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Muhaarar’s Polly Pott In May Hill Upset

There was a surprise in store in Thursday's G2 Cazoo May Hill S. at Doncaster as The Megsons' 21,000gns Book 2 bargain Polly Pott (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) registered a 40-1 success for the soon-to-be-retired Harry Dunlop. In an outcome almost scripted by the racing gods, the winner of nurseries at Nottingham and Salisbury last month burst some bubbles as she swooped from rear under Danny Tudhope. Taking the measure of Novakai (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) from the furlong pole, the bay readily asserted to upstage that rival by 1 1/2 lengths, with another outsider Perfect Prophet (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) outrunning her odds of 50-1 in third, three lengths away. The 5-4 favourite Dance In The Grass (GB) (Cracksman {GB}) was only seventh.

 

Dunlop, who is the most notable of those recently announcing their departure from the training ranks, has enjoyed a purple patch since his shock announcement with the useful filly Adaay In Asia (GB) (Adaay {Ire}) winning at the Goodwood and Ebor festivals and at the Shergar Cup. “What this filly has is she's tough and hardy,” the son of the late legend John said. “It's surreal really. I've only got 12 horses and they're running well. We're lucky enough to have horses like this and it's very hard when you haven't got them, but you've got to enjoy them when you do get one. She cost 21,000 guineas and you're taking on these smartly-bred fillies that cost half a million. I think Ben Pauling is going to train her next year. Wherever she goes, I think she'll be a tough cookie and will probably stay a mile and a half I would think.”

Starting her career masquerading as a sprinter, Polly Pott was beaten into seventh on debut at Newbury May 31 and fourth at Lingfield June 13 before taking a Bath maiden over five furlongs and 160 yards on ground officially described as firm at the venue famed for its lack of a watering system July 12. Upped almost three furlongs for her first nursery at Nottingham Aug. 4, the bay made light work of the contrasting examination before coming back 15 days later to double up at Salisbury. Relishing the easier surface here, she could be called the winner some way out with no hint of fluke.

“She has got better and better, but I didn't expect that,” Dunlop added. “She's rated 75, this is a group two and she's won four on the bounce now, so it's fantastic. We've got to run her in a group one now, I suppose. Maybe the Fillies' Mile, why not? I'm really pleased for all my team at home. Obviously in my personal circumstances it's a great sending off and I think someone is looking down–it's quite emotional.”

The winner's dam Must Be Me (GB) (Trade Fair {GB}), whose daughter of Showcasing (GB) was a prescient £60,000 purchase by Oliver St Lawrence Bloodstock at last month's Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale, hails from a classy family with her dam being the listed-placed Roodeye (GB) (Inchinor {GB}). Among the progeny of Roodeye, who is a half to the G1 Prix Morny runner-up Gallagher (GB) (Bahamian Bounty {GB}), is Showcasing's star miler Mohaather (GB), Shadwell's hero of the G1 Sussex S., G2 Summer Mile and G3 Greenham S.

Roodeye also produced Prize Exhibit (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), who captured the GII Monrovia S. and GII San Clemente H. and was third in the GI Del Mar Oaks before throwing Ballydoyle's 2.8million gns Book 1 sensation History (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who took this year's G3 Cornelscourt S. Roodeye's daughter Roodle (GB) (Xaar {GB}) staked her own claim to fame when producing the G1 Queen Anne S. hero Accidental Agent (GB) (Delegator {GB}) and the Listed Hyde S. scorer Madame Tantzy (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}).

Thursday, Doncaster, Britain
CAZOO MAY HILL S.-G2, £120,000, Doncaster, 9-8, 2yo, f, 8fT, 1:38.34, g/s.
1–POLLY POTT (GB), 128, f, 2, by Muhaarar (GB)
     1st Dam: Must Be Me (GB), by Trade Fair (GB)
     2nd Dam: Roodeye (GB), by Inchinor (GB)
     3rd Dam: Roo (GB), by Rudimentary
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GROUP WIN. (21,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-The Megsons; B-Biddestone Stud Ltd (GB); T-Harry Dunlop; J-Danny Tudhope. £68,052. Lifetime Record: 6-4-0-0, $93,662. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Novakai (GB), 128, f, 2, Lope De Vega (Ire)–Elasia (GB), by Nathaniel (Ire).
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O/B-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum (GB); T-Karl Burke. £25,800.
3–Perfect Prophet (GB), 128, f, 2, Nathaniel (Ire)–Perfect Lady (GB), by Excelebration (Ire).
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (20,000gns RNA Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Mildmay Racing & Aura (Gas) Holdings Ltd; B-Mildmay Bloodstock & Mr D H Caslon (GB); T-Ed Walker. £12,912.
Margins: 1HF, 3, 1HF. Odds: 40.00, 4.50, 50.00.
Also Ran: Cell Sa Beela (GB), Ferrari Queen (Ire), Mottisfont (Ire), Dance In The Grass (GB), Frankness (GB). Scratched: Crystallium (GB), Dubai Jemila (GB). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Pyledriver Ruled Out Of The Arc With ‘Minor Injury’

Pyledriver has been ruled out of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe after connections revealed the King George winner picked up 'a minor injury'. 

Trained by William Muir and Chris Grassick, Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) proved too good for last season's Arc hero Torquator Tasso (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) in the King George, and while his injury is not reported to be a serious one, it is enough to scupper plans to run at ParisLongchamp. 

“He's had a slight setback and we're gutted,” Muir said on Thursday. “I can't gallop him tomorrow or next week, we can keep going but I can't gallop him, otherwise he could end up being off for longer.

“It's very minor and it's a toss of a coin, but we had to make the decision. If I can't have him at 100 per cent like he was for the King George, there's no point in going for a race like the Arc.

“We're distraught, as we wanted to be in there, but that's life and we have to get on with it, we have to do right by him.”

Muir added, “It's very minor and my vet said this time next week he could be 100 per cent. The plan now will be to see if we can still go for the Breeders' Cup or the Japan Cup, whichever one, and then Hong Kong and the Sheema Classic.

“You don't get many good horses like this but he hasn't missed many (races). This is not like his last problem when he was sore, this is very small and as long as it goes the right way, we are in business-just not in time for the Arc.”

 

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Vadeni Heads Irish Champion Septet

Saturday's feast of racing is taking shape with final fields for all races announced Thursday morning. Leopardstown's G1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion S. has attracted seven contenders with G1 Prix du Jockey Club and G1 Coral-Eclipse hero Vadeni (Fr) (Churchill {Ire}) set to depart from stall two. Opponents Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) and Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) have drawn gates five and six, respectively. Meanwhile, Doncaster's G1 Cazoo St Leger will see nine head to post for the world's oldest Classic. Godolphin's New London (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who is trading as the odds-on favourite, has been allocated stall four for the extended 14-furlong contest. His main rivals, 'TDN Rising Star' Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and G1 Derby runner-up Hoo Ya Mal (GB) (Territories {Ire}), have drawn gates five and seven. Juddmonte's hitherto undefeated Haskoy (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}), who represents the same Ralph Beckett stable as the last successful distaffer Simple Verse (Ire) (Danehill) in 2015, will depart from stall three.

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Sometimes You Just Have to Thank the Universe

James Delahooke died Wednesday, and I lost a very special friend. I had the great pleasure of working together with him, especially over the last 15-plus years. Tuesday, we spoke about our Keeneland filly short list, of Chris McGrath's great profile of Bobby Flay's equine program to which he had been a major contributor, and meeting in Lexington on Friday for dinner. Life can pivot from normal to abnormal with a phone call, but our initial meeting is a great reminder of the special goodness that can also randomly present itself.

I was walking through the car park after racing at Royal Ascot almost 40 years ago. There was post-race merriment everywhere, but one group caught my eye. They were bouncing a sock-like ball and using a champagne bottle for a bat, cricket-style. I said, “If you pitch it, American-style, I will drill it over a few rows of cars.” They granted my wish, and I delivered, channeling my best Mike Schmidt and startling a picnic a few rows away. The cricketers were James and Guy Harwood–a few years my seniors–and although we had never met, this random moment proved most serendipitous.

I was invited to stay with them at their house in Newmarket. I felt like I had been invited into the locker room at the Super Bowl. They were at the top of the game, winning Group 1s and buying bloodstock that will remain significant forever. I was mostly an energetic novice, who offered no professional aid. But they were generous with their knowledge, their friends, and their fun.

James was never shy about sharing his opinions (of which there were many) and his passions. His horsemanship is legendary, but he was also effusive in his love of family, the outdoors (especially fishing), food and wine, the arts, history, and the world at large. James and Angie's Cardigan Street, Newmarket table was always the place for interesting company and great food. It has remained my Tattersalls can't-miss spot for decades. When going to England, I could always count on a tip from James about an art exhibit, museum show, new play, or restaurant to add a special event to my trip.

As for the outdoors, many of you know that I didn't share his love of fishing and shooting. He had a yearly timeshare on the Spey and invited me regularly to join him. My response was always to take someone who would appreciate the experience. One year, he declared it was his 60th birthday celebration there, and of course I said I would be there. I arrived into the “fishing cottage” to find a fine manor home with 10 bedrooms and staff. Yes, I tried the fishing but did not get converted. I did enjoy the local golf club a few times with his brother Matt. Of course, the food, drink, and company, including friends from his childhood, were all exceptional.

I will miss him this weekend at Keeneland and on our planned visit to Stone Farm to see our stock. I will miss him next month in Newmarket but will dine with Angie and share some laughs and tears. It will be hard to look at the pedigrees and the horses he helped Bobby and I shape over the last 15 years. But I am glad to have those horses and their pedigrees to remind me for years to come of this very special man and his contributions to my life. I'm really glad I delivered on my promise to park that sock ball in the upper deck.

Love you, James.

 

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