Tag: The Curragh

Night Of Thunder’s Vespertilio Impresses In The Debutante

Providing a boost to her G3 Silver Flash S. conqueror Ylang Ylang (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Al Shira'aa Farms' Vespertilio (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}–Prudente {Fr}, by Dansili {GB}) sprung forward to capture Saturday's seven-furlong G2 Alpha Centauri Debutante S. in style at The Curragh. Beaten 1 1/2 lengths when second to Ballydoyle's TDN Rising Star in that important staging post at Leopardstown last month, the Willie McCreery-trained €320,000 Arqana Deauville August graduate was held up in last early by a confident Billy Lee content to let it all play out ahead. Produced to pounce on the leaders a furlong out, the 4-1 shot surged into the clear to score by 1 3/4 lengths from Sakti (Ire) (Caravaggio), with 2 3/4 lengths back to Kalispera (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}) in third.

“She ran a lovely race the last day,” McCreery said. “Billy apologised for sitting back last, he didn't want to sit that far back but he said she just got squeezed early and got lit up for a few strides so he just wanted to settle her. They were going a good gallop along and he was happy with her the whole way. She took him into the race beautifully and quickened up lovely.”

“She gets a free entry now for the Moyglare and we'll stick her in that now, I'm always trying to save a few quid! We'll stay local, she actually qualified for a race in France today because she was bought in Arqana but I really wanted to come here instead of travelling at this time of year. She's lovely, gorgeous, and she has tactical speed as well.”

Pedigree Notes
Vespertilio, who becomes the 20th group winner for her sire, is the fourth foal out of Prudente who is a full-sister to the Listed Prix de la Seine winner Prudenzia (Ire). She is in turn the dam of the G1 MacKinnon S. winner and international star Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), the G1 Irish Oaks heroine Chicquita (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) who produced the G2 Curragh Cup winner and G1 Goodwood Cup runner-up Emily Dickinson (Ire) from a mating with Night Of Thunder's sire Dubawi (Ire) and also the G1 Irish Oaks and GI American Oaks-placed Nicest (Ire) (American Pharoah).
Prudenzia also produced Dubawi's G3 Prix Penelope winner and G1 Prix de Diane runner-up Philomene (Ire), while the third dam is the listed-winning Puce (GB) (Darshaan {GB}) whose leading performers were the G2 Lancashire Oaks winner and G1 Yorkshire Oaks runner-up Pongee (GB) (Barathea {Ire}) with this being the family of the G1 Oaks, Irish Oaks and Yorkshire heroine Alexandrova (Ire) (Sadler's Wells). Prudente's yearling colt is by Camelot (GB).

Saturday, The Curragh, Ireland
ALPHA CENTAURI DEBUTANTE S.-G2, €120,000, Curragh, 8-19, 2yo, f, 7fT, 1:26.60, g/y.
1–VESPERTILIO (FR), 128, f, 2, by Night Of Thunder (Ire)
     1st Dam: Prudente (Fr), by Dansili (GB)
     2nd Dam: Platonic (GB), by Zafonic
     3rd Dam: Puce (GB), by Darshaan (GB)
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GROUP WIN. (€320,000 Ylg '22 ARAUG). O-Al Shira'Aa Farms; B-SASU Ecurie des Monceaux & Skymarc Farm Inc (FR); T-Willie McCreery; J-Billy Lee. €72,000. Lifetime Record: 3-1-1-1, $90,300. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Sakti (Ire), 128, f, 2, Caravaggio–Oh Grace (Ire), by Lawman (Fr).
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€52,000 Wlg '21 GOFNO1). O-David Spratt & Sean Jones & Mrs Lynne Lyons; B-T Darcy & V McCarthy (IRE); T-Ger Lyons. €24,000.
3–Kalispera (Ire), 128, f, 2, Ten Sovereigns (Ire)–Ask Me Nicely (Ire), by Fastnet Rock (Aus).
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O/B-Ann Marie O'Brien (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien. €12,000.
Margins: 1 3/4, 2 3/4, 3/4. Odds: 4.00, 7.00, 80.00.
Also Ran: Mysteries (Ire), Pearls and Rubies, Dollerina (Ire), Betula (GB), Snellen (Ire).

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Dubawi’s Henry Longfellow In Charge In The Futurity

Making light work of Saturday's G2 Coolmore Stud Wootton Bassett Irish EBF Futurity S. at The Curragh, Ballydoyle's TDN Rising Star Henry Longfellow (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}–Minding {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) continued the golden spell of the yard's 2-year-olds in 2023. Backed into 2-9 favouritism, the son of the brilliant 1000 Guineas and Oaks heroine who had opened his account in style over this course and seven-furlong distance last month tracked the ultimately-disappointing Spanish Flame (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}) until taking command 2 1/2 out under Ryan Moore. Chased to the line by Islandsinthestream (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), he had two lengths to spare over that Joseph O'Brien trainee at the line, with three lengths back to fellow Rosegreen runner Portland (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in third.

“It was a very good race today and there was a good solid pace,” Aidan O'Brien said after welcoming a 16th Futurity winner which ties him on the record with the late Dr Vincent O'Brien. “He looks a very smart colt and the plan was to come here today and then the [G1] Dewhurst. He would have learned plenty, he had to travel at a solid pace and quicken and Ryan taught him a lot. They won't go much quicker than that in any Dewhurst. He's not short of pace, but Dubawis do stay and his mother was very unusual as she won group ones from a mile all the way to a mile and a half. City Of Troy is coming here for the National and they are going different ways–they haven't been put together yet at home, so I'm not sure what's between them. I'm not sure they will be unless the lads say so.”

Pedigree Notes
Henry Longfellow is the second foal out of the aforementioned Minding, whose seven victories at the top level included a Moyglare Stud S. and Pretty Polly S. at this venue and a G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. Her dam Lillie Langtry (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) produced four pattern-race winners by Galileo including last year's Oaks and Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine Tuesday (Ire) and the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas winner Empress Josephine (Ire). Lillie Langtry, who was successful in the G1 Coronation S. and G1 Matron S., hails from the family of the sires Great Commotion and Lead On Time. Minding's yearling is a full-sister to Henry Longfellow, while she also has a filly foal by Wootton Bassett (GB).

Saturday, The Curragh, Ireland
COOLMORE STUD WOOTTON BASSETT IRISH EUROPEAN BREEDERS FUND FUTURITY S.-G2, €120,000, Curragh, 8-19, 2yo, 7fT, 1:26.44, g/y.
1–HENRY LONGFELLOW (IRE), 131, c, 2, by Dubawi (Ire)
     1st Dam: Minding (Ire) (MG1SW-Eng, MG1SW-Ire, $3,213,340), by Galileo (Ire)
     2nd Dam: Lillie Langtry (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire)
     3rd Dam: Hoity Toity (GB), by Darshaan (GB)
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. €72,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $91,410. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Islandsinthestream (Ire), 131, c, 2, Wootton Bassett (GB)–A Mist Opportunity (Aus), by Foxwedge (Aus).
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€135,000 Ylg '22 ARQDOY). O-Islandsinthestream Partnership; B-Haras d'Etreham & Katelanis Bloodstock (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien. €24,000.
3–Portland (Ire), 131, c, 2, Dubawi (Ire)–Zagitova (Ire), by Galileo (Ire).
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €12,000.
Margins: 2, 3, 5. Odds: 0.22, 6.00, 18.00.
Also Ran: Spanish Flame (Ire), Courageous Strike (GB).

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TDN Rising Star Henry Longfellow Takes Aim at the Futurity Stakes

In a season when even by their exalted standards Ballydoyle seem to be boasting more than the average amount of highly talented juveniles, Henry Longfellow (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) Coolmore Stud Wootton Bassett Irish EBF Futurity S. at The Curragh on Saturday. Earning TDN Rising Star status when beating the subsequent Galway maiden winner and G3 Prix Francois Boutin runner-up Mythology (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) hollow on debut over this course and seven-furlong distance last month, the son of  Minding (Ire) (Galileo {GB}) is as exciting as it gets at this time of year.

Ryan Moore has an idea where his mount stands, but admits this will tell connections a lot more. “This is clearly up another grade or two but we have an excellent record in this race, winning it with some top-class future Classic winners and hopefully Henry Longfellow can stamp himself as a candidate for future group 1 honours too,” he said in his betfair blog. “But let's not get ahead of ourselves, as his bare form to date means this is a tough enough task in its own right, even with just four rivals.”

Among them is Vincent Gaul's Spanish Flame (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}), who took Tipperary's Glenvale Stud Race over nearly 7 1/2 furlongs last month and who is held in high regard by Ger Lyons.

Chesham Rematch In The Debutante…
In the seven-furlong G2 Alpha Centauri Debutante S., Lindsay Laroche's unbeaten Snellen (Ire) (Expert Eye {GB}) renews rivalry with Ballydoyle's Pearls And Rubies (No Nay Never) who she narrowly edged out when last seen in Royal Ascot's Listed Chesham S. Dropping back to an extended six furlongs in this track's G3 Anglesey S. last month only confirmed that the latter needs at least this trip.

Trainer Gavin Cromwell said of Snellen, “We gave her a short break after Ascot and she's done well since and we're looking forward to Saturday. She's going to have to come forward, but we're hopeful she has done. Everything has been straightforward with her since Ascot.”

Aidan O'Brien said of Pearls And Rubies, “She's in good form and she won't mind an ease in the ground either. We were a little bit disappointed with her the last day but Ryan [Moore] said to maybe go a bit further, he said she was coming home well but the line just came too quick for her.”

Hungerford Test For Mostabshir…
   Newbury sees the G2 Hungerford S. over seven furlongs, where Shadwell's TDN Rising Star Mostabshir (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) drop back in trip following his sixth in the G1 St James's Palace S. and fourth in the Listed Sir Henry Cecil S. The half-brother to Mostahdaf (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and Nazeef (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) most likely has his best days ahead of him but this is a tough call for 3-year-olds taking on hardened older horses and specialists at the trip like Pogo (Ire) (Zebedee {GB}) and last year's winner Jumby (Ire) (New Bay {GB}).

“He's an interesting horse and a horse who works very well at home and shows plenty of ability there,” racing manager Angus Gold said. “I'm not quite sure he has fulfilled his potential so far on the racecourse. He won very well at York obviously earlier in the year and on his day he's capable of putting up a good performance, but he really needs to step up to the plate now. He's been a bit immature, but like everything out of his mare, hopefully he is only going to get better as he gets older.”

Calvados Heads Deauville Action…
Deauville's August Festival continues apace, with the seven-furlong G2 Prix du Calvados for 2-year-old fillies featuring Gerard Augustin-Normand's course-and-distance G3 Prix Six Perfections winner Laulne (Fr) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) and Haras d'Etreham and Craig Bernick's Listed Prix des Jouvenceaux et des Jouvencelles-winning TDN Rising Star Les Pavots (Ire) (No Nay Never). Adding intrigue is Amo Racing Limited's Qatar Goodwood Festival winner Ornellaia (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), while the card's other group 2 is the 12 1/2-furlong Prix de Pomone, where Juddmonte's G3 Prix de Royaumont scorer Ottery (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) could have more to offer.

Morny Humdinger In Store For Sunday…
Friday saw the draw made for Sunday's G1 Sumbe Prix Morny and it did not disappoint as the 2-year-old race of the season attracted the G2 Coventry S. and G2 Prix Robert Papin-winning TDN Rising Stars River Tiber (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and Ramatuelle (Justify) respectively. Also in the line-up are the G2 July S. winner Jasour (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), the G2 Norfolk S. scorer Valiant Force (Malibu Moon), G2 Richmond S. scorer Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) and the G3 Prix de Cabourg winner Elite Status (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), as well as the G3 Princess Margaret S. winner Sacred Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). A field of eight will contest the same card's G1 Sumbe Prix Jean Romanet, where the G1 Pretty Polly S. heroine Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) is set to encounter the G1 Prix Rothschild winner Mqse De Sevigne (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}).

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Justify Son of Winter Debuts in Fascinating Curragh Affair

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Insights features the third foal of MG1SW Winter, who already claims a TDN Rising Star to her docket as a broodmare.

13.45 The Curragh, Debutantes, €17,000, 2yo, 7fT
LONDON CITY (Justify) is the third foal out of the G1 1000 Guineas, G1 Irish 1000 Guineas, G1 Coronation S. and G1 Nassau S. winner Winter (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), whose 3-year-old daughter Beginnings (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) earned TDN Rising Star status last term. Ryan Moore has opted for the grey colt over Ballydoyle's other runner Chantilly (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a half-brother to the group 2 winners Royal Dornoch (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) and Hawksmoor (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}), while Juddmonte and Ger Lyons combine with Formal Display (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), a son of Passage Of Time (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and half to Dubawi's Time Test (GB) and Johnny Murtagh unveils The Aga Khan's Shamsuddin (IRE) (Siyouni {Fr}), a half-brother to last year's G2 Railway S. scorer and dual group 1-placed Shartash (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}).

16.05 Newbury, Mdn, £30,000, 2yo, 7fT
FARIZIO (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is the second foal out of Juddmonte's Listed Height of Fashion S. winner and G2 Ribblesdale S. runner-up Mori (GB) (Frankel {GB}), whose dam Midday (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) was such a font of success for the operation throughout her career as a six-times top-level winner. Ralph Beckett has charge of the February-foaled colt, who meets King Power Racing's homebred Fox Legacy (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), a Sir Michael Stoute-trained half-brother to the G2 Queen Mary S. winner Ceiling Kitty (GB) (Red Clubs {Ire}) from the family of last year's G2 Gimcrack S.-winning TDN Rising Star Noble Style (GB) (Kingman {GB}).

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