juddmonte International S. later this month is under consideration by his connections, according to trainer Aidan O'Brien.

The Coolmore partners-owned 'TDN Rising Star' was winning his fourth Group 1 race after taking the Irish 2000 Guineas, St James's Palace S., and the Eclipse S. in succession prior to his score during the Qatar Goodwood Festival. The York showpiece will see the son of Modern Eagle (Ger) (Montjeu {Ire}) stretch back out in distance to 10 1/2 furlongs from a mile.

“Everything seems fine with him after the race, absolutely fine,” said O'Brien. “We're going to decide over the next week to 10 days where next, but York has to be a possibility.

“He just seems to be thriving for his racing.”

The colt is following a similar career path to fellow Ballydoyle luminary Giant's Causeway, who won the St James's Palace, Eclipse, Sussex and International before the Irish Champion S.

The post Paddington Exits Sussex In “Fine” Condition With Juddmonte International A Possibility appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights