Is This The Breakthrough?

   Surprisingly, Japan is without a Royal Ascot winner and have fared no better than sixth from the eight that have tried to date, but that could have been so different six years ago when A Shin Hikari (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) went to post as the 8-13 favourite for this race only to falter and finish last. In a year where it feels like the tide has finally turned for the nation's fortunes on the international stage, it is another son of the late, great sire that comes forth this time in Shahryar (Jpn), Hideaki Fujiwara's G1 Tokyo Yushun and G1 Dubai Sheema Classic winner. Yasuhiro Matsumoto, manager of Northern Farm, is full of hope. “As a horseman, I want to win races in the UK with Japanese horses,” he stated. “It is a dream and a real honour for us to have runners at Royal Ascot. Many people think the Arc is the pinnacle, but I think many of the best sire-making races are in the UK.”

The International Playground

It is a measure of how far this contest has come since it was shifted to Group 1 status in the millennium year that it contains winners of top-level prizes in Dubai, Japan, the States and Australia as well as France and Britain despite there being just five runners. The only one to prevail in this company on British soil is Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), whose success in the COVID Prince of Wales's two years ago was followed by an outright win and dead-heat for first in the last two renewals of the G1 Dubai Turf. He could be suited by a potentially tactical affair, which may not apply to State of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) who has a Cox Plate to boast of and at this stage is on a par with the 2011 winner of this race, So You Think (NZ). They met last time when State of Rest was a place ahead of Lord North in third in the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at The Curragh on May 22, but John Gosden believes there is the prospect of a reversal. “I think that he raced a bit too close to the strong pace at the Curragh and the one mile and two and a half furlongs there just stretched him a bit,” he explained. “He's a grand horse, but he needs to be ridden a little differently to Ireland.”

Back To Earth

In the G2 Duke of Cambridge S., last year's 1000 Guineas and G1 Prix Rothschild heroine Mother Earth (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) bids to provide Aidan O'Brien with a first edition and get on track again after misfiring when seventh in Newbury's G1 Lockinge S. May 14. On what could be a big day for New Bay, his daughter Saffron Beach (Ire) re-opposes the Ballydoyle stalwart having galloped her into submission in Newmarket's G1 Sun Chariot S. in October. There is also the unknown quantity that is Cheveley Park Stud's Bashkirova (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), who is here just 10 days after her G3 Princess Elizabeth S. win, and 'TDN Rising Star' Sibila Spain (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) who came of age last time when winning the G2 Prix du Muguet at Saint-Cloud May 8.

A Day Of Contrasts

   While the future stayers get their chance in the 14-furlong G2 Queen's Vase, the G2 Queen Mary S. and Listed Windsor Castle S. provide for the fast juveniles. Roger Varian has a live contender for the Vase in KHK Racing's unbeaten 'TDN Rising Star' Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), while Wesley Ward may have suffered a demoralising reversal on day one but in Stonestreet's sensational Keeneland winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Love Reigns (U S Navy Flag) he has the archetypal Queen Mary filly. Looking for a landmark fifth renewal, he is in reach of Fred Darling's record of seven winners of the five-furlong contest and if he keeps bringing radically fast types like this daughter of Coolmore's first-season sire he could even get there in this decade. “Every horse that kind of engaged her, she just exploded away from them,” Ward warned.

More Rising Stars

Another 'TDN Rising Star' in the Queen Mary is Clipper Logistics' impressive Newmarket maiden winner Dramatised (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}), who according to Karl Burke is in a league of her own as far as pace is concerned. “Her figures for her first run at Newmarket were pretty good and I'm adamant and convinced she's come on from that,” he said. “She's as quick as I've trained anyway, so we'll see.” Adding intrigue to the contest, there are a total of five others from the first crop of Havana Grey (GB), James Garfield (Ire) and Tasleet (GB) who had such a breakthrough moment on Tuesday. They include the Listed National S. winner Maria Branwell (Ire) by Rathbarry Stud's James Garfield and Havana Grey's Salisbury and Windsor winner Katey Kontent (GB), who looked special last time. In the Windsor Castle, Ballydoyle's 'TDN Rising Star' Little Big Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never) looks to hold the aces following his impressive Naas maiden success while the Roger Varian-trained Leicester novice scorer Bolt Action (Ire) (Kessaar {Ire}) is one of the more intriguing home-trained contenders.

Click here for the group fields.

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Fourth in last Sunday's G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp, the homebred has given all the right signals in the interim period and adds substance to a renewal robbed of Snowfall (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) who has been re-routed to take the place of the absent Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares S. Drawn in nine, Adayar is set to re-engage the King George runner-up Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB})–who has stall two–with only Mohamed Obaida's supplemented Aug. 14 G2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano and Oct. 2 G2 Prix Dollar scorer Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride of Dubai {Aus}) wider out.

Appleby revealed that connections were buoyed by an impressive piece of work on Wednesday.

“It was an easy piece of work to confirm his wellbeing and he did it so well,” he explained. “We discussed it with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and the decision was taken to run. We are all looking forward to the rematch with Mishriff, particularly over this trip. Adayar beat Mishriff comfortably in the King George and then Mishriff came out and dominated the Juddmonte International at York over the distance of Saturday's race. We are happy to meet him over the mile and a quarter, which is the trip where we believe Adayar's potential lies next year.”

Aidan O'Brien revealed that Love returned an unsatisfactory blood result on Thursday, leading to the shift of the June 4 G1 Epsom Oaks, July 17 G1 Irish Oaks and Aug. 19 G1 Yorkshire Oaks heroine Snowfall to the Fillies & Mares which has attracted a field of eight. Ballydoyle's May 2 G1 1000 Guineas and Aug. 3 G1 Prix Rothschild heroine Mother Earth (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) will take on Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum's five-times group 1-winning Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and the Sept. 5 G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp hero Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the 10-runner G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. sponsored by QIPCO.

There will be 20 runners in a wide-open renewal of the G1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint S., where Yoshiro Kubota's 'TDN Rising Star' Dragon Symbol (GB) (Cable Bay {Ire}) bids to atone for a series of top-level near-misses, while the opening G2 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup sees the G1 Prix du Cadran one-two Trueshan (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}) and Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) square up again. The latter has been given the green light by the Gosdens and owner-breeder Bjorn Nielsen to attempt to repeat his 2018 win in the race which saw Moyglare Stud's Search For a Song (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) left out of the reckoning by Dermot Weld. Other high-profile absentees alongside her and Love are the Fillies & Mares-targeted La Petite Coco (Ire) (Ruler of the World {Ire}) and Free Wind (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).

William Haggas has already had a season to savour and the barometer for his stable's health is the fact that he has a trio engaged in the Champion, headed by last year's winner Addeybb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}). Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum's title-holder is coming back off a 105-day absence, having finished runner-up in the G1 Eclipse S. at Sandown July 3.

“Addeybb's ideal ground is when it passes an inspection on the morning of the race and he sloshes through that,” Haggas said. “This is going to be soft, but I'm not sure it will be soft enough for him. He stays well and his record right-handed is fantastic, but this is a hugely competitive, fantastic race. We weren't able to get a prep into him, but he's taken a lot of graft this year and his record fresh is excellent. We think we've got him pretty ready.”

Shadwell's Al Aasy (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) has suffered three defeats since his impressive wins in the Apr. 18 G3 John Porter S. and May 15 G3 Aston Park S. at Newbury, with a latest fourth in that venue's Sept. 18 G3 Dubai Duty Free Legacy Cup his most deflating. His trainer has long held him in the highest affection and said, “We all know that Al Aasy doesn't find as much under pressure as it looks like he might, so I hope his jockey waits a bit. At Newbury, he went three and a half from home and it exposed him. The horse is much better than that, he should have won there and we'll see what he has to offer as he's a strong stayer at a mile and a quarter. He may not be good enough, but he's talented and he's no mug even in a race of this quality. I love him and he's a very good horse who has been rubbished by everyone, so I'd love to see him run a good race.”

Of Dubai Honour, who is one of six 3-year-olds in the feature, he added, “He won really easily in the Guillaume d'Ornano, but they went really hard there whereas in the Dollar they went slow and he showed a real turn of foot. There's nothing else for him until Hong Kong in December and when I suggested it, the owner nearly bit my hand off. He's an intriguing runner, but Mishriff was awesome at York and I could do without Adayar. He's a bloody good horse and I'd be frightened of him, even over a mile and a quarter. He'll be hard to pass. This year we have nine runners on the day, when we normally have one or two, so we are blessed to have so many nice horses and we've hopefully got them in good shape.”

All bar the retired Wonderful Tonight (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) return to defend their crowns in their respective races this year, with Trueshan and Addeybb joined by the Sprint winner Glen Shiel (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) and Al Asayl France's The Revenant (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who heads back to the QEII. It is in the latter contest that Haggas saddles what could be his leading contender on the fixture in the unbeaten Baaeed, who could arguably be the most exciting of the eight Group 1 winners in the line-up for what looks the strongest race on the card and the mile championship decider of 2021. Despite his profile, the head of Somerville Lodge is not getting carried away.

“Whilst I've been very impressed with what he's done in such a short space of time, he's got a big task on Saturday,” he said of the Shadwell homebred. “Not only is there Palace Pier, who is a remarkably consistent and tough horse, but there's Alcohol Free, Mother Earth, The Revenant and Benbatl–it's a hell of a strong race with lots of good horses. Without undermining those behind him in the Moulin, we'd had a little hiccup and a rushed preparation for that and I'm pretty sure we didn't see him at his best. The bit none of us know is what he's got left, but Jim [Crowley] is very fond of him and he's a lovely horse to deal with. He's as fit as we want him and ready to go in what is probably the best mile race of the season.”

Nick Smith, Ascot's director of racing and communications, is keen for the 10th Champions Day to play out to an expected crowd of around of 25,000.

“You couldn't have asked for a lot better,” he said after the declarations were made on Thursday morning. “The weather is pretty sound, so it will probably be the best renewal we've had since Excelebration and Frankel kind of bookended the card early on. The final declarations are great. The stayers' race is looking like the race of the year over that trip, which is slightly unexpected after a strong Cadran, but great to see. The Champion S. and the QEII are probably joint highlights with Adayar running now against Mishriff–the King George one and two. You've got to say that now has become the outstanding clash. It's not bad to have Baaeed and Palace Pier as the appetiser, so we're really thrilled. It's going to be a great day.”

On the climax to the close race for the Flat jockeys' championship between Oisin Murphy and William Buick, Smith added, “It will probably go to the wire now. It's an intriguing added dimension, especially if it ended up going to the Balmoral [H]. It's fascinating really. The declarations didn't need another story, but it certainly is another thread. We'll have a crowd of about 25,000 with the weather looking set. It will still seem reasonably comfortable. It will be a tremendous day and a fantastic way to see the season out with a real bang.”

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Out early at two, Mother Earth was second as Snowfall (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was third behind the smart Frenetic (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) over an extended five furlongs at Navan in June before finishing third in the G3 Albany S. nine days later at Royal Ascot. Coming back strong to record a four-length success in the G3 Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Fillies' Sprint S. over the same six-furlong trip at Naas in early July, the bay was third in The Curragh's G2 Airlie Stud S. before moving up to seven furlongs to finish in the same spot in the G2 Debutante S. back at the latter venue in August. Only 11th under forcing tactics in the G1 Moyglare Stud S. over the same course and distance in September, she rounded off her campaign with a third in the G1 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket in October and second in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

Relishing the fast surface at Newmarket for the 1000 Guineas, she may have found deep conditions against her when outsprinted by Coeursamba (Fr) (The Wow Signal {Ire}) in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches at ParisLongchamp a fortnight later and again had soft ground to contend with when third in the G1 Coronation S. at Royal Ascot June 18. The Falmouth had looked very strong form this week as Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never) and Lady Bowthorpe (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) went on to significant big-race success and Mother Earth was adding more ballast with this gutsy effort. When it came down to a straight fight to the line with The Aga Khan's unexposed Sagamiyra, she refused to relinquish and in a race with no hard-luck stories emerged best as her form entitled her to.

Aidan O'Brien, whose French visits this season have culminated in wins in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains, G1 Prix du Jockey Club, the G1 Prix de Diane and G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, said, “She is a lovely consistent filly and we have been blessed this year, but only because we're very lucky to train so many well-bred horses. Ryan gave her a great ride and she loves racing and takes it well. She's a very professional filly, she settles very well, relaxes and then quickens. She doesn't do that much then she gets to the front and waits a little bit, but that's not a bad trait. I think we'll probably stay at a mile, she's professional at a mile and she likes the pace that the milers go. I'd say the [Aug. 15 G1] Prix Jacques le Marois is definitely a possibility, because she is so professional but we'll see how she comes out of it and see what the lads want to do. All those races are open to her, she was in the Breeders' Cup last year and she ran a big race and was finishing well that day.”

Mikel Delzangles said of Sagamiyra, “We are never happy to be second, but the filly fully lived up to our expectations and she proved courageous. She is a genuine miler who may perhaps go a bit longer. Up against genuine high-class opposition, she really battled until the bitter end. It's obvious that it's better to be racing along the rail at Deauville, but, given her eight draw, this was always going to be a tough task. Regarding the future, nothing is decided. However, there are numerous options open to her–even if it isn't easy travelling this year.”

Frederic Rossi retains hope that Speak of the Devil can make the breakthrough after going so close again. “Stephane Pasquier has given the filly a peach of a ride. When she loomed on the scene going the final 200 metres, I thought that she was going to win because she has a powerful finishing kick,” he commented. “There was nothing in it at the finish and it proves that she can win her group 1 race before the end of the season, although I don't know which one it will be yet. To be in the line-up of the Prix Rothschild was already quite a daring gambit, but wow! I'm really happy. Especially as the filly carries of the colours of an owner that I have a lot of time for and which is investing in the yard. I hope that we will have enjoy many years of considerable success together.”

Mother Earth is out of Many Colours (GB) (Green Desert), who captured the Listed Dance Design S. and was second in the G3 Denny Cordell & Lanwades Stud Fillies S. before producing the G2 Premio Dormello winner Night Colours (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}). The second dam First of Many (GB) (Darshaan {GB}) is a full-sister to the G3 Lillie Langtry S. runner-up Without a Trace (Ire) and a half to the Listed Marygate S. winner Patience Alexander (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) who was also third in the G3 Albany S. She is related to the G3 Anglesey S. and G3 Molecomb S. winner Lady Alexander (Ire) (Night Shift), dam of the G3 Palace House S.-winning sire of note Dandy Man (Ire) (Mozart {Ire}) and to Anthem Alexander (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) who took the G2 Queen Mary S. and was placed in the G1 Cheveley Park S. and G1 Commonwealth Cup. Many Colours' yearling filly is by Sioux Nation.

Tuesday, Deauville, France
PRIX ROTHSCHILD-G1, €300,000, Deauville, 8-3, 3yo/up, f/m, 8fT, 1:35.81, sf.
1–MOTHER EARTH (IRE), 123, f, 3, by Zoffany (Ire)
1st Dam: Many Colours (GB) (SW & GSP-Ire, MSP-UAE, $276,926), by Green Desert
2nd Dam: First of Many (GB), by Darshaan (GB)
3rd Dam: Star Profile (Ire), by Sadler's Wells
(€150,000 Ylg '19 GOFOR). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Grenane House Stud (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. €171,420. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Eng, GSW-Ire & GISP-US, 13-3-4-5, €891,004. *1/2 to Night Colours (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}), GSW-Ity, $139,607. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Sagamiyra (Fr), 130, f, 4, Sea The Moon (Ger)–Saghaniya (Fr), by Rock of Gibraltar (Ire). O-H H The Aga Khan; B-H H The Aga Khan's Studs SC (FR); T-Mikel Delzangles. €68,580.
3–Speak Of The Devil (Fr), 130, f, 4, Wootton Bassett (GB)–Moranda (Fr), by Indian Rocket (GB). (€45,000 Wlg '17 ARQDE; €62,000 Ylg '18 AROCT). O-Rashit Shaykhutdinov; B-Herve Viallon (FR); T-Frederic Rossi. €34,290.
Margins: HD, SHD, SHD. Odds: 1.90, 10.00, 33.00.
Also Ran: Rougir (Fr), Belle Image (Ire), Coeursamba (Fr), Primo Bacio (Ire), Tahlie (Fr), Parent's Prayer (Ire), No Speak Alexander (Ire), Novemba (Ger), Padovana (Fr), Axana (Ger), Queen of Love (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.

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As usual, the foreign presence is strong and foreboding, with Aidan O'Brien looking to continue his golden year in France with Mother Earth (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}). Successful in the G1 1000 Guineas at Newmarket May 2, she has since run second to Coeursamba (Fr) (The Wow Signal {Ire}) in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches at ParisLongchamp May 16, third in the G1 Coronation S. at Royal Ascot June 18 and runner-up again in the G1 Falmouth S. on Newmarket's July course. The form of that July 9 contest could hardly have worked out better at Goodwood this week, with Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never) and Snow Lantern (GB) (Frankel {GB}) making their presence felt in the G1 Sussex S. and the fourth-placed Lady Bowthorpe (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) scooping the G1 Nassau S.

Fifth in the Falmouth and finishing strongly to beaten just over a length in total, David Ward's Listed Michael Seely Memorial S. winner Primo Bacio (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}) tries again with trainer Ed Walker expecting her to be in the mix.

“I'm very hopeful,” he said. “She's only had three runs this year and the only time she had an uninterrupted passage she absolutely trotted up. She is massively exciting and she's in great form. We haven't had to do a lot with her since the Falmouth to keep her happy and well. This year, we seem to have found the hottest renewal of the Falmouth in history. We've got to turn the form round with Mother Earth, which I wouldn't bet against her doing. We're just hoping we have a smooth trip and if she does I think she'll be bang there.”

Of the home team, the Katsumi Yoshida-owned Coeursamba, who after her Pouliches victory has subsequently finished 11th trying the 10 1/2-furlong trip of the G1 Prix de Diane at Chantilly June 20, and Teruya Yoshida's acquisition Tahlie (Fr) (Rio de la Plata) appear to hold the strongest claims. Tahlie beat the Pouliches third Kennella (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}) in the G2 Prix de Sandringham at Chantilly June 6, but needs to improve significantly to put it up to the raiding party.

Germany are well-represented, with Gestut Brummerhof's Novemba (Ger) (Gleneagles {Ire}) and Cayton Park Stud Ltd and Team Valor's Axana (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}). Novemba was the impressive winner of the May 30 G2 German 1000 Guineas at Dusseldorf before finishing a respectable fourth in the Coronation and is set to give jockey Bauyrzhan Murzabayev the ultimate thrill, while Axana faces the sternest test of her career having annexed Lingfield's G3 Chartwell Fillies' S. over seven furlongs May 8.

Colts Eye Group 3 Laurel

The card kicks off with two races for juveniles headed by the six-furlong G3 Darley Prix de Cabourg, where John and Jess Dance's Sam Maximus (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) could set off another spree for overseas challengers who perennially farm the black-type races at this meeting.

Setting the clear form standard on his latest third in the G2 July S. at Newmarket July 8, where the subsequent G2 Richmond S. winner Asymmetric (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}) was a head in front in second, the Tom Dascombe-trained bay has a trio of domestically-trained unexposed colts to contend with. They are Gerard Augustin-Normand's impressive July 13 Prix des Yearlings winner Toimy Son (Fr) (Twilight Son {GB}) from the Yann Barberot stable, Hollymount Stud France's Sunday Best (Fr) (Dabirsim {Fr}), who was a five-length winner also over this course and distance July 13, and the Andre Fabre-trained Trident (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier and Westerberg's bay beat a subsequent winner over 6 1/2 furlongs on a testing surface at ParisLongchamp June 24 and it is interesting that the master of Chantilly pitches him in here in the race he has won on seven occasions.

Hunt For Perfection

In the G3 Prix Six Perfections Sky Sports Racing, Fabre also has the exciting unbeaten Zellie (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) who has been purchased by Ali Hamad Al Attiya after her dazzling success in the Listed Prix Roland de Chambure over this seven-furlong trip and track July 11. George Boughey sends across Nick Bradley Racing's Galileo Gold (GB) duo Oscula (Ire) and Hellomydarlin (Ire), with the pair third and 12th respectively in the six-furlong G3 Albany S. at Royal Ascot June 18. The former was fourth next time in the G2 Duchess of Cambridge S. at Newmarket July 9, while Hellomydarlin managed third in the G2 Prix Robert Papin also over six at Chantilly July 18.

“The ground was too quick for Oscula at Newmarket last time,” Boughey said. “It looks like there's a bit of ease out there this time, which should suit her. She was third in the Albany on heavy and then it was very soft ground on Oaks day when she won the Woodcote. She's rated 100, goes there in good shape, so I think she has a good chance. Jockey reports and everything I've seen have always suggested Hellomydarlin would get seven. She's a big, strong filly and goes there with a decent chance as well. They worked together the other day and they worked as well as each other. Obviously one will beat the other, but where they finish, I'm not sure.”

Another British raider is Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum's Daneh (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who was impressive when beating a subsequent winner in a novice over this trip on her sole start on Kempton's Polytrack June 23. A daughter of the top-class Rizeena (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}), she is an unknown quantity in this line-up.

“She won very well at Kempton and we thought she deserved a chance in a stakes race,” Ed Crisford commented. “We were going to run her in a listed race at Sandown the other day, but it was very firm ground and she wouldn't want that. It still looks a very punchy affair out there, but she's in good form and I think she's come on again from her first run so we're expecting a good run from her.”

Also in the mix is Alain Jathiere and Guy Pariente's Pascal Bary-trained Lovamour (Fr) (Goken {Fr}), who took a 5 1/2-furlong Chantilly maiden June 20 which has received several boosts and in which the aforementioned Cabourg contender Sunday Best was third, and The Aga Khan's impressive July 15 Chantilly conditions winner Soumera (Fr) (Charm Spirit {Ire}).

Angel Hoping to Earn Halo in Psyche

The 10-furlong G3 Prix de Psyche Sky Sports Racing features the June 4 G1 Epsom Oaks runner-up Mystery Angel (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) who is another Nick Bradley-Boughey project excelling above expectations.

“It seems everywhere she goes, the rain follows her. She's in very good form–she's been busy, but she takes her racing incredibly well,” her trainer said. “She's not bred to get a mile and a quarter or a mile and a half, but I think because she's so relaxed she's able to. We'll probably look to make plenty of use of her and get on the front. James Doyle will know that she stays a mile and a half well and be pretty positive on her.”

Among her seven opponents are Irish challenger The Blue Brilliant, who moves up in class in search of her hat-trick for Jessica Harrington.

Click here to view the group fields.

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A fourth 1000 Guineas for Dettori means that between the winning riders of the two weekend Classics there is a grand total of 104 years. Like Saturday's hero Kevin Manning, Frankie has a wealth of experience which is invaluable in these clashes and he was in typically ebullient form as he celebrated his 20th Classic victory. “Come on the oldies. We can still do it!” he said. “Aidan gave me a lot of confidence. I rode her cold, followed Ryan and kicked at the top of the hill. I knew she'd get home and I was able to enjoy it. I think she'll get a mile and a quarter. She's very easy to handle and she's very brave. She's not very big, but she's got a big engine.”

Introduced as soon as the Irish flat season resumed after the lockdown last June, Mother Earth was second to the precocious Frenetic (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) over an extended five furlongs at Navan before finishing a distant third in the G3 Albany S. nine days later at Royal Ascot. Backed up quickly when a four-length winner of the Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Fillies' Sprint over the same six-furlong trip at Naas, she looked in need of further when third behind Aloha Star (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) and old rival Frenetic in The Curragh's G2 Airlie Stud S. Her subsequent performance when third behind TDN Rising Star Pretty Gorgeous (Fr) (Lawman {Fr}) in the G2 Debutante S. again at The Curragh in August suggested that even seven furlongs was insufficient, but when Seamie Heffernan attempted to employ her stamina from the front in the G1 Moyglare Stud S. the plan backfired and she faded to 11th.

In a now-notorious error, Mother Earth was third in the Fillies' Mile where her number cloth was mixed up with stablemate Snowfall (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) but after all the focus on that mistake had died away her performance when chasing home Pretty Gorgeous and another TDN Rising Star in Indigo Girl (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) was clearly another step up. Very few fillies can start so early and end up running such a strong race in a Breeders' Cup contest, but she proved one of those rarities as she charged late to narrow the winning margin of Aunt Pearl (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) in the Juvenile Fillies Turf. It was significant that she was chosen to go with Santa Barbara to Newmarket and with Frankie boasting such a fine strike-rate for the stable ultimately no surprise that she came through for a stable that now focuses intently on this Classic and its fillies in general.

“The fillies live close to each other and everyone was delighted with both of them,” O'Brien said. “The race went lovely and we were delighted with Santa Barbara–we got a great run out of her and she'll head for the [June 4 G1 Epsom] Oaks now with Mother Earth going for the [G1] Irish 1000 Guineas [at The Curragh May 23]. Going into the dip on fast ground, it wouldn't surprise you that Santa Barbara was green but she would have learnt a lot. She's an unbelievably beautiful big, powerful filly with everything in the right place. Mother Earth is a very good filly, always was, and she put her head down and ran to the line. She is very tough and very genuine and obviously Zoffany is a big loss.”

“It was unfair to Santa Barbara to come, but we had to with a view to coming back for the Oaks,” O'Brien continued. “Ryan said he would have liked to have waited longer, but he saw Frankie coming on his outside and he had to go. We never took her off the bridle at home–today was her first time. Hopefully she'll come out of it okay and it will do her good. We were never going to over-race her and wanted to limit the amount of times she ran, with a late-season campaign planned after the Oaks.”

Saffron Beach's trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam said of the runner-up, “It would have been the quickest ground she has been on, but she can handle it because she is versatile as you saw in the Oh So Sharp on good-to-soft and here on the quicker ground. We are just all thrilled and I'm sure the owners are highly delighted. This time last year, she wasn't even in training. She has seen the mile out 100 per cent. I knew she would get the mile and I know she will get a mile and a quarter as well. There is a good one in her.” Richard Fahey had made no secret beforehand of his expectations of Fev Rover and her performance was justification of that. “We were delighted with her–it wasn't a truly-run race really,” her trainer commented. “Paul [Hanagan] felt the ground was a bit quick for her and she just rolled about a bit, but you'd have to be happy with that. She probably will go further in time and a bit of juice in the ground doesn't bother her at all. She's in the Irish Guineas and that was going to be the plan–that or Royal Ascot.”

On a weekend where Jim Bolger has been omnipresent where it mattered, it was the master of Coolcullen who initially campaigned the dam Many Colours (GB) (Green Desert) and drew from her a win in the Listed Dance Design S. and second in the G3 Denny Cordell & Lanwades Stud Fillies S. before she switched to Saeed bin Suroor. It took her a while to produce a black-type performer, but 12 years after her own exploits in that sphere she had the G2 Premio Dormello winner Night Colours (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) in October 2019. Earlier that month, Mother Earth had been a relatively cheap €150,000 purchase by M V Magnier at the Goffs Orby in what would amount to yet another piece of prescience from Coolmore. Many Colours's latest produce are a yearling filly by Sioux Nation and a colt foal by Zoffany.

Mother Earth becomes the first Classic winner for her sire, who was taken from the industry all too soon given his recent rise to prominence. Many Colours was the leading performer for First of Many (GB) (Darshaan {GB}), in turn a full-sister to the G3 Lillie Langtry S. runner-up Without a Trace (Ire) and a half to the Listed Marygate S. winner Patience Alexander (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) who was also third in the Albany. She is connected to the G3 Anglesey S. and G3 Molecomb S. winner Lady Alexander (Ire) (Night Shift), dam of the G3 Palace House S.-winning successful sire Dandy Man (Ire) (Mozart {Ire}) and to Anthem Alexander (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) who took the G2 Queen Mary S. and was placed in the G1 Cheveley Park S. and G1 Commonwealth Cup.

Sunday, Newmarket, Britain
QIPCO 1000 GUINEAS S.-G1, £375,000, Newmarket, 5-2, 3yo, f, 8fT, 1:36.37, g/f.
1–MOTHER EARTH (IRE), 126, f, 3, by Zoffany (Ire)
     1st Dam: Many Colours (GB) (SW & GSP-Ire, MSP-UAE, $276,926), by Green Desert
     2nd Dam: First of Many (GB), by Darshaan (GB)
     3rd Dam: Star Profile (Ire), by Sadler's Wells
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (€150,000 Ylg '19 GOFOR). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Grenane House Stud (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Frankie Dettori. £212,663. Lifetime Record: GSW-Ire & GISP-US, 9-2-2-4, $590,961. *1/2 to Night Colours (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}), GSW-Ity, $139,607. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Saffron Beach (Ire), 126, f, 3, New Bay (GB)–Falling Petals (Ire), by Raven's Pass. (55,000gns Wlg '18 TATFOA). O-Mrs B V Sangster, J Wigan & O Sangster; B-China Horse Club International Ltd (IRE); T-Jane Chapple-Hyam. £80,625.
3–Fev Rover (Ire), 126, f, 3, Gutaifan (Ire)–Laurelita (Ire), by High Chaparral (Ire). (£20,000 Ylg '19 GOFFPR). O-Nick Bradley Racing 43 & Partner; B-Manister House Stud (IRE); T-Richard Fahey. £40,350.
Margins: 1, NK, NO. Odds: 10.00, 9.00, 22.00.
Also Ran: Santa Barbara (Ire), Alcohol Free (Ire), Vadream (GB), Sacred (GB), Statement (Ire), Star of Emaraaty (Ire), Seattle Rock (GB), Thunder Beauty (Ire). Scratched: Lullaby Moon (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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“Since the incident at Newmarket, additional ID checks have been in place at major Flat fixtures to minimize the risk of a reoccurrence,” said a BHA spokesperson. “A longer-term piece of work has been ongoing since October to look at the additional resource, technology and funding required to implement a further ID check once horses are saddled.

“It is particularly challenging in the current environment due to the additional resourcing requirements that the BHA's Covid-19 protocols already place upon staffing levels, but additional checks are being carried out on a discretionary basis.

“We will continue the work looking at the feasibility of implementing an additional check following saddling permanently and communicate any changes to participants and the public as necessary.”

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Aidan’s other contender Snowfall (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was fourth behind Donnacha’s Shale (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Joseph’s TDN Rising Star Pretty Gorgeous (Fr) (Lawman {Fr}) in the G3 Silver Flash S. over this seven-furlong trip at Leopardstown Aug. 6 and that form could be key. One notable withdrawal from the Silver Flash was Jim Bolger’s 11-length July 28 Galway maiden scorer Meala (Ire) (Epaulette {Aus) and she will pose fierce opposition to the O’Briens if in the same heart.

One domestic pattern race that Aidan does not hold the record in is the Futurity, where the late great Dr Vincent O’Brien still holds sway with his 16 renewals. Just three behind at this stage, the current master of Ballydoyle has won six of the last seven and the last four and it is significant that Heffernan sticks with the maiden Van Gogh (American Pharoah) who was a neck second to the stable’s Military Style (War Front) in Leopardstown’s G3 Tyros S. over this seven-furlong trip Aug. 6. Whether Van Gogh is another Giant’s Causeway, Hawk Wing, Gleneagles (Ire) or Churchill (Ire) remains to be seen, but as a son of the Triple Crown hero and the operation’s 2001 G1 Epsom Oaks and G1 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Imagine (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells) he is a truly special commodity.

Missing from the Tyros as Leopardstown’s ground firmed up was Alpha Racing 2020’s Cadillac (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), who had impressed when winning by nine lengths on debut over that course and distance July 1. This easy surface will suit ideally and Jessie Harrington could be celebrating another major win with a son of the sire after the G1 Phoenix S. success of Lucky Vega (Ire) earlier this month. “He’s in great form, he’s doing very well,” Harrington said. “The only reason I didn’t run him at Leopardstown was because the ground was very quick that day. I took him out then, but he has been in great form since and we’re hoping for a big run from him.”

Other important 2-year-old action takes place at Deauville, with the G2 Shadwell Prix du Calvados featuring two significant overseas raiders in the July 21 Listed Star S. winner Fev Rover (Ire) (Gutaifan {Ire}) and the O’Callaghans’ impressive July 7 Roscommon maiden scorer No Speak Alexander (Ire) (Shalaa {Ire}) with the stranded Frankie booked for the ride on the latter. He also partners the July 5 G2 Oaks d’Italia heroine Auyantepui (GB) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) in the G2 Shadwell Prix de la Nonette, but she should at best be playing second-fiddle to the sponsors’ five-length June 14 G1 Prix Saint Alary winner Tawkeel (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) in that 10-furlong contest.

At York, the G2 Sky Bet City of York S. sees Lael Stable’s dual G1 Prix de la Foret heroine One Master (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) look to build on her latest success over this seven-furlong trip in the G3 Oak Tree S. at Goodwood July 31. She should be a tough nut to crack with conditions ideal, but Roger Varian could have thrown a spanner in the works by dropping San Donato (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) back in trip following his eyecatching effort when sixth in the G1 Sussex S. also at Goodwood July 29.

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Two lengths behind Persian King when third in the Jockey Club and suffering his sole career reversal, Sheikh Hamdan’s Motamarris (Ire) (Le Havre {Ire}) was like that rival subsequently sidelined for the remainder of 2019. Back with a confidence-boosting four-length win in the June 20 Listed Grand Prix de Compiegne over 10 furlongs, the homebred has significant potential if Freddy Head can get a clear run with him this term. There is a 3-year-old in the line-up and Alan Spence’s Positive (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) warrants respect on his juvenile form. He beat Kameko (Kitten’s Joy) and Al Suhail (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the seven-furlong G3 Solario S. at Sandown in August and it is significant that Clive Cox steps him up in trip after his comeback fourth in the G1 St James’s Palace S. at Royal Ascot June 20. “He’s in very good form and we’re looking forward to running him,” his trainer said. “I thought he ran a very good race at Royal Ascot. He’s a horse we’ve always held in high regard and hopefully he can continue to progress. I think he’s a worthy contender in a Group 1 and we’re looking forward to trying him over an extra furlong.”

In the G2 Darley Prix Robert Papin, Qatar Racing’s June 19 G2 Norfolk S. scorer The Lir Jet (Ire) (Prince of Lir {Ire}) has scared off all bar three rivals in a poor turnout. Heading the opposition is Alain Jathiere’s July 2 G3 Prix du Bois runner-up Axdavali (Fr) (Goken {Fr}), but trainer Michael Bell is confident his colt has a distinct edge. “We’ve been happy with our horse since Ascot. It’s a small field and it will be interesting to see how the English 2-year-old form equates to the French 2-year-old form–on paper it looks like we’ve got the best form by some way,” he said. “Stepping up to six furlongs shouldn’t be an issue–he hit the line strongly over five at Ascot and it took Oisin [Murphy] a while to pull him up, which is always a good sign.”

More high-profile juvenile action is on tap at The Curragh, where the six-furlong G2 Airlie Stud S. where SBA Racing Limited’s June 27 Listed First Flier S. winner Frenetic (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) is the headline act. She encounters a pair of Ballydoyle representatives in the impressive July 4 G3 Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Fillies’ Sprint S. winner Mother Earth  (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) and ‘TDN Rising Star’ More Beautiful (War Front), with the latter having been withdrawn from Newmarket’s G2 Duchess of Cambridge S. when the ground turned soft.

Also at The Curragh is the G2 Holden Plant Rentals Sapphire S. over five furlongs, where Shaikh Duaij Al Khalifa’s 3-year-old A’Ali (Ire) (Society Rock {Ire}) seeks a fifth group win and fourth at this level having taken a competitive edition of the July 5 G3 Sandown Sprint S. He will have to contend with the triple listed scorer and track specialist Make a Challenge (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), who again proved his liking for this circuit when capturing the July 10 Listed Midsummer Sprint S. over 5 1/2 furlongs.

The Curragh also plays host to the nine-furlong G2 Kilboy Estate S., where Peter Brant’s acquisition Lemista (Ire) (Raven’s Pass) bids for a three-timer having annexed the G3 Park Express S. over a mile at Naas Mar. 23 and Gowran Park’s Listed Victor McCalmont Memorial S. over an extended nine furlongs June 19. Craig Bernick’s June 21 G3 Blue Wind S. winner One Voice (Ire) (Poet’s Voice {GB}), Ballydoyle’s July 13 Listed Cairn Rouge S. scorer Lovelier (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and The Aga Khan’s ‘TDN Rising Star’ Ridenza (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) add ballast to an intriguing affair.

Click here for the group fields.

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