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Cumani Receives Order Of The Star Of Italy

Former Classic-winning trainer Luca Cumani has recently been honoured with the Order of the Star of Italy, an award akin to a knighthood presented to Italians deemed to have promoted the nation abroad.

Cumani has resided in England since 1973, having started as an assistant to Henry Cecil before embarking on his own training career in Newmarket three years later. Following his retirement from the training ranks at the end of 2018, he has focused his attention on Fittocks Stud, which he runs with his wife Sara.

The Cumanis took a brief break from the foaling season to attend a ceremony at the Italian embassy in London, where he was presented with his award last Tuesday.

“It was completely unexpected. I got a letter from the Italian ambassador, I had no idea at all,” said Cumani, who won the Derby in 1988 with Kahyasi (Ire) and repeated that feat a decade later with High-Rise (Ire).

“With Italy not being such a great racing country nowadays I didn't think that my modest achievements in England would resonate in Italy at all. But it is a great honour to receive it, one has to be very proud of it, and I am.”

Widely revered as one of the most astute trainers of a generation, Cumani's collection of Classics extends to the St Leger with Commanche Run (GB), while he also landed the Irish 2000 Guineas and Irish 1000 Guineas with Barathea (Ire) and Gossamer (GB) respectively, and Kahyasi backed up his Epsom success with victory in the Irish Derby. Cumani, whose father Sergio was champion trainer in Italy, also secured wins in his home country in the Derby Italiano and Oaks d'Italia. His pioneering approach to training included major international success in America, Canada, Hong Kong, and Singapore, and he lifted the Japan Cup of 2005 with Alkaased.

Having sold their Bedford House Stables in Newmarket to Charlie Fellowes, the Cumanis maintain close links to the town's training fraternity and have horses in training William Haggas, James Fanshawe and Marco Botti, as well as Ed Walker in Lambourn and Roger Charlton at Beckhampton.

Reflecting on the events of last week, Cumani continued, “It was a great ceremony. They asked us to bring 40 people and we did that and then went out for a lovely dinner–appropriately at an Italian restaurant.”

He added, “I've been here such a long time that it's a bit difficult to class me as an Italian nowadays. I'm Italian by birth and adopted by England.”

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Guineas Hopefuls Out In Force At HQ

Classic aspirants were in action prior to racing at Newmarket on Tuesday, and G1 Darley Dewhurst second Dubawi Legend (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) is pleasing trainer Hugo Palmer ahead of the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas on Apr. 30. The Dr. Ali Ridha colourbearer galloped a mile alongside stablemates Power Of States (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) and Battered (GB) (Foxwedge {Aus}), before edging away from them and crossing the wire five lengths to the good of the twosome, with Tom Marquand in the irons. The colt was last seen running off the board in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar in November.

Palmer, who moved to Michael Owen's Manor House Stables recently, said, “That was just what we wanted. It was a really solid piece of work. Michael Hills who rode Power Of States said he was flat out from the three which is what we wanted him to do and really draw the 3-year-old into the work which he did.

“Tom said he was beautifully relaxed and that he was switched off in behind and finished really well. Tom said he would have no qualms about him staying the mile and that he felt great.

“Tom came and rode him at Wolverhampton a couple of weeks ago. We were happy with him a couple of weeks ago and we were happy with him that day, but he has stepped forward massively from that day to here–which is what you want them to do.

“We are 18/19 days out now and we are bang on track. He is not there yet but today is not Guineas day. Tom was happy with him, and I couldn't be happier as a result.

Palmer saddled 2016 Guineas victor Galileo Gold (Ire) (Paco Boy {Ire}) and added, “I think Tom would love to ride him in the Guineas the way he was talking there but he has got commitments elsewhere. Equally, if for whatever reason Charlie Appleby only ran one in the Guineas and James Doyle became available then he is James's ride first and foremost. James has sat on him lots and it was good for Tom to sit on him today and have another feel. It could be an opportunity if we are looking for someone else.”

Another out for a spin over the Newmarket turf was Sheikh Mohammed Obaid's listed winner Triple Time (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). The Kevin Ryan trainee was last seen in action winning Haydock's Listed Ascendant S. on Sept. 4 over the 1600-metre Guineas trip. He galloped solo under Andrea Atzeni.

Ryan said, “He has been away from home at Redcar and I felt it was good to give him a feel of the track down here. He has come from the seven and really quickened into the dip and out of it. He took a fair bit of pulling up. Everything has gone to plan and Andrea was delighted with him. He is well on target for the big day.

“He is a quick horse and doesn't need a lead horse. We are not particularly worried about ground conditions with him. The Haydock race was always the plan for him. He was an immature horse and we finished him after that.”

Also under consideration for the first colts' Classic of the season is Highclere Thoroughbred Racing's dual group winner Royal Patronage (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). Victorious in the G3 Acomb S. and G2 Royal Lodge S. in succession last August and September, respectively, the dark bay faded to last in the G1 Trophy S. at Doncaster after making the running in soft going on Oct. 23. He pleased father-son trainers Charlie and Mark Johnston when seen in action with stablemates I'm A Gambler (Ire) (No Nay Never) and Highland Premier (GB) (Highland Reel {Ire}) over seven furlongs on Tuesday.

Johnston said, “Whether he is going to the Guineas or straight to the [G2] Dante [S.] it is still good to have had a racecourse gallop. There was some question to see how much speed he has got.

“They've not hung about there and we wanted to see if he could travel comfortably at that pace and Jason [Hart] said he travelled very easily. It was great to have the outing.”

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Aclaim’s Cachet On Top In The Nell Gwyn

Benefitting from the absence of Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in Tuesday's G3 Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn S. at Newmarket, Highclere Thoroughbred Racing's TDN Rising Star Cachet (Ire) (Aclaim {Ire}) provided the Gosdens' luminary with a timely boost ahead of the upcoming 1000 Guineas. Keeping it simple on last year's G1 Fillies' Mile third and G2 Rockfel S. runner-up, William Buick who was chasing a treble on the card stayed away from the main pack racing near the pace and when set on her way approaching three out asserted for a comfortable 2 1/2-length defeat of Almohandesah (GB) (Postponed {Ire}), with old rival Hello You (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) 1 3/4 lengths away in third. “She was doing it on ability at two and was quite weak,” trainer George Boughey commented, before pointing the way to a Guineas rematch with Inspiral. “She loves the track and that is a huge string to her bow here and she will roll forward and she will be giving us a shout a furlong out. She will see the mile out.”

Cachet had earned TDN Rising Star status with a 5 1/2-length novice win on debut here in May before tackling group and listed company on her next seven starts. While most fillies would have regressed from tough encounters during a busy season, the bay kept fighting and after chasing home Hello You in the Rockfel was 2 3/4 lengths off Inspiral in the Fillies' Mile and on the plane to Del Mar. Ahead of Hello You when fourth behind Pizza Bianca (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and Malavath (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, she became the second filly to re-emerge from winter quarters and uphold that form with the latter successful in last week's G3 Prix Imprudence.

Taking the same racing line as she had in the Fillies' Mile, Cachet was always in her comfort zone here and there are reasons to be positive about her stamina for her biggest test on the first Sunday in May. Her dam Poyle Sophie (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}), who raced over middle distances at a far lower level, is a half to the dam of the GIII San Francisco Mile scorer and GII Mathis Brothers Mile third Whisper Not (GB) (Poet's Voice {GB}). The family includes the G2 Lowther S. winner Jemima (GB) (Owington {GB}), who in turn produced the multiple stakes-winning sire English Colony (GB) (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}) and the GII Fantasy S. third Jemima's Pearl (Distorted Humor). Poyle Sophie's 2-year-old filly is by Kuroshio (Aus), while she also has a yearling daughter of Cotai Glory (GB).

Tuesday, Newmarket, Britain
LANWADES STUD NELL GWYN S.-G3, £80,000, Newmarket, 4-12, 3yo, f, 7fT, 1:24.27, gd.
1–CACHET (IRE), 126, f, 3, by Aclaim (Ire)
1st Dam: Poyle Sophie (GB), by Teofilo (Ire)
2nd Dam: Lost In Lucca (GB), by Inchinor (GB)
3rd Dam: Poyle Fizz (GB), by Damister
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GROUP WIN. (14,000gns RNA Ylg '20 TATASY; 60,000gns 2yo '21 TATBRE). O-Highclere Thoroughbred Racing – Wild Flower; B-Hyde Park Stud (IRE); T-George Boughey; J-William Buick. £45,368. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Eng, 9-2-1-3, $225,458. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Almohandesah (GB), 126, f, 3, Postponed (Ire)–Chocolate Hills (Fr), by Exceed and Excel (Aus).
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GROUP TYPE. (18,000gns RNA Wlg '19 TATFOA; 16,500gns Ylg '20 TATFEB). O-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum; B-Flyingbolt Bloodstock Et Al (GB); T-Karl Burke. £17,200.
3–Hello You (Ire), 129, f, 3, Invincible Spirit (Ire)–Lucrece (GB), by Pivotal (GB).
(€350,000 Ylg '20 ARDEAY). O-Amo Racing Limited; B-Serge Boucheron (IRE); T-David Loughnane. £8,608.
Margins: 2HF, 1 3/4, NK. Odds: 1.88, 28.00, 2.75.
Also Ran: Perfect News (GB), Flash Betty (GB), Romantic Time (GB), Rishes Baar (Ire), Ribbon Rose (GB). Scratched: System (Ire). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Dubawi’s Master of the Seas Best In The Earl of Sefton

Godolphin's G1 2000 Guineas second Master of the Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) had been gelded since finishing seventh in Ascot's G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. last term and remained on target for Royal Ascot's G1 Queen Anne S. with a snug victory in Tuesday's G3 bet365 Earl of Sefton S. tackling nine furlongs at Newmarket. The 5-4 favourite, who annexed the 2020 G2 Superlative S. and this meeting's G3 Craven S. last year, was positioned in a handy fourth after a slick getaway. Inching closer once leaving the half-mile pole behind, he loomed large at the quarter-mile marker and was ridden out once gaining a narrow advantage entering the final furlong to account for Anthony Oppenheimer's G2 Dante S. runner-up and G3 Sovereign S. victor Megallan (GB) (Kingman {GB}) by 1 1/4 lengths in ultimately comfortable fashion.

“He has been a touch frustrating, but it is great to get him back today,” said Charlie Appleby after overseeing the 4-year-old's third win at this venue. “He was the class horse of the race and nine furlongs I felt was well within him. He always runs well here, first and foremost, and got caught flat footed when he ran [third] against Benbatl [in September's G2 Joel S.]. I thought this step up would suit him and, at the two pole, I was just hoping he would get that gap. William [Buick] thinks bringing him back to a mile is his gig as much as I felt the one mile one [furlong] would suit him. I was just pleased to see the horse get his head back in front and that will do his confidence good. If you asked me what race I'd like to work back from it would be the [G1] Queen Anne [at Royal Ascot] as he stays nine furlongs and that is a stiff mile there. We all know Ascot is an important part of our calendar and, in our team, he is a big player.”

Master of the Seas is the 10th of 12 foals and one of eight scorers produced by stakes-winning G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches runner-up Firth of Lorne (Ire) (Danehill). The March-foaled homebred bay is kin to a 2-year-old filly by Dark Angel (Ire) and to stakes-winning G1 St James's Palace S. runner-up Latharnach (Iffraaj {GB}), G3 UAE Oaks victrix Falls of Lora (Ire) (Street Cry {Ire}), the stakes-winning Etive (Elusive Quality) and Listed Navigation S. third Tipstaff (GB) (Street Cry {Ire}). Falls of Lora, in turn, is the dam of GI Summer S. hero Albahr (Dubawi {Ire}) and MG1SP G3 Doncaster Prelude winner Cascadian (GB) (New Approach {Ire}). The winner's dam Firth of Lorne is a daughter of GSW G1 1000 Guineas second Kerrera (Ire) (Diesis {GB}), who is a half-sister to MG1SP sire Rock City (Ire) (Ballad Rock {Ire}) and whose descendants include G1 Prix Jean Prat placegetter and G2 German 2000 Guineas-winning sire Pacino (GB) (Zafonic) and G2 Premio Parioli (Italian 2000 Guineas) and German 2000 Guineas hero Dupont (GB) (Zafonic).

Tuesday, Newmarket, Britain
BET365 EARL OF SEFTON S.-G3, £80,000, Newmarket, 4-12, 4yo/up, 9fT, 1:49.60, gd.
1–MASTER OF THE SEAS (IRE), 126, c, 4, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Firth of Lorne (Ire) (SW & G1SP-Fr, MGSP-US, $163,189), by Danehill
2nd Dam: Kerrera (Ire), by Diesis (GB)
3rd Dam: Rimosa's Pet (GB), by Petingo (GB)
O/B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. £45,368. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Eng & SP-UAE, 9-4-2-1, $293,947. *1/2 to Falls of Lora (Ire) (Street Cry {Ire}), GSW-UAE & SW-Eng, $246,417; Latharnach (Iffraaj {GB}), SW & G1SP-Eng, $217,472; Etive (Elusive Quality), SW-Ger & MSP-Fr, $126,693; and Tipstaff (GB) (Street Cry {Ire}), SP-Ire. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Megallan (GB), 126, c, 4, Kingman (GB)–Eastern Belle (GB), by Champs Elysees (GB). O-A E Oppenheimer; B-Hascombe & Valiant Stud Ltd (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden. £17,200.
3–Brunch (GB), 126, g, 5, Harbour Watch (Ire)–Granola (GB), by Makfi (GB). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (4,000gns RNA Ylg '18 TAOCT). O-Mrs Fiona Denniff; B-Denniff Farms Ltd (GB); T-Michael Dods. £8,608.
Margins: 1 1/4, 2 3/4, 1. Odds: 1.25, 2.25, 12.00.
Also Ran: Bell Rock (GB), Father of Jazz (GB), Chichester (GB), Catch Twentytwo (SAf). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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