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Friday Previews: ‘Express’ Train Leaves The Station

'Express' Hoping For a Rebound in Blue Point Sprint

The 1000-metre G2 Blue Point Sprint features the return of Acklam Express (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), who was a good second in the Mar. 6 G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint last year and third in the Mar. 27 G1 Al Quoz Sprint. Off the board in two races when returning to the UK including a 10th in the June 15 G1 King's Stand S., the bay appears after a lengthy break and trainer Nigel Tinkler is hoping for a reversal of fortunes for his 4-year-old gelding.

“He surprised us a bit last season with how well he ran here, against his elders,” said pilot Rowan Scott. “Then he ran a brilliant race to be third in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint on World Cup night. We've got him as fit as we can at home, so I have to be hopeful of a big run.”

Also signed on are the Australian Group 2-placed Parsifal (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) who was sixth in the Listed Dubai Sprint at Meydan on Jan. 28 and his stakes-placed stablemate He's A Balter (Aus) (Spirit of Boom {Aus}), last seen running second in a Meydan conditions race on the same card. The pair are trained by the Adelaide-based Will Clarken, who is stabling them at Meydan through the carnival.

“He's A Balter's run last time, only just being beaten, was a great thrill,” said Caitlin Jones, who will ride the gelding. “He's such a gentleman, he tries so hard and he's very honest. But Parsifal also ran really well in a slightly better grade of race, so it was a difficult decision.”

Godolphin's Lazuli (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), a dual Group 3 winner in the UK, was second in the Dubai Sprint, and breaks from post nine.

Shahama Ready For The 1000 Guineas/Oaks Double?

KHK Racing's Shahama (Munnings) is the clear star of the 1900-metre G3 UAE Oaks. Yet to taste defeat in three starts locally, the Fawzi-Nass trained filly ventures beyond a mile for the first time in her young career. If successful on Friday, she would be the seventh filly to complete the Listed UAE 1000 Guineas/Oaks double going back to 2001, and the first since Polar River (Congrats) in 2016. Named a 'TDN Rising Star' after her second start earlier in the Dubai World Cup Carnival, she ran out a 3 3/4-length winner of the UAE 1000 Guineas on Jan. 28 against several of these. Doug Watson saddles the maiden Minwah (Cupid), who was second to Shahama in the 1000 Guineas.

Manobo Faces 'King' in Nad Al Sheba Trophy

The four-for-four Manobo (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) tries his hand over the Meydan turf for the first time in the G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy. A homebred for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby, the 4-year-old gelding struck at Newbury and over the Kempton all-weather in May and June of last year, respectively. Back in action in the Listed Prix Turenne, he was a stunning 10 lengths ahead of his nearest pursuers in September and clawed his way to victory in the G2 Prix Chaudenay at ParisLongchamp on Oct. 2.

“Manobo's preparations have gone well and this is very much a stepping stone towards Dubai World Cup night,” said Appleby. “He had a lovely year as a 3-year-old and we are looking forward to seeing him back in action.”

Despite the hype for Manobo, he will be stiffly challenged by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum's Dancing King (Ire) (Free Eagle {Ire}). Goodwood's August G3 March S. went the latter's way in his final start for Mark Johnston and Kingsley Park 16. He will be making his bow for his new connections in this turf marathon on Friday after selling for 380,000gns at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses-in-Training Sale.

Silent Speech to Use Meydan as a European Pattern Vault?

The two-for-three Silent Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) could make some noise in the European Pattern races once his stay in the desert concludes, and on Friday, the son of Epitome (Ire) (Nashwan) will attempt to land the Al Wasl S. over 1200 metres on grass. The chestnut captured a synthetic seven-furlong maiden at Wolverhampton in November and drew off to win by two lengths switched to this surface on Jan. 21. William Buick will ride the half-brother to Group 1 winner Ultra (Ire) (Manduro {Ger}) and G3 Prix Minerve heroine Synopsis (Ire) (In The Wings {GB}). The pair break from stall two. GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf hero Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) is out of another half-sister to Silent Speech.

Click here for the group fields.

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UK Racing Raceday Covid Restrictions to Lift at The End of February

Plans for easing the remaining COVID-19 raceday restrictions were announced by British racing on Thursday. The weighing room resting requirements would lift by the end of February as a result. The provisional timetable agreed by the industry's COVID-19 Group is as follows:

From Monday, 28 Feb., Weighing Room attendees will no longer be expected to show evidence of a negative lateral flow test prior to entry.
From Monday, 14 Mar., racecourses will no longer be required to configure the Weighing Room complex for the purposes of COVID-19 infection control.

These changes are possible due to encouraging trends in both the national data and the BHA's pre-raceday testing, together with anticipated government announcements on self-isolation requirements–all of which help reduce the business continuity risk to racing. Weighing room access will continue to be restricted to essential personnel only. Anyone testing positive for or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 should not enter the weighing room complex until they can demonstrate evidence of a negative test. Regular self-testing with lateral flow devices will still be encouraged for all weighing room personnel and raceday attendees, as will completing a full course of COVID-19 vaccinations, including the booster jab. Announcements from the UK and Scottish Governments on the easing of COVID rules, anticipated for early next week, are unlikely to delay racing's proposed timetable, but the final plans will be considered in line with government publications.

BHA Chief Medical Adviser, Dr. Jerry Hill, said, “It is with cautious optimism that we are able to publish a provisional timetable for the removal of the remaining racecourse mitigations, starting with the testing requirement for Weighing Room entry.

“We are satisfied that the data continues to move in the right direction, and that with the UK Government likely to rescind the legal obligation to self-isolate, the risk of COVID-related disruption is further diminished.

“This decision is only possible thanks to the continued efforts of industry colleagues both on and off the racecourse, who have prioritised the health, wellbeing, and livelihood of others. It is through your collective efforts that we have thus far managed to avoid interruption to the racing schedule.

“We will of course continue to monitor the situation over the next few weeks. COVID has not gone away, and therefore racecourse attendees should continue to exercise the necessary vigilance: vaccination and regular testing are still highly advisable.”

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Encouraging Start To Arqana’s Sales Year

Arqana has its first auction of the year in the book and the activity across the last two days at the mixed February Sale will likely have pleased Eric Hoyeau and his team after some solid trade, particularly for broodmares. That has been very much in accordance with similar sales which have already taken place in Britain and Ireland this year and, from a larger catalogue than last year's lockdown fare, the figures at Arqana have lifted slightly across the board.

Turnover was of course up, with 38 more horses sold this time around at the close of trade, bringing an aggregate of €4,154,00, representing an improvement of 37.7%. The median rose slightly to €6,000 from €5,500 and the average was up by 19.8% at €13,847. The clearance rate was unchanged at 80%.

It didn't take long for trade to click into top gear with the arrival in the ring, five lots from the start of the session, of Osaila (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), the dual Group 3 winner in her days in training with Richard Hannon.

It didn't take long for trade to click into top gear with the arrival in the ring, five lots from the start of the session, of Osaila (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), the dual Group 3 winner in her days in training with Richard Hannon.

Arthur Hoyeau ended up in front as the bidding settled at €200,000 for the 10-year-old mare (lot 224), who is grand-daughter of the great Detroit (Fr) (Riverman {Fr}), one of the rare broodmares to have won the Arc herself and to have produced an Arc winner, in this case Carnegie (Ire) (Sadler's Wells). Osaila will head to Coolmore Stud in Ireland for a date with the European Horse of the Year for 2021.

“She is a very beautiful mare, with one of the best profiles in the sale,” said Hoyeau. “She had a great racing career and her pedigree is exceptional. She is already the dam of a winner and will be covered by St Mark's Basilica (Fr) this season.”

The further family of Osaila, who was not in foal after being covered by Toronado (Ire) last season, includes the G2 Ribblesdale S. victrix Banimpire (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) and Melbourne Cup winner Twilight Payment (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}).

The in-foal crew was led by lot 227, the Dubawi (Ire) mare Zomara (Fr), who is a winning half-sister to Listed winner Merveillo (Fr) (Archipenko). With a yearling colt by Starspangledbanner (Aus) already on the ground, she was sold by the Channel Consignment carrying to Haras d'Etreham's young sire Persian King (Ire), with Alain Decrion bidding on behalf of Yeomanstown Stud to €140,000. The mare's dam Merville (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) is a half-sister to the Group 1 winners and stallions Ectot (Ire) and Most Improved (Ire).

The most sought-after mares of the day came through in quick succession, with lot 231 Helcia (Fr) (Olympic Glory {Ire}), who is in foal to Mehmas, selling to David Redvers, bidding on the phone via Freddy Powell, for €115,000. The 6-year-old mare is a daughter of the dual GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner Mizdirection (Mizzen Mast).

Among the smart Flat pedigrees were some decent mares with strong dual-purpose credentials, and none more so than Crystal Reef (GB) (King's Best), whose three Group-winning half-brothers Martaline (GB), Reefscape (GB) and Coastal Path (GB) have all posted some notable results as National Hunt sires. Now 17, Crystal Reef has produced the G2 Prix Chaudenay winner Doha Dream (Ire) (Shamardal) and was offered as lot 411 in foal to the most sought-after French jumps sire, Doctor Dino (Fr). Sebastien Desmontils of Chauvigny Global Equine was the successful bidder at €130,000.

Bidding via telephone, agent Paul Harley went to €120,000 for lot 388, the pretty grey Galileo (Ire) sister to stakes winners Pablo Escobarr (Ire) and Roberto Escobarr (Ire). The 8-year-old was offered in foal to Starspangledbanner (Aus) by Haras de Bouquetot, and she will now join Anna Sundstrom at Coulonces. Bouquetot ended the two days as the leading vendor, with 11 horses sold for €809,000.

Top marks in the yearling section went to Domaine de l'Etang's colt by No Nay Never (lot 222). The son of the Galileo mare Meeting (Ire), from the family of Gregorian (Ire) (Clodovil {Ire}), was pinhooked by Charles Briere of the Fairway Consignment at €80,000.

“I bought him for a partnership,” Briere said. “He is a beautiful colt who should mature well and he is bred on a good cross.”

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Chapel Stud Close at Heart

Nestled near the Malvern Hills in the west of England is Chapel Stud, a 70-acre stud farm owned and managed by Roisin Close. As well as offering services from boarding, sales preparation to breaking and pre-training the stud now boasts a dual-purpose stallion roster with new recruits Walzertakt (Ger) and Bangkok (Ire) joining the stud's three existing and established stallions, Planteur (Ire), Indian Haven (GB) and Hellvelyn (GB). Close formerly owned Bucklands Farm and Stud but when the business outgrew the facilities at that farm a move was needed.

“Chapel Stud is actually an extension, or a following on from Bucklands Farm,” said Close. “We outgrew the farm, so we needed to find a new premises. We found a farm about half an hour north of where Bucklands was and over the last three years we've slowly been putting in all the relevant needs for horses. I have all sorts of plans going forward but at the moment it is serving every purpose that we need it to serve.”

Prior to owning her own stud, Close gained experience across the world with time spent at Taylor Made Farm in Kentucky and a 13-year stint at Tweenhills Stud. Along the way she has gained valuable friendships and appreciates the amount of support she has had throughout her career and with setting up her enterprise.

“I'm so lucky that along the way everyone has supported me and backed me and allowed me to get where I am,” said Close. “That includes people I've worked for, people I've worked alongside, my family, my friends, they have all allowed me to get where I am.”

Having previously owned stallions outright Close knows the financial and physical demands that are required to make a horse successful. Three of the stallions, Planteur, Bangkok and Walzertakt, calling Chapel Stud home are owned by Simon Davies and for Close having a team member like Davies is not lost on her.

“With the sprint stallions that I stood beforehand everything was always on a budget,” Close said. “Simon has really gone in in a big way, from advertising to promotions and or sponsorship. It's been really lovely to deal with someone that has that same kind of passion and really wants to make a success of things.”

Spearheading the stallion roster is Planteur, a horse who started his stud career with Al Shaqab and was purchased by Davies in 2020. Trueshan (Fr) is the stallion's classiest offspring and has become a staying star for trainer Alan King. Aside from that multiple group winner, Planteur is also the sire of G2 winner Road To Arc (Fr) and is operating just shy of 58% winners to runners.

Davies has added National Hunt stallion Walzertakt to his bloodstock portfolio at Chapel Stud having purchased him from Haras de la Croix Sonnet. The German-bred Group 2 winner is bred along similar lines to Camelot (Ire), being by Montjeu (Ire) out of the Kingmambo (USA) mare Walzerkoenigin (USA) and has yet to be tested with his eldest progeny only being four.

Coming in as a dual-purpose stallion is Bangkok who is standing his first season at stud this year having previously been quite a talking-horse for King Power Racing.

“He's a very attractive, quality son of Australia (GB) out of a blue hen mare, Tanaghum (GB),” said Close of the bay horse. “He's a half-brother to Group 1 winner Matterhorn (Ire) and his half-sister Mujarah (Ire) is the dam of Ribchester (Ire). Actually, all of Simon's stallions have looks and temperament as well as an excellent pedigree.”

The six-time winner has run over seven furlongs to a mile and a quarter and raced from the age of two to five with international trips under his belt too.

“Andrew Balding, who trained him, said 'he was a tough, sound and consistent horse with a stallion's pedigree,' ” Close remarked. “He's absolutely the type of horse that people should be embracing to breed racehorses. He should be able to breed you a top-quality horse across the board.”

With a bonus scheme available to those breeders who breed his first 2-year-old winner and his first black-type 2-year-old winner it is no wonder that Close is bullish about the type of horse she envisions Bangkok could sire stating that he is a horse who offers “toughness and soundness.”

While new stallions bring excitement to any stud farm, Close has a sparkle in her eye talking about her boys new and old with Hellvelyn getting a special mention. With something on offer for everyone, Chapel Stud could continue to grow in stature much like the hills that surround its pastures.

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