Tag: G2 KPMG Champions Juvenile S.

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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Deep Impact’s Auguste Rodin Takes The Champions Juvenile

The vibes were strong about Ballydoyle's TDN Rising Star Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) ahead of Saturday's G2 KPMG Champions Juvenile S. at Leopardstown and they proved correct as the son of Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) got his stable off to a strong start to Irish Champions Weekend. Fine-tuned since breaking his maiden over seven furlongs at Naas July 2, the 11-10 favourite was settled by Ryan Moore behind the leading pair early which included his stablemate and fellow TDN Rising Star Tower Of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Sent to the front with 1 1/2 furlongs of the mile trip remaining, the bay edged right with the smooth-travelling filly Caroline Street (No Nay Never) in attendance but ultimately had the answers to score by 1 1/2 lengths.

“He's a lovely horse and was a bit idle on ground that is probably a bit slow for him,” the winning rider said of the winner, who had looked unlucky when second on debut at The Curragh June 26. Aidan O'Brien had given the impression beforehand that Auguste Rodin has been sending out the right signals at Rosegreen and said, “He's just back off his break and will come forward plenty from it. He is a horse who probably doesn't want to be in front too long, but his mum was like that, she liked to be getting there late but that's a good thing as those horses tend to last longer. He always showed a lot of pace in his work and he's a good traveller, a lovely mover and will appreciate nice ground when he gets it.”

“He has a beautiful physique and a good nature and always went through his work very impressively,” he added. “To get a horse like him by Deep Impact out of a Galileo champion mare is incredible really. He could be a Futurity Trophy or a Dewhurst horse, he has plenty of class and quality and will probably sharpen up a lot from the race. We thought he could be the type of horse who could do both the Guineas and Derby, he could be a Derby horse that could start in the Guineas. He could get a mile and a half, but he's a mile, mile-and-a-quarter horse we thought.”

Of Tower Of London, who faded in midstraight and finished a disappointing last, O'Brien added, “At home he knew more than the other horse and ideally, we would have preferred to take our time a little bit more with the other horse but there was no pace. Something had to go and it probably didn't really suit him doing that.”

Pedigree Notes

Auguste Rodin, who becomes the 151st group winner for his legendary late sire, is so far the only known foal out of the leading racemare Rhododendron who was able to win a Lockinge at a mile and the Prix de l'Opera over 10 furlongs, as well as finish second to Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) in the Oaks. Her dam is the outstanding producer Halfway To Heaven (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), who also captured a trio of top-level contests from a mile to a mile and a quarter including the Irish 1000 Guineas. Rhododendron's full-sister Magical (Ire) was a seven-times group 1 winner, with her conquests featuring the feature race on this card and Ascot's Champion S.

Halfway To Heaven is out of the triple group scorer and G1 July Cup runner-up Cassandra Go (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}), who is also responsible for the G3 Abernant S. and G3 Sandown Sprint S. winner Tickled Pink (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and the G3 Summer S. winner Theann (GB) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire). The latter went on to produce Galileo's GI First Lady S. and GI Rodeo Drive S. heroine Photo Call (Ire) and the G2 Richmond S. winner Land Force (Ire) (No Nay Never), while Tickled Pink is now the dam of the stable's upwardly-mobile Listed Criterium du Fonds Europeen de l'Elevage scorer Victoria Road (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}).

Saturday, Leopardstown, Britain
KPMG CHAMPIONS JUVENILE S.-G2, €150,000, Leopardstown, 9-10, 2yo, 8fT, 1:45.25, sf.
1–AUGUSTE RODIN (IRE), 131, c, 2, by Deep Impact (Jpn)
     1st Dam: Rhododendron (Ire) (G1SW-Fr, MG1SW-Eng, GSW & G1SP-Ire, GISP-US, $1,786,763), by Galileo (Ire)
     2nd Dam: Halfway To Heaven (Ire), by Pivotal (GB)
     3rd Dam: Cassandra Go (Ire), by Indian Ridge (Ire)
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GROUP WIN. TDN Rising Star. O-M Tabor/D Smith/Mrs J Magnier/Westerberg; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. €90,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, $103,630. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Caroline Street, 128, f, 2, No Nay Never–Harvestfortheworld (Ire), by So You Think (NZ).
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. ($200,000 Ylg '21 FTSAUG). O-Marc Detampel & Michael Buckley; B-Grantley Acres, Ryan Conner & Ron Davidson (KY); T-Joseph O'Brien. €30,000.
3–Alder (Ire), 131, c, 2, Australia (GB)–Eccentricity, by Kingmambo.
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Mrs A M O'Brien & Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Whisperview Trading Ltd (IRE); T-Donnacha O'Brien. €15,000.
Margins: 1HF, 3/4, 1. Odds: 1.10, 18.00, 12.00.
Also Ran: Serious Challenge (Ire), Tower of London (Ire).

 

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Wootton Bassett’s Atomic Jones Prevails At Leopardstown

Fresh from winning the opening Listed Ingabelle S. on Saturday, Ger Lyons and Colin Keane combined to enjoy the perfect start to Leopardstown's Irish Champions Day when following up in the G2 KPMG Champions Juvenile S. with Atomic Jones (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). Owned by Sean Jones, David Spratt and Lynne Lyons, the bay who had won on his sole start in a seven-furlong maiden at The Curragh June 27 was restrained early from his low draw to race with two behind. Switched outside with three furlongs remaining, the 10-1 shot had plenty still ahead a furlong later but unleashed a sustained surge of acceleration to overhaul Stone Age (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) 100 yards from the line. Battling from there, he registered a head verdict over that 10-3 joint favourite, with Absolute Ruler (War Front) a further half a length away in the first of several close finishes on the day.

Ger Lyons was racing for the first time in person for several months and was rewarded with a remarkable four-timer. “He's a fantastic big, strong Wootton Bassett–to be honest, he's one that I thought I'd be introducing at this time of year with one run before being put away for the winter,” he said. “That's it for this year and I'd say he'll be introduced at the same trip when he comes back, but he is one for 10 furlongs. He's a huge baby and I'd say he's a smart horse with plenty of ability. He's done that without even knowing he's done it, just pure raw ability. I think he's typical of the sire, good, strong and dependable and I love to see horses hit the line strong, as it shows you have something to work with. He's 70% there at the moment, if he is that much. Full credit to Kerri [Lyons] and the team, he was a good buy at Book 1 and Sean [Jones] and David [Spratt] are a huge part of the outfit, so anything I can repay them with is good.”

As his trainer stated, Atomic Jones was a relatively inexpensive 95,000gns purchase at the Book 1 Sale, with his dam Loyale (Fr) (Turtle Bowl {Ire}) being a half to the GIII Dixiana Bourbon S. scorer and GII With Anticipation S. runner-up Keep Quiet (Elusive Quality) and the GII Clemente H. and GIII Pucker Up S. winner Little Treasure (Fr) (Night Shift). The latter is responsible for the GII La Canada S. winner More Chocolate (Malibu Moon), who was runner-up three times at the top level, while Loyale is also kin to the G3 Prix Allez France second Harem Lady (Fr) (Teofilo {Ire}) and the listed-paced Annee Lumiere (Ire) (Giant's Causeway), who is in turn responsible for the G3 Park S. winner and GII Churchill Distaff Turf Mile S. runner-up New York Girl (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}).

This is also the family of last year's G3 Prix la Rochette scorer Go Athletico (Fr) (Goken {Fr}) and the GII Goldikova S. winner Rhythm of Light (GB) (Beat Hollow {GB}), while the listed-winning third dam Bague Bleue (Ire) (Last Tycoon {Ire}) is a full-sister to the four-times group 1-winning sire Bigstone (Ire) and a half to the Listed Prix Imprudence winner Blue Cloud (Ire) (Nashwan). She is in turn the dam of the G3 Leopardstown 1000 Guineas Trial winner Empowering (Ire) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}), who produced the G2 Royal Lodge S. scorer Mohawk (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Loyale's son of Anodin (Ire) sells next week in the Osarus September Yearling Sale.

Saturday, Leopardstown, Ireland
KPMG CHAMPIONS JUVENILE S.-G2, €125,000, Leopardstown, 9-11, 2yo, 8fT, 1:42.75, gd.
1–ATOMIC JONES (FR), 131, c, 2, by Wootton Bassett (GB)
     1st Dam: Loyale (Fr), by Turtle Bowl (Ire)
     2nd Dam: Luminosity (GB), by Sillery
     3rd Dam: Bague Bleue (Ire), by Last Tycoon (Ire)
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GROUP WIN. (€75,000 Wlg '19 ARQDE; 95,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Sean Jones, David Spratt & Lynne Lyons; B-Gestut Zur Kuste AG & S.A.R.L. Riviera Equine (FR); T-Ger Lyons; J-Colin Keane. €75,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $100,199. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Stone Age (Ire), 131, c, 2, Galileo (Ire)–Bonanza Creek (Ire), by Anabaa. O-Peter M Brant & Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-White Birch Farm SC (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €25,000.
3–Absolute Ruler, 131, c, 2, War Front–Together Forever (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Westerberg; B-Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt (KY); T-Donnacha O'Brien. €12,500.
Margins: HD, HF, NO. Odds: 10.00, 3.30, 5.00.
Also Ran: Howth (Ire), Manu Et Corde (Ire), Buckaroo (GB), I Am Magic (Ire), John the Baptist (Ire), Maritime Wings (Ire), Once Upon a River (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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