Godolphin | Horse Racing Free Tips

Joel Date For Benbatl

Benbatl (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) will make his belated return to action in Friday’s G2 Joel S. at Newmarket. The 6-year-old won a pair of Group 2s at Meydan over the winter but hasn’t been seen since finishing third in the Saudi Cup. He was scratched from the G2 Celebration Mile on Aug. 29 after the ground went soft.

“He’ll go for the Joel, he’s working well and he’s in good form. We’ve been waiting for a while to run him,” said trainer Saeed bin Suroor. “We wanted to go to Goodwood and then there was a race at Haydock, but the ground was heavy. Instead we’ll go to Newmarket for the race he won last year–he won it well. We’re looking forward to it and looking to see a good performance from him. The timing is also right for Champions Day, but he will only go there if the ground is suitable. We took him last year when it was soft and he didn’t like it. He’s got the option over a mile [the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S.] and 10 furlongs (the G1 Champion S.). We’ll wait and see, we just need to get him started.”

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Flat Breeders Honoured At Virtual Event

The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association gave out 10 awards during a virtual edition of its Flat Breeders’ Awards Evening on Thursday.

Godolphin won four: the Queen’s Silver Cup for leading British-based breeder by prize money; the BBA Silver Cigar Box for leading British-based stallion by prize money (Dubawi {Ire}); the Barleythrope Stud Silver Cup for leading British-based stallion by individual winners (Dubawi); and the inaugural British European Breeders’ Fund Stallion Special Merit Award for Night Of Thunder (Ire).

European Breeders’ Fund Marketing Communications Manager Rachael Gowland said, “Night Of Thunder stood in Great Britain for two seasons and a significant portion of his winners and stakes horses have been in Great Britain. As a mid-price-range stallion, he caught breeders’ attention with a significant winners to runners percentage driven by talented offspring rather than sheer weight of numbers in 2019. The award is in its infancy and still developing but ultimately its purpose is to help showcase high-achieving stallions irrespective of book size and nomination fee.”

Cable Bay was awarded the Tattersalls Silver Salver as leading first-crop sire in 2019 by prizemoney; Dar Re Mi recorded back-to-back wins as Broodmare of the Year; Newsells Park Stud was Flat Breeder of the Year; Mick and Fiona Denniff received the TBA Silver Salver for Special Merit; and Bearstone Stud the Small Flat Breeder of the Year award. Jacques Prinsloo of Whitsbury Manor Stud received the Stud Employee Award.

TBA Chairman Julian Richmond-Watson said, “Although we have been unable to host our usual event, we are delighted to be able to recognise the achievements of British breeders from the 2019 flat racing season. My congratulations go to all of the nominees, winners and their supporting teams who have demonstrated such dedication to our industry. I would also like to thank all of our event supporters and sponsors this year for continuing their contribution to the British breeding industry.”

Weatherbys Chairmain Johnny Weatherby said, “We are absolutely delighted to support the TBA’s Flat Breeders’ Awards, and as a small breeder myself I am fully aware of the challenges that we all face, particularly in the current climate, and I whole heartedly congratulate this evening’s winners.”

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Antoinette Headlines Belmont Oaks

Godolphin’s Antoinette (Hard Spun) tops a five-horse field in this year’s renewal of the GI Belmont Oaks Saturday. Winner of an off-the-turf version of the Tepin S. last year, the bay was third in both the GII Fair Grounds Oaks Mar. 21 and the Gardenia S. at Oaklawn May 1. Third in again in what is traditionally the local prep for this event, the GIII Wonder Again S. June 20, she completed the trifecta in the GI CCA Oaks July 18. Antoinette returned to the winner’s circle last time with a front-running victory in the Saratoga Oaks Aug. 16.

A pair of European invaders will take their shot at the likely favorite in Magic Attitude (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) and Neige Blanche (Fr) (Anodin {Ire}). Victorious in the G3 Prix Vanteaux in May, she was privately purchased by Roy and Gretchen Jackson’s Lael Stables and was second in her first start for them in the G1 Prix Saint Alary June 14. Magic Attitude was fifth in her final European start in the G1 Prix de Diane July 5 for trainer Fabrice Chappet and was transferred to Arnaud Delacour. She receives Lasix in this first start for her new barn.

Winning two of her three starts as a juvenile in France last year, Neige Blanche was fourth in her sophomore bow Feb. 22 and was third in the Prix Caravelle May 11. She captured the G3 Prix Cleopatre June 6, after which she was privately purchased by these connections and sent stateside to Leonard Powell.

Rounding out the field are Setting the Mood (Lea), most recently a head second going 1 3/8 miles at Saratoga Aug. 26; and Key Biscayne (Brethren), who was third in the Saratoga Oaks.

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High Clearance Rate at Doncaster September HIT Sale

At the end of the day’s trade, the Goffs UK September HIT Sale posted a sparkling clearance rate of 91%, with 221 lots sold of 243 horses through the ring. The sale featured the Gleadhill House Dispersal, which sold all 56 members of its draft for a gross of £1,136,200. The overall aggregate was £2,731,200, with an average up four points to £12,358 and a median of £6,000 (-25%).

Topping the sale, 7-year-old gelding Stoney Mountain (Ire) (Mountain High {Ire}) (lot 183) brought a bid of £140,000 from Tom Malone acting with Anita Gillies. The Downton Hall Stables-consigned chestnut has won at the Grade III level over hurdles.

Gigginstown House also offered a quality draft, with Aidan O’Ryan and Gordon Elliott striking for their lot 169, the MG1SW Petit Mouchoir (Fr) (Al Namix {Fr}) at £70,000.

The dearest lot hailing from the Godolphin draft was the unraced Trebizond (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}) (lot 157). A half-brother to G2 Dante S. hero Bonfire (GB) (Manduro {Ger}) and to the unraced dam of MG1SW miler Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}), the 3-year-old gelding was picked up by Durcan Bloodstock for £34,000.

“Today has been a big success and it’s great to finish with a clearance rate of 91% which demonstrates the huge demand for horses-in-training,” said Goffs UK Managing Director Tim Kent. “The two dispersals added a great depth to the sale and we are extremely grateful to both Trevor Hemmings and Gigginstown House Stud for giving us the opportunity to sell these high class horses.

“It has been a pleasure to offer some very exciting horses for Trevor Hemmings and his colours, which will still be seen on NH tracks for some time to come, will leave a lasting legacy in NH racing. The Gigginstown Dispersal has become an annual highlight at this sale and we look forward to seeing these horses run for new connections this season.

“We have also welcomed large drafts from the likes of Godolphin and Gordon Elliott and we wish to extend our thanks to all our vendors and buyers – without them we are nothing.”

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