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Teofilo’s West Wind Blows Impresses In Hamilton Romp

One of those who paid for going too fast before it got serious in the Derby, Abdulla Al Mansoori's West Wind Blows (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) showed that big experience had done nothing to dent his natural enthusiasm with a command performance in Friday's Listed British Stallions Studs EBF Glasgow S. at Hamilton. Earning TDN Rising Star status in a 10-furlong novice at Nottingham May 6, the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained son of the G1 Prix de Diane heroine West Wind (GB) (Machiavellian) had run ninth in the Blue Riband having helped force a pace that proved too demanding June 4. Sent straight to the front by Ben Curtis in this 11-furlong contest won in recent times by the likes of Postponed (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Defoe (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}) and Subjectivist (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}), the 5-4 favourite was propelled forward by the presence of Groundbreaker (Ger) (Oasis Dream {GB}) in the straight and powered away to register a margin to that rival of 7 1/2 lengths at the line.

Withdrawn from Newbury's 10-furlong Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup British EBF Conditions S. Apr. 17 after he unseated his rider and got loose before the start, West Wind Blows who hails from the family of Coroebus (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) is unbeaten bar his Derby reversal having also won on debut over an extended 10 furlongs at Newcastle in December. “Ben thought he'd be a bit keen here, but he came back to him and he was idling in front,” the owner's racing manager Phillip Robinson said. “He really performed tonight and it the Derby probably made a man of him. He ran an extraordinary race there and seems to have come on mentally for that. He didn't wear a hood and was relaxed–he's just a proper horse. He has an entry in the [G2 Great] Voltigeur and the Arc, so we'll see.”

West Wind Blows is the eighth foal out of the 2007 Diane heroine, whose other black-type performer was the G3 Eclipse S. runner-up Setting Sail (GB) (Dansili {GB}), GSP-Aus, $125,876. The second dam is the G2 Sun Chariot S. winner Red Slippers (Nureyev), whose daughter Eastern Joy (GB) (Dubai Destination) is responsible for six black-type scorers including the dual Dubai World Cup hero Thunder Snow (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}), the G2 May Hill S. winner and G1 1000 Guineas-placed Ihtimal (Ire) (Shamardal) and Always Smile (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) who was runner-up in the G1 Sun Chariot S. and third in the G1 Falmouth S.

Also out of Eastern Joy is the G3 Oh So Sharp S. scorer First Victory (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), whose aforementioned son Coroebus is now the winner of the 2000 Guineas and St James's Palace S. This is also the family of the G1 Irish Derby and G1 Epsom Oaks heroine Balanchine (Storm Bird) and the G1 Irish Derby hero Sovereign (Ire) by Teofilo's sire Galileo (Ire). West Wind's 2-year-old colt is a full-brother to the winner, who is the fourth TDN Rising Star for his sire and second this year alongside the recent fellow listed scorer Wexford Native (Ire).

BRITISH STALLIONS STUDS EBF GLASGOW S.-Listed, £55,250, Hamilton, 7-15, 3yo, 11f 15yT, 2:17.60, g/f.
1–WEST WIND BLOWS (IRE), 133, c, 3, by Teofilo (Ire)
     1st Dam: West Wind (GB) (G1SW-Fr, G1SP-Ire, $773,178), by Machiavellian
     2nd Dam: Red Slippers, by Nureyev
     3rd Dam: Morning Devotion, by Affirmed
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Mr Abdulla Al Mansoori; B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Simon & Ed Crisford; J-Ben Curtis. £31,332. Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-0, $46,659. *1/2 to Setting Sail (GB) (Dansili {GB}), GSP-Aus, $125,876.
2–Groundbreaker (Ger), 133, c, 3, Oasis Dream (GB)–Guajara (Ger), by Montjeu (Ire). (130,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT).
1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum; B-Stiftung Gestut Fahrhof (GER); T-Andrew Balding. £11,879.
3–Zain Sarinda (Ire), 133, c, 3, Churchill (Ire)–Sarinda (GB), by Dubawi (Ire). (62,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Elbashir Salem AB Elhari & Team Valor; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Limited (IRE); T-Tom Clover. £5,945.
Margins: 7HF, 3HF, 5. Odds: 1.25, 6.50, 4.50.
Also Ran: Nahanni (GB).

 

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Irish Oaks Conundrum

Emily Upjohn (GB) (Frankel {GB}) couldn't make the flight, so it's time to move on and focus on those left to fight out Saturday's G1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks at the Curragh, which unusually features none of the fillies who participated in the Oaks.

That means that it is even more of a puzzle, with Zhang Yuesheng's June 16 G2 Ribblesdale S. winner Magical Lagoon (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) left as short-priced favourite even though she is yet to tackle Group 1 company. What her half-length defeat of Sea Silk Road (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) at Royal Ascot represents is hard to know, but it may be telling that Aidan O'Brien has opted to take her on again with the well-beaten third History (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Stable form is a plus for Jessie Harrington, who also saddles Vimal Khosla's course-and-distance June 1 maiden winner Fennela (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), but a trio of Ballydoyle contenders stand in her way.

 

Another Emily To The Rescue

   Emily Upjohn's absence leaves a large dent in the 2022 renewal, but there is a chance that another of that name will come out on top in Emily Dickinson (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). One of Rosegreen's trio, she came back from a lengthy absence having disappointed in the Listed Lingfield Oaks Trial to run the year-older Rosscarbery (Ger) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) to a short head in Leopardstown's 14-furlong G3 Stanerra S. last Thursday. A daughter of the 2013 Irish Oaks heroine Chicquita (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), she produced a rare surge at the end of that contest and in another stride would have been past the vastly-improved Twomey runner. Ryan Moore has opted for the daughter of You'resothrilling (Storm Cat), Toy (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who has been 11th in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches at ParisLongchamp May 15 and 12th in the G1 Prix de Diane at Chantilly June 19. It is an unorthodox route to this race, but her rider's faith in her ability shines through. “We believe she is better than she has shown to date,” he said.

 

Best Of The Rest

The Curragh's Saturday card also features the G3 Jebel Ali Racecourse And Stables Anglesey S., where Ballydoyle's 'TDN Rising Star' Little Big Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never) is slated to run having been taken out of the G2 July S. due to the fast ground prevalent at Newmarket. The June 15 Listed Windsor Castle S. winner will have the June 24 course maiden scorer Slan Abhaile (Ire) (Territories {Ire}) to contend with, while in the G2 Barberstown Castle Sapphire S., Craig Bernick and Antony Beck's G3 Marble Hill S. winner and G1 Middle Park S. runner-up Castle Star (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) makes his reappearance after a 294-day layoff.

“He had a little hiccup in the spring, so is a little later starting back,” trainer Fozzy Stack explained. “He seems in good order, he's ready to start back, but will probably need the run as he hasn't run for quite a while.”

Scott Heider's Joseph O'Brien-trained Brostaigh (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) comes off the back of a win in the G2 Prix du Gros-Chene at Chantilly June 5 and has developed a granite exterior the more sprinting practice she has been given.

Later in the day, Saint-Cloud stages a fascinating G2 Prix Eugene Adam, where Sunderland Holdings' June 14 G1 St James's Palace S. third My Prospero (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) takes on the Wertheimers' unbeaten Apr. 17 G3 Prix Noailles scorer Junko (GB) (Intello {Ger}) and Vagalame (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), who dead-heated for fifth with Onesto (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in the June 5 Prix du Jockey Club.

Click here for the group fields.

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Golden Sixty Repeats As Hong Kong HOTY

Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) joined the likes of Hong Kong legends Fairy King Prawn (Aus), Silent Witness (Aus), Ambitious Dragon (NZ) and Beauty Generation (NZ) in being named Horse of the Year in Hong Kong for the second consecutive season during ceremonies held Friday evening at the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Happy Valley Clubhouse.

The 6-year-old won his first two starts of the year, including a facile defence of his title in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile in December, but suffered just the second loss of his career in the G1 Stewards' Cup in January when attempting to equal Silent Witness's record of 17 consecutive victories in Hong Kong. Only third when tried over the 10 furlongs of the G1 City Hong Kong Gold Cup, he was back to winning ways over his best trip in the G2 Chairman's Trophy in April and a second straight success in the G1 Champions Mile in May.

Trained by Francis Lui and the mount of Vincent Ho, Golden Sixty, who was also named champion miler and most popular horse, has amassed record Hong Kong earnings of better than HK$113 million (US$14.4 million), with 21 wins from 24 trips to the post.

 

WATCH: Golden Sixty repeats in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile

 

In a world without Golden Sixty, 4-year-old Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) would be a slam-dunk for Horse of the Year, but nonetheless was named champion of this year's Classic crop on the strength of victories in the Hong Kong Classic Mile and BMW Hong Kong Derby before stamping his authority on the G1 FWD QE II Cup in April. The Hong Kong International Sale graduate was also the most improved horse in the jurisdiction, having risen from the standard debut mark of 52 to a season-ending 122, and also took down honours as top middle-distance galloper as well.

Russian Emperor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), third in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup and in the Stewards' Cup, ran out an easy 4 1/4-length winner of the Gold Cup and added the final Group 1 of the season–the Champions and Chater Cup over 2400 metres–to be named champion stayer. The former G3 Hampton Court S. hero is the 17th worldwide champion for the legendary Galileo.

By virtue of tallies in the G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) and G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize (1200m), Wellington (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) earned champion sprinter honours, while the progressive Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse {Aus}) was named champion griffin for a season that has thus far yielded four wins from six runs. The 3-year-old is declared for the Class 3 Joy and Fun H. (1200m) on Saturday's final program of the year at Sha Tin.

Zac Purton, who enters Saturday's finale in a tie with Joao Moreira on 132 riding victories, was named most popular jockey by public vote.

 

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‘We Know we are Succeeding Because John [O’Connor] is Laughing at us Less’

They have reached dizzy heights as breeders and now Gillian and Vimal Khosla are concentrating on achieving big-race success as owners with Fennela (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), a daughter of their outstanding broodmare Green Room (Theatrical {Ire}), in Saturday's G1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks.

The Khoslas know a thing or two about breeding top-notchers. Green Room is the dam of three Group 1 or Classic winners and the owner-breeders behind the 20-year-old blue hen are hoping there is still more to come. 

Lord Shanakill (Speightstown) was the first horse to put Green Room in lights. A high-class 2-year-old, he then went on to win the G1 Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly in 2009 before retiring to stud the following season. 

Then came Together Forever (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who fetched €680,000 at the Goffs Orby Sale in 2013 before going on to land the G1 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket for Aidan O'Brien and Coolmore Stud. 

The Green Room secret was well and truly out by the time MV Magnier was forced to spend €900,000 on Together Forever's younger sister, Forever Together, at the Goffs Orby Sale in 2016. 

But it proved money well spent when, ridden by Donnacha O'Brien, Forever Together romped to Oaks glory at Epsom, again trained by Aidan O'Brien. 

Put mildly, Green Room has an outstanding track record of producing top-class racehorses and in Fennela, the only filly the Khoslas have kept out of their superstar broodmare, they are hoping that pedigree can shine through again at the Curragh on Saturday.

“The form says no but, as an owner and breeder, you couldn't do it without having hope and optimism, so we're optimistic about Saturday,” said Vimal with a heavy dollop of realism at Leopardstown on Thursday.

The Khoslas were back at Leopardstown for the first time in over two years on Thursday. It was an important visit, too, as they once again sponsored the G3 Green Room Meld S., and handed over the trophy to Jim and Jackie Bolger after Boundless Ocean (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) ran out an impressive winner.

The husband-and-wife owner-breeders will be hoping that the roles will be reversed on Saturday and that they will be collecting a trophy after the Irish Oaks but are by no means underestimating the task at hand. 

“We think she might want a mile-and-six-furlongs in time and she's only three so she may even do better next year. It's exciting to be a part of such a brilliant race and we're hopeful of a good run. Every position she finishes better than last will be a bonus.”

Asked to compare how the build-up to a Classic compares as an owner to a breeder, he added, “They're two totally different animals. I have never won a Group 1 and I would love to win one as an owner. I would feel like I have arrived if we managed to win the Oaks.”

The Khoslas made their fortune in the travel business and, with Green Room, they have been on the journey of a lifetime. 

On their star mare, Gillian said, “Green Room has a colt foal by Waldgeist (GB). It's obviously his first crop so that will be exciting. She's extremely well-looked after by everyone down in Ballylinch Stud–there were pictures taken of her recently and she still looks amazing at the age of 20. She had a couple of years off so the Waldgeist colt is all she has coming through.”

Asked why they chose to set up their breeding and racing enterprise in Ireland, she responded, “It's part of the culture over here. It's very professional but it's also very warm and comforting and people are happy to share. We've learned so much, particularly in Ireland.”

The Khoslas are learning from the best. Their seven-strong broodmare band is based at Ballylinch Stud, of which, John O'Connor has been a massive help to the couple, while Jessica Harrington has produced the goods on the track. 

“It has all happened by accident,” Vimal explains. “I bought a filly called Polly Perkins (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) back in 2004. She had won two listed races when I bought her and was shaping up to be something special but she damaged a stifle during the winter and couldn't race again. 

“I hadn't a clue about racing at the time, had only been involved in the sport a few years but someone recommended that we breed from her. She did well as a broodmare and we actually kept one of her fillies and had our first foal from her this year.”

The Khoslas describe Ballylinch Stud, based in the picturesque countryside of County Kilkenny, as an idyllic place for their broodmares to be based and O'Connor's expertise and knowledge about breeding comes in for special recognition from Gillian.

She said, “Particularly the expertise of John O'Connor and all the team at Ballylinch, the knowledge they have about breeding, and they are so good at sharing it.”

Vimal is in agreement, and adds, “John is a wonderful teacher. Of course, we take for granted that he is a wonderful horseman with tremendous knowledge but he is very generous with his knowledge and is a wonderful teacher. We wanted to learn the business and he has taught us and continues to teach us to this day. That's the main thing.”

There are plenty of wealthy businessmen and women who get involved in racing purely for the entertainment factor that goes with a good day out at the races. Not the Khoslas. They have adopted a hands-on approach to their operation and it's working.

Vimal joked, “We know we are succeeding because John is laughing at us less and less. I used to send all the mating plans to John and he'd fall around the place laughing. He would do it very kindly I must say,” to which Gillian admitted, “We still go a big rogue sometimes.”

Asked to explain, Vimal said, “We bought a Sea The Stars (Ire) mare called Compostela (GB) a few years ago. She never raced, but is a tank of a filly, and so far she has bred a Group 3 winner [Stela Star (Ire) (Epaulette {Aus})] and her other two foals of racing age have won as well. She's on the up.

“We like being quirky with sense. We're not into mini-skirts or fashion and don't pick a stallion because he's in fashion. We chose a stallion and a mare if we think we can breed something decent.

“In the early days, we went for first-season sires and made a lot of mistakes. Shamardal worked for a lot of people. He didn't work for us. The same with Duke Of Marmalade (Ire). He worked for a lot of people and was a tremendous racehorse but he just didn't work for us. 

“We went for them because the fees were relatively low, but also because they were tremendous racehorses on the track. But, you learn.”

The Khoslas have learned alright. Now it's over to Fennela to teach her rivals a thing or two on Saturday and continue the trend of Green Room's progeny hitting the heights on the racecourse. 

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