Trained by John and Thady Gosden, Inspiral was last seen running out an impressive winner of the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita in November, her third top-level success of the season having already won the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville for the second year in a row and the Sun Chariot S. at Newmarket.

The daughter of Frankel (GB) subsequently won the 2023 Eclipse Award for Champion Turf Female, a notable achievement for the Cheveley Park team who have made the sporting decision to keep her in training in 2024, with the G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S. at Newbury on Saturday, May 18 being identified as a likely first port of call.

“The Lockinge is the plan, but obviously she is a filly that likes to take her time to come in the spring as we've seen before,” said Richardson. “Certainly the Lockinge looks the first engagement we can consider and, if she tells us she's not quite ready, then we can wait until the Queen Anne [at Royal Ascot on Tuesday, June 18].

“She seems to be happy and well back in the yard and I watched her come up Warren Hill the other morning and she went up there nicely and quietly, so we will see how we go.”

Inspiral had not raced beyond a mile before her Breeders' Cup triumph, but that performance over 10 furlongs provides more options ahead of a five-year-old campaign which will see her try to add to her six Group 1 victories.

Richardson added, “I think John is keen to start her off at a mile and then we can build over the campaign hopefully, all being well. We will definitely be considering going a mile and a quarter.

“She's five now and a lovely filly who is still maturing and developing. She had a lovely break at the stud after America and they are a long time in the paddocks, so she is a mare we can really enjoy. She had a nice visit to us and was out in the paddock with her usual companions. She is always very inquisitive with her ears pricked, seeing who is coming round the corner next.”

The post Inspiral Limbering Up For Possible Lockinge Return appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Trained by Christopher Head, Big Rock ended his three-year-old campaign with an emphatic six-length win in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. at Ascot in October, finally making the breakthrough at the top level following a hat-trick of runner-up finishes. He could be joined at Newbury by Andre Fabre's Tribalist (GB) (Farhh {GB}), who won the G3 Prix Edmond Blanc for the second year in succession at Saint-Cloud on Monday. Big Rock and Tribalist are the only French-trained entries in a race they haven't won since Keltos (Fr) struck for Carlos Laffon-Parias in 2002.

The home team is headed by three multiple Group 1 winners trained by John and Thady Gosden, namely Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Lord North and Nashwa both reappeared on Dubai World Cup night when they finished eighth and ninth, respectively, in the G1 Dubai Turf, while the five-year-old Inspiral has been off the track since gaining the sixth top-level success of her career in the Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita in November.

Commenting on future plans for Nashwa, Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner-breeder Imad Alsagar, said, “It depends how she comes out of the race [in Dubai]. She recovered fine, but we'll see how she takes the trip home and then we'll make a plan. She's in the Middleton [at York on Thursday, May 16] and the Lockinge and I think those would be the most likely potential targets.

“She's run a super race and everything pretty much went to plan,” Grimthorpe added of Nashwa's Dubai Turf effort. “She just had to use herself up a little too much, but she was beaten just over four lengths, so overall we were very encouraged really. We'd hope she'll improve, as she did last season.”

The Gosden yard could also be represented in the Lockinge by G3 Criterion S. winner Audience (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}) and Laurel (GB) (Kingman {GB}), who has been on the sidelines since finishing down the field in last year's renewal. Laurel is one of two possible runners in the famous Juddmonte silks which were last carried to victory in the Lockinge by the great Frankel in 2012. The other Juddmonte entry is the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Nostrum (GB) (Kingman {GB}), who hails from the most successful stable in the race's history with eight wins.

Other entries of note include the placed horses from last year's G1 2000 Guineas, Hi Royal (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) and Royal Scotsman (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), plus Charyn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), who impressed when making a successful return to action in the Listed Doncaster Mile S. for Roger Varian.

The first scratching stage is by noon on Tuesday, April 30, with final confirmation stage by noon on Monday, May 13.

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Auguste Rodin Carves BC Masterpiece

Already a four-time Group 1 winner including both the Derby and the Irish version, Coolmore partners' Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) delivered another win in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf last Saturday (video) for Aidan O'Brien.

The 'TDN Rising Star' had been bred by Coolmore, and he is the first foal out of triple Group 1 winner Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). His weanling half-brother is by Dubawi (Ire). Rhododendron is a full-sister to the multiple Group 1 winner Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), the duo are out of Broodmare of the Year Halfway To Heaven (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), herself a decorated runner and winner of the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas and two other top-flight races.

Shadai Stallion Station's late Deep Impact has sired five winners from just 10 runners (50%) in the U.S. Two of that quintet are Grade I winners, with Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine Loves Only You (Jpn) his first in America.

REPLAY: Auguste Rodin (IRE) wins the $4 Million @LonginesEq #BreedersCup Turf! Congrats to all connections! #BC23 pic.twitter.com/7Ob6wtFN9i

— Breeders' Cup (@BreedersCup) November 4, 2023

Cheveley Park's Inspiral Best At Santa Anita

Cheveley Park Stud homebred Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}), racing beyond a mile for the first time in her career, won the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf last weekend for trainers John and Thady Gosden (video).

The six-time Grade/Group 1-winning daughter of Starscope (GB) (Selkirk) is a half-sister to the stakes-placed Celestran (GB) (Dansili {GB}). Starscope, herself a half-sister to stakes winner Solar Magic (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), was second in both the G1 1000 Guineas and the G1 Coronation S. Her latest produce are colts by Siyouni (Fr) and Ulysses (Ire)–named Megastar (GB) and Stetchworth Friend (GB), respectively–and a weanling full-sister to the winner. Stetchworth Friend was a 160,000gns buy by Stetchworth and Middle Park Studs out of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.

Juddmonte's Frankel has sired 26 winners from 50 runners (52%) in America. Of his 11 stakes winners there (22%), Inspiral is his second Grade I winner after McKulick (GB).

REPLAY: Inspiral (GB) wins the $2 Million @MakersMark #BreedersCup Filly & Mare Turf! Congrats to her connections! #BC23 pic.twitter.com/CmTKJupCj9

— Breeders' Cup (@BreedersCup) November 4, 2023

Godolphin One-Two In BC Mile

Master Of The Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), a Godolphin homebred for trainer Charlie Appleby, got the bob to win the GI Fanduel Breeders' Cup Mile over fellow Godolphin runner Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) last weekend (video).

Already a Grade I winner in Canada, the gelding was also second in the G1 2000 Guineas in 2021. A half-brother to a trio of stakes winners including the UAE Oaks heroine Falls Of Lora (Ire) (Street Cry {Ire}), herself the dam of two Group 1/Grade I winners in Cascadian (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) and Albahr (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Master Of The Seas is also related to Classic winner Dupont (GB) (Zafonic). Firth Of Lorne (Ire) (Danehill)'s last foal is the winning Dark Angel (Ire) 3-year-old filly Sithchean (Ire).

On an international scale, Dubawi has 266 stakes winners (175 group/graded) to his credit. The gelding counts as one of 57 top-draw winners worldwide.

REPLAY: Master of The Seas (IRE) wins the $2 Million @FanDuel #BreedersCup Mile presented by @PDJFund! Congrats to all connections! #BC23 pic.twitter.com/YGygNzz3Ec

— Breeders' Cup (@BreedersCup) November 4, 2023

Unquestionable Stars In Juvenile Turf

Al Shaqab Racing and the Coolmore partners' Unquestionable (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) earned his first black-type victory in style when taking the GI Prevagen Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita on Saturday for Aidan O'Brien (video).

The 'TDN Rising Star' was bred by Guillaume and Camille Vitse with their two daughters, and he brought €340,000 as a yearling at the Arqana August Sale. His dam, Strawberry Lace (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), has Almanzor (Fr) colts born in 2022 and 2023 as her latest produce. This is the extended family of Group 2 winner and sire Bated Breath (GB).

Coolmore sires sired the winners of three of the five Breeders' Cup races on Friday, and Wootton Bassett now has 15 winners of 23 (65%) runners in the U.S. Of his seven American stakes winners, Unquestionable is his second Grade I winner and Breeders' Cup winner after Audarya (Fr) won the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf in 2020.

Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf (G1)
1.600 m – 1.000.000 USD – for 2yo C&G
Santa Anita

Unquestionable (FR)
(2C Wootton Bassett-Strawberry Lace , by Sea The Stars)
J : Ryan Moore
T : Aidan P. O'Brien
O : Al Shaqab Racing,Coolmore,Westerbergpic.twitter.com/Rzk6krms8R

— (@WorldRacing1) November 3, 2023

Blue Point Colt Fastest In The Land At Breeders' Cup

Big Evs (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), raced by RP Racing, Ltd. from the yard of Mick Appleby, returned to the form that saw him win the G3 Molecomb S. in the summer with a victory in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint in Arcadia (video).

A product of the storied Rabbah Bloodstock breeding programme, the son of Hana Lina (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) brought just 50,000gns from breeze-up pinhooker Mickey Cleere out of Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. Consigned to the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale, Big Evs was then withdrawn and sold privately. His placed dam has a yearling filly by Ribchester (Ire) to come and a weanling colt by another son of Shamardal in Earthlight (Ire).

Off to a bright start with his first crop of juveniles, Darley's Blue Point has 44 winners internationally. Already the sire of French Group 1 winner Rosallion (Ire), the bay has an additional five black-type winners worldwide. Big Evs was his first runner in America.

Big Evs wins the $1 Million #BreedersCup Juvenile Turf Sprint on #FutureStarsFriday at @santaanitapark! Congrats to all of the connections! pic.twitter.com/R1hWA5dCF8

— Breeders' Cup (@BreedersCup) November 3, 2023

Have I Got A Deal For You

On the Breeders' Cup Saturday undercard, Salesman (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) demolished the G2 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance S. by 8 1/4 lengths for trainer Richard Mandella and owner/breeder Wertheimer et Frere (video).

The son of High Maintenance (Fr) (Highest Honor {Fr}) is a fourth generation Wertheimer et Frere homebred. Listed-placed in France, Saturday's win was his first stakes. His G3 Prix Gladiateur-placed dam is also responsible for the five-time Group 1 winner Solow (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) and the stakes winner Lunch Lady (GB) (Shamardal), who was also twice third in a pair of French Group 3s. Second dam Fabulous Hostess (Fabulous Dancer) is best known as the winner of the G2 Prix de Royallieu.

One of 21 stakes winners (27%) and 16 graded winners (21%) in the U.S. for his Darley sire, Salesman is also part of a 39-strong battalion of winners (51%) there for Dubawi. The son of Dubai Millennium (GB) has been represented by 77 runners in the U.S.

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes (G2)
2.600 m – 250.000 USD – for 3yo and upward
Santa Anita

Salesman(IRE)
(6G Dubawi- High Maintenance , by Highest Honor)
J :Flavien Prat
T :Richard E. Mandella
O :Wertheimer & Frerepic.twitter.com/1eUpJuzRJk

— (@WorldRacing1) November 4, 2023

Dandy Man Gelding Strikes At Del Mar

Dandy Man Shines (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) won his second race in a row for Red Baron's Barn, LLC and Rancho Temescal, LLC at Del Mar on Thursday for trainer Jeff Mullins (video). Placed at the graded level in 2022, the Let It Ride S. was his first stakes win.

Bred by John Frances Keegan in Ireland, the 3-year-old gelding was a €75,000 Goffs November foal turned €90,000 Goffs Orby yearling. He brought 105,000gns from his owners out of the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale. In two European starts, he was unplaced for Rancho Temescal's Tim Cohen and trainer William Jarvis before traveling Stateside.

The son of Zehrah (Ire) (Raven's Pass) is a half-brother to Scandinavian champion Mystery Night (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), and his second dam won at listed level in England besides taking third in the G2 Cherry Hinton S. A juvenile filly by Kodiac (GB) and a weanling filly by Bated Breath (GB) are Zehrah's latest foals.

Dandy Man, who stands at Ballyhane Stud, has now sired two stakes winners from 25 runners in America (8%). His first is GI Frank E. Kilroe Mile S. hero River Boyne (Ire), who is a stallion at Tara Stud. Dandy Man Shines is one of 13 winners (52%) in that jurisdiction.

An all-out blitz!

Dandy Man Shines swings wide and powers past the field under @umbyrispoli in the Let It Ride Stakes. pic.twitter.com/tmeaf87zQY

— Del Mar Racetrack (@DelMarRacing) November 10, 2023

Night Of Thunder Filly Proves Dynamic in NY

Klaravich Stables and Chad Brown combined to take a maiden race at Aqueduct last weekend with first-time starter Dynamic Pricing (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) (video).

The Epona Bloodstock-bred filly was a 170,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 purchase by Mike Ryan on behalf of her current connections. She is the third–and last–known foal and second winner out of Shemda (Ire) (Dutch Art {GB}). This is the female family of G1 Prix de Diane heroine Shemaka (Ire) (Nishapour {Fr}).

Her Darley sire has tallied eight winners from 14 runners (57%) in the U.S. His three American stakes winners are anchored by Grade III winners Sopran Basilea (Ire) and Pocket Square (GB).

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Cheveley Park Stud's managing director Chris Richardson said of Inspiral on Thursday, “We've obviously been monitoring the weather and the rain that's fallen. I know John Gosden walked the track yesterday, there's been a subsequent 12 millimetres and it looks like there's more to come. As we know, when she ran on soft ground in the Sussex at Goodwood in the summer, Frankie looked after her as it wasn't the sort of performance she was enjoying. The decision now is whether the Breeders' Cup [Filly & Mare Turf] is an option. John is going to speak to Mrs Thompson about it and then we'll know more, but it's very much up to her to decide whether she wants the filly to go to America. They're liaising between them and there's decisions to be made on whether she runs again this year and whether she's kept in training next year. She's a wonderful filly, Mrs Thompson is the owner of the horse and will make the decision.”

In other news, the G1 Commonwealth Cup and G1 July Cup hero Shaquille (GB) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) will not run in the G1 Qipco British Champions Sprint. Steve Brown said of the 3-year-old, who was disappointing in the G1 Haydock Sprint Cup, “He wasn't just tracking through as normal behind with his movement. It looks minimal, but given the ground conditions, which are obviously going to be pretty testing, we're just not prepared to take any chances with him. It's as simple as that really.”

Marc Chan's defending Champions Sprint title-holder Kinross (GB) (Kingman {GB}) will face 14 in the six-furlong bonanza, there are 14 declared for a wide-open G1 Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares S., and Ballydoyle's star stayer Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) faces seven in the G2 Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup. The storm has resulted in 13mm of rain falling, with further rain forecast on Friday.

Ascot's clerk of the course Chris Stickels is ready to switch the Long Distance Cup, Filly & Mares and Champion S. to the drier inner hurdles track for the first time since 2019. “If we have heavy ground on any part of the round course, we can move the round course races to the inner track and we have to decide that before 8 a.m. on Saturday,” he explained. “Looking at the forecast for Friday, I would say that is quite likely. I think the rain we will get overnight will turn us back to soft on the round course and maybe even if we get the top end, some heavy places on the round course. It's a shame we are a week later in the calendar this year and even today, John Gosden said if we were racing today the ground would have been perfect.”

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Cheveley Park Stud's managing director Richard Thompson said of the John and Thady Gosden trainee, “We're looking at the QEII or the Breeders' Cup this season. It will be one of the two, we just don't know which one yet. It depends on how she comes out of Saturday, it depends on the ground at Ascot–there's a few factors.”

After three seasons racing with top-level victories in the G1 Fillies' Mile at two, the Coronation S. and Prix Jacques le Marois at three, another Marois and the Sun Chariot S. last Saturday as a 4-year-old, this season might not be Inspiral's last.

He added, “She could potentially stay in training next season, but that depends on how she comes out of her final race this year, whichever race that is going to be.

“The trainer will give us his steer and if he feels she's ready to go next season, we'll go with it and give her another go next season, absolutely, subject to him [John Gosden] giving us that confirmation.”

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Always travelling like the clear-best filly in the line-up with Dettori keen to wait behind the leader, the 10-11 favourite was unleashed towards the far rail three out and surged to the line with relish to score by 3 3/4 lengths from Mqse De Sevigne (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}), with Heredia (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) 3/4 of a length away in third.

“She showed the world today what a superstar horse she is,” Dettori said after the expected warm welcome back to the winner's enclosure he knows so well and where he received a curtsey from the filly's owner-breeder Patricia Thompson. “We knew the pace wasn't going to be that strong and she wants a much stronger tempo. She has got a crescendo of three furlongs and I didn't want to mess around so I thought 'come on let's go and let them come and try to catch you'. She has strode out really well.”

“She gave me a nightmare ride in France, but today she was good,” Dettori added. “I was quite worried when she was so quiet, as when they are quiet it is maybe because they are over the top or maybe they are in season, but that wasn't the case. She was quiet because she was having a good day. It has been my home for 38 years. It is fantastic to be able to do it in a Group 1 on a special filly. I couldn't have written a better ending.”

On her day and when conditions suit, Inspiral is a force to be reckoned with as she proved with impressive wins in Royal Ascot's G1 Coronation S. last June and in the last two editions of Deauville's G1 Prix Jacques le Marois. Not at her best when second in last year's G1 Falmouth S. on the July Course here and in the G1 Queen Anne S. on her 2023 bow, she had testing ground as the excuse when out of the frame in both the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. in October and in the G1 Sussex S. in August.

Now the Gosdens are rightly thinking of the Breeders' Cup Mile, with Inspiral's dynamic acceleration and powerful finish clear indication that this is a filly heading into the autumn in rare form. Her two splits between three out and the furlong pole were completed in :11.21 and :11.01 and that is the kind of speed on demand that wins out at next month's World Championships. “She is in the QEII and she could be entered at the Breeders' Cup, but we won't make a decision for at least a week or two,” Gosden Sr said.

“She was in top form today,” he added. “She showed a lot of class today there is no doubt about it. She travelled well and there was a good pace. Andre's dual Group 1 winner from Deauville was second, so it is solid form. We missed the Lockinge as she had a muscle spasm problem, so by the time we got to Royal Ascot she was only about 80% fit. She was only beaten a neck that day and she got a touch tired in the last half a furlong, but she has been faultless since.”

“There was a lot more pressure on today as she is a very good filly and the ground is quicker here than we would expect to find here in the autumn. It is real fast summer ground, but she has run absolutely superbly and I couldn't be more pleased. One lady will decide if she races on and that is Mrs. Thompson. That was only her fourth run this year and she is weighing the heaviest she has ever weighed.”

Pedigree Notes

Inspiral's dam Starscope was runner-up over this course and distance in the G1 1000 Guineas and also in the Coronation S. that her daughter so dominated last summer. Also responsible for the listed-placed middle-distance performer Celestran (GB) (Dansili {GB}), she is a daughter of the Stud's Moon Goddess (GB) (Rainbow Quest) whose half-siblings include the G1 Eclipse S. and G1 Juddmonte International-winning leading sire Medicean (GB). From the dynasty of the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains hero and leading sire Caro (Ire), Starscope's unraced 2-year-old colt by Siyouni (Fr) is named Megastar (GB), while she also has a yearling colt by Ulysses (Ire) and a foal full-sister to Inspiral.

Saturday, Newmarket, Britain
VIRGIN BET SUN CHARIOT S.-G1, £291,580, Newmarket, 10-7, 3yo/up, f/m, 8fT, 1:35.65, g/f.
1–INSPIRAL (GB), 131, f, 4, by Frankel (GB)
     1st Dam: Starscope (GB) (MG1SP-Eng, $251,626), by Selkirk
     2nd Dam: Moon Goddess (GB), by Rainbow Quest
     3rd Dam: Mystic Goddess, by Storm Bird
O-Cheveley Park Stud; B-Cheveley Park Stud Limited (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden; J-Frankie Dettori. £165,355. Lifetime Record: MG1SW-Fr, 12-8-2-0, $2,599,932. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Mqse de Sevigne (Ire), 131, f, 4, Siyouni (Fr)–Penne (Fr), by Sevres Rose (Ire). O-Baron Edouard De Rothschild; B-SC Ecurie De Meautry (IRE); T-Andre Fabre. £62,690.
3–Heredia (GB), 131, f, 4, Dark Angel (Ire)–Nakuti (Ire), by Mastercraftsman (Ire).
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. O-St Albans Bloodstock Limited; B-St Albans Bloodstock LLP (GB); T-Richard Hannon. £31,374.
Margins: 3 3/4, 3/4, 1HF. Odds: 0.91, 3.30, 6.00.
Also Ran: Coppice (GB), Meditate (Ire), Random Harvest (Ire), Roman Mist (Ire), Goldana (Ire).

The Farwell Tour script continues to write itself!

A straightforward victory for Inspiral in the Group 1 @VirginBet Sun Chariot Stakes for John & @thadygosden

A 5⃣0⃣0⃣ th win @NewmarketRace for @FrankieDettori pic.twitter.com/oFd81mcJqL

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 7, 2023

The post Inspiral Gives Frankie His 500th Newmarket Win In The Sun Chariot appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Fortunately for Inspiral, the autumn damp has been delayed and the Gosdens' filly has ideal conditions as she returns to the course and distance of her Fillies' Mile success two years ago. “She's in good form and the ground will suit. Softer ground can dampen her finish, but I think the ground on Saturday will be perfect,” Cheveley Park's managing director Chris Richardson said. “I think the French filly is the one we've got to be worried about, but if you're not in you can't win, so let's hope Frankie can work some more magic.”

This is unlikely to be Inspiral's grand finale, however.

“She's obviously lightly-raced, so we can see after Saturday whether Mrs Thompson will consider the Breeders' Cup option as her swansong, or indeed whether she might stay in training next year, which hasn't been decided yet,” Richardson added.

Andre Fabre said of Mqse De Sevigne, “I don't think the ground is too much of a concern, maybe over this distance it might be a bit sharp for her but she has done well over this distance before. She will go for the Breeders' Cup [Filly And Mare Turf] after this.”

With two 16-1 winners in the last four years, this is never an open-and-shut case and St Albans Bloodstock's Heredia (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) is exactly the kind of progressive type which this late-season race favours. Her wins in the Listed Dick Hern S. at Haydock in August and G3 Atalanta S. at Sandown last month saw her back to the form of her success in Royal Ascot's Sandringham H. last year and she showed she handled faster ground there.

“Richard Hannon has been really pleased with her since Sandown, she has bounced out of that race,” the owners's racing manager Richard Brown said. “We took our time and said we would only do it if you were completely happy and Richard says she has never been better, so we're happy to take a chance.”

Lupini Waits On Ground For Kitty Rose Staffordstown Bid…
One of Irish racing's big stories of 2023, the Natalia Lupini-trained unbeaten filly Kitty Rose (GB) (Invincible Army {Ire}) is one of the main attractions on Saturday's Curragh card. Impressive when stamping her class on an up-to-scratch renewal of Leopardstown's Listed Ingabelle S. last month, she will line up for the G3 Staffordstown Stud S. if the ground is suitable according to her handler.

“She has been in good form and she's ready to run, the only thing is we're monitoring the ground as we had a lot of rain yesterday and today,” Lupini said of the revelation, who is set to be re-opposed in the mile contest by the Ingabelle runner-up Content (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Newtown Anner Stud Farm's Cork maiden winner Unreasonable (Ire) (No Nay Never). “We'll just have to keep a close eye on the ground as she probably doesn't want it too soft, so we're not going to run her on very soft ground. She seems to have stepped up a gear in her work since Leopardstown and everything looks good apart from the weather, unfortunately! The current owners are thinking this will be her last run of the year. She's a big filly and she will definitely benefit from a winter break.”

The post Newmarket: Inspiral Ready for Marquise Sun Chariot Showdown appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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The 4-year-old filly captured the G1 Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Aug. 13 in her most recent start, which secured her spot in the gate for the GI Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita in November. The Sun Chariot provides a four-week lead into the Breeders' Cup.

“She's in good form and we are probably favouring Newmarket and the Sun Chariot is a possible race for her,” Richardson said. “I suppose it really depends on what she is going to do next year. If she is going to retire, I can see her going to America and retiring, but if she was to stay in training then I don't know, and maybe she will make the Breeders' Cup, but it would depend on what Mrs Thompson would like to do.”

Additionally, Cheveley Park's Group 2 winner Sacred (GB) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) could also make the trip to California, but will have to improve off her fifth-place finish in the G2 City Of York S. on Aug. 26.

“We now know she just does not want to perform at York,” Richardson said of the William Haggas trainee. “She was in great form going in there but she was never happy.

“Tom [Marquand] came back and said she went down unhappy, was unsettled in the stalls and just took a hold and was never prepared to put her best foot forward. We've got various options and the Breeders' Cup is a thought. At the moment it is at the back of our minds when we were hoping it would be at the forefront.

“We might go back for the Listed race at Newbury which she won last year. That could be another opportunity for her.”

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Only delivered when it was necessary and not a second before, Inspiral was able to cruise to that G1 Prix du Jockey Club runner-up passing the furlong pole and was soon beyond recall for her own second edition. Surprisingly an 8-1 shot, perhaps because of doubts about her performance at a rain-soaked Goodwood and about the 11-day turnaround from the G1 Sussex S., she was in a class of her own here en route to a comfortable 1 1/4-length verdict over Yeguada Centurion's 2-1 favourite as last year's runner-up Light Infantry (Fr) (Fast Company {Ire}) again made the frame the same margin away in third.

This was also a remarkable fourth consecutive win for the Clarehaven-Dettori axis, with Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}) having also brought up consecutive successes in 2020 and 2021. “She's a fantastic filly and this is my last race at Deauville, so to finish with a win like this is incredible,” the rider said. “I was very easy on her at Goodwood, as this was always the target and she showed what a true champion she is. I've won every race here and 19 group ones, so I have great memories–some wonderful days and wonderful nights!”

They've done it again! Inspiral and @FrankieDettori land the Group 1 Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois at @fgdeauville pic.twitter.com/bCXCxnW5AU

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 13, 2023

Even before she showed a distaste for the mud at Goodwood, Inspiral had failed to spark in Ascot's G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. on similar ground with only a narrow defeat to Triple Time (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in the G1 Queen Anne S. at Royal Ascot in between offering hope that she retained the kind of ability that had seen her dazzle in the G1 Coronation S. at the previous Royal meeting. This was categoric proof that she not only retained that level of proficiency, but can also be seen as a career-best as she left some of this year's mile Classic protagonists trailing as well as the impressive G1 Prix Jean Prat hero Good Guess (GB) (Kodiac {GB}).

While Big Rock was able to tick off regular sectionals of around 11.5 seconds until two out, the extra fuel that Frankie had saved throughout the first three furlongs served him well as the Head colt began to feel the pinch. Swallowing up his advantage with splits of 11.34, 11.08 and 11.36 between the four and the one, she was able to coast to the line with the high-class 3-year-old having used up all his speed. “She needs a good pace and not soft ground, and on her conditions she got to work today. When she's good, she's very good and this is the stuff of dreams,” Dettori added.

Gosden Sr is looking at the Breeders' Cup Mile for the winner and said, “To win this great race twice with Palace Pier, twice with this filly and of course with Kingman is a great honour and very special. I like it because it's run on a straight, flat and fair track and usually there are no hard-luck stories. Inspiral can be brilliant on her day and was pretty fresh–she's only run twice this year–and came here in top order.”

“She can grab the bridle and the pace was all on the far side, which worried us as she was drawn one but she's been given a great ride as she's ended up in stall 12 effectively and come around the long way in the end. She got left at Ascot and can play about when that happens. When Frankie took her to the front he looked after her and maybe we will take her to Santa Anita, even though it is a tight track for her.”

Christopher Head said of Big Rock, “He has run a very good race and been beaten by a better horse. There are no excuses and he ran big. There is no disgrace being beaten by this top filly and we'll stick to the plan and head to the [G1] Prix du Moulin de Longchamp.”

Pedigree Notes

Starscope, who was runner-up in the G1 1000 Guineas and G1 Coronation S., had produced just the listed-placed middle-distance performer Celestran (GB) (Dansili {GB}) prior to Inspiral but has now delivered Cheveley Park with another illustrious runner in the red, white and blue. She is a daughter of Moon Goddess (GB) (Rainbow Quest), also the dam of the Listed Rosemary S. winner Solar Magic (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) but more importantly a half-sister to the operation's G1 Eclipse S. and G1 Juddmonte International-winning sire Medicean (GB). Also connected to the G2 Keio Hai Nisai S. winner Mondreise (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) and the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains hero and leading sire Caro (Ire), her 2-year-old colt by Siyouni (Fr) is named Megastar (GB), while she has a yearling son of Ulysses (Ire) and a 2023 full-sister to Inspiral to follow.

Sunday, Deauville, France
PRIX DU HARAS DE FRESNAY-LE-BUFFARD JACQUES LE MAROIS-G1, €1,000,000, Deauville, 8-13, 3yo/up, 8fT, 1:36.62, g/s.
1–INSPIRAL (GB), 128, f, 4, by Frankel (GB)
      1st Dam: Starscope (GB) (MG1SP-Eng, $251,626), by Selkirk
      2nd Dam: Moon Goddess (GB), by Rainbow Quest
      3rd Dam: Mystic Goddess, by Storm Bird
O/B-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden; J-Frankie Dettori. €571,400. Lifetime Record: Champion 2yo Filly-Eur, MG1SW-Eng, 10-6-2-0, €2,193,120. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Big Rock (Fr), 125, c, 3, Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire)–Hardiyna (Ire), by Sea The Stars (Ire). O/B-Yeguada Centurion SLU (FR); T-Christopher Head. €228,600.
3–Light Infantry (Fr), 131, c, 4, Fast Company (Ire)–Lights On Me (GB), by Kyllachy (GB). (€25,000 Ylg '20 ARQDOY; £82,000 2yo '21 GOFTY). O-Never Say Die & Light Infantry Partnership; B-Barbara Moser (FR); T-David Simcock. €114,300.
Margins: 1 1/4, 1 1/4, 1. Odds: 7.80, 2.10, 9.00.
Also Ran: Onesto (Ire), Triple Time (Ire), Erevann (Fr), Good Guess (GB), Angers (Fr), Hi Royal (Ire), Life In Motion (Ire), Marhaba Ya Sanafi (Ire). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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The time of 1:47.16 was over 10 seconds outside standard time and represented more of a “French-style” mostly slow and then quick test which is not what the eventual last Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) least wants. She was the only one to truly put it up to the Ballydoyle colt, but she was spent two out, with the minor placings filled out by Charyn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) three lengths behind Facteur Cheval in third in this GI Breeders' Cup Mile qualifier.

“He is thriving on racing and is a very uncomplicated horse,” Moore said. “He's won on fast and very bad ground here over a mile and a mile and a quarter and you can ride him however you like, it doesn't matter. He's a very unique horse–every time he comes to the races he feels like he loves it. Some people say he's taken us by surprise, but I can assure you he hasn't because all this year he's shown he's a very good horse.”

“I had everything on my own terms early on and wanted to go as gently as I could and get to the fence, but Frankie did what he could and we started racing too early really,” Moore added. “His filly was gone at the two and look where she ended up, but he's still got plenty left. There is every chance he could stay a mile and a half, he's out of a Montjeu mare, but we've got a bit of time and we'll see how he comes out of this race. It is a hard thing to say, but he gives you the feel that he might be as good a horse as I have ridden. He is exceptional. Someone asked me yesterday if he would go on this ground and I said 'he would go on snow'.”

The tale of this race was already largely predictable even before the persistent rain, with the presence of the favourite having already scared some meaningful opposition off to Deauville. With only Inspiral on his wavelength, his task was made all the easier as it dictated how the tactics would play out. It was a case of “after you” from the start and given how rapid Paddington always is from the gates it quickly became a matter of when Frankie would attack and a play for second from the other three.

Inspiral was inclined to pull off the moderate pace, which only served to further diminish her threat already lessened by the way the ground was riding and the moment of truth came as she was placed alongside Paddington straightening for home. Forcing the favourite into a sectional of :11.58 from the three to the two, she was soon tired and backtracking with a Jacques le Marois defence in Dettori's mind as Paddington forged a :11.92 penultimate split to kill the contest. Facteur Cheval was impressively fast for most of the final three furlongs and for all that he failed to get alongside the winner, he at least made Moore employ the whip.

Where next for Paddington? With a constitution like his, turning up in Normandy in 11 days' time for the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois is not out of the question, but it seems to be all about the Giant's Causeway route with Aidan O'Brien mentioning York's Ebor Festival in the immediate aftermath. “I think the Juddmonte International definitely has to be on the cards,” he said. “It's amazing that he is getting ready to run again so quickly after each race–he was three to four kilos heavier today than the last day which wasn't that long ago.”

“Paddington is much quicker than the Giant was,” the master of Ballydoyle added. “He's tactically quick but he can quicken as well. The Giant was tactically quick and was dour after that. This horse can really turn it on when you have to, on all types of ground. He is unique.”

“You always worry about having that extra weight on him in that ground, as it makes it more of a test of endurance rather than speed and speed is his big thing,” O'Brien concluded. “The tougher the race, the better he is getting and he wasn't stressed after the race here. Everything is open to him–Tom has mentioned the option of going to Australia, so we'll maybe look at York with him next time and see then. He could do anything–he's very special, we think. We made the Arc entry also, because Ryan says there doesn't seem to be any end to his stamina.”

Peter Brant, who has an interest in Paddington, was on hand to witness the race on his first visit to Goodwood and said, “I must say this is among the greatest horses I've been proud enough to own. We won the Kentucky Derby in 1984 with a horse called Swale who was a great racehorse, but this horse has done a lot of special things that are hard to do. To win four Group 1s like this in such a short space of time and to look as grand as he does and to be gaining weight and not losing it is extraordinary.”

Jerome Reynier was understandably delighted with the effort of the runner-up, who is set to come back to England later in the year. “It's like a victory today,” he said. “We really thought he was going to beat Paddington, but he had the stands rail and we were in the middle of the track and he was stuck in the middle of traffic. He ran a great race, he was third in a Group 1 the other day and second today in a very nice group one and I hope the next time we will be able to win at that level.”

“We never thought he was going to be able to run that way, but he keeps improving mentally and physically so probably the best is yet to come,” Reynier added. “Fingers crossed, he will be coming back in good shape and we can aim for the Queen Elizabeth at the end of the year with him. There are two options beforehand–the Moulin de Longchamp or the Woodbine Mile in Canada. Maybe we will wait until his is a 5-year-old for an international campaign.”

Frankie Dettori said of Inspiral, “We tried, but it was very obvious that she doesn't cope with this kind of ground. If the ground dries up and she comes out of this race, we can back her up in the race she won in France last year. It was obvious what was going to happen–Paddington got a lead and everything his own way, but I had to make a race of it.”

Pedigree Notes

Paddington, who was bred and raised at Monceaux for the Wildensteins, achieved the joint-second-highest price of €420,000 at the 2021 Arqana October Sale. As far as Arc claims are concerned, his dam Modern Eagle stayed 12 1/2 furlongs on heavy ground when winning the Listed Prix Belle de Nuit and was also responsible for Masterpiece (Fr) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) who stayed 14 furlongs when third in the 2020 Khor Al Adaid Cup at Doha.

Modern Eagle, a daughter of the G1 Prix de Diane runner-up Millionaia (Ire) (Peintre Celebre), is also kin to Mighty Blue (Fr) by Montjeu's son Authorized (Ire) who was successful in the 14-furlong Listed Vintage Tipple S. and third in the two-mile G3 Loughbrown S. before going hurdling. The third dam is the G1 Prix Saint-Alary heroine Moonlight Dance (Alysheba), whose other descendants include the G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris scorer Ming Dynasty (Fr) (King's Best) and the G1 Melbourne Cup runner-up Heartbreak City (Fr) (Lando {Ger}).

Wednesday, Goodwood, Britain
QATAR SUSSEX S.-G1, £1,000,000, Goodwood, 8-2, 3yo/up, 8fT, 1:47.16, sf.
1–PADDINGTON (GB), 129, c, 3, by Siyouni (Fr)
                1st Dam: Modern Eagle (Ger) (SW-Fr), by Montjeu (Ire)
                2nd Dam: Millionaia (Ire), by Peintre Celebre
                3rd Dam: Moonlight Dance, by Alysheba
TDN Rising Star. (€420,000 Ylg '21 ARQDOY). O-Tabor/Smith/
Magnier/Westerberg/Brant; B-Dayton Investments Ltd (GB);
T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £567,100. Lifetime Record:
G1SW-Ire, 8-7-0-0, $2,082,332. Werk Nick Rating: A+++.
   *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree,
   or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Facteur Cheval (Ire), 136, g, 4, Ribchester (Ire)–Jawlaat (Ire),
by Shamardal. (145,000gns Wlg '19 TATFOA; €120,000 Ylg '20
ARDEAY). O-Team Valor International LLC & Gary Barber;
B-McCracken Farms (IRE); T-Jerome Reynier. £215,000.
3–Charyn (Ire), 129, c, 3, Dark Angel (Ire)–Futoon (Ire), by
Kodiac (GB). (250,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Mr Nurlan
Bizakov; B-Grangemore Stud (IRE); T-Roger Varian. £107,600.
Margins: 1HF, 3, HF. Odds: 0.44, 11.00, 40.00.
Also Ran: Aldaary (GB), Inspiral (GB). Scratched: Chindit (Ire). VIDEO.

Paddington makes all in the Qatar Sussex Stakes!

The top-class colt and Irish Guineas, St James's Palace and Eclipse hero brings up a brilliant Group 1 four-timer in one of the premier mile events in the European calendar for Ryan Moore and @Ballydoyle @Goodwood_Races pic.twitter.com/pKRjJjG9hl

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 2, 2023

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