Rothschild Takes Centre Stage On Sunday

Deauville stages the first of its August features on Sunday, with the fillies and mares granted the opportunity to strike at the highest level in the G1 Prix Rothschild. Alexander Tamagni-Bodmer and Regula Vannod’s Watch Me (Fr) (Olympic Glory {Ire}) sets the standard, having won last year’s G1 Coronation S. and finished third in the G1 Prix de l’Opera and she looked primed for another big effort when taking the course-and-distance Listed Prix de la Calonne on July 12. Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard is expecting a bold show. “She is in great form and has improved a lot since her seasonal comeback three weeks ago,” he said. “It’s a Group 1 and they are always hard to win, but I could not be happier with her condition.”

Watch Me meets Godolphin’s ‘TDN Rising Star’ Summer Romance (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), who put up a markedly-improved performance when taking Epsom’s G3 Princess Elizabeth S. over an extended mile on July 4. Enjoying the run of the race there, she still managed to beat three classy fillies in Cloak of Spirits (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Rose of Kildare (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) and Onassis (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Charlie Appleby is hoping she can build on that confidence boost. “We were very pleased with the performance of Summer Romance at Epsom and she came out of the race well,” he said. “She made the running there, but doesn’t have to go from the front–it wasn’t the plan to make it last time out but nobody else wanted to go on, so we took the bull by the horns. We feel that this is a good opportunity to hopefully step up to Group 1 level.”

Another who is looking to make a jump forward is Qatar Racing Limited’s July 1 G3 Derrinstown Stud Fillies S. scorer Know It All (GB) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), but the manner of her success in that Leopardstown mile contest suggests she can make an impact. Trainer Johnny Murtagh said, “She’s going there in great form, hopefully. Sheikh Fahad picked this race out and I’m glad he did because it’s a fillies’ only Group 1 with six runners. There are obviously some good ones in it.” One of those is Rashit Shaykhutdinov’s G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches runner-up Speak of the Devil (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who is back over a mile having failed to stay the 10 1/2-furlong trip of the G1 Prix de Diane at Chantilly on July 5. She is probably still underestimated and this could be her chance to make amends for her unlucky defeat in the June 1 Classic here.

In the G3 Darley Prix de Cabourg, which has been won in recent times by Dabirsim (Fr) (Hat Trick {Jpn}), Ervedya (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) and Earthlight (Ire) (Shamardal), the 2-year-olds get a chance to prove worthy of a tilt at the upcoming G1 Prix Morny over the same six-furlong trip. There does not look to be an Earthlight among the domestic contingent this year and, as ever, there is a strong British challenge via the July 18 Listed Rose Bowl S. runner-up Mighty Gurkha (Ire) (Sepoy {Aus}) and the unbeaten Cairn Gorm (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}).

At Dusseldorf, there is Classic action with the 162nd renewal of the 11-furlong G1 Henkel-Preis der Diana seeing a formidable collection of foreign raiders. Francis-Henri Graffard has already taken one of Germany’s Classics after In Swoop (Ire) (Adlerflug {Ger}) caused an upset in the G1 Deutsches Derby and is back again with another import from this country in Tickle Me Green (Ger) (Sea the Moon {Ger}). Third in the G3 Prix de la Grotte at ParisLongchamp on May 11 and ninth in the G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches at Deauville on June 1 when under the care of Andre Fabre, Gestut Gorlsdorf’s homebred made her debut for Graffard a winning one in the Listed Prix Madame Jean Couturie over 10 furlongs at Vichy on July 20.

Gary Barber and Team Valor International’s Silence Please (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) beat her stablemate and subsequent G1 Nassau S. runner-up One Voice (Ire) (Poet’s Voice {GB}) in the 10-furlong Listed Salsabil S. at Navan on June 10 before finishing third behind Even So (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) under a penalty in the July 4 Listed Naas Oaks Trial. That form may be good enough in this context with no stand-out among the German brigade. One of the least exposed of them is Gestut Wittekindshof’s Elle Memory (Ger) (Maxios {GB}), the Peter Schiergen-trained daughter of the prolific Elle Danzig (Ger) (Roi Danzig) who captured this in 1998 when it was a Group 2. The second dam of Saturday’s Listed Chalice S. winner Katara (Fr) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), her Shamardal filly Elle Shadow was second in this in 2010. Although it would make a nice story if Elle Memory is to go one better, she has to progress some way from her narrow defeat of Sister Lulu (Ger) (Jukebox Jury {Ire}) in the 10 1/2-furlong Listed Preis Dusseldorf on June 21.

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Raabihah Back In The Groove At Deauville

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Raabihah (Sea the Stars {Ire}), who went untested as a juvenile, was up with the larks for a Jan. 23 debutantes’ heat win at Cagnes-sur-Mer and doubled up with an impressive tally in ParisLongchamp’s May 14 Listed Prix de la Seine before posting a commendable fourth, despite a troubled trip, pitched into Chantilly’s rescheduled July 5 G1 Prix de Diane in her latest outing. Sent off as the 2-5 lock on a retrieval mission in Saturday’s G3 Prix de Psyche Sky Sports Racing over 10 furlongs at Deauville, the homebred chestnut did not disappoint her legion of supporters and booked a ticket to France’s end-of-season gala with a performance which simply oozed class. She was positioned several lengths off the pacesetting Arriviste (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) in fourth until improving one spot as the field bunched on the home turn. Overpowering toiling rivals once quickening in style for control approaching the final furlong, Raabihah surged clear in hand to easily dismiss Listed Prix Finlande victress Wangari (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) by an impressive 3 1/2 lengths with Wangari’s Andre Fabre-trained stablemate Alkandora (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) emerging best of the remainder, finishing 3/4-of-a-length further back in third.

“I think what we have seen here today is a Group 1 filly,” said winning trainer Jean-Claude Rouget, who sent out Luna Kya (Fr) (Kendor {Fr}) to win this in 2001 and subsequent MGISW distaffer Zagora (Fr) (Green Tune) in 2010. “We knew that before, of course, but we missed the opportunity to win a big one in the Diane where she had an awful trip and didn’t have enough experience to get herself out of trouble. We have been in racing long enough to know that these things happen. The pace was good today and the further she was going the more she was opening up on the rest.”

Rouget is now zoning in on targets back at the highest level with October’s G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe the ultimate goal this year. “For me, she is the best French filly around and she’s not even running over her distance. We know she is a genuine mile-and-a-half filly, with her second and third dams both being Oaks winners, and the plan is to now go straight to the [Sept. 13 G1 Prix] Vermeille and then the [Oct. 4 G1 Prix de l’] Arc [de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp].”

Raabihah is one of two winners and the leading performer produced by Garmoosha (Kingmambo), who was bred to Noble Mission (GB) this year. The fourth of six foals, she is a half-sister to Listed Wait A While S. third Filfila (Kitten’s Joy), a yearling filly by Kitten’s Joy and a 2020 More Than Ready filly. Her dam is an unraced half to G1 Fillies’ Mile third Firdaws (Mr. Greeley) out of G1 Epsom Oaks heroine Eswarah (GB) (Unfuwain), who in turn is a daughter of MG1SW G1 1000 Guineas and G1 Epsom Oaks heroine Midway Lady (Alleged). The latter also produced G1 Irish 1000 Guineas third Umniyatee (GB) (Green Desert) and G3 Princess Royal S. victrix Itnab (GB) (Green Desert), who in turn is the dam of stakes-winning G3 Al Shindagha Sprint runner-up Alazeyab (El Prado {Ire}) and Peruvian Group 3 placegetter Madera de Guerrero (Street Cry {Ire}). Descendants of Umniyatee include Argentina’s G1 Presidente da Republica victor Maltes (Brz) (Red Runner).

Saturday, Deauville, France
PRIX DE PSYCHE SKY SPORTS RACING-G3, €56,000, Deauville, 8-1, 3yo, f, 8fT, 2:02.81, gd.
1–RAABIHAH, 125, f, 3, by Sea the Stars (Ire)
1st Dam: Garmoosha, by Kingmambo
2nd Dam: Eswarah (GB), by Unfuwain
3rd Dam: Midway Lady, by Alleged
1ST GROUP WIN. O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum; B-Shadwell Farm LLC (KY); T-Jean-Claude Rouget; J-Cristian Demuro. €28,000. Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-0, €91,760. *1/2 to Filfila (Kitten’s Joy), SP-US. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Wangari (Ger), 125, f, 3, Soldier Hollow (GB)–Wamika (Ger), by Shirocco (Ger). (€35,000 Ylg ’18 BBAGO). O-White Birch Farm; B-Gestut Park Wiedingen; T-Andre Fabre. €11,200.
3–Alkandora (GB), 125, f, 3, Nathaniel (Ire)–Poplin (GB), by Medicean (GB). (85,000gns Ylg ’18 TAOCT). O-Godolphin; B-D J Deer & Mrs D J Deer (GB); T-Andre Fabre. €8,400.
Margins: 3HF, 3/4, 3/4. Odds: 0.40, 4.40, 8.00.
Also Ran: Arriviste (GB), Chorba (Fr), Run Wild (Ger), Euclidia (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

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Classic Win Still A Success Story For Sellers

There are good reasons for smaller trainers, owners and breeders to do their equine shopping at the drafts of the major breeding operations at horses-in-training and breeding stock sales. If buying a filly or young broodmare there is the potential for updates from well-managed families, members of which likely remain in their breeders’ broodmare bands. For the colts and geldings there is always the hope that a slower-maturing individual may well just have been deemed surplus to requirements and can go on to be a star in another stable over time. There are umpteen examples of this—the £2,800 purchase Sceptical (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) being just one who has made headlines since being bought from Godolphin and continuing his career for James McAuley and trainer Denis Hogan.

Juddmonte, Shadwell and Godolphin routinely have large drafts catalogued for formal sales as well as conducting private transactions for certain individuals and, while a number of Ballydoyle trainees will be offered at the Tattersalls Horses-in-Training Sale each autumn, many more will be sold privately throughout the season.

It is not uncommon for there to be multiple runners from Ballydoyle in some of the top races in Europe. The best fillies naturally eventually retire to the Coolmore broodmare band, but only a handful of the very best colts will secure a berth in the stallion yard. Those below that level, however, can present some decent opportunities for other connections, as the recent G2 Derby Italiano victory of Tuscan Gaze (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) highlighted.

The colt, who was bred by Coolmore in partnership with Lady Bamford’s Daylesford Stud, was previously unbeaten in two starts for John Gosden and was bought by jockey-turned-bloodstock agent Freddy Tylicki for Italian-based Mag Horse Racing SRL just weeks before his Classic success.

Jamie Moriarty of Coolmore’s racing office is in regular contact with agents and trainers on the lookout for such prospects. He says, “Some may be of the opinion that we wouldn’t be overjoyed at selling winners like that but in fact nothing could be further from the truth. Results like this bolster the relationships we are continually seeking to develop and maintain, and of course there’s also the pedigree update for the horse’s dam and relatives at home. So all in all, we couldn’t be happier for everyone concerned.”

He adds, “Tuscan Gaze’s recent success in the Italian Derby has received some great coverage, and rightly so. I suppose it could be perceived as something of a fairytale, and for none more so than Freddy Tylicki, but in reality we would like to think that this fairytale is played out with increasing regularity.”

There has long been a flow of horses from Ballydoyle to the Australian stable of leading owners Lloyd and Nick Williams, whose thirst to win the Melbourne Cup appears to be unquenchable. Rekindling (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire}) provided the father and son with their sixth victory in the Cup and was a memorable first for Joseph O’Brien, whose stable he has recently rejoined after a stint in Australia under the care of Liam Howley, who now trains the G2 Herbert Power S. winner Yucatan (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Last year’s eye-catching third-place finisher Il Paradiso (Galileo {Ire}), who was just a neck behind the winner Vow And Declare (Aus) (Declaration Of War), has remained in Australia and has joined Chris Waller’s stable after being sold to a syndicate which includes Ozzie Kheir. Among the other Ballydoyle graduates now in Australia are Galileo’s sons Southern France (Ire), who won the G2 Zipping Classic for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, and G1 Caulfied S. winner Cape Of Good Hope (Ire), who is now trained by David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig.

“Many will remember Rekindling and Johannes Vermeer going head-to-head in the Melbourne Cup, two Coolmore horses that had been sold to Australians Lloyd and Nick Williams,” says Moriarty. “The Melbourne Cup provides one of the best examples through the likes of Rekindling, Johannes Vermeer and Il Paradiso, a horse I suspect will be very much in the reckoning again this year.”

He adds, “As we retire only two or three new stallions each year to Coolmore, there are plenty of horses for sale and this presents terrific opportunities for clients old and new to get involved.

“Our team here takes calls and enquiries every day from the most far-reaching countries about prospective sales of racehorses and breeding stock alike. If clients have races they would like to target, be it on turf or dirt, Northern or Southern Hemisphere we will have plenty of options for them. Freddy had a week to find an Italian Derby winner and we were able to work it out.”

Hong Kong has also been a happy hunting ground for former Ballydoyle trainees, with River Dancer (Ire), the Sadler’s Wells half-brother to Dar Re Mi (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}), having won the G1 Audemars Piguet QE II Cup for The Hon. Ronald Arculli following his export from Ireland. Four years later, Archipenko, now the sire of Group 1-winning brothers Time Warp (GB) and Glorious Forever (GB) in Hong Kong, won that same race after he was sold to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum and joined Mike de Kock’s team of globetrotters. The same owner-trainer team also won the G1 Hong Kong Cup with Eagle Mountain (GB) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}), who was runner-up to Authorized (Ire) in the Derby when trainer by Aidan O’Brien.

A little closer to home, the one-time Derby fancy Amedeo Modigliani (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is now in the stable of Spain’s champion trainer Guillermo Arizkorreta and has won his only start in Spain’s premier mile race, the Gran Premio Claudio Carudel.

“If you look at any of the bigger races across the globe, you will note Coolmore graduates amongst the rolls of honour,” says Moriarty. “Master of Hounds, Mikhail Glinka (GB), Stagelight (Ire) and Viscount Nelson went on to score at the highest levels in Dubai. Joshua Tree (Ire), Ballingarry (Ire), Frost Giant, Tannery (Ire), Heatseeker (Ire) and Brahms were all at the top of their game on the other side of the Atlantic. So whether it’s a Canadian International, a Singapore, Hollywood, Hong Kong or Italian Derby winner you’re looking for, we have been lucky enough to have them through our hands. Not to mention of course the Cheltenham and Grade 1 winners over jumps.”

Ah, yes. For an outfit so focused on winning Europe’s top middle-distance races, there will be plenty among them with sufficient stamina to excel in the National Hunt division, such as G1 JCB Triumph Hurdle winner Ivanovich Gorbatov (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}).

“As the primary focus of Ballydoyle each year is to retire the next Sadler’s Wells or Galileo we would rarely have a gelding in training there, although in plenty of instances there will be improvement to come from these animals when they are gelded,” says Moriarty. “We don’t strictly sell colts only. The broodmare band takes continual management and, like the racehorse string, we can’t keep them all. There are a number of fillies that are offered privately each year. In cases where we have the dam and maybe a sister or two at home we would offer some for sale. This is where some of the best opportunities lie.”

One recent fortunate beneficiary of this is the new owner of Peach Tree (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who was already a Group 3 winner in her own right when sold less than 12 months ago. Since then, her full-sister Love (Ire) has announced herself as arguably the best 3-year-old filly in training.

Another daughter of Galileo was a similarly good purchase for Australian breeder Bob Scarborough, whose purchase of Cabaret (Ire) and her subsequent mating with Invincible Spirit (Ire) resulted in him breeding the 2000 Guineas winner Magna Grecia (Ire), who was bought by MV Magnier for 340,000gns.

Moriarty adds, “We have since gone back to buy a couple of her progeny, including Magna Grecia and the very promising St Mark’s Basilica who looked a smart sort on his debut last week.”

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The Lir Jet Headed To Phoenix

G2 Norfolk S. winner The Lir Jet (Ire) (Prince Of Lir {Ire}), beaten a head when second in the July 19 G2 Prix Robert Papin, is set for next Sunday’s G1 Keeneland Phoenix S. at The Curragh. The Qatar Racing colourbearer was originally slated for the Aug. 21 Nunthorpe S. against elders, but trainer Michael Bell said that is likely off the table now.

“The Lir Jet worked well this morning,” Bell said. “He is likely to go to Ireland now for the Phoenix S. as plans have been made to get him there. We were thinking of the Nunthorpe, but we thought while he is in great order we may as well give him another chance [at six furlongs]. He just got beat in France on the nod and it was a case of one having its head up and the other having its head down. We could end up dropping back down to five with him, but there are no Group 1 2-year-old-only five-furlong races around and with the penalty he would have to carry in other races we thought it was sensible to try him at six.”

He added, “You can never rule anything out, but I would say it is highly unlikely he would run in the Nunthorpe as well, as he would have been to France and Ireland and then coming back for a Nunthorpe would be quite a lot for a 2-year-old. If he was to win we would rest on laurels for a bit, if he finished a good second or third we could then look at the Flying Childers.”

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