Tag: Royal Ascot

Dettori To Ride Harrington’s Givemethebeatboys In Coventry Stakes

Share prices in Jessica Harrington's Givemethebeatboys (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}), a leading G2 Coventry S. contender, took a spike on Thursday with the news that legendary jockey Frankie Dettori would take the ride on the colt at Royal Ascot on Tuesday.

Givemethebeatboys, a gritty winner of the G3 Marble Hill S. at the Curragh when last seen, will be offered up for sale by his owner Con Marnane at the Goffs London Sale on the eve of the race.

He is not the only horse that Marnane and Harrington will offer at the sale–Supersonic Man (Ire), another Bungle Inthejungle colt, who will be aimed at the Norfolk or Windsor Castle, will also go under the hammer. 

Both colts would have been ridden by Harrington's stable jockey Shane Foley had he not suffered a broken collarbone at Gowran Park earlier this month. 

Foley described himself as “gutted” when revealing that he was facing a six-week layoff due to the injury last week and, when relaying that Dettori had been booked to ride Givemethebeatboys on Thursday morning, Harrington acknowledged that missing one of the biggest meetings of the year would be a tough pill for her regular rider to swallow. 

Harrington said, “We've got Frankie to ride Givemethebeatboys. It's great. Listen, if he thinks the horse is good enough for him to ride in a race like the Coventry, that's absolutely fantastic news for us.”

She added, “It's going to be very tough for Shane. He's missed winners already and, you know, the first thing he said to me when he broke his collarbone was, 'there's my championship gone.' That was the first thing. 

“But look, it could have been a lot worse. He's doing well and he comes to see the horse work. I know that it must be very hard on him but he is great and is a key cog in the wheel. He's coming over for the sale on Monday.”

Marnane couldn't hide his delight about securing Dettori for the colt he sourced for just €11,000 at the Goffs Autumn Yearling Sale. Speaking ahead of a feature interview with TDN Europe that will be published in Saturday's edition, Marnane labelled Givemethebeatboys as “a very special horse” and one who “has a serious chance” in the Coventry before echoing Harrington's sentiments about Foley.

He said, “We're delighted to have been able to secure Frankie–he knows a thing or two about Ascot, doesn't he? It's very tough on Shane, though, as he's been brilliant on the horse in his two starts to date. Let's hope we can provide everyone with something to shout about next week.”

Givemethebeatboys came through his final piece of work on Thursday morning with flying colours, according to Harrington, who revealed that she has a team of 10 or 12 horses to run next week. 

She said, “Givemethebeatboys worked this morning and he worked great. Couldn't be better. Everyone seems to be very happy with him. I think we've got 10 to 12 runners for Royal Ascot depending on who gets into what. That's a very big team for me.”

Asked to nominate what horses she was most looking forward to running along with Givemethebeatboys, Harrington, who will be in attendance, replied, “Well I'm looking forward to running Irish Lullaby if she gets into the Copper Horse Handicap. Then I've got Sounds Of Heaven and Village Voice at the end of the week, not to mention Ocean Quest. It's a nice team.

“I'm feeling great at the moment. Hopefully everything goes well and I will be there for the sale on Monday and for the racing on Tuesday. We'll see how the rest of the week goes. It all depends on how I am. It would be something else if the horse was to run a big race on Tuesday.”

 

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‘There’s No Ceiling’ Eclipse Thoroughbred Team Has Big Hopes For Selenaia

It was hard not to love the performance Selenaia (Ire) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) posted in the GIII Honeymoon S. at Santa Anita last weekend. 

One man who loved it more than most was Derek Iceton of Tara Stud in County Meath. Iceton bought the dam [Dettoria (GB) (Declaration Of War)] of the Grade I-bound performer for just 12,000gns at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale in 2018. 

Dettoria is still based at Tara Stud and has a Space Blues (Ire) colt at foot. She is happily reported to be back in foal to the young Darley stallion by Iceton, who describes America as being a lucky place for him. 

That is largely down to the fact that Tara Stud graduate River Boyne (Ire) recorded his best days on a racecourse in America, notably when landing a Grade I at Santa Anita before returning home to embark on his stallion career, where he currently stands at the Meath outfit for €5,000. 

Iceton is hoping that there will be more Grade I riches to be enjoyed with Selenaia and explained what led him to roll the dice on Dettoria for what looks a bargain price now. 

He said, “I love buying mares off top breeders. Last year for example, I bought a lovely mare off Lady Bamford. They're the type of people I try and buy mares from because I know there will be a few half-sisters floating around the system.”

“Dettoria has a colt foal by Space Blues and, the foal was so good, I took the mare back to him. She's back in foal with Space Blues. It's something I never normally do but, because the foal was so nice, I went back. 

“Redpender Stud has the Earthlight (Ire) yearling [bought for 78,000gns as a foal] and they are more than happy with him. He was a lovely foal now to be honest. I think he's going to Book 1. The Golden Horn (GB) [bought for €50,000 as a yearling by Gerry Hogan] two-year-old filly  is going to Henry de Bromhead.”

He added, “I've been very lucky with America and very fortunate with Red Baron's Farm as well. I hope they will come back and buy a River Boyne off me this year. Interestingly, in the race that Selenaia won last week, I also sold the third Paris Secret (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) at the Goffs Open Yearling Sale for €8,000. It's strange that two fillies who were in the same field at one stage in their lives went on to finish first and third at Santa Anita.”

Selenaia carried the increasingly-recognisable colours of the Eclipse Thoroughbreds to victory for trainer Jonathan Thomas. Although the ownership group tends to shop relatively infrequently at the major yearling sales in Britain and Ireland, its strike-rate is something to behold, with Selenaia a 85,000gns purchase from Baroda Stud at Tattersalls Book 2 in 2021. 

The black, light blue and white colours of Eclipse is perhaps best known in Europe for being carried by Gavin Cromwell's Queen Mary winner Quick Suzy (Ire) (Profitable {Ire}) in 2021 and, according to Aron Wellman, the man behind the ownership vehicle, there could be more to shout about at the royal meeting next week. 

Reflecting on Selenaia, he said, “We've dabbled in the yearling market in Europe and fortunately we're starting to hit our stride. We bought one yearling at Tattersalls a couple of years ago with the goal of bringing her to America and thankfully Selenaia delivered. She showed brilliance in her training and it translated to the racetrack which is a pleasure to see. 

 

“We're going to take a deep breath but, based on that performance and that she has now stretched out to nine furlongs, we'll take a look at some options at Saratoga with her and potentially look at going back to California to Del Mar. At this point, there's no ceiling to her and she's completely unexposed in this country.”

Wellman added, “We're really fortunate to be in the position we are in ahead of Royal Ascot. Last year, before we bought Selenaia, which was a one off, Amy Murphy in England did a really nice job with a filly called Manhattan Jungle (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}), who has since become a stakes winner and Group-placed in the States for us. She took us to Ascot last year.

“This time, we went back and bought three yearlings, and two of the three have run. One is called Passionately (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) [cost 55,000gns from Baroda Stud at Book 2], who won very well at Wetherby and goes to the Albany and the other filly, Geologist (GB) (Territories {Ire}) [cost 35,000gns from Galloway Stud at the Somerville Sale], was just beaten on debut at Redcar. We're going to take a swing at the Queen Mary with her. Two of the three yearlings we purchased are Royal Ascot candidates.”

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Coolangatta and Cannonball Warm Up With Ascot Gallop

Australian sprinters Coolangatta (Aus) (Written Tycoon {Aus}) and Cannonball (Aus) (Capitalist {Aus}) took to the Ascot straight on  Wednesday morning for a racecourse gallop ahead of next Tuesday's G1 King's Stand S.

The G1 Lightning S. winner Coolangatta is staying in Lambourn during her time in England and was overseen by her co-trainer Ciaron Maher, who arrived in the UK on Tuesday. Ridden by James McDonald, she worked over just less than five furlongs.

“The idea was to bring Coolangatta here and have a look at the whole surrounds,” Maher said. “We did a bit of paddock schooling and then had a nice look at the track. She stretched nicely to the line and James said she took quite a while to pull up. He was beaming about the work and it was everything I wanted to see. She has really thrived since being here.”

Explaining a recent disappointing effort when Coolangatta was third in a barrier trial, he added, “In the jump out at Flemington, she ran her second fastest half-mile that she has ever run. I still cannot get my head around it, but I guess that is why we have the trackers and stuff on them, because trials can be deceiving. The track was quite damp and, although she ran well as a two-year-old on a damp track, there were a lot of good horses in that trial – but James said it was the weirdest jump out that he has ever been in. Hopefully, it was just that, because she has thrived since then.

“I suppose winning the Lightning Stakes down the straight at Flemington gives you some confidence about handling the track here. Straight track racing can be quite different to some of the tighter tracks at home like Moonee Valley, where she has won before. We have come here thinking that the track would not be a problem.”

Maher was the initial trainer of Merchant Navy (Aus) (Frastnet Rock {Aus}), who won the 2018 G1 Diamond Jubilee S. on his second start for Aidan O'Brien, and he is understandably eager to get his own name on the Royal Ascot roll of honour. 

“I was just as keen as anyone to get over here and have a crack at it,” he said. “There are not a lot of five-furlong races at this level, even at home. Coolangatta is good fresh and, even after her win in the Lightning Stakes, I still feel she is a filly that is developing. We think she is the right horse for Ascot and my training partner Dave Eustace knows his way around here.

“Winning here would be huge. We have had a very good season at home and this would be the icing on the top should it come to fruition. In terms of international racing, the world seems to be getting smaller and we would be keen to come again if we have a horse good enough. Whether it is here, Hong Kong or elsewhere, there are plenty of places that we would like to explore.”

New Zealand-born McDonald rode three winners at last year's royal meeting, including his first-day victory with Nature Strip (Aus) (Nicconi {Aus}) in the G1 King's Stand S.

He added, “Royal Ascot is one of the greatest weeks in racing. I definitely circle it every year and, if I am lucky enough to come here, then I am on the plane straightaway. With the racing and the whole atmosphere, it is one of the best carnivals in the world.

“Nature Strip was a champion racehorse but Coolangatta is getting there and I have no doubt she will run well on Tuesday. This morning has given me a lot of confidence.”

 

The Peter Snowden-trained Cannonball worked on his own over the same distance.

“He is quite a gross colt and he needed that,” said the trainer. “He arrived here on Friday and had a few easy days, which he had taken the benefit of. The gallop today will bring him back up to the mark somewhat. He will do a bit more on Saturday morning and then he will be ready to go.”

Winner of the G3 Maurice McCarten S. in March, Cannonball returned to Rosehill a week later to run third in the G1 Galaxy over 1,100m.

Snowden continued, “He is a fast horse, he is a tough horse, and he has handled this trip over here like it's nothing. This is his first time away from home, and the longest he has been on a truck before is two hours. He has just had 24 hours on a plane and it did not faze him one bit. That attitude will carry him a long way.

“The five furlongs of the King's Stand Stakes is all about speed and toughness, and he has both in abundance. I hope he is flying under the radar, because he should be on form, but I quite like the horse and think he is up to it.”

 

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‘He Has An Amazing Temperament’: Boughey on Coventry Favourite Asadna

NEWMARKET, UK–George Boughey is aiming to build on his two winners at Royal Ascot last year by taking a team of around 20 to next week's meeting, led by the G2 Coventry S. favourite Asadna (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}).

Sheikh Abdullah Almalek Alsabah's colt, who earned a TDN Rising Star with his 12-length win at Ripon on his sole start, will be ridden by William Buick, who partnered him in a gallop on Tuesday morning. Buick will also ride Soprano (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) in the G3 Albany S. 

“The two-year-olds will probably be leading the charge,” said Boughey, who also plans to send Muqtahem (Ire) (Soldier's Call {Ire}) to either the G2 Norfolk S. or Windsor Castle S., and Graceful Thunder (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) for the G2 Queen Mary S.

“Asadna was very good at Chelmsford in a piece of work the other day. Oisin Murphy rode him there and William rode him this morning and was very happy.

“He has a super attitude. I think we will watch him walk round the paddock ahead of the Coventry like he is here in the paddock. He'll go there with a good chance.

“He just has an amazing temperament. He doesn't sweat, he doesn't do anything wrong. He's a very sound horse. He just loves his work.”

Hosting owners and press at his stable on Tuesday morning, Boughey took all of his Ascot hopefuls onto the nearby watered gallop alongside the Rowley Mile. Soprano, owned by Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, won at Newmarket on Guineas weekend, beating Midnight Affair (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), who subsequently won Saturday's Hilary Needler Trophy at Beverley.

“Soprano was very good at Newmarket,” Boughey added. “She's certainly not a five-furlong horse. When she steps up in trip we'll see a better filly.”

Amo Racing's retained jockey Kevin Stott was aboard Graceful Thunder, a winner on debut at Sandown, alongside Pat Cosgrave and Pontefract winner Muqtahem, who could bid to emulate his sire Soldier's Call by winning the Listed Windsor Castle S.

“The two-year-olds are still learning. We worked six, and four of them will go to Ascot,” Boughey said. 

“I didn't find anything out, necessarily. They are just teaching each other as they go along. Asadna, Soprano, Muqtahem, Graceful Thunder, they are all going to their respective races and it was all pretty straightforward work, but they all pleased me.”

Among his older horses, Boughey has two candidates for the G1 Commonwealth Cup in Al Dasim (Ire) (Harry Angel {Ire}) and Believing (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), who each have Group 3 wins to their credit already this year, in Dubai and France respectively. 

He said of Al Dasim, “He was meant to go to the Sandy Lane and we just weren't happy with the ground that day for him. He needs fast ground and I don't think we'll see the same horse at Ascot if we do get the rain. His work on fast ground is much better. He worked well on the watered gallop with a bit of ease in the ground and he's in good shape; I couldn't be happier with him.”

George Boughey alongside his string in Newmarket on Tuesday | Emma Berry

 

Having saddled both Inver Park (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) and Missed The Cut (Quality Road) to win at Royal Ascot last year, Boughey, who now has just over 100 horses across three yards in Newmarket, is understandably hungry for more success. 

He added, “This is by far the best team we've had [going to Ascot] so far. It's the international stage. We're trying to find horses to run around the world, everyone's there and it really is the be-all-and-end-all for us at this time of the year. Obviously the better two-year-old races happen towards the end of the year but at the moment this is what everyone is gearing up to. It's the feature event.”

The trainer notched an important first Classic win in 2022 with Cachet (Ire) (Aclaim {Ire}) in the 1,000 Guineas, and the Highclere-owned filly has not raced since running at Royal Ascot last year.

“Cachet looks better than she has all spring,” Boughey noted. “It wasn't fair to take her straight to Royal Ascot after a year off the track, running six furlongs for the first time, and I also didn't think it was fair to run her in a Group 2 over a mile, not having been a convincing stayer on the stiff track.

“I haven't really got a plan at the moment. She's training away nicely, but at the end of the day, her main target is a mares' sale at the end of the year.

“She wasn't right to go to a sale at the end of last year and we will try to have her as busy as she can be into December, but I'm not going to rush her. She's a valuable filly and doesn't really need to prove anything else.”

He added, “She has done a couple of bits [of work], but she's not sparkled yet and we know what she can do, so we've given her plenty of time. I don't know why she hasn't [sparkled]. It's very warm now and she is starting to thrive, but it has been a pretty hard spring for them and she just hasn't for some reason.”

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