The Mind Boggles…

Tuesday's win in the G1 Cazoo Oaks at Epsom gave Aidan O'Brien a record 41st British Classic winner, including 10 wins in the Oaks. Tuesday was also the 94th Group 1 winner for her sire, Galileo and the second Oaks heroine and third Classic winner for her dam, Lillie Langtry (following Minding and Empress Josephine). Coolmore/Ballydoyle's stats never cease to amaze.

Pletch Being Pletch…

The Todd Pletcher-trained Emmanuel is one of 51 Northern Hemisphere graded/group winners (106 overall) for the ever-present international powerhouse More Than Ready. Pletcher, of course, also trained More Than Ready to victory in the GI King's Bishop at Saratoga, 22 years ago!

Caveat Emptor?…

Richard Brown of Blandford Bloodstock picked up the G1 Cazoo Derby winner, Desert Crown, for 280,000gns ($368,734 using today's exchange rate) at Tattersalls Book 2 for owner Saeed Suhail. His breeder, Strawberry Fields Stud, had actually promoted the son of Nathaniel as a future Classic winner when selling him as a yearling in 2020. It pays to keep an eye on those TDN ads!

100 Years And Counting…

One hundred years on from the late Aga Khan III's initial foray into European racing, the internationally-renowned operation celebrated a Classic victory Sunday as Vadeni dominated the G1 Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) at Chantilly. It was also a first Group 1 victory for Coolmore stallion Churchill, from his first crop, highlighting the Aga Khan's belief in using the most suitable stallion for each individual mating, regardless of where they stand.

The Rising Star Machine…

Andiamo a Firenze was named the latest 'TDN Rising Star', and is the 23rd son/daughter of Speightstown to claim that honor. Echo Town, Charlatan, Sharing, and Munnings are also all on that particular roll of honor for WinStar's finest.

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Headline Maker…
With Early Voting's Classic win at Pimlico Saturday, the colt became Gun Runner's fifth Grade I winner. It's a remarkable stat for any stallion, especially one so early in his stud career. It looks likely the Three Chimneys stallion will vie with the mighty Into Mischief for the honor of being America's most expensive sire over the next few years.

Ferguson/Natalma Making Waves…
Natalma has been appearing on buyers' sheets here and in the U.K. since 2021 with the investment portfolio, spearheaded by John Ferguson, having purchased 21 fillies and mares at public auction for an aggregate of $4.6 million during that time. Three of these purchases were at Tattersalls July, three at Fasig-Tipton November, 11 at Keeneland November and four at Tattersalls December. Natalma are also active in the private market. Ferguson is currently at Magic Millions selling three mares, via the Arrowfield consignment, all in foal to Frankel. Watch this space…

Wellman The Explorer…
Following the theme of international expansion, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' Aron Wellman recently plucked a filly out of Europe, with the guidance of Mike Levy/Jamie Lloyd, and she's now Royal Ascot-bound. Manhattan Jungle (Bungle Inthejungle), trained by the talented Amy Murphy, won a listed race at Vichy (video), France Friday and looks to have a bright future.

Wellman summed it up nicely, “The world is getting so small, particularly in our industry, and it's wonderful to have an Irish-bred filly, who is three-for-three in France and now destined for Royal Ascot in England and will be supported by a strong contingent of American owners. Very cool stuff!”

Smart juvenile! Manhattan Jungle remains unbeaten with a convincing win in the Listed event at @HippodromeVichy for @almracing, @mickaelbarzalon and @EclipseTBP pic.twitter.com/lv3yEu3LKH

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 20, 2022

First (U.S.) Starter, First Winner…
Social media was buzzing Sunday after Tahoma became Justify's first winner, from his first American runner. Craig Bernick's Aspen Grove had run a promising fifth at the Curragh earlier in the day, in what appeared to be a strong maiden.

Tahoma, a $160,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by Dennis O'Neill, is a half-brother to graded stakes winner Legends of War (Scat Daddy). Legends of War, who won the 2019 GIII Franklin-Simpson S. at Kentucky Downs for brother Doug, was actually named a TDN Rising Star May 23, 2018 at Yarmouth under the tutelage of John Gosden. Legends of War is now back in England standing at March Hare Stud for £4,000.

Appleby Can Do No Wrong…
Native Trail (Oasis Dream)'s win in the G1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas gave Charlie Appleby/Godolphin its third 2000 Guineas win of the year. What's even more staggering is that they did it with three different horses; Coroebus (English 1000 Guineas), Modern Games (Poule d'Essai des Poulains aka French 2000 Guineas) and now Native Trail. Aidan O'Brien won the three races back in 2002 but with two different horses; Rock Of Gibraltar (England & Ireland) and Landseer (France).

The team at Dalham Hall/Kildangan Stud in Europe better start building new stallion boxes to accommodate the array of stallion prospects Appleby is churning out.

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From San Antonio to Longchamp…

Tony Parker, former San Antonio Spurs icon, was in the headlines Sunday as part-owner of Mangoustine (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}), winner of the G1 Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches. Parker, who joins a growing list of sports stars involved in horse ownership in France, won four NBA championships (2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014) with the Spurs. His number nine jersey was also retired.

Never-Ending Success…

We the People is the second consecutive son of Constitution to win the GII Peter Pan S., following Promise Keeper last year. He's also bred on the same cross as the stallion's best son, Tiz the Law, whose quartet of Grade I wins includes the Belmont S. Although it should be noted that was the year it was run at 1 1/8 miles as the first leg of the Triple Crown in 2020.

2022, No More Drama…

It was reported last week, by the KHRC, that the post-race tests for banned substances in the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Longines Kentucky Oaks horses were cleared. Onwards and upwards.

The World's Greatest?…

Trainer William Haggas didn't quite go that far, after Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire})'s seventh win on the spin, but he also didn't really dismiss it. “I would not go as far as to say he is the best horse in the world–that is the sort of thing others might say–but he has done very well.” Either way, it's worth watching his latest romp in the G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S. on repeat. Enjoy.

Baaeed. Sit back and watch on repeat. pic.twitter.com/vtqTghttoJ

— TDN (@theTDN) May 14, 2022

All That Glitters Is Gold For Brant…

She may have cost €3-million when purchased by Michel Zerolo's Oceanic Bloodstock at Arqana in December, and Rougir (Fr) (Territories {Ire}) will have far bigger goals than Saturday's GIII Beaugay S. at Belmont, but she's off to a good start for Chad Brown and new owners Peter Brant and Michael Tabor. Brant is on a terrific run at the moment, which is great to see for such a staunch supporter of the game.

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Record Numbers…

Wagering from all-sources on the Kentucky Derby (single race) totaled $179 million, up 15% over 2021 and up 8% from the previous record of $166.5-million set in 2019. This year's wagering record includes $8.3 million of handle put through the window in Japan.

The Smart Strike Factor…

As a broodmare sire, Smart Strike has the distinction of having two of the four biggest longshots in history to win the Derby with Mine That Bird (Birdstone), who paid $103.20 in 2009, and now Rich Strike at $163.60. Rich Strike is actually inbred 3×2 to the former Lane's End stallion.

Five And Counting…

It was a long time between Kentucky Oaks wins, but Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas now has five to his credit. Blush With Pride (1982), Lucky Lucky Lucky (1984), Open Mind (1989), Seaside Attraction (1990). Will Secret Oath (Arrogate) prove to be the best yet?

Galileo's Week in Europe…

This week has taken the form of a prolonged tribute to the late, great Galileo. After clinching the worldwide stakes record from Danehill (347) only last week, the floodgates have well and truly opened since then, and Sadler's Wells's finest son now sits on 353. Not sure all records are made to be broken?

The New Ghostzapper?…

In the post-race interview, Chad Brown compared undefeated 'TDN Rising Star' Jack Christopher (Munnings) to Hall of Famer Ghostzapper (Awesome Again), who Brown worked with while under the tutelage of Bobby Frankel. “This horse reminds me a lot of Ghostzapper, I was fortunate to work with that horse, he moves about the same as him and that one had a few rough patches as well.” Music to the ears of Jim Bakke, Gerry Isbister, Coolmore Stud and White Birch Farm.

A Curlin Graded Double For Mott…

Hall of Famer Bill Mott registered a graded-stakes triple over the weekend, including a pair of Curlin offspring for two of the world's premier breeding operations. At Churchill Saturday afternoon, Juddmonte Farms' Obligatory flashed home for a breakthrough Grade I success in the Derby City Distaff, while in New York a few hours later, Godolphin's Cody's Wish was a towering winner of the GIII Westchester S., a course-and-distance lead-up for the GI Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan H. on Belmont Day June 11. Mott also won Friday's GII Alysheba S. with the progressive Olympiad (Speightstown).

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All The Time…

Few sires are hotter right now than Taylor Made's Not This Time, who has the fewest crops of any of the top 10 sires on the 2022 general sire list. In addition to his one-two finish by Simplification and In Due Time in the Fountain of Youth, his Epicenter is also on the GI Kentucky Derby trail.

McGrath's Seal Of Approval…

Not This Time's 17 black-type winners include six graded winners and his sustained success recently prompted Chris McGrath to name Not This Time possibly Giant's Causeway's “principal American successor.”

No One Said It Was Easy…

Morello, who won the GIII Gotham S. Saturday, was the third-priciest Classic Empire 2-year-old sold at last year's Fasig-Tipton Midlantic sale when he brought $250,000, but is out of a mare who once RNA'd for $1,500. Stop the Wedding eventually sold in 2020 at Keeneland January for $11,000 to Robert Tillyer–co-breeder of Morello–while in foal to Cairo Prince. Her offspring at the sales have been all over the place, with some RNA'ing for the low four figures, and another bringing $525,000 as a juvenile.

Not Just California Dreamin'

Although the top three money earners for Union Rags, standing for $30,000 this year, have all excelled in California–Saturday's GI Santa Anita H. victor Express Train, Paradise Woods, and Catalina Cruiser–the Lane's End sire is by no means a one-trick pony. He's had a Grade I-winning 2-year-old colt, as well as two Grade I-winning 2-year-old fillies, a Grade I-winning 3-year-old filly, and now a Grade I-winning older horse. He's had graded winners on dirt and turf, short and long. Along the way, he's accumulated 13 graded winners among his 23 black-type winners.

Brilliant Racehorse, Brilliant Sire…

“It's a great day for Pharoah horses. American Pharoah has meant so much to racing.” — Bob Baffert

American Pharoah has four graded stakes winners on dirt in North America this year, topping TDN's General Sire List by that metric. He's more than the real deal.

Lev Miller Picks Up A Gem…

GII Davona Dale S. heroine Kathleen O. (Upstart) is the first foal out of Quaver, who has been a frequent visitor to Tapwrit in recent years, resulting in a 2-year-old colt named Tap Collector (a $65,000 OBS yearling purchased by PJ Campanella) and a yearling filly. Gainesway, Bridlewood, and the Tapwrit syndicate had bought Quaver with Kathleen O. in utero for $90,000 at the 2019 Keeneland January sale, then resold her at last year's Keeneland November sale in foal to Tapwrit for $140,000 to Lev Miller.

Rising Star Update For Yeguada Centurion…

Taiba, a $140,000 Fasig-Tipton October yearling turned last year's Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream second topper at $1.7 million, became the fourth 'TDN Rising Star' for Gun Runner. Interestingly, his dam, Needmore Flattery (Flatter), racked up more than $730,000 having never earned better than a 75 Beyer Speed Figure while competing mostly in Ohio-bred company. Needmore sold to Leopoldo Fernandez Pujals's Yeguada Centurion for $195,000 at Keeneland November in 2019 before being exported to France and foaling a filly by Uncle Mo.

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