Observations: Son of Zhukova Debuts at Kempton

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. Wednesday's Insights features a promising son of G1SW Zhukova (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}).

18.30, Kempton, Novice, £9,900, 2yo, 7fT
CLASSIC ENCOUNTER (IRE) (Shamardal) debuts in the race won 12 months ago by fellow Charlie Appleby trainee Silver Knott (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and is the third foal out of the high-class Zhukova (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), who Godolphin purchased for 3.7million gns at Tattersalls December at the end of a career highlighted by success in the GI Man o' War S. A daughter of the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Nightime (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and half-sister to the multiple group 1 winner Ghaiyyath (Ire), her first two by the latter's sire Dubawi (Ire) are the dual listed-placed First Ruler (GB) and TDN Rising Star Imperial Emperor (Ire).

19.00, Kempton, Novice, £9,900, 2yo, 7fT
IMPORTANT ROLE (Dubawi {Ire}) is another exciting Charlie Appleby newcomer in the second division of this novice, being a 625,000gns Book 1 graduate with connections to some high-class dirt runners. The dam is a full-sister to the GI Blue Grass S. and GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity S.-winning sire Carpe Diem and a half to fellow grade I winner J. B.'s Thunder (Thunder Gulch) as well as to the smart Doncaster Rover (War Chant) and Farrell (Malibu Moon).

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‘That’s What We Like, Nice, Fast Families’ – Redpender Enjoys Listed Double In France

Jimmy Murphy of Redpender Stud had double reason to celebrate on Sunday when the progeny of his mare Swirral Edge (GB) (Hellvelyn {GB}) landed back-to-back Listed race triumphs at Deauville. 

The renowned breeder knows better than most that these crucial updates are what drives the results in the sales ring and, for Swirral Edge to produce a memorable double through Asymmetric (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}) and Mill Stream (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), it took even Murphy by surprise. 

At one point in his career, Asymmetric was one of the smartest juveniles in Britain having landed the G2 Richmond S. at Goodwood before filling the frame behind Perfect Power (Ire) (Ardad {Ire}) in the G1 Prix Morny. 

However, after an unsuccessful stint in America for Wesley Ward, the four-year-old made a winning return to France by taking out the Prix du Cercle on debut for trainer Maurizio Guarnieri. 

That proved the perfect aperitif for what was about to come next as the Jane Chapple-Hyam-trained Mill Stream, cruelly denied by winning machine Quinault (Ger) (Oasis Dream {GB}) in a valuable handicap at Newmarket last month, grabbed that all-important black-type success in the Prix Moonlight Cloud.

Murphy commented, “It's seldom the likes of that happens but it did, thank God. I genuinely didn't know where Asymmetric was up until the evening before the race. With Mill Stream, there was more relief involved because he had been running to a good level and deserved to get his head in front. 

“I know a lot of his form was in handicaps but he had bumped into some smart horses and was running to a high rating. You'd have to say he won well at Deauville on Sunday and there could be more to come.”

The same sentiments could apply to Murphy's Swirral Edge who, at 10 years of age, has the potential to become a hugely important part of the Gowran operation in County Kilkenny for the coming years. 

Murphy said, “The mare has a yearling colt by Mehmas (Ire) going to Book 1 at Tattersalls and she is covered by Minzaal (Ire). It seems to be a very fast family and you'd like to be sticking to sprinters with her. Mehmas is obviously a very good sire and Minzaal could be the same. I thought he was a very good racehorse and obviously won his Group 1 as a four-year-old.”

He added on how he came across Swirral Edge in the first place, “Geoffrey Howson and Matt Holdsworth brokered the deal for me. When I was a young lad going to the Doncaster Sales years back, Joe Foley's father PJ was very pally with a fella in the north of England by the name of John Ellis and he had that family at Bolton Grange. 

“I had been following the family for years and years but could never find anything to come into it from a strong side. Even though this mare is by Hellvelyn (GB), her dam [Pizzara (GB)] is by Shamardal. Pizzarra had five runners and five winners, including the Listed winner Fashion Queen (GB) (Aqlaam {GB}).”

Swirral Edge is not the only multiple stakes producing mare to have made a name for herself at Redpender Stud. It was here where Danetime Out (Ire) produced the classy Richard Hannon-trained performers Toormore (Ire) and Estidhkaar (Ire) and things will turn full circle on Wednesday when the late mare's final produce graces the track. 

“We've 10 or 12 mares on the farm,” Murphy explained. “We had Danetime Out (Ire) (Ire), the dam of Toormore (Ire) and Estidhkaar (Ire), but unfortunately she's dead now and we've got nothing left from the family. Believe it or not, her last foal, Point Given (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), runs at Pontefract on Wednesday. He made 270,000gns at Book 1 at Tattersalls last year.”

Point Given was bought by Blandford Bloodstock on behalf of Saeed Suhail, whose blue and yellow silks were carried to Derby glory by Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) last year. 

Like Desert Crown, Point Given is trained by Sir Michael Stoute, who has booked Ryan Moore to ride the colt at Pontefract. 

Like every other consignor, the next few months will be busy for Murphy and, while he admits to having “some nice yearlings and some flat tyres as well,” he is approaching the upcoming sales with cautious optimism following his rare double with Swirral Edge.

He said, “I learned a long time ago that what I think doesn't really matter. What matters is what the market and what the people viewing the horses thinks. But we like the Mehmas going to Book 1. Asymmetric and Mill Stream are two nice colts and he's similar to them.”

He added, “I have a nice Equiano (Fr) colt for the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale at Doncaster and a lovely homebred Starspangledbanner (Aus) filly who is a three-parts sister to Aloha Star (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}. She's a tasty lady. That's what we like, nice and fast families because it's so hard to take on the bigger breeding operations.”

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Andrew Morris Appointed Head of Racing at Newmarket

Andrew Morris has been appointed to replace Michael Prosser as head of racing at Newmarket Racecourses. Prosser, who has been in the role for 23 years, will step down at the end of the season.

Morris, 41, completed the British Horseracing Authority's Graduate Development Programme before beginning his career with The Jockey Club at Market Rasen and later qualifying as a clerk of the course. He filled that same role at Warwick and Huntingdon racecourses before working as head of racing and director of racing at Chester until May 2022. Morris also spent stints in Dubai and Singapore, and was recently racing manager at Moonee Valley Race Club in Australia. 

“Having begun my career in racing with The Jockey Club almost 20 years ago, I am thrilled to be returning to the business as head of racing at Newmarket Racecourses,” Morris said.

“Newmarket truly is the 'Home of Horseracing'. Having worked across the globe, it feels very special to be coming back to occupy a senior position at the place where it all began. Nowhere else can boast Newmarket's history and heritage.

“I cannot wait to return to the UK and start learning from the team before we look ahead to an exciting 2024 racing season.”

Morris will assume his new role at Newmarket on October 16, to allow an overlap with Prosser.

 Sophie Able, manager of Newmarket Racecourses, said, “We are delighted to be welcoming Andrew back into The Jockey Club family, having started out at Market Rasen, Warwick and Huntingdon.

“Since then he has acquired a wealth of experience, both domestically and internationally, and his career is one characterised by high achievement.

“With a track record of overseeing top-class and high-profile racing, I am certain that Andrew will prove to be a great asset to The Jockey Club and a fantastic addition to the team here at the Home of Horseracing.”

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Tattersalls August Sale Catalogue Now Online

The catalogue for the Tattersalls August Sale, set to take place on Friday, Sept. 1, is now online. A total of 343 lots–221 colts and geldings and 124 fillies in training, as well as six broodmares–will be part of the offerings from some of the world's leading consignors over the one-day auction.

Some of the more interesting lots include the 3-year-old Peking Opera (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (lot 194) consigned by The Castlebridge Consignment. The Yeats S. winner, who is out of a full sister to the European Champion 2-year-old colt Air Force Blue (War Front), finished fourth in the G1 Irish Derby and third in the G3 Ballyroan S. this year. Also part of The Castlebridge consignment is Rhythm N Hooves (GB) (Pearl Secret {GB}) (lot 188), the winner of the Palace of Holyroodhouse S. at Royal Ascot; and French Claim (Fr) (French Fifteen {Fr}) (lot 195), the third-place finisher in last year's Irish Derby and most recently runner-up in the Listed Vintage Crop S. at Navan.

Some notable 2-year-olds slated to sell include recent Bellewstown maiden winner G'Day Mate (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) (lot 253), Listed Premio Criterium Varesino S. winner Man With The Plan (Ire) (James Garfield {Ire}) (lot 254) and G2 Richmond S. runner-up Hala Emaraaty (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) (lot 153).

“The Tattersalls August Sale has quickly proven itself to be a popular fixture for both vendors and purchasers, having been introduced for the first time in 2020 in response to COVID-related circumstances,” Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said. “We are delighted to catalogue 353 lots for this year's edition and look forward to welcoming a wide cross section of buyers, both domestic and from further afield, to Park Paddocks on the back of a strong Summer Sale and record-breaking July Sale.”

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