Vespertilio forms part of a three-pronged attack on Ireland's flagship Flat festival that features homebred Atlantic Coast (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) in Saturday's G2 KPMG Champions Juvenile S. at Leopardstown and Ocean Jewel (Ire) (Sioux Nation) in the Matron S. on the same card. 

“We've six horses in training in Ireland and three of them are competing at the Irish Champions Festival, so we need to keep pinching ourselves,” racing and bloodstock manager Lalor said on Friday. 

The black and red silks of Al Shira'aa has already enjoyed top-level triumphs with Mutamakina (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) in America and Jannah Rose in France (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and Lalor has talked up the chances of Vespertilio in Sunday's eagerly-anticipated Moyglare. 

Vespertilio comes into that race off the back of a wildly impressive display in the G2 Debutante S. over the same course and distance and, while Lalor is respectful of the opposition with G3 Silver Flash S. conqueror Ylang Ylang (GB) (Frankel {GB}) heading the market, he is expecting a bold show.

A smart performance from Vespertilio who records her first success from three starts in the G2 Alpha Centauri Debutante Stakes for @williemccreery1 and @wjlee24786 pic.twitter.com/D7ZtgmCxlL

— The Curragh Racecourse (@curraghrace) August 19, 2023

He said, “Vespertilio is getting better and better with experience. She had a fantastic run in the Debutante, showing a tremendous turn of foot to come from last under Billy [Lee] and I don't think he had to ride her too hard to do that, either. I'd say if she had been closer to Ylang Ylang in the Silver Flash, I think she would have been right there at the line. She's only a May foal so is developing and growing all the time.”

Lalor added, “She's just getting better and better with racing. It's a tough task and to have a runner in the Moyglare is very special for us. We're going in there with a lot of confidence but obviously it's Group 1 and anything can happen. We're very excited. She's our best chance of the weekend and it's great for Willie [McCreery, trainer], who is a big part of our operation. He's a top-class trainer–he was a bloody good footballer but some would argue he's an even better trainer and he's hugely important to us.”

Atlantic Coast has the unwanted task of staring down the barrel of another Ballydoyle big gun in Diego Velazquez (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) at Leopardstown. 

Trained by Joseph O'Brien, the homebred colt made a fine start to his career when winning a Curragh maiden in good fashion, and Lalor is expecting more to come.

He said, “This is actually a good story because we usually sell all of our colts but the day before the Orby, David Cox of Baroda Stud called to say that this lad had kicked a wall and that he had to be scratched. Thank God he did! 

“Now, he probably would have made three or four hundred grand because he's such a beautiful-looking colt, but it's very special for everyone on the farm to have a homebred running in a Group 2 at the Irish Champions Festival.”

Lalor added, “It's a big step up from a maiden into a Group 2 but Joseph has done a brilliant job with him and I don't think stepping up to a mile will be an issue for him either. It's a good race, with Deepone and Formal Display in there, but it seems as though we all have to beat Diego Velazquez.”

Should Diego Velazquez justify his short price in the betting, it wouldn't be all that bad for Al Shira'aa, the emerging bloodstock force of Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan. 

Lalor wisely secured Saadiyat (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), a half-sister to Diego Velazquez, at Book 1 at Tattersalls in 2021 and the page has gone from strength to strength ever since. 

Saadiyat, like the majority of the Al Shira'aa string, will return to the farm just off the Curragh at Maddenstown and join the broodmare band when her career is over. 

The small but select approach to one of the newest owner-breeding operations in Ireland is paying rich dividends and, while Al Shira'aa were not active at Arqana last month, Lalor explained that it was not for a lack of trying and he revealed the team would be out in force at the Goffs and Tattersalls sales in the coming weeks. 

Lalor said, “We didn't get anything at Arqana but we plan on being active at the Orby at Goffs and at Tattersalls as well. I must say that the Orby looks very good this year. I've gone through the catalogue a couple of times and it looks like one of those great Orbys from the late nineties when everyone was scrapping for Flame Of Taras and the like. We've a very big list to get through and, in fairness to the breeders and to Goffs, they've put on a good book. Hopefully the physicals match up.”

But before then, Al Shira'aa also has Ocean Jewel to look forward to the Matron, and Lalor is not ruling out McCreery's filly out-running her odds of 33-1. 

He said, “Ocean Jewel is much better than what she showed at Naas a few weeks back. She won a Group 3 at Leopardstown over seven furlongs earlier this season and the question with her is if she will get the mile or not. If she does, she could get a slice of it but Tahiyra is the one to beat, for sure. The ground will suit Ocean Jewel and anything can happen at this level. She's a very good filly and deserves a shot at her Group 1 here. This has been the plan for a while.”

He added, “The really exciting thing about this is, when I speak to the boss, everything points to the future and with these fillies, they will all retire here and are exciting broodmares for us to look forward to.”

.

The post Vespertilio Al Shira’aa’s ‘Best Chance’ At Irish Champions Festival appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

The stud also has Irish St Leger hotpot Kyprios (Ire) Galileo (Ire), Blandford S. hope Trevaunance (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}) and Boomerang Mile contender Just Beautiful (GB) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}) to look forward to on Irish Champions Weekend but, according to Moyglare's Fiona Craig, Homeless Songs (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) is the one that matters most.

“Homeless Songs is the most important one and we're keeping our fingers crossed that there's enough rain so that she can run on Saturday,” Craig said on Monday. “She looks like a Dubawi (Ire)–she's quite heavy-topped and does herself very well. She is quite short-legged and, the thing is, we want her to race on next year.”

Homeless Songs has not run since that memorable Irish Guineas triumph in May with connections opting then to sidestep Royal Ascot with the Classic winner due to what they felt was unsuitably quick going. 

The prolonged dry period has been labelled as hugely frustrating by Craig, however, spirits were lifted when Dermot Weld's star filly worked well after racing at the Curragh last weekend. 

The forecast has also been kind to those in the Homeless Songs camp. Leopardstown was hit with 66mm of rain over the weekend, with the ground on Monday described as yielding, good to yielding to places. 

There is further rain forecast for the week and, provided it arrives, Craig expects Homeless Songs, a warm order at 6-4 favouritism for the Matron, to make her eagerly anticipated return at Ireland's flagship Flat meeting.

“She'd run her heart out on firm ground, she'd try like hell, but the question would be, what would we have left at the end? She's too important to do that. We have been praying for rain all summer and it's just been frustrating.”

Craig added, “She worked after racing at the Curragh last weekend. She worked seven furlongs and that went fine. Chris Hayes rode her and he was very happy. She had a bit of a blow but she hasn't run since the Irish Guineas. 

“Saffron Beach (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) will be a hell of a tough filly to try and beat but Homeless Songs likes Leopardstown and has won twice around there before. If she's in as good of form as she was in when she won the Irish Guineas, she will give everything a run.”

The Aidan O'Brien-trained Kyprios, the outstanding stayer in Europe this season, is expected to go off at prohibitively short odds in Sunday's Irish St Leger.

Craig said, “It would be brilliant if he could win on Sunday but, don't get me wrong, a filly is always going to be more important for us, which is why Homeless Songs is the one. But Eva [Maria Bucher-Haefner] couldn't be at Ascot or at Goodwood so it would be nice if she could be there to see him win.”

Kyprios has gone from strength to strength this season, winning the Gold Cup at Ascot followed by the Goodwood Cup, cementing a relatively new relationship between Moyglare and Coolmore Stud, who are joint-owners of the 4-year-old stallion prospect. 

Moyglare can also call on Jessica Harrington, Ger Lyons and Paddy Twomey on its training roster and, while Weld remains the number one, Craig revealed the new approach to be one that's working well. 

She explained, “We're feeling our way with it. Dermot is still the main trainer but he seemed to have lots of other owners so it seemed to be a good idea to have horses elsewhere. 

“The ones with Aidan are foal shares with Coolmore so Kyprios, Thoughts Of June (Ire) (Galileo) and Kiss You Later (Ire) (Galileo) are all owned 50-50. The other ones are out of newer mares and obviously it has got off to a great start.”

Not only will the stud celebrate 60 years of success this weekend, but Sunday marks the 40-year anniversary of the G1 Moyglare S., in which the operation will be represented by Harrington's Eternal Silence (War Front). 

Speaking on running plans for the rest of the team, Craig said, “It looks as though Eternal Silence will run, although we'll know for sure on Tuesday. The plan had been for Trevaunance to run in France; she will now run in the G2 Blandford S. on Sunday. Just Beautiful will run in the Boomerang on Saturday.”

The post Homeless Songs “The Most Important One” For Moyglare On ICW appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Limiti Di Greccio, winner of the Listed Staffordstown Stud S. last season, had been as short as 15-2 to provide Twomey with a breakthrough Classic success at the Curragh on Sunday.

Twomey explained, “She picked up a minor training setback and is not ready to run at the Curragh on Sunday.”

He added, “The plan is to train her with a view towards the second half of the season where races like the Matron Stakes could be targeted.”

The Tipperary-based trainer may be without Limiti Di Greccio at the Curragh on Guineas weekend but Pearls Galore (Fr) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) is firmly on course to fly the flag for the yard in the G2 Lanwades Stud S on the same day. 

Pearls Galore was beaten just a neck in the G1 Matron S. at Leopardstown last season before chasing home Space Blues (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G1 Prix de la Foret at ParisLongchamp and Twomey is hoping to achieve top-level success with the 5-year-old at some stage during the campaign.

He said, “Pearls Galore will run in the Lanwades Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday. That has been the plan since she won at Leopardstown on her return and she has been kept in training with the distinct aim of winning a Group 1. This looks the logical next step and then I'd be hopeful of targeting Group 1s for the rest of the year with her.”

On future plans, Twomey added, “She's in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot but I don't fancy taking on Baaeed with a filly so I'd say the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes, the Falmouth Stakes, the Prix Rothschild and even the Prix Maurice de Gheest, races like that could suit. Any of those mile or seven-furlong Group races, she could be aimed at those.”

Rumbles Of Thunder (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) maintained the strong start to the season for the stable in carrying Twomey's own white and green colours to victory on just her second start for the trainer in the Listed McCalmont Memorial S. at Gowran Park last month.

A Listed winner in France last term, Rumbles Of Thunder was picked up privately by Twomey, who shared that Group races will be on the agenda before a possible appearance at the December Mares Sale at Tattersalls.

He said, “Rumbles Of Thunder was very good at Gowran Park. We had her a little bit fresh going there, we didn't over-train her going to Cork and thought she'd come on for that, which she did at Gowran Park, and I think she's a filly who can progress throughout the season. She will have a Group campaign.”

Twomey added, “The plan is to race her throughout the year and, if everything went to plan, we might send her to the December Sales if she is not sold beforehand. I think she will end up being traded at some stage.

“She's a nice filly, is well-bred, and showed a nice level of form before joining us. She showed an ability to quicken when winning at Toulouse, came from the back of the field to win a Stakes race quite readily, so we said we'd roll the dice on her.”

La Petite Coco (Ire) (Ruler Of The World {Ire}), who mowed down Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G2 Blandford S. at the Curragh on Irish Champions Weekend last season, the recent Moyglare Stud-owned addition Just Beautiful (GB) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}) and French Claim (Fr) (French Fifteen {Fr}) are others that Twomey is quietly hopeful about this term. 

He said, “La Petite Coco is in great form and we purposely didn't run her in the first half of the season. She will probably start her season off in the Munster Oaks at Cork and her owners would like to have a tilt at the Breeders' Cup later in the year. The Pretty Polly and the Yorkshire Oaks could also be on her radar. We'll keep her to fillies' races for the first part of the campaign and if we have a good time we could look at taking on the colts at some stage. 

“Just Beautiful has settled in well but, again, we're looking towards the second half of the season with her. She's a nice addition to the team and is training well.”

Twomey added, “French Claim will be aimed at the St Leger. He won well at Cork on soft ground and we ran him in a Derby trial as connections were keen to explore the Epsom option but that faster ground didn't play to his strengths. He likes an ease in the ground and will be aimed at Doncaster.”

The post Limiti Di Greccio will miss Irish 1,000 Guineas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Trained by Brad Cox and piloted by Irad Ortiz, Jr., who captured his 3,000th career win here on Thursday, Bubble Rock entered from a dominant 3 1/4-length maiden score sprinting 5 1/2-furlongs over the Mellon turf on September 3 at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Mystic Eyes, with Manny Franco up, broke alertly and led the field through a half-mile in :44.24 over the firm going with Makin My Move tracking her early foot from second position.

Bubble Rock, who settled outside rivals in third, advanced four-wide through the turn and gradually picked off Makin My Move before surging past a stubborn Mystic Eyes to secure the win in a final time of 1:08.01.

Gal in a Rush, who exited the outermost post 9 under Dylan Davis, saved ground in the early going before tipping out and rallying strongly down the lane to complete the exacta by a half-length over Mystic Eyes.

The victory marked the second Matron score for Ortiz, Jr., who captured last year's edition aboard Royal Approval.

“She's nice. Last time she won and finished well, too,” said Ortiz, Jr., who has piloted Bubble Rock in all three starts. “I just did the same thing today. I waited for my time to go and when I asked her, she finished up really strong again. She's got a really good size to her and she always finishes well, so I think she'll be alright.”

Dustin Dugas, the New York-based assistant for Cox, said Bubble Rock has matured over the course of her campaign.

“She's progressed a lot mentally,” Dugas said. “She's been a very nervous filly to work with and she's kind of taken some time. She's really progressed mentally and physically she's a very big, good-looking filly and moves great.”

Rounding out the order of finish were Makin My Move, The Club, Lady Danae, Dufresne, High Arabian, and Mainstay. Benbang was scratched along with the Wesley Ward-trained duo of Poppy Flower and Chi Town Lady, who are both slated to take on the boys in Sunday's Grade 3 Futurity.

Bubble Rock is out of the Giant's Causeway mare Reef Point, who is a half-sister to millionaire Blue Chipper – winner of the 2019 Group 1 Keeneland Korea Sprint in Seoul and third-place finisher in that year's Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.

A Kentucky homebred, Bubble Rock banked $82,500 in victory while improving her record to 3-2-1-0. She paid $7 for a $2 win wager.

Live racing returns Sunday at Belmont Park with a nine-race card featuring the $250,000 Grade 2 Beldame for fillies and mares 3-years-old and upward going nine furlongs; the $150,000 Grade 3 Futurity for juveniles going six furlongs on the turf, a “Win And You're In” for the Grade 2 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint; and the $150,000 Grade 3 Knickerbocker going nine furlongs on the turf for 3-year-olds and upward. First post is 12:35 p.m. Eastern.

America's Day at the Races will present daily coverage and analysis of the fall meet at Belmont Park on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/belmont/racing/tv-schedule.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Belmont Park, and the best way to bet every race of the fall meet. Available to horseplayers nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.

The post Bubble Rock Best In Matron At Belmont appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Trained by Michael Trombetta, the Uncaptured bay traveled wide throughout in the Woodbine Cares and appeared to hang coming out of the turn before gaining momentum in the final sixteenth, closing to finish third in the five furlong inner-turf test last out on Sept. 19.

“We don't really know what to make of that last effort, hopefully we see a good performance up there on Saturday,” Trombetta said. “She likes to be close, but I don't think she needs to be on the lead. The distance should help her.”

Bred in New York by Newtownanner Stud Farm, Dufresne is out of the Pioneerof the Nile mare Rapids, who is a half-sister to 2011 Grade 2 Remsen-winner O'Prado Again.

A $62,000 purchase at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale, Dufresne graduated at second asking sprinting 5 1/2-furlongs against fellow state-breds over firm footing on August 12 at Saratoga Race Course.

Trombetta, who has 1,993 career wins heading into Wednesday's racing action, said Dufresne has the frame of a stakes sprinter.

“She's real solidly built. She's not real big, but she's solid,” Trombetta said. “She's done everything we've asked of her. This will be another test to see if she's good enough to run at that track with these horses.”

Eric Cancel has the call from post 5.

Trainer Wesley Ward has entered the formidable duo of Chi Town Lady and Poppy Flower, who breezed five furlongs in company Saturday on the Belmont inner turf.

Ward said Chi Town Lady is also under consideration for a start against the boys in Sunday's Grade 3, $150,000 Futurity, a six-furlong turf test for juveniles offering a “Win and You're In” berth to the Grade 2, $1 million Juvenile Turf Sprint on November 5 at Del Mar.

“I'm looking at that race and the Futurity as well,” Ward said. “She had a big work in company with Poppy Flower. The owner of Poppy Flower was on hand and said that Chi Town Lady looked much better in the work.”

Chi Town Lady graduated by three lengths at first asking sprinting 4 1/2-furlongs on the Keeneland main track. The Verrazano chestnut stumbled at the start last out on August 18 in the 5 1/2-furlong Bolton Landing over a yielding Mellon turf at Saratoga Race Course, but was able to regroup under Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez to best stablemate Poppy Flower by 1 3/4-lengths.

Bred in Kentucky by Castleton Lyons, Kilboy Estate and Gavin Tierney, Chi Town Lady is out of the Harlan's Holiday mare Toni's Hollyday.

“She's really starting to blossom as time has gone on,” Ward said. “She was always a nice filly, but she's one of these 2-year-olds that with time is getting better.”

Ward said if Chi Town Lady continues to thrive, he would consider entering her in the one-mile Grade 1, $ 1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf.

“This particular filly I think will go a mile, especially at Del Mar, so I'm thinking about the mile race on the grass for her,” Ward said.

Arnmore Thoroughbreds' Poppy Flower graduated at third asking in a six-furlong turf sprint at Belmont on June 20 ahead of her Bolton Landing second. The Lea chestnut enters from a third-place finish in the Ainsworth at 6 1/2-furlongs on September 12 at Kentucky Downs

Joel Rosario will pilot Chi Town Lady from post 8, while Poppy Flower will emerge from the inside post under David Flores.

Chester and Mary Broman's homebred Makin My Move romped to a 12 1/2-length debut win sprinting six furlongs against fellow New York-breds August 20 on the Spa main track.

Trained by John Kimmel, the Carpe Diem bay has since posted four consecutive bullet works on the Oklahoma training turf, including a rapid half-mile in 46.04 on September 3 in her first grass work.

Out of the multiple stakes winning More Than Ready mare Hard to Stay Notgo, Makin My Move is a half-sister to the Kimmel-trained stakes-placed turf specialist Gotta Go Mo.

“Gotta Go Mo can do nothing but run on the grass so I thought maybe grass might be her deal,” Kimmel said. “She [Makin My Move] was pretty amazing in her first work on the grass. Every work she's had on the grass has been solid. She continues to go out there and handle it really well.”

Kimmel said a strong gate work August 4 on the Oklahoma dirt training track convinced him to start Makin My Move on the main track. After breaking outward on debut, Makin My Move made the lead and continued to widen her margin at every point of call.

“She worked so good on the dirt out of the gate that day and she did win well, but I think she's better on the grass,” Kimmel said. “She wasn't on the front end right away last time, but she got there. She has tactical speed but she doesn't have to be on the front end.”

Hall of Famer Javier Castellano will pilot Makin My Move from post 6.

MeB Racing Stables and Vincent D. Esopi's Mystic Eyes, a $40,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale purchase, graduated in her August 5 debut by 4 1/2-lengths sprinting 5 1/2-furlongs over firm footing at the Spa.

Trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, Mystic Eyes followed with a runner-up effort in the Ainsworth.

“She looked good breaking her maiden on the grass at Saratoga, so this looked like a good opportunity. She's a nice filly,” Pletcher said.

By Maclean's Music, Mystic Eyes is out of the stakes-winning Storm Cat mare Cloudburst – a half-sister to 1996 Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner and Champion 2-Year-Old Boston Harbor.

Manny Franco has the call from post 3.

Scott Dilworth, Evan Dilworth, Randy Andrews and Susan Andrews' Lady Danae bested Matron-rival Bubble Rock by two lengths in her August 13 debut sprinting 5 1/2-furlongs over firm Mellon turf at the Spa.

The Joe Sharp-trained daughter of Klimt followed with an even fifth last out in the Ainsworth.

Bred in Kentucky by Machmer Hall, Carrie Brogden and Craig Brogden, Lady Danae was purchased for $210,000 at the OBS Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training.

Luis Saez retains the mount from post 4.

Shortleaf Stable homebred Bubble Rock, by More Than Ready, exited her runner-up effort to Lady Danae with a convincing 3 1/4-length score in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight on the firm Mellon turf on September 3 at Saratoga.

Trained by Brad Cox, Bubble Rock is out of the Giant's Causeway mare Reef Point, who is a half-sister to millionaire Blue Chipper – winner of the 2019 Group 1 Keeneland Korea Sprint in Seoul and third-place finisher in that year's Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.

Irad Ortiz, Jr. has the call aboard Bubble Rock from post 7.

Swilcan Stable and LC Racing's Mainstay, a half-sister to 2-year-old Champion Filly Vequist, will exit post 11 under Kendrick Carmouche in her turf debut. Trained by Butch Reid, Jr., Mainstay is by Astern and out of the Mineshaft mare Vero Amore.

She won her June 4 debut by 7 3/4-lengths sprinting 4 1/2-furlongs on a sloppy Monmouth Park main track and followed with a runner-up effort to Pretty Birdie in the six-furlong Grade 3 Schuylerville in July at Saratoga.

Mainstay enters from a fading fourth in the 6 1/2-furlong Grade 2 Adirondack on August 8 at the Spa.

Rounding out the field is The Club [post 2, Jose Lezcano], Gal in a Rush [post 12, Dylan Davis], Benbang [post 10, Jorge Vargas, Jr.], and High Arabian [post 9, Benjamin Hernandez].

The Matron, slated as Race 6, is part of a lucrative 11-race card that also features the Grade 1, $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic [Race 7], a 12-furlong Widener turf test for 3-year-olds and up; and the Grade 2, $250,000 Vosburgh [Race 5], a six-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up which offers a “Win and You're In” berth to the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Sprint on November 6 at Del Mar. First post on Saturday is 12:35 p.m. Eastern.

America's Day at the Races will present daily coverage and analysis of the fall meet at Belmont Park on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/belmont/racing/tv-schedule.

The post Dufresne Out To Make Amends In Saturday’s Matron appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

“It shouldn't have happened,” O'Brien told the Racing Post. “There aren't many countries in the world where you could get away with that and not get a month's ban because to me that is dangerous riding. If the jockeys are allowed to do those things and are not given severe penalties, it will keep happening.”

Specifically, O'Brien blamed the Irish Horse Racing Board for not taking a stand against unsafe riding.

“It's worse in Ireland than anywhere else and it's letting Irish racing down,” O'Brien explained. “We had the whole world watching Leopardstown and it puts people off backing horses or following racing. I'm not just talking about the big days, I'm talking about every day. You have to be consistent.”

Read more at the Racing Post.

The post O’Brien: Jockey Shane Foley Should Have Been Given A Month’s Ban For Interference appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series is an international series of 84 stakes races whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, which will be held at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California on Nov. 5-6.

The Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes was one of three Breeders' Cup Challenge Series races to take place at Leopardstown Racecourse in Dublin, Ireland today, alongside the Group 1 Coolmore America 'Justify' Matron Stakes and Group 2 KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes (G2).

The Aidan O'Brien-trained St Mark's Basilica (FR) showed his brilliance when defeating 2020 Longines Breeders' Cup Turf champion Tarnawa (IRE) and dual Group 1 winner Poetic Flare (IRE).

Winner of the Group 1 French 2000 Guineas, the Group 1 French Derby, and Group 1 Coral-Eclipse earlier this summer, the 3-year-old extended his unbeaten record this season and captured his fifth Group 1 success.

Patrick Sarsfield (FR), the outsider of the four-runner field, made the running until inside the final quarter-mile when the three Group 1 winners then struck for home. A tactical contest, St Mark's Basilica (FR) drifted right in the closing stages, taking Tarnawa (IRE) with him across the track, but the Ballydoyle stable star secured his victory by three-quarters of a length in the hands of Ryan Moore. On his first start over 10 furlongs, Poetic Flare (IRE) finished a nose behind Tarnawa (IRE) in third. A stewards' inquiry was called following the race but the results remained unchanged.

“It was great because it was tactical,” said winning trainer Aidan O'Brien. “They sprinted up the straight and he did well. One thing we know he does is quicken. He really quickens. His strong qualities are that he relaxes and can really turn it on. He has done that in every race.”

No decision has been taken over where St Mark's Basilica (IRE) will race next.

A son of Siyouni (FR) out of the Galileo (IRE) mare Cabaret (IRE), St Mark's Basilica (IRE) completed the 1 ¼ miles in 2:11.19 on a course rated as good.

No Speak Alexander Conquers in Coolmore America 'Justify' Matron Stakes

Charles O'Callaghan, Noel O'Callaghan, and Paul O'Callaghan's No Speak Alexander (IRE) was back to her best in a dramatic renewal of the G1 Coolmore America 'Justify' Matron Stakes. The victory securing the filly an automatic entry into the $2 million Grade 1 Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

Trained by Jessica Harrington and ridden by Shane Foley, No Speak Alexander (IRE) crossed a neck in front of Pearls Galore (IRE) in a tight finish and survived a stewards' inquiry to secure the 1-mile contest. Mother Earth (IRE), winner of the Group 1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas and Group 1 Prix Rothschild, suffered a luckless run to finish third under jockey Ryan Moore.

A 3-year-old daughter by Shalaa (IRE) out of the Dandy Man (IRE) mare Rapacity Alexander (IRE), No Speak Alexander (IRE) completed the contest in 1:41.98.

Winning trainer Harrington said: “That was absolutely fantastic. After she was third in the Irish [1000] Guineas [G1], we wanted to go the Group 1 route. We thought we'd go to Ascot, that didn't happen, and then we thought we'd go for the Falmouth, and that didn't happen either. We took her to France [10th in Prix Rothschild-G1] and she got very badly interfered with a furlong down, so it was a no race. We've ended up coming here and thank goodness we've got the result.”

Atomic Jones wins the KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes

The Ger Lyons-trained Atomic Jones (FR) powered home from the back of the field to win the G2 KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes by a head in good style. The winner earning an automatic berth into this year's $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1).

Settled near the rear of the 10-runner field under jockey Colin Keane, Atomic Jones struck for the line late to secure the victory by a head, with joint favorite Stone Age (IRE) finishing in second, and Absolute Ruler (USA) in third.

Atomic Jones, a son of Wootton Bassett (GB), completed the 1-mile contest in 1:42.75.

As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for all three winners to start at Del Mar. Breeders' Cup will also provide a travel allowance of $40,000 for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships.

The post St. Mark’s Basilica Earns BC Turf Berth With Irish Champion Stakes Win appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series is an international series of stakes races whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into corresponding races of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, which will be held at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California, on Nov. 5-6.

A daughter of Zoffany (IRE) out of the Green Desert mare Many Colours (GB), Mother Earth finished second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) last year, before kicking off her 3-year-old season in perfect style with a win in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas (G1).

The filly went on to place second in the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (G1) at ParisLongchamp, third in the Coronation Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot, and runner-up in the Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes (G1) at Newmarket. She returned to the winner's circle in her last start, taking the Prix Rothschild (G1) at Deauville on Aug. 3.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien said: “We were delighted with Mother Earth the last day in Deauville, and everything has gone well with her since then.”

The Classic heroine is one of two Guineas scorers for O'Brien, who also saddles Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas (G1) winner Empress Josephine (IRE), alongside stablemate Friendly (IRE).

Johnny Murtagh enjoyed a glittering career in the saddle, including three wins at the Breeders' Cup. He celebrated his first top-level success as a trainer in this race last year with Champers Elysees (IRE) and the 4-year-old returns to Leopardstown to defend her crown.

The daughter of Elzaam (AUS) will need to reverse recent form with Juddmonte's Acanella (GB). Trained by Ger Lyons and ridden by Colin Keane, Acanella was last seen when winning the Snow Fairy Fillies Stakes (G3) at The Curragh, with Champers Elysees three-quarters of a length behind in second.

The Paddy Twomey-trained Pearls Galore (FR) is another stepping up to Group 1 company for the first time. The 4-year-old recently secured Group 3 success at Fairyhouse and Tipperary.

Other notable runners include Pretty Gorgeous (FR), trained by Joseph O'Brien, and Shale (IRE), trained by Donnacha O'Brien. The duo meet again having repeatedly clashed last season, but neither are yet to reproduce their top-class juvenile form.

As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for the winners of the Challenge Series winners to start at this year's Breeders' Cup World Championships. Breeders' Cup will also provide a travel allowance of US$40,000 for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships. The Challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders' Cup program by the Championships' pre-entry deadline of Oct. 25 to receive the rewards.

The post Mother Earth Headlines 13-Horse Field In ‘Win And You’re In’ Matron Stakes appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Royal Approval broke sharply from post 7 under jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. and tracked Union Gables as she led the seven-horse field through an opening quarter-mile in 22.53 seconds and the half in 46.28 on the firm course. Out of the turn, the 1-2 favorite pressed on and bypassed Union Gables from the outside once inside the eighth pole. Magisterium, who was at the back at the pack a quarter mile in, made a strong bid from the rail, and Union Gables continued to dig in, but Royal Approval completed the six-furlong sprint in 1:09.10.

“I rode her like the best horse in the race,” Ortiz, Jr. said. “With this one I got the perfect trip. She broke well, she put me right there and when I asked her to go, she was there.

“She [Union Gables] was game,” he added regarding the stubborn pace setter. “She was fighting and she tried to come back. My filly responded really well. She has a nice turn of foot.”

Trainer Wesley Ward said before the race that Royal Approval much preferred firm turf, which the daughter of Tiznow thrived on in her previous start with a 6 1/4-length romp on September 9 at Kentucky Downs in a maiden special weight.

Following a second-place effort upon debut to stablemate Campanelle on May 31 going five furlongs on Gulfstream Park's firm grass, Ward shipped Royal Approval to England to run at Royal Ascot in the Group 2 Queen Mary in June, where a wet surface proved problematic in a 17th place finish. Campanell, victorious in the Queen Mary, exited that effort to win the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville.

Under dryer conditions, Royal Approval has now won two in a row and improved to 2-for-2 since Ward took the blinkers off.

“I try to take [the blinkers] off at the end of the year,” said Ward, who won the 2017 Matron with Happy Like a Fool. “At the beginning of the year, I just want to keep them focused and looking straight ahead and not looking at whatever is beside them. As we get to the fall, they get to different tracks and so many different countries, that it helps to stretch their speed when you take the blinkers off.

“When I took the blinkers off her last time, she ran very well and if you analyze the race at Kentucky Downs, it almost looked like you had to get worried and then the rider went to the stick and she opened up five or six lengths,” he continued. “Irad said that he was just riding, and she was just kind of right there, but when he hit her, she took off. I think this filly may stretch out.”

Royal Approval returned $3.10 for winning the 113th edition of the Matron. Ward said the effort gave him confidence to pursue a spot in the Breeders' Cup next month at Keeneland, with either the Grade 2, $1 million Juvenile Turf Sprint against males going 5 ½ furlongs or the Grade 1, $1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf going one mile in play and a possible rematch with Campanell, who is targeting that race.

“We definitely will go to the Breeders' Cup with her. I'll sit down with [Three Chimneys Farm vice chairman] Doug Cauthen and [chairman] Mr. [Gonçalo Borges] Torrealba and see just which direction they want to go,” Ward said. “Just after talking to Irad, the mile [Juvenile Fillies Turf] might be the better option for her, but again, we'll sit down and see how she is. As we get a little closer, we'll have to really watch the weather, as this filly doesn't handle the soft turf. At Keeneland in the fall, sometimes you'll get that.”

Union Gables, conditioned by Todd Pletcher, held off Magisterium by three-quarters of a length for second.

“She was pretty comfortable, she broke pretty well,” said Union Gables' jockey Luis Saez. “She's going to be all right next time. She fought until the end, the winner was just too tough. She's going to be OK.”

Amalfi Princess, Fabricate and Rossa Veloce completed the order of finish. Niente was pulled up in the stretch run and vanned off.

Bravo Regina was scratched.

Originally contested on dirt, the Matron – along with its male counterpart the Grade 3, $100,000 Futurity – was moved to the grass in 2018 upon introduction of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint to give 2-year-old turf sprinting fillies an opportunity to garner black type. The historic race has seen some of racing's finest fillies notch a victory early on in their storied careers including Maskette (1908), Top Flight (1938), Busher (1944), Bed o' Roses (1949), Cicada (1961), Numbered Account (1971) and La Prevoyante (1972).

Live racing resumes with a special nine-race Monday holiday card at Belmont with a first post of 12:50 p.m. Eastern.

The post Ward Thinking Breeders’ Cup For Royal Approval Following Sharp Matron Victory appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Saturday's special broadcast will air on FS2 from 10-11:30 a.m. Eastern, and will be headlined by pair of Group 1 races: the £1 million Irish Champion Stakes and the £250,000 Coolmore America “Justify” Matron Stakes. In addition to the Group 1 events, Saturday's broadcast will also include the Group 2, £125,000 KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes.

Post time for the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes for 3-year-olds & up at 1 ¼ miles on the turf will be 11:10 a.m. Coverage of the Group 1, £250,000 Coolmore America “Justify” Matron Stakes for fillies, 3-years-old & up at 1 mile on the turf is at 10:10 a.m.; with the Group 2, £125,000 KPMG Champions Juvenile for 2-year-olds at 1 mile on the turf, set for 10:40 a.m. All times are Eastern.

Hosted by Hugh Cahill, Saturday's broadcast team at Leopardstown will include analysts Ruby Walsh and Jane Mangan, commentator Richard Pugh and reporter Brian Gleeson. NYRA's Acacia Courtney will anchor the stateside coverage originating from Belmont Park.

NYRA Bets is the best way to bet every race during the Longines Irish Champions Weekend. Available to customers across the United States, the NYRA Bets app is available on iOS and Android at NYRABets.com.

The post FOX Sports To Present Live Coverage Of Irish Champions Weekend This Saturday appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post