Tag: Shared News Europe

Kodiac’s Relief Rally Pounces Late For Lowther Triumph

Simon Munir and Isaac Souede's G2 Queen Mary S. runner-up Relief Rally (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}–Kathoe {Ire}, by Fayruz {GB}) impressed when annexing Newbury's Weatherbys Super Sprint by daylight last month and pounced late to secure a fourth win in five starts, upped to six furlongs for the first time, in Thursday's G2 Sky Bet Lowther S. at York.

The 2-1 favourite, who had earlier snagged early-season wins over five furlongs at Windsor and Salisbury, was sharply into stride and settled under cover behind the leaders in fifth after the initial strides. Bustled along with a quarter-mile remaining, she was angled to the stands' side for a clear passage passing the furlong pole and quickened smartly under continued rousting in the closing stages to deny Cherry Blossom (Ire) (No Nay Never) by a length nearing the line. Symbology (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) finished a head adrift in third in a bunch finish for the minor placings.

“You don't get much time in a six-furlong race to worry, but I thought she had a bit to do and was really impressed with the way she picked up,” admitted William Haggas. “I think she's a pure 2-year-old. I've had a few fillies, one called Besharah won this race, and she didn't go on. I think it's really hard, especially when they are small. We don't want to get wrapped up in them being a fantastic 3-year-old and this may well be her year, in which case we want to capitalise. She's pretty good and she's good in her head, although she dances a bit in the paddock. She's easy to train. I haven't had chance to talk to Tom [Marquand], as this is [owner] Simon [Munir]'s day. It's his first ever trip to York.”

Looking over the horizon, Haggas added, “Whether we have one [more run] before her last run [this year], I don't know. If we do, it will be the [G2] Flying Childers with a Group 2 penalty, but that's 50-50. Then it will be the [G1] Cheveley Park or the [G1] Prix de l'Abbaye.”

Marquand added, “We hoped stepping up to six [furlongs] would work in her favour and I was looking forward to it. Over five, she'd hit a little flat spot before finishing really strongly and, over six, that just didn't happen today. She had plenty to pass a furlong out, but they were all within a length. To be honest she never had me worried and she hit the line hard. William has done a remarkable job to get her to win the pot she did after Royal Ascot. I hope it's the Cheveley Park [next]. If she goes for the Abbaye I won't be able to ride her [due to her low weight], but William will make the right decision.”

Pedigree Notes

Relief Rally, the latest of eight reported foals and one of five scorers for her dam, hails from the family of G1 Irish 2000 Guineas-winning sire Jaazeiro (Sham) and G1SW Irish champion Woodstream (Northern Dancer). The April-foaled bay is a full-sister to G3 Chipchase S. victor Koropick (Ire). Their second dam Water Spirit (Riverman) is an unraced half-sister to Listed Grand Prix de Marseille Vivaux runner-up Private Enquiry (Ire) (Gorytus) and G2 Gallinule S. fourth and sire Northern Date (Far North).

 

Thursday, York, Britain
SKY BET LOWTHER S.-G2, £267,500, York, 8-24, 2yo, f, 6fT, 1:10.89, g/f.
1–RELIEF RALLY (IRE), 128, f, 2, by Kodiac (GB)
1st Dam: Kathoe (Ire), by Fayruz (GB)
2nd Dam: Water Spirit, by Riverman
3rd Dam: Interviewme, by Olden Times
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (58,000gns Ylg '22 TATSOM). O-Simon Munir & Isaac Souede; B-C M Farrell (IRE); T-William Haggas; J-Tom Marquand. £151,699. Lifetime Record: 5-4-1-0, $398,425. *Full to Koropick (Ire), GSW-Eng, $104,612. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Cherry Blossom (Ire), 128, f, 2, No Nay Never–Canada Water (GB), by Dansili (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€360,000 Ylg '22 GOFOR). O-Westerberg, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor & D Smith; B-Barronstown Stud (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. £57,513.
3–Symbology (GB), 128, f, 2, Havana Grey (GB)–Showstoppa (GB), by Showcasing (GB). (£230,000 Ylg '22 GOFFUK). O-Isa Salman Al Khalifa; B-Whitsbury Manor Stud (GB); T-Clive Cox. £28,783.
Margins: 1, HD, HD. Odds: 2.00, 4.00, 14.00.
Also Ran: Dorothy Lawrence (GB), Beautiful Diamond (GB), Star Of Mystery (GB), Gunzburg (Ire), Flora Of Bermuda (Ire). Scratched: Queen's Guard (GB).

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Blue Diamond Stud Branches Out With Acquisition of Kentucky’s Stonereath Farm

Imad Al Sagar's Blue Diamond Stud is the new owner of Stonereath Farm in Kentucky in a purchase which “underlines the intention of the stud to compete on the world stage”.

The Kuwaiti-born owner-breeder of Group 1 winners Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Decorated Knight (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) has a burgeoning involvement in racing and breeding in North America, where his Blue Diamond Stud has been represented this season by the homebred Wonderful Justice (Justify), winner of the Black Gold S. at Fair Grounds. The 3-year-old colt is trained by Brad Cox alongside the Grade II-placed Free Look (Tapit), a recent purchase at the Fasig-Tipton July Horses of Racing Age Sale.

Situated just outside Paris in Kentucky, Stonereath Farm was previously home to the celebrated broodmare Best In Show while under the ownership of Darrell and Lindy Brown. Its most recent owner was Dr. Christoph Berglar, the German owner-breeder of international Group 1 winners Protectionist (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}) and Novellist (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}). Set on 252 acres, the historic farm's facilities include 60 stalls in four barns, 24 paddocks and a yearling show ring area.

“We are excited to add Stonereath Farm to the Blue Diamond Stud portfolio,” said Al Sagar, whose aforementioned filly Nashwa was runner-up to Mostahdaf (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in Wednesday's G1 Juddmonte International, having won the G1 Falmouth S. at Newmarket in July as well as last year's G1 Prix de Diane and G1 Nassau S.

“With such a long history of producing such good racehorses, I am confident that it will be a valuable complement to our European division while allowing us great opportunity to diversify. We look forward to growing our presence in the US and yielding the advantages of everything that Kentucky and its differing bloodlines has to offer.”

Blue Diamond Stud chief executive officer Ted Voute has previously been involved in the launch of Clearsky Farm in Kentucky. He added: “Imad Al Sagar has incredible foresight and energy to invest in a vein of land in Bourbon County that is a proven source of Kentucky Derby winners.

“Stonereath Farm has not been over-horsed in recent times and is in pristine condition. I am excited for the future combining some of Blue Diamond's already illustrious bloodlines with this fertile land. Imad has infectious, overwhelming enthusiasm driving everyone that works with him to produce Thoroughbreds to perform either at the sales or on the racetrack at the top level.”

The team of stud staff employed during Berglar's tenure under his Narola banner will remain in place, led by Walter Nathaniel Lobato and office manager Donna Callaway.

In Britain, Blue Diamond Stud owns two Newmarket-based properties, with Blue Diamond Stud South, which is home to the mares and foals, overseen by broodmare manager Andrew Rawlin, and Blue Diamond North, which is primarily the yearling division, run by yearling manager Gerry Meehan. In 2018, Al Sagar bought out his former partner in the stud, Saleh Al Homaizi, with whom he raced the Derby winner Authorized (Ire) and G1 Irish 2000 Guineas winner Araafa (Ire) as well as Decorated Knight.

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Observations: ‘TDN Rising Star’ Alexandroupolis Set for Vinnie Roe Comeback

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Thursday's Insights features TDN Rising Star Alexandroupolis.

18.55 Leopardstown, Listed, €40,000, 3yo, 14fT
Coolmore and Westerberg's ALEXANDROUPOLIS (IRE) (Camelot {GB}) followed up his 'TDN Rising Star' performance at Galway last September with a third here in the Apr. 2 G3 Ballysax S. and encounters seven rivals in this Listed Aer Lingus College Football Classic Vinnie Roe S. over 14 furlongs. They include Juddmonte's hitherto undefeated Waltham (GB) (Roaring Lion), who is a Ger Lyons-trained grandson of G3 Park Hill S.-winning matriarch Eva Luna (Alleged).

 

16.35 Leopardstown, Mdn, €16,000, 2yo, f, 7fT
Dermot Weld debutante EZELIYA (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}), who heads a trio of Aga Khan nominees, is out of MGSW G1 Irish Oaks, G1 Yorkshire Oaks and G1 Hong Kong Vase third Eziyra (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}). Her opposition features Ballydoyle bluebloods Content (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a twice-raced daughter of dual G1 Nunthorpe S. heroine Mecca's Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}); and the once-raced Mayfair (Ire) (Justify), who is out of G1 Cheveley Park S. victrix Clemmie (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).

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Stellar Yorkshire Oaks in Store on the Knavesmire

Day 2 of York's Ebor Festival plays host to a stellar edition of the G1 Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks and features a mouthwatering rematch between the G1 Irish Oaks first and second Savethelastdance (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}). The former's trainer, Aidan O'Brien, has annexed six editions since the turn of the century, but is still three shy of the record nine held jointly by Mathew Dawson and Sir Michael Stoute. Savethelastdance's three career wins, which include a 22-length romp in May's Listed Cheshire Oaks, have all played out with ease underfoot and drying conditions on the Knavesmire replicate the good-to-firm going she encountered when second in Epsom's G1 Oaks.

O'Brien, who is also represented by G2 Ribblesdale S. victrix and Irish Oaks fifth Warm Heart (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), considers pace, rather than going, key to a bold showing from the stable's star distaffer and commented, “I think York will suit her as it's a big, galloping track, and that's why York suits a very good horse. There's no messing there and the rhythm usually gets going early. She's a big, genuine filly who gets a mile-and-a-half very well. Ideally, she might have preferred a stronger pace at the Curragh as she gets into a big, rolling gallop. Ryan [Moore] didn't panic when the pace started to quicken and she started to get a little bit flat with him, so he gave her time to get into gear. He felt he won very well on her and it's a difficult thing for a jockey when everyone is going away from you. He gave her chance to go through the gears and he felt when she hit top gear that she would mow them down.”

Bluestocking, who was set fair for victory in Ireland only to be collared in the dying strides is displaying positive signs at home, according to trainer Ralph Beckett. “Bluestocking worked well on Friday and we are happy,” he said. “It's the right spot for her and, at her level, there aren't many alternatives. She's Group 1-placed and not eligible for [Thursday's Listed] Galtres.”

The Classic generation's contenders face an ominous threat from their elders, which includes George Strawbridge's Free Wind (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who has finished off the board in both starts since registering a fourth pattern-race victory in May's G2 Middleton S. over an extended 10 furlongs at this venue, and Shadwell's G1 Nassau S. heroine Al Husn (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who has twice downed Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) this term for Roger Varian. The former seeks a fifth win in the contest for the Gosden stable, two of which were provided by Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}). Al Husn stretches out to 12 furlongs for the first time and it is very much a venture into the unknown according to racing manager Angus Gold. “She hasn't run over this trip before and nobody has ever said to me that they think she wants further,” he revealed. “She's so tough and it's obviously a lovely race. We wanted everything to be right and the question was always whether this would come too soon after the Nassau, but she did a bit of work last Thursday and everyone is happy with her. We are very lucky that she's got a Group 1 on the board already, so we don't have to chase one, and running here instead of in last Sunday's Prix Jean Romanet gives her an extra four days.”

 

Relief Rally Up In Trip For Lowther Test

An enticing undercard includes the G2 Sky Bet Lowther S., in which G2 Queen Mary S. runner-up and impressive Weatherbys Super Sprint winner Relief Rally (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) tackles six furlongs for the first time and encounters eight rivals. Denied by a nose at Royal Ascot in her penultimate start, she renews rivalry with Queen Mary third Beautiful Diamond (GB) (Twilight Son {GB}) and Queen Mary sixth Flora Of Bermuda (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). “She's a lovely filly and she'll run a good race,” insisted Relief Rally's trainer William Haggas. “She's very fast, she's very able and goes on any ground. She should get the trip and I think she'll enjoy the trip.” Opposition is deep and also includes Ballydoyle's impressive Curragh maiden winner Cherry Blossom (Ire) (No Nay Never) and Godolphin's 'TDN Rising Star' Star Of Mystery (GB) (Kodiac {GB}), who comes back off a runner-up finish in last month's G2 Duchess of Cambridge S. at Newmarket.

 

Super Friday In Store

Friday's card includes a trio of stakes races with G3 Molecomb S. and Listed Windsor Castle S. victor Big Evs (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) in receipt of 19 pounds and more from his elders in the G1 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe S. over five furlongs. The 16-runner dash is a who's-who of the sprinting ranks and includes last year's heroine Highfield Princess (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), her G1 King's Stand S. conqueror Bradsell (GB) (Tasleet {GB}), G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee S. hero Khaadem (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint runner-up Dramatised (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}).

Big Evs also casts a shadow over the six-furlong G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack S., which will witness the return of Ballydoyle's Windsor Castle runner-up Johannes Brahms (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) and Molecomb third Kylian (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) in a field of 10.

Lady Blyth's Quickthorn (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) romped to a 14-length tally in last term's G2 Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup and the Hugh Morrison trainee will be back for more in this year's seven-runner renewal returning off a six-length rout in this month's G1 Goodwood Cup.

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