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Blue Point 2-1 Favourite To Land First-Season Sire Honours

Blue Point (Ire) has been installed as the 2-1 favourite to be crowned leading first-season Flat sire in Britain and Ireland by Paddy Power.

Ballyhane Stud's Soldier's Call (GB) has been inserted at 5-2 next best in the betting while Coolmore's Ten Sovereigns (Ire) has been quoted at odds of 3-1. Tally-Ho Stud, responsible for two of the past three champion first-season sires Mehmas (Ire) and Cotai Glory (GB), are represented by 4-1 chance Inns Of Court (Ire). It's 10-1 the field.

Blue Point stands at Kildangan Stud for €35,000 having started off on a fee of €45,000 in 2020. The son of Shamardal was a smart 2-year-old, as he showed when winning the G2 Gimcrack S., but he progressed with age and landed the G1 King's Stand S. and G1 Diamond Jubilee S. in the same week at Royal Ascot as a 5-year-old.

Of the 64 yearlings by Blue Point to sell at public auction last season, they averaged just over €100,000, and included a €420,000 filly bought by MV Magnier from Mountain View Stud at the Goffs Orby Sale.

Soldier's Call has been hotly-tipped to get off to a fast start with his juvenile runners this year. A speedball of a 2-year-old himself, Soldier's Call won the Windsor Castle S. at Royal Ascot, and the G2 Flying Childers S. at Doncaster before running an excellent third, beaten just a neck against hardened sprinters, in the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye at ParisLongchamp.

Speaking to TDN Europe at the recent Irish Thoroughbred Stallion Trail, Ballyhane boss Joe Foley nominated two juveniles to follow from the stallion who stands for €7,5000 at the County Carlow outfit.

Foley said, “We're proud to have Soldier's Call. We're happy with him and we're looking forward to seeing his progeny race and I am sure every other stallion man is looking forward to their stallion's progeny race as well. All will be revealed at the end of the year.”

“There is a colt out of Alicia Darcy (Ire) (Sir Prancealot {Ire}), who was a good race filly, and he has gone to Karl Burke. He's beautiful and everybody loves him. He's one we'd be keen on.”

He added, “There's a colt out of Rush (GB) (Compton Place {GB}), who Kevin Blake bred, who we bought at Doncaster for £105,000. He's a really good-looking, chunky 2-year-old and everyone loves him as well. He's gone to Archie Watson. They'd be the two I'd pick but I'm sure I've missed the best one.”

Invincible Army (Ire) was subject to similarly bullish reports on the Stallion Trail, with Rob O'Callaghan saying that he had every confidence in the Yeomanstown-based sire this year. However, Paddy Power have largely ignored Invincible Army's claims by pricing him up at 25-1.

O'Callaghan said, “We're very confident with Invincible Army. He's got great stock coming through and has a lot going for him with over 130 2-year-olds this year. They are well-bred horses and they've got the strength, the action and they have gone to the right homes as well. Karl Burke, Richard Hannon, Ger Lyons, Richard Fahey and Clive Cox have all bought yearlings by him and he's got as good a chance of any of the first-season sires to make a big impression this year. You've got to remember that he was a top-class racehorse and was a group winner at two, three and four.”

Too Darn Hot, the unbeaten and champion 2-year-old in 2018, who won the G1 Dewhurst S. for John Gosden, can also be backed at double-figure odds with Paddy Power offering 14-1. If there is a lurker in the betting, it may well be Highclere Stud's Land Force at odds of 10-1, whose yearlings sold well last year.

Not only did Shadwell pick up a couple of fillies by the impeccably-bred G2 Richmond S. winner from Book 2 at Newmarket, but Richard Knight also paid 180,000gns for a colt out of Book 1 by the stallion who averaged over €30,000 with his yearlings last year.

Paddy Power are clearly erring on the side of caution with the 4-1 quoted about Inns Of Court, and rightly so, given Tally-Ho's track record in this sphere.

The son of Invincible Spirit (Ire), who stands at €5,000, went down well at the yearling sales last year, averaging just over €30,000 for the 116 that were sold.

Paul Binfield, spokesman for the betting firm, said, “It's a little early to say where the money's going as we've only just priced it up, but it will be fascinating to find out which of the sires attract interest.

“We price it up on which yard the horse came from, their stud fee-trying to get the right mix between quality and price, the number of mares covered and also the sire's pedigree themselves.

“We've installed Blue Point as the favourite this year as Godolphin are renowned for farming their own horses so our traders felt that he was the right choice to head the market, but as I mentioned earlier, let's see where that money goes.”

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France Gallop Promotes Racing Through Short Film

A short film called 'Destination France' which promotes Flat and National Hunt racing, was released by France Galop on Friday. Just under three minutes in length, the video features images from the country's training centres, stud farms, sale rings and race meetings. The short highlights the main attractions of the country's horse racing system, and makes a direct correlation to the French lifestyle, which they argue is attractive to foreign ownership. Supported by interviews from a range of industry professionals, including owners and trainers, this video is billed as a tool to promote French racing for everyone. Click here to view.

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Hope Jumps to Harry as February Sale Concludes

NEWMARKET, UK–As is to be expected of a sale of this nature, the next steps in the careers of the day's leading lots will be in a variety of different avenues and countries, from jump racing to Saudi Arabia and merely a switch of stables within Newmarket. Over the two days, buyers from more than 20 nations signed for broodmare prospects and horses in training.

Harry Derham is already off the mark in the early days of his training career and he added a promising new recruit to his burgeoning National Hunt stable in the shape of the day's top lot, Brentford Hope (GB) (Camelot {GB}), who was bought for 90,000gns with agent Ed Bailey. The 6-year-old has been a smart dual-purpose performer for Richard Hughes, for whom he won three times on the Flat, achieving a rating of 102, and he has recently run second three times over hurdles.

“He's a nice, scopey horse and Harry saw him yesterday,” said Bailey of lot 427. “Brentford Hope has been a high-class performer on the Flat and has run well over hurdles so far, bumping into some decent performers and the form is looking good. He should progress over hurdles and he is for sale.”

Kuwaiti-born owner and trainer Abdullah Salman Alsabah, who is now based in Saudi Arabia with his small string, went to 80,000gns to secure the 3-year-old Mohatu (GB) from the consignment of Jamie Railton, who sold the son of Roaring Lion on behalf of Qatar Racing. The colt, previously trained by William Haggas, won twice in January over a mile.

“He's improving and I will own him and train him,” said Alsabah, who has a team of seven horses. “The racing programme is expanding in Saudi and it is thriving. They are leading the races now and doing very well. There are some good opportunities there and that's why we left our country to go to Riyadh.”

Riotous applause greeted the hammer falling in favour of Jon Thompson and his band of merry men who had clearly had a good lunch before deciding to buy Tenjin (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) for 75,000gns.

Now three, Tenjin won over six furlongs last October and has subsequently been regularly placed on the all-weather for Marco Botti to earn a rating of 85. He was signed for by Jamie Piggott and will remain in Newmarket to be trained by John Ryan.

One of the horse's new owners, Jon Thompson, said: “He wants bit of time, and he is going to race for a syndicate in association with the new wine bar in the town, Gee Gee's. I think there are about 17 of us involved in this horse now.”

As the curtain fell on the first sale of the year at Tattersalls, Chairman Edmond Mahony said, “The individual highlight of the 2023 Tattersalls February Sale was without doubt the 250,000 guineas BBA Ireland purchase of the very well-bred broodmare Now Or Never, who is the third-highest-priced broodmare ever sold at the Tattersalls February Sale and the highest price at the sale since 2018, but the real feature of the past two days has been the international participation.”

The clearance rate remained strong at 84% but the aggregate dropped by 29% from last year at 4,141,800gns, albeit from 30 fewer horses sold. All told, 298 changed hands at an average of 13,899gns (-22%) and median of 7,000gns (-30%).

He continued, “Diverse overseas demand has always been the hallmark of the Tattersalls February Sale and other Tattersalls sales of this nature and the consignors have confidence that Newmarket's unique appeal consistently produces an unrivalled marketplace. Even the relatively small February Sale consistently attracts an abundance of buyers from all over the world and we have sold horses to more than 20 different countries over the past two days. Widespread participation from throughout Europe has been matched by the customary strong contingent from throughout the Gulf region and buyers from India and North Africa have also made significant contributions to a solid renewal of the annual curtain-raiser at Park Paddocks. While the figures have not matched last year's impressive returns, the turnover was the fourth highest in the sale's history, the clearance rate has again exceeded 80% and the sustained demand for British and Irish bloodstock at all levels of the market has yet again very much been in evidence at the Tattersalls February Sale.”

Action returns to the ring at Park Paddocks in mid-April for the Craven Sale, which kicks off the breeze-up season in Europe.

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Big Stars Twinkle As Entries Taken For Dubai World Cup Meeting

Defending G1 Dubai World Cup hero Country Grammer (Tonalist) is one of over 1,600 entries, including 892 individual horses from 21 countries, entered in the $30.5-million Dubai World Cup night card.

The featured event, sponsored by Emirates Airline, attracted 171 entries. Of the 24 Group or Grade 1 winners besides the Zedan Racing-owned and Bob Baffert-trained Country Grammer, is the duo's three-time Grade I winner Taiba (Gun Runner).

Joining them could be a pair of longshot headliners from last year; namely, GI Kentucky Derby champ Rich Strike (Keen Ice) and upset G1 Saudi Cup victor Emblem Road (Quality Road). Japan continues their well-documented rise on the international racing stage, and 2022 G1 Dubai Turf dead-heater Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) holds a Dubai World Cup nomination this time.

As for the rest of the card, the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic nominations includes Japanese stars like the 2022 winner Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), as well as Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}), the highest-rated 3-year-old in the world last year. Standing in their way is Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby who has entered Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), winner of the 2022 GI Breeders' Cup Turf.

Speaking of the Dubai Turf, sponsored by DP World, the other half of the dead heat from last year in Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) returns, while newcomer Saffron Beach (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) made the list. They could be facing rookie international shipper and reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro). Meanwhile, the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen could pit the Steve Asmussen trainee Gunite (Gun Runner) against RRR Racing's local hero Switzerland (Speightstown).

Grass sprinting noms in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint, sponsored by Azizi Developments, are led by the well-travelled Artorius (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}) who could make the journey from Down Under. Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien's three wins in the G2 UAE Derby make him a logical frontrunner, especially as he has nominated GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner Victoria Road (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}).

The G2 Dubai Gold Cup, sponsored by Al Tayer Motors, could signal the return of 2021 winner and G1 Gold Cup hero Subjectivist (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}). While the rundown of entries for the G2 Godolphin Mile, sponsored by Nakheel, is marked by defending champion Bathrat Leon (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), as well as Japanese challengers like Lauda Sion (Jpn) (Real Impact {Jpn}) and Derma Louvre (Jpn) (Pyro), plus Americans hopefuls like Pioneer Of Medina (Pioneerof the Nile) and White Abarrio (Race Day).

“We are delighted by the strength and depth of entries for this year's Dubai World Cup meeting,” said Stephanie Cooley, International Manager for the Club. “To have horses from more than 20 countries considering the trip shows the meeting's continued global appeal.”

Invitations for the meeting are set to go out during February. Click here, for the full list of the nominations.

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