Tag: Lope de Vega (Ire)

Lope De Vega’s Algolia Powers To TDN Rising Stardom At Chantilly

Andre Fabre's team has hit the ground running as winter slowly transitions to spring and the veteran maestro unleashed G1 Prix de Diane entry Algolia (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}–Viva Rafaela {Brz}, by Know Heights {Ire}) to claim 'TDN Rising Stardom' with a scintillating performance in Tuesday's Prix du Soissonnais over one mile at Chantilly.

Her victory was the middle leg of a Fabre hat-trick on the card, the trainer also successful with the dual Group 1-placed Ancient Rome (War Front) coming back off a nine-month break and capping a treble initiated by Swing Vote (GB) (Shamardal) in the colts' and geldings' division of the one-mile maiden. Fabre is also responsible for Europe's first Rising Star of the year, Pensee Du Jour (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), who impressed on debut at the same venue last month. The stable's thermostat is set to hot and running at over 40% with 13 wins from 32 attempts this year.

The 3-1 second choice broke smartly from the outside stall and stalked the tempo in a close second for most of this debutantes' heat. Nudged along to seize control passing the quarter-mile pole, she quickened clear approaching the final furlong and powered further away from stablemate Firyali (GB) (New Bay {GB}) in the closing stages to hit the line with an impressive five-length buffer, becoming the 10th Rising Star for her sire (by Shamardal). Lope De Vega's 'Rising Star' roll of honour also features GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and GI Just A Game heroine Newspaperofrecord (Ire), National Stud resident Lope Y Fernandez (Ire), who placed five times at the highest level, and another GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf victrix in Aunt Pearl (Ire).

Algolia is the fifth foal and scorer produced by G1 Grande Premio Diana (Brazilian Oaks) heroine and GI Flower Bowl third Viva Rafaela (Brz) (Know Heights {Ire}), herself a daughter of G1 Grande Premio Marciano de Aguiar Moreira victrix Linda Rafaela (Brz) (Bin Ajwaad {Ire}). The April-foaled homebred chestnut is a half-sister to last term's Listed Prix Charles Laffitte scorer Babala (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). Viva Rafaela, whose family features a swathe of Brazilian elite-level performers, is kin to the Group 1-placed duo Baby Go Far (Brz) (Elusive Quality) and Unique Zuca (Brz) (Northern Afleet). The latter threw GSW G1 Grande Premio Cruzeiro do Sul runner-up Galaxy Runner (Brz) (Drosselmeyer) while another half-sister, Awesome Rafaela (Brz) (Elusive Quality), is the dam of GII Edgewood S. victrix New Year's Eve (Kitten's Joy).

4th-Chantilly, €27,000, Mdn, 3-7, unraced 3yo, f, 8f (AWT), 1:40.77, st.
ALGOLIA (IRE), f, 3, by Lope De Vega (Ire)
1st Dam: Viva Rafaela (Brz) (G1SW-Brz & GISP-US, $246,353), by Know Heights (Ire)
2nd Dam: Linda Rafaela (Brz), by Bin Ajwaad (Ire)
3rd Dam: Poli Arumba (Brz), by Executioner
Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €13,500. *1/2 to Babala (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), SW-Fr. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.
O/B-Wertheimer & Frere (IRE); T-Andre Fabre; J-Mickael Barzalona.

 

The post Lope De Vega’s Algolia Powers To TDN Rising Stardom At Chantilly appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Observations: Dual Group 1-Placed Ancient Rome Set for Chantilly Return

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Tuesday's Observations feature a trio of Andre Fabre trainees, including a welcome return for Coolmore and Westerberg's dual Group 1-placed Ancient Rome.

14.25 Chantilly, Mdn, €27,000, unraced 3yo, c/g, 8f (AWT)
Godolphin's SWING VOTE (GB) (Shamardal) is an Andre Fabre-trained son of G1 Oaks heroine Qualify (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and the March-foaled homebred bay faces nine rivals in this debut. They include Alain and Gerard Wertheimer's Tonal (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), who is kin to three black-type performers out of a half-sister to G1 Cheveley Park S. victrix Pas De Reponse (Danzig).

15.35 Chantilly, Mdn, €27,000, unraced 3yo, f, 8f (AWT)
Alain and Gerard Wertheimer's ALGOLIA (IRE) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), another Andre Fabre-conditioned newcomer of note, is a half-sister to Listed Prix Charles Laffitte victrix Babala (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) produced by G1 Grande Premio Diana (Brazilian Oaks) winner Viva Rafaela (Brz) (Know Heights {Ire}). Her 10 opponents include Ecurie Skymarc Farm's homebred Morgana (Fr) (Camelot {GB}), who is out of an untried half-sister to three-time GI Canadian International-winning sire Joshua Tree (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) and G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud second Arthur's Kingdom (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), from the Stephane Wattel stable; and Rashit Shaykhutdinov's Meteor Shower (Fr) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who is a homebred daughter of stakes-winning G1 Preis der Diana (German Oaks) runner-up Megera (Fr) (Motivator {GB}), representing Fabrice Chappet.

16.45 Chantilly, Cond, €18,000, 4yo, 9f (AWT)
Coolmore and Westerberg's 4-year-old colt ANCIENT ROME (War Front) returns to action for Andre Fabre coming back off a nine-month break, having run ninth in June's G1 Prix du Jockey Club when last seen. The 2021 G3 Prix des Chenes victor, who also hit the board in that season's G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and G1 Criterium International, encounters seven rivals in this low-key affair.

The post Observations: Dual Group 1-Placed Ancient Rome Set for Chantilly Return appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Making Waves: Milestone Week For Dubawi

   In this new series, the TDN takes a look at the success of European-based sires in North America, on a semi-weekly basis. This week's column (Feb. 18-Feb. 25) is highlighted by the victory of Godolphin homebred Lake Lucerne (Dubawi {Ire}) in the Albert M. Stall Memorial S. at Fair Grounds on Feb. 18.

A worldwide influence for class, Dubawi celebrated his 250th stakes winner with Lake Lucerne's two-length victory for Brendan Walsh and Tyler Gaffalione in a 1 1/16-mile turf stakes in New Orleans eight days previously. The 6-year-old mare was previously placed in Belmont's GIII Athenia S. and five other black-type races.

Part of the extensive international breeding programme of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Lake Lucerne is a daughter of GI Breeders' Cup Distaff and GI Acorn S. heroine Round Pond (Awesome Again), who joined the Darley broodmare band after selling for $5.75 million out of the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Mixed Sale of 2007. Lake Lucerne's half-brother Long River (A.P. Indy) won the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3, while another half-sister produced GI Carter H. victor and new Darley American stallion Speaker's Corner (Street Sense). Classic winners and subsequent sires Black Minnaloushe (Storm Cat) and Pennekamp (Bering {GB}) are under the third dam.

Looking at the stakes success and winners by Dubawi in North America, of his 69 runners, 35 (51%) have won, with 18 of those 69 (26%) winning at least one black-type race. Leading the charge are Grade I winners In Italian (GB), Dubawi Heights (GB), last year's American Champion Turf Male Modern Games (Ire), Almanaar (GB), Yibir (GB), Mubtaahij (Ire), Wuheida (GB), Rebel's Romance (Ire), and Space Blues (Ire). The last-named is standing his first season at Kildangan Stud in Ireland.

 

Sharing Is 'Caring' Down In Florida

Coolmore Stud's Australia (GB) celebrated a new maiden winner in Florida on Feb. 18 in the form of Ashbrook Farm, Matthew O'Connor, Upland Flats Racing and Amy E. Dunne's Just A Care (Ire). A 1 1/2-length winner of a five-furlong turf maiden for trainer Rusty Arnold (video), the filly was making her second start. From just 19 North American runners, Australia has 10 winners (53%) and five stakes winners (26%) led by GI Breeders' Cup Mile hero Order Of Australia (Ire), GI Gamely S. victress Ocean Road (Ire) and GIII Endeavour S. heroine Counterparty Risk (Ire).

Bred by China Horse Club International, Ltd. in Ireland and consigned by David Cox's Baroda Stud, the bay went through the Tattersalls October Book 1 ring in 2021, where Kerri Radcliffe snapped her up for 105,000gns. Just A Care made her racetrack debut with a fifth-place effort in a six-furlong turf affair for Dew Sweepers and Arnold at Belmont Park last June. Sent back through the sales ring at the Fasig-Tipton July Sale last year as a member of the Grovendale Sales draft, Just A Care was picked up by Bo Bramagen, agent, for $150,000.

Out of the one-time winner Greater Good (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), Just A Care is a half-sister to a 2-year-old filly by first-season sire Ten Sovereigns (Ire) and a full-sister to a yearling colt. Second dam is GIII Hollywood Juvenile Championship S. heroine Necessary Evil (Harlan's Holiday), and young sire Sergei Prokofiev (Scat Daddy), who won the G3 Cornwallis S., is under the third dam.

Just A Care | Ryan Thompson

Synthetic The Answer For Thunder Love

One day before Profitable (Ire)'s Kimngrace (Ire) became his newest stakes winner (number seven) in Lingfield's Listed Betuk Hever Sprint going just over five furlongs on the all-weather, Turfway Park in Kentucky hosted AMO Racing USA's Thunder Love (GB), who managed to take a six-furlong synthetic allowance optional claimer by a half-length on Feb. 24. It was the daughter of G2 Mill Reef S. third Nantyglo (GB) (Mark Of Esteem {Ire})'s second consecutive win at the northern Kentucky track for Paulo Lobo, although she has been based in America for some time.

Bred by Richard Kent and Clare Lloyd's Mickley Stud, the now-4-year-old filly was offered by her breeder at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale and caught the eye of Joanna Morgan for 13,000gns. Re-offered during the 2020 Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale by Bill Dwan's The Castlebridge Consignment, the Apr. 30 foal was knocked down to Robson Aguiar for £18,000. Bearing the deep purple Amo Racing silks of Kia Joorabchian, Thunder Love made her first pair of starts winning ones over the Kempton synthetic in the spring of 2021 for trainer George Boughey, and was transferred to Lobo after several stakes attempt in the UK.

Thunder Love's dam has a 3-year-old colt named Alfil (GB), an 11,000gns purchased by Wallhouse at the 2020 Tattersalls December Foal Sale and a juvenile filly, who was acquired by Rabbah Bloodstock for 20,000gns out of the Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale last September, both by Massaat (Ire). Her extended family features the Classic heroine Moonstone (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}).

 

Lope De Vega Colt Shines At Gulfstream

As chronicled extensively in Sunday's edition of the TDN, Lope De Vega (Ire) sired his ninth 'TDN Rising Star' and third in America with the success of Bob and Kristine Edwards of e Five Racing's Carl Spackler (Ire) in a one-mile turf maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park (video). Previous American 'Rising Star's by the Ballylinch Stud resident include GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and GI Just a Game S. victress Newspaperofrecord (Ire), and fellow Juvenile Fillies Turf heroine Aunt Pearl (Ire), trained by Chad Brown and Brad Cox, respectively. His rate of runners to winners in America and Canada sits at 46% (28 winners from 61 runners), and four of his five stakes winners (8.2% from runners) are graded winners Stateside.

The Fifth Avenue Bloodstock-bred was making his second start after finishing runner-up there when unveiled on Jan. 21. He was a 350,000gns buyback out of the 2021 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1 when offered by Ballylinch. His dam joined the e Five fold for $550,000 at the 2015 Keeneland November Sale and went on to take the GII Goldikova S. later that year. A half-sister to Grade I winner Western Aristocrat (Mr. Greeley), she foaled a Frankel (GB) half-sister to the winner that made 450,000gns at the 2022 edition of the October Sale and she also has a yearling filly by Lope De Vega.

The post Making Waves: Milestone Week For Dubawi appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

“We’re Stronger Together”, Lope Y Fernandez Bolstered By Connections

There is no denying that the stallion market is becoming increasingly difficult with appetites for stud prospects growing. There is also no questioning that the support a young stallion receives in their first few years is paramount to their success. Most stallions are an easy sell in their first year with many being oversubscribed and then numbers falling off in the years leading up to that first crop hitting the track. However, one stallion whose numbers and support could very likely stay consistent throughout those primitive years is Lope Y Fernandez (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), given the number of influential breeders that are involved in his ownership.

Although standing at The National Stud in England, Lope Y Fernandez is owned by Whitsbury Manor Stud, Nick Bradley and the Newmarket-based operation as well as Coolmore, for whom the horse raced, retaining an interest. It may seem a slightly unusual set up given that Whitsbury Manor Stud have a successful stallion operation themselves, but as Ed Harper explains, when the right prospect presents itself you cannot let it pass you by.

“We really weren't planning on buying a new stallion last year,” said Harper. “We were having a busy year at Whitsbury and we wanted to give Sergei Prokofiev another year in the limelight. But when I went and saw Lope Y Fernandez, I just thought, 'this is a horse we need to get involved with.'”

At a similar time, Bradley, who is best known for his successful racing syndicate, was seeing a worrying trend in the British stallion ranks.

“The year prior to Lope Y Fernandez being available, I was noticing a post-Brexit trend that all of these top racehorses were going to stand, primarily, in Ireland,” noted Bradley. “I spoke to a lot of UK breeders and I said, 'Come on, we need to get ourselves organized here.' And Ed Harper was listening.”

Once it became apparent that the Group 1-placed son of Lope de Vega was available to buy the wheels were set in motion.

“I got talking with The National Stud and Nick Bradley and thought, 'you know, can we put a group together,'” explained Harper. “So we are the major shareholder, the National Stud owns 25% and Nick Bradley owns a nice portion as well, with Coolmore staying in too.”

From The National Stud's perspective this structure seems a no brainer with Joe Bradley citing, “We're stronger together,” when asked about being involved. “To incorporate really prominent breeders such as Whitsbury Manor, who have had the most unbelievable year, and Nick Bradley to really support the stallion means he will have every chance.”

In the last few weeks, we have seen several foals by the stallion on social media platforms and it appears that Lope Y Fernandez is passing on his good looks.

“One of his best qualities is the way he walks,” said Joe Bradley. “He's such an athletic horse. He stands over 16hh and physically he's just a very imposing horse.”

Of the first few that have hit the ground Nick Bradley has a number that have had his team “waxing lyrical,” with one colt in particular having “a great shoulder, great hip and a great action to go with it.”

Aside from the mares that will be sent to Lope Y Fernandez by his owners as well as the wider breeding population, it may not be surprising to hear that all the operators are already looking ahead to the foal and yearling sales.

“We're probably going to send in more mares this year, his second season,” said Harper. “I think we've got 25 on the list to send him this season and we'll be buying foals as well the in the ring.

All three entities were busy at the recent Tattersalls February Sale buying mares to send to Lope Y Fernandez, but Bradley is thinking further down the line.

“I'll be out there trying to buy the best fillies for Nick Bradley Racing,” said Bradley. “Last year, we had seven stakes winners, so if a couple of them could be by Lope Y Fernandez in years to come, that'd be great.”

This unique situation is not lost on those involved with it as Harper points out, “I've never been involved in a stallion that's not just had the supply side of the mares helping him, but actually the demand side buying the progeny as well, which is fairly unique for a commercially priced horse.”

As the old sayings go, there is strength in numbers and teamwork makes the dream work. For Lope Y Fernandez both sayings seem to be meeting each other in the middle. As the breeding season rolls on, it is not inconceivable to expect Lope Y Fernandez's foals to stand out during a social media scroll or to imagine his second and future books being just as large as his first.

The post “We’re Stronger Together”, Lope Y Fernandez Bolstered By Connections appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights