Royal Ascot | Horse Racing Free Tips

Graham Motion Talks Importance of Taking Shots On Writers’ Room

In an era where trainers are increasingly hesitant to run their horses frequently and/or in races where they might be longshots, Graham Motion is a throwback. It often pays off for his perennially successful outfit, as it did on Saturday at Belmont, when his Highland Chief (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), dismissed at 19-1 in a five-horse field, upset defending champion turf male Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and MGISW Gufo (Declaration of War) in the GI Man O' War S. Tuesday, Motion joined the TDN Writers' Room presented by Keeneland as the Green Group Guest of the Week to talk about why he's steadfast about taking shots and running his horses, how he feels about the current state of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, the upcoming Royal Ascot trip for his undefeated Spendarella (Karakontie {Jpn}) and more.

“I think we are very cautious these days,” Motion said of modern trainers. “I think everyone's so worried about that [win] percentage. I think you can learn a lot from watching a guy like Wayne [Lukas], who's never been afraid to take a shot. I think we're just so caught up in being careful. It's so easy to ship across the country now. It's so easy to avoid races that you think are too tough. At the end of the day, that takes a little bit away from the sport, which is to see who has the fastest horse, and the challenge. I kind of live for that. That's what I find so exciting. That's why I love going to Ascot, because it's out of the normal and it's a challenge for these horses. That's what it's all about, right?”

An early supporter of the HISA reform law that has since hit hiccups in potential implementation, Motion was asked how optimistic or pessimistic he is that the program will take full effect and the new rules will fundamentally improve the sport.

“It's going to be difficult, there's no doubt about it,” he said. “I realize there are issues with cost and where the money is going to come from. What I don't understand and what frustrates me a little bit–I'll probably get chastised for saying this, but–we're running for these extraordinary purses. We're running for $100,000 with maidens. Couldn't we put some of that money aside toward the integrity of our sport? I don't understand it. Improve the backstretch, improve safety, improve the integrity of our sport and put some of this money toward HISA. It's going to be a difficult task. I was disappointed when USADA dropped out. I don't know much about the new arrangement. I'm surprised how little, quite frankly, we read about it. So, look, I'm optimistic it's going to happen. I hope everybody eventually gets on board because I think it'll be game changing, and it's going to take a while. There are going to be some hiccups along the way.”

Elsewhere on the show, which is also sponsored by Coolmore, the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association, XBTV, West Point Thoroughbreds and Legacy Bloodstock, the writers had a thorough discussion on the proposals to increase the spacing of Triple Crown races and previewed a Rich Strike-less Preakness. Click here to watch the show; click here for the audio-only version or find it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

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Ward Says Royal Ascot Contingent His Best Ever

Since he won his first ever race at Royal Ascot in 2009, trainer Wesley Ward has attacked the meeting with quantity and quality and the result has been 12 wins. But he says this year's group, which will consist of at least seven horses, is the best he has ever sent overseas for what is the U.K.'s premier race meeting.

“I have never been as strong as this,” he said.

The surprise is that Ward's group of 2-year-olds, usually his strong suit, is not deep. He only has two, 'TDN Rising Star' Love Reigns (Ire) (US Navy Flag) and No Nay Hudson (Ire) (No Nay Never), that are definitely headed there.

“In years past at Belmont, they always ran those early maiden 2-year-old races on the turf,” he said. “They always went. If I won one of those races, I'd send those horses over there. This year, it's unfortunate that, for whatever reason, none of those races went. A lot of people are giving me turf sprinters. They're not the same horses on dirt and I'm reluctant to start them on the dirt. I've been waiting for grass races. There have only been two 2-year-old races run on grass in North America so far this year, both at Keeneland. People are buying horses for me to try to get them to Royal Ascot, but you can't go if you don't get them a start beforehand.”

Ward is hoping to find turf maidens for some of his 2-year-olds within the next 10 days or so and said that could lead to additions to his team.

Here's a look at who Ward plans on sending to Royal Ascot:

Golden Pal (Uncle Mo): Ward has said that this is the best horse he has ever trained and Golden Pal has the record to back that up. He is six-for-nine lifetime and has won the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint and the GII Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. He is expected to be the favourite in the G1 King's Stand S. on Tuesday, June 14.

“This is a big one for him,” Ward said. “He was second there as a 2-year-old in the [G2] Norfolk [S.] and was unlucky to be beaten. I am going back this year and he has never been better in his life. He is my most likely winner.”

Love Reigns: The 2-year-old filly is scheduled to run in the G2 Queen Mary S. on Wednesday, June 15. She broke her maiden on Apr. 29 at Keeneland, winning a 5 1/2-furlong grass race by 9 3/4 lengths.

No Nay Hudson; The 2-year-old colt will run in the Windsor Castle S. also on June 15. He won a 4 1/2-furlong dirt maiden at Keeneland by four lengths.

Asymmetric (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}): Is a new addition to the Ward barn after being campaigned in the U.K. by trainer Alan King. The 3-year-old has not started since Sept. 25. His biggest win came in the G2 Richmond S. He will go in the June 17 G1 Commonwealth Cup.

“It took a little while to get him going and figure him out,” Ward said. “He wasn't working very well when we first started breezing him. He started doing better, but not as good as you'd expect from what his form showed. These last couple of workouts were great. Really, really good. He outworked a really good horse of mine, Outadore, and did it very nicely. I am looking for him to run a good race.”

'TDN Rising Star' Ruthin (GB) (Ribchester {Ire}): The now 3-year-old warmed up for Ascot with a win in the Apr. 15 Limestone S. at Keeneland. She is slated to take on males in the June 17 Palace of Holyroodhouse S. at five furlongs. She finished seventh last year at Ascot in the Windsor Castle S.

Her World (Ire) (Caravaggio): Another filly, she will also run in the Palace of Holyroodhouse S, but has had only two career starts, including a third-place finish in the Limestone.

Campanelle (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}): The filly will be seeking her third win at Royal Ascot when she starts in the G1 Platinum Jubilee S. on Saturday, June 18. She won the G1 Commonwealth Cup there last year and the G2 Queen Mary S. the year before. She also captured the Giant's Causeway S. at Keeneland in her Royal Ascot prep.

“She ran a big race here at Keeneland in her comeback,” Ward said. “She thrives here at Keeneland and every work has been great. I look forward to a big run from her. But this will be her toughest assignment over there yet because she'll be taking on older horses. She's a big powerful mare. She's strong and imposing. I think she will run a big race.”

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Adayar To Miss Coronation Cup; Heads To Ascot

Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) will not return to the scene of his greatest triumph for the G1 Coronation Cup after a bout of coughing held up his preparation for his intended comeback at Epsom on June 3. Last year's Derby and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. winner will head instead to Royal Ascot.

“Adayar was an intended runner some months ago but he just met with a minor setback in that he was coughing so I eased off him for a week,” said Charlie Appleby via a video release on the Godolphin website. “He has done very well in that week but I think we are going to be giving the Coronation a miss, as just fitness-wise I won't quite have him ready in time.”

The trainer plans instead to run Manobo (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who has been beaten just once in six starts when a close second in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup.

He continued, “We had always mooted that we wanted to drop [Manobo] back to a mile and a half. His preparation has gone very well towards the Coronation, he worked this morning and I am very pleased with him. He's definitely an intended runner for the Coronation. Adayar will most likely be heading towards the Prince of Wales's Stakes for the first start of his 4-year-old career.”

Appleby also issued an update on Native Trail (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), who on Saturday will bid to give his trainer an unprecedented hat-trick of wins in the 2000 Guineas, Poule d'Essai des Poulains and Irish 2000 Guineas with three different horses when he lines up for the latter at the Curragh.

“He had his last piece of work this morning and William [Buick] sat on him. He looked great. It's all systems got for the Curragh on Saturday,” said the trainer.

Appleby also has two potential chances to win the Derby for the third time, having left in Lingfield Derby Trial runner-up Walk Of Stars (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Blue Riband Trial winner Nahanni (GB) (Frankel {GB}) at the most recent forfeit stage.

He said, “Walk Of Stars has most definitely come forward mentally for that run at Lingfield. He's a big playboy still but we're most definitely pleased with what we've seen since his run.

“Nahanni hasn't been seen [on the racecourse] since his 'win and you're in' at Epsom in the Blue Riband Trial. Physically, I couldn't be any happier than with how he's done. He's just picking up the gears now and we're looking forward to them both going to Epsom.”

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Baaeed in Good Order For Royal Ascot

Following his imperious display in the G1 Lockinge S. on Saturday, Shadwell's Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) has emerged fresh and well from that effort, trainer William Haggas announced. Now seven-for-seven, the three-time Group 1 winner is now set for the G1 Queen Anne S. at Royal Ascot in June.

“He seems fine, he's very fresh,” said Haggas. “He was certainly a bit fresh this morning so everything is great.

“You always have a race, there's no such thing as an easy Group 1, but he looked to win quite nicely, so it's onwards and upwards. I just hope we can keep him fit and well, that's the most important thing now.

“I hadn't actually thought about the Queen Anne being the first race of the meeting, but it might help with getting it out of the way early [to calm the nerves]–mind, it will be a long week if that doesn't go right.”

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