Shane Foley | Horse Racing Free Tips

First Group 1 For Galileo Gold As Ebro River Best In The Phoenix

On the premises but off the board in a trio of group 2s in his native Britain, Al Shaqab Racing's Ebro River (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB}) benefitted from a change in tactics to make virtually all in Sunday's G1 Keeneland Phoenix S. at The Curragh. In front before racing a furlong, the Hugo Palmer-trained 12-1 shot had the stand's rail to help and gave generously for Shane Foley as TDN Rising Star Dr Zempf (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) joined battle approaching the furlong pole. As that rival and the G2 Railway S. first and second Go Bears Go (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) and Castle Star (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) made it four across the track there, it was the British raider who gave most to see off Dr Zempf by 3/4 of a length with the 6-4 favourite Go Bears Go a head behind in third. Foley, who was in Saratoga on Saturday and returned to home soil in the morning, said, “Hugo fancied the horse. He's tough and genuine and I just said I wouldn't mind changing tactics, as they had been dropping him in. It looked like there wasn't much pace today and with that tailwind it's hard to get them back.”

Impressive when the 3 1/4-length winner of the Listed National S. over five furlongs at Sandown May 27, Ebro River was a creditable fifth in the G2 Coventry S. at Royal Ascot June 15 before finishing fourth in the G2 July S. at Newmarket July 8. Again in that position in a slowly-run renewal of the G2 Richmond S. at Goodwood July 29, the chestnut enjoyed being allowed to bowl along and as his sire had done in the 2016 G1 2000 Guineas got the rail and refused to relinquish. “He jumped and probably travelled too strongly if anything–we went end-to-end but I had a willing partner,” Foley said. “He had a good run in the Coventry, but had been keen and awkward and doing things wrong. It was an ideal day to make it, as we had the draw and it's all come together. I thought he'd be vulnerable, as he'd travelled so strong in my hands for the first three and I thought they might swallow him but he dug in and I was comfortable in the last 100 yards. I think he's a horse with a lot of talent and the softer the ground the better you'll see of him. He felt like he would get seven furlongs no problem if he learns to relax. He was a lot better today and I felt that even if they went another half a furlong he'd still be in front.”

Ebro River has a chance of emulating the last two years' Phoenix winners Siskin (First Defence) and Lucky Vega (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) in getting a mile next year, but his dam Soft Power (Ire) (Balmont) has mainly sprinters in her immediate family. She is kin to Key Rose (Ire) (Key of Luck), who was third in the Listed Flame of Tara S. in its former guise as a six-furlong contest and is a full-sister to the dam of the G1 Diamond Jubilee S. and G1 July Cup hero Slade Power (Ire) (Dutch Art {GB}). This is the dynasty of the GI King's Bishop S. hero The Big Beast (Yes It's True) and the GI Hollywood Derby hero Slew the Dragon (Seattle Slew). Soft Power's yearling filly is by Mehmas (Ire), while she also has a filly foal by Inns of Court (Ire).

The post First Group 1 For Galileo Gold As Ebro River Best In The Phoenix appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Yulong Looking For Luck In The Guineas

Yuesheng Zhang has built up an Irish stable with enviable horsepower while shopping with a relatively modest budget over the last few years. His stable star is undoubtedly last year's G1 Keeneland Phoenix S. winner Lucky Vega (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), who looks to someday have a future at stud both in Europe and at Zhang's Yulong property in Victoria, Australia.

For now, though, connections have set their sights on the May 1 G1 2000 Guineas in Newmarket, with the colt preparing at Jessica Harrington's yard in good nick.

“I saw Lucky Vega last week and he is in great form,” confirmed Yulong's European Racing and Bloodstock Manager Michael Donohoe. “He's turned into a beautiful physical; he's after growing, getting strong and putting on nearly 40 kilos from his last race last year. Physically he's after developing a huge amount, which you like to see. We're hoping that bodes well that he will train on from two to three. Physically and in his work so far the guys are very happy with him. Shane [Foley] sat on him last week and he was very happy with him.”

“The main early season goal is going to be the Qipco 2000 Guineas in Newmarket on May 1,” Donohoe confirmed. “Rather than taking in a trial we'll probably head straight there, although that might change. No disrespect to the Irish or French Guineas–they may be an easier target–but Jessie is keen to go straight to Newmarket. Our only slight worry, and it's probably not a huge problem, is the trip. He's extremely strong and looks very much a sprinter physically, and there is plenty of speed in his pedigree. And we know Lope De Vega can get some very fast horses. He has shown a lot of speed in a couple of his races so it's just whether he gets the mile or not. We don't think he's going to stay any further than a mile with his running style.”

One of nine yearlings purchased in his crop by Donohoe for Yulong in Europe, the Kilcarn Stud-bred Lucky Vega was a €175,000 Goffs Orby yearling, having also been sold on the Co. Kildare grounds when bringing €110,000 as a foal. He broke his maiden at first asking on June 8 last year, the day Irish racing resumed after a 2 1/2-month absence in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, and though his owner was unable to travel to attend any of his races, Lucky Vega continued to go from strength to strength throughout the campaign. He was second to Law Of Indices (Ire) (Power {GB}) in the G2 Railway S. in July before turning the tables on that rival and the likes of The Lir Jet (Ire) (Prince Of Lir {Ire}) and G1 Dewhurst S. winner St Mark's Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) with a 3 1/2-length win in the Phoenix. He could finish only fifth after being repeatedly hampered in the G1 Goffs Vincent O'Brien National S., and regrouped to be a strong second in the G1 Middle Park S. behind Supremacy (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}).

“His win in the Phoenix, he was very good that day,” Donohoe recalled. “He was caught in a pocket and when he got out he showed some serious acceleration. The form of that race held up pretty well; Law Of Indices and St Mark's Basilica were behind him.

“You can draw a line through his run in the National S; he was extremely unlucky. It's just one of things, it wasn't jockey error, it's just racing. And then he ran against Supremacy [in the Middle Park] and was very good, and there were some proper horses behind them. We were very happy; we were very disappointed with the National S., and although we would have liked to have beaten Supremacy in the Middle Park, Supremacy is an extremely talented horse as well. It'll be interesting for them to match up again and we wouldn't mind taking him on again over six or seven furlongs. His run in the Middle Park reaffirmed our belief in him, that he's a very good horse.”

Donohoe noted that Zhang has moved his entire Irish stable, which numbers around 25, to Harrington, and that he has a handful of other 3-year-olds to look forward to.

“Aside from Lucky Vega there are a couple nice 3-year-olds that broke their maidens last year and look progressive,” he said. Those include Aussie Ace (Ire) (Australia {GB}), who broke his maiden at second asking at Cork before finishing down the field in the G2 Beresford S., and a “very nice” filly by Free Eagle (Ire) called Soaring Sky (Ire), who was bought for €15,000 from the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale. “She won her only start at Dundalk at the back end of last year and she looks like a progressive filly,” Donohoe said. “Mr. Zhang also has a nice 3-year-old by Footstepsinthesand (GB) called Deputy Sandy (Ire), and he looks quite progressive.”

Zhang added nine yearlings at the European sales last year, and with the addition of three homebreds has 11 juveniles to go into training with Harrington. Understandably, Zhang was keen to repeat the dose with Lucky Vega's sire.

“We were keeping a close eye on the Lope De Vegas and they were extremely hard to buy, but we have two nice Lope De Vega colts called Lucky Kuna and Lucky San Jore,” Donohoe said. “Lucky Kuna was bought in France at the Arqana [Deauville Select Yearling Sale for €150,000]. Lucky San Jore was bought from Book 2 in Newmarket [for 50,000gns] and he's very nice. He looks quite precocious even at this stage. I was talking to Shane Foley and he gave him a little half speed during the week and he thinks that he could be one for those early season races.”

Zhang isn't only concentrating on colts, however. His 2021 juvenile lineup includes a pair of well-bred Galileo fillies: a three-quarter sister to G1 Irish Derby winner Trading Leather (Ire) purchased for £185,000 at Goffs Orby last year and a half-sister to four-time Group 1 winner Novellist (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}) picked up for 305,000gns at Tattersalls.

“With Mr. Zhang's farm in Australia he's always on the lookout for some well-bred fillies and we bought two nice Galileo fillies,” Donohoe said. “So if lightning can strike twice we'll be happy.”

Zhang's Irish stable is completed by a handful of older reliable performers like Barbados (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a 5-year-old gelding who was twice stakes-placed last year after being purchased privately from Ballydoyle; 2020 G2 Mooresbridge S. winner Leo De Fury (Ire) (Australia {GB}), who was gelded at the end of the season; and Ancient Spirit (Ger) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), a listed winner and twice group placed last year at five.

The post Yulong Looking For Luck In The Guineas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Foley Takes Jockeys Challenge

Irish jockey Shane Foley took top honours in the stc International Jockeys Challenge in Riyadh in Friday after winning two of the four races comprising the contest, which set the stage for Saturday's card that includes the $20-million Saudi Cup.

Foley beat just three home in the opening leg of the challenge, which was won by Mike Smith, who was deputizing for jockey John Velazquez whose trip to Saudi was dashed on account of travel-related issues. Foley turned things around in the next race, however, navigating Emblem Star (Take Charge Indy) from the extreme outside gate 14 to take up a handy position before kicking clear by four lengths. Foley made it a double in the next with Motawariyah (KSA) (Fong's Thong), who similarly exited gate 13, and although he was unplaced in the final race his lead was safe, with his closest pursuer Smith finishing fourth. After sealing the championship, Foley paid tribute to the late Pat Smullen.

“It's fantastic to be involved, and maybe I wouldn't be here if Pat Smullen was here,” Foley said. “He'd have probably got the invite as he was the go-to man and it's days like today that make you think of Pat, but he'd be proud of me I think.”

Of the event, he added, “When you're competing in these races it's a random draw, so you've a chance of getting on a fancied horse and I was lucky enough to draw two that had chances. I had a nice run around on both of them and they both won. I know they're not group races, but it's on the big stage with a lot of people watching and obviously good for your career. It's up there was one of the most enjoyable nights I've had for a while.”

Saudi rider Adel Alfouradi won the final leg of the challenge, giving him enough points for second, while Mike Smith, who is in town to ride Charlatan (Speightstown) in the Saudi Cup, was third.

The post Foley Takes Jockeys Challenge appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Irishman Shane Foley Celebrates ‘Massive’ Win In International Jockeys Challenge; Mike Smith Third

Irish star Shane Foley emerged triumphant in the second annual stc International Jockeys Challenge after taking two out of the four legs, each worth US $400,000, in the Saudi Arabian competition.

Fourteen internationally-renowned male and female jockeys from all over the globe took part but it was the Classic-winning Foley, who rides for trainer Jessica Harrington in Ireland, who took Friday night's honors with a total of 30 points for his two wins.

He said: “It's massive to win this. It's a nice break and during a quiet time for us during the winter, so it's nice to get away and get the opportunity. We have a runner tomorrow (Barbados in the Red Sea Turf Handicap), but these challenges are important for young jockeys to get noticed around the world and hopefully it might open a few doors somewhere else.

“We have all-weather racing back home, but it's nothing like the dirt (track) is here. I've ridden in Japan for a couple of winters and ridden in America and it's nice, it's different (to ride on dirt).

“It's great to win and obviously can't do my career any harm. I have a fantastic job at home and Jessica Harrington is a great person to work for who has a fantastic team of horses, so it's all good.

“Pat (Smullen, nine-times Irish champion jockey, who died last September) was massive and travelled and won races all around the world – here, Dubai, everywhere. He would probably be here instead of me representing Ireland if he were still around. He was a fantastic man who's left a big legacy and big boots to fill behind, so we're all trying our best.”

The 32-year-old scored in the second leg on Emblem Star and prompted joyous celebrations among owners Albayraq Stable in the winner's enclosure when the 4-year-old Take Charge Indy colt crossed the finishing line four lengths in front of his rivals.

Foley fired in the second part of his double when the 5-year-old filly Motawariyah was another wide-margin winner in the third leg of the competition.

“It was such a privilege even to be invited here but to be competing and winning – it's the sort of thing you strive for,” said the delighted Irishman. “It's a fantastic racetrack and it's brilliant to be here.”

Victory in the fourth and final leg went to Saudi Arabian jockey Adel Alfouraidi on Zhabi Alhammad, a filly owned by Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdul Aziz, earning the local crowd favorite the runner-up spot overall.

Alfouraidi said: “It means a lot to me. I am one of the Saudi riders and they are all going to be happy for this win, all the Saudi jockeys. She's a good filly and she gave me a lot of help throughout the race. We were all together but I am thanking God that I was able to win it. For me, this is a dream come true.”

He finished second in the jockeys challenge with 25 points – as well as his win, he picked up second place and therefore 15 points in the second leg – with Mike Smith third on 19 points.

The US Hall of Fame jockey Smith, known as 'Big Money Mike' took an early lead in the challenge when he snatched the first leg, sponsored by stc dare, on Mortajeh, having replaced John Velasquez.

Smith, who has a record 26 Breeders' Cup successes to his name and who won the American Triple Crown in 2018 on Justify, said: “They told me Mortajeh was quick and to use it to my advantage. I was called in to substitute at the last minute so I didn't know much about my mounts today, but sometimes when you don't know things, it works out better. It's great.

“I had a great night last time I was here on a Friday night (in 2020). It was so much fun and I wanted to do it again and look, I end up taking Johnny's spot and I was blessed enough to win.”

He continued: “I tell you, I enjoy riding here, I really do. I know I made a few mistakes and I had to pay for them last year and rightly so, but it's good to come back and try to redeem myself and we will see what happens.

“Lessons learned. You learn from big things like that and I learnt a big lesson and I humbled myself a whole lot and then I am ready for tomorrow. I'm very happy to be back and I'm happy to be back with a horse that has an abundance of talent.”

Japan's Nanako Fujita and Sweden's Malin Holmberg tied for fourth with 12 points, and Jessica Marcalis took sixth for Italy with a tally of 11 points.

All the riders, who included the great Frankie Dettori, were delighted to take part in the competition.

Fujita said: “It was a lot of fun. I'm disappointed I didn't win but I hope to be back so I can get revenge.”

Italian jockey Jessica Marcialis said: “It was amazing. The first race was different, it's a style that suits the American jockeys not the Europeans, but in the second race I thought 'I understand'. I didn't know where I was in the competition but I finished with a smile.”

British superstar Hollie Doyle added: “The track rode nice, the kickback was not as bad as you'd expect it to be and it isn't as deep as it looks, either. Obviously I didn't have much luck tonight but it was a good experience.”

Last year's winner, Switzerland's Sibylle Vogt, said: “It wasn't the same as last year but I'm really happy I could come again. I think I did get a third and a sixth but it wasn't for the points. I just wasn't as lucky as last year.”

Brazilian legend Jorge Riccardo said: “This has been a great experience. I am very impressed with the people here who are so nice. The track is spectacular. For me it is one of the best I have ridden on. I have been to many places like France, Brazil, Peru, Chile, the United States, but this is a great track.

“The people are so nice, so friendly and welcoming. I really enjoyed myself here. I am very pleased to have been here. It was very much worth coming here.”

The post Irishman Shane Foley Celebrates ‘Massive’ Win In International Jockeys Challenge; Mike Smith Third appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post