DUAL Completes Acquisition of David Ashby Underwriting

DUAL, the specialist underwriting arm of Howden Group Holdings, has completed the acquisition of David Ashby Underwriting Limited (“DAU”), a MGA specialising in bloodstock and high value sport horse insurance. The latter had earlier been formed in 2020 following David Ashby's purchase of Amlin's bloodstock and livestock book and provided cover in Thoroughbred bloodstock, commercial breeding, rear and racing, and high value sports horses.

David Howden, CEO, Howden, said: “Joining with David and his expert team deepens our connection to the equestrian world, and makes us a true differentiator in this exciting market. DUAL now provides world-class expertise in all the major equine markets, and we will continue to leverage our expertise to provide more choice and a fresh alternative for clients.”

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Sapporo Kinen An Important Jumping-Off Point For Big Names

The return of Group 1 racing in Japan is officially about six weeks away, but Sunday's 2000-metre Sapporo Kinen–a Group 2 in name only–sees the return to action of some familiar names who are potentially looking to prep for big spots further afield over the coming months.

Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), the 2021 G1 Tokyo Yushun hero, makes his first start since finishing fifth to world's top-rated racehorse Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) in defence of his title in the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic Mar. 25, with a trip to America for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf in the offing, all things equal. The 5-year-old son of Dubai Majesty (Essence of Dubai) will be ridden for the first time by Takeshi Yokoyama. Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was just defeated in the 2021 Sapporo Kinen before going on to annex the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

The progressive Prognosis (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), third to Shahryar in Group 3 company in 2021, earned his first success at pattern level when prevailing by 3/4 of a length in the G2 Kinko Sho last March. It was off to Hong Kong for his next and a meeting with local champion Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Accalamation {GB}) in the G1 FWD QE II Cup in late April, and Prognosis covered himself in glory in finishing two lengths adrift of the course-and-distance specialist in second. All roads could lead back to Sha Tin for the Longines Hong Kong International Races meeting in December.

Win Mighty (Jpn) (Gold Ship {Jpn}) steps out for the first time since finishing a narrowly beaten second when going for consecutive victories in the G3 Mermaid S. at Hanshin June 18. The 6-year-old, third in the 2021 G1 Yushun Himba, holds an entry for the G1 Caulfield Cup during the Melbourne Spring Carnival Oct. 21, but will need a strong effort to merit the journey down under.

Defending chamipion Jack d'Or (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) won a star-studded renewal of the G1 Osaka Hai going this distance at Hanshin Apr. 2 and cut back to the mile for his latest in the G1 Yasuda Kinen, where he finished a determined fifth to the Breeders' Cup-bound Songline (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) after setting the pace. He would become the first back-to-back winner of this race since Air Groove (Jpn) in 1997-98. Danon Beluga (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), who ran on well to finish three-parts of a length adrift of the three-peating Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G1 Dubai Turf at Meydan when last spotted, should also appreciate Sunday's 10-furlong trip. The 4-year-old is reunited with Joao Moreira this weekend.

 

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Wertheimers Acquire Wildenstein Family’s Dayton Investments Bloodstock Portfolio

Wertheimer et Frere have purchased the entirety of the Wildenstein family's Dayton Investments bloodstock, including 'TDN Rising Star' and G3 Prix Penelope heroine Pensee Du Jour (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). She was due to race in the Ballymore Thoroughbred Racing colours in the G2 Prix de la Nonette on Sunday, but will instead carry the blue silks with white sleeves and seams of Alain and Gerard Wertheimer.

A storied operation since the 1920s, the Wildenstein family's bloodstock have produced a slew of stars on an international scale, including a quartet of G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winners. Current flagbearers for the breeding programme are four-time Group 1 winner Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr})–an €420,000 yearling at the Arqana October Yearling Sale–and three-time top-level winner-turned Darley stallion Persian King (Ire) to name just a few.

“We confirm that we have recently acquired all the horses belonging to Dayton Investments,” a spokesperson for Wertheimer et Frere told Jour de Galop on Thursday evening. “This is a rare opportunity to integrate many elements of exceptional quality into our broodmare band, such as the dams of Classic [winners] Persian King and Paddington, the winner of the [2014 G1] 1000 Guineas Miss France (Ire) (Dansili {GB}), as well as horses-in-training, including Pensee Du Jour. The yearlings and foals also join the Wertheimer et Frere squad.

“We hope to continue to develop the success of the great families of Dayton Investments who, since 1923, have been among the most important families in the European stud book and have notably produced four Arc de Triomphe winners. The main lines that will thus join the stable are from iconic mares such as Albertine (Fr), Madelia (Fr) or even Petroleuse (Ire).”

A yearling and horses-in-training dispersal was conducted for the Wildenstein family by Goffs during the 2016 Orby Sale.

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Swift Hawk Flies Highest At Tattersalls Online

William Knight's Rathmoy Stables consigned Swift Hawk (GB) (Hawkbill) and he brought a sale-topping 85,000gns from Tom Malone Bloodstock to lead the way during the Tattersalls Online August Sale which concluded on Thursday.

Sold as lot 16, the 3-year-old gelding has been placed three times from five runs over the turf and all-weather. His dam, Zacheta (GB) (Polish Precedent), has already foaled the dual group winner Ransom Note (GB) (Red Ransom), and another half-sibling is responsible for the Indian stakes winner Murioi (Ind) (Dubawi {Ire}). Under his granddam is three-time Group 1 winner Marienbard (Ire) (Caerleon).

“He's a lovely 3-year old who has good size and scope and he came highly recommended by William Knight,” said Malone. “He was arguably very unfortunate to recently run second to a nice horse of William Haggas's who is now rated 94. He looks the sort who will jump for us and I was very happy to get him.”

Mitch Beer Racing and Heywood Bloodstock signed for Desert Voice (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) at 50,000gns. Lot 28, from William Haggas's Somerville Lodge, sports two wins from four starts and is bound for Australia. Her second dam is the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup winner Shiva (Jpn) (Hector Protector), with four of her daughters foaling black-type winners including G1 Irish Derby runner-up Piz Badile (Ire) (Ulysses {Ire}), and G2 Gimcrack S. hero Threat (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}).

Beer said, “We were looking for fillies and found her. She is a lightly raced, two-time winning filly by Invincible Spirit who needs no introduction down here. We spoke to William Haggas and he recommended her for Australia so it was a no-brainer. There are so many options for her down here and I can't wait to get her home.”

Seraphic (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) (lot 8) was another who found favour with buyers, bringing 37,000gns from Killarney Glen. The Ecurie Hugo Merienne-consigned gelding has been placed under both codes and was last seen winning by 30 lengths.

Altenbach Bloodstock's Lorelei Rock (Ire) (Camacho {GB}) (lot 65) was knocked down for that price by Ladyswood Stud, as well. The stakes-winning mare is pregnant to Havana Grey (GB).

A total of 32 lots sold for a gross of 474,200gns. The average was 14,819gns and the median was 6,500gns.

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