Newmarket | Horse Racing Free Tips

Guineas Clues Aplenty in Nell Gwyn Poser

While the 2000 Guineas picture looks more or less clear at present, the fillies' equivalent is much less so with the retirement of Commissioning (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and the attendance of Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) currently in the balance. Perhaps Newmarket's seven-furlong G3 Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn S., always a key trial for the Classic, will provide even sharper focus on Wednesday as several likely types gather on the Rowley Mile. Frankie Dettori's winning return to the UK on Tuesday bodes well as he climbs aboard Juddmonte's exciting Coppice (GB) (Kingman {GB}), who dazzled on debut at Kempton in October and bids to fill the Commissioning-sized hole for the John and Thady Gosden armada.

“She has the double-edged sword of stepping out of maiden company and her first time on grass, which is never ideal,” Juddmonte's Barry Mahon said. “But she is a nice filly and hopefully she can run a good race that might lead us to a Classic somewhere if she runs well.”

Fast Tracked to the Big Time
Like Coppice, Barnane Stud's Girl Racer (Ire) (No Nay Never) also impressed on the all-weather on her racecourse bow but unlike her has just a three-week gap to bridge from novice company to this high standard. The daughter of the fittingly-titled South African starlet In The Fast Lane (SAf) (Jet Master {SAf}) looked a strong prospect at Wolverhampton, of that there is no doubt, but these are deep waters for one so inexperienced even from the William Haggas stable. Keeping to the theme of once-raced Classic pretenders, there is another Gosden representative with just a Kempton novice score to her name in George Strawbridge's Inner Space (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), a daughter of the luminary Journey (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) who may need more time, while Cheveley Park Stud's silks are carried by the similarly regally-bred Karsavina (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}). The Clive Cox trainee has already won over this track and trip on her sole start in October and has help from the genes, descending from one of the finest 1000 Guineas heroines in Russian Rhythm (Kingmambo).

“She really impressed with her maiden success over course and distance last autumn,” Cox commented. “She's a filly that has strengthened over the winter and we're pleased that she has done well and given us every indication she has taken a step forwards, so we're looking forward to coming back to Newmarket. She coped well with conditions last autumn and course and distance form is quite valuable.”

Intinso Sits Feilden Test
If Newmarket Wednesday is all about fledgling, unproven talent, then the nine-furlong Listed Feilden S. could play host to another future name of not in Imad Al Sagar's TDN Rising Star Intinso (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}). Yet another who impressed on the all-weather, the relative of Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa) was at Newcastle in October to introduce himself in bold fashion and Hollie Doyle will be dreaming about more Classic glory in 2023. “He won what looked a fairly poor race but he won it quite comfortably,” the owner's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe said. “He's wintered well and been very straightforward coming up to this. John [Gosden] has been pleased with him, he's a lovely-actioned horse and this looks a good spot to test his credentials.” This renewal looks one of the tougher ones, with Charlie Appleby saddling two including the seven-furlong novice winner Regal Honour (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) who is a half-brother to the classy Rizeena (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) and Summer Romance (Ire) (Kingman {GB}).

The post Guineas Clues Aplenty in Nell Gwyn Poser appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Newmarket, It’s Good To Be Back

They're off and running at Newmarket, though not all of the runners have been in official races. The first day of the Craven meeting, a date anticipated with longing by those racing folk who dwell by that wind-blasted Heath, was ushered in by a Classic winner on the Rowley Mile.

While we have more than a fortnight to wait for the first Classic victor of 2023 to reveal himself, the 2021 Irish Derby winner Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) strode out with purpose under William Buick on the easy turf on Tuesday morning. He is likely to be seen next in Newbury's G3 John Porter S. on Saturday, and the post-work smile on Charlie Appleby's face was matched a few hours later by Roger Varian, who oversaw a pre-racing gallop for his 2,000 Guineas contender Sakheer (Ire) (Zoffany {GB}).

“It was perfect to be honest,” said Varian, who was in company with Fawzi Nass and Oliver St Lawrence representing Sakheer's Bahraini owner KHK Racing.

“It was not meant to be gut-busting work, and it wasn't. He did enough to have a nice blow and it got him a day away from home.”

Ed Harper of Whitsbury Manor Stud paid close inspection to Sakheer as he was warmed down after his gallop. As the breeder of Sakheer's potential Guineas rival Chaldean (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Harper is entitled to be more interested than most, but then the stallion men know how fierce the competition is for new recruits. It's never too early to start looking.

Meanwhile, Varian added of the colt's five-furlong gallop, “It's nice to come an hour before racing as there are a few people around and there is a little bit of atmosphere, and he got to experience the undulations [of the Rowley Mile].

“He was very well balanced throughout the work and he came through nicely. It was a bridle work, but a strong work and he will come forward nicely for it. It's very much part of his schedule and he has got a strong two weeks ahead of him.”

Nass and St Lawrence have also got a strong few weeks ahead of them with the commencement of the breeze-up sales in Europe this week. Both Sakheer and his stable-mate, the St Leger winner Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who races in the same colours, were sourced at the Arqana breeze-up in the past two seasons.

Varian noted that we can expect to see Eldar Eldarov return to action in the G2 Yorkshire Cup on May 19. With Stradivarius (Ire) busily covering more than 100 mares next door to the Rowley Mile at the National Stud, and Kyprios (Ire) having met with a setback, could this be the year for the youngster to further enhance his name in the staying ranks?

As the sun was chased away by fierce gusts, Frankie Dettori may well have been wishing that he'd remained in California, especially when his first two mounts back on home turf finished last. But then Covey (GB) (Frankel {GB}) burst through to win the Alex Scott Maiden by four lengths to earn himself a likely tilt in stakes company for his next start.

“I arrived this morning: I slept two hours on the plane and two hours in my bed,” said Dettori. “I was counting it this morning and I've got six months until 21 October and Champions Day, so there is still plenty to do. I'm not going to start crying yet but I will enjoy it.”

It was a day for memorials. Alex Scott, who trained Lammtarra in his juvenile season as well as the top sprinters Cadeaux Genereux (GB) and Sheikh Albadou (GB), has been commemorated on the Rowley Mile since his premature death in September 1994 at the age of just 34, and many members of his family gathered on the rostrum for the presentation.

In the next race we remembered Pat Smullen, the multiple Irish champion jockey who gained even more respect in his fundraising efforts for Cancer Trials Ireland, and was a much enjoyed columnist for TDN as his riding career came to an end. Since Smullen's death in September 2020, his great friend and colleague Ted Durcan has ensured that his name lives on at Newmarket by sponsoring the Pat Smullen Memorial British EBF Novice S.

It was a contest that provided a third winner for the early leader in the first-season sires' table, Darley's Blue Point (Ire). His son Blue Storm (Ire), trained by James Tate for Sultan Ali, had been expected in the ring on Tuesday evening for the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-up Sale. Instead he graced the parade ring on the Rowley Mile, the second two-year-old winner this year, after Bucanero Fuerte (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), to have been entered for that sale but sent straight to the racecourse instead.

Plenty of mutterings between races on the pre-parade ring rail still centred on the events at Aintree on Saturday, and a security guard at Newmarket admitted that they had been warned to expect potential protesters back at the Rowley Mile for the Guineas meeting, which coincides with the King's coronation.

It would be preferable to be able to cast such worries from our minds and focus on the most important thing in front of us while leaning on that rail: enticing, well-bred Thoroughbreds who could be anything. That, after all, is what the Craven meeting is all about. The true start of the Flat, at British racing's HQ. It's good to be back, even in bone-chilling weather.

The post Newmarket, It’s Good To Be Back appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

‘TDN Rising Star’ Returns In Newmarket Opener

13.50 Newmarket, Cond, £30,000, 3yo, 7fT
Jaber Abdullah's 3-year-old colt HI ROYAL (IRE) (Kodiac {GB}), a half-brother to MGSW G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois fourth Noor Al Hawa (Fr) (Makfi {GB}) out of G1 Falmouth S. heroine Majestic Roi (Street Cry {Ire}), makes his sophomore debut coming back off a 215-day break in Newmarket's opening event of 2023. The March-foaled bay garnered a 'TDN Rising Star' badge at Ayr in September when last on duty and he encounters eight rivals, all winners, in a contest annexed four times in the last six years by subsequent pattern-race scorers. Hi Royal's opposition is headed by the Godolphin pair Majestic Pride (GB) (Shamardal) and City Of Kings (GB) (Kingman {GB}). The former is a half to MG1SW sire Farhh (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) produced by dual Group 1 heroine Gonbarda (Ger) (Lando {Ger}), while the latter is a son of G2 Lancashire Oaks victrix and G1 Oaks and G1 Yorkshire Oaks fourth Horseplay (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}).

The post ‘TDN Rising Star’ Returns In Newmarket Opener appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Keeping Up With Jones

British horseracing may have its fair share of issues, but that does not appear to be a deterrent to a swathe of young trainers, and one of the newer names to appear in race cards is Jack Jones, who has just celebrated his first full year with a licence.

A former point-to-point rider who has cut his teeth by working for a wide variety of trainers internationally, including David Simcock, Richard Spencer, Ger Lyons, Mikel Delzangles and Chris Waller, Jones has notched four wins so far in 2023 from 14 starters. His most recent success came last Friday with Shot (GB) (Acclamation {GB}) on his first appearance for the trainer.

Jones has also recently taken charge of Winter Moon (Ire), a twice-raced daughter of Roaring Lion owned by Barbara Keller, Cambridge Stud and David Redvers.

“I think if I look back to a year ago, from where we started, I'd have to be very happy,” says Jones, who is based within Rae Guest's Chestnut Tree Stables close to Newmarket's Rowley Mile racecourse.

“Last year we had lots of seconds, but, bar a little two-year-old filly, everything we had was placed, so they were running well.”

He adds, “So in a way last year was a little bit frustrating, but I probably learned a lot through doing different things through the summer. They were running well, and Chagall was our first winner in November, which was great. We got him from Ireland, and he's been a great addition. He's finished second again twice and the plan is to go to Bath with him on the seventh for the Good Friday meeting.

Not only has Jones worked for a range of trainers, but he also has several in his pedigree. His grandmother Gill Jones trained from Upton-on-Severn in Worcestershire, while his father Nick trained point-to-pointers, including Real Milan (Ire), who was ridden to victory by Jack on five occasions. Jones's mother, also named Jill, was racing secretary to David 'The Duke' Nicholson, while his uncle Tim Jones is well known to many with the racing and breeding industry.

“I've always been based around horses at home, mum and dad were involved in hunting and racing and my grandmother used to train,” he says. “When I went to uni, but I was lucky enough to ride out for Nicky Henderson during the week. I also had two stints with Paul Nicholls and Kim Bailey and then had a year working out in Australia, which was awesome. Great fun.”

“Then I've been in Newmarket ever since. I had two and a half years with David Simcock and then before I set up training I was with Richard Spencer as well, so I've learned a bit about both sides of town, which was good.”

No trainer is likely to forget their first winner, and for Jones it was particularly memorable as the horse in question, Chagall (Ire) (Slade Power {Ire}), won from 10lbs out of the handicap, with his lowly mark when he joined the stable being just 36.

“I wouldn't say I've got a five-year plan as such, but we're here with 14 boxes, a small barn. We'll grow as and when. We'll continue to have more horses in, slowly upgrading the quality. Look, Chagall and Navy Drums, they're rated in the mid-to-low 50s but they're in the right grade,” he says with a heathy dose of realism.

“Navy's won two and finished second, Chagall has won two and finished second twice, so they're in the right grade and hopefully they can keep progressing.

“This new year everything has fallen into place. Navy Drums we picked up cheap online and, again, he's been a great addition.”

The stable has grown steadily from the handful of horses under the trainer's care last spring, and he's not afraid to utilise his old riding skills when required.

“With the sort of scale of operation we are, it's a lot of hard work. I'm not going to pretend it's not,” he says. “When we had only a handful of horses, myself and Polly, my other half, were doing a lot of the work ourselves, which is great because you are saving, and I'm lucky enough that I can still ride out. But it's about getting a balance.

“I think at the stage where I started–small scale, low overheads, renting a barn from Rae Guest–I'm very pleased to be getting that filled now and then hopefully we can start to build and grow from there.”

Jones adds, “We started off very much with small family and friends' syndicates, and they're crucial. Obviously you've got to back it up with the winners but you've also got to be continuously at the sales, meeting people, [looking for] new stock and improving your pedigrees. The one thing about being here in Newmarket is, as and when yards pop up, hopefully it will fall in right to move and grow accordingly. But really, just to keep getting as many winners as we can; that's the main aim.”

The post Keeping Up With Jones appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post