Sea the Stars (Ire) | Horse Racing Free Tips

Sea the Stars’s Miss Yoda Takes the Diana

Capping a week to remember even by his exalted standards, Frankie Dettori dropped in on Dusseldorf to whip up the crowd as he steered the Westerberg colour-bearer Miss Yoda (Ger) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) to glory in the G1 Henkel-Preis der Diana. On the front from the outset and allowed her own terms, the June 5 Listed Lingfield Oaks Trial winner was only headed briefly in early straight as Silence Please (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) loomed but when shaken up forged a 3/4-of-a-length success from Zamrud (Ger) (Samum {Ger}), who nosed out Virginia Joy (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) for the runner’s-up spot. “She jumped good and I wanted to be in front–after that she was flowing with a lovely action,” commented Dettori who in the last eight days had won on the household names Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) and Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) and ridden a winner for The Queen on his home track at Newmarket. “When I turned for home she was thinking of going back to the stables, so she stopped a bit but I told her to concentrate and away she went.”

Losing her unbeaten tag on her third and final juvenile start when runner-up in the G3 Zetland S. over 10 furlongs at Newmarket in October, Miss Yoda had returned to garner the Oaks Trial despite not handling Lingfield’s undulations and all Epsom aspirations were dashed there and then. Instead tried in Royal Ascot’s G2 Ribblesdale S. June 16, she was sixth there and was too keen when fourth in the 13-furlong G3 Bahrain Trophy back at Newmarket July 9. Enjoying an easy lead despite not always looking at home on this tight circuit, she was hanging left and looking likely to be swamped as Silence Please launched her challenge inside the final 300 metres. Quickly regaining momentum, the 5-1 shot was soon re-asserting as that Irish raider hung away her chance and it was another group 1 for her powerful connections.

The dam Monami (Ger) (Sholokhov {Ire}), whose yearling colt by Kingman (GB) was bought for 340,000gns by Baroda Stud at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale, was the winner of the G2 Diana-Trial and the G3 Preis der Winterkonigin as well as finishing third in the G1 Premio di Vittorio di Capua. She is kin to the G1 Oaks d’Italia heroine Meridiana (Ger) (Lomitas {GB}), whose four stakes performers are headed by Chamois (Smart Strike) who was placed in the GII Dixie S. This is the family of the smart group 3-winning stayer Moonshiner (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) and the G2 Diana-Trial winner Meergorl (Ger), also by Adlerflug. Monami also has an as-yet unraced 2-year-old colt by Amaron (GB) named Mahanadi {GB}) and a foal full-sister to Miss Yoda to come.

Sunday, Dusseldorf, Germany
162ND HENKEL-PREIS DER DIANA – GERMAN OAKS-G1, €500,000, Dusseldorf, 8-2, 3yo, f, 11fT, 2:14.34, gd.
1–MISS YODA (GER), 128, f, 3, by Sea The Stars (Ire)
1st Dam: Monami (Ger) (Hwt. 2yo Filly-Ger, MGSW-Ger & G1SP-Ity, $151,856), by Sholokhov (Ire)
2nd Dam: Monbijou (Ger), by Dashing Blade (GB)
3rd Dam: Meerdunung (Gdr), by Tauchsport (Gdr)
1ST GROUP WIN; 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (€280,000 Ylg ’18 BBAGS). O-Westerberg; B-Gestut Etzean (GER); T-John Gosden; J-Lanfranco Dettori. €300,000. Lifetime Record: SW & GSP-Eng, 7-4-1-0, €345,701. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Zamrud (Ger), 128, f, 3, Samum (Ger)–Zambuka (Fr), by Zieten. O-Rennstall Gestut Hachtsee; B-Gestut Hachtsee (GER); T-Sarah Steinberg. €100,000.
3–Virginia Joy (Ger), 128, f, 3, Soldier Hollow (GB)–Virginia Sun (Ger), by Doyen (Ire). O/B-Gestut Auenquelle (GER); T-Marcel Weiss. €50,000.
Margins: 3/4, NO, 1HF. Odds: 5.30, 9.70, 5.30.
Also Ran: Silence Please (Ire), Kalifornia Queen (Ger), Elle Memory (Ger), Ocean Fantasy (Fr), Snow (Ger), For Pleasure (Ger), No Limit Credit (Ger), Flamingo Girl (Ger), Sister Lulu (Ger), Tangut (Ger), Paloma Ohe (GB), Moon A Lisa (Ger). Scratched: Tickle Me Green (Ger). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Raabihah Back In The Groove At Deauville

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Raabihah (Sea the Stars {Ire}), who went untested as a juvenile, was up with the larks for a Jan. 23 debutantes’ heat win at Cagnes-sur-Mer and doubled up with an impressive tally in ParisLongchamp’s May 14 Listed Prix de la Seine before posting a commendable fourth, despite a troubled trip, pitched into Chantilly’s rescheduled July 5 G1 Prix de Diane in her latest outing. Sent off as the 2-5 lock on a retrieval mission in Saturday’s G3 Prix de Psyche Sky Sports Racing over 10 furlongs at Deauville, the homebred chestnut did not disappoint her legion of supporters and booked a ticket to France’s end-of-season gala with a performance which simply oozed class. She was positioned several lengths off the pacesetting Arriviste (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) in fourth until improving one spot as the field bunched on the home turn. Overpowering toiling rivals once quickening in style for control approaching the final furlong, Raabihah surged clear in hand to easily dismiss Listed Prix Finlande victress Wangari (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) by an impressive 3 1/2 lengths with Wangari’s Andre Fabre-trained stablemate Alkandora (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) emerging best of the remainder, finishing 3/4-of-a-length further back in third.

“I think what we have seen here today is a Group 1 filly,” said winning trainer Jean-Claude Rouget, who sent out Luna Kya (Fr) (Kendor {Fr}) to win this in 2001 and subsequent MGISW distaffer Zagora (Fr) (Green Tune) in 2010. “We knew that before, of course, but we missed the opportunity to win a big one in the Diane where she had an awful trip and didn’t have enough experience to get herself out of trouble. We have been in racing long enough to know that these things happen. The pace was good today and the further she was going the more she was opening up on the rest.”

Rouget is now zoning in on targets back at the highest level with October’s G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe the ultimate goal this year. “For me, she is the best French filly around and she’s not even running over her distance. We know she is a genuine mile-and-a-half filly, with her second and third dams both being Oaks winners, and the plan is to now go straight to the [Sept. 13 G1 Prix] Vermeille and then the [Oct. 4 G1 Prix de l’] Arc [de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp].”

Raabihah is one of two winners and the leading performer produced by Garmoosha (Kingmambo), who was bred to Noble Mission (GB) this year. The fourth of six foals, she is a half-sister to Listed Wait A While S. third Filfila (Kitten’s Joy), a yearling filly by Kitten’s Joy and a 2020 More Than Ready filly. Her dam is an unraced half to G1 Fillies’ Mile third Firdaws (Mr. Greeley) out of G1 Epsom Oaks heroine Eswarah (GB) (Unfuwain), who in turn is a daughter of MG1SW G1 1000 Guineas and G1 Epsom Oaks heroine Midway Lady (Alleged). The latter also produced G1 Irish 1000 Guineas third Umniyatee (GB) (Green Desert) and G3 Princess Royal S. victrix Itnab (GB) (Green Desert), who in turn is the dam of stakes-winning G3 Al Shindagha Sprint runner-up Alazeyab (El Prado {Ire}) and Peruvian Group 3 placegetter Madera de Guerrero (Street Cry {Ire}). Descendants of Umniyatee include Argentina’s G1 Presidente da Republica victor Maltes (Brz) (Red Runner).

Saturday, Deauville, France
PRIX DE PSYCHE SKY SPORTS RACING-G3, €56,000, Deauville, 8-1, 3yo, f, 8fT, 2:02.81, gd.
1–RAABIHAH, 125, f, 3, by Sea the Stars (Ire)
1st Dam: Garmoosha, by Kingmambo
2nd Dam: Eswarah (GB), by Unfuwain
3rd Dam: Midway Lady, by Alleged
1ST GROUP WIN. O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum; B-Shadwell Farm LLC (KY); T-Jean-Claude Rouget; J-Cristian Demuro. €28,000. Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-0, €91,760. *1/2 to Filfila (Kitten’s Joy), SP-US. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Wangari (Ger), 125, f, 3, Soldier Hollow (GB)–Wamika (Ger), by Shirocco (Ger). (€35,000 Ylg ’18 BBAGO). O-White Birch Farm; B-Gestut Park Wiedingen; T-Andre Fabre. €11,200.
3–Alkandora (GB), 125, f, 3, Nathaniel (Ire)–Poplin (GB), by Medicean (GB). (85,000gns Ylg ’18 TAOCT). O-Godolphin; B-D J Deer & Mrs D J Deer (GB); T-Andre Fabre. €8,400.
Margins: 3HF, 3/4, 3/4. Odds: 0.40, 4.40, 8.00.
Also Ran: Arriviste (GB), Chorba (Fr), Run Wild (Ger), Euclidia (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

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Daughter of Intercontinental Debuts at Deauville

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Thursday’s Insights features a daughter of Breeders’ Cup heroine Intercontinental (GB) (Danehill).

4.20 Goodwood, Mdn, £16,500, 2yo, f, 7fT
MISS CHESS (IRE) (Zoffany {Ire}) bids to build on her debut third at Yarmouth earlier this month on the same card that her G1 Prix de Diane-winning half-sister Fancy Blue (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) takes part in the G1 Nassau S. The Phoenix Ladies Syndicate’s €220,000 Arqana Deauville August Sale graduate is a relative of High Chaparral (Ire) and represents the Ed Vaughan stable in this maiden won in recent times by Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Amazing Maria (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}). Amongst her opponents is Jeff Smith’s Iconic Queen (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), a Ralph Beckett-trained half-sister to the G1 Juddmonte International heroine Arabian Queen (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).

8.50 Deauville, Debutantes, €22,000, 2yo, f, 6fT
NOT IN DOUBT (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) is one of the day’s intriguing juvenile runners as a daughter of the 2005 GI Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine Intercontinental (GB) (Danehill). Andre Fabre introduces the Juddmonte homebred and also Lady Bamford’s Love Child (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), a 700,000gns Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1 graduate who is a half-sister to the G2 Prix Niel and G2 Prix Chaudenay winner Brundtland (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).

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Fourth Goodwood Cup For Super Stradivarius

There was a degree of worry and stress for the connections and abundant fans of Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) to endure during Tuesday’s G1 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup, but ultimately it was the familiar outcome as Bjorn Nielsen’s chestnut wrought a fourth victory in this historic prize. Momentarily pinned behind Nayef Road (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Santiago (Ire) (Authorized {Ire}) inside the last two furlongs, the 4-7 favourite had to make his own racing room as the last furlong neared but by now there seems very little that he is incapable of. Picking up to overhaul them in the final 100 yards, he again dominated the climax of yet another top staying prize to step closer to immortality. Despite the tense nature of the preceding moments, there was a comfortable air to his length verdict over the long-time leader Nayef Road, while the G1 Irish Derby hero Santiago was unable to capitalise on his 15-pound weight-for-age concession 1 1/4 lengths behind in third. With this latest momentous achievement under his belt, the ever-composed Stradivarius now heads down a very different route with the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in the owner-breeder’s and trainer’s sights. “We talked about this a year ago and John [Gosden] said if he stays healthy we’ll train him for the Arc,” Nielsen commented. “There is no [Weatherbys Hamilton £1million] bonus this time and he can have six weeks off now and probably go for the [G2 Prix] Foy three weeks before the Arc. Unfortunately, we won’t have our jockey so we’ll have to find a substitute.”

These staying races are fast regaining their prior glory and there are few who would deny that Stradivarius now sits alongside the revered staying greats such as Sagaro (GB), Ardross (Ire) and Yeats (Ire). Nielsen was typically humble when asked for his opinion. “That’s for other people to decide, but I think he deserves to be in the conversation,” he said. “They are rare horses and it’s amazing that he turned up on my doorstep–there is a lot of luck involved.”

Much water has passed under the bridge since Stradivarius played the role of young upstart when denying the dual Goodwood Cup hero Big Orange (GB) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}) his own landmark in the 2017 edition of this race. Since that first top-level success, which was followed by a third placing in a strong renewal of the G1 St Leger, he has garnered two £1million Weatherbys Hamilton bonuses and dealt with a list of classy performers in this division including Vazirabad (Fr) (Manduro {Ger}), Torcedor (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), Order of St George (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Dee Ex Bee (GB) (Farhh {GB}) and Cross Counter (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}). Like his stable’s leading lady Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), he seems to have an insatiable appetite for prestige events which shows no sign of diminishing.

Sticking to the inside up the straight as the expertly-ridden Nayef Road set down to see off all-comers, Frankie was going best passing two out but was being leaned on by Eagles By Day (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) which kept him a pocket. As Santiago took on the Mark Johnston front-runner, Ballydoyle’s 3-year-old may have been briefly ahead but Silvestre de Sousa conjured more from Nayef Road to re-assert. Stradivarius had meanwhile muscled his way out into the clear and when he needed his trademark acceleration to overwhelm that duo it was as potent as ever.

Just as he had in 2019, Dettori was revelling in completing a high-profile double in less than a week, supplementing the high he experienced on Saturday with Enable. “What a horse. He’s given 15 pounds away, everyone rode to beat me and he still gets out and wins,” he commented. “He’s an amazing horse and well done to Bjorn Nielsen. I go from a superstar mare in Enable to this champion horse in three days. It’s the stuff of dreams. I just had to be patient and when you have good horses the gap will come. I’ve been in that position before and it’s not nice to be there, but we got out.”

“Obviously, I thought the biggest danger was Santiago, so I was trying to get behind him. I thought, with a 15-pound weight spread, he would try to make the most of it and probably make it a true test from four out but it turned into a two-furlong sprint,” he added. “For a minute I was boxed in, but if you want to sprint with Stradivarius you’ve got to be pretty good. For a furlong he took a little bit of organising, then he was amazing–he can put two lengths on any horse in a furlong. It’s amazing for a stayer. I really did not expect the race to turn out like that, only sprinting for two furlongs. He’s so good and so versatile, he can get me out of trouble. I’m still floating from the King George, so I have to pinch myself that this is actually happening. To do it again this year is amazing.”

John Gosden said, “The key thing when you’re tracking a horse like Santiago, who is in receipt of 15 pounds, is not to attack two and a half to three furlongs down and turn it into a real slog. Nayef Road ran a blinder again right beside us and I think it was right to wait. When he hits the front now, he thinks that’s it. It was a great performance under that weight. He has a great heart, is very cool and relaxed. Mr Neilsen and I have discussed it and he will run in the Prix Foy next and then be aimed at the Arc.”

Despite his multitude of accomplishments in this sphere, the winner’s prospects of a successful career at stud remains a sticking point for his owner-breeder. “The demand for him commercially isn’t there, as horses who have won just group one over a mile would command more of a stud fee,” Nielsen said. “That’s just the way it is, the trends and the fashion but hopefully it reverts and people will wake up.”

Stradivarius’s dam Private Life (Fr) (Bering {GB}) had no other offerings after him, but her 70,000gns purchase at the 2006 Tattersalls December Mares Sale has reaped rich dividends. Also responsible for the G3 Bavarian Classic and G3 Furstenberg-Rennen scorer Persian Storm (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}) and the group-placed Rembrandt Van Rijn (Ire) (Peintre Celebre), she hails from the family of the G1 Melbourne Cup hero Protectionist (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}) and descends from Pawneese (Ire). Horse of the Year in England and champion 3-year-old filly in France in 1976 courtesy of her triumphs in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. and the G1 Prix de Diane, she is also the ancestress of the brilliant Peintre Celebre.

Tuesday, Goodwood, Britain
AL SHAQAB GOODWOOD CUP S.-G1, £250,000, Goodwood, 7-28, 3yo/up, 16fT, 3:35.07, gd.
1–STRADIVARIUS (IRE), 135, h, 6, by Sea the Stars (Ire)
1st Dam: Private Life (Fr) (MSP-Fr), by Bering (GB)
2nd Dam: Poughkeepsie (Ire), by Sadler’s Wells
3rd Dam: Pawneese (Ire), by Carvin II
(330,000gns RNA Ylg ’15 TATOCT). O/B-Bjorn Nielsen (IRE); T-John Gosden; J-Lanfranco Dettori. £141,775. Lifetime Record: 2x Hwt. Older Horse-Eur at 14f+, 23-16-2-3, $3,681,261. *1/2 to Persian Storm (Ger) (Monsun {Ger})), Hwt. 3yo-Ger at 9.5-11f & MGSW-Ger, $121,198; Rembrandt Van Rijn (Ire) (Peintre Celebre), GSP-UAE, $167,081; and Magical Eve (Ger) (Oratorio {Ire}), SP-SAf. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Nayef Road (Ire), 135, c, 4, Galileo (Ire)–Rose Bonheur (GB), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). (100,000gns Ylg ’17 TATOCT). O-Mohamed Obaida; B-B V Sangster (IRE); T-Mark Johnston. £53,750.
3–Santiago (Ire), 120, c, 3, Authorized (Ire)–Wadyhatta (GB), by Cape Cross (Ire). O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Susan Magnier; B-Lynch Bages Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O’Brien. £26,900.
Margins: 1, 1 1/4, 3. Odds: 0.57, 20.00, 1.88.
Also Ran: Eagles By Day (Ire), Euchen Glen (GB), Spanish Mission, Who Dares Wins (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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