Tag: G1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks

Galileo’s Savethelastdance Leaves It Late In The Irish Oaks

It was a case of save it until the last minute as Savethelastdance (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}–Daddys Lil Darling, by Scat Daddy) left hearts in mouths en route to delivering Aidan O'Brien a record seventh G1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks at a rain-soaked Curragh on Saturday. Failing to match her 22-length Listed Cheshire Oaks success when second in the G1 Oaks in June, the 10-11 favourite enjoyed the perfect trip until the straight and looked flat-footed and beaten as the sponsors' TDN Rising Star Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}) swooped on the Ballydoyle pace-setter Library (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) approaching the furlong pole.

Rescuing a seemingly hopeless cause with Ryan Moore conjuring the surge that had taken her into clear daylight at Chester, she reeled in that pair inside the last 50 metres for an ultimately cosy half-length success. Bluestocking forged 1 3/4 lengths clear of the 80-1 outsider Library, who showed again what an advantage it is to be on the front end at this track.

“It's been a long time since she ran and we were treating this as her first run back for an autumn campaign,” O'Brien said. “Ryan gave her a brilliant ride. When she was in a little bit of trouble, he kept her coming forward without panicking and got her out then re-motivated her. She's a big relaxed mare and obviously the ground was way different than what she ran on the last time. It's a very difficult thing to motivate a horse on that type of ground, but she did answer for him.”

 

Savethelastdance had offered only a slight glimpse of her inherent piledriver finish when fifth over a mile at Thurles in October, but must have shown the right stuff at home to suggest she should be lining up for the 10-furlong Leopardstown maiden in early April that the stable have used for their Oaks aspirants in recent years. Belying odds of 20-1 there, she saw off all threats from the front to book her place in the Cheshire Oaks and with the perfect easy ground and race set-up there killed substandard opposition to become one of the shortest-priced favourites at Epsom in recent years.

On this evidence, her subsequent defeat by Soul Sister (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) on a surface riding on the fast side there makes sense as she clearly needs a distance of ground and is one of the stouter winners of this for some time. After tracking the front duo looking comfortable, she was under the pump turning for home and had received three smacks with Moore's whip by the time she reached the two pole.

Bluestocking got at least two lengths on her there and it looked all over bar the shouting, but then came the rampant closing sectionals which had so astounded at Chester but which, for whatever reason, are still not available in 2023 from Irish racing. That is a shame, as even visually it was clear that Savethelastdance had stormed through the final furlong in impressive fashion to not only catch the Juddmonte filly but beat her all ends up at the line.

“Obviously we know she stays very well and I'd say she's going to sharpen up a good bit from today,” O'Brien added. “You can bounce her out as forward as you want and I'd say she will find plenty and save plenty. She's a massive big masculine filly, she's unusual as she's a filly but she has a pair of horns on her head which is very unusual for a filly. She has a big, strong backside on her and a typical Galileo–when all the others are down on their knees that's when they kick in. She could go on to York for the fillies' race [the G1 Yorkshire Oaks], she could go to the Leger and the Arc on soft or heavy ground–all those races are open to her. It's very possible she will stay in training next year.”

Of Library, he added, “She ran over a mile-and-six last time and ran better than anyone thought, she was just getting into gear off the bend when her rhythm got broken and was probably better than her run. She's a very well-bred filly as well and another Galileo. Gavin [Ryan] gave her a lovely ride. Seamie [Heffernan] said Warm Heart wasn't acting on the ground from the time he jumped off and ground is probably the key to her.”

Pedigree Notes

Savethelastdance is the first foal out of the GI American Oaks and GII Pocahontas S. heroine Daddys Lil Darling, a $3.5million purchase by M V Magnier at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November Sale. Also runner-up in the GI Kentucky Oaks, GI Ashland S., GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup and GI Alcibiades S. as well as bolting to the start of the 2017 Oaks as Olivier Peslier ejected, she is a half-sister to the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint and GIII Woodford S. winner Mongolian Saturday (Any Given Saturday), to the Luther Burbank H. scorer Victoryasecret (Victory Gallop) and to the dam of the GII Saratoga Special S.-placed Momos (Distorted Humor). A daughter of the stakes winner and GII San Clemente H. runner-up Miss Hot Salsa (Houston), Daddys Lil Darling's 2-year-old full-brother to Savethelastdance named Mr Hampstead was bought by Robson Aguiar for Amo Racing for $575,000 at the Keeneland September Sale. She also has a filly foal by Into Mischief and has been bred to Gun Runner.

Saturday, The Curragh, Ireland
JUDDMONTE IRISH OAKS-G1, €500,000, Curragh, 7-22, 3yo, f, 12fT, 2:43.11, sf.
1–SAVETHELASTDANCE (IRE), 128, f, 3, by Galileo (Ire)
     1st Dam: Daddys Lil Darling (GISW, $1,335,305), by Scat Daddy
     2nd Dam: Miss Hot Salsa, by Houston
     3rd Dam: Miss High Blade, by Highland Blade
1ST GROUP WIN, 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Mrs J Magnier/M Tabor/D Smith/Westerberg; B-Daddys Lil Darling Syndicate (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. €290,000. Lifetime Record: SW & G1SP-Eng, 5-3-1-0, $551,098. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Bluestocking (GB), 128, f, 3, Camelot (GB)–Emulous (GB), by Dansili (GB).
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. TDN Rising Star. O-Juddmonte; B-Juddmonte Farms (East) Ltd (GB); T-Ralph Beckett. €100,000.
3–Library (Ire), 128, f, 3, Galileo (Ire)–Words (Ire), by Dansili (GB).
1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE, 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. O-M Tabor/D Smith/Mrs J Magnier/Westerberg; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €50,000.
Margins: HF, 1 3/4, 2 3/4. Odds: 0.91, 4.00, 80.00.
Also Ran: Lumiere Rock (Ire), Warm Heart (Ire), Be Happy (Ire), Azazat (Ire), Comhra (Ire).

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O’Brien Planning Strong King George Assault Led By Auguste Rodin

As many as six horses from Aidan O'Brien's yard, including dual Derby winner Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), will line up in the G1 King George and Queen Elizabeth S. at Ascot on July 29.

Riding a two-race winning streak after taking Epsom's Blue Riband last month and the Irish equivalent for the Coolmore partners, Auguste Rodin beat stable-mate Adelaide River (Ire) (Australia {GB}) in the latter. He will aim to emulate former Coolmore kingpin Galileo (Ire) with a victory in the King George after winning two Derbys.

“He's on that programme, and so far, everything is going well [for the King George],” O'Brien told the Nick Luck Daily podcast on Wednesday,

The aforementioned Adelaide River enters off another strong second-place effort in the G1 Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp on June 14. He is joined by Group 1-winning older horses Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}), and Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), while the G2 Huxley S. hero and Group 1-placed Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}) is another possible runner.

“Luxembourg is a very strong possible at the moment,” O'Brien continued. “Point Lonsdale is a strong possible at the moment. Broome, like I said, he could go [for the King George], and probably will go to Goodwood for the two miles [G1 Goodwood Cup S. on Aug. 1]. Bolshoi Ballet is a very strong possible. And then, obviously, Auguste Rodin and Adelaide River, we'd have to see how he [Adelaide River] came out of the race [G1 Grand Prix de Paris] and give him a little bit of time to see before we make any decision about him.”

O'Brien also provided an update on likely G1 Sussex S. runner Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), who will potentially represent the Coolmore partners in the G1 Cox Plate in the autumn.

He said, “Everything went well since [the Eclipse], and is at the moment. He's on that plan and that programme [for the Sussex] at the moment.”

The Coolmore partners also have five of the nine fillies currently entered in Saturday's G1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks. G3 Cheshire Oaks heroine and G1 Oaks runner-up Savethelastdance (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), G2 Ribblesdale S. victress Warm Heart (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Be Happy (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) were pleasing the Rosegreen handler particularly. He also has listed winner Library (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and winner Lambada (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) signed on.

“I suppose, we have three very strong fillies in there,” O'Brien added. “Obviously, the filly [Savethelastdance] from Chester we think is very well. This has always been her programme. And then the filly [Warm Heart] who won at Ascot. We weren't sure that stepping up the a mile and a half would suit her, but it obviously improved her.

“Another filly called Be Happy which we have always thought a lot of, [is in the race]. She was withdrawn at the last minute from the Oaks and we had her ready to run again, and she got an infection in her foot. The last three weeks everything has been very good with her. The plan is that is where she is going now at the moment, as well.”

Pair Of Contenders Pleasing Connections In Latest King George Works

Saeed Suhail's 2022 Derby winner Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) also remains in contention for the Ascot showpiece. Off for over a year with an ankle injury, the 4-year-old ran second in the G3 Brigadier Gerard S. at Sandown earlier this season. Another minor setback kept the Sir Michael Stoute trainee out of Royal Ascot and a run in the G1 Prince of Wales's S., but he pleased his connections in a work at Newmarket on Wednesday morning.

Suhail's racing manager, Bruce Raymond, said, “He worked this morning and Ryan [Moore] rode him. Michael was very pleased with him and I think there is a good chance he will go to Ascot.

“He worked nicely. It was a pleasing gallop. I can't say he is certain for the race, but everyone was very happy with him. There's a good chance he will go to Ascot.”

Already a winner of the King George in 2022, two-time Group 1 scorer Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) also remains among the entries. He decisively won the G2 Hardwicke S. at Royal Ascot in June for co-trainers William Muir and Chris Grassick in the colours of the La Pyle Partnership.

“He just did want we wanted and we were delighted with him,” said Muir of the 6-year-old's Newbury gallop.

“It was not a serious, hard gallop, it was just a day out really. He goes to Newbury, has a warm-up little canter and then covers the distance, that's all. He did great. We're keeping our fingers crossed and we're in good shape. Fingers crossed we'll be there at Ascot.”

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Juddmonte And Keeneland Continue Their Curragh Race Sponsorship

Juddmonte and Keeneland have renewed their sponsorships of the Curragh's G1 Irish Oaks and G1 Phoenix S., respectively.

The feature race of the two-day Juddmonte Irish Oaks Weekend on Saturday, July 22, the Juddmonte Irish Oaks has been won three times by horses carrying the Juddmonte colours with Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) (2017), Bolas (GB) (Unfuwain) (1994) and Wemyss Bight (GB) (Dancing Brave) in 1993. Currently there are 87 first entries for the €500,000 summer Classic, including Juddmonte's debut winner Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}). Juddmonte started as the sponsor of the G2 Beresford S. in 1988; sponsored the G1 Pretty Polly S. in 2018, and began sponsoring the Irish Oaks in 2020.

Douglas Erskine-Crum, CEO of Juddmonte, said “Juddmonte is delighted to renew our sponsorship of the G1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks. It is extremely important to Juddmonte to support Irish racing and breeding and appreciate its sizeable contribution to the wider industry; we feel the Irish Oaks and Curragh racecourse are perfectly placed to demonstrate this commitment.”

Brian Kavanagh, CEO Curragh Racecourse, Ltd., said “We are delighted to be able to announce the extension of Juddmonte's sponsorship of the Irish Oaks and look forward to a quality renewal as always in July. Juddmonte have been fantastic supporters of the Curragh and of the industry here in Ireland for many years as owners, breeders and sponsors and we greatly look forward to our continued partnership with them in this prestigious race. The Irish Oaks has been won by some wonderful fillies over the years, including the great Enable in 2017.”

Starting their sponsorship of the Phoenix S. in 2010, Keeneland will extend their commitment to the race for another three years. In 2022, Little Big Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never) took the prize and was crowned Europe's Champion 2-Year-old with a mark of 124. Prize-money will increase to €350,000 in 2024 and then €400,000 in 2025.

Shannon Arvin, President and CEO of Keeneland, said, “Keeneland's close connection with the Irish bloodstock and racing industries goes back many decades and we are delighted to celebrate that ongoing bond with the continuation of this longstanding sponsorship.

“We witnessed Little Big Bear win one of the best renewals of the Keeneland Phoenix S. last season, with a performance that this week saw him crowned Europe's champion juvenile, and we look forward to working with the Curragh to continue to grow the race in future years.”

Added Kavanagh, “Keeneland have been a valued partner for the Curragh for many years and we are delighted to be able to announce this extension and enhancement of their sponsorship. They are a pleasure to deal with and the ties between Keeneland and the Irish racing and breeding industries have become stronger in recent years. Their commitment to increasing prize-money for the race over the next three years is most welcome and we greatly look forward to working with Keeneland on this sponsorship.”

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Galileo’s Magical Lagoon Resilient In Irish Oaks Triumph

Yuesheng Zhang's Magical Lagoon (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}–Night Lagoon {Ger}, by Lagunas {GB}) displayed a willing attitude when annexing last month's G2 Ribblesdale S. at Royal Ascot and her determination was to the fore again as she refused to yield and battled gamely to a career high in Saturday's G1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks at the Curragh. Last term's G3 Flame of Tara S. victrix went off as the 5-4 favourite, in the absence of Epsom's G1 Oaks exacta Tuesday (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), and raced under a firm hold behind the clear leader, Show Of Stars (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), in second. Inching ever closer from halfway, she cruised to the front on the bridle approaching the final quarter mile and called upon deep reserves under a drive in the closing stages to bravely repel the persistent threat of Toy (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) by a hard-fought half length, with Cairde Go Deo (Fr) (Camelot {GB}) 2 3/4 lengths further adrift in third.

Magical Lagoon, fourth on debut at Naas in August, had earlier backed up her Flame of Tara victory with a close-up seventh in Newmarket's Oct. 8 G1 Fillies' Mile in her juvenile season closer and opened this campaign with a short-head second contesting Navan's Apr. 23 Listed Salsabil S. in her penultimate start.

“It's wonderful to win one classic, to get two is absolutely amazing,” commented Jessica Harrington after adding to her 2018 G1 Irish 1000 Guineas success with Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}). “She's such a game filly, who only does as much as she has to do and she's just a lovely filly to train for Mr Zhang. I kept looking at what was behind her, but I knew she'd keep staying. She stayed very well in Ascot, but they probably didn't go as quick as they did in Ascot. She just ran a great race, Shane [Foley] was in the right position and kept going forward. He rode a super race and she kept finding and finding. It's only her third run this year and I'd say she'll improve again. She's in the [G1] Yorkshire Oaks and after that I haven't really made a decision. It's been mooted and I'd love to keep her in training next year. I hope so because Galileos improve and her brother [Novellist] was a much better 4-year-old than 3-year-old. Before [Emily Upjohn's enforced withdrawal] we were the underdogs and I love being the underdog and having a go at them, but it's worked out great.”

Magical Lagoon, who becomes the 96th Group 1 winner for her sire, is one of five black-type performers produced by G3 Preis der Winterkonigin victrix Night Lagoon (Ger) (Lagunas {GB}), herself half to multiple stakes-winning G1 Deutsches Derby second Night Tango (Ger) (Acatenango {Ger}) and one of three black-type performers out of Listed Dusseldorf-Preis winner Nenuphar (Ire) (Night Shift). Thus, the April-foaled bay is half to MG1SW G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S.-winning sire Novellist (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}), German Group 3 second Nuntius (Ger) (Dalakhani {Ire}), Listed Derby-Trial second Nerud (Bernardini) and the stakes-placed Ninfea (Ger) (Selkirk). Ninfea is the dam of G2 Prix Chaudenay runner-up Nemean Lion (Ger) (Golden Horn {GB}) and the stakes-placed Nayala (GB) (Maxios {GB}). Nenuphar, kin to the stakes-winning duo Nostro Amico (Ger) (Martillo {Ger}) and National Academy (Ger) (Royal Academy), traces back directly to G3 Zukunfts-Rennen victrix Night Music (Ger) (Pramos {Ger}), herself a half-sister to G1 Preis der Diana (German Oaks) heroine Novelle (Ger) (Northfields).

Saturday, Curragh, Ireland
JUDDMONTE IRISH OAKS-G1, €595,000, Curragh, 7-16, 3yo, f, 12fT, 2:34.02, gd.
1–MAGICAL LAGOON (IRE), 128, f, 3, by Galileo (Ire)
1st Dam: Night Lagoon (Ger) (Broodmare Of The Year-Ger, Hwt. Filly-Ger, GSW-Ger), by Lagunas (GB)
2nd Dam: Nenuphar (Ire), by Night Shift
3rd Dam: Narola (Ger), by Nebos (Ger)
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (305,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Yuesheng Zhang; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Jessica Harrington; J-Shane Foley. €290,000. Lifetime Record: GSW-Eng, 6-3-1-0, $486,123. *1/2 to Novellist (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}), Hwt. Older Horse at 4-Eur at 11-14f, Hwt. 3yo-Ger at 11-14f, Hwt. 3yo-Ity at 11-14f, G1SW-Eng, Fr, Ger & Ity, $1,873,588; Nuntius (Ger) (Dalakhani {Ire}), GSP-Ger; Ninfea (Ger) (Selkirk), SP-Ger; and Nerud (Bernardini), SP-Ger. Werk Nick Rating: D+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Toy (Ire), 128, f, 3, Galileo (Ire)–You'resothrilling, by Storm Cat. 1ST BLACK-TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Westerberg; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €100,000.
3–Cairde Go Deo (Fr), 128, f, 3, Camelot (GB)–Elusive Galaxy (Ire) (GSP-Ire), by Elusive City. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (€105,000 Ylg '20 ARDEAY). O-Mark Dobbin; B-Haras du Logis Saint-Germain (FR); T-Ger Lyons. €50,000.
Margins: HF, 2 3/4, HF. Odds: 1.25, 5.00, 6.00.
Also Ran: Emily Dickinson (Ire), Show of Stars (GB), Fennela (Ire), History (Ire). Scratched: Emily Upjohn (GB). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

 

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