Tag: kevin stott

Isle of Jura ‘Victorious’ In King’s Cup To Complete Bahrain Sweep

Isle of Jura (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) found his best stride entering the final 200 metres and ran out a comfortable winner of Friday's $200,000 Listed King's Cup to secure the 'Triple Crown' for Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa's Victorious Racing and trainer George Scott.

Winner of a Bahrain Turf Series race Dec. 8 and second in another three weeks later, Isle of Jura saw his rating rise out of the eligibility range for those valuable handicaps and made his next start in the Listed Crown Prince's Cup Feb. 2. Duly obliging there for a first black-type success, he scooped the $135,000 Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup a fortnight later and was going for the sweep in the King's Cup.

The commonly owned, but Fawzi Nass-trained Rollajam (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}), ostensibly a pacemaker for Isle of Jura, bombed the start, but rolled forward with a rush to take up the running and opened a double-digit margin on his rivals down the back. Isle of Jura raced in about fifth position and one off the fence with cover, but still had plenty of ground to make up on the leader turning in. The hulking bay took time to hit top gear, but began to bridge the gap in earnest approaching the final furlong and pulled clear from there as Sovereign Spirit (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}) and Panning for Gold (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB}) ran on for the minor prizes.

“This ranks as the highlight of my career to date, miles ahead of anything else. It's unbelievable,” the winning trainer commented. “The King's Cup is the pinnacle of racing here in Bahrain. What a wonderful horse, he really is a trier.”

Added jockey Callum Shepherd: “What a magic winter this horse has given us and for it to culminate in this race is huge. He's had to overcome adversity here, being virtually knocked over on the first bend. I'm enormously grateful to His Highness Sheikh Nasser, I am so pleased we could do this for him. It was his ambition to win the three races, the 'Triple Crown', and it takes some doing.

“I'd also like to give enormous credit to Rosie Jessop who's ridden him every day out here and the girls who have looked after him. They have carried out and implemented George's plans to the letter and they have been faultless in doing so.”

Said Jessop, who has jumped aboard Isle of Jura in his work over the course of the last three months: “I am going to miss him dearly. He's been the life and soul of my season this year. I'm just so happy and he's made it a magical time for us.”

Isle of Jura returns to Europe for a pattern campaign over the summer.

The well-related Isle of Jura is out of a daughter of French listed-winning 2002 G1 Pouliches runner-up Firth of Lorne (Ire) (Danehill), whose son Master of the Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) led home a Godolphin 1-2 in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Mile. She is also the dam of the stakes-winning and G1 St James's Palace S. second Latharnach (Iffraaj {GB}) and Etive (Elusive Quality), a listed winner in Germany. This is also the family of Just Fine (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), popular winner of the G1 Metropolitan H. at Randwick last September. Falls of Lora is also represented by a 2-year-old Night of Thunder (Ire) colt and a yearling colt by Dubawi.

 

 

Real World Back To Winning Ways

It had been a stretch of 12 consecutive outs for Godolphin's classy Real World (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) dating back to his victory in the 2022 G2 Zabeel Mile at Meydan. The 7-year-old earned his first placing since when third to Brave Emperor (Ire) (Sioux Nation) in the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup in Qatar Feb. 17 and snapped the skid with an authoritative victory in Friday's $80,000 Listed Al Methaq Mile.

Ridden forward by Kevin Stott, the veteran went to the front with better than 200 metres to travel and proved not for catching from there, defeating Wowzers (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) by a comfortable 2 1/2-length margin.

“Last time Real World ran well in Doha in Qatar, and then he worked very well last week and back at a mile, which is the best trip for him, I was confident he would run well. That was good to see,” said trainer Saeed bin Suroor.

 

 

KING'S CUP-Listed, $200,000, Sakhir, 3-8, 3yo/up, 2400mT, 2:31.50, gd.
1–ISLE OF JURA (GB), 128, g, 4, New Approach (Ire)–Falls of Lora (Ire), by Street Cry (Ire). (£150,000 HRA '23 TATMAR). O-Victorious; B-Godolphin; T-George Scott; J-Callum Shepherd; $120,000. Lifetime Record: 10-5-1-0, $287,164. *Full to Cascadian (GB), MG1SW-Aus, G1SP-Fr, $5,925,891; half to Albahr (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), GISW-Can, SW-Eng, $236,981.
2–Sovereign Spirit (GB), 125, g, 4, Le Havre (Ire)–Shutka (Fr), by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire). 1ST BLACK-TYPE. (€75,000 Ylg '21 ARQOCT; 40,000gns HRA '23 TATAUT). O-Al-Afoo Racing; B-J P Dubois; T-Jaber Ramadhan; J-Soufiane Saadi; $40,000.
3–Panning for Gold (Ire), 125, g, 4, Galileo Gold (GB)–Sweet Temptation (Ire), by Amadeus Wolf (Ire). 1ST BLACK-TYPE. (€18,000 Ylg '21 GOFOCT; £115,000 2yo '22 GOFAPR; 85,000gns HRA '23 TATAUT). O-Al Mohamediya Racing; B-Rossenarra Bloodstock Ltd; T-Fawzi Nass; J-Neil Callan; $20,000.
Margins: 2HF, 1HF, NO.
Click for the Bahrain Turf Club chart.

AL METHAQ MILE-Listed, $80,000, Sakhir, 3-8, 3yo/up, 1600mT, 1:34.30, gd.
1–REAL WORLD (IRE), 126, g, 7, Dark Angel (Ire)–Nafura (GB), by Dubawi (Ire). O/B-Godolphin; T-Saeed bin Suroor; J-Kevin Stott; $48,000. Lifetime Record: Hwt. Older Horse-UAE at 7-9.5f, GSW & MG1SP-Eng, GSW-Fr & UAE, 23-7-3-3, $896,845. *1/2 to Dubai Fountain (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), SW & MGSP-Eng, $123,978.
2–Wowzers (GB), 126, g, 5, Kodiac (GB)–Vallado (Ire), by Clodovil (Ire). 1ST BLACK-TYPE. (65,000gns RNA Ylg '20 TATNOV; 110,000gns HRA '22 TATAUT). O-Al Mohamediya Racing; B-Wood Hall Stud; T-Fawzi Nass; J-Hector Crouch; $16,000.
3–Mehmento (Ire), 126, g, 6, Mehmas (Ire)–Invincible Me (Ire), by Invincible Spirit (Ire). (£14,000 RNA 2yo '20 TATJUL; 23,000gns HRA '22 TATFEB; 45,000gns HRA '22 TATJUL). O-Al-Afoo Racing; B-Tally-Ho Stud; T-Mohammed Hasan; J-Soufiane Saadi; $8,000.
Margins: 2HF, NK, HF.
Click for the Bahrain Turf Club chart.

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Amo Racing Announces David Egan As New Number One Rider

David Egan is the latest jockey to have been snapped up as the number one rider for Amo Racing, with Kia Joorabchian saying the 24-year-old will help bring “long-term stability” to the team.

At just 24, Egan has already scaled some of racing's peaks. He won the Saudi Cup, the world's richest race, aboard Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) in 2021 and more recently enjoyed great success with trainer Roger Varian, for whom he has partnered Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}}) to St Leger successes in Britain and Ireland. 

Joorabchian said, “I'm very pleased to announce David as our first jockey. We have had a brilliant ongoing relationship over the years and used David consistently on our horses, going back to Mojo Star's brilliant second in the [2021] Derby. We now feel it's the perfect time to consolidate our team and having David on board will be a valuable addition. 

“David is a talented, ambitious jockey with experience at the top of the sport having won races of the highest calibre all over the world, and growing up as Roger Varian's stable jockey has given him invaluable experience and maturity. Aware of the size of our organisation, we must implement systems to ensure longevity and I have tremendous confidence in this decision.”

He added, “Having David on board for the next two years will help us develop long-term stability as a team. I would also like to thank Roger for his tremendous support, confidence and blessing in this decision.” 

Egan was crowned champion apprentice in 2017 and has also ridden as the retained jockey to Prince AA Faisal. He takes over as Amo Racing's new number one rider one a two-year deal from Kevin Stott, who was removed from his post in September just one season after taking over from Rossa Ryan.

Egan commented, “I'm delighted to have signed a two-year contract with Amo Racing. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Roger and Hanako Varian, and all the Varian Stable team. 

“They have been like family to me since I first started in racing, and I'd just like to thank them for their friendship and support over the last seven years.”

 

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“For Reasons Outside Of Racing” – Amo Racing Sacks Stott As Retained Rider

Amo Racing's Kia Joorabchian has sacked Kevin Stott as the retained rider for the operation. Stott is understood to have been informed of the decision by text on Monday morning and it comes after the 29-year-old suffered defeat on Bucanero Fuerte and King Of Steel in Group 1 contests at the Irish Champions Festival. 

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.”

 

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Wootton Bassett’s Bucanero Fuerte In A League Of His Own In The Phoenix

The Curragh's G1 Keeneland Phoenix S. on Saturday looked an open affair beforehand, but Amo Racing Limited and Giselle De Aguiar's Bucanero Fuerte (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}– Frida La Blonde {Fr}, by Elusive City) left no doubt as to who ruled the roost as he made virtually all for an impressive success.

Having needed the judge to edge out 'TDN Rising Star' Unquestionable (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in the course-and-distance G2 Railway S. last month, the Adrian Murray-trained €165,000 Arqana Deauville August graduate could be called the clear-cut winner some way out as Ballydoyle's 13-8 market-leader failed to get on terms. At the line, the 9-4 second favourite had four lengths to spare over the G3 Albany S. scorer Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio), with 1 1/2 lengths back to Givemethebeatboys (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}) as he edged Unquestionable out of the placings by a short head.

“It didn't really go to plan with the pacemaker not getting anywhere near me, so I had to ride my own race but he's very uncomplicated and lengthened and stretched from 2 1/2 out and was quite surprised that nothing came to challenge me,” jockey Kevin Stott said of the winner, who had taken the first juvenile race of the season over five furlongs here in March before running third in the G2 Coventry S.

“We've always thought he was nice, but he was a big baby the first day of the season and has only grown and strengthened since,” Stott added. “Adrian and Robson have done a great job with him and made my life easier to just steer him. He was only just doing enough and I'm sure had something come to him he'd have gone again. He's a horse that we think will get further in time and who knows what kind of horse we've got heading into next year? He's a big horse and takes his racing very well and settles nicely, so you'd like to think he'll get further and if he doesn't we've got a nice sprinter.”

Murray said, “He was very impressive. We had him here 10 days ago doing a piece of work and Robson got off him and said to me 'this is the best horse I've ever ridden'. He was certainly correct in that one. He's a serious horse. That's three runs and three wins here, he's the horse of a lifetime. I'd say it'll be the [G1] National S. now and I don't think he'll have any problem stepping up to seven. The ground today would be a bit easier than the last day. He was very impressive in his maiden here on heavy ground, but it's not an issue for him as he's won on quick ground as well.”

 

Pedigree Notes

Bucanero Fuerte, who is the seventh top-level winner for his sire, is a full-brother to the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp hero Wooded (Ire) and the G3 Sovereign S. runner-up Beat Le Bon (Fr), with the dam Frida La Blonde (Fr) (Elusive City) being out of the G2 Premio Regina Elena (Italian 1000 Guineas) runner-up Firm Friend (Ire) (Affirmed). She was responsible for the dual listed winner and G3 Prix de Ris-Orangis runner-up Fred Lalloupet (GB) also by Elusive City, as well as the Listed Prix Servanne scorer and G3 Prix de Cabourg-placed Mon Pote Le Gitan (Thunder Gulch) and the triple listed winner Maximum Aurelius (Fr) (Showcasing {GB}). Also related to the G3 Cornwallis S. and G3 Norfolk S.-winning sire Magic Ring (Ire), Frida La Blonde's yearling filly by Dubawi (Ire) now has the best upgrade of all as she heads to Arqana's Deauville August Yearling Sale and sells on Saturday.

 

Saturday, Curragh, Ireland
KEENELAND PHOENIX S.-G1, €300,000, Curragh, 8-12, 2yo, c/f, 6fT, 1:12.53, gd.
1–BUCANERO FUERTE (GB), 131, c, 2, by Wootton Bassett (GB)
1st Dam: Frida La Blonde (Fr), by Elusive City
2nd Dam: Firm Friend (Ire), by Affirmed
3rd Dam: Chere Amie (Fr), by Gay Mecene
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (€165,000 Ylg '22 ARAUG). O-Amo Racing
Ltd & Giselle De Aguiar; B-Gestut Zur Kuste AG (GB); T-Adrian
Murray; J-Kevin Stott. €180,000. Lifetime Record: GSP-Eng,
4-3-0-1, $307,645. *Full to Wooded (Ire), G1SW-Fr, $274,930;
and Beat Le Bon (Fr), GSP-Eng, $418,772. Werk Nick Rating:
   A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the
   eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the
   free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Porta Fortuna (Ire), 128, f, 2, Caravaggio–Too Precious (Ire),
by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE.
O-Barry Fowler, Medallion Racing 2020 LLC, Steven I Weston &
Reeves Thoroughbred; B-Whisperview Trading Ltd (IRE);
T-Donnacha O'Brien. €60,000.
3–Givemethebeatboys (Ire), 131, c, 2, Bungle Inthejungle (GB)–
Dromana (Ire), by Dutch Art (GB). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE.
(€15,000 Wlg '21 GOFNO1; €11,000 Ylg '22 GOAUYR;
£1,100,000 2yo '23 GOFLO). O-Bronsan Racing & Mrs Theresa
Marnane; B-Airlie Stud & Mrs S M Rogers (IRE); T-Jessica
Harrington. €30,000.
Margins: 4, 1HF, NO. Odds: 2.25, 3.50, 10.00.
Also Ran: Unquestionable (Fr), Gaenari (Ire), His Majesty (Ire), Launch. VIDEO.

 

 

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