Tag: modern games

Poule d’Essai des Poulains: Where did they come from?

A diverse field is led by the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner Modern Games (Ire) and ranging from some fancy homebreds to a €5,000 yearling purchase. Iffraaj (GB) features prominently among the entries for the colts' Classic, as sire, grandsire or great-grandsire of six of the 16 runners in the field.

 

WELWAL (GB), Shalaa (Ire)–Cheriearch (Arch)
Owner: Al Shaqab Racing
Breeders: Oceanic, A Gravereaux and OTI Management
Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget
Sales history: €80,000 at Arqana Deauville Select Yearling Sale (Mandore International Agency).
Pedigree insight: A half-brother to the stakes-placed duo of Epistrophy (Fr) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) and Chic Cherie (Fr) (Muhaarar {Ire}) out of a listed-winning miler.

 

SCHERZO (FR), Wootton Bassett (GB)–Persian Belle (GB) (Machiavellian)
Owner: Al Wasmiyah Farm
Breeders: T de la Heronniere, Mme D and A de la Heronniere
Trainer: Elias Mikhailides
Sales history: €70,000 at Arqana Deauville Select Yearling Sale (private sale), €420,000 Arqana Arc Sale (Charles Gordon-Watson Bloodstock).
Pedigree insight: Group 2 winner Volta (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) and Group 1-placed Calvados Blues (Fr) (Lando {Ger}) are among his seven winning half-siblings. Their unraced dam is sister to American Grade II winner Beautyandthebeast (GB) and half to German Group 1 winner and sire Neatico (Ger) (Medicean {GB}).

 

TEXAS (FR), Wootton Bassett (GB)–Texalova (GB) (Dream Ahead)
Owner: Ecurie Jeffroy
Breeders: SCEA Prairies, T Jeffroy, B Jeffroy
Trainer: Henri Devin
Sales history: not sold at €110,000, Arqana Deauville Select Yearling Sale.
Pedigree insight: A third generation homebred for the Jeffroy family, he is the second foal of an unraced half-sister to Meydan Group 2 winner Frankyfourfingers (Fr) (Sunday Break {Jpn}).

 

NIRLIIT (FR), Iffraaj (GB)–Llanita (GB) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire})
Owner: Ecurie La Vallee Martigny EARL, Guy Pariente, Ecurie de Pradel, Bernard Giraudon
Breeders: Ecurie La Vallee Martigny EARL
Trainer: Christophe Escuder
Sales history: N/A
Pedigree insight: Half-sister Almeida Girl (GB) (Temple City) was a multiple winner and listed-placed, giving Llanita two black-type performers from her first two foals. The mare was herself stakes-placed, both in France and America.

 

MAKING MOVIES (IRE), Dabirsim (Fr)–Grace Lady (Fr) (Muhtathir {Fr})
Owner: Ecurie Hugo and Pierre Pilarski and Jean-Philippe Dubois
Breeders: Jean-Philippe Dubois
Trainer: Didier GuilleminSales history:  €125,000 at Arqana Deauville Select Yearling Sale (private sale).
Pedigree insight: A half-brother to the Group 2-placed duo of Epic Hero (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) and Alhadab (Fr) (Camelot {GB}), his dam won the G2 Prix Corrida and is herself out of a winning hurdler.

 

NESR SHALGHODA (GB), Due Diligence–Lady Macduff (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB})
Owner: Elbashir Salem AB Elhari
Breeder: Whitsbury Manor Stud
Trainer: Romain Le Dren Doleuze
Sales history: 9,000gns Tattersalls December Foal Sale, £16,000 Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale, 45,000gns Tattersalls Guineas Breeze-Up Sale.
Pedigree insight: A family synonymous with Hampshire's Whitsbury Manor Stud; granddam Tamora (GB) (Dr Fong) is a half-sister to the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye winner Gilt Edge Girl (GB) (Monsieur Bond {Ire}) and G2 Flying Childers winner Godfrey Street (GB) (Compton Place {GB}).

 

MODERN GAMES (IRE), Dubawi (Ire)–Modern Ideals (GB) (New Approach {Ire})
Owner/Breeder: Godolphin
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Pedigree insight: The GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner is a half-brother to recent listed winner Modern News (GB) (Shamardal) and Saturday's 'TDN Rising Star' Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), while their dam is a half-sister to the French-based stallion and former champion juvenile Ultra (Ire) (Manduro {Ger}).

 

TRIBALIST (GB), Farhh (GB)–Fair Daughter (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire})
Owner: Godolphin
Breeder: Car Colston Hall Stud
Trainer: Andre Fabre
Sales history: 130,000gns at Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, Book 3 (Stroud Coleman Bloodstock).
Pedigree insight: Tribalist is the first foal of an unraced half-sister to G1 Racing Post Trophy winner Crowded House (GB) (Rainbow Quest) and to the dam of Group/Grade 1 winners Brando (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) and Ticker Tape (GB) (Royal Applause {GB}).

 

THE ACROPOLIS (IRE), Churchill (Ire)–Hairy Rocket (GB) (Pivotal {GB})
Owner: Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg
Breeder: Frank Dunne
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Sales history: €140,000 at Goffs November Foal Sale (Camas Park Stud).
Pedigree insight: The dam won twice and was third in the G2 Queen Mary S. She is a half-sister to Rockliffe Stud's listed-placed Marsh Hawk (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), who is in turn the dam of the stakes-placed Mohawk King (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}).

 

LASSAUT (FR), Almanzor (Fr)–Lady Family (Fr) (Sinndar {Ire})
'TDN Rising Star'.
Owner/Breeder: Riviera Equine SARL and Haras d'Etreham
Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget
Sales history: Bought back by his breeder at €67,000 at the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale.
Pedigree insight: His dam is a half-sister to Group 2-winning sprinter Family One (Fr) (Dubai Destination), while his granddam's half-sister has produced the G1 Haydock Sprint Cup winner G Force (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) and Group 3 winner Louvain (Ire) (Sinndar {Ire}), who is herself the dam of Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Flotilla (Fr) (Mizzen Mast).

 

CLAYMORE (FR), New Bay (GB)–Brit Wit (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire})
Owner: Mary Slack
Breeder: Günther Schmidt
Trainer: Jane Chapple-Hyam
Sales history: €5,000 at the Arqana October Yearling Sale (Ardglas Stables), £10,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland Goresbridge Breeze-up Sale (Mutlaq Menahi Almutairi).
Pedigree insight: His dam is an unraced daughter of Listed Harvest S. winner Brisk Breeze (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}).

 

CALIF (GER), Arion (Ger)–Cherry Danon (Ire) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire})
Owner: Stall Hanse
Breeder: Gestut Brummerhof
Trainer: Dominik Moser
Sales history: Not sold at €95,000, BBAG September Yearling Sale.
Pedigree insight: His dam was a Group 3-winning miler and runner-up in the German 1000 Guineas before going on to produce four black-type horses. Granddam Sherifa (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}) is a full-sister to the dam of multiple Group 2 winner and sire Sommerabend (GB) (Shamardal).

 

ANCIENT ROME, War Front–Gagnoa (Sadler's Wells)
Owner: Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier and Westerberg
Breeder: Orpendale, Chelston and Wyatt
Trainer: Andre Fabre
Sales history: N/A
Pedigree insight: His full-sister Etoile is a Group 3 winner over six furlongs, but there is also stamina in the family. His dam, who was runner-up to Zarkava (Fr) in the Prix de Diane, is a three-parts-sister to Derby winner Pour Moi (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}).

 

ROCK BOY (Fr), Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire)–Frasque (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB})
Owner: Team Calas
Breeder: Legendary Rent Club
Trainer: Richard Chotard
Sales history: Bought for €16,000 at the Arqana October Yearling Sale (Guy Petit).
Pedigree insight: He is one of two black-type performers for his dam, along with the G2 Derby Italiano placegetter Alastor (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}) from her first three foals. Frasque, a minor winner over a mile, is a half-sister to G3 Prix Thomas Bryon winner Makaan (Swain).

 

BAYSIDE BOY (IRE), New Bay (GB)–Alava (Ire) (Anabaa)
Owner: Teme Valley and Ballylinch Stud
Breeder: Ballylinch Stud
Trainer: Roger Varian
Sales history: 200,000gns graduate from Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale (Richard Ryan).
Pedigree insight: His half-brother Forest Ranger (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}) was a dual G2 Huxley S. winner. They are out of a French listed winner over 9 1/2 furlongs who now has three black-type performers to her credit.

 

TUMBLER (FR), Kingman (GB)–Distorion (GB) (Distorted Humor)
'TDN Rising Star'.
Owner/Breeder: Wertheimer & Frere
Trainer: Carlos Laffon-Parias
Pedigree insight: Tumbler has two listed-placed half-siblings and his dam is a half-sister to Poule d'Essai des Poulains winner Falco (Pivotal {GB}), who is now standing as a jumps stallion in Britain.

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No Penalties in Breeders’ Cup Scratch Fiasco

A four-month investigation into the dysfunction at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club that led to the winner of last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf having to race for purse money only will not result in any complaints being filed against anyone in the chain of command now that “inconsistent radio communication” has been identified as a key contributing factor.

“Various witnesses indicated that they made calls over the radio that were not heard or received by the intended recipients,” stated a California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) summary report issued Thursday that cited findings from supervising investigator Michael Barker. “At some points witnesses resorted to cell phone communication to ensure their messages were relayed.”

The stylish win by Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the Juvenile Turf was overshadowed by the 12-minute fiasco at the starting gate that preceded the running of the race. Modern Games had to compete for purse money only because of a series of miscommunications that involved the Del Mar stewards, the veterinary team at the gate, and the track's mutuels and tote departments.

It was a disconcerting optic to witness on-track patrons letting loose a chorus of boos as Modern Games crossed the finish wire first. But it was apparent that no one at Del Mar that day was deriding the horse, but rather the bewildering series of blunders that led to the colt being removed from the wagering pools, reinstated in the betting, and then finally being deemed good to start while running as a non-betting entity.

The error was costly in terms of lost betting handle, customer ill will, needless confusion, and the erosion of confidence in the officials responsible for overseeing and regulating the Breeders' Cup races at Del Mar.

Yet the CHRB report did not directly address any of those broader issues in its three-page summary of the report.

Here's how the CHRB described what transpired in the Mar. 3 report summary (the timeline does not differ substantially from how the CHRB explained it back on Nov. 6, 2021):

“Albahr (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) was in the number two stall. Albahr reared up over the starting gate, then fell back on to his side, with his legs caught under the number three stall. During this time, the horse in the number one stall, Modern Games, went through the front gate after the gate was opened by starting gate personnel and was uninjured. The veterinarians on scene initially believed that Modern Games had forced his way through the starting gate, and they made the decision to scratch him.

“When informed by gate personnel that Modern Games did not force the gate doors open, the veterinarians inspected him and advised the stewards that Modern Games was fit to run.

“Concurrently, the stewards were advised of the scratch of both Albahr and Modern Games by the veterinarians. The stewards called the scratch into the tote room and both Modern Games and Albahr were removed from wagering. The stewards were then informed that Modern Games was not injured and was fit to race. The stewards called the tote room to inform them what was occurring and requested that the tote room hold off on the scratch of Modern Games, who has already been removed from the wagering pools.

“Modern Games was then placed back into the pari-mutuel pool. Subsequently, the stewards determined that pursuant to CHRB Rule 1974, Modern Games would be required to run for purse money only. The tote room was then informed of the decision and Modern Games was again removed from the pari-mutuel pool.”

The investigation noted that “the regulatory veterinarians' hurried recommendation to scratch Modern Games could potentially have been avoided if a protocol requiring one person on the veterinary staff and one person in the pari-mutuel department be in charge of scratches had been in place.”

The CHRB report stated that the board “considered the merit of applying CHRB Rule 1697 to the recommended scratch by the regulatory veterinarians.”

That rule reads in its entirety, “After entering the racecourse track for the post, a horse shall only be declared by the stewards when they consider such horse unfit to run in the race. No horse determined to be a starter shall be excused or declared from the race. Any horse which breaks through the gate or runs off without effective control shall be examined by the racing veterinarian and determined to befit to compete before being permitted to start.

But, the report noted, the CHRB didn't apply that rule because: “1) The difficulty of proving a violation given that a condition precedent to a violation of this rule is that a horse actually broke through the gate; and (2) more importantly, animal welfare is of paramount importance in the CHRB's application of rules and creation of protocols.”

So instead of penalties or sanctions, the CHRB report came up with the following recommendations:

1) There is one designated Racing Veterinarian and he or she is the only person who can recommend a scratch to the Stewards and the only person who can communicate a scratch to the Stewards.

2) The tote company and the pari-mutuel department must each designate one person who can effectuate a scratch or purse money only designation by the Stewards. Both must agree before either action can take place.

3) A horse cannot be placed back into the mutuel pools after it has been scratched without approval of all three Stewards.

4) A Pari-mutuel Committee meeting should be held to consider changes to pari-mutuel regulations. Issues that may be considered include but are not limited to: (a) advisability of a purse-money-only designation and (b) requiring ADW companies to follow the example of brick-and-mortar wagering facilities in California by providing bettors with the opportunity to name alternate selections for scratched horses in Pick “n” wagers involving four or more races.

5) Associations, particularly on days when there are large crowds and competing bandwidth, must provide an adequate communication system for racing officials.”

The report stated that, “While the CHRB does not typically release an investigation report, especially when it does not result in a complaint, given the widespread public interest, a summary of the investigation is provided.”

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Eclipse Award Finalists Announced

Knicks Go (Paynter) was one of a dozen winners at the 2021 Breeders' Cup meeting at Del Mar in early November to be named Eclipse Award finalists, as the candidates in 11 equine and five human categories were announced Saturday morning on TVG.

While the finalists for 2021 were not revealed–they will be announced at the conclusion of the Eclipse Award ceremony at Santa Anita Feb. 10–it is a fait accompli that Knicks Go will take home the evening's most coveted award. The grey, winner of the 2020 GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, capped his 5-year-old season in style with a powerhouse victory in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic, easily accounting for 3-year-old Eclipse Award finalists Medina Spirit (Protonico) and 'TDN Rising Star' Essential Quality (Tapit). He was undefeated at two turns in 2021, which also included a pillar-to-post tally in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational and in the GI Whitney S. at Saratoga, where he had older male finalist Maxfield (Street Sense) 4 1/4 lengths behind him.

The sophomore male division will prove one of the biggest cliffhangers at this year's awards ceremony, as voters will have been forced to choose between the season-long consistency of Essential Quality and Medina Spirit, whose Kentucky Derby 'win' remains an open question and whom many will have opposed on non racing-related grounds, but whose resume features a defeat of elders in the GI Awesome Again S. and a superior finish in the Classic. The brilliant 'Rising Star' Life Is Good (Into Mischief) earned a spot on the ballot courtesy of his towering score in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. Knicks Go and Life Is Good are headed towards a highly anticipated clash in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational in two weeks' time.

The Sprint divisions should prove for more interesting theater. In the male sprint category, Jackie's Warrior (Maclean's Music) was routinely the fastest horse over the course of the season, but stubbed his toe on championship day, finishing well behind Aloha West (Hard Spun). There may also be a smattering of support for 'Rising Star' Flightline (Tapit), smashing winner of the GI Runhappy Malibu S. in his graded stakes debut in December.

The same cloud hanging over Medina Spirit looms a factor in whether 'Rising Star' Gamine (Into Mischief) earns a second consecutive female sprint statuette. Not nearly as dominating as she was in 2020, she nevertheless was the only member of the divisional heavies to score multiple times at Grade I level, though she was beaten on the square by Ce Ce (Elusive Quality) on Breeders' Cup Saturday. Bella Sofia (Awesome Patriot) is a decided outsider.

'Rising Star' Corniche (Quality Road) will be heavily favored–despite some opposition–to give his sire another juvenile champion, and 'Rising Star' Echo Zulu (Gun Runner) looms one of the night's unanimous picks in the fillies' division.

Other Breeders' Cup winners to garner spots on the ballot include GI Juvenile Turf hero Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), one of three BC-winning finalists for his remarkable sire; Pizza Bianca (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), GI Juvenile Fillies Turf; Space Blues (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}, Mile; Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Turf; and Japan's first Eclipse finalists Marche Lorraine (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) and Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}).

Noteworthy in the human categories are Godolphin, who are finalists in both the champion owner and breeder categories, and trainer Brad Cox, who conditioned Knicks Go and Essential Quality in a season in which his stable earned record prize money. The same can be said for Joel Rosario, who will be favored to pick up the Eclipse for champion jockey.

2yo Male

Corniche (Quality Road)

Jack Christopher (Munnings)

Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire})

 

2yo Filly

Echo Zulu (Gun Runner)

Juju's Map (Liam's Map)

Pizza Bianca (Fastnet Rock {Aus})

 

3yo Male

Essential Quality (Tapit)

Life Is Good (Into Mischief)

Medina Spirit (Protonico)

 

3yo Filly

Clairiere (Curlin)

Malathaat (Curlin)

Santa Barbara (Ire) (Camelot {GB})

 

Older Dirt Male

Knicks Go (Paynter)

Maxfield (Street Sense)

Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper)

 

Older Dirt Female

Letruska (Super Saver)

Marche Lorraine (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn})

Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil)

 

Male Sprinter

Aloha West (Hard Spun)

Flightline (Tapit)

Jackie's Warrior (Maclean's Music)

 

Female Sprinter

Bella Sofia (Awesome Patriot)

Ce Ce (Elusive Quality)

Gamine (Into Mischief)

 

Male Turf Horse

Domestic Spending (GB) (Kingman {GB})

Space Blues (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire})

Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire})

 

Female Turf Horse

Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn})

Santa Barbara (Ire) (Camelot {GB})

War Like Goddess (English Channel)

 

Steeplechase

Baltimore Bucko (GB) (Sholokhov {Ire})

Snap Decision (Hard Spun)

The Mean Queen (Ire) (Doyen {Ire})

 

Owner

Godolphin LLC

Juddmonte Farms Inc.

Klaravich Stables Inc.

 

Breeder

Calumet Farm

Godolphin LLC

Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC

 

Jockey

Irad Ortiz, Jr.

Flavien Prat

Joel Rosario

 

Apprentice Jockey

John Hiraldo

Charlie Marquez

Jessica Pyfer

 

Trainer

Steve Asmussen

Chad Brown

Brad Cox

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TIF Paper: American Racing Lacks Customer-Centric Focus

Full fields. Harmonized rules. Modernized wagering systems and protocols. Transparent officiating.

Can these be the future of North American horse racing, and of the greater sport around the world?

“Our customers, the bettors, must be at the center of everything we do,” Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges told the Thoroughbred Idea Foundation (TIF) last week.

“This approach applies to everything we do as a sport. Customers must be satisfied with our approach to horse welfare, to harmonizing betting rules, interference rules, the race schedule we offer and presenting races with full fields of competitive horses.”

What bettors want should drive how racing evolves. But that has not been the case in North America.

Customer centricity has not been a focus.

Hong Kong finds itself at the heart of a customer-friendly approach to racing and Engelbrecht-Bresges is the new chairman of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). While he acknowledges the IFHA is not a rule-making body itself, the push for harmonizing the global racing experience for customers is moving beyond just recommended best practices.

“We can talk about the importance of a customer-centric approach and harmonizing rules all we want, but with the global commingling business–through World Pools–we are proving the commercial value of it. World Pools is creating the financial incentive to change.”

The World Pools concept is simple.

Instead of having separate pari-mutuel pools for major race days in America, Great Britain, France, Ireland, Hong Kong and South Africa, just to name a few, one massive pool can be created, maximizing liquidity and financial interest for all participants. On 17 days of commingled World Pools run across Britain and Ireland in 2021, total handle eclipsed the equivalent of $481 million.

Hong Kong is a major cog in the process, with bettors in the region often comprising roughly 60% of the liquidity in World Pools offerings, according to Engelbrecht-Bresges. In November, the HKJC provided its local customers simulcasts of two Breeders' Cup races for the first time since 2014, and the hope is to offer more later.

“I really commend the Breeders' Cup and their global vision. It was important for us to recognize the steps that have been taken to adopt racing free of medication and I hope we can expand wagering opportunities over the next three to five-year period.”

While U.S. customers have been participants in World Pools offered on key race days, such as Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood and other major race days, American races have not yet been chosen as targets for World Pools.

The Modern Games fiasco sharpened attention on America's lack of a customer-centric focus, exhibited through disparate rules which disproportionately disadvantage betting customers.

To continue reading, click here.

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