Shergar Cup Teams Confirmed

The four teams for Saturday's Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup jockey competition at Ascot have been confirmed, with three jockeys comprising each team. This year's Derby winning jockey Adam Kirby will captain Team Great Britain, on which he will be joined by Cieren Fallon and James Doyle. This year's G1 Gold Cup-winning rider Joe Fanning leads Team Ireland, which is also made up of David Egan and Tadhg O'Shea. Hayley Turner, the most successful rider in the history of the Shergar Cup, captains the Ladies Team which also includes Mickaelle Michel and Nicola Currie. Sean Levey, winner of the G1 Falmouth S. aboard Snow Lantern (GB) (Frankel {GB}) last month, in joined on the Rest of the World Team by Kevin Stott and Andrea Atzeni.

Nick Smith, director of racing and public affairs at Ascot Racecourse, said, “We're thrilled with the jockey line up for the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup this year. Obviously COVID-19 has made international travel very difficult so to pull together such a strong set of teams that still has a global feel is really pleasing. It should be a great day's racing and another thrilling renewal of the competition which sadly didn't take place last year but we look forward to building the day back up in the years to come.”

The post Shergar Cup Teams Confirmed appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Dubawi’s Creative Force Leads A Godolphin One-Two In the Jersey

The betting suggested that there would be a Godolphin one-two in Saturday's G3 Jersey S. and that projection was right with Creative Force (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and James Doyle upstaging Naval Crown (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and William Buick to win the battle of the 5-1 joint-favourites. Always travelling strongly restrained towards the rear of the group racing up the middle, the chestnut who captured the Listed Carnarvon S. over six furlongs at Newbury May 15 moved through to take control of that pack with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining. Drifting left as the opening race's winner Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}) had, Creative Force was nevertheless resilient to register a 1 1/4-length verdict over his stand's rail-running stablemate Naval Crown. The filly Vadream (GB) (Brazen Beau {Aus}) closed to be 3/4 of a length away in third. “He's a little star and a yard favourite,” Doyle said. “The race panned out pretty straightforward for me–they went a really nice pace and travelled strong throughout. I could have done with a target for a bit longer, but they were going well on the stand's side so I had to be brave and press on. We weren't 100% sure about his stamina, but the dam's side was pretty strong so we were hopeful it would carry him through and he's very tenacious and that helped. He was in front a long way out, which is not ideal at Ascot and he coped with the ground pretty well.”

At this point, Creative Force's sole defeat came when 10th in the G2 Coventry S. here last June, after which he was absent until his 3-year-old bow at Newmarket in a six-furlong handicap at the Craven meeting Apr. 15. Beating the subsequent Palace of Holyroodhouse S. winner Significantly (GB) (Garswood {GB}), the smart Jumby (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) and the G2 Sandy Lane S., G3 Pavilion S. and Wokingham H. winner Rohaan (Ire) (Mayson {GB}) there, he went back over the same course and distance to deny Thursday's Britannia H. winner Perotto (GB) (New Bay {GB}) on the 2000 Guineas card May 1. In the Carnarvon, it was the first time he had encountered ground softer than good and he relished it to win by three lengths, but this was a new challenge.
Charlie Appleby was registering his 11th Royal winner and said, “Both horses turned up in great order and full credit to the team. I worked them together probably about 10 days ago and said to Marie [Murphy] and Alex [Merriam], the assistants, 'we don't want to be doing that again' as they are both very genuine horses and it was a stronger piece of work than I ideally wanted. From William's point of view, he said to me 'Charlie, it is such a hard choice'–full credit to the lads, they've given both of them a great ride and it's obviously nice to come here and have a 1-2.”

“We were hopeful on Creative Force's pedigree, and what he has shown us at home in his attitude and the way he is finishing out in his gallops and his races, that stepping up to seven furlongs would be within his realm and he's gone and duly obliged today. I think we'll probably look at something like the [G1] Prix Maurice de Gheest [at Deauville Aug. 8] dropping back to six and a half. He's got bags of pace, travels well and picks up well, so I think that'll be a nice race there to suit his profile. Potentially, the likelihood is the same for Naval Crown–they might just have to take each other on again and see if we can reverse the form.”

Creative Force was no secret at the 2019 Goffs Orby Sale, selling for €400,000 as the son of the Listed Fairy Bridge S. winner and G2 Blandford S.-placed Choose Me (Ire) (Choisir {Aus}) whose previous best was the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. heroine Persuasive (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). Also responsible for the Listed Distaff S. winner and G3 Prix de Lieurey runner-up Tisbutadream (Ire) (Dream Ahead), Choose Me is kin to the Listed Waterford Testimonial S. winner Shanghai Glory (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), while the third dam Ajuga (The Minstrel) was responsible for the G2 EuropaChampionat winner Bad Bertrich Again (Ire) (Dowsing) and the Listed Cheshire Oaks winner Alumni (GB) (Selkirk). The latter is in turn the dam of the Czech champion Dux Scholar (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) who was runner-up in the G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein and G2 Oettingen-Rennen. The fourth dam is the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas and G1 Champion S. heroine Cairn Rouge (Ire) (Pitcairn {Ire}), whose descendants include the prolific grade I-winning Ventura (Chester House). Next up from the dam is the unraced 2-year-old full-brother to Persuasive named Mr Zero (Ire). He was a 100,000gns purchase by SackvilleDonald at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1.

Saturday, Royal Ascot, Britain
JERSEY S.-G3, £75,000, Ascot, 6-19, 3yo, 7fT, 1:29.06, sf.
1–CREATIVE FORCE (IRE), 127, g, 3, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Choose Me (Ire) (SW & MGSP-Ire, $388,395), by Choisir (Aus)
2nd Dam: Hecuba (GB), by Hector Protector
3rd Dam: Ajuga, by The Minstrel
1ST GROUP WIN. (€400,000 Ylg '19 GOFOR). O-Godolphin; B-Owenstown Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby; J-James Doyle. £44,400. Lifetime Record: 6-5-0-0, $127,445. *1/2 to Persuasive (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Hwt. Older Mare-Eur at 7-9.5f, G1SW-Eng & MG1SP-Ire, $1,161,785; and Tisbutadream (Ire) (Dream Ahead), SW & MGSP-Eng, GSP-Fr, $133,016. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Naval Crown (GB), 127, c, 3, Dubawi (Ire)–Come Alive (GB), by Dansili (GB). O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby. £16,793.
3–Vadream (GB), 124, f, 3, Brazen Beau (Aus)–Her Honour (Ire), by Shamardal. O-D R J King; B-Crispin Estates Ltd (GB); T-Charlie Fellowes. £8,393.
Margins: 1 1/4, 3/4, HD. Odds: 5.00, 5.00, 28.00.
Also Ran: Rhythm Master (Ire), Fundamental (GB), Legion of Honour (GB), Tactical (GB), Spycatcher (Ire), Storm Damage (GB), Khartoum, Light Refrain (GB), Great King (Fr), Mehmento (Ire), Bellosa (Ire), New Mandate (Ire), Mutasaabeq (GB), Fast Raaj (Fr), Nando Parrado (GB). Scratched: Ace Aussie (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.

The post Dubawi’s Creative Force Leads A Godolphin One-Two In the Jersey appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

First Black-Type Winner For Galileo Gold As Ebro River Strikes

Coming off a five-furlong Doncaster novice win May 15, Al Shaqab Racing's Ebro River (Ire) gave his first-season sire Galileo Gold (GB) (Paco Boy {Ire}) a first black-type success with an impressive display in Thursday's Listed National S. at Sandown. Missing the break as he had done on his first two starts, the Hugo Palmer-trained chestnut who was one of his sire's more expensive yearlings when selling for 75,000gns at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 2 quickly recovered to track the pace against the rail. In front approaching the furlong pole, the 4-1 shot veered left across the track soon after but was firmly in command and after being straightened registered a 3 1/4-length success from the positively-ridden Little Earl (Ire) (Havana Gold {Ire}). “It was a little bit messy, but he's super-talented,” jockey James Doyle said. “He is tricky, there's no getting away from that, as he does have that trademark of just running around a bit when he gets there. He's got a good turn of foot and he can put himself in front quite quickly. I don't think six will be a problem.”

Trainer Hugo Palmer said, “He's looked very smart from the first day he came in. He's obviously still a bit babyish and has a few crinkles to iron out–how we do that, I'm not sure. I'm not sure which race at [Royal] Ascot yet, he wouldn't be able to give away four lengths in the Norfolk like he did tonight. He'll be fine on any ground and it isn't a surprise he's so precocious–Galileo Gold would have won at two in April if he had an owner, but I still had him. This horse will get a mile in time, but we'll gradually step him up as the season progresses. He's got some growing up to do.”

The dam, whose yearling filly is by Mehmas (Ire) and who also has a filly foal by Inns of Court (Ire), is a half to the Listed Flame of Tara S. third Key Rose (Ire) (Key of Luck) and to the dam of the G1 Diamond Jubilee S., G1 July Cup and G2 QIPCO British Champions Sprint S.-winning sire Slade Power (Ire) (Dutch Art {GB}).

Thursday, Sandown, Britain
CORAL 'BEATEN BY A LENGTH' NATIONAL S.-Listed, £25,500, Sandown, 5-27, 2yo, 5f 10yT, 1:05.24, sf.
1–EBRO RIVER (IRE), 129, c, 2, by Galileo Gold (GB)
1st Dam: Soft Power (Ire), by Balmont
2nd Dam: Rumuz (Ire), by Marju (Ire)
3rd Dam: Balqis, by Advocator
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. (75,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Al Shaqab Racing; B-Tally-Ho Stud (IRE); T-Hugo Palmer; J-James Doyle. £14,461. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $25,673.
2–Little Earl (Ire), 129, c, 2, Havana Gold (Ire)–Majestic Alexander (Ire), by Bushranger (Ire). (£115,000 Ylg '20 GOFFUK). O-Mrs Fitri Hay; B-Mount Armstrong Stud (IRE); T-Robert Cowell. £5,483.
3–Navello (GB), 129, c, 2, Ivawood (Ire)–Caprella (GB), by Kheleyf. O-Ms Fiona Carmichael & Mrs Evelyn Yates; B-Mrs Evelyn Yates & Westward Bloodstock Ltd (GB); T-George Boughey. £2,744.
Margins: 3 1/4, 3/4, NK. Odds: 4.00, 18.00, 2.00.
Also Ran: Fabiosa (GB), Bond Chairman (GB), Chipotle (GB), Hotline Bling (Ire). Scratched: Choux (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result.

The post First Black-Type Winner For Galileo Gold As Ebro River Strikes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Buick Opts For Master of the Seas in Guineas

Jockey William Buick has decided to ride G3 Craven S. hero Master of the Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas on May 1, Godolphin announced. Godolphin's retained jockey opted for the G2 Superlative S. hero, instead of One Ruler (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who will be the mount of James Doyle. The latter has not raced since running second in the G1 Vertem Futurity Trophy S. in October.

“Five days out from the Guineas, I couldn't be happier with them,” said trainer Charlie Appleby, who also has stakes-winner and three-time Group 3-placed Naval Crown (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) entered in the first Classic of the UK season, on the Godolphin website. “One Ruler has been progressing nicely at home, while Master Of The Seas has gone to the races and put the score on the board.

“It wasn't an easy call for William, who rode Master Of The Seas in the Craven and then sat on One Ruler in a routine gallop at Moulton Paddocks last week.

“William asked some serious questions of Master Of The Seas in his race, and he was pleased with the response. I believed that's what clinched it in the end. Of course, the final call comes at declaration time on Thursday.”

One Ruler will be making his 3-year-old bow in the Guineas and won the G3 Autumn S. over the Rowley Mile last October.

“Things have also gone well with One Ruler,” Appleby added. “He is well in himself, and his work has been pleasing.

“Kieren Fallon, who has been riding him all winter, took him for a routine gallop at Moulton Paddocks on Saturday, and he was pleased. Kieren won the Guineas five times, so it's great to have a rider with that experience on the team.”

Other Godolphin Classic aspirants have had their next starts mapped out as well. Craven second and 'TDN Rising Star' La Barossa (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) is being aimed at the G1 French 2000 Guineas on May 16.

“He has done well since the Craven, and it is best to put a line though his previous run in France in the G1 Criterium International at Saint-Cloud [when fifth, beaten six and a quarter lengths]. He did not like the heavy ground.”

Unbeaten Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who has won a novice at Newmarket last October and a 10-furlong Newbury contest on Apr. 16, will target the G2 Dante S. at York on May 13. G3 Sandown Classic Trial second and third Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), will head to the Lingfield Derby Trial or Dante and the Chester Vase, respectively.

“We are very encouraged by the signs so far and excited with what we have,” Appleby said of his 3-year-old Classic prospects. “We are always looking for the next 3-year-old champion, and we are very happy the way this group are developing.

“The Dante is usually a very good trial for the Derby, and Hurricane Lane is worthy of having a crack at it. On all evidence so far, Adayar is going to appreciate stepping up in trip, which could be in the Lingfield Derby Trial. But he doesn't want the ground too quick, so he has the Dante at York as alternative.

“I was very pleased with Yabir's seasonal debut. He is only going to get better when he gets to a mile and a half, which he will get in the Chester Vase, his next race.

“I also plan to send Wirko (Ger) (Kingman {GB}) [Epsom's Listed Blue Riband Trial winner] to Chester for the Dee S. It will be more good experience for him. The Epsom race was a 'Win and You're In' for the Derby–we already know he can handle the track.”

The post Buick Opts For Master of the Seas in Guineas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights