“He's a lovely horse, he has loads of speed, he's tough, genuine and hardy,” said Aidan O'Brien after notching a seventh renewal. “He ran a lovely race first time back at [Royal] Ascot this year and the plan was to come here and go on to the [G1] Sussex [at Goodwood] with him. Obviously he's a Breeders Cup Mile winner so he has plenty of class and, as he's getting older, he's getting quicker and stronger. He was working very well going to Ascot, but it was his first run [of the year] so he had to tire a little bit and that's what he did do. He's very straight forward to ride, he's very sound and we're delighted with him. The plan is to go to the Sussex and finish up at the Breeders Cup and he could go to Hong Kong and do all those races. He's at that great age now that he's seasoned, has experience, and he's quicker this year which is great. That'll be a big help in those big races.”

Pedigree Notes:

Order Of Australia, one of his sire's five top-level winners, is kin to a pair of elite-level scorers, viz multiple Group 1-winning GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine Iridessa (Ire) (Ruler Of The World {Ire}) and last term's GI Belmont Oaks Invitational heroine Santa Barbara (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). Their dam Senta's Dream (GB) (Danehill) is one of only two foals produced by GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare and GI Matriarch S. victrix Starine (Fr) (Mendocino). Starine, in turn, is a half-sister to G3 Prix Minerve third Pearlescence (Pleasantly Perfect), with both being out of a half-sister to the dam of Listed Criterium du Bequet third Weld Elven (Fr) (Kendor {Fr}).

Sunday, Curragh, Ireland
ROMANISED MINSTREL S.-G2, €120,000, Curragh, 7-17, 3yo/up, 7fT, 1:25.24, gd.
1–ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (IRE), 136, h, 5, by Australia (GB)
1st Dam: Senta's Dream (GB), by Danehill
2nd Dam: Starine (Fr), by Mendocino
3rd Dam: Grisonnante (Fr), by Kaldoun (Fr)
O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Mrs A M O'Brien; B-Whisperview Trading Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. €72,000. Lifetime Record: Hwt. 3yo-Ire at 7-9.5f, Hwt. Older Horse-Ire at 7-9.5f, GISW-US, MG1SP-Fr & G1SP-Eng, 17-5-1-3, $1,678,275. *1/2 to Iridessa (Ire) (Ruler Of The World {Ire}), MG1SW-Ire, G1SW-Eng & GISW-US, $1,988,198; and Santa Barbara (Ire) (Camelot {GB}, MGISW-US & G1SP-Ire, $731,938. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Pearls Galore (Fr), 133, m, 5, Invincible Spirit (Ire)–Pearl Banks (GB), by Pivotal (GB). O/B-SCEA Haras de Saint Pair du Mont (FR); T-Paddy Twomey. €24,000.
3–Dr Zempf (GB), 129, c, 3, Dark Angel (Ire)–Souvenir Delondres (Fr), by Siyouni (Fr). (420,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Peter M Brant; B-Stratford Place Stud (GB); T-Ger Lyons. €12,000.
Margins: 3HF, HF, 3HF. Odds: 0.80, 1.88, 6.50.
Also Ran: Prisoner's Dilemma (GB), Real Appeal (Ger). Scratched: Snapraeterea (Ire). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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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.

Unbeaten in three starts this season, Palace Pier, a son of Kingman (GB) secured his place in the Grade 1 FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile on June 15 when capturing the “Win and You're In” Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.

After bypassing the Group 1 Qatar Sussex Stakes due to a blood disorder, the 4-year-old will face seven rivals in France, including Mrs. J. S. Bolger's two-time Group 1 winner Poetic Flare (IRE).

Winner of the Group 1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas and the Group 1 St James's Palace Stakes, Poetic Flare was last seen finishing second in the G1 Qatar Sussex Stakes on testing ground on July 28. Trainer Jim Bolger believes his 3-year-old colt will improve from that performance.

“It was the ground at Goodwood,” Bolger said. “The filly [Alcohol Free (IRE)] was very good but it was a sub-par run for him. It was very tacky ground that day. He is so much better on good ground. This horse has all the class in the world, he's very quick, and any sort of a reasonably run race will suit him.”

Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Mrs. A.M. O'Brien's Order of Australia (IRE), the defending G1 FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile champion, has been entered by trainer Aidan O'Brien. The 4-year-old son of Australia (GB) finished fifth behind Poetic Flare in the G1 Qatar Sussex Stakes.

The 4-year-old filly Alpine Star (IRE), owned and bred by the Niarchos Family, will seek to go one better than last year. Runner-up behind Palace Pier in 2020, one of three occasions the 2020 Group 1 Coronation Stakes heroine placed second in Group 1 company, Alpine Star returns to Deauville after finishing second in her seasonal debut in the listed British Stallion Studs EBF Lyric Fillies' Stakes.

“It's a very good renewal of the race,” said her trainer, Jessica Harrington. “She's in good form and a stronger filly this year. Hopefully, it will be the slow side of good. Shane Foley takes the ride and I hope she will run a big race.”

Andre Fabre has won the Group 1 Prix Jacques Le Marois more than any other trainer in its history with seven victories. He has entered the Godolphin-owned Victor Ludorum (GB) and Midtown (GB).

Winner of the Group 1 Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) over course and distance in June 2020, this year Victor Ludorum bounced back from two defeats to win the Group 3 Prix Messidor at Chantilly last time out on July 18. He is joined by his lightly raced stablemate Midtown, a 3-year-old son of Dubawi (IRE) out of a Diktat (GB) mare First City (GB), who was last seen finishing a credible third in only his third start in the Group 1 Haras d'Etreham Prix Jean Prat.

Group 3 winner Ecrivain (FR), trained by Carlos Laffon-Parias, and British challenger Chindit (IRE), trained by Richard Hannon, complete the field.

As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois winner to start in the G1 FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile, which will be run at a mile on the Del Mar turf course. 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 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 Palace Pier, Poetic Flare To Clash For Breeders’ Cup Mile Berth In Deauville Group 1 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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“We've always had a very high opinion of her, she's done nothing but improve with each run and she's been running very well,” said winning trainer Joseph O'Brien. “Today we said we'd let her bowl along and she loved it. Maybe we were restricting her a bit much before and letting her bowl along today allowed her to get into a great rhythm. She galloped, they didn't let her go and they followed her along all the way. She's a good filly and I'd say she'll go further too. The dam won a mile-and-six [furlong] Listed race so she could certainly go a mile at two anyway. We'll probably head for the [G2] Debutante with her now.”

Agartha, half-sister to a yearling colt by Churchill (Ire), is the first of two foals produced by Listed Stanerra S. victrix and G3 Irish St Leger Trial third Arya Tara (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}). Arya Tara is the leading performer out of a winning half-sister to G1 Prix Ganay-winning sire Astarabad (alleged) and Listed Trigo S. victrix Asmara (Lear Fan). Descendants of the latter include MG1SW sire Azamour (Ire) (Night Shift), MG1SW Australian champion The Autumn Sun (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}) and G1SP G2 Futurity S.-winning sire Arazan (Ire) (Anabaa).

Thursday, Leopardstown, Ireland
FRANK CONROY SILVER FLASH S.-G3, €50,000, Leopardstown, 7-22, 2yo, f, 7f 20yT, 1:29.55, gd.
1–AGARTHA (IRE), 128, f, 2, by Caravaggio
1st Dam: Arya Tara (Ire) (SW & GSP-Ire), by Dylan Thomas (Ire)
2nd Dam: Anadiyla (Ire), by Barathea (Ire)
3rd Dam: Anaza (Ire), by Darshaan (GB)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Mrs A M O'Brien; B-Whisperview Trading Ltd (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien; J-Declan McDonogh. €30,000. Lifetime Record: 5-1-2-2, $46,218. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Juncture (GB), 128, f, 2, Dark Angel (Ire)–Occurrence (GB), by Frankel (GB). O-Juddmonte; B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd (GB); T-Ger Lyons. €10,000.
3–Seisai (Ire), 128, f, 2, Gleneagles (Ire)–Lillebonne (Fr), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). (€40,000 Wlg '19 GOFNOV; £78,000 Ylg '20 GOFOR). O-Simon Munir & Isaac Souede; B-Peter Henley, John Connolly & Pattern Bloodstock (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien. €5,000.
Margins: 2 3/4, HF, 1HF. Odds: 16.00, 2.00, 6.00.
Also Ran: Prettiest, Sablonne (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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“Declan [McDonogh] gave her a lovely ride, she's a good filly and won nicely,” said winning trainer Joseph O'Brien. “She's always shown a lot of speed at home, but she's from a staying family. Today she looked quick and she's a Group 2 winner now so whatever happens from here on in is a bonus. I suppose the [G1] Cheveley Park [S. at Newmarket] would be the longer term target. Gleneagles probably wasn't very fashionable last year, but he's a good stallion and trade is very fashion orientated.”

Velocidad, half-sister to a yearling filly by Adaay (Ire), becomes the sixth pattern-race winner for her sire and the first at group level for her dam. She is the fifth of six foals and one of two scorers produced by Astrantia (GB) (Dansili {GB}), who is a full-sister to MGSW sire Strategic Prince (GB) (Dansili {GB}). The February-foaled chestnut's granddam, MGSP Listed Lingfield Oaks Trial victrix Ausherra (Diesis {GB}), is a full-sister to MG1SW European champion Ramruma. Ausherra's descendants also include G1 Spring Champion S. heroine and G1 VRC Oaks placegetter Montefilia (Aus) (Kermadec {NZ}). Ausherra is a daughter of Princess of Man (Ire) (Green God {Ire}), who won the G3 Musidora S. and threw Listed Chester H. victor Royal Scimitar (Diesis {GB}). Princess of Man is also the second dam of G1 Caulfield Cup hero All The Good (Ire) (Diesis {GB}).

Sunday, Curragh, Ireland
AIRLIE STUD S. (BALANCHINE S.)-G2, €100,000, Curragh, 6-27, 2yo, f, 6fT, 1:15.29, g/f.
1–VELOCIDAD (GB), 128, f, 2, by Gleneagles (Ire)
1st Dam: Astrantia (GB), by Dansili (GB)
2nd Dam: Ausherra, by Diesis (GB)
3rd Dam: Princess of Man (Ire), by Green God (Ire)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (25,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Mrs A M O'Brien; B-Bugley Stud & D B Clark (GB); T-Joseph O'Brien; J-Declan McDonogh. €60,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $85,999. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Yet, 128, f, 2, War Front–Butterflies (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). O-Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Westerberg; B-Orpendale, Wynatt & Chelston (KY); T-Aidan O'Brien. €20,000.
3–Cheerupsleepyjean (Fr), 128, f, 2, Starspangledbanner (Aus)–Time Will Tell (Fr), by Wootton Bassett (GB). (€35,000 Wlg '19 ARQDE; £35,000 Ylg '20 GOFFUK). O-Mrs Paul Shanahan, Mrs M V Magnier & Mrs T Stack; B-Xavier Malaviolle (FR); T-Fozzy Stack. €10,000.
Margins: 2 1/4, 1 3/4, 2 3/4. Odds: 2.13, 4.00, 1.00.
Also Ran: Missing Matron (Ire). Scratched: Eternal Gold (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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“I think he’s a smart horse. He went to a barrier trial a couple of weeks ago and did it well,” Joseph O’Brien’s representative Brendan Powell commented. “He’s typical of a Zoffany, very relaxed and a lovely-natured horse. He’s got a lot of filling out to do. Declan said he didn’t even have to hit him. He was just niggling him and as soon as he really grabbed hold of him, gave him a squeeze, he picked up and found that turn of foot. That’s a good asset to have. He’ll make up into a lovely three-year-old. He stays the trip well and he’s got a good future.”

Thunder Moon’s unraced Moyglare Stud-bred dam Small Sacrifice (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells) was bought by Anne Marie O’Brien for just €18,000 at the 2007 Goffs November Mares Sale. She has subsequently produced the Listed Sir Henry Cecil S. winner Table Rock (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), who was later renamed Anticipation (Ire) in Hong Kong, SW-Eng, SP-HK, $643,136. Small Sacrifice is a half to the G3 Horris Hill S. third Aahaykid (Ire) (Intikhab) and is a full-sister to Out of Thanks (Ire) who produced the G3 Sirenia S. winner Love Lockdown (Ire) (Verglas {Ire}). Another of her half-siblings Tiny Petal (Ire) (Grand Lodge) threw the G1 Criterium International hero Vert de Grece (Ire) also by Verglas. The third dam is the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Trusted Partner (Affirmed), whose leading performer was the high-class GI Matriarch S. heroine Dress To Thrill (Ire) (Danehill) and her full-sister Polished Gem (Ire). She in turn is responsible for six black-type winners, including the G1 Prince of Wales’s S.-winning sire Free Eagle (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}), last year’s G1 Irish St Leger heroine Search For a Song (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and the G2 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares S. winner Sapphire (Ire) (Medicean {GB}). Small Sacrifice also has a yearling colt by Caravaggio.

1st-Curragh, €16,500, Mdn, 8-9, 2yo, 7fT, 1:26.67, gd.
THUNDER MOON (IRE), c, 2, by Zoffany (Ire)
1st Dam: Small Sacrifice (Ire), by Sadler’s Wells
2nd Dam: Trust In Luck (Ire), by Nashwan
3rd Dam: Trusted Partner, by Affirmed
1ST-TIME STARTER. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $11,667. O-Mrs A M O’Brien; B-Whisperview Trading Ltd (IRE); T-Joseph O’Brien. Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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