Group 1 winner Grand Glory (GB) (Olympic Glory {Ire}), who races for Albert Frassetto, John d'Amato and Mike Pietrangelo, will be offered at the upcoming Arqana Breeding Stock Sale from Dec. 4-7. Slated to sell on Dec. 4, the G1 Prix Jean Roment heroine and G1 Prix de Diane third also won the G3 Prix de Flore as a 4-year-old and the G3 Grand Prix de Vichy this term. In her most recent start, the Haras de Bourgeauville-bred was second by a nose in the G1 Prix de l'Opera on Oct. 3.
The daughter of the placed Madonna Lily (Ire) (Daylami {Ire}) was picked up for just €18,000 out of the Arqana October Yearling Sale in 2017. Madonna Lily is a half-sister to GII Canadian S. winner Minakshi (Fr) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}). Grand Glory's stakes-placed second dam Maria de La Luz (GB) (Machiavellian) is a half-sister to Happy Heart (Fr) (Exit to Nowhere), herself the dam of G1 Crown Oaks heroine Arapaho Miss (Aus) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). Arapaho Miss, in turn, has foaled G1 VRC Oaks victress Miami Bound (NZ) to the cover of Reliable Man (GB).
Group 1 winner Lord of England (Ger) (Dashing Blade {GB}– Loveria {GB}, by Los Santos {Fr}), was euthanised due to persistent heart problems at Gestut Etzean in Germany. Galopp Online reported the news on Monday morning.
Bred by Stall Pontresina and raced by Stall Lucky Owner, the chestnut began his career at two with two wins in Italy, including the Listed Premio Giuseppe de Montel and placed third two starts later in the G1 Gran Criterium. Making his debut in Germany at three for trainer Mario Hofer, Lord of England ran second in the G3 Dr. Busch-Memorial in April of 2006 and third in the G2 German 2000 Guineas that May. Successful in the G3 Grosser Preis der Wirtschaft that June, his final start was a one-length win in Munich's G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis Bayerisches Zuchtrennen. Named the top colt in Germany from 9 1/2-11 furlongs for his efforts, his record at retirement was 8-4-1-2, with $281,575 in earnings.
Sold to Gestut Etzean for stallion duty, the half-brother to multiple German stakes winner and Group 3-placed Loriango (Ger) (Acatenango {Ger}) has left 21 stakes winners, 12 at the group level so far. Just as Lord of England was the best colt by his sire Dashing Blade, 2016 G1 German Derby hero Isfahan (Ger) is the standout among Lord of England's male progeny. Isfahan is responsible for this year's German Derby victor Sisfahan (Ger) and German Oaks second, the late Isfahani (Ger). Lord of England has also sired two other Group 1 winners-Palmas (Ger) and Feodora (Ger), winners of the G1 Preis der Diana in 2021 and 2014, respectively. As a broodmare sire, Lord of England has four black-type winners to his name, among them group winners Ladykiller (Ger) (Kamsin {Ger}) and Sea Bay (Ger) (New Bay {GB}), the winner of Sunday's G3 Preis des Winterfavoriten at Cologne.
Her Majesty The Queen has become the first entry into the QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame within the Special Contributor category for her “unwavering commitment and longstanding patronage of the sport”.
From celebrating her first winner in 1949, the Queen has been a consistent presence in racing as an owner/breeder through eight decades, as well as acting as an unofficial figurehead for the sport in Britain, particularly though its globally recognised flagship Flat meeting, Royal Ascot.
“I suspect that The Queen will have a lot of inner pride in being invited into the Hall of Fame,” said Her Majesty's bloodstock and racing advisor John Warren. “The Queen's contribution to racing and breeding derives from a lifelong commitment. Her love of horses and their welfare comes with a deep understanding of what is required to breed, rear, train and ride a thoroughbred.”
He added, “Her Majesty's fascination is unwavering and her pleasure derives from all of her horses–always accepting the outcome of their ability so gracefully.”
Sir Francis Brooke, The Queen's Representative at Ascot Racecourse, said, “The inclusion of The Queen within the Hall of Fame recognises her unique contribution to the world of racing, not only as an enthusiast, but also as a successful owner and breeder and as its most important patron.”
The Queen has been represented by more than 1,800 winners, including the Classic winners Carrozza (GB), Highclere (GB), Pall Mall (GB) and Dunfermline (GB). She has twice been Champion Flat Owner in Britain, in 1954 and 1957. In 2022, The Queen will become the first monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, with the Derby at Epsom set to form part of the official celebration of her historic 70-year reign.
Sir Michael Stoute, the 10-time champion trainer whose many successes for The Queen include training her Gold Cup winner Estimate (Ire), said, “Her Majesty will be thrilled to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. She richly deserves it because her contribution has been enormous. She loves it so much.
“I've found that training for The Queen comes with no pressure. Because of her understanding, her deep knowledge and her thirst for more. She's always thinking ahead–what I'm going to do with this animal, am I going to breed it, who should I breed it to, temperament, speed, stamina. She's fascinated with the whole idea and we must remember it's a very long time that she's been doing it.”
Recalling Estimate's famous Royal Ascot victory, Ryan Moore, who has ridden 71 winners for The Queen, added, “The thing I remember most about that day is the cheering. I probably hadn't ever received a reception like that at the Royal Meeting, or any time before really. It was different on that day–you can see with The Queen how much it means to her; the way she smiles when she's looking at her horses, the enjoyment she was getting out of that. People want to see her do well and winning the Gold Cup, it's hard to top that. It was such a special day.”
Starman (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}), who was favourite for Saturday's G1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint S., has been retired from racing after suffering a minor injury. He will stand next season at Tally-Ho Stud in Ireland.
“It's a huge shame as we were really looking forward to Saturday and confirming him to be the champion that he is,” said Starman's trainer Ed Walker.
“I've always thought he was the best around and he's certainly the best I've ever trained.”
Bred and raced by David Ward, the 4-year-old has enjoyed a successful season, with his standout victory coming in the G1 Darley July Cup. He also won the G2 Clipper Logistics Duke of York S. on his seasonal debut and has been placed in both the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest and G1 Betfair Sprint Cup. That last run at Haydock saw him beaten just a short-head when second to Emaraty Ana (GB).
Currently rated the top sprinter in Europe, Starman is a son of the Montjeu (Ire) mare Northern Star (Ire), a winner over 10 furlongs in Ward's colours and the dam of two multiple winners. He won his first three starts as a 3-year-old, including the listed Garrowby S., and retires with earnings of £476,380.
He joins a strong roster of stallions at the O'Callaghan family's Tally-Ho Stud led by Kodiac (GB), who is backed up by the promising young sires Mehmas (Ire), Galileo Gold (GB) and Cotai Glory (GB). Yet to have their first runners are Kessaar (Ire) and Inns Of Court (Ire).
“We are grateful to Ed Sackville for arranging the deal for Starman to stand at Tally-Ho and we are delighted to welcome a horse of his calibre,” said Roger O'Callaghan. “He's a really high-class horse that caught everybody's attention this year.”
