Tag: Sean Levey

Starspangledbanner’s Aristia Wins The Romanet

   There was no fairytale at Deauville on Sunday as Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) failed to fire on her European bow in the G1 Darley Prix Jean Romanet won from the front by Elizabeth “Bunny” Roberts's Aristia (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}). Aristia had found only Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) too strong in the G1 Nassau S. at Goodwood last time July 28 and that form saw to it that the Richard Hannon trainee traded at only 4-1 as Sean Levey sought to dictate to suit. Kept company by Rosscarbery (Ger) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) throughout, the bay ultimately had too much pace where it counted and found the line a neck ahead of that rival, with another 1 1/4 lengths back to Ebaiyra (Distorted Humor) in third. The 12-5 favourite Verry Elleegant went to post with positive vibes surrounding her, but was detached early and failed to get out of last place at any stage.

“It's amazing. Winning a Group 1 race here in France is hard to achieve–we've had many places, including an hour ago, but she is a very brave and tough filly,” Hannon said. “She can dictate the pace or come from behind, but from the one draw, Sean did well to let her go on. She's had her ups and downs, but she came in her coat very late in the season and that is why she is doing real well only now. She is a genuine filly. Jamie Magee had her for a period over the winter and he has done an excellent job and deserves a mention. The Opera on Arc day is a possibility, but also the Fillies' and Mares' race on Champions day.”

Roberts, president of Jersey's race club and sister of Robert Barnett whose Time Charter (Ire) achieved renown in the '80s, has had offers to refuse along the way for the winner, whose career began with a win at 20-1 at Newbury last April. Third in that track's Listed Haras De Bouquetot Fillies' Trial before upsetting Alpine Star (Ire) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) in York's Listed Lyric Fillies' S. either side of an eighth in the G2 Ribblesdale S., she rounded off her 2021 campaign with a below-par ninth in the G2 Prix de la Nonette here 12 months ago. Returning to be second in the G2 Middleton Fillies' S. back at York May 12, she threw in another bad one when ninth in Royal Ascot's Listed Wolferton S. June 14 before taking it to a new level in the Nassau and this prize which often falls to an improver.

Pedigree Notes:

Aristia's dam Aloisi (GB) (Kalanisi {Ire}), who also produced the Australian stakes winner Glorious Sinndar {Fr) (Sinndar {Ire}), is a daughter of the Listed Prix Rose de Mai winner and G3 Prix Penelope-placed Bellona (Ire) (Bering {GB}). She is in turn responsible for Es Que (GB) (Inchinor {GB}), whose four stakes winners are headed by the G1 Hong Kong Vase hero Dominant (Ire) (Cacique {Ire}) and the G2 Lennox S.-winning sire Es Que Love (Ire) (Clodovil {Ire}). The third dam is the G3 Prix de Royaumont scorer Bellarida (Fr) (Bellypha {Ire}), whose G3 Prix de Flore-winning daughter In Clover (GB), also by Inchinor, produced a trio of top-level winners in Dansili's We Are (Ire) and With You (GB) and Frankel's Call The Wind (GB). Aloisi's 2-year-old colt by Aclaim (Ire) was a 52,000gns purchase by Rabbah Bloodstock at the Tattersalls December Yearling Sale, while she also has a yearling colt by Bungle Inthejungle (GB) due to sell at the upcoming Goffs Orby and a filly foal by Gregorian (Ire).

Sunday, Deauville, France
DARLEY PRIX JEAN ROMANET-G1, €250,000, Deauville, 8-21, 4yo/up, f/m, 10fT, 2:08.03, gd.
1–ARISTIA (IRE), 126, f, 4, by Starspangledbanner (Aus)
                1st Dam: Aloisi (GB), by Kalanisi (Ire)
                2nd Dam: Bellona (Ire), by Bering (GB)
                3rd Dam: Bellarida (Fr), by Bellypha (Ire)
   1ST GROUP WIN; 1ST G1 WIN. O-Mrs E Roberts; B-Rathasker
Stud (IRE); T-Richard Hannon; J-Sean Levey. €142,850.
Lifetime Record: SW & G1SP-Eng, 9-3-2-1, $378,428. *1/2 to
Glorious Sinndar (Fr) (Sinndar {Ire}), SW-Aus, $220,422. Click
   for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating:
   A+++ *Triple Plus*.
2–Rosscarbery (Ger), 126, f, 4, Sea The Stars (Ire)–Rose Rized
(Ger), by Authorized (Ire). 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. (130,000gns
Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-Robert J W Moran; B-Gestut Wittekindshof
(GER); T-Paddy Twomey; J-Billy Lee. €57,150.
3–Ebaiyra, 126, m, 5, Distorted Humor–Ebiyza (Ire), by Rock of
Gibraltar (Ire). O-H H Aga Khan; B-H H The Aga Khan Studs SC
(KY); T-Francis-Henri Graffard. €28,575.
Margins: NK, 1 1/4, HD. Odds: 4.20, 3.80, 4.60.
Also Ran: Rumi (Fr), Sundoro (Ire), Burgarita (GB), Verry Elleegant (NZ). Scratched: Ville De Grace (GB). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.

The post Starspangledbanner’s Aristia Wins The Romanet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Night Of Thunder’s Isaac Shelby Prevails In Superlative Thriller

Manton Thoroughbreds' hitherto undefeated 2-year-old colt Isaac Shelby (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}–Kentucky Belle {Ire}), by Heliostatic {Ire}) registered a taking 3 1/2-length success in his May 31 unveiling going 6 1/2 furlongs at Newbury, the chestnut's only prior start, and doubled up in game fashion after a ding-dong tussle with Godolphin's Victory Dance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) throughout the closing stages of Saturday's seven-furlong G2 bet365 Superlative S. at Newmarket. The 3-1 chance was the sharpest of five into stride and accepted a tow from Dark Thirty (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) in second after the early shuffling. Coming under pressure, as did all four rivals, passing the quarter-mile marker, he gained a narrow advantage approaching the final furlong and was driven out up the hill to withstand the persistent threat of Victory Dance by a head after a thrilling duel. Dark Thirty kept on once headed to finish 3 3/4 lengths back in third. 'TDN Rising Star' Lion Of War (GB) (Roaring Lion) was unable to feature when it mattered and finished last of the five contenders. The local stewards were back in session to conduct another official post mortem. Looking specifically at interference passing the furlong marker, where Isaac Shelby drifted across Dark Thirty's lane, the placings were allowed stand without amendment. Winning jockey Sean Levey received a two-day ban for his troubles.

“You're always tempted to make predictions, but he's very nice and really is the business I think,” commented Brian Meehan after annexing his first win in the contest. “He looks really special and could even be a [G1 2000] Guineas horse. He's got a good temperament and Sean [Levey] knows him well, so they're a good package. We'd stay at seven [furlongs] now, which I think is ideal, but we won't be in any hurry [to go up in trip]. I think we'd train him as a Guineas horse now. These horses are special and they're the reason you do it. You get the most enjoyment out of training winners of course, but when you get horses like him with serious potential it's exciting. All winter he's looked like a nice horse, he's straightforward with a lovely temperament and is very easy to deal with. We've got a great team at home with some very good judges and they've always liked him. It's easy to think that he was going to be nice, but this is high-end stuff and he's really proven himself. We'll take it step by step and won't rush into things, but he's a horse that we think is going to improve and physically there's still massive improvement there. We'll get him back and sit round the table and make a little plan after a week or so. Goodwood would come too soon, but the [G2] Champagne [at Doncaster in September] is a race I've thought about. I love the Breeders' Cup so the [GI] Juvenile Turf is one we'll definitely factor into our thoughts as well. I'm so pleased for Sam [Sangster], we do a lot together. He buys horses for me and my clients as a bloodstock agent and he runs these partnerships as well. It keeps the [Robert Sangster] colours alive which is really cool, he's a great guy and I can't thank him enough for his support.”

Charlie Appleby was not downcast after the narrow defeat of Victory Dance, who remains on target for the Curragh's G1 Vincent O'Brien National S., according to the trainer, despite the reversal. “The winner is a nice horse as he won that maiden at Newbury nicely and I feel we have more to go forward with as well,” he said. “We saw him there on his first start only just getting the hang of it and, when he got into a battle, he did well for his inexperience. I think going forward we have got all the options now, but I won't take him to somewhere like the [G2] Vintage [at Goodwood]. If we seek significant improvement at home we will carry on with Plan A and head to the [G1 Vincent O'Brien] National.”

Richard Hannon, a dual winner of this contest, was satisfied with the display of Dark Thirty and reflected, “It was a step up from his [Listed] Chesham run and I'm very happy with it. The interference wasn't ideal, but the best horse has won. We are delighted with our fellow as he has got home very well and he will get further in time. He would have finished closer, but I don't think he would have finished a position closer. He is a very nice horse and a class horse to look forward to the rest of the year. We wouldn't be far away in some of those seven-furlong Group 3s and he is definitely not average. There is the [G3] Prix Francois Boutin at Deauville, which would be ideal.”

Isaac Shelby, who becomes the 17th pattern-race scorer for his sire (by Dubawi {Ire}), is the third of four foals and one of two winners produced by an unraced half-sister to GII Mac Diarmida H. victor Ramazotti (Honor Grades) and to the dam of dual stakes winner Vow To Recover (Broken Vow). The April-foaled chestnut is a half-brother to a yearling colt by Al Kazeem (GB). The April-foaled chestnut's dam Kentucky Belle (Ire) (Heliostatic {Ire}) is a daughter of Listed Prom S. placegetter Mine Inning (Mining), herself out of Listed Revidere S. runner-up Weed It Out (Clever Trick). Descendants of Weed It Out also include Listed Debutante S. victrix She's My Warrior (Warrior's Reward), Listed Minnesota Derby scorer Thealligatorhunter (Overanalyze), Listed Oak Tree Sprint S. heroine Annie's Candy (Twirling Candy) and the Puerto Rican champion juvenile Wicked Runner (Wicked Strong). Weed It Out's siblings include GI American Derby hero Pocket Zipper (Full Pocket).

Saturday, Newmarket, Britain
BET365 SUPERLATIVE S.-G2, £100,000, Newmarket, 7-9, 2yo, 7fT, 1:25.13, g/f.
1–ISAAC SHELBY (GB), 129, c, 2, by Night Of Thunder (Ire)
1st Dam: Kentucky Belle (Ire), by Heliostatic (Ire)
2nd Dam: Mine Inning, by Mining
3rd Dam: Weed It Out, by Clever Trick
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (£92,000 Ylg '21 GOFFUK). O-Manton Thoroughbreds VII; B-Elaine Chivers (GB); T-Brian Meehan; J-Sean Levey. £56,710. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $72,686. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Victory Dance (Ire), 129, c, 2, Dubawi (Ire)–Dane Street, by Street Cry (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (700,000gns Wlg '20 TATFOA). O-Godolphin; B-Airlie Stud & Mrs S Rogers (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby. £21,500.
3–Dark Thirty (Ire), 129, c, 2, Starspangledbanner (Aus)–Beach Wedding (Ire), by Footstepsinthesand (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (£90,000 Ylg '21 GOFFUK). O-Martin Hughes & Michael Kerr-Dineen; B-Lynn Lodge Stud (IRE); T-Richard Hannon. £10,760.
Margins: HD, 3 3/4, 1 1/4. Odds: 3.00, 1.25, 10.00.
Also Ran: For A Laugh (Ire), Lion of War (GB). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

 

The post Night Of Thunder’s Isaac Shelby Prevails In Superlative Thriller appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Shergar Cup Teams Confirmed

The four teams for Saturday's Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup jockey competition at Ascot have been confirmed, with three jockeys comprising each team. This year's Derby winning jockey Adam Kirby will captain Team Great Britain, on which he will be joined by Cieren Fallon and James Doyle. This year's G1 Gold Cup-winning rider Joe Fanning leads Team Ireland, which is also made up of David Egan and Tadhg O'Shea. Hayley Turner, the most successful rider in the history of the Shergar Cup, captains the Ladies Team which also includes Mickaelle Michel and Nicola Currie. Sean Levey, winner of the G1 Falmouth S. aboard Snow Lantern (GB) (Frankel {GB}) last month, in joined on the Rest of the World Team by Kevin Stott and Andrea Atzeni.

Nick Smith, director of racing and public affairs at Ascot Racecourse, said, “We're thrilled with the jockey line up for the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup this year. Obviously COVID-19 has made international travel very difficult so to pull together such a strong set of teams that still has a global feel is really pleasing. It should be a great day's racing and another thrilling renewal of the competition which sadly didn't take place last year but we look forward to building the day back up in the years to come.”

The post Shergar Cup Teams Confirmed appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Frankel’s Snow Lantern Prevails In Falmouth Thriller

Friday's G1 Tattersalls Falmouth S. at Newmarket had the look of a vintage renewal and so it proved with the 3-year-olds in charge led by Rockcliffe Stud's 'TDN Rising Star' Snow Lantern (GB) (Frankel {GB}).

Runner-up to Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never) in the mud in the G1 Coronation S. at Royal Ascot June 18, the 6-1 shot was more settled this time buried against the far rail in mid-division with that rival in front on that side. Eased out by Sean Levey inside the final two furlongs, the grey daughter of the high-class Sky Lantern (Ire) (Red Clubs {Ire}) finished off strongly up the rising ground to overwhelm Mother Earth (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) in the dying yards of a pulsating race. At the line, there was half a length between her and that rival who had been third in the Coronation, with the 5-2 favourite Alcohol Free a neck back in third the same margin ahead of the best of the older fillies and mares, Lady Bowthorpe (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}).

“From my point of view, it was fairly straightforward, as the main thing is that she had to settle,” Levey commented. “We came out of the pocket late enough, but I always had the filly and she picked up up the hill and hit the line strong. She's always been exciting and with her breeding, it was very easy for everyone to get ahead of themselves a little bit, but she's proven now what we thought of her was true.”

Introduced over seven furlongs at Ascot in July, Snow Lantern was a promising second to the subsequent G2 May Hill S. third Zabeel Queen (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) but was not seen again until making a successful return at the expense of future 'Rising Star' Derab (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) in a Newbury maiden over this trip Apr. 18. Only third behind Primo Bacio (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}) in the Listed Michael Seely Memorial S. again at this distance at York May 14, the homebred was too free on that occasion and still showed signs of that tendency during the early part of the Coronation before putting in a strong finish to gain the silver medal. Having met traffic late on in that feature, it was to be expected that with normal improvement on more suitable ground she could turn the tables on Alcohol Free here, but the betting suggested not, as Jeff Smith's runner was heavily-backed.

While Snow Lantern settled ideally with so much cover, that proved a double-edged sword with Sean Levey trapped against the fence with a clutch of fillies gathered around him. Up ahead, Oisin Murphy had taken the initiative on the favourite, who was comfortable on the front end, with Pretty Gorgeous (Fr) (Lawman {Fr}) pinned on the rail directly ahead of the eventual winner and Mother Earth sticking close. The previously unbeaten Just Beautiful (GB) (Pride of Dubai {Aus}) drifted from the centre to join Alcohol Free by halfway and two out, the main sufferers of the clustered pack were Snow Lantern, Primo Bacio and Lady Bowthorpe, with the latter forced to angle far wide for her customary potent late effort. Once in the clear, there were two lengths for the Hannon filly to make up on Alcohol Free and Mother Earth a furlong from home, but the combination of Frankel's power and her dam's trademark deadly acceleration saw her cut down her peers in impressive fashion.

Added Levey: “They went a nice pace and the only thing I didn't expect was that they would come far side, but Oisin [Murphy] thought it would be a benefit to go there, and so I was crying to get out of the pocket. I followed Pretty Gorgeous and I was further back than I wanted to be while he [Murphy] was getting a dream run. Ryan [Moore, on Mother Earth] came off the bridle way before I did and I did think it would be very hard to get out of there. I lost a couple of lengths swinging around them, but she got enough momentum to go by them. Her mother wasn't the most straightforward and with that Frankel in her, she is very eager to please–it is hard to keep a lid on her and you can't force her or she could go the other way.

“They've done a massive job on her at home and she's getting into a great routine–she settled as well as she ever has there and it's all come to fruition now. The way she came in after the race, she'd learnt a little bit and so should keep progressing.”

Richard Hannon has made no secret of his belief in the winner and his primary feeling was no surprise.

“It's a relief more than anything,” he said. “Sky Lantern was a freak, as she wasn't meant to be that good, but this one has the pedigree and so has always created a lot of interest and pressure. After York, I felt she had to do something and I was so pleased and disappointed at the same time after Royal Ascot. Today was an extremely good race and a real championship race, so to win the way she did was great.”

Despite all her achievements, the 2013 renewal of this race was one that got away for Sky Lantern after she had been carried across the track when narrowly beaten by Elusive Kate (Elusive Quality). For Hannon, there was a sense of justice in the outcome of this year's contest.

“Elusive Kate was a very good filly, but there was a score to settle,” he added. “The dam was brilliant, but I always thought that this filly was as good if not better and she'll get 10 [furlongs]. She is in the [July 29 G1] Nassau [at Goodwood] and the [July 28 G1] Sussex [at Goodwood] and the [Aug. 18 G1] Juddmonte International [at York], but that was her day and there is no pressure now. She can go everywhere and we can enjoy it–anything else now would be great. As far as a mile is concerned, I think if it's not broken don't fix it and she'd be taking on different animals over a mile and a quarter so we'll see.”

Sky Lantern was an earlier developer than her daughter, winning the G1 Moyglare Stud S. in six starts as a juvenile which also included an unlucky trip in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. Snow Lantern is thus far the only filly from six foals out of the G1 1000 Guineas, the G1 Coronation S. and the G1 Sun Chariot S. winner. Her other produce include the 2-year-old First Emperor (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) and 2020 and 2021 sons of Kingman (GB).

A half-sister to four black-type performers including the G3 Queen's Vase-winning stayer Shanty Star (Ire) (Hector Protector) and the G3 Round Tower S.-winning sprinter Arctic (Ire) (Shamardal), she is also the third dam of the talented Second Thought (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) who was a triple listed scorer and runner-up in the G2 Sandy Lane S. Sky Lantern is a granddaughter of Negligent (Ire) (Ahonoora {GB}), the champion 2-year-old filly in England in 1989 courtesy of her win in the G3 Rockfel S. who was later third in her 1000 Guineas.

Friday, Newmarket, Britain
TATTERSALLS FALMOUTH S.-G1, £215,500, Newmarket, 7-9, 3yo/up, f/m, 8fT, 1:35.93, g/f.
1–SNOW LANTERN (GB), 124, f, 3, by Frankel (GB)
1st Dam: Sky Lantern (Ire) (Hwt. 2yo Filly-Ire, MG1SW-Eng & G1SW-Ire, $1,252,123), by Red Clubs (Ire)
2nd Dam: Shawanni (GB), by Shareef Dancer
3rd Dam: Negligent (Ire), by Ahonoora (GB)
'TDN Rising Star' 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN; 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O/B-Rockcliffe Stud (GB); T-Richard Hannon; J-Sean Levey. £122,210. Lifetime Record: 5-2-2-1, $312,406. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Mother Earth (Ire), 124, f, 3, Zoffany (Ire)–Many Colours (GB), by Green Desert. (€150,000 Ylg '19 GOFOR). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Grenane House Stud (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. £46,333.
3–Alcohol Free (Ire), 124, f, 3, No Nay Never–Plying, by Hard Spun. (€40,000 Wlg '18 GOFNOV). O-J C Smith; B-Churchtown House Stud (IRE); T-Andrew Balding. £23,188.
Margins: HF, NK, NK. Odds: 6.00, 5.00, 2.50.
Also Ran: Lady Bowthorpe (GB), Primo Bacio (Ire), Just Beautiful (GB), Pretty Gorgeous (Fr), Lavender's Blue (Ire), Indie Angel (Ire), Queen Power (Ire), Saffron Beach (Ire), Illykato (GB), Champers Elysees (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

The post Frankel’s Snow Lantern Prevails In Falmouth Thriller appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights