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Unbeaten Ghostwriter has Guineas Aim

Jeff Smith's unbeaten G2 Juddmonte Royal Lodge S. winner Ghostwriter (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) is pleasing trainer Clive Cox in his early preparation towards a potential start in the Qipco 2,000 Guineas back at the Rowley Mile.

“He's done really well, he had a super break and he's been back cantering for three or four weeks,” Cox said.

“We're thrilled with the way he's developed over the winter, he's looking even stronger.

“We were delighted with the campaign we enjoyed with him last year and we're all looking forward to this season.”

Ghostwriter made a winning debut over seven furlongs on Newmarket's July Course last August and backed it up with success at Ascot in a novice event over the same trip. He took the extra furlong in his stride when asked to go a mile in his first start in Pattern company in late September.

“I'm very much hoping to go to the Guineas, the first week in May is uppermost in our minds, especially with him winning on the track at Newmarket, on the July course, of course, but crucially the Rowley Mile,” Cox added.

“We would be very excited about him with those Classic races in mind.”

Smith's colours were most recently carried to Group 1 glory by Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never) on four occasions. Through the owner is also a renowned breeder through his Littleton Stud, both Alcohol Free and Ghostwriter were bought as foals, selected by stud manager David Bowe.

Ghostwriter, bred in partnership by Norelands Stud and the Irish National Stud, is out of the Champs Elysees (GB) mare Moorside (GB), and was bought at Tattersalls for 100,000gns.

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Mohamed Abdulrahman Al Mansour Named Al Shahab COO

Al Shaqab Racing has appointed Mohamed Abdulrahman Al Mansour as its news Chief Operating Officer.

A statement released by the Qatari-based operation on Wednesday read, “Mohamed Abdulrahman Al Mansour brings extensive experience in the world of horse racing, being closely involved with the developments of this field, making him an excellent addition to Al Shaqab Racing's team.”

With extensive interests in Europe as well as Qatar, including a roster of nine stallions at Haras de Bouquetot in Normandy, Al Shaqab Racing has also enjoyed success in the Arab racing sphere of late, with Al Ghadeer landing the Triple Crown when winning the G1 (PA) HH The Amir Sword in Doha last weekend. This third leg of the Arabian Triple Crown follows the Qatar International S. at Goodwood and the Qatar Arabian World Cup at ParisLongchamp.

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Enable Returns to Dubawi as Juddmonte Outline 2024 Matings

Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) is set to visit Dubawi (Ire) for the third year in a row, according to plans released by Juddmonte for its European broodmare band. The 11-time Group 1 winner's dam Concentric (GB) (Sadler's Wells) will be covered by Frankel (GB) after foaling to Dubawi.

Enable's first foal, the two-year-old colt by Kingman (GB) named Encompass (GB), will be trained by John and Thady Gosden at Clarehaven Stables, the former home of both his sire and dam. Enable's two-year-old full-brother Concert Tour (GB) has not yet been allocated to a trainer.

Juddmonte's champion sire Frankel (GB) can naturally rely on plenty of support from his home camp, with 27 of the operation's stakes winners and/or producers on his book for 2024. These include the Group 1 winners Announce (GB) (Selkirk), Emollient (Empire Maker), who is the dam of Frankel's stakes-winning daughters Raclette (GB) and Ardent, Juliet Foxtrot (GB) (Dansili {GB}), Midday (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), Proviso (GB) (Dansili {GB}), Viadera (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), and Special Duty (GB) (Hennessy), whose Frankel colt Task Force (GB), trained by Ralph Beckett, is a potential Classic campaigner for this season. Juddmonte purchased Teona (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) at Tattersalls in December for 4.5 million gns when carrying to Frankel and she will return to him this year.

Bird Flown (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), the dam of Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Siskin (First Defence), is another on the list for Frankel along with Portodora (Kingmambo), the dam of GI Arlington Million winner Set Piece (GB) (Dansili {GB}), and Repose (Quiet American), who has produced the treble Group 1 winner State Of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}).

Frankel's winning full-sister Chiasma (Ire) (Galileo {Ire) returns to Dubawi, and his Listed-winning half-sister Joyeuse (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) heads to Ireland to be covered by Wootton Bassett (GB) at Coolmore. She is the dam of the 2023 G2 Mill Reef S. winner Array (Ire) (No Nay Never), who is trained by Andrew Balding and is her fourth black-type performer.

Strong Book for Kingman

Kingman's intended mates for 2024 will include return visitor Helleborine (GB) (Observatory), who has already produced the G2 Coventry S. winner and sire Calyx (GB) and Listed winner Coppice (GB) from previous matings with him.

The Group 1 winner and Group producers African Rose (a sister to Helleborine) and Passage Of Time (GB) (Dansili {GB}) are also booked to Kingman, along with Scuffle (GB) (Daylami {Ire}) and Nimble Thimble (Mizzen Mast), the dams of Group 1 winners Logician (GB) and Quadrilateral (GB) respectively.

Group winners Brostaigh (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}), Dandhu (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}), Fount (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Pocket Square (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) are also on the list along with Midday's Group 3-winning half-sister Sun Maiden (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Trojan Queen (Empire Maker) is another returning to Kingman having producing the Group 3 and dual Listed winner Sangarius (GB) to him.

Seventeen for Chaldean

Banstead Manor Stud's new recruit to the stallion ranks, Frankel's 2,000 Guineas-winning son Chaldean (GB), will receive 17 mares from the Juddmonte broodmare band. Twelve of these are black-type performers or producers, while the other five are either half-sisters to Group 1 winners or daughters of Group 1 winners.

Exemplify (GB) (Dansili {GB}), the dam of the GI Breeders' Cup Mile winner Expert Eye (GB), will visit Chaldean, along with proven producer Deliberate (GB) (King's Best), whose five black-type performers include the Group 2 winners Projected (GB) and Headman (GB), and Shared Account (GB) (Dansili {GB}), the dam of dual Group 3 winner Pocket Square.

Flare Of Firelight (Birdstone), the dam of G2 Gimcrack S. winner Threat (Ire), is also in his first book along with Group winners Timepiece (GB) (Zamindar), Hot Snap (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) and Modern Look (Zamindar), who is already the dam of Group 3 winner Grand Jete (GB).

Venturing Farther Afield

A hallmark of Juddmonte's matings, and indeed its success over the years, has been the operation's strong support of its own roster of stallions, which also includes Oasis Dream and Bated Breath. A selection of the Juddmonte mares to be venturing outside the fold this year includes Emulous (GB) (Dansili {GB}), who visits Camelot (GB) to replicate the mating that produced the G1 Irish Oaks runner-up Bluestocking (GB). Grade I winner daughter Capla Temptress (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) visits Dark Angel (Ire), and Frankel's G1 Fillies' Mile winner Quadrilateral will be going to Wootton Bassett.

Romantica (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), a Group 1-winning daughter of Banks Hill (GB), will visit Zarak (Fr) at the Aga Khan Studs, where the G3 Aston Park S. winner Haskoy (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}) and her dam Natavia (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) are both set to be covered by Siyouni (Fr).

Sacred Shield (GB) (Beat Hollow {GB}), the dam of GI Matriarch S. winner Viadera, will become the first Juddmonte mare to visit Whitsbury Manor Stud's Havana Grey (GB). Group 3 winner Juliet Sierra (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}) heads to Darley's Too Darn Hot (GB) while multiple Group winner Zarinsk (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) will be covered for the first time at Coolmore by No Nay Never.

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Japanese Contingent In Fine Form Before The Saudi Cup

Japan's Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach The Crown {Jpn}), a winner of the 2022 G2 UAE Derby and last year's G3 Korea Cup, galloped over the dirt track in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in advance of a start in the $20-million G1 Saudi Cup on Saturday. He is one of five Japanese horses in the world's richest race, which will go postward at 8:40 p.m. local time.

“We did a 1200m gallop on the dirt track today. He moved and accelerated well. We are happy,” Yohei Kotobuki, a stable representative, said of the G1 Champions Cup runner-up.

Also out for a spin, although in his case a canter, was 2023 GI Breeders' Cup Classic second Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits) on Tuesday morning. The 2023 UAE Derby hero was just a length behind the re-opposing White Abarrio (Race Day) in that Santa Anita contest in November, his most recent race.

“He has recovered well from the travel and he is very fresh. Christophe Lemaire will ride his gallop tomorrow,” Masatoshi Segawa, a stable representative, said.

There was also a positive bulletin on 2023 Japanese Champion Dirt Horse Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid), who stretched his legs and jogged one lap on the dirt. A winner of both the Listed Mile Championship Nambu Hai and the G1 Champions Cup in October and December, respectively, the 6-year-old entire represents Godolphin and trainer Hiroyasu Tanaka.

“He has been getting familiarised with the new surroundings here and has eaten up very well. He cantered nicely and has been the same as how he is at home,” assistant trainer Toshihiko Hokari said.

Only fifth to Lemon Pop in the Champions Cup, multiple group winner Meisho Hario (Jpn) (Pyro) has been twice placed at the highest level, to fellow Saudi Cup hopeful and 2023 G1 Dubai World Cup victor Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) in the G1 Tokyo Daishoten, and to Lemon Pop once again in the G1 February S. last year. Connections reported he cantered 1 1/2 laps over the Riyadh dirt on Tuesday.

“He was a bit tired for a few days after his arrival but his condition has recovered a lot and he appears to be back to how he is. He will have a fast gallop on the dirt track tomorrow,” assistant trainer Atsushi Obayashi said.

The aforementioned Ushba Tesoro jogged a quarter mile and finished his training with a 1 1/4-mile canter on the dirt at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Tuesday.

“He has been relaxed and getting used to the new surroundings since he has arrived. He has a great balance with his conformation and he looks great,” assistant trainer Masakazu Fukami said.

Besides the $20-million big dance, Japan is strongly represented in the undercard races, and GI Belmont S. winner Palace Malice's half-brother Iron Barows (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) turned in a strong canter on Tuesday, as well. The 7-year-old will compete in Saturday's G3 Longines Red Sea Turf H. over 3000 metres on the grass.

“He moved comfortably with lots left in his tank. He felt really good. He really enjoys his life here and he seems fit on the dirt surface even though he is a turf runner,” assistant trainer Shoritsu Kurono said.

A trio of Yoshito Yahagi runners were out for a gallop together on Tuesday: G2 Saudi National Bank 1351 Turf Sprint hopeful Bathrat Leon (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), who is defending his title after taking the race in 2023; Red Sea Turf H. entrant Libyan Glass (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}); and undefeated G3 Saudi Derby runner Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}). Both Libyan Glass and Forever Young are first-time travelers.

“Libyan Glass travels overseas for the first time in his career and he has been settled because he is with other two horses,” assistant trainer Yusaku Oka said. “He is tuning up for the race and is very well.

“He [Bathrat Leon] showed great acceleration in the stretch. Hopefully he keeps good form until the race.”

Oka said of dual listed winner Forever Young, “As he did all he needed to before we brought him here, we had not asked him too much today.”

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