Tom Marquand | Horse Racing Free Tips

Sea The Stars’s Sea Silk Road Prevails in Goodwood’s Height of Fashion

Sunderland Holdings' 190,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 yearling Sea Silk Road (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) backed up a Dec. 15 debut sixth at Kempton with an impressive 5 1/2-length tally going an extended mile at Nottingham in her May 6 sophomore comeback and continued on an upward trajectory with a hard-fought victory in Friday's Listed William Hill Height of Fashion S. at Goodwood. The 11-10 chalk and G2 Ribblesdale S. entry is not engaged in Epsom's G1 Cazoo Oaks, for which this contest has acted as a stepping stone in the past, and was sluggish from the stalls here. Settled off the tempo in rear through halfway, she made relentless headway under pressure in the straight to join the front rank passing the furlong marker and was driven out in the closing stages to best Godolphin's Eternal Pearl (GB) (Frankel {GB}) by a half length for a career high.

“I think she is a promising filly and I'm pretty convinced she didn't like that soft ground at all,” said in-form trainer William Haggas. “She was off the bridle and in trouble three out, but she wants to win and it was her guts that got her through today. She is a Sea The Stars and they can do anything because he is such a good sire. I think she will mature and keep getting better, but she might need some more time. She has come a long way in such a short space of time and I think she will get further as she gets stronger. We will see how she is after this and I doubt we will put her away, but the [G2] Ribblesdale [at Royal Ascot] might come a bit too quick.”

Sea Silk Road, the fourth of six foals, is one of three winners from as many runners produced by Listed Winterkonigin-Trial and G3 Grosser Preis von Lotto Hamburg third Oriental Magic (Ger) (Doyen {Ire}), herself half to G2 Gerling-Preis and G3 Deutsches St Leger victor Oriental Eagle (Ger) (Campanologist) and MGSP G2 Prix Kergorlay second Oriental Fox (Ger) (Lomitas {GB}). The March-foaled bay's stakes-winning second dam Oriental Pearl (Ger) (Big Shuffle) is kin to three black-type performers and to the dam of MGSW G1 Deutsches Derby and G1 Grosser Preis von Baden placegetter Oriental Tiger (Ger) (Tiger Hill {Ire}). Oriental Magic has the unraced 2-year-old colt Indemnity (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) and a yearling filly by Bated Breath (GB) to come.

Friday, Goodwood, Britain
WILLIAM HILL HEIGHT OF FASHION S.-Listed, £52,000, Goodwood, 5-20, 3yo, f, 9f 197yT, 2:11.55, sf.
1–SEA SILK ROAD (IRE), 128, f, 3, by Sea The Stars (Ire)
1st Dam: Oriental Magic (Ger) (SW & GSP-Ger, SP-Fr), by Doyen (Ire)
2nd Dam: Oriental Pearl (Ger), by Big Shuffle
3rd Dam: Orange Bowl (Ire), by General Assembly
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. (190,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Sunderland Holding Inc; B-Kildaragh Stud (IRE); T-William Haggas; J-Tom Marquand. £29,489. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $41,448.
2–Eternal Pearl (GB), 128, f, 3, Frankel (GB)–Pearly Steph (Fr), by Oasis Dream (GB). (700,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Godolphin; B-SCEA Haras de Saint Pair (GB); T-Charlie Appleby. £11,180.
3–Viareggio (Ire), 128, f, 3, Caravaggio–Just Joan (Ire), by Pour Moi (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE. (75,000gns Wlg '19 TATFOA; 65,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Alpha Racing; B-Hawes Stud (IRE); T-Jessica Harrington. £5,595.
Margins: HF, 3 3/4, 2HF. Odds: 1.10, 5.50, 18.00.
Also Ran: Ottilien (Fr), Emotion (GB), Present Moment (Ire), Three Priests (Jpn), Makinmedoit (Ire), Bella Veneta (GB), Moonlight Frolic (GB).

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Mastercraftsman’s Lilac Road Swoops For Middleton Triumph

Jon and Julia Aisbitt's homebred 4-year-old filly Lilac Road (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}–Lavender Lane {Ire} {MGSP-Fr}, by Shamardal), whose lone stakes success came in last term's Listed Upavon Fillies' S. at Salisbury, went postward at odds of 15-2 for Thursday's G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies' S. at York and displayed a willing attitude at the end of the extended 10-furlong test to continue William Haggas' fine run of form at the Knavesmire venue. She had closed last term with a second to the reopposing Ville de Grace (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}) tackling 10 furlongs in October's G3 Pride S. at Newmarket and finished behind that rival once again when fifth to Dreamloper (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) on seasonal return in last month's G2 Dahlia S. down to nine furlongs back at Headquarters. The eventual winner adopted patient tactics behind the leaders along the rail in fourth through the early fractions, but slipped to fifth rounding the home turn. Stirred into action approaching the quarter-mile marker, she quickened smartly to go second entering the final furlong and was ridden out in the closing stages to deny the game pacesetter Aristia (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) by a half length nearing the line for a career high.

“I was half-expecting her to win, to be honest, as she ran well the last day,” admitted winning rider Tom Marquand. “We've started dropping her out in her races and it is very hard to come from behind at Newmarket. She relaxed into this today, we didn't go very fast and it worked in our favour. When I got off her at Newmarket I said to William [Haggas] if she stays on this path she'd get a mile-and-a-half, but she's clearly a filly with lots of talent. It was William's idea to drop her out at Salisbury [last year]. He told me to drop her out last and it'd be his fault if she got beaten. It's been the making of her and, as a jockey, you always want to give horses the best chance and basically William made her in one day. She's building up now and you'd have to say that was her best effort.”

Reflecting on the performance of runner-up Aristia, rider Sean Levey added, “She ran a cracker,” he said. “I think maybe in the paddock she wasn't as fully furnished as the rest of them and she's not quite there in her coat, so we'll take second today. I believe she'll improve as her whole family improved with age. She's faced good opposition today and has run quite nicely. She got a little bit tired before the line and she'll definitely improve.”

Lilac Road is the first of four foals and one of two winners out of G2 Prix de Malleret and G2 Prix de la Nonette third Lavender Lane (Ire) (Shamardal), herself a half-sister to G2 Prix Greffulhe winner Sumbal (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and Listed Grand Prix du Nord victrix Lily Passion (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}). The February-foaled chestnut's second dam Alix Road (Fr) (Linamix {Fr}), who ran third in the G1 Prix Saint-Alary, is a half-sister to stakes-winning G3 Prix de Guiche runner-up Fils de Viane (Fr) (Kadounor {Fr}) and hails from the family of G1 Prix d'Ispahan runner-up and MGSW sire Gunboat Diplomacy (Fr) (Dominion {GB}). Lavender Lane has a yearling colt by Camelot (GB) and a weanling colt by Sottsass (Fr) to come.

Thursday, York, Britain
AL BASTI EQUIWORLD DUBAI MIDDLETON FILLIES' S.-G2, £140,000, York, 5-12, 4yo/up, f, 10f 56yT, 2:11.50, gd.
1–LILAC ROAD (IRE), 128, f, 4, by Mastercraftsman (Ire)
1st Dam: Lavender Lane (Ire) (MGSP-Fr), by Shamardal
2nd Dam: Alix Road (Fr), by Linamix (Fr)
3rd Dam: Life On the Road (Ire), by Persian Heights (GB)
1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Jon & Julia Aisbitt (IRE); T-William Haggas; J-Tom Marquand. £79,394. Lifetime Record: 12-4-2-1, $210,655. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Aristia (Ire), 128, f, 4, Starspangledbanner (Aus)–Aloisi (GB), by Kalanisi (Ire). 1ST GROUP TYPE. (85,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-Mrs E Roberts; B-Rathasker Stud (IRE); T-Richard Hannon. £30,100.
3–Thunder Kiss (Ire), 128, m, 5, Night of Thunder (Ire)–Desert Snow (GB), by Teofilo (Ire). O/B-Newtown Anner Stud Farm (IRE); T-Ger Lyons. £15,064.
Margins: HF, 2 1/4, 2 1/4. Odds: 0.00, 0.00, 0.00.
Also Ran: Ville de Grace (GB), Noon Star, Forbearance (Ire). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Ireland Nab Marquand in Racing League Draft

Tom Marquand will represent Ireland in Racing League 2022 having been the first pick at this morning's jockey draft at Doncaster Racecourse. A total of 108 jockeys signed up for the inaugural draft, with the seven team managers each selecting seven riders in a pre-agreed order to ensure a fair allocation.

Ireland team manager Kevin Blake said, “I am really happy. Six out of the seven were selections I thought I might get and the exception to that I am very happy with. It is a nice mix of British-based and Irish-based jockeys, with some of the top lads in Ireland keen to support the concept. Gavin Ryan and Dylan Browne McMonagle rode in the Racing League last year and were very keen to be involved again, as was Billy Lee. It will be great to get them over alongside the British-based jockeys headed by Tom Marquand, who was obviously the number one pick.”

Each region will have at least one Group 1-winning rider, with notable picks including Frankie Dettori for Wales and The West, Jamie Spencer for The North and last year's leading jockey Jack Mitchell for The East.

Added Rupert Bell, team manager for The East, “That was great fun to do. I am delighted as I got most of what I wanted. I kicked off with Jack Mitchell as he was the star of the show last year, helping team talkSPORT win. We have Hayley Turner, Grace McEntee and Luke Morris–some very reliable jockeys who will do our team proud.”

To view the complete teams, click here.

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Loves Only You Finishes Career With Hong Kong Cup Victory

Loves Only You set the perfect seal on one of international racing's most colorful careers with a spellbinding success in the HK$30 million Group 1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) on Sunday at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong.

Yoshito Yahagi's globetrotting mare has flown the Hinomaru flag from Dubai to Hong Kong and on to the USA then back to Sha Tin again in 2021, leading home a Japanese 1-2-3-4 in the G1 FWD Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) in April and then creating history by becoming the first horse from her nation to score at the Breeders' Cup.

Hong Kong's richest race had been nominated as the final race of the Deep Impact mare's career soon after she crossed the line in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (2200m) at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif., on November 6.

Her fifth long flight of the year took her annual distance covered to over 20,000 miles but Loves Only You was produced in perfect condition and completed the final leg of her global odyssey with a last-gasp success under the coolest of rides from Yuga Kawada.

The 36-year-old rider, who was extremely fortunate not to be brought down when previous winner Danon Smash was badly hampered in a dramatic G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) earlier in the day, was understandably thrilled to record his first HKIR success. “Thank you very much, I'm very proud,” he said.

“She jumped well. The pace was a bit slow but then she relaxed and I was able to find a good position. She's given me two big presents and is the best female horse I've ever ridden. I hope she will be a good mother.”

Sent off the 2.6 market leader, Loves Only You jumped alertly from stall four and was soon traveling keenly just behind a steady early pace set by Mac Swiney, Ka Ying Star, and the wide-running Bolshoi Ballet.

Russian Emperor made a bold move to hit the front as a packing field jostled for position early in the home straight but last season's BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) runner-up edged right with his tongue lolling out as he did so, placing Loves Only You in a pocket on the inner at a crucial point.

Hishi Iguazu produced a storming run from the rear on the outside soon after under Joao Moreira to draw level briefly well inside the final furlong.

However, Kawada had Loves Only You in full stride by this stage and the five-year-old repeated her Del Mar heroics, quickening valiantly between horses under pressure to lead close home and beat her fellow Japanese raider by a short head.

Russian Emperor ran the race of his life for Douglas Whyte and Blake Shinn to finish a length away in third, while British raider Dubai Honour never looked like becoming the first European runner to win the Cup since Snow Fairy in 2010 but stayed on powerfully for fourth once in the clear for William Haggas and Tom Marquand.

Three years on from seeing his star filly Lys Gracieux beaten narrowly by Exultant in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m), winning trainer Yoshito Yahagi was completing an incredible end to 2021 which has also produced a 50-1 Breeders' Cup Distaff success for Marche Lorraine and a commanding Japan Cup success for his superstar colt Contrail.

The colorful 60-year-old was unable to accompany Loves Only You on the final leg of her journey but his stable representative Yusaku Oka was on hand to savor a perfect finale.

“I'm so glad to win this race for our trainer, who is watching on in Japan,” he said.

“She won the Breeders' Cup very well and in the spring she came over here and had a good result, so we were always confident she would run well.

“She's got a good pedigree – so we are looking forward to the next stage of her career – and as we have quite a lot of good horses in the stable we hope we will be back in Hong Kong with them in the future.”

Dusk was gathering over Sha Tin as an elated Kawada left the racecourse on a day that illustrated every aspect of the joy and pain that defines racing at the highest level.

The sun is also setting on Loves Only You's racing career but, if the 2021 edition of the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races confirmed one thing, it is that the Land of the Rising Sun is now a true powerhouse on the global racing stage.

Following in the footsteps of A Shin Hikari, Maurice, Win Bright, and Normcore, this success for Loves Only You means Japan has now won five of the last seven Hong Kong Cups and four of the eight HKIR races run in the last two years.

HKJC racecaller Mark McNamara summed up the latest thrilling finish to Hong Kong's most cherished prize by saying: “It's Japan 1-2, Loves Only You says sayonara with the Cup!”

Leave them wanting more is never a bad motto. But, who knows, maybe Japan's latest Cup queen will have a son or daughter to represent her on the LONGINES HKIR stage in years to come.

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