Sea the Stars’ Third Realm Takes the Derby Trial

There were shades of High-Rise (Ire) (High Estate {Ire}) at Lingfield on Saturday as Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's silks were carried to success by Third Realm (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) in the Listed Lingfield Derby Trial. Winning the second blue riband prep within the week for his owner-breeder and the Roger Varian stable, the 14-1 shot who broke his maiden over an extended 10 furlongs at Nottingham Apr. 17 was held up early by David Egan before making his move downhill to the home straight. Getting first run on the 6-5 favourite Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) there, the homebred stayed on strongly to keep him at bay and score by 1 1/4 lengths. High-Rise was the winner of this in 1998 before going on to Derby glory and Third Realm was cut to around the 16-1 mark for the June 5 Classic afterwards.

Varian, whose El Drama (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) also races in these silks and captured Thursday's Listed Dee S. at Chester, was leaning towards targeting the June 5 G1 Epsom Derby. “I've yet to speak with the owner, so we'll not set anything in stone just yet and most importantly we need to see how the horse comes out of today's race,” he commented. “He ticks a lot of the boxes in that he's won a recognised trial, it looks like he'll get the trip and he's won on good-to-firm ground at Nottingham and in pretty testing conditions today. He's a neat, well-balanced colt who ought to handle the undulations of Epsom. It's the nature of the business that you're cautiously optimistic when you're going from a maiden to a recognised trial, but it isn't a surprise–he's a colt we think a lot of. He won nicely at Nottingham. I was worried about the ground, to be honest, but I thought if he handled conditions he'd be well up to running a nice race.”

Third Realm is a half-brother to this stable's G3 Bengough S.-winning sprinter Cape Byron (GB) (Shamardal), who also won on the afternoon at Haydock. Also a half to the G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein scorer Ostilio (GB) (New Approach {Ire}), the G1 Prix Saint Alary third Imperial Charm (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and the G1 Prix Jean Romanet heroine Ajman Princess (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), his listed-placed dam is a half to the G2 Celebration Mile winner and GI Arlington Million runner-up Afsare (GB) also by Dubawi. Her 2-year-old colt Triple Time (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) has yet to race, while she also has a yearling colt by Lope de Vega (Ire).

Saturday, Lingfield, Britain
NOVIBET DERBY TRIAL S.-Listed, £60,000, Lingfield, 5-8, 3yo, c/g, 11f 133yT, 2:35.15, sf.
1–THIRD REALM (GB), 126, c, 3, by Sea the Stars (Ire)
1st Dam: Reem Three (GB) (SP-Eng), by Mark of Esteem (Ire)
2nd Dam: Jumaireyah (GB), by Fairy King
3rd Dam: Donya (Ire), by Mill Reef
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. O/B-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum (GB); T-Roger Varian; J-David Egan. £34,488. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $52,204. *1/2 to Ajman Princess (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), Hwt. Older Mare-Fr at 9.5-11f, G1SW-Fr, SW & MGSP-Eng, $306,567; Ostilio (GB) (New Approach {Ire}), GSW-Fr, SW & GSP-Eng, $343,257; Cape Byron (GB) (Shamardal), GSW-Eng & SP-Fr, $401,954; and Imperial Charm (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), G1SP-Fr, $136,125.
2–Adayar (Ire), 126, c, 3, Frankel (GB)–Anna Salai, by Dubawi (Ire). O/B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby. £13,086.
3–Scope (Ire), 126, c, 3, Teofilo (Ire)–Look So (GB), by Efisio (GB). O-J H Richmond-Watson; B-Lawn Stud (IRE); T-Ralph Beckett. £6,546.
Margins: 1 1/4, 5HF, 3 1/4. Odds: 14.00, 1.20, 5.00.
Also Ran: Kyprios (Ire), Recovery Run (GB), Carlisle Bay (Ire). Scratched: Etonian (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result. Video, sponsored by TVG.

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Open Zabeel Anchors Carnival Card

The Dubai World Cup Carnival continues at Meydan on Thursday, and the seven-race card is loaded with six stakes races-five at group level-a little over two weeks in advance of the Mar. 6 Super Saturday card.

The G2 Zabeel Mile has been won the past two years by Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby. Per usual, the royal blue is well represented, and the 110-rated D'Bai (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) leads the foursome. The 2019 G2 Al Fahidi Fort victor was only three-quarters of a length back in second when defending his title on Jan. 21. Another Appleby runner is listed hero Art du Val (GB) (No Nay Never), who was a running-on fourth in the G2 Singspiel S. on Jan. 21. Saeed bin Suroor sends out the Jan. 28 course and distance winner Bedouin's Story (GB) (Farhh {GB}).

“D'Bai ran a very good race in the Al Fahidi Fort and the return to 1600m is not a concern as he won over the trip as a young horse,” said Appleby. “The 1800m looked slightly too far for Art Du Val in the Singspiel, so the drop back 200m should be in his favour.”

Said bin Suroor of Bedouin's Story, “This is a big step up in class, but we are looking forward to seeing how he copes with it.”

The MGSW Epic Hero (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) is aiming to bounce back after a rough-passage third in a listed race at Newmarket on Halloween. The Simon Crisford runner was also third a start prior in the G3 Darley S. at HQ earlier that month.

Similarly to the Zabeel Mile, the 1800-metre G2 Balanchine on grass attracted another Godolphin quartet, led by Jan. 28 Cape Verdi heroine Althiqa (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}). If she salutes on Thursday, she will give her connections their third consecutive Balanchine. The roan, carrying three more pounds than her rivals, will also attempt to complete the Cape Verdi/Balanchine double for the third time in three years. Another from the same yard is Group 3 heroine Summer Romance (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), who ran fifth in the Cape Verdi after setting the pace.

“We had slight doubts about the 1600m before the Cape Verdi, but she saw it out well,” said Appleby. “She now has an extra 200m, under a penalty, so that is a new question, but she is in great form. That was a bit disappointing from Summer Romance in the Cape Verdi, but she has worked well since and we will race her in a hood.”

Saeed bin Suroor's duo of 2020 UAE 1000 Guineas winner and MGSP Cape Verdi third Dubai Love (GB) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) returns for another try against Althiqa. “Dubai Love is a tough filly with a touch of class as she displayed winning last year's UAE 1000 Guineas,” said bin Suroor. “The 1800m should really suit her and she is in great form.”

One of Althiqa's chief rivals is Cape Verdi second Stylistique (GB) (Dansili {GB}) for Roger Varian. An allowance winner at Deauville last November, the GSP filly has Andrea Atzeni in the irons. It will be just 11 days short of a year since G3 UAE Oaks victress Down on Da Bayou (Super Saver) ran off the board in the inaugural Saudi Derby, but she makes her long awaited 2021 and grass bow in the Balanchine. Mozzarella (Fr) (Power {GB}), MGSP in France last summer, was a last out fourth at listed level at ParisLongchamp in September.

The G2 Meydan Sprint kicks off the group action at Meydan on Thursday and MGSW A'Ali (Ire) (Society Rock {Ire}) carries top weight of 134 pounds. The five-time group winner's most recent tally was in the G2 Sapphire S. at The Curragh in July, but he ran fourth in York's G1 Nunthorpe S. a month later and trailed home 14th in the G1 Flying Five S. on Sept. 13. Frankie Dettori has the call for Simon Crisford.

Last out Listed Dubai Dash victor Equilateral (GB) (Equiano {Fr}) will not make A'Ali's task an easy one over the grassy 1000-metre trip; nor will Dubai Dash third and G3 World Trophy S. hero Lazuli (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) representing Godolphin.

Sheikh Hamdan's Waady (Ire) (Approve {Ire}), successful in this event in 2020, reported home second in the 1200-metre G3 Dubawi S. on dirt when last seen on Jan 21. “It's really good to be back on grass with him and he's definitely better on it, even though he ran great last out in the Dubawi,” said trainer Doug Watson. “He's in great form and everything about him at the moment is positive.”

Watson's Mnasek (Empire Maker) mauled her opposition by 6 3/4 lengths when unveiled over 1400 metres locally on Dec. 17, and she heads the field for the G3 UAE Oaks on Thursday. She lost her unbeaten tag after breaking poorly in the Listed UAE 1000 Guineas to Godolphin's Soft Whisper (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), but as that rival is contesting the Feb. 20 $1.5-million Saudi Derby in Riyadh instead, she looks to have a clear playing field.

“She's doing really well and we broke her out of the gate twice with Pat [Dobbs, jockey],” Watson said. “I'm happy with him being on her this time. She has a lot of talent and if you stay out of her mouth–because she's touchy with that–at the start, she will break a lot better. I think she and Super Chianti are in great shape for the run.”

Her winning stablemate Super Chianti (Super Saver) was several lengths back in third in the 1000 Guineas and gains blinkers. Godolphin's Last Sunset (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) played bridesmaid to Soft Whisper in the UAE 1000 Guineas Trial at Meydan on Jan. 7, and Saeed bin Suroor sends her back into the fray with Frankie Dettori on board. She was second most recently in the Feb. 4 Meydan Classic Trial versus males on the grass.

Bin Suroor said, “The step up to 1900m should really suit her [Last Sunset] and she ran well on dirt in the trial for the UAE 1000 Guineas, so we have no qualms about the surface.”

American expat Gladiator King (Curlin) towers over his rivals on form in the G3 Al Shindagha Sprint. A winner of both the G3 Dubawi S. and the 2020 Al Shindagha at Meydan last January, the GIII Hutcheson S. hero ran third in the first edition of the Saudia Sprint at Riyadh on Feb. 29. Warming up for a defense of his title in this contest, the 5-year-old entire tired to third in the 1200m Dubawi S. on Jan. 21.

“He's in great form,” said assistant trainer Bhupat Seemar. “He ran third in his first run against fitter horses. He's a big, strong horse and you can only do so much galloping with him to get him in shape enough to compete with those types, so he definitely needed the run. He's definitely tightened up and improved from then.”

Feb. 5 Listed Jebel Ali Sprint winner Al Tariq (Fr) (Oasis Dream {GB}) returns, and he represents trainer Doug Watson. Second in a Jebel Ali handicap last March, he finished in midfield when reappearing in a Meydan handicap on Jan. 21. “That was very rewarding at Jebel Ali and this is the obvious next target,” said Watson. “We think he can at least be competitive in a strong renewal.”

The lightly raced SP The Perfect Crown (Ire) (Hallowed Crown {Aus}) tests the waters at Meydan and at group level for the first time. Third in a Chelmsford conditions affair in September and fourth over a 1500-metre Deauville trip on Dec. 12, he is now trained by Salem bin Ghadayer. Bin Ghadayer said, “We have only had The Perfect Crown about three weeks, so this is a learning mission with him.”

Also on the seven-race card is the 2000-metre Listed Curlin S.    The lightly raced Real World (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) is one of three in the race for Godolphin. Hailing from the Saeed bin Suroor yard, the 4-year-old colt graduated at Chelmsford in October, and was second in a Meydan conditions head over 1900 metres on Dec. 17. He was third after an awkward break over the same distance in a handicap on Jan. 14. Charlie Appleby's two-time winner Desert Peace, by this stake's namesake, is making his first Meydan start after saluting in a Kempton synthetic test all the way back on June 21.

The ultra-consistent Tailor's Row (Street Cry {Ire}) enters off of a career-best runner-up finish in the Listed Jebel Ali S. on Jan. 5. A winner of three-straight two-turn handicaps prior to that run beginning last December, the Salem bin Ghadayer runner  is joined by stablemate and G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud hero Mkfancy (Fr) (Makfi {GB}), ninth in that same Jebel Ali contest. Twelfthofneverland (Istan) has won two straight here for Satish Seemar-a 2000-metre handicap on Jan. 16 and another handicap, this time going a mile, on Jan. 30.

Click here for the group fields.

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Racehorse Lotto Raffling Postponed Filly

Racehorse Lotto, which aims to introduce more owners into racing while giving back to charity, is raffling the ownership of a Postponed (Ire) filly in training with Roger Varian for the year. The prize includes naming rights, registering the winner's own racing colours, and all racing, training and vet fees. Prizemoney-100% of the first £100,000, then 50% of any winnings above that–goes straight to the raffle winner. Twenty percent of ticket sales will go to Racing Welfare; Racehorse Lotto raised over £25,000 for Racing Welfare in 2020 through a variety of campaigns. Tickets are £20 apiece, and the winner will be drawn on Mar. 31.

Racehorse Lotto Champions Raffle ambassador Hollie Doyle said, “It feels more important than ever to have some light at the end of the tunnel and the Racehorse Lotto's latest raffle certainly gives everyone in racing something to get excited about. The pandemic has also hit areas of the racing workforce quite hard and Racing Welfare, who will receive 20% of all raffle sales, are currently providing grants for those in the industry that have been affected.”

Of the Meon Valley Stud-bred filly, Doyle added, “She's a lovely big filly by Postponed, who Mr Varian obviously knows very well, and she looked like a horse with plenty of scope and potential when I went to visit her in the snow last week.”

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Females Centre Stage at Meydan on Thursday

Meydan's G2 Cape Verdi is the highlight on the Dubai Wold Cup Carnival card on Jan. 28. Of the eight fillies and mares signed on to the one-mile feature, a quintet carry the Godolphin blue and the highest rated at 108 is the Group 3 winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Summer Romance (Ire) (Kingman {GB}). A listed winner at Newmarket as a juvenile, the Charlie Appleby charge won the G3 Princess Elizabeth S. at Epsom on July 4 and was last of six in the G1 Prix Rothschild after making all for most of that contest. Her listed-winning and MGSP stablemate Althiqa (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) was last seen running second in the G3 Sceptre Fillies' S. in September.

“They are two nice fillies,” said Appleby, who has won the Cape Verdi the past two years. “Althiqa was very consistent in Europe last year, winning a listed race and placing in a Group 3. She looks ideal for this test.

“Summer Romance has wintered really well and has thrived in the sunshine. Her last start in a Group 1 just did not go to plan, but she showed at Epsom that she is a very useful filly.”

Saeed bin Suroor's Dubai Love (GB) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) won the 2020 Listed UAE 1000 Guineas last January and followed up with a distant second in the G3 UAE Oaks on Feb. 20. Third in the Listed Al Bastakiya on Super Saturday in March, the bay was given some time off and returned to England for two mores starts, with her final appearance being a fourth in the G3 Musidora S. in July. She is joined by the three-for-three Aug. 23 Ffos Las handicap heroine Last Look (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) and Stunning Beauty (Ire) (Shamardal), undefeated in a pair of novice stakes at Newmarket and Leicester in July and August, respectively.

“Stunning Beauty is a very talented, but somewhat quirky filly,” Bin Suroor said. “She looks the ideal type for the Cape Verdi and is unbeaten as is Last Look who has been given plenty of time as she is a bit fragile.

“Dubai Love is just a tough, genuine and versatile filly who landed the UAE 1000 Guineas on dirt last year.”

Charlie Fellowes sends out Anthony Oppenheimer homebred Perfect Inch (GB) in her first group test. The roan 4-year-old was second to Roger Varian's GSP Stylistique (GB) (Dansili {GB}) in the Listed Petite Etoile at Deauville on Nov. 24. Black-type winner Quiet Times (Ger) (Reliable Man {GB}) finished second in Deauville's Listed Prix Miss Satamixa on Dec. 19 for trainer Pia Brandt; while Norwegian 1000 Guineas heroine Silent Night (Swe) (Night of Thunder {Ire}), who placed in a listed stake at Meydan last year, enters off a third in the Listed Lanwades Stud S. at Bro Park on Sept. 20.

Thursday's Listed UAE 1000 Guineas Presented by Longines features seven sophomore fillies, with the most accomplished being the three-time winner Soft Whisper (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Bearing the royal blue of Godolphin, the Saeed bin Suroor trainee has won her last three starts-breaking her maiden at Salisbury on Aug. 21, a four-length score at Pontefract on Sept. 24 and a 2 1/2-length tally in her Jan. 7 Meydan bow going 1400 metres. She faces several undefeated rivals including a pair from trainer Doug Watson.

Bin Suroor said: “Soft Whisper won twice in Britain last year and did well to win the trial after a slow start. The extra 200m should suit and we are expecting a big run.”

His 96-rated Mnasek (Empire Maker) drew off by 6 3/4 lengths in her lone start going seven panels on Dec. 17, with both the second and third-trainer Nicholas Bachalard's Nayefah (Super Saver) and Watson's Heshmah (Kitten's Joy)-also taking part in the first UAE Classic of the season. Owner Charles Fipke's Super Chianti (Super Saver) duly saluted for Watson when unveiled in a 1200-metre maiden race at Meydan on Nov. 19. For some Swedish flavour, Khatun (GB) (French Navy {GB}), representing the Dina Danekilde yard, breaks from the widest stall in seven after taking a six-furlong turf feature at Jagersro on Nov. 25.

Watson said: “Both are in flying form at home and we are really looking forward to trying them in this better class of race having just won a maiden apiece.”

High End (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) bears the blue cap for Godolphin in the 2000-metres Listed Zabeel Turf Presented by Longines earlier on the card. One of an octet in the race for the royal blue, the Saeed bin Suroor trainee, a three-time winner, played the bridesmaid in the Listed Foundation S. at Goodwood on Sept. 23. Another bin Suroor trainee who appears to be rounding into form is Royal Marine (Ire) (Ravens Pass), who won the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at ParisLongchamp in 2018. He returns to action on the back of a runner-up effort in a Sept. 19 Newbury handicap. Charlie Appleby's stakes-placed Bright Melody (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) also takes part.

Satish Seemar's Senority (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) could prevent a Godolphin clean sweep and the 7-year-old gelding was second in the G3 Abu Dhabi Championship at Abu Dhabi last March. He was off the board in a Jan. 14 handicap locally. Majestic Mambo (SAf) (Mambo in Seattle), who ran second in the G1 Daily News 2000 in his native land, is also amongst the opposition and is saddled by Mike de Kock. Although winless in several tries in the desert, the 6-year-old gelding was fifth in the Abu Dhabi Championship in March.

Listed winner Raakib Alhawa (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) makes his Meydan debut for David Simcock and owner Khalifa Dasmal. The 5-year-old gelding, who landed the August S. at Windsor in August of 2019 was last seen running seventh in an Ascot handicap on Oct. 17.

Click here for the group field.

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