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Colts Line Up for UAE 2000 Guineas as Carnival Continues at Meydan

The 1800-metre G3 UAE 2000 Guineas is one of two group races on the third card of the Dubai World Cup Carnival, and drew a sextet of entries led by Godolphin's Naval Crown (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). The 104-rated bay, tops for the field, has never been off the board in five starts. Listed-placed at second asking at Ascot in July, the Charlie Appleby trainee graduated by 4 1/2 lengths in a 1400-metre York maiden on Aug. 21. His final two runs of the season were both thirds-in the Sept. 6 G3 Prix la Rochette at ParisLongchamp and when tiring after setting the pace in Saint-Cloud's G3 Prix Thomas Byron on Oct. 2. The 2000 Guineas is his dirt bow.

If the colt won, it would be a third UAE 2000 Guineas for Appleby, who said, “He is a solid little horse and we debated whether to keep him to turf or try the dirt, but his work at home, on dirt, has been very good, so we thought it was worth a crack.”

Next on ratings is Mouheeb (Flatter) from the yard of Nicholas Bachalard at 95. A winner at first asking at Jebel Ali in December, he was runner-up in a one-mile conditions affair locally on Jan. 14, one better than dual Meydan winner Zhou Storm (GB) (Due Diligence).

Bachalard said, “He had a very hard race in the trial, but seems to have come out of that in great shape, so we hope, he has a live chance.”

Also on Thursday is the G3 Firebreak S., which marks the return of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum's G1SW Matterhorn (Ire) (Raven's Pass). The 6-year-old entire has progressed steadily through the ranks, and, after running third in this race last year, he stretched out in trip to take the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 by daylight on the front end in March.

Meydan veteran Kimbear (Temple City) receives a slight class break after running eighth in the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R1 on Jan. 21. The 7-year-old Doug Watson charge is a two-time group winner in the UAE after success in the 2018 G3 Burj Nahaar and 2020 G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R1, with the re-opposing Secret Ambition (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) second both times.

Watson told the Meydan notes team, “He needed that first run, probably more than we realised, but is training very well and seems in great form. We have put a visor on him so, being drawn one, I guess we will have to be quite positive and go forward.”

The latter, who struck at the Group 3 level at Jebel Ali in January of 2019, reversed fortunes with Kimbear with a one-length score in the Listed Dubai Creek Mile in December of 2019. He is also a two-time Firebreak bridesmaid in 2019 and in 2020. Trained by Satish Seemar, the 8-year-old entire ran third in the G3 Jebel Ali Mile on Jan. 22.

Assistant trainer Bhupat Seemar said, “The Jebel Ali Mile was only 13 days ago, but he seems to have recovered well. Drawn widest of all in six is probably not ideal, but he has run well in this before and never has a bad race.”

The oversubscribed Listed Dubai Sprint is a six-furlong contest on turf, and Ekhtiyaar (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}) represents the Doug Watson barn. Bearing the Shadwell colours, the gelding, a dual runner-up in the 2019/20 G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint, returned to take fourth after a 320-day break in a handicap at Meydan on Jan. 21.

Richard Barnes's Could Be King (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}) has been MSP at the listed level throughout his career and he added another runner-up effort in the Listed Testimonial S. at The Curragh in October. The gelding was a one-paced fifth, one behind GSP Silver Line (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and one better than MGSP Final Song (Ire) (Dark Angel {Aus})-both of whom run for Godolphin–in the Jan. 21 G2 Al Fahidi Fort for trainer Ken Condon.

Godolphin fields the majority of the entrants in the Listed Meydan Cup over 2810 metres of sod, with seven entered. MGSW Ispolini (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) was off the board in the Jan. 21 Listed Dubai Racing Club Classic most recently and looks to rebound for Charlie Appleby. French Group 3 winner Moonlight Spirit (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and listed winner Ghostwatch (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) are also signed on for Appleby. GSP Dubai Future (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) ran second in a listed handicap here on Jan. 21 for Saeed bin Suroor, while Global Heat (Ire) (Toronado {Ire}) saluted for the same yard in a Jan. 14 handicap.

Communique (Ire) (Casamento {Ire}), second in a German Group 1 this past fall for Mark Johnston, now races for Salem bin Ghadayer and bids to improve off a 12th in a listed handicap here on Jan. 21. MSP Chouain (Fr) (Rajsaman {Fr}) represents trainer Miroslav Rulec and won a Deauville contest on Dec. 27.

Click here to view the group fields.

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Virtual Reality For Tattersalls 2021 Opener

When the curtain came down on the 2020 December Sale, all participants could have been forgiven for hoping that it would be the last we would see of Covid-restricted sales. Regrettably, the situation in Britain has subsequently worsened, meaning that Tattersalls, which managed to stage all of its scheduled sales last year, along with a few extras and a few delays, has been forced to conduct its first auction of 2021 entirely online.

The mixed February Sale is perhaps the one through the year which could withstand some disruption best but it is nevertheless a very useful sale and one which has produced its fair share of success in its 20-year existence. Indeed, Venetias Dream (Ire) (Librettist) is an example of the value that can be found in February. Sold for just 1,000gns in 2013, she was subsequently bought back from Turkey when Charm Spirit (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), a son of her half-sister L'Enjoleuse (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), burst onto the scene, and Venetias Dream has since found fame in her own right as the dam of last year's G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches winner Dream And Do (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}).

Results such as this keep optimistic breeders returning to these midwinter sales, and this one in particular usually offers a chance to see some new sires at the TBA Stallion Parade. This year, potential buyers will have to be content with sitting in front of their computer screens, scrolling through form and videos, rather than patrolling Park Paddocks.

The brave new world of online sales may be suboptimal in this regard but it has nevertheless been embraced by buyers and vendors, particularly as the alternative while lockdown continues is to have no sale at all.

Mark McStay of Avenue Bloodstock is based within hollering distance of Tattersalls in Newmarket and in lieu of being on the sales ground this year he has put in plenty of work ahead of the sale, both on the computer and at racing yards and studs.

He said, “The better quality videos and photographs, and the more information online, such as veterinary certificates and heights and weights for horses in training, has been great. There needs to be, and I have found that there has been, an increased transparency and disclosure from the vendor when you ring up to ask about a horse.”

McStay continued, “In certain instances where possible I have been able to do socially-distanced and Covid-safe visits to stud farms and training yards to inspect animals of interest, so I think that all of those things make it workable. It's not ideal—we'd all rather be inspecting horses thoroughly and maybe reinspecting a second time, but that isn't practical. In the situation that we're in Tattersalls and their competitors have made an incredible effort and they are to be commended for still being able to hold a sale. The fact that they've been sensible and are going to hold a second sale in six weeks' time, which hopefully people will be able to attend, is also a big benefit.”

McStay avers that demand for horses in the UK remains high, with an increasing number of overseas buyers involved in public auctions and private purchases.

“Whether it be a broodmare or a horse in training, the market for a good horse is stronger than ever,” he adds. “However, it is very selective in the middle tier and the bottom end of the market has had a huge drop, and it will continue to drop until the prize-money issue is resolved.

“Thankfully, people love our game, they love racing, and people want to win the top races around the world so the demand for a good horse is still high. Our product in the UK is becoming more and more export-orientated. A lot of the horses I would buy, and the same for a lot of other agents, will continue their careers in Australia, America, Hong Kong or Dubai. That unfortunately is a reflection on our prize-money.”

So what potential gems can be found in this year's February catalogue, which started out with 497 horses but had been depleted by the withdrawal of around 200? One which won't be found in the book but is a wildcard entry online is the last horse to sell on Thursday, Noble Yeats (Ire) (lot 256A).

The 6-year-old son of Yeats (Ire) is an unusual entry for this sale and would be more likely found in a Tattersalls Cheltenham Sale in a normal year. The gelding recently won a Thurles bumper by 19 lengths for trainer Emmet Mullins and is entered in Saturday's G2 Goffs Future Stars Bumper at Leopardstown. Noble Yeats was also runner-up on his sole point-to-point start and was third on his bumper debut in late December.

Coloratura Soprano (ITY), a Golden Horn (GB) half-sister to last season's G2 Oaks d'Italia winner Auyantepui (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) is among the horses offered by the Castlebridge Consignment. The 3-year-old (lot 162) has been trained in her first three starts by John Gosden.

Oakshott Bloodstock consigns the sole mare in foal to Showcasing (GB) in the catalogue in 8-year-old Little Voice (lot 39), a dual-winning daughter of Scat Daddy who has a yearling filly on the ground also by the Whitsbury Manor Stud stallion.

Part of the continuing Broughton Bloodstock dispersal is lot 63, Carter's Grove (Ire), a Lilbourne Lad (Ire) half-sister to the useful stallion Sir Prancealot (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) and to listed winner Nice Applause (Ire) (Royal Applause {GB}). The 8-year-old mare is sold with an early May cover to young stallion Le Brivido (Fr). Her yearling filly by Charm Spirit (Ire) features later in the sale as lot 96.

Among the horses in training in the opening session is the Daniel and Claire Kubler-trained Chitra (GB) (lot 146). The hardy 5-year-old is a rare sprinter by Sea The Moon (Ger) who has won seven of her 34 races over five and six furlongs.

On behalf of breeder Lordship Stud, New England Stud consigns lot 153, Swiss Kiss (GB) (Dansili {GB}). The winning 10-year-old mare is in foal to Acclamation (GB) on a May 22 cover and is a daughter of Lordship's successful broodmare Swiss Lake (Indian Ridge {GB}), whose 12 winning offspring include the Group 3 winners Swiss Spirit (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and Swiss Diva (GB) (Pivotal {GB}).

The sale is conducted online on Thursday and Friday from 10am. Potential buyers, once registered, can place bids via the Tattersalls internet bidding platform or on the telephone to a member of staff.

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HKJC Granted Additional Simulcast Days

The Hong Kong SAR Government has granted the Hong Kong Jockey Club permission to increase its maximum number of simulcast days per year by 14 days, from 23 to 37, and for simulcast days to take place during the summer beginning this year. This new arrangement will address the demand of Hong Kong residents to bet on overseas races during the nation's summer break in racing, and should also help curtail illegal betting. The HKJC said the change will also promote the globalization of horse racing.

A statement from the Hong Kong Jockey Club on Wednesday read, “During the summer break of Hong Kong's racing, it is the peak season of overseas racing particularly in Europe, and the illegal and offshore bookmakers have taken advantage of this time gap to lure Hong Kong people to place bets on overseas races. As such, the approval of extra simulcast days in the summer will effectively address the existing illegal gambling issues while at the same time generate additional betting duty as well as charities donations, and create additional job opportunities which will benefit the Hong Kong community as a whole.”

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Buick and Foley Join STC International Jockeys’ Challenge

William Buick and Shane Foley are two of the jockeys that will take part in the second STC International Jockeys' Challenge at Riyadh in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 19. The second $20-million Saudi Cup, part of the $30.5 million Saudi Cup card, is set for Feb. 20.

“My first time riding in Saudi was around 12 years ago, I've been in and out since then,” said Buick, who rode in the original turf trials at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in January of 2020. “Last year I came over for the turf trials, which went very well indeed. The Saudi Cup raceday itself was a massive success. There were winners from all over the world, and the races were really competitive. For the organisers of a big meeting, that's your dream–competitive racing and a level playing field.

“I'm really looking forward to the international jockeys' challenge. I love these competitions. I think I've won the Mauritius one once – I've taken part in Hong Kong a few times, and there was also one the JRA used to do on Japan Cup weekend. This will be my first time riding in the Saudi challenge, and I really like the look of the format–four races, everyone riding in each race and the points system. It's simple but it works.”

“I really enjoy riding abroad and think it's massively important,” added Foley, who was runner-up in the 2020 Irish Jockeys' Championship. “The racing in Saudi Arabia is a big and growing operation as far as owners are concerned, and all it takes is to kick on with one there and you could bring an owner back to Ireland for your stable.

“I rode in the Japanese jockeys' challenge in 2018–which was a good experience–and I've ridden against some of these jockeys, like Pierre-Charles Boudot and Jessica Marcialis in the Arc and Breeders' Cup weekends. It's nice to be associated with these high-quality names and events, and I'm really looking forward to it.”

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