Stott replaced Rossa Ryan in the role as Amo Racing's number one jockey earlier this year and partnered the breakthrough Group 1 winner for the team when landing the Phoenix S. at the Curragh last month. 

However, Joorabchian did not hold back in an RTE television interview at Leopardstown on Saturday, where he said he felt Stott made a number of mistakes aboard King Of Steel, who could only manage fourth behind Auguste Rodin in the Irish Champion S. Now, less than 48 hours later, the relationship had ended.

Joorabchian told Sun Racing on Monday, “I told Kevin thank you very much. This was a collective decision on and off the racetrack. We have decided not to renew his contract for next season. It was always a one-year contract.”

Stott partnered King Of Steel to win the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, won the Duchess of Cambridge S on Persian Dreamer, and the Craven on Indestructible among plenty of other big-race winners this term.

He had been stable jockey to Kevin Ryan in Hambleton before announcing he was to move south and ride freelance last autumn.

Joorabchian added, “We have done everything that we promised, he [Stott] has done everything he promised and we have parted ways, nothing more than that. I've never had a problem with jockeys. I never fell out with Rossa [Ryan], I love him more than anybody, he rode at Royal Ascot for me.

“He was my only retained jockey, he needed to go out on his own and get experience. I have supported him and he is thriving. But you know, Kevin is not a young boy, he has experience. For reasons outside of racing, I have to decide what's best. I don't know what jockeys we'll use now, I'll leave it to the trainers to pick the best available.”

The post “For Reasons Outside Of Racing” – Amo Racing Sacks Stott As Retained Rider appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Vespertilio forms part of a three-pronged attack on Ireland's flagship Flat festival that features homebred Atlantic Coast (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) in Saturday's G2 KPMG Champions Juvenile S. at Leopardstown and Ocean Jewel (Ire) (Sioux Nation) in the Matron S. on the same card. 

“We've six horses in training in Ireland and three of them are competing at the Irish Champions Festival, so we need to keep pinching ourselves,” racing and bloodstock manager Lalor said on Friday. 

The black and red silks of Al Shira'aa has already enjoyed top-level triumphs with Mutamakina (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) in America and Jannah Rose in France (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and Lalor has talked up the chances of Vespertilio in Sunday's eagerly-anticipated Moyglare. 

Vespertilio comes into that race off the back of a wildly impressive display in the G2 Debutante S. over the same course and distance and, while Lalor is respectful of the opposition with G3 Silver Flash S. conqueror Ylang Ylang (GB) (Frankel {GB}) heading the market, he is expecting a bold show.

A smart performance from Vespertilio who records her first success from three starts in the G2 Alpha Centauri Debutante Stakes for @williemccreery1 and @wjlee24786 pic.twitter.com/D7ZtgmCxlL

— The Curragh Racecourse (@curraghrace) August 19, 2023

He said, “Vespertilio is getting better and better with experience. She had a fantastic run in the Debutante, showing a tremendous turn of foot to come from last under Billy [Lee] and I don't think he had to ride her too hard to do that, either. I'd say if she had been closer to Ylang Ylang in the Silver Flash, I think she would have been right there at the line. She's only a May foal so is developing and growing all the time.”

Lalor added, “She's just getting better and better with racing. It's a tough task and to have a runner in the Moyglare is very special for us. We're going in there with a lot of confidence but obviously it's Group 1 and anything can happen. We're very excited. She's our best chance of the weekend and it's great for Willie [McCreery, trainer], who is a big part of our operation. He's a top-class trainer–he was a bloody good footballer but some would argue he's an even better trainer and he's hugely important to us.”

Atlantic Coast has the unwanted task of staring down the barrel of another Ballydoyle big gun in Diego Velazquez (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) at Leopardstown. 

Trained by Joseph O'Brien, the homebred colt made a fine start to his career when winning a Curragh maiden in good fashion, and Lalor is expecting more to come.

He said, “This is actually a good story because we usually sell all of our colts but the day before the Orby, David Cox of Baroda Stud called to say that this lad had kicked a wall and that he had to be scratched. Thank God he did! 

“Now, he probably would have made three or four hundred grand because he's such a beautiful-looking colt, but it's very special for everyone on the farm to have a homebred running in a Group 2 at the Irish Champions Festival.”

Lalor added, “It's a big step up from a maiden into a Group 2 but Joseph has done a brilliant job with him and I don't think stepping up to a mile will be an issue for him either. It's a good race, with Deepone and Formal Display in there, but it seems as though we all have to beat Diego Velazquez.”

Should Diego Velazquez justify his short price in the betting, it wouldn't be all that bad for Al Shira'aa, the emerging bloodstock force of Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan. 

Lalor wisely secured Saadiyat (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), a half-sister to Diego Velazquez, at Book 1 at Tattersalls in 2021 and the page has gone from strength to strength ever since. 

Saadiyat, like the majority of the Al Shira'aa string, will return to the farm just off the Curragh at Maddenstown and join the broodmare band when her career is over. 

The small but select approach to one of the newest owner-breeding operations in Ireland is paying rich dividends and, while Al Shira'aa were not active at Arqana last month, Lalor explained that it was not for a lack of trying and he revealed the team would be out in force at the Goffs and Tattersalls sales in the coming weeks. 

Lalor said, “We didn't get anything at Arqana but we plan on being active at the Orby at Goffs and at Tattersalls as well. I must say that the Orby looks very good this year. I've gone through the catalogue a couple of times and it looks like one of those great Orbys from the late nineties when everyone was scrapping for Flame Of Taras and the like. We've a very big list to get through and, in fairness to the breeders and to Goffs, they've put on a good book. Hopefully the physicals match up.”

But before then, Al Shira'aa also has Ocean Jewel to look forward to the Matron, and Lalor is not ruling out McCreery's filly out-running her odds of 33-1. 

He said, “Ocean Jewel is much better than what she showed at Naas a few weeks back. She won a Group 3 at Leopardstown over seven furlongs earlier this season and the question with her is if she will get the mile or not. If she does, she could get a slice of it but Tahiyra is the one to beat, for sure. The ground will suit Ocean Jewel and anything can happen at this level. She's a very good filly and deserves a shot at her Group 1 here. This has been the plan for a while.”

He added, “The really exciting thing about this is, when I speak to the boss, everything points to the future and with these fillies, they will all retire here and are exciting broodmares for us to look forward to.”

.

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Trained by Roger Varian, King Of Steel heads the betting for the Irish Champions Stakes, the showpiece event of the rebranded Irish Champions Festival, and connections of the colt are predicting a bold display. 

“It's a very exciting time of the year and to be going to the Irish Champions Festival with two live contenders in two Group 1s is what we've been striving for over the last 18 months,” said Amo Racing's Tom Pennington.

“It's the culmination of real hard work from everyone involved, we're excited and I know the boss [Kia  Joorabchian] is really looking forward to it.”

Aidan O'Brien's dual Derby winner Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) is once again on the comeback trail after a below par effort in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at Ascot.

It was in that Group 1 contest where King Of Steel performed with credit to finish best of the three-year-olds in third behind the winner Hukum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and connections say that they are optimistic of better again at Leopardstown. 

“We've been looking for an option to drop King Of Steel back to ten furlongs all year, but so far it has just not presented itself and we're very much looking forward to it,” Pennington said.

“There's no such thing as an easy Group 1, but we've been waiting for this race to present itself. The horse is in great form, I saw him at the weekend and he did a routine piece of work and did it very nicely and let's hope he gets there in one piece now.”

Along with Auguste Rodin and King Of Steel, the 13 remaining in Saturday's contest feature Nashwa, Onesta and the supplemented Alflaila.

Bucanero Fuerte provided the Amo operation with a breakthrough Group 1 in the Phoenix S. at the Curragh last month and the Adrian Murray-trained colt is reported to be in top shape ahead of Sunday's National S. at the Curragh. 

Pennington said, “He has always been a strong stayer at six furlongs and looks as if he's been crying out for seven. His last furlong has been his best in his last couple of races.

“At the beginning of the season he was a big frame of a horse with an engine, now he is really maturing into the horse we hoped he would.”

If Bucanero Fuerte is to add another big-race victory he will have to lower the colours of Aidan O'Brien's City Of Troy (Justify), who is currently odds-on at the head of the betting.

City Of Troy made it two from two in the Superlative S. at Newmarket–and connections of Bucanero Fuerte are under no illusion they have a huge task on their hands.

“Bucanero Fuerte does like to get his toe in, but we wouldn't be overly concerned stepping up to seven–the one concern we do have is obviously City Of Troy,” added Pennington.

“You can't be frightened of one horse, but what he did at Newmarket, to the eye, was visually impressive. We know he will take a lot of beating, but we think we're going there with a live chance.”

The post King Of Steel Heads 13 Still Standing For Irish Champion Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Bouttemont will see out his career with current trainer Yann Barberot and will race in the colours of Syndicates.Racing, the successful ownership group which is headed by Cantillon. 

A number of packages that include racing and breeding rights are available in the Group 3 winner with Blake describing the opportunity to invest in Bouttemont as a rare one for prospective investors.

The well-known racing pundit and breeder told TDN Europe, “We're doing things a little bit different in that people can get into Bouttemont for the remainder of his racing career and also secure breeding rights. This is a new partnership between Jack and myself and I really believe that Bouttemont is quite a compelling horse. He has the form, the profile, the looks and the pedigree. You'd like to think he'd be an appealing horse at that level.

“I think it's quite a unique thing that, anyone who gets involved in the horse at this stage, they get to rock up to the Irish Champions Festival in a few weeks' time and then on to Longchamp with a share in a Group 1 runner on Arc day. You don't usually get an opportunity to do this sort of thing without spending an awful lot of money so it's a pretty interesting opportunity.”

You won't have seen a stallion ad like this before… pic.twitter.com/nl8T64bPow

— Syndicates.Racing (@SyndicatesHQ) August 24, 2023

Bouttemont landed the Group 3 Barriere Prix de Meautry at Deauville a year ago. He posted an impressive speed figure when landing a listed contest at Chantilly over the minimum trip back in June and Blake says he is confident that the five-year-old has more to offer over five furlongs. 

He explained, “Bouttemont ran to an RPR of 116 when he won the Prix Hampton at Chantilly and that's the performance that I'd be focussing in on because an RPR of 116 would have been good enough to win or finish second in any of the past five Flying Fives or Prix de l'Abbayes. The ability to be good and competitive in those races is there when he gets his conditions.”

Blake added, “Nearly every person we've bounced the idea of the horse to can see the case and have shown a lot of enthusiasm. In most cases, people wouldn't have been familiar with the horse but, when you explain what you're thinking and provide them with the information, they can see it and are quite excited by it. Again, it's the uniqueness of being able to get in on a racing and breeding level which is appealing to a lot of people.”

Bouttemont may represent Blake's first endeavour into standing a stallion but this won't be Cantillon's first rodeo. Far Above (Ire), who stands at Micheál Orlandi's Starfield Stud in County Westmeath, was sourced by Cantillon and covered 142 mares in his first season at stud.

Commenting on his latest stallion acquisition, Cantillon said, “I don't think people should get confused about the fact they could achieve two things that they might otherwise never achieve in their lifetime here. When you pick up the TDN over the next few weeks and months, you will read announcements about horses retiring to stud. This isn't a stallion retiring announcement. This is a stallion prospect being reimagined. 

“What really excites me about this is that, not only do people have the opportunity to own a breeding right in one of the highest-rated sons of Acclamation, but they also have the upside of racing. People can accomplish the lifelong goal of owning a stallion and ultimate life goal of owning a Group 1 runner with a live chance as well.”

He added, “Dealing in cold hard facts, this horse gave a performance in the Prix Hampton which places him on a career higher-rating RPR than Mehmas and Dark Angel, achieved a top speed of 72 kilometers per hour in that race and almost broke the track record. He's an exceptionally-quick horse.

“I have always gotten on very well with Kevin and we have combined what we are good at here; identifying value and being a champion of the breeder, which involves new ways for breeders to get involved in our great game. Hopefully we have unearthed the next great stallion son of Acclamation and, who knows, he could be the last son of Acclamation who ever retires to stud. Even if he doesn't get his ground in his remaining Group 1 dates, he already has the proven credentials of the type of horse that thrives at stud in Ireland.”

Acclamation has already come up trumps with stallion sons Mehmas (Ire), Dark Angel (Ire) and more emerging as leading stallions having embarked on their careers at stud at modest fees initially. 

The prowess of Acclamation as a sire of sires was illustrated by Blake in last month's TDN Europe and the research for that article is said to have convinced him to bring Bouttemont to stud in Ireland.

Blake said, “The origin story is that I was doing a piece on sires of sires for TDN Europe and Acclamation came out with the big double red circle around his name. This purchase was the product of a lot of groundwork as Jack and I have been working on partnering on a stallion for the last number of years. It took time to find the right one but Bouttemont jumped off the page.”

He added, “This part of the world is full of breeders that have had great experiences with Acclamation and his sons Dark Angel and Mehmas. We couldn't be more excited to help bring what might be the last new stallion son of Acclamation back home to Ireland and offer him to breeders at an accessible level.”

The post Stallion News: Kevin Blake And Jack Cantillon Buy Smart Sprinter Bouttemont appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Downes, the Aga Khan's manager of the Irish studs, has said that the most impressive aspect of Tahiyra's G1 Coronation S. success was the fact that Dermot Weld's charge was able to win despite the race not being run to suit.

Downes said, “We were delighted with her performance at Ascot. It was a bit of a muddling race. It got very tactical and there wasn't much pace. That didn't suit us and we'd have preferred a stronger gallop. But she travels and she quickens and she was able to overcome a messy race which was obviously very pleasing for us.”

He added, “The good horses overcome things like that. If some issues present themselves in a race, they find a way of winning, don't they?”

Downes revealed that Tahiyra will have an easy couple of weeks before rejoining Weld with a view towards a busy autumn campaign. 

He explained, “She will be here for a couple of weeks. We wouldn't give her any longer–she might do too well if we did! It's lovely to have her back here and the staff are delighted to see her. Hopefully she will have a nice couple of weeks and head back down to Rosewell House.”

Downes added on the Irish 1,000 Guineas winner, “The Matron is pretty much the way we are looking at the moment and then we can have a discussion about what comes after that. There are a lot of options on the table for her.”

The post Mid-Season Break For Tahiyra Ahead Of Likely Matron Stakes Tilt On ICW appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Khalifa Bin Ahmed Alattiyah, a familiar face on Irish racecourses and on the sales circuit, was at the Curragh on Sunday to see Al Riffa, owned by his cousin Jassim Bin Ali Al Attiyah, tower over his rivals.

Not only did Al Riffa provide crack youngster Dylan Browne McMonagle with his first Group 1 success in the saddle, but he also handed his owner with a breakthrough victory at the highest level in Ireland from as many attempts, with Alattiyah labelling his cousin as “one lucky man.”

Alattiyah, who along with his close friend Mohamed Al Mansour has run a number of horses with O'Brien under the Al Mamoura Partnership, revealed his family are now looking forward to a tilt at the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere or the G1 Dewhurst before dreaming of Classic glory for Al Riffa through the winter.

Alattiyah said, “We thought he was a horse that would do better as a 3-year-old when we bought him as a yearling. His class has allowed him to do what he has done.

“Physically, he's a really nice-looking horse and is quite unfurnished. He is only a frame of a horse and he will fill out a lot. To be honest, we haven't even seen the best of him yet.”

He added, “When you see him in the flesh, there is no way you would think that this is a horse who can win a National S. as a 2-year-old, but he has an unbelievable amount of class. He has the option of the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and the Dewhurst as well. The decision will be left to Joseph.

“Al Riffa runs in the colours of my cousin Jassim Bin Ali Al Attiyah. I was with Joseph when he bought him as a yearling [for 150,000gns at Book 1 at Tattersalls] last year. Al Riffa is actually Jassim's first runner in Ireland–he is one lucky man!”

“He was very impressive and that's a special day. It was a big ask to go from a maiden to a Group One but he's a very high class horse.”@JosephOBrien2's Al Riffa wins the @Goffs1866 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes.#LICW22 pic.twitter.com/0A6CLpuxt4

— The Curragh Racecourse (@curraghrace) September 11, 2022

Fortune has certainly favoured the connections of Al Riffa but nobody could accuse Alattiyah of not putting in the legwork along with O'Brien at the yearling sales.

While some owners prefer to take a more passive approach to securing talent, Alattiyah attends most of the sales himself, and revealed that he plans on being active at the Orby Sale at Goffs later this month.

He said, “Joseph has helped me a lot. Niall Ryan has also been a huge help to me. He's played a big role in helping secure everything that we have. He's a great guy. Any time I need help, I give him a call so, between Niall and Joseph, these are the guys who have really helped me out and taught me the most.

“Horses are in our blood. We own Arabian horses back home in Qatar and those families have been nurtured by our great, great grandfathers. We can trace some of those families back 80 to 100 years in some cases. I have loved racing since I was young and followed Sea The Stars (Ire), Frankel (GB), Camelot (GB) and Australia (GB), so I have been exploring racing in Europe since I was 18 or 19 years old.”

On striking up a relationship with O'Brien, he added, “My friend Mohamed Al Mansour introduced me to Joseph. He owns everything 50-50 with me in the Al Mamoura Partnership. “Mohamed went to work for Coolmore to build up his knowledge of horses and racing and it was there where he met Aidan [O'Brien] and Joseph. The first sale we went to with Joseph was at Doncaster in 2016 and, from then, I was really happy as I knew he was the sort of guy who had the same goals as us. We bought two yearlings that day and had some luck with them. Our luck has continued right up to Al Riffa and now it looks like we have a nice horse.

“It is a nice story and we are really lucky that everyone at Owning Hill–Tara Armstrong, Mark Power, Brendan Powell and Faisal Hayat–have helped us. We will be at the Orby Sale. The plan is to try and buy some yearlings there.”

Southern Lights (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), a Leopardstown maiden winner who ran in last year's Derby and reached a rating of 104, and three-time scorer Hadman (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), are some of the better horses that Alattiyah has been associated with.

As of yet, he hasn't run in his own silks with O'Brien, but says that could change in the near future, explaining that he plans to bolster his team in Ireland.

He said, “Most of the horses I have owned in Joseph's have run in partnerships. I haven't run a horse in my own silks yet, but hopefully that will happen next month. I love going to the sales.

“We try our best to look for nice horses like Al Riffa. Finding one as good as him was our dream. I look for quality. I like the mile and middle-distance horses. First of all, we are looking at a good physical, and then we look for pedigree.”

He added, “If you were to ask me what I dream of, it's to win the Derby. Be that as an owner or a  breeder, that's what I want to do. Sometimes, when you're at the sales, you might see something that looks nice and is fast, and we don't mind buying those types either. But the main thing we look for is class.

“Joseph thinks Al Riffa is a Guineas horse. He will probably start off in the Guineas next year and, after that, our dream is to win the Derby. That would be the dream but, at the moment, Joseph thinks that if he has a good winter and doesn't get any setbacks, he has the class to be a Guineas horse, so that is exciting.”

The post ‘We Think He’s A Guineas Horse,’ – Connections Purring Over Al Riffa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Haras de Saint Pair's consistent 5-year-old mare had followed up last year's reversal with a second in ParisLongchamp's G1 Prix de la Foret before bringing the curtain down on 2021 with a close-up sixth in Del Mar's GI Breeders' Cup Mile. Back in tune when annexing April's Listed Heritage S. over this course and distance on seasonal return, she added to that with a narrow score in the Curragh's G2 Lanwades Stud S. the following month, but was out of luck when second in July's G2 Minstrel S. back at the Co. Kildare track and fifth behind Saffron Beach (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) and Tenebrism (Caracaggio) in Deauville's Aug. 2 G1 Prix Rothschild last time.

Sharply into stride to set the tone from flagfall, the 16-1 chance was bustled along at the top of the straight and maintained a relentless tempo under a drive inside the final quarter mile to exact revenge on her Rothschild opponents in style, hitting the line with a three-length advantage.

“The best race of her life was this race last year, she's been in good form and I said to Billy [Lee] we'd put the cheekpieces on her,” explained Twomey. “She's five years old and does what she has to do. It didn't work out for her in France [last time] where the ground was quick and it was a straight mile. This is more her jazz, ease in the ground and a turning mile. She was walking around the pre-parade ring and throwing herself around the place and I knew she was in good form. I told Billy, with the cheekpieces on, I don't think we should be taking her back and it worked. She has the ability to travel at a high pace and burn off horses. That's her true running there and I'm delighted for her.”

Ballingarry, Co. Limerick, native Lee added, “She has been very good to me. The race went nicely and, when she bounced from the gates well, I was happy to let her lead the way. She likes it here, she likes the turning mile and, when I asked her in the straight, she picked up well. She's all heart and kept galloping all the way to the line. I thought for a few strides at the top of the straight Hollie Doyle [aboard Saffron Beach] might have had me, but my one picked up again. I was quite surprised we won by three lengths, but she just kept galloping away and galloped them into the ground. These home Group 1s are very hard to win and I'm delighted she's won her Group 1. Her career deserved it and she has it now.”

Pearls Galore, who becomes the 21st Group 1 scorer for her sire (by Green Desert), is the fifth of seven foals and one of five winners from as many runners produced by G3 Dirk Elbers-Preis victrix Pearl Banks (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), herself a daughter of G1 Prix Vermeille heroine Pearly Shells (GB) (Efisio {GB}). Pearly Shells, kin to GI Hollywood Turf Cup-winning sire Frenchpark (GB) (Fools Holme), is also the dam of last term's G2 Prix Greffulhe runner-up Smile Makers (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}) and Listed Prix Panacee victrix Pearls Or Passion (Fr) (Monsun {Ger}), herself the dam of G3 Prix de Royaumont winner Pelligrina (Ire) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) and Listed Floodlit S. placegetter Podemos (Ger) (Shamardal). The May-foaled homebred bay is a half-sister to G3 Grosser Preis der Mehl-Mulhens-Stiftung victrix Lucky Lycra (Ire) (Olympic Glory {Ire}), Listed Prix des Lilas winner Pearly Steph (Fr) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and the hitherto unraced 2-year-old colt L'Ambassadeur (GB) (Shalaa {Ire}). Pearly Steph, in turn, is the dam of this year's G3 Prix Minerve victrix Eternal Pearl (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and the family also features multiple Group 1-winning sires St Mark's Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) and Magna Grecia (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}).

Saturday, Leopardstown, Ireland
COOLMORE AMERICA 'JUSTIFY' MATRON S.-G1, €400,000, Leopardstown, 9-10, 3yo/up, f/m, 8fT, 1:44.36, sf.
1–PEARLS GALORE (FR), 133, m, 5, by Invincible Spirit (Ire)
1st Dam: Pearl Banks (GB) (GSW-Ger & SW-Fr, $127,537), by Pivotal (GB)
2nd Dam: Pearly Shells (GB), by Efisio (GB)
3rd Dam: Piffle (GB), by Shirley Heights (GB)
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O/B-SCEA Haras de Saint Pair du Mont (FR); T-Paddy Twomey; J-Billy Lee. €240,000. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Fr, 17-7-4-1, $697,983. *1/2 to Lucky Lycra (Ire) (Olympic Glory {Ire}), GSW-Ger & SW-Fr; and Pearly Steph (Fr) (Oasis Dream {GB}), SW-Fr. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Saffron Beach (Ire), 133, f, 4, New Bay (GB)–Falling Petals (Ire), by Raven's Pass. (55,000gns Wlg '18 TATFOA). O-Mrs B V Sangster, J Wigan & O Sangster; B-China Horse Club International Ltd (IRE); T-Jane Chapple-Hyam. €80,000.
3–Tenebrism, 128, f, 3, Caravaggio–Immortal Verse (Ire), by Pivotal (GB). O-Westerberg, Coolmore & Merriebelle Stables; B-Merriebelle Stables, Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt (KY); T-Aidan O'Brien. €40,000.
Margins: 3, 1, 1HF. Odds: 16.00, 2.00, 7.50.
Also Ran: Homeless Songs (Ire), Honey Girl (GB), Affogato (Ire), Star Girls Aalmal (Ire), Concert Hall (Ire), Lights On (GB). Scratched: Agartha (Ire), Panama Red (Ire).

What a performance.

Pearls Galore makes up for last year's heartbreak with commanding success this time in the @coolmorestud 'Justify' Matron Stakes for Billy Lee and @paddytwomey #LICW22 | @LeopardstownRC | @wjlee24786 pic.twitter.com/0tVYg2mtOq

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 10, 2022

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Zarinsk, who backed up a May 22 debut success at the Curragh with a fourth in the G2 Airlie Stud S. back there the following month, was unable to feature at the business end of July's G3 Silver Flash S. over this course and distance when stumbling badly at the start and gained compensation with a pillar-to-post victory here. Breaking sharply to seize immediate control, she was shaken up when threatened by her closest pursuer Library passing the quarter-mile marker and kept on strongly under mild urging thereafter to hold that rival with plenty to spare for a career high.

“Our fillies have been pretty precocious this year, they have all won their maidens well and she is still a work-in-progress,” said trainer Ger Lyons. “Colin [Keane] is quite confident about her getting a mile, I'll have to talk to the owners and I could see us putting her away until next year. We do a lot of work in the stalls with our horses at home and our modus [operandi] is don't take away any advantage. Wherever they bounce you ride them from and he's kept it simple. She's not overly big, but has a lovely big stride and has a lot of maturing to do. It's the biggest weekend of the year for us guys in Ireland, it's a very special day and there is always a good buzz to it.” Keane added, “We would have taken a lead, but we got it on our own terms and we went nice, even fractions. I thought we picked up well from the bottom of the straight, she ran through the line and I couldn't pull her up. She's a lovely actioned filly, her stride is very long and she's a very willing filly.”

Zarinsk, who becomes the 81st black-type winner for her sire (by Danehill), is the first stakes scorer out of Listed Michael Seely Memorial S. victrix Pavlosk (Arch), herself a full-sister to Listed Prix Casimir Delamarre winner Rostova. Pavlosk is also a half-sister to the dual Group 3-winning G1 Gran Premio di Milano third Exhibit One (Silver Hawk), herself the dam of G3 Chunichi Shimbun Hai victor Maitres d'Art (Jpn) (Zenno Rob Roy {Jpn}) and Listed Sandringham H. runner-up Auction (Ire) (Mr. Greeley). Zarinsk's third dam Bold Empress (Diesis {GB}) is kin to multiple Group 1-winning sire Zafonic (Mr. Prospector) while her descendants also include stakes-winning G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches second Irish Rookie (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}), G2 Maurice Lacroix Trophy victrix Daring Love (Ger) (Big Shuffle) and last week's G2 Oettingen-Rennen scorer Dapanago (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}). Pavlosk has a yearling filly by Kingman (GB) and a weanling full-sister to Zarinsk to come.

Saturday, Leopardstown, Ireland
BALLYLINCH STUD IRISH EBF INGABELLE S.-Listed, €100,000, Leopardstown, 9-10, 2yo, f, 7fT, 1:31.73, sf.
1–ZARINSK (GB), 128, f, 2, by Kodiac (GB)
1st Dam: Pavlosk (SW-Eng), by Arch
2nd Dam: Tsar's Pride (GB), by Sadler's Wells
3rd Dam: Bold Empress, by Diesis (GB)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. O-Juddmonte; B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd (GB); T-Ger Lyons; J-Colin Keane. €60,000. Lifetime Record: 4-2-0-0, $79,847.
2–Library (Ire), 128, f, 2, Galileo (Ire)–Words (Ire), by Dansili (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Westerberg; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €20,000.
3–Highly Desirable (Ire), 128, f, 2, Twilight Son (GB)–Exoptable (GB), by Dark Angel (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-B M D Partnership; B-P Turley (IRE); T-Natalia Lupini. €10,000.
Margins: 2HF, NK, 3/4. Odds: 4.50, 2.00, 125.00.
Also Ran: Clever And Cool (Ire), Kayhana (Ire), Easy (Ire), Ma Belle Artiste (Ire), Sheyya (Ire), Sweetest Rose (Ire), Satin (GB), Evening's Empire (Ire).

Zarinsk strikes in the opener to Longines @IrishChampsWknd.

The Kodiac filly is not for passing and lands Listed honours for top team Ger Lyons, @ctkjockey and @JuddmonteFarms at @LeopardstownRC #LICW22 | @BallylinchStud pic.twitter.com/qZFq5y5xWv

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 10, 2022

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Highfield Princess is chasing a third Group 1 win on the spin when she lines out in Sunday's Flying Five S. at the Curragh, one of the feature races of Longines Irish Champions Weekend and Quinn, a native of County Tipperary who has been based in England for the majority of his racing career, is in no doubt that the speedball is the best he's trained.

That's not to say that Highfield Princess was always talked about in such vaunted terms. She may be one of the fastest racehorses around, but Highfield Princess would never have made big money at the sales, given she is noticeably off in front. However, Quinn has always had a soft spot for the way the filly goes about her business.

He recalls, “She had a nice demeanor as a 2-year-old but was backward. She's a typical Night Of Thunder, she's not correct in front and is well off on one, but, funnily enough, she's a wonderful mover. She has great fluidity. You get some horses who are not correct and they move terribly because they can't move any other way. But this filly stretches.”

Quinn added, “This is the best horse we've ever had. We've been lucky to have top-class Flat horses and a few top-class jumpers as well.

“We've had Cheltenham and Aintree winners, won the Queen Mary with Signora Cabello (Ire) (Camacho {GB}) and The Wow Signal (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) won the Coventry S. and was champion 2-year-old in France, so we've been lucky to have had some very good horses, but she's the best. She's a phenomenal filly.”

And this phenomenal filly sets a daunting standard at the Curragh on Sunday. She was a brilliant winner of the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville in August and was even better in landing the G1 Nunthorpe S. in rare style at York. While Quinn doesn't do confidence, he expects a bold show from his stable star this weekend.

He said, “These Group 1s, they're hard races to win and the rain is coming and there's a few horses in there that will appreciate the ease in the ground. We just want to get her down to the start on Sunday and take it from there.”

Quinn will also be represented on Irish Champions Weekend by Safe Voyage (Ire) (Fast Company {Ire}), who runs in the “Sovereign Path” H. at Leopardstown on Saturday.

It was at Leopardstown where Safe Voyage recorded one of his career highlights when landing the G2 Boomerang Mile at this meeting in 2020 and Quinn has already been in the winner's enclosure in Ireland this season when Mr Wagyu (Ire) (Choisir {Aus}) landed the Scurry H. at the Curragh in July.

In short, Quinn knows a thing or two about bagging big-race riches on home soil and, on returning home to Ireland with leading contenders this weekend, he added, “I love Ireland–I think about Ireland every day. I've been in England a long time but it's great to go back with nice horses. We only like to go back over when we think we have a big chance.”

Along with being well able to plunder big prizes on the track, Quinn has earned a reputation of being a good man to source a bargain off it, and recalls how neither The Wow Signal nor Liberty Beach (GB) (Cable Bay {Ire}) would have won any beauty pageants.

Despite this, both horses flew the flag for the Quinn stable with great distinction and the trainer is hopeful of picking up a few stars of the future at the yearling sales.

He said, “We got five at Doncaster, which is great, and Sean [son and assistant trainer] was at the Somerville Sale where we underbid a few. The first racing yard I went to when I was younger was Edward O'Grady's and my grandfather was a good stock man so I've picked up plenty down the years. We like a horse with a lot of quality and a bit of scope. You will forgive plenty in a horse if you think you can train them.

“I like to have a look at a horse from the side and like something with a good bit of heart room and a good hind leg. I've never had a good horse with a bad head–I hear some fellas saying they like a horse with small ears but I couldn't subscribe to that.

“Like everything in this game, you live and learn but you want a horse with a nice step, good bone and a nice outlook with a kind eye.”

He added, “The Wow Signal was incorrect in front but he was a phenomenal horse. Liberty Beach was another. She was ordinary enough to look at and had a very ordinary pedigree but, the minute she came into the yard, I said to Sean, 'I like the look of that, she could be a racehorse.' Highfield Princess would never have made big money but she always looked like a racehorse and that's what you want.”

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This season has been Lupini's best yet. She has sent out nine winners, four of which have been recorded by Dunum (Ire) (Ivawood {Ire}), who failed to get into Saturday's “Sovereign Path” Handicap at Leopardstown.

However, the trainer is still hoping to be represented in the race by yard favourite and seven-time winner Blairmayne (Ire) (Zebedee {GB}), who will need a bit of luck to get in as a second reserve. 

Highly Desirable (Ire) (Twilight Son {GB}) will definitely run in the Ingabelle S. on Saturday and, while she is expected to go off at massive odds, Lupini thinks the filly runs on merit. 

The trainer said, “She hasn't run on soft ground but she should handle it being out of a Dark Angel (Ire) mare. She's working well and is in good form so it would be nice to see her run a big race.”

Lupini added, “We only have 16 horses in training and have a few yearlings to bring in over the winter. We're looking forward to turning a few horses around and hopefully there'll be some stars in there. 

“It's a great satisfaction to have runners on Irish Champions Weekend. Training in Ireland is very competitive and we always try to have quality over lots of numbers and it's great when it works out.”

Blairmayne has done his bit to put the Lupini stable on the map. The hard-knocking 9-year-old has been rejuvenated since being upped in trip and Lupini could also see him out-running his odds if he gets a run on Saturday. 

She explained, “Unfortunately Dunum didn't get into the “Sovereign Path” Handicap at Leopardstown but we're hoping Blairmayne might sneak in. He's the second reserve at the moment and, while he's getting a little bit older and wasn't really enjoying running over six furlongs, he's done well since we upped him to seven furlongs. 

“Especially in those big sprints where they go quick, he wasn't enjoying it, but he ran a cracking racing to finish second in a premier handicap over seven furlongs at Cork earlier in the year.  He's been a great horse to have in the yard and, seven furlongs around Leopardstown should suit him well, so hopefully he will get in.”

Along with the handicappers, Lupini has unleashed a steady flow of juvenile talent this season, none more promising than Arinniti (Fr) (Karakontie {Jpn}). After posting a smart debut effort to finish sixth for the trainer at Naas in June, Arinniti was sold to Team Valor to continue her career for Paddy Twomey, for whom she finished second at Navan last weekend. 

Lupini is convinced that Arinniti can carve out an exciting career for her new connections and has described adding a commercial string to her training bow as hugely beneficial to the progress of the stable. 

She said, “Arinniti was a good filly for us. She ran a nice race on debut for Paddy Twomey at Navan where she looked to get a little tired on the softer ground. We always thought she was smart and there's no doubt that she is in good hands and should be able to progress into a listed-class filly at least for her new connections.”

Lupini added, “We're always searching for the quality horse and, when it works out, it's brilliant. This is the first year that we tried to sell horses with form and it has worked out great. We put our heads together and decided that, along with the handicappers, we'd try and run a few younger horses in maidens and try to get them sold. 

“Obviously Arinniti worked out well and there are a few more coming through. You need something to sell to try and keep the yard going and it has given us great satisfaction with how it has worked out. You need days like that to go on in this game.”

A winner on Irish Champions Weekend would add to the satisfaction.

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