Tag: James Doyle

Algiers Just The Fifth Horse To Take First Two Rounds Of Al Maktoum Challenge

Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal) became just the fifth horse in history to win the first two rounds of the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge in the same year.

Stepping up to 1900 metres for this first time in this $350,000 main track event sponsored by Emaar, the chestnut was forced to cover extra ground when leaving from stall eight. Unable to save any real estate on the clubhouse turn, he avoided the kickback generated by pacesetters Secret Victory (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) along the fence and Bendoog (Gun Runner), to that foe's outside. Desert Wisdom (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) was also flashing some early speed in third. Rounding the far turn still three to four wide, Algiers set sail for Bendoog, as Desert Wisdom weakened. He passed all comers without drawing a deep breath, and drew away to win by six lengths as much the best for the training duo of Simon and Ed Crisford and owner Hamdan Sultan Ali Alsabousi.

The margins were 2 1/2 lengths from Bendoog to Remorse (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who came on for third, 1 3/4 lengths to the good of Secret Victory (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in fourth.

“It was fantastic, he switched leads at the right time in the race and did what he had to do,” said winning co-trainer Simon Crisford. “Obviously we'll talk to his owner, Hamdan Sultan and make a plan now, but on the back of that effort we'll have to strongly push for the [G1] Dubai World Cup [on Mar. 25].”

“It's the furthest he's run on dirt” said pilot James Doyle. “I didn't want to ride him aggressively, but he jumped so well I could have led. I chose to take him back and then one went up my inside and pushed me wide, so then he over-raced throughout. He did well to achieve what he has without ever being in a rhythm.

“He's the best we have in the UAE and this opens up options now, whether it be here or Saudi.”

A dual listed winner in France back in 2020 and 2021 and placed twice at group level there in the latter year, Algiers took the G3 Jebel Ali Mile a year ago, and was also listed placed at Lingfield in November. He opened his 2023 account with a 6 1/2-length win in the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1.

Pedigree Notes

The best foal out of three-time group winner Antara (Ger) (Platini {Ger}), who was also second in the G1 Premio Lydia Tesio, G1 Prix Jean Romanet and G1 Nassau S., Algiers is from the same family as German Group 3 winner Andolini (Ger) (Kallisto {Ger}) and G3 Deutsches St. Leger and G3 Silbernes Pferd hero Aff Un Zo (Ger) (Kallisto {Ger}). Antara, who foaled the winning Wild Tiger (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in 2019, produced a foal in 2021, but it later died.

 

Friday, Meydan, Dubai
AL MAKTOUM CHALLENGE R2 PRESENTED BY EMAAR-G2, $350,000, Meydan, 2-3, 3yo/up, 9 1/2f, 1:56.08, fs.
1–ALGIERS (IRE), 126, g, 6, by Shamardal
1st Dam: Antara (Ger) (Hwt. 3yo-Ger at 9 1/2-11f
                                 MGSW-Eng, GSW & G1SP-Eng, G1SP-Ity & Fr,
                                $499,204, by Platini (Ger)
2nd Dam: Auenpracht (Ger), by General Assembly
3rd Dam: Auenqueen (Ger), by Big Shuffle
O-Hamdan Sultan Ali Alsabousi; B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Simon &
Ed Crisford; J-James Doyle. $210,000. Lifetime Record:  MSW
& MGSP-Fr, SP-Eng, 20-7-5-2, $627,367. Click for the
   free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick
   Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Bendoog, 125, c, 4, Gun Runner–Nellie Cashman, by
Mineshaft. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Mohammed Khaleel
Ahmed; B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-Bhupat Seemar. $70,000.
3–Remorse (Ire), 126, g, 6, Dubawi (Ire)–Jealous Again, by
Trippi. (70,000gns HRA '20 TATAUT). O-Al Rashid Stables LLC;
B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Bhupat Seemar. $35,000.
Margins: 6, 2HF, 1 3/4.
Also Ran: Secret Victory (GB), Salute The Soldier (Ger), Atletico El Culano (Uru), Military Law (GB), Desert Wisdom (GB), First Constitution (Chi). Click for the Video.

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Valiant Prince A New Group Winner For Dubawi In Dubai

The $180,000 G2 Al Rashidiya Presented By Azizi featured a Godolphin trifecta once the dust settled, as Valiant Prince (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) came out on top by three-quarters of a length over the better-fancied pair of Dubai Future (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) for Saeed bin Suroor, and Ottoman Fleet (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). It was the second Friday of the Dubai World Cup Carnival, and a one/three finish for Charlie Appleby.

The 1800-metre contest began with the eventual winner in close quarters under James Doyle and shuffled back to a midpack perch, as bin Suroor trainee Passion And Glory (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire})–the fourth of the Godolphin quartet–cut out fractions on the front end. Dubai Future rated just off the frontrunner with Wirko (Ger) (Kingman {GB}) to his outside, and Valiant Prince was on Dubai Future's tail.

Able to save ground against the fence, Valiant Prince appeared poised for a big effort rounding the far bend and Wirko retreated leaving the turn. Passion And Glory's lead diminished upon straightening, and Dubai Future took over with 400 metres remaining, as Ottoman Fleet also began to let down for his run. Splitting Dubai Future and Ottoman Fleet, the dark bay battled with those foes, before finally subduing Dubai Future in the final 50 metres. Ottoman Fleet's drive fell flat.

“It was a big step forward on what he's achieved in the past,” said Doyle. “We were drawn well, but it got a little hairy on the bend and the two in front got away. It kind of suited him as he doesn't want to see much daylight and the way he picked up was quite a surprise–he felt like he was always going to win comfortably.”

A winner of a brace of one-mile Meydan handicaps last winter, the 5-year-old ran fourth in the Listed Paradise S. returned to England in April. He drew off to win the Listed Ganton S. by four lengths at York in June, and Friday was his first start in 217 days.

 

Pedigree Notes

Darley's remarkable Dubawi, fresh off his first UK/Ireland Champion Sire title, has sired 249 black-type winners. Friday's winner is his 162nd group scorer.

Valiant Prince joins G3 Pinnacle S. heroine Klassique (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) as group winners out of G1 Matron S. victress Chachamaidee (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}). Klassique, who was also placed an additional three times at group level in England and France, has colts by Siyouni (Fr) and Lope De Vega (Ire) in 2021 and 2022. The last reported foal for Chachamaidee is Capitano (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who is an unraced 3-year-old colt.

A half-sibling to G3 Premier Cup winner Chief Whip (Giant's Causeway) and a full to G3 Fred Darling S. heroine J Wonder (Footstepsinthesand {GB}), Chachamaidee is from the extended family of G1 1000 Guineas heroine Virginia Waters (Kingmambo), herself the granddam of G3 Snow Fairy S. winner and G1 Irish Oaks/G1 Pretty Polly S. bridesmaid Rain Goddess (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).

Friday, Meydan, Dubai
AL RASHIDIYA PRESENTED BY AZIZI-G2, $180,000, Meydan,
1-13, 3yo/up, 9fT, 1:46.92, gd.
1–VALIANT PRINCE (IRE), 126, g, 5, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Chachamaidee (Ire) (Hwt. Older Mare-Eng at
                                5-7f, Hwt. Older Mare-Ire at 7-9 1/2f,
                                G1SW-Ire, MGSW & G1SP-Eng, $650,743),
                                by Footstepsinthesand (GB)
2nd Dam: Canterbury Lace, by Danehill
3rd Dam: Legend Maker (Ire), by Sadler's Wells
1ST GROUP WIN. (200,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-Godolphin;
B-R A H Evans (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby; J-James Doyle.
$108,000. Lifetime Record: SW-Eng, 9-5-2-0, $229,409. *1/2 to
Klassique (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), GSW-Eng, MGSP-Fr, $180,470.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the
   eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Dubai Future (GB), 126, g, 7, Dubawi (Ire)–Anjaz, by Street
Cry (Ire). O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Saeed bin Suroor. $36,000.
3–Ottoman Fleet (GB), 125, g, 4, Sea The Stars (Ire)–Innevera
(Fr), by Motivator (GB). (€290,000 Wlg '19 ARQDEC;
425,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Godolphin; B-SCEA Marmion
Vauville & Alain Jathiere (GB); T-Charlie Appleby. $18,000.
Margins: 3/4, HF, 4 1/4.
Also Ran: Zagrey (Fr), Freescape (GB), Fastnet Crown (Ire), San Donato (Ire), King David (Den), Passion And Glory (Ire), Ursa Minor (Ire), Wirko (Ger). Click for the VIDEO.

 

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The Major European Talking Points From The Breeders’ Cup

American Boy Modern Games To Stand Stateside?

Wouldn't it be cool if Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) stood at Darley's Jonabell Farm in America when his racing days come to an end?

Now a dual Breeders' Cup winner and a Classic hero, he has emerged as one of the leading stallion prospects this season but, given Dalham Hall Stud is already jam-packed with sons of Dubawi, standing him in Newmarket could be akin to bringing an apple to an orchard.

It's not like there are an abundance of turf stallions in America, either. Perhaps there wouldn't be a demand but, being a GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf and now a GI Breeders' Cup Mile winner, he has the right credentials to be a Stateside success.

It shouldn't go unnoticed the excellent job that Charlie Appleby and his team have done in campaigning the colt. Guineas scorer Coroebus (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Irish Guineas winner Native Trail (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) were above Modern Games in the pecking order heading into the season, but the colt has amassed a whopping £2,461,265 in career earnings and boasts a G1 French 2000 Guineas victory among his seven career wins.

He's a cracking stallion prospect and chances are that he will stand at Dalham Hall but, if Darley were ever to stand a top turf performer in America, he could be the one.

 

Star Fillies Stay In Training

National Hunt enthusiasts will point to the fact that horses like Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) are few and far between on the level and it is much easier to create an affinity with a horse who races for a prolonged period, as they do over jumps.

Therefore, John Quinn deserves plenty of credit for declaring Highfield Princess (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) will continue racing into her 6-year-old campaign after she ran a cracking race to finish fourth in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint.

As a triple Group 1 winner, who is arguably unfortunate not to be finishing the season as the highest-rated sprinter in Europe, Highfield Princess staying in training will add to what is shaping up to be an intriguing sprinting division next year.

GI Breeders' Cup Filly And Mare Turf winner Tuesday (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) could also stay in training next year while the fourth home in that race, Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}), will race on at four.

 

Not The Punters Pal

The GI Breeders' Cup Sprint was over before it began for the supporters of heavy favourite Golden Pal (Uncle Mo) who, not for the first time, lost his race at the start.

Without taking anything away from the shock 43-1 all-the-way winner Caravel (Mizzen Mast), Golden Pal was given no chance when Irad Ortiz tried to make up for the ground lost at the start by burning petrol to bustle him into a prominent position inside the first furlong.

Those early exertions told late on as he weakened out of contention, similarly to when the colt trailed home in last position in the G1 King's Stand S. at Royal Ascot when sent off a 15-8 favourite.

 

June Birthday No Barrier For Tuesday

Breeders with late foals can point to Tuesday (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) being the latest star performer to overcome what most would view as a negative.

Being a May foal didn't pose any trouble to Northern Dancer (Nearctic). Former Ballydoyle-trained inmates Hermosa (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Forever Together (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Together Forever (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) were also born in May as was Sea Of Class (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}).

Now Tuesday, who famously turned three the day she won the Oaks, proved that even June foals can compete and win at the highest level.

O'Brien revealed that a decision on whether to send Tuesday to Ashford Stud and retire her or tackle the G1 Hong Kong Cup and race on at four would be made in the coming days.

He said, “The plan might be to go to Ashford Stud and retire her, but there's a good chance of her staying in training next year, in which case I would consider the Hong Kong Cup, but it all rests on her not going to Ashford.”

 

Doyle Deserving Of His Moment In The Spotlight

Take a bow James Doyle. Few would begrudge him his big moment in the spotlight aboard Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf.

Fellow Godolphin-runner Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) was the chosen one of William Buick, and while he was a shade unlucky not to finish closer after getting boxed in at a crucial time, Rebel's Romance ran out a deserving winner on the day.

Buick has been making headlines all season but Doyle proved once again that he is a fantastic deputy in securing his first Breeders' Cup success.

It's not the first time that Doyle usurped a better-fancied Godolphin runner, either, as he landed a minor surprise in overhauling Native Trail when winning the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket aboard the late Coroebus (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).

Saturday's success sugar-coated a marvellous season for a man riding at an impressive 20% strike-rate.

The win also drew Appleby level with O'Brien on three winners apiece at this year's Breeders' Cup with the two trainers supplying the entirety of Europe's winners at the meeting.

The friendly rivalry between Appleby and O'Brien provided a fascinating subplot to this year's contest.

 

Important Winner For Shadwell

Malathaat (Curlin) may not be trained in Europe but the impact of her tenacious GI Breeders' Cup Distaff success could be felt in Britain and Ireland for the coming years.

In Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Malathaat, the Shadwell team have been blessed with one of the best colts and fillies of the modern era.

Sheikha Hissa has enjoyed a memorable year with Baaeed and Malathaat capped it all off on Saturday.

Indeed, it was at Keeneland where Shadwell bought a trio of blue-blooded fillies from Book 1 of Keeneland's September yearling sale and followed that up with a productive haul at Book 1 and Book 2 at Tattersalls last month.

Horses like Baaeed and Malathaat don't come along every year but their performances on the track this season will have done no harm to the hopes that Sheikha Hissa's commitments to the industry on both sides of the Atlantic will be felt for some time.

 

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Once A Dirt Demon, Now a ‘Rebel’ With a Cause On Turf

Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) began his 4-year-old season as Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum's best hope for the G1 Dubai World Cup, what with his towering success in the G2 UAE Derby as a sophomore. When things on the main track went belly-up over the winter at Meydan, trainer Charlie Appleby and team were compelled to call an audible and switched the gelding–clearly bred to handle the turf–to that surface. The decision has paid off in spades, as the lanky dark bay ran his grass record to five wins from as many starts with a defeat of 12-1 Stone Age (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) in Saturday's GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland.

Rebel's Romance, favored on the morning line, but off at nearly 6-1, was not particularly fast away and found himself in the slipstream of his GI Saratoga Derby and GIII Jockey Club Invitational winner Nation's Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) in the latter third of the field early on. Bye Bye Melvin (Uncle Mo) made the running in advance of Channel Maker (English Channel)–making his fifth straight start in the Turf and sixth Breeders' Cup appearance overall–and the pace was sensible for the distance.

Held up behind midfield and racing with the well-backed War Like Goddess (English Channel) to his inside and the swan-songing Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) to his outer, Rebel's Romance was patiently handled into the final half-mile by James Doyle and commenced an overland rally together with Mishriff as they entered the final five-sixteenths of a mile. Spun about six wide into the lane, Rebel's Romance showed a slightly better turn of acceleration than the 2021 Saudi Cup hero who tried to match strides in upper stretch and hit the front while racing on his incorrect lead with a furlong to travel before kicking on to a game score. Stone Age ran on strongly for second ahead of War Like Goddess, who took the gap between the tiring pacesetters inside the furlong marker and settled for third. Mishriff, who is off to stud in France next year, covered 34 feet (nearly four lengths) more than the winner and rounded out the superfecta.

Trainer Charlie Appleby completed a Breeders' Cup three-timer for the second year running, while James Doyle was winning a Breeders' Cup race for the first time.

“The horse is maturing and well traveled now,” said Appleby. “What he's done this season on the turf has been–rejuvenated from a horse that at one stage we looked like we might have been losing him for a moment.

“But a typical Dubawi, he's gotten stronger. But full credit to the team. Delighted for James to have his first winner.”

Added Doyle: “My sister [Sophie] has been over here a number of years. I hope I made her proud. I've let her down a few times coming over. Hopefully she enjoys this one. And obviously riding for the right team. Any ride for Charlie Appleby in the Breeders' Cup, as we've seen, is pretty dangerous.”

With his treble over the weekend, Appleby has now trained the winners of nine Breeders' Cup races.

After those two early-season dirt debacles at the Dubai World Cup Carnival, in which he was beaten by a combined 51 1/2 lengths, Rebel's Romance was the handy winner of Newmarket's Listed Fred Archer S. in his first spin on the turf June 25 ahead of a more narrow success in the G3 Glorious S. at Goodwood the following month. The hardy dark bay was back on the road just 16 days later, carrying Doyle to a neck score in the G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin at Hoppegarten and entered the Turf off a 3/4-length defeat of this year's G1 Deutsches Derby hero Sammarco (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) in the G1 Preis von Europa at Cologne Sept. 25.

Pedigree Notes:

Rebel's Romance is the fifth individual Breeders' Cup winner for Dubawi, whose progeny have teamed to take down six trophies altogether, when factoring in Modern Games's Mile victory a few races prior.

Rebel's Romance's stakes-placed dam is a daughter of multiple Group 3 winner Short Skirt, also third in the 2006 G1 Vodafone Epsom Oaks, who was purchased by Godolphin for 1.4 million gns out of the 2006 Tattersalls December Mare Sale. Short Skirt also went on to produce Volcanic Sky (GB) (Street Cry {Ire}), winner for Godolphin of the G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy over 14 grassy furlongs.

Minidress is the dam of the 2-year-old colt Measured Time (GB) (Frankel {GB}). The mare's foal of 2021, a filly by 2015 Turf runner-up Golden Horn (GB), sadly passed away this year.

Saturday, Keeneland
LONGINES BREEDERS' CUP TURF-GI, $3,680,000, Keeneland, 11-5, 3yo/up, 1 1/2mT, 2:26.35 (NTR), fm.
1–REBEL'S ROMANCE (IRE), 126, g, 4, by Dubawi (Ire)
                1st Dam: Minidress (GB) (SP-Eng), by Street Cry (Ire)
                2nd Dam: Short Skirt (GB), by Diktat (GB)
                3rd Dam: Much Too Risky (GB), by Bustino (GB)
O/B-Godolphin (Ire); T-Charles Appleby; J-James Doyle.
$2,080,000. Lifetime Record: MG1SW-Ger, GSW-Eng, GSW-UAE,
12-9-0-0, $2,934,610. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the
free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Stone Age (Ire), 122, c, 3, Galileo (Ire)–Bonanza Creek (Ire),
by Anabaa. O-Peter M. Brant, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B.
Tabor, Derrick Smith & Westerberg; B-White Birch Farm Sc
(Ire); T-Aidan P. O'Brien. $680,000.
3–War Like Goddess, 123, m, 5, English Channel–Misty North,
by North Light (Ire). ($1,200 Wlg '17 KEENOV; $1,000 RNA Ylg
'18 KEESEP; $30,000 2yo '19 OBSOPN). O-George Krikorian;
B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-William I. Mott. $360,000.
Margins: 2 1/4, 3/4, NK. Odds: 5.96, 12.05, 3.47.
Also Ran: Mishriff (Ire), Nations Pride (Ire), Broome (Ire), Channel Maker, Master Piece (Chi), Bye Bye Melvin, Gold Phoenix (Ire), Red Knight, Highland Chief (Ire), Nautilus (Brz).
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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