Tag: G1 Platinum Jubilee S.

Strong Australian and American Support Among Overseas Entries For Royal Ascot

Dual Australian Group 1 winner Coolangatta (Aus) (Written Tycoon {Aus}) is one of the leading runners signed on from foreign climbs for the upcoming Royal Ascot meeting in June. Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, the G1 Lightning S. heroine is targeting the G1 King's Stand S.

David Eustace said, “Coolangatta galloped yesterday and will have her first proper workout next week. She has improved again physically from the Lightning S. and we feel we are ahead of the game in terms of her preparation.

“We are stepping into the unknown when it comes to international travel but Coolangatta has done a lot of travelling around Australia and is used to being in unfamiliar places. We are hopeful that she will handle that side of things well but you never know until you do it. We think the 1000 metres of the King's Stand, with the uphill finish, looks ideal and genuine fast ground will be to her advantage as well.”

Coolangatta is not the only Australian runner signed on to the royal meeting, as both Artorius (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}) and The Astrologist (Aus) (Zoustar {Aus}), who are trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman, and Leon and Troy Corstens, respectively, are both aiming for the G1 Platinum Jubilee S. Artorius finished third in the Platinum Jubilee in 2022, and enters off a victory in the G1 Canterbury S. at Randwick earlier this year. In The Astrologist's case, he ran too good to lose when second by a head in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan at the end of March.

Sam Freedman said, “Artorius had his first improving gallop the other day, having come off a bit of a fresh. He seems to be shaping up really well and will have a couple of trials over here before we put him on the plane.

“I think he is definitely hitting Royal Ascot this year in better form than he was 12 months ago.His form lines are strong and I think you guys over there will see a more tactically versatile horse. He will be able to sit a lot closer, which will be important, whereas last year he was rattling home.”

Troy Corstens said, “We were delighted with The Astrologist's effort in Dubai. He ran to expectations and came very close, which gave us the confidence to continue the journey with him.

“He has settled beautifully in Newmarket–he is a very adaptable horse and enjoys the travel. The plan is for him to have a racecourse gallop this week on the Rowley Mile in preparation for the G2 1895 Duke Of York S.

“He will then head to Royal Ascot for the Platinum Jubilee. We feel that this will be the perfect race for him. He is a renowned straight-track horse in Australia and we feel the testing course of Ascot will suit him immensely.”

 

Strong American Contingent Ready To Go

Twelve-time Royal Ascot-winning trainer Wesley Ward is bringing a slew of Royal Ascot runners, anchored by Love Reigns (Ire) (U S Navy Flag) and Twilight Gleaming (Ire) (National Defense {GB}) for Stonestreet Stables to Royal Ascot. Both enter off of stakes victories at the recently concluded Keeneland Spring Meet, with the former pointing to the King's Stand S. and the latter eyeing both the King's Stand and the G1 Commonwealth Cup S.

Ward said, “Love Reigns and Twilight Gleaming are doing great. They are both coming off nice comeback wins and their owner Barbara Banke [of Stonestreet Stables] is really looking forward to getting them over there. She loves Ascot as much as me and we are all excited.

“I was really happy with Love Reigns in the Limestone S. She had to switch a couple of times in the run but showed a great attitude to get up on the line, while Twilight Gleaming showed a lot of speed in her comeback race.

“Twilight Gleaming will definitely go for the King's Stand S., whereas Love Reigns will have an entry there and in the Commonwealth Cup.”

Besides Ward's older horses, he has at least three juveniles making the trip for the storied 2-year-old prizes in 'TDN Rising Star' American Rascal (Curlin) out of King's Stand and G2 Queen Mary S. victress Lady Aurelia (Scat Daddy); Fandom (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), and Bledsoe (Igbaal).

Ward added, “American Rascal has come out of his first race in super shape. The team at Stonestreet really liked him and it was exciting to see him produce a performance like that.

“Fandom looks another good prospect after his debut win on the grass and we also have some nice 2-year-olds to run at Belmont, so we will see what else unfolds in the coming days.

“Bledsoe has already travelled over to England and will run in a novice race at Ascot on 13 May. He won America's first 2-year-old race of the year on the dirt at Keeneland but his mother Shrinking Violet was a multiple stakes winner of the turf, so we are looking forward to getting him on the grass.”

Brad Cox's GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint heroine Caravel (Mizzen Mast) is pencilled in to make the trip, and GI Belmont Derby victor Classic Causeway (Giant's Causeway) for trainer Ken McPeek is a potential starter in the G1 Prince Of Wales's S.

McPeek said, “Classic Causeway had a nice run first time up this year on the dirt at Oaklawn. Then we came back for the [GII] Oaklawn H. and he was off the board, so we have decided to switch back to the turf.

“He is going for a prep race in Kentucky on 3 June in the Arlington S. and, if he runs well there, we will point him towards the Prince Of Wales's S.”

New York Thunder (Nyquist) for trainer Jorge Delgado holds a Commonwealth Cup entry, while Hong Kong runner Wellington (Aus) (All Too Hard) has been nominated for both the Platinum Jubilee and King's Stand.

Nick Smith, Director of Racing and Public Affairs at Ascot Racecourse, said, “We are very pleased to see entries for Royal Ascot 2023 from across the world including Group 1 winners from Britain, Ireland, France, the USA, Australia and Hong Kong.

“It is particularly exciting to see so many strong entries from Australia, including the Black Caviar Lightning S. winner Coolangatta, who looks set to try and follow Nature Strip's victory in the King's Stand S. It's also exciting to see Artorius is on track to try and go two better than when third in the Platinum Jubilee S. last year.

“Wesley Ward again has a strong team headed by Love Reigns and Twilight Gleaming along with the 2-year-olds while it will also be great to see Breeders' Cup winner Caravel represent America.”

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Multiple Group 1 Winner Artorius Targets Platinum Jubilee Before Stud Duty

Multiple Group 1 winner Artorius (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}) is pointing to the G1 Platinum Jubilee S. at Royal Ascot in June, trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman announced on Wednesday.

“Following another fantastic performance in the G1 George Ryder S., Artorius has run his last race in Australia,” the Freedmans said in a statement. “However, he will head back to Royal Ascot to contest the G1 Platinum Jubilee S. on Saturday, June 24 before returning to Australia to retire at Newgate Stud.

“We are proud of his return to Australia following last year's European campaign to win his second Group 1 in the Canterbury S. at Royal Randwick. He is now in the paddock enjoying a short break before we begin the preparation towards Royal Ascot.

“We would like to thank and congratulate all the people behind the scenes in the stable as well as all his owners on Artorius's career to date. We are sure he will do us all proud again.”

A winner of the G1 Blue Diamond S. at two, the 4-year-old placed in both the 2022 Platinum Jubilee and G1 July Cup S. during his first Northern Hemisphere sojourn. His latest campaign has been a productive one, as he claimed the Canterbury S. by a head in early March, and then was a close fourth behind Anamoe (Aus) (Street Boss) in the G1 George Ryder S. at Rosehill on Mar. 18.

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Artorius Set For Audacious Royal Ascot And Everest Double

Group 1 winner Artorius (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}) will likely return to Royal Ascot this year seeking to better his third-place finish behind Naval Crown (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G1 Diamond Jubilee S. in 2022, co-owner Henry Field of Newgate Farm told TDN Aus/NZ.

“As long as he's going well and he's healthy, that's definitely the plan,” Field said. “He was unluckily beaten last year in the Platinum Jubilee when he was held up at a vital stage, and I think he can go back there. There's no question he's got the ability, and he's more seasoned from the experience.”

Before Ascot, the 4-year-old is set to make his seasonal debut in the G1 Canterbury S. at Royal Randwick on Mar. 4. Leading Hong Kong jockey Zac Purton will be aboard and will ride in his native Australia for the first time since the 2018 G1 Melbourne Cup.

“Artorius is a very important horse to us,” Field said. “He has such an elite profile that we had to think outside the square rider-wise, and Zac is one of the dominant riders anywhere in the world right now. He's probably as good a rider as there's ever been in Hong Kong, and a very strong rider that we thought would suit Artorius nicely.”

Artorius was also third in the G1 Darley July Cup at Newmarket and hasn't run since a sixth-place finish in the G1 Arc Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville on Aug. 7.

The colt will likely return to Australia to contest the G1 Everest S. at Royal Randwick on Oct. 14 in what will likely be his final start in that richest sprint race the world has to offer at A$15.

“I'd say it will be very likely he'll be retired to stud at the end of this season, but I do genuinely believe he is a horse with enough natural ability to win an Everest, so those conversations will be had with the ownership group,” Field said.

Artorius has not won a race since taking the 2021 G1 Blue Diamond S. but has placed in five Group 1s. He won a trial race at Warwick Farm last week in preparation for his comeback. His career line stands at 14-2-3-4 and he has amassed A$1,808,349 in prize-money.

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Appleby And Dubawi One-Two In The Platinum Jubilee As Naval Crown Prevails

Saturday's G1 Platinum Jubilee S. produced a surprise, but it was a welcome one for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby as Naval Crown (GB) edged out Creative Force (Ire) spread wide across the track to provide a one-two for the stable and the meeting's star sire Dubawi (Ire). Relishing a lead from the ultimately disappointing 5-2 favourite Home Affairs (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) racing stand's side, Naval Crown who was last seen finishing fourth in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint was sent on by James Doyle approaching two out and came home alone there as Creative Force forged ahead of the main pack up the centre. At the line, it was the 33-1 shot sporting the white cap who had a neck advantage, with half a length back to the dead-heating Artorius (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}) and Campanelle (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}).

“I just got a lovely draft into the race behind Home Affairs and he kind of dropped away around the two and a half,” Doyle explained. “We had to be pretty brave and kick for home, but Naval Crown has campaigned over further and he's got the stamina in his legs. He's very genuine. This race is one of the highlights of the week, so to be able to win it again and to do it for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and Charlie–it's great to play a small part in that.”

Campaigned at up to a mile at two and three, Naval Crown had beaten Master of the Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the Listed Meydan Classic last February before finishing behind that stablemate when fourth in the 2000 Guineas. Ironically, it was Creative Force and Doyle in the white cap who was in front in the G3 Jersey S. on soft ground here 12 months ago, with Naval Crown under William Buick as they took identical paths racing far away from each other. Naval Crown had one more outing in Europe, when eighth in Deauville's G1 Prix Jean Prat in July and was next seen winning Meydan's G2 Al Fahidi Fort Jan. 21. Favourite for the 1351 Turf Sprint at Riyadh Feb. 26, the bay was sent forward from his wide draw and over-raced before fading to 11th there and was trying this trip for the first time when fourth in the Mar. 26 Al Quoz Sprint back at Meydan.

All the focus had been on the Chris Waller trainee Home Affairs, who was looking to bring up a rare double for the trainer, and all seemed to be going to plan as he tanked along for the first two furlongs under James McDonald a few widths off the stand's rail. At halfway, the rest were too close for comfort and two out the favourite was already beaten as the bulk of the contenders were fighting up the middle of the track. Naval Crown, Campanelle, Highfield Princess (Fr) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) and Creative Force were almost in line spaced apart passing the furlong pole as Artorius came into the picture, but it was the winner's solo effort clear of his group which proved marginally the strongest.

“He owes me a big day, to be fair–he was red-hot favourite for the race in Saudi and we had a bad draw. He jumped impeccably, but just completely tore off,” Doyle added. “It was a bit of a disaster, but it taught us one thing, that he's definitely a sprinter so we dabbled with the idea and he ran a cracking race in the Al Quoz. That kind of taught him plenty that would have stood him in good stead today.”

Appleby commented, “One thing that Naval Crown had coming into the race was that he was still learning the sprinting game. He'd only sprinted once in his life and that was in the Al Quoz. When I took him to Saudi it was all a bit of a mess unfortunately, although we saw his natural pace there. He was fourth in a Guineas, so he's a rock-solid horse. Creative Force ran a blinder. From that draw, it was always away from him but Will gave him a fantastic ride and it was just like the Jersey last year–they were ding-donging away with themselves in the end. They are two fantastic Dubawis.”

“Naval Crown is cutting his teeth at the sprinting division now and he's learning fast. I see no reason why we shouldn't be going to the July Cup now on what we've seen today. We hadn't really planned beyond this–we thought we'd just be following the Australians home to be fair. Full credit to all the team. I am lucky enough to stand here, but the team do all the work at home. The horses have been in rude health since the spring and it's hard to try to maintain it as the year goes on, but touch wood, they're staying there.”

Campanelle lost her unbeaten Royal Ascot record, but nothing in defeat and trainer Wesley Ward said, “I am very proud of her. The race went just as we hoped. She jumped well and those on the speed have been doing well because of the weather conditions here. She would have preferred the going a little softer. She was out in front, she ran a beautiful race and there are no excuses.”

Sam Freedman said of Artorius, “There was barely a gap there and he poked his head through. He has run a wonderful race. The guys say he will probably stay here for the July Cup. The track is little bit different to Ascot, but it is a stiff finish again.” His part-owner Henry Field added, “That is the style of the horse that Artorius is. He didn't quite get there, but the trip away has done him the world of good. Sam Freedman is one of the most astute young trainers I have ever come across. Anthony and Sam have done a wonderful job with him. As long as he comes through the race well, there is no doubt we will run in the July Cup in a few weeks.”

Naval Crown capped one of the key moments in Dubawi's formidable stud career by becoming his 50th group 1 winner. The dam, the Listed Prix Amandine victrix Come Alive (GB) (Dansili {GB}), is a daughter of Portrayal (Saint Ballado) who took the Listed Severals S. and was placed three times in group company including when third in the G2 Prix Robert Papin. Portrayal, whose full-sister Trujillo produced the New Zealand stakes scorer Ruby Armani (NZ) from a mating with Dubawi's son Makfi (GB), is a granddaughter of the G3 Prix de Royaumont winner Truly Special (Ire) (Caerleon) whose progeny list is headed by the GII E. P. Taylor S. heroine and stakes producer Truly a Dream (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}). This is the family of the G1 Irish Oaks heroine Moonstone (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}). Come Alive's unraced 2-year-old filly by Lope de Vega (Ire) is named Spring Promise (Ire), while she also has a yearling filly by Shamardal.

Saturday, Ascot, Britain
PLATINUM JUBILEE S.-G1, £1,000,000, Ascot, 6-18, 4yo/up, 6fT, 1:12.17, g/f.
1–NAVAL CROWN (GB), 131, c, 4, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Come Alive (GB) (SW-Fr), by Dansili (GB)
2nd Dam: Portrayal, by Saint Ballado
3rd Dam: True Glory (Ire), by In the Wings (GB)
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby; J-James Doyle. £567,100. Lifetime Record: Hwt. 3yo-UAE at 7-9.5f, GSW-UAE & MGSP-Fr, 15-4-2-5, $1,055,430. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Creative Force (Ire), 131, g, 4, Dubawi (Ire)–Choose Me (Ire), by Choisir (Aus). (€400,000 Ylg '19 GOFOR). O-Godolphin; B-Owenstown Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby. £215,000.
(DH)3–Artorius (Aus), 131, c, 4, Flying Artie (Aus)–Gracie's Lass (Aus), by Redoute's Choice (Aus). (120,000 Ylg '20 MMGYRL). O-Newgate, China Horse Club & Partners; B-G J Perry (AUS); T-A & S Freedman. £80,600.
(DH)3–Campanelle (Ire), 128, f, 4, Kodiac (GB)–Janina (GB), by Namid (GB). (190,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-Stonestreet Stables LLC; B-Tally-Ho Stud (IRE); T-Wesley Ward. £80,600.
Margins: NK, HF, DHT. Odds: 33.00, 12.00, 8.50/10.00.
Also Ran: Sacred (GB), Highfield Princess (Fr), Happy Romance (Ire), Kinross (GB), Alcohol Free (Ire), Run To Freedom (GB), Double Or Bubble (Ire), Diligent Harry (GB), Minzaal (Ire), King's Lynn (GB), Emaraaty Ana (GB), Gustavus Weston (Ire), A Case of You (Ire), Umm Kulthum (Ire), Grenadier Guards (Jpn), Home Affairs (Aus), Garrus (Ire), Vadream (GB), Dragon Symbol (GB), Great Ambassador (GB). Scratched: Glen Shiel (GB), Happy Power (Ire), Ventura Diamond (Ire). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

 

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