Raabihah Back In The Groove At Deauville

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Raabihah (Sea the Stars {Ire}), who went untested as a juvenile, was up with the larks for a Jan. 23 debutantes’ heat win at Cagnes-sur-Mer and doubled up with an impressive tally in ParisLongchamp’s May 14 Listed Prix de la Seine before posting a commendable fourth, despite a troubled trip, pitched into Chantilly’s rescheduled July 5 G1 Prix de Diane in her latest outing. Sent off as the 2-5 lock on a retrieval mission in Saturday’s G3 Prix de Psyche Sky Sports Racing over 10 furlongs at Deauville, the homebred chestnut did not disappoint her legion of supporters and booked a ticket to France’s end-of-season gala with a performance which simply oozed class. She was positioned several lengths off the pacesetting Arriviste (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) in fourth until improving one spot as the field bunched on the home turn. Overpowering toiling rivals once quickening in style for control approaching the final furlong, Raabihah surged clear in hand to easily dismiss Listed Prix Finlande victress Wangari (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) by an impressive 3 1/2 lengths with Wangari’s Andre Fabre-trained stablemate Alkandora (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) emerging best of the remainder, finishing 3/4-of-a-length further back in third.

“I think what we have seen here today is a Group 1 filly,” said winning trainer Jean-Claude Rouget, who sent out Luna Kya (Fr) (Kendor {Fr}) to win this in 2001 and subsequent MGISW distaffer Zagora (Fr) (Green Tune) in 2010. “We knew that before, of course, but we missed the opportunity to win a big one in the Diane where she had an awful trip and didn’t have enough experience to get herself out of trouble. We have been in racing long enough to know that these things happen. The pace was good today and the further she was going the more she was opening up on the rest.”

Rouget is now zoning in on targets back at the highest level with October’s G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe the ultimate goal this year. “For me, she is the best French filly around and she’s not even running over her distance. We know she is a genuine mile-and-a-half filly, with her second and third dams both being Oaks winners, and the plan is to now go straight to the [Sept. 13 G1 Prix] Vermeille and then the [Oct. 4 G1 Prix de l’] Arc [de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp].”

Raabihah is one of two winners and the leading performer produced by Garmoosha (Kingmambo), who was bred to Noble Mission (GB) this year. The fourth of six foals, she is a half-sister to Listed Wait A While S. third Filfila (Kitten’s Joy), a yearling filly by Kitten’s Joy and a 2020 More Than Ready filly. Her dam is an unraced half to G1 Fillies’ Mile third Firdaws (Mr. Greeley) out of G1 Epsom Oaks heroine Eswarah (GB) (Unfuwain), who in turn is a daughter of MG1SW G1 1000 Guineas and G1 Epsom Oaks heroine Midway Lady (Alleged). The latter also produced G1 Irish 1000 Guineas third Umniyatee (GB) (Green Desert) and G3 Princess Royal S. victrix Itnab (GB) (Green Desert), who in turn is the dam of stakes-winning G3 Al Shindagha Sprint runner-up Alazeyab (El Prado {Ire}) and Peruvian Group 3 placegetter Madera de Guerrero (Street Cry {Ire}). Descendants of Umniyatee include Argentina’s G1 Presidente da Republica victor Maltes (Brz) (Red Runner).

Saturday, Deauville, France
PRIX DE PSYCHE SKY SPORTS RACING-G3, €56,000, Deauville, 8-1, 3yo, f, 8fT, 2:02.81, gd.
1–RAABIHAH, 125, f, 3, by Sea the Stars (Ire)
1st Dam: Garmoosha, by Kingmambo
2nd Dam: Eswarah (GB), by Unfuwain
3rd Dam: Midway Lady, by Alleged
1ST GROUP WIN. O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum; B-Shadwell Farm LLC (KY); T-Jean-Claude Rouget; J-Cristian Demuro. €28,000. Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-0, €91,760. *1/2 to Filfila (Kitten’s Joy), SP-US. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Wangari (Ger), 125, f, 3, Soldier Hollow (GB)–Wamika (Ger), by Shirocco (Ger). (€35,000 Ylg ’18 BBAGO). O-White Birch Farm; B-Gestut Park Wiedingen; T-Andre Fabre. €11,200.
3–Alkandora (GB), 125, f, 3, Nathaniel (Ire)–Poplin (GB), by Medicean (GB). (85,000gns Ylg ’18 TAOCT). O-Godolphin; B-D J Deer & Mrs D J Deer (GB); T-Andre Fabre. €8,400.
Margins: 3HF, 3/4, 3/4. Odds: 0.40, 4.40, 8.00.
Also Ran: Arriviste (GB), Chorba (Fr), Run Wild (Ger), Euclidia (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

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Classic Win Still A Success Story For Sellers

There are good reasons for smaller trainers, owners and breeders to do their equine shopping at the drafts of the major breeding operations at horses-in-training and breeding stock sales. If buying a filly or young broodmare there is the potential for updates from well-managed families, members of which likely remain in their breeders’ broodmare bands. For the colts and geldings there is always the hope that a slower-maturing individual may well just have been deemed surplus to requirements and can go on to be a star in another stable over time. There are umpteen examples of this—the £2,800 purchase Sceptical (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) being just one who has made headlines since being bought from Godolphin and continuing his career for James McAuley and trainer Denis Hogan.

Juddmonte, Shadwell and Godolphin routinely have large drafts catalogued for formal sales as well as conducting private transactions for certain individuals and, while a number of Ballydoyle trainees will be offered at the Tattersalls Horses-in-Training Sale each autumn, many more will be sold privately throughout the season.

It is not uncommon for there to be multiple runners from Ballydoyle in some of the top races in Europe. The best fillies naturally eventually retire to the Coolmore broodmare band, but only a handful of the very best colts will secure a berth in the stallion yard. Those below that level, however, can present some decent opportunities for other connections, as the recent G2 Derby Italiano victory of Tuscan Gaze (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) highlighted.

The colt, who was bred by Coolmore in partnership with Lady Bamford’s Daylesford Stud, was previously unbeaten in two starts for John Gosden and was bought by jockey-turned-bloodstock agent Freddy Tylicki for Italian-based Mag Horse Racing SRL just weeks before his Classic success.

Jamie Moriarty of Coolmore’s racing office is in regular contact with agents and trainers on the lookout for such prospects. He says, “Some may be of the opinion that we wouldn’t be overjoyed at selling winners like that but in fact nothing could be further from the truth. Results like this bolster the relationships we are continually seeking to develop and maintain, and of course there’s also the pedigree update for the horse’s dam and relatives at home. So all in all, we couldn’t be happier for everyone concerned.”

He adds, “Tuscan Gaze’s recent success in the Italian Derby has received some great coverage, and rightly so. I suppose it could be perceived as something of a fairytale, and for none more so than Freddy Tylicki, but in reality we would like to think that this fairytale is played out with increasing regularity.”

There has long been a flow of horses from Ballydoyle to the Australian stable of leading owners Lloyd and Nick Williams, whose thirst to win the Melbourne Cup appears to be unquenchable. Rekindling (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire}) provided the father and son with their sixth victory in the Cup and was a memorable first for Joseph O’Brien, whose stable he has recently rejoined after a stint in Australia under the care of Liam Howley, who now trains the G2 Herbert Power S. winner Yucatan (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Last year’s eye-catching third-place finisher Il Paradiso (Galileo {Ire}), who was just a neck behind the winner Vow And Declare (Aus) (Declaration Of War), has remained in Australia and has joined Chris Waller’s stable after being sold to a syndicate which includes Ozzie Kheir. Among the other Ballydoyle graduates now in Australia are Galileo’s sons Southern France (Ire), who won the G2 Zipping Classic for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, and G1 Caulfied S. winner Cape Of Good Hope (Ire), who is now trained by David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig.

“Many will remember Rekindling and Johannes Vermeer going head-to-head in the Melbourne Cup, two Coolmore horses that had been sold to Australians Lloyd and Nick Williams,” says Moriarty. “The Melbourne Cup provides one of the best examples through the likes of Rekindling, Johannes Vermeer and Il Paradiso, a horse I suspect will be very much in the reckoning again this year.”

He adds, “As we retire only two or three new stallions each year to Coolmore, there are plenty of horses for sale and this presents terrific opportunities for clients old and new to get involved.

“Our team here takes calls and enquiries every day from the most far-reaching countries about prospective sales of racehorses and breeding stock alike. If clients have races they would like to target, be it on turf or dirt, Northern or Southern Hemisphere we will have plenty of options for them. Freddy had a week to find an Italian Derby winner and we were able to work it out.”

Hong Kong has also been a happy hunting ground for former Ballydoyle trainees, with River Dancer (Ire), the Sadler’s Wells half-brother to Dar Re Mi (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}), having won the G1 Audemars Piguet QE II Cup for The Hon. Ronald Arculli following his export from Ireland. Four years later, Archipenko, now the sire of Group 1-winning brothers Time Warp (GB) and Glorious Forever (GB) in Hong Kong, won that same race after he was sold to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum and joined Mike de Kock’s team of globetrotters. The same owner-trainer team also won the G1 Hong Kong Cup with Eagle Mountain (GB) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}), who was runner-up to Authorized (Ire) in the Derby when trainer by Aidan O’Brien.

A little closer to home, the one-time Derby fancy Amedeo Modigliani (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is now in the stable of Spain’s champion trainer Guillermo Arizkorreta and has won his only start in Spain’s premier mile race, the Gran Premio Claudio Carudel.

“If you look at any of the bigger races across the globe, you will note Coolmore graduates amongst the rolls of honour,” says Moriarty. “Master of Hounds, Mikhail Glinka (GB), Stagelight (Ire) and Viscount Nelson went on to score at the highest levels in Dubai. Joshua Tree (Ire), Ballingarry (Ire), Frost Giant, Tannery (Ire), Heatseeker (Ire) and Brahms were all at the top of their game on the other side of the Atlantic. So whether it’s a Canadian International, a Singapore, Hollywood, Hong Kong or Italian Derby winner you’re looking for, we have been lucky enough to have them through our hands. Not to mention of course the Cheltenham and Grade 1 winners over jumps.”

Ah, yes. For an outfit so focused on winning Europe’s top middle-distance races, there will be plenty among them with sufficient stamina to excel in the National Hunt division, such as G1 JCB Triumph Hurdle winner Ivanovich Gorbatov (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}).

“As the primary focus of Ballydoyle each year is to retire the next Sadler’s Wells or Galileo we would rarely have a gelding in training there, although in plenty of instances there will be improvement to come from these animals when they are gelded,” says Moriarty. “We don’t strictly sell colts only. The broodmare band takes continual management and, like the racehorse string, we can’t keep them all. There are a number of fillies that are offered privately each year. In cases where we have the dam and maybe a sister or two at home we would offer some for sale. This is where some of the best opportunities lie.”

One recent fortunate beneficiary of this is the new owner of Peach Tree (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who was already a Group 3 winner in her own right when sold less than 12 months ago. Since then, her full-sister Love (Ire) has announced herself as arguably the best 3-year-old filly in training.

Another daughter of Galileo was a similarly good purchase for Australian breeder Bob Scarborough, whose purchase of Cabaret (Ire) and her subsequent mating with Invincible Spirit (Ire) resulted in him breeding the 2000 Guineas winner Magna Grecia (Ire), who was bought by MV Magnier for 340,000gns.

Moriarty adds, “We have since gone back to buy a couple of her progeny, including Magna Grecia and the very promising St Mark’s Basilica who looked a smart sort on his debut last week.”

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Silvano Colts Dominate National Opener

Bloodstock South Africa’s National Yearling Sale, delayed from its original April calendar date, at last got off and running for its two-day stand on Friday. Topping trade during the opening session was Wilgerbosdrift Stud’s Silvano (Ger) colt out of local wondermare Halfway To Heaven (SAf) (Jet Master {SAf}) (lot 185), whose first two foals are the triple Group 1 winner Rainbow Bridge (SAf) (Ideal World) and champion 3-year-old and five-time Group 1 winner Hawwaam (SAf) (Silvano {Ger}). Hawwaam had been a R1-million yearling purchase by Shadwell South Africa, but his full-brother far outpointed that pricetag when bringing R7-million (£312,679/€347,508) on Friday from Summerhill Equestrian.

In fact, it was sons of Silvano who dominated trade on the day, in the end responsible for the top four prices. Jehan Malherbe of Form Bloodstock signed for the session’s second and third highest-priced colts at R4.5-million (£201,008/€223,384) and R1.8-million (£80,390/€89,353): lot 106, a grandson of multiple champion mare Dancer’s Daughter (GB) (Act One {GB}), and lot 186, whose dam is a half-sister to Horse of the Year Futura (SAf) (Dynasty {SAf}).

John Freeman purchased the fourth Silvano colt, the only other yearling in the session to crack seven figures: lot 109, the third foal out of Group 2 winner Demanding Lady (SAf) (Dynasty {SAf}) and half-brother to the G1 Cape Derby second Charles (SAf) (Trippi) made R1.3-million (£58,059/€64,533).

From 230 yearlings catalogued on the day, 158 were offered and 121 sold for an aggregate of R37,250,000 (£1,663,640/€1,849,127), an average of R307,851 (£13,749/€15,283) and a median of R150,000 (£6,700/€7,447). Comparative statistics will be published after Saturday’s second session of the sale.

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A Glorious Send-Off

Goodwood’s Qatar Festival has lived up to its “Glorious” tag all week and Saturday sees the culmination with the G2 Qatar Lillie Langtry S. the key race for the staying fillies and mares. Despite there being only four participants, they are all notable performers in the category and last year’s winner Enbihaar (Ire) (Redoute’s Choice {Aus}) will have to be at or near her best to bring up the repeat. Twelve months ago, the Shadwell representative gave a stone and a five-length beating to Manuela de Vega (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), defying the anchor of a combination of weight-for-age and a penalty here prior to adding Doncaster’s G2 Park Hill S. to her tally. Perhaps undone by testing ground when third in the G1 Prix de Royallieu at ParisLongchamp and fourth in the 12-furlong G2 Princess of Wales’s S. on her seasonal bow at Newmarket July 9, she has ideal conditions again here.

Shadwell’s racing manager Angus Gold is looking for improvement from her comeback effort.

“I thought she stayed on well in the last part of the race at Newmarket,” he explained. “It was her first run of the year, the trip was a bit short and the ground was soft enough for her as well. Hopefully, the ground will be on the quick side on Saturday, which will certainly help her. She is showing incredible enthusiasm and has this extraordinary action. You can never take anything for granted, but I would hope she’ll put her best foot forward.”

Since her heavy defeat in this last year, Manuela de Vega has come back at four a different proposition but had soft ground to suit when taking Haydock’s G3 Pinnacle S. June 7 and G2 Lancashire Oaks July 5 over a mile and a half. She gets the three-pound penalty as a result this time, which makes it all the harder for her to deal with Enbihaar but trainer Ralph Beckett is willing to give it a go.

“She’s in very good shape and we’re hoping she can go one better than last year,” he said. “We think she’s pretty adaptable ground-wise–I don’t think it makes too much difference to her. It won’t be easy giving the penalty away, but it’s feasible.”

Aside from that duo, the 3-year-olds Snow (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Cabaletta (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) are worthy of respect with the former coming in on the back of a fifth in the G1 Irish Oaks at The Curragh a fortnight ago and Cheveley Park Stud’s TDN Rising Star Cabaletta also backing up quickly having won Newbury’s Listed Aphrodite S. over a mile and a half on the same day.

Deauville ramps up the action as the August Festival gets underway in earnest, with the G3 Prix Six Perfections Sky Sports Racing and G3 Prix de Psyche Sky Sports Racing enjoying a share of the focus. In the former for 2-year-old fillies, Sean Mulryan, Linda Shanahan and Susan Magnier’s unbeaten See The Rose (Ire) (Kendargent {Fr}) returns to the scene of her smooth six-furlong conditions success July 12. She has to deal with Godolphin’s Wedding Dance (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), a member of Charlie Appleby’s academy which always does well here and she impressed with a 3 1/4-length success in a Newmarket maiden over this seven-furlong trip July 11.

“We were very pleased with Wedding Dance last time out, when she won nicely and she came out of the race well. This looks a nice opportunity for her to step up in grade,” her trainer said.

In the Psyche over a mile and a quarter, Shadwell’s Raabihah (Sea the Stars {Ire}) will be a warm order, having finished a short neck and two head margins behind the subsequent G1 Nassau S. winner Fancy Blue (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) when fourth in the G1 Prix de Diane over 10 1/2 furlongs at Chantilly July 5. Again, Godolphin are at the fore with the Andre Fabre-trained Alkandora (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), who took ParisLongchamp’s Listed Prix Melisande also over 10 1/2 furlongs last time July 2.

“Alkandora is in good form and has done really well since her last race,” Godolphin’s Lisa-Jane Graffard said. “She will appreciate a step up in trip in time, but Andre is very happy with her condition and she deserves a try at this level.”

Also in the mix is Tweenhills Fillies and Meridian International’s impressive June 7 Listed Pretty Polly Fillies’ S. winner Run Wild (Ger) (Amaron {GB}), who will be more at home back at that trip having finished last in the G1 Coronation S. at Royal Ascot June 20.

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