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Stars Out For Friday At Royal Ascot

It has taken over a month longer than expected, but Cheveley Park Stud's Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) finally gets racing again on Friday as she bids to pick up the thread of her flawless 2-year-old campaign in Royal Ascot's G1 Coronation S. While her achievements in winning the G2 May Hill S. and G1 Fillies' Mile seemed laudable enough at the time, subsequent events have unfolded to display them in even better light particularly as they were garnered during her formative phase. As the Fillies' Mile and May Hill runner-up Prosperous Voyage (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) chased home the Fillies' Mile third and 'TDN Rising Star' Cachet (Ire) (Aclaim {Ire}) in the 1000 Guineas, the Gosdens' unbeaten filly was at Clarehaven waiting to fully bloom. Now that “Flaming June” is here with the weather to accompany it, she is here in glorious, vibrant colour with the world for now still at her feet.

Careful Tending

It was once said by Jim Joel that the late Sir Henry Cecil was “a man with green fingers for horses”, and it is that gentle and nurturing approach that has been adopted by John Gosden as patience was called for throughout recent weeks. “Inspiral was very slow coming to hand this year–it can happen to some fillies hormonally in the Spring,” he told QIPCO British Champions Series. “She had a tough Spring. You don't want to be forcing them and she was like a little bud that stayed tight, but we are very hopeful we'll get her there in good order. We are beginning to see the filly of last year again, so hopefully she'll put in a big performance. It will be great to have her back and her form from last year has looked great this year.”

Established Prestige

Highclere Thoroughbred's landmark Classic winner Cachet is undeniably at the forefront and the fact that she was just undone by Mangoustine (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches at ParisLongchamp a fortnight after her Newmarket exploits only serves to enhance her reputation. She did not go fast enough there and James Doyle will be keen to revive the aggressive tactics that worked so emphatically at her beloved Newmarket from his draw in nine. That should set up a tactically straightforward affair, with her old rival Prosperous Voyage also sure to go forward from stall 12 to ensure a hot pace. With Inspiral absent from the Guineas, Cachet has to prove that she owns the crown and it was not merely leased but trainer George Boughey the filly with the admirable work ethic to shine again. “I think her work has stepped forward again and she looks stronger,” he told QIPCO British Champions Series. “She was coming back at the end at Longchamp and I slightly blame myself. We were drawn wide and I didn't want to blow her in front, so told James to crawl round if he could and turn it into a sprint. I'm very confident she stays a mile well and so we'll possibly look to make plenty of use of her. The weather looks set fair for fast ground, which her best form is on.”

A Diverse Cast

Under the Brit A-listers Inspiral and Cachet, there are key protagonists from France, Ireland and the States in what constitutes a fully stocked flowerbed for the mile championship for the 3-year-old fillies. Next to each other in seven and eight are the US duo Pizza Bianca (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and Spendarella (Karakontie {Jpn}) and, with their contrasting racing styles, it will be fascinating to see where they are positioned by Jose Ortiz and William Buick respectively. Spenderella likes to force it, as she proved when winning the GII Appalachian S. at Keeneland Apr. 9, while Pizza Bianca uses her power late. Spenderella's trainer Graham Motion told QIPCO British Champions Series, “We feel she really belongs. I don't want to compare her with the other fillies I have brought, because they were really good fillies in their own right. She is obviously less-campaigned than they were and she hasn't run against the likes of these horses, but she really hasn't done anything wrong.” A fast pace will also set it up for 'TDN Rising Star' and G1 Cheveley Park S. winner Tenebrism (Caravaggio), the daughter of the 2011 Coronation heroine Immortal Verse (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), who could prove that her eighth in the Guineas was all wrong.

Celebrating The Commonwealth

Tenebrism would have been a major player in the G1 Commonwealth Cup, which looks a wide-open affair as it enters its eighth year. Now firmly fixed in the Royal Ascot schedule and the international racing calendar, the only question is “why did it take so long to be established?” Last year's G2 Norfolk S. winner Perfect Power (Ire) (Ardad {Ire}), who went on to capture the G1 Prix Morny and G1 Middle Park S., is back in his comfort zone after a valiant try at the 2000 Guineas and there are no weak spots where he is concerned over this stiff six. It is notable that in Newbury's seven-furlong G3 Greenham S. Apr. 16, he readily beat Lusail (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) who has since taken off and almost won Tuesday's G1 St James's Palace S. El Caballo (GB) (Havana Gold {Ire}) is a genuine contender, with his winning streak culminating in Haydock's G2 Sandy Lane S. May 21 where he had several of these behind. Shadwell's 'TDN Rising Star' Ehraz (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) gives the impression he is building towards something special, while Ger Lyons is hoping that his luckless streak with raiders here can come to an end via Juddmonte's talented G3 Round Tower S. winner Sacred Bridge (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}).

An Albany To Savour

Friday's card gets underway with a fascinating G3 Albany S., where a pair of 'TDN Rising Stars' in Godolphin's Mawj (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) and Amo Racing's Queen Olly (Ire) (No Nay Never) take on Ballydoyle's May 15 G3 Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Fillies Sprint S. scorer Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never). Mawj, a half-sister to Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), was a scarcely-believable 4 3/4-length debut winner from a subsequent scorer at Newmarket May 14 given her pedigree and normal progress will make her hard to beat. Queen Olly also impressed at York May 12 and looks to give Amo Racing that first Royal Ascot winner. In the G2 King Edward VII S., Changingoftheguard (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) represents the Derby form and he was an admirable fifth in Epsom's June 4 Blue Riband, especially as he probably raced too hard early and paid for it in the straight.

Diane Attracts 18

Ensuring there was no repeat of the Prix du Jockey Club double-draw farce, an independent bailiff was on hand to oversee Thursday morning's presentation for the 173rd edition of Chantilly's G1 Prix de Diane Longines. Proceedings concluded without hitch, with the overnight pre-confirmations all standing their ground and a final field of 18 is set to head postward for Sunday's €1-million 10 1/2-furlong Classic, turfdom's very own Competition of Elegance. Imad Al Sagar's Oaks third and 'TDN Rising Star' Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) fared well in stall two, to the outside of Juddmonte's G2 Prix Greffulhe runner-up Agave (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) on the fence. Last term's G1 Prix Marcel Boussac heroine and this year's 1000 Guineas fourth Zellie (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) was also drawn favourably in five, while the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches third, fourth and fifth Times Square (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), Rosacea (Ire) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) and Daisy Maisy (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) are worse off in stall nine, 17 and 11, respectively. Last month's G1 Prix Saint-Alary second and third, Place du Carrousel (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) and Queen Trezy (Fr) (Almanzor {Fr}), are drawn alongside each other in stalls eight and seven while Ballydoyle's Toy (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) has been allocated post 16.

Click here for the group fields.

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“Royal Ascot Is Right Up There With The Breeders’ Cup And All The Biggest Meetings”

The weekly TDN Europe Q&A continues as Graham Motion, who will be bidding to make his Royal Ascot breakthrough with Spendarella (Karakontie {Jpn}) in the G1 Coronation S., sits down with Brian Sheerin. Motion, one of the leading trainers in America, reveals that William Buick has been booked to ride, how he feels the best is yet to come from Spendarella, as well as giving his views on industry topics.

Brian Sheerin: You have come close to Royal Ascot success in the past. Can Spendarella make the breakthrough for you next week?
Graham Motion: She has always been very straightforward and has handled everything since she won [the GII Appalachian S.] at Keeneland. I had a plan in my head going there that, if she ran well, we would take a shot at Royal Ascot but didn't think it made sense to give her another run before then as she's already run three times this year. With that in mind, I think she has done well and we're hopeful.

BS: Wesley Ward is putting his faith in Irad Ortiz, Jr., who will ride all of his horses at the royal meeting. Would you prefer to book a European rider who has knowledge of the track over someone who has ridden your filly and knows her well?
GM: It's something I think about a lot and I guess I have done it both ways in the past. I thought Tyler Gaffalione rode her great last time and Jose L Ortiz had ridden her before but is due to ride Pizza Bianca (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) in the Coronation S. William Buick became available at the last entry stage and I just felt that, if I could get William or Frankie, who are two of the top guys in Europe, it just gives you a little advantage to have someone familiar with the course.

BS: It works both ways and we see that when the European trainers travel their horses to the Breeders' Cup and enlist the help of the top U.S. jockeys.
GM: Yes, and Ascot is a very tricky track. I remember the first time I walked the track before we ran Animal Kingdom (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) in the G1 Queen Anne S. back in 2013 and I thought the mile-and-a-quarter course was pretty daunting. I love the one-turn mile for the fillies but it is a steady climb all the way up the hill so it does give you an edge to have someone with familiarity of the track. But look, all these riders, they travel so much that we are splitting hairs a little bit but at this level, it's split second-stuff, and you have to leave no stone unturned.

BS: You have travelled horses all over the world. Is there a right way to do things? I know a lot of the American horses are flying in a little later than usual this year.
GM: I have done it both ways. When I brought Animal Kingdom over, he came straight from Dubai so would have spent a good couple of months in England and the result wasn't great. I'm not knocking that process but I do like to travel closer to the race. Spendarella actually left on Tuesday morning but we are a little bit in the hands of the airlines and don't have a lot of control. Ideally, I like to get all my work done in America but, because she travelled over on Tuesday, she's going to have to do some work next week. That makes things a little bit more complicated as you are doing work on an unfamiliar surface and in unfamiliar surroundings. My philosophy is to try and keep things as simple as possible.

BS: Where will you be based for your time in England?
GM: We are going to be at the National Stud in Newmarket. We have stayed in Bjorn Neilsen's yard in Lambourn before, which was tremendous, but the last time we came with Sharing (Speightstown), everything was quite complicated because of Covid and we chose to go to Newmarket along with Wesley's horses. It worked really well. It's very quiet on that side of Newmarket and, for us, one of the big things we look for is a gallop that is not too dramatically uphill as our horses are not used to doing that. We like to try a pretty level surface to train on and we thought it worked out pretty well with Sharing.

BS: Sharing was sent off a 16-5 chance before finishing second in the Coronation S. two years ago. Spendarella is available at odds as big as 10-1 in places for the same race. Is that a fair reflection of her chances comparable to Sharing's in 2020?
GM: I have been asked to compare the two fillies and it's quite a hard thing to do as Sharing was quite accomplished at this stage of her career having won at the Breeders' Cup the previous year. Spendarella has come around quite a bit later than her, but she has done nothing wrong and keeps on improving. To answer your question, I think 10-1 is a very fair price. Herself and Pizza Bianca (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), who is probably a bit more established having won at the Breeders' Cup, have similar chances.

BS: It's a pretty obvious thing to say but I think you feel the best is still to come from this filly?
GM: She keeps on improving. I have been pleasantly surprised by how comfortably she has won all three of her starts and she has yet to be fully tested. I think the mile at Ascot will really suit her, which is part of the reason why we're coming, and the opportunity to run in a Grade 1 over this track is a brilliant opportunity for her. It's also a race I'm pretty comfortable with as I've had runners in it before.

BS: It's not money that you are running for as there is a purse of just £283,550 on offer to the winner of the Coronation S. There is a lot more money up for grabs in America. What is the allure of a Royal Ascot winner?
GM: Like what you said there, the purse is somewhat insignificant. It's all about the prestige of winning a race at Royal Ascot. In America, we have so many opportunities to run for big money that we tend to be cautious with our race choices. It's so easy to fly to California to take in an easier target and avoid a good horse in New York. Racing boils down to the intrigue behind seeing whose horse is faster and I think we are getting away from that a little bit. The challenge of going to Royal Ascot, it's not going to be easy, but the excitement of what it brings to myself, my owners and the racing public, that's what racing is all about. Royal Ascot is right up there with the Breeders' Cup and all the biggest meetings in the world.

BS: You touched on the lack of competition creeping into racing. There is some dismay in Britain over too much racing and the product essentially being watered down. Have you any thoughts on that?
GM: That's a comment that could be made about racing in America as well. I can see the concerns in England, and can see the concern over purse money, but we run for good money in America and have similar concerns. We have a watered down product with too much racing and struggle to fill races. I think racing faces a lot of challenges right now.

BS: Having said all of that, you couldn't see yourself training anywhere else in the world, could you?
GM: I wouldn't have been able to do what I have done anywhere else in the world. When you set up in America, all you need is feed and a water bucket and you are up and running. I could never have trained at home. I would never have had that opportunity. I couldn't imagine doing what I have done anywhere else in the world and I feel very fortunate for that. I grew up watching Lester Piggott and Henry Cecil. Those who were the guys who caught my attention and got me into racing and I owe them a lot, too.

BS: The reason why I bring that up is, I spoke to a leading Irish trainer recently, who explained that trading has become a necessity to keep his business alive. There is a worry that prize-money and training fees are not enough for a training business to survive.
GM: That is a worry. It is very hard to make a living as a trainer as your overheads are so vast. Even without having to own properties, like you do in Europe, you have to be careful to stay above water in America and we have strong purses. You have to be winning the big races. I see huge problems in Europe, not only for trainers, but for the product as a lot of good horses end up coming over here because there are better opportunities to run for good money. Once you have a solid horse at home in Britain, it becomes quite hard to place them and you are quite restricted to running in competitive races. We have so many tiers in America. To really simplify it, an average horse can earn a decent living over here.

BS: Spendarella is no average horse. What will the next week look like for her and how excited are you for the race?
GM: I am very excited but I just want to get over there. She did her last piece of work over here on Saturday. I will give her a relatively easy couple of days and plan to fly over on Saturday night. We run Highland Chief (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) in the GI Manhattan S. on Saturday at Belmont and will fly out after that. We will watch her do a little bit of work on Monday morning when William Buick will come and have a sit on her. After that, it's all about just keeping her happy and keeping her ticking over.

BS: You make it sound very simple!
GM: We try to keep it simple! Best not to complicate things.

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McKulick Seeks Graded Success In Regret

McKulick (GB) (Frankel {GB}) will look to annex a career high in Saturday's GIII Regret S. at Churchill Downs. The 3-year-old filly, named after trainer Chad Brown's first-ever employee, the late Mary McKulick, was last seen finishing second in the GII Edgewood S. May 6. She was also a close third as the heavy favorite, beaten only one length, in the GII Miss Grillo S. last fall at Belmont Park.

Also looking for her first graded stakes score is Beside Herself (Uncle Mo), who enters Saturday's contest off a 2 1/2-length gate-to-wire win over allowance company Apr. 28 going 1 3/16 miles at Keeneland. She finished sixth behind the undefeated Spendarella (Karakontie {Jpn}) while making her stakes debut in Gulfstream's GIII Herecomesthebride S. Mar. 5.

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Graham Motion Talks Importance of Taking Shots On Writers’ Room

In an era where trainers are increasingly hesitant to run their horses frequently and/or in races where they might be longshots, Graham Motion is a throwback. It often pays off for his perennially successful outfit, as it did on Saturday at Belmont, when his Highland Chief (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), dismissed at 19-1 in a five-horse field, upset defending champion turf male Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and MGISW Gufo (Declaration of War) in the GI Man O' War S. Tuesday, Motion joined the TDN Writers' Room presented by Keeneland as the Green Group Guest of the Week to talk about why he's steadfast about taking shots and running his horses, how he feels about the current state of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, the upcoming Royal Ascot trip for his undefeated Spendarella (Karakontie {Jpn}) and more.

“I think we are very cautious these days,” Motion said of modern trainers. “I think everyone's so worried about that [win] percentage. I think you can learn a lot from watching a guy like Wayne [Lukas], who's never been afraid to take a shot. I think we're just so caught up in being careful. It's so easy to ship across the country now. It's so easy to avoid races that you think are too tough. At the end of the day, that takes a little bit away from the sport, which is to see who has the fastest horse, and the challenge. I kind of live for that. That's what I find so exciting. That's why I love going to Ascot, because it's out of the normal and it's a challenge for these horses. That's what it's all about, right?”

An early supporter of the HISA reform law that has since hit hiccups in potential implementation, Motion was asked how optimistic or pessimistic he is that the program will take full effect and the new rules will fundamentally improve the sport.

“It's going to be difficult, there's no doubt about it,” he said. “I realize there are issues with cost and where the money is going to come from. What I don't understand and what frustrates me a little bit–I'll probably get chastised for saying this, but–we're running for these extraordinary purses. We're running for $100,000 with maidens. Couldn't we put some of that money aside toward the integrity of our sport? I don't understand it. Improve the backstretch, improve safety, improve the integrity of our sport and put some of this money toward HISA. It's going to be a difficult task. I was disappointed when USADA dropped out. I don't know much about the new arrangement. I'm surprised how little, quite frankly, we read about it. So, look, I'm optimistic it's going to happen. I hope everybody eventually gets on board because I think it'll be game changing, and it's going to take a while. There are going to be some hiccups along the way.”

Elsewhere on the show, which is also sponsored by Coolmore, the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association, XBTV, West Point Thoroughbreds and Legacy Bloodstock, the writers had a thorough discussion on the proposals to increase the spacing of Triple Crown races and previewed a Rich Strike-less Preakness. Click here to watch the show; click here for the audio-only version or find it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

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