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Next Step For Good Too

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. Today's Observations features the return of a 'TDN Rising Star'.

2.07 Saint-Cloud, Cond, €34,000, 2yo, 7 1/2fT
GOOD TOO (FR) (Ectot {GB}) earned 'TDN Rising Star' status on his winning debut at Deauville last month and Jean-Claude Rouget has opted to go steady for now with Al Shaqab's half-brother to the listed-placed Nunzia (Fr) (Epaulette {Aus}). Described by his trainer as having “great potential” following his racecourse bow, he encounters five rivals all more experienced at this stage.

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Zechariah Targeting Classic Campaign

Last week's Haynes, Hanson and Clark Conditions S. winner Zechariah (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}) is likely to be put away for the winter with an eye towards starting in a Derby trial next spring, said trainer Martyn Meade. Campaigned by Aquis Farm and Manton Park, Zechariah broke his maiden at third asking at Sandown on July 22 before making fairly light work of Juddmonte's Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Godolphin's King Of Conquest (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) at Newbury on Friday.

“I was a little concerned about the ground, but it worked out pretty well,” Meade said. “It looked a fairly impressive win. On paper they looked a nice bunch. It was probably closer to a listed race in terms of quality, but the question is what happens next.”

“I think I'm leaning towards putting him away and bringing him back as a 3-year-old, because he's still a bit on the raw side,” Meade added. “Wherever we'd have to go now, it would mean putting him under great pressure, and I just think I'd like him to mature over the winter and then come back in top company at three.

“He's had four runs already, so he has got experience and he's shown me all I need to know. I just think he'd benefit more from maturing before going up in class. That is my thinking at the moment, but of course it can change. He's a nice prospect for next year. I think I'll be looking towards a Derby trial–he's by Nathaniel, so will certainly get 10 furlongs.”

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Injury Flare-Up For St Mark’s Basilica

Trainer Aidan O'Brien has “backed off” five-time Group 1 winner St Mark's Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) after the 3-year-old once again exhibited soreness in the area of a minor injury he sustained this summer.

St Mark's Basilica missed the G1 Juddmonte International at York last month after a cut on a hind leg caused by a thrown shoe became infected, and although the dual French Classic and G1 Eclipse S. winner returned to win the G1 Irish Champion S. 10 days ago, he has since been sore in the area of the old wound.

Of St Mark's Basilica's future, O'Brien said, “There's no decision yet–he's not back in full work yet. He did start back with some canters, but he was a little bit sore on that wound that he had. Because of that, we've just backed off him again and we haven't made any decisions. That's where we are at the moment.”

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Mental Health App For Jockeys Rolled Out

Irish Injured Jockeys has introduced a mental health app called Leafyard that provides tools, activities, and support to help all jockeys with any general mental health concerns. Research commissioned by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board in 2019 and 2020 found that injured jockeys were 46 times more likely to meet the criteria for depression than non-injured jockeys and reported higher levels of dissatisfaction associated with meeting the criteria for distress and generalised anxiety.

Ruby Walsh, former champion jockey and chairman of the Irish Injured Jockeys, said, “I suppose I wasn't shocked when I saw the results of the survey the Irish Horse Racing Regulatory Board commissioned. I have been around in the racing world long enough to see the highs and the lows, so whilst it didn't shock me, it did upset me.

“After consultation with Dr [Jennifer] Pugh [IHRB medical director] and [sports psychology consultant] Ciara Losty, Irish Injured Jockeys were happy to fund the Leafyard app, which I think is an innovative, action-driven, practical solution to support everyone in the weigh room.”

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