Wootton Bassett’s Bucanero Fuerte In A League Of His Own In The Phoenix

The Curragh's G1 Keeneland Phoenix S. on Saturday looked an open affair beforehand, but Amo Racing Limited and Giselle De Aguiar's Bucanero Fuerte (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}– Frida La Blonde {Fr}, by Elusive City) left no doubt as to who ruled the roost as he made virtually all for an impressive success.

Having needed the judge to edge out 'TDN Rising Star' Unquestionable (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in the course-and-distance G2 Railway S. last month, the Adrian Murray-trained €165,000 Arqana Deauville August graduate could be called the clear-cut winner some way out as Ballydoyle's 13-8 market-leader failed to get on terms. At the line, the 9-4 second favourite had four lengths to spare over the G3 Albany S. scorer Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio), with 1 1/2 lengths back to Givemethebeatboys (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}) as he edged Unquestionable out of the placings by a short head.

“It didn't really go to plan with the pacemaker not getting anywhere near me, so I had to ride my own race but he's very uncomplicated and lengthened and stretched from 2 1/2 out and was quite surprised that nothing came to challenge me,” jockey Kevin Stott said of the winner, who had taken the first juvenile race of the season over five furlongs here in March before running third in the G2 Coventry S.

“We've always thought he was nice, but he was a big baby the first day of the season and has only grown and strengthened since,” Stott added. “Adrian and Robson have done a great job with him and made my life easier to just steer him. He was only just doing enough and I'm sure had something come to him he'd have gone again. He's a horse that we think will get further in time and who knows what kind of horse we've got heading into next year? He's a big horse and takes his racing very well and settles nicely, so you'd like to think he'll get further and if he doesn't we've got a nice sprinter.”

Murray said, “He was very impressive. We had him here 10 days ago doing a piece of work and Robson got off him and said to me 'this is the best horse I've ever ridden'. He was certainly correct in that one. He's a serious horse. That's three runs and three wins here, he's the horse of a lifetime. I'd say it'll be the [G1] National S. now and I don't think he'll have any problem stepping up to seven. The ground today would be a bit easier than the last day. He was very impressive in his maiden here on heavy ground, but it's not an issue for him as he's won on quick ground as well.”

 

Pedigree Notes

Bucanero Fuerte, who is the seventh top-level winner for his sire, is a full-brother to the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp hero Wooded (Ire) and the G3 Sovereign S. runner-up Beat Le Bon (Fr), with the dam Frida La Blonde (Fr) (Elusive City) being out of the G2 Premio Regina Elena (Italian 1000 Guineas) runner-up Firm Friend (Ire) (Affirmed). She was responsible for the dual listed winner and G3 Prix de Ris-Orangis runner-up Fred Lalloupet (GB) also by Elusive City, as well as the Listed Prix Servanne scorer and G3 Prix de Cabourg-placed Mon Pote Le Gitan (Thunder Gulch) and the triple listed winner Maximum Aurelius (Fr) (Showcasing {GB}). Also related to the G3 Cornwallis S. and G3 Norfolk S.-winning sire Magic Ring (Ire), Frida La Blonde's yearling filly by Dubawi (Ire) now has the best upgrade of all as she heads to Arqana's Deauville August Yearling Sale and sells on Saturday.

 

Saturday, Curragh, Ireland
KEENELAND PHOENIX S.-G1, €300,000, Curragh, 8-12, 2yo, c/f, 6fT, 1:12.53, gd.
1–BUCANERO FUERTE (GB), 131, c, 2, by Wootton Bassett (GB)
1st Dam: Frida La Blonde (Fr), by Elusive City
2nd Dam: Firm Friend (Ire), by Affirmed
3rd Dam: Chere Amie (Fr), by Gay Mecene
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (€165,000 Ylg '22 ARAUG). O-Amo Racing
Ltd & Giselle De Aguiar; B-Gestut Zur Kuste AG (GB); T-Adrian
Murray; J-Kevin Stott. €180,000. Lifetime Record: GSP-Eng,
4-3-0-1, $307,645. *Full to Wooded (Ire), G1SW-Fr, $274,930;
and Beat Le Bon (Fr), GSP-Eng, $418,772. Werk Nick Rating:
   A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the
   eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the
   free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Porta Fortuna (Ire), 128, f, 2, Caravaggio–Too Precious (Ire),
by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE.
O-Barry Fowler, Medallion Racing 2020 LLC, Steven I Weston &
Reeves Thoroughbred; B-Whisperview Trading Ltd (IRE);
T-Donnacha O'Brien. €60,000.
3–Givemethebeatboys (Ire), 131, c, 2, Bungle Inthejungle (GB)–
Dromana (Ire), by Dutch Art (GB). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE.
(€15,000 Wlg '21 GOFNO1; €11,000 Ylg '22 GOAUYR;
£1,100,000 2yo '23 GOFLO). O-Bronsan Racing & Mrs Theresa
Marnane; B-Airlie Stud & Mrs S M Rogers (IRE); T-Jessica
Harrington. €30,000.
Margins: 4, 1HF, NO. Odds: 2.25, 3.50, 10.00.
Also Ran: Unquestionable (Fr), Gaenari (Ire), His Majesty (Ire), Launch. VIDEO.

 

 

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Porta Fortuna Likely To Challenge Males In Phoenix

Royal Ascot heroine Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio) is likely to take her chance in the G1 Phoenix S. at the Curragh in August, trainer Donnacha O'Brien revealed on Tuesday.

The undefeated G3 Albany S. heroine, who races for Steve Weston, Barry Fowler, Medallion Racing 2020 and Reeves Racing, broke her maiden at the Curragh in April, before taking the G3 Fillies Sprint S. at Naas in May. She was a length ahead of Matrika (Ire) (No Nay Never) at the royal meeting.

O'Brien said, “She's very good and has come out of the race well. We gave her an easy week after the race to freshen her up and she's back in full work now and everything is going well.

“She's very straightforward and I suppose she's a dream filly to ride as she has plenty of pace, travels well, has a turn of foot and also keeps going at the end as well.

“We're thinking of going for the Phoenix at the minute, the Group 1 at the Curragh. We'll have to take on colts, but we'd like to give her another run at six. We'll put her in the [G2] Lowther [S. at York on Aug. 24] as well as a back-up, that's about a week or two afterwards.”

If the daughter of four-time winner Too Precious (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) continues her upward trajectory, O'Brien and the ownership group are looking at targets farther afield.

“I suppose later on in the year the targets will be races like the [G1] Cheveley Park [S. at Newmarket on Sept. 30] and the Breeders' Cup [at Santa Anita in November],” added O'Brien.

“We've got a few more runs to go before we get there so I'm sure we'll learn a bit more about her by the time, but the obvious one would be the [GI] Juvenile Fillies' Turf unless for some reason we thought we would go back in trip to the [GI Juvenile Turf] Sprint.”

The Niarchos family's Mysteries (Ire) (No Nay Never) was a maiden winner at Cork in her second start and is now eyeing group company.

“She's a lovely filly and one we've always thought plenty of,” O'Brien added. “The plan at the minute is to go for the [G3] Silver Flash S. at Leopardstown [on July 27] and then for a seven-furlong filly there's a very obvious programme, so it will be there, the [G2] Debutante [S. on Aug. 19] and the [G1] Moyglare [Stud S. on Sept. 10], all being well.”

Former Derby horse Alder (Ire) (Australia {GB}) is also improving from his setback which ruled him out of the earlier Classics. A long-term target is the Listed Diamond S. on Sept. 29 before an international campaign.

“He's good and we gave him a bit of a break but he's back in work now,” said O'Brien. “I'm provisionally aiming him at a listed race in Dundalk in September and then all being well, we could potentially go travelling with him after that.”

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80 Up For Frankie As Caravaggio’s Porta Fortuna Wins The Albany

Frankie got going early on Friday as he steered Steven Weston, Barry Fowler, Medallion Racing 2020 LLC and Reeves Racing's Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio–Too Precious {Ire}, by Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) to success in the G3 Albany S. for a landmark 80th Royal Ascot winner. Sent off at 5-1 having garnered Naas's G3 Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Fillies Sprint S. last month, the Donnacha O'Brien trainee travelled smoothly over two lengths behind the speed up the centre.

Arriving to reel in Matrika (Ire) (No Nay Never) passing the furlong pole, Porta Fortuna who was bought by Mark McStay from Annemarie O'Brien following her success in a five-furlong Curragh maiden in April beat Ballydoyle's TDN Rising Star by a length. Highclere Throughbred Racing's Soprano (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), representing the George Boughey stable which was fifth with the subsequent 1000 Guineas heroine Cachet (Ire) (Aclaim {Ire}) two years ago, was the same margin away in third.

“I fulfilled my dream,” Frankie said. “I love Ascot so much, it's always been good to me and to get 80 is unbelievable. This is a solid filly–she's speedy, she's got a turn of foot and she gave me an armchair ride. At the moment this filly feels like a sprinter, but only time will tell.”

Donnacha, who was celebrating his first Royal winner, added, “Porta Fortuna is a very smart filly and big congratulations to all the owners–they spotted her potential early and bought into her. She is quite a scopey filly–she is owned by a bunch of American owners, so the Breeders' Cup will be a target but whether she will stay that far or not we will see. It is a big gamble to buy a filly out of a maiden, but they have been proven right so fair play to them.”

Boughey said of Soprano, “She looked like she was probably drawn on the wrong side unfortunately, but we are thrilled. She's a filly that is always going to get further. She's out of a sister to a Breeders' Cup Mile winner and that's where her future lies, probably up in trip. They just had a little bit too much toe for her and sprinted away, but she hit the line strong.”

Pedigree Notes

Porta Fortuna is the first of three foals produced by Too Precious (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), a full-sister to the G2 P.J. O'Shea S. winner and G1 Australian Cup runner-up Numerian (Ire) and the G3 Prix Francois Boutin third Montesilvano (Ire). The third dam Kantikoy (GB) (Alzao) is a half to the G3 St Simon S. scorer and G1 Irish St Leger-placed Kithanga (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}) who produced the St Leger hero and Breeders' Cup Turf runner-up Milan (GB) (Sadler's Wells). This Fittocks Stud family also includes this meeting's G2 Queen's Vase winner Kemari (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and last month's Listed Cocked Hat S. runner-up Klondike (GB) (Galileo {Ire}). The dam's yearling filly is by Ten Sovereigns (Ire), while she also has a filly foal by Sottsass (Fr).

For more on Porta Fortuna's journey to Royal Ascot, please click here, and for a post-race update, click here.

Friday, Royal Ascot, Britain
ALBANY S.-G3, £100,000, Ascot, 6-23, 2yo, f, 6fT, 1:13.97, g/f.
1–PORTA FORTUNA (IRE), 128, f, 2, by Caravaggio
1st Dam: Too Precious (Ire), by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire)
2nd Dam: Delicate Charm (Ire), by High Chaparral (Ire)
3rd Dam: Kantikoy (GB), by Alzao
O-Steve Weston, Barry Fowler, Medallion Racing & Reeves Thoroughbreds; B-Whisperview Trading Ltd (IRE); T-Donnacha O'Brien; J-Lanfranco Dettori. £56,710. Lifetime Record: GSW-Ire, 3-3-0-0, $128,010. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Matrika (Ire), 128, f, 2, No Nay Never–Muravka (Ire), by High Chaparral (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor, D Smith & Westerberg; B-Barronstown Stud (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. £21,500.
3–Soprano (Ire), 128, f, 2, Starspangledbanner (Aus)–Lealas Daughter (Ire), by Excelebration (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€45,000 Wlg '21 GOFNO1; 100,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Highclere Thoroughbred Racing (Da Vinci); B-Empire Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-George Boughey. £10,760.
Margins: 1, 1, 1HF. Odds: 5.00, 9.00, 6.50.
Also Ran: Persian Dreamer, Pretty Crystal (Ire), Komat (GB), Dawn Charger (Ire), Carla's Way (Ire), Gushing Gold (Ire), Navassa Island (Ire), Jabaara (Ire), Passionately (Ire), Do It With Style (Ire), Rating (Ire), Flaccianello (Ire), Mapmaker (GB), Sarakana (Ire). Scratched: Snafiya (Ire).

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Caravaggio’s Porta Fortuna On Top At Naas

Donnacha O'Brien trainee Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio–Too Precious {Ire}, by Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) posted a debut win over five furlongs at the Curragh last month and punched a ticket to Royal Ascot with a determined success in Sunday's G3 Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Fillies Sprint S. Naas.

She was positioned within range of the leaders in a close eighth through the early stages and tanked forward once past halfway. Shaken up at the quarter-mile marker, the 8-1 chance quickened smartly to seize control approaching the final furlong and was driven out in the latter stages to hold the late charge of Navassa Island (Ire) (Territories {Ire}) by a neck. The duo finished 4 1/2 lengths clear of the pack, headed by Launch (Omaha Beach) in third.

“We thought she was a nice filly, but obviously you never expect to win a Group race with a filly that's had just one run,” O'Brien said. “It's nice to see her handle the step up in class well. She has a really good pedigree, back along there are a lot of good horses in it. She was bought by some American partners, it's great for them and exciting. We'll speak to them now, but there is probably a good chance she'll go to [Royal] Ascot now. If she goes it will probably be for the [G3] Albany as she looked to get a stiff six furlongs here well. She handles all kinds of ground, so I wouldn't be worried either way.”

Pedigree Notes

Porta Fortuna is the first of three reported foals produced by multiple winner Too Precious (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), herself a full-sister to GSW G1 Australian Cup second Numerian (Ire) and G3 Prix Francois Boutin third Montesilvano (Ire). The January-foaled bay, who hails from the family of G1 St Leger-winning sire Milan (GB) (Sadler's Wells), is half to a yearling filly by Ten Sovereigns (Ire) and a weanling filly by Sottsass (Fr).

Sunday, Naas, Ireland
COOLMORE STUD IRISH EBF FILLIES SPRINT S.-G3, €70,000, Naas, 5-21, 2yo, f, 5f 205yT, 1:09.99, gd.
1–PORTA FORTUNA (IRE), 128, f, 2, by Caravaggio
1st Dam: Too Precious (Ire), by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire)
2nd Dam: Delicate Charm (Ire), by High Chaparral (Ire)
3rd Dam: Kantikoy (GB), by Alzao
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Barry Fowler, Medallion Racing 2020 LLC, Steven I Weston & Reeves Thoroughbred; B-Whisperview Trading Ltd (IRE); T-Donnacha O'Brien; J-Gavin Ryan. €42,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $56,474. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Navassa Island (Ire), 128, f, 2, Territories (Ire)–Roger Sez (Ire), by Red Clubs (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (92,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT; 240,000gns 2yo '23 TATBRE). O/T-Michael O'Callaghan; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd (IRE). €14,000.
3–Launch, 128, f, 2, Omaha Beach–Spark, by Speightstown. 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. ($50,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Giselle De Aguiar; B-Peter E Blum Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-Adrian Murray. €7,000.
Margins: NK, 4HF, 1 1/4. Odds: 8.00, 14.00, 16.00.
Also Ran: Ribchestina (Ire), Blame Thechampagne (Ire), Ziggy's Dream (Ire), Smart Impression (Ire), What A Squeeze (Ire), Bated Moon (Ire), Making Time (Ire), Jakku (Ire), West Of Wichita (Ire), Neo Smart (Ire).

 

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