Pyledriver’s ‘Unbelievable’ Progression Has Value Purchase In Top Form For St. Leger

Martin Dwyer and his father-in-law, William Muir, believe Pyledriver has all the attributes needed to provide them with a fairytale triumph in the £350,000 (about US$414,000) Pertemps St Leger at Doncaster on Saturday.

The final Classic of the year, first run in 1776 and part of the QIPCO British Champions Series, has attracted a final field of 12. It features three challengers from the yard of serial Irish Champion Trainer, Aidan O'Brien, who is seeking a 39th British Classic success and has already landed this year's Investec Derby, Investec Oaks and QIPCO 1000 Guineas.

O'Brien's principal challenger, Santiago, the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby winner, will be ridden by Frankie Dettori, whose tally of 258 Group 1 triumphs includes six St Leger victories. By contrast, Muir is still searching for his first win at the highest level, having been training a similar amount of time as O'Brien, while Dwyer's last Group 1 victory in Britain was 14 years ago aboard Sir Percy in the 2006 Derby.

Dwyer, 45, said: “If I'm totally honest, for the last four or five years I thought my days of riding horses as good as Pyledriver were gone. To get another bite at the cherry is fantastic and hopefully I can make it count. They've all got me to beat. Touch wood, if things go well he will win.

“He's definitely up there among the best horses I've ridden. He's been a bit of a slow-burner but his progression has been unbelievable. William and his team have done a tremendous job.”

Pyledriver has been known by those closest to him as “Dave” from the day he was foaled and is owned by brothers Guy and Huw Leach, plus their long-time friend Roger Devlin. He changed hands for only 10,000gns as a yearling; something Muir puts down to his sire [Harbour Watch] becoming unfashionable. He sees parallels in his own Lambourn yard, where 26 horses reside.

“It's all fashion, nobody even looked at him – and he's gorgeous to look at with a great stride,” Muir said. “We're not a fashionable yard, everyone wants somebody younger. It's just one of those things. If this horse could go and win on Saturday it would be fantastic for the whole team and everyone around it.”

Pyledriver announced himself on the big stage when an emphatic winner of the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot in June and put a luckless run in the Investec Derby behind him when a commanding winner of the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes at York last month, when conceding 3lb to each of his seven rivals.

Dwyer said: “He surprised me a bit at Ascot with how easily he won but even there he was like a teenager and now he's become a man. He destroyed the field at York and has just flourished all year.

“It's a great story, this year more than ever because it's been difficult times. Over the past five to ten years all the good horses have seemed to be in the same hands. It's got harder and harder. He's shown you can have a horse for £10,000 and compete at the top level – the dream is alive. It's just what racing has needed at this time.”

Big-money offers for Pyledriver, exceeding seven figures, have been rejected. Muir said: “If the offers had been accepted I don't think he would have stayed in this country – places like Australia and Hong Kong wanted him really badly. If one person had owned him, you couldn't have said no to the kind of offers we got – it was life-changing money – but there's three of them, and they wanted to keep him.”

Pyledriver's stamina is untested beyond a mile and a half but Dwyer said: “He wasn't stopping at York. He hit the line strong and I don't think it [the trip] will be a problem. He's got gears and the speed for a mile and a quarter but as long as he relaxes, as he does, then I don't think it will be an issue.”

Muir accepts his pedigree gives mixed messages but says: “Do I think he will stay? Yes, as I think he has the right attitude. He's got such a relaxed way about him. I'm in a good place because the owners have said 'what's the worst thing that can happen? If we get beat we can come back in trip.' It's a horse race, he's in fantastic form and if he stays he will be very hard to beat.”

Pyledriver will stay in training next year and Muir says his final run of this season will be in the QIPCO Champion Stakes on QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on October 17.

Santiago won the Irish Derby just eight days after landing the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot at the main expense of Berkshire Rocco. On his latest start, he finished third to Stradivarius in the Qatar Goodwood Cup when things did not go quite to plan.

O'Brien said: “Goodwood didn't work as we would have liked. We usually like to take our time on him but he hit the gates on Ryan [Moore] and he couldn't really get him back. He was sitting in that second position and Ryan felt he was probably in a gear too high all the way. Because of that he went from travelling very well to having to drop him and ask him to go and race very quick. He really didn't get his breath to go again.

“We had to give him a little bit of an easy time after it because obviously when things don't go smooth for a horse they usually have a harder race but he seems in good form again.”

O'Brien and Dettori have teamed up for St Leger glory once before, striking with front-running Scorpion in 2005. The prospect of Dwyer and Dettori fighting out the finish on the market leaders is quite something and Dwyer said: “We've been friends for many years and I've always looked up to him. Frankie's a superstar and riding better than ever. It's a joy to watch him and I've learnt lots from him over the years. His positioning is just unbelievable and he always seems to be in the right place at the right time. That's what wins big races.”

O'Brien also runs Dawn Patrol, who was third in the Irish Derby, and Mythical while his son, Joseph, will field the progressive Galileo Chrome, who has won each of his three starts this year. There is one other Irish challenger in the shape of the Andrew Slattery-trained Sunchart.

Owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum is enjoying a fabulous year but his silks have never been carried to victory in the St Leger. He bids to put that right with the Owen Burrows-trained Hukum, who won the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot on his return before following up in the Group 3 Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury.

Front-running Subjectivist lines up on the back of a 15-length romp in the Group 3 Ladbrokes March Stakes at Goodwood. He had previously finished third in the Group 3 John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes at the same venue, with English King behind in fourth. English King had previously been a landing fancy for the Investec Derby, at Epsom, where he finished a staying-on fifth, with Mohican Heights, absent since, back in twelfth. Ed Walker, the trainer of English King, has said his colt remains more likely to run in France on Sunday.

The field is completed by the Richard Spencer-trained Tyson Fury, who belied odds of 20/1 when winning a novice stakes on his debut over 1m4f at Doncaster in early July.

The post Pyledriver’s ‘Unbelievable’ Progression Has Value Purchase In Top Form For St. Leger appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Wootton Bassett’s Akmaam a New Rising Star On Debut

Ascot’s two-day meeting continued to supply 2-year-olds with abundant promise on Saturday, with the Stella Artois British EBF Novice S. playing host to a new TDN Rising Star as Shadwell’s Akmaam (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) stamped his class on the seven-furlong contest. Always travelling easily on the front end under Martin Dwyer, the 12-1 shot opened up passing two out and galloped out strongly to the line for a four-length success from Siam Fox (Ire) (Prince of Lir {Ire}), with Arqoob (Ire) (Estidhkaar {Ire}) another half-length away in third. “He’s a lovely colt and has always shown us he is,” trainer Brian Meehan said. “He is very much a 3-year-old in the making and could have one more run this year, but I’ll speak to the owner and the racing team. He was in the stalls for four to six minutes after the scheduled time and that was unfortunate. He did a barrier trial at Lingfield and was really good today.” Martin Dwyer added, “He was impressive and is a lovely big, kind horse who six to eight weeks ago was working like a champion and then went through a weak spot, so Brian left him alone for a bit. He sent him for that barrier trial a week ago and he’s really come good. He showed there today what he had shown us at home.”

Akmaam is the last known foal and the third winner from three runners out of the unraced Misty Night (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), whose dam Misty Heights (GB) (Fasliyev) captured the Listed Victor McCalmont S. and was runner-up in the G3 Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial and G3 C. L. Weld Park S. She also produced the G1 Paddock S. winner Inara (SAf) (Trippi) and the GIII Dance Smartly H. winner Madeira Mist (Ire) (Grand Lodge), with the latter in turn responsible for the triple GI Canadian International-winning sire Joshua Tree (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) and Ballydoyle’s smart 3-year-old colt Arthur’s Kingdom (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) who was second in the G1 Criterium de Saint Cloud and the G2 King Edward VII S. The fourth dam is Magic of Life (Seattle Slew), winner of the G1 Coronation S. and responsible for the G2 Lowther S. and G3 Princess Margaret S. winner and stakes producer Enthused (Seeking the Gold).

1st-Ascot, £10,000, Novice, 9-5, 2yo, 7fT, 1:31.21, gd.
AKMAAM (FR), c, 2, by Wootton Bassett (GB)
     1st Dam: Misty Night (Ire), by Galileo (Ire)
     2nd Dam: Misty Heights (GB), by Fasliyev
     3rd Dam: Mountains of Mist (Ire), by Shirley Heights (GB)
Sales history: €120,000 Wlg ’18 ARQDE; 150,000gns Ylg ’19 TATOCT. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $8,592. O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum; B-Skymarc Farm Inc (FR); T-Brian Meehan. Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

The post Wootton Bassett’s Akmaam a New Rising Star On Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Pyledriver Bounces Back To Dominate the Voltigeur

Only 11th in the July 4 G1 Epsom Derby, Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) relished being back on kinder terrain on Wednesday as he turned the G2 Sky Bet Great Voltigeur S. into a procession at York. Saddled with a three-pound penalty due to his clear-cut win in the G2 King Edward VII S. over this trip at Royal Ascot June 16, the 10-1 shot had one behind early but when moved forward by Martin Dwyer was able to take command with ease passing the two-furlong pole. Stretching clear despite still looking green, the bay had 3 1/2 lengths to spare over Highland Chief (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) at the line, with the 85-40 favourite Mogul (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) half a length away in third.

Consistently underestimated throughout his brief career, Pyledriver first came to the fore when winning the Listed Ascendant S. over a mile on soft ground at Haydock in September. Taken into winter quarters following his disappointing effort when last of seven in the G2 Royal Lodge S. at Newmarket later that month, he returned in rude health when second to Berlin Tango (GB) (Dansili {GB}) in the re-routed G3 Classic Trial over a mile and a quarter on Kempton’s Polytrack June 3. One of the leading players for the Derby following his impressive win in King Edward VII, he emerged one of the unlucky ones having got no luck in the blue riband but always looked happy in this entirely different test.

Trainer William Muir could have his sights set on the G1 St Leger at Doncaster, but may yet have his head turned where a certain ParisLongchamp feature is concerned. “We are in the [G1] Grand Prix de Paris. The Leger has been on the cards, but people are saying we should now go for the Arc,” he said. “He didn’t look like he was stopping today, but then Martin said today he’s got loads of gears and horses with gears normally don’t just stay and stay. It’s a lovely problem to have–this is where we want to be.”

“It was a good race today and I can understand why Mogul was such a short price and we were such a big price, but if we’d had a clear run in the Derby we’d have finished in front of him,” he added. “Our race was gone after three furlongs. He’s a big, unfurnished horse, but he’s getting there. He’s so easy to do anything with and he thinks life’s great.”

Oliver Cole said of Highland Chief, “I think the ground was okay for him, we were hoping for softer ground which is what he won on at Ascot. It’s a difficult race to read, he’s beaten Mogul. I think he’s got a better turn of foot than he showed there, but he didn’t quicken as well as I expected him to. We could think about the St Leger, but it could depend if the winner goes there! Maybe, we’ll have to have a think, but he’s run his heart out.”

Pyledriver is the first foal out of a full-sister to the G3 Park Express S. winner Normandel (Fr) and a half to Mont Ormel (Fr) (Air Chief Marshal {Ire}), who caused an upset in the 2016 Grand Prix de Paris. Another half-sibling Lillebonne (Fr) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) produced the smart Micro Manage (Ire) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}), who was third in last week’s G3 Irish St Leger Trial. The third dam is Lidakiya (Ire) (Kahyasi {Ire}), who was responsible for Linngari (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}) who captured the G1 Premio Vittorio di Capua and G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis. The dam’s 2-year-old filly Country Pyle (GB) is by New Approach (Ire), while she also has a yearling colt by Oasis Dream (GB) and a foal daughter of Frankel (GB).

Wednesday, York, Britain
SKY BET GREAT VOLTIGEUR S.-G2, £75,000, York, 8-19, 3yo, c/g, 11f 188yT, 2:30.57, gd.
1–PYLEDRIVER (GB), 129, c, 3, by Harbour Watch (Ire)
1st Dam: La Pyle (Fr), by Le Havre (Ire)
2nd Dam: Lidana (Ire), by King’s Best
3rd Dam: Lidakiya (Ire), by Kahyasi (Ire)
(10,000gns RNA Wlg ’17 TATFOA). O-La Pyle Partnership; B-Knox & Wells Ltd & R Devlin (GB); T-William Muir; J-Martin Dwyer. £42,533. Lifetime Record: 8-4-1-0, $175,261. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Highland Chief (Ire), 126, c, 3, Gleneagles (Ire)–Pink Symphony (GB), by Montjeu (Ire). O/B-Mrs Fitri Hay (IRE); T-Paul & Oliver Cole. £16,125.
3–Mogul (GB), 126, c, 3, Galileo (Ire)–Shastye (Ire), by Danehill. (3,400,000gns Ylg ’18 TATOCT). O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Susan Magnier; B-Newsells Park Stud (GB); T-Aidan O’Brien. £8,070.
Margins: 3HF, HF, HD. Odds: 10.00, 11.00, 2.13.
Also Ran: Berkshire Rocco (Fr), Darain (GB), Roberto Escobarr (Ire), Subjectivist (GB), Juan Elcano (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

The post Pyledriver Bounces Back To Dominate the Voltigeur appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

A £10,000 RNA, Royal Ascot Winner Pyledriver Continues Fairytale Season In Saturday’s Investec Derby

Pyledriver surprised bettors with a $41.80 upset in the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes on opening day at Royal Ascot, defeating Mohican Heights (David Simcock) and the highly-regarded Aidan O'Brien trainee Mogul. Now, Pyledriver will try to continue his fairytale campaign in Saturday's Group 1 Investec Derby at Epsom.

The Harbour Watch colt was a £10,000 (US$14,006) RNA at the 2017 Tattersalls December Foal Sale, and his trio of breeders, Guy and Hugh Leach and Roger Devlin, decided to keep him in training with William Muir.

Pyledriver rewarded that faith with a win in a listed stakes race as a juvenile, and the colt began his 2020 season with a staying-on second behind Berlin Tango in the G3 Classic Trial at Kempton Park on June 3.

The June 16 King Edward victory was especially sweet for Muir, whose only previous winner at the Royal Meeting had been 18 years prior when Zargus landed the Balmoral Handicap. It was also the eighth Royal win for his jockey, Martin Dwyer, who is Muir's son in law.

Dwyer won the Derby in 2006 aboard Sir Percy, so his experience and the colt's penchant for wet ground could lead to an upset on Saturday.

“We could not have been happier with Pyledriver at Ascot and he has come out of the race really well,” Muir said. “I said from Ascot that he had to come right back to his best at home [if he is to run at Epsom]. That includes putting weight on and he has done that.

“We thought Pyledriver was a good horse at the beginning of the year, although because of the season and how it has turned out, we are able to have an Investec Derby runner, something which might not have happened in an ordinary year because he would have to have been supplemented.

“Martin [Dwyer, jockey] will have a sit on him again on Tuesday morning, but he will just have a normal routine between now and the race. He is fit and healthy, and we will just keep him right.

“There are one or two very strong horses in the Derby, but he has not done anything wrong. His time was good at Royal Ascot and he has come out of the race well. Everybody is excited, and we are really looking forward to it.”

Bookmakers have Pyledriver sixth in the Derby betting at 16-1 thus far.

“I'm realistic on the chance,” co-owner Guy Leach told The Guardian. “There's obviously a lot of other good horses. But we're just delighted to be there and he just keeps surpassing all expectations. You just hope he gets a clean run.”

The post A £10,000 RNA, Royal Ascot Winner Pyledriver Continues Fairytale Season In Saturday’s Investec Derby appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights