Modern Games (Ire) | Horse Racing Free Tips

A Modern Phenomenon At Chantilly

While only Sea the Stars (Ire) has been able to win a 2000 Guineas and Derby in the same year since Nashwan did it in 1989, there have been four colts able to carry their superior miling speed over the 10 1/2-furlong trip of the new “French Derby” at Chantilly and complete the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains-G1 Prix du Jockey Club double. While the purists rave on without end about the fact that the initiative to shave the distance from a mile and a half means that the Qatar-sponsored Classic is “no longer a Derby”, France has itself a unique brace of contests which appeals as diverse and individualistic. Few would argue that Shamardal would have stayed 12 furlongs well enough to win the old version and nor would his son Lope de Vega (Ire), or Brametot (Ire) (Rajsaman {Fr}) or St Mark's Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}). So the dramatic move to break tradition in 2005 has undeniably achieved what it set out to do and the latest to attempt the double on Sunday is Godolphin's Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).

Rain, Rain, Stay Away

Charlie Appleby's season goes from strength-to-strength and Modern Games has already played a key role with his May 15 Poulains victory providing the middle part of an unprecedented European 2000 Guineas treble for Godolphin. Strong at the mile at ParisLongshamp, as he had been at Del Mar, he is bred to get this trip but if the ground turns testing it may stretch the elastic too far. “Modern Games heads back to France in great order. He is the horse in the field with the Classic credentials behind him and we are looking forward to seeing him over this distance, which we feel is within his compass,” his trainer said. “We are slightly on weather watch with the rain, but hopefully they don't get too much. It would obviously be a negative if it became soft, because he prefers a quicker surface and it would start to bring stamina into play.”

The Rising Star Contingent

Heading the opposition to Modern Games are the TDN Rising Stars Onesto (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and Lassaut (Fr) (Almanzor {Fr}), with the former sporting Jean-Pierre-Joseph Dubois's silks and the latter representing Riviera Equine SARL and Haras d'Etreham. Onesto emerged as a force to be reckoned with when dominating the G2 Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud May 8 and while he has a horror draw, he is one who can be switched off and produced late. Lassaut, who beat the Poulains third Tribalist (GB) (Farhh {GB}) over a mile here Mar. 9 before taking a conditions event at ParisLongchamp Apr. 21, was an eye-catching fifth behind Modern Games in the Classic and is bred to come into his own over this longer trip.

Three More For Rouget

Alongside Lassaut, Jean-Claude Rouget also saddles a pair of Al Shaqab colourbearers in the Apr. 17 G3 Prix de Fontainebleau winner Welwal (GB) (Shalaa {Ire}) and May 3 Listed Prix de Suresnes winner Al Hakeem (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), who suffered reverse fortunes when the draw was redone on Thursday. Welwal, who was sixth in the Poulains, lacks the obvious stamina leaning in his pedigree that Al Hakeem enjoys so a revised low draw will have helped his cause. Rouget's other major player is The Aga Khan's impressive May 10 G3 Prix de Guiche scorer Vadeni (Fr) (Churchill {Ire}), who has the advantage of stall two but needs a strong pace to run at.

The Supporting Cast

Sunday's undercard boasts the signature G2 Grand Prix de Chantilly, where Sheikh Abdulla bin Khalifa Al Thani's progressive May 12 G3 Prix d'Hedouville scorer Mutabahi (Fr) (French Fifteen {Fr}) meets last year's G1 Prix Ganay hero Mare Australis (Ire) (Australia {GB}); the G2 Prix de Sandringham with Lael Stable's G1 Criterium International third Purplepay (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) taking centre stage; the G3 Prix de Royaumont playing host to Ecurie Ama Zingteam's May 15 Listed Prix de la Seine winner Hidden Dimples (Ire) (Frankel {GB}); the G2 Prix du Gros-Chene featuring the unexposed Joseph O'Brien-trained Listed Sole Power Sprint S.-winning 3-year-old filly Brostaigh (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}); and the Listed Prix la Fleche for the juveniles in which Vicious Harry (Fr) looks to provide Harry Angel (Ire) with a first black-type winner.

Click here for the group fields.

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Dubawi’s Modern Games Provides Godolphin With Another Guineas

This year's G1 Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains proved as straightforward as the 2021 version, with the key form horse enjoying an ideal draw and ideal trip in the ParisLongchamp Classic. This time, it was Godolphin and Charlie Appleby who were at the forefront as Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) brought up a Guineas double for the stable by following the example of Coroebus (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) at Newmarket. Leaving the stalls with so much gusto he knuckled under William Buick, last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf and G3 Tattersalls S. winner was undeterred and soon enjoyed the cat-bird seat as the wide-drawn outsider Texas (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) forged on with the ultimately disappointing Claymore (Fr) (New Bay {GB}) and Tribalist (GB) (Farhh {GB}). Driven to head the resilient Texas with 300 metres remaining, the 2-1 favourite stayed on strongly deny that 113-1 shot the shock outcome by 1 1/4 lengths. The other Godolphin runner Tribalist was 3/4 of a length behind in third in a race where being on the pace was crucial.

“I said to William to try and jump out and make it if he had to, but he hit the lids so quick he nearly stumbled,” commented Appleby, who was landing his first Poulains. “It was a good genuine gallop and he showed his class again. We are very fortunate to have the horses we have and I just spoke to His Highness and it would be nice to try and keep them apart for as long as we can. I always had it in the back of my mind that he might be a French Derby [Prix du Jockey Club] horse, so it will be interesting to see what William says.”

In the shadow of Coroebus and Native Trail (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) at Moulton Paddocks prior to this, Modern Games only really began to take off when taking a seven-furlong nursery at Doncaster's St Leger meeting having won one of his first three starts. Next up was the Tattersalls S., where he first advertised his prowess with a comprehensive defeat of the G1 Prix Morny runner-up Trident (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) before overcoming the much-publicised stalls drama at Del Mar to take the Juvenile Turf by storm.

Once the draw was made, this was as easy for Modern Games as it was for St Mark's Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) 12 months ago and no sooner had Buick sent him forward from the break was the outcome more or less decided. Claymore and Texas had used up too much petrol sent to the front from stalls 16 and 15 respectively, while Tribalist was always entering into an unfair contest with the operation's number one. Despite the winner's obvious authority in the closing stages, the race's story was the amazing effort of the Listed Criterium du Languedoc winner Texas, who was absurdly-priced given that he was only beaten 1 1/2 lengths when fourth in the G3 Prix de Fontainebleau. Clement Lecoeuvre felt he had no option but to go straight to the firing line from that compromising stall and it turned out to be a masterstroke which almost resulted in one of the race's all-time shocks.

Modern Games will seek to emulate St Mark's Basilica and three others in adding the G1 Qatar Prix du Jockey Club to this Classic and Appleby is convinced he has what it takes. “He's a neat horse who has got stronger over the winter–a typical Dubawi with a great mindset–and he brought bundles of experience into this. We saw what he had to take on board at the Breeders' Cup and he took all that rigmarole and drama like a true professional. That is a big mark up in my book and if they can do that normally it puts them in good stead for the big day. He's so game and honest, the distance of the Jockey Club is definitely worth a crack with him. We're very spoilt with the three colts that we have and I see no reason not to let this horse have a go at it.”

Buick believes he will be a perfect fit for the 10 1/2-furlong Chantilly Classic. “He went through the gears nicely and is one who keeps finding all the way to the line. Bits and bobs in his pedigree suggest he will stay and I think it seems like a natural step for him. He feels like a very experienced horse and in the Jockey Club, you need a lot of tactical pace. It can sometimes be a difficult race and I think he ticks a lot of boxes for the race.”

Texas is sticking to a mile from here, according to trainer Henri François Devin. “My horse ran a blinder,” he said. “It was a great performance and we are all delighted. I knew he had come on a lot for the run in the Fontainebleau and he got a good trip and a good ride. A mile is his limit, so we will now target the [G3] Prix Paul de Moussac or the [G1] Prix Jean Prat.”

Modern Games, whose 2-year-old half-sister Mawj (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) earned TDN Rising Star status at Newmarket on Saturday, is the fourth foal out of Modern Ideals (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) who is also responsible for the recent impressive Listed Windsor S. scorer Modern News (GB) (Shamardal). Modern Ideals is a half-sister to the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere-winning sire Ultra (Ire) (Manduro {Ger}), the G3 Prix Minerve winner Synopsis (Ire) (In the Wings {GB}) and the dual stakes-placed Epic Similie (GB) (Lomitas {GB}), with the latter also being responsible for the G2 July S. and G3 Sirenia S. runner-up Figure of Speech (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). The family features the GII Canadian H. scorer Calista (GB) (Caerleon), the G1 1000 Guineas and G1 Champion S. heroine Bosra Sham (Woodman) and the 1991 and 1992 Poulains heroes Hector Protector and Shanghai. It is also the dynasty of the G1 Criterium International-winning sire Act One (GB), who was caught close home by Sulamani (Ire) (Hernando {Fr}) in the 2002 Jockey-Club. The dam's yearling filly is by Mastercraftsman (Ire).

Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
EMIRATES POULE D'ESSAI DES POULAINS-G1, €500,000, ParisLongchamp, 5-15, 3yo, c, 8fT, 1:34.98, g/s.
1–MODERN GAMES (IRE), 128, c, 3, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Modern Ideals (GB), by New Approach (Ire)
2nd Dam: Epitome (Ire), by Nashwan
3rd Dam: Proskona, by Mr. Prospector
O/B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. €342,840. Lifetime Record: GISW-US & GSW-Eng, 7-5-1-0, €827,863. *1/2 to Modern News (GB) (Shamardal), SW-Eng& SP-UAE, $138,666. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Texas (Fr), 128, c, 3, Wootton Bassett (GB)–Texalova (GB), by Dream Ahead. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (€110,000 RNA Ylg '20 ARQSEP), O-Ecurie Jeffroy; B-SCEA des Prairies, Thomas Jeffroy & Benoit Jeffroy (FR); T-Henri-Francois Devin. €137,160.
3–Tribalist (GB), 128, c, 3, Farhh (GB)–Fair Daughter (GB), by Nathaniel (Ire). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (130,000gns Ylg '20 TAOCT). O-Godolphin; B-Car Colston Hall Stud Syndicate (GB); T-Andre Fabre. €68,580.
Margins: 1 1/4, 3/4, HD. Odds: 2.00, 113.00, 10.00.
Also Ran: Ancient Rome, Lassaut (Fr), Welwal (GB), Making Moovies (Ire), Scherzo (Fr), The Acropolis (Ire), Calif (Ger), Nesr Shalghoda (GB), Rock Boy (Fr), Bayside Boy (Ire), Nirliit (Fr), Claymore (Fr). Scratched: Tumbler (Fr). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.

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Final Declarations Made For Sunday’s Pouliches and Poulains

Highclere Thoroughbred Racing's G1 1000 Guineas heroine Cachet (Ire) (Aclaim {Ire}) will face 14 rivals in Sunday's €500,000 G1 Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches at ParisLongchamp. The George Boughey trainee will depart from stall 10 in her bid to become the first filly since Special Duty (GB) (Hennessy) in 2010, and fifth overall, to complete the 1000 Guineas-Pouliches double. Should she prevail, the TDN Rising Star will join an exclusive club which also includes Imprudence (1947), Miesque (1987) and Ravinella (1988). Her main rivals in the ante-post betting lists, G3 Prix des Reservoirs and G3 Prix de la Grotte victrix Rosacea (Ire) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) and impressive Cork maiden winner Toy (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), have drawn slots one and five, respectively.

One race later on the stakes-laden card, in the €600,000 G1 Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains, 16 have been declared and Godolphin's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf hero Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) will seek to provide Charlie Appleby with a breakthrough in the contest. He has drawn box four. Alongside in three is Jean-Claude Rouget trainee and TDN Rising Star Lassaut (Fr) (Almanzor {Fr}), six across from his G3 Prix de Fontainebleau-winning stablemate Welwal (GB) (Shalaa {Ire}) in nine.

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Appleby Outlines Plans For His Stable Stars

Last year's G1 Cazoo Derby and G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. hero Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) will return in the June 3 G1 Coronation Cup S., Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby revealed on Saturday. Fourth in the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, one place behind stablemate Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in October, the strapping bay ended his season with a fifth after racing too freely in the G1 QIPCO Champion S. on Oct. 16.

“Going forward the plan would be to start him off in the Coronation as we know he can handle the track, so he's ticked one box, and the trip,” Appleby said. “So he'll head to the Coronation and hopefully we'll look towards the King George again and if we're lucky enough to tick one of those boxes then the view will be taken by myself and the team whether to contemplate coming back in trip and taking in the Juddmonte International.

“Hurricane Lane has stamina in abundance, while this lad has won a Derby and a King George, as he's got stronger he's got quicker. This time last year he was still very raw, now he's mentally in a very good place and physically I cannot fault him. He's a year older and a year wiser and he's a true professional now.”

Victorious in the G2 Dante S. in May prior to his Derby third in June, Hurricane Lane then rattled off wins in the G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby later that month and in the July 14 G1 Grand Prix de Paris. He added another Classic to his haul with a win in the Sept. 11 G1 Cazoo St Leger at Doncaster one start before his Arc placing. His long-term goal will be another crack at the ParisLongchamp showpiece.

Added, Appleby, “Hurricane Lane had a tough season but he's thrived through the winter and we're very much working back from the Arc this year. “The plan is to head to the [G2] Hardwicke [S.] at Royal Ascot first, potentially the [G1] Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud [on July 3] and then a trial for the Arc.

“He's just starting to pick his work up now and we're looking forward to Royal Ascot and seeing him in action in the Hardwicke. He's going to be a force to be reckoned with this year, the one thing about him is his versatility.”

Fresh off a strong second in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic, GI Breeders' Cup Turf hero Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is bound Stateside and will likely be engaged in the GI Man o' War S. at Belmont Park.

“He'll have an international campaign, we've earmarked the Man o' War S. at Belmont in the middle of May and if we get a result there we could look at something like the [GI] Sword Dancer [upstate at Saratoga].”

Trio of Classic Hopefuls Lining Up

There are a few colts sporting the royal blue headed for G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas pointers from Moulton Paddocks, and they are led by 2021 Cartier Champion 2-Year-Old Colt Native Trail (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). A flawless four-for-four, the colt broke his maiden at first asking, before running out the victor in the July 10 G2 bet365 Superlative S. and the G1 Goffs Vincent O'Brien National S. at The Curragh on Sept. 12. His 2021 finale was a two-length victory in the G1 Darley Dewhurst S. at Newmarket on Oct. 9.

“It's not the first time we've had a champion 2-year-old but the one thing missing off the Moulton Paddocks CV is a 2000 Guineas winner,” Appleby reflected.

“Native Trail was a man against boys last year. As some of the old school used to say, the Guineas can be the last 2-year-old race of the year and if the Guineas was next week I'd be pretty confident he'd be a stride in front of the crew at the moment.

Another pointing for the first colts' Classic of the year in the UK is the G3 Emirates Autumn S. hero Coroebus (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). He will return in the G3 Greenham S. on Apr. 16, while Native Trail will head for the G3 Craven S. three days earlier.

“We'll look to the Craven with Native Trail and the Greenham with Coroebus. Both of them have won on the Rowley Mile so that won't be an excuse,” said Appleby. “Coroebus has a lot of pace so running him in the Greenham will hopefully help him race the right way round.

“After the Guineas we'll decide if one goes to Ireland and one goes to the [G1] St James's Palace [S. at Royal Ascot] or if they both go to the St James's Palace or if one wants stepping up in trip.”

Appleby added of GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf hero Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), “Modern Games will head to Newcastle for the Burradon S. If we're lucky enough to achieve what we hope to achieve in the other trials then he might go to France or even Ireland.”

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