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Knicks Go Heads Latest Longines WBRR

On the heels of his front-running, 2 3/4-length defeat of Medina Spirit (Protonico) in the Nov. 6 GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar, Korea Racing Authority's Knicks Go (Paynter) has been assigned a rating of 128 and sits atop the latest edition of the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings (WBRR).

With his victory in the $6-million centerpiece of Breeders' Cup weekend, the 5-year-old improved on his previous best ranking of 124. Knicks Go ranks one point higher than the trio of G1 Investec Derby/G1 King George & Queen Elizabeth S. hero Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}); Misriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}), winner of the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic and G1 Juddmonte International S.; and the recently retired Cartier Horse of the Year St Marks Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), whose four Group 1 wins in 2021 include a latest defeat of Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal, 120) in the G1 Irish Champion S. at Leopardstown in September.

Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) moved into a tie for seventh on a rating of 124 after carrying his unbeaten streak to six with a neck defeat of Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}, 125) in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. on British Champions weekend at Ascot Oct. 16. The 3-year-old shares that position with the world's top-rated sprinter and reigning Australian Horse of the Year Nature Strip (Aus) (Nicconi {Aus}), who took the lucrative The Everest at Randwick Oct. 16 ahead of a dominating 3 1/4-length success in the G1 Darley Sprint Classic at Flemington Nov. 6.

Sealiway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) has been given a rating of 123 for his gritty victory in the G1 QIPCO British Champion S., where he defeated 3-year-old Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride of Dubai {Aus}) by three-quarters of a length. The latter is also ranked for the first time, having been given 121 for his Ascot efforts.

Also ranked for the first time is 'TDN Rising Star' Life Is Good (Into Mischief), who thrashed his rivals in the GI Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile last Saturday and was given a rating of 123. His previous best was 120.

Efforia (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}), this year's G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) hero, improved his rating to 123 from 120 following his success in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) at Tokyo Oct. 31 where he had 2020 Triple Crown winner Contrail (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), 121) and Gran Alegria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), 121) immediately in his wake.

In Australia, Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) has been assigned a rating of 122 for her four-length victory over Incentivise (Aus) (Shamus Award {Aus}) in the G1 Lexus Melbourne Cup, while State of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) sits on 120 after his win in the G1 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Oct. 31.

The post Knicks Go Heads Latest Longines WBRR appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Rougir To Continue Fine Run For The Chehboub Family

It has been quite the run for the Chehboub family's Haras de la Gousserie this autumn. First Rougir (Fr) (Territories {Ire}) won the G1 Prix de l'Opera on Arc weekend. Then Sealiway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}), whom they race in partnership with the colt's breeder Guy Pariente, took some fairly notable scalps on QIPCO British Champions Day when landing the G1 QIPCO Champion S.

The gallant stayer Skazino (Fr) (Kendargent {FR}), winner of three Group races at ParisLongchamp this season, only narrowly failed to keep the good times rolling when finishing a length second to the progressive 3-year-old Scope (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) in the G1 Prix Royal-Oak last Sunday, but there is still the chance of another big international score this year as Rougir heads to California for the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Del Mar.

“It's the best season so far for us with four very good horses, including the best 3-year-old filly in France and the best French stayer in Skazino, who is in really good form,” says the charismatic Pauline Chehboub, 27, who manages the growing racing and breeding operation for her father, Kamel.

In a way, the success has really just rolled on from the previous glorious autumn, when Sealiway progressed from winning a Vichy listed race to being placed in the G3 Prix la Rochette before providing the family's first major success on Arc weekend by winning the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. With a decent second in the Prix du Jockey Club this term behind St Mark's Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) and, following a switch from the stable of Frederic Rossi to his nephew Cedric, a fifth-place finish in the Arc, Sealiway was perhaps overlooked going into Ascot. That is unlikely to be the case in the future.

“The plan for the moment is to keep him in training as a 4-year-old,” Chehboub says. “My father thinks he will be better at four. We love a challenge. We know we have a champion in our stable so it will be interesting to see him at four, running in the biggest races in the world. We really think that the best is yet to come. In the Champion Stakes he ran a really true race and the best horse won. He is a champion because nothing bothers him–the track, the going–he is an easy horse with a good temperament and that is so important.”

Rougir, too, had more than hinted at her prowess during her juvenile season when finishing third in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac before winning the G3 Prix des Reservoirs a fortnight later.

She continues, “Rougir is a very solid filly who will run in the Filly & Mare Turf at the Breeders' Cup where she will have a pace advantage. We are confident that she will run a big race. She's a tough filly and we are happy to travel with her.”

Natives of Marseille in the south of France, where the majority of their horses are trained, the Chehboubs have established their breeding operation in the centre of the country in the Loire region, not far from a number of successful Thoroughbred studs, most notably Haras du Mesnil. But they also have plans for expansion on the racing front, as Pauline Chehboub explains.

“We have just bought a stable in Chantilly and we are very excited to be part of this project that will include a lot of yearlings and young horses. Richard Chotard will train for us there. He is a friend of ours, as is Xavier Nakkachdji, who will also be working there. We can't wait to have our first runner from this stable,” she says.

“It is important for us to keep horses in the south of France because that's where we were born and where we live, so it is especially important for my father to keep some horses there, and lots of trainers have had success for us there. We have shown that is is not impossible to train a horse like Sealiway in Marseille.”

Though the family also race homebreds, both Rougir and Sealiway were bought at the yearling sales for what now look like very reasonable sums. Rougir was picked up at Arqana's August Sale for €55,000 from her breeder Jan Krauze, while Sealiway was bought from the same sale for €62,000 from Pariente's Haras de Colleville, with the breeder retaining a share.

“Our best horses are from Arqana and the sales,” says Chehboub. “We have big ambitions and we are trying to have more yearlings, but at the same time we want to be more selective. To find one champion or good horse you need to have a lot of horses. We have grown over the years and we buy horses in August and October, and in the future my father would like to buy horses in England and Ireland as well as the USA. We love the racing in America so he would love to go to Keeneland for the sales.”

Kamel Chehboub's love affair with American racing was almost certainly enhanced by the triumph in the 2008 GI Arlington Million of Spirit One (Fr) (Anabaa Blue {GB}), whom he bred and raced with his brother Bouzid. The brothers initially kept their breeding stock at Haras de Lonrai before investing in their own land at Haras de la Gousserie not long after Spirit One's valuable victory.

“My father has a busy life in the property business and horses are his passion but when you have more and more horses it becomes a business. It is wonderful though to be able to share that passion with your family,” says Pauline, a former pony showjumping champion.

“We have 20 broodmares at the farm but we are trying to reduce that number and keep the best ones. We don't know yet if we will keep Rougir but with a filly like her, she could be a very good foundation mare for the stud.”

As a Group 1 winner already, Rougir has done plenty to advertise her credentials as an enticing future broodmare prospect. The next step for the French star is to conquer America, and as the Chehboub family has already shown, this is far from impossible.

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57 Group 1 Winners Among Nominees To Hong Kong International Races

The 2021 LONGINES Hong Kong International Races has attracted a galaxy of global and local stars with 135 world-class horses included in a glittering entry, with 57 individual Group 1 winners from nine countries or regions eyeing the lucrative four-race showcase on Dec. 12. Now worth a mammoth HK$100 million (US$12.86 million), the four G1s on offer are the HK$30 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m), HK$26 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m), HK$24 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) and HK$20 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m). While the COVID-19 pandemic has continued to create uncertainty around many international sporting events, the strength of this year's entries for the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races again reaffirms the importance of the end-of-year spectacular to horsemen from around the world with the nomination of heavyweights Golden Sixty, Gran Alegria, Verry Elleegant, Mac Swiney, Tarnawa, Loves Only You, Hot King Prawn, Danon Smash, Nature Strip, Snowfall, Love and Sealiway.

Japan heads the overseas representation with 40 of the 90 entries received from abroad, while Hong Kong has 45 contenders listed. Hong Kong's Horse of the Year Golden Sixty headlines a fascinating list of entries. The brilliant son of Medaglia d'Oro hasn't tasted defeat in over two years and will look to defend his title in the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile after blitzing last year's contest. A strong contingent from Aidan O'Brien's all-conquering Ballydoyle has been entered with the Irish mastermind fielding 10 nominations. Featured is Mogul, last year's LONGINES Hong Kong Vase hero, while his brilliant Epsom Oaks winning duo, Love and Snowfall, could also feature. Love claimed the Classic at Epsom Downs by nine lengths in 2020, while Snowfall took it up a notch with a commanding 16-length triumph this year. Order Of Australia, Bolshoi Ballet, Japan, Mother Earth, Broome, La Joconde and Santiago also feature for O'Brien, the most single entries of any handler for this year's flagship event as he looks to add to his three Hong Kong International Races victories. Japan took two out of the four features last year and the 'Land of the Rising Sun' has once again reiterated their affinity for Hong Kong with a high-class list of entrants, including Danon Smash, last year's winner of the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint, while Loves Only You who sealed FWD Champions Day success back in April, could return for the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup. Gran Alegria, a five-time G1 winner from 1200m to 1600m in Japan, is included and could make her first tilt abroad. Glory Vase, winner of the 2019 Hong Kong Vase, has thrown his hat in the ring as have Salios, Lei Papale, Indy Champ and Lauda Sion. LONGINES Hong Kong Cup Loves Only You and Vincent Ho charged to a brilliant win in the G1 FWD QEII Cup on FWD Champions Day and Yoshito Yahagi is after more success at Sha Tin with his two-time G1-winnning mare. Her name sits alongside that of seven from trainer Aidan O'Brien, who has Bolshoi Ballet, Japan, Love, Broome, Snowfall, La Joconde and Santiago all entered. Joining Loves Only You from Japan could be Lei Papale, who was undefeated across her first six starts which included a tough G1 Osaka Hai (2000m) success before her third-placed effort to Chrono Genesis in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) as could Gibeon, Persian Knight and Cafe Pharoah. Gran Alegria holds an option for the 10-furlong test, as do World Premiere, Glory Vase and Curren Bouquetd'or. While also from Ireland is Tarnawa, H H Aga Khan IV's top-class mare holds an entry for both the Cup and the Vase. She's a three-time G1 winner who finished a close-up second in this year's G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (2400m). France is no stranger to success in the Cup with three wins in the 10-furlong showdown thanks to Jim And Tonic (1999), Pride (2006) and Vision d'Etat (2009). This year, their assault could be spearheaded by Sealiway, winner of the British Champion Stakes earlier this month. Trainer Chris Waller has a host entries across the board with two for the Cup, headlined by Verry Elleegant, his prolific G1 winner and last year's champion of the G1 Caulfield Cup (2400m). She was crowned Australia's Racehorse of the Year (2020/21) and could bolster her resume, while Waller's other mare Hungry Heart is entered. The home team's defence features Furore, the 2019 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) hero, Glorious Dragon and Southern Legend, while Panfield, winner of the G1 Standard Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) in May, holds an option for both the Cup and the Vase. Channel Cat – who races in the iconic Calumet Farm silks – is entered for American handler Jack Sisterson. The six-year-old claimed the G1 Man o' War Stakes (2200m) at Belmont Park in May, this year. LONGINES Hong Kong Mile Golden Sixty, winner of his last 14 consecutive races, headlines the entries for the Mile and will spearhead the local brigade. Francis Lui's six-year-old will look to defend his crown in the race, while the home team's entries also includes G1 winners Southern Legend and Waikuku, while 2021 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) winner Sky Darci is expected to have a crack as is Ka Ying Star and More Than This. Leading the assault from overseas is Gran Alegria, Kazuo Fujisawa's crack mare and top-class winner over 1200m and 1600m. She claimed three consecutive G1s through 2020, kicking off her streak with a Yasuda Kinen (1600m) triumph ahead of the phenomenal Almond Eye. A G1 winner in the United States of America, Aidan O'Brien has his Breeders' Cup Mile winner Order Of Australia entered for a second crack at Hong Kong glory, while Mother Earth, winner of this year's G1 Prix Rothschild (1600m) at Deauville is entered. Also from Ireland, Jim Bolger's crack chestnut Mac Swiney could make his way to the 'Far East' for the Mile, while also holding a nomination for the Cup too. The son of New Approach is a two-time G1 winner and he could too be joined from Ireland by Pearls Galore for Paddy Twomey and the Joseph O'Brien-trained State Of Rest, winner of the G1 W.S. Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday (23 October) and also the G1 Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes (1911m). Twice runner-up to Japan's Triple Crown-winning Contrail, Salios – an exceptional three-year-old last year in his own right – holds an entry for the Mile and the Cup. Indy Champ who campaigned to Hong Kong for a luckless seventh in this race two years ago when join equal favourite will look to return for another tilt at redemption, while Lauda Sion, Vollkommen, Grenadier Guards, Lotus Land and Schnell Meister hold options. LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint Champion Sprinter Hot King Prawn heads the Hong Kong nominations, along with G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize (1200m) hero Wellington, last-start G2 Premier Bowl (1200m) winner Lucky Patch as well as a host of younger exceptionally gifted adversaries: Sky Field, Naboo Attack and Courier Wonder. Bolstering the home team is Stronger, Computer Patch and Super Wealthy with one-time boom sprinter Aethero adding intrigue after lengthy stint on the sidelines. Last year's winner, Danon Smash is entered to defend his title and win a second LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint just like his sire, Lord Kanaloa who did so in 2012 and 2013. But he might not be alone from Japan, with Pixie Knight, winner of the G1 Spinters Stakes (1200m) pitted to take his exploits abroad, while Diatonic, Curren Moe, Resistencia and Shivaji also included. Australian speedster Nature Strip, a sharp six-time G1-winning sprinter who recently claimed The Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick, is one of four entrants from Down Under, including Eduardo who finished third to Nature Strip in that race, while from Ireland trainer Adrian McGuinness has last-start G1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp (1000m) winner A Case Of You entered. LONGINES Hong Kong Vase Aidan O'Brien has the most LONGINES Hong Kong Vase wins in history and the Irish legend will look to further enhance that record with Mogul – last year's winner of the race – leads a charge of seven other possibilities into the 12-furlong showdown. O'Brien's hand could feature Bolshoi Ballet, Japan, Love, Snowfall, Broome, La Joconde and Santiago – all of which are also optioned for the Hong Kong Cup. While Hong Kong's leading hope is G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup winner, Panfield, who last-start returned in fine fettle with victory in the G2 Oriental Watch 60th Anniversary Sha Tin Trophy over a mile. The Chilean Triple Crown winner also holds and option for the Cup. Against O'Brien's cavalry could be no shortage of talent; last-start G1 British Champion Stakes winner Sealiway is entered for Cedric Rossi, Ebaiyra is one of two for Alain de Royer-Dupre along with Valia, while Magny Cours could represent Andre Fabre, France's iconic 24-time champion trainer. Also for France is Sweet Lady, Eudaimonia, Monty and Bubble Gift. Frenchman Christophe Clement – who now trains in the United States – has entered Gufo, winner of the G1 Sword Dancer Stakes (2400m) at Saratoga in August this year. Japan has had no shortage of Vase winners in recent times and their charge could be led by Glory Vase, winner of this race two years ago, while Titleholder swept into calculations with victory in the G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) over 3000m on Sunday. The pair could be joined by Curren Bouquetd'or, World Premiere, Satono Saltus, Meiner Virtus, Uberleben, and Authority could join him. Great Britain has tasted significant success in the Vase and they have Away He Goes, Hukum, Spanish Mission and Pyledriver, a last-start G1 winner in the Coronation Cup over the Vase distance 2400m at Epsom Downs. Germany's sole entry – Sisfahan – could bring exceptional Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe form lines having finished second to Arc hero, Torquator Tasso in last month's G1 Grosser Preis von Baden (2400m). Like last year, the staging of the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races will be subject to approval by the Hong Kong SAR Government.

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Mishriff Under Consideration For Breeders’ Cup Turf

Multi-surface star Mishriff is still in contention for the Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar, trainer John Gosden told the Daily Racing Form on Monday.

The 4-year-old was most recently fourth behind Sealiway in the Group 1 QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot, beaten 3 1/4 lengths. Gosden indicated that the soft ground did not suit Mishriff on Saturday.

“He didn't like it,” Gosden told DRF. “They got a little bit of rain that morning.”

Mishriff made a big splash on the global stage when he won the $20 million Saudi Cup on dirt in February. He returned a month later to win the G1 Sheema Classic at 1 1/2 miles on turf in Dubai, then in August captured the G1 Juddmonte International at 1 5/16 miles on turf at York.